Investment Banking

Jefferies dealmaking fees slip as trade war weighs on capital markets

The US bank is viewed as a bellwether for larger Wall Street rivals

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Richard Handler, chief executive of Jefferies, said that geopolitical events had affected capital markets transactions Photo: Peter Foley/Getty Images

Jefferies’ first-quarter earnings slipped by 8% as the US’s ongoing trade war has weighed on deal activity in the first months of 2025.

The US investment bank, which reports numbers ahead of larger rivals, posted revenue of $1.6bn for the first quarter of 2025. This is down by 8% and missed analyst expectations of $1.9bn.

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