Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) Receives Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Shares of Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) have been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the five research firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $12.30.

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

Pearson Price Performance

NYSE PSO opened at $12.32 on Friday. Pearson has a 12 month low of $9.28 and a 12 month high of $13.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 1.73 and a quick ratio of 1.67. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $12.60 and its 200 day moving average is $12.10.

Pearson Increases Dividend

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

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its stake in shares of Pearson by 169.5% in the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,382 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 1,498 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors lifted its holdings in shares of Pearson by 88.3% in the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 3,064 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 1,437 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in Pearson in the first quarter worth about $45,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd bought a new stake in Pearson during the third quarter worth approximately $100,000. Finally, Barometer Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Pearson during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $119,000. 2.14% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.