Thomson investors will like this deal

Article Excerpt

THOMSON REUTERS CORP. $108 remains a buy. The company (Toronto symbol TRI; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares o/s: 500.0 million; Market cap: $54.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 9.2; Dividend yield: 1.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.thomsonreuters.com) continues to unlock value for investors. It recently agreed to merge its 45%-owned Refinitiv business, which sells financial information, to the London Stock Exchange Group plc (Over-the-counter Pink Sheets symbol LDNXF). Blackstone Group LP (New York symbol BX) owns the other 55% of Refinitiv. Under the terms of the deal, Thomson would own 15% of the combined firm. Based on LSE’s current share price, that stake is worth roughly $4.7 billion U.S. As well, investors will benefit from Thomson’s cost savings as Refinitiv and LSE combine operations. That savings should total roughly $700 million U.S. by the end of the fifth year. It’s also on top of Refinitiv’s current cost-cutting plan, which aims to eliminate $650 million U.S. from its annual expenses. expenses…