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Houlihan Lokey Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Financial Results

Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Revenues of $659 million

Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Diluted EPS of $1.63

Adjusted Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Diluted EPS of $1.84

Announces Dividend of $0.60 per Share for Third Quarter Fiscal 2026

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) (“Houlihan Lokey” or the “Company”) today reported financial results for its second quarter ended September 30, 2025.

For the second quarter ended September 30, 2025, revenues were $659 million, compared with $575 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024. Net income was $112 million, or $1.63 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared with $94 million, or $1.37 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024. Adjusted net income for the second quarter ended September 30, 2025 was $127 million, or $1.84 per diluted share, compared with $100 million, or $1.46 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024.

“Our results for the quarter reflect our strong business model and improving market conditions. We enter the second half of the year with optimism for continued momentum,” 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,

 

2025

 

 

 

2024

 

 

 

2025

 

 

 

2024

 

Revenues by segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Finance

$

438,661

 

 

$

364,028

 

 

$

837,180

 

 

$

692,445

 

Financial Restructuring

 

133,803

 

 

 

131,568

 

 

 

262,019

 

 

 

248,990

 

Financial and Valuation Advisory

 

86,988

 

 

 

79,361

 

 

 

165,602

 

 

 

147,131

 

Revenues

$

659,452

 

 

$

574,957

 

 

$

1,264,801

 

 

$

1,088,566

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation

$

423,202

 

 

$

360,637

 

 

$

816,039

 

 

$

690,753

 

Non-compensation

 

84,909

 

 

 

83,651

 

 

 

207,621

 

 

 

172,404

 

Operating income

 

151,341

 

 

 

130,669

 

 

 

241,141

 

 

 

225,409

 

Other (income) expense, net

 

(8,712

)

 

 

(5,419

)

 

 

(16,962

)

 

 

(10,553

)

Income before provision for income taxes

 

160,053

 

 

 

136,088

 

 

 

258,103

 

 

 

235,962

 

Provision for income taxes

 

48,272

 

 

 

42,539

 

 

 

48,789

 

 

 

53,473

 

Net income

$

111,781

 

 

$

93,549

 

 

$

209,314

 

 

$

182,489

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

$

1.63

 

 

$

1.37

 

 

$

3.04

 

 

$

2.67

 

Revenues

For the second quarter ended September 30, 2025, revenues were $659 million, compared with $575 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024. For the second quarter ended September 30, 2025, Corporate Finance (“CF”) revenues increased 21%, Financial Restructuring (“FR”) revenues increased 2%, and Financial and Valuation Advisory (“FVA”) revenues increased 10%, in each case, when compared with the second quarter ended September 30, 2024.

Expenses

The Company’s compensation 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)

 

2025

 

 

 

2024

 

 

 

2025

 

 

 

2024

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation

$

423,202

 

 

$

360,637

 

 

$

405,562

 

 

$

353,599

 

% of Revenues

 

64.2

%

 

 

62.7

%

 

 

61.5

%

 

 

61.5

%

Non-compensation

$

84,909

 

 

$

83,651

 

 

$

82,319

 

 

$

80,879

 

% of Revenues

 

12.9

%

 

 

14.5

%

 

 

12.5

%

 

 

14.1

%

Per full-time employee (1)

$

31

 

 

$

32

 

 

$

30

 

 

$

31

 

Provision for income taxes

$

48,272

 

 

$

42,539

 

 

$

53,518

 

 

$

45,610

 

% of Pre-tax income

 

30.2

%

 

 

31.3

%

 

 

29.7

%

 

 

31.3

%

*

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)

 

2025

 

 

 

2024

 

 

 

2025

 

 

 

2024

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation

$

816,039

 

 

$

690,753

 

 

$

777,851

 

 

$

669,468

 

% of Revenues

 

64.5

%

 

 

63.5

%

 

 

61.5

%

 

 

61.5

%

Non-compensation

$

207,621

 

 

$

172,404

 

 

$

176,788

 

 

$

161,209

 

% of Revenues

 

16.4

%

 

 

15.8

%

 

 

14.0

%

 

 

14.8

%

Per full-time employee (1)

$

76

 

 

$

65

 

 

$

65

 

 

$

61

 

Provision for income taxes

$

48,789

 

 

$

53,473

 

 

$

52,355

 

 

$

83,849

 

% of Pre-tax income

 

18.9

%

 

 

22.7

%

 

 

16.0

%

 

 

31.2

%

*

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.

