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Highlights

  • Wall Street Zen cut Pearson rating from "Buy" to "Hold" on Saturday.
  • Consensus rating remains "Buy" with a target price of USD 18.00.
  • Pearson declared semi-annual dividend of USD 0.0892 per share in September.

Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Pearson plc (NYSE:PSO) from a “Buy” rating to a “Hold” rating in a research note issued on Saturday. The revision comes amid recent mixed analyst coverage, with some firms maintaining more cautious positions while others have upgraded the stock in recent months.

Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated its “Hold” rating on Pearson in a report dated August 4, 2025. Meanwhile, BNP Paribas raised its rating from “Hold” to “Strong Buy” on June 27, 2025. Overall, one analyst has issued a “Strong Buy” rating, one has given a “Buy” recommendation, and one has rated the stock a “Hold.” According to MarketBeat data, Pearson currently carries a consensus “Buy” rating and an average 12-month price target of USD 18.00.

Pearson also announced a semi-annual dividend to be paid on Monday, September 22, 2025. Investors of record as of Friday, August 15, 2025, will receive USD 0.0892 per share. The ex-dividend date is also August 15, 2025. This dividend represents a yield of 210.0%, with the company’s dividend payout ratio presently reported at 22.34%.

Institutional investors have recently adjusted their holdings in Pearson. TD Private Client Wealth LLC increased its stake in the first quarter by 1,798.8% to 1,633 shares, valued at USD 26,000. First Horizon Advisors Inc. expanded its position by 3,131.8% in the second quarter, now holding 2,133 shares worth USD 32,000. Brooklyn Investment Group raised its stake by 308.3% in the first quarter, owning 2,356 shares valued at USD 38,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in the second quarter valued at USD 64,000. Additionally, CWM LLC lifted its holdings by 43.6% in the first quarter to 4,140 shares worth USD 66,000. Institutional and hedge fund ownership stands at 2.14% of total shares.

Pearson plc operates as a global educational services provider, with business operations spanning the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific region, and other international markets. The company is structured into five segments: Assessment & Qualifications, Virtual Learning, English Language Learning, Workforce Skills, and Higher Education.