Business News

John Wiley & Sons Announces Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2011 Results

Friday 10. December 2010 - Second Quarter Revenue growth of 1% excluding FX (-1% including FX) Revenue change by segment excluding FX: STMS +3%, P/T -6%, HE +8%

Adjusted EPS growth of 3% excluding FX (-4% including FX), adjusted to exclude prior year impairment charge
EPS growth of 22% excluding FX (+13% including FX)
First Half
Revenue up 5% excluding FX (+2% including FX)
Adjusted EPS growth of 20% excluding FX (+17% including FX), adjusted to exclude prior year impairment charge
Outlook
Reiterating full-year outlook of mid-single-digit revenue growth excluding FX
Excluding the first quarter deferred tax benefit and FX, forecasting fiscal year 2011 EPS growth of approximately 10% from fiscal year 2010 adjusted EPS of $2.58
Change
$ millions FY11 FY10 Excluding FX Including FX
Revenue:
Q2 $442 $448 1% (1%)
6 Months $850 $836 5% 2%
Adjusted EPS:
Q2 0.88 0.92 3% (4%)
6 Months 1.60* 1.37 20% 17%
Reported EPS
Q2 0.88 0.78** 22% 13%
6 Months 1.60* 1.24** 33% 29%
* Includes a $0.07 per share deferred income tax benefit in the first quarter of FY11 due to a 1% reduction in the UK statutory corporate income tax rate.
** Includes a $0.14 per share impairment charge related to GIT Verlag.
Note: For comparability to our full year guidance, six month EPS excluding the negative effect of FX, the $0.07 per share first quarter UK statutory tax benefit and the prior year $0.14 per share impairment charge related to GIT Verlag grew 15%.
For the second quarter, revenue declined 1% from prior year to $442 million, but grew 1% excluding foreign exchange. Growth in Higher Education (HE) and Scientific, Technical, Medical and Scholarly (STMS) offset a soft second quarter in Professional/Trade (P/T). Revenue for the six months increased 2% to $850 million, or 5% excluding foreign exchange.
Operating income in the quarter rose 3% over prior year to $78 million, or 12% excluding foreign exchange. Prior year operating income included an asset impairment charge of approximately $11 million, $0.14 per share, related to GIT Verlag. Excluding the prior year charge, operating income declined 10%, or 3% excluding foreign exchange, due to top-line results and increased investment in digital products and support systems to support future business growth. On the same basis, operating income for the six months slipped 1%, but rose 9% excluding foreign exchange.
Adjusted to exclude last year’s impairment charge and foreign exchange, earnings per share (EPS) rose 3% in the quarter to $0.88, but declined 4% including foreign exchange. On a year-to-date basis, adjusted to exclude the impairment charge, EPS increased 17%, or 20% excluding foreign exchange. Top-line results, lower interest expense and a lower effective tax rate were partially offset by higher technology investments. These results are consistent with our expectations.
Management Commentary
“Despite continued softness in some of our markets, Wiley continues to drive growth in revenue and earnings on a performance basis,” said William J. Pesce, President and CEO. “STMS exhibited modest top-line growth, excluding the unfavorable effect of currency. We continue to build successful relationships with current society partners, while adding new ones. Wiley Online Library has already become one of the most visited academic websites in the world. While it is still early in the calendar year 2011 journal subscription renewal process, we are pleased to be ahead of where we were at the same time last year.”
Mr. Pesce continued: “After a strong first quarter, Professional/Trade, particularly in the consumer product line, had a soft quarter compared with a strong second quarter last year. Low traffic and sell-through at some retail accounts contributed to these results. eBook sales continue to grow, more than doubling over prior year in the quarter and for the six-months.”
“Higher Education maintained its momentum with solid growth in high margin products, including WileyPLUS, eBooks and digital sales to institutions,” said Mr. Pesce. “Higher Education’s gross margin continued its upward trend, increasing to 68.3% in the first half of the year, up from 66.9% a year ago.”
