Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ:SCHL) Accelerates Cash Returns, Tightening Valuation Heading Into Summer

Strong cash deployment and a declared dividend shift near-term capital allocation toward shareholders while operational metrics present mixed signals for momentum and margin recovery.

Recent News

March 18, 2026: Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share, payable June 15, 2026; March 19, 2026: company released fiscal 2026 third-quarter results; March 23, 2026: announced a modified Dutch-auction tender offer to repurchase up to $200 million of common stock; April 23, 2026: the company reported final results of the tender offer following its April 20, 2026 expiration.

Technical Analysis

Directional indicators show mixed momentum: DI+ at 25.71 with a peak-and-reversal indicates fading upside strength, while DI- at 19.76 with a peak-and-reversal indicates downward pressure recently eased; ADX at 19.2 signals no established trend, so directional readings point to a neutral-to-frail directional environment as cash returns compress supply-side risk.

MACD sits at 0.95 and trends increasing above its 0.75 signal line, indicating bullish momentum continuity and a recent bullish MACD crossover that supports further short-term upside pressure versus longer-term averages.

Momentum/Regression Oscillator at 25.0 registers positive territory, meaning the market price sits above the model target and therefore carries potential downward reversion pressure; that suggests upside may face mean-reversion risk even as momentum indicators support higher prices.

RSI at 61.18 with a peak-and-reversal points to exhausted buying pressure relative to recent runs, signaling that upside may decelerate and any follow-through will require renewed buying volume.

Price sits above short- and long-term averages: close $44.01 exceeds the 12-day and 26-day EMAs ($42.35 / $41.34), the 20-day average ($42.00) and the 50-day average ($40.25), confirming a near-term bullish bias; the super trend lower at $40.60 and Ichimoku support cluster (Kijun Sen $40.62; Senkou A $40.30) create a technical support band into which price may consolidate.

 


Fundamental Analysis

Revenue totaled $329.10M with year-over-year revenue growth of 4.87%, indicating modest top-line expansion versus the prior year. Gross margin held at 54.33%, supporting product-level profitability despite operating pressures.

Operating (EBIT) margin sits at -8.17%; the margin improved 16.17% year-over-year but deteriorated -149.23% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting volatile operating leverage across seasonal revenue and cost timing. The EBIT margin lies below the industry peer mean of 15.844% and below the industry peer median of 19.967%, while remaining above the industry peer low of -28.551%.

Net income reached $62.5M, while operating cash flow registered negative $30.5M and free cash flow totaled negative $43.9M, producing a free cash flow yield of -5.25% and a free-cash-to-net-income relationship of -70.24%. The cash conversion cycle extended to 134.40 days, indicating working capital intensity tied to inventory and receivables.

Liquidity and capital structure show $104.6M cash and short-term investments against $284.6M total debt. Current ratio equals 1.18 while quick ratio equals 0.73, below the industry peer mean current ratio of 2.11 and below the industry peer quick ratio median of 2.36, highlighting tighter near-term liquidity relative to typical peers. Debt-to-equity equals 0.33 (32.64%), and debt-to-assets equals 15.98%, reflecting a moderate leverage profile.

Market multiples: trailing P/E equals 12.90, above the industry peer mean P/E of 9.99; price-to-book equals 0.96, below the industry peer mean price-to-book of 1.70 and the industry peer median of 1.73. Forward P/E of 45.99 and forward EPS of $0.6675 imply stretched forward expectations relative to trailing earnings.

EPS came in at -$0.15 versus an estimate of -$0.36, producing an EPS beat of $0.21 and an EPS surprise ratio of 58.33%, indicating better-than-expected near-term earnings performance against consensus estimates. The company maintains a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share (annualized ~$0.80) with a yield of 0.61%.

WMDST values the stock as over-valued; the combination of a positive MRO (price above target), negative free cash flow, and stretched forward multiples supports that valuation stance while buyback activity and the dividend reallocate capital that could tighten supply and support the multiple in the near term.

MOST-RECENT QUARTERLY REPORT
REPORT PERIOD ENDING: 2026-02-28
REPORT DATE: 2026-03-19
NEXT REPORT DATE: 2026-06-18
CASH FLOW  Begin Period Cash Flow 99.3 M
 Operating Cash Flow -30.50 M
 Capital Expenditures -13.40 M
 Change In Working Capital -14.60 M
 Dividends Paid -5.10 M
 Cash Flow Delta 5.3 M
 End Period Cash Flow 104.6 M
 
INCOME STATEMENT REVENUE
 Total Revenue 329.1 M
 Forward Revenue 19.1 M
COSTS
 Cost Of Revenue 150.3 M
 Depreciation 23.2 M
 Depreciation and Amortization 23.2 M
 Research and Development
 Total Operating Expenses 356.0 M
PROFITABILITY
 Gross Profit 178.8 M
 EBITDA -3.70 M
 EBIT -26.90 M
 Operating Income -26.90 M
 Interest Income -800.00 K
 Interest Expense
 Net Interest Income -800.00 K
 Income Before Tax 91.8 M
 Tax Provision 29.3 M
 Tax Rate 31.9 %
 Net Income 62.5 M
 Net Income From Continuing Operations 62.5 M
EARNINGS
 EPS Estimate -0.36
 EPS Actual -0.15
 EPS Difference 0.21
 EPS Surprise 58.333 %
 Forward EPS 0.67
 
