Smartleaf Asset Management LLC Purchases 2,811 Shares of Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO)

Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) by 228.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,044 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 2,811 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Pearson were worth $65,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. US Bancorp DE increased its position in Pearson by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 57,506 shares of the company’s stock valued at $927,000 after acquiring an additional 2,106 shares in the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. increased its holdings in Pearson by 99.4% during the 4th quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 49,541 shares of the company’s stock worth $799,000 after purchasing an additional 24,699 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in shares of Pearson by 6.3% in the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 54,255 shares of the company’s stock valued at $875,000 after purchasing an additional 3,203 shares during the period. Callan Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Pearson by 17.2% in the fourth quarter. Callan Capital LLC now owns 17,965 shares of the company’s stock valued at $290,000 after purchasing an additional 2,638 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Truist Financial Corp boosted its position in shares of Pearson by 15.9% during the fourth quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 11,842 shares of the company’s stock worth $191,000 after buying an additional 1,625 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.14% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently commented on PSO shares. National Bankshares set a $18.00 target price on shares of Pearson in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Pearson from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, March 3rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised Pearson to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 30th.

Pearson Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:PSO opened at $16.85 on Monday. Pearson plc has a 12-month low of $11.78 and a 12-month high of $17.90. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $16.47 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $15.23. The firm has a market cap of $11.23 billion, a PE ratio of 17.92, a PEG ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.38. 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 Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 16th. Investors of record on Friday, March 21st will be paid a $0.2092 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 21st. This is a positive change from Pearson’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.10. This represents a yield of 1.7%. Pearson’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 43.62%.

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.