Pearson (NYSE:PSO) Sees Large Volume Increase

Shares of Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO - Get Free Report) saw strong trading volume on Friday . 503,008 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 28% from the previous session's volume of 393,109 shares.The stock last traded at $12.35 and had previously closed at $12.42.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com cut Pearson from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 10th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Pearson presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $1,056.67.

Pearson Price Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 1.67, a current ratio of 1.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $12.65 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $12.16.

Pearson Increases Dividend

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

Institutional Trading of Pearson

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. 13D Management LLC increased its position in Pearson by 35.5% in the third quarter. 13D Management LLC now owns 757,583 shares of the company's stock worth $7,985,000 after purchasing an additional 198,674 shares during the period. Ballentine Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Pearson by 16.1% during the fourth quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 20,594 shares of the company's stock worth $253,000 after buying an additional 2,849 shares during the last quarter. Mariner LLC boosted its holdings in Pearson by 43.1% during the third quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 132,517 shares of the company's stock worth $1,397,000 after buying an additional 39,939 shares during the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in Pearson during the third quarter worth about $177,000. Finally, Crane Advisory LLC bought a new position in shares of Pearson during the 4th quarter valued at about $170,000. 2.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.

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