greeksoup/ stock research

Verisk Analytics, Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 29 April 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 10 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue and net income both grew: Revenue was $783 million, up 3.9% reported and 4.7% on an organic constant currency basis. Net income was $234 million, up 0.8%. Source
  • Underwriting revenue up 5.3% on OCC: Underwriting revenue was $552 million, up 3.8% reported and 5.3% on an OCC basis, compared with $532 million a year earlier. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 55.9%: Adjusted EBITDA was $438 million, up 5.0% reported and 5.9% on an OCC basis. Margin was 55.9% against 55.3% a year earlier. Source
  • Operating cash flow fell 12.2%: Net cash from operations was $390 million, down 12.2%, and free cash flow was $326 million, down 16.5%. The company attributed the decline to a prior-year tax refund and higher interest payments. Source
  • $1.5 billion accelerated buyback executed: The company received an initial delivery of 6,986,302 shares at $182.50, about 85% of the purchase price under the $1.5 billion accelerated share repurchase. Source
  • Growth expected to return to targets: The CFO said growth would return to levels consistent with long-term targets as the year progresses. Source
  • AI solutions built on proprietary data: The CEO said proprietary datasets and distinctive insights are competitive advantages for introducing AI solutions into core insurance workflows and decision making. Source

“Verisk started the year by delivering continued growth across the business.”

Lee Shavel, President and CEO, Verisk

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total revenue SourceFull year 2026$3,190 million to $3,240 millionKept
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFull year 2026$1,790 million to $1,830 millionKept
Adjusted EBITDA margin SourceFull year 202656.0% to 56.5%Kept
Diluted adjusted EPS SourceFull year 2026$7.45 to $7.75Kept
Tax rate SourceFull year 202623.0% to 26.0%Kept
Capital expenditures SourceFull year 2026$260 million to $280 millionKept
Fixed asset depreciation and amortization SourceFull year 2026$270 million to $290 millionKept
Intangible amortization SourceFull year 2026$60 millionKept
Interest expense SourceFull year 2026$190 million to $200 millionKept
Dividend per share SourceFull year 2026$2.00Kept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: Full-year 2026 guidance was reaffirmed, with the same ranges as the February 18, 2026 release. Source
  • New: The $1.5 billion accelerated share repurchase, which the February release expected in the near term, was executed in the quarter. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue and net income both grew: Revenue was $783 million, up 3.9% reported and 4.7% on an organic constant currency basis. Net income was $234 million, up 0.8%. Source
  • Diluted EPS rose on fewer shares: Diluted GAAP EPS was $1.73, up 4.8%, and diluted adjusted EPS was $1.82, up 5.2%. Both rose on a lower average share count. Source
  • Tax rate rose and partly offset growth: The effective tax rate was 24.1%, up from 21.6%. Management said higher net interest expense and the higher tax rate partly offset the EPS growth. Source

Underwriting and claims revenue

  • Underwriting revenue up 5.3% on OCC: Underwriting revenue was $552 million, up 3.8% reported and 5.3% on an OCC basis, compared with $532 million a year earlier. Source
  • Price increases and new clients drove underwriting: Management attributed the growth mainly to price increases from forms, rules and loss cost solutions, plus new clients and expanded renewals in catastrophe, specialty and life solutions. Source
  • Claims up 3.4% OCC on anti-fraud: Claims revenue was $231 million, up 4.3% reported and 3.4% on an OCC basis. Anti-fraud analytics and new casualty customers helped, offset by modest declines in property and restoration solutions. Source

“In the first quarter, Verisk delivered organic constant currency revenue growth of 4.7% and OCC adjusted EBITDA growth of 5.9%.”

