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LAZ vs MCO
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Lazard (LAZ) vs. Moody's Corporation (MCO) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- LAZ (Lazard) is a deal-driven financial advisory and asset management firm whose revenue is highly sensitive to merger and acquisition (M&A) activity, while MCO (Moody's) earns largely recurring revenue from credit ratings and analytics.
- Lazard has underperformed recently, weighed down by an earnings miss, elevated expenses, and uneven deal flow, while Moody's has posted accelerating revenue and earnings growth.
- Moody's carries structurally higher margins and a much larger market capitalization than Lazard, though it also trades at a meaningfully richer valuation multiple.
- Lazard offers a substantially higher dividend yield and a lower valuation, reflecting its more cyclical earnings profile and higher uncertainty.
- Sentiment diverges sharply: analyst consensus on Lazard leans cautious ("Hold" with sell-side downgrades), while Moody's retains a predominantly "Buy/Hold" skew.
- On trend consistency and earnings stability, the observable data currently favors Moody's, with Lazard presenting a higher-risk, higher-leverage turnaround profile.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines two well-known names in financial services that operate at opposite ends of the risk spectrum. Lazard, Inc. is a premier independent advisory house whose fortunes rise and fall with corporate deal-making, while Moody's Corporation is an integrated risk-assessment giant anchored by its credit ratings franchise and a fast-growing analytics business. Comparing LAZ and MCO is useful for investors weighing a cyclical, value-oriented turnaround candidate against a steadier, recurring-revenue compounder. The contrast in business models, recent momentum, and market positioning makes this a particularly instructive relative performance study in the current environment.
LAZ Overview and Recent Performance
Lazard, Inc. (LAZ) operates two principal segments: Financial Advisory, which advises on mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings, and Asset Management. The company's revenue remains heavily tied to Financial Advisory, which has historically contributed a majority of operating revenue. This dependence makes Lazard's results sensitive to global deal volume, financing costs, and corporate confidence.
In recent weeks, Lazard shares have traded near the lower end of their 52-week range, reflecting investor caution. The stock's relative performance has lagged the broader market, with a year-to-date decline that contrasts with gains in the S&P 500. A key catalyst for the pullback was a second-quarter earnings miss, as adjusted earnings came in well below consensus estimates and below the prior-year period, pressured by softer advisory revenue and higher compensation and operating expenses. Lazard's management continues to execute a multi-year restructuring plan aimed at improving operating leverage, but the benefits are expected to materialize gradually. Elevated costs and an uncertain macroeconomic backdrop have kept sentiment subdued, even as the company maintains a high dividend yield that appeals to income-focused investors.
MCO Overview and Recent Performance
Moody's Corporation (MCO) is an integrated risk-assessment provider operating through two segments: Moody's Investors Service (MIS), its credit ratings business, and Moody's Analytics (MA), which supplies data, research, and analytical tools. The company benefits from a largely recurring revenue model, particularly in Analytics, where subscription-based annual recurring revenue (ARR) has grown steadily and retention remains high.
Recent market activity has been more constructive for Moody's. The company delivered a strong second quarter, with revenue rising double digits year over year and adjusted earnings per share (EPS) beating consensus estimates by a wide margin. Record investment-grade debt issuance and resilient demand for risk analytics supported the top line, and management raised its full-year adjusted EPS guidance. Operating margins expanded, and free cash flow strengthened, allowing Moody's to increase share repurchases. This earnings momentum has helped the stock outperform Lazard on a relative basis in recent months, even though Moody's shares still sit below their 52-week high. The company's scale, pricing power, and recurring revenue provide a degree of stability that Lazard's advisory model does not offer.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
The core contrast between these two stocks is business-model durability versus valuation. Lazard is a classic cyclical: its advisory revenue tracks M&A activity, which has been uneven and vulnerable to elevated financing costs and valuation gaps that delay private-equity exits. Moody's, by contrast, earns a large share of revenue from recurring ratings and analytics subscriptions, giving it a steadier, higher-margin earnings stream.
Growth drivers also differ. Moody's is benefiting from record debt issuance, expanding ARR, and AI-driven analytics demand, while Lazard is waiting for a sustained recovery in deal flow to re-accelerate advisory revenue. On the risk side, Lazard carries a higher relative sensitivity to capital-market downturns, whereas Moody's faces risks tied to leverage, competitive pressure, and a premium valuation that leaves limited room for disappointment.
Market sentiment reflects these differences. Lazard trades at a modest forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple and a dividend yield above 5%, signaling skepticism about near-term earnings. Moody's trades at a much higher multiple with a yield below 1%, indicating that investors are paying for predictability and growth. Recent momentum favors Moody's, whose earnings have beaten and guided higher, while Lazard has faced downward estimate revisions.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors, Tickeron's AI would likely favor MCO in the current environment. Moody's demonstrates greater trend consistency, stronger earnings momentum, expanding margins, and a recurring revenue base that provides more predictable catalysts than Lazard's deal-dependent model. Lazard's lower valuation and higher yield offer a potential value and income opportunity, but its recent earnings miss, downward revisions, and sensitivity to M&A cycles introduce higher uncertainty. In probabilistic terms, the AI would lean toward Moody's for relative stability and momentum, while acknowledging that Lazard could re-rate quickly if advisory activity recovers more rapidly than expected. This assessment is based on observable market and fundamental positioning rather than a recommendation.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is LAZ is a Hold and MCO is a StrongBuy.
