NDAQMEDIUM SIGNALFINANCIAL10-K

NDAQ reported strong financial performance with 60% net income growth while significantly increasing share buybacks by 325% and doubling interest expense.

The substantial increase in net income alongside higher operating cash flow demonstrates robust operational performance, likely driven by recent acquisitions like Adenza. However, the doubling of interest expense suggests increased leverage to fund growth initiatives, which investors should monitor for sustainability.

Comparing 2026-02-12 vs 2025-02-21View on EDGAR →
FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

NDAQ delivered impressive financial results with net income jumping 60% to $1.8B and operating cash flow growing 16% to $2.3B, reflecting strong business momentum. The company returned significantly more capital to shareholders through a 325% increase in share buybacks to $616M while maintaining steady dividend growth of 11%. However, interest expense more than doubled to $284M, indicating higher debt levels likely used to finance acquisitions and growth investments, though the strong cash generation appears sufficient to service this increased debt burden.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT CHANGES
Share Buybacks
Cash Flow
+324.8%
$145.0M$616.0M

Share repurchases increased 324.8% — management returning capital, signals confidence in intrinsic value.

Interest Expense
P&L
+120.2%
$129.0M$284.0M

Interest expense surged 120.2% — significant debt increase or rising rates materially impacting earnings.

Net Income
P&L
+60.1%
$1.1B$1.8B

Net income grew 60.1% — bottom-line growth signals improving overall business health.

Operating Income
P&L
+29.6%
$1.8B$2.3B

Operating income improving — cost discipline or growing revenue base absorbing fixed costs.

Capital Expenditure
Cash Flow
+28.5%
$207.0M$266.0M

Capex increased 28.5% — ongoing investment in capacity or infrastructure for future growth.

Operating Cash Flow
Cash Flow
+16.3%
$1.9B$2.3B

Operating cash flow grew 16.3% — strong conversion of earnings to cash, healthy business fundamentals.

Gross Profit
P&L
+12.9%
$4.6B$5.2B

Gross profit expanding — improving pricing power or product mix shift toward higher-margin offerings.

Dividends Paid
Cash Flow
+11.1%
$541.0M$601.0M

Dividend payments increased 11.1% — management confidence in sustained cash generation.

LANGUAGE CHANGES
NEW — 2026-02-12
PRIOR — 2025-02-21
ADDED
Form 10-K Summary 63 ii About this Form 10-K Throughout this Form 10-K, unless otherwise specified: Nasdaq, we, us and our refer to Nasdaq, Inc.
Business OVER VIEW Nasdaq is a leading technology platform that powers the world s economies.
We architect the infrastructure of the world s most modern markets, power the innovation economy, and build trust in the financial system.
We empower economic opportunity by designing and deploying the technology, data, and advanced analytics that enable our clients to capture opportunities, navigate risk, and strengthen resilience.
In February 2008, Nasdaq and OMX AB combined their businesses, leading to a transformational combination and expansion of our company from a U.S.-based exchange operator to a global exchange company offering technology that powers our own exchanges and markets as well as many other marketplaces around the world.
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REMOVED
Form 10-K Summary 64 i About this Form 10-K Throughout this Form 10-K, unless otherwise specified: Nasdaq, we, us and our refer to Nasdaq, Inc.
Business OVERVIEW Nasdaq is a global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system.
We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy.
Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence.
In February 2008, Nasdaq and OMX AB combined their businesses, and we changed our corporate name to The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
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