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Goodwill and Intangible Assets
12 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2024
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:
2023(1)(2)
ImpairmentForeign
Translation
Adjustment
2024
Research$609,729 $— $(2,440)$607,289 
Learning486,025 — (1,946)484,079 
Total excluding Held for Sale or Sold Segment1,095,754 — (4,386)1,091,368 
Held for Sale or Sold108,296 (108,449)153 — 
Total including Held for Sale or Sold segment$1,204,050 $(108,449)$(4,233)$1,091,368 
(1)
The Held for Sale or Sold goodwill balance as of April 30, 2023 includes accumulated pretax noncash goodwill impairments of $209.8 million.
(2)
In the three months ended July 31, 2023, we reorganized our segments and due to this realignment have reallocated goodwill.
Fiscal Year 2024
Change in Segment Reporting Structure and New Reporting Units

In the three months ended July 31, 2023, we reorganized our segments. Our new segment reporting structure consists of three reportable segments which includes Research (no changes), Learning, and Held for Sale or Sold, as well as a Corporate expense category (no change), which includes certain costs that are not allocated to the reportable segments. See Note 20, “Segment Information,” for more details. The Learning reportable segment includes two reporting units, Academic and Professional. The Held for Sale or Sold reportable segment includes three reporting units, University Services, Wiley Edge and CrossKnowledge. No changes were made to the Research reportable segment.

Due to this realignment, we have 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 are 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. 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, expected changes in operating cash flows and cash expenditures. 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.

Goodwill Impairment Before Realignment

Prior to the realignment, we concluded that the fair value of the Academic Publishing, Talent Development (which includes Wiley Edge) 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 $11.4 million. Such impairment reduced the goodwill of the University Services reporting unit to zero. This charge is reflected in Impairment of goodwill in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income.
University Services was adversely impacted by market conditions and headwinds for online degree programs, which lead 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.

Prior to performing the goodwill impairment test for University Services, we also evaluated the recoverability of long-lived assets of the reporting unit. The carrying value of the long-lived assets that were tested for impairment was approximately $231.0 million. We considered the lower-than-expected revenue and forecasted operating cash flows over a sustained period of time, and downward revisions to our cash flow forecasts for this reporting unit to be indicators of impairment for their long-lived assets. Based on the results of the recoverability test, we determined that the undiscounted cash flows of the asset group of the University Services reporting unit exceeded the carrying value. Therefore, there was no impairment.

Goodwill Impairment After Realignment

After the realignment, we concluded that the fair value of the Academic, Professional, and Wiley Edge reporting units were above their carrying values. Therefore, there was no indication of impairment. As noted above, the goodwill of the University Services reporting unit was zero and no further testing of goodwill for impairment was required. 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. This charge is reflected in Impairment of goodwill in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income.

CrossKnowledge was adversely impacted by a decline in the demand for its offerings, which have resulted in lower sales and a decline in average contract value, that adversely impacted forecasted revenue growth and operating cash flows.

Prior to performing the goodwill impairment test for CrossKnowledge, we also evaluated the recoverability of long-lived assets of the reporting unit. The carrying value of the long-lived assets that were tested for impairment was approximately $50.2 million. We considered the lower-than-expected revenue and forecasted operating cash flows over a sustained period of time, and downward revisions to our cash flow forecasts for this reporting unit to be indicators of impairment for their long-lived assets. Based on the results of the recoverability test, we determined that the undiscounted cash flows of the asset group of the CrossKnowledge reporting unit exceeded the carrying value. Therefore, there was no impairment.
Wiley Edge Interim Impairment Test

As a result of signing the Purchase 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 estimated the fair value of the reporting unit based on the terms and conditions in the Purchase Agreement which reflected a selling price that included $10.0 million in cash, $18.3 million in the form of a loan, a fair value estimate for an earnout, and an estimate for a working capital adjustment.

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. This charge is reflected in Impairment of goodwill in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income. 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.

The fair value of the Wiley Edge earnout was based on a Monte Carlo simulation. This fair value was categorized as Level 3 within the ASC Topic 820 fair value hierarchy. This method considers the terms and conditions in the Purchase Agreement, our best estimates of forecasted gross profit for the earnout periods and simulates a range of gross profits over the applicable periods based on an estimate of gross profit volatility. The fair value of the earnout was estimated as the present value of the potential range of payouts averaged across the range of simulated gross profits using an estimated risk-adjusted discount rate for the simulated gross profits. The earnout amount is subject to change based on final results and calculations.
Prior to performing the goodwill impairment test for Wiley Edge, we also evaluated the recoverability of long-lived assets of the reporting unit. The carrying value of the long-lived assets that were tested for impairment was approximately $141.5 million. We considered the changes in the fair value of the consideration for the business due to the continued progression of the selling process to be an indicator of impairment for its long-lived assets. Based on the results of the recoverability test, we determined that the undiscounted cash flows of the asset group of the Wiley Edge reporting unit exceeded the carrying value. Therefore, 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. There have been no significant events or circumstances affecting the valuation of goodwill subsequent to the qualitative assessment performed as of February 1, 2024.

