Wolters Kluwer Legal & Regulatory Solutions has signed an agreement to sell its 55% interest in Wolters Kluwer Russia Publishing Holding to the company’s minority shareholders. This holding company owns 100% of the Russian legal and regulatory business, MCFR.
The divestment, which is subject to closing conditions and is expected to close in the near term, has been precipitated by impending limits on foreign ownership in Russian media companies.
In 2014, the Russian business was fully consolidated in the Wolters Kluwer accounts and had revenues of €39 million. The divestment is expected to result in a one-time net loss of approximately €18 million, of which the majority is foreign exchange related. Terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.
