Who Owns Reuters?

Thomson Reuters Corporation (Nasdaq/TSX: TRI) is owned by the Thomson family of Canada through their private holding company, The Woodbridge Company Limited, which holds approximately 72.48% of all outstanding shares. In February 2026, the company reported full-year 2025 revenue of $7.476 billion, a 3% increase over 2024.

How Did Reuters Get Its Name?

The name Reuters comes directly from its founder, Paul Julius Reuter. Born Israel Beer Josaphat in Kassel, Germany, in 1816, he later changed his name and converted to Christianity before settling in London.

In 1851, Reuter opened his “Submarine Telegraph” office in London near the Royal Exchange. He had previously used carrier pigeons to transmit stock prices between Brussels and Aachen, filling a gap in the telegraph network across Europe. Once the Dover-Calais cable went live, he shifted to telegraph-based transmission and negotiated a deal with the London Stock Exchange to relay continental prices in exchange for London quotes.

The firm became known simply as “Reuters” after its founder. When Thomson Corporation acquired Reuters Group in April 2008, the combined entity adopted the name Thomson Reuters, preserving the Reuters brand for its news and journalism operations. Reuters as a news agency continues operating under its original name within the larger corporation.

Who Owns Reuters?

Reuters operates as a division of Thomson Reuters Corporation. The controlling shareholder is The Woodbridge Company Limited, a private investment firm based in Toronto that manages the Thomson family’s interests.

Thomson Reuters Ownership and Control Structure

Woodbridge’s 72.48% stake gives the Thomson family decisive voting power over all proxy ballots and management proposals. Thomson Reuters is classified as a “controlled company” under stock exchange rules.

The company trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol TRI. It moved its U.S. listing from the NYSE to Nasdaq in February 2025.

Reuters Origin, Founders and Early Years

Paul Julius Reuter founded Reuters in London in 1851, initially delivering stock market data to financial institutions. The business grew rapidly through the 1860s and became the first organization to report Abraham Lincoln’s assassination in 1865.

Separately, Roy Thomson launched what would become the Thomson Corporation in 1934 when he acquired The Timmins Daily Press in Ontario with $200 of his own money and borrowed funds. His media empire expanded across newspapers, television, and publishing over the following decades.

The Thomson Corporation purchased West Publishing (including Westlaw) in 1996, shifting its focus toward professional information services. In April 2008, Thomson acquired Reuters Group for approximately $17 billion, creating Thomson Reuters.

Largest Shareholders of Reuters

Who Is on the Board of Directors for Reuters?

Thomson Reuters’ board consists of 14 directors elected at the June 2025 annual meeting. The board is organized around several areas of responsibility.

Leadership and Family Representation

Technology and Operations Directors

Newly Elected Directors (2025)

The Reuters Founders Share Company

Despite Woodbridge’s majority control, the Reuters Trust Principles are protected by the Reuters Founders Share Company Limited. This entity holds a single “Founders Share” with special voting rights that can be activated if any party attempts to gain control or a large shareholding in ways that threaten editorial independence.

Prior consent from the Founders Share Company is required for any sale or major transaction involving the Reuters news business. The Trustees are distinguished individuals drawn from multiple sectors, independent of both Thomson Reuters management and the Thomson family. This structure is similar in principle to how other major news organizations have adopted governance mechanisms to protect editorial integrity.

Reuters Mission Statement

Thomson Reuters states its purpose as: “We inform the way forward by delivering trusted content and technology that professionals and institutions need to make the right decisions.”

This purpose is grounded in the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles, first established in 1941 during World War II. The five principles require that the company preserve its integrity, independence, and freedom from bias at all times. Reuters must supply unbiased and reliable news to media subscribers, businesses, governments, and individuals.

The Trust Principles also require that Thomson Reuters pay due regard to the many interests it serves beyond media, and that no effort be spared to expand and adapt its services to maintain a leading position in international news and information. The company invests heavily in technology-driven solutions for professionals in legal, tax, accounting, and compliance fields, guided by these founding commitments.

Reuters Products and Services

FAQs

What is the net worth of Reuters?

Thomson Reuters held a market capitalization of approximately $39.8 billion as of March 2026. The company reported total annual revenue of $7.476 billion for fiscal year 2025.

Is Reuters an American company?

No. Thomson Reuters Corporation is a Canadian company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. It trades on both the Nasdaq and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker TRI.

When did Reuters come out?

Paul Julius Reuter founded Reuters in London in 1851. The current Thomson Reuters Corporation was formed in April 2008 when the Thomson Corporation acquired Reuters Group.

Who owns Reuters?

The Thomson family of Canada owns Reuters through The Woodbridge Company Limited, which holds about 72.48% of Thomson Reuters shares. Institutional investors hold the remaining shares.

What is Thomson Reuters market cap in 2026?

Thomson Reuters had a market capitalization of approximately $39.8 billion as of March 27, 2026. The stock trades on Nasdaq and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol TRI.

Is Reuters still operational?

Yes. Reuters operates as a division within Thomson Reuters, supplying news to media platforms, financial professionals, and publishers worldwide. Thomson Reuters reported 6% organic revenue growth in Q1 2025.