Zacks Research Has Bearish Forecast for FDS Q1 Earnings

Key Points

• Zacks Research has decreased its earnings per share estimate for FactSet Research Systems to $4.33 for Q1 2026, down from $4.61, and has assigned a "Strong Sell" rating on the stock.
• Several analysts have recently downgraded their price targets for FactSet, with estimates dropping to as low as $293.00 from previous high valuations; the consensus price target stands at $356.78.
• FactSet's stock price opened at $282.87, with a year-to-date performance reflecting significant volatility, including a 52-week high of $499.87.

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Zacks Research cut their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, October 9th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the business services provider will post earnings of $4.33 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $4.61. Zacks Research has a "Strong Sell" rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for FactSet Research Systems' current full-year earnings is $17.21 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for FactSet Research Systems' Q2 2026 earnings at $4.30 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $4.32 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $4.27 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $4.86 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $4.81 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $4.84 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $4.75 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $19.26 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $20.42 EPS.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on FDS. UBS Group upgraded shares of FactSet Research Systems from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $480.00 to $425.00 in a report on Monday, September 22nd. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on FactSet Research Systems from $452.00 to $324.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a research note on Friday, September 19th. Rothschild & Co Redburn raised FactSet Research Systems from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $415.00 to $370.00 in a research note on Friday, September 12th. Huber Research upgraded FactSet Research Systems to a "strong sell" rating in a report on Friday, September 19th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on 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. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Reduce" and a consensus price target of $356.78.

FactSet Research Systems Stock Up 0.5%

FactSet Research Systems stock opened at $282.87 on Friday. FactSet Research Systems has a 52 week low of $272.50 and a 52 week high of $499.87. The stock has a market cap of $10.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.19, a PEG ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.79. The company's 50-day moving average price is $345.72 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $405.37. The company has a current ratio of 1.40, a quick ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63.

FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $593.32 million. FactSet Research Systems had a net margin of 25.72% and a return on equity of 31.06%. FactSet Research Systems's revenue for the quarter was up 6.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.74 earnings per share. FactSet Research Systems has set its FY 2026 guidance at 16.900-17.600 EPS.

Institutional Trading of FactSet Research Systems

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in FDS. Mitchell & Pahl Private Wealth LLC boosted its position in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 4.1% in the third quarter. Mitchell & Pahl Private Wealth LLC now owns 2,155 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $617,000 after buying an additional 85 shares during the period. Marshall Financial Group LLC lifted its stake in FactSet Research Systems by 4.0% in the 3rd quarter. Marshall Financial Group LLC now owns 2,891 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $828,000 after acquiring an additional 111 shares in the last quarter. Czech National Bank lifted its stake in FactSet Research Systems by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 9,603 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $2,751,000 after acquiring an additional 328 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its position in FactSet Research Systems by 7,507.9% during the 3rd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 107,119 shares of the business services provider's stock worth $30,689,000 after acquiring an additional 105,711 shares during the period. Finally, Corient Private Wealth LLC grew its stake in FactSet Research Systems by 7.4% during the 2nd quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 3,855 shares of the business services provider's stock valued at $1,724,000 after acquiring an additional 267 shares in the last quarter. 91.24% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at FactSet Research Systems

In other news, 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 value of $1,320,315.75. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 4,461 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,013,650.79. This trade represents a 39.60% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Helen L. Shan purchased 370 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 6th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $275.48 per share, for a total transaction of $101,927.60. Following the acquisition, the executive vice president directly owned 9,284 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,557,556.32. This trade represents a 4.15% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

FactSet Research Systems Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 18th. Investors of record on Friday, August 29th were given a $1.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 29th. This represents a $4.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. FactSet Research Systems's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 28.30%.

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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