-----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, IVsVkeQ/9HjfeDUGO1SNHVLq2PS7IQExgCsuZ5R17ivvzwzo4MFfnyJdwwdmnDQi WxWa96rZ49SPn6wYPv2j5Q== 0001047469-05-025510.txt : 20051028 0001047469-05-025510.hdr.sgml : 20051028 20051028162533 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001047469-05-025510 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 6-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20051028 FILED AS OF DATE: 20051028 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20051028 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: 051163563 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 a2164442z6-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
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of October 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 of 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 the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission 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 as additional exhibits to the following Registration Statements of the registrant: Form F-9 (File No. 333-128045); 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/ Deirdre Stanley

Name: Deirdre Stanley
Title: Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Date: October 28, 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 a2164442zex-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 October 24, 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. In addition, Thomson Learning's operations which produce 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 organizational changes.

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.

1



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 currently 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 or on cash taxes paid.

    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 below entitled "Additional Information" for these depreciation amounts.

2


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion compares our results for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 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 below 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.

Consolidated Results

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

 
  Three months ended
September 30,

  Nine months ended
September 30,

 
 
(millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
  2005
  2004
  Change
  2005
  2004
  Change

Revenues     2,391     2,223   8%     6,299     5,771   9%
Operating profit     522     492   6%     912     846   8%
Operating profit margin     21.8%     22.1%         14.5%     14.7%    
Net earnings     309     344   (10% )   684     573   19%
Earnings per share attributable to common shares   $ 0.47   $ 0.52   (10% ) $ 1.04   $ 0.87   20%

Revenues.    For both the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005, the increases in revenues were primarily attributable to growth in existing businesses and contributions from acquired businesses. The effect of foreign currency translation also contributed slightly to the increases in revenues. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, revenues grew 7% and 8%, respectively, in the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005. For both 2005 periods, growth from existing businesses was exhibited in all four market groups. For the three-month period in 2005, contributions from acquired businesses primarily related to Information Holdings Inc. (IHI) in our scientific and healthcare group and Capstar and KnowledgeNet in our learning group. The effects of Hurricane Katrina on our Gulf Coast customers had a minor impact, primarily in our legal and regulatory group.

Operating profit.    For both the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005, the increases in operating profit reflected higher revenues due to contributions from existing and acquired businesses. Margins declined in both 2005 periods primarily due to higher expense associated with stock appreciation rights, pension and other defined benefit plans, and severance and other charges associated with the outsourcing and reorganization of certain functions within our human resources department. For the nine-month period in 2005, the operating margin decline was also attributable to the inclusion in the 2004 results of insurance recoveries related to September 11, 2001 of $19 million.

Depreciation and amortization.    For the three-month period ended September 30, 2005, depreciation decreased slightly compared to the prior year due to the timing of capital expenditures. For the nine-month period in 2005, depreciation increased 2% reflecting current year acquisitions and capital expenditures. Amortization decreased slightly for the three-month period in 2005 compared to the prior year as a result of adjustments associated with the completion of intangible asset valuations for recent acquisitions. For the nine-month period in 2005, this expense increased due to the amortization of newly acquired identifiable intangible assets.

Net other income/expense.    For both the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005, net other expense primarily reflected a loss associated with the early redemption of certain debt (discussed in the section below entitled "Financial Position"). For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2004, net other income 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 both the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005, our net interest expense and other financing costs decreased 6% and 4%, respectively, compared to the prior year. These decreases are a result of lower interest rates on outstanding debt in 2005 compared with the prior year, which were achieved through our debt refinancings in the fourth quarter of 2004 and third quarter of 2005.

3



Income taxes.    Income taxes for the three-month period ended September 30, 2005 increased primarily due to the release in the prior year of $35 million of tax valuation allowances associated with new tax legislation in the United Kingdom. For the nine-month period in 2005, income taxes declined compared with the prior year as a result of 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.

Earnings attributable to common shares and earnings per common share.    Earnings attributable to common shares for the three-month period ended September 30, 2005 decreased as higher operating profit was offset by a loss on the early redemption of debt and higher income taxes reflecting the prior year adjustment of valuation allowances. For the nine-month period in 2005, earnings increased due to higher operating profit as well as the release of contingent income tax liabilities.

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
September 30,

  Nine months ended
September 30,

 
 
 
 
(millions of U.S. dollars, except per common share amounts)
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
 

 
Earnings attributable to common shares     308     344     681     571  
Adjustments for one-time items:                          
  Net other expense (income)     19     1     18     (28 )
  Tax on above item     1         1     11  
  Release of tax credits         (35 )   (137 )   (35 )
Interim period effective tax rate normalization     15     14     (9 )   (14 )
Discontinued operations     (7 )   (16 )   (11 )   (24 )

 
Adjusted earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shares     336     308     543     481  

 
Adjusted earnings per common share from continuing operations   $ 0.51   $ 0.47   $ 0.83   $ 0.73  

 

On a comparable basis, our adjusted earnings from continuing operations in both the three-month and nine-month periods in 2005 increased, largely as a result of higher operating profit stemming from higher revenues. These results also reflected higher expense associated with stock appreciation rights, pension and other benefit plans, and severance and other charges associated with the outsourcing and reorganization of certain functions within our human resources department in 2005. Results for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2004 reflected insurance recoveries related to September 11, 2001 of $19 million.

