9. SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued)
Operating revenue and operating income by operating segment during the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, are as follows:
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | |
(In millions) | | June 30, | | | June 30, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
Operating revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Consumer Information Solutions | | $ | 184.6 | | | $ | 184.7 | | | $ | 357.7 | | | $ | 368.3 | |
International | | | 118.2 | | | | 105.2 | | | | 234.4 | | | | 206.0 | |
TALX | | | 99.0 | | | | 86.0 | | | | 194.3 | | | | 173.9 | |
North America Personal Solutions | | | 40.3 | | | | 37.5 | | | | 80.0 | | | | 75.9 | |
North America Commercial Solutions | | | 18.6 | | | | 15.7 | | | | 37.3 | | | | 31.5 | |
Total operating revenue | | $ | 460.7 | | | $ | 429.1 | | | $ | 903.7 | | | $ | 855.6 | |
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | |
(In millions) | | June 30, | | | June 30, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
Operating income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Consumer Information Solutions | | $ | 68.3 | | | $ | 69.1 | | | $ | 128.4 | | | $ | 138.8 | |
International | | | 30.1 | | | | 26.6 | | | | 58.8 | | | | 55.5 | |
TALX | | | 23.0 | | | | 20.0 | | | | 44.5 | | | | 38.8 | |
North America Personal Solutions | | | 10.2 | | | | 8.0 | | | | 20.2 | | | | 14.0 | |
North America Commercial Solutions | | | 3.7 | | | | 2.4 | | | | 8.1 | | | | 4.7 | |
General Corporate Expense | | | (29.5 | ) | | | (24.1 | ) | | | (49.9 | ) | | | (52.9 | ) |
Total operating income | | $ | 105.8 | | | $ | 102.0 | | | $ | 210.1 | | | $ | 198.9 | |
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 and verifications and human resources business process outsourcing services. We leverage some 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 and more profitably, and to inform and empower consumers.
Businesses rely on us for consumer and business credit intelligence, credit portfolio management, fraud detection, decisioning technology, marketing tools, and human resources and payroll-related 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 three product and service lines: Online Consumer Information Solutions, or OCIS; Mortgage Solutions; and Consumer Financial 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 consumer credit-oriented decisions. Consumer Financial Marketing Services revenue is principally project- and subscription-based and is derived from our sales of batch credit and consumer wealth 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 employment, income and social security number verifications. 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, debt management and identity theft protection products, which we deliver to consumers electronically via the internet.
North America Commercial Solutions revenue is principally transaction-based, with the remainder project-based, and is derived from the sale of business information, credit scores and portfolio analytics that enable customers to utilize our reports to make financing, 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 handling and customer support activities. We own an equity interest in a consumer credit information company in Russia. In March 2010, our Indian joint venture received a license to operate a nationwide credit information company in India.
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 attributable to Equifax, diluted earnings per share, cash provided by operating activities and capital expenditures. The key performance indicators for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, were as follows:
| | Key Performance Indicators | |
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | |
| | June 30, | | | June 30, | |
| | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | |
| | (Dollars in millions, except per share data) | | | | | | | |
Operating revenue | | $ | 460.7 | | | $ | 429.1 | | | $ | 903.7 | | | $ | 855.6 | |
Operating revenue change | | | 7 | % | | | -9 | % | | | 6 | % | | | -9 | % |
Operating income | | $ | 105.8 | | | $ | 102.0 | | | $ | 210.1 | | | $ | 198.9 | |
Operating margin | | | 23.0 | % | | | 23.8 | % | | | 23.3 | % | | | 23.3 | % |
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Equifax | | $ | 57.7 | | | $ | 56.4 | | | $ | 111.7 | | | $ | 107.2 | |
Net income attributable to Equifax | | $ | 71.3 | | | $ | 59.6 | | | $ | 128.0 | | | $ | 114.0 | |
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Equifax | | $ | 0.45 | | | $ | 0.44 | | | $ | 0.87 | | | $ | 0.84 | |
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Equifax | | $ | 0.56 | | | $ | 0.47 | | | $ | 1.00 | | | $ | 0.89 | |
Cash provided by operating activities | | $ | 101.2 | | | $ | 101.1 | | | $ | 138.9 | | | $ | 145.6 | |
Capital expenditures | | $ | 16.9 | | | $ | 19.0 | | | $ | 66.9 | | | $ | 34.0 | |
Business Environment and Company Strategy
Consumer and small business lending activity, which is one of the drivers of demand for our services, continues to be soft in many markets around the world, and we expect growth in consumer lending to lag the general economic recovery that is emerging in many of these markets. In addition, new financial regulations are increasing the compliance requirements for our customers, introducing new challenges and opportunities in the marketing of our product and service offerings to financial institutions. In an effort to respond to these challenges, we have focused on the following initiatives and activities:
| · | We are further diversifying our revenues by pursuing and investing in key strategic initiatives including new product innovation, differentiated decisioning solutions and analytics leveraging our diverse data assets and technology. |
| · | We have reorganized our sales force and have key customer teams dedicated to our largest accounts. |
| · | We have divested two product lines that were considered non-strategic, APPRO loan origination software and Direct Marketing Services. |
| · | We continue to acquire new data assets and technologies and pursue international expansion. |
| · | We continue to focus on managing our expenses through the use of LEAN, Work Out and other process improvement initiatives. |
During the first half of 2010, we have begun to experience an increase in demand from financial institutions in the U.S. following the actions they have taken to comply with the new credit card regulations which became effective in February of this year and as they began to engage in new lending activity. In addition, our major corporate revenue initiatives, including new product innovation and cross-selling of products across business units, are increasing their contributions to revenue growth. As a result, we expect to see year-over-year revenue growth from continuing operations to gradually improve during the second half of the year.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2010 AND 2009
Consolidated Financial Results
Operating Revenue
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Change | | | | | | | | | Change | |
Consolidated Operating Revenue | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | (Dollars in millions) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Consumer Information Solutions | | $ | 184.6 | | | $ | 184.7 | | | $ | (0.1 | ) | | | 0 | % | | $ | 357.7 | | | $ | 368.3 | | | $ | (10.6 | ) | | | -3 | % |
International | | | 118.2 | | | | 105.2 | | | | 13.0 | | | | 12 | % | | | 234.4 | | | | 206.0 | | | | 28.4 | | | | 14 | % |
TALX | | | 99.0 | | | | 86.0 | | | | 13.0 | | | | 15 | % | | | 194.3 | | | | 173.9 | | | | 20.4 | | | | 12 | % |
North America Personal Solutions | | | 40.3 | | | | 37.5 | | | | 2.8 | | | | 8 | % | | | 80.0 | | | | 75.9 | | | | 4.1 | | | | 5 | % |
North America Commercial Solutions | | | 18.6 | | | | 15.7 | | | | 2.9 | | | | 18 | % | | | 37.3 | | | | 31.5 | | | | 5.8 | | | | 18 | % |
Consolidated operating revenue | | $ | 460.7 | | | $ | 429.1 | | | $ | 31.6 | | | | 7 | % | | $ | 903.7 | | | $ | 855.6 | | | $ | 48.1 | | | | 6 | % |
Revenue from continuing operations increased by 7% in the second quarter and 6% in the first six months of 2010 compared to the same periods in 2009. The favorable effect of foreign exchange rates increased revenue by $6.5 million, or 1.5%, in the second quarter and $21.2 million, or 2.5%, year to date compared to the year ago periods. Revenue grew over the prior year in both the second quarter and the first six months of 2010 compared to the prior year in each of our International, TALX, North America Personal Solutions and North America Commercial Solutions businesses. Revenue declined by 3% in our U.S. Consumer Information Solutions business for the first six months, but was flat to prior year for the second quarter.
