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Moelis (MC)
NYSE:MC

Moelis (MC) AI Stock Analysis

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MC

Moelis

(NYSE:MC)

Rating:66Neutral
Price Target:
$61.00
▲(8.95%Upside)
Moelis & Company's strong financial performance and strategic growth initiatives are offset by market volatility affecting M&A activities and a cautious outlook from the earnings call. Technical indicators suggest a bearish trend, while valuation appears reasonable but not compelling.
Positive Factors
Financial Performance
Moelis closed the year on a great note with 4Q24 revenues increased ~104% over 4Q23, materially pulling up full-year revenue growth to 40%.
Leadership Transition
Ken Moelis passes the CEO torch to Co-Founder and Co-President Navid Mahmoodzadegan; a smooth and well-planned transition is expected.
Strategic Investments
Moelis made strategic investments in key sectors such as technology, industrials, and energy that are driving results for the firm.
Negative Factors
M&A Pipeline
Moelis acknowledged that some deals are being shelved, with backlog down, although the vast majority of deals are just pushed back.
Valuation
The current valuation is already reasonably reflecting the normalized potential in the business under current estimates, suggesting the risk/reward in the stock is relatively balanced versus peers.

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

Moelis Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionMoelis & Company (MC) is a leading global independent investment bank that provides strategic and financial advisory services to a diverse client base, including corporations, governments, and financial sponsors. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in New York City, Moelis operates across various sectors such as mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations and restructurings, and other corporate finance matters. The firm is renowned for its client-focused approach, leveraging its deep industry knowledge and extensive experience to deliver tailored solutions.
How the Company Makes MoneyMoelis & Company generates revenue primarily through advisory fees for providing strategic and financial advisory services to its clients. These fees are typically structured as retainers, success fees, or a combination of both, depending on the nature and complexity of the transaction. The firm's key revenue streams include fees from mergers and acquisitions advisory, capital markets advisory, and restructuring and recapitalization advisory. Moelis's earnings are significantly influenced by the volume and size of transactions it advises on, as well as its ability to maintain strong client relationships and its reputation in the investment banking industry. Additionally, strategic partnerships and a strong global presence contribute to the firm's revenue by enabling it to access a broad client base and participate in high-profile deals.

Moelis Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Apr 23, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 8.66%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 23, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
Moelis & Company reported strong revenue growth and maintained a solid balance sheet with strategic hiring initiatives. However, the recent market volatility and policy uncertainty have negatively impacted M&A activities and led to a reduced backlog, posing challenges in restructuring and financing. The sentiment reflects a cautious optimism with concerns about market conditions.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Significant Revenue Growth
Moelis & Company achieved revenues of $307 million in the first quarter, representing an increase of 41% over the prior year period, driven by growth in M&A and capital markets.
Record New Business Origination
The company reported record new business origination and a strong pipeline at the end of the first quarter.
Strong Balance Sheet
Moelis & Company maintains a strong balance sheet with no funded debt and a regular quarterly dividend of $0.65 per share.
Successful Recruitment and Strategic Hires
The firm continues to invest in talent, including a technology-focused managing director in Europe and plans for additional senior hires in private capital advisory.
Negative Updates
Volatility Impact on M&A Activity
A new wave of volatility in the capital markets after April 2nd has slowed M&A transaction activity, leading to some transactions being shelved or delayed.
Decreased Backlog
The company's backlog decreased from $331 million due to market volatility and policy uncertainties.
Challenges in Restructuring and Financing
While conversations around restructuring have picked up, there has been no substantial increase in mandates, with more focus on financing options due to market uncertainties.
Company Guidance
During the Moelis & Company Q1 2025 earnings call, management provided guidance on several key financial metrics and strategic initiatives. The company reported revenues of $307 million, a 41% increase year-over-year, driven by growth in M&A and capital markets activities. The compensation expense ratio for the quarter was 69%, with a non-compensation ratio of 19%. The firm anticipates a full-year growth in non-compensation expenses of approximately 15%. The underlying corporate tax rate was 29.5%, with an overall net tax benefit for the quarter due to a discrete tax benefit. The board declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.65 per share, and the company maintained a strong balance sheet with no funded debt. Despite recent volatility affecting M&A activities, the firm remains focused on strategic growth, particularly in its private funds advisory business, and plans to continue expanding its talent pool to capture future opportunities.

