Form 6-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the month of February 2019    Commission File Number: 1-31349

 

 

THOMSON REUTERS CORPORATION

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

 

333 Bay Street, Suite 400

Toronto, Ontario M5H 2R2, Canada

(Address of principal executive office)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F  ☐            Form 40-F  ☒

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  ☐

 

 

 


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.

 

THOMSON REUTERS CORPORATION

(Registrant)

By:   /s/ Marc E. Gold
  Name: Marc E. Gold
  Title:   Assistant Secretary

Date: February 26, 2019


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number

  

Description

99.1

   News release dated February 26, 2019 – Thomson Reuters Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results
EXHIBIT 99.1 - EARNINGS RELEASE

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

 

LOGO

 

      

Thomson Reuters Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results

TORONTO, February 26, 2019 – Thomson Reuters (TSX/NYSE: TRI) today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2018.

 

   

The company achieved its full-year 2018 Outlook and provided its future Outlook

   

The Thomson Reuters Board of Directors approved a $0.04 per share annualized increase in the dividend to $1.44 per common share. This represents the 26th consecutive year of dividend increases.

“It was encouraging to see our positive momentum continue through the fourth quarter,” said Jim Smith, president and CEO of Thomson Reuters. “With the solid close to an eventful year, we enter 2019 with a ‘new’ Thomson Reuters superbly positioned to build on the improved organic revenue growth rate we achieved in 2018. The financial services partnership with Blackstone is up and running smoothly, and our management team is now focused on accelerating the leading positions we hold in our core markets.”

Consolidated Financial Highlights—Three Months Ended December 31

On October 1, 2018, Thomson Reuters sold a 55% interest in the company’s Financial & Risk (F&R) business, now known as Refinitiv. Except as otherwise noted, all amounts are from continuing operations and exclude the results of the company’s former F&R business. Beginning October 1, 2018, the company’s IFRS earnings per share include its share of results from its 45% investment in Refinitiv, which is removed from the company’s non-IFRS calculation of adjusted EPS. Results also include new revenues in the Reuters News business from providing news and editorial content to Refinitiv since October 1, 2018. Finally, in the fourth quarter of 2018, the company began reporting in a new customer-focused structure with five customer segments. Prior-year results have been restated accordingly and can be found in the Investor Relations section of the company’s website.

 

Three Months Ended December 31,

(Millions of U.S. dollars, except for adjusted EBITDA margin and EPS)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

     2018     2017     Change     Change at
Constant
Currency
 
IFRS Financial Measures (1)          

Revenues

  $ 1,519     $ 1,414       7    

Operating profit

  $ 146     $ 254       -43    

Diluted earnings per share (EPS) (includes discontinued operations)

  $ 6.18     $ 0.81       663    

Cash flow from operations (includes discontinued operations)

  $ (10   $ 755       n/m      
   
Non-IFRS Financial Measures (1)          

Revenues

  $ 1,519     $ 1,414       7     9

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 285     $ 408       -30     -33

Adjusted EBITDA margin

    18.8     28.9     -1010bp       -1120bp  

Adjusted EPS

  $ 0.20     $ 0.22       -9     -18

Free cash flow (includes discontinued operations)

  $ (167   $ 506       n/m      
 

(1)  In addition to results reported in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the company uses certain non-IFRS financial measures as supplemental indicators of its operating performance and financial position. These and other non-IFRS financial measures are defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable IFRS measures in the tables appended to this news release.

   

Revenues increased 7% due to higher recurring revenues, which included new revenues in Reuters News from providing news and editorial content to Refinitiv since October 1, 2018.

 

  o

At constant currency, revenues increased 9%.

  o

Organic revenue growth was 3%, driven by a 5% increase in recurring revenues, which comprised 77% of total revenues. The 5% increase in recurring revenues was partially offset by a 5% decline in Global Print revenues (13% of total revenues) and a 3% decline in Transactions revenues (10% of total revenues).


 

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Thomson Reuters Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results

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Operating profit decreased 43% due to costs and investments to reposition Thomson Reuters following the separation of the F&R business from the company.

 

  o

Adjusted EBITDA decreased 30% and the margin decreased to 18.8%, reflecting the same factors.

Diluted earnings per share (EPS) was $6.18 compared to $0.81 in the prior-year period, primarily due to a $3.4 billion gain on the sale of a 55% interest in the F&R business, which was reported within discontinued operations, as well as lower shares outstanding as a result of shares repurchased with some of the F&R transaction proceeds and a related share consolidation.

 

  o

Adjusted EPS, which excludes discontinued operations among other items, was $0.20 compared to $0.22 in the prior-year period, primarily due to the same factors that affected Operating Profit, however these factors were mitigated by the impact of share repurchases and lower interest expense.

Cash flow from operations decreased primarily due to costs and investments to reposition Thomson Reuters following the separation of the F&R business from the company and the loss of three months of cash flows from the former F&R business in 2018 (compared to 2017 when the business was included for the full year).

