Pearson plc (LON:PSON) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Pearson plc (LON:PSON – Get Rating) has received a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the six research firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and four have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is GBX 1,015 ($12.81).

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on PSON. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an “overweight” rating and set a GBX 1,230 ($15.52) price objective on shares of Pearson in a research report on Thursday, March 9th. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating on shares of Pearson in a research report on Wednesday, March 1st. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating and set a GBX 1,140 ($14.38) price objective on shares of Pearson in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd.

Insider Activity

In other Pearson news, insider Graeme Pitkethly purchased 257 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, March 31st. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 832 ($10.50) per share, for a total transaction of £2,138.24 ($2,698.09). In related news, insider Graeme Pitkethly bought 257 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, March 31st. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 832 ($10.50) per share, with a total value of £2,138.24 ($2,698.09). Also, insider Sally Johnson sold 65,220 shares of Pearson stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 762 ($9.62), for a total value of £496,976.40 ($627,099.56). Corporate insiders own 0.67% of the company’s stock.

Pearson Stock Performance

Shares of LON PSON opened at GBX 822.80 ($10.38) on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 29.33. The business’s 50 day moving average is GBX 837.37 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 901.41. The company has a market cap of £5.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 2,493.33, a P/E/G ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 0.25. Pearson has a 12 month low of GBX 722.60 ($9.12) and a 12 month high of GBX 1,006.29 ($12.70).

Pearson Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 5th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, March 23rd were paid a dividend of GBX 14.90 ($0.19) per share. This represents a yield of 1.62%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 23rd. This is a positive change from Pearson’s previous dividend of $6.60. Pearson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 6,363.64%.

Pearson Company Profile

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