Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) Sees Significant Growth in Short Interest

Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO - Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 867,200 shares, a growth of 20.0% from the March 15th total of 722,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 638,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.4 days. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently weighed in on PSO. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Pearson in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock. National Bankshares set a $18.00 price target on Pearson in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Pearson from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, March 3rd.

Pearson Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE PSO traded down $0.20 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $15.68. 676,794 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 446,986. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $16.18 and a 200 day moving average price of $15.77. The company has a market cap of $10.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.68, a PEG ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 1.78 and a quick ratio of 1.72. Pearson has a 52 week low of $11.78 and a 52 week high of $17.90.

Pearson Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 21st will be paid a $0.2092 dividend. 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 of this dividend is Friday, March 21st. Pearson's dividend payout ratio is currently 43.62%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new position in Pearson during the 3rd quarter valued at $47,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Pearson by 244.3% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 15,278 shares of the company's stock valued at $207,000 after buying an additional 10,841 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc bought a new position in Pearson during the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its holdings in Pearson by 78.5% during the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 8,869 shares of the company's stock worth $143,000 after acquiring an additional 3,901 shares during the period. Finally, Ballentine Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Pearson by 13.7% in the 4th quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 33,042 shares of the company's stock valued at $533,000 after acquiring an additional 3,990 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.14% of the company's stock.

About Pearson

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.