Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements This press release, including, in particular, the section titled "Full Year 2013 Guidance," contains projections of future results and other forward-looking statements that involve a number of trends, risks and uncertainties, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The following important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. • We rely significantly on third parties to support critical components of our business model in a continuous and high quality manner, including third-party data providers, strategic third-party members in our D&B Worldwide Network, and third parties with whom we have significant outsourcing arrangements. • The effectiveness of our technology investments and our ability to maintain sufficient investment in a technology infrastructure that assists us in achieving our strategic goals. • Risks associated with potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar laws, and any consequences of the investigations of our China operations. • Demand for our products is subject to intense competition, changes in customer preferences and economic conditions which impact customer behavior. • Our solutions and brand image are dependent upon the integrity and security of our global database and the continued availability thereof through the internet and by other means, as well as our ability to protect key assets, such as our data centers. • Our ability to secure our information technology infrastructure from cyber attack and unauthorized access. • Our ability to maintain the integrity of our brand and reputation, which we believe are key assets and competitive advantages. • Our ability to renew large contracts, including from various government institutions, the related revenue recognition and the timing thereof, a shift in product mix or a significant decrease in government spending, may impact our results of operations from period-to-period. • As a result of the macro-economic challenges currently affecting the global economy, our customers or vendors may experience problems with their earnings, cash flow or both. This may cause our customers to delay, cancel or significantly decrease their purchases from us and impact their ability to pay amounts owed to us. In addition, our vendors may substantially increase their prices without notice. Such behavior may materially, adversely affect our earnings and cash flow. In addition, if economic conditions in the United States, including any possible impact of efforts to balance government deficits, and/or other key markets deteriorate further or do not show improvement, we may experience material adverse impacts to our business, operating results and/or access to credit markets. • Our results are subject to the effects of foreign economies, exchange rate fluctuations, legislative or regulatory requirements, such as the adoption of new or changes in accounting policies and practices, including pronouncements by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other standard setting bodies, the implementation or modification of fees or taxes that we must pay to acquire, use and/or redistribute data, and the evolving standards of emerging markets in which we operate. Future laws or regulations with respect to the collection, compilation, use and/or publication of information and adverse publicity or litigation concerning the commercial use of such information, or changes in the rules governing the operation of the Internet, could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. • Our ability to acquire and successfully integrate other complementary businesses, products and technologies into our existing business, without significant disruption to our existing business or to our financial results. • The continued adherence by third-party members of our D&B Worldwide Network, or other third parties who license and sell under the D&B name, to our quality standards, our brand and communication standards, and to the terms and conditions of our commercial services arrangements and the renewal by third-party members of the D&B Worldwide Network of their agreements with D&B. • The profitability of our international businesses depends on our ability to identify and execute on various initiatives, such as successfully managing our D&B Worldwide Network, enforcing agreements, collecting receivables and protecting assets in non-U.S. legal systems, complying with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws in all jurisdictions and our 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, or the adoption of new laws or regulations governing the collection, compilation, use and/or publication of information, particularly in emerging markets.
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