Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) (“Houlihan Lokey” or the “Company”) today reported financial results for its third quarter ended December 31, 2019. For the third quarter ended December 31, 2019, revenues increased 11.9% to $334 million, compared with $298 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2018.
Net income was $49 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, for the third quarter ended December 31, 2019, compared with $44 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, for the third quarter ended December 31, 2018. Adjusted net income for the third quarter ended December 31, 2019 was $58 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, compared with $51 million, or $0.77 per diluted share, for the third quarter ended December 31, 2018.
"Houlihan Lokey had a strong fiscal third quarter and we enter the new decade with good momentum across all three of our product lines. 2019 was not without its macro-economic challenges, but our firm performed well in light of those challenges as a result of our balanced revenue model, strong diversification across clients, industries and products, and most importantly, an exceptional group of employees. Now that calendar 2019 is behind us, I am proud to report that we have maintained our leadership rankings. Houlihan Lokey is the No. 1 M&A advisor for the last five consecutive years in the U.S., the No. 1 global restructuring advisor for the last six consecutive years, and the No. 1 global M&A fairness opinion advisor over the past 20 years, all based on number of transactions, according to Refinitiv.” 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, | ||||||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 333,515 | $ | 298,013 | $ | 856,674 | $ | 793,007 | |||||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||
Employee compensation and benefits | 213,107 | 187,180 | 551,056 | 501,682 | |||||||||||
Non-compensation expenses | 52,392 | 48,590 | 144,672 | 132,779 | |||||||||||
Operating income | 68,016 | 62,243 | 160,946 | 158,546 | |||||||||||
Other (income)/expense, net | (1,039 | ) | (688 | ) | (3,787 | ) | (3,301 | ) | |||||||
Income before provision for income taxes | 69,055 | 62,931 | 164,733 | 161,847 | |||||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 20,161 | 18,974 | 39,954 | 48,089 | |||||||||||
Net income attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc. | $ | 48,894 | $ | 43,957 | $ | 124,779 | $ | 113,758 | |||||||
Diluted earnings per share | $ | 0.75 | $ | 0.67 | $ | 1.90 | $ | 1.72 | |||||||
Revenues
For the third quarter ended December 31, 2019, Corporate Finance ("CF") revenues increased 9%, Financial Restructuring ("FR") revenues increased 24%, and Financial and Valuation Advisory ("FVA"), formerly known as Financial Advisory Services, revenues increased 1% when compared with the third quarter ended December 31, 2018.
Expenses
The Company’s employee compensation and benefits, 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, | |||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||
Expenses: | |||||||||||||||
Employee compensation and benefits | $ | 213,107 | $ | 187,180 | $ | 203,430 | $ | 181,042 | |||||||
% of Revenues | 63.9 | % | 62.8 | % | 61.0 | % | 60.7 | % | |||||||
Non-compensation expenses | $ | 52,392 | $ | 48,590 | $ | 49,894 | $ | 47,040 | |||||||
% of Revenues | 15.7 | % | 16.3 | % | 15.0 | % | 15.8 | % | |||||||
Provision for Income Taxes | $ | 20,161 | $ | 18,974 | $ | 23,719 | $ | 19,819 | |||||||
% of Pre-Tax Income | 29.2 | % | 30.2 | % | 29.2 | % | 28.1 | % | |||||||
* 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, | |||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||
Expenses: | |||||||||||||||
Employee compensation and benefits | $ | 551,056 | $ | 501,682 | $ | 521,604 | $ | 483,266 | |||||||
% of Revenues | 64.3 | % | 63.3 | % | 60.9 | % | 60.9 | % | |||||||
Non-compensation expenses | $ | 144,672 | $ | 132,779 | $ | 131,413 | $ | 125,272 | |||||||
% of Revenues | 16.9 | % | 16.7 | % | 15.3 | % | 15.8 | % | |||||||
Provision for Income Taxes | $ | 39,954 | $ | 48,089 | $ | 59,848 | $ | 54,073 | |||||||
% of Pre-Tax Income | 24.3 | % | 29.7 | % | 28.9 | % | 28.9 | % | |||||||
* 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 $213 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2019, compared with $187 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2018. Adjusted employee compensation and benefits expenses were $203 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2019, compared with $181 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2018. This resulted in an adjusted compensation ratio of 61.0% for the third quarter ended December 31, 2019, versus 60.7% for the third quarter ended December 31, 2018. The increase in both employee compensation and benefits expenses and adjusted employee compensation and benefits expenses was primarily a result of an increase in revenues for the quarter when compared with the same quarter last year.
