DUN & BRADSTREET CORP
10-Q, 1997-05-13
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 March 31, 1997

                                                        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 1-7155


                        THE DUN & BRADSTREET CORPORATION
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Delaware                                        13-2740040
- - ----------------------------------------    ------------------------------------
- - ----------------------------------------    ------------------------------------
      (State of Incorporation)              (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

One Diamond Hill Road, Murray Hill, NJ                     07974
- - ----------------------------------------    ------------------------------------
- - ----------------------------------------    ------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                 (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (908) 665-5000
                                                   --------------

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 X No

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 April 30, 1997
           Common Stock,
       par value $1 per share                             171,049,682


<PAGE>


                        THE DUN & BRADSTREET CORPORATION

                               INDEX TO FORM 10-Q



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                           PAGE

Item 1. Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
      Three Months Ended March 31, 1997 and 1996                          3

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
      March 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996                                4

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
      Three Months Ended March 31, 1997 and 1996                          5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)                   6-8

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
            Condition and Results of Operations                         9-11



PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                 12

SIGNATURES                                                              

















                                       -2-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>

The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
<CAPTION>


                                                                                               Three Months Ended
                                                                                                    March 31,
                                                                                     ----------------------------------------
Dollar amounts in millions, except per share data                                                1997                   1996

- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      -----------------
<S>                                                                                           <C>                    <C>    

Operating Revenues                                                                            $ 459.0                $ 450.4
                                                                                                                       
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      -----------------
Operating Costs                                                                                 137.8                  146.9
Selling and Administrative Expenses                                                             200.1                  210.7
Depreciation and Amortization                                                                    40.8                   39.1
Reorganization Costs                                                                              0.0                    1.4
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      -----------------

Operating Income                                                                                 80.3                   52.3
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      -----------------
Interest Expense                                                                                (21.2)                  (6.3)
Other Expense - Net                                                                              (1.3)                 (11.6)
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      -----------------

Non-Operating Expense - Net                                                                     (22.5)                 (17.9)
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      -----------------

Income from Continuing Operations before
      Provision for Income Taxes                                                                 57.8                   34.4
Provision for Income Taxes                                                                       19.8                   12.5
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      -----------------

Income from Continuing Operations                                                                38.0                   21.9
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      -----------------

Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Income
      Taxes of $10.2 million for 1996                                                             0.0                   42.3
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      -----------------

Net Income                                                                                    $  38.0                $  64.2
                                                                                                                       
======================================================================================================      =================

Earnings Per Share of Common Stock:
      Continuing Operations                                                                   $  0.22                $  0.13
                                                                                                                        
      Discontinued Operations                                                                    0.00                   0.25
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      -----------------

Net Earnings Per Share of Common Stock                                                        $  0.22                $  0.38
                                                                                                                        
======================================================================================================      =================

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

Dividends Paid Per Share of Common Stock                                                      $  0.22                $  0.66
                                                                                                                        
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      -----------------

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

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding                                                   171.2                  169.7
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------      -----------------
<FN>
The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of the  consolidated  financial
statements.
</FN>
                                       -3-
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
<TABLE>





The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                 March 31,            December 31,
Dollar amounts in millions, except per share data                                                     1997                    1996
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ---------------------
<S>                                                                                               <C>                    <C>

                                     Assets

Current Assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents                                                                           $152.5                  $127.9
Accounts Receivable---Net of Allowance of $41.2 in 1997 and $38.1 in 1996                            613.1                   600.7
Other Current Assets                                                                                 213.9                   188.8
                                                                                           ----------------   ---------------------
                    Total Current Assets                                                             979.5                   917.4
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ---------------------

Non-Current Assets
Investments and Notes Receivable                                                                     256.8                   292.2
Property, Plant and Equipment                                                                        359.8                   373.1
Prepaid Pension Costs                                                                                170.2                   172.1
Computer Software                                                                                    149.0                   150.7
Goodwill                                                                                             202.5                   218.4
Other Non-Current Assets                                                                             166.5                   170.3
                                                                                           ----------------   ---------------------
                    Total Non-Current Assets                                                       1,304.8                 1,376.8
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ---------------------
===========================================================================================================   =====================
Total Assets                                                                                      $2,284.3                $2,294.2
===========================================================================================================   =====================


                      Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

Current Liabilities
Notes Payable                                                                                       $719.8                $1,120.7
Accrued and Other Current Liabilities                                                                534.4                   599.9
Unearned Subscription Income                                                                         437.0                   297.0
                                                                                           ----------------   ---------------------
                    Total Current Liabilities                                                      1,691.2                 2,017.6

Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits                                                           347.2                   354.1
Non-Current Notes Payable                                                                            300.0                     0.0
Other Non-Current Liabilities                                                                        373.0                   354.2

Shareholders' Equity
Preferred Stock, par value $1 per share, authorized---10,000,000 shares;
     outstanding---none
Common Stock, par value $1 per share, authorized---400,000,000 shares;
     issued---188,420,996 shares for 1997 and 1996                                                   188.4                   188.4
Capital Surplus                                                                                       43.4                    72.6
Retained Earnings                                                                                    481.0                   480.3
Treasury Stock, at cost, 16,990,015  and 17,612,776 shares
     for 1997 and 1996, respectively                                                               (979.1)               (1,019.7)
Cumulative Translation Adjustment                                                                  (160.8)                 (153.3)
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   ---------------------
Total Shareholders' Equity                                                                         (427.1)                 (431.7)
===========================================================================================================   =====================
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity                                                        $2,284.3                $2,294.2
===========================================================================================================   =====================
<FN>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
</FN>
                                       -4-
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>

The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)

                                                                                                       Three Months Ended
                                                                                                           March 31,
                                                                                               -----------------------------------
Dollar amounts in millions                                                                                 1997              1996
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                                      <C>              <C>    



- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    --------------
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net Income                                                                                                $38.0             $64.2
Less: Income from Discontinued Operations                                                                     -              42.3
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    --------------
  Income from Continuing Operations                                                                        38.0              21.9   
Reconciliation of Net Income to Net Cash
  Provided by Operating Activities:
    Depreciation and Amortization                                                                          40.8              39.1   
    Distributions Received in Excess of Equity Earnings                                                    40.7               0.6   
    Restructuring Payments                                                                                    -             (19.3)
    Postemployment Benefit Payments                                                                        (9.9)            (12.0)
    Net Increase in Accounts Receivable                                                                   (25.0)            (59.3)
    Deferred Income Taxes                                                                                  (1.6)            (26.8)
    Accrued Income Taxes                                                                                   (8.4)             61.6
    Net Decrease in Other Working Capital Items                                                            76.9              70.4
     Other                                                                                                  8.4              (5.9)
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    --------------
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities                                                                 159.9              70.3
                                                                                                                             
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    --------------

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from Marketable Securities                                                                         0.1               3.6
Capital Expenditures                                                                                      (10.7)            (22.1)
Additions to Computer Software and Other Intangibles                                                      (16.0)            (12.6)
Other                                                                                                      19.4              13.6
                                                                                               
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    --------------
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities                                                                      (7.2)            (17.5)
                                                                                                                           
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    --------------

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Payment of Dividends                                                                                      (37.7)           (112.0)
Payments for Purchase of Treasury Shares                                                                   (1.7)             (3.1)  
Net Proceeds from Exercise of Stock Options                                                                13.1              24.8
Decrease in Short-term Borrowings                                                                         (99.2)              -
Other                                                                                                      (0.3)             (1.7)
                                                                                                                                    
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    --------------
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities                                                                    (125.8)            (92.0)  
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    --------------
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    --------------
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents                                               (2.3)             (1.2)

- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    --------------
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents                                                           24.6             (40.4)
Net Cash Provided By Discontinued Operations                                                                 -               45.4
Cash and Cash Equivalents , Beginning of Year                                                             127.9             147.1
                                                                                                                            
================================================================================================================    ==============
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year                                                                   $152.5            $152.1
================================================================================================================    ==============
<FN>

The  accompanying  notes  are an  integral  part of the  consolidated  financial
statements.
</FN>


                                       -5-
</TABLE>


<PAGE>



THE DUN & BRADSTREET CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note 1 - Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

These interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with the  instructions  to Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction  with the
consolidated  financial  statements  and related  notes of The Dun &  Bradstreet
Corporation's  (the  "Company")  1996 Annual  Report on Form 10-K, as amended by
Form 10-K/A.  The  consolidated  results for interim periods are not necessarily
indicative of results for the full year or any subsequent period. In the opinion
of  management,  all  adjustments  (consisting  of  normal  recurring  accruals)
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.  Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the
1997 presentation.


Note 2 - Reorganization and Discontinued Operations

On  November  1,  1996,  the  Company  reorganized  into three  publicly  traded
independent  companies by spinning off through a tax-free  distribution  two new
companies, (1) Cognizant Corporation ("Cognizant") and (2) ACNielsen Corporation
("ACNielsen")  to  shareholders.  In conjunction  with the  reorganization,  the
Company also disposed of Dun & Bradstreet Software ("DBS") and NCH Promotional
Services ("NCH").

Pursuant to Accounting  Principles Board Opinion No. 30,  "Reporting the Results
of Operations-Reporting  the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and
Extraordinary,  Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions," the
prior  year's  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  Company  have  been
reclassified  to  reflect  the  reorganization.  Accordingly,  the prior  year's
revenues,  costs  and  expenses,  assets  and  liabilities,  and  cash  flows of
Cognizant,  ACNielsen,  DBS and NCH  have  been  excluded  from  the  respective
captions in the  Consolidated  Statements of  Operations,  Consolidated  Balance
Sheets and Consolidated  Statements of Cash Flows. The net operating  results of
these entities have been reported,  net of applicable  income taxes,  as "Income
from Discontinued Operations" and the net cash flows of these entities have been
reported as "Net Cash Provided by Discontinued Operations."

