MCGRAW-HILL COMPANIES INC
10-K, 1999-03-26
BOOKS: PUBLISHING OR PUBLISHING & PRINTING
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<PAGE>   1

                   UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                Washington, D. C. 20549
                                       FORM 10-K


          ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
          EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (FEE REQUIRED) 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998



                         THE McGRAW-HILL COMPANIES, INC.
           ----------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               NEW YORK                                13-1026995
     -------------------------------               -------------------
     (State or other jurisdiction of               (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                Identification No.)

1221 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, NEW YORK, N.Y.               10020
- -------------------------------------------             ---------
(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code    (212) 512-2000
                                                      --------------

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                             Name of each exchange
   Title of each class                       on which registered
   -------------------                       ---------------------
Common stock - $1 par value                  New York Stock Exchange
                                             Pacific Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                                   None
                             ----------------
                             (Title of class)

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

      Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definite proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. |_|

      The aggregate market value of voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the
registrant as of February 26, 1999, was $10,812,364,919.

      The number of shares of common stock of the registrant outstanding as of
February 26, 1999 was 98,799,551 shares. (197,599,102 shares after the
two-for-one stock split approved by the company's Board of Directors on January
27, 1999.)

      Part I, Part II and Part IV incorporate information by reference from the
Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1998. Part III
incorporates information by reference from the definitive proxy statement mailed
to shareholders March 26, 1999 for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held
on April 28, 1999.
<PAGE>   2

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                     PART I

Item                                                                       Page
- ----                                                                       ----
  1.    Business.....................................................        1

  2.    Properties...................................................      2 - 3

  3.    Legal proceedings............................................        4

  4.    Submission of matters to a vote of security holders .........        5

   Executive officers of the registrant..............................        6

                                     PART II

  5.    Market for the registrant's common stock and related
        stockholder matters..........................................        7

  6.    Selected financial data......................................        7

  7.    Management's discussion and analysis of financial
        condition and results of operations..........................        7

 7A.    Market Risk..................................................        7

  8.    Consolidated financial statements and supplementary
        data.........................................................        7

  9.    Changes in and disagreements with accountants on accounting
        and financial disclosure.....................................        7

                                    PART III

 10.    Directors and executive officers of the registrant...........        8

 11.    Executive compensation.......................................        8

 12.    Security ownership of certain beneficial owners
        and management...............................................        8

 13.    Certain relationships and related transactions...............        8

                                     PART IV

 14.    Exhibits, financial statement schedules, and
        reports on Form 8-K..........................................     9 - 12

   Signatures .......................................................    13 - 15

        Exhibits.....................................................    16 - 23

   Consent of Independent Auditors - Ernst & Young LLP...............       24

   Financial Data Schedule...........................................    25 - 28

   Supplementary schedule............................................        29
<PAGE>   3

                                     PART I

Item 1. Business

The Registrant, incorporated in December 1925, serves business, professional and
educational markets around the world with information products and services. Key
markets include finance, business, education, construction, medical and health,
aerospace and defense. As a multimedia publishing and information company, the
Registrant employs a broad range of media, including books, magazines,
newsletters, software, on-line data services, CD-ROMs, facsimile and television
broadcasting. Most of the Registrant's products and services face substantial
competition from a variety of sources.

The Registrant's 15,897 employees are located worldwide. They perform the vital
functions of analyzing the nature of changing demands for information and of
channeling the resources necessary to fill those demands. By virtue of the
numerous copyrights and licensing, trade, and other agreements, which are
essential to such a business, the Registrant is able to collect, compile, and
disseminate this information. All book manufacturing and magazine printing is
handled through a number of independent contractors. The Registrant's principal
raw material is paper, and the Registrant has assured sources of supply, at
competitive prices, adequate for its business needs.

Descriptions of the company's principal products, broad services and markets,
and significant achievements are hereby incorporated by reference from Exhibit
(13), pages 5 to 23 (textual material) of the Registrant's 1998 Annual Report to
Shareholders.

Information as to Operating Segments 

The relative contribution of the operating segments of the Registrant and its
subsidiaries to operating revenue, operating profit, long-lived assets and
geographic information for the three years ended December 31, 1998 of each
segment at the end of each year, are included in Exhibit (13), on pages 41 and
42 in the Registrant's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders and is hereby
incorporated by reference.



                                       -1-
<PAGE>   4

Item 2. Properties


The Registrant leases office facilities at 377 locations: 288 are in the United
States. In addition, the Registrant owns real property at 22 locations: 18 are
in the United States. The principal facilities of the Registrant are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               Owned        Square
                                 or          Feet
            Locations          Leased     (thousands)        Business Unit
            ---------          ------     -----------        -------------
<S>                            <C>          <C>        <C>
     Domestic                 
                              
     New York, NY              leased       1,168      See explanation below
                              
     New York, NY              leased         946      Standard & Poor's: See below
                                                                          (55 Water)
                              
     New York, NY              leased         448      Various Units: See below
                                                                      (2 Penn Plaza)

     New York, NY              leased         346      Various Units: See below
                                                                      (65 Broadway)
                              
     New York, NY              leased         511      S&P/FIS: See Below
                                                                (25 & 26 Bdway)
                              
     New York, NY              leased          64      Various Units: See below
                                                                      (11 W. 19th St)
                              
     Hightstown, NJ            owned
       Office and Data Center                 490      Various Units
       Warehouse                              412      Leased to non-McGraw-Hill
                                                       tenant
                              
     Blacklick (Gahanna), OH   owned                   Various operating units
       Book Distr. Ctr.                       558
       Office                                  73
                              
     Desoto, TX               
       Book Dist. Ctr.         leased         382      School
                              
     Dallas, TX                leased                  School
       Assembly Plant                         187
       Warehouse                               72
                              
     Dubuque, IA               owned                   Higher Education
       Office                                 107
       Warehouse                              279
                              
     Grove City, OH           
       Warehouse               leased         305      School
                              
     Englewood, CO             owned          133      Financial Services
                              
     Lexington, MA             leased         132      Various operating units and
                                                       non-McGraw-Hill sub-tenants
                              
     Lexington, MA             owned           53      Partially vacant with non-
                                                       McGraw-Hill tenant
                              
     Burr Ridge IL             leased         115      Various publishing units
                              
     Denver, CO                owned           88      Broadcasting
                              
     Indianapolis, IN          leased          54      Broadcasting
</TABLE>


                                       -2-
<PAGE>   5

<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>             <C>     <C>
     Indianapolis, IN          leased          79      CTB
                              
     Washington, DC, MD        leased          73      Various operating units
                              
     Kent, WA                  leased                  Tower Group International
       Warehouse/Dist. Ctr.                    82
       Office                                   3
                              
     Chicago, IL               leased          68      Various operating units
                                                       and McGraw-Hill subtenants
                              
     Peterborough, NH          owned           51      Partially vacant with non-
                                                       McGraw-Hill tenant
                              
     Mather, CA                leased          56      CTB
                              
     Redondo Beach, CA         leased          50      Tower Group International
                              
     Foreign                  
                              
     Whitby, Canada            owned                   McGraw-Hill Ryerson, Ltd./
       Office                                  80      non-McGraw-Hill tenant
       Book Distribution Ctr.                  80
                              
     Maidenhead, England       leased          85      McGraw-Hill International
                                                       (U.K.) Ltd.
</TABLE>

The space leased at 1221 Ave of the Americas in New York City continues to be
the corporate headquarters. The building is owned by Rock-McGraw, Inc., a
corporation in which the Registrant and the Rockefeller Group, Inc., are the
sole shareholders. The Registrant occupies approximately 566,000 square feet of
the rental space under a 30 year lease expiring in June 30, 2002. In addition,
the Registrant subleases for its own account approximately 602,100 square feet
of space under subleases which expire on or before June 2002. A new lease at
1221 Ave of the Americas has been executed for the period July 1, 2002 through
March 31, 2020, during which time the Registrant will lease 395,485 square feet.
                              
Two new leases were signed at the end of 1997 for locations at 55 Water Street
and 2 Penn Plaza in New York City. The 55 Water Street lease is for 946,048
square feet and will consolidate the Standard & Poor's Divisions from 25, 26,
and 65 Broadway in 1999. The 2 Penn Plaza lease for 447,048 square feet
currently houses various operating units within Educational and Professional
Publishing Group and Construction Information Group. In 1999, various operating
units located at 1633 Broadway and 11 W. 19th Street will also be moving into 2
Penn Plaza.
                              
All leases at 25 Broadway, 26 Broadway, 1633 Broadway, and 11 West 19th Street
will terminate in 1999.


                                       -3-
<PAGE>   6

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

County of Orange v. McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

In previous filings, Registrant reported that a Complaint was filed on June 11,
1996, in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California, in
an action captioned County of Orange v. McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., d/b/a
Standard & Poor's (Case No. SA 94-222-72-JR; Adversary No. SA 96-01624-JR). The
Complaint alleged that Standard & Poor's breached its contracts with Orange
County, was professionally negligent and aided and abetted the County's officers
in breaching their fiduciary duty by, inter alia, assigning unduly high ratings
to debt instruments issued by the County and by failing to advise the County's
Board of Supervisors of the illegal acts being committed by the County's
officers. The action was transferred to the United States District Court for the
Central District of California (Case No. SA CV 96-765-GLT) upon the filing in
December 1996 of the Bankruptcy Court's ruling on Registrant's motion to dismiss
the Complaint. In that ruling, the Bankruptcy Court granted Registrant's motion
to dismiss the County's aiding and abetting claim, but denied it as to the
breach of contract and professional negligence claims. Registrant appealed this
decision to the District Court which, in March 1997, dismissed the County's
professional negligence claim, with leave to amend. In April 1997, the County
filed an Amended Complaint for breach of contract and "professional malpractice"
and added a claim for punitive damages. The Registrant filed a motion to dismiss
the "professional malpractice" claim, which motion was denied by the District
Court in June 1997. In February 1998, Registrant moved again to dismiss the
County's "professional malpractice" claim, which motion was denied by the
District Court in March 1998. In September 1998, Registrant filed two motions
for partial summary judgment, one to preclude the County from claiming damages
with respect to Registrant's 1993 ratings of County debt ("1993 Motion") and one
to preclude the County from claiming damages on behalf of the so-called Pool
Participants ("Pool Participants' Motion"). In September 1998, the County moved
to consolidate ("Consolidation Motion") the trial of its case against Registrant
with the trial of its case against Rauscher, Pierce, Refsnes, Inc. In October
1998, the Court denied Registrant's 1993 Motion; granted in part and denied in
part Registrant's Pool Participants' Motion, holding that the County could not
assert claims on behalf of the Pool Participants with respect to Registrant's
rating of Pool Participants' debt but could assert claims on behalf of Pool
Participants with respect to Registrant's rating of County debt; and denied the
County's Consolidation Motion. In December 1998, Registrant filed a motion for
summary judgment on the grounds the County's contract and "professional
malpractice" claims are barred by applicable California law and the parties'
contracts. In December 1998, the County filed a motion seeking reconsideration
of prior rulings dismissing claims against Registrant for aiding and abetting
the County's officers in breaching such officers' fiduciary duty and seeking
leave to file an amended complaint. In February 1999, the Court granted in part
Registrant's motion for summary judgment based on applicable California law and
the parties' contracts dismissing any claim by the County that Registrant
provided financial advice to the County separate from the Registrant's ratings;
otherwise, the Court denied Registrant's motion, holding there is a triable
issue of fact concerning whether Registrant breached its duty as a rating
agency. Extensive discovery has been conducted. The trial date, previously
scheduled to commence on March 2, 1999, was adjourned by the Court pending a
decision by the California Supreme Court in the City of Atascadero v. Merrill
Lynch litigation concerning the issue of aiding and abetting a breach of
fiduciary duty. In response to Registrant's interrogatories, the County has
claimed (inconsistently with damages claims made by the County in other
litigation documents) compensatory damages of approximately $2.1 billion,
subject to certain offsets. The County has also claimed unspecified punitive
damages. Registrant continues to believe that the allegations of the complaint
and the damages claims lack merit and is vigorously contesting the action.


                                       -4-
<PAGE>   7

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

         No matters were submitted to a vote of Registrant's security holders
         during the last quarter of the period covered by this Report.


                                       -5-
<PAGE>   8

                        Executive Officers of Registrant

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Name               Age                     Position
          ----               ---                     --------
<S>                          <C>      <C>
   Harold McGraw III         50       President and Chief Operating Officer

   Robert J. Bahash          53       Executive Vice President and
                                              Chief Financial Officer

   Barbara B. Maddock        48       Executive Vice President, Organizational
                                              Effectiveness
   John Negroponte           59       Executive Vice President, Global Markets

   Kenneth M. Vittor         49       Executive Vice President and General
                                              Counsel

   Scott L. Bennett          49       Senior Vice President, Associate
                                              General Counsel and Secretary

   Glenn S. Goldberg         40       Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs
                                              and Assistant to the President and
                                              Chief Executive Officer

   Frank J. Kaufman          54       Senior Vice President, Taxes

   Frank D. Penglase         58       Senior Vice President, Treasury Operations

   James L. Glenn            48       Vice President and Controller
</TABLE>

Joseph L. Dionne was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the
Registrant until April 29, 1998 when Harold McGraw III became President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant. Mr. Dionne retired on July 1, 1998
and has continued to serve as non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors
of the Registrant since that time.

All of the above executive officers of the Registrant have been full-time
employees of the Registrant for more than five years except for Barbara Maddock,
John Negroponte, and James L. Glenn.

Ms. Maddock, prior to her becoming an officer of the Registrant on August 1,
1994, was Senior Vice President, Human Resources for Cigna Healthcare from July
1993 through July 1994. Previously, she was with Philip Morris Companies, Inc.
where she held a number of Human Resources positions from 1980 through 1993.

Mr. Negroponte, prior to his becoming an officer of the Registrant on September
2, 1997, was with the United States Diplomatic Corps for 37 years where he held
numerous senior positions, including ambassador to Mexico, the Philippines, and
Honduras.

Mr. Glenn, prior to his becoming an officer of the Registrant on July 13, 1998,
was Vice President and Assistant Controller for RJR Nabisco. Previously, he was
with Philip Morris Companies, Inc., where he held numerous positions in the
financial area from 1977 to 1994.


                                       -6-
<PAGE>   9

                                     PART II

Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters

The approximate number of holders of the Company's common stock as of February
26, 1999 was 5,231.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1998           1997
                                                             -----         -----
<S>                                                          <C>           <C>  
Dividends per share of common stock (post-split):
$.195 per quarter in 1998                                    $0.78
$.180 per quarter in 1997                                                  $0.72
</TABLE>

Information concerning other matters is incorporated herein by reference from
Exhibit (13), from page 50 of the 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (13), from the 1998 Annual Report
to Shareholders, page 48 and page 49.

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
        Results of Operations

Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (13), from the 1998 Annual Report
to Shareholders, pages 26 to 34.

Item 7A. Market Risk

Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (13), from the 1998 Annual Report
to Shareholders, page 33.

Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit (13), from the 1998 Annual Report
to Shareholders, pages 35 to 46 and page 50.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
        Financial Disclosure

None


                                       -7-
<PAGE>   10

                                    PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

Information concerning directors is incorporated herein by reference from the
Registrant's definitive proxy statement dated March 26, 1999 for the annual
meeting of shareholders to be held on April 28, 1999.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

Incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant's definitive proxy
statement dated March 26, 1999 for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held
on April 28, 1999.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

Incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant's definitive proxy
statement dated March 26, 1999 for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held
April 28, 1999.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

Incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant's definitive proxy
statement dated March 26, 1999 for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held
April 28, 1999.


                                       -8-
<PAGE>   11

                                     PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K.

(a)   1. Financial Statements.

      2. Financial Statement Schedules.

           The McGraw-Hill Companies
         Index to Financial Statements
       And Financial Statement Schedules

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Reference
                                                       ------------------------
                                                                  Annual Report
                                                        Form          to Share-
                                                        10-K      holders (page)
                                                        ----      --------------
<S>                                                     <C>             <C>
Data incorporated by reference from 
Annual Report to Shareholders:

   Report of Independent Auditors.....................                   47
   Consolidated balance sheet at
      December 31, 1998 and 1997......................                  36-37
   Consolidated statement of income
      for each of the three years in
      the period ended December 31, 1998..............                   35
   Consolidated statement of cash flows
      for each of the three years in the
      period ended December 31, 1998..................                   38
   Consolidated statement of shareholders'
      equity for each of the three years in
      the period ended December 31, 1998..............                   39
   Notes to consolidated financial
      statements......................................                  40-46
   Quarterly financial information....................                   50

   Consent of Independent Auditors....................  24

   Consolidated schedule for each of the three
   years in the period ended December 31, 1998

     II - Reserves for doubtful accounts
             and sales returns........................  29
</TABLE>


                                       -9-
<PAGE>   12

All other schedules have been omitted since the required information is not
present or not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the
schedule, or because the information required is included in the consolidated
financial statements or the notes thereto.

The financial statements listed in the above index which are included in the
Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1998 are hereby
incorporated by reference in Exhibit (13). With the exception of the pages
listed in the above index, the 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders is not to be
deemed filed as part of Item 14 (a)(1).

(a)   (3)Exhibits.

(2)   Exchange Agreement dated as of July 3, 1996 between The Times Mirror
      Company, Mosby-Year Book, Inc., and The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., as
      amended as of October 15, 1996, incorporated by reference from
      Registrant's Form 8-K filed October 29, 1996.

(3)   Articles of Incorporation of Registrant incorporated by reference from
      Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995 and Form 10-Q
      for the quarter ended June 30, 1998.

(3)   By-laws of Registrant, incorporated by Reference from Registrant's Form
      8-K filed December 2, 1998.

(4)   Indenture dated as of June 15, 1990 between the Registrant, as issuer, and
      the Bank of New York, as trustee, incorporated by reference from
      registrant's Form SE filed August 3, 1990 in connection with Registrant's
      Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1990.

(4)   Instrument defining the rights of security holders, certificate setting
      forth the terms of the Registrant's 9.43% Notes due 2000, incorporated by
      reference from Registrant's Form SE filed August 3, 1990 in connection
      with Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1990.

(4)   Instrument defining the rights of security holders, certificate setting
      forth the terms of the Registrant's Medium-Term Notes, Series A,
      incorporated by reference from Registrant's Form SE filed November 15,
      1990 in connection with Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
      September 30, 1990.

(10)  Rights Agreement dated as of July 29, 1998 between Registrant and
      ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C., incorporated by reference from
      Registrant's Form 8A filed August 3, 1998.

(10)* Restricted Stock Award Agreement dated December 4, 1987 incorporated by
      reference from Registrant's Form SE filed March 30, 1988 in connection
      with Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1987.

(10)* Restricted Performance Share Award dated January 2, 1997, incorporated by
      reference from Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
      1996.

(10)  Indemnification Agreements between Registrant and each of its directors
      and certain of its executive officers relating to said directors' and
      executive officers' services to the Registrant, incorporated by reference
      from Registrant's Form SE filed March 27, 1987 in connection with
      Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1986.


                                      -10-
<PAGE>   13

(10)* Registrant's 1983 Stock Option Plan for Officers and Key Employees,
      incorporated by reference from Registrant's Form SE filed March 29, 1990
      in connection with Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
      1989.

(10)* Registrant's 1987 Key Employee Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated by
      reference from Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
      1993.

(10)* Registrant's 1993 Key Employee Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated by
      reference from Registrant's Proxy Statement dated March 25, 1997.

(10)* Registrant's 1996 Key Executive Short Term Incentive Compensation Plan,
      incorporated by reference from Registrant's Proxy Statement dated 
      March 21, l996.

(10)* Registrant's Key Executive Short-Term Incentive Deferred Compensation Plan
      incorporated by reference from Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended
      December 31, 1996.

(10)* Registrant's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, incorporated by
      reference from Registrant's Form SE filed March 28, 1991 in connection
      with Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990.

(10)* Registrant's Senior Executive Severance Plan, incorporated by reference
      from Registrant's Form SE filed March 29, 1989 in connection with
      Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988.

(10)  Credit Agreement dated as of February 13, 1997 among the Registrant, the
      Banks' signatory thereto, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative
      agent incorporated by reference from Registrant's Form 8-K filed February
      19, 1997.

(10)* Registrant's Employee Retirement Account Plan Supplement, incorporated by
      reference from Registrant's Form SE filed March 28, 1991 in connection
      with Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990.

(10)* Registrant's Employee Retirement Plan Supplement, incorporated by
      reference from Registrant's Form SE filed March 28, 1991 in connection
      with Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990.

(10)* Registrant's Savings Incentive Plan Supplement, incorporated by reference
      from Registrant's Form SE filed March 28, 1991 in connection with
      Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990.

(10)* Registrant's Senior Executive Supplemental Death, Disability & Retirement
      Benefits Plan, incorporated by reference from Registrant's Form SE filed
      March 26, 1992 in connection with Registrant's Form 10-K for the year
      ended December 31, 1991.

(10)* Registrant's 1993 Stock Payment Plan for Directors, incorporated by
      reference from Registrant's Proxy Statement dated March 21, 1993.

(10)* Resolutions Terminating Registrant's 1993 Stock Payment Plan for
      Directors, as adopted on January 31, 1996, incorporated by reference from
      Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.

(10)* Registrant's Director Retirement Plan, incorporated by reference from
      Registrant's Form SE filed March 29, 1990 in connection with Registrant's
      Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1989.


                                      -11-
<PAGE>   14

(10)* Resolutions Freezing Existing Benefits and Terminating Additional Benefits
      under Registrant's Directors Retirement Plan, as adopted on January 31,
      1996, incorporated by reference from Registrant's Form 10-K for the year
      ended December 31, 1996.

(10)* Registrant's Director Deferred Compensation Plan, incorporated by
      reference from Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
      1993.

(10)* Director Deferred Stock Ownership Plan, incorporated by reference from
      Registrant's Proxy Statement dated March 21, 1996.

(10)* Letter dated March 23, 1998, from Mr. Paul J. Rizzo, Chairman,
      Compensation Committee, The McGraw-Hill Companies Board of Directors to
      Joseph L. Dionne with respect to Mr. Dionne's services as non-executive
      Chairman of the Registrant's Board of Directors.

(10)* Letter dated June 23, 1998, from Barbara B. Maddock to Robert P. McGraw
      with respect to Mr. Robert McGraw's resignation as Executive Vice
      President of the Professional Publishing Group of the Registrant.

(12)  Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

(13)  Registrant's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders. Such Report, except for
      those portions thereof which are expressly incorporated by reference in
      this Form 10-K, is furnished for the information of the Commission and is
      not deemed "filed" as part of this Form 10-K.

(21)  Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

(23)  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors.

(27)  Financial Data Schedule.

(b)   Reports on Form 8-K.

      A report on Form 8-K was filed by the Registrant in the last quarter
      covered by this Form 10-K on December 2, 1998. Items 5 and 7 were reported
      in said report on Form 8-K.

- ----------
*     These exhibits relate to management contracts or compensatory plan
      arrangements.


                                      -12-
<PAGE>   15

                                   Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, Registrant has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
- -------------------------------
         Registrant


By:
    --------------------------------------------
    Kenneth M. Vittor
    Executive Vice President and General Counsel
    March 26, 1999

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed on March 26, 1998 on behalf of Registrant by the following
persons who signed in the capacities as set forth below under their respective
names. Registrant's board of directors is comprised of fifteen members and the
signatures set forth below of individual board members, constitute at least a
majority of such board.


