Jefferies plunges on profit miss, drags down rival investment banks

Moelis & Company

27/03/2025 15:16

Updates

** Shares of investment bank Jefferies JEF.N fall ~9% to $54.99, with the sell-off spilling into the broader investment banking sector

** Co's Q1 profit missed Wall Street estimates after market on Wednesday as bond trading weakened and deals were stalled due to uncertainty sparked by shifting U.S. trade policy and geopolitical turmoil

** JEF's revenue from equity underwriting declined 39% in the reported quarter

** While some deals have moved forward, geopolitical tensions and rapidly evolving U.S. policy under President Donald Trump's administration have dampened expectations for a broader rebound

** Last year's "momentum has been slowed by the uncertainty that has arisen as a result of the policy statements and actions of the government and geopolitical events," Jefferies President Brian Friedman said in an interview

** The results offer investors an early glimpse at how Wall Street's investment banking units may fare in the first half of 2025

** Industry giants Morgan Stanley MS.N and Goldman Sachs GS.N - due to report Q1 results next month - last down 2.1% and 1.7%

** Boutique investment banks Evercore EVR.N falls 2.2%, while Lazard LAZ.N and Moelis MC.N decline 2.5% each

** JEF reported a profit of 57 cents per share in Q1, missing estimates of 94 cents according to data compiled by LSEG

** Stock down ~23% YTD, up to last close

 (Reporting by Manya Saini in Bengaluru)

 ((Manya.Saini@thomsonreuters.com))