FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money

US | Financial Services | Financial - Data & Stock Exchanges | NYSE

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Ever wondered how financial professionals stay ahead in today's fast-paced markets? FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS), a powerhouse in financial data and software solutions, equips them with the tools they need. But how exactly did FactSet become a key player, who owns it, and how does it generate revenue? Keep reading to explore the history, ownership structure, mission, operational mechanisms, and revenue streams of FactSet, a company that reported $2.09 billion in total ASV and professional services revenues for fiscal year 2023.

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) History

[Company's] Founding Timeline

Year established

The company was established in 1978.

Original location

The company's original location was in New York City.

Founding team members

The founding team members included:

  • Howard Wille
  • Charles Snyder
  • Elizabeth (Betsy) Gannett

Initial capital/funding

The initial capital was approximately $250,000.

[Company's] Evolution Milestones

Year Key Event Significance
1978 Founded as Talcott Research Began providing financial data services.
1981 Renamed FactSet Data Systems, Inc. Reflected a shift towards comprehensive data solutions.
1980s Expanded services to include analytics and portfolio management tools Enhanced value proposition for financial professionals.
1996 Initial Public Offering (IPO) Increased visibility and access to capital markets.
2000s Global expansion and acquisitions Extended global reach and diversified product offerings.
2020 Mark Makepeace appointed as Chairman Brought in experienced leadership to guide the company.

[Company's] Transformative Moments

Several transformative moments have shaped the company's trajectory:

  • Technological Innovation: Embracing new technologies to enhance data delivery and analytics, which allowed the company to stay competitive.
  • Strategic Acquisitions: Acquiring companies to expand its product suite and enter new markets.
  • Client-Centric Approach: Focusing on client needs and feedback to improve its services and maintain high retention rates.

To gain more insights into the investors and stakeholders, check out: Exploring FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) Ownership Structure

FactSet Research Systems Inc. has a diverse ownership structure, encompassing institutional investors, individual shareholders, and company insiders, reflecting a mix of investment strategies and stakeholder interests.

FactSet's Current Status

FactSet Research Systems Inc. is a publicly traded company, meaning its shares are available for purchase on the open market, allowing a wide range of investors to participate in the company's ownership and growth.

FactSet's Ownership Breakdown

As of the fiscal year 2024, the ownership of FactSet Research Systems Inc. is distributed among various shareholders. Here is a breakdown:

Shareholder Type Ownership, % Notes
Institutional Investors 87.60% This category includes investment firms, mutual funds, pension funds, and other institutions that hold a significant portion of FactSet's shares.
Individual Investors 10.13% These are individual shareholders who own shares of FactSet, ranging from retail investors to high-net-worth individuals.
Insiders 0.55% This includes company executives and board members who own shares in FactSet, aligning their interests with the company's performance.
Other 1.72% This category may include employee stock ownership plans or other types of shareholders that do not fit into the other categories.

FactSet's Leadership

FactSet's leadership team guides the company's strategic direction and operational execution. Key aspects of the leadership structure include:

  • CEO: Linda S. Huber
  • CFO: Helen P. Shan

The leadership team is complemented by a board of directors, which provides oversight and guidance on major decisions. The board comprises individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise in finance, technology, and business strategy.

To gain more insights into FactSet's investor profile, you might find this resource helpful: Exploring FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) Mission and Values

The company's mission is to provide integrated financial information and analytical applications to the global investment community. Its core values emphasize client service, teamwork, and innovation.

FactSet's Core Purpose

Official mission statement

While a specific official mission statement is not explicitly detailed in recent publicly available documents, FactSet's purpose is understood to revolve around empowering investment professionals with superior data and analytics. This enables them to make critical decisions with confidence. FactSet aims to be the leading provider of insight and information to investment professionals around the world, helping them to see more, know more, and do more.

  • Delivering superior content, analytics, and service experiences.
  • Driving productivity and efficiency for clients.
  • Providing global insights and solutions.

Vision statement

FactSet's vision is to be the world's most valued partner to the global investment community. The company strives to achieve this by:

  • Anticipating and meeting the evolving needs of its clients.
  • Investing in innovative technologies and solutions.
  • Cultivating a culture of excellence and collaboration.

Company slogan/tagline

FactSet does not have a single, consistently used tagline. However, their marketing and communications often highlight themes such as:

  • 'See more. Know more. Do more.' – This encapsulates their commitment to providing comprehensive data and analytics that enable clients to gain deeper insights and make better decisions.
  • 'Powering the future of finance.' – Reflects FactSet's focus on innovation and its role in shaping the evolution of the financial industry.

To gain more in-depth knowledge about FactSet's financial standing, check out this resource: Breaking Down FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) How It Works

FactSet Research Systems Inc. empowers investment professionals with comprehensive data and sophisticated analytics, helping them make informed decisions and gain a competitive edge in the financial markets.

FactSet's Product/Service Portfolio

Product/Service Target Market Key Features
FactSet Workstation Portfolio managers, research analysts, investment bankers Real-time market data, company financials, news, analytics, charting, screening tools, and collaboration platforms.
DataFeeds Hedge funds, quantitative analysts, and other firms requiring large volumes of data Delivery of market data, reference data, company data, and other financial information through APIs and other electronic channels.
Analytics & Trading Solutions Portfolio managers, traders, and risk managers Portfolio analysis, risk management, order management, and trade execution tools.
Research Management Solutions Sell-side and buy-side research firms Tools for managing the research process, including document management, collaboration, and compliance.
Wealth Management Solutions Financial advisors and wealth managers Portfolio management, client reporting, and financial planning tools.

