XML 92 R11.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.2.0.727
Fair Value Disclosures
6 Months Ended
May. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Disclosures
Fair Value Disclosures
The following is a summary of our financial assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis, excluding Investments at fair value based on NAV of $42.5 million and $42.2 million at May 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, respectively, by level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
 
May 31, 2015
 
Level 1(1)
 
Level 2(1)
 
Level 3
 
Counterparty and
Cash Collateral
Netting (2)
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments owned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity securities
$
2,639,204

 
$
187,080

 
$
20,547

 
$

 
$
2,846,831

Corporate debt securities

 
3,393,526

 
31,917

 

 
3,425,443

Collateralized debt obligations

 
166,814

 
89,007

 

 
255,821

U.S. government and federal agency securities
2,615,590

 
307,285

 

 

 
2,922,875

Municipal securities

 
638,604

 

 

 
638,604

Sovereign obligations
1,256,242

 
1,241,493

 

 

 
2,497,735

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 
2,809,536

 
88,695

 

 
2,898,231

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 
908,809

 
17,862

 

 
926,671

Other asset-backed securities

 
88,731

 
11,857

 

 
100,588

Loans and other receivables

 
1,599,819

 
108,756

 

 
1,708,575

Derivatives
64,371

 
4,404,136

 
40,012

 
(4,106,430
)
 
402,089

Investments at fair value

 
718

 
131,343

 

 
132,061

Physical commodities

 
45,191

 

 

 
45,191

Total financial instruments owned, excluding Investments at fair value based on NAV
$
6,575,407

 
$
15,791,742

 
$
539,996

 
$
(4,106,430
)
 
$
18,800,715

Cash and cash equivalents
$
3,288,758

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,288,758

Cash and securities segregated and on deposit for
    regulatory purposes (3)
$
2,396,114

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,396,114

Securities received as collateral
$
9,623

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
9,623

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity securities
$
2,134,344

 
$
56,838

 
$
38

 
$

 
$
2,191,220

Corporate debt securities

 
1,569,430

 
452

 

 
1,569,882

U.S. government and federal agency securities
1,955,173

 
134,889

 

 

 
2,090,062

Sovereign obligations
1,228,416

 
848,551

 

 

 
2,076,967

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 
48,268

 

 

 
48,268

Loans

 
957,597

 
10,732

 

 
968,329

Derivatives
38,035

 
4,380,241

 
38,426

 
(4,205,980
)
 
250,722

Total financial instruments sold, not yet
     purchased
$
5,355,968

 
$
7,995,814

 
$
49,648

 
$
(4,205,980
)
 
$
9,195,450

Obligation to return securities received as collateral
$
9,623

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
9,623

Other secured financings
$

 
$

 
$
56,060

 
$

 
$
56,060

Embedded conversion option
$

 
$

 
$
725

 
$

 
$
725


(1)
There were no material transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for the six months ended May 31, 2015.
(2)
Represents counterparty and cash collateral netting across the levels of the fair value hierarchy for positions with the same counterparty.
(3)
Cash and securities segregated and on deposit for regulatory purposes include U.S. government securities with a fair value of $525.0 million and Commodities Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) approved money market funds with a fair value of $190.0 million.
 
November 30, 2014
 
Level 1 (1)
 
Level 2 (1)
 
Level 3
 
Counterparty and
Cash Collateral
Netting (2)
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments owned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity securities
$
2,178,837

 
$
226,441

 
$
20,964

 
$

 
$
2,426,242

Corporate debt securities

 
3,342,276

 
22,766

(4)

 
3,365,042

Collateralized debt obligations

 
306,218

 
124,650

(4)

 
430,868

U.S. government and federal agency securities
2,694,268

 
81,273

 

 

 
2,775,541

Municipal securities

 
590,849

 

 

 
590,849

Sovereign obligations
1,968,747

 
790,764

 

 

 
2,759,511

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 
2,879,954

 
82,557

 

 
2,962,511

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 
966,651

 
26,655

 

 
993,306

Other asset-backed securities

 
137,387

 
2,294

 

 
139,681

Loans and other receivables

 
1,458,760

 
97,258

 

 
1,556,018

Derivatives
65,145

 
5,046,278

 
54,190

 
(4,759,345
)
 
406,268

Investments at fair value

 
73,148

 
53,224

 

 
126,372

Physical commodities

 
62,234

 

 

 
62,234

Total financial instruments owned, excluding Investments at fair value based on NAV
$
6,906,997

 
$
15,962,233

 
$
484,558

 
$
(4,759,345
)
 
$
18,594,443

Cash and cash equivalents
$
4,079,968

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
4,079,968

Cash and securities segregated and on deposit for
    regulatory purposes (3)
$
3,444,674

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,444,674

Securities received as collateral
$
5,418

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
5,418

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity securities
$
1,911,145

 
$
74,681

 
$
38

 
$

 
$
1,985,864

Corporate debt securities

 
1,611,994

 
223

 

 
1,612,217

Collateralized debt obligations

 
4,557

 

 

 
4,557

U.S. government and federal agency securities
2,253,055

 

 

 

 
2,253,055

Sovereign obligations
1,217,075

 
574,010

 

 

 
1,791,085

Loans

 
856,525

 
14,450

 

 
870,975

Derivatives
52,778

 
5,117,803

 
49,552

 
(4,856,618
)
 
363,515

Total financial instruments sold, not yet
     purchased
$
5,434,053

 
$
8,239,570

 
$
64,263

 
$
(4,856,618
)
 
$
8,881,268

Obligation to return securities received as collateral
$
5,418

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
5,418

Other secured financings
$

 
$

 
$
30,825

 
$

 
$
30,825

Embedded conversion option
$

 
$

 
$
693

 
$

 
$
693

 
(1)
At December 1, 2013, equity options presented within Financial instruments owned and Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased of $6.1 million and $6.6 million, respectively, were transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 as adjustments were incorporated into the valuation approach for such contracts to estimate the point within the bid-ask range that meets the best estimate of fair value.
(2)
Represents counterparty and cash collateral netting across the levels of the fair value hierarchy for positions with the same counterparty.
(3)
Cash and securities segregated and on deposit for regulatory purposes include U.S. government securities with a fair value of $453.7 million and CFTC approved money market funds with a fair value of $545.0 million.
(4)
Level 3 Collateralized debt obligations increased by $33.2 million with a corresponding decrease in Level 3 Corporate debt securities from those previously reported to correct for the classification of certain positions. The total amount of Level 3 assets remained unchanged.
The following is a description of the valuation basis, including valuation techniques and inputs, used in measuring our financial assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis:
Corporate Equity Securities
 