Outlook
Mr. Pesce concluded: “Based on year-to-date results, market conditions and leading indicators, we reiterate our fiscal year 2011 guidance of mid-single-digit revenue growth on a currency neutral basis. Excluding the effect of foreign exchange and the first quarter deferred tax benefit, we continue to project EPS growth of approximately 10% from fiscal year 2010 adjusted EPS of $2.58. For comparative purposes, the full year weighted average foreign exchange rates reflected in Wiley’s income statement for fiscal year 2010 were approximately 1.60 Sterling and 1.40 Euro.”
Foreign Exchange
The foregoing and following references to “currency neutral basis”, “excluding foreign exchange” and “performance basis” exclude the effect of foreign exchange transactions and translations.
SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL, MEDICAL AND SCHOLARLY (STMS)
Second quarter revenue +3% excluding FX, +5% YTD
Second quarter contribution to profit +3% excluding FX and a prior year impairment charge, +6% YTD
Journal license subscription renewals proceeding as expected; total billings for calendar year 2011 moderately ahead of prior year
Signed publishing contracts in the quarter for 10 new society journals; renewed or extended 10 existing journal publishing contracts
Wiley Online Library now the second most-visited academic website in the world
STMS revenue for the quarter was down 2% to $245 million, but rose 3% excluding foreign exchange. Higher journal revenue from production scheduling, moderate price increases, new business and increased advertising was partially offset by lower journal reprint sales. Book revenue excluding foreign exchange showed moderate growth in the quarter, reflecting higher online book sales and lower sales returns.
Direct contribution to profit declined 4% to $103 million, but increased 3% excluding foreign exchange and an $11 million impairment charge in the prior year related to GIT Verlag. Top-line growth drove the results. Including the impairment charge, direct contribution to profit for the quarter grew 16% excluding foreign exchange.
For the six months, STMS revenue was down 1% to $474 million, but increased 5% excluding foreign exchange. Excluding the prior year impairment charge, direct contribution to profit decreased 2% to $197 million, but increased 6% excluding foreign exchange. Top-line performance by journals and books drove the results.
Wiley Online Library
Wiley Online Library, the Company’s new online research platform launched on August 9. The transition from Wiley InterScience to Wiley Online Library has already resulted in a significant increase over prior year in the number of visits and downloads. It has become the second most visited academic website in the world. Other highlights:
Wiley Online Library is among the top 1500 most popular websites around the world (Alexa Rankings)
Access to full text HTML in September 2010 increased by 56% over prior year
Access to full text PDFs in September 2010 increased by 15% over prior year
Society Activity
10 new society journals signed in the quarter; 23 during the six months
10 renewals/extensions in the quarter; 25 during the six months
1 journal not renewed in the quarter; 2 not renewed through the first half
Key New Contracts
Three journals (Journal of Wildlife Management, Wildlife Monographs and the forthcoming re-launch of the Wildlife Society Bulletin) on behalf of The Wildlife Society
Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health with the American College of Nurse Midwives
International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders on behalf of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, providing Wiley with a strong foundation in the field, opening opportunities to add content and relationships
International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology for the American Rhinologic Society and the American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy
Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry on behalf of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
European Management Review with the European Academy of Management
Structural Concrete with the International Federation for Structural Concrete
Nobel Laureates
Wiley and its acquired companies have published the works of more than 400 Nobel laureates in all categories: Literature, Economics, Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry and Peace. The latest Nobel Prize winners with Wiley connections were announced in October and November:
The Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded in the area of solid state physics to Wiley authors Andre Geim and Kostya Novoselov for ground breaking experiments on the two-dimensional carbon material graphene
Nobel Prize winners for Chemistry, Ei-Ichi Negishi and Richard Heck, are respectively Editor of our Handbook of Organopalladium Chemistry for Organic Synthesis and Advisory Board member and chapter author for our Organic Reactions book series
Alliances
In October, Wiley announced the launch of a pilot program to provide a portfolio of biotechnology journals through DeepDyve, the largest online rental service for scientific and scholarly research articles. DeepDyve targets knowledge workers who do not have access to content via an institutional library. The pilot will feature 26 journals with content dating back to 1912, including the Journal of Pharmaceutical Science, American Journal of Medical Genetics, Biotechnology and Bioengineering and Cell Proliferation.
