Q1 2026 John Wiley & Sons Inc Earnings Call

Speaker #3: Good morning and welcome to Wiley's first quarter fiscal 2026 earnings call. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. After the speakers' remarks, we will conduct a question-and-answer session.

Brian Campbell: Good morning and welcome to Wiley's first quarter fiscal 2026 earnings call. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. After the speaker's remarks, we will conduct a question and answer session. To ask a question at this time, you'll need to press star followed by the number one on your telephone keypad. At this time, I'd like to introduce Wiley's Vice President of Investor Relations, Brian Campbell. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: To ask a question at this time, you'll need to press star followed by the number one on your telephone keypad. At this time, I'd like to introduce WILEY's Vice President of Investor Relations, Brian Campbell.

Speaker #3: Please go ahead.

Speaker #4: Hello, and thank you all for joining us. On the call with me are Matt Kissner, President and CEO, Craig Albright, Executive Vice President and CFO, and Jay Flynn, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Research and Learning.

Brian Campbell: Hello, and thank you all for joining us. On the call with me are Matthew S. Kissner, President and CEO; Craig Albright, Executive Vice President and CFO; and Jay Flynn, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Research and Learning. Note that our comments and responses reflect management's views as of today and will include forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those statements. The company does not undertake any obligation to update them to reflect subsequent events. Also, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. provides non-GAAP measures as a supplement to evaluate underlying operating profitability and performance trends. 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.

Speaker #4: Note that our comments and responses reflect management's views as of today. And we'll include forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those statements.

Speaker #4: The company does not undertake any obligation to update them to reflect subsequent events. Also, WILEY provides non-GAAP measures as a supplement to evaluate underlying operating profitability and performance trends.

Speaker #4: These measures do not have standardized meanings prescribed by US 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.

Speaker #4: Unless otherwise noted, we will refer to non-GAAP metrics on the call and variances on a year-over-year basis, and we will exclude defective assets and the impact of currency.

Brian Campbell: Unless otherwise noted, we'll refer to non-GAAP metrics on the call, and variances are on a year-over-year basis and will exclude defensive 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 website at investors.wiley.com. I'll now turn the call over to Matthew S. Kissner.

Speaker #4: Additional information is included in our filings with the SEC. A copy of this presentation and transcript will be available on our investor relations website.

Speaker #4: At investors.wiley.com. I'll now turn the call over to Matt Kissner.

Speaker #5: Good morning and welcome to our first quarter earnings update. I hope you had a nice and restful summer. Before we discuss our first quarter results, I'd like to reflect on the progress and leadership we are demonstrating in the world of AI.

Matthew S. Kissner: Good morning and welcome to our first quarter earnings update. I hope you had a nice and restful summer. Before we discuss our first quarter results, I'd like to reflect on the progress and leadership we are demonstrating in the world of AI. When we completed our first AI licensing project in January 2024, we believed that our active participation in the new emerging AI world would pay dividends by building our expertise and developing strategic relationships with major AI developers. As I will describe later in my remarks, our early work here is opening up growth opportunities across our businesses and in the promising corporate R&D market. This quarter, we achieved a significant milestone by including content from other publishers in our latest licensing project, another demonstration of our leadership in this exciting new space.

Speaker #5: When we completed our first AI licensing project in January 2024, we believed that our active participation in the new emerging AI world would pay dividends by building our expertise and developing strategic relationships with major AI developers.

Speaker #5: As I will describe later in my remarks, our early work here is opening up growth opportunities across our businesses and in the promising corporate R&D market.

Speaker #5: This quarter, we achieved a significant milestone by including content from other publishers in our latest licensing project, another demonstration of our leadership in this exciting new space.

Speaker #5: Our authoritative content, data, and services are increasingly in demand for the advancement of both AI science and AI learning, and we're moving decisively. After all, our two centuries aren't about age; they're about our proven ability to anticipate and drive transformation.

Matthew S. Kissner: Our authoritative content, data, and services are increasingly in demand for the advancement of both AI science and AI learning, and we're moving decisively. After all, our two centuries aren't about age, they're about our proven ability to anticipate and drive transformation. Let's talk about the quarter. Q1 is our seasonally smallest period, and there is noise in our year-over-year comparisons and margin mix, which Craig will discuss. Our overall performance, however, was in line with our expectations. We drove mid-single-digit growth in research through AI licensing and open access momentum, and despite an unfavorable comp versus prior year. We executed a landmark $20 million AI licensing project this quarter for an existing foundational large language model customer, where for the first time we included content from our publishing partners.

Speaker #5: Let's talk about the quarter. Q1 is our seasonally smallest period, and there is noise in our year-over-year comparisons, and margin mix which Craig will discuss.

Speaker #5: Our overall performance, however, was in line with our expectations. We drove mid-single-digit growth in research through AI licensing and open access momentum, and despite an unfavorable comp versus prior year.

Speaker #5: We executed a landmark $20 million AI licensing project this quarter for an existing foundational large language model customer. We're for the first time, we included content from our publishing partners.

Speaker #5: We also announced the key strategic partnership with Anthropic to accelerate AI across scholarly research by integrating institutional library subscriptions into Claude. This is all part of a pilot program designed to add value to our existing institutional offerings and support student use of safe, authoritative content when using AI.

Matthew S. Kissner: We also announced a key strategic partnership with Anthropic to accelerate AI across scholarly research by integrating institutional library subscriptions into Claude, all part of a pilot program designed to add value to our existing institutional offerings and support student use of safe, authoritative content when using AI. We increased our annual dividend for the 32nd consecutive year. Very few companies of our size or any size can say similar, demonstrating our long-term commitment to return cash to our shareholders. We also increased our spend on share repurchases in the quarter, and the board approved a $250 million repurchase authorization, a 25% increase over our previous program. Finally, I want to welcome Craig Albright as our new CFO. Craig brings 30 years of global leadership in finance and strategy, recently serving in multiple senior financial roles at Xerox.

Speaker #5: We increased our annual dividend for the 32nd consecutive year. Very few companies of our size or any size can say similar. Demonstrating our long-term commitment to return cash to our shareholders.

And the board approved a $50 million repurchase authorization, a 25% increase over our previous program.

Finally, I want to welcome Craig Albright as our new CFO.

Matthew S. Kissner: His track record of driving high-quality growth, disciplined investment, and cost synergies lines up perfectly with our ongoing objectives, and I look forward to closely partnering with him to take Wiley to the next level. Welcome, Craig. I also want to express my profound gratitude to Christopher F. Caridi for his exemplary leadership throughout this transition. We are fortunate that Chris remains our Chief Accounting Officer and Finance Transformation Leader. Let's talk about our fiscal 2026 commitments. As a reminder, these areas reflect how we have driven operational progress over the past 20 months, and they remain key focus areas for value creation. The first objective is to lead in research. We are driving above-market growth in submissions and output, up 25% and 13% respectively. Importantly, we're seeing double-digit submissions growth in nearly all key geographies, from China and India to the U.S., U.K., and Japan.

Craig, brings 30 years of Global Leadership in finance and strategy recently serving in multiple senior Financial roles at Xerox.

His track record of driving high-quality growth disciplined investment, and cost synergies lines up perfectly with our ongoing objectives. Then I look forward to closely partnering with him to take Wy to the next level.

Welcome Craig.

I also want to express my profound gratitude to Chris Cedi for his exemplary leadership throughout this transition. We are fortunate that Chris remains our Chief Accounting Officer and Finance Transformation Leader.

Let's talk about our fiscal 26. Commitments. As a reminder, these areas reflect how we have driven operational, progress over the past 20 months and they remain key. Focus areas for Value creation.

The first objective is to lead in research. We are driving above-market growth, with submissions and output up 25% and 13%, respectively.

Matthew S. Kissner: Germany, where we were the first publisher to strike a nationwide agreement, has returned to growth for the first time since the pandemic. Much of this volume growth goes to supporting and increasing the overall value of our recurring revenue models. Submissions growth also drives our gold open access program, where revenue is a function of price and quantity. As a reminder, it takes about six months for a submitted article to be published, so these are good indicators for future performance. Remember that about two-thirds of research revenue is recurring, and we delivered a strong journal renewal season for calendar year 2025, driven by volume and pricing growth. We continue to deliver double-digit gold open access growth, driven by the enduring draw of our journal brands. Our open access flagship journal, Advanced Science, continues to be a great story, with revenue growing nearly 50% over prior year.

Importantly, we're seeing double-digit submissions growth in nearly all key geographies, from China and India to the U.S., U.K., and Japan.

Germany, where we were the first publisher to strike. A nationwide agreement has returned to growth for the first time since the pandemic.

