CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
REVENUE
Commissions	$ 119,580	$ 125,634
Principal transactions, net	15,717	12,555
Interest	12,371	13,393
Investment banking	18,448	20,087
Advisory fees	56,720	50,077
Other	16,310	16,468
Total revenue	239,146	238,214
EXPENSES
Compensation and related expenses	159,209	158,651
Clearing and exchange fees	6,042	6,031
Communications and technology	15,864	16,138
Occupancy and equipment costs	17,565	24,344
Interest	6,862	8,792
Other	26,891	30,747
Total expenses	232,433	244,703
Income (loss) before income taxes	6,713	(6,489)
Income tax provision (benefit)	2,820	(2,606)
Net income (loss) for the period	3,893	(3,883)
Less net income attributable to non-controlling interest, net of tax	230	774
Net income (loss) attributable to Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.	$ 3,663	$ (4,657)
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Oppenheimer Holdings Inc.
Basic	$ 0.27	$ (0.34)
Diluted	$ 0.26	$ (0.34)
Weighted average shares
Basic	13,607,998	13,597,330
Diluted	14,028,715	13,597,330