tiprankstipranks
Trending News
More News >
Moelis (MC)
NYSE:MC

Moelis (MC) AI Stock Analysis

Compare
400 Followers

Top Page

MC

Moelis

(NYSE:MC)

Select Model
Select Model
Select Model
Outperform 71 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:71Outperform
Price Target:
$77.00
▲(8.62% Upside)
The score is driven primarily by strong financial quality (profitability, cash flow strength, and a debt-free balance sheet) and supportive earnings updates showing robust segment growth and improving margins. These positives are partially offset by weak technical momentum (oversold indicators and price below key moving averages) and a valuation that is only moderately attractive despite a solid dividend.
Positive Factors
Balance Sheet Strength
A debt-free balance sheet with ~$620M in cash provides durable financial flexibility: supports continuing dividends, buybacks and hiring while absorbing deal-timing variability. Strong liquidity reduces refinancing risk and funds strategic investments without eroding operating cash flow.
Sustained Revenue Momentum
Broad-based advisory growth and record quarterly/full-year revenue indicate durable demand across M&A and capital markets. Platform expansion and rising MD count support repeatable fee generation; diversified advisory streams reduce reliance on any single deal type over a multi-quarter horizon.
Improving Profitability
Material margin expansion implies improving operating leverage and cost discipline (including better compensation ratios). Higher sustainable pre-tax margins bolster cash generation, fund returns to shareholders, and provide a cushion against cyclical revenue swings across the advisory cycle.
Negative Factors
Regulatory/Deal-Timing Risk
Advisory fees depend on deal closings; regulatory slowdowns can delay or reduce transaction completions, creating lumpy revenue recognition. Persistent delays compress near-term fee flow and increase forecasting uncertainty for quarters ahead, stressing working capital and staffing plans.
Weakness in Capital Structure Advisory / Private Credit Risk
A drop in restructuring activity removes a consistent advisory revenue stream in stressed markets. Coupled with higher-profile defaults in private credit, this reduces transactional opportunities in a segment that can offset slower M&A periods, increasing cyclical exposure to deal volumes.
Historical Volatility in Growth and Margins
Past swings in revenue and margins highlight sensitivity to deal flow and market cycles. Even with recent improvements, variability complicates long-term forecasting and can force rapid cost adjustments or hiring freezes, weakening predictability of earnings and free cash flow generation.

Moelis (MC) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Moelis Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionMoelis & Company operates as an investment banking advisory firm. It offers advisory services in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations and restructurings, capital markets transactions, and other corporate finance matters. The company offers its services to public multinational corporations, middle market private companies, financial sponsors, entrepreneurs, governments, and sovereign wealth funds. The company serves its clients in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. It has strategic alliances in Mexico with Alfaro, Dávila y Scherer, S.C.; and in Australia with MA Moelis Australia. The company was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
How the Company Makes MoneyMoelis & Company generates revenue primarily through advisory fees earned from providing strategic advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and capital raising activities. The company charges fees based on the completion of transactions, which can vary depending on the complexity and scale of the advisory work. Key revenue streams include success fees from mergers and acquisitions, fees for financial restructuring services, and advisory fees related to capital markets transactions. Additionally, Moelis benefits from ongoing relationships with clients, leading to repeat business and referrals. The firm's reputation for high-quality service and its ability to navigate complex financial situations also contribute significantly to its earnings.

