Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 24, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 24, 2010
Trade revenue
Commissions	$ 441,234	$ 359,635	$ 1,301,077	$ 1,143,532
Principal transactions	71,897	73,209	219,556	228,847
Investment banking	37,865	61,317	120,720	153,646
Total trade revenue	550,996	494,161	1,641,353	1,526,025
Fee revenue
Asset-based	451,669	355,860	1,325,174	999,176
Account and activity	136,098	126,249	391,085	374,410
Total fee revenue	587,767	482,109	1,716,259	1,373,586
Interest and dividends	34,625	32,014	97,655	91,918
Other revenue (loss)	(6,611)	7,431	5,161	21,842
Total revenue	1,166,777	1,015,715	3,460,428	3,013,371
Interest expense	16,344	13,597	51,495	42,719
Net revenue	1,150,433	1,002,118	3,408,933	2,970,652
Operating expenses:
Compensation and benefits	764,581	649,161	2,225,343	1,898,163
Occupancy and equipment	90,188	85,910	268,163	257,779
Communications and data processing	70,384	72,365	217,186	215,164
Payroll and other taxes	42,556	35,589	133,879	118,439
Advertising	9,951	8,467	39,733	41,622
Postage and shipping	13,428	13,331	36,696	38,017
Clearance fees	2,949	2,793	9,530	8,608
Other operating expenses	40,776	37,463	120,748	114,437
Total operating expenses	1,034,813	905,079	3,051,278	2,692,229
Income before allocations to partners	115,620	97,039	357,655	278,423
Allocations to partners:
Limited partners	16,743	10,793	52,080	31,151
Subordinated limited partners	12,176	10,578	37,349	29,436
General partners	86,701	75,668	268,226	217,836
Net Income
Income before allocations to partners per weighted average $1,000 equivalent limited partnership unit outstanding	$ 25.11	$ 23.74	$ 77.69	$ 68.10
Weighted average $1,000 equivalent limited partnership units outstanding	666,786	454,636	670,357	457,430