American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) Given Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Brokerages

Key Points

• American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) has received a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy", with two hold ratings, six buy ratings, and one strong buy rating from analysts.
• The average one-year target price for the stock is $35.86, with various brokerage price targets ranging between $36.00 and $37.00.
• Despite recent positive earnings performance, shares of the company are down 1.1% as of the latest trading day, with a current share price around $35.92.

American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" by the nine research firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, six have issued a buy recommendation and one has assigned a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $35.8571.

APEI has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. B. Riley boosted their price target on American Public Education from $36.00 to $37.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Zacks Research raised shares of American Public Education to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Northland Securities assumed coverage on shares of American Public Education in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $36.00 price objective for the company. Barrington Research lifted their price objective on shares of American Public Education from $32.00 to $36.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, August 11th. Finally, Northland Capmk upgraded shares of American Public Education to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th.

American Public Education Stock Up 1.4%

Shares of NASDAQ:APEI traded up $0.52 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $36.44. 256,605 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 237,274. The company has a quick ratio of 2.83, a current ratio of 2.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $31.17 and its 200-day simple moving average is $27.91. The company has a market cap of $658.47 million, a P/E ratio of 34.38, a P/E/G ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.61. American Public Education has a one year low of $13.45 and a one year high of $36.85.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 6th. The company reported ($0.02) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.07) by $0.05. American Public Education had a return on equity of 10.82% and a net margin of 4.44%.The firm had revenue of $162.77 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $160.88 million. As a group, equities research analysts predict that American Public Education will post 0.47 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC increased its holdings in American Public Education by 39.5% during the 1st quarter. Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC now owns 147,930 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,302,000 after acquiring an additional 41,922 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in American Public Education by 6.6% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 908,974 shares of the company's stock valued at $20,288,000 after acquiring an additional 56,674 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in American Public Education during the 1st quarter worth $213,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its position in American Public Education by 123.2% in the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 59,968 shares of the company's stock worth $1,338,000 after purchasing an additional 33,099 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 4D Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Public Education during the first quarter valued at approximately $3,013,000. 79.62% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About American Public Education

American Public Education, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides online and campus-based postsecondary education and career learning in the United States. It operates through three segments: American Public University System, Rasmussen University, and Hondros College of Nursing. The company offers 184 degree programs and 134 certificate programs in various fields of study, including nursing, national security, military studies, intelligence, homeland security, business, health science, information technology, justice studies, education, and liberal arts; and career learning opportunities in leadership, finance, human resources, and other fields of study critical to the federal government workforce.