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Factset Research Systems Inc.: Q4 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 September 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 8 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth-quarter revenue up 6.3%: GAAP revenues were $634.7 million, up 6.3%, and organic revenues were $635.5 million, up 7.1%, compared with $593.5 million a year earlier. Source
  • Fiscal 2027 expectations issued: Management issued fiscal 2027 expectations covering organic ASV growth, revenues, operating margins and diluted EPS. Source
  • Organic ASV rose $168.2 million: Organic ASV grew 7.0%, adding $168.2 million year over year. Reported ASV rose to $2,565.2 million from $2,405.6 million a year earlier. Source
  • AI solutions ASV more than doubled: Management said AI solutions ASV added in fiscal 2026 more than doubled year over year, with continued momentum across AI and data solutions. Source
  • Fourth-quarter GAAP margin fell: GAAP operating margin was 24.7% against 29.7%, mainly from higher compensation, including one-time restructuring charges and ASV-linked incentive plans, partly offset by revenue growth. Source
  • Fiscal year cash flow up over 13%: Fiscal 2026 operating cash flow was $822.2 million, up 13.2%, and free cash flow was $707.5 million, up 14.6%. Source

“FactSet delivered strong results, highlighted by a record increase in organic ASV for both the fourth quarter and fiscal year with continued momentum across our AI and data solutions.”

Sanoke Viswanathan, CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Organic ASV growth Sourcefiscal 20275.0% - 6.5%New
Revenues Sourcefiscal 2027$2,600 - $2,625 millionNew
GAAP operating margin Sourcefiscal 202731.0% - 32.0%New
Adjusted operating margin Sourcefiscal 202734.75% - 35.25%New
Adjusted operating income Sourcefiscal 2027$903 - $925 millionNew
Amortization of intangible assets and other discrete items (operating) Sourcefiscal 2027$85 - $97 millionNew
GAAP diluted EPS Sourcefiscal 2027$17.00 - $17.50New
Adjusted diluted EPS Sourcefiscal 2027$19.25 - $19.65New

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Fiscal 2027 expectations were issued for organic ASV growth, revenues, operating margins and diluted EPS. Source
  • New guidance: Organic ASV guidance for fiscal 2027 is given as a percentage growth rate, whereas the prior fiscal 2026 range was given as a dollar amount.

Results and growth drivers

  • Fourth-quarter revenue up 6.3%: GAAP revenues were $634.7 million, up 6.3%, and organic revenues were $635.5 million, up 7.1%, compared with $593.5 million a year earlier. Source
  • Fiscal 2026 revenue up 6.7%: Fiscal 2026 GAAP revenues reached $2.48 billion, up 6.7%. The company said this continues its track record of 47 consecutive years of increased revenues. Source
  • Adjusted EPS up, GAAP EPS down: Adjusted diluted EPS rose 11.6% to $4.52 on revenue growth and a lower share count. GAAP diluted EPS was $3.41 against $4.03, on higher operating expenses including non-recurring items. Source
  • Fiscal 2027 expectations issued: Management issued fiscal 2027 expectations covering organic ASV growth, revenues, operating margins and diluted EPS. Source

Segments and regions

  • Americas holds most ASV: Americas ASV was $1,678.2 million, up 7.1% organically. Fourth-quarter Americas revenues grew 6.7% to $414.3 million. Source
  • APAC shows highest growth rates: APAC organic ASV rose 10.6% to $266.4 million, and fourth-quarter APAC organic revenues rose 11.0% to $65.6 million, the highest growth rates of the three regions. Source
  • EMEA organic ASV up 5.2%: EMEA organic ASV reached $623.6 million, up 5.2%. Fourth-quarter EMEA revenues grew 6.6% to $154.8 million. Source

“As demand for trusted financial intelligence continues to grow, FactSet's high-quality data, embedded workflows, service excellence, and deep client relationships position us to drive sustainable growth and long-term shareholder value.”

Sanoke Viswanathan, CEO

Demand and recurring revenue

  • Organic ASV rose $168.2 million: Organic ASV grew 7.0%, adding $168.2 million year over year. Reported ASV rose to $2,565.2 million from $2,405.6 million a year earlier. Source
  • Retention above 95%, renewals longer: Annual ASV retention remained above 95%. Average renewal contract length increased by about 30% during the fourth quarter. Source
  • Fourth quarter added $82.6 million: Organic ASV was $2,485.6 million at the end of the third quarter, so organic ASV rose $82.6 million over the fourth quarter.
  • AI solutions ASV more than doubled: Management said AI solutions ASV added in fiscal 2026 more than doubled year over year, with continued momentum across AI and data solutions. Source

Costs and margins

  • Fourth-quarter GAAP margin fell: GAAP operating margin was 24.7% against 29.7%, mainly from higher compensation, including one-time restructuring charges and ASV-linked incentive plans, partly offset by revenue growth. Source
  • Adjusted margin lower on technology costs: Adjusted operating margin was 33.0% against 33.8%, mainly due to higher compensation from ASV-linked incentive plans and technology-related expenses. Source
  • Restructuring and CEO award costs: Restructuring and severance were $26.9 million in the fourth quarter and $46.2 million for fiscal 2026. CEO onboarding costs were $19.5 million for the year. Source
  • Full-year GAAP margin lower: Fiscal 2026 GAAP operating margin was 28.3% against 32.2%, and adjusted operating margin was 34.5% against 36.3%. Source
  • Fourth-quarter tax rate lower: The fourth-quarter GAAP effective tax rate was 16.1% against 18.7%, mainly from favorable resolution of uncertain tax positions in the U.S. Source

Cash flow and balance sheet

  • Fiscal year cash flow up over 13%: Fiscal 2026 operating cash flow was $822.2 million, up 13.2%, and free cash flow was $707.5 million, up 14.6%. Source
  • Fourth-quarter cash flow slightly lower: Fourth-quarter operating cash flow was $204.7 million, down 3.5%, and free cash flow was $177.3 million, down 0.5%, with capital expenditure of $27.4 million. Source
  • Debt shown as current; cash lower: Long-term debt was $870.6 million against $1,368.3 million a year earlier, with $499.4 million shown as current debt. Cash and cash equivalents were $233.3 million. Source

Capital returns to shareholders

  • Fourth-quarter returns above $179 million: The company returned more than $179 million to shareholders in the fourth quarter, including $138 million of share repurchases and more than $41 million of dividends. Source
  • 552,064 shares bought in quarter: Repurchases were 552,064 shares at an average price of $249.90. As of August 31, 2026, $356.0 million remained available under the program. Source
  • Fiscal 2026 returns total $808 million: Fiscal 2026 shareholder returns totaled $808 million, and the company achieved its twenty-seventh consecutive year of dividend increases. Source

Coming up, as management said on 30 September 2026

  • Fiscal 2027 expectations issued: Fiscal 2027 expectations were issued. The documents do not give a date for the next guidance update. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Annual recurring revenue SourceASV $2,565.2 million; organic ASV $2,568.2 million, up 7.0%
Customer counts Sourcemore than 9,200 global clients; over 260,000 individual users

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Higher compensation from one-time restructuring charges, ASV-linked incentive plans and one-time CEO costs weighed on GAAP operating margin for the year. Source
  • Regulatory: The GAAP tax rate for the year rose from a stock-based compensation tax shortfall and limits on deductible executive compensation. 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.