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Moelis (MC)
NYSE:MC
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Moelis (MC) AI Stock Analysis

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MC

Moelis

(NYSE:MC)

Rating:79Outperform
Price Target:
$81.00
▲(13.94% Upside)
Moelis & Company exhibits strong financial performance and positive market momentum. The earnings call and recent corporate events also support a favorable outlook. However, the relatively high valuation and potential market disruptions temper the overall score.
Positive Factors
Financial Performance
Moelis exceeded consensus earnings per share forecasts due to better-than-expected revenues, other income, and tax rate.
Leadership Transition
A smooth and well-planned CEO transition is expected with Navid Mahmoodzadegan succeeding Ken Moelis, aligning with investor expectations.
Market Environment
A more positive tone on the capital markets environment is anticipated compared to previous communications.
Negative Factors
M&A Pipeline
Moelis acknowledged that some deals are being shelved, with a decrease in backlog, although most are just delayed.
Uncertainty
Moelis did not commit to a compensation ratio framework due to uncertainty surrounding tariff policies and their impact.

Moelis (MC) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Moelis Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionMoelis & Company operates as an investment banking advisory firm. It offers advisory services in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations and restructurings, capital markets transactions, and other corporate finance matters. The company offers its services to public multinational corporations, middle market private companies, financial sponsors, entrepreneurs, governments, and sovereign wealth funds. The company serves its clients in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. It has strategic alliances in Mexico with Alfaro, Dávila y Scherer, S.C.; and in Australia with MA Moelis Australia. The company was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in New York, New York.
How the Company Makes MoneyMoelis generates revenue primarily through advisory fees earned from its investment banking services. The company charges clients for its expertise in mergers and acquisitions, restructuring advisory, and other financial consulting services. Key revenue streams include success fees that are contingent on the completion of transactions, retainer fees for ongoing advisory services, and fees for capital raising activities. Additionally, Moelis may benefit from strategic partnerships with other financial institutions, which can enhance its service offerings and client reach, contributing to its overall earnings.

Moelis Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 24, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: 1.02%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 29, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflects a generally positive sentiment with record revenue growth, strategic hiring, and a strong balance sheet, despite challenges like high compensation expenses and temporary market disruptions.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Revenue Growth
Moelis & Company reported $365 million in revenues for the second quarter, marking a 38% increase compared to the prior year period and the highest second quarter revenues on record. First-half revenues reached $672 million, up 39% from the previous year.
Strong Balance Sheet
The company maintains a strong balance sheet with $475 million in cash and liquid investments and no debt.
New Hires and Strategic Expansion
During Q2, Moelis & Company hired three leading private capital advisory bankers and a technology-focused MD in Europe, enhancing their capabilities in secondary and primary capital solutions.
CEO Transition and Leadership Strength
Navid Mahmoodzadegan is set to become CEO, with Ken Moelis transitioning to Executive Chairman, highlighting a strong strategic and cultural position of the firm.
Optimistic Market Outlook
Despite earlier disruptions, the company reports a significantly improved transaction environment and strong momentum entering the second half of the year.
Negative Updates
High Compensation Expense Ratio
The second-quarter compensation expense ratio was accrued at 69%, consistent with the previous quarter, which may impact profit margins.
Uncertain Restructuring Activity
Restructuring activity has been flattish to slightly down, with expectations for it to continue trending slightly down.
Market Disruptions
The company faced temporary disruptions due to market chaos around Liberation Day, impacting deal origination and pipeline levels.
Company Guidance
During the Moelis & Company earnings call for the second quarter of 2025, the company reported record revenues of $365 million, marking a 38% increase from the previous year. The first-half revenues totaled $672 million, up 39% year-over-year, driven primarily by growth in M&A and capital markets. The compensation expense ratio was maintained at 69%, while the non-compensation expense ratio was 14.4%. The corporate tax rate was accrued at 29.5%. The Board declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.65 per share. Moelis & Company maintained a strong balance sheet with $475 million in cash and liquid investments and no debt. The company continued to focus on growth through strategic investments and hiring, notably in the private capital advisory sector, while maintaining flexibility in its compensation ratio aligned with revenue performance.

