EXHIBIT 99.1
Management’s Discussion and Analysis
This management’s 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 the management’s 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, 2019 and our 2018 annual consolidated financial statements, as well as our 2018 annual management’s discussion and analysis. This management’s 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 2019 and 2020 outlook, our expectations related to general economic conditions and market trends and their anticipated effects on our business segments and expectations related to the proposed London Stock Exchange Group plc/Refinitiv transaction. For additional information related to forward-looking statements, material assumptions and material risks associated with them, please see the “Outlook” and “Additional Information—Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results” sections of this management’s discussion and analysis. This management’s discussion and analysis is dated as of October 30, 2019.
We have organized our management’s discussion and analysis in the following key sections:
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this discussion to “we,” “our,” “us” and “Thomson Reuters” are to Thomson Reuters Corporation and our subsidiaries.
Basis of presentation
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in U.S. dollars in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).
In this management’s discussion and analysis, we discuss our results from continuing operations on both an IFRS andnon-IFRS basis. On October 1, 2018, we sold 55% of our former Financial & Risk (F&R) business, which is now known as Refinitiv. We reported F&R as a discontinued operation through October 1, 2018, the closing date of the transaction. Our IFRS andnon-IFRS results include the results of acquired businesses from the date of purchase and, except for diluted earnings per share and cash flow, exclude the results of our former F&R business. Our IFRS results include our 45% share of the Refinitiv partnership’s results reported in a single line on our consolidated income statement titled“Share of post-tax (losses) earnings in equity method investments”, beginning from the fourth quarter of 2018. Adjusted earnings,a non-IFRS measure, excludes ourshare of post-tax results in equity method investments.
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.
Page 1
Revision of prior-period financial statements
Since October 1, 2018, we have included our share ofpost-tax losses from our 45% interest in Refinitiv, an equity method investment, in our net earnings. In the third quarter of 2019, a misstatement was identified that understated our share of Refinitiv’spost-tax losses since the fourth quarter of 2018. The misstatement related to an accounting principle difference for preferred stock issued by Refinitiv to the Blackstone consortium between U.S. GAAP, the basis on which Refinitiv prepares its financial statements, and IFRS, the basis on which Thomson Reuters prepares its financial statements. This misstatement did not impact our revenues, operating profit, segment measures, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EPS, cash generated from operating activities or free cash flow.
We concluded that the misstatement was immaterial to our previously issued financial statements. However, as the impact of correcting the cumulative misstatement in the third quarter of 2019 would have been material to net earnings in the quarter, we will revise our previously issued financial statements to correct the misstatement. In conjunction with correcting this misstatement, we corrected other unrelated misstatements in the applicable prior periods which were also not material to any of our previously issued financial statements. Specifically, we reclassified certain revenues and expenses, which pertained to the accounting for foreign currency in hyperinflationary economies, between the third and fourth quarters of 2018, but these revisions had no impact on our full-year 2018 audited financial statements. Where applicable, prior-period amounts throughout this management’s discussion and analysis have been adjusted to reflect the revised amounts.
See Note 1 to the consolidated interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 for further information.
Use ofnon-IFRS financial measures
We usenon-IFRS measures as supplemental indicators of our operating performance and financial position as well as for internal planning purposes and our business outlook. We believenon-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.
Ournon-IFRS financial measures include:
● | Adjusted EBITDA and the related margin; |
● | Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures and the related margin; |
● | Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share (EPS); |
● | Net debt; and |
● | Free cash flow. |
We also report changes in our revenues, operating expenses, adjusted EBITDA and the related margin, and adjusted EPS before the impact of foreign currency or at “constant currency”. These measures remove the impacts from changes in foreign currency exchange rates to provide better comparability of our business trends from period to period. To provide greater insight into the revenue growth of our existing businesses on a constant currency basis, we report organic revenue growth (as defined below).
See Appendix A of this management’s discussion and analysis for a description of ournon-IFRS financial measures, including an explanation of why we believe they are useful measures of our performance, including our ability to generate cash flow. Refer to the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of this management’s discussion and analysis and Appendix B for reconciliations of ournon-IFRS financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS measures.
Page 2
Glossary of key terms
We use the following terms in this management’s discussion and analysis.
Term | Definition | |
bp | Basis points—one basis point is equal to 1/100th of 1%;“100bp” is equivalent to 1% | |
constant currency | Anon-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 | |
F&R | Our former Financial & Risk business, now known as Refinitiv | |
F&R sale or F&R transaction | Our sale of a 55% interest in F&R to private equity funds managed by Blackstone, which closed on October 1, 2018 | |
IFRS 16 | IFRS 16,Leases, a new accounting standard adopted on January 1, 2019. Refer to note 1 of our consolidated interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 for additional information. | |
LSEG | London Stock Exchange Group plc | |
n/a | Not applicable | |
n/m | Not meaningful | |
organic or organically | 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. Additionally, it excludes the initial contract value of the30-year Reuters News agreement signed on October 1, 2018, which was treated as an acquisition until October 1, 2019. See Appendix A to this management’s discussion and analysis(“Non-IFRS Financial Measures”). | |
Proposed LSEG/Refinitiv transaction | Our agreement with private equity funds affiliated with Blackstone to sell Refinitiv to LSEG. | |
Refinitiv | The name of our former F&R business as of the closing of the F&R transaction. We have owned 45% of Refinitiv since October 1, 2018. | |
$ and US$ | U.S. dollars |
Page 3
Our company
Thomson Reuters is a leading provider of business information services. Our products include highly specialized information-enabled software and tools for legal, tax, accounting and compliance professionals combined with the world’s most global news service – Reuters.
We derive most of our revenues from selling information and software solutions, primarily electronically and 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 in five reportable segments supported by a corporate center.
Third Quarter 2019 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, including the seven largest global accounting firms, with our full suite of offerings across legal, tax, regulatory and compliance functions.
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Tax & Accounting Professionals Serves tax, accounting and audit professionals in accounting firms (other than the seven largest firms, which are served by our Corporates segment) as well as governmental taxing authorities with research and workflow products, focusing on intuitive tax offerings and automating tax workflows.
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Reuters News Provides real-time, multi-media news and information services to newspapers, television and cable networks, radio stations and websites around the globe, as well as to Refinitiv.
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|
Global Print Provides legal and tax information primarily in print format to customers around the world.
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Our corporate center centrally manages commercial and technology operations, including those around our sales capabilities, digital customer experience and product and content development. Our corporate center also centrally manages functions such as finance, legal and human resources.
Page 4
Seasonality
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 a 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. Additionally, the seasonality of our operating profit may be further impacted by the timing of our corporate costs, as we have been incurring significant costs to reposition our business following the sale of F&R. See the “Outlook” section of this management’s discussion and analysis for additional information about these costs.
Key Highlights
During the third quarter, we posted our second consecutive quarter of 4% organic growth, and we believe we are well positioned to achieve our full-year 2019 and 2020 guidance. Our artificial intelligence-powered legal solutions continue to be well received by our customers, and we are benefiting from more opportunities to provide our customers with information and software solutions, due in part to the new customer facing organizational structure that we implemented at the beginning of 2019. We are also experiencing greater price realization due to factors such as offering premium products and through annual price increases as we continuously enhance our solutions.
We have spent over half of the $2 billion investment fund that we set aside from the proceeds of the F&R transaction in 2018 on acquisitions. In October 2019, we acquired FC Business Intelligence, a global events specialist that delivershigh-end conferences and exhibitions to businesses in diverse sectors. In July 2019, we acquired Confirmation, a provider of digital audit confirmation services to accounting firms, banks and law firms, and HighQ, a provider of collaboration tools to the legal and regulatory market segments. In November 2018, we acquired Integration Point, a provider of global trade management solutions to trade and compliance professionals. The Confirmation, HighQ and Integration Point acquisitions provide us with more cloud-based software businesses that we believe will provide additional opportunities to expand our positions, better serve our customers and supplement our organic growth. Initially, we expect these acquisitions to be dilutive to our adjusted EBITDA margin.
On August 1, 2019, we and private equity funds affiliated with Blackstone agreed to sell Refinitiv to London Stock Exchange Group plc (“LSEG”) for a total enterprise value of approximately $27 billion. The proposed transaction is anticipated to create a global financial markets infrastructure leader of the future. As a potential future shareholder of LSEG, we believe the transaction provides a balance for our company between the ability to benefit from additional long-term value creation and the ability to monetize our investment over time. The proposed transaction is subject to LSEG shareholder approval, regulatory clearances and other customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the second half of 2020. Please see the “Proposed LSEG/Refinitiv Transaction” section below for additional information.
Below are financial highlights of our third-quarter 2019 results, which are on a continuing operations basis, except where otherwise noted.
Three months ended September 30,
| ||||||||||||||||
Change
| ||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts and margins)
| 2019
| 2018
| Total
|
Constant
| ||||||||||||
IFRS Financial Measures | ||||||||||||||||
Revenues | 1,413 | 1,284 | 10% | |||||||||||||
Operating profit | 262 | 173 | 51% | |||||||||||||
Diluted (loss) earnings per share (includes discontinued operations) | ($ | 0.09) | $ | 0.39 | n/m | |||||||||||
Cash flow from operations (includes discontinued operations) |
| 264
|
|
| 850
|
|
| (68%)
|
| |||||||
Non-IFRS Financial Measures(1) | ||||||||||||||||
Revenues | 1,413 | 1,284 | 10% | 10% | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | 345 | 313 | 10% | 9% | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin | 24.4% | 24.4% | - | (30)bp | ||||||||||||
Adjusted EPS | $0.27 | $0.12 | 125% | 108% | ||||||||||||
Free cash flow (includes discontinued operations)
|
| 126
|
|
| 599
|
|
| (79%)
|
|
(1) | Refer to Appendices A and B of this management’s discussion and analysis for additional information and reconciliations of ournon-IFRS financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS financial measures. |
Revenues increased 10% in total and in constant currency, primarily due to new revenues in Reuters News for providing news and editorial content to Refinitiv under a30-year agreement signed in October 2018. Higher recurring revenues across our other customer segments also contributed to the increase. On an organic basis, revenues increased 4% for the second consecutive quarter, as 5% growth in recurring revenues more than offset declines in transactions and Global Print revenues.
Page 5
Operating profit increased significantly due a benefit from the revaluation of warrants that we hold in Refinitiv related to the proposed transaction with LSEG. Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes that benefit among other items, increased 10% but the related margin was unchanged, as higher revenues were partly offset by higher expenses.
Diluted loss per share of $0.09 reflects our share of losses from our 45% equity interest in Refinitiv. Diluted earnings per share of $0.39 in the prior-year period included net earnings from the F&R business that was included in discontinued operations for the first nine months of 2018. Adjusted EPS, which excludes our share of results from equity method investments and discontinued operations, increased to $0.27 per share from $0.12 per share, primarily reflecting fewer common shares outstanding and lower interest expense.
Cash flow from operations decreased reflecting the loss of cash flows from our former F&R business, in which we sold a majority interest on October 1, 2018, as well as investments to reposition our company following the separation from F&R. The decrease in free cash flow reflected the same factors.
Outlook
We originally communicated our 2019 and 2020 full-year business outlook in February 2019. Based on our first-half 2019 performance, we raised our revenue growth and adjusted EBITDA outlooks on August 1, 2019. On October 31, 2019, we reaffirmed our updated business outlook. Please see the “Outlook” section of this management’s discussion and analysis for our updated 2019 and 2020 full-year business outlook. We have provided a full-year business outlook for two years because 2019 will be materially impacted by costs to separate our business from Refinitiv and reposition it for growth, while 2020 should represent the first year that our financial performance will reflect the benefits from our actions, without related material costs.
The information above in this section is forward-looking and should be read in conjunction with the section in this document entitled “Additional Information – Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results”.
Proposed LSEG/Refinitiv Transaction
On August 1, 2019, we and private equity funds affiliated with Blackstone agreed to sell Refinitiv to LSEG in an all share transaction for a total enterprise value of approximately $27 billion. Refinitiv is currently owned 55% by Blackstone and 45% by Thomson Reuters. We expect that the transaction will result in Blackstone and Thomson Reuters ultimately holding a combined 37% economic interest in LSEG (approximately 15% of which would be attributed to Thomson Reuters) and a combined voting interest in LSEG of less than 30%. Thomson Reuters’ interest in LSEG shares will be held in an entity jointly owned by Blackstone and Thomson Reuters (the “Blackstone/Thomson Reuters Entity”). Upon the closing of this transaction, Thomson Reuters is projected to indirectly own approximately 82.5 million LSEG shares, which would have a market value of approximately $7.5 billion based on LSEG’s closing share price on October 30, 2019. Our estimated ownership interest above reflects our expected acquisition of an additional interest in Refinitiv pursuant to a warrant agreement entered into with Blackstone, which will be exercised in connection with the transaction closing.
