FactSet Research Systems Reports 22 Percent Revenue Growth for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2007


NORWALK, Conn., Sept. 25, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS), a leading provider of integrated financial information and analytical applications to the global investment community, today announced its results for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007.

For the quarter ended August 31, 2007, revenues increased to $129.5 million, up 23.1% compared to the prior year. On a constant currency basis, revenue growth was 22.2%. Operating income for the fourth quarter rose 28.2% to $42.7 million from $33.3 million in the same period of fiscal 2006. Net income advanced to $30.7 million as compared to $23.4 million a year ago. Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.60, up from $0.46 in the same period of fiscal 2006. Included in the just completed fourth quarter were income tax benefits of $1.1 million or $0.02 per diluted share related to prior periods, as FactSet began to include a benefit from the repatriation of foreign earnings to the U.S. The fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 included income tax benefits of $1.4 million or $0.03 per share primarily from the conclusion of an audit of the Company's U.S. federal income tax returns for fiscal years 2003 and 2004.



 Consolidated Statements of Income
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 (Condensed and
  Unaudited)         Three Months Ended         Twelve Months Ended
                         August 31,                  August 31,
                 -------------------------   -------------------------
 (In thousands,
  except per
  share data)      2007      2006   Change     2007      2006   Change
  -------------    ----      ----   ------     ----      ----   ------
 Revenues        $129,532  $105,216  23.1%   $475,801  $387,350  22.8%
 Total operating
  expenses         86,864    71,928  20.8%    320,710   266,062  20.5%
 Income from
  operations       42,668    33,288  28.2%    155,091   121,288  27.9%
 Net income        30,716    23,443  31.0%    109,567    82,916  32.1%
 Diluted earnings
  per common
  share             $0.60     $0.46  30.4%      $2.14     $1.64  30.5%
 Diluted weighted
  average common
  shares           51,076    50,884            51,284    50,592
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Philip A. Hadley, Chairman and CEO said, "We are pleased to mark another milestone during the fourth quarter by surpassing $500 million in subscriptions. Our broad-based growth continued during the quarter and was the key to accelerating our revenue growth rate 200 basis points to 22% during fiscal 2007."

Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights

Subscriptions increased $27.7 million during the quarter and were up $27.0 million excluding currency. On a constant currency basis, subscriptions advanced $92.5 million over the last twelve months, up 21.9% and were $516.9 million as of August 31, 2007. Of this total, subscriptions from FactSet's domestic operations were $359.9 million, while overseas operations were $157.0 million. Demand for FactSet's services continued unabated. Users rose to 35,000, up from 33,300 at the beginning of the quarter. Client count was 1,953 as of August 31, a net increase of 39 clients during the quarter.

"Subscriptions" at any given point in time represent the forward-looking revenues for the next 12 months from all subscription services currently being supplied to clients.

Other financial and operational highlights of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 include:



 * Client retention rate remained above 95%.
 * U.S. revenues were $91.1 million for the three months ended
   August 31, 2007. Excluding non-subscription revenues, the growth
   rate was 22.0%.
 * Revenues from non-U.S. operations increased 23.9% to $38.4 million.
   On a constant currency basis and excluding non-subscription
   revenues, revenues from non-U.S. operations advanced 21.6%.
 * Non-subscription revenues were $2.4 million, including workstations
   used by summer interns (see page 7)
 * 540 clients, consisting of 4,700 users, subscribed to the PA 2.0
   application at quarter-end.
 * Free cash flow was $43.0 million, up 45% over the year ago quarter.
 * Capital expenditures, net of landlord contributions for
   construction, were $11.4 million.  Expenditures for computer
   equipment were $6.4 million and the remainder was for office space
   expansion.
 * In August 2007, the Company granted 1.5 million employee stock
   options. Like fiscal 2006, up to 63% of the options granted vest if
   performance metrics are achieved in future fiscal years.
   Achievement of performance criteria could result in incremental
   stock option expense in future quarters.
 * The Company repurchased 726,000 shares for $46.0 million. At
   August 31, 2007, $57.2 million is authorized for future
   repurchases. Common shares outstanding at August 31, 2007 was
   48.3 million.
 * The Company paid its quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per share on
   September 18, 2007 to holders of record of FactSet's common stock
   on August 31, 2007.

