Pearson plc(PSO)Earnings, Financials & Key Ratios

PSO•NYSE

$16.86

25.2× P/E·Price updated Jul 7, 2026

SectorCommunication Services IndustryPublishing Sub-IndustryEducation and academic publishers

AboutPearson plc provides educational courseware, assessments, and services in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific, other European countries, and internationally. It operates through five segments: Assessment & Qualifications, Virtual Learning, English Language Learning, Higher Education, and Workforce Skills. The Assessment & Qualifications segment offers Pearson VUE, US student assessment, clinical assessment, UK GCSE, and A levels and international academic qualifications. The Virtual Learning segment provides virtual schools and online program management services. The English Language Learning segment offers Pearson test of English, institutional courseware, and English online solutions. The Higher Education segment provides the US, Canadian, and international higher education courseware businesses. The Workforce Skills offers BTEC, GED, TalentLens, Faethm, Pearson college, and apprenticeships. Pearson plc was founded in 1844 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.Show more

Revenue$3.58B+0.7%
EBITDA$1.19B+11.4%
Net Income$328M-24.5%
EPS (Diluted)0.50-20.6%
Gross Margin52%+2.0%
EBITDA Margin33.24%+10.7%
Operating Margin17.28%+13.5%
Net Margin9.16%-25.0%
ROE8.5%-21.3%

PSO Price & Volume

Pearson plc (PSO) stock price & volume — 10-year historical chart

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Digital Pivot Progresses Amidst Persistent Volatility

Investment Thesis • Updated 2025Q4

VerdictNeutral

Growth:Mixed

Profitability:Moderate

Financial:Healthy

Cash Flow:Stable

Primary Risk:Regulatory and enrollment volatility

Key Thesis Takeaways

Pearson is navigating a complex transition from legacy print to a digital-first model, evidenced by a gross margin expansion to 52.9% as of 2025Q4.
While the company maintains a healthy balance sheet with a 0.41 debt-to-equity ratio, investors should monitor the significant $2.4 billion goodwill concentration and the inherent volatility in earnings, which saw a 35% EPS decline in the most recent quarter.
Future performance remains tethered to the successful scaling of digital subscriptions and the mitigation of regulatory risks impacting its high-stakes assessment revenue streams.

Verdict Logic

while the 11.85 P/FCF multiple suggests potential value, the 35% drop in EPS and reliance on seasonal working capital swings warrant a cautious wait-and-see approach.

PSO Growth Metrics

Pearson plc (PSO) revenue, earnings & EPS growth — 3, 5 & 10-year CAGR

Revenue CAGR

10 Years-2.2%

5 Years1.04%

3 Years-2.35%

TTM-5.29%

Profit CAGR

10 Years-8.8%

5 Years-0.14%

3 Years10.63%

TTM23.86%

EPS CAGR

10 Years-6.79%

5 Years4.05%

3 Years14.86%

TTM34.12%

Return on Capital

10 Years3.81%

5 Years7.68%

3 Years10.19%

Last Year11.55%

PSO Recent Earnings

Pearson plc (PSO) EPS & revenue vs analyst estimates — last 4 quarters

Full history →

●Beat EPS 6/12 qtrs (55%)●Beat Revenue 3/12 qtrs (27%)

Q1 2026Latest

Feb 27, 2026

Metric

Actual

Est

EPS

$0.53+1.1%

$0.52

Rev

$2.5B-1.1%

$2.5B

Q1 2025

Feb 27, 2025

Metric

Actual

Est

EPS

$0.51+11.1%

$0.46

Rev

$2.2B-0.1%

$2.3B

Q3 2024

Jul 29, 2024

Metric

Actual

Est

EPS

$0.29-3.1%

$0.30

Rev

$2.2B-2.5%

$2.3B

Q2 2024

Apr 26, 2024

Metric

Actual

Est

EPS

$0.34-15.9%

$0.40

Rev

$2.3B-3.3%

$2.3B

Quarter	Date	EPS (Act vs Est)	Revenue (Act vs Est)
Q1 2026Latest	Feb 27, 2026	$0.53vs $0.52+1.1%	$2.5Bvs $2.5B-1.1%
Q1 2025	Feb 27, 2025	$0.51vs $0.46+11.1%	$2.2Bvs $2.3B-0.1%
Q3 2024	Jul 29, 2024	$0.29vs $0.30-3.1%	$2.2Bvs $2.3B-2.5%
Q2 2024	Apr 26, 2024	$0.34vs $0.40-15.9%	$2.3Bvs $2.3B-3.3%

Based on last 12 quarters of dataView full earnings history →

Latest PSO News

Recent stock market news and headlines for Pearson plc (PSO)

PRNewsWire·Jun 18, 2026

Entry-Level Work Remains Essential: 94% of HR Leaders Expect AI to Create New Entry-Level Roles, Cognizant and Pearson Study Reveals

Cognizant and Pearson joint study finds 6 in 10 HR leaders admit L&D programs are failing to keep pace as AI rapidly reshapes entry-level roles TEANECK, N.J. and LONDON, June 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) and Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L) today revealed new findings from their joint study, The AI Workforce Pulse, signaling that entry-level roles are being reimagined by AI, and work is evolving faster than organizations can redesign how they hire, develop and support talent.

