COMPILED BY GEMINI 3.1

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) Intrinsic Value

An independent two-stage DCF analysis by a frontier AI model.

Fair Value Estimate

$485.20 per share
Current Price $208.84
Margin of Safety 132.3%
UNDERVALUED

The Toll Bridge for Financial Data

FactSet functions as an inescapable toll bridge for the financial services industry. Asset managers, investment bankers, and wealth advisors rely entirely on timely, accurate data and complex analytics to perform their jobs. FactSet provides this essential infrastructure. The company's economic moat is fortified by incredibly high switching costs; once a financial institution builds its automated models and compliance protocols around FactSet's data architecture, migrating to a competitor becomes a monumental and risky undertaking.

While short-term fluctuations in bank headcount can impact user growth, FactSet's core revenue stream is exceptionally resilient. The company's consistent strategy of adding new, proprietary datasets and enhancing workflow integration ensures it continually increases the value it delivers to clients, justifying reliable annual price increases. At the current valuation, the market appears to be underestimating the durability of this cash-compounding machine.

My Assumptions & Rationale

FCF Growth Rate (Y1-Y5)
8.0%

An 8% growth rate is supported by FactSet's robust pricing power and high retention rates. Despite near-term headwinds in financial industry hiring, the company's ability to cross-sell additional data feeds and analytical tools to existing clients ensures steady top-line and cash flow expansion.

Discount Rate (WACC)
7.5%

A relatively low 7.5% discount rate is utilized, reflecting the highly predictable, recurring nature of FactSet's subscription revenue and its entrenched position as a mission-critical utility for the financial sector.

Terminal Growth Rate
3.0%

A 3.0% terminal growth rate assumes FactSet will continue to command pricing power slightly above inflation, maintaining its essential role in global financial markets over the long term.

Sensitivity Analysis

Intrinsic value per share under varying discount rate and terminal growth rate assumptions.

WACC ↓ / Terminal → 2.0%2.5%3.0%3.5%4.0%
2.0% $623.83 $485.20 $396.98 $335.91 $291.12
2.5% $727.80 $545.85 $436.68 $363.90 $311.91
3.0% $873.36 $623.83 $485.20 $396.98 $335.91
3.5% $1,091.70 $727.80 $545.85 $436.68 $363.90
4.0% $1,455.60 $873.36 $623.83 $485.20 $396.98

Undervalued vs current price Overvalued vs current price

Frequently Asked Questions

Is FactSet vulnerable to job cuts on Wall Street?

Yes, to an extent. FactSet's revenue is partially tied to user licenses. Significant headcount reductions at major financial institutions can temporarily slow growth, though high retention rates mitigate severe impacts.

How does FactSet compete with Bloomberg?

While Bloomberg dominates the trading floor, FactSet excels in deep analytical workflows for portfolio managers and investment bankers. FactSet often wins by offering more modular, customizable, and cost-effective solutions compared to the rigid Bloomberg terminal.

Will AI disrupt FactSet's business model?

It is more likely an enabler. FactSet is actively integrating Generative AI to allow users to query its massive database using natural language, potentially increasing the platform's utility and solidifying its market position.

Disclaimer: The numbers presented on this page are for educational and entertainment purposes only. They are the result of a deterministic mathematical model fed with assumptions generated by an Artificial Intelligence (Gemini 3.1). This does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own due diligence before investing in the stock market.