Technology
Scholastic Reports Fiscal 2025 Second Quarter Results
Published
1 year agoon
By
Company Reaffirms Fiscal 2025 Guidance
Revolving Credit Facility Upsized to $400 Million
NEW YORK, Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL), the global children’s publishing, education and media company, today reported financial results for the Company’s fiscal second quarter ended November 30, 2024.
Peter Warwick, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Scholastic’s proprietary school-based channels continued to deliver the joy and excitement of books and reading this fall, and our publishing and entertainment divisions moved ahead with exciting plans for this fiscal year and next. As we outlined when announcing our first quarter earnings, second quarter results were lower than a year ago, primarily reflecting the timing of this year’s publishing releases. Confident in our ability to navigate a dynamic market and achieve our plan for the remainder of the year, we have reaffirmed our guidance for fiscal 2025.
“The reach and impact of Scholastic Book Fairs continue to grow, as schools booked the largest number of fall fairs since the pandemic. Our Book Clubs also experienced positive momentum on new promotions and improved engagement among children and families. Multiple new releases – including Christmas at Hogwarts and The Christmas Pig in paperback by J.K. Rowling and the final book in Aaron Blabey’s Bad Guys® series: The Bad Guys in One Last Thing – maintained Scholastic’s presence at the top of bestseller lists. We also continued to benefit from the addition of 9 Story Media Group. We executed on an integrated development and production slate, including digital-first growth opportunities, and expanded the reach and monetization of Scholastic IP on advertising-supported platforms leveraging 9 Story’s distribution capabilities.
“Looking at the remainder of the year, Scholastic published the thirteenth book in Dav Pilkey’s global bestselling series, Dog Man: Big Jim Begins, earlier this month. With millions of young readers across the globe driving the title to the number one bestselling book in the U.S. and Canada, as well as the number one bestselling children’s book in the UK and Australia, Scholastic will benefit across our channels and geographies, demonstrating our strategic advantages as a global children’s book publisher and seller. Later this fiscal year, in March 2025, we will release the highly anticipated fifth book in Suzanne Collins’ bestselling Hunger Games® series, Sunrise on the Reaping, proving again that strategy.
“Scholastic’s trusted brand, bestselling IP, global scale and differentiated business models offer multiple opportunities to drive long-term profitable growth in our core markets while expanding beyond with new models, channels and products. With a strong balance sheet, including a recently upsized, $400 million revolving credit facility, and a history of robust free cash conversion, we remain committed to continuing to invest in these growth opportunities, while returning excess cash to shareholders.”
Fiscal 2025 Q2 Review
In $ millions
Second Quarter
Change
Fiscal 2025
Fiscal 2024
$
%
Revenues
$
544.6
$
562.6
$
(18.0)
(3) %
Operating income (loss)
$
74.7
$
101.3
$
(26.6)
(26) %
Earnings (loss) before taxes
$
70.0
$
101.5
$
(31.5)
(31) %
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
$
1.71
$
2.45
$
(0.74)
(30) %
Operating income (loss), ex. one-time items *
$
78.9
$
101.3
$
(22.4)
(22) %
Diluted earnings (loss) per share, ex. one-time items *
$
1.82
$
2.45
$
(0.63)
(26) %
Adjusted EBITDA *
$
108.7
$
124.0
$
(15.3)
(12) %
* Please refer to the non-GAAP financial tables attached
Revenues decreased 3% to $544.6 million, reflecting timing-related factors in the Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment, including the current year’s publishing plan and fall fair bookings compared to the prior year, as well as lower supplemental curriculum and collections product sales in Education Solutions, partly offset by the contribution of 9 Story Media Group, recorded in the Entertainment segment.
Operating income decreased 26% to $74.7 million in the quarter, including $4.2 million in one-time charges, compared to $101.3 million a year ago. Excluding one-time charges in both periods, operating income decreased 22% from a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure of operations explained in the accompanying tables) decreased 12% to $108.7 million. These results reflect lower operating income in the Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution and Education Solutions segments, primarily due to lower revenues.
Quarterly Results
Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution
In the fiscal second quarter, the Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment’s revenues decreased 6% to $367.0 million.
Book Fairs revenues were $231.0 million, down 5% from the prior year period, reflecting a larger number of fall-season fairs booked in December compared to the prior year period, which contributed to lower fair count in the quarter. Slightly lower average revenue per fair, driven by the addition of smaller fairs on higher targeted fair count, also contributed to lower revenue year over year. Participation at Book Fairs is expected to remain strong in the remainder of the school year, with fair count on track to achieve 90,000 fairs in fiscal 2025.
Book Clubs revenues were $33.2 million, up 2% from the prior year period, primarily reflecting an increase in revenue per sponsor. After strategically transitioning Book Clubs to a smaller, more profitable core business in fiscal 2024, the Company continues to adapt and implement new strategies to reengage customers.
