Thomas Story & Son LLC Makes New $5.99 Million Investment in Houlihan Lokey, Inc. $HLI

Thomas Story & Son LLC bought a new position in Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 34,375 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $5,988,000. Houlihan Lokey makes up approximately 2.2% of Thomas Story & Son LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest position.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in HLI. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in Houlihan Lokey in the third quarter worth about $230,335,000. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans raised its holdings in Houlihan Lokey by 75.6% in the third quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 713,494 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $146,495,000 after purchasing an additional 307,214 shares in the last quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd raised its holdings in Houlihan Lokey by 153.8% in the second quarter. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd now owns 274,387 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $49,376,000 after purchasing an additional 166,285 shares in the last quarter. Capital Research Global Investors raised its holdings in Houlihan Lokey by 19.7% in the third quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 956,441 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $196,376,000 after purchasing an additional 157,605 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec raised its holdings in Houlihan Lokey by 411.1% in the third quarter. Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec now owns 170,617 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $35,031,000 after purchasing an additional 137,237 shares in the last quarter. 78.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at Houlihan Lokey

In related news, Director Robert A. Schriesheim sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $170.86, for a total value of $854,300.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 27,982 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,781,004.52. This represents a 15.16% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, General Counsel Christopher M. Crain sold 500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $143.40, for a total transaction of $71,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the general counsel owned 500 shares in the company, valued at approximately $71,700. This trade represents a 50.00% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 22.83% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Houlihan Lokey Stock Up 2.3%

HLI opened at $162.48 on Friday. Houlihan Lokey, Inc. has a 52-week low of $134.41 and a 52-week high of $211.78. The company has a market cap of $11.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.00. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $153.13 and its 200-day moving average price is $172.39.

Houlihan Lokey (NYSE:HLI) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The financial services provider reported $1.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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 company earned $1.64 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 13.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts anticipate that Houlihan Lokey, Inc. will post 5.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Houlihan Lokey Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, March 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 2nd. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.5%. Houlihan Lokey’s dividend payout ratio is 36.87%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have commented on HLI shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their target price on shares of Houlihan Lokey from $218.00 to $214.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on shares of Houlihan Lokey from $205.00 to $193.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 9th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on shares of Houlihan Lokey from $209.00 to $211.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Houlihan Lokey from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Monday, March 9th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price objective on shares of Houlihan Lokey from $210.00 to $184.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 1st. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $197.71.

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.