Note 13 - Stockholders' Equity

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2014

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

13. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred Stock

At August 31, 2014 and 2013, 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 August 31, 2014 and 2013, there were 150,000,000 shares of common stock ($.01 par value per share) authorized, of which 49,110,218 and 48,110,740 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 August 31, 2014 and 2013, there were 7,317,416 and 4,786,330 shares of treasury stock (at cost) outstanding, respectively. As a result, 41,792,802 and 43,324,410 shares of FactSet common stock were outstanding at August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Share Repurchase Program

On December 16, 2013, FactSet’s Board of Directors approved a $300 million expansion to the existing share repurchase program. During fiscal 2014, the Company repurchased 2,489,993 shares for $275.4 million. At August 31, 2014, $87.0 million remains authorized 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. During fiscal 2013, the Company repurchased 3.4 million shares for $327.3 million under the share repurchase program.

In addition to the purchase of 2,489,993 shares under the existing share repurchase program, FactSet repurchased 41,093 shares for $4.4 million from employees to cover their cost of taxes upon the vesting of previously granted restricted stock during fiscal 2014, as compared to 50,828 shares for $4.7 million in fiscal 2013.

Restricted Stock

Restricted stock awards entitle the holder to shares of common stock as the awards vest over time. During fiscal 2014, 135,205 of previously granted restricted stock awards vested and were included in common stock outstanding as of August 31, 2014 (less 41,093 shares repurchased from employees to cover their cost of taxes upon vesting of the restricted stock). During fiscal 2013, 149,741 of previously granted restricted stock awards vested and were included in common stock outstanding at August 31, 2013 (less 50,828 shares repurchased from employees to cover their cost of taxes upon vesting of the restricted stock). During fiscal 2012, 14,258 restricted stock awards vested.

Dividends

The Company’s Board of Directors declared the following dividends during the periods presented:

Declaration Date	Dividends Per Share of Common Stock		Type	Record Date	Total $ Amount (in thousands)		Payment Date
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
May 14, 2013	$	0.35	Regular (cash)	May 31, 2013	$	15,413	June 18, 2013
February 21, 2013	$	0.31	Regular (cash)	February 28, 2013	$	13,510	March 19, 2013
November 15, 2012	$	0.31	Regular (cash)	November 30, 2012	$	13,746	December 18, 2012
August 8, 2012	$	0.31	Regular (cash)	August 31, 2012	$	13,727	September 18, 2012
May 8, 2012	$	0.31	Regular (cash)	May 31, 2012	$	13,893	June 19, 2012
February 14, 2012	$	0.27	Regular (cash)	February 29, 2012	$	12,085	March 20, 2012
November 10, 2011	$	0.27	Regular (cash)	November 30, 2011	$	12,181	December 20, 2011

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.