LAZARD REPORTS SECOND QUARTER AND FIRST HALF 2026 RESULTS

NEW YORK, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lazard, Inc. (NYSE: LAZ) today reported net revenue of $808 million and adjusted net revenue¹ of $786 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. For the first half of 2026, Lazard reported net revenue of $1,564 million and adjusted net revenue¹ of $1,459 million.

On a U.S. GAAP basis, Lazard reported second-quarter 2026 net income of $5 million or $0.03 per share, diluted. For the first half of 2026, net income on a U.S. GAAP basis was $106 million or $0.94 per share, diluted. On an adjusted basis¹, Lazard reported second-quarter 2026 net income of $13 million or $0.12 per share, diluted. For the first half of 2026, adjusted net income¹ was $60 million or $0.54 per share, diluted.

"Lazard continues to progress toward our 2030 objectives, with underlying trends reinforcing our confidence in our long-term growth strategy," said Peter R. Orszag, CEO and Chairman. "In Asset Management, we delivered our best first-half net inflows in nearly 20 years and reached record reported AUM, providing clear evidence of the inflection we anticipated. In Financial Advisory, we achieved our strongest announced half-year league table position since 2014, with a variety of forward indicators supporting our view that the investments we made to strengthen our MD talent are shifting from a headwind to a tailwind for productivity and revenue growth."

"We are excited about the momentum and evidence of progress across both of our businesses," said Tracy Farr, CFO. "This quarter's earnings were impacted by an elevated tax rate, which is not indicative of the full-year rate. In addition, as we exit the most substantial period of repositioning our advisory talent, the benefits of our growth investments will increasingly mature into earnings. Combined with our focus on operational efficiency, this supports our path toward long-term profitability and shareholder value."

Notes: The effective tax rate for this quarter includes certain anomalous factors, including the effect of the catch-up adjustment from the tax benefit related to the vesting of equity awards in the first quarter, and is not indicative of the expected full-year tax rate.

Reconciliations of U.S. GAAP to Adjusted results are shown on pages 13-15. Endnotes are on page 5 of this release.

NET REVENUE

Financial Advisory

For the second quarter of 2026, Financial Advisory reported net revenue and adjusted net revenue¹ of $450 million and $445 million, respectively, both 9% lower than the second quarter of 2025.

For the first half of 2026, Financial Advisory reported net revenue and adjusted net revenue¹ of $810 million and $801 million, respectively, 6% and 7% lower than the first half of 2025, respectively.

Lazard is one of the world's leading independent financial advisors, serving as a trusted partner to clients on significant and complex M&A transactions. During and since the second quarter of 2026, we advised on the largest energy deal in history, NextEra Energy on its combination with Dominion Energy with a combined enterprise value of $420 billion. Reflecting our continued investment in our world-class healthcare franchise, we also advised on eight announced biopharma transactions over $1 billion, including Vertex on its $10 billion acquisition of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Servier on its up to $2.7 billion acquisition of Edgewise Therapeutics' Muscular Dystrophy business, and Vaccine Company on its up to $1.6 billion sale to Eli Lilly.

In addition, we advised on the following transactions (clients are in italics):

• Altice France's proposed up to €21.0 billion sale of SFR to Bouygues Telecom, the Free–iliad Group, and Orange
• Olin on its $10.0 billion merger of equals with Huntsman
• SunOpta on its $1.1 billion sale to Refresco
• CVC's acquisition of Irca
• Apollo's acquisition of the Prosol Group
• Network Connex's sale to Olympus Partners

Lazard provides tailored advice, expertise and access to a broad universe of capital providers through our Private Capital Advisory and Capital Solutions practices. Private Capital Advisory assignments include advising Corsair Capital, G Square, and Verdane Capital on continuation funds and advising on the closing of Regal Healthcare's Fund IV and Uplift's Fund I. In addition, Lazard advised Thoreau on fundraising and its investment in Ensemble Health and on financing for Atos, DomusVi, and Loxam.

Lazard's restructuring and liability management practice has been engaged in a broad range of mandates including debtor roles involving Deutsche Glasfaser, Republic National Distributing Company, Searles Valley Minerals, and Xerox Holdings, and creditor roles involving Dish, Gigaclear, Saks Global, and Trinseo.

In addition, Lazard is the preeminent financial advisor to governments and public sector entities across the world with recent mandates including the Government of Morocco, SriLankan Airlines, and the Government of Zambia.

For a list of publicly announced transactions please visit our website or follow Lazard on LinkedIn.

Asset Management

For the second quarter of 2026, Asset Management reported net revenue and adjusted net revenue¹ of $351 million and $331 million, respectively, 20% and 23% higher than the second quarter of 2025, respectively.

Management fees on an adjusted basis¹ were $310 million for the second quarter of 2026, 23% higher than the second quarter of 2025, and 5% higher than the first quarter of 2026.

Incentive fees on an adjusted basis¹ were $5 million for the second quarter of 2026, compared to $4 million for the second quarter of 2025.

