FDS - CME Moody's MSCI make sense as potential FDS acquirers Oppenheimer says
Reports that at least one industry player has set its sights on FactSet Research ([[FDS]] +8.3%) as an acquisition target likely sets a valuation floor on the stock, writes Oppenheimer analyst Owen Lau.He sees merits in CME Global ([[CME]] +0.8%), Moody's ([[MCO]] +0.9%), or MSCI ([[MSCI]] +3.1%) acquiring FDS.S&P Global ([[SPGI]] +1.0%) is unlikely to be an acquirer given its deal to combine with IHS Market ([[INFO]] +1.2%), the analyst said.He believes that CME, MCO, and MSIC could could "comfortably" do an all-stock deal for FDS. "These companies also have a strong balance sheet, and can easily raise debt if needed," Lau added.Further industry consolidation makes sense, although Lau doesn't know if FDS wants to sell or if the companies he mentions are actually considering a bid.
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CME, Moody's, MSCI make sense as potential FDS acquirers, Oppenheimer says