10-Q
Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 
 

FORM 10-Q
 
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended August 31, 2015
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission file number 1-14947 
 
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
95-4719745
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
520 Madison Avenue, New York, New York
10022
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 284-2550
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
¨
Accelerated filer
¨
Non-accelerated filer
ý
Smaller reporting company
¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý
The Registrant is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leucadia National Corporation and meets the conditions set forth in General Instructions H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form 10-Q with a reduced disclosure format as permitted by Instruction H(2).
 


Table of Contents

JEFFERIES GROUP LLC
INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
August 31, 2015
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 


1

Table of Contents



JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
 
August 31, 2015
 
November 30, 2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents ($259 and $178 at August 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, respectively, related to
     consolidated VIEs)
$
3,441,785

 
$
4,079,968

Cash and securities segregated and on deposit for regulatory purposes or deposited with clearing and depository
     organizations
904,009

 
3,444,674

Financial instruments owned, at fair value, (including securities pledged of $14,151,752 and $14,794,488 at
     August 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, respectively; and $86,704 and $62,990 at August 31, 2015
     and November 30, 2014, respectively, related to consolidated VIEs)
18,892,372

 
18,636,612

Investments in managed funds
86,765

 
74,365

Loans to and investments in related parties
782,063

 
773,141

Securities borrowed
7,702,853

 
6,853,103

Securities purchased under agreements to resell
4,273,682

 
3,926,858

Securities received as collateral
11,365

 
5,418

Receivables:
 
 
 
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations
2,055,513

 
2,164,006

Customers
1,302,763

 
1,250,520

Fees, interest and other ($347 and $363 at August 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, respectively, related to consolidated VIEs)
303,720

 
262,437

Premises and equipment
243,294

 
251,957

Goodwill
1,660,478

 
1,662,636

Other assets
1,124,016

 
1,131,953

Total assets
$
42,784,678

 
$
44,517,648

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings
$
12,000

 
$
12,000

Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
9,447,636

 
8,881,268

Collateralized financings:
 
 
 
Securities loaned
3,645,195

 
2,598,487

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
10,840,877

 
10,672,157

Other secured financings ($806,634 and $597,999 at August 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, respectively, related to consolidated VIEs)
806,634

 
605,824

Obligation to return securities received as collateral
11,365

 
5,418

Payables:
 
 
 
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations
2,469,752

 
2,280,103

Customers
2,780,925

 
6,241,965

Accrued expenses and other liabilities ($977 and $589 at August 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, respectively, related to consolidated VIEs)
1,062,750

 
1,273,378

Long-term debt
6,194,010

 
6,483,617

Total liabilities
37,271,144

 
39,054,217

EQUITY
 
 
 
Member’s paid-in capital
5,507,281

 
5,439,256

Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
 
 
 
Currency translation adjustments
(21,275
)
 
(9,654
)
Additional minimum pension liability
(4,774
)
 
(5,019
)
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss
(26,049
)
 
(14,673
)
Total member’s equity
5,481,232

 
5,424,583

Noncontrolling interests
32,302

 
38,848

Total equity
5,513,534

 
5,463,431

Total liabilities and equity
$
42,784,678

 
$
44,517,648

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

2

Table of Contents

JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
 
Three Months Ended August 31,
 
Nine Months Ended August 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commissions and other fees
$
172,284

 
$
159,085

 
$
512,714

 
$
488,526

Principal transactions
(50,297
)
 
144,354

 
211,142

 
566,133

Investment banking
389,820

 
467,793

 
1,066,077

 
1,213,262

Asset management fees and investment income (loss) from managed funds
4,182

 
8,463

 
(5
)
 
15,319

Interest
230,805

 
249,251

 
700,227

 
782,059

Other
34,329

 
26,489

 
82,810

 
57,962

      Total revenues
781,123

 
1,055,435

 
2,572,965

 
3,123,261

Interest expense
202,195

 
212,126

 
610,811

 
657,932

      Net revenues
578,928

 
843,309

 
1,962,154

 
2,465,329

Non-interest expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
336,499

 
477,268

 
1,182,484

 
1,390,043

Non-compensation expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Floor brokerage and clearing fees
45,307

 
55,967

 
159,100

 
159,500

Technology and communications
89,378

 
67,286

 
234,126

 
201,849

Occupancy and equipment rental
25,967

 
28,477

 
74,571

 
81,652

Business development
30,527

 
27,800

 
78,865

 
79,193

Professional services
24,684

 
31,231

 
76,359

 
81,395

Other
19,473

 
19,645

 
51,960

 
54,656

             Total non-compensation expenses
235,336

 
230,406

 
674,981

 
658,245

             Total non-interest expenses
571,835

 
707,674

 
1,857,465

 
2,048,288

Earnings before income taxes
7,093

 
135,635

 
104,689

 
417,041

Income tax expense
4,609

 
51,762

 
29,470

 
155,962

      Net earnings
2,484

 
83,873

 
75,219

 
261,079

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
427

 
312

 
1,647

 
3,760

      Net earnings attributable to Jefferies Group LLC
$
2,057

 
$
83,561

 
$
73,572

 
$
257,319

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3

Table of Contents

JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
 
Three Months Ended August 31,
 
Nine Months Ended August 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net earnings
$
2,484

 
$
83,873

 
$
75,219

 
$
261,079

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency translation and other adjustments
(319
)
 
(8,744
)
 
(11,376
)
 
7,899

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (1)
(319
)
 
(8,744
)
 
(11,376
)
 
7,899

Comprehensive income
2,165

 
75,129

 
63,843

 
268,978

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
427

 
312

 
1,647

 
3,760

Comprehensive income attributable to Jefferies Group LLC
$
1,738

 
$
74,817

 
$
62,196

 
$
265,218


(1)
None of the components of other comprehensive income (loss) are attributable to noncontrolling interests.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4

Table of Contents

JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended 
 August 31, 2015
 
Year Ended 
 November 30, 2014
Member’s paid-in capital:
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
$
5,439,256

 
$
5,280,420

Net earnings attributable to Jefferies Group LLC
73,572

 
157,560

Tax benefit (detriment) for issuance of share-based awards
(5,547
)
 
1,276

Balance, end of period
$
5,507,281

 
$
5,439,256

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (1) (2):
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
$
(14,673
)
 
$
24,100

Currency adjustments
(11,621
)
 
(30,995
)
Pension adjustment, net of tax
245

 
(7,778
)
Balance, end of period
(26,049
)
 
(14,673
)
Total member’s equity
$
5,481,232

 
$
5,424,583

Noncontrolling interests:
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
$
38,848

 
$
117,154

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
1,647

 
3,400

Contributions

 
39,075

Deconsolidation of asset management company
(8,193
)
 
(120,781
)
Balance, end of period
$
32,302

 
$
38,848

Total equity
$
5,513,534

 
$
5,463,431


(1)
The components of other comprehensive income (loss) are attributable to Jefferies Group LLC. None of the components of other comprehensive income (loss) are attributable to noncontrolling interests.
(2)
There were no material reclassifications out of Accumulated other comprehensive income during the nine months ended August 31, 2015 and the year ended November 30, 2014.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5

Table of Contents

JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended August 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net earnings
$
75,219

 
$
261,079

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
10,784

 
(9,409
)
Income on loans to and investments in related parties
(87,692
)
 
(73,640
)
Distributions received on investments in related parties
70,825

 
43,440

Other adjustments
(64,479
)
 
(41,678
)
Net change in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Cash and securities segregated and on deposit for regulatory purposes or deposited
     with clearing and depository organizations
2,538,334

 
316,049

Receivables:
 
 
 
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations
100,690

 
(298,153
)
Customers
(52,530
)
 
(612,457
)
Fees, interest and other
(41,759
)
 
(6,687
)
Securities borrowed
(852,183
)
 
(908,113
)
Financial instruments owned
(321,076
)
 
(1,955,672
)
Investments in managed funds
14,508

 
9,957

Securities purchased under agreements to resell
(351,875
)
 
(820,235
)
Other assets
(8,988
)
 
(26,031
)
Payables:
 
 
 
Brokers, dealers and clearing organizations
192,867

 
638,448

Customers
(3,454,703
)
 
730,493

Securities loaned
1,049,172

 
(40,086
)
Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased
601,758

 
2,634,241

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
176,960

 
(252,215
)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
(204,520
)
 
14,202

Net cash used in operating activities
(608,688
)
 
(396,467
)
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Contributions to loans to and investments in related parties
(1,111,830
)
 
(1,196,634
)
Distributions from loans to and investments in related parties
1,119,775

 
1,297,139

Net payments on premises and equipment
(51,348
)
 
(83,968
)
Deconsolidation of asset management entity
(16,512
)
 
(137,856
)
Cash received from contingent consideration
2,541

 
5,215

Net cash used in investing activities
(57,374
)
 
(116,104
)
 
Continued on next page.