Non-compensation expenses were $52 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2019, compared with $49 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2018. Adjusted non-compensation expenses were $50 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, compared with $47 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2018. The increase in both non-compensation expenses and adjusted non-compensation expenses was primarily driven by an increase in information technology and communication expenses and other operating expenses.
The provision for income taxes was $20 million, representing an effective tax rate of 29.2% for the third quarter ended December 31, 2019, compared with $19 million, representing an effective tax rate of 30.2% for the third quarter ended December 31, 2018. The adjusted provision for income taxes was $24 million, representing an adjusted effective tax rate of 29.2% for the third quarter ended December 31, 2019, compared with $20 million, representing an adjusted effective tax rate of 28.1% for the third quarter ended December 31, 2018.
Segment Reporting for the Third Quarter
Corporate Finance
CF revenues increased 9% to $201 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2019, compared with $184 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2018. Revenues increased primarily due to an increase in the number of closed transactions and an increase in the average transaction fee on closed transactions.
Three Months Ended December 31, | Nine Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||
Corporate Finance | |||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 201,137 | $ | 183,965 | $ | 490,707 | $ | 462,893 | |||||||
# of Managing Directors | 122 | 108 | 122 | 108 | |||||||||||
# of Closed transactions (1) | 95 | 89 | 225 | 220 | |||||||||||
Financial Restructuring
FR revenues increased 24% to $93 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2019, compared with $75 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2018. Revenues increased primarily due to an increase in the number of closed transactions.
Three Months Ended December 31, | Nine Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||
Financial Restructuring | |||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 92,808 | $ | 75,013 | $ | 249,438 | $ | 218,173 | |||||||
# of Managing Directors | 45 | 44 | 45 | 44 | |||||||||||
# of Closed transactions (1) | 28 | 21 | 70 | 54 | |||||||||||
Financial and Valuation Advisory
FVA revenues increased 1% to $40 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, compared with $39 million for the third quarter ended December 31, 2018. Revenues increased as a result of a higher number of Fee Events in the quarter, among other things.
Three Months Ended December 31, | Nine Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||
Financial and Valuation Advisory | |||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 39,570 | $ | 39,035 | $ | 116,529 | $ | 111,941 | |||||||
# of Managing Directors | 32 | 35 | 32 | 35 | |||||||||||
# of Fee Events (1) | 530 | 502 | 1,086 | 1,046 | |||||||||||
| (1) | A Fee Event includes any engagement that involves revenue activity during the measurement period based on a revenue minimum of $1,000. 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2019. |
Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation
The Board of Directors of the Company declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.31 per share of Class A and Class B common stock. The dividend will be payable on March 16, 2020 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 5, 2020.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company had $368 million of cash and cash equivalents and investment securities, and $41 million of loans payable and other liabilities.
Investor Conference Call and Webcast
The Company will host a conference call and live webcast at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, February 3, 2020, to discuss its third quarter fiscal 2020 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 3, 2020 through February 10, 2020, by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) or 1-412-317-6671 (international) and entering the passcode 13698114#. 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. 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2019, 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 M&A advisor for the last five consecutive years in the U.S., the No. 1 global restructuring advisor for the last six 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 (formerly Thomson Reuters).
