D&B Announces First Quarter 2007 Results; Confirms Guidance; Declares Dividend.* Diluted di·lute tr.v. di·lut·ed, di·lut·ing, di·lutes 1. To make thinner or less concentrated by adding a liquid such as water. 2. To lessen the force, strength, purity, or brilliance of, especially by admixture. EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) A PostScript file format used to transfer a graphic image between applications and platforms. EPS files contain PostScript code as well as an optional preview image in TIFF, WMF, PICT or EPSI, the latter being an ASCII-only format. Before Non-Core Gains and Charges Up 21%; GAAP GAAP See: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles GAAP See generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Diluted EPS Up 16% * Core and Total Revenue Up 5% Before the Effect of Foreign Exchange; Up 7% After the Effect of Foreign Exchange * Declares $0.25 Per Share Quarterly Cash Dividend * Announces New One-Year $200 Million Share Repurchase Share Repurchase A program by which a company buys back its own shares from the marketplace, reducing the number of outstanding shares. This is usually an indication that the company's management thinks the shares are undervalued. Program SHORT HILLS, N.J. -- D&B (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : DNB DNB Dictionary of National Biography DNB Drum N Bass (music) DNB De Nederlandsche Bank DNB Dun & Bradstreet (stock symbol) DNB Den Norske Bank DNB David Nelson Band ), the leading provider of global business information, tools and commercial insight, today reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2007. "We feel good about our first quarter results and our outlook for 2007," said Steve Alesio, chairman and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of D&B. "We're making early progress against our strategic growth plan and we remain confident in the sustainability of our performance and our ability to drive total shareholder return in the future." First Quarter 2007 Results Diluted earnings per share diluted earnings per share An earnings measure calculated by dividing net income less preferred stock dividends for a period by the average number of shares of common stock that would be outstanding if all convertible securities were converted into shares of before non-core gains and charges for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, were $0.98, up 21 percent from $0.81 in the prior year period. On a GAAP basis, diluted earnings per share were $0.87, up 16 percent from $0.75 in the prior year period. See attached Schedule 3 for a reconciliation of diluted earnings per share before non-core gains and charges to earnings per share on a GAAP basis, as well as the definitions of the non-GAAP financial measures that the Company uses to evaluate the business. Core and total revenue for the first quarter of 2007 was $392.3 million, up 5 percent before the effect of foreign exchange (up 7 percent after the effect of foreign exchange) compared with the prior year quarter. Core and total revenue results for the first quarter of 2007 reflect the following by solution set: * Risk Management Solutions revenue of $254.7 million, up 2 percent before the effect of foreign exchange (up 4 percent after the effect of foreign exchange); * Sales & Marketing Solutions revenue of $103.8 million, up 8 percent before the effect of foreign exchange (up 9 percent after the effect of foreign exchange); * E-Business Solutions revenue of $24.7 million, up 19 percent (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange); and * Supply Management Solutions revenue of $9.1 million, up 20 percent before the effect of foreign exchange (up 21 percent after the effect of foreign exchange). See attached Schedules 4 and 5 for additional detail. Operating income Operating Income The profit realized from a business' own operations. Notes: This would not include income from things such as investments in other firms. Also referred to as operating profit or recurring profit. before non-core gains and charges for the first quarter of 2007 was $101.0 million, up 9 percent from the prior year period. On a GAAP basis, operating income was $85.4 million, down 1 percent from the prior year period. During the first quarter of 2007, the Company also incurred transition costs of $2.9 million compared with $4.5 million in the prior year period. Net income before non-core gains and charges for the first quarter of 2007 was $59.6 million, up 7 percent from $55.7 million in the prior year period. On a GAAP basis, net income for the quarter was $52.7 million, up 3 percent from $51.5 million in the prior year period. See attached Schedule 3 for additional detail. Free cash flow for the first quarter of 2007, excluding the impact of legacy tax matters, was $104.6 million, up 49 percent from the first quarter of 2006. The Company defines free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures and additions to computer software and other intangibles. Net cash provided by operating activities, excluding the impact of legacy tax matters, was $119.6 million, up 57 percent from the first quarter of 2006. On a GAAP basis, net cash provided by operating activities was $119.6 million, compared to $36.2 million in the prior year period. See attached Schedule 4 for additional detail. Share repurchases during the first quarter of 