EquiLend: Global Securities Lending Revenue Hits Record $9.1 Billion in H1 2026 as Equity Demand Surges
EquiLend Data & Insights reports global securities lending revenue reached $9.1 billion in the first half of 2026, up 34% year over year, as elevated volatility and increased short-selling activity drove equity demand.
July 2, 2026
New York – July 2, 2026 -The global securities lending industry generated a record $9.1 billion in the first half of 2026, according to EquiLend Data & Insights, as elevated market volatility and increased short-selling activity drove demand across global equity markets. Record loan balances of $4.38 trillion, together with heightened trading around AI-related stocks, biotech catalysts and APAC technology names, helped push industry revenue 34% higher than in the first half of 2025.
The lender-to-broker segment accounted for $6.99 billion in revenue, up 34% from H1 2025, while broker-to-broker lending generated $2.11 billion, up 33% year over year.
Global equities led growth in the first half, with lender revenue rising 38% from H1 2025, to $5.43 billion. North American equities reclaimed the top spot, generating $2.32 billion in lender revenue, as AI-related volatility, biotech catalysts and continued demand for credit ETFs drove an 11% increase over H1 2025. Asia-Pacific (APAC) was a close second at $2.12 billion, supported by strong demand for technology stocks, led by top earner Pop Mart International. In EMEA, lender revenue reached $959 million in the first half of 2026, driven by event-related demand for Koninklijke Philips and Telecom Italia.
Fixed income lender revenue also increased significantly, reaching $1.57 billion, up 22% year over year. Government bond lending rose 27%, while U.S. Treasurys increased 30% on higher balances and fees. French OAT lending revenue rose 24% from H1 2025, while U.K. gilts increased by a similar 29%. Corporate bond lending generated $417 million in lender-to-broker revenue, up 11% year-over-year, as a 36% increase in North American investment-grade lending balances drove a 39% increase in revenue.
Single-stock revenue leaders for H1 were Infosys LTD ADR (INFY US), Pop Mart International (992 HK), TopBuild Corp (BLD), Contemporary Amperex Technology H (3750 HK), and Lucid Group Inc (LCID US), which collectively generated $306 million, or 4.4% of lending revenue.
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EquiLend is a global financial technology firm offering Trading, Workflow Automation, Data & Insights, and Digital Solutions for the securities finance industry. With offices in North America, EMEA and Asia-Pacific, EquiLend operates across various jurisdictions worldwide, adhering to the highest regulatory standards. The company is committed to excellence and innovation and is consistently recognized for its contributions to the industry. EquiLend is Great Place to Work Certified™ in the U.S., UK, Ireland and India and has been awarded Global Data Provider of the Year and Regulatory Solution of the Year in the Securities Finance Times Industry Excellence Awards 2025. For more information, please visit www.equilend.com
