CPE Media News – pcJournal (10/1/2018) – Thomson Reuters (TSX/NYSE: TRI) and Blackstone have concluded the previously announced sale of the controlling 55% interest in Thomson’s Financial & Risk business to private equity funds managed by Blackstone. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and GIC invested alongside Blackstone.
The Financial & Risk business is now known as Refinitiv.
Thomson Reuters received approximately US$17 billion in gross cash proceeds at the closing.
photo credit: Refinitiv
News Release
Thomson Reuters and Blackstone Close Financial & Risk Transaction
TORONTO, October 1, 2018 – Thomson Reuters (TSX/NYSE: TRI) today announced that it has closed the sale of a 55% interest in the company’s Financial & Risk business to private equity funds managed by Blackstone. An affiliate of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and an affiliate of GIC invested alongside Blackstone. The Financial & Risk business is now known as Refinitiv.
Thomson Reuters received approximately US$17 billion in gross cash proceeds at the closing. As previously disclosed, the company plans to return an aggregate of US$10 billion of these proceeds to its shareholders (including through a previously announced substantial issuer bid/tender offer, which expires at the end of the day tomorrow). The company expects to use the remaining proceeds to redeem approximately US$4 billion of debt (including through its previously announced debt redemption and debt tender offer), maintain approximately US$2 billion of cash on its balance sheet to fund focused acquisitions, and utilize approximately US$1 billion to cover transaction-related expenses including cash taxes, pension contributions, bond redemption costs and other fees and outflows related to the transaction.
Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters (TSX/NYSE: TRI) is the world’s leading provider of news and information-based tools to professionals. Our worldwide network of journalists and specialist editors keep customers up to speed on global developments, with a particular focus on legal, regulatory and tax changes. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges. For more information on Thomson Reuters, visit tr.com and for the latest world news, reuters.com.
Refinitiv
Refinitiv is one of the world’s largest providers of financial markets data and infrastructure, serving over 40,000 institutions in over 190 countries. It provides leading data and insights, trading platforms, and open data and technology platforms that connect a thriving global financial markets community – driving performance in trading, investment, wealth management, regulatory compliance, market data management, enterprise risk and fighting financial crime. www.refinitiv.com
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