Houlihan Lokey Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2022 Financial Results
– Second Quarter Fiscal 2022 Revenues of $537 million –
– Second Quarter Fiscal 2022 Diluted EPS of $1.65 –
– Adjusted Second Quarter Fiscal 2022 Diluted EPS of $1.71 –
– Announces Dividend of $0.43 per Share for Third Quarter Fiscal 2022 –
LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK - October 28, 2021 - Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) (“Houlihan Lokey” or the “Company”) today reported financial results for its second quarter ended September 30, 2021. For the second quarter ended September 30, 2021, revenues were $537 million, compared with $276 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2020.
Net income was $113 million, or $1.65 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared with $49 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended September 30, 2020. Adjusted net income for the second quarter ended September 30, 2021 was $117 million, or $1.71 per diluted share, compared with $52 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended September 30, 2020.
“We are beginning our third fiscal quarter with record year-to-date results and the completion of the largest acquisition in the firm’s history. I want to welcome our new colleagues from GCA to the Houlihan Lokey family. As a combined firm, we meaningfully increase our capabilities in the strategically important technology and technology related industry sectors, and become an even more formidable provider of investment banking services in Europe and Asia. We believe that this acquisition creates significant strategic and shareholder value for our firm, and we look forward to achieving these goals over the coming years.” stated Scott Beiser, 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,
2021
2020
2021
2020
Revenues
$
537,272
$
275,736
$
909,994
$
486,872
Operating expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits
333,374
177,249
565,678
314,370
Non-compensation
46,579
31,612
79,321
63,037
Operating income
157,319
66,875
264,995
109,465
Other (income)/expense, net
853
(196)
752
(1,357)
Income before provision for income taxes
156,466
67,071
264,243
110,822
Provision for income taxes
43,583
18,281
65,400
15,932
Net income attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc.
$
112,883
$
48,790
$
198,843
$
94,890
Diluted earnings per share
$
1.65
$
0.70
$
2.90
$
1.39
Revenues
For the second quarter ended September 30, 2021, revenues were $537 million, compared with $276 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2020. For the second quarter ended September 30, 2021, Corporate Finance (“CF”) revenues increased 259%, Financial Restructuring (“FR”) revenues decreased (34)%, and Financial and Valuation Advisory (“FVA”) revenues increased 55% when compared with the second quarter ended September 30, 2020.
1
Expenses
The Company’s employee compensation and benefits expenses, non-compensation expenses, and provision for income taxes during the periods presented and described below are on a GAAP and an adjusted basis.
U.S. GAAP
Adjusted (Non-GAAP) *
Three Months Ended September 30,
($ in thousands)
2021
2020
2021
2020
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits
$
333,374
$
177,249
$
330,421
$
175,090
% of Revenues
62.0
%
64.3
%
61.5
%
63.5
%
Non-compensation
$
46,579
$
31,612
$
43,327
$
28,730
% of Revenues
8.7
%
11.5
%
8.1
%
10.4
%
Provision for Income Taxes
$
43,583
$
18,281
$
45,311
$
19,655
% of Pre-Tax Income
27.9
%
27.3
%
27.9
%
27.3
%
*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) *
Six Months Ended September 30,
($ in thousands)
2021
2020
2021
2020
Expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits
$
565,678
$
314,370
$
559,646
$
307,050
% of Revenues
62.2
%
64.6
%
61.5
%
63.1
%
Non-compensation
$
79,321
$
63,037
$
75,005
$
58,739
% of Revenues
8.7
%
12.9
%
8.2
%
12.1
%
Provision for Income Taxes
$
65,400
$
15,932
$
75,155
$
32,376
% of Pre-Tax Income
24.7
%
14.4
%
27.4
%
26.4
%
*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 $333 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared with $177 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2020. Adjusted employee compensation and benefits expenses were $330 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared with $175 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2020. This resulted in an adjusted compensation ratio of 61.5% for the second quarter ended September 30, 2021, versus 63.5% for the second quarter ended September 30, 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 $47 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared with $32 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2020. Adjusted non-compensation expenses were $43 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared with $29 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2020. The increase in GAAP and adjusted non-compensation expenses was primarily a result of an increase in other operating expenses and travel, meals, and entertainment expenses.
