Houlihan Lokey Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results

Oct 30, 2024

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI, Financial) (“Houlihan Lokey” or the “Company”) today reported financial results for its second quarter ended September 30, 2024.

For the second quarter ended September 30, 2024, revenues were $575 million, compared with $467 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2023. Net income was $94 million, or $1.37 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared with $67 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended September 30, 2023. Adjusted net income for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024 was $100 million, or $1.46 per diluted share, compared with $77 million, or $1.11 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended September 30, 2023.

“We are pleased with our second-quarter results, and we enter the second half of the year with momentum across all three of our business lines. While we recognize uncertainties in the macro environment, our outlook for the second half of fiscal 2025 is positive, as we continue to see the benefits of our highly diversified business model,” stated Scott Adelson, Chief Executive Officer of Houlihan Lokey.

Selected Financial Data

*(In thousands, except per share data)*	U.S. GAAP
Three Months Ended September 30,							Six Months Ended September 30,
	2024			2023				2024			2023
Revenues by segment
Corporate Finance	$	364,028		$	281,684			$	692,445		$	508,735
Financial Restructuring		131,568			114,670				248,990			238,038
Financial and Valuation Advisory		79,361			70,635				147,131			136,045
Revenues	$	574,957		$	466,989			$	1,088,566		$	882,818
Operating expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	$	360,637		$	296,542			$	690,753		$	560,025
Non-compensation		83,651			80,170				171,576			159,169
Operating income		130,669			90,277				226,237			163,624
Other income, net		(5,419	)		(3,296	)			(9,725	)		(6,301	)
Income before provision for income taxes		136,088			93,573				235,962			169,925
Provision for income taxes		42,539			26,542				53,473			41,504
Net income attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc.	$	93,549		$	67,031			$	182,489		$	128,421

Diluted earnings per share attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc.	$	1.37		$	0.99			$	2.67		$	1.89

Revenues

For the second quarter ended September 30, 2024, revenues were $575 million, compared with $467 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2023. For the second quarter ended September 30, 2024, Corporate Finance (“CF”) revenues increased 29%, Financial Restructuring (“FR”) revenues increased 15%, and Financial and Valuation Advisory (“FVA”) revenues increased 12%, in each case, when compared with the second quarter ended September 30, 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) *
	Three Months Ended September 30,
*($ in thousands)*		2024			2023			2024			2023
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	$	360,637		$	296,542		$	353,599		$	287,200
% of Revenues		62.7	%		63.5	%		61.5	%		61.5	%
Non-compensation	$	83,651		$	80,170		$	80,879		$	75,345
% of Revenues		14.5	%		17.2	%		14.1	%		16.1	%
Per full-time employee ⁽¹⁾	$	32		$	30		$	31		$	29
Provision for income taxes	$	42,539		$	26,542		$	45,610		$	30,329
% of Pre-tax income		31.3	%		28.4	%		31.3	%		28.4	%

*		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.
(1)		Calculated using the average of the number of full-time employees at the beginning of the reporting period and the end of the reporting period.

	U.S. GAAP						Adjusted (Non-GAAP) *
	Six Months Ended September 30,
*($ in thousands)*		2024			2023			2024			2023
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	$	690,753		$	560,025		$	669,468		$	542,933
% of Revenues		63.5	%		63.4	%		61.5	%		61.5	%
Non-compensation	$	171,576		$	159,169		$	161,209		$	150,989
% of Revenues		15.8	%		18.0	%		14.8	%		17.1	%
Per full-time employee ⁽¹⁾	$	65		$	60		$	61		$	57
Provision for income taxes	$	53,473		$	41,504		$	83,849		$	55,828
% of Pre-tax income		22.7	%		24.4	%		31.2	%		28.7	%

*		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.
(1)		Calculated using the average of the number of full-time employees at the beginning of the reporting period and the end of the reporting period.

Employee compensation and benefits expenses were $361 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared with $297 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2023. Adjusted employee compensation and benefits expenses were $354 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared with $287 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2023. This resulted in an adjusted compensation ratio of 61.5% for both the second quarter ended September 30, 2024 and the second quarter ended September 30, 2023. The increase in GAAP and adjusted employee compensation and benefits expenses was a result of an increase in revenues for the quarter when compared with the same quarter last year.

