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PJT Partners Inc (PJT)
NYSE:PJT

PJT Partners (PJT) AI Stock Analysis

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PJT

PJT Partners

(NYSE:PJT)

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Outperform 71 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:71Outperform
Price Target:
$168.00
▲(13.52% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/27/26
The score is driven primarily by strong financial performance (improving revenue/profitability, solid cash generation, and a debt-free balance sheet) and a positive earnings call highlighting record results and capital returns. These strengths are tempered by weak technical momentum (below key moving averages with negative MACD) and only moderate valuation support (P/E ~22.5 with a low dividend yield).
Positive Factors
De-risked balance sheet: zero funded debt
PJT's elimination of funded debt and materially stronger equity provides lasting financial flexibility. A debt-free balance sheet reduces solvency risk, enables sustained capital returns and targeted hiring/investment, and cushions the firm through cyclical downturns without relying on external financing.
Strong cash generation and earnings quality
High operating and free cash flow that track earnings signal durable cash conversion and earnings quality. This supports repeatable buybacks, a sustainable dividend, and reinvestment in talent and platforms, helping PJT maintain strategic initiatives through varying market cycles.
Diversified, accelerating revenues and record profitability
Consistent, broad-based revenue gains across advisory, restructuring, and private capital reduce single-business dependence. Combined with margin expansion and record adjusted pretax income, this diversification creates multiple secular growth levers (restructuring tailwinds, private capital solutions) for durable earnings.
Negative Factors
Rising non-compensation expenses
Growth in fixed and semi-fixed non-comp costs (occupancy, travel, other operating expenses) increases the firm's breakeven and reduces operating leverage. Over time higher baseline expenses require sustained revenue growth to preserve margins and constrain free cash flow expansion if revenues slow.
Deal concentration and lower mid‑market activity
Heavy reliance on a smaller set of mega-deals heightens revenue volatility and creates concentration risk. A structurally lower mid-market deal count reduces consistent fee flow, making results more binary and tied to intermittent large transactions rather than stable deal cadence.
Weak primary fundraising market
A multi-year decline in primary fundraising structurally pressures placement and fund-raising revenue streams. While secondaries and structured solutions can offset some weakness, prolonged primary-market contraction forces strategic shifts, potential margin mix changes, and increased competition for residual capital-advisory opportunities.

PJT Partners (PJT) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

PJT Partners Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionPJT Partners Inc., an investment bank, provides various strategic and capital markets advisory, restructuring and special situations, and shareholder advisory services to corporations, financial sponsors, institutional investors, and governments worldwide. It offers advisory services to clients on various transactions, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), spin-offs, activism defense, contested M&A, joint ventures, minority investments, and divestitures. The company also advises private and public company boards and management teams on strategies for building productive investor relationships with a focus on shareholder engagement; and strategic investor relations; environmental, social, and governance matters; and other investor-related matters. In addition, it provides advisory services related to debt and acquisition financings; structured product offerings; public equity raises, including initial public offering and SPAC offerings; and private capital raises for early and later stage companies, as well as other capital structure related matters. Further, the company offers advisory services in restructurings and recapitalizations; and serving a range of companies, creditors, and financial sponsors on liability management and related capital raise transactions, including exchanges, recapitalizations, reorganizations, debt repurchases, and distressed mergers and acquisitions. Additionally, it provides private fund advisory and fundraising services for a range of investment strategies; and advisory services to GPs and LPs on liquidity and other structured solutions in the secondary market. The company was formerly known as Blackstone Advisory Inc. and changed its name to PJT Partners Inc. in March 2015. PJT Partners Inc. was incorporated in 2014 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
How the Company Makes MoneyPJT Partners generates revenue primarily through advisory fees from its core services, which include mergers and acquisitions, financial restructuring, and special situations advisory. The company charges fees based on the size and complexity of the transactions it advises on, typically receiving a percentage of the deal value. Additionally, PJT earns revenue from private capital advisory services, which involve assisting clients in raising capital from institutional investors. The firm may also benefit from performance-related fees tied to successful outcomes in restructuring cases. Key partnerships and relationships with private equity firms, hedge funds, and institutional investors enhance its deal flow and client base, contributing significantly to its earnings.

