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Apr 30, 2023

Wiley Q4 2023 Earnings Report

Wiley reported mixed results with revenue declining but operating income and EPS increasing. Strategic actions were announced to focus on core businesses and maximize value creation.

Key Takeaways

Wiley reported a decrease in revenue but an increase in operating income and EPS for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023. The company announced strategic actions to focus on its strongest businesses and drive greater profitability.

Revenue decreased by 4% to $526 million, but was down 2% at constant currency.

Operating income increased by 41% to $82 million.

EPS increased by $0.46 to $1.22.

Adjusted EBITDA increased by 23% to $137 million at constant currency.

Total Revenue
$526M
Previous year: $546M
-3.6%
EPS
$1.45
Previous year: $1.08
+34.3%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
26%
Previous year: 20.3%
+28.1%
Gross Profit
$352M
Previous year: $359M
-1.9%
Cash and Equivalents
$107M
Previous year: $100M
+6.3%
Free Cash Flow
$173M
Previous year: $152M
+13.5%
Total Assets
$3.11B
Previous year: $3.36B
-7.5%

Wiley

Wiley

Wiley Revenue by Segment

Forward Guidance

Wiley's Fiscal 2024 outlook excludes businesses held for sale. Adjusted Revenue is expected to be primarily impacted by the Hindawi special issues publishing pause and continued softness in consumer and corporate spending. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be primarily impacted by projected revenue performance, notably Hindawi, and higher employee costs. Adjusted EPS is further impacted by $0.42 of non-operational items including a higher tax rate, pension expense, and interest expense.

Positive Outlook

  • Focus on core Research and Learning businesses.
  • Portfolio actions to divest non-core education businesses.
  • Streamlining organization and rightsizing cost structure.
  • Material performance and margin improvement expected in Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2026.
  • Company expects material performance and margin improvement in Fiscal 2025 and Fiscal 2026 from portfolio and restructuring actions.

Challenges Ahead

  • Hindawi special issues publishing pause.
  • Continued softness in consumer and corporate spending.
  • Higher employee costs from incentive compensation reset and wage inflation.
  • Higher tax rate due to a less favorable mix of earnings by country and an increase in the UK statutory rate.
  • Uncertainty around the timing of divestitures and the size and scope of restructuring payments.