Strategic Restructuring

RNS Number:5944Z
Thomson Corporation
27 February 2001


( BW)(THOMSON-CORPORATION)(TOC.TO) The Thomson Corporation To Sell

Non-Core Businesses Within Thomson Financial


   Business Editors

   TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 27, 2001--



   Strategic Restructuring Enables Market Group to Sharpen Focus on

 Providing Comprehensive Work Solutions to Global Financial Services

                               Industry



   The Thomson Corporation (TSE:TOC), a leading, global e-information

and solutions company in the business and professional marketplace,

announced today that it intends to sell certain businesses contained

in its Thomson Financial market group. The businesses to be divested

include publications, business products, and services primarily

targeting the commercial banking sectors, as well as several niche

markets. The transaction is expected to be completed later this year.

   Richard J. Harrington, President and Chief Executive Officer of

The Thomson Corporation said, "We have recently completed a thorough

evaluation of the evolving markets in which Thomson Financial

competes. Although these are outstanding businesses with strong

management, and well-established customers and brands, they are

primarily print-based, domestic companies and, therefore, do not fit

within our vision for Thomson Financial as a leading e-solutions

provider to the global financial services industry."

   Several of the businesses being divested are market leaders in

providing specialized information and services to a broad range of

commercial banks and other financial services companies. Major

businesses and brands include American Banker, The Bond Buyer, A.S.

Pratt, Credit Union Journal, National Mortgage News, and Sheshunoff

Information Services.

   Other businesses and brands to be divested include those that

primarily focus on the financial planning and other niche markets,

including: Financial Planning, On Wall Street, Securities Industry

News, and Traders Magazine.

   "Thomson Financial has always embraced innovation and change to

maintain and grow its leading market position," said Patrick J.

Tierney, President and CEO of Thomson Financial. "Over the past year,

Thomson Financial has sharpened its focus on providing increased

analytical and workflow functionality, and technology and distribution

services to the securities industry. This means serving the needs of

corporations as issuers, investment banks, brokerage houses, and fund

managers. While the businesses we are selling have well-established

customer bases, unique data and information and strong brand names,

they simply fall outside our strategic core focus."

   Thomson has retained Morgan Stanley to be its financial adviser on

the sale.



About The Thomson Corporation



   The Thomson Corporation (www.thomson.com), with 1999 revenues of

$5.8 billion, is a leading, global e-information and solutions company

in the business and professional marketplace. The Corporation's common

shares are listed on the Toronto and London Stock Exchanges.



This news release includes forward-looking statements, which are based

on the Corporation's current expectations and assumptions, and are

subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual

results to materially differ from those anticipated. Such risks and

uncertainties include, among others, general business and economic

conditions and competitive actions.



    --30--jc/ny*



    CONTACT: The Thomson Corporation

             Investor Contact:

             John Kechejian

             Vice President, Investor Relations

             [phone]

             [e-mail]

                   or

             The Thomson Corporation

             Media Contacts:

             Jason Stewart

             Director, Public Relations

             [phone]

             [e-mail]

                   or

             Thomson Financial

             Pascale Wiedenroth

             Director, Public Relations

             [phone]

             [e-mail]



END