Houlihan Lokey Reports Fiscal Year and Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) (“Houlihan Lokey” or the “Company”) today reported financial results for its fiscal year and fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024. For the fiscal year, revenues were $1.91 billion, compared with $1.81 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. For the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024, revenues were $520 million, compared with $445 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Net income was $280 million, or $4.11 per diluted share, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, compared with $254 million, or $3.76 per diluted share, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. Adjusted net income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 was $310 million, or $4.49 per diluted share, compared with $315 million, or $4.54 per diluted share, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

Net income was $81 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared with $60 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2023. Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024 was $88 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, compared with $77 million, or $1.11 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2023.

“We ended our fiscal year 2024 with our highest fourth quarter revenues ever. Revenues for the fourth quarter were up 17% versus the fourth quarter last year, and we ended the fiscal year up 6% versus last year; a good result in a challenging market. Our results for the quarter and fiscal year are a reflection of our diversified business model and the firm’s stability through the cycles. We enter fiscal 2025 with good momentum in our business and the most talented work force in the firm’s history, however, we are realistic about the pace of recovery in this sluggish M&A environment,” stated Scott Beiser, Chief Executive Officer of Houlihan Lokey.

Selected Financial Data

(In thousands, except per share data)	U.S. GAAP
	Three Months Ended March 31,							Year Ended March 31,
	2024				2023			2024				2023
Revenues by segment
Corporate Finance	$	287,579			$	256,425		$	1,106,826			$	1,127,126
Financial Restructuring		155,381				120,382			521,984				395,733
Financial and Valuation Advisory		77,496				67,960			285,594				286,588
Revenues	$	520,456			$	444,767		$	1,914,404			$	1,809,447
Operating expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	$	329,525			$	282,937		$	1,213,589			$	1,147,879
Non-compensation expenses		88,234				71,206			337,954				319,830
Operating income		102,697				90,624			362,861				341,738
Other (income)/expense, net		(15,342	)			10,322			(27,678	)			17,738
Income before provision for income taxes		118,039				80,302			390,539				324,000
Provision for income taxes		36,962				20,642			110,238				69,777
Net income attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc.	$	81,077			$	59,660		$	280,301			$	254,223
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc.	$	1.18			$	0.88		$	4.11			$	3.76

Revenues

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, revenues were $1.91 billion, compared with $1.81 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, CF revenues decreased (2)%, Financial Restructuring (“FR”) revenues increased 32%, and Financial and Valuation Advisory (“FVA”) revenues remained relatively flat when compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

For the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024, revenues were $520 million, compared with $445 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2023. For the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024, CF revenues increased 12%, FR revenues increased 29%, and FVA revenues increased 14% when compared with the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Expenses

The Company’s employee compensation and benefits expenses, non-compensation expenses, and provision for income taxes during the periods presented and described below are on a GAAP and an adjusted basis.

	U.S. GAAP								Adjusted (Non-GAAP) *
	Year Ended March 31,
($ in thousands)		2024				2023				2024				2023
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	$	1,213,589			$	1,147,879			$	1,177,355			$	1,112,809
% of Revenues		63.4	%			63.4	%			61.5	%			61.5	%
Non-compensation	$	337,954			$	319,830			$	314,081			$	272,534
% of Revenues		17.7	%			17.7	%			16.4	%			15.1	%
Provision for Income Taxes	$	110,238			$	69,777			$	129,850			$	113,150
% of Pre-Tax Income		28.2	%			21.5	%			29.5	%			26.4	%

*		Adjusted figures represent non-GAAP information. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and the tables at the end of this release for an explanation of the adjustments and reconciliations to the comparable GAAP numbers.

	U.S. GAAP								Adjusted (Non-GAAP) *
	Three Months Ended March 31,
($ in thousands)		2024				2023				2024				2023
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	$	329,525			$	282,937			$	320,077			$	273,530
% of Revenues		63.3	%			63.6	%			61.5	%			61.5	%
Non-compensation	$	88,234			$	71,206			$	80,963			$	67,991
% of Revenues		17.0	%			16.0	%			15.6	%			15.3	%
Provision for Income Taxes	$	36,962			$	20,642			$	37,438			$	29,964
% of Pre-Tax Income		31.3	%			25.7	%			29.9	%			28.0	%

*		Adjusted figures represent non-GAAP information. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and the tables at the end of this release for an explanation of the adjustments and reconciliations to the comparable GAAP numbers.

