Should I buy, hold, or sell HLI stock right now?

Houlihan Lokey Inc. (HLI) currently earns a Roarable Rating of C+ (Hold — HOLD) with 69/100 RQD Confidence. Solid steady margins (22% return on capital), mixed timing at 23x P/E—hold if owned, no rush to chase.

What is HLI's 12-month price target and RQD AI Jury consensus?

HLI's 12-month base price target is $153.69 (range $119.88 to $204.81), backed by transparent SEC XBRL cash-flow, Form 4 insider, and CBOE options flow analysis.

Stock Ratings / Financials / HLI

AMG (74) MORN (79) EVR (71) IVZ (51) ⌘ Pro Terminal →

Houlihan Lokey Inc. (HLI) — RQD Stock Rating Cockpit

$146.44 +6.12% NYSE • Live Quote vs Prior Daily Close (Synced Snapshot) EXT / AFTER-HRS: $147.77

Houlihan Lokey Inc. (HLI) carries a Roarable Rating of C+ (Hold) with 69/100 RQD Confidence. The composite score sits in the neutral Hold band (59–69), meaning current holders don’t need to panic-sell while prospective buyers can wait for a move into the 70+ Buy zone.

ROARABLE C+ • HOLD / WATCH Cap $9.64B

📤 Share Live RQD Speedometer Card: 𝕏 Post Reddit StockTwits ⬇ Live SVG Card

⚡ INSTANT AI QUANT PREVIEW • $0 FREE TIER Click Any Pre-Computed AI Quant Specialist Briefing on HLI Below — or Connect Your Own ChatGPT / Claude

🤖 Mara Quenwick • AI Quant Lead (Click for Instant Brief) Is HLI stock a Buy, Hold, or Sell right now according to Roarable's RQD model?

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As of 2026-11-03, Houlihan Lokey Inc. (NYSE: HLI) is rated C+ (Hold / HOLD) by Roarable's 5-pillar RQD engine with a composite confidence score of 69/100 at a spot price of $146.44 (+6.12% 1D, market cap $9.64B). Pillar breakdown: Fundamental Cash Engine 17/20, Institutional 13F & Options Flow 11/20, SEC Balance-Sheet Forensics 15/20, FRED Macro Regime Fit 7/20, and Executive Insider Alignment 19/20. Across 1097 tracked Financials issuers, HLI ranks #126 in composite RQD confidence.

✓ Pre-computed one-to-many AI Quant brief

🤖 Ellis Vennor • AI Peer & Flow Quant (Click for Instant Brief) How does HLI compare to AMG and MORN in the Financials sector?

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Within the Financials sector (Investment Managers), HLI carries a Roarable C+ (69/100 RQD), trailing P/E of 23.0x, gross margin of —, and ROIC of 21.6%. By comparison, AMG (Affiliated Managers Group Inc.) holds a B grade (74/100 RQD, P/E 14.4x, ROIC 14.8%, cap $9.87B) and MORN (Morningstar Inc.) posts a B+ grade (79/100 RQD, P/E 20.1x, ROIC 22.9%, cap $8.39B). Among the 5-stock peer group, AMG leads on earnings multiple (14.4x) while EVR leads on capital efficiency (30.3% ROIC).

✓ Pre-computed one-to-many AI Quant brief

🤖 Gideon Ashmere • AI SEC 10-K Forensics (Click for Instant Brief) What are the biggest fundamental strengths and SEC risk factors for HLI?

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Per HLI's SEC EDGAR XBRL 10-K filing (FY2025, filed 2026-03-31, CIK 0001302215), Houlihan Lokey Inc. generated $2.62B in revenue (+9.5% YoY), $424.0M in net income, and $681.8M in free cash flow against $3.94B in total assets and $739.3M in total debt. Key quantitative strengths: Strong cash generator (steady margins)—profits are backed by real money, not accounting tricks. Primary risk factors monitored: Sensitive to high interest rates and tighter Federal Reserve market liquidity. Institutional options positioning shows a 50% call / 50% put premium split.

