John Wiley Sons B 2026 Q2 Earnings Earnings Surge 13.3% as Revenue Slips 1.1%

John Wiley & Sons B (WLYB) reported fiscal 2026 Q2 earnings on Dec 05, 2025, with revenue declining 1.1% year-over-year and earnings per share rising 13.3%. The company reaffirmed fiscal 2026 guidance while narrowing revenue growth expectations due to Learning segment challenges.

Revenue

The Research segment drove performance with $278.51 million in revenue, while the Learning segment contributed $143.24 million. Total revenue fell to $421.75 million, reflecting a 1.1% decline from $426.60 million in 2025 Q2. The Research division benefited from global publishing demand and AI-related licensing projects, while the Learning segment faced headwinds from market dynamics and enrollment declines in specific disciplines.

Earnings/Net Income

John Wiley & Sons B’s EPS surged 13.3% to $0.85, outpacing the 11.0% net income growth to $44.89 million. The earnings growth outperformed the revenue decline, underscoring effective cost management and margin expansion.

Price Action

The stock price of John Wiley & Sons B dropped 5.82% during the latest trading day, edged up 0.77% for the week, and declined 0.60% month-to-date.

Post-Earnings Price Action Review

The strategy of buying WLYB when revenues beat and holding for 30 days underperformed, returning -1.70% versus a benchmark of 85.89%. Despite low volatility (34.14%), the approach indicated high risk with a Sharpe ratio of -0.01 and no drawdown.

CEO Commentary

Matthew Kissner emphasized Wiley’s operational excellence and AI momentum, highlighting $35 million in AI-related revenue year-to-date. He noted cost discipline, including an 18% reduction in corporate expenses, and reiterated confidence in Research as a long-term growth engine despite Learning segment challenges.

Guidance

Wiley reaffirmed fiscal 2026 Adjusted EBITDA margin guidance (25.5–26.5%), Adjusted EPS ($3.90–$4.35), and Free Cash Flow (~$200M). Revenue growth was narrowed to low-single digits due to Learning segment headwinds, with Research and AI initiatives expected to offset declines.

Additional News

John Wiley & Sons B announced a $35 million AI licensing project in Q2, advancing strategic partnerships with AWS, Anthropic, and Perplexity. The company also revealed a 18% reduction in corporate expenses year-to-date, reflecting its cost discipline initiatives. Additionally, management highlighted $115 million in annualized cost savings from its Global Restructuring Program, with $110 million expected in fiscal 2026.

The company’s AI licensing efforts and cost-cutting measures underscore its focus on long-term margin expansion. With Research segment growth and strategic R&D investments, Wiley aims to leverage AI and open-access publishing trends to drive future performance.