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JEF vs NDAQ
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Jefferies Financial Group (JEF) vs. Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Jefferies Financial Group (JEF) trades at a lower trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately 16 compared to Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ)'s 28, suggesting better relative value.
- JEF offers a higher dividend yield of 3.3% versus NDAQ's 1.2%, appealing to income-focused investors.
- JEF has delivered stronger year-to-date performance at around 23%, outperforming NDAQ's roughly 9% gain.
- NDAQ boasts a larger market capitalization of about $50 billion compared to JEF's $9.8 billion, indicating greater scale and stability.
- Both stocks have shown upward momentum in recent weeks amid recovering market conditions, though JEF exhibits higher volatility tied to investment banking cycles.
- NDAQ benefits from higher profit margins around 34% versus JEF's 23%, supporting long-term growth potential.
Introduction
This stock comparison pits Jefferies Financial Group (JEF), a diversified investment banking firm, against Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ), a leading global exchange operator and technology provider. Both operate within the financial services sector but represent distinct models: cyclical dealmaking versus recurring data and trading revenues. Traders seeking momentum and value may eye JEF, while long-term investors prioritizing stability might prefer NDAQ. In the current market environment of rebounding mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity and elevated trading volumes, understanding their relative performance aids portfolio positioning and sector rotation strategies.
JEF Overview and Recent Performance
Jefferies Financial Group (JEF) is a global full-service investment bank offering investment banking, capital markets, asset management, and commercial banking services. Its business thrives on M&A advisory, underwriting, and sales and trading amid favorable market conditions. In recent market activity, JEF reported first-quarter revenue of approximately $2.87 billion, driven by a surge in dealmaking, though profits faced headwinds from charges related to investments like First Brands. The stock has climbed from the low $40s in late March to around $47 in recent weeks, reflecting positive sentiment around rebounding investment banking fees and analyst upgrades, such as Goldman Sachs raising its price target. Year-to-date gains exceed 20%, outperforming broader indices, bolstered by its attractive valuation and dividend.
NDAQ Overview and Recent Performance
Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ) operates the Nasdaq stock exchange, delivers market data, and provides financial technology solutions to exchanges worldwide. Its diversified revenue streams include transaction services, data products, and listing fees, offering resilience across market cycles. Recent weeks have seen steady trading volumes support performance, with the stock trading around $88 after rising from the low $80s earlier in April. Anticipation builds for first-quarter earnings on April 23, projecting revenue growth of over 10% and EPS expansion near 18%, fueled by organic expansion in data and technology segments. Analyst sentiment remains constructive, with average price targets above $100, though year-to-date returns trail peers at around 9%, influenced by broader sector rotations.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Jefferies Financial Group (JEF) and Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ) both anchor the capital markets ecosystem but diverge in business models: JEF’s revenue ties closely to volatile M&A and trading flows, while NDAQ derives over 80% from stable data and tech subscriptions. Growth drivers favor NDAQ with higher revenue visibility and international expansion, contrasting JEF’s cyclical upswings. Recent momentum tilts to JEF, with sharper gains amid IB recovery, versus NDAQ’s steadier path. Risk profiles highlight JEF’s elevated debt-to-equity ratio over 340% (versus NDAQ’s 78%), amplifying sensitivity to downturns. Sector exposure overlaps in financials, but market sentiment leans positive for both, with JEF drawing value hunters and NDAQ growth optimists.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI analysis currently shows a slight edge for Jefferies Financial Group (JEF) over Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ), driven by stronger recent momentum, lower valuation multiples, and superior year-to-date returns amid recovering deal activity. While NDAQ offers scale and earnings catalysts, JEF’s trend consistency and income appeal position it favorably in the near term, though outcomes depend on broader market trends.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer. Disclaimers and Limitations
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is JEF is a Hold and NDAQ is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
JEF’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green whileNDAQ’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- JEF’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- NDAQ’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
JEF’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while NDAQ’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- JEF’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- NDAQ’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
JEF (@Investment Banks/Brokers) experienced а +1.39% price change this week, while NDAQ (@Financial Publishing/Services) price change was -9.26% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Investment Banks/Brokers industry was -1.13%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -0.92%, and the average quarterly price growth was -5.37%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Financial Publishing/Services industry was -6.05%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -7.12%, and the average quarterly price growth was -19.50%.