Summarized financial information for the Discontinued  Operations was as follows
(in millions):

                                                                 Three Months
                                                                    Ended
                                                                March 31, 1996

Operating Revenue                                                  $771.2
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes                            $52.5
Income from Discontinued Operations, net
  of Income Taxes                                                   $42.3

                                       -6-
<PAGE>


Note 3 - Investment Partnership

During 1993, the Company  participated in the formation of a limited partnership
to invest in various  securities  including  those of the  Company.  Third-party
investors held limited partner and special investors  interests  totaling $500.0
million.  Funds raised by the partnership provided a source of financing for the
Company's  repurchase in 1993 of 8.3 million shares of its common stock.  During
the fourth quarter of 1996, the Company  redeemed these  partnership  interests.
This redemption was financed with short-term borrowings.

The  partnership  is presently  engaged in the  business of  licensing  database
assets  and  computer  software.  One of the  Company's  subsidiaries  serves as
managing general partner and two subsidiaries hold limited partner interests. In
April 1997, the partnership raised $300.0 million of minority interest financing
from a third-party investor.  The Company's  subsidiaries  contributed assets to
the partnership and the third-party  investor  contributed cash ($300.0 million)
in exchange for a limited partner interest. Funds raised by the partnership were
loaned to the Company and used to repay existing  short-term debt in April 1997.
In  accordance  with  Statement  of  Financial   Accounting   Standards  No.  6,
"Classification  of Short-Term  Obligations  Expected to be Refinanced,"  $300.0
million of Notes  Payable were  reclassified  as long-term at March 31, 1997. At
June 30, 1997, the amount will be classified as minority interest.

For  financial  reporting  purposes,  the  results of  operations,  the  assets,
liabilities and cash flows of the partnership  described previously are included
in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Note 4 - Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk

The Company is a party to financial  instruments  with  off-balance-sheet  risk,
which are entered  into in the normal  course of business to reduce  exposure to
fluctuations  in  interest  and  foreign  exchange  rates.  Interest  rate  swap
agreements are entered into primarily as hedges against  variable  interest rate
exposures.  During the first quarter of 1997, the Company canceled interest rate
swap  agreements  on $300.0  million of  variable  rate debt,  at a cost of $2.9
million. The charge represents the cost to terminate these agreements.


Note 5- Litigation


The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in legal  proceedings,  claims and
litigation  arising  in the  ordinary  course of  business.  In the  opinion  of
management, the outcome of such current legal proceedings, claims and litigation
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  consolidated  financial
position.

In addition to the litigation  referred to above, 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 the Company,  A.C.
Nielsen Company (a subsidiary of ACNielsen) and IMS International, Inc.

                                       -7-


<PAGE>



The  complaint  alleges  various  violations of United  States  antitrust  laws,
including  alleged  violations  of  Section  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 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.

On October 15, 1996,  defendants moved for an order dismissing all claims in the
complaint.  On May 6, 1997,  the United States  District  Court for the Southern
District  of New York  issued a decision  dismissing  IRI's  claim of  attempted
monopolization  in the United  States,  with leave to replead within sixty days.
The Court denied  defendants' motion with respect to the remaining claims in the
complaint.

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

In connection with the IRI action, Cognizant,  ACNielsen and the Company entered
into an Indemnity and Joint Defense  Agreement (the "Indemnity and Joint Defense
Agreement")  pursuant  to which they 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
ACNielsen will assume  exclusive  liability for IRI  Liabilities up to a maximum
amount to be calculated at such time such  liabilities,  if any,  become payable
(the "ACN  Maximum  Amount"),  and that the  Company  and  Cognizant  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  ACNielsen  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 ACNielsen  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 ACNielsen,  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 is unable to predict at this time the final outcome of the IRI Action
or whether the resolution of this matter could  materially  affect the Company's
results of operations, cash flows or financial position.



Note 6 - DonTech

The  consolidated  results of the Company  include  the  results of  DonTech,  a
partnership between Reuben H. Donnelley and Ameritech Advertising Services.  For
the quarters ended March 31, 1997 and 1996,  DonTech's  operating  revenues were
$10.9 million and $11.9 million,  respectively,  and net income was $0.3 million
and $0.9 million, respectively.


                                       -8-



<PAGE>


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

Overview
On  November  1,  1996,  The  Dun  &  Bradstreet   Corporation  (the  "Company")
reorganized  into three publicly  traded  independent  companies by spinning off
through a tax-free  distribution  two new companies,  (1) Cognizant  Corporation
("Cognizant") and (2) ACNielsen  Corporation  ("ACNielsen") to shareholders.  In
conjunction  with  the  reorganization,  the  Company  also  disposed  of  Dun &
Bradstreet Software ("DBS") and NCH Promotional  Services ("NCH"). The Company's
continuing  operations  consist  of  Dun &  Bradstreet,  the  operating  company
("D&B"), Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") and Reuben H. Donnelley ("RHD").

Pursuant to Accounting  Principles Board Opinion No. 30,  "Reporting the Results
of Operations-Reporting  the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and
Extraordinary,  Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions," the
prior  year's  consolidated  financial  statements  of  the  Company  have  been
reclassified  to  reflect  the  reorganization.  Accordingly,  the prior  year's
revenues,  costs  and  expenses,  assets  and  liabilities,  and  cash  flows of
Cognizant,  ACNielsen,  DBS and NCH  have  been  excluded  from  the  respective
captions in the  Consolidated  Statements of  Operations,  Consolidated  Balance
Sheets and Consolidated  Statements of Cash Flows. The net operating  results of
these entities have been reported,  net of applicable  income taxes,  as "Income
from Discontinued Operations" and the net cash flows of these entities have been
reported as "Net Cash Provided by Discontinued Operations."



Results of Operations

Consolidated Results
The  Company's  first  quarter  1997 net  income of $38.0  million  was up $16.1
million or 74% from the prior  year's  first  quarter  results  from  continuing
operations. Earnings per share of $.22 was up 69% from the prior year's earnings
per share from continuing operations of $.13.

Operating  revenues for the first  quarter were up 2% to $459.0  million in 1997
from $450.4 million in 1996 from continuing operations. Excluding the results of
American  Credit  Indemnity  ("ACI") and the  Propriety  West  Operations of R.H
Donnelley ("P-West"),  which were divested during 1996, revenues from continuing
operations increased by 7%, driven by growth at Moody's and D&B U.S.

Operating  income for the first  quarter of 1997 of $80.3 million was 53% higher
than 1996 first quarter operating income of $52.3 million. The increase reflects
the modest revenue growth noted above and strong cost controls. Operating income
in 1996 was impacted by significantly  higher corporate expenses associated with
the Company before the reorganization.

Non-operating  expense-net  was  $22.5  million  for the first  quarter  of 1997
compared with  non-operating  expense-net of $17.9 million for the first quarter
of 1996. The increase was  attributable to higher interest expense due to higher
borrowings.  Additionally,  during  the  first  quarter  of  1997,  the  Company
recognized  a loss of $2.9 million as a result of  canceling  $300.0  million of
swap agreements.
                                       -9-
<PAGE>

The effective tax rate was 34.3% for the first quarter of 1997 compared to 36.2%
in 1996.

In the first quarter of 1996, the Company's  consolidated  results  included net
income from discontinued operations of $42.3 million or $.25 per share.


Segment Results
The Risk Management Services segment reported first-quarter revenue growth of 8%
to $440.1 million from $408.7  million a year ago,  excluding the results of ACI
which  was  divested   during  1996.  D&B,  the  operating   company,   reported
first-quarter  revenue growth of 5% to $326.6 million from $310.5 million a year
ago,  excluding  the  first-quarter  1996 results of ACI.  D&B U.S.  posted a 7%
increase in first-quarter  revenue,  a result of strong performance in Marketing
Information  Services over the same quarter last year. D&B Europe's  revenue was
up 4% in the first quarter over the previous year reflecting modest growth.  D&B
Asia  Pacific,  Latin  America  and  Canada was down 6% from the  previous  year
primarily as a result of reorganizing  the operations in Latin America.  Moody's
Investors  Service  showed the  fastest  growth  during the  quarter,  driven by
double-digit  growth  in its  corporate  bond  ratings  business.  First-quarter
revenue was $113.5 million in 1997, an increase of 16% over the prior year.

The Directory  Information  Services segment reported  first-quarter  revenue of
$19.0 million,  a decrease of 11% from prior year,  excluding the  first-quarter
1996 results of P-West.  The decline was primarily due to the timing of revenues
from NYNEX and Central Florida  directories.  The low revenue level in the first
quarter also reflects the seasonal  nature of the directory  business,  in which
the first quarter typically represents a small portion of the year's business.


Adoption of Statements of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS")

In February 1997, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 128,
"Earnings per Share" ("SFAS No. 128"), which simplifies  existing  computational
guidelines,  revises disclosure  requirements and increases the comparability of
earnings  per share data on an  international  basis.  The Company is  currently
evaluating the new statement. However, the impact of adoption of SFAS No. 128 on
the  Company's  financial  statements  is not expected to be  significant.  This
statement  is  effective  for  financial  statements  for periods  ending  after
December 15, 1997 and requires  restatement of all  prior-period  per share data
presented.


Liquidity and Financial Position

At March 31, 1997, cash and cash equivalents totaled $152.5 million, an increase
of $24.6 million from $127.9  million held at December 31, 1996. In  comparison,
during the first  quarter of 1996,  cash and cash  equivalents  from  continuing
operations decreased by $40.4 million.

Operating  activities  generated  net cash of $159.9  million  during  the first
quarter of 1997  compared to $70.3  million in 1996.  Timing of tax  payments in
1997 as well as payments for restructuring and  postemployment  benefits in 1996
contributed to the increase in cash provided by operating  activities during the
first quarter of 1997 compared to 1996.

                                      -10-


<PAGE>


Net cash used in investing  activities was $7.2 million for the first quarter of
1997  compared  to $17.5  million in 1996.  In 1997 the Company  invested  $26.7
million for capital  expenditures  and additions to computer  software and other
intangibles compared to $34.7 million in 1996.

Net cash used in  financing  activities  was  $125.8  million  during  the first
quarter  of 1997  compared  to $92.0  million  in 1996.  Payments  of  dividends
accounted for $37.7 million  during the first quarter of 1997 compared to $112.0
million  in 1996.  During  the  first  quarter  of  1997,  the  Company  reduced
short-term  borrowings  by $99.2  million.  Proceeds  from the exercise of stock
options  was $13.1  million  for the first  quarter  of 1997  compared  to $24.8
million in 1996.

On April 1, 1997,  the Company  completed  a $300.0  million  minority  interest
financing.  Funds raised by the minority  interest  financing were loaned to the
Company and used to repay existing  short-term debt in April 1997. In accordance
with SFAS No. 6, the Company  reclassified  $300.0  million of short-term  notes
payable  to  long-term  at  March  31,  1997.  Also  in  conjunction   with  the
transaction,  during the first  quarter of 1997,  the  Company  canceled  $300.0
million of interest rate swap agreements at a cost of $2.9 million.

Dividends
On April 16,  1997,  the  Board of  Directors  approved  a second  quarter  1997
dividend of $.22 per share,  payable June 10, 1997 to  shareholders of record at
the close of business May 20, 1997.




























                                      -11-


<PAGE>



PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

(a)     Exhibits:

        (10) Supplemental Executive Benefit Plan, as amended January 15, 1997.

        (11)  Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings

        (27)  Financial Data Schedule


(b)     Reports on Form 8-K:

There were no reports on Form 8-K filed during the quarter ended March 31, 1997.






























                                      -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.




                                 THE DUN & BRADSTREET CORPORATION


Date: May 12, 1997           By: FRANK S. SOWINSKI
                                 ===============================================
                                 Frank S. Sowinski
                                 Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer



Date: May 12, 1997           By: CHESTER J. GEVEDA, JR.
                                 ===============================================
                                 Chester J. Geveda, Jr.
                                 Vice President and Controller






















                                                         



                                                                     Exhibit 10
                                                                                

                       SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE BENEFIT PLAN

                                       OF

                        THE DUN & BRADSTREET CORPORATION
                     (as amended effective January 15, 1997)




                                    PREAMBLE

              The principal purpose of this Supplemental  Executive Benefit Plan
is to ensure  the  payment  of a  competitive  level of  retirement  income  and
disability benefits in order to attract, retain and motivate selected executives
of the Corporation and its affiliated companies.

                                    SECTION 1

                                   Definitions

              1.1 "Affiliate"  means any corporation,  partnership,  division or
other organization  controlling,  controlled by or under common control with the
Corporation or any joint venture entered into by the Corporation.
              1.2  "Average  Final  Compensation"  means  the  greater  of (i) a
Participant's  or Vested  Former  Participant's  average final  compensation  as
defined  in  The  Dun  &  Bradstreet  Corporation  Retirement  Account  as if no
provision were set forth therein  incorporating  limitations imposed by Sections
401, 415 or any other applicable  Section of the Internal Revenue Code, or, (ii)
if the Participant is disabled at the time of his Retirement,  the Participant's
Basic Earnings. For purposes of (i), Average Final Compensation will not include
an employee's  compensation while the employee is a Vested Former Participant or
a  Former  Participant  and  will  include  compensation  from  the  date of the
Participant's employment with the Corporation or an Affiliate.
              1.3 "Basic Disability Plan" means as to any Participant either (i)
the long-term  disability  plan of the  Corporation or an Affiliate  pursuant to
which long-term  disability benefits are payable to such Participant or, (ii) if

                                       1
<PAGE>

the  Affiliate  which  employs  such  Participant  has not  adopted a  long-term
disability plan, the long-term disability plan of the Corporation.
              1.4 "Basic  Disability  Plan Benefit" means the amount of benefits
actually  payable to a Participant  from the Basic Disability Plan. For purposes
of  determining  a  Participant's  Basic  Disability  Plan  Benefit a disability
benefit  shall not be treated as actually  payable to a  Participant  unless the
Participant  is  actually  covered  by  a  long-term   disability  plan  of  the
Corporation or an Affiliate.
              1.5 "Basic Earnings" means a Participant's total earnings received
as an employee as salary or wages in the twelve months immediately preceding the
onset of the  Participant's  disability,  including any amounts deferred under a
plan  qualified  under  Section  401(k) of the Internal  Revenue  Code,  amounts
contributed on a Participant's behalf on a salary reduction basis to a cafeteria
plan  described in Section 125 of the Internal  Revenue  Code,  cash bonuses and
commissions, but excluding any pension, retainers, severance pay, income derived
from stock options,  stock  appreciation  rights and restricted stock awards and
dispositions  of  stock  acquired   thereunder,   payments  dependent  upon  any
contingency after the period of Credited Service and other special  remuneration
(including performance units).
              1.6 "Basic  Plan"  means as to any  Participant  or Vested  Former
Participant  the qualified  retirement or pension plan of the  Corporation or an
Affiliate pursuant to which retirement  benefits are payable to such Participant
or  Vested  Former   Participant  or  to  the  Surviving  Spouse  or  designated
beneficiary of a deceased Participant or Vested Former Participant.
              1.7 "Basic Plan Benefit" means the amount of benefits payable from
the Basic Plan to a Participant or Vested Former Participant.
              1.8 "Board" means the Board of Directors of The Dun & Bradstreet
Corporation.

                                       2
<PAGE>



              1.9     "Change in Control" means:
     (a) Any  "person,"  as such term is used in Section  13(d) and 14(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") (other than the
Corporation, any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee
benefit  plan  of  the  Corporation,  or  any  Corporation  owned,  directly  or
indirectly,  by the  stockholders of the Corporation in  substantially  the same
proportions as their ownership of stock of the  Corporation),  is or becomes the
"beneficial  owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act),  directly
or indirectly,  of securities of the Corporation representing 30% or more of the
combined voting power of the Corporation's then outstanding securities;
     (b) during  any period of two  consecutive  years,  individuals  who at the
beginning of such period  constitute the Board, and any new director (other than
a director  designated  by a person who has entered into an  agreement  with the
Corporation to effect a transaction  described in clause (a), (c) or (d) of this
Section)  whose  election  by  the  Board  or  nomination  for  election  by the
Corporation's  stockholders  was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3)
of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning
of the period or whose  election or  nomination  for election was  previously so
approved cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof;
     (c) the  stockholders of the Corporation  approve a merger or consolidation
of  the  Corporation  with  any  other  company,  other  than  (1) a  merger  or
consolidation  which would result in the voting  securities  of the  Corporation
outstanding  immediately  prior  thereto  continuing  to  represent  (either  by
remaining  outstanding  or by being  converted  into  voting  securities  of the
surviving  entity)  more than 50% of the  combined  voting  power of the  voting
securities of the Corporation or such surviving entity  outstanding  immediately
after such merger or consolidation or (2) a merger or consolidation  effected to
implement a  recapitalization  of the  Corporation  (or similar  transaction) in
which  no  "person"  (as  hereinabove  defined)  acquires  more  than 50% of the
combined voting power of the Corporation's then outstanding securities; or
     (d)  the  stockholders  of  the  Corporation  approve  a plan  of  complete
liquidation  of the  Corporation  or an agreement for the sale or disposition by
the Corporation of all or substantially all of the Corporation's assets.

                                       3
<PAGE>

              1.10    "Committee" means the Executive Compensation and Stock 
Option Committee of the Board.
              1.11    "Corporation" means The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, a 
Delaware corporation, and any successor or assigns thereto.
              1.12   "Credited   Service"   means   a   Participant's,    Former
Participant's or Vested Former Participant's  credited service as defined in The
Dun & Bradstreet  Corporation  Retirement Account,  except that Credited Service
will include service while the Participant is receiving  Disability Benefits and
service  from the date the  Participant,  Former  Participant  or Vested  Former
Participant  was  employed  by the  Corporation  or an  Affiliate,  but will not
include  service  while an employee  is a Former  Participant  or Vested  Former
Participant.  However,  in the case of an acquired company,  the  Participant's,
Former  Participant's or Vested Former  Participant's  service with that company
prior to the date of  acquisition  will not be counted  unless  such  service is
recognized for benefit accrual purposes under the relevant Basic Plan.
              1.13   "Disability   Benefits"  mean  the  benefits   provided  to
Participants and Vested Former Participants pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan.
              1.14    "Effective Date" means July 1, 1989.
              1.15    "Election" means an election as to the form of benefit 
payment made pursuant to Section 4.5 of the Plan.
              1.16  "Election  Date"  means the date that a  properly  completed
election  form with respect to an Election or a Special  Election is received by
the Corporation's Treasurer.
              1.17 "Former  Participant" means an employee who has not completed
five or more  years of  Credited  Service  at the time his  employment  with the
Corporation  or an  Affiliate  terminates  or at the time he was  removed,  upon
written notice by the Chief  Executive  Officer of the  Corporation and with the
approval of the Committee, from further participation in the Plan.
              1.18 "Other Disability Income" means (A) the disability  insurance
benefit that the  Participant  is entitled to receive  under the Federal  Social
Security Act while he is receiving the Basic Disability Plan Benefit and (B) the
disability income payable to a Participant from the following sources:
     (a) any supplemental executive disability plan of any Affiliate; and
     (b) any other contract, agreement or other arrangement with the Corporation
or an Affiliate  (excluding any Basic Disability Plan) to the extent it provides
disability benefits. 


