Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement, Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Scenario, Actual [Member] Statement [Line Items] ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents (CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue) At end of period At beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash and cash equivalents (Notes 1 and 6) Accounts receivable and accrued revenue (Note 2) Accounts receivable and accrued revenue Accounts Receivable, Net, Total Investments in sponsored mutual funds (Notes 3 and 6) Investments in sponsored mutual funds Aggregate fair value Debt securities held by savings bank subsidiary (Notes 4 and 6) Debt securities held by savings bank subsidiary Total debt securities Other investments (Notes 5 and 6) Other investments Total other investments Property and equipment (Note 7) Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property and equipment Property and equipment Goodwill Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill, Beginning Balance Other assets (Notes 8 and 9) Other assets Other assets Total assets Total assets Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses (Note 10) Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accounts payable and accrued expenses Accrued compensation and related costs Employee-related Liabilities, Total Income taxes payable (Note 9) Income taxes payable Accrued Income Taxes, Total Customer deposits at savings bank subsidiary Customer deposits at savings bank subsidiary Customer deposits at savings bank subsidiary Total liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and contingent liabilities (Notes 5, 7 and 14) Commitments and contingent liabilities Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Stockholders' equity (Notes 10, 11, 13 and 14) Stockholders' equity Preferred stock, undesignated, $.20 par value - authorized and unissued 20,000,000 shares Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock, $.20 par value - authorized 750,000,000; issued 258,534,000 shares in 2009 and 259,423,000 in 2010 Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Additional capital in excess of par value Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Beginning Balance Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated other comprehensive income Total stockholders' equity Balances Balances Total stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) Preferred stock, par value per share Preferred stock, shares authorized Common stock, par value per share Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares issued Balances (shares) Balances (shares) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract] Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic [Abstract] Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Income (Loss) before Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract] Income (Loss) before Extraordinary Items and Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract] Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Operating Income (Loss) [Abstract] Gross Profit [Abstract] Revenues Investment advisory fees (Note 2) Investment advisory fees Asset Management Fees, Total Administrative fees (Note 2) Administrative fees Fees and Commissions, Total Investment income of savings bank subsidiary Investment income of savings bank subsidiary Total revenues Total revenues Interest expense on savings bank deposits Interest expense on savings bank deposits Net revenues Net revenues Operating expenses Compensation and related costs (Notes 7, 11 and 14) Compensation and related costs Compensation and related costs Advertising and promotion Advertising and promotion Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment Occupancy and facility costs (Note 7) Occupancy and facility costs Other operating expenses Other operating expenses Total operating expenses Total operating expenses Net operating income Net operating income Non-operating investment income (loss) Non-operating investment income (loss) Income before income taxes Income before income taxes Provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Provision for income taxes Net income (ProfitLoss) Net income Net income Earnings per share on common stock (Note 12) Earnings per share on common stock Basic (in dollars per share) Basic (in dollars per share) Diluted (in dollars per share) Diluted (in dollars per share) Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share) Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share) Unaudted Condensed Consolidated Statemens of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Stock-based compensation expense Stock-based compensation expense Intangible asset amortization Amortization of Intangible Assets, Total Other than temporary impairments of investments in sponsored mutual funds Other changes in assets and liabilities Other changes in assets and liabilities Other changes in assets and liabilities Other changes in assets and liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Investment in UTI Asset Management Company Investment in UTI Asset Management Company Limited UTI Asset Management Company transaction costs paid Cash payments for investment in UTI Asset Management Company, including transaction costs Investments in sponsored mutual funds Investments in sponsored mutual funds Dispositions of sponsored mutual funds Investments in debt securities by savings bank subsidiary Investments in debt securities held by savings bank subsidiary Proceeds from debt securities held by savings bank subsidiary Proceeds from debt securities held by savings bank subsidiary Additions to property and equipment Additions to property and equipment Additions to property and equipment Other investing activity Other investing activity Other investing activity Other investing activity Net cash used in investing activities Net cash used in investing activities Cash flows from financing activities Repurchases of common stock Repurchases of common stock Common share issuances under stock-based compensation plans Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation plans Dividends paid to stockholders Dividends Change in savings bank subsidiary deposits Change in savings bank subsidiary deposits Net cash used in financing activities Net cash used in financing activities Cash and cash equivalents (CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecreaseAbstract) Cash and cash equivalents Net change during period Net change during period Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Parent [Member] Common stock [Member] Additional capital in excess of par value [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Retained earnings [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated other comprehensive income [Member] Common stock-based compensation plans activity Shares issued upon option exercises Shares issued upon option exercises (shares) Restricted shares issued (shares) Shares issued on vesting of restricted stock units Shares issued on vesting of restricted stock units (shares) Net tax benefits Common shares repurchased Common shares repurchased Common shares repurchased (shares) Common shares repurchased (shares) Comprehensive income Net unrealized holding gains (OtherComprehensiveIncomeAvailableForSaleSecuritiesAdjustmentNetOfTaxPeriodIncreaseDecrease) Net unrealized holding gains Net unrealized holding gains recognized in other comprehensive income Total comprehensive income Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Dividends Dividends Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease) Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease), Total Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Period Increase (Decrease) Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Period Increase (Decrease), Total The Company and Basis of Preparation [Abstract] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (by policy) [Abstract] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Parent Company [Member] Basis of Preparation [Text Block] The Company and Basis of Preparation [Text Block] Information about Receivables, Revenues, and Services Information about