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JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. - Quarter Report: 2021 October (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended October 31, 2021

OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from_____ to _____

Commission File No. 001-11507

JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

New York
 
13-5593032
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
111 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey
 
07030
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
Zip Code

 
(201) 748-6000
 
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
 

 
Not Applicable
 
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class
 
Trading Symbol
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
 
JW.A
 
New York Stock Exchange
Class B Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
 
JW.B
 
New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes    No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).   Yes    No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer 
Accelerated filer 
Non-accelerated filer 
Smaller reporting company 
 
Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   Yes    No

The number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of common stock as of November 30, 2021 were:

Class A, par value $1.00 – 46,655,004
Class B, par value $1.00 – 9,043,275



JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.
 
Financial Statements
   
         
     
5
         
     
6
         
     
7
         
     
8
         
     
9
         
   
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
   
     
11
     
11
     
12
     
14
     
17
     
18
     
19
     
20
     
21
     
22
     
23
     
23
     
24
     
25
     
25
     
26
     
27
     
28
     
28
         
Item 2.
   
29
         
Item 3.
   
48
         
Item 4.
   
49
         
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
   
         
Item 1.
   
49
         
Item 1A.
   
50
         
Item 2.
   
50
         
Item 6.
   
50
         
 
51
2


Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning our business, consolidated financial condition and results of operations. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand a company’s prospects and make informed investment decisions. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by such words as “anticipates,” “believes,” “plan,” “assumes,” “could,” “should,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “potential,” “seek,” “predict,” “may,” “will” and similar references to future periods. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this report regarding our strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding our fiscal year 2022 outlook, the anticipated impact on the ability of our employees, contractors, customers and other business partners to perform our and their respective responsibilities and obligations relative to the conduct of our business in the future due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, anticipated restructuring charges and savings, operations, performance, and financial condition. Reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, as actual results may differ materially from those described in any forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are based upon many assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, and are subject to change based on many important factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to (i) the level of investment by Wiley in new technologies and products; (ii) subscriber renewal rates for our journals; (iii) the financial stability and liquidity of journal subscription agents; (iv) the consolidation of book wholesalers and retail accounts; (v) the market position and financial stability of key retailers; (vi) the seasonal nature of our educational business and the impact of the used book market; (vii) worldwide economic and political conditions; (viii) our ability to protect our copyrights and other intellectual property worldwide; (ix) our ability to successfully integrate acquired operations and realize expected opportunities; (x) the ability to realize operating savings over time and in fiscal year 2022 in connection with our multiyear Business Optimization Program; (xi) the impact of COVID-19 on our operations, performance, and financial condition; and (xii) other factors detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Please refer to Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and as revised and updated by our Quarterly Reports in Form 10-Q for important factors that we believe could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this report is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

We present financial information that conforms to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America (US GAAP). We also present financial information that does not conform to US GAAP, which we refer to as non-GAAP.

In this report, we may present the following non-GAAP performance measures:
Adjusted Earnings Per Share (Adjusted EPS);
Free Cash Flow less Product Development Spending;
Adjusted Contribution to Profit and margin;
Adjusted Income Before Taxes;
Adjusted Income Tax Provision;
Adjusted Effective Tax Rate;
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and margin;
Organic revenue; and
Results on a constant currency basis.

3



Management uses these non-GAAP performance measures as supplemental indicators of our operating performance and financial position as well for internal reporting and forecasting purposes, when publicly providing our outlook, to evaluate our performance and calculate incentive compensation. We present these non-GAAP performance measures in addition to US GAAP financial results because we believe that these non-GAAP performance measures provide useful information to certain investors and financial analysts for operational trends and comparisons over time. The use of these non-GAAP performance measures may also provide a consistent basis to evaluate operating profitability and performance trends by excluding items that we do not consider to be controllable activities for this purpose.

The performance metric used by our chief operating decision maker to evaluate performance of our reportable segments is Adjusted Contribution to Profit. We present both Adjusted Contribution to Profit and Adjusted EBITDA for each of our reportable segments since we believe Adjusted EBITDA provides additional useful information to certain investors and financial analysts for operational trends and comparisons over time as it removes the impact of depreciation and amortization expense, as well as a consistent basis to evaluate operating profitability and comparing our financial performance to that of our peer companies and competitors.

For example:
Adjusted EPS, Adjusted Contribution to Profit, Adjusted Income Before Taxes, Adjusted Income Tax Provision, Adjusted Effective Tax Rate, Adjusted EBITDA, and organic revenue (excluding acquisitions) provide a more comparable basis to analyze operating results and earnings and are measures commonly used by shareholders to measure our performance.
Free Cash Flow less Product Development Spending helps assess our ability, over the long term, to create value for our shareholders as it represents cash available to repay debt, pay common stock dividends, and fund share repurchases and acquisitions.
Results on a constant currency basis removes distortion from the effects of foreign currency movements to provide better comparability of our business trends from period to period. We measure our performance excluding the impact of foreign currency (or at constant currency), which means that we apply the same foreign currency exchange rates for the current and equivalent prior period.

In addition, we have historically provided these or similar non-GAAP performance measures and understand that some investors and financial analysts find this information helpful in analyzing our operating margins and net income, and in comparing our financial performance to that of our peer companies and competitors. Based on interactions with investors, we also believe that our non-GAAP performance measures are regarded as useful to our investors as supplemental to our US GAAP financial results, and that there is no confusion regarding the adjustments or our operating performance to our investors due to the comprehensive nature of our disclosures. We have not provided our 2022 outlook for the most directly comparable US GAAP financial measures, as they are not available without unreasonable effort due to the high variability, complexity, and low visibility with respect to certain items, including restructuring charges and credits, gains and losses on foreign currency, and other gains and losses. These items are uncertain, depend on various factors, and could be material to our consolidated results computed in accordance with US GAAP.

Non-GAAP performance measures do not have standardized meanings prescribed by US GAAP and therefore may not be comparable to the calculation of similar measures used by other companies and should not be viewed as alternatives to measures of financial results under US GAAP. The adjusted metrics have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, US GAAP information. It does not purport to represent any similarly titled US GAAP information and is not an indicator of our performance under US GAAP. Non-GAAP financial metrics that we present may not be comparable with similarly titled measures used by others. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on these non-GAAP measures.

4



PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION – UNAUDITED
In thousands

   
October 31, 2021
   
April 30, 2021
 
Assets:
           
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
100,898
   
$
93,795
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $22.0 million and $21.5 million, respectively
   
291,891
     
311,571
 
Inventories, net
   
39,725
     
42,538
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
67,952
     
78,393
 
Total current assets
   
500,466
     
526,297
 
                 
Product development assets, net
   
46,274
     
49,517
 
Royalty advances, net
   
15,260
     
39,582
 
Technology, property and equipment, net
   
271,774
     
282,270
 
Intangible assets, net
   
970,036
     
1,015,302
 
Goodwill
   
1,302,234
     
1,304,340
 
Operating lease right-of-use assets
   
121,708
     
121,430
 
Other non-current assets
   
118,279
     
107,701
 
Total assets
 
$
3,346,031
   
$
3,446,439
 
                 
                 
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:
               
Current liabilities
               
Accounts payable
 
$
51,271
   
$
95,791
 
Accrued royalties
   
102,137
     
78,582
 
Short-term portion of long-term debt
   
12,500
     
12,500
 
Contract liabilities
   
267,890
     
545,425
 
Accrued employment costs
   
85,890
     
144,744
 
Accrued income taxes
   
12,862
     
8,590
 
Short-term portion of operating lease liabilities
   
22,353
     
22,440
 
Other accrued liabilities
   
89,606
     
80,900
 
Total current liabilities
   
644,509
     
988,972
 
                 
Long-term debt
   
1,032,505
     
809,088
 
Accrued pension liability
   
126,198
     
146,247
 
Deferred income tax liabilities
   
187,931
     
172,903
 
Operating lease liabilities
   
143,638
     
145,832
 
Other long-term liabilities
   
104,585
     
92,106
 
Total liabilities
   
2,239,366
     
2,355,148
 
                 
Shareholders’ equity
               
Preferred stock, $1 par value per share: Authorized shares – 2 million, Issued shares - 0
   
     
 
Class A common stock, $1 par value per share: Authorized shares - 180 million, Issued shares - 70,211 and 70,208 as of October 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, respectively
   
70,211
     
70,208
 
Class B common stock, $1 par value per share: Authorized shares - 72 million, Issued shares - 12,971 and 12,974 as of October 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, respectively
   
12,971
     
12,974
 
Additional paid-in-capital
   
451,808
     
444,358
 
Retained earnings
   
1,881,235
     
1,850,058
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
   
(498,209
)
   
(490,790
)
Less treasury shares at cost (Class A – 23,561 and 23,419 as of October 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, respectively; Class B – 3,923 and 3,922 as of October 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, respectively)
   
(811,351
)
   
(795,517
)
Total shareholders’ equity
   
1,106,665
     
1,091,291
 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 
$
3,346,031
   
$
3,446,439
 

See accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
5




JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME – UNAUDITED
Dollars in thousands except per share information

 
Three Months Ended
October 31,
   
Six Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
   
2021
   
2020
 
Revenue, net
 
$
533,003
   
$
491,011
   
$
1,021,391
   
$
922,337
 
                                 
Costs and expenses
                               
Cost of sales
   
174,782
     
154,853
     
340,738
     
299,662
 
Operating and administrative expenses
   
264,190
     
247,167
     
524,779
     
484,536
 
Restructuring and related (credits) charges
   
(1,333
)
   
1,920
     
(1,609
)
   
4,138
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
21,476
     
17,166
     
42,627
     
34,057
 
Total costs and expenses
   
459,115
     
421,106
     
906,535
     
822,393
 
                                 
Operating income
   
73,888
     
69,905
     
114,856
     
99,944
 
                                 
Interest expense
   
(4,997
)
   
(4,461
)
   
(9,636
)
   
(9,075
)
Foreign exchange transaction losses
   
(1,370
)
   
(697
)
   
(1,000
)
   
(779
)
(Loss) gain on sale of certain assets
   
(56
)
   
     
3,694
     
 
Other income, net
   
3,150
     
3,766
     
6,703
     
8,157
 
                                 
Income before taxes
   
70,615
     
68,513
     
114,617
     
98,247
 
Provision for income taxes
   
14,648
     
81
     
44,820
     
13,481
 
                                 
Net income
 
$
55,967
   
$
68,432
   
$
69,797
   
$
84,766
 
                                 
Earnings per share
                               
Basic
 
$
1.00
   
$
1.22
   
$
1.25
   
$
1.51
 
Diluted
 
$
0.99
   
$
1.22
   
$
1.24
   
$
1.51
 
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
                               
Basic
   
55,806
     
56,005
     
55,833
     
55,959
 
Diluted
   
56,388
     
56,165
     
56,477
     
56,182
 
                                 

See accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


6



JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME – UNAUDITED
Dollars in thousands

 
Three Months Ended
October 31,
   
Six Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
   
2021
   
2020
 
Net income
 
$
55,967
   
$
68,432
   
$
69,797
   
$
84,766
 
                                 
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
                               
Foreign currency translation adjustment
   
(9,483
)
   
(11,626
)
   
(15,420
)
   
35,227
 
Unamortized retirement credits (costs), net of tax (expense) benefit of $(1,183), $(996), $(1,626), and $709, respectively
   
4,065
     
3,403
     
5,654
     
(2,262
)
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps, net of tax (expense) of $(602), $(222), $(775) and $(252), respectively
   
1,809
     
699
     
2,347
     
890
 
Total other comprehensive (loss) income
   
(3,609
)
   
(7,524
)
   
(7,419
)
   
33,855
 
                                 
Comprehensive income
 
$
52,358
   
$
60,908
   
$
62,378
   
$
118,621
 

See accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


7



JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS – UNAUDITED
Dollars in thousands

 
Six Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
 
Operating activities
           
Net income
 
$
69,797
   
$
84,766
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
               
Amortization of intangible assets
   
42,627
     
34,057
 
Amortization of product development assets
   
18,088
     
17,448
 
Depreciation and amortization of technology, property and equipment
   
48,406
     
46,432
 
Restructuring and related (credits) charges
   
(1,609
)
   
4,138
 
Stock-based compensation expense
   
13,059
     
9,066
 
Employee retirement plan expense
   
9,892
     
6,498
 
Foreign exchange transaction losses
   
1,000
     
779
 
Gain on sale of certain assets
   
(3,694
)
   
 
Other noncash charges
   
37,663
     
31,143
 
    Net change in operating assets and liabilities
   
(310,851
)
   
(310,949
)
Net cash used in operating activities
   
(75,622
)
   
(76,622
)
Investing activities
               
Product development spending
   
(13,001
)
   
(10,999
)
Additions to technology, property and equipment
   
(37,676
)
   
(36,430
)
Businesses acquired in purchase transactions, net of cash acquired
   
(13,615
)
   
(229
)
Proceeds related to the sale of certain assets
   
3,375
     
 
Acquisitions of publication rights and other
   
(1,654
)
   
(14,021
)
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(62,571
)
   
(61,679
)
Financing activities
               
Repayments of long-term debt
   
(113,425
)
   
(249,902
)
Borrowings of long-term debt
   
340,901
     
309,492
 
Purchases of treasury shares
   
(17,367
)
   
 
Change in book overdrafts
   
(19,212
)
   
(1,165
)
Cash dividends
   
(38,619
)
   
(38,480
)
Impact of tax withholding on stock-based compensation and other
   
(5,232
)
   
(1,346
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
147,046
     
18,599
 
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
   
(1,742
)
   
3,301
 
Cash reconciliation:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
   
93,795
     
202,464
 
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
564
     
583
 
Balance at beginning of period
   
94,359
     
203,047
 
Increase/(decrease) for the period
   
7,111
     
(116,401
)
Cash and cash equivalents
   
100,898
     
86,063
 
Restricted cash included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
572
     
583
 
Balance at end of period
 
$
101,470
   
$
86,646
 
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Interest
 
$
8,769
   
$
8,374
 
Income taxes, net of refunds
 
$
22,019
   
$
37,344
 

See accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

8



JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY – UNAUDITED
Dollars in thousands

 
Class A common stock
   
Class B common stock
   
Additional
paid-in capital
   
Retained
earnings
   
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
   
Treasury stock
   
Total
shareholders' equity
 
Balance at July 31, 2021
 
$
70,211
   
$
12,971
   
$
445,690
   
$
1,844,578
   
$
(494,600
)
 
$
(800,945
)
 
$
1,077,905
 
Restricted shares issued under stock-based compensation plans
   
     
     
(634
)
   
2
     
     
705
     
73
 
Impact of tax withholding on stock-based compensation and other
   
     
     
39
     
     
     
(1,111
)
   
(1,072
)
Stock-based compensation expense
   
     
     
6,713
     
     
     
     
6,713
 
Purchase of treasury shares
   
     
     
     
     
     
(10,000
)
   
(10,000
)
Class A common stock dividends ($0.3450 per share)
   
     
     
     
(16,190
)
   
     
     
(16,190
)
Class B common stock dividends ($0.3450 per share)
   
     
     
     
(3,122
)
   
     
     
(3,122
)
Comprehensive income, net of tax
   
     
     
     
55,967
     
(3,609
)
   
     
52,358
 
Balance at October 31, 2021
 
$
70,211
   
$
12,971
   
$
451,808
   
$
1,881,235
   
$
(498,209
)
 
$
(811,351
)
 
$
1,106,665
 


 
Class A common stock
   
Class B common stock
   
Additional
paid-in capital
   
Retained
earnings
   
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss, net of tax
   
Treasury stock
   
Total
shareholders' equity
 
Balance at July 31, 2020
 
$
70,177
   
$
13,005
   
$
431,241
   
$
1,775,813
   
$
(534,118
)
 
