UNITED STATES

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 13D

 

 

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 3)*

 

THOMSON REUTERS CORPORATION

THOMSON REUTERS PLC

(Name of Issuer)

 

COMMON SHARES OF THOMSON REUTERS CORPORATION

ORDINARY SHARES OF THOMSON REUTERS PLC

AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES OF THOMSON REUTERS PLC

(Title of Class of Securities)

 

884903 10 5

G8847Z 105

885141 101

(CUSIP Number)

 

DAVID W. BINET, ESQ.

THE WOODBRIDGE COMPANY LIMITED

65 QUEEN STREET WEST, SUITE 2400

TORONTO, ONTARIO M5H 2M8

CANADA

(416) 364-8700

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

 

December 12, 2008

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box. o

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 



 

CUSIP No.   884903 10 5

CUSIP No.   G8847Z 105

CUSIP No.    885141 101

 

 

1.

Names of Reporting Persons
THE WOODBRIDGE COMPANY LIMITED

 

 

2.

Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

 

 

(a)

 o

 

 

(b)

 o — Joint Filing

 

 

3.

SEC Use Only

 

 

4.

Source of Funds (See Instructions)
WC

 

 

5.

Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)     o

 

 

6.

Citizenship or Place of Organization
ONTARIO

 

Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned by
Each
Reporting
Person With

7.

Sole Voting Power
440,534,711 common shares of Thomson Reuters Corporation

14,618,021 ordinary shares of Thomson Reuters PLC (including ordinary shares underlying American Depositary Shares)

 

8.

Shared Voting Power
0

 

9.

Sole Dispositive Power
440,534,711 common shares of Thomson Reuters Corporation

14,618,021 ordinary shares of Thomson Reuters PLC (including ordinary shares underlying American Depositary Shares)

 

10.

Shared Dispositive Power
0

 

 

11.

Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person
440,534,711 common shares of Thomson Reuters Corporation

14,618,021 ordinary shares of Thomson Reuters PLC (including ordinary shares underlying American Depositary Shares)

 

 

12.

Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions)   o

 

 

13.

Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)
68.4% of common shares of Thomson Reuters Corporation

8.1% of ordinary shares of Thomson Reuters PLC (including ordinary shares underlying American Depositary Shares)

 

 

14.

Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
CO

 

2



 

Explanatory Note

 

The common shares (the “Common Shares”) of Thomson Reuters Corporation and the ordinary shares (including ordinary shares underlying American Depositary Shares) (the “Ordinary Shares”) of Thomson Reuters PLC that are the subject matter of this Schedule 13D are beneficially owned by The Woodbridge Company Limited (“Woodbridge”). 

 

Thomson Reuters, a unified group operating under a dual listed company (“DLC”) structure, has two parent companies, both of which are publicly listed — Thomson Reuters Corporation, an Ontario corporation, and Thomson Reuters PLC, an English company. Thomson Reuters Corporation and Thomson Reuters PLC operate as a unified group pursuant to contractual arrangements and provisions in their organizational documents. Under the DLC structure, shareholders of Thomson Reuters Corporation and Thomson Reuters PLC both have a stake in Thomson Reuters, with cash dividend, capital distribution and voting rights that are comparable to the rights they would have if they were holding shares in one company carrying on Thomson Reuters business.

 

Under the DLC structure, holders of Common Shares and Ordinary Shares ordinarily vote together as a single decision-making body, including in the election of directors, and in that sense have voting interests in Thomson Reuters. Based on the issued share capital of Thomson Reuters Corporation and Thomson Reuters PLC as of November 11, 2008, Woodbridge has a voting interest in Thomson Reuters of approximately 55% and thus is the principal and controlling shareholder of Thomson Reuters. 

 

Woodbridge, a private company, is the primary investment vehicle for members of the family of the late Roy H. Thomson, the first Lord Thomson of Fleet.  Prior to his death in 2006, Kenneth R. Thomson controlled Thomson Reuters Corporation (then known as The Thomson Corporation) through Woodbridge.  He did so by holding shares of a holding company of Woodbridge, Thomson Investments Limited.  Under his estate arrangements, the 2003 TIL Settlement, a trust of which The Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company (the “Trust Company”) is trustee and members of the family of the late first Lord Thomson of Fleet are beneficiaries, holds those holding company shares.  Kenneth R. Thomson established these arrangements to provide for long-term stability of the business of Woodbridge.  The equity of Woodbridge continues to be owned by members of successive generations of the family of the first Lord Thomson of Fleet. Under the Kenneth R. Thomson estate arrangements, the directors and officers of Woodbridge are responsible for its business and operations.  In certain limited circumstances, including very substantial dispositions of Common Shares by Woodbridge, the estate arrangements provide for approval of the Trust Company, as trustee, to be obtained.