Year Ended March 31, 2024 Compared to the Year Ended March 31, 2023

Employee compensation and benefits expenses were $1.21 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, compared with $1.15 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. This resulted in a GAAP compensation ratio of 63.4% for both the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023. Adjusted employee compensation and benefits expenses were $1.18 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, compared with $1.11 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. This resulted in an adjusted compensation ratio of 61.5% for both the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023. The increase in GAAP and adjusted employee compensation and benefits expenses was primarily a result of an increase in revenues for the year when compared with the prior year.

Non-compensation expenses were $338 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, compared with $320 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. The increase in GAAP non-compensation expenses was primarily a result of an increase in rent expense and professional fees, partially offset by a decrease in depreciation and amortization. Adjusted non-compensation expenses were $314 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, compared with $273 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. The increase in adjusted non-compensation expenses was primarily a result of an increase in rent expense and travel, meals, and entertainment expenses, partially offset by a decrease in other operating expenses.

The provision for income taxes was $110 million, representing an effective tax rate of 28.2% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, compared with $70 million, representing an effective tax rate of 21.5%, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. The increase in the Company's tax rate during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 relative to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 was primarily a result of decreased stock compensation deductions and increased taxes due to foreign operations, as well as the release of the provision for an uncertain tax position as a result of the successful closure of a state audit that occurred during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 that did not repeat in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. The adjusted provision for income taxes was $130 million, representing an adjusted effective tax rate of 29.5%, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, compared with $113 million, representing an adjusted effective tax rate of 26.4%, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

Quarter Ended March 31, 2024 Compared to the Quarter Ended March 31, 2023

Employee compensation and benefits expenses were $330 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared with $283 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2023. This resulted in a GAAP compensation ratio of 63.3% for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared with 63.6% for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2023. Adjusted employee compensation and benefits expenses were $320 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared with $274 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2023. This resulted in an adjusted compensation ratio of 61.5% for both the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023. The increase in GAAP and adjusted employee compensation and benefits expenses was primarily a result of an increase in revenues when compared with the same quarter last year.

Non-compensation expenses were $88 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared with $71 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2023. The increase in GAAP non-compensation expenses was primarily a result of an increase in professional fees and travel, meals, and entertainment expenses. Adjusted non-compensation expenses were $81 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared with $68 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2023. The increase in adjusted non-compensation expenses was primarily a result of an increase in travel, meals, and entertainment expenses and an increase in rent expense.

The provision for income taxes was $37 million, representing an effective tax rate of 31.3%, for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared with $21 million, representing an effective tax rate of 25.7%, for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2023. The increase in the Company's tax rate during the quarter ended March 31, 2024 relative to the quarter ended March 31, 2023 was primarily a result of increased taxes due to foreign operations. The adjusted provision for income taxes was $37 million, representing an adjusted effective tax rate of 29.9%, for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared with $30 million, representing an adjusted effective tax rate of 28.0%, for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Segment Reporting for the Fourth Quarter

Corporate Finance

CF revenues were $288 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared with $256 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2023. Revenues increased primarily due to an increase in the average transaction fee on closed transactions, offset by a decrease in the number of closed transactions. The increase in the average transaction fee was driven by the size and timing of transactions that closed during the quarter, and does not represent a trend in the average fee on closed transactions.

	Three Months Ended March 31,						Year Ended March 31,
($ in thousands)	2024			2023			2024			2023
Corporate Finance
Revenues	$	287,579		$	256,425		$	1,106,826		$	1,127,126
# of Managing Directors		223			217			223			217
# of Closed transactions (1)		121			140			450			503

Financial Restructuring

FR revenues were $155 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared with $120 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2023. Revenues increased primarily due to an increase in the average transaction fee on closed transactions, which was driven by the size and timing of transactions that closed during the quarter, and does not represent a trend in the average fee on closed transactions.

	Three Months Ended March 31,						Year Ended March 31,
($ in thousands)	2024			2023			2024			2023
Financial Restructuring
Revenues	$	155,381		$	120,382		$	521,984		$	395,733
# of Managing Directors		54			57			54			57
# of Closed transactions (1)		35			38			126			106

Financial and Valuation Advisory

FVA revenues were $77 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared with $68 million for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2023. Revenues increased primarily due to an increase in the number of fee events. The increase in the number of Fee Events was driven by improvements in the M&A markets, which affected one or more of the service lines within our FVA business.