Much of this volume growth goes to supporting an increasing, the overall value of our recurring Revenue models.

Submissions growth. Also drives our gold Open Access program. Where revenue is a function of price and quantity.

As a reminder, it takes about 6 months for submitted articles to be published. So these are good indicators for future performance.

Remember that about two-thirds of research revenues are recurring? And we delivered a strong journal renewal season for County Year 25.

Driven by volume and price and growth.

We continue to deliver double-digit gold open access growth, driven by the enduring draw of our journal brands.

Matthew S. Kissner: We also had a record month in July for OA submissions, so very good momentum there. Our large catalog of high-quality journals forms our robust competitive moat. This quarter, we continue to build on that position, with 17 Wiley journals receiving a top category rank in the annual journal citation report, which measures the impact of peer-reviewed journals. Today, Wiley journals are responsible for over 10% of all citations in the index. Our second commitment is to deliver growth in AI and adjacent markets. I'll talk about this in the next couple of slides, but we're not just participating in the AI revolution. We're defining how our industry approaches knowledge licensing and partnership. We delivered $29 million in AI licensing revenue this quarter alone, up from $17 million in the prior year period, demonstrating the market's recognition of our leadership position.

Our Open Access Flagship Journal Advanced science continues to be a great story with Revenue growing. Nearly 50% over prior year.

We also had a record month in July for OA submissions, so very good momentum there.

Our launch catalog of high-quality journals forms our robust competitive mode. This quarter, we continue to build on that position with 17. We journals receiving a top category rank in the annual Journal, citation, report, which measures the impact of peer-reviewed journals.

Today, Wy journals are responsible for over 10% of all citations in the index.

Our second commitment is to deliver growth in Ai and adjacent markets.

I'll talk about this in the next couple of slides but we're not just participating in the AI Revolution. We're defining how industry approaches knowledge licensing and partnership.

Matthew S. Kissner: What sets us apart is our pioneering approach to publisher collaboration. The Wiley Nexus is our unified platform for the AI economy, connecting academic content to AI applications and streamlining licensing processes. Through comprehensive partnerships, the platform enables us to both aggregate scholarly content for AI training and develop cutting-edge research tools using advanced vector database technology. By facilitating partnerships with services like Claude for Education, while ensuring publishers retain complete content sovereignty and existing business relationships, we leverage our specialized AI and legal expertise to deliver value across the publishing ecosystem, from streamlined licensing processes and enhanced institutional subscriptions to AI-powered discovery tools. We also continue to advance our AI subscription inference models with potential customers across select industry verticals, setting new standards for how enterprises access and utilize specialized knowledge through AI.

Up from 17 million in the prior year, demonstrating the market's recognition of our leadership position.

What sets us apart is our pioneering approach to publisher collaboration.

The Wy Nexus is our unified platform for the AI economy. Connecting academic content, to AI applications and streamlining licensing processes.

Through comprehensive Partnerships. The platform enables us to both aggregate scholarly content for AI training.

And develop Cutting Edge, research, tools using Advanced Vector database technology.

By facilitating Partnerships with services like Claude for Education while ensuring Publishers retain complete contents of vinity and existing business relationships. We leverage our specialized Ai and legal expertise to deliver value of the publishing ecosystem.

From streamline licensing, processes and enhanced institutional subscriptions to AI powered Discovery tools.

Matthew S. Kissner: While inference models and strategic partnerships require thoughtful development, we're moving decisively to capture this transformational opportunity. For example, during the quarter, we consolidated multiple corporate sales functions into one unified team dedicated to driving growth in the corporate R&D space. Our third commitment is to drive operational excellence and discipline across the organization. This quarter, we reached an important milestone in the scaled migration of our new research publishing platform, the Research Exchange, with 1,000 journals successfully transitioned to the new technology and 350,000 unique users served. To refresh, we've built a best-in-class platform that combines all of our major publishing workflows into one integrated system, using AI and machine learning to support authors, referees, and editors in managing article submissions, quality and integrity screening, and peer review.

We also continue to advance our AI subscription inference models with potential customers across select industry. Verticals setting new standards for how Enterprises access and utilize specialized knowledge through AI.

While inference models and strategic Partnerships require thoughtful development.

We're moving decisively to capture this transformational opportunity.

For example, during the quarter, we consolidated multiple corporate sales functions into one unified team dedicated to driving growth in the corporate R&D space.

A third commitment is to drive. Operational. Excellence in discipline across the organization,

This quarter, we reached an important milestone in the scaled, migration of our new research publishing platform. The research exchange with 1,000, journals successfully transitioned to the new technology and 350,000 unique users served

To refresh.

Matthew S. Kissner: The advantages of this system include a faster and lower-cost journal production process, a significantly improved author experience, and a unified information architecture that facilitates stronger management of the article production process. Wiley is also gaining from standardization while customers benefit from leading-edge publishing technology, imperative when it comes to dealing with research integrity and harnessing AI. We've taken a measured approach to its rollout, and 92% of researchers have rated the system as easy to use. This quarter, the platform garnered a key industry award for excellence in research integrity. This is where we've taken a clear leadership position in the industry, both in terms of advocacy and product. Coming out of the quarter, we're increasingly confident in our full-year outlook, driven by research trends and AI momentum. We see good growth in our contracted journal revenues for calendar year 2025.

We've built a best-in-class platform that combines all of our major publishing workflows into 1 integrated system using Ai and machine learning to support authors referees and editors in managing articles submissions quality and integrity, screening and peer.

Review.

The advantages of this system include a faster and lower cost Journal production process, a significantly improved author experience.

And a unified information architecture that facilitates stronger management of the article production process.

We are also gaining from standardization, while customers benefit from leading-edge publishing technology, which is imperative when it comes to dealing with research integrity and harnessing AI.

We've taken a measured approach to its rollout, and 92% of researchers have rated the system as easy to use.

This corner of the platform garnered a key industry award for excellence in research integrity.

This is where we've taken a clear leadership position in the industry, both in terms of advocacy and product.

Coming out of the quarter. We're increasingly confident in our fill your outlook driven by research, Trends and AI momentum.

Matthew S. Kissner: Strong open access growth is expected to continue, driven by accelerating demand and output worldwide, including in the U.S. This gives us a publishing backlog of six months or more. AI licensing demand remains robust from both existing and prospective customers. The academic market remains steady at this point after two consecutive years of enrollment growth. We're watching full college enrollments but haven't seen any early signals of enrollment challenges. On the professional publishing side, we have encountered some market headwinds around consumer spending and the retail channel, which we're watching. That said, we're also delivering above-market growth in publishing output and title signings. We're monitoring corporate spending trends around assessments, but moving ahead on pricing and new product launches. Our previously executed cost savings will begin to ramp up in Q2.

We see good growth in our contracted journal revenues for County for the year 2025.

Strong Open Access growth is expected to continue driven by accelerating demand and output worldwide, including in the US.

This gives us a publishing backlog of 6 months or more.

AI licensing demand remains robust from both existing and prospective customers.

The academic Market remains steady at this point after 2 consecutive years of enrollment growth.

We're watching 4 College enrollments but haven't seen any early signals of enrollment challenges.

On the professional publishing side, we haven't counted some market headwinds around consumer spending and the retail Channel which we're watching that said we're also delivering above market growth in output and titled signings.

Selling trends around assessments for moving ahead on pricing and new product launches.

And finally, our previously executed cost savings will begin to ramp up in Q2.

Matthew S. Kissner: Let me step back and review our current AI licensing models, which will continue to evolve as the AI market develops and matures. We think about the market opportunity in three buckets. The first is in training large language models using our own archival content to ensure accuracy and impact. The training market is evolving from a few large pre-training engagements to a wider array of smaller, more fine-tuning projects where developers require more specialized content. We continue to meet this demand. The second model is the Wiley Nexus, where we are combining our content with that of our publisher and society partners in research solutions. Here, we help others navigate the complicated AI world by leveraging our relationships and expertise on their behalf. In our first deal this quarter, we generated $16 million of Nexus licensing revenue.

Let me step back and review our current AI licensing models, which will continue to evolve as the AI market develops and matures.

we think about the market opportunity in 3, buckets,

The first is in training large language models using our own archival content to ensure accuracy and impact.

The training market is evolving from a few large pre-training engagements to a wider array of smaller, more fine-tuning projects, where developers require more specialized content.

We continue to meet this demand.

The second model is the Wy Nexus, where we are combining our content with that of our publisher and society partners in research solutions.

Here, we help others navigate the complicated AI world by leveraging our relationships and expertise on their behalf.