Compensation expenses were $423 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared with $361 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024. This resulted in a compensation ratio of 64.2% for the second quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared with 62.7% for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024. Adjusted compensation expenses were $406 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared with $354 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024. This resulted in an adjusted compensation ratio of 61.5% for both the second quarter ended September 30, 2025 and the second quarter ended September 30, 2024. The increase in GAAP and adjusted compensation expenses was a result of an increase in revenues for the quarter when compared with the same quarter last year.

Non-compensation expenses were relatively flat at $85 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared with $84 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024. Adjusted non-compensation expenses were relatively flat at $82 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared with $81 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024.

The provision for income taxes was $48 million, representing an effective tax rate of 30.2% for the second quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared with $43 million, representing an effective tax rate of 31.3% for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024. The adjusted provision for income taxes was $54 million, representing an adjusted effective tax rate of 29.7% for the second quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared with $46 million, representing an adjusted effective tax rate of 31.3% for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024.

Segment Reporting for the Second Fiscal Quarter

Corporate Finance

CF revenues were $439 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared with $364 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024, representing an increase of 21%. Revenues increased due to an increase in the number of closed transactions during the quarter, which was driven by favorable market conditions for M&A and Capital Solutions. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in the average transaction fee on closed transactions, which was driven by transaction mix and does not represent a trend in the average fee on closed transactions.

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Six Months Ended September 30,

($ in thousands)

2025

 

2024

 

2025

 

2024

Corporate Finance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

$

438,661

 

$

364,028

 

$

837,180

 

$

692,445

# of Managing Directors (1)

 

242

 

 

224

 

 

242

 

 

224

# of Closed transactions (2)

 

171

 

 

131

 

 

296

 

 

247

Financial Restructuring

FR revenues were $134 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared with $132 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024, representing an increase of 2%. Revenues increased due to an increase in the number of closed transactions during the quarter, which was driven by favorable market conditions for restructuring transactions. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in the average transaction fee on closed transactions, which was driven by transaction mix and does not represent a trend in the average fee on closed transactions.

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Six Months Ended September 30,

($ in thousands)

2025

 

2024

 

2025

 

2024

Financial Restructuring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

$

133,803

 

$

131,568

 

$

262,019

 

$

248,990

# of Managing Directors (1)

 

58

 

 

58

 

 

58

 

 

58

# of Closed transactions (2)

 

37

 

 

33

 

 

72

 

 

66

Financial and Valuation Advisory

FVA revenues were $87 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2025, compared with $79 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2024, representing an increase of 10%. Revenues increased due to an increase in the number of Fee Events, driven by improvements in the M&A markets.

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Six Months Ended September 30,

($ in thousands)

2025

 

2024

 

2025

 

2024

Financial and Valuation Advisory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

$

86,988

 

$

79,361

 

$

165,602

 

$

147,131

# of Managing Directors (1)

 

45

 

 

41

 

 

45

 

 

41

# of Fee Events (2)

 

1,075

 

 

903

 

 

1,517

 

 

1,316

(1)

As of the end of the respective reporting period.

(2)

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 annual report on Form 10-K.

Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation

The Board of Directors of the Company declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.60 per share of Class A and Class B common stock. The dividend will be payable on December 15, 2025 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 1, 2025. As of September 30, 2025, the Company had $1.11 billion of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and investment securities.

