olivLaw · European equity research
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc BMY.L
United Kingdom · London Stock Exchange · ISIN GB0033147751 · Vertical: Listed companies from United Kingdom
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc is a British publisher combining consumer trade publishing with academic and professional publishing. In fiscal 2025/2026 group revenue reached £325.9m and adjusted profit £44.9m, with the academic division growing through AI licensing of rights.
At the close of 05 Nov 2026, Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (BMY.L) stock was 6.66 GBP (−0.89% on the day), with market capitalisation 542.9 m GBP, P/E 20.3 on diluted EPS of 0.33 GBP over the last 12 months, dividend yield 2.34%, beta 0.64, 52-week range 4.39–6.87 GBP.
Data as of · AI analysis dated · Source: ESEF annual reports and closing prices, computed by olivLaw.
Price history
Loading chart…
Technical reading
- RSI (14)
- 55.5
- strong (55–70)
- Bollinger (20, 2)
- 6.20 – 7.03
- in the upper half of the band · %B 0.55 · band width 12.6%
- SMA 50 / 200
- 6.41 / 5.99
- uptrend (price > SMA50 > SMA200)
- MACD (12, 26, 9)
- 0.03 / 0.03
- MACD above signal
Indicators describe past prices; on their own they do not predict direction. On our history the RSI ≤ 40 filter added no return (see the signals methodology).
Performance
| Company | EURO STOXX 50 | vs EURO STOXX 50 | Vertical median | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | +5.0% | −0.6% | +5.7 pp | — |
| 3 months | +3.4% | −4.2% | +7.6 pp | — |
| 6 months | +7.4% | +4.3% | +3.1 pp | — |
| Year to date | +38.2% | +7.5% | +30.7 pp | — |
| 1 year | +31.1% | +9.9% | +21.2 pp | +5.8% |
| 3 years | +59.7% | +49.8% | +9.9 pp | +26.3% |
| 5 years | +82.5% | +42.8% | +39.6 pp | — |
Price returns, dividends excluded.
Quarterly results
ESEF annual reports carry no quarters: the results are annual (below).
E/P over time
E/P = trailing-12-month diluted EPS / price at quarter end. E/P is the inverse of P/E and stays defined when earnings are negative.
Today's P/E sits at the 100 percentile of its own 3-quarter history (min 0.1, median 14.1, max 19.9; quarters with earnings only).
Fiscal years
| Fiscal year | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 342.7 m | 361.0 m | 325.9 m |
| Revenue YoY | unavailable | +5.3% | −9.7% |
| Net income | 32.3 m | 25.4 m | 27.0 m |
| Net income YoY | unavailable | −21.4% | +6.3% |
| Diluted EPS | 39.11 | 0.31 | 0.33 |
| Diluted EPS YoY | unavailable | −99.2% | +6.8% |
| net % | 9.4% | 7.0% | 8.3% |
| Free cash flow | 36.8 m | 40.5 m | 39.4 m |
Balance sheet & financial health
Fiscal year 2026 · 28 Feb 2026
- Cash
- 44.0 m GBP
- Financial debt
- 14.8 m GBP
- Net debt
- -29.2 m GBP
- Equity
- 215.9 m GBP
- Total assets
- 364.5 m GBP
- Debt / equity
- 0.07x
- Current ratio
- 1.77x
- ROE
- 12.5%
- ROA
- 7.2%
- FCF margin
- 12.1%
Financial statements (source on every figure)
Revenue and net income (GBP)
Margins
Income statement · GBP
| Line | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 342.7 m | 361.0 m | 325.9 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Cost of revenue | 148.1 m | 157.1 m | 134.3 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Gross profit | 194.6 m | 203.9 m | 191.6 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Operating income | 40.6 m | 33.3 m | 35.4 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Interest expense | 400.0 k | 2.1 m | 1.9 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Pre-tax income | 41.5 m | 32.5 m | 34.2 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Income tax | 9.2 m | 7.1 m | 7.2 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Net income | 32.3 m | 25.4 m | 27.0 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Diluted EPS | 39.11 | 0.31 | 0.33 | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Dividend per share | 13.91 | 0.15 | 0.16 | esef· 25 Jun 2026derived |
Balance sheet · GBP
| Line | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | 65.8 m | 40.6 m | 44.0 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Receivables | 164.8 m | 133.3 m | 125.4 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Inventories | 36.6 m | 46.3 m | 39.0 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Current assets | 267.2 m | 220.2 m | 208.4 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Property, plant & equipment, net | 2.2 m | 2.5 m | 2.9 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Goodwill | 48.3 m | 77.3 m | 74.9 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Intangibles (excl. goodwill) | 32.0 m | 60.1 m | 50.4 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Total assets | 371.7 m | 385.3 m | 364.5 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Long-term debt | 0 | 23.6 m | 14.8 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Current liabilities | 159.5 m | 136.4 m | 117.9 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Total liabilities | 169.2 m | 170.5 m | 148.6 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Equity | 202.5 m | 214.8 m | 215.9 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Shares outstanding at year end | 812.2 k | 81.6 m | 81.5 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026derived |
Cash flow · GBP
| Line | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating cash flow | 37.6 m | 41.9 m | 40.8 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Capex | 800.0 k | 1.4 m | 1.4 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Free cash flow | 36.8 m ≈ | 40.5 m ≈ | 39.4 m ≈ | esef· 25 Jun 2026derived |
| Investing cash flow | -4.6 m | -69.9 m | -8.2 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Financing cash flow | -16.8 m | 3.2 m | -27.5 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
| Dividends paid | 11.3 m | 12.2 m | 12.7 m | esef· 25 Jun 2026verified |
≈ computed by olivLaw from the reported lines of the same year: Operating cash flow − Capex.
