Thomson Reuters Corp (TRI.N) beat earnings expectations in the fourth quarter even as revenue slightly missed Wall Street's forecasts.

The news and information company reported quarterly revenue of US$2.94 billion, up 3 per cent.

Net earnings were US$591 million, or 81 cents per share, down from US$2.24 billion, or US$3.03 per share a year earlier.

Adjusted for special items, earnings were 60 cents per share.

Analysts, on average, were looking for profit of 58 cents per share, and revenue of US$2.95 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Last week, U.S. private equity firm Blackstone Group LP announced a US$20-billion deal to buy a 55-per cent stake in Thomson Reuters' Financial and Risk business, which provides news and analytics to financial services companies. That deal is expected to close in the second half of 2018.

Thomson Reuters said last week it would not provide earnings guidance for 2018.

Net sales in the Financial & Risk division, Thomson Reuters' biggest unit, were positive for the quarter.

Revenue for the unit rose 1 per cent to US$1.55 billion excluding currency. Under the deal with Blackstone, Thomson Reuters will retain a 45-per cent stake in Financial & Risk.