Scholastic (NASDAQ:SCHL) Sees Unusually-High Trading Volume – Should You Buy?

Scholastic Co. (NASDAQ:SCHL) shares saw unusually-high trading volume on Monday . Approximately 270,034 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 14% from the previous session’s volume of 237,701 shares.The stock last traded at $20.05 and had previously closed at $21.22.

Scholastic Trading Down 9.9 %

The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $20.09 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $23.96. The company has a current ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The company has a market cap of $537.23 million, a PE ratio of -105.98 and a beta of 1.10.

Scholastic (NASDAQ:SCHL) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, March 20th. The company reported ($0.05) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.78) by $0.73. Scholastic had a negative net margin of 0.27% and a positive return on equity of 1.91%. The firm had revenue of $335.40 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $347.68 million. Analysts anticipate that Scholastic Co. will post 0.84 EPS for the current year.

Scholastic Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 30th will be issued a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.18%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, April 30th. Scholastic’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 133.33%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Scholastic during the fourth quarter worth approximately $33,000. KBC Group NV lifted its position in shares of Scholastic by 125.4% during the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 2,443 shares of the company’s stock worth $52,000 after buying an additional 1,359 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC grew its position in shares of Scholastic by 58.8% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,346 shares of the company’s stock valued at $75,000 after buying an additional 869 shares during the last quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new stake in Scholastic during the 4th quarter worth $96,000. Finally, Sterling Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Scholastic by 7.5% in the fourth quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 9,444 shares of the company’s stock valued at $201,000 after acquiring an additional 662 shares during the last quarter. 82.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Scholastic Company Profile

Scholastic Corporation publishes and distributes children’s books worldwide. It operates in three segments: Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution, Education Solutions, and International. The Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment engages in publication and distribution of children’s print, digital, and audio books, as well as media and interactive products through its school reading events and trade channel; and operation of school-based book clubs and book fairs in the United States.