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Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Q3 2025 was resilient operationally: revenue $768.3M (+5.9% YoY), adjusted EBITDA $429.1M (+7.2% YoY; margin 55.8%), and diluted adjusted EPS $1.72 (+3.0% YoY), with transactional weakness from historically low weather offset by strong subscription growth and cost discipline .
  • Versus S&P Global consensus: EPS $1.72 vs $1.704* (beat), EBITDA $429.1M vs $431.3M* (in line to slight beat on actual $432.1M reported in release tables), revenue $768.3M vs $776.2M* (miss), reflecting the weather-driven transactional shortfall .
  • Guidance updated to remove AccuLynx contribution in 2025: total revenue lowered to $3.05–$3.08B (from $3.09–$3.13B), adjusted EBITDA to $1.69–$1.72B (from $1.70–$1.74B); interest expense reduced to $165–$185M (from $190–$210M) given cash proceeds yield; margins and EPS maintained .
  • Catalysts: FTC Second Request on AccuLynx (regulatory overhang), ongoing AI-enhanced product adoption (Exact Expert, Exact AI), and strong free cash flow fueling buybacks/dividends; watch Q4’s tough hurricane comp (Helene/Milton) .

Note: Asterisked values are S&P Global consensus/actual retrieved via GetEstimates.

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

What Went Well

  • Subscription-led growth: subscriptions 84% of revenue and +8.7% OCC, broad-based across forms/rules/loss costs, extreme event solutions, anti-fraud, and specialty/life; margin expanded to 55.8% on cost discipline .
  • AI commercialization momentum: “over 40 clients” on Exact Expert (six of top 10 carriers), launch of Exact AI with 273 users; growing contributory datasets (106 contributors, ~600M images) and regulator tools (Savviar); management positioning AI as an accelerant to long-term growth/margins .
  • Cash generation and capital returns: operating cash flow $403.5M (+36.2% YoY), free cash flow $336.1M (+39.6% YoY), dividend $0.45 (+15% YoY), and $100M buybacks, with $1.2B authorization remaining .

What Went Wrong

  • Weather-driven transactional headwinds: exceptionally light severe weather reduced claims volumes; transactional revenues -8.8% OCC; PCS data shows Q3 event frequency -30% and severity -78% YoY; 2025 on track for first year since 2015 with no named U.S. hurricane landfall so far .
  • Auto personal lines softness and government contract reduction: competitive pressures in auto and a previously signaled government contract reduction together trimmed ~100bps from OCC revenue growth; OCC revenue was 5.5% vs ~6.5% normalized .
  • Q4 comp risk: very tough weather comparison from Helene and Milton in Q4 2024; management flagged persistent weather headwinds into Q4 despite strong sales momentum .

Financial Results

MetricQ3 2024Q2 2025Q3 2025 ActualQ3 2025 Consensus
Revenue ($USD Millions)$725.3 $772.6 $768.3 $776.24*
Diluted Adjusted EPS ($USD)$1.67 $1.88 $1.72 $1.70371*
Adjusted EBITDA ($USD Millions)$400.5 $444.8 $429.1 $431.27*
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (%)55.2% 57.6% 55.8%

Segment revenue breakdown:

Segment Revenue ($USD Millions)Q3 2024Q2 2025Q3 2025
Underwriting$507 $550 $542
Claims$218 $223 $226
Insurance Total$725 $773 $768
OCC Growth (Q3 2025)Underwriting: 5.8% ; Claims: 5.0% ; Total: 5.5%

KPIs and cash metrics:

KPIQ3 2024Q2 2025Q3 2025
Subscription revenue mix (%)84%
Free Cash Flow ($USD Millions)$240.7 $188.7 $336.1
Net Cash from Operating Activities ($USD Millions)$296.2 $244.5 $403.5
Adjusted EBITDA Margin (%)55.2% 57.6% 55.8%
Share Repurchases ($USD Millions)$340.0 $100.0 $100.1
Dividend per share ($USD)$0.39 $0.45 $0.45

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious Guidance (July 2025)Current Guidance (Oct 2025)Change
Total RevenueFY 2025$3.09–$3.13B $3.05–$3.08B Lowered
Adjusted EBITDAFY 2025$1.70–$1.74B $1.69–$1.72B Lowered
Adjusted EBITDA MarginFY 202555.0%–55.8% 55.0%–55.8% Maintained
Diluted Adjusted EPSFY 2025$6.80–$7.00 $6.80–$7.00 Maintained
Tax RateFY 202523%–25% 23%–25% Maintained
Capital ExpendituresFY 2025$245–$265M $245–$265M Maintained
Fixed Asset D&AFY 2025$250–$270M $250–$270M Maintained
Intangible AmortizationFY 2025$65M $65M Maintained
Interest ExpenseFY 2025$190–$210M $165–$185M Lowered
Dividend per ShareFY 2025$1.80 $1.80 Maintained

Context: AccuLynx contribution removed from 2025 due to FTC delay; lower interest expense reflects yield on $1.5B senior notes proceeds raised in Q3 .

