About Pearson plc (PSON)
Pearson plc is a Publishing company operating in the Communication Services sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. PSON has been publicly traded since 1988, giving it 38+ years of trading history.
Pearson plc (PSON) has been publicly traded since 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company. It operates in the Publishing industry within the Communication Services sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom and employs approximately 13,665 people. With a market capitalization of £6.2 billion, PSON is a mid-sized company with growth potential.
PSON trades on the London Stock Exchange and is classified as a mid-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately £6.2 billion. The company employs approximately 13,665 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- £987.60
- Market Cap
- £6.21B
- 52-Week High
- £1,275.00
- 52-Week Low
- £874.80
- Sector
- Communication Services
- Industry
- Publishing
PSON Investment Performance
PSON has declined 5.9% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a £1,000 investment in PSON would have grown to £1,238, representing a 23.9% total return. Since its IPO in 1988, a £1,000 investment would now be worth £3,218.
£1,000 Invested in Pearson plc (PSON)
How much would £1,000 invested in PSON be worth today?
What would £1,000 invested in PSON 1 year ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Pearson plc (PSON) in 2025 would be worth £784 as of March 2026, representing a -21.6% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in PSON 3 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Pearson plc (PSON) in 2023 would be worth £1,180 as of March 2026, representing a +18.0% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in PSON 5 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Pearson plc (PSON) in 2021 would be worth £1,238 as of March 2026, representing a +23.9% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in PSON 10 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Pearson plc (PSON) in 2016 would be worth £1,100 as of March 2026, representing a +10.0% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in PSON at IPO be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Pearson plc (PSON) at IPO would be worth £3,218 as of March 2026, representing a +221.8% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 37+ years (452 months), Pearson plc (PSON) has averaged a monthly return of +0.53% with a median return of +0.56%. The stock had 242 positive months (54%) and 210 negative months (46%). The best month in PSON's history was October 2002 with a +33.9% return, while the worst was September 2001 at -25.6%. Historically, March tends to be the strongest month (averaging +2.1%), and September the weakest (-1.7%).
PSON's longest winning streak was 9 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 9 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 1999 with a cumulative return of +59.1%, and the worst was 2001 at -58.9%.
Annual Returns
Over 38 years of trading history, Pearson plc (PSON) has delivered an average annual return of +6.46% with a median return of +6.63%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +3.36%. The stock posted gains in 23 years (61%) and losses in 15 years (39%).
PSON's best year was 1999 with a +68.01% gain, while the worst was 2001 at -50.24%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 5, and the longest losing streak was 3 years. PSON achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 16 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 9 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -5.94% | £1,050.00 | £987.60 |
| 2025 | -18.08% | £1,281.74 | £1,050.00 |
| 2024 | +32.99% | £963.79 | £1,281.74 |
| 2023 | +2.69% | £938.55 | £963.79 |
| 2022 | +53.20% | £612.62 | £938.55 |
| 2021 | -9.85% | £679.58 | £612.62 |
| 2020 | +6.85% | £636.00 | £679.58 |
| 2019 | -32.10% | £936.72 | £636.00 |
| 2018 | +27.53% | £734.52 | £936.72 |
| 2017 | -10.03% | £816.38 | £734.52 |
| 2016 | +11.28% | £733.66 | £816.38 |
| 2015 | -38.13% | £1,185.75 | £733.66 |
| 2014 | -11.22% | £1,335.60 | £1,185.75 |
| 2013 | +12.92% | £1,182.77 | £1,335.60 |
| 2012 | -1.78% | £1,204.24 | £1,182.77 |
| 2011 | +20.08% | £1,002.85 | £1,204.24 |
| 2010 | +13.17% | £886.14 | £1,002.85 |
| 2009 | +39.07% | £637.20 | £886.14 |
| 2008 | -12.39% | £727.31 | £637.20 |
| 2007 | -5.09% | £766.28 | £727.31 |
| 2006 | +12.26% | £682.61 | £766.28 |
| 2005 | +9.43% | £623.79 | £682.61 |
| 2004 | +1.08% | £617.10 | £623.79 |
| 2003 | +8.32% | £569.71 | £617.10 |
| 2002 | -27.35% | £784.15 | £569.71 |
| 2001 | -50.24% | £1,575.95 | £784.15 |
| 2000 | -9.97% | £1,750.50 | £1,575.95 |
| 1999 | +68.01% | £1,041.92 | £1,750.50 |
| 1998 | +50.85% | £690.69 | £1,041.92 |
| 1997 | +5.56% | £654.29 | £690.69 |
| 1996 | +20.14% | £544.59 | £654.29 |
| 1995 | +12.46% | £484.24 | £544.59 |
| 1994 | -8.70% | £530.37 | £484.24 |
| 1993 | +55.94% | £340.12 | £530.37 |
| 1992 | +11.76% | £304.32 | £340.12 |
| 1991 | +6.40% | £286.00 | £304.32 |
| 1990 | -14.70% | £335.28 | £286.00 |
| 1989 | +19.04% | £281.64 | £335.28 |
PSON Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating Pearson plc as an investment
Valuation
PSON currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 19.4, which is considered moderate relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 12.8 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 171.9. The price-to-sales ratio is 1.7.
Dividends
Pearson plc pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 2.55%. This translates to £0.25 per share annually. The payout ratio of 48% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
PSON has a beta of -0.07, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is £874.80 to £1275.00, and it currently trades in the lower half of its 52-week range.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 11 analyst opinions, PSON has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of £1163.91 suggests 17.9% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: PSON
What sector is PSON in? ▼
PSON operates in the Communication Services sector, specifically in the Publishing industry. This sector includes telecom companies, media firms, and interactive entertainment businesses.
How has PSON performed historically? ▼
Over 38 years of trading history, PSON has posted gains in 23 years (61% of the time). The best year was 1999 with a +68.0% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in PSON? ▼
You can invest in PSON through any brokerage account that offers access to the London Stock Exchange. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold PSON.
Does PSON pay dividends? ▼
Pearson plc pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 2.55%. This translates to £0.25 per share annually. The payout ratio of 48% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
What does Pearson plc do? ▼
Pearson plc is a Publishing company operating in the Communication Services sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.
What sector is PSON in? ▼
PSON operates in the Communication Services sector, specifically in the Publishing industry.
When did PSON go public? ▼
Pearson plc went public in 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would £1,000 invested in PSON 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A £1,000 investment in PSON five years ago would be worth approximately £1,238 today, representing a 23.9% return.
Does PSON pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Pearson plc pays a dividend with a current yield of 2.55%, which is £0.25 per share annually.
What is PSON's market cap? ▼
Pearson plc has a market capitalization of £6.2 billion, classifying it as a mid-cap company.
What is PSON's P/E ratio? ▼
PSON has a trailing P/E ratio of 19.4 and a forward P/E of 12.8, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is PSON a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 11 opinions, PSON has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is £1163.91.
Last updated: 3/14/2026