v3.25.2
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
12 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2025
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill
The following table summarizes the activity in goodwill by segment as of April 30:
Research
Learning
Total excluding Held for Sale or Sold segment
Held for Sale or Sold(1)
Total including Held for Sale or Sold segment
Balance at April 30, 2023
$609,729 $486,025 $1,095,754 $108,296 $1,204,050 
Impairment— — — (108,449)(108,449)
Foreign Translation Adjustment(2,440)(1,946)(4,386)153 (4,233)
Balance at April 30, 2024607,289 484,079 1,091,368 — 1,091,368 
Acquisition(2)
— 1,026 1,026 — 1,026 
Foreign Translation Adjustment32,145 (3,034)29,111 — 29,111 
Balance at April 30, 2025
$639,434 $482,071 $1,121,505 $— $1,121,505 
(1)
The Held for Sale or Sold goodwill balance as of April 30, 2024 includes accumulated pretax noncash goodwill impairments of $318.2 million which reduced the goodwill of all reporting units within the Held for Sale or Sold segment to zero.
(2)
Refer to Note 4, “Acquisitions and Divestitures,” for more information related to the acquisition that occurred in the year ended April 30, 2025.
Fiscal Year 2025
Annual Impairment Test as of February 1, 2025

For our reporting units within the Research and Learning segments, we performed a qualitative assessment by reporting unit as of February 1, 2025. This assessment included consideration of key factors including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, financial performance, weighted average cost of capital (WACC), market multiples of current and forward 12-month EBITDA, and other relevant entity and reporting unit-specific events. Based on our qualitative assessment, we determined it was not more likely than not that the fair value of any reporting unit was less than its carrying amount. As such, it was not necessary to perform a quantitative test. There have been no significant events or circumstances affecting the valuation of goodwill subsequent to the qualitative assessment performed as of February 1, 2025.

If the fair value of these reporting units decreases in future periods, we could potentially have an impairment. The future occurrence of a potential indicator of impairment, such as a decrease in expected net earnings, changes in assumptions, adverse equity market conditions, a decline in current market multiples, a decline in our common stock price, a significant adverse change in legal factors or business climates, an adverse action or assessment by a regulator, unanticipated competition, strategic decisions made in response to economic or competitive conditions, or a more-likely-than-not expectation that a reporting unit or a significant portion of a reporting unit will be sold or disposed of, could require an interim assessment for some or all of the reporting units before the next required annual assessment.
Fiscal Year 2024
We recorded a goodwill impairment of $108.4 million in the year ended April 30, 2024. These charges are reflected in Impairment of goodwill on our Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).
Change in Segment Reporting Structure and Goodwill Impairment
In the three months ended July 31, 2023, we reorganized our segments. Due to this realignment, we reallocated goodwill in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 to our reporting units on a relative fair value basis.
As a result of this realignment, we were required to test goodwill for impairment immediately before and after the realignment. Since there were no changes to the Research reportable segment, no impairment test of the Research segment goodwill was required.

We estimated the fair value of the reporting units using a weighting of fair values derived from an income and a market approach. Fair value computed by these methods is arrived at using a number of key assumptions including forecasted revenues and related growth rates, forecasted operating cash flows, the discount rate, and the selection of relevant market multiples of comparable publicly-traded companies with similar characteristics to the reporting unit. Under the income approach, we determined the fair value of a reporting unit based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. Cash flow projections are based on our best estimates of forecasted economic and market conditions over the period including growth rates and expected changes in operating cash flows. The discount rate used is based on a weighted average cost of capital adjusted for the relevant risk associated with the characteristics of the business and the projected cash flows. The market approach estimates fair value based on market multiples of current and forward 12-month revenue or EBITDA, as applicable, derived from comparable publicly traded companies with similar operating and investment characteristics as the reporting unit.

