Scholastic Reports Q4 And Fiscal 2021 Results

NEW YORK, July 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL), the global children's publishing, education and media company, today reported financial results for the Company's fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended May 31, 2021.

Fiscal 2021 Review

Company Commentary

"In the fourth quarter, Scholastic's businesses showed dramatically improved results on both the top and bottom lines, even as educators around the globe still struggled with transitioning their students safely back to the classroom.  Management's decisive actions taken throughout the difficult 2021 fiscal year and our employees' disciplined execution helped to successfully weather the adverse impacts of the pandemic on the Company's end markets and supply chain.  Our strength in execution was most evident in our positive free cash flow generation and improved operating margins, which resulted in meaningful year-over-year growth in adjusted EBITDA despite a drop in full year revenues," said James Barge, speaking on behalf of Scholastic's board of directors.  "These results are particularly bittersweet in light of last month's unexpected passing of Scholastic's longtime leader, Dick Robinson, and we acknowledge his stalwart vision and remarkable stewardship in achieving these outcomes, as well as the culture he built."

Iole Lucchese, Scholastic's Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer added, "Despite having to take difficult, but carefully measured, cost actions in response to a 13% decline in sales in the year, Scholastic continued to make important investments related to its key growth initiatives with a focus on (1) book fairs recovery, (2) new education solutions, including digital products and early childhood programs, (3) increasing parent access to the Company's eCommerce platforms, (4) English language learning in Asia, and (5) the acquisition and development of content for our trade and media operations, as well as in technology to improve our systems and processes. These initiatives are the underpinnings of Scholastic's growth strategy for fiscal 2022 and beyond.  In this coming school year, it is clear that many students, not just the most vulnerable, and their teachers will need additional support.  Scholastic will be a strong partner in literacy and education as we always have for more than 100 years, proudly extending Dick Robinson's accomplished vision, a core element of our success, as we maintain our focus on supporting our customers in this changing environment."

Revenues

Consolidated revenues rose 41% to $401.4 million in the fourth quarter versus the prior year period, despite continuing softness in the book fairs channel for premium in-person fairs, which performed below expectations as schools faced uncertain timetables in the early spring for returning students safely back to classrooms.  Each of the Company's three operating segments – Children's Book Publishing and Distribution, Education and International – showed marked improvements, both sequentially relative to the third fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2021 and comparatively to the prior year period, amid improving market conditions, strong demand for foundational literacy programs and summer reading,  and top selling trade titles such as Dav Pilkey's Dog Man: Mothering Heights, The Dangerous Gift (Wings of Fire™ #14), Mister Impossible (The Dreamer Trilogy #2), and Claudia and the New Girl (The Baby-Sitters Club^® Graphic Novel #9).  The tougher trade comparison in the last quarter of the fiscal year was the result of the release of the blockbuster bestseller The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the fourth title in The Hunger Games^® series in the fourth quarter of the prior year period.

Fiscal 2021 full-year revenues declined $186.8 million, or 13%, as compared to the prior year, to $1.30 billion, due to lower sales in the Company's book fairs channels in the U.S. and abroad as a result of COVID-related restrictions.  

Operating Income

Fourth quarter operating income rose $55.9 million, or 121%, versus the prior year period, to $9.7 million. The fourth quarter increase in operating income was directly attributable to the higher sales volume and the on-going benefits of the Company's successful cost savings initiatives that improved operating leverage, as well as the receipt of certain pandemic-related wage and benefit subsidies globally.  Excluding one-time items in both periods, the Company had operating income of $41.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, versus an operating loss of $39.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.

For the 2021 fiscal year, the Company recorded an operating loss of $22.7 million, which was a $65.8 million, or 74% improvement as compared to an operating loss of $88.5 million in the prior year.  Excluding one-time items, the Company had operating income of $39.0 million in fiscal year 2021, versus an operating loss of $32.3 million in fiscal year 2020.

Capital Position and Liquidity

Net cash provided by operating activities was $71.0 million in the current fiscal year compared to $2.1 million in fiscal 2020. The Company had a free cash flow (a non-GAAP liquidity measure defined in the accompanying tables and reconciled to net cash provided) of $20.5 million in the current fiscal year, compared to a free cash use of $89.1 million in fiscal 2020.