Operating Expenses
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Change | | | | | | | | | Change | |
Consolidated Operating Expenses | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | (Dollars in millions) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated cost of services | | $ | 188.3 | | | $ | 180.4 | | | $ | 7.9 | | | | 4 | % | | $ | 378.4 | | | $ | 357.5 | | | $ | 20.9 | | | | 6 | % |
Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 126.9 | | | | 111.1 | | | | 15.8 | | | | 14 | % | | | 236.4 | | | | 228.8 | | | | 7.6 | | | | 3 | % |
Consolidated depreciation and amortization expense | | | 39.7 | | | | 35.6 | | | | 4.1 | | | | 11 | % | | | 78.8 | | | | 70.4 | | | | 8.4 | | | | 12 | % |
Consolidated operating expenses | | $ | 354.9 | | | $ | 327.1 | | | $ | 27.8 | | | | 8 | % | | $ | 693.6 | | | $ | 656.7 | | | $ | 36.9 | | | | 6 | % |
The increase in cost of services from continuing operations, when compared to the second quarter and the first six months of 2009, was due to the impact of foreign currency exchange rates, which increased our cost of services by $3.2 million and $10.1 million during the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2010, and due to the impact of our fourth quarter 2009 acquisitions of IXI Corporation and Rapid Reporting Verification Company.
Selling, general and administrative expense from continuing operations increased $15.8 million in the second quarter compared to the year ago quarter. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates contributed $1.4 million to the increase, while increased salary and incentive expense, higher advertising expenses and increased professional fees associated with business growth and strategic initiatives contributed $8.0 million. The remaining increase was primarily due to the inclusion of businesses which we acquired during the fourth quarter of 2009.
The increase in selling, general and administrative expense from continuing operations of $7.6 million, when compared to the first six months in 2009, was due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, which increased 2010 expense by $4.9 million, offset by an $8.4 million restructuring charge that was incurred during the first quarter of 2009 that did not recur in 2010. The remaining increase was primarily due to the impact of the inclusion of businesses acquired in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Depreciation and amortization expense from continuing operations increased in 2010 over the same three and six month periods in 2009, primarily due to our fourth quarter 2009 acquisitions which contributed $2.7 and $5.4 million of incremental depreciation and amortization expense, as well as the affect of recent investments in new products and technology infrastructure.
For additional information about the charges and fees related to our restructuring activity, see Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q.
Operating Income and Operating Margin
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Change | | | | | | | | | Change | |
Consolidated Operating Income | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | (Dollars in millions) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated operating revenue | | $ | 460.7 | | | $ | 429.1 | | | $ | 31.6 | | | | 7 | % | | $ | 903.7 | | | $ | 855.6 | | | $ | 48.1 | | | | 6 | % |
Consolidated operating expenses | | | (354.9 | ) | | | (327.1 | ) | | | (27.8 | ) | | | 8 | % | | | (693.6 | ) | | | (656.7 | ) | | | (36.9 | ) | | | 6 | % |
Consolidated operating income | | $ | 105.8 | | | $ | 102.0 | | | $ | 3.8 | | | | 4 | % | | $ | 210.1 | | | $ | 198.9 | | | $ | 11.2 | | | | 6 | % |
Consolidated operating margin | | | 23.0 | % | | | 23.8 | % | | | | | | -0.8 | % pts | | | 23.3 | % | | | 23.3 | % | | | | | | 0.0 | % pts |
The increase in operating income from continuing operations for the second quarter and first six months of 2010, when compared to the same period in 2009, primarily is attributed to the 7% and 6% increase in revenue, respectively. Operating margin contracted slightly in the second quarter of 2010 due to growth in selling, general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization.