Matthew S. Kissner: Craig will discuss in detail, but margins are a bit lower here than in other AI agreements due to differing royalty rates. It's a win-win-win. We are able to maintain our leadership position with our corporate customers, expand our publisher partnerships who can benefit from our know-how, and generate new profitable revenue streams in the process. It's also another validation of our distinct competitive advantages, and that is our ability to partner across academic and corporate environments and connect them together. You're now seeing the benefit of this in AI. Both institutions and corporations need a trusted partner like Wiley. The third area, AI subscription models, involves licensing and embedding our content into vertical-specific applications that ground models in authoritative content at the time of inference. The most common technique here is retrieval augmented generation, or RAG.

In our first deal, this quarter we generated 16 million of Nexus licensing Revenue.

Craig will discuss in detail, but margins are a bit lower here than in other. AI agreements due to differing royalty rates.

It's a win-win-win. We are able to maintain our leadership position with our corporate customers and expand our publisher partnerships, who can benefit from our know-how.

And generate new profitable revenue streams in the process.

It's also another validation of our distinct competitive advantages.

And that is our ability to partner across academic and corporate environments and connect them together.

You're now seeing the benefit of this in AI both institutions and corporations need a trusted partner like Wy.

The third area, AI subscription models, involves licensing and embedding our content into vertically specific applications that ground models in authoritative content at the time of inference.

Matthew S. Kissner: AI demand is shifting from article retrieval to structured reasoning, and that means the future of AI is task-based, not document-based. With this shift, R&D-intensive corporations are increasingly using AI-powered content and tools to speed up product development, identify breakthroughs, and reduce turnaround times. Our high-value content, therefore, is critical. We can provide subscription access to a knowledge feed of Wiley content and data catalogs where accuracy, efficacy, and recency can all be ensured. We're already piloting an array of inference use cases in multiple industry verticals, from pharmaceuticals to technology, with early-stage recurring revenue totaling $1 million in fiscal 2025. Given the number of companies deploying AI applications and the depth and breadth of our content portfolio, the potential opportunity is significant.

The most common technique here is Retrieval-Augmented Generation, or RAG.

AI demand is shifting from article retrieval to structured reasoning. And that means the future of AI is task-based, not document-based.

With this shift, R&D-intensive corporations are increasingly using AI, parrot content, and tools to speed up product development, identify breakthroughs, and reduce turnaround times.

Our high-valued content, therefore, is critical.

We can provide subscription access to a comprehensive feed of widely available content and data catalogs, where accuracy, efficacy, and recency can all be assured.

We're already piloting an array of inference use cases in multiple industry verticals, from pharmaceuticals to technology.

With early stage recurring Revenue totaling 1 million in fiscal 25.

Given the number of companies deploying AI applications and the depth and breadth of our content portfolio, the potential opportunity is significant.

Matthew S. Kissner: As I said at the start, we've moved decisively in a nascent market and executed the following: large rights projects for training with three of the world's largest tech companies, strategic development partnerships with three of the world's leading AI innovators, including Amazon Web Services, Perplexity, and Anthropic. The goal is to advance the researcher and learner experience, and we're just getting started. Inference pilots with three of the world's leading pharma companies to revolutionize drug discovery, as well as with a multinational chemical company for pattern recognition and in support of the European Space Agency for Earth observation. This market will take time to develop, but it is what excites us most. The corporate market is now a key strategic focus area for us, making up 80% of total U.S. R&D spend, but only 10% of our revenue base.

As I said at the start, we've moved decisively in a new market and executed the following.

Large REITs projects for training with 3 of the world's largest tech companies.

Strategic development Partnerships with 3 of the world's leading AI innovators, including Amazon, web services, perplexity and anthropic.

The goal is to advance the researcher and learner experience. And with just getting started,

Inference pilots with three of the world's leading pharma companies to revolutionize drug discovery, as well as with a multinational chemical company for pattern recognition.

and in support of the European Space Agency for Earth, observation,

This market will take time to develop, but it is what excites us most.

The corporate Market is now a key strategic, Focus area for us.

Matthew S. Kissner: Over time, we expect this share to materially expand as we continue to build subscription-based and transactional AI businesses, bring our science analytics capabilities deeper into organizations, and expand on our knowledge services capabilities. One final affirmation: we believe it is our unique responsibility to engage with AI developers and R&D-centric corporations to ensure scientific integrity and information accuracy, to deliver optimal outcomes across research and learning, and power the latest models with only trusted authoritative content like Wiley's. One can think of it as the Wiley seal of approval. Now let's talk about AI innovation across our platform and product portfolio. Let's start with transforming publishing. As a reminder, we're rolling out a leading-edge research publishing platform in stages. More than half of our journals are now live.

New base.

Over time, we expect the share to materially expand as we continue to build subscription-based and transactional AI businesses, bring our science analytics capabilities deeper into organizations, and expand on our knowledge services capabilities.

1 final affirmation.

We believe it is our unique responsibility to engage with AI developers and R&D Centric. Corporations to ensure scientific integrity and information accuracy.

To deliver optimal outcomes, across research, and learning and power. The latest models with only trusted authoritative content like wies.

1 can think of it as the Wy, seal of approval.

Now, let's talk about AI Innovation across our platform and product portfolio.

Matthew S. Kissner: As you can see here, we are thinking about AI and its implications for what we do across the entire research value chain and actively incorporating it into our platform, from the first touchpoint with the author to an increasingly expanding set of touchpoints with the end user, consumer of the research. Our AI-powered workflows make submission fast and intuitive for researchers through a single, consistent interface that streamlines processes and reduces administrative burden. A more efficient system will allow us to attract and retain more authors. Scientific integrity remains the industry-wide topic. We now have the latest AI-powered screening tools in place, fully integrated into the publishing workflow. These tools conduct 25 comprehensive checks at the initial screening, completing the process in under 10 minutes. Any potential concerns are automatically flagged for further review. This screening stage helps editors by filtering out papers with major scope or integrity issues.

Let's start with transforming publishing. As a reminder, we're rolling out Leading Edge research, a publishing platform in stages. More than half of our journals are now live.

As you can see, here, we are thinking about Ai and its implications for what we do across the entire research value chain, and actively incorporating it into our platform from the first touch point with the author to an increasingly expanding set of touch points with the end user consumer of the research.

Our AI powered workflows. Make submission fast and intuitive for researchers. Through a single consistent interface that streamlines processes and reduces administrative burden.

A more efficient system will allow us to attract and retain more authors.

Scientific Integrity Remains the industry-wide topic. We now have the latest AI powered screening Tools in place fully integrated into the public and workflow.

These tools conduct 25 compromise checks at the initial screening, completing the process in under 10 minutes.

Any potential concerns are automatically flagged for further review.

Matthew S. Kissner: Already, we've seen a 70% reduction in published papers citing problematic sources. We consider this another differentiator. We're also revolutionizing reviewers' suggestions through sophisticated relationship mapping to find connections between authors, papers, and topics, dramatically improving recommendations for quality and relevance. Not only can this platform deliver new content offerings, but we can use AI to match articles to journals, giving a better experience to authors, reviewers, and editors alike. It also provides an added benefit of keeping more submitted articles in-house that may have fallen out because of improper fit. In fiscal 2025, we saw a 30% improvement in automated transfer referral conversion. We have AI initiatives going on across our product portfolio. In our academic business line, we've recently introduced four new AI tools for our STEM digital courseware product around tutoring, authoring, assessment, and student behavior insights.

This screening stage helps editors by filtering our papers with major scope or integrity issues already. We've seen a 70% reduction in published papers citing problematic sources.

We consider this another differentiator.

We're also revolutionizing, reviewers suggestions, through sophisticated relationship mapping to find connections between authors papers and topics dramatically improving recommendations for quality and relevance.

Not only can this platform deliver new content offerings, but we can use AI to match articles to journals, giving a better experience to authors, reviewers, and editors alike.

it also provides an added benefit of keeping more submitted articles, in-house, that may have fallen out because of improper fit,

In fiscal 2025, we saw a 30% improvement in automated transfer referral conversion.

We have ai initiatives going on across our product portfolio.

Matthew S. Kissner: In professional, we continue to build out our AI-powered book author portal to improve launch efficiency and design. Of course, we're working with AWS to dramatically improve scientific search and Perplexity to transform how learners interact with educational content. Let me also touch quickly on colleague productivity. Nearly 85% of our employees are actively using the latest AI tools in their daily work, and internal surveys show that AI sentiment and productivity run high across our organization. I'll now turn the call over to Craig, who will take you through our Q1 results, our financial position and capital allocation, and our full-year outlook.