Moelis Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 04, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
Next Earnings Date:Apr 29, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call presented a strongly positive financial and operational picture: record quarterly revenue, robust full-year growth (+28%), substantial margin expansion, significant EPS improvement (+64%), strong cash position with active capital returns, and growth investments (notably PCA and technology). The main headwinds are a decline in capital structure advisory, continued investment-driven non-compensation expense growth, PCA still being early-stage for revenue, and sensitivity of compensation leverage to hiring and revenue cadence. Management signaled confidence in pipeline momentum and market opportunity while cautioning seasonal/near-term variability and structural risks (talent competition, geopolitical and AI-related industry shifts). Overall, the positive achievements and material financial improvements outweigh the manageable risks and nascent ramp of newer businesses.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Quarterly and Strong Annual Revenues
Reported record fourth-quarter revenues of $488 million, up 11% year-over-year, and full year adjusted revenues of $1.54 billion, up 28% versus 2024.
M&A and Capital Markets Driving Growth
M&A revenues grew 35% year-over-year and capital markets delivered a record-setting year with double-digit increases in both average fees and number of completed transactions, driving the firm's revenue mix (~2/3 M&A, ~1/3 non-M&A).
Margin and EPS Expansion
Adjusted pretax margin improved to 21.5% for the full year (510 basis points improvement from 16.4% in 2024) and Q4 adjusted pretax margin was 28.6%. Adjusted EPS rose to $2.99 for 2025, a 64% increase from $1.82 in 2024.
Operating Leverage via Compensation Improvements
Full-year adjusted compensation ratio improved to 65.8% (down from 69% in 2024, a 320 basis point improvement). Q4 adjusted compensation ratio was 61.1%.
Expense Efficiency Gains
Adjusted non-compensation expense ratio decreased to 14.6% for the full year (from 15.9% in prior year) and was 12.4% in Q4, despite investments in technology and deal activity.
Private Capital Advisory (PCA) Momentum
Substantial 2025 investments in PCA produced meaningful early traction: team additions (including MD hires focused on private credit secondaries), a growing GP-led secondaries pipeline, and expectation PCA will become a core fourth pillar of the firm.
Talent Expansion and Depth
Added 21 Managing Directors in 2025 (including 9 laterals) and promoted 13 professionals to MD in early 2026, bringing total MD count to 178, positioning the firm with deeper sector expertise.
Strong Capital Position and Shareholder Returns
Ended with $849 million cash and no debt; returned ~$284 million to shareholders in 2025 (dividends, net settlement of shares, repurchases). Repurchased ~716,000 shares in Q4 at an average $62.96, total repurchases ~950,000 for the year, and Board authorized a new $300 million buyback program with no expiration. Quarterly dividend declared at $0.65 per share.
Negative Updates
Decline in Capital Structure Advisory (CSA)
Capital structure advisory revenues declined in 2025 and partially offset revenue gains from M&A and capital markets (no specific percentage disclosed), although management expects CSA to be flat-to-up going forward.
Rising Non-Compensation Expense Drivers
Non-compensation expenses increased due to higher deal-related travel & entertainment and client conferences, continued investments in technology and data (including AI), and higher occupancy costs from headcount growth; company expects 2026 non-compensation expenses to grow at a similar rate to 2025.
PCA Revenue Still Nascent
Private Capital Advisory is gaining traction but produced limited reported revenues in 2025 (most activity focused on winning mandates and origination), so near-term revenue contribution is still uncertain and front-loaded investment could pressure near-term margins if ramp is slower than expected.
Compensation Ratio Sensitivity and Talent Competition
While compensation ratio improved, future progress depends on 2026 revenue performance and the competitive market for senior bankers; continued lateral hiring to capture opportunity could increase comp ratios if hires accelerate.
Seasonality and Near-Term Cadence Uncertainty
Management flagged the typical seasonal weakness in Q1 and noted industry announcement/completion data early in the year looked lighter, leaving potential for a back-half weighted revenue cadence and uneven quarterly performance.
Macro/Geopolitical and AI-Related Risks
Geopolitical uncertainty or AI-driven disruption (notably pressures on software/SaaS valuations) could slow large-scale transactions or create more liability management/restructuring work rather than M&A; these pose execution and revenue-mix risks.
Capital Allocation Balancing Act
Board authorized up to $300 million buyback but management emphasized prioritizing investments, preserving the dividend, and keeping a strong balance sheet, which may temper pace of buybacks if strategic or market needs change.
Company Guidance
Management reported record Q4 revenues of $488M and FY2025 adjusted revenues of $1.54B (up 28%) with adjusted EPS $2.99 (+64%), adjusted pretax margins of 28.6% (Q4) and 21.5% (FY), and improved compensation and non‑comp ratios (61.1% Q4 / 65.8% FY comp; non‑comp expense ratio 12.4% Q4 and 14.6% FY), and guided that for 2026 they expect non‑compensation expenses to grow at a similar rate to 2025 and to start the year with a compensation ratio roughly in line with year‑end 65.8%; they reiterated a normalized tax rate of ~29.8% (effective 22.4%) with an expected RSU‑related excess tax benefit boosting Q1 EPS, prioritized a $0.65 quarterly dividend while offsetting dilution via buybacks (new $300M authorization; ~716k shares repurchased in Q4 at $62.96, ~950k shares for the year; $284M returned to shareholders in 2025), maintain $849M cash and no debt, and expect PCA to ramp meaningfully in 2026 with CSA being "flat to up."

