Verisk Stock Gains 1.6% on Earnings Beat but Ranks 490th in Volume Amid Analyst Divergence

On August 13, 2025, Verisk Analytics (VRSK) rose 1.61% to $261.38, with a trading volume of $240 million, down 32.71% from the prior day, ranking it 490th in volume among listed stocks.

Analyst activity highlighted mixed sentiment. UBS Group cut its price target to $300 from $320, while Morgan Stanley raised its target to $319. Robert W. Baird and Raymond James also adjusted targets upward, reflecting divergent views. The stock carries an average "Hold" rating, with a consensus price target of $305.60.

Verisk reported Q2 earnings of $1.88 per share, exceeding estimates by $0.11, alongside a 7.8% revenue increase to $772.6 million. A quarterly dividend of $0.45 per share was announced, yielding 0.7% annually. However, insider sales by CFO Elizabeth Mann and others reduced their holdings by 1.87% to 3.38%, raising questions about management confidence.

Institutional investors adjusted positions, with Vanguard Group and Geode Capital Management increasing stakes. Verisk’s institutional ownership now exceeds 90%, underscoring its appeal to large fund managers. The company remains a key player in insurance data analytics, offering risk modeling and underwriting solutions.

A backtest of a strategy buying the top 500 high-volume stocks and holding for one day showed a 3.77% return from 2022 to 2025. This outperformed a passive market benchmark but carries risks tied to liquidity and volatility, as high volume does not guarantee sustained gains.