Pearson PLC (LON:PSON) shares rose on Friday as the group said it is on course to meet its expectations for the year as it reported a 1% rise in underlying revenue for its first quarter.
In a trading update, the FTSE 100-listed educational publishing group said growth in North America and its core business was partially offset by a decline in its growth segment due to the phasing of sales in South African school courseware.
READ: Pearson swings to full year profit as restructuring efforts pay off
The group added that its US higher education courseware revenues grew slightly as lower gross sales were offset by lower returns from the channel.
However, Pearson said underlying market pressures in this business continue to impact gross sales, as expected, and it has therefore left its guidance for 2018 unchanged.
The firm said it expects net sales in US higher education courseware to be flat to down mid-single digit percent in 2018.
Pearson’s chief executive John Fallon said: “We continue to make good progress against our strategic priorities including our digital transformation and we expect to grow underlying profit in 2018."
Net debt lower, shares higher
The group said its net debt at the end of the first quarter was down significantly year-on-year at £0.6bn, down from £1.1bn at the same stage in 2017.
In mid-morning trading, Pearson shares were 5% higher at 872.2p.
However, analysts at Liberum Capital retained a ‘sell’ rating and 450p price target on Pearson shares, saying the Q1 update does not change its view.
In a note to clients, they said: “While the FY guidance has been reiterated, we highlight that Q1 is not representative for Pearson and the group's profits are largely weighted towards H2.”
-- Adds share price, analysts comment --