Jefferies Financial Group Inc

Previous wording

The following factors describe some of the assumptions, risks, uncertainties and other factors that could adversely affect our business or that could necessitate unforeseen changes to the ways we operate our businesses or could otherwise result in changes that differ materially from our expectations. In addition to the specific factors mentioned in this report, we may also be affected by other factors that affect businesses generally, such as global or regional changes in economic, business or political conditions, acts of war, terrorism, pandemics, climate change, and natural disasters.

Current wording

The following factors describe some of the assumptions, risks,

Previous wording

In the normal course of our businesses, we are involved in the execution, settlement and financing of various customer and principal securities and derivative transactions. These activities are transacted on a cash, margin or delivery-versus-payment basis and are subject to the risk of counterparty or customer nonperformance. Even when transactions are collateralized by the underlying security or other securities, we still face the risks associated with changes in the market value of the collateral through settlement date or during the time when margin is extended and collateral has not been secured or the counterparty defaults before collateral or margin can be adjusted. We may also incur credit risk in our derivative transactions to the extent such transactions result in uncollateralized credit exposure to our counterparties.

Current wording

In the normal course of our businesses, we are involved in the

Previous wording

We seek to control the risk associated with these transactions by establishing and monitoring credit limits and by monitoring collateral and transaction levels daily. We may require counterparties to deposit additional collateral or return collateral pledged. In certain circumstances, we may, under industry regulations, purchase the underlying securities in the market and seek reimbursement for any losses from the counterparty. However, there can be no assurances that our risk controls will be successful.

Current wording

We seek to control the risk associated with these transactions by

Previous wording

We are exposed to significant market risk and our principal trading and investments expose us to risk of loss.

Current wording

We are exposed to significant market risk and our principal

Previous wording

Market risk generally represents the risk that values of assets and liabilities or revenues will be adversely affected by changes in market conditions. Market risk is inherent in the financial instruments associated with our operations and activities, including trading account assets and liabilities, loans, securities, short-term borrowings, corporate debt, and derivatives. Market conditions that change from time to time, thereby exposing us to market risk, include fluctuations in interest rates, equity prices, relative exchange rates, and price deterioration or changes in value due to changes in market perception or actual credit quality of an issuer.

Current wording

Market risk generally represents the risk that values of assets

Previous wording

In addition, disruptions in the liquidity or transparency of the financial markets may result in our inability to sell, syndicate, or realize the value of security positions, thereby leading to increased concentrations. The inability to reduce our positions in specific securities may not only increase the market and credit risks associated with such positions, but also increase capital requirements, which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.

Current wording

In addition, disruptions in the liquidity or transparency of the

Previous wording

A considerable portion of our revenues is derived from trading in which we act as principal. We may incur trading losses relating to the purchase, sale or short sale of fixed income, high yield, international, convertible, and equity securities, loans, derivative contracts and commodities for our own account. In any period, we may experience losses on our inventory positions as a result of the level and volatility of equity, fixed income and commodity prices (including oil prices), lack of trading volume and illiquidity. From time to time, we may engage in a large block trade in a single security or maintain large position concentrations in a single security, securities of a single issuer, securities of issuers engaged in a specific industry, or securities from issuers located in a particular country or region. In general, because our inventory is marked to market on a daily basis, any adverse price movement in these securities could result in a reduction of our revenues and profits. In addition, we may engage in hedging transactions that if not successful, could result in losses. Increased market volatility may also impact our revenues as transaction activity in our investment banking and capital markets sales and trading businesses can be negatively impacted in a volatile market environment.

Current wording

A considerable portion of our revenues is derived from trading in

Previous wording

See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Risk Management within Part II, Item 7. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion.

Current wording

Part II, Item 7. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional

Previous wording

A credit-rating agency downgrade could significantly impact our business.

Current wording

A credit-rating agency downgrade could significantly impact our

Previous wording

The cost and availability of financing generally are impacted by (among other things) our credit ratings. If any of our credit ratings were downgraded, or if rating agencies indicate that a downgrade may occur, our business, financial position and results of operations could be adversely affected and perceptions of our financial strength could be damaged, which could adversely affect our client relationships. Additionally, we intend to access the capital markets and issue debt securities from time to time, and a decrease in our credit ratings or outlook could adversely affect our liquidity and competitive position, increase our borrowing costs, decrease demand for our debt securities and increase the expense and difficulty of financing our operations. In addition, in connection with certain over-the-counter derivative contract arrangements and certain other trading arrangements, we may be required to provide additional collateral to counterparties, exchanges and clearing organizations in the event of a credit rating downgrade. Such a downgrade could also negatively impact the prices of our debt securities. There can be no assurance that our credit ratings will not be downgraded.

