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Pearson PLC (GB:PSON)
LSE:PSON

Pearson (PSON) AI Stock Analysis

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GB:PSON

Pearson

(LSE:PSON)

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Neutral 65 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:65Neutral
Price Target:
1,032.00 p
▲(8.34% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:03/02/26
The score is driven primarily by steady but not accelerating fundamentals—strong operating profitability offset by low growth, weaker net margin, rising leverage, and softer 2025 free cash flow. Earnings call guidance adds support via clear mid-single-digit growth and profit/cash-conversion targets, while technicals remain a headwind with the stock below key longer-term moving averages and negative MACD. Valuation is reasonable with a mid-teens/high-teens P/E and a ~2.5% dividend yield.
Positive Factors
Strong profitability and margins
Sustained high gross and healthy operating margins reflect durable unit economics from digital courseware and assessment services. Strong margins support reinvestment in product development, fund shareholder returns and cushion earnings during modest revenue swings, underpinning long-term profitability.
Negative Factors
Rising leverage reduces financial flexibility
A material rise in leverage over a single year tightens balance-sheet flexibility and raises funding risk for strategic investments or buybacks. Higher net debt increases interest exposure and reduces buffer against cycles, limiting optionality for further M&A or investment if cash weakens.
Read all positive and negative factors
Positive Factors
Negative Factors
Strong profitability and margins
Sustained high gross and healthy operating margins reflect durable unit economics from digital courseware and assessment services. Strong margins support reinvestment in product development, fund shareholder returns and cushion earnings during modest revenue swings, underpinning long-term profitability.
Read all positive factors

Pearson (PSON) vs. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWC)

Pearson Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description
Pearson plc provides educational courseware, assessments, and services in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, the Asia Pacific, other European countries, and internationally. It operates through five segments: Assessment & Qualification...
How the Company Makes Money
Pearson generates revenue through multiple key streams, primarily focused on the sale of educational content and services. The company's revenue model includes direct sales of print and digital textbooks, subscriptions to its online learning platf...

Pearson Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 27, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Aug 03, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call presented a predominantly positive picture: Pearson reported steady revenue and profit growth, margin expansion, strong free cash generation, active capital returns, significant enterprise partnership wins and tangible AI-driven efficiency gains. Key challenges highlighted include a one-off GBP 87m Higher Education platform impairment, a near-term A&Q contract headwind (New Jersey) and competitive pressures in Higher Education. Management provided clear 2026 guidance (mid-single-digit sales growth; adjusted operating profit GBP 640–685m; free cash conversion 90–100%) and emphasized continued investment in AI, enterprise skilling and early careers, suggesting confidence in medium-term progression despite short-term phasing and one-off costs.
Positive Updates
Revenue and Profit Growth
Group underlying sales grew 4% in FY2025 and adjusted operating profit increased 6% to GBP 614m, demonstrating continued top-line and profit progression.
Negative Updates
One-off Higher Education Impairment
Statutory profit declined 6% due largely to a noncash one-off impairment of GBP 87m related to convergence of Higher Education courseware platforms; company expects a mechanical circa GBP 15m p.a. profit benefit over the next ~6 years.
Read all updates
Q4-2025 Updates
Negative
Revenue and Profit Growth
Group underlying sales grew 4% in FY2025 and adjusted operating profit increased 6% to GBP 614m, demonstrating continued top-line and profit progression.
Read all positive updates
Company Guidance
Pearson guided to a mid‑single‑digit increase in underlying sales for 2026 with adjusted operating profit of GBP 640–685m (at end‑2025 FX), free cash conversion of 90–100%, an effective tax rate of ~25% and interest around GBP 80m, while reiterating medium‑term targets of mid‑single‑digit CAGR sales, margin improvement averaging ~40bps p.a. and 90–100% average free cash conversion; the 2026 plan includes business‑specific guidance (A&Q low‑ to mid‑single digit, Virtual Learning stronger than 2025, Higher Ed and English ahead of 2025, ELS growth driven by BQ and Enterprise Solutions), H2‑weighted phasing, higher transformation investment weighted to H1, and sits against 2025 results of underlying sales +4%, underlying profit +6%, adjusted operating profit GBP 614m, margin 17.2% (from 16.9%), adjusted EPS 64.5p (+4% or +9% at constant FX), free cash conversion 125% (98% ex state aid), net debt GBP 1.1bn (leverage 1.3x), GBP 350m share buyback commenced and a GBP 87m one‑off impairment that yields ~GBP 15m p.a. mechanical profit benefit.

