TransUnion Announces Strong Third Quarter 2026 Results
TransUnion (TRU) filed an SEC Form 8-K — Results of Operations and Financial Condition. Exhibit 99.1 News Release TransUnion Announces Strong Third Quarter 2026 Results • Delivered 12 percent revenue growth, or 8 percent organic constant currency, led by Financial Services, Insurance and International • Exceeded high end of guidance for diluted earnings per share an
How this was made
The 30-second read
Why it matters
The earnings beat and raised EPS guidance are likely to attract buying interest and support the stock price in the near term.
Market read
Strong earnings and raised guidance make TransUnion a short‑term bullish catalyst in the data services space.
What to watch
Higher interest rates could pressure consumer credit demand, offsetting growth.
TransUnion Announces Strong Third Quarter 2026 Results
Third-quarter revenue grew 12.2%, Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share rose to $1.25 from $1.10, and the company reported broad growth in Financial Services, Emerging Verticals and International while maintaining the high-end of full-year revenue guidance and raising Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share guidance.
Key metrics
shortened, hover for the filing’s print| Metric | Value | q/q | y/y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total revenue, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $1.31B | – | 12.2% |
| Cost of services, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $534.7M | – | – |
| Selling, general and administrative, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $346.6M | – | – |
| Depreciation and amortization, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $164M | – | – |
| Total operating expenses, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $1.05B | – | – |
| Operating income, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $267.2M | – | – |
| Net income attributable to TransUnion, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $156.2M | – | – |
| Net income attributable to TransUnion margin, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | 11.9% | – | – |
| Basic earnings per common share, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $0.82 | – | – |
| Diluted earnings per common share, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $0.81 | – | – |
| Adjusted Net Income, three months ended September 30, 2026non-GAAP | $241.6M | – | – |
| Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share, three months ended September 30, 2026non-GAAP | $1.25 | – | 14% |
| Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, three months ended September 30, 2026non-GAAP | $464.8M | – | 9.3% |
| Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin, three months ended September 30, 2026non-GAAP | 35.4% | – | – |
| Effective tax rate, three months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | 23.2% | – | – |
| Adjusted Effective Tax Rate, three months ended September 30, 2026non-GAAP | 25.7% | – | – |
| Total revenue, nine months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $3.87B | – | 13.6% |
| Operating income, nine months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $770M | – | – |
| Net income attributable to TransUnion, nine months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $696.7M | – | – |
| Diluted earnings per common share, nine months ended September 30, 2026GAAP | $3.59 | – | – |
| Adjusted Net Income, nine months ended September 30, 2026non-GAAP | $709.4M | – | – |
| Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share, nine months ended September 30, 2026non-GAAP | $3.66 | – | – |
| Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, nine months ended September 30, 2026non-GAAP | $1.36B | – | 10.5% |
| Cash and cash equivalents, September 30, 2026GAAP | $883.1M | – | – |
| Total debt, September 30, 2026other | $5.46B | – | – |
| Leverage Ratio, trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2026non-GAAP | 2.5 | – | – |
Segments
| Segment | Revenue | q/q | y/y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial ServicesU.S. Markets revenue was led by U.S. Financial Services and Insurance. | $485.5M | – | 10.8% |
| Emerging VerticalsU.S. Markets revenue grew by 7 percent. | $351M | – | 6.3% |
| Consumer InteractiveConsumer Interactive reported a (3.0)% reported growth rate. | $140.3M | – | (3.0)% |
| Total U.S. Markets RevenueGrowth was led by U.S. Financial Services and Insurance. | $976.8M | – | 7.0% |
| CanadaConstant currency growth rate was 6.9%. | $45.7M | – | 5.2% |
| Latin AmericaOrganic constant currency growth rate was 18.0%; segment results include Trans Union de Mexico. | $98.7M | – | 192.8% |
| United KingdomConstant currency growth rate was 5.5%. | $75M | – | 5.1% |
| AfricaConstant currency growth rate was 6.4%. | $22.3M | – | 14.9% |
| IndiaOrganic constant currency growth rate was 17.7%. | $73.7M | – | 7.5% |
| Asia PacificConstant currency and organic constant currency growth rates were 3.0%. | $23.7M | – | – |
| Total International RevenueOrganic constant currency growth rate was 10.4%. | $339M | – | 30.4% |
Three Months Ended December 31, 2026 and Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2026 outlook
- RevenueQ4 2026: $1,264 million to $1,294 million; FY 2026: $5,131 million to $5,162 million
- NoteRevenue growth, as reported: Q4 2026 8% to 10%; FY 2026 12% to 13%.
