NEWSEDGE CORP
10-K, 1998-03-31
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING, DATA PROCESSING, ETC.
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<PAGE>
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                  -----------

                                   FORM 10-K

                       FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS
                    PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 (Mark One)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
        EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended:   December 31, 1997
                             -----------------
                                      OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
       EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to __________

                        Commission File Number 0-26540
                                               -------

                             NEWSEDGE CORPORATION
                         (formerly Desktop Data, Inc.)
            (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

            DELAWARE                                        04-3016142
(State or Other Jurisdiction of                          (I.R.S. Employer
 Incorporation or Organization)                        Identification Number)

         80 Blanchard Road, Burlington, Massachusetts           01803
         (Address of Principal Executive Offices)             (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (781) 229-3000


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  
                                     None
                                     ----
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                         Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
                         ---------------------------- 
                                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
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive 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 the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
Registrant, as of February 27, 1998, was approximately $154.4 million (based
upon the closing bid price of the Registrant's Common Stock on February 27,
1998, of $11.125 per share).

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's $.01 par value Common 
Shares as of  February 27, 1998 was 16,945,407.


                                       1
<PAGE>
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The registrant intends to file a definitive proxy statement pursuant to
Regulation 14A within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31,
1997. Portions of such proxy statement are incorporated by reference into Part
III of this report.



                                       2
<PAGE>
 
PART I

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

     NewsEDGE Corporation (formerly Desktop Data, Inc.) (the "Company") is the
leading independent provider of customized, real-time news and information
delivered to knowledge workers over their organizations' local area networks.
The Company's primary service, NewsEDGE, provides professionals with customized
news and information for better decision-making. Implemented in approximately
400 customer organizations, including 26 of the top 50 Fortune 1000 companies,
NewsEDGE combines more than 1,600 authoritative news sources with proven
scalability and reliability, disseminating business-critical information
throughout the corporate intranet. The NewsEDGE service is used by executives,
salespeople, marketers, lawyers, accountants, consultants, bankers and financial
professionals throughout customer organizations.

     On February 24, 1998, the Company completed its merger (the "Merger") with
Individual, Inc. ("Individual"). Concurrently with the Merger, the Company
changed its corporate name to NewsEDGE Corporation.

     Individual developed and marketed a suite of customized news and
information services that provide knowledge workers with daily personalized
current awareness reports, while offering information providers and advertisers
new ways to reach targeted audiences. Utilizing its knowledge processing systems
and editorial knowledge bases, Individual's intelligent software agents search
each day through as many as 20,000 stories drawn from approximately 600 broad
and specialized information sources, and prepare for each user a highly relevant
daily news briefing with full-text retrieval options. In addition, Individual's
Hoover Business Intelligence Service ("Hoover") integrates and organizes news
and information from internal and external sources and provides real-time and
archival electronic services to organizations. Individual delivered its
information services to more than approximately 700,000 users across a range of
delivery platforms, including facsimile, electronic mail, groupware, intranets
and the Internet.

     The Company believes that there is a strategic fit among the respective
services of the Company and Individual and that the Merger will provided the
Company with expanded service offerings to address a wider range of customer
requirements. The Company also believes that the Merger provides greater
opportunities to develop business relationships, license technology, and engage
in other strategic combinations and transactions involving the Company's
combined products and technologies. Because the Merger was completed subsequent
to December 31, 1997, this Annual Report does not contain the financial results
of the combined Company.


Background
    The market for business information services is undergoing significant
change, driven by rapid growth in the amount of available information,
increasingly competitive global industry environments and increased requirements
for professionals to improve the quality and timeliness of the information they
receive. The U.S. business-to-business information market was estimated by
industry analysts to be approximately $49.9 billion in 1997. An industry source
has estimated the market segment in which NewsEDGE Corporation competes, current
awareness news services, grew 51% in 1997 to $203 million, and is expected to
expand by a 35-40% annual rate over the next five years.

    The decentralization of decision making and accountability in large
organizations has created a need for the widespread distribution of business
information to knowledge workers across a number of disciplines and at different
levels within the organization. At the same time, the accelerating pace of
business activity, stimulated by global competitiveness and advanced electronic
communication, has created a need for business information to be more current,
timely and easy to access and use. Media attention to the World Wide Web and
marketplace standardization on the use of web browsers to access information has
reinforced the concept that knowledge workers need access to information from
their desktop.

    The profusion of web information sites has made it more difficult for
business professionals to quickly find the right information they need for their
jobs. Knowledge workers are required to "surf the web" to track the multiple
sites that may contain the needed information.

The NewsEDGE Solution


                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     The Company's NewsEDGE service allows knowledge workers to take advantage
of the abundance of news and information available to their organizations.
Typically, the Company installs its NewsEDGE software on a dedicated,
customer-owned network server which is connected to the customer's LAN at the
customer site. The Company arranges for the delivery to the server of real-time
news and information from the customer's choice of over 1,600 sources from 120
global content providers. The news is filtered to reflect personal profiles that
have been established by each user on the user's desktop or laptop computer, and
is delivered in real-time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When a news story
matching a user's personal profile arrives, the user is notified by a visual and
audio alert, even if the user is then working in another application. When the
user's computer is not on or is not connected to the LAN, stories matching that
user's profile are stored by the server and delivered when the user's computer
is re-activated. NewsEDGE stores approximately 90 days of news stories in a
database on the NewsEDGE server, whether or not the stories have matched a
profile, and enables users to quickly search the entire database at no
additional charge.

     NewsEDGE is distinguished from the information offerings of individual news
providers because it integrates the newswires from a number of competitive
sources into a single, comprehensive service offering. The NewsEDGE user's
profile gathers breaking news from several sources and delivers it to the user's
desktop. NewsEDGE leverages the existing LAN investment of business
organizations and enables broad access to real-time news from multiple highly
respected news sources. NewsEDGE alerts knowledge workers to important
developments affecting their business, giving them an opportunity to gain an
edge on competitors.

The NewsEDGE Service

     The Company's NewsEDGE service was designed to operate in a client/server
LAN or WAN environment. The Company typically installs its NewsEDGE software on
a dedicated, customer-owned network server which receives broadcast news on a 24
hour per day basis. The Company arranges for the communication of news selected
by the customer to the server through leased telephone lines, satellites or FM
sideband transmission. Customers may also, however, access news services by
connecting to NewsEDGE servers located at the Company's headquarters in
Burlington, MA through dedicated, leased line connections or via the public
Internet.

    No matter where the server is located, the NewsEDGE server software manages
the receipt of news from multiple news sources over the communications vehicle
arranged by the Company. Incoming stories are tested against the interest
profiles of all NewsEDGE users on the LAN and alerts are sent to each user in
accordance with the user's own profile. Profiles may also be created for shared
access by groups of users with common interests. All stories received by the
server are indexed by full text, ticker symbols, subject codes and dates and
added to a news history database to support subsequent searching and retrieval.
Typically, approximately 90 days of history of stories received, regardless of
whether the stories have matched a profile, are maintained for user inquiry on
the NewsEDGE server on the customer LAN.

    NewsEDGE client software manages the user's interface with the news. The
NewsEDGE client software provides an easy-to-use graphical user interface that
permits users to readily create and modify personalized profile lists of words,
phrases and ticker symbols for news monitoring and alerting. When a news story
matching a user's personal profile arrives, the user is notified by a visual and
audio alert, even if the user is then working in another application. Users can
also conduct immediate searches of news stored in the NewsEDGE server using
Boolean search techniques, key words or phrases, ticker symbols and subject
codes. NewsEDGE user functionality is supported in the Netscape Navigator and
Microsoft Internet Explorer browsers, in Windows, Windows NT and UNIX desktop
operating systems, and through an applications programming interface (API) and
object technology for third-party developers.

    Increasingly, customers of the NewsEDGE service have requested the ability
to customize NewsEDGE features and functionality to fit into internally
developed applications or other third-party-provided applications. In response,
the Company launched its NewsOBJECTS products and Alliance Partner Program in
the spring of 1997. Through NewsOBJECTS, NewsEDGE will support object or
component level, programmatic access to the NewsEDGE Server. With component
level access, applications integration and customization of news monitoring is
greatly facilitated, thereby lowering the barrier to the use of the news service
on more desktops throughout the customer organization. During 1997, ten
companies; Avesta Technologies, Capitol Hill Software, CompassWare Development,
CSK Software, Data Channel, Digitial Knowledge Assets LLC, Midas-Kapiti Int'l,
Infotec, Menhir and TIBCo Financial, have joined the NewsOBJECTS Alliance
Partner Program to integrate and embed NewsEDGE functionality into their
applications.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
    NewsEDGE is designed with client-server architecture to leverage customers'
LAN and WAN investments. NewsEDGE operates primarily on Windows NT servers.
NewsEDGE supports multiple LAN configurations, including Novell Netware, TCP/IP,
broadcast, point-to-point, session and mixed protocols. NewsEDGE also supports
server to server connections to groupware, E-mail, quotation and other
applications on customer LANs, including Lotus Notes, and TIBCO Marketsheet.

     In 1997, the Company announced its NewsOBJECTS(R) Toolkit for Active X
Components. NewsOBJECTS is the first commercially available technology that
enables fully customizable, plug-and-play integration of real-time, on-line news
into third-party applications. The Toolkit is designed for companies developing
in-house applications that benefit from the integration of news and business
information, as well as for third-party applications developers.

News and Information Providers

    The Company has contracted with providers to make available through the
NewsEDGE service over 180 newswires, aggregating news and information from over
1,600 sources published by over 120 global content providers. News and
information sources currently available on NewsEDGE include newswires from
AFP/Extel News Limited, The Associated Press, Inc., Dow Jones & Company, Inc.,
Knight-Ridder/Tribune Information Services, L.P., Nihon Shimbun America, Inc.
(English language Japanese news) and Reuters America, Inc., as well as the text
of stories in The Financial Post (Toronto), Financial Times (London), The New
York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Also available on NewsEDGE are the
business sections of over 100 North American newspapers, over 30 major
metropolitan business journals, periodicals such as Business Week, Forbes,
Fortune, InfoWorld, MacWeek and PC Week, newsletters such as those distributed
by American Banker and Phillips Business Information Services, Inc., and
international wire services and publications such as Agence France Presse,
Deutsche Press-Agentur GmbH, and the Economist.

    Newswires are delivered to customer LANs through one or more of three
delivery vehicles: leased telephone lines; direct satellite transmission; and FM
sideband transmission. Many newswire providers have established their own
broadcast communications networks using one or more of these three vehicles. In
these cases, the Company's role is to arrange the communications between the
news provider and the NewsEDGE customer's server. For newspapers, newsletters,
magazines and other sources which do not have their own broadcast communications
capabilities, news and information are delivered to the Company's news
consolidation facility in Burlington, Massachusetts, where it is reformatted for
broadcast to NewsEDGE servers and retransmitted to customers by a common carrier
communications provider.

Pricing

    NewsEDGE customers are charged an annual subscription fee for the NewsEDGE
service, plus a one-time installation fee. The subscription fee includes the
NewsEDGE software, ongoing customer support, and the customer's choice of
newswires. Pricing varies depending on the number and type of platforms in the
customer's LAN, the number of authorized users and the newswires selected.
Current list prices for installation within the United States range from $4,000
to $6,000 per server. There are no separate charges for creating or changing a
profile or for conducting searches.

    As a result of the low incremental cost of providing NewsEDGE to additional
users, the Company offers substantial volume discounts. For example, the list
price for a customer within the United States with 100 authorized users and
including a basic package of newswires is currently $60,000 per year for
NewsEDGE/Windows, for a cost per user per day of $1.64. The same package for
1,000 authorized users lists for $135,000, at a cost per user per day of $0.37.
The NewsEDGE list price for this package decreases on a per user basis as the
number of users increases.

    Certain newswires, including popular offerings from Dow Jones and Reuters,
are billed separately directly by the news provider as an addition to the
NewsEDGE subscription fee. Most customers purchase subscriptions for one or more
of these newswires.


Sales and Marketing

    NewsEDGE is sold and marketed through the Company's direct sales force and
marketing staff which as of December 31, 1997, consisted of 78 full time
employees based in nine locations throughout the United States, 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
Canada and United Kingdom. Following the Merger, the direct sales force and
marketing staff has increased to 152 employees. Because the decision to purchase
NewsEDGE is complex and has implications for many different groups and
constituencies throughout a customer organization, the Company believes that the
education, NewsEDGE demonstrations and follow-through required to make a new
customer sale is best done by its own sales staff, which focuses exclusively on
NewsEDGE. The Company believes that the size and experience of its sales force
provide the Company with a competitive advantage. The Company's new account
selling is concentrated on major corporations, financial institutions,
government agencies, and publishers where timely news has high value, where
there are numerous LAN users and where NewsEDGE cost economies of scale can
provide the greatest benefit.

     NewsEDGE is generally sold pursuant to annual subscriptions that renew
automatically unless notice of termination is provided prior to the end of the
term. The Company sales team responsible for making the initial sale is also
responsible for renewals and trade-ups. Trade-ups include the purchase by the
customer of additional newswires, the authorization of more users and platforms
and the acquisition of additional NewsEDGE servers. The Company's experienced
direct sales force and significant investments in development and customer
support have resulted in annual renewal rates of at least 90% for each of the
last five years.

    To expand its service offerings and assist its sales force in selling
NewsEDGE, the Company has entered into development and joint marketing
relationships with various corporate partners. For example, the Company has
contracted with TIBCO Financial to adapt NewsEDGE for use in conjunction with
products sold by TIBCO Financial to the trading floors of financial services
firms, and to jointly market the resulting service. The Company has also
contracted with CNBC/DowJones Business Video to make CNBC/DowJones Business
Video's television and video offerings available through NewsEDGE and to jointly
market this service. Similar arrangements have also been made with Disclosure,
Inc. in regard to SEC filings and with Disclosure Global Alert for other
financial information.

Professional Services

     During fiscal year 1997, the Company's management expressed an intention to
expand its professional service offering. On January 6, 1998, the Company
acquired the assets, customers and personnel of the ISS unit of ADP Financial
Services, Inc. ("ADP") in a cash transaction. The former Investment Software
Systems, Inc. (ISS) was acquired by ADP in 1995 and provides news integration
systems and consulting for the delivery of real-time news and investment
research to the financial services industry. The management and staff of ISS
joined the Company to form the nucleus of the Company's professional services
initiative.

NewsEDGE Customers

    The Company's customers include corporate, financial and government
customers. As of December 31, 1997, NewsEDGE had been installed by approximately
400 customers, representing over 200,000 authorized users. No customer has
accounted for over 5% of the Company's revenues in any of the last three years.

Customer Support

    The Company believes that customer service and support is critical to
achieving its objectives. The Company employs its own customer support staff,
which provides centralized hot-line telephone support, field installation,
training, and upgrade and maintenance support services for NewsEDGE customers.
The NewsEDGE support staff consists of individuals with technical knowledge and
experience relating not only to NewsEDGE, but also to the various client/server
architectures and systems installed at customer sites. NewsEDGE is a highly
visible application operating on customer networks. The operation of NewsEDGE is
dependent on the customer's hardware, news communication to the customer's site,
the operation of the customer network, other applications which the customer may
be running simultaneously and the technical skills of the customer's NewsEDGE
administrator. The NewsEDGE support staff diagnoses problems and suggests
solutions over the telephone and, where necessary, travels to customer sites for
further diagnosis and maintenance and brings in specialized expertise from the
Company's emergency staff of technology experts or the NewsEDGE engineers
themselves. The Company has a comprehensive call monitoring and problem tracking
system to concentrate and escalate attention to customer problems.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
Development

    The Company recognizes that the continued enhancement of NewsEDGE and the
extension of its news and information offerings are critical to obtaining new
customers and to obtaining trade-up sales and renewals from existing customers.
Since its inception, the Company has made substantial investments in research
and development, issuing regular new releases of its NewsEDGE software since the
service's first launch in 1990. The NewsEDGE software has been developed by the
Company's internal development and quality assurance staff. New versions of
NewsEDGE are released periodically and made available to the client/server
systems installed at customer sites as part of the annual NewsEDGE subscription
fee. The current version of NewsEDGE, release 3.2, was made available to
customers beginning in July 1997.

     Other development efforts have been focused on supporting additional
desktop operating platforms and LAN configurations, expanding the scalability of
the NewsEDGE server, increasing the number of news sources, increasing storage
for news history, advancing the ease of programmatic access through support for
ActiveX, Java and HTML components, and providing enhanced precision and
functionality for user searches and profiles. The Company's development expenses
were $2.9 million, $4.2 million and $5.1 million in 1995, 1996 and 1997,
respectively.

    The NewsEDGE software is entirely proprietary to the Company. The Company
believes that control over its own development is critical to its speed and
flexibility in meeting market and technology changes. The NewsEDGE server is
developed in modules according to the primary NewsEDGE functions: a news
collection and alerting module; a news database module for storing and
retrieving the full text of the news stories; a network module adaptable to the
network protocols installed at customer sites; and a module which allows
customer administrators to configure newswire access and monitor NewsEDGE
activity. An important aspect of NewsEDGE development is the continuing
enhancement of the number of newswires offered by the Company. The Company's
marketing personnel identify newswires to be added to the NewsEDGE offerings
based on customer feedback, and negotiate contracts with news providers. The
newswires are then integrated with NewsEDGE by development and support
personnel. The Company is currently seeking to expand its offerings with
additional industry-specific information to increase sales to customers in new
vertical markets and with additional international news sources to increase the
availability of global, 24 hour a day coverage by NewsEDGE. Vertical market
wires for the high-tech, pharmaceutical and consumer goods industries, developed
in conjunction with Information Access Co., were released in August 1997.

Competition

    The business information services industry is intensely competitive and is
characterized by rapid technological change and the entry into the field of
extremely large and well-capitalized companies as well as smaller competitors.
The Company competes or may compete directly or indirectly with the following
categories of companies: (i) large, well-established news and information
providers such as The Dialog Corporation, Dow Jones, Bridge, Lexis/Nexis,
Pearson, Reuters and Thomson; (ii) market data services companies such as ADP,
Bloomberg and Telerate; (iii) traditional print media companies that are
increasingly searching for opportunities for on-line provision of news,
including through the establishment of World Wide Web sites on the Internet;
(iv) large providers of LAN-based software systems such as Lotus/IBM and
Microsoft, which could, in the future, ally with competing news and information
providers; and (v) to a lesser degree, consumer-oriented, advertising-subsidized
Web-based services and Internet access providers. Many of these companies, and
other market participants named above, have substantially greater financial,
technical and marketing resources than the Company.

     The Company believes that NewsEDGE is differentiated from the news and
system products offered by large news and systems providers because of the
Company's ability to deliver news from many different, competing providers on an
enterprise-wide basis, directly to LAN-connected personal computers, customized
to meet the needs of each individual user, at a relatively low cost per user.
Although they may compete with the Company in some respects, the Company
attempts to establish cooperative, mutually beneficial relationships with large
information or systems providers, many of whom are information providers and
customers as well as current and potential joint marketing partners.

     In addition, several smaller companies offer directly competitive products
or services that provide news to enterprises through the customer's computer
network. The Company believes that NewsEDGE offers advantages 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
over each of these competing products. For example, each of the competing
services offers substantially fewer real-time news sources than does NewsEDGE.
Furthermore, unlike NewsEDGE, certain competitors do not offer real-time
delivery of news stories or a historical database to support searching, while
others do not support Lotus Notes or other groupware applications. In addition,
many competitors rely on database engines developed by third parties, and as a
result the Company believes these services are not as readily adaptable to
evolving customer information provider needs as is NewsEDGE. Finally, many of
these smaller competitors are owned by larger organizations, which the Company
believes restricts their ability to attract a large variety of news sources and
to fully respond to news providers' delivery requirements making it difficult
for them to provide the same level and focus of sales, development and customer
support as can be provided by the Company. However, increased competition, on
the basis of price or otherwise, may require price reductions or increased
spending on marketing or software development, which could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations.