6

Table of Contents


JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS – CONTINUED (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
 
Nine Months Ended August 31,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Excess tax benefits from the issuance of share-based awards
$
423

 
$
1,640

Proceeds from short-term borrowings
14,422,000

 
13,566,163

Payments on short-term borrowings
(14,422,000
)
 
(13,486,163
)
Proceeds from secured credit facility
903,000

 
1,740,000

Payments on secured credit facility
(1,073,000
)
 
(1,682,000
)
Net proceeds from other secured financings
200,810

 
381,955

Net proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net of issuance costs

 
681,222

Repayment of long-term debt

 
(250,000
)
Proceeds from contributions of noncontrolling interests

 
31,076

Net cash provided by financing activities
31,233

 
983,893

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(3,354
)
 
2,798

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(638,183
)
 
474,120

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
4,079,968

 
3,561,119

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
3,441,785

 
$
4,035,239

 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
Interest
$
621,279

 
$
752,429

Income taxes, net
1,574

 
117,300

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


7

Table of Contents

JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Index
Note
Page

 

8

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

Note 1. Organization and Basis of Presentation
Organization
Jefferies Group LLC and its subsidiaries operate as a global full service, integrated securities and investment banking firm. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements represent the accounts of Jefferies Group LLC and all our subsidiaries (together “we” or “us”). The subsidiaries of Jefferies Group LLC include Jefferies LLC (“Jefferies”), Jefferies Execution Services, Inc. (“Jefferies Execution”), Jefferies International Limited, Jefferies Bache Limited, Jefferies Hong Kong Limited, Jefferies Bache Financial Services, Inc., Jefferies Funding LLC and Jefferies Leveraged Credit Products, LLC and all other entities in which we have a controlling financial interest or are the primary beneficiary. On September 1, 2014, Jefferies Bache, LLC merged with and into Jefferies (a U.S. broker-dealer), with Jefferies as the surviving entity. On April 9, 2015, we entered into an agreement to transfer certain of the client activities of our Jefferies Bache business to Société Générale S.A. and initiated a plan to substantially exit the remaining aspects of our futures business. At August 31, 2015, we have transfered virtually all of our client accounts to Société Générale S.A. and other brokers. We substantially completed the exit of the Bache business during the third quarter of fiscal 2015. For further information on the exit of the Bache business, refer to Note 21, Exit Costs.
Jefferies Group LLC is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Leucadia National Corporation (“Leucadia”). Leucadia does not guarantee any of our outstanding debt securities. Our 3.875% Convertible Senior Debentures due 2029 are convertible into Leucadia common shares (see Note 12, Long-Term Debt, for further details). Jefferies Group LLC operates as a full-service investment banking firm and as the holding company of its various regulated and unregulated operating subsidiaries, retains a credit rating separate from Leucadia and is a Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reporting company, filing annual, quarterly and periodic financial reports. Richard Handler, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, is the Chief Executive Officer of Leucadia, as well as a Director of Leucadia. Brian P. Friedman, our Chairman of the Executive Committee, is Leucadia’s President and a Director of Leucadia.
We operate in two business segments, Capital Markets and Asset Management. Capital Markets, which represents substantially our entire business, includes our securities, commodities, futures and foreign exchange trading and investment banking activities, which provides the research, sales, trading, origination and advisory effort for various equity, fixed income and advisory products and services. Asset Management provides investment management services to various private investment funds and separate accounts.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2014.
We have made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP. The most important of these estimates and assumptions relate to fair value measurements, compensation and benefits, goodwill and intangible assets, the ability to realize deferred tax assets and the recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions. Although these and other estimates and assumptions are based on the best available information, actual results could be materially different from these estimates.
Consolidation
Our policy is to consolidate all entities in which we control by ownership a majority of the outstanding voting stock. In addition, we consolidate entities which meet the definition of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) for which we are the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the party who has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and who has an obligation to absorb losses of the entity or a right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity. For consolidated entities that are less than wholly owned, the third-party’s holding of equity interest is presented as Noncontrolling interests in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity. The portion of net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interests are presented as Net earnings to noncontrolling interests in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
In situations where we have significant influence, but not control, of an entity that does not qualify as a variable interest entity, we apply either the equity method of accounting or fair value accounting pursuant to the fair value option election under U.S. GAAP, with our portion of net earnings or gains and losses recorded within Other revenues or Principal transaction revenues,

9

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

respectively. We also have formed nonconsolidated investment vehicles with third-party investors that are typically organized as partnerships or limited liability companies and are carried at fair value. We act as general partner or managing member for these investment vehicles and have generally provided the third-party investors with termination or “kick-out” rights.
Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.


Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Revenue Recognition Policies
Commissions and Other Fees. All customer securities transactions are reported on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition on a settlement date basis with related income reported on a trade-date basis. We permit institutional customers to allocate a portion of their gross commissions to pay for research products and other services provided by third parties. The amounts allocated for those purposes are commonly referred to as soft dollar arrangements. These arrangements are accounted for on an accrual basis and, as we are not the primary obligor for these arrangements, netted against commission revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The commissions and related expenses on client transactions executed by Jefferies, a futures commission merchant (“FCM”), are recorded on a half-turn basis. In addition, we earn asset-based fees associated with the management and supervision of assets, account services and administration related to customer accounts.
Principal Transactions. Financial instruments owned and Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased (all of which are recorded on a trade-date basis) are carried at fair value with gains and losses reflected in Principal transaction revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings on a trade date basis. Fees received on loans carried at fair value are also recorded within Principal transaction revenues.
Investment Banking. Underwriting revenues and fees from mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and other investment banking advisory assignments or engagements are recorded when the services related to the underlying transactions are completed under the terms of the assignment or engagement. Expenses associated with such assignments are deferred until reimbursed by the client, the related revenue is recognized or the engagement is otherwise concluded. Expenses are recorded net of client reimbursements and netted against revenues. Unreimbursed expenses with no related revenues are included in Business development and Professional services expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Asset Management Fees and Investment Income From Managed Funds. Asset management fees and investment income from managed funds include revenues we earn from management, administrative and performance fees from funds and accounts managed by us, revenues from management and performance fees we earn from related-party managed funds and investment income from our investments in these funds. We earn fees in connection with management and investment advisory services performed for various funds and managed accounts. These fees are based on assets under management or an agreed upon notional amount and may include performance fees based upon the performance of the funds. Management and administrative fees are generally recognized over the period that the related service is provided. Generally, performance fees are earned when the return on assets under management exceeds certain benchmark returns, “high-water marks” or other performance targets. Performance fees are accrued (or reversed) on a monthly basis based on measuring performance to date versus any relevant benchmark return hurdles stated in the investment management agreement. Performance fees are not subject to adjustment once the measurement period ends (generally annual periods) and the performance fees have been realized.
Interest Revenue and Expense. We recognize contractual interest on Financial instruments owned and Financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, on an accrual basis as a component of interest revenue and expense. Interest flows on derivative trading transactions and dividends are included as part of the fair valuation of these contracts and recognized in Principal transaction revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings rather than as a component of interest revenue or expense. We account for our short- and long-term borrowings on an accrual basis with related interest recorded as Interest expense. Discounts/premiums arising on our long-term debt are accreted/amortized to Interest expense using the effective yield method over the remaining lives of the underlying debt obligations. In addition, we recognize interest revenue related to our securities borrowed and securities purchased under agreements to resell activities and interest expense related to our securities loaned and securities sold under agreements to repurchase activities on an accrual basis.
 

