Stifel Financial Soars 1.55% on Wolfe Research Upgrade

Stifel Financial (SF) shares surged 1.55% today, marking the fourth consecutive day of gains, with a cumulative increase of 4.89% over the past four days. The stock price reached its highest level since March 2025, with an intraday gain of 2.56%.

The strategy of buying SF shares after they reached a recent high and holding for 1 week showed poor performance over the past 5 years. The annualized return was -13.2%, significantly underperforming the market. This indicates that relying on recent highs as a buying trigger and holding for a short duration is not a profitable strategy.

One of the key factors driving the recent surge in Stifel Financial's stock price is the upgrade by Wolfe Research. The firm raised its rating on Stifel Financial from "peer perform" to "outperform" and set a price target of $108.00. This positive rating change has likely boosted investor confidence and contributed to the stock's upward momentum.

However, the company faced significant legal setbacks in the first quarter of 2025. These challenges led to a 20% drop in the stock price and missed earnings expectations due to legal charges. The legal issues have been a notable negative factor affecting the stock's performance, and investors are closely monitoring the situation for any further developments.

Additionally, JMP Securities adjusted its target price for Stifel Financial shares, lowering it from $135.00 to $120.00 while maintaining a "market outperform" rating. This adjustment may impact investor sentiment and the stock's valuation, as it reflects a more cautious outlook on the company's future performance.