Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Operating activities:
Consolidated net income (loss)	$ 39,222	$ (26,651)	$ 60,762
Non-cash items included in net income (loss):
Depreciation and amortization	5,175	3,114	3,243
Net investment losses	210	258	255
Restricted stock units recognized, net	37,941	40,597	45,880
Deferred taxes, net	5,435	14,594	(7,457)
Loss (gain) on fair value of contingent obligation	4,531	(1,332)	1,448
Loss (gain) on sales of property and equipment	(777)	0	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Advisory fees receivable	2,451	3,896	(3,710)
Other receivables and assets	(836)	449	1,509
Deferred tax asset, net	0	0	7,668
Compensation payable	30,313	(11,505)	15,394
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(9,546)	5,409	(706)
Current income taxes payable	2,175	(13,657)	(52)
Net cash provided by operating activities	116,294	15,172	124,234
Investing activities:
Distributions from investments, net	149	221	937
Purchases of property and equipment	(2,124)	(2,555)	(1,737)
Sales of property and equipment	1,357	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(618)	(2,334)	(800)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving bank loan	0	69,355	105,999
Repayment of revolving bank loan	0	(133,425)	(81,729)
Repayment of bank term loans	0	(16,875)	(16,875)
Proceeds from secured term loan, net	0	339,048	0
Repayment of secured term loan	(21,875)	0	0
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	0	20,000	0
Dividends paid	(5,158)	(47,552)	(61,609)
Purchase of treasury stock	(195,299)	(79,561)	(28,186)
Net tax cost from the delivery of restricted stock units and payment of dividend equivalents	0	0	(4,883)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(222,332)	150,990	(87,283)
Effect of exchange rate changes	(4,616)	5,505	(7,800)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(111,272)	169,333	28,351
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	267,646	98,313	69,962
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	156,374	267,646	98,313
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	20,945	6,567	2,944
Cash paid for taxes, net of refunds	$ 10,299	$ 26,026	$ 28,979