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
September 30,

  Nine months ended
September 30,

 
 
(millions of U.S. dollars)
  2005
  2004
  Change
  2005
  2004
  Change

Revenues   864   811   7%   2,517   2,358   7%
Adjusted operating profit   248   225   10%   674   618   9%
Adjusted operating profit margin   28.7%   27.7%       26.8%   26.2%    

For both the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005, revenues for Thomson Legal & Regulatory increased 7%. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, revenues increased 6% in both periods. 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. Revenues for the three-month period in 2005 also benefited from higher revenues from print products due to the timing of shipments. We expect print and CD product revenues for the full 2005 year will approximate those of the prior year.

4


For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 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 and related margins resulted from the revenue growth described above.

Thomson Learning

 
  Three months ended
September 30,

  Nine months ended
September 30,

(millions of U.S. dollars)
  2005
  2004
  Change
  2005
  2004
  Change

Revenues   810   752   8%   1,665   1,531   9%
Adjusted operating profit   249   237   5%   211   194   9%
Adjusted operating profit margin   30.7%   31.5%       12.7%   12.7%    

In the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005, revenues for Thomson Learning increased 8% and 9%, respectively. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, the increases were 7% and 8%, respectively. For the three-month period in 2005, revenue growth was attributable to both existing and acquired businesses. For the nine-month period in 2005, revenues increased as a result of the impact of acquired businesses, primarily Capstar and KnowledgeNet, and to a lesser extent, growth from existing businesses. In both periods, revenues from existing businesses increased primarily due to higher sales in our higher education and international operations.

In the Academic group, higher sales of custom products and new textbook editions resulted in increased revenues within our domestic higher education businesses. Additionally, higher electronic product sales resulted in a slight increase in library reference revenues in the third quarter. For the nine-month period in 2005, higher print and electronic product sales, due to modest improvements in state funding, resulted in increased revenues in our 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 2005 periods, the improvement in adjusted operating profit largely reflected the increased revenues described above. Profit margins were impacted by the timing of certain expenses compared to the prior year and the loss of the government testing contract in the United Kingdom discussed above.

Thomson Financial

 
  Three months ended
September 30,

  Nine months ended
September 30,

(millions of U.S. dollars)
  2005
  2004
  Change
  2005
  2004
  Change

Revenues   475   455   4%   1,403   1,262   11%
Adjusted operating profit   85   80   6%   225   203   11%
Adjusted operating profit margin   17.9%   17.6%       16.0%   16.1%    

In the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005, revenues for Thomson Financial increased 4% and 11%, respectively. The impact of foreign currency translation on revenues was insignificant in both periods. For the three-month period in 2005, the increase in revenues was due to growth from existing businesses. For the nine-month period in 2005, revenues increased as a result of contributions from acquired businesses and growth from existing businesses. Contributions from acquired businesses primarily related to TradeWeb and CCBN, which were both acquired in the first half of 2004. For both 2005 periods, revenues from existing businesses increased as a result of higher usage and transaction revenues. Thomson ONE workstations increased 43% for the rolling twelve-month period, and 34% since the beginning of 2005, due to user migration from legacy products and new client sales. Increases in revenues from existing businesses were experienced in all geographic regions, including Europe. The three-month period of 2004 benefited from the receipt of certain one-time fees which impacted year on year growth rates.

5



Adjusted operating profit increased due to the increase in revenues and, for the three-month period in 2005, lower depreciation expense. Included in adjusted operating profit for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2004 were insurance recoveries related to September 11, 2001 of $19 million. Excluding the insurance recoveries, the adjusted operating profit margin increased for both 2005 periods primarily as a result of lower depreciation, as a percentage of revenues, due to lower capital spending.

Thomson Scientific & Healthcare

 
  Three months ended
September 30,

  Nine months ended
September 30,

(millions of U.S. dollars)
  2005
  2004
  Change
  2005
  2004
  Change

Revenues   248   212   17%   730   638   14%
Adjusted operating profit   48   41   17%   130   101   29%
Adjusted operating profit margin   19.4%   19.3%       17.8%   15.8%    

In both the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005, revenues for Thomson Scientific & Healthcare increased 17% and 14%, respectively. The impact of foreign currency translation on revenues was insignificant in both 2005 periods. The increases in revenues were attributable to acquired businesses, primarily IHI which was acquired in November 2004, and, to a lesser extent, growth from existing 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. Revenues from existing businesses were tempered by the unfavorable effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on transactions involving U.S. dollar revenues within the group's European businesses. Medical education revenues increased in the third quarter, but remain below that of the prior year for the nine-month period due to reduced spending by pharmaceutical companies on medical education programs.

In both 2005 periods, the increases in adjusted operating profit and the corresponding margin compared to the prior year reflected higher revenues and benefits from integration efforts.

