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

Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) saw a large growth in short interest in 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. Approximately 0.1% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 638,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.4 days.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently issued reports on PSO. StockNews.com raised Pearson from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd. National Bankshares set a $18.00 price target on Pearson in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Pearson in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pearson

Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new stake in Pearson during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $47,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of Pearson by 244.3% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 15,278 shares of the company’s stock worth $207,000 after buying an additional 10,841 shares during the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc bought a new stake in shares of Pearson in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of Pearson by 78.5% in 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 last quarter. Finally, Ballentine Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Pearson by 13.7% in the fourth quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 33,042 shares of the company’s stock worth $533,000 after acquiring an additional 3,990 shares during the last quarter. 2.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Pearson Stock Down 1.2 %

Shares of PSO stock traded down $0.19 on Monday, hitting $15.57. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 170,852 shares, compared to its average volume of 444,650. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $16.30 and its 200-day moving average price is $15.70. 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 fifty-two week low of $11.78 and a fifty-two week high of $17.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.38 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.56, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.42.

Pearson Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 21st will be given a dividend of $0.2092 per share. This is a positive change from Pearson’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.10. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 21st. This represents a yield of 1.7%. Pearson’s payout ratio is currently 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.