Other Expense, Net
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Change | | | | | | | | | Change | |
Consolidated Other Expense, Net | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | (Dollars in millions) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated interest expense | | $ | 14.1 | | | $ | 14.5 | | | $ | (0.4 | ) | | | -3 | % | | $ | 28.3 | | | $ | 28.8 | | | $ | (0.5 | ) | | | -2 | % |
Consolidated other income, net | | | (0.8 | ) | | | (3.1 | ) | | | 2.3 | | | | -73 | % | | | (0.3 | ) | | | (5.6 | ) | | | 5.3 | | | | -94 | % |
Consolidated other expense, net | | $ | 13.3 | | | $ | 11.4 | | | $ | 1.9 | | | | 15 | % | | $ | 28.0 | | | $ | 23.2 | | | $ | 4.8 | | | | 20 | % |
Average cost of debt | | | 5.2 | % | | | 4.8 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 5.0 | % | | | 4.8 | % | | | | | | | | |
Total consolidated debt, net, at quarter end | | $ | 1,066.9 | | | $ | 1,154.0 | | | $ | (87.1 | ) | | | -8 | % | | $ | 1,066.9 | | | $ | 1,154.0 | | | $ | (87.1 | ) | | | -8 | % |
The increase in other expense, net from continuing operations, as compared to 2009, was primarily due to a decline in other income, net. Other income, net, for 2009 included a $2.7 million mark-to-market adjustment on certain insurance policies, a $1.1 million gain on our repurchase of $7.5 million principal amount of our ten-year senior notes due 2017 and a $1.3 million gain related to a litigation settlement. Interest expense decreased for the first six months of 2010, when compared to the same period in 2009, as our average debt balance decreased from $1.2 billion in 2009 to $1.1 billion in 2010 while the average cost of our total debt increased slightly from 4.8% in 2009 to 5.0% in 2010.
Income Taxes
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Change | | | | | | | | | Change | |
Consolidated Provision for Income Taxes | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | (Dollars in millions) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated provision for income taxes | | $ | 32.7 | | | $ | 32.7 | | | $ | - | | | | 0 | % | | $ | 66.4 | | | $ | 65.3 | | | $ | 1.1 | | | | 2 | % |
Effective income tax rate | | | 35.3 | % | | | 36.1 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 36.4 | % | | | 37.2 | % | | | | | | | | |
Our effective income tax rate was 35.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2010, down from 36.1% for the same period in 2009, due primarily to the impact of a favorable U.K. audit settlement recorded during 2010. The effective income tax rate was 36.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2010, down from 37.2% for the same period in 2009. Our foreign tax rate for the first six months of 2010 increased from the prior year but was more than offset by the U.K. audit settlement. Our 2009 effective income tax rate was higher than our 2010 effective income tax rate also due to an unfavorable discrete item related to the effect of a change in California state income taxes on our deferred tax liabilities.
Net Income
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Change | | | | | | | | | Change | |
Consolidated Net Income | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | |
| | (In millions, except per share amounts) | | | (In millions, except per share amounts) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated operating income | | $ | 105.8 | | | $ | 102.0 | | | $ | 3.8 | | | | 4 | % | | $ | 210.1 | | | $ | 198.9 | | | $ | 11.2 | | | | 6 | % |
Consolidated other expense, net | | | (13.3 | ) | | | (11.4 | ) | | | (1.9 | ) | | | 15 | % | | | (28.0 | ) | | | (23.2 | ) | | | (4.8 | ) | | | 20 | % |
Consolidated provision for income taxes | | | (32.7 | ) | | | (32.7 | ) | | | - | | | | 0 | % | | | (66.4 | ) | | | (65.3 | ) | | | (1.1 | ) | | | 2 | % |
Consolidated income from continuing operations | | | 59.8 | | | | 57.9 | | | | 1.9 | | | | 4 | % | | | 115.7 | | | | 110.4 | | | | 5.3 | | | | 4 | % |
Discontinued operations, net of tax | | | 13.6 | | | | 3.2 | | | | 10.4 | | | | 315 | % | | | 16.3 | | | | 6.8 | | | | 9.5 | | | | 135 | % |
Consolidated net income | | | 73.4 | | | | 61.1 | | | | 12.3 | | | | 20 | % | | | 132.0 | | | | 117.2 | | | | 14.8 | | | | 13 | % |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | (2.1 | ) | | | (1.5 | ) | | | (0.6 | ) | | | 39 | % | | | (4.0 | ) | | | (3.2 | ) | | | (0.8 | ) | | | 26 | % |
Net income attributable to Equifax | | $ | 71.3 | | | $ | 59.6 | | | $ | 11.7 | | | | 20 | % | | $ | 128.0 | | | $ | 114.0 | | | $ | 14.0 | | | | 12 | % |
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Equifax | | $ | 0.56 | | | $ | 0.47 | | | $ | 0.09 | | | | 20 | % | | $ | 1.00 | | | $ | 0.89 | | | $ | 0.11 | | | | 12 | % |
Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations | | $ | 0.45 | | | $ | 0.44 | | | $ | 0.01 | | | | 3 | % | | $ | 0.87 | | | $ | 0.84 | | | $ | 0.03 | | | | 4 | % |
Weighted-average shares used in computing diluted earnings per share | | | 127.3 | | | | 127.8 | | | | | | | | | | | | 127.7 | | | | 127.6 | | | | | | | | | |
The increase in net income attributable to Equifax for the second quarter of 2010 and the first six months of 2010, as compared to the same period in 2009, was primarily due to increased income from discontinued operations, driven by a $12.3 million gain, net of tax, on the sale of the APPRO product line recorded in the second quarter of 2010, partially offset by modestly lower operating results from the discontinued operations. Both the three and six month periods of 2010 also benefited from higher operating income in four of our five business units, and the six month period benefited from the absence of an $8.4 million restructuring charge recorded during the first quarter of 2009 that did not recur in 2010.