Corporate and Other

Corporate and other expenses were $39 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2005, compared with $21 million in the prior year. For the nine-month period, Corporate and other expenses were $95 million in 2005 compared to $60 million in 2004. The increases were primarily due to higher expenses associated with our stock appreciation rights, pension and other defined benefit plans, and severance and other charges associated with the outsourcing and reorganization of certain functions within our human resources department.

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 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 7 to our consolidated interim financial statements.

6



LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Financial Position

At September 30, 2005, our total assets were $19,255 million, which represented a 2% 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.

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

 
  As at September 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   7,264   38%   7,316   37%    
Thomson Learning   5,468   28%   5,549   28%    
Thomson Financial   3,377   17%   3,518   18%    
Thomson Scientific & Healthcare   1,681   9%   1,794   9%    
Corporate and other   1,465   8%   1,466   8%    

Total assets   19,255   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)
  September 30, 2005
  December 31, 2004
   

Short-term indebtedness   302   7    
Current portion of long-term debt   147   295    
Long-term debt   3,979   4,013    

  Total debt   4,428   4,315    
Swaps   (168 ) (192 )  

  Total debt after swaps   4,260   4,123    
Less: cash and cash equivalents   (451 ) (405 )  

Net debt   3,809   3,718    

Shareholders' equity   9,988   9,962    

Net debt/equity ratio   0.38:1   0.37:1    

In the third quarter of 2005, we completed the early redemption of US$75 million of 7.62% privately placed notes and Cdn$400 million of 6.90% medium-term notes and settled an associated currency swap. We recorded a loss of US$23 million as a result of these redemptions, primarily related to early redemption premiums and non-cash write-offs of deferred costs. We primarily financed these redemptions with the net proceeds of an offering of US$400 million of 5.50% debentures due 2035 that we completed in August 2005. Completing these transactions allowed us to lock in historically low interest rates for a 30 year period.

In addition to the early redemptions discussed above, in September 2005, we also repaid US$75 million of privately placed notes. In March 2005, we repaid $125 million of floating rate notes.

In July 2004, we repaid Cdn$250 million of 9.15% notes for US$182 million. Additionally, in July 2004, we repaid US$150 million of privately placed notes.

In May 2004, we completed an offering of US$250 million of 4.75% global notes due 2010. In June 2004, we completed an offering of Cdn$250 million of 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 US$432 million from these offerings to repay other existing indebtedness and for other general corporate purposes.

7



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

(millions of U.S. dollars)
 

 
Balance at December 31, 2004   9,962  
Earnings attributable to common shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2005   681  
Additions to contributed surplus related to stock compensation plans   17  
Common share issuances   20  
Repurchases of common shares — normal course issuer bid   (129 )
Common share dividend payments   (378 )
Change in cumulative translation adjustment   (185 )

 
Balance at September 30, 2005   9,988  

 

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 September 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 September 30, 2005, we repurchased 3.6 million common shares for approximately $129 million, representing an average cost per share of $35.72. 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 September 30, 2005 was $540 million compared to $531 million for the comparable prior year period. Cash provided by our operating activities in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005 was $1,200 million compared to $1,165 million for the comparable prior year period. In both periods, the improvement was primarily the result of higher operating profits. Both periods in the prior year benefited from the $22 million Skillsoft settlement.

Investing activities.    Cash used in our investing activities in the three-month period ended September 30, 2005 was $298 million compared to $326 million for the comparable prior year period. Cash used in our investing activities in the

8



nine-month period ended September 30, 2005 was $771 million compared to $1,139 million for the comparable prior year period. In both periods, the reduction in the use of cash was the result of a decrease in capital expenditures and spending on acquisitions. Results for the nine-month period include tax payments in 2005 of $105 million associated with our sale of Thomson Media. Additionally, results for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2004 reflect proceeds from our sale of DBM.

In the three-month period ended September 30, 2005, capital expenditures declined to 5.8% of revenues compared to 7.2% in the prior year period. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005, capital expenditures declined to 6.3% of revenues compared to 7.5% in the prior year period. In both periods, the reduction was due to management initiatives to improve the efficiency of our capital spending and the timing of the expenditures.

Financing activities.    Cash used in our financing activities was $107 million in the three-month period ended September 30, 2005 compared to $440 million in the prior year period. This reduction in cash outflow was primarily the result of debt repayments in 2004. In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005, cash used in financing activities was $376 million compared to $335 million in the prior year period. The increased outflow of cash for this period reflected our repurchase of common shares (see "Normal Course Issuer Bid" above) and higher dividend payments in 2005.

The following table sets forth our common share dividend activity.

 
Three months ended
September 30,

  Nine months ended
September 30,

 
 

 
(millions of U.S. dollars)
2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
 

 
Dividends declared 131   124   387   370  
Dividends reinvested (3 ) (2 ) (9 ) (8 )

 
Dividends paid 128   122   378   362  

 

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

 
Three months ended
September 30,

  Nine months ended
September 30,

 
 

 
(millions of U.S. dollars)
2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
 

 
Net cash provided by operating activities 540   531   1,200   1,165  
Additions to property and equipment (138 ) (159 ) (397 ) (430 )
Other investing activities (11 ) (12 ) (25 ) (40 )
Dividends paid on preference shares (1 )   (3 ) (2 )
Additions to property and equipment of discontinued operations       (2 )

 
Free cash flow 390   360   775   691  

 

In the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2005, our free cash flow increased as a result of higher operating profit and lower capital expenditures.