Current wording

The cost and availability of financing generally are impacted by

Previous wording

As a holding company, we are dependent for liquidity from payments from our subsidiaries, many of which are subject to restrictions.

Current wording

As a holding company, we are dependent for liquidity from

Previous wording

As a holding company, we depend on dividends, distributions and other payments from our subsidiaries to fund payments on our obligations, including debt obligations. Several of our subsidiaries, particularly our broker-dealer subsidiaries, are subject to regulation that restrict dividend payments or reduce the availability of the flow of funds from those subsidiaries to us. In addition, our broker-dealer subsidiaries are subject to restrictions on their ability to lend or transact with affiliates and are required to maintain minimum regulatory capital requirements.

Current wording

As a holding company, we depend on dividends, distributions and

Previous wording

From time to time we may invest in securities that are illiquid or subject to restrictions.

Current wording

From time to time we may invest in securities that are illiquid or

Previous wording

From time to time we may invest in securities that are subject to restrictions which prohibit us from selling the securities for a period of time. Such agreements may limit our ability to generate liquidity quickly through the disposition of the underlying investment while the agreement is effective.

Current wording

From time to time we may invest in securities that are subject to

Previous wording

We may incur losses as a result of unforeseen or catastrophic events, including the emergence of a pandemic, cybersecurity incidents and events, terrorist attacks, war, trade policies, military conflict, climate-related incidents, or other natural disasters.

Current wording

We may incur losses as a result of unforeseen or catastrophic

Previous wording

The occurrence of unforeseen or catastrophic events, including the emergence of a pandemic, such as COVID-19, or other widespread health emergency (or concerns over the possibility of such an emergency), cybersecurity incidents and events, terrorist attacks, war, trade policies, military conflict, extreme climate-related incidents or events or other natural disasters, could create economic and financial disruptions, and could lead to operational difficulties (including travel limitations) that could impair our ability to manage our businesses. For instance, the spread of illnesses or pandemics such as the COVID-19 has, and could in the future, cause illness, quarantines, various shutdowns, reduction in business activity and financial transactions, labor shortages, supply chain interruptions and overall economic and financial market instability. In addition, geopolitical and military conflict and war between Russia and Ukraine and Hamas and Israel have and will continue to result in instability and adversely affect the global economy or specific markets, which could continue to have an adverse impact or cause volatility in the financial services industry generally or on our results of operations and financial conditions. In addition, these geopolitical tensions can cause an increase in volatility in commodity and energy prices, creating supply chain issues, and causing instability in financial markets. Sanctions imposed by the United States and other countries in response to such conflict could further adversely impact the financial markets and the global economy, and any economic countermeasures by the affected countries or others, could exacerbate market and economic instability. While we do not have any operations in Russia or any clients with significant Russian operations and we have minimal market risk related to securities of companies either domiciled or operating in Russia, the specific consequences of the conflict in Ukraine on our business is difficult to predict at this time. Likewise, our investments and assets in our growing Israeli business could be negatively affected by consequences from the geopolitical and military conflict in the region. In addition to inflationary pressures affecting our operations, we may also experience an increase in cyberattacks against us and our third-party service providers from Russia, Hamas, or their allies.

Current wording

The occurrence of unforeseen or catastrophic events, including

Previous wording

Climate change concerns and incidents could disrupt our businesses, adversely affect the profitability of certain of our investments, adversely affect client activity levels, adversely affect the creditworthiness of our counterparties, and damage our reputation.

Current wording

Climate change concerns and incidents could disrupt our

Previous wording

Climate change may cause extreme weather events that disrupt operations at one or more of our or our customer’s or client’s locations, which may negatively affect our ability to service and interact with our clients, and also may adversely affect the value of certain of our investments, including our real estate investments. Climate change, as well as uncertainties related to the transition to a lower carbon dependent economy, may also have a negative impact on the financial condition of our clients, which may decrease revenues from those clients and increase the credit risk associated with loans and other credit exposures to those clients. Additionally, our reputation and client relationships may be damaged as a result of our involvement, or our clients’ involvement, in certain industries or projects associated with causing or exacerbating climate change, as well as any decisions we make to continue to conduct or change our activities in response to considerations relating to climate change.

