FactSet Research Systems Declares Three-for-Two Stock Split and Increa

    Business Editors

    NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2005--FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE: FDS), a major supplier of computer-based financial and economic data to the investment community, today announced that its Board of Directors approved a three-for-two stock split of the company's shares of Common Stock and declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share on the post-split shares, up from $0.047 per share post-split.
    The three-for-two Common Stock split will be effected as a stock dividend. The Common Stock split will be distributed on February 4, 2005 to Common Stockholders of record at the close of business on January 21, 2005. As a result of the three-for-two Common Stock split, the company's outstanding shares of Common Stock will increase 50% from 32.0 million shares to approximately 48.0 million shares.
    The regular quarterly cash dividend will be paid on March 21, 2005 to Common Stockholders of record at the close of business on February 28, 2005.
    FactSet also announced today that Ernest Wong, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary, will be stepping down in March 2005. Until that time, he will remain in office and will continue to exercise full responsibility. Succeeding Mr. Wong as CFO will be Peter G. Walsh, FactSet's Vice President and Regional Manager of the U.S. Southeast Region.
    "In nearly nine years with the company, Ernest has made significant contributions to the success of FactSet," said Philip A. Hadley, Chairman and CEO. "As an important member of our management team, Ernest played a key role in our initial public offering, oversaw several acquisitions, and helped the company achieve considerable growth in revenue and profitability. He will be greatly missed at FactSet."
    "It has been a real pleasure to work with such a committed group of people here at FactSet and to watch the success of our efforts," said Mr. Wong. "I have enjoyed my tenure at the company, and I have been very fortunate to build the finance and administrative operations. Taking on a new challenge at this time is a natural progression in my career. Having worked directly with Peter for five years, I believe he has the experience and acumen to serve as an excellent CFO for FactSet."
    Mr. Walsh, age 39, joined the company's finance group in 1996 as Vice President, Planning and Control, and held the position of Vice President, Director of Finance from 1999 to 2001. To gain a broader understanding of FactSet's operations, in 2001, Mr. Walsh assumed his current position of Regional Manager responsible for sales and consulting services to investment managers and investment banks in the U.S. Southeast Region. Prior to joining FactSet, he held several positions at Arthur Andersen & Co. A graduate of Fairfield University with a B.S. degree in Accounting, Mr. Walsh is a CFA charterholder and a CPA licensed in the state of New York.
    The company also affirmed today its previously issued guidance for the second quarter of fiscal 2005, with revenues expected to range between $75.0 million and $77.0 million, operating margins between 34% and 35%, and the effective tax rate between 36.7% and 37.3%. Capital expenditures for the full 2005 fiscal year should total approximately $22 million.

    About FactSet

    FactSet Research Systems Inc. (http://www.FactSet.com) is a leading provider of global financial and economic information, including fundamental data on tens of thousands of companies worldwide. Combining more than 200 databases into its own dedicated online service, the Company also provides the tools to download, combine, and manipulate the data for investment analysis.
    The Company, headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, was formed in 1978 and now conducts operations, along with its affiliates, from over twenty-two locations worldwide, including Boston, New York, Chicago, San Mateo, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Sydney.

    IR_FDS

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CONTACT: FactSet Research Systems Ernest Wong/Peter Walsh 203-810-1606

KEYWORD: CONNECTICUT INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING SOFTWARE INTERNET E-COMMERCE MANAGEMENT CHANGES DIVIDEND SOURCE: FactSet Research Systems Inc.

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