John Wiley & Sons (WLY)
Return on assets (ROA)
| Apr 30, 2025 | Apr 30, 2024 | Apr 30, 2023 | Apr 30, 2022 | Apr 30, 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income | US$ in thousands | 84,161 | -200,319 | 17,233 | 148,309 | 148,256 |
| Total assets | US$ in thousands | 2,691,470 | 2,725,500 | 3,108,810 | 3,361,700 | 3,446,440 |
| ROA | 3.13% | -7.35% | 0.55% | 4.41% | 4.30% |
April 30, 2025 calculation
ROA = Net income ÷ Total assets
= $84,161K ÷ $2,691,470K
= 3.13%
The analysis of John Wiley & Sons’ return on assets (ROA) over the specified period indicates a fluctuating performance trend. As of April 30, 2021, the ROA was recorded at 4.30%, reflecting a modest level of profitability relative to the total assets. This figure experienced a slight increase to 4.41% by April 30, 2022, suggesting a marginal improvement in efficiency or profit generation from the company’s asset base during that year.
However, the subsequent year, April 30, 2023, saw a significant decline in ROA to 0.55%, indicating a substantial reduction in the company's ability to generate earnings from its assets. This sharp decrease may point to operational challenges, increased costs, or other factors adversely impacting profitability relative to assets.
The decline persisted into April 30, 2024, when the ROA turned negative at -7.35%. A negative ROA signals that the company incurred a net loss relative to its total assets, an indication of a dire downturn in asset efficiency and overall financial performance during that period. Such a negative return on assets is often associated with significant operational difficulties or extraordinary losses.
The data for April 30, 2025, is not provided, as denoted by a dash, implying either the absence of comparable data or that the period has not yet concluded, rendering a further analysis of this year’s ROA impossible at this time.
Overall, the trend demonstrates a marked deterioration in John Wiley & Sons’ asset profitability over the analyzed years, transitioning from a modestly positive return to a negative outlook, which warrants a detailed examination of underlying operational factors and strategic adjustments impacting the company’s asset utilization and earnings capacity.
Peer comparison
Apr 30, 2025