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 February 2019
 
 
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
 
An event changing the breakdown of voting rights
X
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:
21/02/2019
6. Date on which issuer notified (DD/MM/YYYY):
25/02/2019
7. Total positions of person(s) subject to the notification obligation
 
% of voting rights
attached to shares
(total of 8. A)
% of voting rights throughfinancial
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
0.54%
7.07%
7.61%
                            781,409,422
 
Position of previous notification (if
applicable)
0.55%
6.62%
7.17%
 
 
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
 
3,717,237
 
0.48%
US7050151056
 
520,783
 
0.07%
 
 
 
 
 
SUBTOTAL 8. A
4,238,020
0.54%
 
 
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
 
9,653,170
1.24%
Put Option
18-Apr-2019
 
1,750,000
0.22%
Put Option
15-Mar-2019
 
1,000,000
0.13%
Put Option
15-Mar-2019
 
1,000,000
0.13%
 
 
SUBTOTAL 8. B 1
13,403,170
1.72%
 
 
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
41,849,233
5.36%
 
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
 
5.87%
5.87%
 
 
 
 
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
25/02/2019
 
 
Natalie White
Deputy Company Secretary
Pearson plc
 
26 February 2019
 
 
 
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
15-Sep-2028
 
Cash
2,847,982
0.36%
CFD
10-Dec-2025
 
Cash
2,650,131
0.34%
CFD
20-Oct-2027
 
Cash
1,846,611
0.24%
CFD
23-Sep-2020
 
Cash
1,834,093
0.23%
CFD
23-Feb-2024
 
Cash
1,800,000
0.23%
CFD
4-Dec-2023
 
Cash
1,578,008
0.20%
CFD
21-Feb-2024
 
Cash
1,300,000
0.17%
CFD
7-Feb-2024
 
Cash
1,240,000
0.16%
CFD
19-Feb-2029
 
Cash
1,140,898
0.15%
CFD
21-Feb-2024
 
Cash
1,100,000
0.14%
Swap
28-Jul-2021
 
Cash
1,050,699
0.13%
CFD
14-Feb-2024
 
Cash
970,000
0.12%
CFD
12-Feb-2024
 
Cash
865,494
0.11%
CFD
26-Jan-2024
 
Cash
865,000
0.11%
CFD
22-Feb-2024
 
Cash
800,000
0.10%
Swap
28-Jul-2021
 
Cash
757,148
0.10%
CFD
17-Jul-2020
 
Cash
667,745
0.09%
CFD
29-Jan-2024
 
Cash
663,999
0.08%
CFD
31-Jan-2029
 
Cash
445,560
0.06%
CFD
6-Dec-2028
 
Cash
440,459
0.06%
CFD
14-Feb-2024
 
Cash
419,554
0.05%
CFD
12-Jul-2023
 
Cash
410,818
0.05%
CFD
9-Feb-2024
 
Cash
406,520
0.05%
CFD
16-Feb-2029
 
Cash
394,000
0.05%
CFD
9-Sep-2021
 
Cash
384,939
0.05%
CFD
20-Oct-2027
 
Cash
378,633
0.05%
CFD
18-Jan-2029
 
Cash
378,017
0.05%
CFD
20-Oct-2027
 
Cash
369,444
0.05%
CFD
19-Feb-2029
 
Cash
359,102
0.05%
CFD
15-Jul-2021
 
Cash
328,703
0.04%
CFD
16-Jun-2028
 
Cash
328,703
0.04%
Swap
30-Nov-2023
 
Cash
300,000
0.04%
CFD
19-Feb-2024
 
Cash
265,000
0.03%
CFD
24-Mar-2028
 
Cash
259,000
0.03%
CFD
4-Dec-2023
 
Cash
251,216
0.03%
Swap
3-Feb-2023
 
Cash
250,801
0.03%
Swap
29-Nov-2023
 
Cash
250,000
0.03%
CFD
22-Feb-2024
 
Cash
248,352
0.03%
CFD
19-May-2027
 
Cash
230,013
0.03%
CFD
4-Dec-2023
 
Cash
228,893
0.03%
Swap
29-Nov-2023
 
Cash
225,000
0.03%
Swap
18-Jan-2024
 
Cash
222,460
0.03%
CFD
27-Sep-2028
 
Cash
217,594
0.03%
CFD
21-Feb-2024
 
Cash
215,238
0.03%
CFD
23-Feb-2024
 
Cash
206,960
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
22-Feb-2021
 
Cash
192,056
0.02%
Swap
18-Jan-2024
 
Cash
183,004
0.02%
Swap
21-May-2019
 
Cash
177,447
0.02%
CFD
21-Jun-2028
 
Cash
174,867
0.02%
Swap
28-Jul-2021
 
Cash
170,231
0.02%
CFD
21-Feb-2024
 
Cash
170,178
0.02%
CFD
18-Jan-2029
 
Cash
170,000
0.02%
CFD
31-Jan-2029
 
Cash
166,473
0.02%
Swap
1-Feb-2024
 
Cash
155,100
0.02%
CFD
18-Jan-2029
 
Cash
152,120
0.02%
CFD
25-Jan-2029
 
Cash
152,120
0.02%
CFD
16-Feb-2024
 
Cash
140,912
0.02%
CFD
31-Jan-2024
 
Cash
136,001
0.02%
CFD
17-Jan-2029
 
Cash
135,485
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
123,752
0.02%
CFD
2-Feb-2029
 
