META vs. PSO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at META and PSO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
META is a standard domestic listing, while PSO trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | META | PSO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Meta Platforms, Inc. | Pearson plc |
| Country | United States | United Kingdom |
| GICS Sector | Communication Services | Consumer Discretionary |
| GICS Industry | Interactive Media & Services | Diversified Consumer Services |
| Market Capitalization | 1,892.39 billion USD | 9.54 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 18, 2012 | November 18, 1996 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of META and PSO by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | META | PSO |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.24% | 2.71% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 18.34% | -9.32% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 7.04% | -18.47% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 41.62% | 5.62% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.60% | 2.47% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 28.66% | -14.27% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 11.19M | 1.03M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 13.16M | 1.50M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 32.96% | 23.05% |
| Beta | 1.22 | 0.33 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
META
39.33%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 49.37%
- Q3
- 29.69%
- Median
- 9.73%
- Q1
- 2.47%
- Min
- -26.19%
In the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry, META’s Return on Equity of 39.33% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
PSO
11.56%
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 32.65%
- Q3
- 29.77%
- Median
- 16.63%
- Q1
- 11.08%
- Min
- 2.26%
PSO’s Return on Equity of 11.56% is on par with the norm for the Diversified Consumer Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
META
39.99%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 50.41%
- Q3
- 29.38%
- Median
- 17.14%
- Q1
- 3.13%
- Min
- -30.88%
A Net Profit Margin of 39.99% places META in the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
PSO
12.53%
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 18.84%
- Q3
- 13.34%
- Median
- 12.22%
- Q1
- 7.92%
- Min
- 3.76%
PSO’s Net Profit Margin of 12.53% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Diversified Consumer Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
META
44.02%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 65.96%
- Q3
- 36.95%
- Median
- 18.60%
- Q1
- 5.69%
- Min
- -18.13%
An Operating Profit Margin of 44.02% places META in the upper quartile for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
PSO
15.97%
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 26.63%
- Q3
- 19.23%
- Median
- 15.23%
- Q1
- 8.71%
- Min
- -0.71%
PSO’s Operating Profit Margin of 15.97% is around the midpoint for the Diversified Consumer Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | META | PSO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 39.33% | 11.56% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 25.83% | 6.72% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 39.99% | 12.53% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 44.02% | 15.97% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 81.95% | 51.45% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
META
1.97
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 4.30
- Q3
- 2.68
- Median
- 1.96
- Q1
- 1.21
- Min
- 0.45
META’s Current Ratio of 1.97 aligns with the median group of the Interactive Media & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
PSO
2.31
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 3.40
- Q3
- 1.97
- Median
- 1.66
- Q1
- 0.60
- Min
- 0.15
PSO’s Current Ratio of 2.31 is in the upper quartile for the Diversified Consumer Services industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
META
0.15
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 0.90
- Q3
- 0.47
- Median
- 0.16
- Q1
- 0.03
- Min
- 0.00
META’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.15 is typical for the Interactive Media & Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
PSO
0.41
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 2.92
- Q3
- 1.22
- Median
- 0.36
- Q1
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
PSO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.41 is typical for the Diversified Consumer Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
META
168.41
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 67.60
- Q3
- 29.41
- Median
- 6.36
- Q1
- -0.87
- Min
- -37.02
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 168.41, META demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
PSO
13.44
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 13.44
- Q3
- 10.58
- Median
- 5.57
- Q1
- 3.04
- Min
- -2.17
PSO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 13.44 is in the upper quartile for the Diversified Consumer Services industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | META | PSO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.97 | 2.31 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.71 | 2.24 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.15 | 0.41 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 168.41 | 13.44 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
META
0.27%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.87%
- Q3
- 1.08%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
META’s Dividend Yield of 0.27% is consistent with its peers in the Interactive Media & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
PSO
2.29%
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 2.29%
- Q3
- 0.98%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.29%, PSO offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Diversified Consumer Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
META
7.26%
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 87.35%
- Q3
- 38.67%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
META’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 7.26% is within the typical range for the Interactive Media & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
PSO
36.05%
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 35.94%
- Q3
- 25.79%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
At 36.05%, PSO’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Diversified Consumer Services industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | META | PSO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.27% | 2.29% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 7.26% | 36.05% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
META
26.40
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 87.79
- Q3
- 54.33
- Median
- 25.46
- Q1
- 18.76
- Min
- 6.96
META’s P/E Ratio of 26.40 is within the middle range for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
PSO
15.73
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 33.95
- Q3
- 25.14
- Median
- 19.27
- Q1
- 15.30
- Min
- 5.58
PSO’s P/E Ratio of 15.73 is within the middle range for the Diversified Consumer Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
META
10.56
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.01
- Q3
- 12.39
- Median
- 6.49
- Q1
- 1.94
- Min
- 0.22
META’s P/S Ratio of 10.56 aligns with the market consensus for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
PSO
1.97
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 3.29
- Q3
- 2.54
- Median
- 2.27
- Q1
- 1.92
- Min
- 1.28
PSO’s P/S Ratio of 1.97 aligns with the market consensus for the Diversified Consumer Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
META
9.51
Interactive Media & Services Industry
- Max
- 11.66
- Q3
- 7.17
- Median
- 4.17
- Q1
- 2.80
- Min
- 0.12
META’s P/B Ratio of 9.51 is in the upper tier for the Interactive Media & Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
PSO
1.95
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 7.00
- Q3
- 6.37
- Median
- 3.31
- Q1
- 2.13
- Min
- 0.98
PSO’s P/B Ratio of 1.95 is in the lower quartile for the Diversified Consumer Services industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | META | PSO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 26.40 | 15.73 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 10.56 | 1.97 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 9.51 | 1.95 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 37.65 | 11.26 |