Dun & Bradstreet to Split, Take a Charge

Dun & Bradstreet Corp. said it plans to separate its two businesses into separate companies--a debt-rating and information company and a telephone book publishing company. The Wilton, Conn.-based company will take a $150-million charge against 1997 earnings as a result. One company, to be called Dun & Bradstreet Corp., will house debt-rating agency Moody’s Investors Service and Dun & Bradstreet, which provides credit, marketing and purchasing information and receivables management services to businesses. D&B; and Moody’s had combined revenue of $1.8 billion in 1996. The other company, to be called Reuben H. Donnelley, markets yellow pages. Its clients include Bell Atlantic Corp., Sprint Corp. and Ameritech Corp. The division’s 1996 revenue was about $378 million. D&B; shares fell 25 cents to close at $29.50 on the New York Stock Exchange.