Could The S&P 500 Add Verisk Analytics? Baird Analysts Think So

In a report published Wednesday, Baird analysts maintained their Buy rating and price target of $78 on Verisk Analytics, Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSK). The analysts expect the company to be added to the S&P 500 in the near to intermediate term.

"VRSK market cap now exceeds the market cap of all S&P Midcap 400 constituents. We also believe VRSK meets all criteria for addition to the S&P 500 Index," the analysts explained.

The company's market cap exceeded the all S&P Midcap 400 Index constituents, to reach $12.4 billion, following the secondary offering, in combination with the acquisition of Wood Mackenzie and the appreciation in the share price. The company now meets all criteria for inclusion in the S&P 500 Index, such as its market cap, float and liquidity, US base, financial viability and listing.

According to the Baird report, "Our analysis of recent addition announcements does not show significant evidence of outperformance in reaction to the announcement that a company is being added to the S&P 500 Index. However, outperformance may now come prior to the formal announcement in anticipation of the change."