(RTTNews) - Wednesday, Financial information publisher Dun & Bradstreet Corp. (DNB: News ) reported a drop in third quarter profit due to higher non core charges incurred during the quarter. The company witnessed 1% drop in its total revenues, as core revenue in its North American and International segment declined from last year. Adjusted earnings for the quarter, however, came in ahead of Street estimate by a penny. Looking ahead, the company reaffirmed it fiscal 2009 guidance.

The Short Hills, New Jersey-based Dun & Bradstreet reported net income attributable to the company for the third quarter of $54.0 million or $1.02 per share, compared to $65.1 million or $1.18 per share in the year-ago quarter.

Quarterly results included a net pre-tax, non-core charge of $14.1 million in the third quarter of 2009 and a net after-tax, non-core charge of $6.1 million.

Excluding these non-core gains and charges, non-GAAP net income for the quarter rose to $60.1 million or $1.13 per share from $62.1 million or $1.12 per share in the same quarter last year.

On average, six analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to earn $1.12 per share for the quarter. Analysts estimates typically exclude special items.

Total revenues for the quarter decreased 1% to $399.0 million from $409.2 million in the prior-year quarter. Revenues for the year-ago period included the results of a divested business, before the effect of foreign exchange. Revenues were down 3% after the effect of foreign exchange. Six analysts had a revenue consensus of $396.19 million for the third quarter.
A commercial information and insight provider on businesses worldwide, Dun & Bradstreet had a Core revenue for the third quarter of $399.0 million, up 2% from the prior year similar period, before the effect of foreign exchange and flat after the effect of foreign exchange. Core revenue results for the most recent quarter comprised of Risk Management Solutions revenue of $264.8 million, Sales & Marketing Solutions revenue of $105.9 million, and Internet Solutions revenue of $28.3 million.

In the preceding quarter, Dun & Bradstreet reported a profit that dropped to $76.8 million or $1.43 per share, hurt by discrete tax benefits recorded in the prior year quarter. Core and total revenue dropped to $416.9 million, due to weakening demand in the North American segment, amid economic downturn.

Among the others in the industry, Acxiom Corp. (ACXM) reported a sharp fall its second quarter net earnings that totaled $9.45 million or $0.12 per share from $15.853 million or $0.20 per share last year. Total revenues were $271.11 million, compared to $328.94 million in the prior year quarter.

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