Equifax Inc. (NYSE:EFX) shares declined 1.01% in premarket trading on Tuesday after the credit reporting company issued fourth-quarter earnings and revenue guidance below analyst expectations, despite reporting third-quarter adjusted earnings above consensus forecasts.
The company reported third-quarter adjusted earnings of $2.26 per share, exceeding the analyst consensus estimate of $2.20 by $0.06. Revenue increased 10% year over year to approximately $1.69 billion, in line with market expectations.
Equifax attributed part of its operating environment during the quarter to a slowdown in the US mortgage market during the second half of the reporting period. Despite the weaker market conditions, the company’s mortgage-related revenue increased 15%.
For the fourth quarter, Equifax forecast adjusted earnings per share of $2.07 to $2.17, representing a midpoint of $2.12, compared with the analyst consensus estimate of $2.18.
The company also projected fourth-quarter revenue between $1.605 billion and $1.635 billion. The midpoint of $1.620 billion was below the consensus forecast of $1.682 billion.
For the full year 2026, Equifax expects earnings per share of $8.45 to $8.55, with the midpoint of $8.50 marginally above the market consensus of $8.49.
Full-year revenue guidance was set at $6.646 billion to $6.676 billion, below analyst expectations.
Chief Executive Officer Mark W. Begor commented on the company’s quarterly performance and market outlook.
“Equifax delivered a strong third quarter performance executing on our EFX2028 Strategic Priorities with reported revenue of $1.693 billion, up 10% on a reported basis, with 9% local currency revenue growth,” said Mark W. Begor, Chief Executive Officer. “However, we expect the much weaker U.S. mortgage market that we saw in the latter half of the third quarter to continue through the remainder of 2026.”
Across its operating divisions, Workforce Solutions reported a 7% increase in revenue to $693.9 million.
The US Information Solutions segment recorded revenue growth of 13% to $599.1 million, while International revenue rose 9% on a reported basis to $399.5 million.
Equifax also returned $158 million to shareholders during the third quarter, comprising $92 million in share repurchases and $66 million in dividend payments.
The company’s third-quarter results showed revenue growth across all three operating segments and adjusted earnings above analyst estimates. However, its fourth-quarter forecasts reflected management’s expectations of continued weakness in the US mortgage market through the remainder of 2026.