Here's Why You Should Retain Equifax Stock in Your Portfolio Now

Equifax EFX has an impressive Growth Score of B. This style score condenses all the essential metrics from the company’s financial statements to get a true sense of the quality and sustainability of its growth.

EFX’s revenues are anticipated to increase 6.50% and 8% year over year in 2025 and 2026, respectively. Earnings are estimated to rise 4.3% in 2025 and 16% in 2026. The company has an estimated long-term (three to five years) earnings per share growth rate of 11.7%.

Equifax, Inc. Price and EPS Surprise

Equifax, Inc. price-eps-surprise | Equifax, Inc. Quote

Factors That Augur Well for EFX’s Prospects

Equifax strengthens consumer credit empowerment by integrating its AI-driven Optimal Path interactive score planner into the Kikoff (a personal finance platform on a mission to make financial security accessible to everyone) platform, giving over one million members access to personalized, goal-based credit guidance with actionable steps, estimated score impact and weekly progress tracking.

The integration replaces generic credit-building tools with data-driven insights powered by Equifax Cloud and EFX.AI, boosting member engagement and accelerating measurable credit improvement. At the same time, Equifax expands the real-world reach of its advanced analytics, while Kikoff enhances its mission to deliver affordable, effective solutions for long-term financial health.

The company accelerates its workforce verification strategy by acquiring Vault Verify and immediately strengthening The Work Number with additional real-time employment and income data. EFX integrates Vault Verify’s API-based technology into its Equifax Cloud platform to deliver faster, more accurate and more informed verification decisions for employers, lenders and benefits providers. By expanding employer data participation and improving verification efficiency across jobs, mortgages and social services, Equifax directly reinforces its purpose-driven growth through secure, scalable and consumer-centric data solutions.

Moreover, Equifax strengthens risk management for regulated businesses by launching AI-powered AML Compliance Solutions that enable near real-time screening and monitoring across more than 150 global sanctions lists and 30,000 adverse news sources through a single platform. By combining advanced machine learning with its Intelligent Match Engine and optional human analyst review, EFX improves match accuracy, reduces false positives and lowers compliance costs with advanced machine learning, human review, and built-in portfolio monitoring and case management tools.

EFX’s customer-centric initiatives continue to strengthen its outlook, highlighted by the recent redesign of its U.S. consumer credit report. The updated format features clearer visuals, color-coded sections and the inclusion of VantageScore 3.0 with easy-to-understand explanations of key credit factors. Integrated with the myEquifax app and powered by the Equifax Cloud, the redesign improves clarity and usability while reinforcing the company’s commitment to consumer empowerment.

EFX: Risks on Radar

Equifax is facing mounting pressure from rising operating expenses, which are weighing on its profitability and overall outlook. The company has shown a clear trend of escalating costs, with operating expenses jumping 7% year over year in 2023 and rising another 7% in 2024. This trend continued into the third quarter of 2025, with expenses increasing 7.2% year over year. Sustained cost growth at this pace could erode margins and limit EFX’s ability to invest in strategic initiatives, making expense management a key area to watch moving forward.

EFX’s Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Equifax currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

A couple of better-ranked stocks from the broader Zacks Business Services sector are Byrna Technologies BYRN and Veralto Corporation VLTO.

Byrna Technologies currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). It has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 29%.

BYRN has an encouraging earnings surprise history. It has surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average earnings surprise of 165.5%.

Veralto Corporation also carries a Zacks Rank of 2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

VLTO has a long-term earnings growth expectation of 8.5%. The company has an encouraging earnings surprise history. It has surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average earnings surprise of 6.5%.

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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