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Scholastic Corp. (SCHL)
NASDAQ:SCHL
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Scholastic (SCHL) AI Stock Analysis

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SCHL

Scholastic

(NASDAQ:SCHL)

Rating:66Neutral
Price Target:
$23.00
▼(-11.37% Downside)
Scholastic's stock score is influenced by its stable financial performance and strong cash flow, despite challenges in profitability and equity decrease. The technical indicators suggest overbought conditions, while the valuation is high but offset by a good dividend yield. The earnings call provided a mixed sentiment with both growth and challenges.

Scholastic (SCHL) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Scholastic Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionScholastic Corporation (SCHL) is a leading global children's publishing, education, and media company. It operates in three primary segments: Children's Book Publishing and Distribution, Educational Solutions, and International. Scholastic is renowned for its broad range of children's books, educational materials, and digital content. The company is well-known for popular book series such as Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Captain Underpants, and it is a trusted partner for educators and parents worldwide.
How the Company Makes MoneyScholastic makes money primarily through its Children's Book Publishing and Distribution segment, which includes sales from trade publishing and book fairs. This segment is a significant revenue driver, leveraging both direct-to-consumer sales and partnerships with schools to distribute books and educational materials. The Educational Solutions segment contributes to revenue through the sale of curriculum materials, professional learning resources, and digital educational platforms aimed at enhancing classroom learning experiences. Scholastic also earns income internationally by adapting its successful models to local markets outside the United States. Key factors contributing to its earnings include brand recognition, a diverse product portfolio, and strategic partnerships with educational institutions and retailers.

Scholastic Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 24, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: 20.42%|
Next Earnings Date:Sep 18, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflects a generally positive sentiment with strong financial performance, successful book launches, and strategic acquisitions leading to growth in several segments. However, challenges remain in the Education and Entertainment segments, and consumer spending pressures continue to impact revenue per fair.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Financial Performance
Revenue increased 7% to $508.3 million in Q4 and was up 2% to $1,625.5 million for the fiscal year. Adjusted EBITDA increased 1% to $91.2 million in Q4 and 6% to $145.4 million for the fiscal year.
Successful Book Launches
Trade Publishing saw a 19% revenue increase in Q4, driven by the launch of 'Sunrise on the Reaping' from the Hunger Games series, which sold over 2 million copies in its first month.
Book Fairs and Clubs Performance
Book fairs revenue increased 5% in Q4 and 1% for the full year, with higher fair counts. Book clubs saw a 2% revenue increase for the full year, with improved profit contribution.
Strategic Acquisitions and Integration
Integration of 9 Story Media Group enhanced reach and monetization, contributing to growth in the Entertainment segment.
International Segment Growth
International segment revenue increased 8% in Q4 and 2% for the full year, driven by strong trade channel performance.
Efficient Cost Management
Cost management and restructuring led to $25 million in annualized savings, with $15 million realized in FY 2025.
Negative Updates
Decline in Education Segment
Education segment revenue decreased 7% in Q4 and 12% for the full year due to continued headwinds in the supplemental curriculum market.
Entertainment Segment Losses
Entertainment segment reported an adjusted operating loss of $2.1 million in Q4 and $7.2 million for the full year, impacted by incremental amortization expenses.
Challenges in Consumer Spending
Revenue per fair declined slightly due to lower transaction volumes tied to consumer pressures.
Increased Debt
Net debt was $136.6 million at the end of fiscal 2025, compared to a net cash position of $107.7 million at the end of fiscal 2024, primarily due to the acquisition of 9 Story Media Group.
Company Guidance
During the call, Scholastic provided a detailed overview of its financial performance and strategic initiatives for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2025. Key metrics included a 7% increase in quarterly revenue to $508.3 million and a 2% annual revenue growth to $1,625.5 million. Adjusted EBITDA rose by 1% in Q4 to $91.2 million and 6% for the year, totaling $145.4 million. The Children's Book Publishing and Distribution segment saw a 9% revenue increase in Q4, largely driven by the success of new titles like "Sunrise on the Reaping" from the Hunger Games series. The Entertainment segment also contributed with $14.8 million in Q4 revenue, boosted by the acquisition of 9 Story Media Group. Looking ahead, Scholastic targets a 20% adjusted EBITDA growth for fiscal 2026, aiming for $160 to $170 million, alongside revenue growth of 2% to 4%. Strategic initiatives include cost management, organizational restructuring, and leveraging IP through integrated book and media businesses to drive long-term profitability and shareholder value.

