Macquarie shares taking off today as assets under management top $736 billion

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) shares are marching higher today.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) diversified financial stock closed yesterday trading for $212.91. As we head into the Tuesday lunch hour, shares are changing hands for $215.37 each, up 1.2%, having posted earlier morning gains of 4%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is up 0.3% at this same.

Today's outperformance follows the release of a trading update.

Here's what we know.

Macquarie shares lift on solid quarter

Macquarie shares are outperforming following the release of the company's December quarter update for the financial year ending 31 March 2026 (Q3 FY 2026).

Digging into the company's operating segments, Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) reported assets under management (AUM) of $736.1 billion at 31 December. That's up 3% quarter on quarter. Public Investments AUM performed particularly well, up 5% from Q2, driven by inflows in fixed income funds and favourable market movements. Private Markets AUM increased 1%.

Macquarie's Banking and Financial Services (BFS) segment had total deposits of $204.5 billion at 31 December, up 6% quarter on quarter. The BFS home loan portfolio increased by 7% to $172.2 billion. The business banking loan portfolio increased 1% to $17.5 billion, while funds on platform slipped 1% from Q2 to $164.6 billion.

And Macquarie shares could be getting an added boost with the company's Commodities and Global Markets (CGM) delivering "improved contributions" across both Commodities and Asset Finance compared to Q2. The Financial Markets contribution was broadly in line with the prior quarter.

In other core financial metrics, asset realisations and higher net income from the private credit portfolio saw an uptick in Macquarie Capital's investment-related income over Q3.

Macquarie also highlighted that its financial position "comfortably exceeds" APRA's Basel III regulatory requirements.

Macquarie reported a capital surplus of $7.5 billion at 31 December, which was down from $7.6 billion at 30 September.

What's next for the ASX 200 financial stock?

Looking at what could impact Macquarie shares in the months ahead, the company reported that it continues to "maintain a cautious stance". The company said its conservative approach to capital, funding, and liquidity positions it well to respond to the current environment.

Macquarie CEO Shemara Wikramanayake noted:

Macquarie remains well-positioned to deliver superior performance in the medium term with established, diverse income streams; deep expertise across diverse sectors in major markets with structural growth tailwinds; patient adjacent growth across new products and new markets; ongoing investment in our operating platform; a strong and conservative balance sheet; and a proven risk management framework and culture.

The post Macquarie shares taking off today as assets under management top $736 billion appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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