    ------------------------------------------
    Joseph L. Dionne
    Chairman
    Director


    ------------------------------------------
    Harold McGraw III
    President and Chief Executive Officer
    Director


    ------------------------------------------
    Robert J. Bahash
    Executive Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer


                                      -13-
<PAGE>   16

    ------------------------------------------
    James L. Glenn
    Vice President and Controller


    ------------------------------------------
    Pedro Aspe
    Director


    -------------------------------------------
    Vartan Gregorian
    Director


    -------------------------------------------
    John T. Hartley
    Director


    -------------------------------------------
    George B. Harvey
    Director


    -------------------------------------------
    Richard H. Jenrette
    Director


    -------------------------------------------
    Linda Koch Lorimer
    Director


                                      -14-
<PAGE>   17

   --------------------------------------------
   Robert P. McGraw
   Director


   --------------------------------------------
   Lois D. Rice
   Director


   --------------------------------------------
   James H. Ross
   Director


   --------------------------------------------
   Sidney Taurel
   Director


   --------------------------------------------
   Alva O. Way
   Director


                                      -15-
<PAGE>   18

                                Table of Contents

                        EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ITEM                                                                       PAGE
- ----                                                                       ----

(10)    Letters regarding compensatory contracts and arrangements
        involving the company's Directors...............................  16-19

(12)    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges...............  20-21

(13)    Registrant's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders.................    -

(21)    Subsidiaries of Registrant......................................  22-23

(23)    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP Independent Auditors...............    24

(27)    Financial Data Schedules........................................  25-28

Schedule II Reserves for Doubtful Accounts and Sales Returns............     29

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit (10)

                                       [LETTERHEAD OF THE MCGRAW HILL COMPANIES]

March 23, 1998

Mr. Joseph L. Dionne
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
The McGraw-Hill Companies
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY  10020

Dear Joe:

This letter confirms the compensation and other arrangements to be provided in
connection with your services as non-executive Chairman of The McGraw-Hill
Companies Board of Directors. These arrangements will be in effect from July 1,
1998 to December 31, 1999.

The McGraw-Hill Companies shall pay you an annual fee of $350,000 to be paid in
equal monthly installments. Annual retainers and meeting fees normally received
by outside Directors will not be paid to you in addition to the annual fee.

Appropriate office accommodations and other support staff and facilities will be
provided to you consistent with your responsibilities as Chairman of the Board.

The compensation to be paid to you under the terms of this agreement shall be in
consideration for your assuming on behalf of the Board such specific
responsibilities as we may request, from time to time, and also for performing
such other special assignments as the Board deems necessary or desirable. All
assignments to be performed by you for the Board should be coordinated with, and
performed in conjunction with, McGraw-Hill's Chief Executive Officer.


                                      -16-
<PAGE>   2

                                                                    Exhibit (10)

Mr. Joseph L. Dionne
March 23, 1998
Page Two


If the provisions of this letter are satisfactory to you, please acknowledge
your agreement by signing below and then returning this letter to Barbara
Maddock.

Sincerely,


Paul J. Rizzo


Paul J. Rizzo
Chairman, Compensation Committee
The McGraw-Hill Companies Board of Directors


Agreed to this 31 day of March, 1998.


/s/ Joseph L. Dionne
- -----------------------------------
Joseph L. Dionne


                                      -17-
<PAGE>   3

                                                                    Exhibit (10)

                                           [LETTERHEAD OF MCGRAW HILL COMPANIES]

June 23, 1998

Mr. Robert P. McGraw
Executive Vice President
The McGraw-Hill Companies
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020

Dear Bob:

This letter confirms the arrangements which will be provided to you to recognize
your assistance in the transfer of responsibilities within the Educational &
Professional Publishing segment. Your separation date as an employee will be
September 30, 1998.

You will receive a Short-Term Incentive payment of $244,874. This amount is
based on a target prorated through September 30, 1998 of $122,437, measured on
individual objectives. It is expected that this payment will be made by the end
of February 1999.

Your Long-Term Restricted Performance Share Award target prorated through
September 30, 1998 is 5,792 shares. This represents a proration of your combined
target under the 1996, 1997, and 1998 Restricted Performance Share Awards. The
prorated target of 5,792 shares will pay out at no less than 6,444 shares, based
on shares being measured 50% on EPS and 50% on the business unit's NOI, and the
payout may be greater depending on final business results. It is expected that
this award will be made by the end of February 1999.

Vesting will be accelerated to September 30, 1998 for 6,500 of your 10,000
unvested stock options. These vested shares may be exercised up to six (6)
months after your separation date, or March 31, 1999.

You will receive a severance payment of $125,000 and a payment of $50,000 in
lieu of continued benefits coverage. These payments will be made no later than
October 31, 1998.


                                      -18-
<PAGE>   4

                                                                    Exhibit (10)

Mr. Robert P. McGraw
June 23, 1998
Page Two


Your deferred compensation balance will be payable in eight (8) annual
installments following your separation date.

Your balances under the Savings Incentive Plan (SIP), the Employee Retirement
Account Plan (ERAP), and the supplemental SIP and ERAP plans will be paid to you
after your separation date in accordance with your elections under the terms of
those plans. Information on your vested benefit under the Employee Retirement
Plan and the supplemental ERP plan will be provided to you.

You will be eligible for reimbursement of tax preparation and related
professional fees up to $2,200 for the 1998 tax year, for which returns will be
filed in 1999.

Information on continuation of medical coverage under COBRA and details
concerning other benefit plans will be provided to you shortly.

Please note that all of the payments set forth in this letter may be required to
be disclosed in the Company's proxy statement and other SEC documents.

Please acknowledge your agreement with the arrangements described above by
signing below and returning an executed copy to me at your earliest convenience.
A second copy of this letter is attached for your files.

Sincerely,


Barbara B. Maddock

BBM/bj

/s/ Robert P. McGraw                           June 26, 1998
- -----------------------------------     ----------------------------
Robert P. McGraw                                    Date

cc:   Joseph L. Dionne
      Harold McGraw III


                                         -19-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit (12)

                           THE McGRAW-HILL COMPANIES, INC.
                     COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Years Ended December 31
                                                         --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           1998            1997            1996            1995              1994
                                                           ----            ----            ----            ----              ----
                                                                                 (In thousands of dollars)
<S>                                                      <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>      
Earnings
   Earnings from continuing operations
     before income tax expense and
     extraordinary item, net of
     taxes (a)(e)                                        $ 553,320       $ 465,873       $ 809,705       $ 382,126        $ 341,816
   Fixed charges                                            79,618          83,840          77,563          90,382           83,219
   Capitalized interest                                         --              --              --            (421)            (353)
                                                         ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------        ---------
     Total Earnings                                      $ 632,938       $ 549,713       $ 887,268       $ 472,087        $ 424,682
                                                         =========       =========       =========       =========        =========

   Earnings from continuing
     operations before income
     tax expense, extraordinary
     and other unusual items
     (a)(b)(c)(d)(e)                                     $ 542,633       $ 478,622       $ 415,974       $ 382,126        $ 341,816
   Fixed charges                                            79,618          83,840          77,563          90,382           83,219
   Capitalized interest                                         --              --              --            (421)            (353)
                                                         ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------        ---------
     Total Earnings                                      $ 622,251       $ 562,462       $ 493,537       $ 472,087        $ 424,682
                                                         =========       =========       =========       =========        =========

   Fixed Charges(d)(e)
     Interest expense                                    $  51,857       $  56,771       $  51,347       $  63,832        $  55,650
     Portion of rental payments
      deemed to be interest                                 27,761          27,069          26,216          26,550           27,569
                                                         ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------        ---------
     Total Fixed Charges                                 $  79,618       $  83,840       $  77,563       $  90,382        $  83,219
                                                         =========       =========       =========       =========        =========

   Ratio of Earnings to Fixed charges:

     Earnings from continuing
     operations before income tax
     expense and extraordinary item,
     net of taxes (d)                                         7.9x            6.6x           11.4x            5.2x             5.1x

     Earnings from continuing
     operations before income tax
     expense, extraordinary and other
     unusual items (a)(b)(c)(d)                               7.8x            6.7x            6.4x            5.2x             5.1x
</TABLE>

(a)   All earnings amounts exclude the impact from the early extinguishment of
      $155 million of the company's 9.43% notes in 1998

(b)   Excludes a $26.7 million gain on the sale of a building at 65 Broadway and
      a $16.0 million charge for the write-down of assets at the Continuing
      Education Center recorded in 1998.

(c)   Excludes a $33.2 million pre-tax one-time provision for real estate
      write-downs related to the consolidation of office space in New York City
      and a $20.4 million pre-tax gain on the sale of Datapro Information
      Services recorded in 1997.


                                      -20-
<PAGE>   2

(d)   On October 15, 1996, the company completed the exchange of its
      Shepard's/McGraw-Hill legal publishing unit for the Times Mirror Higher
      Education Group. The 1996 results exclude a pre-tax gain of $418.7 million
      and a one-time charge of $25 million for costs of integrating the
      company's College division with the acquired higher education business.

(e)   For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
      "earnings from continuing operations before income taxes" excludes
      undistributed equity in income of less than 50%-owned companies. "Fixed
      charges" consist of (1) interest on debt, and (2) the portion of the
      company's rental expense deemed representative of the interest factor in
      rental expense.


                                      -21-

<PAGE>   1

                                                                      Exhibit 13

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

Helping People
Reach Their 
Potential

POINTS OF IMPACT--
   DIVERSE AND GROWING 

The McGraw-Hill Companies touches people at all stages of life with its products
and services.

      We provide educators and students with a world of knowledge crucial to
learning. Financial and investment managers rely on us for information vital to
the success of businesses and capital markets. Professionals, business
executives and government officials around the world depend on our information,
insight and analysis to stay competitive in their fields and in the global
economy.

      In short, we help people throughout their lives make decisions and move
ahead, through the breadth and depth of our information services.

      Four people who use our products and recognize the benefits they provide
are featured in the following pages.
                                                                             >>>


                                                                          Page 5
<PAGE>   2

Helping People Reach Their Potential
- ------------------------------------

[GRAPHICS OMITTED]

"Standard & Poor's presented their view of what we are doing in a way that
allowed us access to the financing we need. They understand the business we are
in, and were able to communicate a complicated story to a very conservative
market."

Barclay Knapp--Chief Executive Officer and President
- ----------------------------------------------------
               NTL Inc., United Kingdom


Page 6
<PAGE>   3

[GRAPHICS OMITTED]

NTL, a rapidly expanding alternative telecommunications company, began its
relationship with Standard & Poor's in 1993. Its Standard & Poor's-rated
financings totaled $2.7 billion in 1998, "a seminal year," Barclay Knapp (above)
says. "It was particularly important to convince S&P that we are headed in the
right direction." NTL is investing $5 billion to build a broadband fiber-optic
network throughout the United Kingdom, that nation's first.

      In Europe, corporations traditionally have relied on the banking community
for most of their financing needs. The new European Monetary Union sets the
stage for an historic shift patterned on American practices: public long-term
debt offerings to a wide range of institutional investors.

      Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has already seen its corporate ratings
activity surge in Europe. Geographic expansion and nontraditional products,
including insurance, managed funds, bank loan and counterparty risk ratings,
continue to boost revenue in line with long-term goals.


                                                                          Page 7
<PAGE>   4

Helping People Reach Their Potential
- ------------------------------------

[GRAPHICS OMITTED]

"Business Week has very comprehensive reports on information technology and its
impact on the economy and life. That is absolutely the right environment for
IBM."

Maureen McGuire--Vice President, Worldwide Integrated Marketing Communications
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 IBM Corp.


Page 8
<PAGE>   5

[GRAPHICS OMITTED]

A concerted campaign by Business Week to become a preferred advertising medium
for high-tech companies has helped spark four straight years of record revenue
and profit gains. Technology advertising now accounts for about half of the
magazine's advertising revenue.

      "Particularly over the last couple of years, Business Week has been
effectively reaching managers involved in technology decisions," notes Maureen
McGuire (left) of IBM. The company has advertised in Business Week since the
magazine's first issue 70 years ago, and an eight-page insert in the December
14, 1998 issue on electronic business scored higher than any other ad in IBM's
history in terms of persuasion. "We were very pleased with the feedback from
readers," Ms. McGuire says.

      Standout cover stories such as "The 21st Century Economy," "Global Risk"
and "The Euro" exemplify Business Week's skill in addressing reader interests in
a wide range of topics relevant to management. Thanks to its talented staff and
unmatched editorial network, Business Week won 20 awards in 1998 for its rich
mix of useful, analytical and insightful coverage.


                                                                          Page 9
<PAGE>   6

Helping People Reach Their Potential

[GRAPHICS OMITTED]


Page 10
<PAGE>   7

[GRAPHICS OMITTED]

"The Internet is profoundly changing the world in general and marketing in
particular. McGraw-Hill seems to be the only major publisher aware of that
fact."

Dr. David O'Gorman--Professor, Department of Management Information Systems
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    University of Illinois-Springfield

When Dr. David O'Gorman (above) began developing a marketing course to be
offered to students via the Internet, he found that only McGraw-Hill Higher
Education had the tools he needed. Using cutting-edge McGraw-Hill Learning
Architecture software, Dr. O'Gorman is combining his own original material with
material from Marketing Principles and Perspectives, by Bearden, Ingram and
Laforge, to create a seamless text for his classes.

      "I view McGraw-Hill as a partner in the exploration of the role of
education in this new era of the rapid co-evolution of the Internet and
society," said Dr. O'Gorman. "They understand the key role an educated
population plays in the growth of free-market economies."

      McGraw-Hill Learning Architecture was introduced in early 1998 and is
becoming an important catalyst in the transformation of higher education. The
Web-based system provides online course management and communications tools for
professors, giving students instant access to additional course materials and
other online tools to enrich their coursework. More than 300 McGraw-Hill
Learning Architecture Web sites are now available to students and professors.


                                                                         Page 11
<PAGE>   8

Helping People Reach Their Potential

[GRAPHICS OMITTED]

Dr. Tranice Jackson--Physician, Director of Performance Improvement
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center
                     St. Barnabas affiliate, The Bronx, New York

The list of our print products available in electronic form continues to grow in
many disciplines, including management, business, technology, engineering,
science and medicine. The world's best-selling medical reference, Harrison's
Principles of Internal Medicine, is a prominent recent example--an expanded
cyberspace edition was added in June.

      Dr. Tranice Jackson (right), who has used the book version throughout her
ten-year medical career, became one of the early subscribers to Harrison's
Online, offered on the Internet for an annual fee. She likes the quick, easy
access to current information on research, breakthroughs and other ever-changing
medical subjects.

      Harrison's Online includes all of the material found in the acclaimed 14th
edition of the standard reference for doctors, plus much more. It is updated
every two weeks in contrast with print revisions that appear about every three
years.


Page 12
<PAGE>   9

[GRAPHICS OMITTED]

"Since medicine changes so rapidly, the frequent updates that Harrison's Online
provides are very valuable. I can print out the information I need immediately."


                                                                         Page 13
<PAGE>   10

[GRAPHICS OMITTED]

      The McGraw-Hill Companies Holds Leadership Positions
      in Each of the Markets it Serves

>     In Financial Services

      o     Standard & Poor's Ratings Services is the number one rating service
            in the world and is applying its leadership to rating and evaluating
            a growing array of nontraditional financial instruments.

      o     Standard & Poor's Indexes, led by the S&P 500, are the world's
            benchmark measures of equity market performance.

      o     Standard & Poor's Compustat is the leading source of financial
            databases and advanced PC-based software for financial analysis.

      o     Standard & Poor's MMS supplies the world with real-time fundamental
            and technical analysis in the global money, bond, foreign exchange
            and equity markets.

      o     Standard & Poor's Platt's is the key provider of price assessments
            within the petroleum, petrochemical and power markets.

      o     Standard & Poor's J.J. Kenny produces the most comprehensive
            evaluative pricing information for the fixed-income investment
            community.

      o     Standard & Poor's DRI is the leading supplier of economics-driven
            information to corporate and government clients.

Helping People Reach 
      Their Potential 
            Takes LEADERSHIP
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

>     In Educational and Professional Publishing

      o     The McGraw-Hill School Division stands number one in providing
            educational materials to elementary schools.

      o     Glencoe/McGraw-Hill tops the grade 6-12 segment.

      o     CTB/McGraw-Hill is the preeminent publisher of nationally
            standardized tests for the U.S. K-12 market.

      o     Irwin/McGraw-Hill is the premier publisher of higher educational
            materials in business, economics and information technology.

      o     The Professional Book Group is the leading publisher of business,
            computing and reference books serving the needs of professionals and
            consumers worldwide.

>     In Information and Media Services

      o     Business Week is the world's most widely read business publication,
            with a global audience of 6.3 million.

      o     F.W. Dodge is the leading provider of information to construction
            professionals.

      o     Sweet's Group is the premier supplier of building products
            information, in print and electronically.

      o     Architectural Record stands atop its industry as the official
            publication of the American Institute of Architects.

      o     Aviation Week & Space Technology is the world's most authoritative
            aerospace magazine.

      o     Tower Group International is the leading provider of customs
            brokerage and freight forwarding services.


Page 14
<PAGE>   11

[GRAPHICS OMITTED]

>>>   The most obvious mark of corporate leadership is competitive position, and
      The McGraw-Hill Companies stands number one in many product categories.

            But such success tells only part of the leadership story. True
      leadership in business extends well beyond sales results and is based on
      the positive impact of a company's products and services on its customers.
      We are making a significant impact on all the audiences we serve.

            In financial services we play a vital role in the functioning of the
      world's capital markets. In education we not only help teachers teach and
      students understand but also influence the curriculums that guide
      them--improving the learning process for everyone involved. In
      professional publishing we provide knowledge and insight essential to
      career advancement. In information and media services we pinpoint and
      explain to a global marketplace what is most important.

            Leadership charts a course to excellence. It embodies a spirit of
      excitement and innovation. It establishes the benchmarks for others to
      measure themselves. The ultimate effect is economic and social progress.

            Today, leaders must stand in the technology vanguard, and that is
      one of our key initiatives. For example, new appointments in recent years
      have included a cadre of executives attuned to technology advances. A
      recent agreement with AT&T allows us to offer customers the convenience of
      one-point access to all of our electronic information products through a
      single global network. Standard & Poor's, now consolidating its New York
      operations in a remodeled office tower in the heart of the financial
      district, is opening a state-of-the-art technology center at the site.

            Our leadership has always rested heavily on the quality, integrity
      and dedication of our people. Our globe-spanning corps of analysts,
      editors and writers bring unmatched depth and scope to our extensive
      family of products. They have helped build unquestioned trust. The stature
      they have attained is visible in their daily work and in the recognition
      they earn.

            Leadership also requires keen awareness of societal concerns as well
      as customer needs.

            We have led global efforts with governments and businesses to
      formulate policies that will encourage expansion of online information
      services. We have been in the forefront in establishing a comprehensive
      policy governing online privacy, which has been commended by officials in
      the U.S. and Great Britain. We have been equally active in the drive to
      protect intellectual property rights in the evolving electronic
      information age.

            Leaders help people to reach their potential. That is what we do--in
      the financial community, in business and the professions, and in
      education.

            We help people by building trust, driving global growth and
      pinpointing the important, concepts we are focusing on to continue our
      success.


                                                                         Page 15
<PAGE>   12

[GRAPHICS OMITTED]

BUILDING TRUST
- --------------

Spotlight on Literacy Shines Bright

Our elementary school publishing business has long been known for its
exceptional reading programs, and the trust earned was evident in 1998.

      The McGraw-Hill School Division captured the largest share of the K-6
reading and language arts market in a number of states and cities. Notably,
Spotlight on Literacy, in its second year, combined with SRA/McGraw-Hill's
supplementary Collections for Young Scholars to win the top share--34%--in the
largest U.S. educational market, California.

      The 16 elementary schools in the Crenshaw/Dorsey Charter Cluster of the
Los Angeles Unified School District started using the Spotlight on Literacy
program in 1997 after a comprehensive selection process. "McGraw-Hill had a
track record of support that a lot of our schools remembered," explains Dr.
Daniel Lawson, Cluster Administrator. "We knew we could count on the company's
representative, who has worked in our district for some 20 years."

      Equally important, Spotlight on Literacy meets specific needs of teachers
and students. "It overlays the program we had developed to align skills,
teaching strategies and student activities with state standards," Dr. Lawson
adds.

      Throughout the nation there's a renewed interest in phonics, and Spotlight
on Literacy effectively balances strong phonics instruction with quality
literature, while offering manageable editions for teachers that make
instruction easier.


Page 16
<PAGE>   13

[GRAPHICS OMITTED]

>>>   Relationships built on trust can start at an early age and endure a
      lifetime. An example: During business discussions in his office, a
      European CEO digressed briefly to show our visiting executives the
      McGraw-Hill textbooks he had used as a college student in the U.S. He knew
      well the reputation for integrity, clarity and analytical leadership
      represented by the McGraw-Hill name.

            The widely recognized quality of our products underlies our success
      at a time when reliability and reputation have never been more important.

      Our educational products are known for exemplary scholarship, ease of use,
      and leadership in technology. Our Versatile Learning System, to cite one
      example, provides students and teachers with balanced, easy-to-use
      multimedia learning materials integrating textbooks, software, laser
      disks, audio and video components.

            Reading products, which account for 40% of our School Division's
      revenue, led the nation in new sales in 1998. Social studies and music
      programs for elementary schools also have been well received.

            Elementary math moves to the forefront in 1999. A new edition of
      Math in My World has been created to compete in six state adoptions,
      including Texas, the second largest education market. (Textbook purchases
      in 20 "adoption" states are guided by state-approved lists.)

            Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, the nation's number one secondary educational
      publisher, posted superb sales in grade 6-12 math adoptions in seven
      states during 1998 and in biology, science, social studies and foreign
      languages.

            The acquisition of Optical Data Corporation by SRA/McGraw-Hill in
      October strengthens our programs for the substantial science adoptions
      coming in 2000. Optical Data's video-enhanced supplementary materials will
      be incorporated in our math, science and social studies programs.

      Every business day Standard & Poor's indexes are cited as key benchmarks
      of stock market performance. The worldwide reputation of the S&P 500 has
      nurtured a growing international family of indexes.

            Its newest offspring mirror our global objectives. In 1998 we
      launched indexes for Europe--the S&P Euro and S&P Euro Plus--and a new
      equity index in Canada with the Toronto Stock Exchange. In 1999 we'll
      introduce new indexes for Asia, Latin America and the United Kingdom, and
      we're exploring opportunities with the Tokyo Stock Exchange. By year-end
      1999 we expect to launch the S&P Global 1200.

            S&P indexes are the foundation for a growing array of investment
      funds and exchange-traded products, which continue to generate new
      revenue. We receive fees based on assets and trading activity, and the
      recent volatility of the stock market has increased the revenue stream.
      Currently, more than $700 billion is invested in mutual funds tied to S&P
      indexes.

            SPDRs (S&P depository receipts), linked to and directly tracking S&P
      indexes, consistently top the American Stock Exchange's most active list.
      Similarly, trading volume on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange of futures
      and options linked to S&P indexes is also high. Both exchanges introduced
      new trading instruments in 1998 tied to S&P indexes.

