Wiley Q3 2026: AI Drives Growth, Margins, Cash Flow

HOBOKEN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Wiley (NYSE: WLY), a global leader in authoritative content and research intelligence for the advancement of scientific discovery, innovation, and learning, today reported results for the third quarter ended January 31, 2026.

THIRD QUARTER SUMMARY

• GAAP performance vs. prior year: Revenue of $410 million up 1%; Operating Income of $63 million up 21%; and Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) of $0.56 compared to prior year loss of ($0.43)
• Adjusted Results at constant currency: Revenue of $410 million flat as expected due to unfavorable comparisons in Research and market-related softness in Learning; Adjusted Operating Income of $70 million up 22% and margin of 17% up 280 basis points; Adjusted EBITDA of $105 million up 12% and margin of 25.7% up 250 basis points; and Adjusted EPS of $0.97 up 19%
• Research Publishing momentum: Delivered 3% revenue growth as reported (+1% at constant currency as expected). Research Publishing grew 4% at constant currency excluding an unfavorable comparison to prior year related to an AI agreement, driven by growth in our recurring revenue and open access models
• AI and data services momentum: Realized $7 million of AI revenue this quarter and approximately $42 million year-to-date. Launched Clinical Outcomes Assessments partnership with IQVIA and announced a new AI and Data Services leader. After quarter close, Wiley executed a strategic partnership and recurring revenue agreement with OpenEvidence for AI clinical decision support
• Continued operational excellence: Reduced Corporate Expenses (Adjusted EBITDA) by 21% at constant currency as part of multi-year margin expansion initiatives; announced technology managed services partnership to drive material operating efficiencies and cost savings
• Cash Flow growth (YTD): Operating Cash Flow increased by $51 million to $103 million with Free Cash Flow of $56 million up from a use of ($1 million) in prior year. On track to realize $200 million of Free Cash Flow in Fiscal 2026
• Significant increase in return to shareholders: Increased share repurchases to $35 million this quarter with a full year target of $100 million; allocated $126 million to share repurchases and dividends year-to-date
• Fiscal 2026 outlook: Guiding to high end of range for Adjusted EBITDA margin and Adjusted EPS; reaffirming Revenue and Free Cash Flow outlook

MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY

"We continue to accelerate our progress in major areas of focus, from driving Research and AI growth to delivering materially higher margins and cash flow," said Matthew Kissner, President and CEO. "In Research Publishing, we're leveraging our scale and competitive moat to grow market share and drive record publishing output, with AI as a further accelerator. In AI and data services, we're leveraging our proprietary content and unparalleled partner ecosystem to execute strategic multi-year agreements with corporations in life sciences and other verticals. We recently surpassed $100 million in lifetime AI revenue and secured our first LLM customer outside the US. Finally, margin expansion remains our company-wide ethos as evidenced by our 280 basis point improvement in our Adjusted Operating Margin."

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Please see the accompanying financial tables for more detail.

Research Segment

• Q3 Research revenue of $274 million was up 2% as reported and 1% at constant currency driven by 1% growth in Research Publishing or 4% excluding unfavorable comparison to prior year related to AI revenue. Article submissions and output rose by 26% and 11% year-to-date, respectively, with robust demand to publish across both fast growing and mature markets. Strong volume drove growth in both author-funded open access and multi-year licenses for research institutions. Research Solutions was down 3% at constant currency largely due to softness in recruiting and databases offsetting higher licensing revenue. Year-to-date, Research revenue was up 5% as reported and 4% at constant currency.
• Q3 Adjusted EBITDA of $91 million was up 4% as reported and 3% at constant currency driven by revenue growth and cost savings initiatives. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter was 33.1% vs. 32.7% in the prior year period. Year-to-date, Research Adjusted EBITDA was up 7% as reported or 6% at constant currency.

Learning Segment

• Q3 Learning revenue of $136 million was down 1% as reported or 2% at constant currency. Academic grew 2% or 1% at constant currency driven by licensing and digital content growth offsetting declines in print and digital courseware. Professional was down 5% at constant currency driven by soft retail channel and market conditions offsetting higher licensing revenue. Year-to-date, Learning revenue was down 7% as reported and at constant currency.
• Q3 Adjusted EBITDA of $48 million for the quarter was flat as reported and down 1% at constant currency. Adjusted EBITDA margin was up twenty basis points to 35.6% with favorable product mix and restructuring savings offsetting lower revenue. Year-to-date, Learning Adjusted EBITDA was down 8% as reported and at constant currency.

Corporate Expenses

"Corporate Expenses" are the portion of shared services costs not allocated to segments.

• Q3 Corporate Expenses on an Adjusted EBITDA basis were lower by 20% as reported and 21% at constant currency due to restructuring savings and expense management across functional areas, namely Technology. Year-to-date, Corporate Expenses on an Adjusted EBITDA basis were lower by 12% as reported and constant currency.

EPS

• Q3 GAAP EPS of $0.56 compared to a loss of ($0.43) in the prior year period. Q3 Adjusted EPS of $0.97 was up 15% as reported or 19% at constant currency driven by operating performance and lower share count offset by a higher adjusted effective tax rate. Year-to-date, GAAP EPS was up $1.33 and Adjusted EPS 13% at constant currency.

BALANCE SHEET, CASH FLOW, AND CAPITAL ALLOCATION

• Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (Trailing Twelve Months) at quarter end was 1.7 compared to 2.0 in the year-ago period.
• Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities was $103 million year-to-date compared to $52 million in the prior year period driven by higher cash earnings.
• Free Cash Flow improved to $56 million year-to-date from a use of $1 million in the prior year period. Free Cash Flow was driven by higher cash earnings and lower capex. Capex was $48 million compared to $53 million.
• Returns to Shareholders: During the quarter, Wiley allocated $54 million in the quarter toward repurchases ($35 million) and dividends ($19 million), up 86% over prior year. Year-to-date, Wiley allocated $126 million to repurchases ($70 million) and dividends ($56 million), an increase of 37% compared to the prior year period. Wiley repurchased approximately 1.09 million shares in Q3 and 1.98 million shares year-to-date.

FISCAL 2026 OUTLOOK

Wiley is guiding to the high end of the range for Adjusted EBITDA margin and Adjusted EPS and reaffirming Adjusted Revenue and Free Cash Flow. Research and AI momentum are expected to remain strong.

EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

Scheduled for today, March 5 at 10:00 am (ET). Access webcast at Investor Relations at investors.wiley.com, or directly at http://events.q4inc.com/attendee/463112721. U.S. 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) is a global leader in authoritative content and research intelligence for the advancement of scientific discovery, innovation, and learning. With more than 200 years at the center of the scholarly ecosystem, Wiley combines trusted publishing heritage with AI-powered platforms to transform how knowledge is discovered, accessed, and applied. From individual researchers and students to Fortune 500 R&D teams, Wiley enables the transformation of scientific breakthroughs into real-world impact. From knowledge to impact-Wiley is redefining what's possible in science and learning. Visit us at Wiley.com and Investors.Wiley.com