Cash
122,404
0.02%
CFD
18-Jan-2029
 
Cash
118,983
0.02%
Swap
3-Feb-2023
 
Cash
117,797
0.02%
CFD
31-Jan-2029
 
Cash
115,429
0.01%
CFD
25-Feb-2027
 
Cash
115,007
0.01%
Swap
22-Mar-2019
 
Cash
113,300
0.01%
CFD
19-Jan-2029
 
Cash
110,000
0.01%
CFD
9-Sep-2021
 
Cash
109,171
0.01%
CFD
15-Feb-2022
 
Cash
107,000
0.01%
Swap
18-Jan-2024
 
Cash
106,899
0.01%
CFD
10-Mar-2028
 
Cash
105,601
0.01%
CFD
4-Dec-2023
 
Cash
102,090
0.01%
Swap
18-Jan-2024
 
Cash
101,869
0.01%
CFD
18-Jan-2029
 
Cash
100,000
0.01%
CFD
12-Jun-2028
 
Cash
98,591
0.01%
CFD
21-Feb-2029
 
Cash
93,554
0.01%
Swap
2-Feb-2023
 
Cash
93,281
0.01%
Swap
29-Nov-2023
 
Cash
91,988
0.01%
Swap
14-Jun-2023
 
Cash
86,565
0.01%
CFD
8-Feb-2024
 
Cash
86,367
0.01%
CFD
31-Jan-2029
 
Cash
85,399
0.01%
Swap
12-Jul-2023
 
Cash
84,590
0.01%
CFD
31-Jan-2029
 
Cash
83,905
0.01%
CFD
21-Feb-2024
 
Cash
82,784
0.01%
CFD
11-Aug-2023
 
Cash
82,374
0.01%
CFD
26-Nov-2021
 
Cash
80,948
0.01%
CFD
18-Jan-2029
 
Cash
80,000
0.01%
CFD
21-Feb-2024
 
Cash
75,051
0.01%
CFD
18-Jan-2029
 
Cash
75,000
0.01%
Swap
7-Jul-2023
 
Cash
73,094
0.01%
CFD
17-Jul-2028
 
Cash
71,500
0.01%
Swap
3-Feb-2023
 
Cash
68,758
0.01%
Call Option
16-Apr-2019
 
Cash
66,311
0.01%
Swap
29-Nov-2023
 
Cash
65,026
0.01%
Call Option
7-May-2019
 
Cash
64,830
0.01%
CFD
20-Oct-2021
 
Cash
64,000
0.01%
Swap
18-Jan-2024
 
Cash
62,356
0.01%
CFD
16-Feb-2024
 
Cash
60,750
0.01%
CFD
9-Feb-2029
 
Cash
60,475
0.01%
CFD
19-Jan-2029
 
Cash
60,000
0.01%
Swap
18-Jan-2024
 
Cash
59,338
0.01%
CFD
5-Nov-2027
 
Cash
59,199
0.01%
Swap
15-Jun-2023
 
Cash
57,709
0.01%
Swap
5-Sep-2019
 
Cash
55,700
0.01%
CFD
4-Dec-2023
 
Cash
54,900
0.01%
Swap
2-Feb-2023
 
Cash
54,448
0.01%
Swap
5-Sep-2019
 
Cash
53,400
0.01%
Call Option
9-Apr-2019
 
Cash
52,831
0.01%
CFD
21-Feb-2024
 
Cash
52,715
0.01%
CFD
4-Dec-2023
 
Cash
50,954
0.01%
CFD
19-Jan-2029
 
Cash
50,000
0.01%
CFD
1-Mar-2028
 
Cash
48,879
0.01%
CFD
18-Jan-2029
 
Cash
47,880
0.01%
CFD
25-Jan-2029
 
Cash
47,880
0.01%
Call Option
8-May-2019
 
Cash
46,272
0.01%
CFD
2-Feb-2029
 
Cash
45,733
0.01%
CFD
25-Jan-2029
 
Cash
45,600
0.01%
Swap
1-Feb-2023
 
Cash
43,214
0.01%
CFD
9-Feb-2029
 
Cash
42,813
0.01%
CFD
17-Jul-2020
 
Cash
41,727
0.01%
Swap
14-Jun-2023
 
Cash
40,052
0.01%
CFD
10-Mar-2028
 
Cash
39,897
0.01%
Swap
12-Jul-2023
 
Cash
37,897
0.005%
Call Option
17-Apr-2019
 
Cash
37,440
0.005%
CFD
17-Nov-2028
 
Cash
36,622
0.005%
CFD
21-Jul-2028
 
Cash
34,000
0.004%
CFD
25-Apr-2019
 
Cash
33,191
0.004%
CFD
2-Feb-2029
 
Cash
33,056
0.004%
Swap
7-Jul-2023
 
Cash
32,746
0.004%
CFD
14-Feb-2029
 
Cash
32,485
0.004%
CFD
31-Jan-2029
 
Cash
31,908
0.004%
CFD
31-Jan-2029
 
Cash
31,349
0.004%
CFD
14-Jul-2023
 
Cash
30,500
0.004%
Swap
12-Jun-2023
 
Cash
30,225
0.004%
CFD
17-Jul-2023
 
Cash
29,700
0.004%
CFD
25-Apr-2019
 
Cash
29,469
0.004%
CFD
21-Feb-2029
 
Cash
29,446
0.004%
CFD
1-Mar-2028
 
Cash
28,604
0.004%
Call Option
19-Mar-2019
 
Cash
27,721
0.004%
CFD
14-Feb-2029
 
Cash
27,575
0.004%
Swap
15-Jun-2023
 
Cash
26,702
0.003%
CFD
6-Jul-2023
 
Cash
25,488
0.003%
CFD
21-Feb-2024
 
Cash
24,949
0.003%
CFD
18-Sep-2019
 
Cash
24,830
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%
CFD
9-Feb-2029
 
Cash
22,595
0.003%
Swap
12-Jul-2023
 
Cash
22,173
0.003%
CFD
31-Jan-2029
 
Cash
22,124
0.003%
CFD
31-Jan-2029
 
Cash
21,737
0.003%
Swap
11-Feb-2020
 
Cash
21,216
0.003%
Swap
1-Feb-2023
 
Cash
20,297
0.003%
CFD
16-Feb-2024
 
Cash
20,250
0.003%
CFD
25-Apr-2019
 
Cash
19,385
0.002%
Swap
7-Jul-2023
 
Cash
19,160
0.002%
CFD
23-Nov-2028
 
Cash
17,711
0.002%
CFD
17-Jan-2029
 
Cash
17,700
0.002%
CFD
21-Feb-2024
 
Cash
17,285
0.002%
CFD
9-Feb-2029
 
Cash
16,930
0.002%
Swap
17-Sep-2020
 
Cash
16,742
0.002%
Swap
28-Mar-2019
 
Cash
16,200
0.002%
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
16,129
0.002%
CFD
9-Feb-2029
 
