Blueprint
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM 6-K
 
 
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the month of December 2018
 
 
PEARSON plc
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
N/A
 
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
 
80 Strand
London, England WC2R 0RL
44-20-7010-2000
(Address of principal executive office)
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
 
 
 
Form 20-F X                                                Form 40-F
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
 
 
Yes                                              No X
 
 
 
TR-1: Standard form for notification of major holdings
 
 
NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR HOLDINGS (to be sent to the relevant issuer and to the FCA in Microsoft Word format if possible)i
 
1a. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attachedii:
Pearson PLC
1b. Please indicate if the issuer is a non-UK issuer  (please mark with an "X" if appropriate)
Non-UK issuer
 
2. Reason for the notification (please mark the appropriate box or boxes with an "X")
An acquisition or disposal of voting rights
 
An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments
X
An event changing the breakdown of voting rights
 
Other (please specify)iii
 
3. Details of person subject to the notification obligationiv
Name
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
City and country of registered office (if applicable)
Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street,
Wilmington DE 19801, USA
4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.)v
Name
Goldman Sachs International    
City and country of registered office (if applicable)
Peterborough Court, 133 Fleet Street, London
EC4A 2BB, UK
5. Date on which the threshold was crossed or reachedvi:
20/12/2018
6. Date on which issuer notified (DD/MM/YYYY):
24/12/2018
7. Total positions of person(s) subject to the notification obligation
 
% of voting rights attached to shares (total of 8. A)
% of voting rights through financial instruments(total of 8.B 1 + 8.B 2)
Total of both in % (8.A + 8.B)
Total number of voting rights of issuervii
Resulting situation on the date on which threshold was crossed or reached
0.53%
5.92%
6.44%
                        781,072,200
 
Position of previous notification (if applicable)
0.92%
5.81%
6.74%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8. Notified details of the resulting situation on the date on which the threshold was crossed or reachedviii
A: Voting rights attached to shares
Class/type ofshares
ISIN code (if possible)
Number of voting rightsix
% of voting rights
Direct
(Art 9 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.1)
Indirect
(Art 10 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.2.1)
Direct
(Art 9 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.1)
Indirect
(Art 10 of Directive 2004/109/EC) (DTR5.2.1)
GB0006776081
 
3,706,478
 
0.47%
US7050151056
 
408,838
 
0.05%
 
 
 
 
 
SUBTOTAL 8. A
4,115,316
0.53
 
B 1: Financial Instruments according to Art. 13(1)(a) of Directive 2004/109/EC (DTR5.3.1.1 (a))
Type of financial instrument
Expirationdatex
Exercise/Conversion Periodxi
Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is
exercised/converted.
% of voting rights
Securities Lending
Open
 
20,796,740
2.66%
Put option
15-Mar-2019
 
1,000,000
0.13%
Put option
15-Mar-2019
 
1,000,000
0.13%
Put option
15-Feb-2019
 
1,000,000
0.13%
Put option
15-Mar-2019
 
1,000,000
0.13%
Call Option
21-Dec-2018
 
400,000
0.05%
 
SUBTOTAL 8. B 1
25,196,740
3.23%
 
B 2: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect according to Art. 13(1)(b) of Directive 2004/109/EC (DTR5.3.1.1 (b))
Type of financial instrument
Expirationdatex
Exercise/Conversion Period xi
Physical or cash
settlementxii
Number of voting rights
% of voting rights
Refer to Annexure
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUBTOTAL 8.B.2
25,405,695
3.25%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9. Information in relation to the person subject to the notification obligation (please mark the applicable box with an "X")
Person subject to the notification obligation is not controlled by any natural person or legal entity and does not control any other undertaking(s) holding directly or indirectly an interest in the (underlying) issuerxiii
 
Full chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or thefinancial instruments are effectively held starting with the ultimate controlling natural person or legal entityxiv(please add additional rows as necessary)
X
Namexv
% of voting rights if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold
% of voting rights through financial instruments if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold
Total of both if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs (UK) L.L.C.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs Group UK Limited
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs International
 
4.12%
4.12%
 
 
 
 
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
 
 
 
GSAM Holdings LLC
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs Asset Management International Holdings L.L.C.
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs Asset Management Co., Ltd.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
 
 
 
GSAM Holdings LLC
 
 
 
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P.
 
