Shares of market data vendor FactSet Research Systems, Inc. (FDS) increased again in the fourth quarter, as the company’s organic growth rate accelerated and its customer and seat count additions exceeded expectations. We believe FactSet will continue to take share across all markets, generate strong cash flow, and return it aggressively to shareholders. While end market conditions have been challenging since 2008, we see meaningful acceleration in FactSet’s buy side customer base and improving conditions on the sell side, which should be an added tailwind to growth. (Neal Rosenberg)
From Ron Baron (Trades, Portfolio)’s Baron Growth Fund Q4 2014 Quarterly Report.
The Fund took advantage of market volatility to add to its position in market data vendor FactSet Research Systems, Inc (FDS). We believe FactSet is serving less than 5% of its addressable market. Through investments in new product development and sales resources, the company is expanding beyond its roots in equity security and portfolio analysis to address new workflows and users, notably in fixed income, wealth management, risk management, and data feeds. We believe FactSet will take share across all of its markets, given its best-in-class product offering, a unique array of portfolio analysis capabilities, and industry-leading customer service. FactSet has an outstanding financial model, with 95% retention rates, high margins, and strong cash flow generation, which is returned to shareholders through aggressive share repurchases and a growing dividend. (Neal Rosenberg)
From Ron Baron (Trades, Portfolio)'s Baron Partners Fund Fourth Quarter 2014 Commentary.
