Climb Reports $220.31 Million in Revenue; Markel Earns $27.52 per Share
Key Facts
Climb Global Solutions reported third-quarter 2026 earnings per share of $0.43, beating analysts’ estimate of $0.38, while revenue rose to $220.31 million versus expectations of $178.66 million, according to Investing.com data. Markel, meanwhile, reported earnings per share of $27.52, five cents above the estimate of $27.47. But the insurer’s revenue was $3.8 billion, below expectations of $3.82 billion. The comparison shows a double beat for Climb on earnings and revenue, while Markel beat only on earnings per share. Climb’s results reflect an expansion in activity, while Markel’s picture was more mixed between profitability and revenue.
Climb sales rose 37% to $220.3 million compared with the third quarter of 2025, while total billings increased 40% to $706.4 million, according to the company’s statement. Total billings measure the value of business passing through the company, while sales represent revenue recognized in its results. CEO Dale Foster said the company benefited from momentum across its supplier portfolio and a contribution from the Interworks acquisition earlier in the year. He added that "19 of our top 20 suppliers achieved sequential growth during the quarter." Performance across the supplier base indicates that growth was not confined to one supplier, while the acquisition added to quarterly results. Foster said, "Our focused supplier portfolio is central to our performance."
The growth in activity was reflected in Climb’s profitability metrics: net income rose 69% to $7.9 million, or $0.43 per diluted share, compared with the same period in 2025. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization also rose 35% to $14.7 million, according to the company’s statement. The figures put improved earnings alongside sales and billings growth during the quarter. At the end of September, the company had $66.9 million in cash and cash equivalents. Climb said it had not drawn on its $50 million revolving credit facility and had no outstanding debt at that date.
Markel’s results combined a beat on the earnings-per-share estimate with a slight miss on the revenue estimate, according to Investing.com data. Actual revenue came in below the $3.82 billion estimate, and the source did not provide further details on the change compared with the previous period. The result puts revenue below analysts’ consensus despite earnings per share coming in above expectations. The available information does not detail the reasons for the gap between estimated and actual revenue or break down results by business segment. The available quarterly comparison for Markel is therefore limited to market estimates for the third quarter. The figures highlight a contrast between two companies that each posted a positive earnings-per-share surprise, while Climb also clearly exceeded its revenue estimate.
Climb shares, listed under the ticker CLMB, closed at $33.13 on October 28, 2026, according to EL7 data. On the same day, Markel shares, listed under the ticker MKL, closed at $1,844.76, according to the same data. The available EL7 data do not include session highs or lows for either stock. The closing prices came the day before Climb’s conference to discuss results, but do not by themselves show the direction of either stock’s movement during the session. The available information did not include data on the market’s reaction to Markel’s results. The documented price comparison is therefore limited to the two stocks’ closes on October 28.
Climb scheduled a conference to discuss its third-quarter results for October 29, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, according to its statement. The event follows the company’s report of sales and billings growth and improved net income and adjusted earnings. The conference is expected to give management an opportunity to detail performance, the acquisition’s contribution and the supplier portfolio, the factors highlighted by the CEO in the statement. The available information did not provide comparable upcoming dates for Markel. For Climb, the discussion with investors follows a quarter in which actual revenue exceeded analysts’ estimates. Markel’s published results, meanwhile, show a modest earnings-per-share beat alongside a slight revenue miss.