Lincoln International Reports Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Rhea-AI Summary
Lincoln International (NYSE: LCLN) reported record second quarter 2026 revenues of $225.7 million, up 51% year over year, and first-half revenues of $383.5 million, up 36%. Investment Banking Advisory revenue rose 56% to $177.7 million and Valuations and Opinions grew 35% to $47.9 million, driven by higher M&A activity, demand for private market valuations, and the October 2025 MarshBerry acquisition.
GAAP net income attributable to Lincoln International was $0.5 million, or $0.01 diluted EPS, while adjusted net income was $28.7 million, or $0.26 adjusted diluted EPS, with an adjusted operating margin of 20.3%. The company ended June 30, 2026 with cash of $250.6 million, net cash of $148.7 million, after repaying about $195.8 million of IPO-funded acquisition debt. The board declared a $0.07 per-share quarterly dividend, payable September 15, 2026.
Positive
- Total revenue up 51% YoY in Q2 to $225.7 million
- First-half revenue up 36% YoY to $383.5 million
- Adjusted operating income up 73% YoY in Q2 to $45.8 million
- Adjusted net income up 38% YoY in Q2 to $28.7 million
- Debt repayment of approximately $195.8 million using IPO proceeds
- Net cash position of $148.7 million at June 30, 2026
- Dividend declared of $0.07 per Class A share for Q3 2026
Negative
- GAAP operating result swung to a Q2 loss of $15.9 million from $32.1 million income
- GAAP net income attributable fell to $0.5 million from $33.8 million in prior-year quarter
- GAAP compensation expense rose 106% YoY in Q2 to $145.8 million
- GAAP non-compensation expense rose 105% YoY in Q2 to $95.8 million
- Adjusted compensation ratio increased to 61.0% in Q2 from 58.4% a year earlier
News Explained
As of June 30, 2026, 34,846,972 Class A shares were outstanding, while Lincoln disclosed Liquidity Event Shares still to be issued.
Lincoln International reported second-quarter results and, as of
Issuing additional shares increases the total share count and reduces an existing holder’s percentage ownership absent offsetting changes.
The release reports a 110,813,720 adjusted diluted share count and a 40,017,177 GAAP diluted weighted-average Class A share count for the second quarter.
The disclosed follow-up is the Liquidity Event Shares line, which records a
Market reaction after 2Q26 earnings report: LCLN +12.69%
Following this news, LCLN has gained 12.69%, reflecting a significant positive market reaction. Our momentum scanner has triggered 15 alerts so far, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. The stock is currently trading at $23.39.
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Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 16 | Earnings date notice | Neutral | -1.0% | Company scheduled second-quarter results release and conference call for August 6. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
The only prior event was a results-scheduling notice followed by a -0.96% 24-hour move, showing one negative reaction to a neutral announcement.
Key Terms
gaap financial
non-gaap financial
initial public offering financial
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
- Record second quarter and first half revenues of
$225.7 million $383.5 million 51% and36% , respectively, compared to the prior-year periods - Robust performance in Investment Banking Advisory reflects improving market conditions and strong company fundamentals
- Increased activity in Valuations and Opinions reflects growing demand for private market valuations and transaction opinions
- Declared dividend of
$0.07
"Today marks an important milestone as we report our first quarterly results as a public company," said Rob Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln International. "Our strong performance despite macroeconomic uncertainty reflects the depth of our differentiated private capital markets expertise, our intentionally diversified business model, and our distinctively collaborative culture. As we enter the second half of 2026 following record quarterly revenues, we are encouraged by increasing business activity across the firm and healthy company fundamentals. We remain focused on strengthening our position as a leading global investment banking advisory firm serving the private capital markets through disciplined execution of our growth strategies."
