EFX vs VRSK

For growth investors, Equifax Inc.

(EFX) is the stronger pick with 6. 9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 6. 6% for Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK). Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK) offers the better valuation at 26. 3x trailing P/E (22. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Equifax Inc. (EFX) a "Buy" — based on 34 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Verisk Analytics, Inc.

(VRSK) is the cheapest at 26. 3x versus Equifax Inc. at 32. 6x. On forward P/E, Equifax Inc. is actually cheaper at 20. 1x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Verisk Analytics, Inc. wins at 2. 62x versus Equifax Inc. 's 4. 33x.

Over the past 5 years, Verisk Analytics, Inc.

(VRSK) delivered a total return of +1. 8%, compared to -23. 5% for Equifax Inc. (EFX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: VRSK returned +132. 0% versus EFX's +57. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Verisk Analytics, Inc.

(VRSK) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 04β versus Equifax Inc. 's 0. 87β — meaning EFX is approximately -2525% more volatile than VRSK relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Equifax Inc. (EFX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 107% versus 16% for Verisk Analytics, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Equifax Inc.

(EFX) is pulling ahead at 6. 9% versus 6. 6% for Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Equifax Inc. grew EPS 9. 9% year-over-year, compared to -3. 3% for Verisk Analytics, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, VRSK leads at 7. 2% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Verisk Analytics, Inc.

(VRSK) is the more profitable company, earning 29. 6% net margin versus 10. 9% for Equifax Inc. — meaning it keeps 29. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: VRSK leads at 44. 6% versus 18. 0% for EFX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — VRSK leads at 67. 3%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 2. 62x versus Equifax Inc. 's 4. 33x. Both stocks trade at elevated growth-adjusted valuations, so expected growth needs to materialise. On forward earnings alone, Equifax Inc. (EFX) trades at 20. 1x forward P/E versus 22. 4x for Verisk Analytics, Inc. — 2. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for VRSK: 35. 3% to $231. 25.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

Equifax Inc. (EFX) offers the highest yield at 1. 1%, versus 1. 1% for Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK).

For long-horizon retirement investors, Verisk Analytics, Inc.

(VRSK) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0. 04), 1. 1% yield, +132. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (VRSK: +132. 0%, EFX: +57. 7%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Industrials sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.