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Franklin Covey Company (FC)
NYSE:FC
US Market

Franklin Covey Company (FC) AI Stock Analysis

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FC

Franklin Covey Company

(NYSE:FC)

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Neutral 58 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:58Neutral
Price Target:
$18.50
▲(4.17% Upside)
The score is held back mainly by weakened profitability and sharply lower free cash flow despite strong gross margins and a low-leverage balance sheet. Technicals are supportive but appear overextended, while valuation is weak due to negative earnings. Reaffirmed guidance and improving invoiced/deferred revenue trends provide some offset, but near-term financial headwinds remain prominent.
Positive Factors
High gross margins (~76%)
Sustained ~76% gross margins indicate durable pricing power and scalable digital/training content economics. High gross margin cushions operating profits against revenue cyclicality and supports long‑term margin recovery if SG&A is managed, preserving cash generation potential over 2–6 months.
Low leverage, conservative balance sheet
Very low debt relative to equity reduces financial risk and interest burden, giving management flexibility to absorb short‑term cash flow swings, invest in go‑to‑market changes, sustain buybacks, or access revolver liquidity without forcing asset sales or dilutive financing.
Improving invoiced and new‑logo momentum
A 25% increase in new‑logo subscription invoiced amounts plus rising services bookings and subscriptions signals durable demand from a retooled go‑to‑market. Growing contracted and invoiced flows underpin recurring revenue expansion and provide a runway for reported revenue and EBITDA growth into FY27.
Negative Factors
Profitability compressed to near breakeven
The shift from prior elevated operating margins to near‑breakeven TTM performance suggests cost base or revenue mix issues. Persistent low operating income limits reinvestment, slows ROE recovery, and makes multi‑period margin normalization dependent on sustained revenue improvement and cost control.
Sharp drop in free cash flow (~82% TTM)
An ~82% TTM decline in free cash flow despite positive operating cash flow highlights weakened cash conversion and working‑capital or nonrecurring outflows. Reduced FCF constrains discretionary spending, share repurchases, and leaves less buffer for reinvestment absent drawing on revolver liquidity.
International headwinds and revenue recognition timing risk
China and other international pressures create structural revenue volatility in segments reliant on licensees. Separately, multiyear services invoicing and ~$5.6M of committed services create timing risk that can shift reported revenue and cash between fiscal years, complicating predictability.

Franklin Covey Company (FC) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Franklin Covey Company Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionFranklin Covey Co. provides training and consulting services in the areas of execution, sales performance, productivity, customer loyalty, and educational improvement for organizations and individuals worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Direct Offices, International Licensees, and Education Practice. It also provides a suite of individual-effectiveness and leadership-development training and products. The company was incorporated in 1983 and is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
How the Company Makes MoneyFranklin Covey generates revenue through several key channels. Its primary revenue streams include corporate training programs, workshops, and consulting services, which cater to organizations seeking to improve employee performance and leadership skills. Additionally, the company earns income from the sale of books, online courses, and digital learning resources. FC has established significant partnerships with various corporations and educational institutions that facilitate the delivery of its training programs. Furthermore, the company offers subscription-based access to its digital learning platforms, which provides a recurring revenue model. By diversifying its offerings and leveraging its intellectual property, Franklin Covey effectively capitalizes on the growing demand for personal and professional development solutions.