Although it is currently expected that LSEG will only issue shares as consideration for the transaction, LSEG may, at its option, settle up to $2.5 billion of the consideration in cash. Payment of any cash consideration will reduce the number of LSEG shares issued to the Blackstone/Thomson Reuters Entity.
We expect that the proposed transaction will be partlytax-deferred for Thomson Reuters, as we anticipate incurring most of the tax on the gain in the future when we sell LSEG shares that are no longer subject to alock-up. When the transaction closes, however, we expect that a significant portion of the tax related to the gain will become payable by us. If that occurs, we could fund those taxes from an early release exception to thelock-up that will allow us to sell such number of LSEG shares as may be necessary to generate proceeds that are sufficient to pay the applicable taxes.
After the closing of the transaction, our free cash flow will benefit from any future dividends paid by LSEG to its shareholders. Once applicable post-closinglock-up periods expire, if we sell LSEG shares, we will generate cash which we would decide at the time how to best utilize.
For additional information about the proposed LSEG/Refinitiv transaction, please see the “Proposed LSEG/Refinitiv Transaction” section of our management’s discussion and analysis dated as of August 1, 2019 for the six months ended June 30, 2019, which section is incorporated herein by reference. Certain information in that section about the proposed transaction has been updated in this management’s discussion and analysis.
Page 6
Results of Operations—Continuing Operations
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)
|
2019
|
2018
|
Total
|
Constant
|
2019
|
2018
|
Total
|
Constant
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
IFRS Financial Measures | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
|
1,413 |
|
|
1,284 |
|
|
10% |
|
|
4,323 |
|
|
3,974 |
|
|
9% |
| ||||||||||||||
Operating profit |
|
262 |
|
|
173 |
|
|
51% |
|
|
983 |
|
|
645 |
|
|
52% |
| ||||||||||||||
Diluted (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations
|
|
($0.14)
|
|
|
($0.06)
|
|
|
(133%)
|
|
|
$0.49
|
|
|
$0.38
|
|
|
29%
|
| ||||||||||||||
Non-IFRS Financial Measures(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
|
1,413 |
|
|
1,284 |
|
|
10% |
|
|
10% |
|
|
4,323 |
|
|
3,974 |
|
|
9% |
|
|
10% |
| ||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
|
345 |
|
|
313 |
|
|
10% |
|
|
9% |
|
|
1,097 |
|
|
1,091 |
|
|
1% |
|
|
(1%) |
| ||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
|
24.4% |
|
|
24.4% |
|
|
- |
|
|
(30)bp |
|
|
25.4% |
|
|
27.4% |
|
|
(200)bp |
|
|
(270)bp |
| ||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures |
|
220 |
|
|
203 |
|
|
8% |
|
|
732 |
|
|
671 |
|
|
9% |
| ||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures margin |
|
15.6% |
|
|
15.8% |
|
|
(20)bp |
|
|
16.9% |
|
|
16.9% |
|
|
- |
| ||||||||||||||
Adjusted EPS
|
|
$0.27
|
|
|
$0.12
|
|
|
125%
|
|
|
108%
|
|
|
$0.92
|
|
|
$0.57
|
|
|
61%
|
|
|
56%
|
|
(1) | Refer to Appendices A and B of this management’s discussion and analysis for additional information and reconciliations of ournon-IFRS financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS financial measures. |
Revenues
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change |
Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
| 2019
| 2018
| Total
| Constant
| Organic
| 2019
| 2018
| Total
| Constant
| Organic
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring revenues |
|
1,118 |
|
|
976 |
|
|
15% |
|
|
15% |
|
|
5% |
|
|
3,368 |
|
|
2,965 |
|
|
14% |
|
|
15% |
|
|
5% |
| ||||||||||
Transactions revenues |
|
128 |
|
|
137 |
|
|
(7%) |
|
|
(8%) |
|
|
(2%) |
|
|
460 |
|
|
488 |
|
|
(6%) |
|
|
(5%) |
|
|
(1%) |
| ||||||||||
Global Print revenues |
|
168 |
|
|
171 |
|
|
(2%) |
|
|
(2%) |
|
|
(2%) |
|
|
497 |
|
|
522 |
|
|
(5%) |
|
|
(3%) |
|
|
(3%) |
| ||||||||||
Eliminations
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
(1)
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues
|
|
1,413
|
|
|
1,284
|
|
|
10%
|
|
|
10%
|
|
|
4%
|
|
|
4,323
|
|
|
3,974
|
|
|
9%
|
|
|
10%
|
|
|
4%
|
|
Revenues in both periods increased in total and in constant currency, primarily due to an approximately 6% contribution from new revenues in our Reuters News business for providing news and editorial content to Refinitiv under the30-year agreement signed in October 2018. Higher recurring revenues across our other customer segments in both periods also contributed. Global Print and transactions revenues declined in both periods, with the latter reflecting the sales of several small businesses.
On an organic basis, revenues increased 4% in both periods, as 5% growth in recurring revenues, which comprise most of our business, more than offset declines in transactions and Global Print revenues. Our Legal Professionals, Corporates and Tax & Accounting Professionals segments, which collectively comprise approximately 80% of our revenues, grew 5% organically in both periods, driven by strong net sales, improved retention and higher price realization.
Foreign currency did not impact revenue growth for the third quarter, but negatively impacted revenue growth in the nine-month period primarily due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the British pound sterling, Brazilian Real and Argentine Peso, compared to the prior-year period.
Operating profit, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures
Operating profit increased in both periods primarily due to a significant benefit from the revaluation of warrants that we hold in Refinitiv, related to the proposed transaction with LSEG.
In each period, adjusted EBITDA, which excludes the benefit of the warrant revaluation among other items, increased as higher revenues offset an increase in expenses. The related margin was unchanged in the third quarter, but decreased in the nine-month period, which included higher costs and investments to reposition our company following the separation from F&R during the first six months of the year.
Page 7
The adoption of IFRS 16 benefited adjusted EBITDA and the related margin by $11 million and 70bp and $30 million and 70bp in the third quarter and nine-month period in 2019, respectively.
Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures increased in the third quarter as higher adjusted EBITDA offset an increase in capital expenditures. In the nine-month period, adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures increased primarily due to lower capital expenditures. The related margin declined slightly in the third quarter and was unchanged in the nine-month period.
Operating expenses
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
|
Change
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
| 2019
| 2018
| Total
| Constant
| 2019
| 2018
| Total
| Constant
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
| 1,059 |
|
| 966 |
|
| 10% |
|
| 11% |
|
| 3,220 |
|
| 2,882 |
|
| 12% |
|
| 14% |
|
Operating expenses in each period increased in total and in constant currency due to costs to provide editorial content to Refinitiv, as these costs had previously been allocated to the F&R business in the prior-year period, and costs associated with recently acquired businesses. Additionally, investments to reposition our company following our separation from F&R were significantly higher in the nine-month period compared to the prior-year period, while these costs declined slightly in the quarter. Investments to reposition our business include acceleration of digital strategies, replication of capabilities that we lost with the separation from F&R and severance. The adoption of IFRS 16 decreased operating expenses by $11 million and $30 million in the third quarter and nine-month period of 2019, respectively. Operating expenses benefited from a positive impact from foreign currency in each period reflecting the strengthening of the U.S. dollar.
Depreciation and amortization
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2019
|
2018
|
Change
|
2019
|
2018
|
Change
| ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation |
| 38 |
|
| 24 |
|
| 58% |
|
| 110 |
|
| 83 |
|
| 32% |
| ||||||
Amortization of computer software |
| 117 |
|
| 96 |
|
| 22% |
|
| 326 |
|
| 294 |
|
| 11% |
| ||||||
Subtotal |
| 155 |
|
| 120 |
|
| 29% |
|
| 436 |
|
| 377 |
|
| 16% |
| ||||||
Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets |
| 28 |
|
| 26 |
|
| 9% |
|
| 80 |
|
| 83 |
|
| (3%) |
|
● | Depreciation and amortization of computer software on a combined basis increased in both periods as the adoption of IFRS 16 and higher expense associated with newly acquired assets, including those associated with recently acquired businesses, more than offset the completion of depreciation and amortization for certain assets acquired in previous years. IFRS 16 increased depreciation expense by $10 million and $29 million in the third quarter and nine-month period of 2019, respectively. |
● | Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets was higher in the third quarter due to expense associated with recent acquisitions. In the nine-month period, amortization of other identifiable intangible assets decreased as the completion of amortization for assets acquired in previous years more than offset the amortization from newly-acquired assets. |
Other operating gains, net
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
| |||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2019
|
2018
|
2019
|
2018
| ||||||||||||
Other operating gains, net |
| 91 |
|
| 1 |
|
| 396 |
|
| 13 |
|
The three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 included a $91 million and $366 million benefit, respectively, from the revaluation of warrants that we hold in Refinitiv related to the proposed transaction to sell Refinitiv to LSEG. Other operating gains, net, also included income related to a license that allows Refinitiv to use the “Reuters” mark to brand its products and services (see the “Related Party Transactions” section of this management’s discussion and analysis for additional information). The nine-month period of 2019 included net gains from the sale of several small businesses. The nine-month period of 2018 included a gain on the sale of a Canadian wholly-owned subsidiary to a company affiliated with Woodbridge, our principal shareholder.
Page 8
Net interest expense
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2019
|
2018
|
Change
|
2019
|
2018
| Change
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net interest expense |
| 40 |
|
| 82 |
|
| (51%) |
|
| 112 |
|
| 241 |
|
| (54%) |
|
The decrease in net interest expense in both periods reflected significantly lower debt, as we used a portion of the proceeds from the F&R transaction in 2018 to repay $4 billion of debt. We also initially invested $2 billion of the proceeds, which contributed to higher interest income.
Other finance costs (income)
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
| |||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2019
|
2018
|
2019
|
2018
| ||||||||||||
Other finance costs (income) |
| 3 |
|
| 11 |
|
| 32 |
|
| (10) |
|
Other finance costs (income) included gains or losses on the impact of fluctuations of foreign currency exchange rates on certain intercompany funding arrangements and gains related to changes in foreign exchange contracts.
Share ofpost-tax (losses) earnings in equity method investments
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
| |||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2019
|
2018
|
2019
|
2018
| ||||||||||||
Refinitiv (45% ownership interest)
|
|
(305)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(563)
|
|
|
-
|
| ||||
Other equity method investments
|
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
5
|
| ||||
Share ofpost-tax (losses) earnings in equity method investments |
| (304) |
|
| 1 |
|
| (555) |
|
| 5 |
|
Our share of thepost-tax loss from our 45% interest in Refinitiv reflects interest expense for Refinitiv’s debt, charges relating to the revaluation of preferred equity securities relating to the proposed transaction to sell Refinitiv to LSEG, and expenses to scale its business related to its annual cost savings target. Refinitiv achievedrun-rate savings of $440 million as of the end of the third quarter, which is overtwo-thirds of its total annual cost savingsrun-rate target. Refinitiv believes it is on track to achieve its full annual cost savingsrun-rate target of $650 million by the end of 2020.
There is no comparative amount for the third quarter and nine-month period of 2018 as Refinitiv became an investment on October 1, 2018. We provide additional information about the performance of our investment in Refinitiv in Appendix C of this management’s discussion and analysis.
Tax (benefit) expense
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
| |||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2019
|
2018
|
2019
|
2018
| ||||||||||||
Tax (benefit) expense |
| (13) |
|
| 128 |
|
| 35 |
|
| 152 |
|
The tax (benefit) expense in each period reflected the mix of taxing jurisdictions in whichpre-tax profits and losses were recognized. Because the geographical mix ofpre-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 tax (benefit) expense for the full year.
The tax provision for the three and nine-month periods of 2019 includes a $58 million charge related to the enactment of foreign tax reform. The charge reflects our estimate of the deferred taxes required on temporary differences between the book and tax basis of certain assets, which we expect to reverse during periods that will be subject to the applicable new foreign tax rates. During the fourth quarter of 2019, we expect to recognize a significant increase in the tax basis of assets owned by a foreign subsidiary, which would generate a deferred tax benefit of approximately $1.5 billion that we would remove for our computation of adjusted earnings. In subsequent periods, the resulting deferred tax asset would be reversed through charges to deferred tax expense as the underlying assets are amortized.
