📊 WLYB Key Takeaways
Is John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. (WLYB) a Good Investment?
John Wiley & Sons exhibits exceptional profitability with 78.5% gross margins and strong free cash flow generation ($209.4M), supported by impressive ROE of 26.1%. However, critical liquidity concerns (current ratio 0.54x, well below safety thresholds) and questionable earnings quality—with net income surging 163% on essentially flat revenue—raise red flags requiring resolution before a bullish thesis can be supported.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. Key Strengths (WLYB)
- Exceptional 78.5% gross margin demonstrates strong pricing power and operational leverage in publishing
- Robust free cash flow of $209.4M with 12.5% FCF margin provides cushion against operational challenges
- Outstanding return on equity of 26.1% and solid ROA of 8.6% indicate highly efficient capital deployment
- Operating cash flow of $260.5M substantially exceeds capex of $51.2M, funding operations comfortably
WLYB Stock Risks: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. Investment Risks
- Critical liquidity crisis: current ratio of 0.54x and quick ratio of 0.51x far below 1.0 safety threshold signals potential near-term working capital stress
- Revenue stagnation at -0.1% YoY growth indicates structural headwinds in traditional publishing industry despite high margins
- Earnings quality deterioration: net income up 163% YoY on flat revenue suggests reliance on one-time gains or non-operational improvements rather than sustainable growth
- Elevated leverage with $683.4M long-term debt against only $75.6M cash reserves limits financial flexibility and refinancing optionality
Key Metrics to Watch
- Working capital and current ratio improvement—must demonstrate path to 1.0x+ to resolve liquidity concerns
- Organic revenue growth acceleration—critical to validate underlying business durability beyond cost cuts
- Operating cash flow sustainability and cash conversion—confirm earnings quality and capital generation
- Debt reduction trajectory and cash balance—monitor refinancing requirements and debt service capacity
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. (WLYB) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios
💡 AI Analyst Insight
The current ratio below 1.0x warrants monitoring of short-term liquidity.
WLYB Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis
WLYB vs Services Sector: How John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. Compares
How John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. compares to Services sector averages
Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.
Is John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. Stock Overvalued? WLYB Valuation Analysis 2026
Based on fundamental analysis, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. has mixed fundamental signals relative to the Services sector in 2026.
Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. Balance Sheet: WLYB Debt, Cash & Liquidity
WLYB Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend
5-Year Trend Summary: John Wiley & Sons, Inc..'s revenue has declined by 10% over the 5-year period, indicating business contraction. The most recent EPS of $-3.65 indicates the company is currently unprofitable.
WLYB Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance
WLYB Quarterly Earnings & Performance
| Quarter | Revenue | Net Income | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2026 | $404.6M | $16.1M | $0.29 |
| Q2 2026 | $421.8M | $39.0M | $0.71 |
| Q1 2026 | $396.8M | -$1.4M | $-0.03 |
| Q3 2025 | $404.6M | $16.1M | $0.29 |
| Q2 2025 | $426.6M | -$19.4M | $-0.35 |
| Q1 2025 | $403.8M | -$1.4M | $-0.03 |
| Q3 2024 | $460.7M | -$51.1M | $-0.92 |
| Q2 2024 | $492.8M | -$19.4M | $-0.35 |
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation
WLYB SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis
Access official SEC EDGAR filings for John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. (CIK: 0000107140)
📋 Recent SEC Filings
| Date | Form | Document | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 24, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1784898960.xml | View → |
| Jul 24, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1784898955.xml | View → |
| Jul 24, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1784898950.xml | View → |
| Jul 24, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1784898944.xml | View → |
| Jul 24, 2026 | 4 | xslF345X06/wk-form4_1784898940.xml | View → |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about WLYB
What is the AI rating for WLYB?
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. (WLYB) has an AI grade of B with 68% confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.
What are WLYB's key strengths?
Claude: Exceptional 78.5% gross margin demonstrates strong pricing power and operational leverage in publishing. Robust free cash flow of $209.4M with 12.5% FCF margin provides cushion against operational challenges.
What are the risks of investing in WLYB?
Claude: Critical liquidity crisis: current ratio of 0.54x and quick ratio of 0.51x far below 1.0 safety threshold signals potential near-term working capital stress. Revenue stagnation at -0.1% YoY growth indicates structural headwinds in traditional publishing industry despite high margins.
What is WLYB's revenue and growth?
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. reported revenue of $1.7B.
Does WLYB pay dividends?
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. pays dividends, with $74.4M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.
Where can I find WLYB SEC filings?
Official SEC filings for John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. (CIK: 0000107140) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.
What is WLYB's EPS?
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. has a diluted EPS of $4.16.
How is the AI analysis conducted?
Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined grade reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.
What is WLYB's fundamental grade?
Based on our AI fundamental analysis in July 2026, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. has a B grade with 68% confidence. Review the strengths and risks sections above for full context. This is not investment advice.
Is WLYB stock overvalued or undervalued?
Valuation metrics for WLYB: ROE of 26.1% (sector avg: 16%), net margin of 13.2% (sector avg: 10%). Higher ROE suggests strong returns relative to peers.
What is WLYB's AI grade for 2026?
Our dual AI analysis gives John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. a combined B grade for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability above sector average. Always conduct your own research.
What is WLYB's free cash flow?
John Wiley & Sons, Inc..'s operating cash flow is $260.5M, with capital expenditures of $51.2M. FCF margin is 12.5%.
How does WLYB compare to other Services stocks?
Vs Services sector averages: Net margin 13.2% (avg: 10%), ROE 26.1% (avg: 16%), current ratio 0.54 (avg: 1.5).
Why is WLYB's return on equity (ROE) so high?
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. has a return on equity of 26.1%, significantly above the Services sector average of 16%. A high ROE indicates the company is efficient at generating profits from shareholder equity. This is supported by a 13.2% net margin.