Moelis Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Moelis demonstrates strong financial health with significant revenue and profitability improvements. Despite potential volatility in revenue and reduced liquidity, the company exhibits robust operational efficiency and effective cash flow management.
Income Statement
72
Positive
Moelis has shown a strong revenue growth trajectory, with a notable increase from $854.7 million in 2023 to $1.28 billion in TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) 2025, representing a growth rate of approximately 50.2%. The gross profit margin for TTM 2025 is approximately 31.7%, indicating efficient cost management. The net profit margin improved significantly to 13.2% in TTM 2025 from negative in 2023, showcasing a turnaround in profitability. EBIT and EBITDA margins have also improved markedly, reflecting enhanced operational efficiency. However, the company experienced a drop in revenue in 2022, indicating potential volatility.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
The debt-to-equity ratio is relatively stable at approximately 0.45 in TTM 2025, suggesting moderate leverage. The return on equity (ROE) for TTM 2025 is approximately 35.0%, indicating strong profitability relative to shareholder equity. The equity ratio stands at 40.2%, reflecting a balanced capital structure. While the company has maintained a healthy balance sheet, the reduction in cash and short-term investments in TTM 2025 compared to 2021 could indicate a potential liquidity concern.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
Moelis exhibits robust cash flow management, with a consistent operating cash flow to net income ratio exceeding 2.5 in TTM 2025, signifying strong cash conversion. The free cash flow growth rate from 2024 to TTM 2025 is minimal, indicating stability. The operating cash flow remains strong over the years, supporting ongoing operations and strategic investments. However, the reduction in cash and short-term investments could constrain future liquidity.
BreakdownDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.19B854.75M985.30M1.54B943.28M
Gross Profit364.39M140.00M367.10M626.70M382.47M
EBITDA183.39M-32.03M224.07M503.16M270.42M
Net Income136.02M-24.70M150.34M365.21M178.83M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.38B1.18B1.22B1.56B1.20B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments412.47M186.42M206.79M520.21M202.48M
Total Debt223.24M215.68M192.76M191.89M196.61M
Total Liabilities899.55M817.30M757.93M1.08B751.97M
Stockholders Equity441.61M352.14M444.50M489.07M479.95M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow415.39M141.78M27.04M920.55M388.56M
Operating Cash Flow427.49M158.47M32.99M936.98M429.21M
Investing Cash Flow17.11M48.57M-11.18M-17.01M-39.95M
Financing Cash Flow-215.10M-229.17M-326.90M-602.54M-351.79M

Moelis Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price71.09
Price Trends
50DMA
64.35
Positive
100DMA
59.64
Positive
200DMA
65.19
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.46
Positive
RSI
62.33
Neutral
STOCH
60.86
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For MC, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 71.09 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 69.89, above the 50-day MA of 64.35, and above the 200-day MA of 65.19, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.46 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 62.33 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 60.86 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for MC.

Moelis Risk Analysis

Moelis disclosed 1 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Moelis reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Moelis Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (67)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
79
Outperform
$5.65B27.5945.36%3.59%42.85%1398.33%
76
Outperform
$11.43B26.9029.16%1.10%23.24%55.76%
76
Outperform
$5.75B27.4417.91%1.72%10.46%50.47%
76
Outperform
$6.18B30.50106.47%0.56%18.40%54.77%
74
Outperform
$4.88B17.8850.41%3.88%10.40%91.75%
67
Neutral
$17.22B11.2810.45%3.94%10.30%1.07%
64
Neutral
$1.94B27.4346.63%1.28%20.01%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
MC
Moelis
71.09
11.41
19.12%
EVR
Evercore Partners
295.74
64.62
27.96%
LAZ
Lazard
51.53
8.42
19.53%
PIPR
Piper Sandler
325.23
73.69
29.30%
PJT
PJT Partners
177.64
59.12
49.88%
PWP
Perella Weinberg Partners
21.79
4.05
22.83%

Moelis Corporate Events

DividendsBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Moelis Reports Strong Q2 2025 Financial Growth
Positive
Jul 24, 2025

On July 24, 2025, Moelis & Company reported significant financial growth for the second quarter and first half of 2025, with revenues increasing by 38% and 39% respectively compared to the previous year. The company also declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.65 per share, reflecting its strong financial position and strategic growth initiatives, including the addition of new managing directors to enhance its advisory capabilities.

The most recent analyst rating on (MC) stock is a Hold with a $51.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Moelis stock, see the MC Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Moelis Appoints Thorold Barker to Board of Directors
Positive
Jul 1, 2025

On July 1, 2025, Moelis & Company announced the appointment of Thorold Barker as an independent member of its Board of Directors. Mr. Barker, who brings over 30 years of experience in journalism, finance, and geopolitics, will serve alongside other board members, contributing his unique perspective shaped by his global experience. His past roles include serving as The Wall Street Journal’s Editor for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, and as a Senior Adviser at AlixPartners. This appointment is expected to enhance Moelis’s strategic direction and industry positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (MC) stock is a Hold with a $50.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Moelis stock, see the MC Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board Changes
Moelis Announces Leadership Changes Effective October 2025
Neutral
Jun 9, 2025

On June 9, 2025, Moelis & Company announced significant leadership changes effective October 1, 2025, as part of its long-term transition planning. Ken Moelis, the founder and CEO since 2007, will become Executive Chairman, while Navid Mahmoodzadegan, Co-Founder and Co-President, will succeed him as CEO and join the Board of Directors. Jeff Raich, also a Co-Founder and Co-President, will take on the role of Executive Vice Chairman. These changes are aimed at fostering internal growth and maintaining the firm’s strong client service and innovation focus. In conjunction with these appointments, the Compensation Committee granted Navid Mahmoodzadegan 450,000 long-term performance units to align his interests with shareholders and promote long-term value creation.

The most recent analyst rating on (MC) stock is a Hold with a $50.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Moelis stock, see the MC Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Moelis Holds Annual Stockholders Meeting, Elects Directors
Neutral
Jun 6, 2025

On June 6, 2024, Moelis & Company held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where key proposals were voted on. Stockholders elected five directors to the board, approved the compensation of named executive officers, and ratified Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. These decisions reinforce the company’s governance structure and financial oversight, potentially impacting its strategic direction and stakeholder confidence.

The most recent analyst rating on (MC) stock is a Hold with a $51.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Moelis stock, see the MC Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jul 30, 2025