Scholastic Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Scholastic displays a stable financial position with consistent revenue and a strong cash flow, but profitability metrics like net profit and ROE leave room for improvement. The balance sheet is robust with solid equity backing, although a decrease in equity and low profitability margins are concerns.
Income Statement
73
Positive
Scholastic shows a stable revenue base with a slight growth in the TTM period compared to the previous year. The gross profit margin remains solid at around 64.6% for TTM but has decreased slightly from 65.5% in the previous year. The EBIT margin of 1.8% is relatively low, indicating limited operational efficiency, however, it has shown improvement from previous periods. Net profit margin stands at 1.2% for TTM, reflecting modest profitability.
Balance Sheet
68
Positive
Scholastic's balance sheet reveals a moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41, suggesting manageable leverage. The equity ratio is strong at 48%, indicating solid asset backing by equity. ROE of 1.98% in the TTM period is low, pointing to modest returns on shareholder investments. There is a noted decrease in stockholders' equity over time, which may warrant attention.
Cash Flow
75
Positive
The company demonstrates a healthy operating cash flow to net income ratio of 4.69 for TTM, indicating strong cash generation relative to net income. Free cash flow growth rate has declined but remains positive, indicating some level of reinvestment capacity. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 1.46, showing good cash conversion from profits.
BreakdownDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.59B1.70B1.64B1.30B1.49B
Gross Profit884.60M917.60M877.40M633.80M736.10M
EBITDA85.10M203.50M175.80M52.90M-22.70M
Net Income12.10M86.50M81.00M-10.90M-43.70M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.67B1.87B1.94B2.01B2.03B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments113.70M224.50M316.60M366.50M393.80M
Total Debt123.80M101.00M97.10M282.60M11.60M
Total Liabilities653.10M340.00M722.40M826.00M853.00M
Stockholders Equity1.02B1.16B1.22B1.18B1.18B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow96.20M86.90M184.00M23.80M-63.90M
Operating Cash Flow154.60M148.90M226.00M71.00M2.10M
Investing Cash Flow-89.70M-99.60M-43.20M-50.50M-95.70M
Financing Cash Flow-176.10M-139.50M-229.20M-52.30M154.10M

Scholastic Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price25.95
Price Trends
50DMA
21.83
Positive
100DMA
19.79
Positive
200DMA
20.88
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.06
Positive
RSI
66.53
Neutral
STOCH
56.92
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For SCHL, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 25.95 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 24.17, above the 50-day MA of 21.83, and above the 200-day MA of 20.88, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.06 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 66.53 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 56.92 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for SCHL.

Scholastic Risk Analysis

Scholastic disclosed 23 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Scholastic reported the most risks in the "Ability to Sell" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Scholastic Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (60)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
$9.25B16.9011.74%2.05%1.93%34.40%
73
Outperform
$9.79B30.9617.13%1.03%7.82%19.39%
66
Neutral
$653.55M37.85-0.19%3.08%2.25%-103.50%
60
Neutral
$44.04B1.91-11.93%3.99%2.50%-38.33%
57
Neutral
$623.12M6.5247.54%-8.00%
46
Neutral
$26.24M0.00%-5.68%-127.26%
42
Neutral
$9.27M-12.07%-32.68%-3656.21%
* Communication Services Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
SCHL
Scholastic
25.95
-4.30
-14.21%
EDUC
Educational Development
1.08
-0.98
-47.57%
LEE
Lee Enterprises
4.37
-4.63
-51.44%
NYT
New York Times
60.16
5.81
10.69%
PSO
Pearson
14.45
1.19
8.97%
GCI
Gannett
4.23
-0.72
-14.55%

Scholastic Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Scholastic Announces Director Retirements and Strategic Updates
Neutral
Jun 23, 2025

On June 20, 2025, Scholastic Corporation announced the planned retirements of directors David Young and John L. Davies, effective at the annual meeting on September 17, 2025. Their departures are not due to disagreements with the company. Scholastic also updated its strategic and operational initiatives, focusing on enhancing shareholder value through cost management, restructuring, and potential real estate transactions. The company aims to maintain its fiscal 2025 Adjusted EBITDA guidance and is actively seeking new independent directors to support its growth and transformation strategies.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Scholastic Announces New Children’s Book Group Integration
Positive
May 29, 2025

On May 29, 2025, Scholastic Corporation announced the integration of its Trade Publishing, Book Fairs, and Book Clubs divisions into a new Children’s Book Group, effective June 1, 2025. This strategic move, led by Sasha Quinton, aims to strengthen Scholastic’s position in children’s publishing by creating a cohesive approach across all channels. Jackie De Leo, a seasoned leader from Barnes & Noble, joins as Publisher and Chief Merchant to enhance the company’s editorial and merchandising capabilities. The reorganization is expected to expand Scholastic’s reach and value, ensuring its stories and characters continue to resonate with children globally.

Executive/Board Changes
Scholastic Announces Leadership Transition in Legal Department
Neutral
May 27, 2025

On May 21, 2025, Scholastic Corporation announced the retirement of Andrew S. Hedden from his roles as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary, effective May 31, 2025. Hedden, who has been with the company since 2008, will transition to a role as Senior Counselor. Chris Lick, currently the Deputy General Counsel, will succeed Hedden as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary, effective June 1, 2025. This leadership change marks a significant transition within Scholastic’s legal department, potentially impacting its strategic direction and operations.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jun 24, 2025