At year-end, the Company's cash and cash equivalents exceeded total debt by $176.3 million, compared to $175.3 million a year ago. The higher net cash position at May 31, 2021 reflects the effective management of both working capital and capital expenditures throughout the fiscal year, despite a sharp reduction in demand in most of the Company's book fair channels around the globe.

Capital expenditures in the current fiscal year were $47.2 million, below prior year's levels despite the Company's continued investments for future growth including further progress on its technology roadmap and expanded customer access, as well as a planned consolidation of underutilized facilities, and $20.7 million in pre-publication costs for new content development in education, media and trade. These capital and pre-publication investments, taken as a whole, were $23.3 million, or 26% below prior year's levels.  

During the fiscal year, Scholastic sold two company-owned facilities in the U.S. and U.K. for total net proceeds of $17.4 million, and currently holds two additional facilities for sale.  The Company also continued to pay its regular quarterly dividend, uninterrupted by the pandemic, and distributed $5.2 million in dividends in the fourth quarter for a total of $20.6 million in dividends in the fiscal year.

Overall Results

Earnings before taxes for the quarter ended May 31, 2021 was $8.0 million, compared to a loss before taxes of $47.4 million in the fourth quarter of the prior fiscal year. Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP performance measure defined in the accompanying tables and reconciled to earnings (loss) before taxes) for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2021 was a gain of $63.6 million, compared to a loss of $17.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2021, the Company had a loss before taxes of $18.2 million, versus a loss before taxes of $89.7 million in the prior fiscal year. Fiscal 2021 full-year Adjusted EBITDA was $139.6 million, compared to $56.6 million in fiscal 2020, an increase of $83.0 million, or 147%, improvement notwithstanding the year-over-year decline in revenues.

Earnings Per Share and Other Items

In the fiscal fourth quarter of 2021, the Company recorded earnings per diluted share of $0.22 compared to a loss per share of $0.38 in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2020.  Excluding one-time items, the current year's fiscal fourth quarter earnings per diluted share was $0.90 versus a loss per share of $0.23 in the prior year period.  Full year fiscal 2021 loss per share was $0.32 compared to a loss per share of $1.27 in the prior year period. Excluding one-time items, fiscal 2021 full year earnings per diluted share was $1.02 versus a loss per share of $0.08 in fiscal 2020.

Non-recurring items reflected in the current fiscal year's results include $23.1 million in pre-tax severance associated with a substantial reduction-in-force to align Scholastic's workforce size with COVID-impacted business volumes, $20.0 million in settlement for certain past intellectual property usage (see below), and $18.6 million in branch consolidation costs and asset impairments that will serve to lower future operating expenses.

Fiscal 2022 Outlook

While uncertainty still remains, the Company is beginning to see strengthening underlying trends across all of its businesses and customer end markets, as students around the globe return to the classroom, educators look to dependable and effective ways for accelerating student achievement, and stores welcome shoppers without restrictions.  Scholastic believes it is well-positioned to continue the growth patterns seen in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 as its markets recover, especially for its book fairs businesses in the U.S., Canada and the U.K., and expects stronger operating leverage and resultant free cash flow given the successful reduction in labor and other operating costs from pre-pandemic levels.  Additionally, the Company continues to identify further opportunities for incremental cost savings through process improvements and automation, consolidating functions, and increased utilization of the Company's international shared services resources.

In Children's Book Publishing and Distribution, the Company expects growth to be driven by a recovery in its book fairs operations as schools return to a more normal academic calendar with fewer COVID-related closures, as well as in trade through the development of new titles and content, in particular content which can be further developed through the Company's growing entertainment business into successful media properties. Fiscal 2022 year-to-date, the Company is seeing book fair bookings and confirmations by schools at a slightly higher rate than preliminary expectations, however Scholastic anticipates that rebuilding the book fairs business will take time given changes in customer engagement and capacity constraints post-pandemic.   Key titles in the Company's upcoming frontlist include: Dav Pilkey's Cat Kid Comic Club: Perspectives (Cat Kid Comic Club™ #2); The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling; Kristy and the Snobs: Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novel #10; The Brightest Night: Wings of Fire Graphic Novel #5; I Survived the Attacks of September 11, 2001 (I Survived Graphic Novel #4); and The Bad Guys in They're Bee-Hind You! (The Bad Guys™ #14).

