Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) Shares Sold by PNC Financial Services Group Inc.

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. decreased its position in shares of Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) by 3.6% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 21,839 shares of the company’s stock after selling 823 shares during the quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc.’s holdings in Pearson were worth $352,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Pearson during the fourth quarter worth about $225,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Pearson by 9.9% during the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 70,946 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,144,000 after purchasing an additional 6,401 shares during the period. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of Pearson during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Pearson by 228.0% during the fourth 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. Finally, US Bancorp DE lifted its holdings in shares of Pearson by 3.8% during the fourth quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 57,506 shares of the company’s stock worth $927,000 after purchasing an additional 2,106 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.14% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

Pearson Stock Down 2.9 %

Shares of PSO stock opened at $15.46 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $16.54 and a 200 day moving average of $15.39. 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 stock has a market cap of $10.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.38. 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 disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 21st will be given a $0.2092 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 21st. This is a boost from Pearson’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.10. This represents a dividend yield of 1.7%. Pearson’s payout ratio 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.