Wealth Alliance Reduces Holdings in Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI)

Wealth Alliance trimmed its holdings in shares of Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) by 2.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 3,048 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 79 shares during the period. Wealth Alliance’s holdings in Houlihan Lokey were worth $529,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Raymond James & Associates grew its stake in Houlihan Lokey by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 157,759 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $24,929,000 after acquiring an additional 1,747 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC grew its stake in Houlihan Lokey by 21.8% in the 3rd quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 3,730 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $589,000 after acquiring an additional 668 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenue grew its stake in Houlihan Lokey by 7.3% in the 3rd quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 6,070 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $959,000 after acquiring an additional 415 shares during the period. Custom Index Systems LLC purchased a new stake in Houlihan Lokey in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $411,000. Finally, Strategic Wealth Investment Group LLC grew its stake in Houlihan Lokey by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Strategic Wealth Investment Group LLC now owns 8,103 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,293,000 after acquiring an additional 62 shares during the period. 78.07% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Houlihan Lokey Stock Down 3.8 %

Shares of NYSE HLI opened at $175.72 on Friday. Houlihan Lokey, Inc. has a 52-week low of $121.81 and a 52-week high of $192.10. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $177.61 and a 200-day moving average of $170.34. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.33 billion, a PE ratio of 33.53 and a beta of 0.69.

Houlihan Lokey (NYSE:HLI) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, January 28th. The financial services provider reported $1.64 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.51 by $0.13. Houlihan Lokey had a net margin of 16.00% and a return on equity of 20.04%. Equities research analysts expect that Houlihan Lokey, Inc. will post 5.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Houlihan Lokey Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, March 15th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.57 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.30%. Houlihan Lokey’s payout ratio is 43.51%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts have commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Houlihan Lokey from $172.00 to $169.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. StockNews.com raised shares of Houlihan Lokey from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Houlihan Lokey from $229.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and issued a $192.00 target price (up from $170.00) on shares of Houlihan Lokey in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Houlihan Lokey from $200.00 to $201.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $194.40.

Houlihan Lokey Company 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.