Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters Corporation

Type	Public
Traded as	TSX: TRI NYSE: TRI
Industry	Media
Founded	April 2008 (Merger)
Headquarters	3 Times Square New York City 10036 United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	David Thomson (Chairman) W. Geoffrey Beattie (Deputy Chairman) Tom Glocer (CEO)
Revenue	US$13.1 billion (2010)
Owner(s)	The Woodbridge Company (53%)
Employees	55,000 (2010)[1]
Subsidiaries	Reuters Sweet & Maxwell West
Website	ThomsonReuters.com

Thomson Reuters Building in Times Square, Midtown Manhattan.

3 Times Square, as seen from 43rd Street and Broadway in New York City.

Thomson Reuters Corporation (TSX: TRI NYSE: TRI) is a provider of information for the world's businesses and professionals^[1] and is created by the Thomson Corporation's purchase of Reuters Group on 17 April 2008.^[2] Thomson Reuters is headquartered at 3 Times Square, New York City, USA. The Woodbridge Company, a holding company for the Thomson family of Canada, owns 53% of the group,^[3] which operates in 100 countries, and has over 55,000 employees. Thomson Reuters was ranked as Canada's "leading corporate brand" in the 2010 Interbrand Best Canadian Brands ranking.^[4] Thomson Reuters operates in two divisions: Professional and Markets.

History

The Thomson Corporation

Main article: The Thomson Corporation

The Company was founded by Roy Thomson in 1934 in Ontario as the publisher of The Timmins Daily Press. In 1953 Thomson acquired the Scotsman newspaper and moved to Scotland the following year. He consolidated his media position in Scotland in 1957 when he won the franchise for Scottish Television. In 1959 he bought the Kemsley Group, a purchase that eventually gave him control of the Sunday Times. He separately acquired the Times in 1967. He moved into the airline business in 1965, when he acquired Britannia Airways and into oil and gas exploration in 1971 when he participated in a consortium to exploit reserves in the North Sea. In the 1970s, following the death of Lord Thomson, the Company withdrew from media selling the Times, the Sunday Times and Scottish Television and instead moved into publishing, buying Sweet & Maxwell in 1987. In 1989, Thomson Newspapers was merged with The Thomson Corporation. In 1996 The Thomson Corporation effectively doubled its size and ensured future profitability by purchasing West Publishing, a purveyor of legal research and solutions including Westlaw.^[5]

Reuters Group

Main article: Reuters Group

The Company was founded by Paul Julius Reuter in 1851 in London as a business transmitting stock market quotations.^[5] Reuter set up his "Submarine Telegraph" office in October 1851 and negotiated a contract with the London Stock Exchange to provide stock prices from the continental exchanges in return for access to London prices, which he then supplied to stockbrokers in Paris in France.^[5] In 1865, Reuters in London was the first organization to report the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.^[5] The company was involved in developing the use of radio in 1923.^[5] It was acquired by the British National & Provincial Press in 1941 and first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1984.^[5] Reuters began to grow rapidly in the 1980s, widening the range of its business products and expanding its global reporting network for media, financial and economic services: key product launches included Equities 2000 (1987), Dealing 2000-2 (1992), Business Briefing (1994), Reuters Television for the financial markets (1994), 3000 Series (1996) and the Reuters 3000 Xtra service (1999).^[5]

Post acquisition

The Thomson Corporation acquired Reuters Group PLC to form Thomson Reuters on April 17, 2008.^[6] Thomson Reuters operated under a dual-listed company (“DLC”) structure and had two parent companies, both of which were publicly listed — Thomson Reuters Corporation and Thomson Reuters PLC. In 2009 it unified its dual listed company structure and stopped its listing on the London Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. It is now listed only as Thomson Reuters Corporation on the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol: TRI).^[7][8]

In June 2008 it was reported that it would be launching a news channel to rival Bloomberg and CNBC.^[9] This has turned out to be a false report as Thomson Reuters is not entering into an already crowded cable business.

Operations

The Chief Executive Officer of the combined company is Tom Glocer, who was the Chief Executive of Reuters, and the chairman is David Thomson, who was the chairman of Thomson.^[10][11][12]

The Company is organized into two divisions:^[13]

• Markets Division:^[14]
  • Financial Professionals & Marketplaces
  • Enterprise Solutions
  • Media

• Professional Division:
  • Legal – formerly North American Legal and Legal & Regulatory; including West, makers of Westlaw, and Carswell
  • Healthcare & Science – formerly Thomson Healthcare and Thomson Scientific
  • Tax & Accounting – formerly Thomson Tax & Accounting

Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: TRI) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: TRI).