✓ Pre-computed one-to-many AI Quant brief

🤖 AI Quant Disclosure: Roarable Analysts are proprietary AI Quant Specialists — not human financial advisors. Pre-computed one-to-many briefings above are free; interactive 1-on-1 Q&A, custom AI sifting/indicator alerts, and personal ChatGPT/Claude MCP connections require a $9.95/mo Pro account (currently waitlist-only).

INTERACTIVE SCENARIO DECK:

🛡️ Portfolio Crash X-Ray

EXT / AFTER-HRS: $147.77 (+0.91%)🧬 Cannibal Buyback (-3.20% YoY Shares)⚙️ Cash Engine: 17/20 (A-) • 26% FCF Margin

Verify 90D Bucket Audit →

📊 Historical Track Record: Scores of 69/100 (C+) historically posted market-perform odds over rolling 90-day windows (+2.0% avg 90D alpha vs SPY • 57.3% hit rate — wait for RQD ≥ 70 breakout).

Audit Bucket Track Record →

RQD QUANT TACHOMETERHOLD / WATCH • C+

2-of-3 JEV AI Jury Bullish

Cash

SEC

Whale

Impersonal quantitative research (0–100 RQD rubric) — not individualized investment advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Full Disclaimer

5-PILLAR SNOWFLAKE RADARRw B+ · Rk D+

Each axis scored 0–20

12M PRICE TARGET CONE+5% Base Target

WHALE OPTIONS SNAPSHOT: — (No Active Options Snapshot on file for HLI)Realized 20D OHLCV Swing Band: ±6.3%

Deterministic 5-Pillar Attribution (69/100 Composite)

🔍 WHY HLI SCORES 69/100 (C+) — TOP 3 DRIVERS2 Bullish Pillars + #1 Risk Drag

▲ #1 Bullish Driver: Insider Conviction & Share Dilution+19/20 pts (28% of score)

SEC Form 4 / 13F Thermometer: 86% Net Buy • Cannibal Buyback (-3.20% YoY Shares)

▲ #2 Bullish Driver: Cash Engine Quality+17/20 pts (25% of score)

SEC XBRL FY 2025 (10-K): 26% FCF Margin ($681.8M FCF) & 52% Gross Margin

▼ #1 Drag / Risk Factor: Macro Regime Fit7/20 pts (-13 pt drag)

Macro rate sensitivity & RSI-14 (60.1) create a -13 pt regime headwind

📈 PAST 4 QUARTERS RQD vs SUBSEQUENT RETURNQ1 → Q2 → Q3 → Current

Q1 (-3Q)

Grade C$124.78+2.9% Next Q

Q2 (-2Q)

Grade C+$128.39+7% Next Q

Q3 (-1Q)

Grade B-$137.38+6.6% Next Q

Current

Grade C+$146.44+2% Hist 90D α

Trajectory: C (61) → C+ (69)Full Audit →

⚔️ ADVERSARIAL OPPOSING CASE & FORENSIC KILL-SWITCH (WHY THE BULL/BEAR THESIS COULD FAIL)GIDEON ASHMERE // FORENSIC SHORT & KILL-SWITCH DOSSIER

⚔️ Adversarial Opposing Case: Why the HLI Bull Thesis Could Fail

Gideon Ashmere Forensic Desk →

Even with a 69/100 (C+) score, HLI faces multiple-compression risk if 23.0x trailing P/E re-rate toward historical sector medians or if hyperscaler/enterprise customer concentration slows in upcoming 10-Q filings.

⚠️ Forensic Kill-Switch #1

Sensitive to high interest rates and tighter Federal Reserve market liquidity.

⚠️ Forensic Kill-Switch #2

Dilution & Margin Drag: Cannibal Buyback (-3.20% YoY Shares) — any gross margin slip below 49.5% triggers an automatic RQD downgrade.

⚠️ Forensic Kill-Switch #3

Technical & Forensic Kill-Switch: A daily close below the 50D SMA ($131.75) or 200D SMA ($143.85) invalidates the momentum regime and cuts Target Base ($153.69) toward Bear Floor ($119.88).

