Scholastic Q4 2021 Earnings Report
Key Takeaways
Scholastic Corporation reported a strong fourth quarter for fiscal year 2021, with a 41% increase in revenues and a significant improvement in operating income, driven by improvements across all operating segments and the benefits of cost-saving initiatives. The company's positive free cash flow generation and improved operating margins led to year-over-year growth in adjusted EBITDA, despite a decline in full-year revenues.
Consolidated revenues increased by 41% to $401.4 million in the fourth quarter, driven by improvements in all three operating segments.
Operating income rose by $55.9 million to $9.7 million, attributable to higher sales volume and cost savings initiatives.
The company had operating income of $41.6 million, excluding one-time items.
Earnings per diluted share was $0.22, with $0.90 excluding one-time items.
Scholastic
Scholastic
Scholastic Revenue by Segment
Scholastic Revenue by Geographic Location
Forward Guidance
Scholastic anticipates significant growth in fiscal 2022 revenues and improved adjusted EBITDA due to revenue gains across all operating segments and increased margin leverage from cost mitigation efforts.
Positive Outlook
- Strengthening trends in businesses and customer end markets as students return to classrooms.
- Educators seeking dependable ways to accelerate student achievement.
- Stores welcoming shoppers without restrictions.
- Book fair bookings and confirmations by schools at a slightly higher rate than preliminary expectations.
- Incremental growth in many channels as it builds on the greater involvement of parents globally in purchasing home learning for their children.
Challenges Ahead
- Uncertainty still remains.
- Higher compensation costs.
- Discontinuation of certain COVID-related government subsidies in the new fiscal year.
- Certain fiscal 2021 cost savings that were tied to lower sales volumes will not be repeated in fiscal 2022 as customer demand rises to pre-pandemic levels.
- Rebuilding the book fairs business will take time given changes in customer engagement and capacity constraints post-pandemic.
Revenue & Expenses
Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income