Exchange Traded Equity Securities: Exchange-traded equity securities are measured based on quoted closing exchange prices, which are generally obtained from external pricing services, and are categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, otherwise they are categorized within Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Non-exchange Traded Equity Securities: Non-exchange traded equity securities are measured primarily using broker quotations, pricing data from external pricing services and prices observed for recently executed market transactions and are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Where such information is not available, non-exchange traded equity securities are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and measured using valuation techniques involving quoted prices of or market data for comparable companies, similar company ratios and multiples (e.g., price/EBITDA, price/book value), discounted cash flow analyses and transaction prices observed for subsequent financing or capital issuance by the company. When using pricing data of comparable companies, judgment must be applied to adjust the pricing data to account for differences between the measured security and the comparable security (e.g., issuer market capitalization, yield, dividend rate, geographical concentration).
Equity warrants: Non-exchange traded equity warrants are generally categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and are measured using the Black-Scholes model with key inputs impacting the valuation including the underlying security price, implied volatility, dividend yield, interest rate curve, strike price and maturity date.
Corporate Debt Securities
 
Corporate Bonds: Corporate bonds are measured primarily using pricing data from external pricing services and broker quotations, where available, prices observed for recently executed market transactions and bond spreads or credit default swap spreads of the issuer adjusted for basis differences between the swap curve and the bond curve. Corporate bonds measured using these valuation methods are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. If broker quotes, pricing data or spread data is not available, alternative valuation techniques are used including cash flow models incorporating interest rate curves, single name or index credit default swap curves for comparable issuers and recovery rate assumptions. Corporate bonds measured using alternative valuation techniques are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and comprise a limited portion of our corporate bonds.
High Yield Corporate and Convertible Bonds: A significant portion of our high yield corporate and convertible bonds are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and are measured primarily using broker quotations and pricing data from external pricing services, where available, and prices observed for recently executed market transactions of comparable size. Where pricing data is less observable, valuations are categorized within Level 3 and are based on pending transactions involving the issuer or comparable issuers, prices implied from an issuer’s subsequent financings or recapitalizations, models incorporating financial ratios and projected cash flows of the issuer and market prices for comparable issuers.

Collateralized Debt Obligations
Collateralized debt obligations are measured based on prices observed for recently executed market transactions of the same or similar security or based on valuations received from third party brokers or data providers and are categorized within Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the observability and significance of the pricing inputs. Valuation that is based on recently executed market transitions of similar securities incorporates additional review and analysis of pricing inputs and comparability criteria including but not limited to collateral type, tranche type, rating, origination year, prepayment rates, default rates, and severities.
U.S. Government and Federal Agency Securities
U.S. Treasury Securities: U.S. Treasury securities are measured based on quoted market prices and categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
U.S. Agency Issued Debt Securities: Callable and non-callable U.S. agency issued debt securities are measured primarily based on quoted market prices obtained from external pricing services and are generally categorized within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Municipal Securities
Municipal securities are measured based on quoted prices obtained from external pricing services and are generally categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Sovereign Obligations
Foreign sovereign government obligations are measured based on quoted market prices obtained from external pricing services, where available, or recently executed independent transactions of comparable size. To the extent external price quotations are not available or recent transactions have not been observed, valuation techniques incorporating interest rate yield curves and country spreads for bonds of similar issuers, seniority and maturity are used to determine fair value of sovereign bonds or obligations. Foreign sovereign government obligations are classified in Level 1, 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, primarily based on the country of issuance.
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities
 
Agency Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities: Agency residential mortgage-backed securities include mortgage pass-through securities (fixed and adjustable rate), collateralized mortgage obligations and interest-only and principal-only securities and are generally measured using market price quotations from external pricing services and categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Agency Residential Interest-Only and Inverse Interest-Only Securities (Agency Inverse IOs): The fair value of agency inverse IOs is estimated using expected future cash flow techniques that incorporate prepayment models and other prepayment assumptions to amortize the underlying mortgage loan collateral. We use prices observed for recently executed transactions to develop market-clearing spread and yield curve assumptions. Valuation inputs with regard to the underlying collateral incorporate weighted average coupon, loan-to-value, credit scores, geographic location, maximum and average loan size, originator, servicer, and weighted average loan age. Agency inverse IOs are categorized within Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. We also use vendor data in developing our assumptions, as appropriate.
Non-Agency Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities: Fair values are determined primarily using discounted cash flow methodologies and securities are categorized within Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy based on the observability and significance of the pricing inputs used. Performance attributes of the underlying mortgage loans are evaluated to estimate pricing inputs, such as prepayment rates, default rates and the severity of credit losses. Attributes of the underlying mortgage loans that affect the pricing inputs include, but are not limited to, weighted average coupon; average and maximum loan size; loan-to-value; credit scores; documentation type; geographic location; weighted average loan age; originator; servicer; historical prepayment, default and loss severity experience of the mortgage loan pool; and delinquency rate. Yield curves used in the discounted cash flow models are based on observed market prices for comparable securities and published interest rate data to estimate market yields.

 Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
 
Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities: Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) project loans are measured based on inputs corroborated from and benchmarked to observed prices of recent securitization transactions of similar securities with adjustments incorporating an evaluation for various factors, including prepayment speeds, default rates, and cash flow structures as well as the likelihood of pricing levels in the current market environment. Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (“DUS”) mortgage-backed securities are generally measured by using prices observed for recently executed market transactions to estimate market-clearing spread levels for purposes of estimating fair value. GNMA project loan bonds and FNMA DUS mortgage-backed securities are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities: Non-agency commercial mortgage-backed securities are measured using pricing data obtained from external pricing services and prices observed for recently executed market transactions and are categorized within Level 2 and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Other Asset-Backed Securities
Other asset-backed securities include, but are not limited to, securities backed by auto loans, credit card receivables and student loans and are categorized within Level 2 and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Valuations are determined using pricing data obtained from external pricing services and prices observed for recently executed market transactions.
Loans and Other Receivables
 
