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 April 2023

Commission File Number: 1-31349

 

 

THOMSON REUTERS CORPORATION

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

 

333 Bay Street, Suite 300

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):  ☐

The information contained in Exhibit 99.1 of this Form 6-K is incorporated by reference into, or as an additional exhibit to, as applicable, the registrant’s outstanding registration statements.

 

 

 


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/ Jennifer Ruddick

      Name: Jennifer Ruddick
      Title: Assistant Secretary
Date: April 10, 2023      


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit Number

  

Description

99.1    Material Change Report dated April 10, 2023
EX-99.1 MATERIAL CHANGE REPORT

Exhibit 99.1

FORM 51-102F3

Material Change Report

 

Item 1

Name and Address of Company

Thomson Reuters Corporation (“Thomson Reuters”)

333 Bay Street

Suite 400

Toronto, Ontario

M5H 2R2

 

Item 2

Date of Material Change

April 4, 2023

 

Item 3

News Release

A news release was disseminated and filed on April 4, 2023

 

Item 4

Summary of Material Change

On April 4, 2023, Thomson Reuters announced a proposed return of capital transaction consisting of a cash distribution of US$4.67 per common share and a share consolidation, or “reverse stock split”, which will reduce the number of outstanding common shares on a basis that is proportional to the cash distribution (the “Return of Capital Transaction”). The share consolidation ratio will be based on the volume weighed average trading price of the common shares on the New York Stock Exchange for the five trading days immediately prior to the effective date of the Return of Capital Transaction.

Taxable non-Canadian resident shareholders (which include taxable U.S. resident shareholders and others) will be able to opt out of the Return of Capital Transaction. A taxable non-Canadian resident shareholder that chooses to opt out will not receive the cash distribution and will continue to hold the same number of Thomson Reuters shares that they currently hold.

 

Item 5

Full Description of Material Change

5.1 - Full Description of Material Change

Please see the news release attached as Schedule “A” for a full description of the material change, which is hereby incorporated by reference to this material change report. A copy of the management proxy circular, letter of transmittal, election and certification form, and form of proxy related to the Return of Capital Transaction are expected to be mailed to shareholders, filed with SEDAR and furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR on or about April 26, 2023.

 

- 1 -


On April 4, 2023, Thomson Reuters announced the Return of Capital Transaction, consisting of a cash distribution of US$4.67 per common share and a share consolidation, or “reverse stock split”, which will reduce the number of outstanding common shares on a basis that is proportional to the cash distribution. The share consolidation ratio will be based on the volume weighed average trading price of the common shares on the New York Stock Exchange for the five trading days immediately prior to the effective date of the Return of Capital Transaction.

 

LOGO

The proposed Return of Capital Transaction is intended to distribute cash on a basis that is generally expected to be tax-free for Canadian tax purposes. Taxable non-Canadian resident shareholders (which include taxable U.S. resident shareholders and others) will be able to opt out of the Return of Capital Transaction. This right to opt out is being provided to those shareholders because in jurisdictions other than Canada the tax consequences of not participating in the Return of Capital Transaction may be preferable to those associated with participating in the Return of Capital Transaction. A taxable non-Canadian resident shareholder that chooses to opt out will not receive the cash distribution and will continue to hold the same number of Thomson Reuters shares that they currently hold.

Shareholders will be asked to consider and, if deemed advisable, approve the Return of Capital Transaction at Thomson Reuters’ upcoming annual and special meeting to be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The Return of Capital Transaction requires approval by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at the shareholder meeting. The board of directors of Thomson Reuters is unanimously recommending that shareholders vote in favor. The company’s principal shareholder, The Woodbridge Company Limited and its affiliates, has indicated that it plans to do

 

- 2 -


so and, accordingly, it is expected that the shareholder vote will pass. The Return of Capital Transaction also requires the approval of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List). If shareholder and court approval are obtained, Thomson Reuters expects to close the proposed Return of Capital Transaction by the end of June.

5.2 - Disclosure for Restructuring Transactions

Not applicable.

 

Item 6

Reliance on subsection 7.1(2) of National Instrument 51-102

Not applicable.

 

Item 7

Omitted Information

No significant facts remain confidential in, and no information has been omitted from, this material change report.

 

Item 8

Executive Officer

For further information, please contact Thomas Kim, Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary, at +1 (647) 480-7000.

