Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ:SCHL) Leverages Streaming Launch While Operating Metrics Keep Near-Term Pressure

Scholastic accelerates content distribution into AVOD and sustains shareholder payouts, even as operating losses and negative free cash flow place valuation under strain.

Recent News

On September 17, 2025 Scholastic and 9 Story Media Group launched the first Scholastic-branded AVOD streaming app on Roku and Amazon Fire TV, offering over 400 hours of children’s programming from the Scholastic library.

Also on September 17, 2025 the Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share payable December 15, 2025, to shareholders of record on October 31, 2025.

On September 3, 2025 B. Riley Securities initiated coverage of Scholastic with a Buy rating and published an average one‑year target in the mid‑$30s.

Technical Analysis

ADX at 12.78 indicates no established trend; the lack of trend reduces the conviction behind short‑term directional bets while valuation pressure persists.

Directional movement lines show DI+ at 19.18 declining, which signals waning bullish pressure; DI- at 20.10 also declining suggests falling downside pressure, together implying consolidative action rather than a clear breakout.

MACD reads 0.16 below the signal line at 0.32 and trends downward, indicating bearish momentum and no recent bullish MACD cross to offset valuation concerns.

MRO stands at 20.74 and trends lower; the positive MRO signals the current price sits above the regression target, implying increased potential for downward reversion toward fair value.

RSI at 54.77 and moving lower indicates neutral‑to‑moderate momentum that has cooled from short‑term strength; the 12‑day EMA and 20‑day average both trend down or sit slightly above price (12‑day EMA 28.17 decreasing; 20‑day avg 28.37; price close $28.02), which supports a cautious near‑term bias.

Price structure shows longer‑term support: 50‑day average $27.53 and 200‑day average $21.89 provide levels where buyers historically appear; the supertrend lower at $26.93 offers a nearer support reference while the 52‑week high $29.38 frames upside scope versus the $15.37 low.

 


Fundamental Analysis

Revenue totaled $225,600,000 with revenue growth reported at -55.62% alongside a year‑over‑year revenue increase of 11.12%; the divergent growth figures point to sharp period‑over‑period swings in sales. QoQ revenue change measured -207.89% per the supplied QoQ figure.

Operating results show an operating (EBIT) loss of $91,400,000 and an EBIT margin of -40.51%, versus an industry peer mean EBIT margin of 18.76% and industry peer range low of -13.73% to high of 44.29%; the company’s margin sits well below the industry peer mean and median. EBIT margin moved QoQ by -479.95% and improved YoY by 8.59%.

Net income registered -$71,100,000 while EPS came in at -$2.52 versus an estimate of -$2.41, producing an EPS surprise of -4.56% (EPS difference -$0.11). Forward EPS stands at $0.6525 with a forward PE near 35.13, which contrasts with the trailing negative PE of -9.54 and underscores near‑term earnings uncertainty embedded in current valuation.

Cash flow and liquidity metrics reinforce operating strain: free cash flow totaled -$91,800,000 with a free cash flow yield of -15.19%; operating cash flow ran -$81,800,000 while cash and short‑term investments equal $94,300,000. The cash conversion cycle measures 145.78 days, substantially above the industry peer mean of -65.31 days, reflecting slower working capital turnover driven by long inventory and receivable days (inventory days ~126, receivables days ~93).

Balance sheet and coverage: total debt $443,200,000, debt‑to‑equity 50.48%, and interest coverage negative at -20.77x, which limits flexibility for incremental borrowing. Current ratio reads 1.16 and quick ratio 0.65, showing modest headroom against short‑term liabilities but weaker than the industry peer mean current ratio of 2.05.

Market multiples show mixed signals: price‑to‑book about 0.69 and price‑to‑sales 2.68, while enterprise value sits at $953,236,496 and EV/Revenue at 4.23. WMDST classifies the current valuation as over‑valued given the combination of negative operating margins, persistent free cash deficits, and stretched working capital.

Notable fundamental catalysts reported in recent coverage include the company’s AVOD streaming rollout and the declared $0.20 quarterly dividend; external commentary highlighted government school funding uncertainty as a driver of weakness within the Education Solutions channel.

