In a brief trading update, Bloomsbury reported that sales are “comfortably ahead” of analysts’ expectations for their fiscal year, ending February 29, and profits are running “materially ahead” of projections. Chief executive Nigel Newton says those results are being “driven by the continued phenomenal demand for fantasy fiction,” and in particular by Sarah J. Maas’s 15 titles. The company compares its results to expectations of sales for the full year of £274 million and profit before taxation and highlighted items of £32.9 million. Last year set records for the company in both sales and earnings, with revenue of £264 million […]
Publishers
Sales and Earnings Fall at Wiley As It Reorganizes
On Wednesday morning Wiley reported fiscal second quarter results, showing declines in sales and earnings, in line with their previously announced reorganization plans. Sales of $493 million were down 4 percent from $515 million a year, and operating income of $46 million was down 19 percent from $57 million. They took impairment charges of $52 million against the various businesses that have been up for sale, and recording restructuring charges against layoffs. PL had reported a New Jersey WARN notice regarding the termination of 103 people between mid-November and mid-January, and a spokesperson confirmed that was just part of “a […]
Harper’s Rebound Begins
After what HarperCollins CEO Brian Murray had called “a tough quarter, and a tough year,” the publisher has begun a turnaround in results. Fiscal first quarter sales were $525 million, up $38 million from $487 million a year ago (but still behind the $546 million they recorded in 2021). Margins rebounded as well, with EBITDA of $65 million — similarly up from $39 million a year ago, but still behind $85 million in 2021. The company cited “lower manufacturing costs, primarily due to product mix, and lower freight and distribution costs as supply chain challenges and inventory and inflationary pressures […]
Bertelsmann Sales Down Slightly in Q3
Bertelsmann briefly announced results a third quarter sales update, with revenues of €4.9 billion ($4.9 billion), compared to €5.1 billion in the same quarter last year. The company expects a “moderate” increase in full-year sales with a stable operating profit and a slight decline in EBITDA, following the sale of their shares in Majorel. As usual, there are very few divisional specifics. Looking at the first nine months together, they highlight Penguin Random House’s success from early in the year, with Prince Harry’s SPARE still their top-selling title. The only third quarter releases mentioned are picture books. “Despite an overall […]
Simon & Schuster Sales Fall From Peak, “But We’re Still Flying High”
Simon & Schuster released public results for the last time as a unit of Paramount Global, covering their third quarter. The publisher’s remarkable streak of increased (or flat, as of the last report) sales came to an end, with revenue of $307 million — down $46 million (or 13 percent) from the same period a year ago. (That’s also below sales of $321 million in Q3 2021.) Operating income was down sharply as well, though still a robust margin, at $60 million, compared to $93 million a year ago.) The last time the publisher reported a sales decline was back […]
Pearson Higher Ed Sales Fall, As Expected
Pearson announced a brief trading update for the third quarter, with overall sales up 2 percent (3 percent excluding OPM and businesses under strategic review). The Higher Education division, however, fell 8 percent, “driven by pricing mix impact” and the “deferral of revenue into Q4 this year” as the company’s digital platforms and Pearson+ continue to grow. Elsewhere in the company, Assessment & Qualification sales grew 11 percent, English Language Learning grew 21 percent, and Workforce Skills was up 3 percent. Virtual Learning sales were down 29 percent in the quarter. “This third quarter performance illustrates the continuing momentum across […]