-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Nc9wNDCIEGnzzLRkxEbfMkwgc1voVC8xexfpXBdpZWbXNVVC0kFc4UfW2VB48BUu tG8fwSX5x5qGXCuMuEcCoQ== 0001047469-05-020263.txt : 20050729 0001047469-05-020263.hdr.sgml : 20050729 20050729084745 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001047469-05-020263 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 6-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20050729 FILED AS OF DATE: 20050729 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050729 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: THOMSON CORP /CAN/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001075124 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: MISCELLANEOUS PUBLISHING [2741] IRS NUMBER: 980176673 STATE OF INCORPORATION: A6 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 6-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-31349 FILM NUMBER: 05982814 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: METRO CENTER STREET 2: ONE STATION PLACE CITY: STAMFORD STATE: CT ZIP: 06902 BUSINESS PHONE: 2035398000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: METRO CENTER STREET 2: ONE STATION PLACE CITY: STAMFORD STATE: CT ZIP: 06902 6-K 1 a2161393z6-k.htm FORM 6-K
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 
   
For the month of July 2005   Commission File No.: 1-31349

THE THOMSON CORPORATION
(Translation of registrant's name into English)

Metro Center, One Station Place
Stamford, Connecticut 06902, United States
(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F   o   Form 40-F   ý

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by
Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):             

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by
Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):             

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes   o   No   ý

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with
Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-                             

The information contained in Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 of this Form 6-K is incorporated by reference into the following Registration Statements of the registrant: Form F-9 (File No. 333-109297); Form F-3 (File No. 333-97203); Form S-8 (File No. 333-12284); Form S-8 (File No. 333-105280); and Form S-8 (File No. 333-126782).





SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

    THE THOMSON CORPORATION

 

 

By:

/s/ D
EIRDRE STANLEY
Name: Deirdre Stanley
Title: Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Date: July 29, 2005      


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number
  Description
99.1   Management's Discussion and Analysis

99.2

 

Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

99.3

 

Controls and Procedures

99.4

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

99.5

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

99.6

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

99.7

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002



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SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-99.1 2 a2161393zex-99_1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1
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EXHIBIT 99.1


THE THOMSON CORPORATION
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

        The following management's discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada, or Canadian GAAP, and the related notes to those financial statements. All dollar amounts in this discussion are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise specified. Unless otherwise indicated, references in this discussion to "we," "our" and "us" are to The Thomson Corporation and its subsidiaries. This management's discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those identified in the "Risk Factors" section of our annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2004, which is also contained in our annual report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2004. This management's discussion and analysis is dated as of July 26, 2005.

OVERVIEW

Our Business

        We are one of the world's leading information services providers to business and professional customers. We generate revenues by supplying our customers with business-critical information, which we make more valuable by adding expert analysis, insight and commentary, and couple it with software tools and applications that our customers can use to search, compare, synthesize and communicate the information. To further enhance our customers' workflows, we increasingly deliver information and services electronically, integrate our solutions with our customers' own data and tailor the delivery of information to meet specific customer needs. As we integrate critical information with analysis, tools and applications, we place greater focus on the way our customers use our content, rather than simply on selling the content itself.

        As a global company that provides services in approximately 130 countries, we are affected by the market dynamics, governmental regulations and business conditions for each market and country in which we operate. Our business continues to evolve in strategically important areas such as online information, software and service offerings in conjunction with changes in our customers' workflows, as well as their increasing desire for information and their increasing technological sophistication.

        We organize our operations into four market groups that are structured on the basis of the customers they serve:

    Thomson Legal & Regulatory

    Thomson Learning

    Thomson Financial

    Thomson Scientific & Healthcare

        We also report financial results for a corporate and other reporting category, as well as discontinued operations. The corporate and other category principally includes corporate expenses and costs associated with our stock-related compensation.

        Effective January 1, 2005, we reorganized certain businesses within our market groups. Within Thomson Learning, the international operations within the Academic Publishing and Reference group were transferred to the Lifelong Learning group. The operations producing textbook and print and electronic materials for information technology instruction (Thomson Course Technology) and textbook and learning materials for the technology, trade healthcare, professional and career education markets (Thomson Delmar Learning) were transferred from the Lifelong Learning group to the Academic Publishing and Reference group. Additionally, as noted in our Annual Information Form, Thomson Legal & Regulatory transferred its Dialog DataStar operations, which provides scientific and intellectual property information, to Thomson Scientific & Healthcare. Thomson Legal & Regulatory retained its Dialog Newsedge operations, which provides business news and information. Results for current and prior periods reflect these organization changes.

1


2005 Financial Outlook

        We continue to expect full-year 2005 revenue growth to be in line with our long-term target of 7% to 9% (excluding the effects of currency translation). Full-year 2005 revenue growth will continue to be driven by existing businesses supplemented by tactical acquisitions.

        Operating profit margins are expected to expand slightly in 2005, reflecting continued operating improvements, partially offset by higher pension costs and corporate expenses.

        We also expect to continue to generate strong free cash flow in 2005.

Seasonality

        We typically derive a much greater portion of our operating profit and operating cash flow in the second half of the year as customer buying patterns are concentrated in the second half of the year, particularly in the learning and regulatory markets. Costs are incurred more evenly throughout the year. As a result, our operating margins generally increase as the year progresses, though the seasonality of our overall results between the first and second halves has been reducing over the past several years. For these reasons, it may not be possible to compare the performance of our businesses quarter to consecutive quarter, and our quarterly results should be considered on the basis of results for the whole year or by comparing results in a quarter with the results in the same quarter of the previous year. While we report results quarterly, we view and manage our company from a longer-term perspective.

USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

        In addition to our results reported in accordance with Canadian GAAP, we use non-GAAP financial measures as supplemental indicators of our operating performance and financial position. We use these non-GAAP financial measures internally for comparing actual results from one period to another, as well as for future planning purposes. We have historically reported non-GAAP financial results, as we believe their use provides more insight into our performance. The following discussion defines the measures that we use and explains why we believe they are useful measures of our performance, including our ability to generate cash flow:

    Adjusted operating profit.  Adjusted operating profit is defined as operating profit before amortization of identifiable intangible assets. We use this measure for our segments because we do not consider amortization to be a controllable operating cost for purposes of assessing the current performance of our segments. We also use adjusted operating profit margin, which we define as adjusted operating profit as a percentage of revenues.

    Free cash flow.  We evaluate our operating performance based on free cash flow, which we define as net cash provided by operating activities less additions to property and equipment, other investing activities and dividends paid on our preference shares. We use free cash flow as a performance measure because it represents cash available to repay debt, pay common dividends and fund new acquisitions.

    Adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per common share from continuing operations. We measure our earnings attributable to common shares and per share amounts to adjust for non-recurring items, discontinued operations and other items affecting comparability, which we refer to as adjusted earnings from continuing operations and adjusted earnings per common share from continuing operations. We use these measures to assist in comparisons from one period to another. Adjusted earnings per common share from continuing operations do not represent actual earnings per share attributable to shareholders. In interim periods, we adjust our reported earnings and earnings per common share to reflect a normalized effective tax rate. Specifically, the normalized effective rate is computed as the estimated full year effective tax rate applied to the consolidated pre-tax income of the interim period. The reported effective tax rate is based on separate annual effective income tax rates for each taxing jurisdiction that are applied to each interim period's pre-tax income. Because the seasonality of our businesses impacts our geographical mix of profits in interim periods and therefore distorts the reported effective tax rate, we believe that using the expected full year effective tax rate provides a more meaningful comparison among interim periods. The adjustment to normalize the effective tax rate reallocates estimated full year income taxes between interim periods, but has no effect on full year income taxes nor on cash taxes paid.

2


    Net debt.  We measure our indebtedness including associated hedging instruments (swaps) on our debt less cash and cash equivalents. Given that we hedge some of our debt to reduce risk, we include hedging instruments as a better measure of the total obligation associated with our outstanding debt. We reduce gross indebtedness by cash and cash equivalents on the basis that they could be used to pay down debt.

        These and related measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian GAAP and, therefore, are unlikely to be comparable with the calculation of similar measures used by other companies. You should not view these measures as alternatives to operating profit, cash flow from operations, net earnings, total debt or other measures of financial performance calculated in accordance with GAAP. We encourage you to review the reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable Canadian GAAP measure within this management's discussion and analysis.

        We no longer report adjusted EBITDA, but we do report depreciation for each of our market groups. See the section entitled "Additional Information" for these depreciation amounts.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        The following discussion compares our results for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 and provides analyses of results from continuing operations and discontinued operations.

Basis of Analysis

        Our results from continuing operations include the performance of acquired businesses from the date of their purchase and exclude results from operations classified as discontinued. Results from operations that qualify as discontinued operations have been reclassified to that category for all periods presented. Please see the section entitled "Discontinued Operations" for a discussion of these operations. Segmented results now include the results of all operations in a segment. Previously, segmented results were presented on the basis of ongoing businesses, which excluded disposals. Disposals are businesses sold or held for sale, which did not qualify as discontinued operations. Results for 2004 were reclassified to present disposals within the appropriate market group. In analyzing the results of our operating segments, we measure the performance of existing businesses and the impact of acquired businesses and foreign currency translation.

