Pearson Q1 2026 Trading Update (Unaudited)

Continued execution drives good Q1 result. On track to deliver 2026 guidance. 

Highlights

• Underlying Group sales up 4% in Q1. 
• All business units performing in line with expectations; continued strong performance in Virtual Learning with underlying sales up 21%, and Assessment & Qualifications expected to return to growth from Q2.
• On track to deliver 2026 full year guidance. 
• Continued progress against our 2026 priorities, including: 
  • Advancing core business and enterprise power metrics, with an Enterprise strategic partnership with Salesforce and US Student Assessment contract win in Wyoming (link here). 
  • Leading with the application of innovative technologies, including the roll out of Communication Coach – an AI-powered learning solution integrated into Microsoft 365. 
  • Expansion of AI learning offerings through the launch of a Foundations of AI course for teachers (link here) and the first professional certification for Adobe Firefly (link here), helping to upskill learners and workers in the AI era. 
• £350m share buyback programme progressing well.

, /PRNewswire/ —

Omar Abbosh, Pearson’s Chief Executive, said:

“We have had an encouraging start to the year, with a good performance in line with our expectations and continued progress against our strategy. We are executing with discipline, advancing our core business and enterprise offerings, while applying innovative technologies to enhance learner experiences. We remain confident in the momentum we are seeing for 2026 and in our ability to deliver attractive growth for our shareholders.”

Underlying Group sales growth of 4% in Q1 2026

• Assessment & Qualifications sales were down 1%, as expected. Growth in Pearson Professional Assessments was driven by continued momentum from new contracts launched last year, partially offset by headwinds in PDRI. Clinical Assessment grew due to the continued traction of our products, particularly in International markets, pricing, and digital product growth. US Student Assessment won a new statewide assessment contract in Wyoming in the period, but sales declined impacted by the previously disclosed loss of the New Jersey contract. UK & International Qualifications declined slightly due to delivery phasing, reversing in Q2.
• Virtual Learning sales grew 21%, reflecting strong enrolment momentum within 2025/2026 academic year with enrolment growth increasing to 15%, alongside funding upside that phased earlier than last year, and favourable mix. Enrolment performance continues to be supported by ongoing investment in marketing and strong execution.
• Higher Education sales were up 2%, driven by continued solid performance in our core US Courseware business, partially offset by challenging trading conditions in mature International markets. In the quarter, there was growth of 19% in Inclusive Access and 2% in US digital subscriptions.
• English Language Learning sales increased 2%, driven by Institutional. Pearson Test of English (PTE) declined slightly due to a continued tough market backdrop.
• Enterprise Learning & Skills sales were up 8%. Vocational Qualifications grew well, in part benefitting from revenue phasing. Enterprise Solutions grew strongly, driven by the monetisation of strategic partnerships, including Salesforce.

On track to deliver 2026 guidance and medium term outlook unchanged

• For 2026, we expect to deliver mid-single digit underlying sales growth, adjusted operating profit of £640m-£685m at FX rates as at the end of 2025 (£:$ 1.35), including the impact of the 2025 product development impairment¹, and free cash flow conversion² of 90%-100%.
• Over the medium term, Pearson continues to be 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 conversion, 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.
• Our £350m share buyback programme is progressing well. As at 31^st March 2026, £219m of shares had been repurchased at an average price of 964p per share.
• In April 2026, we successfully issued a £350m 10-year bond under our Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) programme.

Financial summary

Throughout this announcement growth rates are stated on an underlying basis unless otherwise stated. Underlying growth rates exclude currency movements, and portfolio changes.

2026 guidance summary

Contacts

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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