Pearson (NYSE:PSO) Stock Crosses Above Two Hundred Day Moving Average of $12.09

Shares of Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $12.09 and traded as high as $12.40. Pearson shares last traded at $12.31, with a volume of 337,637 shares.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

Pearson Price Performance

The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $12.60 and a 200-day simple moving average of $12.10. 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 company also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, May 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 22nd will be issued a $0.1987 dividend. This is an increase from Pearson’s previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.07. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, March 21st. This represents a yield of 2.2%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pearson

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its holdings in shares of Pearson by 88.3% during the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 3,064 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 1,437 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its holdings in shares of Pearson by 169.5% during the fourth quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,382 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 1,498 shares in the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in shares of Pearson during the first quarter valued at $45,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd bought a new position in shares of Pearson during the third quarter valued at $100,000. Finally, Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV bought a new position in shares of Pearson during the third quarter valued at $107,000. Institutional investors own 2.14% 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.