⁍ Thomson Reuters reported higher-than-expected second quarter profit on Wednesday.
⁍ The news and information provider reaffirmed its 2020 forecast in the face of global market uncertainty.
⁍ The company’s New York-listed shares were down 0.5%, while its Toronto-listed shares fell 1.1%.
– The H1N1 virus didn’t take a toll on Thomson Reuters, which says its half-a-million legal, tax, and other professional clients were able to access its services from home during the second quarter. The news and information provider says quarterly revenue dipped 1% and operating profit fell 18% to $365 million, from $447 million a year ago, when the quarter included some one-time items, per Reuters. Adjusted earnings of 44 cents per share were ahead of the 38 cents analysts expected, according to Refinitiv. Thomson Reuters expects higher free cash flow for the year, between $1 and $1.1 billion, and said its three main divisions should grow sales by 3%-4% in the third quarter. Of its three largest divisions, Legal Professionals and Corporates showed higher quarterly sales and adjusted profit, while the Tax & Accounting Professionals segment saw lower sales and adjusted profit, partly reflecting a delayed US tax filing season during the pandemic. Reuters News saw organic revenues fall 11%, reflecting the effect of the coronavirus crisis on its events business. Asked about Thomson Reuters’ merger and acquisitions activity, CEO Steve Hasker said dealmaking has been muted during the pandemic but may pick up in 2021. “We have a healthy list of companies we monitor,” he said.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-thomson-reuters-results/thomson-reuters-2020-outlook-steady-as-profit-exceeds-forecasts-idUSKCN2511FD