Pearson (NYSE:PSO) Shares Gap Down – What’s Next?

Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) gapped down prior to trading on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $16.68, but opened at $15.91. Pearson shares last traded at $15.89, with a volume of 90,135 shares trading hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

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

Pearson Stock Performance

The company 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. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $16.54 and a 200-day moving average price of $15.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a current ratio of 1.78.

Pearson Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 21st will be paid a dividend of $0.2092 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 21st. This is an increase from Pearson’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.10. Pearson’s dividend payout ratio is 43.62%.

Institutional Trading of Pearson

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Versant Capital Management Inc bought a new stake in shares of Pearson during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Pearson during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new position in shares of Pearson during the 3rd quarter worth about $47,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Pearson by 228.0% during the 4th 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 last quarter. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Pearson by 251.4% during the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 5,247 shares of the company’s stock worth $85,000 after purchasing an additional 3,754 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 2.14% of the company’s stock.

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.