John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (WLY) Stock Analysis

Why this analysis is different

• A sector-relative MoonshotScore — five pillars (business quality, financial safety, valuation, growth durability, momentum) re-ranked nightly against the full universe of US-listed common stocks.
• An AI Council read across up to eight perspectives — value, macro, quantitative, and momentum lenses — that shows where they disagree instead of averaging the tension away.
• Figures come straight from FMP and Yahoo Finance filings data. The AI writes the narrative around the numbers — it never edits the numbers.

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (WLY) Media & Communications Profile

John Wiley & Sons, Inc., founded in 1807, is a global knowledge company focused on research, education, and professional learning. Operating through three segments, WLY delivers content, platforms, and services to researchers, learners, and institutions worldwide, maintaining a strong presence in academic publishing and education services.

What Is the Investment Thesis for WLY?

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. presents a stable investment opportunity within the communication services sector, underpinned by its established position in academic publishing and education services. With a P/E ratio of 12.53 and a dividend yield of 3.43%, WLY offers a blend of value and income. The company's diversified revenue streams across its three segments—Research Publishing & Platforms, Academic & Professional Learning, and Education Services—mitigate risk. Growth catalysts include the increasing demand for online learning and the expansion of research output globally. However, potential risks include competition from digital-first educational platforms and the cyclical nature of academic spending. Investors should monitor WLY's ability to adapt to evolving educational technologies and maintain its market share in core publishing segments.

Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis

WLY Key Highlights

Market Cap of $2.48B reflects WLY's established position in the publishing industry.

• P/E ratio of 12.53 indicates a potentially undervalued stock compared to industry peers.
• Profit Margin of 9.2% demonstrates solid profitability in a competitive market.
• Gross Margin of 71.0% highlights WLY's ability to maintain high margins through its content and services.
• Dividend Yield of 3.43% provides a steady income stream for investors.

Who Are WLY's Competitors?

WLY is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.

AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance

What Are WLY's Key Strengths?

Strong brand reputation in academic publishing.

• Diversified revenue streams across multiple segments.
• Extensive library of scholarly content.
• Established relationships with academic institutions.

What Are WLY's Weaknesses?

Exposure to cyclical academic spending.

• Competition from digital-first educational platforms.
• Potential disruption from open access initiatives.
• Dependence on traditional publishing models.

What Could Drive WLY Stock Higher?

Continued growth in online education driving demand for Wiley's OPM services.

• Increasing research output globally boosting Wiley's Research Publishing & Platforms segment.
• Potential acquisitions of complementary businesses to expand product portfolio.
• Strategic partnerships with universities and institutions to enhance content offerings.

What Are the Key Risks for WLY?

Economic downturns impacting academic budgets and research funding.

• Increasing competition from digital education providers and open access initiatives.
• Technological disruptions in the publishing industry.
• Dependence on traditional publishing models and slow adoption of new technologies.

What Are the Growth Opportunities for WLY?

• Expansion of Online Program Management (OPM) Services: Wiley's Education Services segment can capitalize on the growing demand for online education by expanding its OPM services for higher education institutions.
• Growth in Research Publishing & Platforms: The increasing volume of research output globally presents an opportunity for Wiley to expand its Research Publishing & Platforms segment. By investing in its Literatum platform and acquiring new journals, Wiley can attract more researchers and institutions, driving revenue growth in this segment. The global scientific publishing market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4% over the next five years.
• Development of Digital Courseware: Wiley can further penetrate the academic market by developing innovative digital courseware solutions. By integrating interactive content, assessment tools, and personalized learning features, Wiley can enhance the learning experience for students and improve outcomes. The digital courseware market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by the increasing adoption of technology in education.
• Strategic Acquisitions: Wiley can pursue strategic acquisitions to expand its product portfolio and geographic reach. By acquiring companies with complementary capabilities, Wiley can strengthen its competitive position and accelerate growth in key markets. Potential acquisition targets include EdTech startups, specialized publishers, and learning analytics providers.
• Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI): Integrating AI into Wiley's products and services can enhance efficiency, personalize learning experiences, and improve content discovery. By leveraging AI-powered tools, Wiley can automate content creation, personalize learning pathways, and provide data-driven insights to researchers and educators. The application of AI in education is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.

What Are WLY's Competitive Advantages?