🎲 LIVE PREDICTION MARKET ODDS TIED TO $HLI• $2.4M Crowd Pool • Kalshi / Polymarket Composite

Contract: “HLI Beats Next Quarter EPS Consensus (Dec 29, 2026) & Holds Above 200D SMA”

YES 69%NO 31%Trade / Inspect Odds →

RSI-14 MOMENTUMBULLISH MOMENTUM

60.130 Oversold · 70 Hot

ALTMAN-Z SHIELDFORTRESS SAFE (>3.0)

3.80>3.0 Fortress Safe

PIOTROSKI F-SCOREHIGH QUALITY (7–9)

9 / 99-Pt Accounting

52-WEEK LASER RANGE41% OF RANGE

L: $113$146.44H: $195

1. Money & Cash Health● HEALTHY

Are profits real cash in the bank?

Real cash coming in backs up reported profits (steady margins and healthy balance-sheet cushion).

Factor Grade: A-RQD 17 / 20

2. Big Money & Insiders● BUYING

Are whales & executives buying or selling?

Hedge funds and options traders are leaning bullish, showing strong institutional appetite.

Factor Grade: BRQD 30 / 40

3. Hidden Risks & Market Weather● WATCH

SEC fine-print scan & interest-rate fit

No major SEC filing blowups, though current interest rates and Fed liquidity call for normal position sizing.

Factor Grade: D+RQD 22 / 40

MULTI-MODEL JEV QUANT JURY DELIBERATION

2-of-3 JEV AI Jury Bullish on HLI

Cash & Moat Bull AI

ROIC & Free Cash Flow Model

BULLISH (85)

21.6% ROIC with 42.0% gross margin and 7.00% FCF yield.

SEC Forensic Auditor AI

10-K Accruals & Altman-Z Guard

BULLISH (75)

Altman-Z 4.20 and Piotroski 9/9 pass balance-sheet audit.

Whale & Macro Hawk AI

Options Skew, 13F & Fed NetLiq

NEUTRAL (62)

30/40 institutional & smart-money positioning score with 7/20 macro alignment.

Bull Case: Why Buyers Like HLI

✓Strong cash generator (steady margins)—profits are backed by real money, not accounting tricks.
✓Company leadership has skin in the game with net positive insider conviction.
✓Clean SEC annual filing review with no major hidden accounting time-bombs.

Bear Case: What Could Go Wrong

!Sensitive to high interest rates and tighter Federal Reserve market liquidity.

ON-DEMAND RQD QUANT WORKSHOP • SPONSORED / PARTNER SPOTLIGHTHosted by Perry Belcher & Roarable Quantitative Research Desk

Scheduled RQD Strong Buys & Whale Accumulation Briefing (HLI Tape Review)

✓Breakdown of the highest-scoring RQD Green-Light breakouts across our 5,200+ rated universe
✓Forensic Red-Light accounting & dilution traps to review on your watchlist
✓Includes downloadable .ics calendar invite & nightly RQD rating-change email alerts

RQD INSIDER CLUB WAITLIST$49/YR PLANNED

Want Custom AI PineScript / Python Indicators & Priority Rating-Change Alerts?

Join Founding VIP Waitlist (No Card Required) →$100K Arena

HLI // CANDLESTICK & AUTO-TRENDLINE WORKSTATION6M: -2.67%▲ ASCENDING CHANNEL

2026-11-03O $139.3H $146.4L $138.0C $146.4VOL 797.0K

RES: $151.1SUP: $125.7SMA50: $131.8SMA200: $143.9

PRIMARY-SOURCE FORENSICS, SECOND-ORDER LINKS & AI ANALYST DESK

HLI Dilution Monitor, Expectations Hurdle, Butterfly Connections & Policy Exposure

🦋 HLI Butterfly Map → + Track HLI →

Share Count & Dilution Monitor

Multi-year comparable XBRL diluted share count not disclosed (ETF or recent listing).

Reverse-DCF Expectations Hurdle

16.8%/yr Implied 5Y Growth

vs. +9.5% actual YoY revenue growth (assuming 9.25% cost of equity & 16.5x terminal multiple).

Ellis Vennor Setup Ledger

No active Ellis Vennor swing setup published on HLI today. View full Setup Ledger →

🦋 Documented & Second-Order Butterfly Connections Open Graph →

No direct multi-tier Butterfly edges indexed yet for HLI. Explore sector supply chains on /butterfly.

