Short Interest in Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) Grows By 20.0%

Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 867,200 shares, a growth of 20.0% from the March 15th total of 722,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 638,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.4 days. Approximately 0.1% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Pearson Trading Up 1.2 %

NYSE PSO opened at $15.83 on Wednesday. Pearson has a one year low of $11.78 and a one 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. The firm has a market cap of $10.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.84, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.42. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $16.26 and its 200-day moving average is $15.72.

Pearson Increases Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

PSO has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Pearson in a 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 raised shares of Pearson from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pearson

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Versant Capital Management Inc bought a new position in Pearson during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Pearson during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in Pearson in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $47,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Pearson by 228.0% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 4,044 shares of the company’s stock worth $65,000 after acquiring an additional 2,811 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its position in Pearson by 251.4% during the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 5,247 shares of the company’s stock worth $85,000 after acquiring an additional 3,754 shares during the last quarter. 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.