Selected Financial Data
In thousands, except share amounts | |||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||
Adjusted(1) | Adjusted(1) | ||||||||||||||
2026 | 2025(2) | 2026 | 2025(2) | 2026 | 2025(2) | 2026 | 2025(2) | ||||||||
Revenues by segment | |||||||||||||||
Investment Banking | |||||||||||||||
Valuations and Opinions | 47,947 | 35,506 | 47,947 | 35,506 | 95,902 | 74,148 | 95,902 | 74,148 | |||||||
Total revenues | |||||||||||||||
Operating income | (15,880) | 32,143 | 45,793 | 26,430 | (9,933) | 55,054 | 72,699 | 43,054 | |||||||
Net income(3) | $ 455 | $ 33,837 | $ 28,664 | $ 20,836 | $ 455 | $ 58,427 | $ 45,645 | $ 34,531 | |||||||
Diluted earnings per share | $ 0.01 | — | $ 0.26 | — | $ 0.01 | — | $ 0.41 | — | |||||||
(1) | See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for definitions and explanations of adjusted (non-GAAP) measures and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in the tables and the notes at the end of this release. |
(2) | Prior to the Initial Public Offering (IPO), there were no authorized or outstanding Class A common shares. |
(3) | Attributable to Lincoln International, Inc. |
Revenues
Total revenues were
Investment Banking Advisory revenues were
Valuations and Opinions revenues were
Expenses
In thousands | Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||
Adjusted(1) | Adjusted(1) | ||||||||||||||
2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||
Compensation and benefits | |||||||||||||||
% of revenues | 64.6 % | 47.3 % | 61.0 % | 58.4 % | 63.1 % | 50.1 % | 61.2 % | 61.4 % | |||||||
Non-compensation | |||||||||||||||
% of revenues | 42.4 % | 31.2 % | 18.7 % | 24.0 % | 39.5 % | 30.4 % | 19.9 % | 23.3 % | |||||||
(1) | See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for definitions and explanations of adjusted (non-GAAP) measures and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in the tables and the notes at the end of this release. |
Compensation and benefits were
Non-compensation expenses were
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes was
Talent
We strategically invest in our business to build upon competitive advantages to drive value for our clients. In the first half of 2026, seven Managing Directors joined the Company as lateral hires in addition to the six Managing Directors promoted at the beginning of the year, bringing the total number of Managing Directors to 162 firmwide.
We continue to build and invest in the next generation of leaders through a deliberate focus on high-performing individuals and internal promotion.
Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation
As of June 30, 2026, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of
During the second quarter, the Company used a portion of the net proceeds from its initial public offering to repay approximately
The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of
Conference Call and Webcast Details
Lincoln International will host a conference call beginning at 7:30 a.m. Central Time on August 6, 2026 to discuss second quarter results. To access the conference call, please call +1 (877) 270-2148 (toll-free domestic) or +1 (412) 317-6060 (international). The call will be webcast live on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website www.lcln.com, and accompanying materials will be posted prior to the conference call. A replay of the webcast will be available for 30 days following the call.
About Lincoln International
Lincoln International, Inc. (NYSE: LCLN) is a trusted investment banking advisor to business owners, private equity firms and their portfolio companies, and public and private companies worldwide. Our services include mergers and acquisitions advisory, private funds and capital markets advisory, and valuations and opinions. With more than 1,400 professionals in more than 30 offices across 14 countries, we combine perspective on the global private capital markets with deep industry expertise, market intelligence and strategic insights to deliver exceptional execution and build lasting client relationships.
We periodically provide other information for investors on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.lcln.com. We intend to use our website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor our website, in addition to following the Company's press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements often include words such as "may," "will," "would," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "could," "intends," "targets," "commits," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to, statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, expected growth, future capital expenditures and debt service obligations. These statements are based on management's current expectations, beliefs and assumptions and are not guarantees of future performance. They are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among others, risks related to retaining and recruiting talent, acquisitions and integration (including MarshBerry), changing market, economic and geopolitical conditions, revenue volatility, competition, cybersecurity and operational risks, extensive regulation, and our organizational structure. A further description of these and other risks can be found under "Risk Factors" in our final prospectus dated May 19, 2026 as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on May 21, 2026, and as updated in our subsequent filings with the SEC. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business or results of operations. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to our financial results prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"), we consider certain adjusted (non-GAAP) measures in assessing the performance of our business. We recognize that these non-GAAP financial measures have limitations, including that they may be calculated differently by other companies or may be used under different circumstances or for different purposes, thereby affecting their comparability from company to company. In order to compensate for these and the other limitations, we do not consider these measures in isolation from or as alternatives to the comparable financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures should be used in addition to and in conjunction with the results presented in accordance with GAAP and should not be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP measures. The non-GAAP measures we use are adjusted compensation and benefits and adjusted compensation ratio, adjusted non-compensation and adjusted non-compensation ratio, adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income margin, adjusted other income, adjusted provision for income taxes and adjusted effective tax rate, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share and net cash.
