10-Q 1 v236064_10q.htm FORM 10-Q Unassociated Document
 

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 

 
FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
 
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011

OR

 
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                                      to                                      .

Commission File Number: 001-06605
 

 
EQUIFAX INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Georgia
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
58-0401110
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
   
1550 Peachtree Street, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia
(Address of principal executive offices)
30309
(Zip Code)

404-885-8000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has   been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes    x     No    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes    x     No    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  x
Accelerated filer    ¨
Non-accelerated filer    ¨
(Do not check if a smaller
reporting company)
Smaller reporting company    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes    ¨     No    x

On October 14, 2011, there were 121,081,365 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

 
 

 

EQUIFAX INC.

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

INDEX
 
   
Page
PART I.
Financial Information
4
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
4
 
Consolidated Statements of Income—Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
4
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets—September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
6
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
7
 
Consolidated Statements of Equity and Other Comprehensive Income—Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
8
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
10
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
22
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
38
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
38
PART II.
Other Information
39
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
39
Item 1A.
Risk Factors 39
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
39
Item 6.
Exhibits
40
Signatures
41
Index to Exhibits
42

 
2

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains information that may constitute “forward-looking statements.” Generally, the words “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “will,” “may” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which generally are not historical in nature. All statements that address operating performance, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future, including statements relating to future operating results, are forward-looking statements. Management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made. However, forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our Company’s historical experience and our present expectations or projections. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Part II, “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in this report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and those described from time to time in our future reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result of such risks and uncertainties, we urge you not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date when made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 
3

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

EQUIFAX INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
(In millions, except per share amounts)
 
(Unaudited)
 
Operating revenue
  $ 490.4     $ 473.8  
Operating expenses:
               
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization below)
    189.1       188.2  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    139.2       134.0  
Depreciation and amortization
    40.5       41.4  
Total operating expenses
    368.8       363.6  
Operating income
    121.6       110.2  
Interest expense
    (13.7 )     (14.0 )
Other (expense) income, net
    0.6       0.7  
Consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes
    108.5       96.9  
Provision for income taxes
    (39.2 )     (33.3 )
Consolidated income from continuing operations
    69.3       63.6  
Discontinued operations, net of tax
    -       15.2  
Consolidated net income
    69.3       78.8  
Less:  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (2.6 )     (2.3 )
Net income attributable to Equifax
  $ 66.7     $ 76.5  
Amounts attributable to Equifax:
               
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Equifax
  $ 66.7     $ 61.3  
Discontinued operations, net of tax
    -       15.2  
Net income attributable to Equifax
  $ 66.7     $ 76.5  
Basic earnings per common share:
               
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Equifax
  $ 0.55     $ 0.50  
Discontinued operations attributable to Equifax
    -       0.12  
Net income attributable to Equifax
  $ 0.55     $ 0.62  
Weighted-average shares used in computing basic earnings per share
    121.8       124.3  
Diluted earnings per common share:
               
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Equifax
  $ 0.54     $ 0.49  
Discontinued operations attributable to Equifax
    -       0.12  
Net income attributable to Equifax
  $ 0.54     $ 0.61  
Weighted-average shares used in computing diluted earnings per share
    123.3       125.8  
Dividends per common share
  $ 0.16     $ 0.04  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
4

 

EQUIFAX INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
(In millions, except per share amounts)
 
(Unaudited)
 
Operating revenue
  $ 1,450.1     $ 1,377.5  
Operating expenses:
               
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization below)
    574.3       566.6  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    406.2       370.4  
Depreciation and amortization
    124.3       120.2  
Total operating expenses
    1,104.8       1,057.2  
Operating income
    345.3       320.3  
Interest expense
    (41.2 )     (42.3 )
Other (expense) income, net
    (8.7 )     1.0  
Consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes
    295.4       279.0  
Provision for income taxes
    (129.7 )     (99.7 )
Consolidated income from continuing operations
    165.7       179.3  
Discontinued operations, net of tax
    -       31.5  
Consolidated net income
    165.7       210.8  
Less:  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (7.2 )     (6.3 )
Net income attributable to Equifax
  $ 158.5     $ 204.5  
Amounts attributable to Equifax:
               
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Equifax
  $ 158.5     $ 173.0  
Discontinued operations, net of tax
    -       31.5  
Net income attributable to Equifax
  $ 158.5     $ 204.5  
Basic earnings per common share:
               
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Equifax
  $ 1.29     $ 1.38  
Discontinued operations attributable to Equifax
    -       0.25  
Net income attributable to Equifax
  $ 1.29     $ 1.63  
Weighted-average shares used in computing basic earnings per share
    122.5       125.4  
Diluted earnings per common share:
               
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Equifax
  $ 1.28     $ 1.36  
Discontinued operations attributable to Equifax
    -       0.25  
Net income attributable to Equifax
  $ 1.28     $ 1.61  
Weighted-average shares used in computing diluted earnings per share
    124.2       127.1  
Dividends per common share
  $ 0.48     $ 0.12  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
5

 

EQUIFAX INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
(In millions, except par values)
 
(Unaudited)
       
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 102.0     $ 119.4  
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6.2 and $7.5 at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
    275.8       262.6  
Prepaid expenses
    32.2       26.1  
Other current assets
    20.2       21.1  
Total current assets
    430.2       429.2  
Property and equipment:
               
Capitalized internal-use software and system costs
    326.5       315.9  
Data processing equipment and furniture
    180.3       181.0  
Land, buildings and improvements
    176.5       169.5  
Total property and equipment
    683.3       666.4  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (387.3 )     (368.0 )
Total property and equipment, net
    296.0       298.4  
Goodwill
    1,953.9       1,914.7  
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
    95.6       95.6  
Purchased intangible assets, net
    567.4       593.9  
Other assets, net
    169.4       101.8  
Total assets
  $ 3,512.5     $ 3,433.6  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Short-term debt and current maturities
  $ 67.7     $ 20.7  
Accounts payable
    21.9       24.6  
Accrued expenses
    65.7       61.9  
Accrued salaries and bonuses
    53.4       71.9  
Deferred revenue
    50.5       58.7  
Other current liabilities
    85.0       81.7  
Total current liabilities
    344.2       319.5  
Long-term debt
    967.8       978.9  
Deferred income tax liabilities, net
    250.7       244.2  
Long-term pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities
    109.6       129.0  
Other long-term liabilities
    56.1       53.6  
Total liabilities
    1,728.4       1,725.2  
Commitments and Contingencies (see Note 6)
               
Equifax shareholders' equity:
               
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares - 10.0; Issued shares - none
    -       -  
Common stock, $1.25 par value: Authorized shares - 300.0; Issued shares - 189.3 at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010; Outstanding shares - 121.1 and 122.6 at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
    236.6       236.6  
Paid-in capital
    1,112.1       1,105.8  
Retained earnings
    2,824.5       2,725.7  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (321.3 )     (344.5 )
Treasury stock, at cost, 66.1 shares and 64.6 shares at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
    (2,044.6 )     (1,991.0 )
Stock held by employee benefits trusts, at cost, 2.1 shares at  both September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010
    (41.2 )     (41.2 )
Total Equifax shareholders' equity
    1,766.1       1,691.4  
Noncontrolling interests
    18.0       17.0  
Total equity
    1,784.1       1,708.4  
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 3,512.5     $ 3,433.6  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
6

 

EQUIFAX INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
(In millions)
 
(Unaudited)
 
Operating activities:
           
Consolidated net income
  $ 165.7     $ 210.8  
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Loss (gain) on divestitures
    27.8       (27.1 )
Depreciation and amortization
    123.8       125.7  
Stock-based compensation expense
    17.3       15.0  
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation plans
    (0.6 )     (1.6 )
Deferred income taxes
    7.0       3.2  
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding effects of acquisitions:
               
Accounts receivable, net
    (18.7 )     (10.8 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (6.8 )     (1.2 )
Other assets
    10.4       (0.7 )
Current liabilities, excluding debt
    (55.2 )     (55.5 )
Other long-term liabilities, excluding debt
    (11.7 )     (50.4 )
Cash provided by operating activities
    259.0       207.4  
Investing activities:
               
Capital expenditures
    (59.2 )     (82.4 )
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    (112.2 )     (15.3 )
Cash received from divestitures
    2.5       181.7  
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates, net
    (4.2 )     1.5  
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (173.1 )     85.5  
Financing activities:
               
Net short-term borrowings (repayments)
    46.5       (134.0 )
Net repayments under long-term revolving credit facilities
    -       (5.0 )
Payments on long-term debt
    (16.7 )     (19.6 )
Treasury stock purchases
    (75.2 )     (116.4 )
Dividends paid to Equifax shareholders
    (58.7 )     (14.9 )
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
    (5.6 )     (3.4 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    12.9       13.8  
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation plans
    0.6       1.6  
Other
    (2.7 )     (0.8 )
Cash used in financing activities
    (98.9 )     (278.7 )
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
    (4.4 )     (1.7 )
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (17.4 )     12.5  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    119.4       103.1  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 102.0     $ 115.6  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
7

 

EQUIFAX INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

    
Equifax Shareholders
             
                                       
Stock
             
                           
Accumulated
         
Held By
             
   
Common Stock
               
Other
         
Employee
             
   
Shares
         
Paid-In
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Treasury
   
Benefits
   
Noncontrolling
   
Total
 
   
Outstanding
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Loss
   
Stock
   
Trusts
   
Interests
   
Equity
 
   
(In millions, except per share amounts)
 
