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 November 2023 | Commission File Number: 1-31349 |
THOMSON REUTERS CORPORATION
(Translation of registrants name into English)
19 Duncan Street, Toronto,
Ontario M5H 3H1, 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 ☒
The information contained in Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2 of this Form 6-K is incorporated by reference into, or as additional exhibits to, as applicable, the registrants outstanding registration statements.
Thomson Reuters Corporation is voluntarily furnishing certifications by its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as Exhibits 99.3-99.6 of this Form 6-K.
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: | Deputy Company Secretary |
Date: November 2, 2023
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number |
Description | |
99.1 | Managements Discussion and Analysis | |
99.2 | Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements | |
99.3 | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
99.4 | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
99.5 | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | |
99.6 | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
Exhibit 99.1
Managements Discussion and Analysis
This managements discussion and analysis is designed to provide you with a narrative explanation through the eyes of our management of how we performed, as well as information about our financial condition and future prospects. As this managements discussion and analysis is intended to supplement and complement our financial statements, we recommend that you read this in conjunction with our consolidated interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, our 2022 annual consolidated financial statements and our 2022 annual managements discussion and analysis. This managements discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our 2023 outlook, and our expectations related to general economic conditions and market trends and their anticipated effects on our business segments. For additional information related to forward-looking statements, material assumptions and material risks associated with them, please see the Outlook, and Additional InformationCautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results sections of this managements discussion and analysis. This managements discussion and analysis is dated as of October 31, 2023.
We have organized our managements discussion and analysis in the following key sections:
| Executive Summary an overview of our business and key financial highlights | 3 | ||||
| Results of Operations a comparison of our current and prior-year period results | 4 | ||||
| Investment in LSEG a discussion of our current ownership interest in LSEG | 12 | ||||
| Liquidity and Capital Resources a discussion of our cash flow and debt | 13 | ||||
| Outlook our financial outlook, including material assumptions and material risks | 19 | ||||
| Related Party Transactions a discussion of transactions with our principal and controlling shareholder, The Woodbridge Company Limited and other related parties | 21 | ||||
| Subsequent Events a discussion of material events occurring after September 30, 2023 and through the date of this managements discussion and analysis | 22 | ||||
| Changes in Accounting Policies a discussion of changes in our accounting policies | 22 | ||||
| Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments a discussion of critical estimates and judgments made by our management in applying accounting policies | 22 | ||||
| Additional Information other required disclosures | 22 | ||||
| Appendix supplemental information | 24 |
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this discussion to we, our, us, the Company and Thomson Reuters are to Thomson Reuters Corporation and our subsidiaries.
Basis of presentation
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in U.S. dollars and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
Other than EPS, we report our results in millions of U.S. dollars, but we compute percentage changes and margins using whole dollars to be more precise. As a result, percentages and margins calculated from reported amounts may differ from those presented, and growth components may not total due to rounding.
Use of non-IFRS financial measures
In this managements discussion and analysis, we discuss our results on an IFRS and non-IFRS basis. We use non-IFRS financial measures, which include ratios that incorporate one or more non-IFRS financial measures, as supplemental indicators of our operating performance and financial position as well as for internal planning purposes, our management incentive programs and our business outlook. We believe non-IFRS financial measures provide more insight into our performance. Non-IFRS measures do not have 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.
As of September 30, 2023, we amended our definition of adjusted earnings to exclude amortization from acquired computer software. While we have always excluded amortization from acquired identifiable intangible assets other than computer software from our definition of adjusted earnings, this change aligns our treatment of amortization for all acquired intangible assets. Prior period amounts were revised for comparability.
Page 1
See Appendix A of this managements discussion and analysis for a description of our non-IFRS financial measures, including an explanation of why we believe they are useful measures of our performance. Refer to the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this managements discussion and analysis and Appendix B for reconciliations of our non-IFRS financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS measures.
Glossary of key terms
The following terms in this managements discussion and analysis have the following meanings, unless otherwise indicated:
Term |
Definition | |
Big 3 segments |
Our combined Legal Professionals, Corporates and Tax & Accounting Professionals segments | |
Blackstones consortium |
The Blackstone Group and its subsidiaries, and private equity funds affiliated with Blackstone | |
bp |
Basis points one basis point is equal to 1/100th of 1%; 100bp is equivalent to 1% | |
Change Program |
A two-year initiative, completed in December 2022, that focused on transforming our company from a holding company to an operating company and from a content provider into a content-driven technology company | |
constant currency |
A non-IFRS measure derived by applying the same foreign currency exchange rates to the financial results of the current and equivalent prior-year period | |
EPS |
Earnings per share | |
LSEG |
London Stock Exchange Group plc | |
n/a |
Not applicable | |
n/m |
Not meaningful | |
organic or organically |
A non-IFRS measure that represents changes in revenues of our existing businesses at constant currency. The metric excludes the distortive impacts of acquisitions and dispositions from not owning the business in both comparable periods | |
Refinitiv |
Our former Financial & Risk business, which is now the Data & Analytics business of LSEG. We owned 45% of Refinitiv from October 1, 2018 through January 29, 2021 | |
Woodbridge |
Woodbridge Company Limited, our principal and controlling shareholder | |
YPL |
York Parent Limited, the entity that owns LSEG shares, which is jointly owned by our company and the Blackstone consortium. A group of current LSEG and former members of Refinitiv senior management also owns part of YPL. References to YPL also include its subsidiaries. YPL was previously known as Refinitiv Holdings Limited prior to the sale of Refinitiv to LSEG on January 29, 2021 | |
$ and US$ |
U.S. dollars | |
£ |
British pounds sterling |
Page 2
Our company
Thomson Reuters (NYSE / TSX: TRI) informs the way forward by bringing together the trusted content and technology that people and organizations need to make the right decisions. We serve professionals across legal, tax, accounting, compliance, government, and media. Our products combine highly specialized software and insights to empower professionals with the data, intelligence, and solutions needed to make informed decisions, and to help institutions in their pursuit of justice, truth and transparency. Reuters, part of Thomson Reuters, is a world leading provider of trusted journalism and news. For more information, visit tr.com.
We derive most of our revenues from selling information and software solutions, primarily on a recurring subscription basis. Our solutions blend deep domain knowledge with software and automation tools. We believe our workflow solutions make our customers more productive, by streamlining how they operate, enabling them to focus on higher value activities. Many of our customers use our solutions as part of their workflows, which has led to strong customer retention. We believe that our customers trust us because of our history and dependability and our deep understanding of their businesses and industries, and they rely on our services for navigating a rapidly changing and increasingly complex digital world. Over the years, our business model has proven to be capital efficient and cash flow generative, and it has enabled us to maintain leading and scalable positions in our chosen market segments.
We are organized as five reportable segments reflecting how we manage our businesses.
Third Quarter 2023 Revenues
| ||||
|
Legal Professionals Serves law firms and governments with research and workflow products, focusing on intuitive legal research powered by emerging technologies and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools and analytics.
|
| ||
|
Corporates Serves corporate customers from small businesses to multinational organizations, including the seven largest global accounting firms, with our full suite of content-driven technology solutions for in-house legal, tax, regulatory, compliance and IT professionals.
| |||
|
Tax & Accounting Professionals Serves tax, accounting and audit professionals in accounting firms (other than the seven largest, which are served by our Corporates segment) with research and workflow products, focusing on intuitive tax offerings and automating tax workflows.
| |||
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Reuters News Supplies business, financial and global news to the worlds media organizations, professionals and news consumers through Reuters News Agency, Reuters.com, Reuters Events, Thomson Reuters products and to financial market professionals exclusively via LSEG products.
| |||
|
Global Print Provides legal and tax information primarily in print format to customers around the world. | |||
We refer to our Legal Professionals, Corporates and Tax & Accounting Professionals segments, on a combined basis, as our Big 3 segments.
Our businesses are supported by a corporate center that manages our commercial and technology operations, including those around our sales capabilities, digital customer experience, and product and content development, as well as our global facilities. Costs relating to these activities are allocated to our business segments. We also report Corporate costs, which includes expenses for centrally managed functions such as finance, legal and human resources. In 2022, Corporate costs also included expenses related to the Change Program.
Page 3
Key Financial Highlights
We continued to see good momentum in our business during the third quarter of 2023, despite a continuing uncertain macro-economic and geopolitical environment. While the loss of revenues from divested businesses mitigated total revenue growth to 1%, we reported organic growth of 6% driven by growth in recurring and transactions revenues in our Big 3 segments. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 39.6% in the third quarter of 2023 from 34.0% in the third quarter of 2022, benefiting from higher revenues and lower costs, which reflected Change Program investments made in the prior-year period, as well as the timing of expenses that we largely expect to normalize in the fourth quarter of 2023.
We continued to see strong performance from our Westlaw, Practical Law, HighQ, Confirmation and international businesses, and have been pleased with the performance of our recent SurePrep acquisition. We also continue to experience tighter customer discretionary budgets in a few pockets of our business, including in our Corporates segment, where sales cycles continue to lengthen, and in our Events and digital advertising businesses within our Reuters News segment, where growth has softened. Reflecting the momentum in our business, we are maintaining our full-year outlook for organic revenue growth, adjusted EBITDA margin and free cash flow. Refer to the Outlook section of this managements discussion and analysis for a further discussion of our 2023 outlook.
We continue to build on the opportunities that generative AI brings us. In the third quarter of 2023, we acquired Casetext, which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to enable legal professionals to work more efficiently, for $650 million. We also acquired Imagen Ltd, a media asset management company, which is now part of our Reuters News segment.
Our capital capacity and liquidity remain a key asset. In the first nine months of 2023, we sold approximately 55.1 million LSEG shares for gross proceeds of $5.4 billion. In June of 2023, we returned approximately $2.0 billion of these proceeds to our shareholders in a return of capital transaction, which reduced our outstanding common shares by 15.8 million. On November 1, 2023, we announced the renewal of our normal course issuer bid pursuant to which we plan to repurchase up to $1.0 billion of our common shares. Earlier in the year, we completed our $2.0 billion share repurchase program with the repurchase of $718 million of our common shares. See the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information.
Our revenues and operating profit on a consolidated basis do not tend to be significantly impacted by seasonality as we record a large portion of our revenues ratably over the contract term and our costs are generally incurred evenly throughout the year. However, our revenues from quarter to consecutive quarter can be impacted by the release of certain tax products, which tend to be concentrated in the fourth quarter and, to a lesser extent, in the first quarter of the year. The timing of costs related to the Change Program impacted the seasonality of our expenses and operating profit in 2022.
The section below contains non-IFRS measures where indicated. Refer to Appendices A and B of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information and reconciliations of our non-IFRS financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS financial measures.
Page 4
Consolidated results
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
|
Change
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts and margins)
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Constant
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Constant
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
IFRS Financial Measures |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
1,594 | 1,574 | 1% | 4,979 | 4,862 | 2% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating profit |
441 | 398 | 11% | 1,774 | 1,203 | 47% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted earnings per share |
$0.80 | $0.47 | 70% | $4.31 | $2.30 | 87% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-IFRS Financial Measures |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
1,594 | 1,574 | 1% | 1% | 4,979 | 4,862 | 2% | 3% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Organic revenue growth |
6% | 6% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
632 | 535 | 18% | 17% | 1,971 | 1,696 | 16% | 16% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
39.6% | 34.0% | 560bp | 550bp | 39.5% | 34.9% | 460bp | 430bp | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA less accrued capital expenditures |
499 | 391 | 28% | 1,592 | 1,289 | 24% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA less accrued capital expenditures margin |
31.3% | 24.8% | 650bp | 31.9% | 26.5% | 540bp | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EPS |
$0.82 | $0.58(1) | 41% | 41% | $2.53 | $1.87 | (1) | 35% | 35% | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Big 3 Segments |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
1,282 | 1,264 | 1% | 1% | 4,039 | 3,916 | 3% | 4% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Organic revenue growth |
7% | 7% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
566 | 530 | 7% | 6% | 1,784 | 1,638 | 9% | 9% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
44.0% | 41.9% | 210bp | 210bp | 44.0% | 41.8% | 220bp | 200bp |
(1) | In the third quarter of 2023, we amended our definition of adjusted earnings and adjusted EPS to exclude amortization from acquired computer software. We revised the comparative 2022 periods to reflect the current period presentation. Refer to Appendices A and B of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information. |
Revenues
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
|
Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Constant
|
Organic
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Constant
|
Organic
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring revenues |
1,323 | 1,291 | 2% | 2% | 7% | 3,969 | 3,882 | 2% | 3% | 6% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transactions revenues |
134 | 137 | (2%) | (2%) | 9% | 602 | 550 | 9% | 10% | 9% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Global Print revenues |
137 | 146 | (6%) | (5%) | (4%) | 408 | 430 | (5%) | (4%) | (3%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
1,594 | 1,574 | 1% | 1% | 6% | 4,979 | 4,862 | 2% | 3% | 6% |
Revenues in the third quarter increased 1% in total and in constant currency as growth in recurring revenues, as well as contributions from acquisitions, (primarily SurePrep in January 2023), was largely offset by the loss of revenues from businesses we divested. Foreign currency had no impact on consolidated revenue growth in the quarter. On an organic basis, total revenues increased 6%, driven by 7% growth in recurring revenues (83% of total revenues) and 9% growth in transactions revenues. Global Print revenues declined 4% on an organic basis.
Revenues in the nine-month period increased 2% in total and 3% in constant currency. Foreign currency had a 1% negative impact on consolidated revenue growth. Total revenue growth was negatively impacted by divestitures. On an organic basis, total revenues increased 6%, driven by 6% growth in recurring revenues (80% of total revenues) and 9% growth in transactions revenues. Global Print revenues declined 3% on an organic basis.
Revenues from the Big 3 segments in the third quarter increased 1% in total and in constant currency. On an organic basis, revenues increased 7%, driven by 7% growth in recurring revenues and 9% growth in transactions revenues. In the nine-month period, revenues from the Big 3 segments increased 3% in total and 4% in constant currency. Foreign currency had a 1% negative impact on revenue growth. On an organic basis, revenues increased 7% driven by 7% growth in recurring revenues and 10% growth in transactions revenues. Our Big 3 segments represented approximately 80% and 81% of our total revenues in the third quarter and nine-month period of 2023, respectively.
In the nine-month period, the negative impact from foreign currency on revenue growth reflected the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against most major currencies, including the British pound sterling, Canadian dollar and Argentine peso, compared to the prior-year period.
Page 5
Operating profit, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA less accrued capital expenditures
Operating profit increased 11% in the third quarter driven by higher revenues and lower costs. Operating profit increased 47% in the nine-month period due to the gain on the sale of a majority stake in our Elite business. Higher revenues, lower costs and a gain from the sale of a subsidiary to a company affiliated with Woodbridge also contributed to operating profit growth in the nine-month period. See the Related Party Transactions section of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information about our transactions with Woodbridge.
In the third quarter, adjusted EBITDA increased 18% due to higher revenues and lower costs. The related margin increased to 39.6% from 34.0% in the prior-year period. Lower costs reflected Change Program investments made in the prior-year period, which benefited the year-over-year change in adjusted EBITDA margin by 290bp, as well as the timing of expenses, which we expect to largely normalize in the fourth quarter. Foreign currency contributed 10bp to the year-over-year change in adjusted EBITDA margin.
In the nine-month period, adjusted EBITDA, which also excludes the gains on the sale of Elite and the sale of our subsidiary to Woodbridge mentioned above, as well as other adjustments, increased 16% due to higher revenues and lower costs. The related margin increased to 39.5% from 34.9% in the prior year period. As in the quarter, lower costs reflected Change Program investments made in the prior-year period, which benefited the year-over-year change in adjusted EBITDA margin by 220bp. Foreign currency contributed 30bp to the year-over-year change in adjusted EBITDA margin.
In both periods, adjusted EBITDA less accrued capital expenditures and the related margin increased due to higher adjusted EBITDA and lower accrued capital expenditures.
Operating expenses
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
|
Change
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Constant
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Constant
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
958 | 1,023 | (6%) | (8%) | 3,022 | 3,145 | (4%) | (4%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Remove fair value adjustments(1) |
6 | 16 | 1 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses, excluding fair value adjustments |
964 | 1,039 | (7%) | (8%) | 3,023 | 3,166 | (5%) | (4%) |
(1) | Fair value adjustments primarily represent gains or losses on intercompany balances that arise in the ordinary course of business due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. |
Operating expenses, excluding fair value adjustments, decreased in total and in constant currency in both periods. The decrease was due to cost savings from the completion of our Change Program in 2022, lower costs related to divested businesses, as well as favorable timing of expenses related to incentive compensation, acquisition integration, and productivity initiatives. We expect the timing of our expenses to largely normalize in the fourth quarter. These items more than offset higher costs from acquisitions, as well as higher product, sales, and marketing expenses.
Depreciation and amortization
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars) | 2023
|
2022
|
Change
|
2023
|
2022
|
Change
|
||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation |
28 | 34 | (20%) | 87 | 110 | (21%) | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of computer software: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Internally developed |
111 | 112 | (1%) | 329 | 327 | 1% | ||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition related |
21 | 7 | 191% | 48 | 27 | 78% | ||||||||||||||||||
Total amortization of computer software |
132 | 119 | 11% | 377 | 354 | 6% | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets |
24 | 25 | (3%) | 72 | 76 | (4%) |
● | Depreciation decreased in both periods due to the completion of depreciation of assets acquired in previous years. |
● | Total amortization of computer software increased in both periods due to acquisitions. |
● | Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets decreased in both periods as the completion of amortization of assets acquired in previous years more than offset expenses associated with recent acquisitions. |
Page 6
Other operating (losses) gains, net
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
||||||||||||
Other operating (losses) gains, net |
(11) | 25 | 353 | 26 |
Other operating (losses) gains, net, in the third quarter of 2023 were not significant. The nine-month period of 2023 included a $347 million gain on the sale of a majority interest in our Elite business and a $23 million gain on the sale of a Canadian wholly-owned subsidiary to a company affiliated with Woodbridge (see the Related Party Transactions section of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information). In the third quarter and nine-month period of 2022, other operating gains, net, included gains on the sale of two non-core businesses.
Net interest expense
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2023
|
2022
|
Change
|
2023
|
2022
|
Change
|
||||||||||||||||||
Net interest expense |
32 | 48 | (35%) | 121 | 145 | (17%) |
Net interest expense decreased in both periods due to interest income on the proceeds from the sale of our LSEG shares and a $12 million interest benefit associated with the release of tax reserves, which more than offset higher interest costs on commercial paper borrowings and net pension obligations. As substantially all our long-term debt obligations paid interest at fixed rates (after swaps), the net interest expense on our term debt was essentially unchanged compared to the prior-year periods.
Other finance (income) costs
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
||||||||||||
Other finance (income) costs | (117) | (448) | 75 | (862) |
In the third quarter of 2023, other finance income included gains of $67 million from foreign exchange contracts that are intended to reduce foreign currency risk on a portion of our indirect investment in LSEG, which is denominated in British pounds sterling, and net foreign exchange gains on intercompany funding arrangements. In the nine-month period, other finance costs included $68 million of losses from foreign exchange contracts, as well as net foreign exchange losses on intercompany funding arrangements.
In the third quarter and nine-month period of 2022, other finance income included gains of $353 million and $673 million, respectively, from foreign exchange contracts, as well as net foreign exchange gains on intercompany funding arrangements.
Share of post-tax (losses) earnings in equity method investments
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
||||||||||||
YPL |
(167) | (520) | 828 | (543) | ||||||||||||
Other equity method investments |
(7) | (5) | (13) | (9) | ||||||||||||
Share of post-tax (losses) earnings in equity method investments |
(174) | (525) | 815 | (552) |
Our investment in LSEG is subject to equity accounting because the LSEG shares are held through YPL, over which we have significant influence. The investment in LSEG shares held by YPL is accounted for at fair value, based on the share price of LSEG. As the investment in LSEG is denominated in British pounds sterling, the Company has entered a series of foreign exchange contracts to mitigate currency risk on its investment. See the Investment in LSEG section of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information on the sales of LSEG shares in the first nine months of 2023.
Our share of post-tax (losses) or earnings in our YPL investment was comprised of the following items:
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
||||||||||||
(Decrease) increase in LSEG share price |
(111) | (2) | 587 | 687 | ||||||||||||
Foreign exchange (losses) gains on LSEG shares |
(107) | (543) | 165 | (1,317) | ||||||||||||
Dividend income |
13 | 25 | 58 | 87 | ||||||||||||
Loss from forward contract |
- | - | (77) | - | ||||||||||||
Loss from call options |
(1) | - | (1) | - | ||||||||||||
Historical excluded equity adjustment(1) |
39 | - | 96 | - | ||||||||||||
Total |
(167) | (520) | 828 | (543) |
(1) | Represents income from the recognition of a portion of the cumulative impact of equity transactions that were excluded from our investment in YPL. |
Page 7
Tax (benefit) expense
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
||||||||||||
Tax (benefit) expense |
(18) | 8 | 397 | 156 |
The third quarter of 2023 included $38 million (2022 - $133 million) of tax benefits related to our loss in equity method investments and $15 million (2022 - $81 million) of tax expense related to other finance income, primarily from gains on foreign exchange contracts related to our investment in LSEG. The third quarter of 2023 also included $61 million of benefits from the release of tax reserves due to the expiration of applicable statutes of limitation.
The nine months ended September 30, 2023 included $195 million of tax expense (2022 - $150 million of tax benefits) related to our earnings or losses in equity method investments and $16 million of tax benefits (2022 - $159 million of tax expense) related to other finance costs or income. The nine-months ended September 30, 2023, also included benefits of $61 million from the release of tax reserves and $24 million from the settlement of a tax audit, as well as $78 million of expense related to the sale of a majority stake in Elite.
Additionally, the tax benefit or expense in each period reflected the mix of taxing jurisdictions in which pre-tax profits and losses were recognized. Because the geographical mix of pre-tax profits and losses in interim periods may be different from that for the full year, tax expense or benefit in interim periods is not necessarily indicative of the tax benefit or expense for the full year.
The comparability of our tax (benefit) expense was impacted by various transactions and accounting adjustments during each period. The following table sets forth certain components within income tax (benefit) expense that impact comparability from period to period, including tax (benefit) expense associated with items that are removed from adjusted earnings:
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2023
|
2022(1)
|
2023
|
2022(1)
|
||||||||||||
Tax expense (benefit) |
||||||||||||||||
Tax items impacting comparability: |
||||||||||||||||
Discrete changes to uncertain tax positions(2) |
(61) | - | (61) | - | ||||||||||||
Corporate tax laws and rates(3) |
- | - | 1 | (10) | ||||||||||||
Deferred tax adjustments(4) |
(1) | - | (4) | (35) | ||||||||||||
Subtotal |
(62) | - | (64) | (45) | ||||||||||||
Tax related to: |
||||||||||||||||
Amortization of acquired computer software(1) |
(5) | (2) | (12) | (6) | ||||||||||||
Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets |
(5) | (6) | (17) | (17) | ||||||||||||
Other operating gains, net |
(2) | 5 | 75 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Other finance (costs) income |
15 | 81 | (16) | 159 | ||||||||||||
Share of post-tax earnings (losses) in equity method investments |
(38) | (133) | 195 | (150) | ||||||||||||
Other items |
4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||||||
Subtotal |
(31) | (53) | 227 | (6) | ||||||||||||
Total |
(93) | (53) | 163 | (51) |
(1) | Revised to reflect the current period presentation. Refer to Appendix A of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information. |
(2) | Relates to the release of tax reserves that are no longer required due to the expiration of statutes of limitation. |
(3) | Consists primarily of adjustments to deferred tax balances due to changes in effective state tax rates. |
(4) | Relates primarily to the recognition of a deferred tax asset for a tax basis step-up attributable to a non-U.S. subsidiary. The nine-month period in 2022 also included adjustments required for a business that was classified as held for sale during the period. |
Page 8
Because the items described above impact the comparability of our tax expense or benefit for each period, we remove them from our calculation of adjusted earnings, along with the pre-tax items to which they relate. The computation of our adjusted tax expense is set forth below:
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
||||||||||||
Tax (benefit) expense |
(18) | 8 | 397 | 156 | ||||||||||||
Remove: Items from above impacting comparability |
93 | 53 | (163) | 51 | ||||||||||||
Other adjustment: |
||||||||||||||||
Interim period effective tax rate normalization(1) |
(2) | - | 1 | (3) | ||||||||||||
Total tax expense on adjusted earnings |
73 | 61 | 235 | 204 |
(1) | Adjustment to reflect income taxes based on estimated full-year effective tax rates. Earnings or losses for interim periods under IFRS generally reflect income taxes based on the estimated effective tax rates of each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. The non-IFRS adjustment reallocates estimated full-year income taxes between interim periods, but has no effect on full-year income taxes. |
We expect new tax legislation to be enacted in Canada later in 2023 that will reduce our ability to deduct interest expense against our Canadian income. As a result, we expect to increase our taxable profits in Canada against which we will apply tax loss carryforwards. When the legislation is enacted, we expect to recognize previously unrecognized tax loss carryforwards in our consolidated income statement and record corresponding deferred tax assets, the amount of which could be significant.
