Nelnet (NYSE: NNI) earns $66.7M in Q2 2026 and expands consumer loans
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Nelnet, Inc. reported GAAP net income of $66.7 million, or $1.85 per share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, compared with $181.5 million, or $4.97 per share, a year earlier. The 2025 quarter included a $175.0 million gain from the partial redemption of the ALLO investment; excluding this, GAAP net income for the second quarter of 2025 was $48.5 million, or $1.32 per share. Net income excluding derivative market value adjustments was $63.9 million, or $1.77 per share, versus $184.4 million, or $5.05 per share, in 2025.
In Nelnet Financial Services, the AGM loan portfolio totaled $7.83 billion, including a growing consumer loan portfolio of $1.21 billion after acquiring $3.07 billion of consumer loans in the quarter. AGM net interest income rose to $63.2 million, while a higher $41.3 million provision for loan losses reflected CECL allowances on acquired loans rather than credit deterioration. Nelnet Bank held $1.64 billion of loans, $1.29 billion of investments, and $2.51 billion of deposits, generating net income of $10.5 million versus a small loss a year ago.
Loan Servicing and Systems revenue increased to $132.2 million, with $519.2 billion of loans serviced for 15.2 million borrowers, though segment net income declined to $11.3 million. Education Technology Services and Payments revenue was $118.9 million, with net income of $14.7 million. The company repurchased 316,600 Class A shares for $40.6 million in the first half of 2026 and the board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share, payable September 15, 2026.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Filing Explained
At June 30, Nelnet reported $3,770,539 thousand of shareholder equity; the results release was furnished, not deemed filed.
The
As of
Because noncontrolling interests were negative
8-K Event Classification
2 items: 2.02, 9.01
2 items
Item 2.02
Results of Operations and Financial Condition
Financial
Disclosure of earnings results, typically an earnings press release or preliminary financials.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
GAAP Net Income Q2 2026: $66.7 million
GAAP EPS Q2 2026: $1.85 per share
Non-GAAP Net Income excl. derivatives: $63.9 million
+5 more
8 metrics
GAAP Net Income Q2 2026
$66.7 million
Quarter ended June 30, 2026
GAAP EPS Q2 2026
$1.85 per share
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders – basic and diluted
Non-GAAP Net Income excl. derivatives
$63.9 million
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. excluding derivative market value adjustments, Q2 2026
AGM Loan Portfolio
$7.83 billion
AGM loan portfolio as of June 30, 2026
Consumer Loan Portfolio
$1.21 billion
Consumer loans outstanding as of June 30, 2026
Loans Serviced
$519.2 billion
Department, Canada, FFELP, private education, and consumer loans serviced as of June 30, 2026
Total Assets
$14,275,064 thousand
Condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2026
Share Repurchases 1H 2026
$40.6 million
316,600 Class A shares repurchased in the first six months of 2026
Key Terms
current expected credit loss (CECL) methodology, derivative market value adjustments, FFEL Program loans, noncontrolling interests, +1 more
5 terms
current expected credit loss (CECL) methodology financial
"initial allowance recorded on loans acquired during the periods to reflect lifetime expected credit losses at acquisition under the current expected credit loss (CECL) methodology"
derivative market value adjustments financial
"Net income, excluding derivative market value adjustments1, was $63.9 million, or $1.77 per share"
Adjustments to the reported value of derivative contracts that reflect real-world costs and risks not captured by a simple market price, such as counterparty credit risk, funding and collateral costs, and liquidity or settlement differences. Like marking down the resale price of an item to account for the buyer’s credit and shipping costs, these adjustments change a firm’s reported assets, liabilities and earnings and so affect how investors view the company’s risk and financial position.
