John Wiley Sons A 2026 Q1 Earnings Strong Performance as Net Income Surges 914.8%

John Wiley & Sons A (WLY) reported its fiscal 2026 Q1 earnings on Sep 05th, 2025, with the company returning to profitability and reaffirming its full-year guidance. Total revenue declined slightly by 1.7%, but the firm delivered a dramatic turnaround in earnings, with net income surging 914.8% year-over-year. Wiley also outlined strategic progress in AI licensing and research, signaling optimism for future growth.

Revenue
The company’s total revenue for fiscal 2026 Q1 dropped to $396.80 million, a 1.7% decrease from $403.81 million in the prior-year period. The Research segment remained the core contributor with $281.69 million, while the Learning segment brought in $115.11 million. Combined, these segments accounted for the full $396.80 million in total revenue.

Earnings/Net Income
John Wiley & Sons A delivered a remarkable turnaround in profitability, posting net income of $11.70 million in 2026 Q1, a 914.8% increase from a net loss of $1.44 million in the prior-year period. Earnings per share (EPS) also improved sharply, from a loss of $0.03 in 2025 Q1 to $0.22 in 2026 Q1, reflecting a 833.3% positive change. The earnings performance highlights the company’s effective cost management and strategic initiatives in key areas.

Price Action
The stock of John Wiley & Sons A saw a 3.59% increase during the latest trading day, though it dipped 0.77% over the most recent full trading week. Month-to-date, the stock has gained 5.17%, indicating mixed short-term investor sentiment following the earnings report.

Post-Earnings Price Action Review
The earnings report and guidance were well-received by market participants, particularly due to the strong net income and reaffirmed full-year outlook. The strategic focus on AI licensing, open access growth, and operational discipline has reinforced investor confidence. Wiley’s commitment to shareholder returns, including a 32nd consecutive dividend increase and a $250 million repurchase authorization, also positively influenced investor perceptions.

CEO Commentary
Matthew Kissner, President, CEO & Employee Director, emphasized Wiley’s leadership in AI licensing, noting a $29 million revenue boost in Q1 2026 compared to $17 million in the prior year. He highlighted key strategic moves, including a partnership with Anthropic to enhance scholarly research and a 50% growth in Advanced Science revenue driven by open access. Operational progress included the migration of 1,000 journals to the Research Exchange platform. Kissner expressed optimism about expanding into corporate R&D and AI inference models while addressing challenges in the Professional Publishing retail segment.

Guidance
Wiley reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance, projecting revenue growth in the low to mid-single digits. The company expects an adjusted EBITDA margin between 25.5% and 26.5% and adjusted EPS between $3.90 and $4.35. Free cash flow is projected at approximately $200 million, driven by EBITDA growth and cost savings. Capex is expected to remain consistent with the prior year’s $77 million. Wiley anticipates robust AI licensing demand, sustained open access growth, and continued operational efficiency to support its margin expansion goals.

Additional News
On the corporate front, Wiley announced a $250 million share repurchase authorization and a 32nd consecutive dividend increase, underscoring its commitment to returning value to shareholders. Meanwhile, the company is actively expanding into new markets, particularly in the corporate R&D and AI inference model sectors. Wiley also highlighted continued momentum in open access publishing, with Advanced Science revenue growing 50% year-over-year. These strategic moves position the company to capitalize on long-term growth opportunities while maintaining financial discipline and operational excellence.