Elizabeth Mann, CFO, Verisk

Margins and cost base

  • Adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 55.9%: Adjusted EBITDA was $438 million, up 5.0% reported and 5.9% on an OCC basis. Margin was 55.9% against 55.3% a year earlier. Source
  • Cost of revenues rose to $236.6 million: Cost of revenues was $236.6 million against $230.8 million. Selling, general and administrative expense was $109.5 million against $108.9 million. Source
  • Operating income rose to $352.2 million: Operating income was $352.2 million, against $330.1 million a year earlier. Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets was $69.9 million, against $67.4 million. Source

Cash flow and capital spending

  • Operating cash flow fell 12.2%: Net cash from operations was $390 million, down 12.2%, and free cash flow was $326 million, down 16.5%. The company attributed the decline to a prior-year tax refund and higher interest payments. Source
  • Capital expenditures rose 19.2%: Capital expenditures were $64.0 million, against $53.7 million a year earlier. Source
  • Interest payments rose with debt: Interest paid was $60.0 million, against $10.4 million, reflecting higher debt balances partly offset by interest income earned on cash. Source
  • Deferred revenue added to operating cash: The deferred revenues line in the operating cash flow statement was $238.1 million, against $136.7 million a year earlier. Source

“and as a result, we are reaffirming our financial guidance for 2026.”

Elizabeth Mann, CFO, Verisk

Capital returns to shareholders

  • $1.5 billion accelerated buyback executed: The company received an initial delivery of 6,986,302 shares at $182.50, about 85% of the purchase price under the $1.5 billion accelerated share repurchase. Source
  • Open-market buybacks added $126.1 million: Open market repurchases totalled $126.1 million, receiving 583,042 shares at an average price of $216.24. About $1.0 billion remained under the authorization at March 31, 2026. Source

Debt and balance sheet

  • Long-term debt rose to $4.2 billion: Long-term debt was $4,217.2 million, against $3,228.3 million at December 31, 2025, after $999.0 million of long-term debt proceeds in the quarter. Source
  • Short-term debt repaid, cash reduced: Repayment of short-term debt, including a special mandatory redemption fee, was $1,515.0 million. Cash and cash equivalents fell to $524.5 million from $2,178.2 million. Source
  • Stockholders' equity moved to deficit: Total Verisk stockholders' deficit was $1,167.7 million, against equity of $309.0 million at December 31, 2025. Treasury stock, at cost, rose to $12,132.0 million. Source

Full-year 2026 guidance and growth

  • Full-year ranges cover key financial lines: The company gave full-year 2026 ranges for revenue, adjusted EBITDA and margin, diluted adjusted EPS, tax rate, capital expenditures, amortization, interest expense and dividends. Source
  • Growth expected to return to targets: The CFO said growth would return to levels consistent with long-term targets as the year progresses. Source
  • Operating momentum expected to build: The CEO said operating momentum would build through the year as the company deepens client relationships. Source

AI solutions and economic model

  • AI solutions built on proprietary data: The CEO said proprietary datasets and distinctive insights are competitive advantages for introducing AI solutions into core insurance workflows and decision making. Source
  • Investment continued alongside buyback: The CFO said the company continued to invest back into the business while executing the accelerated share repurchase. Source
  • Economic model to create long-term value: The CEO said the economic model will continue to create long-term value for clients and shareholders. Source

Coming up, as management said on 29 April 2026

  • Dividend payable June 30: The board approved a 50 cent dividend on April 27, 2026, payable June 30, 2026, to holders of record as of June 15, 2026. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Cash and cash equivalents fell to $524.5 million, as repurchases of $1,401.8 million and a $1,515.0 million short-term debt repayment reduced the balance. Source
  • Financial: Net interest expense rose to $43.2 million from $36.3 million, and the effective tax rate rose to 24.1% from 21.6%. Source
  • Demand: Property and restoration solutions within claims showed modest declines, which management said were offset by anti-fraud and casualty growth. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The February release expressed confidence in 2026 results in line with long-term growth targets. The April release says growth will return to those levels as the year moves on.
  • Not stated: The February release said the $1.5 billion accelerated share repurchase was expected in the near term. The April release reports it was executed during the quarter. 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.