            The trust we have built in the education, financial and
      business-to-business markets is the foundation for our consumer products.

            Parents have assumed a more active role in the education of their
      children, and to assist instruction in a home setting we've introduced the
      "Junior Academic Series" through an alliance with Warner Bros. Twenty
      workbooks for children ages 3-8 feature "Looney Tunes" and "Animaniacs"
      cartoon characters. These materials from the McGraw-Hill Consumer Products
      Division provide instruction in math, phonics, vocabulary and thinking
      skills, combining our school-based expertise with an entertainment
      component that makes learning at home fun for children.


                                                                         Page 17
<PAGE>   14

[GRAPHICS OMITTED]

DRIVING GLOBAL GROWTH  
- ---------------------

Growth with a Spanish Accent

Publishing generates the largest share of our international revenue--through
exports from the U.S., production in English at facilities outside the U.S., and
production in local languages.

      Higher education materials generate more than 40% of our net operating
income from international publishing, and the outlook is bright. Higher
education enrollments outside the U.S., influenced by population and social
factors, are rising more than twice as fast as the U.S. rate.

      Spanish-language countries account for nearly half of the international
higher education revenue and offer the greatest growth potential, reflecting
favorable demographic trends and the strong market presence we've built. With
six publishing centers and nearly 1,000 employees in Spanish-language markets,
we annually produce some 800 new or revised titles in Spanish.

      The rest of our international publishing revenue is divided almost equally
among the Asia-Pacific region, Canada and Europe. Each of these markets offers
substantial opportunities--in professional as well as educational publishing.


Page 18
<PAGE>   15

[GRAPHICS OMITTED]

>>>   Europe contributes almost half of our international revenue, growing at a
      double-digit rate. With a push from the new Monetary Union, the European
      market will be a springboard for growth in many of our key businesses.
      Some expectations:

            o European companies that once financed their growth mainly by
      borrowing from banks are shifting to the issuance of corporate bonds
      instead, while nontraditional financial instruments also boom. Those are
      both large opportunities for Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, which has
      built the world's largest network of ratings professionals.

            o Increases in investments by Europeans building retirement
      funds--the result of a transition to privately funded pension plans--will
      accelerate demand for global financial information. Pluses for Standard &
      Poor's Financial Information Services.

            o The continued growth of English in business communications and as
      a second language in everyday use widens. Pluses for our educational
      products and the European edition of Business Week.

            o The promise of the global economy depends on educational training.
      Pluses for our global publishing activities--most notably our business,
      finance, engineering, information technology and English instruction
      products.

            In Asia, economic problems have slowed growth but have not seriously
      affected our operations or diminished the region's long-term
      opportunities. Our brands are strong in Asia. In a survey of 6,000
      executives representing 11 Asian countries, we were chosen as one of
      Asia's 200 leading companies.

            Though some countries in Latin America have experienced economic
      pressures, the region also remains an important market--both for our
      educational products (notably in Mexico) and our financial services.

            We're not only the beneficiaries of global growth. We help spur
      global growth because our products provide information and analysis
      crucial to capital markets, business and education--the cornerstones of
      progress.

            Revenue from international sources in our financial services
      business rose at a 17% compound annual growth rate during the 1993-98
      period. New information products helped spur that growth. Those introduced
      over the past three years accounted for 12% of total revenue within the
      Financial Information Services group in 1998.

            In the past, many of our online financial services were distributed
      over networks controlled by third-party "quote vendors." With the Internet
      we now reach many of our customers directly. Some examples:

            o Standard & Poor's MMS introduced its first Internet product in
      April 1998. Now a subscription service, Global Markets Live offers
      real-time information and analysis on global bond, equity, currency and
      commodity markets 24 hours a day.

            o In June, Standard & Poor's ComStock launched Xpresso, an
      Internet-delivered service based on the Java software platform. Xpresso
      provides the full scope of ComStock's financial market information,
      including global securities quotes, news and sales data.

            o S&P Fund Advisor also debuted in June, focusing on mutual funds
      and providing critical news, commentary and rankings to brokers and
      financial planners via the Internet. Mutual fund data comes from Standard
      & Poor's Micropal, the leading global provider of managed funds data and
      information on some 40,000 funds around the globe.

            o In 1999, Standard & Poor's Compustat will add more than 4,000
      companies based outside North America to its electronic database.


                                                                         Page 19
<PAGE>   16

[GRAPHICS OMITTED]

>>>   Avalanche. Flood. Overload. Prodigious and ever-growing volumes of
      information reach all of us daily.

            More information doesn't necessarily provide more insight and
      understanding. In fact, more information can simply leave people more
      bewildered.

            Distilling mountains of information down to what's most important is
      fundamental to our businesses, whether the finished product is a financial
      analysis, a news report or a means of learning.

            Most read. Best read. Worldwide. The tagline for Business Week
      reflects the magazine's 6.3 million readers around the globe, nearly 1.5
      million more than its nearest competitor. Business Week is now the fastest
      growing English-language business publication in both Europe and Asia.

            In 1998 Business Week Online--fee-based now for nonsubscribers of
      the magazine--expanded and redesigned its Enterprise area, tailored to
      help small-business owners succeed in today's markets.

            In the construction industry, The McGraw-Hill Construction 
      Information Group (MH-CIG) is the foremost source of information crucial 
      to new construction projects and planning. MH-CIG has increasingly turned
      to the Internet and other electronic tools to gather and distribute 
      information. By year-end 2000 nearly half of its revenue will derive from
      electronic products.

PINPOINTING THE IMPORTANT
- -------------------------

            Dodge Plans is the latest of several MH-CIG electronic products
      stemming from print media. It provides access--online or by CD-ROM twice
      weekly--to the plans, specifications and bidding requirements for more
      than 60,000 new construction and renovation projects.

            F.W. Dodge, which accounts for about two-thirds of MH-CIG's
      revenues, also expanded its coverage to include projects in Canada and the
      United Kingdom. It formed an alliance with Glenigan, the leading
      construction news service in England, to reach a wider audience faster by
      exchanging information over the Internet.

            Every fall the construction industry turns to the McGraw-Hill
      Construction Information Group for the preeminent forecast of building
      activity for the coming year. The group's annual "Construction Outlook"
      commemorated its 70th anniversary in 1998.

      Our "helping people reach their potential" mission added another dimension
      in 1998. We consolidated three related units into


Page 20
<PAGE>   17

[GRAPHICS OMITTED]

a new entity, McGraw-Hill Lifetime Learning, that provides self-directed,
technology-based instruction for professional and personal development.

      Nowadays, people committed to their careers never leave the classroom,
though the "classroom" comes in various forms and increasingly is a computer.

      The acquisition in July of Xebec Multi Media Solutions, based in England,
substantially enhances our capabilities in lifetime learning. We can deliver
interactive training programs in several languages for professionals via the
Internet, corporate intranets and other multi-media platforms. Xebec's product
family includes 27 multimedia programs in CD-ROM format on topics ranging from
customer service to teamwork and marketing.

Presenting what's new and important is a primary purpose of trade conferences
and expositions, and our activity in this area continues to expand. Our Science
and Technology Group, for example, inaugurated two new events in 1998: Chemical
Engineering sponsored a two-day CE Expo in June, and in November Modern Plastics
staged the first major American conference bringing together plastics-processing
tool buyers and manufacturers. The events, featuring more than 150 speakers in
total, drew thousands of attendees and hundreds of exhibitors.


Navigating Unpredictable Times

      In what Business Week has termed "an era of utter unpredictability,"
multimedia information and guidance from Standard & Poor's and our other
business-to-business units have never been in greater demand.

      Standard & Poor's MMS, expecting Europe's bond market to soar following
the advent of the euro, launched Eurobond Market Insight in September. The
online service provides real-time analysis and market commentary to help
investors evaluate Eurobond risks and tap emerging opportunities.

      Standard & Poor's Ratings Services continues to move into new
territory--from both a geographic and a product diversification standpoint. In
January 1999 Standard & Poor's Ratings Services introduced Ratings Direct, the
first complete Web-based subscription service for Standard & Poor's ratings
information.

      Our Aviation Week Group has been especially active in expanding its
multimedia services. It launched a major new event, Aerospace Expo, and a Web
site to link buyers and sellers of business aircraft. And in an exciting new
alliance, the Aviation Week Group provides editorial guidance, content and
commentary for the global programs of the new Wingspan Air & Space television
network.

      Our four television stations have continued their leadership in providing
local news in San Diego, Denver, Indianapolis and Bakersfield, Calif. They
continue to win awards for insightful reports on breaking events and key issues
in their communities.



                                                                         Page 21
<PAGE>   18

THE McGRAW-HILL COMPANIES AT A GLANCE

Business Segments

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Financial
Services
- ------------
<S>                   <C>                                   <C>                                    <C>
Standard & Poor's     Retail Division                       Institutional & Corporate Division     Securities Processing Division   
Financial              Standard & Poor's ComStock            Standard & Poor's Compustat            Standard & Poor's               
Information Services   Standard & Poor's Index Services      Standard & Poor's Securities, Inc.      J.J. Kenny Drake               
                       Standard & Poor's Micropal            Standard & Poor's DRI                  Standard & Poor's J.J. Kenny    
                       Standard & Poor's Retail Brokerage   Sales & Trading Division                 Evaluation & Information       
                        Standard & Poor's Published Image    Standard & Poor's MMS                    Services                      
                       Standard & Poor's Investment          Standard & Poor's Platt's              Standard & Poor's CUSIP Services
                        Advisory Services                    Standard & Poor's Blue List            Standard & Poor's Dividend      
                       Standard & Poor's                                                             Services                       
                        Consumer Division

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

Standard & Poor's      Corporate Ratings                    Public Finance Ratings          
Ratings Services       Insurance Ratings                    Sovereign Ratings               
                       Financial Institution Ratings        Structured Finance Ratings      
                       Managed Funds Ratings                Infrastructure Finance Ratings  
                                                            Ratings Information Services    

Educational
and
Professional
Publishing
- ------------

Educational            McGraw-Hill School Division          SRA/McGraw-Hill                 
Publishing             Glencoe/McGraw-Hill                  McGraw-Hill Consumer Products   
                       CTB/McGraw-Hill                      

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

Higher Education       McGraw-Hill Higher Education          Irwin/McGraw-Hill         
                        McGraw-Hill College                  Dushkin/McGraw-Hill       
                        WCB/McGraw-Hill                      Primis Custom Publishing  

Professional           Professional Group                   International Publishing                McGraw-Hill Europe, Middle   
Publishing              Science, Technical and Medical       McGraw-Hill Canada                      East, Africa                
                        Osborne/Computing                    McGraw-Hill Latin America/             McGraw-Hill Asia/Pacific     
                        Business/General Reference            Spain                                 
                       McGraw-Hill Lifetime Learning        
                        Xebec/McGraw-Hill               

Information
and Media
Services
- -----------

Broadcasting Group      KMGH-TV (Denver)                     KERO-TV (Bakersfield)                   All ABC-affiliates
                        KGTV (San Diego)                     WRTV (Indianapolis)    
                                                             
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Business Week Group     Business Week
                        Business Week International
                        Business Week Online

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

McGraw-Hill             F.W. Dodge                           Engineering News-Record  
Construction            Sweet's Group                        Design-Build             
Information Group       Architectural Record                 

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

Publication             Aviation Week                         Postgraduate Medicine                  Power                          
Services Group           Aviation Week & Space Technology     Healthcare Informatics                 Electrical World               
                         A/C Flyer                            e.MD                                   Global Energy Business         
                         Business & Commercial Aviation       Your Patient & Fitness                 Electric Power International   
                         World Aviation Directory             Healthcare Education Group             Information Technologies for   
                         O&M Magazine                        Science & Technology Group               Utilities/IT                  
                         Aviation Week Newsletters            Chemical Engineering                   Energy and Business            
                        Healthcare Information Group          Modern Plastics/Modern                  Newsletters                   
                         Hospital Practice                     Plastics International                Utility Data Institute         
                         The Physician and Sportsmedicine                                            

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

Tower Group             Tower Group International
International           Tower Group International 
                          Canada, Inc.
</TABLE>


Page 22
<PAGE>   19

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Key Markets                                           Market Factors
<S>                                                   <C>

Global financial markets. Customers include           Continued growth in self-directed investment plans drives demand for          
investors, corporations, government agencies,         information and services. Interest in global and regional indexes increases.  
financial institutions, portfolio managers,           S&P 500 performance continues to outstrip most managed funds, creating demand 
brokers, unit investment trusts and mutual fund       for index licenses and generating more license-related revenue. Relatively    
managers, commodities, securities and foreign         high turnover in mutual funds compared with individual stock ownership raises 
exchange traders, libraries                           demand for mutual fund information. A common European currency and financial  
                                                      market builds demand for analytical services.                                 

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

Global capital markets. Customers include debt        Global debt markets will grow dramatically with trend away from bank borrowing
issuers, investors, intermediaries and related        to bond issuance. Increasing demand for nontraditional ratings services, such
financial market participants                         as insurance and managed fund ratings. Ongoing globalization of capital
                                                      markets and development of emerging markets. Increasing demand for credit
                                                      information and opinions around the world. Continued strength in core U.S.
                                                      debt markets.

Elementary, secondary, testing, vocational,           Baby boom's echo continues to swell enrollments. Strong adoption schedule
consumer and postsecondary fields                     through 2004. Education funding environment continues to strengthen. Teacher
                                                      and student accountability drives testing and new curriculum products. New
                                                      technology products in increasing demand.

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

College and postgraduate fields                       Enrollments continue to surge in U.S. and internationally, with non-U.S.
                                                      enrollments expanding at more than twice the rate of strong U.S. growth.
                                                      Technological innovation continues to gain momentum in higher education
                                                      publishing, with demand for custom publishing and Web-enhanced curriculums
                                                      growing. Used book market levels off. Industry consolidation continues.

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Engineering, science, medicine, healthcare,           Increasingly global markets. Growth in demand for Web-based information.    
computer technology, business and government          Accelerating trend toward lifetime learning drives demand for all forms of  
markets in the United States and internationally;     information products, including books, electronic products, and training    
business training markets; education markets          materials. Digitally printed products and digital distribution now          
internationally                                       well-established, adding new channels to market and increasing marketability
                                                      of low-volume titles. Economic uncertainty in Latin America and Asia;       
                                                      long-term international growth expectations for professional and educational
                                                      materials remain high.                                                      

Television audiences in Denver, Indianapolis, San     Advertising spending is expected to be favorable as long as inflation and
Diego and Bakersfield, Calif.                         unemployment remain stable. Recovery of automotive sector is expected. Reduced
                                                      political activity in odd-numbered year.

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

Business professionals, consumers and advertisers     Corporate profits and cash flow expected to remain favorable. Continued ad
worldwide                                             growth worldwide, although slower in response to key economic factors that
                                                      support advertising. Circulation revenue for consumer magazines projected to
                                                      increase. Online advertising projected to continue dramatic growth pattern.

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

Building products manufacturers, architects,          Modest new-construction growth is forecast. Construction industry continues to
engineers, contractors, real estate owners,           become more technologically savvy; increasing demand for Web-based
developers and investors                              construction information. Softer advertising market in key categories. New
                                                      competition continues to emerge.

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

Professionals and corporate executives around the     Strong economy and corporate profits aid business publication advertising.    
world in aviation, healthcare and science and         Business-to-business magazines and tradeshow markets both growing. Internet   
technology                                            commerce growing fast. Asian and Latin American problems continue to affect   
                                                      global industries. Aviation and aerospace industry approaching a peak in 1999,
                                                      but long-term outlook is positive. Energy market evolving from a regulated to 
                                                      a deregulated market. Healthcare information market continues to grow.        

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

Major North American importers and exporters          World trade continues to grow. Increase in corporate outsourcing of logistics
                                                      functions with single-source providers. Increased complexity of global trade
                                                      also requires more logistics support. Increased demand for new information
                                                      technology solutions.
</TABLE>


                                                                         Page 23
<PAGE>   20

FINANCIAL REVIEW
- ---------------------------------------

   [The following table was depicted as a bar charts in the printed material.]

Operating Revenue by Segment
(dollars in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1996      1997      1998

<S>                                               <C>       <C>       <C>   
Educational and Professional Publishing           $1,278    $1,574    $1,620

Financial Services                                   856       980     1,153

Information and Media Services                       941       980       956
                                                  ------    ------    ------
                                                  $3,075    $3,354    $3,729
                                                  ======    ======    ======
</TABLE>

   [The following table was depicted as a bar charts in the printed material.]

EBIDTA by Segment
(dollars in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1996      1997      1998

<S>                                                 <C>        <C>       <C>
Educational and Professional Publishing             $324       421       444

Financial Services                                   292       323       374

Information and Media Services                       152       157       157
                                                    ----      ----      ----
                                                    $768      $901      $975
                                                    ====      ====      ====
</TABLE>

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, excluding
unusual items.

   [The following table was depicted as a bar charts in the printed material.]

Capital Expenditures by Segment
(dollars in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1996      1997      1998

<S>                                                 <C>        <C>       <C>
Educational and Professional Publishing             $201       193       258

Financial Services                                    20        24        50

Information and Media Services                        25        29        66
                                                    ----      ----      ----
                                                    $246      $246      $374
                                                    ====      ====      ====
</TABLE>

   [The following table was depicted as a bar charts in the printed material.]

Operating Profit by Segment
(dollars in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1996      1997      1998

<S>                                                 <C>        <C>       <C>
Educational and Professional Publishing             $152       196       218

Financial Services                                   262       290       338

Information and Media Services                       117       123       122
                                                    ----      ----      ----
                                                    $531      $609      $678
                                                    ====      ====      ====
</TABLE>

Excludes the following items:

1998  o     Gain on the sale of a building
      o     Writedown of Continuing Education Center's assets
1997  o     Gain on the sale of Datapro Information Services
      o     Real estate writedowns for the consolidation of office space in New
            York City
1996  o     Gain on the exchange of Shepard's/ McGraw-Hill legal publishing unit
            for the Times Mirror Higher Education Group
      o     Integration charge related to the exchange

Financial Contents
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26 Management's Discussion and Analysis 
35 Consolidated Statement of Income 
36 Consolidated Balance Sheet
38 Consolidated Statement of Cash flows 
39 Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity
40 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
47 Report of Management/Report of Independent Auditors
48 Eleven-Year Financial Review
50 Supplemental Financial Information

                                                                         Page 25
<PAGE>   21

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Operating Results

CONSOLIDATED REVIEW

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)                                1998           1997            1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>            <C>             <C>     
Operating Revenue                        $3,729.1       $3,534.1        $3,074.7
% Increase                                    5.5           14.9             4.7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Profit                         $  689.1       $  599.1        $  924.6
% Increase (Decrease)                        15.0          (35.2)           81.8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
% Operating Margin                             18             17              30
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income Before Taxes                      $  560.4       $  471.3        $  814.8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Income                               $  333.1       $  290.7        $  495.7
================================================================================
</TABLE>
Operating profit is income before taxes on income, interest expense and
corporate expense. Includes unusual items as described below.

1998 COMPARED WITH 1997

REVENUE AND EARNINGS

Operating revenue for the year of $3.7 billion grew 5.5% from 1997, reflecting
strong growth in the Financial Services segment, along with modest growth in the
Educational and Professional Publishing segment despite a very strong 1997 year.
Excluding divested businesses, revenues increased 8.1%.

      Operating profit of $689.1 million grew 15.0% and net income of $333.1
million increased 14.6% from 1997. Included in the respective periods are the
following one-time items: In the third quarter of 1998, the company recorded a
$26.7 million pretax gain ($16.3 million after-tax, or 8 cents per diluted
common share) on the sale of an office building, reflecting an improved real
estate market in New York City (the pretax gain is recorded as other income on
the consolidated statement of income and is reflected in the operating profit of
the Financial Services segment); an $8.7 million extraordinary loss after taxes
of $5.6 million (4 cents per diluted common share) on the early extinguishment
of debt; and a $16.0 million pretax charge ($9.8 million after-tax and 5 cents
per diluted common share) in the Educational and Professional Publishing segment
for the writedown of assets at the Continuing Education Center due to a
continuing decline in enrollments. In the second quarter of 1998, the company
sold the remainder of its Information Technology and Communications Group. The
proceeds of $28.6 million approximated book value.

      In the third quarter of 1997, the company divested its McGraw-Hill London
House and McGraw-Hill School Systems businesses, which were part of the
Educational and Professional Publishing segment, for $29 million in cash; the
proceeds approximated the book values of the properties. Also during the
quarter, the company divested its Datapro Information Services business for
proceeds of $25 million in cash; the quarter results reflect a pretax gain of
$20.4 million ($20.2 million after-tax, or 10 cents per diluted common share) on
the divestiture. The pre tax gain is recorded as other income on the
consolidated statement of income and is reflected in the operating profit of the
Information and Media Services segment.

      1997 expenses also include a one-time, noncash provision of $33.2 million
($19.9 million after taxes, or 10 cents per diluted common share) for the
consolidation of office space in New York City. The one-time provision was
primarily for the writedown of a building and the writedown of leasehold
improvements for office space vacated in the company's headquarters building.
The provision associated with each segment and corporate expense is as follows:
Educational and Professional Publishing - $8.6 million; Financial Services -
$20.4 million; Information and Media Services - $1.5 million; and Corporate -
$2.7 million.

      Excluding the extraordinary loss and other one-time items in 1998 and
1997, operating profit was $678.4 million, an increase of 11.4% over 1997, while
net income was $335.4 million, or 15.5% higher than the same period in 1997.

      Earnings per share for 1998 was $1.67, an increase of 14.4% over 1997.
Excluding the extraordinary loss and other one-time items, EPS was $1.68, a
15.1% increase over 1997.

EXPENSES

Operating expenses for 1998 increased 2.2%. Excluding the net effect of
acquisitions/divestitures and the 1997 facilities charge, operating expenses
would have increased 6.2%, reflecting investments in new products and technology
and modest inflationary increases in key categories, such as compensation,
somewhat offset by cost containment. Combined paper, printing and distribution
prices increased approximately 1.8% primarily due to the carryforward impact of
paper price increases that occurred in late 1997 and normal printing increases.

      Selling and general expenses increased 6.9%, reflecting volume-related
increases. A significant portion of both operating and selling and general
expenses is compensation, which increased approximately 8% to $1.0 billion.

      Depreciation and amortization expense, including amortization of goodwill,
intangible assets and prepublication costs, increased $5.7 million, or 1.9%,
primarily due to technology-related investments and the first full year of
office space consolidation in New York City.

      In 1999, combined paper, printing and distribution prices are expected to
decrease by approximately 1-2% reflecting favorable market conditions which more
than offset the January 1999 postage increase. The impact of merit increases on
compensation costs should approximate 4%.

INTEREST EXPENSE

Net interest expense of $48.0 million decreased $4.6 million, or 8.7%, from the
prior year essentially due to lower debt 


Page 26
<PAGE>   22

levels resulting from improved cash flow. Average commercial paper borrowings
declined to $417 million from $489 million. The lower interest expense also
reflects the company's decision to repurchase $155 million of its 9.43% notes,
which will be replaced at lower rates. The average commercial paper rate was
5.6% for both 1998 and 1997. 

      In 1999, interest expense may increase due to the recently announced stock
buyback program (see Note 9).