Results of Discontinued Operations
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
||||||||||||
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax |
(3) | (37) | 21 | (92) |
In all periods, earnings or losses from discontinued operations, net of tax, were primarily comprised of earnings or losses arising on a receivable balance from LSEG relating to a tax indemnity. The earnings or losses were due to changes in foreign exchange and interest rates.
Net earnings and diluted earnings per share
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
|
Change
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Constant
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Constant
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
IFRS Financial Measures |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
367 | 228 | 61% | 2,017 | 1,120 | 80% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted earnings per share |
$0.80 | $0.47 | 70% | $4.31 | $2.30 | 87% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-IFRS Financial Measures(1) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted earnings |
375 | 279 | 35% | 1,183 | 908 | 30% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EPS |
$0.82 | $0.58 | 41% | 41% | $2.53 | $1.87 | 35% | 35% |
(1) | In the third quarter of 2023, we amended our definition of adjusted earnings and adjusted EPS to exclude amortization from acquired computer software. We revised the comparative 2022 periods to reflect the current presentation. Refer to Appendices A and B of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information and reconciliations of our non-IFRS financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS financial measures. |
Net earnings and diluted EPS increased in the third quarter due to higher operating profit and lower income tax expense. While both periods included reductions in the value of our investment in LSEG, net of gains on related foreign exchange contracts, the third quarter of 2023 benefited from a lower net reduction. The increases in the nine-month period were due to higher operating profit and an increase in the value of our investment in LSEG, net of changes in the value of related foreign exchange contracts.
Adjusted earnings and adjusted EPS, which exclude the change in value of our LSEG investment and the related gains on foreign exchange contracts, as well as other adjustments, increased in both periods primarily due to higher adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EPS also benefited from a reduction in weighted-average common shares outstanding due to share repurchases and our June 2023 return of capital transaction.
Page 9
Segment results
The following is a discussion of our five reportable segments and our Corporate costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. We assess revenue growth for each segment, as well as the businesses within each segment, in constant currency and on an organic basis. See Appendix A of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information.
Legal Professionals
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
|
Change
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Constant
|
Organic
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Constant
|
Organic
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring revenues |
661 | 658 | - | - | 6% | 2,000 | 1,967 | 2% | 2% | 6% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transactions revenues |
27 | 43 | (38%) | (37%) | 12% | 107 | 132 | (19%) | (18%) | 7% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
688 | 701 | (2%) | (2%) | 6% | 2,107 | 2,099 | - | 1% | 6% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA |
338 | 324 | 4% | 3% | 1,001 | 933 | 7% | 7% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA margin |
49.1% | 46.2% | 290bp | 260bp | 47.5% | 44.5% | 300bp | 280bp |
Revenues decreased in total and in constant currency in the third quarter due to the loss of revenues from divested businesses. In the nine-month period, revenues increased slightly in total and in constant currency reflecting the same impact from divestitures.
On an organic basis, revenues increased in both periods due to growth in recurring revenues (96% of the Legal Professionals segment in the third quarter of 2023) led by Westlaw, Practical Law, HighQ and the segments international businesses. The divestiture of the Elite business also positively impacted the segments organic revenue growth. Transactions revenues (4% of the Legal Professionals segment in the third quarter of 2023) increased on an organic basis in both periods primarily due to the Government business.
Segment adjusted EBITDA and the related margin increased in both periods driven primarily by lower expenses. Foreign currency benefited the year-over-year change in segment adjusted EBITDA margin by 30bp in the third quarter and 20bp in the nine-month period.
Corporates
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
|
Change
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Constant
|
Organic
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Constant
|
Organic
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring revenues |
349 | 330 | 6% | 5% | 8% | 1,015 | 968 | 5% | 5% | 8% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transactions revenues |
42 | 43 | (3%) | (4%) | (2%) | 203 | 189 | 7% | 7% | 5% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
391 | 373 | 5% | 4% | 7% | 1,218 | 1,157 | 5% | 5% | 7% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA |
164 | 147 | 12% | 11% | 481 | 443 | 9% | 9% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA margin |
41.9% | 39.2% | 270bp | 280bp | 39.4% | 38.2% | 120bp | 110bp |
Revenues increased in total and constant currency in both periods, but were negatively impacted by the loss of revenues from divested businesses. The increases were driven by growth in recurring revenues (89% of the Corporates segment in the third quarter of 2023). Transactions revenues (11% of the Corporates segment in the third quarter of 2023) declined in the third quarter.
On an organic basis, revenues increased in the third quarter despite the lengthening of the segments sales cycles. Recurring revenue growth, driven by Practical Law, HighQ, CLEAR, and the segments businesses in Latin America, more than offset a slight decline in transactions revenues. In the nine-month period, the increase in organic revenues reflected both higher recurring and transactions revenues. Transactions revenues benefited from growth in the Confirmation and Trust businesses.
Segment adjusted EBITDA and the related margin increased in the third quarter due to higher revenues. Expenses were essentially unchanged compared to the prior-year period. Foreign currency had a 10bp negative impact on the year-over-year change in segment adjusted EBITDA margin in the quarter. In the nine-month period, the increases in segment adjusted EBITDA and the related margin were driven by higher revenues, which more than offset higher expenses. Foreign currency benefited the year-over-year change in segment adjusted EBITDA margin by 10bp.
Page 10
Tax & Accounting Professionals
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
|
Change
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except margins)
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Constant
|
Organic
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Constant
|
Organic
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring revenues |
160 | 158 | 1% | 2% | 9% | 503 | 507 | (1%) | - | 8% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transactions revenues |
43 | 32 | 37% | 39% | 20% | 211 | 153 | 38% | 41% | 17% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
203 | 190 | 7% | 8% | 12% | 714 | 660 | 8% | 9% | 11% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA |
64 | 59 | 8% | 10% | 302 | 262 | 15% | 16% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA margin |
31.2% | 31.0% | 20bp | 50bp | 41.6% | 39.7% | 190bp | 180bp |
Revenues increased in total and constant currency in both periods driven by growth in transactions revenues (21% of the Tax & Accounting Professionals segment in the third quarter of 2023), which reflected the acquisition of SurePrep. Recurring revenue (79% of the Tax & Accounting Professionals segment in the third quarter of 2023) performance in both periods was negatively impacted by the loss of revenues from divested businesses.
On an organic basis, revenues increased in both periods due to growth in recurring and transactions revenues. The segments businesses in Latin America contributed to recurring revenue growth, while the Confirmation and SurePrep businesses drove the growth in transactions revenues.
Segment adjusted EBITDA and the related margin increased in both periods due to higher revenues and the timing of expenses. Foreign currency had a 30bp negative impact on the year-over-year change in segment adjusted EBITDA margin in the third quarter, but benefited the year-over-year change in the nine-month period by 10bp.
Tax & Accounting Professionals is a more seasonal business relative to our other businesses, with a higher percentage of its revenues historically generated in the fourth quarter and to a slightly lesser extent, the first quarter, due to the release of certain tax products. As a result, the margin performance of this segment has been generally higher in the first and fourth quarters as costs are typically incurred in a more linear fashion throughout the year.
Reuters News
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
|
Change
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except margins)
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Constant
|
Organic
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Constant
|
Organic
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring revenues |
158 | 152 | 4% | 3% | 3% | 468 | 459 | 2% | 2% | 2% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transactions revenues |
22 | 19 | 17% | 12% | 9% | 81 | 76 | 6% | 2% | 2% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
180 | 171 | 6% | 5% | 3% | 549 | 535 | 3% | 2% | 2% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA |
37 | 33 | 10% | 6% | 111 | 114 | (3%) | (10%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA margin |
20.4% | 19.7% | 70bp | 30bp | 20.1% | 21.4% | (130)bp | (280)bp |
Revenues increased in total, in constant currency and on an organic basis in both periods due to the contractual price increase from the segments news and editorial agreement with the Data & Analytics business of LSEG, and growth in our transactional events and digital advertising revenues.
Reuters News and the Data & Analytics business of LSEG have an agreement pursuant to which Reuters News supplies news and editorial content to LSEG through October 1, 2048. Reuters News recorded revenues of $92 million (2022 - $90 million) and $276 million (2022 - $270 million) in the third quarter and nine-month period of 2023, respectively, under this agreement.
Segment adjusted EBITDA and the related margin increased in the third quarter primarily due to higher revenues. In the nine-month period, segment adjusted EBITDA and the related margin decreased primarily due to higher expenses, which included investments we made in the business. Foreign currency benefited the year-over-year change in segment adjusted EBITDA margin by 40bp in the third quarter and 150bp in the nine-month period.
Page 11
Global Print
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
|
Change
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Constant
|
Organic
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Constant
|
Organic
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
137 | 146 | (6%) | (5%) | (4%) | 408 | 430 | (5%) | (4%) | (3%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA |
55 | 50 | 9% | 8% | 158 | 153 | 3% | 3% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA margin |
39.6% | 34.4% | 520bp | 480bp | 38.6% | 35.6% | 300bp | 280bp |
Revenues decreased in total, constant currency and on an organic basis in both periods. While the declines on an organic basis were in line with our expectations, performance on a total and constant currency basis was further negatively impacted by the loss of revenues from divested businesses.
Segment adjusted EBITDA and the related margin increased in both periods as lower expenses, which reflected favorable timing of editorial and other labor costs, more than offset lower revenues. Foreign currency benefited the year-over-year change in segment adjusted EBITDA margin by 40bp in the third quarter and 20bp in the nine-month period.
Corporate costs
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
||||||||||||
Corporate costs |
|
26 |
|
|
78 |
|
|
82 |
|
|
209 |
|
Corporate costs decreased primarily because the prior year-periods included costs associated with the Change Program of $47 million and $111 million in the third quarter and nine-month period of 2022, respectively.
We indirectly own shares in LSEG through YPL, an entity jointly owned by our company, Blackstones consortium and certain current LSEG and former members of Refinitiv senior management.
During the third quarter and nine-month period of 2023, we received $1.5 billion and $5.4 billion, respectively, related to the transactions described below. Of these amounts, $1.5 billion and $5.2 billion were received in the third quarter and nine-month period of 2023, respectively, in the form of dividends from YPL.
● | On January 31, 2023, our company and Blackstones consortium collectively sold 21.2 million LSEG shares they co-own through YPL to Microsoft for a fixed U.S. dollar price of $94.50 per share. We received approximately $1.0 billion of gross proceeds from the sale of the 10.5 million shares our company indirectly owned. In conjunction with the sale of shares to Microsoft, LSEG amended the terms of contractual lock-up provisions previously agreed between LSEG and the Blackstone consortium/Thomson Reuters entities that hold the LSEG shares. |
● | On March 8, 2023, our company and Blackstones consortium collectively sold 28 million shares they co-own for £71.50 per share through a placing to institutional investors and an offer to retail investors. We received approximately $1.3 billion of gross proceeds from the sale of the 13.6 million shares our company indirectly owned, which included approximately $96 million from the settlement of foreign exchange contracts intended to mitigate foreign exchange risk on the investment. |
● | On May 19, 2023, our company and Blackstones consortium collectively sold 33 million shares they co-own for £80.50 per share through a placing to institutional investors and an offer to retail investors. We received approximately $1.6 billion of gross proceeds from the sale of the 15.3 million shares our company indirectly owned, which included approximately $28 million from the settlement of foreign exchange contracts intended to mitigate foreign exchange risk on the investment. |
● | On September 7, 2023, our company and Blackstones consortium collectively sold 35 million shares they co-own for £79.50 per share through a placing to institutional investors and an offer to retail investors. We received approximately $1.5 billion of gross proceeds from the sale of the 15.0 million shares our company indirectly owned, which included approximately $27 million from the settlement of foreign exchange contracts intended to mitigate foreign exchange risk on the investment. We also received $8 million in dividends from YPL related to the sale of call options discussed below. |
● | During the third quarter and nine-month period of 2023, LSEG repurchased 0.2 million and 1.7 million, respectively, of ordinary shares from YPL under an open market buyback program announced by LSEG in August 2022. We received proceeds of approximately $8 million and $70 million related to the approximately 0.1 million and 0.8 million shares our company indirectly owned and sold as part of this buyback in the third quarter and nine-month period of 2023, respectively. |
Page 12
As of September 30, 2023, our company indirectly owned approximately 16.9 million LSEG shares. In connection with the September 2023 transactions described above, YPL entered into call options to sell approximately 8.2 million LSEG shares with maturity dates in 2023 and 2024 in the event the LSEG share price exceeds specified levels. Our companys share of these call options covers approximately 3.5 million shares. The approximately 13.4 million LSEG shares owned by our company and not subject to call options are subject to amended lock-up provisions under which it may sell approximately 6.1 million shares between March 2, 2024 and January 29, 2025, and approximately 7.3 million shares thereafter.
We paid $501 million of income tax in the first nine months of 2023 and expect to pay approximately $170 million later this year on these share sales and the related settlement of foreign exchange contracts. Relative to our remaining shares, we expect to pay 25% capital gains tax on proceeds above our tax basis of $0.8 billion.
See the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of the managements discussion and analysis for information on our use of proceeds from the sale of LSEG shares.
Given the reduction in its ownership in 2023, YPL is only entitled to nominate one non-executive director to the board of LSEG. As such, Thomson Reuters is no longer entitled to nominate a representative to the board of LSEG.
The market value of our investment in LSEG on October 31, 2023 was approximately $1.7 billion, based on LSEGs closing share price on that date and approximately 16.9 million shares.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have historically maintained a disciplined capital strategy that balances growth, long-term financial leverage, credit ratings and returns to shareholders. We are focused on having the investment capacity to drive revenue growth, both organically and through acquisitions, while also maintaining our long-term financial leverage and credit ratings and continuing to provide returns to shareholders. Our principal sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents and cash provided by operating activities. From time to time, we also issue commercial paper, borrow under our credit facility, and issue debt securities. Our principal uses of cash are for debt repayments, debt servicing costs, dividend payments, capital expenditures, share repurchases and acquisitions.
In the first nine months of 2023, we received gross proceeds of $5.4 billion, which included the settlement of foreign exchange contracts, from the sale of approximately 55.1 million LSEG shares. In June 2023, we returned $2.0 billion of these proceeds to shareholders through a return of capital transaction. On November 1, 2023, we announced the renewal of our normal course issuer bid pursuant to which we plan to repurchase up to $1.0 billion of our common shares. We plan to use the remaining proceeds to pursue organic and inorganic opportunities in key growth segments as well as for other general corporate purposes. For example, in 2023, we acquired Casetext, Inc., a business that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to enable legal professionals to work more efficiently, Imagen Ltd, a media asset management company now part of our Reuters News segment, and SurePrep LLC, a provider of tax automation software and services. We plan to continue to sell LSEG shares in tranches subject to contractual lock-up provisions. We expect those proceeds will provide us with further options for investment and returns to shareholders (Refer to the Investment in LSEG section, and the Share repurchases Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) and Return of capital and share consolidation subsections below, of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information).
Our capital strategy approach has provided us with a strong capital structure and liquidity position. Our disciplined approach and cash generative business model have allowed us to weather economic volatility in recent years caused by macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, while continuing to invest in our business. While we are closely monitoring the global disruption caused by Russias invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing Israel Hamas conflict, our operations in those regions are not material to our business.
We expect that the operating leverage of our business will increase our free cash flow if we increase revenues as contemplated by our outlook. We target a maximum leverage ratio of 2.5x net debt to adjusted EBITDA and have set a target to pay out 50% to 60% of our expected free cash flow as dividends to our shareholders.
As of September 30, 2023, we had $2.5 billion of cash on hand, which includes a portion of the proceeds from the sale of our LSEG shares. As a result, our net debt to adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio as of September 30, 2023 was 0.8:1, significantly lower than our target of 2.5:1. As calculated under our credit facility covenant, our net debt to adjusted EBITDA leverage ratio as of September 30, 2023 was 0.7:1, which is also well below the maximum leverage ratio allowed under the credit facility of 4.5:1. Our next scheduled debt maturities are in November 2023 and September 2024. We intend to redeem our $600 million term debt with cash on hand upon maturity in November 2023.
We believe that our existing sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund our expected cash requirements in the normal course of business for the next 12 months.
Certain information above in this section is forward-looking and should be read in conjunction with the section entitled Additional Information Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results.
Page 13
Cash flow
Summary of consolidated statement of cash flow
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2023
|
2022
|
$ Change
|
2023
|
2022
|
$ Change
|
||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
674 |
|
|
531 |
|
|
143 |
|
|
1,636 |
|
|
1,239 |
|
|
397 |
| ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
|
435 |
|
|
(93) |
|
|
528 |
|
|
3,736 |
|
|
(526) |
|
|
4,262 |
| ||||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
(1,449) |
|
|
(436) |
|
|
(1,013) |
|
|
(3,924) |
|
|
(1,024) |
|
|
(2,900) |
| ||||||
Translation adjustments |
|
(2) |
|
|
(4) |
|
|
2 |
|
|
(1) |
|
|
(8) |
|
|
7 |
| ||||||
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
|
(342) |
|
|
(2) |
|
|
(340) |
|
|
1,447 |
|
|
(319) |
|
|
1,766 |
| ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
2,858 |
|
|
461 |
|
|
2,397 |
|
|
1,069 |
|
|
778 |
|
|
291 |
| ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
|
2,516 |
|
|
459 |
|
|
2,057 |
|
|
2,516 |
|
|
459 |
|
|
2,057 |
| ||||||
Non-IFRS Financial Measure(1) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Free cash flow |
|
529 |
|
|
386 |
|
|
143 |
|
|
1,258 |
|
|
814 |
|
|
444 |
|
(1) | Refer to Appendices A and B of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information and reconciliations of our non-IFRS financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS financial measures. |
Operating activities. Net cash provided by operating activities increased in both periods primarily due to the cash benefits from higher revenues and lower costs, lower tax payments and favorable movements in working capital.
Investing activities. In 2023, net cash provided by investing activities included $1,517 million and $5,393 million, in the third quarter and nine-month period, respectively, in proceeds from the sales of LSEG shares and $13 million and $58 million in the third quarter and nine-month period, respectively, in dividends from our LSEG investment. The nine-month period also included $418 million in proceeds from the sale of a majority stake in our Elite business. These inflows were partly offset by $273 million and $543 million in taxes paid on the sales of LSEG shares and certain other businesses, $145 million and $412 million of capital expenditures, and $678 million and $1,201 million of acquisition spending in the third quarter and nine-month period, respectively. Both periods included spending related to the acquisitions of Casetext and Imagen. The nine-month period also included the acquisition of SurePrep. See the Investment in LSEG section of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information regarding the LSEG shares sales described above.
In 2022, net cash used in investing activities included $152 million and $460 million of capital expenditures and $19 million and $190 million of acquisition spending in the third quarter and nine-month period, respectively. These outflows were partly offset by $49 million and $111 million of dividends from YPL in the third quarter and nine-month period, respectively, a portion of which was related to YPLs participation in LSEGs share buyback program. Both periods also included the proceeds from the sale of certain non-core businesses. In the nine-month period, acquisition spending primarily included the April 2022 acquisition of ThoughtTrace, a business that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to read, organize and manage document workflows.
Financing activities. In 2023, net cash used in financing activities reflected net repayments of borrowings under our commercial paper program of $1,214 million and $443 million in the third quarter and nine-month period, respectively. Each period also included returns to our common shareholders. The third quarter included $218 million of dividend payments. The nine-month period included $2,045 million through a return of capital and share consolidation transaction, $672 million of dividends and $718 million in share repurchases. Refer to the Commercial paper program, Dividends, Share repurchases Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) and Return of capital and share consolidation subsections below for additional information.
In 2022, net cash used in financing activities in both periods reflected dividends paid to our common shareholders and share repurchases of $712 million and $1,325 million in the third quarter and nine-month period, respectively, which were partly offset by borrowings under our commercial paper program.
Cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents on September 30, 2023, were significantly higher compared to the balance on December 31, 2022, reflecting the remaining proceeds from the sale of approximately 55.1 million of our indirectly owned LSEG shares.
Free cash flow. Free cash flow increased in both periods primarily due to higher cash flows from operating activities. Both periods in the prior year included investments in the Change Program. Free cash flow benefited from lower capital expenditures in each of the current year periods, while the nine-month period also benefited from proceeds on the sale of a subsidiary to a company affiliated with Woodbridge.
