American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) Shares Purchased by Ameriprise Financial Inc.

Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its stake in American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Free Report) by 4.8% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 761,534 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 34,817 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. owned approximately 4.30% of American Public Education worth $16,426,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its holdings in shares of American Public Education by 9.2% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 750,912 shares of the company's stock worth $16,197,000 after acquiring an additional 63,103 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. grew its holdings in American Public Education by 8.0% in the fourth quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 507,716 shares of the company's stock valued at $10,951,000 after purchasing an additional 37,492 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in American Public Education by 379.5% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 282,325 shares of the company's stock valued at $6,090,000 after purchasing an additional 223,447 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its position in shares of American Public Education by 11.8% in the fourth quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 221,224 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,772,000 after buying an additional 23,300 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LSV Asset Management raised its stake in shares of American Public Education by 649.4% during the 4th quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 214,551 shares of the company's stock worth $4,628,000 after buying an additional 185,920 shares during the last quarter. 79.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Public Education Trading Up 3.0%

Shares of NASDAQ APEI traded up $0.83 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $28.93. 53,036 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 174,762. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $24.22 and a 200-day moving average price of $22.05. The company has a current ratio of 2.65, a quick ratio of 2.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The company has a market capitalization of $521.90 million, a P/E ratio of 51.79, a P/E/G ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.56. American Public Education, Inc. has a 52-week low of $11.80 and a 52-week high of $30.09.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, May 12th. The company reported $0.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.15 by $0.26. The firm had revenue of $164.55 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $161.92 million. American Public Education had a net margin of 2.64% and a return on equity of 6.96%. Equities research analysts expect that American Public Education, Inc. will post 0.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at American Public Education

In related news, insider Nuno S. Fernandes sold 7,272 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.11, for a total value of $197,143.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 85,459 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,316,793.49. This represents a 7.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Thomas Beckett sold 3,700 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.07, for a total value of $81,659.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 60,253 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,329,783.71. The trade was a 5.79% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 17.54% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

APEI has been the topic of a number of research reports. William Blair raised shares of American Public Education from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, March 7th. Truist Financial upped their price target on shares of American Public Education from $24.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. B. Riley reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of American Public Education in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Lake Street Capital lifted their price objective on American Public Education from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, StockNews.com raised American Public Education from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, March 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $31.25.

American Public Education Profile

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.