ACNIELSEN CORP
10-Q, 1996-11-22
ENGINEERING, ACCOUNTING, RESEARCH, MANAGEMENT
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                       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, 1996
                               ------------------
                                       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 001-12277


                              ACNIELSEN CORPORATION
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               Delaware                                   06-1454128
- - -----------------------------------------   -----------------------------------
        (State of Incorporation)            (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

    177 Broad Street, Stamford, CT                         06901
- - -----------------------------------------   -----------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code          (203) 961-3000
                                                            --------------

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Sections 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    No  X
                                                   ---    ---
Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes
of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
                                                         Shares Outstanding
        Title of Class                                   at November 1, 1996
        --------------                                   -------------------
         Common Stock,                                   
   par value $.01 per share                                  57,019,180


<PAGE>


                              ACNIELSEN CORPORATION

                               INDEX TO FORM 10-Q



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                           PAGE
- - -----------------------------                                           ----
Item 1. Financial Statements

Condensed Combined Statements of Income (Unaudited)
      Three Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995                      3
      Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995                       4

Condensed Combined Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
      Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995                       5

Condensed Combined Statements of Financial Position (Unaudited)
      September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995                            6

Notes to Condensed Combined Financial Statements (Unaudited)              7

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
            Condition and Results of Operations                           9



PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
- - ---------------------------
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                  12


SIGNATURES                                                                13
- - ----------





<PAGE>

<TABLE>


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- - -----------------------------
Item I. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ACNIELSEN CORPORATION
CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(In millions except per share amounts)
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                    Three Months Ended
                                                                                                       September 30
                                                                                     ----------------------------------------------

                                                                                                    1996                      1995
                                                                                       ------------------        ------------------
<S>                                                                                               <C>                       <C>
Operating Revenue                                                                                 $346.7                    $321.2

Operating Costs                                                                                    208.6                     222.9

Selling and Administrative Expenses                                                                122.9                     122.7
                                                                                       ------------------          ----------------

Operating Income (Loss)                                                                             15.2                     (24.4)

Interest Income                                                                                      2.3                       2.2
Interest (Expense)                                                                                  (1.4)                     (5.5)
Other (Expense) - Net                                                                               (0.1)                     (3.9)
                                                                                       ------------------          ----------------
Non-Operating Income (Expense) - Net                                                                 0.8                      (7.2)

Income (Loss) Before Income Tax Benefit (Provision)                                                 16.0                     (31.6)

Income Tax Benefit (Provision)                                                                       5.9                      (1.5)
                                                                                       ------------------          ----------------

Net Income (Loss)                                                                                  $21.9                    $(33.1)
                                                                                       ==================          ================


Pro Forma Earnings (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock                                                $0.39                    $(0.59)
                                                                                       ==================          ================

Pro Forma Average Number of Shares Outstanding                                                      56.7                      56.5



<FN>


See  accompanying  notes  to  the  condensed   combined   financial   statements
(unaudited).
</FN>

                                       -3-

</TABLE>
<PAGE>

<TABLE>

ACNIELSEN CORPORATION
CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(In millions except per share amounts)
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                     Nine Months Ended
                                                                                                       September 30
                                                                                       --------------------------------------------

                                                                                                    1996                      1995
                                                                                       ------------------          ----------------
<S>                                                                                               <C>                       <C>
Operating Revenue                                                                                 $991.0                    $932.4

Operating Costs                                                                                    607.5                     606.5

Selling and Administrative Expenses                                                                376.0                     361.3
                                                                                       ------------------          ----------------

Operating Income (Loss)                                                                              7.5                     (35.4)

Interest Income                                                                                      5.6                       7.0
Interest (Expense)                                                                                  (4.0)                    (12.7)
Other (Expense) - Net                                                                               (0.6)                     (4.6)
                                                                                       ------------------          ----------------
Non-Operating Income (Expense) - Net                                                                 1.0                     (10.3)

Income (Loss) Before Income Tax Provision                                                            8.5                     (45.7)

Income Tax Provision                                                                                (4.1)                    (24.2)
                                                                                       ------------------          ----------------

