VRSK vs FDS

For growth investors, Verisk Analytics, Inc.

(VRSK) is the stronger pick with 6. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 5. 4% for FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS). 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 Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK) a "Hold" — based on 25 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, FactSet Research Systems Inc.

(FDS) is the cheapest at 14. 4x versus Verisk Analytics, Inc. at 26. 9x. On forward P/E, FactSet Research Systems Inc. is actually cheaper at 12. 6x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: FactSet Research Systems Inc. wins at 1. 26x versus Verisk Analytics, Inc. 's 2. 68x — a reasonable growth-adjusted valuation.

Over the past 5 years, Verisk Analytics, Inc.

(VRSK) delivered a total return of +1. 8%, compared to -27. 8% for FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: VRSK returned +137. 1% 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.

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

(VRSK) is the lower-risk stock at -0. 04β versus FactSet Research Systems Inc. 's 0. 43β — meaning FDS is approximately -1307% more volatile than VRSK relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 71% versus 16% for Verisk Analytics, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Verisk Analytics, Inc.

(VRSK) is pulling ahead at 6. 6% versus 5. 4% for FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: FactSet Research Systems Inc. grew EPS 11. 8% year-over-year, compared to -3. 3% for Verisk Analytics, 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.

Verisk Analytics, Inc.

(VRSK) is the more profitable company, earning 29. 6% net margin versus 25. 7% for FactSet Research Systems 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 32. 2% for FDS. 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, FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 1. 26x versus Verisk Analytics, Inc. 's 2. 68x. A PEG below 1. 5 suggests fair-to-attractive pricing relative to expected growth. On forward earnings alone, FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) trades at 12. 6x forward P/E versus 22. 9x for Verisk Analytics, Inc. — 10. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for VRSK: 32. 4% to $231. 25.

All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) offers the highest yield at 1. 9%, versus 1. 0% 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. 0% yield, +137. 1% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (VRSK: +137. 1%, FDS: +68. 6%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (VRSK (Industrials) and FDS (Financial Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: VRSK is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; FDS is a small-cap deep-value stock. 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.