Credit facilities and commercial paper program.    As of September 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 September 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   (67 ) (276 ) 1,257

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

9



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.

Contingencies

As of September 30, 2005, certain lawsuits and other claims arising in the normal course of business were pending against us. While the outcome of these matters is subject to future resolution, including the uncertainties of litigation, our management's evaluation and analysis of such matters indicates that, individually and in the aggregate, the probable ultimate resolution of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, taken as a whole.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

As at October 24, 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 October 2005, our eligible U.S. employees began participating in our new employee stock purchase plan, or ESPP. The ESPP was approved earlier this year by our shareholders and Board of Directors. Under the ESPP, on the last business day of each quarter, employees may purchase our common shares at a 15% discount to the New York Stock Exchange closing price using accumulated payroll deductions.

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 also 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 our annual information form and 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

10


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 Emerging Issues Committee (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.

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.

Non-monetary Transactions

In June 2005, the CICA issued Handbook Section 3831, Non-monetary Transactions, which introduces new requirements for non-monetary transactions entered into after January 1, 2006. We do not expect that the adoption of this Handbook Section will have a material impact on our consolidated statement of earnings and retained earnings.

Consideration Given to a Customer

In September 2005, the EIC issued EIC Abstract 156, Accounting by a Vendor for Consideration Given to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor's Products). This Abstract, which essentially harmonizes Canadian GAAP with U.S. GAAP, requires that most consideration given by a vendor to a customer be treated as a reduction of revenue. The provisions of the Abstract are applicable for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after January 1, 2006. We had previously adopted the provisions of the analogous U.S. accounting standard and, therefore, adoption of the new Abstract is not expected to have an impact on our financial statements.

11


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Depreciation by Segment

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

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,

  Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 
2005
  2004
  2005
  2004

Legal & Regulatory 50   48   149   141
Learning 64   65   142   143
Financial 42   48   133   134
Scientific & Healthcare 10   8   30   25
Corporate and Other 4   4   8   11

Total 170   173   462   454

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 required 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 October 24, 2005, we had outstanding 651,688,995 common shares and 6,000,000 Series II preference shares.

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 also 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.

12


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,

 
(millions of U.S. dollars,
except per common share amounts)

 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
  2004
  2003
 

 
Revenues     1,850     1,682     2,058     1,866     2,391     2,223     2,327     2,131  
Operating profit     113     97     277     257     522     492     495     481  
Earnings from continuing operations     69     41     302     180     302     328     314     398  
Discontinued operations, net of tax     4     (4 )       12     7     16     124     (2 )

 
Net earnings     73     37     302     192     309     344     438     396  
Dividends declared on preference shares     (1 )   (1 )   (1 )   (1 )   (1 )       (1 )   (1 )

 
Earnings attributable to common shares     72     36     301     191     308     344     437     395  

 

Basic and fully diluted earnings (loss) per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
From continuing operations   $ 0.10   $ 0.06   $ 0.46   $ 0.27   $ 0.46   $ 0.50   $ 0.48   $ 0.61  
From discontinued operations     0.01     (0.01 )       0.02     0.01     0.02     0.19     (0.01 )

 
    $ 0.11   $ 0.05   $ 0.46   $ 0.29   $ 0.47   $ 0.52   $ 0.67   $ 0.60  

 

13


RECONCILIATIONS

RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED OPERATING PROFIT TO OPERATING PROFIT

(millions of U.S. dollars)

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2005

 
  Legal & Regulatory

  Learning

  Financial

  Scientific & Healthcare

  Corporate and Other

  Total

 

 
Adjusted operating profit   248   249   85   48   (39 ) 591  
Less: Amortization   (26 ) (16 ) (23 ) (4 )   (69 )

 
Operating profit   222   233   62   44   (39 ) 522  
 
 
 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2004

 
  Legal & Regulatory

  Learning

  Financial

  Scientific & Healthcare

  Corporate and Other

  Total

 

 
Adjusted operating profit   225   237   80   41   (21 ) 562  
Less: Amortization   (22 ) (17 ) (23 ) (8 )   (70 )

 
Operating profit   203   220   57   33   (21 ) 492  
 
 
 
 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

 
  Legal & Regulatory

  Learning

  Financial

  Scientific & Healthcare

  Corporate and Other

  Total

 

 
Adjusted operating profit   674   211   225   130   (95 ) 1,145  
Less: Amortization   (80 ) (49 ) (68 ) (36 )   (233 )

 
Operating profit   594   162   157   94   (95 ) 912  
 
 
 
 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

 
  Legal & Regulatory

  Learning

  Financial

  Scientific & Healthcare

  Corporate and Other

  Total

 

 
Adjusted operating profit   618   194   203   101   (60 ) 1,056  
Less: Amortization   (73 ) (52 ) (59 ) (26 )   (210 )

