Equifax, Inc. (NYSE:EFX) Receives Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Equifax, Inc. (NYSE:EFX) has earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the eighteen brokerages that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $271.1429.

A number of brokerages recently issued reports on EFX. Seaport Research Partners raised Equifax to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 1st. Oppenheimer lowered their target price on shares of Equifax from $271.00 to $266.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Needham & Company LLC reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $295.00 price target on shares of Equifax in a research note on Tuesday, October 21st. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Equifax in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of Equifax from $285.00 to $250.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 3rd.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Equifax

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Country Trust Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Equifax during the second quarter worth about $26,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Equifax during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Caldwell Trust Co purchased a new stake in Equifax during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Spire Wealth Management lifted its holdings in Equifax by 82.9% during the 3rd quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 128 shares of the credit services provider’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 58 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in Equifax in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $34,000. 96.20% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Equifax Stock Down 3.0%

EFX stock opened at $208.07 on Friday. Equifax has a one year low of $199.98 and a one year high of $281.03. The firm has a market cap of $25.47 billion, a PE ratio of 39.48, a PEG ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 1.56. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $215.53 and its 200-day moving average price is $230.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 0.74.

Equifax Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 15th. Investors of record on Monday, November 24th were issued a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 24th. Equifax’s payout ratio is currently 37.95%.

About Equifax

Equifax Inc (NYSE: EFX) is a global data, analytics and technology company that specializes in consumer and commercial credit reporting, decisioning tools and identity solutions. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Equifax is one of the three major consumer credit reporting agencies in the United States and provides credit information and related services to lenders, employers, governments and consumers worldwide.

The company’s offerings include consumer credit reports and scores, credit monitoring and identity protection services, and a range of business-oriented products for risk management, fraud detection and compliance.