Lazard Asset Management LLC Makes New $33,000 Investment in Scholastic Co. (NASDAQ:SCHL)

Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Scholastic Co. (NASDAQ:SCHL) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 1,591 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $33,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in SCHL. KBC Group NV lifted its position in Scholastic by 125.4% in the fourth quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 2,443 shares of the company’s stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 1,359 shares during the period. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new position in Scholastic during the fourth quarter worth about $96,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC raised 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 worth $201,000 after acquiring an additional 662 shares in the last quarter. BOKF NA lifted its holdings in Scholastic by 17.7% in the 4th quarter. BOKF NA now owns 10,987 shares of the company’s stock valued at $234,000 after acquiring an additional 1,656 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd lifted its holdings in Scholastic by 127.7% in the 4th quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 14,762 shares of the company’s stock valued at $315,000 after acquiring an additional 8,278 shares during the last quarter. 82.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Scholastic Stock Performance

Shares of SCHL opened at $17.10 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 1.24 and a quick ratio of 0.81. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $17.85 and its 200-day moving average is $20.56. Scholastic Co. has a 12-month low of $15.77 and a 12-month high of $38.77. The stock has a market capitalization of $480.53 million, a P/E ratio of -94.99 and a beta of 1.06.

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

Scholastic Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 16th. Investors of record on Wednesday, April 30th will be paid a $0.20 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, April 30th. This represents a $0.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.68%. Scholastic’s dividend payout ratio is currently 133.33%.

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.