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Equifax Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 21 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 5 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 11% to $1.700 billion: Reported revenue was $1,700.1 million, up 11% reported and 10% in local currency, against $1,537.0 million in the second quarter of 2025. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose 13% to $2.25: Adjusted EPS was $2.25 in the second quarter, up from $2.00 a year earlier. Adjustments exclude items including acquisition-related amortization. Source
  • USIS revenue up 17% to $611.6 million: USIS revenue was $611.6 million. Online Information Solutions rose 19% to $545.4 million; Financial Marketing Services rose 4% to $66.2 million. Source
  • Government contract value about $300 million: Workforce Solutions Government signed contract wins and renewals worth about $300 million in annual contract value in the first half of 2026. Source
  • Legal settlement accrual of $40.0 million net: A $100.0 million accrual for a previously disclosed coding issue, net of $60.0 million expected insurance proceeds, produced a $40.0 million charge, or $30.2 million after tax. Source
  • U.S. Mortgage revenue up 25%: U.S. Mortgage revenue grew 25%, which management said was in line with its expectations despite higher mortgage rates throughout the second quarter. Source
  • $366 million returned to shareholders: Returned $366 million: $300 million of share repurchases, 1.8 million shares or about 1% of shares outstanding, and $66 million of quarterly dividends. Source
  • Círculo de Crédito agreement signed: Definitive agreement to acquire Círculo de Crédito, described as the fastest growing credit bureau in Mexico, for an enterprise value of $750 million. Source

“We are energized about the New Equifax and we expect to deliver higher growth, margins, and accelerating free cash flow, and returning cash to shareholders in the future.”

Mark W. Begor, Equifax Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Reported revenue SourceQ3 2026$1.680 billion to $1.710 billionNew
Reported revenue growth SourceQ3 20268.7% to 10.7%New
Local currency revenue growth SourceQ3 20268.4% to 10.4%New
Organic local currency revenue growth SourceQ3 20268.3% to 10.3%New
Adjusted EPS SourceQ3 2026$2.15 to $2.25 per shareNew
Reported revenue SourceFY 2026$6.710 billion to $6.780 billion
Reported revenue growth SourceFY 202610.5% to 11.6%
Local currency revenue growth SourceFY 20269.8% to 10.9%
Organic local currency revenue growth SourceFY 20269.7% to 10.8%
Adjusted EPS SourceFY 2026$8.39 to $8.69 per share
AI-driven cost reduction Source2026 to 2028$150 millionRaised

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Third-quarter 2026 guidance appears in this release for the first time. Source
  • Guidance raised: The 2026 to 2028 AI-driven cost reduction target was doubled to $150 million from the goal set earlier in the year. Source
  • Guidance kept: Full-year reported revenue and adjusted EPS ranges narrowed from the prior release; the midpoint of each range is unchanged. Source
  • New: Definitive agreement to acquire Círculo de Crédito for a $750 million enterprise value, not in the prior release. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 11% to $1.700 billion: Reported revenue was $1,700.1 million, up 11% reported and 10% in local currency, against $1,537.0 million in the second quarter of 2025. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose 13% to $2.25: Adjusted EPS was $2.25 in the second quarter, up from $2.00 a year earlier. Adjustments exclude items including acquisition-related amortization. Source
  • Net income down 4% to $183.9 million: Net income attributable to Equifax was $183.9 million, against $191.3 million. Diluted EPS was $1.54, against $1.53, on 119.2 million diluted shares against 125.0 million. Source
  • Operating income edged up to $314.2 million: Operating income was $314.2 million against $310.8 million. Interest expense rose to $59.8 million from $53.1 million. Source

Segments and regions

  • USIS revenue up 17% to $611.6 million: USIS revenue was $611.6 million. Online Information Solutions rose 19% to $545.4 million; Financial Marketing Services rose 4% to $66.2 million. Source
  • Workforce Solutions revenue up 7%: Workforce Solutions revenue was $705.4 million. Verification Services rose 7% to $607.6 million; Employer Services rose 3% to $97.8 million. Source
  • International revenue up 8% reported: International revenue was $383.1 million, up 8% reported and 4% in local currency. Asia Pacific rose 7% in local currency, Canada 6%, Latin America 3% and Europe 1%. Source
  • Workforce mortgage revenue up 8%: Workforce Solutions Mortgage revenue rose 8% in the second quarter. Source

“and we are expanding our capabilities to leverage our unique, non-public data assets with EFX.AI and our Agentic AI capabilities”

Mark W. Begor, Equifax Chief Executive Officer

Products and customers

  • Vitality Index reached 16%: The new product Vitality Index was 16%, above the 10% long-term goal, from products built on the EFX Cloud, EFX.AI and proprietary data. Source
  • Government contract value about $300 million: Workforce Solutions Government signed contract wins and renewals worth about $300 million in annual contract value in the first half of 2026. Source
  • Talent and Consumer Lending grew: Talent Solutions and Consumer Lending grew at high double-digit rates, leading Verification Services growth. Source
  • Proprietary data cited as moat foundation: Management said scale and proprietary data are the foundation of the AI data moat, a competitive advantage in the products sold to customers. Source