                                       4
<PAGE>

              1.19 "Other Retirement Income" means (A)(i)the Social Security 
     retirement  benefit that the  Participant  or Vested Former  Participant is
entitled to receive under the Federal Social  Security Act as of the date of his
Retirement  or, (ii) if the  Participant  or Vested  Former  Participant  is not
eligible to receive a Social  Security  retirement  benefit  commencing  on such
date, the Social  Security  retirement  benefit he is entitled to receive at the
earliest  age he is eligible to receive such a benefit,  discounted  to the date
his Benefit under the Plan actually commences,  using the actuarial  assumptions
then in use under the relevant Basic Plan, assuming for purposes of (i) and (ii)
above that for years prior to the Participant's  employment with the Corporation
and for years  following the  Participant's  termination of employment  with the
Corporation  up until the  Participant  attains age 62, the  Participant  earned
compensation so as to accrue the maximum Social Security  benefits,  and (B) the
retirement income payable to a Participant or Vested Former Participant from the
following sources:
     (a) any  retirement  benefits  equalization  plan of the  Corporation or an
Affiliate  the purpose of which is to provide the  Participant  or Vested Former
Participant  with the benefits he is precluded from receiving under any relevant
Basic Plan as a result of limitations under the Internal Revenue Code; and
     (b) any supplemental executive retirement plan of any Affiliate; and
     (c) any other contract, agreement or other arrangement with the Corporation
or an Affiliate  (excluding any Basic Plan) to the extent it provides retirement
or pension benefits.
              1.20    "Participant" means an employee of the Corporation or an 
Affiliate who becomes a participant in the Plan pursuant to Section 2.
              1.21 "Plan" means this Supplemental  Executive Benefit Plan of The
Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, as amended from time to time.
              1.22    "Potential Change in Control" means:
     (a) the  Corporation  enters into an agreement,  the  consummation of which
would result in the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Corporation;
     (b) any person (including the Corporation)  publicly announces an intention
to take or to consider  taking actions which if consummated  would  constitute a
Change in Control of the Corporation; 

                                       5
<PAGE>

     (c) any person,  other than a trustee or their fiduciary holding securities
under an employee  benefit  plan of the  Corporation  (or a  Corporation  owned,
directly or indirectly,  by the stockholders of the Corporation in substantially
the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Corporation),  who is or
becomes the  beneficial  owner,  directly or  indirectly,  of  securities of the
Corporation  representing  9.5% or  more of the  combined  voting  power  of the
Corporation's then outstanding securities, increases his beneficial ownership of
such securities by 5% or more over the percentage so owned by such person; or
     (d) the Board adopts a resolution to the effect that,  for purposes of this
Plan, a Potential Change in Control of the Corporation has occurred.
              1.23 "Retirement" means the termination, other than at death, of a
Participant's or Vested Former Participant's  employment with the Corporation or
an  Affiliate  (i) after  reaching age 55 and  completing  ten years of Credited
Service,  or  (ii)  immediately  following  the  cessation  of  the  payment  of
Disability  Benefits  under  the  Plan  to such  Participant  or  Vested  Former
Participant while he is still disabled,  as such term is defined under the Basic
Disability Plan.
              1.24  "Retirement   Benefits"  means  the  benefits   provided  to
Participants and Vested Former Participants pursuant to Section 4 of the Plan.
              1.25  "Special  Election"  means  an  election  as to the  form of
benefit payment made pursuant to Section 4.6 of the Plan.
              1.26 "Surviving Spouse" means the spouse of a deceased Participant
or  Vested  Former  Participant  to  whom  such  Participant  or  Vested  Former
Participant is legally married immediately  preceding such Participant or Vested
Former Participant's death.
              1.27 "Surviving Spouse's Benefits" mean the benefits provided to a
Participant's  or Vested  Former  Participant's  Surviving  Spouse  pursuant  to
Section 6 of the Plan.
              1.28 "Vested Former  Participant"  means an employee who completed
five or more  years of  Credited  Service  at the time his  employment  with the
Corporation  or an  Affiliate  terminated  or at the time he was  removed,  upon
written notice by the Chief  Executive  Officer of the  Corporation and with the
approval of the Committee, from further participation in the Plan.
              1.29 The masculine  gender,  where  appearing in the Plan, will be
deemed to include the feminine gender,  and the singular may include the plural,
unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary.

                                       6
<PAGE>

                                    SECTION 2
                          Eligibility and Participation
              2.1 All key management and other  employees of the Corporation and
its Affiliates who are responsible  for the management,  growth or protection of
the business of the Corporation  and its  Affiliates,  who are designated by the
Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation as such, are eligible,  upon approval
by the Committee, for participation in the Plan as of the effective date of such
designation.
              2.2 A Participant may be removed, upon written notice by the Chief
Executive  Officer of the  Corporation  and with the approval of the  Committee,
from  further  participation  in the Plan,  and as of such date shall  accrue no
further benefits under the Plan.

                                       7
<PAGE>



                                    SECTION 3
                            Eligibility For Benefits
              3.1 Each Participant or Vested Former  Participant is eligible for
an  annual  Retirement  Benefit  under  this  Plan  upon  Retirement,   or  upon
termination  of  employment  with  the  Corporation   before   Retirement  after
completing five or more years of Credited Service.
              3.2  Each   Participant  is  eligible  to  commence   receiving  a
Disability  Benefit  under this Plan upon the actual or deemed  commencement  of
benefits under the relevant Basic Disability Plan. Notwithstanding the above, no
Participant may receive any Disability Benefit if he has not previously enrolled
for the maximum disability insurance coverage available under the relevant Basic
Disability Plan.
              3.3  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of  the  Plan  to the
contrary,  no benefits or no further benefits, as the case may be, shall be paid
to a Participant, Vested Former Participant or Surviving Spouse if the Committee
reasonably determines that such Participant or Vested Former Participant has:
     (i) To the  detriment  of the  Corporation  or any  Affiliate,  directly or
indirectly  acquired,  without the prior written  consent of the  Committee,  an
interest in any other company, firm, association, or organization (other than an
investment   interest   of  less  than  1%  in  a   publicly-owned   company  or
organization),  the business of which is in direct competition with the business
(present or future) of the Corporation or any of its Affiliates;
     (ii) To the  detriment of the  Corporation  or any  Affiliate,  directly or
indirectly competed with the Corporation or any Affiliate as an owner, employee,
partner,  director or contractor of a business,  in a field of business activity
in which the Participant or Vested Former Participant has been primarily engaged
on behalf of the  Corporation  or any Affiliate or in which he has  considerable
knowledge as a result of his  employment by the  Corporation  or any  Affiliate,
either for his own benefit or with any person other than the  Corporation or any
Affiliate, without the prior written consent of the Committee; or
                                       8
<PAGE>


     (iii) Been discharged from employment with the Corporation or any Affiliate
for "Cause". "Cause" shall include the occurrence of any of the following events
or such other dishonest or disloyal act or omission as the Committee  reasonably
determines to be "cause":
     (a) The Participant or Vested Former  Participant has  misappropriated  any
funds or property of the Corporation or any Affiliate;
     (b) The  Participant or Vested Former  Participant  has,  without the prior
knowledge or written  consent of the Committee,  obtained  personal  profit as a
result  of  any  transaction  by a  third  party  with  the  Corporation  or any
Affiliate; or
     (c) The  Participant  or Vested  Former  Participant  has sold or otherwise
imparted to any person,  firm, or corporation  the names of the customers of the
Corporation  or any  Affiliate  or any  confidential  records,  data,  formulae,
specifications  and other  trade  secrets or other  information  of value to the
Corporation  or  any  Affiliate  derived  by his or  her  association  with  the
Corporation or any Affiliate.

In any case  described  in this  Section 3.3,  the  Participant,  Vested  Former
Participant  or  Surviving  Spouse shall be given prior  written  notice that no
benefits  or no  further  benefits,  as the  case  may be,  will be paid to such
Participant,  Vested Former Participant or Surviving Spouse. Such written notice
shall specify the particular  act(s),  or failures to act, on the basis of which
the decision to terminate his benefits has been made.
              3.4 (a)  Notwithstanding  any other  provision  of the Plan to the
contrary,  a Participant or Vested Former Participant who receives in a lump sum
any  portion  of his  Retirement  Benefit  pursuant  to an  Election  or Special
Election shall receive such lump sum portion of his Retirement  Benefit  subject
to the condition that if such Participant or Vested Former  Participant  engages
in any of the acts  described  in clause (i) or (ii) of Section  3.3,  then such
Participant  or Vested  Former  Participant  shall within 60 days after  written
notice by the  Corporation  repay to the  Corporation  the amount  described  in
Section 3.4(b).

                                       9
<PAGE>


     (b) The amount  described under this Section 3.4(b) shall equal the amount,
as  determined  by  the  Committee,   of  the  Participant's  or  Vested  Former
Participant's lump sum benefit paid under this Plan to which such Participant or
Vested Former Participant would not have been entitled, if such lump sum benefit
had  instead  been  payable in the form of an  annuity  under this Plan and such
annuity payments were subject to the provisions of Section 3.3.

