Moody's Profits Rise Despite Stagnant Leveraged Debt Markets

The New York-based firm reported net income of $734 million, or $4.24 per share, marking a rise from the $646 million, or $3.60 per share, recorded during the same period last year. However, adjusted earnings of $4.14 per share missed the $4.25 consensus estimate compiled by FactSet, and overall revenue reached $2.02 billion, trailing analyst forecasts of $2.08 billion.

Performance across business units remained bifurcated. The Moody's Investors Service ratings division saw a 1% revenue decline to $1.09 billion, hampered by a slowdown in leveraged finance issuance as elevated interest rates weigh on buyout activity. Conversely, the analytics unit provided a modest offset, growing 3% to $936 million. Despite these near-term headwinds, management reaffirmed its 2026 guidance, projecting earnings between $16 and $16.50 per share alongside high-single-digit revenue growth.