Summary of McGraw Hill FY Conference Call (January 16, 2026) Company Overview - **Company**: McGraw Hill (NYSE: MH) - **Business Evolution**: Transitioned from traditional textbook publishing to a digital education solutions company, with over 60% of revenue now recurring and a significant focus on digital delivery [5][6][7] Key Points and Arguments Digital Transformation - **Digital Focus**: The company has undergone rapid digital transformation, moving to cloud-based solutions and optimizing infrastructure for scalability and performance [9][10] - **Data Utilization**: Extensive first-party data collected from learning interactions is leveraged for AI applications, enhancing product offerings and operational efficiencies [24][25][26] Leadership Transition - **CEO Transition**: Simon Allen will retire, and Philip Moyer will take over as CEO in February 2026. Moyer's background in technology and education is seen as a strategic advantage for future growth [12][14][16] Generative AI in Education - **AI Positioning**: McGraw Hill's B2B2C model differentiates it from direct-to-consumer companies facing AI disruption. The company views AI as a tool to enhance personalized learning rather than a threat [22][23] - **AI Innovations**: Internal tools like Scribe have improved content creation efficiency by reducing time and costs significantly. AI Reader and Writing Assistant are examples of products aimed at enhancing student learning experiences [28][29] K-12 Market Dynamics - **Market Predictions**: The K-12 buying opportunity is expected to grow in FY 2027, driven by upcoming major state adoption decisions in California and Texas [30][32] - **Product Development**: The company is focused on aligning product development with state standards and leveraging data to enhance personalized learning experiences [38][41] Higher Education Success - **Market Share Growth**: McGraw Hill has increased its market share in higher education from the 19th percentile to nearly 30% due to effective execution and innovative delivery models like Inclusive Access and Evergreen [44][45] - **Retention and Engagement**: High sell-through rates (95%-96%) indicate strong engagement with educational materials, contributing to better student outcomes [52][53] Financial Strategy - **Debt Management**: The company has prioritized debt paydown, having reduced approximately $592 million in debt, with a target of maintaining a debt-to-EBITDA ratio of 2-2.5 times [67][68] - **M&A Strategy**: Future M&A will focus on tuck-in opportunities rather than large acquisitions, with recent acquisitions enhancing product offerings [69][70] Additional Insights - **Long-term Vision**: The company is optimistic about future innovations, particularly in AI and personalized learning, which are expected to drive growth and improve educational outcomes [73][74] - **Market Adaptability**: McGraw Hill is well-positioned to adapt to changing market dynamics, including demographic shifts and the evolving needs of adult learners [61][66] This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the McGraw Hill FY Conference Call, highlighting the company's strategic direction, market positioning, and innovative approaches in the education sector.

Summary of McGraw Hill Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: McGraw Hill (NYSE: MH) - **Industry**: Educational content and software for higher education and K-12 markets - **Key Brand**: Red Cube, established for 137 years, has transitioned significantly towards digital delivery, with over two-thirds of revenue now generated digitally [4][5][11] Core Insights and Arguments - **Digital Transformation**: The company has evolved from traditional textbooks to a digital-first model, focusing on personalized learning through machine learning and AI [4][5][11] - **Financial Strength**: McGraw Hill has experienced significant margin expansion, with a reported increase of 1,500-2,000 basis points, allowing for continued investment in innovation [9][11] - **Market Share Growth**: The company has increased its market share in higher education from 21% to 30% over recent years, driven by innovation and a strong go-to-market strategy [12][14] Addressable Market and Growth Opportunities - **Higher Education**: The total addressable market (TAM) is expanding, with 30%-35% of revenue coming from two-year community colleges. The company reported a 14% growth in this segment, outpacing the overall student enrollment growth of 2.4% [12][13] - **K-12 Market**: The K-12 segment serves approximately 50 million learners in the U.S., with 85% of revenue from core materials. The company aims to increase its 5% market share in supplemental intervention offerings [14][15][60][61] AI and Technology Integration - **AI Utilization**: McGraw Hill is leveraging AI to enhance personalized learning, reduce administrative burdens for educators, and streamline content development. Tools like Teacher Assistant and Writing Assistant have been launched to support educators [23][24][25][28] - **Data-Driven Insights**: The company collects 19 billion learning interactions annually from 25 million paid digital users, which informs content development and personalized learning experiences [22][28] Sales and Customer Success - **Sales Force Advantage**: McGraw Hill has invested in a dedicated customer success team, enhancing relationships with educators and improving product adoption. This investment has contributed to share gains [36][38] - **Evergreen Model**: The introduction of the Evergreen model allows for continuous updates to courseware, reducing the administrative burden on educators and enhancing retention rates [54][57] Financial Targets and Margin Expansion - **Growth Projections**: The company targets a growth rate of over 5% in the medium to long term, driven by share gains and expansion in both higher education and K-12 markets [41][46] - **Margin Goals**: McGraw Hill aims for a 37% EBITDA margin, supported by increased digital offerings and cost reductions in content creation through AI tools like Scribe [50][52] Conclusion - **Future Success Factors**: McGraw Hill's success will hinge on continued share gains, innovation in AI and technology, and a commitment to improving educational outcomes for learners and reducing administrative burdens for educators [63][64][65]

