1054 GMT - Pearson's assessment & qualifications business is likely to be a core focus when the education company reports half-year earnings on July 31, Citi analyst Ciaran Donnelly writes. Underlying sales for the unit--which is forecast to generate about 55% of fiscal 2026 profits--fell 1% in the first quarter and are expected to rise 1.3% for the first half, Donnelly says, citing a Visible Alpha consensus. "[Second half] growth benefits from the ramp up of new contracts and the New Jersey contract loss falling away," Donnelly writes. The company has forecast mid-single-digit group underlying sales growth for the year, with low to mid-single-digit growth in the A&Q business. Shares are up 0.9% at 1,237.50 pence. (ian.walker@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 06, 2026 06:54 ET (10:54 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.