Analysts Set Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) PT at $12.30

Shares of Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO - Get Free Report) have earned an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the five research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year target price among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $12.30.

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Pearson from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 10th.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pearson

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Captrust Financial Advisors raised its holdings in Pearson by 88.3% during the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 3,064 shares of the company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 1,437 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its holdings in Pearson by 169.5% during the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,382 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 1,498 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in Pearson during the 1st quarter worth approximately $45,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd bought a new position in Pearson during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $100,000. Finally, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV bought a new position in Pearson during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $107,000. 2.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Pearson Stock Performance

Shares of PSO remained flat at $12.30 during mid-day trading on Friday. 254,160 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 385,217. The business's fifty day moving average price is $12.60 and its 200 day moving average price is $12.10. Pearson has a one year low of $9.28 and a one year high of $13.18. The company has a current ratio of 1.73, a quick ratio of 1.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27.

Pearson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 8th. Investors of record on Friday, March 22nd will be given a dividend of $0.1987 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 21st. This is an increase from Pearson's previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.07. This represents a yield of 2.2%.

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.