Summary of McGraw Hill Conference Call Company Overview - **Company**: McGraw Hill - **Industry**: Educational Publishing - **Evolution**: Transitioned to a digital-oriented business over the last 20 years, with nearly two-thirds of business delivered digitally today, compared to half a decade ago [3][4] Key Highlights - **AI Integration**: McGraw Hill is leveraging AI to enhance personalized learning experiences, reduce administrative burdens on teachers, and drive efficiency in content creation [4][5] - **New Product Launches**: Recently launched an educator assistant and a writing assistant to support K-12 educators, aimed at reducing their administrative workload [6][7] - **Brand Strength**: The trusted brand and intellectual property (IP) of McGraw Hill serve as significant differentiators in a competitive landscape filled with emerging AI-driven educational startups [11][12] Market Share and Growth - **Higher Education Market Share**: Increased from 21% to 30% over the past decade, with a 14% year-over-year growth in the latest quarter [14][15] - **Inclusive Access Model**: This model has grown 30% year-over-year and now accounts for roughly half of the revenue in higher education, allowing students to access materials on day one and increasing sell-through rates to over 98% [19][20] Strategic Initiatives - **Evergreen Product**: A new offering that allows continuous updates to educational content, eliminating the traditional edition cycle and enhancing customer retention [16][18] - **State Adoption Opportunities**: Positioned to capture significant market opportunities in California and Florida for upcoming math and ELA cycles in 2027 and 2028 [30][34] Financial Performance - **Predictable Revenue**: The K-12 business benefits from multi-year contracts, providing visibility and predictability in revenue recognition [50][51] - **Capital Allocation**: Focus on organic growth, debt repayment, and small tuck-in acquisitions to accelerate product development [40][41] Industry Dynamics - **Consolidation Trends**: Scale and data are critical in the educational publishing industry, with expectations of consolidation among smaller edtech startups lacking the necessary scale [44][45] - **Digital Adoption**: While K-5 education remains largely print, there is a significant shift towards digital in higher education, with expectations of reaching 98% digital delivery in the near future [53][54] Conclusion - **Future Outlook**: McGraw Hill is well-positioned for continued growth across all business segments, with a strong focus on innovation and market share expansion [52]

Core Insights - The Zacks Schools industry is experiencing a recovery driven by increased demand for applied and career-oriented education, particularly in healthcare, skilled trades, cybersecurity, and IT [1][5] - Technology is becoming a significant competitive advantage, with institutions investing in adaptive learning systems and online platforms to enhance student engagement and operational efficiency [2][8] - The industry is consolidating, with larger providers acquiring smaller institutions to expand offerings and improve operational leverage [6] Industry Overview - The Zacks Schools industry includes for-profit education companies offering various programs in finance, healthcare, technology, and skilled trades, focusing on career-oriented education [4] - The sector is addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals through intensive training models linked to industry needs [1][5] Trends Influencing Growth - There is a rising demand for workforce-oriented programs, particularly among adult learners and career switchers, as the labor market increasingly values job-ready skills [5] - Government initiatives supporting vocational education and non-degree pathways are contributing to the growth outlook [3][5] Financial Performance and Valuation - The Zacks Schools industry has a Zacks Industry Rank of 65, placing it in the top 27% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating positive near-term prospects [11][12] - The industry's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio is currently at 12.58X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 23.57X, suggesting potential undervaluation [18] Key Companies and Their Prospects - **McGraw Hill**: Experiencing growth from digital and subscription models, with a projected fiscal 2026 earnings of $1.63 per share on $2.05 billion in revenues, reflecting a 300% surprise in the last quarter [21][24] - **Grand Canyon Education**: Focused on scalable online expansion and healthcare programs, with expected earnings growth of 12.9% and 11.2% for 2025 and 2026, respectively [27][28] - **Perdoceo Education**: Benefiting from rising student interest and expanding program offerings, with expected earnings growth of 11.4% and 9% for 2025 and 2026 [31][32] - **Adtalem**: Gaining from enrollment momentum and strategic partnerships, with projected earnings growth of 17.7% and 13.7% for fiscal 2026 and 2027 [35][37] - **Nerdy**: Enhancing its platform with AI integration, with improvements in earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026, indicating a potential investment opportunity [39][40]