John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (WLY) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Revenue Revenue was up 1%, driven by Research growth of 5%, offsetting an expected 6% decline in Learning. This year-over-year swing stemmed from a $6 million licensing renewal in the prior year and softness this quarter in academic books.
Adjusted EPS Adjusted EPS increased 39% due to higher adjusted operating income and a lower adjusted effective tax rate.
Operating Margin Operating margin rose 280 basis points to 14.2%.
Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA grew 4%, reflecting revenue growth, partially offset by investments in growth and productivity initiatives. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter was 23.2%, up from 22.7%.
Adjusted Operating Income Adjusted operating income up 38%.
Free Cash Flow Free cash flow is expected to meet guidance of approximately $125 million, an improvement from $114 million in the prior year.
Adjusted EBITDA for Research Adjusted EBITDA for Research increased 12% for the quarter and 5% year-to-date, reflecting revenue growth and cost savings, partially offset by investments in growth and productivity.
Adjusted EBITDA for Learning Adjusted EBITDA for the Learning segment decreased 5% this quarter, reflecting revenue performance.
Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio Net debt-to-EBITDA ratio was 2.0 at the end of January, compared to 1.9 in the prior year period.
Dividend Yield Current dividend yield is over 3.5%.
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Wiley Boosts Share Repurchase Allocation to $100 Million, Reaffirms Growth Confidence
- Increased Repurchase Allocation: Wiley has raised its Fiscal 2026 share repurchase allocation to $100 million from $60 million, reflecting strong confidence in future growth and aiming to enhance shareholder value through strategic buybacks.
- Consistent Dividend Growth: The company has increased its quarterly dividend for the 32nd consecutive year, showcasing stable cash flow and profitability, which further boosts investor confidence in its financial health.
- Strong Margin Expansion: In Q2, Wiley achieved a 250 basis point improvement in adjusted operating margin to 18.8%, driven by robust global demand for research publishing and licensing, indicating sustainable business growth.
- Successful AI Licensing Projects: The company executed a $6 million content licensing project, realizing $35 million year-to-date, demonstrating increasing market demand in AI models and corporate applications, thereby solidifying its leadership position in the industry.
Wiley Schedules Q2 2026 Earnings Release and Conference Call for December 4, 2025
- Earnings Release Schedule: Wiley will release its Q2 2026 earnings prior to market open on December 4, 2025, reflecting the company's ongoing leadership in scientific discovery and learning.
- Conference Call Details: The company has scheduled a conference call at 10 AM ET on the same day to discuss the earnings results in depth and engage with investors.
- Investor Relations Access: Investors can participate in the webcast via the company's investor relations page or directly through the provided link, ensuring transparency and timely communication.
- Global Impact: As a global leader in authoritative content and research intelligence, Wiley is committed to transforming scientific breakthroughs into real-world impact, further solidifying its critical role in the scholarly ecosystem.
Wiley Declares Quarterly Dividend; Marks 32nd Consecutive Year of Dividend Increases
Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Wiley's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.355 per share, payable on October 23, 2025, marking an increase in the annual dividend to $1.42 per share, continuing a 32-year trend of dividend increases.
Share Repurchase Authorization: The company approved a $250 million share repurchase program, up from a previous $200 million authorization, with $76 million allocated to dividends and $60 million to share repurchases in Fiscal 2025.
Wiley Appoints Katya Andresen to Board of Directors
Appointment Announcement: Katya Andresen, Chief Digital & Analytics Officer at The Cigna Group, has been appointed to the Board of Directors at Wiley, bringing her extensive experience in technology, AI innovation, and data analytics from her roles in Fortune 500 companies.
Expertise and Vision: Andresen aims to leverage her background in digital transformation and AI strategy to contribute to Wiley's mission of advancing research and learning, emphasizing the importance of adapting to rapid changes in technology.
Wiley Raises Dividend for 32nd Consecutive Year, Announces $250 Million Share Repurchase Authorization
Earnings Growth and Dividend Announcement: Wiley reported strong earnings growth for Fiscal 2025, with a quarterly cash dividend of $0.355 per share declared, marking the 32nd consecutive annual increase.
