Who Owns FactSet Research Systems Company?

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Who Owns FactSet Research Systems Inc.?

Understanding FactSet's ownership is key to grasping its market influence. Its IPO in 1996 marked a significant shift, opening ownership to a wider investor base and impacting its capital access and governance.

FactSet, founded in 1978, has grown into a global financial information powerhouse. Its transition to a public company in 1996 was a pivotal moment, shaping its current ownership landscape.

As of July 2025, FactSet boasts a market capitalization of around $16.92 billion. Its revenue for fiscal year 2023 reached $2.09 billion. The company's ownership is largely institutional, reflecting its established position in the market. For instance, insights into market dynamics can be found through tools like FactSet Research Systems PESTEL Analysis.

FactSet Research Systems Inc. was established in September 1978 by Howard E. Wille and Charles J. Snyder, former colleagues from Faulkner, Dawkins & Sullivan. Their shared vision was to harness the growing power of computers to deliver crucial financial data and analytical tools directly to financial professionals, thereby boosting their efficiency.

Founding Vision The founders aimed to revolutionize how financial professionals accessed and utilized data. Their goal was to provide essential financial information and tools directly to users, enhancing productivity through technology.	Initial Capital The company was launched with an initial capital of approximately $250,000. This seed funding was instrumental in establishing the foundational infrastructure and development of their data delivery systems.	Founding Team Howard E. Wille and Charles J. Snyder were the primary founders. Elizabeth (Betsy) Gannett is also recognized as a key member of the founding team, contributing to the company's early development.
Early Operations In its nascent stages, FactSet operated with a lean team, comprising fewer than ten employees in the early 1980s. The focus was on developing innovative data delivery methods.	Technological Innovation A significant early innovation was enabling direct data downloads from their mainframe computers into popular spreadsheet applications like VisiCalc and later Lotus 1-2-3, drastically improving data retrieval speeds for clients.	External Investment There is no public record of early angel investors or friends and family stakes beyond the initial capital. The company's early growth was primarily driven by the founders' vision and operational efficiency.

The foundational ethos of FactSet was deeply rooted in a client-centric approach and a commitment to technological advancement. This focus on delivering practical, innovative solutions laid a robust foundation for the company's sustained growth and its eventual transition to a publicly traded entity. The early emphasis on client needs and cutting-edge data delivery set the stage for FactSet's future market position and its ongoing evolution in the financial data industry, distinguishing it from many of its Competitors Landscape of FactSet Research Systems.

Early Ownership Structure

While specific initial equity distribution details are not publicly disclosed, the company's inception was driven by its founders. The early ownership was concentrated among the founding team, reflecting their direct investment and commitment.

• Founders: Howard E. Wille and Charles J. Snyder
• Key Founding Team Member: Elizabeth (Betsy) Gannett
• Initial Capital: Approximately $250,000
• Early Employee Count: Fewer than 10 employees in the early 1980s
• Focus: Client-centric solutions and technological innovation

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FactSet Research Systems Inc. transitioned from a private entity to a public company with its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on June 28, 1996, trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol FDS. This move significantly broadened its ownership base, allowing institutional and individual investors to acquire stakes. As of July 2025, FactSet's market capitalization stands at approximately $16.92 billion.

The ownership structure of FactSet is heavily dominated by institutional investors, who held approximately 94.59% of the company's shares as of March 31, 2025. MarketScreener reports this figure at 78.16% as of July 2025, with a substantial 74.95% of those shares originating from U.S.-based institutions. This concentration of ownership by firms like The Vanguard Group Inc. and BlackRock, Inc. suggests a significant influence on the company's strategic direction and governance. Insider ownership, held by executives and board members, is notably smaller, representing about 0.23% of shares, according to TipRanks.com. The public offering allowed FactSet to tap into capital markets, fueling its expansion and strategic acquisitions, which has been a key part of its growth strategy, including diversifying its product offerings and expanding its global presence. Understanding the Marketing Strategy of FactSet Research Systems can provide further insight into how these ownership dynamics might influence business decisions.