In our academic business line, we've recently introduced four new AI tools for our STEM digital courseware product around tutoring, authoring assessments, and student behavior insights.

In professional, we continue to build out our AI powered book, author portal to improve launch efficiency in design. And of course, we're working with AWS to dramatically improve scientific search and perplexity to transform how Learners interact with educational content.

Let me also touch quickly on colleague productivity.

Nearly 85% of our employees are actively using the latest AI Tools in their daily work and internal surveys show that AI sentiment and productivity Run High across our organization.

I'll now turn the call over to Craig. Who will take you through our q1 results, our financial position and capital allocation and offer year outlook.

Craig Albright: Thank you, Matt. Good morning, everyone. I'm honored to join Wiley at this pivotal moment in our transformation and excited to share our Q1 results with you. Nine weeks in, three things stand out to me about Wiley. First, our mission matters, advancing science and learning globally. There's a real sense of pride and purpose here that moves us. Second, our momentum is real. Two years of value creation through business simplification and improved cost structure are having an impact. Third, our moment is now. We're at the forefront of defining AI's role in science and learning. We have some early seeds in the ground, and this is just the beginning. Looking ahead, I'm focused on discipline prioritization to drive organic growth while consistently expanding margins and cash flow. Our best days are ahead of us. Let's turn to Q1 results.

Thank you, Matt. Good morning, everyone. I'm honored to join Wy at this pivotal moment in our transformation and excited to share our Q1 results with you.

Ing science and learning globally.

There's a real sense of pride and purpose here that moves us.

Second, our momentum is real.

2 years of value creation, through business simplification, and improved cost structure are having an impact. And third are moment is now

We're at the Forefront of defining ai's role in science and learning. We have some early seasons in the ground and this is just the beginning.

Looking ahead and focused on discipline prioritization to drive organic growth, while consistently expanding margins and cash flow. Our best days are ahead of us.

Craig Albright: Adjusted revenue grew 1% and adjusted EPS rose 2%, while adjusted EBITDA was down 3%. As Matt noted, the first quarter is our smallest from a seasonal perspective. Let me walk through the three key drivers of our EBITDA performance this quarter. First, strategic margin mix. Our landmark $20 million AI project included $16 million of Nexus partner content. This generated strong incremental revenue at 45% EBITDA margins versus the approximately 75% we've been seeing on deals with our own content due to differences in partner royalties. This opportunity validates our strategy of leveraging our AI relationships to create opportunities for publisher partners while expanding our addressable market. It's important to note that Nexus is not a replacement for licensing our own content, but additive. Second, timing impacts we expected.

Let's turn to q1 results.

Adjusted revenue grew 1%, and adjusted EPS rose 2%, while adjusted EBIT was down 3%.

As Matt noted, the first quarter is our smallest from a seasonal perspective.

Let me walk through the 3, key drivers of our ebita performance, this quarter.

First strategic margin next.

Our Landmark 20 million AI project included. 16 million of Nexus partner content. This generated strong incremental Revenue at 45% ebita margins versus the approximately 75%. We've been seeing on deals with our own content due to differences in partner royalties

This opportunity validates our strategy of leveraging, our AI relationships to create opportunities for publisher Partners while expanding our addressable Market.

It's important to note that Nexus is not a replacement for licensing our own content but additive

Craig Albright: We lapped a $5 million journal renewal benefit from Q1 last year, and we had a temporary lift in corporate expenses from an investment in strategic consulting projects that offset restructuring savings this quarter. Third, there was some softness in professional publishing, as Matt discussed. However, as Matt noted in his remarks, we have good confidence in quarter two and the rest of the year, driven by our publishing volume, journal renewals, open access growth, expanding AI relationships, and cost management. All these factors reinforce why we're confident in affirming our full-year guidance, which I'll detail shortly. Turning to segment performance, Research delivered solid 5% growth, driven by AI demand, $16 million compared to $1 million in the prior year period, and strong underlying fundamentals. Let me break this down by business line. Research publishing declined 1% as expected.

Second timing impacts, we expected.

We lap to 5 million Journal, renewal benefit from q1 last year and we had a temporary lift in corporate expenses. From an investment in strategic Consulting projects that offset restructuring savings. This quarter

Third, there was some softness in professional publishing as Matt discussed.

However, as Matt noted in his remarks, we have good confidence in quarter 2 and the rest of the year, driven by our publishing volume Journal renewals Open Access growth, expanding AI relationships and cost management.

All these factors reinforce why we're confident in our full-year guidance, which I'll detail shortly.

Turning to segment performance research, delivered solid 5% growth driven by AI demand. 16 million compared to 1 million in the prior year, period and strong underlying fundamentals.

Craig Albright: We lapped a $5 million journal renewal benefit from last year, but this was largely offset by double-digit gold open access growth. Our publishing pipeline remains robust and globally diversified, with 45% of output from APAC, 30% from EMEA, 20% from North America, and 5% from the rest of the world. July was a record month for open access submissions. Research solutions grew 44%, driven by the Nexus AI project. The segment's adjusted EBITDA margin of 28.3% compared to 29.3% in the prior year period, reflecting both the AI mix impact and some timing of costs. We expect Research margins to improve on a full-year basis as these mix and timing impacts normalize. Looking ahead, our calendar year 2026 journal renewal season runs from November through April. We remain confident in the accelerating volume of new research and the must-have nature of our portfolio.

Let me break this down by business line. Research publishing declined 1% as expected. We lapped a $5 million journal renewal benefit from last year, but this was largely offset by double-digit gold open access growth.

Our publishing pipeline remains robust and globally, Diversified with 45% of output from APAC. 30% from Amiya 20% from North America and 5% from the rest of the world.

July was a record month for Open. Access submissions.

Research Solutions, grew, 44% driven by the Nexus AI project.

The segments, adjusted ebita margin of 28.3% compared to 29.3% in the prior year, period reflecting, both the AI mix impact and some timing of costs.

We expect research margins to improve on a full year basis as these mix and timing impacts normalize.

Craig Albright: Learning revenue declined 8% this quarter due to lower AI revenue and market-related softness in professional publishing. On AI, Learning delivered $13 million of revenue in Q1 versus $16 million in the prior year. The $13 million includes $9 million of carryover from the agreement we announced in Q4, plus a $4 million expansion from a repeat LLM customer. This repeat customer demonstrates the stickiness and growth potential in our AI relationships. We continue to deliver robust growth in new title signings of 27% and title output of 9% across our professional portfolio, which are expected to contribute to our financial performance in fiscal 2026 and beyond.

Looking ahead, our calendar year 2026 Journal renewal season runs from November through April, we remain confident in the accelerating volume of new research and the must-have nature of our portfolio.

Learning Revenue declined, 8% this quarter due to lower, AI, revenue, and Market related softness and professional publishing.

On AI learning, we delivered $13 million in revenue in Q1, compared to $16 million in the prior year. The $13 million includes $9 million of carryover from the agreement. We announced in Q4 plus a $4 million expansion from a repeat LLM customer. This repeat customer demonstrates the stickiness and growth potential in our AI relationships.

Craig Albright: Also of note for the quarter, we signed a key publishing partnership with the International Society of Automation, launched multiple AI tools for our STEM digital courseware product, and launched our WorkSmart tool in assessments, which combines personality models with training sessions on employee engagement and team development. The segment delivered EBITDA margin expansion of 20 basis points to 27.4%, demonstrating our operational discipline even in a soft revenue environment. Let me touch on corporate expenses, which represent shared services not allocated to segments. We saw a temporary $4 million increase this quarter from strategic consulting projects and other one-time items. These projects are now complete, and we're a deliberate investment in capabilities that position us for a stronger execution going forward. We also had some corporate spending related to our enterprise modernization initiatives.

We continue to deliver robust growth in new title signings of 27% and title output of 9% across our professional portfolio, which are expected to contribute to our financial performance in fiscal 26 and Beyond

Also of note for the quarter, we signed a key publishing partnership with the international Society of automation. Launched multiple AI tools for our stem, digital courseware product, and launched our work, smart tool in assessments which combines personality models with training sessions on employee engagement and team development.

The segment delivered, ebita margin expansion of 20 basis points, to 27.4%, demonstrating our operational discipline, even in a soft Revenue environment.

Corporate expenses, which represent shared services. Not allocated to segments,

We saw a temporary $4 million increase this quarter from strategic consulting projects and other one-time items. These projects are now complete, and we're making deliberate investments in capabilities that position us for stronger execution going forward.

