Jefferies Australia has delivered an impressive performance for the year ending November 30, 2024, showcasing its growing influence in the Australian financial landscape. The firm reported a substantial revenue increase to $127.3 million—up from $102 million the previous year—while net comprehensive income rose to $10.2 million from $7.8 million. This growth reflects a booming market for mergers and acquisitions (M&A), with a 13% year-on-year rise in deal activity involving Australian companies.
Strategic Talent Investment Boosts Performance
Jefferies’ strong performance can also be attributed to its strategic hiring decisions. The firm brought on board high-profile talent, including Mario Argyrides, a former Goldman Sachs executive, to strengthen its equities and M&A advisory capabilities. Although this recruitment drive increased expenses to $81.2 million, the resulting boost in deal-making capacity delivered a solid return on investment.
Notable advisory roles undertaken by Jefferies include a $14 billion deal for James Hardie and key transactions for TPG Capital, Nine Entertainment, and other major players. These deals have not only cemented the firm’s reputation as a leading M&A advisor but also helped solidify its long-term growth trajectory in the Australian market.
Australia’s M&A Landscape Fuels Growth
The uptick in M&A activity has been driven by favorable market conditions, private equity interest, and corporates seeking scale through acquisitions. Jefferies’ deep industry expertise, global network, and agile local operations positioned it to capitalize on this trend effectively. With demand for cross-border and high-value transactions on the rise, Jefferies is poised to play a key role in the evolution of Australia’s corporate dealmaking environment.
Implications for Accounting Firms and Advisors
This M&A boom is not just a win for investment banks. Accounting firms are increasingly involved in due diligence, compliance audits, and post-merger integrations—making this a lucrative time for firms that support M&A transactions. Firms looking to grow or exit should consider how market momentum can be leveraged to maximize valuations, attract strategic buyers, or pursue mergers of their own.
Looking Forward
Despite global economic headwinds, Jefferies’ ability to grow profits and command major roles in landmark deals highlights the firm’s resilience and strategic foresight. As M&A activity continues to gain momentum in 2025, Jefferies is expected to remain at the forefront of dealmaking in Australia. Their success sets a benchmark for firms across financial services and demonstrates the continued strength of the Australian M&A market.
Source: Jefferies Australia profit jumps in bumper year for M&A