- NoteRevenue growth, constant currency: Q4 2026 8% to 11%; FY 2026 12% to 13%.
- NoteRevenue growth, organic constant currency: Q4 2026 3% to 6%; FY 2026 8% to 9%.
- NoteNet income attributable to TransUnion: Q4 2026 $127 million to $140 million; FY 2026 $823 million to $837 million.
- NoteNet income attributable to TransUnion margin: Q4 2026 10.0% to 10.8%; FY 2026 16.0% to 16.2%.
- NoteDiluted Earnings per Share: Q4 2026 $0.66 to $0.73; FY 2026 $4.26 to $4.32.
- NoteAdjusted EBITDA, as reported: Q4 2026 $450 million to $468 million; FY 2026 $1,808 million to $1,827 million.
- NoteAdjusted EBITDA margin: Q4 2026 35.6% to 36.2%; FY 2026 35.2% to 35.4%.
- NoteAdjusted Diluted Earnings per Share: Q4 2026 $1.15 to $1.22; FY 2026 $4.81 to $4.88.
Capital returns
- Repurchases of common stock were $244.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, compared with $152.6 million in 2025.
- The company reported $243 million of share repurchases year-to-date and expects to repurchase up to $500 million shares total in 2026.
- On October 26, 2026, the Board increased the share repurchase authorization by $1 billion to $2 billion in total.
- The Board declared a cash dividend of $0.135 per share, increased from $0.125, payable on November 25, 2026 to shareholders of record on November 10, 2026.
- Dividends to shareholders were $74.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, compared with $68.3 million in 2025.
What drove it
- Consolidated revenue growth was 12.5% on a constant currency basis and 7.6% on an organic constant currency basis.
- U.S. Markets revenue grew 7.0%, with Financial Services revenue up 10.8% and Emerging Verticals revenue up 6.3%.
- International revenue grew 30.4% reported and 10.4% on an organic constant currency basis.
- Latin America reported 192.8% revenue growth and 18.0% organic constant currency growth; the results include Trans Union de Mexico.
- India delivered 17.7% constant currency and organic constant currency revenue growth.
- The increase in nine-month operating cash flow was due primarily to improved operating performance and changes in working capital.
Concerns
- Consumer Interactive revenue declined (3.0)% year over year.
- Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin was 35.4%, compared with 36.3% in the third quarter of 2025.
- U.S. Markets Adjusted EBITDA grew 0.7%, compared with 38.5% growth in International Adjusted EBITDA.
- Cash used in investing activities increased to $754.0 million from $307.1 million, due primarily to acquisitions of Trans Union de Mexico and the mobile division of RealNetworks LLC.
- Long-term debt was $5,347.9 million at September 30, 2026.
- The outlook cites general macroeconomic conditions, interest rates, inflation and regulatory changes as assumptions subject to change.
What to watch
- Q4 2026 organic constant currency revenue growth guidance of 3% to 6%.
- Q4 2026 Adjusted EBITDA margin guidance of 35.6% to 36.2%.
- Consumer Interactive revenue performance following the third-quarter (3.0)% decline.
- The contribution from Trans Union de Mexico, the mobile division of RealNetworks and Monevo, which are treated as inorganic growth in organic constant currency reporting.
- Execution against the expectation to repurchase up to $500 million shares total in 2026.
- The FICO mortgage royalty, expected to provide approximately 1 point of benefit to Q4 2026 revenue growth and approximately 3 points of benefit to FY 2026 revenue growth.
Balance sheet and cash flow
- Cash and cash equivalents were $883.1 million at September 30, 2026, compared with $853.6 million at December 31, 2025.
- Current portion of long-term debt was $108.6 million and long-term debt was $5,347.9 million at September 30, 2026.
- Cash provided by operating activities was $888.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, compared with $668.1 million in 2025.
- Capital expenditures were $201.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, compared with $229.3 million in 2025.
- Cash used in investing activities was $754.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, compared with $307.1 million in 2025.
- Cash used in financing activities was $86.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, compared with $300.9 million in 2025.
- Net debt was $4,573.5 million at September 30, 2026.
