Verisk Analytics' Earnings & Revenues Surpass Estimates in Q4

Verisk Analytics Inc. VRSK reported impressive fourth-quarter 2024 results. Both earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate.See the Zacks Earnings Calendar to stay ahead of market-making news.VRSK’s adjusted earnings (excluding 12 cents from non-recurring items) were $1.61 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.6% and growing 15% from the year-ago quarter. Total revenues of $735.6 million beat the consensus estimate marginally and increased 8.6% on a year-over-year basis.VRSK shares have rallied 20.8% year over year, outperforming the industry’s 18.6% growth and the Zacks S&P 500 composite’s 18.2% rise.Verisk Analytics, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise Verisk Analytics, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Verisk Analytics, Inc. QuoteQuarterly Details of Verisk AnalyticsUnderwriting and Rating revenues saw a year-over-year increase of 6.9% on a reported basis and 7% at organic constant currency (OCC) to $512 million, missing our estimate of $514.6 million. Claim revenues grew 13.1% on a reported basis and 12.7% at OCC to $224 million and beat our projection of $214.6 million.Adjusted EBITDA gained 9.9% from the year-ago quarter on a reported basis and 13.5% at OCC to $398 million, missing our estimate of $412.7 million. The adjusted EBITDA margin was 54.1%, increasing from the year-ago quarter’s 56.6%.Verisk Analytics exited the reported quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $291.2 million compared with $302.7 million at the end of the fourth quarter of 2023. The long-term debt was $2.6 billion compared with $2.9 billion in the December-end quarter of 2023.Net cash utilized from operating activities was $255 million. The free cash flow used during the quarter was $200 million. The company repurchased shares worth $300 million in the quarter and returned $54.7 million as dividends to shareholders.VRSK’s FY25 GuidanceFor fiscal 2025, Verisk Analytics expects revenues in the band of $3.03-$3.08 billion. The midpoint of the guided range (3.06 billion) is below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.09 billion. Adjusted EBITDA is expected in the range of $1.67-$1.72 billion. The adjusted EBITDA margin is anticipated to be 55-55.8%. Adjusted EPS growth is expected between $6.8 and $7.10. The midpoint ($6.95) of the company’s guided range is lower than the consensus estimate for EPS of $7.25.Verisk carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) at present.You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.Recent Earnings SnapshotBroadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. BR reported impressive second-quarter fiscal 2025 results, as earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate.BR’s adjusted earnings of $1.6 per share outpaced the consensus mark by 12.2% and increased 69.6% from the year-ago quarter. Total revenues of $1.6 billion surpassed the consensus mark by 3% and rose 12.8% year over year.Automatic Data Processing, Inc. ADP reported impressive second-quarter fiscal 2025 results. Both earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate.ADP’s earnings per share of $2.4 beat the consensus estimate by 3.5% and increased 10.3% from the year-ago quarter. Total revenues of $5 billion surpassed the consensus estimate by 1.6% and grew 8.2% on a year-over-year basis.Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.This top pick is among the most innovative financial firms. With a fast-growing customer base (already 50+ million) and a diverse set of cutting edge solutions, this stock is poised for big gains. Of course, all our elite picks aren’t winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Nano-X Imaging which shot up +129.6% in little more than 9 months.Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners UpWant the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (BR): Free Stock Analysis Report Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP): Free Stock Analysis Report Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks