EWBC vs. JEF: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 7, 2025

Here’s a clear look at EWBC and JEF, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	EWBC	JEF
Company Name	East West Bancorp, Inc.	Jefferies Financial Group Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Financials	Financials
GICS Industry	Banks	Capital Markets
Market Capitalization	14.68 billion USD	12.88 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NYSE
Listing Date	February 3, 1999	March 17, 1980
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of EWBC and JEF by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

EWBC vs. JEF: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	EWBC	JEF
5-Day Price Return	-0.07%	-6.35%
13-Week Price Return	-2.17%	9.64%
26-Week Price Return	18.66%	16.54%
52-Week Price Return	32.13%	0.14%
Month-to-Date Return	0.06%	-4.57%
Year-to-Date Return	11.23%	-20.37%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.80M	2.31M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.89M	1.74M
3-Month Volatility	22.42%	29.34%
Beta	0.94	1.58

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

EWBC

15.14%

Banks Industry

Max: 25.40%
Q3: 15.55%
Median: 12.00%
Q1: 8.98%
Min: -0.10%

EWBC’s Return on Equity of 15.14% is on par with the norm for the Banks industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

JEF

6.51%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 22.24%
Median: 13.52%
Q1: 8.61%
Min: -4.25%

JEF’s Return on Equity of 6.51% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.

EWBC vs. JEF: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

EWBC

47.99%

Banks Industry

Max: 54.20%
Q3: 35.73%
Median: 28.97%
Q1: 22.56%
Min: 6.98%

A Net Profit Margin of 47.99% places EWBC in the upper quartile for the Banks industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

JEF

6.37%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 69.91%
Q3: 37.24%
Median: 24.30%
Q1: 13.06%
Min: -15.18%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, JEF’s Net Profit Margin of 6.37% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

EWBC vs. JEF: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

EWBC

57.98%

Banks Industry

Max: 63.35%
Q3: 44.73%
Median: 37.24%
Q1: 28.25%
Min: 12.28%

An Operating Profit Margin of 57.98% places EWBC in the upper quartile for the Banks industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

JEF

8.10%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 84.86%
Q3: 47.16%
Median: 32.23%
Q1: 18.65%
Min: -21.87%

JEF’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.10% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

EWBC vs. JEF: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	EWBC	JEF
Return on Equity (TTM)	15.14%	6.51%
Return on Assets (TTM)	1.57%	1.00%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	47.99%	6.37%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	57.98%	8.10%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	--	59.51%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

EWBC

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

For the Banks industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

JEF

0.69

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.37
Q3: 1.81
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.56
Min: 0.04

For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

EWBC vs. JEF: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

EWBC

0.00

Banks Industry

Max: 5.78
Q3: 2.66
Median: 1.05
Q1: 0.40
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Banks industry.

JEF

3.27

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.52
Q3: 2.79
Median: 0.96
Q1: 0.28
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.

EWBC vs. JEF: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

EWBC

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Banks industry.

JEF

14.18

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 107.59
Q3: 48.41
Median: 10.85
Q1: 4.56
Min: -36.26

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.

EWBC vs. JEF: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	EWBC	JEF
Current Ratio (MRQ)	--	0.69
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	--	0.69
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.00	3.27
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	--	14.18

Growth

Revenue Growth

EWBC vs. JEF: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

EWBC vs. JEF: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

EWBC

2.19%

Banks Industry

Max: 11.03%
Q3: 6.00%
Median: 3.87%
Q1: 2.41%
Min: 0.00%

EWBC’s Dividend Yield of 2.19% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

JEF

2.70%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.02%
Q3: 4.54%
Median: 2.55%
Q1: 1.27%
Min: 0.00%

JEF’s Dividend Yield of 2.70% is consistent with its peers in the Capital Markets industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

EWBC vs. JEF: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

EWBC

26.93%

Banks Industry

Max: 134.24%
Q3: 79.39%
Median: 55.09%
Q1: 36.09%
Min: 0.00%

EWBC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 26.93% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

JEF

52.82%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 199.38%
Q3: 99.28%
Median: 60.67%
Q1: 32.00%
Min: 0.00%

JEF’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 52.82% is within the typical range for the Capital Markets industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

EWBC vs. JEF: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	EWBC	JEF
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.19%	2.70%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	26.93%	52.82%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

EWBC

12.30

Banks Industry

Max: 22.69
Q3: 13.75
Median: 10.32
Q1: 7.73
Min: 2.59

EWBC’s P/E Ratio of 12.30 is within the middle range for the Banks industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

JEF

19.53

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 51.69
Q3: 29.42
Median: 17.58
Q1: 12.55
Min: 5.59

JEF’s P/E Ratio of 19.53 is within the middle range for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

EWBC vs. JEF: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

EWBC

3.28

Banks Industry

Max: 4.90
Q3: 2.98
Median: 2.24
Q1: 1.59
Min: 0.45

The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Banks industry.

JEF

1.24

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.65
Q3: 7.29
Median: 4.53
Q1: 2.26
Min: 0.04

In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, JEF’s P/S Ratio of 1.24 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

EWBC vs. JEF: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

EWBC

1.70

Banks Industry

Max: 2.09
Q3: 1.40
Median: 1.11
Q1: 0.86
Min: 0.29

EWBC’s P/B Ratio of 1.70 is in the upper tier for the Banks industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

JEF

0.97

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.83
Q3: 5.12
Median: 2.66
Q1: 1.19
Min: 0.37

JEF’s P/B Ratio of 0.97 is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

EWBC vs. JEF: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Banks and Capital Markets industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	EWBC	JEF
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	12.30	19.53
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	3.28	1.24
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.70	0.97
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	10.17	7.90