Consolidated Trade revenues were $102.8 million, down 13% from the prior year period, primarily reflecting lower frontlist sales compared to the prior year period when the Company benefited from the release of multiple new titles in major franchises and series. Fiscal 2025 revenues are expected to benefit from new releases in the second half of the fiscal year, including the release earlier this month of Big Jim Begins, the newest book in Dav Pilkey’s Dog Man® series, and the March 2025 release of Sunrise on the Reaping, the fifth book in Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games® series.
Segment operating income was $102.1 million, compared to $111.6 million a year ago. The year-over-year decline was primarily driven by lower timing-related sales in Trade and Book Fairs on relatively consistent operating expenses.
Education Solutions
Education Solutions revenues decreased 12% to $71.2 million, related to lower spending on supplemental curriculum products, as school districts adopt and implement new core programs. Segment operating loss was $0.5 million, compared to segment operating income of $5.8 million in the prior period, primarily reflecting lower segment revenues.
Entertainment
Segment revenues were $16.8 million, primarily reflecting the addition of 9 Story Media Group revenues. Segment operating loss was $4.7 million, which included one-time charges of $0.8 million. Excluding one-time charges, adjusted segment operating loss was $3.9 million reflecting the contribution from 9 Story Media Group. As part of the acquisition, the Company incurred $2.4 million of intangible amortization during the quarter. Excluding the amortization, operating loss was $1.5 million.
International
Excluding favorable foreign currency exchange of $1.9 million, International revenues decreased 2% to $86.7 million, reflecting lower revenues in Australia in a soft retail market. Segment operating income was $5.7 million, which includes one-time charges of $1.4 million, compared to $8.0 million in the prior year period. Excluding one-time charges, adjusted operating income decreased $0.9 million, driven by lower revenues.
Overhead
Overhead costs were $27.9 million, which included one-time charges of $2.0 million, compared to $23.3 million in the prior year period. Excluding one-time charges, adjusted overhead costs increased $2.6 million driven by the impact of higher employee benefit costs.
Capital Position and Liquidity
In $ millions
Second Quarter
Change
Fiscal 2025
Fiscal 2024
$
%
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities
$
71.2
$
109.7
$
(38.5)
(35) %
Additions to property, plant and equipment and prepublication expenditures
(16.6)
(21.1)
4.5
21 %
Net borrowings (repayments) of film related obligations
(12.2)
—
(12.2)
NM
Free cash flow (use)*
$
42.4
$
88.6
$
(46.2)
(52) %
Net cash (debt)*
$
(120.8)
$
143.2
$
(264.0)
NM
* Please refer to the non-GAAP financial tables attached
Net cash provided by operating activities was $71.2 million, compared to $109.7 million in the prior year period, primarily driven by higher inventory spend, higher interest payments and lower customer remittances. Free cash flow (a non-GAAP measure of operations explained in the accompanying tables) was $42.4 million in fiscal 2025, compared to $88.6 million in the prior period.
Net debt was $120.8 million compared to a net cash position of $143.2 million in the prior year period, reflecting the Company’s borrowings under its recently upsized revolving credit facility to fund the acquisition of 9 Story Media Group.
The Company distributed $5.6 million in dividends and repurchased 185,378 shares of its common stock for $5.0 million in the second quarter. The Company expects to continue purchasing shares, from time to time as conditions allow, on the open market or in negotiated private transactions for the foreseeable future.
Fiscal Year-To-Date 2025 Review
In $ millions (except per share data)
Year-To-Date
Change
Fiscal 2025
Fiscal 2024
$
%
Revenues
$
781.8
$
791.1
$
(9.3)
(1) %
Operating income (loss)
$
(13.8)
$
2.2
$
(16.0)
NM
Earnings (loss) before taxes
$
(21.8)
$
3.5
$
(25.3)
NM
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
$
(0.48)
$
0.09
$
(0.57)
NM
Operating income (loss), ex. one-time items *
$
(6.7)
$
8.5
$
(15.2)
NM
Diluted earnings (loss) per share, ex. one-time items*
$
(0.29)
$
0.23
$
(0.52)
NM
Adjusted EBITDA *
$
48.2
$
53.4
$
(5.2)
(10) %
* Please refer to the non-GAAP financial tables attached
Revenues decreased 1% to $781.8 million year to date, primarily due to timing-related revenue declines in Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution in the second quarter, and lower supplemental curriculum and collections product sales in Education Solutions, partly offset by the contribution of 9 Story Media Group, recorded in the Entertainment segment.
Operating loss was $13.8 million in the first half of fiscal 2025, compared to operating income of $2.2 million a year ago, including $7.1 million and $6.3 million in one-time charges related to restructuring and cost-savings activities in each period, respectively. Excluding one-time charges, operating income decreased $15.2 million from a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA decreased $5.2 million to $48.2 million. These results primarily reflect lower revenues in the second quarter and the impact of the 9 Story Media Group acquisition. As part of the acquisition, the Company incurred $4.2 million of intangible amortization during the period. Excluding the amortization, operating loss was $9.6 million.