$
(782,373
)
 
$
973,745
 
Restricted shares issued under stock-based compensation plans
   
     
     
(143
)
   
(1
)
   
     
198
     
54
 
Impact of tax withholding on stock-based compensation and other
   
     
     
1
     
     
     
(28
)
   
(27
)
Stock-based compensation expense
   
     
     
4,752
     
     
     
     
4,752
 
Class A common stock dividends ($0.3425 per share)
   
     
     
     
(16,108
)
   
     
     
(16,108
)
Class B common stock dividends ($0.3425 per share)
   
     
     
     
(3,111
)
   
     
     
(3,111
)
Common stock class conversions
   
2
     
(2
)
   
     
     
     
     
 
Comprehensive income, net of tax
   
     
     
     
68,432
     
(7,524
)
   
     
60,908
 
Balance at October 31, 2020
 
$
70,179
   
$
13,003
   
$
435,851
   
$
1,825,025
   
$
(541,642
)
 
$
(782,203
)
 
$
1,020,213
 

See accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

9



JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY – UNAUDITED
Dollars in thousands

 
Class A common stock
   
Class B common stock
   
Additional
paid-in capital
   
Retained
earnings
   
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
   
Treasury stock
   
Total
shareholders' equity
 
Balance at April 30, 2021
 
$
70,208
   
$
12,974
   
$
444,358
   
$
1,850,058
   
$
(490,790
)
 
$
(795,517
)
 
$
1,091,291
 
Restricted shares issued under stock-based compensation plans
   
     
     
(6,976
)
   
(1
)
   
     
7,114
     
137
 
Impact of tax withholding on stock-based compensation and other
   
     
     
349
     
     
     
(5,581
)
   
(5,232
)
Stock-based compensation expense
   
     
     
14,077
     
     
     
     
14,077
 
Purchase of treasury shares
   
     
     
     
     
     
(17,367
)
   
(17,367
)
Class A common stock dividends ($0.3450 per share)
   
     
     
     
(32,375
)
   
     
     
(32,375
)
Class B common stock dividends ($0.3450 per share)
   
     
     
     
(6,244
)
   
     
     
(6,244
)
Common stock class conversions
   
3
     
(3
)
   
     
     
     
     
 
Comprehensive income, net of tax
   
     
     
     
69,797
     
(7,419
)
   
     
62,378
 
Balance at October 31, 2021
 
$
70,211
   
$
12,971
   
$
451,808
   
$
1,881,235
   
$
(498,209
)
 
$
(811,351
)
 
$
1,106,665
 

 
Class A common stock
   
Class B common stock
   
Additional
paid-in capital
   
Retained
earnings
   
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
   
Treasury stock
   
Total
shareholders' equity
 
Balance at April 30, 2020
 
$
70,166
   
$
13,016
   
$
431,680
   
$
1,780,129
   
$
(575,497
)
 
$
(785,870
)
 
$
933,624
 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of tax
   
     
     
     
(1,390
)
   
     
     
(1,390
)
Restricted shares issued under stock-based compensation plans
   
     
     
(5,264
)
   
     
     
5,382
     
118
 
Impact of tax withholding on stock-based compensation and other
   
     
     
369
     
     
     
(1,715
)
   
(1,346
)
Stock-based compensation expense
   
     
     
9,066
     
     
     
     
9,066
 
Class A common stock dividends ($0.3425 per share)
   
     
     
     
(32,257
)
   
     
     
(32,257
)
Class B common stock dividends ($0.3425 per share)
   
     
     
     
(6,223
)
   
     
     
(6,223
)
Common stock class conversions
   
13
     
(13
)
   
     
     
     
     
 
Comprehensive income, net of tax
   
     
     
     
84,766
     
33,855
     
     
118,621
 
Balance at October 31, 2020
 
$
70,179
   
$
13,003
   
$
435,851
   
$
1,825,025
   
$
(541,642
)
 
$
(782,203
)
 
$
1,020,213
 

See accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


10



JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 Basis of Presentation

Throughout this report, when we refer to “Wiley,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us,” we are referring to John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and all our subsidiaries, except where the context indicates otherwise.

Our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include all the accounts of the Company and our subsidiaries. We have eliminated all intercompany transactions and balances in consolidation. In the opinion of management, the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Condition, Results of Operations, Comprehensive Income and Cash Flows for the periods presented. Operating results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year. All amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts, and approximate due to rounding. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the most recent audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021 as filed with the SEC on July 6, 2021 (2021 Form 10-K).

Our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with the interim reporting requirements of the SEC. As permitted under those rules, annual footnotes or other financial information that are normally required by US GAAP have been condensed or omitted. The preparation of our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021, a UK entity acquired in connection with the acquisition of mthree, which was acquired on January 1, 2020was erroneously dissolved by the Company in accordance with UK Companies Act regulations while still holding assets. This entity, along with its subsidiaries, (the Entity) had various net intercompany receivables owed to them from other Wiley companies of approximately $188.8 million as of April 30, 2021 (approximately $125.2 million as of October 31, 2021), which upon a dissolution technically revert to the British Crown (Crown). Wiley petitioned to Companies House to reinstate the Entity without prejudice, and the restoration process is expected to be successfully completed within fiscal year 2022. As a result of these events, the Company evaluated whether it was appropriate to consolidate the assets, liabilities, and operations of the Entity as part of its consolidated financial statements as of October 31, 2021 and for the period from the Entity being dissolved through October 31, 2021 and also whether there was a liability to the Crown and a related loss associated with the dissolution of the Entity under US GAAP as of October 31, 2021.

The Company evaluated the criteria in Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 810, “Consolidations” to determine if consolidating the Entity was appropriate under US GAAP. Based on that evaluation and the administrative nature of the process to restore, the Company concluded that although the Entity was dissolved, we maintained control of the assets of the Entity and, therefore, appropriately consolidated the assets, liabilities and operations of the Entity in our consolidated financial statements as of October 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021.

Note 2 Recent Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

In December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.”  This ASU is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes, eliminates certain exceptions within Topic 740, “Income Taxes” and clarifies certain aspects of the current guidance to promote consistent application. We adopted ASU 2019-12 on May 1, 2021. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements at the time of adoption. The impact in the future would depend on any changes in tax laws and the applicable enactment dates. In accordance with ASU 2019-12, the enactment date is when any effects are recognized in the consolidated financial statements.

11


Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers”. This ASU requires that an acquirer recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with ASC 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606) as if it had originated the contracts. Generally, this would result in an acquirer recognizing and measuring the acquired contract assets and contract liabilities consistent with how they were recognized and measured in the acquiree’s financial statements if the acquiree prepared financial statements in accordance with US GAAP. This standard is effective for us on May 1, 2023, including interim periods within the fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted. The standard is applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of the amendments. The impact will be based on future business combinations after we adopt the standard.

Convertible Debt Instruments, Derivatives and EPS

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, “Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40)”. This ASU reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock. As well as amend the guidance for the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity to reduce form-over-substance-based accounting conclusions. In addition, this ASU improves and amends the related earnings-per-share (EPS) guidance. This standard is effective for us on May 1, 2022, including interim periods within the fiscal year. Adoption is either a modified retrospective method or a fully retrospective method of transition. We are currently assessing the impact the new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Reference Rate Reform

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” In January 2021, the FASB clarified the scope of that guidance with the issuance of ASU 2021-01, “Reference Rate Reform: Scope.” This ASU provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting.  This would apply to companies meeting certain criteria that have contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. This standard is effective for us immediately and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. We are currently assessing the impact the new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 3 Acquisitions

Pro forma financial information related to these acquisitions has not been provided as it is not material to our consolidated results of operations.

Fiscal Year 2022

On October 1, 2021, we completed the acquisition of certain assets of J&J Editorial Services, LLC. (J&J). J&J is a publishing services company providing expert offerings in editorial operations, production, copyediting, system support and consulting. The results of J&J are included in our Research Publishing & Platforms segment results. The preliminary fair value of consideration transferred was approximately $12.0 million which included $10.5 million of cash at the acquisition date, and $1.5 million of cash to be paid after the acquisition date.

We recorded the preliminary fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the acquisition date, which included a preliminary allocation of $7.9 million of goodwill and $3.1 million of intangible assets, primarily including customer relationships that are being amortized over an estimated weighted average useful life of 10 years. The fair value assessed for the majority of the tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed equaled their carrying value. Goodwill represents synergies and economies of scale expected from the combination of services. This acquisition was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes.
12



The allocation of the total consideration transferred to the assets acquired, including intangible assets and goodwill, and the liabilities assumed is preliminary, and could be revised as a result of additional information obtained due to the finalization of the third-party valuation report, leases and related commitments, tax related matters and contingencies and certain assets and liabilities, including receivables and payables, but such amounts will be finalized within the measurement period, which will not exceed one year from the acquisition date.

J&J’s revenue and operating loss included in our Research Publishing & Platforms segment results for both the three and six months ended October 31, 2021 was $0.7 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Fiscal Year 2021

On December 31, 2020, we completed the acquisition of 100% of the outstanding stock of Hindawi Limited (“Hindawi”). Hindawi is a scientific research publisher and an innovator in open access publishing. Its results of operations are included in our Research Publishing & Platforms segment.

The preliminary fair value of the consideration transferred at the acquisition date was $300.1 million which included $299.3 million of cash and $0.8 million related to the settlement of a preexisting relationship. We financed the payment of the cash consideration primarily through borrowings under our Amended and Restated RCA (as defined below in Note 15, “Debt and Available Credit Facilities”) and using cash on hand. The fair value of the cash consideration transferred, net of $1.0 million of cash acquired was approximately $298.3 million.

Hindawi’s revenue and operating income included in our Research Publishing & Platforms segment results for the three months ended October 31, 2021 was $13.1 million and $3.2 million, respectively. Hindawi’s revenue and operating income included in our Research Publishing & Platforms segment results for the six months ended October 31, 2021 was $24.6 million and $5.1 million, respectively.

During the six months ended October 31, 2021, no revisions were made to the allocation of the consideration transferred to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We recorded the preliminary fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the acquisition date, which included a preliminary allocation of $147.4 million of goodwill allocated to the Research Publishing & Platforms segment, and $194.9 million of intangible assets subject to amortization.

The allocation of the total consideration transferred to the assets acquired, including intangible assets and goodwill, and the liabilities assumed is preliminary, and could be revised as a result of additional information obtained due to the finalization of the third-party valuation report, leases and related commitments, tax related matters and contingencies and certain assets and liabilities, including receivables and payables, but such amounts will be finalized within the measurement period, which will not exceed one year from the acquisition date. We are also in the process of aligning our accounting policies, which could result in changes related to financial statement presentation.

13



Note 4 Revenue Recognition, Contracts with Customers

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table presents our revenue from contracts with customers disaggregated by segment and product type.

 
Three Months Ended
October 31,
   
Six Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
   
2021
   
2020
 
Research Publishing & Platforms:
                       
Research Publishing
 
$
262,873
   
$
240,691
   
$
526,231
   
$
471,155
 
Research Platforms
   
12,281
     
10,643
     
23,679
     
20,989
 
Total Research Publishing & Platforms
   
275,154
     
251,334
     
549,910
     
492,144
 
                                 
Academic & Professional Learning:
                               
Education Publishing (1)
   
98,581
     
102,428
     
164,961
     
166,031
 
Professional Learning
   
77,948
     
67,485
     
150,832
     
130,314
 
Total Academic & Professional Learning
   
176,529
     
169,913
     
315,793
     
296,345
 
                                 
Education Services:
                               
University Services (2)
   
58,081
     
56,261
     
112,475
     
106,523
 
Talent Development Services (1)(3)
   
23,239
     
13,503
     
43,213
     
27,325
 
Total Education Services
   
81,320
     
69,764
     
155,688
     
133,848
 
                                 
Total Revenue
 
$
533,003
   
$
491,011
   
$
1,021,391
   
$
922,337
 

(1)
In May 2021, we moved the WileyNXT product offering from Academic & Professional Learning – Education Publishing to Education Services – Talent Development Services. As a result, the prior period results related to the WileyNXT product offering have been included in Education Services – Talent Development Services. The revenue was $0.7 million and $1.2 million for the three and six months ended October 31, 2020, respectively. There were no changes to our total consolidated financial results.
(2)
University Services was previously referred to as Education Services OPM.
(3)
Talent Development Services was previously referred to as mthree.

The following information describes our disaggregation of revenue by segment and product type. Overall, the majority of our revenue is recognized over time.

Research Publishing & Platforms

Research Publishing & Platforms customers include academic, corporate, government, and public libraries, funders of research, researchers, scientists, clinicians, engineers and technologists, scholarly and professional societies, and students and professors. Research Publishing & Platforms products are sold and distributed globally through multiple channels, including research libraries and library consortia, independent subscription agents, direct sales to professional society members, and other customers. Publishing centers include Australia, China, Germany, India, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US). The majority of revenue generated from Research Publishing & Platforms products is recognized over time. Total Research Publishing & Platforms revenue was $275.2 million and $549.9 million in the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, respectively.

We disaggregated revenue by Research Publishing & Research Platforms to reflect the different type of products and services provided.

Research Publishing Products

Research Publishing products provide scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, as well as related content and services, to academic, corporate, and government libraries, learned societies, and individual researchers and other professionals. Research Publishing revenue was $262.9 million and $526.2 million in the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, respectively and the majority is recognized over time.
14



Research Publishing products generate approximately 78% and 79% in the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, respectively of its revenue from contracts with its customers from Journal Subscriptions (pay to read), Open Access (pay to publish) and Transitional Agreements (read and publish), sometimes referred to as Comprehensive Agreements, and the remainder from Licensing, Reprints, Backfiles, and Other.

Research Platforms Services

Research Platforms is principally comprised of Atypon, a publishing software and service provider that enables scholarly and professional societies and publishers to deliver, host, enhance, market, and manage their content on the web through the Literatum platform. The revenue related to the J&J acquisition is included in Research Platforms. Research Platforms revenue was $12.3 million and $23.7 million in the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, respectively and the majority is recognized over time.

Academic & Professional Learning

Academic & Professional Learning provides Education Publishing and Professional Learning products and services including scientific, professional, and education print and digital books, digital courseware, and test preparation services, to libraries, corporations, students, professionals, and researchers, as well as learning, development, and assessment services for businesses and professionals. Communities served include business, finance, accounting, workplace learning, management, leadership, technology, behavioral health, engineering/ architecture, science and medicine, and education. Products are developed for worldwide distribution through multiple channels, including chain and online booksellers, libraries, colleges and universities, corporations, direct to consumer, web sites, distributor networks and other online applications. Publishing centers include Australia, Germany, India, the UK, and the US. Total Academic & Professional Learning revenue was $176.5 million and $315.8 million in the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, respectively.

We disaggregated revenue by type of products provided. Academic & Professional Learning products are Education Publishing and Professional Learning. Academic & Professional Learning revenues are mainly recognized at a point in time.

Education Publishing Products
Education Publishing products revenue was $98.6 million and $165.0 million in the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, respectively. Education Publishing products generate approximately 63% and 68% in the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, respectively of its revenue from contracts with its customers from Education (print and digital) Publishing, which is recognized at a point in time, and 24% and 17% in the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, respectively from Digital Courseware which is recognized over time. The remainder of its revenues were from Test Preparation and Certification and Licensing and Other, which has a mix of revenue recognized at a point in time and over time.