Pearson Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Solid profitability with strong gross margin (~52%) and healthy operating performance, but overall quality is tempered by low revenue growth, a 2025 step-down in net margin, rising leverage (debt-to-equity up to ~0.52), and a sharp 2025 decline in free cash flow.
Income Statement
74
Positive
Balance Sheet
63
Positive
Cash Flow
58
Neutral
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue3.58B3.55B3.67B3.84B3.43B
Gross Profit1.86B1.81B1.83B1.79B1.68B
EBITDA1.08B1.09B1.07B930.00M751.00M
Net Income335.00M434.00M378.00M242.00M177.00M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets6.46B6.89B6.73B7.31B7.34B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments333.00M543.00M312.00M543.00M937.00M
Total Debt1.90B1.47B1.16B1.22B1.40B
Total Liabilities2.79B2.84B2.74B2.89B3.06B
Stockholders Equity3.65B4.04B3.97B4.40B4.27B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow661.00M503.00M399.00M304.00M150.00M
Operating Cash Flow690.00M627.00M525.00M361.00M326.00M
Investing Cash Flow-277.00M-131.00M-301.00M13.00M-80.00M
Financing Cash Flow-609.00M-241.00M-450.00M-804.00M-414.00M

Pearson Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price952.60
Price Trends
50DMA
932.11
Positive
100DMA
969.82
Negative
200DMA
1008.16
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
7.69
Positive
RSI
50.66
Neutral
STOCH
4.64
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:PSON, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 952.6 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 957.55, above the 50-day MA of 932.11, and below the 200-day MA of 1008.16, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 7.69 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 50.66 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 4.64 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for GB:PSON.

Pearson Risk Analysis

Pearson disclosed 29 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Pearson reported the most risks in the "Tech & Innovation" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Pearson Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (60)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
76
Outperform
£450.35M7.4110.70%3.26%-11.68%-40.06%
73
Outperform
£43.54B26.8370.68%2.13%2.48%3.23%
65
Neutral
£5.86B20.4111.94%2.32%-0.82%30.81%
65
Neutral
£141.31M18.5424.52%1.09%-21.19%-29.54%
63
Neutral
£370.92M10.456.22%0.53%-6.22%-6.69%
62
Neutral
£9.54B32.171.20%2.34%15.73%-76.05%
60
Neutral
$48.67B4.58-11.27%4.14%2.83%-41.78%
* Communication Services Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
GB:PSON
Pearson
952.60
-240.21
-20.14%
GB:BMY
Bloomsbury Publishing
557.00
-26.53
-4.55%
GB:FUTR
Future plc
401.60
-383.85
-48.87%
GB:INF
Informa
761.20
-22.47
-2.87%
GB:SAA
M&C Saatchi plc
117.00
-49.92
-29.91%
GB:REL
RELX plc
2,430.00
-1,377.05
-36.17%

