21,979 Shares in Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) Acquired by First Trust Advisors LP

First Trust Advisors LP acquired a new position in shares of Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 21,979 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $354,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of PSO. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in Pearson during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in shares of Pearson in the third quarter valued at $47,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its position 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. Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its position in shares of Pearson by 251.4% in the fourth quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 5,247 shares of the company's stock valued at $85,000 after purchasing an additional 3,754 shares during the period. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Pearson by 39.8% during the fourth quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,807 shares of the company's stock valued at $110,000 after acquiring an additional 1,937 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.14% of the company's stock.

Pearson Stock Performance

Shares of Pearson stock traded down $0.13 on Monday, reaching $15.65. 500,663 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 456,877. 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's 50-day moving average is $15.94 and its two-hundred day moving average is $15.96. The firm has a market cap of $10.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.64, 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.

Pearson Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared 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 represents a dividend yield of 1.7%. This is a boost from Pearson's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.10. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 21st. Pearson's dividend payout ratio is presently 43.62%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on PSO shares. National Bankshares set a $18.00 price target on Pearson in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. StockNews.com raised 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 research note on Wednesday, March 26th. They set a "buy" rating on the stock.

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.