 

  o

Free cash flow decreased for the same reasons.

Highlights by Customer Segment – Three Months Ended December 31

 

(Millions of U.S. dollars, except for adjusted EBITDA margins)

(unaudited)

 
   
     Three Months Ended                    
     December 31,     Change  
     2018     2017     Total     Foreign
Currency
    Constant
Currency
 

Revenues

       

Legal Professionals

  $ 599     $ 580       3     -1     4

Corporates

    315       301       5     -2     7

Tax Professionals

    248       239       4     -4     8

Reuters News

    155       75       107     -4     111

Global Print

    203       219       -7     -3     -4

Eliminations

    (1              
   

 

 

   

 

 

         

Revenues

  $ 1,519     $ 1,414       7     -2     9
   

 

 

   

 

 

         

Adjusted EBITDA

       

Legal Professionals

  $ 221     $ 185       19     2     17

Corporates

    87       99       -12     1     -13

Tax Professionals

    118       97       22     1     21

Reuters News

    6       (2     n/m       n/m       n/m  

Global Print

    88       94       -6     -1     -5

Corporate costs

    (235     (65     n/a       n/a       n/a  
   

 

 

   

 

 

         

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 285     $ 408       -30     3     -33
   

 

 

   

 

 

         
Adjusted EBITDA Margin        

Legal Professionals

    36.9     31.9     500bp       100bp       400bp  

Corporates

    27.6     32.9     -530bp       80bp       -610bp  

Tax Professionals

    47.6     40.6     700bp       170bp       530bp  

Reuters News

    3.9     -2.7     660bp       330bp       330bp  

Global Print

    43.3     42.9     40bp       90bp       -50bp  

Corporate costs

    n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a  

Adjusted EBITDA margin

    18.8     28.9     -1010bp       110bp       -1120bp  
   

n/a; not applicable

n/m; not meaningful

                               


 

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Thomson Reuters Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results

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Unless otherwise noted, all revenue growth comparisons by customer segment in this news release are at constant currency (or exclude the impact of foreign currency) as Thomson Reuters believes this provides the best basis to measure their performance.

Legal Professionals

Revenues increased 4% to $599 million.

 

  o

Recurring revenues grew 4% (91% of total).

  o

Transactions revenues grew 4% (9% of total).

Adjusted EBITDA increased 19% to $221 million.

 

  o

The margin increased from 31.9% to 36.9% primarily due to higher revenues and severance charges incurred in the prior-year period that did not reoccur.

Corporates

Revenues increased 7% to $315 million. The acquisition of Integration Point (a global trade management business) in the fourth quarter of 2018 contributed approximately 100 basis points to the growth rate.

 

  o

Recurring revenues grew 11% (83% of total) driven by organic revenue growth of 10% and revenues from the acquisition of Integration Point.

  o

Transactions revenues declined 10% (17% of total), due to lower revenues from Legal Managed Services and businesses in Latin America.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased 12% to $87 million.

 

  o

The margin decreased from 32.9% to 27.6% due to costs required to stand up the new Corporates segment as well as the dilutive impact of the Integration Point acquisition.

Tax Professionals

Revenues increased 8% to $248 million.

 

  o

Recurring revenues grew 9% (89% of total).

  o

Transactions revenues declined 3% (11% of total).

Adjusted EBITDA grew 22% to $118 million.

 

  o

The margin increased from 40.6% to 47.6% due to higher revenues as well as lower expenses in the Government business versus the prior-year period.

Reuters News

Revenues increased 111% to $155 million due to revenue from the 30-year agreement for Reuters News to supply news and editorial content to Refinitiv, which began in the fourth quarter of 2018. Organic revenues increased 1%.

Adjusted EBITDA was $6 million, an increase of $8 million from the prior-year period primarily due to the fact that the fourth quarter of 2017 included about $9 million of severance charges.

Global Print

Revenues decreased 4% to $203 million.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased 6% to $88 million.

 

  o

The margin increased slightly from 42.9% to 43.3%.


 

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Thomson Reuters Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results

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Corporate Costs

Corporate costs at the adjusted EBITDA level were $235 million compared to $65 million in the prior-year period. As previously disclosed, the increase was due to costs and investments to reposition Thomson Reuters following the separation with F&R. These cash investments are expected to continue in 2019.