Prior to the realignment, the previous reporting units (Academic Publishing, Talent Development, which includes Wiley Edge, and Professional Learning) fair values were above their carrying values. Therefore, there was no indication of impairment. The carrying value of the University Services reporting unit was above its fair value, which resulted in a pretax noncash goodwill impairment of $11.4 million. Such impairment reduced the goodwill of the University Services reporting unit to zero. University Services was adversely impacted by market conditions and headwinds for online degree programs, which led to a decline in projected enrollments from existing partners, pricing pressures and revenue share concessions, and a decline in new partner additions over both the short-term and long-term which adversely impacted forecasted revenue growth and operating cash flows. We also evaluated the recoverability of long-lived assets of the University Services reporting unit and there was no impairment.

After the realignment, the new reporting units (Academic, Professional, and Wiley Edge) fair values were above their carrying values. Therefore, there was no indication of impairment. The carrying value of the CrossKnowledge reporting unit was above its fair value which resulted in a pretax noncash goodwill impairment of $15.3 million. Such impairment reduced the goodwill of the CrossKnowledge reporting unit to zero. CrossKnowledge was adversely impacted by a decline in the demand for its offerings, which resulted in lower sales and a decline in average contract value, that adversely impacted forecasted revenue growth and operating cash flows. We also evaluated the recoverability of long-lived assets of the CrossKnowledge reporting unit and there was no impairment.

Wiley Edge Interim Impairment Test

As a result of signing the Edge Agreement with Inspirit and the decrease in the fair value of the business, which was impacted by a decline in placements, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, we tested the goodwill of the Wiley Edge reporting unit for impairment. We concluded that the carrying value of the Wiley Edge reporting unit was above its fair value, which resulted in a pretax noncash goodwill impairment of approximately $81.7 million. Such impairment reduced the goodwill of the Wiley Edge reporting unit to zero. The impairment was due to subsequent changes in the fair value resulting from the continued progression of the selling process, indications of changes in the consideration for the business, and a decline in placements in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, as well as changes in the carrying amounts of the disposal group. We also evaluated the recoverability of long-lived assets of the Wiley Edge reporting unit and there was no impairment.

Refer to Note 4, “Acquisitions and Divestitures,” for more information.

Annual Impairment Test as of February 1, 2024

For our reporting units within the Research and Learning segments, we performed a qualitative assessment by reporting unit as of February 1, 2024. This assessment included consideration of key factors including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, financial performance, WACC, market multiples of current and forward 12-month revenue or EBITDA, as applicable, and other relevant entity and reporting unit-specific events. Based on our qualitative assessment, we determined it was not more likely than not that the fair value of any reporting unit was less than its carrying amount. As such, it was not necessary to perform a quantitative test.
Fiscal Year 2023
We recorded a goodwill impairment of $99.8 million in the year ended April 30, 2023. These charges are reflected in Impairment of goodwill on our Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss).
Change in Segment Reporting Structure and Goodwill Impairment

In the three months ended January 31, 2023, we reorganized our segments. Due to this realignment, we reallocated goodwill in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023 to our reporting units on a relative fair value basis.

As a result of this realignment, we were required to test goodwill for impairment immediately before and after the realignment. Since there were no changes to the Research reportable segment, no interim impairment test of the Research segment goodwill was required.

We estimated the fair value of the reporting units using a weighting of fair values derived from an income and a market approach. Fair value computed by these methods is arrived at using a number of key assumptions including forecasted revenues and related growth rates, forecasted operating cash flows, the discount rate, and the selection of relevant market multiples of comparable publicly-traded companies with similar characteristics to the reporting unit. Under the income approach, we determined the fair value of a reporting unit based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. Cash flow projections are based on our best estimates of forecasted economic and market conditions over the period including growth rates and expected changes in operating cash flows. The discount rate used is based on a weighted average cost of capital adjusted for the relevant risk associated with the characteristics of the business and the projected cash flows. The market approach estimates fair value based on market multiples of current and forward 12-month revenue or EBITDA, as applicable, derived from comparable publicly traded companies with similar operating and investment characteristics as the reporting unit.

