FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jefferies Announces $1 Billion Universal Shelf Registration

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 15, 2003--Jefferies Group, Inc. (NYSE: JEF) today announced that its Board of Directors approved the filing of a $1 billion universal shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The filing will allow Jefferies to offer, from time to time, any combination of senior and subordinated debt securities, convertible debt securities, equity securities, preferred securities, warrants and depositary shares.

"We have ample liquidity and no current plans to access the capital markets," said Richard B. Handler, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Jefferies. "This shelf registration will provide us with maximum flexibility as we continue to invest in Jefferies' businesses and explore various opportunities for the long-term benefit of all shareholders."

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state.

About Jefferies

Jefferies Group, Inc. (NYSE: JEF) is a holding company whose affiliated companies, including its principal operating subsidiary, Jefferies & Company, Inc., offer a variety of services for institutional investors and growth companies. Subsidiaries of Jefferies Group, Inc., together, comprise a full-service investment bank and institutional securities firm focused on the middle market. Jefferies offers financial advisory, capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and restructuring services to small and mid-cap companies. The firm provides outstanding trade execution in equity, high yield, convertible and international securities, as well as fundamental research and asset management capabilities, to institutional investors. Additional services include correspondent clearing, prime brokerage, private client services and securities lending. The firm's leadership in equity trading is recognized by numerous consulting and survey organizations, and Jefferies' subsidiary, Helfant Group, Inc., executes more than eleven percent of the daily reported volume on the NYSE.

Through its subsidiaries, Jefferies Group, Inc. employs more than 1,350 people in 20 offices worldwide, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo, Washington and Zurich. Further information about Jefferies, including a description of investment banking, trading, research and asset management services, can be found at www.jefco.com.

This press release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements contain expectations regarding operations and our statements about future performance, plans and objectives. These forward-looking statements include the word "will" and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements represent only our belief regarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of our control. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Please refer to our recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 9, 2003 and other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement we make.