Additional Information
To supplement our financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, we include certain non-GAAP calculations and presentations including, as noted above, “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Free Cash Flow”. Please refer to the non-GAAP financial tables attached to this press release for supporting details on the impact of one-time items on operating income, net income and diluted EPS, and the use of non-GAAP financial measures included in this release. This information should be considered as supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Conference Call
The Company will hold a conference call to discuss its results at 4:30 p.m. ET today, December 19, 2024. Peter Warwick, Scholastic President and Chief Executive Officer, and Haji Glover, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, will moderate the call.
A live webcast of the call can be accessed at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/m98wgyws/. To access the conference call by phone, please go to https://register.vevent.com/register/BIba13029c72e1414fa441a92404a14a4d, which will provide dial-in details. To avoid delays, participants are encouraged to dial into the conference call five minutes ahead of the scheduled start time. Shortly following the call, an archived webcast and accompanying slides from the conference call will be posted at investor.scholastic.com.
About Scholastic
For more than 100 years, Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) has been meeting children where they are – at school, at home and in their communities – by creating quality content and experiences, all beginning with literacy. Scholastic delivers stories, characters, and learning moments that empower all kids to become lifelong readers and learners through bestselling children’s books, literacy- and knowledge-building resources for schools including classroom magazines, and award-winning, entertaining children’s media. As the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books through school-based book clubs and book fairs, classroom libraries, school and public libraries, retail, and online, and with a global reach into more than 135 countries, Scholastic encourages the personal and intellectual growth of all children, while nurturing a lifelong relationship with reading, themselves, and the world around them. Learn more at www.scholastic.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to future periods. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including the conditions of the children’s book and educational materials markets generally and acceptance of the Company’s products within those markets, and other risks and factors identified from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated.
SCHL: Financial
Table 1
Scholastic Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(In $ Millions, except shares and per share data)
Three months ended
Six months ended
11/30/24
11/30/23
11/30/24
11/30/23
Revenues (1)
$
544.6
$
562.6
$
781.8
$
791.1
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold
228.6
234.1
356.9
364.1
Selling, general and administrative expenses (2)
224.9
213.1
407.0
397.3
Depreciation and amortization
16.3
14.1
31.6
27.5
Asset impairments and write downs (2)
0.1
—
0.1
—
Total operating costs and expenses
469.9
461.3
795.6
788.9
Operating income (loss)
74.7
101.3
(13.8)
2.2
Interest income (expense), net
(4.4)
0.4
(7.4)
1.8
Other components of net periodic benefit (cost)
(0.3)
(0.2)
(0.6)
(0.5)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
70.0
101.5
(21.8)
3.5
Provision (benefit) for income taxes (3)
21.2
24.6
(8.1)
0.8
Net income (loss) (1)
48.8
76.9
(13.7)
2.7
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share of Class A and Common Stock (4)
Basic
$
1.73
$
2.51
$
(0.48)
$
0.09
Diluted
$
1.71
$
2.45
$
(0.48)
$
0.09
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
28,234
30,653
28,309
31,159
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
28,586
31,442
28,757
32,038
(1)
The financial results of 9 Story Media Group from the date of acquisition on June 20, 2024 through November 30, 2024 are
included in the Company’s consolidated results of operations as of November 30, 2024. The unaudited pro-forma
consolidated results of operations as if the acquisition had occurred on June 1, 2023, the beginning of fiscal 2024,
includes revenues of $544.6 and $787.5 and net income of $48.8 and net loss of $15.5 for the three and six months ended
November 30, 2024, respectively, and revenues of $578.8 and $827.1 and net income of $73.9 and net loss of $4.9 for the
three and six months ended November 30, 2023, respectively.
(2)
In the three and six months ended November 30, 2024, the Company recognized pretax severance of $3.8 and $5.0,
respectively, related to cost-savings initiatives and pretax costs of $0.4 and $2.1, respectively, related to the acquisition of 9
Story Media Group. In the six months ended November 30, 2023, the Company recognized pretax severance of $6.3 related
to cost-savings initiatives.
(3)
In the three and six months ended November 30, 2024, the Company recognized a benefit of $1.0 and $1.7, respectively, for
income taxes in respect to one-time pretax items. In the six months ended November 30, 2023, the Company recognized a
benefit of $1.6 for income taxes in respect to one-time pretax items.
(4)
Earnings (loss) per share are calculated on non-rounded net income (loss) and shares outstanding. Recalculating earnings
per share based on numbers rounded to millions may not yield the results as presented.