                                    SECTION 4
                     Amount and Form of Retirement Benefits

              4.1 The  Retirement  Benefit  provided  by the Plan is designed to
provide each  Participant and Vested Former  Participant  with an annual pension
from the Plan and  certain  other  sources  equal to his  Retirement  Benefit as
hereinafter  specified.  Thus, the Retirement  Benefits  described  hereunder as
payable  to  Participants  and  Vested  Former  Participants  will be  offset by
retirement benefits payable from sources outside the Plan as specified herein.
              4.2 (a) The  Retirement  Benefit of a Participant or Vested Former
Participant  shall be an annual benefit equal to (i) for a Participant or Vested
Former  Participant  who had  attained age fifty and had been  credited  with at
least ten years of Credited  Service as of January 15, 1997 or a Participant  or
Vested Former  Participant  whose age plus years of Credited Service is equal to
or greater than 70 as of January 15, 1997,  or other  individuals  designated by
the Chief Executive Officer;  50% of his Average Final Compensation with respect
to his first ten years of Credited Service, plus 2% of such earnings for each of
his next five  years of  Credited  Service,  inclusive  of his Other  Retirement
Income and his Basic Plan Benefit.  A full month is credited for each  completed
and partial month of age and Credited Service;  (ii) for all other  Participants
or Vested  Former  Participants;  40% of his  Average  Final  Compensation  with
respect to his first ten years of credited service, plus 2% of such earnings for
each  of his  next  ten  years  of  Credited  Service,  inclusive  of his  Other
Retirement Income and his Basic Plan Benefit.  A full month is credited for each
completed and partial month of Credited Service.

If such a Participant or Vested Former Participant retires before age 60 without
the  Corporation's  consent,  his Retirement  Benefit shall be reduced by 3% for
each year or fraction thereof his Retirement commenced prior to his reaching age
60.

                                       10
<PAGE>

                      (b) Any portion of the Retirement Benefit provided under 
     this Section 4.2 payable in the form of an annuity  pursuant to Section 4.4
shall be payable in monthly  installments  and will commence on the first day of
the calendar month  coinciding with or next following the day the Participant or
Vested Former  Participant  retires,  and any portion of such Retirement Benefit
payable in a lump sum  pursuant to Section 4.4 shall be paid on the date that is
sixty days after the date when annuity payments under this Section 4.2 commence,
or would commence if any portion of the  Retirement  Benefit were payable in the
form of an annuity, or as soon as practicable thereafter, provided the Committee
has approved any such payments.
              4.3 (a) Subject to Section  4.3(c),  the  Retirement  Benefit of a
Participant  or Vested Former  Participant  who terminates  employment  with the
Corporation with five or more years of Credited Service before he is eligible to
retire under the relevant Basic Plan shall be an annual benefit equal to (i) for
a Participant  or Vested Former  Participant  who had attained age fifty and had
been credited with at least ten years of Credited Service as of January 15, 1997
or a Participant or Vested Former  Participant  whose age plus years of Credited
Service  is  equal  to or  greater  than 70 as of  January  15,  1997,  or other
individuals  designated by the Chief Executive Officer; 25% of his Average Final
Compensation  for his first  five  years of  Credited  Service,  plus 5% of such
earnings for each additional year of Credited  Service between six and ten years
of Credited  Service and 2% for each additional year of Credited Service from 11
to 15  years,  inclusive  of his Other  Retirement  Income  and his  Basic  Plan
Benefit.  A full month is  credited  for each  completed  and  partial  month of
Credited Service, (ii) for all other Participants or Vested Former Participants;
20% of his Average  Final  Compensation  with respect to his first five years of
credited service,  plus 4% of such earnings for each additional year of Credited
Service between six and ten years of Credited Service and 2% for each additional
year of Credited Service from 11 to 20 years,  inclusive of his Other Retirement
Income and his Basic Plan Benefit.  A full month is credited for each  completed
and partial month of Credited Service,
                      (b)      Any portion of the Retirement Benefit provided 
     under  this  Section  4.3  payable in the form of an  annuity  pursuant  to
Section 4.4 shall be payable in monthly  installments  and will  commence on the
first day of the calendar  month  coinciding  with or next following the day the
Participant  or  Vested  Former  Participant  reaches  age 55 or the date of his

                                       11
<PAGE>

termination,  if later, and any portion of such Retirement  Benefit payable in a
lump sum pursuant to Section 4.4 shall be paid on the date that is 60 days after
the date when  annuity  payments  under  this  Section  4.3  commence,  or would
commence if any portion of the Retirement Benefit were payable in the form of an
annuity,  or as soon as  practicable  thereafter,  provided  the  Committee  has
approved any such payments.
                      (c)      If a Participant or Vested Former Participant 
     terminates  employment  with  the  Corporation  without  the  Corporation's
consent, and the payment of his Retirement Benefit commences,  or would commence
if it were  payable in the form of an  annuity,  before he  reaches  age 60, his
Retirement  Benefit  shall be reduced by 10% for each year or  fraction  thereof
that the payment of his Retirement  Benefit  commences,  or would commence if it
were  payable in the form of an annuity,  prior to his  reaching age 60. 
              4.4     (a)  Except as provided under Section 4.4(b) or Section 
     4.4(c),  a  Retirement  Benefit  under  this  Plan  shall be  payable  to a
Participant or Vested Former  Participant in the form of a straight life annuity
and without  regard to any  optional  form of benefits  elected  under the Basic
Plan.
                      (b)  If a Participant or a Vested Former Participant has
     made an Election  while he was a  Participant  pursuant to Section 4.5 or a
Special  Election  pursuant to Section 4.6 and such Election or Special Election
becomes  effective (i) prior to the date such  Participant or such Vested Former
Participant  retires  or  terminates  employment  with  the  Corporation  or  an
Affiliate and (ii) while he was still a Participant,  a Retirement Benefit under
this Plan shall be payable to such Participant or such Vested Former Participant
in the form or combination of forms of payment elected pursuant to such Election
or Special  Election  under  Section 4.5 or Section 4.6, as the case may be, and
without  regard to any optional  form of benefits  elected under the Basic Plan.
Any lump sum  distribution  of a  Participant's  or Vested Former  Participant's
Retirement  Benefit  under the Plan shall  fully  satisfy all present and future
Plan liability with respect to such Participant or Vested Former Participant for
such  portion  or  all  of  such   Retirement   Benefit  so   distributed.   
                       (c)  Notwithstanding  any Election or Special Election 
     made under Section 4.5 or 4.6,if the lump sum value, determined in the same
manner as provided under Section  4.5(a),  of a  Participant's  or Vested Former
Participant's  Retirement Benefit is $10,000 or less at the time such Retirement
Benefit is payable under this Plan, such benefit shall be payable as a lump sum.



                                       12
<PAGE>

                       (d)  If the Retirement Benefit under this Plan is payable
     to a Participant or Vested Former Participant in a different form and/or at
a different  time than his Other  Retirement  Income or his Basic Plan Benefits,
the  offset  provided  in this  Plan for such  Participant's  or  Vested  Former
Participant's Other Retirement Income and Basic Plan Benefit shall be converted,
using  actuarial   assumptions  that  are  reasonable  and  appropriate  and  in
accordance  with  applicable  law at the time the  annuity  under  this  Plan is
determined,  to the extent  required  as  follows,  but solely for  purposes  of
calculating the amount of such offset:

                               (i)      a percentage of the benefits to be 
     offset  equal to the  percentage  of such  Participant's  or Vested  Former
Participant's  benefits  payable in the form of an annuity under this Plan shall
be actuarially converted to the extent required into the form of a straight life
annuity,  commencing at the time such benefits  payable under this Plan commence
or on the date such Participant or Vested Former  Participant would first become
eligible for the payment of such benefits under this Plan, if earlier; and
                               (ii)     the balance, if any, of the benefits to 
     be offset shall be actuarially  converted to a lump sum payment  payable on
the date which is 60 days after the date described in Section 4.4(d)(i).
              4.5  (a) A  Participant  may  elect,  on a  form  supplied  by the
Committee,  to receive all, none, or a specified portion, as provided in Section
4.5(c),  of his  Retirement  Benefit under the Plan in a lump sum and to receive
any balance of such Retirement Benefit in the form of an annuity;  provided that
any such  Election  shall be  effective  for  purposes  of this Plan only if the
conditions of Section  4.5(b) are satisfied.  A Participant  may elect a payment
form  different  than the  payment  form  previously  elected  by him under this
Section  4.5(a) by filing a revised  election  form;  provided that any such new
Election  shall be  effective  only if the  conditions  of  Section  4.5(b)  are
satisfied  with  respect  to such new  Election.  Any prior  Election  made by a
Participant  that  has  satisfied  the  conditions  of  Section  4.5(b)  remains
effective  for  purposes  of the  Plan  until  such  Participant  has made a new
Election  satisfying the conditions of Section 4.5(b). The amount of any portion
of a Participant's or a Vested Former  Participant's  Retirement Benefit payable
as a lump sum  under  this  Section  4.5 will  equal the  present  value of such
portion of the  Retirement  Benefit,  and such present value shall be determined

                                       13
<PAGE>

(i)  based  on a  discount  rate  equal  to the  average  of 85% of the  15-year
non-callable  U.S.  Treasury bond yields as of the close of business on the last
business  day of each of the three  months  immediately  preceding  the date the
annuity  value is  determined  and (ii) using the 1983 Group  Annuity  Mortality
Table.
                      (b)      A Participant's Election under Section 4.5(a) 
     becomes effective only if the following conditions are satisfied:  (i) such
Participant remains in the employment of the Corporation or an Affiliate, as the
case may be, for the full  twelve  calendar  months  immediately  following  the
Election  Date of such  Election,  except in case of death or disability of such
Participant  as provided in Section  4.5(d) and (ii) such  Participant  complies
with the  administrative  procedures  set forth by the Committee with respect to
the making of the Election.
                      (c)      A Participant making an election under Section 
     4.5(a) may specify the portion of his Retirement  Benefit under the Plan to
be received  in a lump sum as follows:  0 percent,  25 percent,  50 percent,  75
percent or 100 percent.
                      (d)      In the event a Participant who has made an 
     Election pursuant to Section 4.5(a) dies or becomes totally and permanently
disabled for purposes of the relevant  Basic  Disability  Plan while employed by
the Corporation or an Affiliate and such death or total and permanent disability
occurs  during the  twelve-calendar-month  period,  as described  under  Section
4.5(b)(i),  immediately  following  the  Election  Date  of such  Election,  the
condition under Section 4.5(b)(i) shall be deemed satisfied with respect to such
Participant.