Management believes that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures together with comparable GAAP measures provides useful information to investors to enhance their ability to analyze our performance from period to period, enhance their overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects, and allow for greater transparency with respect to metrics used by our management in their financial and operational decision making. Internally, management uses these non-GAAP financial measures, along with GAAP financial measures, in evaluating our operating results and in making resource allocation and compensation decisions.
We adjust for certain non-cash and other items that management believes are not indicative of our ongoing operating performance. These adjustments include IPO-related items, such as equity award and partner conversion expenses, and transition-related amortization costs associated with debt repaid in connection with the IPO. These adjustments also include acquisition-related items, such as deferred retention and earnout expenses, and amortization of intangible assets recognized through purchase accounting.
Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share are calculated assuming all outstanding common units of Lincoln International, LP and minority interests have been exchanged for Class A common stock, resulting in all of the Company's income becoming subject to corporate-level. tax. The adjusted provision for income taxes reflects this assumption and applies the applicable statutory tax rates in the relevant jurisdictions to each non-GAAP adjustment.
For an explanation of the adjustments and a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures with the most directly comparable GAAP measures, see the tables and the related notes at the end of this release.
Lincoln International, Inc. | |||
In thousands, except share amounts | June 30, | December 31, | |
Assets | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ 250,624 | $ 320,169 | |
Restricted cash | 4,790 | 4,658 | |
Receivables: | |||
Client accounts receivable, net of allowance | 105,820 | 160,225 | |
Related-party receivables | 6,815 | 28,583 | |
Total receivables | 112,635 | 188,808 | |
Prepaid expenses | 17,648 | 17,458 | |
Other assets | 12,083 | 12,013 | |
Property and equipment, net | 54,475 | 57,597 | |
Other intangible assets, net | 82,445 | 115,903 | |
Deferred tax assets | 74,737 | 9,525 | |
Goodwill | 277,966 | 274,470 | |
Right-of-use lease asset | 110,375 | 117,537 | |
Total assets | $ 997,778 | $ 1,118,138 | |
Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Stockholders' Equity | |||
Liabilities | |||
Compensation payable | $ 127,767 | $ 138,404 | |
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities | 98,145 | 112,139 | |
Long-term debt | 101,929 | 270,374 | |
Amount due pursuant to tax receivable agreement | 84,764 | — | |
Income tax payable | 7,969 | 9,770 | |
Lease liability | 139,898 | 148,845 | |
Total liabilities | 560,472 | 679,532 | |
Commitments and contingencies | |||
Redeemable noncontrolling interest | 7,266 | 7,420 | |
Stockholders' Equity | |||
Partners' Equity | — | 431,186 | |
Class A common stock, par value | — | — | |
Class B common stock, par value | — | — | |
Class C common stock, par value | — | — | |
Additional paid-in-capital | 179,478 | — | |
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) | 455 | — | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (439) | — | |
Total equity attributable to Lincoln International, Inc | 179,494 | — | |
Noncontrolling interest | 250,546 | — | |
Total stockholders' equity | 430,040 | 431,186 | |
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and stockholders' equity | $ 997,778 | $ 1,118,138 | |
Lincoln International, Inc. | |||||||
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||
In thousands, except share amounts | 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | |||
Revenues | $ 225,693 | $ 149,658 | $ 383,493 | $ 281,866 | |||
Expenses: | |||||||
Compensation and benefits | 145,782 | 70,798 | 241,879 | 141,127 | |||
Travel and related expenses | 9,696 | 7,287 | 17,770 | 12,929 | |||
Rent and occupancy | 8,139 | 7,553 | 16,078 | 14,562 | |||
Technology and information services | 4,974 | 4,894 | 9,951 | 9,188 | |||
