Lazard Reports 4% Increase in AUM to $277.7 Billion
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 15 hours ago
0mins
Should l Buy LAZ?
Source: seekingalpha
- AUM Growth: As of February 28, 2026, Lazard's preliminary assets under management (AUM) reached approximately $277.7 billion, reflecting a 4% increase from $266.9 billion at the end of January, indicating the firm's robust market performance.
- Market Appreciation Impact: The month's AUM included $8.9 billion from market appreciation and $4.2 billion in net inflows, although $0.8 billion was lost due to currency effects, yet the overall growth remains significant.
- Sale Impact: Lazard's sale of its stake in Edgewater Funds management vehicles resulted in a $1.5 billion decrease in AUM, which, while impacting the asset size in the short term, may provide funding for future strategic adjustments.
- Talent Expansion Goals: Lazard has set a productivity target of $12.5 million per managing director by 2030, indicating the firm's commitment to accelerating talent expansion to meet growing market demands and enhance overall performance.
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Analyst Views on LAZ
Wall Street analysts forecast LAZ stock price to rise
4 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
1 Hold
2 Sell
Hold
Current: 43.180
Low
46.00
Averages
54.50
High
59.00
Current: 43.180
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.
Lazard Reports $277.7 Billion in AUM as of February 2026
- Total AUM: As of February 28, 2026, Lazard's assets under management (AUM) reached approximately $277.7 billion, reflecting a 4.0% increase from January's $266.9 billion, indicating the company's robust performance in the market.
- Market Appreciation and Inflows: The month's AUM included $8.9 billion in market appreciation and $4.2 billion in net inflows, demonstrating increased investor confidence in Lazard and further solidifying its market position.
- FX Impact and Asset Changes: Despite facing an $0.8 billion foreign exchange depreciation, Lazard effectively reduced its assets by $1.5 billion through the sale of its stake in Edgewater Funds management vehicles, showcasing its agile asset management strategy.
- Diversified Portfolio: Lazard's asset mix comprises $207.1 billion in equities, $36.5 billion in fixed income, $25.5 billion in multi-asset, and $8.7 billion in alternatives, highlighting its strong capability in diversification, which allows it to effectively navigate market fluctuations.
See More
Bank Stocks Have Taken a Significant Hit: Now Might Be the Right Moment to Consider Investing.
- Current Market Outlook: Bank stocks are currently perceived as undervalued and present a good investment opportunity.
- Impact of AI: The banking sector is leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance operations and profitability rather than facing challenges from it.
See More
Lazard Reports 4% Increase in AUM to $277.7 Billion
- AUM Growth: As of February 28, 2026, Lazard's preliminary assets under management (AUM) reached approximately $277.7 billion, reflecting a 4% increase from $266.9 billion at the end of January, indicating the firm's robust market performance.
- Market Appreciation Impact: The month's AUM included $8.9 billion from market appreciation and $4.2 billion in net inflows, although $0.8 billion was lost due to currency effects, yet the overall growth remains significant.
- Sale Impact: Lazard's sale of its stake in Edgewater Funds management vehicles resulted in a $1.5 billion decrease in AUM, which, while impacting the asset size in the short term, may provide funding for future strategic adjustments.
- Talent Expansion Goals: Lazard has set a productivity target of $12.5 million per managing director by 2030, indicating the firm's commitment to accelerating talent expansion to meet growing market demands and enhance overall performance.
See More
Middle East Tensions Impact Global Markets
- Market Decline: Wall Street opened the week in negative territory, with the S&P 500 falling 0.5% to around 6,700 points, reflecting investor concerns over Middle East tensions that could lead to increased market volatility.
- Rising Oil Prices: WTI crude oil surged about 6% to $97 per barrel, while Brent climbed to $98.31, although both benchmarks trimmed larger overnight gains in futures trading, indicating heightened worries over potential supply disruptions.
- Policy Response Expectations: U.S. President Trump is expected to announce measures to ease surging oil prices, including a coordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves by G7 countries, highlighting the seriousness with which major economies are addressing the risk of prolonged supply disruptions.
- Escalating Geopolitical Tensions: NATO intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile heading toward Turkey on Monday, signaling rising concerns that the regional conflict could expand, further increasing market uncertainty.
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.
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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 Reports $277.7 Billion in AUM as of February 2026
- Total AUM: As of February 28, 2026, Lazard's assets under management (AUM) reached approximately $277.7 billion, reflecting a 4.0% increase from January's $266.9 billion, indicating the company's robust performance in the market.
- Market Appreciation and Inflows: The month's AUM included $8.9 billion in market appreciation and $4.2 billion in net inflows, demonstrating increased investor confidence in Lazard and further solidifying its market position.
- FX Impact and Asset Changes: Despite facing an $0.8 billion foreign exchange depreciation, Lazard effectively reduced its assets by $1.5 billion through the sale of its stake in Edgewater Funds management vehicles, showcasing its agile asset management strategy.
- Diversified Portfolio: Lazard's asset mix comprises $207.1 billion in equities, $36.5 billion in fixed income, $25.5 billion in multi-asset, and $8.7 billion in alternatives, highlighting its strong capability in diversification, which allows it to effectively navigate market fluctuations.
See More
Bank Stocks Have Taken a Significant Hit: Now Might Be the Right Moment to Consider Investing.
- Current Market Outlook: Bank stocks are currently perceived as undervalued and present a good investment opportunity.
- Impact of AI: The banking sector is leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance operations and profitability rather than facing challenges from it.
See More
Lazard Reports 4% Increase in AUM to $277.7 Billion
- AUM Growth: As of February 28, 2026, Lazard's preliminary assets under management (AUM) reached approximately $277.7 billion, reflecting a 4% increase from $266.9 billion at the end of January, indicating the firm's robust market performance.
- Market Appreciation Impact: The month's AUM included $8.9 billion from market appreciation and $4.2 billion in net inflows, although $0.8 billion was lost due to currency effects, yet the overall growth remains significant.
- Sale Impact: Lazard's sale of its stake in Edgewater Funds management vehicles resulted in a $1.5 billion decrease in AUM, which, while impacting the asset size in the short term, may provide funding for future strategic adjustments.
- Talent Expansion Goals: Lazard has set a productivity target of $12.5 million per managing director by 2030, indicating the firm's commitment to accelerating talent expansion to meet growing market demands and enhance overall performance.
See More
Middle East Tensions Impact Global Markets
- Market Decline: Wall Street opened the week in negative territory, with the S&P 500 falling 0.5% to around 6,700 points, reflecting investor concerns over Middle East tensions that could lead to increased market volatility.
- Rising Oil Prices: WTI crude oil surged about 6% to $97 per barrel, while Brent climbed to $98.31, although both benchmarks trimmed larger overnight gains in futures trading, indicating heightened worries over potential supply disruptions.
- Policy Response Expectations: U.S. President Trump is expected to announce measures to ease surging oil prices, including a coordinated release of strategic petroleum reserves by G7 countries, highlighting the seriousness with which major economies are addressing the risk of prolonged supply disruptions.
- Escalating Geopolitical Tensions: NATO intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile heading toward Turkey on Monday, signaling rising concerns that the regional conflict could expand, further increasing market uncertainty.
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