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q1 & Q2)Current Period (Q3 2025)Trend
AI/technology initiativesCore Lines Reimagine; Synergy Studio demo; growing ecosystem; margin expansion from efficiency Exact Expert >40 clients; launch of Exact AI; Savviar adoption; AI enhancing CAT models Accelerating adoption/visibility
Weather/transactional exposureActive SCS tail and modest weather benefit in PES in early 2025 Exceptionally light weather; transactional -8.8% OCC; PCS/NOAA declines Headwind intensified in Q3
Pricing realizationStrong price capture in forms/rules/loss costs and broader solutions Continued realization via reimagined modules; early indication center; contract expansions Sustained
Regulatory/legalWildfire model engagement with CA DOI (Q1) FTC Second Request on AccuLynx; operating independently until approval New overhang
M&A postureSymplitium acquisition; active pipeline focus on value-add Focused on AccuLynx and closed InsurancePay; capacity monitored but execution-first Execution focus
Macro/tariffsLimited direct exposure; potential claims cost impacts; marketing sensitivity Continued monitoring; no material Verisk financial exposure noted Stable monitoring

Management Commentary

  • CEO: “Verisk Analytics delivered organic constant currency revenue growth of 5.5%, driven by strong subscription revenue growth of 8.7%... Despite the transactional revenue impact, we delivered 8.8% OCC adjusted EBITDA growth with expanded EBITDA margin of 55.8%.” .
  • CFO: “We did experience temporary factors… historically low level of weather activity… and the reduction in a government contract… impact of approximately 1% to overall Verisk OCC revenue growth in the quarter.” .
  • CFO: “On a reported basis, net cash from operating activities increased 36% to $404 million, while free cash flow rose 40% to $336 million.” .
  • Release: “Pending AccuLynx acquisition subject to a Second Request from the FTC…” .
  • CFO: “We… issued $1.5 billion in senior notes to finance the announced acquisition of AccuLynx… we now expect net interest expense to be in the range of $165 to $185 million.” .

Q&A Highlights

  • AccuLynx/ServiceTitan: Management is working “collaboratively and expeditiously” with FTC; ServiceTitan is a partner on Exactware integration, not necessarily the “main competitor” to AccuLynx .
  • AI competitive landscape: Startups lack proprietary insurance data and domain expertise needed to scale; Verisk positions as partner with curated content and ecosystem connectivity .
  • Weather headwinds into Q4: Expect tough comp from Hurricanes Helene/Milton; Q3 weather was exceptionally light vs typical severe convective storm season .
  • Free cash flow conversion: Normalized FCF growth roughly in line with EBITDA growth; ERP/collections improvements lowering DSOs .
  • Auto personal lines: Competitive pressures persist; non-rate action opportunities less prominent as rate adequacy improved .

Estimates Context

MetricQ1 2025 Estimate*Q1 2025 ActualQ2 2025 Estimate*Q2 2025 ActualQ3 2025 Estimate*Q3 2025 Actual
Revenue ($USD Millions)749.75753.0 768.30772.6 776.24768.3
Primary EPS ($USD)1.6831.73 1.7711.88 1.7041.72
EBITDA ($USD Millions)409.50414.1 430.50436.7 431.27432.1

Note: Asterisked values are S&P Global consensus/actual retrieved via GetEstimates. Values retrieved from S&P Global.

Implication: Q3 showed a revenue miss vs consensus amid weather-driven transactional softness, while EPS/EBITDA were roughly in line to modest beats, consistent with strong subscription and margin discipline .

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Subscription engine remains robust (84% mix; +8.7% OCC), underpinning margins despite transactional volatility; this supports medium-term EPS durability .
  • Expect near-term noise: Q4 faces tough hurricane comps; revenue trajectory should normalize as weather reverts and subscription conversions reduce variability .
  • Regulatory overhang on AccuLynx (FTC Second Request) delays benefits into 2026; core thesis intact per management and current guidance removal clarifies 2025 baseline .
  • Cash return capacity is strong: Q3 FCF +40% YoY; dividend raised 15% YoY; $1.2B buyback capacity—provides downside support and optionality .
  • AI adoption is real and monetizable (Exact Expert/Exact AI upsells), enhancing product stickiness and price realization—watch for expanding contributory datasets and regulator tools uptake .
  • Interest expense outlook improved (lowered to $165–$185M) due to yields on note proceeds, partly offsetting higher balances—EPS guidance maintained .
  • Medium-term: Margin discipline plus AI-enabled product investments (Synergy Studio, Core Lines Reimagine) reinforce 6–8% organic growth framework despite quarterly variability .