10

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments, including certificates of deposit and money market funds, not held for resale with original maturities of three months or less.
Cash and Securities Segregated and on Deposit for Regulatory Purposes or Deposited With Clearing and Depository Organizations
In accordance with Rule 15c3-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Jefferies as a broker-dealer carrying client accounts, is subject to requirements related to maintaining cash or qualified securities in a segregated reserve account for the exclusive benefit of its clients. In addition, certain financial instruments used for initial and variation margin purposes with clearing and depository organizations are recorded in this caption. Jefferies as an FCM is obligated by rules mandated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") under the Commodities Exchange Act, to segregate or set aside cash or qualified securities to satisfy such regulations, which regulations have been promulgated to protect customer assets. Certain other entities are also obligated by rules mandated by their primary regulators to segregate or set aside cash or equivalent securities to satisfy regulations, promulgated to protect customer assets.
Financial Instruments and Fair Value
Financial instruments owned and Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased are recorded at fair value, either as required by accounting pronouncements or through the fair value option election. These instruments primarily represent our trading activities and include both cash and derivative products. Gains and losses are recognized in Principal transaction revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (the exit price).
Fair Value Hierarchy
In determining fair value, we maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs reflect our assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. We apply a hierarchy to categorize our fair value measurements broken down into three levels based on the transparency of inputs as follows:
Level 1:
Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the reported date.
Level 2:
Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date. The nature of these financial instruments include cash instruments for which quoted prices are available but traded less frequently, derivative instruments whose fair value have been derived using a model where inputs to the model are directly observable in the market, or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data, and instruments that are fair valued using other financial instruments, the parameters of which can be directly observed.
Level 3:
Instruments that have little to no pricing observability at the reported date. These financial instruments are measured using management’s best estimate of fair value, where the inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation.
Financial instruments are valued at quoted market prices, if available. Certain financial instruments have bid and ask prices that can be observed in the marketplace. For financial instruments whose inputs are based on bid-ask prices, the financial instrument is valued at the point within the bid-ask range that meets our best estimate of fair value. We use prices and inputs that are current at the measurement date. For financial instruments that do not have readily determinable fair values using quoted market prices, the determination of fair value is based upon consideration of available information, including types of financial instruments, current financial information, restrictions on dispositions, fair values of underlying financial instruments and quotations for similar instruments.
The valuation of financial instruments may include the use of valuation models and other techniques. Adjustments to valuations derived from valuation models may be made when, in management’s judgment, features of the financial instrument such as its complexity, the market in which the financial instrument is traded and risk uncertainties about market conditions require that an

11

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

adjustment be made to the value derived from the models. Adjustments from the price derived from a valuation model reflect management’s judgment that other participants in the market for the financial instrument being measured at fair value would also consider in valuing that same financial instrument. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment.
The availability of observable inputs can vary and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of financial instrument and market conditions. As the observability of prices and inputs may change for a financial instrument from period to period, this condition may cause a transfer of an instrument among the fair value hierarchy levels. Transfers among the levels are recognized at the beginning of each period. The degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.
Valuation Process for Financial Instruments
Our Independent Price Verification (“IPV”) Group, which is part of our Finance department, in partnership with Risk Management, is responsible for establishing our valuation policies and procedures. The IPV Group and Risk Management, which are independent of our business functions, play an important role and serve as a control function in determining that our financial instruments are appropriately valued and that fair value measurements are reliable. This is particularly important where prices or valuations that require inputs are less observable. In the event that observable inputs are not available, the control processes are designed to assure that the valuation approach utilized is appropriate and consistently applied and that the assumptions are reasonable. The IPV Group reports to the Global Controller and is subject to the oversight of the IPV Committee, which is comprised of our Chief Financial Officer, Global Controller, Chief Risk Officer and Principal Accounting Officer, among other personnel. Our independent price verification policies and procedures are reviewed, at a minimum, annually and changes to the policies require the approval of the IPV Committee.
Price Testing Process. The business units are responsible for determining the fair value of our financial instruments using approved valuation models and methodologies. In order to ensure that the business unit valuations represent a fair value exit price, the IPV Group tests and validates the fair value of our financial instruments inventory. In the testing process, the IPV Group obtains prices and valuation inputs from independent sources, consistently adheres to established procedures set forth in our valuation policies for sourcing prices and valuation inputs and utilizing valuation methodologies. Sources used to validate fair value prices and inputs include, but are not limited to, exchange data, recently executed transactions, pricing data obtained from third party vendors, pricing and valuation services, broker quotes and observed comparable transactions.
To the extent discrepancies between the business unit valuations and the pricing or valuations resulting from the price testing process are identified, such discrepancies are investigated by the IPV Group and fair values are adjusted, as appropriate. The IPV Group maintains documentation of its testing, results, rationale and recommendations and prepares a monthly summary of its valuation results. This process also forms the basis for our classification of fair values within the fair value hierarchy (i.e., Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3). The IPV Group utilizes the additional expertise of Risk Management personnel in valuing more complex financial instruments and financial instruments with less or limited pricing observability. The results of the valuation testing are reported to the IPV Committee on a monthly basis, which discusses the results and is charged with the final conclusions as to the financial instrument fair values in the consolidated financial statements. This process specifically assists the Chief Financial Officer in asserting as to the fair presentation of our financial condition and results of operations as included within our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K. At each quarter end, the overall valuation results, as concluded upon by the IPV Committee, are presented to the Audit Committee.
Judgment exercised in determining Level 3 fair value measurements is supplemented by daily analysis of profit and loss performed by the Product Control functions. Gains and losses, which result from changes in fair value, are evaluated and corroborated daily based on an understanding of each of the trading desks’ overall risk positions and developments in a particular market on the given day. Valuation techniques generally rely on recent transactions of suitably comparable financial instruments and use the observable inputs from those comparable transactions as a validation basis for Level 3 inputs. Level 3 fair value measurements are further validated through subsequent sales testing and market comparable sales, if such information is available. Level 3 fair value measurements require documentation of the valuation rationale applied, which is reviewed for consistency in application from period to period; and the documentation includes benchmarking the assumptions underlying the valuation rationale against relevant analytic data.
Third Party Pricing Information. Pricing information obtained from external data providers (including independent pricing services and brokers) may incorporate a range of market quotes from dealers, recent market transactions and benchmarking model derived

12

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

prices to quoted market prices and trade data for comparable securities. External pricing data is subject to evaluation for reasonableness by the IPV Group using a variety of means including comparisons of prices to those of similar product types, quality and maturities, consideration of the narrowness or wideness of the range of prices obtained, knowledge of recent market transactions and an assessment of the similarity in prices to comparable dealer offerings in a recent time period. We have a process whereby we challenge the appropriateness of pricing information obtained from external data providers (including independent pricing services and brokers) in order to validate the data for consistency with the definition of a fair value exit price. Our process includes understanding and evaluating the external data providers’ valuation methodologies. For corporate, U.S. government and agency and municipal debt securities, and loans, to the extent independent pricing services or broker quotes are utilized in our valuation process, the vendor service providers are collecting and aggregating observable market information as to recent trade activity and active bid-ask submissions. The composite pricing information received from the independent pricing service is thus not based on unobservable inputs or proprietary models. For mortgage- and other asset-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations, our independent pricing services use a matrix evaluation approach incorporating both observable yield curves and market yields on comparable securities as well as implied inputs from observed trades for comparable securities in order to determine prepayment speeds, cumulative default rates and loss severity. Further, we consider pricing data from multiple service providers as available as well as compare pricing data to prices we have observed for recent transactions, if any, in order to corroborate our valuation inputs.
Model Review Process. Where a pricing model is to be used to determine fair value, the pricing model is reviewed for theoretical soundness and appropriateness by Risk Management, independent from the trading desks, and then approved by Risk Management to be used in the valuation process. Review and approval of a model for use may include benchmarking the model against relevant third party valuations, testing sample trades in the model, backtesting the results of the model against actual trades and stress-testing the sensitivity of the pricing model using varying inputs and assumptions. In addition, recently executed comparable transactions and other observable market data are considered for purposes of validating assumptions underlying the model. Models are independently reviewed and validated by Risk Management annually or more frequently if market conditions or use of the valuation model changes.
Investments in Managed Funds
Investments in managed funds include our investments in funds managed by us and our investments in related-party managed funds in which we are entitled to a portion of the management and/or performance fees. Investments in nonconsolidated managed funds are accounted for at fair value based on the net asset value ("NAV") of the funds provided by the fund managers with gains or losses included in Asset management fees and investment income (loss) from managed funds in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Loans to and Investments in Related Parties
Loans to and investments in related parties include investments in private equity and other operating entities made in connection with our capital markets activities in which we exercise significant influence over operating and capital decisions and loans issued in connection with such activities. Loans to and investments in related parties are accounted for using the equity method or at cost, as appropriate. Revenues on Loans to and investments in related parties are included in Other revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. See Note 9, Investments, and Note 20, Related Party Transactions, for additional information regarding certain of these investments.
Securities Borrowed and Securities Loaned
Securities borrowed and securities loaned are carried at the amounts of cash collateral advanced and received in connection with the transactions and accounted for as collateralized financing transactions. In connection with both trading and brokerage activities, we borrow securities to cover short sales and to complete transactions in which customers have failed to deliver securities by the required settlement date, and lend securities to other brokers and dealers for similar purposes. We have an active securities borrowed and lending matched book business in which we borrow securities from one party and lend them to another party. When we borrow securities, we generally provide cash to the lender as collateral, which is reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as Securities borrowed. We earn interest revenues on this cash collateral. Similarly, when we lend securities to another party, that party provides cash to us as collateral, which is reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as Securities loaned. We pay interest expense on the cash collateral received from the party borrowing the securities. The initial collateral advanced or received approximates or is greater than the fair value of the securities borrowed or loaned. We monitor the fair value of the securities borrowed and loaned on a daily basis and request additional collateral or return excess collateral, as appropriate.