	Three Months Ended March 31,						Year Ended March 31,
($ in thousands)	2024			2023			2024			2023
Financial and Valuation Advisory
Revenues	$	77,496		$	67,960		$	285,594		$	286,588
# of Managing Directors		39			39			39			39
# of Fee Events (1)		1,025			957			2,178			2,257

(1)		A Fee Event includes any engagement that involves revenue activity during the measurement period based on a revenue minimum of one thousand dollars. References in this press release to closed transactions should be understood to be the same as transactions that are “effectively closed” as described in our periodic reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

Other Announcements

The Board of Directors of the Company declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.57 per share of Class A and Class B common stock. The dividend will be payable on June 15, 2024 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 3, 2024.

Investor Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call and live webcast at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, to discuss its full year and fourth quarter fiscal 2024 results. The number to call is 1-800-267-6316 (domestic) or 1-203-518-9783 (international) and entering the conference ID: HLOKEY. A live webcast will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website. A replay of the conference call will be available from May 8, 2024 through May 15, 2024, by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) or 1-412-317-6671 (international) and entering the passcode 11155795#. A replay of the webcast will be archived and available on the Company’s website.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. You can identify these statements by our use of the words “assumes,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “guidance,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” and similar expressions that do not relate to historical matters. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Company’s control and could materially affect actual results, performance, or achievements. For a further description of such factors, you should read the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Because forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. The events and circumstances reflected in our forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur and actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted net income, total and on a per share basis, and certain adjusted items used to determine adjusted net income, are presented and discussed in this earnings press release and are non-GAAP measures that management believes, when presented together with comparable GAAP measures, are useful to investors in understanding the Company’s operating results. The adjusted items included in this earnings press release as calculated by the Company are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Additionally, these adjusted amounts are not a measurement of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to the Company’s financial information determined under GAAP. For a description of the Company’s use of these adjusted items and a reconciliation with comparable GAAP items, see the section of this press release titled “Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Financial Information.” Please refer to our financial statements, prepared in accordance with GAAP, for purposes of evaluating our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

About Houlihan Lokey

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) is a global investment bank with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory. Houlihan Lokey serves corporations, institutions, and governments worldwide with offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific region. Independent advice and intellectual rigor are hallmarks of the firm’s commitment to client success across its advisory services. The firm is the No. 1 investment bank for all global M&A transactions, the No. 1 M&A advisor for the past nine consecutive years in the U.S., the No. 1 global restructuring advisor for the past ten consecutive years, and the No. 1 global M&A fairness opinion advisor over the past 25 years, all based on number of transactions and according to data provided by LSEG (formerly Refinitiv).

For more information, please visit www.HL.com.

Appendix

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Financial Information (Unaudited)

HOULIHAN LOKEY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except share data and par value)	March 31, 2024				March 31, 2023
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	721,235			$	714,439
Restricted cash		619				373
Investment securities		38,005				37,309
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses		199,630				182,029
Unbilled work in process, net of allowance for credit losses		192,012				115,045
Income taxes receivable		32,856				17,693
Deferred income taxes		90,064				104,941
Property and equipment, net		136,701				88,345
Operating lease right-of-use assets		344,024				333,877
Goodwill		1,127,497				1,087,784
Other intangible assets, net		197,439				203,370
Other assets		90,677				83,609
Total assets	$	3,170,759			$	2,968,814
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Liabilities:
Accrued salaries and bonuses	$	726,031			$	765,877
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		114,171				113,421
Deferred income		33,139				40,695
Deferred income taxes		7,505				544
Operating lease liabilities		415,412				374,869
Other liabilities		37,751				60,111
Total liabilities		1,334,009				1,355,517
Stockholders' equity:
Class A common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 52,348,511 and 50,638,924 shares, respectively		52				51
Class B common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 16,746,676 and 18,048,345 shares, respectively		17				18
Additional paid-in capital		739,870				642,970
Retained earnings		1,163,419				1,033,072
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(66,608	)			(62,814	)
Total stockholders’ equity		1,836,750				1,613,297
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,170,759			$	2,968,814

HOULIHAN LOKEY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)
	Three Months Ended March 31,							Year Ended March 31,
(In thousands, except share and per share data)		2024			2023				2024			2023
Revenues	$	520,456			$	444,767		$	1,914,404			$	1,809,447
Operating expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits		329,525				282,937			1,213,589				1,147,879
Travel, meals, and entertainment		17,804				13,391			65,298				51,082
Rent		20,661				17,911			76,079				55,838
Depreciation and amortization		8,261				6,347			28,536				58,221
Information technology and communications		16,849				15,201			60,168				54,125
Professional fees		13,808				9,078			49,077				32,940
Other operating expenses		10,851				9,278			58,796				67,624
Total operating expenses		417,759				354,143			1,551,543				1,467,709
Operating income		102,697				90,624			362,861				341,738
Other (income)/expense, net		(15,342	)			10,322			(27,678	)			17,738
Income before provision for income taxes		118,039				80,302			390,539				324,000
Provision for income taxes		36,962				20,642			110,238				69,777
Net income	$	81,077			$	59,660			280,301				254,223
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
Basic		64,579,004				63,351,104			64,337,975				63,358,408
Fully diluted		68,492,023				68,107,465			68,159,390				67,586,263
Earnings per share attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc.
Basic	$	1.26			$	0.94		$	4.36			$	4.01
Fully diluted	$	1.18			$	0.88		$	4.11			$	3.76

