Pearson Q1 2025 Trading Update (Unaudited)
PR Newswire
LONDON, May 2, 2025
Pearson on track to deliver 2025 guidance(1) with expected Q1 result and momentum building for the second half
LONDON, May 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ --
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)
-- Continuing to lead on the application of innovative technologies,
with the launch of an AI-powered Smart Lesson Generator (link
here)
-- New contract wins in Enterprise Learning & Skills; including with
UK Ministry of Defence (link here)
-- Launch of redefined Pearson brand to embrace the future of
learning (link here)
-- GBP350m share buyback programme launched and progressing; GBP0.1bn 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
expectations1 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 conversion2, 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 GBP0.1bn previously paid in relation to State Aid was recovered in
full during Q1 2025.
-- In March 2025 we commenced our GBP350m share buyback programme, with
GBP65m purchased up to 30th 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 7th 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 4th April 2025.
We want to thank Marykay for her work on our technology foundations and
capabilities.
Financial summary
Q1 2025
Sales 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
Sales low single-digit sales growth in H1 with
growth stronger growth in H2.
---------- ---------------- ------------------------------------------------
Assessment & Sales to grow low to mid-single digit. Growth
Qualifications will be H2 weighted with new 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
Education as we build on the 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
Language impacts of elections on immigration rates in
Learning 2025 affecting our PTE business, which is
expected to 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
Learning & Qualifications seeing solid growth and the
Skills addition of several new contracts for Enterprise
Solutions. Growth will increase quarter on
quarter.
---------- ---------------- ------------------------------------------------
Group Adjusted In line with market expectations(1) .
Profit Operating
Profit
---------------- ------------------------------------------------
Interest Adjusted net finance costs of c.GBP65m
reflecting the impact of the Education Bond and
GBP350m 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 GBP0.1bn State Aid repayment
which was received in full during Q1 2025.
------------------------------------------------
FX Every 1c movement in GBP:USD rate equates to
approximately GBP5m adjusted operating profit
impact.
---------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
(1) 2025 consensus on the Pearson website dated 27(th) January 2025;
underlying sales growth 4.4%, adjusted operating profit of GBP656m at GBP:$
1.23. The average GBP:$ rate for Q1 2025 was 1.27, which if held for the
full year would imply an updated adjusted operating profit consensus of
c.GBP636m, 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
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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.
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SOURCE Pearson
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