WallStSmart

Lee Enterprises Incorporated (LEE)vsJohn Wiley & Sons (WLY)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

John Wiley & Sons generates 215% more annual revenue ($1.68B vs $532.42M). WLY leads profitability with a 13.2% profit margin vs -3.0%. WLY appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 13.05. WLY earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 68/100 (B-).

LEE

Avoid

24

out of 100

Grade: F

Growth: 2.0Profit: 4.0Value: 4.0Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 1/9Altman Z: 0.11

WLY

Strong Buy

68

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 5.3Profit: 7.0Value: 6.7Quality: 5.3
Piotroski: 7/9
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

Intrinsic value data unavailable for LEE.

WLYUndervalued (+31.4%)

Margin of Safety

+31.4%

Fair Value

$43.00

Current Price

$52.49

$9.49 discount

UndervaluedFair: $43.00Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

LEE1 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Debt/EquityHealth
-87.2310/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

WLY4 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
EPS GrowthGrowth
108.4%10/10

Earnings expanding 108.4% YoY

Return on EquityProfitability
21.5%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 22 in profit

P/E RatioValuation
12.1x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Operating MarginProfitability
24.7%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 24.7%

Areas to Watch

LEE4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Market CapQuality
$166.06M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
1/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
99.042/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Return on EquityProfitability
-146.2%2/10

ROE of -146.2% — below average capital efficiency

WLY2 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Revenue GrowthGrowth
1.2%4/10

1.2% revenue growth

PEG RatioValuation
13.052/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : LEE

The strongest argument for LEE centers on Debt/Equity.

Bull Case : WLY

The strongest argument for WLY centers on EPS Growth, Return on Equity, P/E Ratio.

Bear Case : LEE

The primary concerns for LEE are Market Cap, Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio.

Bear Case : WLY

The primary concerns for WLY are Revenue Growth, PEG Ratio.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

LEE profiles as a turnaround stock while WLY is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

WLY carries more volatility with a beta of 0.77 — expect wider price swings.

WLY is growing revenue faster at 1.2% — sustainability is the question.

WLY generates stronger free cash flow (142M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

WLY scores higher overall (68/100 vs 24/100). Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Avoid" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Lee Enterprises Incorporated

COMMUNICATION SERVICES · PUBLISHING · USA

Lee Enterprises, Incorporated provides local news and information and advertising services in the United States. The company is headquartered in Davenport, Iowa.

John Wiley & Sons

COMMUNICATION SERVICES · PUBLISHING · USA

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (WLY) is a prominent global leader in educational materials and research solutions, dedicated to advancing knowledge across academic and professional landscapes. The company's diverse portfolio includes academic publishing, professional development resources, and cutting-edge digital platforms designed to meet the evolving needs of learners and professionals. With a strong focus on digital transformation and content accessibility, Wiley is committed to enhancing educational outcomes and research productivity. Its reputation for quality and continuous innovation positions Wiley as a vital partner in the academic and professional sectors, enabling it to adapt effectively to the rapidly changing demands of its global client base.

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?