Q3 2024 John Wiley & Sons Inc Earnings Call
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Operator: Good morning and welcome to Wiley's Q3 Fiscal 2024 Earnings Call. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. At this time, I'd like to introduce Wiley's Vice President of Investor Relations, Brian Campbell. Please go ahead.
Good morning, and welcome to widely used Q3 fiscal 'twenty 'twenty four earnings call. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded.
At this time I'd like to introduce wildly Vice President of Investor Relations, Brian Campbell. Please go ahead.
Brian Campbell: Thank you, and welcome everyone. With me today are Matt Kissner, Wiley's Interim President and CEO, Christina Van Tassel, Executive Vice President and CFO, and Jay Flynn, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Research and Learning. Note that our comments and responses to your questions reflect management's views as of today and will include forward-looking statements. However, actual results may differ materially from those statements. The company does not undertake any obligation to update them to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Thank you and welcome everyone with me today are Matt Kissner interim President and CEO, Kristina Vantassel Executive Vice President and CFO, Jay Cohen Executive Vice President and General manager of research and learning.
Note that our comments and responses to your questions reflect management's views as of today and will include forward looking statements.
Actual results may differ materially from those statements.
<unk> does not undertake any obligation to update them to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Brian Campbell: Also, Wiley provides non-GEP measures as a supplement to evaluate underlying operating profitability and performance trends. However, these measures do not have standardized meanings prescribed by USGAP and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies, nor should they be viewed as alternatives to measures under GAP. Unless otherwise noted, we will refer to non-GAAP metrics on the call, and variances are on a year-over-year basis and will exclude held-for-sale assets and the impact of currency. Additional information is included in our filings with the SEC. A copy of this presentation and transcript will be available on our Investor Relations web page at investors.wiley.com. I now turn the call over to Matt Kissner. Thank you, Brian, and hello, everyone. I am fighting a bit of a cold this morning, so if I sound muted, you'll understand why.
Also while we provide non-GAAP measures as a supplement to evaluate underlying operating profitability and performance trends here.
These measures do not have standardized meanings prescribed by U S. GAAP and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies nor should they be viewed as alternatives to measures under GAAP.
Unless otherwise noted we will refer to non-GAAP metrics on the call and balances are on a year over year basis, and exclude held for sale assets and the impact of currency.
Additional information is included in our filings with the SEC.
A copy of this presentation and transcript will be available on our Investor Relations webpage at investors don't worry dot com.
I'll now turn the call over to Matt.
Thank you Bryan and Hello, everyone I.
I am fighting a bit of a cold. This morning, So if I sound muted you'll understand why.
Matthew S. Kissner: Let me start by saying we're seeing marked improvement as we enter the homestretch of this transition year. I'll talk about our overall progress to date, review our 3rd quarter performance, and recap our recent investor events. I'll also provide some additional color on how we view the evolving AI opportunity. Christina will walk through our VCP progress, segment performance, and fill you in. We will then open it up for questions, and Jay will be joining us as well.
Let me start by saying, we're seeing marked improvement as we enter the home stretch of this transition year.
I'll talk about our overall progress to date review, our third quarter performance and recap our recent investor event.
I'll also provide some additional color on how we view the evolving AI opportunity Chris.
Kristina will walk through our V C P progress segment performance and full year outlook.
We will then open it up for questions and Jay will be joining us as well.
Matthew S. Kissner: 2024 marks Wiley's 217th year as one of America's most enduring companies. It is enabling the creation and curation of new knowledge and its application in critical areas of the knowledge economy in science, technology, and engineering. Business, Economics & Finance We are as relevant as ever. Let's turn to our progress to date. We have moved decisively to improve the organization, divest non-core assets, and right-size Wiley for future success. We've now announced the sale of two of our three divestitures and closed on Warner.
2024 box why at least 217th year as.
As one of America's most enduring companies Wiley is enabling the creation and curation of new knowledge and its application in critical areas of the knowledge economy in science technology and engineering and.
And business economics and finance.
We are as relevant as ever.
Let's turn to our progress to date, we have moved decisively to improve the organization divest non core assets and rightsize wildly for future success.
We've now announced the sale of two of our three divestitures and closed on one of them. Our goal of course is to free ourselves of these noncore assets to focus on our profitable and cash generative core where we have clear competitive advantage operating leverage.
Matthew S. Kissner: Our goal, of course, is to free ourselves of these non-core assets to focus on our profitable and cash-generative core, where we have a clear competitive advantage, operating leverage, and Growth Opportunity. We've made very good progress on our $130 million cost savings program, with 60% of it achieved to date. We've moved more aggressively on it than originally planned, resulting in higher in-year savings, which Christina will talk about. Learning continues to outperform expectations, and positive signs are emerging in research, with publishing returning to growth this quarter and leading indicators favorable. Overall, we now expect full-year revenue to be in the mid to high range of guidance. Finally!
And growth opportunities.
We've made very good progress on our $130 million cost savings program with 60% of it action to date.
We've moved more aggressively on it than originally planned resulting in higher in year savings, which Kristina will talk to.
Learning continues to outperform expectations and positive signs are emerging in research with publishing returning to growth this quarter and leading indicators favorable.
Overall, we now expect full year revenue to be in the mid to high range of guidance.
Finally.
Matthew S. Kissner: Given revenue expectations and accelerated in-year savings, we are raising our Full Year Earnings Outlook. In summary, while much work remains, we're pleased with our progress and continued momentum. Let me now turn to our performance for the quarter. Gap revenue was down 6%, impacted by the sale of our university services business and a decline in our held-for-sale assets given market conditions. Gap EPS declined by $0.79 a share for a gap loss of $2.08, primarily due to material non-cash impairments and Loss on Sale related to our divestment.
Given revenue expectations and accelerated in year savings, we are raising our full year earnings outlook in.
In summary.
While much work remains we are pleased with our progress and continued momentum.