Net Income (Loss)                                                                                   $4.4                    $(69.9)
                                                                                       ==================          ================


Pro Forma Earnings (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock                                                $0.08                    $(1.24)
                                                                                       ==================          ================

Pro Forma Average Number of Shares Outstanding                                                      56.6                      56.5







<FN>

See  accompanying  notes  to  the  condensed   combined   financial   statements
(unaudited).
</FN>

                                       -4-

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>


ACNielsen Corporation
Condensed Combined Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in millions)
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     Nine Months Ended
                                                                                                       September 30
                                                                                        --------------------------------------------

                                                                                                      1996                    1995
<S>                                                                                                   <C>                   <C>
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net Income (Loss)                                                                                     $4.4                  $(69.9)
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss)  to Net Cash
  Provided by Operating Activities:
    Depreciation and Amortization                                                                     70.4                    89.3
    Restructuring Payments                                                                            (0.3)                   (6.3)
    Postemployment Benefits Expense                                                                    2.3                    35.0
    Postemployment Benefit Payments                                                                  (16.9)                  (32.5)
    Payments Related to 1995 Non-recurring Charge                                                    (22.4)                    0.0
    Net Increase in Accounts Receivable                                                              (11.8)                  (35.0)
    Non-U.S. Income Taxes Paid - Net of refunds                                                      (36.6)                  (17.0)
    Deferred Income Taxes                                                                              5.6                     0.5
    Net Changes in Other Working Capital Items                                                         5.8                    15.2
    Other                                                                                              1.5                     1.6
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Provided/(Used) by Operating Activities                                                       2.0                   (19.1)
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Payments for Marketable Securities                                                                    (2.9)                   (2.0)
Payments for Acquisition of Businesses                                                                 0.0                   (11.5)
Capital Expenditures                                                                                 (45.0)                  (66.0)
Additions to Computer Software                                                                       (16.8)                  (12.0)
Decrease in Other Investments and Notes Receivable                                                     0.4                     1.1
Other                                                                                                (17.2)                   (6.1)
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Used by Investing Activities                                                                (81.5)                  (96.5)
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net Amount Received from The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation                                            217.5                   135.5
Other                                                                                                  8.4                     6.0
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities                                                            225.9                   141.5
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents                                          (0.6)                    2.1
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents                                                                145.8                    28.0
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year                                                          89.6                    85.0
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period                                                            $235.4                  $113.0
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for interest                                                              $3.9                    $2.5

<FN>
See  accompanying  notes  to  the  condensed   combined   financial   statements
(unaudited).
</FN>



                                       -5-

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE>


ACNIELSEN CORPORATION
Condensed Combined Statements of Financial Position (Unaudited)
(Amounts in millions)
<CAPTION>

- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                  September 30            December 31
                                                                                          1996                   1995
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                    <C>                      <C>

Assets

Current Assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents (Note 3)                                                     $235.4                   $89.6
Accounts Receivable-Net                                                                 284.1                   273.0
Other Current Assets                                                                     58.7                    43.8
                                                                                   -----------             -----------
       Total Current Assets                                                             578.2                   406.4
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marketable Securities and Other Investments                                              43.8                    41.7
Property, Plant and Equipment-Net                                                       188.3                   189.5
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Assets-Net
Deferred Charges                                                                         64.1                    68.0
Computer Software                                                                        32.3                    22.7
Other Intangibles                                                                        31.1                    33.1
Goodwill                                                                                201.4                   208.5
                                                                                   -----------             -----------
       Total Other Assets-Net                                                           328.9                   332.3
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOTAL ASSETS                                                                         $1,139.2                  $969.9
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Liabilities and Divisional Equity

Current Liabilities
Accounts  Payable                                                                       $79.8                   $89.1
Short-term Debt                                                                          39.1                    29.7
Accrued and Other Current Liabilities                                                   255.9                   240.0
Accrued Income Taxes                                                                      4.6                    33.8
                                                                                   -----------             -----------
       Total Current Liabilities                                                        379.4                   392.6
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits                                              100.1                   110.2
Deferred Income Taxes                                                                    27.1                    27.6
Other Liabilities                                                                        42.1                    62.4
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOTAL LIABILITIES                                                                       548.7                   592.8
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commitments and Contingencies
Divisional Equity (Note 3)                                                              590.5                   377.1
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND DIVISIONAL EQUITY                                              $1,139.2                  $969.9
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<FN>
See  accompanying  notes  to  the  condensed   combined   financial   statements
(unaudited).
</FN>

