StocksMediumUpdated×2•Originally published 6 October 2026•Updated 6 October 2026•
1 min read
Wall Street Profits Projected to Hit $90 Billion in 2026 with Higher Bonuses
Key Facts
1Wall Street firms earned $45.9 billion in the first half of 2026, a 51.3% increase compared to the same period last year.
2Underwriting fees rose 68% driven by strong global equity issuance, including the SpaceX initial public offering.
Wall Street securities industry profits are projected to reach $90 billion in 2026, a milestone expected to drive employee bonuses higher. New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli reported that the industry earned $45.9 billion in the first half of the year, marking a 51.3% increase over the previous year, according to Axios.
Underwriting fees surged 68% due to robust global equity issuance, including the SpaceX initial public offering and a boom in AI-related dealmaking. Regarding market performance, ICE closed at $152.15 on October 5, 2026, while SPCX closed at $171.09 on the same date.