Pearson Corporate Events

Regulatory Filings and Compliance
Pearson Confirms Share Capital and Voting Rights for FCA Disclosure
Neutral
Mar 2, 2026
Pearson PLC reported that, as of the close of business on 28 February 2026, it had 630,257,588 ordinary shares of 25p each in issue, with each share carrying one vote and no shares held in treasury. The company noted that this share count should b...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Cancels Newly Repurchased Shares Under £350m Buyback Plan
Positive
Mar 2, 2026
Pearson has repurchased 140,106 ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 953.51p per share, with prices ranging between 926.60p and 970.00p. The shares, bought through Citigroup Global Markets, will be cancelled as part ...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Advances £350m Buyback With Fresh Share Repurchase
Positive
Feb 27, 2026
Pearson has repurchased 166,997 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 953.30 pence per share, with prices ranging between 938.80 pence and 965.00 pence. The company intends to cancel these shares, effectively r...
Business Operations and StrategyStock BuybackDividendsFinancial DisclosuresPrivate Placements and Financing
Pearson lifts profit, cash flow and dividend as AI strategy and buybacks underpin upbeat 2026 outlook
Positive
Feb 27, 2026
Pearson reported underlying sales growth of 4% in 2025 to £3.58bn and a 6% rise in adjusted operating profit to £614m, lifting its margin to 17.2% and supporting an 8% increase in free cash flow and a 5% dividend rise. The group highligh...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Cancels New Batch of Shares in Ongoing £350m Buyback
Positive
Feb 26, 2026
Pearson has repurchased 201,359 ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 942.07 pence per share as part of its ongoing capital return programme. The shares, bought through Citigroup Global Markets, will be cancelled, red...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Advances £350m Buyback With New Share Repurchases
Positive
Feb 25, 2026
Pearson has repurchased 191,208 of its 25 pence ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 932.42 pence, with prices ranging between 918.00 pence and 947.00 pence per share. The company plans to cancel these shares, reduci...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Cancels 260,000 Shares in Ongoing £350 Million Buyback
Positive
Feb 24, 2026
Pearson has repurchased 260,125 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 928.94 pence per share on 23 February 2026, with prices ranging between 922.20 pence and 935.00 pence. The shares, bought through Citigroup ...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Advances £350m Buyback With Fresh Share Repurchase and Cancellation
Positive
Feb 23, 2026
Pearson plc has continued executing its £350 million share buyback programme, repurchasing 211,629 ordinary shares on 20 February 2026 via Citigroup Global Markets at an average price of 928.39 pence. The company plans to cancel these shares,...
Stock Buyback
Pearson Cancels 260,125 Shares in First Tranche of £350m Buyback
Positive
Feb 20, 2026
Pearson has repurchased 260,125 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 927.49 pence per share, with the trades executed by Citigroup Global Markets. The company plans to cancel these shares, reducing its share c...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Cancels 227,609 Shares in Latest Phase of £350m Buyback
Positive
Feb 19, 2026
Pearson has repurchased 227,609 of its 25 pence ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 928.20 pence, with prices ranging between 921.80 pence and 937.00 pence per share. The company plans to cancel these shares, reduci...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Cancels Shares After Fresh Buyback as £350m Programme Progresses
Positive
Feb 18, 2026
Pearson plc has repurchased 114,747 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 920.60 pence per share, with prices ranging between 913.40 pence and 928.00 pence. The company plans to cancel these shares, thereby red...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Cancels 250,000 Shares in Ongoing £350m Buyback
Positive
Feb 17, 2026
Pearson plc has repurchased 250,000 of its 25p ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 911.23p per share, with prices ranging between 896.40p and 924.40p. The shares, bought through Citigroup Global Markets Limited on 1...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Cancels Latest £175m Tranche Buyback Shares After Fresh Market Repurchase
Positive
Feb 16, 2026
Pearson plc has repurchased 213,591 ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange on 13 February 2026 at an average price of 913.42 pence, with prices ranging between 899.80 pence and 925.00 pence per share, and will cancel all of the acquired stoc...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Cancels 213,736 Shares in Ongoing £350 Million Buyback Programme
Positive
Feb 13, 2026
Pearson plc has repurchased 213,736 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 908.13 pence per share, with prices ranging between 898.20 pence and 920.00 pence. The shares, bought through Citigroup Global Markets L...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Cancels Shares After Fresh Buyback as £350m Programme Progresses
Positive
Feb 12, 2026
Pearson has repurchased 321,829 ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 889.17 pence per share, with prices ranging from 881.00 pence to 904.00 pence. The shares, bought through Citigroup Global Markets, will be cancell...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Cancels 301,800 Shares in Continued £350m Buyback
Positive
Feb 11, 2026
Pearson plc has bought back 301,800 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 905.69 pence per share, with prices ranging between 890.60 pence and 916.20 pence. The purchased shares will be cancelled, reducing the ...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Cancels 274,400 Shares in Ongoing £350 Million Buyback
Positive
Feb 10, 2026
Pearson plc has repurchased 274,400 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 899.22 pence per share, with prices ranging between 889.80 pence and 907.00 pence. The shares, bought through Citigroup Global Markets L...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Cancels 301,800 Shares as Part of £350m Buyback Programme
Positive
Feb 9, 2026
Pearson has repurchased 301,800 ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 889.23 pence per share, with prices ranging between 874.80p and 898.00p, via Citigroup Global Markets. The company plans to cancel these shares, an...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Advances £350m Buyback With Fresh Share Repurchases
Positive
Feb 6, 2026
Pearson plc has continued execution of its previously announced £350 million share buyback programme, confirming the repurchase on 4 February 2026 of 350,210 ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange via Citigroup Global Markets at an aver...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Cancels 308,700 Shares in Ongoing £350m Buyback Programme
