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Evercore Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 29 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Record second-quarter net revenues: Net revenues were $990.2 million on a U.S. GAAP basis and $999.5 million adjusted. First-half net revenues were $2.4 billion on both bases. Source
  • Advisory fees drove the increase: Advisory fees rose $77.8 million, or 11%, in the quarter on larger transactions and more fees earned. Year-to-date advisory fees rose 61%. Source
  • Several businesses set records: North America Strategic Advisory, Private Funds Group and Equities each posted record second-quarter revenues. Underwriting and Wealth Management had their best quarters on record. Source
  • Notable advisory mandates: Advised on Arcosa’s $8.5 billion sale to CRH, Iridium Communications’s $8.0 billion sale to Rocket Lab, and National Grid’s $1.75 billion investment in Joulent. Also advised Victoria’s Secret on a proxy fight. Source
  • Compensation ratio fell: The adjusted compensation ratio was 63.5%, against 65.4% a year earlier. The GAAP ratio was 64.8%, against 65.8%. Source
  • Non-compensation costs up 34%: Non-compensation costs rose 34% to $180.5 million on a U.S. GAAP basis. The non-compensation ratio was 18.2%, against 16.2% a year earlier. Source
  • Shareholder returns in first half: The company returned $822.9 million to shareholders in the first six months of 2026 through dividends and share repurchases. Source

“We saw broad-based strength across nearly every business this quarter, reflecting strong client engagement and the benefits of our long-term strategy.”

John S. Weinberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Quarterly dividend SourcePayable September 11, 2026$0.89 per shareKept

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Four Investment Banking SMDs joined since the prior earnings call, up from three reported in the first quarter release. Source
  • New: A new special charges line of $21.3 million appeared in the second quarter, for an estimated loss provision on non-U.S. employment taxes for prior periods. Source
  • New: Seven more Investment Banking SMDs committed to join, a change from the three commitments reported in the first quarter release. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Record second-quarter net revenues: Net revenues were $990.2 million on a U.S. GAAP basis and $999.5 million adjusted. First-half net revenues were $2.4 billion on both bases. Source
  • Advisory fees drove the increase: Advisory fees rose $77.8 million, or 11%, in the quarter on larger transactions and more fees earned. Year-to-date advisory fees rose 61%. Source
  • Operating income and margin: Operating income was $146.6 million on a U.S. GAAP basis and $189.7 million adjusted. The operating margin was 14.8% GAAP and 19.0% adjusted. Source
  • Diluted EPS compared with last year: Diluted EPS was $2.32 on a U.S. GAAP basis and $2.91 adjusted, against $2.36 and $2.42 in the second quarter of 2025. Source
  • Revenue growth in first half: Net revenues rose 19% in the second quarter and 56% in the first half, on both U.S. GAAP and adjusted bases, compared with 2025. Source

Segments and businesses

  • Several businesses set records: North America Strategic Advisory, Private Funds Group and Equities each posted record second-quarter revenues. Underwriting and Wealth Management had their best quarters on record. Source
  • Investment Banking & Equities results: Segment operating income was $142.5 million on a U.S. GAAP basis, a 14.7% margin. Adjusted segment operating income was $184.4 million, an 18.9% margin. Source
  • Asset management fees rose 14%: Asset management and administration fees rose 14% to $23.7 million on a U.S. GAAP basis, driven by fees from Wealth Management clients. Source

“We delivered record second quarter revenues, capping off the strongest first half in our history.”

Roger C. Altman, Founder and Senior Chairman

Products, deals and clients

  • Notable advisory mandates: Advised on Arcosa’s $8.5 billion sale to CRH, Iridium Communications’s $8.0 billion sale to Rocket Lab, and National Grid’s $1.75 billion investment in Joulent. Also advised Victoria’s Secret on a proxy fight. Source
  • Underwriting mandates in IPO and follow-on: Active bookrunner on Parabilis Medicine’s $771 million IPO. Lead left bookrunner on Red Cat’s $259 million follow-on offering. Source
  • Private Funds Group ranked first: Private Equity International ranked the Private Funds Group number one in its 2025 Placement Agent Ranking. Source

Demand and fee lines

  • Other revenue up on fund performance: Other revenue, net rose 22% to $30.3 million on a U.S. GAAP basis, mainly from investment funds portfolio performance. Interest expense from July 2025 notes partly offset it. Source

Costs, compensation and tax

  • Compensation ratio fell: The adjusted compensation ratio was 63.5%, against 65.4% a year earlier. The GAAP ratio was 64.8%, against 65.8%. Source
  • Compensation rose on accruals: GAAP compensation expense rose 17%, mainly from amortization of prior deferred awards, higher base salaries and a higher incentive accrual. Source
  • Robey Warshaw awards excluded: Quarter compensation included $7.1 million of costs for awards granted with the Robey Warshaw acquisition. Adjusted results exclude these costs. Source
  • Deferred compensation expense rose: Deferred compensation expense was $174.0 million in the quarter and $316.3 million year to date. Unvested RSUs total 4.4 million, with $1.1 billion grant-date value. Source
  • Non-compensation costs up 34%: Non-compensation costs rose 34% to $180.5 million on a U.S. GAAP basis. The non-compensation ratio was 18.2%, against 16.2% a year earlier. Source
  • Effective tax rate lower: The effective tax rate was 27.8% on a U.S. GAAP basis and 29.4% adjusted, against 29.3% and 30.0% a year earlier. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Cash and investment securities: Cash and equivalents were $1.3 billion at June 30, 2026. Investment securities and certificates of deposit were $1.1 billion. Current assets exceeded current liabilities by $1.9 billion. Source
  • Notes payable little changed: Amounts due on the Notes Payable were $540.0 million at June 30, 2026, against $539.7 million at March 31, 2026. Source
  • Shareholder returns in first half: The company returned $822.9 million to shareholders in the first six months of 2026 through dividends and share repurchases. Source
  • Second-quarter buyback detail: Program repurchases in the second quarter were 0.3 million shares at an average $341.83. Employee share settlements were 30 thousand shares at $319.61. Source

Headcount and people

  • Headcount rose to 2,715: Employees numbered approximately 2,715 at June 30, 2026, against about 2,635 at March 31, 2026 and 2,455 a year earlier. Source
  • Investment Banking SMDs increased: Investment Banking Senior Managing Directors numbered 188 at June 30, 2026, up from 182 at March 31, 2026 and 159 a year earlier. Source

Coming up, as management said on 29 July 2026

  • Dividend payment September 11: The $0.89 dividend is scheduled for payment on September 11, 2026, to holders of record on August 28, 2026. Source
  • Seven Investment Banking SMDs to join: Seven additional Investment Banking SMDs have committed to join, in areas including Restructuring in the U.S. and Europe. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Fees from advisory and underwriting client transactions Source296
Fees of at least $1 million from advisory and underwriting transactions Source132
Underwriting transactions Source26
Assets under management ($ mm) Source16,225

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Management said it will keep reviewing its tax position on the prior-period non-U.S. employment tax matter and adjust the estimate in future periods. Source
  • Financial: Other operating expenses rose on a higher provision for credit losses, which the company cited as the main driver of that increase. Source
  • External: The company cited elevated travel pricing, along with business activity and headcount, as drivers of higher travel and related expenses. Source
  • Demand: Management said quarterly results may fluctuate significantly with the timing and amount of transaction fees, so one quarter may not represent a longer period. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The first quarter release said three SMDs had committed to join later in 2026. The second quarter release does not state their status.
  • Not stated: The Chairman and CEO said the company continues to invest in its business and stays focused on long-term shareholder value. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.