 
 
 
10. In case of proxy voting, please identify:
Name of the proxy holder
N/A
The number and % of voting rights held
N/A
The date until which the voting rights will be held
N/A
 
11. Additional informationxvi
Please note, total amount of voting rights have been rounded to 2 decimal places therefore there is a possibility of a rounding error.
 
General email contact:
gs-regops-emea-position-enquiries@gs.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
Place of completion
London
Date of completion
24/12/2018
 
 
Natalie White
Deputy Company Secretary
Pearson plc
 
27 December 2018
 
 
Annexure
 
B 2: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect according to Art. 13(1)(b) of Directive 2004/109/EC (DTR5.3.1.1 (b))
 
Type of financial instrument
Expiration datex
Exercise/Conversion periodxi
Physical or cash settlementxii
Number of voting rights
% of voting rights
 
 
CFD
10-Dec-2025
 
Cash
                        3,100,153
0.40%
 
CFD
23-Sep-2020
 
Cash
                        2,464,000
0.32%
 
CFD
4-Dec-2023
 
Cash
                        1,651,890
0.21%
 
CFD
20-Oct-2027
 
Cash
                        1,207,888
0.15%
 
Swap
28-Jul-2021
 
Cash
                        1,096,212
0.14%
 
Swap
28-Jul-2021
 
Cash
                            757,148
0.10%
 
CFD
15-Sep-2028
 
Cash
                            743,664
0.10%
 
CFD
9-Sep-2021
 
Cash
                            711,542
0.09%
 
CFD
17-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                            509,700
0.07%
 
Call Option
9-Jan-2019
 
Cash
                            478,278
0.06%
 
Swap
12-Oct-2023
 
Cash
                            397,330
0.05%
 
CFD
15-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                            368,890
0.05%
 
Call Option
15-Jan-2019
 
Cash
                            334,655
0.04%
 
CFD
16-Jun-2028
 
Cash
                            328,703
0.04%
 
CFD
15-Jul-2021
 
Cash
                            328,703
0.04%
 
CFD
20-Oct-2027
 
Cash
                            308,401
0.04%
 
CFD
20-Oct-2027
 
Cash
                            308,140
0.04%
 
Swap
30-Nov-2023
 
Cash
                            300,000
0.04%
 
CFD
4-Dec-2023
 
Cash
                            284,110
0.04%
 
Call Option
11-Jan-2019
 
Cash
                            261,788
0.03%
 
CFD
24-Mar-2028
 
Cash
                            259,000
0.03%
 
CFD
19-May-2027
 
Cash
                            256,115
0.03%
 
CFD
4-Dec-2023
 
Cash
                            254,475
0.03%
 
Swap
3-Feb-2023
 
Cash
                            250,801
0.03%
 
Swap
29-Nov-2023
 
Cash
                            250,000
0.03%
 
CFD
21-Jun-2028
 
Cash
                            229,624
0.03%
 
Swap
29-Nov-2023
 
Cash
                            225,000
0.03%
 
CFD
27-Sep-2028
 
Cash
                            217,594
0.03%
 
CFD
9-Sep-2021
 
Cash
                            208,879
0.03%
 
CFD
23-Aug-2028
 
Cash
                            204,000
0.03%
 
Swap
28-Jul-2021
 
Cash
                            203,317
0.03%
 
Swap
2-Feb-2023
 
Cash
                            198,606
0.03%
 
CFD
25-Apr-2019
 
Cash
                            177,353
0.02%
 
CFD
6-Dec-2028
 
Cash
                            176,900
0.02%
 
Swap
28-Jul-2021
 
Cash
                            170,231
0.02%
 
Swap
21-May-2019
 
Cash
                            164,211
0.02%
 
CFD
12-Jul-2023
 
Cash
                            158,153
0.02%
 
CFD
12-Jun-2028
 
Cash
                            156,757
0.02%
 
CFD
10-Mar-2028
 
Cash
                            147,722
0.02%
 
CFD
22-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                            134,667
0.02%
 
Swap
28-Jul-2021
 
Cash
                            131,070
0.02%
 
Swap
17-Sep-2020
 
Cash
                            128,491
0.02%
 
CFD
17-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                            125,499
0.02%
 
CFD
17-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                            121,696
0.02%
 
