Press Release

AI Demand Drives Wiley’s First Quarter 2026 Results

HOBOKEN, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Wiley (NYSE: WLY), a leading global provider of authoritative content, data-driven insights, and knowledge services for the advancement of science and learning, today reported results for the first quarter ended July 31, 2025.


FIRST QUARTER SUMMARY

  • GAAP performance vs. prior year: Revenue of $397 million vs. $404 million due to foregone revenue from divested businesses, Operating Income of $31 million up 7%, and Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) of $0.22 vs. (-$0.03) in prior year
  • Adjusted Results at constant currency in line with expectations: Adjusted Revenue of $397 million up 1%, Adjusted Operating Income of $34 million down 2%, Adjusted EBITDA of $70 million down 3%, and Adjusted EPS of $0.49 up 2%
  • Growth in Research revenue (+5% at constant currency) driven by AI licensing projects and open access growth offsetting timing of prior year journal renewals
  • Executed landmark AI licensing project with large tech company on behalf of Wiley publisher partners; announced strategic partnership with Anthropic to accelerate AI integration across scholarly research
  • Increased dividend for the 32nd consecutive year and share repurchases to $14 million; Board approved $250 million share repurchase authorization, a 25% increase over its 2020 authorization

MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY

“We continue to see strong demand trends in research as we open up new growth pathways in AI and corporate R&D,” said Matthew Kissner, President and CEO. “Wiley is now a recognized leader in AI licensing and innovation, executing projects for multi-national corporations and strategically partnering with top AI innovators. At the same time, we continue to drive operational excellence across the organization, reaching important milestones in our multi-stage research publishing platform launch and expanding AI innovation across our product portfolio. Given leading indicators, the strength of our recurring revenue models and open access programs, and anticipated cost savings, we remain fully confident in our Fiscal 2026 outlook.”

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Please see accompanying financial tables for more detail.

Research

  • Q1 Research revenue of $282 million was up 6% as reported and 5% at constant currency driven by AI licensing revenue of $16 million (vs. $1 million in prior year period) and open access growth offsetting an unfavorable comparison to prior year due to the timing of journal renewals, as well as softness in ancillary material. Wiley continues to see strong demand to publish with article submissions and output growing by 25% and 13%, respectively, with robust growth across all key geographies. Note, it takes approximately six months for a submitted article to be published.
  • Q1 Adjusted EBITDA of $80 million was up 2% as reported and at constant currency due to revenue growth partially offset by AI mix (higher royalties for the partner portion of the AI licensing agreement) and the timing of costs. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter was 28.3% vs. 29.3% in the prior year period.

Learning

  • Q1 Learning revenue of $115 million was down 7% as reported and 8% at constant currency largely due to $16 million of AI licensing revenue in the prior year (vs. $13 million this quarter) and market-related softness in Professional.
  • Q1 Adjusted EBITDA of $31 million for the quarter was down 7% as reported and at constant currency due to lower revenue. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 27.4%, up slightly over prior year.

Corporate Expenses

“Corporate Expenses” are the portion of shared services costs not allocated to segments.

  • Q1 Corporate Expenses rose 4% on an Adjusted EBITDA basis at constant currency driven primarily by costs related to strategic consulting projects (now complete), enterprise modernization, and other one-time items. Wiley expects Corporate Expenses to decline starting in Q2 as cost savings ramp up.

EPS

  • GAAP EPS of $0.22 compared to a ($0.03) loss in the prior year period, which was impacted by a $0.33/share, non-cash income tax adjustment.
  • Adjusted EPS of $0.49 was up 2% at constant currency mainly due to lower interest expense from lower rates.

BALANCE SHEET, CASH FLOW, AND CAPITAL ALLOCATION

  • Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (Trailing Twelve Months) at quarter end was 1.9 compared to 2.0 in the year-ago period.
  • Net Cash Used in Operating Activities was $85 million compared to $89 million in the prior year period. Note, Wiley’s regular use of cash in the first half of the fiscal year is driven by the timing of cash collections for annual journal renewals, which are concentrated in Q3 and Q4.
  • Free Cash Flow less Product Development Spending was a use of $100 million compared to a use of $107 million in the prior year. Capex was $15 million compared to $18 million.
  • Returns to Shareholders: Wiley allocated $32 million toward dividends and repurchases this quarter, up approximately $1 million from the prior year period. In Q1, the Company acquired approximately 332,000 shares at an average cost of $42.22/share and raised its dividend for the 32nd consecutive year. In June, the Wiley Board of Directors approved a $250 million share repurchase authorization, a 25% increase over its 2020 authorization.
  • Divestiture Proceeds: During the quarter, Wiley received approximately $120 million in cash proceeds related to the University Services divestiture, with the total outstanding note paid in full. Wiley has utilized these proceeds to further reduce its debt.

