Equifax (NYSE:EFX – Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities researchers at Argus from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report released on Thursday, Briefing.com reports. The brokerage currently has a $200.00 target price on the credit services provider’s stock. Argus’ price objective would indicate a potential upside of 13.99% from the company’s current price.
A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on EFX. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating and set a $201.00 price target on shares of Equifax in a research note on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on Equifax from $212.00 to $200.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, September 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Equifax from $230.00 to $210.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on shares of Equifax from $235.00 to $217.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Loop Capital set a $169.00 target price on shares of Equifax in a research report on Tuesday. Fifteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $200.00.
Read Our Latest Report on Equifax
Equifax Stock Down 0.6%
Shares of NYSE:EFX opened at $175.46 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $20.61 billion, a PE ratio of 28.35, a P/E/G ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a current ratio of 1.09, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. Equifax has a twelve month low of $137.01 and a twelve month high of $238.94. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $166.87 and a 200-day simple moving average of $169.88.
Equifax (NYSE:EFX – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 20th. The credit services provider reported $2.26 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.20 by $0.06. Equifax had a net margin of 11.27% and a return on equity of 22.48%. The firm had revenue of $1.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.69 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $2.04 EPS. Equifax’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Equifax will post 8.49 EPS for the current fiscal year.
Insider Activity at Equifax
In related news, EVP John Gamble sold 4,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $187.96, for a total transaction of $845,820.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 69,055 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $12,979,577.80. This trade represents a 6.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO Mark W. Begor sold 37,791 shares of Equifax stock in a transaction on Friday, July 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $172.16, for a total transaction of $6,506,098.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 271,890 shares in the company, valued at approximately $46,808,582.40. This trade represents a 12.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Company insiders own 1.70% of the company’s stock.
Institutional Investors Weigh In On Equifax
Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Equifax in the third quarter worth about $126,000. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Equifax during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $209,000. Canoe Financial LP grew its stake in Equifax by 4,373.5% during the 3rd quarter. Canoe Financial LP now owns 796,817 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $111,339,000 after purchasing an additional 779,005 shares in the last quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC grew its stake in Equifax by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC now owns 11,101 shares of the credit services provider’s stock valued at $1,524,000 after purchasing an additional 203 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Zullo Investment Group Inc. purchased a new stake in Equifax during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $201,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.20% of the company’s stock.
Equifax News Summary
Here are the key news stories impacting Equifax this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Q3 earnings beat expectations: Equifax reported adjusted earnings of $2.26 per share, ahead of the $2.20 consensus estimate, while revenue increased 9.6% year over year to $1.69 billion, in line with forecasts. Lower selling, general and administrative expenses and AI-driven efficiency gains helped profitability. Equifax stock soars after Q3 earnings beat
- Positive Sentiment: Growth remains broad-based: Diversified Markets revenue grew 8%, and state-agency contract signings reached $550 million in annual contract value. Management also said consumer financial health remains generally resilient outside the mortgage market. Equifax: 3 Key Takeaways for Long-Term Investors
- Positive Sentiment: Analyst confidence improved: Needham raised its price target from $190 to $210 and maintained a Buy rating, citing potential upside from current levels. Equifax price target raised by Needham
- Neutral Sentiment: Credit demand is under pressure: An Equifax Canada survey found that one in four small-business owners have personally guaranteed business financing with their homes or other assets. The finding highlights continued borrowing demand but also rising financial risk among business owners. Small Business Owners Putting up Personal Assets
- Negative Sentiment: Mortgage weakness clouds the outlook: Equifax said U.S. mortgage transaction volumes declined meaningfully as interest rates rose. It issued fourth-quarter EPS guidance of $2.07-$2.17 versus the $2.21 consensus and revenue guidance of $1.6 billion versus $1.7 billion expected. Full-year revenue guidance of $6.6-$6.7 billion also trails the $6.7 billion consensus. Equifax Data Shows Mortgage Volume Slump
Equifax Company Profile
Equifax Inc (NYSE: EFX) is a global data, analytics and technology company that provides information and services to help businesses, governments and consumers make informed financial and workforce decisions. The company is best known for its credit reporting activities, but its offerings also include identity verification, fraud prevention, income and employment verification, marketing services and risk management solutions.
Equifax provides consumer and commercial credit information, credit reports and related analytics to lenders and other businesses.
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