IntelligentCross’ JumpStart functionality is now available within FactSet’s Portware EMS, empowering the buy-side to directly access brokers’ low-touch (algo) liquidity NORWALK, Conn., Sept. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FactSet (NYSE: FDS | NASDAQ: FDS), a global financial digital platform and enterprise solutions provider, today announced the general availability of IntelligentCross’ JumpStart functionality within FactSet’s Portware execution management system (EMS), making FactSet the first among its comp ...

Group 1 - Dividend Aristocrats are highly sought after due to their limited availability, with fewer than 70 on the market [1] - A smaller portion of Dividend Aristocrats pay notable dividends, making them even more attractive to investors [1]

Group 1 - Proactive provides fast, accessible, informative, and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience [1][2] - The news team operates in major finance and investing hubs including London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney, and Perth [2] - Proactive focuses on medium and small-cap markets while also covering blue-chip companies, commodities, and broader investment stories [2][3] Group 2 - The team delivers insights across various sectors including biotech, pharma, mining, natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto, and emerging technologies [3] - Proactive adopts technology to enhance workflows and improve content production [4][5] - All content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, ensuring adherence to best practices in content production and search engine optimization [5]

Group 1 - FactSet Research Systems (NYSE:FDS) shares increased by 4.09% during Monday morning trading, reaching $300.99 [1] - UBS upgraded the stock, indicating that the company's sticky franchise appears to be underappreciated [1] - The information services sector, including FDS, is believed to have been overlooked in the market [1]

Core Insights - FactSet Research Systems Inc. is a significant player in the investment community, providing a digital platform and enterprise solutions for portfolio analytics, data management, and reporting workflows [1] - The company has a market capitalization of approximately $10.9 billion, categorizing it as a large-cap company with a diverse range of services including desktop and mobile platforms, data feeds, and cloud-based solutions [2] Stock Performance - FactSet's shares have decreased by 42.2% from their 52-week high of $499.87 in November 2024, and the stock has fallen 32% over the past three months, contrasting sharply with the 9.8% rise in the Dow Jones Industrial Average during the same period [3][4] - Over the past 52 weeks, the stock has plummeted 38.4%, and in 2025 alone, it has declined by 39.8%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 10.2% [4] Earnings Results - For Q4 2025, revenue increased by 6.2% year-over-year to $596.9 million, surpassing the consensus forecast of $592.8 million, with organic revenue growth of 4.5% to $587.3 million driven by institutional buy-side and wealth management clients [6] - Earnings per share (EPS) rose 8.3% to $4.05 but fell short of analyst expectations of $4.13 [6] Future Guidance - The company's full-year earnings guidance for fiscal 2026 is below expectations, with adjusted EPS projected between $16.90 and $17.60, compared to the consensus estimate of $18.27 [7] - Revenue guidance is set between $2.42 billion and $2.45 billion, with organic annual subscription value (ASV) growth expected to be between $100 million and $150 million [7]

Upgrades Summary - TD Cowen upgraded Paycom (PAYC) to Buy from Hold with a price target of $258, increased from $246, citing positive indications from its 2025 human capital management survey and recent commentary on capex expectations [2] - Morgan Stanley upgraded Applied Materials (AMAT) to Overweight from Equal Weight with a price target of $209, up from $172, revising its 2026 wafer fab equipment sales forecast from up 5% year-over-year to up 10%, primarily in memory [2] - Morgan Stanley also upgraded Lam Research (LRCX) to Equal Weight from Underweight with a price target of $125, increased from $92 [2] - Evercore ISI upgraded Repligen (REGN) to Outperform from In Line with a price target of $155, up from $130, believing the bioprocessing solutions market is relatively insulated from macro headwinds and returning to high-single-digit growth [2] - Wells Fargo upgraded Brinker (EAT) to Overweight from Equal Weight with a price target of $175, up from $165, noting poor investor sentiment but highlighting turnaround momentum and undervaluation [2] - UBS upgraded FactSet (FDS) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $425, down from $480, stating that the company's "sticky franchise" is underappreciated at current share levels [2]