BALANCE SHEET ASSETS
 Total Assets 1.8 B
 Intangible Assets 282.0 M
 Net Tangible Assets 589.9 M
 Total Current Assets 735.3 M
 Cash and Short-Term Investments 104.6 M
 Cash 104.6 M
 Net Receivables 248.3 M
 Inventory 282.5 M
 Long-Term Investments 97.3 M
LIABILITIES
 Accounts Payable 128.5 M
 Short-Term Debt 5.6 M
 Total Current Liabilities 621.1 M
 Net Debt
 Total Debt 284.6 M
 Total Liabilities 908.9 M
EQUITY
 Total Equity 871.9 M
 Retained Earnings 1.0 B
VALUATION & PER-SHARE METRICS EQUITY & PER-SHARE METRICS
 Book Value Per-Share 34.27
 Shares Outstanding 21.742 M
 Revenue Per-Share 12.94
VALUATION
 Market Capitalization 837.0 M
 Enterprise Value 1.0 B
 Enterprise Multiple -274.874
Enterprise Multiple QoQ -3166.621 %
Enterprise Multiple YoY -360.474 %
Enterprise Multiple IPRWA high: 137.3
median: 137.3
mean: 116.361
low: -36.86
SCHL: -274.874
 EV/R 3.09
CAPITAL STRUCTURE
 Asset To Equity 2.042
 Asset To Liability 1.959
 Debt To Capital 0.246
 Debt To Assets 0.16
Debt To Assets QoQ -17.444 %
Debt To Assets YoY 5299.324 %
Debt To Assets IPRWA high: 1.73
median: 0.391
mean: 0.386
SCHL: 0.16
low: 0.001
 Debt To Equity 0.326
Debt To Equity QoQ -21.277 %
Debt To Equity YoY 5198.864 %
Debt To Equity IPRWA high: 5.909
mean: 1.039
median: 0.934
SCHL: 0.326
low: -5.424
PRICE-BASED VALUATION
 Price To Book (P/B) 0.96
Price To Book QoQ 25.921 %
Price To Book YoY 60.285 %
Price To Book IPRWA high: 2.697
median: 1.731
mean: 1.697
SCHL: 0.96
low: -0.475
 Price To Earnings (P/E) 12.902
Price To Earnings QoQ 18.828 %
Price To Earnings YoY -103.054 %
Price To Earnings IPRWA high: 137.735
SCHL: 12.902
mean: 9.992
median: 1.545
low: -45.776
 PE/G Ratio 0.737
 Price To Sales (P/S) 2.543
Price To Sales QoQ 97.438 %
Price To Sales YoY 51.311 %
Price To Sales IPRWA high: 17.816
median: 5.913
mean: 5.656
SCHL: 2.543
low: 0.008
FORWARD MULTIPLES
Forward P/E 45.993
Forward PE/G 2.626
Forward P/S 35.704
EFFICIENCY OPERATIONAL
 Operating Leverage 3.212
ASSET & SALES
 Asset Turnover Ratio 0.174
Asset Turnover Ratio QoQ -37.534 %
Asset Turnover Ratio YoY 3.916 %
Asset Turnover Ratio IPRWA high: 0.243
SCHL: 0.174
mean: 0.079
median: 0.064
low: 0.063
 Receivables Turnover 1.208
Receivables Turnover Ratio QoQ -47.002 %
Receivables Turnover Ratio YoY -1.14 %
Receivables Turnover Ratio IPRWA high: 3.782
median: 2.634
mean: 2.481
SCHL: 1.208
low: 0.407
 Inventory Turnover 0.524
Inventory Turnover Ratio QoQ -28.764 %
Inventory Turnover Ratio YoY -6.241 %
Inventory Turnover Ratio IPRWA high: 24.768
median: 15.477
mean: 13.837
SCHL: 0.524
low: 0.304
 Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) 75.529
CASH CYCLE
 Cash Conversion Cycle Days (CCC) 134.4
Cash Conversion Cycle Days QoQ -7.158 %
Cash Conversion Cycle Days YoY 5.845 %
Cash Conversion Cycle Days IPRWA high: 160.345
SCHL: 134.4
mean: -77.657
low: -102.184
median: -102.184
CAPITAL DEPLOYMENT
 Cash Conversion Ratio 2.882
 CapEx To Revenue -0.041
 CapEx To Depreciation -0.578
 