3


        The following table summarizes our consolidated results for the periods indicated.

 
  Three months ended June 30,
  Six months ended June 30,
(millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
  2005
  2004
  Change
  2005
  2004
  Change
Revenues     2,058     1,866   10%     3,908     3,548   10%
Operating profit     277     257   8%     390     354   10%
Operating profit margin     13.5%     13.8%         10.0%     10.0%    
Net earnings     302     192   57%     375     229   64%
Earnings per share attributable to common shares   $ 0.46   $ 0.29   59%   $ 0.57   $ 0.35   63%

        Revenues.    For both the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005, the increases in revenues were primarily attributable to contributions from acquired businesses and growth in existing businesses. A favorable impact of foreign currency translation also contributed to the increases in revenues. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, revenues grew 9% in both periods. Contributions from acquired businesses primarily related to TradeWeb in our financial group, Information Holdings Inc. (IHI) in our scientific and healthcare group and Capstar and KnowledgeNet in our learning group. For the three-month period, growth from existing businesses was exhibited in all four market groups, and most notably in our financial and legal and regulatory groups.

        Operating profit.    For both the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005, the increases in operating profit reflected higher revenues due to contributions from acquired and existing businesses. Margin growth was tempered by higher amortization expense in 2005 and the inclusion in the results for 2004 of insurance recoveries related to September 11, 2001 of $14 million and $19 million for the three-month and six-month periods, respectively. Results in 2005 for the three-month period reflected lower expense associated with stock appreciation rights, which was offset by higher pension and other defined benefit plans expense, when compared to the prior year period.

        Depreciation and amortization.    For the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005, depreciation increased 5% and 4%, respectively, compared to the comparable prior year periods. These increases reflected recent acquisitions and capital expenditures. Amortization increased 17% compared to the prior year in both periods due to the amortization of newly acquired identifiable intangible assets.

        Net other income. Net other income in 2004 primarily related to the recognition of the second installment of $22 million of the previously announced Skillsoft settlement and a gain on the sale of an investment.

        Net interest expense and other financing costs.    For the three-month period ended June 30, 2005, our net interest expense and other financing costs increased 8% compared to the prior year. This increase was attributable to the recognition of gains on certain derivatives in 2004 for which there were no comparable gains in the current year. Excluding these gains, net interest expense and other financing costs decreased slightly due to lower interest rates on outstanding debt in 2005 compared with the prior year resulting from the debt redemptions and issuances in the fourth quarter of 2004.

        Income taxes    Income taxes for both the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005 reflected the release of $137 million of contingent income tax liabilities based upon the outcome of certain tax audits of prior year periods. Income taxes for both periods in the current and prior year reflected the mix of taxing jurisdictions in which pre-tax profits and losses were recognized. Because the seasonality in our businesses impacts our geographic mix of pre-tax profits and losses in interim periods and, therefore, distorts our reported tax rate, our effective tax rate for interim periods is not indicative of our estimated effective tax rate for the full year.

4


        Earnings attributable to common shares and earnings per common share.    Earnings attributable to common shares for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005 increased due to higher operating profit, as well as the release of contingent income tax liabilities. The second quarter of 2004 also benefited from the recognition of the Skillsoft settlement noted under "Net other income."

        The following table presents a summary of our earnings and our earnings per common share from continuing operations for the periods indicated, after adjusting for items affecting comparability in both periods.

 
  Three months ended June 30,
  Six months ended June 30,
 
(millions of U.S. dollars, except per common share amounts)
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
 
Earnings attributable to common shares     301     191     373     227  
Adjustments for one-time items:                          
  Net other income         (29 )   (1 )   (29 )
  Tax on above item         11         11  
  Release of tax credits     (137 )       (137 )    
Interim period effective tax rate normalization     (8 )   (11 )   (24 )   (28 )
Discontinued operations         (12 )   (4 )   (8 )
   
 
 
 
 
Adjusted earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shares     156     150     207     173  
   
 
 
 
 
Adjusted earnings per common share from continuing operations   $ 0.24   $ 0.23   $ 0.32   $ 0.26  
   
 
 
 
 

        On a comparable basis, our adjusted earnings from continuing operations in both the three-month and six-month periods increased, largely as a result of higher operating profit stemming from higher revenues. These results also reflected higher pension and other benefit plans expense in 2005 and insurance recoveries of $14 million and $19 million in the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2004, respectively.

Operating Results by Business Segment

        See the "Reconciliations" section for a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable Canadian GAAP measures.

Thomson Legal & Regulatory

 
  Three months ended June 30,
  Six months ended June 30,
(millions of U.S. dollars)
  2005
  2004
  Change
  2005
  2004
  Change
Revenues   867   804   8%   1,653   1,547   7%
Adjusted operating profit   245   228   7%   426   393   8%
Adjusted operating profit margin   28.3%   28.4%       25.8%   25.4%    

        In the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005, revenues for Thomson Legal & Regulatory increased 8% and 7%, respectively. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, revenues increased 7% and 6%, respectively. These increases were primarily driven by higher revenues from existing businesses, but also reflected contributions from newly acquired businesses. Within our existing businesses, growth reflected the strong performance of online services, consisting primarily of Westlaw, Checkpoint and our international online services. This revenue growth was offset, in part, by the expected decline in revenue from print and CD products.

5


        For both the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005, North American Westlaw revenue experienced growth in all of its major market segments: law firm, corporate, government and academic. This growth was driven by new sales and higher subscription retention. Within our North American tax and accounting group, our Checkpoint online service revenue increased due to higher subscription levels. FindLaw revenue increased as a result of new sales performance, as well as the impact of recent acquisitions. Outside of North America, Westlaw revenues increased particularly in Europe.

        For both periods, the growth in adjusted operating profit resulted from the revenue growth described above. Growth in the adjusted operating margin was tempered by the impact of strengthening foreign currencies on our lower margin international businesses and lower initial margins on certain acquired businesses.

Thomson Learning

 
  Three months ended June 30,
  Six months ended June 30,
(millions of U.S. dollars)
  2005
  2004
  Change
  2005
  2004
  Change
Revenues   472   428   10%   855   779   10%
Adjusted operating profit (loss)   12   11   9%   (38 ) (43 ) 12%
Adjusted operating profit margin   2.5%   2.6%       nm   nm    

nm = Not meaningful.

        Thomson Learning's first half results are not indicative of its anticipated performance for the full year due to the seasonal nature of the higher education businesses in which most of the revenues and profits are realized in the second half of the year.

        In both the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005, revenues for Thomson Learning increased 10%. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, the increases were 9% for both periods. These increases resulted from the impact of acquired businesses, primarily Capstar and KnowledgeNet, and, to a lesser extent, growth from existing businesses. Revenues from existing businesses increased primarily due to higher sales in our higher education and international operations.

        In the Academic group, higher sales of new textbook editions and custom products resulted in increased revenues within our domestic higher education businesses. In addition, higher print and electronic product sales, due to modest improvements in state funding, resulted in increased revenues in the library reference business.

        Revenues for our Lifelong Learning group increased primarily due to the impact of acquired businesses, as well as growth in our English language training business and in the professional testing market. These increases were partially offset by the loss of revenues from a significant government testing contract in the United Kingdom that ended in September 2004 and lower revenues from the IT testing market.

        For both periods, the improvement in adjusted operating profit largely reflected the increased revenues described above. Profit growth was mitigated by integration and acquisition related costs associated with acquired businesses.

6


Thomson Financial

 
  Three months ended June 30,
   
   
   
 
  Six months ended June 30,
(millions of U.S. dollars)

  2005
  2004
  Change
  2005
  2004
  Change
Revenues   470   416   13%   928   807   15%
Adjusted operating profit   75   68   10%   140   123   14%
Adjusted operating profit margin   16.0%   16.3%       15.1%   15.2%    

        In the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005, revenues for Thomson Financial increased 13% and 15%, respectively. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, revenues increased 12% and 14%, respectively. These increases were due to the impact of acquired businesses, primarily TradeWeb, and growth from existing businesses. Revenues from existing businesses increased as a result of new sales and higher transaction revenues. Thomson ONE workstations increased 42% for the rolling twelve-month period, and 19% since the beginning of 2005, due to user migration from legacy products and new client wins. Increases in revenues from existing businesses were experienced in all geographic regions, including Europe.

        Adjusted operating profit increased due to the increase in revenues. Included in adjusted operating profit for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2004 were insurance recoveries related to September 11, 2001 of $14 million and $19 million, respectively. Excluding these insurance recoveries, the adjusted operating margin increased primarily as a result of lower depreciation, as a percentage of revenues, due to lower capital spending.

Thomson Scientific & Healthcare

 
  Three months ended June 30,
   
   
   
 
  Six months ended June 30,
(millions of U.S. dollars)

  2005
  2004
  Change
  2005
  2004
  Change
Revenues   254   224   13%   482   426   13%
Adjusted operating profit   54   42   29%   82   60   37%
Adjusted operating profit margin   21.3%   18.8%       17.0%   14.1%    

        In both the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005, revenues for Thomson Scientific & Healthcare increased 13%. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, revenues increased 12% for both periods. These increases were attributable to revenues from acquired companies, primarily IHI, which we acquired in November 2004. Revenues from existing businesses approximated that of the prior year as higher volumes were largely offset by the unfavorable effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on transactions involving U.S. dollar revenues within the group's European businesses. Our existing businesses benefited from higher customer spending for healthcare decision support products, as well as higher subscription revenues for ISI Web of Science and the Micromedex electronic product portfolio. These increases were partially offset by a decline in medical education revenues related to reduced spending on education programs by pharmaceutical companies.

