Houlihan Lokey vs Interactive Brokers: why the prices moved differently

Weekly · monthly · quarterly news summaries, side by side in time

Houlihan Lokey Inc (HLI)

Q3 202629 Jul – 8 Oct 2026

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Houlihan Lokey's Deal Slump Hits Earnings, but Private-Markets Push Offers Hope

Q1 Earnings Miss as M&A Deals Stall Houlihan Lokey's fiscal Q1 revenue fell 15.5% to $511 million and adjusted EPS dropped to $1.35, badly missing estimates. Delayed tech and mid-cap M&A deals, plus geopolitical uncertainty, cut deal fees. This weak quarter pressures the stock because profits depend on completed transactions.
The earnings miss is the main new negative force driving HLI's price down this period.
Private-Markets Survey Points to Future Fee Growth Houlihan Lokey's LP Compass survey forecasts record direct and co-investment volumes in 2026, with these strategies overtaking primary funds within five years. As an advisor on such deals, HLI could earn more fees. This supports the stock by showing a growing market for its services.
It highlights a new positive demand driver that could offset weak traditional M&A.
Peer Comparison Shows HLI as Group Laggard A sector review of 15 investment banks and brokers found Houlihan Lokey was the weakest, with revenue down 15.6% and 16.3% below estimates, while peers like Goldman Sachs beat expectations. This relative underperformance can push HLI shares down as investors favor stronger competitors.
It reinforces HLI's weak standing versus peers, a new negative signal for the stock.
Leadership Changes Signal Strategic Shift Houlihan Lokey hired two managing directors for financial services and fintech, and a board member resigned without disagreement. The hires support growth in private markets and digital assets, but the board exit adds governance uncertainty. Net effect on the stock is unclear.
It shows a new strategic push with potential long-term benefits but near-term ambiguity.

September 202629 Jul – 8 Oct 2026

▼2▲1

Houlihan Lokey's Deal Slump Hits Earnings, but Private-Markets Push Offers Hope

Q1 Earnings Miss as M&A Deals Stall Houlihan Lokey's fiscal Q1 revenue fell 15.5% to $511 million and adjusted EPS dropped to $1.35, badly missing estimates. Delayed tech and mid-cap M&A deals, plus geopolitical uncertainty, cut deal fees. This weak quarter pressures the stock because profits depend on completed transactions.
The earnings miss is the main new negative force driving HLI's price down this period.
Private-Markets Survey Points to Future Fee Growth Houlihan Lokey's LP Compass survey forecasts record direct and co-investment volumes in 2026, with these strategies overtaking primary funds within five years. As an advisor on such deals, HLI could earn more fees. This supports the stock by showing a growing market for its services.
It highlights a new positive demand driver that could offset weak traditional M&A.
Peer Comparison Shows HLI as Group Laggard A sector review of 15 investment banks and brokers found Houlihan Lokey was the weakest, with revenue down 15.6% and 16.3% below estimates, while peers like Goldman Sachs beat expectations. This relative underperformance can push HLI shares down as investors favor stronger competitors.
It reinforces HLI's weak standing versus peers, a new negative signal for the stock.
Leadership Changes Signal Strategic Shift Houlihan Lokey hired two managing directors for financial services and fintech, and a board member resigned without disagreement. The hires support growth in private markets and digital assets, but the board exit adds governance uncertainty. Net effect on the stock is unclear.
It shows a new strategic push with potential long-term benefits but near-term ambiguity.