Table 2
Scholastic Corporation
Segment Results
(Unaudited)
(In $ Millions)
Three months ended
Change
Six months ended
Change
11/30/24
11/30/23
$
%
11/30/24
11/30/23
$
%
Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution (1)
Revenues
Books Clubs
$
33.2
$
32.4
$
0.8
2 %
$
35.9
$
35.0
$
0.9
3 %
Book Fairs
231.0
242.1
(11.1)
(5) %
259.8
269.4
(9.6)
(4) %
School Reading Events
264.2
274.5
(10.3)
(4) %
295.7
304.4
(8.7)
(3) %
Consolidated Trade
102.8
117.9
(15.1)
(13) %
176.7
190.4
(13.7)
(7) %
Total Revenues
367.0
392.4
(25.4)
(6) %
472.4
494.8
(22.4)
(5) %
Operating income (loss)
102.1
111.6
(9.5)
(9) %
65.5
70.6
(5.1)
(7) %
Operating margin
27.8 %
28.4 %
13.9 %
14.3 %
Education Solutions
Revenues
71.2
81.0
(9.8)
(12) %
126.9
147.0
(20.1)
(14) %
Operating income (loss)
(0.5)
5.8
(6.3)
(109) %
(17.5)
(12.9)
(4.6)
(36) %
Operating margin
NM
7.2 %
NM
NM
Entertainment (1)
Revenues
16.8
0.4
16.4
NM
33.4
0.8
32.6
NM
Operating income (loss)
(4.7)
(0.8)
(3.9)
NM
(5.2)
(1.3)
(3.9)
NM
Operating margin
NM
NM
NM
NM
International
Revenues
86.7
86.5
0.2
0 %
143.5
143.7
(0.2)
(0) %
Operating income (loss)
5.7
8.0
(2.3)
(29) %
(2.6)
(0.2)
(2.4)
NM
Operating margin
6.6 %
9.2 %
NM
NM
Overhead
Revenues
2.9
2.3
0.6
26 %
5.6
4.8
0.8
17 %
Operating income (loss)
(27.9)
(23.3)
(4.6)
(20) %
(54.0)
(54.0)
0.0
NM
Operating income (loss)
$
74.7
$
101.3
$
(26.6)
(26) %
$
(13.8)
$
2.2
$
(16.0)
NM
NM – Not meaningful
(1)
The newly formed Entertainment segment includes the operations of Scholastic Entertainment Inc. (SEI),
which were included in the Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment in prior periods, and 9 Story
Media Group. The financial results for SEI for the three and six months ended November 30, 2023 have been
reclassified to Entertainment to reflect this change.
Table 3
Scholastic Corporation
Supplemental Information
(Unaudited)
(In $ Millions)
Selected Balance Sheet Items
11/30/24
11/30/23
Cash and cash equivalents
$
139.6
$
149.5
Accounts receivable, net
293.0
311.8
Inventories, net
282.0
302.3
Accounts payable
157.2
159.5
Deferred revenue
225.0
225.0
Accrued royalties
67.3
57.5
Film related obligations
21.6
—
Lines of credit and long-term debt
256.2
6.3
Net cash (debt) (1)
(120.8)
143.2
Total stockholders’ equity
986.0
1,079.1
Selected Cash Flow Items
Three months ended
Six months ended
11/30/24
11/30/23
11/30/24
11/30/23
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
71.2
$
109.7
$
29.3
$
71.6
Property, plant and equipment additions
(10.9)
(14.8)
(30.9)
(29.1)
Prepublication expenditures
(5.7)
(6.3)
(10.1)
(11.7)
Net borrowings (repayments) of film related obligations
(12.2)
—
(14.6)
—
Free cash flow (use) (2)
$
42.4
$
88.6
$
(26.3)
$
30.8
(1)
Net cash (debt) is defined by the Company as cash and cash equivalents less production
cash of $4.2 as of November 30, 2024, net of lines of credit, short-term and long-term debt.
Film related obligations are not included. The Company utilizes this non-GAAP financial
measure, and believes it is useful to investors, as an indicator of the Company’s effective
leverage and financing needs.
(2)
Free cash flow (use) is defined by the Company as net cash provided by or used in
operating activities (which includes royalty advances) and cash acquired through acquisitions
and from sale of assets, reduced by spending on property, plant and equipment and
prepublication costs and adjusted for net cash flows from film related obligations. The
Company believes that this non-GAAP financial measure is useful to investors as an
indicator of cash flow available for debt repayment and other investing activities, such as
acquisitions. The Company utilizes free cash flow as a further indicator of operating
performance and for planning investing activities.
