LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA) AI Stock Analysis

NASDAQ: LPLAAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

LPLA AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA) provides brokerage and investment advisory platforms to independent financial advisors and institutions across the United States. In the trailing twelve months, the company generated $19.20B in revenue with quarterly revenue expanding 36.4% year-over-year. However, annual free cash flow contracted to -$993.4M in FY2025, while total debt reached $7.46B as of June 30, 2026.

Market cap
$25.27B
Revenue (TTM)
$19.20B
P/E
25.5x
fwd 10.9x
1Y return
-3.4%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$422.38
31.6% vs last close

Bull case

  • Revenue expanded 36.4% year-over-year in the quarter ended June 30, 2026, supporting a 5-year revenue CAGR of 23.7%.
  • Analyst consensus projects EPS to reach $23.66 in FY2026 and $30.20 in FY2027, with a mean price target offering 31.6% upside to the last close.
  • The stock trades at a forward P/E of 10.9x and a PEG ratio of 0.39, while matching EPS beats in all of the last 4 quarters.

Bear case

  • Free cash flow turned sharply negative at -$993.4M in FY2025, down from -$284.9M in FY2024 and positive $1.64B in FY2022.
  • Total debt reached $7.46B against $2.70B in cash and short-term investments as of June 30, 2026, resulting in net debt of $4.76B.
  • Net margin declined to 5.1% in FY2025 and 5.2% on a trailing twelve-month basis, down from 10.6% in FY2023.

What LPL Financial does

LPL Financial Holdings Inc. offers a platform of brokerage and investment advisory services primarily in the United States, supporting independent financial advisors and financial institutions. Its brokerage services cover variable and fixed annuities, mutual funds, equities, retirement plans, fixed income securities, insurance, and alternative investments such as non-traded real estate investment trusts. Through its advisory platforms, advisors access exchange-traded funds, equities, bonds, option strategies, and multi-manager variable annuities under commission-based and fee-based models. In addition, LPL Financial delivers trust services, custodial services, investment management oversight, and insurance brokerage.

Growth and profitability

LPL Financial expanded revenue from $7.72B in FY2021 to $16.99B in FY2025, reflecting a 5-year revenue CAGR of 23.7%. Revenue growth reached 37.2% in FY2025, up from 23.2% in FY2024. Over this span, gross margin moved from 22.2% in FY2021 to 25.6% in FY2025, while operating margin fell from 16.2% in FY2023 to 13.4% in FY2025. Net income was $863.0M in FY2025, down from $1.06B in FY2024, yielding a net margin of 5.1%. Diluted EPS increased to $20.09 in FY2025. In the latest quarter ending June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue grew 36.4% year-over-year and quarterly earnings rose 39.4%, bringing trailing twelve months revenue to $19.20B.

LPLA income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of June 30, 2026, LPL Financial held $2.70B in cash and short-term investments alongside total debt of $7.46B, resulting in net debt of $4.76B. Shareholders' equity stood at $5.76B, giving a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30, while the current ratio was 2.46. In FY2025, operating cash flow turned negative at -$423.0M and free cash flow dropped to -$993.4M. Capital expenditures totaled $570.4M for the year. Cash allocation in FY2025 also included $133.5M for share buybacks and $94.4M paid in dividends.

LPLA balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

LPL Financial holds a market cap of $25.27B and an enterprise value of $30.05B. The stock trades at a trailing P/E of 25.5x, higher than the 12.1x median of its US-listed Financial Services peers. However, its forward P/E of 10.9x is in line with the peer median of 10.8x, and its PEG ratio sits at 0.39. Its price-to-sales multiple is 1.3x versus the peer median of 3.2x, while EV/EBITDA stands at 12.1x compared to the peer median of 11.7x. Over the past year, the stock fell 3.4%, trailing the S&P 500 return of 16.8%.

LPLA key metrics →

LPLA dividend

LPL Financial pays a quarterly dividend with an annualized forward payout of $1.20 per share, delivering a dividend yield of 0.37%. The payout ratio is 5.5%, and dividends have been paid for 15 consecutive years. Over the past 5 years, the dividend grew at an annualized rate of 3.7%. The last ex-dividend date was August 14, 2026.

LPLA dividend history →

What analysts expect

Among covering Wall Street analysts, 9 rate LPLA as Strong Buy, 5 as Buy, and 4 as Hold, with 0 Sell or Strong Sell ratings. The mean price target is $422.38, representing a 31.6% premium over the last close of $320.96. For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, consensus estimates project revenue of $20.97B and EPS of $23.66. The company has beaten EPS expectations in each of the last 4 quarters, with the next earnings release scheduled for October 27, 2026.

LPLA forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • Operating cash flow deteriorated from $277.6M in FY2024 to -$423.0M in FY2025, which may constrain future liquidity if negative trends persist.
  • Debt-to-equity stands at 1.30 with total debt of $7.46B, heightening balance sheet leverage.
  • The company's operating margin of 11.1% over the trailing twelve months trails the US-listed Financial Services peer median of 37.7%.

AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer

About this LPLA AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.

Related: LPLA income statement, LPLA balance sheet, LPLA key metrics, LPLA analyst forecast, LPLA chart. See the LPLA stock overview for the latest quote and news.

LPLA AI stock analysis FAQ

What is LPL Financial's dividend yield and payout?

LPLA has an annual forward dividend of $1.20, representing a dividend yield of 0.37% and a payout ratio of 5.5%. The company has paid dividends for 15 consecutive years.

What is LPL Financial's debt load?

As of June 30, 2026, LPL Financial carried $7.46B in total debt and $2.70B in cash and short-term investments, resulting in net debt of $4.76B and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30.

How has LPLA stock performed relative to the market?

Over the past year, LPLA posted a return of -3.4% compared to a 16.8% return for the S&P 500 (SPY). Over a 5-year period, LPLA returned 90.4% versus 83.0% for the index.

What are Wall Street analysts forecasting for LPLA earnings?

Analysts estimate EPS of $23.66 for the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, and $30.20 for the next fiscal year. The mean price target is $422.38.

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