Lazard Reports $267 Billion AUM Amid Market Decline
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 12 2024
0mins
Should l Buy LAZ?
Source: SeekingAlpha
Lazard Inc's stock fell by 5.23% as it crossed below the 20-day SMA, reflecting a challenging market environment.
Despite the decline in stock price, Lazard reported a significant increase in assets under management (AUM), reaching approximately $267 billion as of January 31, 2026. This growth includes market appreciation of $7.6 billion and net inflows of $2.9 billion, showcasing the firm's strong performance in the asset management sector. The report highlights Lazard's strategic focus on a diversified investment portfolio and its adaptability to market changes, which may enhance its competitive positioning.
The implications of this report suggest that while the stock is facing downward pressure, the underlying business fundamentals remain strong, indicating potential resilience in the long term.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy LAZ?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on LAZ
Wall Street analysts forecast LAZ stock price to rise
4 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
1 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 50.800
Low
46.00
Averages
54.50
High
59.00
Current: 50.800
Low
46.00
Averages
54.50
High
59.00
About LAZ
Lazard, Inc. is a financial advisory and asset management company, with operations in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Its segments include Financial Advisory and Asset Management. Financial Advisory segment offers corporate, partnership, institutional, government, sovereign and individual clients across the globe a range of advisory services including mergers and acquisitions advisory, capital markets advisory, shareholder advisory, sovereign advisory, geopolitical advisory, restructuring and liability management, capital raising and placement, and other strategic matters. Asset Management segment offers a range of global investment solutions and investment and wealth management services in equity and fixed income strategies, asset allocation strategies, alternative investments and private equity funds to corporations, public funds, sovereign entities, endowments and foundations, labor funds, financial intermediaries and private wealth clients.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Global M&A Activity Surges in 2025
- M&A Activity Rebound: Global M&A deal value surged to $4.9 trillion in 2025, marking a 40% increase and the second-highest level since 2021, reflecting strong market demand and confidence in large transactions.
- Funding Squeeze Impact: Despite strong appetite for deals, the proportion of capital allocated to M&A hit a 30-year low in 2025, forcing companies to be more selective in their transaction choices to ensure clear returns on investment.
- AI-Driven Transactions: Over 73% of the increase in deal value came from mega-deals valued at over $5 billion, highlighting the significant impact of AI-related demand on the M&A market, with expectations for continued large transactions in 2026.
- Private Equity Dominance: Private equity accounts for approximately 40% of global M&A activity, as firms actively seek investment opportunities amid changing capital markets, driving increased transaction activity.
See More
Lazard Fund Confirms Monthly Distribution of $0.15340
- Monthly Distribution Confirmation: Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund confirms a monthly distribution of $0.15340 per share, payable on March 23, 2026, demonstrating the fund's ongoing cash flow management capabilities and enhancing investor confidence.
- Distribution Source Analysis: The current distribution comprises net investment income, short-term and long-term capital gains, and return of capital, with return of capital accounting for 64.6%, indicating pressure on investment returns that may affect future distribution strategies.
- Annual Return Rate: As of January 31, 2026, the fund's annualized current distribution rate stands at 9.76%, while the average total return over five years is 8.46%, reflecting stability amidst market volatility and attracting income-seeking investors.
- Asset Management Scale: As of January 31, 2026, Lazard Asset Management manages client assets totaling $267 billion, showcasing its strong position in the global asset management sector and providing support for the fund's long-term growth.
See More
Lazard Fund Confirms Monthly Distribution of $0.15340
- Monthly Distribution Confirmation: Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund confirms a monthly distribution of $0.15340 per share, payable on March 23, 2026, reflecting the fund's ongoing cash flow management capabilities and bolstering investor confidence.
- Distribution Source Analysis: The current distribution comprises net investment income, short-term and long-term capital gains, and return of capital, with return of capital accounting for 64.7%, indicating potential pressure on investment returns that may affect future distribution strategies.
- Annual Return Rate: As of January 31, 2026, the fund's average annual total return over five years stands at 8.46%, while the annualized current distribution rate is 9.76%, showcasing the fund's ability to provide stable income, appealing to income-seeking investors.