Craig Albright: Looking ahead, we expect corporate expenses to decline starting in Q2 as cost savings ramp up, and we expect to finish down for the year. Now, let me turn to our strong financial position and capital returns. Cash flow performed as expected. Free cash flow was a use of $100 million, an improvement from a use of $107 million last year. As a reminder, Q1 and Q2 are seasonally negative due to journal subscription timing, with annual journal subscription receipts concentrated in Q3 and Q4. CapEx was $15 million, down $3 million from last year. If you recall, our cloud-based enterprise modernization spend is capitalized and amortized like CapEx, but unlike CapEx as reported in the operating cash flow section. When combined, capitalized cloud-based spend and CapEx total $20 million for the quarter, up from $18 million prior year. Capital allocation remained disciplined this quarter.

We also had some corporate spending related to our Enterprise modernization initiatives.

Looking ahead, we expect corporate expenses to decline starting in Q2 as cost savings ramp up, and we expect to finish down for the year.

Now, let me turn to our strong financial position and capital returns.

Cash flow performed as expected. Free cash flow was a use of $100 million, an improvement from a use of $107 million last year.

Tap X was 15 million down 3 million from last year. If you recall, our cloud-based Enterprise modernization spend is capitalized and amortized like capex but unlike capex, it's reported in the operating cash flow section. When combined capitalized cloud-based spend and capex total, 20 million for the quarter up from 18 million prior year.

Craig Albright: Share repurchases increased to $14 million. We acquired 332,000 shares at an average price of $42.22. The board approved a new $250 million repurchase authorization, up 25% from our previous program. We also implemented a 10b5-1 plan for our blackout periods. Combined with our 32nd consecutive dividend increase, which gives us a current yield of around 3.5%, we're returning capital while investing in growth. Balance sheet strength continues to improve. Our net debt-to-EBITDA ratio improved to 1.9x at the end of July, compared to 2.0x in the prior year period. Liquidity remains strong, with $551 million in cash and undrawn capacity, including $82 million of cash on hand and $469 million of undrawn debt facilities. Finally, we received the roughly $120 million of cash proceeds for the university services divestiture this quarter, which we used to reduce our debt.

Capital allocation remained disciplined. This quarter share repurchases increased to 14 million. We acquired 332,000 shares at an average price of $22.22. The board approved. A new 250 million repurchase authorization up 25% from our previous program.

We also implemented a 10B 51 plan for our blackout periods.

Liquidity remains strong with 551 million in cash and undrawn capacity, including 82 million of cash on hand and 469 million of undrawn debt facilities.

Craig Albright: Due to timing, this only had a modest impact on our cash interest payments for the quarter, but we'll see run-rate cash interest savings of approximately $6 million from this move. Given all this, we are confidently reaffirming our full-year outlook based on the accelerating demand trends and cost actions implemented. Let me walk through our key guidance metrics. Revenue growth in the low to mid-single digits, adjusted EBITDA margin of 25.5% to 26.5%, up from 24% last year, driven by expected business performance and executed cost savings. Adjusted EPS of $3.90 to $4.35, up from $3.64 last year. Free cash flow of approximately $200 million, driven by EBITDA growth, lower restructuring payments, and favorable working capital. CapEx is expected to be comparable to last year's total of $77 million. On AI specifically, we realized $29 million this quarter compared to $40 million for all of last year.

Finally, we received the roughly 120 million of cash proceeds for the University Services Devastator, this quarter, which we use to reduce our debt.

Due to timing, this only had a modest impact on our cash interest payments for the quarter, but we'll see a run rate cash interest savings of approximately $6 million from this move.

Given all this, we are confidently. Reaffirming our full year outlook based on the accelerating demand Trends and cost actions implemented.

Let me walk through our key guidance metrics.

Revenue growth in the low to mid single digits.

Adjusted ebita margin of 25.5% to 26.5% up from 24%. Last year, driven by expected business performance and executed cost savings.

Adjusted EPS of 3.97 to 4.35 up from 3. 6 4.

Free cash flow of approximately $200 million, driven by EBITDA growth, lower restructuring payments, and favorable working capital.

Capex is expected to be comparable to last year's total of $77 million.

Craig Albright: While this revenue has quarterly variability, the underlying demand remains robust. In the future, we expect to see growing demand for subscription inference opportunities, a market which is still forming. This guidance reflects our confidence in our fundamentals, which are strong journal renewals, accelerating open access growth, expanding AI partnerships, and our disciplined cost management delivering margin expansion. We will continue working hard to consistently meet and beat expectations and earn your trust and confidence. With that, I'll pass the call back to Matt.

On AI specifically, we realized $29 million this quarter compared to $40 million for all of last year. While this revenue has quarterly variability, the underlying demand remains robust, and in the future, we expect to see growing demand for subscription inference opportunities—a market that is still forming.

This guidance reflects our confidence in our fundamentals, which are strong Journal renewals accelerating Open. Access growth expanding AI Partnerships and our disciplined cost management, delivering margin expansion.

We will continue working hard to consistently meet and beat expectations and earn your trust and confidence with that. I'll pass the call back to Matt.

Matthew S. Kissner: Thank you, Craig. Let me quickly recap our key takeaways and then open the floor to your questions. Q1 was noisy, but in line with our overall expectations. We have strong confidence in Q2 and the rest of the year. AI is a transformative opportunity, and we're moving decisively to capitalize. We're now a recognized leader executing our own projects with multinational tech companies, but also on behalf of our publishing partners. We are strategically partnering with the world's foremost AI innovators to augment the researcher and learner experience. We are learning from them and them from us. As I've said many times before, continuous improvement is a way of life for us now. We continue to drive operational excellence through publishing transformation, AI innovation, investment discipline, and cost reduction. Finally, we are returning more capital to shareholders in the form of increased dividends and share repurchases.

Thank you, Craig. Let me quickly recap our key takeaways and then open the floor to your questions.

Twenty-one was noisy but in line with our overall expectations.

We have strong confidence in Q2 and the rest of the year.

AI is a transformative opportunity, and we're moving decisively to capitalize. We're now a recognized leader executing our own projects with multinational tech companies, but also on behalf of our publishing partners.

Learning from them and them from us.

As I've said many times before, continuous improvement is a way of life for us. Now, we continue to drive operational excellence through publishing transformation, AI, innovation, investment, discipline, and cost reduction.

Matthew S. Kissner: Our goal, of course, is to drive continuous value creation in the years to come. One final word. You may have seen news on an industry-class action settlement involving pirated content and a key AI developer. We can't say much about it at this stage, but we consider it to be a pivotal win for the protection of intellectual property and copyright in a responsible AI world. It's a victory for innovation and the incentive to create, and therefore a victory for the public at large. I want to thank all of you for joining us. As Craig noted, we will continue to work tirelessly to reward your trust and confidence. As always, I want to thank our 5,000 global colleagues for their pivotal work in making us a leader in both our core markets and in the burgeoning AI economy. I'll open the floor to questions.

Finally, we are returning more Capital to shareholders in the form of increased dividends and share repurchases.

Our goal, of course, is to drive continuous value Creation in the years to come.

1, final word.

You may have seen news on an industry class action, settlement involving pirated content and a key AI developer.

We can say much about it at this stage, but we consider it to be a pivotal win for the protection of intellectual property and copyright in a responsible AI world.

It's a victory for Innovation and the incentive to create and therefore a victory for the public at Large.

I want to thank all of you for joining us.

As Craig noted, we will continue to work tirelessly to reward your trust and confidence.

As always, I want to thank our 5,000 Global colleagues for their pivotal work in. Making us a leader in both our core markets and the burgeoning AI economy.

I'll open the floor to questions.

Conference Operator: Thank you. As a reminder, to ask a question, please press star followed by the number one on your telephone keypad. To withdraw any questions, press star one again. We'll pause for just a moment to compile the Q&A roster. Our first question comes from Daniel Moore from CJS Securities. Please go ahead. Your line is open.

Thank you. As a reminder, to ask a question, please press star, followed by the number 1 on your telephone keypad. To withdraw any questions, press star 1 again.

We'll pause for just a moment to compile the Q&A roster.

and our first question comes from Daniel Moore from CJs Securities, please go ahead, your line is open

Daniel Moore: Thank you. Good morning. Thanks for taking the questions.

Thank you. Good morning. Uh, thanks for taking the questions.

Matthew S. Kissner: Good morning, Dan.

Good morning, Dan.

Daniel Moore: Clearly, a lot to unpack, Matt. Let me start with Anthropic. Can you just provide a little bit more color regarding the nature in terms of the agreement? Is it primarily providing your content into Claude, or is it more of a collaboration to bring kind of research-related tools as well as content to market?

Clearly a lot to unpack that um let me start with anthropic can you just provide a little bit more color regarding the nature? In terms of the agreement? Is it primarily providing your content into Claude or is it more of a collaboration to bring kind of research related tools, as well as content to Market?