Computed indicators
Growth
Profitability
Returns
Balance sheet
Liquidity
Cash
Efficiency
Market and valuation
1 indicators that do not apply to the sector.
Valuation
olivLaw classification
Score: 65 / 100
A scoring methodology on indicators and valuation, not investment advice.
(margin_of_safety <= -0.25 & agreement in ['high', 'medium'])
Closing price
05 Nov 2026Source: olivLaw, closing series
Market cap: 542.9 m GBP
Key indicators
Coverage and freshness
Score by group
- Quality62
- Returns60
- Balance sheet92
- Valuation56
Estimated value range
unavailable — no valuation assumptions for the reporting currency
Valuation assumptions are editorial choices, not measured; beta is not measured.
Valuation methods
Assumptions (illustrative, editorial)
- Risk-free rate
- 6.5%
- Equity risk premium
- 6.0%
- Beta (default)
- 1.00
- Cost of equity
- 12.5%
- Terminal growth
- 3.0%
Factor scorecard
Unattractive profile · Score 65/100
| Factor | Value | Score | Weight used |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROIC · Quality | 14.5% | 50 (vs peers) | 17% |
| Net margin · Quality | 8.3% | 43 (vs peers) | 10% |
| FCF conversion · Quality | 145.9% | 100 (on a fixed band) | 10% |
| Revenue CAGR 3Y · Growth | unavailable | unavailable | — |
| EPS CAGR 3Y · Growth | unavailable | unavailable | — |
| Net debt / EBITDA · Balance sheet | unavailable | unavailable | — |
| Interest coverage · Balance sheet | 18.6x | 100 (on a fixed band) | 10% |
| Current ratio · Balance sheet | 1.8x | 81 (on a fixed band) | 7% |
| P/E (TTM) · Valuation | 20.3x | 28 (vs peers) | 17% |
| EV/EBITDA · Valuation | unavailable | unavailable | — |
| FCF yield · Valuation | 7.3% | 91 (on a fixed band) | 13% |
| Shareholder yield (distributions) · Returns | 2.3% | 33 (on a fixed band) | 10% |
| Payout ratio (FCF) · Returns | 32.2% | 100 (on a fixed band) | 7% |
Factors without a value were dropped; the remaining weights were renormalised.
Score groups
- Balance sheet92/100 · 2/3 factors with a value
- Growth· partialunavailable · 0/2 factors with a value
- Quality62/100 · 3/3 factors with a value
- Returns60/100 · 2/2 factors with a value
- Valuation56/100 · 2/3 factors with a value
A «partial» group is computed from under half of its weight or from one factor: it is not a full assessment of the group.
Memo
BLOOMSBURY PUBLISHING PLC (BMY.L). Latest full fiscal year: 2026; data up to 2026-02-28.
Figures computed from the financial statements: revenue 325.9 m GBP in 2026; YoY growth -9.7%; net margin 8.3%; ROE 12.5%.
The estimated value range is 3.70–5.71 GBP per share (median of 3 methods, agreement: medium); assumptions are illustrative. Against the central value of 4.73 GBP, the price of 6.66 GBP leaves a potential of -29.0% (value / price − 1) and a margin of safety of -40.8% (1 − price / value). The range is the median of the methods' low, central and high values, not a probability interval.
olivLaw score 65/100, methodological classification: unattractive profile (score, margin of safety and method agreement together; not a judgement of the right price). Groups assessed only in part: growth. Not investment advice.
