Pearson on track to deliver 2025 guidance(1) with expected Q1 result and momentum building for the second half
LONDON, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/617186/Pearson_Logo.jpg [https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/617186/Pearson_Logo.jpg]
Highlights
-- Underlying Group sales up 1%, with growth expected to accelerate in the
second half of the year
-- All business units performing in line with expectations; strong start
for Higher Education with underlying sales up 6%
-- Good progress against our 2025 strategic priorities, including:
-- Expanding professional learning capabilities with our new Pearson
Skilling Suite (link here
[https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4418426-1&h=1977490410&u=https%
3A%2F%2Fplc.pearson.com%2Fen-GB%2Fnews-and-insights%2Fnews%2Fpearson
-expands-professional-learning-capabilities-new-skilling-partner&a=l
ink+here])
-- Continuing to lead on the application of innovative technologies,
with the launch of an AI-powered Smart Lesson Generator (link here
[https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4418426-1&h=1615915286&u=https%
3A%2F%2Fplc.pearson.com%2Fen-GB%2Fnews-and-insights%2Fnews%2Fpearson
-launches-smart-lesson-generator-ai-powered-innovation-transform&a=l
ink+here])
-- New contract wins in Enterprise Learning & Skills; including with UK
Ministry of Defence (link here
[https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4418426-1&h=1607016165&u=https%
3A%2F%2Fplc.pearson.com%2Fen-GB%2Fnews-and-insights%2Fnews%2Fpearson
-becomes-armys-largest-apprenticeship-provider&a=link+here])
-- Launch of redefined Pearson brand to embrace the future of learning
(link here
[https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4418426-1&h=3631711448&u=https%
3A%2F%2Fplc.pearson.com%2Fen-GB%2Fnews-and-insights%2Fnews%2Fpearson
-redefines-its-brand-embrace-future-learning&a=link+here])
-- £350m share buyback programme launched and progressing; £0.1bn State
Aid recovery received in full
Omar Abbosh, Pearson's Chief Executive, said:
"We continue to make good progress against our strategy, supporting our medium term growth outlook. We are confident of delivering on our expectations for the year given our clear path to achieving stronger growth in the second half, whilst we recognise the heightened uncertainties around the global economy.
Financial and operating performance in our smallest quarter was in line with our plans and we continue to build AI enhanced offerings across the business and make progress on our Enterprise initiatives."
Underlying Group sales growth of 1% in Q1 2025
-- Assessment & Qualifications sales were up 1%. Pearson VUE declined
slightly, with growth expected to be weighted to H2 driven by the timing
of new contracts and the test prep business building during the year,
supported by the recent launch of the Pearson Skilling Suite programme.
Clinical Assessment grew due to the continued traction of our products
in the market, with further new product releases planned this year, and
digital product growth. US Student Assessment saw a small decline due to
changes in programme services and timing of delivery. UK & International
Qualifications sales benefitted from International growth.
-- Virtual Learning sales decreased 4%, in line with guidance, reflecting
the impact of previous partner school losses and timing of funding
upsides in the prior period. 2024/25 academic year enrolments increased
by 5% in the Spring semester on a same school basis, with positive
retention trends.
-- Higher Education sales were up 6% benefitting from the continued
innovation and roll out of AI study tools for students and educators and
the ongoing successful monetisation of the Channels product. In the
quarter, there was growth of 22% in Inclusive Access and 4% in US
digital subscriptions. In our International business, 25 AI translated
titles were made available for Spring semester courses, expanding the
reach of Pearson learning experiences faster and more efficiently.
-- English Language Learning sales decreased 6%, in line with guidance.
Institutional declined due to a strong comparator period in Q1 2024, and
we expect performance to improve in Q2 and beyond. Pearson Test of
English (PTE) performed well against a tough market backdrop and despite
a decline in volumes we grew the business. We continue to lead on the
application of innovative technologies with the recent launch of
AI-powered Smart Lesson Generator and Digital Language Tutor.
-- Enterprise Learning & Skills sales were up 1%. Vocational Qualifications
delivered a solid performance with new contract wins supporting pipeline
growth, including apprenticeship courses with the UK Ministry of Defence
and T Levels in Health and Science. Enterprise Solutions announced
strategic partnerships with Microsoft and AWS in the quarter as we build
momentum in our Enterprise approach and related sales capability.
On track to achieve 2025 guidance and medium term outlook unchanged
-- We expect sales growth and adjusted operating profit in line with market
expectations(1) for 2025. We expect low single-digit sales growth in H1
with stronger growth in H2. We outline our previously issued 2025
guidance later in this release.
-- Beyond 2025, Pearson is positioned to deliver a mid-single digit
underlying sales growth CAGR, sustained margin improvement that will
equate to an average increase of 40 basis points per annum and strong
free cash conversion(2), in the region of 90% to 100%, on average,
across the period.
Strong financial position
-- Pearson's financial position remains strong, with low leverage and
strong liquidity.
