View source for Company:Houlihan Lokey

{{Infobox company
| name = Houlihan Lokey, Inc.
| logo = 2017 Houlihan Lokey logo small.jpg
| logo_size = 250px
| type = [[Finance:Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{NYSE|HLI}} (Class A)<br>[[Company:Russell 2000 Index|Russell 2000 Component]]
| key_people = Irwin Gold (Executive Chairman) <br> Scott Beiser (CEO) <br> Scott Adelson (Co-President) <br> David Preiser (Co-President)
| industry = [[Finance:Investment banking|Investment banking]]
| products = Financial Services<br />[[Finance:Investment bank|Investment Banking]]
| revenue = 
| net_income = 
| num_employees = 1,328 (May 2018)
| foundation = {{start date and age|1972}}
| location = Constellation Place<br>Los Angeles, California, United States
| homepage = [http://www.hl.com www.hl.com]
}}

[[File:MGM Tower.jpg|thumb|Constellation Place, the global headquarters of the firm]]
'''Houlihan Lokey, Inc.,''' is American multinational independent investment bank and [[Finance:Financial services|financial services]] company. Houlihan Lokey was founded in 1972 and is headquartered at Constellation Place in Century City, Los Angeles, California.<ref>Vincent, Roger. "[http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-energy-cells-20120203,0,5698205.story Energy cells help power Century City skyscraper]." ''{{wipe|Los Angeles Times}}''. February 5, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2012.</ref> The firm advises large public and closely held companies as well as institutions and governments.<ref>"[http://www.hl.com]." Houlihan Lokey. Retrieved December 19, 2011. "Registered Office : 1930 Century Park West  Los Angeles, CA 90067-6802, United States"</ref> Its main service lines include [[Social:Mergers and acquisitions|mergers and acquisitions]], capital markets, [[Social:Restructuring|restructuring]] and distressed M&A, fairness opinions, and [[Finance:Valuation|valuations]]. As of May 31, 2018, Houlihan Lokey employed more than 1,300 employees worldwide.<ref name="hl">{{cite web|url=http://investors.hl.com/Cache/1500095471.PDF|author=J. Lerdsu|date=February 1, 2017|title=Investor Presentation, February 2017|publisher=Houlihan Lokey |accessdate=September 7, 2017}}</ref>

In 2017, Houlihan Lokey was named the No. 1 M&A Advisor for All U.S. Transactions, the No. 1 Global Investment Banking Restructuring Advisor, and a Top 10 Most Active Global M&A Advisor by [[Company:Thomson Reuters|Thomson Reuters]].<ref name=":0" /> In 2016, Houlihan Lokey was named the No. 1 M&A Advisor for all U.S. transactions, the No. 1 Global M&A Fairness Opinion Advisor, and the No. 1 Global Investment Banking Restructuring Advisor by [[Company:Thomson Reuters|Thomson Reuters]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hl.com/us/aboutus.aspx|title=Houlihan Lokey About Us|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|accessdate=June 14, 2016}}</ref>

== History ==

===1970s===
Houlihan Lokey was founded in Los Angeles in 1972 as a provider of general business advisory services to privately held companies. The 1974 passage of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act launched the firm’s [[Finance:Valuation|valuation]] business by creating demand for independent valuations of private businesses, particularly those that had formed employee stock ownership programs.

===1980s===
In 1986, Kenneth Friedman founded and became President of Houlihan Lokey’s investment banking broker dealer to provide M&A advisory services and to raise debt and equity financing. Friedman formed the investment bank to provide Wall Street level expertise to the expanding investment banking demands of Houlihan Lokey’s clients and other middle market companies. By 1987, many of the highly leveraged transactions completed earlier in the decade were starting to exhibit signs of financial distress. Accordingly, a market was developing for financial restructuring advisory services. To position itself to serve this burgeoning market, the investment banking broker-dealer purchased Cheviot Capital Corporation in 1987 and, led by Jeff Werbalowsky and Irwin Gold, began assembling what would become an active, dominant, worldwide financial restructuring group.

With the surge of mergers, acquisitions, and leveraged buyouts, Wall Street’s large investment banking firms began calling on Houlihan Lokey for independent valuation expertise in fairness, solvency, and employee stock ownership plan ([[Finance:Employee stock ownership plan|ESOP]]) opinions. The firm advised on transactions valued at more than $100&nbsp;billion during this period. The firm also started to offer estate planning valuation services. In addition, the firm opened several offices in the 1980s in {{wipe|New York City}}, {{wipe|San Francisco}}, and {{wipe|Chicago}}.

===1990s===
Houlihan Lokey opened eight offices across the U.S. in the 1980s and 1990s as it expanded. In 1995, to grow its information services division, Houlihan Lokey acquired Mergerstat, a publishing company with a 30-year history in analytical M&A research, from Merrill Lynch.