                                       -6-

</TABLE>

<PAGE>


ACNIELSEN CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED  COMBINED FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1 - Interim Combined Financial Statements

These interim  combined  financial  statements  have been prepared in accordance
with the  instructions  to Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction  with the
combined  financial  statements and related notes of ACNielsen  Corporation (the
"Company") in the Form 10 Registration  Statement  effective October 9, 1996. In
the opinion of management,  all adjustments (which include only normal recurring
adjustments),   considered  necessary  for  a  fair  presentation  of  financial
position,  results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the periods
presented have been included.

Note 2- Basis of Presentation

On January 9, 1996, The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation ("D&B") announced a plan to
reorganize  into three  publicly-traded  independent  companies  by spinning off
through a tax-free  distribution (the  "Distribution")  two of its businesses to
shareholders.  Under  the plan,  the  Company  was to  become a  publicly-traded
company  consisting of the D&B  businesses  and  operations  that  comprised the
Company, and substantially all of the assets and liabilities of such businesses.
For  purposes  of these  financial  statements,  all  references  to the Company
include  the  assets  and  liabilities  related  to  the  businesses  that  were
transferred by D&B to the Company prior to the  Distribution  (which occurred on
November 1, 1996 - see Note 6).

The condensed  combined  financial  statements  have been  prepared  using D&B's
historical  basis in the  assets  and  liabilities  and  historical  results  of
operations related to the Company's businesses, except for accounting for income
taxes.  The  Company has been  included  in the  Federal  and certain  state and
non-U.S.  income  tax  returns of D&B.  The  provision  for income  taxes in the
Company's   combined   financial   statements   has   been   calculated   on   a
separate-company  basis.  Income  taxes paid on behalf of the Company by D&B are
included in divisional  equity.  Effective after the  Distribution,  the Company
will file separate income tax returns.

The condensed  combined  financial  statements  generally  reflect the financial
position,  results of operations,  and cash flows of the Company as if it were a
separate entity for all periods  presented.  The combined  financial  statements
include  allocations of certain D&B Corporate  assets,  liabilities and expenses
relating to the Company's  businesses that were  transferred to the Company from
D&B.  Management  believes  these  allocations  are  reasonable.   However,  the
financial  information included herein may not necessarily reflect the condensed
combined  financial  position,  results  of  operations,  and cash  flows of the
Company  in the  future or what they  would  have  been had the  Company  been a
separate entity during the periods presented.

Note 3 - Cash Remitted from/to The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation

Certain  steps  taken in  connection  with D&B's  international  reorganizations
resulted in the Company  receiving  approximately  $170  million from D&B in the
third  quarter  of  1996.   However,  in  October  1996,  the  Company  remitted
approximately $166 million back to D&B to complete the reorganizations,  thereby
reducing Divisional Equity by approximately $166 million.

                                       -7-

<PAGE>

Note 4 - Bank Credit Line

In October 1996, the Company obtained a commitment  (fully  underwritten)  for a
$125 million  short-term  revolving  credit line with a bank. The transaction is
scheduled to close in December  1996.  The credit line is unsecured,  expires in
three years and  provides  for a variable  interest  rate  payable  based on the
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 50 to 100 basis points,  depending on
the Company's  fixed charge coverage  ratio.  The terms of the credit  agreement
contain, among other provisions,  requirements for maintaining certain quarterly
levels  of  maximum   leverage,   minimum  earnings  before   interest,   taxes,
depreciation and amortization, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio.

