Verisk Analytics (NASDAQ:VRSK) Stock Price Target Lowered at Morgan Stanley

Verisk Analytics (NASDAQ:VRSK) had its price target cut by investment analysts at Morgan Stanley from $235.00 to $215.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an “equal weight” rating on the business services provider’s stock. Morgan Stanley’s price objective would suggest a potential upside of 21.41% from the stock’s current price.

A number of other analysts also recently weighed in on VRSK. Rothschild & Co Redburn set a $185.00 price objective on Verisk Analytics and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, June 18th. Barclays cut their target price on Verisk Analytics from $275.00 to $225.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, September 8th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Verisk Analytics from $240.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, July 30th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $217.00 price target on shares of Verisk Analytics in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, UBS Group increased their price target on Verisk Analytics from $220.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Verisk Analytics currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $224.79.

Verisk Analytics Stock Down 0.2%

NASDAQ VRSK traded down $0.40 on Tuesday, hitting $177.09. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 375,746 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,914,898. Verisk Analytics has a 1-year low of $155.94 and a 1-year high of $245.68. The company’s 50-day moving average is $179.96 and its 200 day moving average is $181.01. The firm has a market cap of $23.05 billion, a PE ratio of 27.21, a PEG ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.69.

Verisk Analytics (NASDAQ:VRSK) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The business services provider reported $1.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.93 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $806.30 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $804.02 million. Verisk Analytics had a net margin of 28.24% and a negative return on equity of 239.55%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.88 earnings per share. Verisk Analytics has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.450-7.750 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Verisk Analytics will post 7.71 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Kathy Beckles sold 2,020 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $195.49, for a total transaction of $394,889.80. Following the transaction, the insider owned 11,516 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,251,262.84. This represents a 14.92% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Elizabeth Mann sold 400 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $184.91, for a total transaction of $73,964.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 17,984 shares in the company, valued at $3,325,421.44. This trade represents a 2.18% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 15,925 shares of company stock worth $3,074,216. 0.52% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Verisk Analytics

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB grew its stake in Verisk Analytics by 14.0% in the second quarter. MassMutual Private Wealth & Trust FSB now owns 497 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $89,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its holdings in shares of Verisk Analytics by 47.8% during the third quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 204 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its holdings in shares of Verisk Analytics by 1.2% during the first quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 6,647 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $1,220,000 after acquiring an additional 78 shares in the last quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Verisk Analytics by 6.8% during the first quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,239 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $235,000 after purchasing an additional 79 shares during the period. Finally, Koshinski Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Verisk Analytics by 1.5% during the first quarter. Koshinski Asset Management Inc. now owns 5,662 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $1,074,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares during the period. 90.00% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Verisk Analytics

Verisk Analytics, Inc is a data analytics and technology company that provides information, software and predictive insights primarily to the insurance industry. Its solutions help insurers assess risk, support underwriting, manage claims, detect fraud and improve pricing and operational decision-making across property and casualty, life and specialty insurance markets.

The company’s offerings include industry data and standardized insurance information through its ISO business, catastrophe modeling and risk analytics through Extreme Event Solutions and AIR Worldwide, and property estimating and claims-management tools through Xactware.