Non-compensation expenses were $84 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared with $80 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2023. Adjusted non-compensation expenses were $81 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared with $75 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2023. The increase in GAAP and adjusted non-compensation expenses was primarily a result of an increase in other operating expenses and information technology and communication expenses for the quarter when compared with the same quarter last year.

The provision for income taxes was $43 million, representing an effective tax rate of 31.3% for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared with $27 million, representing an effective tax rate of 28.4% for the second quarter ended September 30, 2023. The increase in the Company’s GAAP tax rate was primarily a result of increased state taxes and increased taxes due to foreign operations. The adjusted provision for income taxes was $46 million, representing an adjusted effective tax rate of 31.3% for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared with $30 million, representing an adjusted effective tax rate of 28.4% for the second quarter ended September 30, 2023.

Segment Reporting for the Second Fiscal Quarter

Corporate Finance

CF revenues were $364 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared with $282 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2023, representing an increase of 29%. Revenues increased primarily due to an increase in the average transaction fee on closed transactions, which was driven by transaction mix, and does not represent a trend in the average transaction fee on closed transactions.

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Six Months Ended September 30,
*($ in thousands)*	2024		2023		2024		2023
Corporate Finance
Revenues	$	364,028	$	281,684	$	692,445	$	508,735
# of Managing Directors		224		211		224		211
# of Closed transactions ⁽¹⁾		131		117		247		212

Financial Restructuring

FR revenues increased 15% to $132 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared with $115 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2023. Revenues increased primarily due to an increase in the average transaction fee on closed transactions, which was driven by transaction mix, and does not represent a trend in the average transaction fee on closed transactions.

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Six Months Ended September 30,
*($ in thousands)*	2024		2023		2024		2023
Financial Restructuring
Revenues	$	131,568	$	114,670	$	248,990	$	238,038
# of Managing Directors		58		60		58		60
# of Closed transactions ⁽¹⁾		33		31		66		61

Financial and Valuation Advisory

FVA revenues increased 12% to $79 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024, compared with $71 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2023. Revenues increased due to an increase in the number of Fee Events and an increase in the average fee per Fee Event, driven by improvements in the M&A markets, which impacted one or more of the service lines within our FVA business.

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Six Months Ended September 30,
*($ in thousands)*	2024		2023		2024		2023
Financial and Valuation Advisory
Revenues	$	79,361	$	70,635	$	147,131	$	136,045
# of Managing Directors		41		40		41		40
# of Fee Events ⁽¹⁾		903		852		1,316		1,255

(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.

Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation

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 December 15, 2024 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 2, 2024. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had $748 million of cash and cash equivalents and investment securities, and $33 million of other liabilities.

Investor Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call and live webcast at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, to discuss its second quarter fiscal 2025 results. The number to call is 1-844-825-9789 (domestic) or 1-412-317-5180 (international). 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 October 30, 2024 through November 6, 2024, by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) or 1-412-317-6671 (international) and entering the passcode 10193284. 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, Financial) 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.

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)*	September 30, 2024			March 31, 2024
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	691,410		$	721,235
Restricted cash		1,452			619
Investment securities		56,829			38,005
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses		219,133			199,630
Unbilled work in process, net of allowance for credit losses		138,293			192,012
Income taxes receivable		21,832			32,856
Deferred income taxes		87,020			90,064
Property and equipment, net		148,729			136,701
Operating lease right-of-use assets		359,739			344,024
Goodwill		1,177,757			1,127,497
Other intangible assets, net		196,641			197,439
Other assets		113,916			90,677
Total assets	$	3,212,751		$	3,170,759

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Liabilities:
Accrued salaries and bonuses	$	641,370		$	726,031
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		104,661			114,171
Deferred income		37,956			33,139
Deferred income taxes		7,575			7,505
Operating lease liabilities		431,222			415,412
Other liabilities		32,880			37,751
Total liabilities		1,255,664			1,334,009

Stockholders' equity:
Class A common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 53,403,939 and 52,348,511 shares, respectively		53			52
Class B common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 16,082,738 and 16,746,676 shares, respectively		16			17
Additional paid-in capital		735,277			739,870
Retained earnings		1,259,950			1,163,419
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(38,209	)		(66,608	)
Total stockholders’ equity		1,957,087			1,836,750
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,212,751		$	3,170,759

