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Pearson (PSON) Competitors

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GBX 1,178.65 -5.85 (-0.49%)
As of 08/21/2026 12:28 PM Eastern

PSON vs. IGG, GNS, CVSG, XPS, and SMWH

Should you buy Pearson stock or one of its competitors? Pearson's main competitors and comparable companies include IG Group (IGG), Genus (GNS), CVS Group (CVSG), XPS Pensions Group (XPS), and WH Smith (SMWH). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "diversified consumer services" industry.

How does Pearson compare to IG Group?

IG Group (LON:IGG) and Pearson (LON:PSON) are both mid-cap consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, valuation, earnings, analyst recommendations, media sentiment, dividends and profitability.

IG Group has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Pearson. IG Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Pearson, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
IG Group£949.10M4.64£533.35M£105.1012.69
Pearson£3.63B1.95£346.29M£50.0023.57

IG Group has a beta of 0.503, suggesting that its share price is 50% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Pearson has a beta of 0.34266028, suggesting that its share price is 66% less volatile than the broader market.

IG Group has a net margin of 30.26% compared to Pearson's net margin of 8.78%. IG Group's return on equity of 19.99% beat Pearson's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
IG Group30.26% 19.99% 10.37%
Pearson 8.78%9.13%4.85%

IG Group presently has a consensus target price of GBX 1,338, suggesting a potential upside of 0.30%. Pearson has a consensus target price of GBX 1,283.33, suggesting a potential upside of 8.88%. Given Pearson's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Pearson is more favorable than IG Group.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
IG Group
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
5 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00
Pearson
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33

In the previous week, IG Group had 2 more articles in the media than Pearson. MarketBeat recorded 3 mentions for IG Group and 1 mentions for Pearson. Pearson's average media sentiment score of 0.30 beat IG Group's score of 0.00 indicating that Pearson is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
IG Group
0 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Pearson
0 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

74.0% of IG Group shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 56.5% of Pearson shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.2% of IG Group shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 1.0% of Pearson shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

IG Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 46.50 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.5%. Pearson pays an annual dividend of GBX 25.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. IG Group pays out 44.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Pearson pays out 50.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. IG Group is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Summary

IG Group beats Pearson on 14 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Pearson compare to Genus?

Pearson (LON:PSON) and Genus (LON:GNS) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, risk, media sentiment, earnings and institutional ownership.

Pearson has higher revenue and earnings than Genus. Pearson is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Genus, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Pearson£3.63B1.95£346.29M£50.0023.57
Genus£672M2.26£7.87M£71.0032.14

In the previous week, Pearson had 1 more articles in the media than Genus. MarketBeat recorded 1 mentions for Pearson and 0 mentions for Genus. Pearson's average media sentiment score of 0.30 beat Genus' score of 0.00 indicating that Pearson is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
Pearson Neutral
Genus Neutral

Pearson pays an annual dividend of GBX 25.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Genus pays an annual dividend of GBX 32 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.4%. Pearson pays out 50.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Genus pays out 45.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Pearson currently has a consensus price target of GBX 1,283.33, indicating a potential upside of 8.88%. Genus has a consensus price target of GBX 3,216.67, indicating a potential upside of 40.96%. Given Genus' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Genus is more favorable than Pearson.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Pearson
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33
Genus
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00

56.5% of Pearson shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 51.9% of Genus shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.0% of Pearson shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.7% of Genus shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Pearson has a net margin of 8.78% compared to Genus' net margin of 7.07%. Genus' return on equity of 9.70% beat Pearson's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Pearson8.78% 9.13% 4.85%
Genus 7.07%9.70%3.31%

Pearson has a beta of 0.34266028, indicating that its stock price is 66% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Genus has a beta of 0.896, indicating that its stock price is 10% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Pearson and Genus tied by winning 9 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Pearson compare to CVS Group?

Pearson (LON:PSON) and CVS Group (LON:CVSG) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their media sentiment, analyst recommendations, profitability, risk, valuation, earnings, institutional ownership and dividends.

56.5% of Pearson shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 48.5% of CVS Group shares are held by institutional investors. 1.0% of Pearson shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.4% of CVS Group shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Pearson has higher revenue and earnings than CVS Group. CVS Group is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Pearson, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Pearson£3.63B1.95£346.29M£50.0023.57
CVS Group£692.80M1.28£20.68M£68.9018.81

Pearson pays an annual dividend of GBX 25.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. CVS Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 8.50 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. Pearson pays out 50.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. CVS Group pays out 12.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Pearson has a beta of 0.34266028, indicating that its stock price is 66% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, CVS Group has a beta of 1.066, indicating that its stock price is 7% more volatile than the broader market.

Pearson presently has a consensus target price of GBX 1,283.33, indicating a potential upside of 8.88%. CVS Group has a consensus target price of GBX 1,720, indicating a potential upside of 32.72%. Given CVS Group's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe CVS Group is more favorable than Pearson.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Pearson
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33
CVS Group
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.80

Pearson has a net margin of 8.78% compared to CVS Group's net margin of 2.31%. Pearson's return on equity of 9.13% beat CVS Group's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Pearson8.78% 9.13% 4.85%
CVS Group 2.31%5.35%5.03%

In the previous week, Pearson had 1 more articles in the media than CVS Group. MarketBeat recorded 1 mentions for Pearson and 0 mentions for CVS Group. Pearson's average media sentiment score of 0.30 beat CVS Group's score of 0.00 indicating that Pearson is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
Pearson Neutral
CVS Group Neutral

Summary

Pearson beats CVS Group on 10 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Pearson compare to XPS Pensions Group?

