Fintel reports that on August 22, 2023, Goldman Sachs upgraded their outlook for Jefferies Financial Group (NYSE:JEF) from Neutral to Buy.

Analyst Price Forecast Suggests 6.47% Upside

As of August 2, 2023, the average one-year price target for Jefferies Financial Group is 36.46. The forecasts range from a low of 34.34 to a high of $40.95. The average price target represents an increase of 6.47% from its latest reported closing price of 34.25.

See our leaderboard of companies with the largest price target upside.

The projected annual revenue for Jefferies Financial Group is 5,574MM, an increase of 2.64%. The projected annual non-GAAP EPS is 3.71.

Jefferies Financial Group Declares $0.30 Dividend

On June 27, 2023 the company declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share ($1.20 annualized). Shareholders of record as of August 14, 2023 will receive the payment on August 25, 2023. Previously, the company paid $0.30 per share.

At the current share price of $34.25 / share, the stock’s dividend yield is 3.50%.

Looking back five years and taking a sample every week, the average dividend yield has been 3.09%, the lowest has been 1.79%, and the highest has been 4.90%. The standard deviation of yields is 0.63 (n=236).

The current dividend yield is 0.65 standard deviations above the historical average.

Additionally, the company’s dividend payout ratio is 0.45. The payout ratio tells us how much of a company’s income is paid out in dividends. A payout ratio of one (1.0) means 100% of the company’s income is paid in a dividend. A payout ratio greater than one means the company is dipping into savings in order to maintain its dividend – not a healthy situation. Companies with few growth prospects are expected to pay out most of their income in dividends, which typically means a payout ratio between 0.5 and 1.0. Companies with good growth prospects are expected to retain some earnings in order to invest in those growth prospects, which translates to a payout ratio of zero to 0.5.

The company’s 3-Year dividend growth rate is 1.00%, demonstrating that it has increased its dividend over time.

What is the Fund Sentiment?

There are 846 funds or institutions reporting positions in Jefferies Financial Group. This is a decrease of 42 owner(s) or 4.73% in the last quarter. Average portfolio weight of all funds dedicated to JEF is 0.28%, a decrease of 9.93%. Total shares owned by institutions decreased in the last three months by 6.14% to 155,136K shares. The put/call ratio of JEF is 0.28, indicating a bullish outlook.

What are Other Shareholders Doing?

IJH – iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF holds 5,582K shares representing 2.53% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 5,657K shares, representing a decrease of 1.35%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in JEF by 12.56% over the last quarter.

First Pacific Advisors holds 5,512K shares representing 2.50% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 5,604K shares, representing a decrease of 1.66%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in JEF by 3.31% over the last quarter.

VTSMX – Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares holds 4,925K shares representing 2.23% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 4,879K shares, representing an increase of 0.93%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in JEF by 13.70% over the last quarter.

FPACX – FPA Crescent Fund holds 4,698K shares representing 2.13% ownership of the company. No change in the last quarter.

NAESX – Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Investor Shares holds 4,169K shares representing 1.89% ownership of the company. In it’s prior filing, the firm reported owning 4,130K shares, representing an increase of 0.94%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in JEF by 10.29% over the last quarter.

Jefferies Financial Group Background Information
(This description is provided by the company.)

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. is a diversified financial services company engaged in investment banking and capital markets, asset management and direct investing. Jefferies Group LLC, its largest subsidiary, is the largest independent full-service global investment banking firm headquartered in the U.S.

This article originally appeared on Fintel

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.