Pearson PLC ADR
NYSE: PSO · COMMUNICATION SERVICES · PUBLISHING
Updated 2026-06-05
Pearson PLC ADR (PSO) Stock Valuation Analysis
Fair value estimate, historical valuation range, and quality signals for PSO.
Current price exceeds what fundamentals support. Risk/reward skewed unfavorably.
PSO historical valuation range
Where current P/E sits in PSO's own 5Y range.
PSO intrinsic value (DCF)
DCF-based fair value estimate vs current market price.
Intrinsic value calculated using discounted cash flow (DCF) model based on projected free cash flows, discount rate, and terminal growth assumptions. A positive margin of safety indicates the current price is below estimated fair value, providing a cushion against estimation error.
PSO valuation signals
Quick-read green flags, caution flags, and risks based on current metrics.
P/E Ratio — History
Current: 22.76x
P/S Ratio — History
Current: 2.60x
Is PSO overvalued in 2026?
Pearson PLC ADR (PSO) currently trades at $15.07 per share with a market capitalization of $9,294,452,000.00. Based on our multi-factor framework, the stock appears richly valued with a Smart Value Score of 41/100. This score blends growth quality, financial health, and price attractiveness into a single institutional-grade read.
The stock trades at a P/E ratio of 22.8x, above its 5-year median of 21.2x. The PEG ratio of 2.00 indicates the price has run ahead of the underlying growth rate.
Looking at its own history, PSO is currently trading more expensive than 79% of the last 5Y on P/E. This places it in the 79th percentile of its historical range, a zone where forward returns have typically been muted.
Our discounted cash flow model estimates PSO's intrinsic value at $10.03 per share, against the current market price of $15.07. This implies a premium to fair value of -21.14%. The current price sits well above what projected cash flows justify, implying investors are paying for growth that has not yet materialized.
The Piotroski F-Score of 5/9 puts financial quality in a middling range, neither a standout strength nor an obvious red flag.
Bottom line: PSO appears richly valued on our framework, with a Smart Value Score of 41/100. At current levels the risk/reward is skewed against the buyer. A materially lower price or significant operational improvement would be needed to change the picture.
Frequently asked questions
Is PSO overvalued?
PSO scores 41/100 on our Smart Value Score (Grade D), a weak overall profile. On valuation specifically, the DCF puts intrinsic value below the current price, so the stock is expensive on cash flow today. The score reflects growth and quality carrying it, not a cheap entry point.
What is PSO's fair value?
Our DCF model estimates PSO's intrinsic value at $10.03 per share, versus the current price of $15.07, a margin of safety of -21.14%. Fair value is the present value of the cash flows we project the business to produce, so a price above it means the market is paying up for growth the model does not yet assume.
What P/E ratio does PSO trade at?
PSO trades at a P/E of 22.8x on trailing twelve-month earnings, against a 5-year median of 21.2x. P/E is what you pay per dollar of profit, and sitting above its own median means the stock is pricier than usual relative to its earnings.
Is PSO a buy based on valuation?
Our Smart Value rating for PSO is Sell, from a Smart Value Score of 41/100 that blends growth, quality, and valuation. The profile skews cautious, and a better price or clearer operating improvement would strengthen the case. This is research to inform your decision, not personalized financial advice.
How does PSO's valuation compare to its history?
On P/E, PSO sits in the 79th percentile of its own 5Y range, historically expensive relative to where it has traded. A high percentile means today's multiple is near the top of its historical band.
What is PSO's Smart Value Score?
PSO's Smart Value Score is 41/100. It is a proprietary WallStSmart metric blending growth quality, financial health, and valuation into a single 0-100 read, and scores above 75 are rare, signaling strong multi-factor alignment.