Thomson Reuters Reports Second-Quarter 2017 Results

TORONTO, Aug. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomson Reuters (TSX/NYSE: TRI) today reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017. Based on its first-half results, the company raised its full-year 2017 outlook for several metrics, as reflected on page 5.

"It is encouraging to see the continued improvement in underlying operating performance," said Jim Smith, president and chief executive officer of Thomson Reuters. "Based on the solid start to the year, we are increasing full-year EPS guidance. Our execution focus is paying off, and we believe efforts to improve customer experience will keep the trend lines moving in the right direction."

Consolidated Financial Highlights ­ Three Months Ended June 30

Revenues were slightly higher compared to the prior-year period as higher recurring revenues and contributions from acquisitions were mostly offset by the impact of foreign currency.  

• At constant currency, revenues increased 2%.

Operating profit was essentially unchanged as slightly higher revenues and lower expenses, which reflected savings from the company's simplification initiatives, were offset by the unfavorable impact of fair value adjustments associated with foreign currency derivatives embedded in certain customer contracts.

• Adjusted EBITDA increased 11% to $838 million and the margin increased 280 basis points to 30.1% from 27.3% primarily due to higher revenues and simplification initiatives which resulted in lower expenses.

Diluted EPS, which includes discontinued operations, decreased 40% to $0.27 due to the same factors that impacted operating profit, as well as non-cash foreign currency fluctuations on intercompany loans and the loss of earnings from IP & Science following its sale in the fourth quarter of 2016.

• Adjusted EPS was $0.60, an increase of 28%, or $0.13 per share, primarily due to higher adjusted EBITDA.

Cash flow from operations increased 8%, despite the loss of cash flow from IP & Science following its sale, due to higher operating profit before the impact of non-cash items, such as fair value adjustments.

• Free cash flow increased 10% to $580 million, primarily reflecting stronger adjusted EBITDA performance, partly offset by the loss of cash flow from IP & Science following its sale.

The company repurchased 6.7 million shares during the second quarter at a cost of $294 million and repurchased 13.5 million shares during the first six months of the year at a cost of $578 million under its $1.0 billion share buyback program.

Highlights by Business Unit – Three Months Ended June 30

Unless otherwise noted, all revenue growth comparisons by business unit in this news release are at constant currency (or exclude the impact of foreign currency) as Thomson Reuters believes this provides the best basis to measure their performance.

Financial & Risk

Revenues increased 2% to $1.5 billion.  Organic revenues grew 1% and acquisitions contributed 1%. 

• Revenues by type:
• Recurring revenues grew 1% (77% of total)
• The increase was primarily due to an annual price increase and positive net sales.
• Transactions revenues grew 8% (15% of total)
• Growth was due to increased revenue from Tradeweb and the BETA brokerage processing business, as well as contributions from acquisitions. These increases were partially offset by the impact of lower foreign exchange trading revenues.
• Recoveries revenues decreased 5% (8% of total).  The company does not expect recoveries to have a significant impact on Financial & Risk's revenue growth in the second half of the year.  
  
  
• Revenues by geography:
• Revenues were up 3% in the Americas, up 1% in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and were up slightly in Asia Pacific, despite the impact of lower recoveries revenues in each region.

Adjusted EBITDA increased 8% to $477 million.

• The margin increased to 31.4% from 29.1%. In constant currency, the margin increased 180 basis points primarily due to savings from the company's simplification initiatives, including the 2016 severance charges, and higher revenues.

Net sales were positive in the quarter.

Legal

Revenues increased 1% to $842 million.

• Recurring revenues grew 4% (76% of total)
• US Print revenues declined 8% (14% of total)
• Transactions revenues declined 8% (10% of total)

Adjusted EBITDA increased 3% to $320 million.

• The margin increased to 38.0% from 36.6%. In constant currency, the margin increased 110 basis points due to higher revenues, savings related to the fourth-quarter 2016 severance charges and ongoing simplification initiatives.

