Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events On February 1, 2017 the Company issued 910,000 shares of common stock and 1,150,000 shares of 7.25% mandatory convertible preferred stock in a public offering which included the exercise of the underwriter option to purchase additional mandatory convertible preferred stock for net proceeds of $207.1 million, after underwriting discounts, commissions and other offering expenses. On February 24, 2017, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional 136,500 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $14.3 million. The mandatory convertible preferred stock was issued and has a liquidation preference of $100.00 per share. Unless converted earlier, each share of mandatory convertible preferred stock will convert automatically on February 1, 2020 (the "mandatory conversion date"), into between 0.7576 and 0.9091 shares of common stock, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. The number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion will be determined based on the average VWAP per share of Virtus common stock over the 20 consecutive trading day period beginning on, and including, the 22nd scheduled trading day immediately preceding the mandatory conversion date. Each share of mandatory convertible preferred stock can be converted prior to February 1, 2020 at the option of the holder at the minimum conversion rate of 0.7576 or at specified rate in the event of a fundamental change as defined in the certificate of designations of the mandatory convertible preferred stock. On February 7, 2017, the term loan commitment under the Loan Facility was reduced from $475.0 million to $260.0 million as a result of our February 1, 2017, issuances of common stock and mandatory convertible preferred stock. Dividends on the mandatory convertible preferred stock will be payable on a cumulative basis when, as and if declared by Virtus' board of directors, at an annual rate of 7.25% on the liquidation preference of $100.00 per share. If declared, these dividends will be paid in cash, or, subject to certain limitations, in shares of Virtus' common stock (or a combination) on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1 of each year, commencing May 1, 2017, and continuing to, and including, February 1, 2020. On February 6, 2017, the Company repaid the full outstanding balance of $30.0 million on the Company's Credit Facility. On February 15, 2017, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per common share to be paid on May 10, 2017 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 28, 2017. The Company also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.8125 per share on the Company's 7.25% mandatory convertible preferred stock to be paid on May 1, 2017 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 2017.

Subsequent Events

On February 1, 2017 the Company issued 910,000 shares of common stock and 1,150,000 shares of 7.25% mandatory convertible preferred stock in a public offering which included the exercise of the underwriter option to purchase additional mandatory convertible preferred stock for net proceeds of $207.1 million, after underwriting discounts, commissions and other offering expenses. On February 24, 2017, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional 136,500 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $14.3 million. The mandatory convertible preferred stock was issued and has a liquidation preference of $100.00 per share. Unless converted earlier, each share of mandatory convertible preferred stock will convert automatically on February 1, 2020 (the "mandatory conversion date"), into between 0.7576 and 0.9091 shares of common stock, subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments. The number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion will be determined based on the average VWAP per share of Virtus common stock over the 20 consecutive trading day period beginning on, and including, the 22nd scheduled trading day immediately preceding the mandatory conversion date. Each share of mandatory convertible preferred stock can be converted prior to February 1, 2020 at the option of the holder at the minimum conversion rate of 0.7576 or at specified rate in the event of a fundamental change as defined in the certificate of designations of the mandatory convertible preferred stock. On February 7, 2017, the term loan commitment under the Loan Facility was reduced from $475.0 million to $260.0 million as a result of our February 1, 2017, issuances of common stock and mandatory convertible preferred stock.

Dividends on the mandatory convertible preferred stock will be payable on a cumulative basis when, as and if declared by Virtus' board of directors, at an annual rate of 7.25% on the liquidation preference of $100.00 per share. If declared, these dividends will be paid in cash, or, subject to certain limitations, in shares of Virtus' common stock (or a combination) on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1 of each year, commencing May 1, 2017, and continuing to, and including, February 1, 2020.

On February 6, 2017, the Company repaid the full outstanding balance of $30.0 million on the Company's Credit Facility.

On February 15, 2017, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per common share to be paid on May 10, 2017 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 28, 2017. The Company also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.8125 per share on the Company's 7.25% mandatory convertible preferred stock to be paid on May 1, 2017 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 2017.