Professional Learning Products
Professional Learning products revenue was $77.9 million and $150.8 million in the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, respectively. Professional Learning (print and digital) products generate approximately 61% in both the three and six months ended October 31, 2021 of revenue from contracts with its customers from Professional Publishing, and Licensing and Other, and both are mainly recognized at a point in time. Approximately 39% of Professional Learning products revenue in both the three and six months ended October 31, 2021 is from contracts with its customers from Corporate Training and Corporate Learning, which is recognized mainly over time.

Education Services

Education Services revenue was $81.3 million and $155.7 million in the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, respectively and the majority is recognized over time. We disaggregated revenue by type of services provided, which are University Services (previously referred to as Education Services OPM) and Talent Development Services (previously referred to as mthree).
University Services

University Services revenue was $58.1 million and $112.5 million in the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, respectively and is mainly recognized over time. University Services engages in the comprehensive management of online degree programs for universities and has grown to include a broad array of tech enabled service offerings that address our partner specific pain points. Increasingly, this includes delivering career credentialing education that advances specific careers with in-demand skills.
15



Talent Development Services

Talent Development Services revenue was $23.2 million and $43.2 million in the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, respectively, and is recognized at the point in time the services are provided to its customers. Talent Development Services is a talent placement provider that finds, trains and places job-ready technology talent in roles with leading corporations worldwide.

Accounts Receivable, net and Contract Liability Balances

When consideration is received, or such consideration is unconditionally due, from a customer prior to transferring goods or services to the customer under the terms of a contract, a contract liability is recorded. Contract liabilities are recognized as revenue when, or as, control of the products or services are transferred to the customer and all revenue recognition criteria have been met.

The following table provides information about accounts receivable, net and contract liabilities from contracts with customers.

 
October 31, 2021
   
April 30, 2021
   
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
Balances from contracts with customers:
                 
Accounts receivable, net
 
$
291,891
   
$
311,571
   
$
(19,680
)
Contract liabilities (1)
   
267,890
     
545,425
     
(277,535
)
Contract liabilities (included in Other long-term liabilities)
 
$
20,619
   
$
19,560
   
$
1,059
 

(1)
The sales return reserve recorded in Contract liabilities is $42.3 million and $38.0 million, as of October 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, respectively.

For the six months ended October 31, 2021, we estimate that we recognized revenue of approximately 74% that was included in the current contract liability balance at April 30, 2021.

The decrease in contract liabilities excluding the sales return reserve, was primarily driven by revenue earned on journal subscription agreements, comprehensive agreements, open access and test preparation and certification offerings, partially offset by renewals of journal subscription agreements, comprehensive agreements, open access, and test preparation and certification offerings.

Remaining Performance Obligations included in Contract Liability

As of October 31, 2021, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations is approximately $288.5 million, which included the sales return reserve of $42.3 million. Excluding the sales return reserve, we expect that approximately $225.6 million will be recognized in the next twelve months with the remaining $20.6 million to be recognized thereafter.

Assets Recognized for the Costs to Fulfill a Contract

Costs to fulfill a contract are directly related to a contract that will be used to satisfy a performance obligation in the future and are expected to be recovered. These costs are amortized on a systematic basis that is consistent with the transfer to the customer of the goods or services to which the asset relates. These types of costs are incurred in the following product types, (1) Research Platforms services, which includes customer specific implementation costs per the terms of the contract and (2) University Services, which includes customer specific costs to develop courses per the terms of the contract.

Our assets associated with incremental costs to fulfill a contract were $11.5 million and $12.1 million at October 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, respectively, and are included within Other non-current assets on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. We recorded amortization expense of $1.3 million and $2.8 million during the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, respectively, related to these assets within Cost of sales on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income. We recorded amortization expense of $1.4 million and $2.6 million during the three and six months ended October 31, 2020, respectively, related to these assets within Cost of sales on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income.

16



Sales and value-added taxes are excluded from revenues. Shipping and handling costs, which are primarily incurred within the Academic & Professional Learning segment, occur before the transfer of control of the related goods. Therefore, in accordance with the revenue standard, it is not considered a promised service to the customer and would be considered a cost to fulfill our promise to transfer the goods. Costs incurred for third party shipping and handling are primarily reflected in Operating and administrative expenses on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income. We incurred $7.2 million and $14.0 million in shipping and handling costs in the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, respectively. We incurred $6.5 million and $13.2 million in shipping and handling costs in the three and six months ended October 31, 2020, respectively.

Note 5 Operating Leases

We have contractual obligations as a lessee with respect to offices, warehouses and distribution centers, automobiles, and office equipment.

We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception of the contract in accordance with guidance detailed in the lease standard and we perform the lease classification test as of the lease commencement date. Right-of-use (ROU) assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term.

The present value of the lease payments is calculated using an incremental borrowing rate, which was determined based on the rate of interest that we would have to pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over a similar term. We use an unsecured borrowing rate and risk-adjust that rate to approximate a collateralized rate.

Under the leasing standard, leases that are more than one year in duration are capitalized and recorded on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Some of our leases offer an option to extend the term of such leases. We utilize the reasonably certain threshold criteria in determining which options we will exercise. Furthermore, some of our lease payments are based on index rates with minimum annual increases. These represent fixed payments and are captured in the future minimum lease payments calculation.

For operating leases, the ROU assets and liabilities are presented on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as follows:

 
October 31, 2021
   
April 30, 2021
 
Operating lease ROU assets
 
$
121,708
   
$
121,430
 
Short-term portion of operating lease liabilities
   
22,353
     
22,440
 
Operating lease liabilities, non-current
 
$
143,638
   
$
145,832
 

During the six months ended October 31, 2021, we added $9.2 million to the ROU assets and $9.1 million to the operating lease liabilities due to new leases, including due to acquisitions, as well as modifications and remeasurements to our existing operating leases.

Our total net lease costs are as follows:

 
Three Months Ended
October 31,
   
Six Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
   
2021
   
2020
 
Operating lease cost
 
$
6,325
   
$
6,611
   
$
12,242
   
$
13,246
 
Variable lease cost
   
397
     
730
     
741
     
1,251
 
Short-term lease cost
   
36
     
92
     
56
     
180
 
Sublease income
   
(190
)
   
(175
)
   
(391
)
   
(345
)
Total net lease cost (1)
 
$
6,568
   
$
7,258
   
$
12,648
   
$
14,332
 

(1)
Total net lease cost does not include those costs and sublease income included in Restructuring and related (credits) charges on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income. This includes those operating leases we had identified in the year ended April 30, 2021 as part of our Business Optimization program that would be subleased. See Note 9, “Restructuring and Related (Credits) Charges” for more information on this program.
17



Other supplemental information includes the following:

 
Six Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
 
Weighted-average remaining contractual lease term (years)
   
9
     
9
 
Weighted-average discount rate
   
5.79
%
   
5.91
%
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
               
Operating cash flows from operating leases
 
$
14,846
   
$
16,866
 

The table below reconciles the undiscounted cash flows for the first five years and total of the remaining years to the operating lease liabilities recorded in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of October 31, 2021:

Fiscal Year
 
Operating Lease
Liabilities
 
2022 (remaining 6 months)
 
$
15,618
 
2023
   
28,159
 
2024
   
26,768
 
2025
   
25,364
 
2026
   
22,694
 
Thereafter
   
95,573
 
Total future undiscounted minimum lease payments
   
214,176
 
         
Less: Imputed interest
   
48,185
 
         
Present value of minimum lease payments
   
165,991
 
         
Less: Current portion
   
22,353
 
         
Noncurrent portion
 
$
143,638
 

Note 6 Stock-Based Compensation

We have stock-based compensation plans under which employees may be granted performance-based stock awards, other restricted stock awards and options. We recognize the grant date fair value of stock-based compensation in net income on a straight-line basis, net of estimated forfeitures over the requisite service period. The measurement of performance for performance-based stock awards is based on actual financial results for targets established up to three years in advance, or less. For the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, we recognized stock-based compensation expense, on a pretax basis, of $6.7 million and $13.1 million, respectively. For the three and six months ended October 31, 2020, we recognized stock-based compensation expense, on a pretax basis, of $4.8 million and $9.1 million, respectively.

Performance-Based and Other Restricted Stock Activity

Under the terms of our long-term incentive plans, performance-based restricted unit awards are payable in restricted shares of our Class A Common Stock upon the achievement of certain three-year or less financial performance-based targets. During each three-year period or less, we adjust compensation expense based upon our best estimate of expected performance.

We may also grant individual restricted unit awards payable in restricted shares of our Class A Common Stock to key employees in connection with their employment.
18



The following table summarizes awards we granted to employees (shares in thousands):
 
Six Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
 
Restricted Stock:
           
Awards granted (shares)
   
455
     
390
 
Weighted average fair value of grant
 
$
57.16
   
$
38.38
 

Stock Option Activity

During the six months ended October 31, 2021, we granted 260,000 stock option awards. Options are exercisable over a maximum period of ten years from the date of grant. For the six months ended October 31, 2021, options generally vest 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% on April 30, or on each anniversary date after the award is granted.

The following table provides the estimated weighted average fair value for options granted during the six months ended October 31, 2021 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, and the significant weighted average assumptions used in their determination.

 
Six Months Ended
October 31, 2021
 
Weighted average fair value of options on grant date
 
$
11.71
 
         
Weighted average assumptions:
       
Expected life of options (years)
   
6.3
 
Risk-free interest rate
   
1.1
%
Expected volatility
   
30.7
%
Expected dividend yield
   
2.4
%
Fair value of common stock on grant date
 
$
56.79
 
Exercise price of stock option grant
 
$
62.36
 

Prior to the above stock option grants in the six months ended October 31, 2021, we did not grant any stock option awards since the year ended April 30, 2016. As of April 30, 2019, all outstanding stock options vested allowing the participant the right to exercise their awards, and there was no unrecognized share-based compensation expense remaining related to those stock options.

Note 7 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by component, net of tax, for the three and six months ended October 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows:

 
Foreign
Currency
Translation
   
Unamortized
Retirement
Costs
   
Interest
Rate Swaps
   
Total
 
                         
Balance at July 31, 2021
 
$
(263,878
)
 
$
(226,557
)
 
$
(4,165
)
 
$
(494,600
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
   
(9,483
)
   
2,639
     
978
     
(5,866
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
     
1,426
     
831
     
2,257
 
Total other comprehensive (loss) income
   
(9,483
)
   
4,065
     
1,809
     
(3,609
)
Balance at October 31, 2021
 
$
(273,361
)
 
$
(222,492
)
 
$
(2,356
)
 
$
(498,209
)
                                 
Balance at April 30, 2021
 
$
(257,941
)
 
$
(228,146
)
 
$
(4,703
)
 
$
(490,790
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
   
(15,420
)
   
2,781
     
685
     
(11,954
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
     
2,873
     
1,662
     
4,535
 
Total other comprehensive (loss) income
   
(15,420
)
   
5,654
     
2,347
     
(7,419
)
Balance at October 31, 2021
 
$
(273,361
)
 
$
(222,492
)
 
$
(2,356
)
 
$
(498,209
)
19



 
Foreign
Currency
Translation
   
Unamortized
Retirement
Costs
   
Interest
Rate Swaps
   
Total
 
                         
Balance at July 31, 2020
 
$
(293,850
)
 
$
(233,585
)
 
$
(6,683
)
 
$
(534,118
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
   
(11,626
)
   
1,900
     
(252
)
   
(9,978
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
     
1,503
     
951
     
2,454
 
Total other comprehensive (loss) income
   
(11,626
)
   
3,403
     
699
     
(7,524
)
Balance at October 31, 2020
 
$
(305,476
)
 
$
(230,182
)
 
$
(5,984
)
 
$
(541,642
)
                                 
Balance at April 30, 2020
 
$
(340,703
)
 
$
(227,920
)
 
$
(6,874
)
 
$
(575,497
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
   
35,227
     
(5,290
)
   
(921
)
   
29,016
 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
     
3,028
     
1,811
     
4,839
 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
   
35,227
     
(2,262
)
   
890
     
33,855
 
Balance at October 31, 2020
 
$
(305,476
)
 
$
(230,182
)
 
$
(5,984
)
 
$
(541,642
)

During the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, pretax actuarial losses included in Unamortized Retirement Costs of approximately $1.9 million and $3.7 million, respectively, and in the three and six months ended October 31, 2020, approximately $2.0 million and $3.9 million, respectively, were amortized from Accumulated other comprehensive loss and recognized as pension and post-retirement benefit expense primarily in Operating and administrative expenses and Other income, net on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income.

Our policy for releasing the income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income is to release when the corresponding pretax accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income items are reclassified to earnings.

Note 8 Reconciliation of Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

A reconciliation of the shares used in the computation of earnings per share follows (shares in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
October 31,
   
Six Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
   
2021
   
2020
 
Weighted average shares outstanding
   
55,806
     
56,005
     
55,833
     
55,961
 
Less: Unvested restricted shares
   
     
     
     
(2
)
Shares used for basic earnings per share
   
55,806
     
56,005
     
55,833
     
55,959
 
Dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock units and other stock awards
   
582
     
160
     
644
     
223
 
Shares used for diluted earnings per share
   
56,388
     
56,165
     
56,477
     
56,182
 
Antidilutive options to purchase Class A common shares, restricted shares, warrants to purchase Class A common shares, and contingently issuable restricted stock which are excluded from the table above
   
1,074
     
1,223
     
1,006
     
1,318
 

The shares associated with performance-based stock awards are considered contingently issuable shares and will be included in the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding when they have met the performance conditions, and when their effect is dilutive.

20



Note 9 Restructuring and Related (Credits) Charges

Business Optimization Program

Beginning in fiscal year 2020, we initiated a multiyear Business Optimization Program (the Business Optimization Program) to drive efficiency improvement and operating savings.

The following tables summarize the pretax restructuring (credits) charges related to this program:

 
Three Months Ended
October 31,
   
Six Months Ended
October 31,
   
Total Charges
 
   
2021
   
2020
   
2021
   
2020
   
Incurred to Date
 
(Credits) Charges by Segment:
                             
Research Publishing & Platforms
 
$
22
   
$
(103
)
 
$
238
   
$
(300
)
 
$
3,883
 
Academic & Professional Learning
   
(465
)
   
1,541
     
(294
)
   
1,314
     
13,410
 
Education Services
   
6
     
84
     
(28
)
   
223
     
4,277
 
Corporate Expenses
   
(896
)
   
584
     
(1,525
)
   
3,054
     
43,083
 
Total Restructuring and Related (Credits) Charges
 
$
(1,333
)
 
$
2,106
   
$
(1,609
)
 
$
4,291
   
$
64,653
 
                                         
(Credits) Charges by Activity:
                                       
Severance and termination benefits
 
$
(1,956
)
 
$
1,683
   
$
(2,570
)
 
$
2,793
   
$
35,825
 
Impairment of operating lease ROU assets and property and equipment
   
     
     
     
     
15,079
 
Acceleration of expense related to operating lease ROU assets and property and equipment
   
     
     
     
     
3,378
 
Facility related charges, net
   
623
     
423
     
961
     
1,498
     
8,631
 
Other activities
   
     
     
     
     
1,740
 
Total Restructuring and Related (Credits) Charges
 
$
(1,333
)
 
$
2,106
   
$
(1,609
)
 
$
4,291
   
$
64,653
 

The credits in severance and termination benefits activities for the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, primarily reflects changes in the number of headcount reductions and estimates for previously accrued costs.

Facilities related charges, net include sublease income related to those operating leases we had identified in the year ended April 30, 2021 as part of our Business Optimization program that would be subleased.

