Pearson (NYSE:PSO) Hits New 52-Week High at $13.18

Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) shares reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $13.18 and last traded at $13.16, with a volume of 75631 shares. The stock had previously closed at $13.05.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently issued reports on PSO. StockNews.com raised Pearson from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, March 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded Pearson from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, December 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Pearson has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $1,056.67.

Pearson Trading Up 0.8 %

The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $12.42 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $11.89. The company has a quick ratio of 1.67, a current ratio of 1.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27.

Pearson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 22nd will be issued a $0.1987 dividend. This is a boost from Pearson’s previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.07. This represents a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 21st.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pearson

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of PSO. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. increased its position in Pearson by 175.4% during the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 21,123 shares of the company’s stock worth $212,000 after buying an additional 13,454 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of Pearson by 11.0% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 11,590 shares of the company’s stock valued at $116,000 after purchasing an additional 1,153 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in shares of Pearson by 13.8% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 47,051 shares of the company’s stock valued at $469,000 after purchasing an additional 5,692 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE grew its position in shares of Pearson by 13.7% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 49,032 shares of the company’s stock valued at $489,000 after purchasing an additional 5,926 shares during the period. Finally, HighTower Advisors LLC increased its stake in Pearson by 54.4% during the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 16,034 shares of the company’s stock worth $158,000 after acquiring an additional 5,649 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other 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.