Equifax Shares Climb 11% After Third-Quarter Earnings Beat

Equifax shares rose 11.33% to $176.54 at the Oct. 20 close after the credit reporting company posted third-quarter adjusted earnings above analysts’ estimates and lowered the midpoint of its 2026 revenue outlook.

The stock closed at 4 p.m. ET (20:00 UTC), up from $158.57 in the previous session. The gain followed results for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2026.

Revenue increased 10% from a year earlier to $1.6925 billion, compared with $1.5449 billion. Adjusted earnings rose to $2.26 per share from $2.04. Reported diluted earnings also increased, reaching $1.79 per share from $1.29.

Adjusted earnings exclude specified items, including certain acquisition and restructuring costs. They are a separate measure from reported diluted earnings.

Selling, general and administrative expenses fell $43.7 million year over year to $390.4 million. Most of the decrease reflected a $43.9 million severance charge recorded in the year-earlier period that did not recur. Higher litigation expenses partly offset the decline. Operating expenses rose overall, with higher service costs outweighing the decline in selling, general and administrative expenses.

For 2026, Equifax forecast revenue of $6.646 billion to $6.676 billion and adjusted earnings of $8.45 to $8.55 per share. The revenue range has a midpoint of $6.661 billion. Equifax expects a weaker U.S. mortgage market through the rest of the year.