Balance, December 31, 2010
    122.6     $ 236.6     $ 1,105.8     $ 2,725.7     $ (344.5 )   $ (1,991.0 )   $ (41.2 )   $ 17.0     $ 1,708.4  
Net income
    -       -       -       158.5       -       -       -       7.2       165.7  
Other comprehensive income
    -       -       -       -       23.2       -       -       (0.1 )     23.1  
Shares issued under stock and benefit plans, net of minimum tax withholdings
    0.7       -       (11.7 )     -       -       21.6       -       -       9.9  
Treasury stock purchased under share repurchase program ($33.07 per share)*
    (2.2 )     -       -       -       -       (75.2 )     -       -       (75.2 )
Cash dividends ($0.48 per share)
    -       -       -       (59.7 )     -       -       -       -       (59.7 )
Dividends paid to employee benefits trusts
    -       -       1.0       -       -       -       -       -       1.0  
Stock-based compensation expense
    -       -       17.3       -       -       -       -       -       17.3  
Tax effects of stock-based compensation plans
    -       -       1.2       -       -       -       -       -       1.2  
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (5.6 )     (5.6 )
Other
    -       -       (1.5 )     -       -       -       -       (0.5 )     (2.0 )
Balance, September 30, 2011
    121.1     $ 236.6     $ 1,112.1     $ 2,824.5     $ (321.3 )   $ (2,044.6 )   $ (41.2 )   $ 18.0     $ 1,784.1  
 
*
At September 30, 2011, $179.3 million was authorized for future purchases of common stock under our share repurchase authorization.
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss consists of the following components:

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(In millions)
 
Foreign currency translation
  $ (84.3 )   $ (100.8 )
Unrecognized actuarial losses and prior service cost related to our pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of accumulated tax of $134.7 and $138.6 at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
    (234.7 )     (241.3 )
Cash flow hedging transactions, net of accumulated tax of $1.5 and $1.6 at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
    (2.3 )     (2.4 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
  $ (321.3 )   $ (344.5 )

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
8

 

EQUIFAX INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

(Unaudited)

Comprehensive Income is as follows:

    
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
Equifax
   
Noncontrolling
         
Equifax
   
Noncontrolling
       
   
Shareholders
   
Interests
   
Total
   
Shareholders
   
Interests
   
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Net income
  $ 66.7     $ 2.6     $ 69.3     $ 76.5     $ 2.3     $ 78.8  
Other comprehensive income:
                                               
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    (27.6 )     (0.4 )     (28.0 )     20.7       0.2       20.9  
Change in unrecognized prior service cost and actuarial losses related to our pension and other postretirement benefit plans
    2.2       -       2.2       1.8       -       1.8  
Comprehensive income
  $ 41.3     $ 2.2     $ 43.5     $ 99.0     $ 2.5     $ 101.5  

    
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
Equifax
   
Noncontrolling
         
Equifax
   
Noncontrolling
       
   
Shareholders
   
Interests
   
Total
   
Shareholders
   
Interests
   
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Net income
  $ 158.5     $ 7.2     $ 165.7     $ 204.5     $ 6.3     $ 210.8  
Other comprehensive income:
                                               
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    16.5       (0.1 )     16.4       3.7       (0.1     3.6  
Change in unrecognized prior service cost and actuarial losses related to our pension and other postretirement benefit plans
    6.6       -       6.6       5.2       -       5.2  
Change in cumulative loss from cash flow hedging transactions
    0.1       -       0.1       0.1       -       0.1  
Comprehensive income
  $ 181.7     $ 7.1     $ 188.8     $ 213.5     $ 6.2     $ 219.7  

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
9

 

EQUIFAX INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

September 30, 2011

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.

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations.   We collect, organize and manage various types of financial, demographic, employment and marketing information. Our products and services enable businesses to make credit and service decisions, manage their portfolio risk, automate or outsource certain human resources, employment tax and payroll-related business processes, and develop marketing strategies concerning consumers and commercial enterprises. We serve customers across a wide range of industries, including the financial services, mortgage, retail, telecommunications, utilities, automotive, brokerage, healthcare and insurance industries, as well as government agencies. We also enable consumers to manage and protect their financial health through a portfolio of products offered directly to consumers. As of September 30, 2011, we operated in the following countries: Argentina, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, or U.K., Uruguay, and the United States of America, or U.S. We also maintain support operations in the Republic of Ireland. We have an investment in a consumer and commercial credit information company in Brazil and offer credit services in Russia and India through joint ventures.

We develop, maintain and enhance secured proprietary information databases through the compilation of actual consumer data, including credit, employment, asset, liquidity, net worth and spending activity, and business data, including credit and business demographics, that we obtain from a variety of sources, such as credit granting institutions, public record information (including bankruptcies, liens and judgments), income and tax information primarily from large to mid-sized companies in the U.S., and marketing information.  We process this information utilizing our proprietary information management systems.

Basis of Presentation.   The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, the instructions to Form 10-Q and applicable sections of Regulation S-X. To understand our complete financial position and results, as defined by GAAP, this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 (“2010 Form 10-K”).

Our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the periods presented and are of a normal recurring nature.

Earnings Per Share.   Our basic earnings per share, or EPS, is calculated as net income attributable to Equifax divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. 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. The net income amounts used in both our basic and diluted EPS calculations are the same. A reconciliation of the weighted-average outstanding shares used in the two calculations is as follows:

 
10

 

 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(In millions)
 
Weighted-average shares outstanding (basic)
    121.8       124.3       122.5       125.4  
Effect of dilutive securities:
                               
Stock options and restricted stock units
    1.5       1.5       1.7       1.7  
Weighted-average shares outstanding (diluted)
    123.3       125.8       124.2       127.1  

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, 3.2 million and 2.1 million stock options, respectively, were anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from this calculation.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, 3.3 million and 3.1 million stock options, respectively, were anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from this calculation.

Financial Instruments.   Our financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable and short- and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of these items, other than long-term debt, approximate their fair market values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of our fixed-rate debt is determined using quoted market prices for publicly traded instruments, and for non-publicly traded instruments through valuation techniques depending on the specific characteristics of the debt instrument. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the fair value of our long-term debt was $1.07 billion and $1.05 billion, respectively, compared to its carrying value of $0.97 billion and $0.98 billion, respectively.

Derivatives and Hedging Activities.   We use derivative financial instruments as a risk management tool to hedge the Company’s exposure to changes in interest rates, not for speculative purposes. We have used interest rate swaps and interest rate lock agreements to manage interest rate risk associated with our fixed and floating-rate borrowings. We recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivative valuations reflect the value of the instrument including material amounts associated with counterparty risk.

Fair Value Hedges.   In conjunction with our November 2009 sale of five-year Senior Notes, we entered into five-year interest rate swaps, designated as fair value hedges, which convert the debt’s fixed interest rate to a variable rate. These swaps involve the receipt of fixed rate amounts for floating interest rate payments over the life of the swaps without exchange of the underlying principal amount. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps offset changes in the fair value of the fixed-rate Senior Notes they hedge due to changes in the designated benchmark interest rate and are recorded in interest expense. The fair value of these interest rate swaps was an asset of $16.3 million and $9.7 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, and was recorded in other long-term assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Fair Value Measurements.   Fair value is determined based on the assumptions marketplace participants use in pricing the asset or liability. We use a three level fair value hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used in valuation techniques between observable inputs that reflect quoted prices in active markets, inputs other than quoted prices with observable market data and unobservable data (e.g., a company’s own data).

 
11

 

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

The following table presents items measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

         
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using:
 
Description
 
Fair Value of Assets
(Liabilities) at
September 30, 2011
   
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
   
(In millions)
 
Fair Value Interest Rate Swaps(1)
  $ 16.3     $ -     $ 16.3     $ -  
Notes, due 2014(1)
    (291.3 )     -       (291.3 )     -  
Deferred Compensation Plan(2)
    (13.4 )     (13.4 )     -       -  
Total
  $ (288.4 )   $ (13.4 )   $ (275.0 )   $ -  

(1)        The fair value of our interest rate swaps, which are designated as fair value hedges, and notes are based on the present value of expected future cash flows using zero coupon rates and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

(2)        We maintain a deferred compensation plan that allows for certain management employees to defer the receipt of compensation (such as salary, incentive compensation and commissions) until a later date based on the terms of the plan. The liability representing benefits accrued for plan participants is valued at the quoted market prices of the participants’ elections for investments. Identical instruments are traded in active markets as of September 30, 2011. As such, we have classified this liability as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy.

Variable Interest Entities.  We hold interests in certain entities, including credit data and information solutions ventures, that are considered variable interest entities, or VIEs.  These variable interests relate to ownership interests that require financial support for these entities.  Our investments related to these VIEs totaled $10.5 million at September 30, 2011, representing our maximum exposure to loss.  We are not the primary beneficiary and are not required to consolidate any of these VIEs.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements.     Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.  In October 2009, the FASB issued revenue guidance for multiple-deliverable arrangements which addresses how to separate deliverables and how to measure and allocate arrangement consideration.  This guidance requires vendors to develop the best estimate of selling price for each deliverable and to allocate arrangement consideration using this selling price.  The guidance is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in annual periods beginning after June 15, 2010.  The adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2011 did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Testing Goodwill for Impairment.  In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment (the revised standard). The revised standard is intended to reduce the cost and complexity of the annual goodwill impairment test by providing entities an option to perform a “qualitative” assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. If an entity believes, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is required. Otherwise, no further testing is required. The revised standard is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011.  We will implement the new standard in our 2012 annual goodwill impairment testing.  This guidance is not expected to have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 
12

 

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Comprehensive Income. In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income. This guidance eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity, which is our current presentation, and also requires presentation of reclassification adjustments from other comprehensive income to net income on the face of the financial statements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and is not expected to have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations, though it will change our financial statement presentation.

For additional information about recent accounting pronouncements adopted or pending adoption, see Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2010 Form 10-K.

2. MERGER OF BRAZILIAN BUSINESS

On May 31, 2011, we completed the merger of our Brazilian business with Boa Vista Serviços S.A. (“BVS”) in exchange for a 15% equity interest in BVS, which was accounted for as a sale and deconsolidated (the “Brazilian Transaction”).   BVS, an unrelated third party whose results we do not consolidate, is the second largest consumer and commercial credit information company in Brazil.  Our investment in BVS was valued at 130 million Brazilian Reais ($70.6 million and $82.3 million at September 30, 2011 and May 31, 2011, respectively) is recorded in Other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and is accounted for using the cost method.   The initial fair value was determined by a third-party using income and market approaches and would not have changed materially as of September 30, 2011.  In accounting for the transaction, we wrote off $33.2 million of goodwill and $27.0 million of cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments.  In addition, as part of the agreement with BVS, we have retained certain contingent liabilities.  A pre-tax loss of $10.3 million was recognized during the second quarter of 2011 related to the Brazilian Transaction and is included in other expense in the Consolidated Statement of Income.  Tax expense of $17.5 million was also recorded in conjunction with the Brazilian Transaction.

