Pearson Plc (PSO) vs Scholastic (SCHL)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Scholastic (SCHL) has outperformed Pearson Plc (PSO) over the past year, gaining 31.9% versus a gain of 16.9%. Over five years, PSO leads with a +90.5% price change compared with +6.7% for SCHL. Pearson Plc is the larger company by market cap ($9.87 billion vs $698.8 million), about 14.1 times the size.
On valuation, Pearson Plc trades at a lower forward P/E (16.9x vs 17.6x for Scholastic). Scholastic offers the higher dividend yield (2.24% vs 1.56%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | PSO | SCHL |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $16.42 | $37.96 |
| Market cap | $9.87B | $698.82M |
| 1-day change | +0.61% | +2.57% |
| YTD return | +16.95% | +28.11% |
| 1-year return | +16.87% | +31.94% |
| 5-year return | +90.49% | +6.72% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 24.51 | 26.73 |
| Forward P/E | 16.89 | 17.57 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.67 | $1.42 |
| Dividend yield | 1.56% | 2.24% |
| Annual dividend | $0.256 | $0.85 |
| 52-week high | $17.75 | $48.07 |
| 52-week low | $12.02 | $26.38 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -7.49% | -21.03% |
| Analyst consensus | none | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | -4.38% | +1.42% |
| Average volume | 709.49K | 400.17K |
| Shares outstanding | 601.07M | 17.58M |
| Employees | 13,665 | 5,090 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Books | Books |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Pearson Plc is about 14.1 times larger than Scholastic by market value ($9.87B vs $698.82M).
- SCHL has outperformed PSO by 15.1 percentage points over the past year.
About Pearson Plc
PSO stock →Pearson plc provides educational courseware, assessments, and services in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific, other European countries, and internationally. It operates through five segments: Assessment & Qualifications, Virtual Learning, English Language Learning, Enterprise Learning & Skills, and Higher Education.
Consumer Discretionary · Books · 13,665 employees
About Scholastic
SCHL stock →Scholastic Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, publishes and distributes children's books in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and internationally. The Children's Book Publishing and Distribution segment engages in the publication and distribution of children's print, digital, and audiobooks, as well as media and interactive products through its school reading events and trade channels; and operates school-based book clubs and book fairs.
Consumer Discretionary · Books · 5,090 employees
PSO vs SCHL FAQ
Which is bigger, Pearson Plc or Scholastic?
Pearson Plc (PSO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $9.87B compared with $698.82M for Scholastic (SCHL).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, PSO or SCHL?
SCHL returned +31.94% over the past 12 months, compared with +16.87% for PSO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, PSO or SCHL?
PSO has the lower trailing P/E at 24.5, versus 26.7 for SCHL. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Pearson Plc or Scholastic?
Scholastic has the higher yield at 2.24%, compared with 1.56% for Pearson Plc.
Are Pearson Plc and Scholastic in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Books industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.