Market position and antitrust review

The transaction was reviewed by the U.S. Department of Justice and by the European Commission. On February 19, 2008, both the Department of Justice and the Commission cleared the transaction subject to minor divestments.^[15] The Department of Justice required the parties to sell copies of the data contained in the following products: Thomson's WorldScope, a global fundamentals product; Reuters Estimates, an earnings estimates product; and Reuters Aftermarket (Embargoed) Research Database, an analyst research distribution product. The proposed settlement further requires the licensing of related intellectual property, access to personnel, and transitional support to ensure that the buyer of each set of data can continue to update its database so as to continue to offer users a viable and competitive product.^[16] The European Commission imposed similar divestments: according to the Commission's press release, "the parties committed to divest the databases containing the content sets of such financial information products, together with relevant assets, personnel and customer base as appropriate to allow purchasers of the databases and assets to quickly establish themselves as a credible competitive force in the marketplace in competition with the merged entity, re-establishing the pre-merger rivalry in the respective fields."^[17]

These remedies are viewed as very minor given the scope of the transaction. According to the Financial Times, "the remedy proposed by the competition authorities will affect no more than $25m of the new Thomson Reuters group’s $13bn-plus combined revenues."^[18]

The transaction was cleared by the Canadian Competition Bureau.^[19]

In November 2009, The European Commission opened formal anti-trust proceedings^[20] against Thomson Reuters concerning a potential infringement of the EC Treaty's rules on abuse of a dominant market position (Article 82). The Commission will investigate Thomson Reuters' practices in the area of real-time market datafeeds, and in particular whether customers or competitors are prevented from translating Reuters Instrument Codes (RICs) to alternative identification codes of other datafeed suppliers (so-called 'mapping') to the detriment of competition.

The opening of proceedings does not imply that the Commission has proof of an infringement. It signifies that the Commission will conduct an in-depth investigation of the case as a matter of priority.

Purchase process

Historically, no single individual has been permitted to own more than 15% of Reuters, under the first of the Reuters Principles, which states, "Reuters shall at no time pass into the hands of any one interest, group or faction."^[21] However, that restriction was waived for the purchase by Thomson, whose family holding company, the Woodbridge Company currently owns 53% of the enlarged business. Robert Peston, business editor at BBC News, stated that this has worried Reuters journalists, both because they are concerned that Reuters' journalism business will be marginalized by the financial data provision business of the combined company, and because of the threat to Reuters's reputation for unbiased journalism by the appearance of one majority shareholder. Pehr Gyllenhammar, chairman of the Reuters Founders Share Company, explained that the Reuters Trust's First Principle had been waived for the Thomson family because of the poor financial circumstances that Reuters had been in, stating, "The future of Reuters takes precedence over the principles. If Reuters were not strong enough to continue on its own, the principles would have no meaning." He stated, not having met David Thomson but having discussed the matter with Geoff Beattie, the president of Woodbridge, that the Thomson family had agreed to vote as directed by the Reuters Founders Share Company on any matter that the trustees might deem to threaten the five principles of the Reuters Trust. Woodbridge will be allowed an exemption from the First Principle as long as it remains controlled by the Thomson family.^{[22][23][24][25]}

Acquisitions

In July 2009 Thomson Reuters acquired Streamlogics.^[26] Founded in 1999, Streamlogics is a leading provider of customizable, high volume, real time data mining solutions ^[27] for hundreds of enterprises across several verticals including financial services, technology and health care/life sciences. Streamlogics' webcasting solutions are used for training and certification, marketing and lead generation, and corporate communications.^[28]

In August 2009 Thomson Reuters bought Vhayu Technologies. Vhayu is one of the world's leading providers of tick data services, and Thomson Reuters had been distributing its Velocity product under the Reuters Tick Capture Engine label for the four years prior to the acquisition.^[29]

On September 21, 2009, Thomson Reuters bought Hugin Group, the European IR and PR distribution group, from NYSE Euronext. Terms have not been disclosed, but it has been reported in Danish newspapers that the price was between €40 million and €42m.^[30]

In November 2009 The Tax & Accounting business acquired Sabrix, Inc, a leading global provider of transaction tax management software applications and related services.^[31]

In February 2010 Thomson Reuters acquired Aegisoft LLC to improve their electronic trading capabilities by offering Direct Market Access.^[32]

In May 2010 Thomson Reuters acquired Point Carbon A/S, a Norwegian company that provides news and trading analytics for the energy and environmental markets.^[33]

In October 2010, Thomson Reuters acquired Serengeti Law, a matter management and ebilling system.

In November 2010, Thomson Reuters acquired the legal process outsourcing (LPO) provider Pangea3. Pangea3 serves corporate legal departments and law firms worldwide. Financial Terms of the deal were not disclosed.^[34]

In November 2010, Thomson Reuters acquired the banking data and analytic provider, Highline Financial.