MOST-RECENT QUARTERLY REPORT
REPORT PERIOD ENDING: 2025-08-31
REPORT DATE: 2025-09-18
NEXT REPORT DATE: 2025-12-18
CASH FLOW  Begin Period Cash Flow 124.0 M
 Operating Cash Flow -81.80 M
 Capital Expenditures -10.00 M
 Change In Working Capital -45.90 M
 Dividends Paid -5.20 M
 Cash Flow Delta -29.70 M
 End Period Cash Flow 94.3 M
 
INCOME STATEMENT REVENUE
 Total Revenue 225.6 M
 Forward Revenue -13.01 M
COSTS
 Cost Of Revenue 123.5 M
 Depreciation 19.4 M
 Depreciation and Amortization 19.4 M
 Research and Development
 Total Operating Expenses 317.0 M
PROFITABILITY
 Gross Profit 102.1 M
 EBITDA -72.00 M
 EBIT -91.40 M
 Operating Income -91.40 M
 Interest Income -4.50 M
 Interest Expense
 Net Interest Income -4.50 M
 Income Before Tax -97.00 M
 Tax Provision -25.90 M
 Tax Rate 26.7 %
 Net Income -71.10 M
 Net Income From Continuing Operations -71.10 M
EARNINGS
 EPS Estimate -2.41
 EPS Actual -2.52
 EPS Difference -0.11
 EPS Surprise -4.564 %
 Forward EPS 0.65
 
BALANCE SHEET ASSETS
 Total Assets 2.0 B
 Intangible Assets 286.3 M
 Net Tangible Assets 591.7 M
 Total Current Assets 730.2 M
 Cash and Short-Term Investments 94.3 M
 Cash 94.3 M
 Net Receivables 187.0 M
 Inventory 322.2 M
 Long-Term Investments 118.1 M
LIABILITIES
 Accounts Payable 175.8 M
 Short-Term Debt 6.2 M
 Total Current Liabilities 631.4 M
 Net Debt 236.9 M
 Total Debt 443.2 M
 Total Liabilities 1.1 B
EQUITY
 Total Equity 878.0 M
 Retained Earnings 923.5 M
VALUATION & PER-SHARE METRICS EQUITY & PER-SHARE METRICS
 Book Value Per-Share 34.93
 Shares Outstanding 25.139 M
 Revenue Per-Share 8.97
VALUATION
 Market Capitalization 604.3 M
 Enterprise Value 953.2 M
 Enterprise Multiple -13.239
Enterprise Multiple QoQ -217.354 %
Enterprise Multiple YoY 15.548 %
Enterprise Multiple IPRWA high: 112.271
median: 112.271
mean: 89.453
SCHL: -13.239
low: -40.383
 EV/R 4.225
CAPITAL STRUCTURE
 Asset To Equity 2.226
 Asset To Liability 1.816
 Debt To Capital 0.335
 Debt To Assets 0.227
Debt To Assets QoQ 18.074 %
Debt To Assets YoY 7190.997 %
Debt To Assets IPRWA high: 0.862
median: 0.389
mean: 0.384
SCHL: 0.227
low: 0.024
 Debt To Equity 0.505
Debt To Equity QoQ 27.576 %
Debt To Equity YoY 7824.333 %
Debt To Equity IPRWA high: 6.623
mean: 1.069
median: 0.902
SCHL: 0.505
low: -1.865
PRICE-BASED VALUATION
 Price To Book (P/B) 0.688
Price To Book QoQ 6.162 %
Price To Book YoY -25.322 %
Price To Book IPRWA high: 4.646
mean: 1.662
median: 1.21
SCHL: 0.688
low: -0.495
 Price To Earnings (P/E) -9.54
Price To Earnings QoQ -141.448 %
Price To Earnings YoY -35.203 %
Price To Earnings IPRWA high: 126.522
mean: 8.45
median: -0.697
SCHL: -9.54
low: -14.527
 PE/G Ratio 0.024
 Price To Sales (P/S) 2.679
Price To Sales QoQ 121.884 %
Price To Sales YoY -27.986 %
Price To Sales IPRWA high: 13.128
mean: 5.004
median: 3.671
SCHL: 2.679
low: 0.014
FORWARD MULTIPLES
Forward P/E 35.13
Forward PE/G -0.09
Forward P/S -46.446
EFFICIENCY OPERATIONAL
 Operating Leverage 4.83
ASSET & SALES
 Asset Turnover Ratio 0.116
Asset Turnover Ratio QoQ -55.542 %
Asset Turnover Ratio YoY -11.558 %
Asset Turnover Ratio IPRWA high: 0.285
SCHL: 0.116
mean: 0.078
low: 0.062
median: 0.062
 Receivables Turnover 0.98
Receivables Turnover Ratio QoQ -48.975 %
Receivables Turnover Ratio YoY -9.91 %
Receivables Turnover Ratio IPRWA high: 3.826
median: 2.5
mean: 2.416
SCHL: 0.98
low: 0.786
 Inventory Turnover 0.432
Inventory Turnover Ratio QoQ -45.774 %
Inventory Turnover Ratio YoY -3.387 %
Inventory Turnover Ratio IPRWA high: 24.341
median: 19.165
mean: 18.637
low: 1.208
SCHL: 0.432
 Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) 93.111
CASH CYCLE
 Cash Conversion Cycle Days (CCC) 145.779
Cash Conversion Cycle Days QoQ 26.274 %
Cash Conversion Cycle Days YoY 1.466 %
Cash Conversion Cycle Days IPRWA SCHL: 145.779
high: 77.372
mean: -65.305
median: -84.026
low: -103.513
CAPITAL DEPLOYMENT
 Cash Conversion Ratio 2.283
 CapEx To Revenue -0.044
 CapEx To Depreciation -0.515
 