Table 4
Scholastic Corporation
Supplemental Results
Excluding One-Time Items
(Unaudited)
(In $ Millions, except per share data)
Three months ended
11/30/2024
11/30/2023
Reported
One-time
items
Excluding
One-time
items
Reported
One-time
items
Excluding
One-time
items
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (1)
$
1.71
$
0.11
$
1.82
$
2.45
$
—
$
2.45
Net income (loss) (2)
$
48.8
$
3.2
$
52.0
$
76.9
$
—
$
76.9
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
$
70.0
$
4.2
$
74.2
$
101.5
$
—
$
101.5
Children’s Book Publishing and
Distribution (3)
$
102.1
$
—
$
102.1
$
111.6
$
—
$
111.6
Education Solutions
(0.5)
—
(0.5)
5.8
—
5.8
Entertainment (3) (4)
(4.7)
0.8
(3.9)
(0.8)
—
(0.8)
International (5)
5.7
1.4
7.1
8.0
—
8.0
Overhead (6)
(27.9)
2.0
(25.9)
(23.3)
—
(23.3)
Operating income (loss)
$
74.7
$
4.2
$
78.9
$
101.3
$
—
$
101.3
Six months ended
11/30/2024
11/30/2023
Reported
One-time
items
Excluding
One-time
items
Reported
One-time
items
Excluding
One-time
items
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (1)
$
(0.48)
$
0.19
$
(0.29)
$
0.09
$
0.15
$
0.23
Net income (loss) (2)
$
(13.7)
$
5.4
$
(8.3)
$
2.7
$
4.7
$
7.4
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
$
(21.8)
$
7.1
$
(14.7)
$
3.5
$
6.3
$
9.8
Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution (3)
$
65.5
$
—
$
65.5
$
70.6
$
—
$
70.6
Education Solutions
(17.5)
—
(17.5)
(12.9)
—
(12.9)
Entertainment (3) (4)
(5.2)
2.5
(2.7)
(1.3)
—
(1.3)
International (5)
(2.6)
1.4
(1.2)
(0.2)
1.2
1.0
Overhead (6)
(54.0)
3.2
(50.8)
(54.0)
5.1
(48.9)
Operating income (loss)
$
(13.8)
$
7.1
$
(6.7)
$
2.2
$
6.3
$
8.5
(1)
Earnings (loss) per share are calculated on non-rounded net income (loss) and shares outstanding. Recalculating
earnings per share based on rounded numbers may not yield the results as presented.
(2)
In the three and six months ended November 30, 2024, the Company recognized a benefit of $1.0 and $1.7,
respectively, for income taxes in respect to one-time pretax items. In the six months ended November 30, 2023, the
Company recognized a benefit of $1.6 for income taxes in respect to one-time pretax items.
(3)
The newly formed Entertainment segment includes the operations of Scholastic Entertainment Inc. (SEI), which were
included in the Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment in prior periods, and 9 Story Media Group. The
financial results for SEI for the three and six months ended November 30, 2023 have been reclassified to Entertainment
to reflect this change.
(4)
In the three and six months ended November 30, 2024, the Company recognized pretax severance of $0.4 related to
cost-savings initiatives and pretax costs of $0.4 and $2.1, respectively, related to the acquisition of 9 Story Media Group.
(5)
In the three and six months ended November 30, 2024, the Company recognized pretax severance of $1.4 related to
cost-savings initiatives. In the six months ended November 30, 2023, the Company recognized pretax severance of
$1.2 related to cost-savings initiatives.
(6)
In the three and six months ended November 30, 2024, the Company recognized pretax severance of $2.0 and $3.2,
respectively, related to cost-savings initiatives. In the six months ended November 30, 2023, the Company recognized
pretax severance of $5.1 related to restructuring and cost-savings initiatives.
Table 5
Scholastic Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Operations – Supplemental
Adjusted EBITDA
(Unaudited)
(In $ Millions)
Three months ended
11/30/24
11/30/23
Earnings (loss) before income taxes as reported
$
70.0
$
101.5
One-time items before income taxes
4.2
—
Earnings (loss) before income taxes excluding one-time items
74.2
101.5
Interest (income) expense (1)
4.2
(0.4)
Depreciation and amortization (2)
30.3
22.9
Adjusted EBITDA (3)
$
108.7
$
124.0
Six months ended
11/30/24
11/30/23
Earnings (loss) before income taxes as reported
$
(21.8)
$
3.5
One-time items before income taxes
7.1
6.3
Earnings (loss) before income taxes excluding one-time items
(14.7)
9.8
Interest (income) expense (1)
7.6
(1.8)
Depreciation and amortization (2)
55.3
45.4
Adjusted EBITDA (2)
$
48.2
$
53.4
(1)
For the three and six months ended November 30, 2024, amounts include
production loan interest amortized into cost of goods sold.
(2)
For the three and six months ended November 30, 2024, amounts include
prepublication and production cost amortization of $10.7 and $17.4, respectively,
and depreciation of $0.8 and $1.5, respectively, recognized in cost of goods sold,
amortization of deferred financing costs of less than $0.1 and $0.1, respectively,
and amortization of capitalized cloud software of $2.5 and $4.7, respectively,
recognized in selling, general and administrative expenses. For the three and
six months ended November 30, 2023, amounts include prepublication
amortization of $6.6 and $13.3, respectively, and depreciation of $0.6 and
$1.2, respectively, recognized in cost of goods sold, amortization of
deferred financing costs of less than $0.1 and $0.1, respectively, and
amortization of capitalized cloud software of $1.6 and $3.3, respectively,
recognized in selling, general and administrative expenses.
