Houlihan Lokey Reports Third Quarter Fiscal 2022 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) reported strong third quarter fiscal 2022 revenues of $889 million, marking a 65% increase from $538 million in the previous year. The diluted EPS reached $2.54, up from $1.71 year-over-year, with adjusted EPS at $2.90. Corporate Finance revenues surged by 134% following the acquisition of GCA Corporation, while Financial Restructuring revenues fell by 50%. The company declared a $0.43 per share dividend for Q4 2022, reinforcing its commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Positive

• Revenues increased by 65% year-over-year to $889 million.
• Diluted EPS rose to $2.54, up from $1.71.
• Corporate Finance revenues surged 134%, significantly aided by the GCA acquisition.
• Declaration of a quarterly dividend of $0.43 per share for Q4 2022.

Negative

• Financial Restructuring revenues decreased by 50% to $89 million.
• Increased employee compensation expenses to $549 million, up from $340 million.

– Third Quarter Fiscal 2022 Revenues of $889 million –

– Third Quarter Fiscal 2022 Diluted EPS of $2.54 –

– Adjusted Third Quarter Fiscal 2022 Diluted EPS of $2.90 –

– Announces Dividend of $0.43 per Share for Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2022 –

LOS ANGELES & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) (“Houlihan Lokey” or the “Company”) today reported financial results for its third quarter ended December 31, 2021.

For the third quarter ended December 31, 2021, revenues were $889 million, compared with $538 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2020. Net income attributable to the Company was $174 million, or $2.54 per diluted share, for the third quarter ended December 31, 2021, compared with $119 million, or $1.71 per diluted share, for the third quarter ended December 31, 2020. Adjusted net income attributable to the Company for the third quarter ended December 31, 2021 was $198 million, or $2.90 per diluted share, compared with $123 million, or $1.77 per diluted share, for the third quarter ended December 31, 2020.

“We are thrilled with our results for the third fiscal quarter and are proud of how well each of our product lines performed within their service sectors in calendar 2021. Corporate Finance is the #1 global M&A advisor based on number of transactions closed, Financial Restructuring is the #1 global restructuring advisor based on both dollar value and number of transactions closed and Financial and Valuation Advisory is the #1 global fairness opinion advisor measured over the last twenty years based on the number of transactions closed. Also in our third quarter, we made excellent progress on the integration of GCA and could not be happier with the collaboration that exists between our firms,” stated Scott Beiser, Chief Executive Officer of Houlihan Lokey.

Selected Financial Data
(In thousands, except per share data)	U.S. GAAP
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Nine Months Ended December 31,
		2021				2020				2021				2020
Revenues by segment
Corporate Finance	$	715,663			$	306,171			$	1,314,064			$	502,191
Financial Restructuring		89,273				177,995				271,232				392,006
Financial and Valuation Advisory		83,862				53,710				213,496				130,551
Revenues	$	888,798			$	537,876			$	1,798,792			$	1,024,748
Operating expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	$	549,376			$	339,743			$	1,115,054			$	654,113
Non-compensation		90,162				39,717				169,483				102,754
Operating income		249,260				158,416				514,255				267,881
Other (income)/expense, net		253				(187	)			1,005				(1,544	)
Income before provision for income taxes		249,007				158,603				513,250				269,425
Provision for income taxes		74,699				40,088				140,099				56,020
Net income		174,308				118,515				373,151				213,405
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(573	)			—				(573	)			—
Net income attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc.	$	173,735			$	118,515			$	372,578			$	213,405
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc.	$	2.54			$	1.71			$	5.44			$	3.11

Revenues

For the third quarter ended December 31, 2021, revenues were $889 million, compared with $538 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2020. Revenues increased primarily as a result of (i) the completion of our acquisition of GCA Corporation (“GCA”) during the third quarter ended December 31, 2021, resulting in the consolidation of their operating results and (ii) a significant increase in the number of closed transactions and the average transaction fee on closed transactions for our Corporate Finance (“CF”) business segment. For the third quarter ended December 31, 2021, CF revenues increased 134%, Financial Restructuring (“FR”) revenues decreased (50)%, and Financial and Valuation Advisory (“FVA”) revenues increased 56% when compared with the third quarter ended December 31, 2020. All revenues associated with GCA for the third quarter ended December 31, 2021 are included in our CF business segment.

