Wiley Q3 FY23 Results

HOBOKEN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 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 third quarter ended January 31, 2023.

• GAAP Results: Revenue of $491 million (-5% vs. prior year), Operating loss of $67 million (-$113M vs. prior year), and EPS loss of $1.29 (-$1.92 vs. prior year). Losses primarily due to non-cash goodwill impairment in Education Services/University Services and restructuring charges
• Adjusted Results at constant currency: Revenue of $491 million (-2% vs. prior year), Adjusted EBITDA of $98 million (-3% vs. prior year), and Adjusted EPS of $0.85 (-9% vs. prior year)
• Fiscal 2023 Outlook: Reduced to reflect increased Academic headwinds and a publishing pause in a Hindawi special issues program
• Accelerating wide-ranging simplification and optimization efforts to drive meaningful margin improvement

MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY

"Our third quarter results and revised full year outlook are clearly below our expectations," said Brian Napack, President and CEO. "While our core business and markets are strong, we've been challenged this year by unpredictable market headwinds and an unplanned publishing pause at Hindawi. Looking ahead, we are now accelerating and expanding our work to create a more-focused Wiley that drives consistent growth with fewer moving parts and greater profitability."

THIRD QUARTER PERFORMANCE

NEW SEGMENT REPORTING

Wiley has reorganized its Education lines of business into two new customer-centric segments. The Academic segment addresses the university customer group and includes Academic Publishing and University Services. The Talent segment addresses the corporate customer group and will be focused on delivering training, sourcing, and upskilling solutions. These new segments replace Academic & Professional Learning and Education Services. The Research segment and Corporate Expense category remain unchanged. Please see the attached financial schedules for more detail.

Revenue

• Research was down 4% as reported, or down 2% at constant currency and excluding acquisitions, primarily due to a pause in the Hindawi special issues publishing program. The program was suspended temporarily due to the presence in certain special issues of compromised articles. As a result, Hindawi revenue declined $9 million vs. prior year, offsetting growth in other open access publishing programs.
• Academic declined 11% as reported and 10% at constant currency and excluding acquisitions. Academic Publishing revenue performance primarily reflects print declines, offsetting growth in digital courseware. University Services was down due to continued online enrollment challenges and lower fee for service revenue.
• Talent increased 13% as reported and 18% at constant currency with double-digit growth in placements and corporate training driving performance.

Adjusted EBITDA

• Research EBITDA was down 7% at constant currency driven by revenue performance and technology investment.
• Academic EBITDAdeclined 20% at constant currency primarily due to the revenue performance.
• Talent EBITDA declined 2% at constant currency due to investments to drive scale in talent development ("Wiley Edge") and increased inflationary impacts on placements.
• Adjusted Corporate Expenses declined 26% at constant currency mainly due to lower incentive compensation accrual and reduced technology expenses.

EPS

• GAAP EPS was a loss of $1.29 primarily due to non-cash impairment, restructuring and settlement charges in the quarter totalling $1.86.
  • Goodwill Impairment - Wiley recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $100 million, or $1.69 per share, for its Education Services and University Services businesses. This charge primarily reflected continued enrollment headwinds, a rising interest rate environment, and lower market multiples. Given Wiley's segment realignment, the Company is required to test goodwill for impairment immediately before and after the realignment.
  • Restructuring and other charges - Wiley recorded restructuring charges of $9 million or $0.12 per share, primarily related to the closure of a tech development center in Russia. Wiley also recorded a legal settlement of $4 million or $0.05 per share related to consideration for a previous acquisition.
• Adjusted EPS of $0.85was down 9% at constant currency primarily due to lower Adjusted Operating Income, higher interest expense and lower pension credits, partially offset by lower tax expense.

Balance Sheet, Cash Flow, and Capital Allocation

• Net Debt-to-EBITDA ratio (trailing twelve months) at quarter-end was 2.1 compared to 1.9 in the year-ago period, and 1.6 at year end (April 30).
• Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities (YTD) was $54 million compared to $158 million in the prior year period. This is primarily due to working capital timing, lower cash earnings, and restructuring payments. Wiley expects working capital timing to largely resolve in the fourth quarter.
• Free Cash Flow less Product Development Spending (YTD) was a use of $22 million vs. a source of $77 million in the prior year period, primarily due to working capital timing, lower cash earnings, and restructuring payments. Wiley expects working capital timing issues to largely resolve in the fourth quarter.
• Share Repurchases:During the quarter, the Company utilized $6.5 million to repurchase approximately 158 thousand shares at an average cost per share of $41.14. Year to date, the Company spent $24 million on approximately 540 thousand shares. Wiley has $173 million remaining in its current authorization program.

FOREIGN EXCHANGE ADJUSTMENT

As a result of significant currency fluctuations, Wiley noted that Adjusted EBITDA in Research was being adversely impacted by Research royalty expenses denominated in GBP but derived from USD revenues in its UK subsidiary. The Company normalized for this FX impact, resulting in a constant currency Adjusted EBITDA benefit of $2 million this quarter. Note we have also amended our Q1 and Q2 Adjusted EBITDA (+$3 million each quarter, respectively) for Research and Wiley overall to reflect the benefit for those periods. In the prior fiscal year, this impact was not significant. The Company believes this change will more adequately reflect Wiley's true operating performance.

FISCAL YEAR 2023 OUTLOOK

Wiley is reducing its financial outlook at constant currency:

• Revenue: downward revision primarily due to increased Academic market headwinds and the publishing pause in Hindawi special issues.
• Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS: downward revision due to lower projected revenue. Adjusted EPS further impacted by higher interest expense.
• Free Cash Flow: downward revision due to lower projected cash earnings and higher restructuring payments, mainly related to the closing of Wiley's Russia tech development center.

Scheduled for today, March 9 at 10:00 am (ET). Access webcast at investors.wiley.com, or directly at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/486910551. US callers, please dial (888) 210-3346 and enter code 2521217#. International callers, please dial (646) 960-0253 and enter the code 2521217#.

ABOUT WILEY

Wiley is one of the world's largest publishers and a global leader in scientific research and career-connected education. Founded in 1807, Wiley enables discovery, powers education, and shapes workforces. Through its industry-leading content, digital platforms, and knowledge networks, the company delivers on its timeless mission to unlock human potential. Visit us at Wiley.com.