A Look At BISAM, The Market Research Company FactSet Bought For $205 Million

FactSet Research Systems Inc. FDS announced Monday it acquired BISAM Technologies S.A. for $205.2 million. BISAM was previously owned by Aquiline Capital Partners and company executives.

As a market research firm, BISAM provides a comprehensive platform for performance measurements. The global, 160-employee company offers analytical software for multi-asset portfolios and evaluates market risk, GIPS management and general reporting. Its Cognity product — offered since the company’s 2016 acquisition of FinAnalytica — sharpens risk analysis for derivatives and quantitative portfolios.

According to the company website, clients include large buy-side firms and asset managers.

"As investment processes and asset types become more complex, the financial community is seeking increased insight and transparency on performance and risk across their enterprises," FactSet CEO Phil Snow said in a press release. The acquisition is intended to accommodate these demands.

"The combination of BISAM and FactSet allows us to better serve the critical workflows throughout the portfolio lifecycle and fulfill our clients' need for more consistent performance and risk data, throughout their organizations," Snow said.

FactSet shares traded up 0.44 percent at $180.71. The transaction is expected to add $0.02 to the company's adjusted diluted EPS.