Page 9
The comparability of our tax expense was impacted by various transactions and accounting adjustments during each period. The following table sets forth certain components within income tax expense (benefit) that impact comparability from period to period, including the $58 million charge related to foreign tax reform described above and tax 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)
|
2019
| 2018
| 2019
|
2018
| ||||||||||||
Tax expense (benefit) | ||||||||||||||||
Tax items impacting comparability: | ||||||||||||||||
Net tax charges related to restructuring(1) |
| - |
|
| 95 |
|
| - |
|
| 95 |
| ||||
Corporate tax laws and rates(2) |
| 60 |
|
| 19 |
|
| 60 |
|
| 5 |
| ||||
Discrete changes to uncertain tax positions(3) |
| (21) |
|
| - |
|
| (21) |
|
| - |
| ||||
Deferred tax adjustments(4) |
| (17) |
|
| (2) |
|
| (32) |
|
| - |
| ||||
Subtotal |
| 22 |
|
| 112 |
|
| 7 |
|
| 100 |
| ||||
Tax related to: | ||||||||||||||||
Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets |
| (5) |
|
| (8) |
|
| (14) |
|
| (20) |
| ||||
Share ofpost-tax (losses) earnings in equity method investments |
| (80) |
|
| - |
|
| (147) |
|
| 1 |
| ||||
Other operating gains, net |
| 27 |
|
| - |
|
| 104 |
|
| - |
| ||||
Fair value adjustments |
| - |
|
| 1 |
|
| - |
|
| 1 |
| ||||
Subtotal |
| (58) |
|
| (7) |
|
| (57) |
|
| (18) |
| ||||
Total |
| (36) |
|
| 105 |
|
| (50) |
|
| 82 |
|
(1) | Relates to the internal restructuring of certain retained businesses and investments as a consequence of the F&R transaction. |
(2) | Relates to changes in deferred tax liabilities due to changes in U.S. and foreign tax law and rates, and changes to U.S. state deferred tax liabilities resulting from changes in apportionment factors and the F&R transaction. |
(3) | Relates to the release of tax reserves that are no longer required due to the expiration of statute of limitations. |
(4) | Relates primarily to requirements associated with disposals and acquisitions. |
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 thepre-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)
|
2019
|
2018
|
2019
|
2018
| ||||||||||||
Tax (benefit) expense
|
|
(13)
|
|
|
128
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
152
|
| ||||
Remove: Items from above impacting comparability
|
|
36
|
|
|
(105)
|
|
|
50
|
|
|
(82)
|
| ||||
Other adjustment:
| ||||||||||||||||
Interim period effective tax rate normalization(1)
|
|
(7)
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
-
|
| ||||
Total tax expense on adjusted earnings
|
|
16
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
86
|
|
|
70
|
|
(1) | Adjustment to reflect income taxes based on estimated full-year effective tax rate, including normalization of benefits from favorable developments relating to tax disputes. 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. Thenon-IFRS adjustment reallocates estimated full-year income taxes between interim periods, but has no effect on full-year income taxes. |
(Loss) earnings and diluted (loss) earnings from continuing operations
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
|
2019
|
2018
|
Change
|
2019
|
2018
|
Change
| ||||||||||||||||||
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations
|
|
(72)
|
|
|
(47)
|
|
|
(54%)
|
|
|
249
|
|
|
267
|
|
|
(7%)
|
| ||||||
Diluted (loss) earnings per share from continuing operations
|
($
|
0.14)
|
|
($
|
0.06)
|
|
|
(133%)
|
|
$
|
0.49
|
|
$
|
0.38
|
|
|
29%
|
|
Page 10
Loss from continuing operations was higher in the third quarter as our share of losses from our 45% equity interest in Refinitiv more than offset higher operating profit and a decrease in interest and tax expense. In the nine-month period, earnings from continuing operations was slightly lower reflecting the same factors. Diluted EPS increased in the nine-month period due to a significant reduction in outstanding common shares due to share repurchases as well as the November 2018 share consolidation. The adoption of IFRS 16 did not have a material impact on earnings from continuing operations or the related per share amount.
Adjusted earnings and adjusted EPS
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
|
2019
|
2018
|
Change
|
2019
|
2018
|
Change
| ||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted earnings
|
|
134
|
|
|
85
|
|
|
60%
|
|
|
461
|
|
|
401
|
|
|
15%
|
| ||||||
Adjusted EPS
| $
| 0.27
|
| $
| 0.12
|
|
| 125%
|
| $
| 0.92
|
| $
| 0.57
|
|
| 61%
|
|
Adjusted earnings and adjusted EPS increased in both periods as lower interest expense more than offset higher depreciation and amortization of computer software. The third quarter also reflected higher adjusted EBITDA. Additionally, the increase in adjusted EPS in both periods reflected a significant reduction in common shares outstanding due to share repurchases as well as the November 2018 share consolidation.
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, 2019. We assess revenue growth for each segment, as well as the businesses within each segment, in constant currency.
See Appendix A of this management’s 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 margins) | 2019 | 2018 | Total | Constant Currency | Organic | 2019 | 2018 | Total | Constant Currency | Organic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring revenues |
| 560 |
|
| 541 |
|
| 4% |
|
| 4% |
|
| 4% |
|
| 1,665 |
|
| 1,613 |
|
| 3% |
|
| 4% |
|
| 4% |
| ||||||||||
Transactions revenues |
| 45 |
|
| 54 |
|
| (18%) |
|
| (18%) |
|
| (6%) |
|
| 137 |
|
| 160 |
|
| (14%) |
|
| (13%) |
|
| (3%) |
| ||||||||||
Revenues |
| 605 |
|
| 595 |
|
| 2% |
|
| 2% |
|
| 3% |
|
| 1,802 |
|
| 1,773 |
|
| 2% |
|
| 3% |
|
| 3% |
| ||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA |
| 227 |
|
| 206 |
|
| 10% |
|
| 9% |
|
| 686 |
|
| 595 |
|
| 15% |
|
| 15% |
| ||||||||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA margin |
| 37.4% |
|
| 34.6% |
|
| 280bp |
|
| 240bp |
|
| 38.1% |
|
| 33.6% |
|
| 450bp |
|
| 400bp |
|
Revenues in both periods increased 2% in total. In constant currency, revenues increased 2% and 3% in the third quarter and nine-month period, respectively, as growth in recurring revenues (93% of the Legal Professionals segment in the third quarter) was partly offset by declines in transactions revenues due to the sale of several small businesses.
On an organic basis, revenues grew 3% in both periods, driven by 4% growth in recurring revenues, which included a strong contribution from Westlaw Edge, the newest version of our legal research platform, and benefits from higher customer retention. Transactions revenues decreased 6% organically in the third quarter reflecting a sale in the third quarter of the prior-year period within the Government business that did not repeat. In the nine-month period, transactions revenues declined 3% organically.
Revenues from law firms, which include large global law firms and represent just overtwo-thirds of the segment’s revenues, increased 2% in both periods. Revenues from our Global business, representing smaller law firms outside the U.S., were essentially unchanged in the third quarter as the sale of several small transactions businesses in Canada continued to negatively impact revenue growth. Global revenues increased 3% in the nine-month period. U.S. government revenues grew 5% and 6% in the third quarter and nine-month period, respectively. |
Third Quarter 2019 Revenues by type of customer
| |
|
Page 11
Segment adjusted EBITDA and the related margin increased in both periods due to higher revenues and lower expenses resulting from efficiency actions in 2018. Foreign currency benefited segment adjusted EBITDA margin by 40bp and 50bp in the third quarter and nine-month period, respectively, compared to the prior-year periods. We expect Legal Professionals full-year 2019 segment adjusted EBITDA margin will be higher than the 2018 margin of 34.4%.
Corporates
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
|
Change
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except margins) | 2019 | 2018 | Total | Constant Currency | Organic | 2019 | 2018 | Total | Constant Currency | Organic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring revenues |
| 275 |
|
| 247 |
|
| 11% |
|
| 12% |
|
| 8% |
|
| 813 |
|
| 734 |
|
| 11% |
|
| 12% |
|
| 9% |
| ||||||||||
Transactions revenues |
| 45 |
|
| 51 |
|
| (11%) |
|
| (11%) |
|
| (3%) |
|
| 177 |
|
| 189 |
|
| (6%) |
|
| (5%) |
|
| (3%) |
| ||||||||||
Revenues |
| 320 |
|
| 298 |
|
| 7% |
|
| 8% |
|
| 6% |
|
| 990 |
|
| 923 |
|
| 7% |
|
| 8% |
|
| 6% |
| ||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA |
| 110 |
|
| 105 |
|
| 4% |
|
| 6% |
|
| 330 |
|
| 311 |
|
| 6% |
|
| 6% |
| ||||||||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA margin |
| 34.3% |
|
| 35.4% |
|
| (110)bp |
|
| (50)bp |
|
| 33.4% |
|
| 33.7% |
|
| (30)bp |
|
| (60)bp |
|
In both periods, revenues increased 7% and 8% in total and in constant currency, respectively, as growth in recurring revenues (86% of the Corporates segment in the third quarter) more than offset declines in transactions revenues, which reflected lower revenues due to the sale of our Pangea 3/Legal Managed Services (LMS) business in May 2019. The acquisitions of Integration Point, acquired in November 2018, as well as Confirmation and HighQ, both acquired in July 2019, contributed to revenue growth in each period.
On an organic basis, total revenues increased 6% in both periods reflecting organic recurring revenue growth of 8% and 9% in the third quarter and nine-month period, respectively, and an organic decline in transactions revenues of 3% in both periods.
Revenues from our large corporate andmedium-sized corporate customers grew 8% and 5%, respectively, in the third quarter, and 9% and 6%, respectively, in the nine-month period. Revenues from large corporate customers benefited from a contribution from acquisitions. The global business increased 13% and 9% in the third quarter and nine-month period, respectively, driven by its Asia business. |
Third Quarter 2019 Revenues by type of customer
| |
|
Segment adjusted EBITDA increased in both periods as higher revenues more than offset higher expenses. Segment adjusted EBITDA margin declined in both periods due to the dilutive impact of acquisitions. Foreign currency negatively impacted the year-over-year change in segment adjusted EBITDA margin by 60bp in the third quarter and benefited the year-over-year change in segment adjusted EBITDA margin by 30bp in the nine-month period. Despite the dilutive impact of acquisitions, we expect Corporates full-year segment adjusted EBITDA margin to be roughly in line with the 2018 margin of 31.9%.
Tax & Accounting Professionals
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
|
Change
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except margins) | 2019 | 2018 | Total | Constant Currency | Organic | 2019 | 2018 | Total | Constant Currency | Organic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring revenues |
| 140 |
|
| 129 |
|
| 9% |
|
| 8% |
|
| 8% |
|
| 460 |
|
| 434 |
|
| 6% |
|
| 8% |
|
| 8% |
| ||||||||||
Transactions revenues | 26 | 20 | 26% | 22% | 7% | 110 | 108 | 2% | 3% | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
| 166 |
|
| 149 |
|
| 11% |
|
| 10% |
|
| 8% |
|
| 570 |
|
| 542 |
|
| 5% |
|
| 7% |
|
| 6% |
| ||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA | 35 | 32 | 9% | (2%) | 188 | 153 | 23% | 22% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA margin | 21.1% | 21.4% | (30)bp | (240)bp | 33.0% | 28.3% | 470bp | 410bp |
Page 12
Revenues increased 11% and 5% in total, and 10% and 7% in constant currency in the third quarter and the nine-month period, respectively, driven by growth in both recurring revenues (84% of the Tax & Accounting Professionals segment in the third quarter) and transactions revenues. The acquisition of Confirmation contributed to growth in transactions revenues in both periods.
On an organic basis, revenues grew 8% in the third quarter and 6% in the nine-month period. Recurring revenues grew 8% organically in both periods and included strong growth in Latin America. Transactions revenues grew 7% organically in the third quarter driven by the government business. Transactions revenues were essentially unchanged on an organic basis in the nine-month period, compared to the prior year.
Revenues fromsmall-mid-large accounting firms in the U.S. increased 7% and 5% in the third quarter and nine-month period, respectively. Revenues in the global business increased 23% and 22% in the third quarter and nine-month period, respectively, driven by the Latin America business. Revenues from Government customers, the smallest component of the Tax & Accounting Professionals segment, increased 8% in the third quarter and declined 2% in the nine-month period. |
Third Quarter 2019 Revenues by type of customer | |
|
In the third quarter, segment adjusted EBITDA increased due to foreign currency. On a constant currency basis, segment adjusted EBITDA and the related margin decreased in the third quarter due to the dilutive impact of the Confirmation acquisition. In the nine-month period, segment adjusted EBITDA and the related margin increased as higher revenues and expense savings from efficiency actions in 2018 more than offset the dilutive impact of the Confirmation acquisition. Foreign currency benefited segment adjusted EBITDA margin by 210bp and 60bp in the third quarter and nine-month period, respectively, compared to the prior-year periods. Despite the dilutive impact of the Confirmation acquisition, we expect Tax & Accounting Professionals’ full-year margin will be higher than the 2018 margin of 34.4%.
