Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) Sees Large Drop in Short Interest

Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 722,900 shares, a decrease of 22.2% from the February 28th total of 928,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 466,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.6 days. Currently, 0.1% of the company's stock are sold short.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts recently commented on PSO shares. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Pearson in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. They set a "buy" rating for the company. National Bankshares set a $18.00 price objective on Pearson in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Pearson from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd.

Pearson Stock Down 4.1 %

Shares of PSO stock traded down $0.66 on Friday, reaching $15.37. 2,270,763 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 404,699. The company has a market capitalization of $10.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.35, a PEG ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.38. The business's 50 day moving average price is $16.57 and its 200 day moving average price is $15.52. 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 has a twelve month low of $11.78 and a twelve month high of $17.90.

Pearson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 21st will be given a dividend of $0.2092 per share. This is a boost from Pearson's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.10. This represents a dividend yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 21st. Pearson's dividend payout ratio is currently 43.62%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pearson

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in PSO. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its stake in Pearson by 887.3% in the first quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 16,043 shares of the company's stock valued at $257,000 after purchasing an additional 14,418 shares during the last quarter. Formidable Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Pearson during the 4th quarter worth $422,000. Vident Advisory LLC lifted its position in Pearson by 8.8% in the fourth quarter. Vident Advisory LLC now owns 72,527 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,169,000 after acquiring an additional 5,861 shares during the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC purchased a new position in shares of Pearson during the fourth quarter worth about $442,000. Finally, Quantinno Capital Management LP increased its position in shares of Pearson by 6.6% during the fourth quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 155,343 shares of the company's stock worth $2,504,000 after purchasing an additional 9,599 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.14% 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.