PJT Partners Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue by Type
Revenue by Type
Breaks down sales by service line—such as advisory, restructuring, or asset management—so you can see which businesses drive growth and profit. Reveals how much revenue is transactional and cyclical versus more stable or recurring, helping gauge sensitivity to deal markets and the firm’s margin profile.
Chart InsightsAdvisory fees are the clear growth engine—recent sustained strength and large quarter spikes reflect bigger strategic-advisory and restructuring mandates (consistent with management’s record-revenue commentary and margin improvement). Placement fees have recovered from 2023 troughs, suggesting a gradual pickup in capital markets activity, while interest/other remains immaterial. The key risk: revenue is lumpy and tied to deal timing and fundraising cycles (Park Hill weakness), so continued outperformance depends on maintaining deal flow even as operating expenses rise.
Data provided by:The Fly

PJT Partners Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 03, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 05, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call emphasized multiple record-setting financial and operational achievements (revenues +15% YoY, record adjusted EPS, best quarters across strategic advisory, restructuring, and Park Hill), strong balance sheet and active capital return to shareholders. Management also highlighted durable demand in restructuring, an expanding private capital solutions opportunity, and ongoing talent investments. Headwinds include rising non-compensation costs, a challenged primary fundraising market, some concentration of deal activity in mega-cap transactions, and macro/AI/geopolitical uncertainties. Overall, positives substantially outweigh the noted challenges.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Financial Performance
Full year 2025 total revenues of $1.714 billion (up 15% YoY), record adjusted pretax income of $357 million, and record adjusted if-converted EPS of $6.98 (up ~34% YoY from $5.20). Fourth quarter revenues were $535 million (up 12% YoY) with adjusted EPS of $2.55 (up ~34% YoY from $1.90).
Strong Quarterly Results Across Businesses
All businesses delivered record revenues in 2025; the firm reported record quarters in Strategic Advisory, Restructuring, and PJT Park Hill, and pierced $500 million in revenues in Q4 for the first time.
Restructuring Momentum
Demand for liability management and restructuring advice remained elevated; PJT delivered its best restructuring quarter and best restructuring year ever, and management expects a multiyear period of elevated restructuring activity driven by industry-specific stress and capital structure dynamics.
PJT Park Hill Strength and Private Capital Solutions
PJT Park Hill delivered its strongest quarter ever and full-year results exceeded 2024; management expects private capital solutions, secondaries and structured products to offset any primary fundraising weakness and to be a growing revenue driver.
Improved Compensation Efficiency
Full year adjusted compensation expense was $1.15 billion with a compensation ratio of 67.1% (down from 69.0% in 2024). Q4 compensation ratio was 66.2%, reflecting operating leverage versus the prior year.
Solid Capital Position and Shareholder Returns
Record cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $586 million and net working capital of $632 million; no funded debt outstanding. Spent a record $384 million on share repurchases (approximately 2.4 million shares/equivalents) and the Board approved a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share.
Headcount and Talent Investment
Continued investment in senior talent with firm-wide partner headcount up 12% and total headcount up 7% for the year, consistent with management’s strategy to expand capabilities and geographic footprint.
Strong Profitability Margins and Tax Benefit
Adjusted pretax margin of 20.8% for the full year and 23.7% for Q4. Full-year effective tax rate was 14.1% (below prior estimate of 15.5%) due to a realized tax benefit from delivery of vested shares; management estimates a 2026 tax rate in the high teens.
Negative Updates
Rising Non-Compensation Costs
Full year adjusted non-compensation expense rose to $207 million (up 12% YoY) driven by higher occupancy (additional space in New York and London) and travel/business-related expenses. Q4 non-comp expense was $54 million (up 16% YoY). Management expects non-comp expense to grow at a similar rate in 2026.
Challenged Primary Fundraising Environment
Global primary fundraising volumes declined for the fourth consecutive year, creating headwinds for the traditional placement/fundraising business and shifting emphasis to secondaries and private capital solutions.
Concentration and Market Sensitivity Risks
2025 performance was aided by a mega-cap, high-volume M&A environment (management called 2025 the second-best year for announced M&A activity). Deal count remains down (notably in sub-$1B transactions), creating some concentration risk if large-deal momentum softens.
Uncertainty in 2026 Compensation Guidance
While the compensation ratio improved in 2025, management did not provide a firm 2026 comp ratio guidance and indicated the pace of further improvement depends on market strength and ongoing hiring/investment decisions.
Potential Talent Competition and Reporting Changes
Management acknowledged ongoing talent competition (including independent spinouts in the industry) and announced a change to report revenues as a single line item (removing advisory/placement/other breakouts), which may reduce segment-level transparency for investors.
Macro and Geopolitical Uncertainties
Management highlighted risks that could quickly change market sentiment — geopolitical risks, debates around the pace of AI development and capital deployment — which could affect deal flow and outlook despite current positive positioning.
Company Guidance
PJT provided limited forward guidance and will give more detailed 2026 estimates at its Q1 report, but offered several directional metrics: it expects 2026 total non‑compensation expense to grow at a rate similar to 2025 (2025 adjusted non‑comp expense $207M, +12% YoY; Q4 $54M, +16% YoY; non‑comp as a % of revenue 12.1% FY and 10.1% Q4); its current estimate for the 2026 effective tax rate is in the high‑teens (2025 rate 14.1%, below a prior 15.5% estimate); it will provide a 2026 compensation ratio in Q1 (2025 adjusted comp expense $1.15B, comp ratio 67.1% FY and 66.2% Q4); capital priorities remain investing in the firm while returning capital — PJT ended 2025 with $586M cash, $632M net working capital, no funded debt, repurchased ~2.4M shares and spent $384M on buybacks, intends to exchange up to 850k partnership units for cash (subject to Board approval), and the Board approved a $0.25 quarterly dividend — and the company will report revenues as a single line going forward (2025 adjusted pretax income $357M, 20.8% margin; Q4 $127M, 23.7%; adjusted if‑converted EPS $6.98 FY and $2.55 Q4).