Emergency Access
Wiley has enabled free access to all health sciences journals for health workers in Pakistan in support of the relief effort following the recent floods. The initiative, part of the Emergency Access Initiative (EAI) from the National Library of Medicine, allows immediate online access for a set period following an incident. In early 2010, Wiley participated in the EAI effort in Haiti.
Journal Impact
Thomson ISI, a leading evaluator of journal influence and impact, recently updated its Impact Factor data from the 2009 Journal Citation Reports, which were originally posted in June of 2010.
PROFESSIONAL/TRADE (P/T)
Second quarter revenue down 6% excluding FX, +2% YTD
Second quarter contribution to profit down 16% excluding FX, flat YTD
Consumer and technology categories impacted by strong front list in the prior year and low sell-through in the US
Second quarter sales in EMEA markets up 16% excluding FX, 24% YTD
Market share maintained or increased across categories
Six-month eBook revenue more than doubled over prior year to $10 million
Second quarter P/T revenue fell 6% to $113 million, both on a reported and currency neutral basis. The decline was attributed to softness in the consumer and technology categories, a strong prior year front list and a weak retail market in the US. Growth was strong in EMEA, while Asia-Pacific was flat with prior year.
Direct contribution to profit fell 16% to $29 million for the quarter, reflecting top-line performance and lower margins due to sales mix.
For the six months, P/T revenue was up 1% over the prior year period, or 2% excluding foreign exchange. Direct contribution to profit declined 1%, but was flat excluding foreign exchange. Higher revenue was offset by increased employment costs.
Categories
Business grew 4% in the quarter (+8% YTD), with accounting and Pfeiffer HR/training resources performing well
Consumer fell 15% in the quarter (-10% YTD) vs. a strong prior year front list, mostly in cooking and travel
Education grew 13% in the quarter (+25% YTD), fueled by the best seller Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov
Technology fell 13% in the quarter (+6% YTD) from a strong prior year driven by major software releases
Architecture, yet to rebound from the recession, was down 8% in the quarter (-4% YTD)
Psychology was flat in the quarter (+8% YTD)
eBooks
eBook sales more than doubled in the quarter and six-months to $6 million and $10 million, respectively
Apple iBookstore agreements include the US, Canada, the UK and Australia
Other Digital Initiatives/Products
Our first enhanced eBook – Lights, Camera, Capture by Bob Davis – was released on the iTunes Store in October. A cross between a book and an application, the product contains over 150 videos and many interactive features for the photography enthusiast. It became the #1 grossing app in photography and the 29th overall grossing iPad App in the entire iTunes store.
We successfully launched 220 custom country, city and regional overviews for Small Luxury Hotels, creating original content to inspire the luxury traveller to stay at one of their niche hotels.
We embedded Frommer’s US points of interest content in Citibank’s iAd Story Sparker campaign, joining forces with one of the first advertisers on this exciting new ad platform from Apple.
New Books
Business and Finance: The Truth About Leadership by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner; Undercover Boss: Inside the TV Phenomenon that is changing Bosses and Employees Everywhere by Mark Lambert and Eli Holtzman; Real-Time Marketing & PR: How to Engage Your Market, Connect with Customers, and Create Products that Grow Your Business Now by David Meerman Scott(the follow-up to David’s BusinessWeek best-seller, New Rules of Marketing and PR); The Social Media Bible: Tactics, Tools, and Strategies for Business Success, 2nd Edition by Lon Safko; UnMarketing: Stop Marketing. Start Engaging by Scott Stratten; And the Clients Went Wild!: How Savvy Professionals Win All the Business They Want by Maribeth Kuzmeski; Facebook For Dummies, 3rd Edition by Carolyn Abram and Leah Pearlman; Photoshop Elements 9 For Dummies by Barb Obermeier and Ted Padova.
Consumer: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy For Dummies 2nd Edition by Rhena Branch and Rob Thomas; Semi-Homemade: The Complete Cookbook by Food Network star Sandra Lee; Better Homes & Gardens New Cook Book 15th Edition; Avec Eric by Eric Ripert; The Culinary Institute of America’s Exploring Wine, 3rd Edition by Stephen Kolpan, Brian Smith and Michael Weiss.