(3)
Adjusted EBITDA is defined by the Company as earnings (loss), excluding
one-time items, before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The
Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a meaningful measure of
operating profitability and useful for measuring returns on capital
investments over time as it is not distorted by unusual gains, losses, or
other items.
Table 6
Scholastic Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Operations – Supplemental
Adjusted EBITDA by Segment
(Unaudited)
(In $ Millions)
Three months ended
11/30/24
CBPD (1) (2)
EDUC (1)
ENT (1) (2)
INTL (1)
OVH (1)
Total
Earnings (loss) before income taxes as reported
$
102.1
$
(0.5)
$
(5.7)
$
5.2
$
(31.1)
$
70.0
One-time items before income taxes
—
—
0.8
1.4
2.0
4.2
Earnings (loss) before income taxes excluding one-time
items
102.1
(0.5)
(4.9)
6.6
(29.1)
74.2
Interest (income) expense (3)
0.1
0.0
0.7
0.0
3.4
4.2
Depreciation and amortization (4)
7.8
6.2
8.0
2.1
6.2
30.3
Adjusted EBITDA (5)
$
110.0
$
5.7
$
3.8
$
8.7
$
(19.5)
$
108.7
Three months ended
11/30/23
CBPD (1) (2)
EDUC (1)
ENT (1) (2)
INTL (1)
OVH (1)
Total
Earnings (loss) before income taxes as reported
$
111.6
$
5.8
$
(0.8)
$
7.6
$
(22.7)
$
101.5
One-time items before income taxes
—
—
—
—
—
—
Earnings (loss) before income taxes excluding one-time
items
111.6
5.8
(0.8)
7.6
(22.7)
101.5
Interest (income) expense (3)
0.1
0.0
—
0.0
(0.5)
(0.4)
Depreciation and amortization (4)
8.0
7.8
0.1
1.6
5.4
22.9
Adjusted EBITDA (5)
$
119.7
$
13.6
$
(0.7)
$
9.2
$
(17.8)
$
124.0
Six months ended
11/30/24
CBPD (1) (2)
EDUC (1)
ENT (1) (2)
INTL (1)
OVH (1)
Total
Earnings (loss) before income taxes as reported
$
65.5
$
(17.5)
$
(6.8)
$
(3.5)
$
(59.5)
$
(21.8)
One-time items before income taxes
—
—
2.5
1.4
3.2
7.1
Earnings (loss) before income taxes excluding one-time
items
65.5
(17.5)
(4.3)
(2.1)
(56.3)
(14.7)
Interest (income) expense (3)
0.1
0.0
1.8
0.0
5.7
7.6
Depreciation and amortization (4)
15.3
12.4
11.5
4.0
12.1
55.3
Adjusted EBITDA (5)
$
80.9
$
(5.1)
$
9.0
$
1.9
$
(38.5)
$
48.2
Six months ended
11/30/23
CBPD (1) (2)
EDUC (1)
ENT (1) (2)
INTL (1)
OVH (1)
Total
Earnings (loss) before income taxes as reported
$
70.5
$
(12.9)
$
(1.3)
$
(0.9)
$
(51.9)
$
3.5
One-time items before income taxes
—
—
—
1.2
5.1
6.3
Earnings (loss) before income taxes excluding one-time
items
70.5
(12.9)
(1.3)
0.3
(46.8)
9.8
Interest (income) expense (3)
0.1
0.0
—
(0.1)
(1.8)
(1.8)
Depreciation and amortization (4)
15.7
15.6
0.2
3.5
10.4
45.4
Adjusted EBITDA (5)
$
86.3
$
2.7
$
(1.1)
$
3.7
$
(38.2)
$
53.4
(1)
The Company’s segments are defined as the following: CBPD – Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment;
EDUC – Education Solutions segment; ENT – Entertainment segment; INTL – International segment; OVH – unallocated
overhead.
(2)
The newly formed Entertainment segment includes the operations of Scholastic Entertainment Inc. (SEI), which were
included in the Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment in prior periods, and 9 Story Media Group. The
financial results for SEI for the three and six months ended November 30, 2023 have been reclassified to Entertainment
to reflect this change.
(3)
For the three and six months ended November 30, 2024, amounts include production loan interest amortized into cost
of goods sold.
(4)
Depreciation and amortization in the Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution, Education Solutions and International
segments includes amounts allocated from overhead.