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes as a percent of income before taxes was 39%
compared with 40% in 1997, excluding the gain on the sale of Datapro, due to
favorable apportionment changes reducing state taxes. In 1999, the effective tax
rate is expected to approximate the current year's rate.

1997 COMPARED WITH 1996

REVENUE AND EARNINGS

In 1997, The McGraw-Hill Companies achieved significant growth in revenue and
profit. The 14.9% growth in operating revenue reflects excellent sales in
elementary-high school (el-hi) publishing; record revenue at Standard & Poor's
Ratings Services from strong new issuance volume in the U.S. bond market and
global expansion; and the acquisition of the former Times Mirror Higher
Education Group. Excluding nonrecurring items, operating profit improved $78.4
million, or 14.8%, reflecting the strong revenue growth. Net income increased
16.2% to $290.7 million and diluted earnings per share increased to $1.46 from
$1.25 last year.

      Comparisons exclude the 1996 gain on the exchange of the
Shepard's/McGraw-Hill legal publishing unit for the Times Mirror Higher
Education Group of $418.7 million ($260.5 million after taxes, or $1.30 per
diluted share) and an unusual charge of $25 million ($14.9 million after taxes,
or 7 cents per diluted share) for costs to integrate the College division with
the acquired higher education business.

      In 1997, the Datapro Information Services business was divested for $25
million in cash; operating results reflect a gain of $20.4 million ($20.2
million after taxes, or 10 cents per diluted share). The pretax gain is recorded
as other income on the consolidated statement of income and is reflected in the
operating profit of the Information and Media Services segment. The McGraw-Hill
London House and McGraw-Hill School Systems units were also divested in 1997 for
$29 million in cash; the proceeds approximated the book values of the
properties.

      1997 earnings reflect a one-time, noncash provision of $33.2 million
($19.9 million after taxes, or 10 cents per diluted share) for the consolidation
of office space in New York City. This one-time provision was primarily for the
writedown of a building to be sold as part of the office consolidation and the
writedown of leasehold improvements for the surrender of office space to be
vacated in the headquarters building. These actions were taken to consolidate
into fewer and more efficient locations and to align future space requirements
with growth plans. The 1997 operating profit of each segment and corporate
expenses reflect the amount of the provision associated with each segment. New
leases were signed for approximately 1.4 million square feet of office space
through the year 2020.

      Income before taxes, excluding the gain on the sale of Datapro and the
facilities charge, increased 14.9% over 1996, reflecting the strong revenue
gains.

EXPENSES

Operating expenses in 1997 increased 12.9%, reflecting higher revenue,
investments in new products and modest inflationary increases in key expense
categories, such as compensation. Operating expenses include the one-time $33.2
million facilities charge. Combined printing, paper and distribution prices
declined in 1997 by approximately 2% due to the impact of lower paper prices
earlier in the year, the successful negotiations with suppliers and the leverage
gained through the acquisition of the former Times Mirror Higher Education
Group.

      Selling and general expenses increased 16.1%, reflecting volume-related
increases. A significant portion of both operating and selling and general
expenses is compensation, which increased approximately 9% to $927 million,
reflecting the impact of merit increases, the acquisition of the Times Mirror
Higher Education Group and incentive related compensation.

      Depreciation and amortization expense, including amortization of goodwill,
intangible assets and prepublication costs, increased $55 million, or 23.0%, due
primarily to the impact of the acquisition of the Times Mirror Higher Education
Group and the amortization of prepublication costs associated with 1997 el-hi
adoptions.

INTEREST EXPENSE

Net interest expense in 1997 was $52.5 million compared with $47.7 million in
1996, an increase of $4.8 million, or 10.3%, resulting from an increase in
average commercial paper interest rates from 5.4% in 1996 to 5.6% in 1997 and an
increase in commercial paper borrowing levels.

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

The provision for taxes as a percent of income before taxes, excluding the gain
on the sale of Datapro, was 40.0% in 1997 compared with 40.6% in 1996, excluding
the gain on the exchange of Shepard's/McGraw-Hill for Times Mirror Higher
EducationGroup. The reduction in the effective tax rate reflects lower state
taxes resulting primarily from the acquisition of the Times Mirror Higher
Education Group. Including the gain on the sale of Datapro lowers the 1997
effective tax rate to 38.3%.


                                                                         Page 27
<PAGE>   23

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Segment Review

EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL PUBLISHING

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)                         1998             1997              1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>              <C>               <C>     
Operating Revenue                 $1,620.3         $1,573.8          $1,277.9
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
% Increase                             3.0             23.2               3.4
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Profit                  $  202.1(a)      $  187.7(b)       $  545.7(c)
% Increase (Decrease)                  7.7            (65.6)            235.6
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
% Operating Margin                      12               12                43
=============================================================================
</TABLE>
(a) Includes a $16.0 million pretax provision at Continuing Education Center for
the writedown of assets due to a continuing decline in enrollments. 
(b) Includes an $8.6 million provision for the consolidation of office space in
New York City. 
(c) Includes the pretax gain on the exchange of Shepard's/McGraw-Hill legal
publishing unit for the Times Mirror Higher Education Group of $418.7 million
and an unusual charge of $25 million for costs to integrate The McGraw-Hill
Companies' College division with the acquired higher education business.

      The Educational and Professional Publishing segment consists of three
operating groups that provide education, training and lifetime learning:
Educational Publishing, Higher Education, and Professional Publishing
(comprising International Publishing, Continuing Education Center and
Professional Book). On October 15, 1996, the Shepard's/ McGraw-Hill legal
publishing unit was exchanged for the Times Mirror Higher Education Group, which
is reflected from the date of acquisition in the segment results. Shepard's/
McGraw-Hill had revenue of $57 million in 1996.

      In 1998, the Educational and Professional Publishing segment achieved
record revenue and operating profit on top of a very successful 1997 year.
Revenue grew 3.0% and operating profit increased 7.7% led by strong performances
in Educational Publishing and Higher Education. Excluding the writedown of
Continuing Education Center (CEC) in 1998 and the facilities charge in 1997,
operating profit increased 11.1%. In 1997, revenue increased 23.2% and operating
profit, excluding one-time items in both 1997 and 1996, increased 29.2%.

EDUCATIONAL PUBLISHING

The Educational Publishing Group comprises five divisions: McGraw-Hill School,
publisher of instructional programs for the elementary market (grades K-6);
Glencoe/ McGraw-Hill, secondary school (grades 7-12) and post secondary
publisher; California Testing Bureau (CTB/ McGraw-Hill), publisher of testing
materials and provider of scoring for standardized achievement tests, customized
testing and specialized educational software products; Science Research
Associates (SRA/McGraw-Hill), publisher of supplementary and specialized
researched-based educational programs for the elementary market; and McGraw-Hill
Consumer Products, publisher of educational products for use in the home.

      Educational Publishing Group revenue grew 5.7% to $832 million, 51% of
segment revenue. Excluding divested businesses, revenue increased 7.6% over
1997. Market conditions were strong despite a lighter adoption schedule in the
elementary school market in 1998. Enrollment in el-hi education increased 1% in
1998. The revenue growth reflects high market shares in elementary reading, K-12
social studies and secondary math adoptions as well as strong year-to-year gains
across subject areas in the open territory states. SRA/McGraw-Hill division
recorded record revenues and profits on the success of its skill-based
phonics-intensive reading programs, as well as its new Art Connection program.
SRA/McGraw-Hill and the School division combined to take 34% of the K-8
California reading market in the second year of the adoption and led the market
after two years with a 35% share. Their two product offerings in the California
reading adoption - McGraw-Hill School's basal Spotlight on Literacy and the
SRA/McGraw-Hill reading series, Collections for Young Scholars - continued to do
well. McGraw-Hill School's social studies program, Adventures in Time and Place,
was again the market leader, somewhat offsetting a disappointing performance in
math.

      Capitalizing on a strong line-up of mathematics and social studies
adoptions, Glencoe/McGraw-Hill again posted significant revenue and profit
growth in 1998. The division maintained its historic market leadership in math
and distinguished itself as the clear market leader in social studies. It
achieved more than 40% share in Texas in algebra and biology. CTB/McGraw-Hill
had strong revenue growth, from its testing series, TerraNova, and significant
expansion in statewide custom testing contracts. The new Consumer Products
division sharply increased its revenue in 1998 as its expanding base of products
gained shelf space in retail markets. While the start-up unit generated a small
loss in 1998, the outlook for both revenue and profit growth is very favorable.

      In 1999, Educational Publishing anticipates positive market conditions
with the increasing priority given to quality education and testing
accountability in political agendas. Funding levels are expected to continue to
increase at a faster pace than projected enrollment. The 1999 adoption cycle is
favorable with math adoptions in seven states and social studies adoptions in
five states. School, Glencoe and SRA will all offer competitive programs in the
math adoptions. Mathematically Correct, a nationwide organization that advocates
quality in math education, recently selected SRA's Math: Explorations and
Applications as the top program in its analysis of several leading math
programs. Glencoe and School will be very competitive in the social studies
adoptions. CTB will benefit from the resurgence of testing accountability, the
many statewide contracts that it secured in 1998, and continued improvements in
operating efficiency.


Page 28
<PAGE>   24

      In 1997, Educational Publishing achieved a 25.4% increase in revenue due
to high market shares in a strong adoption year. McGraw-Hill School did
particularly well in the Texas social studies adoption, capturing a 60% market
share. McGraw-Hill School and SRA/McGraw-Hill combined for a market-leading
share in the first year of the California reading adoption. As a result, revenue
and profit increased significantly for both McGraw-Hill School and
SRA/McGraw-Hill. Despite limited adoption opportunities, Glencoe/McGraw-Hill
increased revenue and profit through its broad product base and successful new
programs. CTB/McGraw-Hill had strong revenue growth but lower profits due to
costs of introducing TerraNova and lower profit on custom contracts. Consumer
Products was in its first year of operation with minimal sales and a loss
representing the development effort in preparation for 1998.

HIGHER EDUCATION

In 1998, Higher Education's revenue increased 7.0% to $359.3 million, 22% of
segment revenue. Significant revenue increases were achieved by the
Irwin/McGraw-Hill and McGraw-Hill/College imprints. The key frontlist revisions
driving their sales increase were: McConnell Economics, 14th ed., Nickels
Understanding Business, 5th ed., Libby Financial Accounting, 2nd ed., Lucas The
Art of Public Speaking, 6th ed., Terrell Dos Mundos, 4th ed., and Kamien Music:
An Appreciation, 3rd ed. Revenue increases were also posted by WCB/McGraw-Hill
led by Mader Biology, 6th ed., Shier Human Anatomy and Physiology, 8th ed., and
Hole Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology, 6th ed. Operating profit and
margin increased in 1998, reflecting the higher revenue and the full year impact
of the 1997 integration actions relating to the acquisition of the Times Mirror
Higher Education Group in late 1996.

      In 1999, Higher Education should continue to benefit from increased
college enrollments, which is the most important variable affecting the market.
Prior to 1997, college enrollments were declining, but the trend has changed.
Enrollments are forecasted to grow at a compound annual rate of 1.8% from 1998
to 2001. In addition, the used book market share has leveled off partially due
to the creation of value packs where new textbooks are bundled with components
such as CD-ROMs or Web sites. Higher Education continues to develop digital
content, which can be delivered via its own learning architecture, the Internet
or third-party systems to meet the growing use of technology in the classroom.

      Higher Education expects 1999 to be a continuation of its 1997 and 1998
successes. Revenues are expected to grow, reflecting a strong backlist and
continued growth in the frontlist. In addition, operating margin should improve
for the sixth consecutive year.

      Revenue in Higher Education increased 63.7% in 1997 to $336 million, 21%
of segment revenue. The revenue increase reflects the full year impact of the
former Times Mirror Higher Education Group. Key frontlist titles driving the
revenue increase include revisions of Knorre Puntos de Partida, An Invitation to
Spanish, Garrison Managerial Accounting, and Mader Inquiry Into Life. Profits
increased significantly due to the revenue growth and cost reductions from the
integration program initiated with the acquisition. Most of the planned
integration actions were completed in 1997 with the elimination of over 500
positions and the consolidation of facilities and systems.

PROFESSIONAL PUBLISHING

In 1998, revenue decreased 4.9% to $429 million, 27% of segment revenue.
Professional Book Group revenue was flat with 1997 as a result of second year
fall-off from 1997's release of two major products: the 8th edition of the
Encyclopedia of Science and Technology and the 14th edition of Harrison's
Principles of Internal Medicine. The Group achieved strong growth in the
trade/retail sales channel. The computer book product line sold particularly
well, reflecting increased title output, re-directed publishing programs and new
sales and marketing initiatives. Direct and indirect sales to Amazon.com and
other online retailers were also a significant factor in 1998 performance.
Additionally, the Professional Book Group successfully introduced its first
revenue-generating online product, Harrison's On line, to a worldwide market.
Best-selling business titles included The Electronic Day Trader and Jack Welch
and the GE Way. International revenue was also flat with 1997. Revenues improved
in Latin America, due to strong growth in Mexico, particularly in medical and
professional publishing. Canada's results benefited from strong growth in the
school and professional markets. Operating results also improved in Europe,
particularly in Spain's school market. Business in Asia declined due to the
effects of the economic crisis. Professional Publishing profits declined
primarily due to lower international profits and the continued softness at the
Continuing Education Center, the home-study business, due to lower enrollments.
As a result the company recorded a $16 million pretax charge to write down the
assets of the CEC business.

      In 1999, revenue will benefit from continued strong sales in the
trade/retail channel and online retailer segment. Aggressive publishing plans in
both the Computer Publishing Group and Business and General/Reference Group will
drive revenue worldwide. A second major online product will be released,
Access.Science.com, based on the renowned Encyclopedia of Science and
Technology. The International Publishing Group will pursue the expansion of its
publishing program to capitalize on the growing global education markets.
Economic volatility will continue to impact our global markets.

      In 1997, revenue increased 16.0% to $451 million, 29% of segment revenue.
The revenue growth reflects an expanded publishing plan for business, computer
and medical titles, the 8th edition of the Encyclopedia of Science and
Technology, and the 14th edition of Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine.
Internationally, revenue grew significantly due to the full year impact of
former Times Mirror products, the continuing recovery in Mexico and improved
economic conditions in Canada. Professional Publishing profits were dampened by
continued softness at the Continuing Education Center, the home-study business.


                                                                         Page 29
<PAGE>   25

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Segment Review (continued)

FINANCIAL SERVICES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)                            1998              1997             1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>               <C>              <C>     
Operating Revenue                    $1,152.7          $  980.1         $  855.9
% Increase                               17.6              14.5              8.8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Profit                     $  364.8(a)       $  269.9(b)      $  262.1
% Increase                               35.2               3.0             13.5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
% Operating Margin                         32                28               31
================================================================================
</TABLE>
(a) Includes a $26.7 million pretax gain on the sale of an office building in
New York City. 
(b) Includes a $20.4 million provision for the consolidation of office space in
New York City.

      The Financial Services segment consists of two operating groups which
provide financial information enabling access to capital markets: Standard &
Poor's Ratings Services and Standard & Poor's Financial Information Services
(FIS), which comprises divisions serving the following markets: Retail,
Corporate, Institutional, Sales & Trading, and Municipal Securities.

      In 1998, Financial Services' segment revenue increased 17.6%. Operating
profit, excluding the $26.7 million gain on the sale of a building and the 1997
facilities charge, rose 16.5% and operating margins declined slightly,
reflecting investments in new products and services and global expansion. In
1997, Financial Services' segment revenue increased 14.5% to $980.1 million and
operating profit, excluding a $20.4 million facilities charge, rose 10.8% to
$290.3 million.

STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS SERVICES

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services revenue rose in 1998 on record new issue
volume in the U.S. bond market, rapid growth in global markets and expanded
nontraditional ratings services. New issue dollar volume in the U.S. bond market
grew 41.2%; unit volume grew 22.4%. Corporate ratings growth reflected a
favorable interest rate environment and the continued demand for high yield
bonds. Structured Finance grew, primarily due to strong issuance in asset-backed
and mortgage-backed markets. Public Finance revenue increased in a favorable
market environment for new municipal bond issues and increased market share. Non
traditional revenue continued to expand in areas such as managed funds and
insurance. International revenue grew substantially, reflecting growth and
development in global capital markets. The global network was expanded with
office openings in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Moscow to serve emerging markets in
Latin America and Eastern Europe. Additional affiliation agreements were signed
with EA Ratings in Russia and Maalot, Israel's leading rating service. Foreign
source revenue and nontraditional revenue now account for approximately 33% of
revenue. Operating profit grew, reflecting strength in both the domestic and
foreign markets and the diversification of its revenue base, while funding
larger investments in global expansion.

      In 1999, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services anticipates continued strength
in U.S. bond volumes and a favorable business climate, expansion and further
development of nontraditional revenue opportunities. The advent of the European
Monetary Union presents Standard & Poor's with growth opportunities as the
unification of capital markets in Europe will spur investor demand for credit
risk and related value-added information. Increased international investment is
planned in order to capitalize on these and other global business opportunities.

      In 1997, Standard & Poor's Ratings Services revenue rose on increased new
issue volume in the U.S. Municipal, Corporate and Structured markets, primarily
reflecting a favorable market environment. Nontraditional revenue continued to
expand and International revenue grew substantially, reflecting the acquisitions
of Risk Analysis in Argentina and Fund Research in the U.K., and continued
global growth in all regions. The expanding global focus also includes a 50%
joint venture in Taiwan Ratings Corporation, a 10% equity interest in CRISIL,
India's leading rating service, and the signing of affiliation agreements with
Fundacao Getuliuo Vargas in Brazil and CA Ratings in South Africa. 1997
operating profit rose, reflecting the higher revenue while funding larger
investments in global expansion and product diversification.

STANDARD & POOR'S FINANCIAL INFORMATION SERVICES

Standard & Poor's Financial Information Services' 1998 revenue increased,
primarily due to a favorable economic climate, worldwide interest in the booming
equity markets, and demand for customer-focused Internet services, somewhat
offset by softness in the secondary municipal market. The Retail Group's Index
unit benefited from fees on index-based derivative products, including SPDRs
(S&P depository receipts), which consistently held the highest trading volume of
any security on the American Stock Exchange. It also introduced two new indexes
for the European market, the S&PEuro Index and the S&PEuro Plus Index and an
index for Canada. Plans are in place to launch indexes for Latin America and the
U.K. in 1999. Portfolio Services, which has marketing agreements with several
major financial institutions, also witnessed assets tied to their managed
portfolios post strong growth. A major e-commerce initiative was undertaken with
S&P Personal Wealth, which provides allocation and financial planning tools to
the individual investor. Standard & Poor's ComStock's revenue grew and improved
its position as a leading redistributor of stock quotes to many of the
world-wide Web's most frequented financial sites. In the Institutional sector,
Standard & Poor's Compustat, a leading provider of "standardized" financial
information used by money managers, benefited from tremendous equity volatility
and increased demand for fundamental data and analysis. Standard & Poor's MMS
and Standard & Poor's Platt's, providers of real-time fundamental information
and analysis in the global financial and energy services markets, 


Page 30
<PAGE>   26

grew revenue despite the difficult market conditions primarily in Asia. Platt's
growth was particularly strong due to the launch of new products covering the
world's deregulating power markets. Segment operating profit growth was flat,
slowed by the continued softness of the secondary municipal securities market
and investment in technology and the development of new products. In the last
year, FIS introduced nine new products for customers ranging from portfolio
managers to financial advisors and individual investors.

      In 1999, new product development will continue to be a priority
concentrating on real-time, Web-based data, commentary, and analytical services
for solution-oriented content and services. Through various units, Standard &
Poor's Financial Information Services is launching several products providing
financial insight on the Internet. Technological investments completed in 1998,
such as the single common network managed by AT&T, will allow Standard & Poor's
Financial Information Services to more effectively integrate financial
information for our customers. Global expansion will continue to be a key focus
area in 1999, particularly in Europe. For example, in the fourth quarter of 1998
Standard & Poor's MMS launched Eurobond Market Insight, a new online service
providing real-time analysis and commentary on the expanding Eurobond market.

      In 1997, revenue grew, reflecting a strong economic climate in financial
services industry and increasing demand for high quality, independent financial
information and Internet delivered solutions. Operating margins decreased
slightly due to the continued contraction in the municipal bond market and
investments in new products.

INFORMATION AND MEDIA SERVICES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)                               1998           1997             1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>            <C>              <C>    
Operating Revenue                        $ 956.1        $ 980.2          $ 940.9
% Increase (Decrease)                       (2.5)           4.2              3.1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Profit                         $ 122.2        $ 141.5(a)       $ 116.8
% Increase (Decrease)                      (13.6)          21.2              1.5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
% Operating Margin                            13             14               12
================================================================================
</TABLE>
(a) Includes a provision of $1.5 million for real estate writedowns for the
consolidation of office space in New York City and a gain on sale of Datapro
Information Services of $20.4 million.

      The Information and Media Services segment comprises five operating
groups, which includes business and trade media offering information, insight
and analysis: Business Week; Publication Services; Tower Group International;
McGraw-Hill Construction Information Group; and the McGraw-Hill Broadcasting
Group.

      The Information and Media Services segment's revenue declined by 2.5% to
$956.1 million in 1998 and operating profit declined 13.6%. The company sold
Datapro Information Services in 1997 and the remainder of its Information and
Technology Communication Group in 1998. Excluding divested businesses, revenues
increased 4.8%. Operating profit was essentially flat with 1997, excluding
divested businesses, the gain on the sale of Datapro and the facilities charge.
In 1997, revenue increased 4.2% and operating profit, excluding the gain on the
sale of Datapro and the facilities provision increased $5.8 million, or 5.0%
from 1996. The Information Technology and Communications Group produced a loss
in 1997 due to declining revenue and increased marketing investments.

BUSINESS WEEK

Business Week recorded a revenue increase of 9.2% in 1998 and a fourth
consecutive year of double-digit operating profit growth. The results reflect
solid gains in the North American and International editions and the dominance
of technology. Domestic advertising pages, as measured by the Publishers'
Information Bureau, grew 1.8% in 1998, while an influx of new advertisers
improved the revenue per page. Business Week is the fastest growing
English-language publication in Europe and Asia.

      For 1999, Business Week expects continued growth in worldwide advertising
revenue and continued rapid growth of businessweek.com to fuel both revenue and
operating profit growth.

      In 1997, revenue and operating profit grew strongly, the third year of
growth. The results reflect an increase in advertising pages of 5.8%, despite
two fewer issues, and continued improvement in advertising and circulation
margins. Enhanced marketing programs contributed to the performance.

PUBLICATION SERVICES

Publication Services comprises the Aviation Week, Healthcare Information and
Science and Technology units. Revenue increased 2.5% but operating profit
declined in 1998. Strong performances by the Aviation Week Group and modest
growth in the Energy and Petrochemicals Group were offset by weakness in the
Healthcare publications. The Aviation Group performance was aided by strong
advertising and ancillary revenue, strong performance at air shows, a growing
business in large MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) category and growing
online business. The Healthcare Group was affected by a reduction in new drug
approvals and a shift in advertising by pharmaceutical companies from print to
broadcasting.

      In 1999, Publications Services Group expects an increase in drug
approvals, continued launch of new products and services in new industry
segments and additional launches of exhibitions and conferences.

      Revenue and operating profit increased in 1997, reflecting strong
advertising page growth in the healthcare magazines; strong display and
classified advertising, and circulation and ancillary product growth at Aviation
Week; and enhanced profit levels in Science and Technology on modest revenue
growth due to product line rationalization.

