FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS) Short Interest Up 27.6% in January

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS) was the target of a large growth in short interest in January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 2,299,198 shares, a growth of 27.6% from the January 15th total of 1,801,249 shares. Currently, 6.3% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 683,299 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.4 days. Based on an average trading volume of 683,299 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.4 days. Currently, 6.3% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

FactSet Research Systems Trading Down 7.7%

FactSet Research Systems stock traded down $15.93 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $189.86. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 1,453,476 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,105,607. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $268.33 and its 200 day moving average is $297.42. FactSet Research Systems has a 1-year low of $185.00 and a 1-year high of $474.79. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.08, a P/E/G ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a current ratio of 1.54.

FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, December 18th. The business services provider reported $4.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.36 by $0.15. FactSet Research Systems had a return on equity of 30.49% and a net margin of 25.40%.The firm had revenue of $607.62 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $599.69 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $4.37 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. FactSet Research Systems has set its FY 2026 guidance at 16.900-17.600 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that FactSet Research Systems will post 17.21 EPS for the current year.

FactSet Research Systems declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase program on Thursday, December 18th that permits the company to repurchase $600.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization permits the business services provider to purchase up to 5.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase programs are often a sign that the company’s management believes its stock is undervalued.

FactSet Research Systems Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 27th will be issued a dividend of $1.10 per share. This represents a $4.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 27th. FactSet Research Systems’s dividend payout ratio is presently 27.99%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently commented on FDS shares. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price target on shares of FactSet Research Systems from $215.00 to $195.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday. Weiss Ratings reissued a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “hold” rating and issued a $305.00 price target on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a report on Friday, December 19th. Zacks Research raised FactSet Research Systems from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, December 5th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a “sector perform” rating and set a $320.00 price objective on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research report on Friday, December 19th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has issued a Buy rating, nine have given a Hold rating and six have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, FactSet Research Systems has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of $298.54.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Laurie Siegel sold 2,572 shares of FactSet Research Systems stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $296.25, for a total transaction of $761,955.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 1,037 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $307,211.25. The trade was a 71.27% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Malcolm Frank sold 2,572 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, January 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $295.70, for a total value of $760,540.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 879 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $259,920.30. This represents a 74.53% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Corporate insiders own 1.20% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On FactSet Research Systems

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. First Horizon Corp purchased a new position in shares of FactSet Research Systems in the 3rd quarter worth about $25,000. Cromwell Holdings LLC acquired a new stake in FactSet Research Systems during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. WPG Advisers LLC raised its holdings in FactSet Research Systems by 76.9% in the fourth quarter. WPG Advisers LLC now owns 92 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 40 shares during the period. Winnow Wealth LLC acquired a new position in FactSet Research Systems during the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Field & Main Bank acquired a new position in FactSet Research Systems during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 91.24% of the company’s stock.

About FactSet Research Systems

FactSet Research Systems Inc operates as a global provider of integrated financial data and analytics to the investment community. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, the company offers a unified platform that aggregates content from thousands of sources, delivering real-time and historical market data, company fundamentals, estimates, fixed-income information and proprietary analytics to portfolio managers, research analysts, investment bankers and risk officers.

The company’s core products include the FactSet Workstation, an application offering customizable screening, charting, portfolio analysis and news; APIs and data feeds for seamless integration into proprietary systems; and cloud-based solutions for thematic research and quantitative strategies.