Intellectual Property and Proprietary Rights

     The Company primarily relies upon a combination of copyright, trademark and
trade secret laws and license agreements to establish and protect proprietary
rights in its technology. The NewsEDGE software is licensed to customers on a
non-exclusive basis pursuant to license agreements containing provisions
prohibiting unauthorized use, copying and transfer of the licensed program. The
source code for the Company's software is protected both as a trade secret and
as an unpublished copyrighted work. Despite these precautions, it may be
possible for a third-party to copy or otherwise obtain and use the Company's
software or technology without authorization or to develop similar technology
independently. In addition, effective copyright and trade secret protection may
be unavailable or limited in certain foreign countries. The Company does not
hold any patents.

     Furthermore, the proprietary SMART filtering software, which is used as the
filtering engine for all Individual products and services, is licensed from
Cornell Research Foundations, Inc. ("Cornell") under the terms of such license.
The Company has exclusive worldwide rights in the SMART software until February
1999, at which point the license continues but the Company's exclusivity to the
technology terminates. There can be no assurance that Cornell will not, at that
time, license the SMART technology to a third-party, or terminate the license
upon any material breach of the agreement which remains uncured for 60 days
after notice of such breach.

    Because the software development industry is characterized by rapid
technological change, the Company believes that factors such as the
technological and creative skills of its personnel, new software developments,
frequent software enhancements, name recognition and reliable maintenance are
more important to establishing and maintaining a technology leadership position
than the various legal protections of its technology.

    The Company believes that its software, trademarks and other proprietary
rights do not infringe the proprietary rights of third parties. There can be no
assurance, however, that third parties will not assert such infringement by the
Company with respect to current or future software or services. Any such claims,
with or without merit, could be time-consuming, result in costly litigation,
cause software release delays or might require the Company to enter into royalty
or licensing agreements. Such royalty or licensing agreements, if required, may
not be available on terms acceptable to the Company.

Employees

     As of December 31, 1997, the Company had 202 full-time employees,
consisting of 78 employees in sales and marketing, 61 employees in cost of
revenues/customer support, 48 employees in development and 15 employees in
general administration. As a result of the Merger, the Company now has 433
full-time employees, consisting of 152 employees in sales and marketing, 137
employees in cost of revenues/customer support, 104 employees in development and
40 employees in general administration. The Company's employees are not
represented by any collective bargaining organization, and the Company has never
experienced a work stoppage. The Company believes that its relationships with
its employees are good.

Item 2.  Properties
- -------------------

     The Company's corporate headquarters are located in Burlington,
Massachusetts. As of December 31, 1997, the Company leased approximately 40,000
square feet under a lease expiring in May 2003. The Company also leases
additional facilities and offices for sales and customer service and support in
New York, New Jersey, Washington D.C., Illinois, California, Toronto, Canada and
London, England. As a result of the Merger, the Company assumed a lease for
approximately 42,000 square feet of additional office space for its headquarters
expiring in December 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
1999 and additional leased space in California and Tokyo for its sales offices.
The Company believes that its existing facilities and offices, along with
additional alternative space available to it, are adequate to meet its
requirements for the foreseeable future.


Item 3.  Legal Proceedings
- --------------------------

     An amended consolidated securities class action complaint was filed in
February 1997 in the United States District Court for the District of
Massachusetts against Individual (now the Company) and certain of Individual's
directors and officers, as well as eight of the underwriters of Individual's
initial public offering, which closed on March 20, 1996. The complaint asserts
that the defendants violated securities laws by failing to disclose at the time
of the initial public offering of Individual that there allegedly was a dispute
between Joseph A. Amram, the former Chief Executive Officer of Individual, and
the Board of Directors, that ultimately led to Mr. Amram's departure from
Individual four months after the offering. The plaintiffs seek damages,
including costs and expenses, in an unspecified amount, among other relief.

     On April 15, 1997, the defendants moved to dismiss the litigation in its
entirety on the grounds that plaintiffs fail to state any cognizable legal
claim. After reviewing defendants' arguments in support of their motion to
dismiss, plaintiffs voluntarily dropped three of the five counts of the
complaint. A hearing on defendants' motion to dismiss the remaining counts was
held before United States District Judge Woodlock of the United Stated District
Court for the District of Massachusetts on July 2, 1997. No decision has been
rendered in the case to date.

     The Company believes that the allegations contained in the complaint are
without merit and intends to defend vigorously against all such claims. Although
the Company believes that claims payable under these actions, if any, would not
have a material effect on the Company's results of operations or financial
condition, there can be no assurance that this litigation will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company.

     The Company is not currently a party to any other legal proceedings, the
adverse outcome of which, individually or in the aggregate, would have a
material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial
position. From time to time, the Company may be involved in litigation relating
to claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business.


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

     No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
quarter of 1997.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
PART II
- -------

Item 5.  Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The Company effected its initial public offering of its Common Stock on
August 11, 1995 at a price to the public of $15.00 per share. As of February 27,
1998, there were approximately 103 holders of record of the Company's Common
Stock. The Company's Common Stock was listed for quotation on the Nasdaq
National Market under the symbol "DTOP" and since the Merger has been listed
under the symbol "NEWZ."

     Based on the Nasdaq National Market daily closing price, the high and low
stock prices for each quarter for the past two years are shown below. The
quotations represent interdealer quotations, without adjustments for retail
markups, markdowns, or commissions, and may not necessarily represent actual
transactions.

                           Nasdaq National Market Daily Sales Prices:
     Quarter Ended                 High                Low
     -------------                 ----                ---

     March 31, 1996              $ 36.75             $ 17.25
     June 30, 1996                 40.75               26.50
     September 30, 1996            33.25               22.25
     December 31, 1996             29.00               17.25
     March 31, 1997                20.00               12.25
     June 30, 1997                 14.25                5.00
     September 30, 1997            12.50                9.75
     December 31, 1997             13.13                6.44
        
     The Company has not paid any cash dividends on its Common Stock and
currently intends to retain any future earnings for use in its business.
Accordingly, the Company does not anticipate that any cash dividends will be
declared or paid on the common stock in the foreseeable future.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
Item 6.  Selected Consolidated Financial Data
- ---------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Year Ended December 31,
                                                            1997        1996        1995        1994        1993
                                                            ----        ----        ----        ----        ----
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Statement of Operations Data:
  Subscription and royalty revenues                       $ 39,343    $ 31,292    $ 21,743    $ 12,925    $  6,764
  Other revenues                                             2,839       2,487       1,443       1,433         896
                                                          --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
        Total revenues                                      42,182      33,779      23,186      14,358       7,660
  Cost of revenues                                          13,062       9,501       6,397       3,879       2,010
  Customer support expenses                                  5,124       3,493       2,493       1,908         719
  Development expenses                                       5,101       4,230       2,870       1,902       1,654
  Sales and marketing expenses                              14,966      11,657       8,722       6,153       3,898
  General and administrative expenses                        2,079       1,595       1,281         900         675
                                                          --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
       Total costs and expenses                             40,332      30,476      21,763      14,742       8,956
    Income (loss) from operations                            1,850       3,303       1,423        (384)     (1,296)
  Interest income, net                                       2,140       1,896         897          97          34
                                                          --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
    Income (loss) before provision for income taxes          3,990       5,199       2,320        (287)     (1,262)
  Provision for income taxes                                 1,297         614         183          --          --
                                                          --------    --------    --------    --------    --------
    Net income (loss)                                     $  2,693    $  4,585    $  2,137    $   (287)   $ (1,262)
                                                          --------    --------    --------    --------    --------

Basic net income (loss) per common share (1)              $   0.31    $   0.53    $   0.66    $  (0.38)   $  (0.78)
                                                          ========    ========    ========    ========    ========
Diluted net income (loss) per common share (1)            $   0.31    $   0.52    $   0.43    $  (0.38)   $  (0.78)
                                                          ========    ========    ========    ========    ========
Pro forma net loss per common share (1)                                                       $  (0.06)   $  (0.22)
                                                                                              ========    ========
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                 December 31,
                                                            1997        1996        1995        1994        1993
                                                            ----        ----        ----        ----        ----
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Balance Sheet Data:
  Working capital (deficit)                               $ 28,040    $ 17,502    $ 22,578    $ (4,664)   $ (1,967)
  Total assets                                              60,584      48,327      38,879       8,220       4,875
  Redeemable preferred stock                                   --          --          --        4,545       4,195
  Total stockholders' equity (deficit)                      33,901      29,985      24,605      (6,077)     (5,464)

</TABLE> 


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)  Calculated on the basis described in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated
     Financial Statements.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Results of Operations
- ---------------------

Except for the historical information contained herein, this Report contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including
statements regarding, among other items, (i) the Company's growth strategies;
(ii) anticipated trends in the Company's business; (iii) the Company's ability
to expand its service offerings; and (iv) the Company's ability to satisfy
working capital requirements. These forward-looking statements are based largely
on the Company's expectations and are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. Actual results
could differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of a
number of factors including, but not limited to, those factors described in
"Certain Factors Affecting Future Operating Results."

Introduction and Overview

     The Company, through its family of NewsEDGE products, delivers, via both
corporations' intranets, the Internet and local area networks, a large variety
of news and information sources in real-time to professionals' personal
computers, automatically monitoring and filtering the news, and alerting the
users to stories of interest to them.

     The Company's revenues consist primarily of NewsEDGE subscription fees and
related royalties received from news providers in connection with sales of their
newswires through NewsEDGE. Historically, royalties have constituted less than
10% of this amount. The Company's other revenues consist principally of NewsEDGE
installation services and related computer hardware system sales, and
non-recurring custom development projects related to the Company's software.

     NewsEDGE subscriptions are generally for an initial term of twelve months,
payable in advance, and are automatically renewable for successive one year
periods unless the customer delivers notice of termination prior to the
expiration date of the then current agreement. NewsEDGE subscription revenues
are recognized ratably over the subscription term, beginning on installation of
the NewsEDGE service. Accordingly, a substantial portion of the Company's
revenues is recorded as deferred revenues until they are recognized over the
license term. The Company does not capitalize customer acquisition costs.

     Certain newswires offered by the Company through NewsEDGE are purchased by
the customer directly from the news provider and payments are made directly from
the NewsEDGE customer to the provider. For some of these newswires, the Company
receives ongoing royalties on payments made by the customer to the news
provider, and those royalties constitute part of the Company's subscription and
royalty revenues. For other newswires that are resold by the Company to the
NewsEDGE customer, the Company includes a fee for the newswire in the NewsEDGE
subscription fee paid by the customer and pays a royalty to the news provider.
Such royalties are included in the Company's cost of revenues.

     On February 24, 1998, the Company completed its merger with Individual,
Inc. ("Individual") (the "Merger"). Concurrently with the Merger, the Company
changed its corporate name to NewsEDGE Corporation.

     Individual developed and marketed a suite of customized news and
information services that provide knowledge workers with daily personalized
current awareness reports, while offering information providers and advertisers
new ways to reach targeted audiences. Utilizing its knowledge processing systems
and editorial knowledge bases, Individual's intelligent software agents search
each day through as many as 20,000 stories drawn from approximately 600 broad
and specialized information sources, and prepare for each user a highly relevant
daily news briefing with full-text retrieval options. In addition, Individual's
Hoover Business Intelligence Service ("Hoover") integrates and organizes news
and information from internal and external sources and provides real-time and
archival electronic services to organizations. Individual delivered its
information services to more than approximately 700,000 users across a range of
delivery platforms, including facsimile, electronic mail, groupware, intranets
and the Internet.

     The Company believes that there is a strategic fit among the respective
services of the Company and Individual and that the Merger will provide the
Company with expanded service offerings to address a wider range of customer
requirements. The Company also believes that the Merger provides greater
opportunities to develop business relationships, license technology, and engage
in other strategic combinations and transactions involving the Company's
combined products and technologies. Because the Merger was completed subsequent
to December 31, 1997, this Annual Report does not contain the financial results
of the combined company.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
Results of Operations

The following table sets forth certain consolidated financial data as a
percentage of total revenues:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                     Percentage of Total Revenues
                                                     ----------------------------   
                                                             Year Ended
                                                             ----------   
                                                             December 31,
                                                             -----------   
                                                   1997          1996          1995
                                                   ----          ----          ----
<S>                                               <C>           <C>           <C> 
Subscription and royalty revenues                  93.3%         92.6%         93.8%
Other revenues                                      6.7           7.4           6.2
                                                  -----         -----         -----        
         Total revenues                           100.0         100.0         100.0
Cost of revenues                                   31.0          28.1          27.6
Customer support expenses                          12.1          10.4          10.8
Development expenses                               12.1          12.5          12.4
Sales and marketing expenses                       35.5          34.5          37.6
General and administrative expenses                 4.9           4.7           5.5
                                                  -----         -----         -----        
         Total costs and expenses                  95.6          90.2          93.9
                                                  -----         -----         -----        
Income from operations                              4.4           9.8           6.1
Interest income, net                                5.1           5.6           3.9
                                                  -----         -----         -----        
Income before provision for income taxes            9.5          15.4          10.0
Provision for income taxes                          3.1           1.8           0.8
                                                  -----         -----         -----        
         Net income                                 6.4%         13.6%          9.2%
                                                  =====         =====         =====
</TABLE> 

Year Ended December 31, 1997, as Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 1996

     Revenues. Revenues consist of (i) subscription and royalty revenues and
(ii) other revenues which consist of revenues from NewsEDGE installation
services and other sources. Total revenues increased 25% to $42.2 million for
1997, as compared to $33.8 million for 1996. Subscription and royalty revenues
increased 26% to $39.3 million from $31.3 million for 1997 and 1996,
respectively. The increase in subscription and royalty revenues was attributable
to increased subscription revenues from new customers, the retention and growth
of revenues from existing customers and increased royalties from the sale of
third-party information news.

     Other revenues, consisting of revenues from NewsEDGE installation services,
computer hardware system sales and non-recurring custom development projects,
increased 14% to $2.8 million for 1997 from $2.5 million for 1996. The
approximate $300,000 increase related to non-recurring custom development
projects and installations of NewsEDGE.

     International revenues (revenues from customers outside of North America)
accounted for less than 10% of revenues during the years ended December 31, 1997
and 1996.

     Cost of revenues. Cost of revenues consists primarily of royalties paid to
third-party information providers for the cost of news services licensed to
customers, costs associated with transmitting news services to customer sites
and the cost of computer hardware sold to customers. Cost of revenues does not
include customer support expenses. Cost of revenues, as a percentage of total
revenues, increased to 31% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 compared
to 28% for the same period in 1996. The percentage increase in cost of revenues
was due primarily to increases in royalties paid to third-party information
providers and increases in transmission costs.

     Customer support expenses. Customer support expenses consist primarily of
costs associated with technical support of the Company's installed base of
customers. Customer support expenses increased 47% to $5.1 million for 1997, as
compared to $3.5 million for 1996. These increases result primarily from higher
staffing levels and the continuing need for the Company to provide additional
support to its growing customer base. Customer support expenses, as a percentage
of total revenues, increased to 12% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997
as compared to 10% for the same period in 1996.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
     Development expenses. Development expenses consist primarily of costs
associated with the design, programming, and testing of the Company's new
software and services. Development expenses increased 21% to $5.1 million for
1997, as compared to $4.2 million for 1996. The increase in development expenses
resulted from a combination of higher staffing levels to provide for product
enhancements and higher payroll and recruiting costs deemed necessary to attract
and retain new and existing personnel. Development expenses, as a percentage of
total revenues, decreased to 12% for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, as
compared to 13% for the same period in 1996.

     Sales and marketing expenses. Sales and marketing expenses consist
primarily of compensation costs (including sales commissions and bonuses),
travel expenses, trade shows and other marketing programs. Sales and marketing
expenses increased 28% to $15.0 million for 1997, as compared to $11.7 million
for 1996. The increase was due primarily to higher staffing levels which
resulted from the expansion of the sales and marketing organization. Sales and
marketing expenses, as a percentage of total revenues, increased to 36% for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, as compared to 35% for the same period in
1996.

     General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses
consist primarily of expenses for finance, office operations, administration and
general management activities, including legal, accounting and other
professional fees. General and administrative expenses increased 30% to $2.1
million for 1997, as compared to $1.6 million for 1996. The increase in general
and administrative expenses was due primarily to additions to staff to support
the Company's growth. General and administrative expenses, as a percentage of
total revenues, remained constant at 5% for the years ended December 31, 1997
and 1996, respectively.

     Interest income, net. Interest income, net consists of interest earned on
cash, cash equivalents and investments, offset by interest expense on equipment
financing. Interest income, net increased to $2.1 million for 1997, from $1.9
million for 1996, due primarily to interest earned on higher cash and investment
balances generated from operations and higher interest rates earned on cash,
cash equivalents and investment balances.

    For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, the provision for income taxes
increased to $1.3 million from $.6 million for the same period in 1996. This
increase was due primarily to a reduction in tax loss carryforwards. As a result
of the merger with Individual, Inc. on February 24, 1998, the Company does not
expect to owe income taxes in 1998 other than an immaterial amount related to
income from the Company's foreign operations.

Year Ended December 31, 1996, as Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 1995

     Revenues. Total revenues increased 46% to $33.8 million for 1996, as
compared to $23.2 million for 1995. Subscription and royalty revenues increased
44% to $31.3 million from $21.7 million for 1996 and 1995, respectively. The
increase in subscription and royalty revenues was attributable to increased
subscription revenues from new customers, the retention and growth of revenues
from existing customers and increased royalties from the sale of third-party
information news.

     Other revenues increased 72% to $2.5 million for 1996 from $1.4 million for
1995. The increase was due primarily to revenue from one-time custom development
projects, such as the NBC Desktop Video and LinkEDGE projects. The Company
currently does not solicit hardware sales, and anticipates that revenues from
hardware sales will decline as a percentage of total revenues.

     International revenues (revenues from customers outside of North America)
accounted for less than 5% of revenues during the years ended December 31, 1996
and 1995.

     Cost of revenues. Cost of revenues remained constant at 28% for the years
ended December 31, 1996 and 1995.

     Customer support expenses. Customer support expenses increased 40% to $3.5
million for 1996, as compared to $2.5 million for 1995. These increases result
primarily from higher staffing levels and the continuing need for the Company to
provide additional support to its growing customer base. As a percentage of
total revenues, customer support expenses declined to 10% for 1996 versus 11%
for 1995.

     Development expenses. Development expenses increased 47% to $4.2 million
for 1996, as compared to $2.9 million for 1995. Development expenses increased
as a result of higher staffing levels to provide for enhancements of existing
features and the development of new features. Development expenses, as a
percentage of total revenues, increased slightly to 13% for the year ended
December 31, 1996, as compared to 12% for the year ended December 31, 1995.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
     Sales and marketing expenses. Sales and marketing expenses increased 34% to
$11.7 million for 1996, as compared to $8.7 million for 1995. Sales and
marketing expenses represented 35% of revenues for 1996, as compared to 38% for
1995. Sales and marketing expenses increased during these periods, primarily due
to the expansion of the sales and marketing organizations. As a percentage of
total revenues, however, sales and marketing expenses decreased primarily as a
result of the increase in the Company's revenues, without a corresponding
increase in sales and marketing expenses.

     General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses
increased 24% to $1.6 million for 1996, from $1.3 million for 1995. The
increases in general and administrative expenses were due primarily to additions
to staff to support the Company's growth. General and administrative expenses,
as a percentage of total revenues, decreased slightly to 5% for the year ended
December 31, 1996, as compared to 6% for the year ended December 31, 1995.

     Interest income, net. Interest income, net increased to $1.9 million for
1996, from $897,000 for 1995, due primarily to interest earned on higher cash
balances generated from operations.

    For the year ended December 31, 1996, the provision for income taxes was
$614,000. This provision is primarily the result of state taxes due in states
that do not have net operating loss carryforwards available and the alternative
minimum tax due under the Internal Revenue Code. Despite the Company's
profitability in 1995 and 1996, the Company has provided a full valuation
allowance against its net deferred tax asset due to the uncertainty surrounding
the realization of the net deferred tax asset. The uncertainty is due to the
mechanism required for utilizing net operating less carryforwards (NOLs) and tax
credit carryforwards, as well as the Company's history of cumulative losses
since inception of $1.9 million as of December 31, 1996. The Company has
significant NOLs from disqualifying dispositions and tax credit carryforwards
(TCCs) primarily from research and development activities. The Company is
required to first use the NOLs (including NOLs generated from disqualifying
dispositions) prior to realizing any benefit from the TCCs, thus extending the
time as to when the TCCs can be utilized.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     On August 11, 1995, the Company completed an initial public offering of its
common stock, which provided the Company with net proceeds of approximately
$26,711,000. Prior to the initial public offering, the Company funded its
operations primarily from cash flow from operations and proceeds from the
issuance of preferred stock.