PJT Partners Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong overall fundamentals: accelerating revenue and improved profitability in 2025, robust cash generation closely tracking earnings, and a sharply de-risked balance sheet with zero debt and higher equity. Main offset is margin variability and a slight year-over-year plateau in free cash flow growth.
Income Statement
78
Positive
Revenue has grown meaningfully from 2023 to 2025, with 2025 showing strong year-over-year acceleration. Profitability also improved in 2025 with higher operating and EBITDA margins versus prior years, supporting a stronger earnings profile. The main drawback is that net margin remains in the low-double-digits and has been somewhat variable over time, indicating earnings sensitivity to the operating environment.
Balance Sheet
87
Very Positive
The balance sheet strengthened sharply in 2025 with total debt dropping to zero and equity rising substantially, resulting in a very conservative capital structure. This reduces financial risk and improves flexibility. A watch item is that prior years showed meaningful leverage (debt-to-equity well above 1x at times), so the improvement is significant but also highlights historical variability in balance-sheet positioning.
Cash Flow
82
Very Positive
Cash generation is strong, with operating cash flow and free cash flow both high and closely tracking net income, which suggests solid earnings quality. Free cash flow remained robust in 2025, though growth was slightly negative year over year, indicating some near-term plateauing. Overall cash flow stability looks favorable, but investors should monitor the trajectory after a very strong prior-year base.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.71B1.49B1.15B1.03B991.95M
Gross Profit908.92M461.11M347.80M356.36M351.90M
EBITDA419.36M331.61M245.06M267.35M280.31M
Net Income180.12M134.39M81.80M90.53M106.17M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.84B1.64B1.43B1.05B987.63M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments538.86M483.88M355.54M173.24M200.48M
Total Debt413.92M354.52M330.60M135.63M157.01M
Total Liabilities834.21M733.69M573.81M291.09M350.05M
Stockholders Equity308.25M187.01M244.67M185.11M120.23M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow527.65M527.65M437.61M239.30M117.69M
Operating Cash Flow530.95M530.95M441.53M242.73M124.16M
Investing Cash Flow8.06M8.06M-34.35M-53.23M131.35M
Financing Cash Flow-408.68M-408.68M-228.08M-210.02M-353.38M

PJT Partners Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price147.99
Price Trends
50DMA
168.58
Negative
100DMA
169.55
Negative
200DMA
170.29
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-6.41
Positive
RSI
33.11
Neutral
STOCH
40.69
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For PJT, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 147.99 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 155.73, below the 50-day MA of 168.58, and below the 200-day MA of 170.29, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -6.41 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 33.11 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 40.69 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for PJT.

PJT Partners Risk Analysis

PJT Partners disclosed 33 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. PJT Partners 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

PJT Partners Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
71
Outperform
$7.19B22.1072.74%0.58%23.16%64.04%
71
Outperform
$4.80B20.1846.14%3.69%51.19%456.59%
70
Outperform
$12.46B21.9831.66%0.95%27.00%63.47%
68
Neutral
$18.00B11.429.92%3.81%9.73%1.22%
62
Neutral
$5.42B18.6821.65%1.63%12.77%36.43%
60
Neutral
$4.77B21.3630.59%4.06%1.58%1.93%
50
Neutral
$1.68B39.591.62%-12.44%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
PJT
PJT Partners
147.99
-8.31
-5.32%
EVR
Evercore Partners
314.48
83.83
36.35%
LAZ
Lazard
50.80
4.04
8.64%
PIPR
Piper Sandler
304.35
26.80
9.66%
MC
Moelis
59.65
-5.74
-8.78%
PWP
Perella Weinberg Partners
18.66
-3.28
-14.93%
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 27, 2026