Equifax has committed to make certain additional funding available to BVS.  Until May 31, 2015, BVS will have the right to borrow up to $55 million from Equifax for general corporate purposes; any borrowings would be due and payable on May 31, 2015.  Payments for principal and interest on any borrowings will be convertible, at Equifax’s option, into additional shares of BVS nonvoting preferred stock.  Preferred shares issued as a result of any borrowings will be convertible to common shares under specific conditions.

3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On April 23, 2010, we sold our APPRO loan origination software business (“APPRO”) for $72 million.  On July 1, 2010, we sold substantially all the assets of our Direct Marketing Services division (“DMS”) for $117 million.  Both of these businesses were reported in our U.S. Consumer Information Solutions segment.  The historical results of these operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 are classified as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Income.  Revenue for these businesses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $0 and $42.1 million, respectively.  Pretax income, excluding the gain on the sales of APPRO and DMS, was $0 and $6.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.  We recorded a gain from the sale of APPRO in the second quarter of 2010 of $12.3 million, after tax, and a gain from the sale of DMS in the third quarter of 2010 of $14.9 million, both of which were classified as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements.

 
13

 

4. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill.   Goodwill represents the cost in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis and on an interim basis if an event occurs or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. As a result of the merger of our Brazilian business during the second quarter, we performed an interim impairment test on the Latin America reporting unit excluding our Brazilian business. The interim test resulted in no impairment of goodwill. We perform our annual goodwill impairment tests as of September 30.

Our annual goodwill impairment testing was completed during the third quarter of 2011.  The fair value estimates for our reporting units were determined using a combination of the income and market approaches in accordance with our methodology as discussed in the “Application of Critical Accounting Policies” section in the Form 10-Q.  The estimated fair value for all reporting units exceeded the carrying value of these units as of September 30, 2011.  As a result, no goodwill impairment was recorded.  Changes in the amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, are as follows:

   
U.S. Consumer
               
North America
   
North America
       
   
Information
               
Personal
   
Commercial
       
   
Solutions
   
International
   
TALX
   
Solutions
   
Solutions
   
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Balance, December 31, 2010
  $ 628.5     $ 346.9     $ 899.9     $ 1.8     $ 37.6     $ 1,914.7  
Acquisitions
    10.1       30.9       26.8       -       -       67.8  
Adjustments to initial purchase price allocation
    (0.7 )     (0.1 )     -       -       -       (0.8 )
Foreign currency translation
    -       5.8       -       -       (0.2 )     5.6  
Tax benefits of stock options exercised
    -       -       (0.2 )     -       -       (0.2 )
Business sold
    -       (33.2 )     -       -       -       (33.2 )
Balance, September 30, 2011
  $ 637.9     $ 350.3     $ 926.5     $ 1.8     $ 37.4     $ 1,953.9  

 
14

 

4. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued)

Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets.   Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of contractual/territorial rights representing the estimated acquisition date fair value of rights to operate in certain territories acquired through the purchase of independent credit reporting agencies in the U.S. and Canada. Our contractual/territorial rights are perpetual in nature and, therefore, the useful lives are considered indefinite. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized. We are required to test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually and whenever events or circumstances indicate that there may be an impairment of the asset value. We perform our annual indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test as of September 30. Our 2011 annual impairment test completed during the third quarter of 2011 resulted in no impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets.  Our contractual/territorial rights carrying amounts did not change materially during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Purchased Intangible Assets.   Purchased intangible assets represent the estimated acquisition date fair value of acquired intangible assets used in our business. Purchased data files represent the estimated acquisition date fair value of consumer credit files acquired primarily through the purchase of independent credit reporting agencies in the U.S. and Canada. We expense the cost of modifying and updating credit files in the period such costs are incurred. We amortize purchased data files, which primarily consist of acquired consumer credit files, on a straight-line basis. Primarily all of our other purchased intangible assets are also amortized on a straight-line basis. For additional information about the useful lives related to our purchased intangible assets, see Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2010 Form 10-K.

Purchased intangible assets at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 consisted of the following:

   
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
         
Accumulated
               
Accumulated
       
   
Gross
   
Amortization
   
Net
   
Gross
   
Amortization
   
Net
 
Definite-lived intangible assets:
 
(In millions)
 
Purchased data files
  $ 315.4     $ (234.8 )   $ 80.6     $ 339.2     $ (240.7 )   $ 98.5  
Acquired software and technology
    64.2       (39.3 )     24.9       55.0       (33.3 )     21.7  
Customer relationships
    518.0       (121.8 )     396.2       489.2       (97.1 )     392.1  
Proprietary database
    125.0       (90.3 )     34.7       125.0       (74.4 )     50.6  
Non-compete agreements
    9.1       (3.0 )     6.1       7.2       (1.4 )     5.8  
Trade names and other intangible assets
    40.5       (15.6 )     24.9       37.4       (12.2 )     25.2  
Total definite-lived intangible assets
  $ 1,072.2     $ (504.8 )   $ 567.4     $ 1,053.0     $ (459.1 )   $ 593.9  

Amortization expense from continuing operations related to purchased intangible assets was $21.9 million and $22.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Amortization expense from continuing operations related to purchased intangible assets was $67.9 million and $66.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 
15

 

5. DEBT

Debt outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was as follows:

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(In millions)
 
Commercial paper
  $ 50.1     $ -  
Note, 4.25%, due in installments through March 2012
    -       4.7  
Notes, 7.34%, due in installments through May 2014
    45.0       60.0  
Notes, 4.45%, due December 2014
    275.0       275.0  
Notes, 6.30%, due July 2017
    272.5       272.5  
Debentures, 6.90%, due July 2028
    125.0       125.0  
Notes, 7.00%, due July 2037
    250.0       250.0  
Capitalized lease obligation
    1.4       2.0  
Other
    0.9       1.0  
Total debt
    1,019.9       990.2  
Less short-term debt and current maturities
    (67.7 )     (20.7 )
Less unamortized discounts
    (1.9 )     (2.1 )
Plus fair value adjustments
    17.5       11.5  
Total long-term debt, net
  $ 967.8     $ 978.9  

Senior Credit Facility.   During the first quarter of 2011, we extended the maturity date and reduced the borrowing limits of our existing unsecured revolving credit facility, which we refer to as the Senior Credit Facility, by entering into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of February 18, 2011 (the “Amended Agreement”).  The Senior Credit Facility had been scheduled to expire on July 24, 2011, and provided $850.0 million of borrowing capacity.  The Amended Agreement provides for a maturity date of February 18, 2015.  We elected to reduce the size of the facility to $500.0 million in line with our liquidity needs and current credit market conditions, including higher upfront fees and fees for unused borrowing availability.  The Amended Agreement also provides an accordion feature that allows us to request an increase in the total commitment to $750.0 million should we so choose.  We added certain of our subsidiaries in Canada, the U.K. and Luxembourg as co-borrowers in addition to the Company to provide additional flexibility as to the place of borrowing.  Borrowings may be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and share repurchase programs. 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. As of September 30, 2011, there were no outstanding borrowings under this facility and $448.5 million was available for borrowing.

Commercial Paper Program.   During the first quarter of 2011, we reduced the size of our commercial paper program from $850.0 million to $500.0 million.  Our commercial paper program has been established through the private placement of commercial paper notes from time-to-time. Maturities of commercial paper can range from overnight to 397 days. The commercial paper program is supported by our Senior Credit Facility and, pursuant to our existing Board of Directors authorization, the total amount of commercial paper which may be issued is reduced by the amount of any outstanding borrowings under our Senior Credit Facility. At September 30, 2011, $50.1 million in commercial paper notes was outstanding, all with maturities of less than 90 days.

Canadian Credit Facility.   We were party to a credit agreement with a Canadian financial institution that provided for a C$10.0 million (denominated in Canadian dollars), 364-day revolving credit agreement. This agreement was scheduled to expire in June 2011. In connection with the Amended Agreement, we cancelled this agreement at the end of the first quarter and there were no outstanding borrowings under this agreement at the time of cancellation.

For additional information about our debt agreements, see Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2010 Form 10-K.

 
16

 

6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Data Processing, Outsourcing Services and Other Agreements.   We have separate agreements with IBM, Tata Consultancy Services and others to outsource portions of our computer data processing operations, applications development, maintenance and related functions and to provide certain other administrative and operational services. The agreements expire between 2011 and 2016. The estimated aggregate minimum contractual obligation remaining under these agreements was approximately $100 million at December 31, 2010, with no future year’s minimum contractual obligation expected to exceed approximately $40 million. Annual payment obligations related to these agreements vary due to factors such as the volume of data or transactions processed; changes in our servicing needs as a result of new product offerings, acquisitions or divestitures; the introduction of significant new technologies; foreign currency; or the general rate of inflation. In certain circumstances (e.g., a change in control or for our convenience), we may terminate these data processing and outsourcing agreements, and, in doing so, certain of these agreements require us to pay a significant penalty.

Agreement with Computer Sciences Corporation.   We have an agreement with Computer Sciences Corporation, or CSC, and certain of its affiliates, collectively CSC, under which CSC-owned credit reporting agencies utilize our computerized credit database services. CSC retains ownership of its credit files and the revenues generated by its credit reporting activities. We receive a processing fee for maintaining the database and for each report supplied. The agreement will expire on July 31, 2018, and is renewable at the option of CSC for successive ten-year periods. The agreement provides us with an option to purchase CSC’s credit reporting business if it does not elect to renew the agreement or if there is a change in control of CSC while the agreement is in effect. Under the agreement CSC also has an option, exercisable at any time, to sell its credit reporting business to us. The option expires in 2013. The option exercise price will be determined by a third-party appraisal process and would be due in cash within 180 days after the exercise of the option. We estimate that if the option were exercised at December 31, 2010, the price range would be approximately $625 million to $700 million. This estimate is based solely on our internal analysis of the value of the business, current market conditions and other factors, all of which are subject to constant change. Therefore, the actual option exercise price could be materially higher or lower than our estimate.

