Cerity Partners LLC Grows Holdings in Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO)

Cerity Partners LLC raised its position in Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) by 33.8% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 16,751 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 4,229 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC’s holdings in Pearson were worth $206,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Pearson in the third quarter worth about $140,000. Signaturefd LLC raised its position in shares of Pearson by 41.9% in the 3rd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 13,880 shares of the company’s stock valued at $146,000 after purchasing an additional 4,098 shares in the last quarter. Crane Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of Pearson during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $170,000. QRG Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Pearson in the third quarter worth $177,000. Finally, Ballentine Partners LLC raised its holdings in Pearson by 6.5% in the third quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 17,745 shares of the company’s stock valued at $187,000 after acquiring an additional 1,086 shares in the last quarter. 2.14% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Pearson Price Performance

Shares of PSO opened at $12.39 on Tuesday. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $12.66 and its 200 day moving average price is $12.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 1.67 and a current ratio of 1.73. Pearson plc has a 12-month low of $9.28 and a 12-month high of $13.18.

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 given a $0.1987 dividend. This is an increase from Pearson’s previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.07. This represents a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 21st.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Pearson from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 10th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Pearson currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $1,056.67.

Pearson 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.