|
Quotes & Info
|
| EFX > SEC Filings for EFX > Form 10-Q on 28-Apr-2009 | All Recent SEC Filings |
28-Apr-2009
Quarterly Report
As used herein, the terms Equifax, the Company, we, our and us refer to Equifax Inc., a Georgia corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries as a combined entity, except where it is clear that the terms mean only Equifax Inc.
All references to earnings per share data in Management's Discussion and Analysis, or MD&A, are to diluted earnings per share, or EPS, unless otherwise noted. Diluted EPS is calculated to reflect the potential dilution that would occur if stock options or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised and resulted in additional common shares outstanding.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
We are a leading global provider of information solutions, employment and income verification and human resources business process outsourcing services. We leverage one of the largest sources of consumer and commercial data, along with advanced analytics and proprietary technology, to create customized insights which enable our business customers to grow faster, more efficiently, more profitably and to inform and empower consumers.
Businesses rely on us for consumer and business credit intelligence, portfolio management, fraud detection, decisioning technology, marketing tools, and human resources and payroll services. We also offer a portfolio of products that enable individual consumers to manage their financial affairs and protect their identity. Our revenue stream is diversified among individual consumers and among businesses across a wide range of industries and international geographies.
Segment and Geographic Information
Segments. The U.S. Consumer Information Solutions, or USCIS, segment, the largest of our five segments, consists of four product and service lines: Online Consumer Information Solutions, or OCIS; Mortgage Solutions; Credit Marketing Services; and Direct Marketing Services. OCIS and Mortgage Solutions revenue is principally transaction-based and is derived from our sales of products such as consumer credit reporting and scoring, mortgage settlement services, identity verification, fraud detection and modeling services. USCIS also markets certain of our decisioning products which facilitate and automate a variety of credit-oriented decisions. A significant majority of USCIS products are delivered electronically. Credit Marketing Services and Direct Marketing Services revenue is principally project- and subscription-based and is derived from our sales of batch credit or demographic information such as those that assist clients in acquiring new customers, cross-selling to existing customers and managing portfolio risk.
The International segment consists of Canada Consumer, Europe and Latin America. Canada Consumer's products and services are similar to our USCIS offerings, while Europe and Latin America are made up of varying mixes of product lines that are in our USCIS, North America Commercial Solutions and North America Personal Solutions reportable segments.
The TALX segment consists of The Work Number® and Tax and Talent Management business units. The Work Number revenue is transaction-based and is derived primarily from verification of employment and income data of employees in the U.S. reported to us by employers. Tax and Talent Management revenues are derived from our provision of certain human resources business process outsourcing services that include both transaction- and subscription-based product offerings. These services assist our customers with the administration of unemployment claims and employer-based tax credits and the assessment of new hires.
North America Personal Solutions revenue is both transaction- and subscription-based and is derived from the sale of credit monitoring and identity theft protection products, which we deliver to consumers through the mail and electronically via the internet.
North America Commercial Solutions revenue is principally transaction-based and is derived from the sale of business information, credit scores and portfolio analytics that enable customers to utilize our reports to make financial, marketing and purchasing decisions related to businesses.
Geographic Information. We currently operate in the following countries:
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras,
Peru, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Spain, the U.K., Uruguay, and the U.S.
Our operations in Costa Rica and the Republic of Ireland focus on data
processing and customer support activities. We also own an equity interest in a
consumer credit information company located in Russia.
Key Performance Indicators. Management focuses on a variety of key indicators to monitor operating and financial performance. These performance indicators include measurements of operating revenue, change in operating revenue, operating income, operating margin, net income, diluted earnings per share, cash provided by operating activities and capital expenditures. The key performance indicators for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, were as follows:
Key Performance Indicators
Three Months Ended March 31,
2009 2008
(Dollars in millions, except per
share data)
Operating revenue $ 452.9 $ 503.1
Operating revenue change -10 % 24 %
Operating income $ 102.7 $ 126.2
Operating margin 22.7 % 25.1 %
Net income attributable to $ 54.4 $ 65.7
Equifax
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.43 $ 0.50
Cash provided by operating $ 44.5 $ 76.5
activities
Capital expenditures $ 15.0 $ 30.0
|
Operational Highlights. In addition to the Key Performance Indicators above, the following were some operational highlights during the first quarter of 2009:
º •
º Revenue declined 4% when compared to the first quarter of 2008 due to
continued weakness in the U.S. economy, and foreign currency
translation accounted for the remaining decline of 6%.
º •
º During the first quarter of 2009, we took further steps to reduce
operating expenses and recorded an $8.4 million restructuring charge,
related to reductions in headcount.
º •
º During the first quarter of 2009, we repurchased 0.4 million of our
common shares on the open market for $9.1 million.
Business Environment and Company Strategy
Given slowing global economic growth and the challenging business environment, we continue to focus on our initiatives to reduce and manage our expenses, while trying to maintain operating margins, earnings performance and cash flows from operations. Also, we continue to realign our resources to pursue key strategic objectives, including new product innovation and international expansion.
|
|