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
| |||||||
(In thousands, except share data and par value) | December 31,
| March 31,
| |||||
Assets | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $276,735 | $285,746 | |||||
Restricted cash | 373 | 369 | |||||
Investment securities | 91,195 | 125,258 | |||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts | 62,412 | 70,830 | |||||
Unbilled work in process, net of allowance for doubtful accounts | 67,957 | 71,891 | |||||
Receivable from affiliates | — | 8,631 | |||||
Deferred income taxes | 7,610 | 2,854 | |||||
Property and equipment, net | 41,556 | 31,034 | |||||
Operating lease right-of-use asset | 129,403 | — | |||||
Goodwill and other intangibles, net | 822,732 | 794,604 | |||||
Other assets | 38,657 | 34,695 | |||||
Total assets | $ | 1,538,630 | $ | 1,425,912 | |||
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | |||||||
Liabilities: | |||||||
Accrued salaries and bonuses | $ | 322,156 | $ | 404,717 | |||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 45,391 | 55,048 | |||||
Deferred income | 27,896 | 27,812 | |||||
Income taxes payable | 3,758 | 7,759 | |||||
Deferred income taxes | 1,686 | 8,058 | |||||
Loans payable to former shareholders | 1,602 | 2,047 | |||||
Loan payable to non-affiliate | 3,342 | 6,610 | |||||
Operating lease liabilities | 150,157 | — | |||||
Other liabilities | 35,949 | 22,532 | |||||
Total liabilities | 591,937 | 534,583 | |||||
Stockholders' equity: | |||||||
Class A common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 43,569,993 and 38,200,802 shares, respectively | 44 | 38 | |||||
Class B common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 21,998,937 and 27,197,734 shares, respectively | 22 | 27 | |||||
Additional paid-in capital | 636,123 | 645,090 | |||||
Retained earnings | 339,821 | 276,468 | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) | (29,317 | ) | (30,294 | ) | |||
Total stockholders' equity | 946,693 | 891,329 | |||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 1,538,630 | $ | 1,425,912 | |||
HOULIHAN LOKEY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
| |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, | Nine Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except share and per share data) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 333,515 | $ | 298,013 | $ | 856,674 | $ | 793,007 | |||||||
Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||
Employee compensation and benefits | 213,107 | 187,180 | 551,056 | 501,682 | |||||||||||
Travel, meals, and entertainment | 12,943 | 12,991 | 32,760 | 32,689 | |||||||||||
Rent | 9,531 | 9,987 | 34,454 | 28,612 | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 4,336 | 3,635 | 12,280 | 10,809 | |||||||||||
Information technology and communications | 7,225 | 5,775 | 19,477 | 16,073 | |||||||||||
Professional fees | 6,204 | 6,087 | 16,494 | 18,148 | |||||||||||
Other operating expenses | 12,153 | 10,115 | 29,207 | 26,448 | |||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 265,499 | 235,770 | 695,728 | 634,461 | |||||||||||
Operating income | 68,016 | 62,243 | 160,946 | 158,546 | |||||||||||
Other (income)/expense, net | (1,039 | ) | (688 | ) | (3,787 | ) | (3,301 | ) | |||||||
Income before provision for income taxes | 69,055 | 62,931 | 164,733 | 161,847 | |||||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 20,161 | 18,974 | 39,954 | 48,089 | |||||||||||
Net income attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc. | $ | 48,894 | $ | 43,957 | $ | 124,779 | $ | 113,758 | |||||||
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding: | |||||||||||||||
Basic | 62,014,564 | 61,972,027 | 62,199,716 | 62,399,221 | |||||||||||
Fully diluted | 65,608,026 | 65,758,679 | 65,770,056 | 65,985,660 | |||||||||||
Earnings per share | |||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 0.79 | $ | 0.71 | $ | 2.01 | $ | 1.82 | |||||||
Fully diluted | $ | 0.75 | $ | 0.67 | $ | 1.90 | $ | 1.72 | |||||||
HOULIHAN LOKEY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
