John Wiley & Sons (WLY)
Return on equity (ROE)
| 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 stockholders’ equity | US$ in thousands | 752,206 | 685,244 | 755,255 | 713,673 | 739,716 | 748,306 | 867,276 | 937,206 | 1,045,030 | 1,026,900 | 1,077,810 | 1,082,330 | 1,142,270 | 1,119,520 | 1,106,660 | 1,077,900 | 1,091,290 | 1,063,800 | 1,020,210 | 973,745 |
| ROE | 11.19% | 6.03% | -6.57% | -15.34% | -27.08% | -21.01% | -13.24% | -6.10% | 1.65% | -0.78% | 9.17% | 10.78% | 12.98% | 13.09% | 12.04% | 13.52% | 13.59% | -4.81% | -3.71% | -6.32% |
April 30, 2025 calculation
ROE = Net income (ttm) ÷ Total stockholders’ equity
= $84,161K ÷ $752,206K
= 11.19%
The analysis of John Wiley & Sons' return on equity (ROE) over the period from July 2020 to April 2025 indicates significant fluctuations in profitability and shareholder returns. Starting with notably negative figures in late 2020, the company's ROE was recorded at -6.32% as of July 31, 2020, improving slightly to -3.71% by October 31, 2020. During this period, the negative ROE signals that the company was generating losses relative to shareholders' equity.
Throughout early 2021, the ROE continued to register negative values, with -4.81% in January 2021, reflecting ongoing challenges. However, by April 2021, there was a substantial turnaround, with ROE rising to 13.59%, indicating a period of strong profitability and efficient utilization of shareholders’ equity. This positive trend persisted into the subsequent quarters, with ROE sustained at approximately 13.5% in July 2021 and remaining above 12% through October 2021 and into early 2022, with values of 12.04%, 13.09%, and 12.98%, respectively. Such figures demonstrate a period of stable and robust positive performance, likely driven by favorable operational conditions or strategic initiatives.
From mid-2022 onward, the ROE exhibited a declining trend, with figures decreasing from 10.78% in July 2022 to 9.17% in October 2022. This downward movement continued through early 2023, with the ROE turning negative again at -0.78% in January 2023 and modestly rising to 1.65% in April 2023, suggesting a period of near-margin profitability or slight recovery.
Beginning in mid-2023, the ROE deteriorated markedly, crossing below zero again in July 2023 at -6.10% and further declining to -13.24% by October 2023. This negative trajectory worsened sharply, reaching -21.01% in January 2024 and declining further to -27.08% in April 2024, underscoring considerable deterioration in profitability or increased losses relative to shareholders’ equity.
In the subsequent periods, there was some improvement, with the ROE at -15.34% in July 2024 and -6.57% in October 2024. The most notable change occurred in early 2025, when ROE turned positive again, registering at 6.03% in January and improving further to 11.19% by April 2025. These positive figures suggest a noteworthy recovery in profitability, reflecting improved operational performance or other favorable factors impacting equity returns.
In summary, John Wiley & Sons experienced an initial period of negative ROE in late 2020, followed by a significant upward shift to positive, double-digit levels in early 2021, which persisted through much of 2021 and early 2022. A declining phase ensued through 2022 and 2023, with the company reverting to negative ROE figures for extended periods. Recent data indicates a recovery trajectory starting in late 2024 and into 2025, with the ROE returning to positive territory. This pattern reflects cyclical changes in profitability and highlights periods of financial distress followed by periods of interim recovery.
Peer comparison
Apr 30, 2025