Houlihan Lokey (NYSE:HLI) Hits New 52-Week Low – Time to Sell?

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI)’s stock price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $134.41 and last traded at $138.8490, with a volume of 691336 shares. The stock had previously closed at $140.42.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently commented on HLI shares. UBS Group decreased their target price on Houlihan Lokey from $196.00 to $163.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, March 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on Houlihan Lokey from $243.00 to $210.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, March 12th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on Houlihan Lokey from $216.00 to $215.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased 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. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Houlihan Lokey from $209.00 to $211.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $204.57.

Houlihan Lokey Stock Performance

The company’s 50-day moving average price is $164.55 and its 200 day moving average price is $179.16. The stock has a market capitalization of $9.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.33 and a beta of 0.95.

Houlihan Lokey (NYSE:HLI) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The financial services provider reported $1.94 earnings per share 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 period in the prior year, the company posted $1.64 earnings per share. Houlihan Lokey’s revenue was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Houlihan Lokey, Inc. will post 5.98 earnings per share for the current year.

Houlihan Lokey Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 2nd were given a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 2nd. Houlihan Lokey’s payout ratio is presently 36.87%.

Insider Transactions at Houlihan Lokey

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Houlihan Lokey

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HLI. Sowell Financial Services LLC raised its position in shares of Houlihan Lokey by 1.2% during the third quarter. Sowell Financial Services LLC now owns 4,571 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $939,000 after buying an additional 55 shares during the last quarter. Resources Management Corp CT ADV lifted its holdings in shares of Houlihan Lokey by 0.9% in the second quarter. Resources Management Corp CT ADV now owns 5,845 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,052,000 after buying an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Houlihan Lokey by 64.4% during the third quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 148 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Huntington National Bank boosted its position in shares of Houlihan Lokey by 5.5% during the fourth quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 1,156 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $201,000 after acquiring an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in Houlihan Lokey by 1.2% during the fourth quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,267 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $917,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. 78.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Houlihan Lokey Company Profile

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.