RJ
RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL INC (RJF)·Q4 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- RJF delivered record net revenues of $3.73B and net income to common of $603M; adjusted diluted EPS was $3.11, with annualized ROE of 19.6% and adjusted ROTCE of 23.9% . Versus S&P Global consensus, RJF beat EPS ($3.11 vs. $2.83*) and revenue ($3.73B vs. $3.64B*), driven by asset management fees and investment banking strength . Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
- Sequentially, net revenues rose 10% and EPS increased 39% as legal provisions normalized and the effective tax rate fell to 17.4% .
- Segment performance was broad-based: PCG net revenues hit $2.66B (+7% y/y, +7% q/q), Capital Markets net revenues were $513M (+6% y/y, +35% q/q), Asset Management reached $314M (+14% y/y, +8% q/q), and Bank net revenues were $459M (+6% y/y) .
- Management guided FQ1’26 asset management and related administrative fees to be ~6.5% higher than Q4, expects NII + RJBDP third-party fees to be approximately flat, and set an FY’26 effective tax rate of ~24–25% . Planned buybacks of $400–$500M per quarter continue, supported by $3.7B corporate cash and robust capital ratios .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
- What Went Well
- “Record net revenues and record net income for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2025,” underscoring diversified growth across businesses (CEO) .
- Asset Management strength: record quarterly net revenues ($314M) and pre-tax income ($132M) on higher AUM and fee-based inflows .
- Capital Markets rebound: net revenues up 35% q/q; investment banking up 52% q/q, aided by M&A advisory and debt underwriting; pipeline remains strong .
- What Went Wrong
- PCG pre-tax income declined 10% y/y, pressured by lower short-term rates despite fee growth .
- Bank NIM slipped 3 bps q/q to 2.71%; RJBDP third-party yields declined to 2.91%, reflecting rate cuts .
- Prior quarter legal matter impacted ytd Capital Markets “Other” expense; though normalized in Q4, it muted full-year margins .
Financial Results
Key Metrics by Quarter
Actual vs. Wall Street Consensus (S&P Global)
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Segment Breakdown (Q4 2025)
KPIs and Balance Sheet
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- CEO: “This marks our fifth consecutive year of record annual results…demonstrating our consistent focus on generating sustainable growth over the long term” .
- CFO: “Adjusted compensation ratio was 64.0%, better than the 65% target level we shared at our Investor Day” .
- On AI: “We made significant investments of approximately $1 billion in technology including AI…creating the new positions of Chief AI Officer and Head of AI Strategy” .
- On Capital Markets: “Net revenues increased 35% [q/q] largely due to higher M&A and advisory, debt underwriting and affordable housing investments revenues. The investment banking pipeline remains strong” .
- On credit: “Nonperforming assets remained low at 29 bps of bank segment assets…allowance for credit losses 0.88%” .
Q&A Highlights
- Recruiting momentum: Broad-based across employee/independent/RAA custody; pipeline “strongest ever,” with stability valued amid industry consolidation .
- AI initiatives: Focus on infrastructure resiliency, service efficiency, and data-driven insights for advisors; budgeted increases in AI spend to differentiate vs. smaller/regional firms .
- Loan growth outlook: SBL expected to remain highest growth; lower rates could accelerate demand; mortgage growth also supported by lower rates .
- Underwriting dynamics: Debt underwriting strength included large private placements and improved public finance capacity from senior banker hires .
- Capital deployment: Buybacks paused briefly for senior notes; run-rate of $400–$500M/qtr maintained; criteria for larger M&A emphasize culture, strategic fit, and valuation discipline .
Estimates Context
- RJF beat consensus EPS and revenue: adjusted EPS $3.11 vs. $2.83*; net revenues $3.73B vs. $3.64B* . Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
- With management guiding FQ1’26 asset management fees ~+6.5% q/q and NII + RJBDP third-party fees ~flat, Street models may raise near-term fee revenue and maintain spread revenue, while applying a ~24–25% tax rate framework .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Broad-based upside: Revenue and EPS beat on asset management and investment banking strength, while legal/tax headwinds eased; margins returned toward target .
- Durable PCG engine: Record PCG fee-based assets ($1.01T) and strong net new assets ($17.9B) position RJF well for fee growth into FQ1’26 .
- Capital markets recovery: Sequential rebound suggests improving deal environment; GreensLedge adds structured credit capabilities to deepen platform .
- Rate path supports bank: SBL and mortgages driving loan growth; credit metrics remain conservative; expect stable spread revenues near-term .
- Capital return cadence: Continuing $400–$500M buybacks per quarter, supported by $3.7B corporate cash and strong capital ratios, offers downside support .
- AI as differentiator: Elevated tech/AI spend aimed at advisor productivity and client insights should compound PCG competitiveness over multi-year horizon .
- Near-term setup: Street likely to nudge fee revenue higher for FQ1’26 and align tax rate assumptions to ~24–25%; watch investment banking conversion and sweep dynamics .
Appendix: Additional Q4 2025 Press Releases
- Majority stake acquisition in GreensLedge Holdings LLC to bolster structured credit/securitization advisory, pending customary approvals .
- Priced $1.5B of senior notes (4.90% due 2035; 5.65% due 2055), expanding liquidity for growth and client needs .