Let me now turn to our performance for the quarter GAAP.
GAAP revenue was down 6% impacted by the sale of our University services business.
And a decline in our held for sale assets given market conditions.
GAAP EPS declined by 79 cents a share for a GAAP loss of $2.08.
Primarily due to material noncash impairments and loss on sale related to our divestitures.
Matthew S. Kissner: Let me acknowledge the obvious, that it's been a long stretch of write-downs and impairments related to these divestitures. We don't anticipate any further material write-downs of these assets, and we certainly look forward to putting it all behind us. On to our adjusted results. Note we'll be excluding our held for sale or sold assets in our commentary, performance, and outlook, unless otherwise noted.
Let me acknowledge.
Knowledge the obvious that it's been a long stretch of write downs and impairments related to these divestitures.
We don't anticipate any further material write downs of these assets and we certainly look forward to putting it all behind us.
Onto our adjusted results.
No it will be excluding our held for sale or sold assets in our commentary performance in outlook unless otherwise noted.
Matthew S. Kissner: Q3 adjusted revenue growth of 1% was largely in line with our expectations in research. We saw a return to year-on-year growth for publishing driven by double-digit gold open access growth and positive contribution from a multi-year institutional model. This was partially offset by the remaining year-over-year drag of endowments.
Q3, adjusted revenue growth of 1% was largely in line with our expectations.
In research, we saw a return to year on year growth for publishing driven by double digit gold open access growth.
And positive contribution from our multi year institutional models.
This was partially offset by the remaining year over year drag of an dowie.
Matthew S. Kissner: Excluding Hindawi, research publishing revenue for the quarter was up 2%. So we feel good about the improvement in our core. As a reminder, we are integrating Hindawi's quality journal portfolio into our own and using its world-class infrastructure for our open access program. So we'll be talking about the performance of the overall program going forward. In learning, we continue to see outperformance in our academic line, with growth attributed to digital courseware, digital content, and licensing. Our Zybook STEM courseware and inclusive access sales model continue to show strong gains. Inclusive access adds the cost of digital course content to students' tuition and fees.
Excluding Hendawi research publishing revenue for the quarter was up 2%.
So we feel good about the improvement in our core.
As a reminder, we are integrating hendawi quality journal portfolio into our own and using its world class infrastructure for our open access program. So.
So we'll be talking about the performance of the overall program going forward.
And learning we continued to see outperformance in our academic learning with growth attributed to digital courseware digital content and licensing.
Our XI book stem courseware and inclusive access sales model continued to show strong gains in <unk>.
<unk> access as the cost of digital course content into students' tuition and fees.
Matthew S. Kissner: As a reminder, U.S. undergraduate enrollment in the fall semester grew for the first time since the pandemic, so higher education market conditions have become more favorable this year. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter rose 1% to $92 million, with revenue performance and restructuring savings offsetting a materially lower incentive compensation accrual in the prior year. Adjusted EPS was down 27%, as expected, primarily due to higher tax expense related to geographic mix and lower adjusted operating income.
As a reminder, U S undergraduate enrollment in the fall semester grew for the first time since the pandemic.
So higher Ed market conditions have become more favorable this year.
Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter rose, 1% to $92 million with.
With revenue performance and restructuring savings offsetting a materially lower incentive compensation accrual in the prior year.
Adjusted EPS was down 27% as expected primarily due to higher tax expense related to geographic mix and lower adjusted operating income.
Matthew S. Kissner: For those that may have missed it, we held a virtual investor update on January 25th to share our near-to-medium-term plans and financial targets. The feedback so far has been positive, and we're now focused on executing and delivering on our commitment. Let me briefly summarize our key takeaways. Today's Wiley is a very different company than before.
For those that May have missed it we held a virtual investor update on January 25th to share our near to medium term plans and financial targets.
The feedback so far has been positive and we're now focused on executing and delivering on our commitments. Let me briefly summarize our key takeaways.
Today's Wiley is a very different company than before we are focused on our strongest and most profitable businesses and research and learning, where we have our strongest opportunities moats and margins.
Matthew S. Kissner: We are focused on our strongest and most profitable businesses in research and learning, where we have our strongest opportunities, moats, and margins. We're taking specific actions to drive market share, attract new authors and article submissions, and strengthen our brands and partnerships. We will do this while maintaining the quality and impact that Wiley is famous for.
We're taking specific actions to drive market share attract new authors and article submissions and strengthen our brands and partnerships. We will do this while maintaining the quality and impact that Wiley is famous for.
Matthew S. Kissner: AI and machine learning are attractive opportunities for us, which I'll talk more about on the next slide. We see a very real opportunity to embed our content into large language models and train in. Internally, we will be deploying the technology to improve productivity in publishing speed, quality, and volume. And finally, we are heavily focused on improving our operating and publishing efficiency. We are moving from multiple disparate publishing platforms to one flagship submission and peer review experience for our research authors. This will make it easier for us to develop new content offerings and enhance the ones we already have.
AI and machine learning are attractive opportunities for us, which I'll talk more about on the next slide.
We see a very real opportunity to embed our content into large language models and training engines.
Internally, we will be deploying the technology to improve productivity and publishing speed quality and volume.
And finally, we are heavily focused on improving our operating and publishing efficiency.
We are moving from multiple disparate publishing platforms to one flagship submission in peer review experience for our research orders.
This will make it easier for us to stand up new content offerings.
And enhance the ones we already have.
Matthew S. Kissner: Moreover, we expect this next-generation platform to lead to a material reduction in article turnaround times and cost per article. And, of course, we're driving cost savings and efficiency gains across the organization. Let's turn to the AI opportunity and how we see it shaping up. We are confident that the advancement of these technologies will be a contributor to productivity and growth in the years to come. Today we think of the opportunity in four areas. The first is in licensing our content for large language models and similar applications.