Consolidated Financial Highlights – Year Ended December 31

 

Year Ended December 31,

(Millions of U.S. dollars, except for adjusted EBITDA margin and EPS)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

     2018     2017     Change     Change at
Constant
Currency
 
IFRS Financial Measures(1)          

Revenues

  $ 5,501     $ 5,297       4    

Operating profit

  $ 780     $ 1,034       -25    

Diluted EPS (includes discontinued operations)

  $ 5.91     $ 1.94       205    

Cash flow from operations (includes discontinued operations)

  $ 2,062     $ 2,029       2    
   
Non-IFRS Financial Measures(1)          

Revenues

  $ 5,501     $ 5,297       4     4

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 1,365     $ 1,591       -14     -15

Adjusted EBITDA margin

    24.8     30.0     -520bp       -560bp  

Adjusted EPS

  $ 0.75     $ 0.94       -20     -22

Free cash flow (includes discontinued operations)

  $ 1,107     $ 1,032       7    
 

(1)  In addition to results reported in accordance with IFRS, the company uses certain non-IFRS financial measures as supplemental indicators of its operating performance and financial position. These and other non-IFRS financial measures are defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable IFRS measures in the tables appended to this news release.

   

Revenues increased 4% due to higher recurring revenues, which included new revenues in Reuters News from providing news and editorial content to Refinitiv since October 1, 2018. Foreign currency had no impact on full-year revenue results.

 

  o

Organic revenue growth was 2.5%, driven by 5% growth in recurring revenues, which comprised 75% of total revenues.

Operating profit decreased 25% due to costs and investments to reposition Thomson Reuters following the separation of the F&R business from the company.

 

  o

Adjusted EBITDA decreased 14% and the margin decreased to 24.8%, reflecting the same factors.

Diluted EPS was $5.91 compared to $1.94 in the prior year period primarily due to a $3.4 billion gain on the sale of a 55% interest in the company’s F&R business, which was reported within discontinued operations.

 

  o

Adjusted EPS, which excludes discontinued operations among other items, was $0.75, compared to $0.94, primarily due to the same factors that affected operating profit.

Cash flow from operations increased 2% despite the loss of three months of cash flows from the company’s former F&R business in 2018, compared to 2017, when the business was included for the full year. This reflected that the prior year included a $500 million pension plan contribution.

 

  o

Free cash flow increased 7% reflecting the same factors.


 

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Thomson Reuters Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results

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Highlights by Customer Segment – Year Ended December 31

 

(Millions of U.S. dollars, except for adjusted EBITDA margins)

(unaudited)

 
     Twelve Months Ended                    

 

  December 31,     Change  
     2018     2017     Total     Foreign
Currency
    Constant
Currency
 
Revenues        

Legal Professionals

  $ 2,373     $ 2,284       4     0     4

Corporates

    1,238       1,186       4     -1     5

Tax Professionals

    794       767       4     -2     6

Reuters News

    370       296       25     1     24

Global Print

    728       764       -5     -2     -3

Eliminations

    (2     —            

Revenues

  $ 5,501     $ 5,297       4     0     4
   

 

 

   

 

 

         
Adjusted EBITDA        

Legal Professionals

  $ 816     $ 794       3     1     2

Corporates

    395       411       -4     0     -4

Tax Professionals

    273       252       8     -1     9

Reuters News

    27       27       0     19     -19

Global Print

    320       335       -4     0     -4

Corporate costs

    (466     (228     n/a       n/a       n/a  

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 1,365     $ 1,591       -14     1     -15
   

 

 

   

 

 

         
Adjusted EBITDA Margin        

Legal Professionals

    34.4     34.8     -40bp       20bp       -60bp  

Corporates

    31.9     34.7     -280bp       40bp       -320bp  

Tax Professionals

    34.4     32.9     150bp       60bp       90bp  

Reuters News

    7.3     9.1     -180bp       130bp       -310bp  

Global Print

    44.0     43.8     20bp       50bp       -30bp  

Corporate costs

    n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a  

Adjusted EBITDA margin

    24.8     30.0     -520bp       40bp       -560bp  
   

n/a: not applicable

                               


 

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Thomson Reuters Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results

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Business Outlook for 2019 and 2020 (At Constant Currency)

Thomson Reuters today provided its Outlook for 2019 and 2020. The company’s Outlook for 2019 and 2020 assumes constant currency rates compared to 2018 and does not factor in the impact of acquisitions or divestitures that may occur.

 

     2018
Actual
  2019 Outlook
Before Currency
  2020 Outlook
Before Currency

Revenue Growth

   4%(1)   7% – 8.5%(2)   3.5% – 4.5%

Adjusted EBITDA

   $1.4 billion

($1.3 billion before currency)

  $1.4 – $1.5 billion(3)   30.0% – 31.0%(3)

Corporate Costs

   $499 million   ~$570 million   $140 – $190 million

Free Cash Flow

   $1.1 billion   $0 – $300 million   $1.0 – $1.2 billion

Capital Expenditures – % of Revenue

   ~10%   ~9%   7.5% – 8.0%

Depreciation & Amortization of Computer Software

   $510 million   $600 – $625 million(3)   TBD

Interest Expense (P&L)

   $260 million   $150 – $175 million   TBD

Effective Tax Rate on Adjusted Earnings

   15%   16% – 19%   ~20%

 

  (1)

2018 organic revenue growth was 2.5%.

  (2)

2019 organic revenue growth is expected to be 3% – 3.5%.

