Moody's (MCO) Q2 Results: +31% EPS Growth and +15% Revenue Increase Highlight Operating Strength
Key Takeaways
- Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $4.68 surged 31% year-over-year, comfortably beating the consensus estimate of approximately $4.24.
- Total revenue reached $2.19 billion, up 15% from the prior-year period and roughly $100 million above Wall Street forecasts.
- Moody's Investors Service (MIS) transaction revenue soared 34%, with rated debt issuance exceeding $2 trillion for the second consecutive quarter.
- Adjusted operating margin expanded by 440 basis points (4.4 percentage points) to 55.3%, reflecting significant operating leverage.
- Full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance was narrowed to $16.50–$17.00, with the midpoint raised to $16.75, though shares dipped on a largely unchanged revenue outlook.
- Share repurchase target was increased to up to $3.0 billion for the full year, signaling confidence in ongoing capital generation.
Why This Quarter Matters
Moody's Corporation sits at a key intersection of global debt markets and financial analytics. The second quarter of 2026 served as a useful check on how effectively the company can turn favorable conditions — such as strong investment-grade bond issuance, increased M&A financing, and ongoing AI-related infrastructure spending — into earnings growth. Debt markets drive MIS revenues while recurring subscriptions support Moody's Analytics (MA), so investors looked to this report to see whether both segments could deliver together. Earlier quarters had shown momentum, and Q2 helped clarify if that pace was holding or slowing.
Q2 Results in Detail
Management described the quarter as showing the full strength of Moody's earnings engine. Revenue totaled $2.19 billion, a 15% year-over-year increase that topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.09 billion. Adjusted diluted EPS reached $4.68, up 31% from $3.56 in the same quarter last year and ahead of the $4.24 consensus. On a GAAP basis, net income attributable to Moody's was $878 million, or $5.03 per share, compared with $578 million a year earlier.
Moody's Investors Service was the standout, with revenue rising 25% to $1.26 billion. Transaction revenue inside MIS jumped 34% to $891 million, helped by a 27% increase in Corporate Finance revenue to $651 million and a 38% rise in Public, Project and Infrastructure Finance to $224 million. Structured Finance grew 12% to $151 million, and Financial Institutions advanced 16% to $222 million. MIS recurring revenue rose 6% to $369 million.
Moody's Analytics reported revenue of $925 million, up 4% on a reported basis and 8% organically on a constant-currency basis. Annualized Recurring Revenue reached about $3.7 billion, up 9%, with a trailing 12-month retention rate of 95%. Data and Information led with 9% growth, while Decision Solutions and Research and Insights grew 2% and 3%, respectively.
Adjusted operating income increased 25% to $1.21 billion, lifting the adjusted operating margin by 440 basis points to 55.3%. Free cash flow climbed 47% to $688 million.
I also checked this using Tickeron’s AI Screener to see how the stock compares to others in the industry.
Market Reaction
Even with broad beats on the numbers, Moody's shares finished essentially flat to slightly lower in the session after the July 22 release. Much of the muted response traced to management notes that some activity had been pulled forward into the second quarter without changing the full-year revenue growth outlook, which stayed in the high-single-digit percent range. The full-year adjusted EPS guidance midpoint was lifted to $16.75, just below the analyst consensus of $16.78. With the stock already near $490 and up substantially over the prior year, much of the positive news appeared to be priced in ahead of the report.
Forward Outlook and Areas to Watch
Several factors stand out for the periods ahead. The narrowed adjusted EPS guidance of $16.50 to $17.00 for full-year 2026 points to roughly 12% growth at the midpoint, indicating management sees a steady operating environment even if the 34% transaction revenue pace moderates later in the year.
Debt issuance trends remain the largest variable. Investment-grade corporate issuance has been supported by large technology firms funding AI infrastructure, while high-yield markets have drawn strength from M&A financing. Any sustained change in interest-rate policy or credit spreads could shift issuance volumes quickly. The $2 trillion-plus quarterly rated issuance level, now achieved for two straight quarters, sets a high standard.
On the Analytics side, the 9% ARR growth and 95% retention rate point to a stable, expanding recurring base. Decision Solutions growth slowed to 2%, however, so product innovation and cross-selling will be watched for signs of reacceleration. Exposure to private credit, digital assets, and transition finance, areas noted on the earnings call, offers longer-term potential for additional growth.
Capital allocation continues to draw attention. Moody's lifted its full-year share repurchase target to up to $3.0 billion from roughly $2.5 billion earlier and returned $2.5 billion to shareholders in the first half through buybacks and dividends. With $6.4 billion in outstanding debt as of June 30, 2026, the balance between returns to shareholders and debt management will stay in focus.
Cost discipline also contributed to margin expansion in Q2, as total expenses rose only 5% while revenue grew 15%. Whether that operating leverage holds as the company funds growth initiatives will remain a point of scrutiny in upcoming quarters.
Enhancing Research with Tickeron Tools
In my own workflow, I turn to Tickeron’s AI Screener when I want a systematic way to compare a stock like Moody's against peers or to scan for similar patterns across sectors. The platform lets users filter by technical signals, fundamentals, and performance metrics, which can surface additional ideas without replacing core fundamental analysis. It has become a useful complement when evaluating how broader market conditions might affect individual names.
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.
Contributor
Financial writer and active order flow futures trader with a focus on fundamental analysis, macroeconomic factors, and equity research. I make in-depth blogs on stocks and ETFs, bridging the gap between raw market data and real-world trading decisions.
MCO's RSI Indicator recovers from overbought zone
The 10-day RSI Oscillator for MCO moved out of overbought territory on August 27, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is shifting from an upward trend to a downward trend. Traders may want to look at selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 41 instances where the indicator moved out of the overbought zone. In 24 of the 41 cases the stock moved lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of a move down at 59%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on September 04, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on MCO as a result. In 41 of 86 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 48%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for MCO turned negative on September 02, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 45 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In 20 of the 45 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at 44%.
MCO moved below its 50-day moving average on September 08, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for MCO crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on September 11, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 9 of 17 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 53%.
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 51%.
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator shows that the ticker has stayed in the oversold zone for 9 days. The price of this ticker is presumed to bounce back soon, since the longer the ticker stays in the oversold zone, the more promptly an upward trend is expected.
Following a +2.26% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where MCO advanced for three days, in 221 of 353 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 63%.
MCO may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In 141 of 273 cases where MCO Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are 52%.
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 54 (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 62 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 80, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 75 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than 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 Valuation Rating of 83 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly 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 (26.810) is normal, around the industry mean (-4.915). P/E Ratio (29.733) is within average values for comparable stocks, (25.828). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.625) is also within normal values, averaging (1.843). 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).
Notable companies
Industry description
Market Cap
High and low price notable news
Volume
Fundamental Analysis Ratings
The average fundamental analysis ratings, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, are as follows
Advertisement
General Information
a provider of credit rating, research and risk analysis covering debt instruments services
Industry FinancialPublishingServices
Advertisement