     The Company's combined cash, cash equivalents and investments balance was
$43.2 million at December 31, 1997, as compared to $36.8 million at December 31,
1996, an increase of $6.4 million.

     Net cash provided by operations was $7.8 million, $7.1 million and $5.8
million for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Accounts receivable increased
$2.6 million, $1.8 million, and $906,000 for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Deferred revenue increased $3.6 million, $3.7 million, and $2.5 million for
1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. These increases are due to profitable
operations, continued growth in subscription fees and advanced payments received
from customers.

     Net cash provided by investing activities for the year ended December 31,
1997 was $15.4 million. This cash inflow resulted from a large decrease in the
short-term investment balance caused by the reinvestment of cash from maturing
short-term investments into investments with an original maturity of less than
three months (i.e. cash equivalents). The cash inflow resulting from the
decrease in short-term investments was partially offset by $2.6 million in
capital expenditures. Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended
December 31, 1996 was $16.5 million, $13.0 million for the net purchases of
investments and $3.5 million for capital expenditures. In 1995, the Company used
$14.6 million primarily for capital expenditures required to support the
expansion and growth of the business, and the purchase of short-term
investments.

     Net cash provided by financing activities was $1.2 million, $764,000 and
$24.0 million for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Net cash provided during
1997 and 1996 primarily consisted of proceeds from both employee stock option
exercises (including tax benefits) and purchases under the employee stock
purchase plan. Net cash provided during 1995 consisted primarily of the net
proceeds from the Company's initial public offering, offset by payments of
dividends on preferred stock. All of the Company's preferred stock was either
converted into common stock upon the closing of the public offering or redeemed
by the Company during 1995. As such, there is no outstanding preferred stock or
dividends payable.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
     The Company believes that its current cash, cash equivalents and short-term
investments and funds anticipated to be generated from operations, will be
sufficient to satisfy working capital and capital expenditure requirements for
at least the next twelve months.

Subsequent Events

     On February 24, 1998, the Company merged with Individual to form NewsEDGE
Corporation. Under the terms of the agreement, shares of the Company were
exchanged for all outstanding shares, options and warrants of Individual, Inc.
on the basis of one share of Individual, Inc. common stock for one-half (1/2) of
one share of the Company's common stock. As of December 31, 1997, NewsEDGE
Corporation had $92.3 million in total assets on a pro forma combined basis,
including $58.6 million in cash and short-term investments. The Company expects
to incur a charge of approximately $10 million to $12 million in the first
quarter of 1998 related to integration of operations, asset write-downs,
personnel reduction and other one-time merger related charges.

     The integration of the business of Individual requires, among other things,
integration of the companies' respective service offerings and coordination of
the companies' sales, marketing and research and development efforts.
Historically, the sales models used by both companies' sales organizations have
differed significantly, although each employs direct sales personnel. As
compared to the Company, pre-merger, Individual's product line traditionally
experienced a shorter sales cycle and its sales model relied more heavily on
telesales. There can be no assurance that the Company can take full advantage of
the combined sales force's efforts. The companies have also used a number of
distribution channels in the various geographic markets in which their
respective products are sold and there can be no assurance that channel conflict
will not develop as the Company attempts to integrate these channels.

     The success of the integration process will be significantly influenced by
the ability of the Company to attract and retain key management, sales,
marketing and research and development personnel. There is no assurance that the
foregoing will be accomplished smoothly or successfully. The integration of
operations requires the dedication of management resources, which may distract
attention from the day-to-day operations of the Company. The inability of
management to successfully integrate the operations of the companies may have a
material adverse effect upon the business, operating results and financial
condition of the Company. See "Certain Factors Affecting Future Operating
Results" for additional risks associated with the Merger.

Certain Factors Affecting Future Operating Results

     The Company operates in a rapidly changing environment that involves a
number of risks, some of which are beyond the Company's control. The discussion
highlights some of the risks which may affect future operating results.

Uncertainties Relating to Integration of Operations

     The Company entered into the Agreement and Plan of Merger and Organization
with Individual, Inc. ("Individual") on November 2, 1997, with the expectation
that the Merger will result in long-term strategic benefits. These anticipated
benefits will depend in part on whether the companies' operations can be
integrated in an efficient and effective manner. There can be no assurance that
this will occur. The combination of the companies requires, among other things,
integration of the companies' respective service offerings and coordination of
the companies' sales, marketing and research and development efforts.
Historically, the sales models used by the Company and Individual have differed
significantly. While the Company sold principally to the enterprise market
utilizing a direct sales force, Individual addressed the three tiers of the
market with a distribution strategy that utilized a direct sales force at the
enterprise level, telesales to workgroups, and an Internet distribution model
that incorporated World Wide Web ("Web") banner advertising, marketing
relationships with a number of high traffic Web sites and agreements with
Internet Service Providers to capture the individual knowledge worker. There can
be no assurance that the Company will be able to take full advantage of the
combined sales force's efforts. The Company and Individual also used a number of
distribution channels in certain overseas markets in which products are sold and
there can be no assurance that channel conflicts will not develop as the Company
attempts to integrate these channels.

     The services of the Company rely on the timely collection, processing and
distribution of news and information to enterprises and individuals around the
world. While the Company intends to take precautions to maintain service levels,
there can be no assurances that the combination of operations centers will not
cause service interruptions or performance degradation of the Company's
services. Should significant service disruptions occur, customer retention,
revenues, and service and support costs of the Company could be materially
adversely affected.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
     The success of the integration process will be significantly influenced by
the ability of the Company to attract and retain key management, sales,
marketing and research and development personnel. There is no assurance that the
foregoing will be accomplished smoothly or successfully. The current integration
of operations requires the dedication of management resources, which may
distract attention from the day-to-day operations of the Company. The inability
of management to successfully integrate the operations of the companies could
have a material adverse effect upon the business, operating results and
financial condition of the Company.

History of Operating Losses

     Individual was incorporated in January 1989 and introduced its initial
service, First!, in March 1990. Since its inception, Individual incurred
substantial costs to develop and enhance its technology, to create, introduce,
and enhance its service offerings, to establish marketing and distribution
relationships, to recruit and train a sales and marketing group, to acquire
customers for its subscription services, and to build an administrative
organization. As a consequence, Individual incurred operating losses in each of
its fiscal quarters and in each year since inception, including net losses of
approximately $50.9 million and $18.6 million for the years ended December 31,
1996 and 1997, respectively. As of December 31, 1997, Individual had an
accumulated deficit on a stand-alone basis of approximately $88.5 million. The
time required to reach profitability is highly uncertain and there can be no
assurance that the Individual business will be able to achieve profitability on
a sustained basis, if at all. The failure of the Individual business to achieve
profitability could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
results of operations and financial condition.

Costs and Expenses of Integration

     The Company estimates that it, and Individual incurred direct transaction
costs of approximately $3 million to $4 million associated with the Merger,
substantially all of which will be charged to operations of the Company in the
first quarter of 1998. The Company expects to incur an additional significant
charge to operations of approximately $7 million to $8 million, in the first
quarter of 1998, related to integration of operations, asset write-downs,
personnel reduction and other one-time merger related charges. There can be no
assurance that the Company will not incur additional material charges in
subsequent quarters to reflect additional costs associated with the Merger.

Effects of Merger on Customers

     There can be no assurance that the present and potential customers of the
Company will continue their current buying patterns without regard to the
Merger. Any significant delay or reduction in orders could have an adverse
effect on the near-term business and results of operations of the Company. In
addition, uncertainties regarding product overlap of the companies' respective
services and resolution of that overlap may cause customers to delay purchasing
decisions regarding these products.

Fluctuations in Quarterly Results

     The Company's quarterly operating results may in the future fluctuate
significantly depending on factors such as demand for its services, changes in
service mix, the size and timing of new and renewal subscriptions from corporate
customers, advertising revenue levels, the effects of new service announcements
by the Company and its competitors, the ability of the Company to develop,
market and introduce new and enhanced versions of its services on a timely basis
and the level of product and price competition. A substantial portion of the
Company's cost of revenue, which consists principally of fees payable to
information providers, telecommunications costs and personnel expenses, is
relatively fixed in nature. The operating expense levels of the Company are
based, in significant part, on their expectations of future revenue. If
quarterly revenues are below management's expectations, results of operations
would be adversely affected because a relatively small amount of the Company's
costs and expenses will vary with its revenues.

Future Operating Results Uncertain

     The Company's ability to increase its revenues will depend upon its ability
to expand its sales force, to increase sales to new customers as well as
increase penetration into existing customers, and to integrate the Company's
product offerings under a single brand. As a result, the Company believes that
period-to-period comparisons of the Company's pre-merger, Individual's or the
Company's post-merger results of operations are not and will not necessarily be
meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance.
Due to all of the foregoing factors, it is possible that in some future quarter
the Company's operating results will be below the expectations of public market
analysts and investors. In such event, the price of the Company's Common Stock

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
would likely be materially adversely affected. Although each of the Company and
Individual experienced growth in revenues in recent years, there can be no
assurance that, in the future, the Company will sustain revenue growth or be
profitable on a quarterly or annual basis.

Dependence on Continued Growth in Use of the Internet

     Although Individual, and now the Company, distributes certain products and
services across multiple delivery platforms, including facsimile, electronic
mail, and private networks based on Lotus Notes and other groupware products,
sales of certain of Individual's products and services, such as NewsPage and
ClariNews, depend upon the adoption of the Internet as a widely used medium for
commerce and communication. Rapid growth in the use of and interest in the
Internet is a recent phenomenon. There can be no assurance that communication or
commerce over the Internet will become widespread or that extensive content will
continue to be provided over the Internet. The Internet may not prove to be a
viable commercial marketplace for a number of reasons, including potentially
inadequate development of the necessary infrastructure, such as a reliable
network backbone, or timely development and commercialization of performance
improvements, including high speed modems. In addition, to the extent that the
Internet continues to experience significant growth in the number of users and
level of use, there can be no assurance that the Internet infrastructure will
continue to be able to support the demands placed upon it by such potential
growth or that the performance or reliability of the Web will not be adversely
affected by this continued growth. The Internet could lose its viability due to
delays in the development or adoption of new standards and protocols required to
handle increased levels of Internet activity, or due to increased governmental
regulation. Changes in or insufficient availability of telecommunications
services to support the Internet also could result in slower response times and
adversely affect usage of the Web and the Company's online services. If the
necessary infrastructure or complementary services necessary to make the
Internet a viable commercial marketplace are not developed, or if the Internet
does not become a viable commercial marketplace, the Company's business, results
of operations, and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

Reliance on Advertising Revenues and Uncertainty of Web as Advertising Medium

     The Internet is an unproven medium for paid advertising sponsorship of
Web-based services such as Individual's, and now the Company's, NewsPage and
ClariNews services. Subscriptions to these Web-based services are partially
subsidized by revenues from the sale of advertisements on the Web pages of such
services. Most of the Company's advertising customers have only limited
experience with the Web as an advertising medium, have not devoted a significant
portion of their advertising expenditures to Web-based advertising and may not
find such advertising to be effective for promoting their products and services
relative to traditional print and broadcast media. The Company's ability to
generate significant advertising revenues to subsidize subscriptions to its
Web-based services will depend upon, among other things, advertisers' acceptance
of the Web as an effective and sustainable advertising medium, the development
of a large base of users of the Company's services possessing demographic
characteristics attractive to advertisers, and the ability of the Company to
develop and update effective advertising delivery and measurement systems. No
standards have yet been widely accepted for the measurement of the effectiveness
of Web-based advertising, and there can be no assurance that such standards will
develop sufficiently to support Web-based advertising as a significant
advertising medium. In addition, there is intense competition in the sale of
advertising on the Internet, which has resulted in a wide range of rates quoted
by different vendors for a variety of advertising services, which makes it
difficult to project future levels of Internet advertising revenues that will be
realized generally or by any specific company. Competition among current and
future Web sites, as well as competition with other traditional media for
advertising placements, could result in significant price competition and
reductions in advertising revenues. As a result of these factors, there can be
no assurance that Individual will sustain or increase current advertising sales
levels. Failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, results of operations and financial condition.

Dependence on Key Personnel

     Competition for qualified sales, technical and other qualified personnel is
intense, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to attract,
assimilate or retain additional highly qualified employees in the future. If the
Company is unable to hire and retain such personnel, its business, operating
results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. Success
of the integration process following the Merger and future financial success
also depends in significant part upon the continued service of its key
technical, sales and senior management personnel. The loss of the services of a
significant number of these key employees could have a material adverse effect
on its business, operating results and financial condition. Additions of new,
and departures of existing, personnel, particularly in key positions, can be
disruptive and can result in departures of existing personnel, which could have
a material adverse effect upon the Company's business, results of operations and
financial condition.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
Competition

     The business information services industry is intensely competitive and is
characterized by rapid technological change and the entry into the field of
extremely large and well-capitalized companies as well as smaller competitors.
The Company will compete or may compete directly or indirectly with the
following categories of companies: (i) large, well-established news and
information providers such as The Dialog Corporation, Dow Jones, Bridge,
Lexis/Nexis, Pearson, Reuters and Thomson; (ii) market data services companies
such as ADP, Bloomberg and Telerate; (iii) traditional print media companies
that are increasingly searching for opportunities for on-line provision of news,
including through the establishment of World Wide Web sites on the Internet;
(iv) large providers of LAN-based and Internet-based software systems such as
IBM/Lotus, Netscape and Microsoft, which could, in the future, ally with
competing news and information providers; and (v) single-user,
advertising-subsidized Web-based services and Internet access providers. Many of
these companies and market participants not named above have substantially
greater financial, technical and marketing resources than the Company. Increased
competition, on the basis of price or otherwise, may require price reductions or
increased spending on marketing or software development, which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and
financial condition.

Risks Relating to Acquisitions

     Individual, pre-Merger, recently completed the acquisition of ClariNet
Communications Corp., and the Company may acquire other companies, products or
technologies in the future. There can be no assurance that these acquisitions
can be effectively integrated, that such acquisitions will not result in costs
or liabilities that could materially and adversely affect the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition, or that the Company will
obtain the anticipated or desired benefits of such transactions.

     Management may from time to time consider acquisitions of assets or
businesses that it believes may enable the Company to obtain complementary
skills and capabilities, offer new products, expand its customer base or obtain
other competitive advantages. Such acquisitions involve potential risks,
including difficulties in assimilating the acquired company's operations,
technology, products and personnel, completing and integrating acquired
in-process technology, diverting management's resources, uncertainties
associated with operating in new markets and working with new employees and
customers, and the potential loss of the acquired company's key employees.

Dependence on Cooperative Marketing Arrangements

     The Company has entered into certain cooperative marketing agreements and
informal arrangements with software vendors, Web site sponsors and operators of
on-line services, including Microsoft, Netscape and NETCOM. These companies
presently market services that compete directly with those of the Company. If
the Company's marketing activities with such companies were terminated, reduced,
curtailed, or otherwise modified, the Company may not be able to replace or
supplement such efforts alone or with others. If these companies were to develop
and market their own business information services or those of the Company's
competitors, the Company's business and results of operations and financial
condition may be materially and adversely affected.

Litigation Risks

     A class action shareholder suit was filed against Individual, certain of
its directors and officers and the underwriters of its initial public offering
claiming that the defendants made misstatements, or failed to make statements,
to the investing public in Individual's Prospectus and Registration Statement
relating to its initial public offering, as well as in subsequent public
disclosures, relating to the alleged existence of disputes between Joseph A.
Amram, Individual's former Chief Executive Officer, and Individual (now the
Company). The Company believes that the allegations contained in the complaint
are without merit and intends to defend vigorously against the claims, and based
upon information currently available, believes that the action will not have a
material impact on the Company. However, there can be no assurance that this
litigation will ultimately be resolved on terms that are favorable to the
Company and that the resolution of this litigation will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company.

Dependence on News Providers

     A significant percentage of the Company's customers subscribe to services
provided by one or more of Press Association Inc., a subsidiary of The
Associated Press, Dow Jones, The Financial Times, Reuters and Thompson. The
Company's agreements with news providers are generally for terms of one to three
years, with automatic renewal unless notice of termination is provided before
the end of the term by either party. These agreements may 

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
also be terminated by the provider if the Company fails to fulfill its
obligations under the agreement. Many of these news and information providers
compete with one another and, to some extent, with the Company. Termination of
one or more significant news provider agreements would decrease the news and
information which the Company can offer its customers and could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations.

     Also, an increase in the fees required to be paid by the Company to its
information providers would have an adverse effect on the Company's gross
margins and results of operations. Because the Company licenses the
informational content included in its services from third parties, the Company's
exposure to copyright infringement actions may increase. Although the Company
generally obtains representations as to the origins and ownership of such
licensed content and generally obtain indemnification for any breach thereof,
there can be no assurance that such representations will be accurate or that
indemnification will adequately compensate the Company for any breach.

Dependence on News Transmission Sources

     The Company's news and information for the NewsEDGE products is transmitted
using one or more of three methods: leased telephone lines, satellites or FM
radio transmission. None of these methods of news transmission is within the
control of the Company, and the loss or significant disruption of any of them
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business. Many newswire
providers have established their own broadcast communications networks using one
or more of these three vehicles. In these cases, the Company's role is to
arrange communications between the news provider and the NewsEDGE customer's
server. For sources which do not have their own broadcast communications
capability, news and information is delivered to the Company news consolidation
facility, where it is reformatted for broadcast to NewsEDGE servers and
retransmitted to customers through an arrangement between the Company and
WavePhore ("WavePhore"), a common carrier communications vendor. WavePhore
presently markets services that compete directly with those of the Company.
WavePhore is also the communications provider for many newswires offered by the
Company through NewsEDGE. The Company's agreement with WavePhore expires on
December 31, 1998. This agreement can be terminated earlier in the event of a
material breach by the Company of the agreement. If the agreement with WavePhore
were terminated on short notice, or if WavePhore were to encounter technical or
financial difficulties adversely affecting its ability to continue to perform
under the agreement or otherwise, the Company's business would be materially and
adversely affected. The Company believes that if WavePhore were unable to
fulfill its obligations, other sources of retransmission would be available to
the Company, although the transition from WavePhore to those sources could
result in delays or interruptions of service that could have a material adverse
affect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.

Risk of System Failure or Inadequacy

     The Company's operations are dependent on its ability to maintain its
computer and telecommunications systems in effective working order and to
protect its systems against damage from fire, natural disaster, power loss,
telecommunications failure or similar events. Although the Company will have
limited back-up capability, this measure does not eliminate the significant risk
to the Company's operations from a natural disaster or system failure at its
principal site. In addition, any failure or delay in the timely transmission or
receipt of feeds and computer downloads from its information providers, whether
on account of system failure of the information providers, the public network or
otherwise, could disrupt the Company's operations.

Risks Relating to Year 2000 Issues

     Because the Company's Software and Services are not date sensitive or date
dependent, the Company believes that its software and services are substantially
year 2000 compliant and currently does not anticipate material expenditures to
remedy any year 2000 problems. However, many computer systems were not designed
to handle any dates beyond the year 1999, and therefore, many companies will be
required to modify their computer hardware and software prior to the year 2000
in order to remain functional. Many enterprises, including the Company's present
and potential customers, will be devoting a substantial portion of their
information systems spending to resolving this upcoming year 2000 problem, which
may result in spending being diverted from network applications, such as the
Company's products, over the next two years. Additionally, the Company utilizes
third-party computer and telecommunications equipment to distribute its products
as well as to operate other aspects of its business , and there can be no
assurances that such equipment is year 2000 compliant. Although the Company
intends to take measures to address the impact, if any, of year 2000 issues,
failure of any critical equipment to operate properly in the year 2000 may have
a material adverse effect upon the Company's business, results of operations and
financial condition or require the Company to incur unanticipated material
expenses to remedy any problem.

