Earnings

TransUnion Raises 2026 Profit Forecast To $4.81-$4.88 A Share And Lifts Buyback Authorization To $2 Billion

The credit bureau lifted its adjusted EPS outlook, raised its dividend to $0.135 and held revenue guidance at the high end.

Matteo Parrino Jonathan Ponciano

Matteo Parrino, Jonathan Ponciano

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TransUnion Raises 2026 Profit Forecast To $4.81-$4.88 A Share And Lifts Buyback Authorization To $2 Billion

TransUnion, the credit bureau, raised its 2026 forecast for adjusted earnings per share to $4.81 to $4.88 from $4.75 to $4.83, and its board added $1 billion to the buyback authorization, bringing it to $2 billion. The company announced both Tuesday alongside third-quarter results in an 8-K.

A quarter that beat guidance

Third-quarter revenue was $1,312 million, up 12% from a year earlier and 8% on an organic constant-currency basis, which strips out currency swings and acquisitions. The company said it exceeded the high end of its guidance for diluted and adjusted diluted earnings per share.

Net income attributable to TransUnion was $156 million, or $0.81 a diluted share, against $97 million and $0.49 a year earlier. Adjusted diluted earnings per share rose 14% to $1.25 from $1.10. Adjusted EBITDA was $465 million, up 9%, though its margin slipped to 35.4% from 36.3%.

U.S. Markets revenue grew 7%, led by Financial Services at 11% and Emerging Verticals at 6%, while Consumer Interactive fell 3%. International accelerated to 10% organic constant-currency growth, including 18% in India.

Rates temper the raise

CEO Chris Cartwright said the company is "maintaining the high-end of 2026 guidance for revenue and raising guidance for Adjusted Diluted EPS, balancing business momentum against rising interest rates and overall market uncertainty." Full-year revenue guidance stays at $5,131 million to $5,162 million.

A slide deck attributes the higher EPS outlook to lower net interest expense and recent repurchases. It says rising rates create pressure for mortgage lending, with a moderate effect on auto and less on credit cards and personal loans.

For the fourth quarter, TransUnion guides revenue of $1,264 million to $1,294 million and adjusted diluted EPS of $1.15 to $1.22.

More cash back to shareholders

TransUnion, which compiles consumer data into credit, fraud, identity and marketing products for lenders, insurers and other businesses, has repurchased about $243 million of shares year to date. It expects to buy up to $500 million in 2026, and the slides point to about $257 million in the fourth quarter.

The quarterly dividend rises to $0.135 a share from $0.125, payable November 25 to holders of record on November 10.

For the first nine months, cash from operations was $889 million, versus $668 million a year earlier. Cash stood at $883 million at September 30.

Cartwright said the company continues to expect 2026 to be its third straight year of at least high-single-digit organic revenue growth and double-digit adjusted EPS growth.

Sources

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