Wiley (NYSE: WLY) boosts dividend as AI revenue and margins hit records
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. announced that its board has approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3575 per share on its Class A and Class B common stock, payable on July 23, 2026 to shareholders of record on July 7, 2026. This equates to an annual dividend of $1.43 per share, up from $1.42 in Fiscal 2026, marking Wiley’s 33rd consecutive annual dividend increase.
The company also highlighted recent performance, including $49 million of AI revenue, up 23% over the prior year, and Free Cash Flow of $195 million, up 55%. Adjusted Operating Margin expanded by 260 basis points to a record 17.7%, and Wiley returned a record $174 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.
Positive
- Record profitability and cash generation: Adjusted Operating Margin rose by 260 basis points to a record 17.7%, while Free Cash Flow reached $195 million, up 55% over the prior year, providing a strong foundation for ongoing shareholder returns and reinvestment.
- Strong AI and research momentum: AI revenue grew 23% year over year to $49 million, and the Research segment delivered mid-single digit revenue growth with 100 basis points of Adjusted EBITDA margin expansion, supporting Wiley’s positioning in data- and AI-driven scholarly content.
- Sustained shareholder returns: Wiley increased its annual dividend to $1.43 per share, its 33rd consecutive annual increase, and returned a record $174 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, including $100 million of repurchases.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Wiley pairs a modest dividend hike with strong cash generation and margins.
Wiley is raising its annual dividend to $1.43 per share, its 33rd straight yearly increase. While the step-up from $1.42 is small, it signals continued commitment to returning cash alongside share repurchases totaling $174 million.
The company reports record profitability, with Adjusted Operating Margin at 17.7%, up 260 bps, and Free Cash Flow of $195 million, up 55%. This supports ongoing shareholder returns while funding growth areas like AI, where revenue reached $49 million, up 23% over the prior year.
Actual future returns will depend on sustaining research and AI growth and maintaining strong cash conversion, as referenced in recent Q4 and Fiscal 2026 materials.
8-K Event Classification
2 items: 8.01, 9.01
2 items
Item 8.01
Other Events
Other
Voluntary disclosure of events the company deems important to shareholders but not covered by other items.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibits
Financial statements, pro forma financial information, and exhibit attachments filed with this report.
Key Figures
Quarterly dividend: $0.3575 per share
Annual dividend: $1.43 per share
AI revenue: $49 million
+5 more
8 metrics
Quarterly dividend
$0.3575 per share
Cash dividend on Class A and B Common Stock
Annual dividend
$1.43 per share
Implied by quarterly dividend; up from $1.42 in Fiscal 2026
AI revenue
$49 million
AI revenue, up 23% over prior year
Free Cash Flow
$195 million
Free Cash Flow, up 55% over prior year
Adjusted Operating Margin
17.7%
Record margin, expanded by 260 basis points
Return to shareholders
$174 million
Total dividends and share repurchases
Share repurchases
$100 million
Portion of total shareholder returns from buybacks
Research margin expansion
100 basis points
Adjusted EBITDA margin expansion in Research segment
Key Terms
Free Cash Flow, Adjusted Operating Margin, Adjusted EBITDA margin, share repurchases, +2 more
6 terms
Free Cash Flow financial
"Cash flow growth: delivered Free Cash Flow of $195 million, up 55% over prior year"
Free cash flow is the amount of money a company has left over after paying all its expenses and investing in its business, like buying equipment or updating facilities. It shows how much cash is available to reward shareholders, pay down debt, or save for future growth. This helps investors understand if a company is financially healthy and able to grow.
Adjusted Operating Margin financial
"Record margins: expanded Adjusted Operating Margin by 260 basis points to a record 17.7%"
Adjusted operating margin shows how much profit a company makes from its core business activities, after removing unusual or one-time costs and income. It helps investors see the company's true profitability by providing a clearer picture, similar to removing unexpected expenses to understand the regular performance. This metric is useful for comparing companies or tracking performance over time, as it highlights consistent earning power.
Adjusted EBITDA margin financial
"delivered mid-single digit revenue growth and 100 basis points of Adjusted EBITDA margin expansion in Research"
Adjusted EBITDA margin shows how much profit a company makes from its core operations, expressed as a percentage of its total revenue, after removing certain one-time or unusual expenses and income. It helps investors understand the company's true earning ability from regular business activities, making it easier to compare performance over time or with other companies. Think of it as measuring the efficiency of a business in turning sales into profits, excluding irregular adjustments.
AI revenue financial
"AI growth: delivered $49 million of AI revenue (+23% over prior year)"
quarterly cash dividend financial
"declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3575 per share on its Class A and Class B Common Stock"
A quarterly cash dividend is a payment made by a company to its shareholders four times a year, usually based on its profits. It is like a regular bonus or reward for owning the company's stock, providing shareholders with income. Many investors see these payments as a sign of the company's stability and its ability to generate consistent profits.