FactSet's Operational Framework

FactSet operates through a multi-faceted framework centered on data aggregation, technology, and client service.

  • Data Collection and Management: FactSet gathers financial and economic data from thousands of sources globally. This data undergoes rigorous quality checks and is standardized for consistency.
  • Technology Infrastructure: The company invests heavily in its technology platform to ensure reliable data delivery, powerful analytics, and seamless integration with client workflows.
  • Product Development: FactSet continuously develops new products and features to meet the evolving needs of its clients. This involves close collaboration with clients to understand their pain points and develop innovative solutions.
  • Client Support: FactSet provides extensive client support, including training, technical assistance, and consulting services. This helps clients maximize the value of FactSet's products and services.
  • Sales and Marketing: FactSet employs a direct sales force to target key accounts and market its products and services. The company also uses online marketing and other channels to reach a broader audience.

To get more insights into FactSet's financial standing, you can check this out: Breaking Down FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors

FactSet's Strategic Advantages

  • Comprehensive Data Coverage: FactSet offers a wide range of financial and economic data, covering global markets and industries.
  • Integrated Platform: FactSet's products and services are integrated into a single platform, providing a seamless user experience.
  • Advanced Analytics: FactSet offers sophisticated analytics tools that help clients gain insights from data.
  • Strong Client Relationships: FactSet has a long history of building strong relationships with its clients.
  • Experienced Management Team: FactSet's management team has a deep understanding of the financial information industry.

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) How It Makes Money

FactSet primarily generates revenue by providing integrated financial information and analytical applications to the global investment community. These services enable investment professionals to analyze markets, portfolios, and individual securities.

FactSet's Revenue Breakdown

FactSet's revenue is divided into geographic segments and various product categories. A detailed breakdown reveals the sources of its income.

Revenue Stream % of Total Growth Trend
Analytics & Trading Solutions Approximately 37% Increasing
Research Solutions Approximately 63% Increasing

FactSet's Business Economics

FactSet's business model is characterized by high recurring revenue and strong client retention.

  • Subscription-Based Model: FactSet operates on a subscription basis, providing users continuous access to its platform and data feeds. This model ensures a predictable and recurring revenue stream.
  • High Client Retention: The company benefits from high client retention rates, driven by the essential nature of its services to financial professionals. This reduces the need for constant client acquisition efforts.
  • Global Reach: FactSet serves clients worldwide, with significant revenue coming from the United States, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. This geographic diversification helps mitigate regional economic risks.
  • Scalability: The digital nature of FactSet's services allows for scalable growth. As the company adds more clients, the incremental cost of serving those clients is relatively low, boosting profitability.

To gain more insights into FactSet's investor profile, check out this resource: Exploring FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

FactSet's Financial Performance

FactSet's financial performance is underpinned by consistent revenue growth, strong profitability, and efficient capital management.

  • Revenue Growth: FactSet has demonstrated consistent revenue growth over the past decade, driven by increased demand for financial data and analytics. The company's ability to adapt to changing market needs and introduce new products has supported this growth.
  • Profitability: FactSet maintains high profit margins due to its subscription-based revenue model and efficient operations. Its gross profit margin typically hovers around 50%, reflecting the value it provides to clients.
  • Cash Flow: FactSet generates strong cash flow from operations, which it uses to reinvest in the business, make acquisitions, and return capital to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.
  • Capital Allocation: FactSet has a disciplined approach to capital allocation, balancing investments in organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and shareholder returns. This financial prudence supports long-term value creation.

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) Market Position & Future Outlook

FactSet is well-positioned in the financial data and analytics market, with a focus on integrating advanced technology to enhance its offerings and expand its global reach, paving the way for sustained growth and a solid competitive stance.

Competitive Landscape

Company Market Share, % Key Advantage
FactSet ~4% Comprehensive data solutions and analytics platforms for financial professionals.
Bloomberg ~33% Extensive global network, real-time data, and a wide range of financial tools.
Refinitiv (London Stock Exchange Group) ~19% Strong in news and data, particularly in fixed income and foreign exchange markets.

Opportunities & Challenges

Opportunities Risks
Expanding its analytics and data solutions to new geographic markets, particularly in Asia-Pacific, where financial markets are rapidly growing. Intense competition from larger, more established players like Bloomberg and Refinitiv, who have greater resources and brand recognition.
Leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance its data offerings and provide more sophisticated analytics to clients. Data security and privacy concerns, particularly with increased regulatory scrutiny over financial data handling and compliance.
Acquiring smaller, innovative companies to integrate new technologies and expand its product offerings. Economic downturns or market volatility, which could reduce demand for financial data and analytics services from key client segments.

Industry Position

  • FactSet operates within the financial information and analytics industry, a sector characterized by intense competition and rapid technological advancements.
  • The company distinguishes itself through its focus on providing integrated data solutions and analytics platforms tailored to specific financial professional needs.
  • FactSet's industry standing is further supported by its strategic investments in technology, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to enhance its product offerings.

For more in-depth insights into FactSet's investor base, explore: Exploring FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

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