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades - Barclays analyst Eddie Kim upgraded Helmerich & Payne, Inc. from Equal-Weight to Overweight, raising the price target from $17 to $25, with shares closing at $20.54 [3] - UBS analyst Alex Kramm upgraded FactSet Research Systems Inc. from Neutral to Buy but lowered the price target from $480 to $425, with shares closing at $289.15 [3] - BMO Capital analyst Kostas Biliouris upgraded Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. from Market Perform to Outperform, maintaining the price target at $50, with shares closing at $17.43 [3] - Evercore ISI Group analyst Daniel Markowitz upgraded Repligen Corporation from In-Line to Outperform, raising the price target from $130 to $155, with shares closing at $122.30 [3] - Wells Fargo analyst Zachary Fadem upgraded Brinker International, Inc. from Equal-Weight to Overweight, boosting the price target from $165 to $175, with shares closing at $136.35 [3]

Core Insights - The private equity market is gaining attention due to potential changes allowing 401(k) plans to invest in private equity, which could accelerate its growth [2] - Since 2013, global private equity assets have doubled, with projections estimating a rise to $62 trillion by 2034, driven by a decrease in publicly listed companies and an increase in "unicorns" [4][6] Key Trends - Unprecedented Asset Growth: The private equity market has seen a significant increase in assets, with a notable rise in unicorn companies valued over $1 billion [4][5] - Lower Barriers to Entry: Technological innovations and regulatory changes have led to a surge in investment tools for private equity, enhancing accessibility for investors [8] - Rise of Retail Investors: Retail investors are expected to contribute approximately 60% of the growth in private equity assets under management over the next decade, indicating a shift from institutional dominance [8] - Anticipated Surge in Private Equity Exits: There is an expectation of a wave of exits as general partners face pressure from limited partners for returns, with estimates of 4,000 to 6,500 projects potentially re-entering the market [8] Challenges - Limited Transparency and High Risks: The private equity market still faces challenges such as low data transparency, liquidity issues, and high costs, which amplify risks for new investors [9] - Demand for Quality Data: There is a historical high demand for quality data in the private equity market, with innovative approaches driven by AI improving transparency and performance assessment [9] Market Dynamics - Changing Relationship Between Public and Private Markets: The boundaries between public and private markets are blurring, necessitating new asset allocation and risk management strategies for investors [11] - Future Outlook: The rapid expansion of private equity investments is expected to be a defining trend, driven by innovation and capital inflows, while also presenting challenges related to regulatory frameworks and data quality [12] Evolving Strategies - Shifts in Private Equity Transaction Strategies: Firms are moving away from reliance on high leverage and precise exit timing, focusing instead on operational value creation and flexible portfolio management [13]

Core Insights - The individual has a strong background in fundamental analysis, focusing on actual company performance rather than technical trading methods [1] - The investment strategy is primarily long-term, with a preference for US companies, while also analyzing European and Chinese firms [1] - The individual expresses a contrarian investment approach, indicating a willingness to go against prevailing market trends [1] Investment Focus - The individual mainly invests in stocks and ETFs, highlighting a diversified investment strategy [1] - There is an emphasis on learning and adapting investment strategies over time, showcasing a commitment to continuous improvement in investment knowledge [1] Community Engagement - The individual uses platforms like Seeking Alpha to share opinions and connect with others in the investment community, indicating a desire for collaboration and discussion [1]

Group 1: Financial Performance - FactSet reported quarterly sales of $596.9 million, exceeding analyst expectations of $593.5 million, marking a 6.2% year-over-year increase [1] - Adjusted earnings per share for the quarter were $4.05, falling short of the expected $4.13 [1] Group 2: Future Projections - The company anticipates revenues between $2.423 billion and $2.448 billion, compared to the analyst consensus estimate of $2.320 billion [2] - Projected adjusted diluted EPS is expected to be between $16.90 and $17.60, against the consensus estimate of $17.06 [2] - FactSet expects an adjusted operating margin of 34.0% to 35.5% [2] Group 3: Strategic Insights - CEO Sanoke Viswanathan highlighted that FactSet is at a strategic inflection point, with AI and data-driven innovation transforming workflows in financial markets [3] - The company aims to leverage its talent, technology, and data capabilities to lead in this transformation while focusing on sustainable, long-term value for clients and shareholders [3] Group 4: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Following the earnings announcement, Wells Fargo analyst Jason Haas maintained an Underweight rating and reduced the price target from $355 to $296 [8] - Stifel analyst Shlomo Rosenbaum kept a Hold rating and lowered the price target from $464 to $372 [8] - Evercore ISI Group analyst David Motemeden maintained an In-Line rating and cut the price target from $394 to $328 [8]