SCHEDULE 13G/A: BlackRock Boosts FactSet Stake to 7.2%
Beneficial Ownership Report
BlackRock, Inc. has reported a 7.2% beneficial ownership stake in FactSet Research Systems Inc. common stock as of December 31, 2025.
Summary
- BlackRock, Inc. filed an Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G, disclosing its ownership in FactSet Research Systems Inc.
- As of December 31, 2025, BlackRock beneficially owned 2,677,198 shares of FactSet's Common Stock.
- This ownership represents 7.2% of the total outstanding shares of the class.
- BlackRock holds sole voting power over 2,545,111 shares and sole dispositive power over 2,677,198 shares.
- The securities were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business, not for the purpose of changing or influencing control of FactSet.
- Several BlackRock subsidiaries are identified as having beneficial ownership, with BlackRock Fund Managers Ltd. specifically noted as beneficially owning 5% or greater of the outstanding shares.
Sentiment
Score: 7
Explanation: The filing indicates a significant, passive institutional investment by BlackRock in FactSet, suggesting confidence in the company's long-term prospects without implying any immediate operational changes or financial distress. This is generally a positive signal for the issuer.
Positives
- BlackRock, a major institutional investor, holds a significant stake (7.2%) in FactSet, indicating confidence in the company.
- The acquisition is stated to be in the ordinary course of business, suggesting a passive, long-term investment strategy rather than an activist play.
Future Outlook
This filing, a routine ownership disclosure, does not contain forward-looking statements or guidance from FactSet Research Systems Inc. regarding its operations or financial performance.
Management Comments
- BlackRock, Inc. certifies that the securities were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and not for the purpose or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of FactSet Research Systems Inc.
Industry Context
This filing indicates continued institutional interest in FactSet Research Systems, a leading provider of financial data and analytics. Large stakes by firms like BlackRock are common for established companies in the financial technology sector, reflecting their inclusion in various investment funds and indices.
Comparison to Industry Standards
- BlackRock's 7.2% stake in FactSet is a significant passive investment, typical for large asset managers holding positions across numerous public companies.
- This level of ownership is comparable to stakes held by other major institutional investors (e.g., Vanguard, State Street) in similar financial data and software providers like S&P Global or MSCI.
- The 'ordinary course of business' certification aligns with standard passive investment strategies of large index or actively managed funds.
Corporate Governance
| Change Type | Description | Effective Date | Impact Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power of Attorney Update (BlackRock, Inc.) | BlackRock, Inc. updated its Power of Attorney, appointing several individuals to execute documents related to ownership or control-person reporting requirements. This revokes a previous Power of Attorney dated April 30, 2023. | 2025-01-21 | Streamlines BlackRock's internal process for SEC and other regulatory filings, ensuring authorized individuals can act on its behalf for ownership disclosures. |
Stakeholder Impact
- Shareholders: Increased institutional ownership by BlackRock may be viewed positively, potentially signaling stability and long-term confidence in FactSet.
Key Dates
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 2023-04-30 | Previous Power of Attorney date for BlackRock, now revoked. |
| 2025-01-21 | Effective date of BlackRock's new Power of Attorney. |
| 2025-12-31 | Date of event which requires filing of this statement (reporting period end date). |
| 2026-01-21 | Date of filing/signature date for the Schedule 13G. |
Recommendation
holdThis Schedule 13G filing indicates a significant, passive stake by BlackRock in FactSet Research Systems Inc. While a large institutional holding can be seen as a vote of confidence, this is a routine disclosure for a major asset manager and does not provide new fundamental information about FactSet's operational performance, strategic direction, or valuation that would warrant a change from a 'hold' position. Investors should continue to monitor FactSet's financial results and market position.
Keywords
FactSet Research Systems, BlackRock, Institutional Ownership, Schedule 13G, Common Stock, Investment, Financial Data, Market Data
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