Nasdaq jumps as Q1 results beat expectations on strong fintech, index growth
Nasdaq shares rose after the company posted a Q1 2026 earnings and revenue beat, with net revenue of $1.407 billion and non-GAAP EPS of $0.96. Management highlighted broad-based double-digit growth, led by Financial Technology revenue up 20% year over year, alongside continued share repurchases.
1. What’s moving the stock today
Nasdaq (NDAQ) is moving higher today after reporting first-quarter 2026 results that came in ahead of expectations. The company reported net revenue (revenue less transaction-based expenses) of $1.407 billion, up 14% year over year, and non-GAAP diluted EPS of $0.96 (GAAP diluted EPS was $0.91).
2. The key drivers behind the beat
Nasdaq pointed to broad-based growth across its divisions, with particular strength in Financial Technology: Financial Technology revenue was $517 million, up 20% year over year (18% organic). Index revenue was $220 million, up 14% year over year, and the company reported Annualized Recurring Revenue (ARR) of $3.2 billion, up 13% year over year, reinforcing investor focus on recurring, software-like revenue streams.
3. Capital return and balance-sheet signals
Alongside the earnings beat, Nasdaq emphasized capital return and cash generation. In Q1 2026, it returned $153 million via dividends and $548 million via share repurchases (about $701 million total) and reported $2.9 billion remaining under its authorized share repurchase program as of March 31, 2026—signals that can support the stock after results-driven rallies.