American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) Hits New 52-Week High Following Analyst Upgrade

Key Points

• American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) achieved a new 52-week high after Barrington Research upgraded its price target from $36.00 to $40.00, maintaining an outperform rating.
• The stock exhibited significant trading activity, peaking at $36.93, with a volume of 57,116 shares, up from a previous close of $36.44.
• Institutional investors own 79.62% of American Public Education, with notable stake increases from firms like Osaic Holdings Inc. and Tower Research Capital LLC.

American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday after Barrington Research raised their price target on the stock from $36.00 to $40.00. Barrington Research currently has an outperform rating on the stock. American Public Education traded as high as $36.93 and last traded at $36.95, with a volume of 57116 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $36.44.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Griffin Securities set a $37.00 price objective on American Public Education in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. Northland Securities started 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. B. Riley upped their price objective on shares of American Public Education from $36.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, August 7th. DA Davidson assumed coverage on shares of American Public Education in a report on Tuesday, September 9th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $40.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Northland Capmk upgraded shares of American Public Education to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, June 18th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $36.43.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Public Education

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Osaic Holdings Inc. raised its stake in shares of American Public Education by 5,909.5% during the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 1,262 shares of the company's stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 1,241 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its position in shares of American Public Education by 96.5% during the 2nd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 2,643 shares of the company's stock valued at $81,000 after acquiring an additional 1,298 shares during the last quarter. Man Group plc acquired a new position in shares of American Public Education in the 2nd quarter valued at $244,000. Manatuck Hill Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of American Public Education in the 2nd quarter worth $3,503,000. Finally, Militia Capital Partners LP grew its stake in shares of American Public Education by 7.2% during the second quarter. Militia Capital Partners LP now owns 7,432 shares of the company's stock worth $226,000 after purchasing an additional 500 shares during the period. 79.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

American Public Education Price Performance

The company's 50 day simple moving average is $31.17 and its 200 day simple moving average is $27.91. The stock has a market cap of $669.69 million, a P/E ratio of 34.96, a P/E/G ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 2.83 and a quick ratio of 2.83.

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, topping analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.07) by $0.05. American Public Education had a net margin of 4.44% and a return on equity of 10.82%. The firm had revenue of $162.77 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $160.88 million. As a group, equities analysts forecast that American Public Education, Inc. will post 0.47 earnings per share 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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.