Pearson, PLC (NYSE:PSO) Short Interest Update

Pearson, PLC (NYSE:PSO) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 2,516,962 shares, a decline of 39.4% from the August 15th total of 4,153,239 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 442,636 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 5.7 days. Approximately 0.4% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Pearson Stock Down 0.2%

Pearson stock traded down $0.03 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $15.97. The stock had a trading volume of 274,954 shares, compared to its average volume of 964,653. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 1.94 and a current ratio of 2.00. Pearson has a 52-week low of $12.02 and a 52-week high of $17.75. The company has a fifty day moving average of $16.46 and a 200 day moving average of $15.13.

Pearson Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 21st. Investors of record on Friday, August 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.1103 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 137.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th.

Institutional Trading of Pearson

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Pearson by 3.4% during the second quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 40,867 shares of the company’s stock worth $649,000 after purchasing an additional 1,334 shares during the last quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd grew its holdings in shares of Pearson by 44.9% in the second quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd now owns 24,200 shares of the company’s stock worth $385,000 after purchasing an additional 7,500 shares during the last quarter. Syon Capital LLC increased its stake in Pearson by 14.8% in the 2nd quarter. Syon Capital LLC now owns 28,322 shares of the company’s stock worth $450,000 after buying an additional 3,654 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in Pearson by 44.3% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 8,880 shares of the company’s stock valued at $141,000 after buying an additional 2,727 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its position in Pearson by 77.9% in the 2nd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 21,176 shares of the company’s stock valued at $336,000 after buying an additional 9,275 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 2.14% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

PSO has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Citigroup downgraded shares of Pearson from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group cut Pearson from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. Kepler Capital Markets downgraded Pearson from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Monday, September 7th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Pearson in a report on Tuesday, September 1st. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Pearson in a research report on Monday, August 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Pearson currently has an average rating of “Hold”.

About Pearson

Pearson plc is a global learning and education company headquartered in London, England. Through its digital platforms, assessments, qualifications and educational content, the company serves learners, educators, institutions, employers and governments.

Pearson’s activities include academic and professional assessment, qualifications, English-language learning, higher education course materials, virtual learning and workforce-skills training. Its offerings include digital learning products, testing and assessment services, online programs, educational textbooks and resources, and tools designed to support teaching and career development.

Founded in 1844 by Samuel Pearson, the company began as a construction and publishing business before developing into an international education provider.