Guarantees and General Indemnifications.   We may issue standby letters of credit, performance bonds or other guarantees in the normal course of business. The aggregate notional amount of all performance bonds and standby letters of credit was not material at September 30, 2011, and all have a remaining maturity of one year or less. The maximum potential future payments we could be required to make under the guarantees is not material at September 30, 2011.

We have agreed to standard indemnification clauses in many of our lease agreements for office space, covering such things as tort, environmental and other liabilities that arise out of or relate to our use or occupancy of the leased premises. Certain of our credit agreements include provisions which require us to make payments to preserve an expected economic return to the lenders if that economic return is diminished due to certain changes in law or regulations. In conjunction with certain transactions, such as sales or purchases of operating assets or services in the ordinary course of business, or the disposition of certain assets or businesses, we sometimes provide routine indemnifications, the terms of which range in duration and sometimes are not limited. Additionally, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers to indemnify such individuals to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against liabilities that arise by reason of their status as directors or officers. The Company maintains directors and officers liability insurance coverage to reduce its exposure to such obligations.

 
17

 

6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Continued)

We cannot reasonably estimate our potential future payments under the indemnities and related provisions described above because we cannot predict when and under what circumstances these provisions may be triggered. We had no accruals related to indemnifications on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2011 or December 31, 2010.

Contingencies.   We are involved in legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We periodically assess our exposure related to these matters based on the information which is available. We have recorded accruals in our Consolidated Financial Statements for those matters in which it is probable that we have incurred a loss and the amount of the loss, or range of loss, can be reasonably estimated.

For other legal proceedings, claims and litigation, we have recorded loss contingencies that are immaterial, or we cannot reasonably estimate the potential loss because of uncertainties about the outcome of the matter and the amount of the loss or range of loss. Although the final outcome of these other matters cannot be predicted with certainty, any possible adverse outcome arising from these matters is not expected to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements, either individually or in the aggregate. However, our evaluation of the likely impact of these matters may change in the future.

Tax Matters.   In 2003, the Canada Revenue Agency, or CRA, issued Notices of Reassessment, asserting that Acrofax, Inc., a wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary of Equifax, was liable for additional tax for the 1995 through 2000 tax years, related to certain intercompany capital contributions and loans. Subsequently in 2003, we made a statutorily-required deposit for a portion of the claim. On May 31, 2011, we settled this CRA claim for $1.1 million (1.1 million in Canadian dollars) and received a net refund of the deposit and accrued interest in the amount of $9.9 million (9.7 million in Canadian dollars).

For additional information about these and other commitments and contingencies, see Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2010 Form 10-K.   For additional information about commitments related to the Brazilian Transaction, see Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this 10-Q.

7. INCOME TAXES

We are subject to U.S. federal, state and international income taxes. We are generally no longer subject to federal, state, or international income tax examinations by tax authorities for years ending prior to December 31, 2002, with few exceptions. Due to the potential for resolution of state and foreign examinations, and the expiration of various statutes of limitations, it is reasonably possible that our gross unrecognized tax benefit balance may change within the next twelve months by a range of $0 to $8.3 million.

Effective Tax Rate.      Our effective income tax rate was 36.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2011, up from 34.4% for the same period in 2010.  The increase is due to federal and state tax benefits realized during the third quarter of 2010 that did not recur in the same period of 2011.  The effective income tax rate was 43.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, up from 35.7% for the same period in 2010 with the increase primarily due to the Brazilian Transaction that occurred during the second quarter of 2011.  The impact of the Brazilian Transaction increased our effective rate 7.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  The nine month effective income tax rate also increased due to federal and state tax benefits realized in 2010.

 
18

 

8. BENEFIT PLANS

We sponsor defined benefit pension plans and defined contribution plans.

On September 14, 2011, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved a redesign of our retirement plans for our currently active Canadian employees, effective January 1, 2013, and for our new hires hired on or after October 1, 2011.  The changes to our retirement plan will freeze the Canadian Retirement Income Plan, or CRIP, a qualified defined benefit pension plan, for employees who do not meet retirement-eligibility status under the CRIP as of December 31, 2012 (“Non-Grandfathered participants).  Under the plan amendments, the service credit for Non-Grandfathered participants will freeze, but these participants will continue to receive credit for salary increases and vesting service.  Additionally, Non-Grandfathered employees and certain other employees not eligible to participate in the CRIP (i.e., new hires on or after October 1, 2011) will be able to participate in an enhanced defined contribution component of the CRIP.

We assessed the plan amendment’s potential impact to our Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with ASC 715 as of September 14, 2011.  Factors considered during our assessment included the materiality of the CRIP’s assets and liabilities, the CRIP’s funded status and discussion with the plan’s actuaries regarding the range of possible fluctuation in valuation inputs from December 31, 2010 to September 14, 2011.  Based on our assessment, we determined that a remeasurement was not necessary as the effect of the plan amendments was immaterial.
 
For additional information about our benefit plans, see Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2010 Form 10-K.

The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit cost for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

   
Pension Benefits
   
Other Benefits
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(In millions)
 
Service cost
  $ 1.6     $ 1.8     $ 0.1     $ 0.1  
Interest cost
    8.6       8.7       0.4       0.4  
Expected return on plan assets
    (11.6 )     (11.1 )     (0.4 )     (0.3 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    0.2       0.2       -       (0.1 )
Recognized actuarial loss
    3.0       2.3       0.3       0.3  
Total net periodic benefit cost
  $ 1.8     $ 1.9     $ 0.4     $ 0.4  
                                 
   
Pension Benefits
   
Other Benefits
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(In millions)
 
Service cost
  $ 4.8     $ 4.7     $ 0.4     $ 0.3  
Interest cost
    25.8       26.1       1.2       1.3  
Expected return on plan assets
    (34.9 )     (33.3 )     (1.2 )     (1.1 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    0.6       0.6       (0.1 )     (0.2 )
Recognized actuarial loss
    9.0       6.8       0.9       0.9  
Total net periodic benefit cost
  $ 5.3     $ 4.9     $ 1.2     $ 1.2  

 
19

 

9. SEGMENT INFORMATION

Reportable Segments.   We manage our business and report our financial results through the following five reportable segments, which are the same as our operating segments:

 
-
U.S. Consumer Information Solutions

 
-
International

 
-
TALX

 
-
North America Personal Solutions

 
-
North America Commercial Solutions

The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in our summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2010 Form 10-K. We evaluate the performance of these reportable segments based on their operating revenues, operating income and operating margins, excluding unusual or infrequent items, if any. Inter-segment sales and transfers are not material for all periods presented. The measurement criteria for segment profit or loss and segment assets are substantially the same for each reportable segment. All transactions between segments are accounted for at cost, and no timing differences occur between segments.

A summary of segment products and services is as follows:

U.S. Consumer Information Solutions.   This segment includes consumer information services (such as credit information and credit scoring, credit modeling services, locate services, fraud detection and prevention services, identity verification services and other consulting services); mortgage loan origination information, appraisal, title and closing services; consumer financial marketing services; and identity management.

International.   This segment includes information services products, which includes consumer and commercial services (such as credit and financial information, credit scoring and credit modeling services), credit and other marketing products and services, and products and services sold directly to consumers similar to those sold by North America Personal Solutions.

TALX.   This segment includes employment, income and social security number verification services as well as complementary payroll-based transaction services (known as The Work Number ®) and employment tax and talent management services.

North America Personal Solutions.   This segment includes credit information, credit monitoring and identity theft protection products sold directly to consumers via the internet.

North America Commercial Solutions.   This segment includes commercial products and services such as business credit and demographic information, credit scores and portfolio analytics (decisioning tools), which are derived from our databases of business credit and financial information.

 
20

 

9. SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued)

Operating revenue and operating income from continuing operations by operating segment during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
(In millions)
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
Operating revenue:
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
U.S. Consumer Information Solutions
  $ 202.0     $ 194.0     $ 577.0     $ 551.7  
International
    118.6       122.5       376.6       356.9  
TALX
    102.8       99.1       298.5       293.4  
North America Personal Solutions
    45.5       39.9       135.1       119.9  
North America Commercial Solutions
    21.5       18.3       62.9       55.6  
Total operating revenue
  $ 490.4     $ 473.8     $ 1,450.1     $ 1,377.5  
                                 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
(In millions)
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
Operating income:
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
U.S. Consumer Information Solutions
  $ 74.0     $ 72.2     $ 206.5     $ 200.5  
International
    34.7       30.8       98.7       89.6  
TALX
    23.6       22.7       66.1       67.2  
North America Personal Solutions
    15.0       12.7       40.2       33.0  
North America Commercial Solutions
    5.0       3.3       14.5       11.4  
General Corporate Expense
    (30.7 )     (31.5 )     (80.7 )     (81.4 )
Total operating income
  $ 121.6     $ 110.2     $ 345.3     $ 320.3  

 
21

 

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

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 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 management, 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 lines. The Work Number revenue is transaction-based and is derived primarily from employment, income and social security number verifications, as well as complementary payroll-based transaction services. 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.

 
22

 

Geographic Information.   We currently operate in the following countries: Argentina, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Spain, the U.K., Uruguay, and the U.S. Our operations in the Republic of Ireland focus on data handling and customer support activities. We have an investment in a consumer and commercial credit information company in Brazil and offer consumer credit services in India and Russia through joint ventures.

Key Performance Indicators.   Management focuses on a variety of key indicators to monitor operating and financial performance. These performance indicators include 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 nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were as follows: 

   
Key Performance Indicators
 
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
 
Operating revenue
  $ 490.4     $ 473.8     $ 1,450.1     $ 1,377.5  
Operating revenue change
    4 %     11 %     5 %     8 %
Operating income
  $ 121.6     $ 110.2     $ 345.3     $ 320.3  
Operating margin
    24.8 %     23.3 %     23.8 %     23.3 %
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Equifax
  $ 66.7     $ 61.3     $ 158.5     $ 173.0  
Net income attributable to Equifax
  $ 66.7     $ 76.5     $ 158.5     $ 204.5  
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Equifax
  $ 0.54     $ 0.49     $ 1.28     $ 1.36  
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Equifax
  $ 0.54     $ 0.61     $ 1.28     $ 1.61  
Cash provided by operating activities
  $ 112.0     $ 68.5     $ 259.0     $ 207.4  
Capital expenditures
  $ 15.3     $ 15.5     $ 59.2     $ 82.4  

Business Environment and Company Strategy

Consumer and small business lending activity, which is one of the drivers of demand for our services, has stabilized in most markets around the world, but in most cases is not yet showing strong growth.  We expect growth in consumer lending to continue to lag the general economic recovery, particularly in the more mature markets.  In addition, new financial regulations are increasing the compliance requirements for many of our customers and introduce new challenges as well as opportunities in the marketing of our product and service offerings to our customers. In an effort to respond to these market conditions, we have focused on the following activities:

 
-
Further diversification of 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 enhanced technology platforms.
 
