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Lazard (LAZ)
NYSE:LAZ
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Lazard (LAZ) AI Stock Analysis

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LAZ

Lazard

(NYSE:LAZ)

Rating:78Outperform
Price Target:
$65.00
▲(18.20% Upside)
Lazard's overall stock score reflects strong financial performance and positive earnings call highlights, with bullish technical indicators supporting the stock's upward momentum. While valuation is reasonable, the company's strategic initiatives in private capital and talent acquisition position it well for future growth, despite some challenges in revenue consistency and regulatory uncertainties.
Positive Factors
Assets Under Management
Lazard Ltd announced a preliminary increase in assets under management by 5.6% to $248.4 billion.
Net Inflows
Net inflows for the second quarter were $0.7 billion, contrasting sharply with the expected net outflows of $4.0 billion.
Negative Factors
Market Impact
Market impact of -$5.4BN vs. +$0.1BN prior month.
Net Outflows
Monthly net outflows accelerated to -$3.7BN, with QTD net outflows more than double Consensus full-qtr net outflows.

Lazard (LAZ) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Lazard Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionLazard Ltd (LAZ) is a leading financial advisory and asset management firm headquartered in New York City, with a global presence and a rich history dating back to 1848. The company operates through two primary segments: Financial Advisory and Asset Management. Lazard's Financial Advisory segment provides strategic advice and solutions related to mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, capital structure, and other financial matters, while its Asset Management segment offers investment management services to a diverse client base, including institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals.
How the Company Makes MoneyLazard generates revenue primarily through its Financial Advisory and Asset Management services. The Financial Advisory segment earns fees based on advisory services provided in connection with mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and other financial transactions. These fees can be contingent on the completion of transactions, which can lead to significant revenue during peak market activity. In contrast, the Asset Management segment earns management and performance fees from its investment products. Management fees are typically a percentage of assets under management (AUM), while performance fees are based on the investment returns of certain funds exceeding predefined benchmarks. Additionally, Lazard has strategic partnerships and relationships with various financial institutions and corporations, further enhancing its advisory capabilities and expanding its client base, which contributes to its overall earnings.

Lazard Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Financial Advisory with Fees Greater than 1M
Financial Advisory with Fees Greater than 1M
Focuses on high-value advisory deals, indicating the firm's ability to secure and manage large, lucrative projects that can significantly impact overall profitability.
Chart InsightsLazard's Financial Advisory segment is showing signs of recovery, with a notable uptick in fees greater than $1M in late 2024 and mid-2025. This aligns with the earnings call highlighting record revenue and increased private capital engagement, which now accounts for over 40% of advisory revenue. The strategic focus on private equity and talent acquisition is driving this growth, despite challenges like a higher tax rate and compensation expenses. Investors should watch for continued momentum in private capital and M&A activities as Lazard invests in long-term growth.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Lazard Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 24, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Oct 23, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
Lazard's earnings call reflects a strong performance with record revenue in Financial Advisory and positive trends in Asset Management, despite some challenges such as high gross outflows and increased tax rates. The firm shows robust growth in hiring and strategic transactions, with a cautious outlook on regulatory and tariff uncertainties.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record First Half Revenue for Financial Advisory
Financial Advisory achieved a record first half of the year with adjusted net revenue of $861 million, demonstrating the geographic and product diversity of Lazard's business.
Strong Asset Management Performance
Asset Management reported adjusted net revenue of $533 million for the first half of the year, with positive net flows in the quarter, record gross inflows, and AUM increasing by 10% year-to-date.
Successful M&A Transactions
Lazard participated in several marquee transactions, including CD&R's acquisition of a controlling 50% stake in Sanofi's consumer health unit and Ferrero International's agreement to acquire WK Kellogg Co.
Expansion in Hiring and Talent Acquisition
Lazard hired 14 Financial Advisory managing directors in 2025, achieving or potentially exceeding the 2030 objective of expanding the team by 10 to 15 net per year.
Record Gross Inflows in Asset Management
Record gross inflows in the first half of the year due to strong investment performance and enhanced sales and distribution focus.
Negative Updates
Increased Effective Tax Rate
The adjusted effective tax rate for the second quarter was 36.5%, compared to 14% for the second quarter of 2024.
High Gross Outflows in Asset Management
Despite record gross inflows, there were still high gross outflows, indicating attrition and churn in the market.
Uncertainty in Regulatory and Tariff Environments
Ongoing uncertainties in regulatory environments and tariff issues may impact M&A activities and overall market conditions.
Challenges in Achieving Compensation Ratio Goals
The firm-wide compensation ratio remained flat at 65.5%, with challenges in achieving the goal of 60% or below due to market conditions and hiring plans.
Company Guidance
During Lazard's Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call, the company reported strong financial performance with firm-wide adjusted net revenue of $770 million for the quarter, marking a 12% increase from the previous year. Financial Advisory saw a record adjusted net revenue of $491 million, a 20% rise year-over-year, with significant transactions including CD&R's acquisition of a controlling stake in Sanofi's consumer health unit. Asset Management also delivered solid results with adjusted net revenue of $268 million, experiencing positive net flows and a 10% increase in assets under management (AUM) year-to-date, reaching $248 billion. Notably, Lazard's focus on private capital has grown, with over 40% of Financial Advisory revenue coming from this segment, and the firm is on track to achieve its 2030 goal of expanding its team of Financial Advisory managing directors by 10 to 15 net per year, having hired 14 so far in 2025. The adjusted compensation ratio remained flat at 65.5%, while the adjusted effective tax rate for the quarter was notably higher at 36.5% compared to 14% the previous year. The company anticipates a more constructive business environment for M&A activity, driven by strong underlying factors such as technology innovation and favorable financing markets.

