Pearson, PLC (NYSE:PSO) Short Interest Update

by · The Cerbat Gem

Pearson, PLC (NYSE:PSO – Get Free Report) was the target of a significant drop in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totaling 2,516,962 shares, a drop of 39.4% from the August 15th total of 4,153,239 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 442,636 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 5.7 days. Approximately 0.4% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its stake in Pearson by 72.5% during the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,645,461 shares of the company’s stock worth $21,605,000 after purchasing an additional 691,339 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its stake in Pearson by 105.9% in the fourth quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 524,274 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,361,000 after purchasing an additional 269,692 shares during the last quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP increased its stake in Pearson by 16.8% in the first quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 512,854 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,734,000 after purchasing an additional 73,788 shares during the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Pearson by 13.4% during the first quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 177,786 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,334,000 after purchasing an additional 20,947 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barometer Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Pearson by 545.3% during the fourth quarter. Barometer Capital Management Inc. now owns 64,600 shares of the company’s stock worth $907,000 after purchasing an additional 54,589 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 2.14% of the company’s stock.

Pearson Price Performance

PSO stock traded down $0.26 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $15.74. The company had a trading volume of 1,048,279 shares, compared to its average volume of 964,507. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $16.42 and a 200 day simple moving average of $15.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 2.00 and a quick ratio of 1.94. Pearson has a fifty-two week low of $12.02 and a fifty-two week high of $17.75.

Pearson Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 21st. Investors of record on Friday, August 14th will be issued a $0.1103 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 14th. This represents a yield of 137.0%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on PSO shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “hold” rating on shares of Pearson in a research note on Monday, August 3rd. Wall Street Zen downgraded Pearson from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday, September 6th. Weiss Ratings raised Pearson from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Monday. Citigroup cut Pearson from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 2nd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Pearson from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have assigned a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold”.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Pearson

Pearson Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Pearson plc is a global learning and education company headquartered in London, England. Through its digital platforms, assessments, qualifications and educational content, the company serves learners, educators, institutions, employers and governments.

Pearson’s activities include academic and professional assessment, qualifications, English-language learning, higher education course materials, virtual learning and workforce-skills training. Its offerings include digital learning products, testing and assessment services, online programs, educational textbooks and resources, and tools designed to support teaching and career development.

Founded in 1844 by Samuel Pearson, the company began as a construction and publishing business before developing into an international education provider.

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