Wiley Reports First Quarter Fiscal Year 2023 Results
September 7, 2022 - Hoboken, NJ – Wiley (NYSE: WLY), one of the world’s largest publishers and a global leader in scientific research and career-connected education, today announced results for the first quarter ended July 31, 2022.
FIRST QUARTER SUMMARY
• | GAAP Results: Revenue of $488 million (-0% vs. prior year), Operating (loss) of -$17 million (-$58 million vs. prior year), and EPS (loss) of -$0.32 (-$0.56 vs. prior year) |
• | Adjusted Results at constant currency: Revenue of $488 million (+4% vs. prior year), Adjusted EBITDA of $64 million (-34% vs. prior year), and Adjusted EPS of $0.36 (-60% vs. prior year). Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS performance mainly due to investments in Research, higher employee costs, increased T&E spend related to the resumption of in-person activities, and market-related challenges in University Services |
• | Fiscal 2023 Outlook: Wiley reaffirms its full year outlook for Revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EPS, and Free Cash Flow |
• | Dividend Increase: Wiley raises quarterly dividend for 29th consecutive year |
“Q1 unfolded largely as expected, and we are confident in the full year outlook based on our strong, continued momentum in Research Publishing, Research Solutions, and Corporate Talent Development and the execution of our cost savings program,” said Brian Napack, President and CEO. “Our core growth strategies in open research and career-connected education are working, and they are supported by favorable long term market trends, consistent cash generation, and our sharp focus on operational excellence.”
FIRST QUARTER PERFORMANCE
Unaudited ($millions except for EPS) | | | Q1 2023 | | | | Q1 2022 | | | Change | | | | |
Revenue | | $ | 487.6 | | | $ | 488.4 | | | | 0 | % | | | |
Operating (Loss) Income | | $ | (17.0 | ) | | $ | 41.0 | | | | # | | | | |
Diluted EPS | | $ | (0.32 | ) | | $ | 0.24 | | | | # | | | | |
Non-GAAP Measures | | | Q1 2023 | | | | Q1 2022 | | | Change | | | Change Constant Currency | |
Revenue | | $ | 487.6 | | | $ | 488.4 | | | | 0 | % | | | +4 | % |
Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 63.8 | | | $ | 95.3 | | | | (33 | %) | | | (34 | %) |
Adjusted EPS | | $ | 0.36 | | | $ | 0.85 | | | | (58 | %) | | | (60 | %) |
Excluding acquisitions and currency impact, revenue rose 2% for the quarter.
# Variance greater than 100%
Unfavorable FX variance of $19 million in Revenue and a favorable variance of $0.8 million in Adjusted EBITDA and $0.02 in Adjusted EPS
Revenue
• | Research was flat as reported, or up 4% at constant currency, driven by organic growth in Publishing and Solutions and contributions from recent acquisitions. |
o | Revenue by product type reporting change – Research is now reported as Research Publishing and Research Solutions. Research Solutions includes platforms, corporate solutions and services for societies and other publishers. It replaces the Research Platforms reporting line. Please see the tables below for more detail. |
• | Academic & Professional Learning revenue declined 5% as reported and 1% at constant currency. Education Publishing performance saw a decline in print course material offsetting growth in digital content and courseware. Professional Learning saw growth in corporate training offsetting a decline in professional publishing. |
• | Education Services increased 7% as reported and 11% at constant currency, with very strong double-digit growth in Talent Development offsetting a decline in University Services from market-related enrollment challenges. |
Adjusted EBITDA
• | Research was down 9% at constant currency with revenue growth more than offset by investment, higher employee costs, and increased T&E compared to prior year COVID period. |
• | Academic & Professional Learning declined 30% at constant currency due to revenue performance, timing of spend, higher employee costs, and higher T&E expenses compared to prior year COVID period |
• | Education Services reported a loss of $3 million due to the revenue decline in University Services and investments in Talent Development growth initiatives. |
• | Adjusted Corporate Expenses were $6 million higher at constant currency mainly due to higher employee costs and the timing of expenses. |
EPS
• | GAAP EPS was a loss of $0.32 as compared to +$0.24 in the prior year period, primarily reflecting a $0.30/share ($22 million) restructuring charge and accelerated amortization of intangibles of $0.07/share ($5 million) related to the discontinuation of the mthree brand. |
• | Adjusted EPS of $0.36 was down 60% at constant currency, driven by lower adjusted EBITDA, lower pension income, and higher interest expense. |
Balance Sheet, Cash Flow, and Capital Allocation
• | Net Debt-to-EBITDA ratio (trailing twelve months) at quarter-end was 2.1 compared to 2.0 in the year-ago period, and 1.6 at year end (April 30). |
• | Net Cash Used in Operating Activities was a use of $90 million compared to $85 million in the prior year period. Note, Wiley’s regular use of cash in the first half of the fiscal year is driven by the timing of cash collections for annual journal subscriptions, which are concentrated in Q3 and Q4. |
• | Free Cash Flow less Product Development Spending was a use of $114 million compared to a use of $108 million in the prior year. |
• | Dividends: In June, Wiley raised its dividend for the 29th consecutive year. The current quarterly dividend is equivalent to an annual dividend of $1.39 per share, an increase from $1.38 per share in Fiscal 2022. |
• | Share Repurchases: The Company utilized $10 million to repurchase approximately 212,200 shares at an average cost per share of $47.12. |
FISCAL YEAR 2023 OUTLOOK
The Company is reaffirming its full year outlook.
