PSO Pearson Plc

By Rory Gallivan

LONDON--Pearson PLC (PSON.LN), the owner of the Financial Times, said Friday that it has agreed to sell company news provider Mergermarket to private equity group BC Partners in a deal valued at 382 million pounds ($623 million).

Pearson's Chief Executive John Fallon said the funds from the sale, which is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2014, will help the company expand its presence in digital learning, educational services and emerging markets.

-Pearson shares at 1136 GMT, down 2 pence, or 0.15%, at 1,349 pence valuing the company at GBP11.1 billion.

Write to Rory Gallivan at rory.gallivan@wsj.com; Twitter: @RoryGallivan

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