See also

• ISI Web of Knowledge
• Thomson Reuters Citation Laureates

Sponsorships

Thomson Reuters has sponsored Canadian golf champion Mike Weir and the AT&T Williams Formula One team. It also sponsors Marketplace, a radio show from American Public Media.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} . http://thomsonreuters.com/about/. 
2. ^ Haycock, Gavin; MacMillan, Robert (2008-04-17). "Thomson Reuters debuts amid global market jitters". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSN1438977620080418. Retrieved 2008-04-18. 
3. ^ "About Us." Thomson Reuters. Retrieved on August 28, 2009.
4. ^ "[1]." Interbrand. Retrieved on August 5, 2010.
5. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} Thomson Reuters History
6. ^ Thomson completes acquisition of Reuters
7. ^ Company history
8. ^ Thomson Reuters PLC Financial Statement for 2008
9. ^ Thomson Reuters to venture into television
10. ^ Wikinews (2007-05-16). "Thomson Corporation and Reuters agree to merge". Wikinews. http://en.wikinews.org/w/index.php?title=Thomson_Corporation_and_Reuters_agree_to_merge&oldid=422867. 
11. ^ Robert Schroeder (2007-05-17). "Thomson, Reuters face antitrust review". Times Argus. http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070517/BUSINESS/705170325/1006/BUSINESS. 
12. ^ Kevin Bell and Joe Schneider (2007-05-16). "Thomson Emerges From Father's Shadow With Reuters Buy". Bloomberg L.P.. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=a46.crjgq_T4. 
13. ^ Thomson Reuters: About us
14. ^ Saba, Jennifer (2011-07-23). "Thomson Reuters' Markets head Wenig to leave". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/23/industry-us-thomsonreuters-wenig-idUKTRE76M2GN20110723?type=companyNews. 
15. ^ EU approves Thomson–Reuters merger
16. ^ Justice Department Requires Thomson to Sell Financial Data and Related Assets in Order to Acquire Reuters
17. ^ EUROPA – Rapid – Press Releases
18. ^ FT.com / Companies / Media & internet - Thomson cleared for Reuters merger
19. ^ Competition Bureau – Competition Bureau Clears Thomson Acquisition of Reuters
20. ^ European Commission, ed (2009). "Commission opens formal proceedings against Thomson Reuters concerning use of Reuters Instrument Codes" (in en). http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/09/1692&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en. 
21. ^ International alliance of journalist unions questions Thomson–Reuters deal
22. ^ "Reuters agrees to Thomson buyout". BBC News (BBC). 2007-05-15. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6656525.stm. 
23. ^ Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson (2007-05-16). "Thomson accepts Reuters voting code". Financial Times (The Financial Times Ltd). http://www.ft.com/cms/s/6460287a-03e4-11dc-a931-000b5df10621.html. 
24. ^ "Thomson accepts Reuters voting code". Financial Times (eFinancialNews Ltd). 2007-05-17. http://www.financialnews-us.com/?page=ushome&contentid=2347839512. 
25. ^ "Q&A: Why Reuters is news". BBC News (BBC). 2007-05-15. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6634531.stm. 
26. ^ Press release
27. ^ Corporate website
28. ^ Thomson Reuters Acquires Streamlogics
29. ^ Vhayu Technologies Acquired by Thomson Reuters August 3, 2009, Fox Business
30. ^ Thomson Reuters acquires Hugin Group from NYSE Euronext Communicate magazine 2009-09-21
31. ^ "Thomson Reuters To Acquire Sabrix. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.". Taume News. 2009-10-17. http://news.taume.com/World-Business/Business-Finance/thomson-reuters-to-acquire-sabrix-13438. Retrieved 2009-10-17. 
32. ^ Press Release
33. ^ MacMillan, Robert (2010-05-27). "Thomson Reuters to buy Norway's Point Carbon". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/05/27/us-thomsonreuters-pointcarbon-idUSTRE64Q16H20100527. 
34. ^ "Thomson Reuters Acquires Pangea3". prnewswire. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thomson-reuters-acquires-pangea3-109038544.html. Retrieved 22 November 2010. 

Further reading

• Peter Kaplan (2007-05-04). "Thomson Reuters deal would raise U.S. antitrust issue". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUSN0443007720070504. 
• Penny Crosman (2007-05-16). "How Will the Thomson Reuters Marriage Affect Customers?". Wall Street & Technology (CMP Media LLC). http://www.wallstreetandtech.com/blog/archives/2007/05/how_will_the_th.html. 
• Ian Austen (2007-05-09). "Combined Thomson Reuters Would Challenge Bloomberg". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/09/business/media/09reuters.html?ex=1336363200&en=7605dd8d471438d3&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss. 
• Jerry Bowles (2007-06-18). "Reuters using social media software to launch community around environmental markets". WebPro News. http://www.webpronews.com/blogtalk/2007/06/18/reuters-on-blogtronix. 
• Ovide, Shira (2011-07-26). "Crunch Time at Thomson Reuters". Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903591104576468410542713854.html.  "CEO Glocer Is Under Pressure After Restructuring Backed by Controlling Family".

External links

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