Moreover, we expect this next generation platform to lead to a material reduction in article turnaround times and cost per article.
And of course, we're driving cost savings and efficiency gains across the organization.
Let's turn to the AI opportunity and how we see it shaping up.
We are confident that the advancement of these technologies will be a contributor to productivity and growth in the years to come.
Today, we think of the opportunity in four areas.
The first is in licensing our content for large language models and similar applications.
Matthew S. Kissner: Wiley's strength is in its high-quality, structured content in science, learning, and innovation, areas that are critical to economic and technological progress. As we discussed in our investor update, our content is foundational for training and fine-tuning these models. I'm pleased to report that after the quarter closed, we executed a $23 million content rights project with a large tech company. The one-time transaction, to be recorded in Q4, includes access to previously published academic and professional book content for specific use in training LLR models.
<unk> strength is in its high quality structured content in science learning and innovation.
Areas that are critical to economic and technological progress.
As we discussed on our Investor update.
Our content is foundational for training and fine tuning these models.
I'm pleased to report that after the quarter closed.
We executed a $23 million content rights project with a large tech company.
The onetime transaction to be recorded in Q4 includes access to previously published academic and professional book content for specific use and training L. L. M models.
Matthew S. Kissner: We are working to uncover similar content opportunities with other AI players and remain convinced that the future development of LLMs is best served by the high-quality structured content that Wiley delivers. The second area we're focused on is product and publishing innovation. Today, we are actively building and deploying AI editing tools to improve the speed and quality of our journal content and reduce unit costs through process automation in the value chain. To accomplish this, we have built an award-winning AI R&D team and are actively working with an international AI advisory team that includes professors, Ph. D. researchers and A.I. thought leaders.
We are working to one cover similar content opportunities with other AI players and remain convinced that the future development of <unk> is best served by the high quality structured content that Wiley delivers.
The second area, we are focused on is product and publishing innovation.
Today, we are actively building and deploying AI editing tools to improve speed and quality of our journal content and reduced unit cost through process automation in the value chain.
To accomplish this we have built an award winning AI R&D team and are actively working with an international AI advisory team that includes professors.
Researchers and AI thought leaders.
Matthew S. Kissner: These efforts are paying off. For example... We recently launched an internal pilot of our AI-powered article matching engine to help authors get published faster and in the right journals. We have also learned valuable lessons about promoting research integrity from our Handowee experience. Our teams are leveraging our data about bad actors and retracted papers. Such data is proving indispensable for training robust, accurate, and efficient AI fraud detection models. Most notably, we're focused on paper mill detection. We were aiming to identify even the most subtle indicators of fraudulent activity.
These efforts are paying off for example.
We recently launched an internal pilot of our AI powered article matching engine to help authors get published faster and in the right journals.
We have also learned valuable lessons about promoting research integrity from Ara Hendawi experience.
Our teams are leveraging our data about bad actors and retracted papers such data is proving indispensable for training robust accurate and efficient AI fraud detection models.
Most notably we focused on paper mill detection, we were aiming to identify even the most subtle indicators of fraudulent activity.
Matthew S. Kissner: As stated before, this is an industry-wide issue and a top priority for us and our solutions customers. So we're taking the lead by both deploying these tools across our journal portfolio and bringing them to market where they can be incorporated into our clients' existing systems. Thirdly, we're using AI to drive business model innovation. As Jay mentioned during our Investor Day, Wiley publishes a number of data sets that are directly loaded onto lab instruments to help determine the chemical structure of a sample. This proprietary library of mass spectrometry data has critical applications ranging from airport security and food analysis to drug discovery and biofuel generation.
As stated before this is an industry wide issue and a top priority for us and our solutions customers. So we're taking the lead by both deploying these tools across our journal portfolio and bringing them to market, where they can be incorporated into our clients' existing systems.
Thirdly, we're using AI to drive business model innovation.
As Jay mentioned during our Investor Day, Wiley publishes a number of data sets that are directly loaded onto lab instruments to help determine the chemical structure of a sample.
This proprietary library of mass spectrometry data has critical applications ranging from airport security and food analysis to drug discovery and biofuel generation.
Matthew S. Kissner: Our most recent product release uses AI to analyze not only known chemical compounds but unknown compounds to predict, among other things, their safety, utility, and taxes. This is just one example of many where we're using AI to innovate, transform content, application, and distribution models, and bring Wiley's products closer to the customer. Finally, we're deploying AI to improve colleague productivity in areas like sales and marketing, editorial, content management, and customer service. This will lead to further efficiency, faster time to market, and improved customer response. In summary, we're excited and confident in our position in this evolving new digital economy. With that, I'll turn it over to Christina to discuss our progress, performance, and outreach. Thank you, Matt, and hello, everyone.
Our most recent product release uses AI to analyze not only known chemical compounds, but unknown compounds to predict among other things the safety utility and toxicity.
This is just one example of many where we're using AI to innovate transformed content application and distribution models and bring wireless products closer to the customer.
Finally, we are deploying AI to improve colleague productivity in areas like sales and marketing editorial content management and customer service.
This will lead to further efficiency faster time to market and improved customer response.
In summary, we're excited and confident in our position in this evolving new digital economy.
With that I'll turn it over to Kristina to discuss our progress performance and outlook.
Thank you, Matt and Hello, everyone.
Christina M. Van Tassell: We're closing in on the end of what has been a demanding but pivotal year, and I couldn't be prouder of how our global colleagues have responded to the changes and risen to the challenges. I feel very good about the progress we've made so far. Let's start with our value creation plan. Over the past six months, we've reorganized the businesses into one go-to-market research and learning team under Jay and consolidated functional areas. We are pleased, for example, with how the Marketing Reorg has improved our technical capabilities and simplified our focus, attracting more authors and submissions, as is evident in our 13% submissions growth year-to-date. As Matt noted, we've closed on the sale of University Services to Academic Partnerships and announced the sale of Wiley Edge to Inspirit Capital. We expect to close the EDGE transaction in Q1.
