FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS) Price Target Raised to $493.00

FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS) had its target price raised by Stifel Nicolaus from $469.00 to $493.00 in a research report released on Friday morning,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a hold rating on the business services provider’s stock.

Several other research analysts also recently weighed in on FDS. Evercore ISI began coverage on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. They set an “inline” rating and a $470.00 price objective on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed a “sector perform” rating and issued a $503.00 price target on shares of FactSet Research Systems in a research report on Friday. Redburn Atlantic downgraded FactSet Research Systems from a “neutral” rating to a “sell” rating and cut their price target for the company from $420.00 to $380.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on FactSet Research Systems from $373.00 to $409.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on FactSet Research Systems from $435.00 to $503.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, September 20th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have given a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $453.69.

FactSet Research Systems Stock Performance

Shares of FDS opened at $483.52 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $477.45 and a 200-day moving average of $443.18. FactSet Research Systems has a one year low of $391.84 and a one year high of $499.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 1.25 and a quick ratio of 1.25. The company has a market cap of $18.37 billion, a PE ratio of 34.79, a P/E/G ratio of 3.15 and a beta of 0.76.

FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 19th. The business services provider reported $4.37 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.25 by $0.12. FactSet Research Systems had a return on equity of 34.77% and a net margin of 24.38%. The firm had revenue of $568.70 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $565.14 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $4.12 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that FactSet Research Systems will post 17.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

FactSet Research Systems Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 19th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 29th were given a $1.04 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, November 29th. This represents a $4.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.86%. FactSet Research Systems’s dividend payout ratio is currently 29.82%.

Insider Activity at FactSet Research Systems

In other FactSet Research Systems news, CEO Frederick Philip Snow sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, October 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $455.09, for a total transaction of $1,365,270.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 12,987 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,910,253.83. This represents a 18.77 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider John Costigan sold 1,622 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $481.00, for a total transaction of $780,182.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 299 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $143,819. This trade represents a 84.44 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 23,984 shares of company stock valued at $10,981,107. 1.10% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On FactSet Research Systems

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of FDS. Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 69.5% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 139 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $57,000 after acquiring an additional 57 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its holdings in FactSet Research Systems by 5.5% in the second quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,169 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $477,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares during the last quarter. Institute for Wealth Management LLC. grew its holdings in FactSet Research Systems by 14.8% during the second quarter. Institute for Wealth Management LLC. now owns 1,820 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $743,000 after acquiring an additional 234 shares during the period. AMG National Trust Bank grew its stake in shares of FactSet Research Systems by 100.0% during the 2nd quarter. AMG National Trust Bank now owns 1,150 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $470,000 after purchasing an additional 575 shares during the period. Finally, Klein Pavlis & Peasley Financial Inc. grew its position in FactSet Research Systems by 15.9% during the second quarter. Klein Pavlis & Peasley Financial Inc. now owns 1,770 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $723,000 after buying an additional 243 shares during the period. 91.24% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.