Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported firm-wide operating revenue of $761 million for Q4 2023, an increase of 13% compared to Q4 2022 [11] - Full year operating revenue for 2023 was $2.4 billion, down from $2.8 billion in 2022 [11] - Financial Advisory operating revenue for Q4 2023 was $477 million, up 18% year-over-year [5] - The effective tax rate for Q4 2023 was 16%, compared to 26.3% in Q4 2022, and for the full year 2023, it was 14.5%, down from 25.7% in 2022 [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Financial Advisory revenue totaled $1.4 billion for the full year 2023, down from $1.7 billion in 2022 [11] - Asset Management operating revenue for Q4 2023 was $274 million, up 6% year-over-year [104] - Average Assets Under Management (AUM) for Q4 2023 was $234 billion, an increase of 11% from Q4 2022 [64] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global M&A announcements in 2023 fell to their lowest level in a decade, with completions down 32% year-over-year [11] - The company noted strong activity in M&A and restructuring, particularly in Europe, driven by challenging macroeconomic conditions [46] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to double revenue by 2030 and achieve an average annual total shareholder return of 10% to 15% through 2030 [88] - There is a focus on increasing productivity and revenue per managing director to $8.5 million by 2025 and $10 million by 2028 [111] - The company plans to pivot and diversify into less liquid markets, targeting approximately 30% of asset management revenue from alternatives or private markets by 2030 [112] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence that the M&A cycle has turned a corner, with expectations for a stronger year ahead [15] - There is a recognition of high geopolitical uncertainty that could affect business activity [15] - The company anticipates 2024 to be better than 2023, with signs of a healthy economy and strengthening M&A activity [56] Other Important Information - The company returned $330 million to shareholders in 2023, including $173 million in dividends and $102 million in share repurchases [55] - The conversion to a C-Corporation was completed on January 1, 2024, which is expected to enhance strategic flexibility [113] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the outlook for the restructuring business given the anticipated rate cuts? - Management indicated that while rate cuts may impact the business, the current environment of high rates is expected to drive continued demand for restructuring services [126] Question: How is the company planning to manage headcount and expenses moving forward? - The company is on track for a 10% headcount reduction, which is expected to help transition back to traditional margin targets [121] Question: What is the strategy for diversifying into private markets? - The company plans to pursue acquisitions in a disciplined manner, focusing on firms that are too small for larger managers but too large for smaller firms [141]

Lazard (LAZ) reported $760.96 million in revenue for the quarter ended December 2023, representing a year-over-year increase of 13.4%. EPS of $0.66 for the same period compares to $0.69 a year ago.The reported revenue represents a surprise of +16.10% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $655.42 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $0.35, the EPS surprise was +88.57%.While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determin ...

Average AUM ($B) Average Fees (Bps) Financial Advisory Revenue Asset Management Revenue $274 $259 $265 $267 $262 Data in millions, except Lazard clients, average AUM and average fees 12 Premier active manager with significant diversification of investment strategies and global market reach Equity Fixed Income Global 15 CONFIDENTIAL DRAFT | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | |-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ...

Lazard (LAZ) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.66 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.35 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.69 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 88.57%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $0.19 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.10, delivering a surprise of -47.37%.Over the last four quarters, the company has surpa ...

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lazard, Inc. (NYSE: LAZ) today announced that its Board of Directors has voted to declare a quarterly dividend of $0.50 per share on its outstanding common stock. The dividend is payable on February 23, 2024, to stockholders of record on February 12, 2024. About Lazard Founded in 1848, Lazard is one of the world's preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms, with operations in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Lazard provides adv ...

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lazard Asset Management (LAM) announced today that Tomohiro Kamisaku will join the firm as CEO of Lazard Japan Asset Management KK, effective February 1, 2024. Mr. Kamisaku succeeds Yugo Ishida, who has been CEO of Lazard Asset Management’s Japan business since 2014. Mr. Ishida will retire as CEO and become a Senior Advisor at Lazard Asset Management. “We have a long history of serving our clients in Japan and are positioning ourselves to do more with a broader set of Japanese ...

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lazard, Inc. (NYSE: LAZ) today announced former PayPal CEO, Dan Schulman, and former US Chairman and Managing Partner of the Americas for Ernst & Young, Stephen R. Howe Jr., have been appointed to its Board of Directors, effective February 1, 2024. “We are thrilled that Dan and Steve are joining our Board of Directors,” said Peter R. Orszag, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Lazard. “They are world-class leaders and emblematic of the extraordinary professionals we attract at L ...

Tellurian (TELL 5.73%) tanked last year. Shares of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project developer have plummeted more than 70% over the past 12 months. Several factors have weighed on the company, including concerns about how it would fund its massive Driftwood LNG project. However, a potentially massive upside catalyst has recently emerged. The LNG  developer has hired investment bank Lazard, which will, among other things, explore a sale of the company. Here's a look at whether this new development mak ...

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") (NYSE:LGI) is confirming today, pursuant to its Managed Distribution Policy, as previously authorized by its Board of Directors, a monthly distribution of $0.10459 per share on the Fund’s outstanding common stock. The distribution is payable on February 22, 2024 to shareholders of record on February 13, 2024. The ex-dividend date is February 12, 2024. The Fund will pay a previously declared distribution today, January ...

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lazard, Inc. (NYSE: LAZ) will announce its fourth quarter and full-year 2023 financial results in a press release to be issued Thursday morning, February 1, 2024. The press release will be available in the News & Announcements section of Lazard’s website at www.lazard.com. Lazard will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. EST on February 1, 2024, to discuss the company’s financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2023. The conference call can be accessed via a live audi ...