Form 4: Houlihan Lokey Director Gillian Zucker Acquires 732 Shares of Class A Common Stock

Gillian Beth Zucker, a Director at Houlihan Lokey, Inc., reported the acquisition of 732 shares of Class A Common Stock on May 22, 2025, increasing her beneficial ownership to 5,933 shares.

Summary

• Gillian Beth Zucker, a Director of Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI), acquired 732 shares of Class A Common Stock.
• The transaction occurred on May 22, 2025, and the shares were acquired at a price of $0, indicating a grant or award.
• Following this acquisition, Ms. Zucker's total beneficial ownership in Houlihan Lokey, Inc. increased to 5,933 shares of Class A Common Stock.
• The transaction was made pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1(c) plan, indicating a pre-arranged purchase or sale plan.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The acquisition of shares by a director, especially as a grant, is generally a neutral to slightly positive event as it aligns the director's interests with shareholders. It's a routine compensation disclosure.

Positives

• Increases director's alignment with shareholder interests through increased equity ownership.
• The acquisition at $0 price suggests the shares were granted as compensation, which is a common practice for director remuneration.

Negatives

• Slight dilution for existing shareholders due to the issuance of new shares, though 732 shares is a very small amount relative to the total outstanding shares of a publicly traded company.

Future Outlook

NA

Industry Context

This is a routine insider transaction report for a director receiving equity compensation, common across the financial services industry for aligning management and board interests with shareholders.

Comparison to Industry Standards

• The grant of shares to a director as part of compensation is a standard practice in corporate governance across various industries, including financial services.
• Specific comparable companies like Lazard Ltd (LAZ) or Evercore Inc. (EVR) also utilize equity grants for director compensation to foster alignment, though the specific number of shares and valuation would depend on the company's size, compensation philosophy, and stock price.

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• The acquisition of shares by a director (Gillian Beth Zucker) from the company (Houlihan Lokey, Inc.) can be considered a related party transaction, specifically an equity compensation grant, which is a standard practice for director remuneration.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Minor, almost negligible, dilution due to the issuance of 732 shares.
• Director (Gillian Beth Zucker): Increased personal equity stake in the company, enhancing alignment with company performance.

Key Dates

Keywords

Houlihan Lokey, HLI, Gillian Zucker, Director, SEC Form 4, Insider Transaction, Stock Acquisition, Class A Common Stock, Equity Ownership, Rule 10b5-1