(5)
Adjusted EBITDA is defined by the Company as earnings (loss), excluding one-time items, before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization. The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA is a meaningful measure of operating
profitability and useful for measuring returns on capital investments over time as it is not distorted by unusual gains,
losses, or other items.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scholastic-reports-fiscal-2025-second-quarter-results-302336593.html
SOURCE Scholastic Corporation
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Media Advisory – Minister Hodgson to deliver keynote speech on One Year of Nation Building
Published
12 minutes agoon
April 22, 2026By
TORONTO, April 22, 2026 /CNW/ – The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, will speak at the Empire Club of Canada regarding this past year’s accomplishments and future strategic directions.
Date: April 24, 2026
Time: 11:30 a.m. ET
All accredited media are asked to register using the Empire Club’s press accreditation and registration form. Details on how to participate will be provided upon registration.
Follow Natural Resources Canada on LinkedIn.
SOURCE Natural Resources Canada
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Harness Delivers Unified AI Intelligence Across Software Delivery with Google Cloud
Published
12 minutes agoon
April 22, 2026By
Harness integrates Google Cloud’s Developer Connect into its Software Delivery Knowledge Graph to give engineering teams smarter, faster AI-driven insights
SAN FRANCISCO, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Harness, the AI Software Delivery Platform™ company, today announced that it will bring together Harness’s Software Delivery Knowledge Graph and Google Cloud’s Developer Connect. The initiative gives joint customers a unified, AI-ready view of their entire software delivery lifecycle, and the intelligence to act on it with confidence.
The announcement was made at Google Cloud Next, where Harness also won the 2026 Google Cloud Technology Partner of the Year Award in the Application Development – DevOps category.
The Missing Piece in AI Software Delivery
Modern software delivery environments are inherently complex. Pipelines, services, build and deploy infrastructure, artifacts, and dependencies are deeply interconnected — and the data that describes how they relate to one another is scattered across dozens of tools. As organizations accelerate their adoption of AI-powered engineering, that fragmentation becomes a critical liability. AI is only as effective as the context it can access, and today, most AI agents are operating with an incomplete picture.
Harness is addressing this challenge head-on. By integrating Google Cloud Developer Connect insights into the Harness Software Delivery Knowledge Graph, joint customers gain a continuously updated, relationship-aware model of their software delivery environment that spans both platforms, bridging the visibility gap between development and production so that AI agents can operate with complete and reliable context. For engineering teams, this translates directly to making decisions grounded in situational awareness rather than generic training data, allowing them to execute complex workflows with greater accuracy.
Where the Partnership Comes to Life
For joint customers of Harness and Google Cloud, this integration means Harness AI can now make smarter, faster decisions on their behalf. By bringing together deployment event logs, runtime data, and application dependency information from Google Cloud into the Harness Software Delivery Knowledge Graph, teams gain a continuously updated, comprehensive view of their software delivery environment. When an issue arises, engineers can diagnose and remediate faster, trace problems back to specific source files or infrastructure, and link artifacts to the teams responsible for them, without having to manually piece together context from multiple systems.
The result is AI that works harder for customers. With richer context available upfront, AI agents can operate more efficiently, delivering answers and recommendations that reflect the true state of the environment. Everything teams need is in one place, and their AI has everything it needs to act on it confidently.
Security is central to how this integration was built. Data shared between Harness and Google Cloud is governed by enterprise-grade access controls, ensuring the right information reaches the right people within the guardrails organizations require.
“AI is only as powerful as the context behind it. Without it, teams fall into the AI Velocity Paradox: moving code faster than ever, but risking shipping software that is unverified, insecure, and unreliable,” said Jyoti Bansal, co-founder and CEO of Harness. “This is exactly what our expanded work with Google Cloud directly addresses, giving joint customers a unified view of their software delivery environment and AI that can actually reason across it. When context is complete, speed and confidence go hand in hand.”
A Collaboration That Keeps Deepening
This integration is the latest evolution of a long-standing collaboration between Harness and Google Cloud. Harness AI runs on Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform, and joint customers already benefit from expanded access through Google Cloud Marketplace. With this announcement, that work expands from the infrastructure layer into the application layer — and directly into how AI understands and acts on the software delivery environment. And it doesn’t stop there. The Harness MCP Server is now accessible within Google’s Gemini Enterprise app environment, enabling Gemini Enterprise customers to leverage Harness capabilities directly from their existing AI interface.
“Google Cloud provides cutting-edge technology that helps partners innovate and deliver more impactful solutions for business transformation,” said Ritika Suri, Managing Director, AI and Data Partnerships at Google Cloud. “Through our partnership with Harness, we will provide customers with innovative capabilities that can improve operations, enhance customer experiences, and drive innovation.”
Join Us
As our Knowledge Graph ecosystem continues to grow, Harness remains committed to expanding the breadth of integrations available to customers with the goal of being the most comprehensive AI-ready software delivery platform on the market.
To connect with the Harness team in person, visit the Harness booth at Google Cloud Next.
