Why is Pearson a Cheap ESG Stock?

VIDEO: As part of ESG week, we look at educational publisher Pearson, which has five globes and a 4-star rating

James Gard 18 October, 2021 | 8:50AM
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Each week we look at one stock that is cheap or expensive and why. As it’s ESG week at Morningstar, we’ve scoured the globe for a sustainable stock that is also undervalued, Educational publisher Pearson, which has a 4-star rating from Morningstar, fits the bill here.

This FTSE 100 firm is in rare company. Of the 1,723 stocks covered by Morningstar analysts, only 501 are considered to be undervalued. Of these, only four have the highest ESG rating from Morningstar of 5 Globes – this is known officially as the ESG Risk Rating Assessment. Ratings agency Sustainalytics, also says that Pearson has the has an ESG risk rating of “negligible”, its lowest possible ranking. Sustainalytics analysts say that Pearson’s management of ESG issues is strong, and the company ranks particularly highly within the wider industry for corporate governance. Pearson reports on its ESG initiatives through its annual report and sustainability report, and also has a committee responsible for its reputation and responsibility.  The company is also signed up to the UN Global Compact.

Pearson also has a narrow economic moat because our analysts think it can outspend its rivals and remain at the forefront of digital pubilishing.

What about its stock market valuation? Morningstar thinks the shares are undervalued at around 730p per share, with a fair value of 870p.

For Morningstar, I’m James Gard

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James Gard

James Gard  is senior editor for Morningstar.co.uk

 

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