Pearson (LON:PSON) Sets New 12-Month High – Still a Buy?

Shares of Pearson plc (LON:PSON) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as GBX 1,287.50 ($16.20) and last traded at GBX 1,283.50 ($16.15), with a volume of 1892178 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at GBX 1,278.50 ($16.09).

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Pearson from GBX 1,170 ($14.72) to GBX 1,400 ($17.62) and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of GBX 1,146.75 ($14.43).

Pearson Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of £8.57 billion, a PE ratio of 2,580.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 0.31. The firm’s fifty day moving average is GBX 1,193 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 1,076.72. The company has a current ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 43.56.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Pearson news, insider Sherry Coutu acquired 731 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 13th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 1,282 ($16.13) per share, with a total value of £9,371.42 ($11,792.40). Insiders own 0.35% of the company’s stock.

About Pearson

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That’s why our c.20,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world’s leading learning company, serving customers in c.200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data.