We're closing in on the end of what has been a demanding but pivotal year and I couldn't be prouder of how our global colleagues have responded to the changes and risen to the challenges.
I feel very good about the progress we've made so far.
Let's start with our value creation plan.
Over the past six months, we've reorganized our businesses into one go to market research and learning team under Jay and consolidated functional areas.
We are pleased for example, what how the marketing re org has improved our technical capabilities and simplified our focus.
More authors and submissions as is evident in our 13% submissions growth year to date.
As Matt noted we closed on the sale University services academic partnerships and announced the sale of Wiley edged and spare capital.
We expect to close the <unk> transaction in Q1.
Christina M. Van Tassell: The remaining divestiture, cross-knowledge, is progressing, although the transaction is expected to be immaterial. We're moving aggressively on our goals to focus and optimize. As you may recall, our multi-year run rate savings target is $130 million by Fiscal 2016.
The remaining divestiture cross knowledge is progressing although the transaction is expected to be immaterial.
We're moving aggressively on our goals to focus and optimize.
As you may recall, our multi year run rate savings target is $130 million by fiscal 'twenty six.
Christina M. Van Tassell: We've accelerated our actions and now expect to realize more in-year savings than planned. $45 million, up from the $30 million we discussed last quarter. This means we've now achieved 60%, or $80 million, of the $130 million goal. The remainder is expected to be largely achieved in Fiscal 25.
We are accelerating our actions and now expect to realize more than your savings and planned $45 million up from the $30 million, we discussed last quarter.
This means we've now accident, 60% or $80 million at $130 million goal.
The remainder is expected to be largely action in fiscal 'twenty five.
Christina M. Van Tassell: The three key areas of our multi-year savings plan include corporate savings and eliminating the stranding cost given our more focused portfolio; Optimization with savings coming from our streamlined work structure, consolidated functions, labor arbitrage, and reduced real estate footprint; and Technology Savings as we simplify our platforms, retire legacy systems, and reduce hosting costs. As discussed in January, we expect half of the multi-year savings to flow through to margin, and half to be reinvested in profitable growth and optimization initiatives. These include scaling our research journal brands to meet global demands. We are expanding our editorial and marketing capabilities to drive output and attract authors. We are expanding solutions offerings to win new partners and drive upsell, and modernizing our research publishing platform. Let's turn to our research performance. Research publishing returned to year-over-year growth this quarter, and we continue to see good momentum in our key leading indicators. Of note, excluding Hindawi, research publishing revenue was up 2% on the strength of Gold Open Access and our institutional models, which include both read-only subscriptions and read-and-publish transformational agreements.
The three key areas of our multiyear savings plan include corporate savings and eliminates training costs, given our more focused portfolio.
Optimization with savings coming from our streamline org structure consolidated functions labor arbitrage and reduced real estate footprint.
And technology savings as we simplify our platforms to retire legacy systems and reduced hosting costs.
As discussed in January we expect half of the multiyear savings to flow through to margin and has to be reinvested in profitable growth and optimization initiatives.
These include scaling our research journal brands to meet global demand.
Expanding our editorial and marketing capabilities to drive output and attract authors.
<unk> solutions offerings to win new partners and drive up sell.
And modernizing our research publishing platform.
Let's turn to our research performance.
Research publishing returned to year over year growth this quarter and we continue to see good momentum in our key leading indicators.
Of note, excluding Hendawi research publishing revenue was up 2% on the strength of gold open access and our institutional models.
Which include both read only subscriptions and read and published transformational agreements.
Christina M. Van Tassell: Submissions were up 13% year-to-date, and output continues to improve as we work through the long lead time to convert a submitted article into a published one. These submission numbers point to good underlying progress in our author marketing efforts. Editorial Commissioning, and Refer and Transfer Activities. As we mentioned in our master update, these article submissions power all of our journal business models, including subscriptions, transformational agreements, and gold open access. Conversion to revenue, therefore, depends on these business models, as well as other factors such as geography, acceptance rates in individual journals, and, of course, overall manuscript quality.
Submissions were up 13% year to date and Alpha continues to improve as they work through the long lead time to convert a submitted article into a published one.
The submission numbers point to good underlying progress in our author marketing efforts editorial commissioning and referring transfer activities.
As we mentioned in our Investor update.
The article submissions power all of our journal business models, including subscriptions transformational agreements and gold open access.
Conversion to revenue therefore depends on these business models as well as other factors such as geography.
<unk> rates in individual journals and of course overall managed care quality.
Christina M. Van Tassell: As Matt noted, we're folding Hindawi into our existing journal portfolio. Integrating Kandawi gives us an additional 270 OA journals, of which 75% or 200 have impact factors, marking them as high quality. Also, we recently announced institutional open access agreements with several consortia around the world, including the University of California System in the U.S. and JISC in the U.K. These types of multi-year read and publish agreements, as well as our traditional subscriptions, are foundational to our large, global customer base of leading universities, government institutions, and corporate customers. This quarter, we saw over 30% growth in Gold OA, excluding Hindawi.
As Matt noted, we're folding <unk> into our existing journal portfolio.
Integrating hendawi gives us an additional 270, OA journals of which 75% or 200 have impact factors marketing them as high quality.
Also we recently announced institutional open access agreements with several consortia around the world.
Including the University of California system in the U S and <unk> in the U K.
These types of multiyear read and publish agreements as well as our traditional subscriptions are foundational to our large global customer base of leading universities government institutions and corporate customers.
This quarter, we saw over 30% growth in gold OE, excluding in dairy.