Page 14
Additional information about our debt and credit arrangements, dividends, share repurchases and return of capital and share consolidation is as follows:
● | Commercial paper program. Our $2.0 billion commercial paper program provides cost-effective and flexible short-term funding. The carrying amount of outstanding commercial paper of $638 million is included in Current indebtedness within the consolidated statement of financial position as of September 30, 2023. Issuances of commercial paper reached a peak of $1,840 million during the second quarter of 2023. |
● | Credit facility. We have a $2.0 billion syndicated credit facility agreement which matures in November 2027 and may be used to provide liquidity for general corporate purposes (including acquisitions or support for our commercial paper program). There were no outstanding borrowings under the credit facility as of September 30, 2023. Based on our current credit ratings, the cost of borrowing under the facility is priced at the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR)/Euro Interbank Offered Rate (EURiBOR)/Simple Sterling Overnight Index Average (SONIA) plus 102.5 basis points. We have the option to request an increase, subject to approval by applicable lenders, in the lenders commitments in an aggregate amount of $600 million for a maximum credit facility commitment of $2.6 billion. If our debt rating is downgraded by Moodys, S&P or Fitch, our facility fees and borrowing costs would increase, although availability would be unaffected. Conversely, an upgrade in our ratings may reduce our facility fees and borrowing costs. We also monitor the lenders that are party to our facility and believe they continue to be able to lend to us. |
We guarantee borrowings by our subsidiaries under the credit facility. We must also maintain a ratio of net debt as defined in the credit agreement (total debt after swaps less cash and cash equivalents) as of the last day of each fiscal quarter to EBITDA as defined in the credit agreement (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and other modifications described in the credit agreement) for the last four quarters ended of not more than 4.5:1. If we complete an acquisition with a purchase price of over $500 million, we may elect, subject to notification, to temporarily increase the ratio of net debt to EBITDA to 5.0:1 at the end of the quarter within which the transaction closed and for each of the three immediately following fiscal quarters. At the end of that period, the ratio would revert to 4.5:1. As of September 30, 2023, we complied with this covenant as our ratio of net debt to EBITDA, as calculated under the terms of our syndicated credit facility, was 0.7:1. |
● | Long-term debt. We did not issue notes or make any debt repayments in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Thomson Reuters Corporation and one of its U.S. subsidiaries, TR Finance LLC, may collectively issue up to $3.0 billion of unsecured debt securities from time to time through July 29, 2024 under a base shelf prospectus. Any debt securities issued by TR Finance LLC will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis by Thomson Reuters Corporation and three U.S. subsidiary guarantors, which are also indirect 100%-owned and consolidated subsidiaries of Thomson Reuters Corporation. Except for TR Finance LLC and the subsidiary guarantors, none of Thomson Reuters Corporations other subsidiaries have guaranteed or would otherwise become obligated with respect to any issued TR Finance LLC debt securities. Neither Thomson Reuters Corporation nor TR Finance LLC has issued any debt securities under the prospectus. Please refer to Appendix D of this managements discussion and analysis for condensed consolidating financial information of the Company, including TR Finance LLC and the subsidiary guarantors. |
● | Credit ratings. Our access to financing depends on, among other things, suitable market conditions and the maintenance of suitable long-term credit ratings. Our credit ratings may be adversely affected by various factors, including increased debt levels, decreased earnings, declines in customer demand, increased competition, a deterioration in general economic and business conditions and adverse publicity. Any downgrades in our credit ratings may impede our access to the debt markets or result in higher borrowing rates. |
In September 2023, Moodys affirmed our credit ratings and raised our Outlook to Positive from Stable, citing resiliency of our business to withstand inflationary pressures and macroeconomic headwinds and strong capital allocation strategies, among other items. |
The following table sets forth the credit ratings from rating agencies in respect of our outstanding securities as of the date of this managements discussion and analysis: |
Moodys
|
S&P Global Ratings
|
DBRS Limited
|
Fitch
| |||||
Long-term debt |
Baa2 |
BBB |
BBB (high) |
BBB+ | ||||
Commercial paper |
P-2 |
A-2 |
R-2 (high) |
F1 | ||||
Trend/Outlook |
Positive |
Stable |
Stable |
Stable |
These credit ratings are not recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell securities and do not address the market price or suitability of a specific security for a particular investor. Credit ratings may not reflect the potential impact of all risks on the value of securities. We cannot ensure that our credit ratings will not be lowered in the future or that rating agencies will not issue adverse commentaries regarding our securities. |
Page 15
● | Dividends. Dividends on our common shares are declared in U.S. dollars. In February 2023, we announced a 10% or $0.18 per share increase in the annualized dividend rate to $1.96 per common share (beginning with the common share dividend that we paid in March 2023). In our consolidated statement of cash flow, dividends paid on common shares are shown net of amounts reinvested in our company under our dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP). Registered holders of common shares may participate in our DRIP, under which cash dividends are automatically reinvested in new common shares. Common shares are valued at the weighted-average price at which the shares traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) during the five trading days immediately preceding the record date for the dividend. In the second quarter of 2023, due to administrative complexities, we temporarily suspended our DRIP for any dividend payable in advance of the return of capital transaction and paid such dividends in cash. We resumed the DRIP after the completion of the return of capital transaction. |
Details of dividends declared per common share and dividends paid on common shares are as follows: |
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
||||||||||||
Dividends declared per common share |
$ |
0.490 |
|
$ |
0.445 |
|
$ |
1.470 |
|
$ |
1.335 |
| ||||
Dividends declared |
|
224 |
|
|
215 |
|
|
686 |
|
|
648 |
| ||||
Dividends reinvested |
|
(6) |
|
|
(7) |
|
|
(14) |
|
|
(21) |
| ||||
Dividends paid |
|
218 |
|
|
208 |
|
|
672 |
|
|
627 |
|
● | Share repurchases Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB). We buy back shares (and subsequently cancel them) from time to time as part of our capital strategy. On November 1, 2023, we announced that we plan to repurchase up to $1.0 billion of our common shares (refer to the Subsequent Events section of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information). This new buyback program is in addition to the $2.0 billion repurchase program that we completed in the first quarter of 2023. Share repurchases are typically executed under a NCIB. Shares will be repurchased for the new buyback program under a renewed NCIB, which was approved by the TSX and effective on November 1, 2023. Under the renewed NCIB up to 10 million common shares may be repurchased between November 3, 2023 and November 2, 2024. We may repurchase common shares in open market transactions on the TSX, the NYSE and/or other exchanges and alternative trading systems, if eligible, or by such other means as may be permitted by the TSX and/or NYSE or under applicable law, including private agreement purchases or share purchase program agreement purchases if we receive, if applicable, an issuer bid exemption order in the future from applicable securities regulatory authorities in Canada for such purchases. The price that our company will pay for common shares in open market transactions will be the market price at the time of purchase or such other price as may be permitted by the TSX. |
Details of share repurchases were as follows: |
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||
Share repurchases (millions of U.S. dollars) |
|
- |
|
|
504 |
|
|
718 |
|
|
698 |
| ||||
Shares repurchased (number in millions) |
|
- |
|
|
4.6 |
|
|
6.0 |
|
|
6.5 |
| ||||
Share repurchases average price per share in U.S. dollars |
|
- |
|
$ |
109.98 |
|
$ |
120.10 |
|
$ |
106.92 |
|
Decisions regarding any future repurchases will depend on certain factors, such as market conditions, share price and other opportunities to invest capital for growth. We may elect to suspend or discontinue our share repurchases at any time, in accordance with applicable laws. From time to time when we do not possess material nonpublic information about ourselves or our securities, we may enter into a pre-defined plan with our broker to allow for the repurchase of shares at times when we ordinarily would not be active in the market due to our own internal trading blackout periods, insider trading rules or otherwise. Any such plans entered into with our broker will be adopted in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws and the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
Page 16
● | Return of capital and share consolidation. In June 2023, we returned approximately $2.0 billion to our shareholders through a return of capital transaction, which was funded from the proceeds of our companys dispositions of LSEG shares (see the Investment in LSEG section of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information on the sales of LSEG shares in the first nine months of 2023). The transaction consisted of a cash distribution of $4.67 per common share and a share consolidation, or reverse stock split, at a ratio of 1 pre-consolidated share for 0.963957 post-consolidated shares. Shareholders who were subject to income tax in a jurisdiction other than Canada were given the opportunity to opt-out of the transaction. The share consolidation was proportional to the cash distribution and the share consolidation ratio was based on the volume weighted-average trading price of the shares on the NYSE for the five-trading day period immediately preceding June 23, 2023, the effective date for the return of capital transaction. Woodbridge, our principal shareholder, participated in this transaction. As a result of the share consolidation, our companys outstanding common shares were reduced by 15.8 million common shares. |
Financial position
Our total assets were $19.3 billion as of September 30, 2023, compared to $21.7 billion as of December 31, 2022. The decrease was primarily driven by our return of capital transaction.
As of September 30, 2023, our current assets exceeded our current liabilities. Typically, our current liabilities exceed our current assets because current liabilities include a significant amount of deferred revenue, which arises from the sale of subscription-based products and services that many customers pay for in advance. The cash received from these advance payments is used to currently fund the operating, investing and financing activities of our business. However, for accounting purposes, these advance payments must be deferred and recognized over the term of the subscription. As such, we may reflect a negative working capital position in our consolidated statement of financial position. In the ordinary course of business, deferred revenue does not represent a cash obligation, but rather an obligation to perform services or deliver products, and therefore when we are in that situation, we do not believe it is indicative of a liquidity issue, but rather an outcome of the required accounting for our business model.
Net debt and leverage ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA
September 30,
|
December 31,
|
|||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2023
|
2022
|
||||||
Current indebtedness |
|
1,480 |
|
|
1,647 |
| ||
Long-term indebtedness |
|
2,878 |
|
|
3,114 |
| ||
Total debt |
|
4,358 |
|
|
4,761 |
| ||
Swaps |
|
(40) |
|
|
(42) |
| ||
Total debt after swaps |
|
4,318 |
|
|
4,719 |
| ||
Remove fair value adjustments for hedges(1) |
|
3 |
|
|
7 |
| ||
Total debt after currency hedging arrangements |
|
4,321 |
|
|
4,726 |
| ||
Remove transaction costs, premiums or discounts included in the carrying value of debt |
|
29 |
|
|
33 |
| ||
Add: Lease liabilities (current and non-current) |
|
224 |
|
|
235 |
| ||
Less: cash and cash equivalents(2) |
|
(2,516) |
|
|
(1,069) |
| ||
Net debt(3) |
|
2,058 |
|
|
3,925 |
| ||
Leverage ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA |
||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA(3) |
|
2,604 |
|
|
2,329 |
| ||
Net debt / adjusted EBITDA(3) |
|
0.8:1 |
|
|
1.7:1 |
|
(1) | Represents the interest-related fair value component of hedging instruments that are removed to reflect net cash outflow upon maturity. |
(2) | Includes cash and cash equivalents of $102 million and $81 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, held in subsidiaries which have regulatory restrictions, contractual restrictions or operate in countries where exchange controls and other legal restrictions apply and were therefore not available for general use by our company. |
(3) | Amounts represent non-IFRS financial measures. For additional information about our liquidity, we provide our leverage ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA. Refer to Appendices A and B of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information of our non-IFRS financial measures and reconciliations to the most comparable IFRS measure. |
As of September 30, 2023, our total debt position (after swaps) was $4.3 billion. The maturity dates for our term debt are well balanced with no significant concentration in any one year. We intend to redeem our $600 million term debt with cash on hand upon maturity in November 2023. As of September 30, 2023, the average maturity of our term debt (total debt excluding commercial paper) was approximately seven years at an average interest rate (after swaps) of slightly over 4%, all of which is fixed. Our leverage ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA was below our target ratio of 2.5:1. The decrease in our net debt is primarily due to the increase in our cash and cash equivalents as well as a decrease in our commercial paper borrowings (refer to the Cash Flow section of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information).
Page 17
Off-balance sheet arrangements, commitments and contractual obligations
For a summary of our other off-balance sheet arrangements, commitments and contractual obligations please see our 2022 annual managements discussion and analysis. There were no material changes to these arrangements, commitments and contractual obligations during the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Contingencies
Lawsuits and legal claims
We are engaged in various legal proceedings, claims, audits and investigations that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. These matters include, but are not limited to, employment matters, commercial matters, defamation claims and intellectual property infringement claims. The outcome of all of the matters against us is subject to future resolution, including the uncertainties of litigation. Based on information currently known to us and after consultation with outside legal counsel, management believes that the ultimate resolution of any such matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact on our financial condition taken as a whole.
Uncertain tax positions
We are subject to taxation in numerous jurisdictions and we are routinely under audit by many different taxing authorities in the ordinary course of business. There are many transactions and calculations during the course of business for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain, as taxing authorities may challenge some of our positions and propose adjustments or changes to our tax filings.
As a result, we maintain provisions for uncertain tax positions that we believe appropriately reflect our risk. These provisions are made using our best estimates of the amount expected to be paid based on a qualitative assessment of all relevant factors. When appropriate, we perform an expected value calculation to determine our provisions. We review the adequacy of these provisions at the end of each reporting period and adjust them based on changing facts and circumstances. Due to the uncertainty associated with tax audits, it is possible that at some future date, liabilities resulting from such audits or related litigation could vary significantly from our provisions. However, based on currently enacted legislation, information currently known to us and after consultation with outside tax advisors, management believes that the ultimate resolution of any such matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact on our financial condition taken as a whole.
Through September 30, 2023, we paid $430 million of tax as required under notices of assessment issued by the U.K. tax authority, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), under the Diverted Profits Tax (DPT) regime that collectively related to the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 taxation years of certain of our current and former U.K. affiliates. HMRC is conducting an audit of the 2019 and 2020 taxation years and, based on recent discussions, management believes it is reasonably possible that HMRC may issue similar notices in the next three months for another taxation year, which could be significant. As we do not believe these current and former U.K. affiliates fall within the scope of the DPT regime, we will continue contesting these assessments through all available administrative and judicial remedies and we intend to vigorously defend our position. As the assessments largely relate to businesses we have sold, the majority are subject to indemnity arrangements under which we have been required to pay additional taxes to HMRC or the indemnity counterparty.
The Canadian tax authority, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), is conducting an audit of the 2016 to 2019 taxation years. Based on recent correspondence with CRA, management believes it is reasonably possible that CRA may issue notices of assessment related to certain transfer pricing matters and the disposition of a business and we may be required to pay a portion of such assessments, which could be significant. As we believe that CRAs positions are without merit, we will contest any such assessments through all available administrative and judicial remedies and we intend to vigorously defend our position.
Because we believe our position is supported by the weight of law, we do not believe that the resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition taken as a whole. Payments we make are not a reflection of our view on the merits of the case. As we expect to receive refunds of substantially all of the aggregate of amounts paid pursuant to these notices of assessment, we expect to continue recording substantially all of these payments as non-current receivables from HMRC, the indemnity counterparty or CRA on our financial statements. We expect that our existing sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund any future required payments.
Guarantees
We have an investment in 3XSQ Associates, an entity jointly owned by one of our subsidiaries and Rudin Times Square Associates LLC (Rudin), that owns and operates the 3 Times Square office building (the building) in New York, New York. In June 2022, 3XSQ Associates obtained a $415 million, 3-year term loan facility to refinance existing debt, fund the buildings redevelopment, and cover interest and operating costs during the redevelopment period. The building is pledged as loan collateral. We and Rudin each guarantee 50% of (i) certain principal loan amounts and (ii) interest and operating costs. We and Rudin also jointly and severally guarantee (i) completion of commenced works and (ii) lender losses arising from disallowed acts, environmental or otherwise. To minimize economic exposure to 50% for the joint and several obligations, we and a parent entity of Rudin entered into a cross-indemnification arrangement. We believe the value of the building is expected to be sufficient to cover obligations that could arise from the guarantees. The guarantees do not impact our ability to borrow funds under our $2.0 billion syndicated credit facility or the related covenant calculation.
For additional information, please see the Risk Factors section of our 2022 annual report, which contains further information on risks related to legal and tax matters.
Page 18
The information in this section is forward-looking and should be read in conjunction with the section entitled Additional Information Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results.
We communicated our original full-year 2023 business outlook in February 2023, and have updated our outlook each quarter. In November of 2023, we announced that we would maintain our full-year outlook as communicated in August 2023, except that we increased our outlook for depreciation and amortization due to acquisitions in the third quarter of 2023, and we reduced our outlook for interest expense to reflect a faster pace of LSEG monetization and the benefit of higher interest rates on our cash balances.
In the third quarter of 2023, we amended our definition of adjusted earnings to exclude amortization from acquired computer software. As part of this transition, our guidance includes new details about the components of amortization expense. Refer to Appendices A and B of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information.
The following table sets forth our updated 2023 outlook, which includes non-IFRS financial measures. Our 2023 outlook:
● | assumes constant currency rates relative to 2022; and |
● | does not factor in the impact of any acquisitions or divestitures that may occur in future periods. |
We believe this type of guidance provides useful insight into the performance of our business.
While our 2023 performance to date provides us with confidence about our outlook, the macroeconomic backdrop remains uncertain with many signs that point to a weakening global economic environment amid rising interest rates, high inflation and ongoing geopolitical risks. Any worsening of the global economic or business environment could impact our ability to achieve our outlook.
Total Thomson Reuters
|
2022 Actual
|
2023 Outlook 2/9/2023
|
2023 Outlook
|
2023 Outlook
|
2023 Outlook
| |||||
Revenue growth |
4% |
4.5% - 5.0% |
3.0% - 3.5% |
Unchanged |
Unchanged | |||||
Organic revenue growth(1) |
6% |
5.5% - 6.0% |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Unchanged | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin(1) |
35.1% |
Approx. 39% |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Unchanged | |||||
Corporate costs |
$293 million |
$110 - $120 million |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Unchanged | |||||
Core corporate costs |
$122 million |
$110 - $120 million | ||||||||
Change Program operating expenses |
$171 million |
n/a | ||||||||
Free cash flow(1) |
$1.3 billion |
Approx. $1.8 billion |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Unchanged | |||||
Accrued capital expenditures as a percentage of revenues(1) |
8.2% |
Approx. 7.0% |
Unchanged |
Approx. 8.0% |
Unchanged | |||||
Real estate optimization spend(2) |
n/a |
$30 million |
n/a | n/a | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
$625 million |
$595 - $625 million |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
$625 - $635 million | |||||
Depreciation and amortization of internally developed software |
$586 million |
$545 - 565 million |
$555 - 560 million | |||||||
Amortization of acquired software(3) |
$39 million |
$50 - $60 million | $70 - $75 million | |||||||
Interest expense(4) |
$196 million |
$190 - $210 million |
Unchanged |
Approx. $190 million |
$170 - $180 million | |||||
Effective tax rate on adjusted earnings(1) |
17.7% |
Approx. 18% |
Unchanged |
Approx. 17% |
Unchanged | |||||
Big 3 Segments(1)
|
2022 Actual
|
2023 Outlook
|
2023 Outlook
|
2023 Outlook
|
2023 Outlook 11/1/2023
| |||||
Revenue growth |
5% |
5.5% - 6.0% |
3.5% - 4.0% |
Unchanged |
Unchanged | |||||
Organic revenue growth |
7% |
6.5% - 7.0% |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Unchanged | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
42.4% |
Approx. 44% |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
Unchanged |
(1) | Non-IFRS financial measures. Refer to Appendices A and B of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information and reconciliations of our non-IFRS financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS financial measures. |
(2) | Real estate optimization spend in 2023 was incremental to the accrued capital expenditures as a percentage of revenues outlook, as presented on February 9 and May 2 of 2023. |
(3) | As of September 30, 2023, we amended the definition of adjusted earnings and adjusted EPS to exclude amortization from acquired computer software. Refer to Appendices A and B of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information. |
(4) | Excludes a $12 million interest benefit associated with the release of tax reserves that is removed from adjusted earnings. |
We expect our fourth-quarter 2023 organic revenue growth to be within the full-year 5.5% - 6.0% range and our adjusted EBITDA margin to be approximately 37%, reflecting growth investments, productivity initiatives and dilution from recent acquisitions.
Page 19
The following table summarizes our material assumptions and risks that may cause actual performance to differ from our expectations underlying our financial outlook, as updated in November 2023.
Revenues
| ||
Material assumptions | Material risks
| |
● Uncertain macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions will continue to disrupt the economy and cause periods of volatility
● 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 for cloud-based digital tools that drive productivity
● Continued ability to deliver innovative products that meet evolving customer demands
● Acquisition of new customers through expanded and improved digital platforms, simplification of the product portfolio and through other sales initiatives
● Improvement in customer retention through commercial simplification efforts and customer service improvements
|
● Rising interest rates, inflation, geopolitical instability and lingering impacts from the pandemic (e.g. supply chain disruptions) continue to impact the global economy. The severity and duration of any one, or a combination, of these conditions could impact the global economy and lead to lower demand for our products and services (beyond our assumption that these disruptions will cause periods of volatility)
● Demand for our products and services could be reduced by changes in customer buying patterns, or our inability to execute on key product design or customer support initiatives
● Competitive pricing actions and product innovation could impact our revenues
● Our sales, commercial simplification and product design initiatives may be insufficient to retain customers or generate new sales
| |
Adjusted EBITDA margin
| ||
Material assumptions | Material risks
| |
● Our ability to achieve revenue growth targets
● Business mix continues to shift to higher-growth product offerings |
● Same as the risks above related to the revenue outlook
● Higher than expected inflation may lead to greater than anticipated increase in labor costs, third-party supplier costs and costs of print materials
● Acquisition and disposal activity may dilute adjusted EBITDA margin
| |
Free Cash Flow
| ||
Material assumptions
|
Material risks
| |
● Our ability to achieve our revenue and adjusted EBITDA margin targets
● Accrued capital expenditures expected to approximate 8.0% of revenues |
● Same as the risks above related to the revenue and adjusted EBITDA margin outlook
● A weaker macroeconomic environment could negatively impact working capital performance, including the ability of our customers to pay us
● Accrued capital expenditures may be higher than currently expected
● The timing and amount of tax payments to governments may differ from our expectations
|
Page 20
Effective tax rate on adjusted earnings
| ||
Material assumptions | Material risks | |
● Our ability to achieve our adjusted EBITDA target
● The mix of taxing jurisdictions where we recognized pre-tax profit or losses in 2022 does not significantly change in 2023
● Minimal changes in tax laws and treaties within the jurisdictions where we operate
● Significant gains that will prevent the imposition of certain minimum taxes
● No significant charges or benefits from the finalization of prior tax years
● Depreciation and amortization of internally developed computer software between $555 million and $560 million
● Interest expense of $170 - $180 million
|
● Same as the risks above related to adjusted EBITDA
● A material change in the geographical mix of our pre-tax profits and losses
● A material change in current tax laws or treaties to which we are subject, and did not expect
● Depreciation and amortization of computer software as well as interest expense may be significantly higher or lower than expected |
Our outlook contains various non-IFRS financial measures. We believe that providing reconciliations of forward-looking non-IFRS financial measures in our 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, we are unable to reconcile these measures to the most comparable IFRS measures because we cannot predict, with reasonable certainty, the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates which impact (i) the translation of our results reported at average foreign currency rates for the year and (ii) other finance income or expense related to intercompany financing arrangements and foreign exchange contracts. Additionally, we cannot reasonably predict (i) our share of post-tax earnings or losses in equity method investments, which is subject to changes in the stock price of LSEG or (ii) the occurrence or amount of other operating gains and losses, which generally arise from business transactions we do not currently anticipate.
As of October 31, 2023, our principal shareholder, Woodbridge, beneficially owned approximately 69% of our common shares.
Transaction with Woodbridge
In March 2023, we sold a Canadian wholly owned subsidiary to a company affiliated with Woodbridge for $23 million. The subsidiarys assets consisted of accumulated tax losses that management did not expect to utilize against future taxable income prior to their expiry based on currently enacted Canadian tax law. As such, no tax benefit for the losses had been recognized in the consolidated financial statements. Under Canadian law, certain losses may only be transferred to related companies, such as those affiliated with Woodbridge. A gain of $23 million was recorded within Other operating (losses) gains, net within the consolidated income statement. In connection with this transaction, the board of directors Corporate Governance Committee obtained an independent fairness opinion. We utilized the independent fairness opinion to determine that the negotiated price between our company and Woodbridge was reasonable. After reviewing the matter, the Corporate Governance Committee approved the transaction. Directors who were not considered independent because of their positions with Woodbridge refrained from deliberating and voting on the matter at the committee meeting.
Transactions with YPL
In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we received $5.2 billion of dividends from YPL primarily related to the sale of LSEG shares indirectly owned by our company. See the Investment in LSEG section of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information.
Transactions with Elite
In June 2023, we sold a majority interest in our Elite business to TPG and retained a 19.9% minority interest with board representation. To facilitate the separation, we agreed to provide certain operational services to Elite, including technology and administrative services, for a specified period. From the date of the sale through September 30, 2023, we recorded $5 million as contra-expense related to these transactions.
As of September 30, 2023, the consolidated statement of financial position included a receivable from Elite of $33 million and a payable to Elite of $13 million related to all transactions between the two companies.
Page 21
Except for the above transactions, there were no new significant related party transactions during the first nine months of 2023. Refer to the Related Party Transactions section of our 2022 annual managements discussion and analysis, which is contained in our 2022 annual report, as well as note 31 of our 2022 annual consolidated financial statements for information regarding related party transactions.
Share repurchases
On November 1, 2023, we announced the renewal of our normal course issuer bid pursuant to which we plan to repurchase up to $1.0 billion of our common shares. The completion of this program will depend on certain factors such as market conditions, share price and other opportunities to invest capital for growth. (See the Liquidity and Capital Resources Share repurchases Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) section of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information.)
Changes in Accounting Policies
Please refer to the Changes in Accounting Policies section of our 2022 annual managements discussion and analysis, which is contained in our 2022 annual report, for information regarding changes in accounting policies. Since the date of our 2022 annual managements discussion and analysis, there have not been any significant changes to our accounting policies. Refer to note 1 of our consolidated interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, for information regarding recent accounting amendments.
Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments about the future. Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Please refer to the Critical Accounting Estimates and Judgments section of our 2022 annual managements discussion and analysis, which is contained in our 2022 annual report, for additional information. Since the date of our 2022 annual managements discussion and analysis, there have not been any significant changes to our critical accounting estimates and judgments.
We continue to operate in an uncertain macroeconomic and geopolitical environment caused by rising interest rates, high inflation, and ongoing geopolitical risks. We are closely monitoring the evolving macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions to assess potential impacts on our businesses. Due to the significant uncertainty created by these circumstances, some of managements estimates and judgments may be more variable and may change materially in the future.
Basis of presentation
Disclosure controls and procedures
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in applicable U.S. and Canadian securities law) as of the end of the period covered by this managements discussion and analysis, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that all information that we are required to disclose in reports that we file or furnish under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act and applicable Canadian securities law is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and Canadian securities regulatory authorities; and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Internal control over financial reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS.
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of 2023 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Share capital
As of October 31, 2023, we had outstanding 455,491,082 common shares, 6,000,000 Series II preference shares 1,429,946 stock options and a total of 1,647,530 time-based restricted share units and performance restricted share units. We have also issued a Thomson Reuters Founders Share which enables Thomson Reuters Founders Share Company to exercise extraordinary voting power to safeguard the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Page 22
Public securities filings and regulatory announcements
You may access other information about our company, including our 2022 annual report (which contains information required in an annual information form) and our other disclosure documents, reports, statements or other information that we file with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities through SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca and in the United States with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) at www.sec.gov.
