HLI
Houlihan Lokey, Inc.
Financial - Capital Markets
Market Cap$10.27B
5Y Perf.+143.4%
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Stock Comparison
HLI vs MC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
MC
Moelis & Company
Financial - Capital Markets
Market Cap$4.68B
5Y Perf.+89.7%
HLI vs MC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | HLI | MC |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Financial - Capital Markets | Financial - Capital Markets |
| Market Cap | $10.27B | $4.68B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.39B | $1.52B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $448M | $233M |
| Gross Margin | 38.5% | 99.2% |
| Operating Margin | 21.0% | 18.1% |
| Forward P/E | 19.1x | 20.8x |
| Total Debt | $438M | $267M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $971M | $509M |
HLI vs MC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
HLI
MC
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI) | 100 | 243.4 | +143.4% |
| Moelis & Company (MC) | 100 | 189.7 | +89.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: HLI vs MC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: HLI leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Moelis & Company is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
HLI
Houlihan Lokey, Inc.
The Banking Pick
HLI carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 7 yrs, beta 0.94, yield 1.6%
- 5.8% 10Y total return vs MC's 261.3%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.94, Low D/E 20.1%, current ratio 1.38x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
MC
Moelis & Company
The Banking Pick
MC is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and defensive.
- Rev growth 27.0%, EPS growth 65.2%
- Beta 1.75, yield 4.1%, current ratio 21.47x
- 27.0% NII/revenue growth vs HLI's 24.8%
Best for: growth exposure and defensive
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | MC | 27.0% NII/revenue growth vs HLI's 24.8% |
| Value | HLI | Lower P/E (19.1x vs 20.8x) |
| Quality / Margins | HLI | Efficiency ratio 0.2% vs MC's 0.8% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | HLI | Beta 0.94 vs MC's 1.75, lower leverage |
| Dividends | HLI | 1.6% yield, 7-year raise streak, vs MC's 4.1% |
| Momentum (1Y) | MC | +25.4% vs HLI's -8.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | HLI | Efficiency ratio 0.2% vs MC's 0.8% |
HLI vs MC — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
Segment breakdown not available.
HLI vs MC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLMCLAGGINGHLI
HLIHoulihan Lokey, Inc.
1leads
MCMoelis & Company
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs HLIMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
HLI3/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
MC4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
MC5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
MC4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
HLI leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
HLI is the larger business by revenue, generating $2.4B annually — 1.6x MC's $1.5B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 16.7% (HLI) to 15.4% (MC).
| Metric | HLIHoulihan Lokey, I… | MCMoelis & Company |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.4B | $1.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $591M | $286M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $448M | $233M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $739M | $540M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +38.5% | +99.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +21.0% | +18.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +16.7% | +15.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +33.9% | +35.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +22.3% | -4.3% |
HLI leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
MC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 21.7x trailing earnings, MC trades at a 14% valuation discount to HLI's 25.3x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, MC's 15.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than HLI's 17.9x.
| Metric | HLIHoulihan Lokey, I… | MCMoelis & Company |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $10.3B | $4.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $9.7B | $4.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 25.30x | 21.70x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 19.12x | 20.79x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 1.61x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 17.95x | 15.55x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 4.30x | 3.09x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 4.65x | 7.43x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 12.70x | 8.68x |
MC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MC leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MC delivers a 37.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $38 in annual profit, vs $20 for HLI. HLI carries lower financial leverage with a 0.20x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MC's 0.39x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), HLI scores 7/9 vs MC's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | HLIHoulihan Lokey, I… | MCMoelis & Company |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +20.1% | +37.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +11.9% | +15.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +15.5% | +24.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +20.1% | +22.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.20x | 0.39x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$533M | -$241M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $971M | $509M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $438M | $267M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | — |
MC leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in HLI five years ago would be worth $23,585 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $14,435 for MC. Over the past 12 months, MC leads with a +25.4% total return vs HLI's -8.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MC at 26.8% vs HLI's 21.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | HLIHoulihan Lokey, I… | MCMoelis & Company |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -16.2% | -9.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -8.2% | +25.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +78.5% | +103.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +135.9% | +44.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +580.9% | +261.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +21.3% | +26.8% |
MC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — HLI and MC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
HLI is the less volatile stock with a 0.94 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than MC's 1.75 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MC currently trades 81.6% from its 52-week high vs HLI's 69.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | HLIHoulihan Lokey, I… | MCMoelis & Company |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.94x | 1.75x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $211.78 | $78.22 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $134.41 | $51.06 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +69.5% | +81.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 41.5 | 48.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 577K | 1.3M |
Evenly matched — HLI and MC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — HLI and MC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates HLI as "Buy" and MC as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 35.8% upside for HLI (target: $200) vs 15.1% for MC (target: $73). For income investors, MC offers the higher dividend yield at 4.13% vs HLI's 1.63%.
| Metric | HLIHoulihan Lokey, I… | MCMoelis & Company |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $200.00 | $73.40 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 15 | 22 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +1.6% | +4.1% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 7 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.41 | $2.63 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.5% | +1.6% |
Evenly matched — HLI and MC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
MC leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). HLI leads in 1 (Income & Cash Flow). 2 tied.
Best OverallMoelis & Company (MC)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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HLI vs MC: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is HLI or MC a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Moelis & Company (MC) is the stronger pick with 27.
0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 24. 8% for Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI). Moelis & Company (MC) offers the better valuation at 21. 7x trailing P/E (20. 8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI) a "Buy" — based on 15 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — HLI or MC?
On trailing P/E, Moelis & Company (MC) is the cheapest at 21.
7x versus Houlihan Lokey, Inc. at 25. 3x. On forward P/E, Houlihan Lokey, Inc. is actually cheaper at 19. 1x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — HLI or MC?
Over the past 5 years, Houlihan Lokey, Inc.
(HLI) delivered a total return of +135. 9%, compared to +44. 3% for Moelis & Company (MC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HLI returned +580. 9% versus MC's +261. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — HLI or MC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Houlihan Lokey, Inc.
(HLI) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 94β versus Moelis & Company's 1. 75β — meaning MC is approximately 86% more volatile than HLI relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 20% versus 39% for Moelis & Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — HLI or MC?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Moelis & Company (MC) is pulling ahead at 27.
0% versus 24. 8% for Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Moelis & Company grew EPS 65. 2% year-over-year, compared to 41. 6% for Houlihan Lokey, Inc.. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — HLI or MC?
Houlihan Lokey, Inc.
(HLI) is the more profitable company, earning 16. 7% net margin versus 15. 4% for Moelis & Company — meaning it keeps 16. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: HLI leads at 21. 0% versus 18. 1% for MC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MC leads at 99. 2%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is HLI or MC more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Houlihan Lokey, Inc.
(HLI) trades at 19. 1x forward P/E versus 20. 8x for Moelis & Company — 1. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for HLI: 35. 8% to $200. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — HLI or MC?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Moelis & Company (MC) offers the highest yield at 4. 1%, versus 1. 6% for Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI).
09Is HLI or MC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Houlihan Lokey, Inc.
(HLI) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 94), 1. 6% yield, +580. 9% 10Y return). Moelis & Company (MC) carries a higher beta of 1. 75 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (HLI: +580. 9%, MC: +261. 3%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between HLI and MC?
Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(HLI: 24.8% · MC: 27.0%)Net Margin>
%
(HLI: 16.7% · MC: 15.4%)P/E Ratio<
x
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