Dec 19 (Reuters) - FactSet Research Systems ( FDS ) on

Thursday reported higher quarterly profit as more investors

signed up for its financial data and analytics services.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

Investors have been spending more on financial-data

products as markets rallied after the U.S. Federal Reserve

delivered its first interest-rate cut in more than four years in

September.

KEY QUOTE

"As we enter our second quarter, we have a robust pipeline

fueled by the strength of our diverse portfolio of innovative

solutions that deliver value and resonate with our clients,"

said FactSet CEO Phil Snow.

BY THE NUMBERS

Annual subscription value (ASV) rose 4.9% to $2.27

billion during the quarter. ASV indicates revenue potential from

subscription services for the next 12 months.

On an adjusted basis, the Norwalk, Connecticut-based company

earned $4.37 per diluted share for the quarter ended Nov. 30,

compared with $4.12 last year.