TOWER GROUP INTERNATIONAL

Tower Group International revenue increased 6.4% in 1998 due to growth in core
U.S. customs brokerage business from opening of new offices and the addition of
major new accounts. However, profit declined due to integration costs related to
businesses acquired over the years.

      In 1999, Tower expects a return to normal profit levels with an increased
focus on regional profitability as well as global expansion. Import growth in
the U.S. and Canada is expected to decline in 1999, and may impact operating
results.


                                                                         Page 31
<PAGE>   27

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Segment Review (continued)

      Tower Group International revenue increased in 1997 due to growth in core
U.S. customs brokerage business and expansion in other transportation services.
Operating profit increased at a lower rate reflecting investments.

CONSTRUCTION INFORMATION

The Construction Information Group revenue increased 2.3%, but operating profits
declined modestly due to investments in new products and technology. Revenue
growth came from electronic products and two publications, Architectural Record
and Engineering News-Record (ENR). Electronic revenue grew at Dodge and at
Sweet's and included the successful launch of Dodge Plans, a sophisticated
building-specifications delivery system, and a whole suite of online products
launched under construction.com. In 1998, contract value of nonresidential
building rose 1%.

      In 1999, contract value of nonresidential building is expected to rise 3%.
The Group should continue to benefit from existing product enhancements and its
electronic products, as the construction industry becomes more technologically
savvy, while building on its alliances by simplifying content management and
product delivery systems.

      The Construction Information Group revenue increased 7.5% in 1997. Revenue
increased due to growth at F.W. Dodge and Sweet's as electronic products grew by
25% and also from new products such as the Sweet's Directory. Architectural
Record and Engineering News-Record had significant increases in advertising
pages. Operating profit increased over 1996 due to the revenue growth and
continued expense management.

BROADCASTING

The Broadcasting Group operates four television stations: VHF stations in
Denver, Indianapolis and San Diego and a UHF station in Bakersfield, California.
All four stations are ABC affiliates. The Broadcasting Group revenue grew 2.3%.
The Group revenue benefited from a strong first half but was hurt by an industry
wide advertising slowdown in the second half, particularly the General Motors
strike. Revenue was also affected by weakening of ABC prime-time ratings. Tight
cost controls helped to offset the revenue softness. The Broadcasting Group is
operating below 1995 expense levels. As a result, margins improved.

      For 1999, Broadcasting expects an overall favorable advertising
environment with a recovery in the automotive sector.

      In 1997, Broadcasting revenue increased 1.0%. Revenue growth was limited
by the loss of political advertising, which had reached record levels in 1996.
The stations also faced declining ratings in ABC network prime-time programming
in 1997. Cost reductions enabled profits to increase significantly.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)                                              1998            1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>             <C>     
Working Capital                                        $  137.3        $  258.2
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Debt                                             $  527.6        $  684.4
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accounts Receivable (before reserves)                  $1,162.7        $1,155.1
% Increase                                                    1              11
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inventories                                            $  284.7        $  290.5
% Increase (Decrease)                                        (2)              6
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment in Prepublication Costs                     $  195.0        $  166.8
% Increase (Decrease)                                        17              (9)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Expenditures                                   $  178.9        $   78.7
% Increase                                                  127              24
===============================================================================
</TABLE>

      The company continues to maintain a strong financial position. Cash flow
from operations improved to $755 million in 1998, compared with $523 million in
1997, excluding a $150 million tax payment made in 1997 related to the gain on
the Shepard's/Times Mirror Higher Education exchange. Cash flow from operations
more than covered dividends, outlays for the purchase of property and equipment,
investment in publishing programs and the repurchase of common shares.

      In 1998, total debt decreased $157 million primarily due to the improved
cash flow. Total debt reflects the early extinguishment of $155 million of 9.43%
notes, due in the year 2000, which will be refinanced at a lower rate. $95
million of the notes remain outstanding at December 31, 1998. Under a shelf
registration that became effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission
in mid-1990, an additional $250 million of debt securities can be issued. The
new debt could be used to replace a portion of the commercial paper borrowings
with longer-term securities, when and if interest rates are attractive and
markets are favorable. Total debt as a percentage of total capital decreased to
25.4% at the end of 1998 from 32.3% at the end of 1997.

      Commercial paper borrowings at December 31, 1998 were $397 million.
Commercial paper debt is supported by an $800 million revolving credit agreement
with a group of banks terminating in February 2002, and $350 million has been
classified as long-term. There are no amounts outstanding under this agreement.

      Earnings and cash flow are significantly impacted by the seasonality of
businesses, particularly educational publishing. The first quarter is the least
significant, accounting for 19% of revenues and only 6% of net earnings in 1998.
The third quarter is the most significant, generating nearly half of 1998 annual
earnings. This seasonality in revenue also impacts cash flow and related
borrowing patterns. The company typically borrows in the first half of the
fiscal year, and generates cash in the second half of the year, primarily from
fourth quarter collections from customers in the education markets. This pattern
is magnified in years where there is significant state adoption activity, such
as in 1997. The acquisition of the Times Mirror Higher Education Group further
impacted the seasonality of operating results.


Page 32
<PAGE>   28

      Working capital at the end of 1998 of $137 million was $121 million less
than the level at the end of 1997, primarily due to lower paper and other
materials inventories and prepaid income taxes, net of larger current
liabilities due to timing of payments.

      Accounts receivable (before reserves) increased $8 million, or 0.7%,
despite a 5.5% increase in revenues. The year-to-year increase was effectively
controlled through timely collections. Number of day's sales outstanding, a key
indicator of collection efficiency, decreased three days in 1998.

      Total inventories decreased $5.8 million, or 2.0%, from prior year due to
the continued improvement of managing inventory levels.

      Capital expenditures, primarily the purchase of property and equipment,
totaled $179 million in 1998, compared with $79 million in 1997. The significant
increase in 1998 relates to the build-out of the new leased office space in New
York City and the construction of a building in Columbus, Ohio. For 1999,
capital expenditures are expected to decline to approximately $140 million as
the office consolidation and Columbus facility are completed.

      Net prepublication costs increased to $358 million at December 31, 1998.
Prepublication investment totaled $195 million in 1998, $28 million more than
1997, reflecting an increase in investment for the 1999 and 2000 adoption years.
For 1999, prepublication spending is expected to further increase by
approximately 25% for upcoming adoption years.

      On January 27, 1999, the Board of Directors approved a two-for-one stock
split to be distributed on March 8, 1999 to shareholders of record on February
24, 1999. Additionally, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase
program authorizing the purchase of up to 15 million shares or 7.5% of the
outstanding common stock on a post-split basis. In the third quarter of this
year, the company completed the 8 million share repurchase program (post-split)
approved by the Board in 1996 for a total cost of $248.9 million. The
repurchased shares were financed from internally generated funds. The
repurchased shares will be used for general corporate purposes, including the
issuance of shares for stock compensation plans.

      On January 27, 1999, an increase in the quarterly common stock dividend of
two cents, or 10.3%, to 21.5 cents per share was announced.

      In 1999, cash flow from operations is expected to be sufficient to cover
dividends, investment in publishing programs and capital expenditures. Debt
levels will be impacted by the recently announced stock repurchase program.

      The company has operations in various foreign countries. In the normal
course of business, these operations are exposed to fluctuations in currency
values. Management does not consider the impact of currency fluctuations to
represent a significant risk. The company has naturally hedged positions in most
countries with a local currency perspective and asset and liability offsets. The
company's interest expense is sensitive to changes in the general level of U.S.
interest rates. In this regard, changes in the U.S. rates affect the interest
paid on a portion of its debt. The company does not generally enter into
derivative financial instruments in the normal course of business, nor are such
instruments used for speculative purposes.

YEAR 2000 ISSUE

Computer software and certain embedded systems that use two digits rather than
four to identify the applicable year may be unable to interpret appropriately
the calendar Year 2000, and thus could potentially disrupt normal business
activities. The Year 2000 issue affects virtually all companies and
organizations, including vendors, suppliers, customers and other third parties
that interface with the company.

      The company uses software and data in various aspects of its business,
including its products, product development, product support and many
administrative functions such as billing and receiving information and
merchandise from suppliers. As of December 31, 1998, the company has
substantially completed an inventory of its technology environment, including
non-information technology systems, with special emphasis placed on the
company's key information processes. Plans have been developed to remediate or
replace, and to test systems at each operating unit to achieve Year 2000
readiness, as appropriate.

      The company has hired outside vendors to assist the operating units in
implementing and/or modifying computer systems to be Year 2000 ready and to
assist in remediation and testing. Each of the company's operating units has
designated a leader responsible for overseeing and coordinating the day-to-day
process to become Year 2000 ready.

      As of December 31, 1998, we estimate that 88% of the company's
applications have been remediated or replaced, with the remaining 12% to be
completed shortly thereafter. Approximately 65% of the applications have been
tested and are Year 2000 ready. The company has targeted July 1999 as the
expected date that all computer systems and technology vital to each operating
unit's profitability and functionality, including non-information technology,
will have been tested and will be Year 2000 ready. As of the filing date of this
document, there have been no material setbacks in meeting the target dates and
the company does not believe that there will be a major break in service due to
the Year 2000 issue.

      The company is communicating with third parties, including its key
vendors, redistributors and customers, to determine their plans to address the
Year 2000 issue. The company is taking the following steps to determine if key
third parties are addressing the Year 2000 issue: (1) identifying and
documenting all third parties related to the company's vital information
systems; (2) sending letters asking them to detail the steps they are taking to
become Year 2000 ready; and (3) based on the responses, establishing follow-up
time schedules to evaluate progress on the issue.

      Standard & Poor's (S&P) Financial Services' groups have been responding to
the Securities Industry Association's ("SIA") inquiries on the securities
industry's readiness. As a part of this inquiry, the S&P Financial Services'
groups have provided SIA with the appropriate documents, including an overview
of Year 2000 projects, the techniques used to make their products Year 2000
ready, results of test data, methods of updating databases and critical third
party product dependencies. These responses are being updated periodically.


                                                                         Page 33
<PAGE>   29

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Liquidity and Capital Resources (continued)

      Although the company expects a positive resolution to these issues, due to
the unique and pervasive nature of the Year 2000 issue, it is difficult at this
time to ascertain the financial impact to the company if the company experiences
unanticipated problems related to the Year 2000 issue. The following describes
the company's most reasonably likely worst case scenario, while recognizing the
uncertainties inherent in a global problem that could potentially affect any
business. Material systems failures resulting from the Year 2000 problem have
the potential to adversely affect the company's operations and financial
systems. Material failures could affect, by way of example, billing systems,
collections, payroll, ordering, processing of financial records and access to
facilities. The company's business segments could face additional operational
problems in the event of a material systems or vendor failure, such as by way of
example, an inability to fulfill book orders on a timely basis, a disruption in
the company's ability to provide real-time financial information or a disruption
in our periodicals publishing schedule.

      The company identified computer systems that may not meet the July 1999
target date. Contingency plans for those systems have been developed to ensure
that they are Year 2000 ready prior to January 1, 2000. The company is also
reviewing its business continuity plans that cover current worldwide operations
and is preparing to devote appropriate internal and external resources in the
event of an unforeseen or unanticipated Year 2000 readiness issue arising on or
after January 1, 2000, including those related to third party dependencies, such
as power outages, telecommunications failures or vendor failures. For example,
as part of the planning process for the December 31, 1999 weekend, the company
is making arrangements to: staff a Crisis Center at the company's Hightstown,
N.J. facility with senior executives; station key facilities, security and
information technology personnel at locations worldwide; and to have a major
component of our information technology personnel at their work stations over
that weekend and continuing as long thereafter as required.

      The cost to assess, remediate and test systems that will not be replaced
will approximate $18 million between 1998 and 2000; approximately $9 million has
been spent to date to remediate these systems. Certain systems that are not Year
2000 ready are being replaced as part of ongoing system development projects.

EURO CONVERSION

On January 1, 1999, certain member nations of the European Economic and Monetary
Union ("EMU") adopted a common currency, the euro. For a three and a half-year
transition period, noncash transactions may be denominated in either the euro or
in the old national currencies. After July 1, 2002, the euro will be the sole
legal tender for EMU countries. The adoption of the euro will affect a multitude
of financial systems and business applications as the commerce of these nations
will be transacted in the euro and the existing national currency. For the years
ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, approximately 5% of the company's revenues
were derived from EMU countries.

      The company continues to address euro related issues and its impact on
information systems, currency exchange rate risk, taxation, contracts,
competition and pricing. Action plans currently being implemented are expected
to be in compliance with all laws and regulations; however, there can be no
certainty that external factors will not have an adverse effect on the company's
operations. The company does not expect these costs to be material to its
results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

"SAFE HARBOR" STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF
1995

This section, as well as other portions of this document, includes certain
forward-looking statements about the company's business, new products, sales,
expenses, cash flows and operating and capital requirements. Such
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: future paper,
printing and distribution prices; future compensation merit increase rates;
Educational Publishing's level of success in 1999 adoptions and the new Consumer
Products division; the strength of higher education, professional and
international publishing markets; the strength of profit levels at Standard &
Poor's Ratings Services; the level of success of new product development and
strength of international markets at Standard & Poor's Financial Information
Services; Business Week's success in expansion into international markets; the
strength of the domestic advertising market; the level of import activity; the
contract value of nonresidential building; McGraw-Hill Construction Information
Group's ability to introduce new electronic products, product extensions and
enhancements; Broadcasting's level of automotive advertising; the level of
future cash flow, debt levels, capital expenditures and prepublication cost
investment; and the resolution of the Year 2000 and euro conversion issues.

      Actual results may differ materially from those in any forward-looking
statements because any such statements involve risks and uncertainties and are
subject to change based upon various important factors, including but not
limited to worldwide economic and political conditions, currency and foreign
exchange volatility, the health of capital and equity markets, the successful
marketing of new products, and the effect of competitive products and pricing.


Page 34
<PAGE>   30

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended December 31 (in thousands, except per-share data)                          1998          1997         1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                              <C>           <C>          <C>       
OPERATING REVENUE                                                                $3,729,145    $3,534,095   $3,074,697
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXPENSES
Operating                                                                         1,661,615     1,625,735    1,439,824
Selling and general                                                               1,216,686     1,137,887      980,279
Depreciation and amortization                                                       299,240       293,518      238,558
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL EXPENSES                                                                    3,177,541     3,057,140    2,658,661
Gain on exchange of Shepard's/McGraw-Hill (Note 3)                                       --            --      418,731
Other income - net (Note 2)                                                          56,779        46,853       27,696
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS                                                              608,383       523,808      862,463
Interest expense - net                                                               47,961        52,542       47,656
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME BEFORE TAXES ON INCOME                                                       560,422       471,266      814,807
Provision for taxes on income (Note 7)                                              218,565       180,591      319,074
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY ITEM                                                    341,857       290,675      495,733
EXTRAORDINARY ITEM - LOSS ON EARLY EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT, NET OF TAX (Note 4)       (8,716)           --           --
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME                                                                       $  333,141    $  290,675   $  495,733
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Note 13)
INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY ITEM                                                 $     1.73    $     1.47   $     2.50
NET INCOME                                                                       $     1.69    $     1.47   $     2.50
======================================================================================================================
DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Note 13)
INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY ITEM                                                 $     1.71    $     1.46   $     2.48
NET INCOME                                                                       $     1.67    $     1.46   $     2.48
======================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.


                                                                         Page 35
<PAGE>   31

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31 (in thousands, except share data)                                           1998         1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                               <C>          <C>       
ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and equivalents (Note 1)                                                     $   10,451   $    4,768
Accounts receivable (net of allowances for doubtful accounts and sales returns:
   1998 - $212,423; 1997 - $182,629)                                                 950,296      972,449
Receivable from broker-dealers and dealer banks (Note 1)                               4,597        9,483
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inventories:
Finished goods                                                                       235,341      233,105
Work-in-process                                                                       31,260       28,455
Paper and other materials                                                             18,128       28,919
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total inventories                                                                    284,729      290,479
Prepaid income taxes                                                                  92,496       99,131
Prepaid and other current assets                                                      86,192       88,111
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets                                                               1,428,761    1,464,421
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PREPUBLICATION COSTS (net of accumulated amortization:
   1998 - $607,574; 1997 - $526,156) (Note 1)                                        358,429      326,251

INVESTMENTS AND OTHER ASSETS
Investment in Rock-McGraw, Inc. - at equity (Note 6)                                  79,394       72,292
Prepaid pension expense                                                              107,997      100,495
Other                                                                                189,991      167,701
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total investments and other assets                                                   377,382      340,488
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT - AT COST
Land                                                                                  12,867       18,823
Buildings and leasehold improvements                                                 295,374      264,237
Equipment and furniture                                                              606,564      555,154
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total property and equipment                                                         914,805      838,214
Less - accumulated depreciation                                                      550,781      564,584
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net property and equipment                                                           364,024      273,630
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - AT COST
   (net of accumulated amortization:
   1998 - $493,610; 1997 - $449,981) (Notes 1 and 3)                               1,259,548    1,308,284
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  $3,788,144   $3,713,074
=========================================================================================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.


Page 36
<PAGE>   32

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             1998           1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>            <C>        
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES

Notes payable (Note 4)                                                $    75,500    $    77,395
Accounts payable                                                          318,572        285,862
Payable to broker-dealers and dealer banks (Note 1)                         4,585          9,331
Accrued royalties                                                          97,753         96,801
Accrued compensation and contributions to retirement plans                215,163        181,393
Income taxes currently payable                                             67,396        100,685
Unearned revenue                                                          236,167        219,698
Other current liabilities                                                 276,315        235,077
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities                                               1,291,451      1,206,242
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER LIABILITIES

Long-term debt (Note 4)                                                   452,097        607,030
Deferred income taxes                                                     129,303        111,022
Accrued postretirement healthcare and other benefits                      192,743        196,508
Other non-current liabilities                                             170,742        157,621
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total other liabilities                                                   944,885      1,072,181
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities                                                       2,236,336      2,278,423
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Notes 6 and 8)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Notes 9 and 10)
$1.20 preference stock, $10 par value: authorized - 891,256 shares;
   outstanding - 1,362 shares in 1998 and 1997                                 14             14
Common stock, $1 par value: authorized - 300,000,000 shares;
   issued - 205,838,462 shares in 1998 and 1997                           205,838        102,919
Additional paid-in capital                                                     --         35,469
Retained income                                                         1,670,101      1,542,854
Accumulated other comprehensive income                                    (75,962)       (74,247)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less - common stock in treasury - at cost
   (8,727,116 shares in 1998 and 7,635,286 shares in 1997)                234,673        159,447
   Unearned compensation on restricted stock                               13,510         12,911
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total shareholders' equity                                              1,551,808      1,434,651
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      $ 3,788,144    $ 3,713,074
================================================================================================
</TABLE>


                                                                         Page 37
<PAGE>   33

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended December 31 (in thousands)                                                  1998         1997         1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                <C>          <C>          <C>      
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income                                                                         $ 333,141    $ 290,675    $ 495,733
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
   Depreciation                                                                       77,168       73,151       71,097
   Amortization of goodwill and intangibles                                           52,530       50,034       39,190
   Amortization of prepublication costs                                              169,542      170,333      128,271
   Provision for losses on accounts receivable                                       104,597       80,600       65,116
   Provision for facility reserve                                                         --       33,152           --
   Gain on sale of Datapro Information Services                                           --      (20,404)          --
   Gain on exchange of Shepard's/McGraw-Hill
     for the Times Mirror Higher Education Group                                          --           --     (418,731)
   Gain on sale of building                                                          (26,656)          --           --
   Provision for one-time integration costs                                               --           --       25,000
   Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt                                 14,289           --           --
   Other                                                                               1,905        7,541        5,839
Change in assets and liabilities net of effect of acquisitions and dispositions:
   Increase in accounts receivable                                                   (80,421)    (185,814)    (118,235)
   Decrease/(increase) in inventories                                                  6,430      (20,742)       4,000
   Increase in prepaid and other current assets                                         (161)      (4,303)     (15,880)
   Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses                                  66,500       91,423       40,717
   Increase/(decrease) in unearned revenue                                            21,999       (5,145)      13,770
   Increase/(decrease) in other current liabilities                                   21,290      (25,802)     (11,010)
   (Decrease)/increase in interest and income taxes currently payable                (20,050)    (134,117)     166,646
   Increase/(decrease) in prepaid/deferred income taxes                               34,844      (19,770)     (24,807)
   Net change in other assets and liabilities                                        (21,877)      (7,736)      (6,564)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash provided by operating activities                                                755,070      373,076      460,152
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investment in prepublication costs                                                  (194,978)    (166,784)    (182,978)
Purchase of property and equipment                                                  (178,889)     (78,724)     (63,313)
Acquisition of businesses and equity interests                                       (24,720)     (43,780)     (31,195)
Proceeds from exchange of Shepard's/McGraw-Hill
   for the Times Mirror Higher Education Group                                            --        6,730       27,258
Proceeds from disposition of property, equipment and businesses                       66,479       57,777       10,041
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash used for investing activities                                                  (332,108)    (224,781)    (240,187)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Dividends paid to shareholders                                                      (154,386)    (142,705)    (131,375)
(Repayment of)/additions to commercial paper and other short-term debt - net          (1,660)      62,340      (46,696)
Repayment of long-term debt                                                         (154,988)          --           --
Repurchase of treasury shares                                                       (105,637)     (79,899)     (63,314)
Exercise of stock options                                                             23,384       20,367       19,869
Other                                                                                (22,277)      (5,560)      (4,928)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash used for financing activities                                                  (415,564)    (145,457)    (226,444)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH                                               (1,715)      (1,500)        (341)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net change in cash and equivalents                                                     5,683        1,338       (6,820)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of year                                              4,768        3,430       10,250
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AND EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR                                                $  10,451    $   4,768    $   3,430
======================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.


