Shares of Houlihan Lokey (HLI) have been strong performers lately, with the stock up 17.7% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $122.62 in the previous session. Houlihan Lokey has gained 15.5% since the start of the year compared to the 3% move for the Zacks Finance sector and the 1.9% return for the Zacks Financial - Miscellaneous Services industry.What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on October 28, 2021, Houlihan Lokey reported EPS of $1.71 versus consensus estimate of $1.19.For the current fiscal year, Houlihan Lokey is expected to post earnings of $6.68 per share on $2.15 billion in revenues. This represents a 44.81% change in EPS on a 40.65% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $5.82 per share on $2.12 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of -12.93% and -1.14%, respectively.Valuation MetricsHoulihan Lokey may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company is due for a pullback from this level.On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. Investors should consider the style scores a valuable tool that can help you to pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.Houlihan Lokey has a Value Score of C. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are A and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 17.9X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 24.5X versus its peer group's average of 11.9X. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.Zacks RankWe also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Houlihan Lokey currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Houlihan Lokey passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Houlihan Lokey shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come. Bitcoin, Like the Internet Itself, Could Change Everything Blockchain and cryptocurrency has sparked one of the most exciting discussion topics of a generation. Some call it the “Internet of Money” and predict it could change the way money works forever. If true, it could do to banks what Netflix did to Blockbuster and Amazon did to Sears. Experts agree we’re still in the early stages of this technology, and as it grows, it will create several investing opportunities. Zacks’ has just revealed 3 companies that can help investors capitalize on the explosive profit potential of Bitcoin and the other cryptocurrencies with significantly less volatility than buying them directly. See 3 crypto-related stocks now >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (HLI): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here.