Christina M. Van Tassell: Gold OA, our author-paid model, makes up about 11% of our research publishing revenue. It's the fastest growing area in our research segment. Turning to research solutions, revenue declined 1% this quarter due to continued market softness in both advertising and our projects business in the healthcare sector. This decline in corporate revenue offset continued growth from our publishing solutions business, notably consulting and managed services for society partners. Adjusted EBITDA and research for this quarter declined 2%, mainly driven by higher editorial and marketing costs and the impact of Sandowi.
Gold away, our author paid model makes up about 11% of our research publishing revenue.
It's the fastest growing area in our research segment.
Turning to research solutions revenue declined 1% this quarter due to continued market softness in both advertising and our projects business in the health care sector.
This declining corporate revenue offset continued growth from our publishing solutions business, notably consulting and managed services for Society partners.
Adjusted EBIT and research this quarter declined 2%, mainly driven by higher editorial in marketing costs and the impact of <unk>.
Christina M. Van Tassell: Our Q3 adjusted EBITDA margin was 30.9%, down from 31.7% in the prior period. So, overall, in research, we are seeing recovery as expected, both in our year-over-year revenue performance and in our reading indicators. Let's turn now to learning. Our academic line continues to perform well, up 5% in the quarter, driven by double-digit growth in digital courseware, digital content, and licensing. As Matt noted, U.S. fall enrollment grew for the first time since the pandemic. However, professionals declined 3% in the quarter, driven by softness in business and technology publishing categories.
Our Q3, adjusted EBITDA margin was 39% down from 31, 7% in the prior period.
So overall in research, we're seeing recovery as expected both in our year over year revenue performance and in our leading indicators.
Let's turn now to learning.
Our academic line continues to perform well up 5% in the quarter driven by double digit growth in digital courseware digital content and licensing.
As Matt noted U S fall enrollment growth for the first time since the pandemic.
Professional declined 3% in the quarter driven by softness in business and technology publishing categories.
Christina M. Van Tassell: For the year, we continue to see app performance and learning. On top of that, as Matt discussed, we're beginning to monetize our learning content for AI models and training engines, showcasing the value of our authoritative content in advancing the evolution of AI. Adjusted EBITDA for learning remains a positive story, up 15% this quarter and year-to-date, with revenue growth and restricted savings as the primary drivers. Our Q3 adjusted EBITDA margin was 35%, up from 31% in the prior period. Now let me touch on our corporate expenses. We saw a $4 million increase over the prior year due to unfavorable comps, notably a materially lower incentive accrual in the prior year period.
For the year, we continue to see outperformance in learning.
On top of that as Matt discussed we are beginning to monetize our learning content for AAM models and training engines showcasing the value of our authoritative content in advancing the evolution of AI.
Adjusted EBITDA for learning remains a positive story up 15% this quarter and year to date with revenue growth and restructuring savings as the primary drivers.
Our Q3, adjusted EBITDA margin was 35% up from 31% in the prior period.
Now, let me touch on our corporate expenses.
We saw $4 million increase over prior year due to unfavorable comps, notably the materially lower incentive accrual in the prior year period.
This offset restructuring savings as.
As noted we expect corporate expenses to be up moderately this transition year due to the continued carrying costs related to our held for sale assets.
As we transition out of these assets and further optimize our cost structure, we will see our cost ratios improve next year and beyond.
Christina M. Van Tassell: This offsets the restructuring phase. As noted, we expect corporate expenses to be up moderately this transition year due to the continued carrying costs related to our health for sale assets. As we transition out of these assets and further optimize our cost structure, we'll see our cost ratios improve next year and beyond. Now on to our cash flow and balance sheet. Free cash flow for the 9 months was a use of $45 million compared to a use of $22 million in the prior year.
Now onto our cash flow and balance sheet.
Free cash flow for the nine months was a use of $45 million compared to a use of $22 million in the prior year.
The negative variance was driven by the timing of closing journal subscription renewals and higher restructuring payments related to our value creation plan.
Capex of $70 million is tracking 5 million below prior year.
We expect to close the remaining journal subscription renewals in Q4 and remain on track to deliver approximately $100 million of free cash flow for the full year.
Year to date, we allocated $87 million towards dividends and share repurchases with share repurchases being $5 million higher than prior year.
Christina M. Van Tassell: The negative variance was driven by the timing of closing journal subscription renewals and the higher restructuring payments related to our value creation plan. CapEx of $70 million is tracking $5 million below the prior year. We expect to close the remaining journal subscription renewals in Q4 and remain on track to deliver approximately $100 million of free cash flow for the full year. Year-to-date, we have allocated $87 million towards dividends and share repurchases, with share repurchases being $5 million higher than prior years. $29 million was used to acquire 872,000 shares at an average cost per share of $33.24.
$29 million was used to acquire 872000 shares at an average cost per share of $33 24.
This compares to 540000 shares repurchased in the prior year period.
Our current dividend yield remains above 4%.
Net debt to EBITDA ratio was one nine at the end of January compared to $2 one in the prior year period.
Through the fiscal 'twenty five 'twenty six planned period, we're going to continue to manage down debt and interest expense, while balancing other capital priorities, including investing the scale of research at <unk>.
Interesting shares Opportunistically and supporting a healthy dividend.
Now we have reduced our net debt by over $21 million compared to the prior year period.
Our upfront cash proceeds from the divestitures are not material.
We fully expect to collect the cash from the notes over time with interest.
Let's turn to our full year outlook with one quarter remaining.
Christina M. Van Tassell: This compares to 540,000 shares repurchased in the prior year period. Our current dividend yields remain above 4%. The net debt to EBITDA ratio was 1.9 at the end of January compared to 2.1 in the prior year period.
We see adjusted revenue trending upward in the mid to high end of our range.
This is driven by learning outperformance throughout the year augmented by the learning content rights deal expected in Q4.
We are raising our adjusted EBITDA guidance to be in a range of $335 million to $355 million up from the original $305 million to $330 million.
