PSO vs. WLYB: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at PSO and WLYB, 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, WLYB is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | PSO | WLYB |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Pearson plc | John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |
| Country | United Kingdom | United States |
| GICS Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Communication Services |
| GICS Industry | Diversified Consumer Services | Media |
| Market Capitalization | 9.53 billion USD | 2.13 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 18, 1996 | September 14, 1982 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of PSO and WLYB 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 | PSO | WLYB |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.78% | 1.22% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -10.78% | -8.84% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -19.25% | -1.26% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 4.28% | -13.21% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.12% | 3.34% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -15.41% | -8.74% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.30M | 0.29M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.53M | 0.47M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 23.06% | 32.71% |
| Beta | 0.29 | 1.05 |
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.
WLYB
11.58%
Media Industry
- Max
- 34.77%
- Q3
- 16.01%
- Median
- 10.70%
- Q1
- 2.80%
- Min
- -2.36%
WLYB’s Return on Equity of 11.58% is on par with the norm for the Media industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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.
WLYB
5.02%
Media Industry
- Max
- 16.04%
- Q3
- 10.15%
- Median
- 5.18%
- Q1
- 2.39%
- Min
- -3.66%
WLYB’s Net Profit Margin of 5.02% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Media industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
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.
WLYB
11.81%
Media Industry
- Max
- 24.65%
- Q3
- 13.68%
- Median
- 8.96%
- Q1
- 4.53%
- Min
- -8.09%
WLYB’s Operating Profit Margin of 11.81% is around the midpoint for the Media industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | PSO | WLYB |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 11.56% | 11.58% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.72% | 3.19% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.53% | 5.02% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.97% | 11.81% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 51.45% | 74.29% |
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.
WLYB
0.54
Media Industry
- Max
- 2.97
- Q3
- 1.79
- Median
- 1.39
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.24
WLYB’s Current Ratio of 0.54 falls into the lower quartile for the Media industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
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.
WLYB
1.06
Media Industry
- Max
- 2.02
- Q3
- 1.06
- Median
- 0.58
- Q1
- 0.31
- Min
- 0.00
WLYB’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.06 is typical for the Media 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)
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.
WLYB
3.35
Media Industry
- Max
- 44.57
- Q3
- 23.07
- Median
- 4.52
- Q1
- 2.14
- Min
- -10.82
WLYB’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.35 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Media industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | PSO | WLYB |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.31 | 0.54 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.24 | 0.38 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.41 | 1.06 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 13.44 | 3.35 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
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.
WLYB
3.76%
Media Industry
- Max
- 7.76%
- Q3
- 4.16%
- Median
- 1.67%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WLYB’s Dividend Yield of 3.76% is consistent with its peers in the Media industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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.
WLYB
34.95%
Media Industry
- Max
- 165.03%
- Q3
- 96.17%
- Median
- 45.64%
- Q1
- 14.80%
- Min
- 0.00%
WLYB’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 34.95% is within the typical range for the Media industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | PSO | WLYB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.29% | 3.76% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 36.05% | 34.95% |
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.
WLYB
24.03
Media Industry
- Max
- 49.10
- Q3
- 35.07
- Median
- 17.34
- Q1
- 10.39
- Min
- 5.81
WLYB’s P/E Ratio of 24.03 is within the middle range for the Media 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)
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.
WLYB
1.21
Media Industry
- Max
- 3.23
- Q3
- 1.85
- Median
- 1.05
- Q1
- 0.78
- Min
- 0.22
WLYB’s P/S Ratio of 1.21 aligns with the market consensus for the Media industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
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.
WLYB
3.12
Media Industry
- Max
- 4.30
- Q3
- 2.57
- Median
- 1.83
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- 0.51
WLYB’s P/B Ratio of 3.12 is in the upper tier for the Media 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | PSO | WLYB |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 15.73 | 24.03 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.97 | 1.21 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.95 | 3.12 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 11.26 | 7.88 |