Goldman Sachs Sees Hamilton Lane As A Winner In Booming Alternative Investments Market

Core Insights - The asset management landscape is evolving, with companies employing innovative strategies and strong partnerships gaining investor interest [1] - Goldman Sachs analyst upgraded Hamilton Lane Inc. to Buy, with a price forecast of $165, indicating over 30% upside potential [1][2] Company Performance - Hamilton Lane's strong position in the alternative asset management sector, particularly in Wealth/Evergreen funds and Secondaries, is highlighted [2] - The company's Evergreen franchise manages approximately $14 billion in NAV, contributing over 30% to fee-related revenue, the highest among alternative managers [4] - Recent financial results show Hamilton Lane reported adjusted EPS of $1.54, exceeding estimates, and revenue of $190.9 million, surpassing consensus [6] Growth Projections - Fee-related earnings (FRE) are expected to grow at a 27% compound annual rate from 2025 to 2027, driven by management fees from Evergreen products and performance-fee contributions [3] - Earnings per share are projected to grow at a 20% annual rate, supported by a significant performance-fee pool with unrealized value [3] Valuation Metrics - Hamilton Lane shares are currently trading at 21 times next-twelve-month P/E, below the historical average of 27× and peers' 23× [5] - Goldman Sachs estimates for EPS are $5.36 for 2025, $6.28 for 2026, and $7.77 for 2027, reflecting expected margin and revenue acceleration [5]