Publishers

Scholastic reported results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, with sales of $ 237 million, up 4 percent from the same period last year, due to strong sales from 9 Story Media Group and offset by declines in the education segment. The seasonal operating loss improved 11 percent to $(88.5) million, attributed to gains in the children’s publishing and distribution segment. Adjusted EBITA was $(60.5) million, compared to $(70.6) million in 2024. The company’s stock rebounded on better-than-expected results, rising over 10 percent in early Friday trading. Trade book sales gained 2 percent to $73.9 million, due mainly […]

Wiley reported fiscal first quarter earnings on Thursday morning, for the quarter ending July 31. Sales of $404 million were down 10.4 percent from $451 million a year ago following some asset sales. (Additionally, they completed the sale of Wiley Edge’s India operation at a pretax loss of $19.6 million, and the sale of CrossKnowledge, both on August 31, after the close of the quarter. That completes their planned asset sales.) Earnings rebounded, with operating income of $29 million, compared to an operating loss of $16.3 million a year, which was accompanied by a big non-operating impairment charge. But a […]

Bertelsmann released half year results for 2024, with sales at Penguin Random House of €2.276 billion ($2.46 billion), up 8.5 percent, compared to €2.098 billion a year ago, “largely attributable to publishing acquisitions” along with organic growth in the US and Spanish-speaking businesses. Adjusted operating EBITDA was up 12.8 percent or €33 million to €291 million, due to sales and “savings achieved largely through the reorganization of the US business.” Ashley Elston’s First Lie Wins was the top fiction title for the period, while James Clear’s Atomic Habits was the top nonfiction and top backlist title. The next best selling […]

Pearson released their interim financial report for the first half of the year, reporting sales of £1.75 billion ($2.21 billion), down 7 percent from £1.88 billion in the same period last year. Operating profit was flat at £219 million. In Higher Education, sales were £358 million, down 6 percent, with an operating loss of £(1) million. The company said these results are “in line with our phasing guidance,” and due to “currency movements and portfolio changes.” They expect to return to growth in the segment in the second half of the year. Assessments and Qualifications sales were up 2 percent […]

Lagardere Publishing reported a strong second quarter on Tuesday afternoon, with sales of €733 million, up €56 million from a year ago, or 8.3 percent higher. For the first half of the year, sales were €1.309 billion (up €62 million), with recurring EBIT of €113 million, up a significant €48 million from the same period a year ago, a new high for the first half of the year — though traditionally they record most of their profits in the second half. Earnings were “driven by growth in the United Kingdom and the United States, a favorable sales mix in physical […]

Bloomsbury released a brief trading update on Tuesday for the four months ended June 30, reporting “strong performance” that was in line with expectations for the year (£319.3 million in sales and £37.6 million in profit before taxation and highlighted items). The company acquired Roman & Littlefield’s academic publishing business during the period, which they expect will boost their Bloomsbury Digital Resources sales from £27 million in 2023/24 to £41 million in 2027/28. “The enlarged Academic business will focus on wider international sales, subject area expansion and continued innovation in digital scholarship and learning,” they said in a release. “The […]