Pearson (LON:PSON) and XPS Pensions Group (LON:XPS) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, media sentiment, risk, profitability, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings and valuation.

Pearson pays an annual dividend of GBX 25.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. XPS Pensions Group pays an annual dividend of GBX 12.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.9%. Pearson pays out 50.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. XPS Pensions Group pays out 99.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future.

Pearson has higher revenue and earnings than XPS Pensions Group. Pearson is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than XPS Pensions Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Pearson£3.63B1.95£346.29M£50.0023.57
XPS Pensions Group£262.66M2.46£256.22M£12.4025.65

56.5% of Pearson shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 60.4% of XPS Pensions Group shares are held by institutional investors. 1.0% of Pearson shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.3% of XPS Pensions Group shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

XPS Pensions Group has a net margin of 10.11% compared to Pearson's net margin of 8.78%. XPS Pensions Group's return on equity of 15.48% beat Pearson's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Pearson8.78% 9.13% 4.85%
XPS Pensions Group 10.11%15.48%7.60%

In the previous week, Pearson had 1 more articles in the media than XPS Pensions Group. MarketBeat recorded 1 mentions for Pearson and 0 mentions for XPS Pensions Group. Pearson's average media sentiment score of 0.30 beat XPS Pensions Group's score of 0.00 indicating that Pearson is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
Pearson Neutral
XPS Pensions Group Neutral

Pearson currently has a consensus target price of GBX 1,283.33, suggesting a potential upside of 8.88%. XPS Pensions Group has a consensus target price of GBX 451.50, suggesting a potential upside of 41.98%. Given XPS Pensions Group's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe XPS Pensions Group is more favorable than Pearson.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Pearson
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33
XPS Pensions Group
0 Sell rating(s)
0 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
3.00

Pearson has a beta of 0.34266028, indicating that its stock price is 66% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, XPS Pensions Group has a beta of 0.352, indicating that its stock price is 65% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

XPS Pensions Group beats Pearson on 12 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Pearson compare to WH Smith?

Pearson (LON:PSON) and WH Smith (LON:SMWH) are both consumer discretionary companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, dividends, valuation, analyst recommendations, media sentiment, earnings, risk and institutional ownership.

Pearson presently has a consensus target price of GBX 1,283.33, suggesting a potential upside of 8.88%. WH Smith has a consensus target price of GBX 570, suggesting a potential upside of 36.63%. Given WH Smith's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe WH Smith is more favorable than Pearson.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Pearson
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.33
WH Smith
0 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.43

Pearson has a beta of 0.34266028, indicating that its stock price is 66% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, WH Smith has a beta of 0.933, indicating that its stock price is 7% less volatile than the broader market.

Pearson has higher revenue and earnings than WH Smith. WH Smith is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Pearson, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Pearson£3.63B1.95£346.29M£50.0023.57
WH Smith£1.59B0.40£63.01M-£96.70N/A

56.5% of Pearson shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 71.9% of WH Smith shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.0% of Pearson shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.9% of WH Smith shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

In the previous week, Pearson had 1 more articles in the media than WH Smith. MarketBeat recorded 1 mentions for Pearson and 0 mentions for WH Smith. Pearson's average media sentiment score of 0.30 beat WH Smith's score of 0.00 indicating that Pearson is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Overall Sentiment
Pearson Neutral
WH Smith Neutral

Pearson has a net margin of 8.78% compared to WH Smith's net margin of -9.48%. Pearson's return on equity of 9.13% beat WH Smith's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Pearson8.78% 9.13% 4.85%
WH Smith -9.48%-90.46%6.62%

Pearson pays an annual dividend of GBX 25.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. WH Smith pays an annual dividend of GBX 17.30 per share and has a dividend yield of 4.1%. Pearson pays out 50.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. WH Smith pays out -17.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. WH Smith is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Summary

Pearson beats WH Smith on 10 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding PSON and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of LON and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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PSON vs. The Competition

MetricPearsonDiversified Consumer Services IndustryConsumer Discretionary SectorLON Exchange
Market Cap£7.18B£4.36B£13.21B£2.54B
Dividend Yield2.14%2.80%56.57%6.17%
P/E Ratio23.5710.3446.96367.57
Price / Sales1.9537.3088.6683,481.74
Price / Cash17.4914.4429.1327.89
Price / Book2.103.193.937.19
Net Income£346.29M£242.43M£445.72M£5.89B
7 Day Performance-1.86%-0.18%-0.26%0.30%
1 Month Performance-2.15%0.07%2.74%3.31%
1 Year Performance7.25%-4.79%-1.57%22.13%

Pearson Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
PSON
Pearson
2.3762 of 5 stars
GBX 1,178.65
-0.5%
GBX 1,283.33
+8.9%
+7.2%£7.18B£3.63B23.5721,400
IGG
IG Group
2.3348 of 5 stars
GBX 1,319
+0.1%
GBX 1,338
+1.4%
+15.7%£4.35B£949.10M12.552,754
GNS
Genus
3.1964 of 5 stars
GBX 2,300
-0.1%
GBX 3,216.67
+39.9%
-15.2%£1.53B£672M32.39480
CVSG
CVS Group
N/AGBX 1,303
-0.4%
GBX 1,720
+32.0%
+0.3%£891.81M£692.80M18.919,100
XPS
XPS Pensions Group
3.5794 of 5 stars
GBX 320
-3.2%
GBX 451.50
+41.1%
-13.4%£649.70M£262.66M25.811,712

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This page (LON:PSON) was last updated on 8/23/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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