FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS) Sets New 12-Month Low – Should You Sell?

Shares of FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS) hit a new 52-week low during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $272.50 and last traded at $274.92, with a volume of 1113260 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $282.33.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Zacks Research lowered shares of FactSet Research Systems from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Barclays dropped their price target on FactSet Research Systems from $390.00 to $300.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, September 19th. Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on 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. BMO Capital Markets lowered their target price on FactSet Research Systems from $452.00 to $324.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, September 19th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced 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 report on Friday, September 19th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and six have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $359.10.

FactSet Research Systems Trading Down 2.6%

The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $353.46 and its 200 day simple moving average is $408.19. The company has a quick ratio of 1.47, a current ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The firm has a market cap of $10.39 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.79.

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

FactSet Research Systems Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 18th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 29th were given a dividend of $1.10 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 29th. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.6%. FactSet Research Systems’s payout ratio is presently 28.30%.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Christopher Mcloughlin acquired 338 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 23rd. The stock was purchased at an average price of $296.19 per share, for a total transaction of $100,112.22. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 3,446 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,020,670.74. This trade represents a 10.88% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director James J. Mcgonigle sold 2,925 shares of FactSet Research Systems stock in a transaction on Monday, July 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $451.39, for a total transaction of $1,320,315.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 4,461 shares in the company, 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. 1.10% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On FactSet Research Systems

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in FDS. Merit Financial Group LLC bought a new position in FactSet Research Systems in the first quarter worth about $502,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 267.9% in the 1st quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 17,017 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $7,737,000 after purchasing an additional 12,391 shares during the period. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 2.5% during the first quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 4,355 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $1,980,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares in the last quarter. Accurate Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems during the first quarter valued at approximately $2,561,000. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC grew its stake in FactSet Research Systems by 160.2% in the first quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 2,766 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $1,258,000 after purchasing an additional 1,703 shares during the period. 91.24% of the stock is 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.