VALU
Value Line, Inc.
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges
Market Cap$326M
5Y Perf.+21.7%
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Stock Comparison
VALU vs FDS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
FDS
FactSet Research Systems Inc.
Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges
Market Cap$9.63B
5Y Perf.-27.2%
VALU vs FDS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | VALU | FDS |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges | Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges |
| Market Cap | $326M | $9.63B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $35M | $2.32B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $22M | $600M |
| Gross Margin | 58.8% | 52.7% |
| Operating Margin | 17.1% | 32.2% |
| Forward P/E | 15.8x | 12.6x |
| Total Debt | $4M | $1.56B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $34M | $338M |
VALU vs FDS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
VALU
FDS
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value Line, Inc. (VALU) | 100 | 121.7 | +21.7% |
| FactSet Research Sy… (FDS) | 100 | 72.8 | -27.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: VALU vs FDS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: FDS leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. Value Line, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for dividend income and shareholder returns and recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
VALU
Value Line, Inc.
The Banking Pick
VALU is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 165.0% 10Y total return vs FDS's 68.6%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.59, Low D/E 3.6%, current ratio 3.38x
- Beta 0.59, yield 3.5%, current ratio 3.38x
Best for: long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night
FDS
FactSet Research Systems Inc.
The Banking Pick
FDS carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 21 yrs, beta 0.43, yield 1.9%
- Rev growth 5.4%, EPS growth 11.8%
- PEG 1.26 vs VALU's 2.17
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | FDS | 5.4% NII/revenue growth vs VALU's -6.4% |
| Value | FDS | Lower P/E (12.6x vs 15.8x), PEG 1.26 vs 2.17 |
| Quality / Margins | FDS | Efficiency ratio 0.2% vs VALU's 0.4% (lower = leaner) |
| Stability / Safety | FDS | Beta 0.43 vs VALU's 0.59 |
| Dividends | VALU | 3.5% yield, 6-year raise streak, vs FDS's 1.9% |
| Momentum (1Y) | VALU | -9.1% vs FDS's -48.1% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | FDS | Efficiency ratio 0.2% vs VALU's 0.4% |
VALU vs FDS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2011
VALU vs FDS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLVALULAGGINGFDS
FDSFactSet Research Syst…
1leads
VALUValue Line, Inc.
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs FDSMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
VALU4/5
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
FDS5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
Tied
—
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
VALU6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
Tied
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
VALU leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
FDS is the larger business by revenue, generating $2.3B annually — 66.2x VALU's $35M. VALU is the more profitable business, keeping 59.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to FDS's 25.7%.
| Metric | VALUValue Line, Inc. | FDSFactSet Research … |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $35M | $2.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $6M | $947M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $22M | $600M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $19M | $647M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +58.8% | +52.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +17.1% | +32.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +59.0% | +25.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +57.0% | +26.6% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +14.5% | +4.4% |
VALU leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
FDS leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 14.4x trailing earnings, FDS trades at a 9% valuation discount to VALU's 15.8x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), FDS offers better value at 1.44x vs VALU's 2.17x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | VALUValue Line, Inc. | FDSFactSet Research … |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $326M | $9.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $295M | $10.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 15.76x | 14.40x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 12.62x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 2.17x | 1.44x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 40.68x | 11.59x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 9.28x | 4.15x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.28x | 3.93x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 16.28x | 15.60x |
FDS leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
Evenly matched — VALU and FDS each lead in 4 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FDS delivers a 27.7% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $28 in annual profit, vs $21 for VALU. VALU carries lower financial leverage with a 0.04x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to FDS's 0.71x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), FDS scores 7/9 vs VALU's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | VALUValue Line, Inc. | FDSFactSet Research … |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +21.2% | +27.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +14.9% | +14.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +4.5% | +15.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +5.1% | +20.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.04x | 0.71x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$30M | $1.2B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $34M | $338M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $4M | $1.6B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 14.22x |
Evenly matched — VALU and FDS each lead in 4 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
VALU leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in VALU five years ago would be worth $14,026 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $7,219 for FDS. Over the past 12 months, VALU leads with a -9.1% total return vs FDS's -48.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors VALU at -8.1% vs FDS's -16.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | VALUValue Line, Inc. | FDSFactSet Research … |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -5.1% | -21.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -9.1% | -48.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -22.5% | -41.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +40.3% | -27.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +165.0% | +68.6% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -8.1% | -16.3% |
VALU leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — VALU and FDS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
FDS is the less volatile stock with a 0.43 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than VALU's 0.59 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. VALU currently trades 84.6% from its 52-week high vs FDS's 47.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | VALUValue Line, Inc. | FDSFactSet Research … |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.59x | 0.43x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $41.00 | $474.79 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $33.51 | $189.07 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +84.6% | +47.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 44.3 | 39.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2K | 908K |
Evenly matched — VALU and FDS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — VALU and FDS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
For income investors, VALU offers the higher dividend yield at 3.46% vs FDS's 1.86%.
| Metric | VALUValue Line, Inc. | FDSFactSet Research … |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $277.89 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 28 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +3.5% | +1.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 6 | 21 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.20 | $4.17 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.1% | +3.1% |
Evenly matched — VALU and FDS each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
VALU leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). FDS leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 3 tied.
Best OverallValue Line, Inc. (VALU)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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VALU vs FDS: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is VALU or FDS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, FactSet Research Systems Inc.
(FDS) is the stronger pick with 5. 4% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -6. 4% for Value Line, Inc. (VALU). FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) offers the better valuation at 14. 4x trailing P/E (12. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) a "Hold" — based on 28 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.
02Which has the better valuation — VALU or FDS?
On trailing P/E, FactSet Research Systems Inc.
(FDS) is the cheapest at 14. 4x versus Value Line, Inc. at 15. 8x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — VALU or FDS?
Over the past 5 years, Value Line, Inc.
(VALU) delivered a total return of +40. 3%, compared to -27. 8% for FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: VALU returned +165. 0% versus FDS's +68. 6%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — VALU or FDS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), FactSet Research Systems Inc.
(FDS) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 43β versus Value Line, Inc. 's 0. 59β — meaning VALU is approximately 37% more volatile than FDS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Value Line, Inc. (VALU) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 71% for FactSet Research Systems Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — VALU or FDS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), FactSet Research Systems Inc.
(FDS) is pulling ahead at 5. 4% versus -6. 4% for Value Line, Inc. (VALU). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: FactSet Research Systems Inc. grew EPS 11. 8% year-over-year, compared to 8. 9% for Value Line, Inc.. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — VALU or FDS?
Value Line, Inc.
(VALU) is the more profitable company, earning 59. 0% net margin versus 25. 7% for FactSet Research Systems Inc. — meaning it keeps 59. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FDS leads at 32. 2% versus 17. 1% for VALU. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — VALU leads at 58. 8%, 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.
07Which pays a better dividend — VALU or FDS?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Value Line, Inc. (VALU) offers the highest yield at 3. 5%, versus 1. 9% for FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS).
08Is VALU or FDS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, FactSet Research Systems Inc.
(FDS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 43), 1. 9% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (FDS: +68. 6%, VALU: +165. 0%), 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.
09What are the main differences between VALU and FDS?
Both stocks operate in the Financial Services 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.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(VALU: -6.4% · FDS: 5.4%)Net Margin>
%
(VALU: 59.0% · FDS: 25.7%)P/E Ratio<
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