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
Rapid Technological Change

     The business information services, software and communications industries
are subject to rapid technological change, which may render existing products
and services obsolete or require significant unanticipated investments in
research and development. The Company's future success will depend, in part,
upon its ability to enhance its service offerings and keep pace with
technological developments. The Company's future success will depend on its
ability to enhance its existing services, to develop new products and services
that address the needs of its customers and to respond to technological advances
and emerging industry standards and practices, each on a timely basis. Services
as complex as those offered by the Company entail significant technical risks,
often encounter development delays and may result in service failures when first
introduced or as new versions are released. Any such delays in development or
failures that occur after commercial introduction of new or enhanced services
may result in loss of or delay in market acceptance, which could have a material
adverse effect upon the Company's business, results of operations and financial
condition.

Dependence on Proprietary Technology

     The Company is heavily dependent upon proprietary technology. In addition,
the Company relies on a combination of trade secret, copyright and trademark
laws and non-disclosure agreements to protect its proprietary rights in its
software and technology. There can be no assurance that such measures are or
will be adequate to protect the Company's proprietary technology. In addition,
there can be no assurance that the Company's competitors will not independently
develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to the
Company's technologies or services. Individual licensed the proprietary SMART
filtering software, which is used as the filtering engine for all of its
products and services, from Cornell Research Foundation, Inc. ("Cornell
University"). Under the terms of the license agreement with Cornell University,
Individual, and now the Company, has exclusive worldwide rights until February
1999 to design, develop, market, and sell systems and services based on the
SMART software for the retrieval and dissemination of data from recent and
continually changing data sources. Provided that the Company is not then in
default of the license agreement, at the end of the initial term of the
agreement the Company will retain a continuing worldwide, non-exclusive,
perpetual royalty-free right to use the SMART software; and in addition, the
Company owns, and will continue to own, all enhancements to the SMART software
that it has developed. There can be no assurance, however, that Cornell
University will not license the SMART software to a third-party, including a
competitor of the Company, once the Company's exclusive rights have lapsed. In
addition, Cornell University may terminate the license agreement if the Company
has materially breached the agreement and such breach remains uncured for 60
days after written notice of such breach has been given. If the license
agreement were to terminate, the Company could be required to develop or acquire
a replacement filtering technology, and there can be no assurance that such
technology could be developed or acquired, on a timely basis or at all, and on
favorable terms to the Company. Consequently, any termination of the Company's
license agreement with Cornell University would have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, results of operations, and financial condition.

     There has been substantial litigation in the information services industry
involving intellectual property rights. Although the Company believes that it is
not infringing the intellectual property rights of others, there can be no
assurance that such claims, if asserted, would not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, results of operations, and financial
condition. In addition, inasmuch as the Company licenses the informational
content that is included in its services from third parties, its exposure to
copyright infringement actions may increase because the Company must rely upon
such third parties for information as to the origin and ownership of such
licensed content. Although the Company generally obtains representations as to
the origins and ownership of such licensed informational content and generally
obtains indemnification to cover any breach of any such representations, there
can be no assurance that such representations will be accurate or that such
indemnification will provide adequate compensation for any breach of such
representations. In the future, litigation may be necessary to enforce and
protect trade secrets, copyrights and other intellectual property rights of the
Company. The Company may also be subject to litigation to defend against claimed
infringement of the rights of others or to determine the scope and validity of
the intellectual property rights of others. Any such litigation would be costly
and divert management's attention, either of which would have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, results of operations, and financial
condition. Adverse determinations in such litigation could result in the loss of
the Company's proprietary rights, subject the Company to significant
liabilities, require the Company to seek licenses from third parties, and
prevent the Company from selling its services, any one of which could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations, and
financial condition.

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
- ----------------------------------------------------

In accordance with the SEC filing requirements on Form 10-K, the following
financial statements represent stand-alone financial data and results for the
entity formerly known as Desktop Data, Inc. The financial results of Individual,
Inc. are not reflected here, but rather are incorporated as part of the
financial data and results shown in footnote 8 of the financial statements to
follow.

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



To NewsEDGE Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of NewsEDGE
Corporation (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997
and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders'
equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1997. 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, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of NewsEDGE Corporation
and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.




                                            ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP




Boston, Massachusetts
January 30, 1998 (except with respect to the 
   matter discussed in Note 8, as to
   which the date is February 24, 1998)

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
                      NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
ASSETS
                                                                 1997                 1996
<S>                                                         <C>                  <C> 
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents                                 $ 35,175,200         $ 10,735,071
  Short-term investments                                       7,981,698           18,119,717
  Accounts receivable                                          7,588,166            4,948,351
  Prepaid expenses and deposits                                3,933,171            1,814,104
                                                            ------------         ------------

         Total current assets                                 54,678,235           35,617,243
                                                            ------------         ------------

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS                                                  -            7,927,667
                                                            ------------         ------------

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, AT COST:
  Computer equipment                                           7,219,684            4,846,437
  Furniture and fixtures                                         656,392              518,615
  Leasehold improvements                                         840,262              734,847
  Equipment under capital leases                                 138,792              138,792
                                                            ------------         ------------
                                                               8,855,130            6,238,691

Accumulated depreciation and amortization                     (3,123,021)          (1,599,021)
                                                            ------------         ------------
                                                               5,732,109            4,639,670
                                                            ------------         ------------

OTHER ASSETS                                                     173,565              142,570
                                                            ------------         ------------

                                                            $ 60,583,909         $ 48,327,150
                                                            ============         ============

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable                                          $  2,951,840         $    878,147
  Accrued expenses                                             6,281,637            3,572,198
  Deferred revenue, current                                   17,373,218           13,630,356
  Obligations under capital leases, current                       31,209               34,191
                                                            ------------         ------------

         Total current liabilities                            26,637,904           18,114,892
                                                            ------------         ------------

OBLIGATIONS UNDER CAPITAL LEASES, NONCURRENT                       6,360               37,569
                                                            ------------         ------------

DEFERRED REVENUE, NONCURRENT                                      38,890              190,165
                                                            ------------         ------------

COMMITMENTS (Note 5)

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, $.01 par value-
  Authorized--15,000,000 shares
  Issued and outstanding--8,691,185 shares and                    86,912               86,264
     8,626,425 shares in 1997 and 1996, respectively
Additional paid-in capital                                    33,004,744           31,782,106
Retained earnings (deficit)                                      809,099           (1,883,846)
                                                            ------------         ------------

         Total stockholders' equity                           33,900,755           29,984,524
                                                            ------------         ------------

                                                            $ 60,583,909         $ 48,327,150
                                                            ============         ============
</TABLE> 

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial 
                                  statements.

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
                      NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                                                  Years Ended December 31,
                                                                         1997               1996                1995
<S>                                                                 <C>                 <C>                 <C> 
REVENUES                                                            $ 42,181,558        $ 33,779,259        $ 23,185,833
                                                                    ------------        ------------        ------------
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
   Cost of revenues                                                   13,061,586           9,500,735           6,397,094
   Customer support expenses                                           5,123,460           3,492,756           2,492,493
   Development expenses                                                5,101,166           4,230,161           2,870,351
   Sales and marketing expenses                                       14,966,339          11,657,566           8,721,712
   General and administrative expenses                                 2,079,077           1,595,039           1,281,227
                                                                    ------------        ------------        ------------

         Total costs and expenses                                     40,331,628          30,476,257          21,762,877
                                                                    ------------        ------------        ------------

         Income from operations                                        1,849,930           3,303,002           1,422,956

INTEREST INCOME, NET                                                   2,139,973           1,896,021             897,108
                                                                    ------------        ------------        ------------

INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES                               3,989,903           5,199,023           2,320,064

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES                                             1,296,958             614,225             183,000
                                                                    ------------        ------------        ------------

         Net income                                                    2,692,945           4,584,798           2,137,064

ACCRETION OF DIVIDENDS ON SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK                             -                   -            (101,250)
                                                                                                   
DISCOUNT ON REDEMPTION OF SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK                             -                   -           1,232,238
                                                                    ------------        ------------        ------------

         Net income available for common stockholders               $  2,692,945        $  4,584,798        $  3,268,052
                                                                    ============        ============        ============

BASIC NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE                                   $        .31        $        .53        $        .66
                                                                    ============        ============        ============

DILUTED NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE                                 $        .31        $        .52        $        .43
                                                                    ============        ============        ============

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING                             8,654,166           8,572,200           4,959,013
                                                                    ============        ============        ============

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING ASSUMING DILUTION           8,742,180           8,778,479           7,518,529
                                                                    ============        ============        ============
</TABLE> 

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial 
                                  statements.

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
                      NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                                                                                                    

                                                          Series A                                                                  

                                                 Convertible Preferred Stock      Common Stock         Additional      Retained   
                                                   Number of     $.01 Par    Number of    $.01 Par       Paid-in       Earnings   
                                                    Shares        Value        Shares      Value         Capital      (Deficit)  
<S>                                              <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>           <C> 
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1994                        5,335,410    $   53,354    2,642,213   $  26,422    $  2,479,277  $ (8,605,708)

   Purchase of treasury stock                             -             -            -           -               -             -    
   Retirement of treasury stock                           -             -      (29,766)       (298)        (32,387)            -    
   Exercise of stock options                              -             -       74,110         742          63,895             -    
   Payments and accretion of dividends on                 
     redeemable preferred stock                           -             -            -           -      (2,217,000)            -
   Proceeds from initial public offering, less            
     offering costs                                       -             -    1,977,000      19,770      26,691,551             -
   Conversion of Series A, C and D preferred     
     stock                                       (5,335,410)      (53,354)   3,847,123      38,471       2,770,868             -
   Discount on redemption of Series B                     
     preferred stock                                      -             -            -           -       1,232,238             -
   Net income                                             -             -            -           -               -     2,137,064    
                                                 ----------    ----------    ---------   ---------    ------------  ------------

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1995                                -             -    8,510,680      85,107      30,988,442    (6,468,644)   

   Exercise of stock options, including tax               
     benefits                                             -             -       99,566         996         498,631             - 
   Stock issued under employee stock purchase             
     plan                                                 -             -       16,179         161         295,033             -
   Net income                                             -             -            -           -               -     4,584,798    
                                                 ----------    ----------    ---------   ---------    ------------  ------------
                                                                                         
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1996                                -             -    8,626,425      86,264      31,782,106    (1,883,846)   

   Exercise of stock options, including tax               
     benefits                                             -             -       49,675         497       1,095,615             - 
   Stock issued under employee stock purchase             
     plan                                                 -             -       15,085         151         127,023             -
   Net income                                             -             -            -           -               -     2,692,945    
                                                 ----------    ----------    ---------   ---------    ------------  ------------

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1997                                -    $        -    8,691,185   $  86,912    $ 33,004,744  $    809,099    
                                                 ===========   ==========    =========   =========    ============  ============

<CAPTION> 
                                                                                          
                                                                          Total          
                                                  Treasury Stock      Stockholders'      
                                              Number of                  Equity          
                                                Shares       Cost       (Deficit)        
<S>                                           <C>        <C>          <C> 
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1994                     29,485    $  (30,755)  $ (6,077,410)  

   Purchase of treasury stock                     281        (1,930)        (1,930)  
   Retirement of treasury stock               (29,766)       32,685              -   
   Exercise of stock options                        -             -         64,637   
   Payments and accretion of dividends on           
     redeemable preferred stock                     -             -     (2,217,000)                                    
   Proceeds from initial public offering, less      
     offering costs                                 -             -     26,711,321                                      
   Conversion of Series A, C and D preferred        
     stock                                          -             -      2,755,985                                     
   Discount on redemption of Series B               
     preferred stock                                -             -      1,232,238                                     
   Net income                                       -             -      2,137,064   
                                              -------    ----------   ------------
                                                                                     
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1995                          -             -     24,604,905   

   Exercise of stock options, including tax         
     benefits                                       -             -        499,627                                     
   Stock issued under employee stock purchase       
     plan                                           -             -        295,194                                     
   Net income                                       -             -      4,584,798   
                                              -------    ----------   ------------
                                                                                     
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1996                          -             -     29,984,524   

   Exercise of stock options, including tax         -             -      1,096,112   
     benefits                                                                        
   Stock issued under employee stock purchase       -             -        127,174   
     plan                                                                            
   Net income                                       -             -      2,692,945   
                                              -------    ----------   ------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1997                          -    $        -   $ 33,900,755   
                                              =======    ==========   ============
</TABLE> 

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial  
                                  statements.

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
                      NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                                                 Years Ended December 31,
                                                                          1997             1996             1995
<S>                                                                  <C>               <C>             <C> 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
   Net income                                                        $   2,692,945     $  4,584,798    $   2,137,064
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by                                         
   operating activities-                                                                               
     Depreciation and amortization                                       1,524,000          898,300          498,900
     Changes in assets and liabilities-                                                                
       Accounts receivable                                              (2,639,815)      (1,784,607)        (905,914)
       Prepaid expenses and deposits                                    (2,119,067)        (629,795)        (439,893)
       Accounts payable                                                  2,073,693          (96,021)         552,292
       Accrued expenses                                                  2,709,439          446,442        1,496,537
       Deferred revenue                                                  3,591,587        3,723,945        2,476,294
                                                                     -------------     ------------    -------------
                                                                                                       
              Net cash provided by operating activities                  7,832,782        7,143,062        5,815,280
                                                                     -------------     ------------    -------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                                                                  
   Decrease (increase) in investments, net                              18,065,686      (12,930,167)     (13,117,217)
   Purchases of property and equipment                                  (2,616,439)      (3,521,809)      (1,383,269)
   Increase in other assets                                                (30,995)         (20,377)         (65,876)
                                                                     -------------     ------------    -------------
                                                                                                       
              Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities       15,418,252      (16,472,353)     (14,566,362)
                                                                     -------------     ------------    -------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                                                                  
   Exercise of stock options, including tax benefits                     1,096,112          499,627           64,637
   Stock issued under employee stock purchase plan                         127,174          295,194                -
   Proceeds from initial public offering, less offering costs                    -                -       26,711,321
   Payments of dividends on redeemable preferred stock                           -                -       (2,638,041)
   Purchase of fractional shares on conversion of preferred stock                -                -           (1,041)
   Redemption of Series B preferred stock                                        -                -         (135,000)
   Purchase of treasury stock                                                    -                -           (1,930)
   Payments on obligations under capital leases                            (34,191)         (30,974)         (21,799)
                                                                     -------------     ------------    -------------
                                                                                                       
              Net cash provided by financing activities                  1,189,095          763,847       23,978,147
                                                                     -------------     ------------    -------------
                                                                                                       
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                        24,440,129       (8,565,444)      15,227,065
                                                                                                       
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR                            10,735,071       19,300,515        4,073,450
                                                                     -------------     ------------    -------------
                                                                                                       
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR                               $  35,175,200     $ 10,735,071    $  19,300,515
                                                                     =============     ============    =============
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:                                                      
   Cash paid for interest                                            $       6,506     $      5,325    $       3,121
                                                                     =============     ============    =============
   Cash paid for income taxes                                        $     352,008     $    294,119    $      10,600
                                                                     =============     ============    =============
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NONCASH TRANSACTIONS:                                                       
   Equipment acquired under capital lease obligations                $           -     $     25,624    $      18,090
                                                                     =============     ============    =============
   Accretion of dividends on redeemable preferred stock              $           -     $          -    $      17,238
                                                                     =============     ============    =============
   Discount on redemption of Series B preferred stock                $           -     $          -    $   1,232,238
                                                                     =============     ============    =============
   Conversion of Series A, C and D preferred stock                   $           -     $          -    $   2,757,025
                                                                     =============     ============    =============
</TABLE> 

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial 
                                  statements.

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
                      NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                DECEMBER 31, 1997




(1)    OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

       NewsEDGE Corporation (the Company), formerly Desktop Data, Inc., was
       incorporated on July 11, 1988, and through its NewsEDGE service and
       software, delivers to businesses a large variety of news and information
       sources in real-time to personal computers installed on LANs and WANs,
       automatically monitors and filters the news, and alerts users to stories
       of interest to them.

       The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect the
       application of certain significant accounting policies, as described in
       this note and elsewhere in the accompanying notes to consolidated
       financial statements.

       (a)    Principles of Consolidation

              The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the
              accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries,
              NewsEDGE Canada, Inc. and NewsEDGE Securities Corp. All material
              intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in
              consolidation.

       (b)    Cash and Cash Equivalents

              Cash and cash equivalents, which have original maturities of less
              than three months, consist of the following:
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                      December 31,
                                                                 1997              1996
         <S>                                                  <C>               <C> 
         Cash                                                 $  3,977,995      $    989,221
         Money market accounts                                   2,499,181           900,479
         Securities purchased under agreements to resell         2,644,185                 -
         U.S. Government agencies obligations                   26,053,839         8,845,371
                                                              ------------      ------------
                                                                                
                                                              $ 35,175,200      $ 10,735,071
                                                              ============      ============
</TABLE> 

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
                      NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                DECEMBER 31, 1997

                                   (Continued)


       (c)    Investments

              As of December 31, 1997, all of the Company's investments are
              classified and accounted for as held-to-maturity and reported at
              amortized cost. As of December 31, 1997 and 1996, the amortized
              cost of the Company's investments, which approximates fair market
              value, is as follows:

                                                        December 31,
                                                     1997          1996
                   Short-term-                                   
                     U.S. Government agencies    $         -   $ 13,833,870
                     U.S. Treasury notes           7,981,698      4,285,847
                                                 -----------   ------------
                                                                 
                                                 $ 7,981,698   $ 18,119,717
                                                 ===========   ============
                   Long-term-                                    
                     U.S. Treasury notes         $         -   $  7,927,667
                                                 ===========   ============

              Any security that experiences a decline in value that management
              believes is other than temporary is reduced to its net realizable
              value by a charge to income. Realized gains and losses from the
              sale of investment securities are recorded on the trade date by
              specific identification of the security sold. Realized gains and
              losses were not material during any year presented.

       (d)    Management Estimates

              The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
              generally accepted accounting principles requires management to
              make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
              assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
              liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the
              reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting
              period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

       (e)    Depreciation and Amortization

              The Company provides for depreciation using the straight-line
              method by charges to operations in amounts that allocate the cost
              of assets over their estimated useful lives of five years, except
              for leasehold improvements, which are depreciated over the shorter
              of the lease term or life of the asset.

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
                     NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997

                                  (Continued)


      (f)  Research and Development and Software Development Costs

           Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Statement of
           Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 86, Accounting for the
           Costs of Computer Software To Be Sold, Leased or Otherwise Marketed,
           requires the capitalization of certain computer software development
           costs incurred after technological feasibility is established. The
           Company has not capitalized software development costs to date, as
           the costs incurred after technological feasibility of a software
           product has been established have not been significant.

      (g)  Revenue Recognition

           The Company licenses its software for a specified term under standard
           subscription agreements. Subscription revenues are recognized ratably
           over the term of the agreement, generally 12 months, beginning upon
           installation. The unearned portion of revenue is shown as deferred
           revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Royalty
           revenues are recognized as they are earned under agreements with
           certain news providers. Other revenues are recognized at the time of
           shipment or when services are rendered. Cost of revenues includes
           royalties payable to news service and transmission providers and is
           expensed over the term of the subscription agreement.

      (h)  Income Taxes

           The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No.
           109, Accounting for Income Taxes. This statement requires the Company
           to recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected
           future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the
           Company's financial statements or tax returns. Under this method,
           deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on
           differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the
           tax bases of assets and liabilities and net operating loss
           carryforwards available for tax reporting purposes, using the
           applicable tax rates for the years in which the differences are
           expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded on deferred
           tax assets unless realization is more likely than not.

      (i)  Foreign Currency Translation

           Revenues and expenses are translated using exchange rates in effect
           during the year. Assets and liabilities are translated using the 
           year-end exchange rates. Gains or losses from foreign currency
           transactions are expensed as incurred. There were no significant
           gains or losses from foreign currency transactions during any year
           presented.

                                      30
<PAGE>
 
                     NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997

                                  (Continued)


      (j)  Postretirement Benefits

           The Company has no obligations for postretirement benefits.