13

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell and Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase
Securities purchased under agreements to resell and Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (collectively “repos”) are accounted for as collateralized financing transactions and are recorded at their contracted resale or repurchase amount plus accrued interest. We earn and incur interest over the term of the repo, which is reflected in Interest income and Interest expense on our Consolidated Statements of Earnings on an accrual basis. Repos are presented in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition on a net-basis by counterparty, where permitted by generally accepted accounting principles. We monitor the fair value of the underlying securities daily versus the related receivable or payable balances. Should the fair value of the underlying securities decline or increase, additional collateral is requested or excess collateral is returned, as appropriate.
Premises and Equipment
Premises and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets (generally three to ten years). Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the related leases or the estimated useful lives of the assets, whichever is shorter. Premises and equipment includes internally developed software. The carrying values of internally developed software ready for its intended use are depreciated over the remaining useful life.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess acquisition cost over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized and is subject to annual impairment testing on August 1 or between annual tests if an event or change in circumstance occurs that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. In testing for goodwill impairment, we have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, we conclude that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is not required. If we conclude otherwise, we are required to perform the two-step impairment test. The goodwill impairment test is performed at the reporting unit level by comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its respective carrying value. If the estimated fair value exceeds the carrying value, goodwill at the reporting unit level is not impaired. If the estimated fair value is less than carrying value, further analysis is necessary to determine the amount of impairment, if any, by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill to the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill.
The fair value of reporting units are based on widely accepted valuation techniques that we believe market participants would use, although the valuation process requires significant judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. The methodologies we utilize in estimating the fair value of reporting units include market valuation methods that incorporate price-to-earnings and price-to-book multiples of comparable exchange traded companies and multiples of merger and acquisitions of similar businesses. The estimates and assumptions used in determining fair value could have a significant effect on whether or not an impairment charge is recorded and the magnitude of such a charge. Adverse market or economic events could result in impairment charges in future periods.
Intangible Assets. Intangible assets deemed to have finite lives are amortized on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives, where the useful life is the period over which the asset is expected to contribute directly, or indirectly, to our future cash flows. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment on an interim basis when certain events or circumstances exist. For amortizable intangible assets, impairment exists when the carrying amount of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value. At least annually, the remaining useful life is evaluated.
An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life is not amortized but assessed for impairment annually, or more frequently, when events or changes in circumstances occur indicating that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived asset is impaired. Impairment exists when the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. In testing for impairment, we have the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an impairment exists. If it is determined that it is not more likely than not that an impairment exists, a quantitative impairment test is not necessary. If we conclude otherwise, we are required to perform a quantitative impairment test. Our annual indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment testing date is August 1.
To the extent an impairment loss is recognized, the loss establishes the new cost basis of the asset that is amortized over the remaining useful life of that asset, if any. Subsequent reversal of impairment losses is not permitted.
Refer to Note 10, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, for further information.

14

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

Income Taxes
Our results of operations are included in the consolidated federal and applicable state income tax returns filed by Leucadia. In states that neither accept nor require combined or unitary tax returns, certain subsidiaries file separate state income tax returns. We also are subject to income tax in various foreign jurisdictions in which we operate. We account for our provision for income taxes using a “separate return” method. Amounts provided for income taxes are based on income reported for financial statement purposes and do not necessarily represent amounts currently payable. Pursuant to a tax sharing agreement entered into between us and Leucadia, payments are made between us and Leucadia to settle current tax assets and liabilities.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and for tax loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Under acquisition accounting, the recognition of certain assets and liabilities at fair value created a change in the financial reporting basis for our assets and liabilities, while the tax basis of our assets and liabilities remained the same. As a result, deferred tax assets and liabilities were recognized for the change in the basis differences. Jefferies provides deferred taxes on its temporary differences and on any carryforwards that it could claim on its hypothetical tax return. The realization of deferred tax assets is assessed and a valuation allowance is recorded to the extent that it is more likely than not that any portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized on the basis of its projected separate return results.

The tax benefit related to Leucadia dividends and dividend equivalents paid on non-vested share-based awards are recognized as an increase to Additional paid-in capital. These amounts, and other windfall tax effects, are included in “Tax benefit (detriment) for issuance of share-based awards” on the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity. In the event tax benefits associated with share-based awards are less than the cumulative compensation cost recognized for financial reporting purposes, we look to Leucadia’s consolidated pool of windfall tax benefits in the calculation of our income tax provision.
We record uncertain tax positions using a two-step process: (i) we determine whether it is more likely than not that each tax position will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position; and (ii) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.
Legal Reserves
In the normal course of business, we have been named, from time to time, as a defendant in legal and regulatory proceedings. We are also involved, from time to time, in other exams, investigations and similar reviews (both formal and informal) by governmental and self-regulatory agencies regarding our businesses, certain of which may result in judgments, settlements, fines, penalties or other injunctions.
We recognize a liability for a contingency in Accrued expenses and other liabilities when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of a probable loss is a range, we accrue the most likely amount of such loss, and if such amount is not determinable, then we accrue the minimum in the range as the loss accrual. The determination of the outcome and loss estimates requires significant judgment on the part of management. At August 31, 2015, we have reserved approximately $0.6 million for remaining payments under a non-prosecution agreement with the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut and a settlement agreement with the SEC, both with respect to an investigation of certain purchases and sales of mortgage-backed securities. We believe that any other matters for which we have determined a loss to be probable and reasonably estimable are not material to the consolidated financial statements.
In many instances, it is not possible to determine whether any loss is probable or even possible or to estimate the amount of any loss or the size of any range of loss. We believe that, in the aggregate, the pending legal actions or regulatory proceedings and any other exams, investigations or similar reviews (both formal and informal) should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. In addition, we believe that any amount that could be reasonably estimated of potential loss or range of potential loss in excess of what has been provided in the consolidated financial statements is not material.

15

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

Share-based Compensation
Share-based awards are measured based on the grant-date fair value of the award and recognized over the period from the service inception date through the date the employee is no longer required to provide service to earn the award. Expected forfeitures are included in determining share-based compensation expense.
Foreign Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries having non-U.S. dollar functional currencies are translated at exchange rates at the end of a period. Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the period. The gains or losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements into U.S. dollars, net of hedging gains or losses and taxes, if any, are included in Other comprehensive income. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in Principal transaction revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Securitization Activities
We engage in securitization activities related to corporate loans, consumer loans, commercial mortgage loans and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities. Such transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when we have relinquished control over the transferred assets. The gain or loss on sale of such financial assets depends, in part, on the previous carrying amount of the assets involved in the transfer allocated between the assets sold and the retained interests, if any, based upon their respective fair values at the date of sale. We may retain interests in the securitized financial assets as one or more tranches of the securitization. These retained interests are included within Financial instruments owned in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value. Any changes in the fair value of such retained interests are recognized within Principal transactions revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
When a transfer of assets does not meet the criteria of a sale, we account for the transfer as a secured borrowing and continue to recognize the assets of a secured borrowing in Financial instruments owned and recognize the associated financing in Other secured financings in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 
Note 3. Accounting Developments
Accounting Standards to be Adopted in Future Periods

Debt Issuance Costs. In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The accounting guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be reported in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. The guidance is effective retrospectively beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this accounting guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.
Consolidation. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. The amendment eliminates the deferral of certain consolidation standards for entities considered to be investment companies and modifies the consolidation analysis performed on certain types of legal entities. The guidance is effective beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU No. 2014-09”). The accounting guidance defines how companies report revenues from contracts with customers, and also requires enhanced disclosures. The guidance, as stated in ASU No. 2014-09, was effective beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Deferral of Effective Date, which defers the effective date by one year, with early adoption on the original effective date permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on our consolidated financial statements.