Corporate Loans: Corporate loans categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy are measured based on market price quotations where market price quotations from external pricing services are supported by market transaction data. Corporate loans categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are measured based on market price quotations that are considered to be less transparent, market prices for debt securities of the same creditor, and estimates of future cash flow incorporating assumptions regarding creditor default and recovery rates and consideration of the issuer’s capital structure.
Participation Certificates in Agency Residential Loans: Valuations of participation certificates in agency residential loans are based on observed market prices of recently executed purchases and sales of similar loans. The loan participation certificates are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy given the observability and volume of recently executed transactions and availability of data provider pricing.
Project Loans and Participation Certificates in GNMA Project and Construction Loans:  Valuations of participation certificates in GNMA project and construction loans are based on inputs corroborated from and benchmarked to observed prices of recent securitizations of assets with similar underlying loan collateral to derive an implied spread.  Securitization prices are adjusted to estimate the fair value of the loans incorporating an evaluation for various factors, including prepayment speeds, default rates, and cash flow structures as well as the likelihood of pricing levels in the current market environment.  The measurements are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy given the observability and volume of recently executed transactions.
Consumer Loans and Funding Facilities: Consumer and small business whole loans and related funding facilities are valued based on observed market transactions incorporating additional valuation inputs including, but not limited to, delinquency and default rates, prepayment rates, borrower characteristics, loan risk grades and loan age. These assets are categorized within Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Escrow and Trade Claim Receivables: Escrow and trade claim receivables are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy where fair value is estimated based on reference to market prices and implied yields of debt securities of the same or similar issuers. Escrow and trade claim receivables are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy where fair value is based on recent trade activity in the same security.
Derivatives
 
Listed Derivative Contracts: Listed derivative contracts that are actively traded are measured based on quoted exchange prices, which are generally obtained from external pricing services, and are categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Listed derivatives for which there is limited trading activity are measured based on incorporating the closing auction price of the underlying equity security, use similar valuation approaches as those applied to over-the-counter derivative contracts and are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
OTC Derivative Contracts: Over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivative contracts are generally valued using models, whose inputs reflect assumptions that we believe market participants would use in valuing the derivative in a current period transaction. Inputs to valuation models are appropriately calibrated to market data. For many OTC derivative contracts, the valuation models do not involve material subjectivity as the methodologies do not entail significant judgment and the inputs to valuation models do not involve a high degree of subjectivity as the valuation model inputs are readily observable or can be derived from actively quoted markets. OTC derivative contracts are primarily categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy given the observability and significance of the inputs to the valuation models. Where significant inputs to the valuation are unobservable, derivative instruments are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
OTC options include OTC equity, foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity options measured using various valuation models, such as the Black-Scholes, with key inputs impacting the valuation including the underlying security, foreign exchange spot rate or commodity price, implied volatility, dividend yield, interest rate curve, strike price and maturity date. Discounted cash flow models are utilized to measure certain OTC derivative contracts including the valuations of our interest rate swaps, which incorporate observable inputs related to interest rate curves, valuations of our foreign exchange forwards and swaps, which incorporate observable inputs related to foreign currency spot rates and forward curves and valuations of our commodity swaps and forwards, which incorporate observable inputs related to commodity spot prices and forward curves. Credit default swaps include both index and single-name credit default swaps. External prices are available as inputs in measuring index credit default swaps and single-name credit default swaps. For commodity and equity total return swaps, market prices are observable for the underlying asset and used as the basis for measuring the fair value of the derivative contracts. Total return swaps executed on other underlyings are measured based on valuations received from external pricing services.
Physical Commodities
Physical commodities include base and precious metals and are measured using observable inputs including spot prices and published indices. Physical commodities are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. To facilitate the trading in precious metals we undertake leasing of such precious metals. The fees earned or paid for such leases are recorded as Principal transaction revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Investments at Fair Value and Investments in Managed Funds
Investments at fair value based on NAV and Investments in Managed Funds include investments in hedge funds, fund of funds, private equity funds, convertible bond funds and commodity funds, which are measured at the net asset value of the funds provided by the fund managers and are excluded from the fair value hierarchy. Investments at fair value also include direct equity investments in private companies, which are measured at fair value using valuation techniques involving quoted prices of or market data for comparable companies, similar company ratios and multiples (e.g., price/EBITDA, price/book value), discounted cash flow analyses and transaction prices observed for subsequent financing or capital issuance by the company. Direct equity investments in private companies are categorized within Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Additionally, investments at fair value include investments in insurance contracts relating to our defined benefit plan in Germany. Fair value for the insurance contracts is determined using a third party and is categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

The following tables present information about our investments in entities that have the characteristics of an investment company at May 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014 (in thousands):
 
May 31, 2015
 
Fair Value (1)
 
Unfunded
Commitments
 
Redemption Frequency
(if currently eligible)
Equity Long/Short Hedge Funds (2)
$
53,360

 
$

 
Monthly, Quarterly
Fixed Income and High Yield Hedge Funds (3)
2,679

 

 
Fund of Funds (4)
339

 
94

 
Equity Funds (5)
41,311

 
25,670

 
Convertible Bond Funds (6)
3,460

 

 
At Will
Total (7)
$
101,149

 
$
25,764

 
 
 
 
November 30, 2014
 
Fair Value (1)
 
Unfunded
Commitments
 
Redemption Frequency
(if currently eligible)
Equity Long/Short Hedge Funds (2)
$
44,983

 
$

 
Monthly, Quarterly
Fixed Income and High Yield Hedge Funds (3)(8)
2,704

 

 
Fund of Funds (4)
323

 
94

 
Equity Funds (5)
65,216

 
26,023

 
Convertible Bond Funds (6)
3,355

 

 
At Will
Total (7)
$
116,581

 
$
26,117

 
 

(1)
Where fair value is calculated based on net asset value, fair value has been derived from each of the funds’ capital statements.
(2)
This category includes investments in hedge funds that invest, long and short, in primarily equity securities in domestic and international markets in both the public and private sectors. At May 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, investments representing approximately 100% and 99%, respectively, of the fair value of investments in this category are redeemable with 30-90 days prior written notice.
(3)
Includes investments in funds that invest in loans secured by a first trust deed on property, domestic and international public high yield debt, private high yield investments, senior bank loans, public leveraged equities, distressed debt, and private equity investments. There are no redemption provisions. At May 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, the underlying assets of 7% and 8%, respectively, of these funds are being liquidated and we are unable to estimate when the underlying assets will be fully liquidated.
(4)
Includes investments in fund of funds that invest in various private equity funds. At May 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, approximately 96% and 95%, respectively, of the fair value of investments in this category are managed by us and have no redemption provisions, instead distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the fund of funds, which are estimated to be liquidated in approximately two years. For the remaining investments, we have requested redemption; however, we are unable to estimate when these funds will be received.
(5)
At May 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, approximately 99% and 99%, respectively, of the fair value of investments in this category include investments in equity funds that invest in the equity of various U.S. and foreign private companies in the energy, technology, internet service and telecommunication service industries. These investments cannot be redeemed, instead distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds which are expected to liquidate in one to eight years.
(6)
This category represents an investment in the Jefferies Umbrella Fund, an open-ended investment company managed by us that invests primarily in convertible bonds. The remaining investments are in liquidation and we are unable to estimate when the underlying assets will be fully liquidated.
(7)
Investments at fair value within Financial instruments owned in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at May 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014 include $131.2 million and $126.3 million, respectively, of direct investments which do not have the characteristics of investment companies and therefore are not included within this table.
(8)
Fixed income and high yield hedge funds was revised by $2.5 million from that previously reported due to the inclusion of a fixed income fund, which has the characteristics of an investment company that is included in Investments at fair value within Financial instruments owned in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition. The total amount of Investments at fair value remained unchanged.