  (3)

The impact of the new lease accounting standard (IFRS 16) is expected to increase both adjusted EBITDA and depreciation and amortization of computer software by an estimated $40 million in 2019 and $50 million in 2020 and is reflected in this Outlook. IFRS 16 has no impact on free cash flow.

Some of the forward-looking financial measures in the Outlook above are provided on a non-IFRS basis. See the section below entitled “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” for more information. The information in this section is forward-looking and should also be read in conjunction with the section below entitled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements, Material Risks and Material Assumptions.”


 

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Thomson Reuters Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results

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Dividend and Share Repurchases

The Thomson Reuters Board of Directors approved a $0.04 per share annualized increase in the dividend to $1.44 per common share. A quarterly dividend of $0.36 per share is payable on March 20, 2019 to common shareholders of record as of March 8, 2019.

Today, the company also announced that it plans to repurchase up to an additional $250 million of its shares under its normal course issuer bid.

Financial & Risk Transaction Proceeds Update

On October 1, 2018, Thomson Reuters sold a 55% interest in its F&R business to private equity funds managed by Blackstone for approximately $17 billion in gross cash proceeds and retained a 45% interest in the business, which is now known as Refinitiv.

The company returned $10 billion of the F&R transaction proceeds to its shareholders as follows:

 

    

Amount

Substantial issuer bid/tender offer

  

$6.5 billion

Return of capital transaction

  

$2.3 billion

Share repurchases under normal course issuer bid

  

$1.2 billion

In October 2018, Thomson Reuters used approximately $4 billion of the proceeds to repay debt, enabling it to remain substantially below its target leverage ratio (net debt/adjusted EBITDA) of 2.5:1.

As previously disclosed, the company intends to utilize $2 billion of the proceeds to fund strategic, targeted acquisitions to bolster its positions in key growth segments of its Legal Professionals, Tax Professionals and Corporates businesses. In November 2018, the company acquired Integration Point, an international leader in global trade management operations.

The company is using approximately $1 billion of the proceeds for cash taxes, pension contributions, bond redemption costs, and other fees and expenses related to the transaction. This amount includes approximately $600 million to eliminate stranded costs as well as investments to reposition the company following the separation of the businesses. Approximately $270 million of this amount was incurred in 2018, with the balance expected to be incurred in 2019.

Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters (TSX/NYSE: TRI) is the world’s leading provider of news and information-based tools to professionals. Our worldwide network of journalists and specialist editors keep customers up to speed on global developments, with a particular focus on legal, regulatory and tax changes. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges. For more information on Thomson Reuters, visit tr.com and for the latest world news, reuters.com.

NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES

Thomson Reuters prepares its financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

This news release includes certain non-IFRS financial measures, such as adjusted EBITDA and the related margin (other than at the business segment level), free cash flow, adjusted EPS, and selected measures excluding the impact of foreign currency. Thomson Reuters uses these non-IFRS financial measures as supplemental indicators of its operating performance and financial position. These measures do not have any standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS and therefore are unlikely to be comparable to the calculation of similar measures used by other companies, and should not be viewed as alternatives to measures of financial performance calculated in accordance with IFRS. Non-IFRS financial measures are defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable IFRS measures in the appended tables. The term “organic” refers to Thomson Reuters’ existing businesses before the impact of acquisitions, dispositions, and IFRS 15. For purposes of the organic revenue calculation, the


 

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Thomson Reuters Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results

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company’s 30-year news agreement with Refinitiv that was signed on October 1, 2018 is treated as an acquisition until October 1, 2019.

The company’s business outlook contains various non-IFRS financial measures. The company believes that providing reconciliations of forward-looking non-IFRS financial measures in its business outlook would be potentially misleading and not practical due to the difficulty of projecting items that are not reflective of ongoing operations in any future period. The magnitude of these items may be significant. Consequently, for outlook purposes only, the company is unable to reconcile these non-IFRS measures to the most comparable IFRS measures because it cannot predict, with reasonable certainty, the 2019 or 2020 impact of changes in foreign exchange rates which impact (i) the translation of its results reported at average foreign currency rates for the year, and (ii) other finance income or expense related to intercompany financing arrangements. Additionally, the company cannot reasonably predict the occurrence or amount of other operating gains and losses, which generally arise from business transactions that it does not currently anticipate.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, MATERIAL RISKS AND MATERIAL ASSUMPTIONS

Certain statements in this news release, including, but not limited to, statements in the “Business Outlook for 2019 and 2020 (At Constant Currency)” section, Mr. Smith’s comments and the company’s anticipated uses of the remaining proceeds from the F&R transaction, are forward-looking. While the company believes that it has a reasonable basis for making forward-looking statements in this news release, they are not a guarantee of future performance or outcomes and there is no assurance that the events described in any forward-looking statement will materialize. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Many of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions are beyond our company’s control and the effects of them can be difficult to predict.

