Note 14 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Rollforward of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015		Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax [Abstract]
AOCI, Net of Tax, beginning balance					$ (18,477)
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period		$ 40,297	$ (21,620)		79,671	$ (15,166)
Less: Reclassification adjustment for net gains (losses) included in net income		758	44,664		(1,399)	44,631
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment Continuing Operations, Net of Tax		39,539	(66,284)		81,070	(59,797)
Net foreign currency translation adjustments		(225)	158		(310)	32
Activity related to investments recorded as assets held for sale		0	(5,082)		0	(3,254)
Net actuarial gains (losses)		0	0		(178)	0
Other comprehensive income		39,314	(71,208)		80,582	(63,019)
AOCI, Net of Tax, ending balance		62,105			62,105
Other Comprehensive Income
Other Comprehensive Income, before Tax [Abstract]
AOCI before Tax, Attributable to Parent, beginning balance		35,064	91,806		(28,425)	79,208
Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, before Tax		61,996			122,571
Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising Durling Period Continuing Operations, before Tax			(33,261)			(23,332)
Less: Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities Continuing Operations, before Tax	[1]		68,714			68,663
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, before Tax		60,830			124,723
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax, Unrealized Gains Losses on Investments Continuing Operations			(101,975)			(91,995)
Net foreign currency translation adjustments, before tax		(346)	243		(476)	49
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, before Tax		0			(274)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Before Tax, Unrealized Holding Gains (Losses) Arising During the Period on Investments Recorded as Assets Held for Sale, Net of Reclassification Adjustments	[2]		(7,818)			(5,006)
Other comprehensive income, before tax		60,484	(109,550)		123,973	(96,952)
AOCI before Tax, Attributable to Parent, ending balance		95,548	(17,744)		95,548	(17,744)
Other Comprehensive Income, Tax [Abstract]
AOCI, Tax, beginning balance		12,273	32,132		(9,948)	27,723
Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax		21,699			42,900
Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period Continuing Operations, Tax			(11,641)			(8,166)
Less: Reclassification adjustment for net (losses) gains included in net income, tax	[1]	408			(753)
Less: Reclassification adjustment for net gains (losses) included in net income related to continuing operations, Tax	[1]		24,050			24,032
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Tax		21,291			43,653
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Continuing Operations, Tax			(35,691)			(32,198)
Net foreign currency translation adjustments, tax		(121)	85		(166)	17
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Effect, Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments Recorded as Assets Held for Sale	[2]		(2,736)			(1,752)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Tax		0			(96)
Other Comprehensive Income, Tax		21,170	(38,342)		43,391	(33,933)
AOCI Tax, ending balance		33,443	(6,210)		33,443	(6,210)
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax [Abstract]
AOCI, Net of Tax, beginning balance		22,791	59,674		(18,477)	51,485
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period		40,297			79,671
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period continuing operations			(21,620)			(15,166)
Less: Reclassification adjustment for net gains (losses) included in net income	[1]	758			(1,399)
Less: Reclassification adjustment for net gains (losses) included in net income for continuing operations	[1]		44,664			44,631
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent		39,539			81,070
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment Continuing Operations, Net of Tax			(66,284)			(59,797)
Net foreign currency translation adjustments		(225)	158		(310)	32
Activity related to investments recorded as assets held for sale	[2]		(5,082)	[3]		(3,254)
Net actuarial gains (losses)		0			(178)
Other comprehensive income		39,314	(71,208)		80,582	(63,019)
AOCI, Net of Tax, ending balance		$ 62,105	$ (11,534)		$ 62,105	$ (11,534)

[1] Included in net gains (losses) on investments and other financial instruments on our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. During the second quarter of 2015, we sold equity securities in our portfolio and reinvested the proceeds in assets that qualify as PMIERs-compliant Available Assets, recognizing pretax gains of $68.7 million.

[2] Represents the unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period on investments recorded as assets held for sale, net of reclassification adjustments for net gains (losses) included in net income (loss) from discontinued operations.

[3] For the three months ended June 30, 2015, this amount represents the recognition of investment gains included in income from discontinued operations, net of tax, as a result of the completion of the sale of Radian Asset Assurance on April 1, 2015. Previously, pursuant to accounting standards, such investment gains had been deferred and recorded in AOCI.