Professional services and development | 18,383 | 9,187 | 26,997 | 15,255 | |||
Depreciation and amortization | 19,253 | 11,152 | 38,489 | 21,556 | |||
Other operating expenses, net | 35,346 | 6,644 | 42,262 | 12,195 | |||
Total expenses | 241,573 | 117,515 | 393,426 | 226,812 | |||
Total operating income (loss) | (15,880) | 32,143 | (9,933) | 55,054 | |||
Other income (expense), net | (5,549) | 1,727 | (9,508) | 3,609 | |||
Income (loss) before income taxes | (21,429) | 33,870 | (19,441) | 58,663 | |||
Provision for income taxes | 1,521 | 328 | 1,585 | 1,171 | |||
Net income (loss) | (22,950) | 33,542 | (21,026) | 57,492 | |||
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | (23,405) | (295) | (21,481) | (935) | |||
Net income (loss) attributable to Lincoln International Inc. | $ 455 | $ 33,837 | $ 455 | $ 58,427 | |||
Other comprehensive income (loss): | |||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment | (1,439) | 3,495 | (3,875) | 5,429 | |||
Comprehensive income (loss) | $ (24,389) | $ 37,037 | $ (24,901) | $ 62,921 | |||
Net income per share attributable to holders of Class A common | |||||||
Basic | $ 0.01 | — | $ 0.01 | — | |||
Diluted | $ 0.01 | — | $ 0.01 | — | |||
Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding: | |||||||
Basic | 36,280,899 | — | 36,280,899 | — | |||
Diluted | 40,017,177 | — | 40,017,177 | — | |||
Lincoln International, Inc. | ||||||||||||
In thousands, except share amounts | Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||
2026 | 2025 | Change | 2026 | 2025 | Change | |||||||
Total revenues | $ 225,693 | $ 149,658 | 51 % | $ 383,493 | $ 281,866 | 36 % | ||||||
Adjusted expenses: | ||||||||||||
Adjusted compensation and benefits | 137,674 | 87,365 | 58 % | 234,637 | 173,081 | 36 % | ||||||
Adjusted non-compensation | 42,226 | 35,863 | 18 % | 76,156 | 65,731 | 16 % | ||||||
Adjusted operating income | 45,793 | 26,430 | 73 % | 72,700 | 43,054 | 69 % | ||||||
Adjusted income tax | 14,541 | 7,321 | 99 % | 20,507 | 12,132 | 69 % | ||||||
Adjusted net income | $ 28,664 | $ 20,836 | 38 % | $ 45,645 | $ 34,531 | 32 % | ||||||
Adjusted diluted earnings per share | $ 0.26 | — | $ 0.41 | — | ||||||||
Adjusted diluted share count | 110,813,720 | — | 110,813,720 | — | ||||||||
Adjusted ratios and margin | ||||||||||||
Adjusted compensation ratio | 61.0 % | 58.4 % | 61.2 % | 61.4 % | ||||||||
Adjusted non-compensation ratio | 18.7 % | 24.0 % | 19.9 % | 23.3 % | ||||||||
Adjusted operating margin | 20.3 % | 17.7 % | 19.0 % | 15.3 % | ||||||||
Adjusted effective tax rate | 33.7 % | 26.0 % | 31.0 % | 26.0 % | ||||||||
For an explanation of the adjustments made to the corresponding Financial Information" at the end of this release. |
Lincoln International, Inc. | ||||||||||||||
In thousands, except share amounts | Three Months Ended June 30, 2026 | Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 | ||||||||||||
Adjustments | Adjusted | Adjustments | Adjusted | |||||||||||
Total revenues | $ 225,693 | — | $ 225,693 | — | ||||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||||
Compensation and benefits | 145,782 | (8,108) | a, b | 137,674 | 70,798 | 16,567 | b, i | 87,365 | ||||||
Non-compensation | 95,791 | (53,565) | c, d, e | 42,226 | 46,717 | (10,854) | d, e | 35,863 | ||||||
Operating income (loss) | (15,880) | 61,673 | 45,793 | 32,143 | (5,713) | 26,430 | ||||||||
Other (expense) / income | (5,549) | 2,961 | f | (2,588) | 1,727 | — | 1,727 | |||||||
Income before income taxes | (21,429) | 64,634 | 43,205 | 33,870 | (5,713) | 28,157 | ||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 1,521 | 13,020 | g | 14,541 | 328 | 6,993 | g | 7,321 | ||||||
Net income (loss) | (22,950) | 51,614 | 28,664 | 33,542 | (12,706) | 20,836 | ||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to | (23,405) | 23,405 | h | — | (295) | 295 | j | — | ||||||
Net income attributable to Lincoln | $ 455 | $ 28,209 | $ 28,664 | $ 33,837 | $ 20,836 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to | ||||||||||||||
Diluted | $ 0.01 | $ 0.26 | — | — | ||||||||||
Weighted-average shares of Class A | ||||||||||||||
Diluted | 40,017,177 | h | 110,813,720 | — | — | |||||||||
Notes to Reconcile GAAP to Adjusted (non-GAAP) Financial Information: | ||
a) | Reflects IPO Equity Awards expense of | |
b) | Reflects acquisition-related deferred retention and earnout expenses of | |