CFD
25-Feb-2027
 
Cash
                            120,007
0.02%
 
Swap
3-Feb-2023
 
Cash
                            117,797
0.02%
 
CFD
15-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                            116,110
0.01%
 
CFD
4-Dec-2023
 
Cash
                            114,713
0.01%
 
Call Option
8-Feb-2019
 
Cash
                            114,470
0.01%
 
Call Option
12-Mar-2019
 
Cash
                            113,701
0.01%
 
Swap
13-Oct-2023
 
Cash
                            113,548
0.01%
 
Swap
22-Mar-2019
 
Cash
                            113,300
0.01%
 
CFD
20-Oct-2021
 
Cash
                            109,250
0.01%
 
CFD
24-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                            106,470
0.01%
 
Call Option
19-Feb-2019
 
Cash
                            101,290
0.01%
 
Swap
2-Feb-2023
 
Cash
                              93,281
0.01%
 
CFD
17-Jul-2028
 
Cash
                              92,500
0.01%
 
Swap
29-Nov-2023
 
Cash
                              91,988
0.01%
 
Swap
8-Dec-2023
 
Cash
                              91,426
0.01%
 
Swap
14-Jun-2023
 
Cash
                              86,565
0.01%
 
Call Option
5-Mar-2019
 
Cash
                              86,170
0.01%
 
Swap
12-Jul-2023
 
Cash
                              84,590
0.01%
 
CFD
26-Nov-2021
 
Cash
                              80,948
0.01%
 
CFD
11-Aug-2023
 
Cash
                              77,077
0.01%
 
CFD
1-Mar-2028
 
Cash
                              76,610
0.01%
 
Call Option
8-Mar-2019
 
Cash
                              74,072
0.01%
 
Swap
7-Jul-2023
 
Cash
                              73,094
0.01%
 
Call Option
6-Mar-2019
 
Cash
                              69,746
0.01%
 
Swap
3-Feb-2023
 
Cash
                              68,758
0.01%
 
CFD
4-Dec-2023
 
Cash
                              68,531
0.01%
 
CFD
20-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                              68,454
0.01%
 
Swap
29-Nov-2023
 
Cash
                              65,026
0.01%
 
CFD
5-Nov-2027
 
Cash
                              64,825
0.01%
 
CFD
17-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                              64,651
0.01%
 
Swap
15-Jun-2023
 
Cash
                              57,709
0.01%
 
CFD
24-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                              57,059
0.01%
 
CFD
20-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                              57,045
0.01%
 
Swap
5-Sep-2019
 
Cash
                              55,700
0.01%
 
CFD
4-Dec-2023
 
Cash
                              55,037
0.01%
 
CFD
17-Jul-2028
 
Cash
                              55,000
0.01%
 
Swap
2-Feb-2023
 
Cash
                              54,448
0.01%
 
Swap
5-Sep-2019
 
Cash
                              53,400
0.01%
 
CFD
10-Mar-2028
 
Cash
                              53,019
0.01%
 
CFD
1-Mar-2028
 
Cash
                              50,720
0.01%
 
Call Option
22-Feb-2019
 
Cash
                              47,819
0.01%
 
Call Option
15-Jan-2019
 
Cash
                              44,430
0.01%
 
Swap
1-Feb-2023
 
Cash
                              43,214
0.01%
 
CFD
25-Apr-2019
 
Cash
                              41,002
0.01%
 
Swap
14-Jun-2023
 
Cash
                              40,052
0.01%
 
CFD
17-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                              39,501
0.01%
 
CFD
17-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                              38,304
0.005%
 
CFD
22-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                              38,030
0.005%
 
Swap
12-Jul-2023
 
Cash
                              37,897
0.005%
 
CFD
17-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                              36,622
0.005%
 
CFD
17-Jul-2023
 
Cash
                              34,800
0.004%
 
CFD
21-Jul-2028
 
Cash
                              34,000
0.004%
 
CFD
24-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                              33,512
0.004%
 