FFEL Program loans financial
"included $716.3 million of FFEL Program loans"
noncontrolling interests financial
"Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests"
The portion of a subsidiary’s equity and profits that belongs to outside owners rather than the parent company; when a parent reports consolidated results it includes the whole subsidiary but shows the noncontrolling slice separately. Think of a company’s subsidiary as a pie where the parent owns most slices but some are held by other investors — noncontrolling interests tell you how much of the pie and its future earnings don’t belong to the parent, which affects how much profit and net assets are truly attributable to the parent’s shareholders.
loan spread financial
"The increase was primarily driven by higher loan spreads2 and growth in the company's consumer loan portfolio"
Loan spread is the extra interest a borrower pays above a benchmark rate, acting like a risk surcharge added to a base price; it reflects how lenders price the chance the borrower might default. Investors watch spreads because wider spreads mean higher perceived credit risk and greater potential return for lending, while narrower spreads suggest safer credit and lower income, affecting bond and loan valuations and investment decisions.
Earnings Snapshot
GAAP net income: $66.7 million
Quarter ended June 30, 2026
GAAP net income
$66.7 million
vs $181.5 million in Q2 2025, which included a $175.0 million ALLO gain
GAAP EPS
$1.85 per share
vs $4.97 per share in Q2 2025, including the ALLO-related gain
Non-GAAP net income excl. derivative adjustments
$63.9 million
vs $184.4 million in Q2 2025, which reflected the prior-year ALLO gain
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
FAQ
What were Nelnet (NNI) GAAP earnings for the second quarter of 2026?
Nelnet reported GAAP net income of $66.7 million, or $1.85 per share, for Q2 2026. A year earlier, net income was $181.5 million, or $4.97 per share, including a $175.0 million gain from the ALLO investment redemption.
How did Nelnet (NNI) non-GAAP net income excluding derivative adjustments compare year over year?
Non-GAAP net income excluding derivative market value adjustments was $63.9 million, or $1.77 per share, in Q2 2026. This compares with $184.4 million, or $5.05 per share, for the same period in 2025, which included the ALLO-related gain in the prior year.
How is Nelnet’s (NNI) consumer loan portfolio changing?
Nelnet’s consumer loan portfolio reached $1.21 billion as of June 30, 2026, up from $411.5 million a year earlier. During Q2 2026, AGM acquired $3.07 billion of consumer loans, including $2.86 billion of Pay Later receivables and $205.5 million of other consumer loans.
What were key segment results for Nelnet (NNI) in Q2 2026?
AGM generated $63.2 million of net interest income and $22.2 million of net income. Nelnet Bank earned $10.5 million. Loan Servicing and Systems revenue was $132.2 million with net income of $11.3 million, while Education Technology Services and Payments revenue was $118.9 million with net income of $14.7 million.
How large is Nelnet’s (NNI) servicing portfolio as of June 30, 2026?
As of June 30, 2026, Nelnet serviced $519.2 billion in Department of Education, Canadian, FFELP, private education, and consumer loans. This servicing portfolio covered about 15.2 million borrowers across its Loan Servicing and Systems operations.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | ||||||||||
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (402 ) 458-2370
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
(17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On August 6, 2026, Nelnet, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release with respect to its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.
The above information and Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), nor shall such information and Exhibit be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Certain statements contained in the exhibit furnished with this report may be considered forward looking in nature and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the Company's actual results may vary materially from those anticipated, estimated, or expected. Among the key risks and uncertainties that may have a direct bearing on the Company's future operating results, performance, or financial condition expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements are the matters discussed in the Risk Factors section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 filed with the SEC on February 26, 2026. Although the Company may from time to time voluntarily update its prior forward-looking statements, it disclaims any commitment to do so except as required by securities laws.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits. The following exhibits are furnished as part of this report:
Exhibit No. | Description | |||||||
| 99.1 | Press Release dated August 6, 2026 - "Nelnet Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results" | |||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and included as Exhibit 101). | |||||||
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: August 6, 2026
NELNET, INC.