Other Secured Financings
Other secured financings that are accounted for at fair value include notes issued by consolidated VIEs, which are classified as Level 2 or Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Fair value is based on recent transaction prices for similar assets. In addition, at May 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, Other secured financings includes $3.9 million and $7.8 million, respectively, related to transfers of loans accounted for as secured financings rather than as sales and classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
Embedded Conversion Option
The embedded conversion option presented within long-term debt represents the fair value of the conversion option on Leucadia shares within our 3.875% Convertible Senior Debentures, due November 1, 2029 and categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. The conversion option was valued using a convertible bond model using as inputs the price of Leucadia's common stock, the conversion strike price, 252-day historical volatility, a maturity date of November 1, 2017 (the first put date), dividend yield and the risk-free interest rate curve.

The following is a summary of changes in fair value of our financial assets and liabilities that have been categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended May 31, 2015 (in thousands): 
 
Three Months Ended May 31, 2015
 
Balance at
February 28,
2015
 
Total gains/
losses
(realized and
unrealized)
(1)
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Settlements
 
Issuances
 
Net
transfers
into/
 (out of)
Level 3
 
Balance at May 31,
2015
 
Change in
unrealized gains/
(losses) relating
to instruments
still held at
May 31,
2015 (1)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments
   owned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity
    securities
$
18,210

 
$
8,030

 
$

 
$
(73
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(5,620
)
 
$
20,547

 
$
8,073

Corporate debt
    securities
24,795

 
(532
)
 
2,183

 
(2,368
)
 

 

 
7,839

 
31,917

 
(922
)
Collateralized debt
    obligations
96,837

 
(5,120
)
 
29,021

 
(25,430
)
 

 

 
(6,301
)
 
89,007

 
(2,328
)
Sovereign
   obligations
333

 
(12
)
 
320

 
(641
)
 

 

 

 

 

Residential
    mortgage-backed
    securities
79,953

 
(1,820
)
 
8,733

 
(4,915
)
 
(323
)
 

 
7,067

 
88,695

 
315

Commercial
    mortgage-backed
    securities
24,629

 
(789
)
 
1,256

 
(9,237
)
 
(173
)
 

 
2,176

 
17,862

 
(759
)
Other asset-backed
    securities
7,146

 
(19
)
 
8,322

 
(80
)
 
(270
)
 

 
(3,242
)
 
11,857

 
41

Loans and other
    receivables
111,410

 
(748
)
 
40,602

 
(26,335
)
 
(16,314
)
 

 
141

 
108,756

 
(669
)
Investments at fair
    value
128,232

 
3,380

 
73

 
(78
)
 
(264
)
 

 

 
131,343

 
3,482

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments
    sold, not yet purchased:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity
    securities
$
38

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
38

 
$

Corporate debt
    securities

 
339

 

 
113

 

 

 

 
452

 
(339
)
Net derivatives (2)
3,314

 
(4,912
)
 
(11,963
)
 

 
12,078

 
389

 
(492
)
 
(1,586
)
 
4,912

Loans
9,327

 
(332
)
 
(1,170
)
 
350

 
2,557

 

 

 
10,732

 
332

Other secured financings
65,602

 

 

 

 
(9,542
)
 

 

 
56,060

 

Embedded conversion
     option
825

 
(100
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
725

 
100

(1)
Realized and unrealized gains/losses are reported in Principal transaction revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
(2)
Net derivatives represent Financial instruments owned—Derivatives and Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased —Derivatives.
Analysis of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities for the Three Months Ended May 31, 2015
During the three months ended May 31, 2015, transfers of assets of $98.4 million from Level 2 to Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are primarily attributed to:
Collateralized debt obligations of $48.0 million, non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities of $30.0 million, commercial mortgage-backed securities of $7.7 million and other asset-backed securities of $2.1 million for which no recent trade activity was observed for purposes of determining observable inputs;
Loans and other receivables of $1.0 million due to a lower number of contributors comprising vendor quotes to support classification within Level 2;

Corporate debt securities of $8.2 million and corporate equity securities of $1.4 million due to a lack of observable market transactions.
During the three months ended May 31, 2015, transfers of assets of $96.4 million from Level 3 to Level 2 are primarily attributed to:
Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities of $23.0 million, commercial mortgage-backed securities of $5.5 million and other asset-back securities of $5.4 million for which market trades were observed in the period for either identical or similar securities;
Collateralized debt obligations of $54.4 million due to a greater number of contributors for certain vendor quotes supporting classification into Level 2;
Corporate equity securities of $7.0 million due to an increase in observable market transactions.
Net gains on Level 3 assets were $2.4 million and net gains on Level 3 liabilities were $5.0 million for the three months ended May 31, 2015. Net gains on Level 3 assets were primarily due to increased valuations of corporate equity securities and investments at fair value, partially offset by a decrease in valuation of collateralized debt obligations, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and loans and other receivables. Net gains on Level 3 liabilities were primarily due to decreased valuations of certain derivative instruments.

