Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) has received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the five analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $12.30.

Separately, StockNews.com cut shares of Pearson from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 10th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Ballentine Partners LLC grew its position in Pearson by 6.5% during the 3rd quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 17,745 shares of the company’s stock worth $187,000 after purchasing an additional 1,086 shares during the last quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Pearson by 10.1% during the 3rd quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 13,013 shares of the company’s stock worth $137,000 after purchasing an additional 1,198 shares during the last quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network grew its position in Pearson by 8.7% during the 4th quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network now owns 16,519 shares of the company’s stock worth $203,000 after purchasing an additional 1,328 shares during the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. grew its position in Pearson by 8.4% during the 4th quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 18,159 shares of the company’s stock worth $223,000 after purchasing an additional 1,403 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its position in Pearson by 169.5% during the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,382 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 1,498 shares during the last quarter. 2.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Pearson Price Performance

NYSE PSO opened at $12.64 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $12.63 and a 200 day moving average of $12.16. Pearson has a 1 year low of $9.28 and a 1 year high of $13.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 1.67 and a current ratio of 1.73.

Pearson Increases Dividend

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

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.