Scholastic Co. (NASDAQ:SCHL) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

Scholastic Co. (NASDAQ:SCHL) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest in the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 1,860,000 shares, a growth of 17.0% from the February 13th total of 1,590,000 shares. Currently, 8.1% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 357,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.2 days.

Institutional Trading of Scholastic

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. J. Goldman & Co LP purchased a new stake in shares of Scholastic during the 4th quarter worth about $18,892,000. Pacer Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Scholastic by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 838,366 shares of the company’s stock valued at $17,882,000 after buying an additional 16,379 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in Scholastic by 10.4% in the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 621,852 shares of the company’s stock worth $13,264,000 after buying an additional 58,483 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Scholastic by 13.1% during the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 568,206 shares of the company’s stock worth $12,120,000 after buying an additional 66,027 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Azarias Capital Management L.P. boosted its position in shares of Scholastic by 71.8% in the fourth quarter. Azarias Capital Management L.P. now owns 467,783 shares of the company’s stock valued at $9,978,000 after acquiring an additional 195,507 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.57% of the company’s stock.

Scholastic Trading Down 4.2 %

NASDAQ:SCHL opened at $18.87 on Wednesday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $20.08 and its two-hundred day moving average is $24.21. 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 stock has a market cap of $530.27 million, a PE ratio of -106.74 and a beta of 1.10. Scholastic has a fifty-two week low of $17.72 and a fifty-two week high of $39.54.

Scholastic (NASDAQ:SCHL) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, December 19th. The company reported $1.82 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.30 by ($0.48). Scholastic had a negative net margin of 0.27% and a positive return on equity of 1.91%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Scholastic will post 0.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Scholastic

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.