Matthew S. Kissner: Jay, do you want to comment on that?

Daniel Moore: Yeah, happy to. Hi, Dan. Good morning. We're excited about the partnership with Anthropic and Claude. One of the things that's really important to us is to make sure that high-quality content gets included in the research tools and learning tools that are being used by students. We're focusing on an announcement in a couple of weeks that will talk about Claude institutional access and the ways that we're integrating our content with Anthropic's toolset into the student and researcher workflow, primarily in the academic market. Think about it this way. If you have a connector inside of one of your desktop AI tools, you want to be able to point that connector at high-quality information or high-quality services. You might want to connect it to your Gmail. You might want to connect it to Stripe for payments, things like that.

JD you want to comment on that?

Yeah, happy to hi Dan. Good morning and uh yeah, we're excited about the uh the partnership with anthropic and Claude 1 of the things that's really important to us is to make sure that high quality content gets included in the research tools that and and learning tools that are being used by students. And so we're we're focusing, uh, on an announcement and a couple of weeks that will uh, talk about.

Claude institutional access and the, uh, and the ways that we're integrating, our content with anthropics tool, set into the student, and and researcher workflow, uh, primarily in the academic Market. Um, think about it this way, if you have a connector inside of 1, of your, uh, desktop

Daniel Moore: What we're doing with Anthropic is allowing end users of the Claude tool to connect right into a Wiley vectorized database of high-quality information to support AI safety, the use of top-quality research material, and to support the student learning journey and the researcher. It's a very cool first integration with a major tool provider, and we're excited about it. Anything you can describe from a revenue model perspective? We're looking at it as primarily a way to underpin the value of our institutional library subscriptions and as a potential upsell vector. Okay, that's helpful. Does the agreement change the way you plan to invest or pursue AI-related opportunities for growth at all? Do you expect development spending to increase, level off, taper off, over the next year or two? Two discrete questions there.

AI tools. You may want to be able to point that connector at high-quality information or high-quality services. You might want to connect it to your Gmail, and you might want to connect it to Stripe for payments, things like that.

And so what we're doing with anthropic is allowing end users of the the claw tool to connect right into uh a Wy, uh, vectorized database of high-quality information to support AI safety. Uh the the top, the use of top quality research material and to support the Student Learning Journey in the researcher. So it's a, it's a very

Cool. First integration with a major tool provider, and we're excited about it.

Anything you can describe from a revenue model perspective.

We're looking at it as primarily a way to underpin the value of our institutional Library subscriptions, uh, and as a potential upsell vector.

Okay, that's helpful. Um does the agreement change the way you plan to invest or pursue AI related opportunities for growth at all? Um,

Daniel Moore: I'll defer to Craig and Matt on the capital allocation questions, but let me just give you a moment on the vision for the space here. Imagine that the demand for top-quality content inside the AI workflow is very strong, and we're seeing that not only in the academic sector, but certainly in the corporate R&D markets, as Matt mentioned in the prepared remarks. Our view on this particular program is that it represents the first step of tighter content integration between what Wiley's doing from a content aggregation perspective with our Nexus platform or the provision of our own content, our own IP, and that of our society partners into these tools.

And do you expect development spending to increase, level off, or taper off over the next year or two? You know, just to address two discrete questions there.

Well I I'll I'll refer to Craig and Matt on a Kappa, allocation questions, but let me just give you a moment on, you know, the vision for the space here. So imagine that um,

the demand for

Inside the AI workflow is very strong and we're seeing that not only in the academic sector, but certainly in the corporate R&D markets, as Matt mentioned, in the prepared remarks. So our

view on this particular program is that it represents the first step of tighter content integration.

Between what Wy is doing, uh, from a Content aggregation perspective with our Nexus platform or the provision of our own content.

Daniel Moore: I think the way I would characterize your question or maybe build on it is to say that we view the future of AI services as not just being model training, but also inference subscription in the corporate R&D market and integration with end user tools. This represents the first of those projects. We have many more in the pipeline. They are comparatively inexpensive to implement. As we've indicated, you know, we believe that to be an AI-forward company and a leader in our segment, we want to be first to market with these things, and we want to continue to push the momentum.

Our own IP and that of our society Partners into these into these tools. So I think,

the way I would characterize your question or maybe build on it is to say that, um,

We view the future of AI services as not just being model training, but also inference subscription and the corporate R&D market, along with integration with end-user tools. This represents the first of those projects. We have many more in the pipeline. Um, they are comparatively inexpensive to implement.

Matthew S. Kissner: Yeah, Dan, let me give you a perspective. That's right, what Jay said, and let me build on it and give you a perspective of how I think about it. This market is still rapidly evolving, and you saw me in my prepared remarks talk about a number of different opportunities. The operating theory is that we believe in the future, our content is going to be accessed by various AI tools, perhaps as frequently as it's accessed by individuals. Our goal here is to build those connections into those various tools as the market evolves. This is still early days in the formation of this market. What we're trying to do is take advantage of multiple opportunities to learn and make our content as accessible as it can be to these various AI tools.

Uh but as as we've indicated um you know we believe that to be an AI forward company and a leader in our segment. Um we want to be first to Market with these things and we want to continue to to push the momentum.

Yeah, Dan let me uh give you his perspective. So that's right. With Jay said and let me build on and give you a prospective. How I think about it. This Market is still rapidly evolving and you saw me in in my prepared remarks talked about a number of different opportunities but the operating theory is that we believe in the future, our content is going to be accessed by various AI tools, perhaps as frequently as it's accessed by individuals.

and so, our goal here is to build

those connections, um, into those various tools as the market evolves. Um, this is

You know, it's still early days in the formation of this market. And um, what we're trying to do is play

Matthew S. Kissner: I don't see a lot of internal capital expenditure in this area, but as we look at modernizing our technology stack, which we've talked about in the past as part of our cost reduction work, we are building it in a way that it is very accessible. There are various industry standards we could go into separately that we're complying with to basically make our content easily accessible by these models. As opposed to, you know, I've seen some other companies in other industries kind of building their own AI tools. We're kind of tool agnostic. We want to play with all of the tools because we don't know who the winners are going to be.

The take advantage of multiple opportunities to learn and, uh, make our content as accessible as it can be to these these, these various AI tools. It's I, I don't see a lot of

internal capital expenditure in this area, uh, but but as we look at

Modernizing our technology stack.

Uh, which we've talked about in the past as part of our cost production work.

We are building it in a way that is very accessible and there's various industry standards. We could go into separately that we're we're complying with to basically make our content um easily accessible by these models.

As opposed to, you know, I've seen some other companies and other Industries kind of building their own AI tools, we're kind of a tool agnostic.

We want to play with all of the tools because we don't know who the winners are going to be.

Daniel Moore: No, that's definitely helpful. Switching gears, of the, I think you said $16 million revenue related to Nexus this quarter. Just help me understand how much of that is Wiley's content versus outside content, if I'm phrasing the question correctly. I'm just trying to understand the nature of the agreements and the margin differential, you know, for AI deals when it's your content versus partnering with others.

Matthew S. Kissner: Let me, first of all, reinforce the value of that deal strategically. We have our publishing solutions business where we serve an array of other publishers, mostly smaller. What we've been able to demonstrate here is our ability to leverage our experience in AI, leveraging our technology, legal expertise, and the like, include their content into our AI licensing strategy, which makes the overall package much more attractive to AI developers because it includes a larger percentage of the content. It is a foundational move. I'll let Craig, I'll give Craig a little airtime as the new guy to talk a little bit about the underlying, answer your question a little more directly.

No, that's definitely helpful. Um Switching Gears of the I think you said 16 million Revenue related to Nexus this quarter. Just helped me understand how much of that is why these content versus outside content. If I'm phrasing the question correctly, I'm just trying to understand the nature of the agreements and the margin differential, you know, for a ideals when it's your content versus partnering with others. Yeah, let me, first of all, I want to um, reinforce the uh, value of that deal of strategically

uh because you know, we have um, our publishing Solutions business

where we serve an array of other Publishers mostly smaller.

and what we've been able to demonstrate here is our ability to um leveraging our experience in AI leveraging, our technology legal expertise and the like

Is include their content into our AI licensing strategy, which makes the overall package much more attractive to AI developers because it includes uh, larger percentage of the content.

Daniel Moore: Yeah, thanks, Matt. Thanks, Dan, for the question. You know, we're very excited about this deal. The $16 million that you referenced is the Nexus or partner-driven content within the total deal that we secured there. The total deal size was on the order of $20 million, which reflects a blend of both Wiley content and Nexus content. That was a portion of the total AI revenue we.

