/Verisk%20Analytics%20Inc%20logo%20magnified-by%20Casimiro%20PT%20via%20Shutterstock.jpg)
Valued at $40.5 billion by market cap, New Jersey-based Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK) stands at the forefront of data analytics and technology, delivering strategic insights to the global insurance industry. By empowering clients to enhance operational efficiency, improve underwriting and claims outcomes, and tackle fraud, Verisk helps companies navigate complex risks, from climate change and extreme events to sustainability and political challenges.
Companies worth $10 billion or more are generally described as “large-cap” stocks, and Verisk fits right into that category, with its market cap exceeding this threshold. With cutting-edge data analytics, software solutions, scientific research, and a deep industry understanding, Verisk is building resilience for individuals, communities, and businesses worldwide. The company’s operations are spread across more than 20 countries.
Shares of this analytics company have pulled back only 4% from its November highs of $296.58. Over the past three months, VRSK stock is up roughly 4.3%, lagging behind the broader Nasdaq Composite’s ($NASX) 16.9% gains during the same time frame.
In the longer term, VRSK’s stock is up roughly 22.3% over the past 52 weeks and 19.3% on a YTD basis, lagging behind NASX’s healthy 37% annual gain and 31.5% return on a YTD basis.
Nevertheless, the stock has remained above its 200-day moving average since early February and is also trading above its 50-day moving average over the same time frame despite some fluctuations in between.
On Oct. 30, shares of Verisk took off more than 4% after the company dropped its stronger-than-expected Q3 earnings report. The company’s revenue of $725.3 million climbed 7% year over year, which was slightly better than Wall Street’s forecasted figure of $723 million. In addition, the company’s adjusted EPS of $1.67 improved by 9% annually, soaring beyond estimates by 4.2%.
To emphasize VRSK’s underperformance, its rival TransUnion (TRU) has delivered notable returns of 56.8% over the past 52 weeks and 43% on a YTD basis.
Given the stock’s relative underperformance, Wall Street remains cautiously optimistic on VRSK. The stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the 17 analysts covering it, and the mean price target of $298 suggests a 4.6% premium to its current levels.