Cautionary note concerning factors that may affect future results
Certain statements in this managements discussion and analysis are forward-looking, including, but not limited to, our business outlook, statements regarding timing of expenses, our intentions to redeem our term debt maturing in November 2023 with cash on hand, target a dividend payout ratio of between 50% to 60% of our free cash flow, the Companys intention to sell a portion of its shares in LSEG and the related tax payments on such sales, expectations regarding our liquidity and capital resources, and the impact of changes in Canadian tax legislation. The words will, expect, believe, target, estimate, could, should, intend, predict, project and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. While we believe that we have a reasonable basis for making forward-looking statements in this managements discussion and analysis, they are not a guarantee of future performance or outcomes or that any other 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 companys control and the effects of them can be difficult to predict. In particular, the full extent of the impact of macroeconomic and geopolitical environment on the Companys business, operations and financial results will depend on numerous evolving factors that we may not be able to accurately predict.
Certain factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations are discussed in the Outlook section above. Additional factors are discussed in the Risk Factors section of our 2022 annual report and in materials that we from time to time file with, or furnish to, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of those risks are, and could be, exacerbated by a worsening of the global geopolitical, business and economic environments. There is no assurance that any forward-looking statement will materialize.
The Companys 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.
The Company has provided a business outlook for the purpose of presenting information about current expectations for the periods presented. 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 managements discussion and analysis. Except as may be required by applicable law, Thomson Reuters disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
Page 23
Non-IFRS Financial Measures
We use non-IFRS financial measures, which include ratios that incorporate one or more non-IFRS financial measures, as supplemental indicators of our operating performance and financial position as well as for internal planning purposes, our management incentive programs and our business outlook. These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore are unlikely to be comparable to the calculation of similar measures used by other companies.
In the third quarter of 2023, we amended our definition of adjusted earnings and adjusted EPS to exclude amortization from acquired computer software. While we have always excluded amortization from acquired identifiable intangible assets other than computer software from adjusted earnings and adjusted EPS, this change aligns our treatment of amortization for all acquired intangible assets. Prior period amounts were revised for comparability. Acquired intangible assets contribute to the generation of revenues from acquired companies, which are included in our computation of adjusted earnings.
The following table sets forth our non-IFRS financial measures including an explanation of why we believe they are useful measures of our performance. Reconciliations to the most directly comparable IFRS measure are reflected in Appendix B and the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this managements discussion and analysis.
How We Define It |
Why We Use It and Why It Is Useful
to
|
Most Directly
Comparable
| ||
Adjusted EBITDA and the related margin
| ||||
Represents 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, our share of post-tax earnings or losses in equity method investments, other operating gains and losses, certain asset impairment charges and fair value adjustments, including those related to acquired deferred revenue.
The related margin is adjusted EBITDA expressed as a percentage of revenues. For purposes of this calculation, revenues are before fair value adjustments to acquired deferred revenue.
|
Provides a consistent basis to evaluate operating profitability and performance trends by excluding items that we do not consider to be controllable activities for this purpose.
Also represents a measure commonly reported and widely used by investors as a valuation metric, as well as to assess our ability to incur and service debt. |
Earnings from continuing operations | ||
Adjusted EBITDA less accrued capital expenditures and the related margin
| ||||
Represents adjusted EBITDA less accrued capital expenditures, where accrued capital expenditures include amounts that remain unpaid at the reporting date.
The related margin is adjusted EBITDA less accrued capital expenditures expressed as a percentage of revenues. For purposes of this calculation, revenues are before fair value adjustments to acquired deferred revenue.
|
Provides a basis for evaluating the operating profitability and capital intensity of a business in a single measure. This measure captures investments regardless of whether they are expensed or capitalized, and reflects the basis on which management measures capital spending. |
Earnings from continuing operations | ||
Accrued capital expenditures as a percentage of revenues
| ||||
Accrued capital expenditures expressed as a percentage of revenues. For purposes of this calculation, revenues are before fair value adjustments to acquired deferred revenue. |
Reflects the basis on how we manage capital expenditures for internal budgeting purposes. |
Capital expenditures |
Page 24
How We Define It |
Why We Use It and Why It Is Useful
to
|
Most Directly
Comparable
| ||
Adjusted earnings and adjusted EPS | ||||
Net earnings or loss including dividends declared on preference shares but excluding the post-tax impacts of fair value adjustments, including those related to acquired deferred revenue, amortization of acquired intangible assets (attributable to other identifiable intangible assets and acquired computer software), other operating gains and losses, certain asset impairment charges, other finance costs or income, our share of post-tax earnings or losses in equity method investments, discontinued operations and other items affecting comparability. Acquired intangible assets contribute to the generation of revenues from acquired companies, which are included in our computation of adjusted earnings.
The post-tax amount of each item is excluded from adjusted earnings based on the specific tax rules and tax rates associated with the nature and jurisdiction of each item. |
Provides a more comparable basis to analyze earnings.
These measures are commonly used by shareholders to measure performance. |
Net earnings and diluted earnings per share | ||
Adjusted EPS is calculated from adjusted earnings using diluted weighted-average shares and does not represent actual earnings or loss per share attributable to shareholders.
|
||||
Effective tax rate on adjusted earnings
| ||||
Adjusted tax expense divided by pre-tax adjusted earnings. Adjusted tax expense is computed as income tax benefit (expense) plus or minus the income tax impacts of all items impacting adjusted earnings (as described above), and other tax items impacting comparability. |
Provides a basis to analyze the effective tax rate associated with adjusted earnings. |
Tax benefit (expense) | ||
In interim periods, we also make an adjustment to reflect income taxes based on the 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 we operate. The non-IFRS adjustment reallocates estimated full-year income taxes between interim periods but has no effect on full-year income taxes. |
Because the geographical mix of pre-tax profits and losses in interim periods may be different from that for the full year, our effective tax rate computed in accordance with IFRS may be more volatile by quarter. Therefore, we believe that using the expected full-year effective tax rate provides more comparability among interim periods. |
Page 25
How We Define It |
Why We Use It and Why It Is Useful
to
|
Most Directly
Comparable
| ||
Net debt and leverage ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA
| ||||
Net debt:
Total indebtedness (excluding the associated unamortized transaction costs and premiums or discount) plus the currency related fair value of associated hedging instruments, and lease liabilities less cash and cash equivalents. |
Provides a commonly used measure of a companys leverage.
Given that we hedge some of our debt to reduce risk, we include hedging instruments as we believe it provides a better measure of the total obligation associated with our outstanding debt. However, because we intend to hold our debt and related hedges to maturity, we do not consider the interest components of the associated fair value of hedges in our measurements. We reduce gross indebtedness by cash and cash equivalents. |
Total debt (current indebtedness plus long-term indebtedness) | ||
Net debt to adjusted EBITDA: Net debt is divided by adjusted EBITDA for the previous twelve-month period ending with the current fiscal quarter. |
Provides a commonly used measure of a companys ability to pay its debt. Our non-IFRS measure is aligned with the calculation of our internal target and is more conservative than the maximum ratio allowed under the contractual covenants in our credit facility.
|
For adjusted EBITDA, refer to the definition above for the most directly comparable IFRS measure | ||
Free cash flow
| ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities, proceeds from disposals of property and equipment, and other investing activities, less capital expenditures, payments of lease principal and dividends paid on our preference shares.
|
Helps assess our ability, over the long term, to create value for our shareholders as it represents cash available to repay debt, pay common dividends and fund share repurchases and acquisitions. |
Net cash provided by operating activities | ||
Changes before the impact of foreign currency or at constant currency
| ||||
Applicable measures where changes are reported before the impact of foreign currency or at constant currency
IFRS Measures: ● Revenues ● Operating expenses
Non-IFRS Measures and ratios: ● Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin ● Adjusted EPS
Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. However, we conduct activities in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. We measure our performance before the impact of foreign currency (or at constant currency), which means that we apply the same foreign currency exchange rates for the current and equivalent prior period. To calculate the foreign currency impact between periods, we convert the current and equivalent prior periods local currency results using the same foreign currency exchange rate.
|
Provides better comparability of business trends from period to period. |
For each non-IFRS measure and ratio, refer to the definitions above for the most directly comparable IFRS measure. |
Page 26
How We Define It |
Why We Use It and Why It Is Useful
to
|
Most Directly
Comparable
| ||
Changes in revenues computed on an organic basis | ||||
Represent changes in revenues of our existing businesses at constant currency. The metric excludes the distortive impacts of acquisitions and dispositions from not owning the business in both comparable periods.
● For acquisitions, we calculate organic growth as though we had owned the acquired business in both periods. We compare revenues for the acquired business for the period we owned the business to the same prior-year period revenues for that business, when we did not own it. ● For dispositions, we calculate organic growth as though we did not own the business in either period. We exclude revenues of the disposed business from the point of disposition, as well as revenues from the same prior-year period before the sale.
|
Provides further insight into the performance of our existing businesses by excluding distortive impacts and serves as a better measure of our ability to grow our business over the long term. |
Revenues | ||
Big 3 segments | ||||
Our combined Legal Professionals, Corporates and Tax & Accounting Professionals segments. All measures reported for the Big 3 segments are non-IFRS financial measures. |
The Big 3 segments comprise approximately 80% of revenues and represent the core of our business information service product offerings. |
Revenues Earnings from continuing operations |
Page 27
Appendix B
This appendix provides reconciliations of certain non-IFRS financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS measure that are not presented elsewhere in this managements discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 and year ended December 31, 2022.
Rounding
Other than EPS, we report our results in millions of U.S. dollars, but we compute percentage changes and margins using whole dollars to be more precise. As a result, percentages and margins calculated from reported amounts may differ from those presented, and growth components may not total due to rounding.
Reconciliation of earnings from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA less accrued capital expenditures
Three months ended
|
Nine months ended
|
Year ended
|
||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except margins)
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||||
Earnings from continuing operations | 370 | 265 | 1,996 | 1,212 | 1,391 | |||||||||||||||
Adjustments to remove: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tax (benefit) expense |
(18) | 8 | 397 | 156 | 259 | |||||||||||||||
Other finance (income) costs |
(117) | (448) | 75 | (862) | (444) | |||||||||||||||
Net interest expense |
32 | 48 | 121 | 145 | 196 | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets |
24 | 25 | 72 | 76 | 99 | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of computer software |
132 | 119 | 377 | 354 | 485 | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation |
28 | 34 | 87 | 110 | 140 | |||||||||||||||
EBITDA | 451 | 51 | 3,125 | 1,191 | 2,126 | |||||||||||||||
Adjustments to remove: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Share of post-tax losses (earnings) in equity method investments |
174 | 525 | (815) | 552 | 432 | |||||||||||||||
Other operating losses (gains), net |
11 | (25) | (353) | (26) | (211) | |||||||||||||||
Fair value adjustments(1) |
(4) | (16) | 14 | (21) | (18) | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 632 | 535 | 1,971 | 1,696 | 2,329 | |||||||||||||||
Deduct: Accrued capital expenditures |
(133) | (144) | (379) | (407) | (545) | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA less accrued capital expenditures | 499 | 391 | 1,592 | 1,289 | 1,784 | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin | 39.6% | 34.0% | 39.5% | 34.9% | 35.1% | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA less accrued capital expenditures margin |
31.3% | 24.8% | 31.9% | 26.5% | 26.9% |
(1) | Fair value adjustments primarily represent gains or losses due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany balances that arise in the ordinary course of business, a component of operating expenses, as well as adjustments related to acquired deferred revenue. |
Reconciliation of capital expenditures to accrued capital expenditures
Three months ended
|
Nine months ended
|
Year ended
|
||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | 145 | 152 | 412 | 460 | 595 | |||||||||||||||
Remove: IFRS adjustment to cash basis | (12) | (8) | (33) | (53) | (50) | |||||||||||||||
Accrued capital expenditures | 133 | 144 | 379 | 407 | 545 | |||||||||||||||
Accrued capital expenditures as a percentage of revenues | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 8.2% |
Page 28
Reconciliation of net earnings to adjusted earnings and adjusted EPS
Three months ended
|
Nine months ended
|
Year ended
|
||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts and share data)
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||||
Net earnings | 367 | 228 | 2,017 | 1,120 | 1,338 | |||||||||||||||
Adjustments to remove: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value adjustments(1) |
(4) | (16) | 14 | (21) | (18) | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of acquired computer software |
21 | 7 | 48 | 27 | 39 | |||||||||||||||
Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets |
24 | 25 | 72 | 76 | 99 | |||||||||||||||
Other operating losses (gains), net |
11 | (25) | (353) | (26) | (211) | |||||||||||||||
Interest benefit impacting comparability(2)(3) |
(12) | | (12) | | | |||||||||||||||
Other finance (income) costs |
(117) | (448) | 75 | (862) | (444) | |||||||||||||||
Share of post-tax losses (earnings) in equity method investments |
174 | 525 | (815) | 552 | 432 | |||||||||||||||
Tax on above items(3) |
(31) | (53) | 227 | (6) | (30) | |||||||||||||||
Tax items impacting comparability(2)(3) |
(62) | | (64) | (45) | 15 | |||||||||||||||
Loss (earnings) from discontinued operations, net of tax |
3 | 37 | (21) | 92 | 53 | |||||||||||||||
Interim period effective tax rate normalization(3) | 2 | | (1) | 3 | | |||||||||||||||
Dividends declared on preference shares | (1) | (1) | (4) | (2) | (3) | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted earnings | 375 | 279 | 1,183 | 908 | 1,270 | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted EPS | $0.82 | $0.58 | $2.53 | $1.87 | n/a | |||||||||||||||
Diluted weighted-average common shares (millions) | 456.1 | 483.9 | 466.8 | 486.3 | n/a |
(1) | Fair value adjustments primarily represent gains or losses due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany balances that arise in the ordinary course of business, a component of operating expenses, as well as adjustments related to acquired deferred revenue. |
(2) | Release of tax and interest reserves due to the expiration of statutes of limitation. |
(3) | For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, see the Results of OperationsTax (benefit) expense section of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information. |
Reconciliation of full-year effective tax rate on adjusted earnings
Year ended December 31,
|
||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except percentages)
|
2022
|
|||
Adjusted earnings |
1,270 | |||
Plus: Dividends declared on preference shares |
3 | |||
Plus: Tax expense on adjusted earnings |
274 | |||
Pre-tax adjusted earnings |
1,547 | |||
IFRS tax expense |
259 | |||
Remove tax related to: |
||||
Amortization of acquired computer software |
8 | |||
Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets |
22 | |||
Share of post-tax losses in equity method investments |
124 | |||
Other finance income |
(80) | |||
Other operating gains, net |
(42) | |||
Other items |
(2) | |||
Subtotal Remove tax benefit on pre-tax items removed from adjusted earnings |
30 | |||
Remove: Tax items impacting comparability |
(15) | |||
Total Remove all items impacting comparability |
15 | |||
Tax expense on adjusted earnings |
274 | |||
Effective tax rate on adjusted earnings |
17.7% |
Page 29
Reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow
Three months ended
|
Nine months ended
|
Year ended
|
||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
674 | 531 | 1,636 | 1,239 | 1,915 | |||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures |
(145) | (152) | (412) | (460) | (595) | |||||||||||||||
Other investing activities |
14 | 25 | 82 | 87 | 88 | |||||||||||||||
Payments of lease principal |
(13) | (17) | (44) | (50) | (65) | |||||||||||||||
Dividends paid on preference shares |
(1) | (1) | (4) | (2) | (3) | |||||||||||||||
Free cash flow |
529 | 386 | 1,258 | 814 | 1,340 |
Reconciliation of changes in revenues to changes in revenues excluding the effects of foreign currency (constant currency) as well as acquisitions/divestitures (organic basis)
Three months ended September 30,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Foreign
|
Subtotal
|
Net
|
Organic
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals |
688 | 701 | (2%) | - | (2%) | (9%) | 6% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Corporates |
391 | 373 | 5% | 1% | 4% | (3%) | 7% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals |
203 | 190 | 7% | (1%) | 8% | (4%) | 12% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Big 3 Segments Combined |
1,282 | 1,264 | 1% | - | 1% | (6%) | 7% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Reuters News |
180 | 171 | 6% | 1% | 5% | 1% | 3% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Global Print |
137 | 146 | (6%) | - | (5%) | (1%) | (4%) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Eliminations/Rounding |
(5) | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues |
1,594 | 1,574 | 1% | - | 1% | (5%) | 6% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring Revenues |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals |
661 | 658 | - | 1% | - | (6%) | 6% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Corporates |
349 | 330 | 6% | 1% | 5% | (3%) | 8% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals |
160 | 158 | 1% | (1%) | 2% | (8%) | 9% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Big 3 Segments Combined |
1,170 | 1,146 | 2% | 1% | 2% | (5%) | 7% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Reuters News |
158 | 152 | 4% | 1% | 3% | 1% | 3% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Eliminations/Rounding |
(5) | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total recurring revenues |
1,323 | 1,291 | 2% | 1% | 2% | (5%) | 7% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Transactions Revenues |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals |
27 | 43 | (38%) | (1%) | (37%) | (49%) | 12% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Corporates |
42 | 43 | (3%) | 1% | (4%) | (1%) | (2%) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals |
43 | 32 | 37% | (2%) | 39% | 19% | 20% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Big 3 Segments Combined |
112 | 118 | (5%) | (1%) | (4%) | (13%) | 9% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Reuters News |
22 | 19 | 17% | 5% | 12% | 3% | 9% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total transactions revenues |
134 | 137 | (2%) | - | (2%) | (11%) | 9% |
Page 30
Nine months ended September 30,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Foreign
|
Subtotal
|
Net
|
Organic
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals |
2,107 | 2,099 | - | - | 1% | (5%) | 6% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Corporates |
1,218 | 1,157 | 5% | - | 5% | (2%) | 7% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals |
714 | 660 | 8% | (1%) | 9% | (1%) | 11% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Big 3 Segments Combined |
4,039 | 3,916 | 3% | - | 4% | (3%) | 7% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Reuters News |
549 | 535 | 3% | - | 2% | - | 2% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Global Print |
408 | 430 | (5%) | (1%) | (4%) | (1%) | (3%) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Eliminations/Rounding |
(17) | (19) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues |
4,979 | 4,862 | 2% | - | 3% | (3%) | 6% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring Revenues |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals |
2,000 | 1,967 | 2% | - | 2% | (4%) | 6% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Corporates |
1,015 | 968 | 5% | - | 5% | (3%) | 8% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals |
503 | 507 | (1%) | (1%) | - | (8%) | 8% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Big 3 Segments Combined |
3,518 | 3,442 | 2% | - | 3% | (4%) | 7% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Reuters News |
468 | 459 | 2% | - | 2% | - | 2% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Eliminations/Rounding |
(17) | (19) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total recurring revenues |
3,969 | 3,882 | 2% | - | 3% | (4%) | 6% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Transactions Revenues |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals |
107 | 132 | (19%) | (1%) | (18%) | (25%) | 7% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Corporates |
203 | 189 | 7% | - | 7% | 2% | 5% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals |
211 | 153 | 38% | (2%) | 41% | 23% | 17% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Big 3 Segments Combined |
521 | 474 | 10% | (1%) | 11% | 1% | 10% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Reuters News |
81 | 76 | 6% | 4% | 2% | 1% | 2% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total transactions revenues |
602 | 550 | 9% | - | 10% | 1% | 9% |
Year ended December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2022
|
2021
|
Total
|
Foreign
|
Subtotal
|
Net
|
Organic
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals |
2,803 | 2,712 | 3% | (2%) | 5% | (1%) | 6% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Corporates |
1,536 | 1,440 | 7% | (1%) | 8% | - | 8% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals |
986 | 915 | 8% | (1%) | 8% | (1%) | 9% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Big 3 Segments Combined |
5,325 | 5,067 | 5% | (1%) | 6% | (1%) | 7% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Reuters News |
733 | 694 | 6% | (3%) | 9% | - | 9% | |||||||||||||||||||||
Global Print |
592 | 609 | (3%) | (2%) | (1%) | - | (1%) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Eliminations/Rounding |
(23) | (22) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenues |
6,627 | 6,348 | 4% | (2%) | 6% | - | 6% |
Page 31
Reconciliation of changes in adjusted EBITDA and the related margin, and consolidated operating expenses and adjusted EPS, excluding the effects of foreign currency
Three months ended September 30,
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except margins and per share amounts)
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Foreign
|
Constant
|
|||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals |
338 | 324 | 4% | 1% | 3% | |||||||||||||||
Corporates |
164 | 147 | 12% | 1% | 11% | |||||||||||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals |
64 | 59 | 8% | (2%) | 10% | |||||||||||||||
Big 3 Segments Combined |
566 | 530 | 7% | 1% | 6% | |||||||||||||||
Reuters News |
37 | 33 | 10% | 3% | 6% | |||||||||||||||
Global Print |
55 | 50 | 9% | 1% | 8% | |||||||||||||||
Corporate costs |
(26) | (78) | n/a | n/a | n/a | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
632 | 535 | 18% | 1% | 17% | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals |
49.1% | 46.2% | 290bp | 30bp | 260bp | |||||||||||||||
Corporates |
41.9% | 39.2% | 270bp | (10)bp | 280bp | |||||||||||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals |
31.2% | 31.0% | 20bp | (30)bp | 50bp | |||||||||||||||
Big 3 Segments Combined |
44.0% | 41.9% | 210bp | - | 210bp | |||||||||||||||
Reuters News |
20.4% | 19.7% | 70bp | 40bp | 30bp | |||||||||||||||
Global Print |
39.6% | 34.4% | 520bp | 40bp | 480bp | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
39.6% | 34.0% | 560bp | 10bp | 550bp | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
958 | 1,023 | (6%) | 1% | (8%) | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted EPS |
$0.82 | $0.58 | 41% | - | 41% |
Nine months ended September 30,
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Change
|
||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except margins and per share amounts)
|
2023
|
2022
|
Total
|
Foreign
|
Constant
|
|||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals |
1,001 | 933 | 7% | - | 7% | |||||||||||||||
Corporates |
481 | 443 | 9% | - | 9% | |||||||||||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals |
302 | 262 | 15% | (1%) | 16% | |||||||||||||||
Big 3 Segments Combined |
1,784 | 1,638 | 9% | - | 9% | |||||||||||||||
Reuters News |
111 | 114 | (3%) | 7% | (10%) | |||||||||||||||
Global Print |
158 | 153 | 3% | - | 3% | |||||||||||||||
Corporate costs |
(82) | (209) | n/a | n/a | n/a | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
1,971 | 1,696 | 16% | - | 16% | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals |
47.5% | 44.5% | 300bp | 20bp | 280bp | |||||||||||||||
Corporates |
39.4% | 38.2% | 120bp | 10bp | 110bp | |||||||||||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals |
41.6% | 39.7% | 190bp | 10bp | 180bp | |||||||||||||||
Big 3 Segments Combined |
44.0% | 41.8% | 220bp | 20bp | 200bp | |||||||||||||||
Reuters News |
20.1% | 21.4% | (130)bp | 150bp | (280)bp | |||||||||||||||
Global Print |
38.6% | 35.6% | 300bp | 20bp | 280bp | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
39.5% | 34.9% | 460bp | 30bp | 430bp | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
3,022 | 3,145 | (4%) | - | (4%) | |||||||||||||||
Adjusted EPS |
$2.53 | $1.87 | 35% | - | 35% |
Page 32
Year ended December 31,
|
||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except margins)
|
2022
|
|||
Adjusted EBITDA |
||||
Legal Professionals |
1,227 | |||
Corporates |
578 | |||
Tax & Accounting Professionals |
451 | |||
Big 3 Segments Combined |
2,256 | |||
Reuters News |
154 | |||
Global Print |
212 | |||
Corporate costs |
(293) | |||
Adjusted EBITDA |
2,329 | |||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
||||
Legal Professionals |
43.8% | |||
Corporates |
37.6% | |||
Tax & Accounting Professionals |
45.8% | |||
Big 3 Segments Combined |
42.4% | |||
Reuters News |
21.0% | |||
Global Print |
35.7% | |||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
35.1% |
Reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA margin
To compute segment and consolidated adjusted EBITDA margin, we exclude fair value adjustments related to acquired deferred revenue from our IFRS revenues. The chart below reconciles IFRS revenues to revenues used in the calculation of adjusted EBITDA margin, which excludes fair value adjustments related to acquired deferred revenue.
