Earnings release
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Lincoln International Reports Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results • Record third quarter and year-to-date revenues of $293.7 million and $677.1 million, representing increases of 57% and 45% year-over-year, respectively • Strong performance across both Investment Banking Advisory and Valuations and Opinions with third quarter revenues increasing 70% and 18%, year-over-year, respectively • Third quarter net income attributable to Lincoln International, Inc. of $9.9 million and adjusted net income of $50.2 million • Declared dividend of $0.07 per share for fourth quarter 2026 CHICAGO, November 5, 2026 -- Lincoln International, Inc. (NYSE: LCLN) today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026. For the third quarter, net income attributable to Lincoln International, Inc. was $9.9 million, or $0.25 diluted earnings per share, and adjusted net income was $50.2 million, or adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.46. “Lincoln delivered a record third quarter, achieving new highs in both revenue and adjusted earnings, with strong growth across our Investment Banking Advisory and Valuations and Opinions businesses,” said Rob Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln International. “We are entering the fourth quarter from a position of strength, supported by healthy pipeline activity and continued client engagement. Looking ahead, we remain focused on executing our long-term strategy through continued investment in our people, technology and global platform to further strengthen our competitive position and drive sustainable growth.” Selected Financial Data In thousands, except share amounts Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, U.S. GAAP Adjusted(1) U.S. GAAP Adjusted(1) 2026 2025(2) 2026 2025(2) 2026 2025(2) 2026 2025(2) Revenues by segment Investment Banking Advisory $ 239,901 $ 141,303 $ 239,901 $ 141,303 $ 527,492 $ 349,021 $ 527,492 $ 349,021 Valuations and Opinions 53,751 45,411 53,751 45,411 149,653 119,559 149,653 119,559 Total revenues $ 293,652 $ 186,714 $ 293,652 $ 186,714 $ 677,145 $ 468,580 $ 677,145 $ 468,580 Operating income 44,280 51,284 71,912 25,162 34,347 106,338 144,611 68,215 Net income attributable to Lincoln International, Inc.(3) $ 9,935 $ 50,640 $ 50,150 $ 20,044 $ 10,390 $ 109,067 $ 95,799 $ 54,574 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.25 — $ 0.46 — $ 0.26 — $ 0.87 — (1) See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for definitions and explanations of adjusted (non-GAAP) measures and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in the tables and the notes at the end of this release. (2) Prior to the Initial Public Offering (IPO), there were no authorized or outstanding Class A common shares. (3) Adjusted net income assumes all outstanding common units of Lincoln International, LP have been exchanged for Class A common stock and, accordingly, does not reflect net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures." Revenues Total revenues were $293.7 million for the third quarter, compared to $186.7 million in the prior-year period, representing an increase of 57%, primarily attributable to increasing M&A activity, demand for private market valuations, and the impact of our acquisition of MarshBerry in October of 2025. Investment Banking Advisory revenues were $239.9 million for the third quarter, a 70% increase from the prior-year period primarily due to a higher number of transactions completed, higher average fees and our acquisition of MarshBerry. Valuations and Opinions revenues were $53.8 million for the third quarter, an 18% increase from the prior-year period primarily driven by increasing demand for portfolio valuations and transaction opinions. 1
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Expenses In thousands Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, U.S. GAAP Adjusted(1) U.S. GAAP Adjusted(1) 2026 2025 2026 2025 2026 2025 2026 2025 Compensation and benefits $186,938 $96,297 $178,998 $127,949 $428,817 $237,424 $413,635 $301,031 % of revenues 63.7% 51.6% 61.0% 68.5% 63.3% 50.7% 61.1% 64.2% Non-compensation $62,434 $39,133 $42,742 $33,602 $213,981 $124,818 $118,899 $99,334 % of revenues 21.3% 21.0% 14.6% 18.0% 31.6% 26.6% 17.6% 21.2% (1) See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for definitions and explanations of adjusted (non-GAAP) measures and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in the tables and the notes at the end of this release. Compensation and benefits were $186.9 million for the third quarter, compared to $96.3 million in the prior-year period, an increase of 94%. On an adjusted basis, compensation and benefits were $179.0 million for the third quarter compared to $127.9 million in the prior-year period, an increase of 40%. This resulted in an adjusted