Other revenue² on an adjusted basis¹ was $16 million for the second quarter of 2026, compared to $13 million for the second quarter of 2025.

Average assets under management (AUM) was $279 billion for the second quarter of 2026, 17% higher than the second quarter of 2025, and 5% higher than the first quarter of 2026.

For the first half of 2026, Asset Management net revenue and adjusted net revenue¹ were $761 million and $640 million, 31% and 20% higher than the first half of 2025, respectively. On a U.S. GAAP basis, net revenue for the first half of 2026 included a non-cash gain on the sale and deconsolidation of the Edgewater management vehicles.

Management fees on an adjusted basis¹ were $606 million for the first half of 2026, 24% higher than the first half of 2025.

Incentive fees on an adjusted basis¹ were $17 million for the first half of 2026, compared to $13 million for the first half of 2025.

Other revenue² on an adjusted basis¹ was $17 million for the first half of 2026, compared to $31 million for the first half of 2025.

Average AUM for the first half of 2026 was $271 billion, 16% higher than the first half of 2025, with positive net flows for the first half of 2026 of $7.4 billion. AUM as of June 30, 2026 was $285 billion, 15% higher than June 30, 2025, 10% higher than March 31, 2026. The sequential change from March 31, 2026 was driven by market appreciation of $27.1 billion, an increase of $1.0 billion attributable to acquiring a controlling interest in Elaia Partners, net outflows of $1.6 billion, and foreign exchange depreciation of $1.1 billion.

OPERATING EXPENSES

Compensation and Benefits Expense

For the second quarter of 2026, compensation and benefits expense on a U.S. GAAP and an adjusted basis¹ was $562 million and $550 million, respectively, compared to $519 million and $504 million, respectively, for the second quarter of 2025. The adjusted compensation ratio³ for the second quarter of 2026 was 69.9%, compared to the second-quarter 2025 ratio of 65.5%.

For the first half of 2026, compensation and benefits expense on a U.S. GAAP and an adjusted basis¹ was $1,054 million and $1,020 million, respectively, compared to $949 million and $926 million, respectively, for the first half of 2025. The adjusted compensation ratio³ for the first half of 2026 was 69.9%, compared to 65.5% for the first half of 2025.

We focus on the adjusted compensation ratio³ to manage costs, balancing a view of current conditions in the market for talent alongside our objective to drive long-term shareholder value. As part of our Lazard 2030 vision and long-term growth strategy, we aim to deliver an adjusted compensation ratio³ of 60% or below, with timing dependent on market conditions.

Non-Compensation Expenses

For the second quarter of 2026, non-compensation expenses on a U.S. GAAP basis were $208 million, 13% higher than the second quarter of 2025. On an adjusted basis¹, non-compensation expenses were $172 million, 9% higher than the second quarter of 2025.

The adjusted non-compensation ratio⁴ was 21.8% for the second quarter of 2026, compared to 20.4% for the second quarter of 2025.

For the first half of 2026, non-compensation expenses on a U.S. GAAP basis were $383 million, 10% higher than the first half of 2025. On an adjusted basis¹, non-compensation expenses were $320 million, 5% higher than the first half of 2025.

The adjusted non-compensation ratio⁴ was 22.0% for the first half of 2026, compared to 21.6% for the first half of 2025.

As part of our Lazard 2030 vision and long-term growth strategy, we aim to deliver an adjusted non-compensation ratio⁴ between 16% to 20%, with timing dependent on market conditions.

TAXES

The provision for income taxes on a U.S. GAAP and an adjusted basis¹ was $24 million and $30 million, respectively, for the second quarter of 2026, which equates to an effective tax rate of 63.5% on a U.S. GAAP basis and 69.7% on an adjusted basis¹.

The provision for income taxes on a U.S. GAAP and an adjusted basis¹ was $13 million and $14 million, respectively, for the first half of 2026, which equates to an effective tax rate of 10.1% on a U.S. GAAP basis and 19.2% on an adjusted basis¹.

CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND BALANCE SHEET

In the second quarter of 2026, Lazard returned $103 million to shareholders, which included: $49 million in dividends; $50 million in repurchases of our common stock; and $4 million in satisfaction of employee tax obligations in lieu of share issuances upon vesting of equity grants.

In the first half of 2026, Lazard returned $277 million to shareholders, which included: $96 million in dividends; $52 million in repurchases of our common stock; and $129 million in satisfaction of employee tax obligations in lieu of share issuances upon vesting of equity grants.

 

During the first half of 2026, we repurchased 1.2 million shares at an average price of $43.79. On July 22, 2026, our Board of Directors authorized additional share repurchases of $200 million, which expire as of December 31, 2028, bringing our total outstanding share repurchase authorization to approximately $257 million.

On July 22, 2026, Lazard declared a quarterly dividend of $0.50 per share on its outstanding common stock. The dividend is payable on August 14, 2026, to stockholders of record on August 3, 2026.