2007, under the Company's current one-year program commenced in the fourth quarter of 2006 totaled $68.7 million, with $143.7 million repurchased since inception. This amount is in addition to the Company's existing repurchase re·pur·chase tr.v. re·pur·chased, re·pur·chas·ing, re·pur·chas·es To buy (something) again. n. The act of buying something that one previously sold or owned. Noun 1. program to offset the dilutive effect Dilutive effect Result of a transaction that decreases earnings per common share (EPS). of shares issued under employee benefit plans, which totaled $36.9 million in the first quarter of 2007. The Company ended the quarter with $139.6 million of cash and cash equivalents. First Quarter 2007 Segment Results United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. Core and total revenue for the first quarter of 2007 was $302.5 million, up 6 percent from $286.0 million in the prior year quarter. U.S. core and total revenue results for the first quarter of 2007 reflect the following: * Risk Management Solutions revenue of $181.6 million, up 3 percent; * Sales & Marketing Solutions revenue of $89.6 million, up 7 percent; * E-Business Solutions revenue of $22.9 million, up 17 percent; and * Supply Management Solutions revenue of $8.4 million, up 26 percent. See attached Schedules 4 and 5 for additional detail. Operating income for the quarter was $109.1 million, up 5 percent from the prior year quarter. The increase was primarily due to improved revenue in the U.S. segment, partially offset by costs associated with investments to enhance the Company's strategic capabilities. International Core and total revenue for the first quarter of 2007 was $89.8 million, up 3 percent before the effect of foreign exchange (up 11 percent after the effect of foreign exchange) from $81.2 million in the prior year period. During the first quarter of 2007, the Italian Real Estate Data business had a negative 4 point impact on International revenue results, primarily due to the impact of ongoing legislative changes in Italy. All of this impact is reflected in the Risk Management Solutions results. International core and total revenue results for the first quarter of 2007 reflect the following: * Risk Management Solutions revenue of $73.1 million, flat with the prior year period before the effect of foreign exchange (up 8 percent after the effect of foreign exchange); * Sales & Marketing Solutions revenue of $14.2 million, up 16 percent before the effect of foreign exchange (up 24 percent after the effect of foreign exchange); * E-Business Solutions revenue of $1.8 million, up 51 percent before the effect of foreign exchange (up 63 percent after the effect of foreign exchange); and * Supply Management Solutions revenue of $0.7 million, down 26 percent before the effect of foreign exchange (down 20 percent after the effect of foreign exchange). See attached Schedules 4 and 5 for additional detail. Operating income before non-core gains and charges for the first quarter of 2007 was $11.6 million, an increase of 33 percent from the prior year quarter. This increase was primarily driven by the benefit of our prior year reengineering efforts. On a GAAP basis, operating income was $10.8 million, up 24 percent from the prior year quarter. Non-Core Gains and Charges During the first quarter of 2007, the Company recorded a net pre-tax, non-core charge of $14.8 million related to its financial flexibility initiatives. In addition, the Company recorded a pre-tax, non-core gain of $5.8 million associated with the Huaxia D&B China joint venture and a pre-tax charge of $0.8 million associated with the settlement of an International payroll tax Payroll Tax Tax an employer withholds and/or pays on behalf of their employees based on the wage or salary of the employee. In most countries, including the U.S., both state and federal authorities collect some form of payroll tax. matter related to a divested entity. During the first quarter of 2006, the Company recorded a net pre-tax, non-core charge of $6.4 million related to its financial flexibility initiatives. See attached Schedule 3 for additional detail. D&B's restructuring charges restructuring charge The expense of reorganizing a company's operations. A restructuring charge is an infrequent expense that generally results from asset writedowns or facility closings. may be viewed as recurring re·cur intr.v. re·curred, re·cur·ring, re·curs 1. To happen, come up, or show up again or repeatedly. 2. To return to one's attention or memory. 3. To return in thought or discourse. as they are part of its Financial Flexibility initiatives. In addition to reporting GAAP results, the Company reports results before restructuring charges and other non-core gains and charges because they are not a component of its ongoing income or expenses and may have a disproportionate dis·pro·por·tion·ate adj. Out of proportion, as in size, shape, or amount. dis pro·por positive or negative impact on the results of its
ongoing underlying business operations Business operations are those activities involved in the running of a business for the purpose of producing value for the stakeholders. Compare business processes. The outcome of business operations is the harvesting of value from assets . For additional information, see
the section titled "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below.
