36,198 Jefferies Financial Group Inc. $JEF Shares Sold by Vestor Capital LLC

Key Points

• Vestor Capital cut its Jefferies Financial Group stake by 61.7%, selling 36,198 shares and ending the third quarter with 22,471 shares worth about $1.03 million.
• Other institutions made mixed moves, while institutional investors collectively owned 60.88% of Jefferies shares.
• Jefferies announced a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share, equivalent to a 3.2% annualized yield. Analysts’ consensus rating was Hold, with an average price target of $56.86.

Vestor Capital LLC cut its position in shares of Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (NYSE:JEF - Free Report) by 61.7% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 22,471 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 36,198 shares during the period. Vestor Capital LLC's holdings in Jefferies Financial Group were worth $1,028,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Retirement Systems of Alabama lifted its stake in Jefferies Financial Group by 1.9% in the 3rd quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 449,803 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $20,569,000 after purchasing an additional 8,577 shares during the last quarter. Private Management Group Inc. grew its holdings in Jefferies Financial Group by 1.9% during the third quarter. Private Management Group Inc. now owns 767,534 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $35,099,000 after purchasing an additional 14,616 shares during the period. Fulcrum Asset Management LLP acquired a new position in Jefferies Financial Group during the third quarter worth approximately $426,000. Ethic Inc. increased its position in Jefferies Financial Group by 4.5% during the third quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 5,857 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $268,000 after buying an additional 251 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CenterBook Partners LP bought a new stake in Jefferies Financial Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,006,000. 60.88% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Jefferies Financial Group Stock Up 4.3%

Shares of JEF opened at $49.44 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $9.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.55 and a beta of 1.54. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.09, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.02. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. has a 52 week low of $35.53 and a 52 week high of $66.60. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $47.82 and its 200 day simple moving average is $50.60.

Jefferies Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 25th. Investors of record on Monday, November 16th will be given a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 16th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.2%. Jefferies Financial Group's payout ratio is currently 43.84%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

JEF has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings cut Jefferies Financial Group from a "hold (c)" rating to a "hold (c-)" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 27th. Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on Jefferies Financial Group from $50.00 to $49.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, September 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their target price on Jefferies Financial Group from $67.00 to $57.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, September 29th. Oppenheimer dropped their price target on Jefferies Financial Group from $76.00 to $71.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, September 29th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded Jefferies Financial Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, October 19th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $56.86.

Jefferies Financial Group Profile

Jefferies Financial Group Inc is a global financial services company whose principal business is conducted through Jefferies, its investment banking and capital markets business. Jefferies advises companies and financial sponsors on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings and other strategic matters, and helps clients raise capital through debt and equity offerings. It also provides securities research, sales and trading, and related services to institutional investors and other clients.

The company serves clients across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

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