The following is a summary of changes in fair value of our financial assets and liabilities that have been categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy for the six months ended May 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 
Six Months Ended May 31, 2015
 
Balance at
November 30,
2014
 
Total
gains/
losses
(realized
and
unrealized)
(1)
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Settlements
 
Issuances
 
Net
transfers
into/
(out of)
Level 3
 
Balance at May 31,
2015
 
Change in
unrealized gains/
(losses) relating
to instruments
still held at
May 31,
2015 (1)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments owned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity securities
$
20,964

 
$
7,066

 
$
1,469

 
$
(262
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(8,690
)
 
$
20,547

 
$
7,077

Corporate debt securities
22,766

 
(796
)
 
3,095

 
(3,445
)
 

 

 
10,297

 
31,917

 
(929
)
Collateralized debt obligations
124,650

 
(17,229
)
 
66,246

 
(59,532
)
 
(147
)
 

 
(24,981
)
 
89,007

 
(8,989
)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
82,557

 
(3,735
)
 
24,083

 
(18,899
)
 
(477
)
 

 
5,166

 
88,695

 
(822
)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
26,655

 
(1,124
)
 
4,685

 
(12,128
)
 
(6,971
)
 

 
6,745

 
17,862

 
(496
)
Other asset-backed securities
2,294

 
(258
)
 
8,385

 
(79
)
 
(207
)
 

 
1,722

 
11,857

 
(97
)
Loans and other receivables
97,258

 
(5,795
)
 
71,865

 
(29,184
)
 
(33,895
)
 

 
8,507

 
108,756

 
(3,166
)
Investments, at fair value
53,224

 
4,615

 
5,270

 
(427
)
 
(541
)
 

 
69,202

 
131,343

 
4,882

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity securities
$
38

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
38

 
$

Corporate debt securities
223

 
225

 
(6,677
)
 
6,804

 

 

 
(123
)
 
452

 
(339
)
Net derivatives (2)
(4,638
)
 
1,925

 
(8,848
)
 
120

 
8,395

 
1,460

 

 
(1,586
)
 
(3,586
)
Loans
14,450

 
(277
)
 
(759
)
 
350

 

 

 
(3,032
)
 
10,732

 
277

Other secured financings
30,825

 

 

 

 
(11,760
)
 
36,995

 

 
56,060

 

Embedded conversion option
693

 
32

 

 

 

 

 

 
725

 
(32
)
(1)
Realized and unrealized gains/losses are reported in Principal transaction revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
(2)
Net derivatives represent Financial instruments owned—Derivatives and Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased —Derivatives.
Analysis of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities for the Six Months Ended May 31, 2015
During the six months ended May 31, 2015, transfers of assets of $155.0 million from Level 2 to Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are primarily attributed to:
Collateralized debt obligations of $27.3 million, non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities of $20.3 million, commercial mortgage-backed securities of $10.2 million and other asset-backed securities of $2.1 million for which no recent trade activity was observed for purposes of determining observable inputs;
Loans and other receivables of $13.9 million due to a lower number of contributors comprising vendor quotes to support classification within Level 2;
Corporate debt securities of $10.4 million, corporate equity securities of $1.6 million and investments at fair value of $69.2 million due to a lack of observable market transactions.
During the six months ended May 31, 2015, transfers of assets of $87.0 million from Level 3 to Level 2 are primarily attributed to:
Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities of $15.1 million and commercial mortgage-backed securities of $3.5 million for which market trades were observed in the period for either identical or similar securities;
Collateralized debt obligations of $52.3 million and loans and other receivables of $5.3 million due to a greater number of contributors for certain vendor quotes supporting classification into Level 2;
Corporate equity securities of $10.3 million due to an increase in observable market transactions.
During the six months ended May 31, 2015, there were transfers of loan liabilities of $3.0 million from Level 3 to Level 2 due to an increase in observable inputs in the valuation.
Net losses on Level 3 assets were $17.3 million and net losses on Level 3 liabilities were $1.9 million for the six months ended May 31, 2015. Net losses on Level 3 assets were primarily due to decreased valuations of collateralized debt obligations, loans and other receivables and residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, partially offset by an increase in valuation of corporate equity securities and certain investments at fair value. Net losses on Level 3 liabilities were primarily due to increased valuations of certain derivative instruments.

The following is a summary of changes in fair value of our financial assets and liabilities that have been categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended May 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended May 31, 2014 (1)
 
Balance at
February 28,
2014
 
Total gains/
losses (realized
and unrealized)
(2)
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Settlements
 
Net
transfers
into/
(out of)
Level 3
 
Balance at
May 31,
2014
 
Change in
unrealized gains/
(losses) relating
to instruments
still held at
May 31,
2014 (2)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments
    owned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity
    securities
$
12,341

 
$
(178
)
 
$
90

 
$
(84
)
 
$

 
$
4,233

 
$
16,402

 
$
(178
)
Corporate debt
    securities
29,315

 
5,659

 
1,937

 
(5,831
)
 

 
568

 
31,648

 
7,999

Collateralized debt
    obligations
66,028

 
4,706

 
19,146

 
(49,636
)
 
(331
)
 
2,400

 
42,313

 
238

Residential
    mortgage-backed
    securities
116,992

 
(791
)
 
10,955

 
(24,618
)
 
(459
)
 
(30,117
)
 
71,962

 
(422
)
Commercial
    mortgage-backed
    securities
17,486

 
(903
)
 
18,026

 
(21,038
)
 
(1,189
)
 
11,864

 
24,246

 
(1,933
)
Other asset-backed
    securities
2,375

 
(314
)
 
15,686

 

 
(438
)
 
28,135

 
45,444

 
(314
)
Loans and other
    receivables
128,832

 
11,933

 
42,278

 
(48,064
)
 
(21,482
)
 
25,146

 
138,643

 
11,922

Investments at fair
    value
82,205

 
2,349

 
5,160

 
(3,946
)
 

 
(6,452
)
 
79,316

 
(299
)
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments
    sold, not yet purchased:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity
    securities
$
1,015

 
$
(977
)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
38

 
$
558

Corporate debt
securities

 
(84
)
 
(4,082
)
 
3,012

 

 
3,934

 
2,780

 
84

Net derivatives (3)
5,773

 
9,485

 
(2,150
)
 
2,149

 
25

 

 
15,282

 
(9,485
)
Loans
10,260

 
62

 
(9,629
)
 
18,995

 
139

 
11,707

 
31,534

 
(57
)
Other secured financings
30,394

 

 
(992
)
 

 
(9,114
)
 

 
20,288

 

Embedded conversion
     option
7,607

 
(3,712
)
 

 

 

 

 
3,895

 
3,712


(1)
There were no issuances during the three months ended May 31, 2014.
(2)
Realized and unrealized gains/losses are reported in Principal transaction revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
(3)
Net derivatives represent Financial instruments owned—Derivatives and Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased —Derivatives.
Analysis of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities for the Three Months Ended May 31, 2014
During the three months ended May 31, 2014, transfers of assets of $95.2 million from Level 2 to Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are attributed to:
Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities of $5.5 million, commercial mortgage-backed securities of $14.2 million and other asset-backed securities of $29.9 million for which no recent trade activity was observed for purposes of determining observable inputs;
Loans and other receivables of $26.3 million due to a lower number of contributors comprising vendor quotes to support classification within Level 2;
Corporate equity securities of $11.6 million and corporate debt securities of $0.6 million due to lack of observable market transactions;
Collateralized debt obligations of $7.1 million which have little to no transparency related to trade activity.
During the three months ended May 31, 2014, transfers of assets of $59.4 million from Level 3 to Level 2 are attributed to:
Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities of $35.6 million, commercial mortgage-backed securities of $2.3 million and other asset-backed securities of $1.8 million for which market trades were observed in the period for either identical or similar securities;
Collateralized debt obligations of $4.7 million, loans and other receivables of $1.1 million and investments at fair value of $6.5 million due to a greater number of contributors for certain vendor quotes supporting classification into Level 2;
Corporate equity securities of $7.4 million due to an increase in observable market transactions.

