Reuters to sell 51% stake in global print business to KKR for $500 million

Thomson Reuters Corporation has officially signed a definitive agreement to form a joint venture with private equity giant KKR, selling a 51% majority stake in its Global Print business for $500 million in gross proceeds.

The deal, announced on Tuesday, will allow Thomson Reuters to retain intellectual property rights and editorial control over its content portfolio, along with a 49% stake in the venture.

Key Terms of the Deal:

Thomson Reuters is the parent company of Reuters News.The Global Print business supplies legal and tax information to customers worldwide in print and digital book formats ‌and offers commercial printing services to book publishers.

KKR, one of the world’s biggest private equity firms, has been buying up media and publishing units that larger owners are shedding to focus on faster-growing digital businesses.

“This transaction with KKR provides our Global Print business with the focused investment, operational capabilities, and independence to thrive as a standalone business,” said Steve Hasker, CEO of Thomson Reuters.

The deal moves Thomson Reuters further toward optimizing its core technology and software portfolio while spinning out its traditional print arm into a standalone operation.

KKR will hold a 51% controlling stake, while Thomson Reuters retains a 49% minority interest in the new joint venture.

While Thomson Reuters will maintain full intellectual property rights and complete editorial control over all content.

The new KKR-backed venture will hold an exclusive license to distribute that content in print and via ProView, Global Print’s digital eBook platform.

Reuters has agreed to provide certain financial support under specific circumstances to ensure KKR receives a minimum return on its equity investment.

Why it matters?

While most people associate the brand with Reuters news agency, the Global Print division primarily serves legal and tax professionals, governments, law schools, and corporations. 

It provides trusted printed reference materials and commercial printing services, mainly across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

For Thomson Reuters, the spin-off helps offload the heavy operational requirements of a legacy print business to focus on high-growth digital data, AI-driven legal software, and tax compliance technology.

For KKR, the acquisition represents a highly stable, cash-generating business with a loyal professional customer base that can thrive with dedicated, standalone operational support.

The spin-off helps offload the heavy operational requirements of a legacy print business to focus on high-growth digital data, AI-driven legal software, and tax compliance technology.

However, for KKR, the acquisition represents a highly stable, cash-generating business with a loyal professional customer base that can thrive with dedicated, standalone operational support.

The transaction is subject to standard regulatory approvals and is expected to officially close in the fouth quarter of 2026.