In Education, the Company expects incremental growth through an emphasis on the development of new digital products, including the adaptation of successful existing products into enhanced digital offerings for hybrid teaching models, as well as the impact of federal stimulus funds on the overall K-12 education landscape that may be utilized by schools to help students accelerate their learning post-pandemic.

In International, the Company expects growth through the expansion of Scholastic's range of English language learning digital product offerings in Asia, including, in particular, an expanding line-up of market leading digital home learning products in China and Korea.

More generally, and in response to recent learnings from the pandemic, Scholastic sees incremental growth in many of its channels as it builds on the greater involvement of parents globally in purchasing home learning for their children, and is accelerating the Company's business of direct-to-parent marketing of books and educational materials through improved customer access, digital marketing and eCommerce.

As a result of these actions, the Company expects significant growth in fiscal 2022 revenues from prior year levels. Improvement in Adjusted EBITDA will be driven by revenue gains in all operating segments with increased leverage on the margin as a result of the Company's cost mitigation actions in the last fiscal year, partially offset by higher compensation costs and the discontinuation of certain COVID-related government subsidies in the new fiscal year. In addition, the Company expects that certain fiscal 2021 cost savings that were tied to lower sales volumes will not be repeated in fiscal 2022 as customer demand rises to pre-pandemic levels.  Scholastic expects to provide additional guidance information throughout its fiscal year as details on the post-pandemic marketplace for its products and services become clearer.

Segment Results

All comparisons detailed in this section refer to operating results for the fourth quarter and full year ended May 31, 2021 versus the fourth quarter and full year ended May 31, 2020. 

Children's Book Publishing and Distribution (CBP&D)

Fourth quarter 2021 segment revenues were $192.2 million, an increase of $60.2 million, or 46%, versus the comparable prior year period on higher levels of on-site case book fairs held and increased book club sponsorship as schools began to return to in-classroom instruction in the spring. Although trade revenues were higher sequentially versus the third fiscal quarter on the strength of top-selling series and graphic novels, trade revenues were marginally unfavorable to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, which saw the widely-anticipated release of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins, in print, digital and audio formats.  For the full fiscal year, CBP&D revenues fell $210.7 million, or 24%, as a result of the COVID-related decline in school book fairs held, partially offset by strong core frontlist sales of trade titles.  Fourth quarter segment operating income, excluding one-time items relating to the consolidation of redundant book fairs' facilities, was $14.3 million, as compared to an operating loss of $46.5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.  Fiscal 2021 CBP&D operating income, excluding one-time items, was $19.1 million, a reduction of $4.5 million, or 19%, compared to operating income of $23.6 million in fiscal 2020, and directly attributable to the pandemic-related drop in book fair revenues, partially offset by cost savings measures taken throughout the current fiscal year.

Education

Fourth quarter 2021 segment revenues grew $30.2 million, or 32%, to $124.9 million, versus the comparable prior year period on higher sales in most channels, particularly leveled bookrooms, summer reading programs, paperbacks and collections, and literacy partnerships, as well as in the segment's teaching resources and digital subscription product categories.  For the fiscal year, Education segment revenues were $312.3 million, compared to $287.3 million a year ago, an increase of $25.0 million, or 9%.   In the fourth quarter, segment operating income was $40.8 million versus $27.3 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, an increase of 49%, reflecting the higher sales volumes.  Fiscal 2021 Education operating income was $60.6 million, an increase of $30.7 million, or 103% versus the prior year, driven by higher revenues and the benefits of the Company's cost savings actions.  Effective June 1^st, Education's multiple channels were consolidated into a single Education Solutions group to allow for increased investment in digital learning and greater cross-selling opportunities across the entire segment's portfolio of print and digital products.  The new combined division will now house all Scholastic programs that are purchased by districts and schools for use in classroom instruction and supplementary learning, as well as family and community engagement, professional learning, and related services.