LAZ's RSI Indicator climbs out of oversold territory
The RSI Oscillator for LAZ moved out of oversold territory on October 06, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is shifting from a downward trend to an upward trend. Traders may want to buy the stock or call options. The A.I.dvisor looked at 28 similar instances when the indicator left oversold territory. In 23 of the 28 cases the stock moved higher. This puts the odds of a move higher at 82%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 16, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on LAZ as a result. In 66 of 86 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 77%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for LAZ just turned positive on October 02, 2026. Looking at past instances where LAZ's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 37 of 49 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 76%.
Following a +4.94% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where LAZ advanced for three days, in 206 of 289 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 71%.
LAZ may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator has been in the overbought zone for 1 day. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where LAZ declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 72%.
The Aroon Indicator for LAZ entered a downward trend on October 21, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 36 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 42 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to consistent earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 61 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. LAZ’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 85 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (3.966) is normal, around the industry mean (3.517). P/E Ratio (16.837) is within average values for comparable stocks, (8.810). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.000) is also within normal values, averaging (0.809). Dividend Yield (0.054) settles around the average of (7.656) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (1.200) is also within normal values, averaging (16.763).
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 98 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. LAZ’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 88, placing this stock worse than average.
MCO in upward trend: price rose above 50-day moving average on October 21, 2026
MCO moved above its 50-day moving average on October 21, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend. In 29 of 42 similar past instances, the stock price increased further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 69%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where MCO's RSI Oscillator exited the oversold zone, 17 of 25 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 68%.
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 12, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on MCO as a result. In 58 of 89 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 65%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for MCO just turned positive on October 09, 2026. Looking at past instances where MCO's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 27 of 45 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 60%.
Following a +3.30% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where MCO advanced for three days, in 215 of 350 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 61%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 9 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where MCO declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 53%.
MCO broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 15, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for MCO entered a downward trend on October 13, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 16 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 38 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. MCO’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 53 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 75, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 65 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 75 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 98 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: MCO's P/B Ratio (27.677) is very high in comparison to the industry average of (4.090). P/E Ratio (30.579) is within average values for comparable stocks, (18.317). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.609) is also within normal values, averaging (1.780). Dividend Yield (0.009) settles around the average of (0.018) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (10.132) is also within normal values, averaging (7.166).
LAZ | MCO | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 14 | 9 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 85 Overvalued | 98 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 98 | 53 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 36 | 16 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 61 | 38 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 42 | 65 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 75 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
LAZ's Valuation (85) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry is in the same range as MCO (98) in the Financial Publishing Or Services industry. This means that LAZ’s stock grew similarly to MCO’s over the last 12 months.
MCO's Profit vs Risk Rating (53) in the Financial Publishing Or Services industry is somewhat better than the same rating for LAZ (98) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry. This means that MCO’s stock grew somewhat faster than LAZ’s over the last 12 months.
MCO's SMR Rating (16) in the Financial Publishing Or Services industry is in the same range as LAZ (36) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry. This means that MCO’s stock grew similarly to LAZ’s over the last 12 months.
MCO's Price Growth Rating (38) in the Financial Publishing Or Services industry is in the same range as LAZ (61) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry. This means that MCO’s stock grew similarly to LAZ’s over the last 12 months.
LAZ's P/E Growth Rating (42) in the Investment Banks Or Brokers industry is in the same range as MCO (65) in the Financial Publishing Or Services industry. This means that LAZ’s stock grew similarly to MCO’s over the last 12 months.
| LAZ | MCO | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 82% | 1 day ago 68% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 71% | 1 day ago 62% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 77% | 1 day ago 65% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 76% | 1 day ago 60% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 75% | 1 day ago 52% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 73% | 1 day ago 55% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 71% | 2 days ago 61% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 72% | 4 days ago 53% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 66% | 1 day ago 50% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 72% | 1 day ago 62% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
LAZ’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green while MCO’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- LAZ’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- MCO’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
LAZ’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while MCO’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- LAZ’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
- MCO’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
LAZ (@Investment Banks/Brokers) experienced а +3.15% price change this week, while MCO (@Financial Publishing/Services) price change was -0.33% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Investment Banks/Brokers industry was -3.04%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -16.45%, and the average quarterly price growth was -16.40%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Financial Publishing/Services industry was +4.46%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +5.74%, and the average quarterly price growth was +8.83%.
Reported Earning Dates
LAZ is expected to report earnings on Feb 04, 2027.
MCO is expected to report earnings on Feb 05, 2027.
Industries' Descriptions
@Investment Banks/Brokers (-3.04% weekly)These banks specialize in underwriting (helping companies with debt financing or equity issuances), IPOs, facilitating mergers and other corporate reorganizations and acting as a broker or financial advisor for institutions. They might also trade securities on their own accounts. Investment banks potentially thrive on expanding its network of clients, since that could help them increase profits. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and CME Group Inc are some of the largest investment banking companies.
@Financial Publishing/Services (+4.46% weekly)The financial publishing /services sector includes companies that provide informational products and services that are of value to investors, financial/analytics professionals and other interested readers. The products include real-time stock quotes, financial news and analyses. Think S&P Global, Inc., Moody`s Corporation, Thomson-Reuters Corp and IHS Markit Ltd. Information is critical in making financial or investment decisions, and what makes this industry’s output relevant at all times, across various economic conditions.
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LAZ and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, LAZ has been closely correlated with EVR. These tickers have moved in lockstep 75% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if LAZ jumps, then EVR could also see price increases.
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