Verisk reported fourth-quarter profit that exceeded Wall Street expectations, easing investor concerns about potential disruption from artificial intelligence in the information services sector.
The data analytics firm’s adjusted earnings per share reached $1.82, surpassing analyst forecasts of $1.61. Revenue rose 5.9% to $778.8 million. Shares climbed about 3% following the results, despite being down roughly 21% so far this year.
CEO Lee Shavel emphasized the strength of Verisk’s proprietary datasets, stating that high-quality, aggregated data remains essential for effective AI deployment. The company processes more than 2,000 regulatory filings annually for its clients, reinforcing its role within the insurance industry.
Analysts noted that Verisk’s unique datasets and deeply embedded workflows with insurers limit the risk of AI replacing its core services. Insurance firms increasingly rely on Verisk’s tools to improve underwriting, claims processing, fraud detection, and operational efficiency.
Looking ahead, Verisk forecast adjusted earnings between $7.45 and $7.75 per share for 2026, with expected revenue ranging from $3.19 billion to $3.24 billion.
The company also expanded its share buyback authorization to $2.5 billion and plans to launch a $1.5 billion accelerated repurchase program.
