Equifax Exceeds Q4 Earnings, Raises Annual Profit Forecast
Equifax Inc. shares rose by 5.03% as the stock crossed above its 5-day SMA, reflecting positive investor sentiment following the company's strong earnings report.
Equifax reported an adjusted EPS of $2.09 for Q4, exceeding analyst expectations of $2.05, and raised its annual revenue forecast to between $6.66 billion and $6.78 billion for 2023, surpassing Wall Street's estimate of $6.59 billion. The company also noted a 20% increase in U.S. mortgage revenue, indicating robust performance amid high interest rates and a resilient labor market. This strong financial performance has boosted investor confidence, contributing to the stock's upward movement.
The implications of Equifax's strong earnings and optimistic outlook for 2023 suggest a solid foundation for future growth, particularly in the mortgage segment. The company's strategic initiatives to enhance its credit score offerings may further strengthen its market position.
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- Strong Earnings Report: Equifax reported an adjusted EPS of $2.09 for Q4, surpassing market expectations of $2.05, indicating robust profitability that boosts investor confidence.
- Sales Growth: The company's quarterly sales reached $1.551 billion, exceeding the anticipated $1.527 billion, demonstrating Equifax's sustained competitiveness in the market, which contributed to its stock price increase.
- Future Outlook: Equifax projects FY2026 adjusted EPS between $8.30 and $8.70, slightly below the market estimate of $8.74, while forecasting sales of $6.660 billion to $6.780 billion, indicating stable growth potential.
- Analyst Rating Adjustments: Following the earnings announcement, Needham's Kyle Peterson maintained a Buy rating but lowered the price target from $295 to $265, while Morgan Stanley's Toni Kaplan kept an Overweight rating, reducing the target from $269 to $244, reflecting a cautious market sentiment regarding Equifax's future performance.
- Acquisition Agreement: Texas Instruments is set to acquire Silicon Labs for $231 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at $7.5 billion, which not only boosts Silicon Labs' market valuation but also enhances Texas Instruments' competitive edge in the semiconductor sector.
- Positive Market Reaction: Following the acquisition announcement, Silicon Labs' stock surged by 49%, indicating strong investor confidence in the deal and reflecting optimistic expectations for consolidation within the semiconductor industry.
- Strong Earnings Performance: Silicon Labs reported an adjusted EPS of 56 cents for Q4, slightly above the consensus estimate of 55 cents, demonstrating stable financial performance that enhances the attractiveness of the acquisition.
- Industry Consolidation Trend: This acquisition represents a strategic move for Texas Instruments to expand its product line and signifies an acceleration in semiconductor industry consolidation, potentially triggering more similar deals that could reshape the market landscape.
- Q1 2026 Expectations: Equifax anticipates adjusted earnings per share between $1.63 and $1.73 for Q1 2026, with revenue projected at $1.597 billion to $1.627 billion, indicating a cautiously optimistic outlook for the market.
- Annual Financial Outlook: The company projects adjusted earnings per share of $8.30 to $8.70 for fiscal 2026, with revenue expected between $6.660 billion and $6.780 billion, reflecting a positive outlook for future market conditions.
- Comparison to 2025: In Q1 2025, Equifax recorded adjusted earnings of $1.53 per share and revenue of $1.442 billion, demonstrating ongoing growth in both revenue and profitability.
- Market Reaction: EFX shares rose by 0.02% to $175 in pre-market trading on the New York Stock Exchange, indicating investor optimism regarding the company's future prospects.
- Upgraded Profit Forecast: Equifax anticipates annual revenue between $6.66 billion and $6.78 billion for 2023, surpassing Wall Street's expectation of $6.59 billion, indicating robust performance amid high interest rates.
- Mortgage Segment Growth: The company reported a 20% increase in U.S. mortgage revenue for Q4, reflecting a rebound in loan demand supported by a resilient labor market and economy, which boosts the need for credit scores and risk assessments.
- Competitive Strategy: Equifax plans to expand its VantageScore mortgage credit score offerings to counter FICO's strategy of selling credit scores directly to lenders, aiming to enhance market share and achieve margin expansion.
- Quarterly Performance Exceeds Expectations: The company posted an adjusted earnings per share of $2.09 for Q4, beating analyst expectations of $2.05, with quarterly revenue reaching $1.55 billion, also above the projected $1.53 billion, showcasing strong financial performance.
- Earnings Highlights: Equifax reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of $1.44, missing expectations by $0.23, yet achieved revenue of $1.55 billion, a 9.2% year-over-year increase, beating estimates by $20 million, indicating resilience in revenue growth.
- Future Guidance: The company issued a midpoint revenue guidance for FY2026 at $6.72 billion, projecting a growth of approximately 10.5%, with organic revenue growth around 10%, reflecting Equifax's confidence in future market conditions despite challenges in the mortgage sector.
- Market Assumptions: The FY2026 guidance assumes a low single-digit decline in the U.S. mortgage market and that 100% of mortgage credit scores will be FICO scores, indicating a cautious outlook that may impact future performance.
- Market Reaction: Despite a positive Q4 outlook, Equifax's stock faces long-term headwinds, particularly after senators warned against Medicaid profiteering, highlighting market concerns regarding the company's growth trajectory.











