Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) is included among the 15 Dividend Stocks with Low Payout Ratios and Strong Upside. Keefe Bruyette Sees a Supportive 2026 Backdrop for Houlihan Lokey (HLI) Image by Alexsander-777 from Pixabay On December 17, Keefe Bruyette lowered its price target on Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) to $228 from $230 and kept an Outperform rating. In a research note, the firm said it still expects a constructive economic backdrop in 2026. Results from fiscal Q2 2026 supported that view. R ...

In this article, we will take a look at some of the best dividend stocks with low payout ratios and strong upside.The payout ratio is one of the simplest ways to assess whether a dividend can sustain itself over time. It shows how much of a company’s earnings are being paid out to shareholders. When the ratio runs high, most of the profits are already spoken for. That leaves less room to invest back into the business.A report by Hartford Funds looked at long-term payout trends within the Russell 1000 Index. ...

PresentationUnknown Analyst Okay. Let's get started here. So up next, we are pleased to welcome Scott Adelson, who is Houlihan Lokey's CEO and a member of the firm's Board of Directors. Scott has been at Houlihan for over 35 years and previously served as the Co-President of Houlihan Lokey and Global Head of Corporate Finance, and he actually built Corporate Finance from basically ground up. Pretty good. Joining him is Anthony Martino, Global Co-Head of Capital Solutions at Houlihan Lokey, where he's focuse ...

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Houlihan Lokey announced that Scott Adelson and Anthony Martino will present at Goldman Sachs' U.S. Financial Services Conference on 12/9/25. ...

Core Viewpoint - Investors are seeking growth stocks that can deliver above-average growth and exceptional returns, but identifying such stocks is challenging due to inherent volatility and risks [1] Group 1: Growth Stock Identification - The Zacks Growth Style Score system aids in identifying promising growth stocks by analyzing real growth prospects beyond traditional metrics [2] - Houlihan Lokey (HLI) is highlighted as a recommended stock with a favorable Growth Score and a top Zacks Rank [2] Group 2: Earnings Growth - Earnings growth is crucial for investors, with double-digit growth being a strong indicator of future stock price gains [3] - Houlihan Lokey's historical EPS growth rate is 2.5%, but projected EPS growth for this year is 24.1%, surpassing the industry average of 19% [4] Group 3: Cash Flow Growth - Higher-than-average cash flow growth is essential for growth-oriented companies, allowing them to expand without relying on external funding [5] - Houlihan Lokey's year-over-year cash flow growth is 40.3%, significantly higher than the industry average of -3.5% [5] - The company's annualized cash flow growth rate over the past 3-5 years is 15.9%, compared to the industry average of 11.7% [6] Group 4: Earnings Estimate Revisions - Positive trends in earnings estimate revisions correlate strongly with near-term stock price movements [7] - Current-year earnings estimates for Houlihan Lokey have been revised upward, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by 2.2% over the past month [8] Group 5: Overall Assessment - Houlihan Lokey has achieved a Zacks Rank 2 and a Growth Score of A, positioning it well for potential outperformance in the market [9]

Core Insights - Houlihan Lokey Inc. (HLI) has achieved a total return of 44% since January 24, 2024, outperforming the S&P 500 [1] Group 1 - The total return of Houlihan Lokey Inc. (HLI) is significantly higher than that of the S&P 500 during the same period [1]

Core Insights - Houlihan Lokey has strengthened its European Financial Sponsors Coverage team with the appointment of Neil Price as Managing Director in London, aiming to expand client relationships in the U.K. market and grow the overall sponsor business across Europe [1][2]. Company Developments - Neil Price joins from Mayfair Equity Partners, where he was Head of Originations, and has nearly two decades of experience at Lloyds Banking Group in senior leadership roles [3]. - The addition of Price follows the recent hiring of Martin Rezaie as Managing Director in Germany, indicating Houlihan Lokey's ongoing growth and leadership in advising financial sponsors [2][5]. Team and Expertise - The Financial Sponsors Group at Houlihan Lokey consists of over 35 professionals, including 24 Managing Directors across eight countries, managing approximately 1,900 relationships with private equity firms, credit funds, family offices, and sovereign wealth funds [5]. - The firm is recognized as a leading advisor to alternative capital providers, with a strong focus on delivering exceptional outcomes for financial sponsors [5]. Strategic Positioning - Neil Price's extensive experience in origination, structuring, and execution, along with his established relationships in the private market community, is expected to enhance the capabilities of the Financial Sponsors Coverage team [4][5]. - The firm emphasizes its global reach, deep market insight, and collaborative approach as key factors in helping clients execute complex transactions and create lasting value [5].

