Morgan Stanley Cuts Equifax (EFX) Price Target to $205

Morgan Stanley has reaffirmed an Overweight rating for Equifax, lowering its price target to $205 from $225, a 27.81% upside from the current price.

By EarningsIQ Research Desk · Published Oct 16, 2026, 2:22 PM EDT

Reviewed by automated data checks against the source data. How we make and check alerts

Morgan Stanley cut its price target on Equifax Inc. ($EFX) to $205 from $225 on October 13, 2026, and rates the stock "Overweight".

Since the rating, $EFX is up 8.2% to date (from the $149.08 close on Oct 13, 2026).

EFX Equifax Inc.

$161.25 -23.98% year to date

Daily close · Oct 16, 2026

Key Points

On October 13, 2026, Morgan Stanley reiterated its Overweight rating on Equifax Inc. with a new price target of $205, down from $225.
Morgan Stanley's $205 price target implies 27.81% upside from Equifax Inc.'s ($EFX) current $160.40 share price.
As of October 16, 2026, Equifax shares were recently trading around $160.40, which is about 21.8% below the new price target.
Equifax is set to report its next earnings on October 20, 2026, following a year-over-year revenue growth of 10.6%.

Get $EFX trade alerts by text

We text you when insiders, Congress or big funds trade $EFX. Free.

Not investment advice. EarningsIQ is not a registered investment adviser, and this automated Equifax Inc. alert may contain errors. Disclosures

Morgan Stanley reaffirmed its Overweight rating on Equifax Inc. (NYSE: EFX) on October 13, 2026, while lowering its price target from $225 to $205. This adjustment reflects the firm’s outlook on the company's performance, driven by recent results and market conditions.

Other Institutional Activity in Equifax

Several other institutional investors have adjusted their positions in Equifax recently. Blackrock Inc. trimmed its stake by 66,237 shares, leaving it with 9,396,150 shares valued at approximately $1.51 billion. Vanguard Capital Management LLC also reduced its holdings by 44,603 shares, ending with 7,780,433 shares worth about $1.25 billion. Harris Associates L.P. decreased its stake by 82,070 shares, resulting in 7,447,263 shares valued at around $1.20 billion. Vanguard Portfolio Management LLC cut its position by 28,464 shares, bringing its total to 5,242,614 shares worth about $845 million. In contrast, State Street Corporation increased its stake by 175,832 shares, now holding 5,199,595 shares worth approximately $838 million.

Equifax Inc. Stock Up 1.0%

Equifax shares are currently trading around $160.40 as of October 16, 2026. This price is about 21.8% below Morgan Stanley's revised target of $205, indicating a potential upside if the stock aligns more closely with analyst expectations. The stock has seen fluctuations, and its current trading level reflects investor sentiment and market dynamics.

12-month forecast

$EFX price target

Equifax Inc. daily closes and this analyst's $205 target. Not advice.

Recent Earnings

Equifax reported a trailing twelve-month revenue of approximately $6.44 billion, with a year-over-year revenue growth of 10.6%. The company has a net margin of 10.7% and a return on equity of 14.3%. These figures suggest a solid financial position, which could support future growth and stability. The next earnings report is scheduled for October 20, 2026, providing investors with updated financial insights.

Earnings drift grade

Outlook vs expectations on the last report — not price action.

D- 34/100

Reported Apr 21, 2026

Forward outlook
3 target cuts vs 0 raises.
EPS & revenue
EPS beat estimates by 8.3%. Revenue beat estimates by 1.0%.
Profit surprise
EBITDA met by 2 percent. Operating income met by 1 percent.
Pre-earnings setup
Expectations were about average.
Analyst signal
3 target cuts.
Earnings quality
Gross margin down 1.0 points. Operating margin up 1.1 points. Positive free cash flow.

Earnings Call Summary

Equifax had a strong first quarter with revenue of $1.649 billion up 14 percent and earnings per share of $1.86 up 22 percent, both ahead of expectations. The big driver was U.S. mortgage revenue which jumped 38 percent, boosted by new Work Number Indicator products and strong mortgage activity in February before interest rates rose. Management is excited about their artificial intelligence driven products and record numbers of pending patents, but they are holding full year guidance steady due to concerns about the Iran conflict and rising interest rates dampening mortgage demand over the rest of the year.

Guidance Equifax reaffirmed its full year 2026 guidance of about $6.745 billion in revenue and $8.54 in earnings per share despite strong first quarter results. Management kept guidance steady because of economic uncertainty tied to the Iran conflict and interest rate volatility, which pressured mortgage volumes in March and April. They still expect mortgage revenue to grow over 20 percent for the full year and diversified markets to grow in the high single digits.

Very weak report. The release materially worsened the forward outlook.

Dividend

Equifax pays an annual dividend of $2.24 per share, translating to a yield of about 1.4%. The company's dividend payout ratio is 37.3%, indicating a balanced approach to returning value to shareholders while maintaining sufficient reinvestment for growth.

Insider Buying and Selling at Equifax Inc.

Recent insider transactions at Equifax include several sales. John W. Gamble Jr., the Chief Operating Officer, sold 3,500 shares on May 1, 2026, at an average price of $176.54, totaling about $617,890. Chad M. Borton, an officer, sold 2,455 shares on May 7, 2026, at $173.89, for around $426,900. Additionally, Mark W. Begor, the CEO, sold 37,791 shares on July 24, 2026, valued at approximately $6.51 million. On September 3, 2026, Gamble sold another 4,500 shares at an average price of $187.96, worth about $845,820.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

On October 13, 2026, Morgan Stanley maintained its Overweight rating on Equifax with a new price target of $205. Earlier, on September 22, 2026, Wells Fargo also maintained an Overweight rating, setting a target of $200, while BMO Capital maintained a Market Perform rating with a target of $160. Barclays kept an Equal-Weight rating with a target of $155. The consensus among analysts indicates a cautious optimism about Equifax's future performance.

About Equifax

Equifax Inc. operates as a data, analytics, and technology company, with services spanning workforce solutions, U.S. information solutions, and international operations. The company plays a critical role in providing insights and analytics that help businesses make informed decisions. As it navigates recent market challenges, the support from analysts and institutional investors will be key to its ongoing strategy and growth.

Bottom Line

Equifax is set to report its next earnings on October 20, 2026, which will provide further insights into its financial health. Investors should keep an eye on how the company responds to market conditions and analyst expectations, especially with its revised price targets from major firms like Morgan Stanley.