CFD
25-Apr-2019
 
Cash
                              33,191
0.004%
 
Swap
7-Jul-2023
 
Cash
                              32,746
0.004%
 
CFD
14-Jul-2023
 
Cash
                              30,500
0.004%
 
Swap
12-Jun-2023
 
Cash
                              30,225
0.004%
 
CFD
25-Feb-2027
 
Cash
                              29,702
0.004%
 
CFD
25-Apr-2019
 
Cash
                              29,469
0.004%
 
Swap
15-Jun-2023
 
Cash
                              26,702
0.003%
 
CFD
1-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                              26,197
0.003%
 
CFD
13-Sep-2028
 
Cash
                              26,000
0.003%
 
CFD
6-Jul-2023
 
Cash
                              25,488
0.003%
 
CFD
1-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                              25,474
0.003%
 
CFD
25-Apr-2019
 
Cash
                              24,541
0.003%
 
CFD
26-Nov-2021
 
Cash
                              24,179
0.003%
 
Swap
14-Jun-2023
 
Cash
                              23,383
0.003%
 
Swap
12-Jul-2023
 
Cash
                              22,173
0.003%
 
CFD
20-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                              21,546
0.003%
 
CFD
13-Dec-2028
 
Cash
                              20,400
0.003%
 
CFD
17-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                              20,349
0.003%
 
Swap
1-Feb-2023
 
Cash
                              20,297
0.003%
 
CFD
25-Apr-2019
 
Cash
                              19,385
0.002%
 
Swap
7-Jul-2023
 
Cash
                              19,160
0.002%
 
CFD
17-Jul-2023
 
Cash
                              18,700
0.002%
 
CFD
24-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                              17,959
0.002%
 
CFD
20-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                              17,955
0.002%
 
CFD
23-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                              17,711
0.002%
 
CFD
27-Feb-2023
 
Cash
                              17,128
0.002%
 
CFD
4-Dec-2023
 
Cash
                              16,369
0.002%
 
Swap
28-Mar-2019
 
Cash
                              16,200
0.002%
 
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
                              16,129
0.002%
 
Swap
17-Sep-2020
 
Cash
                              15,868
0.002%
 
Swap
30-Apr-2019
 
Cash
                              15,800
0.002%
 
Swap
15-Jun-2023
 
Cash
                              15,589
0.002%
 
CFD
11-Nov-2020
 
Cash
                              15,090
0.002%
 
CFD
18-Sep-2019
 
Cash
                              15,000
0.002%
 
CFD
21-Jul-2028
 
Cash
                              15,000
0.002%
 
CFD
22-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                              14,532
0.002%
 
Swap
31-Dec-2019
 
Cash
                              14,300
0.002%
 
Swap
12-Jun-2023
 
Cash
                              13,985
0.002%
 
Swap
3-Nov-2021
 
Cash
                              12,609
0.002%
 
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
                              12,597
0.002%
 
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
                              12,577
0.002%
 
CFD
20-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                              12,400
0.002%
 
CFD
22-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                              11,970
0.002%
 
Swap
1-Feb-2023
 
Cash
                              11,847
0.002%
 
CFD
26-Jun-2019
 
Cash
                              11,475
0.001%
 
Swap
31-Dec-2019
 
Cash
                              10,900
0.001%
 
CFD
28-Oct-2020
 
Cash
                              10,812
0.001%
 
Swap
6-Feb-2019
 
Cash
                              10,500
0.001%
 
CFD
27-Dec-2019
 
Cash
                              10,110
0.001%
 
CFD
27-Nov-2019
 
Cash
                              10,110
0.001%
 
CFD
14-Jan-2021
 
Cash
                                9,422
0.001%
 
CFD
30-Oct-2028
 
Cash
                                9,347
0.001%
 
CFD
14-Jan-2021
 
Cash
                                9,303
0.001%
 
Call Option
7-Jan-2019
 
Cash
                                9,001
0.001%
 
Swap
12-Oct-2023
 
Cash
                                8,622
0.001%
 
Swap
12-Jun-2023
 
Cash
                                8,165
0.001%
 
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
                                7,925
0.001%
 
CFD
25-Apr-2019
 
Cash
                                7,650
0.001%
 
CFD
27-Nov-2019
 
Cash
                                6,740
0.001%
 
Call Option
12-Mar-2019
 
Cash
                                6,688
0.001%
 
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
                                6,153
0.001%
 