- Asset Management Scale: As of January 31, 2026, Lazard Asset Management manages $267 billion in client assets, demonstrating its strong position and market influence in the global asset management sector, further solidifying its standing among investors.
See More
Lazard Appoints Two Managing Directors in Healthcare Group
- Executive Appointments: Lazard announced the hiring of John Koski and Rob Lowe as Managing Directors in its Healthcare Group in New York, aiming to enhance its advisory capabilities in healthcare transactions and further drive strategic investments in the sector.
- Sector Expertise: Prior to joining Lazard, John Koski served as Managing Director at Allen & Co., bringing extensive experience in the healthcare services sector, which will enable him to provide high-quality strategic advice to clients navigating complex market conditions.
- Team Expansion: Rob Lowe also joins from Allen & Co., and his transaction advisory experience in healthcare will strengthen Lazard's team, enhancing its competitiveness in the rapidly evolving healthcare ecosystem.
- Strategic Vision: Lazard's global healthcare team is committed to delivering deep industry insights and high-impact financial advice to help clients seize market opportunities and navigate the dynamic healthcare policy and economic landscape.
See More
Lazard Appoints Two Managing Directors in Healthcare Group
- Executive Appointments: Lazard announced the addition of John Koski and Rob Lowe as Managing Directors in the Healthcare Group, focusing on advisory services for transactions in the healthcare services sector, thereby enhancing the firm's strategic advisory capabilities in the healthcare industry.
- Strategic Investment: This appointment underscores Lazard's ongoing investment in its Healthcare Group, aiming to provide high-quality strategic advice to executives, boards, and investors in the healthcare sector to navigate complex market conditions.
- Industry Expertise: Both John Koski and Rob Lowe join from Allen & Co. with extensive experience in the healthcare services sector, with Koski previously serving as a Resident in Orthopedic Surgery at a renowned hospital, thereby bolstering Lazard's expertise in the healthcare field.
- Market Opportunities: The addition of these two Managing Directors will enhance Lazard's competitiveness in the rapidly evolving healthcare services ecosystem, helping clients seize market opportunities and address challenges arising from policy and technological transformations.
See More
Nuveen's £9.9 Billion Acquisition of Schroders Sparks Attention
- Significant Acquisition Value: Nuveen's £9.9 billion acquisition of Schroders is set to create a global fund management giant with nearly $2.5 trillion in assets under management, marking a major consolidation trend in the asset management industry.
- Strong Market Reaction: The acquisition has sparked widespread discussion in the financial community, with many industry insiders expressing regret over Schroders' historical significance, reflecting deep concerns about the traditional asset management model.
- Accelerating Industry Consolidation: As profit margins for asset managers continue to contract due to a shift from active to passive management, the industry is witnessing an acceleration in merger activities aimed at achieving economies of scale and enhancing competitiveness.
- Uncertain Future Outlook: While the acquisition brings scale advantages, there is optimism about the rise of small boutique asset managers, which may offer more flexible services in long-term investments, potentially reshaping the industry landscape.
See More
Global M&A Activity Surges in 2025
- M&A Activity Rebound: Global M&A deal value surged to $4.9 trillion in 2025, marking a 40% increase and the second-highest level since 2021, reflecting strong market demand and confidence in large transactions.
- Funding Squeeze Impact: Despite strong appetite for deals, the proportion of capital allocated to M&A hit a 30-year low in 2025, forcing companies to be more selective in their transaction choices to ensure clear returns on investment.
- AI-Driven Transactions: Over 73% of the increase in deal value came from mega-deals valued at over $5 billion, highlighting the significant impact of AI-related demand on the M&A market, with expectations for continued large transactions in 2026.
- Private Equity Dominance: Private equity accounts for approximately 40% of global M&A activity, as firms actively seek investment opportunities amid changing capital markets, driving increased transaction activity.
See More
Lazard Fund Confirms Monthly Distribution of $0.15340
- Monthly Distribution Confirmation: Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund confirms a monthly distribution of $0.15340 per share, payable on March 23, 2026, demonstrating the fund's ongoing cash flow management capabilities and enhancing investor confidence.
- Distribution Source Analysis: The current distribution comprises net investment income, short-term and long-term capital gains, and return of capital, with return of capital accounting for 64.6%, indicating pressure on investment returns that may affect future distribution strategies.