Three months ended September 30, 2023
|
||||||||||||||||||||
 (millions of U.S. dollars, except margins)
|
IFRS
|
Remove fair value to acquired
|
Revenues
|
Adjusted
|
Adjusted
|
|||||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals |
688 | 1 | 689 | 338 | 49.1% | |||||||||||||||
Corporates |
391 | - | 391 | 164 | 41.9% | |||||||||||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals |
203 | 1 | 204 | 64 | 31.2% | |||||||||||||||
Big 3 Segments Combined |
1,282 | 2 | 1,284 | 566 | 44.0% | |||||||||||||||
Reuters News |
180 | - | 180 | 37 | 20.4% | |||||||||||||||
Global Print |
137 | - | 137 | 55 | 39.6% | |||||||||||||||
Eliminations/Rounding |
(5) | - | (5) | - | n/a | |||||||||||||||
Corporate costs |
- | - | - | (26) | n/a | |||||||||||||||
Consolidated totals |
1,594 | 2 | 1,596 | 632 | 39.6% |
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
 (millions of U.S. dollars, except margins) | IFRS revenues |
Remove fair value adjustments to acquired deferred revenue |
Revenues excluding fair value adjustments to acquired deferred revenue |
Adjusted EBITDA |
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
|||||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals |
2,107 | 1 | 2,108 | 1,001 | 47.5% | |||||||||||||||
Corporates |
1,218 | 3 | 1,221 | 481 | 39.4% | |||||||||||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals |
714 | 11 | 725 | 302 | 41.6% | |||||||||||||||
Big 3 Segments Combined |
4,039 | 15 | 4,054 | 1,784 | 44.0% | |||||||||||||||
Reuters News |
549 | - | 549 | 111 | 20.1% | |||||||||||||||
Global Print |
408 | - | 408 | 158 | 38.6% | |||||||||||||||
Eliminations/Rounding |
(17) | - | (17) | - | n/a | |||||||||||||||
Corporate costs |
- | - | - | (82) | n/a | |||||||||||||||
Consolidated totals |
4,979 | 15 | 4,994 | 1,971 | 39.5% |
Page 33
Appendix C
Quarterly information (unaudited)
The following table presents a summary of our consolidated operating results for the eight most recent quarters.
|
Quarters ended
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
|
September 30,
|
June 30,
|
March 31,
|
December 31,
|
September 30,
|
June 30,
|
March 31,
|
December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
1,594 | 1,647 | 1,738 | 1,765 | 1,574 | 1,614 | 1,674 | 1,710 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating profit |
441 | 825 | 508 | 631 | 398 | 391 | 414 | 257 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations |
370 | 889 | 737 | 179 | 265 | (71) | 1,018 | (177) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax |
(3) | 5 | 19 | 39 | (37) | (44) | (11) | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings (loss) |
367 | 894 | 756 | 218 | 228 | (115) | 1,007 | (175) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders |
367 | 894 | 756 | 218 | 228 | (115) | 1,007 | (175) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Basic earnings (loss) per share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
From continuing operations |
$0.81 | $1.89 | $1.56 | $0.37 | $0.55 | $(0.15) | $2.09 | $(0.36) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
From discontinued operations |
(0.01) | 0.01 | 0.04 | 0.08 | (0.08) | (0.09) | (0.02) | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
$0.80 | $1.90 | $1.60 | $0.45 | $0.47 | $(0.24) | $2.07 | $(0.36) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Diluted earnings (loss) per share |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
From continuing operations |
$0.81 | $1.89 | $1.55 | $0.37 | $0.55 | $(0.15) | $2.09 | $(0.36) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
From discontinued operations |
(0.01) | 0.01 | 0.04 | 0.08 | (0.08) | (0.09) | (0.03) | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
$0.80 | $1.90 | $1.59 | $0.45 | $0.47 | $(0.24) | $2.06 | $(0.36) |
Revenues - Our revenues do not tend to be significantly impacted by seasonality as we record a large portion of our revenues ratably over a contract term. However, our revenues from quarter to consecutive quarter can be impacted by the release of certain tax products, which tend to be concentrated in the fourth quarter and, to a lesser extent, in the first quarter of the year. As most of our business is conducted in U.S. dollars, foreign currency had a minimal impact on our revenues, except in the third and fourth quarters of 2022 when a significant strengthening in the U.S. dollar caused a moderate decrease to our revenues. Divestitures negatively impacted our revenues in the second and third quarters of 2023, despite increases from acquisitions.
Operating profit - Our operating profit does not tend to be significantly impacted by seasonality, as most of our operating expenses are fixed. As a result, when our revenues increase, we generally become more profitable, and when our revenues decline, we generally become less profitable. The second quarter of 2023 and the fourth quarter of 2022 included gains from the sale of certain non-core businesses. In 2022 and 2021, our operating profit was impacted by the timing of costs associated with our Change Program, as well as benefits stemming from the Program.
Net earnings (loss) Our net earnings (loss) have been significantly impacted by our investment in LSEG. The second and first quarters of 2023 and the first and fourth quarters of 2022 reflected increases in the value of our LSEG investment, while the third quarter of 2023, second quarter of 2022 and fourth quarter of 2021 reflected decreases in the value of our LSEG investment. While the third quarter of 2022 also included a significant reduction in the value of our LSEG investment, the reduction was virtually all due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the British pound sterling, which was mitigated by gains on foreign exchange contracts related to a portion of the investment, which is denominated in British pound sterling.
Page 34
Appendix D
Guarantor Supplemental Financial Information
The following tables set forth consolidating summary financial information in connection with the full and unconditional guarantee by Thomson Reuters Corporation and three U.S. subsidiary guarantors, which are also indirect 100%-owned and consolidated subsidiaries of Thomson Reuters Corporation (referred to as the Guarantor Subsidiaries), of any debt securities issued by TR Finance LLC under a trust indenture to be entered into between Thomson Reuters Corporation, TR Finance LLC, the Guarantor Subsidiaries, Computershare Trust Company of Canada and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas. TR Finance LLC is an indirect 100%-owned subsidiary of Thomson Reuters Corporation and was formed with the sole purpose of issuing debt securities. TR Finance LLC has no significant assets or liabilities, as well as no subsidiaries or ongoing business operations of its own. The ability of TR Finance LLC to pay interest, premiums, operating expenses and to meet its debt obligations will depend upon the credit support of Thomson Reuters Corporation and the subsidiary guarantors. See the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of this managements discussion and analysis for additional information.
The tables below contain condensed consolidating financial information for the following:
● | Parent Thomson Reuters Corporation, the direct or indirect owner of all of its subsidiaries |
● | Subsidiary Issuer TR Finance LLC |
● | Guarantor Subsidiaries on a combined basis |
● | Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Other subsidiaries of Thomson Reuters Corporation on a combined basis that will not guarantee TR Finance LLC debt securities |
● | Eliminations Consolidating adjustments |
● | Thomson Reuters on a consolidated basis |
The Guarantor Subsidiaries referred to above are comprised of the following indirect 100%-owned and consolidated subsidiaries of Thomson Reuters Corporation:
● | Thomson Reuters Applications Inc., which operates part of the Companys Legal Professionals, Tax & Accounting Professionals and Corporates businesses; |
● | Thomson Reuters (Tax & Accounting) Inc., which operates part of the Companys Tax & Accounting Professionals and Corporates businesses; and |
● | West Publishing Corporation, which operates part of the Companys Legal Professionals, Corporates and Global Print businesses. |
Thomson Reuters Corporation accounts for its investments in subsidiaries using the equity method for purposes of the condensed consolidating financial information. Where subsidiaries are members of a consolidated tax filing group, Thomson Reuters Corporation allocates income tax expense pursuant to the tax sharing agreement among the members of the group, including application of the percentage method whereby members of the consolidated group are reimbursed for losses when they occur, regardless of the ability to use such losses on a standalone basis. We believe that this allocation is a systematic, rational approach for allocation of income tax balances. Adjustments necessary to consolidate the Parent, Guarantor Subsidiaries and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries are reflected in the Eliminations column.
This basis of presentation is not intended to present the financial position of Thomson Reuters Corporation and the results of its operations for any purpose other than to comply with the specific requirements for guarantor reporting and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, our 2022 annual consolidated financial statements, as well as our 2022 annual managements discussion and analysis included in our 2022 annual report.
The following condensed consolidating financial information is provided in compliance with the requirements of Section 13.4 of National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations providing for an exemption for certain credit support issuers. Thomson Reuters Corporation has also elected to provide the following supplemental financial information in accordance with Article 13 of Regulation S-X, as adopted by the SEC and set forth in SEC Release No. 33-10762.
Page 35
The following condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared in accordance with IFRS, as issued by the IASB and is unaudited.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING INCOME STATEMENT
Three months ended September 30, 2023
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
Parent
|
Subsidiary Issuer
|
Guarantor Subsidiaries
|
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
|
Eliminations
|
Consolidated
|
||||||||||||||||||
CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
- | - | 456 | 1,301 | (163) | 1,594 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
(1) | - | (348) | (772) | 163 | (958) | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation |
- | - | (9) | (19) | - | (28) | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of computer software |
- | - | (4) | (128) | - | (132) | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets |
- | - | (12) | (12) | - | (24) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other operating losses, net |
(1) | - | (2) | (8) | - | (11) | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating (loss) profit |
(2) | - | 81 | 362 | - | 441 | ||||||||||||||||||
Finance (costs) income, net: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest (expense) income |
(51) | - | 3 | 16 | - | (32) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other finance income (costs) |
39 | - | (1) | 79 | - | 117 | ||||||||||||||||||
Intercompany net interest income (expense) |
50 | - | (15) | (35) | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Income before tax and equity method investments |
36 | - | 68 | 422 | - | 526 | ||||||||||||||||||
Share of post-tax losses in equity method investments |
- | - | - | (174) | - | (174) | ||||||||||||||||||
Share of post-tax earnings (losses) in subsidiaries |
331 | - | (13) | 58 | (376) | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Tax (expense) benefit |
- | - | (10) | 28 | - | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||
Earnings from continuing operations |
367 | - | 45 | 334 | (376) | 370 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax |
- | - | - | (3) | - | (3) | ||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
367 | - | 45 | 331 | (376) | 367 | ||||||||||||||||||
Earnings attributable to common shareholders |
367 | - | 45 | 331 | (376) | 367 |
Three months ended September 30, 2022
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
Parent
|
Subsidiary Issuer
|
Guarantor Subsidiaries
|
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
|
Eliminations
|
Consolidated
|
||||||||||||||||||
CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
- | - | 504 | 1,213 | (143) | 1,574 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
(5) | - | (371) | (790) | 143 | (1,023) | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation |
- | - | (12) | (22) | - | (34) | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of computer software |
- | - | (2) | (117) | - | (119) | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets |
- | - | (11) | (14) | - | (25) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other operating gains (losses), net |
- | - | 7 | (419) | 437 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating (loss) profit |
(5) | - | 115 | (149) | 437 | 398 | ||||||||||||||||||
Finance (costs) income, net: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest expense |
(39) | - | (1) | (8) | - | (48) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other finance (costs) income |
(194) | - | (1) | 643 | - | 448 | ||||||||||||||||||
Intercompany net interest income (expense) |
30 | - | (12) | (18) | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
(Loss) income before tax and equity method investments |
(208) | - | 101 | 468 | 437 | 798 | ||||||||||||||||||
Share of post-tax losses in equity method investments |
- | - | - | (525) | - | (525) | ||||||||||||||||||
Share of post-tax earnings (losses) in subsidiaries |
436 | - | (2) | 85 | (519) | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Tax (expense) benefit |
- | - | (16) | 8 | - | (8) | ||||||||||||||||||
Earnings from continuing operations |
228 | - | 83 | 36 | (82) | 265 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax |
- | - | - | (37) | - | (37) | ||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings (loss) |
228 | - | 83 | (1) | (82) | 228 | ||||||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders |
228 | - | 83 | (1) | (82) | 228 |
Page 36
Nine months ended September 30, 2023
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
Parent
|
Subsidiary Issuer
|
Guarantor Subsidiaries
|
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
|
Eliminations
|
Consolidated
|
||||||||||||||||||
CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
- | - | 1,533 | 3,937 | (491) | 4,979 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
(7) | - | (1,108) | (2,398) | 491 | (3,022) | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation |
- | - | (30) | (57) | - | (87) | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of computer software |
- | - | (13) | (364) | - | (377) | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets |
- | - | (35) | (37) | - | (72) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other operating gains (losses), net |
22 | - | (7) | 338 | - | 353 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating profit |
15 | - | 340 | 1,419 | - | 1,774 | ||||||||||||||||||
Finance (costs) income, net: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest (expense) income |
(150) | - | 7 | 22 | - | (121) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other finance income (costs) |
13 | - | - | (88) | - | (75) | ||||||||||||||||||
Intercompany net interest income (expense) |
158 | - | (39) | (119) | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Income before tax and equity method investments |
36 | - | 308 | 1,234 | - | 1,578 | ||||||||||||||||||
Share of post-tax earnings in equity method investments |
- | - | - | 815 | - | 815 | ||||||||||||||||||
Share of post-tax earnings in subsidiaries |
1,981 | - | 55 | 259 | (2,295) | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Tax expense |
- | - | (49) | (348) | - | (397) | ||||||||||||||||||
Earnings from continuing operations |
2,017 | - | 314 | 1,960 | (2,295) | 1,996 | ||||||||||||||||||
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax |
- | - | - | 21 | - | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
2,017 | - | 314 | 1,981 | (2,295) | 2,017 | ||||||||||||||||||
Earnings attributable to common shareholders |
2,017 | - | 314 | 1,981 | (2,295) | 2,017 |
Nine months ended September 30, 2022
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
Parent
|
Subsidiary Issuer
|
Guarantor Subsidiaries
|
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
|
Eliminations
|
Consolidated
|
||||||||||||||||||
CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
- | - | 1,604 | 3,756 | (498) | 4,862 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
(9) | - | (1,191) | (2,443) | 498 | (3,145) | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation |
- | - | (36) | (74) | - | (110) | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of computer software |
- | - | (8) | (346) | - | (354) | ||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets |
- | - | (37) | (39) | - | (76) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other operating gains (losses), net |
- | - | 7 | (418) | 437 | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating (loss) profit |
(9) | - | 339 | 436 | 437 | 1,203 | ||||||||||||||||||
Finance (costs) income, net: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest expense |
(118) | - | (1) | (26) | - | (145) | ||||||||||||||||||
Other finance (costs) income |
(232) | - | - | 1,094 | - | 862 | ||||||||||||||||||
Intercompany net interest income (expense) |
87 | - | (37) | (50) | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||
(Loss) income before tax and equity method investments |
(272) | - | 301 | 1,454 | 437 | 1,920 | ||||||||||||||||||
Share of post-tax losses in equity method investments |
- | - | - | (552) | - | (552) | ||||||||||||||||||
Share of post-tax earnings in subsidiaries |
1,392 | - | 2 | 230 | (1,624) | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Tax expense |
- | - | (71) | (85) | - | (156) | ||||||||||||||||||
Earnings from continuing operations |
1,120 | - | 232 | 1,047 | (1,187) | 1,212 | ||||||||||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax |
- | - | - | (92) | - | (92) | ||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
1,120 | - | 232 | 955 | (1,187) | 1,120 | ||||||||||||||||||
Earnings attributable to common shareholders |
1,120 | - | 232 | 955 | (1,187) | 1,120 |
Page 37
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
September 30, 2023
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
Parent
|
Subsidiary
|
Guarantor Subsidiaries
|
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
|
Eliminations
|
Consolidated
|
||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
1 | - | 368 | 2,147 | - | 2,516 | ||||||||||||||||||
Trade and other receivables |
- | - | 258 | 724 | - | 982 | ||||||||||||||||||
Intercompany receivables |
3,811 | - | 470 | 5,265 | (9,546) | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Other financial assets |
- | - | 5 | 113 | - | 118 | ||||||||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
- | - | 217 | 222 | - | 439 | ||||||||||||||||||
Current assets |
3,812 | - | 1,318 | 8,471 | (9,546) | 4,055 | ||||||||||||||||||
Property and equipment, net |
- | - | 140 | 255 | - | 395 | ||||||||||||||||||
Computer software, net |
- | - | 53 | 1,203 | - | 1,256 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other identifiable intangible assets, net |
- | - | 1,032 | 2,143 | - | 3,175 | ||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill |
- | - | 3,801 | 2,866 | - | 6,667 | ||||||||||||||||||
Equity method investments |
- | - | - | 1,801 | - | 1,801 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other financial assets |
70 | - | 7 | 296 | - | 373 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other non-current assets |
- | - | 104 | 477 | - | 581 | ||||||||||||||||||
Intercompany receivables |
169 | - | 2 | 778 | (949) | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Investments in subsidiaries |
16,530 | - | 484 | 4,371 | (21,385) | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Deferred tax |
- | - | - | 1,046 | - | 1,046 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
20,581 | - | 6,941 | 23,707 | (31,880) | 19,349 | ||||||||||||||||||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current indebtedness |
1,480 | - | - | - | - | 1,480 | ||||||||||||||||||
Payables, accruals and provisions |
72 | - | 289 | 564 | - | 925 | ||||||||||||||||||
Current tax liabilities |
- | - | 5 | 418 | - | 423 | ||||||||||||||||||
Deferred revenue |
- | - | 441 | 494 | - | 935 | ||||||||||||||||||
Intercompany payables |
4,958 | - | 307 | 4,281 | (9,546) | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Other financial liabilities |
- | - | 15 | 70 | - | 85 | ||||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities |
6,510 | - | 1,057 | 5,827 | (9,546) | 3,848 | ||||||||||||||||||
Long-term indebtedness |
2,878 | - | - | - | - | 2,878 | ||||||||||||||||||
Provisions and other non-current liabilities |
1 | - | 6 | 713 | - | 720 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other financial liabilities |
- | - | 22 | 182 | - | 204 | ||||||||||||||||||
Intercompany payables |
- | - | 778 | 171 | (949) | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Deferred tax |
- | - | 223 | 284 | - | 507 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
9,389 | - | 2,086 | 7,177 | (10,495) | 8,157 | ||||||||||||||||||
Equity |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total equity |
11,192 | - | 4,855 | 16,530 | (21,385) | 11,192 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities and equity |
20,581 | - | 6,941 | 23,707 | (31,880) | 19,349 |
Page 38
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
December 31, 2022
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
Parent
|
Subsidiary
|
Guarantor
|
Non-Guarantor
|
Eliminations
|
Consolidated
|
||||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
5 | - | 125 | 939 | - | 1,069 | ||||||||||||||||||
Trade and other receivables |
- | - | 458 | 611 | - | 1,069 | ||||||||||||||||||
Intercompany receivables |
3,566 | - | 354 | 2,791 | (6,711) | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Other financial assets |
- | - | 5 | 199 | - | 204 | ||||||||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
- | - | 245 | 224 | - | 469 | ||||||||||||||||||
Current assets |
3,571 | - | 1,187 | 4,764 | (6,711) | 2,811 | ||||||||||||||||||
Property and equipment, net |
- | - | 159 | 255 | - | 414 | ||||||||||||||||||
Computer software, net |
- | - | 4 | 931 | - | 935 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other identifiable intangible assets, net |
- | - | 1,066 | 2,153 | - | 3,219 | ||||||||||||||||||
Goodwill |
- | - | 3,788 | 2,081 | - | 5,869 | ||||||||||||||||||
Equity method investments |
- | - | - | 6,199 | - | 6,199 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other financial assets |
60 | - | 11 | 456 | - | 527 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other non-current assets |
- | - | 126 | 493 | - | 619 | ||||||||||||||||||
Intercompany receivables |
190 | - | - | 778 | (968) | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Investments in subsidiaries |
15,979 | - | 64 | 4,145 | (20,188) | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Deferred tax |
- | - | - | 1,118 | - | 1,118 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
19,800 | - | 6,405 | 23,373 | (27,867) | 21,711 | ||||||||||||||||||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current indebtedness |
1,647 | - | - | - | - | 1,647 | ||||||||||||||||||
Payables, accruals and provisions |
48 | - | 395 | 779 | - | 1,222 | ||||||||||||||||||
Current tax liabilities |
- | - | 2 | 322 | - | 324 | ||||||||||||||||||
Deferred revenue |
- | - | 341 | 545 | - | 886 | ||||||||||||||||||
Intercompany payables |
2,385 | - | 406 | 3,920 | (6,711) | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Other financial liabilities |
718 | - | 18 | 76 | - | 812 | ||||||||||||||||||
Current liabilities |
4,798 | - | 1,162 | 5,642 | (6,711) | 4,891 | ||||||||||||||||||
Long-term indebtedness |
3,114 | - | - | - | - | 3,114 | ||||||||||||||||||
Provisions and other non-current liabilities |
2 | - | 4 | 685 | - | 691 | ||||||||||||||||||
Other financial liabilities |
- | - | 33 | 200 | - | 233 | ||||||||||||||||||
Intercompany payables |
1 | - | 778 | 189 | (968) | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Deferred tax |
- | - | 219 | 678 | - | 897 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
7,915 | - | 2,196 | 7,394 | (7,679) | 9,826 | ||||||||||||||||||
Equity |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total equity |
11,885 | - | 4,209 | 15,979 | (20,188) | 11,885 | ||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities and equity |
19,800 | - | 6,405 | 23,373 | (27,867) | 21,711 |
Page 39
Exhibit 99.2
Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
THOMSON REUTERS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
(unaudited)
Three months ended
|
Nine months ended
|
|||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) | Notes | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
CONTINUING OPERATIONS |
||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
2 | 1,594 | 1,574 | 4,979 | 4,862 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
5 | (958) | (1,023) | (3,022) | (3,145) | |||||||||||||||
Depreciation |
(28) | (34) | (87) | (110) | ||||||||||||||||
Amortization of computer software |
(132) | (119) | (377) | (354) | ||||||||||||||||
Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets |
(24) | (25) | (72) | (76) | ||||||||||||||||
Other operating (losses) gains, net |
6 | (11) | 25 | 353 | 26 | |||||||||||||||
Operating profit |
441 | 398 | 1,774 | 1,203 | ||||||||||||||||
Finance costs, net: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net interest expense |
8 | (32) | (48) | (121) | (145) | |||||||||||||||
Other finance income (costs) |
8 | 117 | 448 | (75) | 862 | |||||||||||||||
Income before tax and equity method investments |
526 | 798 | 1,578 | 1,920 | ||||||||||||||||
Share of post-tax (losses) earnings in equity method investments |
9 | (174) | (525) | 815 | (552) | |||||||||||||||
Tax benefit (expense) |
10 | 18 | (8) | (397) | (156) | |||||||||||||||
Earnings from continuing operations |
370 | 265 | 1,996 | 1,212 | ||||||||||||||||
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax |
(3) | (37) | 21 | (92) | ||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
367 | 228 | 2,017 | 1,120 | ||||||||||||||||
Earnings attributable to common shareholders |
367 | 228 | 2,017 | 1,120 | ||||||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) per share: |
11 | |||||||||||||||||||
Basic earnings per share: |
||||||||||||||||||||
From continuing operations |
$0.81 | $0.55 | $4.27 | $2.49 | ||||||||||||||||
From discontinued operations |
(0.01) | (0.08) | 0.05 | (0.19) | ||||||||||||||||
Basic earnings per share |
$0.80 | $0.47 | $4.32 | $2.30 | ||||||||||||||||
Diluted earnings per share: |
||||||||||||||||||||
From continuing operations |
$0.81 | $0.55 | $4.27 | $2.49 | ||||||||||||||||
From discontinued operations |
(0.01) | (0.08) | 0.04 | (0.19) | ||||||||||||||||
Diluted earnings per share |
$0.80 | $0.47 | $4.31 | $2.30 |
The related notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Page 40
THOMSON REUTERS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(unaudited)
