First Trust Advisors LP Purchases Shares of 21,979 Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO)

First Trust Advisors LP acquired a new stake in Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm acquired 21,979 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $354,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Pearson during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in shares of Pearson during the 3rd quarter worth about $47,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Pearson by 228.0% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 4,044 shares of the company’s stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 2,811 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Pearson by 251.4% during the fourth quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 5,247 shares of the company’s stock worth $85,000 after purchasing an additional 3,754 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Pearson by 39.8% in the fourth quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,807 shares of the company’s stock valued at $110,000 after purchasing an additional 1,937 shares during the last quarter. 2.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Pearson Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:PSO opened at $15.78 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $10.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.79, a PEG ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.62. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $15.94 and a 200 day moving average price of $15.94. The company has a quick ratio of 1.72, a current ratio of 1.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. Pearson plc has a twelve month low of $11.78 and a twelve month high of $17.90.

Pearson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 16th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 21st will be paid a dividend of $0.2092 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 21st. This represents a yield of 1.7%. This is an increase from Pearson’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.10. Pearson’s payout ratio is currently 43.62%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

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.