Moelis Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Solid TTM fundamentals: revenue growth of 6.01%, healthy profitability (gross margin 49.56%, net margin 15.98%), and particularly strong cash flow quality (operating cash flow coverage 170.44% and free cash flow growth 9.28%). Balance sheet strength is notable with no debt (D/E 0.00), though historical variability in growth and margins adds some volatility risk.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Moelis has shown a strong revenue growth of 6.01% in the TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) period, indicating a positive trajectory. The gross profit margin of 49.56% and net profit margin of 15.98% reflect solid profitability. However, past fluctuations in revenue growth and profitability margins suggest potential volatility.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company maintains a healthy balance sheet with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.00 in the TTM period, indicating no leverage risk. Return on equity is robust at 47.46%, showcasing efficient use of equity. Historical data shows some variability in equity returns and leverage, which could pose risks.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
Moelis demonstrates strong cash flow generation with an operating cash flow coverage ratio of 170.44% in the TTM period, indicating excellent cash flow relative to net income. Free cash flow growth of 9.28% further underscores positive cash flow dynamics. The company has consistently maintained high free cash flow to net income ratios, reflecting stable cash flow management.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.47B1.19B854.75M985.30M1.54B943.28M
Gross Profit743.48M1.19B140.00M367.10M626.70M382.47M
EBITDA288.76M183.39M-32.03M224.07M503.16M270.42M
Net Income234.57M136.02M-24.70M150.34M365.21M178.83M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.52B1.38B1.18B1.22B1.56B1.20B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments281.58M412.47M186.42M206.79M520.21M202.48M
Total Debt267.74M223.24M215.68M192.76M191.89M196.61M
Total Liabilities898.61M899.55M817.30M757.93M1.08B751.97M
Stockholders Equity535.03M441.61M352.14M444.50M489.07M479.95M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow523.41M415.39M141.78M27.04M920.55M388.56M
Operating Cash Flow552.89M427.49M158.47M32.99M936.98M429.21M
Investing Cash Flow-182.55M17.11M48.57M-11.18M-17.01M-39.95M
Financing Cash Flow-231.35M-215.10M-229.17M-326.90M-602.54M-351.79M

Moelis Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price70.89
Price Trends
50DMA
70.77
Positive
100DMA
69.09
Positive
200DMA
65.98
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.11
Positive
RSI
44.75
Neutral
STOCH
20.54
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For MC, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 70.89 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 73.94, above the 50-day MA of 70.77, and above the 200-day MA of 65.98, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.11 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 44.75 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 20.54 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for MC.

Moelis Risk Analysis

Moelis disclosed 1 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Moelis reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Moelis Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
$13.78B24.110.95%27.00%63.47%
71
Outperform
$5.71B23.2251.98%3.69%51.19%456.59%
71
Outperform
$7.93B24.040.58%23.16%64.04%
68
Neutral
$18.00B11.429.92%3.81%9.73%1.22%
66
Neutral
$5.24B21.5530.80%4.06%1.58%1.93%
64
Neutral
$11.68B25.2620.47%1.33%20.99%25.02%
63
Neutral
$31.13B35.4320.86%0.32%35.19%-18.62%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
MC
Moelis
70.89
-5.64
-7.37%
EVR
Evercore Partners
356.36
74.75
26.54%
LAZ
Lazard
55.25
3.73
7.24%
LPLA
LPL Financial
388.96
23.73
6.50%
HLI
Houlihan Lokey
167.62
-13.43
-7.42%
PJT
PJT Partners
163.06
-12.74
-7.25%

Moelis Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyStock BuybackDividendsFinancial Disclosures
Moelis Reports Record Q4 Results and Expands Capital Returns
Positive
Feb 4, 2026

On February 4, 2026, Moelis & Company reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025, posting record fourth-quarter revenues of $487.9 million, up 11% year-on-year, and full-year 2025 GAAP revenues of $1.52 billion, with adjusted revenues of $1.54 billion, 28% higher than 2024. GAAP diluted earnings were $1.10 per share for the quarter and $2.94 for the year, with adjusted diluted EPS of $1.13 and $2.99 respectively, supported by an improved adjusted pre-tax margin of 21.5% for 2025 versus 16.4% in 2024 and aided by a tax benefit related to share-based awards. Reflecting confidence in its momentum and balance sheet strength, the firm declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.65 per share, secured Board approval for a new $300 million share repurchase authorization, and noted that it returned $283.6 million of capital to shareholders for the 2025 performance year, while continuing to expand its platform by promoting 25 advisory professionals to Managing Director across 2025 and early 2026 and adding a new Managing Director to its Private Capital Advisory team.

The most recent analyst rating on (MC) stock is a Hold with a $81.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Moelis stock, see the MC Stock Forecast page.

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: Feb 04, 2026