Text generated deterministically from the figures shown; no language model. Not investment advice.
What supports the thesis
- FCF conversion: 145.9%
- Interest coverage: 18.6x
- Current ratio: 1.8x
- FCF yield: 7.3%
- Payout ratio (FCF): 32.2%
What contradicts it
- P/E (TTM): 20.3x
- The price is above the estimated value range
Not assessed (insufficient data or a ratio without meaning): Revenue CAGR 3Y, EPS CAGR 3Y, Net debt / EBITDA, EV/EBITDA.
Versus the vertical median
Listed companies from United Kingdom · same country · compared with 39 companies
Multiples and returns vs the median
Price rebased to 100 (monthly, 5 years)
Companies in the vertical
| Market cap | P/E | ROE | Net margin | Revenue YoY | 1A / 3A | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BATS.LBritish American Tobacco P.L.C. | 104.3 bn | 13.5 | 16.5% | 30.3% | −1.0% | +7% / +88% |
| ABF.LAssociated British Foods PLC | 14.7 bn | 14.3 | 9.2% | 5.3% | −3.1% | −5% / −15% |
| 0EV1.LCarnival PLC | 5.5 bn | 4.1 | 46.7% | 13.4% | +6.4% | unavailable / unavailable |
| BAB.LBabcock International Group PLC | 5.1 bn | 24.7 | 34.7% | 4.1% | +7.2% | −10% / +158% |
| AUTO.LAutotrader Group PLC | 4.8 bn | 16.4 | 60.2% | 47.1% | +3.9% | −13% / −23% |
| BBY.LBalfour Beatty PLC | 4.2 bn | 16.3 | 23.2% | 2.8% | +15.2% | +20% / +160% |
| ABDN.LAberdeen Group PLC | 4.1 bn | 10.8 | 8.0% | 28.9% | −2.1% | +11% / +41% |
| BKG.LThe Berkeley Group Holdings PLC | 3.6 bn | 11.3 | 8.8% | 13.4% | −4.2% | −0% / −22% |
| BME.LB&M European Value Retail PLC | 2.9 bn | 17.4 | 21.2% | 2.8% | +3.7% | +68% / −51% |
| AJB.LAj Bell PLC | 2.4 bn | 22.8 | 49.9% | 33.1% | +18.0% | +8% / +128% |
| ASHM.LAshmore Group PLC | 1.4 bn | 13.9 | 13.1% | 71.6% | −0.1% | +28% / +18% |
| BCG.LBaltic Classifieds Group PLC | 1.2 bn | 23.2 | 15.8% | 57.6% | +6.9% | −99% / −99% |
| APN.LApplied Nutrition PLC | 763.6 m | 36.2 | 41.2% | 19.7% | +24.2% | +71% / unavailable |
| BAG.LA.G. Barr P.L.C. | 671.9 m | 14.4 | 14.4% | 10.8% | +4.0% | −7% / +26% |
| BMY.LBloomsbury Publishing PLC | 542.9 m | 20.3 | 12.5% | 8.3% | −9.7% | +34% / +60% |
| ASC.LAsos PLC | 494.5 m | — | -81.3% | -12.0% | −14.7% | +71% / +8% |
| ALFA.LAlfa Financial Software Holdings PLC | 486.8 m | 16.3 | 61.5% | 23.8% | +15.3% | −28% / +10% |
| AML.LAston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings PLC | 344.3 m | — | -93.4% | -39.2% | −20.6% | −45% / −85% |
| APTD.LAptitude Software Group PLC | 111.3 m | 28.5 | 7.2% | 6.2% | −7.3% | −30% / −23% |
| AMGO.LAmigo Holdings PLC | 9.9 m | — | — | — | −81.9% | +325% / +844% |
| ASBE.LAssociated British Engineering PLC | 605.3 k | — | -19.1% | — | unavailable | unavailable / unavailable |
| AMIF.LAmicorp Fs (uk) PLC | 221.6 k | 0.1 | 27.5% | 9.1% | +8.1% | unavailable / unavailable |
| AAF.LAirtel Africa PLC | — | — | 24.1% | 10.6% | +29.5% | −7% / +164% |
| AAL.LAnglo American PLC | — | — | -19.3% | -20.2% | +4.5% | +30% / +76% |
| ACG.LAcg Metals Limited | — | — | -80.3% | -32.0% | +134.8% | +60% / +63% |
1- and 3-year price returns: for BMY.L from daily closes (the same as the performance table), for the other companies from month-end closes.
olivLaw engine forecast
The world engine ran after the company's latest material disclosure. Probabilities are of TOUCHING a level within the horizon (not closing there) and sit next to the random walk (p_rw), the no-information benchmark.
