Springer Nature reports “strong” 2025 growth in full-year results
Springer Nature has reported “strong” financial results for 2025, with revenue rising to €1,926.4 million (FY 2024: €1,847.1 million), representing underlying growth of 6.2%.
Adjusted operating profit increased to €543.6 million (FY 2024: €512.4 million), reflecting underlying growth of 9.2%, supported by an improved product mix and operating leverage.
Frank Vrancken Peeters, CEO, said: “Our first full year as a public company delivered strong momentum with our Research segment outperforming the market, driven by our continued leadership in open access. This success was driven by our focus on the communities we serve, our strong brands and our continued investment. We are embracing technology and AI tools to transform the publishing process, accelerate the dissemination of trusted knowledge, and maintain trust and integrity. This foundation supports our confidence in continued growth in 2026 and beyond.”
In early trading today (17 March) shares in the company were up 8.23% at €16.30 – but still down more than 32% since its debut on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in October 2024 at €24.00.
The Research segment remained the primary growth engine, with revenue increasing to €1,517.2 million (FY 2024: €1,426.0 million), delivering underlying growth of 7.4%.
The publisher said growth was driven by the journals portfolio, particularly full open access (FOA), with total published articles rising by more than 12% across the portfolio and around 25% in FOA journals.
Springer Nature reported a contract renewal retention rate of nearly 100% for 2025. The publisher also signed 19 new transformative agreements (TAs) during the year, bringing the total to 85 agreements covering more than 4,000 institutions.
Book revenues saw modest growth, supported by strong print sales in Q4, although the company indicated some demand may have been brought forward from 2026. Digital formats continue to account for approximately 70% of book sales.
Services revenue benefited from growth in text and data mining (TDM) solutions for corporate customers, though this was partially offset by a more challenging US market for talent-related services.
The company continued to invest in AI and technology, including initiatives such as Nature Research Assistant and ARC3, a data licensing solution aimed at corporate R&D customers. Springer Nature stated it is deploying AI tools across the publishing process, with a focus on research integrity and knowledge dissemination.
Adjusted operating profit in Research rose 9.9% on an underlying basis to €486.4 million (FY 2024: €451.5 million), outpacing revenue growth.
In Health, revenue reached €191.0 million (FY 2024: €188.2 million), with underlying growth of 2.7%. Gains in scientific affairs services and performance in the Netherlands were partly offset by weaker advertising and events revenue in DACH markets.
Adjusted operating profit in Health increased 1.4% to €37.3 million (FY 2024: €36.2 million), although Q4 performance declined year-on-year due to a less favourable product mix.
Education revenue declined to €219.8 million (FY 2024: €234.8 million), despite underlying growth of 0.8%. Growth in India and Argentina was offset by delays in Southern Africa and continued softer trading in ELT markets.
Reported Education revenue fell 6.4%, largely due to hyperinflation in Argentina and adverse currency movements, including the strength of the Euro against the Mexican Peso and Indian Rupee.
Adjusted operating profit in Education rose 9.0% in underlying terms to €20.0 million (FY 2024: €24.5 million), driven by efficiency measures and portfolio optimisation. However, on a reported basis, profit declined 18.3% due to foreign exchange impacts.
The company said it expects revenue growth of between 5% and 6% in underlying terms for FY 2026, alongside an increase in adjusted operating profit margin of around 30 basis points.
Alexandra Dambeck, CFO of Springer Nature, said: “The strong cash generation and continued reduction in leverage delivered in FY 2025 reinforces our resilience and increases our strategic flexibility. Our FY 2026 guidance demonstrates the strength of our portfolio and our continued ability to grow AOP ahead of revenue.”
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