During the three months ended May 31, 2014, there were transfers of loan liabilities of $11.7 million from Level 2 to Level 3 due to a decrease in observable inputs in the valuation. There were $3.9 million transfers of corporate debt liabilities from Level 2 to Level 3 due to a lower number of observable market transactions.

Net gains on Level 3 assets were $22.5 million and net losses on Level 3 liabilities were $4.8 million for the three months ended May 31, 2014. Net gains on Level 3 assets were primarily due to increased valuations of certain loans and other receivables, collateralized debt obligations, corporate debt securities and investments at fair value, partially offset by a decrease in valuation of certain corporate equity securities and residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities. Net losses on Level 3 liabilities were primarily due to increased valuations of certain derivative instruments, partially offset by decrease in valuation of the embedded conversion option and certain corporate equity and debt securities.

The following is a summary of changes in fair value of our financial assets and liabilities that have been categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy for the six months ended May 31, 2014 (in thousands):
 
 
Six Months Ended May 31, 2014
 
Balance at
November 30,
2013
 
Total gains/
losses (realized
and unrealized)
(1)
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Settlements
 
Issuances
 
Net
transfers
into/
(out of)
Level 3
 
Balance at
May 31,
2014
 
Change in
unrealized gains/
(losses) relating
to instruments
still held at
May 31,
2014 (1)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments owned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity securities
$
9,884

 
$
(1,583
)
 
$
608

 
$
(370
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
7,863

 
$
16,402

 
$
(494
)
Corporate debt securities
25,666

 
5,116

 
3,835

 
(3,224
)
 

 

 
255

 
31,648

 
7,420

Collateralized debt obligations
37,216

 
14,169

 
36,200

 
(55,963
)
 

 

 
10,691

 
42,313

 
5,656

Residential mortgage-backed securities
105,492

 
(4,114
)
 
21,893

 
(37,356
)
 
(529
)
 

 
(13,424
)
 
71,962

 
(1,324
)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
17,568

 
(2,191
)
 
32,449

 
(29,864
)
 
(1,710
)
 

 
7,994

 
24,246

 
(3,236
)
Other asset-backed securities
12,611

 
(537
)
 
17,361

 
(5,496
)
 
(438
)
 

 
21,943

 
45,444

 
(569
)
Loans and other receivables
145,890

 
3,946

 
92,579

 
(88,674
)
 
(26,685
)
 

 
11,587

 
138,643

 
3,382

Investments, at fair value
66,931

 
24,601

 
27,660

 
(32,648
)
 

 

 
(7,228
)
 
79,316

 
21,954

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity securities
$
38

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
38

 
$

Corporate debt securities

 
(203
)
 
(28,319
)
 
31,431

 

 

 
(129
)
 
2,780

 
203

Net derivatives (2)
6,905

 
11,591

 
(179
)
 
(21
)
 
318

 

 
(3,332
)
 
15,282

 
(11,591
)
Loans
22,462

 
754

 
(22,491
)
 
27,908

 
139

 

 
2,762

 
31,534

 
(57
)
Other secured financings
8,711

 

 

 

 
(9,114
)
 
20,691

 

 
20,288

 

Embedded conversion option
9,574

 
(5,679
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
3,895

 
5,679


(1)
Realized and unrealized gains/losses are reported in Principal transaction revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
(2)
Net derivatives represent Financial instruments owned—Derivatives and Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased —Derivatives.

Analysis of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities for the Six Months Ended May 31, 2014

During the six months ended May 31, 2014, transfers of assets of $94.9 million from Level 2 to Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are attributed to:

Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities of $20.9 million, commercial mortgage-backed securities of $8.4 million and other asset-backed securities of $25.5 million for which no recent trade activity was observed for purposes of determining observable inputs;

Loans and other receivables of $14.2 million due to a lower number of contributors comprising vendor quotes to support classification within Level 2;

Corporate equity securities of $11.5 million and corporate debt securities of $0.3 million due to lack of observable market transactions;
Collateralized debt obligations of $14.3 million which have little to no transparency in trade activity.

During the six months ended May 31, 2014, transfers of assets of $55.3 million from Level 3 to Level 2 are attributed to:

Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities of $34.3 million, commercial mortgage-backed securities of $0.4 million and other asset-backed securities of $3.5 million for which market trades were observed in the period for either identical or similar securities;

Collateralized debt obligations of $3.6 million, loans and other receivables of $2.6 million and investments at fair value of $7.2 million due to a greater number of contributors for certain vendor quotes supporting classification into Level 2;

Corporate equity securities of $3.6 million due to an increase in observable market transactions.

During the six months ended May 31, 2014, there were transfers of loan liabilities of $2.8 million from Level 2 to Level 3 due to a decrease in observable inputs in the valuation. There were $3.3 million transfers of net derivative liabilities from Level 3 to Level 2 and $0.1 million transfers of corporate debt securities from Level 2 to Level 3 due to an increase in observable inputs used in the valuing of derivative contracts and an increase in observable market transactions, respectively.

Net gains on Level 3 assets were $39.4 million and net losses on Level 3 liabilities were $6.5 million for the six months ended May 31, 2014. Net gains on Level 3 assets were primarily due to increased valuations of certain corporate debt securities, collateralized debt obligations, loans and other receivables and investments at fair value, partially offset by a decrease in valuation of certain corporate equity securities, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and other asset backed securities. Net losses on Level 3 liabilities were primarily due to increased valuations of certain derivative instruments and loan positions, partially offset by decrease in valuation of the embedded conversion option and certain corporate debt securities.