      (k)  Concentration of Credit Risk

           SFAS No. 105, Disclosure of Information About Financial Instruments
           with Off-Balance-Sheet Risk and Financial Instruments with
           Concentrations of Credit Risk, requires disclosure of any significant
           off-balance-sheet and credit risk concentrations. The Company has no
           significant off-balance-sheet concentration of credit risk, such as
           foreign exchange contracts, options contracts or other foreign
           hedging arrangements. The Company maintains the majority of cash
           balances with two financial institutions, and its accounts receivable
           balances are primarily domestic.

      (l)  Basic and Diluted Net Income per Common Share

           In March 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
           SFAS No. 128, Earnings per Share. This statement established
           standards for computing and presenting earning per share and applies
           to all entities with publicly traded common stock or potential common
           stock. This statement is effective for fiscal years ending after
           December 15, 1997. This statement has been adopted as of December 31,
           1997. Accordingly, the prior year's earnings per share have been
           retroactively restated.

           The dollar impact available to common stockholders of the redemption
           of the Series B preferred stock is as follows:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                     Years Ended December 31,
                                                                                1997          1996            1995

           <S>                                                              <C>           <C>           <C> 
           Net income                                                       $ 2,692,945   $ 4,584,798   $ 2,137,064
           Accretion of dividends on Series B preferred stock                         -             -      (101,250)
           Discount on redemption of Series B preferred stock                         -             -     1,232,238
                                                                            -----------   -----------   -----------

           Net income available for common stockholders                     $ 2,692,945   $ 4,584,798   $ 3,268,052
                                                                            ===========   ===========   ===========

           Weighted average common shares outstanding                         8,654,166     8,572,200     4,959,013
           Effect of dilutive securities-
             Conversion of Series A, C and D preferred stock                          -             -     2,350,452
             Stock options                                                       88,014       206,279       209,064
                                                                            -----------   -----------   -----------

           Weighted average common shares outstanding assuming dilution       8,742,180     8,778,479     7,518,529
                                                                            ===========   ===========   ===========
</TABLE> 

                                      31
<PAGE>
 
                     NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997

                                  (Continued)


      (m)  New Accounting Pronouncements

           In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive
           Income. SFAS No. 130 requires disclosure of all components of
           comprehensive income on an annual and interim basis. Comprehensive
           income is defined as the change in equity of a business enterprise
           during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances
           from nonowner sources. SFAS No. 130 is effective for fiscal years
           beginning after December 15, 1997.

           In July 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, Disclosures About
           Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. SFAS No. 131
           requires certain financial and supplementary information to be
           disclosed on an annual interim basis for each reportable segment of
           an enterprise. SFAS No. 131 is effective for fiscal years beginning
           after December 15, 1997. Unless impracticable, companies would be
           required to restate prior period information upon adoption.

      (n)  Reclassifications

           Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with
           current year's presentation.

      (o)  Long-Lived Assets

           The Company adopted SFAS No. 121, Accounting for Long-Lived Assets
           and for Long-Lived Assets To Be Disposed Of, in 1995. SFAS No. 121
           requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment by
           comparing the fair value of the assets with their carrying amount.
           Any write-downs are to be treated as permanent reductions in the
           carrying amount of the assets. Accordingly, the Company evaluates the
           possible impairment of long-lived assets at each reporting period
           based on the undiscounted projected cash flows of the related asset.
           Should there be an impairment, the cash flow estimates that will be
           used will contain management's best estimates, using appropriate and
           customary assumption and projections at the time. The effect of
           adoption was not material to the financial statements.

                                      32
<PAGE>
 
                     NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997

                                  (Continued)


(2)   INCOME TAXES

      The income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and
      1995 consists of the following:

                                         1997           1996           1995
               Current-
                Federal              $  1,098,392   $  1,853,371   $    788,800
                State                     122,044        327,538        146,200
                International              44,900         67,200              -
                                     ------------   ------------   ------------

                                        1,265,336      2,248,109        935,000
               Deferred-
                Federal                    28,460     (1,385,094)      (669,000)
                State                       3,162       (248,790)       (83,000)
                                     ------------   ------------   ------------

                                           31,622     (1,633,884)      (752,000)
                                     ------------   ------------   ------------

                        Total        $  1,296,958   $    614,225   $    183,000
                                     ============   ============   ============

      A reconciliation of the federal statutory rate to the Company's effective
      tax rate at December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 is as follows:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                  1997          1996           1995

           <S>                                                    <C>           <C>            <C> 
           Income tax provision at federal statutory rate         34.0%         34.0%          34.0%
           Increase (decrease) in tax resulting from-
             State tax provision, net of federal benefit           3.0           6.3            6.3
             Research and development credits                     (2.2)          -              -
             Change in valuation allowance                          .8         (31.4)         (32.4)
             Other                                                (3.1)          2.9            -
                                                                  ----          ----          -----

                  Effective tax rate                              32.5%         11.8%           7.9%
                                                                  ====          ====          =====
</TABLE> 

                                      33
<PAGE>
 
                     NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997

                                  (Continued)


      The components of deferred income taxes are as follows:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                      December 31,
                                                                   1997          1996

               <S>                                             <C>           <C> 
               Deferred revenue                                $   370,724   $   312,040
               Financial reserves not yet deductible               484,478       309,726
               Depreciation                                       (461,890)     (180,076)
               Research and development and alternative            675,956       595,956
                minimum tax credit carryforwards
               Valuation allowance                              (1,069,268)   (1,037,646)
                                                               -----------   -----------

                                                               $         -   $         -
                                                               ===========   ===========
</TABLE> 

      In determining the need for a valuation allowance, the Company considered
      several items. Negative evidence that is significant for the period since
      the Company's IPO is the generation of large net operating loss
      carryforwards (NOLs) from the exercise of nonqualified stock options (the
      amount unused as of December 31, 1997 was in excess of $2.5 million, which
      constituted the Company's entire NOL carryforward). In addition, the
      Company had tax credit carryforwards of $676,000 as of December 31, 1997.
      The income tax laws provide for an ordering rule with respect to the
      utilization of the Company's tax attributes (i.e., NOL and credit
      carryforwards). The tax laws require the Company to utilize the NOLs prior
      to taking the benefit for credit carryforwards. In addition, the Company
      anticipates further disqualifying dispositions which will generate
      additional tax losses, thus extending the time as to when the credits can
      be utilized. As a result, there is significant uncertainty as to whether
      the Company will ever realize a benefit from any of the tax credit
      carryforwards. Additional doubt as to the realizability of the tax credit
      is presented because (i) the credits have calculated limits on usage based
      on income in any period, (ii) the credits have expiration dates and (iii)
      utilization could be further limited by other events such as an
      acquisition or a change in ownership, which is common among technology
      companies. Additionally, the merger discussed in Note 8 raises additional
      doubt as to the realizability of the deferred tax assets, as the acquired
      Company has considerable NOLs. This negative evidence was weighed against
      the relatively short history of profitability. As a result, management
      believes that it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax asset
      will not be realized.

      The exercise of nonqualified stock options gives rise to compensation
      which is includible in the taxable income of the applicable employees and
      deductible by the Company for federal and state income tax purposes.
      Compensation resulting from increases in the fair market value of the
      Company's common stock subsequent to the date of grant of the applicable
      exercised stock options is not recognized by the Company, in accordance
      with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, as an expense for
      financial accounting purposes, and the related tax benefits are credited
      directly to additional paid-in capital when the benefit is realized. Tax
      deductions related to stock option exercises were approximately $2.4
      million and $2.8 million for 1997 and 1996, respectively. During the years
      ended December 31, 1997 

                                      34
<PAGE>
 
                     NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997

                                  (Continued)


      and 1996, a tax benefit in the amount of $970,475 and $933,000,
      respectively, was realized and credited to additional paid-in capital.

      The research and development credit carryforwards ($594,324) expire in
      2007 through 2012.

(3)   STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

      (a)  Redeemable Preferred Stock

           In December 1990, the Company sold 13,500 shares of Series B
           redeemable preferred stock (the Series B preferred stock) and 1,500
           shares of Series C convertible preferred stock (the Series C
           preferred stock) for gross proceeds of $1,350,000 and $150,000,
           respectively. On October 20, 1992, the Company sold 20,000 shares of
           Series D convertible redeemable preferred stock (the Series D
           preferred stock) for gross proceeds of $2,000,000.

      (b)  Stock Split

           On June 26, 1995, the Company's stockholders approved a 1-for-2.25
           reverse stock split of the Company's common stock. The reverse stock
           split has been retroactively reflected in the accompanying
           consolidated financial statements and notes for all periods
           presented.

      (c)  Initial Public Offering

           On August 11, 1995, the Company completed an initial public offering
           of 1,977,000 shares of its common stock, including 300,000 shares
           granted to the underwriters upon exercise of their over-allotment
           option. The proceeds to the Company, net of underwriting discounts,
           commissions and offering expenses, were approximately $26,711,000.

      (d)  Conversion of Preferred Stock

           Upon the closing of the initial public offering, the Series A, Series
           C and Series D preferred stock was converted (at a rate of
           approximately .444, 534.90 and 33.68 shares, respectively) into an
           aggregate of 3,847,123 shares of common stock. In addition, the
           Company paid cash dividends of approximately $2,009,000 and $629,000
           on the Series A and Series B preferred stock, respectively.

      (e)  Series B Redeemable Preferred Stock

           In accordance with the underlying agreement, the mandatory redemption
           requirement related to the Series B preferred stock was relieved upon
           the Company's initial public offering as the offering price exceeded
           $13.10 per share. In December 1995, the Company redeemed the 

                                      35
<PAGE>
 
                     NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997

                                  (Continued)


           Series B preferred stock for $10.00 per share or an aggregate of
           $135,000. As a result of the redemption, the Company recognized a
           $1,232,238 discount.

     (f)   Preferred Stock

           On June 26, 1995, the Company's stockholders approved a new class of
           undesignated preferred stock, which became effective upon the closing
           of the Company's initial public offering.

(4)   STOCK OPTION AND EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLANS

      (a)  1989 Stock Option Plan

           The Company has a stock option plan (the 1989 Plan) pursuant to which
           622,222 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance. The 1989
           Plan is administered by the Board of Directors and provides for the
           granting of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options,
           stock awards and direct stock purchases. During 1995, the Board of
           Directors terminated the 1989 Plan, such that no further options may
           be granted under the 1989 Plan.

      (b)  1995 Stock Plan

           On June 26, 1995, the Company's stockholders approved the 1995 Stock
           Plan (the 1995 Plan). The 1995 Plan is administered by the Board of
           Directors and provides for stock awards, direct purchases and the
           grant of options to purchase shares of the Company's common stock. A
           maximum of 1,625,000 shares may be issued under this plan. Options
           granted under the 1995 Plan expire 10 years from the date of grant.

      (c)  1995 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan

           On June 26, 1995, the Company's stockholders also approved the 1995
           Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (the 1995 Director Plan), for
           which 100,000 shares of the Company's common stock have been
           reserved. The purpose of the 1995 Director Plan is to attract and
           retain qualified persons who are not also officers or employees of
           the Company (the Eligible Directors) to serve as directors of the
           Company. Under the 1995 Director Plan, any Eligible Director shall
           automatically be granted an option to purchase 20,000 shares of
           common stock on the effective date of election at an option price
           equal to the fair market value on the date of grant, and an option to
           purchase 2,500 shares of the common stock on the date of each
           successive annual meeting of the stockholders, if such director has
           attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors
           during the past fiscal year. Options granted under this plan expire
           10 years from the date of grant.

                                      36
<PAGE>
 
                     NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997

                                  (Continued)


      (d)  Stock Option Plan Activity

           The following schedule summarizes all stock option activity under the
           1989 Plan, the 1995 Director Plan and 1995 Plan for the three years
           ended December 31, 1997:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                       1997                         1996                         1995
                                                             Weighted                     Weighted                     Weighted
                                                             Average                      Average                      Average
                                                             Exercise                     Exercise                     Exercise
                                                Shares        Price           Shares       Price           Shares       Price
              <S>                            <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>  
              Outstanding, beginning 
              of year                            649,983   $     19.60        263,241   $      3.44        275,881   $      1.39
                Granted                        1,308,099         10.90        575,850         24.18         75,497          8.58
                Exercised                        (49,675)         2.53        (99,566)         1.64        (74,110)          .87
                Terminated                    (1,030,495)        18.22        (89,542)        21.28        (14,027)         3.85
                                             -----------   -----------   ------------   -----------   ------------   -----------
 
              Outstanding, end of year           877,912   $      9.11        649,983   $     19.60        263,241   $      3.44
                                             ===========   ===========   ============   ===========   ============   ===========

              Exercisable, end of year           253,185   $       8.38        83,401   $      3.52        115,572   $      1.34
                                             ===========   ============  ============   ===========   ============   ===========

              Weighted average fair value 
              of options granted             $      5.74                 $      13.19                 $       4.67
                                             ===========                 ============                 ============
</TABLE> 

           The following table summarizes information about stock options
           outstanding at December 31, 1997:
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                    Options Outstanding                                          
                                                          Weighted                           Options Exercisable        
                                         Number           Average         Weighted        Number                        
                 Exercise Price/     Outstanding as       Remaining       Average       Exercisable         Weighted    
                Range of Exercise    of December 31,     Contractual      Exercise    at December 31,       Average    
                     Prices               1997              Life           Price            1997         Exercise Price 
                <S>                  <C>                 <C>            <C>           <C>                <C> 
                 $   .90-$  4.50          58,512            1.30         $   2.42           49,324           $  2.30
                    7.43-   9.13         508,000            8.15             8.58          187,616              8.53
                   10.06-  14.13         301,400            9.54            10.55            6,245             14.13
                   26.25-  34.00          10,000            8.45            32.06           10,000             32.06
                                       ---------                         --------        ---------           -------
                               
                 $   .90-$ 34.00         877,912            8.17         $  9.11           253,185           $  8.38
                                       =========                         =======         =========           =======
</TABLE> 

                                      37
<PAGE>
 
                     NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997

                                  (Continued)


              On February 13, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors authorized
              the repricing of all stock options previously granted under the
              1995 Plan, excluding 105,000 options which were granted to the
              executive officers of the Company. The repricing provided for the
              exercise price of 375,525 options outstanding to be reduced to
              $14.13 per share, the closing price of the Company's stock on
              February 13, 1997. Prior to the repricing, such options had
              exercise prices ranging from $22.75 to $35.75.

              On June 18, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the
              repricing of 518,075 and 4,203 stock options previously granted
              under the 1989 Plan and the 1995 Plan, respectively. The repricing
              provided for the exercise price of 522,278 options to be reduced
              to $8.625 per share, the closing price of the Company's stock on
              June 18, 1997. Prior to the repricing, such options had exercise
              prices ranging from $9.13 to $24.00.

       (e)    1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

              On June 26, 1995, the Company's stockholders approved the 1995
              Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the 1995 Purchase Plan). This plan
              permits eligible employees to purchase up to 250 shares the
              Company's common stock at 85% of the fair market value of the
              stock on the first or last date of each semiannual plan period,
              whichever is lower. The 1995 Purchase Plan covers substantially
              all employees, subject to certain limitations. An eligible
              employee may elect to have up to 10% of his or her total
              compensation, as defined, withheld and applied toward the purchase
              of shares in such a plan period (not to exceed the $25,000 annual
              IRS limit). At December 31, 1997, 143,736 shares of common stock
              were reserved for purchases under the 1995 Purchase Plan.

       (f)    Fair Value of Stock Based Compensation

              In October 1995, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123, Accounting for
              Stock-Based Compensation. SFAS No. 123 requires the measurement of
              the fair value of stock options to be included in the statement of
              operations or disclosed in the notes to financial statements. The
              Company has determined that it will continue to account for
              stock-based compensation for employees under Accounting Principles
              Board Opinion No. 25 and elect the disclosure-only alternative
              under SFAS No. 123. The Company has computed the pro forma
              disclosures required under SFAS No. 123 for options granted in
              1995, 1996 and 1997 using the Black-Scholes option pricing model
              prescribed by SFAS No. 123. The weighted average assumptions used
              are as follows:

                                           1997         1996          1995

              Risk-free interest rate   5.59-6.8%    5.26-6.70%   5.76-7.74%
              Expected dividend yield      None         None          None
              Expected lives             3-6 years     3-6 years    3-6 years
              Expected volatility          65%           63%          63%


                                      38
<PAGE>
 
                     NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997

                                  (Continued)



              Had compensation cost for the Company's stock option plans been
              determined consistent with SFAS No. 123, the Company's net income
              available to common stockholders and basic and diluted net income
              per common share would have been the following pro forma amounts:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 


                                                         1997           1996          1995
              <S>                                    <C>             <C>            <C> 
              Net income available to common 
              stockholders-
                As reported                           $ 2,692,945    $ 4,584,798    $ 3,268,052
                Pro forma                                   7,495      3,074,395      3,213,195

              Basic net income per common share-
                As reported                              $  .31         $  .53         $  .66
                Pro forma                                $    -         $  .36         $  .65

              Diluted net income per common share-
                As reported                              $  .31         $  .52         $  .43
                Pro forma                                $    -         $  .35         $  .43

</TABLE> 

              Because the SFAS No. 123 method of accounting has not been applied
              to options granted prior to January 1, 1995, the resulting pro
              forma compensation cost may not be representative of that to be
              expected in future years.

(5)    COMMITMENTS

       (a)    Operating Leases

              The Company conducts its operations in facilities under
              operating leases expiring through 2003. The Company's future
              minimum lease payments under these leases as of December 31, 1997
              are approximately as follows:

                             Year                         Amount

                             1998                       $   810,000
                             1999                           653,000
                             2000                           480,000
                             2001                           435,000
                             2002                           435,000
                             Thereafter                     145,000
                                                        -----------

                                                        $ 2,958,000
                                                        ===========
              Rent expense charged to operations was approximately $1,122,000,
              $900,000 and $564,000 for the years ended 1997, 1996 and 1995,
              respectively.


                                      39
<PAGE>
 
                     NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997

                                  (Continued)


       (b)    Capital Leases

              The Company leases certain equipment under capital leases. Future 
              minimum lease payments under these capital leases as of December 
              31, 1997 are as follows:


              Year                                                    Amount
              
              1998                                                   $   39,001
              1999                                                        5,861
                                                                     ----------

                   Total minimum lease payments                          44,862

              Less--Amount representing interest                          7,293
                                                                     ----------

                     Obligations under capital leases                    37,569

              Less--Current portion of capital lease obligations         31,209
                                                                     ----------
                                                                     $    6,360
                                                                     ==========

(6)    PREPAID EXPENSES AND DEPOSITS

       Prepaid expenses and deposits in the accompanying consolidated balance
       sheets consist of the following:

                                                     December 31,
                                                 1997             1996

                Prepaid commissions         $  1,759,695       $  995,378
                Prepaid royalties              1,007,718          562,446
                Other                          1,165,758          256,280
                                            ------------       ----------
                                            $  3,933,171       $1,814,104
                                            ============       ==========

(7)    ACCRUED EXPENSES

       Accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets consist
       of the following:

                                                     December 31,
                                                 1997             1996

                Payroll and payroll-related $  1,677,971       $  867,789
                Royalties                      2,250,018          917,086
                Other                          2,353,648        1,787,323
                                            ------------       ----------
                                            $  6,281,637       $3,572,198
                                            ============       ==========



                                      40
<PAGE>
 
                     NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997

                                  (Continued)


(8)    SUBSEQUENT EVENT

       On November 2, 1997, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of
       Merger and Reorganization (the Agreement) to combine with Individual,
       Inc. (Individual) in a strategic business combination (the Merger). The
       Agreement related to the proposed Merger and the issuance of shares of
       the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company to the
       stockholders of Individual. The Merger is to be accounted for as a
       pooling of interests for financial reporting purposes in accordance with
       APB Opinion No. 16.

       Upon the effective date of the merger, February 24, 1998, the Company
       changed its corporate name from Desktop Data, Inc. to NewsEDGE
       Corporation, increased the authorized shares of common stock reserved for
       issuance from 15,000,000 to 35,000,000 shares, amended the 1995 Plan to
       increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance
       thereunder from 1,625,000 to 4,125,000 shares, amended the 1995 Purchase
       Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for
       issuance thereunder from 175,000 to 500,000 shares and assumed
       outstanding options and warrants to purchase approximately 3,000,000
       shares of common stock from grants made under Individual's corporate
       stock plans.

