Patent Licensing Returns Outpace S&P 500 in Second Quarter

A 17.5% surge in the Patent Licensing Index during the second quarter of 2026 has pushed patent-focused companies ahead of the S&P 500 for the fourth consecutive quarter, according to new data from the Global Technology Transfer Group, despite a broader slowdown in overall patent transaction activity.

Corp and Tech·September 15, 2026·reads: 1,012

The latest Patent Transaction Market Report indicates a complex landscape for intellectual property assets. While the Patent Licensing Index (PLI) maintained strong momentum—building on a 10.4% increase in the first quarter—the Patent Market Index (PMI) dipped by 5.5%. GTT Group analysts attribute this decline in the PMI largely to ongoing data reporting delays and administrative hurdles at the USPTO.

Michael Lubitz, founder and managing director of GTT Group, noted that the secondary market remained highly active throughout the spring, bolstered by both new and returning participants. Based on current trends, the firm projects transaction volume will continue to climb through the remainder of the year. The full report, which tracks industry benchmarks and emerging technology filing trends, is available through the company’s subscription service.