CAPITAL, LIQUIDITY & COVERAGE CAPITAL STRUCTURE
 Total Capital 1.2 B
 Net Invested Capital 1.2 B
 Invested Capital 1.2 B
 Net Tangible Assets 591.7 M
 Net Working Capital 98.8 M
LIQUIDITY
 Cash Ratio 0.149
 Current Ratio 1.156
Current Ratio QoQ -0.122 %
Current Ratio YoY 1.627 %
Current Ratio IPRWA high: 3.238
median: 2.306
mean: 2.053
SCHL: 1.156
low: 0.375
 Quick Ratio 0.646
Quick Ratio QoQ -14.804 %
Quick Ratio YoY 0.31 %
Quick Ratio IPRWA high: 3.031
mean: 2.306
median: 2.29
low: 0.668
SCHL: 0.646
COVERAGE & LEVERAGE
 Debt To EBITDA -6.156
 Cost Of Debt 0.909 %
 Interest Coverage Ratio -20.773
Interest Coverage Ratio QoQ -268.635 %
Interest Coverage Ratio YoY -29.584 %
Interest Coverage Ratio IPRWA high: 17.0
mean: 2.352
median: 1.624
low: -4.504
SCHL: -20.773
 Operating Cash Flow Ratio -0.03
TIMING / LIQUIDITY
 Days Payables Outstanding (DPO) 73.313
DIVIDENDS
 Dividend Coverage Ratio -13.673
 Dividend Payout Ratio -0.073
 Dividend Rate 0.21
 Dividend Yield 0.009
PERFORMANCE GROWTH
 Asset Growth Rate 0.231 %
 Revenue Growth -55.617 %
Revenue Growth QoQ -207.889 %
Revenue Growth YoY 11.116 %
Revenue Growth IPRWA high: 2.92 %
mean: -0.494 %
median: -0.694 %
low: -7.817 %
SCHL: -55.617 %
 Earnings Growth -389.655 %
Earnings Growth QoQ -78.823 %
Earnings Growth YoY 64.733 %
Earnings Growth IPRWA high: 144.373 %
median: -10.4 %
mean: -17.744 %
low: -250.0 %
SCHL: -389.655 %
MARGINS
 Gross Margin 45.257 %
Gross Margin QoQ -23.574 %
Gross Margin YoY -1.424 %
Gross Margin IPRWA high: 74.459 %
SCHL: 45.257 %
mean: 41.765 %
median: 36.701 %
low: 36.131 %
 EBIT Margin -40.514 %
EBIT Margin QoQ -479.949 %
EBIT Margin YoY 8.588 %
EBIT Margin IPRWA high: 44.29 %
median: 19.506 %
mean: 18.755 %
low: -13.731 %
SCHL: -40.514 %
 Return On Sales (ROS) -40.514 %
Return On Sales QoQ -467.741 %
Return On Sales YoY 8.588 %
Return On Sales IPRWA high: 25.869 %
mean: 9.559 %
median: 6.649 %
low: -12.924 %
SCHL: -40.514 %
CASH FLOW
 Free Cash Flow (FCF) -91.80 M
 Free Cash Flow Yield -15.19 %
Free Cash Flow Yield QoQ -198.54 %
Free Cash Flow Yield YoY 116.536 %
Free Cash Flow Yield IPRWA high: 12.971 %
mean: 0.762 %
median: 0.145 %
SCHL: -15.19 %
low: -16.117 %
 Free Cash Growth -197.04 %
Free Cash Growth QoQ -64.206 %
Free Cash Growth YoY -7.028 %
Free Cash Growth IPRWA high: 93.346 %
median: 9.84 %
mean: -20.741 %
SCHL: -197.04 %
low: -242.03 %
 Free Cash To Net Income 1.291
 Cash Flow Margin -8.333 %
 Cash Flow To Earnings 0.264
VALUE & RETURNS
 Economic Value Added 0.03
 Return On Assets (ROA) -3.642 %
Return On Assets QoQ -562.77 %
Return On Assets YoY 5.811 %
Return On Assets IPRWA high: 2.869 %
mean: -0.286 %
median: -0.817 %
SCHL: -3.642 %
low: -5.215 %
 Return On Capital Employed (ROCE) -6.907 %
 Return On Equity (ROE) -0.081
Return On Equity QoQ -597.726 %
Return On Equity YoY 24.031 %
Return On Equity IPRWA high: 0.074
mean: -0.005
median: -0.019
SCHL: -0.081
low: -0.202
 DuPont ROE -7.794 %
 Return On Invested Capital (ROIC) -5.54 %
Return On Invested Capital QoQ -255.618 %
Return On Invested Capital YoY -107.17 %
Return On Invested Capital IPRWA high: 4.134 %
mean: 1.336 %
median: 1.058 %
low: -4.866 %
SCHL: -5.54 %