FISCAL 2026 OUTLOOK

Based on leading demand and output indicators, the success of calendar year 2025 journal renewals, and anticipated cost savings, Wiley is reaffirming its full year outlook.

Metric

Fiscal 2024 Results

Fiscal 2025 Results

Fiscal 2026 Outlook

Adj. Revenue

$1,617M

$1,660M

Low to mid-single digit growth

Adj. EBITDA Margin

22.8%

24%

25.5% to 26.5%

Adj. EPS

$2.78

$3.64

$3.90 to $4.35

Free Cash Flow

$114M

$126M

Approximately $200M

Note, growth outlook is comprehensive and includes adverse variances, including AI revenue in Fiscal 2025. Adjusted metrics exclude impact of divestitures, which were primarily completed in Fiscal 2024 with remainder completed in first half of Fiscal 2025. Approximately $17 million of divestiture-related revenue was recorded in Fiscal 2025.

EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

Scheduled for today, September 4 at 10:00 am (ET). Access webcast at Investor Relations at investors.wiley.com, or directly at http://events.q4inc.com/attendee/819546756. U.S. callers, please dial (888) 210-3346 and enter the participant code 2521217#. International callers, please dial (646) 960-0253 and enter the participant code 2521217#.

ABOUT WILEY

Wiley (NYSE: WLY) is a leading global provider of authoritative content, data-driven insights, and knowledge services that advance science and learning. For over 200 years, we’ve empowered researchers, learners and institutions worldwide to drive progress and solve the world’s most pressing challenges.

Learn more at Wiley.com and Investors.Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Wiley provides non-GAAP financial measures and performance results such as “Adjusted EPS,” “Adjusted Operating Income and Margin,” “Adjusted EBITDA and Margin,” “Adjusted Income before Taxes,” “Adjusted Income Tax Provision,” “Adjusted Effective Income Tax Rate,” “Free Cash Flow less Product Development Spending,” “Adjusted Revenue,” and results on a Constant Currency basis to assess underlying business performance and trends. Management believes non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude the impact of restructuring charges and credits and certain other items, and the impact of divestitures and acquisitions provide a useful comparable basis to analyze operating results and earnings. See the reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures and explanations of the uses of non-GAAP measures in the supplementary information. We have not provided our 2026 outlook for the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures, as they are not available without unreasonable effort due to the high variability, complexity, and low visibility with respect to certain items, including restructuring charges and credits, gains and losses on foreign currency, and other gains and losses. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could be material to our consolidated results computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning the Company’s operations, performance, and financial condition. Reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, as actual results may differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company and are subject to change based on many important factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (i) the level of investment in new technologies and products; (ii) subscriber renewal rates for the Company’s journals; (iii) the financial stability and liquidity of journal subscription agents; (iv) the consolidation of book wholesalers and retail accounts; (v) the market position and financial stability of key online retailers; (vi) the seasonal nature of the Company’s educational business and the impact of the used book market; (vii) worldwide economic and political conditions; (viii) the Company’s ability to protect its copyrights and other intellectual property worldwide (ix) the ability of the Company to successfully integrate acquired operations and realize expected opportunities; (x) the ability to realize operating savings over time and in fiscal year 2026 in connection with our multiyear Global Restructuring Program and completed dispositions; (xi) cyber risk and the failure to maintain the integrity of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of third parties with which we do business; (xii) as a result of acquisitions, we have and may record a significant amount of goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets and we may never realize the full carrying value of these assets; (xiii) our ability to leverage artificial intelligence technologies in our products and services, including generative artificial intelligence, large language models, machine learning, and other artificial intelligence tools; and (xiv) other factors detailed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events.

