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 solutions revenue exceeding $1 billion for the first time, reflecting a 10% growth [6][31] - Annualized recurring revenue (ARR) grew 9% to $3 billion, with operating income increasing by 16% to $732 million and diluted EPS growing by 19% [7][32] - Operating expenses were $583 million, up 5% year-over-year, leading to an operating margin of 56% and EBITDA margin of 58%, both up two percentage points from the prior year [32][42] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Capital Access Platforms generated 8% revenue growth and 6% ARR growth, with Data and Listings revenue up 6% and Index revenue up 13% [10][33] - Financial Technology delivered 13% revenue growth and 12% ARR growth, with Financial Crime Management Technology revenue growing 22% and Regulatory Technology revenue up 9% [17][36] - Market Services achieved 13% net revenue growth, driven by elevated volumes in U.S. Options and U.S. Equities [21][40] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Nasdaq's listed securities represented 53% of total industry volume, up from 49% a year ago, indicating strong market position [24] - The U.S. economy remains resilient, with solid consumer spending and corporate investment in technology and AI contributing to growth [8][9] - European growth remains subdued, but expectations for recovery and renewed investments are improving the outlook [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Nasdaq is focused on integrating, innovating, and accelerating its technology platform, with a strong emphasis on AI and digital assets [25][29] - The company aims to enhance its competitive position through AI-enabled solutions and partnerships, particularly in financial crime management and regulatory technology [27][90] - Nasdaq's strategy includes expanding its digital asset offerings and exploring tokenization of securities to enhance market efficiency [50][56] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in Nasdaq's ability to deliver sustainable growth and long-term shareholder value, despite mixed economic signals [8][30] - The company anticipates a meaningful pickup in IPO activity, supported by a robust IPO pipeline and favorable market conditions [12][30] - Management highlighted the importance of understanding the regulatory landscape for digital assets and the potential for growth in this area [52] Other Important Information - Nasdaq completed the sale of Nasdaq Solovus to Insight Partners, indicating a strategic focus on core business areas [17] - The company achieved a gross leverage ratio of 3.1 times at quarter end, with an upgrade in its senior unsecured debt rating from BBB to BBB+ [24][44] - Nasdaq generated free cash flow of $516 million in the third quarter, supporting dividends, deleveraging, and share repurchases [43][44] Q&A Session Summary Question: Digital assets and growth opportunities - Management discussed Nasdaq's involvement in the digital assets ecosystem and the relevance of its FinTech solutions as institutional interest in digital assets grows [48][50] Question: Tokenization proposal details - Management provided a high-level overview of the tokenization filing, explaining how investors could flag orders for tokenized settlements [54][56] Question: 2026 outlook and OpEx growth - Management indicated that ongoing investments are embedded in the guidance for the year, with a consistent trajectory expected [62][68] Question: Financial Crime Management Technology performance - Management noted robust sales in the SMB space and highlighted the potential for growth through partnerships and new AI capabilities [70][72] Question: Capital Markets Technology momentum - Management reported strong demand for connectivity services and data center growth, indicating a healthy environment for the business [78][80] Question: AI's impact on revenue synergy targets - Management confirmed that AI solutions are expected to accelerate revenue synergy targets, with a strong pipeline of cross-sell opportunities [92][94]