About Harness
Harness is the AI Software Delivery Platform™ company, enabling engineering teams to build, test, and deliver software faster and more securely. Powered by Harness AI and the Software Delivery Knowledge Graph, the platform brings intelligent automation to every stage of the software delivery lifecycle after code — removing toil and freeing developers from manual, repetitive work. Companies like United Airlines, Morningstar, and Choice Hotels use Harness to deploy up to 70% faster, reduce change failure rates by 50%, cut deployment effort by 80%, and lower security noise by 65%. Based in San Francisco, Harness is backed by Menlo Ventures, IVP, Unusual Ventures, and Citi Ventures.
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SOURCE Harness
Technology
H.I.G. Capital Announces the Sale of Celerion
Published
12 minutes agoon
April 22, 2026By
MIAMI, April 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — H.I.G. Capital (“H.I.G.”), a leading global alternative investment firm with $74 billion of capital under management, is pleased to announce that one of its affiliates has signed a definitive agreement to sell its portfolio company, Celerion Holdings, Inc. (“Celerion” or the “Company”), a global CRO and leader in clinical pharmacology and bioanalytical sciences, to funds affiliated with THL Partners (“THL”).
Headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, Celerion is a leading provider of highly specialized clinical pharmacology and bioanalytical sciences with deep expertise in first-in-human dose escalation, cardiac safety (TQT), drug-drug interaction, and other complex clinical pharmacology studies that support regulatory approval and drug labeling. Celerion offers an integrated suite of services spanning data management, biostatistics, and clinical monitoring that supports a global base of pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers through its purpose-built clinical and laboratory infrastructure with facilities in Lincoln, Phoenix, Zurich, and Belfast.
H.I.G. acquired Celerion in November 2022 and worked closely with management to accelerate growth and strengthen the Company’s market position. During its ownership, H.I.G. supported strategic investments across commercial, operational, and technology initiatives, including the expansion of Celerion’s clinical and bioanalytical laboratory footprint. These efforts drove exceptional growth and solidified Celerion’s standing as a leading, clinical pharmacology-focused, contract research organization.
Susan Thornton, Celerion’s President & CEO, commented, “H.I.G. has been an exceptional partner to Celerion, helping us accelerate key strategic initiatives and invest meaningfully in our people, capabilities, and infrastructure. These efforts have strengthened our platform and enhanced the quality and consistency of outcomes we deliver to customers. We are excited to carry this momentum forward with THL as we enter our next phase of growth.”
Mike Gallagher, Managing Director at H.I.G., commented, “We are proud of what Celerion’s best-in-class team has accomplished during our partnership. The team has delivered industry- leading growth during our ownership, and we are confident it is uniquely positioned for its next chapter.”
Michael Kuritzky, Managing Director at H.I.G., added, “We are very proud of the work Celerion does to help drug sponsors worldwide navigate the complexities of clinical trial management. It has been a privilege to partner with Susan and her team, and we look forward to Celerion’s continued success.”
BofA Securities, Inc. and Lazard Frères & Co. LLC were financial advisors to H.I.G. and Celerion. McDermott Will & Schulte LLP was legal counsel for H.I.G. and Celerion in connection with the transaction.
About Celerion
Celerion is a clinical research organization that provides comprehensive clinical trial solutions to pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients conducting early clinical research throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. The Company serves its clients through a global network of facilities and provides first-in-human to proof-of-concept studies as well as bioanalytical laboratory services, data management and biometrics, and drug development services. For more information, visit celerion.com.
About H.I.G. Capital
H.I.G. Capital is a leading global alternative investment firm with $74 billion of capital under management.* Based in Miami, and with offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Stamford in the United States, as well as international affiliate offices in Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogotá, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Dubai, and Hong Kong, H.I.G. specializes in providing both debt and equity capital to middle market companies, utilizing a flexible and operationally focused/value-added approach:
H.I.G.’s equity funds invest in management buyouts, recapitalizations, and corporate carve-outs of both profitable as well as underperforming manufacturing and service businesses.H.I.G.’s debt funds invest in senior, unitranche, and junior debt financing to companies across the size spectrum, both on a primary (direct origination) basis, as well as in the secondary markets. H.I.G. also manages a publicly traded BDC, WhiteHorse Finance.H.I.G.’s real estate funds invest in value-added properties, which can benefit from improved asset management practices.H.I.G. Infrastructure focuses on making value-add and core plus investments in the infrastructure sector.
Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 400 companies worldwide. The Firm’s current portfolio includes more than 100 companies with combined sales in excess of $53 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at hig.com.
*Based on total capital raised by H.I.G. Capital and its affiliates.
Contact:
Mike Gallagher
Managing Director
mgallagher@hig.com
Michael Kuritzky
Managing Director
mkuritzky@hig.com
Alex Zisson
Managing Director
azisson@hig.com
H.I.G. Capital
1450 Brickell Avenue
31st Floor
Miami, FL 33131
P: 305.379.2322
hig.com
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SOURCE H.I.G. Capital
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