Lee Shavel on capital allocation
From Verisk Analytics Inc ($VRSK) Q4 2025 Earnings Call · · Castify Earnings Call
“Today, I am pleased to announce our intention to execute a $1.5 billion accelerated share repurchase program in the coming days, supported by our board's approval of an increase in our share repurchase authorization to $2.5 billion, inclusive of the previously remaining authorization amount. After the ASR, we will have a further $1 billion in authorization, which will provide flexibility for continued open market purchases subject to market conditions. Our board has also approved an 11% increase to our dividend to $2 per share annually.”
On , Lee Shavel, Chief Executive Officer, President & Director at Verisk Analytics, Inc, spoke about capital allocation during Verisk Analytics Inc ($VRSK) Q4 2025 Earnings Call on Castify Earnings Call.
About Lee Shavel
Lee Shavel, president and CEO of Verisk Analytics, said on the company's first-quarter 2026 earnings call that Verisk is "introducing new innovations to the market at a faster rate" and that the company won a competitive RFP to become the strategic partner of a global insurance firm for a digitally native underwriting entity. During the same call, Shavel stated that Verisk clients have "moved beyond an experimentation and an exploration phase in 2025" regarding AI and are now focused on integrating data into their functions. He characterized the sustainability of subscription growth as "strong" and noted that AI-driven enhancements were contributing to client engagement. In the prior quarter, Shavel discussed the termination of the agreement to acquire Aculinks, citing an extended FTC review as a factor, and announced a $1.5 billion accelerated share repurchase program. He highlighted that Verisk's data sets and insurance-specific expertise create a barrier for general AI companies, and that the company's wildfire model was submitted to the California Department of Insurance, with client interest in the model increasing after the Los Angeles wildfires, which Verisk estimated would result in $28 to $35 billion in industry losses.