Fintel reports that on October 3, 2023, UBS maintained coverage of Lazard - (NYSE:LAZ) with a Neutral recommendation.
Analyst Price Forecast Suggests 47.30% Upside
As of August 31, 2023, the average one-year price target for Lazard - is 43.25. The forecasts range from a low of 37.37 to a high of $55.65. The average price target represents an increase of 47.30% from its latest reported closing price of 29.36.
See our leaderboard of companies with the largest price target upside.
The projected annual revenue for Lazard - is 2,632MM, an increase of 0.05%. The projected annual non-GAAP EPS is 3.37.
Lazard - Declares $0.50 Dividend
On July 26, 2023 the company declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.50 per share ($2.00 annualized). Shareholders of record as of August 7, 2023 received the payment on August 18, 2023. Previously, the company paid $0.50 per share.
At the current share price of $29.36 / share, the stock's dividend yield is 6.81%.
Looking back five years and taking a sample every week, the average dividend yield has been 5.74%, the lowest has been 3.55%, and the highest has been 9.04%. The standard deviation of yields is 1.17 (n=235).
The current dividend yield is 0.91 standard deviations above the historical average.
Additionally, the company's dividend payout ratio is 87.93. The payout ratio tells us how much of a company's income is paid out in dividends. A payout ratio of one (1.0) means 100% of the company's income is paid in a dividend. A payout ratio greater than one means the company is dipping into savings in order to maintain its dividend - not a healthy situation. Companies with few growth prospects are expected to pay out most of their income in dividends, which typically means a payout ratio between 0.5 and 1.0. Companies with good growth prospects are expected to retain some earnings in order to invest in those growth prospects, which translates to a payout ratio of zero to 0.5.
The company's 3-Year dividend growth rate is 0.06%, demonstrating that it has increased its dividend over time.
What is the Fund Sentiment?
There are 445 funds or institutions reporting positions in Lazard -. This is a decrease of 47 owner(s) or 9.55% in the last quarter. Average portfolio weight of all funds dedicated to LAZ is 0.21%, an increase of 3.15%. Total shares owned by institutions increased in the last three months by 1.81% to 75,305K shares. 
The put/call ratio of LAZ is 0.46, indicating a bullish outlook.
What are Other Shareholders Doing?
Ariel Investments holds 7,261K shares representing 8.36% ownership of the company. In it's prior filing, the firm reported owning 7,379K shares, representing a decrease of 1.63%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in LAZ by 4.39% over the last quarter.
VTSMX - Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Investor Shares holds 3,341K shares representing 3.85% ownership of the company. In it's prior filing, the firm reported owning 3,308K shares, representing an increase of 0.97%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in LAZ by 9.95% over the last quarter.
NAESX - Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund Investor Shares holds 2,766K shares representing 3.18% ownership of the company. In it's prior filing, the firm reported owning 2,804K shares, representing a decrease of 1.37%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in LAZ by 9.30% over the last quarter.
Charles Schwab Investment Management holds 2,741K shares representing 3.16% ownership of the company. In it's prior filing, the firm reported owning 2,637K shares, representing an increase of 3.81%. The firm decreased its portfolio allocation in LAZ by 2.31% over the last quarter.
DVY - iShares Select Dividend ETF holds 2,728K shares representing 3.14% ownership of the company. In it's prior filing, the firm reported owning 2,931K shares, representing a decrease of 7.45%. The firm increased its portfolio allocation in LAZ by 11.14% over the last quarter.
Lazard Background Information
(This description is provided by the company.)
Lazard, one of the world's preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms, operates from more than 40 cities and 25 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Central and South America. With origins dating to 1848, the firm provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, strategic matters, restructuring and capital structure, capital raising and corporate finance, as well as asset management services to corporations, partnerships, institutions, governments and individuals.
Fintel is one of the most comprehensive investing research platforms available to individual investors, traders, financial advisors, and small hedge funds.
Our data covers the world, and includes fundamentals, analyst reports, ownership data and fund sentiment, options sentiment, insider trading, options flow, unusual options trades, and much more. Additionally, our exclusive stock picks are powered by advanced, backtested quantitative models for improved profits.
This story originally appeared on Fintel.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