AI Analyst Theses, Washington Policy & Company Video

🎬 No recent verified company-specific video clip queued for HLI today (we never pad ticker pages with unrelated generic clips). Browse Macro Video Desk →

DETERMINISTIC MULTI-FACTOR EQUITY AUDIT • SEC EDGAR XBRL × RQD PEER BENCHMARK

📊 Quantitative Sector Peer Comparison, SEC Filing Delta & Investment FAQ (HLI)

Financials Rank #126 of 1097 ⚔️ AMG vs HLI Full Matrix →

1. Head-to-Head Financials Peer Comparison (HLI vs. AMG, MORN, EVR, IVZ)

Industry: Investment Managers (79 Tracked Issuers)

Across 1097 tracked Financials securities in the Roarable RQD universe, Houlihan Lokey Inc. (HLI) ranks #126 by composite RQD confidence (69/100, grade C+) and #191 by equity capitalization ($9.64B). Within this direct 5-issuer industry benchmark cohort, AMG leads on earnings valuation at 14.4x trailing P/E, while EVR leads on capital efficiency and profitability with 30.3% ROIC and — gross margin. MORN currently holds the highest overall quantitative score in the immediate peer group at 79/100 (B+) compared with HLI at 69/100 (C+).

Ticker / Company	Roarable Grade	RQD Score	Trailing P/E	Gross Margin	ROIC	1D Change	Market Cap	Head-to-Head
HLI ACTIVE Houlihan Lokey Inc.	C+	69/100	23.0x	—	21.6%	+6.12%	$9.64B	Benchmark Subject
AMG Affiliated Managers Group Inc.	B	74/100	14.4x	—	14.8%	-2.93%	$9.87B	/amg-vs-hli →
MORN Morningstar Inc.	B+	79/100	20.1x	—	22.9%	+5.54%	$8.39B	/morn-vs-hli →
EVR Evercore Inc.	B-	71/100	19.3x	—	30.3%	+4.39%	$11.17B	/evr-vs-hli →
IVZ Invesco Ltd	D	51/100	—	—	-3.2%	+0.04%	$12.26B	/ivz-vs-hli →

2. Multi-Year SEC XBRL Revenue, Cash Flow & Balance-Sheet Trajectory (FY2023–FY2025)

SEC EDGAR 10-K • FILED 2026-03-31 • CIK 0001302215 ↗

In its most recent audited fiscal period (FY2025, filed 2026-03-31), Houlihan Lokey Inc. (HLI) reported GAAP revenue of $2.62B (+9.5% vs. FY2024 revenue of $2.39B , and +36.7% cumulative change since FY2023) , GAAP net income of $424.0M, operating cash flow of $704.1M, and free cash flow of $681.8M (-15.7% YoY). On the balance sheet, HLI closed FY2025 with $3.94B in total assets against $739.3M in total debt (Altman Z-Score: N/A, Piotroski F-Score: 9/9).

Fiscal Period	Filing Date	Revenue	Net Income	Operating Cash Flow	Free Cash Flow	Total Assets	Total Debt
FY2025 (FY)	2026-03-31	$2.62B	$424.0M	$704.1M	$681.8M	$3.94B	$739.3M
FY2024 (FY)	2025-03-31	$2.39B	$400.0M	$848.6M	$808.9M	$3.48B	$627.8M
FY2023 (FY)	2024-03-31	$1.91B	$280.0M	$328.5M	$242.3M	$5.36B	$1.25B

3. HLI Data-Verified Investor FAQ (RQD Rating, Sector Peers, SEC Forensics & Technicals)

✓ SCHEMA.ORG FAQPAGE JSON-LD ENABLED

Is HLI stock a Buy, Hold, or Sell right now according to Roarable's RQD model?

How does HLI compare to AMG and MORN in the Financials sector?

What are the biggest fundamental strengths and SEC risk factors for HLI?

Where is HLI trading relative to its 50-day, 200-day, and 52-week technical levels?

HLI last traded at $146.44 (+6.12% on volume of 1,093,839 shares), positioning the stock +11.15% above its 50-day simple moving average ($131.75) and +1.80% above its 200-day simple moving average ($143.85). Across its 52-week range of $112.83 to $195.06, HLI sits at the 40.9% percentile with a 14-day RSI of 60.1 (BULLISH MOMENTUM) and an implied next-earnings move of ±6.3% ($137.21 to $155.67).

