Scholastic Co. (NASDAQ:SCHL) Shares Bought by Inspire Investing LLC

Inspire Investing LLC raised its stake in Scholastic Co. (NASDAQ:SCHL) by 43.0% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 20,270 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 6,096 shares during the quarter. Inspire Investing LLC’s holdings in Scholastic were worth $432,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Scholastic in the third quarter worth $46,000. FMR LLC raised its holdings in shares of Scholastic by 58.8% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,346 shares of the company’s stock worth $75,000 after acquiring an additional 869 shares during the last quarter. Paloma Partners Management Co acquired a new position in shares of Scholastic in the third quarter worth $243,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets grew its position in shares of Scholastic by 99.6% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 9,711 shares of the company’s stock valued at $311,000 after purchasing an additional 4,845 shares during the period. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Scholastic by 54.6% in the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 11,049 shares of the company’s stock valued at $354,000 after purchasing an additional 3,900 shares during the period. 82.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Scholastic Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:SCHL opened at $20.44 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $574.38 million, a P/E ratio of -113.55 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. Scholastic Co. has a 52 week low of $18.57 and a 52 week high of $40.74. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $23.07 and a 200-day simple moving average of $27.34.

Scholastic (NASDAQ:SCHL) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 19th. The company reported $1.82 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.30 by ($0.48). Scholastic had a negative net margin of 0.27% and a positive return on equity of 1.91%. Equities research analysts forecast that Scholastic Co. will post 0.84 EPS for the current year.

Scholastic Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 31st will be given a dividend of $0.20 per share. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.91%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, January 31st. Scholastic’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -444.44%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded Scholastic from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, October 5th.

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.