 

Item 9

Date of Report

April 10, 2023

 

- 3 -


Schedule “A”

 

 

- 4 -


LOGO

 

 

 

Thomson Reuters Launches Return of US$2.2 Billion to Shareholders

US$2.2 billion return of capital and share consolidation expected to be completed in June

TORONTO, April 4, 2023 – Thomson Reuters (TSX/NYSE: TRI) today finalized its planned uses of its approximate US$2.3 billion of gross proceeds related to dispositions of shares in London Stock Exchange Group plc (LSEG) co-owned by the company and certain investment funds affiliated with Blackstone completed thus far in 2023.

As previously disclosed in February 2023, the company plans to use the gross proceeds related to the LSEG transactions to provide returns to shareholders. In connection therewith, approximately US$2.2 billion will be returned to shareholders through a return of capital transaction consisting of a cash distribution of US$4.67 per common share and a share consolidation, or “reverse stock split”, which will reduce the number of outstanding common shares on a basis that is proportional to the cash distribution.

Any funds retained by the company from the above noted proceeds and as a result of eligible opt-out shareholders opting out of the return of capital transaction will be retained to pursue organic and inorganic opportunities in key growth segments, as well as other general corporate purposes.

Shareholders will be asked to approve the distribution of US$4.67 in cash per common share, or approximately US$2.2 billion in the aggregate, to holders of common shares and a consolidation of outstanding common shares (or “reverse stock split”) on a basis that is proportional to the cash distribution at Thomson Reuters’ upcoming annual and special meeting of shareholders to be held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. EDT. To that end, the share consolidation ratio will be based on the volume weighed average trading price of the common shares on the New York Stock Exchange for the five trading days immediately prior to the return of capital becoming effective.

Return of Capital Transaction - Using Illustrative Share Consolidation Ratio

 

LOGO


LOGO

 

 

 

The proposed transaction is intended to distribute cash on a basis that is generally expected to be tax-free for Canadian tax purposes. Taxable non-Canadian resident shareholders (which include taxable U.S. resident shareholders and others) will be able to opt out of the transaction. This right to opt out is being provided to those shareholders because in jurisdictions other than Canada the tax consequences of not participating in the transaction may be preferable to those associated with participating in the transaction. A taxable non-Canadian resident shareholder that chooses to opt out will not receive the cash distribution and will continue to hold the same number of Thomson Reuters shares that they currently hold. Taxable non-Canadian resident shareholders are strongly urged to read the management proxy circular and other related materials carefully and to consult with their financial, tax and legal advisors prior to making any decision with respect to the transaction.

The proposed transaction requires approval by at least two-thirds of the votes cast at the shareholder meeting. The board of directors of the company is unanimously recommending that shareholders vote in favor. Woodbridge has indicated that it plans to do so and, accordingly, it is expected that the shareholder vote will pass. The transaction also requires the approval of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List). If shareholder and court approval are obtained, Thomson Reuters expects to effect the proposed transaction by the end of June.

Full details of the proposed transaction will be described in the company’s management proxy circular and other related materials. Those documents are expected to be mailed to shareholders, filed with applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities and made available without charge on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and made available without charge on EDGAR at www.sec.gov, and posted on the company’s website at www.thomsonreuters.com, on or about April 26, 2023.

About Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters is a leading provider of business information services. Our products include highly specialized information-enabled software and tools for legal, tax, accounting and compliance professionals combined with the world’s most global news service – Reuters. For more information on Thomson Reuters, visit tr.com and for the latest world news, reuters.com.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking, including statements relating to the timing for the approval and implementation of the return of capital transaction; the anticipated tax treatment for shareholders participating in the transaction and those opting out; and the expected use of proceeds of the dispositions of LSEG shares; These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and reflect our company’s current expectations. As a result, 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, including other factors 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. There is no assurance that the return of capital/share consolidation transaction will be completed or that other events described in any forward-looking statement will materialize. Except as may be required by applicable law, Thomson Reuters disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.


LOGO

 

 

 

CONTACTS

 

MEDIA    INVESTORS

Andrew Green

Senior Director, Corporate Affairs

  

Gary E. Bisbee, CFA

Head of Investor Relations

+1 332 219 1511

andrew.green@tr.com

  

+1 646 540 3249

gary.bisbee@tr.com