 Fiscal 2007 Highlights
 * Revenues increased 22.8% to $475.8 million.
 * Net income grew 32.1% to $109.6 million.
 * Diluted earnings per share increased 30.5% to $2.14.
 * Free cash flow for fiscal 2007 was $116.7 million, up 20% over the
   prior year.
 * Employee count as of August 31, 2007 was 1,653, up 23% since the
   beginning of the fiscal year.
 * FactSet increased its quarterly dividend 100% from $0.06 to $0.12
   per share in May 2007.
 * Capital expenditures, net of $2.9 million of landlord
   contributions, were $36.4 million for fiscal 2007.
 * New lease agreements were executed to support operations in
   New York, Virginia, London and Connecticut. In New York, five
   office locations were consolidated into one.
 * Joseph R. Zimmel, a retired Managing Director of Goldman, Sachs &
   Co., was elected to FactSet's Board of Directors.

Business Outlook

The following forward-looking statements reflect FactSet's expectations as of September 25, 2007. Given the number of risk factors, uncertainties and assumptions discussed below, actual results may differ materially. The Company does not intend to update its forward-looking statements until its next quarterly results announcement, other than in publicly available statements.



 First Quarter Fiscal 2008 Expectations
 * Revenues are expected to range between $131 million and
   $135 million. This includes a $1.2 million reduction primarily from
   workstations sold to summer interns only in the fourth quarter.
 * Operating margins are expected to range between 31.5% and 33.0%.
 * The effective tax rate is expected to range between 34.0% and
   35.0%.

Full Year Fiscal 2008

Capital expenditures, net of landlord contributions, are expected to range between $38 million and $44 million. This includes the enhancement of FactSet's data centers by upgrading to Hewlett Packard Integrity mainframes.

Forward looking statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the Company's strategy for growth, product development, market position, subscriptions, expected expenditures and financial results are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "expected," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "projects," "should," "indicates," "continues," "subscriptions" and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in FactSet's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly its latest annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to, the stability of global securities markets; the ability to hire qualified personnel; the maintenance of the Company's leading technological position; the impact of global market trends on the Company's revenue growth rate and future results of operations; the negotiation of contract terms with corporate vendors, data suppliers and potential landlords; the retention of key clients; the successful resolution of ongoing audits by tax authorities; the continued employment of key personnel; the absence of U.S. or foreign governmental regulation restricting international business; and the sustainability of historical levels of profitability and growth rates in cash flow generation.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call today, September 25, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. (EDT) to review the fourth quarter fiscal 2007 earnings release. To listen, please visit the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.factset.com.

About FactSet

FactSet Research Systems Inc. combines integrated financial information, analytical applications, and client service to enhance the workflow and productivity of the global investment community. The Company, headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, was formed in 1978 and now conducts operations along with its affiliates from more than twenty-two locations worldwide, including Boston, New York, Chicago, San Mateo, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Milan, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Sydney.



 FactSet Research Systems Inc.
 Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

                                              August 31,  August 31,
 (In thousands and unaudited)                      2007        2006
                                                   ----        ----

 ASSETS
 Cash and cash equivalents                       $168,834    $126,549
 Investments                                       17,388      16,641
 Receivables from clients and clearing broker,
  net                                              59,579      59,190
 Deferred taxes                                     2,808       1,600       
 Other current assets                               3,723       3,000
                                                 --------    --------
   Total current assets                           252,332     206,980 
 Property, equipment, and leasehold improvements,
  net                                              78,945      59,812
 Goodwill                                         146,187     141,354
 Intangible assets, net                            36,789      43,074 
 Deferred taxes                                     7,211       3,554
 Other assets                                       2,286       2,454
                                                 --------    --------
     Total assets                                $523,750    $457,228
                                                 ========    ========

 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 Accounts payable and accrued expenses            $23,461     $18,110
 Accrued compensation                              30,105      21,407
 Deferred fees                                     25,730      25,322      
 Dividends payable                                  5,802       2,933
 Taxes payable                                      5,552       9,689
 Note payable                                          --       1,840
                                                 --------    --------
   Total current liabilities                       90,650      79,301
 Deferred taxes                                     6,450       8,536
 Deferred rent and other non-current liabilities   17,339      10,703
                                                 --------    --------
     Total liabilities                            114,439      98,540

 Stockholders' Equity
  Common stock                                        562         554
  Capital in excess of par value                  162,561     130,033
  Retained earnings                               469,880     377,846
  Treasury stock                                 (233,372)   (153,073)
  Accumulated other comprehensive income            9,680       3,328
                                                 --------    --------
   Total stockholders' equity                     409,311     358,688
                                                 --------    --------
     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $523,750    $457,228
                                                 ========    ========


 FactSet Research Systems Inc.
 Consolidated Statements of Income

                              Three Months Ended   Twelve Months Ended
                                  August 31,            August 31,
 (In thousands, except per
  share data and unaudited)    2007      2006        2007       2006
                               ----      ----        ----       ----

