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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FILED BY THE REGISTRANT    ý

FILED BY A PARTY OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT    o

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX:

o    PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT

o    CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY RULE 14a-6(e)(2))

o    DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT

o    DEFINITIVE ADDITIONAL MATERIALS

ý    SOLICITING MATERIAL PURSUANT TO RULE 14a-12

INFORMATION HOLDINGS INC.

(Name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(Name of person(s) filing proxy statement, if other than the registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

ý    No fee required

o    Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11

o    Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:

o    Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.


LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INFORMATION HOLDINGS REPORTS RESULTS FOR
SECOND QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2004

                STAMFORD, CT, July 22, 2004—Information Holdings Inc. (NYSE: IHI) today announced results for the quarter ended June 30, 2004. Earnings per diluted common share (EPS) from continuing operations were $0.10 in the second quarter of 2004 compared to $0.07 in t he second quarter of 2003. EPS in the second quarter of 2004 includes charges equal to approximately $0.02 per share for costs associated with the recently announced merger with The Thomson Corporation (Thomson). Including discontinued operations, EPS was $0.04 in the second quarter of 2004, compared to $1.45 in the second quarter of 2003. During the second quarter of 2004, the Company recorded charges in discontinued operations equal to approximately $0.06 per share, primarily related to remaining real estate lease obligations following the disposition of Transcender. EPS from discontinued operations of $1.39 resulted primarily from a gain on the disposition of the assets of CRC Press in the second quarter of 2003.

Second Quarter Results

                Revenues in the second quarter of 2004 increased 16.8% to $23.1 million from $19.8 million in the second quarter of 2003. Revenues in the Company's data segment (MicroPatent, Master Data Center and IDRAC) increased 11.4% to $16.0 million, based on continued strength in the Company's patent information subscription products, patent and trademark management services and regulatory database subscriptions. Software segment revenues increased 31.5% to $7.0 million due to revenues associated with CDC Solutions, which was acquired in December 2003. Overall software revenues were below expected levels due to delayed license deals. A significant number of transactions expected to be closed in the second quarter of 2004 remain in the sales pipeline for completion in the second half of 2004.


                Gross profit margin for the second quarter of 2004 was 70.0%, compared to 67.7% in the comparable prior year period. The increase is due primarily to higher gross margins in the software segment, based on increased revenues, cost reduction initiatives and the integration of the Company's Liquent and CDC Solutions units. Income from operations increased $1.6 million, or 106%, to approximately $3.2 million compared to $1.5 million in the second quarter of 2003. Income from operations in the data businesses increased 30% to $4.6 million, compared to $3.5 million in the prior year period, due primarily to improved profitability in the Company's intellectual property information and management businesses. Profit improvements reflect the operating leverage associated with increasing revenues in these units. Loss from operations in the Company's software segment decreased to $0.2 million from $0.6 million in the comparable prior year quarter. Improved operating results in this segment are due primarily to cost containment initiatives and the integration of Liquent and CDC Solutions. Corporate expenses reduced income from operations by $1.2 million in the second quarter of 2004 and $1.4 million in the second quarter of 2003.

                The Company evaluates the earnings performance of its segments based primarily on EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). The Company believes that EBITDA is the most useful measure of business unit earnings because it more closely approximates the cash generating ability of each business compared to income from operations. Income from operations includes charges for depreciation and amortization, the majority of which relate to amortization of intangible assets. The Company generally does not incur capital expenditures to replace intangible assets within existing operations. A reconciliation of EBITDA to income from operations before income taxes is presented after the attached financial statements.

                Based primarily on the factors impacting revenue and income from operations discussed above, EBITDA approximated $5.7 million in the second quarter of 2004, compared to $4.2 million in the second quarter of 2003. EBITDA in the second quarter of 2004 includes non-operating expenses of $0.6 million, related to costs associated with the recently announced merger with Thomson. EBITDA in the second quarter of 2004 for the data segment


approximated $6.9 million, an increase of 22% from the comparable prior year period. EBITDA in the second quarter of 2004 for the software segment approximated $0.6 million, compared to breakeven results in the comparable prior year period. Other EBITDA was a loss of $1.8 million in the second quarter of 2004, compared to a loss of $1.4 million in the second quarter of 2003, related to corporate operating expenses.

