Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) Short Interest Up 131.8% in April

Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large growth in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,010,000 shares, a growth of 131.8% from the March 31st total of 867,200 shares. Currently, 0.3% of the company's shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 677,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.0 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Versant Capital Management Inc acquired a new position in shares of Pearson in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Pearson in the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in Pearson during the 3rd quarter worth $47,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Pearson by 228.0% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 4,044 shares of the company's stock worth $65,000 after buying an additional 2,811 shares during the period. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its stake in Pearson by 251.4% during the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 5,247 shares of the company's stock worth $85,000 after buying an additional 3,754 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.14% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have commented on PSO shares. National Bankshares set a $18.00 price objective on Pearson in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. StockNews.com upgraded Pearson from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Pearson in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued a "buy" rating on the stock.

Pearson Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of PSO stock traded up $0.10 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $15.79. The company had a trading volume of 637,058 shares, compared to its average volume of 447,746. The company has a 50 day moving average of $16.16 and a 200 day moving average of $15.80. 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 firm has a market cap of $10.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.80, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.42. Pearson has a 1-year low of $11.78 and a 1-year 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. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 21st. This represents a dividend yield of 1.7%. This is an increase from Pearson's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.10. Pearson's dividend payout ratio is 43.62%.

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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