• Established brand reputation and long-standing relationships with academic institutions.
• Extensive library of scholarly content and educational resources.
• Proprietary technology platforms, such as the Literatum platform, provide a competitive edge.
• Diversified revenue streams across multiple segments and geographic regions.

What Does WLY Do?

Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has evolved from a small printing shop in Manhattan to a global leader in research and education. The company operates through three primary segments: Research Publishing & Platforms, Academic & Professional Learning, and Education Services. The Research Publishing & Platforms segment provides scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, catering to learned societies, researchers, and academic institutions. This segment also offers the Literatum platform, a publishing software and service. The Academic & Professional Learning segment focuses on education publishing and professional learning products, including print and digital books, courseware, and test preparation services. These resources are distributed through various channels, including bookstores, libraries, and online platforms. The Education Services segment provides online program management services for higher education institutions and talent development services for professionals and businesses. Headquartered in Hoboken, New Jersey, Wiley serves a global audience, maintaining a strong presence in academic publishing and education services. With a history spanning over two centuries, Wiley has adapted to the changing landscape of information dissemination, solidifying its position as a key player in the knowledge economy.

What Products and Services Does WLY Offer?

• Publishes scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals.
• Provides education publishing and professional learning products.
• Offers online program management services for higher education institutions.
• Delivers talent development services for professionals and businesses.
• Provides digital courseware and test preparation services.
• Offers a publishing software and service for scholarly and professional societies through the Literatum platform.
• Distributes content through various channels, including libraries, bookstores, and online platforms.

How Does WLY Make Money?

• Generates revenue through subscriptions to its journals and online platforms.
• Sells print and digital books, courseware, and test preparation materials.
• Provides online program management services to universities and colleges.
• Offers talent development and training services to businesses and professionals.

What Industry Does WLY Operate In?

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. operates in the publishing industry, which is undergoing a digital transformation. The market is characterized by a shift towards online learning platforms and digital content delivery. Wiley competes with traditional publishers and emerging EdTech companies. The company's focus on research publishing and education services positions it to capitalize on the increasing demand for scholarly content and professional development resources. The industry is also influenced by open access initiatives and the growing importance of data analytics in education.

Who Are WLY's Key Customers?

• Researchers and scientists in academic and corporate settings.
• Students and educators at colleges and universities.
• Professionals seeking continuing education and career development.
• Corporations and government agencies requiring training and development solutions.

Company Profile

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. operates in the Publishing industry within the Communication Services sector. It is headquartered in Hoboken, US. The company is led by CEO Matthew S. Kissner. WLY has traded publicly since 1972.

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Financial Trajectory

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (WLY) reported $386.4M in revenue for Q1 FY2027, a decline of 13.7% compared to the prior quarter. The company recorded a net loss of $11.7M, with diluted EPS of $-0.23. Quarter-over-quarter revenue has been mixed, typical for a mid-cap company operating in Communication Services. Across the four most recent quarters, WLY averaged $0.93 in diluted EPS.

How John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Is Valued

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. carries a market capitalization of $2.48B, placing it in the mid-cap category. Relative to its peer group, WLY's quantitative score of 73/100 is roughly in line with the peer average of 71/100.

Return on equity for John Wiley & Sons, Inc. stands at 25.3%, a gauge of how efficiently it converts shareholder capital into profit. Return on assets is 6.3%, showing how much profit it generates from its asset base. WLY trades at a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 12.53, below the Communication Services sector average of ~17.60x. Its free cash flow yield is 8.5%, a gauge of the cash the business throws off relative to its market value. A current ratio of 0.64 means current liabilities exceed short-term assets, a liquidity point worth watching. Its earnings yield is 8.2%, the inverse of the P/E and a quick read on earnings relative to price.

John Wiley & Sons, Inc.'s Piotroski F-Score is 6/9, a 9-point checklist of profitability, leverage and efficiency — a middling fundamental profile. Its Altman Z-Score of 2.08 places it in the grey zone, a middle ground that warrants monitoring.

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has beaten Wall Street's EPS estimate in 7 of its last 8 reported quarters — a consistent record of delivering on expectations. Reported results have landed about 7.3% above estimates on average.

Over the past six months, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. insiders filed 98 SEC Form 4 transactions — 39 sales and 59 purchases. On net that is roughly 304K shares acquired (about $997K) — insiders putting money in tends to read as conviction.

WLY Financials

WLY Latest News

WLY Analyst Consensus

WLY MoonshotScore

Common Questions About WLY (Communication Services)

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.

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