compensation ratio of 61% for the third quarter, compared to 69% in the prior-year period. The increase in compensation expenses was primarily a result of an increase in revenues, our acquisition of MarshBerry and the change in our corporate structure resulting from our IPO in May 2026. Non-compensation expenses were $62.4 million for the third quarter, compared to $39.1 million in the prior-year period, an increase of 60%. On an adjusted basis, non-compensation expenses were $42.7 million for the third quarter compared to $33.6 million in the prior-year period, an increase of 27%. This resulted in an adjusted non-compensation ratio of 15% for the third quarter, compared to 18% in the prior-year period. The increase in non-compensation expenses was primarily a result of our acquisition of MarshBerry and focused investment in technology. Provision for Income Taxes The provision for income taxes was $7.2 million in the third quarter, representing an effective tax rate of 16%. On an adjusted basis, the provision for income taxes was $22.5 million in the third quarter, representing an adjusted effective tax rate of 31%. Talent We continue to make strategic investments in our business to strengthen our competitive advantages and deliver greater value to our clients. During the third quarter of 2026, we welcomed three Managing Directors through lateral hires, bringing the total number of Managing Directors to 163 firmwide. We remain equally focused on developing the next generation of leaders, investing in high-performing talent and fostering career advancements through internal promotion. Balance Sheet and Capital Allocation As of September 30, 2026, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $363.1 million and long-term debt of $101.9 million, resulting in net cash of $261.2 million. This compares to cash and cash equivalents of $320.2 million as of December 31, 2025. The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share, payable on December 15, 2026, to stockholders of record as of December 1, 2026. 2
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Conference Call and Webcast Details Lincoln International will host a conference call beginning at 7:30 a.m. Central Time on November 5, 2026 to discuss third quarter results. To access the conference call, please call +1 (888) 660-6196 (toll-free domestic) or +1 (929) 203-1911 (international) using the following conference ID: LCLNQ326. The call will be webcast live on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website www.lcln.com, and accompanying materials will be posted prior to the conference call. A replay of the webcast will be available for 30 days following the call. About Lincoln International Lincoln International, Inc. (NYSE: LCLN) is a trusted investment banking advisor to business owners, private equity firms and their portfolio companies, and public and private companies worldwide. Our services include mergers and acquisitions advisory, private funds and capital markets advisory, and valuations and opinions. With approximately 1,500 professionals in more than 30 offices across 14 countries, we combine perspective on the global private capital markets with deep industry expertise, market intelligence and strategic insights to deliver exceptional execution and build lasting client relationships. We periodically provide other information for investors on the Investor Relations section of our website at www.lcln.com. We intend to use our website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor our website, in addition to following the Company's press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. Contacts Media Investor Relations Emily Yates Alexandra Deignan Strategic Communications Manager Chief Marketing Officer & Head of IR media@lcln.com IR@lcln.com 1 (847) 814-7727 1 (312) 835-6963 3
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Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements often include words such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “targets,” “commits,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to, statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, expected growth, future capital expenditures and debt service obligations. These statements are based on management's current expectations, beliefs and assumptions and are not guarantees of future performance. They are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among others, risks related to retaining and recruiting talent, acquisitions and integration (including MarshBerry), changing market, economic and geopolitical conditions, revenue volatility, competition, cybersecurity and operational risks, extensive regulation, and our organizational structure. A further description of these and other risks can be found under “Risk Factors” in our final prospectus dated May 19, 2026 as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on May 21, 2026, and as updated in our subsequent filings with the SEC. