Core Insights - Moody's reported third-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $3.92 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.70, with a year-over-year growth of 22.1% [1][8] - The revenue for the quarter was $2.01 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.96 billion, and reflecting a 10.7% increase year over year [3][8] - The company's liquidity position remained strong, although operating expenses increased, presenting a challenge [1][3] Financial Performance - Net income attributable to Moody's was $646 million or $3.60 per share, up from $534 million or $2.93 per share in the prior-year quarter [2] - Total expenses rose to $1.09 billion, an increase of 1.4% year over year [3] - Adjusted operating income was $1.06 billion, marking a 22.5% increase year over year, with an adjusted operating margin of 52.9%, up from 47.8% a year ago [3] Segment Performance - Moody's Investors Service (MIS) revenues increased by 11.8% year over year to $1.10 billion, driven by strong performance across various finance sectors [4] - Moody's Analytics (MA) revenues rose 9.4% year over year to $909 million, supported by growth in Decision Solutions, Research and Insights, and Data & Information [4] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - As of September 30, 2025, Moody's had total cash and short-term investments of $2.26 billion, down from $2.97 billion at the end of 2024 [5] - The company reported $7 billion in outstanding debt and $1.25 billion in additional borrowing capacity [5] Share Repurchase Program - In the quarter, Moody's repurchased 1 million shares at an average price of $503.66, with $398 million of share repurchase authorization remaining [6] - The board authorized an additional $4 billion in share repurchase authority with no expiration date [6] Updated Guidance - Moody's updated its 2025 guidance, expecting adjusted earnings of $14.50-$14.75 per share, up from the previous target of $13.50-$14.00 [9] - Revenue growth is projected in the high-single-digit percent range, an increase from the prior mid-single-digit range [9] - The adjusted operating margin is expected to be 51%, up from the previously mentioned 49-50% [10] Strategic Developments - Moody's announced plans to secure majority equity ownership in MERIS, enhancing its presence in the Middle East and Africa [12]

Financial Highlights - Adjusted Diluted EPS grew by 22% due to record revenue performance[9] - Quarterly revenue surpassed $2 billion, up 11% year-over-year[12] - Adjusted Operating Margin expanded 510bps to 529%[12] - MCO revenue growth increased to be in the high-single-digit percent range[12] - Adjusted Diluted EPS is up 17% at the midpoint, for a range of $1450 to $1475[12] - Free Cash Flow is approximately $25 billion[43] Moody's Investors Service (MIS) - MIS revenue reached a record high of $11 billion[9] - MIS rated issuance guidance increased to the mid-single-digit percent range[40] - Refinancing walls approximately doubled since 2018, reaching $52 trillion in September 2025[13, 14] - Year-over-year increase of 6% since previous study; stock of forward maturities remains robust, exceeding $5 trillion funding deep currents[15] - Adjusted Operating Margin increased 560 bps to 652%[26] Moody's Analytics (MA) - MA delivered 400bps of margin expansion in Q3[16] - ARR grew by 8% versus the prior year, reaching $34 billion[12] - Decision Solutions ARR is up 10%[9] - Recurring revenue accounts for 96% of total revenue[17]

Core Insights - Moody's Corp. reported strong financial performance in the first half of 2025, with revenues of $3.82 billion and earnings per share of $6.66, reflecting year-over-year increases of 6.1% and 8.1% respectively, partly due to the acquisition of CAPE Analytics [1][7] - The second quarter alone generated revenues of $1.9 billion, with $1.01 billion coming from the Moody's Analytics division, raising questions about the sustainability of this growth [1][4] Revenue and Earnings Trends - Moody's Analytics division achieved annualized recurring revenue (ARR) of $3.3 billion, up 8.1% year-over-year, primarily driven by Decision Solutions [2] - Recurring and transaction revenues for Moody's Investors Service accounted for 67% of total segment revenues in the first half of 2025, a decrease of 100 basis points from the previous year, influenced by growth in Corporate Finance revenues [2] - Management projects earnings for 2025 to be between $12.25 and $12.75 per share, a narrower range than the previous expectation [3] Operating Performance - Moody's operating margin was reported at 43.5%, down 20 basis points from the previous year due to increased restructuring and depreciation costs [3][7] - The company has achieved annualized savings exceeding $100 million through its efficiency program, which is expected to continue benefiting the company [3] Competitive Landscape - MSCI Inc. reported a 9.4% increase in total operating revenues to $1.52 billion for the first half of 2025, driven by higher assets under management [5] - S&P Global Inc. achieved net revenues of $7.53 billion, up 7% year-over-year, supported by strong market intelligence and subscription revenues [6]

Financial Performance Highlights - Moody's achieved its second-highest Q2 revenue on record[9] - Moody's Analytics (MA) Annualized Recurring Revenue (ARR) reached $33 billion, an increase of 8% year-over-year[9] - Adjusted Operating Margin increased by 130 basis points to 509%[12] - Adjusted Diluted EPS increased by 9% to $356[12] Moody's Investors Service (MIS) Performance - MIS revenue outpaced issuance by approximately 12%[13] - MIS achieved an Adjusted Operating Margin of 642%, up 100 basis points[12, 16] - Total MIS rated issuance guidance was updated to reflect a decrease in the low-single-digit to mid-single-digit percent range[27, 36] Moody's Analytics (MA) Performance - MA experienced strong recurring revenue growth, with recurring revenue accounting for 96% of total revenue[19] - MA's Adjusted Operating Margin increased by 360 basis points to 321%[12, 19] - Decision Solutions led with 10% ARR growth[12] - MA revenue grew by 11% year-over-year[19] Updated Full Year 2025 Guidance - MCO revenue growth is projected to be in the mid-single-digit percent range[10] - Adjusted Diluted EPS is now expected to be in the range of $1350 to $1400[12] - The company plans to repurchase at least $13 billion in shares[39]