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 December 31,
($ in thousands)		2021				2020				2021				2020
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	$	549,376			$	339,743			$	546,611			$	334,828
% of Revenues		61.8	%			63.2	%			61.5	%			62.3	%
Non-compensation	$	90,162			$	39,717			$	58,543			$	38,523
% of Revenues		10.1	%			7.4	%			6.6	%			7.2	%
Provision for income taxes	$	74,699			$	40,088			$	85,014			$	41,632
% of Pre-tax income		30.0	%			25.3	%			30.0	%			25.3	%

* 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.

	U.S. GAAP								Adjusted (Non-GAAP) *
	Nine Months Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)		2021				2020				2021				2020
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits	$	1,115,054			$	654,113			$	1,106,257			$	641,878
% of Revenues		62.0	%			63.8	%			61.5	%			62.6	%
Non-compensation	$	169,483			$	102,754			$	133,548			$	97,262
% of Revenues		9.4	%			10.0	%			7.4	%			9.5	%
Provision for income taxes	$	140,099			$	56,020			$	160,169			$	74,008
% of Pre-tax income		27.3	%			20.8	%			28.7	%			25.8	%

* 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.

Employee compensation and benefits expenses were $549 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2021, compared with $340 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2020. Adjusted employee compensation and benefits expenses were $547 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2021, compared with $335 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2020. This resulted in an adjusted compensation ratio of 61.5% for the third quarter ended December 31, 2021, versus 62.3% for the third quarter ended December 31, 2020. The increase in GAAP and adjusted employee compensation and benefits expenses was primarily a result of an increase in fee revenues for the quarter when compared with the same quarter last year.

Non-compensation expenses were $90 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2021, compared with $40 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2020. The increase in GAAP non-compensation expenses was primarily a result of non-compensation expenses attributable to GCA, amortization of intangible assets recognized in connection the acquisition of GCA, integration and acquisition related costs associated with our acquisition of GCA and an increase in travel, meals, and entertainment expenses and other operating expenses. Adjusted non-compensation expenses were $59 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2021, compared with $39 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2020. The increase in adjusted non-compensation expenses was primarily a result of non-compensation expenses attributable to GCA and an increase in travel, meals, and entertainment expenses and other operating expenses.

The provision for income taxes was $75 million, representing an effective tax rate of 30.0% for the third quarter ended December 31, 2021, compared with $40 million, representing an effective tax rate of 25.3% for the third quarter ended December 31, 2020.

The increase in the Company’s tax rate during the third quarter ended December 31, 2021 relative to the same period in 2020 was primarily a result of increased state taxes, increased non-deductible expenses and increased foreign taxes. The adjusted provision for income taxes was $85 million, representing an adjusted effective tax rate of 30.0% for the third quarter ended December 31, 2021, compared with $42 million, representing an adjusted effective tax rate of 25.3% for the third quarter ended December 31, 2020.

Segment Reporting for the Third Fiscal Quarter

Corporate Finance

CF revenues were $716 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2021, compared with $306 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2020, representing an increase of 134%. Revenues increased primarily due to (i) the completion of our acquisition of GCA during the third quarter ended December 31, 2021, resulting in the consolidation of their revenues into our CF business segment and (ii) a significant increase in the number of closed transactions and the average transaction fee on closed transactions.

	Three Months Ended December 31,						Nine Months Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)		2021			2020			2021			2020
Corporate Finance
Revenues	$	715,663		$	306,171		$	1,314,064		$	502,191
# of Managing Directors		198			123			198			123
# of Closed transactions (1)		238			121			456			209

Financial Restructuring

FR revenues decreased (50)% to $89 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2021, compared with $178 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2020. Revenues decreased primarily due to a decrease in the number of closed transactions.

