Dividend Power Score
A single, comprehensive score designed to measure the true strength of a company’s dividend.
This score combines three essential pillars of dividend quality:
Consistency – Measures how reliable the dividend has been over time, focusing on payment history, stability, and the absence of cuts or suspensions.
Payability – Assesses the company’s financial ability to sustain its dividend, taking into account cash flow, earnings coverage, balance sheet strength, and overall financial health.
Growth – Evaluates the long-term growth of both the dividend and the company’s share price, highlighting businesses that consistently increase payouts while creating shareholder value.
Higher scores identify companies that have historically delivered dependable income alongside sustained dividend growth and long-term capital appreciation.
Company Overview
Houlihan Lokey, Inc. is a global investment banking firm specializing in corporate finance, financial restructuring, and valuation and advisory services. The company operates within the investment banking and financial advisory industries and is best known for its leadership in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory, restructuring and liability management, and valuation, financial opinions, and disputes advisory. Houlihan Lokey primarily serves corporate clients, private equity firms, institutional investors, financial sponsors, and government entities.
The firm differentiates itself through its focus on advisory-only services, avoiding lending and principal investing, which positions it as an independent advisor with reduced conflicts of interest. Founded in 1972, Houlihan Lokey evolved from a regional advisory firm into a globally recognized investment bank through organic growth and targeted acquisitions, culminating in its initial public offering in 2015. Today, it is widely recognized for its strong market position in middle-market and complex advisory assignments.
Business Operations
Houlihan Lokey operates through three primary business segments: Corporate Finance, Financial Restructuring, and Valuation and Financial Advisory Services. The Corporate Finance segment focuses on M&A advisory, capital raising, and strategic advisory services, with a particular emphasis on middle-market transactions. The Financial Restructuring segment provides advisory services to companies, creditors, and stakeholders involved in bankruptcies, distressed situations, and liability management transactions. The Valuation and Financial Advisory Services segment delivers valuation opinions, fairness opinions, financial reporting valuations, and advisory services related to disputes and compliance.
The company operates globally, with integrated teams across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. Houlihan Lokey controls its advisory platforms and intellectual capital internally, relying on sector-focused banker teams rather than proprietary technologies or balance sheet assets. The firm operates through numerous wholly owned subsidiaries, including Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc., and maintains regulatory registrations in multiple jurisdictions to support its international operations.
Strategic Position & Investments
Houlihan Lokey’s strategic direction emphasizes continued expansion of its global advisory platform, deepening industry vertical expertise, and growing its presence in higher-growth international markets. Growth initiatives have focused on hiring senior bankers, expanding sector coverage, and selectively acquiring advisory firms that enhance geographic reach or service capabilities.
Notable acquisitions have included GCA Corporation, which significantly expanded Houlihan Lokey’s technology and international M&A advisory presence, particularly in Europe and Asia. The firm has also invested in building capabilities in emerging sectors such as technology, healthcare, financial services, and energy transition-related industries. Houlihan Lokey does not operate a traditional investment portfolio, as its business model is centered on advisory services rather than proprietary investing.
Geographic Footprint
Houlihan Lokey is headquartered in North America, with its principal executive offices in Los Angeles, California, and maintains a significant presence across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. The firm operates offices in major financial centers including New York, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Dubai, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Sydney, among others.
The company’s international footprint supports cross-border advisory mandates and reflects its strategy of serving global clients with localized expertise. Houlihan Lokey’s market presence spans multiple continents, enabling it to advise on transactions involving multinational corporations, international restructurings, and global valuation engagements.
Leadership & Governance
Houlihan Lokey was founded by Patrick J. Houlihan and James B. Lokey, whose vision emphasized independent, conflict-free financial advice. The firm continues to be led by executives with long tenures at the company, reinforcing a partnership-oriented culture and long-term strategic focus.
Key members of the leadership team include:
- Scott L. Beiser – Chief Executive Officer
- Patrick J. Houlihan – Executive Chairman
- Irwin Gold – Co-President, Corporate Finance
- David A. Prebenna – Co-President, Corporate Finance
- Christopher M. Crain – Chief Financial Officer
- John M. McGarry – Chief Operating Officer
The leadership philosophy emphasizes client service, sector specialization, and disciplined growth while maintaining independence and managing risk through an advisory-only business model.