SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Summary of RSU transactions

	RSUs		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding December 31, 2009	10,208,185		$	5.57
Granted	8,128,286		5.50
Vested	(3,075,790	)	7.46
Cancelled	(715,544	)	5.50
Outstanding December 31, 2010	14,545,137		5.14
Granted	9,250,544		4.74
Vested	(5,095,883	)	5.38
Cancelled	(742,072	)	5.69
Outstanding December 31, 2011	17,957,726		4.84
Granted	8,354,723		3.55
Vested	(6,476,243	)	4.87
Cancelled	(482,824	)	4.84
Outstanding December 31, 2012	19,353,382		$	4.27

Schedule of total compensation expense and related income tax benefits recognized in relation to RSUs

	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Compensation expense	$	32,385	$	32,772	$	26,674
Income tax benefits	$	9,838	$	11,011	$	4,926

Stock options outstanding under both the GFI Group 2002 Plan and the GFInet 2000 Plan

	GFI Group 2002 Plan					GFInet 2000 Plan
	Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Contractual Term	Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Contractual Term
Outstanding December 31, 2009	641,436		$	3.31		313,572		$	3.19
Exercised	(30,420	)	2.97			(205,960	)	2.69
Cancelled	(4,212	)	2.97			(11,364	)	5.68
Outstanding December 31, 2010	606,804		3.33			96,248		3.95
Exercised	(4,212	)	2.97			(23,884	)	2.62
Cancelled	(16,844	)	5.25			—		—
Expired	—		—			(55,520	)	4.82
Outstanding December 31, 2011	585,748		3.28			16,844		2.97
Exercised	(10,528	)	2.97			—		—
Outstanding December 31, 2012	575,220		$	3.29	1.13	16,844		$	2.97	0.99
Exercisable at December 31, 2012	575,220		$	3.29	1.13	16,844		$	2.97	0.99