	Three Months Ended December 31,						Nine Months Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)		2021			2020			2021			2020
Financial Restructuring
Revenues	$	89,273		$	177,995		$	271,232		$	392,006
# of Managing Directors		52			47			52			47
# of Closed transactions (1)		21			44			65			103

Financial and Valuation Advisory

FVA revenues increased 56% to $84 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2021, compared with $54 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2020. Revenues increased primarily due to an increase in the number of fee events.

	Three Months Ended December 31,						Nine Months Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)		2021			2020			2021			2020
Financial and Valuation Advisory
Revenues	$	83,862		$	53,710		$	213,496		$	130,551
# of Managing Directors		34			31			34			31
# of Fee Events (1)		901			639			1,673			1,134

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 $0.43 per share of Class A and Class B common stock. The dividend will be payable on March 15, 2022 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 2, 2022.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had $1,098 million of cash and cash equivalents and investment securities, and $134 million of other liabilities and loans payable to former shareholders.

Investor Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call and live webcast at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, to discuss its third quarter fiscal 2022 results. The number to call is 1-877-407-4018 (domestic) or 1-201-689-8471 (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 February 8, 2022 through February 15, 2022, by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) or 1-412-317-6671 (international) and entering the passcode 13726446#. 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. 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. These adjusted items remove the significant accounting impact of one-time or non-recurring charges associated with the Company’s one-time/non-recurring matters, as set forth in the tables at the end of this release.

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 (NYSE:HLI) is a global investment bank with expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructuring, and valuation. The firm serves corporations, institutions, and governments worldwide with offices in the United States, 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. Houlihan Lokey is the No. 1 investment bank for all global M&A transactions, the No. 1 M&A advisor for the past seven consecutive years in the U.S., the No. 1 global restructuring advisor for the past eight consecutive years, and the No. 1 global M&A fairness opinion advisor over the past 20 years, all based on number of transactions and according to data provided by Refinitiv.

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

Appendix

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Statement 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)	December 31, 2021				March 31, 2021
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,058,603			$	846,851
Restricted cash		373				373
Investment securities		39,829				208,618
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses		195,912				108,409
Unbilled work in process, net of allowance for credit losses		86,504				118,115
Deferred income taxes		39,575				28,332
Property and equipment, net		51,750				46,370
Operating lease right-of-use assets		161,997				152,031
Goodwill		1,082,934				671,065
Other intangible assets, net		263,493				195,156
Other assets		64,792				50,747
Total assets	$	3,045,762			$	2,426,067
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Liabilities:
Accrued salaries and bonuses	$	986,043			$	648,399
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		123,395				67,468
Deferred income		27,319				27,868
Income taxes payable		57,617				68,339
Deferred income taxes		1,159				52
Loans payable to former shareholders		539				818
Operating lease liabilities		187,264				174,516
Other liabilities		133,010				55,046
Total liabilities		1,516,346				1,042,506
Stockholders' equity:
Class A common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 50,924,798 and 51,245,442 shares, respectively		51				51
Class B common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 16,727,176 and 16,951,696 shares, respectively		17				17
Additional paid-in capital		668,765				803,573
Retained earnings		886,995				600,096
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(26,412	)			(20,176	)
Total stockholders’ equity		1,529,416				1,383,561
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,045,762			$	2,426,067

HOULIHAN LOKEY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Nine Months Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except share and per share data)		2021				2020				2021				2020
Revenues	$	888,798			$	537,876			$	1,798,792			$	1,024,748
Operating expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits		549,376				339,743				1,115,054				654,113
Travel, meals, and entertainment		11,090				1,338				17,464				4,416
Rent		14,352				10,086				33,627				30,010
Depreciation and amortization		20,074				3,949				28,589				11,291
Information technology and communications		12,398				9,281				28,217				22,532
Professional fees		14,372				6,188				27,988				16,422
Other operating expenses		17,876				8,875				33,598				18,083
Total operating expenses		639,538				379,460				1,284,537				756,867
Operating income		249,260				158,416				514,255				267,881
Other (income)/expense, net		253				(187	)			1,005				(1,544	)
Income before provision for income taxes		249,007				158,603				513,250				269,425
Provision for income taxes		74,699				40,088				140,099				56,020
Net income		174,308				118,515				373,151				213,405
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(573	)			—				(573	)			—
Net income attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc.		$173,735				$118,515				$372,578				$213,405
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
Basic		64,914,373				66,547,587				65,259,927				65,680,516
Fully diluted		68,279,939				69,356,347				68,520,849				68,596,503
Earnings per share attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc.
Basic	$	2.68			$	1.78			$	5.71			$	3.25
Fully diluted	$	2.54			$	1.71			$	5.44			$	3.11