Dividend Declared D&B announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share. This quarterly cash dividend is payable on June 15, 2007, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 31, 2007. New $200 Million One-Year Share Repurchase Program The Company announced today that its Board of Directors has authorized au·thor·ize tr.v. au·thor·ized, au·thor·iz·ing, au·thor·iz·es 1. To grant authority or power to. 2. To give permission for; sanction: a new $200 million one-year share repurchase program. The new program will commence after completion of the current $200 million program, which has $56.3 million remaining. The Company anticipates that the new $200 million program will be completed within 12 months after its initiation. Full Year 2007 Outlook Confirmed The Company confirmed the following full year guidance for 2007: * Core revenue growth of 6 percent to 8 percent, before the effect of foreign exchange, all of which will be organic; * Operating income growth before non-core gains and charges of 8 percent to 10 percent; * Diluted EPS growth of 13 percent to 16 percent before non-core gains and charges; * Free cash flow of $310 million to $325 million. As a reminder, the Company's free cash flow outlook excludes the impact of any payments made in connection with the Company's legacy tax matters; and * Tax rate before non-core gains and charges of approximately 37 percent to 38 percent. D&B does not provide guidance on a GAAP basis because D&B is unable to predict, with reasonable certainty, the future movement of foreign exchange rates or the future impact of non-core gains and charges, such as restructuring charges and legacy tax matters, which are a component of the most comparable financial measures calculated in accordance Accordance is Bible Study Software for Macintosh developed by OakTree Software, Inc.[] As well as a standalone program, it is the base software packaged by Zondervan in their Bible Study suites for Macintosh. with GAAP. Non-core gains and charges are uncertain and will depend on several factors, including industry conditions, and could be material to D&B's results computed in accordance with GAAP. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures D&B reports non-GAAP financial measures in this press release and the schedules attached. D&B reports core revenue and core revenue growth before the effects of foreign exchange. Additionally, the Company reports organic core revenue growth and each of operating income, operating margin Operating Margin A ratio used to measure a company's pricing strategy and operating efficiency. Calculated by: , net income, diluted earnings per share and tax rate (defined as Provision for Income Taxes divided by Income before Provision for Income Taxes) before non-core gains and charges, and free cash flow. See "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis Management's discussion and analysis (MD&A) A report from management to shareholders that accompanies the firm's financial statements in the annual report. It explains the period's financial results and enables management to discuss topics that may not be apparent in the financial of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - How We Manage Our Business" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K Form 10-K A report required by the SEC from exchange-listed companies that provides for annual disclosure of certain financial information. Form 10-K See 10-K. for the year ending December 31, 2006, filed February 28, 2007 with the SEC, for a discussion of how the Company defines these measures, why it uses them and why it believes they provide useful information to investors. These measures are defined in Schedule 3 attached to this earnings release. First Quarter Teleconference As previously announced, D&B will review its first quarter 2007 financial results in a conference call with the investment community on Friday, May 4, 2007, at 10 a.m. ET. Live audio, as well as a replay of the conference call and other related information, will be accessible on D&B's Investor Relations Investor relations The process by which the corporation communicates with its investors. Web site at http://investor.dnb.com. About D&B D&B (NYSE:DNB) is the world's leading source of commercial information and insight on businesses, enabling companies to Decide with Confidence([R])for over 165 years. D&B's global commercial database contains more than 110 million business records. The database is enhanced by D&B's proprietary DUNSRight([R]) Quality Process, which provides our customers with quality business information. This quality information is the foundation of our global solutions that customers rely on to make critical business decisions. D&B provides customers with four solution sets, which meet a diverse set of customer needs globally. Customers use D&B Risk Management Solutions(TM) to mitigate mit·i·gate v. To moderate in force or intensity. mit i·ga tion n. credit risk, increase cash flow and
drive increased profitability; D&B Sales & Marketing
Solutions(TM) to increase revenue from new and existing customers;
D&B E-Business Solutions(TM) to convert prospects into clients
faster by enabling business professionals to research companies,
executives and industries; and D&B Supply Management Solutions(TM)
to increase cash by generating ongoing savings from our customers'
suppliers and by protecting our customers from serious financial,
operational and regulatory risk. For more information, please visit
