Bertelsmann announced results for the full year 2025. Sales at Penguin Random House globally were €4.981 billion, up 1.3 percent (or €61 million from the previous year), with organic growth up 3.3 percent. Adjusted operating EBITDA fell 4.7 percent, down €35 million to €704 million “primarily due to growth-related expenses in the US core business along with negative exchange rate effects,” the earnings report states. Foreign exchange reduced sales by 3.9 percent, in large part due to the weakened US dollar. “Despite increased revenues, our profitability continued to be impacted by rising costs that all of us are feeling in […]
Publishers
Scholastic Sales Slip in the Third Quarter; Announces Big Share Repurchase and Dutch Auction
Scholastic reported results from its third quarter, ended February 28, with sales down 2 percent to $329 million. Operating loss increased 13 percent to $(26.9) million and operating loss before one-time items was down 16 percent to $(24.3) million. Adjusted EBITDA fell to $0 from $6 million, attributed to the sale-leaseback transactions on their properties. At the same time, the company announced a $200 million “modified Dutch auction tender offer,” buying back shares at a price range of between $36 to $40 per share. That auction is part of a new $300 million repurchase plan, with “the remaining portion of […]
Hachette Shows Gains in 2025
Lagardere released financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2025, reporting publishing sales of €841 million for the quarter, up 1.8 percent on the company’s like-for-like basis (more akin to what other companies call “adjusted revenue”), and €3.001 billion for the year, up 2.7 percent like-for-like and 4.5 percent as reported, gaining €128 million overall. Recurring EBIT was €312 million, up just €2 million and EBITA was €308 million, up 7 percent. Fourth quarter sales were up €42 million from the previous year, as recent acquisitions added €54 million in the period, balanced by a €27 million negative […]
Higher Ed Growth Helps McGraw Hill in Q3
McGraw Hill reported earnings for the third quarter ended December 31, with sales of $434.2 million, gaining 4.2 percent due to significant growth in the higher education segment. Adjusted EBITDA was $135.9 million, up 7.7 percent. The higher education business grew 24 percent to $225.4 million, “driven by record market share, value-based pricing, and favorable enrollment trends.” The K-12 business fell 14.6 percent to $128.2 million. The company again updated their guidance for the year, after raising it in November. They now expect between $2.067 billion and $2.087 billion in sales for the year and adjusted EBITDA between $729 million and […]
Christian and Frontlist Books Boost Harper Sales to Record Quarter
News Corp. reported earnings for the second quarter ended December 31, with sales at Harper Collins up 6 percent ($38 million) to $633 million — a record for the quarter — helped by a $15 million gain from recent acquisitions and strong print book sales, particularly in frontlist and Christian titles. The unit also gained $8 million from currency exchange. CEO Robert Thomson called it “a significant recovery after a sluggish first quarter, and we have mounting optimism for the second half of the year.” That comes in part from the breakout success of Rachel Reid’s hockey romances, along with […]
BNED Hits Profit Expectations
Barnes & Noble Education has released results for the first and second quarters of their 2026 fiscal year, after delays due to an investigation into incorrect reporting. In the first half, ended November 1, sales grew 7.7 percent to $932.6 million, just shy of the expectations the company released in November. Net income and Adjusted EBITDA fell within their expected ranges: Net income was $6.7 million, compared to a loss of $60.8 million the previous year. Adjusted EBITDA was $38.3 million, up 13 percent. Comparable store sales grew 6 percent and First Day programs were up 29 percent. “Building on […]