Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) Shares Acquired by Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership

Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its holdings in Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) by 49.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 844,228 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 279,369 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership owned about 0.13% of Pearson worth $13,609,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Versant Capital Management Inc acquired a new position in Pearson during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Pearson during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in shares of Pearson during the third quarter worth approximately $47,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in Pearson by 228.0% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 4,044 shares of the company’s stock valued at $65,000 after acquiring an additional 2,811 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Pearson by 39.8% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,807 shares of the company’s stock worth $110,000 after acquiring an additional 1,937 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 2.14% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

Pearson Stock Down 4.1 %

Shares of NYSE:PSO opened at $15.37 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $10.24 billion, a PE ratio of 16.35, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a current ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. Pearson plc has a twelve month low of $11.78 and a twelve month high of $17.90. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $16.56 and a 200-day simple moving average of $15.53.

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 given a $0.2092 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 21st. This is a boost from Pearson’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.10. This represents a yield of 1.7%. Pearson’s payout ratio is 43.62%.

About Pearson

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.