Jefferies Financial Group Inc. - JEF STOCK NEWS

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (NYSE: JEF) reported record quarterly results for the three months ended February 28, 2021. Key metrics include:

• Net revenues of $2,129 million, up 82% year-over-year
• Pre-tax income at $671 million, up 185%
• Net earnings of $494 million, up 188%
• Annualized return on tangible equity of 43.5%
• Quarterly asset management revenues up 454% to $180 million

The board declared a $0.20 cash dividend, payable on May 28, 2021. Jefferies plans to file Form 10-Q by April 8, 2021.

M Science has launched the Restaurant and Food Delivery Operator Intelligence Dashboard, providing crucial insights from over 50 million monthly restaurant transactions across 150+ providers. The platform enhances operators’ ability to analyze consumer behavior and market trends, supporting recovery in the food service industry. With real-time data, it offers detailed insights into market performance and competitive trends, aiming to empower food operators in a rapidly evolving environment. M Science, a data-driven research firm, is a portfolio company of Jefferies Financial Group (NYSE: JEF).

Jefferies announced a donation of approximately $8.3 million to support 129 charities. Each charity will receive $65,000, focusing on diversity, COVID-19 relief, sustainability, and more. The funds were generated through Jefferies’ Global Charity Trading Day on February 26, where clients contributed $6.7 million from net trading commissions. Additional donations included $1 million from the firm and $580,000 from employees. CEO Rich Handler and President Brian Friedman expressed pride in the initiative, emphasizing support for various causes and communities.

M Science announced the appointment of Valentin Roduit as head of international, aimed at expanding coverage in Europe and Asia-Pacific. Roduit will support sales growth and client services, fostering strategic partnerships. CEO Michael V Marrale expressed enthusiasm for Roduit’s experience and its alignment with M Science's expansion goals, particularly in Australia. Roduit previously worked at 7Park Data and will enhance M Science's global data offerings. This move follows M Science's recent growth, including the opening of a Hong Kong office.

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (NYSE: JEF) reported strong financial results for the periods ending November 30, 2020, achieving record quarterly net revenues of $1.609 billion and net earnings of $307 million, equating to $1.11 per diluted share. For the full year, net revenues reached $5.197 billion with net earnings of $770 million, or $2.65 per diluted share. The Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share and authorized a stock buyback increase to $250 million. Jefferies maintained robust liquidity with $1.9 billion at the parent company level.

Jefferies Financial Group (NYSE: JEF) announced a strategic partnership with Hampton Road Capital Management, a long/short equity firm specializing in technology, media, and telecom investments. Leucadia Asset Management, part of Jefferies, will provide long-term capital to facilitate Hampton Road's investment strategy. Led by veteran investor John Thaler, Hampton Road is poised to benefit from access to operational resources and increased scalability, enhancing its ability to navigate market volatility and deliver high returns.

Jefferies has formed a co-brand alliance with KB Securities to distribute equity research on South Korean companies to its global clients. This partnership enhances Jefferies’ equities franchise in Asia, building on their ongoing expansion in the region, which has seen an addition of around 200 employees in the last two years. Murray Wilson, President of Jefferies Asia, highlighted the alliance's potential to improve services for institutional clients. Jefferies already collaborates with several Asia-based firms, covering about 1,500 companies in APAC and over 3,000 globally.

Jefferies has formed a research alliance with SMBC Nikko Securities to distribute U.S. equity research reports to Japanese retail clients. This initiative underscores Jefferies' growing global equities franchise, which covers over 3,200 companies worldwide. SMBC Nikko will translate key reports into Japanese, initially focusing on about 100 high-profile stocks. The firm has expanded its Asian operations, hiring around 200 staff in the past two years. Jefferies ranks 8th in the 2020 Institutional Investor All-America Research Survey, reflecting its strong research capabilities.

Jefferies has entered a co-brand alliance with TISCO Securities for its cash equities business in Thailand. This partnership allows Jefferies to distribute TISCO's equity research globally and gives TISCO the opportunity to provide local brokerage services to Jefferies' international clients. TISCO, a renowned brokerage established in 1969, holds accolades for its equity research. This collaboration aims to enhance Jefferies’ presence in Asia, having grown its regional workforce by approximately 200 employees in the past two years.