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars) | Notes | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
|
367 |
|
|
228 |
|
|
2,017 |
|
|
1,120 |
| ||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Items that have been or may be subsequently reclassified to net earnings: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Cash flow hedges adjustments to net earnings |
|
8 |
|
|
22 |
|
|
66 |
|
|
(3) |
|
|
89 |
| |||||
Cash flow hedges adjustments to equity |
|
(22) |
|
|
(47) |
|
|
(2) |
|
|
(68) |
| ||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments to equity |
|
(124) |
|
|
(244) |
|
|
27 |
|
|
(505) |
| ||||||||
|
(124) |
|
|
(225) |
|
|
22 |
|
|
(484) |
| |||||||||
Items that will not be reclassified to net earnings: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Fair value adjustments on financial assets |
|
12 |
|
|
(2) |
|
|
(2) |
|
|
4 |
|
|
(20) |
| |||||
Remeasurement on defined benefit pension plans |
|
(58) |
|
|
(91) |
|
|
(43) |
|
|
(178) |
| ||||||||
Related tax benefit on remeasurement on defined benefit pension plans |
|
15 |
|
|
23 |
|
|
11 |
|
|
44 |
| ||||||||
|
(45) |
|
|
(70) |
|
|
(28) |
|
|
(154) |
| |||||||||
Other comprehensive loss |
|
(169) |
|
|
(295) |
|
|
(6) |
|
|
(638) |
| ||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) |
|
198 |
|
|
(67) |
|
|
2,011 |
|
|
482 |
| ||||||||
Comprehensive income (loss) for the period attributable to: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Common shareholders: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Continuing operations |
|
201 |
|
|
(30) |
|
|
1,990 |
|
|
574 |
| ||||||||
Discontinued operations |
|
(3) |
|
|
(37) |
|
|
21 |
|
|
(92) |
| ||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) |
|
198 |
|
|
(67) |
|
|
2,011 |
|
|
482 |
|
The related notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Page 41
THOMSON REUTERS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(unaudited)
September 30,
|
December 31,
|
|||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars) | Notes | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
12 |
|
2,516 |
|
|
1,069 |
| |||
Trade and other receivables |
|
982 |
|
|
1,069 |
| ||||
Other financial assets |
12 |
|
118 |
|
|
204 |
| |||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
|
439 |
|
|
469 |
| ||||
Current assets |
|
4,055 |
|
|
2,811 |
| ||||
Property and equipment, net |
|
395 |
|
|
414 |
| ||||
Computer software, net |
|
1,256 |
|
|
935 |
| ||||
Other identifiable intangible assets, net |
|
3,175 |
|
|
3,219 |
| ||||
Goodwill |
|
6,667 |
|
|
5,869 |
| ||||
Equity method investments |
9 |
|
1,801 |
|
|
6,199 |
| |||
Other financial assets |
12 |
|
373 |
|
|
527 |
| |||
Other non-current assets |
13 |
|
581 |
|
|
619 |
| |||
Deferred tax |
|
1,046 |
|
|
1,118 |
| ||||
Total assets |
|
19,349 |
|
|
21,711 |
| ||||
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY |
||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||
Current indebtedness |
12 |
|
1,480 |
|
|
1,647 |
| |||
Payables, accruals and provisions |
14 |
|
925 |
|
|
1,222 |
| |||
Current tax liabilities |
|
423 |
|
|
324 |
| ||||
Deferred revenue |
|
935 |
|
|
886 |
| ||||
Other financial liabilities |
12 |
|
85 |
|
|
812 |
| |||
Current liabilities |
|
3,848 |
|
|
4,891 |
| ||||
Long-term indebtedness |
12 |
|
2,878 |
|
|
3,114 |
| |||
Provisions and other non-current liabilities |
15 |
|
720 |
|
|
691 |
| |||
Other financial liabilities |
12 |
|
204 |
|
|
233 |
| |||
Deferred tax |
|
507 |
|
|
897 |
| ||||
Total liabilities |
|
8,157 |
|
|
9,826 |
| ||||
Equity |
||||||||||
Capital |
16 |
|
3,388 |
|
|
5,398 |
| |||
Retained earnings |
|
8,933 |
|
|
7,642 |
| ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
|
(1,129) |
|
|
(1,155) |
| ||||
Total equity |
|
11,192 |
|
|
11,885 |
| ||||
Total liabilities and equity |
|
19,349 |
|
|
21,711 |
|
Contingencies (note 19)
The related notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Page 42
THOMSON REUTERS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW
(unaudited)
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||||||
 (millions of U.S. dollars)
|
Notes
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||||
 Cash provided by (used in): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
 OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
 Earnings from continuing operations |
|
|
|
|
370 |
|
|
265 |
|
|
1,996 |
|
|
1,212 |
| |||||
 Adjustments for: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
 Depreciation |
|
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
34 |
|
|
87 |
|
|
110 |
| |||||
 Amortization of computer software |
|
|
|
|
132 |
|
|
119 |
|
|
377 |
|
|
354 |
| |||||
 Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets |
|
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
25 |
|
|
72 |
|
|
76 |
| |||||
 Share of post-tax losses (earnings) in equity method |
|
9 |
|
|
174 |
|
|
525 |
|
|
(815) |
|
|
552 |
| |||||
 Net losses (gains) on
disposals of businesses and |
|
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
(30) |
|
|
(341) |
|
|
(29) |
| |||||
 Deferred tax |
|
|
|
|
(251) |
|
|
(176) |
|
|
(369) |
|
|
(193) |
| |||||
 Other |
|
17 |
|
|
(89) |
|
|
(417) |
|
|
188 |
|
|
(742) |
| |||||
 Changes in working capital and other items |
|
17 |
|
|
257 |
|
|
181 |
|
|
417 |
|
|
(35) |
| |||||
 Operating cash flows from continuing operations |
|
|
|
|
651 |
|
|
526 |
|
|
1,612 |
|
|
1,305 |
| |||||
 Operating cash flows from discontinued operations |
|
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
24 |
|
|
(66) |
| |||||
 Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
|
|
|
674 |
|
|
531 |
|
|
1,636 |
|
|
1,239 |
| |||||
 INVESTING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
 Acquisitions, net of cash acquired |
|
18 |
|
|
(678) |
|
|
(19) |
|
|
(1,201) |
|
|
(190) |
| |||||
 Proceeds from disposals of businesses and investments |
|
7 |
|
|
- |
|
|
29 |
|
|
418 |
|
|
29 |
| |||||
 Proceeds from sales of LSEG shares |
|
9 |
|
|
1,517 |
|
|
24 |
|
|
5,393 |
|
|
24 |
| |||||
 Capital expenditures |
|
|
|
|
(145) |
|
|
(152) |
|
|
(412) |
|
|
(460) |
| |||||
 Other investing activities |
|
9 |
|
|
14 |
|
|
25 |
|
|
82 |
|
|
87 |
| |||||
 Taxes paid on sales
of LSEG shares and disposals of |
|
|
|
|
(273) |
|
|
- |
|
|
(543) |
|
|
- |
| |||||
 Investing cash flows from continuing operations |
|
|
|
|
435 |
|
|
(93) |
|
|
3,737 |
|
|
(510) |
| |||||
 Investing cash flows from discontinued operations |
|
|
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(1) |
|
|
(16) |
| |||||
 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
|
|
|
|
435 |
|
|
(93) |
|
|
3,736 |
|
|
(526) |
| |||||
 FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
 Net (repayments) borrowings under short-term loan facilities |
|
12 |
|
|
(1,214) |
|
|
319 |
|
|
(443) |
|
|
369 |
| |||||
 Payments of lease principal |
|
|
|
|
(13) |
|
|
(17) |
|
|
(44) |
|
|
(50) |
| |||||
 Payments for return of capital on common shares |
|
16 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(2,045) |
|
|
- |
| |||||
 Repurchases of common shares |
|
16 |
|
|
- |
|
|
(504) |
|
|
(718) |
|
|
(698) |
| |||||
 Dividends paid on preference shares |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
|
(1) |
|
|
(4) |
|
|
(2) |
| |||||
 Dividends paid on common shares |
|
16 |
|
|
(218) |
|
|
(208) |
|
|
(672) |
|
|
(627) |
| |||||
 Other financing activities |
|
|
|
|
(3) |
|
|
(25) |
|
|
2 |
|
|
(16) |
| |||||
 Net cash used in financing activities |
|
|
|
|
(1,449) |
|
|
(436) |
|
|
(3,924) |
|
|
(1,024) |
| |||||
 Translation adjustments |
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
|
(4) |
|
|
(1) |
|
|
(8) |
| |||||
 (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
|
|
|
|
(342) |
|
|
(2) |
|
|
1,447 |
|
|
(319) |
| |||||
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
|
|
|
|
2,858 |
|
|
461 |
|
|
1,069 |
|
|
778 |
| |||||
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
|
|
|
|
2,516 |
|
|
459 |
|
|
2,516 |
|
|
459 |
| |||||
 Supplemental cash flow information is provided in note 17. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
 Interest paid, net of debt related hedges |
|
|
|
|
(28) |
|
|
(16) |
|
|
(130) |
|
|
(96) |
| |||||
 Interest received |
|
|
|
|
31 |
|
|
4 |
|
|
55 |
|
|
5 |
| |||||
 Income taxes paid |
|
17 |
|
|
(284) |
|
|
(49) |
|
|
(662) |
|
|
(194) |
|
Interest received and interest paid are reflected as operating cash flows.
Income taxes paid are reflected as either operating or investing cash flows depending on the nature of the underlying transaction.
The related notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Page 43
THOMSON REUTERS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
(unaudited)
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
Stated
|
Contributed
|
Total
|
|
Retained
|
Unrecognized
|
Foreign
|
|
|
Total
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2022 |
3,864 | 1,534 | 5,398 |
|
|
|
7,642 | 17 | (1,172) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,155) | 11,885 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
- | - | - |
|
|
|
2,017 | - | - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
- | 2,017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive (loss) income |
- | - | - |
|
|
|
(32) | (1) | 27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
26 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) |
- | - | - |
|
|
|
1,985 | (1) | 27 |
|
|
|
26 | 2,011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Return of capital on common shares (see note 16) |
(2,107) | 60 | (2,047) |
|
|
|
- | - | - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
- | (2,047) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared on preference shares |
- | - | - |
|
|
|
(4) | - | - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
- | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared on common shares |
- | - | - |
|
|
|
(686) | - | - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
- | (686) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued under Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) |
14 | - | 14 |
|
|
|
- | - | - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
- | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Repurchases of common shares |
2 | - | 2 |
|
|
|
(2) | - | - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
- | - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock compensation plans |
125 | (104) | 21 |
|
|
|
(2) | - | - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
- | 19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2023 |
1,898 | 1,490 | 3,388 |
|
|
|
8,933 | 16 | (1,145) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,129) | 11,192 |
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
Stated
|
Contributed
|
Total
|
|
Retained
|
Unrecognized
|
Foreign
|
AOCL
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, December 31, 2021 |
3,813 | 1,683 | 5,496 |
|
|
|
9,149 | 25 | (836) | (811) | 13,834 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings |
- | - | - |
|
|
|
1,120 | - | - | - | 1,120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive (loss) income |
- | - | - |
|
|
|
(134) | 1 | (505) | (504) | (638) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total comprehensive income (loss) |
- | - | - |
|
|
|
986 | 1 | (505) | (504) | 482 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared on preference shares |
- | - | - |
|
|
|
(2) | - | - | - | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared on common shares |
- | - | - |
|
|
|
(648) | - | - | - | (648) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares issued under DRIP |
21 | - | 21 |
|
|
|
- | - | - | - | 21 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Repurchases of common shares |
(53) | - | (53) |
|
|
|
(668) | - | - | - | (721) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Automatic share purchase plan |
(52) | - | (52) |
|
|
|
(619) | - | - | - | (671) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock compensation plans |
143 | (154) | (11) |
|
|
|
(6) | - | - | - | (17) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, September 30, 2022 |
3,872 | 1,529 | 5,401 |
|
|
|
8,192 | 26 | (1,341) | (1,315) | 12,278 |
The related notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Page 44
Thomson Reuters Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
(unless otherwise stated, all amounts are in millions of U.S. dollars)
Note 1: Business Description and Basis of Preparation
General business description
Thomson Reuters Corporation (the Company or Thomson Reuters) is an Ontario, Canada corporation with common shares listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Series II preference shares listed on the TSX. The Company serves professionals across legal, tax, accounting, compliance, government, and media. Its products combine highly specialized software and insights to empower professionals with the data, intelligence, and solutions needed to make informed decisions, and to help institutions in their pursuit of justice, truth and transparency. Reuters, part of Thomson Reuters, is a world leading provider of trusted journalism and news.
These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements (interim financial statements) were approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company on October 31, 2023.
Basis of preparation
The interim financial statements were prepared using the same accounting policies and methods as those used in the Companys consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022. The interim financial statements comply with International Accounting Standard 34, Interim Financial Reporting (IAS 34). Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosure normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), have been omitted or condensed.
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with IAS 34 requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the Companys accounting policies. The areas involving more judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements have been disclosed in note 2 of the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The Company continues to operate in an uncertain macroeconomic and geopolitical environment caused by rising interest rates, high inflation, and ongoing geopolitical risks. The Company is closely monitoring the evolving macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions to assess potential impacts on its businesses. Due to the significant uncertainty created by these circumstances, some of managements estimates and judgments may be more variable and may change materially in the future.
The accompanying interim financial statements include all adjustments, composed of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary by management to fairly state the Companys results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Companys consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, which are included in the Companys 2022 annual report.
References to $ are to U.S. dollars, references to C$ are to Canadian dollars and references to £ are to British pounds sterling.
Recent accounting amendments
In May 2023, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 12 Income Taxes. The amendments require an exception to IAS 12, whereby an entity does not recognize or disclose information about deferred tax assets and liabilities specifically related to tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted to implement the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Developments international tax reform recommendations known as the Pillar Two model rules. The Company has applied the exception which was effective upon the issuance of the amendments.
In August 2023, the IASB issued amendments to IAS 21, The Effect of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates. The amendments provide guidance on the determination of an exchange rate to translate transactions and financial statements denominated or presented in a currency that is not exchangeable into another currency. The amendments are effective for reporting periods beginning January 1, 2025. The Company is assessing the impact of these amendments on its financial statements.
Updates issued by the IASB that are not applicable or consequential to the Company have been excluded from the discussion above.
Page 45
Note 2: Revenues
Revenues by type and geography
The following tables disaggregate revenues by type and geography and reconcile them to reportable segments (see note 3).
Revenues by type
|
Legal
|
Corporates
|
Tax & Accounting Professionals
|
Reuters News
|
Global
|
Eliminations/ Rounding
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30,
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring |
|
661 |
|
|
658 |
|
|
349 |
|
|
330 |
|
|
160 |
|
|
158 |
|
|
158 |
|
|
152 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(5) |
|
|
(7) |
|
|
1,323 |
|
|
1,291 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transactions |
|
27 |
|
|
43 |
|
|
42 |
|
|
43 |
|
|
43 |
|
|
32 |
|
|
22 |
|
|
19 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
134 |
|
|
137 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Global Print |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 137 | 146 | - | - | 137 | 146 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
688 | 701 | 391 | 373 | 203 | 190 | 180 | 171 | 137 | 146 | (5) | (7) | 1,594 | 1,574 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues by type
|
Legal
|
Corporates
|
Tax & Accounting Professionals
|
Reuters News
|
Global
|
Eliminations/ Rounding
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30,
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring |
|
2,000 |
|
|
1,967 |
|
|
1,015 |
|
|
968 |
|
|
503 |
|
|
507 |
|
|
468 |
|
|
459 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
(17) |
|
|
(19) |
|
|
3,969 |
|
|
3,882 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transactions |
|
107 |
|
|
132 |
|
|
203 |
|
|
189 |
|
|
211 |
|
|
153 |
|
|
81 |
|
|
76 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
602 |
|
|
550 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Global Print |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 408 | 430 | - | - | 408 | 430 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
2,107 | 2,099 | 1,218 | 1,157 | 714 | 660 | 549 | 535 | 408 | 430 | (17) | (19) | 4,979 | 4,862 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues by geography(1) (country of destination)
|
Legal
|
Corporates
|
Tax & Accounting
|
Reuters News
|
Global
|
Eliminations/ Rounding
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30,
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. |
|
557 |
|
|
570 |
|
|
317 |
|
|
306 |
|
|
154 |
|
|
148 |
|
|
27 |
|
|
28 |
|
|
99 |
|
|
103 |
|
|
(5) |
|
|
(7) |
|
|
1,149 |
|
|
1,148 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Canada (country of domicile) |
|
21 |
|
|
18 |
|
|
3 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
4 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
18 |
|
|
22 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
47 |
|
|
48 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
|
8 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
19 |
|
|
15 |
|
|
36 |
|
|
28 |
|
|
3 |
|
|
2 |
|
|
4 |
|
|
4 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
70 |
|
|
55 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Americas (North America, Latin America, South America) |
586 | 594 | 339 | 323 | 194 | 181 | 31 | 31 | 121 | 129 | (5) | (7) | 1,266 | 1,251 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.K. |
|
69 |
|
|
64 |
|
|
29 |
|
|
26 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
4 |
|
|
110 |
|
|
103 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
8 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
222 |
|
|
205 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
|
6 |
|
|
16 |
|
|
11 |
|
|
11 |
|
|
- |
|
|
1 |
|
|
27 |
|
|
24 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
3 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
45 |
|
|
55 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) |
75 | 80 | 40 | 37 | 5 | 5 | 137 | 127 | 10 | 11 | - | - | 267 | 260 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asia Pacific |
|
27 |
|
|
27 |
|
|
12 |
|
|
13 |
|
|
4 |
|
|
4 |
|
|
12 |
|
|
13 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
61 |
|
|
63 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
|
688 |
|
|
701 |
|
|
391 |
|
|
373 |
|
|
203 |
|
|
190 |
|
|
180 |
|
|
171 |
|
|
137 |
|
|
146 |
|
|
(5) |
|
|
(7) |
|
|
1,594 |
|
|
1,574 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues by geography(1) (country of destination)
|
Legal
|
Corporates
|
Tax & Accounting
|
Reuters News
|
Global
|
Eliminations/ Rounding
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30,
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. |
|
1,710 |
|
|
1,699 |
|
|
999 |
|
|
946 |
|
|
554 |
|
|
520 |
|
|
79 |
|
|
86 |
|
|
303 |
|
|
308 |
|
|
(17) |
|
|
(19) |
|
|
3,628 |
|
|
3,540 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Canada (country of domicile) |
|
61 |
|
|
52 |
|
|
7 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
26 |
|
|
27 |
|
|
3 |
|
|
3 |
|
|
48 |
|
|
58 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
145 |
|
|
146 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
|
23 |
|
|
22 |
|
|
57 |
|
|
45 |
|
|
105 |
|
|
84 |
|
|
7 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
11 |
|
|
12 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
203 |
|
|
169 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Americas (North America, Latin America, South America) |
1,794 | 1,773 | 1,063 | 997 | 685 | 631 | 89 | 95 | 362 | 378 | (17) | (19) | 3,976 | 3,855 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.K. |
|
199 |
|
|
195 |
|
|
83 |
|
|
81 |
|
|
15 |
|
|
14 |
|
|
342 |
|
|
324 |
|
|
25 |
|
|
24 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
664 |
|
|
638 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other |
|
31 |
|
|
48 |
|
|
33 |
|
|
37 |
|
|
- |
|
|
1 |
|
|
80 |
|
|
75 |
|
|
4 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
148 |
|
|
170 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) |
230 | 243 | 116 | 118 | 15 | 15 | 422 | 399 | 29 | 33 | - | - | 812 | 808 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Asia Pacific |
|
83 |
|
|
83 |
|
|
39 |
|
|
42 |
|
|
14 |
|
|
14 |
|
|
38 |
|
|
41 |
|
|
17 |
|
|
19 |
|
|
- |
|
|
- |
|
|
191 |
|
|
199 |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
|
2,107 |
|
|
2,099 |
|
|
1,218 |
|
|
1,157 |
|
|
714 |
|
|
660 |
|
|
549 |
|
|
535 |
|
|
408 |
|
|
430 |
|
|
(17) |
|
|
(19) |
|
|
4,979 |
|
|
4,862 |
|
(1) | In the three-month period, the Company reclassified $3 million (nine-month period$4 million) of total revenues from Asia Pacific to the U.S. By segment, Legal Professionals increased U.S. revenues by $7 million and $21 million for the three and nine-month periods, respectively. Corporates and Tax & Accounting Professionals decreased U.S. revenues by $3 million and $1 million, respectively for the three-month period and $13 million and $4 million, respectively for the nine-month period. |
Note 3: Segment Information
The Company is organized as five reportable segments, reflecting how the businesses are managed. The segments offer products and services to target customers as described below.
Legal Professionals
The Legal Professionals segment serves law firms and governments with research and workflow products, focusing on intuitive legal research powered by emerging technologies and integrated legal workflow solutions that combine content, tools and analytics.
Corporates
The Corporates segment serves corporate customers from small businesses to multinational organizations, including the seven largest global accounting firms, with the Companys full suite of content-driven technology solutions for in-house legal, tax, regulatory, compliance and IT professionals.
Page 46
Tax & Accounting Professionals
The Tax & Accounting Professionals segment serves tax, accounting and audit professionals in accounting firms (other than the seven largest, which are served by the Corporates segment) with research and workflow products, focusing on intuitive tax offerings and automating tax workflows.
Reuters News
The Reuters News segment supplies business, financial and global news to the worlds media organizations, professionals and news consumers through Reuters News Agency, Reuters.com, Reuters Events, Thomson Reuters products and to financial market professionals exclusively via London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) products.
Global Print
The Global Print segment provides legal and tax information primarily in print format to customers around the world.
The Company also reports Corporate costs, which includes expenses for corporate functions. In 2022, Corporate costs also included expenses related to the Change Program (see note 5). Corporate costs does not qualify as a reportable segment.
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||
Revenues |
||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals |
688 | 701 | 2,107 | 2,099 | ||||||||||||
Corporates |
391 | 373 | 1,218 | 1,157 | ||||||||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals |
203 | 190 | 714 | 660 | ||||||||||||
Reuters News |
180 | 171 | 549 | 535 | ||||||||||||
Global Print |
137 | 146 | 408 | 430 | ||||||||||||
Eliminations/Rounding |
(5) | (7) | (17) | (19) | ||||||||||||
Revenues |
1,594 | 1,574 | 4,979 | 4,862 | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals |
338 | 324 | 1,001 | 933 | ||||||||||||
Corporates |
164 | 147 | 481 | 443 | ||||||||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals |
64 | 59 | 302 | 262 | ||||||||||||
Reuters News |
37 | 33 | 111 | 114 | ||||||||||||
Global Print |
55 | 50 | 158 | 153 | ||||||||||||
Total reportable segments adjusted EBITDA |
658 | 613 | 2,053 | 1,905 | ||||||||||||
Corporate costs |
(26) | (78) | (82) | (209) | ||||||||||||
Fair value adjustments(1) |
4 | 16 | (14) | 21 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation |
(28) | (34) | (87) | (110) | ||||||||||||
Amortization of computer software(2) |
(132) | (119) | (377) | (354) | ||||||||||||
Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets |
(24) | (25) | (72) | (76) | ||||||||||||
Other operating (losses) gains, net |
(11) | 25 | 353 | 26 | ||||||||||||
Operating profit |
441 | 398 | 1,774 | 1,203 | ||||||||||||
Net interest expense |
(32) | (48) | (121) | (145) | ||||||||||||
Other finance income (costs) |
117 | 448 | (75) | 862 | ||||||||||||
Share of post-tax (losses) earnings in equity method investments |
(174) | (525) | 815 | (552) | ||||||||||||
Tax benefit (expense) |
18 | (8) | (397) | (156) | ||||||||||||
Earnings from continuing operations |
370 | 265 | 1,996 | 1,212 |
(1) | The three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 includes $2 million and $15 million, respectively, of acquired deferred revenue (2022 - nil). |
(2) | The three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 include $21 million (2022 - $7 million) and $48 million (2022 - $27 million), respectively, from amortization of acquired computer software. |
Reuters News revenues included $5 million (2022 - $7 million) and $17 million (2022 - $19 million) in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, primarily from content-related services that it provided to the Legal Professionals, Corporates and Tax & Accounting Professionals segments.
In accordance with IFRS 8, Operating Segments, the Company discloses certain information about its reportable segments based upon measures used by management in assessing the performance of those reportable segments. These measures are defined below and may not be comparable to similar measures of other companies.