 

This Schedule 13D amends and restates the Schedule 13D filed by Woodbridge on October 1, 2008.  The Common Shares and the Ordinary Shares that are the subject matter of this Schedule 13D are the same Common Shares and Ordinary Shares that are the subject matter of an amended and restated Schedule 13D and a new Schedule 13G in respect of Thomson Reuters Corporation and Thomson Reuters PLC filed today by The Bank of Nova Scotia (the “Bank”) and the Bank’s subsidiary, the Trust Company, in which the Bank and the Trust Company each disclaim beneficial ownership of the Common Shares and the Ordinary Shares.

 

3



 

Item 1.

Security and Issuer

 

This Schedule 13D relates to Common Shares and Ordinary Shares. The principal executive office of Thomson Reuters is located at 3 Times Square in New York, New York.

 

Item 2.

Identity and Background

 

This Schedule 13D is being filed by Woodbridge, 65 Queen Street West, Suite 2400 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 2M8. 

 

For further explanation of the background of the arrangements relating to Woodbridge’s ownership of Common Shares and Ordinary Shares, see the “Explanatory Note” above.

 

The following table sets forth certain information as to the executive officers and directors of Woodbridge:

 

Name

 

Residence or Business
Address

 

Present Principal
Occupation or
Employment

 

Citizenship

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David K.R. Thomson

 

65 Queen Street West,
Suite 2400, Toronto, ON
M5H 2M8

 

Director and Chairman of
The Woodbridge
Company Limited

 

Canadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peter J. Thomson

 

65 Queen Street West,
Suite 2400, Toronto, ON
M5H 2M8

 

Director and Chairman of
The Woodbridge
Company Limited

 

Canadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

W. Geoffrey Beattie

 

65 Queen Street West,
Suite 2400, Toronto, ON
M5H 2M8

 

Director and President of
The Woodbridge
Company Limited

 

Canadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David W. Binet

 

65 Queen Street West,
Suite 2400, Toronto, ON
M5H 2M8

 

Director, Executive Vice
President and Secretary of
The Woodbridge
Company Limited

 

Canadian

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John A. Tory

 

65 Queen Street West,
Suite 2400, Toronto, ON
M5H 2M8

 

Director of The
Woodbridge Company
Limited

 

Canadian

 

 

 

To the knowledge of Woodbridge, neither Woodbridge, nor any executive officer or director of Woodbridge, has been convicted during the last five years in any criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).

 

4



 

 

Further, to the knowledge of Woodbridge, neither Woodbridge, nor any executive officer or director of Woodbridge, has been a party during the last five years to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violation of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, U.S. federal or state securities laws, or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

 

Item 3.

Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration

 

On December 12, 2008, Woodbridge undertook transactions providing for the sale of 6,096,076 Common Shares and concurrent purchases of 6,096,076 Ordinary Shares.  The transactions were effected through the facilities of the Toronto Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange, respectively.  The aggregate sale price for the 6,096,076 Common Shares was approximately C$184,101,495 and the aggregate purchase price for the 6,096,076 Ordinary Shares was approximately £81,809,440, in each case excluding brokerage commissions.  Woodbridge acquired these 6,096,076 Ordinary Shares using a portion of the aggregate proceeds from the sale of the 6,096,076 Common Shares. 

 

Item 4.

Purpose of Transaction

 

The purpose of the transactions was to facilitate trading of Common Shares and Ordinary Shares, which has been impacted by arbitrage activity associated with the acquisition of Reuters Group PLC in April 2008. The effect of the transactions is to exchange Common Shares for Ordinary Shares. Under the DLC structure, one Ordinary Share is equivalent to one Common Share and, as a result, the transactions do not affect Woodbridge’s voting interest in Thomson Reuters.

 

Woodbridge has no current plans or proposals that relate to or would result in:

 

(a)           the acquisition by any person of additional securities of Thomson Reuters Corporation or Thomson Reuters PLC, or the disposition of securities of either company, other than as described in Item 3 above;

 

(b)           an extraordinary corporate transaction, such as a merger, reorganization or liquidation, involving Thomson Reuters;

 

(c)           a sale or transfer of a material amount of assets of Thomson Reuters;

 

(d)           any change in the present board of directors or management of Thomson Reuters, including any plans or proposals to change the number or term of directors or to fill any existing vacancies on the board;

 

(e)           any material change in the present capitalization or dividend policy of Thomson Reuters;

 

(f)            any other material change in Thomson Reuters business or corporate structure;

 

(g)           changes in the charter, bylaws or instruments corresponding thereto of Thomson Reuters Corporation or Thomson Reuters PLC or other actions which may impede the acquisition of control of Thomson Reuters by any person;

 

(h)           causing a class of securities of Thomson Reuters Corporation or Thomson Reuters PLC to be delisted from a national securities exchange or to cease to be authorized to be quoted in an inter-dealer quotation system of a registered national securities association;

 

(i)            a class of equity securities of Thomson Reuters Corporation or Thomson Reuters PLC becoming eligible for termination of registration pursuant to Section 12(g)(4) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or

 

(j)            any action similar to any of those enumerated above.

