John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (WLY) Stock Analysis

Wiley’s principal competitive advantage lies in its scale, reputation, and integration within the global research and academic publishing ecosystem. The company publishes over 1,800 peer-reviewed journals¹ and maintains partnerships with more than 600 learned societies², giving it a deep, defensible content library and strong author relationships. Its Wiley Online Library is among the industry’s most widely used research platforms, supporting billions of user sessions annually³.

Recurring revenue is a key strength: 48% of total revenue and 96% of research segment revenue is digital and recurring, providing stability and visibility unmatched by most rivals.⁴ For comparison, Pearson and RELX have similar digital pivots, but Wiley’s research focus and society partnerships create higher switching costs for institutions and researchers.⁵

Wiley’s early and material participation in AI content licensing is a differentiator. In fiscal 2025, it generated $40 million in AI licensing revenue, outpacing most traditional publishers⁶. Its structured, high-quality content is well-suited for training large language models, attracting major technology and pharmaceutical clients⁷.

Customer satisfaction is reinforced by resilient demand—article submissions rose 19% in 2025⁸, and output increased 8%⁹. The company’s culture emphasizes editorial integrity and author service, supporting its brand premium.

Risks include exposure to open access disruption and price pressure from institutional buyers, but Wiley’s scale, digital infrastructure, and entrenched relationships provide a durable moat relative to smaller or less diversified competitors.¹⁰¹¹