Segment Financial Results
USCIS
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Change | | | | | | | | | Change | |
U.S. Consumer Information Solutions | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | (Dollars in millions) | |
Operating revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Online Consumer Information Solutions (OCIS) | | $ | 120.3 | | | $ | 128.7 | | | $ | (8.4 | ) | | | -7 | % | | $ | 240.0 | | | $ | 259.6 | | | $ | (19.6 | ) | | | -8 | % |
Mortgage Solutions | | | 28.8 | | | | 28.6 | | | | 0.2 | | | | 1 | % | | | 52.0 | | | | 54.0 | | | | (2.0 | ) | | | -4 | % |
Consumer Financial Marketing Services | | | 35.5 | | | | 27.4 | | | | 8.1 | | | | 30 | % | | | 65.7 | | | | 54.7 | | | | 11.0 | | | | 20 | % |
Total operating revenue | | $ | 184.6 | | | $ | 184.7 | | | $ | (0.1 | ) | | | 0 | % | | $ | 357.7 | | | $ | 368.3 | | | $ | (10.6 | ) | | | -3 | % |
% of consolidated revenue | | | 40 | % | | | 43 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 40 | % | | | 43 | % | | | | | | | | |
Total operating income | | $ | 68.3 | | | $ | 69.1 | | | $ | (0.8 | ) | | | -1 | % | | $ | 128.4 | | | $ | 138.8 | | | $ | (10.4 | ) | | | -8 | % |
Operating margin | | | 37.1 | % | | | 37.4 | % | | | | | | -0.3 | % pts | | | 35.9 | % | | | 37.7 | % | | | | | | -1.8 | % pts |
U.S. Consumer Information Solutions revenue was flat in the second quarter as a decline in online credit reporting revenue due to continued weakness in U.S. credit and lending activity was offset by growth in our Consumer Financial Marketing services, due to our acquisition of IXI Corporation in the fourth quarter of 2009. For the first six months of 2010, revenue declined 3% from the prior year as growth in Consumer Financial Marketing Services did not fully offset declines in the remainder of our USCIS business.
OCIS
Revenue for the second quarter of 2010 and first six months of 2010, as compared to the same period in the prior year, declined primarily due to a reduction of online credit decision transaction volume caused by weakness in the U.S. consumer credit markets. Transaction volume declined 8% for the second quarter of 2010 compared to a 15% decline for the first quarter. The 11% decline in transaction volume for the first six months of 2010 was partially offset by higher average revenue per transaction.
Mortgage Solutions
Revenue for the second quarter of 2010 has increased slightly, as compared to the prior year period, due to increased mortgage application and refinancing activity during the quarter which was attributable to government tax incentives related to housing purchases in the U.S. which expired on May 31, 2010. Revenue for the six month period has decreased, as compared to the first six months of 2009, due to the overall decline in volume for mortgage credit reporting and settlement services products resulting from a slowdown in mortgage application activity compared to a very strong period of activity during the first six months of 2009 due to lower interest rates.
Consumer Financial Marketing Services
Revenue increased for the second quarter of 2010 and first six months of 2010, as compared to the same period in 2009, primarily due to our acquisition of IXI Corporation during the fourth quarter of 2009. Underlying year over year revenue trends of credit marketing services products also improved.
USCIS Operating Margin
Operating margin decreased slightly in the second quarter of 2010 and the first six months of 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009, mainly due to the impact of amortization expense associated with the IXI acquisition.
International
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Change | | | | | | | | | Change | |
International | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | (Dollars in millions) | |
Operating revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Europe | | $ | 32.5 | | | $ | 32.9 | | | $ | (0.4 | ) | | | -1 | % | | $ | 66.4 | | | $ | 66.0 | | | $ | 0.4 | | | | 1 | % |
Latin America | | | 56.7 | | | | 47.1 | | | | 9.6 | | | | 21 | % | | | 111.8 | | | | 93.0 | | | | 18.8 | | | | 20 | % |
Canada Consumer | | | 29.0 | | | | 25.2 | | | | 3.8 | | | | 15 | % | | | 56.2 | | | | 47.0 | | | | 9.2 | | | | 20 | % |
Total operating revenue | | $ | 118.2 | | | $ | 105.2 | | | $ | 13.0 | | | | 12 | % | | $ | 234.4 | | | $ | 206.0 | | | $ | 28.4 | | | | 14 | % |
% of consolidated revenue | | | 26 | % | | | 24 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 26 | % | | | 24 | % | | | | | | | | |
Total operating income | | $ | 30.1 | | | $ | 26.6 | | | $ | 3.5 | | | | 13 | % | | $ | 58.8 | | | $ | 55.5 | | | $ | 3.3 | | | | 6 | % |
Operating margin | | | 25.4 | % | | | 25.3 | % | | | | | | 0.1 | % pts | | | 25.1 | % | | | 26.9 | % | | | | | | -1.8 | % pts |
International revenue increased in the three and six month periods compared to the same periods in 2009 primarily due to strong growth in Latin America and the favorable impact of changes in foreign exchange rates. Local currency fluctuations against the U.S. dollar favorably impacted our International revenue by $5.7 million, or 5%, in the second quarter, and $19.5 million, or 10%, in the first six months, respectively. In local currency, International revenue was up 7% and 4% from the three and six month periods in 2009.
Europe
The decrease in revenue for the second quarter of 2010, as compared to the prior year period, was due to an unfavorable foreign currency impact of $1.6 million, or 5%. In local currency, revenue increased 4% when compared to the same period in 2009. The increase in revenue for the first six months of 2010, when compared to the same period in 2009, was primarily due to favorable foreign currency impact of $0.9 million. Revenue decreased 1% in local currency, as compared to the first six months of 2009.
Latin America
Revenue for the second quarter and first six months increased over the prior year period partially due to favorable foreign currency impacts of $3.9 million, or 8%, and $10.7 million, or 11%, respectively. In local currency, revenue increased 12% from the second quarter of 2009 and 9% from the first six months of 2009. Local currency revenue increased in most of our Latin American geographies, resulting from broad-based growth across all product segments, partially offset by a modest decline in Brazil. The second quarter growth rate also benefited from comparison to the second quarter of 2009, which was characterized by a temporary economic slowdown in Latin America.
Canada Consumer
The increase in revenue for the second quarter and the first six months of 2010, as compared to the prior year periods, was primarily due to favorable foreign currency impact of $3.5 million, or 14%, and $7.9 million, or 17%, respectively. In local currency, revenue increased 1% and 3% when compared to the second quarter and first six months of 2009, respectively. The increase in local currency was due to increased volumes for our analytical and enabling technology products primarily due to growth in the customer base for a new fraud product.
International Operating Margin
Operating margin in the second quarter was essentially unchanged from the prior year, but declined in the first six months primarily due to a decline in online volume, our highest margin product, which put downward pressure on operating margins.