HOULIHAN LOKEY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO ADJUSTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
	Three Months Ended March 31,								Year Ended March 31,
(In thousands, except share and per share data)		2024				2023				2024				2023
Revenues	$	520,456			$	444,767			$	1,914,404			$	1,809,447
Employee compensation and benefits expenses
Employee compensation and benefits expenses (GAAP)	$	329,525			$	282,937			$	1,213,589			$	1,147,879
Less: Acquisition related retention payments		(9,448	)			(9,407	)			(36,234	)			(35,070	)
Employee compensation and benefits expenses (adjusted)		320,077				273,530				1,177,355				1,112,809
Non-compensation expenses
Non-compensation expenses (GAAP)	$	88,234			$	71,206			$	337,954			$	319,830
Less: Acquisition related legal structure reorganization		(3,514	)			—				(6,117	)			—
Less: Integration and acquisition related costs		(1,278	)			—				(7,002	)			(2,325	)
Less: Acquisition amortization		(2,479	)			(3,215	)			(10,754	)			(44,971	)
Non-compensation expenses (adjusted)		80,963				67,991				314,081				272,534
Operating income
Operating income (GAAP)	$	102,697			$	90,624			$	362,861			$	341,738
Plus: Adjustments (1)		16,719				12,622				60,107				82,366
Operating income (adjusted)		119,416				103,246				422,968				424,104
Other (income)/expense, net
Other (income)/expense, net (GAAP)	$	(15,342	)		$	10,322			$	(27,678	)		$	17,738
Less: Warrant revaluation		—				—				—				(2,264	)
Less: SPAC wind-down write-off		—				—				—				(2,742	)
Less: Settlement of SEC investigation		—				(15,000	)			—				(15,000	)
Plus/(less): Change in acquisition earnout liability fair value		9,557				738				10,373				(2,103	)
Other income, net (adjusted)		(5,785	)			(3,940	)			(17,305	)			(4,371	)
Provision for income taxes
Provision for income taxes (GAAP)	$	36,962			$	20,642			$	110,238			$	69,777
Plus: Impact of the excess tax benefit for stock vesting		—				—				7,299				8,102
Plus: Release of the provision for an uncertain tax position as a result of the successful closure of a state audit		—				—				—				5,762
Plus: Release of valuation allowance		—				5,881				—				5,881
Less: Non-deductible acquisition related costs		(1,676	)			—				(2,355	)			—
Adjusted provision for income taxes		35,286				26,523				115,182				89,522
Plus: Resulting tax impact (2)		2,152				3,441				14,668				23,628
Provision for income taxes (adjusted)		37,438				29,964				129,850				113,150
Net income
Net income (GAAP)	$	81,077			$	59,660			$	280,301			$	254,223
Plus: Adjustments (3)		6,686				17,562				30,122				61,102
Net income (adjusted)		87,763				77,222				310,423				315,325
Fully diluted shares outstanding
Fully diluted shares outstanding (GAAP)		68,492,023				68,107,465				68,159,390				67,586,263
Plus: Impact of unvested GCA retention and deferred share awards		755,020				1,591,157				1,034,118				1,927,786
Fully diluted shares outstanding (adjusted)		69,247,043				69,698,622				69,193,508				69,514,049
Diluted EPS attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (GAAP)	$	1.18			$	0.88			$	4.11			$	3.76
Diluted EPS attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (adjusted)	$	1.27			$	1.11			$	4.49			$	4.54

(1)		The aggregate of adjustments from employee compensation and benefits and non-compensation expenses.
(2)		Reflects the tax impact of utilizing the adjusted effective tax rate on the non-tax adjustments identified above.
(3)		Consists of all adjustments identified above net of the associated tax impact.

 

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The Houlihan Lokey Registered (A) Stock at the time of publication of the news with a fall of -0,98 % to 123,6EUR on Lang & Schwarz stock exchange (08. Mai 2024, 22:30 Uhr).