CATEGORY: EARNINGS RELEASES

JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (1)(2)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME (LOSS)
(in USD thousands, except per share information)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
July 31,

2025

2024

Revenue, net

$

396,800

 

$

403,809

 

Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales

 

109,259

 

 

109,220

 

Operating and administrative expenses

 

240,330

 

 

248,819

 

Restructuring and related charges

 

3,038

 

 

3,870

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

13,210

 

 

12,927

 

Total costs and expenses

 

365,837

 

 

374,836

 

 
Operating income

 

30,963

 

 

28,973

 

As a % of revenue

 

7.8

%

 

7.2

%

 
Interest expense

 

(11,042

)

 

(12,787

)

Net foreign exchange transaction (losses) gains

 

(971

)

 

234

 

Net (loss) gain on sale of businesses, assets, and impairment charges related to assets held-for-sale(3)

 

(1,116

)

 

5,801

 

Other (expense) income, net

 

(127

)

 

782

 

 
Income before taxes

 

17,707

 

 

23,003

 

 
Provision for income taxes

 

6,007

 

 

24,439

 

Effective tax rate

 

33.9

%

 

106.2

%

Net income (loss)

$

11,700

 

$

(1,436

)

As a % of revenue

 

2.9

%

 

-0.4

%

 
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic

$

0.22

 

$

(0.03

)

Diluted(4)

$

0.22

 

$

(0.03

)

 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
Basic

 

53,377

 

 

54,377

 

Diluted(4)

 

53,966

 

 

54,377

 

 
 
Notes:
(1) The supplementary information included in this press release for the three months ended July 31, 2025 is preliminary and subject to change prior to the filing of our upcoming Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
(2) All amounts are approximate due to rounding.
 
(3) We recorded net pretax (loss) gain on sale of businesses, assets, and impairment charges related to assets held-for-sale as follows:
Three Months Ended
July 31,

2025

2024

University Services

$

(934

)

$

1,489

 

CrossKnowledge

 

 

 

4,360

 

Wiley Edge

 

 

 

(168

)

Tuition Manager

 

 

 

120

 

Other disposition activity

 

(182

)

 

 

Net (loss) gain on sale of businesses, assets, and impairment charges related to assets held-for-sale

$

(1,116

)

$

5,801

 

 
On January 1, 2024, we completed the sale of University Services. On June 5, 2025, Wiley entered into an agreement to sell the Seller Note, the fiscal year 2026 earnout, the TVG Investment, and agreed on the fiscal year 2025 earnout for total cash consideration of $119.5 million, which was fully paid in June 2025. As a result of the sale of these assets, we recognized an additional pretax loss of $0.9 million in the three months ended July 31, 2025.
 
(4) In calculating diluted net loss per common share for the three months ended July 31, 2024, our diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding excludes the effect of unvested restricted stock units and other stock awards as the effect was antidilutive. This occurs when a US GAAP net loss is reported and the effect of using dilutive shares is antidilutive.
 
JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (1) (2)
RECONCILIATION OF US GAAP MEASURES to NON-GAAP MEASURES
(in USD thousands, except per share information)
(unaudited)
 
Reconciliation of US GAAP Earnings (Loss) per Share to Non-GAAP Adjusted EPS
Three Months Ended
July 31,

2025

2024

US GAAP Earnings (Loss) Per Share – Diluted

$

0.22

 

$

(0.03

)

Adjustments:
Restructuring and related charges

 

0.05

 

 

0.06

 

Foreign exchange gains on intercompany transactions, including the write off of certain cumulative translation adjustments (3)

 

 

 

(0.05

)

Amortization of acquired intangible assets (4)

 

0.20

 

 

0.20

 

Net loss (gain) on sale of businesses, assets, and impairment charges related to assets held-for-sale (5)

 

0.02

 

 

(0.09

)

Held for Sale or Sold segment Adjusted Net Loss (5)

 

 

 

0.04

 

Income tax adjustments

 

 

 

0.33

 

EPS impact of using weighted-average dilutive shares for adjusted EPS calculation (6)

 

 

 

0.01

 

Non-GAAP Adjusted Earnings Per Share – Diluted

$

0.49

 

$

0.47

 

 
Reconciliation of US GAAP Income Before Taxes to Non-GAAP Adjusted Income Before Taxes
Three Months Ended
July 31,

2025

2024

US GAAP Income Before Taxes

$

17,707

 

$

23,003

 

Pretax Impact of Adjustments:
Restructuring and related charges

 

3,038

 

 

3,870

 

Foreign exchange gains on intercompany transactions, including the write off of certain cumulative translation adjustments (3)

 

(440

)

 

(2,591

)

Amortization of acquired intangible assets (4)

 

13,210

 

 

12,969

 

Net loss (gain) on sale of businesses, assets, and impairment charges related to assets held-for-sale (5)

 

1,116

 

 

(5,801

)

Held for Sale or Sold segment Adjusted Loss Before Taxes (5)

 

 

 

2,519

 