7


        In both periods, the increases in adjusted operating profit and the corresponding margin compared to the prior year reflected the higher revenues, integration efforts and the favorable timing of certain expenses.

Corporate and Other

        Corporate and other expenses were $27 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2005, compared with $22 million in the prior year. For the six-month period, Corporate and other expenses were $56 million in 2005 and $39 million in 2004. The increases were primarily due to higher expenses for pensions and other defined benefit plans and severance and other charges associated with the outsourcing and reorganization of certain functions within our human resources department. Results in the second quarter of 2005 reflected a $5 million lower expense associated with stock appreciation rights compared to the prior year period.

Discontinued Operations

        The following three businesses, which were sold in 2004, were classified as discontinued operations. None of these businesses was considered fundamental to the integrated information offerings of Thomson.

        In November 2004, we sold the Thomson Media group, a provider of largely print-based information products focused on the banking, financial services and related technology markets for gross proceeds of $350 million.

        In the second quarter of 2004, we sold Sheshunoff Information Services Inc., a provider of critical data, compliance and management tools to financial institutions, which had been managed within Thomson Media. Based on the status of negotiations at March 31, 2004, we recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of $6 million relating to identifiable intangible assets in the first quarter of 2004. We recorded a post-tax gain of $3 million in the second quarter of 2004 related to the completion of the sale.

        In February 2004, we sold DBM, a provider of human resource solutions, which had been managed within Thomson Learning. We recorded a post-tax loss of $4 million in the first quarter of 2004 on this sale.

        In the first half of 2005, discontinued operations consisted of adjustments to tax liabilities previously established for Thomson Newspapers, which we sold in 2000 and 2001. The liabilities were released in conjunction with the expiration of certain tax audit periods.

        For more information on these discontinued operations, see Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Financial Position

        At June 30, 2005, our total assets were $19,053 million, which represented a 3% decrease from the total of $19,643 million at December 31, 2004. This decrease was primarily due to the impact of foreign currency translation and the effects of depreciation and amortization.

8


        Our total assets by market group as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 were as follows:

 
  As at June 30, 2005
  As at December 31, 2004
(millions of U.S. dollars)

  Total assets
  Percentage
of total assets

  Total assets
  Percentage
of total assets

Thomson Legal & Regulatory   7,184   38%   7,316   37%
Thomson Learning   5,321   28%   5,549   28%
Thomson Financial   3,470   18%   3,518   18%
Thomson Scientific & Healthcare   1,737   9%   1,794   9%
Corporate and other   1,341   7%   1,466   8%
   
 
 
 
Total assets   19,053   100%   19,643   100%
   
 
 
 

        The following table presents comparative information related to net debt, which we define as total debt, after accounting for currency swap arrangements, less cash and cash equivalents; shareholders' equity and the ratio of net debt to shareholders' equity:

 
  As at
 
(millions of U.S. dollars)

  June 30, 2005
  December 31, 2004
 
Short-term indebtedness   169   7  
Current portion of long-term debt   221   295  
Long-term debt   3,920   4,013  
   
 
 
  Total debt   4,310   4,315  
Swaps   (171 ) (192 )
   
 
 
  Total debt after swaps   4,139   4,123  
Less: cash and cash equivalents   (318 ) (405 )
   
 
 
Net debt   3,821   3,718  
   
 
 
Shareholders' equity   9,905   9,962  
   
 
 
Net debt/equity ratio   0.39:1   0.37:1  
   
 
 

        In March 2005, we repaid $125 million of floating rate notes.

        In May 2004, we completed an offering of US$250 million, 4.75% global notes due 2010. In June 2004, we completed an offering of Cdn$250 million, 4.50% notes due 2009 and entered into two currency swaps to convert these notes to an obligation of US$184 million at a floating rate of interest. We used the net proceeds of $432 million from these offerings to repay other existing indebtedness and for other general corporate purposes.

        The following table shows the changes in our shareholders' equity for the six months ended June 30, 2005:

(millions of U.S. dollars)

 
Balance at December 31, 2004   9,962  
Earnings attributable to common shares for the six months ended June 30, 2005   373  
Additions to contributed surplus related to stock compensation expense   11  
Common share issuances   9  
Repurchase of common shares   (45 )
Common share dividend payments   (250 )
Change in cumulative translation adjustment   (155 )
   
 
Balance at June 30, 2005   9,905  
   
 

9


        The following table sets forth the ratings that we have received from rating agencies in respect of our outstanding securities.

 
  Moody's
  Standard & Poor's
  Dominion Bond Rating Service
Long-term debt   A3   A-   A (low)
Commercial paper       R-1 (low)
Trend/Outlook   Stable   Stable   Stable

        The maturity dates for our long-term debt are well balanced with no significant concentration in any one year. You should be aware that a rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to revision, suspension or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization. We cannot assure you that our credit ratings will not be lowered in the future or that rating agencies will not issue adverse commentaries regarding our securities.

        At June 30, 2005, the carrying amounts of our total current liabilities exceeded the carrying amounts of our total current assets because current liabilities include deferred revenue. Deferred revenue does not represent a cash obligation, however, but rather an obligation to perform services or deliver products in the future. The costs to fulfill these obligations are included in our operating costs when incurred.

Normal Course Issuer Bid

        In May 2005, we initiated a normal course issuer bid to repurchase up to 15 million of our common shares. The bid will terminate on the earlier of May 4, 2006 or the date that we complete our purchases. Through June 30, 2005, we repurchased 1.35 million common shares for approximately $45 million, representing an average cost per share of $33.58. Shares repurchased under the bid are cancelled.

        From time to time, when we do not possess material nonpublic information about ourselves or our securities, we may enter into a pre-defined plan with our broker to allow for the repurchase of shares at times when we ordinarily would not be active in the market due to our own internal trading blackout periods and insider trading rules. Any such plans entered into with our broker will be adopted in accordance with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and applicable Canadian securities laws.

Cash Flow

        Our principal sources of liquidity are cash provided by our operations, borrowings under our revolving bank credit facilities and our commercial paper program and the issuance of public debt. Our principal uses of cash have been to finance working capital and debt servicing costs, repay debt, and finance dividend payments, capital expenditures and acquisitions. Additionally, as discussed in the subsection entitled "Normal Course Issuer Bid," we also used our cash to repurchase outstanding common shares in open market transactions.

        Operating activities.    Cash provided by our operating activities in the three-month period ended June 30, 2005 was $397 million compared to $344 million for the comparable prior year period. Cash provided by our operating activities in the six-month period ended June 30, 2005 was $660 million compared to $634 million for the comparable prior year period. In both periods, the improvement was primarily the result of higher operating profits and, to a lesser extent, the favorable timing of payments for normal operating expenses. Additionally, the three-month period in 2005 benefited from the favorable timing of accounts receivable collections.

        Investing activities.    Cash used in our investing activities in the three-month period ended June 30, 2005 was $180 million compared to $589 million for the comparable prior year period. Cash used in our investing activities in the six-month period ended June 30, 2005 was $473 million compared to $813 million for the comparable prior year period. In both periods, the reduction in the use of cash was primarily the result of a decrease in spending on acquisitions. Results for the six-month period include tax payments in 2005 of $105 million associated with our sale of Thomson Media. Additionally, results for the six-month period ended June 30, 2004 reflect proceeds from our sale of DBM.

10


        Capital expenditures in both periods declined compared to the prior year. In the three-month period ended June 30, 2005, capital expenditures declined to 7.0% of revenues compared to 8.3% in the prior year period. In the six-month period ended June 30, 2005, capital expenditures declined to 6.6% of revenues compared to 7.6% in the prior year period. In both periods, the reduction was due to timing and management initiatives to improve the efficiency of our capital spending.

        Financing activities.    Cash used in our financing activities was $224 million in the three-month period ended June 30, 2005, compared to cash provided from these activities of $305 million in the prior year period. In the six-month period ended June 30, 2005, cash used in financing activities was $269 million compared to cash provided of $105 million in the prior year period. The increased outflow of cash for both periods reflected the proceeds from two debt issuances in 2004 (see "Financial Position") and, to a lesser extent, the repurchase of shares (see "Normal Course Issuer Bid") in 2005. Additionally, in the six-month period for 2005, we used $125 million to repay our floating rate notes, which matured in March 2005.

        The following table sets forth our common share dividend activity.

