Pearson PLC (LSE:PSON) will set out its full-year 2025 results on February 26, with Citi telling clients that guidance for 2026, artificial intelligence positioning and the Enterprise opportunity are likely to be the key areas of focus.
Shares have de-rated by about 13% year to date and by about 30% since 2025, Citi said, reflecting what it called an escalation in AI concerns.
Citi said it had previously argued that companies perceived to be “AI losers” have the best chance of shifting the market narrative if they can show sequential improvement in organic revenue growth or prompt consensus upgrades.
Pearson fits the profile of the former, Citi said, and the bank expects the 2026 outlook to signal sequential improvement in organic growth.
Citi said investors are likely to look for evidence of Pearson’s “innovation credentials and AI positioning” alongside any discussion of growth in Enterprise.
The shares were up 2% at 923p.
The broker also said the recent share price weakness meant valuation would remain closely tied to AI sentiment towards the sector.
Citi said any change in valuation is likely to be driven by whether market concerns around AI ease, rather than by the reporting of the 2025 figures alone.