NEW YORK, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) today announced it has agreed to sell $400 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% notes due November 15, 2012; $400 million aggregate principal amount of 5.90% notes due November 15, 2017; and $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.55% notes due November 15, 2037. The unsecured senior notes will be sold in an underwritten public offering through Deutsche Bank Securities, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., and RBS Greenwich Capital as representatives of several underwriters.

The notes will rank equally with The McGraw-Hill Companies' other outstanding borrowings. Net proceeds of the offering are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital requirements, repayment of existing borrowings, capital expenditures, acquisitions and stock repurchases. The offering is expected to close on November 2, 2007.

A prospectus related to the offering may be obtained by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Website at http://www.sec.gov. Alternatively, a written prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Investment Grade Syndicate, 60 Wall Street 3rd Floor, New York, N.Y. 10005, Tel. (800) 503-4611; Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., Investment Grade Syndicate Desk, 600 Steamboat Road, Greenwich, CT 06830, Tel. (866) 884-2071; and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Investment Grade Syndicate Desk, 270 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017, Tel. (212) 834-4533.

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.

Release issued: October 30, 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