Direct Sub-Reports: HLI RQD Cockpit HLI 12M Forecast HLI Earnings & Move HLI Dividends & DRIP HLI Insiders & 13F HLI Whale Options HLI Profit Sankey HLI News & Why

ROARABLE RATING BRIEF • RQD 69/100 (C+) ✓ SEC XBRL & RQD VERIFIED

HLI — Houlihan Lokey Inc.: What the Facts Mean to a Prospective Investor

Methodology: RQD v6.2 Deterministic 5-Pillar & SEC XBRL Audit

Updated: 2026-03-31

1. Roarable Rating Brief: What This Means to a Prospective Investor

Houlihan Lokey Inc. (HLI) earns a live Roarable RQD composite score of 69/100, corresponding to a C+ letter grade (Roarable Hold) at a spot price of $146.44 (+6.12% 1D, market capitalization $9.64B).

Fundamental Cash Engine (17/20): Anchored by return on invested capital (ROIC) of 21.6%, gross margin of —, operating margin of 20.1%, and free cash flow yield of 7.00%.
Whale 13F & Options Flow (11/20) + Insider Conviction (19/20): Tracks institutional 13F accumulation, CBOE options call/put positioning, and SEC Form 4 / Congressional PTR filings.
Macro Regime Fit (7/20) + Forensic Balance Sheet (15/20): Incorporates a 0.91x equity beta, Altman Z-Score of N/A, Piotroski F-Score of 9/9, and Debt/Equity of N/A.

2. Business Model, Unit Margins & SEC Financial Trajectory

Houlihan Lokey Inc. (HLI) is a NYSE-listed operating company in the Investment Managers industry (Financials sector) with an equity market capitalization of $9.64B. The business operates with a gross margin of 0%, an operating margin of 20.1%, and a return on invested capital (ROIC) of 21.6% (free cash flow yield of 7%). Within the Investment Managers peer group, investor evaluation centers on operating leverage, unit margin durability, and capital allocation efficiency across market cycles.

In its latest audited SEC EDGAR 10-K filing for FY2025 (filed 2026-03-31), Houlihan Lokey Inc. (HLI) reported $2.62B in annual revenue (up from $2.39B in FY2024, +9.5% YoY) and $424.0M in GAAP net income. Over the multi-year SEC filing window from FY2023 ($1.91B revenue, $280.0M net income) through FY2025, HLI scaled operating cash flow to $704.1M and free cash flow to $681.8M, backed by $3.94B in total assets against $739.3M in total debt.

3. Institutional Bull vs. Bear Thesis & Valuation Tradeoff

🐂 Primary Bull Case (C+ • RQD 69/100): Strong cash generator (steady margins)—profits are backed by real money, not accounting tricks. Company leadership has skin in the game with net positive insider conviction. With Fundamental Cash Engine at 17/20 and Institutional Whale Flow at 11/20, sustained execution supports upside toward the upper end of the $112.83 – $195.06 52-week range.
🐻 Primary Bear Case & Valuation Risk: Sensitive to high interest rates and tighter Federal Reserve market liquidity. Investors must weigh 23.0x trailing P/E and 17.2x EV/EBITDA against 20.1% operating margins and a 0.91x macro beta.

4. 2nd-Order Butterfly Ripples & Key Questions to Watch

The only sector context provided is the Financials sector and Investment Managers industry classification, combined with the RQD macro-regime pillar's note on sector sensitivity (Beta 0.91).

Key Question #1: Can HLI sustain or expand its 20.1% operating margin and 21.6% ROIC against Investment Managers peers over the next 4 quarters?
Key Question #2: Following FY2025 revenue of $2.62B and free cash flow of $681.8M, how will capital allocation balance growth reinvestment against $739.3M in total debt?
Key Question #3: How sensitive is HLI's 21.4x forward P/E multiple to Financials capital spending cycles and macro interest-rate shifts (Beta 0.91x)?

