Moelis & Company (MC) Q1 2026 revenue rises 4% as it returns $171M
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Moelis & Company reported first quarter 2026 revenue of $319.8 million, up 4% from a year earlier, driven mainly by stronger Private Capital Advisory and M&A activity. GAAP net income was $42.3 million, or $0.48 per diluted share, while Adjusted net income was $43.1 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, both down about 21% from the prior-year period despite a $0.11 per-share tax benefit.
The Firm’s Adjusted pre-tax margin improved to 15.0% from 14.0% as compensation stayed roughly flat and non-compensation expenses rose on deal-related and technology costs. Moelis ended the quarter with $353.7 million of cash and short-term investments, no debt, declared a regular $0.65 quarterly dividend, and returned $171.4 million to shareholders including $117.3 million of share repurchases.
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Insights
Revenue hit a record, but earnings fell year over year while capital returns stayed robust.
Moelis & Company delivered record Q1 2026 revenue of $319.8 million, up 4% from Q1 2025, helped by Private Capital Advisory and M&A. However, GAAP net income declined to $42.3 million and diluted EPS fell to $0.48, reflecting higher operating costs and a tougher comparison.
Adjusted pre-tax margin improved to 15.0% from 14.0% as compensation was held flat and most expense growth came from non-compensation items like deal-related and technology costs. The firm maintained a strong balance sheet with $353.7 million of cash and no debt, supporting a regular $0.65 dividend and $117.3 million of share repurchases in Q1 2026.
Capital returns totaled $171.4 million for the quarter, including dividends, which is sizable relative to net income. Actual future performance will depend on converting the near “all-time high” pipeline cited in management commentary into completed transactions, as quarterly results can fluctuate with deal timing.
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Adjusted (non-GAAP) financial
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Earnings Snapshot
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