LAZ

We rate Lazard, Inc. (LAZ) as a Hold with a composite score of 50.1/100 at a current price of $50.33. The stock presents a mixed quantitative picture — neither compelling enough to warrant new accumulation nor weak enough to justify selling for existing holders. Our factors are split, and the overall profile suggests patience is warranted.

The rating is primarily driven by strength in quality (72th percentile) and value (66th percentile), which together account for the majority of the composite score. Offsetting weakness in stability (26th percentile) and momentum (33th percentile) tempers our overall conviction. We assign a No Moat rating (30/100), Very High uncertainty, and Standard capital allocation.

Key items to watch: momentum to confirm whether the current price trend has legs; balance sheet deleveraging progress. Any material change in these dynamics could warrant a reassessment of our rating. The moat trend is stable, which suggests the competitive landscape is stable for now.

Lazard, Inc. holds a top-quartile position (#0 of 50) within the Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate sector, based on our composite quantitative scoring across quality, value, momentum, and stability factors. The composite score of 50.1/100 places it at rank #1992 in our full 7,333-stock universe. At $6.9B in market capitalization, Lazard, Inc. is a mid-cap player in the Finance, Insurance, And Real Estate space, which limits certain scale advantages but may allow for more agile strategic execution.

Revenue is growing at 9%, though momentum at the 33th percentile suggests the market has not yet fully recognized this trajectory. This potential disconnect between fundamental improvement and market recognition could represent an opportunity for patient investors if the growth trend persists.

The margin cascade tells an important story: gross margins of 42% (-34.1pp vs sector) narrow to operating margins of 13% (-4.1pp vs sector) and net margins of 10.2%, yielding a gross-to-net conversion rate of 24%. This conversion rate is typical for the sector, suggesting a standard cost structure without notable efficiency advantages or disadvantages.

At a current price of $50.33, Lazard, Inc. is trading near fair value based on current fundamentals. Our value factor score of 66/100 reflects a composite assessment across multiple valuation metrics including price-to-earnings, price-to-book, EV/EBITDA, and price-to-sales ratios relative to both sector peers and the broader market. Valuation metrics are mixed, with no strong signal of mispricing in either direction.

The stock currently trades at a P/E of 15.4x (a 29% premium to the sector median of 11.9x), EV/EBITDA of 12.2x (at a premium), P/B of 5.5x, P/S of 1.6x. The above-sector P/E multiple suggests the market is pricing in superior growth or quality, which our analysis partially supports given strong quality metrics.

We assign a Very High uncertainty rating to Lazard, Inc.. The stock exhibits multiple compounding risk factors: elevated market sensitivity (beta of 1.71), significant leverage (192% debt-to-equity), below-average price stability (26th percentile). The extreme uncertainty around future cash flows makes precise valuation difficult, and the range of outcomes is exceptionally wide. Only investors with high risk tolerance and extended time horizons should consider this name.

Specific risk factors that inform our assessment include: elevated market sensitivity (beta of 1.71); significant leverage (192% debt-to-equity); below-average price stability (26th percentile). Each of these factors independently widens the distribution of potential outcomes, and in combination they create a risk profile that demands careful position sizing. The stability factor at the 26th percentile and quality factor at the 72th percentile provide a quantitative summary of the overall risk landscape.

Key risk mitigants include: healthy gross margins of 42% provide a buffer against cost pressures; a 3.79% dividend yield anchors total return. These factors partially offset the identified risks and provide downside protection in adverse scenarios. On balance, the risk-reward profile warrants caution and disciplined position management.

We rate Lazard, Inc.'s capital allocation as Standard. Management has shown adequate — though not exceptional — stewardship of shareholder capital. Returns on equity stand at 35.6%, and the balance sheet is managed within acceptable parameters (D/E: 192%). Exemplary allocators typically sustain ROE above 20% and D/E below 50%; Lazard, Inc. falls short on at least one dimension.

There is room for improvement in optimizing the capital structure or enhancing shareholder returns. The 3.79% dividend yield provides some income return, but the overall capital allocation framework would benefit from either higher reinvestment returns, improved balance sheet efficiency, or increased shareholder distributions. We will monitor for signs of strategic improvement that could warrant an upgrade.

In summary, Lazard, Inc. receives a Hold rating with a composite score of 50.1/100 (rank #1992 of 7,333). Our quantitative framework assigns a No Moat (30/100, trend: stable), Very High uncertainty, and Standard capital allocation. The average factor score across quality, value, momentum, stability, and investment is 47/100.

Our analysis supports a neutral stance on Lazard, Inc.. While the quantitative profile is not weak enough to warrant selling, it lacks the multi-factor strength required for a buy recommendation. Existing holders should maintain positions and monitor for catalysts — either fundamental improvement or valuation compression — that would shift the risk-reward balance.