FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month April 1999
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REUTERS GROUP PLC
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(Translation of registrant's name into English)
85 FLEET STREET, LONDON EC4P 4AJ, ENGLAND
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(Address of principal executive offices)
[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.]
Form 20-F _X_ Form 40-F __
[Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.]
Yes ___ No _X_
THIS REPORT IS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THE PROSPECTUSES CONTAINED IN POST
EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 33-16927 ON FORM S-8,
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 33-69694 ON FORM
F-3, POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 33-90398 ON
FORM S-8, POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-7374
ON FORM F-3 AND REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-5998 ON FORM S-8 FILED BY THE
REGISTRANT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
REUTERS GROUP PLC
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(Registrant)
Dated: May 7, 1999 By: /s/ Nancy C. Gardner
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Nancy C. Gardner
Attorney-in-Fact
Contact: Robert Crooke Tel: 212-603-3587
Vice President, Media Relations, Reuters America Inc.
robert.crooke@reuters.com
For E*TRADE:
Ken Sporleder Tel: 650-328-5555, ext.129
Neale-May & Partners
ksporled@nealemay.com
Doug Hendrix Tel: 650-328-5555, ext.115
Neale-May & Partners
dhendrix@nealemay.com
E*TRADE AND REUTERS ANNOUNCE GLOBAL AGREEMENT FOR
DELIVERY OF FINANCIAL NEWS AND MARKET DATA
PALO ALTO, CA and NEW YORK, April 6, 1999 - E*TRADE(R) Group Inc.(NASDAQ: EGRP)
and Reuters (NASDAQ: RTRSY) today announced that Reuters will be the primary
provider of financial news and market data to E*TRADE-branded investment
services web sites worldwide. This is the first such global agreement Reuters
has signed with an online financial services company. The multi-year agreement
furthers E*TRADE's global strategy to provide investors with superior financial
content, tools and services for managing their investments. Financial terms of
the agreement were not disclosed.
Under the agreement, Reuters - through its Reuters Investor service - will
provide customers and members of E*TRADE-branded web sites with domestic and
international equities news, company news by country and delayed and/or
real-time quotes on stocks, indexes and derivatives. Overviews of the foreign
exchange, money and commodities markets are also provided.
"This agreement brings together two leaders in the online financial services
markets," said Christos M. Cotsakos, chairman and chief executive officer of
E*TRADE. "By collaborating with Reuters, we not only maintain our strategy of
providing individual investors worldwide with up-to-date, accurate financial
market information, but also ensure the continuity of that information
regardless of location or time of day. We believe Reuters is an ideal complement
to our global expansion strategy and we look forward to a long, successful
alliance."
Reuters Chief Executive Peter Job said, "The rapidly growing international
market of people who are managing their own investments represents a significant
opportunity for our information and software products. We welcome this agreement
because it complements Reuters global strategy and allows us the opportunity to
work with a dynamic and well-branded e-commerce success story. Our high quality
news in 22 languages and financial information from all the major markets will
be a valuable asset for E*TRADE in their international growth strategy."
E*TRADE intends to make the Reuters Investor service available on the
Destination E*TRADE web site in the United States and its international sites,
including E*TRADE Canada, E*TRADE Australia and CPR-E*TRADE (France), during
calendar year 1999. New international E*TRADE web sites are expected to receive
the service as they come online.
Under its current international expansion plan, E*TRADE has signed licensing and
joint venture agreements which, when and if fully implemented, will cover the
top 20 markets around the world. Reuters will provide each country's E*TRADE
customers with domestic and international financial data in the country's
primary language, as available.
Reuters is a leading provider of news, financial information and software
solutions for the online investing industry. Its Reuters Investor service offers
a series of online news and data packages to banks and brokerages. Reuters
markets these services through Reality Online Inc., a subsidiary based in
Norristown, Pa.
END
EDITORS NOTE
E*TRADE
A leading branded provider of online investing services, E*TRADE has established
a popular destination Web site for self-directed investors. The Company offers
independent investors the convenience and control of automated stock, options
and mutual funds order placement at low commission rates.
In addition, E*TRADE has a suite of value-added products and services that can
be personalized, including portfolio tracking, real-time stock quotes, Smart
Alerts, market commentary and analysis, news, investor community areas and other
information services. E*TRADE was the first securities and financial services
company to be awarded the CPA WebTrust seal of assurance by the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). E*TRADE also was ranked the
number one overall online brokerage service in two consecutive quarterly reviews
conducted by Gomez Advisors, a leading independent authority devoted to online
financial services (Q3/Q4 1998).
In October 1998, the E*TRADE Web site was named the number one online investing
site in an international survey of the industry's top 20 Internet brokerage
firms by Lafferty Information and Research Group, a global provider of
high-value and business information research.