 
  Three months ended June 30,
  Six months ended June 30,
 
(millions of U.S. dollars)

 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
 
Dividends declared   131   125   256   246  
Dividends reinvested   (3 ) (3 ) (6 ) (6 )
   
 
 
 
 
Dividends paid   128   122   250   240  
   
 
 
 
 

        Free cash flow.    The following table sets forth a calculation of our free cash flow for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005 and 2004:

 
  Three months ended June 30,
  Six months ended June 30,
 
(millions of U.S. dollars)

 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
 
Net cash provided by operating activities   397   344   660   634  
Additions to property and equipment   (145 ) (154 ) (259 ) (271 )
Other investing activities   (9 ) (14 ) (14 ) (28 )
Dividends paid on preference shares   (1 ) (1 ) (2 ) (2 )
Additions to property and equipment of discontinued operations     (1 )   (2 )
   
 
 
 
 
Free cash flow   242   174   385   331  
   
 
 
 
 

        In the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005, our free cash flow increased as a result of higher operating profit, lower capital expenditures and, to a lesser extent, the favorable timing of payments for normal operating expenses. Additionally, the three-month period in 2005 benefited from the favorable timing of accounts receivable collections.

        Credit facilities and commercial paper program.    As of June 30, 2005, we maintained revolving unsecured credit facilities of $1.6 billion and a commercial paper program authorized to issue up to Cdn$1 billion. Borrowings under our commercial paper program reduce the amount available to us under our credit facilities. At June 30, 2005, our credit lines and related activity were as follows:

(millions of U.S. dollars)
Credit Lines
  Amount Drawn
  Commercial Paper Outstanding
  Lines Available
1,600   (70)   (146)   1,384

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        In March 2005, we extended the multi-year facility maturities to March 2010, increased the aggregate amount of these facilities to $1.6 billion and terminated our 364-day facilities. Our facilities are structured such that, if our long-term debt rating was downgraded by Moody's or Standard & Poor's, our facility fee and borrowing costs under our existing multi-year credit facilities may increase, although availability would be unaffected. Conversely, an upgrade in our ratings may reduce our facility fees and borrowing costs.

        For the foreseeable future, we believe that cash from our operations and available credit facilities are sufficient to fund our future cash dividends, debt service, projected capital expenditures, acquisitions that we pursue in the normal course of business and share repurchases.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

        As at July 26, 2005, Kenneth R. Thomson, through Woodbridge and its affiliates, controlled approximately 69% of our common shares. Mr. Thomson is a member of our board of directors.

        In the normal course of business, a Woodbridge-owned company rents office space from one of our subsidiaries. Additionally, a number of our subsidiaries charge a Woodbridge-owned company fees for various administrative services. In 2004, the total amounts charged to Woodbridge for these rentals and services were approximately $3 million. Additionally, in 2004 we paid one of our directors, Mr. J.A. Tory, $80,000 for advisory services in connection with our long-term tax and capital strategies.

        The employees of Jane's Information Group, a business we sold to Woodbridge in April 2001, continue to participate in our United States and United Kingdom pension plans as well as the defined contribution plan in the United States. Woodbridge assumed the pension liability associated with the active employees of Jane's as of the date of sale as part of its purchase. Jane's makes proportional contributions to these pension plans as required, and makes matching contributions in accordance with the provisions of the defined contribution plan.

        In February 2005, we entered into a contract with Hewitt Associates Inc. to outsource certain human resources administrative functions in order to improve operating and cost efficiencies. Under the terms of the contract, we expect to pay Hewitt an aggregate of $115 million over five years. Mr. Denning, one of our directors and chairman of our Human Resources Committee, is also a director of Hewitt. Mr. Denning did not participate in negotiations related to the contract and refrained from deliberating and voting on the matter by the Human Resources Committee and the board of directors.

        In June 2005, we amended our agreement with Woodbridge under which Woodbridge indemnifies a third party insurer for certain liabilities under our directors' and officers' insurance policy. The new arrangements provide that Woodbridge indemnifies current and former directors and officers of our company for up to $100 million of liabilities. A third party administrator will manage any claims under the indemnity. We will pay Woodbridge an annual fee of $750,000, which is less than the premium that we would have paid for commercial insurance.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

        In July 2005, we acquired Global Securities Information Inc. (GSI), a provider of online securities and securities-related information and research services. GSI is now a part of Thomson Legal & Regulatory.

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

        Please refer to the "Critical Accounting Policies" section of the "Management's Discussion and Analysis" in our most recent annual information form, which is contained in our annual report on Form 40-F for the year ended December 31, 2004, for information on accounting policies that we consider critical in preparing our consolidated financial statements. Since the date of that Form 40-F, there have not been any significant changes to these policies, nor have there been any new accounting policies that we would consider critical. The preparation of our financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Our estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The result of our ongoing evaluation of these estimates forms the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions. Our critical accounting policies are those that we believe are the most important in portraying our financial condition and results, and require the most subjective judgment and estimates on the part of management.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

        Accounting Guideline AcG-15, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.    Effective January 1, 2005, we adopted AcG-15, which requires the consolidation of certain entities that are subject to control on a basis other than the ownership of voting interest. This Guideline provides guidance for determining when an enterprise includes the assets, liabilities and results of operations of a variable interest entity in its consolidated financial statements. The adoption of this Guideline had no effect on our consolidated financial statements.

        EIC Abstract 154, "Accounting for Pre-existing Relationships between the Parties of a Business Combination." In May 2005, the EIC issued Abstract 154. The Abstract harmonizes Canadian GAAP on the issue with standards previously issued in the United States. The key issue in the Abstract is whether a business combination between two parties that have a pre-existing relationship should also reflect a settlement of the pre-existing relationship. If a settlement has occurred, the acquirer must account for the settlement separately from the business combination. Additionally, the acquirer must establish a separate identifiable intangible asset apart from goodwill for reacquired rights that the acquirer had previously granted to the acquired entity. The consensus in the Abstract is effective for business combinations completed after May 31, 2005. It did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

        The Accounting Standards Board of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA), have recently issued the following accounting standards that are applicable to our activities in future periods.

Financial Instruments and Comprehensive Income

        In January 2005, the CICA approved the issuance of Handbook Section 1530, Comprehensive Income; Handbook Section 3855, Financial Instruments — Recognition and Measurement; and Handbook Section 3865, Hedges. The new Handbook Sections are effective for interim and annual financial statements relating to fiscal years beginning after October 1, 2006. Consequently, the mandatory effective date for us is January 1, 2007.

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        These new Handbook Sections provide comprehensive requirements for the recognition and measurement of financial instruments, as well as standards on when and how hedge accounting may be applied. Handbook Section 1530 also introduces a new component of equity referred to as comprehensive income. Under these new standards, all financial instruments are to be included on a company's balance sheet (including derivatives) and are to be initially measured either at fair market value or, in limited circumstances, at cost or amortized cost. Additionally, companies will be required to disclose comprehensive income, which includes, in addition to net income, other comprehensive income primarily consisting of unrealized gains and losses that bypass the traditional earnings statement and are recorded directly into shareholders' equity. The components of other comprehensive income consist of unrealized gains and losses related to the translation of foreign currency financial statements, certain deferred gains and losses from hedging activity, and unrealized gains and losses on certain investment securities.

        For the most part, the new standards harmonize Canadian GAAP with standards previously issued by the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board. While we are in the process of assessing the impact of these standards, we do not expect that their adoption will have a material impact on our consolidated statement of earnings and retained earnings.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Depreciation by Segment

        The following table details depreciation expense by segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004.

 
  Three Months Ended June 30,
  Six Months Ended June 30,
 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
Legal & Regulatory   51   46   99   93
Learning   41   40   78   78
Financial   45   43   91   86
Scientific & Healthcare   10   9   20   17
Corporate and Other   1   3   4   7
   
 
 
 
Total   148   141   292   281
   
 
 
 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

        Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in applicable U.S. and Canadian securities law) as of the end of the period covered by this management's discussion and analysis, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that all information required to be disclosed by our company in reports that it files or furnishes under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act and applicable Canadian securities law is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian securities regulatory authorities and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

        There was no change in our company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Share Capital

        As of July 26, 2005, we had outstanding 654,247,505 common shares and 6,000,000 Series II preference shares.

14


Public Securities Filings

        You may access other information about our company, including our annual information form and our other disclosure documents, reports, statements or other information that we file with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities through SEDAR at www.sedar.com and in the United States with the SEC through EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

Forward-Looking Statements

        Certain information in this management's discussion and analysis, particularly under the heading "2005 Financial Outlook," are forward-looking statements that are not historical facts but reflect our current expectations regarding future results. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Some of the factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations are: actions of our competitors; failure of our technology investments to increase our revenues or decrease our operating costs; failure to fully derive anticipated benefits from our acquisitions; failure to develop additional products and services to meet our customers' needs; failures or disruptions of our electronic delivery systems or the Internet; failure to meet the special challenges involved in expanding outside North America; increased use of free or relatively inexpensive information sources; failure to obtain certain information through licensing arrangements and changes in the terms of our licensing arrangements; changes in the general economy; inadequate protection of our intellectual property rights; an increase in our effective income tax rate; and impairment of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets. Additional factors are discussed in our materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada and the United States from time to time, including our annual information form, which is contained in our annual report on Form 40-F. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

15


QUARTERLY INFORMATION

        The following table provides summary financial information for our eight most recent quarters.

