The Goldman Sachs Group Cuts Lazard (NYSE:LAZ) Price Target to $46.00

Lazard (NYSE:LAZ) had its price target lowered by The Goldman Sachs Group from $53.00 to $46.00 in a research report report published on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a sell rating on the asset manager’s stock.

Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on LAZ. Zacks Research raised shares of Lazard from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, March 6th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Lazard from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, February 28th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Lazard in a report on Monday, December 29th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Lazard from $61.00 to $59.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, UBS Group reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $59.00 target price on shares of Lazard in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Lazard currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $55.75.

Lazard Stock Down 0.4%

Lazard stock opened at $40.51 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $4.53 billion, a PE ratio of 18.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.32 and a beta of 1.40. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.85, a quick ratio of 2.28 and a current ratio of 2.28. Lazard has a fifty-two week low of $31.97 and a fifty-two week high of $58.75. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $51.13 and a 200 day moving average price of $51.33.

Lazard (NYSE:LAZ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The asset manager reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.68 by $0.12. Lazard had a return on equity of 33.04% and a net margin of 7.49%.The company had revenue of $892.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $876.32 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.78 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts expect that Lazard will post 4.24 earnings per share for the current year.

Lazard Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 20th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 9th were paid a $0.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, February 9th. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.9%. Lazard’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 91.74%.

Institutional Trading of Lazard

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Kestra Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lazard in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its stake in Lazard by 59.5% during the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 590 shares of the asset manager’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 220 shares in the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc raised its stake in Lazard by 53.5% during the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 643 shares of the asset manager’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 224 shares in the last quarter. Quest 10 Wealth Builders Inc. purchased a new stake in Lazard in the fourth quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, Costello Asset Management INC purchased a new stake in Lazard in the third quarter valued at $37,000. 54.80% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Lazard News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Lazard this week:

• Positive Sentiment: The recent valuation review argues that Lazard’s share-price weakness plus ongoing expansion efforts could create upside if execution restores confidence; the piece highlights current multiples and potential earnings leverage. Assessing Lazard (LAZ) Valuation After Recent Share Price Weakness And Expansion Efforts
• Neutral Sentiment: Q4 2025 commentary on Lazard’s Global Small Cap Equity portfolio, describing positioning and performance; useful for understanding asset-management strategy but not an immediate stock catalyst. Lazard Global Small Cap Equity Portfolio Q4 2025 Commentary
• Neutral Sentiment: Q4 2025 commentary on Lazard’s US Short Duration Fixed Income portfolio; provides context on fixed-income positioning and flows but is unlikely to move the stock on its own. Lazard US Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolio Q4 2025 Commentary
• Neutral Sentiment: An interview with Lazard’s CEO discussing geopolitics and strategic priorities; offers color on management thinking but no direct near-term financial implications. Just watching the Strait of Hormuz misses the bigger point: Lazard boss
• Negative Sentiment: A report says Lazard may face redemption limits after private-credit valuations were hit — potential gates or liquidity constraints can pressure AUM, management fees and investor confidence. This is the most direct negative near-term operational risk. Lazard Faces Redemption Limits As Private Credit Risks Hit Valuation
• Negative Sentiment: UBS cut its price target to $48 and set a neutral rating, reflecting reduced upside from prior levels and softer analyst sentiment. Benzinga UBS Coverage
• Negative Sentiment: Goldman Sachs lowered its price target to $46 and moved to a “sell” rating, signaling heightened caution from a major sell-side firm and adding downward pressure on sentiment. Benzinga Goldman Sachs Coverage

About Lazard

Lazard Ltd. (NYSE: LAZ) is a leading global financial advisory and asset management firm, offering a comprehensive suite of services to corporations, governments and individuals. Founded in 1848, Lazard has built a reputation for providing independent advice and innovative solutions in complex financial transactions. The firm is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol LAZ and maintains its headquarters in Hamilton, Bermuda.

In its Financial Advisory segment, Lazard assists clients with mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, capital structure optimization and strategic planning.