Note 5 - Litigation

The  Company  and  its  subsidiaries  are  involved  in  legal  proceedings  and
litigation  arising  in the  ordinary  course of  business.  In the  opinion  of
management,   the  outcome  of  such  current  legal  proceedings,   claims  and
litigation,  if decided adversely,  could have a material effect on quarterly or
annual  operating  results  or cash  flows  when  resolved  in a future  period.
However, in the opinion of management,  these matters will not materially affect
the Company's combined financial position.

Directorate   General  IV  of  the   Commission  of  the  European   Union  (the
"Commission") is currently  investigating the Company for the possible violation
of  European  Union  competition  law.  In May  1996,  the  Commission  issued a
Statement of Objections  with respect to certain of the  Company's  practices in
Europe,  including  discounting  and other  sales  practices.  The  Company  has
submitted its response to the  Commission's  Statement of Objections.  Following
the review of such submission and a hearing at which representatives of European
Union member states will  participate,  the  Commission may uphold the Company's
position and dismiss the  complaint or adopt a decision  prohibiting  any of the
practices  identified in the Statement of  Objections  and imposing  substantial
fines.

In addition, on July 29, 1996, Information Resources, Inc. ("IRI") filed a
complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New
York, naming as defendants D&B, A.C. Nielsen Company (which is a subsidiary of
the Company) and I.M.S. International, Inc. ("IMS") (the "IRI Action").

The complaint  alleges various  violations of the United States  antitrust laws,
including  alleged  violations  of  Sections  1 and 2 of the  Sherman  Act.  The
complaint  also alleges a claim of tortious  interference  with a contract and a
claim of tortious interference with a prospective business  relationship.  These
claims relate to the  acquisition by defendants of Survey Research Group Limited
("SRG").  IRI alleges  that SRG violated an alleged  agreement  with IRI when it
agreed to be acquired by the defendants  and that the defendants  induced SRG to
breach that agreement.

IRI's complaint alleges damages in excess of $350 million,  which amount IRI has
asked to be trebled under the antitrust laws. IRI also seeks punitive damages in
an unspecified amount.

In  connection  with the IRI  Action,  D&B,  Cognizant  Corporation  (the parent
company of IMS) and the Company have entered into an Indemnity and Joint Defense
Agreement (the "Indemnity and Joint Defense Agreement")  pursuant to which they


                                       -8-


<PAGE>


Note 5 - Litigation (continued)

have agreed (i) to certain arrangements allocating potential liabilities ("IRI
Liabilities") that may arise out of or in connection  with the IRI Action and
(ii) to conduct a joint defense of such  action.  In  particular,  the
Indemnity  and Joint  Defense  Agreement provides that the Company will assume
exclusive liability for IRI Liabilities up to a maximum  amount to be
calculated  at the time  such  liabilities,  if any, become payable (the "ACN
Maximum Amount"), and that Cognizant and D&B will share liability  equally for
any amounts in excess of the ACN Maximum Amount.  The ACN Maximum  Amount will
be determined by an investment  banking firm as the maximum amount  which the
Company  is able to pay after  giving  effect to (i) any plan submitted  by such
investment  bank which is designed  to  maximize  the claims paying ability of
the Company  without  impairing the investment  banking firm's ability to
deliver a  viability  opinion  (but which will not require any action requiring
stockholder approval),  and (ii) payment of related fees and expenses.  For
these purposes,  financial viability means the ability of the Company, after
giving  effect to such plan,  the payment of related  fees and  expenses and the
payment of the ACN  Maximum  Amount,  to pay its debts as they become due and to
finance the current and  anticipated  operating and capital  requirements of its
business,  as  reconstituted  by such plan, for two years from the date any such
plan is expected to be implemented.

Management  of ACNielsen is unable to predict at this time the final  outcome of
either  the  Commission's  investigation  or  the  IRI  Action  or  whether  the
resolution of either  matter could  materially  affect the Company's  results of
operations, cash flows or financial position.

Note 6 - Subsequent Event

Effective  on November 1, 1996 (the  Distribution  Date)  ACNielsen  Corporation
became an independent, publicly owned company as a result of the Distribution by
D&B of the Company's $.01 par value Common Stock to holders of D&B Common Stock,
at a distribution ratio of one for three.