Tax & Accounting Professionals is a more seasonal business relative to our other businesses, with a higher percentage of its segment adjusted EBITDA historically generated in the fourth quarter and to a slightly lesser extent, the first quarter, due to the release of certain tax products. Small movements in the timing of revenues and expenses can impact quarterly margins.
Reuters News
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except margins) | 2019 | 2018 | Total | Constant Currency | Organic | 2019 | 2018 | Total | Constant Currency | Organic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring revenues |
| 143 |
|
| 59 |
|
| 143% |
|
| 146% |
|
| 3% |
|
| 430 |
|
| 184 |
|
| 134% |
|
| 138% |
|
| 2% |
| ||||||||||
Transactions revenues |
| 12 |
|
| 12 |
|
| 2% |
|
| (5%) |
|
| (5%) |
|
| 36 |
|
| 31 |
|
| 16% |
|
| 16% |
|
| 16% |
| ||||||||||
Revenues |
| 155 |
|
| 71 |
|
| 120% |
|
| 121% |
|
| 3% |
|
| 466 |
|
| 215 |
|
| 117% |
|
| 120% |
|
| 3% |
| ||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA |
| 5 |
|
| 5 |
|
| (14%) |
|
| (97%) |
|
| 31 |
|
| 21 |
|
| 45% |
|
| 10% |
| ||||||||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA margin |
| 3.2% |
|
| 8.2% |
|
| (500)bp |
|
| (670)bp |
|
| 6.7% |
|
| 10.0% |
|
| (330)bp |
| (480)bp |
Revenues in both periods significantly increased in total and in constant currency due to new revenues from providing news and editorial content to Refinitiv under a30-year agreement signed in October 2018. Organic revenues increased 3% in both periods primarily due to a price increase above the minimum value of the agreement with Refinitiv, as well as higher Agency revenues.
Under the arrangement with Refinitiv, Reuters News will recognize revenue of at least $325 million per year under a30-year agreement signed in October 2018. As the revenue is expected to be largely offset by associated expenses within the Reuters News segment, there is no corresponding increase to adjusted EBITDA. Prior to the closing of the F&R transaction, the costs to produce this content were allocated to the F&R business and therefore were included as part of discontinued operations, rather than as a component of Reuters News’ adjusted EBITDA. Reuters News now reports these costs as part of its adjusted EBITDA.
Page 13
Segment adjusted EBITDA was unchanged in the third quarter as a benefit from foreign currency essentially offset the impact of higher costs and investments, which we expect to continue for the remainder of the year. In the nine-month period, segment adjusted EBITDA increased due to the benefit of foreign currency and favorable timing of expenses. Segment adjusted EBITDA margin decreased in both periods partially reflecting the dilutive impact of the Refinitiv agreement. Foreign currency benefited segment adjusted EBITDA margin by 170bp and 150bp in the third quarter and nine-month period, respectively, compared to the prior-year periods.
In October 2019, we acquired FC Business Intelligence, a globalbusiness-to-business events specialist, that we plan to rebrand as Reuters Events (refer to the “Subsequent Events” section of this management’s discussion and analysis for additional information). In 2020, we expect revenues for this business to be about $40 million, reflecting revenue growth in themid-teens.
Global Print
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except margins) | 2019 | 2018 | Total | Constant Currency | Organic | 2019 | 2018 | Total | Constant Currency | Organic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
| 168 |
|
| 171 |
|
| (2%) |
|
| (2%) |
|
| (2%) |
|
| 497 |
|
| 522 |
|
| (5%) |
|
| (3%) |
|
| (3%) |
| ||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA |
| 71 |
|
| 76 |
|
| (5%) |
|
| (4%) |
|
| 218 |
|
| 233 |
|
| (6%) |
|
| (5%) |
| ||||||||||||||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA margin |
| 42.5% |
|
| 44.2% |
|
| (170)bp |
|
| (110)bp |
|
| 43.8% |
|
| 44.6% |
|
| (80)bp |
|
| (110)bp |
|
Revenues decreased 2% and 5% in total in the third quarter and the nine-month period, respectively. On a constant currency basis, revenues decreased 2% in the third quarter and 3% in the nine-month period, all of which was organic. For the full year, we expect Global Print revenues to decline between 4% and 5%.
Segment adjusted EBITDA and the related margin decreased in both periods due to lower revenues. However, segment adjusted EBITDA margin was over 40% in both periods of 2019, as the segment continued to closely manage its costs. Foreign currency negatively impacted segment adjusted EBITDA margin by 60bp in the third quarter and benefited segment adjusted EBITDA margin by 30bp in the nine-month period, compared to the prior-year periods.
Corporate costs
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
| |||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||
Corporate costs |
| 103 |
|
| 111 |
|
| 356 |
|
| 222 |
|
Corporate costs decreased in the third quarter, but increased in the nine-month period, with both periods including significant investments to reposition our business following the separation of F&R from the rest of our company. Our investments, which included the acceleration of digital strategies, replication of capabilities that we lost with the separation from Refinitiv as well as severance, were lower in the third quarter, but higher in the nine-month period compared to the prior-year periods.
Results of Discontinued Operations
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
| |||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||||||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax |
| 28 |
|
| 349 |
|
| (9) |
|
| 381 |
|
The three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 included residual income and expense items related to liabilities associated with businesses that were previously classified as discontinued operations, including F&R. In the nine-month period of 2018, F&R’s earnings were mostly offset by an $850 million deferred tax charge associated with the sale of F&R.
Page 14
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have a disciplined capital strategy that is aligned with our business strategy. 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 on hand, cash provided by our operations, our commercial paper program and credit facility. From time to time, we also issue debt securities. Our principal uses of cash are for debt servicing costs, dividend payments, capital expenditures, share repurchases and acquisitions. 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.
We believe that our ability to consistently generate significant free cash flow demonstrates the resiliency and stability of our business model. Additionally, we believe that our operational efforts to drive revenue and margin growth will continue to result in strong free cash flow generation. However, in 2019, our free cash flow is being materially impacted by costs to complete the separation of our business from Refinitiv and to reposition our company for growth. We expect that our financial performance in 2020 will reflect the benefits from our actions, without related material costs. See the “Outlook” section of this management’s discussion and analysis for additional information.
In 2018, we set aside $2 billion from the proceeds of the F&R transaction as an investment fund, of which we have spent over half on acquisitions. These businesses strengthen our legal, tax and accounting and corporates businesses with cloud-based software businesses that we believe will provide opportunities to expand our positions, better serve our customers and supplement our organic growth.
The 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”.
Cash flow
Summary of consolidated statement of cash flow
Three months ended September 30,
|
Nine months ended September 30,
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars) | 2019 | 2018 | $ Change | 2019 | 2018 | $ Change | ||||||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
| 264 |
|
| 850 |
|
| (586) |
|
| 347 |
|
| 2,072 |
|
| (1,725) |
| ||||||
Net cash used in investing activities |
| (937) |
|
| (245) |
|
| (692) |
|
| (1,090) |
|
| (784) |
|
| (306) |
| ||||||
Net cash used in financing activities |
| (284) |
|
| (861) |
|
| 577 |
|
| (811) |
|
| (1,169) |
|
| 358 |
| ||||||
(Decrease) increase in cash and bank overdrafts |
| (957) |
|
| (256) |
|
| (701) |
|
| (1,554) |
|
| 119 |
|
| (1,673) |
| ||||||
Translation adjustments |
| (4) |
|
| (9) |
|
| 5 |
|
| (2) |
|
| (21) |
|
| 19 |
| ||||||
Cash and bank overdrafts at beginning of period |
| 2,108 |
|
| 1,231 |
|
| 877 |
|
| 2,703 |
|
| 868 |
|
| 1,835 |
| ||||||
Cash and bank overdrafts at end of period |
| 1,147 |
|
| 966 |
|
| 181 |
|
| 1,147 |
|
| 966 |
|
| 181 |
| ||||||
Non-IFRS Financial Measure(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Free cash flow (includes discontinued operations) |
| 126 |
|
| 599 |
|
| (473) |
|
| (50) |
|
| 1,274 |
|
| (1,324) |
|
(1) | Refer to Appendices A and B of this management’s discussion and analysis for additional information and reconciliations of ournon-IFRS financial measures to the most directly comparable IFRS financial measure. |
Operating activities. Net cash from operating activities decreased in both periods primarily due to the loss of cash flows from our former F&R business, in which we sold a majority stake on October 1, 2018, investments to reposition Thomson Reuters following the separation of F&R from our company, and higher tax payments. The nine-month period of 2019 also included a $167 million pension contribution.
Investing activities. Net cash used in investing activities increased in both periods primarily due to acquisition spending of $816 million that included Confirmation and HighQ. Capital expenditures were $125 million in the third quarter of 2019 compared to $110 million in the prior-year period. In the nine-month period of 2019, capital expenditures were $365 million compared to $420 million in the prior-year period. The nine-month period of 2019 also included higher proceeds from the sales of several small businesses. The third quarter of 2018 included $110 million ($356 million—nine-month period) of capital expenditures and other investing activities related to F&R that were included in discontinued operations.
Financing activities. Net cash used in financing activities decreased in both periods as the third quarter of 2018 included net repayments of debt of $483 million, and both periods of 2019 included lower share repurchases and lower dividends on common shares due to previous reductions in the number of outstanding common shares. We returned $273 million (2018—$361 million) and $812 million (2018—$1,195 million) to our common shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in the third quarter and nine-month period of 2019, respectively. Refer to the “Share Repurchases” section below for additional information regarding our share repurchase program.
Page 15
Cash and bank overdrafts. The reduction in cash in both periods was driven by spending on acquisitions from the funds that we set aside from the proceeds of the F&R transaction.
Free cash flow. Free cash flow decreased in both periods primarily due to lower cash from operating activities, which was partly offset by lower capital expenditures.
Additional information about our debt, dividends and share repurchases is as follows:
● | Commercial paper program. Our $2.0 billion commercial paper program provides cost-effective and flexible short-term funding. There were no commercial paper borrowings in the nine-month period of 2019. |
● | Credit facility. We have a $2.4 billion credit facility agreement which matures in November 2021 and may be used to provide liquidity for general corporate purposes (including support for our commercial paper program). There were no outstanding borrowings at September 30, 2019. Based on our current credit ratings, the cost of borrowing under the agreement is priced at LIBOR/EURIBOR plus 110 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 $3.0 billion. We are considering a reduction in the level of this commitment given our company’s smaller size following the F&R transaction. |
If our debt rating is downgraded by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s, our facility fees and borrowing costs may increase, although availability would be unaffected. Conversely, an upgrade in our ratings may reduce our facility fee and borrowing costs. We 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 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. We were in compliance with this covenant at September 30, 2019.
● | Debt shelf prospectus. We have a debt shelf prospectus under which we may issue up to $3.0 billion principal amount of debt securities from time to time through August 2020. We have not issued any debt securities under the prospectus. |
● | 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. |
The following table sets forth the credit ratings from rating agencies in respect of our outstanding securities as of the date of this management’s discussion and analysis:
Moody’s
|
Standard & Poor’s
|
DBRS Limited
|
Fitch
| |||||
Long-term debt |
Baa2 |
BBB |
BBB (high) |
BBB+ | ||||
Commercial paper |
P-2 |
A-2 |
R-2 (high) |
F2 | ||||
Trend/Outlook |
Negative Outlook |
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.
● | Dividends. Dividends on our common shares are declared in U.S. dollars. In February 2019, we announced a $0.04 per share increase in the annualized dividend to $1.44 per common share (beginning with the common share dividend that we paid in March 2019). We are now targeting a dividend payout ratio of 50% to 60% of our free cash flow, up from a target range of 40% to 50%. 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. |
Page 16
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)
|
2019
|
2018
|
2019
|
2018
| ||||||||||||
Dividends declared per share | $ | 0.360 |
| $ | 0.345 |
| $ | 1.080 |
| $ | 1.035 |
| ||||
Dividends declared |
| 180 |
|
| 242 |
|
| 541 |
|
| 732 |
| ||||
Dividends reinvested |
| (5) |
|
| (10) |
|
| (17) |
|
| (25) |
| ||||
Dividends paid |
| 175 |
|
| 232 |
|
| 524 |
|
| 707 |
|
● | Share repurchases. We may buy back shares (and subsequently cancel them) from time to time as part of our capital strategy. Our share repurchases are typically effected under a normal course issuer bid (NCIB). In August 2019, we renewed our NCIB for an additional 12 months. Under the renewed NCIB, we may repurchase up to 25 million common shares between August 19, 2019 and August 18, 2020 in open market transactions on the TSX, the New York Stock Exchange (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 if we receive an issuer bid exemption order from applicable securities regulatory authorities in Canada for such purchases. The price that our company will pay for shares in open market transactions under the NCIB will be the market price at the time of purchase or such other price as may be permitted by TSX. |
In February 2019, we announced plans to repurchase up to an additional $250 million of our common shares in 2019 and completed this program in the third quarter of 2019. In the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we repurchased $288 million of our common shares, of which $38 million of common shares were repurchased using part of the remaining proceeds of the F&R transaction.
Details of share repurchases are as follows:
Three months ended September 30,
| Nine months ended September 30,
| |||||||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |||||||||||||
Share repurchases (millions of U.S. dollars) |
| 98 |
|
| 129 |
|
| 288 |
|
| 488 |
| ||||
Shares repurchased (number in millions) |
| 1.5 |
|
| 3.1 |
|
| 5.0 |
|
| 12.2 |
| ||||
Share repurchases - average price per share in U.S. dollars | $ | 68.34 |
| $ | 41.13 |
| $ | 58.11 |
| $ | 39.95 |
|
In October 2019, we announced plans to commence a new buyback program which will allow us to repurchase up to an additional $200 million of our common shares later this year and up to an additional $200 million of our common shares in 2020 (refer to the “Subsequent Events” section of this management’s discussion and analysis for additional information).
Decisions regarding any future repurchases will depend on 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 apre-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 Rule10b5-1 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Financial position
Our total assets were $16.0 billion at September 30, 2019, a decrease of $1.0 billion from December 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to a lower cash balance (refer to the “Cash flow” section above for additional information).
At September 30, 2019, the carrying amounts of our total current assets exceeded the carrying amounts of our total current liabilities by $0.9 billion, largely because of our cash balance that includes the remaining portion of the proceeds from the F&R transaction. Normally, 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 typically 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.
Page 17
Net debt(1)
September 30,
|
December 31,
| |||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2019
|
2018
| ||||||
Current indebtedness |
| - |
|
| 3 |
| ||
Long-term indebtedness |
| 3,229 |
|
| 3,213 |
| ||
Total debt |
| 3,229 |
|
| 3,216 |
| ||
Swaps |
| 71 |
|
| 76 |
| ||
Total debt after swaps |
| 3,300 |
|
| 3,292 |
| ||
Remove fair value adjustments for hedges(2) |
| (3) |
|
| 4 |
| ||
Total debt after currency hedging arrangements |
| 3,297 |
|
| 3,296 |
| ||
Remove transaction costs and discounts included in the carrying value of debt |
| 37 |
|
| 40 |
| ||
Add: Lease liabilities (current andnon-current)(3) |
| 275 |
|
| - |
| ||
Less: cash and cash equivalents(4) |
| (1,147) |
|
| (2,706) |
| ||
Net debt |
| 2,462 |
|
| 630 |
|
(1) | Net debt is anon-IFRS financial measure, which we define in Appendix A of this management’s discussion and analysis. |
(2) | Represents the interest-related fair value component of hedging instruments that are removed to reflect net cash outflow upon maturity. |
(3) | In 2019, we revised our definition of net debt to include lease liabilities recorded in connection with the adoption of IFRS 16 on January 1, 2019. |
(4) | Includes cash and cash equivalents of $36 million and $24 million at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, held in subsidiaries which have regulatory restrictions, contractual restrictions or operate in countries where exchange controls and other legal restrictions apply and are therefore not available for general use by our company. |
At September 30, 2019, our total debt position (after swaps) was $3.3 billion. The maturity dates for our term debt are well balanced with no significant concentration in any one year. At September 30, 2019, the average maturity of our term debt was approximately 11 years at an average interest rate (after swaps) of less than 5%, all of which is fixed. Our leverage ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA remains well below our target leverage ratio of 2.5:1. The increase in our net debt is primarily due to a decrease in our cash and cash equivalents (refer to the “Cash flow” section above for additional information).
Off-balance sheet arrangements, commitments and contractual obligations
For a summary of our otheroff-balance sheet arrangements, commitments and contractual obligations please see our 2018 annual management’s discussion and analysis. There were no material changes to these arrangements, commitments and contractual obligations during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.
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 estimate of the amount expected to be paid based on a qualitative assessment of all relevant factors. 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.
For additional information, please see the “Risk Factors” section of our 2018 annual report, which contains further information on risks related to tax matters.
Page 18
The information in this section is forward-looking and should be read in conjunction with the part of the “Additional Information” section below entitled “Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results”.
Priorities
Our customer segments reflect the key areas where we believe we can create meaningful value for our customers. Our Legal Professionals, Corporates and Tax & Accounting Professionals segments comprised about 80% of our 2018 revenues and collectively grew 4% organically. We plan to focus our investments in these segments, including expanding our platform approach for our various products and services, and increasingly using artificial intelligence, analytics and the cloud to increase leverage, efficiency, speed and scale for our company and our customers.
To reposition our business for growth, we are focusing on five key priorities in 2019:
● | Deliver higher revenue growth by acquiring new customers, using better analytics, increasing cross-selling and upselling and by improving retention. |
● | Create a more customer-focused operating model to better inform how we design our offerings and go to market. |
● | Serve customers through digital channels, which we expect will enhance theend-to-end experience as well as improve sales efficiency and retention. |
● | Simplify our company, including sunsetting or divestingnon-strategic products. |
● | Invest in our people by creating a flatter and more productive organization by reducing more management layers, allowing our employees to be more agile in serving our customers. |
Updated Financial Outlook
We originally communicated our 2019 and 2020 full-year business outlook in February 2019. Based on our first-half 2019 performance, we raised our outlook for revenue growth and adjusted EBITDA on August 1, 2019. On October 31, 2019, we reaffirmed our updated 2019 and 2020 full-year business outlook. The outlook for 2019 and 2020:
● | Assumes constant currency rates relative to 2018; and |
● | Excludes the impact of any future acquisitions or dispositions that may occur in 2019 or 2020. |
We believe this type of guidance provides useful insight into the performance of our businesses.
Additionally, stranded costs are now expected to be fully eliminated in 2019. As such, our updated 2020 outlook includes no stranded costs and we now expect corporate costs to range between $140 million and $150 million. We have provided a full-year outlook for two years because 2019 will be materially impacted by costs to complete the separation of our business from Refinitiv and reposition our company for growth, while 2020 should represent the first year that our financial performance will reflect the benefits from our actions, without related material costs.
Page 19
The table below reflects our outlook, as updated on August 1, 2019.
2019 Outlook | 2020 Outlook | |||
Before currency and excluding the impact of future acquisitions/dispositions
| ||||
Revenue Growth | 7% - 8.5% 3.5% - 4.0% Organic(1) | 4.0% - 4.5% Organic | ||
Adjusted EBITDA | $1.45 billion - $1.5 billion | n/a | ||
Adjusted EBITDA margin | n/a | Approximately 31% | ||
Total Corporate costs | Approximately $570 million | $140 million - $150 million | ||
Core Corporate costs | Approximately $140 million | $140 million - $150 million | ||
Stranded costs | Approximately $100 million | - | ||
One-Time costs | Approximately $330 million | - | ||
Free cash flow | $0 - $300 million | $1.0 billion - $1.2 billion | ||
Capital expenditures, as a percentage of revenues | Approximately 9% | 7.5% - 8.0% | ||
Depreciation and amortization of computer software | $600 million - $625 million | To be determined | ||
Interest expense | $150 million - $175 million | To be determined | ||
Effective tax rate on adjusted earnings | 16% - 19% | Approximately 20% |
(1) | For purposes of the organic growth calculation, the initial contract value of the company’s30-year agreement with Refinitiv that was signed on October 1, 2018 is treated as an acquisition until October 1, 2019. |
Total Corporate costs include our core corporate costs, as well as the following:
● | Stranded costs, which we define as costs that will not be eliminated with the sale of the 55% interest in F&R, as well as costs due todis-synergies from losing certain benefits of scale from the transaction; and |
● | Costs and investments to reposition the ongoing Thomson Reuters business following the separation of F&R from the rest of the company, of which a portion is expected to be capital expenditures that will not impact adjusted EBITDA. |
The outlook above includes the impact of IFRS 16, which is effective in 2019. IFRS 16 is expected to increase both adjusted EBITDA and depreciation and amortization of computer software by approximately $40 million in 2019 and approximately $50 million in 2020. The new accounting standard has no impact on free cash flow.
Page 20
The following table summarizes material assumptions and material risks that we believe could cause actual performance to differ from our expectations as set forth in our 2019 and 2020 full-year outlook.
Revenues
| ||
Material assumptions
| Material risks
| |
● Gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the United States (77% of 2018 revenues) and secondarily, in other countries where we operate
● Continued increase in the demand and need for high quality information and tools that help automate or manage workflow solutions and drive productivity and efficiency
● Continued need for trusted products and services that help customers navigate evolving and complex legal, tax, accounting, regulatory and geopolitical and commercial changes, developments and environments
● Continued increase in customers seekingsoftware-as-a-service or other cloud-based offerings
● Expected growth in our recurring and transaction revenues which exceed the anticipated declines in our Global Print business
● Acquisition of new customers by enhancing our digital platforms and propositions and through other sales initiatives
● Improvement in customer retention through commercial simplification efforts and customer service improvements
● Continued ability to combine information, technology and human expertise in offerings that meet evolving customer demands and needs
|
● Global economic uncertainty due to factors including continued regulatory reform around the world and changes in the political environment may limit business opportunities for our customers, lowering their demand for our products and services
● Demand for our products and services could be reduced by changes in customer buying patterns, or our inability to execute on key product or customer support initiatives
● Pressure on certain customers may constrain the number of professionals employed
● Competitive pricing actions and product innovation could impact our revenues
● Our sales and products initiatives may be insufficient to retain customers or generate new sales | |
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin
| ||
Material assumptions
| Material risks | |
● Our ability to achieve revenue growth targets
● Business mix continues to shift to higher-growth product offerings
● Continued investment in growth markets, customer service, product development and digital capabilities
● Our ability to fully eliminate stranded costs related to the F&R transaction by the end of 2019.
● Successful execution of a number of efficiency initiatives that are expected to generate cost savings, such as reducing headcount, office locations and the number of products offered by our company and the leveraging of fewer, shared technology platforms
|
● Same as the risks above related to the revenue outlook
● The costs of required investments exceed expectations or actual returns are below expectations
● Acquisition and disposal activity may dilute adjusted EBITDA margin
● The costs that we incur to reposition our business following the separation of F&R from the rest of the company may be higher than current expectations
● Our cost base reductions may be lower than current expectations |
Free Cash Flow | ||
Material assumptions
| Material risks
| |
● Our ability to achieve our revenue, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin targets
● Capital expenditures expected to be approximately 9% of revenues in 2019 and between 7.5% and 8.0% of revenues in 2020 |
● Same as the risks above related to the revenue, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin outlook
● A weaker macroeconomic environment could negatively impact working capital performance
● Capital expenditures may be higher than currently expected resulting in higher cash outflows
● The timing and amount of tax payments to governments may differ from our expectations
| |
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 recognizedpre-tax profit or losses in 2018 does not significantly change
● No unexpected changes in tax laws and treaties within the jurisdictions where we operate
● Depreciation and amortization of computer software between $600 and $625 million in 2019
● Interest expense between $150 and $175 million in 2019
|
● Same as the risks above related to adjusted EBITDA
● A material change in the geographical mix of ourpre-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 |
Page 21
Our Outlook contains variousnon-IFRS financial measures. We believe that providing reconciliations of forward-lookingnon-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 thesenon-IFRS measures to the most comparable IFRS measures because we cannot predict, with reasonable certainty, the 2019 through 2020 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. Additionally, we cannot reasonably predict the occurrence or amount of other operating gains and losses, which include fair value adjustments relating to the warrants we hold in Refinitiv as well as gains or losses that generally arise from business transactions we do not currently anticipate.
As of October 30, 2019, our principal shareholder, Woodbridge, beneficially owned approximately 66% of our shares.
Transactions with Refinitiv
As part of our sale of a 55% interest in our F&R business, Reuters News and Refinitiv entered into an agreement which has a term of 30 years from October 1, 2018, pursuant to which Reuters News will supply news and editorial content to the Refinitiv partnership for a minimum of $325 million per year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we recorded $252 million of revenues under this agreement. For the duration of the agreement, Refinitiv may also license the “Reuters” mark to brand its products and services, subject to certain contractual restrictions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we recorded $18 million of income in “Other operating gains, net” within the consolidated income statement under this license.