Some of the material risk factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, changes in the general economy; actions of competitors; failure to develop new products, services, applications and functionalities to meet customers’ needs, attract new customers and retain existing ones, or expand into new geographic markets and identify areas of higher growth; fraudulent or unpermitted data access or other cyber-security or privacy breaches; failures or disruptions of telecommunications, data centers, network systems or the Internet; increased accessibility to free or relatively inexpensive information sources; failure to meet the challenges involved in operating globally; failure to maintain a high renewal rate for recurring, subscription-based services; dependency on third parties for data, information and other services; changes to law and regulations; tax matters, including changes to tax laws, regulations and treaties; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and interest rates; failure to adapt to organizational changes and effectively implement strategic initiatives; failure to attract, motivate and retain high quality management and key employees; failure to protect the brands and reputation of Thomson Reuters; inadequate protection of intellectual property rights; threat of legal actions and claims; downgrading of credit ratings and adverse conditions in the credit markets; failure to derive fully the anticipated benefits from the sale of the former F&R business and the Refinitiv strategic partnership with Blackstone; failure to efficiently complete the separation of Refinitiv from Thomson Reuters; failure to derive fully the anticipated benefits from existing or future acquisitions, joint ventures, investments or dispositions; the effect of factors outside of the control of Thomson Reuters on funding obligations in respect of pension and post-retirement benefit arrangements, risk of antitrust/competition-related claims or investigations; impairment of goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets; and actions or potential actions that could be taken by the company’s principal shareholder, The Woodbridge Company Limited. These and other factors are discussed in materials that Thomson Reuters from time to time files with, or furnishes to, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Thomson Reuters annual and quarterly reports are also available in the “Investor Relations” section of www.thomsonreuters.com.

The company’s 2019 and 2020 business outlook is based on information currently available to the company and is based on various external and internal assumptions made by the company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the company believes are appropriate under the circumstances. Economic and market assumptions include, but are not limited to, GDP growth in the United States (approximately 80% of the company’s 2018 revenues) and secondarily, in other countries where Thomson Reuters operates; a continued increase in the demand and need for high quality information and tools that help automate or manage workflow solutions and drive productivity and efficiency; a continued need for trusted products and services that help customers navigate evolving and complex legal, tax, accounting, regulatory, geopolitical and commercial changes, developments and environments; and a continued increase in customers seeking software-as-a-service or other cloud-based offerings. Internal financial and operational assumptions include, but are not limited to, continued growth in the company’s recurring revenue base which offsets anticipated declines in its global print business; acquiring new customers by enhancing the company’s digital platforms and propositions and through other sales initiatives; improving customer retention through commercial simplification efforts and customer service improvements; the company’s ability to continue to combine information, technology and human


 

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expertise in offerings that meet evolving customer demands and needs; the company’s ability to reduce stranded costs related to the F&R transaction and the separation of the two businesses to less than $50 million in 2020; and the successful execution of a number of efficiency initiatives that are expected to generate cost savings, such as reducing headcount, office locations and the number of products offered by the company and the leveraging of fewer, shared technology platforms.

Our company has provided a business outlook for the purpose of presenting information about current expectations for 2019 and 2020. This information may not be appropriate for other purposes. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements which reflect expectations only as of the date of this news release. Except as may be required by applicable law, Thomson Reuters disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

CONTACTS

 

MEDIA

David Crundwell

Head of Communications

+1 416 649 9904

david.crundwell@tr.com

  

INVESTORS

Frank J. Golden

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations

+1 646 223 5288

frank.golden@tr.com

Thomson Reuters will webcast a discussion of its fourth-quarter and full-year 2018 results and business outlook for 2019 and 2020 today beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). You can access the webcast by visiting ir.thomsonreuters.com. An archive of the webcast will be available following the presentation.


 

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Thomson Reuters Corporation

Consolidated Income Statement

(millions of U.S. dollars, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     Twelve Months Ended  
     December 31,     December 31,  
     2018     2017     2018     2017  

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

        

Revenues

   $ 1,519     $ 1,414     $ 5,501     $ 5,297  

Operating expenses

     (1,230     (1,008     (4,131     (3,706

Depreciation

     (27     (28     (110     (113

Amortization of computer software

     (106     (92     (400     (357

Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets

     (26     (32     (109     (135

Other operating gains, net

     16             29       48  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

     146       254       780       1,034  

Finance costs, net:

        

Net interest expense

     (19     (87     (260     (357

Other finance income (costs)

     3       (25     13       (170
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before tax and equity method investments

     130       142       533       507  

Share of post-tax losses in equity method investments

     (217     —         (212     (4

Tax benefit (expense)

     11       160       (141     134  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(Loss) earnings from continuing operations

     (76     302       180       637  

Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax

     3,478       289       3,859       822  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

   $ 3,402     $ 591     $ 4,039     $ 1,459  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings attributable to:

        