PRNewsWire·Jun 17, 2026

Pearson Crowns Certiport 2026 Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Champions

/PRNewswire/ -- Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L) announced the winners of the 24th annual Certiport 2026 Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship. This

PRNewsWire·Jun 17, 2026

Pearson Names Certiport 2026 Adobe Certified Professional U.S. National Champion

HOBOKEN, N.J., June 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L) announced the winners of the 13th annual Certiport 2026 Adobe Certified Professional U.S. National Championship.

PRNewsWire·Jun 17, 2026

North Carolina teachers named 2026 CERTIFIED Educators of the Year

HOBOKEN, N.J., June 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pearson (FTSE: PSON.L) announced the recipients of the annual Certiport 2026 CERTIFIED Educators of the Year award at the Certiport 2026 CERTIFIED Educator Conference.

Peers Comparison

Key metrics vs top competitors for Pearson plc (PSO)

Full Screener →

Company	Price	Market Cap	P/E Ratio	Rev Growth (1Y)	Net Margin	ROE	Div Yield
PSOPearson plcCurrent	$16.86	$10.97B	25.18	0.7%	9.16%	8.5%	1.88%
SCHLScholastic Corporation	$45.26	$1.1B	-657.85	2.25%	3.88%	6.91%	—
STRAStrategic Education, Inc.	$79.19	$1.8B	14.61	3.96%	10.21%	7.85%	—
PRDOPerdoceo Education Corporation	$35.16	$2.2B	14.53	24.2%	19.91%	17.21%	—
LOPEGrand Canyon Education, Inc.	$152.96	$4.15B	19.84	7.07%	26.92%	29.53%	—
CHGGChegg, Inc.	$0.94	$105.11M	-0.98	-38.97%	-26.89%	-62.94%	—

Compare PSO vs Peers

Pearson plc (PSO) vs competitors — business, growth, and fundamentals comparison against the closest industry rivals.

Closest Rival

vs SCHL

Most directly comparable listed peer for PSO.

Scale Benchmark

vs GOOG

Larger-name benchmark to compare PSO against a more recognizable public peer.

Peer Set

Compare Top 5

vs SCHL, STRA, PRDO, LOPE

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PSO Frequently Asked Questions

Pearson plc (PSO) stock FAQ — growth, dividends, profitability & financials explained

Growth & Financials

What is Pearson plc's revenue?

Pearson plc (PSO) reported $7.12B in revenue for fiscal year 2025. This represents a 226% increase from $2.19B in 1996.

How fast is Pearson plc growing?

Pearson plc (PSO) grew revenue by 0.7% over the past year. Growth has been modest.

Is PSO profitable?

Yes, Pearson plc (PSO) is profitable, generating $767.9M in net income for fiscal year 2025 (9.2% net margin).

Dividend & Returns

Does PSO pay dividends?

Yes, Pearson plc (PSO) pays a dividend with a yield of 1.88%. This makes it attractive for income-focused investors.

What is PSO's return on equity?

Pearson plc (PSO) has a return on equity (ROE) of 8.5%. This is below average, suggesting room for improvement.

What is Pearson plc's free cash flow?

Pearson plc (PSO) generated $1.14B in free cash flow for fiscal year 2025. Positive FCF indicates the company can fund dividends, buybacks, or reinvestment.

What if you invested $1,000 in PSO back in 1996?

Total return calculator · dividends reinvested · 30+ years of data

See returns →

Quarter

Date

EPS (Act vs Est)

Revenue (Act vs Est)

Q1 2026Latest

Feb 27, 2026

$0.53vs $0.52+1.1%

$2.5Bvs $2.5B-1.1%

Q1 2025

Feb 27, 2025

$0.51vs $0.46+11.1%

$2.2Bvs $2.3B-0.1%

Q3 2024

Jul 29, 2024

$0.29vs $0.30-3.1%

$2.2Bvs $2.3B-2.5%

Q2 2024

Apr 26, 2024

$0.34vs $0.40-15.9%

$2.3Bvs $2.3B-3.3%

Company

Price

Market Cap

P/E Ratio

Rev Growth (1Y)

Net Margin

ROE

Div Yield

PSOPearson plcCurrent

$16.86

$10.97B

25.18

0.7%

9.16%

8.5%

1.88%

SCHLScholastic Corporation

$45.26

$1.1B

-657.85

2.25%

3.88%

6.91%

—

STRAStrategic Education, Inc.

$79.19

$1.8B

14.61

3.96%

10.21%

7.85%

—

PRDOPerdoceo Education Corporation

$35.16

$2.2B

14.53

24.2%

19.91%

17.21%

—

LOPEGrand Canyon Education, Inc.

$152.96

$4.15B

19.84

7.07%

26.92%

29.53%

—

CHGGChegg, Inc.

$0.94

$105.11M

-0.98

-38.97%

-26.89%

-62.94%

—