The provision for income taxes was $44 million, representing an effective tax rate of 27.9% for the second quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared with $18 million, representing an effective tax rate of 27.3% for the second quarter ended September 30, 2020. The adjusted provision for income taxes was $45 million, representing an adjusted effective tax rate of 27.9% for the second quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared with $20 million, representing an adjusted effective tax rate of 27.3% for the second quarter ended September 30, 2020.
2
Segment Reporting for the Second Fiscal Quarter
Corporate Finance
CF revenues were $388 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared with $108 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2020, representing an increase of 259%. Revenues increased primarily due to a significant increase in the number of closed transactions and the average transaction fee on closed transactions.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Six Months Ended September 30,
($ in thousands)
2021
2020
2021
2020
Corporate Finance
Revenues
$
388,410
$
108,049
$
598,401
$
196,020
# of Managing Directors
126
125
126
125
# of Closed transactions (1)
134
53
218
88
Financial Restructuring
FR revenues decreased (34)% to $83 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared with $125 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2020. Revenues decreased primarily due to a decrease in the number of closed transactions.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Six Months Ended September 30,
($ in thousands)
2021
2020
2021
2020
Financial Restructuring
Revenues
$
83,184
$
125,391
$
181,959
$
214,011
# of Managing Directors
51
47
51
47
# of Closed transactions (1)
20
30
44
59
Financial and Valuation Advisory
FVA revenues increased 55% to $66 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2021, compared with $42 million for the second quarter ended September 30, 2020. Revenues increased primarily due to an increase in the number of fee events.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Six Months Ended September 30,
($ in thousands)
2021
2020
2021
2020
Financial and Valuation Advisory
Revenues
$
65,678
$
42,296
$
129,634
$
76,841
# of Managing Directors
37
31
37
31
# of Fee Events (1)
806
539
1,242
798
(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 December 15, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 2, 2021.
The Board of Directors of the Company increased the size of its share repurchase program from $200 million to $250 million.
As of September 30, 2021, the Company had $963 million of cash and cash equivalents and investment securities, and $65 million of other liabilities and loans payable to former shareholders.
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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 28, 2021, to discuss its second 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 October 28, 2021 through November 4, 2021, by dialing 1-844-512-2921 (domestic) or 1-412-317-6671 (international) and entering the passcode 13724237#. 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 M&A advisor for the past six consecutive years in the U.S., the No. 1 global restructuring advisor for the past seven 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.
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Contact Information
Investor Relations 212.331.8225 IR@HL.com
OR
Public Relations 212.331.8223 PR@HL.com
Appendix
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited)
Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted Financial Information (Unaudited)
5
HOULIHAN LOKEY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands, except share data and par value)
September 30, 2021
March 31, 2021
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$
923,009
$
846,851
Restricted cash
373
373
Investment securities
40,425
208,618
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses
127,274
108,409
Unbilled work in process, net of allowance for credit losses
115,732
118,115
Deferred income taxes
36,401
28,332
Property and equipment, net
43,295
46,370
Operating lease right-of-use assets
143,341
152,031
Goodwill and other intangibles, net
883,964
866,221
Other assets
43,015
50,747
Total assets
$
2,356,829
$
2,426,067
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Liabilities:
Accrued salaries and bonuses
$
577,698
$
648,399
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
60,273
67,468
Deferred income
26,923
27,868
Income taxes payable
24,540
68,339
Deferred income taxes
45
52
Loans payable to former shareholders
711
818
Operating lease liabilities
164,209
174,516
Other liabilities
64,693
55,046
Total liabilities
919,092
1,042,506
Stockholders' equity:
Class A common stock, $0.001 par value. Authorized 1,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 50,927,005 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 17,348,305 and 16,951,696 shares, respectively
17
17
Additional paid-in capital
720,579
803,573
Retained earnings
741,678
600,096
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)
(24,588)
(20,176)
Total stockholders' equity
1,437,737
1,383,561
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
2,356,829
$
2,426,067
6
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)
2021
2020
2021
2020
Revenues
$
537,272
$
275,736
$
909,994
$
486,872
Operating expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits
333,374
177,249
565,678
314,370
Travel, meals, and entertainment
4,687
964
6,374
3,078
Rent
9,050
10,301
19,275
19,924
Depreciation and amortization
4,344
3,670
8,515
7,342
Information technology and communications
8,858
6,868
15,819
13,251
Professional fees
6,915
5,227
13,616
10,234
Other operating expenses
12,725
4,582
15,722
9,208
Total operating expenses
379,953
208,861
644,999
377,407
Operating income
157,319
66,875
264,995
109,465
Other (income)/expense, net
853
(196)
752
(1,357)
Income before provision for income taxes
156,466
67,071
264,243
110,822
Provision for income taxes
43,583
18,281
65,400
15,932
Net income attributable to Houlihan Lokey, Inc.