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also materially and adversely affect our business or results of operations. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Non-GAAP Financial Measures In addition to our financial results prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), we consider certain adjusted (non-GAAP) measures in assessing the performance of our business. We recognize that these non- GAAP financial measures have limitations, including that they may be calculated differently by other companies or may be used under different circumstances or for different purposes, thereby affecting their comparability from company to company. In order to compensate for these and the other limitations, we do not consider these measures in isolation from or as alternatives to the comparable financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures should be used in addition to and in conjunction with the results presented in accordance with GAAP and should not be relied upon to the exclusion of GAAP measures. The non-GAAP measures we use are adjusted compensation and benefits and adjusted compensation ratio, adjusted non-compensation and adjusted non-compensation ratio, adjusted operating income and adjusted operating income margin, adjusted other income, adjusted provision for income taxes and adjusted effective tax rate, adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share and net cash. Management believes that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures together with comparable GAAP measures provides useful information to investors to enhance their ability to analyze our performance from period to period, enhance their overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects, and allow for greater transparency with respect to metrics used by our management in their financial and operational decision making. Internally, management uses these non-GAAP financial measures, along with GAAP financial measures, in evaluating our operating results and in making resource allocation and compensation decisions. We adjust for certain non-cash and other items that management believes are not indicative of our ongoing operating performance. These adjustments include IPO-related items, such as equity award and partner conversion expenses, and transition-related amortization costs associated with debt repaid in connection with the IPO. These adjustments also include acquisition-related items, such as deferred retention and earnout expenses, and amortization of intangible assets recognized through purchase accounting. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share are calculated assuming all outstanding common units of Lincoln International, LP and minority interests have been exchanged for Class A common stock, resulting in all of the Company's income becoming subject to corporate-level tax. The adjusted provision for income taxes reflects this assumption and applies the applicable statutory tax rates in the relevant jurisdictions to each non-GAAP adjustment. For an explanation of the adjustments and a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures with the most directly comparable GAAP measures, see the tables and the related notes at the end of this release. 4
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Lincoln International, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) September 30, 2026 December 31, 2025In thousands, except share amounts Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 363,085 $ 320,169 Restricted cash 4,769 4,658 Receivables: Client accounts receivable, net of allowance 127,894 160,225 Related-party receivables 6,280 28,583 Total receivables 134,174 188,808 Prepaid expenses 19,895 17,458 Other assets 11,024 12,013 Property and equipment, net 53,175 57,597 Other intangible assets, net 65,687 115,903 Deferred tax assets 75,009 9,525 Goodwill 277,880 274,470 Right-of-use lease asset 125,549 117,537 Total assets 1,130,247 1,118,138 Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Stockholders' Equity Liabilities Compensation payable $ 214,041 $ 138,404 Accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities 88,138 112,139 Long-term debt 101,862 270,374 Amount due pursuant to tax receivable agreement 85,216 — Income tax payable 13,362 9,770 Lease liability 156,322 148,845 Total liabilities 658,941 679,532 Commitments and contingencies Redeemable noncontrolling interest 7,300 7,420 — — Stockholders' Equity Partners' Equity — 431,186 Class A common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (650,000,000 shares authorized, 36,372,399 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2026, none authorized, issued, or outstanding at December 31, 2025) — — Class B common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (250,000,000 