Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands |
3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Apr. 30, 2017 |
Apr. 30, 2016 |
Apr. 30, 2017 |
Apr. 30, 2016 |
|
| Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Abstract] | ||||
| Net income attributable to Eaton Vance Corp. shareholders | $ 71,975 | $ 54,967 | $ 132,686 | $ 113,353 |
| Net income available to common shareholders (basic) | 71,975 | 54,967 | 132,686 | 113,353 |
| Net income available to common shareholders (diluted) | $ 71,975 | $ 54,967 | $ 132,686 | $ 113,353 |
| Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic | 110,875 | 110,459 | 110,375 | 110,852 |
| Incremental common shares | 5,087 | 3,208 | 4,813 | 3,456 |
| Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted | 115,962 | 113,667 | 115,188 | 114,308 |
| Earnings per share (Basic) ($ per share) | $ 0.65 | $ 0.50 | $ 1.20 | $ 1.02 |
| Earnings per share (Diluted) ($ per share) | $ 0.62 | $ 0.48 | $ 1.15 | $ 0.99 |
| Antidilutive common shares | 3,600 | 12,200 | 4,100 | 13,100 |