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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)