Share Repurchase and Future Outlook: The company approved a $250 million share repurchase authorization and provided a positive outlook for Fiscal 2026, projecting an Adjusted EBITDA margin between 25.5% to 26.5% and approximately $200 million in Free Cash Flow.
Wiley Earnings: What To Look For From WLY
Earnings Report Expectations: John Wiley & Sons is set to report earnings, with analysts expecting a 7.1% decline in revenue year on year to $435 million and adjusted earnings of $1.27 per share. The company has a history of exceeding revenue estimates.
Market Context: Investors have been cautious in the media & entertainment sector, with Wiley's shares down 13.8% over the past month, while peers like EchoStar and Sinclair reported revenue declines that met expectations.
Wiley Boosts Share Repurchase Allocation to $100 Million, Reaffirms Growth Confidence
- Increased Repurchase Allocation: Wiley has raised its Fiscal 2026 share repurchase allocation to $100 million from $60 million, reflecting strong confidence in future growth and aiming to enhance shareholder value through strategic buybacks.
- Consistent Dividend Growth: The company has increased its quarterly dividend for the 32nd consecutive year, showcasing stable cash flow and profitability, which further boosts investor confidence in its financial health.
- Strong Margin Expansion: In Q2, Wiley achieved a 250 basis point improvement in adjusted operating margin to 18.8%, driven by robust global demand for research publishing and licensing, indicating sustainable business growth.
- Successful AI Licensing Projects: The company executed a $6 million content licensing project, realizing $35 million year-to-date, demonstrating increasing market demand in AI models and corporate applications, thereby solidifying its leadership position in the industry.
Wiley Schedules Q2 2026 Earnings Release and Conference Call for December 4, 2025
- Earnings Release Schedule: Wiley will release its Q2 2026 earnings prior to market open on December 4, 2025, reflecting the company's ongoing leadership in scientific discovery and learning.
- Conference Call Details: The company has scheduled a conference call at 10 AM ET on the same day to discuss the earnings results in depth and engage with investors.
- Investor Relations Access: Investors can participate in the webcast via the company's investor relations page or directly through the provided link, ensuring transparency and timely communication.
- Global Impact: As a global leader in authoritative content and research intelligence, Wiley is committed to transforming scientific breakthroughs into real-world impact, further solidifying its critical role in the scholarly ecosystem.
Wiley Declares Quarterly Dividend; Marks 32nd Consecutive Year of Dividend Increases
Quarterly Dividend Announcement: Wiley's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.355 per share, payable on October 23, 2025, marking an increase in the annual dividend to $1.42 per share, continuing a 32-year trend of dividend increases.
Share Repurchase Authorization: The company approved a $250 million share repurchase program, up from a previous $200 million authorization, with $76 million allocated to dividends and $60 million to share repurchases in Fiscal 2025.
Wiley Appoints Katya Andresen to Board of Directors
Appointment Announcement: Katya Andresen, Chief Digital & Analytics Officer at The Cigna Group, has been appointed to the Board of Directors at Wiley, bringing her extensive experience in technology, AI innovation, and data analytics from her roles in Fortune 500 companies.
Expertise and Vision: Andresen aims to leverage her background in digital transformation and AI strategy to contribute to Wiley's mission of advancing research and learning, emphasizing the importance of adapting to rapid changes in technology.
Wiley Raises Dividend for 32nd Consecutive Year, Announces $250 Million Share Repurchase Authorization
Earnings Growth and Dividend Announcement: Wiley reported strong earnings growth for Fiscal 2025, with a quarterly cash dividend of $0.355 per share declared, marking the 32nd consecutive annual increase.
Share Repurchase and Future Outlook: The company approved a $250 million share repurchase authorization and provided a positive outlook for Fiscal 2026, projecting an Adjusted EBITDA margin between 25.5% to 26.5% and approximately $200 million in Free Cash Flow.
Wiley Earnings: What To Look For From WLY
Earnings Report Expectations: John Wiley & Sons is set to report earnings, with analysts expecting a 7.1% decline in revenue year on year to $435 million and adjusted earnings of $1.27 per share. The company has a history of exceeding revenue estimates.
Market Context: Investors have been cautious in the media & entertainment sector, with Wiley's shares down 13.8% over the past month, while peers like EchoStar and Sinclair reported revenue declines that met expectations.
