Pearson Trading Update

[idpickering]

Underlying profit growth driven by continued strategic progress in 2018

Expect to deliver adjusted operating profit of £540m-£545m for 2018, in line with guidance of £520m to £560m

· Adjusted earnings per share of 70.0p-71.0p reflecting one-off tax benefits and a lower finance charge as disclosed in Pearson's Q3 trading update.

· Total underlying revenues were down 1% year on year, with declines in US Higher Education Courseware (US HECW) of 5% and US K12 courseware largely offset by the rest of the business growing in aggregate at over 1%.

· Revenue in North America declined 1%, Core was flat and Growth was up 1%.

· Strong balance sheet with closing net debt at 31 December 2018 expected to be around £200m (2017: £432m).

https://www.investegate.co.uk/pearson-p ... 00031959N/

[Dod101]

Like PFG yesterday, this update are not exactly inspiring.

Dod

[Arborbridge]

Like PFG yesterday, this update are not exactly inspiring.

Dod

But not a disaster, and net debt down helps.

Let's see if it was what the market expected - I notice some profit taking going on in the past few days to take advantage of the recent high.

Arb.

[idpickering]

Stock down nearly 4% on opening. No surprise there I guess. Anyone tempted to buy?

Ian.

[Arborbridge]

Stock down nearly 4% on opening. No surprise there I guess. Anyone tempted to buy?

Ian.

As you know I was looking to sell but decided to hold my horses. I'll be holding for a while longer, it seems.

I expected some more profit taking, but less than this.

As regards your queston, I doubt anyone would have any HYP interest in PSON at present, the yield is far too low, the dividend was cut and the company has changed beyond recognition. What's to like?


Arb.

[idpickering]

Stock down nearly 4% on opening. No surprise there I guess. Anyone tempted to buy?

Ian.

As you know I was looking to sell but decided to hold my horses. I'll be holding for a while longer, it seems.

I expected some more profit taking, but less than this.

As regards your queston, I doubt anyone would have any HYP interest in PSON at present, the yield is far too low, the dividend was cut and the company has changed beyond recognition. What's to like?


Arb.

Thanks for your input Arb. I have held PSON before, but no more, and now have ITV and WPP in the overall sector.

Ian.

[tjh290633]

Stock down nearly 4% on opening. No surprise there I guess. Anyone tempted to buy?

Ian.

Quite the opposite, in fact. It rose considerably in the last year and I am waiting until the next results before I decide when to sell, because of the low yield, or whether the recovery indicated has made it worthwhile hanging on.

It would need the dividend to be doubled for hanging on to be the decision.

TJH

[Arborbridge]

Stock down nearly 4% on opening. No surprise there I guess. Anyone tempted to buy?

Ian.

Quite the opposite, in fact. It rose considerably in the last year and I am waiting until the next results before I decide when to sell, because of the low yield, or whether the recovery indicated has made it worthwhile hanging on.

It would need the dividend to be doubled for hanging on to be the decision.

TJH

An interesting target - I would have thought unlikely, but let us both hope