-
Reorganizing our sales force with key customer teams dedicated to our largest accounts.
 
-
Acquiring new data assets and technologies in addition to international expansion.
 
-
Continuing our focus on managing our expenses through the use of LEAN, Work Out and other process improvement initiatives.

For the remainder of 2011, the operating environment will continue to present challenges for the marketing and growth of our traditional products and services, but will also create new opportunities for our more recently developed products. These newer product offerings leverage our diverse data assets, analytical capabilities and technology platforms to improve customers' decisioning capabilities and risk management activities.  For the remainder of 2011, we do not expect conditions in the credit economy to contribute measurably to organic growth. However, we do expect to derive organic growth through our new product offerings and initiatives to penetrate new customer segments.

 
23

 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS—THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 AND 2010

Consolidated Financial Results

Operating Revenue
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
               
Nine Months Ended September 30,
             
               
Change
               
Change
 
Consolidated Operating Revenue
 
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
   
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
                                                 
U.S. Consumer Information Solutions
  $ 202.0     $ 194.0     $ 8.0       4 %   $ 577.0     $ 551.7     $ 25.3       5 %
International
    118.6       122.5       (3.9 )     -3 %     376.6       356.9       19.7       6 %
TALX
    102.8       99.1       3.7       4 %     298.5       293.4       5.1       2 %
North America Personal Solutions
    45.5       39.9       5.6       14 %     135.1       119.9       15.2       13 %
North America Commercial Solutions
    21.5       18.3       3.2       18 %     62.9       55.6       7.3       13 %
Consolidated operating revenue
  $ 490.4     $ 473.8     $ 16.6       4 %   $ 1,450.1     $ 1,377.5     $ 72.6       5 %

Revenue from continuing operations increased by 4% in the third quarter and 5% in the first nine months of 2011 compared to the same periods in 2010. The deconsolidation of our Brazilian business, which resulted from the merger of our business into a larger entity during the second quarter of 2011, negatively impacted revenue by $20.9 million and $28.9 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011, respectively, compared to the prior year, while all other revenue increased by 8% in both the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 compared to the same periods in 2010, primarily driven by strong execution of key strategic initiatives.  The favorable effect of foreign exchange rates, in locations other than Brazil, increased revenue by $4.9 million, or 1%, in the third quarter and $15.5 million, or 1%, year to date compared to the year ago periods.

Operating Expenses
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
               
Nine Months Ended September 30,
             
               
Change
               
Change
 
Consolidated Operating Expenses
 
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
   
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
                                                 
Consolidated cost of services
  $ 189.1     $ 188.2     $ 0.9       0 %   $ 574.3     $ 566.6     $ 7.7       1 %
Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses
    139.2       134.0       5.2       4 %     406.2       370.4       35.8       10 %
Consolidated depreciation and amortization expense
    40.5       41.4       (0.9 )     -2 %     124.3       120.2       4.1       3 %
Consolidated operating expenses
  $ 368.8     $ 363.6     $ 5.2       1 %   $ 1,104.8     $ 1,057.2     $ 47.6       5 %
 
The slight increase in cost of services from continuing operations, when compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, was due primarily to the impact of increased salary, benefits and incentives expense and contract services expenses of $10.7 million for the third quarter and $24.3 million for the first nine months, and by the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates of $1.7 million for the third quarter and $7.7 million for the first nine months of 2011, largely offset by decreases related to the deconsolidation of our Brazilian business.

Selling, general and administrative expense from continuing operations increased $5.2 million in the third quarter compared to the year ago quarter.  The increase was primarily due to increased salary and incentive expense of $7.5 million and higher advertising expenses offset by decreases related to the deconsolidation of our Brazilian business.  The increase for the first nine months of 2011 as compared to the prior year period was primarily due to increased salary and incentive expense of $21.6 million, higher advertising expenses of $6.1 million and higher professional fees offset by decreases in expenses related to the deconsolidation of our Brazilian business.  The impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates increased our selling, general and administrative expense by $1.7 million for the third quarter and $6.0 million for the first nine months of 2011.

 
24

 

Depreciation and amortization expense from continuing operations decreased slightly in 2011 over the same three month period in 2010, primarily due to the decline in amortization of certain purchased intangibles acquired as part of TALX in 2007 which fully amortized at the end of the second quarter of 2011 and the amortization and depreciation decrease resulting from the deconsolidation of our Brazilian business.  This decrease was partially offset by our third quarter 2011 acquisition of DataVision Resources and fourth quarter 2010 acquisition of Anakam which together contributed $1.8 million of incremental depreciation and amortization expense.  Depreciation and amortization expense from continuing operations increased in the first nine months of 2011 as compared to 2010 due to $3.5 million of incremental depreciation and amortization expense related to Anakam as well as the effect of recent investments in new products and technology infrastructure.

Operating Income and Operating Margin

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
               
Nine Months Ended September 30,
             
               
Change
               
Change
 
Consolidated Operating Income
 
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
   
2011
   
2010
    $    
%
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
                                                   
Consolidated operating revenue
  $ 490.4     $ 473.8     $ 16.6       4 %   $ 1,450.1     $ 1,377.5     $ 72.6       5 %
Consolidated operating expenses
    (368.8 )     (363.6 )     (5.2 )     1 %     (1,104.8 )     (1,057.2 )     (47.6 )     5 %
Consolidated operating income
  $ 121.6     $ 110.2     $ 11.4       10 %   $ 345.3     $ 320.3     $ 25.0       8 %
Consolidated operating margin
    24.8 %     23.3 %          
1.5
% pts     23.8 %     23.3 %          
0.5
pts

Operating income from continuing operations for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 increased faster than revenue due to the deconsolidation of Brazil, which reduced reported revenue, but which had little impact on operating profit because it had been operating near break-even.  As a result, operating margins increased by 150 basis points to 24.8% in the third quarter compared to a year ago and widened by 50 basis points to 23.8% in the nine months year to date compared to a year ago.

Other Expense, Net
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
               
Nine Months Ended September 30,
             
               
Change
               
Change
 
Consolidated Other Expense, Net
 
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
   
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
                                                 
Consolidated interest expense
  $ 13.7     $ 14.0     $ (0.3 )     -2 %   $ 41.2     $ 42.3     $ (1.1 )     -3 %
Consolidated other expense (income), net
    (0.6 )     (0.7 )     0.1    
nm
      8.7       (1.0 )     9.7    
nm
 
Consolidated other expense, net
  $ 13.1     $ 13.3     $ (0.2 )     -1 %   $ 49.9     $ 41.3     $ 8.6       21 %
Average cost of debt
    5.4 %     5.5 %                     5.4 %     5.2 %                
Total consolidated debt, net, at quarter end
  $ 1,035.5     $ 1,007.4     $ 28.1       3 %   $ 1,035.5     $ 1,007.4     $ 28.1       3 %

nm - not meaningful

Interest expense decreased slightly for the three and nine month periods, when compared to the same period in 2010, due to a decrease in interest expense related to the 7.34% installment debt as we made a $15.0 million principal payment in the second quarter of 2011.  Our consolidated debt balance has increased at September 30, 2011, as a result of additional borrowings in the form of commercial paper, on which interest rates and accordingly interest expense are currently very low.  The decrease in the average cost of debt for the third quarter of 2011 as compared to the 2010 period is due to the reduction of our higher rate installment debt.  The increase in the average cost of debt for the first nine months of 2011 is due to less low rate commercial paper outstanding on average year to date which caused the average cost of debt to increase as compared to the prior year period.

Other expense (income), net, from continuing operations for the three month period ending September 30, 2011 was relatively flat when compared to the same period in 2010. Other expense, net, from continuing operations for the nine month period ending September 30, 2011 increased $9.7 million as compared to the prior year period. The increase is primarily due to the merger of our Brazilian business during the second quarter of 2011. On May 31, 2011, we completed the merger of our Brazilian business with Boa Vista Servicos S.A. (“BVS”), which was accounted for as a sale and deconsolidated, in exchange for a 15% equity interest in BVS (“the Brazilian Transaction”).  We recorded a $10.3 million pre-tax loss on the Brazilian Transaction in other expense (income), net.

 
25

 

Income Taxes

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
               
Nine Months Ended September 30,
             
               
Change
               
Change
 
Consolidated Provision for Income Taxes
 
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
   
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
                                                 
Consolidated provision for income taxes
  $ 39.2     $ 33.3     $ 5.9       18 %   $ 129.7     $ 99.7     $ 30.0       30 %
Effective income tax rate
    36.2 %     34.4 %                     43.9 %     35.7 %                

Our effective income tax rate was 36.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2011, up from 34.4% for the same period in 2010.  The increase is due to federal and state tax benefits realized during the third quarter of 2010 that did not recur in the same period of 2011.  The effective income tax rate was 43.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, up from 35.7% for the same period in 2010 with the increase primarily due to the Brazilian Transaction that occurred during the second quarter of 2011.  The impact of the Brazilian Transaction increased our effective rate 7.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  The nine month effective income tax rate also increased slightly due to federal and state tax benefits realized in 2010.

