Pearson Seeks Block Listing for 2.5M Shares for Employee Schemes

TL;DR

**Pearson's listing 2.5M new shares for employee plans, watch for potential minor dilution.**

AI Summary

Pearson PLC, a global education company, announced on January 18, 2024, an application for a block listing of 2,500,000 ordinary shares, each valued at 25 pence, on the London Stock Exchange. These shares will be reserved for issuance under various employee share schemes, including the Pearson Long Term Incentive Plan, Deferred Share Bonus Plan, and Share Incentive Plan. This matters to investors because it indicates potential dilution as new shares are issued, but also signals the company's commitment to incentivizing employees, which can drive long-term performance.

Why It Matters

This filing signals Pearson's intent to issue new shares to employees, which could slightly dilute existing shareholder value but also aligns employee incentives with company performance.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: low — The block listing of shares for employee schemes is a routine corporate action and does not pose significant immediate risk to investors.

Analyst Insight

A smart investor would note this routine corporate action, understanding it's a standard way to incentivize employees, and monitor future filings for actual share issuances and their impact on outstanding share count.

Key Numbers

• 2,500,000 — ordinary shares (the number of shares being block listed)
• 25 pence — value per share (the nominal value of each ordinary share)
• January 2024 — month of report (when the 6-K report was filed)

Key Players & Entities

• Pearson PLC (company) — the registrant applying for the block listing
• Financial Conduct Authority (company) — regulatory body receiving the application
• London Stock Exchange (company) — the market where shares will be traded
• Pearson Long Term Incentive Plan (company) — one of the employee share schemes
• Deferred Share Bonus Plan (company) — one of the employee share schemes
• Share Incentive Plan (company) — one of the employee share schemes

Forward-Looking Statements

• Pearson's employee retention will improve due to these incentive plans. (Pearson PLC) — medium confidence, target: 2025-01-01

FAQ

Filing Documents

• a1547a.htm (6-K) — 17KB
• 0001654954-24-000708.txt ( ) — 18KB

From the Filing

LISTING APPLICATION a1547a UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549     FORM 6-K     REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934     For the month of January 2024     PEARSON plc (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)   N/A   (Translation of registrant's name into English)   80 Strand London, England WC2R 0RL 44-20-7010-2000 (Address of principal executive office)     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:       Form 20-F X                                                Form 40-F       Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934       Yes                                              No X         PEARSON PLC ("Pearson" or the "Company") Block Listing of Shares   Pearson announces that an application has been made to the Financial Conduct Authority and the London Stock Exchange for the block listing of 2,500,000 ordinary shares of 25 pence each in the capital of the Company ("Block Listing Shares") to be admitted to the Official List and to be traded on the main market of the London Stock Exchange ("Admission").   These Block Listing Shares are being reserved under a block listing. When issued, the Block Listing Shares shall rank pari passu with the existing issued shares of the Company.   Admission is expected to become effective at 8.00 am on Friday 19 th  January 2024.         SIGNATURE     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.       PEARSON plc     Date: 18 January 2024     By: /s/ NATALIE WHITE       ------------------------------------   Natalie White   Deputy Company Secretary    

View Full Filing

View this 6-K filing on SEC EDGAR