       Upon completion of the merger on February 24, 1998, the Company estimated
       the transaction costs of the merger to be approximately $3 million to $4
       million. These costs include fees for banking, legal, accounting and
       printing services. Additionally, the Company estimated it would incur a
       charge of approximately $7 million to $8 million in the first fiscal
       quarter of 1998 related to integration of operations, asset write-downs,
       personnel reductions and other one-time merger related charges.

       The supplemental pro forma combined financial statements of the Company
       and Individual are included on the following pages. These statements
       assume the companies have been combined since inception. The pro forma
       adjustments include conforming the equity accounts and conforming the
       commission policies to recognize sales commission expense on a pro rata
       basis as the associated revenue is recognized. The conforming adjustment
       to align the commission policies increased both net income and prepaids
       by $24,000, $459,000 and $172,000 in 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.


                                      41
<PAGE>
 
                     NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997

                                  (Continued)



       Unaudited pro forma operating results for the Company are as follows:

                     NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       PRO FORMA COMBINED BALANCE SHEETS
                                  (Unaudited)
                                (In thousands)


<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

ASSETS
                                                          Years Ended December 31,
                                                            1997           1996

CURRENT ASSETS:
<S>                                                   <C>              <C> 
  Cash and cash equivalents                           $       45,854   $       32,853
  Short-term investments                                      12,773           26,568
  Accounts receivable                                         17,903           16,899
  Prepaid expenses and deposits                                5,718            3,453
                                                      --------------   --------------

         Total current assets                                 82,248           79,773

LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS                                              -            7,928

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET                                    9,497            8,974

OTHER ASSETS                                                     589            1,094
                                                      --------------   --------------

         Total assets                                 $       92,334   $       97,769
                                                      ==============   ==============

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable                                    $        5,639   $        5,772
  Accrued expenses                                            13,319            9,139
  Deferred revenue, current                                   32,374           28,326
  Current portion of long-term obligations                     1,298            1,108
                                                      --------------   --------------
         Total current liabilities                            52,630           44,345

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS, LESS CURRENT PORTION                    1,132            1,578

DEFERRED REVENUE, NONCURRENT                                      39              190

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Common stock                                                   169              165
  Additional paid-in capital                                 124,853          121,732
  Cumulative translation adjustment                               24               70
  Unrealized gain on marketable securities                        88              125
  Accumulated deficit                                        (86,601)         (70,436)
                                                      --------------   --------------
         Total stockholders' equity                           38,533           51,656
                                                      --------------   --------------

         Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $       92,334   $       97,769
                                                      ==============   ==============
</TABLE> 

                                      42
<PAGE>
 
                     NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997

                                  (Continued)



                      NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   PRO FORMA COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)
                      (In thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 


                                                               Years Ended December 31,
                                                          1997           1996           1995
<S>                                                   <C>            <C>            <C> 
TOTAL REVENUES                                        $     77,471   $     61,838   $    42,122

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
   Cost of revenues                                         30,245         23,186        15,187
   Customer support expenses                                 5,275          2,983         2,315
   Development expenses                                     12,477          9,268         5,610
   Sales and marketing expenses                             36,402         26,769        19,207
   General and administrative expenses                       5,535          7,124         4,338
   Mergers, dispositions and other charges                   5,084         39,422             -
                                                      ------------   ------------   -----------

         Total costs and expenses                           95,018        108,752        46,557
                                                      ------------   ------------   -----------

         Loss from operations                              (17,547)       (46,914)       (4,535)

INTEREST INCOME AND OTHER, NET                               2,983          1,672          (653)
                                                      ------------   ------------   -----------

         Loss before provision for income taxes            (14,564)       (45,242)       (3,882)

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES                                   1,297            614           183
                                                      ------------   ------------   -----------

         Net loss                                     $    (15,861)  $    (45,856)  $    (4,065)
                                                      ============   ============   ===========

BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS PER SHARE                  $     (0.95)   $      (2.95)  $     (0.32)
                                                      ===========    ============   ===========

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES                    16,729         15,543        12,670
                                                      ============   ============   ===========

</TABLE> 


                                      43
<PAGE>
 
                     NEWSEDGE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997

                                  (Continued)


In accordance with APB No. 16, the following financial data are presented for 
each of the combining companies:

                 SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA OF COMBINING COMPANIES

                                               Years Ended December 31,
                                           1997           1996          1995

NEWSEDGE CORPORATION:
   Revenues                           $     42,182   $     33,779   $    23,186
   Net income                                2,693          4,585         3,268
   Basic net income per share                 0.31           0.53           .66
   Diluted net income per share               0.31           0.52           .43

INDIVIDUAL, INC.:
   Revenues                           $     35,289   $     28,059   $    18,936
   Net loss                                (18,578)       (50,900)       (6,374)
   Basic and diluted net loss per share      (1.15)         (3.65)         (.60)



                                      44
<PAGE>
 
     Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Disclosure
- --------------------

Not applicable.

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
PART III

Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.
- ------------------------------------------------------------

Directors
- ---------

     The information concerning directors of the Company required under this
item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive proxy
statement pursuant to Regulation 14A, to be filed with the Commission not later
than 120 days after the close of the Company's fiscal year ended December 31,
1997.

Executive Officers
- ------------------

     The information concerning officers of the Company required under this item
is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement
pursuant to Regulation 14A, to be filed with the Commission not later than 120
days after the close of the Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.


Item 11.  Executive Compensation and Other Information
- ------------------------------------------------------

     The information required under this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation
14A, to be filed with the Commission not later than 120 days after the close of
the Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.


Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The information required under this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation
14A, to be filed with the Commission not later than 120 days after the close of
the Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.


Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
- --------------------------------------------------------

     The information required under this item is incorporated herein by
reference to the Company's definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation
14A, to be filed with the Commission within 120 days after the close of the
Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
PART IV

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

(a)  List of documents filed as part of this report
     (1) Financial Statements
         --------------------
         Financial Statements (Listed Under Part II, Item 8 and included herein
         by reference).

     (2) Financial Statement Schedules
         -----------------------------  

     (3) Exhibits
         --------

   Exhibit          
   -------         
   Number                           Description of Document
   ------                           ----------------------- 

     2.1        Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization by and among the
                Company, and Individual, Inc. dated as of November 2, 1997
                (attached as Annex A to the Prospectus/Joint Proxy Statement
                contained in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4,
                No. 333-44887)

     *3.1       Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
                Company

      3.2       Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company (filed as Exhibit
                3.4 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-
                94054 and incorporated herein by reference)

     *4.1       Specimen certificate representing the Common Stock

     10.1       1995 Stock Plan, as amended (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the
                Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, No. 333-44887
                and incorporated herein by reference)

     10.2       1995 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, as amended       
                (filed as Annex A to the Company's Proxy Statement filed on    
                April 29, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference)           
                                                                               
     10.3       1989 Stock Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's        
                Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-94054 and           
                incorporated herein by reference)                              
                                                                               
     10.4       1995 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended (filed as        
                Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form    
                S-4, No. 333-44887 and incorporated herein by reference)       
                                                                               
     10.5       Amended and Restated 1989 Stock Option Plan (filed as          
                Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form    
                S-8, No. 333-46863)                                            
                                                                               
     10.6       1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 99.2 to     
                the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8, No.          
                333-46863)                                                     
                                                                               
     10.7       1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (filed as         
                Exhibit 99.3 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form    
                S-8, No. 333-46863)                                            
                                                                               
     10.8       1996 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 99.4 to the           
                Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8, No. 333-46863)    
                                                                               
     10.9       1996 Amended and Restated Stock Plan (filed as Exhibit 99.5    
                to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8, No.       
                333-46863)                                                     
                                                                               
     10.10      Amended and Restated Registration Agreement dated as of        
                October 20, 1992 by                                             

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
   Exhibit          
   -------         
   Number                           Description of Document
   ------                           ----------------------- 
                and among the Company and certain                              
                stockholders named herein (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the        
                Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-94054     
                and incorporated herein by reference)                          
                                                                               
     10.11      Lease for 80 Blanchard Road (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the      
                Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter        
                ended September 30, 1995 and incorporated herein by            
                reference)                                                     
                                                                               
     10.12      Data Transmission Agreement between the Company and            
                Mainstream Data, Inc. dated as of November 24, 1993, as        
                amended (filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Registration    
                Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-94054 and incorporated herein    
                by reference)                                                  
                                                                               
     10.13      Software Development and Marketing Agreement between the       
                Company and Reuters America Inc. dated as of November 1,       
                1993, as amended (filed as Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's      
                Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-94054 and           
                incorporated herein by reference)                              
                                                                               
     10.14      Letter Agreement between the Company and Teknekron Software    
                Systems, Inc. dated as of June 13, 1994 (filed as Exhibit      
                10.11 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1,     
                No. 33-94054 and incorporated herein by reference)             
                                                                               
     10.15      Database License, Development and Delivery Agreement between    
                the Company and NBC Desktop, Inc. dated as of October 17,      
                1994 (filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Registration     
                Statement on Form S-1, No. 33-94054 and incorporated herein    
                by reference)                                                  
                                                                               
     +*10.16    Employment Agreement dated as of February 24, 1998 between     
                Michael E. Kolowich and the Company.                           
                                                                               
     10.17      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant (filed as Exhibit 10.4    
                to Individual, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1,      
                No. 333-00792, and incorporated herein by reference).          
                                                                               
     10.18      Second Amended and Restated Investors' Rights Agreement        
                dated as of October 3, 1995 (filed as Exhibit 10.13 to         
                Individual, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1, No.     
                333-00792, and incorporated herein by reference).              
                                                                               
     10.19      Licensing Agreement with Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.     
                dated as of March 22, 1989 (filed as Exhibit 10.14 to          
                Individual, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1, No.     
                333-00792, and incorporated herein by reference).              
                                                                               
     10.20      Letter Agreement dated as of July 2, 1992 between              
                Individual, Inc. and Fleet Bank of Massachusetts, N.A.         
                (filed as Exhibit 10.15 to Individual, Inc.'s Registration     
                Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-00792, and incorporated         
                herein by reference).                                          
                                                                               
     10.21      Letter Agreement dated as of September 22, 1994 between        
                Individual, Inc. and Fleet Bank of Massachusetts, N.A.         
                (filed as Exhibit 10.16 to Individual, Inc.'s Registration     
                Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-00792, and incorporated         
                herein by reference).                                          
                                                                               
     10.22      Consent and Loan Modification Agreement dated as of November    
                29, 1995 between Individual, Inc. and Fleet Bank of            
                Massachusetts, N.A. (filed as Exhibit 10.17 to Individual,     
                Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-00792,      
                and incorporated herein by reference).                         
                                                                               
     10.23      Second Loan Modification Agreement dated as of December 29,    
                1995 between                                                    

                                       48
<PAGE>
 
   Exhibit          
   -------         
   Number                           Description of Document
   ------                           ----------------------- 
                    Individual, Inc. and Fleet Bank of Massachusetts, N.A.
                    (filed as Exhibit 10.18 to Individual, Inc.'s Registration
                    Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-00792, and incorporated
                    herein by reference).

     10.24          Lease dated as of August 25, 1994 between Individual, Inc.
                    and Trustees of New England Executive Park Trust, 40
                    Spaulding Investment Company, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10.19
                    to the Individual Inc. Registration Statement on Form S-1,
                    No. 333-00792, and incorporated herein by reference).

     10.25          Third Loan Modification Agreement dated as of December 31,
                    1996 between Individual, Inc. and Fleet National Bank (filed
                    as Exhibit 10.24 to Individual, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form
                    10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996).

     *21.1          Subsidiaries of the Company.

     *23.1          Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP

     *24.0          Power of Attorney (included on page 50)

     *27.1          Financial Data Schedule for fiscal year ended 1997

     *27.2          Restated Financial Data Schedule for fiscal year ended 1996


- ------------------------
*     Filed herewith.
+     Indicates a management contract or a compensatory plan, contract or 
      arrangement


(b) Reports on Form 8-K.

       On November 14, 1997, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, disclosing under Item 5 that the Company
had entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and between the
Company and Individual, Inc. dated as of November 2, 1997 (the "Merger
Agreement", pursuant to which Individual, Inc. was to be merged with and into
the Company (the "Merger"). The Merger was consummated on February 24, 1998. No
financial statements were required to be filed as part of this report.


(c) The exhibits required by this Item are listed under Item 14(a).

(d) The financial statement schedules required by this Item are listed under
Item 14(a).

                                       49
<PAGE>
 
SIGNATURES

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

                                             NEWSEDGE CORPORATION
                                             (Registrant)

Date:  March 27, 1998                   /s/ Donald L. McLagan            
                                       ---------------------------         
                                       Donald L. McLagan                   
                                       Chairman, President and Chief       
                                       Executive Officer

We, the undersigned officers and directors of NewsEDGE Corporation, hereby
severally constitute and appoint Donald L. McLagan and Edward R. Siegfried, and
each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys, with full power to them and
each of them singly, to sign for us in our names in the capacities to do all
things in our names and on our behalf in such capacities to enable NewsEDGE
Corporation to comply with the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and all requirements of the Securities Exchange Commission.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of
the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

         Signature                         Title(s)                  Date
         ---------                         --------                  ----

/s/ Donald L. McLagan               Chairman, President, Chief   March 27, 1998
- -------------------------------      Executive Officer and
      Donald L. McLagan              Director (Principal
                                     Executive Officer) 
                                                       
/s/ Michael E. Kolowich             Vice-Chairman and Director   March 27, 1998
- -------------------------------
      Michael E. Kolowich                   


/s/ Edward R. Siegfried             Vice President--Finance      March 27, 1998
- -------------------------------      and Operations Treasurer 
      Edward R. Siegfried            and Assistant Secretary
                                     (Principal Financial 
                                     and Accounting Officer) 
                                                              

/s/ June Rokoff                     Director                     March 27, 1998
- -------------------------------
      June Rokoff

/s/ Ellen Carnahan                  Director                     March 27, 1998
- -------------------------------
      Ellen Carnahan

/s/ Rory J. Cowan                   Director                     March 27, 1998
- ------------------------------- 
      Rory J. Cowan

/s/ William Devereaux               Director                     March 27, 1998
- -------------------------------
      William Devereaux

/s/ James Daniell                   Director                     March 27, 1998
- -------------------------------
      James Daniell

                                       50

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     Exhibit 3.1
                                                                     -----------
                                    SECOND
               AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                      OF

                             NEWSEDGE CORPORATION


                                  * * * * * *


     FIRST.  The name of the Corporation is NewsEDGE Corporation.

     SECOND. The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the
State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, County of New Castle,
Delaware 19801.  The name of its registered agent at such address is The
Corporation Trust Company.

     THIRD.  The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted
is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be
organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

     FOURTH. The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock which
the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 36,000,000 shares, consisting
of 35,000,000 shares of Common Stock with a par value of $.01 per share (the
"Common Stock") and 1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock with a par value of $.01
per share (the "Preferred Stock").

     A description of the respective classes of stock and a statement of the
designations, powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications,
limitations and restrictions of the Preferred Stock and Common Stock are as
follows:

     A.  COMMON STOCK
         ------------

     1.  GENERAL.  All shares of Common Stock will be identical and will entitle
         -------                                                                
the holders thereof to the same rights, powers and privileges.  The rights,
powers and privileges of the holders of the Common Stock are subject to and
qualified by the rights of holders of the Preferred Stock.

     2.  DIVIDENDS.  Dividends may be declared and paid on the Common Stock from
         ---------                                                              
funds lawfully available therefor as and when determined by the Board of
Directors and subject to any preferential dividend rights of any then
outstanding Preferred Stock.

     3.  DISSOLUTION, LIQUIDATION OR WINDING UP.  In the event of any
         --------------------------------------                      
dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation,
whether voluntary or involuntary, each issued and outstanding share of Common
Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to receive an 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -2-



equal portion of the net assets of the Corporation available for distribution to
the holders of Common Stock, subject to any preferential rights of any then
outstanding Preferred Stock.

     4.  VOTING RIGHTS.  Except as otherwise required by law or this Amended and
         -------------                                                          
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, each holder of Common Stock shall have
one vote in respect of each share of stock held of record by such holder on the
books of the Corporation for the election of directors and on all matters
submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.  Except as otherwise
required by law or provided herein, holders of Common Stock shall vote together
with holders of the Preferred Stock as a single class, subject to any special or
preferential voting rights of any then outstanding Preferred Stock.  There shall
be no cumulative voting.

     B.  PREFERRED STOCK
         ---------------

     The Preferred Stock may be issued in one or more series at such time or
times and for such consideration or considerations as the Board of Directors of
the Corporation may determine.  Each series shall be so designated as to
distinguish the shares thereof from the shares of all other series and classes.
Except as otherwise provided in this Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, different series of Preferred Stock shall not be construed to
constitute different classes of shares for the purpose of voting by classes.

     The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to provide for the issuance
of all or any shares of the undesignated Preferred Stock in one or more series,
each with such designations, preferences, voting powers (or special,
preferential or no voting powers), relative, participating, optional or other
special rights and privileges and such qualifications, limitations or
restrictions thereof as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted
by the Board of Directors to create such series, and a certificate of said
resolution or resolutions (a "Certificate of Designation") shall be filed in
accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.  The
authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each such series shall
include, without limitation of the foregoing, the right to provide that the
shares of each such series may be:  (i) subject to redemption at such time or
times and at such price or prices; (ii) entitled to receive dividends (which may
be cumulative or non-cumulative) at such rates, on such conditions, and at such
times, and payable in preference to, or in such relation to, the dividends
payable on any other class or classes or any other series; (iii) entitled to
such rights upon the dissolution of, or upon any distribution of the assets of,
the Corporation; (iv) convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other
class or classes of stock, or of any other series of the same or any other class
or classes of stock of the Corporation at such price or prices or at such rates
of exchange and with such adjustments, if any; (v) entitled to the benefit of
such limitations, if any, on the issuance of additional shares of such series or
shares of any other series of Preferred Stock; or (vi) entitled to such other
preferences, powers, qualifications, rights and privileges, all as the Board of
Directors may deem advisable and as are not inconsistent with law and the
provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

     FIFTH.  The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -3-

     SIXTH.  The following provisions are included for the management of the
business and the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and for further
definition, limitation and  regulation of the powers of the Corporation and of
its Board of Directors and stockholders:

     1.  The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or
under the direction of the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

     2.  The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to
adopt, amend or repeal the By-laws of the Corporation, subject to any limitation
thereof contained in the By-laws.  Except as otherwise provided by this Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, by the By-laws of the Corporation or
by law, the stockholders shall also have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the
By-laws of the Corporation by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority
of the shares of the capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and
entitled to vote at any regular or special meeting of stockholders, provided
notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new by-laws shall
have been stated in the notice of such meeting.

     3.  Stockholders of the Corporation may not take any action by written
consent in lieu of a meeting.

     4.  Special meetings of stockholders may be called at any time only by the
President, the Chairman of the Board of Directors (if any) or a majority of the
Board of Directors.  Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders
shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the
notice of meeting.

     5.  The books of the Corporation may be kept at such place within or
without the State of Delaware as the By-laws of the Corporation may provide or
as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation.

     SEVENTH.

     1. NUMBER OF DIRECTORS. The number of directors which shall constitute the
        -------------------
whole Board of Directors shall be determined by resolution of a majority of the
Board of Directors, but in no event shall the number of directors be less than
three. The number of directors may be decreased at any time and from time to
time by a majority of the directors then in office, but only to eliminate
vacancies existing by reason of the death, resignation, removal or expiration of
the term of one or more directors. The directors shall be elected at the annual
meeting of stockholders by such stockholders as have the right to vote on such
election. Directors need not be stockholders of the Corporation.

     2.  CLASSES OF DIRECTORS.  The Board of Directors shall be and is divided
         --------------------                                                 
into three classes:  Class I, Class II and Class III.  No one class shall have
more than one director more than any other class.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -4-


     3.  ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.  Elections of directors need not be by written
         ---------------------                                                
ballot except as and to the extent provided in the By-laws of the Corporation.

