TSI senior analyst Scott Clayton has isolated six elite financial information powerhouses uniquely positioned to capitalize on the surge in demand for proprietary market data. Featured in our latest Globe and Mail column, these North American market leaders stand out because they sit on vast reservoirs of exclusive financial data. This advantage has created an unassailable competitive moat against potential rivals. By integrating advanced AI tools into their core offerings, these market titans are unlocking massive new value for global clients while bolstering long-term shareholder distributions.
We deployed our strict 12-point TSI Dividend Sustainability Rating System to isolate the companies combining dominant data footprints with rock-solid balance sheets and dependable cash flows. While high computing and technology costs mean dividend yields are typically capped around 2%, these aren’t high-risk tech gambles. They’re stable, cash-generating category leaders with the underlying balance-sheet health required to sustain payout stability across every economic cycle.
The selected firms represent a diverse mix of financial technology, risk analytics, and exchange platforms. From multi-platform AI workflow integration to specialized trading and portfolio analytics, each entity pairs immense data dominance with a recurring revenue model insulated from broader economic volatility.
Our screening process started with a broad list of dividend-paying Canadian and U.S. financial information giants expanding their earnings through deep data pools. From there, we put each contender through our rigorous rating framework: payout histories, management’s dedication to dividends, non-cyclical stability, low currency and political risk, and long-term earnings power needed to guarantee dividend security through complex market shifts.
Excerpt from theglobeandmail.com, July 23, 2026
Sustainable dividends from companies using AI to expand the value of their proprietary investment data.
The growing use of AI models means the value of investment information has shot up for companies holding vast amounts of proprietary financial data.
For the segment’s leading players, their exclusive datasets provide a competitive moat against potential new rivals. That competitive edge also helps to explain the appeal these financial companies have for investors seeking reliable income and dependable returns.
Still, our analysts at The Successful Investor note these companies typically shoulder high computing technology costs. That translates into modest dividends for shareholders, with dividend yields largely capped at 2 per cent.
Our search started with dividend-paying Canadian and U.S. financial information giants now leveraging mountains of data to expand already-solid earnings. From there, we applied our TSI Dividend Sustainability Rating System, awarding points to a stock based on key factors:
- One point for five years of continuous dividend payments
- Two points for more than five
- Two points if it has raised the payment in the past five years
- One point for management’s commitment to dividends
- One point for operating in non-cyclical industries
- One point for limited exposure to foreign currency rates and freedom from political interference
- Two points for a strong balance sheet, including manageable debt and adequate cash
- Two points for a long-term record of positive earnings and cash flow sufficient to cover dividend payments
- One point for an industry leader
Companies with 10 to 12 points have the most secure dividends, or the highest sustainability. Those with seven to nine points have above average sustainability; average sustainability, four to six points; and below average sustainability, one to three points.
6 AI-driven financial data stocks offering solid payouts
Our TSI Dividend Sustainability Rating System generated six stocks.
Moody’s Corp. (with a 0.9% yield), headquartered in New York City, provides risk assessment information, analytics tools, and solutions to businesses worldwide. Notably, rather than relying on a single AI model provider, Moody’s has now integrated its data and AI workflows across Anthropic’s Claude, OpenAI’s ChatGPT Enterprise, Microsoft 365 Copilot and AWS Marketplace/Amazon Quick.
TMX Group Ltd. (1.8%), based in Toronto, is an operator of public trading platforms, including the Toronto Stock Exchange. It also sells a wide range of financial, corporate, and trading data through its information services division, TMX Datalinx. That unit keeps adding to the company’s AI capabilities.
Cboe Global Markets Inc. (1.0%), headquartered in Chicago, operates as a leading derivatives and securities exchange network. In addition, through Cboe Market Data Services, it provides real-time and historical data to banks, hedge funds, brokers, exchanges, fintechs, and data vendors.
Lake Success, New York-based Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. (2.7%) serves the investment industry in three main areas: investor communications, securities processing, and transaction clearing. Its clients increasingly benefit from its choice of two comprehensive AI platforms.
Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (1,5%), with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, operates exchanges for commodities, equities, fixed income, and derivatives, including the New York Stock Exchange. What’s more, it uses AI to enhance its existing catalogue of market-focused analysis and services.
And FactSet Research Systems Inc. (1.9%), headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, is a leading provider of financial data and portfolio analytics to investment firms worldwide. The company offers clients its AI Blueprint to leverage that pool of information.
Scott Clayton, MBA, is senior analyst for TSI Network and associate editor of TSI Dividend Advisor.
