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Research Alert: Relx Q1: Solid Start To 2026; Company Delivers No Surprises, Reaffirms Outlook

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CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:

RELX reported a positive start in its Q1 trading update, seeing strong underlying revenue growth across all segments amid higher demand for AI-integrated analytical offerings. We continue to see accelerating momentum in Legal, with Q1 logging double-digit growth for Law Firms & Corporate Legal clients amid rising adoption in Lexis+ AI. Meanwhile, Risk also saw continued strong development in Financial Crime Compliance and Fraud & Identity solutions, while STM also saw improved growth geared towards higher-value electronic databases and decision tools. Management reaffirmed its long-term growth trajectory, supported by strong new sales in newer offerings and improving business mix. Based on the current trajectory, we believe these should comfortably translate to adjusted operating profit and EPS growth in the high-single-digits, further accelerated by ongoing share repurchases particularly with the sharp correction since mid-2025 due to AI-disruption fears, which we believe remains overblown at current levels.

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Research Alert: Rollins Prints Mixed Q1 As Margins Fail To Impress

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:ROL's Q1 results were mixed, achieving revenue growth of 10.2% Y/Y split between 6.6% organic growth and 3.6% from acquisitions. However, margin compression remained a headwind, with adjusted operating margin declining 100 bps to 16.9%. ROL faced challenges balancing growth investments while defending profitability, with the termite business remaining the standout performer at 13.5% revenue growth and 9.8% organic expansion, outpacing residential services which rose 9.3% overall but just 4.2% organically. Management attributed margin pressures to insurance/claims costs, people costs, and selling investments, with employee expenses rising to 32.0% of revenue from 31.8% and insurance costs increasing to 2.3% from 2.0%. Cash flows weakened significantly, with operating cash flow declining 19.4% and free cash flow down 20.6%, impacted by timing factors, a $40M tax credit strategy, and $9M from interest payment transitions. We see previous share price highs being elusive until margins show signs of stabilization.

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Research Alert: United Rentals Prints Q1 Beat As Margins Bounce Back

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:URI delivered strong Q1 results with operating EPS of $9.71, beating consensus by $0.77, while total revenue reached $3.9B (+7.2%) with rental revenue of $3.4B (+8.7%). Adjusted EBITDA margin of 44.1% declined 80 bps Y/Y, but excluding the prior year H&E merger termination benefit, margins actually expanded 60 bps, signaling an important inflection from persistent compression. We see this as evidence that management's restructuring efforts are paying off, with margin pressures finally showing signs of stabilization. The strong quarter enabled URI to raise full-year revenue guidance to $16.9B-$17.4B and adjusted EBITDA to $7.625B-$7.875B. Segment results were mixed, with general rentals achieving 6.2% revenue growth and 150 bps margin expansion to 33.8%, while specialty rentals posted robust 13.8% revenue growth but faced 170 bps margin compression to 41.4%. We believe leverage remains well below historical levels, positioning URI for accretive M&A deals that could generate additional guidance lifts.

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Research Alert: Fico Loses Its Grip - Fhfa Opens Door To Rivals

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:FICO's stranglehold on mortgage credit scoring officially ended as FHFA Director Bill Pulte announced that "effective immediately," Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would accept VantageScore, FICO's main competitor, credit models. HUD Secretary Scott Turner said FHA would follow within months. FICO shares plunged 10%+ on the news. Until now, GSEs relied almost exclusively on older FICO models, giving FICO monopolistic control over mortgage financing access. This dominance recently prompted Senator Josh Hawley to investigate FICO's pricing practices. VantageScore costs $0.99 versus FICO's $4.95-$10 plus fees, and uses alternative data like rent payments to score borrowers. We believe this announcement will heavily expand mortgage access, with millions previously excluded by traditional scoring and high costs. This announcement poses a massive headwind for FICO, breaking its monopoly and introducing intense pricing competition unseen in decades. We're watching FICO's April 28 earnings call for management's response.

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