Canadian billionaire Stephen Smith has acquired a 26.9% stake in The Economist Group, marking the publication’s first ownership shift in a decade. The deal, brokered by Lazard, involves Smith Financial purchasing shares from Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild and her affiliated entities. Smith emphasized his commitment to preserving The Economist’s editorial independence, stating operations will remain unaffected.

The group, founded in 1843, maintains a complex ownership structure with nearly 1,000 shareholders, including the Rothschilds’ 20% voting rights stake. Financials for 2025 show revenues of £368.5mn and a 3% rise in subscriptions to 1.3mn, reflecting its premium status among political and business elites.