Franklin Covey Company Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jan 07, 2026
(Q1-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 01, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The call presented a mix of encouraging operational momentum—particularly in Enterprise North America invoiced growth, new-logo wins (+25% new logo subscription growth), a rising deferred revenue base and strong services bookings—alongside near-term financial headwinds in reported revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and cash flow driven by timing, margin pressure, restructuring costs and some international (China) weakness. Management emphasized that current invoiced growth and deferred balances position the company for stronger reported revenue, margin expansion and cash flow in fiscal 2027 while reaffirming fiscal 2026 guidance.
Q1-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Enterprise North America Invoiced Growth
Invoiced amounts in Enterprise North America grew 7% year-over-year in Q1; excluding government contracts (DOGE comps), North America invoiced amounts grew 13%.
Strong New-Logo Subscription Momentum
New logo subscription invoiced amounts increased 25% year-over-year in Q1, indicating improved win rates from the go-to-market transformation.
Services Demand and Booking Pace
Services booking pace rose 29% in the quarter; services attach rate in Enterprise remained strong (~55% apples-to-apples), and $5.6 million of contractually committed predefined services were invoiced.
Deferred Revenue and Deferred Subscription Balances Increasing
Consolidated deferred revenue increased 5% year-over-year to $100.2 million; North America deferred subscription balance grew 8% to $49.1 million, providing a runway for future reported revenue.
Subscription Revenue Recognition Stability
Consolidated subscription revenue recognized in Q1 was flat year-over-year at $37 million despite lower reported revenue overall, reflecting subscription durability.
International Licensee Growth (Ex-China)
Enterprise International results were roughly flat overall, with revenue down slightly to $11.2 million; excluding China, International revenue grew modestly (4%) and licensee revenue increased 8%.
Reaffirmed Full-Year Guidance and Multi-Year Outlook
Company reaffirmed fiscal 2026 guidance: revenue $265M–$275M and adjusted EBITDA $28M–$33M, and reiterated expectation of stronger reported revenue, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow acceleration in fiscal 2027.
Liquidity and Share Repurchases
Strong liquidity with $80 million total liquidity ($17.5M cash on hand and $62.5M undrawn facility). Repurchased ~582,000 shares for $10.4 million in the quarter and continued 10b5-1 repurchase activity.
Negative Updates
Reported Revenue Decline
Total Q1 reported revenue was $64.0 million, down 7% year-over-year, driven by an 8% decline in the Enterprise Division and a 2% decline in Education.
Adjusted EBITDA Contraction
Adjusted EBITDA fell to $3.7 million in Q1 from $7.7 million a year ago, reflecting lower reported revenue, margin pressures and higher SG&A/restructuring costs.
Operating Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow Weakness
Operating cash flow was $0.1 million in Q1 versus $14.1 million prior year; free cash flow was negative $3.7 million versus positive $11.4 million, driven by timing-related working capital changes and other costs.
Education Division Timing and Revenue Volatility
Education Q1 revenue declined 2% to $16.1 million; Education invoiced amounts fell $5.6 million (to $6.6M) vs prior year due to timing of a large statewide contract, causing quarter-to-quarter volatility and shifting revenue into Q3/Q4.
North America Reported Revenue Pressures
North America reported revenue in Enterprise was $36.3 million, down 10% (≈$3.9M) vs prior year due to $2.5M lower services and $1.3M lower subscription revenue recognized in Q1.
China and International Headwinds
China business decreased due to geopolitical and trade tensions; International reported revenue slightly down (from $11.4M to $11.2M) with China cited as the primary drag.
Margin Compression and Increased Costs
Gross margin declined to 75.5% from 76.3% year-over-year due to increased product amortization and slightly weaker Education margins; Q1 restructuring expense of $3.4M also weighed on results.
Recognition Timing Risk for Committed Services
Approximately $5.6M of contractually committed services were invoiced in Q1 (tied to multiyear deals); a portion of recognized contractual cash may be pushed into fiscal 2027 for reported revenue purposes, creating recognition timing uncertainty.
Company Guidance
The company reaffirmed fiscal 2026 guidance of $265–$275 million revenue and $28–$33 million adjusted EBITDA, expects ~45–50% of revenue and ~25–30% of adjusted EBITDA to be recognized in H1 (revised from a prior ~30–35% H1 EBITDA expectation), and said meaningful invoiced‑amount growth in FY26 will set up stronger revenue, adjusted EBITDA and free cash‑flow growth in FY27. Key Q1 metrics supporting the outlook: reported revenue $64.0M (‑7% YoY), subscription revenue recognized $37M (flat YoY), adjusted EBITDA $3.7M (vs $7.7M prior), operating cash flow $0.1M (vs $14.1M), free cash flow −$3.7M (vs $11.4M), consolidated deferred revenue $100.2M (up 5% YoY), unbilled deferred contracted $8.5M (up 9%), total unbilled balance $72.1M (‑1%), North America deferred subscription $49.1M (up 8%), Enterprise North America invoiced +7% (ex‑government +13%), new‑logo subscription invoiced +25%, services booking pace +29%, services attach ~55%, multiyear contracted All Access/contracted amounts ~58–61%, and liquidity of $80M (cash $17.5M, $62.5M revolver undrawn) while repurchasing ~582k shares for $10.4M and continuing a $20M buyback plan.