Christina M. Van Tassell: Through the fiscal 25-26 plan period, we're going to continue to manage down debt and interest expense while balancing other capital priorities, including investing to scale research, repurchasing shares opportunistically, and supporting a healthy dividend. Note that we have reduced our net debt by over $21 million compared to the prior year period. Our upfront cash proceeds from the divested shares are not material, although we fully expect to collect the cash from the notes over time with interest.
Our improved outlook reflects a $15 million of additional in year cost savings from our value creation plan and a full year outperformance and learning, including the Q4 content deal.
We're now projecting a full year EBIT margin of 21% to 22% and an increase in the previously projected 19% to 20%.
To refresh we continue to expect to more than recover our fiscal 'twenty three adjusted EBITDA margin of 23, 3% as we exit fiscal 'twenty four.
We're also raising our adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $2 45 to $2 65 up from 205 to $2 40, due to a higher than expected adjusted operating income and in crude interest income from our University services divestiture.
Christina M. Van Tassell: Let's turn to our full year outlook with one quarter remaining. We see adjusted revenue trending upward in the mid to high end of our range. This is driven by learning outperformance throughout the year, augmented by the learning content rights deal expected in Q4. We are raising our adjusted EBITDA guidance to be in a range of $335 to $355 million, up from the original $305 to $330 million.
We expect free cash flow to be approximately 100 million in this transition year.
December is unusually low for widely given the combination of lower cash earnings higher restructuring payments and higher interest payments as laid out in January we're targeting significant free cash flow improvement in fiscal 'twenty, five and again in fiscal 'twenty.
Christina M. Van Tassell: Our improved outlook reflects $15 million of additional in-year cost savings from our value creation plan and a full year outperformance in learning, including the Q4 content deal. We're now projecting a full year EBITDA margin of 21-22%, an increase from the previously projected 19-20%. To refresh, we continue to expect to more than recover our Fiscal 23 adjusted EBITDA margin of 23.3% as we exit Fiscal 24. We're also raising our adjusted EPS guidance to a range of $245 to $265, up from $205 to $240 due to a higher than expected adjusted operating income and accrued interest income from our university services divestiture. We expect free cash flow to be approximately $100 million this transition year. This number is unusually low for Wiley given the combination of lower cash earnings, higher restructuring payments, and higher interest payments.
In summary, I'm very pleased with how we as an organization are executing on multiple levels all tackling our cost structure.
As we make our way into fiscal 'twenty five and through 26, we're confident in our ability to deliver on our revenue or margin expansion and our cash flow trajectory.
And with that I'll pass it back to Matt.
Thank you Kristina, let me recap some personal observations I've had so far.
Wiley is a terrific company.
Yes, we are coming out of a difficult period, but refocusing on our core it makes us a stronger more profitable company and presents a very rich set of opportunities to build on.
Our businesses are fundamentally strong built.
Built on long term relationships with research institutions academic societies, and R&D driven corporations.
We have a unique right to win in research.
Driven by a wide moat built around the enduring draw of our journal brands and platforms.
Christina M. Van Tassell: As laid out in January, we're targeting significant free cash flow improvement in Fiscal 25 and again in Fiscal 26. In summary, I'm very pleased with how we as an organization are executing on multiple levels while tackling our cost structure. As we make our way into fiscal 25 and through 26, we're confident in our ability to deliver on our revenue, our margin expansion, and our cash flow trajectory. And with that, I'll pass it back to Matt. Thank you, Christina. Let me recap some personal observations I've had so far. Wiley is a terrific company.
In a strong position in learning built on our content library and franchises.
Our markets are healthy.
Global R&D spend is ever increasing as is the demand for new knowledge in the verticals we serve.
Very importantly, the name wildly means something special to our customers.
It's why we're entrusted by the most prestigious universities and societies in the world.
No Bell prize, winning authors and major pharmaceutical companies.
We have an absolutely terrific team.
Our global colleagues are reinvigorated by our move to a simpler more confident widely and are empowered now to identify incremental growth opportunities and better ways of working.
I recently returned from India, where we have a publishing operation and Sri Lanka, where we have a world class Tech development Center.
Matthew S. Kissner: Yes, we're coming out of a difficult period, but refocusing on our core makes us a stronger, more profitable company and presents a very rich set of opportunities to build on. Our businesses are fundamentally strong, built on long-term relationships with research institutions, Academic Societies, and R&D Driven Corporation.
As with my November visit to our European offices.
Find our culture to be re energized by our increased focus and momentum.
And finally, what we do is good for the World. This is not a slogan.
We are actively contributing to major scientific and economic progress as well as the everyday progress of the individual.
Matthew S. Kissner: We have a unique right to win in research, driven by a wide moat built around the enduring draw of our journal brands and platforms and a strong position in learning built on our content library and franchises. Our markets are health. Global R&D spend is ever-increasing, as is the demand for new knowledge in the verticals we serve. Very importantly, the name Wiley means something special to our customers. It's why we're trusted by the most prestigious universities and societies in the world. Nobel Prize-winning authors and major pharmaceutical companies.
This mission Energizes Wiley colleagues across the globe.
Let me quickly summarize the key takeaways.
We're pleased with the improvement in underlying momentum, we're seeing in research and our continued outperformance in learning.
We remain relentlessly focused on execution.
We're being fanatical about prioritization and blocking and tackling.
I'm seeing early signs of progress already.
Matthew S. Kissner: We have an absolutely terrific team. Our global colleagues are reinvigorated by our move to a simpler, more confident Wiley and are empowered now to identify incremental growth opportunities and better ways of working. I recently returned from India, where we have a publishing operation, and Sri Lanka, where we have a world-class tech development and IT center. As with my November visit to our European office...
There's just an increasing sense of confidence and a thoughtful sense of urgency in the place.
That said, we're still in a transition year.
Although we've made good progress overall and see our core drivers rebounding in earnings guidance raised we still have important work in front of us.
We look forward to putting this year and all its complexities behind us.