The following table summarizes the activity for the Business Optimization Program liability for the six months ended October 31, 2021:

 
April 30, 2021
   
(Credits)
   
Payments
   
Foreign
Translation
& Other Adjustments
   
October 31, 2021
 
Severance and termination benefits
 
$
11,465
   
$
(2,570
)
 
$
(4,366
)
 
$
(133
)
 
$
4,396
 
Total
 
$
11,465
   
$
(2,570
)
 
$
(4,366
)
 
$
(133
)
 
$
4,396
 

The restructuring liability for accrued severance and termination benefits is reflected in Accrued employment costs on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of October 31, 2021.

21



Note 10 Segment Information

We report our segment information in accordance with the provisions of FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 280, “Segment Reporting”. These segments reflect the way our chief operating decision maker evaluates our business performance and manages the operations. The performance metric used by our chief operating decision maker to evaluate performance of our reportable segments is Adjusted Contribution to Profit. Our segment reporting structure consists of three reportable segments, which are listed below, as well as a Corporate category, which includes certain costs that are not allocated to the reportable segments:
Research Publishing & Platforms
Academic & Professional Learning
Education Services

Segment information is as follows:

 
Three Months Ended
October 31,
   
Six Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
   
2021
   
2020
 
Revenue:
                       
Research Publishing & Platforms
 
$
275,154
   
$
251,334
   
$
549,910
   
$
492,144
 
Academic & Professional Learning (1)
   
176,529
     
169,913
     
315,793
     
296,345
 
Education Services (1)
   
81,320
     
69,764
     
155,688
     
133,848
 
Total revenue
 
$
533,003
   
$
491,011
   
$
1,021,391
   
$
922,337
 
                                 
Adjusted Contribution to Profit:
                               
Research Publishing & Platforms
 
$
77,053
   
$
73,850
   
$
156,077
   
$
143,471
 
Academic & Professional Learning (1)
   
40,606
     
31,548
     
48,929
     
31,303
 
Education Services (1)
   
727
     
7,380
     
(1,134
)
   
7,975
 
Total adjusted contribution to profit
   
118,386
     
112,778
     
203,872
     
182,749
 
Adjusted corporate contribution to profit
   
(45,831
)
   
(40,953
)
   
(90,625
)
   
(78,667
)
Total adjusted contribution to profit
 
$
72,555
   
$
71,825
   
$
113,247
   
$
104,082
 
                                 
Depreciation and Amortization:
                               
Research Publishing & Platforms
 
$
23,464
   
$
19,765
   
$
47,226
   
$
39,466
 
Academic & Professional Learning (1)
   
18,148
     
17,720
     
36,512
     
36,524
 
Education Services (1)
   
8,813
     
7,210
     
17,116
     
14,489
 
Total depreciation and amortization
   
50,425
     
44,695
     
100,854
     
90,479
 
Corporate depreciation and amortization
   
4,130
     
3,735
     
8,267
     
7,458
 
Total depreciation and amortization
 
$
54,555
   
$
48,430
   
$
109,121
   
$
97,937
 

(1)
In May 2021, we moved the WileyNXT product offering from Academic & Professional Learning to Education Services. As a result, the prior period results related to the WileyNXT product offering have been included in Education Services. The Revenue, Adjusted Contribution to Profit and Depreciation and Amortization for WileyNXT was $0.7 million, $(0.1) million, and none, respectively, for the three months ended October 31, 2020. The Revenue, Adjusted Contribution to Profit and Depreciation and Amortization for WileyNXT was $1.2 million, $(0.2) million, and none, respectively, for the six months ended October 31, 2020. There were no changes to our total consolidated financial results.
22



The following table shows a reconciliation of our consolidated US GAAP Operating Income to Non-GAAP Adjusted Contribution to Profit:

 
Three Months Ended
October 31,
   
Six Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
   
2021
   
2020
 
US GAAP Operating Income
 
$
73,888
   
$
69,905
   
$
114,856
   
$
99,944
 
Adjustments:
                               
Restructuring and related (credits) charges (1)
   
(1,333
)
   
1,920
     
(1,609
)
   
4,138
 
Non-GAAP Adjusted Contribution to Profit
 
$
72,555
   
$
71,825
   
$
113,247
   
$
104,082
 

(1)
See Note 9, “Restructuring and Related (Credits) Charges” for these charges by segment.

See Note 4, “Revenue Recognition, Contracts with Customers,” for revenue from contracts with customers disaggregated by segment and product type for the three and six months ended October 31, 2021 and 2020.

Note 11 Inventories

Inventories, net consisted of the following:

 
October 31, 2021
   
April 30, 2021
 
Finished goods
 
$
29,288
   
$
31,704
 
Work-in-process
   
1,576
     
2,060
 
Paper and other materials
   
313
     
331
 
Total inventories before estimated sales returns and LIFO reserve
 
$
31,177
   
$
34,095
 
Inventory value of estimated sales returns
   
10,991
     
10,886
 
LIFO reserve
   
(2,443
)
   
(2,443
)
Inventories, net
 
$
39,725
   
$
42,538
 

Note 12 Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The following table summarizes the activity in goodwill by segment as of October 31, 2021:

 
 
April 30, 2021 (1)
   
Acquisition (2)
   
Foreign
Translation
Adjustment
   
October 31, 2021
 
Research Publishing & Platforms
 
$
619,203
   
$
7,893
   
$
(5,104
)
 
$
621,992
 
Academic & Professional Learning
   
512,512
     
     
(4,683
)
   
507,829
 
Education Services
   
172,625
     
     
(212
)
   
172,413
 
Total
 
$
1,304,340
   
$
7,893
   
$
(9,999
)
 
$
1,302,234
 

(1)
The Education Services goodwill balance as of April 30, 2021 includes a cumulative pretax noncash goodwill impairment of $110.0 million.
(2)
Refer to Note 3, “Acquisitions,” for more information related to the acquisition that occurred in the six months ended October 31, 2021.

23


Intangible Assets

Intangible assets, net were as follows:

 
October 31, 2021
   
April 30, 2021 (1)
 
Intangible assets with definite lives, net (2):
           
Content and publishing rights
 
$
537,493
   
$
564,229
 
Customer relationships
   
254,297
     
266,477
 
Developed technology
   
34,206
     
34,961
 
Brands and trademarks
   
17,858
     
19,536
 
Covenants not to compete
   
80
     
58
 
Total intangible assets with definite lives, net
   
843,934
     
885,261
 
Intangible assets with indefinite lives:
               
Brands and trademarks
   
37,000
     
37,000
 
Publishing rights
   
89,102
     
93,041
 
Total intangible assets with indefinite lives
   
126,102
     
130,041
 
Total intangible assets, net
 
$
970,036
   
$
1,015,302
 

(1)
The developed technology balance as of April 30, 2021 is presented net of accumulated impairments and write-offs of $2.8 million. The indefinite-lived brands and trademarks as of April 30, 2021 is net of accumulated impairments of $93.1 million.
(2)
Refer to Note 3, “Acquisitions,” for more information related to the acquisition that occurred in the six months ended October 31, 2021.

Note 13 Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended October 31, 2021 was 20.7% and 39.1%, respectively, compared with 0.1% and 13.7% for the three and six months ended October 31, 2020, respectively.

The rate for the three months ended October 31, 2021 was slightly lower than the US statutory rate due to the mix of income at lower rates. The rate for the six months ended October 31, 2021, was greater than the US statutory rate due to increases in the UK statutory rate, resulting in a noncash deferred tax expense from the re-measurement of our applicable UK net deferred tax liabilities.

The rate for the six months ended October 31, 2021 was greater than the rate for the six months ended October 31, 2020 due to a larger increase in the UK statutory rate than the prior period. In addition, during the three and six months ended October 31, 2020, as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and certain regulations issued in late July 2020, we were able to carry back certain US net operating losses (NOLs), decreasing the rates for both the three and six months ended October 31, 2020. We claimed a $20.7 million tax refund which was received in February 2021, plus interest.

During the three months ended July 31, 2021, the UK enacted legislation that increased its statutory rate from 19% to 25% effective April 1, 2023, resulting in a $20.7 million non-cash deferred tax expense. During the three months ended July 31, 2020, the UK officially enacted legislation that increased its statutory rate from 17% to 19%, resulting in a $6.7 million non-cash deferred tax expense.

24



Note 14 Retirement Plans

The components of net pension income for the defined benefit plans were as follows:

 
Three Months Ended
October 31,
   
Six Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
   
2021
   
2020
 
Service cost
 
$
300
   
$
347
   
$
607
   
$
680
 
Interest cost
   
5,178
     
4,610
     
10,401
     
9,131
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(10,142
)
   
(9,649
)
   
(20,401
)
   
(19,027
)
Amortization of prior service cost
   
(22
)
   
(24
)
   
(44
)
   
(49
)
Amortization of net actuarial loss
   
1,877
     
2,033
     
3,774
     
4,020
 
Net pension income
 
$
(2,809
)
 
$
(2,683
)
 
$
(5,663
)
 
$
(5,245
)

The service cost component of net pension income is reflected in Operating and administrative expenses on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income. The other components of net pension income are reported separately from the service cost component and below Operating income. Such amounts are reflected in Other income, net on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income.

Employer defined benefit pension plan contributions were $4.0 million and $8.5 million for the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, respectively, and $3.8 million and $8.9 million for the three and six months ended October 31, 2020, respectively.

Defined Contribution Savings Plans

The expense for employer defined contribution savings plans was $6.5 million and $15.6 million for the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, respectively, and $5.2 million and $11.8 million for the three and six months ended October 31, 2020, respectively.

Note 15 Debt and Available Credit Facilities

Our total debt outstanding consisted of the amounts set forth in the following table: 

 
October 31, 2021
   
April 30, 2021
 
Short-term portion of long-term debt (1)
 
$
12,500
   
$
12,500
 
                 
Term loan A - Amended and Restated RCA (2)
   
217,187
     
222,928
 
Revolving credit facility - Amended and Restated RCA
   
815,318
     
586,160
 
Total long-term debt, less current portion
   
1,032,505
     
809,088
 
                 
Total debt
 
$
1,045,005
   
$
821,588
 

(1)
Relates to our term loan A under the Amended and Restated RCA.
(2)
Amounts are shown net of unamortized issuance costs of $0.4 million as of October 31, 2021 and $0.5 million as of April 30, 2021.

Amended and Restated RCA

On May 30, 2019, we entered into a credit agreement that amended and restated our existing revolving credit agreement (Amended and Restated RCA). The Amended and Restated RCA provides for senior unsecured credit facilities comprised of a (i) five-year revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount up to $1.25 billion, and (ii) a five-year term loan A facility consisting of $250 million.
25



Under the terms of the Amended and Restated RCA, which can be drawn in multiple currencies, we have the option of borrowing at the following floating interest rates: (i) at a rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.98% to 1.50%, depending on our consolidated net leverage ratio, as defined, or (ii) at the lender’s base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from zero to 0.50%, depending on our consolidated net leverage ratio. The lender’s base rate is defined as the highest of (i) the US federal funds effective rate plus a 0.50% margin, (ii) the Eurocurrency rate, as defined, plus a 1.00% margin, or (iii) the Bank of America prime lending rate. In addition, we pay a facility fee for the revolving credit facility ranging from 0.15% to 0.25% depending on our consolidated net leverage ratio. We also have the option to request an increase in the revolving credit facility by an amount not to exceed $500 million, in minimum increments of $50 million, subject to the approval of the lenders.

The Amended and Restated RCA contains certain customary affirmative and negative covenants, including a financial covenant in the form of a consolidated net leverage ratio and consolidated interest coverage ratio, which we were in compliance with as of October 31, 2021.

The amortization expense of the costs incurred related to the Amended and Restated RCA related to the lender and non-lender fees is recognized over the five-year term of the Amended and Restated RCA. Total amortization expense was $0.3 million and $0.5 million for the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, respectively and is included in Interest expense on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income. Total amortization expense was $0.3 million and $0.5 million for the three and six months ended October 31, 2020, respectively and is included in Interest expense on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income.

As of October 31, 2021, we had approximately $435.3 million of unused borrowing capacity under our Amended and Restated RCA and other facilities.

Note 16 Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

From time-to-time, we enter into forward exchange and interest rate swap contracts as a hedge against foreign currency asset and liability commitments, changes in interest rates and anticipated transaction exposures, including intercompany sales and purchases. All derivatives are recognized as assets or liabilities and measured at fair value. Derivatives that are not determined to be effective hedges are adjusted to fair value with a corresponding adjustment to earnings. We do not use financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Interest Rate Contracts

As of October 31, 2021, we had total debt outstanding of $1,045.0 million, net of unamortized issuance costs of $0.4 million of which $1,045.4 million are variable rate loans outstanding under the Amended and Restated RCA, which approximated fair value.

We had outstanding interest rate swap agreements with combined notional amounts of $400.0 million as of October 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021. These agreements were accounted for as cash flow hedges which fixed a portion of the variable interest due on our Amended and Restated RCA.

We record the fair value of our interest rate swaps on a recurring basis using Level 2 inputs of quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets. The fair value of the interest rate swaps as of October 31, 2021 was a deferred loss of $3.2 million and a deferred gain of $0.7 million. Based on the maturity dates of the contracts, $2.1 million of the deferred loss as of October 31, 2021 was recorded within Other accrued liabilities and $1.1 million of the deferred loss was recorded within Other long-term liabilities. The deferred gain was recorded within Other non-current assets.

The fair value of the interest rate swaps as of April 30, 2021 was a deferred loss of $5.6 million. Based on the maturity dates of the contracts, the entire deferred loss as of April 30, 2021 was recorded within Other long-term liabilities.

The pretax losses that were reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into Interest expense for the three and six months ended October 31, 2021 were $1.1 million and $2.2 million, respectively. The pretax losses that were reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into Interest expense for the three and six months ended October 31, 2020 were $0.9 million and $1.8 million, respectively.
26



Foreign Currency Contracts

We may enter into forward exchange contracts to manage our exposure on certain foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities. The forward exchange contracts are marked to market through Foreign exchange transaction losses on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income and carried at fair value on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities are remeasured at spot rates in effect on the balance sheet date, with the effects of changes in spot rates reported in Foreign exchange transaction losses on our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income.

As of October 31, 2021, and April 30, 2021, we did not maintain any open forward exchange contracts. In addition, we did not maintain any open forward contracts during the six months ended October 31, 2021 and 2020.

Note 17  Capital Stock and Changes in Capital Accounts

Share Repurchases

The following table summarizes the share repurchases of Class A and Class B Common Stock (shares in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
October 31, 2021
   
Six Months Ended
October 31, 2021
 
             
Shares repurchased - Class A
   
183
     
312
 
Shares repurchased - Class B
   
     
1
 
Average price - Class A and Class B
 
$
54.54
   
$
55.51
 

There were no share repurchases during the three and six months ended October 31, 2020.

