Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) Shares Acquired by Northern Trust Corp

Northern Trust Corp increased its stake in shares of Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO - Free Report) by 69.0% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 705,622 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 288,114 shares during the quarter. Northern Trust Corp owned 0.11% of Pearson worth $11,375,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of PSO. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Pearson in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its position in shares of Pearson by 49.5% during the 4th quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 844,228 shares of the company's stock worth $13,609,000 after purchasing an additional 279,369 shares in the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Pearson by 99.4% during the 4th quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 49,541 shares of the company's stock worth $799,000 after purchasing an additional 24,699 shares during the period. ABC Arbitrage SA purchased a new position in shares of Pearson in the 4th quarter valued at about $4,780,000. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its stake 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. 2.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Pearson Price Performance

NYSE:PSO traded up $0.16 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $16.51. 631,367 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 461,890. Pearson plc has a 1 year low of $11.78 and a 1 year high of $17.90. The company has a market cap of $10.99 billion, a PE ratio of 17.56, 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 firm's 50 day simple moving average is $15.85 and its 200 day simple moving average is $16.03.

Pearson Increases Dividend

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

Pearson 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.