** Raymond James upgrades rating for data and analytics firm Verisk VRSK.O to "strong buy" from "outperform"; raises PT to $260 from $215
** New PT implies a 25.3% upside to stock's last close
** Brokerage says VRSK's current valuation doesn't appropriately reflect its proprietary data assets and margin profile
** Adds that modernization investments including migration of core data assets to cloud should position VRSK to accelerate product development and boost margins
** Info services stocks have been hit hard over past 12 months amid heightened investor concerns that AI could upend their business models
** VRSK set to hold investor day on March 5, where management is expected to discuss proprietary data and analytics and longer-term growth outlook
** Nine of 20 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, 10 "hold" and one "sell"; their median PT is $222 - data compiled by LSEG
** As of last close, VRSK stock down 7.2% YTD
(Reporting by Arasu Kannagi Basil in Bengaluru)
((ArasuKannagi.Basil@thomsonreuters.com;))
Comments