Zacks Research Downgrades FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS) to Strong Sell

Key Points

• Zacks Research has downgraded FactSet Research Systems from "hold" to "strong sell," reflecting negative sentiment among analysts regarding the company's future performance.
• FactSet's average target price has decreased to $359.10, amid decreasing price targets from multiple analysts including Evercore ISI and Wells Fargo.
• The company reported $4.05 EPS for the last quarter, missing estimates by $0.08, although revenues slightly exceeded forecasts, indicating mixed financial results.

FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS - Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities research analysts at Zacks Research from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Huber Research raised shares of FactSet Research Systems to a "strong sell" rating in a research note on Friday, September 19th. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $394.00 to $328.00 and set an "in-line" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 19th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $355.00 to $296.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 19th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $393.00 to $293.00 and set an "underweight" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 19th. Finally, Raymond James Financial raised shares of FactSet Research Systems from an "underperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a research note on Thursday, June 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and six have assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, FactSet Research Systems currently has an average rating of "Reduce" and an average target price of $359.10.

FactSet Research Systems Stock Performance

Shares of FactSet Research Systems stock opened at $286.32 on Tuesday. FactSet Research Systems has a fifty-two week low of $284.39 and a fifty-two week high of $499.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 1.40 and a quick ratio of 1.47. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.41, a P/E/G ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.84. The company's 50 day moving average price is $375.54 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $416.86.

FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, September 18th. The business services provider reported $4.05 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $4.13 by ($0.08). The company had revenue of $596.90 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $593.32 million. FactSet Research Systems had a net margin of 25.72% and a return on equity of 31.06%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.74 EPS. FactSet Research Systems has set its FY 2026 guidance at 16.900-17.600 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that FactSet Research Systems will post 17.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 23,952 shares of the company's stock, valued at $10,702,711.68. This trade represents a 24.10% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CAO Gregory T. Moskoff sold 2,500 shares of FactSet Research Systems stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $442.60, for a total transaction of $1,106,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer directly owned 44 shares of the company's stock, valued at $19,474.40. This represents a 98.27% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 13,031 shares of company stock valued at $5,825,481 over the last quarter. Insiders own 1.10% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On FactSet Research Systems

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of FDS. SouthState Corp increased its stake in FactSet Research Systems by 1,400.0% in the first quarter. SouthState Corp now owns 60 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 56 shares in the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd increased its stake in FactSet Research Systems by 4,200.0% in the first quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 86 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 84 shares in the last quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. increased its stake in FactSet Research Systems by 4,300.0% in the second quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 88 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 86 shares in the last quarter. WPG Advisers LLC bought a new stake in FactSet Research Systems in the first quarter valued at $41,000. Finally, Generali Investments Management Co LLC bought a new stake in FactSet Research Systems in the second quarter valued at $42,000. 91.24% of the stock is owned by 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.

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