Item 2. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
        ------------------------------------------------------------------------
of  Operations - Net Income in the third  quarter was $21.9  million or $0.39
- - --------------------------
per share,  compared  with a year-ago net loss of $33.1  million or $0.59 per
share.  The current quarter included a $13.6 million tax benefit to reduce the
Company's year-to-date  effective tax rate to 48%.  Excluding the 1996 tax
adjustment and the impact of the third-quarter  1995 provision for
postemployment  benefits of $31.9 million, net income was $8.3 million, or
$0.15 per share,  compared with a net loss of $8.9 million, or $0.16 per share
in 1995.

Third-quarter  revenue rose to $346.7  million,  7.9% higher than last year. The
- - ----------------------
growth in  third-quarter  revenue was driven by double-digit  sales gains in the
Asia Pacific and Americas regions. In Asia Pacific, revenues increased 13.7 % to
$66.6  million,  led by increases in a majority of markets,  especially  Taiwan,
Malaysia and Australia.  In the Americas  region,  revenues  increased 10.7%, to
$120.7 million, on across- the- board improvements in the U.S., Canada and Latin
America. In Europe, revenue growth of 4.9% was adversely impacted by unfavorable
foreign  currency  translation.  Excluding  the currency  effect,  revenues rose
approximately 8%.



                                       -9-


<PAGE>


Operating  income  in the third  quarter  was $15.2  million,  compared  with an
- - -----------------
operating  loss of $24.4 million in the third quarter of 1995,  which included a
$31.9  million  provision  for  postemployment  benefits.   Excluding  the  1995
provision,  operating  income more than doubled  from $7.5 million in 1995.  The
Company's  operating  income  increased  as the U.S.  had its  first  profitable
quarter  since  1992,  a  recovery   built  on  revenue   growth,   productivity
improvements and other business re-engineering  activities initiated in 1995. In
Europe however, operating income was lower, due to continued costs in connection
with turnaround efforts.

Non-operating  income-net in the third  quarter was $0.8 million,  compared with
- - -------------------------
$7.2 million of expense in 1995.  Non-operating  expense-net decreased, due to a
lower level of borrowings in Latin America.

During  the   third-quarter  of  1996,   ACNielsen   initiated   certain  global
tax-planning  strategies  designed  to  reduce  its 1996  effective  tax rate to
approximately 48%. In the third quarter of 1996, a $13.6 million tax benefit was
recorded  in order to reflect  the 48%  effective  tax rate for the  nine-months
ended September 30, 1996.

Net income for the nine months  ended  September  30,  1996 was $4.4  million or
- - ----------
$0.08 per share, compared with a year-ago net loss of $69.9 million or $1.24 per
share.  Excluding  the  postemployment  benefit  provision  in 1995,  net income
increased $50.1 million from a net loss of $45.7 million, or $0.81 per share.

Revenue for the nine months  ended  September  30, 1996 was $991.0  million,  an
- - -------
increase of 6.3% from the nine-month period of 1995.

Operating  income for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 was $7.5 million,
- - -----------------
compared with an operating  loss of $35.4 million in 1995, or an operating  loss
of $3.5 million in 1995, excluding the postemployment benefit provision.

Non-operating  income-net  was $1.0 million for the nine months ended  September
- - -------------------------
30, 1996,  compared  with  non-operating  expense-net  of $10.3  million for the
comparable period in 1995, due to a lower level of borrowings in Latin America.




                                      -10-

<PAGE>


The Company's  operating  results by geographic  region for the quarter and nine
months ended September 30, 1996 are set forth in the table below.
<TABLE>
Third Quarter
- - --------------
(in millions)
<CAPTION>
                             Revenues                    Operating Income (Loss)
                        ------------------         --------------------------------
                          1996      1995             1996        1995       1995(1)
                        -------   -------          -------     -------    ---------

<S>                      <C>       <C>               <C>       <C>           <C>
United States            $73.1     $66.6             $0.9      $(22.6)       $(6.1)
Canada/Latin America      47.6      42.4              7.7         5.6          7.6
                        -------   -------          -------     -------      -------