                Commenting on the results, Mason Slaine, President & CEO said, "Our second quarter results reflect continued strong revenue and profit growth in our data businesses, while software license sales were lower than expected at Liquent. Subsequent to the initial announcement of a potential sale of the Company, a significant number of transactions were delayed into the second half of the year. We are encouraged by our pipeline of potential second half license sales and the upcoming release of our new InSight Manager products. We are hopeful that operating results will improve in the second half as we progress towards completion of the merger with Thomson."

                Information Holdings Inc. will broadcast its second quarter earnings conference call via the Internet on Friday, July 23, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. EDT. The broadcast can be accessed through the Company's web site www.informationholdings.com.

About Information Holdings Inc.

                Information Holdings Inc. is a leading provider of information products and services to intellectual property and life science markets. IHI's data businesses, which include MicroPatent®, Master Data Center™ and IDRAC, provide a broad array of databases, information products and complementary services for intellectual property and regulatory professionals. IHI's Liquent unit is a leading provider of life science regulatory intelligence and publishing solutions.

                The statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically statements that are preceded by, followed by or include the words "believes," "plans," "intends," "will," "expects," "anticipates," or similar expressions. Actual results may differ materially from the results predicted, and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could render them materially different. More information about factors that could potentially affect IHI's financial results is included in IHI's filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. The forward-looking information in this release reflects management's judgment only on the date of this press release.


Additional Information About the Merger and Where to Find It

                Information Holdings Inc. will file a proxy statement and other documents regarding the proposed merger described in this press release with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on or about July 27, 2004. INFORMATION HOLDINGS INC. STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER. Copies of the proxy statement and other documents filed by Information Holdings Inc. (when they become available) may be obtained free of charge from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, Information Holdings Inc.'s website at www.informationholdings.com or by directing a request to the Corporate Secretary c/o Information Holdings Inc., 2777 Summer Street, Suite 602, Stamford Connecticut 06905. You may also read and copy any reports, statements and other information filed by Information Holdings Inc. at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room.

                Information Holdings Inc. and its directors and executive officers will be soliciting proxies from stockholders of Information Holdings Inc. in connection with the proposed merger. Information concerning these participants and their interests in the solicitation will be set forth in the proxy statement regarding the proposed merger when it is filed with the SEC. Information Holdings Inc. stockholders should read the proxy statement and other documents to be filed with the SEC carefully before making a decision concerning the merger.

(Financial Tables Follow)

For further information, contact:
Vincent A. Chippari
Information Holdings Inc.
203-961-9208
vchippari@informationholdings.com


Information Holdings Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)

 
  Three Months Ended
June 30,

  Six Months Ended
June 30,

 
(in thousands, except per share data)

 
  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
 
Revenues:                          
      Product   $ 12,961   $ 11,845   $ 28,159   $ 23,906  
      Service     10,119     7,910     19,521     15,506  
   
 
 
 
 
  Total revenues     23,080     19,755     47,680     39,412  
   
 
 
 
 

Cost of sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
      Product     3,173     3,067     6,402     6,063  
      Service     3,755     3,320     7,037     6,692  
   
 
 
 
 
  Total cost of sales     6,928     6,387     13,439     12,755  
   
 
 
 
 
Gross profit     16,152     13,368     34,241     26,657  
   
 
 
 
 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
      Selling, general and administrative     9,983     9,183     21,023     18,040  
      Depreciation and amortization     3,000     2,645     6,037     5,354  
   
 
 
 
 
  Total operating expenses     12,983     11,828     27,060     23,394  
   
 
 
 
 
Income from operations     3,169     1,540     7,181     3,263  
   
 
 
 
 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
      Interest income, net     735     676     1,575     808  
      Costs associated with pending merger     (590 )       (590 )    
      Early termination of credit agreement                 (575 )
      Other income, net     15         318      
   
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes     3,329     2,216     8,484     3,496  
Provision for income taxes     1,152     833     2,971     1,230  
   
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations     2,177     1,383     5,513     2,266  
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes     (1,256 )   29,389     (1,361 )   29,600  
   
 
 
 
 
