PSO vs. TU: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 23, 2025

Here’s a clear look at PSO and TU, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

PSO trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, TU is a standard domestic listing.

Symbol	PSO	TU
Company Name	Pearson plc	TELUS Corporation
Country	United Kingdom	Canada
GICS Sector	Consumer Discretionary	Communication Services
GICS Industry	Diversified Consumer Services	Diversified Telecommunication Services
Market Capitalization	9.53 billion USD	25.33 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	November 18, 1996	June 11, 1996
Security Type	ADR	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of PSO and TU 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.

PSO vs. TU: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	PSO	TU
5-Day Price Return	1.78%	2.15%
13-Week Price Return	-10.78%	3.49%
26-Week Price Return	-19.25%	9.49%
52-Week Price Return	4.28%	4.58%
Month-to-Date Return	1.12%	2.33%
Year-to-Date Return	-15.41%	17.19%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.30M	3.15M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.53M	3.40M
3-Month Volatility	23.06%	12.26%
Beta	0.29	0.20

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

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.

TU

6.21%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 35.96%
Q3: 14.90%
Median: 8.29%
Q1: -0.99%
Min: -18.19%

TU’s Return on Equity of 6.21% is on par with the norm for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

PSO vs. TU: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Diversified Consumer Services and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

TU

4.73%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 28.40%
Q3: 13.05%
Median: 6.85%
Q1: -0.81%
Min: -18.76%

TU’s Net Profit Margin of 4.73% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

PSO vs. TU: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Diversified Consumer Services and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

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.

TU

12.11%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 37.46%
Q3: 22.24%
Median: 15.73%
Q1: 9.79%
Min: 2.06%

TU’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.11% is around the midpoint for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

PSO vs. TU: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Diversified Consumer Services and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	PSO	TU
Return on Equity (TTM)	11.56%	6.21%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.72%	1.65%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	12.53%	4.73%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	15.97%	12.11%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	51.45%	62.94%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

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.

TU

0.86

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 1.63
Q3: 1.14
Median: 0.92
Q1: 0.68
Min: 0.16

TU’s Current Ratio of 0.86 aligns with the median group of the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

PSO vs. TU: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Diversified Consumer Services and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

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.

TU

2.18

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 3.82
Q3: 2.06
Median: 1.32
Q1: 0.74
Min: 0.11

TU’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.18. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

PSO vs. TU: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Diversified Consumer Services and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

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.

TU

1.88

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 14.66
Q3: 8.25
Median: 3.53
Q1: 1.47
Min: -2.60

TU’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.88 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

PSO vs. TU: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Diversified Consumer Services and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	PSO	TU
Current Ratio (MRQ)	2.31	0.86
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	2.24	0.76
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.41	2.18
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	13.44	1.88

Growth

Revenue Growth

PSO vs. TU: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

PSO vs. TU: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

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.

TU

4.53%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 10.34%
Q3: 5.44%
Median: 3.89%
Q1: 1.73%
Min: 0.00%

TU’s Dividend Yield of 4.53% is consistent with its peers in the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

PSO vs. TU: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Diversified Consumer Services and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

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.

TU

163.46%

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 270.06%
Q3: 135.21%
Median: 76.62%
Q1: 35.06%
Min: 0.00%

TU’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 163.46% is in the upper quartile for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

PSO vs. TU: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Diversified Consumer Services and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	PSO	TU
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.29%	4.53%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	36.05%	163.46%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

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.

TU

36.06

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 33.39
Q3: 23.91
Median: 16.72
Q1: 13.00
Min: 4.13

At 36.06, TU’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

PSO vs. TU: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Diversified Consumer Services and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

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.

TU

1.71

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 4.75
Q3: 2.60
Median: 1.62
Q1: 0.94
Min: 0.35

TU’s P/S Ratio of 1.71 aligns with the market consensus for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

PSO vs. TU: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Diversified Consumer Services and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

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.

TU

2.18

Diversified Telecommunication Services Industry

Max: 5.77
Q3: 3.45
Median: 2.10
Q1: 1.19
Min: 0.32

TU’s P/B Ratio of 2.18 is within the conventional range for the Diversified Telecommunication Services industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

PSO vs. TU: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Diversified Consumer Services and Diversified Telecommunication Services industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	PSO	TU
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	15.73	36.06
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	1.97	1.71
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.95	2.18
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	11.26	32.80