 
Operating profit   545   142   144   75   (60 ) 846  
 
 
 

14


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

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2005

 
  Legal & Regulatory

  Learning

  Financial

  Scientific & Healthcare

  Total

 

 
Adjusted operating profit   28.7%   30.7%   17.9%   19.4%   24.7%  
Less: Amortization   (3.0% ) (1.9% ) (4.8% ) (1.7% ) (2.9% )

 
Operating profit   25.7%   28.8%   13.1%   17.7%   21.8%  
 
 
 
 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2004

 
  Legal & Regulatory

  Learning

  Financial

  Scientific & Healthcare

  Total

 

 
Adjusted operating profit   27.7%   31.5%   17.6%   19.3%   25.3%  
Less: Amortization   (2.7% ) (2.2% ) (5.1% ) (3.7% ) (3.2% )

 
Operating profit   25.0%   29.3%   12.5%   15.6%   22.1%  
 
 
 
 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2005

 
  Legal & Regulatory

  Learning

  Financial

  Scientific & Healthcare

  Total

 

 
Adjusted operating profit   26.8%   12.7%   16.0%   17.8%   18.2%  
Less: Amortization   (3.2% ) (3.0% ) (4.8% ) (4.9% ) (3.7% )

 
Operating profit   23.6%   9.7%   11.2%   12.9%   14.5%  
 
 
 
 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004

 
  Legal & Regulatory

  Learning

  Financial

  Scientific & Healthcare

  Total

 

 
Adjusted operating profit   26.2%   12.7%   16.1%   15.8%   18.3%  
Less: Amortization   (3.1% ) (3.4% ) (4.7% ) (4.0% ) (3.6% )

 
Operating profit   23.1%   9.3%   11.4%   11.8%   14.7%  
 
 
 

15




QuickLinks

THE THOMSON CORPORATION MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
EX-99.2 3 a2164442zex-99_2.htm EXHIBIT 99.2

Exhibit 99.2

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

 
Three months ended
September 30,

  Nine months ended
September 30,

 
 

 
(millions of U.S. dollars, except per common share amounts)
2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
 

 
Revenues   2,391     2,223     6,299     5,771  
Cost of sales, selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses   (1,630 )   (1,488 )   (4,692 )   (4,261 )
Depreciation   (170 )   (173 )   (462 )   (454 )
Amortization   (69 )   (70 )   (233 )   (210 )

 
Operating profit   522     492     912     846  
Net other (expense) income (note 5)   (19 )   (1 )   (18 )   28  
Net interest expense and other financing costs   (59 )   (63 )   (169 )   (176 )
Income taxes (note 6)   (144 )   (100 )   (56 )   (148 )
Equity in net earnings (losses) of associates, net of tax   2         4     (1 )

 
Earnings from continuing operations   302     328     673     549  
Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax (note 7)   7     16     11     24  

 
Net earnings   309     344     684     573  
Dividends declared on preference shares   (1 )       (3 )   (2 )

 
Earnings attributable to common shares   308     344     681     571  
Retained earnings at beginning of period   6,885     6,276     6,808     6,295  
Repurchases of common shares (note 8)   (75 )       (115 )    
Dividends declared on common shares   (131 )   (124 )   (387 )   (370 )

 
Retained earnings at end of period   6,987     6,496     6,987     6,496  

 
Basic and diluted earnings per common share (note 9):                        
  From continuing operations $ 0.46   $ 0.50   $ 1.02   $ 0.83  
  From discontinued operations $ 0.01   $ 0.02   $ 0.02   $ 0.04  

 
Basic and diluted earnings per common share $ 0.47   $ 0.52   $ 1.04   $ 0.87  

 

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

16


The Thomson Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheet

 
  September 30,
2005

  December 31,
2004

(millions of U.S. dollars)
  (unaudited)
   


Assets

 

 

 

 
Cash and cash equivalents   451   405
Accounts receivable, net of allowances   1,545   1,648
Inventories   330   312
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   315   313
Deferred income taxes   214   214

  Current assets   2,855   2,892
Property and equipment   1,555   1,624
Identifiable intangible assets   4,536   4,721
Goodwill   9,068   9,119
Other non-current assets   1,241   1,287

Total assets   19,255   19,643


Liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 
Liabilities        
Short-term indebtedness   302   7
Accounts payable and accruals   1,491   1,738
Deferred revenue   953   1,043
Current portion of long-term debt   147   295

  Current liabilities   2,893   3,083
Long-term debt   3,979   4,013
Other non-current liabilities   822   1,015
Deferred income taxes   1,573   1,570

Total liabilities   9,267   9,681


Shareholders' equity

 

 

 

 
Capital (note 13)   2,728   2,696
Cumulative translation adjustment   273   458
Retained earnings   6,987   6,808

Total shareholders' equity   9,988   9,962

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity   19,255   19,643

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

17


The Thomson Corporation
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow
(unaudited)

 
Three months
ended
September 30,

  Nine months
ended
September 30,

 
 

 
(millions of U.S. dollars)
2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
 

 
Cash provided by (used in):                

