Wall Street Profits Hit $45.9 Billion in First Half of 2026, on Track for Record Year

U.S. securities industry profits totaled $45.9 billion in the first half of 2026, putting Wall Street on pace for a record annual haul, according to a report released Tuesday by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. First-half profits surged 51.3% from a year earlier. At the current pace, full-year profits could exceed $90 billion, outpacing even inflation-adjusted record levels set in 2009. The report cited a revival in dealmaking, strong trading revenue driven by market volatility, resilient loan growth and a resurgent IPO market as drivers behind the gains across nearly every major Wall Street business. Securities profits reached a record $65.1 billion in 2025, up more than 30% from the prior year. The industry contributed at least $7.8 billion to New York City's budget in fiscal year 2026, up 15.8% year over year, the report said.