John Wiley Sons Cl (WLY)
NYSE:WLY
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Earnings Data
Report Date
Sep 03, 2026Before Open (Confirmed)
Period Ending
2027 (Q1)Consensus EPS Forecast
0.46Last Year’s EPS
0.49Same Quarter Last Year
Based on 0 Analysts Ratings
Earnings Call Summary
Earnings Call Sentiment|Positive
The call emphasizes strong operational progress: record margin expansion, significant free cash flow growth, improved leverage, accelerating research and AI momentum, and a strategic acquisition (Emerald) that deepens content and recurring revenue. Near-term challenges center on the learning segment declines, some timing-driven cash collection effects, and short-term dilution from Emerald integration and Q1 AI comparables. On balance, the positive financial results, clear AI revenue trajectory, and disciplined capital allocation outweigh the highlighted headwinds, positioning the company for continued margin and cash flow improvement over the medium term.Company Guidance
Record Margin Expansion
Adjusted EBITDA margin rose 220 bps to 26.2% for fiscal 2026 (all-time high); adjusted operating margin rose 260 bps to 17.7% (all-time high). Q4 adjusted EBITDA margin improved ~480 bps to 33.2% and adjusted operating margin improved ~520 bps to 25.3%.
Strong Free Cash Flow and Cash Conversion
Free cash flow increased 55% to $195 million; free cash flow conversion improved from 32% to 44% year over year. CapEx declined from $77 million to $65 million.
Shareholder Returns and Capital Allocation
Returned $174 million to shareholders in fiscal 2026 (up from $137 million), including record share repurchases of $100 million (Q4 repurchases of $30 million). Maintained dividend increases (30th consecutive year).
Research Momentum and Market Share Gains
Research revenue grew 4% in fiscal 2026 (publishing up 3% full year; solutions up 6%). Key research KPIs: article submissions +25% and output +11% (well ahead of industry output growth of 6–8%). Q4 research up 5%.
Rapid AI Revenue Growth and Recurring Base Expansion
Total AI revenue grew to $49 million in fiscal 2026 (up from $23 million in fiscal 2024 and from ~$40 million cited elsewhere), with a path to >$50 million in fiscal 2027. Recurring AI revenue scaled from roughly $1 million to $8 million in fiscal 2026 and management expects recurring revenue to ~2x–3x next year. Corporate AI customers increased to 19 from 10 last quarter (including 7 of the top 10 global pharma companies).
Strategic Acquisition – Emerald Publishing
Acquired Emerald for roughly $450–452 million (~7x adjusted EBITDA on a synergized basis). Emerald: ~$85 million revenue, >90% recurring revenue, customer retention >99%, submissions +28%, ~500 journals and substantial backfile assets. Expected $30 million cost synergies by year 3; modestly accretive to adjusted EPS in year 1 and free cash flow accretive in year 2; pro forma leverage ~2.1x within target range.
Product and Partnership Wins in AI and Life Sciences
Signed strategic partnerships (IQVIA, Anthropic Claude for Life Sciences, AWS Life Sciences, Microsoft Dragon Copilot). Nexus licensing network generated $19 million from partners; launched Nexus with 41 partners and ~100k book titles. Expanded mass spectral registry to nearly 1 million reference spectra; clinical outcome assessments (COAs) grew 68% to $11 million.
Operational Efficiency and Tech Transformation
Corporate expenses down 15% year over year (22% in Q4); corporate unallocated expenses down $23 million full year. Tech transformation and Virtusa partnership expected to shift spend to product development and deliver structural cost savings and faster product velocity.
Improved Balance Sheet and Guidance
Net debt ratio improved from 1.8x to 1.4x at year end; after Emerald pro forma leverage ~2.1x. Fiscal 2027 guidance: organic revenue low-to-mid single digits, adjusted EBITDA margin 26.5%–27.5%, adjusted EPS $4.60–$5.05 (vs $4.19), and free cash flow ~$205 million.
WLY Earnings History
The table shows recent earnings report dates and whether the forecast was beat or missed. See the change in forecast and EPS from the previous year.
Beat
Missed
WLY Earnings-Related Price Changes
Report Date | Price 1 Day Before | Price 1 Day After | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
Jun 16, 2026 | $43.33 | $45.09 | +4.06% |
Mar 05, 2026 | $30.17 | $34.41 | +14.05% |
Dec 04, 2025 | $37.11 | $33.91 | -8.63% |
Sep 04, 2025 | $38.59 | $37.12 | -3.82% |
Earnings announcements can affect a stock’s price. This table shows the stock's price the day before and the day after recent earnings reports, including the percentage change.
FAQ
When does John Wiley Sons Cl (WLY) report earnings?
John Wiley Sons Cl (WLY) is schdueled to report earning on Sep 03, 2026, Before Open (Confirmed).
What is John Wiley Sons Cl (WLY) earnings time?
John Wiley Sons Cl (WLY) earnings time is at Sep 03, 2026, Before Open (Confirmed).
Where can I see when companies are reporting earnings?
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What companies are reporting earnings today?
You can see a list of the companies which are reporting today on TipRanks earnings calendar.
What is WLY EPS forecast?
WLY EPS forecast for the fiscal quarter 2027 (Q1) is 0.46.