 Revenues                    $129,532   $105,216   $475,801   $387,350

 Operating expenses
   Cost of services            41,697     32,623    152,797    121,352
   Selling, general and
    administrative             45,167     39,305    167,913    144,710
                             --------   --------   --------   --------

 Total operating expenses      86,864     71,928    320,710    266,062
                             --------   --------   --------   --------

 Income from operations        42,668     33,288    155,091    121,288

 Other income                   2,358      1,420      7,785      4,744      
                             --------   --------   --------   --------

 Income before income taxes    45,026     34,708    162,876    126,032

 Provision for income taxes    14,310     11,265     53,309     43,116
                             --------   --------   --------   --------

 Net income                   $30,716    $23,443   $109,567    $82,916
                             ========   ========   ========   ========

 Basic earnings per common
  share                         $0.63      $0.48      $2.24      $1.70
                             ========   ========   ========   ========

 Diluted earnings per common
  share                         $0.60      $0.46      $2.14      $1.64
                             ========   ========   ========   ========

 Weighted average common
  shares (Basic)               48,669     48,959     48,873     48,688
                             ========   ========   ========   ========

 Weighted average common
  shares (Diluted)             51,076     50,884     51,284     50,592
                             ========   ========   ========   ========


 FactSet Research Systems Inc.
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows            Twelve Months Ended
                                                       August 31,
 (In thousands and unaudited)                      2007        2006
                                                   ----        ----
 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 Net income                                      $109,567     $82,916
 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
  cash provided by operating activities
   Depreciation and amortization                   28,560      24,256
   Stock-based compensation expense                 9,163       8,391
   Deferred income taxes                           (7,189)        505
   Net gain realized on sale of
    available-for-sale securities                     (62)         --
   Gain on sale of Company-owned real estate           --      (1,342)
 Changes in assets and liabilities, net of
  effects of acquisitions
   Receivables from clients and clearing
    broker, net                                      (249)     (4,008)
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses            5,213      (2,997)
   Accrued compensation                             8,523       1,163
   Deferred fees                                        1       6,032
   Taxes payable                                   (4,153)      3,497
   Deferred rent                                    3,559       1,169
   Landlord contributions                           2,892         548
   Other working capital accounts, net                123         692
                                                 --------    ---------
 Net cash provided by operating activities        155,948     120,822

 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired       --     (28,280)
 Proceeds from sales of investments                17,213      83,683
 Purchases of investments                         (17,955)    (83,745)
 Proceeds from sale of Company-owned real estate       --       2,910
 Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold
  improvements                                    (39,251)    (23,689)
                                                 --------    --------
 Net cash used in investing activities            (39,993)    (49,121)

 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 Dividend payments                                (14,654)    (10,043)
 Repurchase of common stock                       (80,299)    (16,253)
 Repayment of note                                 (2,258)         --
 Proceeds from employee stock plans                15,572      16,629
 Income tax benefits from stock option exercises    7,393       5,614
                                                 --------    --------
 Net cash used in financing activities            (74,246)     (4,053)

 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and
  cash equivalents                                    576        (556)
                                                 --------    --------

 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents         42,285      67,092

 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of 
  period                                          126,549      59,457
                                                 --------    --------
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period      $168,834    $126,549
                                                 ========    ========

Supplementary Schedule to the Fourth Quarter Earnings Press Release

To aid an investor's ability to make more precise interpretations of FactSet's financial results, the supplementary schedule below summarizes revenues related to services that are not included in the calculation of FactSet's subscription value. Although the impact individually and in the aggregate has been immaterial to FactSet's annual results, this table might enhance an investor's overall understanding of quarterly revenues.



 Non-Subscription Revenues
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Non-subscription revenues (1)
                   ---------------------------------------------------
 (In thousands and
  unaudited)       Fiscal 2007   Fiscal 2006     $ Change     % Change
                   -----------   -----------     --------     --------
 Q1                  $   733       $   463        $   270         58%
 Q2                    2,585           620          1,965        317
 Q3                    1,344         1,138            206         18
 Q4                    2,446         1,704            742         44
                     -------       -------        -------
 Total               $ 7,108       $ 3,925        $ 3,183         81%
                     =======       =======        =======
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------

 (1) Revenues from workstations purchased for use by summer interns
 and for FactSet services that are not sold on a subscription basis
 are excluded from FactSet's reported annual subscription value. The
 aforementioned amounts were included in FactSet's reported revenues
 each quarter.

IR_FDS



            

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