Capital Research Global Investors Buys 157,605 Shares of Houlihan Lokey, Inc. $HLI

Key Points

• Capital Research Global Investors boosted its stake in Houlihan Lokey by 19.7%, buying 157,605 shares to hold 956,441 shares (≈1.36% of the company) worth about $196.4 million.
• Insider sales occurred recently: Director Robert A. Schriesheim sold 5,000 shares at an average $170.86 and General Counsel Christopher M. Crain sold 500 shares, with insiders owning 22.83% of HLI.
• Houlihan Lokey declared a quarterly dividend of $0.60 (annualized $2.40, ~1.6% yield), payable March 15 to holders of record on March 2.

Capital Research Global Investors grew its stake in Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI - Free Report) by 19.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 956,441 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 157,605 shares during the period. Capital Research Global Investors owned approximately 1.36% of Houlihan Lokey worth $196,376,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Westside Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Houlihan Lokey by 64.4% in the 3rd quarter. Westside Investment Management Inc. now owns 148 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in Houlihan Lokey during the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. Strategic Wealth Investment Group LLC bought a new stake in Houlihan Lokey during the second quarter worth approximately $39,000. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC grew its holdings in Houlihan Lokey by 179.2% during the third quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 201 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 129 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its position in shares of Houlihan Lokey by 136.9% in the third quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 308 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 178 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.07% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at Houlihan Lokey

In other news, Director Robert A. Schriesheim sold 5,000 shares of the company'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 sale, the director owned 27,982 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $4,781,004.52. This represents a 15.16% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, General Counsel Christopher M. Crain sold 500 shares of the business'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. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 22.83% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Houlihan Lokey Trading Up 0.5%

Shares of HLI stock opened at $146.31 on Thursday. Houlihan Lokey, Inc. has a 12 month low of $137.99 and a 12 month high of $211.78. The company has a market capitalization of $10.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.47 and a beta of 0.95. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $172.00 and a two-hundred day moving average of $182.97.

Houlihan Lokey (NYSE:HLI - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The financial services provider reported $1.94 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.85 by $0.09. Houlihan Lokey had a net margin of 16.91% and a return on equity of 24.46%. Houlihan Lokey's quarterly revenue was up 13.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.64 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Houlihan Lokey, Inc. will post 5.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Houlihan Lokey Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Sunday, March 15th. Investors of record on Monday, March 2nd will be given a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 2nd. Houlihan Lokey's dividend payout ratio is 36.87%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. UBS Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and set a $196.00 price objective on shares of Houlihan Lokey in a report on Friday, January 30th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on shares of Houlihan Lokey from $218.00 to $214.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of Houlihan Lokey from $216.00 to $215.00 and set an "overweight" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Weiss Ratings downgraded Houlihan Lokey from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Houlihan Lokey from $209.00 to $211.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $209.17.

Houlihan Lokey 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.

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