CCR World Magazine

ATLANTA - Equifax Inc. today announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.  The company reported revenue from continuing operations of $460.7 million in the second quarter of 2010, a 7 percent increase from the second quarter of 2009.

Revenue increased 6 percent from the prior year excluding the favorable effect of foreign exchange rates.  Second quarter 2010 net income from continuing operations attributable to Equifax was $57.7 million, a 2 percent increase from the prior year.  Diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) from continuing operations attributable to Equifax for the second quarter of 2010 was $0.45 compared to $0.44 in the same period of the prior year.  On a non-GAAP basis, adjusted EPS attributable to Equifax, which includes the operating results of discontinued operations, but excludes the impact of acquisition-related amortization expense and the gain on the sale of our APPRO product line, was $0.58 compared to $0.57 in the second quarter of 2009. 
 
“For the second quarter, we experienced broad-based revenue growth that was better than expected as overall market conditions began to improve and we continued to benefit from our new product innovations.  At the individual business unit level, International, TALX, North America Personal Solutions, and North America Commercial all exceeded our expectations.  US Consumer Information Solutions revenue was flat, in line with our expectations, while they significantly improved their operating margin from the first quarter," said Richard F. Smith, Equifax's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We continue to be optimistic and expect improved, year-over-year performance for the third quarter consistent with the full year outlook we expressed at the beginning of the year."
Second Quarter 2010 Report

Revenue  increased 7 percent versus the second quarter of 2009.   
Operating margin from continuing operations was 23.0 percent for  the second quarter of 2010, down from an operating margin of 23.8 percent in  the second quarter of 2009.

·         We recorded a gain from the sale of our APPRO product line in April of approximately $12 million, after tax.  On July 1, 2010, we completed the sale of our Direct Marketing Services division for $117 million, subject to certain adjustments.  Both of these businesses are reported as discontinued operations and were previously included in the results of our U.S. Consumer Information Solutions segment. 

Total  debt at June 30, 2010 was $1.07 billion, down $107.2 million from December 31,  2009.  
We  repurchased 1.7 million of our common shares on the open market for $55.4  million during the second quarter of 2010.  At June 30, 2010, our remaining  authorization for future share repurchases was $207.2  million.

U.S. Consumer Information Solutions (USCIS)

Total revenue was $184.6 million in the second quarter of 2010 compared to $184.7 million in the second quarter of 2009. 

·         Online Consumer Information Solutions revenue was $120.3 million, down 7 percent from a year ago.

·         Mortgage Solutions revenue was $28.8 million, up 1 percent from a year ago.

·         Consumer Financial Marketing Services revenue was $35.5 million, up 30 percent when compared to a year ago.

Operating margin for USCIS was 37.1 percent in the second quarter of 2010 compared to 37.4 percent in the second quarter of 2009.

International

Total revenue was $118.2 million in the second quarter of 2010, a 12 percent increase over the second quarter of 2009.  In local currency, revenue was up 7 percent compared to the second quarter of 2009. 

·         Latin America revenue was $56.7 million, up 12 percent in local currency and 21 percent in U.S. dollars from a year ago.

·         Europe revenue was $32.5 million, up 4 percent in local currency, but down 1 percent in U.S. dollars from a year ago.

·         Canada Consumer revenue was $29.0 million, up 1 percent in local currency and 15 percent in U.S. dollars from a year ago.

Operating margin for International was 25.4 percent in the second quarter of 2010 compared to 25.3 percent in the second quarter of 2009.

TALX

Total revenue was $99.0 million in the second quarter of 2010, a 15 percent increase over the second quarter of 2009. 

·         The Work Number revenue was $50.0 million, up 28 percent from a year ago.

·         Tax and Talent Management Services revenue was $49.0 million, up 4 percent from a year ago. 

Operating margin for TALX was 23.2 percent in the second quarter of 2010, consistent with the operating margin in the second quarter of 2009. 

North America Personal Solutions

Revenue was $40.3 million, an 8 percent increase from the second quarter of 2009. Operating margin was 25.4 percent, up from 21.5 percent in the second quarter of 2009.   

North America Commercial Solutions

Revenue was $18.6 million, up 13 percent in local currency and up 18 percent in U.S. dollars compared to the second quarter of 2009.  Operating margin was 20.2 percent, up from 15.4 percent in the second quarter of 2009.

Third Quarter 2010 Outlook

Based on the current level of domestic and international business activity and current foreign exchange rates, consolidated revenue for the third quarter of 2010 is expected to be up in the mid to upper single-digits from the year-ago quarter.  Third quarter 2010 adjusted EPS, which excludes the impact of acquisition-related amortization expense and the gain that will be recognized from the DMS sale, is expected to be between $0.55 and $0.59. 
About Equifax (www.equifax.com)
Equifax empowers businesses and consumers with information they can trust. A global leader in information solutions, we leverage one of the largest sources of consumer and commercial data, along with advanced analytics and proprietary technology, to create customized insights that enrich both the performance of businesses and the lives of consumers.
With a strong heritage of innovation and leadership, Equifax continuously delivers innovative solutions with the highest integrity and reliability.  Businesses – large and small – rely on us for consumer and business credit intelligence, portfolio management, fraud detection, decisioning technology, marketing tools, and much more.  We empower individual consumers to manage their personal credit information, protect their identity, and maximize their financial well-being.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Equifax Inc. operates in the U.S. and 14 other countries. Equifax is a member of Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500® Index. Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol EFX.
Earnings Conference Call and Audio Webcast

In conjunction with this release, Equifax will host a conference call tomorrow, July 29, 2010, at 8:30 a.m. (EDT) via a live audio webcast.  To access the webcast, go to the Investor Center of our website at www.equifax.com. The discussion will be available via replay at the same site shortly after the conclusion of the webcast.  This press release is also available at that website.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release presents diluted EPS attributable to Equifax which includes the results of discontinued operations, but excludes acquisition-related amortization expense, gain from sale of a business and a restructuring charge in the prior year, all net of tax.  These are important financial measures for Equifax but are not financial measures as defined by GAAP.

These non-GAAP financial measures should be reviewed in conjunction with the relevant GAAP financial measures and are not presented as an alternative measure of EPS as determined in accordance with GAAP. 

Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and related notes are presented in the Q&A.  This information can also be found under “Investor Center/GAAP/Non-GAAP Measures” on our website at www.equifax.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Management believes certain statements in this earnings release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance as of the time the statements are made.  Management does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied.  Such differences may result from actions taken by Equifax, including restructuring or strategic initiatives (including capital investments or asset acquisitions or dispositions), as well as from developments beyond Equifax’s control, including but not limited to changes in worldwide and U.S. economic conditions that materially impact consumer spending, consumer debt and employment, changes in demand for Equifax's products and services, our ability to develop new products and services, pricing and other competitive pressures, our ability to achieve targeted cost efficiencies, risks relating to illegal third party efforts to access data, risks associated with our ability to complete and integrate acquisitions and other investments, changes in laws and regulations governing our business, including federal or state responses to identity theft concerns, and the outcome of our pending litigation.  Certain additional factors are set forth in Equifax’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 under Item 1A, “Risk Factors”, and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(Source - Equifax News Release)