                                       14
<PAGE>


              4.6 (a) Any  Participant  (except  the  Chairman  of the  Board of
Directors of the  Corporation  on December 21, 1994) who as of December 31, 1994
(i) is age 54 or older  and (ii) has at least 4 years of  Credited  Service  may
elect, on a form supplied by the Committee, to receive all, none, or a specified
portion,  in the  same  percentages  as  described  in  Section  4.5(c),  of his
Retirement  Benefit  under the Plan in a lump sum and to receive  any balance of
such  Retirement  Benefit  in the  form of an  annuity;  provided  that any such
Special  Election  shall be  effective  for  purposes  of this Plan only if such
Participant  remains in employment with the Corporation or an Affiliate,  as the
case may be, for the one calendar month immediately following the Election Date,
except in the case of death or total and  permanent  disability  as  provided in
Section 4.6(b), and complies with the administrative procedures set forth by the
Committee  for making such  Special  Election;  and  provided  further  that the
Election  Date with  respect  to any such  Special  Election  is not later  than
January  31,  1995.  The amount of any  portion of a  Participant's  or a Vested
Former Participant's Retirement Benefit payable as a lump sum under this Section
4.6 will equal the present value of such portion of the Retirement Benefit,  and
such present value shall be determined (i) based on a discount rate equal to the
average of 85% of the 15-year  non-callable  U.S. Treasury bond yields as of the
close  of  business  on the  last  business  day of  each  of the  three  months
immediately  preceding the date the annuity  value is determined  and (ii) using
the 1993 Group Annuity Mortality Table.
                      (b)      In the event a Participant who has made a Special
     Election pursuant to Section 4.6(a) dies or becomes totally and permanently
disabled for purposes of the relevant  Basic  Disability  Plan while employed by
the Corporation or an Affiliate and such death or total and permanent disability
occurs during the  one-calendar-month  period, as described under Section 4.6(a)
immediately following the Election Date of such Special Election,  the condition
under Section 4.6(a)  requiring that such  Participant  remain employed with the
Corporation  or an  Affiliate,  as the case may be,  for the  one-calendar-month
period immediately  following the Election Date of such Election shall be deemed
satisfied.
              4.7  Subject  to  Section  3.3,  Section  3.4  and  the  foregoing
limitations of this Section 4, the Retirement  Benefit of each  Participant  and
Vested Former  Participant  under the Plan shall at all times be 100% vested and
nonforfeitable.
              4.8 (a) Subject to Section 4.8(c), the Corporation shall indemnify
each  Participant,  Vested Former  Participant and Surviving Spouse who receives
any portion of a Retirement  Benefit or Surviving  Spouse's  Benefit  under this

                                       15
<PAGE>

Plan in the  form of an  annuity  for any  interest  and  penalties  that may be
assessed by the U.S.  Internal  Revenue  Service (the "Service") with respect to
U.S. Federal income tax on such benefits  (payable under the Plan in the form of
an  annuity)  upon  final  settlement  or  judgment  with  respect  to any  such
assessment  in favor of the Service,  provided the basis for the  assessment  is
that the  amendment  of the Plan to  provide  for the  Election  or the  Special
Election causes the Participant,  Vested Former Participant or Surviving Spouse,
as the case may be,  to be  treated  as being in  constructive  receipt  of such
benefits  prior to the time when such  benefits are actually  payable  under the
Plan.
                      (b)      In case any assessment shall be made against a 
     Participant,  Vested Former Participant or Surviving Spouse as described in
Section 4.8(a), such Participant, Vested Former Participant or Surviving Spouse,
as the  case  may be  (the  "indemnified  party"),  shall  promptly  notify  the
Corporation's  Treasurer  in writing and the  Corporation,  upon request of such
indemnified  party,  shall  select and  retain an  accountant  or legal  counsel
reasonably  satisfactory to the  indemnified  party to represent the indemnified
party in connection  with such assessment and shall pay the fees and expenses of
such an  accountant  or legal counsel  related to such  representation,  and the
Corporation  shall have the right to determine  how and when such  assessment by
the Service  should be settled,  litigated or appealed.  In connection  with any
such  assessment,  any indemnified  party shall have the right to retain his own
accountant  or legal  counsel,  but the fees and expenses of such  accountant or
legal  counsel  shall be at the  expense of such  indemnified  party  unless the
Corporation  and  the  indemnified  party  shall  have  mutually  agreed  to the
retention of such accountant or legal counsel.
                      (c)      The Corporation shall not be liable for any 
     payments under this Section 4.8 with respect to any assessment described in
Section 4.8(a) if a Participant,  Vested Former  Participant or Surviving Spouse
against whom such assessment is made has not notified or allowed the Corporation
to  participate  with  respect to such  assessment  in the manner  described  in
Section 4.8(b) or, following demand by the Corporation, has not made the deposit
to avoid additional  interest or penalties as described in Section 4.8(d) or has
agreed  to,  or  otherwise  settled  with the  Service  with  respect  to,  such
assessment without the Corporation's written consent, provided,  however, (i) if
such assessment is settled with such consent or if there is a final judgment for
the Service,  (ii) the  Corporation has been notified and allowed to participate

                                       16
<PAGE>

in the manner as provided in Section 4.8(b) and (iii) such  Participant,  Vested
Former  Participant or Surviving  Spouse has made any required  deposit to avoid
additional  interest or penalty as described in Section 4.8(d),  the Corporation
agrees  to  indemnify  the  indemnified  party to the  extent  set forth in this
Section 4.8.
                      (d)      In the event a final settlement or judgment with 
     respect to an  assessment  as  described  under  Section  4.8 has been made
against a  Participant,  Vested Former  Participant  or Surviving  Spouse,  such
Participant,  Vested Former Participant or Surviving Spouse may elect to receive
a portion or all of his Retirement Benefit or Surviving Spouse's Benefit that is
otherwise  payable  as an  annuity  under  the Plan in the form of a lump sum in
accordance  with  procedures as the  Committee may set forth,  and such lump sum
distribution will be made as soon as practicable after any such election. At the
time such assessment is made against such Participant, Vested Former Participant
or Surviving Spouse (the "assessed  party") and prior to any final settlement or
judgment  with respect to such  assessment,  if so directed by the  Corporation,
such assessed party shall,  as a condition to receiving any indemnity under this
Section 4.8, as soon as practicable after notification of such assessment make a
deposit  with the Service to avoid any  additional  interest or  penalties  with
respect to such  assessment  and, upon the request of such assessed  party,  the
Corporation  shall lend,  or arrange for the lending to, such  assessed  party a
portion of his remaining  Retirement Benefit or Surviving Spouse's Benefit under
the Plan,  not to  exceed  the lump sum  value of such  benefit  under the Plan,
determined using the actuarial  assumptions set forth in Section 4.5(a),  solely
for purposes of providing  the assessed  party with funds to make a deposit with
the Service to avoid any  additional  interest or penalties with respect to such
assessment.

                                       17
<PAGE>



                                    SECTION 5
                               Disability Benefits
              5.1 The  Disability  Benefit  provided  by the Plan is designed to
provide each  Participant  with a  disability  benefit from the Plan and certain
other sources equal to his Disability  Benefit as hereinafter  specified.  Thus,
Disability  Benefits  described  hereunder  as payable to  Participants  will be
offset by disability  benefits payable from sources outside the Plan (other than
benefits payable under the relevant Basic Disability Plan) as specified herein.
              5.2 In the  event  that  a  Participant  has  become  totally  and
permanently  disabled for the purposes of the relevant Basic Disability Plan, an
annual Disability  Benefit shall be payable in monthly  installments  under this
Plan during the same period as  disability  benefits are actually or deemed paid
by  the  relevant  Basic  Disability  Plan,  in an  amount  equal  to 60% of the
Participant's  Basic Earnings.  Such  Disability  Benefit shall be offset by the
Participant's  Other  Disability  Income,  if any.  A  Participant's  Disability
Benefits shall also be offset by the  Participant's  Basic Plan Benefit,  if the
Participant's  Basic  Disability  Plan Benefit does not already  include such an
offset.

                                    SECTION 6
                           Surviving Spouse's Benefits
              6.1 Upon the death of a Participant or Vested Former  Participant,
while employed by the  Corporation  or an Affiliate,  who has completed at least
ten years of Credited  Service  with the  Corporation  or an  Affiliate  and has
attained age 55, his Surviving  Spouse will be entitled to a Surviving  Spouse's
Benefit under this Plan equal to 50% of the  Retirement  Benefit that would have
been provided  from the Plan had the  Participant  or Vested Former  Participant
retired from the Corporation or an Affiliate with the Corporation's  consent, on
the date of his death.