Matthew S. Kissner: I find our culture to be re-energized by our increased focus and momentum. And finally, what we do is good for the world. This is not a slogan.
I'll quickly conclude with our financial targets, which we laid out in January.
On revenue.
We anticipate low single digit growth in fiscal 'twenty five.
Matthew S. Kissner: We are actively contributing to major scientific and economic progress, as well as the everyday progress of the individual. This mission energizes Wiley colleagues across the globe. Let me quickly summarize the key takeaways. We're pleased with the improvement and underlying momentum we're seeing in research and our continued outperformance in learning. We remain relentlessly focused on execution.
As our core drivers and publishing continue to rebound.
Increasing to low to mid single digit revenue growth in fiscal 'twenty six.
Our margins are expected to expand to 23% to 24% in fiscal 'twenty five.
And then to 24% to 25% in fiscal 'twenty six.
Matthew S. Kissner: We're being fanatical about prioritization and blocking and taxing. I'm seeing early signs of progress already. There's just an increasing sense of confidence and a thoughtful sense of urgency in the company. That said, we're still in the transition year. Although we've made good progress overall and see our core drivers rebounding and earnings guidance raised, we still have important work in front of us. We look forward to putting this year and all its complexities behind us. I'll quickly conclude with our financial targets, which we laid out in January on revenue. We anticipate low single-digit growth in fiscal 25, as our core drivers in publishing continue to rebound, increasing to low to mid-single-digit revenue growth in fiscal 26. Our margins are expected to expand to 23-24% in fiscal 25, and then to 24 to 25 percent in fiscal 26, with our ongoing efficiency gains and disciplined capital allocation. We're going to continue to focus on margin expansion beyond fiscal 2016. Free cash flow is expected to step up to approximately $125 million in fiscal 25, as we balance improved cash earnings with necessary investment in research and in infrastructure modernization.
And with our ongoing efficiency gains and disciplined capital allocation, we're going to continue to focus on margin expansion beyond fiscal 'twenty six.
Free cash flow is expected to step up to approximately 125 million in fiscal 'twenty five as we balance improved cash earnings with necessary investment in research and in infrastructure modernization.
We then targeting approximately $200 million in fiscal 'twenty, six as Capex returns to more normalized levels and restructuring payments taper off.
Beyond fiscal 'twenty six we're going to continue to focus on increasing our free cash flow conversion from the 45% or so we anticipate in fiscal 'twenty six.
Before I open it up for questions I want to thank all of you for joining us today as always I want to thank our Wiley colleagues for their continuous drive and thoughtful collaboration.
Nothing unites us more than being on a winning team.
I'll now open the floor to any comments and questions.
If you would like to ask a question press star followed by the number one on your telephone keypad.
Okay.
And your question comes from the line of Dan Moore with CJS Securities. Your line is open.
Hi, Good morning, it's Pete Lucas for Dan today.
Matthew S. Kissner: We're then targeting approximately $200 million in fiscal 26 as CapEx returns to more normalized levels, and Restructuring Payments Taper Off. Beyond fiscal 26, we're going to continue to focus on increasing our free cash flow conversion from the 45% or so we anticipate in Fiscal 26. Before I open it up for questions...
First congratulations on the progress made in the quarter.
And just wanted to start with a question regarding hendawi what level of recovery of profitability is embedded in your fiscal 'twenty five call of the 23% to 24% EBITDA margins.
I beat its Matt I'm going to ask Christine respond sure nice to speak to you again.
Matthew S. Kissner: I want to thank all of you for joining us. As always, I want to thank our Wiley colleagues for their continuous drive and thoughtful collaboration. Nothing unites us more than being on a winning team.
As we've said before our hidden value recovery is a bit slower than expected.
We are expecting some.
Some future improvement in 2020 and beyond.
I don't know if you want to go into some detail Jay on air math, you're absolutely right.
Operator: I'll now open the floor to any comments. If you would like to ask a question, press star followed by the number one on your telephone keypad. And your question comes from the line of Dan Moore with CJS Securities. Your line is open. Hi, good morning. It's Pete Lucas on behalf of Dan today.
This is Joe Flynn so.
We.
We're clearly anticipating progress in 'twenty five 'twenty six.
On hidden valley as we've said before we expect growth rates there in the top line to mirror, what we see in the rest of our gold open access portfolio and.
Pete Lucas: First, congratulations on the progress made in the quarter. And I just wanted to start with a question regarding Handawi. What level of recovery or profitability is embedded in your fiscal 25 goal of the 23 to 24 percent EBIT dollar? Hi, Pete, it's Matt.
The margins there will reflect.
Generally speaking the margins in our in our journal operation. So we haven't broken that out specifically as a reminder, this is not.
Not a less than 5% of total research revenue. So so we're not we're not breaking that out at that level.
Matthew S. Kissner: I'm going to ask Christina to respond. Sure. Hi Pete.
Okay.
Perfect.
And then you.
Christina M. Van Tassell: Nice to speak to you again. As we've said before, our Hindari recovery is a bit slower than expected, but we are expecting some future improvement in 2026 and beyond. And I don't know if you want to go into some detail, Jay. Yeah, I'm happy to. Hi, Pete, it's Jay Flynn.
You touched on it at the end, but one part of your recent Investor day that maybe didn't get enough attention.
Improvement in free cash flow you're targeting.
With an expected to jump from $100 million to $200 million from 24 to 26 can you just give us a little bit more detail and kind of maybe walk us through the key assumptions around the goals and what are the biggest risks in your view to achieving those goals.
James Flynn: So, you know, we're clearly anticipating progress in 2025-2026 on Hindawi. As we've said before, we expect growth rates there in the top line to mirror what we see in the rest of our gold open access portfolio, and the margins there will reflect, generally speaking, the margins in our journal operations. So we haven't broken that out specifically. But as a reminder, this is less than 5% of total research revenue. So we're not breaking that out at that level.
