Houlihan Lokey Inc (HLI)vsJPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM)
HLI
Houlihan Lokey Inc
$129.00
+1.11%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $8.77B
JPM
JPMorgan Chase & Co
$357.52
+0.34%
FINANCIAL SERVICES · Cap: $916.31B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
JPMorgan Chase & Co generates 7284% more annual revenue ($186.33B vs $2.52B). JPM leads profitability with a 34.9% profit margin vs 16.1%. JPM appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.72. JPM earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 81/100 (A-).
HLI
Hold48
out of 100
Grade: D+
JPM
Exceptional Buy81
out of 100
Grade: A-
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Keeps 35 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Strong operational efficiency at 50.4%
Revenue surging 30.4% year-over-year
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Reasonable price relative to book value
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
Revenue declined 15.6%
Earnings declined 19.0%
Expensive relative to growth rate
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
Distress zone — elevated risk
Elevated debt levels
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : HLI
The strongest argument for HLI centers on Debt/Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 16.1% and operating margin at 18.0%.
Bull Case : JPM
The strongest argument for JPM centers on Market Cap, Profit Margin, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 34.9% and operating margin at 50.4%. Revenue growth of 30.4% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bear Case : HLI
The primary concerns for HLI are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth.
Bear Case : JPM
The primary concerns for JPM are PEG Ratio, Free Cash Flow, Altman Z-Score. Debt-to-equity of 3.30 is elevated, increasing financial risk.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
HLI profiles as a declining stock while JPM is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.
JPM carries more volatility with a beta of 0.98 — expect wider price swings.
JPM is growing revenue faster at 30.4% — sustainability is the question.
HLI generates stronger free cash flow (287M), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
JPM scores higher overall (81/100 vs 48/100), backed by strong 34.9% margins and 30.4% revenue growth. Both earn "Exceptional Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Houlihan Lokey Inc
FINANCIAL SERVICES · CAPITAL MARKETS · USA
Houlihan Lokey, Inc., an investment banking firm, provides valuation and financial advisory services, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) globally. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.
JPMorgan Chase & Co
FINANCIAL SERVICES · BANKS - DIVERSIFIED · USA
JPMorgan Chase & Co. is an American multinational investment bank and financial services holding company headquartered in New York City. JPMorgan Chase is incorporated in Delaware. As a Bulge Bracket bank, it is a major provider of various investment banking and financial services. It is one of America's Big Four banks, along with Bank of America, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo. JPMorgan Chase is considered to be a universal bank and a custodian bank. The J.P. Morgan brand is used by the investment banking, asset management, private banking, private wealth management, and treasury services divisions.
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