CAPITAL, LIQUIDITY & COVERAGE CAPITAL STRUCTURE
 Total Capital 871.9 M
 Net Invested Capital 877.5 M
 Invested Capital 877.5 M
 Net Tangible Assets 589.9 M
 Net Working Capital 114.2 M
LIQUIDITY
 Cash Ratio 0.168
 Current Ratio 1.184
Current Ratio QoQ -29.093 %
Current Ratio YoY -3.554 %
Current Ratio IPRWA high: 2.896
median: 2.387
mean: 2.11
SCHL: 1.184
low: 0.401
 Quick Ratio 0.729
Quick Ratio QoQ -41.292 %
Quick Ratio YoY -7.529 %
Quick Ratio IPRWA high: 2.645
median: 2.363
mean: 2.354
low: 1.091
SCHL: 0.729
COVERAGE & LEVERAGE
 Debt To EBITDA -76.919
 Cost Of Debt 0.893 %
 Interest Coverage Ratio -6.114
Interest Coverage Ratio QoQ -129.399 %
Interest Coverage Ratio YoY 13.983 %
Interest Coverage Ratio IPRWA high: 3.652
median: 1.752
mean: 1.648
SCHL: -6.114
low: -13.464
 Operating Cash Flow Ratio 0.188
TIMING / LIQUIDITY
 Days Payables Outstanding (DPO) 57.051
DIVIDENDS
 Dividend Coverage Ratio 12.255
 Dividend Payout Ratio 0.082
 Dividend Rate 0.20
 Dividend Yield 0.006
PERFORMANCE GROWTH
 Asset Growth Rate -10.71 %
 Revenue Growth -40.283 %
Revenue Growth QoQ -127.92 %
Revenue Growth YoY 4.865 %
Revenue Growth IPRWA high: 17.106 %
median: -0.245 %
mean: -2.008 %
SCHL: -40.283 %
low: -44.154 %
 Earnings Growth 17.512 %
Earnings Growth QoQ -108.67 %
Earnings Growth YoY -117.044 %
Earnings Growth IPRWA high: 134.615 %
SCHL: 17.512 %
mean: -151.747 %
low: -189.45 %
median: -189.45 %
MARGINS
 Gross Margin 54.33 %
Gross Margin QoQ -8.015 %
Gross Margin YoY 0.787 %
Gross Margin IPRWA high: 97.934 %
SCHL: 54.33 %
mean: 42.624 %
median: 39.074 %
low: 15.882 %
 EBIT Margin -8.174 %
EBIT Margin QoQ -149.232 %
EBIT Margin YoY 16.174 %
EBIT Margin IPRWA high: 31.042 %
median: 19.967 %
mean: 15.844 %
SCHL: -8.174 %
low: -28.551 %
 Return On Sales (ROS) -8.174 %
Return On Sales QoQ -149.232 %
Return On Sales YoY 16.174 %
Return On Sales IPRWA high: 25.326 %
mean: 11.758 %
median: 11.175 %
SCHL: -8.174 %
low: -42.683 %
CASH FLOW
 Free Cash Flow (FCF) -43.90 M
 Free Cash Flow Yield -5.245 %
Free Cash Flow Yield QoQ -158.919 %
Free Cash Flow Yield YoY -19.641 %
Free Cash Flow Yield IPRWA high: 18.513 %
mean: 0.904 %
median: 0.201 %
SCHL: -5.245 %
low: -18.904 %
 Free Cash Growth -169.462 %
Free Cash Growth QoQ 0.365 %
Free Cash Growth YoY 5.238 %
Free Cash Growth IPRWA high: 251.322 %
median: 251.322 %
mean: 177.682 %
SCHL: -169.462 %
low: -360.87 %
 Free Cash To Net Income -0.702
 Cash Flow Margin 35.552 %
 Cash Flow To Earnings 1.872
VALUE & RETURNS
 Economic Value Added 0.03
 Return On Assets (ROA) 3.311 %
Return On Assets QoQ 16.955 %
Return On Assets YoY -1939.444 %
Return On Assets IPRWA SCHL: 3.311 %
high: 3.003 %
median: 0.454 %
mean: 0.339 %
low: -5.963 %
 Return On Capital Employed (ROCE) -2.32 %
 Return On Equity (ROE) 0.072
Return On Equity QoQ 19.407 %
Return On Equity YoY -1976.44 %
Return On Equity IPRWA high: 0.081
SCHL: 0.072
median: 0.011
mean: 0.008
low: -0.134
 DuPont ROE 6.933 %
 Return On Invested Capital (ROIC) -2.087 %
Return On Invested Capital QoQ -137.556 %
Return On Invested Capital YoY -113.103 %
Return On Invested Capital IPRWA high: 4.237 %
mean: 1.45 %
median: 1.392 %
SCHL: -2.087 %
low: -2.908 %

Six-Week Outlook

Expect a consolidation-biased range with a mild upward skew: momentum readings (MACD positive, price above EMAs) favor continued appreciation but the positive MRO and RSI peak suggest upside may stall and invite mean reversion. Directional indicators and ADX argue against a sustained trending move, so price likely oscillates between the support cluster around $40.30–$40.62 and the recent high near $44. Upper targets implied by analyst consensus remain materially above current levels, but valuation and cash-flow dynamics suggest any rally may meet resistance absent firm improvement in operating cash flow or margin expansion.

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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