Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI)

You're looking at Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI) not just for their impressive financial performance-like the $2.39 billion in revenue and $400 million in net income they delivered in fiscal year 2025-but for the bedrock principles that actually drove that growth. Do you know how a firm that dominates the restructuring and middle-market M\&A space translates core values like Integrity and Client Focus into a $5.82 diluted earnings per share (EPS) result? Understanding their Mission Statement and Core Values is the defintely the first step to mapping their near-term strategy, especially as they navigate the current M\&A recovery.

What specific, non-negotiable principles underpin their success as a top global independent investment bank, and how does that cultural DNA position them to capitalize on the next wave of distressed asset opportunities?

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI) Overview

You need a clear picture of what Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI) is doing right now, not a history lesson. Simply put, HLI is a multinational independent investment bank that has been a quiet powerhouse since its founding in Los Angeles in 1972. They don't have the huge balance sheet of the bulge-bracket banks, but they dominate the advisory space, which is pure, high-margin fee income.

Their business is structured around three core, non-lending segments. This model provides a critical counter-cyclical balance, meaning they make money when the market is hot (M&A) and when it's crashing (Restructuring).

• Corporate Finance (CF): Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and capital solutions.
• Financial Restructuring (FR): Advising debtors and creditors in distressed situations.
• Financial and Valuation Advisory (FVA): Fairness opinions, portfolio valuation, and complex financial analysis.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 (FY 2025), the firm reported record total revenues of $2.39 billion. That's a serious number for an independent advisor, and it shows their global reach and deep expertise are defintely paying off.

FY 2025 Financial Performance: A Record-Setting Year

Let's look at the latest full fiscal year data, which ended March 31, 2025. This was a record year for Houlihan Lokey, proving their diversified model works even as market conditions shift. Total revenue climbed to $2.39 billion, a substantial 25% increase from the prior fiscal year's $1.91 billion. That kind of growth in a complex advisory field is not luck; it's execution.

The key driver was the Corporate Finance segment, which is their main product line. CF revenues saw a massive jump, increasing by 38% year-over-year. This surge reflects a strong recovery in M&A activity and capital markets, where their deep middle-market relationships really shine. Here's the quick math on the other segments: Financial and Valuation Advisory revenue grew by 11%, while the traditionally counter-cyclical Financial Restructuring segment still managed a 4% increase, which is impressive given the CF strength.

This top-line growth translated directly to the bottom line. Net income for FY 2025 was reported at $400 million, resulting in a diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $5.82. For the six months ended September 30, 2025, the momentum continued, with revenues hitting $1.265 billion. It's a clean performance across the board.

Houlihan Lokey's Industry Leadership and Dual Strength

When you evaluate an investment bank, you look at league table rankings-they are the gold standard for measuring influence. Houlihan Lokey isn't just a participant; they are a leader in multiple critical advisory areas. They've been ranked the No. 1 Global Restructuring Advisor for over a decade, and the No. 1 M&A Fairness Opinion Advisor for more than 25 years, based on the number of transactions.

What makes them so successful is their dual strength: they are a top-tier M&A advisor when the economy is good, and the undisputed leader in Financial Restructuring when things turn sour. This counter-cyclical hedge provides a stability that few other independent firms can match. They are a market leader, having served over 2,000 clients annually.

This is a firm built on intellectual rigor, not just capital. If you want to understand the institutional money behind this success story and what their investor profile looks like, you should take a closer look. Exploring Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI) Investor Profile: Who's Buying and Why?

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI) Mission Statement

You're looking for the bedrock of a firm's strategy, and for Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI), the Mission Statement is defintely more than just a plaque on the wall; it's the operating manual for a global investment bank. It guides every major decision, from hiring to capital allocation, ensuring long-term goals align with daily client interactions.

The core statement is a multi-faceted commitment: We help our clients achieve superior outcomes by providing thoughtful, caring advice while acting with honor and integrity. We are strategic in our approach to growth and are committed to creating lasting value for our shareholders. We maintain an intellectually stimulating, fair, and fun place to work. We seek to improve our local and global communities through the responsible and direct actions of our firm and its people. This comprehensive approach is what drove the firm's fiscal year 2025 revenue to a record $2.39 billion, a 25% increase from the prior year.

Component 1: Client Success Through Thoughtful, Independent Advice

The first, and most critical, component of the mission centers on client success, emphasizing thoughtful, caring advice and unwavering integrity. This is the firm's competitive edge in a crowded market-being the trusted, independent advisor, not just a transaction facilitator. It's about intellectual rigor over volume.

