Estimates have been surging for Equifax Inc. (EFX) after the company delivered strong fourth quarter results on February 8.
It is a Zacks #2 Rank (Buy) stock.
Based on current consensus estimates, analysts project 12% EPS growth this year and 11% growth next year. This is in-line with management’s target EPS growth rate between 10-13% over the next three years.
On top of this, the company pays a dividend that yields a solid 1.5%.
Company Description
Equifax is one of the three major consumer credit reporting agencies in the United States. It was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. It has a market cap of $5 billion.
Fourth Quarter Results
Equifax reported better than expected results for the fourth quarter on February 8. Earnings per share came in at 68 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. It was a 10% increase over the same quarter in 2010.
Revenue rose 10% to $509.7 million, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $502.0 million. This was driven in large part by a 13% increase in Total U.S. Consumer Information Solutions.
Meanwhile, the operating margin expanded from 22.8% of revenue to 24.7% in the quarter.
Outlook
Following strong Q4 results, analysts raised their estimates significantly higher for both 2012 and 2013, sending the stock to a Zacks #2 Rank (Buy).
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2012 is now $2.82, representing 12% growth over 2011 EPS. The 2013 consensus estimate is currently $3.13, corresponding with 11% growth.
This is in-line with the company’s 3-year target of 10-13% EPS growth on revenue growth of 7-10% with steady margin expansion and financial leverage.
Dividend
Equifax also offers a dividend that yields a solid 1.5%.
After holding its quarterly dividend steady at 4 cents per share for several years, Equifax boosted it to 16 cents in late 2010.
Although shares are up 7% since the company reported its fourth quarter results, the valuation picture still looks reasonable. Shares trade at 14.9x 12-month forward earnings, in-line with its historical median.
And its price to book ratio of 3.0 is well below its 10-year median of 5.1.
The Bottom Line
With strong EPS growth forecasts, rising estimates, a solid dividend and reasonable valuation, Equifax offers attractive total return potential.
Todd Bunton is the Growth & Income Stock Strategist for Zacks Investment Research and Co-Editor of the Reitmeister Value Investor.
