Atlanta credit-tracking firm Equifax said its first quarter profit jumped nearly 16 percent with the help of surging sales from it overseas and employment screening businesses.

The company said its revenue rose almost 12 percent over last year, to $728 million.

First-quarter net income increased almost 16 percent compared to last year, to $102 million.

“We are off to a great start in 2016 with our first quarter performance,” said Equifax Chief Executive Richard F. Smith in a statement.

Sales at its overseas units increased 17 percent, to $158 million, while its U.S. Information Solutions division — its main business of credit reports and related products — increased 10 percent, to $295 million.

Much of the overseas growth came from Equifax’s $1.8 billion deal last year to buy Veda, one of the largest credit-reporting companies in Australia and New Zealand.

But Equifax’s results were also revved up by strong growth at its employee screening and other workforce-related businesses, which saw a 21 percent increase in revenue, to $180 million.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Morning travelers make their through Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport amid the ongoing government shutdown. Monday, October 27, 2025 (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Featured

Public Service Commission candidate Peter Hubbard gets a hug from Brionté McCorkle, executive director of Georgia Conservation Voters, during an election-night party in Southwest Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.  (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC