Who Owns Thomson Reuters Company?

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Who owns Thomson Reuters?

Understanding the ownership of a major global entity is key to grasping its strategic direction and influence. Thomson Reuters was formed in 2008 when Thomson Corporation acquired Reuters Group, merging two significant information providers.

This union created a leader in providing critical news and technology for professionals across various sectors. The company's roots go back to the 19th century, with a vision to deliver essential information.

The founding Thomson family, through their private holding company, The Woodbridge Company, maintains decisive control over Thomson Reuters. In 2024, the company reported total revenues of US$7.258 billion and employed approximately 26,400 people worldwide. Analyzing its ownership structure reveals the influence of its historical foundations and current stakeholders, impacting its market position and future growth, including areas like its Thomson Reuters BCG Matrix analysis.

The current Thomson Reuters Corporation, formed in 2008, has roots in two distinct entities: the Thomson Corporation and Reuters Group. Understanding their early ownership structures is key to grasping the company's lineage.

Thomson Corporation's Genesis

The Thomson Corporation's journey began in 1934 when Roy Thomson acquired The Timmins Press. This initial acquisition, funded by $200 of his own capital and borrowed money, marked the start of his media empire.

Reuters' Founding

Reuters, the news agency, was established in London in 1851 by Paul Julius Reuter. His initial focus was on delivering commercial news, particularly stock market data, to financial institutions.

Early Reuters Ownership Evolution

Reuters' ownership evolved over time, with the Press Association acquiring a majority stake in 1925 and later full ownership. By 1941, half of Reuters was sold to the Newspaper Proprietors' Association.

Expansion of Co-Ownership

In 1947, co-ownership of Reuters extended to associations representing daily newspapers in Australia and New Zealand. This move aimed to preserve the agency's independence and integrity through a diverse ownership base.

The Reuters Founders' Share Company

The Reuters Founders' Share Company Limited was established to hold a 'Founders Share'. This entity protects the Reuters Trust Principles, ensuring the agency's commitment to independence, integrity, and freedom from bias.

Safeguarding Principles

The directors of the Founders' Share Company act as trustees of the Reuters Trust Principles. They hold powers to uphold these principles, requiring prior consent for any sale or significant transaction involving the Reuters news business.

The foundational ownership structures of the entities that would eventually merge into Thomson Reuters Corporation were shaped by distinct historical paths. Roy Thomson's entrepreneurial spirit led to the growth of his media empire starting with a small newspaper acquisition, while Paul Julius Reuter's vision for timely commercial news laid the groundwork for a global news agency. The evolution of Reuters' ownership, particularly the establishment of the Founders' Share Company, highlights a deliberate effort to safeguard its core principles of independence and integrity, a crucial aspect of its long-term business strategy. Understanding these early ownership dynamics is essential for comprehending the current Thomson Reuters ownership and its market position. For a deeper dive into how the combined entity operates, explore the Revenue Streams & Business Model of Thomson Reuters.

Key Ownership Milestones

The early ownership of the companies that formed Thomson Reuters was characterized by entrepreneurial beginnings and a commitment to journalistic principles.

• Roy Thomson's initial investment of $200 in 1934 marked the start of the Thomson media empire.
• Paul Julius Reuter founded Reuters in 1851, initially focusing on financial news for businesses.
• Reuters' ownership transitioned to newspaper associations, including the Press Association and later Australian and New Zealand newspapers, to ensure independence.
• The Reuters Founders' Share Company was created to protect the agency's integrity and freedom from bias.

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The ownership structure of Thomson Reuters underwent a significant transformation with the 2008 acquisition of Reuters Group by Thomson Corporation. This pivotal event established The Woodbridge Company Limited, the private holding entity for the Thomson family, as the majority shareholder, solidifying their controlling interest in the newly formed Thomson Reuters.

Following the 2008 merger, Thomson Reuters initially operated with a dual-listed company structure. This was unified in 2009, leading to the cessation of listings on the London Stock Exchange and NASDAQ. The company's stock is now primarily traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange, with a recent move of its US listing to the Nasdaq Global Select Market in February 2025. This evolution in its public trading presence reflects ongoing adjustments in its corporate structure and market accessibility.