shares authorized, 28,596,847 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2026, none authorized, issued, or outstanding at December 31, 2025) — — Class C common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (100,000,000 shares authorized, 38,866,382 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2026, none authorized, issued, or outstanding at December 31, 2025) — — Additional paid-in-capital 141,521 — Retained earnings 7,502 — Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (205) — Total equity attributable to Lincoln International, Inc. 148,818 — Noncontrolling interest 315,188 — Total stockholders' equity 464,006 431,186 Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and stockholders' equity $ 1,130,247 $ 1,118,138 5
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Lincoln International, Inc. Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, In thousands, except share amounts 2026 2025 2026 2025 Revenues: $ 293,652 $ 186,714 $ 677,145 $ 468,580 — — — — Expenses: Compensation and benefits 186,938 96,297 428,817 237,424 Travel and related expenses 10,344 6,815 28,114 19,744 Rent and occupancy 8,397 7,690 24,475 22,252 Technology and information services 6,564 4,132 16,515 13,320 Professional services and development 9,273 13,142 36,270 28,397 Depreciation and amortization 19,483 2,405 57,972 23,961 Other operating expenses, net 8,373 4,949 50,635 17,144 Total expenses 249,372 135,430 642,798 362,242 — — — — Total operating income 44,280 51,284 34,347 106,338 — — — — Other income (expense), net 775 1,924 (8,733) 5,533 — — — — Income before income taxes 45,055 53,208 25,614 111,871 — — — — Provision for income taxes 7,205 2,853 8,790 4,024 — — — — Net income 37,850 50,355 16,824 107,847 — — — — Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 27,915 (285) 6,434 (1,220) Net income attributable to Lincoln International Inc. $ 9,935 $ 50,640 $ 10,390 $ 109,067 — — — — Other comprehensive income: Foreign currency translation adjustment (523) (993) (4,398) 4,436 — — — — Comprehensive income $ 37,327 $ 49,362 $ 12,426 $ 112,283 $— $— $— $— Net income per share attributable to holders of Class A common stock: Basic $ 0.27 $ — $ 0.29 $ — Diluted $ 0.25 $ — $ 0.26 $ — Weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding: Basic 36,348,387 — 36,327,234 — Diluted 39,677,992 — 39,569,600 — 6
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Lincoln International, Inc. Non-GAAP Financial Information (Unaudited) In thousands, except share amounts Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2026 2025 Change 2026 2025 Change Total revenues $ 293,652 $ 186,714 57 % $ 677,145 $ 468,580 45 % Adjusted expenses: Adjusted compensation and benefits 178,998 127,949 40 % 413,635 301,031 37 % Adjusted non-compensation 42,742 33,602 27 % 118,899 99,334 20 % Adjusted operating income 71,912 25,162 186 % 144,611 68,215 112 % Adjusted income tax 22,537 7,042 220 % 43,040 19,175 124 % Adjusted net income $ 50,150 $ 20,044 150 % $ 95,799 $ 54,574 76 % Adjusted diluted earnings per share $ 0.46 $ — $ 0.87 $ — Adjusted diluted share count 110,214,863 — 110,214,863 — Adjusted ratios and margin Adjusted compensation ratio 61.0 % 68.5 % 61.1 % 64.2 % Adjusted non-compensation ratio 14.6 % 18.0 % 17.6 % 21.2 % Adjusted operating margin 24.5 % 13.5 % 21.4 % 14.6 % Adjusted effective tax rate 31.0 % 26.0 % 31.0 % 26.0 % For an explanation of the adjustments made to the corresponding U.S. GAAP measures, see "Notes to Reconcile GAAP to Adjusted (non-GAAP) Financial Information" at the end of this release. 7
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Lincoln International, Inc. Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted (non-GAAP) Financial Information (Unaudited) In thousands, except share amounts Three Months Ended September 30, 2026 Three Months Ended September 30, 2025 U.S. GAAP Adjustments Adjusted U.S. GAAP Adjustments Adjusted Total revenues 293,652 — 293,652 186,714 — 186,714 Expenses Compensation and benefits 186,938 (7,940) a, b 178,998 96,297 31,652 g 127,949 Non-compensation 62,434 (19,692) c, d 42,742 39,133 (5,531) c 33,602 Operating income 44,280 27,632 71,912 51,284 (26,122) 25,162 Other (expense) / income 775 — 0 775 1,924 — 1,924 Income before income taxes 45,055 27,632 72,687 53,208 (26,122) 27,086 Provision for income taxes 7,205 15,332 e 22,537 2,853 4,189 e 7,042 Net income 37,850 12,300 50,150 50,355 (30,311) 20,044 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 27,915 (27,915) f — (285) 285 h — Net income attributable to Lincoln International Inc. $ 9,935 $ 40,215 $ 50,150 $ 50,640 $ (30,596) $ 20,044 Net income attributable to holders of shares of Class A common stock per share: Diluted $ 0.25 $ 0.46 $ — $ — Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding Diluted 39,677,992 f 110,214,863 — — Notes to Reconcile GAAP to Adjusted (non-GAAP) Financial