This commitment translates directly into market leadership. Houlihan Lokey is the No. 1 global restructuring advisor for the past 11 years, and the No. 1 global M&A fairness opinion advisor over the past 25 years, based on the number of transactions. In the first half of 2025, the firm led the financial services sector in M&A advisory by volume. This focus on quality advice, especially in complex areas like financial restructuring (FR), is why that segment's revenue increased 4% in fiscal year 2025, even with market volatility.

• Prioritize client outcomes, not just fees.
• Deliver independent, unconflicted advice.
• Uphold honor and integrity in every deal.

Component 2: Creating Lasting Value for Shareholders and Strategic Growth

A mission must also address the capital providers. Houlihan Lokey's mission explicitly commits to creating lasting value for shareholders through a strategic approach to growth. This isn't about chasing short-term spikes; it's about disciplined expansion and financial health.

Here's the quick math: For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, the firm generated net income of $400 million, or $5.82 per diluted share. This is a significant jump from the prior year's $280 million. The growth is fueled by strategic expansion, such as the Corporate Finance (CF) segment, which saw revenues increase a massive 38% in fiscal year 2025. This growth is not accidental; it's the result of a strategy focused on deepening sector expertise and expanding its global footprint. If you want a deeper look at the numbers, you should read Breaking Down Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors.

• Grow strategically, not recklessly.
• Increase net income and diluted earnings per share.
• Expand global reach and sector coverage.

Component 3: Fostering an Intellectually Stimulating Culture and Community Impact

The final core component addresses the firm's people and its role in the broader community. The mission is clear: maintain an intellectually stimulating, fair, and fun place to work, while also seeking to improve local and global communities. This focus on culture and talent is a direct driver of the firm's ability to deliver on the first two components.

Houlihan Lokey's strategy includes consistently increasing its Managing Director headcount, growing from 65 in 2005 to 339 in 2025, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% over two decades. This continuous investment in top talent, even when rivals pull back, is what allowed the firm to handle 240 transactions through the third quarter of 2025 and be named the leading M&A advisor by volume. Plus, the firm's social commitment includes promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and engaging in charitable activities, ensuring its actions improve the communities where its employees live and work.

• Attract and retain the best financial talent.
• Promote a collaborative, fair, and fun workplace.
• Improve communities through direct, responsible actions.

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI) Vision Statement

You're looking for the clear roadmap that drives a top-tier investment bank, and for Houlihan Lokey, the vision is less a single lofty sentence and more a set of deeply embedded principles within their comprehensive mission. It's a trend-aware realist approach, focusing on measurable client impact and disciplined growth, not just abstract goals. This vision is what propelled them to a record fiscal year 2025, with revenues hitting an impressive $2.39 billion.

Honestly, the firm's vision is best understood by breaking down the mission statement into four core pillars. These pillars define their strategic posture in the market, from their advisory quality to their commitment to lasting shareholder value. It's a practical, actionable vision, not just words on a wall. Breaking Down Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors

Unwavering Commitment to Client Success and Superior Outcomes

The core of Houlihan Lokey's vision is simple: deliver superior outcomes through thoughtful, caring advice. This isn't a soft metric; it translates directly into market dominance. The firm consistently ranks No. 1 globally in M&A transactions by volume, handling 415 deals in calendar year 2024. That's a massive amount of deal flow, especially in the middle-market arena (deals typically valued at $1 billion and under).

Their deep sector expertise is the engine here. For instance, the Corporate Finance segment saw revenues jump 38% year-over-year in fiscal 2025, signaling that clients are defintely paying a premium for that specialized, non-conflicted advice. They're not chasing the biggest deals; they're focusing on the right ones, which is a key differentiator in volatile markets.

• Lead advisory in M&A volume.
• No. 1 in distressed debt and bankruptcy restructuring deals.
• Prioritize deep domain knowledge for synergy and scarcity value.

Strategic Growth and Lasting Shareholder Value

The vision demands creating lasting value for shareholders, and the 2025 fiscal year results show a clear execution of this strategy. The firm reported record revenues of $2.39 billion, a significant jump from the prior year. More importantly, Net Income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, was $400 million, or $5.82 per diluted share.

Here's the quick math: Adjusted Net Income was even stronger at $434 million, reflecting operational efficiency. This financial discipline allows them to increase the quarterly dividend to $0.60 per share, a 5% increase that signals confidence in their outlook for fiscal 2026. The growth is diversified, too: Corporate Finance revenues were up 38%, Financial Restructuring revenues grew 4%, and Financial and Valuation Advisory revenues increased 11%, proving their multi-segment resilience. They are expanding their team and sector coverage while rivals hold back.

A Culture of Integrity and Intellectual Stimulation

Maintaining an intellectually stimulating, fair, and fun place to work is a core value, but it's also a strategic necessity in a talent-driven business. You can't give thoughtful advice without top talent. The firm's strategy is to deepen sector expertise through targeted, strategic leadership hires, especially in high-growth areas like the Capital Solutions Group and Technology Group.