Dividends

The following table summarizes the cash dividends paid during the six months ended October 31, 2021:

Date of Declaration by
Board of Directors
 
Quarterly Cash Dividend
 
Total Dividend
 
Class of Common Stock
 
Dividend Paid Date
 
 Shareholders of
Record as of Date
June 22, 2021
 
$0.3450 per common share
 
$19.3 million
 
Class A and Class B
 
July 21, 2021
 
July 6, 2021
September 29, 2021
 
$0.3450 per common share
 
$19.2 million
 
Class A and Class B
 
October 27, 2021
 
October 12, 2021

27


Changes in Common Stock

The following is a summary of changes during the six months ended October 31, in shares of our common stock and common stock in treasury (shares in thousands):

Changes in Common Stock A:
 
2021
   
2020
 
Number of shares, beginning of year
   
70,208
     
70,166
 
Common stock class conversions
   
3
     
13
 
Number of shares issued, end of period
   
70,211
     
70,179
 
                 
Changes in Common Stock A in treasury:
               
Number of shares held, beginning of year
   
23,419
     
23,405
 
Purchase of treasury shares
   
312
     
 
Restricted shares issued under stock-based compensation plans – non-PSU Awards
   
(129
)
   
(96
)
Restricted shares issued under stock-based compensation plans – PSU Awards
   
(108
)
   
(88
)
Shares issued under the Director Plan to Directors
   
(2
)
   
(4
)
Restricted shares issued from exercise of stock options
   
(24
)
   
(33
)
Shares withheld for taxes
   
93
     
69
 
Number of shares held, end of period
   
23,561
     
23,253
 
Number of Common Stock A outstanding, end of period
   
46,650
     
46,926
 

Changes in Common Stock B:
 
2021
   
2020
 
Number of shares, beginning of year
   
12,974
     
13,016
 
Common stock class conversions
   
(3
)
   
(13
)
Number of shares issued, end of period
   
12,971
     
13,003
 
                 
Changes in Common Stock B in treasury:
               
Number of shares held, beginning of year
   
3,922
     
3,920
 
Purchase of treasury shares
   
1
     
 
Number of shares held, end of period
   
3,923
     
3,920
 
Number of Common Stock B outstanding, end of period
   
9,048
     
9,083
 

Note 18 Commitments and Contingencies

We are involved in routine litigation in the ordinary course of our business. A provision for litigation is accrued when information available to us indicates that it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment may be required to determine both the probability and estimates of loss. When the amount of the loss can only be estimated within a range, the most likely outcome within that range is accrued. If no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the minimum amount within the range is accrued. When uncertainties exist related to the probable outcome of litigation and/or the amount or range of loss, we do not record a liability, but disclose facts related to the nature of the contingency and possible losses if management considers the information to be material. Reserves for legal defense costs are recognized when incurred. The accruals for loss contingencies and legal costs are reviewed regularly and may be adjusted to reflect updated information on the status of litigation and advice of legal counsel. In the opinion of management, the ultimate resolution of all pending litigation as of October 31, 2021, will not have a material effect upon our consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Note 19 – Subsequent Events

On November 30, 2021, we completed the acquisition of certain assets of Precision Computer Works, Inc. (PCW) for approximately $15.0 million, and another smaller acquisition for approximately $8.0 million. PCW is a technology platform company with an established journal submission and peer review management system. The results for both acquisitions will be included in our Research Publishing & Platforms segment.


28



ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The information in our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) should be read together with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes set forth in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our MD&A set forth in Item 7 of Part II of our 2021 Form 10-K and our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes set forth in Item 8 of Part II of our 2021 Form 10-K. See Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” below and “Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,” above, and the information referenced therein, for a description of risks that we face and important factors that we believe could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our forward-looking statements. All amounts and percentages are approximate due to rounding and all dollars are in thousands, except per share amounts or where otherwise noted. When we cross-reference to a “Note,” we are referring to our “Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements,” unless the context indicates otherwise.

Overview

Wiley is a global leader in research and education, unlocking human potential by enabling discovery, powering education, and shaping workforces. For over 200 years, Wiley has fueled the world’s knowledge ecosystem. Today, our high-impact content, platforms, and services help researchers, learners, institutions, and corporations achieve their goals in an ever-changing world. Wiley is a predominantly digital company with over 80% of revenue for the six months ended October 31, 2021 generated by digital products and services.

We report financial information for the following segments, as well as a Corporate category, which includes certain costs that are not allocated to the reportable segments:
Research Publishing & Platforms
Academic & Professional Learning
Education Services
 
Through the Research Publishing & Platforms segment, we provide peer-reviewed scientific, technical, and medical (STM) publishing, content platforms, and related services to academic, corporate, and government customers, academic societies, and individual researchers. The Academic & Professional Learning segment provides Education Publishing and Professional Learning content and courseware, training and learning services, to students, professionals, and corporations. The Education Services segment provides online program management (OPM) services for academic institutions and talent development services for professionals and businesses.

Wiley’s business strategies are tightly aligned with accelerating growth trends, including open research, career-connected education, and talent development. Research strategies include driving publishing output to meet the increasing demand for peer-reviewed research and expanding platform and service offerings for corporations and societies. Education strategies include expanding online degree programs and driving online enrollment for university partners, scaling digital content and courseware, and expanding IT talent placement and reskilling programs for corporate partners.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – THREE MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2021

SECOND QUARTER SUMMARY:

US GAAP Results: Consolidated Revenue of $533 million (+9%, compared with the prior year), Operating Income of $74 million (+6%, compared with the prior year), and EPS of $0.99 (-19%, compared with the prior year)  
Adjusted Results (at constant currency compared with the prior year): Consolidated Revenue of $533 million (+8%, compared with the prior year), Adjusted EBITDA of $127 million (+7%, compared with the prior year), and Adjusted EPS of $1.29 (+6%, compared with the prior year)
Acquisition: On October 1, 2021, we completed the acquisition of certain assets of J&J Editorial Services, LLC. (J&J) for $12.0 million which expands our Partner Solutions offerings within our Research Publishing & Platforms segment.
29



CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Revenue:

Revenue for the three months ended October 31, 2021 increased $42.0 million, or 9%, as compared with the prior year. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased 8% as compared with the prior year including contributions from acquisitions. Excluding the inorganic contributions from acquisitions, revenue increased in each of our segments and 5% overall on a constant currency basis.

See the “Segment Operating Results” below for additional details on each segment’s revenue and Adjusted EBITDA performance.

Cost of Sales:

Cost of sales for the three months ended October 31, 2021 increased $19.9 million, or 13%, as compared with the prior year. On a constant currency basis, cost of sales increased 11% as compared with the prior year. This increase was primarily due to higher employee costs in Education Services, and, to a lesser extent, higher student acquisition costs also in Education Services.

Operating and Administrative Expenses:

Operating and administrative expenses for the three months ended October 31, 2021 increased $17.0 million, or 7%, as compared with the prior year. On a constant currency basis, operating and administrative expenses increased 6% as compared with the prior year primarily reflecting higher editorial costs due to additional resources to support investments in growth and, to a lesser extent, advertising and marketing costs, and technology costs.

Restructuring and Related (Credits) Charges:

For the three months ended October 31, 2021 and 2020, we recorded pretax restructuring credits of $1.3 million and charges of $2.1 million, respectively, related to our Business Optimization Program. We anticipate $10.0 million in run rate savings from actions starting in fiscal 2022. These (credits) charges are reflected in Restructuring and related (credits) charges in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income. See Note 9, “Restructuring and Related (Credits) Charges” for more details on these charges.
In November 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Company’s successful transition to a virtual work environment, we increased use of virtual work arrangements for post-pandemic operations. As a result, we expanded the scope of the Business Optimization Program to include the exit of certain leased office space beginning in the third quarter of fiscal 2021, and the reduction of our occupancy at other facilities. We are reducing our real estate square footage occupancy by approximately 12%.

These actions yielded annualized cost savings of approximately $8.0 million. We anticipate ongoing facility-related costs associated with certain properties to result in additional restructuring charges in future periods.

For the impact of our restructuring program on diluted earnings per share, see the section below, “Diluted Earnings per Share (EPS).”

Amortization of Intangible Assets:

Amortization of intangible assets was $21.5 million for the three months ended October 31, 2021, an increase of $4.3 million, or 25%, as compared with the prior year. On a constant currency basis, amortization of intangible assets increased 24% as compared with the prior year primarily due to the intangible assets acquired as part of the Hindawi acquisition completed in fiscal year 2021. See Note 3, “Acquisitions” for more details on this acquisition.

Operating Income, Adjusted Contribution to Profit (CTP) and Adjusted EBITDA:

Operating income for the three months ended October 31, 2021 increased $4.0 million, or 6%, as compared with the prior year.  On a constant currency basis, operating income increased 9% as compared with the prior year, primarily due to the increase in revenue, partially offset by an increase in cost of sales, and operating and administrative expenses.

Adjusted CTP and Adjusted EBITDA on a constant currency basis and excluding restructuring (credits) charges, increased 4% and 7% respectively, as compared with the prior year. The increase in Adjusted CTP and Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to revenue performance described above, partially offset by an increase in cost of sales, and operating and administrative expenses. In addition, the increase in Adjusted CTP was partially offset by higher depreciation and amortization.
30




Adjusted CTP

Below is a reconciliation of our consolidated US GAAP Operating Income to Non-GAAP Adjusted CTP:

   
Three Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
 
US GAAP Operating Income
 
$
73,888
   
$
69,905
 
Adjustments:
               
Restructuring and related (credits) charges
   
(1,333
)
   
1,920
 
Non-GAAP Adjusted CTP
 
$
72,555
   
$
71,825
 

Adjusted EBITDA

Below is a reconciliation of our consolidated US GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

   
Three Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
 
Net Income
 
$
55,967
   
$
68,432
 
Interest expense
   
4,997
     
4,461
 
Provision for income taxes
   
14,648
     
81
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
54,555
     
48,430
 
Non-GAAP EBITDA
   
130,167
     
121,404
 
Restructuring and related (credits) charges
   
(1,333
)
   
1,920
 
Foreign exchange transaction losses
   
1,370
     
697
 
Loss on sale of certain assets
   
56
     
 
Other income, net
   
(3,150
)
   
(3,766
)
Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
127,110
   
$
120,255
 

Interest Expense:

Interest expense for the three months ended October 31, 2021 was $5.0 million compared with the prior year of $4.5 million. This increase was due to a higher average debt balance outstanding, which included borrowings for the funding of acquisitions in fiscal year 2021, partially offset by a lower weighted average effective interest rate for the current fiscal year compared with the prior fiscal year.

Foreign Exchange Transaction Losses:

Foreign exchange transaction losses were $1.4 million for the three months ended October 31, 2021 and were primarily due to losses on our foreign currency denominated third-party and intercompany accounts receivable and payable balances due to the impact of the change in average foreign exchange rates as compared to the US dollar.

Foreign exchange transaction losses were $0.7 million for the three months ended October 31, 2020 and were primarily due to losses on foreign currency denominated third-party and intercompany receivable and payable balances due to the impact of the change in average foreign exchange rates as compared to the US dollar.
31



Provision for Income Taxes:

Below is a reconciliation of our US GAAP Income Before Taxes to Non-GAAP Adjusted Income Before Taxes:

   
Three Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
 
US GAAP Income Before Taxes
 
$
70,615
   
$
68,513
 
Pretax Impact of Adjustments:
               
Restructuring and related (credits) charges
   
(1,333
)
   
1,920
 
Foreign exchange losses on intercompany transactions
   
567
     
231
 
Amortization of acquired intangible assets
   
22,608
     
18,381
 
Loss on sale of certain assets
   
56
     
 
Non-GAAP Adjusted Income Before Taxes
 
$
92,513
   
$
89,045
 

Below is a reconciliation of our US GAAP Income Tax Provision to Non-GAAP Adjusted Income Tax Provision, including our US GAAP Effective Tax Rate and our Non-GAAP Adjusted Effective Tax Rate:

   
Three Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
 
US GAAP Income Tax Provision
 
$
14,648
   
$
81
 
Income Tax Impact of Adjustments (1):
               
Restructuring and related (credits) charges
   
(277
)
   
654
 
Foreign exchange losses on intercompany transactions
   
120
     
122
 
Amortization of acquired intangible assets
   
5,420
     
4,335
 
Loss on sale of certain assets
   
14
     
 
Income Tax Adjustments:
               
Impact of increase in UK statutory rate on deferred tax balances (2)
   
     
(83
)
Impact of US CARES Act (3)
   
     
13,998
 
Non-GAAP Adjusted Income Tax Provision
 
$
19,925
   
$
19,107
 
                 
US GAAP Effective Tax Rate
   
20.7
%
   
0.1
%
Non-GAAP Adjusted Effective Tax Rate
   
21.5
%
   
21.5
%


(1)
For the three months ended October 31, 2021 and 2020, substantially all of the tax impact was from deferred taxes.
(2)
For the three months ended October 31, 2020, the tax impact was from deferred taxes.
(3)
For the three months ended October 31, 2020, the tax impact was $8.4 million from current taxes and $5.6 million from deferred taxes.

The effective tax rate for the three months ended October 31, 2021 was 20.7% compared with 0.1% for the three months ended October 31, 2020. The rate for the three months ended October 31, 2021, was slightly lower than the US statutory rate due to the mix of income at various rates. As depicted above in the table, the rate for the three months ended October 31, 2020 benefited from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and certain regulations issued in late July 2020, which enabled us to carry back certain US net operating losses (NOL).

Diluted Earnings per Share (EPS):

EPS for the three months ended October 31, 2021 was $0.99 per share compared with $1.22 per share for the three months ended October 31, 2020. This decrease was due to a higher provision for income taxes driven by the CARES Act benefit of $0.25 per share in the three months ended October 31, 2020, partially offset by higher operating income.

32



Below is a reconciliation of our US GAAP EPS to Non-GAAP Adjusted EPS. The amount of the pretax, and the related income tax impact for the adjustments included in the table below, are presented in the section above, “Provision for Income Taxes”.

 
Three Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
 
US GAAP EPS
 
$
0.99
   
$
1.22
 
Adjustments:
               
   Restructuring and related (credits) charges
   
(0.02
)
   
0.02
 
   Foreign exchange losses on intercompany transactions
   
0.01
     
0.01
 
   Amortization of acquired intangible assets
   
0.31
     
0.25
 
   Income tax adjustments
   
     
(0.25
)
Non-GAAP Adjusted EPS
 
$
1.29
   
$
1.25
 

On a constant currency basis, Adjusted EPS increased 6% primarily due to an increase in Adjusted EBITDA, partially offset by higher interest expense.

SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS

 
Three Months Ended
October 31,
         
Constant
Currency
 
RESEARCH PUBLISHING & PLATFORMS:
 
2021
   
2020
   
% Change
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
   
% Change
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
Revenue:
                       
Research Publishing
 
$
262,873
   
$
240,691
     
9
%
   
9
%
Research Platforms
   
12,281
     
10,643
     
15
%
   
15
%
Total Research Publishing & Platforms Revenue
   
275,154
     
251,334
     
9
%
   
9
%
                                 
Cost of Sales
   
73,700
     
69,015
     
(7
)%
   
(5
)%
Operating Expenses
   
112,729
     
100,445
     
(12
)%
   
(11
)%
Amortization of Intangible Assets
   
11,672
     
8,024
     
(45
)%
   
(43
)%
Restructuring Charges (Credits) (see Note 9)
   
22
     
(238
)
   
#
     
#
 
                                 
Contribution to Profit
   
77,031
     
74,088
     
4
%
   
8
%
Restructuring Charges (Credits) (see Note 9)
   
22
     
(238
)
   
#
     
#
 
Adjusted Contribution to Profit
   
77,053
     
73,850
     
4
%
   
8
%
Depreciation and amortization
   
23,464
     
19,765
     
(19
)%
   
(18
)%
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
100,517
   
$
93,615
     
7
%
   
10
%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
   
36.5
%
   
37.2
%
               

# Not meaningful

Revenue:

Research Publishing & Platforms revenue for the three months ended October 31, 2021 increased $23.8 million, or 9%, as compared with the prior year on a reported basis and on a constant currency basis. Excluding revenue from acquisitions, organic revenue increased 4% on a constant currency basis. This increase was primarily due to continued growth in Open Access in Research Publishing due to Transitional Agreements (read and publish), sometimes referred to as Comprehensive Agreements, and, to a lesser extent, a 17% increase in corporate solutions, and Research Platforms. Open Access revenue for the three months ended October 31, 2021 increased 28% as compared with the prior year. This was partially offset by a decline in traditional subscriptions revenue primarily attributable to new read and publish agreements and, to a lesser extent, the previously anticipated libraries and academic budget challenges as a result of COVID-19.
33



Adjusted EBITDA:

On a constant currency basis, Adjusted EBITDA increased 10% as compared with the prior year. This increase was primarily due to higher revenue, partially offset by higher editorial costs due to additional resources to support investments in growth, which includes the impact of the acquisition of Hindawi and, to a lesser extent, higher cost of sales.