Franklin Covey Company Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong gross margin (~76%) and a conservative, low-debt balance sheet support resilience, but TTM profitability has deteriorated to near-breakeven and free cash flow has fallen sharply (down ~82% TTM), weakening near-term earnings and cash generation quality.
Income Statement
54
Neutral
TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) revenue is slightly down (-1.9%) and profitability has weakened materially versus prior annual periods, with a small net loss and low operating margin. That said, gross margin remains very strong and stable (~76%), indicating solid underlying pricing/premium content economics. The main drawback is the sharp step-down from FY2024’s much higher operating and net profitability to near-breakeven TTM results, raising questions on cost discipline and near-term earnings power.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The balance sheet is conservatively positioned with very low debt relative to equity in both TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) and the latest annual period, which meaningfully reduces financial risk and interest burden. Equity is positive and sizeable, supporting resilience. The key watch-out is that returns on equity have fallen sharply from prior years’ elevated levels, consistent with the recent profitability compression.
Cash Flow
48
Neutral
TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) cash generation is mixed: operating cash flow remains positive, but free cash flow has dropped sharply (down ~82% TTM) versus the prior annual period. Cash conversion has also weakened versus the strong prior-year profile where free cash flow was a large share of earnings. The positive is that the company is still producing cash from operations, but the steep decline in free cash flow suggests pressure from working capital, investment needs, or reduced operating profitability.
BreakdownTTMAug 2025Aug 2024Aug 2023Aug 2022Aug 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue262.03M267.07M287.23M280.52M262.84M224.17M
Gross Profit197.45M203.57M221.07M213.49M201.91M172.90M
EBITDA9.57M14.43M46.25M39.98M38.17M23.82M
Net Income-1.40M3.07M23.40M17.78M18.43M13.62M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets221.26M242.91M261.54M245.92M259.15M249.65M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments17.52M31.70M48.66M38.23M60.52M47.42M
Total Debt831.00K7.82M6.03M15.33M24.26M32.86M
Total Liabilities167.25M176.00M178.40M167.26M176.34M169.79M
Stockholders Equity54.01M66.91M83.14M78.65M82.81M79.86M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow3.29M12.09M56.56M22.19M46.92M42.07M
Operating Cash Flow14.93M28.98M60.26M35.74M52.25M46.18M
Investing Cash Flow-17.88M-16.89M-11.31M-13.55M-5.33M-14.31M
Financing Cash Flow-32.59M-28.78M-38.66M-44.18M-32.67M-11.48M

Franklin Covey Company Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price17.76
Price Trends
50DMA
18.31
Negative
100DMA
17.73
Positive
200DMA
19.35
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.04
Positive
RSI
36.63
Neutral
STOCH
7.34
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For FC, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 17.76 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 19.90, below the 50-day MA of 18.31, and below the 200-day MA of 19.35, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -0.04 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 36.63 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 7.34 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for FC.

Franklin Covey Company Risk Analysis

Franklin Covey Company disclosed 29 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Franklin Covey Company reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Franklin Covey Company Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
$1.02B18.6727.83%0.97%8.69%34.58%
75
Outperform
$2.16B21.0121.20%12.50%29.40%
74
Outperform
$1.42B14.519.88%0.65%-3.81%-7.05%
62
Neutral
$20.33B14.63-3.31%3.23%1.93%-12.26%
58
Neutral
$205.17M-149.75-2.08%-7.02%-86.27%
47
Neutral
$129.65M-0.96-61.44%6.74%-10.83%-1669.11%
42
Neutral
$106.61M-0.89-43.39%-8.73%-1168.15%
* Consumer Defensive Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
FC
Franklin Covey Company
17.76
-16.91
-48.77%
CRAI
Cra International
155.22
-31.90
-17.05%
FORR
Forrester Research
5.61
-7.11
-55.90%
HURN
Huron Consulting
125.36
-4.42
-3.41%
ICFI
Icf International
77.01
-26.40
-25.53%
RGP
Resources Connection
3.87
-3.69
-48.83%

Franklin Covey Company Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
Franklin Covey Shareholders Back Board, Pay and Auditor
Positive
Jan 23, 2026

At its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on January 23, 2026, Franklin Covey Co. reported that shareholders elected all nominated directors, including Anne H. Chow, Craig Cuffie, Donald J. McNamara, Nancy Phillips, Efrain Rivera, Derek C.M. van Bever, Paul S. Walker, and Robert A. Whitman, to serve until the next annual meeting or until their successors are elected and qualified. Shareholders also approved, on an advisory basis, the company’s executive compensation program and ratified the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2026, signaling continued investor support for the current leadership, pay practices, and audit oversight framework.

The most recent analyst rating on (FC) stock is a Hold with a $21.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Franklin Covey Company stock, see the FC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyStock BuybackFinancial Disclosures
Franklin Covey Posts Q1 Loss But Reaffirms 2026 Outlook
Negative
Jan 7, 2026

On December 22, 2025, Franklin Covey reported its fiscal first-quarter 2026 results for the period ended November 30, 2025, posting consolidated revenue of $64.0 million, down from $69.1 million a year earlier, and shifting from net income of $1.2 million to a net loss of $3.3 million, as Adjusted EBITDA fell to $3.7 million from $7.7 million. Enterprise Division revenue declined to $47.5 million amid macroeconomic uncertainty, geopolitical trade tensions and canceled U.S. federal contracts, although invoiced amounts in Enterprise North America rose 7% (13% excluding government business) and deferred subscription revenue in that division climbed 7%, while Education Division revenue dipped slightly to $16.1 million as higher training, coaching and subscription sales were offset by lower materials revenue. Despite weaker cash generation—free cash flow swung to negative $3.7 million and cash balances fell to $17.5 million—liquidity remained above $80 million with no credit facility drawdowns, and the company repurchased about 624,000 shares for $11.1 million and reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 guidance of $265 million–$275 million in revenue and $28 million–$33 million in Adjusted EBITDA, signaling management’s confidence that its completed go-to-market transition and cost actions will drive stronger invoiced growth and improved results from the back half of 2026 into 2027.

The most recent analyst rating on (FC) stock is a Buy with a $38.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Franklin Covey Company stock, see the FC Stock Forecast page.

Financial Disclosures
Franklin Covey to Announce Fiscal Q1 2026 Results
Neutral
Dec 22, 2025

Franklin Covey Co. announced plans to release its fiscal first-quarter 2026 financial results after the market closes on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, followed by a conference call that same day at 5:00 p.m. ET to review the numbers. The company will offer investors and other interested parties access to the discussion via a live webcast and a pre-registered telephone option, with an archived replay available on its website for at least 30 days, underscoring its ongoing efforts to maintain transparency and engagement with stakeholders around its financial performance.

The most recent analyst rating on (FC) stock is a Buy with a $38.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Franklin Covey Company stock, see the FC Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jan 24, 2026