Note 12 - Stockholders' Equity

3 Months Ended

Nov. 30, 2014

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

12. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred Stock

At November 30, 2014 and August 31, 2014, there were 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock ($.01 par value per share) authorized, of which no shares were issued and outstanding. FactSet’s Board of Directors may from time to time authorize the issuance of one or more series of preferred stock and, in connection with the creation of such series, determine the characteristics of each such series including, without limitation, the preference and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the series.

Common Stock

At November 30, 2014 and August 31, 2014, there were 150,000,000 shares of common stock ($.01 par value per share) authorized, of which 49,293,340 and 49,110,218 shares were issued, respectively. The authorized shares of common stock are issuable for any proper corporate purpose, including future stock splits, stock dividends, acquisitions, raising equity capital or to adopt additional employee benefit plans.

Treasury Stock

At November 30, 2014 and August 31, 2014, there were 7,714,435 and 7,317,416 shares of treasury stock (at cost) outstanding, respectively. As a result, 41,578,905 and 41,792,802 shares of FactSet common stock were outstanding at November 30, 2014 and August 31, 2014, respectively.

Share Repurchase Program

FactSet repurchased 379,854 shares for $48.4 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2015. On December 15, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a $300 million expansion of the existing share repurchase program. Including this expansion, $338.7 million is now available for future share repurchases. Repurchases will be made from time to time in the open market and privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions. No minimum number of shares to be repurchased has been fixed. There is no timeframe to complete the repurchase program and it is expected that share repurchases will be paid using existing and future cash generated by operations. In addition to the purchase of 379,854 shares under the existing share repurchase program, FactSet repurchased 17,165 shares for $2.2 million from employees to cover their cost of taxes upon the vesting of previously granted restricted stock during the first three months of fiscal 2015, as compared to 20,777 shares for $2.3 million in the year ago first quarter.

Restricted Stock

Restricted stock awards entitle the holder to shares of common stock as the awards vest over time. During the first three months of fiscal 2015, 53,495 of previously granted restricted stock awards vested and were included in common stock outstanding as of November 30, 2014 (less 17,165 shares repurchased from employees to cover their cost of taxes upon vesting of the restricted stock). During the same period in fiscal 2014, 62,544 of previously granted restricted stock awards vested and were included in common stock outstanding as of November 30, 2013 (less 20,777 shares repurchased from employees to cover their cost of taxes upon vesting of the restricted stock).

Dividends

The Company’s Board of Directors declared the following historical dividends:

Declaration Date	Dividends Per Share of Common Stock		Type	Record Date	Total $ Amount (in thousands)		Payment Date
November 12, 2014	$	0.39	Regular (cash)	November 28, 2014	$	16,216	December 16, 2014
August 14, 2014	$	0.39	Regular (cash)	August 29, 2014	$	16,299	September 16, 2014
May 5, 2014	$	0.39	Regular (cash)	May 30, 2014	$	16,386	June 17, 2014
February 11, 2014	$	0.35	Regular (cash)	February 28, 2014	$	14,827	March 18, 2014
November 14, 2013	$	0.35	Regular (cash)	November 29, 2013	$	15,046	December 17, 2013
August 15, 2013	$	0.35	Regular (cash)	August 31, 2013	$	15,164	September 17, 2013

All of the above cash dividends were paid from existing cash resources. Future dividend payments will depend on the Company’s earnings, capital requirements, financial condition and other factors considered relevant by the Company and is subject to final determination by the Company’s Board of Directors.