Net Income

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
               
Nine Months Ended September 30,
             
               
Change
               
Change
 
Consolidated Net Income
 
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
   
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
 
   
(In millions, except per share amounts)
   
(In millions, except per share amounts)
 
                                                 
Consolidated operating income
  $ 121.6     $ 110.2     $ 11.4       10 %   $ 345.3     $ 320.3     $ 25.0       8 %
Consolidated other expense, net
    (13.1 )     (13.3 )     0.2       -1 %     (49.9 )     (41.3 )     (8.6 )     21 %
Consolidated provision for income taxes
    (39.2 )     (33.3 )     (5.9 )     18 %     (129.7 )     (99.7 )     (30.0 )     30 %
Consolidated income from continuing operations
    69.3       63.6       5.7       9 %     165.7       179.3       (13.6 )     -8 %
Discontinued operations, net of tax
    -       15.2       (15.2 )     -100 %     -       31.5       (31.5 )     -100 %
Consolidated net income
    69.3       78.8       (9.5 )     -12 %     165.7       210.8       (45.1 )     -21 %
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
    (2.6 )     (2.3 )     (0.3 )     13 %     (7.2 )     (6.3 )     (0.9 )     14 %
Net income attributable to Equifax
  $ 66.7     $ 76.5     $ (9.8 )     -13 %   $ 158.5     $ 204.5     $ (46.0 )     -23 %
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Equifax
  $ 0.54     $ 0.61     $ (0.07 )     -11 %   $ 1.28     $ 1.61     $ (0.33 )     -21 %
Diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations
  $ 0.54     $ 0.49     $ 0.05       11 %   $ 1.28     $ 1.36     $ (0.08 )     -6 %
Weighted-average shares used in computing diluted earnings per share
    123.3       125.8                       124.2       127.1                  

Consolidated income from continuing operations increased $5.7 million, or 9%, in the third quarter of 2011, a growth rate slightly below the rate of growth in consolidated operating income due to the higher income tax rate compared to a year ago.  Consolidated net income attributable to Equifax declined $9.8 million in the third quarter from a year ago because the 2010 quarter benefited from $15.2 million in income from discontinued operations, primarily due to a gain on the sale of our Direct Marketing Services (“DMS”) business.

Consolidated income from continuing operations decreased by $13.6 million, or 8%, in the first nine months of 2011, compared to the same period in 2010, due to the $27.8 million loss recorded on the Brazilian Transaction (reflected in other expense and income tax expense), partially offset by operating income growth of $25.0 million due to revenue growth, net of associated income taxes.  Consolidated income attributable to Equifax decreased $46.0 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011, due to the loss recorded on the Brazilian transaction as well as from the 2010 profit on discontinued operations, which included the gain on the sale of DMS as well as the $12.3 million gain recorded on the sale of the APPRO product line during the second quarter of 2010.

 
26

 

Segment Financial Results

USCIS

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
               
Nine Months Ended September 30,
             
               
Change
               
Change
 
U.S. Consumer Information Solutions
 
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
   
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
Operating revenue:
                                               
Online Consumer Information Solutions (OCIS)
  $ 135.5     $ 128.3     $ 7.2       6 %   $ 383.3     $ 368.3     $ 15.0       4 %
Mortgage Solutions
    32.0       32.2       (0.2 )     0 %     86.2       84.2       2.0       2 %
Consumer Financial Marketing Services
    34.5       33.5       1.0       3 %     107.5       99.2       8.3       8 %
Total operating revenue
  $ 202.0     $ 194.0     $ 8.0       4 %   $ 577.0     $ 551.7     $ 25.3       5 %
% of consolidated revenue
    41 %     41 %                     40 %     40 %                
Total operating income
  $ 74.0     $ 72.2     $ 1.8       2 %   $ 206.5     $ 200.5     $ 6.0       3 %
Operating margin
    36.6 %     37.2 %          
-0.6
% pts     35.8 %     36.3 %          
-0.5
pts

U.S. Consumer Information Solutions revenue increased 4% in the third quarter as compared to the prior year period due to growth in OCIS and Consumer Financial Marketing Services (“CFMS”) while Mortgage Solutions remained relatively flat.  Revenue increased 5% in the first nine months of 2011 as compared to the prior year period due to growth across all of our USCIS business lines.

OCIS

Revenue for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 increased 6% and 4%, respectively, when compared to the prior year periods.  These increases were primarily driven by a 9% increase in core credit decision transaction volume for both periods offset by lower average price per transaction.  The third quarter and first nine months of 2011 also benefitted from revenue from our fourth quarter 2010 acquisition.

Mortgage Solutions

Revenue was flat for the three month period and increased for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011 when compared to the prior year periods due primarily to increased sales of settlement services as a result of increased market share from existing customers wholly or largely offset by the declines in core mortgage reporting services due to lower refinancing activity as compared to the comparable periods of 2010.  

Consumer Financial Marketing Services

2011 revenue increased, as compared to 2010, in both the three and nine month periods due to continued growth in credit-based pre-screen and portfolio management revenue as well as strong market penetration of wealth-based consumer information services in the nine month period in 2011.

USCIS Operating Margin

Improved margins in online credit services and CFMS resulting from solid revenue growth were more than offset by lower margins in mortgage solutions due to less favorable product mix and by expense investment and increased acquisition-related amortization associated with our fourth quarter 2010 acquisition of Anakam.

 
27

 

International

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
               
Nine Months Ended September 30,
             
               
Change
               
Change
 
International
 
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
   
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
Operating revenue:
                                               
Latin America
  $ 45.1     $ 59.1     $ (14.0 )     -24 %   $ 164.3     $ 170.9     $ (6.6 )     -4 %
Europe
    40.7       35.0       5.7       16 %     117.0       101.4       15.6       15 %
Canada Consumer
    32.8       28.4       4.4       16 %     95.3       84.6       10.7       13 %
Total operating revenue
  $ 118.6     $ 122.5     $ (3.9 )     -3 %   $ 376.6     $ 356.9     $ 19.7       6 %
% of consolidated revenue
    25 %     26 %                     26 %     26 %                
Total operating income
  $ 34.7     $ 30.8     $ 3.9       13 %   $ 98.7     $ 89.6     $ 9.1       10 %
Operating margin
    29.3 %     25.2 %             4.1 % pts     26.2 %     25.1 %             1.1 pts

International revenue decreased by 3% in the third quarter of 2011 and increased by 6% in the first nine months of 2011 compared to the prior year periods.  While the deconsolidation of Brazil negatively impacted revenue by $20.9 million and $28.9 million in the three and nine month periods of 2011, respectively, revenue in our other geographies increased by 17% in both periods as compared to 2010.  Local currency revenue, excluding Brazil, increased 12% in both periods due to solid growth in Europe, Canada and other Latin American countries.  Local currency fluctuations against the U.S. dollar, excluding Brazil, favorably impacted our International revenue by $4.6 million, or 5%, in the third quarter and $14.4 million, or 5%, in the first nine months of the year.

Latin America

Revenue decreased by 24% and 4%, respectively, in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 as compared to the prior year periods. While the deconsolidation of Brazil negatively impacted revenue by $20.9 million and $28.9 million in the three and nine month periods of 2011, respectively, revenue in our other Latin American countries increased 18% in the third quarter and 21% in the first nine months of 2011.  Local currency revenue, excluding Brazil, increased by 16% in the third quarter and 18% in the first nine months of 2011 due to broad-based growth across other Latin American countries. The favorable impact of changes in foreign exchange rates, excluding Brazil, added $0.8 million, or 2%, to revenue in the third quarter, and $2.8 million, or 3%, in the first nine months compared to a year ago.
 
Europe

Revenue increased in the three and nine month periods compared to the same periods in 2010 due to increased sales in most product segments and the impact of a first quarter 2011 acquisition, as well as the favorable impact of changes in foreign exchange rates. In local currency, revenue was up 11% and 9% from the three and nine month periods in 2011. Local currency fluctuations against the U.S. dollar favorably impacted revenue by $1.9 million, or 5%, in the third quarter, and $6.2 million, or 6%, in the first nine months.

Canada Consumer

Revenue increased in the three and nine month periods compared to the same periods in 2010 due to increased volumes for our technology and analytical services products, primarily due to growth in the customer base for a new fraud mitigation product, and the favorable impact of changes in foreign exchange rates.  In local currency, revenue was up 9% and 6% from the three and nine month periods in 2010.  Local currency fluctuations against the U.S. dollar favorably impacted revenue by $1.9 million, or 7%, in the third quarter, and $5.4 million, or 7%, in the first nine months.

International Operating Margin

Operating margin increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 as compared to the prior year period primarily due to the deconsolidation of our Brazilian business, whose margins had declined in recent periods.  Operating margins for the first nine months of 2011 were also impacted by 2011 increased investments in new product development and increased sales force, particularly in Brazil prior to the deconsolidation of the business.

 
28

 

TALX

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
               
Nine Months Ended September 30,
       
               
Change
               
Change
 
TALX
 
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
   
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
Operating revenue:
                                               
The Work Number
  $ 57.2     $ 55.2     $ 2.0       4 %   $ 160.7     $ 154.9     $ 5.8       4 %
Tax and Talent Management Services
    45.6       43.9       1.7       4 %     137.8       138.5       (0.7 )     0 %
Total operating revenue
  $ 102.8     $ 99.1     $ 3.7       4 %   $ 298.5     $ 293.4     $ 5.1       2 %
% of consolidated revenue
    21 %     21 %                     21 %     21 %                
Total operating income
  $ 23.6     $ 22.7     $ 0.9       4 %   $ 66.1     $ 67.2     $ (1.1 )     -2 %
Operating margin
    23.0 %     22.9 %             0.1 % pts     22.1 %     22.9 %             -0.8 pts

The Work Number

Revenue from The Work Number increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011, compared to the prior year periods, as high single to low double digit percentage revenue growth in verifications provided to non-mortgage customers and the benefit of our third quarter 2011 acquisition of DataVision Resources were partially offset by double digit declines in verification revenue from mortgage customers due to reduced mortgage activity. 

Tax and Talent Management Services

The increase in revenue during the third quarter of 2011, as compared to the same period in 2010, resulted primarily from revenue growth in our Tax Management Services business related to tax credits and modest revenue growth in our Talent Management Services business.  Revenue for the first nine months of 2011 as compared to 2010 was relatively flat.  Declines in our Talent Management Services business due to decreased government hiring activity at the U.S. Transportation Security Administration and reduced licensing revenue were offset by revenue growth in our Tax Management Services business.