| |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended December 31, | Nine Months Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
(In thousands, except per share data) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 333,515 | $ | 298,013 | $ | 856,674 | $ | 793,007 | |||||||
Employee compensation and benefits | |||||||||||||||
Employee compensation and benefits (GAAP) | $ | 213,107 | $ | 187,180 | $ | 551,056 | $ | 501,682 | |||||||
Less/plus: adjustments (1) | (9,677 | ) | (6,138 | ) | (29,452 | ) | (18,417 | ) | |||||||
Employee compensation and benefits (adjusted) | 203,430 | 181,042 | 521,604 | 483,266 | |||||||||||
Non-compensation expenses | |||||||||||||||
Non-compensation expenses (GAAP) | $ | 52,392 | $ | 48,590 | $ | 144,672 | $ | 132,779 | |||||||
Less/plus: adjustments (2) | (2,498 | ) | (1,550 | ) | (13,259 | ) | (7,507 | ) | |||||||
Non-compensation expenses (adjusted) | 49,894 | 47,040 | 131,413 | 125,272 | |||||||||||
Operating income | |||||||||||||||
Operating income (GAAP) | $ | 68,016 | $ | 62,243 | $ | 160,946 | $ | 158,546 | |||||||
Less/plus: adjustments (3) | 12,175 | 7,688 | 42,711 | 25,924 | |||||||||||
Operating income (adjusted) | 80,191 | 69,931 | 203,657 | 184,469 | |||||||||||
Other (income)/expense, net | |||||||||||||||
Other (income)/expense, net (GAAP) | $ | (1,039 | ) | $ | (688 | ) | $ | (3,787 | ) | $ | (3,301 | ) | |||
Less/plus: adjustments (4) | — | — | — | 719 | |||||||||||
Other (income)/expense, net (adjusted) | (1,039 | ) | (688 | ) | (3,787 | ) | (2,582 | ) | |||||||
Provision for income taxes | |||||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes (GAAP) | $ | 20,161 | $ | 18,974 | $ | 39,954 | $ | 48,089 | |||||||
Less/plus: adjustments (5) | 3,558 | 845 | 19,894 | 5,984 | |||||||||||
Provision for income taxes (adjusted) | 23,719 | 19,819 | 59,848 | 54,073 | |||||||||||
Net income | |||||||||||||||
Net income (GAAP) | $ | 48,894 | $ | 43,957 | $ | 124,779 | $ | 113,758 | |||||||
Less/plus: adjustments (6) | 8,617 | 6,843 | 22,817 | 19,221 | |||||||||||
Net income (adjusted) | 57,511 | 50,799 | 147,596 | 132,979 | |||||||||||
Diluted EPS (GAAP) | $ | 0.75 | $ | 0.67 | $ | 1.90 | $ | 1.72 | |||||||
Diluted adjusted EPS | $ | 0.88 | $ | 0.77 | $ | 2.24 | $ | 2.02 | |||||||
Note: Figures may not sum due to rounding.
(1) | Consists of pre-IPO grant vesting, including grants re-awarded following forfeiture, if any ($(6,193) in Q3 FY20 and $(6,138) in Q3 FY19; $(18,269) in YTD Q3 FY20 and $(18,417) in YTD Q3 FY19), and acquisition-related retention pools ($(3,484) in Q3 FY20 and $0 in Q3 FY19; $(11,183) in YTD Q3 FY20 and $0 in YTD Q3 FY19). | |
(2) | Includes costs associated with Houlihan Lokey, Inc.'s secondary offering of stock ($0 in Q3 FY20 and $0 in Q3 FY19; $(665) in YTD Q3 FY20 and $(498) in YTD Q3 FY19), acquisition related costs ($(579) in Q3 FY20 and $0 Q3 FY19; $(579) YTD Q3 FY20 and $(1,929) in YTD Q3 FY19), acquisition-related amortization ($(1,919) in Q3 FY20 and $(1,550) in Q3 FY19; $(5,184) YTD Q3 FY20 and $(4,461) YTD Q3 FY19), HL Finance setup costs ($0 in Q3 FY20 and $0 in Q3 FY19; $0 in YTD Q3 FY20 and $(619) in YTD Q3 FY19), and costs associated with our London office consolidation and move ($0 in Q3 FY20 and $0 in Q3 FY19; $(6,831) YTD Q3 FY20 and $0 YTD Q3 FY19). | |
(3) | Includes adjustments from (1) and (2) above. | |
(4) | Includes the reduction of an earnout liability ($0 in Q3 FY20 and $0 in Q3 FY19; $0 YTD Q3 FY20 and $719 YTD Q3 FY19). | |
(5) | Includes adjustments to determine the adjusted effective tax rate, which are: the Tax Act ($0 in Q3 FY20 and $(1,313) in Q3 FY19; $0 in YTD Q3 FY20 and $(1,313) in YTD Q3 FY19) and a YTD Q3 FY20 adjustment of $7,605 relating to shares vested during the first quarter of the fiscal year. The resulting tax impact using the adjusted effective tax rate, of the adjustments described in footnotes 1, 2, and 4 above is ($3,558 in Q3 FY20 and $2,158 in Q3 FY19; $12,289 YTD Q3 FY20 and $7,297 YTD Q3 FY19). | |
(6) | Consists of the adjustments described above net of the tax impact of described adjustments. |
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