Positive
Feb 6, 2026
Pearson plc has repurchased 308,700 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 895.88 pence per share, with prices ranging between 886.40 pence and 903.00 pence. The shares, bought through Citigroup Global Markets L...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Cancels 445,300 Shares in Ongoing £350m Buyback Programme
Positive
Feb 5, 2026
Pearson plc has repurchased 445,300 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 914.75 pence per share, with prices ranging between 889.60 pence and 962.80 pence. The shares, bought through Citigroup Global Markets L...
Stock Buyback
Pearson Cancels 445,300 Shares in Ongoing £350m Buyback Programme
Positive
Feb 4, 2026
Pearson plc has repurchased 445,300 of its 25 pence ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange via Citigroup Global Markets at an average price of 914.75p, within a trading range of 889.60p to 962.80p, on 3 February 2026. The repurchased shares ...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Cancels 236,580 Shares in Ongoing £350m Buyback Programme
Positive
Feb 3, 2026
Pearson plc has repurchased 236,580 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 962.26 pence per share, with prices ranging between 954.40 pence and 966.00 pence. The shares, acquired through Citigroup Global Markets...
Regulatory Filings and Compliance
Pearson Confirms Current Voting Share Capital for FCA Disclosure Purposes
Neutral
Feb 2, 2026
Pearson plc has confirmed that, as of the close of business on 31 January 2026, it has 635,405,249 ordinary shares of 25p each in issue, all of which carry one vote per share at general meetings, and the company holds no shares in treasury. The co...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Cancels 209,850 Shares Under £350m Buyback Programme
Positive
Feb 2, 2026
Pearson plc has repurchased 209,850 of its 25 pence ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 959.46 pence per share, with prices ranging between 948.20 pence and 964.80 pence. The shares, acquired through Citigroup Globa...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Advances £350m Share Buyback With Fresh £267m Repurchase
Positive
Jan 30, 2026
Pearson has continued executing its share buyback strategy, repurchasing 281,752 ordinary shares on 29 January 2026 on the London Stock Exchange through Citigroup Global Markets at an average price of 946.20 pence per share, with prices ranging be...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Cancels 205,000 Shares as Part of £350m Buyback Programme
Positive
Jan 29, 2026
Pearson plc has repurchased 205,000 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 944.30 pence per share, with prices ranging between 927.00 pence and 966.00 pence, through Citigroup Global Markets Limited on 28 Januar...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Cancels 304,000 Shares in Ongoing £350m Buyback Programme
Positive
Jan 28, 2026
Pearson plc has repurchased 304,105 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 952.85p per share, with prices ranging between 938.00p and 968.80p. The shares, bought through Citigroup Global Markets Limited on 27 Ja...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Continues £350m Buyback With Cancellation of 218,163 Shares
Positive
Jan 27, 2026
Pearson plc has repurchased 218,163 of its ordinary 25 pence shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 969.03 pence per share, with prices ranging between 963.00 pence and 976.20 pence. The company will cancel the repurchased shar...
Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Pearson Cancels 158,694 Shares in Ongoing £350m Buyback Programme
Positive
Jan 26, 2026
Pearson plc has repurchased 158,694 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 964.14 pence per share, with prices ranging between 952.00 pence and 970.20 pence. The shares, bought through Citigroup Global Markets L...
Stock Buyback
Pearson Cancels 250,000 Shares in Ongoing £350m Buyback Programme
Positive
Jan 23, 2026
Pearson plc has repurchased 250,000 of its ordinary shares on the London Stock Exchange at an average price of 960.72 pence per share, with prices ranging between 947.60 pence and 969.40 pence. The company will cancel the shares, and the transacti...
Regulatory Filings and Compliance
Pearson Executive Buys Shares via U.S. Employee Stock Plan
Neutral
Jan 21, 2026
Pearson has disclosed that Tom ap Simon, President of Higher Education and Virtual Learning, purchased 502.7652 American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) in Pearson plc at a price of $11.934 per ADR, through the company’s U.S. Employee Stock Purch...
Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Pearson Delivers 2025 Growth in Line With Guidance as AI and Enterprise Deals Drive Momentum
Positive
Jan 14, 2026
Pearson reported 4% underlying group sales growth for 2025, with momentum building in the fourth quarter as growth accelerated to 8%, supported by all business units. Adjusted operating profit is expected at £610–615 million, about 6% h...
Executive/Board Changes
Pearson CEO Omar Abbosh Receives LTIP Share Award and Sells Portion to Cover Taxes
Neutral
Jan 6, 2026
Pearson plc has disclosed that its Chief Executive Officer, Omar Abbosh, has received an allotment of 472,951 ordinary shares following the vesting of awards under the company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan, with a portion of 52,025 shares sold ...
Regulatory Filings and Compliance
Pearson Confirms Share Capital and Voting Rights for Disclosure Purposes
Neutral
Jan 2, 2026
Pearson PLC has confirmed that, as of 31 December 2025, it has 635,814,880 ordinary shares of 25 pence each admitted to trading, with each share carrying one vote at general meetings and no shares held in treasury. This updated share capital figur...
Other
Pearson Director Acquires ADRs, Signaling Confidence
Positive
Dec 15, 2025
Pearson plc announced a transaction involving Alex Hardiman, a Non-Executive Director, who purchased 1,310 American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) of the company at a price of $13.9650 per ADR. This transaction, conducted on the New York Stock Exchang...
Other
Pearson Director Acquires ADRs, Signaling Confidence
Positive
Dec 12, 2025
Pearson plc announced a transaction involving the purchase of 875 American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) by Arden Hoffman, a Non-Executive Director of the company. The transaction, valued at $11,926.25, took place on December 10, 2025, on the New Yor...
Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Pearson Announces Strategic Board Committee Changes
Positive
Dec 5, 2025
Pearson has announced changes to its Board Committees, with Costis Maglaras, a Non-Executive Director, being appointed to the Audit Committee and the Reputation Responsibility Committee effective from January 1, 2026. This strategic move is part ...
Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Mar 02, 2026