FactSet Beats By a Penny, Guidance Tops Estimates, Shares Higher

FactSet Research Systems, a leading provider of financial information and analytical applications, reported fiscal Q3 (ended May 31) net income climbed 36% to $28.6 million, or $0.56/share ($0.52/share ex-items), on revenue growth of 22.5% to $121.1m. It issued Q4 revenue guidance of $126m - $130m, ahead of the Reuters Estimates consensus of $125.1m. Its shares were up 3.2% to $65.89 in very thin pre-market trading. FactSet said it gained 1,300 users (total 33,300) and 42 clients (total 1,914) during the quarter, as its client retention rate remained above 95%. It repurchased 196,929 shares for $12.3m in Q3 and has $103.2m authorized for future buybacks. FactSet rose 0.8% to $63.87 in normal trading Monday. Its shares have traded in a range of $42.30 - $68.13 over the past year. FactSet is scheduled to report Q4 earnings Sept. 25.

Sources: Press release, Briefing.com
Commentary: FactSet Research Systems Doubles Its Dividend and Surpasses the Street [Q2] • Will Interactive Data Survive at SEC Without Chris Cox? • Jim Cramer's Take on FactSet
Stocks/ETFs to watch: FactSet Research Systems (FDS). Competitors: Reuters Group plc (RTRSY), Thomson Corp. (TOC)

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