FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) AI Stock Analysis

NYSE: FDSAI research summary: business, growth, valuation, analysts, bull and bear case.

FDS AI stock analysis summary

AI Research

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) delivers integrated financial information and analytics applications to the global investment community. In FY2026, revenue increased 6.7% to $2.48B, while free cash flow reached $707.5M. The stock trades at a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 20.7x and closed at $301.67 as of October 16, 2026.

Market cap
$10.73B
Revenue (TTM)
$2.48B
P/E
20.7x
fwd 13.9x
1Y return
10.5%
S&P 500 16.8%
Avg. target
$280.00
-7.2% vs last close

Bull case

  • Free cash flow expanded to $707.5M in FY2026, supported by $822.2M in operating cash flow.
  • FactSet has delivered 28 consecutive years of dividend payments and maintains a low payout ratio of 25.1%.
  • The company's EV-to-EBITDA multiple of 11.7x trades at a discount to the S&P 500 Financial Services median of 15.7x.

Bear case

  • Quarterly earnings fell 15.2% year-over-year in the period ended August 31, 2026.
  • The mean analyst price target of $280.00 implies a 7.2% drop from the closing price of $301.67.
  • Over the past five years, the stock dropped 23.3% while the S&P 500 gained 83.0%.

What FactSet does

FactSet Research Systems Inc. is a financial data and analytics firm that provides integrated financial information and analytical applications to the investment community across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. Founded in 1978 and based in Norwalk, Connecticut, the company provides workflow solutions that encompass research, analytics and trading, content and technology solutions, and wealth management tools. FactSet serves portfolio managers, investment banks, asset managers, wealth advisors, corporate clients, and other financial institutions, supporting investment decisions, portfolio optimization, and financial strategy execution.

Growth and profitability

Between FY2021 and FY2026, FactSet generated a 5-year revenue compound annual growth rate of 9.2%. Annual revenue expanded from $1.84B in FY2022 to $2.48B in FY2026, with revenue growth of 6.7% in FY2026 following 5.4% growth in FY2025. Gross margin stood at 50.6% in FY2026, down from 52.7% in FY2025, while operating margin fell to 28.3% from 32.2%. Net income decreased to $533.5M in FY2026 from $597.0M in FY2025, though EPS rose to $18.02. In the latest quarter ended August 31, 2026, quarterly revenue grew 6.3% year-over-year, while quarterly earnings declined 15.2%.

FDS income statement →

Balance sheet and cash flow

As of August 31, 2026, FactSet held $265.3M in cash and short-term investments alongside total debt of $1.54B, resulting in net debt of $1.28B. Total assets were $4.14B against shareholders' equity of $2.00B, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77 and a current ratio of 0.60. In FY2026, operating cash flow reached $822.2M, supporting capital expenditures of $114.7M and free cash flow of $707.5M. The company directed $644.0M to share buybacks and paid $164.2M in dividends during the year.

FDS balance sheet →

Valuation and performance

FactSet carries a trailing P/E of 20.7x, higher than the 14.2x median of its S&P 500 Financial Services peers. Its forward P/E is 13.9x compared to the peer median of 12.2x, while its price-to-sales ratio of 4.3x sits above the peer median of 3.1x. Its EV-to-EBITDA ratio of 11.7x trades below the peer median of 15.7x. The stock gained 10.5% over the past year, trailing the S&P 500 (SPY) return of 16.8%, and declined 23.3% over five years against an 83.0% rise for SPY.

FDS key metrics →

FDS dividend

FactSet pays a forward annual dividend of $4.64 per share, translating to a dividend yield of 1.54%. Dividends are distributed quarterly and represent a payout ratio of 25.1%. The company has paid consecutive dividends for 28 years and delivered a 5-year annualized dividend growth rate of 7.5%, with the last ex-dividend date on August 31, 2026.

FDS dividend history →

What analysts expect

Wall Street analysts cover FactSet with 3 Strong Buy, 0 Buy, 9 Hold, 2 Sell, and 4 Strong Sell ratings. The mean price target is $280.00, representing a 7.2% decline from the last close of $301.67. For the fiscal year ending August 31, 2027, consensus estimates project EPS of $19.62 on revenue of $2.62B. For the following fiscal year, 17 analysts project EPS of $21.70 on revenue of $2.78B. FactSet beat EPS estimates in each of the last 4 quarters.

FDS forecast and price target →

Key risks and what to watch

  • Operating margin declined from 32.2% in FY2025 to 28.3% in FY2026.
  • Net debt stood at $1.28B as of August 31, 2026, with a current ratio of 0.60 indicating limited short-term liquidity.
  • Short interest represents 10.3% of the public float.
  • Quarterly revenue growth of 6.3% lags the S&P 500 Financial Services peer median of 10.3%.

AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer

About this FDS AI stock analysis

This page is an AI-written research summary of FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.

Related: FDS income statement, FDS balance sheet, FDS key metrics, FDS analyst forecast, FDS chart. See the FDS stock overview for the latest quote and news.

FDS AI stock analysis FAQ

What is FactSet's dividend yield and track record?

FactSet offers a dividend yield of 1.54% with an annual forward dividend of $4.64 per share. The company has paid dividends for 28 consecutive years and has a 5-year annualized dividend growth rate of 7.5%.

What are analysts' price targets and ratings for FDS?

Analysts hold 3 Strong Buy, 0 Buy, 9 Hold, 2 Sell, and 4 Strong Sell ratings on the stock. The average price target of $280.00 sits 7.2% below the last close of $301.67.

How did FactSet perform in FY2026?

In FY2026, revenue rose 6.7% to $2.48B, and diluted EPS reached $18.02. Net income totaled $533.5M, down from $597.0M in FY2025, while free cash flow improved to $707.5M.

What does FactSet's balance sheet look like?

As of August 31, 2026, FactSet held $265.3M in cash and short-term investments against $1.54B in total debt, resulting in net debt of $1.28B. Its debt-to-equity ratio was 0.77 and its current ratio was 0.60.

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