JEF vs. SPY

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

JEF (Jefferies Financial Group Inc.) is a stock, while SPY (State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF) is S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, JEF returned 16.43%/yr vs 15.08%/yr for SPY. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

JEF vs. SPY - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (JEF) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JEF achieves a -13.84% return, which is significantly lower than SPY's 10.45% return. Over the past 10 years, JEF has outperformed SPY with an annualized return of 16.43%, while SPY has yielded a comparatively lower 15.08% annualized return.

JEF

• 1D: 0.96%
• 1M: -14.71%
• 6M: -14.88%
• YTD: -13.84%
• 1Y: -1.00%
• 3Y*: 17.46%
• 5Y*: 13.71%
• 10Y*: 16.43%

SPY

• 1D: -0.77%
• 1M: 1.26%
• 6M: 8.34%
• YTD: 10.45%
• 1Y: 21.46%
• 3Y*: 20.07%
• 5Y*: 12.94%
• 10Y*: 15.08%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

JEF vs. SPY - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JEF Jefferies Financial Group Inc.	-13.84%	-18.78%	98.84%	27.74%	-8.46%	61.95%	19.00%	44.18%	-33.15%	15.42%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	10.45%	17.72%	24.89%	26.18%	-18.18%	28.73%	18.33%	31.22%	-4.57%	21.71%

Correlation

The correlation between JEF and SPY is 0.57, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.57
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.59
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.63
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.61
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 29, 1993	0.55

The correlation between JEF and SPY has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.55 to 0.63 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

JEF vs. SPY — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

JEF

JEF Risk / Return Rank: 43
JEF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
JEF Sortino Ratio Rank: 40
JEF Omega Ratio Rank: 41
JEF Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
JEF Martin Ratio Rank: 45

SPY

SPY Risk / Return Rank: 66
SPY Sharpe Ratio Rank: 66
SPY Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
SPY Omega Ratio Rank: 65
SPY Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
SPY Martin Ratio Rank: 72

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

JEF vs. SPY - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (JEF) and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY). 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	SPY	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.02	1.71	-1.74
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.25	2.37	-2.12
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.04	1.31	-0.27
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.02	2.43	-2.45
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.05	10.57	-10.62

JEF vs. SPY - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JEF Sharpe Ratio is -0.02, which is lower than the SPY Sharpe Ratio of 1.71. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JEF and SPY, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

JEF vs. SPY - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JEF drawdown since its inception was -80.74%, which is greater than SPY's maximum drawdown of -55.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JEF and SPY.

Drawdown Indicators

	JEF	SPY	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-80.74%	-55.19%	-25.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-48.05%	-8.88%	-39.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-54.39%	-18.76%	-35.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-54.39%	-24.50%	-29.89%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-54.39%	-33.72%	-20.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-32.89%	-1.12%	-31.77%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-25.54%	-9.02%	-16.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	22.21%	2.03%	+20.18%

Volatility

JEF vs. SPY - Volatility Comparison

Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (JEF) has a higher volatility of 16.54% compared to State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) at 4.26%. This indicates that JEF's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SPY based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JEF	SPY	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.54%	4.26%	+12.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.36%	10.01%	+23.35%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	43.00%	12.60%	+30.40%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	36.23%	17.17%	+19.06%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	35.11%	17.93%	+17.18%

Dividends

JEF vs. SPY - Dividend Comparison

JEF's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.04%, more than SPY's 1.00% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JEF Jefferies Financial Group Inc.	3.04%	2.58%	1.66%	2.97%	3.50%	2.32%	2.44%	8.07%	2.59%	1.23%	1.08%	1.44%
SPY State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF	1.00%	1.07%	1.21%	1.40%	1.65%	1.20%	1.52%	1.75%	2.04%	1.80%	2.03%	2.06%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both JEF and SPY in my portfolio?

JEF and SPY have a correlation of 0.57, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JEF or SPY?

JEF has higher volatility (16.54%) compared to SPY (4.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JEF dropped -80.74% vs SPY's -55.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SPY currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.71 vs -0.02), 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.