Receivables, Revenues, and Services [Abstract] This element used to indicate facts reported for the continuing operations of a business entity including disclosure of receivables from sponsored mutual funds for both advisory fees and administrative services provided. This element also includes disclosure of the components of investment advisory fees and administrative fees earned as well as the components of average assets and period end assets under management. Information about Receivables, Revenues, and Services [Text Block] Investments in Sponsored Mutual Funds [Abstract] Investments in Sponsored Mutual Funds [Text Block] Debt Securities Held By and Customer Deposits at Savings Bank Subsidiary Debt Securities Held By and Customer Deposits at Savings Bank Subsidiary [Abstract] Debt Securities Held by and Customer Deposits at Savings Bank Subsidiary [Text Block] Other Investments [Abstract] This element discloses the components of the other investments included on the balance sheet. Other Investments [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements [Text Block] Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract] Stock-Based Compensation [Text Block] Earnings Per Share Calculations [Abstract] Earnings Per Share Calculations [Text Block] Investment Gains and Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Investment Gains and Other Comprehensive Income [Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the components of revenue recognized in the period for schedule-based fees earned for management of mutual funds based on average daily net assets and other investment management and advisory fees earned on other client portfolios based on asset valuations. Components of Investment Advisory Fees [Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the components of average assets under management and period end assets under management. Assets under management represents the market value of assets an investment adviser manages on behalf of investors. Components of Assets Under Management [Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the components of investments in sponsored mutual funds that are classifed as available for sale. Components of Investments in Sponsored Mutual Funds [Text Block] Tabular disclosure of investments in debt securities held as available-for-sale by a banking and thrift entity. Components of Investments in Debt Securities [Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the components of other investments, including those accounted for under the cost, equity and other methods. Components of Other Investments [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements Table [Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the rollforward of stock options and corresponding weighted average exercise prices. The table also includes the number of exercisable options and the corresponding weighted average exercise price at the end of the period. For annual periods the table also includes weighted average remaining contractual term of both options outstanding and options exercisable at the end of the period. Rollforward of Stock Options [Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the rollforward of restricted shares and restricted stock units with the corresponding weighted average grant date fair values. For annual periods the table also includes the value at vest date for restricted shares and units that vested during the period. Rollforward of Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units [Text Block] Tabular disclosure of stock-based compensation to be recognized in future periods. Future Stock-Based Compensation [Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the individual income and share amount effects of all securities that affect earnings per share. Earnings Per Share Calculations Table [Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the reconciliation between net unrealized holding gains or losses to amounts recognized in other comprehensive income or loss. Reconciliation of Net Unrealized Holding Gains to Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income [Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss including gross amounts and deferred taxes recognized. Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Text Block] Products and Services [Axis] Product and Service, Name [Domain] Sponsored mutual funds in the U.S. Sponsored mutual funds in the U.S. [Member] Stock and blended asset funds Stock and blended asset funds [Member] Bond and money market funds Bond and money market funds [Member] Bond Funds Bond funds [Member] Other portfolios Other portfolios [Member] Investment in sponsored mutual funds Investments in sponsored mutual funds [Member] Investment in sponsored mutual funds held as available-for-sale [Member] Investments in sponsored mutual funds held as available-for-sale [Member] Investment in sponsored mutual funds held as trading Investments in sponsored mutual funds held as trading [Member] Debt securities held by savings bank subsidiary [Member] Debt securities held by savings bank subsidiary [Member] Interest in Daiwa SB Investments Ltd. (Japan) [Member] 10% Interest in Daiwa SB Investments Ltd. (Japan) [Member] Other investments Other investments [Member] Restricted shares Restricted shares [Member] Restricted stock units Restricted stock units [Member] Semiannual grants Semiannual grants [Member] Reload grants Reload grants [Member] Nature of operations [Text Block] Basis of preparation The average market value of assets an investment adviser manages on behalf of investors over a specified time period. Average assets under management The market value of assets an investment adviser manages on behalf of investors at the end of the period. Period end assets under management Disclosure of the percentage of assets under management (AUM) at period end attributable to external customers from all foreign countries (excluding the United States) as a group. AUM is the market value of assets an investment adviser manages on behalf of investors. Percentage of period end assets under management from foreign countries Fees for advisory-related admnistrative services Fees for advisory-related admnistrative services Aggregate cost Unrealized holding gains Total fair value of investments with temporary impairment Total investments with temporary impairment Investments with temporary impairment (40 securities in 2010) of (fair values) Less than 12 months (AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThanTwelveMonthsFairValue) Less than 12 months 12 months or more (AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionTwelveMonthsOrLongerFairValue) 12 months or more Investments with temporary impairment (40 securities in 2010) of (unrealized holding gains (losses)) Less than 12 months (AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPositionLessThan12MonthsAggregateLosses) Less than 12 months Less than 12 months 12 months or more (AvailableForSaleSecuritiesContinuousUnrealizedLossPosition12MonthsOrLongerAggregateLosses) 12 months or more 12 months or more Unrealized holding losses Unrealized holding losses Total investments with temporary impairment This item represents the fair value of securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities that have unrealized gains at the end of the reporting period. Investments with unrealized holding gains This item represents the net unrealized gain (loss) for securities which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities. Such net unrealized gain (loss) is the excess of the fair value of the Available-for-sale Securities over their cost as of the reporting date. Such net unrealized gain (loss) is included in accumulated other comprehensive income in the statement of shareholders' equity. Other than temporary declines in fair value below costs basis are recognized in earnings. Net unrealized holding gains (losses) Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Cause Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Other Estimated fair value of customer deposit liability, basis for measurement Estimated fair value of customer deposit liability Number of investments with temporary impairment