JEF vs. HLI
JEF (Jefferies Financial Group Inc.) and HLI (Houlihan Lokey, Inc.) are both stocks. Both are in the Financial Services sector — JEF in Financial Conglomerates, HLI in Capital Markets. Over the past 10 years, JEF returned 16.88%/yr vs 20.83%/yr for HLI. Their 0.54 correlation means they have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently.
Performance
JEF vs. HLI - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, JEF achieves a -10.55% return, which is significantly higher than HLI's -27.33% return. Over the past 10 years, JEF has underperformed HLI with an annualized return of 16.88%, while HLI has yielded a comparatively higher 20.83% annualized return.
JEF
- 1D
- -0.89%
- 1M
- 3.76%
- 6M
- -9.39%
- YTD
- -10.55%
- 1Y
- 0.54%
- 3Y*
- 18.00%
- 5Y*
- 14.88%
- 10Y*
- 16.88%
- ALL TIME*
- 14.59%
HLI
- 1D
- -2.22%
- 1M
- -10.46%
- 6M
- -24.80%
- YTD
- -27.33%
- 1Y
- -32.88%
- 3Y*
- 9.41%
- 5Y*
- 9.05%
- 10Y*
- 20.83%
- ALL TIME*
- 19.28%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $142.65M | $141.77M | $121.60M | |
| $108.68M | $99.02M | $118.23M |
JEF vs. HLI - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
JEF Jefferies Financial Group Inc. | -10.55% | -18.78% | 98.84% | 27.74% | -8.46% | 61.95% | 19.00% | 44.18% | -33.15% | 15.42% |
HLI Houlihan Lokey, Inc. | -27.33% | 1.64% | 47.04% | 40.67% | -13.88% | 57.04% | 40.61% | 36.33% | -17.20% | 49.30% |
Correlation
The correlation between JEF and HLI is 0.59, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.59 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.65 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.66 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.56 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Aug 13, 2015 | 0.54 |
The correlation between JEF and HLI shifts across timeframes, from 0.54 (all time) to 0.66 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
JEF:
$11.11B
HLI:
$8.77B
JEF:
$5.09
HLI:
$5.96
JEF:
10.73
HLI:
21.06
JEF:
0.77
HLI:
6.51
JEF:
0.77
HLI:
3.39
JEF:
$11.85B
HLI:
$2.52B
JEF:
$6.99B
HLI:
$1.28B
JEF:
$1.30B
HLI:
$602.44M
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
JEF vs. HLI — Risk / Return Rank
JEF
HLI
JEF vs. HLI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (JEF) and Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| JEF | HLI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.10 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.77 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.03 | 0.80 | +0.23 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.05 | -0.85 | +0.79 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.11 | -1.53 | +1.42 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
JEF vs. HLI - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum JEF drawdown since its inception was -80.74%, which is greater than HLI's maximum drawdown of -39.28%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JEF and HLI.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| JEF | HLI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -80.74% | -39.28% | -41.46% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -48.05% | -39.28% | -8.77% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -54.39% | -39.28% | -15.11% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -54.39% | -39.28% | -15.11% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -54.39% | -39.28% | -15.11% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -30.32% | -39.28% | +8.96% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -25.55% | -9.87% | -15.68% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 22.66% | 21.68% | +0.98% |
Volatility
JEF vs. HLI - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (JEF) is 11.77%, while Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI) has a volatility of 13.13%. This indicates that JEF experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than HLI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| JEF | HLI | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 11.77% | 13.13% | -1.36% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 33.88% | 21.93% | +11.95% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 43.58% | 28.85% | +14.73% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 36.25% | 28.49% | +7.76% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 35.21% | 27.02% | +8.19% |
Dividends
JEF vs. HLI - Dividend Comparison
JEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.93%, more than HLI's 1.99% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HLI Houlihan Lokey, Inc. | 1.99% | 1.36% | 1.30% | 1.82% | 2.32% | 1.56% | 1.90% | 2.46% | 2.74% | 1.76% | 2.12% | 0.57% |
JEF Jefferies Financial Group Inc. | 2.93% | 2.58% | 1.66% | 2.97% | 3.50% | 2.32% | 2.44% | 8.07% | 2.59% | 1.23% | 1.08% | 1.44% |
Financials
JEF vs. HLI - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Jefferies Financial Group Inc. and Houlihan Lokey, Inc.. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
JEF vs. HLI - Profitability Comparison
JEF - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Jefferies Financial Group Inc. reported a gross profit of 1.86B and revenue of 3.12B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 59.5%.
HLI - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Houlihan Lokey, Inc. reported a gross profit of 157.00M and revenue of 511.00M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 30.7%.
JEF - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Jefferies Financial Group Inc. reported an operating income of -1.19B and revenue of 3.12B, resulting in an operating margin of -38.1%.
HLI - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Houlihan Lokey, Inc. reported an operating income of 78.00M and revenue of 511.00M, resulting in an operating margin of 15.3%.
JEF - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Jefferies Financial Group Inc. reported a net income of 206.96M and revenue of 3.12B, resulting in a net margin of 6.6%.
HLI - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Houlihan Lokey, Inc. reported a net income of 78.00M and revenue of 511.00M, resulting in a net margin of 15.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions
JEF and HLI have a correlation of 0.59, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
HLI has higher volatility (13.13%) compared to JEF (11.77%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JEF dropped -80.74% vs HLI's -39.28%.
JEF currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.06 vs -1.15), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
Find the right allocation for JEF and HLI
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer