FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS) Shares Sold by Ninety One North America Inc.

Ninety One North America Inc. lessened its holdings in shares of FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS - Free Report) by 7.3% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 59,342 shares of the business services provider's stock after selling 4,701 shares during the period. FactSet Research Systems comprises approximately 1.8% of Ninety One North America Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest position. Ninety One North America Inc. owned 0.16% of FactSet Research Systems worth $26,979,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of FDS. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in FactSet Research Systems by 40,436.2% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 430,089 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $195,536,000 after buying an additional 429,028 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in FactSet Research Systems in the fourth quarter worth approximately $69,128,000. Point72 Asset Management L.P. bought a new position in FactSet Research Systems in the fourth quarter worth approximately $66,368,000. Vest Financial LLC bought a new position in FactSet Research Systems in the first quarter worth approximately $52,445,000. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in FactSet Research Systems by 9.4% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,096,592 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $527,411,000 after buying an additional 94,668 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.24% of the company's stock.

FactSet Research Systems Trading Up 0.6%

Shares of NYSE:FDS traded up $2.88 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $450.69. 255,344 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 293,160. 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 has a market cap of $17.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.56, a P/E/G ratio of 2.90 and a beta of 0.84. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $444.60 and its 200 day simple moving average is $448.47. FactSet Research Systems Inc. has a 1 year low of $391.69 and a 1 year high of $499.87.

FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly 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 during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $580.70 million. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $4.37 EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research 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. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 30th were given a dividend of $1.10 per share. This is a boost from FactSet Research Systems's previous quarterly dividend of $1.04. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 30th. FactSet Research Systems's payout ratio is 31.79%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on FDS shares. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on FactSet Research Systems from $390.00 to $393.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a research report on Friday, June 20th. UBS Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a report on Friday, June 20th. Evercore ISI decreased their price objective on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $470.00 to $448.00 and set an "in-line" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, June 16th. Wells Fargo & Company upped 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 report on Friday, June 20th. Finally, Raymond James Financial upgraded shares of FactSet Research Systems from an "underperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a research report on Thursday, June 26th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have assigned a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, FactSet Research Systems presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $444.25.

Insider Activity

In related news, EVP Christopher R. Ellis sold 7,606 shares of FactSet Research Systems stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $446.84, for a total transaction of $3,398,665.04. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 23,952 shares in the company, valued at $10,702,711.68. This trade represents a 24.10% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

FactSet Research Systems 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.