Optiver Holding B.V. Raises Stake in Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO)

Optiver Holding B.V. lifted its stake in Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO - Free Report) by 135.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 495,797 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 285,234 shares during the quarter. Optiver Holding B.V. owned about 0.07% of Pearson worth $7,992,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Versant Capital Management Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Pearson in the 4th quarter worth $26,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in Pearson during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in Pearson during the third quarter worth about $47,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Pearson by 228.0% in the 4th 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 last quarter. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its holdings in Pearson by 251.4% in the 4th 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 last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 2.14% of the company's stock.

Pearson Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of PSO stock traded up $0.12 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $16.03. The company had a trading volume of 811,696 shares, compared to its average volume of 448,514. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 1.78 and a quick ratio of 1.72. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.67 billion, a PE ratio of 17.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.62. The company's fifty day moving average is $16.07 and its 200 day moving average is $15.84. Pearson plc has a fifty-two week low of $11.78 and a fifty-two week high of $17.90.

Pearson Increases Dividend

The company 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 is a positive change from Pearson's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.10. This represents a dividend yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 21st. Pearson's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 43.62%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PSO has been the topic of several analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Pearson in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. National Bankshares set a $18.00 target price on Pearson in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded Pearson from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd.

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.