BNP Paribas Financial Markets Purchases Shares of 55,764 Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO)

BNP Paribas Financial Markets bought a new stake in Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 55,764 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $899,000.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in shares of Pearson during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Pearson by 228.0% during the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 4,044 shares of the company's stock valued at $65,000 after acquiring an additional 2,811 shares during the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its stake in shares of Pearson by 251.4% in the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 5,247 shares of the company's stock valued at $85,000 after acquiring an additional 3,754 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Pearson by 39.8% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,807 shares of the company's stock worth $110,000 after acquiring an additional 1,937 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GeoWealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Pearson during the 4th quarter worth approximately $134,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 2.14% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have issued reports on PSO shares. National Bankshares set a $18.00 target price on Pearson in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Pearson from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Pearson in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set a "buy" rating for the company.

Pearson Stock Down 1.0%

Shares of PSO stock traded down $0.17 during trading on Tuesday, reaching $16.47. The company's stock had a trading volume of 509,493 shares, compared to its average volume of 465,566. The company has a market capitalization of $10.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.52, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.62. Pearson plc has a 1-year low of $11.78 and a 1-year high of $17.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 1.78 and a quick ratio of 1.72. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $15.87 and its 200 day moving average price is $16.07.

Pearson Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 21st were given a dividend of $0.2092 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, March 21st. This represents a dividend yield of 1.7%. This is a positive change from Pearson's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.10. Pearson's dividend payout ratio is currently 46.81%.

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.