HLI vs. MSCI: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 23, 2025

Here’s a clear look at HLI and MSCI, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	HLI	MSCI
Company Name	Houlihan Lokey, Inc.	MSCI Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Financials	Financials
GICS Industry	Capital Markets	Capital Markets
Market Capitalization	13.56 billion USD	44.43 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	August 13, 2015	November 15, 2007
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of HLI and MSCI by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

HLI vs. MSCI: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	HLI	MSCI
5-Day Price Return	-0.70%	1.51%
13-Week Price Return	7.78%	0.28%
26-Week Price Return	8.02%	0.34%
52-Week Price Return	26.24%	2.45%
Month-to-Date Return	1.12%	2.30%
Year-to-Date Return	11.02%	-4.29%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.36M	0.55M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.38M	0.62M
3-Month Volatility	18.47%	26.84%
Beta	0.90	1.35

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

HLI

19.47%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 21.61%
Median: 13.77%
Q1: 8.31%
Min: -4.25%

HLI’s Return on Equity of 19.47% is on par with the norm for the Capital Markets industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

MSCI

108.67%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 21.61%
Median: 13.77%
Q1: 8.31%
Min: -4.25%

MSCI’s Return on Equity of 108.67% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Capital Markets industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

HLI vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

HLI

16.46%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 66.67%
Q3: 35.11%
Median: 23.49%
Q1: 13.63%
Min: -15.18%

HLI’s Net Profit Margin of 16.46% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Capital Markets industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

MSCI

39.46%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 66.67%
Q3: 35.11%
Median: 23.49%
Q1: 13.63%
Min: -15.18%

A Net Profit Margin of 39.46% places MSCI in the upper quartile for the Capital Markets industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

HLI vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

HLI

19.98%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 86.40%
Q3: 46.46%
Median: 32.80%
Q1: 18.32%
Min: -21.87%

HLI’s Operating Profit Margin of 19.98% is around the midpoint for the Capital Markets industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

MSCI

53.86%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 86.40%
Q3: 46.46%
Median: 32.80%
Q1: 18.32%
Min: -21.87%

An Operating Profit Margin of 53.86% places MSCI in the upper quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

HLI vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	HLI	MSCI
Return on Equity (TTM)	19.47%	108.67%
Return on Assets (TTM)	11.64%	21.86%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	16.46%	39.46%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	19.98%	53.86%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	--	82.18%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

HLI

0.97

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.76
Q3: 1.89
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.54
Min: -0.41

For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

MSCI

0.86

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.76
Q3: 1.89
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.54
Min: -0.41

For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

HLI vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

HLI

0.01

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.62
Q3: 2.84
Median: 1.02
Q1: 0.32
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.

MSCI

6.80

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.62
Q3: 2.84
Median: 1.02
Q1: 0.32
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.

HLI vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

HLI

1,833.19

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 126.03
Q3: 60.98
Median: 11.77
Q1: 4.95
Min: -36.26

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.

MSCI

9.26

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 126.03
Q3: 60.98
Median: 11.77
Q1: 4.95
Min: -36.26

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.

HLI vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	HLI	MSCI
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.97	0.86
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.97	0.77
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.01	6.80
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	1,833.19	9.26

Growth

Revenue Growth

HLI vs. MSCI: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

HLI vs. MSCI: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

HLI

1.21%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.26%
Q3: 4.86%
Median: 2.78%
Q1: 1.22%
Min: 0.00%

HLI’s Dividend Yield of 1.21% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

MSCI

1.21%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.26%
Q3: 4.86%
Median: 2.78%
Q1: 1.22%
Min: 0.00%

MSCI’s Dividend Yield of 1.21% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

HLI vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

HLI

41.33%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 200.72%
Q3: 101.92%
Median: 57.97%
Q1: 32.36%
Min: 0.00%

HLI’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 41.33% is within the typical range for the Capital Markets industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

MSCI

45.34%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 200.72%
Q3: 101.92%
Median: 57.97%
Q1: 32.36%
Min: 0.00%

MSCI’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 45.34% is within the typical range for the Capital Markets industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

HLI vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	HLI	MSCI
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.21%	1.21%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	41.33%	45.34%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

HLI

33.44

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 58.89
Q3: 31.00
Median: 18.54
Q1: 12.09
Min: 5.24

A P/E Ratio of 33.44 places HLI in the upper quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

MSCI

37.60

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 58.89
Q3: 31.00
Median: 18.54
Q1: 12.09
Min: 5.24

A P/E Ratio of 37.60 places MSCI in the upper quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

HLI vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

HLI

5.50

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.49
Q3: 7.41
Median: 4.68
Q1: 2.25
Min: 0.04

HLI’s P/S Ratio of 5.50 aligns with the market consensus for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

MSCI

14.84

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.49
Q3: 7.41
Median: 4.68
Q1: 2.25
Min: 0.04

With a P/S Ratio of 14.84, MSCI trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Capital Markets industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

HLI vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

HLI

5.77

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.48
Q3: 4.94
Median: 2.42
Q1: 1.21
Min: 0.38

HLI’s P/B Ratio of 5.77 is in the upper tier for the Capital Markets industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

MSCI

42.21

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.48
Q3: 4.94
Median: 2.42
Q1: 1.21
Min: 0.38

At 42.21, MSCI’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Capital Markets industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

HLI vs. MSCI: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Capital Markets industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	HLI	MSCI
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	33.44	37.60
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.50	14.84
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	5.77	42.21
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	15.44	32.60