Technology: Windows Phone 7 Secrets by Paul Thurrott
Education: The Amish Way: Patient Faith in a Perilous World by Donald Kraybill, Steven Nolt and David L. Weaver-Zercher
Architecture: Building: Project Planning and Cost Estimating, 3rd Edition by RSMeans
Public Health Management: Wiley published the three volume Risk Management Handbook for Health Care Organizations, edited by Roberta Carroll and the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management. More than forty risk managers, lawyers and insurance professionals present the most authoritative techniques and practices of today’s healthcare risk managers.
HIGHER EDUCATION (HE)
Second quarter revenue +8% excluding FX, +10% YTD
Second quarter contribution to profit +13% excluding FX, +19% YTD
eBooks, digital content sold directly to institutions, binder editions and custom publishing grew by 25% to $13 million and represented approximately 16% of the global HE business during the quarter
WileyPLUS revenue in the quarter grew 13% over prior year to $12 million, with digital-only sales now accounting for approximately 48% of total WileyPLUS sales
Second quarter HE revenue grew 9% to $84 million, or 8% excluding foreign exchange. Growth was strongest in North America, driven by double-digit increases in engineering/computer science and the sciences. Contributing to the results were higher sales of eBooks, digital content sold directly to for-profit institutions, lower book returns and WileyPLUS.
Direct contribution to profit improved 14% from prior year to $32 million, or 13% on a currency neutral basis due to top-line growth.
For the six months, HE revenue advanced 11% to $163 million or 10% excluding foreign exchange. Direct contribution to profit increased 20%, or 19% excluding foreign exchange. Top-line growth and improved gross margin from higher digital revenue drove the results.
Global Revenue – Second Quarter
Americas grew 12% to $64 million, including or excluding FX
EMEA rose 2% to $8 million, or 6% excluding FX
Asia-Pacific was flat at $12 million, but declined 6% excluding FX
Second Quarter Sales Results (excluding FX)
Engineering and Computer Science: Revenue of $12 million increased 14% vs. prior year. Growth was driven by Callister: Materials Science 8e; Rainer: Introduction to IS 3e; Montgomery: Applied Statistics 5; and Horstmann: Big Java 4e and Java for Everyone 1e.
Science: Revenue of $19 million increased 19% vs. prior year. Books driving growth include Halliday: Physics 9e; Solomons: Organic Chemistry 10e; Grosvenor: Visualizing Nutrition 1e; and Karp: Cell and Molecular Biology 6e.
Business and Accounting: Revenue of $22 million increased 5% over prior year, with significant revenue coming from Weygandt: Financial Accounting 7e and Managerial Accounting 5e, as well as Schermerhorn: Organizational Behavior 11e and Boone: Contemporary Business 13e Update.
Social Science: Revenue of $14 million fell 3% from prior year. Key publications include deBlij: Regions 14e; Gisslen: Cooking 7e; Comer: Psychology 1e; and Strahler: Physical Geography 5e.
Mathematics: Revenue of $8 million was up 4% over prior year, with strong growth coming from Hughes Hallett: Applied Calculus 4e and Mann: Statistics 7e.
Microsoft Official Academic Course: Revenue fell 1% vs. prior year.
Digital Sales – Second Quarter
Global billings of WileyPLUS grew 7% to $11 million.
WileyPLUS digital-only billings (not packaged with a print textbook) grew 24% to $5 million.
WileyPLUS sales to for-profit institutions were up 33% over prior year.
Deferred and unearned WileyPLUS revenue as of October 31st was $12 million compared with $11 million a year ago.
Validation rate (% of students utilizing the application) increased year-over-year from 65% to 72%.
eBook revenue was up 77% to $3 million.
Note:
The Company provides income measures referred to as adjusted EPS, which exclude certain items. Management believes the exclusion of such items provides additional information to facilitate the analysis of results. These non-GAAP measures are not intended to replace the financial results reported in accordance with GAAP.