Short Interest in Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) Drops By 22.2%

Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in March. As of March 15th, there was short interest totalling 722,900 shares, a decrease of 22.2% from the February 28th total of 928,900 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 466,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.6 days. Currently, 0.1% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Pearson Stock Up 0.5 %

Shares of PSO traded up $0.09 during trading hours on Tuesday, hitting $16.10. The company had a trading volume of 588,425 shares, compared to its average volume of 390,986. The company has a current ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The company has a market capitalization of $10.73 billion, a PE ratio of 17.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.38. Pearson has a one year low of $11.78 and a one year high of $17.90. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $16.56 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $15.51.

Pearson Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared 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 represents a dividend yield of 1.7%. This is a positive change from Pearson’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.10. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 21st. Pearson’s dividend payout ratio is presently 43.62%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Versant Capital Management Inc acquired a new stake in Pearson in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Pearson in the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in Pearson during the 3rd quarter worth $47,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased 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 valued at $65,000 after buying an additional 2,811 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its stake in Pearson by 251.4% in the fourth quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 5,247 shares of the company’s stock valued at $85,000 after buying an additional 3,754 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 2.14% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

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.