HOULIHAN LOKEY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO ADJUSTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(UNAUDITED)
	Three Months Ended December 31,								Nine Months Ended December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)		2021				2020				2021				2020
Revenues	$	888,798			$	537,876			$	1,798,792			$	1,024,748
Employee compensation and benefits expenses
Employee compensation and benefits expenses (GAAP)	$	549,376			$	339,743			$	1,115,054			$	654,113
Less: Acquisition related retention payments		(2,765	)			(4,915	)			(8,797	)			(12,235	)
Employee compensation and benefits expenses (adjusted)		546,611				334,828				1,106,257				641,878
Non-compensation expenses
Non-compensation expenses (GAAP)	$	90,162			$	39,717			$	169,483			$	102,754
Less: Secondary offering related costs		—				—				—				(418	)
Less: Integration and acquisition related costs		(16,165	)			—				(17,805	)			(1,258	)
Less: Acquisition amortization		(15,454	)			(1,194	)			(18,130	)			(3,080	)
Less: Oracle ERP implementation		—				—				—				(736	)
Non-compensation expenses (adjusted)		58,543				38,523				133,548				97,262
Operating income
Operating income (GAAP)	$	249,260			$	158,416			$	514,255			$	267,881
Plus: Adjustments (1)		34,384				6,109				44,732				17,727
Operating income (adjusted)		283,644				164,525				558,987				285,608
Other (income)/expense, net
Other (income)/expense, net (GAAP)	$	253			$	(187	)		$	1,005			$	(1,544	)
Other (income)/expense, net (adjusted)		253				(187	)			1,005				(1,544	)
Provision for income taxes
Provision for income taxes (GAAP)	$	74,699			$	40,088			$	140,099			$	56,020
Plus: Impact of the excess tax benefit for stock vesting		—				—				6,922				13,408
Adjusted provision for income taxes		74,699				40,088				147,021				69,428
Plus: Resulting tax impact (2)		10,315				1,544				13,148				4,580
Provision for income taxes (adjusted)		85,014				41,632				160,169				74,008
Net income
Net income (GAAP)	$	174,308			$	118,515			$	373,151			$	213,405
(Less)/plus: adjustments (3)		24,069				4,565				24,662				(261	)
Net income (adjusted)		198,377				123,080				397,813				213,144
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(573	)			—				(573	)			—
Net income attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (GAAP)		173,735				118,515				372,578				213,405
Net income attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (adjusted)		197,804				123,080				397,240				213,144
Diluted EPS attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (GAAP)	$	2.54			$	1.71			$	5.44			$	3.11
Diluted EPS attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (adjusted)	$	2.90			$	1.77			$	5.79			$	3.11

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.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220208005544/en/

Investor Relations

212.331.8225

IR@HL.com

OR

Public Relations

212.331.8223

PR@HL.com

Source: Houlihan Lokey, Inc.

FAQ

What were the earnings results for Houlihan Lokey for Q3 2022?

Houlihan Lokey reported revenues of $889 million, a net income of $174 million, and a diluted EPS of $2.54 for Q3 2022.

How did the acquisition of GCA Corporation impact Houlihan Lokey's revenue?

The acquisition resulted in Corporate Finance revenues increasing by 134% year-over-year.

What is the dividend declared by Houlihan Lokey for Q4 2022?

Houlihan Lokey declared a quarterly dividend of $0.43 per share for Q4 2022.

What challenges did Houlihan Lokey face in Q3 2022?

Houlihan Lokey experienced a 50% decrease in Financial Restructuring revenues.

What is the adjusted EPS for Houlihan Lokey for Q3 2022?

The adjusted diluted EPS for Q3 2022 was $2.90.