April 17 (Reuters) - Credit ratings firm Equifax ( EFX )

forecast on Wednesday its second-quarter revenue below estimates

after strong economic data boosted chances of rates staying

higher-for-longer, potentially delaying a recovery in the

mortgage market.

Shares of the Atlanta, Georgia-based company fell 6.4% in

extended trading.

U.S. job growth was above expectations in March and wages

also increased steadily, suggesting the economy ended the first

quarter on solid ground and potentially delaying anticipated

Federal Reserve interest rate cuts this year.

Over the last several months, expectations regarding the

extent and timing of the Fed's rate reduction have changed as

investors lose faith in the policymakers' ability to reduce

borrowing costs without triggering an inflationary resurgence in

the strong economy.

Equifax ( EFX ) expects second-quarter revenue between $1.41 billion

and $1.43 billion, below analysts' average estimate of $1.44

billion, as per LSEG.

In a bright spot, the forecast for the year indicates an

expected 11% decline in 2024 U.S. mortgage credit inquiries,

compared with an over 16% year-on-year decline expected by the

company in the previous quarter.

Net profit came in at $1 per share in the quarter ended

March 31, up from 91 cents per share last year.