 
Three Months Ended
October 31,
         
Constant
Currency
 
ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL LEARNING:
 
2021
   
2020
   
% Change
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
   
% Change
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
Revenue:
                       
Education Publishing (1)
 
$
98,581
   
$
102,428
     
(4
)%
   
(5
)%
Professional Learning
   
77,948
     
67,485
     
16
%
   
15
%
Total Academic & Professional Learning
   
176,529
     
169,913
     
4
%
   
3
%
                                 
Cost of Sales
   
45,842
     
45,115
     
(2
)%
   
(1
)%
Operating Expenses
   
86,473
     
89,138
     
3
%
   
4
%
Amortization of Intangible Assets
   
3,608
     
4,112
     
12
%
   
12
%
Restructuring (Credits) Charges (see Note 9)
   
(465
)
   
1,541
     
#
     
#
 
                                 
Contribution to Profit
   
41,071
     
30,007
     
37
%
   
36
%
Restructuring (Credits) Charges (see Note 9)
   
(465
)
   
1,541
     
#
     
#
 
Adjusted Contribution to Profit
   
40,606
     
31,548
     
29
%
   
28
%
Depreciation and amortization
   
18,148
     
17,720
     
(2
)%
   
(2
)%
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
58,754
   
$
49,268
     
19
%
   
18
%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
   
33.3
%
   
29.0
%
               

# Not meaningful

(1)
In May 2021, we moved the WileyNXT product offering from Academic & Professional Learning – Education Publishing to Education Services – Talent Development Services. As a result, the prior period results related to the WileyNXT product offering have been included in Education Services - Talent Development Services. The Revenue, Adjusted Contribution to Profit and Adjusted EBITDA for WileyNXT was $0.7 million, $(0.1) million, and $(0.1) million, respectively, for the three months ended October 31, 2020. There were no changes to our total consolidated financial results.

Revenue:

Academic & Professional Learning revenue increased $6.6 million, or 4%, as compared with the prior year on a reported basis. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased 3% as compared with the prior year. This increase was driven by strong recovery in Professional Learning from prior year COVID-19 lockdown impacts primarily due to a 24% increase in corporate training, and an increase in professional publishing compared with the prior year. This more than offset a 5% decline in Education Publishing due to softer US enrollment and some easing of the prior year COVID-19 related favorability in content and courseware. Print textbooks decreased 15% compared with the prior year.

Adjusted EBITDA:

On a constant currency basis, Adjusted EBITDA increased 18% as compared with the prior year. This increase was primarily due to higher revenues, and to a lesser extent, lower sales costs.
34



 
Three Months Ended
October 31,
         
Constant
Currency
 
EDUCATION SERVICES:
 
2021
   
2020
   
% Change
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
   
% Change
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
Revenue:
                       
University Services (1)
 
$
58,081
   
$
56,261
     
3
%
   
3
%
Talent Development Services (2)(3)
   
23,239
     
13,503
     
72
%
   
67
%
Total Education Services Revenue
   
81,320
     
69,764
     
17
%
   
15
%
                                 
Cost of Sales
   
55,241
     
40,725
     
(36
)%
   
(34
)%
Operating Expenses
   
19,157
     
16,630
     
(15
)%
   
(14
)%
Amortization of Intangible Assets
   
6,195
     
5,029
     
(23
)%
   
(23
)%
Restructuring Charges (see Note 9)
   
6
     
84
     
93
%
   
93
%
                                 
Contribution to Profit
   
721
     
7,296
     
(90
)%
   
(91
)%
Restructuring Charges (see Note 9)
   
6
     
84
     
93
%
   
93
%
Adjusted Contribution to Profit
   
727
     
7,380
     
(90
)%
   
(91
)%
Depreciation and amortization
   
8,813
     
7,210
     
(22
)%
   
(22
)%
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
9,540
   
$
14,590
     
(35
)%
   
(35
)%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
   
11.7
%
   
20.9
%
               

# Not meaningful

(1)
University Services was previously referred to as Education Services OPM.
(2)
Talent Development Services was previously referred to as mthree.
(3)
In May 2021, we moved the WileyNXT product offering from Academic & Professional Learning – Education Publishing to Education Services – Talent Development Services. As a result, the prior period results related to the WileyNXT product offering have been included in Education Services - Talent Development Services. The Revenue, Adjusted Contribution to Profit and Adjusted EBITDA for WileyNXT was $0.7 million, $(0.1) million, and $(0.1) million, respectively, for the three months ended October 31, 2020. There were no changes to our total consolidated financial results.

Revenue:

Education Services revenue increased $11.6 million, or 17%, as compared with the prior year on a reported basis. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased 15% as compared with the prior year. This was primarily due to an increase in placements in Talent Development Services and, to a lesser extent, higher student enrollment in University Services. For the three months ended October 31, 2021, University Services experienced a 3% increase in online enrollment and signed 14 new degree programs. For the three months ended October 31, 2021, we delivered approximately 130% growth in IT talent placements in Talent Development Services.

Adjusted EBITDA:

On a constant currency basis, Adjusted EBITDA decreased 35% as compared with the prior year. This was due to an increase in employee related costs due to increased investments to accelerate growth in Talent Development Services and, to a lesser extent, higher student acquisition costs in University Services, partially offset by higher revenue.

Education Services Partners and Programs:

As of October 31, 2021, Wiley had 65 full service university partners under contract. As of October 31, 2020, Wiley had 67 university partners under contract.

CORPORATE EXPENSES:

Corporate expenses for the three months ended October 31, 2021 increased $3.4 million, or 8%, as compared with the prior year. On a constant currency basis and excluding restructuring (credits) charges, these expenses increased 12% as compared with the prior year. This was primarily due to higher employee-related costs.
35



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – SIX MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2021

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Revenue:
Revenue for the six months ended October 31, 2021 increased $99.1 million, or 11%, as compared with the prior year. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased 9% as compared with the prior year including contributions from acquisitions. Excluding the inorganic contributions from acquisitions, revenue increased in each of our segments and 6% overall on a constant currency basis.

See the “Segment Operating Results” below for additional details on each segment’s revenue and Adjusted EBITDA performance.

Cost of Sales:

Cost of sales for the six months ended October 31, 2021 increased $41.1 million, or 14%, as compared with the prior year. On a constant currency basis, cost of sales increased 11% as compared with the prior year. This increase was primarily due to higher employee costs in our Education Services business and, to a lesser extent higher student acquisition costs in Education Services, and increased print product costs in Academic & Professional Learning.

Operating and Administrative Expenses:

Operating and administrative expenses for the six months ended October 31, 2021 increased $40.2 million, or 8%, as compared with the prior year. On a constant currency basis, operating and administrative expenses increased 6% as compared with the prior year primarily reflecting higher editorial costs due to additional resources to support investments in growth, advertising and marketing costs, and technology costs. These costs were partially offset by lower occupancy related costs.
Restructuring and Related (Credits) Charges:

For the six months ended October 31, 2021 and 2020, we recorded pretax restructuring credits of $1.6 million and charges of $4.3 million, respectively, related to our Business Optimization Program. These (credits) charges are reflected in Restructuring and related (credits) charges in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income. See Note 9, “Restructuring and Related (Credits) Charges” for more details on these charges.

For the impact of our restructuring program on diluted earnings per share, see the section below, “Diluted Earnings per Share (EPS).”

Amortization of Intangible Assets:

Amortization of intangible assets was $42.6 million for the six months ended October 31, 2021, an increase of $8.6 million, or 25%, as compared with the prior year. On a constant currency basis, amortization of intangible assets increased 23% as compared with the prior year primarily due to the intangible assets acquired as part of the Hindawi acquisition completed in fiscal year 2021. See Note 3, “Acquisitions” for more details on our acquisitions.

Operating Income, Adjusted Contribution to Profit (CTP) and Adjusted EBITDA:

Operating income for the six months ended October 31, 2021 increased $14.9 million, or 15%, as compared with the prior year. On a constant currency basis, operating income increased 15% as compared with the prior year, primarily due to the increase in revenue, partially offset by an increase in cost of sales, and operating and administrative expenses.

Adjusted CTP and Adjusted EBITDA on a constant currency basis and excluding restructuring (credits) charges, both increased 9%, as compared with the prior year. The increase in Adjusted CTP and Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to revenue performance described above, partially offset by an increase in cost of sales, and operating and administrative expenses. In addition, the increase in Adjusted CTP was partially offset by higher depreciation and amortization.
36



Adjusted CTP

Below is a reconciliation of our consolidated US GAAP Operating Income to Non-GAAP Adjusted CTP:

   
Six Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
 
US GAAP Operating Income
 
$
114,856
   
$
99,944
 
Adjustments:
               
Restructuring and related (credits) charges
   
(1,609
)
   
4,138
 
Non-GAAP Adjusted CTP
 
$
113,247
   
$
104,082
 

Adjusted EBITDA

Below is a reconciliation of our consolidated US GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

   
Six Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
 
Net Income
 
$
69,797
   
$
84,766
 
Interest expense
   
9,636
     
9,075
 
Provision for income taxes
   
44,820
     
13,481
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
109,121
     
97,937
 
Non-GAAP EBITDA
   
233,374
     
205,259
 
Restructuring and related (credits) charges
   
(1,609
)
   
4,138
 
Foreign exchange transaction losses
   
1,000
     
779
 
Gain on sale of certain assets
   
(3,694
)
   
 
Other income, net
   
(6,703
)
   
(8,157
)
Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
222,368
   
$
202,019
 

Interest Expense:

Interest expense for the six months ended October 31, 2021 was $9.6 million compared with the prior year of $9.1 million. This increase was due to a higher average debt balance outstanding, which included borrowings for the funding of acquisitions in fiscal year 2021, partially offset by a lower weighted average effective interest rate for the current fiscal year compared with the prior fiscal year.

Foreign Exchange Transaction Losses:

Foreign exchange transaction losses were $1.0 million for the six months ended October 31, 2021 and were primarily due to  losses on our foreign currency denominated third-party accounts receivable and payable balances due to the impact of the change in average foreign exchange rates as compared to the US dollar.

Foreign exchange transaction losses were $0.8 million for the six months ended October 31, 2020 and were primarily due to losses on foreign currency third-party receivable and payable balances, partially offset by gains on foreign currency denominated intercompany accounts receivable and payable balances due to the impact of the change in average foreign exchange rates as compared to the US dollar.

Gain on Sale of Certain Assets:

The gain on the sale of certain assets is due to the sale of our world languages product portfolio which was included in our Academic & Professional Learning segment and resulted in a pretax gain of approximately $3.7 million during the six months ended October 31, 2021.
37



Provision for Income Taxes:

Below is a reconciliation of our US GAAP Income Before Taxes to Non-GAAP Adjusted Income Before Taxes:

   
Six Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
 
US GAAP Income Before Taxes
 
$
114,617
   
$
98,247
 
Pretax Impact of Adjustments:
               
Restructuring and related (credits) charges
   
(1,609
)
   
4,138
 
Foreign exchange gains on intercompany transactions
   
(228
)
   
(1,338
)
Amortization of acquired intangible assets
   
44,892
     
36,530
 
Gain on sale of certain assets
   
(3,694
)
   
 
Non-GAAP Adjusted Income Before Taxes
 
$
153,978
   
$
137,577
 

Below is a reconciliation of our US GAAP Income Tax Provision to Non-GAAP Adjusted Income Tax Provision, including our US GAAP Effective Tax Rate and our Non-GAAP Adjusted Effective Tax Rate:

   
Six Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
 
US GAAP Income Tax Provision
 
$
44,820
   
$
13,481
 
Income Tax Impact of Adjustments (1):
               
Restructuring and related (credits) charges
   
(232
)
   
1,397
 
Foreign exchange losses (gains) on intercompany transactions
   
19
     
(490
)
Amortization of acquired intangible assets
   
10,263
     
8,633
 
Gain on sale of certain assets
   
(922
)
   
 
Income Tax Adjustments:
               
Impact of increase in UK statutory rate on deferred tax balances (2)
   
(20,726
)
   
(6,772
)
Impact of US CARES Act (3)
   
     
13,998
 
Non-GAAP Adjusted Income Tax Provision
 
$
33,222
   
$
30,247
 
                 
US GAAP Effective Tax Rate
   
39.1
%
   
13.7
%
Non-GAAP Adjusted Effective Tax Rate
   
21.6
%
   
22.0
%

(1)
For the six months ended October 31, 2021 and 2020, substantially all of the tax impact was from deferred taxes.
(2)
These adjustments impacted deferred taxes in the six months ended October 31, 2021 and 2020.
(3)
For the six months ended October 31, 2020, the tax impact was $8.4 million from current taxes and $5.6 million from deferred taxes.

The effective tax rate for the six months ended October 31, 2021 was 39.1%, compared with 13.7% for the six months ended October 31, 2020. The rate for the six months ended October 31, 2021, was greater than the US statutory rate due to an increase in the UK statutory rate, resulting in a noncash deferred tax expense from the re-measurement of our applicable UK net deferred tax liabilities. The 6-percentage point increase in the UK statutory rate during the six months ended October 31, 2021 was greater than the 2-percentage point increase during the six months ended October 31, 2020.  In addition, during the six months ended October 31, 2020, as a result of the CARES Act and certain regulations issued in late July 2020, we were able to carry back certain US NOL decreasing the rate for the six months ended October 31, 2020.
During the first three months of fiscal 2022, the UK enacted legislation that increased its statutory rate from 19% to 25% effective April 1, 2023, resulting in a $20.7 million non-cash deferred tax expense. During the first three months of fiscal 2021, the UK officially enacted legislation that increased its statutory rate from 17% to 19%, resulting in a $6.7 million non-cash deferred tax expense.

38



Diluted Earnings per Share (EPS):

EPS for the six months ended October 31, 2021 was $1.24 per share compared with $1.51 per share for the six months ended October 31, 2020. This decrease was due to a higher provision for income taxes driven by the CARES Act benefit of $0.25 per share in the six months ended October 31, 2020, partially offset by higher operating income and, to a lesser extent, the gain on sale of certain assets.

Below is a reconciliation of our US GAAP EPS to Non-GAAP Adjusted EPS. The amount of the pretax, and the related income tax impact for the adjustments included in the table below, are presented in the section above, “Provision for Income Taxes”.

 
Six Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
 
US GAAP EPS
 
$
1.24
   
$
1.51
 
Adjustments:
               
   Restructuring and related (credits) charges
   
(0.02
)
   
0.05
 
   Foreign exchange gains on intercompany transactions
   
     
(0.02
)
   Amortization of acquired intangible assets
   
0.60
     
0.50
 
   Gain on sale of certain assets
   
(0.05
)
   
 
   Income tax adjustments
   
0.37
     
(0.13
)
Non-GAAP Adjusted EPS
 
$
2.14
   
$
1.91
 

On a constant currency basis, Adjusted EPS increased 10% primarily due to an increase in Adjusted EBITDA, partially offset by a higher provision for income taxes.