16

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

Adopted Accounting Standards
Repurchase Agreements. In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-11, Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. The accounting guidance changes the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and linked repurchase financings to secured borrowing accounting, which is consistent with the accounting for other repurchase agreements. This accounting change was effective in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. The guidance also requires new disclosures about certain transfers of financial assets accounted for as sales as well as increased transparency about the types of collateral pledged and remaining maturity of repurchase and securities lending agreements. The disclosure guidance related to certain transactions accounted for as sales was effective prospectively in the second quarter of fiscal 2015. The disclosure guidance related to the types of collateral pledged and remaining maturity of repurchase and securities lending agreements was effective prospectively in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. This guidance did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements and we have provided the additional disclosures in our consolidated financial statements.
Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value. In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-07, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent)” ("ASU No. 2015-07"). The guidance removes the requirement to include investments in the fair value hierarchy for which the fair value is measured at NAV using the practical expedient under “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820).” The guidance also removes the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value practical expedient. Rather, those disclosures are limited to investments for which we have elected to measure the fair value using that practical expedient. The guidance is effective retrospectively and we have early adopted this guidance during the second quarter of fiscal 2015. Since the guidance only impacts our disclosures, adoption did not affect our consolidated financial statements. The adjustments had the impact of reducing Level 3 assets by $97.1 million at November 30, 2014, $95.7 million at August 31, 2014, $94.9 million at May 31, 2014, and $91.6 million at November 30, 2013. For further information on the adoption of ASU No. 2015-07, refer to Note 4, Fair Value Disclosures.
Discontinued Operations. In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. The guidance changes the criteria for disposals to qualify as discontinued operations and requires new disclosures about disposals of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the new definition. The guidance was effective beginning in the first quarter of 2015. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Income Taxes. In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. The guidance requires an entity to net their unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, in the financial statements against a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward, unless such tax loss or credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes resulting from the disallowance of a tax position. In the event that the tax position is disallowed or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit shall be presented in the financial statements as a liability and shall not be combined with deferred tax assets. The guidance was effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013, and is applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. The adoption of this update, effective December 1, 2014, did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.



17

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

Note 4. Fair Value Disclosures
The following is a summary of our financial assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis, excluding Investments at fair value based on NAV of $40.2 million and $42.2 million at August 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, respectively, by level within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
 
August 31, 2015
 
Level 1(1)
 
Level 2(1)
 
Level 3
 
Counterparty and
Cash Collateral
Netting (2)
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments owned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity securities
$
2,454,674

 
$
176,636

 
$
38,502

 
$

 
$
2,669,812

Corporate debt securities

 
2,956,190

 
24,331

 

 
2,980,521

Collateralized debt obligations

 
151,499

 
81,050

 

 
232,549

U.S. government and federal agency securities
2,109,086

 
592,321

 

 

 
2,701,407

Municipal securities

 
599,471

 

 

 
599,471

Sovereign obligations
1,052,681

 
798,645

 

 

 
1,851,326

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 
3,824,389

 
86,422

 

 
3,910,811

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 
1,465,115

 
15,147

 

 
1,480,262

Other asset-backed securities

 
64,648

 
32,596

 

 
97,244

Loans and other receivables

 
1,666,454

 
95,399

 

 
1,761,853

Derivatives
2,182

 
4,827,243

 
34,345

 
(4,394,947
)
 
468,823

Investments at fair value

 
16,866

 
66,209

 

 
83,075

Physical commodities

 
14,973

 

 

 
14,973

Total financial instruments owned, excluding
    Investments at fair value based on NAV
$
5,618,623

 
$
17,154,450

 
$
474,001

 
$
(4,394,947
)
 
$
18,852,127

Cash and cash equivalents
$
3,441,785

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,441,785

Cash and securities segregated and on deposit for
    regulatory purposes
$
904,009

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
904,009

Securities received as collateral
$
11,365

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
11,365

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity securities
$
1,711,938

 
$
99,051

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,810,989

Corporate debt securities

 
1,932,534

 
226

 

 
1,932,760

U.S. government and federal agency securities
2,414,440

 
133,181

 

 

 
2,547,621

Sovereign obligations
1,228,377

 
874,705

 

 

 
2,103,082

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 
3,329

 

 

 
3,329

Loans

 
819,841

 
10,371

 

 
830,212

Derivatives
1,931

 
4,680,726

 
41,508

 
(4,504,522
)
 
219,643

Total financial instruments sold, not yet
     purchased
$
5,356,686

 
$
8,543,367

 
$
52,105

 
$
(4,504,522
)
 
$
9,447,636

Obligation to return securities received as collateral
$
11,365

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
11,365

Other secured financings
$

 
$
70,327

 
$
574

 
$

 
$
70,901

Embedded conversion option
$

 
$

 
$
114

 
$

 
$
114


(1)
There were no material transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for the nine months ended August 31, 2015.
(2)
Represents counterparty and cash collateral netting across the levels of the fair value hierarchy for positions with the same counterparty.


18

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

 
November 30, 2014
 
Level 1 (1)
 
Level 2 (1)
 
Level 3
 
Counterparty and
Cash Collateral
Netting (2)
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments owned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity securities
$
2,178,837

 
$
226,441

 
$
20,964

 
$

 
$
2,426,242

Corporate debt securities

 
3,342,276

 
22,766

(4)

 
3,365,042

Collateralized debt obligations

 
306,218

 
124,650

(4)

 
430,868

U.S. government and federal agency securities
2,694,268

 
81,273

 

 

 
2,775,541

Municipal securities

 
590,849

 

 

 
590,849

Sovereign obligations
1,968,747

 
790,764

 

 

 
2,759,511

Residential mortgage-backed securities

 
2,879,954

 
82,557

 

 
2,962,511

Commercial mortgage-backed securities

 
966,651

 
26,655

 

 
993,306

Other asset-backed securities

 
137,387

 
2,294

 

 
139,681

Loans and other receivables

 
1,458,760

 
97,258

 

 
1,556,018

Derivatives
65,145

 
5,046,278

 
54,190

 
(4,759,345
)
 
406,268

Investments at fair value

 
73,148

 
53,224

 

 
126,372

Physical commodities

 
62,234

 

 

 
62,234

Total financial instruments owned, excluding
    Investments at fair value based on NAV
$
6,906,997

 
$
15,962,233

 
$
484,558

 
$
(4,759,345
)
 
$
18,594,443

Cash and cash equivalents
$
4,079,968

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
4,079,968

Cash and securities segregated and on deposit for
    regulatory purposes (3)
$
3,444,674

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,444,674

Securities received as collateral
$
5,418

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
5,418

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity securities
$
1,911,145

 
$
74,681

 
$
38

 
$

 
$
1,985,864

Corporate debt securities

 
1,611,994

 
223

 

 
1,612,217

Collateralized debt obligations

 
4,557

 

 

 
4,557

U.S. government and federal agency securities
2,253,055

 

 

 

 
2,253,055

Sovereign obligations
1,217,075

 
574,010

 

 

 
1,791,085

Loans

 
856,525

 
14,450

 

 
870,975

Derivatives
52,778

 
5,117,803

 
49,552

 
(4,856,618
)
 
363,515

Total financial instruments sold, not yet
     purchased
$
5,434,053

 
$
8,239,570

 
$
64,263

 
$
(4,856,618
)
 
$
8,881,268

Obligation to return securities received as collateral
$
5,418

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
5,418

Other secured financings
$

 
$

 
$
30,825

 
$

 
$
30,825

Embedded conversion option
$

 
$

 
$
693

 
$

 
$
693

 
(1)
At December 1, 2013, equity options presented within Financial instruments owned and Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased of $6.1 million and $6.6 million, respectively, were transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 as adjustments were incorporated into the valuation approach for such contracts to estimate the point within the bid-ask range that meets the best estimate of fair value.
(2)
Represents counterparty and cash collateral netting across the levels of the fair value hierarchy for positions with the same counterparty.
(3)
Cash and securities segregated and on deposit for regulatory purposes include U.S. government securities with a fair value of $453.7 million and CFTC approved money market funds with a fair value of $545.0 million.
(4)
Level 3 Collateralized debt obligations increased by $33.2 million with a corresponding decrease in Level 3 Corporate debt securities from those previously reported to correct for the classification of certain positions. The total amount of Level 3 assets remained unchanged.