Metric ($millions, except EPS) | | Fiscal 2022* | | | FY23 Outlook* At constant currency | | | FX Impact** At Q1 average rates | | | FY23 Outlook^ At Q1 average rates | |
Revenue | | $ | 2,083 | | | $ | 2,175 - $2,215 | | |
| ($50) |
| | $ | 2,125 - $2,165 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 433 | | | $ | 425 - $450 | | | Immaterial | | | $ | 425 - $450 | |
Adjusted EPS | | $ | 4.16 | | | $ | 3.70 - $4.05 | | | Immaterial | | | $ | 3.70 - $4.05 | |
Free Cash Flow | | $ | 223 | | | $ | 210 - $235 | | | Immaterial | | | $ | 210 - $235 | |
*Based on Fiscal 2022 average rates of 1.15 euro and 1.36 British pound
**Variance between Fiscal 2022 average rates and Q1 average rates: 1.04 euro and 1.23 British pound
^Fiscal 2023 outlook at Q1 average rates
EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL
Scheduled for today, September 7 at 10:00 am (ET). Access webcast at investors.wiley.com, or directly at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/191702722. US callers, please dial (888) 210-3346 and enter the participant code 2521217#. International callers, please dial (646) 960-0253 and enter the participant code 2521217#.
ABOUT WILEY
Wiley (NYSE: WLY), a global leader in scientific research and career-connected education, is unlocking human potential by enabling discovery, powering education, and shaping workforces. For over 200 years, Wiley has fueled the world’s knowledge ecosystem. Today, our high-impact content, platforms, and services help researchers, learners, institutions, and corporations achieve their goals in an ever-changing world. Visit us at investors.wiley.com, Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
Wiley provides non-GAAP financial measures and performance results such as “Adjusted EPS,” “EBITDA”, “Adjusted EBITDA,” “Adjusted Contribution to Profit,” “Adjusted Income before Taxes,” “Adjusted Income Tax Provision,” “Adjusted Effective Tax Rate,” “Free Cash Flow less Product Development Spending,” “organic revenue,” and results on a Constant Currency basis to assess underlying business performance and trends. Management believes non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude the impact of restructuring charges and credits and certain other items, and the impact of acquisitions provide a useful comparable basis to analyze operating results and earnings. See the reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures and explanations of the uses of non- GAAP measures in the supplementary information. We have not provided our 2023 outlook for the most directly comparable US GAAP financial measures, as they are not available without unreasonable effort due to the high variability, complexity, and low visibility with respect to certain items, including restructuring charges and credits, gains and losses on foreign currency, and other gains and losses. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could be material to our consolidated results computed in accordance with US GAAP.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning the Company's operations, performance, and financial condition. Reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, as actual results may differ materially from those in any forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company and are subject to change based on many important factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (i) the level of investment by Wiley in new technologies and products; (ii) subscriber renewal rates for the Company's journals; (iii) the financial stability and liquidity of journal subscription agents; (iv) the consolidation of book wholesalers and retail accounts; (v) the market position and financial stability of key retailers; (vi) the seasonal nature of the Company's educational business and the impact of the used book market; (vii) worldwide economic and political conditions; (viii) the Company's ability to protect its copyrights and other intellectual property worldwide (ix) the ability of the Company to successfully integrate acquired operations and realize expected opportunities; (x) the Company’s ability to realize operating savings over time and in fiscal year 2023 in connection with our multi-year Business Optimization Program and Fiscal Year 2023 Restructuring Program; (xi) the impact of COVID-19 on our operations, performance, and financial condition; and (xii) other factors detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
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