Page 38
<PAGE>   34

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended                                 $1.20                Additional               
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996       preference       Common      paid-in      Retained 
(in thousands, except per-share data)     $10 par       $1 par      capital        income 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>     <C>          <C>         <C>        
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1995                  $14     $102,919     $ 26,740    $1,030,526 
Net income                                     --           --           --       495,733 
Other comprehensive income,
   net of tax - foreign currency
   translation adjustments                     --           --           --            -- 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                                                                      
Dividends ($.66 per share)                     --           --           --      (131,375)
Share repurchase                               --           --           --            -- 
Exercise of stock options                      --           --        3,886            -- 
Restricted stock                               --           --        6,756            -- 
Other                                          --           --           91            -- 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1996                   14      102,919       37,473     1,394,884 
Net income                                     --           --           --       290,675 
Other comprehensive income,
   net of tax - foreign currency
   translation adjustments                     --           --           --            -- 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                                                                      
Dividends ($.72 per share)                     --           --           --      (142,705)
Share repurchase                               --           --           --            -- 
Exercise of stock options                      --           --       (8,252)           -- 
Restricted stock                               --           --        6,186            -- 
Other                                          --           --           62            -- 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1997                   14      102,919       35,469     1,542,854 
Net income                                     --           --           --       333,141 
Other comprehensive income,
   net of tax - foreign currency
   translation adjustments                     --           --           --            -- 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                                                                      
Dividends ($.78 per share)                     --           --           --      (154,386)
Share repurchase                               --           --           --            -- 
Exercise of stock options                      --           --        3,803            -- 
Restricted stock                               --           --       12,037            -- 
Other                                          --           --          102            -- 
Two-for-one stock split at par value           --      102,919      (51,411)      (51,508)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1998                  $14     $205,838     $     --    $1,670,101 
==========================================================================================

<CAPTION>
                                        Accumulated         Less-         Less-
                                              other        common      unearned                 
Years ended                                 compre-         stock  compensation                 
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996            hensive   in treasury on restricted                 
(in thousands, except per-share data)        income       at cost         stock         Total   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
<S>                                        <C>           <C>            <C>        <C>          
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1995               $(56,247)     $ 60,778       $ 8,108    $1,035,066   
Net income                                       --            --            --       495,733   
Other comprehensive income,                                                                     
   net of tax - foreign currency                                                                
   translation adjustments                   (1,055)           --            --        (1,055)  
                                                                                   ----------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                                                                  494,678   
Dividends ($.66 per share)                       --            --            --      (131,375)  
Share repurchase                                 --        63,314            --       (63,314)  
Exercise of stock options                        --       (15,468)           --        19,354   
Restricted stock                                 --        (1,096)        1,352         6,500   
Other                                            --          (118)           --           209   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1996                (57,302)      107,410         9,460     1,361,118   
Net income                                       --            --            --       290,675   
Other comprehensive income,                                                                     
   net of tax - foreign currency                                                                
   translation adjustments                  (16,945)           --            --       (16,945)  
                                                                                   ----------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                                                                  273,730   
Dividends ($.72 per share)                       --                          --      (142,705)  
Share repurchase                                 --        79,899            --       (79,899)  
Exercise of stock options                        --       (23,268)           --        15,016   
Restricted stock                                 --        (4,463)        3,451         7,198   
Other                                            --          (131)           --           193   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1997                (74,247)      159,447        12,911     1,434,651   
Net income                                       --            --            --       333,141   
Other comprehensive income,                                                                     
   net of tax - foreign currency                                                                
   translation adjustments                   (1,715)           --            --        (1,715)  
                                                                                   ----------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                                                                  331,426   
Dividends ($.78 per share)                       --            --            --      (154,386)  
Share repurchase                                 --       105,637            --      (105,637)  
Exercise of stock options                        --       (21,388)           --        25,191   
Restricted stock                                 --        (8,887)          599        20,325   
Other                                            --          (136)           --           238   
Two-for-one stock split at par value             --            --            --            --   
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1998               $(75,962)     $234,673       $13,510    $1,551,808   
=============================================================================================   
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes.


                                                                         Page 39
<PAGE>   35

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION. The consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of all subsidiaries and the company's share of earnings or losses of
joint ventures and affiliated companies under the equity method of accounting.
All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

USE OF ESTIMATES. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

CASH EQUIVALENTS. Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with
maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase.

INVENTORIES. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (principally first-in,
first-out) or market.

PREPUBLICATION COSTS. Prepublication costs, principally outside preparation
costs, are amortized from the year of publication over their estimated useful
lives, primarily three to five years, using either an accelerated or the
straight-line method. It is the company's policy to evaluate the remaining lives
and recoverability of such costs, which is often dependent upon program
acceptance by state adoption authorities.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS. Goodwill and other intangible assets that
arose from acquisitions either consummated or initiated prior to November 1,
1970 are not amortized unless there has been a reduction in the value of the
related assets. Goodwill and other intangible assets arising subsequent to
November 1, 1970 of $1.7 billion at December 31, 1998 and 1997 are being
amortized over periods of up to 40 years. The company periodically reviews its
goodwill to determine if any impairment exists based upon projected,
undiscounted net cash flows of the related business unit.

RECEIVABLE FROM/PAYABLE TO BROKER-DEALERS AND DEALER BANKS. A subsidiary of J.J.
Kenny Co. acts as an undisclosed agent in the purchase and sale of municipal
securities for broker-dealers and dealer banks, and the company had matched
purchase and sale commitments of $209.1 million and $282.4 million at December
31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Only those transactions not closed at the
settlement date are reflected in the balance sheet as receivables and payables.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION. Assets and liabilities are translated using
current exchange rates, except certain accounts of units whose functional
currency is the U.S. dollar, and translation adjustments are accumulated in a
separate component of shareholders' equity. Revenues and expenses are translated
at average monthly exchange rates. Inventory, prepublication costs and property
and equipment accounts of units whose functional currency is the U.S. dollar are
translated using historical exchange rates and translation adjustments are
charged and credited to income.

REVENUE. Revenues are generally recognized when goods are shipped to customers
or services rendered. Tuition revenue from home-study courses is recorded when
the contracts are accepted. At the same time, provisions for cancellation and
uncollectible accounts and estimated costs to service the contracts are
recorded. Units whose revenues are principally from subscription income and
service contracts record revenue as earned. Units whose revenues are principally
from advertising generally record subscription income as received. Costs related
to subscriptions generally are expensed as incurred.

DEPRECIATION. The costs of property and equipment are depreciated using the
straight-line method based upon the following estimated useful lives:
   Buildings and leasehold improvements - 15 to 40 years 
   Equipment and furniture - 3 to 10 years

ADVERTISING EXPENSE. The cost of advertising is expensed as incurred. The
company incurred $107 million, $109 million and $96 million in advertising costs
in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

RECLASSIFICATION. Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified for
comparability purposes.

2. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS

ACQUISITIONS. In 1998, the company acquired Xebec Multi Media Solutions, Ltd.
and Optical Data Corporation for $24.7 million, net of cash acquired. In 1997,
the company made seven acquisitions and equity investments, including Micropal
Group Ltd., for $43.8 million in cash, net of cash acquired, and $41.9 million
in debt. In 1996, excluding the exchange of Shepard's/McGraw-Hill for the Times
Mirror Higher Education Group (TMHE), the company made four acquisitions,
including Open Court Publishing, for $31.2 million in cash, net of cash
acquired. See Note 3 for details of the Shepard's/McGraw-Hill-TMHE exchange.

NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES. Liabilities assumed in conjunction with the
acquisition of businesses, including TMHE, are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)                                           1998      1997      1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>      <C>       <C>   
Fair value of assets acquired                          $28.0    $104.1    $583.4
Cash paid (net of cash
   acquired)                                            24.7      43.8       3.9
Fair value of business
   exchanged                                              --        --     485.0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities assumed                                    $ 3.3    $ 60.3    $ 94.5
================================================================================
</TABLE>


Page 40
<PAGE>   36

DISPOSITIONS. In 1998, the company sold the remainder of its Information
Technology and Communications Group for $28.6 million. There was no gain or loss
on the divestiture as the net proceeds minus disposition costs approximated the
net book value of the Group's assets. In 1997, the company sold Datapro
Information Services, McGraw-Hill School Systems and London House for $54.5
million. The pretax gain on the sale of Datapro Information Services was $20.4
million, which was included in other income. After taxes, the gain was $20.2
million. The proceeds from the other two businesses sold approximated the book
value of the properties. In 1996, other than the Shepard's/McGraw-Hill-TMHE
exchange discussed in Note 3, there were no significant dispositions.

3. EXCHANGE OF SHEPARD'S/McGRAW-HILL FOR
TIMES MIRROR HIGHER EDUCATION GROUP

On October 15, 1996, The McGraw-Hill Companies completed the exchange of its
Shepard's/McGraw-Hill legal publishing unit for the Times Mirror Higher
Education Group (TMHE) and other consideration, including $34 million in cash.
The valuation of the properties exchanged was $485 million. The acquisition of
TMHE was accounted for as a purchase and the net assets and results of
operations of TMHE have been included in the consolidated financial statements
since the date of acquisition. The excess of the transaction value over the
tangible assets acquired was allocated to identifiable publishing intangible
assets ($231 million) being amortized over 18 to 30 years and goodwill ($168
million) being amortized over 40 years.

      The company recorded a pretax gain on the sale of Shepard's/McGraw-Hill of
$418.7 million ($260.5 million net of taxes, or $1.30 per diluted share).

      In connection with the acquisition of TMHE, the company recorded
acquisition reserves of $26.6 million. Such costs were primarily for employee
severance as well as professional fees and various other costs associated with
the acquisition. In addition, one-time charges of $25 million related to the
integration of the company's College Division with the acquired TMHE business
were recorded in 1996. Such costs were attributed to employee severance, asset
write-offs and other costs to integrate and consolidate the operations.

4. DEBT

At December 31, 1998, the company had short-term borrowings of $426 million,
primarily representing domestic commercial paper borrowings of $397 million and
acquisition related debt of $29 million at an average interest rate of 5.6%
maturing at various dates during 1999.At December 31, 1997, the company had
short-term borrowings of $427 million, primarily representing domestic paper
borrowings of $381 million and acquisitions related debt of $46 million at an
average interest rate of 5.6% that matured at various dates during 1998. The
commercial paper borrowings in both years are supported by the revolving credit
agreement described below, and $350 million has been classified as long-term.

      The company has an $800 million revolving credit agreement with a group of
banks terminating in February 2002. Interest rates on amounts borrowed vary
depending upon the source and are based on either the eurodollar or a bank base
rate, at the company's option. The credit agreement contains various warranties
and covenants that must be complied with on a continuing basis. The agreement
requires a commitment fee on the unused portion of the credit line. At December
31, 1998, there were no borrowings under the agreement.

      In September 1998, the company commenced a tender offer for $250 million
of its 9.43% notes due in 2000. As a result of this tender offer, approximately
$155 million of the debt was retired. The company incurred an $8.7 million
after-tax loss related to this transaction, which is classified as an
extraordinary item on the consolidated statement of income. The notes are
unsecured obligations of the company and are not redeemable by the company prior
to the maturity date.

      A summary of long-term debt at December 31 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)                                                     1998      1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>       <C>   
9.43% notes due 2000                                            $ 95.0    $250.0
Commercial paper supported
   by bank revolving credit agreement                            350.0     350.0
Other (primarily acquisition related notes)                        7.1       7.0
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total long-term debt                                            $452.1    $607.0
================================================================================
</TABLE>

      The company paid interest on its debt totaling $48.9 million in 1998,
$52.1 million in 1997 and $50.1 million in 1996.

      The carrying amount of the company's commercial paper borrowings
approximates fair value. The fair value of the company's 9.43% notes and other
long-term debt at December 31, 1998 and 1997, based on current borrowing rates
for debt with similar terms and maturities, is estimated to be $108.6 million
and $279.7 million, respectively.

5. SEGMENT REPORTING AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

On December 31, 1998, the company adopted FASB Statement No. 131, "Disclosures
About Segments of An Enterprise and Related Information" (SFAS131). The new
rules establish revised standards for public companies relating to the reporting
of financial and descriptive information about their operating segments in the
financial statements. Operating segments are defined as components of an
enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is
evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making
group, in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance.

      The company has three reportable segments: Educational and Professional
Publishing, Financial Services, and Information and Media Services. The
educational and professional publishing segment provides education, training and
lifetime learning textbooks and instructional materials for students and
professionals. The financial services segment consists of Standard & Poor's
operations, which provide financial information, ratings and analyses, enabling
access to capital markets. The information and media services segment includes
business and trade media offering information, insight and analysis.


                                                                         Page 41
<PAGE>   37

      Information as to the operations of the three segments of the company is
set forth below based on the nature of the products and services offered. The
chief operating decision maker of the company, the CEO Council, evaluates
performance based primarily on operating profit. The accounting policies of the
operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant
accounting policies - refer to Note 1 of the financial statements for the
company's significant accounting policies.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              Educational             Information                          
                         and Professional  Financial    and Media    Segment               Consolidated
(in millions)                  Publishing   Services     Services     Totals  Adjustments         Total
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>           <C>     
1998                                                                                       
Operating revenue                $1,620.3   $1,152.7     $  956.1   $3,729.1     $     --      $3,729.1
Operating profit                    202.1      364.8        122.2      689.1       (128.7)        560.4*
Depreciation and amortization+      226.9       35.5         34.6      297.0          2.2         299.2
Assets                            2,049.4      729.7        606.0    3,385.1        403.0       3,788.1
Capital expenditures++              257.4       50.1         66.4      373.9           --         373.9
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997                                                                                       
Operating revenue                $1,573.8   $  980.1     $  980.2   $3,534.1     $     --      $3,534.1
Operating profit                    187.7      269.9        141.5      599.1       (127.8)        471.3*
Depreciation and amortization+      225.0       33.4         33.9      292.3          1.2         293.5
Assets                            2,058.2      674.4        614.3    3,346.9        366.2       3,713.1
Capital expenditures++              193.1       23.6         28.8      245.5           --         245.5
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996                                                                                       
Operating revenue                $1,277.9   $  855.9     $  940.9   $3,074.7     $     --      $3,074.7
Operating profit                    545.7      262.1        116.8      924.6       (109.8)        814.8*
Depreciation and amortization+      172.3       30.5         34.6      237.4          1.2         238.6
Assets                            2,085.5      561.1        626.3    3,272.9        369.3       3,642.2
Capital expenditures++              201.2       20.2         24.9      246.3           --         246.3
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

*  Income before taxes on income
+  Includes amortization of goodwill and intangible assets and prepublication
   costs.
++ Includes purchase of property and equipment and investments in prepublication
   costs.

      The operating profit adjustments listed above relate to the operating
results of the corporate entity, which is not considered an operating segment,
and includes all corporate expenses of $80.7 million, $75.3 million and $62.1
million, respectively, for 1998, 1997 and 1996, and net interest expense of
$48.0 million, $52.5 million and $47.7 million, respectively, of the company.
Corporate assets consist principally of cash and equivalents, investment in
Rock-McGraw, Inc., prepaid pension expense and income taxes and leasehold
improvements related to subleased areas.

      The following is a schedule of revenues and long-lived assets by
geographic location:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)             1998                    1997                    1996        
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Long-lived              Long-lived              Long-lived
                 Revenues       assets   Revenues       assets   Revenues       assets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>              <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>     
United States    $3,045.7     $2,018.8   $2,898.4     $1,917.6   $2,507.0     $1,979.4
European region     325.8         67.3      283.2         46.2      268.6         32.0
Rest of world       357.6         60.3      352.5         67.9      299.1         67.2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total         $3,729.1     $2,146.4   $3,534.1     $2,031.7   $3,074.7     $2,078.6
======================================================================================
</TABLE>

      Foreign revenue and long-lived assets include operations in 31 countries.
The company does not have operations in any foreign country that represents more
than 5% of its consolidated revenues. Transfers between geographic areas are
recorded at cost plus a markup and intercompany revenue and profit are
eliminated.

6. INVESTMENT IN ROCK-McGRAW,INC.

Rock-McGraw owns the company's headquarters building in New York City. It is
owned 45% by the company and 55% by Rockefeller Group, Inc.

      The company currently occupies a portion of the rentable space. The
current lease is for 30 years ending in the year 2002. In 1998, the company
entered into a new lease agreement, starting in 2002, covering approximately 0.4
million square feet of office space. The lease will expire in 2020 and includes
renewal options for three additional 5-year periods.

      As part of its supplemental agreement with Rock-McGraw, the company has
commenced surrendering a portion of its occupied space. In 1998, the company
paid Rock-McGraw gross annual rentals of $14.2 million (including various
escalation payments) for the occupied space and $14.1 million for space that it
has sublet. Over the lease term, the company is recovering a portion of the
rentals through its share of earnings of Rock-McGraw.

      A summary of significant financial information for Rock-McGraw follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)                                       1998        1997        1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>         <C>         <C>    
Revenue                                          $  66.2     $  64.6     $  63.7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                          13.2        13.0        11.2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation and
   amortization expense                              7.3         6.7         6.5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                                       240.4       228.4       208.8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mortgage payable                                    19.3        20.2        23.8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities                                   65.4        66.7        60.0
================================================================================
</TABLE>


Page 42
<PAGE>   38

      During 1998, Rock-McGraw refinanced its mortgage on the building for $19.3
million with a 5-year mortgage maturing on April 1, 2003. Interest is payable
based on either the LIBOR rate between 30-180 days plus 0.4%, or the higher of
the Prime rate or Federal Funds rate plus 0.5%, with the principal prepayable at
any time in increments of $0.5 million and the balance due at maturity.

7. TAXES ON INCOME

Income before taxes on income resulted from domestic operations (including
foreign branches) and foreign subsidiaries' operations as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)                                       1998        1997        1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>         <C>         <C>    
Domestic operations                              $ 513.5     $ 425.9     $ 783.6
Foreign operations                                  46.9        45.4        31.2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total income before taxes                        $ 560.4     $ 471.3     $ 814.8
================================================================================
</TABLE>

      A reconciliation of the U.S. statutory tax rate to the company's effective
tax rate for financial reporting purposes follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1998        1997        1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>         <C>         <C>  
U.S. statutory rate                                35.0%       35.0%       35.0%
Goodwill amortization                               1.2         1.3         0.7
Effect of state and local                   
   income taxes                                     4.1         4.0*        3.7
Other - net                                        (1.3)       (2.0)       (0.2)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective tax rate                                 39.0%       38.3%       39.2%
================================================================================
</TABLE>

*Includes impact of lower taxes on gain on sale of Datapro.

      The provision for taxes on income consists of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)                                      1998        1997        1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>         <C>         <C>    
Federal:
Current                                         $ 135.6     $ 154.2     $ 281.4
Deferred                                           29.0       (21.2)      (19.3)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total federal                                     164.6       133.0       262.1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign:
Current                                            21.8        19.1        11.8
Deferred                                           (3.0)       (0.4)       (0.7)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total foreign                                      18.8        18.7        11.1
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State and local:
Current                                            25.9        33.1        48.8
Deferred                                            9.3        (4.2)       (2.9)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total state and local                              35.2        28.9        45.9
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total provision for taxes                       $ 218.6     $ 180.6     $ 319.1
===============================================================================
</TABLE>

      The principal temporary differences between the accounting for income and
expenses for financial reporting and income tax purposes as of December 31
follow:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)                                                  1998        1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>         <C>    
Fixed assets and intangible assets                          $ 132.9     $ 127.4
Prepaid pension and other expenses                             85.9        73.7
Unearned revenue                                               37.9        38.5
Reserves and accruals                                        (140.7)     (149.0)
Postretirement and postemployment benefits                    (90.9)      (90.7)
Other - net                                                    11.8        12.0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liability - net                                $  36.9     $  11.9
===============================================================================
</TABLE>

      The company made net income tax payments totaling $193.0 million in 1998,
$331.5 million in 1997 and $170.6 million in 1996.

      The company has not recorded deferred income taxes applicable to
undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that are indefinitely reinvested
in foreign operations. Undistributed earnings amounted to approximately $66
million at December 31, 1998, excluding amounts that, if remitted, generally
would not result in any additional U.S. income taxes because of available
foreign tax credits. If the earnings of such foreign subsidiaries were not
indefinitely reinvested, a deferred tax liability of approximately $17 million
would have been required.

8. RENTAL EXPENSE AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS

Rental expense for property and equipment under all operating lease agreements
was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)                                       1998        1997        1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>         <C>         <C>    
Gross rental expense                             $ 113.3     $ 108.9     $ 107.1
Less: sublease revenue                              30.0        27.5        28.5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net rental expense                               $  83.3     $  81.4     $  78.6
================================================================================
</TABLE>

      The company is committed under lease arrangements covering property,
computer systems and office equipment. Certain lease arrangements contain
escalation clauses covering increased costs for real estate taxes and operating
services.

      In an effort to consolidate its New York City office space, the company
entered into two new lease agreements in 1997 covering approximately 1.4 million
square feet of office space. The company also entered into a new lease agreement
in 1998 for its headquarters building, referred to in Note 6, covering
approximately 0.4 million square feet starting in 2002. All leases expire in the
year 2020. The new lease arrangements coincide with the expiration of several
existing leases in 1999 and the company's headquarters building lease, and the
surrender of a portion of the company's occupied space in its headquarters
building that began in 1998.

      Minimum rental commitments under existing noncancelable leases with a
remaining term of more than one year, including the company's headquarters
building, are shown in the following table. The annual rental commitments for
real estate through the year 2002 have been reduced by approximately $18 million
of rental income from existing noncancelable subleases.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                     <C>     
1999                                                                    $   66.1
2000                                                                        63.3
2001                                                                        55.9
2002                                                                        59.1
2003                                                                        67.9
2004 and beyond                                                          1,059.4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                                                                   $1,371.7
================================================================================
</TABLE>

9. CAPITAL STOCK

The Board of Directors declared a two-for-one stock split of the company's
common stock, payable on March 8, 1999, to stockholders of record on February
24, 1999. The effect of the stock split has been retroactively reflected as of
December 31, 1998 in the consolidated balance sheet and statement of
shareholders' equity. All references to the number of common shares and per
share amounts elsewhere in the consolidated financial statements and related


                                                                         Page 43
<PAGE>   39

footnotes have been restated as appropriate to reflect the effect of the stock
split for all periods presented. On January 27, 1999, the Board of Directors
also approved a share repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to 15
million shares, approximately 7.5% of the company's outstanding common stock.
The company plans to implement the program through open market purchases or
private trans actions. Through December 31, 1998, the company had repurchased
approximately 8.0 million shares of common stock from the 1996 program at a
total cost of $248.9 million. The repurchased shares will be used for general
corporate purposes, including the issuance of shares for stock compensation
plans. In the event of a significant investment opportunity, the company may
slow the pace of repurchase activity.

      The $1.20 convertible preference stock may be converted into common stock
at the option of the shareholder at the rate of one share of preference stock
for 13.2 shares of common stock.

      The number of common shares reserved for issuance for employee stock plan
awards was 18,015,440 at December 31, 1998 and 20,161,928 at December 31, 1997.
Under the Director Deferred Stock Ownership Plan, 316,596 common shares were
reserved for issuance at December 31, 1998 and 1997.

      Two million shares of preferred stock, par value $1 per share, are
authorized; none have been issued. 600,000 shares have been reserved for
issuance under a Preferred Share Purchase Rights Plan adopted by the company's
Board of Directors on July 29, 1998. Under the 1998 Rights Plan, one Right for
each share of common stock outstanding was issued to shareholders of record on
August 14, 1998.These Rights will become exercisable only if a person or group
acquires 20% or more of the company's common stock or announces a tender offer
that would result in the ownership of 20% or more of the common stock. Each
Right will then entitle the holder to buy a 1/400th interest in a share of
Series A preferred stock at an exercise price of $150. The Rights are redeemable
by the company's Board of Directors for one-quarter cent each prior to a 20%
acquisition by a third party. The 1998 Plan also gives the Board of Directors
the option to exchange one share of common stock of the company for each right
(not owned by the acquirer) after an acquirer holds 20% but less than 50% of the
outstanding shares of common stock. In the event, after a person or group
acquires 20% or more of the company's stock, that the company is acquired in a
merger or other business combination transaction of 50% or more of its
consolidated assets or earning power are sold, each Right becomes exercisable
for common stock equivalent to two times the exercise price of the Right.

10. STOCK PLAN AWARDS

The company applies the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APBO)
No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, in accounting for its
stock-based awards. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for
its stock option plans other than for its restricted stock performance awards.

      The company has two stock option plans: the 1993 and 1987 Key Employee
Stock Incentive Plans.

