Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) Shares Sold by GHP Investment Advisors Inc.

GHP Investment Advisors Inc. lessened its stake in Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI - Free Report) by 2.9% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 120,262 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 3,581 shares during the period. Houlihan Lokey comprises approximately 0.9% of GHP Investment Advisors Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest position. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. owned 0.17% of Houlihan Lokey worth $19,422,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in Houlihan Lokey by 4.8% in the 4th quarter. Nicolet Advisory Services LLC now owns 1,532 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $258,000 after buying an additional 70 shares during the period. CIBC Asset Management Inc boosted its stake in shares of Houlihan Lokey by 5.0% in the 4th quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 1,617 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $281,000 after buying an additional 77 shares during the period. Mariner LLC grew its position in shares of Houlihan Lokey by 0.7% during the fourth quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 12,220 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $2,122,000 after buying an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. increased its stake in shares of Houlihan Lokey by 5.7% during the fourth quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 1,636 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $284,000 after buying an additional 88 shares during the period. Finally, M&T Bank Corp raised its holdings in Houlihan Lokey by 2.5% in the fourth quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 3,771 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $655,000 after acquiring an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. 78.07% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Houlihan Lokey Stock Up 0.7%

NYSE:HLI traded up $1.25 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $181.10. 331,215 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 351,322. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.12 and a beta of 0.83. Houlihan Lokey, Inc. has a 1 year low of $129.32 and a 1 year high of $192.10. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $170.14 and a 200-day simple moving average of $170.06.

Houlihan Lokey (NYSE:HLI - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The financial services provider reported $1.96 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.35. The business had revenue of $666.42 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $628.25 million. Houlihan Lokey had a net margin of 16.73% and a return on equity of 21.61%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 28.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.27 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Houlihan Lokey, Inc. will post 5.98 EPS for the current year.

Houlihan Lokey Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, June 15th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd were paid a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, June 2nd. This is an increase from Houlihan Lokey's previous quarterly dividend of $0.57. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.33%. Houlihan Lokey's dividend payout ratio is currently 41.24%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have commented on HLI. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Houlihan Lokey from $159.00 to $192.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Monday. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Houlihan Lokey from $170.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, May 8th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Houlihan Lokey from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on Houlihan Lokey from $183.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research report on Monday, May 12th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Houlihan Lokey presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $192.20.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Houlihan Lokey news, Chairman Scott L. Beiser sold 8,008 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $178.71, for a total transaction of $1,431,109.68. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, General Counsel Christopher M. Crain sold 500 shares of Houlihan Lokey stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $173.02, for a total transaction of $86,510.00. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 23.68% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Houlihan Lokey Profile

Houlihan Lokey, Inc, an investment banking company, provides merger and acquisition (M&A), capital market, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory services worldwide. It operates in three segments: Corporate Finance, Financial Restructuring, and Financial and Valuation Advisory.