Thomson Reuters sells majority stake in global print unit to KKR for $500 million
Thomson Reuters is ceding control of its declining global print division to private equity firm KKR in a $500 million deal that sharpens the company’s focus on higher-margin digital and professional services.
Thomson Reuters announced on Tuesday the sale of a 51 percent stake in its global print business to private equity firm KKR for $500 million. The Toronto-based information services company will retain a 49 percent interest in the newly formed joint venture.
Despite ceding majority control, Thomson Reuters will maintain intellectual property rights and editorial oversight over its broader content portfolio. This structure ensures the parent company preserves the strategic value of its core information assets while offloading the physical distribution burden.
The divestment directly addresses a structural headwind for the legacy unit. The global print division generated $490 million in revenue last year, representing nearly a quarter of the company’s total sales. However, management expects these figures to decline annually as clients increasingly migrate to digital platforms.
By reducing its exposure to print, Thomson Reuters aims to concentrate capital and management attention on its three primary growth engines. These "Big 3" segments serve legal professionals, corporate and tax departments, and the audit and accounting sectors, all of which offer higher-margin, recurring digital revenue streams.
Strategic Realignment
The global print business currently supplies legal and tax information to customers worldwide in both print and digital book formats. It also offers commercial printing services to external book publishers. While still a substantial revenue contributor, the unit's long-term trajectory is constrained by secular shifts in information consumption.
Chief Executive Steve Hasker framed the private equity partnership as a necessary catalyst for the divested unit. "We believe this transaction with KKR provides our Global Print business with the focused investment, operational capabilities, and independence to thrive as a standalone business," Hasker stated.
To facilitate the agreement, Thomson Reuters will provide limited financial support to guarantee KKR a minimum return on its investment under specific circumstances. This downside protection mechanism is a standard feature in joint ventures involving legacy assets, helping to bridge the valuation gap between buyer and seller.
The transaction is currently slated to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Market participants will monitor the transition closely to ensure the anticipated capital reallocation successfully accelerates growth in the company’s higher-margin digital professional segments.
