Reaffirming Fiscal 2025 outlook at mid-to-high end of ranges from strong performance and profit improvement year-to-date; raising Fiscal 2026 margin target
HOBOKEN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Wiley (NYSE: WLY), one of the world's largest publishers and a trusted leader in research and learning, today reported results for the third quarter ended January 31, 2025.
- Third quarter reported revenue of $405 million vs. $461 million due to foregone revenue from divested businesses; Adjusted Revenue (excluding divestitures) +1.2% at constant currency as expected; Research +5.2% constant currency
- Third quarter Operating Income $52 million vs. ($46 million); Adjusted Operating Income +27% with margin up 280bps. Earnings Per Share (EPS) up $1.65 to ($0.43); Adjusted EPS +39% and Adjusted EBITDA +4%
- Year-to-date reported revenue of $1,235 million vs. $1,405 million due to foregone revenue from divested businesses; Adjusted Revenue (excluding divestitures) +3.5% at constant currency
- Year-to-date Operating Income of $145 million vs. ($17 million); Adjusted Operating Income +38% with margin up 330 basis points. Earnings Per Share (EPS) of $0.29 vs. ($4.10); Adjusted EPS +43%, Adjusted EBITDA +12%, Cash from Operations +115% to $52 million and Free Cash Flow +$44 million
"We continue to deliver disciplined growth and material margin expansion as we capitalize on the global demand for scientific research and responsible AI model development," said Matthew Kissner, Wiley President and CEO. "Our recurring revenue Research business has not only proven to be resilient across economic cycles but poised for continued expansion; our authoritative content and data-driven insights are increasingly coveted by corporations for their research and development initiatives, including AI enablement; and our strong execution and cost re-engineering efforts continue to deliver tangible results, with significant margin and cash flow improvement this year and raised margin expectations for Fiscal 2026."
RESEARCH
- Revenue of $268 million was up 4% as reported and 5% at constant currency driven by growth in open access, solutions, and AI licensing. During the quarter, Wiley executed two landmark recurring revenue agreements, including India ("one nation, one subscription" expanding access to over 6,000 institutions) and Brazil (transformational agreement expanding access to over 430 institutions). Leading indicators remain strong year-to-date, with submissions up 18% and output up 8%. Wiley also expanded a previously executed content licensing project for training this quarter valued at $9 million. For the nine months, Research revenue was up 3% as reported and at constant currency. Excluding AI revenue, Research revenue rose 2% in the quarter and year-to-date, both at constant currency.
- Adjusted EBITDA of $88 million was up 11% as reported and 12% at constant currency due to revenue growth. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter rose to 32.7% from 30.9% in the prior year period. Year-to-date, Research Adjusted EBITDA margin was up 30 basis points to 31.1%.
LEARNING
- Revenue of $137 million was down 6% as reported and at constant currency. Year-over-year results were impacted by a $6 million licensing renewal in the prior year and softness in Academic. At constant currency, Academic was down 9% in a seasonally small quarter and Professional was down 1%. For the nine months, Learning revenue was up 5%, or 4% at constant currency driven by AI licensing. Excluding AI licensing revenue, Learning revenue declined 0.6% year-to-date at constant currency.
- Adjusted EBITDA of $49 million was down 5% as reported and at constant currency due to revenue performance. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter rose to 35.4% from 35.1% in the prior year. Year-to-date, Learning Adjusted EBITDA margin was up over 400 basis points to 35.3%.
CORPORATE EXPENSES
- Corporate expenses declined by $3 million due to lower depreciation and amortization but rose $3 million on an Adjusted EBITDA basis due to enterprise modernization and consulting fees related to strategic initiatives, including the re-engineering of our cost structure. Adjusted Corporate Expenses are the portion of shared services costs not allocated to segments.
EARNINGS PER SHARE
