NEW YORK — Oct. 6, 2026 — Wall Street’s securities industry recorded $45.9 billion in pretax profits in the first half of 2026, up 51.3% from $30.4 billion a year earlier, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli reported Tuesday.
The figures cover 168 New York Stock Exchange member broker-dealers. They measure firms’ profits, rather than returns earned by individual stock-market investors.
Stronger trading, dealmaking and initial public offerings helped lift earnings, according to the comptroller. Reuters independently reported the results.
A strong first half, with risks ahead
The report puts the industry on course for a potentially record year, but that outcome is not assured. The comptroller cited uncertainty around international conflict, inflation, interest rates and the sustainability of investment linked to artificial intelligence.
Wall Street’s performance matters beyond financial markets because industry earnings and pay support New York’s tax revenues.
Primary source: New York State Comptroller’s October 6 report.
Featured image: Zark News illustration using figures from the comptroller’s report.
