Pearson (NYSE:PSO) Coverage Initiated by Analysts at The Goldman Sachs Group

The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Pearson (NYSE:PSO - Free Report) in a report published on Wednesday morning. The brokerage issued a buy rating on the stock.

PSO has been the subject of a number of other reports. StockNews.com upgraded Pearson from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. National Bankshares set a $18.00 target price on Pearson in a report on Tuesday, February 18th.

Pearson Price Performance

PSO traded up $0.04 on Wednesday, reaching $15.99. The company had a trading volume of 635,361 shares, compared to its average volume of 387,353. Pearson has a one year low of $11.78 and a one year high of $17.90. The company has a market capitalization of $10.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.01, a PEG ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a fifty day moving average of $16.55 and a 200-day moving average of $15.47. The company has a current ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34.

Pearson Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 16th. Investors of record on Friday, March 21st will be paid a $0.2092 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 21st. This represents a 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 currently 43.62%.

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Institutional Trading of Pearson

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in Pearson by 7.2% during the 4th quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 13,944 shares of the company's stock worth $225,000 after purchasing an additional 941 shares in the last quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. grew its holdings in Pearson by 0.7% during the fourth quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 154,460 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,490,000 after purchasing an additional 1,122 shares during the last quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Pearson by 6.8% in the fourth quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 19,263 shares of the company's stock valued at $311,000 after purchasing an additional 1,219 shares during the period. Gitterman Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Pearson by 9.0% during the 4th quarter. Gitterman Wealth Management LLC now owns 15,397 shares of the company's stock worth $248,000 after buying an additional 1,276 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its stake in Pearson by 7.3% in the 4th quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 19,547 shares of the company's stock valued at $315,000 after buying an additional 1,335 shares during the last quarter. 2.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.