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

Updated on November 20, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	JEF	WFC
Company Name	Jefferies Financial Group Inc.	Wells Fargo & Company
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Financials	Financials
GICS Industry	Capital Markets	Banks
Market Capitalization	11.07 billion USD	271.16 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	March 17, 1980	June 1, 1972
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of JEF and WFC 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	JEF	WFC
5-Day Price Return	-0.57%	-1.22%
13-Week Price Return	-7.89%	10.31%
26-Week Price Return	2.06%	11.92%
52-Week Price Return	-25.60%	16.88%
Month-to-Date Return	5.04%	-2.21%
Year-to-Date Return	-29.22%	21.08%
10-Day Avg. Volume	2.01M	15.24M
3-Month Avg. Volume	2.17M	15.59M
3-Month Volatility	46.98%	25.81%
Beta	1.53	1.12

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

JEF

7.08%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 41.61%
Q3: 22.56%
Median: 13.62%
Q1: 9.23%
Min: -4.25%

JEF’s Return on Equity of 7.08% 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.

WFC

11.66%

Banks Industry

Max: 25.75%
Q3: 15.51%
Median: 11.91%
Q1: 8.65%
Min: -1.41%

WFC’s Return on Equity of 11.66% is on par with the norm for the Banks industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

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

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

JEF

6.78%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 69.91%
Q3: 36.88%
Median: 24.30%
Q1: 13.14%
Min: -6.20%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, JEF’s Net Profit Margin of 6.78% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

WFC

22.19%

Banks Industry

Max: 54.20%
Q3: 35.60%
Median: 28.95%
Q1: 22.27%
Min: 2.66%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Banks industry, WFC’s Net Profit Margin of 22.19% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

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

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

JEF

8.60%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 83.68%
Q3: 47.64%
Median: 32.36%
Q1: 19.28%
Min: 0.30%

JEF’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.60% 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.

WFC

25.35%

Banks Industry

Max: 63.35%
Q3: 44.30%
Median: 37.14%
Q1: 28.21%
Min: 12.28%

WFC’s Operating Profit Margin of 25.35% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

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

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	JEF	WFC
Return on Equity (TTM)	7.08%	11.66%
Return on Assets (TTM)	1.07%	1.06%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	6.78%	22.19%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	8.60%	25.35%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	61.01%	--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

JEF

0.69

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.43
Q3: 1.76
Median: 1.00
Q1: 0.60
Min: 0.04

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

WFC

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

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

JEF

3.31

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.12
Q3: 2.78
Median: 0.96
Q1: 0.31
Min: 0.00

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

WFC

2.25

Banks Industry

Max: 5.78
Q3: 2.55
Median: 0.94
Q1: 0.39
Min: 0.00

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

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

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

JEF

14.18

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 107.59
Q3: 50.42
Median: 10.94
Q1: 4.37
Min: -36.26

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

WFC

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	JEF	WFC
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.69	--
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.69	--
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	3.31	2.25
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	14.18	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

JEF vs. WFC: 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

JEF vs. WFC: 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)

JEF

3.25%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 8.63%
Q3: 4.88%
Median: 2.72%
Q1: 1.41%
Min: 0.00%

JEF’s Dividend Yield of 3.25% is consistent with its peers in the Capital Markets industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

WFC

2.40%

Banks Industry

Max: 9.92%
Q3: 5.44%
Median: 3.78%
Q1: 2.38%
Min: 0.00%

WFC’s Dividend Yield of 2.40% is consistent with its peers in the Banks industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

JEF

49.77%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 188.84%
Q3: 96.52%
Median: 61.58%
Q1: 31.74%
Min: 0.00%

JEF’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 49.77% is within the typical range for the Capital Markets industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

WFC

30.73%

Banks Industry

Max: 135.42%
Q3: 78.13%
Median: 52.54%
Q1: 35.48%
Min: 0.00%

WFC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 30.73% 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 vs. WFC: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Banks industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	JEF	WFC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	3.25%	2.40%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	49.77%	30.73%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

JEF

15.33

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 47.53
Q3: 28.81
Median: 16.62
Q1: 12.06
Min: 5.71

JEF’s P/E Ratio of 15.33 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.

WFC

12.83

Banks Industry

Max: 21.36
Q3: 13.70
Median: 10.55
Q1: 8.08
Min: 2.84

WFC’s P/E Ratio of 12.83 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 vs. WFC: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Banks industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

JEF

1.04

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 13.23
Q3: 6.65
Median: 4.40
Q1: 2.22
Min: 0.03

In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, JEF’s P/S Ratio of 1.04 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.

WFC

1.91

Banks Industry

Max: 4.90
Q3: 2.97
Median: 2.24
Q1: 1.58
Min: 0.45

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

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

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

JEF

1.28

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.83
Q3: 5.27
Median: 2.66
Q1: 1.34
Min: 0.37

JEF’s P/B Ratio of 1.28 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.

WFC

1.46

Banks Industry

Max: 2.14
Q3: 1.43
Median: 1.13
Q1: 0.87
Min: 0.25

WFC’s P/B Ratio of 1.46 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 vs. WFC: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Capital Markets and Banks industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	JEF	WFC
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	15.33	12.83
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	1.04	1.91
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.28	1.46
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	6.32	17.82