 
  Quarter ended
March 31,

  Quarter ended
June 30,

  Quarter ended
September 30,

  Quarter ended
December 31,

 
 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
 
 
  (millions of U.S. dollars, except per common share amounts)
 
Revenues     1,850     1,682     2,058     1,866     2,223     2,044     2,327     2,131  
Operating profit     113     97     277     257     492     440     495     481  
Earnings from continuing operations     69     41     302     180     328     295     314     398  
Discontinued operations, net of tax     4     (4 )       12     16     12     124     (2 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings     73     37     302     192     344     307     438     396  
Dividends declared on preference shares     (1 )   (1 )   (1 )   (1 )       (1 )   (1 )   (1 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings attributable to common shares     72     36     301     191     344     306     437     395  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Basic and fully diluted earnings (loss) per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
From continuing operations   $ 0.10   $ 0.06   $ 0.46   $ 0.27   $ 0.50   $ 0.45   $ 0.48   $ 0.61  
From discontinued operations     0.01     (0.01 )       0.02     0.02     0.02     0.19     (0.01 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    $ 0.11   $ 0.05   $ 0.46   $ 0.29   $ 0.52   $ 0.47   $ 0.67   $ 0.60  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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RECONCILIATIONS


RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED OPERATING PROFIT TO OPERATING PROFIT
(millions of U.S. dollars)

 
  For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2005
 
 
  Legal & Regulatory
  Learning
  Financial
  Scientific & Healthcare
  Corporate and Other
  Total
 
Adjusted operating profit   245   12   75   54   (27 ) 359  
Less: Amortization   (27 ) (16 ) (23 ) (16 )   (82 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating profit   218   (4 ) 52   38   (27 ) 277  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2004
 
 
  Legal & Regulatory
  Learning
  Financial
  Scientific & Healthcare
  Corporate and Other
  Total
 
Adjusted operating profit   228   11   68   42   (22 ) 327  
Less: Amortization   (25 ) (17 ) (19 ) (9 )   (70 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating profit   203   (6 ) 49   33   (22 ) 257  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005
 
 
  Legal & Regulatory
  Learning
  Financial
  Scientific & Healthcare
  Corporate and Other
  Total
 
Adjusted operating profit   426   (38 ) 140   82   (56 ) 554  
Less: Amortization   (54 ) (33 ) (45 ) (32 )   (164 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating profit   372   (71 ) 95   50   (56 ) 390  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004
 
 
  Legal & Regulatory
  Learning
  Financial
  Scientific & Healthcare
  Corporate and Other
  Total
 
Adjusted operating profit   393   (43 ) 123   60   (39 ) 494  
Less: Amortization   (51 ) (35 ) (36 ) (18 )   (140 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating profit   342   (78 ) 87   42   (39 ) 354  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

17



RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED OPERATING PROFIT MARGIN TO OPERATING PROFIT MARGIN
(as a percentage of revenue)

 
  For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2005
 
 
  Legal & Regulatory
  Learning
  Financial
  Scientific & Healthcare
  Total
 
Adjusted operating profit   28.3%   2.5%   16.0%   21.3%   17.4%  
Less: Amortization   (3.2% ) (3.3% ) (4.9% ) (6.3% ) (3.9% )
   
 
 
 
 
 
Operating profit   25.1%   (0.8% ) 11.1%   15.0%   13.5%  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2004
 
 
  Legal & Regulatory
  Learning
  Financial
  Scientific & Healthcare
  Total
 
Adjusted operating profit   28.4%   2.6%   16.3%   18.8%   17.5%  
Less: Amortization   (3.2% ) (4.0% ) (4.5% ) (4.1% ) (3.7% )
   
 
 
 
 
 
Operating profit   25.2%   (1.4% ) 11.8%   14.7%   13.8%  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005
 
 
  Legal & Regulatory
  Learning
  Financial
  Scientific & Healthcare
  Total
 
Adjusted operating profit   25.8%   (4.4% ) 15.1%   17.0%   14.2%  
Less: Amortization   (3.3% ) (3.9% ) (4.9% ) (6.6% ) (4.2% )
   
 
 
 
 
 
Operating profit   22.5%   (8.3% ) 10.2%   10.4%   10.0%  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004
 
 
  Legal & Regulatory
  Learning
  Financial
  Scientific & Healthcare
  Total
 
Adjusted operating profit   25.4%   (5.5% ) 15.2%   14.1%   13.9%  
Less: Amortization   (3.3% ) (4.5% ) (4.4% ) (4.2% ) (3.9% )
   
 
 
 
 
 
Operating profit   22.1%   (10.0% ) 10.8%   9.9%   10.0%  
   
 
 
 
 
 

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QuickLinks

THE THOMSON CORPORATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED OPERATING PROFIT TO OPERATING PROFIT (millions of U.S. dollars)
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED OPERATING PROFIT MARGIN TO OPERATING PROFIT MARGIN (as a percentage of revenue)
EX-99.2 3 a2161393zex-99_2.htm EXHIBIT 99.2
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Exhibit 99.2


The Thomson Corporation
Consolidated Statement of Earnings and Retained Earnings
(unaudited)

 
  Three months ended June 30,
  Six months ended June 30,
 
(millions of U.S. dollars, except per common share amounts)

 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
 
Revenues     2,058     1,866     3,908     3,548  
Cost of sales, selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses     (1,551 )   (1,398 )   (3,062 )   (2,773 )
Depreciation     (148 )   (141 )   (292 )   (281 )
Amortization     (82 )   (70 )   (164 )   (140 )
   
 
 
 
 
Operating profit     277     257     390     354  
Net other income         29     1     29  
Net interest expense and other financing costs     (56 )   (52 )   (110 )   (113 )
Income taxes (note 5)     80     (54 )   88     (48 )
Equity in net earnings (losses) of associates, net of tax     1         2     (1 )
   
 
 
 
 
Earnings from continuing operations     302     180     371     221  
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax (note 6)         12     4     8  
   
 
 
 
 
Net earnings     302     192     375     229  
Dividends declared on preference shares     (1 )   (1 )   (2 )   (2 )
   
 
 
 
 
Earnings attributable to common shares     301     191     373     227  
Retained earnings at beginning of period     6,755     6,210     6,808     6,295  
Repurchase of common shares (note 7)     (40 )       (40 )    
Dividends declared on common shares     (131 )   (125 )   (256 )   (246 )
   
 
 
 
 
Retained earnings at end of period     6,885     6,276     6,885     6,276  
   
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted earnings per common share (note 8):                          
  From continuing operations   $ 0.46   $ 0.27   $ 0.56   $ 0.34  
  From discontinued operations       $ 0.02   $ 0.01   $ 0.01  
   
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted earnings per common share   $ 0.46   $ 0.29   $ 0.57   $ 0.35  
   
 
 
 
 

The related notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

1



The Thomson Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheet

(millions of U.S. dollars)

  June 30,
2005

  December 31,
2004

 
  (unaudited)

   
Assets        
Cash and cash equivalents   318   405
Accounts receivable, net of allowances   1,370   1,648
Inventories   340   312
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   339   313
Deferred income taxes   214   214
   
 
  Current assets   2,581   2,892
Property and equipment   1,586   1,624
Identifiable intangible assets   4,600   4,721
Goodwill   9,058   9,119
Other non-current assets   1,228   1,287
   
 
Total assets   19,053   19,643
   
 

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 
Liabilities        
Short-term indebtedness   169   7
Accounts payable and accruals   1,375   1,738
Deferred revenue   1,049   1,043
Current portion of long-term debt   221   295
   
 
  Current liabilities   2,814   3,083
Long-term debt   3,920   4,013
Other non-current liabilities   846   1,015
Deferred income taxes   1,568   1,570
   
 
Total liabilities   9,148   9,681
   
 

Shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 
Capital (note 12)   2,717   2,696
Cumulative translation adjustment   303   458
Retained earnings   6,885   6,808
   
 
Total shareholders' equity   9,905   9,962
   
 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity   19,053   19,643
   
 

The related notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2



The Thomson Corporation
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow
(unaudited)

 
  Three months ended June 30,
  Six months ended June 30,
 
(millions of U.S. dollars)

 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
 
Cash provided by (used in):                  
Operating activities                  
Net earnings   302   192   375   229  
Remove earnings from discontinued operations     (12 ) (4 ) (8 )
Add back (deduct) items not involving cash:                  
  Depreciation   148   141   292   281  
  Amortization   82   70   164   140  
  Net gains on disposals of businesses and investments     (5 ) (1 ) (5 )
  Deferred income taxes   10   37   3   13  
  Equity in net (earnings) losses of associates, net of tax   (1 )   (2 ) 1  
  Other, net   (81 ) 57   (31 ) 105  
Changes in working capital and other items   (63 ) (138 ) (136 ) (137 )
Cash provided by operating activities — discontinued operations (note 6)     2     15  
   
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities   397   344   660   634  
   
 
 
 
 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Acquisitions (note 11)   (26 ) (455 ) (96 ) (655 )
Proceeds from disposals of businesses and investments     10   1   11  
Additions to property and equipment, less proceeds from disposals   (145 ) (154 ) (259 ) (271 )
Other investing activities   (9 ) (14 ) (14 ) (28 )
Additions to property and equipment of discontinued operations (note 6)     (1 )   (2 )
Proceeds from (income taxes paid on) disposals of discontinued operations (note 6)     25   (105 ) 137  
Cash used in investing activities — discontinued operations (note 6)         (5 )
   
 
 
 
 
Net cash used in investing activities   (180 ) (589 ) (473 ) (813 )
   
 
 
 
 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Proceeds of debt (note 13)     434     434  
Repayments of debt (note 13)   (20 )   (145 )  
Net (repayments) borrowings of short-term loan facilities   (35 ) (6 ) 164   (88 )
Repurchase of common share (note 7)   (45 )   (45 )  
Dividends paid on preference shares   (1 ) (1 ) (2 ) (2 )
Dividends paid on common shares   (128 ) (122 ) (250 ) (240 )
Other financing activities   5     9   1  
   
 
 
 
 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   (224 ) 305   (269 ) 105  
   
 
 
 
 
    (7 ) 60   (82 ) (74 )
Translation adjustments   (2 )   (5 )  
   
 
 
 
 
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents   (9 ) 60   (87 ) (74 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   327   549   405   683  
   
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   318   609   318   609  
   
 
 
 
 

The related notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3


The Thomson Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

(unless otherwise stated, all amounts are in millions of U.S. dollars)

Note 1: Consolidated Financial Statements

Principles of Consolidation

        The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of The Thomson Corporation ("Thomson" or the "Company") include all controlled companies and are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada ("Canadian GAAP"). All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation.

