Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC Takes Position in Equifax Inc. (NYSE:EFX)

Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Equifax Inc. (NYSE:EFX - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 92,131 shares of the credit services provider's stock, valued at approximately $23,480,000. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC owned 0.07% of Equifax at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in EFX. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Equifax in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Central Pacific Bank Trust Division acquired a new position in shares of Equifax in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Spire Wealth Management increased its stake in shares of Equifax by 98.7% in the fourth quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 151 shares of the credit services provider's stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 75 shares during the period. Generali Asset Management SPA SGR acquired a new position in shares of Equifax in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $39,000. Finally, Atala Financial Inc acquired a new stake in Equifax during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $49,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.20% of the company's stock.

Equifax Stock Up 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE:EFX traded up $2.64 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $258.97. 848,799 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 965,324. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 0.75 and a quick ratio of 0.88. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $236.60 and a 200-day moving average price of $253.32. The company has a market cap of $32.16 billion, a PE ratio of 53.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 1.65. Equifax Inc. has a 12 month low of $199.98 and a 12 month high of $309.63.

Equifax (NYSE:EFX - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 22nd. The credit services provider reported $1.53 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.45 by $0.08. Equifax had a net margin of 10.63% and a return on equity of 19.13%. The company had revenue of $1.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.41 billion. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Equifax Inc. will post 7.58 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Equifax Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 23rd will be given a $0.50 dividend. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.77%. This is an increase from Equifax's previous quarterly dividend of $0.39. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 23rd. Equifax's dividend payout ratio is presently 40.90%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently commented on EFX. UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of Equifax from $335.00 to $310.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Oppenheimer dropped their target price on shares of Equifax from $286.00 to $279.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, February 7th. William Blair restated an "outperform" rating on shares of Equifax in a report on Friday, February 7th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on shares of Equifax from $340.00 to $300.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. Finally, Argus lowered shares of Equifax from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Equifax presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $292.00.

Equifax Profile

Equifax Inc operates as a data, analytics, and technology company. The company operates through three segments: Workforce Solutions, U.S. Information Solutions (USIS), and International. The Workforce Solutions segment offers services that enables customers to verify income, employment, educational history, criminal justice data, healthcare professional licensure, and sanctions of people in the United States; and employer customers with services that assist them in complying with and automating payroll-related and human resource management processes throughout the entire cycle of the employment relationship.