Pearson interim profit falls amid higher costs but ups dividend

Pearson PLC on Friday reiterated its 2026 and medium-term guidance, expecting to be "uniquely" placed to meet growing customer demand, as interim revenue rose.

The London-based education materials publisher said pretax profit fell 6.0% to £205 million in the first half of 2026, from £218 million a year prior.

Revenue rose 3.3% to £1.78 billion from £1.72 billion.

Costs of goods sold increased 3.1% to £869 million from £843 million, while operating costs were at £657 million, up a notch from £645 million.

Finance costs increased 57% to £74 million from £47 million.

Pearson proposed an interim dividend of 8.2 pence per share, up 5.1% from 7.8p a year ago.

The company reiterated its 2026 guidance, anticipating delivering mid-single-digit underlying revenue growth and adjusted operating profit of £640 million to £685 million. For 2025, it had reported adjusted operating profit of £614 million.

For the medium-term, the company said it continues to be positioned to deliver a mid-single-digit underlying revenue growth compound annual growth rate.

Chief Executive Omar Abbosh said: "We have delivered a good first-half performance and executed well against our strategy, with a focus on driving operational improvements while innovating to build learning and assessment experiences that help our customers progress in their lives. We are reiterating our full year guidance and remain confident in Pearson's long-term growth opportunities. We are excited about the future and believe Pearson is uniquely placed to meet the growing customer demand for reskilling in an AI driven world."

Pearson will announce a nine-month trading update on October 22.

Pearson shares fell 0.9% to 1,281.50 pence each on Friday morning in London.

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