Lazard (NYSE:LAZ) Price Target Lowered to $44.00 at UBS Group

Key Points

• UBS lowered its price target on Lazard from $45 to $44 and kept a "neutral" rating, implying roughly a 0.35% upside from the current share price.
• Lazard missed Q1 estimates, reporting $0.42 EPS versus $0.52 expected and $673M in revenue versus $707M expected, which pressured the stock to around $43.85 and increased volatility.
• Analyst consensus is "Hold" (3 Buys, 5 Holds, 3 Sells) with an average price target of $52.63, indicating mixed sentiment despite some firms raising targets and strategic growth initiatives.

Lazard (NYSE:LAZ - Get Free Report) had its target price decreased by stock analysts at UBS Group from $45.00 to $44.00 in a report issued on Monday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a "neutral" rating on the asset manager's stock. UBS Group's price target would suggest a potential upside of 0.35% from the stock's current price.

A number of other analysts have also commented on LAZ. Bank of America started coverage on Lazard in a research note on Monday, January 26th. They set a "buy" rating and a $65.00 price target on the stock. Citizens Jmp cut their price target on Lazard from $65.00 to $60.00 and set a "market outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 10th. Zacks Research lowered Lazard from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research note on Friday, April 10th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price target on Lazard from $47.00 to $49.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Lazard from $40.00 to $45.00 and gave the company a "sell" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 14th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Lazard currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $52.63.

Lazard Price Performance

Lazard stock traded down $1.28 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $43.85. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,279,668 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,339,005. Lazard has a 52 week low of $38.67 and a 52 week high of $58.75. The company has a current ratio of 2.28, a quick ratio of 2.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.85. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $45.25 and a 200-day moving average price of $48.96. The stock has a market cap of $4.90 billion, a PE ratio of 17.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.40 and a beta of 1.44.

Lazard (NYSE:LAZ - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, May 1st. The asset manager reported $0.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $0.52 by ($0.10). Lazard had a net margin of 8.47% and a return on equity of 29.42%. The business had revenue of $673.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $707.42 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.56 EPS. The business's revenue was up 16.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Lazard will post 3.36 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Lazard

In related news, CEO Christopher Hogbin sold 3,944 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.37, for a total value of $155,275.28. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 11,829 shares in the company, valued at approximately $465,707.73. This represents a 25.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Peter Richard Orszag sold 69,170 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $40.76, for a total transaction of $2,819,369.20. Following the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 210,942 shares in the company, valued at $8,597,995.92. The trade was a 24.69% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders sold 80,999 shares of company stock valued at $3,292,962. Company insiders own 0.95% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lazard

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Kestra Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Lazard in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Sound Income Strategies LLC boosted its position in shares of Lazard by 59.5% in the fourth quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 590 shares of the asset manager's stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 220 shares during the period. IFP Advisors Inc boosted its position in shares of Lazard by 53.5% in the third quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 643 shares of the asset manager's stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 224 shares during the period. Quest 10 Wealth Builders Inc. bought a new position in shares of Lazard in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Costello Asset Management INC bought a new position in shares of Lazard in the third quarter valued at approximately $37,000. 54.80% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

More Lazard News

Here are the key news stories impacting Lazard this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 profit surge driven by asset management — Lazard reported strong asset-management growth that pushed operating profit higher (reported as a ~67% profit increase in Q1), a bright spot investors may view as durable fee income. Lazard profit soars 67% in Q1 2026 on asset management growth
• Positive Sentiment: Strategic hire in energy & infrastructure — Lazard added Michael Ure as a senior adviser in its Power, Energy & Infrastructure Group, bolstering deal and sector expertise that could help win advisory mandates. Lazard hires former Western Midstream head Ure as senior adviserPR: Lazard Hires Michael Ure
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst price-target bump — Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised its target from $47 to $49 (market perform), signaling modest upside from current levels and lending some support to the shares. Benzinga coverage
• Positive Sentiment: Growth initiatives: Campbell Lutyens deal & private-capital target — Lazard’s acquisition-related moves and a disclosed $500M 2027 private-capital advisory revenue target (and planned Lazard CL launch) create a clearer growth path beyond traditional advisory fees. Lazard Acquisition of Campbell Lutyens Adds Growth LeverSeeking Alpha: $500M target
• Neutral Sentiment: Product expansion into retail and international markets — Lazard Asset Management is launching an emerging-markets/quant strategy to retail channels (Australia and elsewhere), diversifying distribution but with uncertain near-term revenue impact. Lazard AM launches EM fund to retailInvestorDaily: EM quant strategy
• Negative Sentiment: Q1 earnings and revenue miss; rising expenses — Lazard missed EPS and revenue estimates for Q1, with advisory revenue softer and operating expenses up year-over-year, which is the main reason the stock is under pressure today. Lazard Shares Down as Q1 Earnings Miss Estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Market reaction and headline volatility — Media coverage emphasizing the miss and “obliterated” share moves has amplified selling pressure despite strategic positives, contributing to the current downtrend. MSN: Why Lazard shares are getting obliterated

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.

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