19

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

The following is a description of the valuation basis, including valuation techniques and inputs, used in measuring our financial assets and liabilities that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis:
Corporate Equity Securities
 
Exchange Traded Equity Securities: Exchange-traded equity securities are measured based on quoted closing exchange prices, which are generally obtained from external pricing services, and are categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, otherwise they are categorized within Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Non-exchange Traded Equity Securities: Non-exchange traded equity securities are measured primarily using broker quotations, pricing data from external pricing services and prices observed for recently executed market transactions and are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Where such information is not available, non-exchange traded equity securities are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and measured using valuation techniques involving quoted prices of or market data for comparable companies, similar company ratios and multiples (e.g., price/EBITDA, price/book value), discounted cash flow analyses and transaction prices observed for subsequent financing or capital issuance by the company. When using pricing data of comparable companies, judgment must be applied to adjust the pricing data to account for differences between the measured security and the comparable security (e.g., issuer market capitalization, yield, dividend rate, geographical concentration).
Equity warrants: Non-exchange traded equity warrants are generally categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and are measured using the Black-Scholes model with key inputs impacting the valuation including the underlying security price, implied volatility, dividend yield, interest rate curve, strike price and maturity date.
Corporate Debt Securities
 
Corporate Bonds: Corporate bonds are measured primarily using pricing data from external pricing services and broker quotations, where available, prices observed for recently executed market transactions and bond spreads or credit default swap spreads of the issuer adjusted for basis differences between the swap curve and the bond curve. Corporate bonds measured using these valuation methods are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. If broker quotes, pricing data or spread data is not available, alternative valuation techniques are used including cash flow models incorporating interest rate curves, single name or index credit default swap curves for comparable issuers and recovery rate assumptions. Corporate bonds measured using alternative valuation techniques are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and comprise a limited portion of our corporate bonds.
High Yield Corporate and Convertible Bonds: A significant portion of our high yield corporate and convertible bonds are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and are measured primarily using broker quotations and pricing data from external pricing services, where available, and prices observed for recently executed market transactions of comparable size. Where pricing data is less observable, valuations are categorized within Level 3 and are based on pending transactions involving the issuer or comparable issuers, prices implied from an issuer’s subsequent financings or recapitalizations, models incorporating financial ratios and projected cash flows of the issuer and market prices for comparable issuers.

Collateralized Debt Obligations
Collateralized debt obligations are measured based on prices observed for recently executed market transactions of the same or similar security or based on valuations received from third party brokers or data providers and are categorized within Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy depending on the observability and significance of the pricing inputs. Valuation that is based on recently executed market transitions of similar securities incorporates additional review and analysis of pricing inputs and comparability criteria including but not limited to collateral type, tranche type, rating, origination year, prepayment rates, default rates, and severities.
U.S. Government and Federal Agency Securities
U.S. Treasury Securities: U.S. Treasury securities are measured based on quoted market prices and categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
U.S. Agency Issued Debt Securities: Callable and non-callable U.S. agency issued debt securities are measured primarily based on quoted market prices obtained from external pricing services and are generally categorized within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

20

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

Municipal Securities
Municipal securities are measured based on quoted prices obtained from external pricing services and are generally categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Sovereign Obligations
Foreign sovereign government obligations are measured based on quoted market prices obtained from external pricing services, where available, or recently executed independent transactions of comparable size. To the extent external price quotations are not available or recent transactions have not been observed, valuation techniques incorporating interest rate yield curves and country spreads for bonds of similar issuers, seniority and maturity are used to determine fair value of sovereign bonds or obligations. Foreign sovereign government obligations are classified in Level 1, 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, primarily based on the country of issuance.
Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities
 
Agency Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities: Agency residential mortgage-backed securities include mortgage pass-through securities (fixed and adjustable rate), collateralized mortgage obligations and interest-only and principal-only securities and are generally measured using market price quotations from external pricing services and categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Agency Residential Interest-Only and Inverse Interest-Only Securities (Agency Inverse IOs): The fair value of agency inverse IOs is estimated using expected future cash flow techniques that incorporate prepayment models and other prepayment assumptions to amortize the underlying mortgage loan collateral. We use prices observed for recently executed transactions to develop market-clearing spread and yield curve assumptions. Valuation inputs with regard to the underlying collateral incorporate weighted average coupon, loan-to-value, credit scores, geographic location, maximum and average loan size, originator, servicer, and weighted average loan age. Agency inverse IOs are categorized within Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. We also use vendor data in developing our assumptions, as appropriate.
Non-Agency Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities: Fair values are determined primarily using discounted cash flow methodologies and securities are categorized within Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy based on the observability and significance of the pricing inputs used. Performance attributes of the underlying mortgage loans are evaluated to estimate pricing inputs, such as prepayment rates, default rates and the severity of credit losses. Attributes of the underlying mortgage loans that affect the pricing inputs include, but are not limited to, weighted average coupon; average and maximum loan size; loan-to-value; credit scores; documentation type; geographic location; weighted average loan age; originator; servicer; historical prepayment, default and loss severity experience of the mortgage loan pool; and delinquency rate. Yield curves used in the discounted cash flow models are based on observed market prices for comparable securities and published interest rate data to estimate market yields.

 Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
 
Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities: Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) project loans are measured based on inputs corroborated from and benchmarked to observed prices of recent securitization transactions of similar securities with adjustments incorporating an evaluation for various factors, including prepayment speeds, default rates, and cash flow structures as well as the likelihood of pricing levels in the current market environment. Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) Delegated Underwriting and Servicing (“DUS”) mortgage-backed securities are generally measured by using prices observed for recently executed market transactions to estimate market-clearing spread levels for purposes of estimating fair value. GNMA project loan bonds and FNMA DUS mortgage-backed securities are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Non-Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities: Non-agency commercial mortgage-backed securities are measured using pricing data obtained from external pricing services and prices observed for recently executed market transactions and are categorized within Level 2 and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

21

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

Other Asset-Backed Securities
Other asset-backed securities include, but are not limited to, securities backed by auto loans, credit card receivables, student loans and other consumer loans and are categorized within Level 2 and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Valuations are primarily determined using pricing data obtained from external pricing services and prices observed for recently executed market transactions.
Loans and Other Receivables
 
Corporate Loans: Corporate loans categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy are measured based on market price quotations where market price quotations from external pricing services are supported by market transaction data. Corporate loans categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are measured based on market price quotations that are considered to be less transparent, market prices for debt securities of the same creditor, and estimates of future cash flow incorporating assumptions regarding creditor default and recovery rates and consideration of the issuer’s capital structure.
Participation Certificates in Agency Residential Loans: Valuations of participation certificates in agency residential loans are based on observed market prices of recently executed purchases and sales of similar loans. The loan participation certificates are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy given the observability and volume of recently executed transactions and availability of data provider pricing.
Project Loans and Participation Certificates in GNMA Project and Construction Loans:  Valuations of participation certificates in GNMA project and construction loans are based on inputs corroborated from and benchmarked to observed prices of recent securitizations of assets with similar underlying loan collateral to derive an implied spread.  Securitization prices are adjusted to estimate the fair value of the loans incorporating an evaluation for various factors, including prepayment speeds, default rates, and cash flow structures as well as the likelihood of pricing levels in the current market environment.  The measurements are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy given the observability and volume of recently executed transactions.
Consumer Loans and Funding Facilities: Consumer and small business whole loans and related funding facilities are valued based on observed market transactions incorporating additional valuation inputs including, but not limited to, delinquency and default rates, prepayment rates, borrower characteristics, loan risk grades and loan age. These assets are categorized within Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Escrow and Trade Claim Receivables: Escrow and trade claim receivables are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy where fair value is estimated based on reference to market prices and implied yields of debt securities of the same or similar issuers. Escrow and trade claim receivables are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy where fair value is based on recent trade activity in the same security.
Derivatives
 
Listed Derivative Contracts: Listed derivative contracts that are actively traded are measured based on quoted exchange prices, which are generally obtained from external pricing services, and are categorized within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Listed derivatives for which there is limited trading activity are measured based on incorporating the closing auction price of the underlying equity security, use similar valuation approaches as those applied to over-the-counter derivative contracts and are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
OTC Derivative Contracts: Over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivative contracts are generally valued using models, whose inputs reflect assumptions that we believe market participants would use in valuing the derivative in a current period transaction. Inputs to valuation models are appropriately calibrated to market data. For many OTC derivative contracts, the valuation models do not involve material subjectivity as the methodologies do not entail significant judgment and the inputs to valuation models do not involve a high degree of subjectivity as the valuation model inputs are readily observable or can be derived from actively quoted markets. OTC derivative contracts are primarily categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy given the observability and significance of the inputs to the valuation models. Where significant inputs to the valuation are unobservable, derivative instruments are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
OTC options include OTC equity, foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity options measured using various valuation models, such as the Black-Scholes, with key inputs impacting the valuation including the underlying security, foreign exchange spot rate or commodity price, implied volatility, dividend yield, interest rate curve, strike price and maturity

