The investment bank typically releases its results earlier than lenders such as JPMorgan Chase, offering a window into how its larger rivals might fare.

Jefferies Financial reported an over three-fold rise in fourth-quarter profit on Wednesday as the investment bank earned higher fees from deal advisory and underwriting activity remained strong. An ebullient market,

Jefferies Financial Group Inc.’s profit soared on a rebound in mergers and acquisitions and a surge in equity-trading revenue, signs that the multiyear dealmaking slump is coming to an end.