Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. Raises Holdings in FactSet Research Systems Inc. $FDS

Key Points

• Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. increased its ownership of FactSet Research Systems by 84.3% during the 1st quarter, amassing a total of 10,515 shares worth approximately $4.78 million.
• FactSet Research Systems reported earnings of $4.27 per share for the recent quarter, slightly below analyst estimates of $4.30, with revenues of $585.52 million.
• Insiders at FactSet sold a total of 13,031 shares, valued at around $5.83 million, over the past ninety days, indicating notable insider trading activity.

Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc. lifted its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS - Free Report) by 84.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,515 shares of the business services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 4,809 shares during the quarter. Vestmark Advisory Solutions Inc.'s holdings in FactSet Research Systems were worth $4,781,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. increased its position in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 4.9% during the first quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 809 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $368,000 after acquiring an additional 38 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in FactSet Research Systems by 4.7% in the first quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,339 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $609,000 after buying an additional 60 shares during the last quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. increased its holdings in FactSet Research Systems by 284.3% in the first quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,176 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $535,000 after buying an additional 870 shares during the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas purchased a new position in FactSet Research Systems in the first quarter valued at $2,528,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in FactSet Research Systems by 800.0% in the first quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 99 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 88 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.24% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Christopher R. Ellis sold 7,606 shares of FactSet Research Systems stock in a transaction that occurred 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 23,952 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,702,711.68. This trade represents a 24.10% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director James J. Mcgonigle sold 2,925 shares of FactSet Research Systems stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $451.39, for a total transaction of $1,320,315.75. Following the sale, the director owned 4,461 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,013,650.79. The trade was a 39.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 13,031 shares of company stock worth $5,825,481. Company insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

FactSet Research Systems Stock Performance

NYSE:FDS traded up $1.09 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $370.71. The stock had a trading volume of 465,027 shares, compared to its average volume of 330,855. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 1.47 and a current ratio of 1.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $14.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.79, a PEG ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.83. FactSet Research Systems Inc. has a twelve month low of $365.76 and a twelve month high of $499.87. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $420.68 and a 200 day simple moving average of $436.47.

FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, June 23rd. The business services provider reported $4.27 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $4.30 by ($0.03). The firm had revenue of $585.52 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $580.70 million. FactSet Research Systems had a net margin of 23.30% and a return on equity of 31.59%. FactSet Research Systems'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. On average, analysts expect that FactSet Research Systems Inc. will post 17.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

FactSet Research Systems Dividend Announcement

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently commented on the company. UBS Group reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a report on Friday, June 20th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price objective 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, June 20th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $390.00 to $393.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a report on Friday, June 20th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $402.00 to $405.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a report on Friday, June 20th. Finally, Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on FactSet Research Systems from $470.00 to $448.00 and set an "in-line" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, June 16th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have issued a hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, FactSet Research Systems currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $444.25.

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.