Underlying operating profit rose 15 percent to $295 million, up from $257 million the prior year. Revenue for the most recently ended year was $1.37 billion, a 10-percent rise from $1.2 billion. Revenue was up 12 percent in constant currencies and 9 percent organically.

In the company's recent earnings webcast, CEO James Smith said new products and good execution were factors in the unit's continuing strong performance. He also reported progress in the company's long troubled financial services line.

"We have made significant progress in putting the company back on a solid footing," Smith said.

Smith pictured the financial services business as turning around during 2015. That segment has struggled since its Eikon system was introduced with poor market. While revenue dropped for the year, Thomson recorded a rise in net new sales.

"Our financial business recorded positive net sales for the year for the first time since 2008 and the first positive fourth quarter I can recall," said Smith. "The trajectory is in our favor and we expected that to continue in 2015."

Smith said the drop in revenue reflects sales from a year ago. The rise in net sales for 2014 will impact future revenue.

Overall, revenue dropped to $12.6 billion for the most recently ended year, down 1 percent from $12.7 billion in 2013. Underlying profit was $2.5 billion, a 68-percent increase to $1.5 billion.