Fair Isaac is now a hold

Article Excerpt

FAIR ISAAC CORPORATION $21.80 (New York symbol FICO; SI Rating: Average) (415-472-2211; www.fairisaac.com; Shares outstanding: 46.5 million; Market cap: $1.0 billion; Dividend yield 0.4%) reports that its revenue fell 7.3% in the three months ended December 31, 2009, to $151.5 million from $163.5 million a year earlier. That’s because tight credit markets have hurt the financial institutions that are its main customers. Despite the lower revenue, cost cuts kept earnings per share unchanged at $0.37. Fair Isaac’s long-term outlook remains positive. That’s partly because the company is using its credit-scoring expertise to diversify into other areas. For example, its new Retail Action Manager software lets retailers design sales strategies based on their customers’ buying histories. Electronics retailer Best Buy recently signed a multi-year agreement to buy Retail Action Manager. However, in the near term, Fair Isaac needs a stronger economy to push up its revenue and profits. As well, increased government regulation of banks and the credit-card industry adds uncertainty to its sales…