NEW YORK, Oct. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Board of Directors of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) today approved a regular quarterly cash dividend on the Corporation's common stock. The dividend of $0.205 is payable on December 12, 2007 to shareholders of record on November 28, 2007.

The McGraw-Hill Companies has paid a dividend each year since 1937 and is one of fewer than 30 companies in the S&P 500 that has increased its dividend annually for the last 34 years. The annualized rate of $0.82 per share, which includes a 12.9% increase approved by the Board in January of 2007, represents an average compound annual dividend growth rate of 10.4% since 1974.

Since 1996, the Corporation has returned $8.0 billion to shareholders through dividend payments and share repurchases, including more than $2.1 billion returned to shareholders in the first nine months of 2007.

The McGraw-Hill Companies' dividend declaration follows the Corporation's announcement on October 18, 2007, of diluted earnings per share of $1.34 for the third quarter of 2007, a 26.4% increase over the same period last year.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies:

Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's, McGraw-Hill Education, BusinessWeek and J.D. Power and Associates. The Corporation has more than 280 offices in 40 countries. Sales in 2006 were $6.3 billion. Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com.

Release issued: October 24, 2007

SOURCE The McGraw-Hill Companies

Contact: Media Relations Contacts: Steven H. Weiss Vice President, Corporate Communications (212) 512-2247 (office) (917) 699-9389 (mobile) weissh@mcgraw-hill.com Frank Briamonte Senior Director, Corporate Communications (212) 512-4145 (office) (201) 725-6133 (mobile) frank_briamonte@mcgraw-hill.com Investor Relations Contact: Donald S. Rubin Senior Vice President, Investor Relations (212) 512-4321 (office) (212) 512-3840 (fax) donald_rubin@mcgraw-hill.com