Craig Albright: The quarter, which was, in aggregate, $29 million. What's exciting about this deal is, as Matt said, that it brings in the partner content in a very robust way, which we view as additive, not a substitution for Wiley content, but really a build on what we had been doing previously. We're excited about how this opens up kind of a market adjacency for us as we'll continue to pursue the original type of Wiley content-driven training deals as well as these new types of Nexus and, in this case, how you see they can blend together. Thanks for the question. A very exciting quarter for us in that respect.

Jay Flynn: Okay. That's helpful. Journal subscriptions, Matt, I think you said they were strong. Where are we for renewals and calendar 2025 at this stage?

Um, and that was a portion of the total AI Revenue. We did for the quarter which was uh, in aggregate 29 million. Um, what's exciting about this deal is, as Matt said, is that it brings in the partner content in a very robust way, which we view as additive, not a substitution for Wy content, but really a build on what we had been doing previously. So, we're excited about how this opens up, kind of a market adjacency for us, as we'll continue to pursue. Um, the original type of Wy, content driven, uh, uh, training deals as well as these new types of Nexus. And in this case, how you see, they can blend together. So, uh, thanks for the question. A very exciting, uh, quarter for us in that respect.

Matthew S. Kissner: Jay, do you want to take that one?

Okay, that's helpful. Um, Journal subscriptions. Uh, Matt, I think you said they were strong. Where are we for renewals and calendar. 25 at the stage.

Jay, do you want to take that? Take that 1.

Jay Flynn: Yeah, sure. It's early days. Obviously, the renewal season for us is sort of coincident with back to school, and as the librarians come back on campus, we're beginning those negotiations. The outlook is fine. We've reaffirmed guidance and feel confident in the full-year outlook. We'll get into more details, sort of November, January timeframe as we get more data on the renewals, but we haven't seen anything so far this year to give us concern for calendar 2026.

Yeah, sure. So, it's early days. Obviously, the renewal season for us.

Matthew S. Kissner: Yeah, you know, Dan, we had a good, strong renewal season at the end of our fiscal 2025. That's when it concludes for us, so we're going into the year with ahead of steam there.

Is uh, sort of coincident with back to school. And as the uh, Librarians come back on campus, we're beginning those negotiations. It Outlook is fine. We've reaffirmed guidance, uh, and feel confident in the, in the foyer Outlook. So we'll get into more details, sort of November, January time frame. As uh, we get more data on the renewals, but we haven't seen anything so far. Uh, this year to give us concern for calendar, 26.

Yeah. And you know then we had a good strong renewing season season um at the at the end of our fiscal 25, that's when it includes for us. So we're going into the year with a head of steam there.

Jay Flynn: Okay. Sticking with Research, you know, publishing revenue, and you talked about this, but declined 1% in the quarter. I know you had a little bit of a tough comp, but, you know, article submissions have been up double digits for multiple quarters, and publication, you know, volume was up double digits, I think, this quarter. Just help me to understand the decline in revenue and when do we expect all those submissions to translate into a meaningful uptick.

Matthew S. Kissner: Yeah, I'll begin and then ask Jay to comment. The first quarter is always a slow quarter for us, and it's really not indicative of how the year is going to turn out. We are looking at a year in which we're seeing our research growth really in line with the market, which is kind of in the 3 to 4% range. We're confident in that, and that underlies the reaffirmation of our guidance. Jay, maybe you could talk a little bit about the seasonality of our business, maybe compared to competitors.

Okay. Um, sticking with research, you know, publishing revenue and you talked about this but declined 1% in the quarter. Um, I know you had a little bit of a tough cop, but you know, article submissions have been up double digits for multiple quarters, um, and publication. You know, uh, volume was up double digits. I think this quarter, so just helped me to understand the decline in revenue. And when do we expect all those submissions to translate into a meaningful uptick.

Yeah. And, you know, and I I I'll begin and then asked Jay to comment, but, you know, the first quarter is always a slow quarter for us and it's really not.

Indicative of how the year is going to turn out. We are looking at a year in which we're seeing our research growth, really in line with the market, uh, in the, which is kind of in the 3 to 4% range. So we're confident in that and that underlies the ref reaffirmation of our guidance.

Jay Flynn: Yeah, it's primarily the comp in Q1. Q1 is the smallest quarter for that, for the business. Just to reiterate, I'm not seeing anything there that takes us off course from where we see the market performing and where we're guiding to. Submissions up 25% year on year and output growth 13%. Your question's fair. I just want to reiterate that the two things that we always come back to here are, you know, the majority of our output is captured inside the recurring revenue models, what we call the transitional agreements or our standard library subscription agreements. That underpins the value of that core engine of Wiley's financial stability. That recurring revenue is undergirded by strong continued publishing growth. The second piece, we did see double-digit gold open access revenue growth again for the quarter. We're continuing to be very confident about that.

But Jay, maybe you can talk a little bit about the seasonality of our business, maybe, you know, compared to competitive. It's, it's primarily the comp and q1 q1 is the smallest quarter for that for the business and just to reiterate. I'm, I'm not seeing anything there that takes us off course from, you know, where we see the market performing and where we're guiding to, uh, submissions of 25% year on year and output growth 13%. Your question is fair, but I just want to reiterate that, um, the

The 2 things that we always come back to here are. Um, you know, the majority of our output uh, is captured inside the recurring Revenue models. Uh, what we call a transitional agreements or our standard Library subscription agreements, and that underpins the value of that core, uh, engine of W's Financial stability, and that recurring Revenue, uh, is undergirded by strong continued, uh, publishing growth.

And then the second piece, uh, we did see double digit gold. Um,

Jay Flynn: In July, we had a record month for open access submissions, and our Advanced Science revenues are up 50% year on year, as Matt said in his remarks. I think all this just goes to continued confidence in the performance of that sector for us.

Open Access Revenue growth against for the quarter and um, we're continuing uh, to to be very confident about that. And in July, uh, we had a record month for Open Access submissions and um our Advanced science revenues are up, you know, 50% year on year as Mark said as as Matt said in his remarks. So uh, you know, I think all this just goes to continued confidence in the performance of that of that uh sector for it.

Matthew S. Kissner: Yeah. The problem with this quarter is the comparables can confuse the reality. There was a late billing last year that actually was collected in the first quarter, which, when you back out of this, we actually are growing. It makes, again, because it's a small quarter, it could be easily distorted by one-time events.

Yeah, there is a I mean, the problem with this quarter is the comparables can confuse the reality. There was a

Late billing. Last year.

That actually was collected in the first quarter, which when you back out of this were we actually are are growing. Um,

Jay Flynn: No, that's helpful. I think you were, in the prepared remarks, you mentioned $5 million. Is that?

So, it makes sense again because it's a small quarter; it can be easily distorted by one-time events.

Matthew S. Kissner: Yes.

Jay Flynn: Yeah, that's.

Matthew S. Kissner: That's right. When we normalize that in terms of our original work, we are seeing growth. The key is, it is a seasonal business because of the structure of these transformative agreements. They're all different, and they all have different billing schemes. You can't project what the year is going to look like just from the first quarter alone, but we're confident that we'll grow as we projected and achieve our numbers for the year.

Is, you know, it is a seasonal business because of the structure of these transformative agreements they're all different. They all have different billing schemes.

So again, it's you can't project.

What the year is going to look like just from the first quarter alone but we're confident that we'll grow. Um, you know as as we projected and Achieve our numbers for the year

Jay Flynn: Yep, that's helpful. Switching to Learning, and I appreciate you, you know, taking all the questions. Beyond the tough AI comp, just maybe talk about what we saw in terms of, you know, declines in professional publishing and how long that's likely to persist in your confidence in the rest of the year.

Matthew S. Kissner: Yeah. I mean, we got our eye on professional. It's been a slow summer, it seems to be for the industry. I don't know if this is a leading indicator of some economic issues, but based on, because we, you know, our title output is strong, but our ordering patterns are not what they should be in the quarter. I wouldn't call it a red alert yet, but we got our eyes on it because it may be an indicator of a broader economic slowdown hitting consumers. That's about the only business we have that's directly exposed to kind of consumer economics if you think about it. We're watching it closely, and it's not just us. It seems to be just slower ordering patterns. The rest of the businesses in professional, and I'll let Jay in learning, are holding up pretty well.

Yep. That's helpful. Um, switching to learning and and I appreciate you, you know, taking all the questions, um, beyond the the tough AI comp just maybe talk about uh, what we saw in terms of, you know, declines in professional publishing and um how long that's likely to persist in your confidence in the rest of the year.