22

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

date. Discounted cash flow models are utilized to measure certain OTC derivative contracts including the valuations of our interest rate swaps, which incorporate observable inputs related to interest rate curves, valuations of our foreign exchange forwards and swaps, which incorporate observable inputs related to foreign currency spot rates and forward curves and valuations of our commodity swaps and forwards, which incorporate observable inputs related to commodity spot prices and forward curves. Credit default swaps include both index and single-name credit default swaps. External prices are available as inputs in measuring index credit default swaps and single-name credit default swaps. For commodity and equity total return swaps, market prices are observable for the underlying asset and used as the basis for measuring the fair value of the derivative contracts. Total return swaps executed on other underlyings are measured based on valuations received from external pricing services.
Physical Commodities
Physical commodities include base and precious metals and are measured using observable inputs including spot prices and published indices. Physical commodities are categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. To facilitate the trading in precious metals we undertake leasing of such precious metals. The fees earned or paid for such leases are recorded as Principal transaction revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Investments at Fair Value and Investments in Managed Funds
Investments at fair value based on NAV and Investments in Managed Funds include investments in hedge funds, fund of funds, private equity funds, convertible bond funds and commodity funds, which are measured at the net asset value of the funds provided by the fund managers and are excluded from the fair value hierarchy. Investments at fair value also include direct equity investments in private companies, which are measured at fair value using valuation techniques involving quoted prices of or market data for comparable companies, similar company ratios and multiples (e.g., price/EBITDA, price/book value), discounted cash flow analyses and transaction prices observed for subsequent financing or capital issuance by the company. Direct equity investments in private companies are categorized within Level 2 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Additionally, investments at fair value include investments in insurance contracts relating to our defined benefit plan in Germany. Fair value for the insurance contracts is determined using a third party and is categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

The following tables present information about our investments in entities that have the characteristics of an investment company at August 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014 (in thousands):
 
August 31, 2015
 
Fair Value (1)
 
Unfunded
Commitments
 
Redemption Frequency
(if currently eligible)
Equity Long/Short Hedge Funds (2)
$
79,431

 
$

 
Monthly, Quarterly
Fixed Income and High Yield Hedge Funds (3)
2,130

 

 
Fund of Funds (4)
286

 
94

 
Equity Funds (5)
41,691

 
20,792

 
Convertible Bond Funds (6)
3,472

 

 
At Will
Total
$
127,010

 
$
20,886

 
 
 
 
November 30, 2014
 
Fair Value (1)
 
Unfunded
Commitments
 
Redemption Frequency
(if currently eligible)
Equity Long/Short Hedge Funds (2)
$
44,983

 
$

 
Monthly, Quarterly
Fixed Income and High Yield Hedge Funds (3)(7)
2,704

 

 
Fund of Funds (4)
323

 
94

 
Equity Funds (5)
65,216

 
26,023

 
Convertible Bond Funds (6)
3,355

 

 
At Will
Total
$
116,581

 
$
26,117

 
 

(1)
Where fair value is calculated based on NAV, fair value has been derived from each of the funds’ capital statements.

23

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

(2)
This category includes investments in hedge funds that invest, long and short, in primarily equity securities in domestic and international markets in both the public and private sectors. At August 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, investments representing approximately 100% and 99%, respectively, of the fair value of investments in this category are redeemable with 30-90 days prior written notice.
(3)
Includes investments in funds that invest in loans secured by a first trust deed on property, domestic and international public high yield debt, private high yield investments, senior bank loans, public leveraged equities, distressed debt, and private equity investments. There are no redemption provisions. At August 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, the underlying assets of 7% and 8%, respectively, of these funds are being liquidated and we are unable to estimate when the underlying assets will be fully liquidated.
(4)
Includes investments in fund of funds that invest in various private equity funds. At August 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, approximately 95% and 95%, respectively, of the fair value of investments in this category are managed by us and have no redemption provisions, instead distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the fund of funds, which are estimated to be liquidated in the next sixteen months. For the remaining investments, we have requested redemption; however, we are unable to estimate when these funds will be received.
(5)
At August 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, approximately 100% and 99%, respectively, of the fair value of investments in this category include investments in equity funds that invest in the equity of various U.S. and foreign private companies in the energy, technology, internet service and telecommunication service industries. These investments cannot be redeemed, instead distributions are received through the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds which are expected to liquidate in one to eight years.
(6)
This category represents an investment in the Jefferies Umbrella Fund, an open-ended investment company managed by us that invests primarily in convertible bonds. The remaining investments are in liquidation and we are unable to estimate when the underlying assets will be fully liquidated.
(7)
Fixed income and high yield hedge funds was revised by $2.5 million from that previously reported due to the inclusion of a fixed income fund, which has the characteristics of an investment company that is included in Investments at fair value within Financial instruments owned in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition. The total amount of Investments at fair value remained unchanged.

Other Secured Financings
Other secured financings that are accounted for at fair value include notes issued by consolidated VIEs, which are classified as Level 2 or Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. Fair value is based on recent transaction prices for similar assets. In addition, at August 31, 2015 and November 30, 2014, Other secured financings includes $0.0 and $7.8 million, respectively, related to transfers of loans accounted for as secured financings rather than as sales and classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.
Embedded Conversion Option
The embedded conversion option presented within long-term debt represents the fair value of the conversion option on Leucadia shares within our 3.875% Convertible Senior Debentures, due November 1, 2029 and categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. The conversion option was valued using a convertible bond model using as inputs the price of Leucadia's common stock, the conversion strike price, 252-day historical volatility, a maturity date of November 1, 2017 (the first put date), dividend yield and the risk-free interest rate curve.

The following is a summary of changes in fair value of our financial assets and liabilities that have been categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended August 31, 2015 (in thousands): 

24

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended August 31, 2015
 
Balance at
May 31,
2015
 
Total gains/
losses
(realized and
unrealized)
(1)
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Settlements
 
Issuances
 
Net
transfers
into/
 (out of)
Level 3
 
Balance at August 31,
2015
 
Change in
unrealized gains/
(losses) relating
to instruments
still held at
August 31,
2015 (1)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments
   owned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity
    securities
$
20,547

 
$
3,901

 
$
21,162

 
$
(5,173
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(1,935
)
 
$
38,502

 
$
3,803

Corporate debt
    securities
31,917

 
(5,276
)
 
10,395

 
(17,197
)
 
(1
)
 

 
4,493

 
24,331

 
(5,544
)
Collateralized debt
    obligations
89,007

 
(12,560
)
 
14,961

 

 
(13,230
)
 

 
2,872

 
81,050

 
(12,561
)
Residential
    mortgage-backed
    securities
88,695

 
(3,009
)
 
10,034

 
(8,424
)
 
(195
)
 

 
(679
)
 
86,422

 
655

Commercial
    mortgage-backed
    securities
17,862

 
(510
)
 

 
(680
)
 

 

 
(1,525
)
 
15,147

 
(545
)
Other asset-backed
    securities
11,857

 
870

 
21,913

 

 
(1,167
)
 

 
(877
)
 
32,596

 
813

Loans and other
    receivables
108,756

 
(2,111
)
 
31,269

 
(603
)
 
(42,529
)
 

 
617

 
95,399

 
(6,182
)
Investments at fair
    value
131,343

 
83,580

 

 
(127,427
)
 
(277
)
 

 
(21,010
)
 
66,209

 
19,675

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments
    sold, not yet purchased:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity
    securities
$
38

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(38
)
 
$

 
$

Corporate debt
    securities
452

 
(226
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
226

 
226

Net derivatives (2)
(1,586
)
 
(1,020
)
 
(1,432
)
 
11,618

 
24

 
416

 
(857
)
 
7,163

 
551

Loans
10,732

 
109

 
(3,012
)
 

 

 

 
2,542

 
10,371

 
(110
)
Other secured financings
56,060

 

 

 

 
(3,914
)
 

 
(51,572
)
 
574

 

Embedded conversion
    option
725

 
(611
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
114

 
611

(1)
Realized and unrealized gains/losses are reported in Principal transaction revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
(2)
Net derivatives represent Financial instruments owned—Derivatives and Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased —Derivatives.
Analysis of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities for the Three Months Ended August 31, 2015
During the three months ended August 31, 2015, transfers of assets of $73.4 million from Level 2 to Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are primarily attributed to:
Collateralized debt obligations of $42.8 million, non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities of $17.8 million, commercial mortgage-backed securities of $3.7 million for which no recent trade activity was observed for purposes of determining observable inputs;
Loans and other receivables of $4.1 million due to a lower number of contributors comprising vendor quotes to support classification within Level 2;
Corporate debt securities of $5.0 million due to a lack of observable market transactions.