Key Stakeholders in Thomson Reuters

The Thomson family, through The Woodbridge Company Limited, remains the dominant force in Thomson Reuters' ownership. Institutional investors also hold significant stakes, influencing the company's market dynamics.

• The Woodbridge Company Limited: Holds approximately 72.48% of shares as of June 9, 2025, representing the controlling interest.
• RBC Global Asset Management Inc.: Holds 1.38% as of March 30, 2025.
• FMR LLC: Holds 1.31% as of March 30, 2025.
• TD Asset Management, Inc.: Holds 1.26% as of June 29, 2025.
• BMO Asset Management Corp.: Holds 1.25% as of March 30, 2025.
• The Vanguard Group, Inc.: Holds 1.22% as of March 30, 2025.

The concentration of ownership with The Woodbridge Company Limited significantly impacts Thomson Reuters' corporate governance and long-term strategic direction. Understanding this ownership concentration is crucial for analyzing the company's business strategy and its trajectory in the global information services market. The influence of major institutional investors, while smaller in percentage, also plays a role in the company's financial performance and market perception. For a deeper dive into how this ownership affects the company's operations, explore the Growth Strategy of Thomson Reuters.

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The strategic direction of Thomson Reuters is guided by its Board of Directors and executive leadership. As of early 2025, David Thomson chairs the Board, representing The Woodbridge Company Limited, the Thomson family's investment firm. Steve Hasker serves as President and CEO, a role he has held since March 2020.

The voting power within Thomson Reuters is significantly concentrated due to The Woodbridge Company's majority ownership. Following the Reuters acquisition in 2008, Woodbridge held approximately 53% of all shares, establishing Thomson Reuters as a controlled company. By June 30, 2009, Woodbridge's stake had increased to about 66% of the outstanding common shares, granting it decisive influence over proxy ballots and management proposals. This level of control shapes the company's strategic decisions and reflects the enduring influence of the Thomson family in Thomson Reuters ownership.

Safeguarding Reuters' Integrity

Despite majority control by The Woodbridge Company, the Reuters Trust Principles are protected by a unique safeguard. The Reuters Founders Share Company Limited holds a 'Founders Share' with special voting rights.

• This Founders Share is activated if an entity attempts to gain significant control or a substantial shareholding in Thomson Reuters.
• Prior consent from the Founders Share Company is mandatory for any sale or major transaction involving the Reuters news business.
• The Thomson Reuters Corporation board has representation on the nomination committee for the Trustees of the Founders Share Company.
• These Trustees are distinguished individuals with expertise across various sectors, ensuring independent oversight.
• This structure is a key element in understanding Thomson Reuters structure and its commitment to journalistic independence, a topic explored further in the Competitors Landscape of Thomson Reuters.

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Over the past few years, Thomson Reuters has actively reshaped its business by divesting non-core assets and acquiring companies that strengthen its primary professional solutions. This strategic evolution reflects a commitment to content-driven technology and artificial intelligence, aiming to enhance its offerings in legal, tax, and corporate sectors. The company's ownership structure has remained relatively stable, with a significant portion of its shares held by institutional investors and the Thomson family through various trusts.

Thomson Reuters has demonstrated robust financial performance, with organic revenue growth of 7% in the first quarter of 2024 and total revenues reaching nearly $6.8 billion in 2023. For the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, total company revenues saw a 1% increase, with organic revenues growing by 6%. The company's core segments—Legal Professionals, Corporates, and Tax & Accounting Professionals—showed strong organic revenue growth of 9% in Q1 2025, contributing 84% to total revenues. This financial strength is further supported by a 10% increase in its annual common share dividend to $2.38, announced in February 2025, signaling confidence in its ongoing strategy and market position. Understanding the Mission, Vision & Core Values of Thomson Reuters provides context for these strategic financial decisions.

Strategic Acquisitions

Recent acquisitions like SurePrep, Casetext, and SafeSend highlight a focus on enhancing tax automation and legal AI capabilities.

Divestitures and Focus

The divestiture of the financial and risk unit and the sale of FindLaw demonstrate a strategic streamlining of operations to concentrate on core professional services.

Financial Performance

Consistent organic revenue growth and increased dividends reflect the company's financial health and investor confidence.

AI and Technology Integration

The acquisition of AI-focused companies like Casetext and Materia underscores a commitment to integrating advanced technology into its product offerings.

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