UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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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 November 2005
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
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This Report includes the following documents:
1. A press release from Pearson plc announcing 'Trading Statement'
1 November 2005
PEARSON NINE-MONTH TRADING UPDATE:
SALES UP 10% AND OPERATING PROFIT UP 20%
Pearson is today providing investors and analysts with a trading update. All
growth rates are for the first nine months of the year and are stated on an
underlying basis, excluding the impact of currency movements and portfolio
changes.
Pearson continues to trade strongly, in line with our expectations, and we are
on track to achieve significant growth in earnings, cash and return on invested
capital for the full year. All our businesses are making good progress, although
our key selling season in higher education and consumer publishing is still
ahead of us.
Highlights for first nine months of 2005
- Pearson sales up 10% and operating profit up 20%;
- Pearson Education sales up 13% with good growth in all parts:
School up 17%, helped by strong performance in US publishing market and
start-up of major new testing programmes concentrated in the early part of
the year;
Higher Education up 5% with leadership in publishing, online learning and
custom programmes producing good growth in the US;
Professional up 17%, benefiting from phasing of new contracts in testing
and government solutions. We now expect full-year sales growth in double
digits, with operating margins similar to 2004.
- FT Group sales up 5%, with Financial Times advertising revenues up 6%
and the newspaper on track to be around break even for the full year. IDC
reported sales up 13% and net income up 17% (under US GAAP);
- Penguin sales up 2%, with good publishing in US, UK and Australia
combating weak retail conditions, particularly in the UK. With the 2005
publishing schedule weighted more towards the first half, the rate of
growth has, as expected, slowed through the year.
Marjorie Scardino, chief executive, said:
"2005 is turning out to be the strong year we predicted, boosted by our steady
investment in products and services and continued gains in operating efficiency.
Penguin and the FT Group are making solid progress while our education business
powers ahead. We are concentrating on trading well through our all-important
fourth quarter, and our momentum makes us confident."
Ends
For more information:
Luke Swanson + 44 (0) 207 010 2310
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: 01 November 2005
By: /s/ STEPHEN JONES
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Stephen Jones
Deputy Secretary