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Net earnings 309   344   684   573  
Remove earnings from discontinued operations (7 ) (16 ) (11 ) (24 )
Add back (deduct) items not involving cash:                
  Depreciation 170   173   462   454  
  Amortization 69   70   233   210  
  Net (gains) losses on disposals of businesses and investments (note 5) (4 ) 1   (5 ) (4 )
  Loss from redemption of debt (notes 5 and 14) 23     23    
  Deferred income taxes 23   (9 ) 26   4  
  Equity in net (earnings) losses of associates, net of tax (2 )   (4 ) 1  
  Other, net 45   21   14   126  
Voluntary pension contribution (11 )   (11 )  
Changes in working capital and other items (75 ) (68 ) (211 ) (205 )
Cash provided by operating activities — discontinued operations (note 7)   15     30  

 
Net cash provided by operating activities 540   531   1,200   1,165  

 

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Acquisitions (note 12) (152 ) (155 ) (248 ) (810 )
Proceeds from disposals of businesses and investments 3     4   11  
Additions to property and equipment, less proceeds from disposals (138 ) (159 ) (397 ) (430 )
Other investing activities (11 ) (12 ) (25 ) (40 )
Additions to property and equipment of discontinued operations (note 7)       (2 )
Proceeds from (income taxes paid on) disposals of discontinued operations (note 7)     (105 ) 137  
Cash used in investing activities — discontinued operations (note 7)       (5 )

 
Net cash used in investing activities (298 ) (326 ) (771 ) (1,139 )

 

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Proceeds from debt offerings (note 14) 400     400   434  
Repayments of debt (note 14) (411 ) (332 ) (556 ) (332 )
Net borrowings (repayments) of short-term loan facilities 132   13   296   (75 )
Premium on debt redemption (note 14) (22 )   (22 )  
Repurchases of common shares (note 8) (84 )   (129 )  
Dividends paid on preference shares (1 )   (3 ) (2 )
Dividends paid on common shares (128 ) (122 ) (378 ) (362 )
Other financing activities 7   1   16   2  

 
Net cash used in financing activities (107 ) (440 ) (376 ) (335 )

 
Translation adjustments (2 )   (7 )  

 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 133   (235 ) 46   (309 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 318   609   405   683  

 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 451   374   451   374  

 

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

18


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 17.

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.

19



Note 5: Net Other (Expense) Income

During the period, Net other (expense) income includes:


 
  Three months ended September 30,
  Nine months ended September 30,

 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004

Net (losses) gains on disposals of investments and businesses   4   (1 ) 5   4
Loss from redemption of debt   (23 )   (23 )
Other income         24

Net other (expense) income   (19 ) (1 ) (18 ) 28

Loss from redemption of debt

In August and September of 2005, the Company redeemed two outstanding issuances of debt securities with an aggregate carrying value of approximately US$400 million. The loss primarily represents early redemption premiums and non-cash write-offs of deferred costs. See Note 14.

Other income

Other income in the nine months ended September 30, 2004 primarily relates to a $22 million legal settlement from a competitor that was received in July 2004. In July 2003, Thomson reached a settlement with Skillsoft PLC, a competitor of Thomson Learning, regarding the Company's claims of breach of fiduciary duty, appropriation of trade secrets and patent infringement. Under the terms of the settlement, Skillsoft PLC paid Thomson $44 million in two equal installments, the first of which was received in July 2003.

Note 6: 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.

As a result of new tax legislation in the United Kingdom that was enacted in the third quarter of 2004, valuation allowances of $40 million that had previously been established against the related UK tax assets were released. Of this amount, $35 million will be used to offset taxable income in future periods and was treated as a discrete credit in the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2004, while the remainder was used to offset taxable income in the full year and was factored into the 2004 full year effective tax rate.

Note 7: 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 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.

20



Three months ended September 30, 2004


 
 
  DBM
  Thomson Media
  Other
  Total
 

 
Revenues from discontinued operations     42     42  

 
Earnings from discontinued operations before income taxes     6     6  
Loss on sale of discontinued operations   (2 )     (2 )
Income taxes     (2 ) 14   12  

 
Earnings from discontinued operations   (2 ) 4   14   16  

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2004


 
 
  DBM
  Sheshunoff
  Thomson Media
  Other
  Total
 

 
Revenues from discontinued operations   28   11   128     167  

 
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes   3   (4 ) 21     20  
Loss on sale of discontinued operations   (34 )       (34 )
Income taxes   27   5   (8 ) 14   38  

 
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations   (4 ) 1   13   14   24  

 

Proceeds from disposals of discontinued operations within the consolidated statement of cash flow in the nine months ended September 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 nine months ended September 30, 2004 includes taxes paid related to the 2003 sale of the portfolio of Healthcare Magazines.

Note 8: Normal Course Issuer Bid

In May 2005, the Company initiated a normal course issuer bid to repurchase up to 15 million of its common shares. The bid will terminate on the earlier of May 4, 2006 or the date that the Company completes its purchases. 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.

