D&B reported its results in the United States for the second quarter ended June 30, 2012, and the company stated that its ongoing corruption probe in China is taking a minor toll on its operating income.
The U.S.-based market research database and information services company says its operating income before non-core gains and charges for the second quarter of 2012 was USD114.0 million, up 5% from the prior year similar period, primarily due to the effect of businesses divested in the prior year.
On a GAAP basis, operating income was USD89.3 million, down 1% from the prior year similar period, primarily due to legal fees and other shut down costs related to matters in its China operations.
The company earlier this year was accused by Chinese television station CCTV of violating consumers' rights by allegedly illicitly acquiring Chinese consumers' personal data. D&B's local company Roadway China, which D&B acquired a few years ago in Shanghai, was the accused culprit, and D&B acted swiftly to voluntarily conduct an investigation and report to the appropriate U.S. authorities possible Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations by its local staff in China.
Roadway China and D&B's market research business in China are, according to the company's latest earnings report, being dissolved.
