Abstract: Techniques for control word prediction and speculative execution. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a control word predictor, execution resources, and a comparison module. The control word predictor of this embodiment predicts a predicted control word for execution of operations in response to a control word changing operation. The execution resources of this embodiment speculatively execute the plurality of operations utilizing the predicted control word, and the comparison module determines if the predicted control word matches an actual control word set by the control word changing operation or a plurality of other control words, and to cause re-execution of said plurality of operations if said actual control word matches any of the plurality of other control words.