c) | Reflects 2Q26 expense of | |
d) | Reflects acquisition-related costs and amortization of intangible assets from our acquisitions of | |
e) | Reflects IPO legal, consulting and other expenses of | |
f) | Reflects partial extinguishment of debt issuance costs at IPO of | |
g) | Reflects illustrative result as if | |
h) | Assumes all outstanding common units of Lincoln International, LP have been exchanged for Class A common stock and that all outstanding shares of Class B and Class C common stock have been canceled as a result of such exchange. | |
i) | Reflects IPO-related partner conversion of distributions that were not recognized as compensation expense under the former partnership structure. Following the IPO, those individuals became employees, and the related payments are recognized as compensation expense. The adjustment reflects the estimated impact of applying the current corporate structure to the comparable prior-year period to improve period-over-period comparability. | |
j) | Relates to a noncontrolling interest in a foreign subsidiary that was purchased in 4Q25 and is now wholly-owned. | |
Lincoln International, Inc. | |||||||||||||||
In thousands, except share amounts | Six Months Ended June 30, 2026 | Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 | |||||||||||||
Adjustments | Adjusted | Adjustments | Adjusted | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | $ 383,493 | — | $ 383,493 | $ 281,866 | — | ||||||||||
Expenses | |||||||||||||||
Compensation and benefits | 241,879 | (7,242) | a, b, i, k | 234,637 | 141,127 | 31,954 | b, i | 173,081 | |||||||
Non-compensation | 151,547 | (75,391) | c, d, e | 76,156 | 85,685 | (19,954) | d, e | 65,731 | |||||||
Operating income (loss) | (9,933) | 82,633 | 72,700 | 55,054 | (12,000) | 43,054 | |||||||||
Other (expense) / income | (9,508) | 2,961 | f | (6,547) | 3,609 | — | 3,609 | ||||||||
Income before income taxes | (19,441) | 85,594 | 66,153 | 58,663 | (12,000) | 46,663 | |||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 1,585 | 18,922 | g | 20,507 | 1,171 | 10,961 | g | 12,132 | |||||||
Net income (loss) | (21,026) | 66,671 | 45,645 | 57,492 | (22,961) | 34,531 | |||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to | (21,481) | 21,481 | h | — | (935) | 935 | j | — | |||||||
Net income attributable to Lincoln | $ 455 | $ 45,190 | $ 45,645 | $ 34,531 | |||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to | |||||||||||||||
Diluted | $ 0.01 | $ 0.41 | — | — | |||||||||||
Weighted-average shares of Class A | |||||||||||||||
Diluted | 40,017,177 | h | 110,813,720 | — | — | ||||||||||
Notes to Reconcile GAAP to Adjusted (non-GAAP) Financial Information: | ||
a) | Reflects IPO Equity Awards expense of | |
b) | Reflects acquisition-related deferred retention and earnout expenses of | |
c) | Reflects 1H26 expense of | |
d) | Reflects acquisition-related costs and amortization of intangible assets recognized in purchase accounting from our acquisitions of 1H26 and | |
e) | Reflects IPO-related legal, consulting and other expenses of | |
f) | Reflects partial extinguishment of debt issuance costs at IPO of | |
g) | Reflects illustrative result as if | |
h) | Assumes all outstanding common units of Lincoln International, LP have been exchanged for Class A common stock and that all outstanding shares of Class B and Class C common stock have been canceled as a result of such exchange. | |
i) | Reflects IPO-related partner conversion of performance-based distributions that were not recognized as compensation expense under the former partnership structure. Following the IPO, those individuals became employees, and the related payments are recognized as compensation expense. The adjustment reflects the estimated impact of applying the current corporate structure to the comparable prior-year period to improve period-over-period comparability. | |
j) | Relates to a noncontrolling interest in a foreign subsidiary that was purchased in 4Q25 and is now wholly-owned. | |
k) | Reflects IPO-related adjustment to stock compensation expense of equity compensation and related deferrals resulting from the conversion to a corporate structure upon the IPO, improving comparability with post-IPO periods. | |
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SOURCE Lincoln International