Latest29 Jul – 8 Oct 2026

▼2▲1

Houlihan Lokey's Deal Slump Hits Earnings, but Private-Markets Push Offers Hope

Q1 Earnings Miss as M&A Deals Stall Houlihan Lokey's fiscal Q1 revenue fell 15.5% to $511 million and adjusted EPS dropped to $1.35, badly missing estimates. Delayed tech and mid-cap M&A deals, plus geopolitical uncertainty, cut deal fees. This weak quarter pressures the stock because profits depend on completed transactions.
The earnings miss is the main new negative force driving HLI's price down this period.
Private-Markets Survey Points to Future Fee Growth Houlihan Lokey's LP Compass survey forecasts record direct and co-investment volumes in 2026, with these strategies overtaking primary funds within five years. As an advisor on such deals, HLI could earn more fees. This supports the stock by showing a growing market for its services.
It highlights a new positive demand driver that could offset weak traditional M&A.
Peer Comparison Shows HLI as Group Laggard A sector review of 15 investment banks and brokers found Houlihan Lokey was the weakest, with revenue down 15.6% and 16.3% below estimates, while peers like Goldman Sachs beat expectations. This relative underperformance can push HLI shares down as investors favor stronger competitors.
It reinforces HLI's weak standing versus peers, a new negative signal for the stock.
Leadership Changes Signal Strategic Shift Houlihan Lokey hired two managing directors for financial services and fintech, and a board member resigned without disagreement. The hires support growth in private markets and digital assets, but the board exit adds governance uncertainty. Net effect on the stock is unclear.
It shows a new strategic push with potential long-term benefits but near-term ambiguity.

Interactive Brokers Group Inc (IBKR)

Q3 202624 Jun – 22 Sep 2026

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IBKR Q3 2026: Strong Growth, SEC Probe Clouds Sentiment

Record Earnings and Account Growth Interactive Brokers reported record Q2 EPS of $0.69, up 35%, on revenue of $1.88 billion, up 28%. Accounts grew 34% to 5.19 million, and pre-tax margin hit 77%, driven by higher interest rates and robust trading activity.
This highlights the core financial performance that drove investor optimism during the period.
Expansion into Crypto and New Markets IBKR expanded its crypto and stablecoin offerings, added access to Korea, Brazil, and Romania, and partnered with X to reach 245 million users. A Fed rate hike is expected to add about $81 million in annual net interest income.
These strategic initiatives broaden IBKR's addressable market and revenue streams, supporting future growth.
SEC Insider-Trading Probe An SEC insider-trading investigation led to frozen accounts, creating legal uncertainty and reputational risk. This regulatory overhang could weigh on investor sentiment despite strong fundamentals.
This is a key risk factor that emerged during the period and could negatively impact the stock price.

August 202629 Jul – 22 Sep 2026

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IBKR's growth accelerates on record accounts, new markets, Fed rate hike, X partnership

Record Q2 earnings and account growth Interactive Brokers reported Q2 revenue up 28% to $1.9 billion and EPS up 35% to $0.69, with client accounts up 34% to 5.19 million and margin loans up 67%. This shows the core business is growing quickly, which supports a higher stock price.
This is the fundamental earnings result that anchors the period's positive news.
Global expansion adds Korea, Brazil, Romania IBKR added access to South Korea, Brazil, and Romania, now covering over 170 market centers and 29 currencies. This widens the pool of potential clients and increases trading activity, which can lift commissions and account growth over time.
New market access is a fresh growth driver that expands the addressable market.
Fed rate hike boosts net interest income The Fed raised rates by a quarter point, which IBKR estimates adds about $81 million a year to net interest income as investments roll over. Since net interest is its biggest revenue line, this directly increases profits and supports the stock.
This is a new monetary event that directly impacts IBKR's largest revenue source.
X partnership opens new client channel X launched crypto and stock trading via cashtags, with Interactive Brokers as a partner. US users can tap a ticker and trade through IBKR, giving the broker exposure to X's 245 million users and a new way to attract customers.
This is a new distribution partnership that could bring in new clients and trading volume.