Investor Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call and live webcast at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, October 30, 2025, to discuss its second quarter fiscal 2026 results. The number to call is 1-844-825-9789 (domestic) or 1-412-317-5180 (international) and entering the conference ID 10203876. 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, 2025 through November 6, 2025, by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) or 1-412-317-6671 (international) and entering the passcode 10203876. 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 solutions, 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 for the past two years, the No. 1 M&A advisor for the past 10 years in the U.S., the No. 1 global restructuring advisor for the past 11 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, 2025

 

March 31, 2025

Assets:

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

923,576

 

 

$

971,007

 

Investment securities

 

184,642

 

 

 

195,624

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses

 

251,156

 

 

 

257,326

 

Unbilled work in process, net of allowance for credit losses

 

191,248

 

 

 

157,760

 

Property and equipment, net

 

145,193

 

 

 

149,350

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

352,622

 

 

 

362,669

 

Goodwill

 

1,292,121

 

 

 

1,284,589

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

200,881

 

 

 

212,670

 

Other assets

 

251,926

 

 

 

228,713

 

Total assets

$

3,793,365

 

 

$

3,819,708

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

Accrued salaries and bonuses

$

822,763

 

 

$

936,619

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

108,861

 

 

 

137,228

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

432,899

 

 

 

438,185

 

Other liabilities

 

181,950

 

 

 

132,799

 

Total liabilities

 

1,546,473

 

 

 

1,644,831

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' equity:

 

 

 

Class A common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 54,573,369 and 53,822,189 shares, respectively

 

55

 

 

 

54

 

Class B common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 15,564,859 and 16,021,106 shares, respectively

 

16

 

 

 

16

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

759,693

 

 

 

843,350

 

Retained earnings

 

1,516,154

 

 

 

1,394,738

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(29,026

)

 

 

(63,281

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

2,246,892

 

 

 

2,174,877

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

3,793,365

 

 

$

3,819,708

 

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)

 

2025

 

 

 

2024

 

 

 

2025

 

 

 

2024

 

Revenues

$

659,452

 

 

$

574,957

 

 

$

1,264,801

 

 

$

1,088,566

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits

 

405,562

 

 

 

353,599

 

 

 

777,851

 

 

 

669,468

 

Acquisition related compensation and benefits

 

17,640

 

 

 

7,038

 

 

 

38,188

 

 

 

21,285

 

Travel, meals, and entertainment

 

15,168

 

 

 

13,570

 

 

 

35,155

 

 

 

32,082

 

Rent

 

17,750

 

 

 

15,174

 

 

 

35,979

 

 

 

34,458

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

10,303

 

 

 

7,444

 

 

 

26,293

 

 

 

16,300

 

Information technology and communications

 

16,704

 

 

 

17,755

 

 

 

34,516

 

 

 

33,944

 

Professional fees

 

10,321

 

 

 

9,677

 

 

 

21,993

 

 

 

18,154

 

Other operating expenses

 

14,663

 

 

 

20,031

 

 

 

35,790

 

 

 

36,638

 

Revaluation of acquisition contingent consideration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,895

 

 

 

828

 

Total operating expenses

 

508,111

 

 

 

444,288

 

 

 

1,023,660

 

 

 

863,157

 

Operating income

 

151,341

 

 

 

130,669

 

 

 

241,141

 

 

 

225,409

 

Other (income) expense, net

 

(8,712

)

 

 

(5,419

)

 

 

(16,962

)

 

 

(10,553

)

Income before provision for income taxes

 

160,053

 

 

 

136,088

 

 

 

258,103

 

 

 

235,962

 

Provision for income taxes

 

48,272

 

 

 

42,539

 

 

 

48,789

 

 

 

53,473

 

Net income

$

111,781

 

 

$

93,549

 

 

$

209,314

 

 

$

182,489

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:

Basic

 

66,963,260

 

 

 

65,822,690

 

 

 

66,605,683

 

 

 

65,429,115

 

Fully diluted

 

68,591,031

 

 

 

68,422,600

 

 

 

68,760,543

 

 

 

68,450,866

 

Earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

1.67

 

 

$

1.42

 

 

$

3.14

 

 

$

2.79

 

