Thomson Reuters (TSX / NYSE: TRI) today reported results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2015.
The company achieved its 2015 Outlook and provided guidance for 2016.
Fourth Quarter - Improving Organic Revenue Growth, Margin and Free Cash Flow
Reported revenues declined 2%. Before currency, revenues grew 2% (all organic)
Adjusted EBITDA grew 13% to $895 million with a margin of 28.4% vs. 24.7% in the prior-year period
Underlying operating profit grew 28% to $637 million with a margin of 20.2% vs. 15.5% in Q4 2014
Adjusted EPS was up 51% to $0.65 vs. $0.43 in the prior-year period
Financial & Risk:
Organic revenues were unchanged from the prior-year period
EBITDA margin was 30% (before currency)
Net sales were positive for both the fourth quarter and the full year
Legal, Tax & Accounting and Intellectual Property & Science’s organic revenues collectively grew 4%
Full Year - Returned to Organic Revenue Growth - Up 2% Before Currency
Free cash flow grew 25% to $1.8 billion
Adjusted EPS was up 15% to $2.13 vs. $1.85 in the prior year
Returned $1.4 billion to shareholders through the repurchase of 35.9 million shares in 2015 and today announced an additional buyback program for up to $1.5 billion
Board approved $0.02 annual dividend increase to $1.36 per share, the 23rd consecutive annual increase
The company is preparing to launch a process to sell its Intellectual Property & Science (IP&S) business and currently expects to close the transaction in the second half of the year. IP&S is included in the company’s 2015 consolidated results but will be a discontinued operation in 2016
“Today’s results reflect the significant progress we have made putting the company back on solid footing," said James C. Smith, president and chief executive officer of Thomson Reuters. "With the ship now turned, we have growing confidence in our strategy as we look to 2016 and 2017.”