      The plans provide for the granting of incentive stock options,
nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards,
deferred stock (applicable to the 1987 Plan only) or other stock-based awards to
purchase a total of 28.2 million shares of the company's common stock - 9.2
million shares under the 1987 Plan and 19.0 million shares under the 1993 Plan,
as amended.

      Stock options, which may not be granted at a price less than the fair
market value of the company's common stock at date of grant, vest in two years
in equal annual installments and have a maximum term of ten years.

      Beginning in 1997, participants who exercise an option by tendering
previously owned shares of common stock of the company may elect to receive a
one-time restoration option covering the number of shares tendered. Restoration
options are granted at fair market value of the company's common stock on the
date of the grant, have a maximum term equal to the remainder of the original
option term, and are subject to a six-month vesting period.

      Had the company elected to apply the provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,
net income would have been reduced by $1.9 million, or $.01 per diluted share
for 1998, $1.1 million, or $.01 per diluted share for 1997, and $2.9 million, or
$.02 per diluted share for 1996, after accounting for stock-based compensation
effective for awards made January 1, 1995 and thereafter.

      The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the date of grant
using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions for
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively: risk-free average interest rate of 5.6%, 6.1%
and 5.4%; dividend yield of 2.1%, 2.9% and 3.0%; volatility of 22%, 19% and 15%;
and expected life of five years for all years.

      A summary of the status of the company's stock option plans as of December
31 and activity during the year follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Weighted
                                                                         average
                                                                        exercise
(in thousands of shares)                                      Shares       price
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>   
Outstanding at December 31, 1995                               6,216      $15.84
Options granted                                                1,976       21.74
Options exercised                                             (1,308)      15.41
Options cancelled and expired                                   (284)      19.53
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at December 31, 1996                               6,600      $17.44
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options granted                                                2,736       25.21
Options exercised                                             (1,914)      16.60
Options cancelled and expired                                   (292)      22.16
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at December 31, 1997                               7,130      $20.46
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options granted                                                3,825       37.74
Options exercised                                             (1,871)      19.93
Options cancelled and expired                                   (216)      28.41
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OUTSTANDING AT DECEMBER 31, 1998                               8,868      $27.79
================================================================================
</TABLE>

      At December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, options for 4,644,000, 3,830,000 and
4,152,000 shares of common stock were exercisable. The weighted average fair
value of options granted during 1998, 1997 and 1996 was $8.95, $5.02 and $3.46,
respectively.


Page 44
<PAGE>   40

      A summary of information about stock options outstanding and options
exercisable at December 31, 1998 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Options                 Options
(in thousands of shares)                Outstanding             Exercisable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Weighted      Weighted               Weighted
                                    average       average                average
Range of                          remaining      exercise               exercise
exercise prices      Shares            term         price    Shares        price
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                   <C>        <C>               <C>        <C>         <C>   
$13.11 to $17.44      2,211      4.23 years        $15.83     2,211       $15.83
$21.19 to $31.16      2,607      7.61 years        $22.94     1,708       $22.57
$33.47 to $45.88      4,051      9.17 years        $37.43       725       $35.65
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$13.11 to $45.88      8,869      7.48 years        $27.79     4,644       $21.41
================================================================================
</TABLE>

      Under the Director Deferred Stock Ownership Plan, a total of 316,596
shares of common stock was reserved as of December 31, 1998, and may be credited
to deferred stock accounts for eligible Directors. In general, the Plan requires
that 50% of eligible Directors' annual compensation plus dividend equivalents be
credited to deferred stock accounts. Each Director may also elect to defer all
or a portion of the remaining compensation and have an equivalent number of
shares credited to the deferred stock account. Recipients under this Plan are
not required to provide consideration to the company other than rendering
service. Shares will be delivered as of the date a recipient ceases to be a
member of the Board of Directors or within five years thereafter, if so elected.
The Plan will remain in effect until terminated by the Board of Directors or
until no shares of stock remain available under the Plan.

      Restricted stock performance awards have been granted under the 1993 and
1987 Plans. These restricted stock awards will vest only if the company achieves
certain financial goals over various vesting periods. Recipients are not
required to provide consideration to the company other than rendering service
and have the right to vote the shares and to receive dividends.

      A total of 373,596 restricted shares were issued at an average market
value of $37.54 in 1998, 639,390 shares at an average market value of $24.31 in
1997 and 578,716 shares at an average market value of $21.90 in 1996. The awards
are recorded at the market value on the date of grant. Initially the total
market value of the shares is treated as unearned compensation and is charged to
expense over the respective vesting periods. Under APBO No. 25, for performance
incentive shares, adjustments are also made to expense for changes in market
value and achievement of financial goals. Restricted stock compensation charged
to expense was $37.0 million for 1998, $16.0 million for 1997 and $12.0 million
for 1996. Restricted shares outstanding at the end of the year were 1,121,750 in
1998, 1,111,434 in 1997 and 1,091,358 in 1996.

11. RETIREMENT PLANS

The company and its subsidiaries have a number of defined benefit pension plans
and defined contribution plans covering substantially all employees. The
company's primary pension plan is a noncontributory plan under which benefits
are based on employee career employment compensation. The company also has a
voluntary deferred compensation plan under which the company matches employee
contributions up to certain levels of compensation and an Employee Retirement
Account Plan under which the company contributes a percentage of eligible
employees' compensation to the employees' accounts.

      For purposes of determining annual pension cost, prior service costs and
the net asset at January 1, 1986 are being amortized straight-line over the
average remaining service period of employees expected to receive benefits. The
assumed return on plan assets of 9.5% is based on a calculated market-related
value of assets, which recognizes changes in market value over five years.

      A summary of pension income for the company's domestic defined benefit
plans follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)                                      1998        1997        1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>         <C>         <C>    
Service cost                                    $  17.6     $  16.2     $  16.9
Interest cost                                      36.1        33.2        30.8
Expected return on assets                         (60.8)      (54.7)      (50.5)
Amortization of:
   Transitional net asset                          (0.7)       (0.9)       (3.0)
   Prior service cost                               1.0         0.9         0.9
   Actuarial (gain)/loss                           (0.7)       (0.6)         --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net pension income                              $  (7.5)    $  (5.9)    $  (4.9)
===============================================================================
Assumed rates - January 1:
Discount rate                                     7-1/4%      7-3/4%      7-1/4%
Compensation increase factor                      5-1/2       5-1/2       5-1/2
Return on assets                                  9-1/2       9-1/2       9-1/2
===============================================================================
</TABLE>

      The company also has unfunded supplemental benefit plans to provide senior
management with supplemental retirement, disability and death benefits. Supple
mental retirement benefits are based on final monthly earnings. Pension cost was
approximately $4 million for 1998, 1997 and 1996. The accrued benefit obligation
as of December 31, 1998 was $24.3 million.

      Total retirement plans cost was $45.3 million for 1998, $44.3 million for
1997 and $40.0 million for 1996.

      The funded status of the domestic defined benefit plans as of December 31
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)                                                   1998       1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>    
Change in benefit obligation
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year                  $ 496.8    $ 424.4
Service cost                                                    17.6       16.2
Interest cost                                                   36.1       33.2
Actuarial (gain)/loss                                           37.7       50.4
Gross benefits paid                                            (30.7)     (27.4)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net benefit obligation at end of year                        $ 557.5    $ 496.8
Change in Plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year               $ 774.4    $ 665.7
Actual return on plan assets                                   161.6      136.1
Employer contributions                                           0.1         --
Gross benefits paid                                            (30.7)     (27.4)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair value of plan assets at end of year                     $ 905.4    $ 774.4
Funded status at end of year                                 $ 347.9    $ 277.7
Unrecognized net actuarial (gain)/loss                        (244.6)    (182.2)
Unrecognized prior service costs                                 4.8        5.8
Unrecognized net transition obligation/(asset)                  (0.1)      (0.8)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prepaid pension cost                                         $ 108.0    $ 100.5
===============================================================================
Assumed rates - December 31:
Discount rate                                                  6-3/4%     7-1/4%
Compensation increase factor                                   5-1/2      5-1/2
===============================================================================
</TABLE>


                                                                         Page 45
<PAGE>   41

      The company has several foreign pension plans that do not determine the
accumulated benefits or net assets available for benefits as disclosed above.
The amounts involved are not material and are therefore not included.

12. POSTRETIREMENT HEALTHCARE AND OTHER BENEFITS

The company and some of its domestic subsidiaries provide certain medical,
dental and life insurance benefits for retired employees and eligible
dependents. The medical and dental plans are contributory while the life
insurance plan is noncontributory. The company currently does not fund any of
these plans.

      Postretirement benefits cost was $6.9 million in 1998, $7.6 million in
1997 and $8.3 million in 1996. A summary of the components of the cost in 1998,
1997 and 1996 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)                                      1998        1997        1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>         <C>         <C>    
Service cost                                    $   2.5     $   2.4     $   2.5
Interest cost                                       9.4        10.0        10.0
Amortization of:
   Prior service cost                              (2.6)       (2.5)       (2.5)
   Actuarial (gain)/loss                           (2.4)       (2.3)       (1.7)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Postretirement benefits cost                    $   6.9     $   7.6     $   8.3
===============================================================================
</TABLE>

      A summary of the components of the unfunded post retirement benefit
obligation as of December 31 follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in millions)                                                   1998       1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>        <C>    
Change in benefit obligation
Net benefit obligation at beginning of year                  $ 142.5    $ 134.1
Service cost                                                     2.5        2.4
Interest cost                                                    9.4       10.0
Plan participants contributions                                  1.4        1.4
Actuarial (gain)/loss                                           (1.8)       5.7
Gross benefits paid                                            (11.3)     (11.1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net benefit obligation at end of year                        $ 142.7    $ 142.5
Change in Plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year               $    --    $    --
Employer contributions                                           9.9        9.7
Plan participants contributions                                  1.4        1.4
Gross benefits paid                                            (11.3)     (11.1)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair value of plan assets at end of year                     $    --    $    --
Funded status at end of year                                 $(142.7)   $(142.5)
Unrecognized net actuarial (gain)/loss                         (35.6)     (37.0)
Unrecognized prior service costs                               (14.4)     (17.0)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accrued benefit cost                                         $(192.7)   $(196.5)
===============================================================================
</TABLE>

      The assumed weighted average healthcare cost trend rate ranges from 7.0%
in 1999 decreasing ratably to 5.5% in 2002 and remaining at that level
thereafter. The weighted average discount rate used to measure expense was 7.25%
in 1998 and 7.75% in 1997; the rate used to measure the accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation was 6.75% in 1998 and 7.25% in 1997. Assumed
healthcare cost trends have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the
healthcare plans. A one-percentage point change in assumed healthcare cost trend
creates the following effects:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                One-Percentage   One-Percentage
(in millions)                                   Point Increase   Point Decrease
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>             <C>    
Effect on total of service and interest cost             $ 1.0           $ (0.9)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation              $11.4           $(10.6)
===============================================================================
</TABLE>

13. EARNINGS PER SHARE

All share figures have been restated to reflect the two-for-one split announced
January 27, 1999 - see Note 9 for further details.

      A reconciliation of the number of shares used for calculating basic
earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common share follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in thousands)                                  1998          1997          1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>           <C>           <C>     
Net earnings                                $333,141      $290,675      $495,733
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average number of common
   shares oustanding                         197,206       197,946       198,832
Effect of stock options and
   other dilutive securities                   1,898         1,558           910
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Average number of common shares
   outstanding including effect
   of dilutive securities                    199,104       199,504       199,742
================================================================================
</TABLE>

      Restricted performance shares outstanding at December 31, 1998 of 662,900
were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share
because the necessary vesting conditions have not yet been met.

14. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In June 1996, a complaint was filed against the company in the United States
Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California, in an action captioned County
of Orange v. McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., d/b/a Standard & Poor's. The complaint
alleged that Standard & Poor's breached its rating contracts with Orange County
("the County"), was professionally negligent and aided and abetted the County's
officers in breaching their fiduciary duty. The lawsuit was transferred to the
United States District Court for the Central District of California in December
1996 following dismissal by the Bankruptcy Court of the aiding and abetting
claim. In April 1997, the County filed an amended complaint against the company
alleging breach of contract and "professional malpractice" and adding a claim
for unspecified punitive damages. In December 1998, the County filed a motion
seeking reconsideration of the previous dismissal of the aiding and abetting
claim and requesting leave to file an amended complaint adding the aiding and
abetting claim. The trial, previously scheduled to commence on March 2, 1999,
was adjourned by the District Court pending a decision by the California Supreme
Court whether to review an appeal in another litigation concerning the scope of
aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty claims under California law.

      In response to the company's interrogatories, the County has claimed
(inconsistently with damages claims made by the County in other litigation
documents) compensatory damages of approximately $2.1 billion, subject to
certain offsets.

      While the ultimate outcome of the above-mentioned litigation cannot be
ascertained at this time, based on current knowledge of the applicable law and
facts and taking into consideration the opinion of the company's general counsel
that the allegations by the County and the damages claims lack merit and that
the company should prevail ultimately in this litigation, management believes
that this lawsuit should not have a material adverse effect on the company's
financial statements or its business operations.


Page 46
<PAGE>   42

REPORT OF MANAGEMENT

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF
THE McGRAW-HILL COMPANIES, INC.

The financial statements in this report were prepared by the management of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., which is responsible for their integrity and
objectivity.

      These statements, prepared in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles and including amounts based on management's best estimates
and judgments, present fairly The McGraw-Hill Companies' financial condition and
the results of the company's operations. Other financial information given in
this report is consistent with these statements.

      The McGraw-Hill Companies' management maintains a system of internal
accounting controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that the financial
records accurately reflect the company's operations and that the company's
assets are protected against loss. Consistent with the concept of reasonable
assurance, the company recognizes that the relative costs of these controls
should not exceed the expected benefits in maintaining these controls. It
further assures the quality of the financial records in several ways: a program
of internal audits, the careful selection and training of management personnel,
maintaining an organizational structure that provides an appropriate division of
financial responsibilities, and communicating financial and other relevant
policies throughout the corporation. The financial statements in this report
have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards. The independent auditors were retained to
express an opinion on the financial statements, which appears in the next
column.

      The McGraw-Hill Companies' Board of Directors, through its Audit
Committee, composed entirely of outside directors, is responsible for reviewing
and monitoring the company's financial reporting and accounting practices. The
Audit Committee meets periodically with management, the company's internal
auditors and the independent auditors to ensure that each group is carrying out
its respective responsibilities. In addition, the independent auditors have full
and free access to the Audit Committee and meet with it with no representatives
from management present.


/s/ Harold McGraw III

Harold McGraw III
President and Chief Executive Officer


/s/ Robert J. Bahash

Robert J. Bahash
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS
OF THE McGRAW-HILL COMPANIES, INC.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc. as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related consolidated
statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1998. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

      We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

      In our opinion, based on our audits, the consolidated financial statements
referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated
financial position of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. at December 31, 1998 and
1997, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.


                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

New York, New York
January 26, 1999


                                                                         Page 47
<PAGE>   43

ELEVEN-YEAR FINANCIAL REVIEW

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in thousands, except per-share data)                                1998           1997           1996           1995         1994 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>          <S>        
OPERATING RESULTS BY SEGMENT AND INCOME STATISTICS                                                                                  

OPERATING REVENUE                                                                                                                   
Educational and Professional Publishing                        $1,620,343     $1,573,797     $1,277,895     $1,235,578   $1,162,157 
Financial Services                                              1,152,668        980,120        855,925        786,786      745,480 
Information and Media Services                                    956,134        980,178        940,877        912,919      853,232 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OPERATING REVENUE                                         3,729,145      3,534,095      3,074,697      2,935,283    2,760,869 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING PROFIT(g)                                                                                                                 
Educational and Professional Publishing(c)                        202,077        187,722        151,921        162,604      125,765 
Financial Services                                                364,759        269,886        262,085        230,934      217,212 
Information and Media Services                                    122,232        141,542        116,799        115,069      108,343 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OPERATING PROFIT                                            689,068        599,150        530,805        508,607      451,320 
Share of profit of Macmillan/McGraw-Hill                                                                                            
    School Publishing Company(e and g)                                 --             --             --             --           -- 
Unusual charges(c,f and g)                                             --             --        (25,000)            --           -- 
Gain on exchange of Shepard's/McGraw-Hill(c)                           --             --        418,731             --           -- 
Gain on sale of interest in Nikkei/McGraw-Hill(h)                      --             --             --             --           -- 
General corporate (expense)/income(g and i)                       (80,685)       (75,342)       (62,073)       (63,570)     (54,134)
Interest expense - net                                            (47,961)       (52,542)       (47,656)       (58,766)     (51,746)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME BEFORE TAXES ON INCOME (a,b and d)                         560,422        471,266        814,807        386,271      345,440 
Provision for taxes on income                                     218,565        180,591        319,074        159,144      142,321 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY ITEM AND CUMULATIVE ADJUSTMENT        341,857        290,675        495,733        227,127      203,119 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Early extinguishment of debt, net of tax(j)                        (8,716)            --             --             --           -- 
Cumulative effect on prior years of changes in accounting(j)           --             --             --             --           -- 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME                                                     $  333,141     $  290,675     $  495,733     $  227,127   $  203,119 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE                                                                                                            
Income before extraordinary item and cumulative adjustment     $     1.73     $     1.47     $     2.50     $     1.14   $     1.03 
Extraordinary item and cumulative adjustment                        (0.04)            --             --             --           -- 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                                     $     1.69     $     1.47     $     2.50     $     1.14   $     1.03 
DILUTIVE EARNINGS PER SHARE                                                                                                         
Income before extraordinary item and cumulative adjustment     $     1.71     $     1.46     $     2.48     $     1.14   $     1.03 
Extraordinary item and cumulative adjustment(j)                     (0.04)            --             --             --           -- 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                                     $     1.67     $     1.46     $     2.48     $     1.14   $     1.03 
Dividends per share of common stock                                  0.78     $     0.72     $     0.66     $     0.60   $     0.58 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING STATISTICS                                                                                                                
Return on average shareholders' equity                               22.9%          20.8%          41.4%          23.3%        23.4%
Income before taxes as a percent of revenue                          15.0           13.3           26.5           13.2         12.5 
Income before extraordinary item and cumulative adjustment                                                                          
    as a percent of revenue                                           9.2            8.2           16.1            7.7          7.4 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE SHEET DATA                                                                                                                  
Working capital                                                $  137,310     $  258,179     $  130,920     $  193,346   $  130,272 
Total assets                                                    3,788,144      3,713,074      3,642,239      3,057,167    2,960,285 
Total debt                                                        527,597        684,425        581,368        628,664      762,805 
Shareholders' equity                                            1,551,808      1,434,651      1,361,118      1,035,066      913,052 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES                                                15,897         15,690         16,220         15,452       15,339 
====================================================================================================================================

<CAPTION>
(in thousands, except per-share data)                                1993           1992           1991           1990     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            
OPERATING RESULTS BY SEGMENT AND INCOME STATISTICS                                                                         

OPERATING REVENUE                                                                                                          
Educational and Professional Publishing                        $  667,444     $  567,363     $  532,438     $  534,724     
Financial Services                                                696,933        617,555        555,820        505,641     
Information and Media Services                                    831,076        865,573        854,754        898,273     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OPERATING REVENUE                                         2,195,453      2,050,491      1,943,012      1,938,638     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING PROFIT(g)                                                                                                        
Educational and Professional Publishing(c)                         49,374         62,746         48,928         70,196     
Financial Services                                                200,865        168,394        143,056        123,999     
Information and Media Services                                    102,344        113,198        120,242        170,788     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL OPERATING PROFIT                                            352,583        344,338        312,226        364,983     
Share of profit of Macmillan/McGraw-Hill                                                                                   
    School Publishing Company(e and g)                             28,376         11,280         27,483         21,601     
Unusual charges(c,f and g)                                       (229,800)            --             --             --     
Gain on exchange of Shepard's/McGraw-Hill(c)                           --             --             --             --     
Gain on sale of interest in Nikkei/McGraw-Hill(h)                      --             --             --             --     
General corporate (expense)/income(g and i)                       (48,538)       (50,774)       (34,415)       (28,370)    
Interest expense - net                                            (36,342)       (37,557)       (46,987)       (55,627)    
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME BEFORE TAXES ON INCOME (a,b and d)                          66,279        267,287        258,307        302,587     
Provision for taxes on income                                      54,838        114,132        110,297        130,112     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY ITEM AND CUMULATIVE ADJUSTMENT         11,441        153,155        148,010        172,475     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Early extinguishment of debt, net of tax(j)                            --             --             --             --     
Cumulative effect on prior years of changes in accounting(j)           --       (124,587)            --             --     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME                                                     $   11,441     $   28,568     $  148,010     $  172,475     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE                                                                                                   
Income before extraordinary item and cumulative adjustment     $     0.06     $     0.79     $     0.76     $     0.89     
Extraordinary item and cumulative adjustment                           --          (0.64)            --             --     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                                     $     0.06     $     0.15     $     0.76     $     0.89     
DILUTIVE EARNINGS PER SHARE                                                                                                
Income before extraordinary item and cumulative adjustment     $     0.06     $     0.79     $     0.76     $     0.89     
Extraordinary item and cumulative adjustment(j)                        --          (0.64)            --             --     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                                     $     0.06     $     0.15     $     0.76     $     0.89     
Dividends per share of common stock                            $     0.57     $     0.56     $     0.55     $     0.54     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATING STATISTICS                                                                                                       
Return on average shareholders' equity                                1.3%           3.0%          15.2%          18.8%    
Income before taxes as a percent of revenue                           3.0           13.0           13.3           15.6     
Income before extraordinary item and cumulative adjustment                                                                 
    as a percent of revenue                                           0.5            7.5            7.6            8.9     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE SHEET DATA                                                                                                         
Working capital                                                $   62,887     $  (19,596)    $   29,543     $   44,193     
Total assets                                                    3,043,232      2,473,021      2,482,679      2,501,130     
Total debt                                                        928,710        482,991        568,159        622,372     
Shareholders' equity                                              823,008        908,760        998,975        954,260     
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES                                                15,661         13,393         13,539         13,868     
===========================================================================================================================

<CAPTION>
(in thousands, except per-share data)                               1989           1988         
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>                
OPERATING RESULTS BY SEGMENT AND INCOME STATISTICS                                              