Through September 30, 2005, the Company repurchased 3.6 million common shares for approximately $129 million, representing an average cost per share of $35.72. Of the $129 million, $14 million was recorded as a reduction in capital based upon the historical average issuance price of the shares and $115 million was charged to retained earnings.

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.

Note 9: 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.

21



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
September 30,

  Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 
 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
 

 
Earnings from continuing operations   302   328   673   549  
Dividends declared on preference shares   (1 )   (3 ) (2 )

 
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shares   301   328   670   547  

 

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
September 30,

  Nine months ended
September 30,


 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding   653,818,898   654,893,629   654,724,898   654,756,374
Vested deferred share units   585,180   483,668   566,226   459,999

Basic   654,404,078   655,377,297   655,291,124   655,216,373
Effect of stock and other incentive plans   1,297,151   704,312   861,460   595,157

Diluted   655,701,229   656,081,609   656,152,584   655,811,530

Note 10: Employee Benefit Plans

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


 
  Pensions
  Other post-retirement plans

 
  Three months ended September 30,

 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004

Current service cost   13   12    
Interest cost   32   31   3   1
Expected return on plan assets   (38 ) (39 )  
Amortization of net transition asset   (1 )    
Amortization of net actuarial losses   8   6   1   1
Amortization of prior service cost   1   1    

Net defined benefit plan expense   15   11   4   2

 

 
  Pensions
  Other post-retirement plans

 
  Nine months ended September 30,

 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004

Current service cost   40   38   1   2
Interest cost   97   93   7   7
Expected return on plan assets   (115 ) (117 )  
Amortization of net transition asset   (1 )    
Amortization of net actuarial losses   25   18   2   3
Amortization of prior service cost   2   3    

Net defined benefit plan expense   48   35   10   12

22


Note 11: Business Interruption Insurance

In the nine-month period ended September 30, 2004, the Company received a $19 million insurance recovery related to the events of September 11, 2001 in New York City. Of the claim received, $14 million related to a recovery of lost revenues due to business interruption, while the remaining $5 million was for a property claim. The $14 million business interruption portion, as well as the $5 million property claim, was recorded as a reduction of "Cost of sales, selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses" within the consolidated statement of earnings and retained earnings and is included in the financial group within the segmented information.

Note 12: Acquisitions

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


Number of transactions
  Three months ended
September 30,

  Nine months ended
September 30,


 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004

Businesses and identifiable intangible assets acquired   10   16   27   45
Contingent consideration payment — TradeWeb LLC   1     1  
Investments in businesses   1     1   1
 

Cash consideration
  Three months ended
September 30,

  Nine months ended
September 30,


 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004

Businesses and identifiable intangible assets acquired   99   155   195   807
Contingent consideration payments — TradeWeb LLC   50     50  
Investments in businesses   3     3   3

Total acquisitions   152   155   248   810

Included in these acquisitions were the purchases of:

    in July 2005, Global Securities Information Inc. ("GSI"). GSI is included within the Legal and Regulatory group and is a provider of online securities and securities-related information and research services, including LIVEDGAR.

    in September 2004, KnowledgeNet Inc. KnowledgeNet offers a learning technology platform that utilizes a combination of self-paced, instructor-led and mobile learning.

    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. In August 2005, the Company paid $50 million per the contingent arrangements which was recorded as an increase to goodwill. TradeWeb is an online global trading platform for fixed income and other securities.

    in March 2004, the 90% of CCBN.com, 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
September 30,

  Nine months ended
September 30,


 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004

Goodwill   51   104   79   498
Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives   58   57   124   368

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 three-month and nine-month

23



periods ended September 30, 2005, as well as the three-month period ended September 30, 2004, the majority of the acquired goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2004, approximately half 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 September 30, 2005, the balance of the reserves for exit costs related to business acquisitions consummated during 2001 through 2005 totaled $26 million. Reserves recorded in connection with businesses acquired during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2005 were $9 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 September 30, 2005

Severance and other employee-related costs   10   (5 ) 6   (3 ) 8
Lease cancellation and idle facility costs   19   (3 ) 1   (1 ) 16
Other exit costs   2   (2 ) 2     2

Total   31   (10 ) 9   (4 ) 26

Note 13: Capital

The following table details the activity in Capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2005:


 
Balance, December 31, 2004   2,696  
Common shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan   9  
Repurchases of common shares — normal course issuer bid   (14 )
Additions to contributed surplus related to stock based compensation   17  
Other common share issuances   20  

 
Balance, September 30, 2005   2,728  

 

Note 14: Long Term Debt

In the third quarter of 2005, the Company completed the early redemption of US$75 million of 7.62% privately placed notes and Cdn$400 million of 6.90% medium-term notes and settled an associated currency swap. A loss of US$23 million was recorded as a result of these redemptions in "Net other (expense) income" in the consolidated statement of earnings and retained earnings, primarily related to early redemption premiums and non-cash write-offs of deferred costs. These redemptions were principally financed by the August 2005 offering of US$400 million of 5.50% debentures due 2035.

In addition to the early redemptions of debt, in September 2005, the Company also repaid US$75 million of privately placed notes and in March 2005, Thomson repaid US$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 US$432 million from the 2004 offerings to repay other existing indebtedness and for other general corporate purposes.

