Fundsmith Reduces $44M in VeriSign, Inc. ($VRSN)
Fundsmith reduced its holdings in VeriSign, reflecting a major cut in its position.
Key Points
- Fundsmith cut its stake in VeriSign by 58%, reducing shares from 270,634 to 113,467, valued at $31.8 million.
- Shares of NasdaqGS:VRSN traded near $279.89 with a market cap of $25.47 billion and a P/E ratio of 31.0.
- Insiders at VeriSign, including CEO James Bidzos, sold shares in planned transactions, while analysts maintained varied ratings.
Fundsmith recently reduced its holdings in VeriSign, Inc. (NasdaqGS:VRSN), cutting its position by 58% as of its latest 13F filing with the SEC. The fund now holds 113,467 shares, down from 270,634, with the stake valued at approximately $31.8 million.
What Changed in Fundsmith's VeriSign Position
Fundsmith significantly trimmed its investment in VeriSign, shedding 157,167 shares. This represents a 58% decrease in its holdings, bringing the total down to 113,467 shares. The value of the position is now reported to be around $31.8 million.
Other Institutional Activity in VeriSign
BlackRock, Inc. reduced its holdings in VeriSign by 237,095 shares, ending with 9,324,336 shares valued at about $2.32 billion. Berkshire Hathaway maintained its position with 8,989,880 shares worth roughly $2.23 billion. Vanguard Capital Management LLC added 5,363,905 shares, bringing its total to the same number, valued at approximately $1.33 billion. Similarly, Vanguard Portfolio Management LLC added 5,247,489 shares, reaching a total of 5,247,489 shares valued at about $1.30 billion. State Street Corp reduced its stake by 187,421 shares, now holding 4,077,144 shares worth $1.01 billion.
VeriSign Stock Snapshot
Shares of VeriSign traded near $279.89. The company, with a market cap of $25.47 billion, has a P/E ratio of 31.0 and a forward P/E of 26.2. Its beta is 0.688, indicating lower volatility compared to the market. The stock's 52-week range is between $208.86 and $312.48, with a 50-day moving average of $282.84 and a 200-day moving average of $258.78.
Recent Earnings
VeriSign reported revenue of $1.68 billion, showing a growth rate of 6.6%. The company's net margin stood at 49.96%, with an EPS of $9.04. The next earnings report is expected on July 23, 2026.
Dividend
VeriSign offers an annual dividend rate of $3.24, yielding 1.16%. The dividend payout ratio is 34.48%.
Insider Buying and Selling at VeriSign, Inc.
On June 9, 2026, CEO James Bidzos sold 3,300 shares at an average price of $284.30 in a planned transaction. EVP Thomas Indelicarto also sold 500 shares at $283.54 on the same day. Earlier, on June 2, Bidzos sold another 3,300 shares at $297.47, and Indelicarto sold 500 shares at $293.45, both in planned sales. Additionally, on May 27, Courtney Armstrong purchased 16 shares at $305.75.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
On April 24, 2026, Citigroup maintained its 'buy' rating on VeriSign with a price target of $320. Baird also maintained a 'buy' rating with a target of $355, while JP Morgan kept a 'hold' rating with a $278 target. The consensus among analysts is a 'buy', with a mean price target of $306.25 based on four opinions.
About VeriSign, Inc.
VeriSign, Inc., headquartered in Reston, Virginia, provides internet infrastructure and domain name registry services. It manages two of the thirteen internet root servers and supports global e-commerce through registration services for .com and .net domains. Led by CEO D. James Bidzos, the company employs 926 people.
Bottom Line
Fundsmith's filing reveals a significant reduction in its VeriSign position, which may interest investors tracking institutional moves. Shares of VeriSign continue to show stability in the market. As always, remember that 13F filings are backward-looking and may not reflect current positions.
See Also
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