International

Fourth quarter 2021 segment revenues grew $27.0 million, or 47%, to $84.3 million, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2020, with higher sales recorded in Canada, Australia, and in Asia across most channels – direct sales, trade and education.  Fiscal 2021 International revenue was $323.3 million, basically on par with prior year's results as global markets grappled with COVID-related disruptions throughout the current fiscal year.  In the fourth quarter, International recorded operating income of $5.1 million, excluding one-time items, versus an operating loss of $9.1 million, excluding one-time items, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, on higher sales volumes. Segment operating income for the full fiscal year was $31.2 million, excluding one-time items for restructuring severance and branch consolidation and other business rationalization costs of $7.2, million, an increase of $36.0 million, as compared to an operating loss of $4.8 million, which excluded one-time charges of $1.7 million.  The year-over-year improvement in segment operating income reflects the benefits of the Company's cost reduction activities and the receipt of certain pandemic-related government subsidies in the current fiscal year. 

In fiscal 2021, the impact of foreign exchange on the Company's international businesses resulted in a $16.9 million improvement in revenues and a $0.4 million increase in operating income versus the prior year period.

Overhead

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, overhead expense, excluding one-time items, was $18.6 million, an increase of $7.5 million versus $11.1 million of overhead expense, excluding one-time items, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.  The higher overhead expense in the current year period reflects higher spending on the Company's technology roadmap, as well as on certain manufacturing and logistics programs.  Corporate overhead for the fiscal year was $71.9 million, excluding one-time items of $49.1 million, pre-tax, versus corporate overhead of $81.0 million in the prior year, after excluding $54.5 million in one-time items.  Excluding one-time items in both periods, the lower overhead expense in the current fiscal year was mainly due to the favorable impact of the Company's cost savings initiatives and lower spending, in general, across many overhead groups.

Vanderbilt Matter

Subsequent to its fiscal year-end, Scholastic, along with its co-defendants in a certain legal proceeding, reached a mediation-assisted settlement with Vanderbilt University regarding a license agreement for intellectual property used in the Company's former READ 180 instruction platform, and certain trademarks in connection with the marketing and sale of READ 180 and ancillary products, all of which were included in the sale of Scholastic's Educational Technology and Services business in May 2015 and are no longer marketed by the Company. Without admitting to the allegations raised, the agreement requires the Company to pay $20 million in a one-time cash payment to Vanderbilt to avoid the uncertainties of trial and the additional costs of preparing for and presenting an on-going legal defense in this matter. The settlement amount has been reflected in the Company's financial results as of May 31, 2021 as a one-time non-recurring item. While Scholastic expects that a significant portion of the settlement and related defense costs will be covered by the Company's insurance programs, it is premature to determine with any level of probability or accuracy what those recoveries could be at this time.    

Chief Executive Officer Appointment

As previously announced, Peter Warwick has been named the Company's new President and Chief Executive Officer effective August 1, 2021.  Mr. Warwick has served as an independent director on the Company's board since 2014 and will assume the lead operating roles and responsibilities of the late M. Richard (Dick) Robinson, Jr.

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 table 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, July 22, 2021. Scholastic's Lead Independent Director, James Barge; Iole Lucchese, Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer; and Kenneth Cleary, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, will moderate the call.

The conference call and accompanying slides will be webcast and accessible through the Investor Relations section of Scholastic's website, www.scholastic.com. Participation by telephone will be available by dialing (877) 654-5161 from within the U.S. or +1 (678) 894-3064 internationally. Shortly following the call, an archived webcast and accompanying slides from the conference call will also be posted at www.investor.scholastic.com. An audio-only replay of the call will be available by dialing (855) 859-2056 from within the U.S. or +1 (404) 537-3406 internationally, and entering access code 7638704. The recording will be available through Friday, July 30, 2021.

About Scholastic

For more than 100 years, Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) has been encouraging the personal and intellectual growth of all children, beginning with literacy. Having earned a reputation as a trusted partner to educators and families, Scholastic is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books, a leading provider of literacy curriculum, professional services, and classroom magazines, and a producer of educational and entertaining children's media. The Company creates and distributes bestselling books and e-books, print and technology-based learning programs for pre-K to grade 12, and other products and services that support children's learning and literacy, both in school and at home. With 15 international operations and exports to 165 countries, Scholastic makes quality, affordable books available to all children around the world through school-based book clubs and book fairs, classroom libraries, school and public libraries, retail, and online. 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 those arising from the continuing impact of COVID-19 related measures taken by governmental authorities, school administrators, or suppliers or customers which may curtail or otherwise adversely affect certain of the Company's business operations, and 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

SOURCE Scholastic Corporation