Core Viewpoint - Growth stocks are appealing due to their potential for above-average financial growth, but identifying strong candidates involves navigating inherent risks and volatility [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Houlihan Lokey (HLI) is highlighted as a recommended growth stock, possessing a favorable Growth Score and a top Zacks Rank [2] - The company has a historical EPS growth rate of 2.5%, but projected EPS growth for the current year is expected to be 24.1%, surpassing the industry average of 19% [4] Group 2: Financial Metrics - Cash flow growth for Houlihan Lokey stands at 40.3% year-over-year, significantly higher than the industry average of -2.5% [5] - The company's annualized cash flow growth rate over the past 3-5 years is 15.9%, compared to the industry average of 12% [6] Group 3: Earnings Estimates - There has been a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions for Houlihan Lokey, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year increasing by 1.8% over the past month [7] - The combination of a Growth Score of A and a Zacks Rank of 2 indicates that Houlihan Lokey is positioned as a potential outperformer for growth investors [9]

Core Insights - Houlihan Lokey has expanded its Capital Solutions Group with the appointment of Seran Ahmetrasit as Managing Director and Head of Infrastructure Debt Advisory for Europe, based in London [1][2][4] Group Expansion - The firm aims to enhance its infrastructure debt advisory services in Europe, leveraging its established expertise in U.S. infrastructure capital solutions [2][4] - The Capital Solutions Group now comprises over 170 professionals across 16 offices in seven countries, including major cities like London, New York, and Dubai [4] Leadership and Experience - Seran Ahmetrasit joins from Jefferies, where she was part of the Power, Utilities & Infrastructure team, and has prior experience at RBS, focusing on capital markets and structured finance [3] - Her background includes leading various transactions such as ratings advisory, structuring, acquisition financing, and refinancing, along with strong relationships with key lenders [3] Strategic Vision - The appointment of Ahmetrasit is seen as a strategic move to enhance the firm's advisory capabilities across debt and equity instruments, aiming to deliver innovative financing strategies for clients in the infrastructure sector [4] - The firm has raised and advised on approximately $28 billion across around 120 transactions in the past 12 months, indicating a robust operational capacity [4]

Core Insights - The article discusses the rise of Matt Swain as the CEO of Triago and his successful navigation of the private equity sector, particularly in the niche of "direct transactions" that connect family offices with stable businesses for acquisition opportunities [1][2][3]. Group 1: Company Overview - Matt Swain recently became the CEO of Triago and received five acquisition offers shortly after his appointment [1]. - Triago has built a profitable business model focused on matching family offices with stable companies looking to sell, a sector that has seen increased interest from various financial institutions [1][3]. - The "direct transaction" model, which allows investors to select individual deals rather than investing in pooled funds, has gained traction and is projected to reach approximately $200 billion in value this year [3][4]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Despite the growth of direct transactions, traditional private equity firms remain dominant, with large institutional investors still favoring pooled funds for their ability to deploy capital quickly [4]. - The increasing competition in the direct transaction space may lead to higher prices and compressed profit margins for investors [4]. - Swain has established a vast network of connections, including influential families and investment groups, which enhances his ability to identify and execute lucrative deals [4][5]. Group 3: Business Model and Strategy - Swain's approach to direct transactions emphasizes speed and efficiency, with his team able to secure funding for deals within 8 to 9 weeks, significantly faster than traditional private equity fundraising [9]. - The direct transaction model offers a unique fee structure where sponsors do not charge fees unless they achieve significant returns, which can lead to higher profit-sharing for successful deals [7][8]. - Swain's strategy includes expanding into new areas such as "continuation funds" and "co-investments," which are seen as lucrative opportunities for raising capital and enhancing investor returns [10][11]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Swain predicts that institutional investors will increasingly adopt direct transaction strategies, mirroring the stock-picking approach of selecting individual companies for investment [19]. - The anticipated growth in direct transactions could lead to a significant increase in liquidity in private markets, making them more comparable to public markets [19]. - Major pension funds are beginning to allocate capital to direct transactions, indicating a shift in investment strategies towards smaller management firms that promise higher returns [19].