Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. Trims Position in Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO)

Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. trimmed its stake in Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) by 2.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 27,218 shares of the company’s stock after selling 711 shares during the period. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Pearson were worth $439,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of PSO. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC grew its stake in 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 purchasing an additional 1,219 shares in the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its position in shares of Pearson by 49.5% during the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 844,228 shares of the company’s stock worth $13,609,000 after buying an additional 279,369 shares in the last quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC increased its stake in shares of Pearson by 19.7% during the fourth quarter. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC now owns 56,989 shares of the company’s stock valued at $919,000 after buying an additional 9,394 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of Pearson by 103.9% in the fourth quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 31,145 shares of the company’s stock valued at $502,000 after acquiring an additional 15,867 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Gitterman Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Pearson by 9.0% in the fourth quarter. Gitterman Wealth Management LLC now owns 15,397 shares of the company’s stock worth $248,000 after acquiring an additional 1,276 shares during the period. 2.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Pearson Price Performance

PSO opened at $15.37 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.24 billion, a PE ratio of 16.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.38. The business’s 50-day moving average is $16.56 and its two-hundred day moving average is $15.53. Pearson plc has a 1 year low of $11.78 and a 1 year high of $17.90. 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 Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 16th. Investors of record on Friday, March 21st will be given a dividend of $0.2092 per share. This is a boost from Pearson’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.10. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 21st. This represents a yield of 1.7%. Pearson’s dividend payout ratio is presently 43.62%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Pearson in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. National Bankshares set a $18.00 price objective on shares of Pearson in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Pearson from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd.

Pearson 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.