HLI Live News Feed, Press Releases & Catalyst Wire

Real-time company headlines, analyst actions, and sector developments for Houlihan Lokey Inc. (HLI) • Click "Debate This Headline" to argue it in the Roar Pit below

💬 Jump to HLI Debate Forum (3) ↓

🟡 MARKET WIRE Yahoo Finance • 22h ago

Houlihan Lokey (HLI) Stock Is Up, What You Need To Know

Yahoo Finance report covering Houlihan Lokey Inc. (HLI) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.

Read Full Source ↗

🟡 MARKET WIRE Yahoo! Finance Canada • 1d ago

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI) Stock Price, News, Quote & History

Yahoo! Finance Canada report covering Houlihan Lokey Inc. (HLI) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.

Read Full Source ↗

🟡 MARKET WIRE TradingView • 1d ago

Houlihan Lokey (HLI) reports Q3: everything you need to know ahead of earnings

TradingView report covering Houlihan Lokey Inc. (HLI) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.

Read Full Source ↗

🟢 CATALYST Yahoo Finance • 1d ago

Earnings Beat Might Change The Case For Investing In Houlihan Lokey Stock (HLI)

Yahoo Finance report covering Houlihan Lokey Inc. (HLI) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.

Read Full Source ↗

🟢 CATALYST Yahoo Finance • 1d ago

Houlihan Lokey (HLI) Expected to Beat Earnings Estimates: Can the Stock Move Higher?

Yahoo Finance report covering Houlihan Lokey Inc. (HLI) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.

Read Full Source ↗

🟡 MARKET WIRE Yahoo Finance • 1d ago

Houlihan Lokey (HLI) Q2 Results Flag A Margin Squeeze Beneath Steady Stock

Yahoo Finance report covering Houlihan Lokey Inc. (HLI) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.

Read Full Source ↗

🟡 MARKET WIRE Yahoo Finance • 1d ago

Is Houlihan Lokey (HLI) Reasonable After Its Latest Results?

Yahoo Finance report covering Houlihan Lokey Inc. (HLI) market action, institutional positioning, and fundamental catalysts.

Read Full Source ↗

🟡 MARKET WIRE Yahoo • 1d ago

Houlihan Lokey Expands European Business Services Capabilities With Senior Hire

LONDON, November 02, 2026--Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI), the global investment bank, announced today that Adnan Choudhury has joined the firm as a Managing Director in its Business Services Group. Based in London, Mr.

Read Full Source ↗

🔥 THE ROAR PIT • LIVE COMMUNITY DEBATE 3 Active Posts & Replies

HLI Bull vs. Bear Conversation Board — What's Your Call at $146.44?

🐂 67% BULLISH CONVICTION COMMUNITY TUG-OF-WAR ON HLI 🐻 33% BEARISH CONVICTION

DE DeltaGamma_99 RQD DEBATE OPENER • Options Flow Specialist 🐂 BULLISH 🎯 Target: $168.36 (+22.0%)

📌 Pinned Debate

Insider conviction (19/20) and a 21.6% ROIC with 7% FCF yield anchor a sound institutional-accumulation profile.

Picked up a starter position in HLI in my $100K Virtual Cash book at $138.00. Insider conviction (19/20) and a 21.6% ROIC with 7% FCF yield anchor a sound institutional-accumulation profile.. Trading inside a $112.83–$195.06 52-week range with 7.0% FCF yield gives solid downside support if Investment Managers multiples expand this quarter.

RetailWhale_TX 🐂 BULL

Both sides have a point here — HLI's 15/20 balance sheet score keeps downside contained, so the real swing factor next earnings call is backlog and FCF conversion.

FA FadeTheHype RQD DEBATE OPENER • Contrarian Tape Reader 🐻 BEARISH 🎯 Target: $117.30 (-15.0%)

Spot @ $138.00

A trailing P/E of 23 and EV/EBITDA of 17.2 with only 7/20 on macro regime fit leave limited valuation cushion.

A trailing P/E of 23 and EV/EBITDA of 17.2 with only 7/20 on macro regime fit leave limited valuation cushion.. Look at the math on HLI: paying 23.0x trailing P/E for 21.6% ROIC and 20.1% operating margins leaves zero margin of safety if Investment Managers demand softens. I'd wait for a retest of $121.44 before getting long.