American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) Hits New 52-Week High - Time to Buy?

Key Points

• Shares of American Public Education (APEI) hit a new 52-week high intraday at $47.54 and last traded near $47.60 on volume ~198,900 shares (prior close $45.74).
• Several analysts raised targets recently — notably B. Riley to $53 and Barrington to $51 — leaving a MarketBeat consensus of Moderate Buy with an average price target of $48.71.
• The company has a market cap of about $857M, a P/E of 36.3 and strong liquidity (current/quick ratio 2.84), with roughly 79.6% institutional ownership; it operates APUS, an accredited online postsecondary education provider for working adults and military students.

Shares of American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as high as $47.54 and last traded at $47.5950, with a volume of 198933 shares. The stock had previously closed at $45.74.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Barrington Research upped their price objective on American Public Education from $40.00 to $51.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 4th. B. Riley Financial boosted their price target on American Public Education from $40.00 to $53.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of American Public Education from $35.00 to $38.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, November 21st. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of American Public Education from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Monday, December 1st. Finally, Lake Street Capital reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $47.00 price target on shares of American Public Education in a research report on Friday, January 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, American Public Education presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $48.71.

American Public Education Price Performance

The firm has a market cap of $857.23 million, a PE ratio of 36.27, a P/E/G ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 1.70. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $42.78 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $37.94. The company has a quick ratio of 2.84, a current ratio of 2.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Public Education

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. boosted its holdings in American Public Education by 4.3% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 9,386 shares of the company's stock valued at $209,000 after purchasing an additional 390 shares during the last quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey grew its holdings in American Public Education by 14.8% during the second quarter. Police & Firemen s Retirement System of New Jersey now owns 3,625 shares of the company's stock worth $110,000 after acquiring an additional 468 shares during the period. Militia Capital Partners LP raised its position in American Public Education by 7.2% during the second quarter. Militia Capital Partners LP now owns 7,432 shares of the company's stock valued at $226,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares in the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc increased its holdings in shares of American Public Education by 40.5% during the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 1,914 shares of the company's stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 552 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State of Wyoming boosted its holdings in American Public Education by 4.9% during the third quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 12,209 shares of the company's stock worth $482,000 after buying an additional 569 shares in the last quarter. 79.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Public Education Company Profile

American Public Education, Inc operates as a provider of online postsecondary education, offering degree and certificate programs through its wholly owned subsidiary, American Public University System (APUS). The company designs and delivers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs in fields such as business administration, information technology, criminal justice, homeland security, health sciences, and education. Its curriculum is developed to meet the needs of working adults, military personnel, veterans and civilian students seeking flexible, career-relevant learning opportunities.

APUS is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and employs a proprietary online learning platform that supports asynchronous instruction, digital course materials and interactive learning tools.

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