Pearson (NYSE:PSO) Shares Cross Above 200-Day Moving Average of $12.09

Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $12.09 and traded as high as $12.40. Pearson shares last traded at $12.31, with a volume of 337,637 shares changing hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded Pearson from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 10th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Pearson currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $1,056.67.

Pearson Stock Up 0.2 %

The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $12.58 and its 200-day simple moving average is $12.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 1.67 and a current ratio of 1.73.

Pearson Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 8th. Investors of record on Friday, March 22nd will be given a dividend of $0.1987 per share. This represents a yield of 2.2%. This is a positive change from Pearson’s previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.07. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 21st.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pearson

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PSO. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its holdings in Pearson by 169.5% in the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,382 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 1,498 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its holdings in Pearson by 88.3% in the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 3,064 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 1,437 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new stake in Pearson in the first quarter valued at $45,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd purchased a new position in Pearson during the 3rd quarter valued at $100,000. Finally, Barometer Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in Pearson in the 4th quarter worth $119,000. 2.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.