25

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

During the three months ended August 31, 2015, transfers of assets of $91.4 million from Level 3 to Level 2 are primarily attributed to:
Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities of $18.5 million, commercial mortgage-backed securities of $5.2 million for which market trades were observed in the period for either identical or similar securities;
Collateralized debt obligations of $39.9 million due to a greater number of contributors for certain vendor quotes supporting classification into Level 2;
Investment at fair value of $21.0 million due to an increase in observable market transactions;
Loans and other receivables of $3.5 million due to a greater number of contributors for certain vendor quotes supporting classification into Level 2;
Corporate equity securities of $1.9 million due to an increase in observable market transactions.
There were $2.5 million transfers of loan liabilities from Level 2 to Level 3 due to a decrease in observable inputs in the valuation and $51.6 million transfers of other secured financings from Level 3 to Level 2 due to an increase in observable inputs in the valuation.
Net gains on Level 3 assets were $64.9 million and net gains on Level 3 liabilities were $1.7 million for the three months ended August 31, 2015. Net gains on Level 3 assets were primarily due to increased valuations of corporate equity securities and investments at fair value, partially offset by a decrease in valuation of collateralized debt obligations, corporate debt securities, residential mortgage-backed securities and loans and other receivables. Net gains on Level 3 liabilities were primarily due to decreased valuations of certain derivative instruments.

The following is a summary of changes in fair value of our financial assets and liabilities that have been categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy for the nine months ended August 31, 2015 (in thousands):

26

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

 
Nine Months Ended August 31, 2015
 
Balance at
November 30,
2014
 
Total
gains/
losses
(realized
and
unrealized)
(1)
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Settlements
 
Issuances
 
Net
transfers
into/
(out of)
Level 3
 
Balance at August 31,
2015
 
Change in
unrealized gains/
(losses) relating
to instruments
still held at
August 31,
2015 (1)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments
    owned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity
    securities
$
20,964

 
$
10,247

 
$
22,631

 
$
(5,176
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(10,164
)
 
$
38,502

 
$
10,210

Corporate debt
    securities
22,766

 
(5,425
)
 
83,613

 
(88,711
)
 
(1
)
 

 
12,089

 
24,331

 
(5,797
)
Collateralized debt
    obligations
124,650

 
(28,999
)
 
63,038

 
(47,570
)
 
(20,481
)
 

 
(9,588
)
 
81,050

 
(22,654
)
Residential
    mortgage-backed
    securities
82,557

 
(6,776
)
 
30,865

 
(25,222
)
 
(358
)
 

 
5,356

 
86,422

 
(2,507
)
Commercial
    mortgage-backed
    securities
26,655

 
(2,053
)
 
3,366

 
(9,973
)
 
(6,981
)
 

 
4,133

 
15,147

 
(1,851
)
Other asset-backed
    securities
2,294

 
666

 
69,892

 
(40,000
)
 
(1,438
)
 

 
1,182

 
32,596

 
607

Loans and other
    receivables
97,258

 
(7,331
)
 
115,370

 
(40,978
)
 
(82,100
)
 

 
13,180

 
95,399

 
(8,850
)
Investments, at fair
    value
53,224

 
88,195

 

 
(124,854
)
 
(3,818
)
 

 
53,462

 
66,209

 
24,372

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments sold,
    not yet purchased:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity
    securities
$
38

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(38
)
 
$

 
$

Corporate debt
    securities
223

 
(1
)
 
(6,677
)
 
6,804

 

 

 
(123
)
 
226

 
(226
)
Net derivatives (2)
(4,638
)
 
3,022

 
(4,527
)
 
11,340

 
(30
)
 
1,901

 
95

 
7,163

 
(5,211
)
Loans
14,450

 
(102
)
 
(3,487
)
 

 

 

 
(490
)
 
10,371

 
102

Other secured financings
30,825

 

 

 

 
(15,674
)
 
36,995

 
(51,572
)
 
574

 

Embedded conversion
    option
693

 
(579
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
114

 
579

(1)
Realized and unrealized gains/losses are reported in Principal transaction revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
(2)
Net derivatives represent Financial instruments owned—Derivatives and Financial instruments sold, not yet purchased —Derivatives.
Analysis of Level 3 Assets and Liabilities for the Nine Months Ended August 31, 2015
During the nine months ended August 31, 2015, transfers of assets of $157.7 million from Level 2 to Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are primarily attributed to:
Collateralized debt obligations of $16.0 million, non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities of $21.3 million, commercial mortgage-backed securities of $9.8 million and other asset-backed securities of $1.4 million for which no recent trade activity was observed for purposes of determining observable inputs;
Loans and other receivables of $19.2 million due to a lower number of contributors comprising vendor quotes to support classification within Level 2;
Corporate debt securities of $12.2 million, corporate equity securities of $1.6 million and investments at fair value of $76.2 million due to a lack of observable market transactions.

27

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

During the nine months ended August 31, 2015, transfers of assets of $88.1 million from Level 3 to Level 2 are primarily attributed to:
Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities of $15.9 million and commercial mortgage-backed securities of $5.6 million for which market trades were observed in the period for either identical or similar securities;
Collateralized debt obligations of $25.6 million and loans and other receivables of $6.1 million due to a greater number of contributors for certain vendor quotes supporting classification into Level 2;
Investment at fair value of $22.7 million due to an increase in observable market transactions;
Corporate equity securities of $11.8 million due to an increase in observable market transactions.
There were $51.6 million transfers of other secured financings from Level 3 to Level 2 due to an increase in observable inputs in the valuation.
Net gains on Level 3 assets were $48.5 million and net losses on Level 3 liabilities were $2.3 million for the nine months ended August 31, 2015. Net gains on Level 3 assets were primarily due to increased valuations of certain investments at fair value and corporate equity securities, partially offset by decreased valuations of collateralized debt obligations, loans and other receivables and residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, and corporate debt securities. Net losses on Level 3 liabilities were primarily due to increased valuations of certain derivative instruments.

The following is a summary of changes in fair value of our financial assets and liabilities that have been categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy for the three months ended August 31, 2014 (in thousands):

28

Table of Contents
JEFFERIES GROUP LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended August 31, 2014 (1)
 
Balance at
May 31,
2014
 
Total gains/
losses (realized
and unrealized)
(1)
 
Purchases
 
Sales
 
Settlements
 
Issuances
 
Net
transfers
into/
(out of)
Level 3
 
Balance at
August 31,
2014
 
Change in
unrealized gains/
(losses) relating
to instruments
still held at
August 31,
2014 (2)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments
    owned:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate equity
    securities
$
16,402

 
$
(480
)
 
$
4,528

 
$
(529
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(12,144
)
 
$
7,777

 
$
(286
)
Corporate debt
    securities
31,648

 
5,454

 
21,793

 
(15,713
)
 
(34
)
 

 
(6,264
)
 
36,884

 
3,470

Collateralized debt
    obligations
42,313

 
(845
)
 
7,613

 
(15,204
)
 

 

 
9,863

 
43,740

 
(1,575
)
U.S. government and federal agency securities

 
(11
)
 
2,505

 

 

 

 

 
2,494

 
(11
)
Residential
    mortgage-backed
    securities
71,962

 
(2,557
)
 
3,981

 
(9,635
)
 
(325
)
 

 
17,608

 
81,034

 
(302
)
Commercial
    mortgage-backed
    securities
24,246

 
(256
)
 
641

 
(7,068
)
 

 

 
1,764

 
19,327

 
(832
)
Other asset-backed
    securities
45,444

 
1,272

 
50,620

 
(49,411
)
 
(8,774
)
 

 
(37,072
)
 
2,079

 
(3
)
Loans and other
    receivables
138,643

 
(8,074
)
 
194,387

 
(96,340
)
 
(40,617
)
 

 
26

 
188,025

 
(7,967
)
Investments at fair
    value
79,316

 
(512
)
 
500

 
(5,414
)
 
(305
)
 

 
5,416

 
79,001

 
(403
)
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial instruments
    sold, not yet
    purchased: