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McGraw Hill, Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 11 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 3 raised. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue grew 4.2% on higher education: Total revenue was $434.2 million, up 4.2% year-over-year, with Higher Education growth of 24.0% cited as the driver. Source
  • Re-occurring revenue rose 14.8%: Re-occurring revenue was $357.5 million, up 14.8%, and digital revenue was $363.7 million, up 11.0%. Source
  • Higher Education revenue up 24%: Higher Education revenue was $225.4 million, with record market share, value-based pricing and favorable enrollment trends cited as drivers. Source
  • Gross margin rose to 85.3%: GAAP gross profit was $370.3 million, a 85.3% margin, up nearly 100 basis points year-over-year. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin reached 31.3%: Adjusted EBITDA was $135.9 million, a 31.3% margin, up nearly 100 basis points from the prior-year period. Source
  • Remaining performance obligation reached $1.7 billion: Remaining performance obligation was $1,696.8 million at December 31, 2025, which the company said shows predictability and visibility into future revenue. Source
  • Term loan prepaid by $200 million: The company made $200 million in term loan pre-payments during the quarter, advancing its debt reduction. Source

“Delivering strong fiscal third quarter 2026 results is a testament to our team’s disciplined execution and our mission to empower students through personalized learning,”

Simon Allen, who retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company on February 9, 2026

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue SourceFiscal year 2026$2,067 million to $2,087 millionRaised from $2,031 million to $2,061 million
Re-occurring revenue SourceFiscal year 2026$1,516 million to $1,526 millionRaised from $1,504 million to $1,524 million
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFiscal year 2026$729 million to $739 millionRaised from $702 million to $722 million
Net leverage SourceTarget, no date given2.0x-2.5x

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Fiscal 2026 guidance was raised for revenue, re-occurring revenue and Adjusted EBITDA, with management citing strong results. Source
  • New: Philip Moyer became President and Chief Executive Officer and a Board member effective February 9, 2026. Source
  • Ended: Simon Allen's role as President and Chief Executive Officer ended; he continues as Chair of the Board. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue grew 4.2% on higher education: Total revenue was $434.2 million, up 4.2% year-over-year, with Higher Education growth of 24.0% cited as the driver. Source
  • Re-occurring revenue rose 14.8%: Re-occurring revenue was $357.5 million, up 14.8%, and digital revenue was $363.7 million, up 11.0%. Source
  • Net loss narrowed from prior year: The company reported a GAAP net loss of $20.2 million for the quarter, compared with a net loss of $52.9 million in the prior-year period. Source
  • Nine-month net income higher: For the nine months ended December 31, 2025, net income was $85.6 million, compared with $71.0 million a year earlier. Source

Segments and regions

  • Higher Education revenue up 24%: Higher Education revenue was $225.4 million, with record market share, value-based pricing and favorable enrollment trends cited as drivers. Source
  • K-12 revenue down 14.6%: K-12 revenue was $128.2 million, down 14.6%, as share gains were offset by the smaller fiscal 2026 market; K-12 re-occurring revenue fell 1.6%. Source
  • Medical and engineering lift Global Professional: Global Professional revenue growth came from medical and engineering sectors, while the International revenue decline narrowed from the prior quarter. Source
  • Inclusive Access is 60% of higher ed: Inclusive Access is described as a pivotal distribution channel, making up 60% of Higher Education revenue. Source

“Our fiscal third quarter results again showcase the resilience and quality of our revenue profile, with double-digit growth in re-occurring and digital revenue and continued operating leverage.”

Bob Sallmann, McGraw Hill’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Products and customers

  • Evergreen covers 70% of higher ed: Evergreen content delivery spans over 700 Higher Education titles and represents 70% of Higher Education revenue. Source
  • AI Reader engagement growing: The company said AI Reader is showing accelerating customer engagement, with more than 1 million unique users in the third quarter. Source
  • Newer tools show higher usage: Integrated solutions including McGraw Hill Plus, ALEKS Adventure and new AI capabilities are reported to show higher utilization, time savings and efficacy. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Gross margin rose to 85.3%: GAAP gross profit was $370.3 million, a 85.3% margin, up nearly 100 basis points year-over-year. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin reached 31.3%: Adjusted EBITDA was $135.9 million, a 31.3% margin, up nearly 100 basis points from the prior-year period. Source
  • Operating expenses rose modestly: Operating and administrative expenses were $257.2 million for the quarter, compared with $250.1 million a year earlier. Source
  • Cost of sales declined: Cost of sales, excluding depreciation and amortization, was $63.8 million, compared with $65.3 million in the prior-year quarter. Source

“We are a digital-first business with some of the world’s most trusted global curricula.”

Philip Moyer, McGraw Hill’s President, Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors

Demand and the order book

  • Remaining performance obligation reached $1.7 billion: Remaining performance obligation was $1,696.8 million at December 31, 2025, which the company said shows predictability and visibility into future revenue. Source
  • Current RPO rose from March: Current RPO was $813.2 million at December 31, 2025, up from $794.0 million at March 31, 2025; non-current RPO was $883.7 million. Source
  • Market share gains cited: The company said it delivered market share gains and strategic progress in the quarter while advancing the scale and integration of its solutions. Source

Capital, cash and debt

  • Term loan prepaid by $200 million: The company made $200 million in term loan pre-payments during the quarter, advancing its debt reduction. Source
  • Net leverage at 2.9x: The Net Leverage Ratio stood at 2.9x at December 31, 2025, using gross debt of $2,682.3 million less cash of $514.4 million, over LTM Adjusted EBITDA of $745.3 million. Source
  • Nine-month operating cash flow lower: Cash provided by operating activities was $477.3 million for the nine months, compared with $687.5 million a year earlier. Source
  • Covenant leverage at 3.1x: The Consolidated First Lien Net Leverage Ratio, a credit-agreement measure, was 3.1x at December 31, 2025. Source

Strategy, leadership and people

  • New CEO's stated focus: Philip Moyer said his focus is building on the foundation, accelerating learning tools, broadening customers served and driving sustainable and profitable growth. Source
  • Technology used for efficiency: The company said it is infusing technology across the business to support productivity, streamline operations and support future margin expansion. Source
  • Forbes employer recognition: Forbes named McGraw Hill one of America's Best Midsize Employers in 2026, citing its mission-driven culture and industry expertise. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
AI Reader interactions Source16 million (27 million since inception)

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The CFO said the company remains committed to its net leverage target and is advancing toward it through debt paydown. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.