Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (NYSE:JEF) Short Interest Update

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (NYSE:JEF) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 4,989,828 shares, a growth of 27.9% from the December 31st total of 3,901,029 shares. Approximately 3.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,515,713 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,515,713 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days. Approximately 3.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on JEF shares. Morgan Stanley set a $78.00 target price on shares of Jefferies Financial Group and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, December 8th. UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Jefferies Financial Group in a research report on Tuesday, December 30th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of Jefferies Financial Group from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, December 1st. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of Jefferies Financial Group in a research note on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Capital One Financial set a $55.00 price target on shares of Jefferies Financial Group in a report on Friday, October 17th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Jefferies Financial Group has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $72.71.

Jefferies Financial Group Stock Down 4.1%

Shares of NYSE:JEF opened at $57.92 on Wednesday. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $61.59 and a 200 day simple moving average of $60.09. Jefferies Financial Group has a 12-month low of $39.28 and a 12-month high of $77.11. The firm has a market cap of $11.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.47 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.73.

Jefferies Financial Group (NYSE:JEF) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 7th. The financial services provider reported $0.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.13. Jefferies Financial Group had a return on equity of 7.27% and a net margin of 6.56%.The company had revenue of $2.07 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.01 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.91 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 5.7% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts predict that Jefferies Financial Group will post 4.41 earnings per share for the current year.

Jefferies Financial Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, February 27th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, February 17th will be paid a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, February 17th. Jefferies Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 56.54%.

Jefferies Financial Group News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Jefferies Financial Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Jefferies reworked its India model portfolio after the India‑US trade deal, boosting metals exposure (Hindustan Zinc, JSW Steel) and adding US‑exposed names — a sign of research momentum and potential trading/IB activity from Asian markets. Jefferies increases weight in Hindustan Zinc, adds Eternal in latest portfolio tweak. Check list
• Positive Sentiment: Jefferies added Eternal to its India model portfolio and labeled it an FPI favourite; Eternal shares jumped, illustrating Jefferies’ market influence and potential for fee‑generating trading flow and advisory work. Eternal shares soar 9% as Jefferies adds stock to India model portfolio, labels it ‘FPI favourite’. Here’s why
• Neutral Sentiment: Jefferies published model‑portfolio coverage tied to the India‑US trade deal (identifying beneficiaries across autos, chemicals, textiles, renewables and Adani stocks), reinforcing its research franchise but with indirect impact on JEF’s near‑term earnings. India-US Trade Deal: Jefferies tweaks model stock portfolio, lists gainers
• Neutral Sentiment: Jefferies analysts remain active in coverage (examples: maintaining Buy on Galderma and reiterating views on industrials acquisitions), which supports recurring research/fee revenue but is unlikely to move JEF stock by itself. Galderma Group AG: Buy Rating Driven by Underappreciated Nemluvio Peak Sales and Pipeline Upside
• Negative Sentiment: An industry piece notes Jefferies is expanding its Japan push and credit platform but also warns the firm’s valuation looks full — that combination can pressure the stock as investors weigh near‑term investments against stretched multiples. Jefferies Expands Japan Push And Credit Platform While Valuation Looks Full
• Negative Sentiment: Market dynamics likely contributing to the decline: higher trading volume, sector rotation and profit‑taking after recent gains in bank/financial stocks — these are common short‑term drivers and can amplify negative moves even when fundamentals are unchanged. (No direct link.)

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Jefferies Financial Group

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of JEF. Bison Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Jefferies Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth about $224,000. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC boosted its position in shares of Jefferies Financial Group by 28.5% during the 2nd quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 6,325 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $346,000 after purchasing an additional 1,403 shares in the last quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Jefferies Financial Group by 4.6% during the second quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,188 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $338,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares during the period. Pure Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Jefferies Financial Group by 8.5% in the second quarter. Pure Financial Advisors LLC now owns 5,501 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $301,000 after purchasing an additional 430 shares in the last quarter. Finally, QRG Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Jefferies Financial Group by 3.8% in the second quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 23,979 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,311,000 after purchasing an additional 881 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.88% of the company’s stock.

About Jefferies Financial Group

Jefferies Financial Group Inc is a diversified financial services company that provides a range of investment banking, capital markets and asset management services to corporations, governments and institutional investors worldwide. Through its core platform, Jefferies offers advisory services for mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity underwriting, restructuring and recapitalization. The firm also operates a global sales and trading business covering equities, fixed income and foreign exchange products, complemented by equity research and macroeconomic analysis.

In addition to its capital markets franchise, Jefferies maintains a growing asset management division that delivers customized investment solutions across public and private markets.