===2000s===
In 2001, Houlihan Lokey launched its first non-U.S. office by expanding into [[Place:London|London]]. It also expanded its industry group platform and [[Finance:Private equity|private equity]] coverage program in keeping with investment banking trends.

In 2002, Houlihan Lokey advised the official creditors committees in three large bankruptcies: WorldCom, Enron, and Conseco.

In 2005, the firm opened a [[Place:Paris|Paris]] office.

In 2006, the firm opened a Frankfurt office. Also in 2006, Houlihan Lokey agreed to merge with ORIX USA, the U.S. corporate lending operations of ORIX Corp. of Japan, to address the growing international demand for middle-market investment banking services.

In 2007, Houlihan Lokey expanded into Asia, opening offices in Hong Kong and Tokyo. Within the next three years, the firm also opened an office in [[Place:Beijing|Beijing]].

In 2008, Houlihan Lokey advised the creditors of Lehman Brothers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/lehman-fees/judge-in-lehman-bankruptcy-backs-158-mln-in-professional-fees-idUSL1E8ME02A20121114|title=Judge in Lehman bankruptcy backs $158 mln in professional fees|date=November 14, 2012|publisher=|via=Reuters}}</ref>

===2010s===
In 2010, Houlihan Lokey bought a sizable minority stake in Avista Advisory Group, a then decade-old advisory group. This gave the firm offices in both Mumbai and Singapore.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hl.com/us/press/news/2380.aspx|title=Houlihan Unveils Indian Partnership|website=www.hl.com|accessdate=April 18, 2017}}</ref>

In 2013, Houlihan Lokey expanded its Financial Institutions Group through the acquisition of Milestone Advisors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hl.com/press/Milestone.aspx|title=HOULIHAN LOKEY SIGNIFICANTLY EXPANDS FINANCIAL SERVICES COVERAGE WITH ACQUISITION OF MILESTONE ADVISORS, LLC|website=www.hl.com|accessdate=September 6, 2016}}</ref> The firm also launched the Illiquid Financial Assets practice to advise on the sales of assets such as stakes in loan pools, life settlements, minority positions, pharmaceutical royalties, and operating leases.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-09-23/houlihan-lokey-to-double-team-focused-on-illiquid-sales|title=Houlihan Lokey to Double Team Focused on Illiquid Sales|last=Willmer|first=Sabrina|website=Bloomberg.com|accessdate=September 6, 2016}}</ref>

In 2014, Houlihan Lokey strengthened its capabilities and coverage for clients across the technology sector with the acquisition of ArchPoint Partners.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304020104579431592228227548|title=Houlihan Lokey to Acquire ArchPoint Partners|last=Demos|first=Telis|date=March 11, 2014|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|accessdate=September 6, 2016}}</ref>

In 2015, Houlihan Lokey acquired management consulting firm Bridge Strategy Group,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/moneybeat/2014/08/12/houlihan-lokey-opens-a-new-front-for-boutiques-consulting/|title=Houlihan Lokey Opens A New Front For Boutiques: Consulting|last=Demos|first=Telis|accessdate=September 6, 2016}}</ref> digital media and entertainment focused investment bank MESA Securities,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/biz/news/houlihan-lokey-acquires-mesa-1201525005/|title=Houlihan Lokey Acquires Mesa Securities|last=Lang|first=Brent|date=June 22, 2015|language=en-US|accessdate=September 6, 2016}}</ref> London-based consumer-focused firm McQueen Ltd.,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hl.com/uk/press/pressreleases/5239.aspx|title=HOULIHAN LOKEY EXPANDS CONSUMER, FOOD AND RETAIL PRESENCE IN EUROPE WITH ACQUISITION OF LONDON-BASED CORPORATE ADVISORY FIRM McQUEEN LIMITED|website=www.hl.com|accessdate=September 6, 2016}}</ref> and operations of the Continental European investment bank Leonardo & Co.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.privateequitywire.co.uk/2015/11/18/233891/houlihan-lokey-expands-operations-continental-europe|title=Houlihan Lokey expands operations in continental Europe|date=November 18, 2015|website=Private Equity Wire|accessdate=September 6, 2016}}</ref> Also in 2015, Houlihan Lokey acquired the investment banking operations of Leonardo & Co. NV in Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain, and became a minority partner in a joint venture with the management team of Leonardo in respect to Leonardo’s investment banking operations in Italy. This gave the firm offices in both Rome and Milan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hl.com/us/leonardo.aspx|title=Leonardo {{!}} Houlihan Lokey|website=www.hl.com|accessdate=April 18, 2017}}</ref> On August 13, 2015, Houlihan Lokey completed its initial public offering, beginning trading as HLI on the NYSE.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-houlihan-lokey-ipo-20150814-story.html|title=Houlihan Lokey shares rise in trading debut|last=Times|first=Los Angeles|website=latimes.com|accessdate=September 6, 2016}}</ref>