Common shareholders

     3,402       576       3,949       1,395  

Non-controlling interests

     —         15       90       64  

Earnings per share:

        

Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share:

        

From continuing operations

   $ (0.14   $ 0.42     $ 0.27     $ 0.88  

From discontinued operations

     6.32       0.39       5.64       1.06  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share

   $ 6.18     $ 0.81     $ 5.91     $ 1.94  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic weighted-average common shares

     550,091,316       711,543,112       667,586,385       718,769,705  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted weighted-average common shares

     550,091,316       713,001,123       668,210,717       720,193,505  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


 

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Thomson Reuters Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results

Page 11 of 17

 

Thomson Reuters Corporation

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

(millions of U.S. dollars)

(unaudited)

 

     December 31,     December 31,  
   2018     2017  

Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,706     $ 874  

Trade and other receivables

     1,313       1,457  

Other financial assets

     76       98  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     434       548  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current assets

     4,529       2,977  

Computer hardware and other property, net

     473       921  

Computer software, net

     908       1,458  

Other identifiable intangible assets, net

     3,324       5,315  

Goodwill

     5,076       15,042  

Equity method investments

     2,207       167  

Other financial assets

     53       83  

Other non-current assets

     446       438  

Deferred tax

     31       79  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 17,047     $ 26,480  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and equity

    

Liabilities

    

Current indebtedness

   $ 3     $ 1,644  

Payables, accruals and provisions

     1,569       2,086  

Deferred revenue

     795       937  

Other financial liabilities

     95       129  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current liabilities

     2,462       4,796  

Long-term indebtedness

     3,213       5,382  

Provisions and other non-current liabilities

     1,268       1,740  

Other financial liabilities

     79       279  

Deferred tax

     799       708  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     7,821       12,905  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity

    

Capital

     5,348       9,549  

Retained earnings

     4,755       7,201  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (877     (3,673
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     9,226       13,077  

Non-controlling interests

     —         498  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     9,226       13,575  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 17,047     $ 26,480  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 


 

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Thomson Reuters Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results

Page 12 of 17

 

Thomson Reuters Corporation

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow

(millions of U.S. dollars)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
    Twelve Months
Ended

December 31,
 
     2018     2017     2018     2017  

Cash provided by (used in):

        

Operating activities

        

(Loss) earnings from continuing operations

   $ (76   $ 302     $ 180     $ 637  

Adjustments for:

        

Depreciation

     27       28       110       113  

Amortization of computer software

     106       92       400       357  

Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets

     26       32       109       135  

Net gains on disposals of businesses and investments

     —         (1     —         (36

Deferred tax

     (224     (180     (167     (286

Other

     276       87       394       361  

Pension contribution

     —         —         —         (500

Changes in working capital and other items

     (71     (123     (134     (151
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating cash flows from continuing operations

     64       237       892       630  

Operating cash flows from discontinued operations

     (74     518       1,170       1,399  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     (10     755       2,062       2,029  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing activities

        

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

     (418     (1     (478     (2

Proceeds from disposals of businesses and investments

     —         —         6       50  

Capital expenditures

     (156     (127     (576     (519

Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment

     —         —         27       —    

Other investing activities

     (1     2       18       18  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing cash flows from continuing operations

     (575     (126     (1,003     (453

Investing cash flows from discontinued operations

     16,088       (108     15,732       (594
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     15,513       (234     14,729       (1,047
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing activities

        

Proceeds from debt

     —         —         1,370       —    

Repayments of debt

     (2,349     (1,012     (3,719     (2,112

Payments for substantial issuer bid/tender offer on common shares

     (6,485     —         (6,485     —    

Payments of return of capital on common shares

     (2,303     —         (2,303     —    

Net (repayments) borrowings under short-term loan facilities

     (1,739     936       (1,661     1,641  

Repurchases of common shares

     (686     (192     (1,174     (1,000

Dividends paid on preference shares

     (1     —         (3     (2

Dividends paid on common shares

     (193     (236     (900     (956

Other financing activities

     (11     (25     (1     5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing cash flows from continuing operations

     (13,767     (529     (14,876     (2,424

Financing cash flows from discontinued operations

     —         (16     (60     (66
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (13,767     (545     (14,936     (2,490
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and bank overdrafts

     1,736       (24     1,855       (1,508

Translation adjustments

     1       —         (20     9  

Cash and bank overdrafts at beginning of period

     966       892       868       2,367  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and bank overdrafts at end of period

   $ 2,703     $ 868     $ 2,703     $ 868  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and bank overdrafts at end of period comprised of:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,706     $ 874     $ 2,706     $ 874  

Bank overdrafts

     (3     (6     (3     (6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 2,703     $ 868     $ 2,703     $ 868  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


 

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Thomson Reuters Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results

Page 13 of 17

 

Thomson Reuters Corporation

Reconciliation of (Loss) Earnings from Continuing Operations to Adjusted EBITDA (1)