TALX Operating Margin

Operating margin for the third quarter of 2011 was consistent with the operating margin of the prior year period. Operating margin for the first nine months of 2011, when compared to the prior year period, decreased due to revenue and associated margin declines in government-based tax transcript verification services and Talent Management Services as a result of a slowdown in mortgage-related activity and decreased license revenue, respectively. 

North America Personal Solutions

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
         
Nine Months Ended September 30,
       
               
Change
               
Change
 
North America Personal Solutions
 
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
   
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
                                                 
Total operating revenue
  $ 45.5     $ 39.9     $ 5.6       14 %   $ 135.1     $ 119.9     $ 15.2       13 %
% of consolidated revenue
    9 %     8 %                     9 %     9 %                
Total operating income
  $ 15.0     $ 12.7     $ 2.3       18 %   $ 40.2     $ 33.0     $ 7.2       22 %
Operating margin
    32.8 %     31.9 %             0.9 % pts     29.7 %     27.5 %             2.2 pts

Revenue increased 14% and 13% for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year primarily due to increased direct to consumer, Equifax-branded subscription service revenue, and increased revenue from wholesalers. Direct to consumer, Equifax-branded subscription revenue was up 21% from the prior year quarter and 15% from the first nine months of 2010, driven by both higher subscription sales and higher average revenue per subscriber due to new product offerings and better market segmentation.  The operating margin increase in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011, as compared to the prior year periods, was primarily due to the increased revenue along with a shift in product mix to higher margin products.

 
29

 

North America Commercial Solutions

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
         
Nine Months Ended September 30,
       
               
Change
               
Change
 
North America Commercial Solutions
 
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
   
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
                                                 
Total operating revenue
  $ 21.5     $ 18.3     $ 3.2       18 %   $ 62.9     $ 55.6     $ 7.3       13 %
% of consolidated revenue
    4 %     4 %                     4 %     4 %                
Total operating income
  $ 5.0     $ 3.3     $ 1.7       55 %   $ 14.5     $ 11.4     $ 3.1       27 %
Operating margin
    23.6 %     17.9 %             5.7 % pts     23.1 %     20.5 %             2.6 pts

Revenue increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, by 18% and 13%, respectively.   In local currency, revenue increased 16% compared to the third quarter of 2010 and 11% compared to the first nine months of 2010. The local currency increase was primarily due to increases in U.S. risk and marketing service revenue and revenue from our data management products.   The favorable impact of changes in the U.S.—Canadian foreign exchange rate impacted revenue by $0.4 million, or 2%, as compared to the third quarter of 2010, and by $1.1 million, or 2% as compared to the first nine months of 2010.  Operating margin also increased for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011, as compared to the same periods in 2010, due to strong revenue growth and the margin leverage which results from a partially fixed cost business.

General Corporate Expense

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
         
Nine Months Ended September 30,
       
               
Change
               
Change
 
General Corporate Expense
 
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
   
2011
   
2010
   
$
   
%
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
                                                                 
General corporate expense
  $ 30.7     $ 31.5     $ (0.8 )     -2 %   $ 80.7     $ 81.4     $ (0.7 )     -1 %

Our general corporate expenses are unallocated 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 decreased by $0.8 million for the third quarter of 2011 and $0.7 million for the first nine months of 2011, compared to the same periods in 2010, primarily due to lower benefit costs and professional fees partially offset by higher salary and incentive costs.

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 expect that funds generated from 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 and dividend payments) for the foreseeable future. In the event that credit market conditions were to deteriorate, we would rely more heavily on borrowings from the Senior Credit Facility as described below. During the first quarter, we extended the maturity date of our Senior Credit Facility from July 2011 to February 2015 and reduced the borrowing limits from $850.0 million to $500.0 million.  At September 30, 2011, $448.5 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.

 
30

 

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
   
Change
 
Net cash provided by (used in):
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011 vs. 2010
 
   
(Dollars in millions)
 
                   
Operating activities
  $ 259.0     $ 207.4     $ 51.6  
Investing activities
  $ (173.1 )   $ 85.5     $ (258.6 )
Financing activities
  $ (98.9 )   $ (278.7 )   $ 179.8  

Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 increased by $51.6 million over the prior year.  Cash provided from net income, adjusted for the impact of divestitures, increased by $9.8 million.  The remaining increase in cash from operations was primarily driven by changes in net working capital and other balance sheet changes, most notably from a $40.0 million decrease in pension contributions in 2011 and other lesser changes in liabilities, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable due to revenue growth.

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.  We currently hold $94.5 million of cash in our foreign subsidiaries.

Investing Activities

Capital Expenditures

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
   
Change
 
Net cash used in:
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011 vs. 2010
 
   
(In millions)
 
                   
Capital expenditures
  $ 59.2     $ 82.4     $ (23.2 )

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 2011 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 partially offset by an increase in investments in new products and technology infrastructure in 2011.

 
31

 

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Investments

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
   
Change
 
Net cash provided by (used in):
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011 vs. 2010
 
   
(In millions)
 
                   
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
  $ (112.2 )   $ (15.3 )   $ (96.9 )
Cash received from divestiture
  $ 2.5     $ 181.7     $ (179.2 )
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates, net
  $ (4.2 )   $ 1.5     $ (5.7 )

During the first nine months of 2011, we invested $112.2 million in acquisitions, net of cash acquired.  Our largest acquisition was DataVision Resources, which provides data and business solutions to the mortgage, insurance and financial services industries and is now part of our TALX segment.  We acquired DataVision Resources for $50.0 million during the third quarter.  We have also completed smaller acquisitions of information services businesses in the European and Latin American regions of our International segment as well as our USCIS segment.  During 2011, we also invested $4.2 million in our joint ventures in India and Russia.

During the third quarter of 2010, we sold our Direct Marketing Services division generating cash proceeds of approximately $115 million.  During the second quarter of 2010, we sold our APPRO product line, 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.  We received $2.5 million from the escrow account during the second quarter of 2011.

Financing Activities

Borrowings and Credit Facility Availability

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
   
Change
 
Net cash provided by (used in):
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011 vs. 2010
 
   
(In millions)
 
                   
Net short-term borrowings (repayments)
  $ 46.5     $ (134.0 )   $ 180.5  
Net repayments under long-term revolving credit facilities
  $ -     $ (5.0 )   $ 5.0  
Payments on long-term debt
  $ (16.7 )   $ (19.6 )   $ 2.9  

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 $500.0 million through February 2015. 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.

 
32

 

Our $500.0 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. The CP program is supported by our Senior Credit Facility and, pursuant to our existing Board of Directors authorization, the total amount of CP which may be issued is reduced by the amount of any outstanding borrowings under our Senior Credit Facility.

We had a 364-day revolving credit agreement with a Canadian bank (our Canadian Credit Facility) which permitted us to borrow up to C$10.0 million (denominated in Canadian dollars).  The Canadian Credit Facility was scheduled to terminate in June 2011. We cancelled this agreement at the end of the first quarter and there were no outstanding borrowings under this agreement at the time of cancellation.

At September 30, 2011, there were no borrowings outstanding under our Senior Credit Facility and $50.1 million outstanding under our CP program. At September 30, 2011, a total of $448.5 million was available under our Senior Credit Facility.

At September 30, 2011, approximately 70% of our debt was fixed-rate debt and 30% was effectively variable-rate debt. Our variable-rate debt, consisting of 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). The interest rates reset periodically, depending on the terms of the respective financing arrangements. At September 30, 2011, the interest rate on our variable-rate debt ranged from 0.32% to 2.13%.

Borrowing and Repayment Activity

Net short-term borrowings primarily represent activity under our CP program. 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 borrowings (repayments) primarily reflects the outstanding borrowings of CP notes at September 30, 2011 as compared to a net repayment of $134.0 million of CP notes during the first nine months of 2010 as we decreased our use of CP to fund our capital needs. The decrease in net repayments under long-term revolving credit facilities represents the 2010 repayment of borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2009, under our Senior Credit Facility.

The payments on long-term debt primarily reflect $15 million payments made in the second quarter of both 2011 and 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 requires us to maintain a maximum leverage ratio of not more than 3.5. Our leverage ratio was 1.69 at September 30, 2011. None of these covenants are considered restrictive to our operations and, as of September 30, 2011, 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 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2010 Form 10-K.

 
33

 

Equity Transactions
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
   
Change
 
Net cash provided by (used in):
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011 vs. 2010
 
   
(In millions)
 
                   
Treasury stock repurchases
  $ (75.2 )   $ (116.4 )   $ 41.2  
Dividends paid to Equifax shareholders
  $ (58.7 )   $ (14.9 )   $ (43.8 )
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
  $ (5.6 )   $ (3.4 )   $ (2.2 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
  $ 12.9     $ 13.8     $ (0.9 )
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation plans
  $ 0.6     $ 1.6     $ (1.0 )

Sources and uses of cash related to equity during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were as follows:

 
-
Under share repurchase programs authorized by our Board of Directors, we purchased 2.2 million and 3.7 million common shares on the open market during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, for $75.2 million and $116.4 million, respectively, at an average price per common share of $33.07 and $30.09, respectively. At September 30, 2011, the Company had approximately $179.3 million remaining for stock repurchases under the existing Board authorization.

 
-
We increased our quarterly dividend from $0.04 per share previously to $0.16 per share as announced in the fourth quarter of 2010.  Accordingly, our dividends per share were $0.48 and $0.12 per share for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. We paid cash dividends to Equifax shareholders of $58.7 million and $14.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 
-
We received cash of $12.9 million and $13.8 million during the first nine months of 2011 and 2010, 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 2010 Form 10-K.  For additional information about certain obligations and contingencies, including those related to Computer Sciences Corporation and the Brazilian Transaction, see Note 2 and Note 6 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 2010 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 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2010 Form 10-K.

Benefit Plans

At December 31, 2010, our U.S. Retirement Income Plan, or USRIP, met or exceeded ERISA’s minimum funding requirements. In January 2011, we made a contribution of $10.0 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.

 
34

 

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 further discussion regarding a plan amendment to our Canadian Retirement Income Plan, see Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q.

For additional information about our benefit plans, see Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2010 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 generated from our financial wealth asset products in Consumer Financial Marketing Services (CFMS) and from data management services in our North America Commercial business are generally higher in the fourth quarter each year due to the significant portion of our annual renewals which occur in the fourth quarter of each year.

