(PSON.L) Pearson PLC Buy/Sell

By Anupreeta Das and Megan Davies

NEW YORK, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Initial bids for Interactive Data Corp, the financial market data provider controlled by Pearson PLC, are due in mid-February, sources familiar with the situation said.
Interactive Data has a market value of about $2.8 billion, based on Tuesday's closing share price of $29.35 on the New York Stock Exchange. That values Pearson's 61 percent stake at roughly $1.7 billion.

U.K. publisher Pearson, which owns the Financial Times newspaper as well as the world's biggest educational publishing business and Penguin books, said in January that Interactive Data's board was conducting a preliminary review of strategic alternatives for the company.
Several private equity firms are expected to put in initial bids, the sources said.

Goldman Sachs, which is representing the sellers, has suggested to potential buyers it could offer debt financing at a multiple of 5.5-5.75 times Interactive Data's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), some of the sources said.
Other banks are suggesting offering slightly higher leverage multiples -- up to 6 times -- they said.
The banks' willingness to offer debt at these multiples signals an ongoing improvement in the financing markets. Prior to the credit crunch, it was common to finance private equity deals with large amounts of debt. But in recent months, many deals were being financed with a higher proportion of equity.
Interactive Data sells financial information and analytical tools to banks and other financial institutions, bringing it stable revenue that makes it an attractive buyout target.
One source described the process as being fluid, meaning that the timetable for the sale could change.
Selling the stake would let Pearson use the proceeds for other acquisitions in education in emerging markets or digital learning.

Representatives for Goldman Sachs, Bedford, Massachusetts-based Interactive Data and London-based Pearson declined to comment.

(Reporting by Megan Davies and Anupreeta Das; Editing by Derek Caney)

((megan.davies@thomsonreuters.com ; +1 646 223 6112; Reuters Messaging: megan.davies.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: INTERACTIVEDATA/ (For more M&A news and our DealZone blog, go to http://www.reuters.com/deals)

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LONDON, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Pearson's Financial Times has bought Medley Global Advisors, a provider of macroeconomic intelligence to hedge funds and banks, as it shifts emphasis from advertising-funded publications to subscription services.
UK-based Pearson, whose main business is educational publishing, said last month it may sell its $1.5 billion stake in Interactive Data Corp, which sells financial-market data and brings in most of the FT Group's revenues and profits.
The FT is stepping up its investments in premium services to reduce its reliance on advertising, which is emerging from a severe downturn but still in decline, and to withstand difficult conditions in the financial-services industry.
It said on Wednesday MGA's core subscribers, which include most of the world's top 20 banks, had stuck with the firm through the worst days of the global financial crisis.
In 2008, Pearson bought Money-Media, an online news and commentary service for fund managers. It also publishes FTfm, a weekly review of the fund-management industry, as well as owning the FT newspaper and a 50 percent stake in The Economist.
Privately owned Medley Global Advisors, founded by former George Soros political strategist Richard Medley in 1997, counts top hedge funds and asset managers as well as investment banks among its customers.
It had estimated gross assets of $7.3 million at the end of 2009 and employs about 45 staff around the world. Its clients are concentrated in the Americas and Europe.
FT Chief Executive John Ridding said he saw great growth potential in expanding editorial coverage outside those core markets, exploiting the FT's global presence.
"The timing is right for such an expansion with the rebalancing of the financial world beyond New York and London and the rapid rise of new financial centres in Asia and the Gulf," he said in comments sent by email.

(Reporting by Georgina Prodhan; Editing by Hans Peters) Keywords: PEARSON FT/ACQUISITION (georgina.prodhan@thomsonreuters.com; +4420 7542 7954; Reuters Messaging georgina.prodhan.reuters.com@reuters.net)

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RNS Number : 5934G Pearson PLC 03 February 2010

3 February 2010

PEARSON ACQUIRES MEDLEY GLOBAL ADVISORS

Leading provider of macro policy intelligence to investment banks, hedge funds and asset managers

Pearson, the international education and information company, today announces the acquisition of Medley Global Advisors LLC (MGA), a premier provider of macro policy intelligence to the world's top investment banks, hedge funds and asset managers. The acquisition strengthens the FT's position as a global leader in premium financial information. MGA had estimated gross assets of $7.3 million at the year end.

Medley Global Advisors provides in-depth research and analysis through email and verbal consultations to help clients understand and anticipate the major policy events driving interest rate, currency and energy markets.

The acquisition will enhance the FT's portfolio of services geared towards major global financial institutions and asset managers, including FTfm, its global fund management supplement, and Money-Media, the market leader in online news and commentary for the fund management sector.

"This acquisition delivers another premium service to an important FT audience and reinforces our strategy of building strong subscriber and digital businesses in core sectors," said John Ridding, Chief Executive of the Financial Times.

"MGA holds a unique position at the crossroads of the policy world and financial markets, combining primary research with direct access to policymakers to deliver breaking news and deep insights," Ridding said. "We see strengths across its portfolio of businesses, which complement existing FT efforts and strategy, and substantial scope for international growth."

The business will continue to be run from its headquarters in New York City and will maintain offices in Washington, DC, London, Frankfurt, Beijing and Tokyo. The team will look to grow the business both in the US and globally.

Craig Sawin, president of Medley Global Advisors, said: "This acquisition marks an important step in the development of MGA's business and we're delighted to be a part of the Financial Times. The FT's strong global position and expertise will strengthen our offering and serve as a great springboard for continued international expansion."

ENDS

For more information:

Charles Goldsmith/Simon Mays-Smith: + 44 (0)207 010 2310

This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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RNS Number : 4305G Pearson PLC 01 February 2010

PEARSON PLC

(the "Company")

Voting Rights and Capital

As at close of business on 31 January 2010, the Company had 811,260,195 ordinary shares of 25p each admitted to trading. Each ordinary share carries the right to one vote at general meetings. The Company does not hold any shares in Treasury.

This figure (811,260,195) may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine whether they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company under the FSA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

This announcement is made in conformity with the provisions of the Transparency Directive.

This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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