Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) Receives Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

Shares of Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) have been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the five ratings firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $12.30.

Separately, StockNews.com cut shares of Pearson from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 10th.

Pearson Stock Performance

NYSE:PSO opened at $12.32 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 1.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $12.60 and its 200-day moving average price is $12.10. Pearson has a 1-year low of $9.28 and a 1-year high of $13.18.

Pearson Increases Dividend

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

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in PSO. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC raised its position in Pearson by 10.1% during the third quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 13,013 shares of the company’s stock worth $137,000 after acquiring an additional 1,198 shares during the period. 13D Management LLC lifted its stake in Pearson by 35.5% in the 3rd quarter. 13D Management LLC now owns 757,583 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,985,000 after buying an additional 198,674 shares in the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Pearson by 16.1% in the 4th quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 20,594 shares of the company’s stock worth $253,000 after buying an additional 2,849 shares during the last quarter. Mariner LLC increased its stake in Pearson by 43.1% during the 3rd quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 132,517 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,397,000 after buying an additional 39,939 shares in the last quarter. Finally, QRG Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Pearson during the third quarter valued at approximately $177,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 2.14% of the company’s stock.

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.