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 June, 2005 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This Report includes the following documents: 1. A press release from Pearson plc announcing Half year IFRS comparatives Thursday 30 June 2005 Pearson 2004 half year IFRS highlights Pearson will announce its interim results for the six months to 30 June on 25 July 2005. Ahead of that announcement we are today providing details of our 2004 half-year comparative figures restated under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Details of our transition to IFRS, including half-year and full-year reconciliations and accounting policies, are available at www.pearson.com/ifrs. Financial highlights GBP millions 2004 half year 2004 full year UK GAAP IFRS UK GAAP IFRS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales 1,594 1,481 3,919 3,696 Business performance Adjusted operating profit 39 24 455 421 Adjusted (loss) / profit before tax 2 (16) 386 345 Adjusted (loss) / earnings (14) (22) 239 217 Adjusted (loss) / earnings per share (1.8)p (2.8)p 30.0p 27.3p -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Statutory results Operating profit (77) 9 231 404 (Loss) / profit before tax (112) (33) 171 325 Basic (loss) / earnings per share (15.5)p (2.5)p 11.1p 32.9p -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pearson Education GBP millions 2004 half year 2004 full year UK GAAP IFRS UK GAAP IFRS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales School 466 444 1,118 1,087 Higher Education 187 186 731 729 Professional 220 220 507 507 Total 873 850 2,356 2,323 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted operating profit / (loss) School 8 3 117 108 Higher Education (41) (42) 133 129 Professional 7 6 43 40 Total (26) (33) 293 277 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Penguin GBP millions 2004 half year 2004 full year UK GAAP IFRS UK GAAP IFRS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales 341 341 786 786 Adjusted operating profit 10 9 54 52 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FT Group GBP millions 2004 half year 2004 full year UK GAAP IFRS UK GAAP IFRS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales Financial Times 104 104 208 208 Other FT publishing 56 56 110 110 IDC 130 130 269 269 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total continuing 290 290 587 587 Discontinued (Recoletos) 90 190 Total 380 777 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted operating profit / (loss) Financial Times (6) (7) (9) (12) Other FT publishing 6 6 11 10 Associates & JVs 3 3 6 6 IDC 37 29 78 62 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total continuing 40 31 86 66 Discontinued (Recoletos) 15 17 22 26 Total 55 48 108 92 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For more information: Luke Swanson / Charlotte Elston: +44 (0) 20 7010 2310 www.pearson.com/ifrs 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: 30 June, 2005 By: /s/ STEPHEN JONES ----------------------- Stephen Jones Deputy Secretary