     4.  TERMS OF OFFICE.  Each director shall serve for a term ending on the
         ---------------                                                     
date of the third annual meeting following the annual meeting at which such
director was elected; provided, however, that each initial director in Class I
shall serve for a term ending on the date of the annual meeting next following
the end of the Corporation's fiscal year ending December 31, 1995; each initial
director in Class II shall serve for a term ending on the date of the annual
meeting next following the end of the Corporation's fiscal year ending December
31, 1996; and each initial director in Class III shall serve for a term ending
on the date of the annual meeting next following the end of the Corporation's
fiscal year ending December 31, 1997.

     5.  ALLOCATION OF DIRECTORS AMONG CLASSES IN THE EVENT OF INCREASES OR
         ------------------------------------------------------------------
DECREASES IN THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS.  In the event of any increase or decrease
- ------------------------------------                                           
in the authorized number of directors, (i) each director then serving as such
shall nevertheless continue as director of the class of which he or she is a
member until the expiration of such director's current term or his or her prior
death, retirement or resignation and (ii) the newly created or eliminated
directorships resulting from such increase or decrease shall be apportioned by
the Board of Directors among the three classes of directors so as to ensure that
no one class has more than one director more than any other class.  To the
extent possible, consistent with the foregoing rule, any newly created
directorships shall be added to those classes whose terms of office are to
expire at the earliest dates following such allocation, unless otherwise
provided for from time to time by resolution adopted by a majority of the
directors then in office, though less than a quorum.  No decrease in the number
of director constituting the whole Board of Directors shall shorten the term of
an incumbent Director.

     6.  TENURE.  Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained
         ------                                                           
herein, each director shall hold office until his or her successor is elected
and qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

     7.  VACANCIES.  Unless and until filled by the stockholders, any vacancy in
         ---------                                                              
the Board of Directors, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an
enlargement of the Board of Directors, may be filled only by vote of a majority
of the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole
remaining director.  A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for
the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office, if applicable, and a
director chosen to fill a position resulting from an increase in the number of
directors shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such
director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor is elected and
qualified, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.

     8.  QUORUM.  A majority of the total number of the whole Board of Directors
         ------                                                                 
shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Board of Directors.  In the
event one or more of the directors shall be disqualified to vote at any meeting,
then the required quorum shall be reduced by one for each such director so
disqualified; provided, however, that in no case shall less than one-third (1/3)
of the number so fixed constitute a quorum.  In the absence of a quorum at any
<PAGE>
 
                                      -5-

such meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from
time to time without further notice other than announcement at the meeting,
until a quorum shall be present.

     9.  ACTION AT MEETING.  At any meeting of the Board of Directors at which a
         -----------------                                                      
quorum is present, the vote of a majority of those present shall be sufficient
to take any action, unless a different vote is specified by law or the
Corporation's By-laws.

     10. REMOVAL.  Any one or more or all of the directors may be removed
         -------                                                         
without cause only by the holders of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the
shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors.  Any one or more or
all of the directors may be removed with cause only by the holders of at least a
majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors.

     11. STOCKHOLDER NOMINATIONS AND INTRODUCTION OF BUSINESS, ETC.  Advance
         ----------------------------------------------------------         
notice of stockholder nominations for election of directors and other business
to be brought by stockholders before a meeting of stockholders shall be given in
the manner provided in the By-laws of the Corporation.

     12. RIGHTS OF PREFERRED STOCK.  The provisions of this Article are subject
         -------------------------                                             
to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock from time to time
outstanding.

     EIGHTH.  No director (including any advisory director) of the Corporation
shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary
damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director notwithstanding any provision
of law imposing such liability; provided, however, that, to the extent provided
by applicable law, this provision shall not eliminate the liability of a
director (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation
or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under
Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or (iv) for
any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
No amendment to or repeal of this provision shall apply to or have any effect on
the liability or alleged liability of any director for or with respect to any
acts or omissions of such director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

     NINTH.  The Board of Directors of the Corporation, when evaluating any
offer of another party (a) to make a tender or exchange offer for any equity
security of the Corporation or (b) to effect a business combination, shall, in
connection with the exercise of its judgment in determining what is in the best
interests of the Corporation as whole, be authorized to give due consideration
to any such factors as the Board of Directors determines to be relevant,
including, without limitation:

     (i)   the interests of the Corporation's stockholders, including the
   possibility that these interests might be best served by the continued
   independence of the Corporation;

     (ii)  whether the proposed transaction might violate federal or state laws;
<PAGE>
 
                                      -6-

     (iii) not only the consideration being offered in the proposed transaction,
   in relation to the then current market price for the outstanding capital
   stock of the Corporation, but also to the market price for the capital stock
   of the Corporation over a period of years, the estimated price that might be
   achieved in a negotiated sale of the Corporation as a whole or in part or
   through orderly liquidation, the premiums over market price for the
   securities of other corporations in similar transactions, current political,
   economic and other factors bearing on securities prices and the Corporation's
   financial condition and future prospects; and

     (iv)  the social, legal and economic effects upon employees, suppliers,
   customers, creditors and others having similar relationships with the
   Corporation, upon the communities in which the Corporation conducts its
   business and upon the economy of the state, region and nation.

In connection with any such evaluation, the Board of Directors is authorized to
conduct such investigations and engage in such legal proceedings as the Board of
Directors may determine.

     TENTH.

     1.  ACTIONS, SUITS AND PROCEEDINGS OTHER THAN BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE
         -------------------------------------------------------------------
CORPORATION.  The Corporation shall indemnify each person who was or is a party
- -----------                                                                    
or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed
action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation), by
reason of the fact that he is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or
officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at the
request of the Corporation, as a director, officer or trustee of, or in a
similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise (including any employee benefit plan) (all such persons being
referred to hereafter as an "Indemnitee"), or by reason of any action alleged to
have been taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and
reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with such action, suit
or proceeding and any appeal therefrom, if he acted in good faith and in a
manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of
the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.  The termination of any
action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a
plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a
        ---- ----------                                                  
presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he
reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the
Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had
reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.  Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Article, except as set forth in Section 6
below, the Corporation shall not indemnify an Indemnitee seeking indemnification
in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by the Indemnitee
unless the initiation thereof was approved by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation.

     2.  ACTIONS OR SUITS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION.  The
         ------------------------------------------------------      
Corporation shall indemnify any Indemnitee who was or is a party or is
threatened to be made a party to any
<PAGE>
 
                                      -7-


threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the
Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is
or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer of the Corporation, or is
or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at the request of the Corporation, as a
director, officer or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise (including
any employee benefit plan), or by reason of any action alleged to have been
taken or omitted in such capacity, against all expenses (including attorneys'
fees) and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or
on his behalf in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal
therefrom, if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to
be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Corporation, except that no
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to
which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Corporation
unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery of Delaware or the
court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application
that, despite the adjudication of such liability but in view of all the
circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such expenses (including attorneys' fees) which the Court of
Chancery of Delaware or such other court shall deem proper.

     3.  INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXPENSES OF SUCCESSFUL PARTY.  Notwithstanding the
         ------------------------------------------------                      
other provisions of this Article, to the extent that an Indemnitee has been
successful, on the merits or otherwise, in defense of any action, suit or
proceeding referred to in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article, or in defense of any
claim, issue or matter therein, or on appeal from any such action, suit or
proceeding, he shall be indemnified against all expenses (including attorneys'
fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection
therewith.  Without limiting the foregoing, if any action, suit or proceeding is
disposed of, on the merits or otherwise (including a disposition without
prejudice), without (i) the disposition being adverse to the Indemnitee, (ii) an
adjudication that the Indemnitee was liable to the Corporation, (iii) a plea of
guilty or nolo contendere by the Indemnitee, (iv) an adjudication that the
          ---- ----------                                                 
Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to
be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and (v) with
respect to any criminal proceeding, an adjudication that the Indemnitee had
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful, the Indemnitee shall be
considered for the purpose hereof to have been wholly successful with respect
thereto.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -8-

     4.  NOTIFICATION AND DEFENSE OF CLAIM.  As a condition precedent to his
         ---------------------------------                                  
right to be indemnified, the Indemnitee must notify the Corporation in writing
as soon as practicable of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation
involving him for which indemnity will or could be sought.  With respect to any
action, suit, proceeding or investigation of which the Corporation is so
notified, the Corporation will be entitled to participate therein at its own
expense and/or to assume the defense thereof at its own expense, with legal
counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnitee.  After notice from the
Corporation to the Indemnitee of its election so to assume such defense, the
Corporation shall not be liable to the Indemnitee for any legal or other
expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with such claim,
other than as provided below in this Section 4.  The Indemnitee shall have the
right to employ his own counsel in connection with such claim, but the fees and
expenses of such counsel incurred after notice from the Corporation of its
assumption of the defense thereof shall be at the expense of the Indemnitee
unless (i) the employment of counsel by the Indemnitee has been authorized by
the Corporation, (ii) counsel to the Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded
that there may be a conflict of interest or position on any significant issue
between the Corporation and the Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense of such
action or (iii) the Corporation shall not in fact have employed counsel to
assume the defense of such action, in each of which cases the fees and expenses
of counsel for the Indemnitee shall be at the expense of the Corporation, except
as otherwise expressly provided by this Article.  The Corporation shall not be
entitled, without the consent of the Indemnitee, to assume the defense of any
claim brought by or in the right of the Corporation or as to which counsel for
the Indemnitee shall have reasonably made the conclusion provided for in clause
(ii) above.

     5.  ADVANCE OF EXPENSES.  Subject to the provisions of Section 6 below, in
         -------------------                                                   
the event that the Corporation does not assume the defense pursuant to Section 4
of this Article of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation of which the
Corporation receives notice under this Article, any expenses (including
attorneys' fees) incurred by an Indemnitee in defending a civil or criminal
action, suit, proceeding or investigation or any appeal therefrom shall be paid
by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such matter, provided,
                                                                       -------- 
however, that the payment of such expenses incurred by an Indemnitee in advance
- -------                                                                        
of the final disposition of such matter shall be made only upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay all amounts so advanced
in the event that it shall ultimately be determined that the Indemnitee is not
entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized in this Article.
Such undertaking may be accepted without reference to the financial ability of
such person to make such repayment.

     6.  PROCEDURE FOR INDEMNIFICATION.  In order to obtain indemnification or
         -----------------------------                                        
advancement of expenses pursuant to Section 1, 2, 3 or 5 of this Article, the
Indemnitee shall submit to the Corporation a written request, including in such
request such documentation and information as is reasonably available to the
Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent
the Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses.  Any
such indemnification or advancement of expenses shall be made promptly, and in
any event within 60 days after receipt by the Corporation of the written request
of the Indemnitee, unless with respect to requests under Section 1, 2 or 5 the
Corporation determines, by clear and convincing evidence, within such 60-day
period that the Indemnitee did not meet the
<PAGE>
 
                                      -9-


applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 or 2, as the case may be.
Such determination shall be made in each instance by (a) a majority vote of the
directors of the Corporation who are not at that time parties to the action,
suit or proceeding in question ("disinterested directors"), even though less
than a quorum, (b) if there are no such disinterested directors, or if such
disinterested directors so direct, by independent legal counsel (who may be
regular legal counsel to the corporation) in a written opinion, (c) a majority
vote of a quorum of the outstanding shares of stock of all classes entitled to
vote for directors, voting as a single class, which quorum shall consist of
stockholders who are not at that time parties to the action, suit or proceeding
in question, or (d) a court of competent jurisdiction.

     7.  REMEDIES.  The right to indemnification or advances as granted by this
         --------                                                              
Article shall be enforceable by the Indemnitee in any court of competent
jurisdiction if the Corporation denies such request, in whole or in part, or if
no disposition thereof is made within the 60-day period referred to above in
Section 6.  Unless otherwise provided by law, the burden of proving that the
Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of expenses under
this Article shall be on the Corporation.  Neither the failure of the
Corporation to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such
action that indemnification is proper in the circumstances because the
Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor an actual
determination by the Corporation pursuant to Section 6 that the Indemnitee has
not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or
create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of
conduct.  The Indemnitee's expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred in
connection with successfully establishing his right to indemnification, in whole
or in part, in any such proceeding shall also be indemnified by the Corporation.

     8.  SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENT.  No amendment, termination or repeal of this
         --------------------                                              
Article or of the relevant provisions of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware or any other applicable laws shall affect or diminish in any
way the rights of any Indemnitee to indemnification under the provisions hereof
with respect to any action, suit, proceeding or investigation arising out of or
relating to any actions, transactions or facts occurring prior to the final
adoption of such amendment, termination or repeal.

     9.  OTHER RIGHTS.  The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided
         ------------                                                           
by this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which an
Indemnitee seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled
under any law (common or statutory), agreement or vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity
and as to action in any other capacity while holding office for the Corporation,
and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or
officer, and shall inure to the benefit of the estate, heirs, executors and
administrators of the Indemnitee.  Nothing contained in this Article shall be
deemed to prohibit, and the Corporation is specifically authorized to enter
into, agreements with officers and directors providing indemnification rights
and procedures different from those set forth in this Article.  In addition, the
Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by its Board of
Directors, grant indemnification rights to other employees or agents of the
Corporation or other persons serving the Corporation and such rights may be
equivalent to, or greater or less than, those set forth in this Article.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -10-

     10.  PARTIAL INDEMNIFICATION.  If an Indemnitee is entitled under any
          -----------------------                                         
provision of this Article to indemnification by the Corporation for some or a
portion of the expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines or amounts
paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in
connection with any action, suit, proceeding or investigation and any appeal
therefrom but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Corporation shall
nevertheless indemnify the Indemnitee for the portion of such expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines or amounts paid in settlement to
which the Indemnitee is entitled.

     11.  INSURANCE.  The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance, at
          ---------                                                          
its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of
the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise (including any employee benefit plan) against any expense,
liability or loss incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his
status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify
such person against such expense, liability or loss under the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

     12.  MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION.  If the Corporation is merged into or
          -----------------------                                       
consolidated with another corporation and the Corporation is not the surviving
corporation, the surviving corporation shall assume the obligations of the
Corporation under this Article with respect to any action, suit, proceeding or
investigation arising out of or relating to any actions, transactions or facts
occurring prior to the date of such merger or consolidation.

     13.  SAVINGS CLAUSE.  If this Article or any portion hereof shall be
          --------------                                                 
invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the
Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each Indemnitee as to any expenses
(including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement in
connection with any action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil,
criminal or administrative, including an action by or in the right of the
Corporation, to the fullest extent permitted by an applicable portion of this
Article that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted
by applicable law.

     14.  DEFINITIONS.  Terms used herein and defined in Section 145(h) and
          -----------                                                      
Section 145(i) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware shall
have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in such Section 145(h) and
Section 145(i).

     15.  SUBSEQUENT LEGISLATION.  If the General Corporation Law of the State
          ----------------------                                              
of Delaware is amended after adoption of this Article to expand further the
indemnification permitted to Indemnitees, then the Corporation shall indemnify
such persons to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware, as so amended.

     ELEVENTH.  The Corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal any
provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in
the manner prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware and all rights
conferred upon stockholders are granted subject to this reservation, provided,
                                                                     -------- 
however, that in addition to the vote of the holders of any class or series of
- -------                                                                       
stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Amended and Restated
Certificate of 
<PAGE>
 
                                      -11-


Incorporation, but in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series
of stock of the Corporation required by law, this Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation or a Certificate of Designation with respect to a
series of Preferred Stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of shares of
voting stock of the Corporation representing at least seventy-five percent (75%)
of the voting power of all of the then outstanding shares of the capital stock
of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors,
voting together as a single class, shall be required to (i) reduce or eliminate
the number of authorized shares of Common Stock or the number of authorized
shares of Preferred Stock set forth in Article Fourth or (ii) amend or repeal,
or adopt any provision inconsistent with, Parts A and B of Article FOURTH And
Articles FIFTH, SIXTH, SEVENTH, EIGHTH, NINTH, TENTH and this Article ELEVENTH
of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1


NUMBER                                                                    SHARES

NEWZ
                                [NewsEGDE Logo]
COMMON STOCK                                                     SEE REVERSE FOR
                                                             CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

THIS CERTIFICATE IS TRANSFERABLE
IN BOSTON, MA OR
NEW YORK, NY                     NEWSEDGE CORPORATION          CUSIP 65249Q 10 6
                                  INCORPORATED UNDER 
                                THE LAWS OF THE STATE
                                     OF DELAWARE

THIS CERTIFIES THAT

is the owner of

   FULLY-PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF THE PAR VALUE OF ONE CENT ($.01)
                          EACH OF THE COMMON STOCK OF

NEWSEDGE CORPORATION, transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holder
hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this
certificate properly endorsed.  This certificate and the shares represented
hereby are issued and shall be held subject to the laws of the State of Delaware
and the Certificate of Incorporation and the By-Laws of the Corporation, as the
same may be from time to time amended, to all of which the holder by acceptance
hereof assents.  This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the
Transfer Agent and Registered by the Registrar.

        WITNESS the facsimile seal of the Corporation and the facsimile
                  signatures of its duly authorized officers.

     Dated:

COUNTERSIGNED AND REGISTERED:                    /s/ Donald L. McLagan
      BankBoston, N.A.                           ------------------------------
           TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR              CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT, CHIEF
                                                 EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND DIRECTOR

                                [NewsEDGE Seal]

BY /s/ M. Dengir                              /s/ Edward R. Siegfried
   -------------------------                  ---------------------------------
   AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE                              VICE PRESIDENT-FINANCE AND
                                                      OPERATIONS, TREASURER AND
                                                            ASSISTANT SECRETARY
<PAGE>
 
                             NEWSEDGE CORPORATION

  THE CORPORATION IS AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE MORE THAN ONE CLASS OR SERIES OF STOCK.
THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH TO THE HOLDER UPON WRITTEN REQUEST WITHOUT CHARGE A
STATEMENT OF THE POWERS, DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING,
OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF EACH CLASS OF STOCK OR SERIES THEREOF AND
THE QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS OF SUCH PREFERENCES AND/OR
RIGHTS.

  The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this
certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:

 
TEN COM - as tenants in common
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties
JT TEN  - as joint tenants with the right of
          survivorship and not as tenants in common


UNIF GIFT/TRAN MIN ACT - _____________ Custodian _____________
                             (Cust)                 (Minor)

Under Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors
Act  __________________________________
              (State)

     Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

     For value received __________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
   IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE

____________________________________________

____________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________
            PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS OF ASSIGNEE

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________Shares
of the common stock represented by the within Certificate, and do hereby
irrevocably constitute and appoint

________________________________________________________________________Attorney
to transfer the said stock on the books of the within-named Company with full
power of substitution in the premises.

Dated,  __________________________

        
                              _________________________________________________
                              NOTICE:  THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST
                              CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE
                              OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT
                              ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.

Signature(s) Guaranteed:
<PAGE>
 
__________________________________________ 
THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY
AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS,
STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN 
ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH
MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE
GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT TO
S.E.C RULE 17Ad-15.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   Exhibit 10.16
                                                                   -------------
                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                             --------------------


     THIS AGREEMENT is made on February 23, 1998 by and between MICHAEL E.
KOLOWICH of 116 Monument Street, Concord, Massachusetts 01742 (the "Executive"),
and DESKTOP DATA, INC., a Delaware corporation with a principal place of
business at 80 Blanchard Road, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803 (the "Company").

     WHEREAS, the Company shall be the surviving entity of a merger (the
"Merger") with Individual, Inc., pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger and
Reorganization dated November 2, 1997 (the "Merger Agreement"); and

     WHEREAS, the Executive is Chief Executive Officer of Individual, Inc. as of
the time of the Merger; and

     WHEREAS, the Company desires to (i) employ the Executive to render services
to the Company as an employee consultant and (ii) appoint the Executive to serve
on its Board of Directors, and the Executive desires to accept such employment
and appointment, all on the terms and conditions hereinafter provided;

     NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and in consideration of the mutual
covenants and obligations herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     1.  Positions and Responsibilities
         ------------------------------
         (a) Employment Position.  The Executive shall serve the Company as 
             -------------------       
Senior Executive Consultant under the terms and conditions of this Agreement. As
Senior Executive Consultant the Executive shall report to the Chief Executive
Officer of
<PAGE>
 
                                      -2-


the Company, and his service shall be subject to the direction and control of
the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors (the "Board", which term
shall include any committee to which the Board may delegate its authority with
respect to matters subject to this Agreement).