Lazard Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Lazard shows strong profitability and cash flow management. However, inconsistent revenue growth and a low equity ratio present risks. Operational efficiency remains high with healthy margins.
Income Statement
78
Positive
Lazard's income statement reveals a solid gross profit margin of 47.9% for TTM, driven by strong revenue figures. The net profit margin improved to 10.1% TTM, reflecting better cost control and profitability compared to prior periods. However, revenue growth has been inconsistent, with a notable drop in 2024. EBIT and EBITDA margins for TTM are healthy at 13.6% and 16%, respectively, indicating operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
The balance sheet shows a moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84 TTM, suggesting manageable leverage. However, the equity ratio of 14.2% TTM indicates a relatively low equity base, which could be a risk factor. The return on equity has improved to 50.5% TTM, showcasing enhanced profitability for shareholders.
Cash Flow
82
Very Positive
Cash flow analysis is strong, with a robust free cash flow to net income ratio of 2.2 TTM, highlighting efficient cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio of 2.2 TTM further emphasizes strong cash flow management. However, free cash flow growth has been uneven, although it remains positive.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.97B3.09B2.55B2.83B3.27B2.65B
Gross Profit1.09B1.08B605.13M1.12B1.37B1.02B
EBITDA510.52M511.27M40.90M640.77M842.99M619.66M
Net Income304.53M279.91M-75.48M357.52M528.06M402.46M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets4.23B4.79B4.64B5.85B7.15B5.97B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.17B1.58B971.32M2.01B2.81B2.52B
Total Debt2.19B2.19B2.18B2.20B2.24B2.29B
Total Liabilities3.50B4.03B4.07B4.59B5.49B4.97B
Stockholders Equity603.03M636.24M423.76M556.46M975.22M911.77M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow655.42M697.33M136.37M784.47M826.38M511.64M
Operating Cash Flow677.50M742.83M164.66M833.98M866.08M575.93M
Investing Cash Flow118.04M134.07M-38.32M-56.44M-39.06M-62.94M
Financing Cash Flow-729.78M-439.67M-1.57B-1.38B195.84M-547.35M

Lazard Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price54.99
Price Trends
50DMA
52.45
Positive
100DMA
46.81
Positive
200DMA
47.98
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.35
Positive
RSI
53.29
Neutral
STOCH
65.38
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For LAZ, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 54.99 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 54.66, above the 50-day MA of 52.45, and above the 200-day MA of 47.98, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.35 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 53.29 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 65.38 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for LAZ.

Lazard Risk Analysis

Lazard disclosed 38 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Lazard reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Lazard Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
80
Outperform
$29.39B26.8626.43%66.97%86.46%
80
Outperform
$5.75B28.0645.36%3.63%42.85%1398.33%
78
Outperform
$5.32B19.4650.41%3.55%10.40%91.75%
76
Outperform
$5.90B27.7517.91%1.75%10.46%50.47%
69
Neutral
$5.02B17.7516.01%53.19%23.89%
68
Neutral
$17.88B11.6610.24%3.76%9.66%1.70%
64
Neutral
$6.16B30.37106.47%0.57%18.40%54.77%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
LAZ
Lazard
54.99
8.58
18.49%
SNEX
StoneX Group
104.56
51.11
95.62%
PIPR
Piper Sandler
331.51
71.71
27.60%
MC
Moelis
71.73
8.94
14.24%
PJT
PJT Partners
174.56
56.35
47.67%
FUTU
Futu Holdings
189.12
130.03
220.05%

Lazard Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Lazard Appoints Dmitry Shevelenko to Board of Directors
Positive
Sep 2, 2025

On September 2, 2025, Lazard announced the appointment of Dmitry Shevelenko, Chief Business Officer of Perplexity, to its Board of Directors. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing Lazard’s tech-enabled vision by leveraging Shevelenko’s expertise in artificial intelligence, aligning with the company’s commitment to integrating AI-driven insights with its intellectual capital. This appointment is expected to strengthen Lazard’s strategic position and governance as the company navigates the evolving technological landscape.

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Lazard Completes Tender Offer for Senior Notes
Neutral
Aug 4, 2025

On August 4, 2025, Lazard, Inc. announced the completion of a cash tender offer by its subsidiary Lazard Group LLC for its outstanding 3.625% Senior Notes due March 1, 2027. The offer, which expired on August 1, 2025, resulted in $202,944,000 worth of notes being tendered and accepted for purchase, with payment expected on August 4, 2025. This move is part of Lazard’s strategic financial management, potentially impacting its debt structure and financial stability.

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Lazard Completes $300M Senior Notes Offering
Positive
Aug 1, 2025

On August 1, 2025, Lazard Group LLC, a subsidiary of Lazard, Inc., completed a public offering of $300 million in 5.625% Senior Notes due 2035. The proceeds from this offering are intended to repurchase outstanding 3.625% Senior Notes due 2027, cover related fees, and support general corporate purposes. This strategic financial move is expected to optimize Lazard Group’s debt structure and potentially enhance its market positioning.

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Lazard Announces Senior Notes Offering and Tender Offer
Neutral
Jul 28, 2025

On July 28, 2025, Lazard, Inc. announced that its subsidiary, Lazard Group LLC, is launching an offering of senior notes, which will be fully guaranteed by Lazard, Inc. Concurrently, Lazard Group is initiating a cash tender offer for its outstanding 3.625% Senior Notes due in 2027. The proceeds from the new notes offering will be used to repurchase the 2027 Notes and cover related expenses. This strategic move is expected to result in a gain on debt extinguishment of approximately $1.2 million, assuming all 2027 Notes are repurchased.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Sep 03, 2025