Short Interest in Pearson, PLC (NYSE:PSO) Increases By 55.2%

Key Points

• Short interest in Pearson, PLC increased by 55.2% in August, rising from 449,900 shares to 698,300 shares.
• Pearson recently announced a semi-annual dividend of $0.0892 per share, which will be paid on September 22nd to shareholders of record as of August 15th.
• Multiple brokerages upgraded Pearson's stock rating, with Wall Street Zen increasing it from "hold" to "buy" and BNP Paribas from "hold" to "strong-buy."

Pearson, PLC (NYSE:PSO - Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of August. As of August 15th, there was short interest totaling 698,300 shares, agrowthof55.2% from the July 31st total of 449,900 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 680,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.0 days. Currently,0.1% of the company's shares are short sold. Currently,0.1% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 680,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.0 days.

Pearson Stock Down 0.9%

Shares of NYSE PSO traded down $0.12 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $14.16. The stock had a trading volume of 736,318 shares, compared to its average volume of 491,049. The business's 50 day moving average is $14.52 and its 200-day moving average is $15.38. The company has a market cap of $9.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.06, a PEG ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 0.57. Pearson has a 52 week low of $13.27 and a 52 week high of $17.90. The company has a quick ratio of 2.24, a current ratio of 2.31 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40.

Pearson Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be paid a $0.0892 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 210.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 15th. Pearson's dividend payout ratio is currently 19.15%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have weighed in on PSO. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Pearson from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Friday. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Pearson from a "hold" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, June 27th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a "hold" rating on shares of Pearson in a report on Monday, August 4th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, one has assigned a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Pearson has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $18.00.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PSO. TD Private Client Wealth LLC lifted its position in Pearson by 1,798.8% during the first quarter. TD Private Client Wealth LLC now owns 1,633 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 1,547 shares during the period. First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Pearson by 3,131.8% during the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 2,133 shares of the company's stock valued at $32,000 after purchasing an additional 2,067 shares during the period. Brooklyn Investment Group lifted its position in Pearson by 308.3% during the first quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 2,356 shares of the company's stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 1,779 shares during the period. Global Trust Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Pearson during the second quarter valued at approximately $64,000. Finally, CWM LLC raised its position in Pearson by 43.6% in the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 4,140 shares of the company's stock worth $66,000 after acquiring an additional 1,256 shares during the period. Institutional investors 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.

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