For example, the Technology Group is actively strengthening its advisory capabilities in AI-driven software and digital infrastructure, positioning the firm to capitalize on macroeconomic tailwinds in 2025 and beyond. This focus on specialized knowledge is what keeps the firm's advice precise and its culture competitive. The quality of the people-their intellect, drive, and vision-is what clients hire and stay for.

Improving Communities Through Responsible Action

The firm's vision extends beyond the P&L statement to improving local and global communities through responsible and direct actions. This translates to a strong social commitment focused on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the firm, alongside charitable and community-building activities.

This isn't just a corporate social responsibility (CSR) box-checking exercise; it's about building a sustainable, resilient organization. A diverse team is crucial for nuanced, global advisory work. By actively focusing on social commitment, Houlihan Lokey is building a firm that is better positioned to understand and serve a diverse, global client base, which ultimately stabilizes fee income and supports earnings despite macroeconomic shifts.

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI) Core Values

You're looking for the bedrock of a firm like Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI), the values that translate into performance and stability, and honestly, that's the smart money move. As a seasoned analyst, I can tell you the firm's success, evidenced by its record fiscal year 2025 revenues of nearly $2.39 billion, isn't just about market timing; it's a direct result of living its core values.

The firm's mission is clear: help clients achieve superior outcomes with thoughtful, caring advice, act with honor, and create lasting shareholder value while maintaining a great workplace and improving communities. This translates into five actionable core values that drive their global strategy, which you can see more of in Breaking Down Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors.

Client Focus and Superior Outcomes

This value is about intellectual rigor and independence, not just transaction volume. Houlihan Lokey's commitment here is quantifiable: they are consistently ranked No. 1 globally for M&A transaction volume, which means they are closing more deals than anyone else, period. Their Corporate Finance segment saw a massive 38% revenue increase for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, showing their advisory model is defintely resonating with clients.

The firm achieves this by digging deep into industry specifics, focusing on the mid-cap market, which accounts for about 98% of all deal activity. They deploy specialized teams across over 200 sector verticals globally. This deep specialization is why their Financial Restructuring segment remains a market leader, even when M&A activity is volatile. They put their knowledge on display at the 2025 ONE Houlihan Lokey Global Conference, which drew over 4,000 attendees and 380+ participating companies, showcasing their commitment to sharing real-time market insights.

Integrity and Honor in Action

In financial services, integrity is the ultimate currency. Houlihan Lokey defines this as acting with honor, transparency, and ethical behavior in all interactions. For a public company, this translates into rigorous governance and risk management.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors dedicates significant attention to continuously improving cybersecurity and internal controls, managing the risks of a growing global enterprise. This systematic enterprise risk management is crucial for maintaining client trust, especially when dealing with the complex, sensitive data associated with the $2.39 billion in revenue-generating transactions they handled in FY2025.

Strategic Growth and Lasting Value

A commitment to strategic growth means making calculated investments that create lasting value for shareholders, not just chasing short-term wins. For the fiscal year 2025, this focus delivered an adjusted net income of $434 million, or $6.29 per diluted share.

The firm's growth strategy is clear: expand their global footprint and deepen sector expertise. For example, in November 2025, they hired senior roles in their European business to actively deepen client relationships and grow market share. This focus on organic growth through talent acquisition is why their total employee headcount grew to 2,702 people as of March 31, 2025.

Great Workplace and Employee Development

The firm recognizes its people are its biggest asset, so maintaining an intellectually stimulating, fair, and fun place to work is a core value. This isn't just a poster on the wall; it's a tangible investment in human capital.

In 2025, they expanded role-specific training and cross-functional collaboration opportunities to promote employee development across all three business segments (Corporate Finance, Financial Restructuring, and Financial and Valuation Advisory). To support well-being, they continue to champion mental health programs, including supporting organizations like Active Minds in the U.S. They also run internal programs to foster inclusion and growth:

• Mentorship Exchange programs.
• Roundtable Events for Junior Professionals with Senior Leadership.
• Employee Communities for groups like Women Professionals and Veterans.

Giving Back to Communities

The final pillar is improving local and global communities through responsible and direct actions. This goes beyond writing a check; it involves dedicating the firm's most valuable resource-time-to charitable efforts.

Houlihan Lokey's Charitable Giving Program is structured to encourage broad employee participation. The flagship initiative is the Give a Day to Charity program, which allows every employee to volunteer up to two working days each year to local charities important to them, with the firm providing a matching financial contribution. This commitment to employee-led philanthropy ensures their social impact is diversified and deeply personal, supporting a wide range of organizations from Covenant House to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.