-- The £0.1bn previously paid in relation to State Aid was recovered in
full during Q1 2025.
-- In March 2025 we commenced our £350m share buyback programme, with
£65m purchased up to 30(th) April 2025.
Executive Change
-- Dave Treat, Pearson's Chief Technology Officer, has assumed leadership
of the company's digital and technology operation alongside his current
architectural and innovation responsibilities, effective 7(th) April
2025. Dave joined Pearson last July and will play a crucial role in
scaling Pearson's AI offerings, bolstering our innovation pipeline, and
driving collaboration across different business units.
-- Marykay Wells, who led the Digital and Technology team as Chief
Information Officer, decided to leave Pearson, effective 4(th) April
2025. We want to thank Marykay for her work on our technology
foundations and capabilities.
Financial summary
Sales Q1 2025 Underlying growth Assessment & Qualifications 1 % Virtual Learning (4) % Higher Education 6 % English Language Learning (6) % Enterprise Learning & Skills 1 % Total 1 %
Throughout this announcement growth rates are stated on an underlying basis unless otherwise stated. Underlying growth rates exclude currency movements, and portfolio changes.
2025 guidance summary
Underlying Group In line with market expectations(1). We expect low single- digit sales growth Sales in H1 with stronger growth in H2. growth Assessment & Sales to grow low to mid-single digit. Growth will be H2 weighted with new Qualifications and renewed contracts and the test prep business building during the year. Virtual Learning Sales to decline in H1 given the final impact of previous school losses and the timing of funding in the previous year. Return to growth in H2 and the full year driven by enrolment increases, partially from new school openings, for the 25/26 academic year. Higher Sales growth in 2025 will be higher than in 2024 as we build on the Education successful results of our sales team transformation and product innovations, particularly using AI. Growth will be relatively stable throughout the year. English Sales growth will moderate given the likely impacts of elections on Language immigration rates in 2025 affecting our PTE business, which is expected to Learning decline in the year. Q1 declined in line with expectations and we expect growth to increase each quarter thereafter. We remain confident in the medium term outlook given demographic projections. Enterprise Sales to grow high single digit with Vocational Qualifications seeing solid Learning & growth and the addition of several new contracts for Enterprise Solutions. Skills Growth will increase quarter on quarter. Group Adjusted In line with market expectations(1). Profit Operating Profit Interest Adjusted net finance costs of c.BPS65m reflecting the impact of the Education Bond and BPS350m share buyback programme which commenced in March. Tax rate We expect the effective tax rate on adjusted profit before tax to be between 24% and 25%. Cash flow We expect a free cash flow conversion(2) of 90-100% plus the BPS0.1bn State Aid repayment which was received in full during Q1 2025. FX Every 1c movement in GBP:USD rate equates to approximately BPS5m adjusted operating profit impact.
(1)2025 consensus on the Pearson website dated 27th January 2025; underlying sales growth 4.4%, adjusted operating profit of BPS656m at BPS:$ 1.23. The average BPS:$ rate for Q1 2025 was 1.27, which if held for the full year would imply an updated adjusted operating profit consensus of c.BPS636m, applying the FX guidance stated above. (2)Free cash flow conversion calculated as free cash flow divided by adjusted earnings.
Contacts
Investor Relations Alex Shore +44 (0) 7720 947 853 Steph Crinnegan +44 (0) 7780 555 351 Gemma Terry +44 (0) 7841 363 216 Brennan Matthews +1 (332) 238-8785 Media Teneo Ed Cropley +44 (0) 7492 949 346 Pearson Laura Ewart +44 (0) 7798 846 805
About Pearson
At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realise the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's lifelong learning company, serving customers with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. Visit us at pearsonplc.com.
Notes
Forward looking statements: Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this statement include forward-looking statements. In particular, all statements that express forecasts, expectations and projections with respect to future matters, including trends in results of operations, margins, growth rates, overall market trends, the impact of interest or exchange rates, the availability of financing, anticipated cost savings and synergies and the execution of Pearson's strategy, are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in future. They are based on numerous assumptions regarding Pearson's present and future business strategies and the environment in which it will operate in the future. There are a number of factors which could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including a number of factors outside Pearson's control. These include international, national and local conditions, as well as competition. They also include other risks detailed from time to time in Pearson's publicly-filed documents and you are advised to read, in particular, the risk factors set out in Pearson's latest annual report and accounts, which can be found on its website (www.pearsonplc.com). Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Pearson gives no undertaking to update forward-looking statements to reflect any changes in its expectations with regard thereto or any changes to events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/617186/Pearson_Logo.jpg [https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4418426-1&h=696959936&u=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F617186%2FPearson_Logo.jpg&a=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F617186%2FPearson_Logo.jpg]
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/pearson-q1-2025-trading-update-unaudited-302444663.html [https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/pearson-q1-2025-trading-update-unaudited-302444663.html]
Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/617186/Pearson_Logo.jpg Pearson
