Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 764,000 shares, an increase of 28.9% from the February 13th total of 592,700 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 400,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.9 days. Approximately 1.4% of the company's shares are sold short.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have weighed in on HLI. Morgan Stanley raised Houlihan Lokey from an "underweight" rating to an "overweight" rating and lowered their target price for the company from $201.00 to $190.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 13th. Wells Fargo & Company raised Houlihan Lokey from an "underweight" rating to an "overweight" rating and lowered their target price for the company from $180.00 to $179.00 in a research note on Tuesday, March 11th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed a "market perform" rating and set a $192.00 target price (up previously from $170.00) on shares of Houlihan Lokey in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Houlihan Lokey from $172.00 to $169.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their target price on Houlihan Lokey from $229.00 to $230.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 29th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $192.00.

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Houlihan Lokey Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE HLI traded up $0.63 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $162.79. The stock had a trading volume of 452,555 shares, compared to its average volume of 325,943. The company has a market capitalization of $11.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.07 and a beta of 0.72. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $173.44 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $172.08. Houlihan Lokey has a 52 week low of $121.81 and a 52 week high of $192.10.

Houlihan Lokey (NYSE:HLI - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 28th. The financial services provider reported $1.64 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.51 by $0.13. Houlihan Lokey had a return on equity of 20.04% and a net margin of 16.00%. As a group, analysts expect that Houlihan Lokey will post 5.98 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Houlihan Lokey Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, March 15th. Investors of record on Monday, March 3rd were paid a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 3rd. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.40%. Houlihan Lokey's payout ratio is 43.51%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Houlihan Lokey

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Private Trust Co. NA acquired a new stake in Houlihan Lokey in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Financial Life Planners acquired a new stake in Houlihan Lokey in the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Houlihan Lokey in the 4th quarter worth approximately $53,000. VisionPoint Advisory Group LLC acquired a new stake in Houlihan Lokey in the 4th quarter worth approximately $62,000. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in Houlihan Lokey by 81.5% in the 3rd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 441 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. 78.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Houlihan Lokey Company Profile

Houlihan Lokey, Inc, an investment banking company, provides merger and acquisition (M&A), capital market, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory services worldwide. It operates in three segments: Corporate Finance, Financial Restructuring, and Financial and Valuation Advisory.