Net income   $ 921   $ 30,772   $ 4,152   $ 31,866  
   
 
 
 
 

Net income (loss) per basic common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
      Continuing operations   $ 0.10   $ 0.07   $ 0.26   $ 0.11  
      Discontinued operations     (0.06 )   1.39     (0.07 )   1.39  
   
 
 
 
 
      Net income   $ 0.04   $ 1.45   $ 0.20   $ 1.50  
   
 
 
 
 

Net income (loss) per diluted common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
      Continuing operations   $ 0.10   $ 0.07   $ 0.26   $ 0.11  
      Discontinued operations     (0.06 )   1.39     (0.06 )   1.39  
   
 
 
 
 
      Net income   $ 0.04   $ 1.45   $ 0.20   $ 1.49  
   
 
 
 
 

Information Holdings Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)

 
  June 30,
2004

  December 31,
2003

 
 
  (Unaudited)

   
 
Assets              
Current assets:              
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 41,765   $ 39,693  
  Short-term investments     8,875     12,271  
  Restricted cash         3,000  
  Accounts receivable, net     39,434     37,650  
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets     3,699     5,669  
  Income tax receivable     1,638     11,899  
  Deferred income taxes     2,001     2,001  
   
 
 
Total current assets     97,412     112,183  

Investments

 

 

97,219

 

 

83,207

 
Property and equipment, net     3,864     4,281  
Identified intangible assets, net     67,078     70,248  
Goodwill     99,431     100,871  
Other assets     5,150     3,880  
   
 
 
Total assets   $ 370,154   $ 374,670  
   
 
 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Current liabilities:              
  Accounts payable   $ 32,154   $ 32,073  
  Accrued expenses     12,746     18,124  
  Deferred revenue     24,546     25,753  
   
 
 
Total current liabilities     69,446     75,950  
Long-term deferred income taxes     14,957     16,307  
   
 
 
Total liabilities     84,403     92,257  
   
 
 
Stockholders' equity:              
  Preferred stock   $   $  
  Common stock     219     219  
  Additional paid in capital     248,844     247,964  
  Retained earnings     42,456     38,304  
  Treasury stock     (14,723 )   (14,723 )
  Accumulated other comprehensive income     8,955     10,649  
   
 
 
Total stockholders' equity     285,751     282,413  
   
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 370,154   $ 374,670  
   
 
 

Information Holdings Inc.
Reconciliation of Segment Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes to EBITDA

 
  Three Months Ended
June 30,

  Six Months Ended
June 30,

 
(in thousands)

 
  2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
 
                           
Data Segment                          
  Income from continuing operations before income taxes   $ 4,644   $ 3,581   $ 9,177   $ 7,094  
  Amortization of capitalized software         4     1     9  
  Depreciation     731     674     1,463     1,343  
  Amortization of intangible assets     1,542     1,416     3,097     2,833  
  Interest income, net     (48 )   (66 )   (90 )   (119 )
   
 
 
 
 
  EBITDA     6,869     5,609     13,648     11,160  
                           
Software Segment                          
  (Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes     (233 )   (552 )   1,041     (849 )
  Amortization of capitalized software     75     45     149     76  
  Depreciation     253     263     509     582  
  Amortization of intangible assets     471     283     959     567  
  Interest (income) expense, net     (1 )   3     (6 )   7  
   
 
 
 
 
  EBITDA     565     42     2,652     383  
                           
Other                          
  Loss from continuing operations before income taxes     (1,082 )   (813 )   (1,734 )   (2,749 )
  Depreciation     3     9     9     29  
  Interest income, net     (686 )   (613 )   (1,479 )   (696 )
   
 
 
 
 
  EBITDA     (1,765 )   (1,417 )   (3,204 )   (3,416 )
                           
Consolidated                          
  Income from continuing operations before income taxes     3,329     2,216     8,484     3,496  
  Amortization of capitalized software     75     49     150     85  
  Depreciation     987     946     1,981     1,954  
  Amortization of intangible assets     2,013     1,699     4,056     3,400  
  Interest income, net     (735 )   (676 )   (1,575 )   (808 )
   
 
 
 
 
  EBITDA   $ 5,669   $ 4,234   $ 13,096   $ 8,127  
   
 
 
 
 



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SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934