The engine has no published run for this company yet.
Valuation scenarios (editable assumptions)
Illustrative scenarios
Illustrative: not forecasts and without probabilities. Each case is one coherent set of assumptions, computed on today's figures.
Estimated price (GBP)
| Estimated price | Bear | Base | Bull |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 years | 3.60 Total return -44% · Per year -44% | 6.39 Total return -2% · Per year -2% | 9.67 Total return 48% · Per year 48% |
| 3 years | 2.85 Total return -53% · Per year -22% | 5.77 Total return -7% · Per year -2% | 9.67 Total return 53% · Per year 15% |
| 5 years | 2.27 Total return -59% · Per year -16% | 5.20 Total return -12% · Per year -2% | 9.67 Total return 59% · Per year 10% |
- Exit P/E± 1.44
- Net margin± 1.01
- Annual revenue growth± 0.91
- Annual dilution± 0.08
AI analysis
AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.
In brief
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc is a British publisher combining consumer trade publishing with academic and professional publishing. In fiscal 2025/2026 group revenue reached £325.9m and adjusted profit £44.9m, with the academic division growing through AI licensing of rights.
SWOT
Strengths
- The company has a diversified portfolio whose divisions offset each other: consumer publishing brings visibility and commercial success, while academic publishing brings steadier revenue. Its brand is strong and its catalogue includes reference authors and titles.
- The financial position is solid, with net cash and the capacity to reduce debt while maintaining dividends. The company also has extensive acquisition experience, which eases the integration of new catalogues.
- Its Great Place To Work certification and the internal culture described in the report indicate an engaged workforce, supporting talent retention in the publishing industry.
Weaknesses
- Consumer revenue depends heavily on a few exceptional titles from high-selling authors, and a year without such successes can reduce results quickly.
- The group's adjusted profit margin is relatively modest, and the consumer division's margin is low, which limits its capacity to absorb cost shocks.
- The remaining loan used for the Rowman & Littlefield acquisition matures in 2027, creating refinancing pressure if cash flows weaken.
Opportunities
- Licensing rights for AI training could become a repeatable income stream, and the Google collaboration could support efficiency and content recommendations.
- Rising student numbers in Asia and other regions can expand demand for academic and digital materials, particularly through the new Singapore office.
- Screen adaptations and franchise expansion, such as the new Harry Potter television series, could bring new readers and sales to existing titles.
Threats
- Using works to train AI models may trigger challenges from authors and shareholders if agreements are seen as unfair.
- Competition from large publishers for rights to high-selling authors can raise acquisition costs and compress margins.
- Cost pressures, including printing and distribution costs, may weigh on profitability, particularly in the consumer segment.
Risks
- Reliance on high-selling titleshigh
Results of the consumer division can vary widely from year to year, depending on a few major releases and publishing schedules.
- AI-related riskshigh
Licensing works for model training could lead to disputes, friction with authors and reputational pressure, especially if terms are unclear.
- Loan refinancingmedium
The remaining loan matures in 2027, and if market conditions deteriorate, refinancing could become more expensive.
- Acquisition integrationmedium
Integrating Rowman & Littlefield takes time and resources, and delays or unforeseen costs could reduce the expected benefits.
- Production and distribution costslow
Rising printing, transport and distribution costs can weigh on margins, particularly in consumer publishing with lower volumes.
Investment thesis
What would need to be true (bull case)
- The combination of an extended academic catalogue and a consumer portfolio with reference titles offers a diversified base that could support growth if both segments perform.
- AI licensing and the Google partnership could open new revenue sources and improve operating efficiency if they turn into repeatable agreements.
- The financial position and the record of dividend growth point to capital discipline that could support future investment and acquisitions.
What would break the thesis
- Consumer revenue depends on exceptional titles, and a weaker year could quickly show a decline in results.
- Legal and reputational risks linked to using works for AI could affect relations with authors and future costs.
- The loan maturing in 2027 and relatively modest margins could limit financial flexibility if the market weakens.
What to watch
- Quarterly results and any update to profit expectations for 2026/2027Q1 2027
- Revenue trend from AI licensing in the academic division2027
- Performance of major 2026/2027 titles and the impact of the Harry Potter television series2027
- Refinancing or repayment of the remaining $20.0m loan2027
Products, market & competition
AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.
