Pearson upbeat for Q4, confirms full-year outlook

(Sharecast News) - Pearson forecast a pick-up in fourth-quarter sales on Friday, leaving the educational publisher on track to meet full-year guidance. Updating on trading, Pearson said underlying sales had grown 4% in third quarter, helping lift revenues in the year-to-date by 2%.

Driving the growth was a 17% jump in third-quarter sales in virtual learning, helped by a 13% increase in 2025/26 academic year enrolments in the fall semester, while revenues in its assessment and qualifications were 4% higher.

That helped offset a 1% dip in higher education, which is battling challenging tradition conditions in more mature markets.

The blue chip said it had been a quarter of "good progress", with robust performances across all its businesses.

Looking ahead, it continued: "We expect group sales growth and adjusted operating profit in line with market expectations for 2025, with stronger sales growth in the fourth quarter."

Consensus is currently for full-year underlying sales growth of 4% and adjusted operating profit of £656m.

Omar Abbosh, chief executive, said: "Our teams continue to execute against our strategic priorities, leading on the application of innovative technologies and growing our enterprise customer footprint.

"With clear drivers for strong future growth, we are well position for the opportunities that lie ahead."