Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenues increased by 1% to $551.1 million in the second quarter, with operating income improving to $95 million from $78.9 million in the prior year period [21] - Adjusted EBITDA grew by 13% to $122.5 million compared to $108.7 million a year ago, while net income rose to $66.3 million from $52 million [21] - Adjusted earnings per diluted share increased to $2.57 from $1.82 last year [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Children's Book Publishing and Distribution revenues increased by 4% to $380.9 million, driven by strong performance in Book Fairs [22] - Book Fairs revenues were $242 million, a 5% increase due to higher fair count and increased revenue per fair [22] - Trade Publishing revenues rose by 7% to $110.4 million, supported by new releases, including the latest Dog Man title [23] - Scholastic Education segment revenues decreased to $62.2 million from $71.2 million, reflecting lower spending on supplemental curriculum products [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - International segment revenues increased to $89.5 million from $86.7 million, with growth driven by new Dog Man titles and other major franchises [25] - The company anticipates modest declines in revenues and profitability in the international segment following strong performance in fiscal 2025 [25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has focused on transforming into a growth-oriented, shareholder-focused entity, with significant changes in leadership and board composition [4][5] - Strategic initiatives include reorganizing core businesses, investing in growth opportunities, and implementing disciplined capital allocation [6][7] - The company aims to return nearly $500 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends while maintaining a strong balance sheet [6][28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the second half of Fiscal 2026, expecting revenue growth in school reading events and entertainment divisions [30] - The company remains cautiously optimistic about the education segment, anticipating improvements in the sales pipeline and federal funding [18][40] - Management highlighted the importance of adapting to market conditions and preparing for growth as the funding environment stabilizes [41][42] Other Important Information - The company closed two sale-leaseback transactions, unlocking over $400 million in net proceeds, which will be used for share repurchases and other capital allocation priorities [7][28] - The company has seen strong engagement across digital channels, with significant viewership on platforms like YouTube and the launch of Scholastic TV [16][15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Use of proceeds from the sale-leaseback transactions - Management indicated that the first step is to increase the open market share buyback authorization, with plans to return cash to shareholders [34][36] Question: Guidance on top-line revenue changes - Management noted softness in the education business due to funding issues but expects growth in book fairs to help offset this [38] Question: Trade channel sales expectations - Management confirmed that trade channel sales are expected to be in line with the previous year, despite tough comparisons due to major releases last year [39] Question: Education solutions segment performance - Management acknowledged the challenges in the education segment but expressed optimism about stabilizing the business and benefiting from seasonal spending in the spring [42]

Core Insights - The publishing house reported a profit of $55.9 million, indicating strong financial performance driven by growth in the children's book publishing and distribution segment [1] Group 1 - The profit of $55.9 million reflects a positive trend in the company's financial health [1] - Growth in the children's book publishing and distribution segment has significantly contributed to the increase in revenue [1]

Financial Performance - Scholastic achieved a 13% growth in adjusted EBITDA during the second quarter of fiscal year 2026[5] - Revenue increased by 1% to $551.1 million in Fiscal 2026 Q2, compared to $544.6 million in Fiscal 2025 Q2[9] - Operating income increased by 11% to $82.9 million in Fiscal 2026 Q2, compared to $74.7 million in Fiscal 2025 Q2[9] - Diluted earnings per share increased by 27% to $2.17 in Fiscal 2026 Q2, compared to $1.71 in Fiscal 2025 Q2[9] - Adjusted EBITDA reached $122.5 million in Fiscal 2026 Q2, compared to $108.7 million in Fiscal 2025 Q2[9] Segment Performance - Children's Book Publishing and Distribution revenue increased by 4% to $380.9 million, with operating income up 7% to $108.8 million[10] - Education Solutions revenue decreased by 13% to $62.2 million[10] - International revenue increased by 3% to $89.5 million, with operating income up 80% to $12.8 million[10] Strategic Initiatives and Capital Allocation - The company unlocked over $400 million through sale-leaseback transactions to advance capital allocation priorities[5, 6] - Nearly $500 million was returned to shareholders, reducing share count by approximately 25%[6] Fiscal Year 2026 Outlook - The company affirmed its adjusted EBITDA outlook of $146 to $156 million, including a $14 million partial-year impact from sale-leasebacks[12] - Free cash flow is expected to exceed $430 million, reflecting sale-leaseback net proceeds[12]