The business
Bloomsbury publishes trade books for general readers in print, digital and audiobook formats, along with academic and professional materials for schools, universities, libraries and professionals. Its model rests on a portfolio of rights held from authors and illustrators, exploited through publishing, licensing and global distribution. The group closed fiscal 2025/2026 with revenue of £325.9m and an adjusted profit margin of 13.8% 1.
Management describes its strategy as a 'portfolio of portfolios' combining consumer and academic publishing. The acquisition of Rowman & Littlefield added a significant academic list, and the company opened an office in Singapore to address growing student numbers in the region 1. It also entered a strategic collaboration with Google focused on AI-powered learning and publishing infrastructure.
Bloomsbury holds a net cash position of £29.2m at the end of fiscal 2025/2026, with a remaining $20.0m loan maturing in May 2027 1. The total dividend for fiscal 2025/2026 rose 5%, and management frames shareholder returns as one of several capital allocation priorities alongside internal investment, debt reduction and acquisitions.
Segments
Consumer (trade publishing)
The consumer division generated revenue of £218.2m in fiscal 2025/2026, down from a prior year boosted by exceptional sales of a Sarah J. Maas novel. Its adjusted profit margin was 9% 1, and the outlook for 2026/2027 rests on a strong frontlist including new Sarah J. Maas titles and the Harry Potter franchise.
Academic & Professional
The academic and professional division posted revenue of £107.7m, up 29% year on year, driven mainly by AI licensing, while print, digital and rights revenues grew in the second half 1. Its adjusted profit margin rose to 23% 1, and the company sees encouraging signs of recovery across all territories.
Market context
Trade publishing depends on the success of high-selling titles from bestselling authors and established franchises, which makes consumer revenue volatile from year to year. Academic demand is more predictable, supported by growth in student numbers, estimated at 600m globally by 2040 with over 60% in Asia 1. Management expects broader AI use across the sector over time, which opens licensing opportunities alongside questions about authors' rights.
Consensus expectations cited by the board before its latest update were revenue of £353.0m and profit before tax of £50.0m for fiscal 2026/2027 1. The company subsequently upgraded its profit expectations for the same year, citing exceptional pre-orders for major titles.
Trends
- AI as a source of revenuemixed
The first non-exclusive AI licensing agreement, signed in July 2025, contributed to growth in the academic division and remains ongoing in 2026/2027. The Google partnership could improve forecasting and inventory management, but using authors' works to train models raises rights and reputational questions.
- Growth of higher education in Asiatailwind
Estimates of rising student numbers in Asia support the company's expansion in the region following the Singapore office. If these estimates hold, demand for academic and digital materials could increase.
- Reliance on exceptional bestsellersheadwind
Consumer revenue fell after an exceptional prior year, showing how much the division depends on a few authors. If major titles underperform, divisional results could decline quickly.
- Digitalisation and audio formatsmixed
Demand for ebooks, audiobooks and digital resources continues to shape how content is published and distributed. This supports the academic segment but also pressures print, where distribution and production costs must be managed.
Competitive position
Bloomsbury competes with large international publishers in trade publishing, where it fights for author rights and visibility on bestseller lists, and in academic publishing, where rivals with vast catalogues and strong digital platforms set the pace. In academic markets its position depends on catalogue quality and on integrating acquisitions.
In academic publishing the company's advantages are its enlarged catalogue after the Rowman & Littlefield acquisition, its global footprint and its ability to monetise rights through licensing. Competitors with mature digital platforms and existing AI licensing deals could, however, limit its growth if it does not expand its offering quickly.
- Elsevier
Academic and professional group with a strong digital platform, a direct competitor in scientific and professional publishing.
- PearsonPSO
Major provider of educational content and assessment, active in print and digital across academic markets.
- John Wiley & SonsWLY
Academic and professional publisher with an extensive catalogue and digital publishing programmes, competing in research publishing.
- Penguin Random House
Large consumer publishing group competing for author rights and positions on bestseller charts.
News & filings
In the press
No news in our archive over the last 180 days.
Annual reports (ESEF)
- Annual report 202625 Jun 2026
- Annual report 202517 Jun 2025
Sources
- [1] Annual report, fiscal year ended 2026-02-28 (ESEF) · SEC / Bloomsbury Publishing Plc · 28 Feb 2026
Figures computed by olivLaw from ESEF annual reports and closing prices; the qualitative analysis is AI-generated from cited sources. Not investment advice.