Note 2: Accounting Principles and Methods

        The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants ("CICA") Handbook Section 1751, Interim Financial Statements. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosure normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP have been omitted or condensed. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended December 31, 2004, as set out in the Company's 2004 Annual Report.

        In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary by management to present a fair statement of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The consolidated financial statements were prepared using the same accounting policies and methods as those used in the Company's financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004, except as explained in Note 4.

        Where necessary, certain amounts for 2004 have been reclassified to conform to the current period's presentation. Effective January 1, 2005, Thomson Legal & Regulatory transferred its Dialog DataStar operations, which provides scientific and intellectual property information, to Thomson Scientific & Healthcare. Thomson Legal & Regulatory retained its Dialog Newsedge operations, which provides business news and information. Segment results for current and prior periods reflect this change. The restated segment results for 2004 are presented in Note 16.

Note 3: Seasonality

        Typically, a greater portion of the Company's operating profit and operating cash flow is derived in the second half of the year. Customer buying patterns are concentrated in the second half of the year, particularly in the learning and regulatory markets, while costs are incurred more evenly throughout the year. As a result, operating margins generally increase as the year progresses. For these reasons, the performance of the Company's businesses may not be comparable quarter to consecutive quarter and should be considered on the basis of results for the whole year or by comparing results in a quarter with the results in the same quarter for the previous year.

Note 4: Changes in Accounting Policies

        Effective January 1, 2005, Thomson adopted Accounting Guideline AcG-15, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. AcG-15 requires the consolidation of certain entities that are subject to control on a basis other than the ownership of voting interest. This Guideline provides guidance for determining when an enterprise includes the assets, liabilities and results of operations of a variable interest entity in its consolidated financial statements. The adoption did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements.

        In May 2005, the Emerging Issues Committee ("EIC") of the CICA issued Abstract 154, Accounting for Pre-existing Relationships between the Parties of a Business Combination. The Abstract harmonizes Canadian GAAP with standards previously issued in the United States. The key issue in the Abstract is whether a business combination between two parties that have a pre-existing relationship should also reflect a settlement of that pre-existing relationship. If a settlement has occurred, the acquirer must account for the settlement separately from the business combination. Additionally, the acquirer must establish a separate identifiable intangible asset apart from goodwill for reacquired rights that the acquirer had previously granted to the acquired entity. The consensus in the Abstract was effective for business combinations completed after May 31, 2005 and did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

4


Note 5: Income Taxes

        In the second quarter of 2005, the Company recognized a tax benefit of $137 million from the release of contingent income tax liabilities. The liabilities were released upon completion of tax audits relating to prior year periods.

Note 6: Discontinued Operations

        The following three businesses, which were all sold in 2004, were classified as discontinued operations within the consolidated financial statements. None of these businesses was considered fundamental to the integrated information offerings of Thomson.

        In November 2004, the Company sold the Thomson Media group, a provider of largely print-based information products focused on the banking, financial services and related technology markets for gross proceeds of $350 million.

        In the second quarter of 2004, Thomson sold Sheshunoff Information Services Inc. ("Sheshunoff"), a provider of critical data, compliance and management tools to financial institutions, which had been managed within Thomson Media. Based on the status of negotiations at March 31, 2004, the Company recorded a pre-tax impairment charge of $6 million relating to identifiable intangible assets in the first quarter of 2004. The Company recorded a post-tax gain of $3 million in the second quarter of 2004 related to the completion of the sale.

        In February 2004, Thomson sold DBM, a provider of human resource solutions, which had been managed within Thomson Learning. The Company recorded a post-tax loss of $4 million in the first quarter of 2004.

        In the first half of 2005, discontinued operations consisted of adjustments to tax liabilities previously established for Thomson Newspapers, which the Company sold in 2000 and 2001. The liabilities were reversed in conjunction with the expiration of certain tax audit periods.

Three months ended June 30, 2004

  Sheshunoff
  Thomson Media
  Total
 
Revenues from discontinued operations   3   50   53  
   
 
 
 
Earnings from discontinued operations before income taxes     14   14  
Income taxes   3   (5 ) (2 )
   
 
 
 
Earnings from discontinued operations   3   9   12  
   
 
 
 
Six months ended June 30, 2004

  DBM
  Sheshunoff
  Thomson Media
  Total
 
Revenues from discontinued operations   28   11   86   125  
   
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes   3   (4 ) 15   14  
Loss on sale of discontinued operations   (32 )     (32 )
Income taxes   27   5   (6 ) 26  
   
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations   (2 ) 1   9   8  
   
 
 
 
 

        Proceeds from disposals of discontinued operations within the consolidated statement of cash flow in the six months ended June 30, 2005 represent taxes paid related to the 2004 sale of Thomson Media. Proceeds from disposals of discontinued operations within the consolidated statement of cash flow in the six months ended June 30, 2004 includes taxes paid related to the 2003 sale of the portfolio of Healthcare Magazines.

Note 7: Normal Course Issuer Bid

        On April 25, 2005, the Company's board of directors approved the filing of a notice to commence a normal course issuer bid. Pursuant to this filing, Thomson may acquire up to 15 million of the Company's common shares in open market transactions on the Toronto Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange. Purchases commenced on May 16, 2005 and may terminate no later than May 4, 2006. Decisions regarding the timing of repurchases are based on market conditions, share price and other factors. Thomson may elect to suspend or discontinue the program at any time and may also seek renewal of the program. Shares repurchased under the program will be cancelled. From time to time when the Company does not possess material nonpublic information about its activities or its securities, the Company may enter into a pre-defined plan with its broker to allow for the repurchase of shares at times when the Company ordinarily would not be active in the market due to its own internal trading blackout periods and insider trading rules. Any such plans entered into with the Company's broker will be adopted in accordance with the requirement of Rule 10b5-1 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and applicable Canadian securities laws.

5


        Through June 30, 2005, the Company repurchased 1.35 million common shares for approximately $45 million, representing an average cost per share of $33.58. Of the $45 million, $5 million was recorded as a reduction in capital based upon the historical average issuance price of the shares and $40 million was charged to retained earnings.

Note 8: Earnings per Common Share

        Basic earnings per common share are calculated by dividing earnings attributable to common shares by the sum of the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus vested deferred share units. Deferred share units represent the amount of common shares certain employees have elected to receive in the future in lieu of cash compensation.

        Diluted earnings per common share are calculated using the denominator of the basic calculation described above adjusted to include the potentially dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and other securities. The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate diluted earnings per common share.

        Earnings used in determining earnings per common share from continuing operations are presented below. Earnings used in determining earnings per common share from discontinued operations are the earnings from discontinued operations as reported within the consolidated statement of earnings and retained earnings.

 
  Three months ended June 30,
  Six months ended June 30,
 
 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
 
Earnings from continuing operations   302   180   371   221  
Dividends declared on preference shares   (1 ) (1 ) (2 ) (2 )
   
 
 
 
 
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shares   301   179   369   219  
   
 
 
 
 

        The weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, as well as a reconciliation of the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding used in the basic earnings per common share computation to the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding used in the diluted earnings per common share computation, is presented below.

 
  Three months ended June 30,
  Six months ended June 30,
 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding   655,156,716   654,756,486   655,184,561   654,686,969
Vested deferred share units   561,423   476,863   556,592   448,034
   
 
 
 
Basic   655,718,139   655,233,349   655,741,153   655,135,003
Effect of stock and other incentive plans   643,481   602,595   631,562   556,266
   
 
 
 
Diluted   656,361,620   655,835,944   656,372,715   655,691,269
   
 
 
 

6


Note 9: Employee Benefit Plans

        The Company's net defined benefit plan expense is comprised of the following elements:

 
  Three months ended June 30,
 
  Pensions
  Other post-retirement plans
 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
Current service cost   14   13   1   1
Interest cost   32   31   2   3
Expected return on plan assets   (39 ) (39 )  
Amortization of net actuarial losses   9   6     1
Amortization of prior service cost     1    
   
 
 
 
Net defined benefit plan expense   16   12   3   5
   
 
 
 
 
 
  Six months ended June 30,
 
  Pensions
  Other post-retirement plans
 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
Current service cost   27   26   1   2
Interest cost   65   62   4   6
Expected return on plan assets   (77 ) (78 )  
Amortization of net actuarial losses   17   12   1   2
Amortization of prior service cost   1   2    
   
 
 
 
Net defined benefit plan expense   33   24   6   10
   
 
 
 

Note 10: Business Interruption Insurance

        In June 2004, the Company received $14 million related to an insurance recovery for business interruption due to the events of September 11, 2001 in New York City. The recovery was due to loss of revenues, and was recorded as a reduction of "Cost of sales, selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses" within the consolidated statement of earnings and retained earnings for the three and six months ended June 30, 2004, and is included in the financial group within the segmented information.

