Lazard (NYSE:LAZ) Shares Gap Down After Analyst Downgrade

Lazard, Inc. (NYSE:LAZ) shares gapped down before the market opened on Thursday after Wall Street Zen downgraded the stock from a buy rating to a hold rating. The stock had previously closed at $44.16, but opened at $41.88. Lazard shares last traded at $42.4170, with a volume of 231,727 shares.

Several other research analysts have also issued reports on LAZ. Zacks Research raised shares of Lazard from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, March 6th. Citigroup reiterated a “market outperform” rating on shares of Lazard in a report on Friday, January 30th. Bank of America assumed coverage on shares of Lazard in a research report on Monday, January 26th. They set a “buy” rating and a $65.00 price objective on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reduced their target price on Lazard from $53.00 to $46.00 and set a “sell” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on Lazard from $59.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $55.75.

More Lazard News

Here are the key news stories impacting Lazard this week:

• Positive Sentiment: The recent valuation review argues that Lazard’s share-price weakness plus ongoing expansion efforts could create upside if execution restores confidence; the piece highlights current multiples and potential earnings leverage. Assessing Lazard (LAZ) Valuation After Recent Share Price Weakness And Expansion Efforts
• Neutral Sentiment: Q4 2025 commentary on Lazard’s Global Small Cap Equity portfolio, describing positioning and performance; useful for understanding asset-management strategy but not an immediate stock catalyst. Lazard Global Small Cap Equity Portfolio Q4 2025 Commentary
• Neutral Sentiment: Q4 2025 commentary on Lazard’s US Short Duration Fixed Income portfolio; provides context on fixed-income positioning and flows but is unlikely to move the stock on its own. Lazard US Short Duration Fixed Income Portfolio Q4 2025 Commentary
• Neutral Sentiment: An interview with Lazard’s CEO discussing geopolitics and strategic priorities; offers color on management thinking but no direct near-term financial implications. Just watching the Strait of Hormuz misses the bigger point: Lazard boss
• Negative Sentiment: A report says Lazard may face redemption limits after private-credit valuations were hit — potential gates or liquidity constraints can pressure AUM, management fees and investor confidence. This is the most direct negative near-term operational risk. Lazard Faces Redemption Limits As Private Credit Risks Hit Valuation
• Negative Sentiment: UBS cut its price target to $48 and set a neutral rating, reflecting reduced upside from prior levels and softer analyst sentiment. Benzinga UBS Coverage
• Negative Sentiment: Goldman Sachs lowered its price target to $46 and moved to a “sell” rating, signaling heightened caution from a major sell-side firm and adding downward pressure on sentiment. Benzinga Goldman Sachs Coverage

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in LAZ. Alps Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Lazard in the 3rd quarter worth about $4,744,000. Van Berkom & Associates Inc. acquired a new position in Lazard during the 3rd quarter valued at about $2,920,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp acquired a new position in Lazard during the 3rd quarter valued at about $1,210,000. Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in Lazard by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 1,722,504 shares of the asset manager’s stock worth $90,914,000 after purchasing an additional 20,591 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. bought a new stake in Lazard during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $3,404,000. 54.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Lazard Trading Down 0.4%

The company has a quick ratio of 2.28, a current ratio of 2.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.85. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $51.13 and a 200 day moving average price of $51.38. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.53 billion, a PE ratio of 18.58, a P/E/G ratio of 0.32 and a beta of 1.40.

Lazard (NYSE:LAZ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The asset manager reported $0.80 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.68 by $0.12. Lazard had a return on equity of 33.04% and a net margin of 7.49%.The company had revenue of $892.00 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $876.32 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.78 earnings per share. Lazard’s quarterly revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that Lazard, Inc. will post 4.24 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Lazard Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, February 20th. Investors of record on Monday, February 9th were given a dividend of $0.50 per share. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, February 9th. Lazard’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 91.74%.

Lazard Company Profile

Lazard Ltd. (NYSE: LAZ) is a leading global financial advisory and asset management firm, offering a comprehensive suite of services to corporations, governments and individuals. Founded in 1848, Lazard has built a reputation for providing independent advice and innovative solutions in complex financial transactions. The firm is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol LAZ and maintains its headquarters in Hamilton, Bermuda.

In its Financial Advisory segment, Lazard assists clients with mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, capital structure optimization and strategic planning.