HOULIHAN LOKEY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Six Months Ended September 30,
*(In thousands, except share and per share data)*		2024			2023			2024			2023
Revenues	$	574,957		$	466,989		$	1,088,566		$	882,818
Operating expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits		353,599			287,200			669,468			542,933
Acquisition related compensation and benefits		7,038			9,342			21,285			17,092
Travel, meals, and entertainment		13,570			14,151			32,082			30,169
Rent		15,174			19,013			34,458			36,416
Depreciation and amortization		7,444			7,086			16,300			13,618
Information technology and communications		17,755			14,328			33,944			27,876
Professional fees		9,677			10,859			18,154			20,416
Other operating expenses		20,031			14,733			36,638			30,674
Total operating expenses		444,288			376,712			862,329			719,194
Operating income		130,669			90,277			226,237			163,624
Other income, net		(5,419	)		(3,296	)		(9,725	)		(6,301	)
Income before provision for income taxes		136,088			93,573			235,962			169,925
Provision for income taxes		42,539			26,542			53,473			41,504
Net income	$	93,549		$	67,031		$	182,489		$	128,421

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
Basic		65,822,690			64,551,353			65,429,115			64,180,642
Fully diluted		68,422,600			67,867,381			68,450,866			67,881,623
Earnings per share attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc.
Basic	$	1.42		$	1.04		$	2.79		$	2.00
Fully diluted	$	1.37		$	0.99		$	2.67		$	1.89

HOULIHAN LOKEY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO ADJUSTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Six Months Ended September 30,
*(In thousands, except share and per share data)*		2024			2023			2024			2023
*Revenues*	$	574,957		$	466,989		$	1,088,566		$	882,818

*Employee compensation and benefits expenses*
Employee compensation and benefits expenses (GAAP)	$	360,637		$	296,542		$	690,753		$	560,025
Less: Acquisition related compensation and benefits		(7,038	)		(9,342	)		(21,285	)		(17,092	)
Employee compensation and benefits expenses (adjusted)		353,599			287,200			669,468			542,933

*Non-compensation expenses*
Non-compensation expenses (GAAP)	$	83,651		$	80,170		$	171,576		$	159,169
Less: Acquisition related legal structure reorganization		(705	)		—			(1,205	)		—
Less: Integration and acquisition related costs		—			(1,465	)		(3,554	)		(1,465	)
Less: Acquisition amortization		(2,067	)		(3,360	)		(5,608	)		(6,715	)
Non-compensation expenses (adjusted)		80,879			75,345			161,209			150,989

*Operating income*
Operating income (GAAP)	$	130,669		$	90,277		$	226,237		$	163,624
Plus: Adjustments ⁽¹⁾		9,810			14,167			31,652			25,272
Operating income (adjusted)		140,479			104,444			257,889			188,896

*Other income, net*
Other income, net (GAAP)	$	(5,419	)	$	(3,296	)	$	(9,725	)	$	(6,301	)
Plus: Change in acquisition earnout liability fair value		—			816			(828	)		816
Other income, net (adjusted)		(5,419	)		(2,480	)		(10,553	)		(5,485	)

*Provision for income taxes*
Provision for income taxes (GAAP)	$	42,539		$	26,542		$	53,473		$	41,504
Plus: Impact of the excess tax benefit for stock vesting		—			—			21,921			7,299
Less: Reversal of deferred tax asset		—			—			(1,690	)		—
Adjusted provision for income taxes		42,539			26,542			73,704			48,803
Plus: Resulting tax impact ⁽²⁾		3,071			3,787			10,145			7,025
Provision for income taxes (adjusted)		45,610			30,329			83,849			55,828

*Net income*
Net income (GAAP)	$	93,549		$	67,031		$	182,489		$	128,421
Plus/(less): Adjustments⁽³⁾		6,739			9,564			2,104			10,132
Net income (adjusted)	$	100,288		$	76,595			184,593			138,553

*Fully diluted shares outstanding*
Fully diluted shares outstanding (GAAP)		68,422,600			67,867,381			68,450,866			67,881,623
Plus: Impact of unvested GCA retention and deferred share awards		458,865			1,132,423			532,840			1,257,446
Fully diluted shares outstanding (adjusted)		68,881,465			68,999,804			68,983,706			69,139,069

Diluted EPS attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (GAAP)	$	1.37		$	0.99		$	2.67		$	1.89
Diluted EPS attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (adjusted)	$	1.46		$	1.11		$	2.68		$	2.00

(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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