PSO

Based on Pearson plc's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

What does Pearson plc do?

Pearson is a global education company that provides courseware, assessments, and learning services. Its five segments cover higher education content, professional testing through Pearson VUE, English language learning, virtual schooling, and workforce credentials such as BTEC and GED qualifications.

Does PSO pay dividends?

Yes, Pearson pays a regular dividend. As a mature business with global operations, it has historically returned cash to shareholders through dividends. Investors should check Pearson's investor relations page for the current dividend amount and payment schedule.

When does PSO report earnings?

Pearson reports financial results on a regular cadence as a UK-listed company with US ADR trading. For exact upcoming reporting dates, refer to the investor relations section at pearsonplc.com.

Is PSO a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates PSO as Below Average, driven by Weak ratings in both the Moat and Growth pillars. The Valuation pillar is rated Attractive, which may interest contrarian investors, but the overall profile suggests meaningful fundamental challenges remain. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.

Is PSO overvalued?

Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, PSO is rated Attractive — meaning the stock does not appear expensive relative to its fundamentals. However, an attractive price alone does not offset concerns in other areas; see the full analysis for context.

How does PSO compare to its competitors?

Among its closest publicly traded peers — including John Wiley & Sons — Pearson is distinguished by its scale in standardized testing and global English language learning. However, its Moat pillar rating of Weak suggests its competitive advantages are not as durable as investors might hope.

What is PSO's market cap bracket?

Pearson plc is classified as a mid-cap company. This places it in a range where institutional coverage exists but the stock may receive less attention than large- or mega-cap peers in the education and media sector.

Who founded Pearson plc?

Pearson traces its origins to 1844, when it was founded as a construction and engineering business in the UK. Over subsequent decades it transformed into a media and education company. Detailed founding history is widely available through public sources and Pearson's own corporate history pages.

Is PSO a long-term quality investment?

As a long-term quality indicator, PSO's UQS profile raises caution. Weak Moat and Growth ratings suggest the business has not demonstrated the durable competitive advantages or consistent expansion typically associated with compounding long-term returns. The Neutral Quality and Risk ratings provide some stability, but the overall picture warrants careful consideration.

What is the main competitive advantage of Pearson plc?

Pearson's scale in standardized testing — particularly through Pearson VUE — and its long-standing relationships with educational institutions provide some differentiation. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, reflecting growing competition from digital-native platforms and declining barriers to entry in content publishing.

What sector does PSO belong to?

PSO is classified under the Communication Services sector. Within that broad sector, Pearson sits in the education and publishing sub-segment, alongside academic publishers and credentialing businesses rather than traditional media or telecom companies.

Pearson plc has average quality metrics, with room for improvement in margins or capital efficiency.

Pearson plc faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.

Pearson plc has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.

Pearson plc appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.

Pearson plc operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for PSO.

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Pearson plc is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses Pearson plc's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether Pearson plc is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.