FactSet Research stock gains on fresh price target as earnings and guidance support the valuation
Published on 08/27/2026 at 18:51 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
FactSet Research Systems Inc. (ISIN US3030751057) stock is trading in the mid-$290s as of August 27, 2026, with investors reacting to fresh analyst price targets and solid recent earnings that showed mid-single-digit revenue growth and stronger profitability. Per recent market data dated August 26, 2026, the shares last closed at $295.45, leaving the current quote near that level and highlighting a relatively tight recent trading range.
Analyst targets move toward the $304 mark
One driver for FactSet Research Systems stock on August 27, 2026 is a newly reported price target of $304 set at a neutral rating, which puts the target modestly above the prevailing share price near $295 and implies a limited upside based on current forecasts. Recent analyst commentary noted that shares of NYSE:FDS traded up by $7.59 in midday trading to reach $303.04 on August 27, 2026, with trading volume of 93,541 shares compared to an average volume of 949,340 shares, underlining a noticeable positive reaction to the revised target.
Consensus data compiled in the same coverage show that FactSet Research Systems currently carries an average analyst rating of reduce, with an average 12-month price target of $253, which still sits below the reported share price of $295.02 as of August 27, 2026. The consensus overview frames the RBC-style $304 target as one of the higher individual expectations, while the broader analyst community remains cautious on valuation.
Earnings beat and fiscal 2026 guidance
The latest reported quarterly results for FactSet Research Systems, released for a period ending in mid-2026, showed earnings per share of $4.53 versus a consensus estimate of $4.44, representing a positive surprise of $0.09 per share and underscoring the company’s ability to grow earnings ahead of expectations. The same earnings summary indicated that revenue for the quarter reached $622.92 million compared to a consensus estimate of $617.91 million, which marks a year-over-year revenue increase of 6.4% versus the prior-year period and aligns with FactSet’s reputation for steady top-line expansion.
Profitability metrics in the recent quarter were also strong, with a reported net margin of 23.21% and return on equity of 30.68%, highlighting that FactSet is converting its subscription-based revenue model into substantial shareholder returns. Management’s fiscal 2026 EPS guidance currently stands in a range of $17.25 to $17.75, and sell-side analysts, based on the latest projections cited in the consensus view, expect full-year EPS of 17.76. Together, these figures point to mid-teens earnings power for fiscal 2026 and provide the fundamental backbone to the stock’s valuation near the upper-$200s.
Dividend policy and shareholder base
Dividend distributions remain a notable element of FactSet Research Systems’ total-return story. The company has declared a quarterly dividend of $1.16 per share, payable on September 17, 2026 to investors of record on August 31, 2026, with an ex-dividend date also set for August 31, 2026. A recent institutional holding report notes that the $1.16 quarterly dividend translates into an annualized payout of $4.64 per share and a dividend yield of 1.6% based on current prices, while the dividend payout ratio stands at 30.57%, leaving room for reinvestment in growth alongside cash returns to shareholders.
The recent coverage also emphasizes a high level of institutional ownership, with institutional investors collectively controlling more than 90% of FactSet Research Systems’ outstanding shares. Per the consensus article, institutional holdings stand at 91.24% of shares, reflecting confidence among professional investors in the company’s business model and providing some support for liquidity and price stability. Several individual filings dated August 27, 2026 describe new or increased positions, including multi-million dollar stakes that align with the broader pattern of long-term institutional participation.
Valuation context versus guidance
At a last close price of $295.45 on August 26, 2026, FactSet Research Systems trades at a level that places the share price slightly under the newly cited $304 target but significantly above the average 12-month target of $253. With fiscal 2026 EPS guidance centered around $17.50 and analyst expectations at 17.76 EPS, the implied price-to-earnings multiple based on current pricing is in the high-teens range, which some analysts view as demanding given the mid-single-digit revenue growth but justified by strong margins and returns on equity.
Market data compiled on August 26, 2026 show that the shares were down 0.21% on that day to $295.45, while year-to-date performance was modestly positive at 1.81%, indicating a relatively steady trajectory despite periodic volatility tied to earnings and analyst actions. A recent market-data snapshot reinforces that the stock’s movement remains within a defined band, and investors are weighing whether the combination of earnings beats and dividend support is sufficient to warrant further upside from the current level.
FactSet’s core analytics platform
Beyond the numbers, FactSet Research Systems is best known for its integrated financial data and analytics platform, which provides institutional asset managers, investment banks, and other finance professionals with comprehensive market data, research tools, and portfolio analytics. The company’s software connects global equity, fixed-income, and macroeconomic datasets with powerful screening and modeling capabilities, allowing clients to perform tasks ranging from factor-based equity selection to multi-asset risk analysis within a single environment.
The platform’s recurring subscription model supports the stable revenue growth seen in the latest quarter, as clients generally commit to multi-year agreements and expand seat counts or modules over time. Recent growth in analytics demand from wealth managers and insurance companies has broadened FactSet’s traditional buy-side user base, and these segments contribute to the 6.4% year-over-year revenue increase reported for the most recent quarter. The company’s ongoing investment in artificial intelligence-driven search tools and workflow automation is designed to keep the platform competitive with peers and maintain the strong net margin above 23% that investors currently reward.
Closing view on FactSet Research stock
As of the most recent completed trading session on August 26, 2026, FactSet Research Systems stock closed at $295.45, denominated in USD on the New York Stock Exchange. That closing level places the shares within a narrow band below the newly cited $304 price target and well above the broader analyst consensus target of $253, leaving investors to balance near-term upside implied by select analyst revisions against the more cautious stance embedded in the average rating of reduce.
Fact box
Company: FactSet Research Systems Inc.
ISIN: US3030751057
Ticker: FDS
Exchange: New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
Price (as of August 26, 2026, 4:00 p.m. ET): $295.45 USD
Market cap: Data based on recent market coverage (current figure not specified in the cited sources)
Sector / Industry: Financial data and analytics / Business services
Index membership: S&P 500