Six-Week Outlook

Near‑term price action should track consolidation around the $28 area with downside pressure from a positive MRO and a declining MACD; the ADX‑based lack of trend points to rangebound swings rather than directional expansion. Catalysts that could lift sentiment include uptake and engagement metrics from the new AVOD app and clarity on school funding, while continued negative free cash flow and stretched working capital represent primary downside risk. Positioning should account for support near the $26.90 supertrend level and the 50‑day average around $27.53, with upside reference toward the consensus price target mean $30.97 if momentum and fundamentals shorten their disconnect.

About Scholastic Corporation

Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ:SCHL) publishes and distributes children’s books on a global scale. The company operates through three primary segments: Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution, Education Solutions, and International. Within the Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment, Scholastic creates and distributes children’s print, digital, and audio books, along with media and interactive products. This segment also manages school-based book clubs and book fairs across the United States, featuring popular series such as Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Clifford The Big Red Dog. The Education Solutions segment delivers classroom magazines under well-known names like Scholastic News and Junior Scholastic, along with supplemental classroom materials, programs, and related support services. It also offers print and online reference materials and consulting services. Internationally, Scholastic publishes children’s books in English, Hindi, and French, utilizing school-based marketing channels to supply both original and licensed titles, as well as educational materials for teachers. The company reaches schools, libraries, and consumers directly through retail outlets and online platforms. Founded in 1920, Scholastic Corporation maintains its headquarters in New York, New York.



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