Non-GAAP Adjusted Income Before Taxes

$

34,631

 

$

33,969

 

 
Reconciliation of US GAAP Income Tax Provision to Non-GAAP Adjusted Income Tax Provision, including our US GAAP Effective Tax Rate and our Non-GAAP Adjusted Effective Tax Rate
 
US GAAP Income Tax Provision

$

6,007

 

$

24,439

 

Income Tax Impact of Adjustments (7)
Restructuring and related charges

 

519

 

 

749

 

Foreign exchange gains on intercompany transactions, including the write off of certain cumulative translation adjustments (3)

 

(750

)

 

(390

)

Amortization of acquired intangible assets (4)

 

2,068

 

 

1,809

 

Net loss (gain) on sale of businesses, assets, and impairment charges related to assets held-for-sale (5)

 

54

 

 

(925

)

Held for Sale or Sold segment Adjusted Tax Benefit (5)

 

 

 

372

 

Income Tax Adjustments
Impact of valuation allowance on the US GAAP effective tax rate (8)

 

166

 

 

(18,030

)

Non-GAAP Adjusted Income Tax Provision

$

8,064

 

$

8,024

 

 
US GAAP Effective Tax Rate

 

33.9

%

 

106.2

%

Non-GAAP Adjusted Effective Tax Rate

 

23.3

%

 

23.6

%

 
Notes:
(1) See Explanation of Usage of Non-GAAP Performance Measures included in this supplementary information for additional details on the reasons why management believes presentation of each non-GAAP performance measure provides useful information to investors. The supplementary information included in this press release for the three months ended July 31, 2025 is preliminary and subject to change prior to the filing of our upcoming Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
(2) All amounts are approximate due to rounding.
 
(3) In fiscal year 2023 due to the closure of our operations in Russia, the Russia entity was deemed substantially liquidated. The formal liquidation was completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025. In the three months ended July 31, 2024, we wrote off an additional $0.5 million of cumulative translation adjustments in earnings. This amount is reflected in Net foreign exchange transaction (losses) gains on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss).
 
(4) Reflects the amortization of intangible assets established on the opening balance sheet for an acquired business. This includes the amortization of intangible assets such as developed technology, customer relationships, tradenames, etc., which is reflected in the “Amortization of intangible assets” line in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss). It also includes the amortization of acquired product development assets, which is reflected in Cost of sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income (Loss).
 
(5) We recorded net pretax loss (gain) on sale of businesses, assets, and impairment charges related to assets held-for-sale as follows:
Three Months Ended
July 31,

2025

2024

University Services

$

934

 

$

(1,489

)

CrossKnowledge

 

 

 

(4,360

)

Wiley Edge

 

 

 

168

 

Tuition Manager

 

 

 

(120

)

Other disposition activity

 

182

 

 

 

Net pretax loss (gain) on sale of businesses, assets, and impairment charges related to assets held-for-sale

$

1,116

 

$

(5,801

)

 
We recorded income tax benefit (provision) on sale of businesses, assets, and impairment charges related to assets held-for-sale as follows:
Three Months Ended
July 31,

2025

2024

University Services

$

 

$

 

CrossKnowledge

 

 

 

 

Wiley Edge

 

 

 

(895

)

Tuition Manager

 

 

 

(30

)

Other disposition activity

 

54

 

 

 

Benefit (provision) on sale of businesses, assets, and impairment charges related to assets held-for-sale

$

54

 

$

(925

)

In addition, our Adjusted EPS excludes the Adjusted Net Income or Loss of our Held for Sale or Sold segment.
 
(6) Represents the impact of using diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (55.0 million for the three months ended July 31, 2024) included in the Non-GAAP Adjusted EPS calculation in order to apply the dilutive impact on adjusted net income due to the effect of unvested restricted stock units and other stock awards. This impact occurs when a US GAAP net loss is reported and the effect of using dilutive shares is antidilutive.
 
(7) For the three months ended July 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, substantially all of the tax impact was from deferred taxes.
 
