Technology
Scholastic Reports Fiscal 2025 Second Quarter Results
Published
2 years 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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RSPO Launches New Guidance to Leverage Sustainable Palm Oil Certification for IFRS® Sustainability Disclosure Standards
Published
26 minutes agoon
July 23, 2026By
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) has released a guidance document, “Leveraging RSPO Principles and Criteria for IFRS® Sustainability Disclosure Standards”. This new resource supports certified sustainable palm oil producers to align their sustainability practices with the IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 disclosure standards that serve as the global framework for reporting sustainability-related financial information.
As more than 30 jurisdictions, representing around 60% of global GDP, move towards adoption of the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards (IFRS SDS), companies are increasingly required to disclose how sustainability-related risks and opportunities affect their financial position and prospects.1
This resource provides a practical pathway for palm oil producers to respond to these requirements by leveraging their existing compliance with the RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C), without duplicating efforts or creating parallel systems.
Informing investor-relevant disclosures: A four-step approach
Certification and the IFRS SDS serve different purposes. This guidance, developed with support from PwC Malaysia, provides a practical bridge between operational sustainability practices and financial disclosure expectations by helping members translate certification-related topics, metrics, and evidence to inform investor-relevant disclosures.
It sets out a four-step approach to IFRS SDS-aligned reporting, guiding RSPO Members on applicability, reporting boundaries, identification of sustainability-related risks and opportunities, and links to financial performance. It also includes seven practical examples, illustrating how the RSPO P&C requirements and implementation evidence can inform disclosures across key sustainability topics, from ethical conduct and legal compliance to environmental protection and worker health and safety.
Beyond growers, the guidance document also supports financial institutions by helping banks, insurers, and investors understand how palm oil sustainability issues, such as labour disputes and traceability gaps, can translate into financial risks, impacts, and opportunities, enabling clearer risk profiling and more informed financing decisions.
Joseph D’ Cruz, RSPO Chief Executive Officer, said: “As sustainability reporting becomes an integral pillar of financial performance, this guidance bridges certification and disclosure, providing RSPO members with a practical framework to demonstrate sustainability performance in ways that resonate with global capital markets. In line with the growing importance of sustainability disclosures in financing and investment decision-making processes, this guidance illustrates how RSPO Principles and Criteria practices can complement an organisation’s strategy and risk assessment processes.”
Andrew Chan, Partner, Sustainability Leader at PwC Malaysia, said: “This guidance responds to the broader shift towards measuring sustainability through a financial lens, with the adoption of the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards (IFRS S1 and IFRS S2). For RSPO growers, this creates an opportunity to demonstrate how sustainability practices contribute to business resilience as well as value creation — building investor confidence for the long term.”
Importantly, the guidance also reflects RSPO’s longer term interest in progressively strengthening linkages with sustainability disclosure frameworks. As disclosure expectations continue to evolve, RSPO intends to further explore how certification-related data metrics and assurance processes can support broader and more integrated sustainability disclosures in the future.
The Guidance Document can be downloaded here.
For more information, visit www.rspo.org
About RSPO:
The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is a global partnership to make palm oil sustainable. Formed in 2004, the RSPO is a multi-stakeholder non-profit organisation that unites members from across the palm oil value chain, including oil palm producers, palm oil processors and traders, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks and investors, environmental or nature conservation non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and social or developmental NGOs.
As a partnership for progress and positive impact, the RSPO facilitates global change to make the production and consumption of palm oil sustainable. To inspire change, we communicate the environmental and social benefits. To make progress, we catalyse collaboration. To provide assurance, we set the standards of certification.
The RSPO is registered as an international association in Zurich, Switzerland, with main offices in Malaysia and Indonesia, and offices in China, Colombia, Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States.
About PwC:
At PwC, we help clients build trust and reinvent so they can turn complexity into competitive advantage. We’re a tech-forward, people-empowered network with more than 364,000 people in 136 countries and 137 territories. Across audit and assurance, tax and legal, deals and consulting, we help clients build, accelerate, and sustain momentum. Find out more at www.pwc.com
1
IFRS Foundation, ISSB Podcast February 2025
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SOURCE Roundtable On Sustainable Palm Oil
Technology
Nordic Capital announces agreement to sell ArisGlobal to Dassault Systèmes, following its transformation into a scaled and AI-enabled life sciences platform
Published
26 minutes agoon
July 23, 2026By
WALTHAM, Mass., 23 July 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Nordic Capital today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell ArisGlobal, a leading provider of software to the life sciences industry, to Dassault Systèmes (Euronext Paris: FR0014003TT8) (Paris: DSY.PA). The transaction represents a full exit for Nordic Capital and marks the successful culmination of a partnership that has transformed ArisGlobal into a scaled, cloud-native and AI-enabled platform serving more than 200 life sciences companies, CROs and government health authorities worldwide.
Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, ArisGlobal develops and delivers regulatory, safety, and quality software to a global client base that includes many of the world’s largest pharmaceutical and biotech organisations, as well as regulatory authorities. Its flagship LifeSphere® platform is a fully integrated, cloud-native suite that enables life sciences organisations to manage complex regulatory submissions, pharmacovigilance workflows and clinical data on a single platform, improving compliance, speed and operational efficiency. The platform also embeds advanced AI-enabled automation across core pharmacovigilance workflows, reducing manual processing and accelerating safety case management.
“Nordic Capital invested in ArisGlobal because the business had strong fundamentals, a loyal blue-chip client base and significant potential to modernise its technology and scale its commercial reach. Working closely with Aman and his team, Nordic Capital has supported the company’s transformation into a leading cloud-native platform for the life sciences industry with differentiated AI-enabled capabilities and a strengthened market position. Nordic Capital is proud of what has been achieved together with management and looks forward to seeing the company continue to grow under Dassault Systèmes ownership,” said Daniel Berglund, Partner and Head of Healthcare, Nordic Capital Advisors.
Nordic Capital first invested in ArisGlobal in 2019, partnering with the founding family and management team to pursue an ambitious development strategy. In 2021, Nordic Capital made a further investment in the company, reflecting its conviction in ArisGlobal’s growth potential and the progress achieved since the original partnership began. Throughout the ownership period, Nordic Capital worked closely with management to accelerate the SaaS transition, professionalise the go-to-market organisation, broaden the product offering and strengthen the leadership team.
The migration to a modern, cloud-native architecture created the foundation for ArisGlobal to become an early leader in the application of AI to drug safety. A key milestone was the development and launch of NavaX, ArisGlobal’s generative AI solution for safety case processing, which automates and accelerates core pharmacovigilance workflows and has been adopted by a number of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. NavaX has further differentiated ArisGlobal’s offering and marked an important step in the Company’s evolution into a broader, AI-enabled safety and regulatory software platform.
“The life sciences industry is at an inflection point as regulatory complexity is increasing, data volumes are growing and our clients need software that can keep pace. The partnership with Nordic Capital gave us the resources and the runway to build exactly that. NavaX and our expanded platform are the result of that ambition, and I am confident we are well placed for what comes next,” said Aman Wasan, CEO, ArisGlobal.
Alongside its technology transformation, ArisGlobal strengthened its management team and commercial organisation, while two strategic acquisitions broadened the Company’s platform capabilities. Today, ArisGlobal serves more than 200 enterprise customers, including half of the world’s top 50 biopharma companies, processes more than 12 million safety cases annually and is expected to generate approximately USD 175 million in revenue in 2026. As rising regulatory complexity and increasing volumes of adverse event reporting continue to drive demand for advanced life sciences software, ArisGlobal is well positioned for future growth through solutions that automate compliance workflows, reduce manual processing and enable organisations to manage regulatory risk more effectively.
The transaction brings together ArisGlobal’s leadership in AI-enabled safety and regulatory software with Dassault Systèmes’ capabilities across research, clinical development and manufacturing. Nordic Capital believes the combination represents a highly compelling strategic fit, pairing complementary capabilities to create a broader, end-to-end offering across the life sciences value chain. ArisGlobal will also benefit from Dassault Systèmes’ global scale, customer reach and investment capacity, providing a strong platform for its next phase of innovation and growth.
The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the second half of 2026.
Evercore and Jefferies LLC acted as financial advisors to ArisGlobal and Kirkland & Ellis acted as legal advisor to ArisGlobal.
Media contacts:
Nordic Capital
Katarina Janerud
Communications Manager, Nordic Capital Advisors
+46 8 440 50 50
katarina.janerud@nordiccapital.com
ArisGlobal
Morgan Scott
Vice President, Marketing & Communications and Chief of Staff
mscott@arisglobal.com
About ArisGlobal
ArisGlobal is a leading provider of software to the life sciences industry. Its LifeSphere® platform delivers integrated regulatory, safety, and quality solutions to more than 200 life sciences companies, CROs and government health authorities worldwide. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, ArisGlobal combines deep domain expertise with advanced technology to help clients improve compliance, accelerate development cycles and manage regulatory complexity at global scale. For more information, visit www.arisglobal.com.
About Nordic Capital
Nordic Capital is a leading international private equity investor and subsector specialist dedicated to building stronger, more resilient businesses through transformative, long-term growth in partnership with management teams. With over 35 years of experience, Nordic Capital currently manages approximately EUR 39 billion in assets, investing in middle-market companies across Northern Europe and North America. Rooted in its Nordic heritage and values, it combines global reach with local presence through dedicated sector investment advisory teams, bringing deep expertise across its core sectors: Healthcare, Technology & Payments, Financial Services, and Services & Industrial Tech. Through active ownership, strong operational capabilities, a global network of experts and technology-enabled transformation, Nordic Capital helps companies scale, innovate and become sustainable leaders. For more information, visit www.nordiccapital.com or connect on LinkedIn.