Latest29 Jul – 22 Sep 2026

▲4

IBKR's growth accelerates on record accounts, new markets, Fed rate hike, X partnership

Record Q2 earnings and account growth Interactive Brokers reported Q2 revenue up 28% to $1.9 billion and EPS up 35% to $0.69, with client accounts up 34% to 5.19 million and margin loans up 67%. This shows the core business is growing quickly, which supports a higher stock price.
This is the fundamental earnings result that anchors the period's positive news.
Global expansion adds Korea, Brazil, Romania IBKR added access to South Korea, Brazil, and Romania, now covering over 170 market centers and 29 currencies. This widens the pool of potential clients and increases trading activity, which can lift commissions and account growth over time.
New market access is a fresh growth driver that expands the addressable market.
Fed rate hike boosts net interest income The Fed raised rates by a quarter point, which IBKR estimates adds about $81 million a year to net interest income as investments roll over. Since net interest is its biggest revenue line, this directly increases profits and supports the stock.
This is a new monetary event that directly impacts IBKR's largest revenue source.
X partnership opens new client channel X launched crypto and stock trading via cashtags, with Interactive Brokers as a partner. US users can tap a ticker and trade through IBKR, giving the broker exposure to X's 245 million users and a new way to attract customers.
This is a new distribution partnership that could bring in new clients and trading volume.

July 202624 Jun – 24 Jul 2026

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IBKR rides rate tailwind, record margins, and crypto expansion

Higher-for-longer rates boost core profit The Fed signaled rates will stay high, which directly lifts IBKR's net interest income—its biggest revenue source. With client cash and margin loans growing fast, each month of high rates adds more profit, pushing the stock up.
This is the single biggest force behind IBKR's earnings power and stock direction.
Record Q2 earnings and 77% margin IBKR reported Q2 EPS of $0.69 (up 35%) on revenue of $1.88B (up 28%), with a 77% pre-tax margin—seventh straight quarter above 70%. Accounts grew 34% to 5.19 million. This confirms the business is firing on all cylinders, supporting the stock.
The latest earnings are the clearest proof of IBKR's financial health and growth.
Crypto expansion with stablecoin transfers IBKR added stablecoin funding and new token listings, making it easier for clients to move money 24/7 and trade digital assets alongside stocks. This widens its appeal to younger, crypto-savvy investors and could attract new accounts and trading volume.
This is a new growth avenue that expands IBKR's addressable market.
SEC probe and frozen accounts A federal judge froze accounts at IBKR (and others) as part of an SEC insider-trading probe tied to a $100 million options case. While the probe may end without action, it creates legal uncertainty and could hurt IBKR's reputation, weighing on the stock.
This is the main counterweight—a real risk that could pressure the shares.

24 Jun – 24 Jul 2026

▲3▼1

IBKR rides rate tailwind, record margins, and crypto expansion

Higher-for-longer rates boost core profit The Fed signaled rates will stay high, which directly lifts IBKR's net interest income—its biggest revenue source. With client cash and margin loans growing fast, each month of high rates adds more profit, pushing the stock up.
This is the single biggest force behind IBKR's earnings power and stock direction.
Record Q2 earnings and 77% margin IBKR reported Q2 EPS of $0.69 (up 35%) on revenue of $1.88B (up 28%), with a 77% pre-tax margin—seventh straight quarter above 70%. Accounts grew 34% to 5.19 million. This confirms the business is firing on all cylinders, supporting the stock.
The latest earnings are the clearest proof of IBKR's financial health and growth.
Crypto expansion with stablecoin transfers IBKR added stablecoin funding and new token listings, making it easier for clients to move money 24/7 and trade digital assets alongside stocks. This widens its appeal to younger, crypto-savvy investors and could attract new accounts and trading volume.
This is a new growth avenue that expands IBKR's addressable market.
SEC probe and frozen accounts A federal judge froze accounts at IBKR (and others) as part of an SEC insider-trading probe tied to a $100 million options case. While the probe may end without action, it creates legal uncertainty and could hurt IBKR's reputation, weighing on the stock.
This is the main counterweight—a real risk that could pressure the shares.