Information: a) Reflects IPO Equity Awards expense of $4.8 million in 3Q26. b) Reflects acquisition-related deferred retention and earnout expenses of $3.2 million in 3Q26. c) Reflects acquisition-related costs and amortization of intangible assets from our acquisitions of $16.8 million in 3Q26 and $5.5 million in 3Q25. d) Reflects IPO legal, consulting and other expenses of $2.9 million in 3Q26. e) Reflects illustrative result as if 100% of the Company's income is being taxed at non-GAAP full-year estimated tax rate. f) Assumes all outstanding common units of Lincoln International, LP have been exchanged for Class A common stock and that all outstanding shares of Class B and Class C common stock have been canceled as a result of such exchange. g) Reflects IPO-related partner compensation expense conversion of $31.7 million in 3Q25. Prior to the IPO, certain partners received recurring and performance-based distributions that were not recognized as compensation expense under the former partnership structure. Following the IPO, those individuals became employees, and the related payments are recognized as compensation expense. The adjustment reflects the estimated impact of applying the current corporate structure to the comparable prior-year period to improve period-over-period comparability. h) Relates to a noncontrolling interest in a foreign subsidiary that was purchased in 4Q25 and is now wholly-owned. 8
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Lincoln International, Inc. Reconciliation of GAAP to Adjusted (non-GAAP) Financial Information (Unaudited) In thousands, except share amounts Nine Months Ended September 30, 2026 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2025 U.S. GAAP Adjustments Adjusted U.S. GAAP Adjustments Adjusted Total revenues $ 677,145 — $ 677,145 $ 468,580 — $ 468,580 Expenses Compensation and benefits 428,817 (15,182) a, b, i, k 413,635 237,424 63,607 b, i 301,031 Non-compensation 213,981 (95,082) c, d, e 118,899 124,818 (25,484) d, e 99,334 Operating income 34,347 110,264 144,611 106,338 (38,123) 68,215 Other (expense) / income (8,733) 2,961 f (5,772) 5,533 — 5,533 Income before income taxes 25,614 113,225 138,839 111,871 (38,123) 73,748 Provision for income taxes 8,790 34,250 g 43,040 4,024 15,151 g 19,175 Net income 16,824 78,975 95,799 107,847 (53,273) 54,574 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 6,434 (6,434) h — (1,220) 1,220 j — Net income attributable to Lincoln International Inc. $ 10,390 $ 85,409 $ 95,799 $ 109,067 $ (54,493) $ 54,574 Net income attributable to holders of shares of Class A common stock per share Diluted $ 0.26 $ 0.87 $ — $ — Weighted-average shares of Class A common stock outstanding Diluted 39,569,600 h 110,214,863 — — Notes to Reconcile GAAP to Adjusted (non-GAAP) Financial Information: a) Reflects IPO Equity Awards expense of $6.5 million in YTD 3Q26. b) Reflects acquisition-related deferred retention and earnout expenses of $11.1 million in YTD 3Q26 and $4.2 million in YTD 3Q25. c) Reflects YTD 3Q26 expense of $28.7 million related to Liquidity Event Shares, which were issued following the IPO. d) Reflects acquisition-related costs and amortization of intangible assets recognized in purchase accounting from our acquisitions of $50.9 million in YTD 3Q26 and $22.6 million in YTD 3Q25. e) Reflects IPO-related legal, consulting and other expenses of $15.5 million in YTD 3Q26 and $2.9 million in YTD 3Q25. f) Reflects partial extinguishment of debt issuance costs at IPO of $3.0 million in YTD 3Q26. g) Reflects illustrative result as if 100% of the Company's income is being taxed at non-GAAP full-year estimated tax rate. h) Assumes all outstanding common units of Lincoln International, LP have been exchanged for Class A common stock and that all outstanding shares of Class B and Class C common stock have been canceled as a result of such exchange. i) Reflects IPO-related partner compensation expense conversion of $5.2 million in YTD 3Q26 and $67.9 million in YTD 3Q25. Prior to the IPO, certain partners received recurring and performance-based distributions that were not recognized as compensation expense under the former partnership structure. Following the IPO, those individuals became employees, and the related payments are recognized as compensation expense. The adjustment reflects the estimated impact of applying the current corporate structure to the comparable prior-year period to improve period-over- period comparability. j) Relates to a noncontrolling interest in a foreign subsidiary that was purchased in 4Q25 and is now wholly-owned. k) Reflects IPO-related adjustment to stock compensation expense of $2.9 million in YTD 3Q26. The adjustment reflects the estimated impact of changes to equity compensation and related deferrals resulting from the conversion to a corporate structure upon the IPO, improving comparability with post-IPO periods. 9