                                       18
<PAGE>


              6.2 Upon the death of a Participant or Vested Former  Participant,
while employed by the  Corporation  or an Affiliate,  who has completed at least
five years of Credited  Service with the Corporation or an Affiliate and has not
attained age 55, his Surviving  Spouse will be entitled to a Surviving  Spouse's
Benefit under this Plan equal to 50% of the  Retirement  Benefit that would have
been provided  from the Plan had the  Participant  or Vested Former  Participant
terminated  employment  with the  Corporation or an Affiliate on the date of his
death with the  Corporation's  consent,  and  elected to have the payment of his
Basic Plan Benefit commence at age 55 in the form of a straight life annuity.
              6.3 Upon the death of a Vested Former  Participant while no longer
employed by the  Corporation  or an Affiliate,  who has not attained age 55, his
Surviving  Spouse will be entitled to a Surviving  Spouse's  Benefit  under this
Plan equal to 50% of the  Retirement  Benefit that would have been provided from
the Plan to the Vested Former Participant at age 55, taking into account whether
the Corporation consented to the termination.
              6.4 Upon the death of a Participant or Vested Former  Participant,
while employed by the  Corporation  or an Affiliate,  who has completed at least
five,  but less than ten years of Credited  Service with the  Corporation  or an
Affiliate  and has attained age 55, his  Surviving  Spouse will be entitled to a
Surviving  Spouse's  Benefit  under  this  Plan  equal to 50% of the  Retirement
Benefit  that  would have been  provided  from the Plan had the  Participant  or
Vested Former  Participant  terminated  employment  with the  Corporation  or an
Affiliate on the date of his death with the Corporation's  consent and his Basic
Plan Benefit commenced immediately in the form of a straight life annuity.
              6.5 Upon the  death of a  Vested  Former  Participant  while he is
receiving  Retirement  Benefits,  his Surviving Spouse shall receive a Surviving
Spouse's Benefit equal to 50% of the Retirement  Benefit he was receiving at the
time of his death.
              6.6 Except as  provided in Section  6.8,  the  Surviving  Spouse's
Benefit  provided under Section 6.1, 6.4 and 6.5 will be payable  monthly,  will
commence on the first day of the month  coincident  with or next  following  the

                                       19
<PAGE>

month in which the  Participant  or Vested  Former  Participant  dies,  and will
continue until the first day of the month in which the Surviving Spouse dies.
              6.7 Except as  provided in Section  6.8,  the  Surviving  Spouse's
Benefit  provided  under  Section  6.2 and 6.3  will be  payable  monthly,  will
commence on the first day of the month  coincident  with or next  following  the
month in which the Participant or Vested Former  Participant would have attained
age 55 and will continue until the first day of the month in which the Surviving
Spouse dies.
              6.8 (a) If a Participant or a Vested Former  Participant  while he
was a Participant  has made an Election under Section 4.5 or a Special  Election
under Section 4.6 and such Election or Special Election is effective on the date
of such  Participant's  or Vested  Former  Participant's  death,  the  Surviving
Spouse's  Benefit  payable to a Surviving  Spouse of such  Participant or Vested
Former  Participant  will be  payable  in the  form or  combination  of forms of
payment so elected by such Participant or Vested Former Participant  pursuant to
such Election or Special Election. The amount of any lump sum payment under this
Section  6.8  shall  be the  present  value  of the  applicable  portion  of the
Surviving  Spouse's Benefit payable under the Plan, and such present value shall
be determined using the actuarial  assumptions set forth in Section 4.5(a).  Any
lump sum distribution of a Surviving  Spouse's  Surviving Spouse's Benefit under
the Plan shall fully satisfy all present and future Plan  liability with respect
to such  Surviving  Spouse for such  portion or all of such  Surviving  Spouse's
Benefit so distributed.
                      (b)      Notwithstanding any Election or Special Election 
     made under  Section  4.5 or 4.6, if the lump sum value,  determined  in the
same manner as provided under Section 4.5(a), of a Surviving Spouse's Benefit is
$10,000 or less at the time such  Surviving  Spouse's  Benefit is payable  under
this Plan, such benefit shall be payable as a lump sum.
                      (c)      Any portion of a Surviving Spouse's Benefit 
     provided  under  Section  6.1,  6.4 and 6.5 which is  payable as an annuity
shall be paid in the manner and at such time as set forth in  Section  6.6,  and
any such benefit  which is payable as a lump sum shall be paid 60 days after the
date when annuity  payments  commence,  or would commence if any portion of such
Surviving  Spouse's  Benefit  were payable as an annuity as set forth in Section
6.6.

                                       20
<PAGE>


                      (d)      Any portion of a Surviving Spouse's Benefit 
     provided  under Section 6.2 and 6.3 which is payable as an annuity shall be
paid in the manner and at such time as set forth in  Section  6.7,  and any such
benefit which is payable as a lump sum shall be paid 60 days after the date when
annuity  payments  commence,  or would commence if any portion of such Surviving
Spouse's Benefit were payable as an annuity, as set forth in Section 6.7.
              6.9  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing  provisions of Section 6, the
amount of a Surviving  Spouse's Benefit shall be reduced by one percentage point
for each year  (including  a half year or more as a full  year) in excess of ten
that the age of the Participant or Vested Former Participant  exceeds the age of
the Surviving Spouse.

                                    SECTION 7
                                    Committee
              7.1 The Committee shall be responsible for the  administration  of
the Plan and may delegate to any  management  committee,  employee,  director or
agent  its  responsibility  to  perform  any act  hereunder,  including  without
limitation  those matters  involving the exercise of  discretion,  provided that
such  delegation  shall be subject to revocation at any time at its  discretion.
The Committee  shall have the authority to interpret the  provisions of the Plan
and  construe  all  of its  terms,  to  adopt,  amend,  and  rescind  rules  and
regulations  for the  administration  of the Plan,  and generally to conduct and
administer the Plan and to make all  determinations  in connection with the Plan
as may be necessary or advisable,  other than those determinations  delegated to
management employees or independent third parties by the Board. All such actions
of the Committee shall be conclusive and binding upon all  Participants,  Former
Participants, Vested Former Participants and Surviving Spouses.

                                       21
<PAGE>



                                    SECTION 8
                                  Miscellaneous
              8.1 The Board may, in its sole discretion,  terminate,  suspend or
amend this Plan at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part.  However,
no  termination,  suspension  or  amendment of the Plan may  adversely  affect a
Participant's or Vested Former Participant's vested benefit under the Plan, or a
retired  Participant's  or Vested Former  Participant's  right or the right of a
Surviving  Spouse to receive or to continue  to receive a benefit in  accordance
with the Plan as in effect on the date  immediately  preceding  the date of such
termination, suspension or amendment.
              8.2 Nothing  contained  herein  will confer upon any  Participant,
Former  Participant or Vested Former Participant the right to be retained in the
service of the  Corporation  or any  Affiliate,  nor will it interfere  with the
right of the  Corporation  or any Affiliate to discharge or otherwise  deal with
Participants,  Former Participants or Vested Former Participants with respect to
matters of employment without regard to the existence of the Plan.
              8.3 Notwithstanding  anything herein to the contrary,  at any time
following  the  termination  of  service  of  a  Participant  or  Vested  Former
Participant,  the Committee may authorize, under uniform rules applicable to all
Participants, Vested Former Participants and Surviving Spouses under the Plan, a
lump sum distribution of a  Participant's,  Vested Former  Participant's  and/or
Surviving  Spouse's  Retirement  Benefit or Surviving Spouse's Benefit under the
Plan in an amount  equal to the  present  value of such  Retirement  Benefit  or
Surviving  Spouse's  Benefit,  using the actuarial  assumptions  then in use for
funding purposes under The Dun & Bradstreet  Corporation  Retirement Account, in
full  satisfaction of all present and future Plan liability with respect to such
Participant, Vested Former Participant and/or Surviving Spouse, if the amount of
such present value is less than $250,000. Such lump sum distribution may be made
without the consent of the Participant,  Vested Former  Participant or Surviving
Spouse.

                                       22
<PAGE>


              8.4 (a) Notwithstanding  anything in this Plan to the contrary, if
a  Participant  has less than five  years of  Credited  Service at the time of a
Change in  Control,  and as a result of the  Change in  Control,  and  before he
completes five years of Credited Service,  (i) the Plan is terminated,  (ii) the
Participant  is removed from  further  participation  in the Plan,  or (iii) the
Participant is terminated as a result of action initiated directly or indirectly
by the  Corporation or any Affiliate,  such  Participant  shall be entitled to a
Benefit of 20% of his Average Final Compensation and the Corporation will remain
obligated to pay all benefits under the Plan.
                  (b) Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, 
     upon the occurrence of a Change in Control,  (i) no reduction shall be made
in  a  Participant's  or  Vested  Former   Participant's   Retirement   Benefit,
notwithstanding  his  termination  of employment  or Retirement  prior to age 60
without the  Corporation's  consent,  (ii) the  provisions of Section 3.3(i) and
(ii) shall not apply to any Participant,  Vested Former Participant or Surviving
Spouse, (iii) each Participant and Vested Former Participant already receiving a
Retirement  Benefit under the Plan shall receive a lump sum  distribution of his
unpaid Retirement Benefit and, if he is married,  his Surviving Spouse's Benefit
under the Plan within 30 days of the Change of Control in an amount equal to the
present value of such Retirement  Benefit and Surviving Spouse's Benefit in full
satisfaction  of all  present  and future Plan  liability  with  respect to such
Participant,  Vested Former  Participant and Surviving  Spouse, if any, and each
Surviving Spouse already  receiving a Surviving  Spouse's Benefit under the Plan
shall receive a lump sum distribution of his unpaid  Surviving  Spouse's Benefit
at the same  time in an  amount  equal to the  present  value of such  Surviving
Spouse's  Benefit  in full  satisfaction  of Plan  liability  to such  Surviving
Spouse,  (iv) each Vested  Former  Participant  who is not  already  receiving a
Retirement  Benefit under the Plan shall receive a lump sum  distribution of his
unpaid Retirement Benefit and, if he is married,  his Surviving Spouse's Benefit
within 30 days of the Change in Control in an amount equal to the present  value
of such Retirement  Benefit and Surviving  Spouse's Benefit,  and each Surviving
Spouse of either a Vested Former  Participant or a Participant with five or more
years of  Credited  Service who is not  already  receiving a Surviving  Spouse's
Benefit  under the Plan  shall  receive a lump sum  distribution  of his  unpaid
Surviving Spouse's Benefit at the same time in amount equal to the present value
of such Surviving  Spouse's  Benefit,  (v) each  Participant with less than five
years of Credited  Service who is entitled  to a benefit  under  Section  8.4(a)
shall receive a lump sum  distribution  of the present value of such  Retirement

