Revenue increased 25 percent to $492.5 million compared to the prior year period. The core Equifax businesses grew 7 percent while 18 percent is attributable to the acquisition of TALX in May 2007. Operating income grew 7 percent to $129.2 million, and was up 12 percent excluding the net favorable impact of certain litigation matters in the prior year period.

Third quarter diluted earnings per share ("EPS") was 48 cents compared to 61 cents in the prior year period. Prior year EPS was favorably impacted by 10 cents related to litigation matters and the reversal of certain income tax reserves. EPS adjusted to exclude the impact of acquisition related amortization expense and the aforementioned litigation and tax matters increased 5 percent to 58 cents from the prior year period. Adjusted EPS and operating income excluding 2006 favorable litigation-related items are non-GAAP financial measures, which are defined and reconciled to the most closely related GAAP financial measure in the information accompanying this release.

"The diversity and strength of our business units enabled Equifax to deliver strong financial performance for the quarter. Our results were bolstered by double-digit growth from our North America Commercial Solutions, North America Personal Solutions and International businesses," said Richard F. Smith, Equifax Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "At a time when many of our customers are weathering a tough economic climate, our business model and diversified revenue stream allow us to consistently drive top line growth and profitability."

Third Quarter 2007 Highlights

• Double-digit revenue growth in our North America Commercial Solutions, North America Personal Solutions and International operating segments and a full quarter's results from TALX contributed to a 25 percent increase in revenue in the third quarter of 2007, when compared to the same period in 2006.
• Operating margin was 26.2 percent compared to 30.6 percent in the third quarter of 2006. On a non-GAAP basis, excluding the impact of our TALX acquisition in 2007 and the 2006 litigation-related matters mentioned above, operating margin was 28.2 percent in 2007 compared to 29.3 percent in the third quarter of 2006. The third quarter 2007 operating margin reflects increased costs of litigation and greater investments in marketing and technology when compared to the same period in 2006.
• Net income was $67.9 million, a 14 percent decrease from the third quarter of 2006, which included the favorable net impact of the 2006 litigation-related matters mentioned above and a $9.5 million benefit from the resolution of a tax matter. On a non-GAAP basis excluding the impact of these litigation matters and tax benefit, net income increased 2 percent. Year over year net income growth was negatively impacted by increased intangible amortization expense related to the acquisition of TALX and interest expense on additional debt incurred to finance this acquisition and our subsequent repurchase of common stock.
• As planned, total debt increased to $1.4 billion in the third quarter of 2007 compared to $1.2 billion at June 30, 2007, with the increase resulting primarily from our share repurchase program.
• We repurchased 11.1 million of our common shares for $441.6 million in the third quarter, as part of our previously announced share repurchase programs. From the date of the TALX acquisition through September 30, 2007, we have repurchased $620.9 million of our previously announced goal of repurchasing $700.0 million of our shares by the end of 2007.

U.S. Consumer Information Solutions ("USCIS")
Total revenue was $243.9 million in the third quarter of 2007, a 1 percent decrease from the third quarter of 2006. Although customers in the U.S. consumer credit markets faced a difficult environment, transaction volume for Online Consumer Information Services remained strong, having grown five percent when compared to the same period in 2006. Operating margin for USCIS was 39.8 percent in the third quarter of 2007, up from 39.1 percent in the third quarter of 2006. Operating margin for the third quarter of 2006 included the impact of a $4.0 million litigation loss contingency. On a non-GAAP basis, excluding the impact of this loss contingency, third quarter 2006 operating margin was 40.7 percent. Compared to the third quarter of 2006:

• Online Consumer Information Solutions revenue was $160.9 million, up 1 percent;
• Mortgage Reporting Solutions revenue was $16.9 million, down 3 percent;
• Credit Marketing Services revenue was $39.2 million, down 6 percent; and
• Direct Marketing Services revenue was $26.9 million, down 1 percent.

International

Total revenue was $122.9 million in the third quarter of 2007, a 17 percent increase from the third quarter of 2006. In local currency, revenue was up 9 percent when compared to the same period in the prior year. Operating margin for International was 31.2 percent in the third quarter of 2007, up from 29.7 percent in the third quarter of 2006. Compared to the third quarter of 2006:

• Europe revenue was $47.6 million, up 20 percent in U.S. dollars (11 percent in local currency);
• Latin America revenue was $47.1 million, up 16 percent in U.S. dollars (9 percent in local currency); and
• Canada Consumer revenue was $28.2 million, up 14 percent in U.S. dollars (6 percent in local currency).

North America Personal Solutions
Total revenue rose to $38.6 million, a 19 percent increase from the third quarter of 2006. Operating margin was 26.9 percent, down from 48.1 percent in the third quarter of 2006. Operating margin for the third quarter of 2006 included the favorable impact of a $9.0 million reversal of a loss contingency related to certain litigation matters. On a non-GAAP basis, excluding the impact of this loss contingency, operating margin was 20.4 percent in the third quarter of 2006.

North America Commercial Solutions

Total revenue rose to $16.7 million, a 45 percent increase from the third quarter of 2006. Operating margin was 19.5 percent, down from 21.3 percent in the third quarter of 2006, but up from 7.9 percent in the first half of 2007.

TALX

Total revenue was $70.4 million and operating margin was 14.2 percent for the third quarter of 2007. Transaction volume for The Work Number business unit was 3.6 million, up 22 percent from the third quarter of 2006. In addition, approximately 6.6 million total records were added to the employment database, bringing total records in the database to 158.9 million.

Outlook for 2007 Results

Due to market uncertainties related to the current state of the economy, Equifax has updated its full year guidance for 2007. The revised guidance is based on our year-to-date performance, current market trends and management's expectations. Equifax expects consolidated annual revenue growth to be approximately 19 percent and diluted EPS, as adjusted for acquisition-related amortization expense, to be between $2.28 and $2.32 versus prior guidance issued in June 2007 of $2.25 to $2.33.