Pearson (LON:PSON) Earns Buy Rating from Shore Capital

Shore Capital reiterated their buy rating on shares of Pearson (LON:PSON) in a research report sent to investors on Friday, MarketBeat Ratings reports.

Several other research firms have also recently commented on PSON. Barclays lowered their price target on Pearson from GBX 975 ($12.04) to GBX 965 ($11.92) and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Pearson from GBX 1,200 ($14.82) to GBX 1,220 ($15.07) and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 20th.

Pearson Stock Down 0.5 %

PSON stock opened at GBX 987 ($12.19) on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of £6.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 1,862.26, a PEG ratio of 0.83 and a beta of 0.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 30.19, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.73. Pearson has a one year low of GBX 749.40 ($9.26) and a one year high of GBX 1,046.50 ($12.93). The company has a 50 day moving average price of GBX 1,003.57 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 970.41.

Pearson Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 3rd. Stockholders of record on Thursday, March 21st will be given a GBX 15.70 ($0.19) dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 21st. This represents a dividend yield of 1.63%. This is a positive change from Pearson’s previous dividend of $7.00. Pearson’s dividend payout ratio is presently 4,339.62%.

Insider Activity at Pearson

In related news, insider Graeme Pitkethly purchased 210 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, March 28th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 1,037 ($12.81) per share, for a total transaction of £2,177.70 ($2,689.85). Company insiders own 0.33% of the company’s stock.

About Pearson

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.