Moelis Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Moelis demonstrates strong financial health with significant revenue and profitability improvements. The company shows robust operational efficiency and effective cash flow management. However, potential revenue volatility and reduced liquidity suggest careful monitoring of financial flexibility.
Income Statement
72
Positive
Moelis has shown a strong revenue growth trajectory, with a notable increase from $854.7 million in 2023 to $1.28 billion in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) 2025, representing a growth rate of approximately 50.2%. The gross profit margin for TTM 2025 is approximately 31.7%, indicating efficient cost management. The net profit margin improved significantly to 13.2% in TTM 2025 from negative in 2023, showcasing a turnaround in profitability. EBIT and EBITDA margins have also improved markedly, reflecting enhanced operational efficiency. However, the company experienced a drop in revenue in 2022, indicating potential volatility.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
The debt-to-equity ratio is relatively stable at approximately 0.45 in TTM 2025, suggesting moderate leverage. The return on equity (ROE) for TTM 2025 is approximately 35.0%, indicating strong profitability relative to shareholder equity. The equity ratio stands at 40.2%, reflecting a balanced capital structure. While the company has maintained a healthy balance sheet, the reduction in cash and short-term investments in TTM 2025 compared to 2021 could indicate a potential liquidity concern.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
Moelis exhibits robust cash flow management, with a consistent operating cash flow to net income ratio exceeding 2.5 in TTM 2025, signifying strong cash conversion. The free cash flow growth rate from 2024 to TTM 2025 is minimal, indicating stability. The operating cash flow remains strong over the years, supporting ongoing operations and strategic investments. However, the reduction in cash and short-term investments could constrain future liquidity.
Breakdown
TTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
1.28B1.19B854.75M985.30M1.54B943.28M
Gross Profit
406.43M364.39M140.00M367.10M626.70M382.47M
EBIT
204.06M172.94M-40.35M216.10M495.92M265.71M
EBITDA
214.90M183.39M-32.03M224.07M503.16M270.42M
Net Income Common Stockholders
169.72M136.02M-24.70M150.34M365.21M178.83M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
184.53M412.47M186.42M206.79M520.21M202.48M
Total Assets
1.21B1.38B1.18B1.22B1.56B1.20B
Total Debt
220.07M223.24M215.68M192.76M191.89M196.61M
Net Debt
35.55M-189.23M29.27M-14.03M-328.32M-5.86M
Total Liabilities
640.46M899.55M817.30M757.93M1.08B751.97M
Stockholders Equity
484.53M441.61M352.14M444.50M489.07M479.95M
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
417.17M415.39M141.78M27.04M920.55M388.56M
Operating Cash Flow
427.00M427.49M158.47M32.99M936.98M429.21M
Investing Cash Flow
-119.25M17.11M48.57M-11.18M-17.01M-39.95M
Financing Cash Flow
-224.18M-215.10M-229.17M-326.90M-602.54M-351.79M

Moelis Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price55.99
Price Trends
50DMA
55.08
Positive
100DMA
61.72
Negative
200DMA
65.63
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.53
Positive
RSI
56.49
Neutral
STOCH
71.40
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For MC, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 55.99 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 58.24, above the 50-day MA of 55.08, and below the 200-day MA of 65.63, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.53 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 56.49 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 71.40 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive 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 (64)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
PJPJT
74
Outperform
$5.48B26.5496.33%0.64%16.04%60.32%
EVEVR
74
Outperform
$9.57B23.7129.73%1.36%26.88%68.65%
71
Outperform
$4.61B22.7117.59%1.00%10.27%88.77%
LALAZ
71
Outperform
$4.12B15.2859.68%4.52%9.54%
MCMC
66
Neutral
$4.68B26.5739.98%4.48%45.14%
64
Neutral
$12.93B9.707.85%78.03%12.07%-7.83%
PWPWP
62
Neutral
$1.65B46.63%1.50%59.48%72.23%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
MC
Moelis
55.99
5.64
11.20%
EVR
Evercore Partners
240.12
42.41
21.45%
LAZ
Lazard
43.14
7.74
21.86%
PIPR
Piper Sandler
251.86
44.80
21.64%
PJT
PJT Partners
157.00
54.23
52.77%
PWP
Perella Weinberg Partners
17.64
3.56
25.28%

Moelis Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
Moelis Announces Leadership Changes Effective October 2025
Neutral
Jun 9, 2025

On June 9, 2025, Moelis & Company announced significant leadership changes effective October 1, 2025, as part of its long-term transition planning. Ken Moelis, the founder and CEO since 2007, will become Executive Chairman, while Navid Mahmoodzadegan, Co-Founder and Co-President, will succeed him as CEO and join the Board of Directors. Jeff Raich, also a Co-Founder and Co-President, will take on the role of Executive Vice Chairman. These changes are aimed at fostering internal growth and maintaining the firm’s strong client service and innovation focus. In conjunction with these appointments, the Compensation Committee granted Navid Mahmoodzadegan 450,000 long-term performance units to align his interests with shareholders and promote long-term value creation.

The most recent analyst rating on (MC) stock is a Hold with a $50.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Moelis stock, see the MC Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Moelis Holds Annual Stockholders Meeting, Elects Directors
Neutral
Jun 6, 2025

On June 6, 2024, Moelis & Company held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where key proposals were voted on. Stockholders elected five directors to the board, approved the compensation of named executive officers, and ratified Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. These decisions reinforce the company’s governance structure and financial oversight, potentially impacting its strategic direction and stakeholder confidence.

The most recent analyst rating on (MC) stock is a Hold with a $51.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Moelis stock, see the MC Stock Forecast page.

DividendsBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Moelis Reports Strong Q1 2025 Financial Results
Positive
Apr 23, 2025

On April 23, 2025, Moelis & Company reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, showing a significant increase in revenue and net income compared to the previous year. The company’s revenue grew by 41% to $306.6 million, and net income rose to $53.8 million, driven by growth in M&A and capital markets. The firm continues to execute its growth strategy by expanding its team in Europe and maintains a strong balance sheet with no debt. The announcement highlights Moelis’ robust market positioning and its ability to navigate volatile markets, benefiting stakeholders with a declared regular quarterly dividend of $0.65 per share.

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.