(millions of U.S. dollars, except for margins)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
    Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2018     2017     Change     2018     2017     Change  

(Loss) earnings from continuing operations

   $ (76   $ 302       n/m     $ 180     $ 637       -72

Adjustments to remove:

            

Tax (benefit) expense

     (11     (160       141       (134  

Other finance (income) costs

     (3     25         (13     170    

Net interest expense

     19       87         260       357    

Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets

     26       32         109       135    

Amortization of computer software

     106       92         400       357    

Depreciation

     27       28         110       113    
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

EBITDA

   $ 88     $ 406       $ 1,187     $ 1,635    

Adjustments to remove:

            

Share of post-tax losses in equity method investments

     217       —           212       4    

Other operating gains, net

     (16     —           (29     (48  

Fair value adjustments

     (4     2         (5     —      
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 285     $ 408       -30   $ 1,365     $ 1,591       -14
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA margin(1)

     18.8     28.9     -1010bp       24.8     30.0     -520bp  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

n/m – not meaningful

Thomson Reuters Corporation

Reconciliation of Net Earnings to Adjusted Earnings(2)

(millions of U.S. dollars, except for share and per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
    Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2018     2017     Change     2018     2017     Change  

Net earnings

   $ 3,402     $ 591       476   $ 4,039     $ 1,459       177

Adjustments to remove:

            

Fair value adjustments

     (4     2         (5     —      

Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets

     26       32         109       135    

Other operating gains, net

     (16     —           (29     (48  

Other finance (income) costs

     (3     25         (13     170    

Share of post-tax losses in equity method investments

     217       —           212       4    

Tax on above items

     (56     (5       (74     (17  

Tax items impacting comparability

     26       (205       126       (204  

Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (3,478     (289       (3,859     (822  

Interim period effective tax rate normalization(3)

     —         8         —         —      

Dividends declared on preference shares

     (1     —           (3     (2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted earnings

   $ 113     $ 159       -29   $ 503     $ 675       -25
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EPS

   $ 0.20     $ 0.22       -9   $ 0.75     $ 0.94       -20
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Foreign currency(4)

         9         2

Constant currency(4)

         -18         -22

Diluted weighted-average common shares (millions)

     551.3       713.0         668.2       720.2    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Refer to page 15 for footnotes.


 

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Thomson Reuters Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results

Page 14 of 17

 

Thomson Reuters Corporation

Reconciliation of Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow(5)

(millions of U.S. dollars)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
    Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
     2018     2017     2018     2017  

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

   $ (10   $ 755     $ 2,062     $ 2,029  

Capital expenditures

     (156     (127     (576     (519

Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment

     —         —         27       —    

Other investing activities

     (1     2       18       18  

Other investing activities from discontinued operations

     1       (108     (361     (428

Financing activities from discontinued operations

     —         (16     (60     (66

Dividends paid on preference shares

     (1     —         (3     (2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Free cash flow

   $ (167   $ 506     $ 1,107     $ 1,032  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 


 

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Thomson Reuters Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results

Page 15 of 17

 

Footnotes

(1)

Thomson Reuters defines adjusted EBITDA for its business segments as earnings or losses from continuing operations before tax expense or benefit, net interest expense, other finance costs or income, depreciation, amortization of software and other identifiable intangible assets, Thomson Reuters share of post-tax earnings or losses in equity method investments, other operating gains and losses, certain asset impairment charges, fair value adjustments and corporate related items. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA is comprised of adjusted EBITDA for its business segments and corporate costs. Adjusted EBITDA margin is adjusted EBITDA expressed as a percentage of revenues. Thomson Reuters uses adjusted EBITDA because it provides a consistent basis to evaluate operating profitability and performance trends by excluding items that the company does not consider to be controllable activities for this purpose. Adjusted EBITDA also represents a measure commonly reported and widely used by investors as a valuation metric. Additionally, this measure is used by Thomson Reuters and investors to assess a company’s ability to incur and service debt.

(2)

Adjusted earnings and adjusted EPS include dividends declared on preference shares but exclude the post-tax impacts of fair value adjustments, amortization of other identifiable intangible assets, other operating gains and losses, certain asset impairment charges, other finance costs or income, Thomson Reuters share of post-tax earnings or losses in equity method investments, discontinued operations and other items affecting comparability. Thomson Reuters calculates the post-tax amount of each item excluded from adjusted earnings based on the specific tax rules and tax rates associated with the nature and jurisdiction of each item. Adjusted EPS is calculated using diluted weighted-average shares and does not represent actual earnings or loss per share attributable to shareholders. Thomson Reuters uses adjusted earnings and adjusted EPS as they provide a more comparable basis to analyze earnings and they are also measures commonly used by shareholders to measure the company’s performance.

