FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS) Receives Average Rating of "Reduce" from Analysts

Shares of FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS - Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of "Reduce" from the nine analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and five have assigned a hold rating to the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $436.90.

A number of analysts recently weighed in on FDS shares. BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $498.00 to $466.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a report on Monday, March 24th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on FactSet Research Systems from $409.00 to $390.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, March 21st. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a "sector perform" rating and set a $503.00 target price on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research report on Monday, March 10th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered FactSet Research Systems from an "equal weight" rating to an "underweight" rating and decreased their price target for the company from $450.00 to $402.00 in a research report on Friday, March 21st. Finally, UBS Group cut their price objective on FactSet Research Systems from $525.00 to $480.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 21st.

FactSet Research Systems Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:FDS opened at $448.95 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $17.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.18, a PEG ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 1.39 and a quick ratio of 1.39. FactSet Research Systems has a 12 month low of $391.69 and a 12 month high of $499.87. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $432.37 and its 200 day moving average price is $458.45.

FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, March 20th. The business services provider reported $4.28 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $4.17 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $570.70 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $570.65 million. FactSet Research Systems had a return on equity of 33.92% and a net margin of 24.16%. The company's quarterly revenue was up 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $4.22 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that FactSet Research Systems will post 17.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

FactSet Research Systems Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 30th will be paid a $1.10 dividend. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.98%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 30th. This is a positive change from FactSet Research Systems's previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. FactSet Research Systems's dividend payout ratio is currently 31.29%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CAO Gregory T. Moskoff sold 363 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $433.73, for a total transaction of $157,443.99. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 44 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,084.12. This trade represents a 89.19 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On FactSet Research Systems

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC acquired a new position in FactSet Research Systems in the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. American National Bank & Trust acquired a new position in shares of FactSet Research Systems during the 1st quarter worth $44,000. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust raised its holdings in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 187.9% during the 1st quarter. Bank of Jackson Hole Trust now owns 95 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares in the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 800.0% in the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 99 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB boosted its holdings in FactSet Research Systems by 31.1% in the first quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 118 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $54,000 after purchasing an additional 28 shares in the last quarter. 91.24% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About FactSet Research Systems

FactSet Research Systems Inc, a financial data company, provides integrated financial information and analytical applications to the investment community in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company delivers insight and information through the workflow solutions of research, analytics and trading, content and technology solutions, and wealth.

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