Segment Adjusted EBITDA
● | Segment adjusted EBITDA represents earnings or loss 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, the Companys share of post-tax earnings or losses in equity method investments, other operating gains and losses, certain asset impairment charges, corporate related items and fair value adjustments, including those related to acquired deferred revenue. |
Page 47
● | The Company does not consider these excluded items to be controllable operating activities for purposes of assessing the current performance of the reportable segments. |
● | Each segment includes an allocation of costs, based on usage or other applicable measures, for centralized support services such as technology, customer service, commercial policy, facilities management, and product and content development. Additionally, product costs are allocated when one segment sells products managed by another segment. |
Note 4: Seasonality
The Companys revenues and operating profit on a consolidated basis do not tend to be significantly impacted by seasonality as it records a large portion of its revenues ratably over the contract term and its costs are generally incurred evenly throughout the year. However, the Companys revenues from quarter to consecutive quarter can be impacted by the release of certain tax products, which tend to be concentrated in the fourth quarter and, to a lesser extent, in the first quarter of the year. The timing of costs related to the Change Program impacted the seasonality of the Companys expenses and operating profit in 2022.
Note 5: Operating Expenses
The components of operating expenses include the following:
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||
Salaries, commissions and allowances |
541 | 587 | 1,693 | 1,781 | ||||||||||||
Share-based payments |
19 | 21 | 62 | 68 | ||||||||||||
Post-employment benefits |
30 | 38 | 87 | 111 | ||||||||||||
Total staff costs |
590 | 646 | 1,842 | 1,960 | ||||||||||||
Goods and services(1) |
294 | 314 | 931 | 954 | ||||||||||||
Content |
61 | 60 | 194 | 192 | ||||||||||||
Telecommunications |
10 | 8 | 29 | 30 | ||||||||||||
Facilities |
9 | 11 | 27 | 30 | ||||||||||||
Fair value adjustments(2) |
(6) | (16) | (1) | (21) | ||||||||||||
Total operating expenses |
958 | 1,023 | 3,022 | 3,145 |
(1) | Goods and services include professional fees, consulting and outsourcing services, contractors, selling and marketing, and other general and administrative costs. |
(2) | Fair value adjustments primarily represent gains or losses on intercompany balances that arise in the ordinary course of business due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. |
Operating expenses in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 included $47 million and $111 million, respectively, related to the Change Program, which transitioned Thomson Reuters from a holding company to an operating company, and from a content provider into a content-driven technology company. The charges included severance as well as costs to drive technology and digital sales efficiencies. The Change Program was completed on December 31, 2022.
Note 6: Other Operating (Losses) Gains, Net
Other operating (losses) gains, net, were $(11) million and $353 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. Other operating (losses) gains, net, in the three-month period were not significant and in the nine-month period included a $347 million gain on the sale of a majority interest in the Companys Elite business (see note 7) and a $23 million gain on the sale of a Canadian wholly-owned subsidiary to a company affiliated with The Woodbridge Company Limited (Woodbridge), the Companys principal shareholder (see note 20). Other operating gains, net, were $25 million and $26 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, which included gains on the sale of two non-core businesses.
Note 7: Divestitures
In June 2023, the Company sold a majority interest in its Elite business, a provider of financial and practice management solutions to law firms, to TPG, a global alternative asset management firm, for proceeds of $418 million. The Company retained a 19.9% minority interest in the business with board representation and accounts for its interest using the equity method of accounting (see note 9).
Page 48
The consideration received and the net assets disposed in the transaction were as follows:
Nine months ended September 30,
|
||||
2023
|
||||
Consideration received Cash and cash equivalents |
418 | |||
Trade receivables |
(51) | |||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
(13) | |||
Computer software |
(36) | |||
Goodwill |
(104) | |||
Other assets |
(2) | |||
Total assets |
(206) | |||
Payables and accruals |
14 | |||
Deferred revenue |
49 | |||
Total liabilities |
63 | |||
Net assets disposed |
(143) | |||
Opening balance 19.9% equity investment in Elite |
87 | |||
Other |
(15) | |||
Gain on sale before income tax |
347 |
Note 8: Finance Costs, Net
The components of finance costs, net, include interest expense (income) and other finance costs (income) as follows:
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||
Interest expense: |
||||||||||||||||
Debt |
52 | 40 | 153 | 120 | ||||||||||||
Derivative financial instruments hedging activities |
- | - | (1) | (1) | ||||||||||||
Other, net(1) |
(7) | 6 | 2 | 16 | ||||||||||||
Fair value losses (gains) on cash flow hedges, transfer from equity |
22 | 66 | (3) | 89 | ||||||||||||
Net foreign exchange (gains) losses on debt |
(22) | (66) | 3 | (89) | ||||||||||||
Net interest expense debt and other |
45 | 46 | 154 | 135 | ||||||||||||
Net interest expense leases |
3 | 2 | 7 | 6 | ||||||||||||
Net interest expense pension and other post-employment benefit plans |
7 | 3 | 19 | 8 | ||||||||||||
Interest income |
(23) | (3) | (59) | (4) | ||||||||||||
Net interest expense |
32 | 48 | 121 | 145 |
(1) | The three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 include $12 million of benefits related to the reversal of accrued interest associated with the release of tax reserves (see note 10). |
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||
Net (gains) losses due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates |
(49) | (93) | 10 | (187) | ||||||||||||
Net (gains) losses on derivative instruments |
(67) | (353) | 68 | (673) | ||||||||||||
Other |
(1) | (2) | (3) | (2) | ||||||||||||
Other finance (income) costs |
(117) | (448) | 75 | (862) |
Net (gains) losses due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates
Net (gains) losses due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates were principally comprised of amounts related to certain intercompany funding arrangements.
Net (gains) losses on derivative instruments
Net (gains) losses on derivative instruments related to foreign exchange contracts that are intended to reduce foreign currency risk on a portion of the Companys indirect investment in LSEG, which is denominated in British pounds sterling.
Page 49
Note 9: Equity Method Investments
Equity method investments in the consolidated statement of financial position were comprised of the following:
September 30,
|
December 31,
|
|||||||
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||
YPL |
1,556 | 6,028 | ||||||
Other equity method investments |
245 | 171 | ||||||
Total equity method investments |
1,801 | 6,199 |
Equity method investments were primarily comprised of the Companys indirect investment in LSEG shares, which it holds through its direct investment in York Parent Limited and its subsidiaries (YPL). YPL is an entity jointly owned by the Company, Blackstones consortium (comprised of The Blackstone Group and its subsidiaries, and private equity funds affiliated with Blackstone), and certain current LSEG and former members of Refinitiv senior management. The increase in other equity method investments reflects the Companys 19.9% minority interest in Elite, following the sale of a majority stake in the business in June 2023 (see note 7).
The investment in LSEG is subject to equity accounting because the LSEG shares are held through YPL, over which the Company has significant influence. As YPL owns only the financial investment in LSEG shares, which the parties intend to sell over time, and is not involved in operating LSEG, the investment in LSEG shares held by YPL is accounted for at fair value, based on the share price of LSEG. As the investment in LSEG is denominated in British pounds sterling, the Company has entered a series of foreign exchange contracts to mitigate currency risk on its investment (see note 12).
In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company received $1.5 billion and $5.4 billion, respectively, related to the transactions described below. Of these amounts, $1.5 billion and $5.2 billion were received in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, in the form of dividends from YPL, which were recorded as a reduction of the Companys investment and presented as investing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flow.
● | On January 31, 2023, the Company and Blackstones consortium collectively sold 21.2 million LSEG shares they co-own through YPL to Microsoft for a fixed U.S. dollar price of $94.50 per share. The Company received approximately $1.0 billion of gross proceeds from the sale of the 10.5 million shares it indirectly owned. In conjunction with the sale of shares to Microsoft, LSEG amended the terms of contractual lock-up provisions previously agreed between LSEG and the Blackstone consortium/Thomson Reuters entities that hold the LSEG shares. |
● | On March 8, 2023, the Company and Blackstones consortium collectively sold 28 million shares they co-own for £71.50 per share through a placing to institutional investors and an offer to retail investors. The Company received approximately $1.3 billion of gross proceeds from the sale of the 13.6 million shares it indirectly owned, which included approximately $96 million from the settlement of foreign exchange contracts intended to mitigate foreign exchange risk on the investment (see note 12). |
● | On May 19, 2023, the Company and Blackstones consortium collectively sold 33 million shares they co-own for £80.50 per share through a placing to institutional investors and an offer to retail investors. The Company received approximately $1.6 billion of gross proceeds from the sale of the 15.3 million shares it indirectly owned, which included approximately $28 million from the settlement of foreign exchange contracts intended to mitigate foreign exchange risk on the investment (see note 12). |
● | On September 7, 2023, the Company and Blackstones consortium collectively sold 35 million shares they co-own for £79.50 per share through a placing to institutional investors and an offer to retail investors. The Company received approximately $1.5 billion of gross proceeds from the sale of the 15.0 million shares it indirectly owned, which included approximately $27 million from the settlement of foreign exchange contracts intended to mitigate foreign exchange risk on the investment (see note 12). The Company also received $8 million in dividends from YPL related to the sale of call options discussed below. |
● | During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, LSEG repurchased 0.2 million and 1.7 million, respectively, of ordinary shares from YPL under an open market buyback program announced by LSEG in August 2022. The Company received proceeds of approximately $8 million and $70 million related to the approximately 0.1 million and 0.8 million shares it indirectly owned and sold as part of this buyback in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. |
As of September 30, 2023, the Company indirectly owned approximately 16.9 million LSEG shares. In connection with the September 2023 transactions described above, YPL entered into call options to sell approximately 8.2 million LSEG shares with maturity dates in 2023 and 2024 in the event the LSEG share price exceeds specified levels. The Companys share of these call options covers approximately 3.5 million shares. The approximately 13.4 million LSEG shares owned by the Company and not subject to call options are subject to amended lock-up provisions under which it may sell approximately 6.1 million shares between March 2, 2024 and January 29, 2025, and approximately 7.3 million shares thereafter.
Page 50
YPL held a combination of LSEG ordinary shares and LSEG limited-voting ordinary shares (with the shares carrying in aggregate an approximate 12% economic interest and a 6% voting interest in LSEG compared to an approximate 30% economic interest and a 24% voting interest as of December 31, 2022). As of September 30, 2023, the Company owned 24.8% (December 31, 2022 42.84%) of YPL and indirectly owned approximately 16.9 million (December 31, 2022 72.0 million) LSEG shares. Given the reduction in its ownership in 2023, YPL is only entitled to nominate one non-executive director to the board of LSEG. As such, Thomson Reuters is no longer entitled to nominate a representative to the board of LSEG.
The Companys share of post-tax (losses) earnings in equity method investments as reported in the consolidated income statement is comprised of the following:
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||
YPL |
(167) | (520) | 828 | (543) | ||||||||||||
Other equity method investments |
(7) | (5) | (13) | (9) | ||||||||||||
Total share of post-tax (losses) earnings in equity method investments |
(174) | (525) | 815 | (552) |
The Companys share of post-tax (losses) or earnings in its YPL investment was comprised of the following items:
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||
(Decrease) increase in LSEG share price |
(111) | (2) | 587 | 687 | ||||||||||||
Foreign exchange (losses) gains on LSEG shares |
(107) | (543) | 165 | (1,317) | ||||||||||||
Dividend income |
13 | 25 | 58 | 87 | ||||||||||||
Loss from forward contract |
- | - | (77) | - | ||||||||||||
Loss from call options |
(1) | - | (1) | - | ||||||||||||
Historical excluded equity adjustment(1) |
39 | - | 96 | - | ||||||||||||
YPL share of post-tax (losses) earnings in equity method investments |
(167) | (520) | 828 | (543) |
(1) | Represents income from the recognition of a portion of the cumulative impact of equity transactions that were excluded from the Companys investment in YPL. |
Set forth below is summarized financial information for 100% of YPL as of September 30, 2023 and 2022.
Three months ended
|
Nine months ended
|
|||||||||||||||
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||
Mark-to-market of LSEG shares |
(646) | (1,272) | 1,850 | (1,471) | ||||||||||||
Dividend income |
42 | 58 | 154 | 202 | ||||||||||||
Loss from forward contract |
- | - | (179) | - | ||||||||||||
Loss from call options |
(4) | - | (4) | - | ||||||||||||
Net (loss) earnings |
(608) | (1,214) | 1,821 | (1,269) | ||||||||||||
Total comprehensive (loss) income |
(608) | (1,214) | 1,821 | (1,269) |
Page 51
The following table reconciles the net assets attributable to YPL to the Companys carrying value of its investment in YPL:
September 30,
|
December 31,
|
|||||||
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Current assets |
|
28 |
|
|
190 |
| ||
Non-current assets |
|
7,032 |
|
|
14,620 |
| ||
Total assets |
|
7,060 |
|
|
14,810 |
| ||
Liabilities |
||||||||
Current liabilities |
|
49 |
|
|
10 |
| ||
Non-current liabilities |
|
198 |
|
|
202 |
| ||
Total liabilities |
|
247 |
|
|
212 |
| ||
Net assets attributable to YPL |
|
6,813 |
|
|
14,598 |
| ||
Net assets attributable to YPL - beginning period |
|
14,598 |
|
|
15,881 |
| ||
Net earnings (loss) attributable to YPL |
|
1,821 |
|
|
(973) |
| ||
Distributions to owners |
|
(9,606) |
|
|
(310) |
| ||
Net assets attributable to YPL - ending period |
|
6,813 |
|
|
14,598 |
| ||
Thomson Reuters % share |
|
24.8% |
|
|
42.84% |
| ||
Thomson Reuters $ share |
|
1,686 |
|
|
6,254 |
| ||
Historical excluded equity adjustment(1) |
|
(130) |
|
|
(226) |
| ||
Thomson Reuters carrying amount |
|
1,556 |
|
|
6,028 |
|
(1) | Represents the cumulative impact of equity transactions excluded from the Companys investment in YPL. |
See note 20 for related party transactions with YPL and Elite.
Note 10: Taxation
The Company recorded a tax benefit of $18 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and tax expense of $8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The three months ended September 30, 2023 included $38 million (2022 - $133 million) of tax benefits related to the Companys loss in equity method investments and $15 million (2022 - $81 million) of tax expense related to other finance income, primarily from gains on foreign exchange contracts related to the Companys investment in LSEG. The three months ended September 30, 2023 also included $61 million of benefits from the release of tax reserves due to the expiration of applicable statutes of limitation.
Tax expense was $397 million and $156 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and included $195 million of tax expense (2022 - $150 million of tax benefits) related to the Companys earnings or losses in equity method investments and $16 million of tax benefits (2022 - $159 million of tax expense) related to other finance costs or income. The nine months ended September 30, 2023, also included benefits of $61 million from the release of tax reserves and $24 million from the settlement of a tax audit, as well as $78 million of expense related to the sale of a majority stake in Elite.
Additionally, the tax benefit or expense in each period reflected the mix of taxing jurisdictions in which pre-tax profits and losses were recognized. Because the geographical mix of pre-tax profits and losses in interim periods may be different from that for the full year, tax expense or benefit in interim periods is not necessarily indicative of the tax benefit or expense for the full year.
Note 11: Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share was calculated by dividing earnings attributable to common shareholders less dividends declared on preference shares by the sum of the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and vested deferred share units (DSUs) outstanding during the period. DSUs represent common shares that certain employees have elected to receive in the future upon vesting of share-based compensation awards or in lieu of cash compensation.
Diluted earnings per share was calculated using the denominator of the basic calculation described above adjusted to include the potentially dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and time-based restricted share units (TRSUs).
Earnings used in determining consolidated earnings per share and earnings per share from continuing operations are as follows:
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||
Earnings attributable to common shareholders |
367 | 228 | 2,017 | 1,120 | ||||||||||||
Less: Dividends declared on preference shares |
(1) | (1) | (4) | (2) | ||||||||||||
Earnings used in consolidated earnings per share |
366 | 227 | 2,013 | 1,118 | ||||||||||||
Less: Loss (earnings) from discontinued operations, net of tax |
3 | 37 | (21) | 92 | ||||||||||||
Earnings used in earnings per share from continuing operations |
|
369 |
|
|
264 |
|
|
1,992 |
|
|
1,210 |
|
Page 52
The weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, as well as a reconciliation of the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding used in the basic earnings per share computation to the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding used in the diluted earnings per share computation, is presented below:
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding |
455,341,000 | 482,919,463 | 465,951,100 | 485,386,057 | ||||||||||||
Weighted-average number of vested DSUs |
117,515 | 183,692 | 127,277 | 230,075 | ||||||||||||
Basic |
455,458,515 | 483,103,155 | 466,078,377 | 485,616,132 | ||||||||||||
Effect of stock options and TRSUs |
603,848 | 785,031 | 759,765 | 692,905 | ||||||||||||
Diluted |
456,062,363 | 483,888,186 | 466,838,142 | 486,309,037 |
The impact of the share reduction from the return of capital and share consolidation transaction in June 2023 (see note 16) was factored into the weighted average number of common shares outstanding from the date of the transaction.
Note 12: Financial Instruments
Financial assets and liabilities
Financial assets and liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position were as follows:
September 30, 2023
|
Assets/ at Amortized
|
Assets/ Value Earnings
|
Assets at Fair Value through Other Comprehensive Income or Loss
|
Derivatives
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
363 | 2,153 | - | - | 2,516 | |||||||||||||||
Trade and other receivables |
982 | - | - | - | 982 | |||||||||||||||
Other financial assets - current |
11 | 107 | - | - | 118 | |||||||||||||||
Other financial assets - non-current |
19 | 237 | 77 | 40 | 373 | |||||||||||||||
Current indebtedness |
(1,480) | - | - | - | (1,480) | |||||||||||||||
Trade payables (see note 14) |
(149) | - | - | - | (149) | |||||||||||||||
Accruals (see note 14) |
(656) | - | - | - | (656) | |||||||||||||||
Other financial liabilities - current(1) |
(62) | (23) | - | - | (85) | |||||||||||||||
Long-term indebtedness |
(2,878) | - | - | - | (2,878) | |||||||||||||||
Other financial liabilities - non current(2) |
(190) | (14) | - | - | (204) | |||||||||||||||
Total |
(4,040) | 2,460 | 77 | 40 | (1,463) | |||||||||||||||
December 31, 2022
|
Assets/ at Amortized
|
Assets/ at Fair Value through
|
Assets at Fair Value through Other Comprehensive Income or Loss
|
Derivatives
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
820 | 249 | - | - | 1,069 | |||||||||||||||
Trade and other receivables |
1,069 | - | - | - | 1,069 | |||||||||||||||
Other financial assets - current |
13 | 191 | - | - | 204 | |||||||||||||||
Other financial assets - non-current |
24 | 400 | 61 | 42 | 527 | |||||||||||||||
Current indebtedness |
(1,647) | - | - | - | (1,647) | |||||||||||||||
Trade payables (see note 14) |
(237) | - | - | - | (237) | |||||||||||||||
Accruals (see note 14) |
(834) | - | - | - | (834) | |||||||||||||||
Other financial liabilities - current(1)(3) |
(781) | (31) | - | - | (812) | |||||||||||||||
Long-term indebtedness |
(3,114) | - | - | - | (3,114) | |||||||||||||||
Other financial liabilities - non current(2) |
(204) | (29) | - | - | (233) | |||||||||||||||
Total |
(4,891) | 780 | 61 | 42 | (4,008) |
(1) | Includes lease liabilities of $53 million (2022 - $56 million). |
(2) | Includes lease liabilities of $171 million (2022 - $179 million). |
(3) | Includes a commitment to repurchase up to $718 million of shares related to the Companys automatic share repurchase plan with its broker to repurchase the Companys shares during its internal trading blackout period. See note 16. |
Cash and cash equivalents
Of total cash and cash equivalents, $102 million and $81 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, were held in subsidiaries which have regulatory restrictions, contractual restrictions or operate in countries where exchange controls and other legal restrictions apply and were therefore not available for general use by the Company.
Page 53
Commercial paper program
The Companys $2.0 billion commercial paper program provides cost effective and flexible short-term funding. The carrying amount of outstanding commercial paper of $638 million is included in Current indebtedness within the consolidated statement of financial position as of September 30, 2023 (December 31, 2022 $1,048 million).
Credit facility
The Company has a $2.0 billion syndicated credit facility agreement which matures in November 2027 and may be used to provide liquidity for general corporate purposes (including acquisitions or support for its commercial paper program). There were no outstanding borrowings under the credit facility as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. Based on the Companys current credit ratings, the cost of borrowing under the facility is priced at the Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR)/Euro Interbank Offered Rate (EURiBOR)/Simple Sterling Overnight Index Average (SONIA) plus 102.5 basis points. The Company has the option to request an increase, subject to approval by applicable lenders, in the lenders commitments in an aggregate amount of $600 million for a maximum credit facility commitment of $2.6 billion.
The Company guarantees borrowings by its subsidiaries under the credit facility. The Company must also maintain a ratio of net debt as defined in the credit agreement (total debt after swaps less cash and cash equivalents) as of the last day of each fiscal quarter to EBITDA as defined in the credit agreement (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and other modifications described in the credit agreement) for the last four quarters ended of not more than 4.5:1. If the Company were to complete an acquisition with a purchase price of over $500 million, the Company may elect, subject to notification, to temporarily increase the ratio of net debt to EBITDA to 5.0:1 at the end of the quarter within which the transaction closed and for each of the three immediately following fiscal quarters. At the end of that period, the ratio would revert to 4.5:1. As of September 30, 2023, the Company complied with this covenant as its ratio of net debt to EBITDA, as calculated under the terms of its syndicated credit facility, was 0.7:1.
Foreign exchange contracts
The Company has entered into foreign exchange contracts that are intended to reduce foreign currency risk related to a portion of its indirect investment in LSEG, which is denominated in British pounds sterling. The Company settled the following foreign exchange contracts in conjunction with YPLs sale of LSEG shares:
● | On September 25, 2023, the Company settled foreign exchange contracts with a notional amount of £502 million ($650 million) for net proceeds of $27 million in conjunction with the sale of 15.0 million of LSEG shares. |
● | On June 7, 2023, the Company settled foreign exchange contracts with a notional amount of £1.2 billion ($1.6 billion) for net proceeds of $28 million in conjunction with the sale of 15.3 million of LSEG shares. |
● | On March 23, 2023, the Company settled foreign exchange contracts with a notional amount of £1.0 billion ($1.3 billion) for net proceeds of $96 million in conjunction with the sale of 13.6 million of LSEG shares. |
As of September 30, 2023, the Company had remaining foreign exchange contracts with a notional amount of £1.2 billion ($1.6 billion) outstanding. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, gains of $67 million and losses of $68 million (2022 gains of $353 million and $673 million), respectively, were reported within Other finance income (costs) in the consolidated income statement (see note 8) due to fluctuations in the U.S. dollar British pounds sterling exchange rate. These instruments are not related to changes in the LSEG share price. The Company records the foreign exchange contracts at fair value each reporting period. The associated net fair value of these contracts was an asset of $90 million (December 31, 2022 asset of $309 million) and were recorded within other financial assets and liabilities, current or long-term as appropriate, in the consolidated statement of financial position. As of September 30, 2023, the Companys interest in LSEG shares had a market value of approximately $1.7 billion, based on LSEGs share price on that day (December 31, 2022 - $6.2 billion).
Fair Value
The fair values of cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, trade payables and accruals approximate their carrying amounts because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. The fair value of long-term debt and related derivative instruments is set forth below.
Debt and Related Derivative Instruments
Carrying Amounts
Amounts recorded in the consolidated statement of financial position are referred to as carrying amounts. The carrying amounts of primary debt are reflected in Current indebtedness or Long-term indebtedness and the carrying amounts of derivative instruments are included in Other financial assets and Other financial liabilities, current or non-current, in the consolidated statement of financial position, as appropriate.
Fair Value
The fair value of debt is estimated based on either quoted market prices for similar issues or current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same maturity. The fair value of interest rate swaps is estimated based upon discounted cash flows using applicable current market rates and considering non-performance risk.
