Pearson (NYSE:PSO) Shares Gap Down to $12.46

Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO - Get Free Report)'s stock price gapped down before the market opened on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $12.46, but opened at $12.14. Pearson shares last traded at $12.18, with a volume of 84,873 shares trading hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, StockNews.com lowered shares of Pearson from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday.

Pearson Price Performance

The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $12.67 and a 200-day moving average price of $12.30. The company has a quick ratio of 1.67, a current ratio of 1.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27.

Pearson Increases Dividend

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pearson

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in PSO. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in Pearson by 17.1% in the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 41,345 shares of the company's stock valued at $436,000 after acquiring an additional 6,025 shares during the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC increased its position in Pearson by 41.9% in the third quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 13,880 shares of the company's stock worth $146,000 after buying an additional 4,098 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Pearson in the third quarter valued at $140,000. QRG Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Pearson during the 3rd quarter valued at $177,000. Finally, Mariner LLC grew its stake in shares of Pearson by 43.1% during the 3rd quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 132,517 shares of the company's stock worth $1,397,000 after acquiring an additional 39,939 shares during the period. 2.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.