FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS) Hits New 12-Month Low - What's Next?

Key Points

• FactSet Research Systems has hit a new 52-week low at $383.27 amid mid-day trading, reflecting a downturn from its previous closing price of $396.16.
• Analysts have mixed opinions on the stock, with target price adjustments ranging from $393.00 to $452.00, leading to a consensus price target of $444.25.
• In the latest quarterly earnings report, FactSet missed EPS estimates by $0.03, reporting $4.27 earnings per share, though it achieved revenue growth of 5.9% year-over-year.

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $383.27 and last traded at $387.73, with a volume of 531469 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $396.16.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have commented on the stock. UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a report on Friday, June 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued a "sector perform" rating and set a $503.00 price objective on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research report on Friday, June 20th. Raymond James Financial raised shares of FactSet Research Systems from an "underperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a research report on Thursday, June 26th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $402.00 to $405.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research note on Friday, June 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $390.00 to $393.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research note on Friday, June 20th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have assigned a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, FactSet Research Systems presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $444.25.

FactSet Research Systems Trading Down 1.1%

The stock has a market cap of $14.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.62, a P/E/G ratio of 2.53 and a beta of 0.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.47 and a quick ratio of 1.47. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $427.12 and its 200-day moving average price is $440.16.

FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, June 23rd. The business services provider reported $4.27 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.30 by ($0.03). FactSet Research Systems had a net margin of 23.30% and a return on equity of 31.59%. The business had revenue of $585.52 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $580.70 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $4.37 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that FactSet Research Systems Inc. will post 17.21 earnings per share for the current year.

FactSet Research Systems Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 18th. Investors of record on Friday, August 29th will be issued a $1.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 29th. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.2%. FactSet Research Systems's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 31.79%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director James J. Mcgonigle sold 2,925 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Monday, July 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $451.39, for a total transaction of $1,320,315.75. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 4,461 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,013,650.79. This represents a 39.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CAO Gregory T. Moskoff sold 2,500 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $442.60, for a total value of $1,106,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 44 shares in the company, valued at $19,474.40. The trade was a 98.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 13,031 shares of company stock valued at $5,825,481. Company insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On FactSet Research Systems

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Kolinsky Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in FactSet Research Systems by 3.2% during the fourth quarter. Kolinsky Wealth Management LLC now owns 739 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $355,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 1.6% in the first quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,470 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $668,000 after acquiring an additional 23 shares during the period. Geller Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 5.6% in the 4th quarter. Geller Advisors LLC now owns 468 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $225,000 after acquiring an additional 25 shares during the last quarter. Birch Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Birch Capital Management LLC now owns 8,611 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $3,915,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the period. Finally, Alps Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Alps Advisors Inc. now owns 822 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $374,000 after purchasing an additional 25 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.24% of the company's stock.

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.