TALX
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Change | | | | | | | | | Change | |
TALX | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | (Dollars in millions) | |
Operating revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The Work Number | | $ | 50.0 | | | $ | 39.0 | | | $ | 11.0 | | | | 28 | % | | $ | 99.7 | | | $ | 79.6 | | | $ | 20.1 | | | | 25 | % |
Tax and Talent Management Services | | | 49.0 | | | | 47.0 | | | | 2.0 | | | | 4 | % | | | 94.6 | | | | 94.3 | | | | 0.3 | | | | 0 | % |
Total operating revenue | | $ | 99.0 | | | $ | 86.0 | | | $ | 13.0 | | | | 15 | % | | $ | 194.3 | | | $ | 173.9 | | | $ | 20.4 | | | | 12 | % |
% of consolidated revenue | | | 21 | % | | | 20 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 21 | % | | | 20 | % | | | | | | | | |
Total operating income | | $ | 23.0 | | | $ | 20.0 | | | $ | 3.0 | | | | 15 | % | | $ | 44.5 | | | $ | 38.8 | | | $ | 5.7 | | | | 15 | % |
Operating margin | | | 23.2 | % | | | 23.2 | % | | | | | | 0.0 | % pts | | | 22.9 | % | | | 22.3 | % | | | | | | 0.6 | % pts |
The Work Number
Revenue from The Work Number increased $11.0 million, or 28%, over the prior year quarter and $20.1 million, or 25%, over the first six months of 2009, as a result of upper single digit growth in revenue from traditional employment-based verifications and complementary services and the impact of our acquisition of Rapid Reporting Verification Company in the fourth quarter of 2009. Growth in verifications of consumer employment from government agencies and collections companies was partially offset by a decline in verifications from mortgage companies.
Tax and Talent Management Services
The increase in revenue during the second quarter of 2010 and flat revenue in the first six months of 2010, as compared to the same periods in 2009, resulted primarily from revenue growth in our Talent Management Services business due to increased government hiring activity at the U.S. Transportation and Security Administration and other large government customers, partially offset by expected declines in our Tax Management Services business driven primarily by decreases in unemployment compensation claims activity.
TALX Operating Margin
Operating margin increased slightly for the first six months of 2010, as compared to the prior year, due to continued revenue growth, while operating expenses grew at a slower rate due to the leveraging of certain fixed operational and overhead costs and certain operating process efficiencies. The operating margin for the second quarter of 2010 was comparable to the margin of the prior year period.
North America Personal Solutions
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Change | | | | | | | | | Change | |
North America Personal Solutions | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | (Dollars in millions) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating revenue | | $ | 40.3 | | | $ | 37.5 | | | $ | 2.8 | | | | 8 | % | | $ | 80.0 | | | $ | 75.9 | | | $ | 4.1 | | | | 5 | % |
% of consolidated revenue | | | 9 | % | | | 9 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | % | | | 9 | % | | | | | | | | |
Total operating income | | $ | 10.2 | | | $ | 8.0 | | | $ | 2.2 | | | | 27 | % | | $ | 20.2 | | | $ | 14.0 | | | $ | 6.2 | | | | 45 | % |
Operating margin | | | 25.4 | % | | | 21.5 | % | | | | | | 3.9 | % pts | | | 25.3 | % | | | 18.4 | % | | | | | | 6.9 | % pts |
Revenue increased $2.8 million, or 8% from the prior year quarter, and $4.1 million, or 5% from the first six months of 2009, primarily due to increased direct to consumer, Equifax-branded subscription service revenue, which was up 12% from the prior year quarter and 13% from the first six months of 2009, driven by higher average revenue per subscription and higher subscribers. The increase in subscription revenue was partially offset by lower transaction sales, as a result of lower levels of new consumer credit activity, and lower corporate breach revenues. The operating margin increase in the second quarter and first six months of 2010, as compared to the prior year period, was primarily due to the increase in revenue discussed above, as well as operating efficiencies.
North America Commercial Solutions
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Change | | | | | | | | | Change | |
North America Commercial Solutions | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | (Dollars in millions) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total operating revenue | | $ | 18.6 | | | $ | 15.7 | | | $ | 2.9 | | | | 18 | % | | $ | 37.3 | | | $ | 31.5 | | | $ | 5.8 | | | | 18 | % |
% of consolidated revenue | | | 4 | % | | | 4 | % | | | | | | | | | | | 4 | % | | | 4 | % | | | | | | | | |
Total operating income | | $ | 3.7 | | | $ | 2.4 | | | $ | 1.3 | | | | 54 | % | | $ | 8.1 | | | $ | 4.7 | | | $ | 3.4 | | | | 73 | % |
Operating margin | | | 20.2 | % | | | 15.4 | % | | | | | | 4.8 | % pts | | | 21.9 | % | | | 14.9 | % | | | | | | 7.0 | % pts |
Revenue increased 18% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, as compared to the same period in the prior year. The favorable impact of changes in the U.S.—Canadian foreign exchange rate impacted revenue by $0.7 million, or 5%, as compared to the second quarter of 2009, and by $1.7 million, or 5%, as compared to the first six months of 2009. In local currency, revenue increased 13% in both periods compared to the prior year. The local currency increase was primarily due to increases in U.S. risk and marketing service revenue and revenue from our data management products. Online transaction volume for U.S. commercial credit information products for the second quarter and first six months of 2010 increased when compared to the prior year period. Operating margin also increased for the second quarter and first six months of 2010, as compared to the same period in 2009, as the rapid rate of revenue growth exceeded growth in operating expenses.
General Corporate Expense
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Change | | | | | | | | | Change | |
General Corporate Expense | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | (Dollars in millions) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
General corporate expense | | $ | 29.5 | | | $ | 24.1 | | | $ | 5.4 | | | | 23 | % | | $ | 49.9 | | | $ | 52.9 | | | $ | (3.0 | ) | | | -5 | % |
Our general corporate expenses are costs that are incurred at the corporate level and include those expenses impacted by corporate direction, such as shared services, administrative, legal, restructuring and equity compensation costs. General corporate expenses increased by $5.4 million for the second quarter of 2010, as compared to the same period in 2009, primarily due to increased investment in corporate technology costs, higher project-driven professional fees, increased salary and incentive costs, and commercial settlements in our favor a year ago which did not recur in 2010. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, general corporate expense decreased $3.0 million primarily as a result of the $8.4 million restructuring charge recorded during the first quarter of 2009 related to headcount reductions offset by the increases noted for the second quarter.
LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
Management assesses liquidity in terms of our ability to generate cash to fund operating, investing and financing activities. We continue to generate substantial cash from operating activities and remain in a strong financial position, with resources available for reinvestment in existing businesses, strategic acquisitions and managing our capital structure to meet short- and long-term objectives.
Sources and Uses of Cash
Funds generated by operating activities and our credit facilities continue to be our most significant sources of liquidity. We believe that funds generated from expected results of operations will be sufficient to finance our anticipated working capital and other cash requirements (such as capital expenditures, interest payments, potential pension funding contributions, dividend payments and stock repurchases, if any) for the foreseeable future. In the event that credit market conditions were to deteriorate, we would rely more heavily on borrowings as needed under the Senior Credit Facility described below. At June 30, 2010, $781.2 million was available to borrow under our Senior Credit Facility. Our Senior Credit Facility does not include a provision under which lenders could refuse to allow us to borrow under this facility in the event of a material adverse change in our financial condition, as long as we are in compliance with the covenants contained in the lending agreement.
The following table summarizes our cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009:
| | Six Months Ended June 30, | | | Change | |
| | | | | | | | 2010 vs. 2009 | |
Net cash provided by (used in): | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | $ | | | % | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating activities | | $ | 138.9 | | | $ | 145.6 | | | $ | (6.7 | ) | | | -5 | % |
Investing activities | | $ | (13.9 | ) | | $ | (32.5 | ) | | $ | 18.6 | | | nm | |
Financing activities | | $ | (154.3 | ) | | $ | (111.0 | ) | | $ | (43.3 | ) | | nm | |
nm - not meaningful
Operating Activities
The decrease in operating cash flow was primarily driven by $5.0 million of additional pension contributions and other changes in net working capital during 2010.
Fund Transfer Limitations. The ability of certain of our subsidiaries and associated companies to transfer funds to us is limited, in some cases, by certain restrictions imposed by foreign governments; these restrictions do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially limit our ability to service our indebtedness, meet our current obligations or pay dividends.
Investing Activities
Capital Expenditures
| | Six Months Ended June 30, | | | Change | |
Net cash used in: | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 vs. 2009 | |
| | (In millions) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Capital expenditures | | $ | 66.9 | | | $ | 34.0 | | | $ | 32.9 | |
Our capital expenditures are used for developing, enhancing and deploying new and existing software in support of our expanding product set, replacing or adding facilities and equipment, updating systems for regulatory compliance, the licensing of software applications and investing in system reliability, security and disaster recovery enhancements. Capital expenditures in 2010 were higher than 2009 primarily due to the purchase of our headquarters building in Atlanta, Georgia, during the first quarter of 2010 for cash consideration of $29.1 million, including fees. For accounting purposes, we recorded the building as a fixed asset on our Consolidated Balance Sheet and the capital lease obligation to pay for it as a liability, beginning in the first quarter of 2009, when we gave notice of our intent to buy out the lease.
| | Six Months Ended June 30, | | | Change | |
Net cash provided by (used in): | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 vs. 2009 | |
| | (In millions) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | | $ | (14.7 | ) | | $ | - | | | $ | (14.7 | ) |
Cash received from divestiture | | $ | 66.7 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 66.7 | |
Dividend from unconsolidated affiliates | | $ | 1.0 | | | $ | 1.5 | | | $ | (0.5 | ) |
During the first six months of 2010, we acquired two businesses in Latin America and resolved a contingent earn-out associated with a 2008 acquisition included in our TALX segment for $14.7 million. The earn-out was measured on the completion of 2009 revenue targets and was accrued at December 31, 2009.
On April 23, 2010, we sold our Equifax Enabling Technologies LLC legal entity, consisting of our APPRO loan origination software (“APPRO”), generating cash proceeds of approximately $67 million. Approximately $5 million of the purchase price was paid by the acquirer into an escrow account that will release to us, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, over the two year period following the sale.
Financing Activities
Borrowings and Credit Facility Availability
| | Six Months Ended June 30, | | | Change | |
Net cash provided by (used in): | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 vs. 2009 | |
| | (In millions) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net short-term borrowings (repayments) | | $ | (66.9 | ) | | $ | 282.4 | | | $ | (349.3 | ) |
Net repayments under long-term revolving credit facilities | | $ | (5.0 | ) | | $ | (370.0 | ) | | $ | 365.0 | |
Payments on long-term debt | | $ | (18.7 | ) | | $ | (6.5 | ) | | $ | (12.2 | ) |
Credit Facility Availability
Our principal unsecured revolving credit facility with a group of banks, which we refer to as the Senior Credit Facility, permits us to borrow up to $850.0 million through July 2011. The Senior Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purposes. Availability of the Senior Credit Facility for borrowings is reduced by the outstanding face amount of any letters of credit issued under the facility and, pursuant to our existing Board of Directors authorization, by the outstanding principal amount of our commercial paper notes, or CP. We currently intend to renew the Senior Credit Facility on or prior to its maturity date. Given current credit markets conditions, we expect to face higher bank fees and increased borrowing spreads in connection with this renewal.
Our $850.0 million CP program has been established to allow for borrowing through the private placement of CP with maturities ranging from overnight to 397 days. We may use the proceeds of CP for general corporate purposes.
We have a 364-day revolving credit agreement with a Canadian bank (our Canadian Credit Facility) which permits us to borrow up to C$10.0 million (denominated in Canadian dollars). The Canadian Credit Facility terminates in June 2011. Borrowings may be used for general corporate purposes.
At June 30, 2010, $67.1 million was outstanding in CP and no amounts were outstanding under our Senior Credit Facility or Canadian Credit Facility. The weighted-average interest rate on our CP, all with maturities less than 90 days, was 0.4% per annum. At June 30, 2010, a total of $790.7 million was available under our Senior and Canadian Credit Facilities.
