Thomson Completes Acquisition of Reuters; Thomson Reuters Shares Begin Trading Today
17 Abril 2008 - 5:18AM
PR Newswire (US)
World's Leading Source of Intelligent Information for Businesses
and Professionals US$500 Million Share Repurchase Program Announced
NEW YORK, April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Thomson
Corporation today announced that it has completed its acquisition
of Reuters Group PLC, forming Thomson Reuters (NYSE: TRI; TSX: TRI;
LSE: TRIL: Nasdaq: TRIN), the world's leading source of intelligent
information for businesses and professionals in the financial,
legal, tax and accounting, scientific, healthcare, and media
markets. Thomson Reuters has more than 50,000 employees with
operations in 93 countries on six continents and 2007 pro forma
revenues of approximately US$12.4 billion. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020227/NYW014LOGO ) Effective
today, Thomson Reuters shares will begin trading on exchanges in
Toronto, New York and London and are eligible for inclusion in
S&P/TSX and FTSE 100 UK indices. Thomson Reuters Corporation's
common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New
York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "TRI". Thomson Reuters
PLC ordinary shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange under
the symbol "TRIL" and its ADSs are listed on Nasdaq under the
symbol "TRIN". Thomas H. Glocer, chief executive officer of Thomson
Reuters, said, "This is a very exciting day for our shareholders,
customers and employees. Thomson Reuters will deliver the
intelligent information needed to give businesses and professionals
the knowledge to act. We call our information "intelligent" because
it is not only insightful, highly relevant and timely, but it is
also made available in formats which applications can consume and
to which they can add further value. We are witnessing the
maturation of the information economy and content from Thomson
Reuters will be its currency." "Thomson Reuters will benefit from
the value created by more diversified revenue streams, a larger
capital base and synergies resulting from the acquisition. Our
leadership position and global footprint will give us opportunities
to grow faster than either Thomson or Reuters could have on its
own," said Mr. Glocer. Thomson Reuters today unveiled its new
branding and a global advertising campaign. Mr. Glocer said, "The
dynamic new corporate identity is a marked departure from the
historical look and feel of the two companies and represents
Thomson Reuters positioning as the world's leading source of
intelligent information to businesses and professionals." Thomson
Reuters also announced today that based on current fundamentals it
may repurchase up to US$500 million of its shares over the course
of the year. "Our plans to buy back Thomson Reuters shares
underscores our financial strength and focus on shareholder value,"
said Mr. Glocer. "We will manage Thomson Reuters capital structure
and set our cash distribution policy so as to maintain a strong yet
efficient balance sheet," stated Mr. Glocer. In March, Thomson
entered into a pre-defined irrevocable agreement with its broker to
allow for the repurchase of Thomson Reuters PLC shares through May
1. The agreement allows Thomson Reuters to be active in the market
from soon after closing of the acquisition and during what
otherwise would be an internal closed period for trading. All share
repurchases will be made in accordance with applicable securities
laws, rules and regulations. Shares repurchased will be cancelled
by Thomson Reuters PLC. On May 15, 2007, Thomson agreed to acquire
Reuters for 352.5 pence in cash and 0.16 Thomson Reuters PLC
ordinary shares for each Reuters ordinary share. On February 19,
2008, Thomson and Reuters received regulatory approvals from the
European Commission (EC), US Department of Justice (DOJ) and
Canadian Competition Bureau (CCB). The shareholders of both
companies overwhelmingly approved the transaction on March 26,
2008, leading to subsequent court approvals in Ontario and the UK.
On May 1, 2008, Thomson Reuters plans to announce results for the
first quarter as well as a financial outlook for the remainder of
2008. More information on Thomson Reuters can be obtained at its
new website, http://www.thomsonreuters.com/. About Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent
information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry
expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical
information to leading decision makers in the financial, legal, tax
and accounting, scientific, healthcare and media markets, powered
by the world's most trusted news organization. With headquarters in
New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota,
Thomson Reuters employs more than 50,000 people in 93 countries.
Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE:TRI); Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: TRI); London Stock
Exchange (LSE:TRIL); and Nasdaq (NASDAQ:TRIN). For more
information, go to http://www.thomsonreuters.com/. This news
release includes forward-looking statements that are based on
certain assumptions and reflect Thomson Reuters current
expectations. Forward-looking statements are those that are not
historical facts and include Thomson Reuters expectations about its
future prospects and share repurchase plans. Forward-looking
statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results or events to differ materially from
current expectations. Some of the factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from current expectations include
risks related to Thomson Reuters ability to develop additional
products and services to meet customers' needs, attract new
customers, general economic conditions and actions of competitors.
Additional factors are discussed in materials filed by Thomson
Reuters Corporation and Thomson Reuters PLC from time to time with
securities regulatory authorities. Thomson Reuters disclaims any
intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise, other than as required by applicable law, rule or
regulation. CONTACTS Frank DeMaria Global Director, Media Relations
+44 (0) 207 542 6005 Fred Hawrysh Global Director, Corporate
Affairs 1.203 539 8314 Frank Golden Senior Vice President, Investor
Relations 1.203 539 8470 Victoria Brough EMEA Media Relations +44
(0) 207 542 8762
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020227/NYW014LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Thomson Reuters CONTACT:
Frank DeMaria, Global Director, Media Relations, +44 (0) 207 542
6005, , Fred Hawrysh, Global Director, Corporate Affairs,
+1-203-539-8314, , Frank Golden, Senior Vice President, Investor
Relations, +1-203-539-8470, , Victoria Brough, EMEA Media
Relations, +44 (0) 207 542 8762, , all of Thomson Reuters Web site:
http://www.thomsonreuters.com/
Copyright