Rothschild family prepares to sell stake in The Economist

British philanthropist Lynn Forester de Rothschild is preparing to sell her family’s entire 26.7 per cent stake in The Economist Group, in what would be the most significant ownership shift for the publisher in a decade. The holding includes around 20 per cent of the voting shares – the maximum permitted for any single shareholder – and could value the group at about £800 million ($1.1 billion).

The Economist remains one of the world’s most influential media brands, prized for its editorial independence and global reach. Any change in ownership is likely to draw scrutiny from readers and investors keen to see its autonomy preserved.

The Economist Group is primarily controlled by Italy’s Agnelli family, who hold about 43.4 per cent through their investment company Exor. They acquired their majority stake in 2015, when Pearson sold its 50 per cent holding in a £469 million deal. John Elkann, Exor’s chief executive, said at the time he saw strong growth potential in The Economist’s digital business.

Forester de Rothschild, chair of EL Rothschild and a long-time supporter of the publication and its educational initiatives, is understood to be working with investment bank Lazard on the sale. Interest is expected from wealthy individuals, family offices and strategic investors in both the US and UK. Advisers are said to be vetting potential buyers to ensure The Economist’s editorial independence remains intact.

The move comes as ownership of leading media brands faces renewed attention, with investors seeking trusted titles that can weather digital disruption. The Economist’s blend of authority, profitability and prestige makes it a rare prize in a media market often struggling to sustain legacy publications.

Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being October 7, 2025, by Axios. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2025/10/07/economist-news-owners-rothschild-family-stake?utm_source=openai)) The National Herald India article was published on October 8, 2025, indicating timely reporting.

Quotes check

Score:
10

Notes:
The National Herald India article does not contain any direct quotes, suggesting original reporting.

Source reliability

Score:
6

Notes:
The National Herald India is a news outlet based in India. While it is not as widely recognised as some other international news organisations, it is a legitimate source. The report cites Axios, a reputable news outlet, as the original source. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2025/10/07/economist-news-owners-rothschild-family-stake?utm_source=openai))

Plausability check

Score:
10

Notes:
The claims in the narrative are plausible and align with information from reputable sources. The potential sale of the Rothschild family’s stake in The Economist has been reported by multiple outlets, including Axios. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2025/10/07/economist-news-owners-rothschild-family-stake?utm_source=openai))

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is fresh, with no evidence of recycled content. It does not contain direct quotes, indicating original reporting. The source is legitimate, citing reputable outlets like Axios. The claims are plausible and corroborated by multiple sources. Therefore, the overall assessment is a PASS with high confidence.