(8) In the three months ended July 31, 2025 and 2024, there was an impact on the US GAAP effective tax rate due to the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets in the US of $0.2 million and $(18.0) million, respectively.
JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (1)
RECONCILIATION OF US GAAP NET INCOME (LOSS) TO NON-GAAP EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA
(in USD thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
July 31,

2025

2024

Net Income (Loss)

$

11,700

 

$

(1,436

)

Interest expense

 

11,042

 

 

12,787

 

Provision for income taxes

 

6,007

 

 

24,439

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

36,446

 

 

37,253

 

Non-GAAP EBITDA

 

65,195

 

 

73,043

 

Restructuring and related charges

 

3,038

 

 

3,870

 

Net foreign exchange transaction losses (gains)

 

971

 

 

(234

)

Net loss (gain) on sale of businesses, assets, and impairment charges related to assets held-for-sale

 

1,116

 

 

(5,801

)

Other expense (income), net

 

127

 

 

(782

)

Held for Sale or Sold segment Adjusted EBITDA (2)

 

 

 

2,519

 

Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA

$

70,447

 

$

72,615

 

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

 

17.8

%

 

18.6

%

 
Notes:
(1) See Explanation of Usage of Non-GAAP Performance Measures included in this supplementary information for additional details on the reasons why management believes presentation of each non-GAAP performance measure provides useful information to investors. The supplementary information included in this press release for the three months ended July 31, 2025 is preliminary and subject to change prior to the filing of our upcoming Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
(2) Our Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA excludes the Held for Sale or Sold segment Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA.
JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION (1) (2)
SEGMENT RESULTS
(in USD thousands)
(unaudited)
 
% Change
Three Months Ended July 31, Favorable (Unfavorable)

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

Reported Constant Currency
Research:
Revenue, net
Research Publishing

$

231,827

 

$

230,951

 

0

%

-1

%

Research Solutions

 

49,865

 

 

34,358

 

45

%

44

%

Total Revenue, net

$

281,692

 

$

265,309

 

6

%

5

%

 
Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income

$

56,248

 

$

55,216

 

2

%

3

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

23,385

 

 

22,559

 

-4

%

-2

%

Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA

$

79,633

 

$

77,775

 

2

%

2

%

Adjusted EBITDA margin

 

28.3

%

 

29.3

%

 
Learning:
Revenue, net
Academic

$

55,472

 

$

59,964

 

-7

%

-8

%

Professional

 

59,636

 

 

64,350

 

-7

%

-8

%

Total Revenue, net

$

115,108

 

$

124,314

 

-7

%

-8

%

 
Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income

$

21,655

 

$

22,500

 

-4

%

-4

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

9,844

 

 

11,294

 

13

%

13

%

Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA

$

31,499

 

$

33,794

 

-7

%

-7

%

Adjusted EBITDA margin

 

27.4

%

 

27.2

%

 
Held for Sale or Sold:
Total Revenue, net

$

 

$

14,186

 

# #
 
Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Loss

$

 

$

(2,519

)

# #
Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

# #
Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA

$

 

$

(2,519

)

# #
Adjusted EBITDA margin

 

0.0

%

 

-17.8

%

 
Corporate Expenses:
Non-GAAP Adjusted Corporate Expenses

$

(43,902

)

$

(42,354

)

-4

%

-3

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

3,217

 

 

3,400

 

5

%

6

%

Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA

$

(40,685

)

$

(38,954

)

-4

%

-4

%

 
Consolidated Results:
Revenue, net

$

396,800

 

$

403,809

 

-2

%

-3

%

Less: Held for Sale or Sold Segment (3)

 

 

 

(14,186

)

# #
Adjusted Revenue, net

$

396,800

 

$

389,623

 

2

%

1

%

 
Operating Income

$

30,963

 

$

28,973

 

7

%

9

%

Adjustments:
Restructuring charges

 

3,038

 

 

3,870

 

21

%

21

%

Held for Sale or Sold Segment Adjusted Operating Loss (3)

 

 

 

2,519

 

# #
Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income

$

34,001

 

$

35,362

 

-4

%

-2

%

Adjusted Operating Income margin

 

8.6

%

 

9.1

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

36,446

 

 

37,253

 

2

%

4

%

Less: Held for Sale or Sold Segment depreciation and amortization (3)

 

 

 

 

# #
Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA

$

70,447

 

$

72,615

 

-3

%

-3

%

Adjusted EBITDA margin

 

17.8

%

 

18.6

%

 
Notes:
(1) The supplementary information included in this press release for the three months ended July 31, 2025 is preliminary and subject to change prior to the filing of our upcoming Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
(2) All amounts are approximate due to rounding.
 
(3) Our Adjusted Revenue, Adjusted Operating Income and Adjusted EBITDA excludes the impact of our Held for Sale or Sold segment Revenue, Adjusted Operating Income or Loss and Adjusted EBITDA results.
 
# Variance greater than 100%
 

Contacts

Brian Campbell

Investor Relations

[email protected]
201.748.6874

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