OPERATING REVENUE                                                                               
Educational and Professional Publishing                       $  483,666     $  437,590         
Financial Services                                               432,314        399,242         
Information and Media Services                                   872,983        836,734         
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
TOTAL OPERATING REVENUE                                        1,788,963      1,673,566         
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
OPERATING PROFIT(g)                                                                             
Educational and Professional Publishing(c)                        44,107         48,185         
Financial Services                                                85,081         81,765         
Information and Media Services                                   192,254        175,384         
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
TOTAL OPERATING PROFIT                                           321,442        305,334         
Share of profit of Macmillan/McGraw-Hill                                                        
    School Publishing Company(e and g)                            13,688          2,349         
Unusual charges(c,f and g)                                      (220,000)      (149,564)        
Gain on exchange of Shepard's/McGraw-Hill(c)                          --             --         
Gain on sale of interest in Nikkei/McGraw-Hill(h)                     --        221,783         
General corporate (expense)/income(g and i)                        6,546          5,005         
Interest expense - net                                           (35,038)        (5,290)        
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
INCOME BEFORE TAXES ON INCOME (a,b and d)                         86,638        379,617         
Provision for taxes on income                                     46,847        194,112         
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY ITEM AND CUMULATIVE ADJUSTMENT        39,791        185,505         
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
Early extinguishment of debt, net of tax(j)                           --             --         
Cumulative effect on prior years of changes in accounting(j)       8,000             --         
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
NET INCOME                                                    $   47,791     $  185,505         
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE                                                                        
Income before extraordinary item and cumulative adjustment    $     0.21     $     0.96         
Extraordinary item and cumulative adjustment                        0.04             --         
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
Net income                                                    $     0.25     $     0.96         
DILUTIVE EARNINGS PER SHARE                                                                     
Income before extraordinary item and cumulative adjustment    $     0.21     $     0.96         
Extraordinary item and cumulative adjustment(j)                     0.04             --         
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
Net income                                                    $     0.25     $     0.96         
Dividends per share of common stock                           $     0.50     $     0.46         
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
OPERATING STATISTICS                                                                            
Return on average shareholders' equity                               5.3%          21.2%        
Income before taxes as a percent of revenue                          4.8           22.7         
Income before extraordinary item and cumulative adjustment                                      
    as a percent of revenue                                          2.7           11.1         
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
BALANCE SHEET DATA                                                                              
Working capital                                               $   22,743     $  (72,023)        
Total assets                                                   2,181,718      1,705,547         
Total debt                                                       503,434        148,434         
Shareholders' equity                                             880,154        922,803         
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES                                               13,741         13,891         
=======================================================================================         
</TABLE>


(a) 1998 income before taxes on income reflects a $26.7 million gain on the sale
of a building and a $16.0 million charge at Continuing Education Center for the
writedown of assets due to a continuing decline in enrollments. 
(b) 1997 income before taxes on income reflects a $33.2 million provision for
the consolidation of office space in New York City and a $20.4 million gain on
the sale of Datapro Information Services. 
(c) 1996 operating profit excludes a net gain on the exchange of
Shepard's/McGraw-Hill for the Times Mirror Higher Education Group comprising a
$418.7 million gain on the exchange and a $25 million one-time charge for
integration costs. 
(d) 1995 income before taxes on income reflects a $26.8 million provision for
best practice initiatives and a $23.8 million gain on sale of the topical
publishing division of Shepard's/ McGraw-Hill. 
(e) Reflects The McGraw-Hill Companies' share of profit of Macmillan/McGraw-Hill
School Publishing Company through September 30, 1993. Macmillan/McGraw-Hill
results are consolidated effective October 1, 1993 in the Educational and
Professional Publishing segment. 
(f) 1993 amount reflects unusual charges in connection with the acquisition of
the additional 50% interest in Macmillan/McGraw-Hill.
(g) 1989 and 1988 operating profit excludes unusual charges of $220 million and
$149.6 million, respectively, as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              1989          1988
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>     
Educational and Professional Publishing                   $ 33,140      $ 20,534
Financial Services                                          94,899        67,155
Information and Media Services                              15,554        29,009
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating segments                                   143,593       116,698
Macmillan/McGraw-Hill joint venture units                       --         7,866
Corporate expense                                           76,407        25,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total company                                             $220,000      $149,564
================================================================================
</TABLE>

(h) In May 1988, the company sold its 49% interest in Nikkei/McGraw-Hill, Inc.,
a magazine publishing operation in Japan, for $283.1 million. The gain on sale
was $221.8 million ($109.8 million after taxes). 
(i) General corporate income for 1989 includes gains on dispositions of
businesses totaling $48.8 million, and 1988 includes gains on dispositions of
$26.5 million. 
(j) The cumulative adjustment in 1992 reflects the adoption of the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 106, Employers'
Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions, and SFAS No. 112,
Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits. In 1989, the company
recognized the cumulative effect of a change in accounting for income taxes
under SFAS No. 96. The extraordinary item in 1998 relates to costs for the early
extinguishment of $155 million of the company's 9.43% notes during the third
quarter.


                                  Pages 48 & 49
<PAGE>   44

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         First       Second        Third       Fourth        Total
(in thousands, except per-share data)                  quarter      quarter      quarter      quarter         year
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>       
1998
Operating revenue                                   $  703,420   $  881,122   $1,206,425   $  938,178   $3,729,145
Income before taxes and extraordinary item              33,015      127,609      277,713      122,085      560,422
Net income                                              20,139       77,841      160,689       74,472      333,141
Earnings per share:
  Basic (b)                                               0.10         0.39         0.82         0.38         1.69
  Diluted(b)                                              0.10         0.39         0.81         0.37         1.67
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997
Operating revenue                                   $  652,935   $  836,652   $1,143,740   $  900,768   $3,534,095
Income before taxes                                     24,977      108,593      225,973      111,723      471,266
Net income                                              14,986       65,156      143,499       67,034      290,675
Earnings per share:
  Basic(b)                                                0.07         0.33         0.73         0.34         1.47
  Diluted(b)                                              0.07         0.33         0.72         0.34         1.46
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
Operating revenue                                   $  583,851   $  710,934   $  949,009   $  830,903   $3,074,697
Income before taxes(a)                                  27,259       96,240      192,773      498,535      814,807
Net income(a)                                           16,192       57,166      114,508      307,867      495,733
Earnings per share:
  Basic(b)                                                0.08         0.29         0.58         1.55         2.50
  Diluted(b)                                              0.08         0.28         0.58         1.54         2.48
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(a) The fourth quarter of 1996 includes a gain on exchange of
Shepard's/McGraw-Hill for the Times Mirror Higher Education Group of $418.7
million ($260.5 million after taxes, or $1.30 per diluted share) and a one-time
charge of $25 million ($14.9 million after taxes, or 7 cents per diluted share)
for costs of integrating the company's College Division with the acquired higher
education business. 
(b) All basic and diluted earnings per share figures reflect the two-for-one
stock split approved by the company's Board of Directors on January 27, 1999.

HIGH AND LOW SALES PRICES OF THE McGRAW-HILL COMPANIES COMMON STOCK ON THE NEW
YORK STOCK EXCHANGE*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   1998                 1997                1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>                 <C>                  <C>               
First quarter**      $39      --34-1/4   $26-9/16 --22-7/16   $23-1/8  --21-3/8
Second quarter**      41-1/2  --36-3/8    31-7/16 --24-15/16   24-5/8  --21-1/16
Third quarter**       43-1/2  --37-1/16   34-13/16--29-1/2     22-15/16--18-5/8
Fourth quarter**      51-11/16--36-1/8    37-11/16--31-9/16    24-1/8  --21-1/4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year**                51-11/16--34-1/4    37-11/16--22-7/16    24-5/8  --18-5/8
================================================================================
</TABLE>

*The New York Stock Exchange is the principal market on which the Corporation's
shares are traded.
**All high and low prices reflect the two-for-one stock split approved by the
Corporation's Board of Directors on January 27, 1999.

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

To obtain a free copy of the annual Form 10-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, which contains certain additional information, contact:

Corporate Affairs Department
The McGraw-Hill Companies
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, N.Y. 10020-1095
212-512-6741
www.mcgraw-hill.com

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AND TRANSFER AGENT

Questions or changes relating to shareholder accounts should be directed to the
Corporation's transfer agent:

ChaseMellon Shareholder Services
Post Office Box 3315
South Hackensack, N.J. 07606-1937
888-201-5538
www.chasemellon.com

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW DIRECT STOCK PURCHASE AND DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

This expanded program offers a convenient, low-cost way to invest in the
Corporation's common stock. Participants can purchase and sell shares directly
through the program, make optional cash investments weekly (up to a maximum of
$10,000 per month), reinvest dividends and send certificates to the transfer
agent for safekeeping.

To order an information packet and enrollment forms, please call the automated
request line at 800-842-7629. For specific questions about the program, call
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services at 888-201-5538.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANNUAL MEETING

The 1999 annual meeting will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 28, at the
Corporation's headquarters, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y.
10020-1095.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Shareholders may contact The McGraw-Hill Companies directly about their stock by
calling Shareholder Relations, 212-512-2192.

News media inquiries should be directed to the Corporate Affairs Department,
212-512-3640. www.mcgraw-hill.com/corporate/ news_bureau/news_bureau.html

STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING

The McGraw-Hill Companies is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: MHP).


Page 50

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit (21)

                         THE McGRAW-HILL COMPANIES, INC.

Subsidiaries of Registrant

Listed below are all the subsidiaries of Registrant, except certain inactive
subsidiaries and certain other McGraw-Hill subsidiaries which are not included
in the listing because considered in the aggregate they do not constitute a
significant subsidiary as of the end of the year covered by this Report.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 State or            Percentage
                                              Jurisdiction            of Voting
                                                   of                Securities
                                              Incorporation             Owned
                                              -------------             -----
<S>                                             <C>                   <C>
The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.                 New York              Registrant
CM Research, Inc.                               New York                  100
National Radio Institute                        Delaware                  100
DRI Europe, Inc.                                Delaware                  100
International Advertising/McGraw-Hill, Inc.     Delaware                  100
J.J. Kenny Company, Inc.                        New York                  100
  *J.J. Kenny Drake, Inc.                       New York                  100
  *Kenny Services, Inc.                         New York                  100
McGraw-Hill Broadcasting Company, Inc.          New York                  100
McGraw-Hill Capital Corporation                 Delaware                  100
McGraw-Hill Capital, Inc.                       New York                  100
  *International Valuation Services, Inc.       Delaware                   40
McGraw-Hill Financial Publications, Inc.        Delaware                  100
McGraw-Hill Interamericana, Inc.                New York                  100
McGraw-Hill International Enterprises, Inc.     New York                  100
  *Editora McGraw-Hill Interamericana do                                  100
    Brasil Ltda.                                Brazil
  *McGraw-Hill Korea, Inc.                      Korea                     100
  *McGraw-Hill (Malaysia) Sdn.Bhd               Malaysia                  100
McGraw-Hill News Bureaus, Inc.                  New York                  100
McGraw-Hill New York, Inc.                      New York                  100
McGraw-Hill Publications Overseas Corporation   New York                  100
McGraw-Hill Real Estate, Inc.                   New York                  100
MMS International                               Nevada                    100
Money Market Directories, Inc.                  New York                  100
Optical Data Corporation                        New York                  100
Rock-McGraw, Inc.                               New York                   45
S&P ComStock, Inc.                              New York                  100
Standard & Poor's International Ratings, Ltd.   New York                  100
  *Credit Rating Information Services
    of India Limited                            India                       9.6
  *Taiwan Ratings Corporation                   Taiwan                     50
Standard & Poor's Investment Advisory
    Services, Inc.                              Delaware                  100
Standard & Poor's Ltd.                          Delaware                  100
  *Fund Research Limited                        United Kingdom            100
Standard & Poor's Securities, Inc.              Delaware                  100
Tower Group International, Inc.                 New York                  100
  *Tower Group International Canada Inc.        Canada                    100
</TABLE>


                                      -22-
<PAGE>   2

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 State or             Percentage
                                              Jurisdiction            of Voting
                                                   of                 Securities
                                              Incorporation             Owned
                                              -------------             -----
<S>                                             <C>                       <C>
Editora McGraw-Hill de Portugal, Ltda.          Portugal                  100
Editorial Interamericana, S.A.                  Colombia                  100
Editoriales Pedagogicas Associadas, S.A.        Guatemala                 100
McGraw-Hill Book Company Australia
    Pty. Limited                                Australia                 100
  *McGraw-Hill Book Company
     New Zealand, Pty. Limited                  New Zealand               100
  *Standard & Poor's (Australia) Pty. Ltd.      Australia                 100
McGraw-Hill Data Services - Ireland, Ltd.       Ireland                   100
McGraw-Hill Holdings (U.K.) Limited             Great Britain             100
  *McGraw-Hill International (U.K.) Limited     Great Britain             100
McGraw-Hill Information Systems
    Company of Canada Limited                   Ontario, Canada           100
McGraw-Hill/Interamericana de Chile Limitada    Chile                     100
McGraw-Hill/Interamericana de Espana, S.A.      Spain                     100
  *Standard & Poor's Espana, S.A.               Spain                     100
McGraw-Hill/Interamericana de Venezuela S.A.    Venezuela                 100
McGraw-Hill/Interamericana 
   Editores, S.A. de C.V.                       Mexico                    100
  *Ediciones Pedagogicas, S.A. de C.V.          Mexico                    100
McGraw-Hill/Interamericana, S.A.                Panama                    100
  *Editora McGraw-Hill de Espana S.A.           Panama                    100
McGraw-Hill Libri Italia                        Italy                     100
McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited                     Ontario, Canada            70
MHFSCO, Ltd.                                    U.S. Virgin Islands       100
Micropal Group Limited                          United Kingdom            100
  *Dividend Analysis Limited                    United Kingdom            100
  *Micropal Limited                             United Kingdom            100
    *Micropal Accounting Portfolio 
       Services Inc.                            Delaware                  100
    *Standard & Poor's Micropal Asia Limited    Hong Kong                 100
    *Micropal Deutschland GmbH                  Germany                   100
    *Micropal Limited (Ireland)                 Ireland                   100
    *Standard & Poor's Micropal, SaRL           France                    100
    *Standard & Poor's Micropal, Inc.           Massachusetts             100
Science Research Associates, Pty., Ltd.         Australia                 100
Standard & Poor's - ADEF                        France                    100
Standard & Poor's International, S.A.           Belgium                   100
Standard & Poor's AB                            Sweden                    100
Standard & Poor's, S.A. de C.V.                 Mexico                    100
Tata McGraw-Hill Publishing Company
  Private Limited                               India                      66.25
Xebec Multi Media Solutions Limited             United Kingdom            100
    *Xebec Interactive Learning, Inc.           Delaware                  100
</TABLE>

*     Subsidiary of a subsidiary.


                                      -23-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit (23)

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K
of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ("Company") of our report dated January 26,
1999, included in the 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders of The McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc.

Our audits also included the consolidated financial statement schedule of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. listed in Item 14 (a). This schedule is the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, the consolidated financial
statement schedule referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic
financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material
respects, the information set forth therein.

We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
on Form S-3 (No. 33-33667) pertaining to the Debt Securities of The McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc. and in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 pertaining to the
1983 Stock Option Plan for Officers and Key Employees (No. 2-84058), the 1987
Key Employee Stock Incentive Plan (No. 33-22344), the 1993 Key Employee Stock
Incentive Plan (No. 33-49743 and No. 33-30043), the Director Deferred Stock
Ownership Plan (No. 33-06871) and The Savings Incentive Plan of McGraw-Hill,
Inc. and its Subsidiaries, The Employee Retirement Account Plan of McGraw-Hill,
Inc. and its Subsidiaries, The Standard & Poor's Savings Incentive Plan for
Represented Employees, The Standard & Poor's Employee Retirement Account Plan
for Represented Employees, The Employees' Investment Plan of McGraw-Hill
Broadcasting Company, Inc. and its Subsidiaries (No. 33-50856) and in the
related prospectuses of our report dated January 26, 1999 with respect to the
consolidated financial statements incorporated therein by reference, and our
report included above with respect to the consolidated financial statement
schedule included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of The McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc.


ERNST & YOUNG LLP

New York, New York 
March 26, 1999


                                      -24-

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                           5
<MULTIPLIER>                        1,000

       
<S>                                 <C>               <C>                <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                       YEAR              YEAR               YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>              DEC-31-1998        DEC-31-1997         DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                   DEC-31-1998        DEC-31-1997         DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                              10,451              4,768               3,430
<SECURITIES>                             0                  0                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                    1,162,719          1,155,078           1,041,726
<ALLOWANCES>                       212,423            182,629             162,260
<INVENTORY>                        284,729            290,479             273,158
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                 1,428,761          1,464,421           1,349,583
<PP&E>                             914,805            838,214             835,680
<DEPRECIATION>                     550,781            564,584             524,187
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                   3,788,144          3,713,074           3,642,239
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>            1,291,451          1,206,242           1,218,663
<BONDS>                                  0                  0                   0
<COMMON>                           205,838            102,919             102,919
                   14                 14                  14
                              0                  0                   0
<OTHER-SE>                               0                  0                   0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>     3,788,144          3,713,074           3,642,239
<SALES>                          3,729,145          3,534,095           3,074,697
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                 3,729,145          3,534,095           3,074,697
<CGS>                            3,177,541          3,049,110           2,651,689
<TOTAL-COSTS>                    3,177,541          3,049,110           2,651,689
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                         0                  0                   0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                    82,997             80,600              65,116
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                  47,961             52,542              47,656
<INCOME-PRETAX>                    560,422            471,266             814,807
<INCOME-TAX>                       218,565            180,591             319,074
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                341,857            290,675             495,733
<DISCONTINUED>                           0                  0                   0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                     (8,716)                 0                   0
<CHANGES>                                0                  0                   0
<NET-INCOME>                       333,141            290,675             495,733
<EPS-PRIMARY>                         1.69<F1>          1.47<F1>             2.50<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                         1.67<F2>          1.46<F2>             2.48<F2>
<FN>
<F1>      Amount reported is EPS-BASIC.
<F2>      Amount reported is EPS-DILUTED.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                           5
<MULTIPLIER>                        1,000
                                    
       
<S>                               <C>                    <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    9-MOS                  9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>             DEC-31-1998            DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                  SEP-30-1998            SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                             55,850                 19,183
<SECURITIES>                            0                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                   1,287,189              1,274,089
<ALLOWANCES>                      190,658                188,142
<INVENTORY>                       326,682                316,587
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                1,661,405              1,613,924
<PP&E>                            902,809                808,269
<DEPRECIATION>                    583,914                547,988
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                  3,925,643              3,812,496
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>           1,500,971              1,340,426
<BONDS>                                 0                      0
<COMMON>                          102,919                102,919
                  14                     14
                             0                      0
<OTHER-SE>                              0                      0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    3,925,643              3,812,496
<SALES>                         2,790,967              2,633,327
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                2,790,967              2,633,327
<CGS>                           2,272,033              2,264,587
<TOTAL-COSTS>                   2,272,033              2,264,587
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                        0                      0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                   58,084                 64,296
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                 38,770                 40,917
<INCOME-PRETAX>                   438,336                359,543
<INCOME-TAX>                      170,951                135,902
<INCOME-CONTINUING>               267,385                223,641
<DISCONTINUED>                          0                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                     8,716                      0
<CHANGES>                               0                      0
<NET-INCOME>                      258,669                223,641
<EPS-PRIMARY>                        1.31<F1>               1.13<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                        1.30<F2>               1.12<F2>
<FN>
<F1>      Amount reported is EPS-BASIC.
<F2>      Amount reported is EPS-DILUTED.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                           5
<MULTIPLIER>                        1,000

       
<S>                               <C>                   <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    6-MOS                 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>             DEC-31-1998            DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                  JUN-30-1998            JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                             32,579                  6,788
<SECURITIES>                            0                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                   1,064,539              1,019,350
<ALLOWANCES>                      138,570                142,040
<INVENTORY>                       362,500                360,001
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                1,502,304              1,450,799
<PP&E>                            882,920                849,072
<DEPRECIATION>                    590,229                546,274
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                  3,766,800              3,767,392
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>           1,243,742              1,368,591
<BONDS>                                 0                      0
<COMMON>                          102,919                102,919
                  14                     14
                             0                      0
<OTHER-SE>                              0                      0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    3,766,800              3,767,392
<SALES>                         1,584,542              1,489,587
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                1,584,542              1,489,587
<CGS>                           1,410,166              1,339,090
<TOTAL-COSTS>                   1,410,166              1,339,090
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                        0                      0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                   32,327                 40,595
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                 25,127                 25,618
<INCOME-PRETAX>                   160,623                133,570
<INCOME-TAX>                       62,643                 53,428
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                97,980                 80,142
<DISCONTINUED>                          0                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                         0                      0
<CHANGES>                               0                      0
<NET-INCOME>                       97,980                 80,142
<EPS-PRIMARY>                        0.49<F1>               0.40<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                        0.49<F2>               0.40<F2>
<FN>
<F1>      Amount reported is EPS-BASIC.
<F2>      Amount reported is EPS-DILUTED.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                           5
<MULTIPLIER>                        1,000

       
<S>                               <C>                    <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                    3-MOS                  3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>             DEC-31-1998            DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                  MAR-31-1998            MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                              1,721                      4
<SECURITIES>                            0                      0
<RECEIVABLES>                     974,756                892,993
<ALLOWANCES>                      168,443                153,243
<INVENTORY>                       323,603                308,032
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                1,332,445              1,262,921
<PP&E>                            847,002                833,709
<DEPRECIATION>                    579,002                535,300
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                  3,580,968              3,552,077
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>           1,081,496              1,153,686
<BONDS>                                 0                      0
<COMMON>                          102,919                102,919
                  14                     14
                             0                      0
<OTHER-SE>                              0                      0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    3,580,968              3,552,077
<SALES>                           703,420                652,935
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                  703,420                583,851
<CGS>                             663,133                652,935
<TOTAL-COSTS>                     663,133                620,200
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                        0                      0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                   18,309                 21,526
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                 12,102                 11,419
<INCOME-PRETAX>                    33,014                 24,977
<INCOME-TAX>                       12,875                  9,991
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                20,139                 14,986
<DISCONTINUED>                          0                      0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                         0                      0
<CHANGES>                               0                      0
<NET-INCOME>                       20,239                 14,986
<EPS-PRIMARY>                        0.10<F1>               0.07<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                        0.10<F2>               0.07<F2>
<FN>
<F1>      Amount reported is EPS-BASIC.
<F2>      Amount reported is EPS-DILUTED.
</FN>
        


</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1
                         THE McGRAW-HILL COMPANIES, INC.

         SCHEDULE II - RESERVES FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS AND SALES RETURNS

                             (Thousands of dollars)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Balance at  Additions                      Balance
                          beginning    charged                        at end
                           of year   to income  Deductions  Other    of year
                          ---------  ---------  ----------  -----    -------
                                                   (A)       (B)
<S>                       <C>         <C>       <C>         <C>      <C>
Year ended 12/31/98
 Allowance for doubtful
  accounts                $ 98,321    $104,597  $ 89,279    $  -     $113,639
 Allowance for returns      84,308      14,476      -          -       98,784
                          --------    --------  --------    -------  --------
                          $182,629    $119,073  $ 89,279    $  -     $212,423
                          ========    ========  ========    =======  ========

Year ended 12/31/97
 Allowance for doubtful
  accounts                $ 85,965    $ 80,600  $ 68,244    $  -     $ 98,321
 Allowance for returns      76,295       8,013      -          -       84,308
                          --------    --------  --------    -------  --------
                          $162,260    $ 88,613  $ 68,244    $  -     $182,629
                          ========    ========  ========    =======  ========

Year ended 12/31/96
 Allowance for doubtful
  accounts                $ 79,980    $ 65,116  $ 67,237    $ 8,106  $ 85,965
 Allowance for returns      47,222       8,296      -        20,777    76,295
                          --------    --------  --------    -------  --------
                          $127,202    $ 73,412  $ 67,237    $28,883  $162,260
                          ========    ========  ========    =======  ========
</TABLE>

(A)   Accounts written off, less recoveries.

(B)   Reserves acquired in connection with the purchase of the Times Mirror
      Higher Education Group.


                                           -29-


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