Swap
8-Dec-2023
 
Cash
                                6,074
0.001%
 
CFD
15-Dec-2028
 
Cash
                                5,986
0.001%
 
CFD
9-Dec-2020
 
Cash
                                5,970
0.001%
 
CFD
21-Oct-2021
 
Cash
                                5,098
0.001%
 
CFD
15-Dec-2027
 
Cash
                                5,000
0.001%
 
CFD
12-May-2028
 
Cash
                                5,000
0.001%
 
CFD
8-Mar-2028
 
Cash
                                5,000
0.001%
 
CFD
3-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                                4,984
0.001%
 
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
                                4,774
0.001%
 
CFD
20-Dec-2028
 
Cash
                                4,700
0.001%
 
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
                                3,941
0.001%
 
Swap
3-Nov-2021
 
Cash
                                3,634
0.0005%
 
CFD
25-Apr-2019
 
Cash
                                3,060
0.0004%
 
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
                                3,050
0.0004%
 
CFD
2-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                                2,900
0.0004%
 
CFD
21-Dec-2028
 
Cash
                                2,880
0.0004%
 
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
                                2,857
0.0004%
 
Swap
3-Nov-2021
 
Cash
                                2,556
0.0003%
 
CFD
28-Oct-2020
 
Cash
                                2,350
0.0003%
 
CFD
28-Oct-2020
 
Cash
                                2,350
0.0003%
 
Swap
3-Nov-2021
 
Cash
                                2,214
0.0003%
 
Call Option
22-Feb-2019
 
Cash
                                2,150
0.0003%
 
CFD
6-Dec-2023
 
Cash
                                2,080
0.0003%
 
CFD
29-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                                1,900
0.0002%
 
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
                                1,768
0.0002%
 
CFD
27-Feb-2023
 
Cash
                                1,765
0.0002%
 
CFD
16-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                                1,259
0.0002%
 
CFD
22-Dec-2028
 
Cash
                                1,200
0.0002%
 
CFD
15-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                                1,100
0.0001%
 
CFD
16-Dec-2020
 
Cash
                                    662
0.0001%
 
CFD
18-Sep-2028
 
Cash
                                    602
0.0001%
 
Call Option
22-Feb-2019
 
Cash
                                    580
0.0001%
 
CFD
20-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                                    532
0.0001%
 
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
                                    461
0.0001%
 
CFD
6-Dec-2028
 
Cash
                                    433
0.0001%
 
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
                                    419
0.0001%
 
CFD
29-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                                    406
0.0001%
 
CFD
22-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                                    400
0.0001%
 
CFD
8-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                                    400
0.0001%
 
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
                                    329
0.00004%
 
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
                                    323
0.00004%
 
CFD
15-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                                    300
0.00004%
 
CFD
10-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                                    300
0.00004%
 
CFD
9-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                                    300
0.00004%
 
CFD
20-Dec-2028
 
Cash
                                    200
0.00003%
 
CFD
18-Dec-2028
 
Cash
                                    200
0.00003%
 
CFD
6-Dec-2028
 
Cash
                                    200
0.00003%
 
CFD
27-Sep-2028
 
Cash
                                    123
0.00002%
 
CFD
5-Oct-2028
 
Cash
                                    122
0.00002%
 
CFD
15-Dec-2028
 
Cash
                                    100
0.00001%
 
CFD
13-Dec-2028
 
Cash
                                    100
0.00001%
 
CFD
30-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                                    100
0.00001%
 
CFD
29-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                                    100
0.00001%
 
CFD
22-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                                    100
0.00001%
 
CFD
27-Sep-2028
 
Cash
                                      90
0.00001%
 
CFD
6-Oct-2028
 
Cash
                                      82
0.00001%
 
CFD
23-Nov-2028
 
Cash
                                      63
0.00001%
 
CFD
2-Oct-2028
 
Cash
                                      61
0.00001%
 
CFD
23-Oct-2028
 
Cash
                                      19
0.000002%
 
Total Number of voting rights and percentage of voting rights
                      25,405,695
3.25%
 
Additional information: Please note, total amount of voting rights have been rounded to 2 decimal places therefore there is a possibility of a rounding error.
 
 
 

 
 
 
SIGNATURE
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
PEARSON plc
 
 
Date: 27 December 2018
 
 
By: /s/ NATALIE WHITE
 
 
 
------------------------------------
 
Natalie White
 
Deputy Company Secretary