                                       23
<PAGE>

Benefit within 30 days from the earlier of the date the Plan is terminated,  the
date he is  removed  from  further  participation  in the Plan,  or the date his
employment  with the  Corporation is terminated,  and of his Surviving  Spouse's
Benefit based upon the amount of such Retirement Benefit if he is married on the
applicable  date, and (vi) each Participant who is not included in (v) above and
who is not already  receiving a Retirement  Benefit under the Plan shall receive
(a)  within 30 days of the later to occur of the date of such  Change in Control
or the date he completes five years of Credited  Service a lump sum distribution
of the present value of his accrued  Retirement Benefit under the Plan as of the
applicable  date and, if he is married on such date,  the  present  value of his
Surviving Spouse's Benefit, and (b) within 30 days from the earliest of the date
of his Retirement or termination of employment  with the  Corporation,  the date
the Plan is terminated or the date he is removed from further  participation  in
the  Plan,  a lump sum  distribution  of the  present  value  of his  additional
Retirement  Benefit accrued after the applicable event in (a) computed as of the
applicable date herein set forth in (b) and, if he is married on such applicable
date, the present value of his surviving  Spouse's  Benefit.  In determining the
amount of the lump sum  distributions  to be paid under this  Section  8.4,  the
following actuarial  assumptions shall be used: (i) the interest rate used shall
be the  interest  rate used by the  Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation  for
determining  the value of  immediate  annuities  as of January 1st of either the
year of the occurrence of the Change in Control or the participant's  retirement
or  termination  of  employment,  whichever is  applicable,  (ii) the 1983 Group
Annuity  Mortality  Table shall be used;  and (iii) it shall be assumed that all
participants  retired or terminated  employment with the Corporation on the date
of the  occurrence of the Change in Control and with the  Corporation's  consent
for purposes of determining  the amount of the lump sum  distribution to be paid
upon the occurrence of the Change in Control.

                                       24
<PAGE>


              8.5 The Plan is  unfunded,  and the  Corporation  will  make  Plan
benefit payments solely on a current disbursement basis, provided, however, that
the Corporation reserves the right to purchase insurance contracts, which may or
may  not be in the  name of a  Participant  or  Vested  Former  Participant,  or
establish one or more trusts to provide  alternative sources of benefit payments
under this Plan,  provided,  further,  however,  that upon the  occurrence  of a
"Potential  Change in Control" the  appropriate  officers of the Corporation are
authorized to make such  contributions  to such trust or trusts as are necessary
to fund the lump sum  distributions to Plan  participants  required  pursuant to
Section 8.4 of this Plan in the event of a Change in Control. In determining the
amount of the  necessary  contribution  to the trust or trusts in the event of a
Potential Change in Control, the following actuarial  assumptions shall be used:
(i) the  interest  rate used  shall be the  interest  rate  used by the  Pension
Benefit Guaranty Corporation for determining the value of immediate annuities as
of January 1st of the year of the occurrence of the Potential Change in Control,
(ii) the 1983 Group Annuity Mortality Table shall be used; and (iii) it shall be
assumed  that all  participants  will retire or  terminate  employment  with the
Corporation as soon as practicable  after the occurrence of the Potential Change
in  Control  and with  the  Corporation's  consent.  The  existence  of any such
insurance  contracts,  trust or trusts shall not relieve the  Corporation of any
liability  to make  benefit  payments  under  this  Plan,  but to the extent any
benefit  payments are made from any such  insurance  contract in the name of the
Corporation  or any  Affiliate or from any such trust,  such payment shall be in
satisfaction of and shall reduce the Corporation's  liabilities under this Plan.
Further,  in the  event  of the  Corporation's  bankruptcy  or  insolvency,  all
benefits accrued under this Plan shall  immediately  become due and payable in a
lump sum and all Participants,  Vested Former Participants and Surviving Spouses
shall be entitled to share in the Corporation's assets in the same manner and to
the same extent as general unsecured creditors of the Corporation.

                                       25
<PAGE>


              8.6 If any dispute  arises under the Plan between the  Corporation
and a Participant,  Former  Participant,  Vested Former Participant or Surviving
Spouse  (collectively  or  individually  referred  to as  "Participant"  in this
Section 8.6) as to the amount or timing of any benefit payable under the Plan or
as to the persons  entitled  thereto,  such dispute shall be resolved by binding
arbitration  proceedings  initiated by either party to the dispute in accordance
with the rules of the American  Arbitration  Association and the results of such
proceedings  shall be  conclusive  on both  parties  and shall not be subject to
judicial review.  If the disputed benefits involve the benefits of a Participant
who is no longer employed by the  Corporation or any Affiliate,  the Corporation
shall pay or continue to pay the benefits  claimed by the Participant  until the
results of the  arbitration  proceedings  are  determined  unless  such claim is
patently  without  merit;  provided,   however,  that  if  the  results  of  the
arbitration  proceedings are adverse to the Participant,  then in such event the
recipient of the benefits shall be obligated to repay the excess benefits to the
Corporation.  The Corporation  expressly  acknowledges  that the amounts payable
under the Plan are necessary to the livelihood of Participants  and their family
members  and that any  refusal or neglect to pay  benefits  under the  preceding
sentence prior to the resolution of any dispute shall be prima facie evidence of
bad faith on its part and will be conclusive  grounds for an  arbitration  award
resulting  in  an  immediate  lump  sum  payment  to  the  Participant,  of  the
Participant's  benefits  under the Plan then due and payable to him,  unless the
arbitrator  determines  that the claim for the  disputed  benefits  was  without
merit.  The amount of such lump sum payment shall be equal to the then actuarial
value of such benefits calculated by utilizing the actuarial assumptions then in
use for  funding  purposes  under The Dun &  Bradstreet  Corporation  Retirement
Account.  In addition,  in the event of any dispute  covered by this Section 8.6
the Corporation agrees to pay the entire costs of any arbitration  proceeding or
legal proceeding brought  hereunder,  including the fees and expenses of counsel
and pension  experts  engaged by a Participant  and that such expenses  shall be
reimbursed  promptly upon evidence that such expenses have been incurred without
awaiting the outcome of the arbitration  proceedings;  provided,  however,  that
such costs and expenses  shall be repaid to the  Corporation by the recipient of
same if it is finally  determined by the arbitrators  that the position taken by
such person was without merit.
              8.7 To the maximum  extent  permitted by law, no benefit under the
Plan shall be assignable or subject in any manner to alienation, sale, transfer,
claims of creditors, pledge, attachment or encumbrances of any kind.

                                       26
<PAGE>

              8.8 The  Corporation  may withhold from any benefit under the Plan
an amount sufficient to satisfy its tax withholding obligations.
              8.9 The Plan is established under and will be construed according 
to the laws of the State of New York.
                                       27


<TABLE>
                                                                                                                          Exhibit 11

                THE DUN & BRADSTREET CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK
            ON A FULLY DILUTED BASIS FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31,

Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Data                                             1997           1996
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                 <C>                <C> 
                                                                                       ----           ----
                                                                                (Average share data in thousands)
Weighted average number of shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  171,189            169,669
 . . . . . . . . . . .
Dilutive effect of shares issuable as of year-end under stock option
   plans, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock plan. . . . . . . . . . .    2,146                986
 . . . . . . .
Adjustment of shares applicable to stock options and stock
   appreciation rights exercised during the year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       173                113
 . . . . . . . . . . .
                                                                                  ---------        -----------
                                                                                  =========        ===========
Weighted average number of shares on a fully diluted basis  . . . . . . . . . . .   173,508            170,768
 . . . . ..
                                                                                  =========        ===========
                                                                                  =========        ===========

Income from Continuing Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .     $38.0              $21.9
 . . . . . . . . . . .
Income from Discontinued Operations. .. . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        -               42.3
 . . . . . . . . . .
                                                                                  ========= ====== =========== 
Net Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $38.0              $64.2
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                                                                  ========= ====== =========== 

Earnings Per Share of Common Stock on a Fully Diluted Basis:
 Continuing Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $0.22              $0.13
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 Discontinued Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     -                  0.25
 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

                                                                                  ========= ====== =========== 
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $0.22              $0.38
 . . . . . . . . . .
                                                                                  ========= ====== =========== 


</TABLE>



















<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                          152485
<SECURITIES>                                      1277
<RECEIVABLES>                                   613116
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                212589
<PP&E>                                          807094
<DEPRECIATION>                                  447326
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 2284341
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          1991206
<BONDS>                                              0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        188421
<OTHER-SE>                                    (615495)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   2284341
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                459044
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   378790
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (694)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               21095
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  57783
<INCOME-TAX>                                     19820
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              37963
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     37963
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.22
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.22
        

</TABLE>


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