FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS) Shares Gap Up - Should You Buy?

Shares of FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS - Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $422.34, but opened at $438.16. FactSet Research Systems shares last traded at $438.15, with a volume of 118,808 shares trading hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $448.00 to $452.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a report on Friday. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a "sector perform" rating and set a $503.00 price objective on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research report on Friday. UBS Group reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a report on Friday. Evercore ISI decreased their price target on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $470.00 to $448.00 and set an "in-line" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, June 16th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective 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. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and five have assigned a hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $444.25.

FactSet Research Systems Stock Down 0.0%

The stock has a market cap of $16.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.88 and a beta of 0.86. The company's fifty day moving average price is $440.21 and its 200-day moving average price is $451.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.47 and a current ratio of 1.47.

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

FactSet Research Systems Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 30th were issued a dividend of $1.10 per share. This is an increase from FactSet Research Systems's previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.01%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 30th. FactSet Research Systems's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 31.29%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On FactSet Research Systems

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Apeiron RIA LLC raised its holdings in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 6.7% in the first quarter. Apeiron RIA LLC now owns 945 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $430,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares in the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. increased its position in FactSet Research Systems by 188.2% during the 1st quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 98 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC increased its position in FactSet Research Systems by 7.9% during the 1st quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 8,404 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $3,821,000 after purchasing an additional 617 shares during the period. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its holdings in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 301,336 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $136,999,000 after purchasing an additional 3,514 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Woodline Partners LP lifted its position in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 1,560.4% in the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 37,891 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $17,227,000 after purchasing an additional 35,609 shares during the period. 91.24% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

FactSet Research Systems Company Profile

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.