Nasdaq(US:NDAQ)2025-10-21 13:00Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Nasdaq reported net revenue of $1.3 billion, an 11% year-over-year increase, with operating income rising 16% to $732 million and diluted EPS growing 19% to $0.88 [4][22][34] - Annualized recurring revenue (ARR) grew 9% to $3 billion, marking a significant milestone for the company [4][23] - Operating expenses were $583 million, up 5% year-over-year, leading to an operating margin of 56% and EBITDA margin of 58%, both up 2 percentage points from the previous year [22][32] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Capital Access Platforms generated revenue of $546 million, up 8%, with ARR growth of 6% [22][24] - Financial Technology revenue reached $457 million, up 13%, with ARR growth of 12% [22][26] - Market Services net revenue was $303 million, reflecting a 13% growth driven by elevated market volumes [30] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Nasdaq welcomed operating companies that raised $6 billion in proceeds during the quarter, with over $14 billion raised year-to-date [7] - The index franchise achieved record net inflows of $91 billion over the last 12 months, including $17 billion in the third quarter [9][24] - Nasdaq-listed securities represented 53% of total industry volume, up from 49% a year ago, indicating strong market presence [14] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Nasdaq is focused on integrating technology and data to enhance client services, particularly through AI-enabled solutions [5][6] - The company aims to deepen its competitive advantage by driving innovation across the financial industry [5][6] - Nasdaq's strategic priorities include integrating, innovating, and accelerating growth, with a focus on cross-selling and expanding its technology platform [15][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The U.S. economy remains resilient, with mixed economic signals, but overall consumer spending has picked up [5] - Nasdaq anticipates a meaningful pickup in IPO activity in the coming quarters, supported by a robust IPO pipeline [7][8] - Management expressed confidence in achieving strategic objectives and delivering sustainable growth despite a dynamic operating environment [34] Other Important Information - Nasdaq completed the sale of Nasdaq Solovis to Insight Partners, which was deemed not a strategic fit within its portfolio [11] - The company has surpassed its net expense efficiency target, achieving over $150 million in cost reductions [32] - Nasdaq's senior unsecured debt rating was upgraded from BBB to BBB+ by S&P, reflecting progress in deleveraging [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Digital assets and growth opportunities - Management highlighted Nasdaq's long-standing involvement in the digital assets ecosystem and the relevance of its financial technology solutions as institutional interest in digital assets grows [36] Question: Tokenization proposal details - The tokenization initiative involves allowing investors to flag orders for tokenized securities, with two settlement paths being developed in collaboration with DTCC [39][40] Question: 2026 outlook and operating expenses - Management indicated a consistent trajectory in revenue growth, with ongoing investments embedded in the guidance for the full year [48][49] Question: Financial crime management business performance - The anti-financial crime business is experiencing variability in ARR growth due to the implementation of solutions for new enterprise clients [51][53] Question: Capital markets technology momentum - Strong demand for connectivity services and robust client engagement are driving growth in the Capital Markets Technology segment [55][59] Question: AI's impact on revenue and expenses - Management views AI as an opportunity to drive efficiency and enhance client experiences, with significant potential for revenue growth [60][62]