Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (NYSE:JEF) is preparing to release its fourth-quarter financial results after markets close on Wednesday, January 7, 2025. Market analysts currently forecast a modest increase in earnings per share (EPS), estimating 94 cents compared to 93 cents reported in the fourth quarter of the previous year. Additionally, revenue is expected to show an upward trajectory, with a consensus estimate around $1.99 billion, slightly higher than the $1.96 billion generated one year prior, as compiled from brokerage data.
In a notable strategic move, Jefferies announced on December 8 that it had secured a 50% ownership stake in Hildene Holding Company. This acquisition is anticipated to have implications on the company's operational footprint and financial metrics, although its precise impact on the upcoming earnings report remains unspecified within current disclosures.
Investor interest is also underscored by recent price movements in associated names, exemplified by a 2.3% gain in Constellation shares, which closed at $141.17 on the preceding Friday. While Constellation Brands is not directly linked to Jefferies, its mention implies a broader market context or investor interest in related financial services or investment opportunities.
Market participants and readers seeking the latest evaluations can access current analyst ratings through the Analyst Stock Ratings platform, which allows filtering by diverse criteria including ticker symbol and rating updates, enabling an informed perspective on evolving analyst viewpoints.
Delving into recent analyst activity, several of Benzinga’s highest accuracy-rated professionals have provided updated assessments that shed light on Jefferies Financial Group’s positioning:
- Chris Kotowski, Oppenheimer: Retained an Outperform rating and enhanced the price target from $81 to $97 as of December 11, 2025. Kotowski boasts an 83% analyst rating accuracy, reflecting a strong track record in earnings prediction and valuation analysis.
- Michael Brown, UBS: Reinstated a Buy recommendation on December 11, 2025, with a price target set at $76. Brown’s analyst accuracy rate stands at 67%, offering a moderately reliable gauge of stock performance.
- Ryan Kenny, Morgan Stanley: Upgraded Jefferies from Equal-Weight to Overweight on December 8, 2025, accompanying the upgrade with a price target lift from $74 to $78. Kenny’s accuracy rate is 58%, indicating a cautious yet positive outlook toward the company.
- Brennan Hawken, BMO Capital: Maintained a Market Perform rating but sharply decreased the price target from $69 to $55 on October 17, 2025. Hawken possesses a 73% accuracy rate, signifying notable experience though reflective of tempered expectations in this instance.
- James Yaro, Goldman Sachs: Preserved a Buy stance while reducing the price target from $84 to $74 as of October 14, 2025. Yaro’s rating accuracy is 68%, balanced between optimism and caution based on recent market trends.
These recommendations reveal varied perspectives among top analysts, from optimistic target expansions to conservative price adjustments, underscoring a nuanced outlook for Jefferies as it approaches the official earnings announcement.
As investors contemplate a position in Jefferies Financial Group stock ahead of the earnings release, it is pertinent to consider both the anticipated slight growth in earnings and revenues alongside the diverse analyst opinions. Each analyst’s price target and recommendation reflect a synthesis of the company’s recent financial developments, including acquisitions and market positioning amid broader sector trends.
Jefferies Financial shares were last reported at $63.70, demonstrating a fractional increase of 0.38%. The company’s stock score is currently withheld, and potential investors may benefit from detailed metrics offered by market data providers. Metrics such as momentum, quality, and value ratings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of stock health and prospects. Despite some missing growth data, Jefferies displays strong value indicators and moderate momentum scores, factors that prospective investors might weigh carefully.
While the upcoming earnings announcement is eagerly awaited, it bears emphasizing that a single report is one component in ongoing evaluation. Market participants should remain cognizant of the risks and uncertainties surrounding earnings forecasts and analyst expectations as they assess Jefferies Financial Group’s future trajectory.