Costs, margins and one-time items

  • Legal settlement accrual of $40.0 million net: A $100.0 million accrual for a previously disclosed coding issue, net of $60.0 million expected insurance proceeds, produced a $40.0 million charge, or $30.2 million after tax. Source
  • Cost of services and SG&A rose: Cost of services was $773.7 million, up from $664.6 million, and SG&A was $422.5 million, up from $384.2 million. Depreciation and amortization was $189.7 million, against $177.4 million. Source
  • Consolidated operating margin 18.5%: Consolidated operating margin was 18.5%, against 20.2% a year earlier. Adjusted items excluded the legal settlement accrual and acquisition-related costs. Source
  • Workforce margin down; International up: Workforce Solutions operating margin was 44.9%, down from 46.4%, and its adjusted EBITDA margin 52.1%, down from 53.3%. USIS operating margin was 22.5%, against 22.6%. International operating margin rose to 12.1% from 10.9%. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin flat at 32.5%: Adjusted EBITDA was $552.1 million, up 11%, and the adjusted EBITDA margin was 32.5%, the same as a year earlier. Source

“The acquisition fits perfectly in our balanced capital allocation framework, with our focus on highly accretive bolt-on acquisitions”

Mark W. Begor, Equifax Chief Executive Officer

Demand and mortgage activity

  • U.S. Mortgage revenue up 25%: U.S. Mortgage revenue grew 25%, which management said was in line with its expectations despite higher mortgage rates throughout the second quarter. Source
  • USIS Diversified Markets accelerated: USIS Diversified Markets revenue grew 6%, up more than 300 basis points from the prior quarter. USIS Mortgage revenue rose 40%. Source
  • Diversified Markets up 7% reported: Diversified Markets revenue rose 7% on a reported basis and 6% in local currency, with Workforce Solutions and USIS both growing. Source

Capital, cash and returns

  • $366 million returned to shareholders: Returned $366 million: $300 million of share repurchases, 1.8 million shares or about 1% of shares outstanding, and $66 million of quarterly dividends. Source
  • Six-month operating cash flow $581.7 million: Cash provided by operating activities was $581.7 million for the six months, against $585.0 million. Capital expenditures were $255.4 million, against $229.4 million. Source
  • Six-month treasury purchases $560.0 million: Treasury stock purchases were $560.0 million for the six months, against $127.4 million, and dividends paid were $133.5 million, against $110.5 million. Source
  • Short-term debt rose to $1,410.3 million: Short-term debt and current maturities were $1,410.3 million, up from $1,038.0 million at year-end, while long-term debt was $4,056.8 million. Source

Strategy and acquisition

  • Círculo de Crédito agreement signed: Definitive agreement to acquire Círculo de Crédito, described as the fastest growing credit bureau in Mexico, for an enterprise value of $750 million. Source
  • Results tied to EFX2028 priorities: Management tied the quarter's results to the EFX2028 Strategic Priorities, with reported revenue of $1.700 billion. Source
  • Go-to-market shift toward data and analytics: Management said Equifax is fundamentally different in how it goes to market, from Technology to Data & Analytics, using EFX.AI, product focus and AI-driven operations. Source
  • AI cost reduction target doubled: The 2026 to 2028 AI-driven cost reduction target doubled to $150 million from the earlier goal, reflecting AI deployment to drive speed, accuracy and productivity. Source

Coming up, as management said on 21 July 2026

  • Círculo de Crédito closing expected: The company expects the Círculo de Crédito acquisition to close in the fourth quarter of 2026. Source
  • Third quarter 2026 guidance period: Management gave third-quarter 2026 guidance for adjusted EPS of $2.15 to $2.25 per share. Source
  • Government contract value benefits 2027 onward: Management said the Government contract wins and renewals will principally benefit 2027 and beyond. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
New product Vitality Index Source16%
Annual contract value from Government contract wins and renewals, first half 2026 Sourceabout $300 million

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management cited higher mortgage rates throughout the second quarter as a demand factor for U.S. Mortgage revenue. Source
  • External: Management described the economy as increasingly uncertain. Source
  • Regulatory: A previously disclosed coding issue led to claims resolved by a legal settlement, with $60.0 million of expected insurance proceeds offsetting part of the accrual. Source
  • Regulatory: Antitrust litigation pertaining to Workforce Solutions generated legal costs of $0.6 million in the quarter. Source
  • Operational: Acquisition-related costs of $7.0 million, mostly integration, were recorded in operating income. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The goal set earlier in the year was doubled; the release does not state progress against it. Source
  • On track: Management said U.S. Mortgage revenue was in line with its expectations. Source
  • Ahead: The 16% Vitality Index was above the company's 10% long-term goal. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.