Investors can access E*TRADE at www.etrade.com on the Internet and through many
other electronic channels and online services, including AOL (Keyword: E*TRADE)
and via the TELE*MASTER interactive telephone system. E*TRADE Securities Inc.
(Member NASD/SIPC), and its parent company, E*TRADE Group Inc., are
headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif.
REUTERS
Reuters supplies the global financial markets and the news media with the widest
range of information and news products including real-time financial data,
collective investment data, numerical, textual, historical and graphical
databases plus news, graphics, news video, and news pictures, reaching over
485,000 users in 57,900 locations. Reuters designs and installs enterprise-wide
information management and risk management systems for the financial markets as
well as providing equity and foreign exchange transaction systems. It
extensively uses Internet technologies for wider distribution of information and
news. The Group employed 16,938 staff in 218 cities in 96 countries at December
31, 1998. Reuters is the world's largest news and television agency with 2,072
journalists, photographers and camera operators in 182 bureaus serving 157
countries. News is published in 22 languages. For more details see
www.reuters.com/aboutreuters.
Reuters and the dotted and sphere logos are the trademarks of the Reuters Group
of Companies.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
E*TRADE is a registered trademark of the Company. All other Trademarks are
properties of their respective owners. The statements contained in this news
release that are forward-looking are based on current expectations that are
subject to a number of uncertainties and risks, and actual results may differ
materially. The uncertainties and risks include, but are not limited to, changes
in market activity, market acceptance of the new E*TRADE destination Web site,
anticipated increases in the rate of new customer acquisition, the conversion of
new visitors to the site to customers, seasonality, the development of new
products and services, the enhancement of existing products and services,
competitive pressures (including price competition), system failures, economic
and political conditions, changes in consumer behavior and the introduction of
competing products having technological and/or other advantages. Further
information about these risks and uncertainties can be found in the information
included in the annual report filed by the Company with the SEC on Form 10-K
(including information under the caption "Risk Factors") and quarterly reports
on Form 10-Q.
20 April 1999 10/99
REUTERS FIRST QUARTER TRADING STATEMENT
London - Reuters revenue for the first quarter of 1999 rose by 8%, assisted by a
slightly weaker pound, to (pound)771 million (US$1,241 million) compared to
(pound)715 million (US$1,151 million) in the first quarter of 1998. (Dollar
equivalents are at US$1.61.) Revenue at comparable exchange rates grew by 5%.
Revenue for the Information Division, which incorporates Reuters Information
(RI) and the Corporate and Media business, rose by 7% (5% at comparable rates).
The Reuters 3000 Xtra service, the new premium information product, was launched
in March. Off Trading Floor products, which address a broader market throughout
our client base, continue to show strong growth. Local products have performed
well including ReutersPlus in the United States where several large new orders
have been announced.
Reuters Trading Systems (RTS) revenue grew marginally at actual rates. At
comparable rates revenue fell by 3%. Dealing 2000 foreign exchange products were
impacted by market contraction reflecting the introduction of the euro and the
weakness in emerging markets in the second half of 1998. Growth in risk
management products continues at a brisk rate.
Instinet's revenue grew by 23% (21% at comparable rates) resulting from the
buoyant activity of the US markets. Instinet's international business,
especially in Europe, continued to grow reflecting the changing dynamics of the
European securities sector. Against this background, Instinet announced the
development of a new product for the fixed income market.
The Millennium Programme is well advanced with most of the Group's efforts now
focused on testing and continuity planning. Costs for the project are expected
to decline in the second half of the year.
PETER JOB, chief executive, said: "1999 is a year of change for the Group as we
implement our reorganisation, designed to focus on the profitability of the new
Divisions. Whilst we remain cautious about revenue growth for the rest of this
year, we believe that the reorganisation is going well and we should start to
see some of the cost benefits later in the second half. The lower revenue
growth, which is in line with our earlier statements, reflects weaknesses in
emerging markets and continuing dull conditions in foreign exchange. We see no
early recovery in the emerging markets area but the continued expansion of the
securities markets in the most developed countries offers us potential
opportunities for investment and growth."
END
CONTACT:
Geoff Wicks Tel: 0171 542 8666
Director, Corporate Relations
geoff.wicks@reuters.com
Peter V Thomas Tel: 0171 542 4890
Director, Media Relations
peter.v.thomas@reuters.com
This news release may be deemed to include forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the US Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
US Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Certain important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking
statements are described in Reuters Annual Report for 1998 under the heading
"Cautionary Statements". Copies of this are available on request from Reuters
Group PLC, 85 Fleet Street, London EC4P 4AJ.
NOTE TO EDITORS
The revenue figures are based on the new Divisional structure. For comparison
purposes the first quarter figures for 1998 have been rebased to reflect this.
