EquiLend Data & Insights reports global securities lending revenue reached $1.82 billion in May 2026, up 47% year over year, as APAC continued to lead the global equity lending market.

The global securities lending industry surpassed the previous single-month record, set in July 2025, by generating $1.82 billion in May, according to EquiLend Data & Insights. The total represents a 47% increase year over year. Record highs across several major indices, including the Nikkei 225, Nasdaq Composite and TSX Composite, pushed average loan balances to just under $4.6 trillion.

The lender-to-broker market generated $1.38 billion in May 2026, up 45% from the same month last year. Broker-to-broker activity, where broker-dealers lend and borrow securities from one another, accounted for an additional $435 million, up 53% from the same period last year.

Global equities led the month’s performance, with lender revenue reaching $1.11 billion, up 51% year over year. The information technology sector accounted for $287 million, or 26% of equity lending revenue in May, as AI-adjacent firms represented 37 of the top 100 earners. Fixed income revenues rose to $274 million up 25% year over year, as balances across government and corporate debt increased 19% and 23%, respectively.

For the second straight month, APAC remained the leading global equity lending region, with lender-to-broker revenue rising 13% over April and 108% from May 2025 to $425 million. APAC equity loan balances increased 73%, while fees rose by 20%. Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Korea were the top lending markets in the region, with all three playing major roles in semiconductor and technology hardware lending activity.

In North America, lender-to-broker equity revenue increased 12% year over year to $372 million, driven by a 41% rise in loan balances that offset a 10% decline in fees. Corporate bond lending revenue increased 19% to $45 million, led by a 48% increase in investment-grade lending revenue. Government bond lending revenue rose 30% year over year, while U.S. Treasury loan balances increased 19%.

Lender-to-broker revenue for EMEA equities rose sharply to $269 million, up 66% year over year. Loan balances and fees each increased by about 30%, largely due to seasonal and other corporate action-related activity. Corporate debt lending revenue increased 9%, as an 18% rise in loan balances offset a 7% decline in fees. Lending revenue from government debt contributed to a 23% year-over-year increase for the region.

Single-stock revenue leaders for May were Infosys LTD ADR (INFY US), Koninklike Philips (PHIA NA), SoundHound AI (SOUN US), Pop Mart International (9992 HK), and Telecom Italia Spa Di Riso (TITR IM), which collectively generated $102 million, or 7% of all lender-to-broker revenue.

Bloomberg Terminal users can subscribe to EquiLend Orbisa’s exclusive short selling and financing data by entering APPS ORBISA <GO> on the Bloomberg terminal or clicking here.