No, Reuters and Refinitiv are not the same entity, although they share a historical connection through Thomson Reuters.
While both names are associated with financial information and media, their current roles and ownership are distinct. Refinitiv was formerly the Financial and Risk business of Thomson Reuters, which means it was a specific division within the larger Thomson Reuters corporation. It has since become a separate company and was later acquired by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). Reuters, on the other hand, primarily operates as a global news agency and remains a key part of Thomson Reuters.
Understanding the Relationship
To clarify the distinction, it's helpful to look at their individual roles and evolution:
- Thomson Reuters: This is a multinational media and information firm. It encompasses various businesses, including legal, tax, accounting, and media segments.
- Reuters: This renowned global news agency is the news arm of Thomson Reuters. It provides news, photos, and video to media outlets, financial professionals, and businesses worldwide.
- Refinitiv: This entity emerged as a standalone company in 2018 when Thomson Reuters sold a majority stake in its Financial & Risk division to a consortium led by private equity firm Blackstone. This division focused on providing financial market data, analytics, trading platforms, and risk solutions. Refinitiv was subsequently acquired by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) in 2021.
Essentially, Refinitiv was a part of Thomson Reuters that spun off, whereas Reuters remains the news brand within Thomson Reuters.
Key Differences at a Glance
The table below highlights the primary distinctions between Reuters and Refinitiv:
| Feature | Reuters | Refinitiv |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | Global news agency and content provider | Financial data, infrastructure, and analytics provider |
| Parent Company | Part of Thomson Reuters | Formerly part of Thomson Reuters; now part of London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) |
| Core Business | News reporting, journalism, photography, video production for global media and financial markets | Market data, trading solutions, risk management, analytics, wealth management, post-trade services |
| Focus | Timely and accurate news and information delivery | Delivering critical data, insights, and workflow tools for financial professionals |
In essence:
- If you're looking for breaking news, investigative journalism, or global media content, you're interacting with Reuters.
- If you're dealing with real-time financial market data, trading platforms, risk assessment tools, or financial analytics, you're likely engaging with services that originated from or are now provided by Refinitiv (as part of LSEG).
The separation allowed Refinitiv to focus solely on its financial data and infrastructure business, while Reuters continues its legacy as a leading global news organization within Thomson Reuters.
