Pearson (LON:PSON) Hits New 52-Week High - Time to Buy?

Pearson plc (LON:PSON - Get Free Report) shares hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 1,094.50 ($14.19) and last traded at GBX 1,089.09 ($14.12), with a volume of 2105291 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1,071.50 ($13.90).

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Citigroup reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a GBX 1,170 ($15.17) target price on shares of Pearson in a research report on Monday, July 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on Pearson from GBX 1,050 ($13.62) to GBX 1,052 ($13.64) and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Friday, July 5th. Finally, Shore Capital reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Pearson in a research report on Monday, July 29th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of GBX 1,101.75 ($14.29).

Pearson Stock Up 4.3 %

The firm has a market cap of £7.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2,236.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 0.31. The company has a current ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 43.56. The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 1,042.33 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 1,009.17.

Insider Activity at Pearson

In related news, insider Sherry Coutu acquired 922 shares of Pearson stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 30th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 1,017 ($13.19) per share, for a total transaction of £9,376.74 ($12,160.21). Insiders own 0.35% 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.