Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Share capital	Contributed capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Non-controlling interest	Class A non-voting common stock
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2009		$ 47,824	$ 41,978	$ 362,188	$ (543)
Issuance of Class A non-voting common stock							3,767
Vested employee share plan awards			(1,710)
Tax shortfall from share-based awards			(104)
Share-based expense			4,101
Net profit for the period attributable to Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.	18,370			18,370
Dividends ($0.11 per share in 2011 and 2010)				(2,932)
Currency translation adjustment	(231)				(231)
Change in cash flow hedges, net of tax	(817)				(817)
Stockholders' Equity	471,891
Grant of non-controlling interest						784
Net profit attributable to non-controlling interest for the period, net of tax	856					856
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2010	473,531	51,591	44,265	377,626	(1,591)	1,640
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	497,596	51,901	47,808	394,648	207	3,032
Issuance of Class A non-voting common stock							10,729
Vested employee share plan awards			(13,303)
Tax shortfall from share-based awards			(1,624)
Share-based expense			2,179
Net profit for the period attributable to Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.	4,777			4,777
Dividends ($0.11 per share in 2011 and 2010)				(3,003)
Currency translation adjustment	119				119
Change in cash flow hedges, net of tax	1,322				1,322
Stockholders' Equity	495,760
Net profit attributable to non-controlling interest for the period, net of tax	1,422					1,422
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2011	$ 500,214	$ 62,630	$ 35,060	$ 396,422	$ 1,648	$ 4,454