Dec 31, 2020

Equifax Q4 2020 Earnings Report

Equifax reported strong double-digit growth and margin expansion for the fourth consecutive quarter, concluding a record year with over $4 billion in revenue.

Key Takeaways

Equifax reported a strong Q4 2020, with a 23% increase in revenue compared to Q4 2019. The company's performance was fueled by Workforce Solutions and U.S. Information Services, leveraging new Equifax Cloud capabilities and product roll-outs.

Equifax delivered its fourth consecutive quarter of strong double-digit growth and margin expansion.

Q4 revenue increased by 23% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019.

Diluted EPS attributable to Equifax was $0.61 per share, up from $0.13 per share in the fourth quarter of 2019.

The company plans to restart its share repurchase program at an expected level over $100 million in 2021.

Total Revenue
$1.12B
Previous year: $906M
+23.5%
EPS
$2
Previous year: $1.53
+30.7%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
37.8%
Previous year: 35.2%
+7.4%
USIS Operating Margin
29.6%
Previous year: 33.6%
-11.9%
Workforce Solutions Oper. Margin
49.2%
Previous year: 39.2%
+25.5%
Gross Profit
$638M
Previous year: $523M
+21.9%
Cash and Equivalents
$1.68B
Previous year: $401M
+319.8%
Total Assets
$9.61B
Previous year: $7.91B
+21.5%

Equifax

Equifax

Equifax Revenue by Segment

Equifax Revenue by Geographic Location

Forward Guidance

For the first quarter of 2021, Equifax expects revenue between $1,105 and $1,125 million and adjusted EPS between $1.45 and $1.55 per share. For the full year 2021, the company expects revenue between $4.350 and $4.450 billion and adjusted EPS between $6.20 and $6.50 per share.

Positive Outlook

  • Expects reported revenue to be between $1,105 and $1,125 million for Q1 2021.
  • Reflects growth as compared to the first quarter of 2020 of 15.3% to 17.4% for Q1 2021.
  • Expects a 1.9% positive impact of foreign exchange for Q1 2021.
  • Adjusted EPS is expected to be between $1.45 and $1.55 per share for Q1 2021.
  • Expects full year 2021 reported revenue to be between $4.350 and $4.450 billion.

Challenges Ahead

  • Expectation of a 24% increase in U.S. mortgage market inquiries impacting USIS and EWS units for Q1 2021.
  • Local currency growth compared to 2020 of 5.4% to 7.8% for full year 2021.
  • Adjusted EPS is expected to be between $6.20 and $6.50 per share for full year 2021.
  • U.S. mortgage market inquiries are expected to decline by 5% in 2021 versus 2020.
  • Growth in inquiries in the first half of 2021, offset by a decline in inquiries in the second half of 2021.

Revenue & Expenses

Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income