Data News > Factset Research Systems Inc. (FDS) Latest SEC 10-Q Filing: Charting Their Path To Excellence

Factset Research Systems Inc. (FDS) Latest SEC 10-Q Filing: Charting Their Path To Excellence

By KlickAnalytics Data Insights  |   January 5, 2024 09:01AM ET

FactSet Research Systems Inc. is a global financial digital platform and enterprise solutions provider with nearly 8,000 clients and 207,000 investment professionals. It offers data, products, and analytical applications tailored to different firm types, and provides financial data, market intelligence, and flexible technology offerings. It has a strong presence in the Americas, EMEA, and Asia Pacific, and is committed to responsible business practices. It is capitalizing on the increasing demand for open and flexible technologies by providing expansive data, sophisticated analytics and flexible technology to the investment community.

Executive Summary

Financials
Revenues have grown 7.4% in the past three years, driven by increased sales to existing clients, price increases, and sales to new clients. Organic revenues have increased 7.2%, with the remaining growth attributed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Operating expenses have increased from $332,920 to $353,176, with employee compensation costs being the major component. Asset impairments also contribute to the total operating expenses. Operating margin has decreased from 6.1% to 6.1%. The company's operating margin increased to 34.9% in the three months ended November 30, 2023, compared to 34.1% in the prior year period. This improvement was mainly due to growth in revenues. It is unclear how this compares to industry peers.
Management Discussion and Analysis
Management has invested in technology to accelerate content collection, data connectivity and the development of summaries and themes. They have also optimized operations and managed expenses to improve returns on investments. Additionally, strategic partnerships and acquisitions have helped to accelerate expansion in key areas. These initiatives have been successful, with 7.2% organic revenue growth in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Management assesses the company's competitive position in the industry by understanding their clients' workflows and providing financial data, market intelligence, and flexible technology offerings. They are highlighting the need for open and flexible technology, cloud-based digital solutions, and comprehensive data feeds. Management identified market risk, critical accounting estimates, and forward-looking statements as major risks. Strategies to mitigate these risks include preparing financial statements in accordance with GAAP, making reasonable estimates, and disclosing critical accounting estimates.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
The company's key performance metrics have remained steady over the past year, with the number of clients, investment professionals, and revenue all staying consistent. These metrics are in line with the company's long-term goals. The company's ROI is higher than its cost of capital, indicating that it is generating value for shareholders. FactSet Research Systems Inc. has nearly 8,000 clients and 207,000 investment professionals, making it a leader in the global financial digital platform and enterprise solutions provider market. It has a strong presence in the Americas, EMEA, and Asia Pacific, and offers data, products, and analytical applications tailored to different firm types. There are no plans for market expansion or consolidation mentioned.
Risk Assessment
Economic downturns, changes in regulations, and technological advancements are the top external factors that pose risks to the company's operations and financial performance. FDS assesses and manages cybersecurity risks through open and flexible technologies, comprehensive data feeds, cloud-based digital solutions, and APIs. They also have a dedicated client service team to support their platform and solutions. Yes, the company has contingent liabilities and legal issues that could impact its financial position or reputation. FDS is addressing them by entering into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge a portion of its primary currency exposures, and by disclosing information on its commitments and contingencies in its financial statements.
Corporate Governance and Sustainability
The board of directors is not mentioned in the context information, so there is no information available about its composition or any changes in leadership or independence. FDS does not mention any commitment to board diversity in its description of business. It does, however, mention a dedicated client service team, suggesting that it values customer service and may have a diverse workforce. FDS demonstrates its commitment to responsible business practices by providing open and flexible technologies that drive the investment community, as well as providing financial data and market intelligence on securities, companies, industries and people. They also provide on- and off-platform solutions that span the investment life cycle.
Forward Guidance
The company's forward-looking guidance outlines the risks and uncertainties associated with its strategic initiatives and priorities outlined in the annual report, helping to ensure that the company is prepared for any potential outcomes. FactSet Research Systems Inc. is factoring in the increasing demand for open and flexible technologies in the financial digital platform and enterprise solutions industry. It plans to capitalize on this trend by providing expansive data, sophisticated analytics and flexible technology to the investment community. No, there are no investments or strategic shifts indicated in the forward-looking guidance. The guidance only discusses risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about the company's future financial performance.

For more information:
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  • Earning Price Impact Analysis
  • Historical Price Targets
  • Analyst Recommendations
  • Seasonality Analysis
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