London, February 15, 2026, 15:58 GMT — Market closed.
- Pearson shares last closed at 920p, up 1.75% on Friday.
- Stock is down 31.6% over 52 weeks and 12.4% year-to-date.
- Next big catalyst: Pearson’s full-year results on Feb 27.
Pearson PLC shares closed at 920 pence on Friday, up 1.75% on the day, as the London-listed education group ended the week higher. The stock is down 31.6% over the past 52 weeks and off 12.4% year-to-date. Pearson’s 14-day RSI, or Relative Strength Index — a momentum gauge used by some traders to flag overbought or oversold shares — stood at 42.9.
The next test is Pearson’s 2025 full-year results on Friday, Feb. 27, when the company plans a presentation and Q&A that will include its 2026 outlook. For a stock still trying to find a floor, guidance is the main near-term driver. (Pearson plc)
Pearson is also in the market with a £350 million share buyback aimed at reducing its capital. The first tranche, up to £175 million, is due to run until on or before May 21, and Citigroup Global Markets will make trading decisions independently of the company under a non-discretionary instruction, Pearson said in an announcement. Pearson also said its FY26 interest charge is expected to rise because the programme needs funding. (Investegate)
In a January trading update, Pearson said underlying sales — which strip out currency swings and portfolio changes — rose 4% in 2025, with fourth-quarter growth accelerating to 8%, and it expected adjusted operating profit of £610 million to £615 million. Chief executive Omar Abbosh said, “We enter 2026 with momentum,” though Pearson said it lost the contract with New Jersey and expected a headwind in the first half of 2026. (Pearson plc)
That leaves a familiar set of questions going into the new week: how quickly the assessment business replaces lost work, what happens to margins as contracts roll, and whether the company can keep cash generation strong while it buys stock. Pearson has pointed to partnerships and new product launches as it tries to widen its reach beyond traditional publishing.
The buyback is a support, but it comes with its own optics. Investors tend to like the shrinking share count, yet higher interest costs can bite if trading softens or if the outlook turns cautious.
The risk is straightforward and it is not abstract. A weaker outlook on Feb 27, or evidence that the assessment pipeline is thinner than hoped, would put pressure back on a share price that is still sharply lower over the past year.
For Monday’s session, traders will be watching for any fresh company updates tied to the buyback programme and for broader risk appetite in UK equities. Pearson’s shares have moved with the wider tape at times, even when the catalyst is company-specific.