- Annual Return Rate: As of January 31, 2026, the fund's annualized current distribution rate stands at 9.76%, while the average total return over five years is 8.46%, reflecting stability amidst market volatility and attracting income-seeking investors.
- Asset Management Scale: As of January 31, 2026, Lazard Asset Management manages client assets totaling $267 billion, showcasing its strong position in the global asset management sector and providing support for the fund's long-term growth.
See More
Lazard Fund Confirms Monthly Distribution of $0.15340
- Monthly Distribution Confirmation: Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund confirms a monthly distribution of $0.15340 per share, payable on March 23, 2026, reflecting the fund's ongoing cash flow management capabilities and bolstering investor confidence.
- Distribution Source Analysis: The current distribution comprises net investment income, short-term and long-term capital gains, and return of capital, with return of capital accounting for 64.7%, indicating potential pressure on investment returns that may affect future distribution strategies.
- Annual Return Rate: As of January 31, 2026, the fund's average annual total return over five years stands at 8.46%, while the annualized current distribution rate is 9.76%, showcasing the fund's ability to provide stable income, appealing to income-seeking investors.
- Asset Management Scale: As of January 31, 2026, Lazard Asset Management manages $267 billion in client assets, demonstrating its strong position and market influence in the global asset management sector, further solidifying its standing among investors.
See More
Lazard Appoints Two Managing Directors in Healthcare Group
- Executive Appointments: Lazard announced the hiring of John Koski and Rob Lowe as Managing Directors in its Healthcare Group in New York, aiming to enhance its advisory capabilities in healthcare transactions and further drive strategic investments in the sector.
- Sector Expertise: Prior to joining Lazard, John Koski served as Managing Director at Allen & Co., bringing extensive experience in the healthcare services sector, which will enable him to provide high-quality strategic advice to clients navigating complex market conditions.
- Team Expansion: Rob Lowe also joins from Allen & Co., and his transaction advisory experience in healthcare will strengthen Lazard's team, enhancing its competitiveness in the rapidly evolving healthcare ecosystem.
- Strategic Vision: Lazard's global healthcare team is committed to delivering deep industry insights and high-impact financial advice to help clients seize market opportunities and navigate the dynamic healthcare policy and economic landscape.
See More
Lazard Appoints Two Managing Directors in Healthcare Group
- Executive Appointments: Lazard announced the addition of John Koski and Rob Lowe as Managing Directors in the Healthcare Group, focusing on advisory services for transactions in the healthcare services sector, thereby enhancing the firm's strategic advisory capabilities in the healthcare industry.
- Strategic Investment: This appointment underscores Lazard's ongoing investment in its Healthcare Group, aiming to provide high-quality strategic advice to executives, boards, and investors in the healthcare sector to navigate complex market conditions.
- Industry Expertise: Both John Koski and Rob Lowe join from Allen & Co. with extensive experience in the healthcare services sector, with Koski previously serving as a Resident in Orthopedic Surgery at a renowned hospital, thereby bolstering Lazard's expertise in the healthcare field.
- Market Opportunities: The addition of these two Managing Directors will enhance Lazard's competitiveness in the rapidly evolving healthcare services ecosystem, helping clients seize market opportunities and address challenges arising from policy and technological transformations.
See More
Nuveen's £9.9 Billion Acquisition of Schroders Sparks Attention
- Significant Acquisition Value: Nuveen's £9.9 billion acquisition of Schroders is set to create a global fund management giant with nearly $2.5 trillion in assets under management, marking a major consolidation trend in the asset management industry.
- Strong Market Reaction: The acquisition has sparked widespread discussion in the financial community, with many industry insiders expressing regret over Schroders' historical significance, reflecting deep concerns about the traditional asset management model.
- Accelerating Industry Consolidation: As profit margins for asset managers continue to contract due to a shift from active to passive management, the industry is witnessing an acceleration in merger activities aimed at achieving economies of scale and enhancing competitiveness.
- Uncertain Future Outlook: While the acquisition brings scale advantages, there is optimism about the rise of small boutique asset managers, which may offer more flexible services in long-term investments, potentially reshaping the industry landscape.
See More
