212,440 Shares in Pearson, PLC $PSO Acquired by Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC

Key Points

• Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC has acquired a new stake in Pearson, PLC, purchasing 212,440 shares valued at approximately $3,401,000.
• Pearson recently announced a semi-annual dividend of $0.0892, resulting in a significant yield of 210.0% despite a relatively low dividend payout ratio of 18.09%.
• Analysts have varying ratings for Pearson, with a majority giving the stock an average rating of "Buy" and a target price of $18.00.

Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC acquired a new stake in Pearson, PLC (NYSE:PSO - Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 212,440 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,401,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Northern Trust Corp grew its holdings in shares of Pearson by 69.0% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 705,622 shares of the company's stock worth $11,375,000 after purchasing an additional 288,114 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in Pearson by 1,747.9% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 163,894 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,624,000 after buying an additional 155,025 shares during the period. Dorsey Wright & Associates acquired a new position in Pearson in the first quarter valued at about $2,042,000. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Pearson by 146.3% during the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 151,413 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,424,000 after acquiring an additional 89,949 shares during the last quarter. Finally, XTX Topco Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of Pearson in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,396,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.14% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. BNP Paribas raised shares of Pearson from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, June 27th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Pearson from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, September 5th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Pearson in a research note on Monday, August 4th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has given a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Pearson has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $18.00.

Pearson Stock Up 2.2%

PSO stock traded up $0.31 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $14.35. The company's stock had a trading volume of 436,398 shares, compared to its average volume of 483,710. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.26, a PEG ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 0.57. The company has a quick ratio of 2.24, a current ratio of 2.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. Pearson, PLC has a 52-week low of $13.27 and a 52-week high of $17.90. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $14.46 and a 200-day simple moving average of $15.33.

Pearson Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be given a $0.0892 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 15th. This represents a yield of 210.0%. Pearson's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 19.15%.

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.