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 2023
Change in Segment Reporting Structure and New Reporting Units

In the three months ended January 31, 2023, we reorganized our Education lines of business into two new customer-centric segments. Our new segment reporting structure consisted of three reportable segments which included Research (no changes), Academic, and Talent, as well as a Corporate expense category (no change), which includes certain costs that are not allocated to the reportable segments. The Academic reportable segment included two reporting units, Academic Publishing and University Services, and the Talent reportable segment included two reporting units, Talent Development and Professional Learning.

Due to this realignment, we have 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, 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.
Goodwill Impairment Before Realignment

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. This charge is reflected in Impairment of goodwill in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income.

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.

Prior to performing the goodwill impairment test for Education Services, we also evaluated the recoverability of long-lived assets of the reporting unit. The carrying value of the long-lived assets that were tested for impairment was approximately $467.0 million. When indicators of impairment are present, we test definite lived and long-lived assets for recoverability by comparing the carrying value of an asset group to an estimate of the future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group. We considered the lower-than-expected revenue and forecasted operating cash flows over a sustained period of time, and downward revisions to our cash flow forecasts for this reporting unit to be indicators of impairment for their long-lived assets. Based on the results of the recoverability test, we determined that the undiscounted cash flows of the asset group of the Education Services reporting unit exceeded the carrying value. Therefore, there was no impairment.

Goodwill Impairment After Realignment

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. This charge is reflected in Impairment of goodwill in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income.

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.

Prior to performing the goodwill impairment test for University Services, we also evaluated the recoverability of long-lived assets of the reporting unit. The carrying value of the long-lived assets that were tested for impairment was approximately $326.0 million. When indicators of impairment are present, we test definite lived and long-lived assets for recoverability by comparing the carrying value of an asset group to an estimate of the future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group. We considered the lower-than-expected revenue and forecasted operating cash flows over a sustained period of time, and downward revisions to our cash flow forecasts for this reporting unit to be indicators of impairment for their long-lived assets. Based on the results of the recoverability test, we determined that the undiscounted cash flows of the asset group of the University Services reporting unit exceeded the carrying value. Therefore, there was no impairment.

Annual Goodwill Impairment Test as of February 1, 2023
As of February 1, 2023, we completed a quantitative assessment for our annual goodwill impairment test for our University Services reporting unit. We concluded that the fair value of the reporting unit was above the carrying value and, therefore, there was no indication of impairment. For our other reporting units, we performed a qualitative assessment by reporting unit as of February 1, 2023. This assessment included consideration of key factors including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, financial performance, weighted average cost of capital (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.
We estimated the fair value of the University Services reporting unit using a weighting of fair values derived from an income and a market approach. Under the income approach, we determined the fair value of the 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, 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.

Intangible Assets
Intangible assets, net as of April 30 were as follows:
20242023
CostAccumulated
Amortization
NetCostAccumulated
Amortization
Net
Intangible assets with definite lives, net(1):
Content and publishing rights$1,087,601 $(656,342)$431,259 $1,100,463 $(638,000)$462,463 
Customer relationships125,521 (85,812)39,709 407,289 (189,943)217,346 
Developed technology(2)
44,880 (25,358)19,522 76,154 (30,654)45,500 
Brands and trademarks(3)
31,448 (25,714)5,734 44,230 (36,949)7,281 
Covenants not to compete1,157 (1,123)34 1,663 (1,363)300 
Total intangible assets with definite lives, net1,290,607 (794,349)496,258 1,629,799 (896,909)732,890 
Intangible assets with indefinite lives:     
Brands and trademarks(2)
37,000 — 37,000 37,000 — 37,000 
Publishing rights82,436 — 82,436 84,904 — 84,904 
Total intangible assets with indefinite lives119,436 — 119,436 121,904 — 121,904 
Total intangible assets, net$1,410,043 $(794,349)$615,694 $1,751,703 $(896,909)$854,794 
(1)
Refer to Note 4, “Acquisitions and Divestitures,” for more information related to the acquisition that occurred in the year ended April 30, 2023.
(2)
The developed technology balance as of April 30, 2024 and 2023 is presented net of accumulated impairments and write-offs of $2.8 million. The indefinite-lived brands and trademarks balance as of April 30, 2024 and 2023 is net of accumulated impairments of $93.1 million.
(3)
We discontinued use of the mthree trademark that resulted in a change in the useful life and accelerated amortization expense of $4.6 million in the three months ended July 31, 2022.
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
2025$51,283 
202648,647 
202744,007 
202838,088 
202933,467 
Thereafter280,766 
Total$496,258 
Annual Indefinite-lived Intangible Impairment Test as of February 1, 2024 and 2023
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 2024 and 2023, 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.