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 2010 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 2010 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.

Goodwill

We review goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment annually (as of September 30) and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, legal factors, operating performance or trends, competition, or sale or disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit. We have ten reporting units comprised of Consumer Information Solutions (which includes part of Online Consumer Information Solutions, Mortgage Solutions and Consumer Financial Marketing Services), Identity Management (part of Online Consumer Information Solutions), Europe, Latin America, Canada Consumer, North America Personal Solutions, North America Commercial Solutions, The Work Number, Tax Management Services and Talent Management Services.

 
35

 

The goodwill balance at September 30, 2011, for our ten reporting units was as follows:

   
September 30,
 
   
2011
 
   
(In millions)
 
Consumer Information Solutions
  $ 583.8  
ID Management
    54.1  
Europe
    115.6  
Latin America
    204.7  
Canada Consumer
    30.0  
North America Personal Solutions
    1.8  
North America Commercial Solutions
    37.4  
The Work Number
    778.8  
Tax Management Services
    121.6  
Talent Management Services
    26.1  
Total goodwill
  $ 1,953.9  

As permitted by applicable accounting rules, the fair values of Consumer Information Solutions, Latin America, Europe, Canada Consumer, North America Personal Solutions, and North America Commercial Solutions were not calculated at September 30, 2011 as (a) the assets and liabilities that make up the reporting unit have not changed significantly since their most recent fair value determination, (b) the most recent fair value determination resulted in an amount that exceeded the carrying amount of the reporting unit by a substantial margin and (c) based on an analysis of events that have occurred and circumstances that have changed since the most recent fair value determination, the likelihood that a current fair value determination would be less than the current carrying amount of the reporting unit is remote.

Valuation Techniques

In determining the fair value of our reporting units, we used a combination of the income and market approaches to estimate the reporting unit’s business enterprise value.

Under the income approach, we calculate the fair value of a reporting unit based on estimated future discounted cash flows which require assumptions about short and long-term revenue growth rates, operating margins for each reporting unit, discount rates, foreign currency exchange rates and estimates of capital charges. The assumptions we use are based on what we believe a hypothetical marketplace participant would use in estimating fair value. Under the market approach, we estimate the fair value based on market multiples of revenue or earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization, for benchmark companies. We believe the benchmark companies used for each of the reporting units serve as an appropriate input for calculating a fair value for the reporting unit as those benchmark companies have similar risks, participate in similar markets, provide similar services for their customers and compete with us directly. The companies we use as benchmarks are principally outlined in our discussion of Competition in our 2010 Form 10-K. Data for the benchmark companies was obtained from publicly available information. ID Management has benchmark companies that conduct operations of businesses of a similar type, such as Experian Group Limited and Fair Isaac Corporation. The Work Number, Tax Management Services and Talent Management Services share a different set of benchmark companies, notably ADP and Paychex Inc., as the markets they serve are different than those served by our other reporting units. Valuation multiples were selected based on a financial benchmarking analysis that compared the reporting unit’s operating result with the comparable companies’ information. In addition to these financial considerations, qualitative factors such as variations in growth opportunities and overall risk among the benchmark companies were considered in the ultimate selection of the multiple.

The values separately derived from each of the income and market approach valuation techniques were used to develop an overall estimate of a reporting unit’s fair value. We use a consistent approach across all reporting units when considering the weight of the income and market approaches for calculating the fair value of each of our reporting units. This approach relies more heavily on the calculated fair value derived from the income approach, with 70% of the value coming from the income approach. We believe this approach is consistent with that of a market participant in valuing prospective purchase business combinations. The selection and weighting of the various fair value techniques may result in a higher or lower fair value. Judgment is applied in determining the weightings that are most representative of fair value.

 
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We have not made any material changes to the valuation methodology we use to assess goodwill impairment since the date of the last annual impairment test.
 
Growth Assumptions
 
The assumptions for our future cash flows begin with our historical operating performance, the details of which are described in our Management’s Discussion & Analysis of operating performance. Additionally, we consider the impact that known economic, industry and market trends will have on our future forecasts, as well as the impact that we expect from planned business initiatives including new product initiatives, client service and retention standards, and cost management programs. At the end of the forecast period, the long-term growth rate we used to determine the terminal value of each reporting unit was generally 3% to 5% based on management’s assessment of the minimum expected terminal growth rate of each reporting unit, as well as broader economic considerations such as GDP, inflation and the maturity of the markets we serve.

As a result of the lack of meaningful economic recovery, we projected only modest revenue growth in 2012 for our reporting units in completing our 2011 impairment testing based on planned business initiatives and prevailing trends exhibited by these units, such as continued demand for employment verification services and government hiring activity at the U.S. Transportation and Security Administration in The Work Number and Talent Management Services reporting units. The anticipated revenue growth, however, is partially offset by assumed increases in expenses for a majority of our reporting units which reflect the additional level of investment needed in order to achieve the planned revenue growth. Our 2011 long-term forecast is not dependent upon meaningful recovery of the global economy in the near term and we continue to take cost containment actions to help maintain operating margins for our reporting units.

Discount Rate Assumptions

We utilize a weighted average cost of capital, or WACC, in our impairment analysis that makes assumptions about the capital structure that we believe a market participant would make and include a risk premium based on an assessment of risks related to the projected cash flows of each reporting unit. We believe this approach yields a discount rate that is consistent with an implied rate of return that a market participant would require for an investment in a company having similar risks and business characteristics to the reporting unit being assessed. To calculate the WACC, the cost of equity and cost of debt are multiplied by the assumed capital structure of the reporting unit as compared to industry trends and relevant benchmark company structures. The cost of equity was computed using the Capital Asset Pricing Model which considers the risk-free interest rate, beta, equity risk premium and specific company risk premium related to a particular reporting unit. The cost of debt was computed using a benchmark rate and the Company’s tax rate. For the 2011 annual goodwill impairment evaluation, the discount rates used to develop the estimated fair value of the reporting units evaluated ranged from 9% to 10%. Because of assigned market premiums, discount rates are lowest for reporting units, whose cash flows are expected to be less volatile due to such factors as the maturity of the market they serve, their position in that market or other macroeconomic factors. Where there is the greatest volatility of cash flows due to competition, the discount rate selected is in the higher portion of the range as there is more inherent risk in the expected cash flows of that reporting unit.

Estimated Fair Value and Sensitivities

The estimated fair value of the reporting units whose fair value was calculated for purposes of the 2011 impairment testing is derived from the valuation techniques described above, incorporating the related projections and assumptions. An indication of possible impairment occurs when the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is below the carrying value of its equity. The estimated fair value for all reporting units exceeded the carrying value of these units as of September 30, 2011. As a result, no goodwill impairment was recorded.

The estimated fair value of the reporting unit is highly sensitive to changes in these projections and assumptions; therefore, in some instances changes in these assumptions could impact whether the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying value. For example, an increase in the discount rate and decline in the projected cumulative cash flow of a reporting unit could cause the fair value of certain reporting units to be below its carrying value. We perform sensitivity analyses around these assumptions in order to assess the reasonableness of the assumptions and the resulting estimated fair values. Ultimately, future potential changes in these assumptions may impact the estimated fair value of a reporting unit and cause the fair value of the reporting unit to be below its carrying value. The excess of fair value over carrying value for the Company’s reporting units that were valued as of September 30, 2011, ranged from approximately 19% to 86%.

 
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The reporting unit having the lowest absolute dollar excess of fair value over carrying value is our Talent Management Services business which has a goodwill balance of $26.1 million as of September 30, 2011. This reporting unit has been impacted by uncertainty in government hiring activity. While no impairment was noted in our impairment test as of September 30, 2011, if customer hiring activity does not increase in the near to medium term as forecast or if other events adversely impact the business drivers and corresponding assumptions used to value this reporting unit, there could be a change in the valuation of our goodwill in future periods and may possibly result in the recognition of an impairment loss.

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 2010 Form 10-K. There were no material changes to our market risk exposure during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

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.

 
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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. The District Court subsequently deferred final approval of the settlement and required the settling parties to send a supplemental notice to those class members who filed a claim and objected to the settlement or opted out, with the cost for the re-notice to be deducted from the plaintiffs’ counsel fee award.   Mailing of the supplemental notice was completed on February 15, 2011.  The deadline for this group of settling plaintiffs to provide additional documentation to support their damage claims or to opt-out of the settlement was March 31, 2011.  On July 15, 2011, following another approval hearing, the District Court approved the settlement.  Several objecting plaintiffs subsequently filed notices of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

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 our recent settlements of certain contingent tax claims raised by the Canada Revenue Agency, and our accounting for legal contingencies, see Note 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q.
 
ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS
 
There have been no material changes with respect to the risk factors disclosed in our 2010 Form 10-K.
 
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 third quarter ended September 30, 2011:

 
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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)
 
                         
June 1 - June 30, 2011
                    $ 223,162,683  
July 1 - July 31, 2011
    1,151     $ -       -     $ 223,162,683  
August 1 - August 31, 2011
    1,235,650     $ 30.41       1,235,000     $ 185,606,333  
September 1 - September 30, 2011
    216,567     $ 31.69       200,000     $ 179,268,333  
Total
    1,453,368     $ 30.59       1,435,000     $ 179,268,333  
 

 
(1)
The total number of shares purchased for the quarter includes 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 1,151 shares for the month of July 2011, 650 shares for the month of August 2011, and 16,567 shares for the month of September 2011.

(2)
Average price paid per share for shares purchased as part of our Program (includes brokerage commissions).

(3)
At September 30, 2011, the amount authorized for future share repurchases under the Program was $179.3 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

 
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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: October 27, 2011
By:
/s/ Richard F. Smith
   
Richard F. Smith
   
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
   
(Principal Executive Officer)
     
Date: October 27, 2011
 
/s/ Lee Adrean
   
Lee Adrean
   
Corporate Vice President and
   
Chief Financial Officer
   
(Principal Financial Officer)
     
Date: October 27, 2011
 
/s/ Nuala M. King
   
Nuala M. King
   
Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller
   
(Principal Accounting Officer)

 
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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
 
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