Cash
15,996
0.002%
CFD
4-Dec-2023
 
Cash
15,819
0.002%
Swap
30-Apr-2019
 
Cash
15,800
0.002%
Swap
4-Feb-2022
 
Cash
15,710
0.002%
Swap
15-Jun-2023
 
Cash
15,589
0.002%
CFD
11-Nov-2020
 
Cash
15,090
0.002%
CFD
15-Feb-2024
 
Cash
14,534
0.002%
Swap
31-Dec-2019
 
Cash
14,300
0.002%
Swap
12-Jun-2023
 
Cash
13,985
0.002%
Swap
4-Feb-2022
 
Cash
13,826
0.002%
Swap
4-Feb-2022
 
Cash
13,507
0.002%
Swap
3-Nov-2021
 
Cash
12,609
0.002%
CFD
9-Feb-2029
 
Cash
12,562
0.002%
CFD
14-Feb-2029
 
Cash
12,137
0.002%
CFD
9-Feb-2029
 
Cash
11,984
0.002%
Swap
1-Feb-2023
 
Cash
11,847
0.002%
Swap
18-Mar-2020
 
Cash
11,600
0.001%
Swap
31-Dec-2019
 
Cash
10,900
0.001%
CFD
28-Oct-2020
 
Cash
10,812
0.001%
Swap
6-Mar-2020
 
Cash
10,500
0.001%
CFD
14-Feb-2029
 
Cash
10,303
0.001%
CFD
14-Jan-2021
 
Cash
9,358
0.001%
CFD
14-Jan-2021
 
Cash
9,153
0.001%
CFD
14-Feb-2029
 
Cash
9,094
0.001%
Swap
12-Feb-2020
 
Cash
8,429
0.001%
Swap
12-Jun-2023
 
Cash
8,165
0.001%
Call Option
12-Mar-2019
 
Cash
7,915
0.001%
CFD
14-Feb-2029
 
Cash
7,720
0.001%
CFD
25-Jan-2029
 
Cash
7,400
0.001%
Swap
11-Feb-2020
 
Cash
7,306
0.001%
CFD
7-Feb-2029
 
Cash
7,263
0.001%
Call Option
7-May-2019
 
Cash
6,870
0.001%
CFD
1-Feb-2029
 
Cash
6,777
0.001%
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
6,507
0.001%
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
6,153
0.001%
CFD
1-Feb-2029
 
Cash
5,100
0.001%
CFD
9-Feb-2029
 
Cash
5,085
0.001%
CFD
15-Dec-2027
 
Cash
5,000
0.001%
CFD
8-Mar-2028
 
Cash
5,000
0.001%
CFD
12-May-2028
 
Cash
5,000
0.001%
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
4,774
0.001%
CFD
9-Feb-2029
 
Cash
4,694
0.001%
CFD
15-Feb-2029
 
Cash
4,670
0.001%
CFD
4-Feb-2022
 
Cash
4,300
0.001%
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
3,941
0.001%
Call Option
8-Mar-2019
 
Cash
3,841
0.0005%
CFD
23-Feb-2029
 
Cash
3,682
0.0005%
Swap
3-Nov-2021
 
Cash
3,634
0.0005%
Call Option
12-Apr-2019
 
Cash
3,589
0.0005%
CFD
9-Feb-2029
 
Cash
3,517
0.0005%
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
3,050
0.0004%
Swap
12-Feb-2020
 
Cash
2,916
0.0004%
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
2,857
0.0004%
Call Option
10-Apr-2019
 
Cash
2,827
0.0004%
Call Option
5-Mar-2019
 
Cash
2,822
0.0004%
Swap
3-Nov-2021
 
Cash
2,556
0.0003%
CFD
14-Feb-2024
 
Cash
2,500
0.0003%
Call Option
6-Mar-2019
 
Cash
2,486
0.0003%
Swap
4-Feb-2022
 
Cash
2,470
0.0003%
CFD
28-Oct-2020
 
Cash
2,350
0.0003%
CFD
28-Oct-2020
 
Cash
2,350
0.0003%
Call Option
4-Apr-2019
 
Cash
2,245
0.0003%
Swap
3-Nov-2021
 
Cash
2,214
0.0003%
CFD
9-Feb-2029
 
Cash
1,900
0.0002%
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
1,768
0.0002%
CFD
9-Feb-2029
 
Cash
1,424
0.0002%
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
461
0.0001%
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
419
0.0001%
Call Option
25-Feb-2019
 
Cash
411
0.0001%
Call Option
12-Mar-2019
 
Cash
390
0.00005%
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
329
0.00004%
Swap
22-May-2020
 
Cash
323
0.00004%
CFD
21-Feb-2029
 
Cash
300
0.00004%
Call Option
8-Apr-2019
 
Cash
298
0.00004%
CFD
16-Feb-2029
 
Cash
100
0.00001%
Call Option
22-Feb-2019
 
Cash
92
0.00001%
Call Option
22-Feb-2019
 
Cash
6
0.000001%
Call Option
22-Feb-2019
 
Cash
2
0.0000002%
Total Number of voting rights and percentage of voting rights
41,849,233
5.36%
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: 26 February 2019
 
 
By: /s/ NATALIE WHITE
 
 
 
------------------------------------
 
Natalie White
 
Deputy Company Secretary