Page 54
The following is a summary of debt and related derivative instruments that hedged the cash flows of debt:
Carrying Amount
|
Fair Value
|
|||||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2023
|
Primary
|
Derivative
|
Primary
|
Derivative
|
||||||||||||||||
Commercial paper |
638 | - | 640 | - | ||||||||||||||||
C$1,400, 2.239% Notes, due 2025 |
1,034 | (40) | 981 | (40) | ||||||||||||||||
$600, 4.30% Notes, due 2023 |
600 | - | 598 | - | ||||||||||||||||
$450, 3.85% Notes, due 2024(1) |
242 | - | 236 | - | ||||||||||||||||
$500, 3.35% Notes, due 2026 |
498 | - | 471 | - | ||||||||||||||||
$350, 4.50% Notes, due 2043(1) |
116 | - | 82 | - | ||||||||||||||||
$350, 5.65% Notes, due 2043 |
342 | - | 296 | - | ||||||||||||||||
$400, 5.50% Debentures, due 2035 |
396 | - | 368 | - | ||||||||||||||||
$500, 5.85% Debentures, due 2040 |
492 | - | 449 | - | ||||||||||||||||
Total |
4,358 | (40) | 4,121 | (40) | ||||||||||||||||
Current portion |
1,480 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Long-term portion |
2,878 | (40) |
Carrying Amount
|
Fair Value
|
|||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2022 |
Primary
|
Derivative
|
Primary
|
Derivative
|
||||||||||||||||
Commercial paper |
1,048 | - | 1,050 | - | ||||||||||||||||
C$1,400, 2.239% Notes, due 2025 |
1,030 | (42) | 972 | (42) | ||||||||||||||||
$600, 4.30% Notes, due 2023 |
599 | - | 594 | - | ||||||||||||||||
$450, 3.85% Notes, due 2024(1) |
241 | - | 235 | - | ||||||||||||||||
$500, 3.35% Notes, due 2026 |
497 | - | 473 | - | ||||||||||||||||
$350, 4.50% Notes, due 2043(1) |
116 | - | 89 | - | ||||||||||||||||
$350, 5.65% Notes, due 2043 |
342 | - | 324 | - | ||||||||||||||||
$400, 5.50% Debentures, due 2035 |
396 | - | 379 | - | ||||||||||||||||
$500, 5.85% Debentures, due 2040 |
492 | - | 482 | - | ||||||||||||||||
Total |
4,761 | (42) | 4,598 | (42) | ||||||||||||||||
Current portion |
1,647 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Long-term portion |
3,114 | (42) |
(1) | Notes were partially redeemed in October 2018. |
Fair value estimation
The following fair value measurement hierarchy is used for financial instruments that are measured in the consolidated statement of financial position at fair value:
● | Level 1 - quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; |
● | Level 2 - inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, as prices) or indirectly (that is, derived from prices); and |
● | Level 3 - inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is, unobservable inputs). |
Page 55
The levels used to determine fair value measurements for those instruments carried at fair value in the consolidated statement of financial position are as follows:
September 30, 2023
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||
Assets |
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Balance | ||||||||||||
Money market accounts |
- | 2,153 | - | 2,153 | ||||||||||||
Other receivables(1) |
- | - | 237 | 237 | ||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts(2) |
- | 107 | - | 107 | ||||||||||||
Financial assets at fair value through earnings |
- | 2,260 | 237 | 2,497 | ||||||||||||
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income(3) |
25 | - | 52 | 77 | ||||||||||||
Derivatives used for hedging(4) |
- | 40 | - | 40 | ||||||||||||
Total assets |
25 | 2,300 | 289 | 2,614 | ||||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts(2) |
- | (17) | - | (17) | ||||||||||||
Contingent consideration(5) |
- | - | (20) | (20) | ||||||||||||
Financial liabilities at fair value through earnings |
- | (17) | (20) | (37) | ||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
- | (17) | (20) | (37) |
December 31, 2022
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||||
Assets |
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Balance | ||||||||||||
Money market accounts |
- | 249 | - | 249 | ||||||||||||
Other receivables(1) |
- | - | 245 | 245 | ||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts(2) |
- | 346 | - | 346 | ||||||||||||
Financial assets at fair value through earnings |
- | 595 | 245 | 840 | ||||||||||||
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income(3) |
19 | - | 42 | 61 | ||||||||||||
Derivatives used for hedging(4) |
- | 42 | - | 42 | ||||||||||||
Total assets |
19 | 637 | 287 | 943 | ||||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts(2) |
- | (37) | - | (37) | ||||||||||||
Contingent consideration(5) |
- | - | (23) | (23) | ||||||||||||
Financial liabilities at fair value through earnings |
- | (37) | (23) | (60) | ||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
- | (37) | (23) | (60) |
(1) | Receivables under indemnification arrangement (see note 19). |
(2) | Relates to the management of foreign exchange risk on a portion of the Companys indirect investment in LSEG. |
(3) | Investments in entities over which the Company does not have control, joint control or significant influence. |
(4) | Comprised of fixed-to-fixed cross-currency swaps on indebtedness. |
(5) | Obligations to pay additional consideration for prior acquisitions, based upon performance measures contractually agreed at the time of purchase. |
The receivable from the indemnification arrangement is level 3 in the fair value measurement hierarchy. The decrease in the receivable between December 31, 2022 and September 30, 2023 is primarily due to repayments from LSEG offset by fair value gains based on interest rates associated with the indemnifying partys credit profile and net foreign exchange gains, which are included within (Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the consolidated income statement.
The Company recognizes transfers into and out of the fair value measurement hierarchy levels at the end of the reporting period in which the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer occurred. There were no transfers between hierarchy levels for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Valuation Techniques
The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market (for example, over-the-counter derivatives) is determined by using valuation techniques. These valuation techniques maximize the use of observable market data where it is available and rely as little as possible on entity specific estimates. If all significant inputs required to fair value an instrument are observable, the instrument is included in level 2. If one or more of the significant inputs is not based on observable market data, the instrument is included in level 3.
Specific valuation techniques used to value financial instruments include:
● | Quoted market prices or dealer quotes for similar instruments; |
● | The fair value of cross-currency interest rate swaps and foreign exchange contracts are calculated as the present value of the estimated future cash flows based on observable yield curves; |
● | The fair value of other receivables considers estimated future cash flows, current market interest rates and non-performance risk; and |
● | The fair value of contingent consideration is calculated based on estimates of future revenue performance. |
Page 56
Note 13: Other Non-Current Assets
September 30,
|
December 31,
|
|||||||
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||
Net defined benefit plan surpluses |
31 | 48 | ||||||
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies |
346 | 337 | ||||||
Deferred commissions |
96 | 121 | ||||||
Other non-current assets(1) |
108 | 113 | ||||||
Total other non-current assets |
581 | 619 |
(1) | Includes a tax receivable from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) of $87 million and $94 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively (see note 19). |
Note 14: Payables, Accruals and Provisions
September 30,
|
December 31,
|
|||||||
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||
Trade payables |
149 | 237 | ||||||
Accruals |
656 | 834 | ||||||
Provisions |
85 | 108 | ||||||
Other current liabilities |
35 | 43 | ||||||
Total payables, accruals and provisions |
925 | 1,222 |
Note 15: Provisions and Other Non-Current Liabilities
September 30,
|
December 31,
|
|||||||
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||
Net defined benefit plan obligations |
562 | 526 | ||||||
Deferred compensation and employee incentives |
70 | 72 | ||||||
Provisions |
73 | 86 | ||||||
Other non-current liabilities |
15 | 7 | ||||||
Total provisions and other non-current liabilities |
720 | 691 |
Note 16: Capital
Return of Capital and Share Consolidation
In June 2023, the Company returned approximately $2.0 billion to its shareholders through a return of capital transaction, which was funded from the proceeds of the Companys dispositions of LSEG shares (see note 9). The transaction consisted of a cash distribution of $4.67 per common share and a share consolidation, or reverse stock split, at a ratio of 1 pre-consolidated share for 0.963957 post-consolidated shares. Shareholders who were subject to income tax in a jurisdiction other than Canada were given the opportunity to opt-out of the transaction. The share consolidation was proportional to the cash distribution and the share consolidation ratio was based on the volume weighted-average trading price of the shares on the NYSE for the five-trading day period immediately preceding June 23, 2023, the effective date for the return of capital transaction. Woodbridge, our principal shareholder, participated in this transaction. As a result of the share consolidation, the Companys outstanding common shares were reduced by 15.8 million common shares.
Share repurchases Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB)
The Company buys back shares (and subsequently cancels them) from time to time as part of its capital strategy. On November 1, 2023, the Company announced that it plans to repurchase up to $1.0 billion of its common shares (see note 21). This new buyback program is in addition to the $2.0 billion repurchase program that the Company completed in the three months ended March 31, 2023. Share repurchases are typically executed under a NCIB. Shares will be repurchased for the new buyback program under a renewed NCIB, which was approved by the TSX and effective on November 1, 2023. Under the renewed NCIB up to 10 million common shares may be repurchased between November 3, 2023 and November 2, 2024. The Company may repurchase common shares in open market transactions on the TSX, the NYSE and/or other exchanges and alternative trading systems, if eligible, or by such other means as may be permitted by the TSX and/or NYSE or under applicable law, including private agreement purchases or share purchase program agreement purchases if the Company receives, if applicable, an issuer bid exemption order in the future from applicable securities regulatory authorities in Canada for such purchases. The price that the Company will pay for common shares in open market transactions will be the market price at the time of purchase or such other price as may be permitted by the TSX.
Details of share repurchases were as follows:
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||
 Share repurchases (millions of U.S. dollars) |
- | 504 | 718 | 698 | ||||||||||||
 Shares repurchased (number in millions) |
- | 4.6 | 6.0 | 6.5 | ||||||||||||
 Share repurchases - average price per share in U.S. dollars |
- | $ | 109.98 | $ | 120.10 | $ | 106.92 |
Page 57
Decisions regarding any future repurchases will depend on certain factors, such as market conditions, share price and other opportunities to invest capital for growth. The Company may elect to suspend or discontinue share repurchases at any time, in accordance with applicable laws. From time to time when the Company does not possess material nonpublic information about itself or its securities, it may enter into a pre-defined plan with its broker to allow for the repurchase of shares at times when the Company ordinarily would not be active in the market due to its own internal trading blackout periods, insider trading rules or otherwise. Any such plans entered into with the Companys broker will be adopted in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws and the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Dividends
Dividends on common shares are declared in U.S. dollars. In the consolidated statement of cash flow, dividends paid on common shares are shown net of amounts reinvested in the Company under its dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP). Due to administrative complexities, the Company temporarily suspended its DRIP for any dividend payable in advance of the return of capital transaction, and paid such dividends in cash. The Company resumed the DRIP after the completion of the return of capital transaction.
Details of dividends declared per common share and dividends paid on common shares are as follows:
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||
Dividends declared per common share |
$0.490 | $0.445 | $1.470 | $1.335 | ||||||||||||
Dividends declared |
224 | 215 | 686 | 648 | ||||||||||||
Dividends reinvested |
(6) | (7) | (14) | (21) | ||||||||||||
Dividends paid |
218 | 208 | 672 | 627 |
Note 17: Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Details of Other in the consolidated statement of cash flow are as follows:
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||
Non-cash employee benefit charges |
31 | 40 | 106 | 126 | ||||||||||||
Net (gains) losses on foreign exchange and derivative financial instruments |
(117) | (450) | 76 | (861) | ||||||||||||
Fair value adjustments (see note 5) |
(6) | (16) | (1) | (21) | ||||||||||||
Other |
5 | 9 | 9 | 14 | ||||||||||||
(89) | (417) | 188 | (742) |
Details of Changes in working capital and other items are as follows:
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||
Trade and other receivables |
18 | 27 | 49 | 64 | ||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
22 | (17) | 56 | 32 | ||||||||||||
Other financial assets |
- | 27 | - | 40 | ||||||||||||
Payables, accruals and provisions |
21 | 51 | (328) | (316) | ||||||||||||
Deferred revenue |
(23) | (16) | 29 | 42 | ||||||||||||
Other financial liabilities |
- | (27) | - | (40) | ||||||||||||
Income taxes(1) |
222 | 134 | 648 | 170 | ||||||||||||
Other |
(3) | 2 | (37) | (27) | ||||||||||||
257 | 181 | 417 | (35) |
(1) | The three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 reflects current tax liabilities that were recorded on the sale of LSEG shares (see note 9), for which the tax payments are included in investing activities. |
Details of income taxes paid are as follows:
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||
Operating activities - continuing operations |
(11) | (49) | (118) | (178) | ||||||||||||
Investing activities - continuing operations |
(273) | - | (543) | - | ||||||||||||
Investing activities - discontinued operations(1) |
- | - | (1) | (16) | ||||||||||||
Total income taxes paid |
(284) | (49) | (662) | (194) |
(1) | Reflects payments made to HMRC (see note 19). |
Page 58
In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company received refunds of $36 million related to payments previously made for notices of assessment under the Diverted Profit Tax regime, of which $10 million was received directly from HMRC and $26 million was received from LSEG under an indemnity arrangement. In the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company paid $82 million related to notices of assessment under the Diverted Profit Tax regime, of which $28 million was paid directly to HMRC and $54 million was paid to LSEG under an indemnity arrangement. LSEG remitted the payments it received under the indemnity to HMRC on the Companys behalf. The payments made directly to, and refunds received from HMRC were included as income taxes paid in the consolidated statement of cash flow. The payments made to, and refunds received from LSEG were presented in operating activities from discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of cash flow and were not included as taxes paid. See note 19.
Note 18: Acquisitions
Acquisitions primarily comprise the purchase of all the equity interests of the businesses acquired, which are integrated into existing operations of the Company to broaden its offerings to customers as well as its presence in global markets. The results of acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. Acquisitions also include asset acquisitions and investments in businesses in which the Company does not have a controlling interest.
Acquisition activity
The number of acquisitions completed, and the related consideration were as follows:
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
Number of transactions
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
||||||||||||
Businesses acquired |
2 | - | 3 | 2 | ||||||||||||
Investments in businesses(1) |
- | 2 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||
Asset acquisitions |
- | 1 | - | 1 | ||||||||||||
2 | 3 | 8 | 8 |
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|||||||||||||||
Total consideration
|
2023
|
2022
|
2023
|
2022
|
||||||||||||
Businesses acquired |
707 | - | 1,220 | 153 | ||||||||||||
Less: Cash acquired |
(10) | - | (35) | (2) | ||||||||||||
Businesses acquired, net of cash |
697 | - | 1,185 | 151 | ||||||||||||
Investments in businesses(1) |
(24) | 9 | 11 | 27 | ||||||||||||
Asset acquisitions(2) |
- | 8 | - | 8 | ||||||||||||
Deferred and contingent consideration payments |
5 | 2 | 5 | 4 | ||||||||||||
678 | 19 | 1,201 | 190 |
(1) | Reclassification of initial investment in Casetext, Inc., which was acquired in August 2023, and included within businesses acquired, net of cash, amounts above. |
(2) | The three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 includes acquisitions of intangible assets of which $8 million was paid in cash and $5 million was recorded as a financial liability. |
The following provides a brief description of acquisitions completed in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
Date | Company | Acquiring Segments | Description | |||
August 2023 |
Casetext, Inc. |
Legal Professionals | A business that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to enable legal professionals to work more efficiently. | |||
July 2023 |
Imagen Ltd |
Reuters News | A media asset management company. | |||
January 2023 |
SurePrep LLC |
Corporates and Tax & Accounting Professionals |
A provider of tax automation software and services. | |||
April 2022 |
ThoughtTrace |
Corporates | A business that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to read, organize and manage document workflows. |
Purchase price allocation
Purchase price allocations related to certain acquisitions may be subject to adjustment pending completion of final valuations. The Companys consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2022 has been adjusted to reflect the completion of a purchase price allocation related to a 2022 acquisition. This adjustment increased computer software and decreased goodwill by $13 million, respectively.
Page 59
The details of net assets acquired were as follows:
September 30,
|
December 31,
|
|||||||||||||||||||
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Sureprep LLC | Casetext, Inc. | Other | Total | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
25 | 8 | 2 | 35 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
Trade receivables |
8 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 3 | |||||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
3 | 3 | - | 6 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
Current assets |
36 | 12 | 4 | 52 | 6 | |||||||||||||||
Property and equipment |
2 | - | - | 2 | - | |||||||||||||||
Computer software |
180 | 192 | 7 | 379 | 74 | |||||||||||||||
Other identifiable intangible assets |
13 | 8 | 6 | 27 | 2 | |||||||||||||||
Other non-current assets |
1 | - | - | 1 | - | |||||||||||||||
Total assets |
232 | 212 | 17 | 461 | 82 | |||||||||||||||
Payables and accruals |
(6) | (2) | (5) | (13) | (1) | |||||||||||||||
Deferred revenue |
(47) | (5) | (2) | (54) | (4) | |||||||||||||||
Other financial liabilities |
- | - | (2) | (2) | - | |||||||||||||||
Current liabilities |
(53) | (7) | (9) | (69) | (5) | |||||||||||||||
Provisions and other non-current liabilities |
(1) | - | - | (1) | (18) | |||||||||||||||
Deferred tax |
(9) | (37) | (3) | (49) | (10) | |||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
(63) | (44) | (12) | (119) | (33) | |||||||||||||||
Net assets acquired |
169 | 168 | 5 | 342 | 49 | |||||||||||||||
Goodwill |
344 | 490 | 44 | 878 | 104 | |||||||||||||||
Total |
513 | 658 | 49 | 1,220 | 153 | |||||||||||||||
Businesses acquired, net of cash |
488 | 650 | 47 | 1,185 | 151 |
The excess of the purchase price over the net assets acquired was recorded as goodwill and reflects synergies and the value of the acquired workforce. Relative to the acquisitions completed in 2023 and 2022, the majority of goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
Other
The revenues and operating profit of acquired businesses were not material to the Companys results of operations.
Note 19: Contingencies, Commitments and Guarantees
Lawsuits and legal claims
The Company is engaged in various legal proceedings, claims, audits and investigations that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. These matters include, but are not limited to, employment matters, commercial matters, defamation claims and intellectual property infringement claims. The outcome of all of the matters against the Company is subject to future resolution, including the uncertainties of litigation. Based on information currently known to the Company and after consultation with outside legal counsel, management believes that the ultimate resolution of any such matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact on the Companys financial condition taken as a whole.
Uncertain tax positions
The Company is subject to taxation in numerous jurisdictions and is routinely under audit by many different taxing authorities in the ordinary course of business. There are many transactions and calculations during the course of business for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain, as taxing authorities may challenge some of the Companys positions and propose adjustments or changes to its tax filings.
As a result, the Company maintains provisions for uncertain tax positions that it believes appropriately reflect its risk. These provisions are made using the Companys best estimates of the amount expected to be paid based on a qualitative assessment of all relevant factors. When appropriate, the Company performs an expected value calculation to determine its provisions. The Company reviews the adequacy of these provisions at the end of each reporting period and adjusts them based on changing facts and circumstances. Due to the uncertainty associated with tax audits, it is possible that at some future date, liabilities resulting from such audits or related litigation could vary significantly from the Companys provisions. However, based on currently enacted legislation, information currently known by the Company and after consultation with outside tax advisors, management believes that the ultimate resolution of any such matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact on the Companys financial condition taken as a whole.
Page 60
Through September 30, 2023, the Company paid $430 million of tax as required under notices of assessment issued by the U.K. tax authority, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), under the Diverted Profits Tax (DPT) regime that collectively related to the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 taxation years of certain of its current and former U.K. affiliates. HMRC is conducting an audit of the 2019 and 2020 taxation years and, based on recent discussions, management believes it is reasonably possible that HMRC may issue similar notices in the next three months for another taxation year, which could be significant. As the Company does not believe these current and former U.K. affiliates fall within the scope of the DPT regime, it will continue contesting these assessments through all available administrative and judicial remedies and intends to vigorously defend its position. As the assessments largely relate to businesses that the Company has sold, the majority are subject to indemnity arrangements under which the Company has been required to pay additional taxes to HMRC or the indemnity counterparty.
The Canadian tax authority, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), is conducting an audit of the 2016 to 2019 taxation years. Based on recent correspondence with CRA, management believes it is reasonably possible that CRA may issue notices of assessment related to certain transfer pricing matters and the disposition of a business and the Company may be required to pay a portion of such assessments, which could be significant. As the Company believes that CRAs positions are without merit, it will contest any such assessments through all available administrative and judicial remedies and the Company intends to vigorously defend its position.
Because the Company believes that its position is supported by the weight of law, it does not believe that the resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition taken as a whole. Payments made by the Company are not a reflection of its view on the merits of the case. As the Company expects to receive refunds of substantially all of the aggregate of amounts paid pursuant to these notices of assessment, it expects to continue recording substantially all of these payments as non-current receivables from HMRC, the indemnity counterparty or CRA on its financial statements. The Company expects that its existing sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund any future required payments.
Guarantees
The Company has an investment in 3XSQ Associates, an entity jointly owned by a subsidiary of the Company and Rudin Times Square Associates LLC (Rudin), that owns and operates the 3 Times Square office building (the building) in New York, New York. In June 2022, 3XSQ Associates obtained a $415 million, 3-year term loan facility to refinance existing debt, fund the buildings redevelopment, and cover interest and operating costs during the redevelopment period. The building is pledged as loan collateral. Thomson Reuters and Rudin each guarantee 50% of (i) certain principal loan amounts and (ii) interest and operating costs. Thomson Reuters and Rudin also jointly and severally guarantee (i) completion of commenced works and (ii) lender losses arising from disallowed acts, environmental or otherwise. To minimize economic exposure to 50% for the joint and several obligations, Thomson Reuters and a parent entity of Rudin entered into a cross-indemnification arrangement. The Company believes the value of the building is expected to be sufficient to cover obligations that could arise from the guarantees. The guarantees do not impact the Companys ability to borrow funds under its $2.0 billion syndicated credit facility or the related covenant calculation.
Note 20: Related Party Transactions
As of September 30, 2023, the Companys principal shareholder, Woodbridge, beneficially owned approximately 69% of the Companys common shares.
Transaction with Woodbridge
In March 2023, the Company sold a Canadian wholly owned subsidiary to a company affiliated with Woodbridge for $23 million. The subsidiarys assets consisted of accumulated tax losses that management did not expect to utilize against future taxable income prior to their expiry based on currently enacted Canadian tax law. As such, no tax benefit for the losses had been recognized in the consolidated financial statements. Under Canadian law, certain losses may only be transferred to related companies, such as those affiliated with Woodbridge. A gain of $23 million was recorded within Other operating (losses) gains, net within the consolidated income statement. In connection with this transaction, the board of directors Corporate Governance Committee obtained an independent fairness opinion. The Company utilized the independent fairness opinion to determine that the negotiated price between the Company and Woodbridge was reasonable. After reviewing the matter, the Corporate Governance Committee approved the transaction. Directors who were not considered independent because of their positions with Woodbridge refrained from deliberating and voting on the matter at the committee meeting.
Transactions with YPL
In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company received $5.2 billion of dividends from YPL primarily related to the sale of LSEG shares indirectly owned by the Company. See note 9 for further details about these transactions.
Transactions with Elite
In June 2023, the Company sold a majority interest in its Elite business to TPG and retained a 19.9% minority interest with board representation. To facilitate the separation, the Company agreed to provide certain operational services to Elite, including technology and administrative services, for a specified period. From the date of the sale through September 30, 2023, the Company recorded $5 million as contra-expense related to these transactions.
Page 61
As of September 30, 2023, the consolidated statement of financial position included a receivable from Elite of $33 million and a payable to Elite of $13 million related to all transactions between the two companies.
Except for the above transactions, there were no new significant related party transactions during the first nine months of 2023. Refer to Related party transactions disclosed in note 31 of the Companys consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, which are included in the Companys 2022 annual report, for information regarding related party transactions.
Note 21: Subsequent Events
Share repurchases
On November 1, 2023, the Company announced the renewal of its normal course issuer bid pursuant to the Companys plan to repurchase up to $1.0 billion of its common shares. The completion of this program will depend on certain factors such as market conditions, share price and other opportunities to invest capital for growth. See note 16.
Page 62
EXHIBIT 99.3
CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Steve Hasker, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this report on Form 6-K of Thomson Reuters Corporation; |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: November 2, 2023
/s/ Steve Hasker |
Steve Hasker |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
EXHIBIT 99.4
CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Michael Eastwood, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this report on Form 6-K of Thomson Reuters Corporation; |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; |
4. | The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; |
b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; |
c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and |
d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting; and |
5. | The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): |
a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and |
b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
Date: November 2, 2023
/s/ Michael Eastwood |
Michael Eastwood |
Chief Financial Officer |
EXHIBIT 99.5
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the report of Thomson Reuters Corporation (the Corporation) on Form 6-K for the period ended September 30, 2023, as furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), I, Steve Hasker, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation.
Date: November 2, 2023
/s/ Steve Hasker |
Steve Hasker |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
EXHIBIT 99.6
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the report of Thomson Reuters Corporation (the Corporation) on Form 6-K for the period ended September 30, 2023, as furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), I, Michael Eastwood, Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation.
Date: November 2, 2023
/s/ Michael Eastwood |
Michael Eastwood |
Chief Financial Officer |