DMG INFORMATION

THE BUSINESS TO BUSINESS MARKET IS GROWING RAPIDLY AND THE CAREERS DIVISION IS BACK ON TRACK.

DMG Information (DMGI) had another outstanding year, growing operating profits* by 54%, with rapid growth in business to business and recovery in the careers division.

Business to Business Division
Risk Management Solutions continued the strong growth of previous years, and margins mproved further.

The new US hurricane and earthquake models introduced in 2003 have been widely adopted by customers. Penetration of the Lloyds market has been a notable achievement. Sales of newer models, in particular those dealing with terrorism and workers’ compensation saw increasing rates of take up.

All four companies in the Property Data and Analytics Group produced favourable results.

Environmental Data Resources posted solid growth in an improving commercial real estate market.

Landmark Information Group successfully integrated the Sitescope business, acquired in September 2003. The market for home environmental reports grew rapidly, benefiting the combined business, although demand weakened in the final quarter.

Property & Portfolio Research performed well in its second year under DMGI ownership. Revenue continued its satisfactory growth trend and margins improved.

In April Trepp was acquired and performance exceeded expectations. The Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities market served by the company remains buoyant.

Dolphin Software made progress in establishing a new range of product offerings in the area of hazardous chemical inventory management.

Under new leadership Sanborn underwent a turnaround in its performance. Bookings increased by 50% and the backlog carried into the new financial year has strengthened significantly.

RMSI had a satisfactory year. Particularly successful were sales into the UK government geographic information market, made in conjunction with Landmark.

In November 2004, the Boston-based Lewtan Technologies was acquired. The company is a leading information provider in the asset backed securities markets.

Careers Division
Hobsons had its most encouraging year for some time. The US business again grew strongly. Academic Engine was acquired and successfully integrated into Hobsons’ Cincinnati operation. After a number of tough years in the UK, profits moved ahead and in Continental Europe Hobsons maintained market leading positions in difficult markets.

Study Group made encouraging progress in its recovery from the low point in its fortunes immediately following the 2001 US terrorist attacks. Once again, the UK and Australia operations did well, whilst in the US recovery continued but at a modest pace. During the year changes to student visa issuance processes and requirements had an adverse impact on student volumes entering the UK and Australia, but management actions have started to improve visa approved rates.

	Landmark Landmark Information Group enjoyed a successful year. Sales increased by over 60% as Sitescope was successfully integrated and the need to consider environmental factors when buying property was increasingly recognised.
	Operating profits jump DMGI’s business to business companies had another excellent year, increasing their operating profit* by nearly 50%, despite the effect of a weakening US dollar.

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