Current wording

Climate change may cause extreme weather events that disrupt

Previous wording

New regulations or guidance relating to climate change and the transition to a lower carbon dependent economy, as well as the perspectives of shareholders, employees and other stakeholders regarding climate change, may affect whether and on what terms and conditions we engage in certain activities or offer certain products, as well as impact our business reputation and efforts to recruit and retain employees and customers.

Current wording

New regulations or guidance relating to climate change and the

Previous wording

Abrupt changes in market and general economic conditions have in the past adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, our business and profitability and cause volatility in our results of operations.

Current wording

Abrupt changes in market and general economic conditions have

Previous wording

Economic and market conditions have had, and will continue to have, a direct and material impact on our results of operations and financial condition because performance in the financial services industry is heavily influenced by the overall strength of general economic conditions and financial market activity.

Current wording

Economic and market conditions have had, and will continue to

Previous wording

Our investment banking revenue, in the form of advisory services and underwriting, is directly related to general economic conditions and corresponding financial market activity. When the outlook for such economic conditions is uncertain or negative, financial market activity generally tends to decrease, which reduces our investment banking revenues. Reduced expectations of U.S. economic growth or a decline in the global economic outlook could cause financial market activity to decrease and negatively affect our investment banking revenues.

Current wording

Our investment banking revenue, in the form of advisory services

Previous wording

A sustained and continuing market downturn could lead to or exacerbate declines in the number of securities transactions executed for clients and, therefore, to a decline in the revenues we receive from commissions and spreads. Correspondingly, a reduction of prices of the securities we hold in inventory or as investments would lead to reduced revenues.

Current wording

A sustained and continuing market downturn could lead to or

Previous wording

Revenues from our asset management businesses have been and may continue to be negatively impacted by declining securities prices, as well as widely fluctuating securities prices. Because our asset management businesses hold long and short positions in equity and debt securities, changes in the prices of these securities, as well as any decrease in the liquidity of these securities, may materially and adversely affect our revenues from asset management.

Current wording

Revenues from our asset management businesses have been

Previous wording

Similarly, our merchant banking businesses may suffer from the above-mentioned impacts of fluctuations in economic and market conditions, including reductions in business activity and financial transactions, labor shortages, supply chain interruptions and overall economic and financial market instability. In addition, other factors, most of which are outside of our control, can affect our merchant banking businesses, including the state of the real estate market, the state of the Italian telecommunications market, and the state of international market and economic conditions which impact trading volume and currency volatility, and changes in regulatory requirements.

Current wording

Similarly, our other investments businesses may suffer from the

Previous wording

In addition, global economic conditions and global financial markets remain vulnerable to the potential risks posed by certain events, which could include, among other things, level and volatility of interest rates, availability and market conditions of financing, economic growth or its sustainability, unforeseen changes to gross domestic product, inflation, energy prices, fluctuations or other changes in both debt and equity capital markets and currencies, political and financial uncertainty in the United States and the European Union, ongoing concern about Asia’s economies, global supply disruptions, complications involving terrorism and armed conflicts around the world (including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and Hamas and Israel, or other challenges to global trade or travel, such as those that have occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More generally, because our business is closely correlated to the general economic outlook, a significant deterioration in that outlook or realization of certain events would likely have an immediate and significant negative impact on our business and overall results of operations.

Current wording

In addition, global economic conditions and global financial

Previous wording

Changing financial, economic and political conditions could result in decreased revenues, losses or other adverse consequences.

Current wording

Changing financial, economic and political conditions could result

Previous wording

Global or regional changes in the financial markets or economic and political conditions could adversely affect our business in many ways, including the following:

Current wording

Global or regional changes in the financial markets or economic

Previous wording

•A market downturn, potential recession and high inflation, as well as declines in consumer confidence and increase in unemployment rates, could lead to a decline in the volume of transactions executed for customers and, therefore, to a decline in the revenues we receive from commissions and spreads. Any such economic downturn, volatile business environment, hostile third-party action or continued unpredictable and unstable market conditions could adversely affect our general business strategies;