Quantitative Information about Significant Unobservable Inputs used in Level 3 Fair Value Measurements at May 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014
The tables below present information on the valuation techniques, significant unobservable inputs and their ranges for our financial assets and liabilities, subject to threshold levels related to the market value of the positions held, measured at fair value on a recurring basis with a significant Level 3 balance. The range of unobservable inputs could differ significantly across different firms given the range of products across different firms in the financial services sector. The inputs are not representative of the inputs that could have been used in the valuation of any one financial instrument (i.e., the input used for valuing one financial instrument within a particular class of financial instruments may not be appropriate for valuing other financial instruments within that given class). Additionally, the ranges of inputs presented below should not be construed to represent uncertainty regarding the fair values of our financial instruments; rather the range of inputs is reflective of the differences in the underlying characteristics of the financial instruments in each category.
For certain categories, we have provided a weighted average of the inputs allocated based on the fair values of the financial instruments comprising the category. We do not believe that the range or weighted average of the inputs is indicative of the reasonableness of uncertainty of our Level 3 fair values. The range and weighted average are driven by the individual financial instruments within each category and their relative distribution in the population. The disclosed inputs when compared with the inputs as disclosed in other periods should not be expected to necessarily be indicative of changes in our estimates of unobservable inputs for a particular financial instrument as the population of financial instruments comprising the category will vary from period to period based on purchases and sales of financial instruments during the period as well as transfers into and out of Level 3 each period.
May 31, 2015
Financial Instruments Owned
 
Fair Value
(in thousands)
 
Valuation Technique
 
Significant Unobservable Input(s)
 
Input / Range
 
Weighted
Average
Corporate equity securities
 
$
18,647

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-exchange traded securities
 
 
 
Market approach
 
EBITDA (a) multiple
 
4.8 to 5.9
 
5.4

 
 
 
 
Discounted cash flows
 
Underlying stock price
 
5.3
 

 
 
 
 
Scenario analysis
 
Estimated recovery percentage
 
79%
 

Corporate debt securities
 
$
31,917

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Convertible bond model
 
Discount rate/yield
 
35%
 

 
 
 
 
Discounted cash flows
 
Discount rate/yield
 
22%
 

Collateralized debt obligations
 
$
46,565

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Constant prepayment rate
 
0% to 20%
 
17
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Constant default rate
 
0% to 2%
 
2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss severity
 
25% to 100%
 
39
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yield
 
10% to 22%
 
11
%
Residential mortgage-backed
     securities
 
$
88,695

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Constant prepayment rate
 
0% to 50%
 
13
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Constant default rate
 
1% to 100%
 
17
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss severity
 
30% to 90%
 
59
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yield
 
0% to 12%
 
5
%
Commercial mortgage-backed
      securities
 
$
17,862

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Yield
 
12% to 21%
 
16
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative loss rate
 
2% to 49%
 
10
%
Other asset-backed securities
 
$
11,857

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Constant prepayment rate
 
3% to 6%
 
3
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Constant default rate
 
3% to 6%
 
5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss severity
 
60% to 70%
 
69
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yield
 
5% to 7%
 
5
%
Loans and other receivables
 
$
99,094

 
Comparable pricing
 
Comparable loan price
 
$99 to $100
 
$
99.9

 
 
 
 
Market approach
 
Yield
 
3% to 10%
 
8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
EBITDA (a) multiple
 
7.3
 

 
 
 
 
Scenario analysis
 
Estimated recovery percentage
 
10% to 75%
 
36
%
 
 
 
 
Discounted cash flows
 
Constant prepayment rate
 
20%
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Constant default rate
 
2%
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss severity
 
30%
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Yield
 
11%
 

Derivatives
 
40,012

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange options
 
 
 
Option Model
 
Volatility
 
11% to 23%
 
13
%
Commodity forwards
 
 
 
Discounted cash flows
 
Discount rate
 
24%
 

Unfunded commitment
 
 
 
Comparable pricing
 
Comparable loan price
 
$83 to $100
 
$
99.9

 
 
 
 
Market approach
 
Yield
 
8%
 

Investments at fair value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private equity securities
 
$
6,627

 
Market approach
 
Transaction Level
 
$56
 

Liabilities
 
Fair Value
(in thousands)
 
Valuation Technique
 
Significant Unobservable Input(s)
 
Input / Range
 
Weighted
Average
Financial Instruments Sold, Not Yet
    Purchased:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives
 
$
38,426

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange options
 
 
 
Option model
 
Volatility
 
11% to 23%
 
13
%
Unfunded commitment
 
 
 
Comparable pricing
 
Comparable loan price
 
$83 to $100
 
$
88.7

 
 
 
 
Market approach
 
Yield
 
5% to 8%
 
8
%
 
 
 
 
Discounted cash flows
 
Constant prepayment rate
 
20%
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Constant default rate
 
2%
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss severity
 
30%
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Yield
 
11%
 

Loans and other receivables
 
$
10,732

 
Comparable pricing
 
Comparable loan price
 
$100
 

Other secured financings
 
$
56,060

 
Comparable pricing
 
Comparable loan price
 
$71 to $100
 
$
97.0

Embedded conversion option
 
$
725

 
Option valuation model
 
Historical volatility
 
20%
 

(a)
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”).
November 30, 2014
Financial Instruments Owned
 
Fair Value
(in thousands)
 
Valuation Technique
 
Significant Unobservable  Input(s)
 
Input / Range
 
Weighted
Average
Corporate equity securities
 
$
19,814

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-exchange traded
     securities
 
 
 
Market approach
 
EBITDA multiple
 
3.4 to 4.7
 
3.6

 
 
 
 
Scenario analysis
 
Estimated recovery percentage
 
24%
 

Corporate debt securities
 
$
22,766

 
Convertible bond model
 
Discount rate/yield
 
32%
 

Collateralized debt obligations
 
$
41,784

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Constant prepayment rate
 
0% to 20%
 
13
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Constant default rate
 
0% to 2%
 
2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss severity
 
0% to 70%
 
39
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yield
 
2% to 51%
 
16
%
Residential mortgage-backed
     securities
 
$
82,557

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Constant prepayment rate
 
1% to 50%
 
13
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Constant default rate
 
1% to 100%
 
14
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss severity
 
20% to 80%
 
50
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Yield
 
3% to 13%
 
7
%
Commercial mortgage-backed
     securities
 
$
26,655

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Yield
 
8% to 12%
 
11
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cumulative loss rate
 
4% to 72%
 
15
%
 
 
 
 
Scenario analysis
 
Estimated recovery percentage
 
90%
 

Other asset-backed securities
 
$
2,294

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Constant prepayment rate
 
8%
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Constant default rate
 
3%
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss severity
 
70%
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Yield
 
7%
 

Loans and other receivables
 
$
88,154

 
Comparable pricing
 
Comparable loan price
 
$100 to $101
 
$
100.3

 
 
