AI and technology company Thomson Reuters has signed a definitive agreement to enter into a joint venture with KKR, a leading global investment firm. As part of the transaction, Thomson Reuters will sell a 51% stake in its Global Print business to capital accounts advised by KKR. Thomson Reuters will receive approximately $500 million in gross proceeds at closing and will retain a 49% equity interest in the joint venture. Thomson Reuters will also maintain intellectual property rights and full editorial control over its content portfolio. This new alliance will hold an exclusive license to distribute the content in print and on ProView, Global Print’s eBook platform.
The Thomson Reuters Global Print business provides legal and tax information in print format and via ProView to customers around the world and provides commercial printing services to a wide range of book publishers.
“Thomson Reuters has built a highly regarded, trusted print platform that has become the gold standard for printed reference materials,” says Brian Dillard, Partner at KKR and Co-Chief Investment Officer for Global Atlantic. “Building on KKR’s experience with helping global corporations unlock value in their businesses, we see a compelling opportunity both to support the Global Print business as a standalone proposition and to help Thomson Reuters optimise its portfolio of businesses.”
“The Global Print business has a long and respected history of serving legal and tax professionals with trusted printed reference materials,” says Steve Hasker, President and CEO of Thomson Reuters. “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, while ensuring that Thomson Reuters printed content continues to reach the professionals who depend on it. At the same time, it sharpens Thomson Reuters focus on providing innovative fiduciary-grade AI solutions for the legal, tax, audit, and compliance industries.”
Closing of the transaction is subject to specified regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The transaction is not subject to any financing conditions. As part of the transaction, Thomson Reuters has agreed to provide certain financial support designed to give KKR a minimum return on its equity investment in the joint venture under certain circumstances. Thomson Reuters expects the transaction to close in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Centerview Partners LLC is serving as financial advisor to Thomson Reuters.