Analysis
TransUnion reported third-quarter revenue of $1,312.5 million, up 12.2% from $1,169.5 million. Growth was 12.5% on a constant currency basis and 7.6% on an organic constant currency basis. GAAP operating income rose to $267.2 million from $207.6 million, while net income attributable to TransUnion increased to $156.2 million from $96.6 million. Diluted earnings per share were $0.81, compared with $0.49, and net income attributable to TransUnion margin improved to 11.9% from 8.3%.
The underlying business was led by U.S. Financial Services and International. Financial Services revenue increased 10.8% to $485.5 million, Emerging Verticals grew 6.3% to $351.0 million, and total U.S. Markets revenue rose 7.0% to $976.8 million. Consumer Interactive remained the exception, with revenue declining (3.0)% to $140.3 million. International revenue increased 30.4% to $339.0 million, although 20.9 percentage points of the growth rate were inorganic. International organic constant currency growth was 10.4%, with India at 17.7% and Latin America at 18.0%.
Profitability growth lagged revenue on an adjusted basis. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA increased 9.3% to $464.8 million, while Adjusted EBITDA margin declined to 35.4% from 36.3%. U.S. Markets Adjusted EBITDA was $353.3 million, up 0.7%, whereas International Adjusted EBITDA increased 38.5% to $155.7 million. Adjusted Net Income increased to $241.6 million from $216.5 million and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share rose to $1.25 from $1.10. The reported nine-month GAAP net income attributable to TransUnion included a $225.5 million gain on acquisition of affiliate.
Cash provided by operating activities for the nine months was $888.6 million, compared with $668.1 million, supported primarily by improved operating performance and working-capital changes. Capital expenditures declined to $201.3 million from $229.3 million, but investing cash usage rose to $754.0 million as the company acquired Trans Union de Mexico and the mobile division of RealNetworks. The company reported $883.1 million of cash and $5,456.6 million of total debt, with a Leverage Ratio of 2.5. Repurchases of common stock were $244.6 million during the nine months, and the Board increased the authorization to $2 billion in total while raising the quarterly dividend to $0.135 per share.
For Q4, TransUnion guides to revenue of $1,264 million to $1,294 million and organic constant currency growth of 3% to 6%, with Adjusted EBITDA of $450 million to $468 million and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share of $1.15 to $1.22. Full-year revenue guidance is $5,131 million to $5,162 million, organic constant currency growth guidance is 8% to 9%, and Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share guidance is $4.81 to $4.88. Management said it is maintaining the high-end of 2026 revenue guidance and raising guidance for Adjusted Diluted EPS.
Management, verbatim
TransUnion delivered another quarter of strong results exceeding our guidance.
Chris Cartwright, President and CEO
We are maintaining the high-end of 2026 guidance for revenue and raising guidance for Adjusted Diluted EPS, balancing business momentum against rising interest rates and overall market uncertainty.
Chris Cartwright, President and CEO
Progress against our technology modernization and accelerated innovation underpin these results. We continue to deliver increasingly diversified, innovation-led and scalable growth.
Chris Cartwright, President and CEO
Not in the filing
stated, not guessed- Gross margin was not reported.
- Quarterly operating cash flow was not reported.
- Quarterly capital expenditures were not reported.
- Free cash flow was not reported.
- Prior-quarter comparisons were not reported for the reported metrics.
- Prior outlook was not provided, so a comparison of actual results with prior guidance cannot be made.
AlphAI analysis generated from the company’s SEC earnings filing (Form 8-K Item 2.02, or Form 6-K for a foreign private issuer). Every figure was cross-checked against the filing text; consensus estimates, price targets and share-price reactions are not shown because they are not in the filing. AI-generated research, not investment advice.
Background
TransUnion filed a Form 8‑K announcing its Q3 2026 results, including revenue, earnings, and updated guidance.
Ticker impact
TransUnion reported 12% revenue growth and raised guidance for Adjusted Diluted EPS in its Q3 2026 earnings release.
likely upward pressure as investors price in higher EPS expectations.
The company delivered revenue and earnings growth above prior year and increased its EPS guidance, which typically drives buying interest.
Market effects
Positive earnings may lift the credit reporting and data analytics sector.
U.S. markets could see modest gains on the back of the beat.
Limited to markets tracking U.S. data‑service stocks.
Counterpoint
If the raised guidance is already priced in, the stock could face a short‑term pullback.
Key entities
- CompanyTransUnion
U.S. credit reporting and data analytics firm.
