Amundi Grows Holdings in Jefferies Financial Group Inc. $JEF

Key Points

• Amundi increased its Jefferies Financial Group holdings by 378.7% in the second quarter, reaching 228,236 shares worth approximately $11.4 million. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 60.88% of JEF.
• Jefferies’ latest quarterly results fell short of expectations, with EPS of $1.02 versus the $1.16 consensus and revenue of $2.21 billion versus $2.30 billion expected. Analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating, with a target price of $63.62.
• JEF approved a $250 million share-repurchase program and pays a quarterly dividend of $0.40 per share, equivalent to a 3.1% annualized yield. However, concerns over reported Radiant World exposure and the winding down of an outsourced fixed-income trading business continue to weigh on sentiment.

Amundi lifted its holdings in Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (NYSE:JEF - Free Report) by 378.7% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 228,236 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 180,553 shares during the quarter. Amundi owned approximately 0.12% of Jefferies Financial Group worth $11,407,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Smithfield Trust Co purchased a new position in Jefferies Financial Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. CX Institutional raised its position in shares of Jefferies Financial Group by 77.6% in the second quarter. CX Institutional now owns 547 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 239 shares during the period. Elyxium Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Jefferies Financial Group in the fourth quarter worth $28,000. Ramirez Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Jefferies Financial Group in the fourth quarter worth $31,000. Finally, Basecamp Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in Jefferies Financial Group by 665.4% during the 1st quarter. Basecamp Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 796 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 692 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 60.88% of the company's stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Jefferies Financial Group

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

• Positive Sentiment: A Jefferies-linked fund obtained an asset-freezing order against Radiant World, potentially helping preserve assets tied to reported exposure of nearly $500 million. This may improve recovery prospects, although the situation remains unresolved. Jefferies fund wins Singapore asset freeze against Radiant World
• Neutral Sentiment: Jefferies is reportedly winding down its outsourced fixed-income trading business. The move could reduce operational and counterparty risk, but it may also limit revenue opportunities and signal a strategic pullback. Jefferies to Wind Down Outsourced Fixed-Income Trading Business
• Neutral Sentiment: Jefferies continues to promote investor meetings and publish bullish research on companies including LG Electronics India, Adani Enterprises and Vodafone Idea. These activities support its investment-banking and research franchise, but are unlikely to materially change near-term earnings expectations for JEF. LG Electronics India in Jefferies’ pole position
• Negative Sentiment: UBS lowered its price target on JEF from $65 to $61 and maintained a Neutral rating, while BMO cut its target from $60 to $57 and retained a Market Perform rating. The revisions suggest more cautious views on valuation and earnings prospects. Jefferies’ latest quarterly results also missed consensus estimates for earnings and revenue, adding pressure to sentiment.
• Negative Sentiment: Reports that a Jefferies-linked trade-finance fund had substantial Radiant World exposure have renewed concerns about potential credit losses, legal costs and reputational risk for the broader group. Jefferies-linked fund faces reported Radiant exposure

Jefferies Financial Group Stock Down 3.6%

NYSE:JEF opened at $51.98 on Friday. Jefferies Financial Group Inc. has a twelve month low of $35.53 and a twelve month high of $71.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.52 and a beta of 1.52. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.99. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $54.42 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $50.70.

Jefferies Financial Group (NYSE:JEF - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, June 24th. The financial services provider reported $1.02 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.16 by ($0.14). Jefferies Financial Group had a net margin of 7.58% and a return on equity of 9.23%. The company had revenue of $2.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.30 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.40 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 35.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Jefferies Financial Group Inc. will post 3.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Jefferies Financial Group announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock repurchase program on Wednesday, June 24th that authorizes the company to repurchase $250.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the financial services provider to purchase up to 2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are typically an indication that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Jefferies Financial Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 28th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 18th were given a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.1%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, August 18th. Jefferies Financial Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 44.69%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Capital One Financial set a $57.00 price objective on Jefferies Financial Group in a report on Friday. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "buy" rating and set a $67.00 target price on shares of Jefferies Financial Group in a report on Wednesday. Oppenheimer dropped their target price on shares of Jefferies Financial Group from $87.00 to $83.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, June 25th. Weiss Ratings downgraded Jefferies Financial Group from a "hold (c)" rating to a "hold (c-)" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 27th. Finally, Loop Capital set a $60.00 price objective on shares of Jefferies Financial Group in a research report on Monday, June 8th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and five have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $63.62.

Jefferies Financial Group Company Profile

Jefferies Financial Group Inc NYSE: JEF is a diversified financial services company that provides investment banking, capital markets, asset management and wealth management services. Its principal operating business, Jefferies, advises companies, governments and institutional investors on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, restructuring and other strategic transactions.

Through its investment banking and securities operations, Jefferies offers equity and fixed-income underwriting, sales and trading, research, prime brokerage and related services.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.