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Moodys Corp.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 22 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 raised, 7 lowered, 13 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 15% year-over-year: Revenue was $2.2 billion, up 15% from the prior-year period and 16% on an organic constant currency basis. MIS revenue rose 25% and MA revenue rose 4%. Source
  • MIS revenue up 25% on issuance: MIS revenue was $1.3 billion, up 25%, and transactional revenue rose 34% to $891 million. Recurring revenue rose 6% to $369 million. Source
  • ARR up 9%, led by Decision Solutions: MA ARR reached $3.7 billion, up 9%. Decision Solutions ARR grew 10%, with KYC up 13%, Banking up 10% and Insurance up 9%. Source
  • MCO adjusted margin up 440 bps: MCO operating margin was 47.9%, up 480 bps. Adjusted operating margin was 55.3%, up 440 bps. Currency translation had an immaterial effect on margins. Source
  • Operating cash flow and FCF up: Year-to-date operating cash flow was $1,718 million, up 32%, and free cash flow was $1,532 million, up 34%. Management cited higher operating income in both segments. Source
  • Shareholder returns of $2.5 billion: The company returned about $2.5 billion in the first half: $2.2 billion of share repurchases and $365 million of dividends. Source
  • MA Regulatory Solutions divestiture gain: The company recorded a pre-tax gain on the divestiture of MA Regulatory Solutions in the second quarter, excluded from adjusted measures. A contingent gain is forecast for the second half. Source

“Moody's delivered exceptional results in the second quarter, reflecting both strong execution and the growing importance of trusted, decision-grade intelligence in an increasingly complex world.”

Rob Fauber, President and Chief Executive Officer, Moody’s Corporation

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue (MCO) SourceFY 2026Increase in the high-single-digit percent rangeKept
Operating expenses (MCO) SourceFY 2026Increase in the mid-single-digit percent range; operating growth 2.5 to 3.5%Kept
Operating margin (MCO) SourceFY 202644% to 45%Lowered from Approximately 45%
Adjusted operating margin (MCO) SourceFY 202652% to 53%Kept
Interest expense, net SourceFY 2026$220 to $240 millionKept
Non-operating (expense)/income SourceFY 2026$70 to $90 millionKept
Diluted EPS (MCO) SourceFY 2026$16.00 to $16.50Lowered from $16.00 to $16.60
Adjusted diluted EPS (MCO) SourceFY 2026$16.50 to $17.00Raised from $16.40 to $17.00
Operating cash flow SourceFY 2026$3.15 to $3.35 billionLowered from $3.25 to $3.45 billion
Free cash flow (MCO) SourceFY 2026$2.7 to $2.9 billionLowered from $2.8 to $3.0 billion
Share repurchases SourceFY 2026Up to $3.0 billionRaised from Approximately $2.5 billion
Capital expenditures SourceFY 2026Approximately $450 millionKept
MA revenue SourceFY 2026Increase in the mid-single-digit percent rangeKept
MA organic constant currency revenue SourceFY 2026Increase in the high-single-digit percent rangeKept
MA ARR SourceFY 2026Increase in the high-single-digit percent rangeKept
MA adjusted operating margin SourceFY 202634% to 35%Kept
MIS revenue SourceFY 2026Increase in the high-single-digit percent rangeKept
MIS adjusted operating margin SourceFY 2026Approximately 65%Kept
Global MIS rated issuance (assumption) SourceFY 2026Increase in the mid-single-digit percent rangeRaised from Increase in the low-single-digit percent range
EUR/USD exchange rate (assumption) SourceRemainder of 2026$1.14Lowered from $1.15
GBP/USD exchange rate (assumption) SourceRemainder of 2026$1.33Raised from $1.32
U.S. high yield spreads (assumption) SourceComing 2 quartersAround 330 bpsLowered from Around 460 bps over the next 12 months
Effective tax rate SourceFY 202623% to 25%Kept
Euro area GDP growth (assumption) Source20260.5% - 1.5%Lowered from 1.0% - 2.0%

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year share repurchase guidance was raised to up to $3.0 billion from approximately $2.5 billion. Source
  • Guidance raised: Adjusted diluted EPS range narrowed to $16.50 to $17.00; the low end rose from $16.40. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Operating margin range is 44% to 45%, compared with approximately 45% previously. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Diluted EPS range is $16.00 to $16.50; the top end was $16.60 previously. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Operating cash flow and free cash flow ranges were each reduced by $100 million at both ends. Source
  • Ended: The MA Regulatory Solutions business was divested; a pre-tax gain was recorded in the second quarter, with a contingent gain forecast for the second half. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 15% year-over-year: Revenue was $2.2 billion, up 15% from the prior-year period and 16% on an organic constant currency basis. MIS revenue rose 25% and MA revenue rose 4%. Source
  • Diluted EPS up 57%: Diluted EPS was $5.03 against $3.21, and adjusted diluted EPS was $4.68 against $3.56. Management cited revenue growth and operating leverage as the drivers. Source
  • Operating income rose to $1,046 million: Operating income was $1,046 million against $818 million a year earlier. Operating margin was 47.9% against 43.1%. Source

