Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) has been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the nine analysts that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $204.5714.

Several analysts have recently issued reports on the company. UBS Group decreased their price target on Houlihan Lokey from $196.00 to $163.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, March 12th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price objective on Houlihan Lokey from $218.00 to $214.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Weiss Ratings cut Houlihan Lokey from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research report on Monday, March 9th. Morgan Stanley lowered their price target on Houlihan Lokey from $216.00 to $215.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of Houlihan Lokey from $209.00 to $211.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 29th.

Insider Buying and Selling at Houlihan Lokey

In other Houlihan Lokey news, General Counsel Christopher M. Crain sold 500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, January 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $174.17, for a total transaction of $87,085.00. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Robert A. Schriesheim sold 5,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.86, for a total value of $854,300.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 27,982 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,781,004.52. This represents a 15.16% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Company insiders own 22.83% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Houlihan Lokey

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Houlihan Lokey in the third quarter worth $230,335,000. ING Groep NV acquired a new position in Houlihan Lokey during the 3rd quarter valued at $4,640,000. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans boosted its holdings in Houlihan Lokey by 75.6% in the 3rd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 713,494 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $146,495,000 after purchasing an additional 307,214 shares during the period. Baker Ellis Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Houlihan Lokey in the 3rd quarter valued at $589,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in Houlihan Lokey by 9.0% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 174,695 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $35,868,000 after purchasing an additional 14,483 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.07% of the company’s stock.

Houlihan Lokey Trading Up 0.3%

Houlihan Lokey stock opened at $139.35 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $9.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.41 and a beta of 0.95. Houlihan Lokey has a 1-year low of $136.68 and a 1-year high of $211.78. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $166.23 and its 200-day simple moving average is $179.97.

Houlihan Lokey (NYSE:HLI) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The financial services provider reported $1.94 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.85 by $0.09. Houlihan Lokey had a net margin of 16.91% and a return on equity of 24.46%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.64 EPS. Houlihan Lokey’s revenue for the quarter was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Houlihan Lokey will post 5.98 earnings per share for the current year.

Houlihan Lokey Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, March 15th. Investors of record on Monday, March 2nd were paid a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 2nd. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.7%. Houlihan Lokey’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 36.87%.

About Houlihan Lokey

Houlihan Lokey, Inc is a global investment bank and financial services firm founded in 1972 and headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The company specializes in advisory services across a broad range of transaction types and financial matters. Since its founding, Houlihan Lokey has grown to serve corporations, financial sponsors, and government entities worldwide, providing expertise in complex and high-stakes engagements.

The firm’s core service offerings include mergers and acquisitions advisory, capital markets advisory, financial restructuring and distressed M&A, and valuation and fairness opinions.