Mergers, Acquisitions and Takeovers Case Study

Thomson-Reuters Merger: Media Monopoly or Benefit to Customers?

OR

Abstract:
In 2007, Thomson Corporation purchased Reuters for $17.5 billion. The merged entity's synergies offered complementary products to the market. As a combined entity, it was the market leader, followed closely by Bloomberg. However, it was felt that the merger narrowed down choices for the customers. The merger was also believed to be a threat to small players, which would eventually force some of them to quit the market. It was also felt that the Thomson-Reuters merger would result in massive job cuts. In such a scenario, the merger gives rise to a debate whether it would deliver customer value and increase the shareholder wealth or would it result in a monopoly situation.

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To the synergies between Thomson and Reuters.
• To the potential benefits of the Thomson-Reuters merger.
• To the implications of the merger on the industry and the market.
• To other incidental issues that significantly affect the Thomson-Reuters merger.

Keywords : Thomson Corporation, Reuters, Media, Acquisition, Merger, Publishing, Market data, Hedge funds, Dow Jones, Content, Analytics, Trading, Collaboration tools, Synergy, Combined entity

Contents : 
Thomson and Reuters – An Overview
Thomson-Reuters – After the Merger
The Synergies
The Merger