WallStSmart

Lee Enterprises Incorporated (LEE)vsJohn Wiley & Sons B (WLYB)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

John Wiley & Sons B generates 222% more annual revenue ($1.67B vs $517.10M). WLYB leads profitability with a 11.9% profit margin vs -1.8%. WLYB appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 13.40. WLYB earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 52/100 (C-).

LEE

Avoid

26

out of 100

Grade: F

Growth: 2.0Profit: 4.0Value: 4.0Quality: 5.0
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 0.11

WLYB

Buy

52

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 4.7Profit: 6.5Value: 6.7Quality: 6.5
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 2.04
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

Intrinsic value data unavailable for LEE.

WLYBUndervalued (+61.0%)

Margin of Safety

+61.0%

Fair Value

$78.63

Current Price

$48.00

$30.63 discount

UndervaluedFair: $78.63Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

LEE1 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Debt/EquityHealth
-212.1910/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

WLYB4 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
EPS GrowthGrowth
108.4%10/10

Earnings expanding 108.4% YoY

Return on EquityProfitability
20.6%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 21 in profit

P/E RatioValuation
13.0x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
2.9x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Areas to Watch

LEE4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Market CapQuality
$178.11M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

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

WLYB3 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
13.402/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-2.6%2/10

Revenue declined 2.6%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-66.47M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : LEE

The strongest argument for LEE centers on Debt/Equity.

Bull Case : WLYB

The strongest argument for WLYB 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 : WLYB

The primary concerns for WLYB are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, Free Cash Flow.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

LEE profiles as a turnaround stock while WLYB is a declining play — different risk/reward profiles.

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

WLYB is growing revenue faster at -2.6% — sustainability is the question.

LEE generates stronger free cash flow (7M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

WLYB scores higher overall (52/100 vs 26/100). Both earn "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 B

COMMUNICATION SERVICES · PUBLISHING · USA

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (WLYB) is a leading global information services provider that specializes in scholarly publishing, professional development, and assessment services. The company is distinguished by its innovative use of technology to enhance educational access and engagement in an increasingly digital world. With a strong focus on sustainable growth and strategic value creation, Wiley is well-positioned to maintain its leadership in the education sector, making it a compelling investment for institutional investors looking to capitalize on opportunities in education and professional development.

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