Key FactSet Ownership Insights

FactSet Research Systems is primarily owned by institutional investors, with a small percentage held by insiders.

• FactSet became a publicly traded company in 1996.
• Institutional investors hold the vast majority of FactSet stock.
• The Vanguard Group Inc. is one of the largest shareholders.
• U.S.-based institutions are the dominant holders of FactSet shares.
• Insider ownership is less than 1%.

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The Board of Directors for FactSet Research Systems Inc. is composed of experienced individuals who guide the company's strategic direction and ensure robust corporate governance. As of June 2025, Robin A. Abrams holds the position of Chair of the Executive Board, a role she has occupied since 2020. F. Philip Snow, who concluded his tenure as CEO in September 2025, also serves as a director. Helen L. Shan joined as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President in July 2024, transitioning from her previous role as Chief Revenue Officer.

FactSet operates under a straightforward voting structure where each share of common stock carries one vote. This one-share-one-vote principle means that voting power is directly tied to the number of shares held by any individual or entity. There are no publicly disclosed instances of special voting rights, dual-class share structures, or founder shares that would grant disproportionate control to any single shareholder. The company's commitment to transparent governance is evident in its annual proxy statements, which detail director elections and other shareholder proposals. For example, the 2024 Proxy Statement, released in October 2024, outlined the proposed election of four directors and other matters for the December 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. While there haven't been significant public reports of activist investor campaigns or proxy battles in recent disclosures, the board's composition and the company's governance framework are consistently reviewed and presented to FactSet shareholders, reflecting a dedication to shareholder interests and informed decision-making. Understanding the Growth Strategy of FactSet Research Systems can provide further context on the board's oversight.

Understanding FactSet's Shareholder Structure

FactSet's voting power is distributed based on share ownership, ensuring a direct link between investment and influence. This structure is detailed in the company's public filings.

• One-share-one-vote principle for common stock.
• Voting power is proportional to shareholding.
• No indication of disproportionate voting rights through special shares.
• Annual proxy statements provide details on director elections and shareholder proposals.

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Recent developments at FactSet Research Systems Inc. over the past few years, particularly between 2022 and 2025, have subtly reshaped its ownership landscape and strategic trajectory. A significant leadership transition occurred in June 2025 with the appointment of Sanoke Viswanathan as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective September 2025, succeeding Phil Snow. This change in leadership is a key event that could influence future strategic decisions and, consequently, the company's ownership dynamics.

FactSet's active engagement in share repurchase programs underscores a consistent strategy to return capital to its shareholders. The company announced a significant equity buyback plan for up to $300 million in September 2024, valid through fiscal year 2025. Further demonstrating this commitment, in the third quarter of fiscal 2025, FactSet repurchased 184,050 shares for $80.7 million. A new authorization for up to $400 million in share repurchases was approved on June 17, 2025, effective from September 1, 2025, indicating an ongoing effort to manage its share count and enhance shareholder value.

Leadership Evolution

The appointment of Sanoke Viswanathan as CEO in 2025 marks a significant leadership change. This transition is a key factor that may influence FactSet's future strategic direction and, by extension, its ownership trends.

Shareholder Value Initiatives

FactSet's consistent share repurchase programs, including authorizations totaling hundreds of millions of dollars, demonstrate a commitment to returning capital. These actions directly impact the number of outstanding shares, potentially increasing the ownership stake of remaining FactSet shareholders.

Strategic Acquisitions and Integration

Recent acquisitions, such as LiquidityBook for $246.5 million in February 2025 and LogoIntern in March 2025, expand FactSet's capabilities. While these transactions primarily enhance business offerings, they are typically cash-based, minimizing direct impact on the overall ownership structure.

Market Position and Innovation

FactSet maintains a strong market position with high institutional ownership, reflecting investor confidence. The company's focus on AI integration, including FactSet Mercury, aims to drive future growth and solidify its competitive standing, ensuring its continued status as a publicly traded entity.

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