Yeah, I mean we got our eye on professional. Um, and I it it's it's been a slow summer. It seems to be for the industry. I don't know if this is a leading indicator of some economic issues.

but based on because we, you know, our title output is strong, uh, but our ordering patterns are not what they should be in the quarter, so I I I wouldn't call call it uh, the, you know, a red alert yet, but we got our eyes on it because it may be an indicator of a broader economic

Slow down hitting consumers; that's about the only business we have.

That's directly exposed to kind of consumer economics, if you think about it. So we're watching it closely. Um, and um,

Matthew S. Kissner: It's early for, obviously, the courseware business because that season really is happening now as people go back to school. Jay, any color you want to add for Dan?

But it's not, it's not it's not just us, it seems to be, uh, you know, just slower ordering patterns, um, the rest of the businesses and professional and I'll let Jay in in in learning. Um, our holding up pretty well. It's early for, obviously the courseware business because that

Jay Flynn: No, I think you covered it. The retail channels did not meet our expectations in the quarter. I think that's a thing we're going to keep an eye on, as Matt says. For the rest of the business, in assessments, we saw nice strong growth underpinned by product innovation, as Matt described. We're really excited about WorkSmart. We're really excited about the way that business has come out of the gate in the first quarter. Enrollments seem to be holding steady, and we'll have a lot more to say about that as we get through back to school season in our Learning segment. You know, the AI potential in the advanced content book list is really strong.

That season really is happening now as people go back to school. But Jay, is there any caller you want to add for Dan?

On on professional. No, I think you covered it that the

the retail channels were, um,

Did not meet our expectations in the quarter. And, and I think that's a, I think we're going to, we're going to keep an eye on as Matt says, uh, for the rest of the business. I'm in assessments. We saw, uh, nice, strong growth. That underpinned by product Innovation as Matt described. And, we're really excited about work smart and really excited about the, the, uh, the

Jay Flynn: When you talk about licensing revenue in both the inference models and in the training models, we feel really good about that high-quality list of STEM books as being a major source of value for both institutional library customers and corporate R&D customers. Feeling good on those three fronts for sure. Okay. On the one-time costs, $4 million, is that in terms of corporate, that sort of non-recurring as we look into the balance of the year. Did I hear that right?

The way that businesses come out of the gate in the first quarter, enrollments seem to be holding steady, and we'll have a lot more to say about that as we get through back to school season in in our learning business. And, you know, the the AI potential in the advanced content book list is, is really strong. And that, um, when you talk about licensing Revenue in, both the inference models, and in the training models, um, we feel really good about, uh, that high quality list of, um, stem books as as being a major source of, um, value for both institutional Library, customers and corporate R&D customers, so feeling good on off on those 3 fronts, for sure.

Matthew S. Kissner: Yeah.

Okay. And on the one-time costs, uh, $4 million, is that, uh, in terms of corporate, that, uh, sort of a non-recurring as we look into the balance of the year? Did I hear that right?

Jay Flynn: Yeah, Dan, you heard that right. We did see in the quarter a short-term one-time lift in corporate expenses. It was really the completion of several strategic consulting projects that we'd been investing in to better position the company for execution and growth going forward. These are now completed. We don't expect those kinds of impacts hitting us going forward. We do expect to start to see more of the savings that have been driven from the back part of last year and beginning part of this year's action starting to flow through as we move forward into the second quarter and throughout the rest of the year as well. Great. One or two more. The higher Nexus-related revenue, does that have any meaningful impact on your kind of fiscal 2026 margin outlook or is it relatively de minimis given the size of the overall revenue and cash flow?

Yeah, great. Yeah. Dan, you heard that right? Um, we did see in the quarter, kind of a short-term 1-time lift in corporate expenses. It was really the completion of several, um, strategic Consulting projects that we've been investing into better position, the company for execution and growth going forward. These are now completed so we don't expect um those kind of impacts hitting us going forward. We do expect to start to see more of the savings that have been driven from you know, the back part of last year and beginning, part of this year's action starting to flow through as we move forward.

Uh, into the second quarter and throughout the rest of the year as well.

Great. Um 1 or 2 more the, the higher Nexus related Revenue.

Craig Albright: Yeah. Hey, Dan, it's Craig. I would say, probably de minimis impact. You know, we've talked about the size. We've talked about the margin. This was an additive element into our program, but we're still focused on the profitability of the core business and the ongoing margin expansion, and all of that remains on track as we were expecting and planning. I would think of this as additive in terms of revenue and gross profit, but very de minimis in terms of the margin impact.

Um, does that have any meaningful impact on your kind of fiscal 26 margin Outlook or uh, is is it? Um, relatively dim Minimus given the size of, you know, of of of the overall revenue and cash flow

Jay Flynn: Okay. Lastly, as we speak, I think the stock's down 6%, 7%, 8%, trading at a little over six times EBITDA and less than 10 times free cash. Obviously, you've been buying back stock, and the board raised the authorization. Just maybe talk about your relative priorities for capital allocation, how aggressive we might be with the buyback. Thanks again for all the color.

Yeah. Hey Dan, it's Craig. I I would say um, probably diminish impact. You know, we've talked about the size, we've talked about the margin, you know, this was an additive element into our program, but we're still focused on the profitability of the Core Business and the ongoing margin expansion, and all of that remains on track as we were expecting and planning. So, um, you know, I would think of this as additive in terms of Revenue and gross profit, but very diminished in terms of the margin impact.

Craig Albright: Thanks, Dan. Speaking to capital allocation, I think what you'll continue to see from Wiley is just a very disciplined approach to how we think about our capital allocation and return of value to shareholders. We have an ongoing commitment to our dividends, which we've talked about, and we continue to maintain a very high dividend yield as a form of evidencing that. We've also been active in our share buybacks, increasing our share buybacks in quarter modestly in terms of year over year, but with a deliberate intention to be active when the prices are attractive. We have to say we're very happy with the opportunity right now for us to be able to continue that program.

Stocks down 678%, um, trading at a little over 6 times I and, you know, less than 10 times free cash. So obviously, you've been buying back stock, but, and you know, the board raised the authorization. Just maybe talk about your relative priorities for capital allocation and how aggressive we might be with the buyback. And thanks again for all the color.

Craig Albright: On that note, received a vote of support from the board in terms of the share authorization program, which was an increase in terms of the prior share authorization program we had as well. Our priorities are really to continue to support shareholder returns through the dividend program, through the buybacks, to continue to pay down debt when it and where it makes sense to improve the strength of the balance sheet. Obviously, to continue to look for high-value opportunities to drive organic development of research and learning solutions, especially when surrounded with authoritative content and data-driven insights. We're balanced in the way that we approach that, and we're opportunistic looking for the highest returns that we can on that use of the capital that we have available to us.

Thanks Dan. Yeah, speaking to Capital allocation, I think what you'll continue to see from Wy is just a very disciplined approach to how we think about our Capital allocation and return of value to shareholders. Um, you know, we have a ongoing commitment to our dividends which we've talked about in, uh, we continue to maintain a very high dividend deal as a form of of evidence that, uh, we also been active in our share BuyBacks, increasing our share, Buybacks in quarter, modestly in terms of year-over-year, but with a deliberate intention to be active when the prices are attractive. And we have to say, we're very happy with the opportunity right now. Uh, for us to be able to continue that program. And on that note received a a vote of support from the board in terms of the share authorization program which was an increase in terms of the prior share authorization program. We had as well. So our priorities are really to um you know continue

Continue to support shareholder returns through the dividend program, through buybacks, and to continue to pay down debt when and where it makes sense to improve the strength of the balance sheet. And obviously, to continue to look for high-value opportunities to drive organic development of research and learning solutions, especially when surrounding authoritative content and data-driven insights. So, you know, we're balanced in the way that we approach that and we are opportunistic, looking for the highest returns that we can on that, um, use of the capital that we have available to us.

Jay Flynn: Understood. Again, thank you for the color.

Matthew S. Kissner: Thanks, Dan.

Understood again, thank you for the color.

Thanks, Dan.

Brian Campbell: We have no further questions in queue. I'd like to turn the call back over to Mr. Matthew S. Kissner for any closing remarks.

Matthew S. Kissner: Thank you for joining us. We look forward to sharing more on our Q2 earnings call in December. We'll see you then. Have a good fall.

We have no further questions in the queue. I'd like to turn the call back over to Mr. Matthew Kissner for any closing remarks.

Joining us. We look forward to sharing more on our Q2 earnings call in December. We'll see you then. Have a good fall.

Brian Campbell: This concludes today's conference call. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.

This concludes today's conference call. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.