By: /s/ JAMES D. KRUGER
Name: James D. Kruger
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Nelnet Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results
LINCOLN, Neb., August 6, 2026 - Nelnet (NYSE: NNI) today reported GAAP net income of $66.7 million, or $1.85 per share, for the second quarter of 2026, compared with GAAP net income of $181.5 million, or $4.97 per share, for the same period a year ago.
Net income, excluding derivative market value adjustments1, was $63.9 million, or $1.77 per share, for the second quarter of 2026, compared with $184.4 million, or $5.05 per share, for the same period in 2025.
Included in the operating results for the second quarter of 2025 is a gain of $175.0 million ($133.0 million after tax, or $3.65 per share) related to the partial redemption of Nelnet's investment in ALLO, a fiber-optic telecommunications company. Excluding this gain, GAAP net income for the second quarter of 2025 was $48.5 million, or $1.32 per share.
“We delivered another quarter of solid results, reflecting the strength of our diversified strategy across consumer lending, servicing, payments, and technology, with a continued focus on education,” said Jeff Noordhoek, chief executive officer of Nelnet. “This quarter included the first full quarter of contributions from our Canada servicing acquisition, and we continued to diversify our consumer lending business through additional portfolio purchases. We also continued to invest in artificial intelligence and product development across the organization. We remain focused on investing in our core businesses, pursuing opportunities for growth, and creating long-term value.”
Nelnet operates through three divisions: Nelnet Financial Services (NFS), Loan Servicing and Systems [referred to as Nelnet Diversified Services (NDS)], and Education Technology Services and Payments [referred to as Nelnet Business Services (NBS)]. NFS includes the company's Asset Generation and Management (AGM) and Nelnet Bank reportable operating segments, which earn interest income on loans and investments. NDS and NBS generate primarily fee-based revenue through loan servicing, education technology, and payment services. Business activities not included in these divisions are combined and reported within Corporate Activities.
Nelnet Financial Services
AGM
As of June 30, 2026, AGM's loan portfolio totaled $7.83 billion, consisting primarily of federally insured loans originated under the Federal Family Education Loan Program ("FFEL Program" or FFELP). During the three months ended June 30, 2026, AGM acquired $3.07 billion of consumer loans, which includes $2.86 billion of short-duration Pay Later receivables that the company began to purchase during the third quarter of 2025 and $205.5 million of other consumer loans, compared with $142.5 million during the same period in 2025. The company's consumer loan portfolio has grown to $1.21 billion as of June 30, 2026, from $411.5 million as of June 30, 2025.
The AGM operating segment reported loan and investment net interest income of $63.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2026, compared with $49.9 million for the same period in 2025. The increase was primarily driven by higher loan spreads2 and growth in the company's consumer loan portfolio, partially offset by the anticipated runoff of the legacy FFELP portfolio. The average balance of FFELP loans outstanding declined from $8.7 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2025 to $6.7 billion for the same period in 2026. During the first six months of 2026, AGM contributed certain student loan trusts to Nelnet Bank that included $716.3 million of FFEL Program loans.
AGM recorded a provision for loan losses of $41.3 million ($31.4 million after tax) for the three months ended June 30, 2026, compared with $11.1 million ($8.4 million after tax) for the same period in 2025. The primary item impacting provision for loan losses was the establishment of an initial allowance recorded on loans acquired during the periods to reflect lifetime expected credit losses at acquisition under the current expected credit loss (CECL) methodology. The higher provision in 2026 as compared with 2025 reflects the increase in consumer loan acquisitions and related portfolio growth rather than deterioration in underlying credit performance. Credit quality metrics, including delinquency rates and charge-offs, remained generally consistent with management's expectations.
AGM holds interests in joint ventures engaged in the acquisition, ownership, and management of loan portfolios. During the three months ended June 30, 2026, AGM recognized income from these joint ventures of $8.6 million ($6.5 million after tax).
AGM reported net income after tax of $22.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2026, compared with $20.8 million for the same period in 2025.
1 Net income, excluding derivative market value adjustments, is a non-GAAP measure. See "Non-GAAP Performance Measures" at the end of this press release and the "Non-GAAP Disclosures" section below for explanatory information and reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial information.