         (b) Board Position.  On or about the effective date of the Merger the
             -------------- 
Board shall nominate and appoint the Executive as a director of the Company.
Thereafter, during the term of this Agreement, the Board shall designate and
nominate the Executive as a director of the Company and, if elected by the
stockholders of the Company, the Executive shall accept such position and
diligently perform the duties arising from such position.  For his first term as
a director the Board shall nominate and appoint the Executive to the position of
Vice Chairman.

         (c) Responsibilities through April 30, 1998.  For the period beginning 
             ---------------------------------------
with the commencement of the term of this Agreement (as set forth in Paragraph
2) and ending April 30, 1998 (the "Transition Period"), the Executive shall be
engaged in the performance of his duties hereunder, which shall include (i)
assisting the Chief Executive Officer in matters relating to transition and
restructuring arising from the Merger and marketing and repositioning the
Company ("Transition Duties"), as well as (ii) general matters of strategy
development, cultivation and implementation of major alliances, acquisitions and
mergers, investor and public relations, and any other matters and duties as may
reasonably be requested by the Chief Executive Officer and the Board. During the
Transition Period the Executive shall devote substantially all of his business
time, attention and services to the diligent, faithful and competent discharge
of such duties for the successful operation of the Company's business. Any
business activity that the
<PAGE>
 
                                      -3-

Executive wishes to engage in on his own time shall not conflict or compete with
any interest of the Company or interfere with the Executive's performance of his
duties hereunder. During the Transition Period the Executive shall not have any
managerial or operational responsibility, other than service on a board of
directors, in any enterprise, firm, corporation, trust or other business entity
other than the Company; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prevent the
ownership by the Executive of an equity interest in any business entity,
provided that such ownership does not involve any managerial or operational
responsibility other than serving on the board of directors. Any directorships
of corporations other than the Company must be approved in writing by the Board
in advance, with the exception of directorships or similar positions with
charitable and professional organizations or family-owned trusts or businesses
(provided that such activities do not interfere with Executive's performance of
his duties hereunder).

         (d) Responsibilities After April 30, 1998.  For the remainder of the 
             ------------------------------------- 
term of this Agreement after April 30, 1998 (the "Remaining Term"), the
Executive shall serve the Company as shall be mutually agreed by the parties.
During the Remaining Term the Executive's duties, which he shall discharge
diligently, faithfully and competently, shall be unchanged except that, unless
otherwise mutually agreed between the parties, the Executive shall have no
Transition Duties. The Executive may engage in any activity on his own time
without Board approval, provided the same does not conflict or compete with any
interest of the Company or interfere with the Executive's performance of his
duties hereunder.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -4-

     2.  Term
         ----
         The term of this Agreement shall commence on the effective date of the
Merger, and shall expire on the third anniversary thereof, unless terminated
sooner in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 6.

     3.  Compensation
         ------------
         (a) Salary.  During the Transition Period, the Company shall pay 
             ------                                                             
to the Executive salary at the annual rate of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
($250,000.00), payable in such installments as may be established, and from time
to time modified, by the Company for executive compensation.  During the
Remaining Term, the Company shall pay to the Executive salary at the annual rate
of Fifty-five Thousand Dollars ($55,000.00), payable as hereinabove specified.
Salary payments shall be subject to all applicable federal and state
withholding, payroll and other taxes.  The Executive's salary may be adjusted at
any time by mutual agreement of the parties, but shall not be lowered from the
amounts hereinabove specified for the Transition Period and the Remaining Term,
respectively.

         (b) Benefits.  During the term of this Agreement, subject to the 
             --------
provisions of Paragraph 4, the Executive shall be reimbursed for all of his
business-related travel and other business-related expenses in accordance with
the Company's policies from time to time in effect, and shall also be furnished
by the Company, for use in the Company's business, with such executive support
services, including without limitation office space, clerical support, lap top
computer, network access, cellular telephone and service, and Wildfire telephone
answering and forwarding, as are customarily provided by the Company, all at the
Company's expense. The Executive will
<PAGE>
 
                                      -5-


also be entitled to participate on the same basis with all other management
employees of the Company in the Company's standard benefits package generally
available for all other officers and employees of the Company, with respect to
group health, disability and life insurance programs and retirement and profit
sharing plans, to the extent such benefit plans exist.

         (c) Stock Options.  Beginning on the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
             -------------                                                  
following the Company's fiscal year ending in 1998, the Executive shall receive
non-qualified stock options in the same amount, and at the same times, as are
granted to non-employee directors of the Company under the Company's 1995 Non-
Employee Director Option Plan (the "Director Option Plan"); provided, however,
that Executive shall not be entitled to the Initial Grant of options provided
under the Director Option Plan for non-employee directors upon their initial
election to the Board; and provided, further, however, that with respect to any
                           --------                                            
fiscal year such options shall not be granted to the Executive if the Executive
shall not have attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board for such
fiscal year.

     4.  Acceptance of Full Time Employment
         ----------------------------------

         If at any time during the Remaining Term the Executive shall accept a
full time position with an employer not the Company, the Executive shall
immediately resign his employment. If following such resignation the Executive
continues to serve as a non-employee director of the Company, the Company shall
pay to the Executive such compensation and benefits, including without
limitation stock options under the Director Stock Option Plan, as are
customarily paid to a non-employee director.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -6-

     5.  Assumption of Individual, Inc. Stock Options
         --------------------------------------------

         The parties acknowledge and agree that the Executive has been granted
options to purchase 1,000,000 shares of the stock of Individual, Inc. (the
"Options"), pursuant to the Individual, Inc. Amended and Restated 1989 Stock
Option Plan, two Individual, Inc. Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreements both
dated September 3, 1996, the Individual, Inc. Incentive Stock Option Agreement
dated September 3, 1996 and the July 31, 1997 Option Repricing Memorandum (the
"Option Agreements").  The Company shall assume all obligations with respect to
the Options, on the same terms and conditions found in the Option Agreements
(which are incorporated herein by reference), except that:

         (i)   The Options will be exercisable for that number of shares of the
               Company's Common Stock equal to the product of the number of
               shares of Individual, Inc. Common Stock that were purchasable
               under such Options immediately prior to the effective date of the
               Merger multiplied by the Exchange Ratio (as defined in the Merger
               Agreement); and
         (ii)  The per share exercise price for the shares of the Company's
               Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Options will be equal
               to the quotient determined by dividing the exercise price per
               share of Individual, Inc. Common Stock at which the Options were
               exercisable immediately prior to the effective date of the Merger
               by the Exchange Ratio.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -7-

Any exercise of Options shall be subject to restrictions under pooling-of-
interest accounting rules to the extent applicable.

     6.  Termination
         -----------
         The Executive's employment under this Agreement shall terminate prior
to the expiration of the term set forth in Paragraph 3 upon the occurrence of
any of the following events:

         (i)   The death or disability of the Executive.  For the purposes of
               this Paragraph, "disability" shall mean the inability of the
               Executive, by reason of accident or illness, to perform
               substantially the duties of his employment, which inability
               persists for a continuous period of three (3) months.

         (ii)  The giving of thirty (30) days' written notice by either party to
               other of the notifying party's election to terminate this
               Agreement for any reason other than for cause (as hereinafter
               defined).

         (iii) The giving of fourteen (14) days' written notice by the
               Executive to the Company of the Executive's election to terminate
               this Agreement for cause.  As used in this subparagraph, "for
               cause" means any change in the Executive's title, position,
               responsibilities, compensation, benefits or location which is not
               consented to by the Executive.

         (iv)  Immediately after determination by resolution of the Board, duly
               adopted by a majority of its members excluding the Executive, to
               terminate this Agreement for cause.  As used in this
               subparagraph,
<PAGE>
 
                                      -8-


               "for cause" means: (A) the substantial and continuing willful
               breach by the Executive of his obligations under this Agreement,
               such breach not having been cured within thirty (30) days after
               the Executive's receipt of notice thereof from the Board, which
               notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the nature of such
               breach; provided, however, that this subparagraph shall not apply
               to acts or omissions by the Executive in the exercise of his
               honest business judgment; (B) the commission by the Executive of
               an act of fraud or substantial and material breach of fiduciary
               duty; or (C) the conviction of the Executive of any felony or of
               any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or misappropriation of
               Company property.

     7.  Non-Competition; Non-Disclosure
         -------------------------------

         In connection with his employment by the Company pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement, the Executive shall execute simultaneously herewith the
Noncompetition, Nondisclosure and Developments Agreement attached hereto as
Annex A, the terms and conditions of which are incorporated herein by reference.

     8.  No Conflict
         -----------

         The Executive warrants and represents that the performance of his
obligations under this Agreement does not and will not violate or conflict with
any agreement relating to confidentiality, non-competition or exclusive
employment to which the Executive is or was subject.  The Executive shall,
during the term of this Agreement,
<PAGE>
 
                                      -9-


not enter into any agreement conflicting with or causing any breach of the
provisions of this Agreement.

     9.  Waiver
         ------

         The failure of any party hereto at any time or times to require
performance of any provision of this Agreement shall in no manner affect that
party's right at a later time to enforce the same provision.  Any waiver by any
party of the breach of any provision contained in this Agreement in any one or
more instances shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any other breach of the
same provision or any other provisions contained herein.

     10. Notices
         -------

         Any notices or other communications required or permitted under this
Agreement shall be sufficiently given if delivered in hand or if sent by
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, and if to the Executive,
addressed to him as follows:

                    Mr. Michael E. Kolowich
                    116 Monument Street
                    Concord, MA  01742

With a copy to:

                    Medverd & Simmons, P.C.
                    175 Federal Street, 8th Floor
                    Boston, MA  02110
                    Attention:  Richard L. Medverd, Esquire

And if to the Company, addressed to it as follows:

                    Desktop Data, Inc.
                    80 Blanchard Road
                    Burlington, MA  01803
                    Attention:  Donald McLagan, President
<PAGE>
 
                                      -10-

With a copy to:

                    Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, LLP
                    125 High Street
                    Boston, MA  02110
                    Attention:  Lawrence S. Wittenberg, Esquire

Either party may at any time change his or its address for notice hereunder by
giving notice thereof to the other party in accordance with the provisions of
this Paragraph 10.

     11. Entire Agreement Amendment
         --------------------------

         Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement constitutes the
entire Agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof,
and supersedes all proposals, negotiations and understandings of any nature
whatsoever.  This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument signed
by both parties.

     12. Severability
         ------------

         If any of the provisions of this Agreement, or any part thereof, are
hereafter construed to be invalid or unenforceable, the same shall not affect
the remaining provisions, which shall be enforced to the fullest extent
permitted by law, without regard to the invalid portion or portions.

     13. Assignment
         ----------

         The Executive acknowledges that the services to be rendered by him
hereunder are unique and personal in nature.  Accordingly, the Executive may not
assign any of his rights or delegate any of his duties or obligations under this
Agreement, except with the written consent of the Company.  The rights and
obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of,
and shall be binding upon, the successors and assigns of the Company.  The
rights of the Executive hereunder shall
<PAGE>
 
                                      -11-

inure to the benefit of the Executive and, where the context so requires, to his
personal representatives.

     14. Further Assurances
         ------------------

         If at any time either party hereto shall consider or be advised that
any further agreement, assurances or other documents are reasonably necessary or
desirable to carry out the provisions hereof and the transactions contemplated
hereby, the parties hereto shall execute and deliver any and all such agreements
or other documents, and do all things reasonably necessary or appropriate to
carry out fully the provisions hereof.

     15. Consent
         -------

         Whenever the consent or approval of a party is required or permitted
hereunder, such consent shall be in writing, and shall not be unreasonably
withheld.

     16. Governing Law
         -------------

         This Agreement, the employment relationship contemplated herein and
any claim arising from such relationship, whether or not arising under this
Agreement, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be
performable in Massachusetts.

     17. Captions
         --------

         The captions of the several paragraphs and subparagraphs of this
Agreement have been inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part
of this Agreement.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -12-


     18. Counterparts
         ------------

         This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.

                     [THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
<PAGE>
 
                                      -13-

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the parties hereto
as a sealed instrument, as of the date first above written.

                              -----------------------------------
                              MICHAEL E. KOLOWICH


                              DESKTOP DATA, INC.


                              By:
                                 -------------------------------- 
                                 Name:
                                      ---------------------------
                                 Title:
                                      ---------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                                      -14-

                                                                         ANNEX A
                                                                         -------

                           EMPLOYEE NONCOMPETITION,
                           ------------------------

                   NONDISCLOSURE AND DEVELOPMENTS AGREEMENT
                   ----------------------------------------

     In consideration and as a condition of my employment by Desktop Data, Inc.
(the "Company"), I hereby agree with the Company as follows:

          1.   During the period of my employment by the Company and for one
year thereafter, I agree that I will not, directly or indirectly, alone or as a
partner, officer, director, employee or stockholder, or consultant to, of any
entity, (a) engage in any business activity which is in competition in the
United States with the products or services being developed, manufactured or
sold by the Company or (b) solicit, interfere with or endeavor to entice away
any employee of the Company; provided however, that this Agreement does not
prohibit me from holding up to five percent (5%) of the publicly traded shares
of a public company.

          2.   I will not at any time, whether during or after the termination
of my employment, reveal to any person or entity any of the trade secrets or
confidential information concerning the organization, business or finances of
the Company or of any third party which the Company is under an obligation to
keep confidential (including but not limited to trade secrets or confidential
information respecting inventions, products, designs, methods, know-how,
techniques, systems, processes, software programs, works of authorship, customer
lists, projects, plans and proposals), except as may be required in the ordinary
course of performing my duties as an employee of the Company; and I shall keep
secret all matters entrusted to me and shall not use or attempt to use any such
information in any manner which may injure or cause loss or may be calculated to
injure or cause loss whether directly or indirectly to the Company (it being
understood that any use of such information in the exercise of honest business
judgment in connection with my performance of services for the Company shall not
constitute a violation of this clause).

          Further, I agree that during my employment I shall not make, use or
permit to be used any notes, memoranda, reports, lists, records, drawings,
sketches, specifications, software programs, data, documentation or other
materials of any nature relating to any matter within the scope of the business
of the Company or concerning any of its dealings or affairs otherwise than for
the benefit of the Company.  I further agree that I shall not, after the
termination of my employment, use or permit to be used any such notes,
memoranda, reports, lists, records, drawings, sketches, specifications, software
programs, data, documentation or other materials, it being agreed that all of
the foregoing shall be and remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company
and that immediately upon the termination of my employment I shall deliver all
of the foregoing, and all copies thereof, to the Company, at its main office.

          3.   If at any time or times during my employment, I shall (either
alone or with others) make, conceive, discover or reduce to practice any
invention, modification, discovery,
<PAGE>
 
                                      -15-

design, development, improvement, process, software program, work of authorship,
documentation, formula, data, technique, know-how, secret or intellectual
property right whatsoever or any interest therein (whether or not patentable or
registrable under copyright or similar statutes or subject to analogous
protection) (herein called "Developments") that (a) relates to the business of
the Company or any of the products or services being developed, manufactured or
sold by the Company or which may be used in relation therewith or (b) results
from tasks assigned me by the Company, such Developments and the benefits
thereof shall immediately become the sole and absolute property of the Company
and its assigns, and I shall promptly disclose to the Company (or any persons
designated by it) each such Development and hereby assign any rights I may have
or acquire in the Developments and benefits and/or rights resulting therefrom to
the Company and its assigns without further compensation and shall communicate,
without cost or delay, and without publishing the same, all available
information relating thereto (with all necessary plans and models) to the
Company.

          Upon disclosure of each Development to the Company, I will, during my
employment and at any time thereafter, at the request and cost of the Company,
sign, execute, make and do all such deeds, documents, acts and things as the
Company and its duly authorized agents may reasonable require:

               (a) to apply for, obtain and vest in the name of the Company
     alone (unless the Company otherwise directs) letters patent, copyrights or
     other analogous protection in any country throughout the world and when so
     obtained or vested to renew and restore the same; and

               (b) to defend any opposition proceedings in respect of such
     applications and any opposition proceedings or petitions or applications
     for revocation of such letters patent, copyright or other analogous
     protection.

          In the event the Company is unable, after reasonable effort, to secure
my signature on any letters patent, copyright or other analogous protection
relating to a development, whether because my physical or mental incapacity or
for any other reason whatsoever, I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the
Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and attorney-in-
fact, to act for and in my behalf and stead to execute and file any such
application or applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to
further the prosecution and issuance of letters patent, copyright or other
analogous protection thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed
by me.

          4.   I agree that any breach of this Agreement by me will cause
irreparable damage to the Company and that in the event of such breach the
Company shall have, in addition to any and all remedies of law, the right to an
injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief to prevent the
violation of my obligations hereunder.
<PAGE>
 
                                      -16-

          5.   I understand that this Agreement does not create an obligation on
the Company or any other person or entity to continue my employment.

          6.   I represent that my performance of all of the terms of this
Agreement, the Employment Agreement between myself and the Company and my
service as an employee and a director of the Company does not and will not
breach any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information acquired by
me in confidence or in trust prior to my employment with the Company. I have not
entered into, and I agree I will not enter into, any agreement either written or
oral in conflict herewith.

          7.   Any waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of this
Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach
of such provision or any other provision hereof.

          8.   I hereby agree that each provision herein shall be treated as a
separate and independent clause, and the unenforceability of any one clause
shall in no way impair the enforceability of any of the other clauses herein.
Moreover, if one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall for
any reason be held to be excessively broad as to scope, activity or subject so
as to be unenforceable at law, such provision or provisions shall be construed
by the appropriate judicial body by limiting or reducing it or them, so as to be
enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with the applicable law as it shall
then appear.

          9.   My obligations under this Agreement shall survive the termination
of my employment regardless of the manner of such termination and shall be
binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators and legal representatives.

          10.  The term "Company" shall include Desktop Data, Inc. and any of
its predecessors, successors, subsidiaries, subdivisions or affiliates
(including, without limitation, NewsEdge Corporation). The Company shall have
the right to assign this Agreement to its successors and assigns, and all
covenants and agreements hereunder shall inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by said successors or assigns.

          11.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Agreement as a
sealed instrument as of the 3rd day of November, 1997.



                              ---------------------------------------- 
                              Michael E. Kolowich

<PAGE>
 
Exhibit 21.1
- ------------
                          SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY
                          ---------------------------

1.   NewsEDGE Corporation Canada, Inc., Toronto, Ontario, Canada

2.   NewsEDGE Corporation Securities Corporation, Delaware, United States of 
     America

3.   Individual, K.K., Tokyo, Japan

4.   ClariNet Communications Corporation, California, United States of America

5.   Individual Inc. Securities Corporation, Delaware, United States of America


<PAGE>
 
Exhibit 23.1
- ------------


                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the use of our report
included in this Form 10-K, into the Company's previously filed Registration
Statement on Form S-1 File No. 33-94054 and the Company's previously filed
Registration Statements on Form S-8 File Nos. 33-98786, 333-46863 and 333-46899.



                                            ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Boston, Massachusetts
March 27, 1998


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
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<CASH>                                      35,175,200
<SECURITIES>                                 7,981,698
<RECEIVABLES>                                7,588,166
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
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<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            54,678,235
<PP&E>                                       8,855,130
<DEPRECIATION>                               3,123,021
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              60,583,909
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                                0
                                          0
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<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                60,583,909
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<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<RESTATED> 
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
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<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996             DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                      10,735,071              19,300,515
<SECURITIES>                                18,119,717              13,117,217
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<INVENTORY>                                          0                       0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            35,617,243              36,765,785
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<DEPRECIATION>                               1,599,021               1,320,647
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              48,327,150              38,878,515
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       18,114,892              14,187,654
<BONDS>                                              0                       0
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<CGS>                                        9,500,735               6,397,094
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<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0                       0
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<INCOME-PRETAX>                              5,199,023               2,320,064
<INCOME-TAX>                                   614,225                 183,000
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<NET-INCOME>                                 4,584,798               2,137,064
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .53                     .66
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .52                     .43
        

</TABLE>


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