Reported Earning Dates
JEF is expected to report earnings on Jun 24, 2026.
NDAQ is expected to report earnings on Jul 22, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Investment Banks/Brokers (-1.13% weekly)These banks specialize in underwriting (helping companies with debt financing or equity issuances), IPOs, facilitating mergers and other corporate reorganizations and acting as a broker or financial advisor for institutions. They might also trade securities on their own accounts. Investment banks potentially thrive on expanding its network of clients, since that could help them increase profits. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and CME Group Inc are some of the largest investment banking companies.
@Financial Publishing/Services (-6.05% weekly)The financial publishing /services sector includes companies that provide informational products and services that are of value to investors, financial/analytics professionals and other interested readers. The products include real-time stock quotes, financial news and analyses. Think S&P Global, Inc., Moody`s Corporation, Thomson-Reuters Corp and IHS Markit Ltd. Information is critical in making financial or investment decisions, and what makes this industry’s output relevant at all times, across various economic conditions.
| JEF | NDAQ | JEF / NDAQ | |
| Capitalization | 12.8B | 46.7B | 27% |
| EBITDA | 4.61B | 3.32B | 139% |
| Gain YTD | 2.904 | -14.374 | -20% |
| P/E Ratio | 21.08 | 24.88 | 85% |
| Revenue | 11.2B | 8.3B | 135% |
| Total Cash | 5.15B | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 25.9B | 9.45B | 274% |
JEF | NDAQ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 45 | 64 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 72 Overvalued | 68 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 54 | 34 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 83 | 53 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 40 | 62 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 40 | 85 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 48 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
NDAQ's Valuation (68) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry is in the same range as JEF (72). This means that NDAQ’s stock grew similarly to JEF’s over the last 12 months.
NDAQ's Profit vs Risk Rating (34) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry is in the same range as JEF (54). This means that NDAQ’s stock grew similarly to JEF’s over the last 12 months.
NDAQ's SMR Rating (53) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry is in the same range as JEF (83). This means that NDAQ’s stock grew similarly to JEF’s over the last 12 months.
JEF's Price Growth Rating (40) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry is in the same range as NDAQ (62). This means that JEF’s stock grew similarly to NDAQ’s over the last 12 months.
JEF's P/E Growth Rating (40) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry is somewhat better than the same rating for NDAQ (85). This means that JEF’s stock grew somewhat faster than NDAQ’s over the last 12 months.
| JEF | NDAQ | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 66% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 56% | 1 day ago 56% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 71% | 1 day ago 48% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 73% | 1 day ago 43% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 77% | 1 day ago 47% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 76% | 1 day ago 52% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 77% | 9 days ago 65% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 29 days ago 65% | 6 days ago 46% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 56% | 1 day ago 75% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 71% | 1 day ago 55% |
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JEF and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, JEF has been closely correlated with RJF. These tickers have moved in lockstep 78% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if JEF jumps, then RJF could also see price increases.
NDAQ and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, NDAQ has been closely correlated with JEF. These tickers have moved in lockstep 71% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if NDAQ jumps, then JEF could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To NDAQ | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDAQ | 100% | +0.45% | ||
| JEF - NDAQ | 71% Closely correlated | +1.14% | ||
| MS - NDAQ | 71% Closely correlated | +1.76% | ||
| GS - NDAQ | 70% Closely correlated | +0.89% | ||
| RJF - NDAQ | 69% Closely correlated | +0.51% | ||
| MCO - NDAQ | 68% Closely correlated | -0.74% | ||
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