www.dnb.com.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements This press release, including, in particular, the section titled "Full-Year 2007 Outlook Confirmed," contains projections of future results and other forward-looking statements forward-looking statement A projected financial statement based on management expectations. A forward-looking statement involves risks with regard to the accuracy of assumptions underlying the projections. that involve a number of trends, risks and uncertainties, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995. The following important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. * D&B relies significantly on third parties to support critical components of its business model in a continuous and high-quality manner, including third-party data providers, strategic partners in its Worldwide Network, and outsourcing (1) Contracting with outside consultants, software houses or service bureaus to perform systems analysis, programming and datacenter operations. Contrast with insourcing. See netsourcing, ASP, SSP and facilities management. partners. * Demand for D&B's products is subject to intense competition, changes in customer preferences and, to a lesser extent, economic conditions which impact customer behavior. * The profitability of D&B's International segment depends on its ability to identify and execute on various initiatives, such as the implementation of subscription plan pricing and successfully managing its Worldwide Network, and its ability to identify and contend with various challenges present in foreign markets, such as local competition and the availability of public records at no cost. * D&B's ability to renew large contracts, the related revenue recognition and the timing thereof may impact its results of operations from period to period. * D&B's results are subject to the effects of foreign economies, exchange rate fluctuations, legislative or regulatory requirements Regulatory requirements are part of the process of drug discovery and drug development. Regulatory requirements describe what is necessary for a new drug to be approved for marketing in any particular country. , such as the adoption of new or changes in accounting policies and practices, including pronouncements by the Financial Accounting Standards Board Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Board composed of independent members who create and interpret Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). or other standard-setting bodies, and the implementation or modification of fees or taxes that we must pay to acquire, use, and/or redistribute re·dis·trib·ute tr.v. re·dis·trib·ut·ed, re·dis·trib·ut·ing, re·dis·trib·utes To distribute again in a different way; reallocate. data. In particular, D&B's results have been, and may continue to be, significantly impacted by legislative changes affecting the fees charged by the Italian government to acquire and/or re-use data. * D&B's solutions and brand image are dependent upon the integrity of its global database and the continued availability thereof through the Internet Internet Publicly accessible computer network connecting many smaller networks from around the world. It grew out of a U.S. Defense Department program called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), established in 1969 with connections between computers at the and by other means, as well as our ability to protect key assets, such as data center capacity. * D&B is involved in various tax matters and legal proceedings All actions that are authorized or sanctioned by law and instituted in a court or a tribunal for the acquisition of rights or the enforcement of remedies. , the outcomes of which are unknown and uncertain with respect to the impact on D&B's cash flow and profitability. See the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q Form 10-Q See 10-Q. and notes to the financial statements Notes to the financial statements A detailed set of notes immediately following the financial statements in an annual report that explain and expand on the information in the financial statements. included therewith there·with adv. 1. With that, this, or it. 2. In addition to that. 3. Archaic Immediately thereafter. Adv. 1. , for a more detailed description of these matters. * D&B's ability to successfully implement its Blueprint blueprint, white-on-blue photographic print, commonly of a working drawing used during building or manufacturing. The plan is first drawn to scale on a special paper or tracing cloth through which light can penetrate. for Growth Strategy requires that it successfully reduce its expense base through its Financial Flexibility initiatives, and reallocate Verb 1. reallocate - allocate, distribute, or apportion anew; "Congressional seats are reapportioned on the basis of census data" reapportion allocate, apportion - distribute according to a plan or set apart for a special purpose; "I am allocating a loaf of certain of the expense-base reductions into initiatives that produce desired revenue growth. * D&B's future success requires that it attract and retain qualified personnel in regions throughout the world. * D&B's ability to repurchase shares is subject to market conditions, including trading volume Trading volume The number of shares transacted every day. As there is a seller for every buyer, one can think of the trading volume as half of the number of shares transacted. That is, if A sells 100 shares to B, the volume is 100 shares. in its stock, and its ability to repurchase shares in accordance with applicable securities laws. * D&B's ability to acquire and successfully integrate other complementary businesses, products and technologies into its existing business, without significant disruption disruption /dis·rup·tion/ (dis-rup´shun) a morphologic defect resulting from the extrinsic breakdown of, or interference with, a developmental process. to its existing business or to its financial results. * D&B's projection for free cash flow in 2007 is dependent upon its ability to generate revenue, its collection processes, customer payment patterns, the timing and volume of stock option exercises and the amount and timing of payments related to the tax and other matters and legal proceedings in which it is involved, as referenced above and as more fully described in the Company's filings with the SEC, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and notes to the financial statements included therewith. For a more detailed discussion of the trends, risks and uncertainties that may affect D&B's operating and financial results and its ability to achieve the financial objectives discussed in this press release, readers should review the Company's most recent filings with the SEC, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Copies of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q are available on its Web site at www.dnb.com and on the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. D&B cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not complete and except as otherwise required by federal securities laws does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] [TABLE OMITTED] |
|
||||||||||||

pro·por
tion n.
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion