Cerity Partners LLC Buys 18,742 Shares of Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO)

Cerity Partners LLC raised its stake in Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO - Free Report) by 27.3% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 87,382 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 18,742 shares during the quarter. Cerity Partners LLC's holdings in Pearson were worth $1,368,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Versant Capital Management Inc purchased a new stake in Pearson in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Pearson in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in Pearson during the third quarter worth about $47,000. 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 in the last quarter. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. increased its stake in Pearson by 251.4% in the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 5,247 shares of the company's stock valued at $85,000 after buying an additional 3,754 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 2.14% of the company's stock.

Pearson Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE PSO traded down $0.03 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $15.80. The company's stock had a trading volume of 257,420 shares, compared to its average volume of 643,581. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.81, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.42. The company has a current ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $16.26 and a 200 day moving average price of $15.72. Pearson plc has a one year low of $11.78 and a one year high of $17.90.

Pearson Increases Dividend

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PSO has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. National Bankshares set a $18.00 target price on shares of Pearson in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Pearson in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set a "buy" rating for the company. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Pearson from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd.

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.