FactSet Research Systems Q4 Profit Up - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Financial data provider FactSet Research Systems, Inc.'s (FDS) fourth-quarter net income rose to $55.4 million, or $1.31 per share, from $51.0 million, or $1.16 per share, a year ago. On average, 15 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings per share of $1.30 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude one-time items.

For the quarter, revenues advanced 9% year-over-year to $238.7 million from the prior year's $219.33 million, while 13 analysts projected $236.90 million in revenues. Included in this total was $3.7 million from acquisitions completed since September 2013.

Operating income was $79.4 million for the recent quarter, compared with $70.5 million, in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted operating income increased 8%. Last year's adjusted operating income excludes a non-cash pre-tax charge of $2.6 million for stock-based compensation related mainly to vesting of performance-based options granted.

Annual Subscription Value or ASV totaled $963.6 million at August 31, 2014, up 7.3% organically over the prior year and increased $31.6 million over the last three months.

Looking ahead to the first quarter of fiscal 2015, earnings per share is likely to range between $1.31 and $1.33. The lapse in the U.S. Federal R&D tax credit reduces the first quarter's EPS range by $0.02 compared to the just completed fourth quarter. Revenues are expected to range between $240 million and $243 million. Analysts project first-quarter earnings of $1.34 per share and revenues of $241.43 million.