Pearson (NYSE:PSO) Hits New 52-Week High – Still a Buy?

Shares of Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Friday . The company traded as high as $17.25 and last traded at $17.24, with a volume of 254861 shares. The stock had previously closed at $16.86.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently issued reports on PSO. National Bankshares set a $18.00 price target on Pearson in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Pearson to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Pearson from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, November 15th.

Pearson Trading Up 2.4 %

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 firm has a fifty day moving average of $16.37 and a 200-day moving average of $15.07. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.37, a P/E/G ratio of 2.65 and a beta of 0.40.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pearson

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Versant Capital Management Inc bought a new position in shares of Pearson during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Pearson during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its position in shares of Pearson by 86.9% during the third quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 3,145 shares of the company’s stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 1,462 shares during the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new position in shares of Pearson during the third quarter worth about $47,000. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 2,811 shares during the last quarter. 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.