Scholastic Corporation reported results for the Company's fiscal 2017 first quarter ended August 31, 2016

OREANDA-NEWS. Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL), the global children's publishing, education and media company, today reported results for the Company's fiscal 2017 first quarter ended August 31, 2016. 

Revenue in the first quarter was $282.7 million, compared to $191.2 million a year ago, an increase of $91.5 million, or 48%.  Operating loss from continuing operations was $63.1 million versus a loss of $79.5 million in the prior year period, an improvement of 21%.  The Company reported a first quarter loss per share from continuing operations of $1.15, versus a loss per share from continuing operations of $1.46 in the prior year period.  Scholastic typically records a loss in its fiscal first quarter, when most U.S. schools are not in session.

First quarter revenue increases were reported in all three segments - Children's Book Publishing and Distribution, Education, and International - led by the Trade division's sales of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two, which was released in late July.   The first quarter is not significant for book clubs and book fairs since most schools are not in session.  Education continued its strong performance, with momentum carrying over from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, showing year-over-year sales gains in classroom books, including guided reading and summer reading programs, and classroom magazines.  International businesses, especially the major markets of Canada and Australia/New Zealand, started the fiscal year with stronger trade revenues, particularly in Canada where the new Harry Potter title drove strong top line growth.   

"Our strategy to simplify our businesses and focus on core growth opportunities delivered strong results in the first quarter of 2017 with comparable year-over-year gains in all three business segments" said Richard Robinson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Trade publishing was the standout in the quarter with the release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two, the eighth story in the Harry Potter franchise, and, as anticipated, we recognized the most significant portion of the script book's sales in this quarter.  We are looking forward to the release of the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them original screenplay by JK Rowling late in the second quarter, as well as licensed publishing related to the Fantastic Beasts film and the original Harry Potter movies.  In Education, our customized curriculum solutions, favored by many schools as an engaging and effective alternative to basal reader textbooks, had double-digit growth in the quarter.  International is also off to a good start to the year with both strong trade publishing in the major markets and better performance in Asia.  Lastly, we remain on track with our investment plan to create premium retail space and modernize our headquarters office space, as well as to improve our technology systems to provide better information to serve our U.S. and international customers more efficiently and at a lower cost."

Cash Flow and Cash Position

Net cash used in operating activities was $105.5 million in the current fiscal quarter compared to net cash used in operating activities of $291.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.  The Company had free cash use (as defined in the accompanying tables) of $122.4 million in the current quarter, which was in line with the Company's expectations, compared to free cash use of $303.2 million a year ago.

At quarter end, the Company's cash and cash equivalents exceeded the Company's total debt by $275.5 million, compared to $244.6 million a year ago.  The reduction in the Company's net cash position from the balance reported at fiscal year-end May 31, 2016 of $393.4 million was primarily due to normal seasonal working capital requirements in its first fiscal quarter as the Company builds inventories in advance of the school selling season, as well as increased investment, mainly in the form of royalty advances, for an expanded frontlist of titles and licensed product.

One-Time Items

The prior year period included one-time expenses of $2.4 million, or $0.04 per share, related to severance and a warehouse optimization project in the Company's book fair operations.  Excluding these one-time items in the prior year period, first quarter operating loss was $63.1 million, compared to an operating loss of $77.1 million, an improvement of 18%, and loss per share from continuing operations improved 19% to $1.15, compared to a loss of $1.42 per share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.

Fiscal 2017 Outlook Affirmed

Scholastic affirmed its fiscal 2017 outlook for total revenue of $1.7 to $1.8 billion and earnings per diluted share from continuing operations in the range of $1.60 to $1.70, excluding one-time items.  The Company continues to expect free cash flow in the range of $40 to $50 million.

First Quarter Results

Children's Book Publishing and Distribution.  Segment revenue in the first quarter was $137.8 million, compared to $67.7 million in the prior year period, an increase of 104%. In addition to the strong frontlist performance of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One and Two, Trade sales, up $69.6 million, or 147%, versus the prior year period, were also bolstered by new releases including Dog Man by Dav Pilkey, A New Class, the fourth book in the Star Wars: Jedi Academy series, and Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier, as well as strong backlist sales of titles in the Harry Potter franchise.  Although the first quarter is the smallest quarter for the segment's clubs and fairs, the Company showed a $0.5 million, or 2%, sales increase over prior year in these two businesses.  The first quarter operating loss for the segment improved to $36.2 million, from an operating loss of $56.0 million a year ago, primarily as a result of higher trade sales.

Education.  Segment revenue was $55.2 million, an increase of $4.8 million, or 10%, compared to $50.4 million in the prior year period.  The increase was driven by higher sales of the Company's classroom books and classroom magazines, partially offset by lower advertising revenues.  Segment operating loss of $4.4 million was basically equivalent to the prior year period's loss of $4.3 million, and was largely the result of increased salary-related costs for the annualized impact of the expanded education sales force and marketing support.

International.  Segment revenue in the first quarter rose to $89.7 million, from $73.1 million in the prior year period, an increase of $16.6 million, or 23%.  This increase was primarily driven by strong sales of the new Harry Potter title in Canada and local trade publishing in the other major markets, as well as stronger performance in Asia.  Segment operating income improved $6.6 million to $3.9 million, from a loss of $2.7 million a year ago, mainly as a result of the higher international sales volume.

Other Financial Results.  Corporate overhead expenses were $26.4 million, compared to $16.5 million in the prior year period, including one-time items of $1.4 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.  The increase in corporate overhead charges in the current quarter was primarily the result of planned higher spending on strategic technology platforms, higher medical claims experience in the quarter, the impact of a wage improvement program at the Company's shared services operation, and higher facilities-related spend.

As previously announced, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share on the Company's Class A and Common Stock for the second quarter of fiscal 2017. The dividend is payable on December 15, 2016 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on October 31, 2016.

Additional Information

To supplement the financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP, the Company includes certain non-GAAP calculations and presentations.  Please refer to the non-GAAP financial tables attached to this press release for supporting details on special one-time items and other 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.

About Scholastic

Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books, a leading provider of print and digital instructional materials for pre-K to grade 12, and a producer of educational and entertaining children's media. The Company creates quality books and ebooks, print and technology-based learning programs, classroom magazines and other products that, in combination, offer schools customized solutions to support children's learning both at school and at home. The Company also makes quality, affordable books available to all children through school-based book clubs and book fairs. With a 96 year history of service to schools and families, Scholastic continues to carry out its commitment to "Open a World of Possible" for all children.