Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) has earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the five brokerages that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $12.30.

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

Pearson Stock Performance

NYSE PSO opened at $12.64 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.67, a current ratio of 1.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $12.63 and its 200-day moving average is $12.16. Pearson has a one year low of $9.28 and a one year high of $13.18.

Pearson Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared 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. This represents a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 21st. This is a positive change from Pearson’s previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.07.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Pearson by 10.1% in the third 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 raised its stake in shares of Pearson by 46.2% in the third quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network now owns 15,191 shares of the company’s stock worth $160,000 after purchasing an additional 4,798 shares during the last quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Pearson by 6.5% in the third 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. Lester Murray Antman dba SimplyRich purchased a new stake in shares of Pearson in the third quarter worth approximately $304,000. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in shares of Pearson by 17.1% in the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 41,345 shares of the company’s stock worth $436,000 after purchasing an additional 6,025 shares during the last quarter. 2.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.