Will News Corp Exit the Education Business?

Media

Published: August 12, 2015 4:53 pm

Last Updated: April 28, 2020 10:35 am

News Corp. (NASDAQ: NWSA) reported fourth-quarter and full-year fiscal 2015 results after markets closed Wednesday. The media giant posted adjusted diluted quarterly earnings per share (EPS) of $0.07 on revenue of $2.14 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported EPS of $0.01 on $2.19 billion in revenues. Thomson Reuters had consensus estimates for EPS of $0.05 and revenue of $2.19 billion.

For the full year, News Corp. reported adjusted EPS of $0.47 on revenue of $8.63 billion, compared with EPS of $0.46 and revenue of $8.57 billion in fiscal 2014. Analysts were looking for EPS of $0.47 on revenues of $8.67 billion.

The company’s board raised its quarterly dividend from $0.0425 to a semi-annual $0.10 per share.

CEO Robert Thomson said:

Despite an uneven global economy, very tough currency headwinds and the ongoing transformation of the media landscape, for fiscal 2015 we posted stable revenues, robust EBITDA growth and healthy free cash flow. … We have begun to execute on a capital return program that signifies our confidence in the prospects of the company and the efficacy of its long-term strategy. The year ahead will be an opportunity to build on the sound and profitable platform we have collectively created.

News Corp. took impairment and restructuring charges of $455 million in fiscal 2015, including $371 million related to its Amplify digital education business. The company noted:

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company determined it would cease actively marketing Amplify’s Access products to new customers; however, it will continue to provide service and support to its existing customers. Additionally, the Company is reviewing strategic alternatives with respect to Amplify’s remaining digital education businesses. This change in Amplify’s strategy and related outlook resulted in a reduction in expected future cash flows for the business. As a result, the Company determined that the fair value of Amplify declined below its carrying value and recorded an impairment charge.

The full-year net loss on a GAAP basis totaled $149 million and the fourth quarter loss totaled $379 million.

News Corp.’s shares traded down about 0.8% in after-hours trading Wednesday, at $14.12. The stock’s 52-week range is $13.59 to $17.80. Thomson Reuters had a consensus analyst price target of $18.22 before this earnings report.

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