Lazard's financial position remains strong. As of June 30, 2026, our cash and cash equivalents were $1,100 million.

ENDNOTES

¹ A non-GAAP measure. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. See attached financial schedules and related notes for a detailed explanation of adjustments to corresponding U.S. GAAP results. We believe that presenting our results on an adjusted basis, in addition to the U.S. GAAP results, is a meaningful and useful way to compare our operating results across periods.

 

²  Beginning in the first quarter of 2026, the Company presents Other revenue separately from Management fees in order to improve the analysis of average annual fee rates. Prior period results have been recast to conform to this change. Other revenue generally consists of commission income, net interest income, and net investment gains/losses.

³ A non-GAAP measure which represents adjusted compensation and benefits expense as a percentage of adjusted net revenue.

⁴  A non-GAAP measure which represents adjusted non-compensation expenses as a percentage of adjusted net revenue.

CONFERENCE CALL

Lazard will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. ET on July 23, 2026, to discuss the company's financial results for the second quarter of 2026. The conference call can be accessed via a live audio webcast available through Lazard's Investor Relations website at www.lazard.com, or by dialing +1 800-445-7795 (toll-free, U.S. and Canada) or +1 785-424-1699 (outside of the U.S. and Canada), 15 minutes prior to the start of the call. Conference ID: LAZQ226.

A replay of the conference call will be available by 10:00 a.m. ET, July 23, 2026, via the Lazard Investor Relations website at www.lazard.com, or by dialing +1 800-839-2382 (toll-free, U.S. and Canada) or +1 402-220-7201 (outside of the U.S. and Canada).

ABOUT LAZARD

Founded in 1848, Lazard is the preeminent financial advisory and asset management firm, with operations in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Lazard provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and capital solutions, restructuring and liability management, geopolitics, and other strategic matters, as well as asset management and investment solutions to institutions, corporations, governments, partnerships, family offices, and high net worth individuals. Lazard is listed on the New York Stock Exchange as Lazard, Inc. under the ticker LAZ. For more information, please visit Lazard.com and Lazard on LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

Shannon Houston

+1 212-632-6880

Shannon.Houston@lazard.com

Investor Contact:

William Murdock

+1 212-632-1564

William.Murdock@lazard.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "could," "would," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "target," "goal," "pipeline," or "continue," and the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies, business plans and initiatives and anticipated trends in our business. These forward-looking statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

These factors include, but are not limited to, those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K under Item 1A "Risk Factors," and also discussed from time to time in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, including the following:

• Adverse general economic conditions or adverse conditions in global or regional financial markets;

• Changes in international trade policies and practices including the implementation of tariffs, proposed further tariffs, and responses from other jurisdictions, the risk of potential government shutdowns, and the economic impacts, volatility and uncertainty resulting therefrom;

• A decline in our revenues, for example due to a decline in overall mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity, our share of the M&A market or our assets under management (AUM);

• Losses caused by financial or other problems experienced by third parties;

• Losses due to unidentified or unanticipated risks;

• A lack of liquidity, i.e., ready access to funds, for use in our businesses;

• Competitive pressure on our businesses and on our ability to retain and attract employees at current compensation levels; and

• Changes in relevant tax laws, regulations or treaties or an adverse interpretation of those items

These risks and uncertainties are not exhaustive. Our SEC reports describe additional factors that could adversely affect our business and financial performance. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for our management to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can management assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

As a result, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this release will prove to be accurate or correct. Although we believe the statements reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance, achievements or events. Moreover, neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We are under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this release to conform our prior statements to actual results or revised expectations and we do not intend to do so.

Lazard, Inc. is committed to providing timely and accurate information to the investing public, consistent with our legal and regulatory obligations. To that end, Lazard and its operating companies use their websites, and other social media sites to convey information about their businesses, including the anticipated release of quarterly financial results, quarterly financial, statistical and business-related information, and the posting of updates of assets under management in various mutual funds, hedge funds and other investment products managed by Lazard Asset Management LLC and Lazard Frères Gestion SAS. Investors can link to Lazard and its operating company websites through www.lazard.com. 

 

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Note: In the first quarter of 2026, the Company changed its accounting principle for recognizing compensation expense for share-based incentive compensation awards and certain deferred compensation arrangements with only a service condition. As a result, the cumulative effect of applying the change to the prior period is reflected on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2025.

This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures, see Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to Adjusted Results and Notes to Financial Schedules.

This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures, see Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to Adjusted Results and Notes to Financial Schedules.

Note: Average AUM generally represents the average of the monthly ending AUM balances for the period. In 2026, AUM Asset Classes have been expanded to include a multi asset classification. The comparable prior period information has been recast to reflect the current presentation.

This presentation includes non-GAAP measures. Our non-GAAP measures are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For a detailed explanation of the adjustments made to the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures, see Notes to Financial Schedules.