Pearson (NYSE:PSO) Sees Large Volume Increase

Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Friday . Approximately 503,008 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 28% from the previous session’s volume of 393,109 shares.The stock last traded at $12.35 and had previously closed at $12.42.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com cut Pearson from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 10th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $1,056.67.

Pearson Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 1.67 and a current ratio of 1.73. The business has a 50 day moving average of $12.65 and a 200-day moving average of $12.16.

Pearson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 22nd will be paid a $0.1987 dividend. This is a positive change from Pearson’s previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.07. This represents a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 21st.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pearson

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. 13D Management LLC boosted its holdings in Pearson by 35.5% during the 3rd quarter. 13D Management LLC now owns 757,583 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,985,000 after acquiring an additional 198,674 shares during the period. Ballentine Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Pearson by 16.1% during the 4th quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 20,594 shares of the company’s stock valued at $253,000 after acquiring an additional 2,849 shares during the period. Mariner LLC boosted its holdings in Pearson by 43.1% during the 3rd quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 132,517 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,397,000 after acquiring an additional 39,939 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Pearson in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $177,000. Finally, Crane Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in Pearson in the 4th quarter worth approximately $170,000. 2.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.