 
 
Market approach
 
Yield
 
3% to 5%
 
4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
EBITDA multiple
 
3.4 to 8.2
 
7.6

 
 
 
 
Scenario analysis
 
Estimated recovery percentage
 
10% to 41%
 
36
%
Derivatives
 
$
54,190

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange options
 
 
 
Option Model
 
Volatility
 
13% to 23%
 
17
%
Commodity forwards
 
 
 
Discounted cash flows
 
Discount rate
 
17%
 

Loan commitments
 
 
 
Comparable pricing
 
Comparable loan price
 
$100
 

Investments at fair value
 
$
8,500

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private equity securities
 
 
 
Market approach
 
Transaction level
 
$50
 

Liabilities
 
Fair Value
(in thousands)
 
Valuation Technique
 
Significant Unobservable Input(s)
 
Input / Range
 
Weighted
Average
Financial Instruments Sold, Not
    Yet Purchased:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives
 
$
49,552

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FX options
 
 
 
Option model
 
Volatility
 
13% to 23%
 
17
%
Unfunded commitment
 
 
 
Comparable pricing
 
Comparable loan price
 
$89 to $100
 
$
92.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit spread
 
45bps
 

 
 
 
 
Market approach
 
Yield
 
5%
 

Loans and other receivables
 
$
14,450

 
Comparable pricing
 
Comparable loan price
 
$100
 

Other secured financings
 
$
30,825

 
Comparable pricing
 
Comparable loan price
 
$81 to $100
 
$
98.7

Embedded conversion option
 
$
693

 
Option valuation model
 
Historical volatility
 
19%
 


The fair values of certain Level 3 assets and liabilities that were determined based on third-party pricing information, unadjusted past transaction prices, reported net asset value or a percentage of the reported enterprise fair value are excluded from the above tables. At May 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, asset exclusions consisted of $178.7 million and $137.8 million, respectively, primarily comprised of investments in non-exchange traded securities, private equity securities, investments in reinsurance contracts, collateralized debt obligations, and certain loans and other receivables and corporate debt securities. At May 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, liability exclusions consisted of $0.5 and $0.3 million, respectively of certain corporate debt and equity securities.
Sensitivity of Fair Values to Changes in Significant Unobservable Inputs
For recurring fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, the sensitivity of the fair value measurement to changes in significant unobservable inputs and interrelationships between those unobservable inputs (if any) are described below:
Private equity securities, corporate debt securities, other asset-backed securities, loans and other receivables and loan commitments using comparable pricing valuation techniques. A significant increase (decrease) in the comparable share, bond or loan price in isolation would result in a significant higher (lower) fair value measurement.
Non-exchange traded securities and loans and other receivables using a market approach valuation technique. A significant increase (decrease) in the EBITDA or other multiples in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. A significant increase (decrease) in the yield of a corporate debt security, loan and other receivable would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. A significant increase (decrease) in the discount rate of a private equity security would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement.
Corporate debt securities and loans and other receivables using scenario analysis. A significant increase (decrease) in the possible recovery rates of the cash flow outcomes underlying the investment would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement for the financial instrument.
Collateralized debt obligations, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities using a discounted cash flow valuation technique. A significant increase (decrease) in isolation in the constant default rate, and loss severities or cumulative loss rate would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. The impact of changes in the constant prepayment rate would have differing impacts depending on the capital structure of the security. A significant increase (decrease) in the loan or bond yield would result in a significant lower (higher) fair value measurement.
Derivative equity options and equity warrants using an option model. A significant increase (decrease) in volatility would result in a significant higher (lower) fair value measurement.
Private equity securities using a net asset value technique. A significant increase (decrease) in the discount applied to net asset value would result in a significant (lower) higher fair value measurement.
Fair Value Option Election
We have elected the fair value option for all loans and loan commitments made by our capital markets businesses. These loans and loan commitments include loans entered into by our investment banking division in connection with client bridge financing and loan syndications, loans purchased by our leveraged credit trading desk as part of its bank loan trading activities and mortgage loan commitments and fundings in connection with mortgage- and other asset-backed securitization activities. Loans and loan commitments originated or purchased by our leveraged credit and mortgage-backed businesses are managed on a fair value basis. Loans are included in Financial instruments owned and loan commitments are included in Financial instruments owned and Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The fair value option election is not applied to loans made to affiliate entities as such loans are entered into as part of ongoing, strategic business ventures. Loans to affiliate entities are included within Loans to and investments in related parties on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and are accounted for on an amortized cost basis. We have elected the fair value option for certain financial instruments held by subsidiaries as the investments are risk managed by us on a fair value basis. The fair value option has also been elected for certain secured financings that arise in connection with our securitization activities and other structured financings. Other secured financings, Receivables – Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations, Receivables – Customers, Receivables – Fees, interest and other, Payables – Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations and Payables – Customers, are accounted for at cost plus accrued interest rather than at fair value; however, the recorded amounts approximate fair value due to their liquid or short-term nature. 
The following is a summary of gains (losses) due to changes in instrument specific credit risk on loans and other receivables and loan commitments measured at fair value under the fair value option (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended May 31,
 
Six Months Ended May 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Financial Instruments Owned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans and other receivables
$
(5,294
)
 
$
2,038

 
$
(2,377
)
 
$
1,430

Financial Instruments Sold:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans
$
110

 
$
(1,555
)
 
$
238

 
$
(2,591
)
Loan commitments
5,544

 
(9,024
)
 
(1,622
)
 
(11,090
)
The following is a summary of the amount by which contractual principal exceeds fair value for loans and other receivables measured at fair value under the fair value option (in thousands):
 
May 31, 2015
 
November 30, 2014
Financial Instruments Owned:
 
 
 
Loans and other receivables (1)
$
466,404

 
$
403,119

Loans and other receivables greater than 90 days past due (1)
29,109

 
5,594

Loans and other receivables on nonaccrual status (1) (2)
(16,684
)
 
(22,360
)

(1)
Interest income is recognized separately from other changes in fair value and is included within Interest revenues on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
(2)
Amounts include all loans and other receivables greater than 90 days past due.
The aggregate fair value of loans and other receivables that were greater than 90 days past due was $13.9 million and $0 at May 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, respectively.

The aggregate fair value of loans and other receivables on nonaccrual status, which includes all loans and other receivables greater than 90 days past due, was $332.0 million and $274.6 million at May 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, respectively.