Ethic Inc. Increases Stake in Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO)

Ethic Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO - Free Report) by 46.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 169,797 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 53,744 shares during the period. Ethic Inc.'s holdings in Pearson were worth $2,737,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PSO. Balyasny Asset Management L.P. acquired a new position in Pearson during the 4th quarter worth approximately $192,000. Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in Pearson by 20.6% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 190,405 shares of the company's stock worth $3,069,000 after acquiring an additional 32,574 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets acquired a new position in Pearson during the 4th quarter worth approximately $899,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its holdings in Pearson by 7.3% during the 4th quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 19,547 shares of the company's stock worth $315,000 after acquiring an additional 1,335 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV grew its holdings in Pearson by 80.3% during the 4th quarter. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV now owns 31,789 shares of the company's stock worth $512,000 after acquiring an additional 14,159 shares in the last quarter. 2.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Pearson Stock Up 0.8%

PSO stock opened at $15.78 on Monday. Pearson plc has a one year low of $11.78 and a one year high of $17.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.51 billion, a PE ratio of 16.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a current ratio of 1.78. The company has a fifty day moving average of $15.94 and a 200-day moving average of $15.96.

Pearson Increases Dividend

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have commented on PSO. National Bankshares set a $18.00 price target on shares of Pearson in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Pearson from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Pearson in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued a "buy" rating for the company.

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.

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