Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK) Up 5.1% — Should I Scale Into This Winner?
Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK) delivered a strong session today, advancing 5.07% to close at $190.81. The stock added $9.21 from the prior close of $181.60, reflecting clear bullish conviction and a decisive move upward throughout the day. For a large-cap, data-focused business, that kind of single-session gain stands out and signals meaningful near-term momentum as buyers pushed shares steadily higher.
Trading activity reinforced the constructive picture. Volume reached 1,962,801 shares, running above the 90-day average of 1,703,520—a sign of broader participation behind the move as VRSK continued to gain ground. Even after the surge, the stock remains well below its 52-week high of $322.92 (set on 06/05/2025), sitting roughly 41% under that peak. From a price-action standpoint, that gap leaves meaningful distance to reclaim, though the latest advance helps stabilize the chart and improves its short-term tone.
Within the broader Industrials sector, VRSK's move looked more forceful compared to the steadier pace typically seen from peers such as Automatic Data Processing (ADP), RELX (RELX), and Thomson Reuters (TRI) Taken together, the session reflected firm upward momentum, with above-normal volume reinforcing the stock's effort to build on recent traction.
Why Verisk Analytics, Inc. Price is Moving Higher
Verisk Analytics, Inc. shares moved higher as investors responded positively to a fresh, shareholder-friendly capital return announcement. The company revealed a $1.5 billion accelerated share repurchase (ASR) on Feb. 23, 2026, following a recently expanded, board-approved $2.5 billion authorization. The market's reaction was swift: the stock jumped 4.99% to an intraday high of $191.04 on Feb. 24, reflecting bullish sentiment around management's confidence and the prospect of a meaningful reduction in share count. With turnover running above the 90-day average, the advance also captured momentum as additional buyers stepped in.
That enthusiasm was reinforced a day later when Verisk priced $1.0 billion in senior notes—$500 million of 4.450% notes due 2031 and $500 million of 5.125% notes due 2036—with proceeds earmarked to refinance short-term borrowings and help fund the repurchase. Investors generally view this kind of debt terming-out favorably when it supports disciplined capital allocation and eases near-term refinancing pressure. Operationally, Verisk's 5.87% revenue growth and 29.56% profit margin help explain why the market is willing to back an aggressive buyback program, particularly following a recent quarterly earnings beat and forward guidance that kept expectations broadly constructive.
Analyst positioning added further support to the backdrop. Consensus remains a Buy, and while several recent price targets are clustered in the $206–$230 range, the overall messaging reinforces confidence in the longer-term setup. A modest, reported sale by Citigroup (8,884 shares) did little to disrupt the rally, suggesting investors kept their focus squarely on the larger catalysts: the ASR, the debt funding plan, and improving follow-through after earnings.
What is the Verisk Analytics, Inc. Rating - Should I Buy?
Weiss Ratings assigns VRSK a C rating, with a current recommendation of Hold. For investors who prioritize quality over chasing momentum, this rating reflects a business that appears fundamentally sound, even if its recent performance has been less compelling on a risk-adjusted basis.
The strongest pillars supporting the C rating are operational quality and financial strength. Verisk carries a 29.56% profit margin, backed by an Excellent Efficiency Index and Excellent Solvency Index. These attributes help explain how the company converts a steady top line into meaningful profitability, with revenue growth of 5.87%. Return metrics are similarly striking, with ROE at 437.95%—though investors should interpret that figure within the context of the company's capital structure and how equity is measured.
Where VRSK loses ground is in market performance and trading behavior. The Weak Total Return Index and Weak Volatility Index suggest that, despite the company's underlying strengths, shareholders have not been consistently rewarded relative to risk, and the stock has exhibited less favorable downside-to-upside characteristics. Valuation also demands conviction, with a forward P/E of 27.99 that leaves limited margin for error if sentiment shifts.
Within Industrials sector, the C (Hold) places VRSK alongside peers such as Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP, C) and RELX PLC (RELX, C), and near Thomson Reuters Corporation (TRI, C-). On balance, Verisk's profile is best suited for investors who value durability and operational efficiency, while acknowledging that the current Weiss Rating is tempered by weaker return and volatility factors.
About Verisk Analytics, Inc.
Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK) is an Industrials company in the Commercial and Professional Services industry that specializes in data analytics, predictive modeling, and decision-support tools for risk assessment. The company is best known for helping organizations transform large, complex datasets into actionable insights that enhance underwriting, claims management, fraud detection, and broader operational decision-making. Its platforms combine proprietary data, statistical techniques, and workflow software designed to integrate seamlessly into customers' day-to-day processes.
A core strength of Verisk lies in the depth and longevity of its data assets and industry-specific expertise, particularly across insurance-related markets where consistency, accuracy, and regulatory compliance are paramount. The company's tools evaluate risk at both the individual and portfolio levels, supporting more informed pricing and risk selection while helping organizations streamline internal operations. Verisk also offers solutions for catastrophe and extreme-event modeling, enabling scenario analysis and stress testing for high-impact risks.
Within Commercial and Professional Services, Verisk's competitive advantages stem from scale, deeply embedded customer relationships, and the high switching costs that come with integrating data-driven systems into mission-critical workflows. By pairing specialized datasets with analytics and software, the company delivers repeatable, auditable outputs that customers rely on to improve decision quality, enhance efficiency, and manage risk with greater confidence.
Investor Outlook
Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK) enters the next stretch on reasonably firm footing, though its Weiss Rating of C (Hold) suggests the risk/reward profile remains closer to average than standout. Investors will be watching whether the stock can hold recent support and push through nearby resistance, alongside broader Industrials momentum and any shifts in the key rating drivers—particularly profitability and consistency of returns. See full rankings of all C-rated Industrials stocks inside the Weiss Stock Screener.
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