Note 11: Acquisitions

        The number of transactions completed during the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 and the related cash consideration were as follows:

 
  Three months ended June 30,
  Six months ended June 30,
Number of transactions
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
Businesses and identifiable intangible assets acquired   8   21   17   29
Investments in businesses     1     1
 

7


 
  Three months ended June 30,
  Six months ended June 30,
Cash consideration
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
Businesses and identifiable intangible assets acquired   26   452   96   652
Investments in businesses     3     3
   
 
 
 
Total   26   455   96   655
   
 
 
 

        Included in these acquisitions were the purchases of:

    in May 2004, TradeWeb LLC for $385 million plus contingent payments of up to approximately $150 million over the next three years based on the achievement of growth targets. TradeWeb is an online global trading platform for fixed income securities.

    in March 2004, the 90% of Corporate Communications Broadcast Network, Inc. ("CCBN") that the Company did not previously own. CCBN provides web-based solutions for the investment community, offering services to enhance the way companies communicate and meet disclosure requirements, and assists investors in managing and leveraging this information.

    in January 2004, the publishing assets of Biological Abstracts, Inc. and BIOSIS. BIOSIS offers both custom and standard information resources designed to fit the information needs of researchers, students and information professionals worldwide.

        Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets acquired are detailed below.

 
  Three months ended June 30,
  Six months ended June 30,
 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
Goodwill   8   246   27   394
Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives   17   225   65   311

        All acquisitions have been accounted for using the purchase method and the results of acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements from the dates of acquisition. For acquisitions made during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2005 and June 30, 2004, the majority of the acquired goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. Allocations related to certain acquisitions may be subject to adjustment pending completion of final valuations.

        As of June 30, 2005, the balance of the reserves for exit costs related to business acquisitions consummated during 2001 through 2005 totaled $29 million. Reserves recorded in connection with businesses acquired during the six-month period ended June 30, 2005 were $2 million. The following table presents the activity in these acquisition reserve accounts, which are included within "Accounts payable and accruals" and "Other non-current liabilities" in the consolidated balance sheet.

Type of cost
  Balance December 31, 2004
  2005 Utilization
  2005 Additions
  Other movements
  Balance June 30, 2005
Severance and other employee-related costs   10   (4 ) 1   (1 ) 6
Lease cancellation and idle facility costs   19   (2 ) 1   3   21
Other exit costs   2         2
   
 
 
 
 
Total   31   (6 ) 2   2   29
   
 
 
 
 

8


Note 12: Capital

    The following table details the activity in Capital for the six months ended June 30, 2005:

Balance, December 31, 2004   2,696  
Common shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan   6  
Repurchase of common shares   (5 )
Additions to contributed surplus related to stock based compensation   11  
Other common share issuances   9  
   
 
Balance, June 30, 2005   2,717  
   
 

Note 13: Long Term Debt

        In March 2005, Thomson repaid $125 million of floating rate notes.

        In May 2004, Thomson completed an offering of US$250 million, 4.75% global notes due 2010.

        In June 2004, Thomson completed an offering of Cdn$250 million, 4.50% notes due 2009. The Company entered into two currency swaps to convert these notes to an obligation of US$184 million at a floating rate of interest.

        The Company used the net proceeds of $432 million from the 2004 offerings to repay other existing indebtedness and for other general corporate purposes.

Note 14: Related Party Transactions

        As at June 30, 2005, through Woodbridge and its affiliates, Kenneth R. Thomson controlled approximately 69% of the Company's common shares.

        In the normal course of business, a Woodbridge-owned company rents office space from one of the Company's subsidiaries. Additionally, a number of the Company's subsidiaries charge a Woodbridge-owned company fees for various administrative services. In the full year of 2004, the total amount charged to Woodbridge for these rentals and services was approximately $3 million. Additionally, in 2004, the Company paid a director, Mr. J.A. Tory, $80,000 for advisory services in connection with the Company's long-term tax and capital strategies.

        The employees of Jane's Information Group, a business sold by the Company to Woodbridge in April 2001, continue to participate in the Company's pension plans in the United States and United Kingdom, as well as the defined contribution plan in the United States. Woodbridge assumed the pension liability associated with the active employees of Jane's as of the date of sale as part of its purchase. Jane's makes proportional contributions to these pension plans as required, and makes matching contributions in accordance with the provisions of the defined contribution plan.

        In February 2005, the Company entered into a contract with Hewitt Associates Inc. to outsource certain human resources administrative functions. Under the terms of the contract, the Company expects to pay Hewitt an aggregate of $115 million over five years. Mr. Denning, one of the Company's directors and chairman of the Company's Human Resources Committee, is also a director of Hewitt. Mr. Denning did not participate in negotiations related to the contract and refrained from deliberating and voting on the matter by the Human Resources Committee and the board of directors.

        In June 2005, the Company amended its agreement with Woodbridge under which Woodbridge indemnifies a third party insurer for certain liabilities under the Company's directors' and officers' insurance policy. The new arrangements provide that Woodbridge indemnifies its current and former directors and officers for up to $100 million of liabilities. A third party administrator will manage any claims under the indemnity. The Company will pay Woodbridge an annual fee of $750,000, which is less than the premium that would have been paid for commercial insurance.

9


Note 15: Recently Issued Accounting Standards

        The Accounting Standards Board of the CICA has issued the following accounting standards that are applicable to the Company's activities in future periods.

        CICA Handbook Section 1530, Comprehensive Income, CICA Handbook Section 3855, Financial Instruments — Recognition and Measurement and CICA Handbook Section 3865, Hedges. In January 2005, the CICA approved the issuance of Handbook Section 1530, Handbook Section 3855, and Handbook Section 3865. The new Handbook Sections are effective for interim and annual financial statements relating to fiscal years beginning after October 1, 2006. Consequently, the mandatory effective date for Thomson is January 1, 2007.

        These new Handbook Sections provide comprehensive requirements for the recognition and measurement of financial instruments, as well as standards on when and how hedge accounting may be applied. Handbook Section 1530 also introduces a new component of equity referred to as comprehensive income. Under these new standards, all financial instruments are to be included on a company's balance sheet (including derivatives) and are to be initially measured either at fair market value or, in limited circumstances, at cost or amortized cost. Additionally, companies will be required to disclose comprehensive income, which includes, in addition to net income, other comprehensive income consisting primarily of unrealized gains and losses that bypass the traditional earnings statement and are recorded directly into shareholders' equity. The components of other comprehensive income consist of unrealized gains and losses related to the translation of foreign currency financial statements, certain deferred gains and losses from hedging activity, and unrealized gains and losses on certain investment securities.

        For the most part, the new standards harmonize Canadian GAAP with standards previously issued by the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board. While Thomson is in the process of assessing the impact of these standards, the Company does not expect that their adoption will have a material impact on the consolidated statement of earnings and retained earnings.

Note 16: Segment Information

        Thomson is a global provider of integrated information solutions for business and professional customers. Thomson operates in four reportable market segments worldwide. The reportable segments of Thomson are strategic business groups that offer products and services to target markets. The accounting policies applied by the segments are the same as those applied by the Company. The Company's four reportable segments are:

Legal & Regulatory

        Providing information solutions to legal, tax, accounting, intellectual property, compliance and other business professionals, as well as government agencies.

Learning

        Providing learning solutions to colleges, universities, professors, students, libraries, reference centers, government agencies, corporations and professionals.

Financial

        Providing products and integration services to financial and technology professionals in the corporate, investment banking, institutional, retail wealth management and fixed income sectors of the global financial community.

Scientific & Healthcare

        Providing information and services to researchers, physicians and other professionals in the healthcare, academic, scientific, corporate and government marketplaces.

10


 
  Three months ended
June 30, 2005

  Three months ended
June 30, 2004

 
 
  Revenues
  Adjusted
operating
profit

  Revenues
  Adjusted
operating
profit

 
Legal & Regulatory1   867   245   804   228  
Learning   472   12   428   11  
Financial   470   75   416   68  
Scientific & Healthcare1   254   54   224   42  
   
 
 
 
 
Segment totals   2,063   386   1,872   349  
Corporate and other2     (27 )   (22 )
Eliminations   (5 )   (6 )  
   
 
 
 
 
Total   2,058   359   1,866   327  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Six months ended June 30, 2005
  Six months ended June 30, 2004
 
 
  Revenues
  Adjusted operating profit
  Revenues
  Adjusted operating profit
 
Legal & Regulatory1   1,653   426   1,547   393  
Learning   855   (38 ) 779   (43 )
Financial   928   140   807   123  
Scientific & Healthcare1   482   82   426   60  
   
 
 
 
 
Segment totals   3,918   610   3,559   533  
Corporate and other2     (56 )   (39 )
Eliminations   (10 )   (11 )  
   
 
 
 
 
Total   3,908   554   3,548   494  
   
 
 
 
 

1
Effective January 1, 2005, the Dialog DataStar operation was transferred from Legal & Regulatory to Scientific & Healthcare. Comparative periods' results have been reclassified to conform to the current period's presentation. Restated segment results for 2004 are disclosed below.

