Northern Trust Corp Buys 288,114 Shares of Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO)

Northern Trust Corp boosted its stake in Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) by 69.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 705,622 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 288,114 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp owned approximately 0.11% of Pearson worth $11,375,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in Pearson in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its position in Pearson by 228.0% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 4,044 shares of the company’s stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 2,811 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its position in Pearson by 251.4% in the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 5,247 shares of the company’s stock worth $85,000 after purchasing an additional 3,754 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Pearson by 39.8% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,807 shares of the company’s stock worth $110,000 after purchasing an additional 1,937 shares during the period. Finally, GeoWealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Pearson in the 4th quarter worth approximately $134,000. Institutional investors own 2.14% of the company’s stock.

Pearson Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of PSO stock opened at $16.20 on Friday. Pearson plc has a 1 year low of $11.78 and a 1 year high of $17.90. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $15.86 and a 200-day moving average price of $15.99. 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 company has a market cap of $10.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.24, a PEG ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.62.

Pearson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 21st were given a dividend of $0.2092 per share. This is an increase from Pearson’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.10. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 21st. This represents a dividend yield of 1.7%. Pearson’s payout ratio is presently 43.62%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Pearson in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. National Bankshares set a $18.00 price objective on shares of Pearson in a research 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.

Pearson 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.