SEGMENT OPERATING RESULTS

 
Six Months Ended
October 31,
         
Constant
Currency
 
RESEARCH PUBLISHING & PLATFORMS:
 
2021
   
2020
   
% Change
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
   
% Change
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
Revenue:
                       
Research Publishing
 
$
526,231
   
$
471,155
     
12
%
   
9
%
Research Platforms
   
23,679
     
20,989
     
13
%
   
13
%
Total Research Publishing & Platforms Revenue
   
549,910
     
492,144
     
12
%
   
10
%
                                 
Cost of Sales
   
146,332
     
134,716
     
(9
)%
   
(5
)%
Operating Expenses
   
223,924
     
198,266
     
(13
)%
   
(10
)%
Amortization of Intangible Assets
   
23,577
     
15,691
     
(50
)%
   
(46
)%
Restructuring Charges (Credits) (see Note 9)
   
238
     
(435
)
   
#
     
#
 
                                 
Contribution to Profit
   
155,839
     
143,906
     
8
%
   
9
%
Restructuring Charges (Credits) (see Note 9)
   
238
     
(435
)
   
#
     
#
 
Adjusted Contribution to Profit
   
156,077
     
143,471
     
9
%
   
9
%
Depreciation and amortization
   
47,226
     
39,466
     
(20
)%
   
(18
)%
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
203,303
   
$
182,937
     
11
%
   
11
%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
   
37.0
%
   
37.2
%
               

# Not meaningful
39



Revenue:

Research Publishing & Platforms revenue for the six months ended October 31, 2021 increased $57.8 million, or 12%, as compared with the prior year on a reported basis. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased 10% as compared with the prior year. Excluding revenue from acquisitions, organic revenue increased 4% on a constant currency basis. This increase was primarily due to continued growth in Open Access in Research Publishing due to Transitional Agreements (read and publish), sometimes referred to as Comprehensive Agreements, and, to a lesser extent, 25% increase in corporate solutions, and Research Platforms. Open Access revenue for the six months ended October 31, 2021 increased 41% as compared with the prior year. This was partially offset by a decline in traditional subscriptions revenue partially attributable to new read and publish agreements and, to a lesser extent, the previously anticipated libraries and academic budget challenges as a result of COVID-19.

Adjusted EBITDA:

On a constant currency basis, Adjusted EBITDA increased 11% as compared with the prior year. This increase was primarily due to higher revenue, partially offset by higher editorial costs due to additional resources to support investments in growth, which includes the impact of the acquisition of Hindawi and, to a lesser extent, higher cost of sales, technology, and sales related costs.

 
Six Months Ended
October 31,
         
Constant
Currency
 
ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL LEARNING:
 
2021
   
2020
   
% Change
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
   
% Change
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
Revenue:
                       
Education Publishing (1)
 
$
164,961
   
$
166,031
     
(1
)%
   
(3
)%
Professional Learning
   
150,832
     
130,314
     
16
%
   
14
%
Total Academic & Professional Learning
   
315,793
     
296,345
     
7
%
   
5
%
                                 
Cost of Sales
   
87,914
     
81,596
     
(8
)%
   
(6
)%
Operating Expenses
   
171,718
     
175,196
     
2
%
   
4
%
Amortization of Intangible Assets
   
7,232
     
8,250
     
12
%
   
13
%
Restructuring (Credits) Charges (see Note 9)
   
(294
)
   
1,574
     
#
     
#
 
                                 
Contribution to Profit
   
49,223
     
29,729
     
66
%
   
61
%
Restructuring (Credits) Charges (see Note 9)
   
(294
)
   
1,574
     
#
     
#
 
Adjusted Contribution to Profit
   
48,929
     
31,303
     
56
%
   
52
%
Depreciation and amortization
   
36,512
     
36,524
     
     
1
%
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
85,441
   
$
67,827
     
26
%
   
23
%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
   
27.1
%
   
22.9
%
               

# Not meaningful

(1)
In May 2021, we moved the WileyNXT product offering from Academic & Professional Learning – Education Publishing to Education Services – Talent Development Services. As a result, the prior period results related to the WileyNXT product offering have been included in Education Services – Talent Development Services. The Revenue, Adjusted Contribution to Profit and Adjusted EBITDA for WileyNXT was $1.2 million, $(0.2) million, and $(0.2) million, respectively, for the six months ended October 31, 2020. There were no changes to our total consolidated financial results.

Revenue:

Academic & Professional Learning revenue increased $19.4 million, or 7%, as compared with the prior year on a reported basis. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased 5% as compared with the prior year. This increase was primarily driven by strong recovery in Professional Learning from prior year COVID-19 lockdown impacts primarily due to a 34% increase in corporate training, and an increase in professional publishing compared with the prior year. This more than offset a 3% decline in Education Publishing due to softer US enrollment and some easing of prior year COVID-19 related favorability in content and courseware. Print textbooks decreased 8% compared with the prior year.

40



Adjusted EBITDA:

On a constant currency basis, Adjusted EBITDA increased 23% as compared with the prior year. This increase was due to higher revenues, and to a lesser extent, lower sales costs. This was partially offset by higher print product costs.

 
Six Months Ended
October 31,
         
Constant
Currency
 
EDUCATION SERVICES:
 
2021
   
2020
   
% Change
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
   
% Change
Favorable
(Unfavorable)
 
Revenue:
                       
University Services (1)
 
$
112,475
   
$
106,523
     
6
%
   
5
%
Talent Development Services (2)(3)
   
43,213
     
27,325
     
58
%
   
50
%
Total Education Services Revenue
   
155,688
     
133,848
     
16
%
   
14
%
                                 
Cost of Sales
   
106,493
     
83,349
     
(28
)%
   
(26
)%
Operating Expenses
   
38,512
     
32,408
     
(19
)%
   
(17
)%
Amortization of Intangible Assets
   
11,817
     
10,116
     
(17
)%
   
(16
)%
Restructuring (Credits) Charges (see Note 9)
   
(28
)
   
223
     
#
     
#
 
                                 
Contribution to Profit
   
(1,106
)
   
7,752
     
#
     
#
 
Restructuring (Credits) Charges (see Note 9)
   
(28
)
   
223
     
#
     
#
 
Adjusted Contribution to Profit
   
(1,134
)
   
7,975
     
#
     
#
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
17,116
     
14,489
     
(18
)%
   
(17
)%
Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
15,982
   
$
22,464
     
(29
)%
   
(30
)%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
   
10.3
%
   
16.8
%
               

# Not meaningful

(1)
University Services was previously referred to as Education Services OPM.
(2)
Talent Development Services was previously referred to as mthree.
(3)
In May 2021, we moved the WileyNXT product offering from Academic & Professional Learning – Education Publishing to Education Services – Talent Development Services. As a result, the prior period results related to the WileyNXT product offering have been included in Education Services – Talent Development Services. The Revenue, Adjusted Contribution to Profit and Adjusted EBITDA for WileyNXT was $1.2 million, $(0.2) million, and $(0.2) million, respectively, for the six months ended October 31, 2020. There were no changes to our total consolidated financial results.

Revenue:

Education Services revenue increased $21.8 million, or 16%, as compared with the prior year on a reported basis. On a constant currency basis, revenue increased 14% as compared with the prior year. This increase was primarily due to an increase in placements in Talent Development Services and, to a lesser extent, higher student enrollments in University Services. For the six months ended October 31, 2021, University Services experienced a 6% increase in online enrollment and signed 31 new degree programs. For the six months ended October 31, 2021, we delivered approximately 130% growth in IT talent placements in Talent Development Services.

Adjusted EBITDA:

On a constant currency basis, Adjusted EBITDA decreased 30% as compared with the prior year. This was due to an increase in employee related costs due to increased investments to accelerate growth in Talent Development Services and, to a lesser extent, higher student acquisition costs in University Services and sales related costs, partially offset by higher revenue.

CORPORATE EXPENSES:

Corporate expenses for the six months ended October 31, 2021 increased $7.7 million, or 9%, as compared with the prior year. On a constant currency basis and excluding restructuring (credits) charges, these expenses increased 14% as compared with the prior year. This was primarily due to higher employee-related costs.
41



FISCAL YEAR 2022 OUTLOOK:

Given performance through the six months ended October 31, 2021 and leading indicators, the Company is reaffirming its full year outlook. As previously disclosed, we have added the newly defined Adjusted EPS metric described below. Going forward, Wiley will discontinue reporting on the former Adjusted EPS metric.

Amounts in millions, except Adjusted EPS
Metric
Fiscal Year 2020
Actual
 
Fiscal Year 2021
Actual
 
Fiscal Year 2022
Outlook
Revenue
$1,831
 
$1,942
 
$2,070 to $2,100
Adjusted EBITDA
$356
 
$419
 
$415 to $435
Adjusted EPS - newly defined
$3.30
 
$4.00
 
$4.00 to $4.25
Free Cash Flow
$173
 
$257
 
$200 to $220

Revenue Outlook: Wiley expects consolidated revenue growth of mid-to-high single digits, to a range of $2.07 to $2.1 billion.
Adjusted EBITDA Outlook: Wiley expects a range between $415 and $435 million, with profit gains on higher revenue tempered by investments to accelerate growth initiatives.
Adjusted EPS Outlook (newly defined): Wiley expects a range between $4.00 to $4.25 reflecting investments, and a higher effective tax rate. Again, this is a reaffirmation of guidance but now excludes the non-cash amortization of acquired intangible assets totaling $1.20 per share.
Free Cash Flow Outlook: Wiley expects a range between $200 and $220 million. While cash earnings are again expected to be strong, we see certain headwinds compared to Fiscal Year 2021, including higher capital expenditures, higher net cash taxes due to the CARES Act related tax refund received in Fiscal Year 2021, and higher annual incentive compensation payments related to Fiscal Year 2021 outperformance, which were issued in the three months ended July 31, 2021.

Adjusted EPS Change:

Going forward, Wiley’s Adjusted EPS metric will exclude the impact of certain non-cash items directly related to acquisitions, most notably the amortization of acquired intangible assets. The Company does not consider these non-cash items to be indicative of its ongoing operating performance. The amortization of intangible assets is reflected in Amortization of intangible assets on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income. It also includes the amortization of acquired product development assets, which is reflected in Cost of sales in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income. For the three months ended October 31, 2021, under the new measurement, Adjusted EPS (excluding the impact of amortization of acquired intangible assets) was $1.29 compared to $1.25 in the three months ended October 31, 2020. For the six months ended October 31, 2021, under the new measurement, Adjusted EPS (excluding the impact of amortization of acquired intangible assets) was $2.14 compared to $1.91 in the six months ended October 31, 2020. See the reconciliation tables below for more information.

42



   
Three Months Ended
October 31,
   
Six Months Ended
October 31,
   
Fiscal Year
   
Fiscal Year
 
 
2021
   
2020
   
2021
   
2020
   
2021
   
2020
 
US GAAP Earnings (Loss) Per Share
 
$
0.99
   
$
1.22
   
$
1.24
   
$
1.51
   
$
2.63
   
$
(1.32
)
Adjustments:
                                               
Restructuring and related (credits) charges
   
(0.02
)
   
0.02
     
(0.02
)
   
0.05
     
0.44
     
0.43
 
Foreign exchange losses (gains) on intercompany transactions
   
0.01
     
0.01
     
     
(0.02
)
   
(0.02
)
   
0.02
 
Gain on sale of certain assets
   
     
     
(0.05
)
   
     
     
 
Income tax adjustments
   
     
(0.25
)
   
0.37
     
(0.13
)
   
(0.13
)
   
(0.03
)
Impairment of goodwill
   
     
     
     
     
     
1.94
 
Impairment of Blackwell trade name
   
     
     
     
     
     
1.31
 
Impairment of developed technology intangible
   
     
     
     
     
     
0.04
 
EPS impact of using weighted-average dilutive shares for adjusted EPS calculation (1)
   
     
     
     
     
     
0.01
 
Non-GAAP Adjusted EPS (Previously Reported)
 
$
0.98
   
$
1.00
   
$
1.54
   
$
1.41
   
$
2.92
   
$
2.40
 
Amortization of acquired intangible assets
   
0.31
     
0.25
     
0.60
     
0.50
     
1.08
     
0.90
 
Non-GAAP Adjusted EPS (Newly Defined)
 
$
1.29
   
$
1.25
   
$
2.14
   
$
1.91
   
$
4.00
   
$
3.30
 
                                                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
                                               
Diluted (shares in 000's) (1)
   
56,388
     
56,165
     
56,477
     
56,182
     
56,461
     
56,729
 

(1)
For Fiscal Year 2020, represents the impact of using diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (56.7 million shares for the year ended April 30, 2020) included in the Non-US GAAP Adjusted EPS calculation in order to apply the dilutive impact on adjusted net income due to the effect of unvested restricted stock units and other stock awards. This impact occurs when a US GAAP net loss is reported and the effect of using dilutive shares is antidilutive.

Below is a reconciliation of our US GAAP Income (Loss) Before Taxes to Non-GAAP Adjusted Income Before Taxes:

   
Three Months Ended
October 31,
   
Six Months Ended
October 31,
   
Fiscal Year
   
Fiscal Year
 
 
2021
   
2020
   
2021
   
2020
   
2021
   
2020
 
US GAAP Income (Loss) Before Taxes
 
$
70,615
   
$
68,513
   
$
114,617
   
$
98,247
   
$
175,912
   
$
(63,092
)
Pretax Impact of Adjustments:
                                               
Restructuring and related (credits) charges
   
(1,333
)
   
1,920
     
(1,609
)
   
4,138
     
33,310
     
32,607
 
Foreign exchange losses (gains) on intercompany transactions
   
567
     
231
     
(228
)
   
(1,338
)
   
(1,457
)
   
1,256
 
Loss (gain) on sale of certain assets
   
56
     
     
(3,694
)
   
     
     
 
Impairment of goodwill
   
     
     
     
     
     
110,000
 
Impairment of Blackwell trade name
   
     
     
     
     
     
89,507
 
Impairment of developed technology intangible
   
     
     
     
     
     
2,841
 
Non-GAAP Adjusted Income Before Taxes (Previously Reported)
 
$
69,905
   
$
70,664
   
$
109,086
   
$
101,047
   
$
207,765
   
$
173,119
 
Amortization of acquired intangible assets
   
22,608
     
18,381
     
44,892
     
36,530
     
79,421
     
68,269
 
Non-GAAP Adjusted Income Before Taxes (Newly Defined)
 
$
92,513
   
$
89,045
   
$
153,978
   
$
137,577
   
$
287,186
   
$
241,388
 

43



Below is a reconciliation of our US GAAP Income Tax Provision to Non-GAAP Adjusted Income Tax Provision, including our US GAAP Effective Tax Rate and our Non-GAAP Adjusted Effective Tax Rate:

   
Three Months Ended
October 31,
   
Six Months Ended
October 31,
   
Fiscal Year
   
Fiscal Year
 
 
2021
   
2020
   
2021
   
2020
   
2021
   
2020
 
US GAAP Income Tax Provision
 
$
14,648
   
$
81
   
$
44,820
   
$
13,481
   
$
27,656
   
$
11,195
 
Income Tax Impact of Adjustments (1):
                                               
Restructuring and related (credits) charges
   
(277
)
   
654
     
(232
)
   
1,397
     
8,065
     
7,949
 
Foreign exchange losses (gains) on intercompany transactions
   
120
     
122
     
19
     
(490
)
   
(363
)
   
242
 
Loss (gain) on sale of certain assets
   
14
     
     
(922
)
   
     
     
 
Impairment of Blackwell trade name
   
     
     
     
     
     
15,216
 
Impairment of developed technology intangible
   
     
     
     
     
     
686
 
Income Tax Adjustments:
                                               
Impact of increase in UK statutory rate on deferred tax balances (2)
   
     
(83
)
   
(20,726
)
   
(6,772
)
   
(3,511
)
   
 
Impact of US CARES Act (3)
   
     
13,998
     
     
13,998
     
13,998
     
 
Impact of change in certain US state tax rates in 2021 and tax rates in France in 2020 (2)
   
     
     
     
     
(3,225
)
   
1,887
 
Non-GAAP Adjusted Income Tax Provision (Previously Reported)
 
$
14,505
   
$
14,772
   
$
22,959
   
$
21,614
   
$
42,620
   
$
37,175
 
Amortization of acquired intangible assets (1)
   
5,420
     
4,335
     
10,263
     
8,633
     
18,511
     
16,820
 
Non-GAAP Adjusted Income Tax Provision (Newly Defined)
 
$
19,925
   
$
19,107
   
$
33,222
   
$
30,247
   
$
61,131
   
$
53,995
 
                                                 
US GAAP Effective Tax Rate
   
20.7
%
   
0.1
%
   
39.1
%
   
13.7
%
   
15.7
%
   
(17.7
)%
Non-GAAP Adjusted Effective Tax Rate (Previously Reported)
   
20.7
%
   
20.9
%
   
21.0
%
   
21.4
%
   
20.5
%
   
21.5
%
Non-GAAP Adjusted Effective Tax Rate (Newly Defined)
   
21.5
%
   
21.5
%
   
21.6
%
   
22.0
%
   
21.3
%
   
22.4
%

(1)
These adjustments substantially impacted deferred taxes.
(2)
These adjustments impacted deferred taxes.
(3)
The tax impact was $8.4 million from current taxes and $5.6 million from deferred taxes.