Tax & Accounting

Revenues increased 8% to $350 million primarily due to higher recurring revenues and improved transactions revenues.  Revenue growth also benefited from a favorable year-over-year comparison, as the Government business reported lower revenues in the prior-year period due to delays on certain contracts.

• Recurring revenues grew 4% (84% of total)
• Transactions revenues grew 36% (16% of total)

Adjusted EBITDA increased 26% to $103 million.

• The margin increased to 29.4% from 25.3%. In constant currency, the margin increased 390 basis points due to higher revenues and savings related to the fourth-quarter 2016 severance charges.

Corporate & Other (Including Reuters News)

Reuters News revenues were $74 million, down 5%.

Corporate & Other costs at the adjusted EBITDA level were $62 million compared to $78 million in the prior-year period.

• The reduction was driven by savings generated by the company's simplification initiatives and the elimination of certain costs following the sale of IP & Science.
• Including depreciation and amortization of software, Corporate & Other costs were $74 million compared to $94 million in the prior-year period. On this basis, the company expects full-year Corporate & Other costs to be approximately $280 million.

Consolidated Financial Highlights - Six Months Ended June 30

Revenues increased 1% as higher recurring revenues and contributions from acquisitions were partly offset by the impact of foreign currency and a decline in Financial & Risk's recoveries revenues.

• At constant currency, revenues increased 2%.

Operating profit increased 19% as higher revenues and lower expenses were partly offset by unfavorable fair value adjustments associated with foreign currency derivatives embedded in certain customer contracts. Lower expenses reflected continued simplification initiatives.

• Adjusted EBITDA increased 14% to $1.7 billion and the margin increased to 30.6% from 27.1%, primarily reflecting higher revenues and the positive impact of the company's simplification initiatives.

Diluted EPS, which includes discontinued operations, decreased 15% to $0.67 as higher operating profit was more than offset by non-cash foreign currency fluctuations on intercompany loans and the loss of earnings from IP & Science following its sale.

• Adjusted EPS was $1.23, an increase of 32%, or $0.30 per share, primarily due to higher adjusted EBITDA.

Cash flow from operations declined 62% primarily due to a $500 million pension plan contribution, $116 million of payments related to 2016 severance charges, and the loss of cash flow from IP & Science following its sale ($243 million year-on-year variance).

• Free cash flow was negative $5 million reflecting similar factors as noted above.
• Free cash flow for the full year is expected to be between $0.9 billion and $1.2 billion, as reflected in the company's outlook.

Highlights by Business Unit – Six Months Ended June 30

Dividend

In February 2017, the Thomson Reuters board of directors approved a $0.02 per share annualized increase in the dividend to $1.38 per common share. A quarterly dividend of $0.345 per share is payable on September 15, 2017 to common shareholders of record as of August 17, 2017.

Business Outlook 2017 (At Constant Currency)

Based on the results of the first half of the year, the company raised its full-year outlook for adjusted EBITDA margin and adjusted EPS. The company reaffirmed its full-year outlook for revenue growth and free cash flow. For the full-year 2017, the company currently expects:

• Low single-digit revenue growth
• Adjusted EBITDA margin to range between 29.3% - 30.3% - up from previous guidance of 28.8% - 29.8%
• Free cash flow to range between $0.9 billion and $1.2 billion, which reflects cash payments in 2017 relating to the fourth-quarter 2016 charges, the $500 million pension plan contribution made in the first quarter of 2017 and the loss of free cash flow from the sale of the IP & Science business
• Adjusted EPS target of $2.40 - $2.45 – up from previous guidance of $2.35

The company's 2017 outlook does not factor in the impact of acquisitions or divestitures that may occur during the year.

The information in this section is forward-looking and should be read in conjunction with the section below entitled "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements, Material Assumptions and Material Risks."

Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of news and information for professional markets. Our customers rely on us to deliver the intelligence, technology and expertise they need to find trusted answers. The business has operated in more than 100 countries for more than 100 years. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges (symbol: TRI). For more information, visit www.thomsonreuters.com.

NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES

Thomson Reuters prepares its financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

This news release includes certain non-IFRS financial measures, such as adjusted EBITDA and the related margin (other than at the business unit or segment level), free cash flow, adjusted EPS, and selected measures excluding the impact of foreign currency. Thomson Reuters uses these non-IFRS financial measures as supplemental indicators of its operating performance and financial position. These measures do not have any 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. Non-IFRS financial measures are defined and reconciled to the most directly comparable IFRS measures in the appended tables. The term "organic" refers to Thomson Reuters' existing businesses before the impact of acquisitions.

The company's business outlook contains various non-IFRS financial measures. For outlook purposes only, the company is unable to reconcile these non-IFRS measures to the most comparable IFRS measures because it cannot predict, with reasonable certainty, the 2017 impact of changes in foreign exchange rates which impact (i) the translation of its results reported at average foreign currency rates for the year, (ii) fair value adjustments associated with foreign currency derivatives embedded in certain customer contracts, and (iii) other finance income or expense related to foreign exchange contracts and intercompany financing arrangements. Additionally, the company cannot reasonably predict the occurrence or amount of other operating gains and losses, which generally arise from business transactions that it does not anticipate.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, MATERIAL ASSUMPTIONS AND MATERIAL RISKS

Certain statements in this news release, including, but not limited to, statements in the "Business Outlook 2017 (At Constant Currency)" section, Mr. Smith's comments and statements regarding recoveries revenues and corporate costs, are forward-looking. As a result, forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. There is no assurance that the events described in any forward-looking statement will materialize. A business outlook is provided for the purpose of presenting information about current expectations for 2017. 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 news release. Except as may be required by applicable law, Thomson Reuters disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

The company's 2017 business outlook is based on various external and internal assumptions. Economic and market assumptions include, but are not limited to, GDP growth in most of the countries where Thomson Reuters operates, a continued increase in demand for high quality information and workflow solutions and a continued need for trusted products and services that help customers navigate changing geopolitical, economic and regulatory environments. Internal financial and operational assumptions include, but are not limited to, the successful execution of sales initiatives, ongoing product release programs, our globalization strategy and other growth and efficiency initiatives.

Some of the material risk factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, changes in the general economy; actions of competitors; failure to develop new products, services, applications and functionalities to meet customers' needs, attract new customers and retain existing ones, or expand into new geographic markets and identify areas of higher growth; fraudulent or unpermitted data access or other cyber-security or privacy breaches; failures or disruptions of telecommunications, data centers, network systems or the Internet; increased accessibility to free or relatively inexpensive information sources; failure to meet the challenges involved in operating globally; failure to maintain a high renewal rate for recurring, subscription-based services; dependency on third parties for data, information and other services; changes to law and regulations; tax matters, including changes to tax laws, regulations and treaties; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange and interest rates; failure to adapt to organizational changes and effectively implement strategic initiatives; failure to attract, motivate and retain high quality management and key employees; failure to protect the brands and reputation of Thomson Reuters; inadequate protection of intellectual property rights; threat of legal actions and claims; failure to derive fully the anticipated benefits from existing or future acquisitions, joint ventures, investments or dispositions; risk of antitrust/competition-related claims or investigations; impairment of goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets; downgrading of credit ratings and adverse conditions in the credit markets; the effect of factors outside of the control of Thomson Reuters on funding obligations in respect of pension and post-retirement benefit arrangements; and actions or potential actions that could be taken by the company's principal shareholder, The Woodbridge Company Limited. These and other factors are discussed in materials that Thomson Reuters from time to time files with, or furnishes to, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Thomson Reuters annual and quarterly reports are also available in the "Investor Relations" section of www.thomsonreuters.com.

CONTACTS

Thomson Reuters will webcast a discussion of its second-quarter 2017 results today beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).  You can access the webcast by visiting the "Investor Relations" section of www.thomsonreuters.com.  An archive of the webcast will be available following the presentation.

Refer to page 11 for footnotes.

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