Total Americas           120.7     109.0              8.6       (17.0)         1.5
Europe                   150.4     143.4              6.8        (4.6)         8.8
Asia Pacific              66.6      58.6              3.3         2.9          2.9
ACN Japan                  9.0      10.2             (3.5)       (5.7)        (5.7)
                        -------   -------          -------     -------      -------
         Total          $346.7    $321.2            $15.2      $(24.4)        $7.5
                        =======   =======          =======     =======      =======


Year-to-date
- - --------------
(in millions)
                             Revenues                    Operating Income (Loss)
                        ------------------         --------------------------------
                          1996      1995             1996        1995       1995(1)
                        -------   -------          -------     -------    ---------

United States           $209.5    $198.9            $(9.7)     $(53.5)      $(37.0)
Canada/Latin America     133.3     121.3             17.2        13.8         15.8
                        -------   -------          -------     -------      -------
Total Americas           342.8     320.2              7.5       (39.7)       (21.2)
Europe                   436.9     426.4              8.0        15.2         28.6
Asia Pacific             185.7     157.3              4.4         7.0          7.0
ACN Japan                 25.6      28.5            (12.4)      (17.9)       (17.9)
                        -------   -------          -------     -------      -------
         Total          $991.0    $932.4             $7.5      $(35.4)       ($3.5)
                        =======   =======          =======     =======      =======

<FN>
(1)    Excludes a 1995 third-quarter provision for post-employment  benefits of
       $31.9  million  ($24.2  million after tax, or $0.43 per share) under the
       Company's  severance plan in the United States ($16.5  million),  Canada
       ($0.7 million), Latin America ($1.3 million), and Europe ($13.4 million).
</FN>
</TABLE>

Condensed Combined Statements of Cash Flows
- - -------------------------------------------
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995
- - ---------------------------------------------

Net cash provided by operating  activities  for the nine months ended  September
30, 1996 totaled $2.0 million  compared  with net cash used of $19.1 million for
the  comparable  period in 1995.  The  increase in cash  provided  by  operating
activities  primarily  reflected  improved operating results ($74.3 million) and
lower  postemployment   benefit  payments  ($15.6  million),   offset  by  lower
postemployment  benefit expense (a reduction of $32.7 million),  higher non-U.S.
income  taxes paid- net of refunds (an  increase of $19.6  million) and payments
related to the 1995 non-recurring charge($22.4 million).

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

Net cash used in investing  activities  decreased to $81.5 million for the first
nine months of 1996 from $96.5 million for the  comparable  period in 1995.  The
decrease  in cash  used in  investing  activities  principally  reflected  lower
capital   expenditures  of  $21.0  million  and  the  absence  of  payments  for
acquisitions($11.5  million),  offset by increased spending on computer software
($4.8 million).

Net cash provided by financing  activities  for the nine months ended  September
30, 1996 totaled $225.9 million  compared with $141.5 million for the comparable
period  in 1995.  The  increase  in cash  provided  of $84.4  million  primarily
reflected higher  remittances  from D&B of $82.0 million.  Cash remittances from
D&B included  approximately  $170 million to carry out certain  steps related to
international   reorganizations.   In  October   1996,   the  Company   remitted
approximately $166 million back to D&B to complete the reorganizations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
- - -------------------------------

In October 1996, the Company obtained a commitment  (fully  underwritten)  for a
$125 million  short-term  revolving  credit line with a bank. (See Note 4 - Bank
Credit Line).


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
- - ---------------------------

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
- - -------
(a)     Exhibits.

        (27) Financial Data Schedule (filed electronically)

(b)     Reports on Form 8-K.

        There  were no  reports  on Form 8-K  filed  during  the  quarter  ended
        September 30, 1996.





                                      -12-


<PAGE>



                                   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.




                                             ACNIELSEN CORPORATION


Date: November 22, 1996                By:/s/ROBERT J. CHRENC
                                          ===========================
                                             Robert J. Chrenc
                                             Executive Vice President - Finance
                                               and Chief Financial Officer



Date: November 22, 1996                By:/s/WILLIAM R. HICKS
                                          ===========================
                                             William R. Hicks
                                             Vice President & Controller








                                      -13-



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