American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) Reaches New 12-Month High - Here's Why

Shares of American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $31.83 and last traded at $30.98, with a volume of 39114 shares. The stock had previously closed at $30.88.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. B. Riley restated a "buy" rating on shares of American Public Education in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Northland Securities began 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 for the company. Northland Capmk upgraded American Public Education to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. Lake Street Capital lifted their price target on shares of American Public Education from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, Barrington Research raised their price objective on American Public Education from $24.00 to $32.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $32.20.

American Public Education Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 3.27, a quick ratio of 3.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock has a market cap of $571.69 million, a PE ratio of 31.07, a P/E/G ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 1.57. The business's 50-day moving average price is $28.50 and its 200-day moving average price is $24.32.

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 for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.15 by $0.26. American Public Education had a return on equity of 9.96% and a net margin of 3.86%. The firm had revenue of $164.55 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $161.92 million. As a group, equities research analysts expect that American Public Education, Inc. will post 0.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other American Public Education news, insider Nuno S. Fernandes sold 7,272 shares of American Public Education stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.11, for a total value of $197,143.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 85,459 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,316,793.49. The trade was a 7.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director 325 Capital Llc sold 214,396 shares of the firm's 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 sale, the director owned 1,181,005 shares in the company, valued at $33,115,380.20. This trade represents a 15.36% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 669,736 shares of company stock worth $19,211,182. 17.54% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Public Education

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of APEI. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in shares of American Public Education by 8.0% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 507,716 shares of the company's stock valued at $10,951,000 after buying an additional 37,492 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its holdings in American Public Education by 29.9% during the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 57,921 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,249,000 after purchasing an additional 13,344 shares in the last quarter. Integrated Quantitative Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Public Education in the fourth quarter valued at about $274,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its stake in shares of American Public Education by 11.8% during the fourth quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 221,224 shares of the company's stock worth $4,772,000 after purchasing an additional 23,300 shares in the last quarter. Finally, LSV Asset Management raised its position 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 purchasing an additional 185,920 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.62% of the company's stock.

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.