In January 2017, Houlihan Lokey acquired Black Stone IP, a leader in Tech+IP advisory work.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hl.com/us/black-stone-ip-acquisition.aspx|title=Black Stone IP {{!}} Houlihan Lokey|website=www.hl.com|accessdate=April 18, 2017}}</ref>

In January 2018, Houlihan Lokey acquired Quayle Munro Limited, an independent advisory firm focused on providing corporate finance advisory services to companies in the data & analytics sector.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hl.com/us/press/pressreleases/12884902790.aspx|title=HOULIHAN LOKEY ACQUIRES QUAYLE MUNRO LIMITED AND ESTABLISHES A NEW GLOBAL DATA & ANALYTICS GROUP|website=www.hl.com|access-date=2018-07-25}}</ref> In May 2018, the firm acquired BearTooth Advisors, an independent advisory firm that provided strategic advisory and placement agency services to alternative investment managers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hl.com/pressdetail.aspx?id=12884903175|title=HOULIHAN LOKEY ACQUIRES BEARTOOTH ADVISORS, ESTABLISHING A NEW GLOBAL PRIVATE FUNDS GROUP|website=www.hl.com|access-date=2018-07-25}}</ref>

== Operations==

=== Financial restructuring ===
The financial [[Social:Restructuring|restructuring]] team has approximately 200 professionals worldwide, and every assignment is staffed with professionals who facilitate the completion of [[Finance:Due diligence|due diligence]] and analysis. Houlihan Lokey has advised several extremely complicated deals, and between 2007 and 2017 the firm advised on more than 1,000 restructuring transactions, with aggregate debt claims in excess of $2.5 trillion, including the five largest of all time: Lehman Brothers, Washington Mutual, WorldCom, [[Company:General Motors|General Motors]] and [[Company:CIT Group|CIT Group]].

=== Corporate finance ===
[[Finance:Corporate finance|Corporate finance]] is best known for offering mergers & acquisitions and capital markets advisory services. The firm has advised public and private institutions on buy-side and sell-side transactions as well as leveraged loans, private mezzanine debt, high-yield debt, IPOs, follow-ons, convertibles, PIPEs, private equity, and liability management transactions. The company has also developed an expertise in advising financial sponsors on all types of transactions, effectively creating one of the largest financial sponsors groups on Wall Street.

=== Financial advisory services ===
This division offers opinion services, transaction & valuation reporting services, real estate valuation & advisory, portfolio valuation, and financial consulting to company owners, managers, and special committees in their interactions with auditors and regulators.

== Industries ==
Houlihan Lokey's industry coverage groups include Business Services; Consumer, Food & Retail; Data & Analytics; Energy; Financial Institutions; Healthcare; Industrials; Real Estate, Lodging & Leisure; and Technology, Media & Telecom.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hl.com/us/industrycoverage.aspx|title=Industry Coverage {{!}} Houlihan Lokey|website=www.hl.com|access-date=2018-07-25}}</ref>

==Office locations==
{{Col-begin|width=95%}}{{Col-1-of-4|valign=|align=}}
{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Place:Amsterdam|Amsterdam]]<br />
{{flagicon|USA}} Atlanta<br />
{{flagicon|China}} [[Place:Beijing|Beijing]]<br />
{{flagicon|USA}} {{wipe|Chicago}}<br />
{{flagicon|USA}} Dallas<br />
{{Flagicon|United Arab Emirates}} Dubai<br />
{{Col-2-of-4|align=|valign=}}
{{flagicon|Germany}} Frankfurt<br />
{{flagicon|Hong Kong}} [[Place:Hong Kong|Hong Kong]]<br />
{{flagicon|USA}} Houston<br />
{{flagicon|UK}} [[Place:London|London]]<br />
{{flagicon|USA}} {{wipe|Los Angeles}}<br />
{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Place:Madrid|Madrid]]<br />
{{Col-3-of-4|align=}}
{{flagicon|USA}} Miami<br />
{{flagicon|Italy}} Milan<br />
{{flagicon|USA}} Minneapolis<br />
{{flagicon|USA}} {{wipe|New York City}}<br />
{{flagicon|France}} [[Place:Paris|Paris]]<br />
{{flagicon|USA}} {{wipe|San Francisco}}<br />
{{Col-4-of-4|align=}}
{{flagicon|Singapore}} [[Place:Singapore|Singapore]]<br />
{{flagicon|Australia}} [[Place:Sydney|Sydney]]<br />
{{flagicon|Japan}} [[Place:Tokyo|Tokyo]]<br />
{{flagicon|USA}} [[Place:Washington, D.C.|Washington, D.C.]]<br />
{{Col-end}}

== Notes and references ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.hl.com/ Official website]

{{Major investment banks}}

[[Category:Investment banks]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Companies (Finance)]]
[[Category:Companies]]

{{Sourceattribution|Houlihan Lokey|1}}