Core Insights - Scholastic Corporation reported strong financial performance in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, driven by successful book fairs and trade publishing, particularly from popular titles like "Dog Man: Big Jim Believes" [2][4] - The company has authorized a $150 million expanded share repurchase program as part of its capital allocation strategy following the successful sale-leaseback of major real estate assets, which generated over $400 million in net proceeds [4][19] - The outlook for fiscal 2026 remains positive, with expected Adjusted EBITDA between $146 million and $156 million and free cash flow forecasted to exceed $430 million [7][20] Financial Performance - Revenues for the second quarter increased by 1% to $551.1 million, with notable growth in the Children's Book Publishing and Distribution segment, offset by a decline in Education Solutions sales [9][11] - Operating income rose by 11% to $82.9 million, while Adjusted EBITDA improved by 13% to $122.5 million, reflecting higher revenues and reduced discretionary overhead expenses [10][12] - The diluted earnings per share increased by 27% to $2.17, and when excluding one-time items, it rose by 41% to $2.57 [9][10] Segment Analysis - The Children's Book Publishing and Distribution segment saw revenues increase by 4% to $380.9 million, with Book Fairs contributing $242.0 million, up 5% from the previous year [11][12] - Education Solutions revenues decreased by 13% to $62.2 million due to a challenging funding environment, resulting in a segment operating loss of $4.7 million [13] - The International segment's revenues increased by 4% to $89.5 million, driven by the success of global franchises, with operating income improving significantly [15] Capital Position and Shareholder Returns - The company generated $73.2 million in net cash from operating activities, with free cash flow increasing by 40% to $59.2 million [17][18] - Scholastic's net debt increased to $186.6 million, primarily due to share repurchases, and the company distributed $5.1 million in dividends during the quarter [18][19] - Following the sale-leaseback transactions, the company expects a significant boost to free cash flow, with an estimated $400 million benefit anticipated [20]

Core Viewpoint - Wiley has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.355 per share on its Class A and Class B Common Stock, reflecting its commitment to returning value to shareholders [1] Dividend Announcement - The quarterly dividend is scheduled to be paid on January 15, 2026, to shareholders of record on December 30, 2025 [1] - This dividend translates to an annual dividend of $1.42 per share, indicating an increase compared to previous periods [1]

As we enter the 2025 home stretch, Bitcoin is once again down, dipping below $90,000 on Thursday, following the Federal Reserve's highly anticipated interest rate cut by 25 basis points on December 10. So why is crypto taking a hit, even when markets are up? Why Bitcoin is faltering One reason for Bitcoin's drop after the rate cut is that traders had already fully priced in the cut ahead of the Fed's announcement. "Unlike stocks, Bitcoin is already in a bear market, where bad news gets accentuated and good ...

Core Viewpoint - Wiley has increased its share repurchase allocation for Fiscal 2026 to $100 million, reflecting a significant rise from previous years [1] Financial Performance - The share repurchase allocation for Fiscal 2025 was $60 million, and for Fiscal 2024 it was $45 million, indicating a consistent upward trend in the company's commitment to returning capital to shareholders [1] - In the first half of Fiscal 2026, Wiley has already executed approximately $35 million of the repurchase allocation, with a goal to complete $65 million by the end of the fiscal year [1]

Exclusive: Media executive Peter Chernin’s private-equity firm is investing in Entangled Publishing, a popular publisher of romance-fantasy books https://t.co/gD2nLXIAcf ...

Core Insights - The New York Times has experienced a successful year, with strong stock performance and positive results [2] Company Priorities - The company is focusing on setting priorities as it looks towards 2026 [2]

Core Insights - John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has partnered with IQVIA Holdings Inc. to enhance the Clinical Outcome Assessment (COA) execution process, making it a notable dividend stock to consider [1][5]. Partnership Overview - The partnership provides a streamlined solution for COA instruments, making them readily available to pharmaceutical and research organizations, thus simplifying vendor-related workflows and ensuring quality assurance [2][5]. - Traditionally, COA licensing involves multiple vendors, which can delay trial timelines and affect quality assurance. The new collaboration offers a combined COA licensing and implementation solution under one contract, overseen by a rights holder to ensure scientific accuracy [3][4]. Product Offering - Phase one of the partnership includes five Wiley-managed COA tools, with plans to expand to over 100 COAs and full lifecycle services by the end of 2026. These tools are designed for specialized clinical research areas such as anxiety, depression, pediatric cancer, lupus-related organ damage, and physical sexual maturity [4][5]. Company Background - John Wiley & Sons, Inc. is a New Jersey-based publisher that provides reliable content, data insights, and learning services both in the United States and internationally [6].