FAQ
What dividend did Wiley (WLY) announce in its latest 8-K filing?
Wiley declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3575 per share on its Class A and Class B Common Stock. This equals an annual dividend of $1.43 per share, slightly higher than $1.42 in Fiscal 2026, and marks the company’s 33rd consecutive annual dividend increase.
When will Wiley’s new dividend be paid and who qualifies to receive it?
The dividend will be paid on July 23, 2026 to shareholders of record on July 7, 2026. Investors who own Wiley’s Class A or Class B Common Stock by the record date are eligible to receive the $0.3575 per share quarterly cash payment.
How strong were Wiley’s margins and cash flow in Fiscal 2026?
Wiley reported record profitability with Adjusted Operating Margin of 17.7%, an expansion of 260 basis points. Free Cash Flow reached $195 million, increasing 55% over the prior year, indicating improved cash generation to support dividends, buybacks, and business investment.
How is Wiley’s AI business performing according to this disclosure?
Wiley generated $49 million of AI revenue, representing 23% growth over the prior year. The company notes that recurring AI revenue is rapidly scaling, underscoring its strategy to combine long-standing publishing strength with AI-powered platforms in research and learning markets.
How is Wiley’s Research segment performing based on recent results?
The Research segment delivered mid-single digit revenue growth and expanded Adjusted EBITDA margin by 100 basis points. Wiley also recently acquired Emerald Publishing to increase its scale in Research and strengthen its proprietary content position in the evolving AI-driven knowledge economy.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
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Item 8.01 Other Events.
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (the “Company” or “Wiley”) a global leader in authoritative content and research intelligence for the advancement of scientific discovery, innovation, and learning, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3575 per share on its Class A and Class B Common Stock, payable on July 23, 2026, to shareholders of record on July 7, 2026. The quarterly dividend is equivalent to an annual dividend of $1.43 per share, an increase from $1.42 per share in Fiscal 2026. It is Wiley’s 33rd consecutive annual increase.
The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K and Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto are being “furnished” pursuant to Item 8.01 of Form 8-K, and will not, except to the extent required by applicable law or regulation, be deemed “filed” by the Company for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor will any of such information or exhibits be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
The following exhibits are being “furnished” as part of this Current Report on Form 8-K:
Exhibit No. Description
99.1 - Press release dated June 25, 2026 announcing the dividend increase.
104 - Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC. | ||||||||||||||
| (Registrant) | ||||||||||||||
| By | /s/ Matthew S. Kissner | |||||||||||||
| Matthew S. Kissner | ||||||||||||||
| President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||||||||
| Dated: June 25, 2026 | ||||||||||||||
Wiley Raises Dividend for 33rd Consecutive Year, Powered by Research and AI Momentum, Record Margins, and Strong Cash Flow
Hoboken, NJ, June 25, 2026 – Wiley (NYSE: WLY), a global leader in authoritative content and research intelligence for the advancement of scientific discovery, innovation, and learning, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3575 per share on its Class A and Class B Common Stock, payable on July 23, 2026, to shareholders of record on July 7, 2026. The quarterly dividend is equivalent to an annual dividend of $1.43 per share, an increase from $1.42 per share in Fiscal 2026. It is Wiley’s 33rd consecutive annual increase.
Wiley recently reported results for the fourth quarter and Fiscal 2026. Highlights included:
•Research growth: delivered mid-single digit revenue growth and 100 basis points of Adjusted EBITDA margin expansion in Research; recently acquired Emerald Publishing to increase scale in Research and proprietary content advantage in the AI economy
•AI growth: delivered $49 million of AI revenue (+23% over prior year) with recurring revenue rapidly scaling
•Record margins: expanded Adjusted Operating Margin by 260 basis points to a record 17.7%
•Cash flow growth: delivered Free Cash Flow of $195 million, up 55% over prior year
•Record return to shareholders: returned a record $174 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases, including $100 million of repurchases
Please see Wiley’s Q4 earnings release, presentation, and call transcript at investors.wiley.com/quarterly-results.
About Wiley
Wiley (NYSE: WLY) is a global leader in authoritative content and research intelligence for the advancement of scientific discovery, innovation, and learning. With more than 200 years at the center of the scholarly ecosystem, Wiley combines trusted publishing heritage with AI-powered platforms to transform how knowledge is discovered, accessed, and applied. From individual researchers and students to Fortune 500 R&D teams, Wiley enables the transformation of scientific breakthroughs into real-world impact. From knowledge to impact—Wiley is redefining what's possible in science and learning. Visit us at Wiley.com. Follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Contact:
Brian Campbell
201.748.6874
brian.campbell@wiley.com
Category: Earnings releases