Pearson (NYSE:PSO) Sees Strong Trading Volume – Should You Buy?

Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) saw strong trading volume on Monday . 705,911 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 73% from the previous session’s volume of 407,606 shares.The stock last traded at $15.07 and had previously closed at $15.36.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. National Bankshares set a $18.00 target price on shares of Pearson in a research report on Tuesday, February 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on shares of Pearson in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Pearson from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, March 3rd.

Pearson Trading Up 6.3 %

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 1.72 and a current ratio of 1.78. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $16.47 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $15.57. The firm has a market cap of $10.49 billion, a PE ratio of 16.74, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.42.

Pearson Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Friday, May 16th. Investors of record on Friday, March 21st will be issued a $0.2092 dividend. This represents a yield of 1.7%. This is a boost from Pearson’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.10. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 21st. Pearson’s payout ratio is presently 43.62%.

Institutional Trading of Pearson

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of PSO. Versant Capital Management Inc acquired a new stake in shares of Pearson in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in Pearson in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new position in shares of Pearson in the third quarter worth $47,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its position in Pearson by 228.0% during the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 4,044 shares of the company’s stock worth $65,000 after acquiring an additional 2,811 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its holdings in Pearson by 251.4% in the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 5,247 shares of the company’s stock valued at $85,000 after buying an additional 3,754 shares during the period. 2.14% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.