Current wording

•A market downturn, potential recession and high inflation, as

Previous wording

•Unfavorable conditions or changes in general political, economic or market conditions could reduce the number and size of transactions in which we provide underwriting, financial advisory and other services. Our investment banking revenues, in the form of financial advisory and sales and trading or placement fees, are directly related to the number and size of the transactions in which we participate and could therefore be adversely affected by unfavorable financial, economic or political conditions. In particular, the increasing trend toward sovereign protectionism and de-globalization has resulted or could result in decreases in free trade, erosion of traditional international coalitions, the imposition of sanctions and tariffs, governmental closures and no-confidence votes, domestic and international strife, and general market upheaval in response to such results, all of which could negatively impact our business;

Current wording

•Unfavorable conditions or changes in general political,

Previous wording

•Adverse changes in the securities markets could lead to a reduction in revenues from asset management fees and losses on our own capital invested in managed funds. Even in the absence of a market downturn, below-market investment performance by our funds and portfolio managers could reduce asset management revenues and assets under management and result in reputational damage that might make it more difficult to attract new investors;

Current wording

•Adverse changes in the securities markets could lead to a

Previous wording

•Adverse changes in the financial markets could lead to regulatory restrictions that may limit or halt certain of our business activities;

Current wording

regulatory restrictions that may limit or halt certain of our

Previous wording

•Limitations on the availability of credit can affect our ability to borrow on a secured or unsecured basis, which may adversely affect our liquidity and results of operations. Global market and economic conditions have been particularly disrupted and volatile in the last several years and may be in the future. Our cost and availability of funding could be affected by illiquid credit markets and wider credit spreads;

Current wording

•Limitations on the availability of credit can affect our ability to

Previous wording

•New or increased taxes on compensation payments such as bonuses may adversely affect our profits;

Current wording

•New or increased taxes on compensation payments such as

Previous wording

•Should one of our clients or competitors fail, our business prospects and revenue could be negatively impacted due to negative market sentiment causing clients to cease doing business with us and our lenders to cease loaning us money, which could adversely affect our business, funding and liquidity;

Current wording

•Should one of our clients or competitors fail, our business

Previous wording

•Unfavorable economic conditions could have an adverse effect on the demand for new loans and the servicing of loans originated by third-parties, which would have an adverse impact on the operations and profitability of some of our financial services businesses.

Current wording

•Unfavorable economic conditions could have an adverse effect

Previous wording

We seek to monitor and control our risk exposure. Our risk management processes and procedures are designed to limit our exposure to acceptable levels as we conduct our business. We apply a comprehensive framework of limits on a variety of key metrics to constrain the risk profile of our business activities. These limits reflect our risk tolerances for business activity. Our framework includes inventory position and exposure limits on a gross and net basis, scenario analysis and stress tests, Value-at-Risk, sensitivities, exposure concentrations, aged inventory, amount of Level 3 assets, counterparty exposure, leverage, cash capital and performance analysis. See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Risk Management within Part II. Item 7. of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion. While we employ various risk monitoring and risk mitigation techniques, those techniques and the judgments that accompany their application, including risk tolerance determinations, cannot anticipate every economic and financial outcome or the specifics and timing of such outcomes. As a result, we may incur losses notwithstanding our risk management processes and procedures.

Current wording

We seek to monitor and control our risk exposure. Our risk

Previous wording

The ability to attract, develop and retain highly skilled and productive employees is critical to the success of our business.

Current wording

The ability to attract, develop and retain highly skilled and

Previous wording

Our ability to develop and retain our clients depends on the reputation, judgment, business generation capabilities and skills of our professionals. To compete effectively, we must attract, retain and motivate qualified professionals, including successful investment bankers, sales and trading professionals, research professionals, portfolio managers and other revenue producing or specialized personnel, in addition to qualified, successful personnel in functional, non-revenue producing roles. Competitive pressures we experience with respect to employees could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

Current wording

Our ability to develop and retain our clients depends on the

Previous wording

Turnover in the financial services industry is high. The cost of retaining skilled professionals in the financial services industry has escalated considerably. Financial industry employers are increasingly offering guaranteed contracts, upfront payments, and increased compensation. These can be important factors in a current employee’s decision to leave us as well as in a prospective employee’s decision to join us. As competition for skilled professionals in the industry remains intense, we may have to devote significant resources to attracting and retaining qualified personnel.

Current wording

Turnover in the financial services industry is high. The cost of