 

  

Because Thomson Reuters reported a net loss for continuing operations under IFRS for the three months ended December 31, 2018, the weighted-average number of common shares used for basic and diluted loss per share is the same for all per-share calculations in the period, as the effect of stock options and other equity incentive awards would reduce the loss per share, and therefore be anti-dilutive. Since the company’s non-IFRS measure “adjusted earnings” is a profit, potential common shares are included, as they lower adjusted EPS and are therefore dilutive.

 

  

The following table reconciles IFRS and non-IFRS common share information:

 

(weighted-average common shares)    Three Months Ended
December 31, 2018
      

IFRS: Basic and Diluted

     550,091,316     

Effect of stock options and other equity incentive awards

     1,217,214     
  

 

 

    

Non-IFRS Diluted

     551,308,530     
  

 

 

    

 

(3)

Adjustment to reflect income taxes based on estimated full-year effective tax rate. Earnings or losses for interim periods under IFRS reflect income taxes based on the estimated effective tax rates of each of the jurisdictions in which Thomson Reuters operates. The non-IFRS adjustment reallocates estimated full-year income taxes between interim periods, but has no effect on full-year income taxes.

(4)

The changes in revenues, adjusted EBITDA and the related margins, and adjusted earnings per share before currency (at constant currency or excluding the effects of currency) are determined by converting the current and prior-year period’s local currency equivalent using the same exchange rates.

(5)

Free cash flow (includes free cash flow from continuing and discontinued operations) is net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, proceeds from disposals of property and equipment, and other investing activities less capital expenditures, dividends paid on the company’s preference shares, and dividends paid to non-controlling interests from discontinued operations. Thomson Reuters uses free cash flow as it helps assess the company’s ability, over the long term, to create value for its shareholders as it represents cash available to repay debt, pay common dividends and fund share repurchases and new acquisitions.


 

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Thomson Reuters Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results

Page 16 of 17

 

APPENDIX – INFORMATION ABOUT REFINITIV

As of October 1, 2018, Thomson Reuters owns a 45% interest in Refinitiv, which was formerly its wholly owned F&R business. 55% of Refinitiv is owned by private equity funds managed by Blackstone. Beginning with the fourth quarter of 2018, Thomson Reuters’ IFRS results include the company’s 45% share of Refinitiv’s results reported in a single line item on the company’s income statement titled “Share of post-tax losses in equity method investments.” Thomson Reuters’ non-IFRS measures, including adjusted earnings, exclude its share of post-tax results in Refinitiv and other equity method investments.

Because Refinitiv has only been in existence since October 1, 2018, there are no financial statements for the business for the full year ended December 31, 2018.

The table below sets forth selected financial information for 100% of Refinitiv for the fourth quarter of 2018, on both an IFRS and non-IFRS basis, as well as a reconciliation between the two bases, as provided to Thomson Reuters from Refinitiv for inclusion in this news release. The information for the fourth quarter of 2017 that was previously reported for the F&R business by Thomson Reuters is not fully comparable to Refinitiv’s current basis of presentation, as Refinitiv must apply accounting rules related to the purchase of the business and because Refinitiv defines its non-IFRS measures differently than Thomson Reuters. To provide a reasonable basis to assess revenue trends for the business, Thomson Reuters has noted the 2017 revenues, as previously reported by the company on a discontinued operations basis prior to the change in ownership, and provided a supplemental change before currency and purchase accounting adjustments.

The following information, which has been provided by Refinitiv, is unaudited and

is reflected in millions of U.S. dollars, except for adjusted EBITDA margin

 

     Q4  
     Refinitiv
Actuals
2018
    As
Reported
by
Thomson
Reuters

2017
     Change     Change
before
currency

& purchase
accounting
adjustments
 

IFRS Measures

         
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Revenues

   $ 1,550     $ 1,532        1     3
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Net loss

   $ (477       

Cash flow from operations

   $ 299         

Capital expenditures

   $ 70         

Debt at 12/31/2018

   $ 12,989         

Preferred equity at 12/31/2018

   $ 963         

Non-IFRS Measures

         

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 486         

Adjusted EBITDA

margin

     31.4       

Free cash flow

   $ 210         


 

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Thomson Reuters Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2018 Results

Page 17 of 17

 

The following reconciliation of IFRS measures to non-IFRS measures was provided by Refinitiv. The definitions of non-IFRS measures used by Refinitiv are not the same as those of Thomson Reuters.

Refinitiv

Reconciliation of Net Loss to Adjusted EBITDA

(millions of U.S. dollars, except for margins)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,
2018
 

Net loss

   $ (477

Adjustments to remove:

  

Tax benefit

     (58

Finance costs

     201  

Depreciation and amortization

     472  
  

 

 

 

EBITDA

   $ 138  

Adjustments to remove:

  

Other operating losses

     23  

Fair value adjustments

     (7

Transformation- related costs

     332  
  

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 486  
  

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA margin

     31.4
  

 

 

 

Refinitiv

Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow

(millions of U.S. dollars)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31,

2018
 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 299  

Capital expenditures

     (70

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

     (19
  

 

 

 

Free cash flow

   $ 210