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 | 9.10 billion USD | 2.00 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 | -0.33% | -8.24% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -1.08% | -14.59% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -13.42% | -15.88% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 2.53% | -26.64% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.43% | -9.14% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -17.94% | -15.88% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.16M | 0.35M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.39M | 0.47M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 19.56% | 27.13% |
| Beta | 0.41 | 1.04 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
PSO
11.56%
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 32.84%
- Q3
- 21.21%
- Median
- 13.32%
- Q1
- 11.02%
- Min
- 0.11%
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
13.30%
Media Industry
- Max
- 31.00%
- Q3
- 15.18%
- Median
- 10.91%
- Q1
- 4.47%
- Min
- -5.88%
WLYB’s Return on Equity of 13.30% 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
- 20.09%
- Q3
- 13.26%
- Median
- 12.53%
- Q1
- 7.59%
- Min
- 0.13%
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
5.82%
Media Industry
- Max
- 20.69%
- Q3
- 11.93%
- Median
- 6.49%
- Q1
- 2.47%
- Min
- -4.90%
WLYB’s Net Profit Margin of 5.82% 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
- 26.98%
- Q3
- 22.01%
- Median
- 15.97%
- Q1
- 9.54%
- Min
- 0.80%
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
11.56%
Media Industry
- Max
- 24.30%
- Q3
- 13.57%
- Median
- 9.15%
- Q1
- 4.63%
- Min
- -6.28%
WLYB’s Operating Profit Margin of 11.56% 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% | 13.30% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 6.72% | 3.73% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.53% | 5.82% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.97% | 11.56% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 51.45% | 74.18% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
PSO
2.31
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 4.27
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.58
- Q1
- 0.90
- Min
- 0.46
PSO’s Current Ratio of 2.31 aligns with the median group of the Diversified Consumer Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
WLYB
0.65
Media Industry
- Max
- 3.59
- Q3
- 1.97
- Median
- 1.28
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.33
WLYB’s Current Ratio of 0.65 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
- 1.12
- Q3
- 0.64
- Median
- 0.19
- Q1
- 0.00
- 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
1.13
Media Industry
- Max
- 2.13
- Q3
- 1.11
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.25
- Min
- 0.00
WLYB’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Media industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.13. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
PSO
13.44
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 54.22
- Q3
- 32.36
- Median
- 10.70
- Q1
- 4.19
- Min
- 1.66
PSO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 13.44 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Diversified Consumer Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
WLYB
3.35
Media Industry
- Max
- 58.38
- Q3
- 25.12
- 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 | 0.65 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.24 | 0.47 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.41 | 1.13 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 13.44 | 3.35 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
PSO
2.37%
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 2.95%
- Q3
- 1.55%
- Median
- 0.01%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.37%, 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
3.87%
Media Industry
- Max
- 8.07%
- Q3
- 3.69%
- Median
- 1.37%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.87%, WLYB offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Media industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
PSO
36.05%
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 52.37%
- Q3
- 25.79%
- Median
- 0.07%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PSO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 36.05% is in the upper quartile for the Diversified Consumer 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.
WLYB
47.34%
Media Industry
- Max
- 199.37%
- Q3
- 102.15%
- Median
- 47.09%
- Q1
- 12.24%
- Min
- 0.00%
WLYB’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 47.34% 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) | 2.37% | 3.87% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 36.05% | 47.34% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
PSO
15.24
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 38.85
- Q3
- 31.29
- Median
- 22.33
- Q1
- 15.56
- Min
- 7.57
In the lower quartile for the Diversified Consumer Services industry, PSO’s P/E Ratio of 15.24 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
WLYB
20.14
Media Industry
- Max
- 73.10
- Q3
- 36.19
- Median
- 15.22
- Q1
- 11.43
- Min
- 5.11
WLYB’s P/E Ratio of 20.14 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
1.91
Diversified Consumer Services Industry
- Max
- 3.13
- Q3
- 2.94
- Median
- 2.42
- Q1
- 1.78
- Min
- 1.07
PSO’s P/S Ratio of 1.91 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
1.17
Media Industry
- Max
- 3.52
- Q3
- 2.14
- Median
- 1.10
- Q1
- 0.85
- Min
- 0.21
WLYB’s P/S Ratio of 1.17 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
- 7.43
- Q3
- 5.06
- Median
- 3.19
- Q1
- 1.95
- Min
- 0.95
PSO’s P/B Ratio of 1.95 is within the conventional range for the Diversified Consumer 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.
WLYB
2.81
Media Industry
- Max
- 4.43
- Q3
- 2.53
- Median
- 1.71
- Q1
- 1.21
- Min
- 0.56
WLYB’s P/B Ratio of 2.81 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) | 15.24 | 20.14 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.91 | 1.17 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.95 | 2.81 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 10.91 | 7.64 |