Fully diluted

$

1.63

 

 

$

1.37

 

 

$

3.04

 

 

$

2.67

 

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)

 

2025

 

 

 

2024

 

 

 

2025

 

 

 

2024

 

Revenues

$

659,452

 

 

$

574,957

 

 

$

1,264,801

 

 

$

1,088,566

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation expenses (GAAP)

$

423,202

 

 

$

360,637

 

 

$

816,039

 

 

$

690,753

 

Less: Acquisition related compensation and benefits

 

(17,640

)

 

 

(7,038

)

 

 

(38,188

)

 

 

(21,285

)

Compensation expenses (adjusted)

 

405,562

 

 

 

353,599

 

 

 

777,851

 

 

 

669,468

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-compensation expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-compensation expenses (GAAP)

$

84,909

 

 

$

83,651

 

 

$

207,621

 

 

$

172,404

 

Less: Acquisition related legal structure reorganization

 

 

 

 

(705

)

 

 

(874

)

 

 

(1,205

)

Less: Integration and acquisition related costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,554

)

Less: Acquisition amortization

 

(2,590

)

 

 

(2,067

)

 

 

(12,064

)

 

 

(5,608

)

Less: Revaluation of acquisition contingent consideration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17,895

)

 

 

(828

)

Non-compensation expenses (adjusted)

 

82,319

 

 

 

80,879

 

 

 

176,788

 

 

 

161,209

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income (GAAP)

$

151,341

 

 

$

130,669

 

 

$

241,141

 

 

$

225,409

 

Plus: Adjustments (1)

 

20,230

 

 

 

9,810

 

 

 

69,021

 

 

 

32,480

 

Operating income (adjusted)

 

171,571

 

 

 

140,479

 

 

 

310,162

 

 

 

257,889

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other (income) expense, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other (income) expense, net (GAAP)

$

(8,712

)

 

$

(5,419

)

 

$

(16,962

)

 

$

(10,553

)

Other (income) expense, net (adjusted)

 

(8,712

)

 

 

(5,419

)

 

 

(16,962

)

 

 

(10,553

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes (GAAP)

$

48,272

 

 

$

42,539

 

 

$

48,789

 

 

$

53,473

 

Plus: Impact of the excess tax benefit for stock vesting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21,921

 

Less: Non-deductible acquisition related costs

 

(759

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,053

)

 

 

 

Less: Reversal of deferred tax asset

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,690

)

Adjusted provision for income taxes

 

47,513

 

 

 

42,539

 

 

 

46,736

 

 

 

73,704

 

Plus: Resulting tax impact (2)

 

6,005

 

 

 

3,071

 

 

 

5,619

 

 

 

10,145

 

Provision for income taxes (adjusted)

 

53,518

 

 

 

45,610

 

 

 

52,355

 

 

 

83,849

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (GAAP)

$

111,781

 

 

$

93,549

 

 

$

209,314

 

 

$

182,489

 

Plus: Adjustments (3)

 

14,984

 

 

 

6,739

 

 

 

65,455

 

 

 

2,104

 

Net income (adjusted)

$

126,765

 

 

$

100,288

 

 

$

274,769

 

 

$

184,593

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fully diluted shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fully diluted shares outstanding (GAAP)

 

68,591,031

 

 

 

68,422,600

 

 

 

68,760,543

 

 

 

68,450,866

 

Plus: Impact of unvested GCA retention and deferred share awards

 

313,996

 

 

 

458,865

 

 

 

349,380

 

 

 

532,840

 

Fully diluted shares outstanding (adjusted)

 

68,905,027

 

 

 

68,881,465

 

 

 

69,109,923

 

 

 

68,983,706

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fully diluted EPS (GAAP)

$

1.63

 

 

$

1.37

 

 

$

3.04

 

 

$

2.67

 

Fully diluted EPS (adjusted)

$

1.84

 

 

$

1.46

 

 

$

3.98

 

 

$

2.68

 

(1)

The aggregate of adjustments from compensation 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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