2 Loan spread represents the spread between the yield earned on loan assets and the costs of the liabilities used to fund the assets.
Nelnet Bank
As of June 30, 2026, Nelnet Bank had a loan portfolio of $1.64 billion and an investment portfolio of $1.29 billion, and total deposits, including intercompany deposits, of $2.51 billion. Loan and investment net interest income increased to $19.3 million during the second quarter of 2026, compared with $14.1 million for the same period a year ago, due to an increase in the loan and investment portfolio, partially offset by a decrease in net interest margin.
Nelnet Bank recorded a negative provision for loan losses of $0.2 million in the second quarter of 2026, compared with a provision for loan losses of $6.8 million ($5.2 million after tax) for the same period in 2025.
Nelnet Bank recognized net income after tax of $10.5 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, compared with a loss of $0.4 million for the same period in 2025.
Loan Servicing and Systems
Revenue from the Loan Servicing and Systems segment was $132.2 million for the second quarter of 2026, compared with $120.7 million for the same period in 2025. The increase was due to the company's acquisition of NDS Canada during the first quarter of 2026 and growth in consumer servicing. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in borrowers serviced for the Department of Education (Department). As of June 30, 2026, the company was servicing $519.2 billion in Department, Canada student loan servicing, FFELP, private education, and consumer loans for 15.2 million borrowers.
Operating margin decreased in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025 due to the decrease in revenue from the Department servicing contract and amortization of intangible assets from the NDS Canada acquisition. The Loan Servicing and Systems segment reported net income after tax of $11.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2026, compared with $15.2 million for the same period in 2025.
Education Technology Services and Payments
For the second quarter of 2026, revenue from the Education Technology Services and Payments operating segment was $118.9 million, compared with $118.2 million for the same period in 2025. Revenue less direct costs to provide services for the second quarter of 2026 was $79.7 million, compared with $78.3 million for the same period in 2025.
Operating margin decreased in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025 due to an increase in operating expenses to support continued growth in the customer base and investments in the development of new technologies. Net income after tax for the Education Technology Services and Payments segment was $14.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2026, compared with $17.9 million for the same period in 2025.
Corporate and Other Activities
During the three months ended June 30, 2026, the company recognized an unrealized gain of $8.6 million ($6.5 million after tax) from changes in the fair value of certain marketable equity securities.
Share Repurchases
During the first six months of 2026, the company has repurchased 316,600 Class A common shares for $40.6 million (average price of $128.34 per share), including a total of 190,281 Class A common shares for $24.4 million (average price of $127.99 per share) during the quarter.
Board of Directors Declares Third Quarter Dividend
The Nelnet Board of Directors declared a third-quarter cash dividend on the company's outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock of $0.33 per share. The dividend will be paid on September 15, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 1, 2026.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. The words “anticipate,” “assume," "believe,” “continue,” “could,” "ensure," “estimate,” “expect,” "focus," “forecast,” “future,” “intend,” “may,” "objective," “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” "pursue," "scheduled,” “should,” "strategy," “will,” “would,” and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current expectations as of the date of this release and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results and performance to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited to: risks related to the ability to successfully maintain and increase allocated volumes of student loans serviced by the company under existing and future servicing contracts with the Department, risks related to unfavorable contract modifications or interpretations, risks related to consistently meeting service requirements to avoid the assessment of performance penalties, and risks related to the company's ability to comply with agreements with third-party customers for the servicing of Federal Direct Loan Program, Canadian, FFEL Program, private education, and consumer loans; loan portfolio risks such as credit risk, prepayment risk, interest rate basis and repricing risk, risks related to the use of derivatives to manage exposure to interest rate fluctuations, uncertainties regarding the expected benefits from purchased securitized and unsecuritized FFELP, private education, consumer, and other loans, or residual interests therein, and initiatives to