$
112,883
$
48,790
$
198,843
$
94,890
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
Basic
65,156,968
66,787,832
65,433,649
65,244,611
Fully diluted
68,566,127
69,615,060
68,641,962
68,214,505
Earnings per share
Basic
$
1.73
$
0.73
$
3.04
$
1.45
Fully diluted
$
1.65
$
0.70
$
2.90
$
1.39
7
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 per share data)
2021
2020
2021
2020
Revenues
$
537,272
$
275,736
$
909,994
$
486,872
Employee compensation and benefits expenses
Employee compensation and benefits expenses (GAAP)
$
333,374
$
177,249
$
565,678
$
314,370
(Less)/plus: Acquisition related retention payments
(2,953)
(2,159)
(6,032)
(7,320)
Employee compensation and benefits expenses (adjusted)
330,421
175,090
559,646
307,050
Non-compensation expenses
Non-compensation expenses (GAAP)
$
46,579
$
31,612
$
79,321
$
63,037
(Less)/plus: Secondary offering related costs
—
—
—
(418)
(Less)/plus: Acquisition related costs
(1,640)
(1,258)
(1,640)
(1,258)
(Less)/plus: Acquisition amortization
(1,612)
(888)
(2,676)
(1,886)
(Less)/plus: Oracle ERP implementation
—
(736)
—
(736)
Non-compensation expenses (adjusted)
43,327
28,730
75,005
58,739
Operating income
Operating income (GAAP)
$
157,319
$
66,875
$
264,995
$
109,465
(Less)/plus: Adjustments (1)
6,205
5,041
10,348
11,618
Operating income (adjusted)
163,524
71,916
275,343
121,083
Other (income)/expense, net
Other (income)/expense, net (GAAP)
$
853
$
(196)
$
752
$
(1,357)
Other (income)/expense, net (adjusted)
853
(196)
752
(1,357)
Provision/(benefit) for income taxes
Provision/(benefit) for income taxes (GAAP)
$
43,583
$
18,281
$
65,400
$
15,932
(Less)/plus: Impact of the excess tax benefit for stock vesting
—
—
6,922
13,408
Adjusted provision/(benefit) for income taxes
43,583
18,281
72,322
29,340
(Less)/plus: Resulting tax impact (2)
1,728
1,374
2,833
3,036
Provision/(benefit) for income taxes (adjusted)
45,311
19,655
75,155
32,376
Net income
Net income (GAAP)
$
112,883
$
48,790
$
198,843
$
94,890
(Less)/plus: adjustments (3)
4,477
3,667
593
(4,826)
Net income (adjusted)
117,360
52,457
199,436
90,064
Diluted EPS (GAAP)
$
1.65
$
0.70
$
2.90
$
1.39
Diluted EPS (adjusted)
$
1.71
$
0.75
$
2.91
$
1.32
(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.