“Nordic Capital” refers to, depending on the context, any, or all, Nordic Capital branded entities, vehicles, structures, and associated entities. The general partners and/or delegated portfolio managers of Nordic Capital’s entities and vehicles are advised by several non-discretionary sub-advisory entities, any or all of which are referred to as “Nordic Capital Advisors”.
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Technology
Cognizant and Gulf Edge Announce Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Enterprise AI Adoption in Southeast Asia
Published
26 minutes agoon
July 23, 2026By
Partnership combines Cognizant’s global AI engineering capabilities with Gulf Edge’s sovereign digital infrastructure to capture the region’s growing demand for secure, scalable AI solutions.
BANGKOK, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH), a leading AI builder and global technology services provider, and Gulf Edge Company Limited, the digital infrastructure arm of Thai energy and infrastructure conglomerate Gulf Development Public Company Limited (GULF) or Gulf Group, today announced a landmark strategic partnership. The alliance is designed to accelerate enterprise AI adoption and establish a resilient, AI-native digital economy in Thailand and the broader region.
As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly reshapes industries, economies, and societies worldwide, the partnership aims to establish the foundational ecosystem needed to enable Thailand’s next phase of digital transformation. By combining trusted sovereign digital infrastructure with world-class AI engineering and enterprise transformation capabilities, Gulf Edge and Cognizant will help organizations deploy AI securely, responsibly, and at scale.
The collaboration brings together Gulf Edge’s leadership in digital infrastructure, energy, cloud, and strategic relationships across Thailand’s most important industries with Cognizant’s global expertise in AI, digital engineering, cloud modernization, data, and intelligent operations. Together, the two companies will deliver end-to-end AI capabilities spanning infrastructure, AI platforms, enterprise solutions, systems integration, and managed services.
The partnership will initially focus on accelerating AI adoption across key sectors including banking and financial services, energy and utilities, healthcare, telecommunications, manufacturing, and the public sector. Through industry-specific AI solutions, organizations will be able to improve operational efficiency, enhance customer experience, strengthen decision-making, automate complex business processes, and unlock new opportunities for innovation and growth.
Beyond enterprise transformation, Gulf Edge and Cognizant share a broader ambition of strengthening Thailand’s position as a regional AI hub. The partnership is expected to attract global technology expertise, stimulate investment in advanced digital capabilities, and create high-value employment opportunities across AI engineering, data science, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. The two companies also plan to collaborate with universities, research institutions, technology partners, and public-sector organizations to develop AI talent, promote responsible AI adoption, and foster a sustainable innovation ecosystem for the country.
Mr. Sarath Ratanavadi, Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Development Public Company Limited, said, “Our partnership with Cognizant marks an important milestone in our vision of helping Thailand become an AI-native economy. By combining Gulf Edge’s strengths in digital infrastructure, energy, cloud, and deep understanding of the Thai market with Cognizant’s global expertise in enterprise AI, digital engineering, and transformation services, we are creating a comprehensive platform that enables organizations to adopt AI with confidence and generate measurable business outcomes. Together, we will develop secure, resilient, and future-ready sovereign digital infrastructure while delivering industry-specific AI solutions tailored to the needs of Thai enterprises and public institutions. We believe AI has the potential to transform every sector, creating new opportunities for productivity, innovation, and sustainable economic growth.”
Mr. Ganesh Ayyar, President of Asia Pacific & Japan (APJ), Cognizant, said, “As Thailand works toward its ambition of becoming an AI-native economy, we see this partnership as a meaningful way to help contribute to that vision, not just through the projects we deliver, but by building lasting AI and technology capability inside the country. With Gulf Edge’s market reach and Cognizant’s AI Builder strategy and global delivery capability, we are positioned to deliver transformative outcomes for Thai enterprises across every major sector.”
About Gulf Edge
Gulf Edge Company Limited is the digital infrastructure arm of Gulf Development Public Company Limited, Thailand’s leading energy and infrastructure conglomerate. Gulf Edge is building a robust digital ecosystem, spanning data centers, cloud services, satellite technology, and AI infrastructure, to accelerate Thailand’s digital transformation and position the country as a regional hub for the AI economy.
About Cognizant
Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, building the bridge between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for clients. Its deep industry, process, and engineering expertise enables it to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, realize tangible returns, and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at www.cognizant.ai or @cognizant.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/cognizant-and-gulf-edge-announce-strategic-partnership-to-accelerate-enterprise-ai-adoption-in-southeast-asia-302833116.html
SOURCE Gulf Development Public Company Limited (GULF)
RSPO Launches New Guidance to Leverage Sustainable Palm Oil Certification for IFRS® Sustainability Disclosure Standards
Nordic Capital announces agreement to sell ArisGlobal to Dassault Systèmes, following its transformation into a scaled and AI-enabled life sciences platform
Cognizant and Gulf Edge Announce Strategic Partnership to Accelerate Enterprise AI Adoption in Southeast Asia
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