To facilitate the separation, our company and Refinitiv agreed to provide certain operational services to each other, including technology and administrative services, for a specified multi-year period. Additionally, our company and Refinitiv extended property leases to each other. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we recorded the following amounts as expense or contra-expense, as applicable, related to these transactions:
Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
| Provided by Contra-expense
| Provided by
| ||||||
Transitional services |
| 23 |
|
| (45) |
| ||
Properties leased |
| 29 |
|
| (27) |
|
At September 30, 2019, the consolidated statement of financial position included a receivable from Refinitiv of $210 million and a payable to Refinitiv of $100 million.
Except for the above transactions, there were no other significant related party transactions during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Refer to the “Related Party Transactions” section of our 2018 annual management’s discussion and analysis, which is contained in our 2018 annual report, as well as note 31 of our 2018 annual consolidated financial statements for information regarding related party transactions.
FC Business Intelligence Acquisition
In October 2019, we acquired FC Business Intelligence, a globalbusiness-to-business events specialist, that delivershigh-end conferences and exhibitions to diverse sectors including energy, insurance, pharmaceuticals, transportation, travel, strategy and technology. The business will be rebranded Reuters Events and will be operated as part of the Reuters News segment.
Share Repurchases
In October 2019, we announced plans to commence a new buyback program which will allow us to repurchase up to an additional $200 million of our common shares later this year and up to an additional $200 million of our common shares in 2020. The completion of this program will depend on factors such as market conditions, share price and other opportunities to invest capital for growth.
Page 22
Changes in Accounting Policies
Please refer to the “Changes in Accounting Policies” section of our 2018 annual management’s discussion and analysis, which is contained in our 2018 annual report, as well as note 1 of our consolidated interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, for information regarding changes in accounting policies, including our adoption of IFRS 16,Leases, on January 1, 2019.
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 2018 annual management’s discussion and analysis, which is contained in our 2018 annual report, for additional information. Since the date of our 2018 annual management’s discussion and analysis, there have not been any significant changes to our critical accounting estimates and judgments.
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 management’s 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.
We are engaged in a long-term efficiency initiative which impacts our financial reporting. We are enhancing ourorder-to-cash (OTC) applications and related workflow processes in phases over multiple years. Key elements of the OTC solutions are order management, billing, cash management and collections functionality. We expect to reduce the number of applications and to streamline and automate processes across our organization through this initiative.
As we are implementing this initiative in phases over an extended period, the nature and extent of activity will vary by quarter. The initiative could result in material changes to our internal control over financial reporting depending on the nature and volume of work completed, as we will continue to modify the design and documentation of the related internal control processes and procedures, as necessary.
Following the separation of the F&R business from our company in October 2018, a significant number of employees who performed accounting and reporting functions were transferred to Refinitiv. Transition services agreements have been in place between Thomson Reuters and Refinitiv since the companies separated. While a number of key controls continue to be performed under the transition services agreements, there were no material changes in key controls over our financial reporting processes.
Except as described above, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the last fiscal quarter of 2019 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Share capital
As of October 30, 2019, we had outstanding 499,958,200 common shares, 6,000,000 Series II preference shares, 5,508,398 stock options and a total of 3,369,889 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.
Public securities filings and regulatory announcements
You may access other information about our company, including our 2018 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 atwww.sedar.com and in the United States with the SEC atwww.sec.gov.
Page 23
Cautionary note concerning factors that may affect future results
Certain statements in this management’s discussion and analysis are forward-looking, including, but not limited to, the 2019 and 2020 business outlook, the number of LSEG shares that the company is projected to indirectly own upon closing of the proposed LSEG/Refinitiv transaction, the parties’ expectation that LSEG will only issue shares as consideration for the proposed LSEG/Refinitiv transaction, the company’s current expectations regarding the timing for closing of the proposed LSEG/Refinitiv transaction, the parties’ expectations for a combined business and the company’s expectations regarding the potential tax consequences of the proposed LSEG/Refinitiv transaction, as well as statements regarding the company’s intention to target a dividend payout ratio of between 50% to 60% of its free cash flow, the fourth-quarter 2019 expected tax benefit resulting from an expected increase in the tax basis of assets owned by a foreign subsidiary, the company’s consideration of a reduction to the aggregate amount of commitment under its credit facility agreement, statements regarding the future growth and profitability of our customer segments, the financial impact of recently acquired businesses, and Refinitiv’s cost savings target. The words “expect”, “believe”, “target” and “will” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. While we believe that we have a reasonable basis for making forward-looking statements in this management’s discussion and analysis, they are not a guarantee of future performance or outcomes and there is no assurance that the proposed LSEG/Refinitiv transaction will be completed or that any of the 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 company’s control and the effects of them can be difficult to 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 2018 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. There is no assurance that any forward-looking statement will materialize.
Our company’s 2019 and 2020 business outlook is based on information currently available to the company and is based on various external and internal assumptions made by the company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the company believes are appropriate under the circumstances.
Our company has provided a business outlook for the purpose of presenting information about current expectations for 2019 and 2020. This information may not be appropriate for other purposes. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements which reflect expectations only as of the date of this management’s 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 24
Non-IFRS Financial Measures
We usenon-IFRS financial measures as supplemental indicators of our operating performance and financial position. Additionally, we usenon-IFRS measures as performance metrics as the basis for management incentive programs. 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. Except for free cash flow, all ournon-IFRS measures exclude the results of the F&R business, which was reported as a discontinued operation through October 1, 2018, the closing date of the sale, and as an equity investment in Refinitiv from October 1, 2018.
The following table sets forth ournon-IFRS financial measures, including an explanation of why we believe they are useful measures of our performance. Reconciliations for the most directly comparable IFRS measure are reflected in Appendix B and the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of our management’s discussion and analysis. Following the adoption of IFRS 16, we updated our definition of net debt to include lease liabilities. We also updated our definition of free cash flow such that it continues to include lease payments that are now classified within financing activities. As a result, there is no change to the amount of our free cash flow, despite the change in balance sheet recognition for leases.
How We Define It |
Why We Use It and Why It Is Useful to Investors |
Most Directly Comparable
| ||
Segment adjusted EBITDA, consolidated adjusted EBITDA and the related margins
| ||||
Segment adjusted EBITDA represents earnings 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 ofpost-tax earnings or losses in equity method investments, other operating gains and losses, certain asset impairment charges, fair value adjustments and corporate related items.
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA is comprised of segment adjusted EBITDA from each reportable segment and Corporate costs.
The related margins are expressed as a percentage of revenues. | 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.
Represents a measure commonly reported and widely used by investors as a valuation metric. Additionally, this measure is used to assess our ability to incur and service debt. | (Loss) earnings from continuing operations | ||
Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures and the related margin
| ||||
Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures. The related margin is expressed as a percentage of revenues. |
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.
|
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations |
Page 25
How We Define It |
Why We Use It and Why It Is Useful to Investors |
Most Directly Comparable
| ||
Adjusted earnings and adjusted EPS
| ||||
Net earnings or loss: ● excluding thepost-tax impacts of fair value adjustments, amortization of other identifiable intangible assets, other operating gains and losses, certain impairment charges, other net finance costs or income, our share ofpost-tax earnings or losses in equity method investments, discontinued operations and other items affecting comparability. We calculate thepost-tax amount of each item excluded from adjusted earnings based on the specific tax rules and tax rates associated with the nature and jurisdiction of each item. ● We also deduct dividends declared on preference shares.
| Provides a more comparable basis to analyze earnings and is also a measure commonly used by shareholders to measure our performance. | Net (loss) earnings and diluted (loss) earnings per share | ||
Adjusted EPS is calculated from adjusted earnings using diluted weighted-average shares.
| ||||
In interim periods, we also adjust our reported earnings and earnings per share to reflect a normalized effective tax rate. Specifically, the normalized effective rate is computed as the estimated full-year effective tax rate applied topre-tax adjusted earnings of the interim period. The reported effective tax rate is based on separate annual effective income tax rates for each taxing jurisdiction that are applied to each interim period’spre-tax income. | Because the geographical mix ofpre-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. The adjustment to normalize the effective tax rate reallocates estimated full-year income taxes between interim periods, but has no effect on full year tax expense or on cash taxes paid.
| |||
Net debt
| ||||
Total indebtedness (including the associated fair value of hedging instruments, but excluding the associated unamortized transaction costs and premiums or discounts and the interest-related fair value component of hedging instruments), and lease liabilities less cash and cash equivalents. |
Provides a commonly used measure of a company’s 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) | ||
Free cash flow (includes free cash flow from continuing and discontinued operations)
| ||||
Net cash provided by operating activities, proceeds from disposals of property and equipment, and other investing activities, less capital expenditures, payments of lease principal, dividends paid on our preference shares, and dividends paid tonon-controlling interests from discontinued operations.
| 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 new acquisitions. | Net cash provided by operating activities |
Page 26
How We Define It |
Why We Use It and Why It Is Useful to Investors |
Most Directly Comparable IFRS
| ||
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: ● Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin ● Adjusted EPS |
Provides better comparability of business trends from period to period.
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 period’s local currency results using the same foreign currency exchange rate.
|
For eachnon-IFRS measure, refer to the definitions above for the most directly comparable IFRS measure | ||
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. Additionally, it excludes the initial contract value of the30-year Reuters News agreement signed on October 1, 2018, which is treated as an acquisition until October 1, 2019.
● 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 |
Page 27
Appendix B
This appendix provides reconciliations of certainnon-IFRS measures to the most directly comparable IFRS measure that are not presented elsewhere in this management’s discussion and analysis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.
