Business research firm D&B Corp. (DNB), formerly known as Dun & Bradstreet Corp., said Wednesday after the markets closed that first quarter earnings rose from last year, helped by strong growth in its risk management and Internet solutions businesses. The company’s quarterly earnings per share, excluding items, came in above analysts’ estimate and the company confirmed its financial guidance for the full year 2008.
The Short Hills, New Jersey-based company reported GAAP net income for the first quarter of $61.2 million or $1.07 per share, compared to $52.7 million or $0.87 per share for the year-ago quarter.
GAAP income from continuing operations for the first quarter was $60.1 million or $1.05 per share, compared to $52.4 million or $0.86 per share in the prior year quarter.
Net income before non-core gains and charges for the first quarter was $65.3 million or $1.14 per share, compared to $59.3 million or $0.97 per share in the first quarter of last year.
On average, 5 analysts polled by First Call / Thomson Financial expected the company to earn $1.12 per share for the first quarter.
GAAP operating income for the quarter rose 19% to $100.3 million from $84.4 million a year ago, while operating income before non-core gains and charges increased 11% to $110.7 million from $100.0 million last year.
Core and total revenue for the first quarter increased 9% to $414.7 million from $379.0 million in the same quarter last year. Three analysts had consensus revenue estimate of $410.74 million for the company’s first quarter.
U.S. core and total revenue for the first quarter increased 6% year over year to $321.2 million. U.S. Risk management solutions revenue for the quarter grew 6Z% to $200.4 million, while sales & marketing solutions revenue increased 3% to $92.0 million and Internet solutions revenue rose 26% to $28.8 million.
International core and total revenue for the first quarter rose 22% to $93.5 million from $76.5 million a year earlier. Risk management solutions revenue for the quarter increased 222% to $73.9 million, while sales & marketing solutions revenue grew 24% to $17.7 million and Internet solutions revenue increased 10% to $1.9 million.
Share repurchases during the first quarter under the company’s discretionary repurchase program totaled $84.9 million, while repurchases made to offset the dilutive effect of shares issued under employee benefit plans totaled an additional $34.6 million.
D&B also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share, payable on June 16 to shareholders of on May 30.
Looking forward, the company confirmed its full year 2008 outlook of core revenue growth of 8% to 10%, before the effect of foreign exchange, and earnings per share growth of 14% to 16%, or $5.19 to $5.29, before non-core gains and charges. Analysts currently expect the company to earn $5.21 per share on revenue of $1.74 billion for the full year 2008.
Among others in the industry, Equifax Inc. (EFX) last month reported net income for the first quarter of $65.7 million or $0.50 per share, compared to $69 million or $0.54 per share for the year-ago quarter.
Excluding items, adjusted earnings were $79.3 million or $0.60 per share for the first quarter, compared to $74 million or $0.58 per share a year ago.
Revenues for the quarter rose 24% to $503.1 million from $405.1 million in the earlier year period.
Equifax also reaffirmed its revenue and earnings guidance for the full year 2008.
D&B shares, which are trading in the range of $79.02 to $108.45 over the past year, closed Wednesday’s regular trading session at $85.51, down 69 cents but gained 69 cents in after hours trading.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.