purchase additional FFELP, private education, consumer, and other loans; financing and liquidity risks, including risks of changes in the interest rate environment; risks from changes in the terms of education loans and in the educational credit and services markets resulting from changes in applicable laws, regulations, and government programs and budgets; risks related to a breach of or failure in the company's operational or information systems or infrastructure, or those of third-party vendors, including disclosure of confidential or personal information and/or damage to reputation resulting from cyber breaches; risks related to use of artificial intelligence; uncertainties inherent in forecasting future cash flows from student loan assets, including residual interests therein, and related asset-backed securitizations; risks related to the ability of Nelnet Bank to achieve its business objectives and effectively deploy loan and deposit strategies and achieve expected market penetration; risks related to the company's solar tax equity partnerships, including risks of not being able to realize tax credits which remain subject to recapture by taxing authorities and risks from the impact of the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill that accelerates the expiration and phase out of solar energy credits; risks and uncertainties related to other initiatives (and anticipated income therefrom) including venture capital, real estate, reinsurance, acquisitions, and other activities, including activities that are intended to diversify the company both within and outside of its historical core education-related businesses; risks and uncertainties associated with climate change; risks from changes in economic conditions and consumer behavior; risks related to the company's ability to adapt to technological change; risks related to the exclusive forum provisions in the company's articles of incorporation; risks related to the company's executive chairman's ability to control matters related to the company through voting rights; risks related to related party transactions; risks related to natural disasters, terrorist activities, or international hostilities; and risks and uncertainties associated with litigation matters, maintaining compliance with the extensive regulatory requirements applicable to the company's businesses, and uncertainties inherent in the estimates and assumptions about future events that management is required to make in the preparation of the company's consolidated financial statements.
For more information, see the "Risk Factors" sections and other cautionary discussions of risks and uncertainties included in documents filed or furnished by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements in this release are as of the date of this release. Although the company may voluntarily update or revise its forward-looking statements from time to time to reflect actual results or changes in the company's expectations, the company disclaims any commitment to do so except as required by law.
Non-GAAP Performance Measures
The company prepares its financial statements and presents its financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. However, it also provides additional non-GAAP financial information related to specific items management believes to be important in the evaluation of its operating results and performance. Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial information, and a discussion of why the company believes providing this additional information is useful to investors, are provided in the "Non-GAAP Disclosures" section below.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
| Three months ended | Six months ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 30, 2026 | March 31, 2026 | June 30, 2025 | June 30, 2026 | June 30, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loan interest | $ | 164,598 | 171,024 | 172,104 | 335,622 | 338,543 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment interest | 40,315 | 40,202 | 40,185 | 80,517 | 81,574 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest income | 204,913 | 211,226 | 212,289 | 416,139 | 420,117 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense on bonds and notes payable and bank deposits | 108,902 | 109,583 | 132,854 | 218,485 | 257,968 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income | 96,011 | 101,643 | 79,435 | 197,654 | 162,149 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less provision for loan losses | 41,077 | 53,244 | 17,930 | 94,321 | 33,267 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less provision for beneficial interests | 2,441 | 4,130 | 4,977 | 6,571 | 6,487 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest income after provision | 52,493 | 44,269 | 56,528 | 96,762 | 122,395 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loan servicing and systems revenue | 132,244 | 127,842 | 120,724 | 260,086 | 241,465 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education technology services and payments revenue | 118,884 | 154,436 | 118,184 | 273,319 | 265,515 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance premiums earned | 40,625 | 22,536 | 26,112 | 63,161 | 50,799 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Solar construction revenue | — | — | 1,259 | — | 5,254 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other, net | 18,399 | 10,437 | 22,976 | 28,836 | 47,579 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on partial redemption of ALLO investment | — | — | 175,044 | — | 175,044 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative market value adjustments and derivative settlements, net | 3,852 | 2,167 | (3,122) | 6,019 | (8,701) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other income (expense), net | 314,004 | 317,418 | 461,177 | 631,421 | 776,955 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of services and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loan servicing contract fulfillment and acquisition costs | 2,087 | 2,087 | 1,845 | 4,174 | 3,478 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost to provide education technology services and payments | 39,183 | 49,953 | 39,844 | 89,136 | 87,891 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost to provide solar construction services | — | — | 14,050 | — | 21,878 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total cost of services | 41,270 | 52,040 | 55,739 | 93,310 | 113,247 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Salaries and benefits | 152,664 | 139,371 | 134,699 | 292,035 | 272,922 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 10,142 | 9,170 | 7,624 | 19,312 | 16,879 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reinsurance losses and underwriting expenses | 32,809 | 23,605 | 25,662 | 56,414 | 47,874 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | 64,199 | 61,840 | 56,617 | 126,038 | 104,924 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 259,814 | 233,986 | 224,602 | 493,799 | 442,599 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 65,413 | 75,661 | 237,364 | 141,074 | 343,504 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | (19,942) | (20,061) | (59,510) | (40,003) | (84,521) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 45,471 | 55,600 | 177,854 | 101,071 | 258,983 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | 21,191 | 15,526 | 3,605 | 36,717 | 5,035 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. | $ | 66,662 | 71,126 | 181,459 | 137,788 | 264,018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings per common share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders - basic and diluted | $ | 1.85 | 1.97 | 4.97 | 3.82 | 7.24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 36,037,509 | 36,076,912 | 36,485,605 | 36,057,102 | 36,482,035 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
| As of | As of | As of | |||||||||||||||
| June 30, 2026 | December 31, 2025 | June 30, 2025 | |||||||||||||||
| Assets: | |||||||||||||||||
| Loans and accrued interest receivable, net | $ | 9,802,215 | 10,006,695 | 10,155,483 | |||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and investments | 2,841,174 | 2,643,954 | 2,330,692 | ||||||||||||||
| Restricted cash | 793,884 | 677,563 | 576,023 | ||||||||||||||
| Goodwill and intangible assets, net | 302,838 | 187,312 | 191,307 | ||||||||||||||
| Other assets | 534,953 | 548,259 | 457,583 | ||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 14,275,064 | 14,063,783 | 13,711,088 | |||||||||||||
| Liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Bonds and notes payable | $ | 7,043,156 | 7,780,927 | 7,903,561 | |||||||||||||
| Bank deposits | 2,219,249 | 1,669,173 | 1,382,042 | ||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities | 1,377,223 | 1,036,454 | 942,792 | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | 10,639,628 | 10,486,554 | 10,228,395 | ||||||||||||||
| Equity: | |||||||||||||||||
| Total Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity | 3,770,539 | 3,685,792 | 3,574,983 | ||||||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interests | (135,103) | (108,563) | (92,290) | ||||||||||||||
| Total equity | 3,635,436 | 3,577,229 | 3,482,693 | ||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | 14,275,064 | 14,063,783 | 13,711,088 | |||||||||||||
Contacts:
Media, Ben Kiser, 402.458.3024, or Investors, Phil Morgan, 402.458.3038, both of Nelnet, Inc.
Non-GAAP Disclosures
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
(unaudited)
Non-GAAP financial measures disclosed by management are meant to provide additional information and insight relative to business trends to investors and, in certain cases, to present financial information as measured by rating agencies and other users of financial information. These measures are not in accordance with, or a substitute for, GAAP and may be different from, or inconsistent with, non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. The company reports this non-GAAP information because the company believes that it provides additional information regarding operational and performance indicators that are closely assessed by management. There is no comprehensive, authoritative guidance for the presentation of such non-GAAP information, which is only meant to supplement GAAP results by providing additional information that management utilizes to assess performance.