2
Corporate and other includes corporate costs and costs associated with the Company's stock-related compensation expense.

        As discussed in Note 2, segment results have been restated to reflect a transfer of the Dialog DataStar operation. The restated segment results for 2004 and 2003 are as follows:

December 31, 2004

(millions of U.S. dollars)
  Revenues
  Adjusted operating profit
  Additions to capital assets
  Total assets
Legal & Regulatory   3,276   897   294   7,316
Learning   2,174   327   554   5,549
Financial   1,738   294   802   3,518
Scientific & Healthcare   934   207   604   1,794
   
 
 
 
Segment totals   8,122   1,725   2,254   18,177
Corporate and other2     (98 ) 5   1,466
Eliminations   (24 )    
   
 
 
 
Total   8,098   1,627   2,259   19,643
   
 
 
 

December 31, 2003

(millions of U.S. dollars)
  Revenues
  Adjusted operating profit
  Additions to capital assets
  Total assets
Legal & Regulatory   3,012   809   367   7,217
Learning   2,052   336   242   5,109
Financial   1,526   230   154   2,915
Scientific & Healthcare   871   175   29   1,192
   
 
 
 
Segment totals   7,461   1,550   792   16,433
Corporate and other2     (97 ) 14   1,752
Eliminations   (25 )    
   
 
 
 
Continuing operations   7,436   1,453   806   18,185
Discontinued operations               500
               
Total               18,685
               

11


        In accordance with CICA Handbook Section 1701, Segment Disclosures, the Company discloses information about its reportable segments based upon the measures used by management in assessing the performance of those reportable segments. The Company uses adjusted operating profit, which is operating profit before amortization of identifiable intangible assets, to measure the operating performance of its segments. Management uses this measure because amortization of identifiable intangible assets is not considered to be a controllable operating cost for purposes of assessing the current performance of the segments. Adjusted operating profit does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by Canadian GAAP.

        The following table reconciles adjusted operating profit per the business segment information to operating profit per the consolidated statement of earnings and retained earnings.

 
  Three months ended
June 30,

  Six months ended
June 30,

 
 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
 
Adjusted operating profit   359   327   554   494  
Less: Amortization   (82 ) (70 ) (164 ) (140 )
   
 
 
 
 
Operating profit   277   257   390   354  
   
 
 
 
 

Note 17: Reconciliation of Canadian to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

        The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP, which differ in some respects from U.S. GAAP. The following schedules present the material differences within the statement of earnings between Canadian and U.S. GAAP.

 
  Three months ended
June 30,

  Six months ended
June 30,

 
 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
 
Net earnings under Canadian GAAP     302     192     375     229  
Differences in GAAP increasing (decreasing) reported earnings:                          
  Business combinations     4     4     8     7  
  Derivative instruments and hedging activities     1     2     2     3  
  Income taxes     (15 )   (15 )   (43 )   (47 )
  Equity in net losses of associates, net of tax                 (6 )
   
 
 
 
 
Net income under U.S. GAAP     292     183     342     186  
   
 
 
 
 
Earnings under U.S. GAAP from continuing operations     292     171     338     178  
Earnings under U.S. GAAP from discontinued operations         12     4     8  
   
 
 
 
 
Net income under U.S. GAAP     292     183     342     186  
   
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted earnings per common share, under U.S. GAAP, from:                          
    Continuing operations   $ 0.44   $ 0.26   $ 0.51   $ 0.27  
    Discontinued operations, net of tax       $ 0.02   $ 0.01   $ 0.01  
   
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted earnings per common share1   $ 0.44   $ 0.28   $ 0.52   $ 0.28  
   
 
 
 
 

1
Earnings per common share is calculated after taking into account dividends declared on preference shares.

        Descriptions of the nature of the reconciling differences are provided below:

Business Combinations

        Prior to January 1, 2001, various differences existed between Canadian and U.S. GAAP for the accounting for business combinations, including the establishment of acquisition-related liabilities. The net increase to income primarily relates to (i) costs that are required to be recorded as operating expenses under U.S. GAAP which, prior to January 1, 2001, were capitalized under Canadian GAAP; (ii) overall decreased amortization charges due to basis differences; and (iii) differences in gain or loss calculations on business disposals resulting from the above factors.

12


Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

        Prior to January 1, 2004, in accordance with Canadian GAAP, the Company disclosed the fair values of derivative instruments in the notes to the annual consolidated financial statements, but did not record such fair values in the consolidated balance sheet. Effective January 1, 2004, Canadian GAAP requires that derivative instruments that do not qualify as hedges be recorded in the balance sheet at fair value, and the change in fair value subsequent to January 1, 2004 be recorded in the income statement. The fair value as of January 1, 2004 is deferred and amortized into earnings in conjunction with the item it previously hedged. Under U.S. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended by SFAS 138, Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities, all derivative instruments are recognized in the balance sheet at their fair values, and changes in fair value are recognized either immediately in earnings or, if the transaction qualifies for hedge accounting, when the transaction being hedged affects earnings.

Income Taxes

        Under Canadian GAAP, the Company estimates separate annual effective income tax rates for each taxing jurisdiction and individually applies such rates to the interim period's pre-tax income of each jurisdiction. Under U.S. GAAP, the Company estimates the average annual effective income tax rate, excluding jurisdictions that generate net operating losses where the Company does not expect to receive a tax benefit, and applies that rate to the Company's interim period pre-tax income excluding the interim period pre-tax loss of those loss jurisdictions.

        The income tax adjustment consists of the following:

 
  Three months ended June 30,
  Six months ended June 30,
 
 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
 
Additional provision due to different accounting principles described above   (14 ) (14 ) (41 ) (45 )
Tax effect of U.S. GAAP pre-tax reconciling items   (1 ) (1 ) (2 ) (2 )
   
 
 
 
 
Total income taxes per reconciliation   (15 ) (15 ) (43 ) (47 )
   
 
 
 
 

Equity in Net Losses of Associates, Net of Tax

        Under Canadian GAAP, investments in joint ventures are proportionally consolidated. Impairments for long-lived joint venture assets are recognized when the assets are not recoverable. Under U.S. GAAP, investments in joint ventures are accounted for as an equity investment. Impairments for equity investments are recognized when the decline of their fair value below carrying value is considered to be other than temporary. The adjustment relates to a joint venture investment that has long-lived assets that are recoverable, but whose carrying value is greater than its fair value.

Note 18: Subsequent Events

        In July 2005, the Company acquired Global Securities Information Inc. (GSI), a provider of online securities and securities-related information and research services. GSI is now a part of Thomson Legal & Regulatory.

13




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EX-99.3 4 a2161393zex-99_3.htm EXHIBIT 99.3
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EXHIBIT 99.3


CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

a.
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

    The Corporation's Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of the Corporation's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report, have concluded that the Corporation's disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that all information required to be disclosed by the Corporation in reports that it files or furnishes under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Corporation's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

b.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

    There was no change in the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Corporation's last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting.




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CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
EX-99.4 5 a2161393zex-99_4.htm EXHIBIT 99.4
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EXHIBIT 99.4


CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I, Richard J. Harrington, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Thomson Corporation, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this report on Form 6-K of The Thomson Corporation;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

a.
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b.
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c.
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b.
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


Date: July 29, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Richard J. Harrington

Richard J. Harrington
President and Chief Executive Officer



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CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
EX-99.5 6 a2161393zex-99_5.htm EXHIBIT 99.5
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EXHIBIT 99.5


CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

I, Robert D. Daleo, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Thomson Corporation, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this report on Form 6-K of The Thomson Corporation;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

a.
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b.
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c.
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b.
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


Date: July 29, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

/s/    Robert D. Daleo

Robert D. Daleo
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



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CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
EX-99.6 7 a2161393zex-99_6.htm EXHIBIT 99.6
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EXHIBIT 99.6


CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

        In connection with the report of The Thomson Corporation (the "Corporation") on Form 6-K for the period ended June 30, 2005, as furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Richard J. Harrington, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

        1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

        2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation.


Date: July 29, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Richard J. Harrington

Richard J. Harrington
President and Chief Executive Officer

        A signed original of this written statement has been provided to The Thomson Corporation and will be retained by The Thomson Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.




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CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
EX-99.7 8 a2161393zex-99_7.htm EXHIBIT 99.7
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EXHIBIT 99.7


CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

        In connection with the report of The Thomson Corporation (the "Corporation") on Form 6-K for the period ended June 30, 2005, as furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Robert D. Daleo, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1.
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation.


Date: July 29, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Robert D. Daleo

Robert D. Daleo
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

        A signed original of this written statement has been provided to The Thomson Corporation and will be retained by The Thomson Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.




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CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
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