A method and system for counting non-speculative events in a speculative processor is provided. The speculative processor contains a number of counters within a performance monitor for counting occurrences of specified events within a data processing system. An event to be monitored is specified. The specified event is monitored during the execution of instructions by the speculative processor. A count of occurrences of the specified event for all instructions executed by the speculative processor is generated, and a count of occurrences of the specified event for instructions completely executed by the speculative processor is generated. A difference between the count of occurrences of the specified event for all instructions and the count of occurrences of the specified event for all completed instructions may be generated as a count of occurrences of the specified event for instructions speculatively executed by the speculative processor.