Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO - Get Free Report)'s stock price gapped down prior to trading on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $16.68, but opened at $15.91. Pearson shares last traded at $15.89, with a volume of 90,135 shares trading hands.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
PSO has been the subject of several recent research reports. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Pearson from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Pearson to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, National Bankshares set a $18.00 target price on Pearson in a report on Tuesday, February 18th.
Read Our Latest Research Report on PSO
Pearson Trading Up 0.9 %
The company has a quick ratio of 1.72, a current ratio of 1.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The company's fifty day moving average price is $16.54 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $15.41. The firm has a market cap of $10.42 billion, a PE ratio of 16.63, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.38.
Pearson Increases Dividend
The firm also recently disclosed 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. This represents a yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 21st. This is a positive change from Pearson's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.10. Pearson's payout ratio is currently 43.62%.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pearson
A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Versant Capital Management Inc acquired a new position in Pearson during the fourth quarter worth $26,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Pearson during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in shares of Pearson in the 3rd quarter valued at about $47,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Pearson by 228.0% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 4,044 shares of the company's stock valued at $65,000 after purchasing an additional 2,811 shares during the period. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its holdings in Pearson by 251.4% during the fourth quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 5,247 shares of the company's stock worth $85,000 after buying an additional 3,754 shares in the last quarter. 2.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
About Pearson
(
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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.
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