TIBCO Software revenue is included in Reuters Trading Systems.
Reuters supplies the global financial markets and the news media with the widest
range of information and news products including real-time financial data,
collective investment data, numerical, textual, historical and graphical
databases plus news, graphics, news video, and news pictures, reaching over
485,000 users in 57,900 locations. Reuters designs and installs enterprise-wide
information management and risk management systems for the financial markets as
well as providing equity and foreign exchange transaction systems. It
extensively uses internet technologies for wider distribution of information and
news. The Group employed 16,938 staff in 218 cities in 96 countries at 31
December 1998.
Reuters is the world's largest news and television agency with 2,072
journalists, photographers and camera operators in 182 bureaux serving 157
countries. News is published in 22 languages.
For more details see www.reuters.com/mediapack/
Reuters and the dotted and sphere logos are the trademarks of the Reuters Group
of Companies.
REVENUE ANALYSIS - FIRST QUARTER 1999
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3 months to 3 months to
31 March % change 31 March
------------------ -------------------- ------------
actual comparable
rates rates
1999 1998 of of 1999 1998
(pound)m (pound)m exchange exchange US$m US$m
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REVENUE ANALYSIS
BY GEOGRAPHY
Europe, Middle East
and Africa 393 372 6% 3% 633 599
Asia 119 115 3% (1%) 191 185
The Americas 119 110 8% 7% 191 177
Instinet 125 101 23% 21% 201 163
TIBCO 15 17 (7%) (8%) 25 27
TOTAL 771 715 8% 5% 1,241 1,151
REVENUE ANALYSIS
BY DIVISION
Information Division 457 426 7% 5% 736 684
Reuters Trading
Systems 189 188 0% (3%) 304 304
Instinet 125 101 23% 21% 201 163
TOTAL 771 715 8% 5% 1,241 1,151
REVENUE ANALYSIS
BY TYPE
Recurring 588 550 7% 4% 946 886
Usage 149 128 16% 14% 240 206
Outright 34 37 (7%) (9%) 55 59
TOTAL 771 715 8% 5% 1,241 1,151
[REUTERS LOGO]
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]NEWS RELEASE
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Robert Crooke
Reuters America Inc.
212-603-3587
REUTERS DISAPPOINTED AT EMPLOYEES' STRIKE VOTE
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New York, April 16, 1999 - Reuters today reacted with disappointment to the
announcement that its unionized employees have reportedly voted to authorize a
strike.
Reuters America Inc. is currently engaged in intense, off the record
negotiations with the Newspaper Guild of New York, which represents some 585
news, TV, technical and business operations staff in the US.
GLEN D. RUSSO, Reuters Director of Employee & Labor Relations, and the company's
chief negotiator, said: "With intensive negotiations continuing, it seems
counterproductive to me that the Newspaper Guild of New York should be whipping
up scare tactics like this. We hope very much that the negotiations will result
in an agreement that is satisfactory to all and that the Guild does not pull the
trigger on the strike vote authorization. However, no one should doubt the
company's determination to get the contract it needs to further legitimate
business goals, or its determination to continue operations in the unfortunate
event of a strike."
Reuters is looking for a competitive, flexible and fair contract with provisions
on job security, pay and benefits that would bring it in line with its major
competitors.
Reuters America Inc. is the chief operating entity in America of Reuters Group
PLC (NASDAQ: RTRSY). Reuters supplies the global financial markets and the news
media with the widest range of information and news products including real-time
financial data, collective investment data, numerical, textual, historical and
graphical databases plus news, graphics, news video, and news pictures, reaching
over 485,000 users located in 57,900 organizations. Reuters designs and installs
enterprise-wide information management and risk management systems for the
financial markets as well as providing equity and foreign exchange transaction
systems. It extensively uses Internet technologies for wider distribution of
information and news. The Group employed 16,938 staff in 218 cities in 96
countries at December 31, 1998. Reuters is the world's largest news and
television agency with 2,072 journalists, photographers and camera operators in
182 bureaus serving 157 countries. News is published in 22 languages. For more
details see www.reuters.com/aboutreuters
Reuters and the dotted and sphere logos are the trademarks of the Reuters Group
of Companies.
30 April 1999 **/99
ROSEMARY MARTIN APPOINTED REUTERS COMPANY SECRETARY
London - Rosemary Martin has been appointed Company Secretary to Reuters Group
PLC, the global information and news group, with effect from 1 May 1999.
Martin joined Reuters in 1997 as deputy Company Secretary, having worked for 13
years at Rowe & Maw, eight as a partner.
END
CONTACT:
Adrian Duffield Tel: 0171 542 4728
Manager, Corporate Relations
adrian.duffield@reuters.com
Reuters and the dotted and sphere logos are the trademarks of the Reuters Group
of Companies.
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