John Wiley & Sons (WLY)
Return on assets (ROA)
| Apr 30, 2025 | Jan 31, 2025 | Oct 31, 2024 | Jul 31, 2024 | Apr 30, 2024 | Jan 31, 2024 | Oct 31, 2023 | Jul 31, 2023 | Apr 30, 2023 | Jan 31, 2023 | Oct 31, 2022 | Jul 31, 2022 | Apr 30, 2022 | Jan 31, 2022 | Oct 31, 2021 | Jul 31, 2021 | Apr 30, 2021 | Jan 31, 2021 | Oct 31, 2020 | Jul 31, 2020 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net income (ttm) | US$ in thousands | 84,161 | 41,333 | -49,588 | -109,491 | -200,319 | -157,240 | -114,834 | -57,196 | 17,233 | -7,965 | 98,870 | 116,644 | 148,309 | 146,492 | 133,287 | 145,752 | 148,256 | -51,117 | -37,835 | -61,577 |
| Total assets | US$ in thousands | 2,691,470 | 2,599,850 | 2,608,860 | 2,652,060 | 2,725,500 | 2,707,290 | 2,779,040 | 2,925,960 | 3,108,810 | 3,150,260 | 3,128,370 | 3,229,310 | 3,361,700 | 3,377,980 | 3,346,030 | 3,362,800 | 3,446,440 | 3,426,360 | 3,020,400 | 3,068,950 |
| ROA | 3.13% | 1.59% | -1.90% | -4.13% | -7.35% | -5.81% | -4.13% | -1.95% | 0.55% | -0.25% | 3.16% | 3.61% | 4.41% | 4.34% | 3.98% | 4.33% | 4.30% | -1.49% | -1.25% | -2.01% |
April 30, 2025 calculation
ROA = Net income (ttm) ÷ Total assets
= $84,161K ÷ $2,691,470K
= 3.13%
The analysis of John Wiley & Sons' return on assets (ROA) over the specified period reveals a marked variability, reflecting fluctuations in its profitability relative to its total assets. Initially, the company's ROA was negative at -2.01% as of July 31, 2020, indicating that the firm was incurring losses relative to its assets during that period. The negative trend persisted into October 2020 and January 2021, with ROA values of -1.25% and -1.49%, respectively, signaling continued challenges in asset utilization or profitability.
In the subsequent quarters, a notable turnaround occurred, with the ROA becoming positive by April 30, 2021, reaching 4.30%. This positive trend persisted through July 2021 (4.33%) and October 2021 (3.98%), as well as into early 2022, with values of 4.34% in January 2022 and 4.41% in April 2022, indicating a period of improved profitability and efficient utilization of assets.
However, from mid-2022 onward, the ROA experienced a downward trajectory. By July 2022, it declined to 3.61%, and further to 3.16% in October 2022, suggesting a gradual erosion of asset efficiency or margin pressures. The trend turned negative again at the start of 2023, with ROA at -0.25% in January, and a modest recovery to 0.55% in April 2023.
The negative momentum intensified in the later periods, with ROA falling to -1.95% in July 2023 and -4.13% in October 2023. The decline deepened significantly by January 2024, reaching -5.81%, and further to -7.35% in April 2024. The subsequent quarters saw a slight improvement, with ROA at -4.13% in July 2024, then recovering to -1.90% in October 2024, before turning positive again at 1.59% as of January 2025, and reaching 3.13% in April 2025.
Overall, the ROA pattern indicates periods of profitability interspersed with phases of losses, reflecting sensitivity to operational efficiencies, market conditions, and strategic adjustments over time. The recent positive figures suggest a potential recovery trajectory, although the prior sustained negative periods highlight volatility in asset returns.
Peer comparison
Apr 30, 2025