At June 30, 2010, approximately 69% of our debt was fixed-rate debt and 31% was effectively variable-rate debt. Our variable-rate debt, consisting of CP and our five-year senior notes due 2014 (against which we have executed interest rate swaps to convert interest expense from fixed rates to floating rates), generally bears interest based on a specified margin plus a base rate (LIBOR) or on CP rates for investment grade issuers. The interest rates reset periodically, depending on the terms of the respective financing arrangements. At June 30, 2010, interest rates on our variable-rate debt ranged from 0.4% to 2.1%.
Borrowing and Repayment Activity
Net short-term borrowings (repayments) primarily represent activity under our CP program, as well as activity under our Canadian Credit Facility. Net (repayments) borrowings under long-term revolving credit facilities relates to activity on our Senior Credit Facility. We primarily borrow under our CP program, when available.
The increase in net short-term (repayments) borrowings primarily reflects the net repayment of $67.9 million of CP notes since December 31, 2009. The increase in net repayments under long-term revolving credit facilities represents the repayment of borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2009, under our Senior Credit Facility as we decreased our use of CP to fund our capital needs.
The increase in payments on long-term debt primarily reflects a $15 million payment made in the second quarter of 2010 on our 7.34% Notes.
Debt Covenants. A downgrade in our credit ratings would increase the cost of borrowings under our CP program and credit facilities, and could limit, or in the case of a significant downgrade, preclude our ability to issue CP. Our outstanding indentures and comparable instruments also contain customary covenants including, for example, limits on the incurrence of secured debt and sale/leaseback transactions. In addition, our Senior Credit Facility and Canadian Credit Facility each require us to maintain a maximum leverage ratio of not more than 3.5. Our leverage ratio was 1.85 at June 30, 2010. None of these covenants are considered restrictive to our operations and, as of June 30, 2010, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants.
We do not have any credit rating triggers that would accelerate the maturity of a material amount of our outstanding debt; however, our 6.3% Senior Notes due 2017 and 7.0% Senior Notes due 2037 (together, the “Senior Notes”) contain change of control provisions. If we experience a change of control or publicly announce our intention to effect a change of control and the rating on the Senior Notes is lowered by each of Standard & Poor’s, or S&P, and Moody’s Investors Service, or Moody’s, below an investment grade rating within 60 days of such change of control or notice thereof, we will be required to offer to repurchase the Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest.
For additional information about our debt, including the terms of our financing arrangements, basis for variable interest rates and debt covenants, see Note 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2009 Form 10-K.
Equity Transactions
| | Six Months Ended June 30, | | | Change | |
Net cash provided by (used in): | | 2010 | | | 2009 | | | 2010 vs. 2009 | |
| | (In millions) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Treasury stock repurchases | | $ | (64.8 | ) | | $ | (9.1 | ) | | $ | (55.7 | ) |
Dividends paid to Equifax shareholders | | $ | (9.9 | ) | | $ | (10.1 | ) | | $ | 0.2 | |
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests | | $ | (2.3 | ) | | $ | (2.5 | ) | | $ | 0.2 | |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | | $ | 12.4 | | | $ | 4.8 | | | $ | 7.6 | |
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation plans | | $ | 1.4 | | | $ | 0.5 | | | $ | 0.9 | |
| • | Under share repurchase programs authorized by our Board of Directors, we purchased 2.0 million and 0.4 million common shares on the open market during the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, for $64.8 million and $9.1 million, respectively, at an average price per common share of $32.41 and $22.87, respectively. At June 30, 2010, the Company had approximately $207.2 million remaining for stock repurchases under the existing Board authorization. |
| • | Our dividends per share were $0.08 per share for both periods presented. We paid cash dividends to Equifax shareholders of $9.9 million and $10.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. |
| • | We received cash of $12.4 million and $4.8 million during the first six months of 2010 and 2009, respectively, from the exercise of stock options. |
Contractual Obligations, Commercial Commitments and Other Contingencies
Our contractual obligations have not changed materially from those reported in our 2009 Form 10-K. For additional information about certain obligations and contingencies, including those related to Computer Sciences Corporation, see Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
There have been no material changes with respect to our off-balance sheet arrangements from those presented in our 2009 Form 10-K.
Related Party Transactions
We engage in various transactions and arrangements with related parties. We believe the terms of the transactions and arrangements do not differ from those that would have been negotiated with an independent party. For additional information about our related parties and associated transactions, see Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2009 Form 10-K.
Benefit Plans
At December 31, 2009, our U.S. Retirement Income Plan, or USRIP, met or exceeded ERISA’s minimum funding requirements. In January 2010, we made a contribution of $20.0 million to the USRIP. In the future, we expect to make minimum funding contributions as required and may make discretionary contributions, depending on certain circumstances, including market conditions and our liquidity needs. We believe additional funding contributions, if any, would not prevent us from continuing to meet our liquidity needs, which are primarily funded from cash flows generated by operating activities, available cash and cash equivalents, and our committed credit facilities.
For our non-U.S., tax-qualified retirement plans, we fund an amount sufficient to meet minimum funding requirements but no more than allowed as a tax deduction pursuant to applicable tax regulations. For our non-qualified supplementary retirement plans, we fund the benefits as they are paid to retired participants, but accrue the associated expense and liabilities in accordance with GAAP.
For additional information about our benefit plans, see Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2009 Form 10-K.
Seasonality
We experience seasonality in certain of our revenue streams. Revenue generated from The Work Number business unit within the TALX operating segment is generally higher in the first quarter due primarily to the provision of Form W-2 preparation services which occur in the first quarter each year. Revenue from our OCIS and Mortgage Solutions business units tends to increase in periods of the year in which our customers have higher volumes of credit granting decisions, most commonly during the second and third quarters.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
For information about new accounting pronouncements and the potential impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements, see Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q and Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2009 Form 10-K.
APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in our Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. We believe the most complex and sensitive judgments, because of their significance to the Consolidated Financial Statements, result primarily from the need to make estimates and assumptions about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain. The “Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” section in the MD&A and Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2009 Form 10-K describe the significant accounting estimates and policies used in the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements. Although we believe that our estimates, assumptions and judgments are reasonable, they are based upon information available at the time. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions, judgments or conditions.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
For information regarding our exposure to certain market risks, see “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,” in Part II, Item 7A of our 2009 Form 10-K. There were no material changes to our market risk exposure during the three months ended June 30, 2010.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation was carried out by the Company’s management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. In addition, no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Equifax, certain of its subsidiaries, and other persons have been named as parties in various legal actions and administrative proceedings arising in connection with the operation of Equifax’s businesses. In most cases, plaintiffs seek unspecified damages and other relief. These actions include the following:
California Bankruptcy Litigation. In consolidated actions filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, captioned Terri N. White, et al. v. Equifax Information Services LLC, Jose Hernandez v. Equifax Information Services LLC, Kathryn L. Pike v. Equifax Information Services LLC, and Jose L. Acosta, Jr., et al. v. Trans Union LLC, et al., plaintiffs asserted that Equifax violated federal and state law (the FCRA, the California Credit Reporting Act and the California Unfair Competition Law) by failing to follow reasonable procedures to determine whether credit accounts are discharged in bankruptcy, including the method for updating the status of an account following a bankruptcy discharge. On August 20, 2008, the District Court approved a Settlement Agreement and Release providing for certain changes in the procedures used by defendants to record discharges in bankruptcy on consumer credit files. That settlement resolved claims for injunctive relief, but not plaintiffs’ claims for damages. On May 7, 2009, the District Court issued an order preliminarily approving an agreement to settle remaining class claims. Certain plaintiffs filed a motion to reconsider the preliminary approval order, which motion was denied by the District Court on June 9, 2009. Following a hearing on May 20, 2010, the District Court deferred final approval of the settlement and issued an order requiring the settling parties to send a supplemental notice to all class members.
Other. Equifax has been named as a defendant in various other legal actions, including administrative claims, class actions and other litigation arising in connection with our business. Some of the legal actions include claims for substantial compensatory or punitive damages or claims for indeterminate amounts of damages. We believe we have strong defenses to, and where appropriate, will vigorously contest, many of these matters. Given the number of these matters, some are likely to result in adverse judgments, penalties, injunctions, fines or other relief. However, we do not believe that these litigation matters will be individually material to our financial condition or results of operations. We may explore potential settlements before a case is taken through trial because of the uncertainty and risks inherent in the litigation process.
For information regarding contingent tax claims raised by the Canada Revenue Agency, and our accounting for legal contingencies, see Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our 2009 Form 10-K, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in this report and in our 2009 Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or future results.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The following table contains information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of Equifax or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a) (3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), of our common stock during our second quarter ended June 30, 2010:
| | | | | | | | | | | Maximum Number | |
| | | | | | | | | | | (or Approximate | |
| | | | | | | | Total Number | | | Dollar Value) | |
| | Total | | | Average | | | of Shares Purchased | | | of Shares that May | |
| | Number | | | Price | | | as Part of | | | Yet Be Purchased | |
| | of Shares | | | Paid | | | Publicly-Announced | | | Under the Plans or | |
Period | | Purchased (1) | | | Per Share (2) | | | Plans or Programs | | | Programs (3) | |
March 1 - March 31, 2010 | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 112,547,574 | |
April 1 - April 30, 2010 | | | 150,372 | | | $ | 33.73 | | | | 150,000 | | | $ | 107,488,074 | |
May 1 - May 31, 2010 | | | 1,362,900 | | | $ | 32.90 | | | | 1,350,000 | | | $ | 213,073,074 | |
June 1 - June 30, 2010 | | | 201,203 | | | $ | 29.57 | | | | 200,000 | | | $ | 207,159,074 | |
Total | | | 1,714,475 | | | $ | 32.58 | | | | 1,700,000 | | | $ | 207,159,074 | |
(1) | The total number of shares purchased includes: (a) shares purchased pursuant to our publicly-announced share repurchase program, or Program; and (b) shares surrendered, or deemed surrendered, in satisfaction of the exercise price and/or to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the exercise of employee stock options, totaling 372 shares for the month of April 2010, 12,900 shares for the month of May 2010, and 1,203 shares for the month of June 2010. |
(2) | Average price paid per share for shares purchased as part of our Program (includes brokerage commissions). |
(3) | On May 7, 2010, our Board of Directors increased the amounts authorized under the Program by an additional $150 million, and we publicly announced this increase on May 7, 2010. At June 30, 2010, the amount authorized for future share repurchases under the Program was $207.2 million. The Program does not have a stated expiration date. |
Dividend and Share Repurchase Restrictions
Our Senior Credit Facility restricts our ability to pay cash dividends on our capital stock or repurchase capital stock if a default or event of default exists or would result, according to the terms of the credit agreement.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. | | Description |
31.1 | | Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer. |
31.2 | | Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer. |
32.1 | | Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer. |
32.2 | | Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer. |
101.INS | | XBRL Instance Document |
101.SCH | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
101.CAL | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase |
101.LAB | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase |
101.PRE | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase |
101.DEF | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| Equifax Inc. |
| (Registrant) |
| |
Date: July 29, 2010 | By: | /s/ Richard F. Smith |
| | Richard F. Smith |
| | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
| | |
Date: July 29, 2010 | | /s/ Lee Adrean |
| | Lee Adrean |
| | Corporate Vice President and |
| | Chief Financial Officer |
| | (Principal Financial Officer) |
| | |
Date: July 29, 2010 | | /s/ Nuala M. King |
| | Nuala M. King |
| | Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller |
| | (Principal Accounting Officer) |
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. | | Description |
31.1 | | Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer. |
31.2 | | Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer. |
32.1 | | Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer. |
32.2 | | Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer. |
101.INS | | XBRL Instance Document |
101.SCH | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
101.CAL | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase |
101.LAB | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase |
101.PRE | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase |
101.DEF | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase |