Nasdaq, Inc. NDAQ is expected to register an improvement in both top and bottom lines when it reports third-quarter 2026 results on Oct. 22, before the opening bell.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NDAQ’s third-quarter revenues is pegged at $1.47 billion, indicating 11.7% growth from the year-ago reported figure.
The consensus estimate for earnings is pegged at $1.02 per share. The estimate suggests a year-over-year increase of 15.9%.
What Our Quantitative Model States
Our proven model predicts an earnings beat for Nasdaq this time around. This is because the stock has the right combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold).
Earnings ESP: Nasdaq has an Earnings ESP of +0.98% at present. This is because the Most Accurate Estimate of $1.03 is pegged higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.02. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.
Nasdaq, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise
Nasdaq, Inc. price-eps-surprise | Nasdaq, Inc. Quote
Zacks Rank: Nasdaq currently carries a Zacks Rank #3.
Factors to Consider
Continued organic revenue growth, new sales and an increase in Financial Crime Management Technology revenues are likely to have aided Nasdaq’s third-quarter performance.
Non-trading revenues are likely to have benefited from improved results in Capital Access Platforms, Financial Technology and Market Services businesses. Higher subscription revenues from new and existing clients and professional services fees are expected to have aided the Financial Crime Management Technology business.
Higher revenues from data center expansion, including a change in pricing structure, Calypso upfront license revenues and increased subscription revenues across all businesses are likely to have benefited the Capital Markets Technology business.
New listings, an increase in data net sales and usage and pricing, higher average AUM in exchange-traded products linked to Nasdaq indices, eVestment and Nasdaq Alternative Data sales growth are expected to have aided performance at the Capital Access Platforms division.
A rise in professional & contract services expenses, as well as technology and communication infrastructure, marketing and advertising, depreciation and amortization and regulatory, merger and strategic initiatives is expected to have increased total expenses for the to-be-reported quarter. Nevertheless, share buybacks in the to-be-reported quarter are anticipated to have boosted the bottom line.
Q3 Volumes
Nasdaq reported impressive volumes for the third quarter of 2026. The U.S. equity options volume increased 12.9% year over year to 1.1 billion contracts. European options and futures volume decreased 15.8% year over year to 12.8 million contracts.
Revenues per contract for the U.S. equity options decreased 25% year over year to 9 cents, while the same for European options and futures increased 20.4% to 65 cents.
Under its cash equities, Nasdaq’s U.S. matched equity volume in the third quarter, which grossed 157.5 billion shares, down 0.6% from the prior-year quarter’s level. European equity volume increased 21% year over year to $260 billion.
In the third quarter, there were 4,537 listed companies on the Nasdaq compared with 4,492 in the year-ago period. Total listings increased 6.1% year over year to 5,829.
Other Stocks to Consider
Here are three other finance stocks you may want to consider, as our model shows that these also have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat.
Cincinnati Financial Corporation CINF has an Earnings ESP of +13.87% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $2.01, indicating a year-over-year decrease of 29.5%. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
CINF’s earnings beat estimates in three of the last four reported quarters and missed in one.
Cboe Global Markets, Inc. CBOE has an Earnings ESP of +0.94% and carries a Zacks Rank #3 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $3.41, indicating a year-over-year increase of 27.72%.
CBOE’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four reported quarters.
Arch Capital Group Ltd. ACGL has an Earnings ESP of +11.70% and a Zacks Rank #3 at present. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for third-quarter 2026 earnings is pegged at $2.05, indicating a year-over-year decrease of 25.9%.
ACGL’s earnings beat estimates in each of the last four reported quarters.
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Nasdaq, Inc. (NDAQ): Free Stock Analysis Report
Cincinnati Financial Corporation (CINF): Free Stock Analysis Report
Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (CBOE): Free Stock Analysis Report
Arch Capital Group Ltd. (ACGL): Free Stock Analysis Report
This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).