Below is a reconciliation of our consolidated US GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended April 30, 2021:

   
Fiscal Year
 
   
2021
 
Net Income
 
$
148,256
 
Interest expense
   
18,383
 
Provision for income taxes
   
27,656
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
200,189
 
Non-GAAP EBITDA
   
394,484
 
Restructuring and related charges
   
33,310
 
Foreign exchange transaction losses
   
7,977
 
Other income, net
   
(16,761
)
Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
419,010
 

44



Below are the details of Free Cash Flow Less Product Development Spending for the year ended April 30, 2021:

   
Fiscal Year
 
   
2021
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
359,923
 
Less: Additions to technology, property and equipment
   
(77,407
)
Less: Product development spending
   
(25,954
)
Free cash flow less product development spending
 
$
256,562
 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Principal Sources of Liquidity

We believe that our operating cash flow, together with our revolving credit facilities and other available debt financing, will be adequate to meet our operating, investing and financing needs in the foreseeable future. There can be no assurance that continued or increased volatility in the global capital and credit markets will not impair our ability to access these markets on terms commercially acceptable in the future. In addition, our liquidity could be adversely impacted by COVID-19 due to the continued impact on our customers, including cash collections. We do not have any off-balance-sheet debt. We will continue to pursue attractive opportunities to add scale and provide enhanced tech-enabled services in research and online education.

As of October 31, 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents of $100.9 million, of which approximately $95.6 million, or 95%, was located outside the US. Maintenance of these cash and cash equivalent balances outside the US does not have a material impact on the liquidity or capital resources of our operations. Notwithstanding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the Tax Act), which generally eliminated federal income tax on future cash repatriation to the US, cash repatriation may be subject to state and local taxes or withholding or similar taxes. Since April 30, 2018, we no longer intend to permanently reinvest earnings outside the US. We have a $2.5 million liability related to the estimated taxes that would be incurred upon repatriating certain non-US earnings.

On May 30, 2019, we entered into a credit agreement that amended and restated our existing revolving credit agreement (Amended and Restated RCA). The Amended and Restated RCA provides for senior unsecured credit facilities comprised of a (i) five-year revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount up to $1.25 billion, and (ii) a five-year term loan A facility consisting of $250 million. The agreement contains certain customary affirmative and negative covenants, including a financial covenant in the form of a consolidated net leverage ratio and consolidated interest coverage ratio.

As of October 31, 2021, we had approximately $1,045.0 million of debt outstanding, net of unamortized issuance costs of $0.4 million, and approximately $435.3 million of unused borrowing capacity under our Amended and Restated RCA and other facilities. Our Amended and Restated RCA contains certain restrictive covenants related to our consolidated leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio, which we were in compliance with as of October 31, 2021.

Analysis of Historical Cash Flows

The following table shows the changes in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended October 31, 2021 and 2020.
 
Six Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
 
Net cash used in operating activities
 
$
(75,622
)
 
$
(76,622
)
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(62,571
)
   
(61,679
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
147,046
     
18,599
 
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
 
$
(1,742
)
 
$
3,301
 

Cash flow from operations is seasonally a use of cash in the first half of Wiley’s fiscal year principally due to the timing of collections for annual journal subscriptions, which typically occurs in the beginning of the second half of our fiscal year.

Free cash flow less product development spending helps assess our ability, over the long term, to create value for our shareholders, as it represents cash available to repay debt, pay common dividends, and fund share repurchases, and acquisitions. Below are the details of Free cash flow less product development spending.

45



Free Cash Flow less Product Development Spending:
 
 
Six Months Ended
October 31,
 
   
2021
   
2020
 
Net cash used in operating activities
 
$
(75,622
)
 
$
(76,622
)
Less: Additions to technology, property and equipment
   
(37,676
)
   
(36,430
)
Less: Product development spending
   
(13,001
)
   
(10,999
)
Free cash flow less product development spending
 
$
(126,299
)
 
$
(124,051
)

Net Cash Used In Operating Activities

The following is a summary of the $1.0 million change in Net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended October 31, 2021 as compared with the six months ended October 31, 2020 (amounts in millions).

Net cash used in operating activities – Six months ended October 31, 2020
 
$
(76.6
)
Net income adjusted for items to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities, which would include such noncash items as, depreciation and amortization, and the change in deferred taxes
   
0.9
 
Working capital changes:
   
 
Accounts receivable, net and contract liabilities
   
(44.2
)
Accounts payable, accrued royalties and other accrued liabilities
   
(8.2
)
Income taxes
   
38.5
 
Other working capital items
   
14.0
 
Net cash used in operating activities – Six months ended October 31, 2021
 
$
(75.6
)

The change in accounts receivable, net and contract liabilities was primarily due to sales growth, and the timing of billings to customers.

The change in income taxes was due to lower international tax payments primarily due to overpayments in prior years, and to a lesser extent, timing in the six months ended October 31, 2021. In addition, in the three months ended October 31, 2020, we recorded a receivable in connection with the impact of the CARES Act, see Note 13, “Income taxes” which was received in February 2021.

The change in other working capital items noted in the table above was primarily due to a decrease in restructuring payments.

Our negative working capital (current assets less current liabilities) was $144.0 million and $462.7 million as of October 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, respectively. This $318.7 million change in negative working capital was primarily due to the seasonality of our business. The primary driver of the negative working capital is the benefit realized from unearned contract liabilities related to subscriptions for which cash has been collected in advance. The contract liabilities will be recognized as income when the products are shipped or made available online to the customers over the term of the subscription. Current liabilities as of October 31, 2021 and as of April 30, 2021 includes $267.9 million and $545.4 million, respectively, primarily related to deferred subscription revenue for which cash was collected in advance.

Cash collected in advance for subscriptions is used by us for a number of purposes including funding: operations, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt repayments, dividend payments, and share repurchases. Many of our customers have been adversely impacted by COVID-19, and we expect some continued delays in payments due to widespread disruption and pervasive cash conservation behaviors in the face of uncertainty. We have recorded provisions for bad debt where appropriate.

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended October 31, 2021 was $62.6 million compared to $61.7 million in the prior year. The increase in cash used in investing activities was due to an increase of $13.4 million in cash used to acquire businesses, which primarily included the acquisition of J&J, and an increase in product development spending of $2.0 million. This was partially offset by a decrease of $13.6 million for the acquisition of publication rights and other activities, and cash proceeds of $3.4 million in the six months ended October 31, 2021 due to the sale of our world language product portfolio as described above. 
46



Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $147.0 million for the six months ended October 31, 2021 compared to $18.6 million for the six months ended October 31, 2020. This increase in cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to an increase in net borrowings of long-term debt of $167.9 million, partially offset by an increase in cash used from book overdrafts of $18.0 million, and $17.4 million of cash used for purchases of treasury shares in the six months ended October 31, 2021.

Dividends and Share Repurchases

In June 2021, Wiley increased its quarterly dividend to shareholders to $1.38 per share annualized versus $1.37 per share annualized.

The following table summarizes the shares repurchased of Class A and Class B Common Stock for the six months ended October 31, 2021 (shares in thousands):

   
Six Months Ended
October 31, 2021
 
Shares repurchased – Class A
   
312
 
Shares repurchased – Class B
   
1
 
Average price – Class A and Class B
 
$
55.51
 

There were no share repurchases during the six months ended October 31, 2020.
47



ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to market risk primarily related to interest rates, foreign exchange, and credit risk. It is our policy to monitor these exposures and to use derivative financial investments and/or insurance contracts from time to time to reduce fluctuations in earnings and cash flows when it is deemed appropriate to do so. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Interest Rates

From time to time, we may use interest rate swaps, collars, or options to manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. It is management’s intention that the notional amount of interest rate swaps be less than the variable rate loans outstanding during the life of the derivatives.

The information set forth in Note 16, "Derivatives Instruments and Hedging Activities," of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements under the caption "Interest Rate Contracts," is incorporated herein by reference.

On an annual basis, a hypothetical one percent change in interest rates for the $645.4 million of unhedged variable rate debt as of October 31, 2021 would affect net income and cash flow by approximately $5.1 million.

Foreign Exchange Rates

Fluctuations in the currencies of countries where we operate outside the US may have a significant impact on financial results. We are primarily exposed to movements in British pound sterling, euros, Canadian and Australian dollars, and certain currencies in Asia. The statements of financial position of non-US business units are translated into US dollars using period-end exchange rates for assets and liabilities and the statements of income are translated into US dollars using weighted-average exchange rates for revenues and expenses.

Our significant investments in non-US businesses are exposed to foreign currency risk. Adjustments resulting from translating assets and liabilities are reported as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax within Shareholders’ Equity under the caption Foreign currency translation adjustment. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2021, we recorded foreign currency translation losses in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax of approximately $9.5 million and $15.4 million, respectively, primarily as a result of the fluctuations of the US dollar relative to the euro and, to a lesser extent the British pound sterling. During the three and six months ended October 31, 2020, we recorded foreign currency translation (losses) gains in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax of approximately $(11.6) million and $35.2 million, respectively, primarily as a result of the fluctuations of the US dollar relative to the British pound sterling, and to a lesser extent the euro.

Exchange rate gains or losses related to foreign currency transactions are recognized as transaction gains or losses on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income as incurred. Under certain circumstances, we may enter into derivative financial instruments in the form of foreign currency forward contracts to hedge against specific transactions, including intercompany purchases and loans.

The information set forth in Note 16, "Derivatives Instruments and Hedging Activities," of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements under the caption "Foreign Currency Contracts," is incorporated herein by reference.

Sales Return Reserves

The estimated allowance for print book sales returns is based upon historical return patterns, as well as current market trends in the businesses in which we operate, including the impact of COVID-19. In connection with the estimated sales return reserves, we also include a related increase to inventory and a reduction to accrued royalties as a result of the expected returns.

The reserves are reflected in the following accounts of our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position:

 
October 31, 2021
   
April 30, 2021
 
Increase in Inventories, net
 
$
10,991
   
$
10,886
 
Decrease in Accrued royalties
 
$
(5,426
)
 
$
(4,949
)
Increase in Contract liabilities
 
$
42,309
   
$
38,034
 
Print book sales return reserve net liability balance
 
$
(25,892
)
 
$
(22,199
)
48



A one percent change in the estimated sales return rate could affect net income by approximately $1.1 million. A change in the pattern or trends in returns could affect the estimated allowance.

Customer Credit Risk

In the journal publishing business, subscriptions are primarily sourced through journal subscription agents who, acting as agents for library customers, facilitate ordering by consolidating the subscription orders/billings of each subscriber with various publishers. Cash is generally collected in advance from subscribers by the subscription agents and is principally remitted to us between the months of December and April. Although currently we have minimal credit risk exposure to these agents, future calendar-year subscription receipts from these agents are highly dependent on their financial condition and liquidity. Subscription agents account for approximately 20% of total annual consolidated revenue, and no one affiliated group of subscription agents accounts for more than 10% of total annual consolidated revenue.

Our book business is not dependent upon a single customer; however, the industry is concentrated in national, regional, and online bookstore chains. No single book customer accounts for more than 8% of total consolidated revenue and more than 16% of accounts receivable at October 31, 2021. The top 10 book customers account for approximately 13% of total consolidated revenue and approximately 29% of accounts receivable at October 31, 2021.

Many of our customers have been adversely impacted by COVID-19, and we expect some continued delays in payments due to widespread disruption and pervasive cash conservation behaviors in the face of uncertainty.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, together with the Chief Accounting Officer and other members of the Company's management, have conducted an evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting: During the three months ended October 31, 2021, we closed on the acquisition of J&J Editorial Services, LLC (J&J). We excluded J&J from the scope of management’s report on internal control over financial reporting for the six months ended October 31, 2021. During fiscal year 2021, we closed on the acquisition of Hindawi. We excluded Hindawi from the scope of management’s report on internal control over financial reporting for the year ended April 30, 2021. We are in the process of integrating J&J and Hindawi to our overall internal control over financial reporting and will include them in scope for the year ending April 30, 2022. This process may result in additions or changes to our internal control over financial reporting.

We continue to implement additional functionality and enhancements to our previously disclosed global ERP implementation. As with any new information system we implement, this application, along with the internal controls over financial reporting included in this process, will require testing for effectiveness. In connection with this ERP implementation, we are updating our internal controls over financial reporting, as necessary, to accommodate modifications to our business processes and accounting procedures. We do not believe that the ERP implementation will have an adverse effect on our internal control over financial reporting.

Except as described above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended October 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There have been no significant developments related to legal proceedings during the three months ended October 31, 2021. For information regarding legal proceedings, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021 Note 16, “Commitment and Contingencies”.
49



ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

See Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021. Except as required by the federal securities law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any risk factor, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

During the three months ended October 31, 2021, we made the following purchases of Class A and Class B Common Stock under our publicly announced stock repurchase programs:
   
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
   
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
   
Total Number
of Shares Purchased
as part of a Publicly
Announced Program
   
Maximum Number
of Shares that May
be Purchased
Under the Program
   
Maximum Dollar
Value of Shares
that May be Purchased
Under Additional Plans or Programs
(Dollars in millions)
 
August 2021
   
   
$
     
     
367,684
   
$
200
 
September 2021
   
121,270
     
55.61
     
121,270
     
246,414
     
200
 
October 2021
   
62,086
     
52.44
     
62,086
     
184,328
     
200
 
Total
   
183,356
   
$
54.54
     
183,356
     
184,328
   
$
200
 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Material Contracts
Employment Agreement dated August 7, 2020 between Todd Zipper, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Education Services and the Company.
   
10.2
   
Certifications Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
Certifications Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
Inline XBRL
101.INS*
Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
101.SCH*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

*          Filed herewith
50




SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

   
JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC.
 
   
Registrant
 
       
       
       
       
 
By
/s/ Brian A. Napack
 
   
Brian A. Napack
 
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
       
       
       
 
By
/s/ Christina Van Tassell
 
   
Christina Van Tassell
 
   
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
       
       
 
By
/s/ Christopher F. Caridi
 
   
Christopher F. Caridi
 
   
Senior Vice President, Global Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
 
       
       
       
   
Dated: December 8, 2021
 


51
Index