Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) Sees Large Decline in Short Interest

Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 722,900 shares, a decline of 22.2% from the February 28th total of 928,900 shares. Approximately 0.1% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 466,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.6 days.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pearson

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Pearson by 7.2% in the 4th quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 13,944 shares of the company’s stock worth $225,000 after buying an additional 941 shares during the last quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Pearson by 0.7% in the fourth quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 154,460 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,490,000 after acquiring an additional 1,122 shares in the last quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Pearson by 6.8% in the fourth quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 19,263 shares of the company’s stock worth $311,000 after buying an additional 1,219 shares during the last quarter. Gitterman Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Pearson by 9.0% during the fourth quarter. Gitterman Wealth Management LLC now owns 15,397 shares of the company’s stock worth $248,000 after purchasing an additional 1,276 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its stake in Pearson by 7.3% during the fourth quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 19,547 shares of the company’s stock valued at $315,000 after purchasing an additional 1,335 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.14% of the company’s stock.

Pearson Stock Down 0.2 %

Shares of Pearson stock traded down $0.03 during trading on Monday, hitting $15.95. 541,953 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 388,095. The stock has a market cap of $10.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.96, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.38. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $16.55 and its 200 day moving average price is $15.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 1.78 and a quick ratio of 1.72. Pearson has a 12-month low of $11.78 and a 12-month high of $17.90.

Pearson Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 16th. Investors of record on Friday, March 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.2092 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 21st. This is an increase from Pearson’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.10. This represents a dividend yield of 1.7%. Pearson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 43.62%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have weighed in on PSO shares. StockNews.com raised Pearson from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Pearson in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Finally, National Bankshares set a $18.00 price target on shares of Pearson in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th.

Pearson Company Profile

Pearson plc offers educational courseware, assessments, and services in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific, other European countries, and internationally. The company operates through five segments: Assessment & Qualifications, Virtual Learning, English Language Learning, Workforce Skills, and Higher Education.