Reconciliation of (loss) earnings from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except margins) |
2019 |
2018 |
2019 |
2018 | ||||||||||||
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations
|
|
(72)
|
|
|
(47)
|
|
|
249
|
|
|
267
|
| ||||
Adjustments to remove:
| ||||||||||||||||
Tax (benefit) expense
|
|
(13)
|
|
|
128
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
152
|
| ||||
Other finance costs (loss)
|
|
3
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
(10)
|
| ||||
Net interest expense
|
|
40
|
|
|
82
|
|
|
112
|
|
|
241
|
| ||||
Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets
|
|
28
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
83
|
| ||||
Amortization of computer software
|
|
117
|
|
|
96
|
|
|
326
|
|
|
294
|
| ||||
Depreciation
|
|
38
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
110
|
|
|
83
|
| ||||
EBITDA |
|
141 |
|
|
320 |
|
|
944 |
|
|
1,110 |
| ||||
Adjustments to remove: | ||||||||||||||||
Share ofpost-tax losses (earnings) in equity method investments
|
|
304
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
555
|
|
|
(5)
|
| ||||
Other operating gains, net
|
|
(91)
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
(396)
|
|
|
(13)
|
| ||||
Fair value adjustments
|
|
(9)
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
|
(6)
|
|
|
(1)
|
| ||||
Adjusted EBITDA
|
|
345
|
|
|
313
|
|
|
1,097
|
|
|
1,091
|
| ||||
Deduct: Capital expenditures
|
|
(125)
|
|
|
(110)
|
|
|
(365)
|
|
|
(420)
|
| ||||
Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures
|
|
220
|
|
|
203
|
|
|
732
|
|
|
671
|
| ||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin
|
|
24.4%
|
|
|
24.4%
|
|
|
25.4%
|
|
|
27.4%
|
| ||||
Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditures margin
|
|
15.6%
|
|
|
15.8%
|
|
|
16.9%
|
|
|
16.9%
|
|
Reconciliation of net (loss) earnings to adjusted earnings and adjusted EPS
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts and share data)
| 2019
| 2018
|
2019 |
2018 | ||||||||||||
Net (loss) earnings
|
|
(44)
|
|
|
302
|
|
|
240
|
|
|
648
|
| ||||
Adjustments to remove:
| ||||||||||||||||
Fair value adjustments
|
|
(9)
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
|
(6)
|
|
|
(1)
|
| ||||
Amortization of other identifiable intangible assets
|
|
28
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
83
|
| ||||
Other operating gains, net
|
|
(91)
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
(396)
|
|
|
(13)
|
| ||||
Other finance costs (income)
|
|
3
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
(10)
|
| ||||
Share ofpost-tax losses (earnings) in equity method investments
|
|
304
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
555
|
|
|
(5)
|
| ||||
Tax on above items(1)
|
|
(58)
|
|
|
(7)
|
|
|
(57)
|
|
|
(18)
|
| ||||
Tax items impacting comparability(1)
|
|
22
|
|
|
112
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
100
|
| ||||
(Earnings) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
|
|
(28)
|
|
|
(349)
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
(381)
|
| ||||
Interim period effective tax rate normalization(1)
|
|
7
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
–
|
| ||||
Dividends declared on preference shares
|
|
–
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
(2)
|
| ||||
Adjusted earnings
|
|
134
|
|
|
85
|
|
|
461
|
|
|
401
|
| ||||
Adjusted EPS
|
$
|
0.27
|
|
$
|
0.12
|
|
$
|
0.92
|
|
$
|
0.57
|
| ||||
Diluted weighted-average common shares (millions)(2)
|
|
503.3
|
|
|
702.3
|
|
|
503.2
|
|
|
708.1
|
|
(1) | See the “Results of Operations–Tax benefit (expense)” section of this management’s discussion and analysis for additional information. |
(2) | For the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, please refer to “Reconciliation of weighted-average diluted shares used in adjusted EPS” in this appendix. |
Page 28
Reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars) |
2019 |
2018 |
2019 |
2018 | ||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
264
|
|
|
850
|
|
|
347
|
|
|
2,072
|
| ||||
Capital expenditures
|
|
(125) |
|
|
(110)
|
|
|
(365)
|
|
|
(420)
|
| ||||
(Payments) proceeds from disposals of property and equipment
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
27
|
| ||||
Capital expenditures from discontinued operations
|
|
–
|
|
|
(116)
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
(362)
|
| ||||
Other investing activities
|
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
19
|
| ||||
Payments of lease principal(1)
|
|
(12)
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
(35)
|
|
|
–
|
| ||||
Dividends paid on preference shares
|
|
–
|
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
(2)
|
| ||||
Dividends paid tonon-controlling interests from discontinued operations
|
|
–
|
|
|
(25)
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
(60)
|
| ||||
Free cash flow
|
|
126
|
|
|
599
|
|
|
(50)
|
|
|
1,274
|
|
(1) | In 2019, we updated our definition of free cash flow to include payments of lease principal in connection with the adoption of IFRS 16 on January 1, 2019. In 2018, lease payments were included within net cash provided by operating activities. |
Reconciliation of changes in segment and consolidated revenues excluding the effects of foreign currency (constant currency) as well as acquisitions/divestitures (organic basis)(2)
Three months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars) | 2019 | 2018 | Total | Foreign Currency | Subtotal Constant Currency | Acquisitions/ (Divestitures) | Organic | |||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals
|
| 605
|
|
| 595
|
|
| 2%
|
|
| (1%)
|
|
| 2%
|
|
| (1%)
|
|
| 3%
|
| |||||||
Corporates
|
|
320
|
|
|
298
|
|
|
7%
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
8%
|
|
|
1%
|
|
|
6%
|
| |||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals
|
|
166
|
|
|
149
|
|
|
11%
|
|
|
1%
|
|
|
10%
|
|
|
2%
|
|
|
8%
|
| |||||||
Reuters News
|
|
155
|
|
|
71
|
|
|
120%
|
|
|
(2%)
|
|
|
121%
|
|
|
119%
|
(3)
|
|
3%
|
| |||||||
Global Print
|
|
168
|
|
|
171
|
|
|
(2%)
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
(2%)
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
(2%)
|
| |||||||
Eliminations
|
|
(1)
|
|
|
–
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Revenues
|
|
1,413
|
|
|
1,284
|
|
|
10%
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
10%
|
|
|
7%
|
|
|
4%
|
|
Reconciliation of changes in segment and consolidated recurring revenues excluding the effects of foreign currency (constant currency) as well as acquisitions/divestitures (organic basis)(2)
Three months ended September 30,
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2019
|
2018
|
Total
|
Foreign
|
Subtotal |
Acquisitions/
|
Organic
| |||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring Revenues
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals
|
|
560
|
|
|
541
|
|
|
4%
|
|
|
(1%)
|
|
|
4%
|
|
|
1%
|
|
|
4%
|
| |||||||
Corporates
|
|
275
|
|
|
247
|
|
|
11%
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
12%
|
|
|
3%
|
|
|
8%
|
| |||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals
|
|
140
|
|
|
129
|
|
|
9%
|
|
|
1%
|
|
|
8%
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
8%
|
| |||||||
Reuters News
|
|
143
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
143%
|
|
|
(2%)
|
|
|
146%
|
|
|
142%
|
(3)
|
|
3%
|
| |||||||
Total Revenues
|
|
1,118
|
|
|
976
|
|
|
15%
|
|
|
–
|
|
|
15%
|
|
|
10%
|
|
|
5%
|
|
(2) | Growth percentages are computed using whole dollars. Accordingly, percentages calculated from reported amounts may differ from those presented, and growth components may not total due to rounding. |
(3) | Includes the initial contract value of revenues in Reuters News for providing news and editorial content to Refinitiv under the30-year agreement that began in the fourth quarter of 2018. |
Page 29
Reconciliation of changes in segment and consolidated transactions revenues excluding the effects of foreign currency (constant currency) as well as acquisitions/divestitures (organic basis)(1)
Three months ended September 30,
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2019
|
2018
|
Total
|
Foreign
|
Subtotal
|
Acquisitions/
|
Organic
| |||||||||||||||||||||
Transactions Revenues
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals
|
|
45
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
(18%)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(18%)
|
|
|
(12%)
|
|
|
(6%)
|
| |||||||
Corporates
|
|
45
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
(11%)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(11%)
|
|
|
(7%)
|
|
|
(3%)
|
| |||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals
|
|
26
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
26%
|
|
|
4%
|
|
|
22%
|
|
|
15%
|
|
|
7%
|
| |||||||
Reuters News
|
|
12
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
2%
|
|
|
6%
|
|
|
(5%)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(5%)
|
| |||||||
Total Revenues
|
|
128
|
|
|
137
|
|
|
(7%)
|
|
|
1%
|
|
|
(8%)
|
|
|
(6%)
|
|
|
(2%)
|
|
Reconciliation of changes in adjusted EBITDA and the related margin, and consolidated operating expenses and adjusted EPS, excluding the effects of foreign currency(1)
Three months ended September 30,
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Change
| ||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except margins and per share amounts)
| 2019
| 2018
| Total
| Foreign
| Constant
| |||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals
|
|
227
|
|
|
206
|
|
|
10%
|
|
|
1%
|
|
|
9%
|
| |||||
Corporates
|
|
110
|
|
|
105
|
|
|
4%
|
|
|
(3%)
|
|
|
6%
|
| |||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals
|
|
35
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
9%
|
|
|
11%
|
|
|
(2%)
|
| |||||
Reuters News
|
|
5
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
(14%)
|
|
|
83%
|
|
|
(97%)
|
| |||||
Global Print
|
|
71
|
|
|
76
|
|
|
(5%)
|
|
|
(1%)
|
|
|
(4%)
|
| |||||
Corporate costs
|
|
(103)
|
|
|
(111)
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
|
|
n/a
|
| |||||
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA
|
|
345
|
|
|
313
|
|
|
10%
|
|
|
1%
|
|
|
9%
|
| |||||
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals
|
|
37.4%
|
|
|
34.6%
|
|
|
280bp
|
|
|
40bp
|
|
|
240bp
|
| |||||
Corporates
|
|
34.3%
|
|
|
35.4%
|
|
|
(110)bp
|
|
|
(60)bp
|
|
|
(50)bp
|
| |||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals
|
|
21.1%
|
|
|
21.4%
|
|
|
(30)bp
|
|
|
210bp
|
|
|
(240)bp
|
| |||||
Reuters News
|
|
3.2%
|
|
|
8.2%
|
|
|
(500)bp
|
|
|
170bp
|
|
|
(670)bp
|
| |||||
Global Print
|
|
42.5%
|
|
|
44.2%
|
|
|
(170)bp
|
|
|
(60)bp
|
|
|
(110)bp
|
| |||||
Corporate costs
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
|
n/a
| |||||||||||||||
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA margin
|
|
24.4%
|
|
|
24.4%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
30bp
|
|
|
(30)bp
|
| |||||
Consolidated operating expenses
|
|
1,059
|
|
|
966
|
|
|
10%
|
|
|
(1%)
|
|
|
11%
|
| |||||
Consolidated adjusted EPS
|
$
|
0.27
|
|
$
|
0.12
|
|
|
125%
|
|
|
17%
|
|
|
108%
|
|
(1) | Growth percentages and adjusted EBITDA margins are computed using whole dollars. Accordingly, percentages and margins calculated from reported amounts may differ from those presented, and growth components may not total due to rounding. |
Page 30
Reconciliation of changes in segment and consolidated revenues excluding the effects of foreign currency (constant currency) as well as acquisitions/divestitures (organic basis)(1)
Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2019
|
2018
|
Total
|
Foreign
|
Subtotal
|
Acquisitions/
|
Organic
| |||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals
|
|
1,802
|
|
|
1,773
|
|
|
2%
|
|
|
(1%)
|
|
|
3%
|
|
|
(1%)
|
|
|
3%
|
| |||||||
Corporates
|
|
990
|
|
|
923
|
|
|
7%
|
|
|
(1%)
|
|
|
8%
|
|
|
2%
|
|
|
6%
|
| |||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals
|
|
570
|
|
|
542
|
|
|
5%
|
|
|
(2%)
|
|
|
7%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
6%
|
| |||||||
Reuters News
|
|
466
|
|
|
215
|
|
|
117%
|
|
|
(3%)
|
|
|
120%
|
|
|
118%
|
(2)
|
|
3%
|
| |||||||
Global Print
|
|
497
|
|
|
522
|
|
|
(5%)
|
|
|
(2%)
|
|
|
(3%)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(3%)
|
| |||||||
Eliminations
|
|
(2)
|
|
|
(1)
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Revenues
|
|
4,323
|
|
|
3,974
|
|
|
9%
|
|
|
(1%)
|
|
|
10%
|
|
|
7%
|
|
|
4%
|
|
Reconciliation of changes in segment and consolidated recurring revenues excluding the effects of foreign currency (constant currency) as well as acquisitions/divestitures (organic basis)(1)
Nine months ended September 30,
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2019
|
2018
|
Total
|
Foreign
|
Subtotal
|
Acquisitions/
|
Organic
| |||||||||||||||||||||
Recurring Revenues
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals
|
|
1,665
|
|
|
1,613
|
|
|
3%
|
|
|
(1%)
|
|
|
4%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
4%
|
| |||||||
Corporates
|
|
813
|
|
|
734
|
|
|
11%
|
|
|
(1%)
|
|
|
12%
|
|
|
3%
|
|
|
9%
|
| |||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals
|
|
460
|
|
|
434
|
|
|
6%
|
|
|
(2%)
|
|
|
8%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
8%
|
| |||||||
Reuters News
|
|
430
|
|
|
184
|
|
|
134%
|
|
|
(4%)
|
|
|
138%
|
|
|
136%
|
(2)
|
|
2%
|
| |||||||
Total Revenues
|
|
3,368
|
|
|
2,965
|
|
|
14%
|
|
|
(1%)
|
|
|
15%
|
|
|
10%
|
|
|
5%
|
|
Reconciliation of changes in segment and consolidated transactions revenues excluding the effects of foreign currency (constant currency) as well as acquisitions/divestitures (organic basis)(1)
Nine months ended September 30,
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
|
2019
|
2018
|
Total
|
Foreign
|
Subtotal
|
Acquisitions/
|
Organic
| |||||||||||||||||||||
Transactions Revenues
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals
|
|
137
|
|
|
160
|
|
|
(14%)
|
|
|
(1%)
|
|
|
(13%)
|
|
|
(10%)
|
|
|
(3%)
|
| |||||||
Corporates
|
|
177
|
|
|
189
|
|
|
(6%)
|
|
|
(1%)
|
|
|
(5%)
|
|
|
(2%)
|
|
|
(3%)
|
| |||||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals
|
|
110
|
|
|
108
|
|
|
2%
|
|
|
(1%)
|
|
|
3%
|
|
|
3%
|
|
|
-
|
| |||||||
Reuters News
|
|
36
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
16%
|
|
|
1%
|
|
|
16%
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
16%
|
| |||||||
Total Revenues
|
|
460
|
|
|
488
|
|
|
(6%)
|
|
|
(1%)
|
|
|
(5%)
|
|
|
(4%)
|
|
|
(1%)
|
|
(1) | Growth percentages are computed using whole dollars. Accordingly, percentages calculated from reported amounts may differ from those presented, and growth components may not total due to rounding. |
(2) | Includes the initial contract value of revenues in Reuters News for providing news and editorial content to Refinitiv under the30-year agreement that began in the fourth quarter of 2018. |
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(1)
Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||
Change | ||||||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except margins and per share amounts)
|
2019
|
2018
|
Total
|
Foreign
|
Constant
| |||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | ||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals |
| 686 |
|
| 595 |
|
| 15% |
|
| 1% |
|
| 15% |
| |||||
Corporates |
| 330 |
|
| 311 |
|
| 6% |
|
| - |
|
| 6% |
| |||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals |
| 188 |
|
| 153 |
|
| 23% |
|
| - |
|
| 22% |
| |||||
Reuters News |
| 31 |
|
| 21 |
|
| 45% |
|
| 36% |
|
| 10% |
| |||||
Global Print |
| 218 |
|
| 233 |
|
| (6%) |
|
| (1%) |
|
| (5%) |
| |||||
Corporate costs |
| (356) |
|
| (222) |
|
| n/a |
|
| n/a |
|
| n/a |
| |||||
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA |
| 1,097 |
|
| 1,091 |
|
| 1% |
|
| 1% |
|
| (1%) |
| |||||
Adjusted EBITDA Margin | ||||||||||||||||||||
Legal Professionals |
| 38.1% |
|
| 33.6% |
|
| 450bp |
|
| 50bp |
|
| 400bp |
| |||||
Corporates |
| 33.4% |
|
| 33.7% |
|
| (30)bp |
|
| 30bp |
|
| (60)bp |
| |||||
Tax & Accounting Professionals |
| 33.0% |
|
| 28.3% |
|
| 470bp |
|
| 60bp |
|
| 410bp |
| |||||
Reuters News |
| 6.7% |
|
| 10.0% |
|
| (330)bp |
|
| 150bp |
|
| (480)bp |
| |||||
Global Print |
| 43.8% |
|
| 44.6% |
|
| (80)bp |
|
| 30bp |
|
| (110)bp |
| |||||
Corporate costs |
| n/a |
|
| n/a |
|
| n/a |
|
| n/a |
|
| n/a |
| |||||
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA margin |
| 25.4% |
|
| 27.4% |
|
| (200)bp |
|
| 70bp |
|
| (270)bp |
| |||||
Consolidated operating expenses |
| 3,220 |
|
| 2,882 |
|
| 12% |
|
| (2%) |
|
| 14% |
| |||||
Consolidated adjusted EPS | $ | 0.92 |
| $ | 0.57 |
|
| 61% |
|
| 5% |
|
| 56% |
|
(1) | Growth percentages and adjusted EBITDA margins are computed using whole dollars. Accordingly, percentages and margins calculated from reported amounts may differ from those presented, and growth components may not total due to rounding. |
Reconciliation of weighted-average diluted shares used in adjusted EPS
Because we reported a net loss for continuing operations under IFRS for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, the weighted-average number of common shares used for basic and diluted loss per share is the same for all per share calculations in the period, as the effect of stock options and other equity incentive awards would reduce the loss per share, and therefore be anti-dilutive. Since our non-IFRS measure “adjusted earnings” is a profit, potential common shares are included, as they lower adjusted EPS and are therefore dilutive.
