Short Interest in American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) Rises By 30.3%

Key Points

• Short interest in American Public Education, Inc. increased by 30.3% in July, totaling 1,550,000 shares or 9.3% of the company's shares sold short.
• Recent insider transactions showed that 325 Capital LLC sold 214,396 shares at an average price of $28.04, decreasing their ownership by 15.36%.
• American Public Education reported an earnings surprise, with an EPS of ($0.02) against estimates of ($0.07), while institutional ownership currently stands at 79.62%.

American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of July. As of July 31st, there was short interest totaling 1,550,000 shares, agrowthof30.3% from the July 15th total of 1,190,000 shares. Approximately9.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 305,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.1 days. Based on an average trading volume of 305,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.1 days. Approximately9.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Insider Activity at American Public Education

In other news, Director 325 Capital Llc sold 214,396 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $28.04, for a total value of $6,011,663.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 1,181,005 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $33,115,380.20. This represents a 15.36% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders have sold a total of 662,464 shares of company stock valued at $19,014,038 over the last three months. 17.54% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Public Education

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised 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 purchasing an additional 56,674 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its stake in shares of American Public Education by 4.8% during the fourth quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 761,534 shares of the company's stock worth $16,426,000 after acquiring an additional 34,817 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of American Public Education by 9.2% during the fourth 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 in the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of American Public Education by 124.8% during the second quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 668,130 shares of the company's stock worth $20,342,000 after acquiring an additional 370,894 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. raised its stake in shares of American Public Education by 9.1% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 563,079 shares of the company's stock worth $17,151,000 after acquiring an additional 46,813 shares in the last quarter. 79.62% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Griffin Securities set a $37.00 target price on shares of American Public Education in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Lake Street Capital lifted their target price on shares of American Public Education from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Northland Securities initiated coverage on shares of American Public Education in a research report on Wednesday, June 18th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $36.00 price target on the stock. Northland Capmk upgraded shares of American Public Education to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 18th. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price objective on shares of American Public Education from $24.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, American Public Education has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $35.17.

American Public Education Price Performance

Shares of American Public Education stock traded up $0.45 on Tuesday, reaching $30.63. The stock had a trading volume of 144,377 shares, compared to its average volume of 243,100. American Public Education has a 1 year low of $13.45 and a 1 year high of $32.24. The company has a market cap of $553.48 million, a P/E ratio of 28.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 1.60. The company has a current ratio of 2.83, a quick ratio of 2.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The business's 50 day moving average is $29.94 and its two-hundred day moving average is $26.30.

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

American Public Education Company 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.