Pearson, PLC $PSO Shares Bought by American Century Companies Inc.

American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in Pearson, PLC (NYSE:PSO) by 28.6% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 66,821 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 14,872 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc.’s holdings in Pearson were worth $1,070,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in shares of Pearson by 1,747.9% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 163,894 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,624,000 after purchasing an additional 155,025 shares during the period. XTX Topco Ltd acquired a new position in Pearson in the first quarter valued at $1,396,000. Diversify Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Pearson during the first quarter worth about $851,000. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its stake in Pearson by 20.6% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 190,405 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,069,000 after buying an additional 32,574 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Pearson by 146.3% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 151,413 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,424,000 after buying an additional 89,949 shares during the period. 2.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Pearson Trading Down 3.5%

Shares of PSO stock opened at $14.06 on Thursday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.24, a current ratio of 2.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. Pearson, PLC has a fifty-two week low of $13.27 and a fifty-two week high of $17.90. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $14.54 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $15.44. The stock has a market cap of $9.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.45 and a beta of 0.57.

Pearson Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, August 15th will be given a dividend of $0.0892 per share. This represents a yield of 210.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 15th. Pearson’s dividend payout ratio is 19.15%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on PSO shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Pearson in a report on Monday, August 4th. BNP Paribas raised shares of Pearson from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, June 27th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Pearson from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, August 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Pearson currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $18.00.

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.