Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) Short Interest Update

Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) was the target of a large drop in short interest during the month of October. As of October 31st, there was short interest totalling 736,000 shares, a drop of 21.0% from the October 15th total of 931,300 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 316,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.3 days. Approximately 0.1% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

PSO has been the subject of several recent research reports. Citigroup raised shares of Pearson to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 30th. StockNews.com downgraded Pearson from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday.

Institutional Trading of Pearson

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of PSO. Lester Murray Antman dba SimplyRich lifted its stake in shares of Pearson by 2.5% in the 2nd quarter. Lester Murray Antman dba SimplyRich now owns 32,239 shares of the company’s stock worth $402,000 after acquiring an additional 799 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in Pearson by 43.2% in the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,782 shares of the company’s stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 839 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC boosted its position in Pearson by 22.5% during the second quarter. CWM LLC now owns 4,650 shares of the company’s stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 855 shares during the last quarter. Lake Street Advisors Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Pearson by 8.5% in the 1st quarter. Lake Street Advisors Group LLC now owns 12,905 shares of the company’s stock valued at $172,000 after buying an additional 1,007 shares in the last quarter. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Pearson by 88.7% during the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,421 shares of the company’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 1,138 shares during the last quarter. 2.14% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Pearson Stock Performance

PSO traded down $0.08 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $15.02. 266,884 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 397,605. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 1.78 and a quick ratio of 1.72. Pearson has a fifty-two week low of $11.64 and a fifty-two week high of $15.65. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $13.99 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $13.22.

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.