The following table reconciles IFRS and non-IFRS common share information:
Three months ended September 30, | Three months ended September 30, | |||||||
(weighted-average common shares) | 2019 | 2018 | ||||||
IFRS: Basic and diluted | 501,240,480 | 701,212,419 | ||||||
Effect of stock options and other equity incentive awards | 2,043,370 | 1,132,041 | ||||||
Non-IFRS diluted | 503,283,850 | 702,344,460 |
Page 32
Appendix C
Information about Refinitiv
As of October 1, 2018, our company owns a 45% interest in Refinitiv, which was formerly our wholly owned F&R business. 55% of Refinitiv is owned by private equity funds affiliated with Blackstone. An affiliate of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and an affiliate of GIC invested alongside Blackstone. Beginning with the fourth quarter of 2018, our IFRS results include our 45% share of Refinitiv’s results reported in a single line item on our consolidated income statement titled“Share of post-tax (losses) earnings in equity method investments.” Ournon-IFRS measures, including adjusted earnings, exclude ourshare of post-tax results in Refinitiv and other equity method investments.
Because Refinitiv has only been in existence since October 1, 2018, there are no financial statements for the business for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. The table below sets forth selected financial information for 100% of Refinitiv for the three and nine months of 2019, on both an IFRS andnon-IFRS basis as provided to us from Refinitiv for inclusion in our management’s discussion and analysis. A reconciliation from Refinitiv’s IFRS measures to itsnon-IFRS measures is also included in this appendix. The information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 that was previously reported for the F&R business by our company is not fully comparable to Refinitiv’s current basis of presentation, as Refinitiv must apply accounting rules related to the purchase of the business and because Refinitiv defines itsnon-IFRS measures differently than our company. To provide a reasonable basis to assess revenue trends for the business, we have noted the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 F&R revenues, as previously reported by us on a discontinued operations basis prior to the change in ownership, and provided a supplemental change before currency and excluding businesses disposed.
On August 1, 2019, we and private equity funds affiliated with Blackstone agreed to sell Refinitiv to LSEG in an all share transaction, but LSEG may, at its option, settle up to $2.5 billion of the consideration in cash. Please see the “Executive Summary - Proposed LSEG/Refinitiv Transaction” section of this management’s discussion and analysis for additional information.
The following information, which has been provided by Refinitiv, is unaudited.
Change | ||||||||||||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except margin)
| Refinitiv Actuals 2019
| As Reported by 2018
| Total
| Before Currency
| ||||||||||||
Three months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
IFRS Measures | ||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
| 1,557 |
|
| 1,541 |
|
| 1% |
|
| 3% |
| ||||
Net loss |
| (656) |
| |||||||||||||
Cash flow from operations |
| 404 |
| |||||||||||||
Capital expenditures, less proceeds from disposals |
| 182 |
| |||||||||||||
Non-IFRS Measures | ||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
| 543 |
| |||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
| 34.9% |
| |||||||||||||
Free cash flow |
| 211 |
| |||||||||||||
Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
IFRS Measures | ||||||||||||||||
Revenues |
| 4,674 |
|
| 4,677 |
|
| – |
|
| 3% |
| ||||
Net loss(1) |
| (1,201) |
| |||||||||||||
Cash flow from operations |
| 477 |
| |||||||||||||
Capital expenditures, less proceeds from disposals |
| 419 |
| |||||||||||||
Debt at September 30, 2019 |
| 13,907 |
| |||||||||||||
Non-IFRS Measures | ||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA |
| 1,655 |
| |||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
| 35.4% |
| |||||||||||||
Free cash flow |
| (41) |
|
(1) | The previously reported net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2019 of $477 million has been revised to a net loss of $545 million to correct certain immaterial misstatements discussed in the “Revision of Prior-Period Financial Statements” section of this management’s discussion and analysis. The net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 includes the revised amount. |
Page 33
The following reconciliations of IFRS measures tonon-IFRS measures were provided by Refinitiv. The definitions ofnon-IFRS measures used by Refinitiv are not the same as those used by Thomson Reuters.
Reconciliation of net loss to adjusted EBITDA
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars, except margins)
|
2019 |
2019 | ||||||
Net loss
|
|
(656)
|
|
|
(1,201)
|
| ||
Adjustments to remove:
| ||||||||
Tax expense (benefit)
|
|
38
|
|
|
(22)
|
| ||
Finance costs
|
|
570
|
|
|
1,074
|
| ||
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
486
|
|
|
1,431
|
| ||
EBITDA
|
|
438
|
|
|
1,282
|
| ||
Adjustments to remove:
| ||||||||
Share ofpost-tax earnings in equity method investments
|
|
-
|
|
|
(1)
|
| ||
Other operating gains
|
|
(21)
|
|
|
(20)
|
| ||
Fair value adjustments
|
|
7
|
|
|
45
|
| ||
Share-based compensation
|
|
35
|
|
|
42
|
| ||
Transformation-related costs
|
|
84
|
|
|
307
|
| ||
Adjusted EBITDA
|
|
543
|
|
|
1,655
|
| ||
Adjusted EBITDA margin
|
|
34.9%
|
|
|
35.4%
|
|
Reconciliation of net cash used in operating activities to free cash flow
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | |||||||
(millions of U.S. dollars)
| 2019 | 2019 | ||||||
Net cash used in operating activities
|
|
404
|
|
|
477
|
| ||
Capital expenditures, less proceeds from disposals
|
|
(182)
|
|
|
(419)
|
| ||
Other investing activities
|
|
1
|
|
|
1
|
| ||
Dividends paid tonon-controlling interests
|
|
(12)
|
|
|
(100)
|
| ||
Free cash flow
|
|
211
|
|
|
(41)
|
|
Page 34
Appendix D
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, 2019 | June 30, 2019 | March 31, 2019 | December 31, 2018 | September 30, 2018 | June 30, 2018 | March 31, 2018 | December 31, 2017 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues
|
|
1,413
|
|
|
1,423
|
|
|
1,487
|
|
|
1,527
|
|
|
1,284
|
|
|
1,311
|
|
|
1,379
|
|
|
1,414
|
| ||||||||
Operating profit
|
|
262
|
|
|
447
|
|
|
274
|
|
|
135
|
|
|
173
|
|
|
204
|
|
|
268
|
|
|
254
|
| ||||||||
(Loss) earnings from continuing operations
|
|
(72)
|
|
|
207
|
|
|
114
|
|
|
(103)
|
|
|
(47)
|
|
|
142
|
|
|
172
|
|
|
302
|
| ||||||||
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
|
|
28
|
|
|
(27)
|
|
|
(10)
|
|
|
3,478
|
|
|
349
|
|
|
515
|
|
|
(483)
|
|
|
289
|
| ||||||||
Net (loss) earnings
|
|
(44)
|
|
|
180
|
|
|
104
|
|
|
3,375
|
|
|
302
|
|
|
657
|
|
|
(311)
|
|
|
591
|
| ||||||||
(Loss) earnings attributable to common shareholders
|
|
(44)
|
|
|
180
|
|
|
104
|
|
|
3,375
|
|
|
272
|
|
|
625
|
|
|
(339)
|
|
|
576
|
| ||||||||
Basic (loss) earnings per share
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
From continuing operations
|
|
$(0.14)
|
|
|
$0.41
|
|
|
$0.23
|
|
|
$(0.19)
|
|
|
$(0.06)
|
|
|
$0.20
|
|
$
|
0.24
|
|
|
$0.42
|
| ||||||||
From discontinued operations
|
|
0.05
|
|
|
(0.05)
|
|
|
(0.02)
|
|
|
6.32
|
|
|
0.45
|
|
|
0.68
|
|
|
(0.72)
|
|
|
0.39
|
| ||||||||
|
$(0.09)
|
|
|
$0.36
|
|
|
$0.21
|
|
|
$6.13
|
|
|
$0.39
|
|
| $0.88
|
|
|
$(0.48)
|
|
|
$0.81
|
| |||||||||
Diluted (loss) earnings per share
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
From continuing operations
|
|
$(0.14)
|
|
|
$0.41
|
|
|
$0.22
|
|
|
$(0.19)
|
|
|
$(0.06)
|
|
|
$0.20
|
|
$
|
0.24
|
|
|
$0.42
|
| ||||||||
From discontinued operations
|
|
0.05
|
|
|
(0.05)
|
|
|
(0.02)
|
|
|
6.32
|
|
|
0.45
|
|
|
0.68
|
|
|
(0.72)
|
|
|
0.39
|
| ||||||||
|
$(0.09)
|
|
|
$0.36
|
|
|
$0.20
|
|
|
$6.13
|
|
|
$0.39
|
|
| $0.88
|
|
|
$(0.48)
|
|
|
$0.81
|
|
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. Beginning with the fourth quarter of 2018, our revenues included new revenues in our Reuters News business for providing news and editorial content to Refinitiv under a30-year agreement signed in October 2018. Foreign currency had a slightly negative impact on our revenues throughout most of 2019, compared to the prior-year quarters.
Operating profit– Similarly, 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 become more profitable, and when our revenues decline, we become less profitable. Following the three months ended June 30, 2018, our operating profit has been significantly impacted by investment spending to reposition our business following the closing of the F&R transaction. However, operating profit benefited in the second and third quarters of 2019 from gains on the revaluation of warrants that we hold in Refinitiv, and, in the first quarter of 2019, from gains from the sale of businesses and investments.
Net earnings (loss) – The net loss in September 2019 was due to significant losses from our 45% equity interest in Refinitiv. The increase in net earnings in the fourth quarter of 2018 was due to a $3.4 billion gain on the sale of our F&R business. The net loss in the first quarter of 2018 was due to an $844 million deferred tax charge associated with the sale of a 55% interest in our F&R business, which is reflected in “(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax.”
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