Sure. So yes, we are seeing we are seeing us returning to approximately 200 million by fiscal year 'twenty free cash flow.
The primary drivers of that are obviously our improvement in.
Revenue recovery as well as the impact of our cost out programs and that taking full effect, we've had some lower than expected.
Christina M. Van Tassell: Oh, perfect. And then, you touched on it at the end, but one part of your recent investor day that maybe didn't get enough attention was a significant improvement in free cash flow you're targeting, with it expected to jump from $100 million to $200 million from 2024 to 2026. Can you just give us a little bit more detail and kind of maybe walk us through the key assumptions around the goals and what are the biggest risks, in your view, to achieving those?
Cash flow needs for things like restructuring payments.
And interest has been higher than expected.
So those things will level out the other thing that the other thing that's going to impact our cash flow over the next two years is we're going to see next year in fiscal 'twenty five.
A spike in Capex from about $100 million to $130 million and that's for some of the programs we're talking about.
In terms of.
Revenue growth items as well as optimization items as I mentioned in my prepared remarks.
The other thing to note there is that.
That will that will come back down in fiscal year 'twenty as we continue to normal out you can see sort of the cash flow.
Christina M. Van Tassell: So, yes, we are seeing us returning to approximately two hundred million by fiscal year twenty six, and free cash flow. The primary drivers of that are obviously our improvement in our revenue recovery as well as our impact of our cost-out programs and that taking full effect. We've had some lower than expected cash flow needs for things like restructuring payments, and interest has been higher than expected. And so those things will level out.
Our cash flow trajectory is 200, and now that'll be that'll be our sort of our steady state run rate going forward.
Very helpful. Thanks.
And then you talked about leverage I think you said down now to about one nine times and I think it is projected to fall to about one five times by 26, given your current valuation in your expectations on the free cash flow as discussed.
Christina M. Van Tassell: The other thing that's gonna impact our cash flow over the next two years is we're gonna see a spike in on capex from about a hundred to one hundred and thirty million dollars next year in fiscal twenty five. And that's for some of the programs we're talking about in terms of revenue growth items as well as optimization items that I mentioned in my prepared remarks. The other thing to know there is that that will come back down in fiscal year twenty six as we continue to normalize out. So you can see it is sort of a cash flow trajectory of two hundred. Now that'll be that'll be our sort of steady state run rate going forward. That was very helpful, thanks.
What are your how do you think about stock buybacks, rather than continuing to delever the balance sheet at those levels.
Look we're always looking at our stock buyback program is something that we review with our board annually and we ran.
We're in a transition here right now so we're looking at.
We're looking at all of our capital allocation and total as a portfolio and so yeah. We look at it every year. We continue to look at it as I mentioned in my prepared remarks were 5 million ahead and share repurchases this year versus prior year and well continue to keep that in mind going forward.
And then just the last one for me I just want to make sure it quite right from their prepared remarks in terms of the cost savings.
The.
$130 million, 60% achieved to date, but then you see the bulk of that $50 million and 25, so not expecting a lot 26 and beyond is that correct.
Christina M. Van Tassell: And then you talked about leverage. I think you said it was down now to about 1.9 times, and I think it's projected to fall to about one and a half times by 26. Given your current valuation and your expectations for the free cash flow, as discussed, how do you think about stock buybacks rather than continuing to delever the balance sheet at those levels?
Yes.
Beyond the 130.
Or within 30 days, so the 130 <unk> sorry go ahead just to clarify yes.
Just.
Cost savings overall.
Using your 130 number that you mentioned.
Right. So 130 is our run rate savings by the end of 'twenty FX and most of that.
Christina M. Van Tassell: That Look, we're always looking at our stock buyback program. It's something that we review with the board annually. And we, you know, we're in a transition year right now. So we're looking at all of our capital allocation in total as a portfolio. And so, yeah, we look at it every year. We continue to look at it.
Well most of the remaining $50 million, that's a 40% left will be actions in fiscal year 'twenty five and that's and that's basically in three buckets, the corporate savings that business optimization and the technology savings.
Does that answer your question.
Yeah very helpful. Thank you and that's it for me I'll jump back in the queue.
Christina M. Van Tassell: As I mentioned in my prepared remarks, we're 5 million ahead in share repurchases this year versus the prior year, and we'll continue to keep that in mind going forward. And then just the last one for me, I just want to make sure I caught it right from the prepared remarks in terms of the cost savings. The $130 million, 60% achieved to date, but then you see the bulk of that $50 million and $25 million, so not expecting a lot of $26 million and beyond, is that correct? beyond the 130 or within the 130. So the 130 is, sorry go ahead, just to clarify. Yeah, no, it was just cost savings overall, and it was using your 130 number that you mentioned. Right, so 130 is our run rate savings by the end of 26. And most of that will be most of the remaining 50 million. So that's the 40% left will be actioned in fiscal year 25. And that's, and it's basically in three buckets: corporate savings, business optimization, and technology savings.
Okay.
There are no further questions at this time I will now turn the call back to Mr. Kessler for closing remarks.
Thank you everyone. We appreciate the interest obviously, we fill it in.
Good about the last quarter of the year, we've got a little bit of wind at our back in that.
Renewed sense of confidence and we're looking forward to our next update with you in June where we talk about our full year results.
Thanks very much.
This concludes today's call you may now disconnect.
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Pete Lucas: Did that answer your question? Yeah, very helpful. Thank you. And that's it for me.
Operator: So I'll jump back in the queue. There are no further questions at this time. I will now turn the call back to Mr. Kissner for his closing remarks. Thank you, everyone. We appreciate the interest. Obviously, we're filling up, Good about the last quarter of the year. We've got a little bit of wind at our backs and a renewed sense of confidence. And we're looking forward to our next update with you in June, where we will talk about our full year results. Thanks very much. This concludes today's call. You may now disconnect.
Okay.
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