Prior to the realignment, we concluded that the fair value of the Academic & Professional Learning reporting unit was above its carrying value. Therefore, there was no indication of impairment. The carrying value of the Education Services reporting unit was above its fair value, which resulted in a pretax noncash goodwill impairment of $31.0 million. Education Services was adversely impacted by market conditions and headwinds for online degree programs. This has led to a decline in projected student enrollments from existing partners, pricing pressures and revenue share concessions, and a decline in new partner additions over both the short-term and long-term, which adversely impacted forecasted revenue growth and operating cash flows. This was partially offset by projected growth in talent placements, partially due to expansion into new regions and the addition of new corporate clients, which are forecasted to have a positive impact on revenue growth and operating cash flows. We also evaluated the recoverability of long-lived assets of the Education Services reporting unit and there was no impairment.

After the realignment, we concluded that the fair value of the Academic Publishing, Talent Development and Professional Learning reporting units were above their carrying values. Therefore, there was no indication of impairment. The carrying value of the University Services reporting unit was above its fair value, which resulted in a pretax noncash goodwill impairment of $68.8 million. University Services was adversely impacted by market conditions and headwinds for online degree programs which led to a decline in projected enrollments from existing partners, pricing pressures and revenue share concessions, and a decline in new partner additions over both the short-term and long-term which adversely impacted forecasted revenue growth and operating cash flows. We also evaluated the recoverability of long-lived assets of the University Services reporting unit and there was no impairment.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets, net as of April 30 were as follows:
20252024
CostAccumulated
Amortization
NetCostAccumulated
Amortization
Net
Intangible assets with definite lives, net(1):
Content and publishing rights$1,080,115 $(662,133)$417,982 $1,087,601 $(656,342)$431,259 
Customer relationships131,037 (95,996)35,041 125,521 (85,812)39,709 
Developed technology(2)
41,195 (28,789)12,406 44,880 (25,358)19,522 
Brands and trademarks30,538 (25,484)5,054 31,448 (25,714)5,734 
Covenants not to compete1,157 (1,148)1,157 (1,123)34 
Total intangible assets with definite lives, net1,284,042 (813,550)470,492 1,290,607 (794,349)496,258 
Intangible assets with indefinite lives:     
Brands and trademarks(2)
37,000 — 37,000 37,000 — 37,000 
Publishing rights87,552 — 87,552 82,436 — 82,436 
Total intangible assets with indefinite lives124,552 — 124,552 119,436 — 119,436 
Total intangible assets, net$1,408,594 $(813,550)$595,044 $1,410,043 $(794,349)$615,694 
(1)
Refer to Note 4, “Acquisitions and Divestitures,” for more information related to the acquisition that occurred in the year ended April 30, 2025.
(2)
The developed technology balance as of April 30, 2025 and 2024 is presented net of accumulated impairments and write-offs of $2.8 million. The indefinite-lived brands and trademarks balance as of April 30, 2025 and 2024 is net of accumulated impairments of $93.1 million.
Based on the current amount of intangible assets subject to amortization and assuming current foreign exchange rates, the estimated amortization expense for the following years are as follows:
Fiscal YearAmount
2026$51,561 
202746,767 
202840,844 
202936,326 
203032,523 
Thereafter262,471 
Total$470,492 
Annual Indefinite-lived Intangible Impairment Test as of February 1, 2025 and 2024
We also review our indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, which consists of brands and trademarks and certain acquired publishing rights.
For fiscal years 2025 and 2024, we performed a qualitative assessment for our annual indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment test. This assessment included consideration of key factors including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, financial performance, WACC, and other relevant entity and reporting unit-specific events. Based on our qualitative assessment, we determined it was not more likely than not that the fair value of any indefinite-lived intangible asset was less than its carrying amount. As such, it was not necessary to perform a quantitative test.