In July 2004, the Company repaid Cdn$250 million of 9.15% notes for US$182 million. Additionally, in July 2004, the Company repaid US$150 million of privately placed notes.

Note 15: Related Party Transactions

As at September 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.

24


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.

Note 16: 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.

In June 2005, the CICA issued Handbook Section 3831, Non-monetary Transactions, which introduces new requirements for non-monetary transactions entered into after January 1, 2006. Thomson does not expect that the adoption of this Handbook Section will have a material impact on the consolidated statement of earnings and retained earnings.

In September 2005, the EIC issued EIC Abstract 156, Accounting by a Vendor for Consideration Given to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor's Products). This Abstract essentially harmonizes Canadian GAAP with U.S. GAAP and requires that most consideration given by a vendor to a customer be treated as a reduction of revenue. The provisions of the Abstract are applicable for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after January 1, 2006. Thomson had previously adopted the provisions of the analogous U.S. accounting standard and, therefore, adoption of the new Abstract is not expected to have an impact on Thomson's financial statements.

Note 17: 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.

25


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.

Business Segments


 
 
  Three months ended
September 30, 2005

  Three months ended
September 30, 2004

 

 
 
  Revenues
  Adjusted operating profit
  Revenues
  Adjusted operating profit
 

 
Legal & Regulatory1   864   248   811   225  
Learning   810   249   752   237  
Financial   475   85   455   80  
Scientific & Healthcare1   248   48   212   41  

 
Segment totals   2,397   630   2,230   583  
Corporate and other2     (39 )   (21 )
Eliminations   (6 )   (7 )  

 
Total   2,391   591   2,223   562  

 

Business Segments

 

 
 
  Nine months ended
September 30, 2005

  Nine months ended
September 30, 2004

 

 
 
  Revenues
  Adjusted operating profit
  Revenues
  Adjusted operating profit
 

 
Legal & Regulatory1   2,517   674   2,358   618  
Learning   1,665   211   1,531   194  
Financial   1,403   225   1,262   203  
Scientific & Healthcare1   730   130   638   101  

 
Segment totals   6,315   1,240   5,789   1,116  
Corporate and other2     (95 )   (60 )
Eliminations   (16 )   (18 )  

 
Total   6,299   1,145   5,771   1,056  

 
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.

26


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

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
September 30,

  Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 
 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
 

 
Adjusted operating profit   591   562   1,145   1,056  
Less:                  
  Amortization   (69 ) (70 ) (233 ) (210 )

 
Operating profit   522   492   912   846  

 

27


Note 18: Reconciliation of Canadian to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP, which differs 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
September 30,

  Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 
 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
 

 
Net earnings under Canadian GAAP     309     344     684     573  
Differences in GAAP increasing (decreasing) reported earnings:                          
  Business combinations     4     4     12     11  
  Derivative instruments and hedging activities     1     3     3     6  
  Income taxes     20     21     (23 )   (26 )
  Equity in net losses of associates, net of tax                 (6 )

 
Net income under U.S. GAAP     334     372     676     558  

 
Earnings under U.S. GAAP from continuing operations     327     356     665     534  
Earnings under U.S. GAAP from discontinued operations     7     16     11     24  

 
Net income under U.S. GAAP     334     372     676     558  

 
Basic and diluted earnings per common share under U.S. GAAP from:                          
    Continuing operations   $ 0.50   $ 0.55   $ 1.01   $ 0.81  
    Discontinued operations, net of tax   $ 0.01   $ 0.02   $ 0.02   $ 0.04  

 
Basic and diluted earnings per common share1   $ 0.51   $ 0.57   $ 1.03   $ 0.85  

 
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 GAAP 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.

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.

28


The income tax adjustment consists of the following:


 
 
  Three months ended
September 30,

  Nine months ended
September 30,

 

 
 
  2005
  2004
  2005
  2004
 

 
Reduced (additional) provision due to different accounting principles described above   23   23   (18 ) (22 )
Tax effect of U.S. GAAP pre-tax reconciling items   (3 ) (2 ) (5 ) (4 )

 
Total income taxes per reconciliation   20   21   (23 ) (26 )

 

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 19: Contingencies

As of September 30, 2005, certain lawsuits and other claims arising in the normal course of business were pending against the Company. While the outcome of these matters is subject to future resolution, including the uncertainties of litigation, management's evaluation and analysis of such matters indicates that, individually and in the aggregate, the probable ultimate resolution of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, taken as a whole.

Note 20: Subsequent Events

In October 2005, the Company's eligible U.S. employees began participating in its new employee stock purchase plan (the "ESPP"). The ESPP was approved earlier this year by Thomson's shareholders and Board of Directors. Under the ESPP, on the last business day of each quarter, employees may purchase the Company's common shares at a 15% discount to the New York Stock Exchange closing price using accumulated payroll deductions.

29



EX-99.3 4 a2164442zex-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 a2164442zex-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: October 28, 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 a2164442zex-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: October 28, 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 a2164442zex-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 September 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: October 28, 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 a2164442zex-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 September 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: October 28, 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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