 

5



 

Item 5.

Interest in Securities of the Issuer

 

(a)-(b)     The ownership percentages set forth herein are based on the 643,997,655 Common Shares and the 180,280,319 Ordinary Shares outstanding as of November 11, 2008, as indicated in Thomson Reuters Corporation’s management’s discussion and analysis for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 filed by Thomson Reuters Corporation on Form 6-K on November 14, 2008. Woodbridge is the beneficial owner of 440,534,711 Common Shares and 14,618,021 Ordinary Shares, and has a voting interest in Thomson Reuters of approximately 55%, as of that date.

 

(c)           Woodbridge has not effected any transactions in Common Shares during the past 60 days except for those set forth below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Approximate  Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(exclusive of

 

Date

 

Nature of Transaction

 

Amount of Shares

 

commissions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 9, 2008

 

Donation

 

31,500

 

C$

33.3000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 11, 2008

 

Disposition in the public market

 

6,000

 

C$

32.5600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 12, 2008

 

Disposition in the public market

 

6,096,076

 

C$

30.2000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 15, 2008

 

Disposition in the public market

 

6,000

 

C$

31.5000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 15, 2008

 

Disposition in the public market

 

6,000

 

C$

31.4500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 15, 2008

 

Disposition in the public market

 

6,000

 

C$

31.7600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 15, 2008

 

Disposition in the public market

 

6,000

 

C$

31.9500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 15, 2008

 

Disposition in the public market

 

6,000

 

C$

31.9600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 15, 2008

 

Acquisition under dividend reinvestment plan

 

1,947,614

 

C$

28.7200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 16, 2008

 

Disposition in the public market

 

6,000

 

C$

32.1000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 16, 2008

 

Disposition in the public market

 

6,000

 

C$

32.0600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 16, 2008

 

Disposition in the public market

 

6,000

 

C$

32.1500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 16, 2008

 

Disposition in the public market

 

6,000

 

C$

32.3300

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 16, 2008

 

Disposition in the public market

 

6,000

 

C$

32.6000

 

 

 

 

Woodbridge has not effected any transactions in Ordinary Shares during the past 60 days except for those set forth below.

 

 

 

Nature of Transaction

 

Amount of American
Depositary Shares

 

 

Approximate Price
Per Share
(exclusive of
commissions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 11, 2008

 

Acquisition in the public market

 

1,000

 

US$

125.4800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 15, 2008

 

Acquisition in the public market

 

1,000

 

US$

125.4500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 15, 2008

 

Acquisition in the public market

 

1,000

 

US$

125.6500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 15, 2008

 

Acquisition in the public market

 

1,000

 

US$

125.5000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 15, 2008

 

Acquisition in the public market

 

1,000

 

US$

125.7900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 15, 2008

 

Acquisition in the public market

 

1,000

 

US$

126.1100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 16, 2008

 

Acquisition in the public market

 

1,000

 

US$

127.6500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 16, 2008

 

Acquisition in the public market

 

1,000

 

US$

128.0500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 16, 2008

 

Acquisition in the public market

 

1,000

 

US$

126.8600

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 16, 2008

 

Acquisition in the public market

 

1,000

 

US$

128.1400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 16, 2008

 

Acquisition in the public market

 

1,000

 

US$

129.8000

 

 

6



 

Date

 

Nature of Transaction

 

Amount of Ordinary
Shares

 

 

Approximate Price
Per Share
(exclusive of
commissions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 12, 2008

 

Acquisition in the public market

 

6,096,076

 

£

13.4200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 15, 2008

 

Acquisition under dividend reinvestment plan

 

121,133

 

£

13.6400

 

 

 

 

None of the executive officers or directors of Woodbridge has effected any transactions in Common Shares or Ordinary Shares during the past 60 days.

 

 

 

 

(d)

Except as indicated in Item 2, no person is known to Woodbridge to have the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or proceeds from the sale of, any such Common Shares or Ordinary Shares.

 

 

 

 

(e)

Not applicable.

 

Item 6.

Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer

 

None.

 

 

Item 7.

Material to be Filed as Exhibits

 

None.

 

7



 

Signature

 

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

 

 

Dated December 16, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

THE WOODBRIDGE COMPANY LIMITED

 

 

 

By:

“David W. Binet”

 

 

 

Name: David W. Binet

 

 

 

Title:   Executive Vice-President and Secretary

 

 

8