Net income, excluding derivative market value adjustments
| Three months ended June 30, | |||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||
| GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. | $ | 66,662 | 181,459 | ||||||||
| Realized and unrealized derivative market value adjustments (a) | (3,686) | 3,866 | |||||||||
| Tax effect (b) | 885 | (928) | |||||||||
| Non-GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc., excluding derivative market value adjustments | $ | 63,861 | 184,397 | ||||||||
| Earnings per share: | |||||||||||
| GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. | $ | 1.85 | 4.97 | ||||||||
| Realized and unrealized derivative market value adjustments (a) | (0.10) | 0.11 | |||||||||
| Tax effect (b) | 0.02 | (0.03) | |||||||||
| Non-GAAP net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc., excluding derivative market value adjustments | $ | 1.77 | 5.05 | ||||||||
(a) "Derivative market value adjustments" includes both the realized portion of gains and losses (corresponding to variation margin received or paid on derivative instruments that are settled daily at a central clearinghouse) and the unrealized portion of gains and losses that are caused by changes in fair values of derivatives which do not qualify for "hedge treatment" under GAAP. "Derivative market value adjustments" does not include "derivative settlements" that represent the cash paid or received during the respective period to settle with derivative instrument counterparties the economic effect of the company's derivative instruments based on their contractual terms.
The accounting for derivatives requires that changes in the fair value of derivative instruments be recognized currently in earnings, with no fair value adjustment of the hedged item, unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Management has structured all of the company’s derivative transactions with the intent that each is economically effective; however, the majority of the company’s derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting in the consolidated financial statements. As a result, the change in fair value for the derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting is reported in current period earnings with no consideration for the corresponding change in fair value of the hedged item. Under GAAP, the cumulative net realized and unrealized gain or loss caused by changes in fair values of derivatives in which the company plans to hold to maturity will generally equal zero over the life of the contract. However, the net realized and unrealized gain or loss during any given reporting period fluctuates significantly from period to period.
The company believes these point-in-time estimates of asset and liability values related to its derivative instruments that are subject to interest rate fluctuations are subject to volatility mostly due to timing and market factors beyond the control of management, and affect the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations. Accordingly, the company’s management utilizes operating results excluding these items for comparability purposes when making decisions regarding the company’s performance and in presentations with credit rating agencies, lenders, and investors. Consequently, the company reports this non-GAAP information because the company believes that it provides additional information regarding operational and performance indicators that are closely assessed by management and represents what earnings would have been had these derivatives qualified for hedge accounting. There is no comprehensive, authoritative guidance for the presentation of such non-GAAP information, which is only meant to supplement GAAP results by providing additional information that management utilizes to assess performance.
The accounting for derivatives requires that changes in the fair value of derivative instruments be recognized currently in earnings, with no fair value adjustment of the hedged item, unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Management has structured all of the company’s derivative transactions with the intent that each is economically effective; however, the majority of the company’s derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting in the consolidated financial statements. As a result, the change in fair value for the derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting is reported in current period earnings with no consideration for the corresponding change in fair value of the hedged item. Under GAAP, the cumulative net realized and unrealized gain or loss caused by changes in fair values of derivatives in which the company plans to hold to maturity will generally equal zero over the life of the contract. However, the net realized and unrealized gain or loss during any given reporting period fluctuates significantly from period to period.
The company believes these point-in-time estimates of asset and liability values related to its derivative instruments that are subject to interest rate fluctuations are subject to volatility mostly due to timing and market factors beyond the control of management, and affect the period-to-period comparability of the results of operations. Accordingly, the company’s management utilizes operating results excluding these items for comparability purposes when making decisions regarding the company’s performance and in presentations with credit rating agencies, lenders, and investors. Consequently, the company reports this non-GAAP information because the company believes that it provides additional information regarding operational and performance indicators that are closely assessed by management and represents what earnings would have been had these derivatives qualified for hedge accounting. There is no comprehensive, authoritative guidance for the presentation of such non-GAAP information, which is only meant to supplement GAAP results by providing additional information that management utilizes to assess performance.
(b) The tax effects are calculated by multiplying the realized and unrealized derivative market value adjustments by the applicable statutory income tax rate.