MIS revenue and drivers

  • MIS revenue up 25% on issuance: MIS revenue was $1.3 billion, up 25%, and transactional revenue rose 34% to $891 million. Recurring revenue rose 6% to $369 million. Source
  • Corporate Finance led by Investment Grade: Corporate Finance revenue rose 27% to $651 million, led by Investment Grade activity and an increase in Leveraged Finance issuance. Source
  • Infrastructure finance rose 38%: Public, Project and Infrastructure Finance revenue rose 38% to $224 million on data center and technology buildout issuance. Structured Finance revenue rose 12% on ABS, RMBS and covered bonds. Source

“As capital markets evolve, funding needs grow, risks become more interconnected, and AI transforms workflows, customers are turning to us to make consequential decisions with greater confidence.”

Rob Fauber, President and Chief Executive Officer, Moody’s Corporation

MA revenue and ARR

  • MA organic constant currency revenue up 8%: MA revenue rose 4% to $925 million, or 8% on an organic constant currency basis. Recurring revenue was 99% of MA revenue; transactional revenue fell 72%, mainly from the Learning Solutions divestiture. Source
  • ARR up 9%, led by Decision Solutions: MA ARR reached $3.7 billion, up 9%. Decision Solutions ARR grew 10%, with KYC up 13%, Banking up 10% and Insurance up 9%. Source
  • Banking revenue fell on divestiture: Banking revenue fell 14% to $119 million, but organic constant currency Banking revenue rose 17%. Insurance revenue rose 9% and KYC revenue rose 13%. Source
  • Research and Data growth slower: Research and Insights revenue rose 3% to $256 million, or 2% organic constant currency. Data and Information revenue rose 9% to $246 million, or 8% organic constant currency. Source

Costs and margins

  • Operating expenses rose 5%: Operating expenses grew 5%, reflecting higher incentive compensation and costs to support growth. Divestitures and cost management moderated the increase. Source
  • MCO adjusted margin up 440 bps: MCO operating margin was 47.9%, up 480 bps. Adjusted operating margin was 55.3%, up 440 bps. Currency translation had an immaterial effect on margins. Source
  • MIS margin rose on operating leverage: MIS adjusted operating margin was 68.3%, up 410 bps. MA adjusted operating margin was 33.6%, up 150 bps, reflecting revenue performance and cost discipline. Source

“As these forces reshape markets and institutions, Moody’s is well positioned at the intersection of risk, data, analytics and technology.”

Rob Fauber, President and Chief Executive Officer, Moody’s Corporation

Rated issuance volumes

  • Total rated issuance volume up 33%: Total MIS rated issuance volume rose 33%. Public, Project and Infrastructure Finance volume rose 44%, Structured Finance 43% and Financial Institutions 29%. Source
  • Investment Grade and High Yield revenue grew: Investment Grade revenue rose 31% and High Yield revenue rose 33%. Leveraged Loans revenue rose 50%. Source

Cash flow and capital returns

  • Operating cash flow and FCF up: Year-to-date operating cash flow was $1,718 million, up 32%, and free cash flow was $1,532 million, up 34%. Management cited higher operating income in both segments. Source
  • Shareholder returns of $2.5 billion: The company returned about $2.5 billion in the first half: $2.2 billion of share repurchases and $365 million of dividends. Source
  • Capital additions rose in first half: Capital additions were $186 million in the first half, against $160 million a year earlier. Net cash provided by investing activities was $21 million. Source

Divestiture, guidance and assumptions

  • MA Regulatory Solutions divestiture gain: The company recorded a pre-tax gain on the divestiture of MA Regulatory Solutions in the second quarter, excluded from adjusted measures. A contingent gain is forecast for the second half. Source
  • Inorganic revenue adds about 4%: MA full-year revenue guidance includes inorganic revenue of about 4% from acquisitions and divestitures, primarily the Learning and Regulatory Solutions divestitures. FX impact is about (0.5)%. Source
  • Cash flow ranges lowered $100 million: Operating cash flow guidance is $3.15 to $3.35 billion and free cash flow guidance is $2.7 to $2.9 billion, each reduced by $100 million at both ends from the prior guidance. Source
  • High yield spread assumption revised: The high yield spread assumption is around 330 bps over the coming two quarters, below the historical average of around 500 bps, versus around 460 bps over twelve months previously. Source

Coming up, as management said on 22 July 2026

  • Dividend payable September 4: The quarterly dividend of $1.03 per share, declared July 21, is payable September 4, 2026 to holders of record at the close of business August 14, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
MA ARR Source$3,661 million, up 9%
Total MIS rated issuance volume Sourceup 33%
MIS transaction revenue Source$891 million, up 34%

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: A reserve for an international non-income tax obligation is excluded from adjusted measures, as the company does not view it as part of ongoing operating cost structure. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: In April, the expected gain from the anticipated divestiture was included in guidance, with closing expected in the second quarter.

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.