American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) Shares Down 5.9% - Here's Why

Key Points

• American Public Education's shares fell 5.9%, trading at $28.54, with a significant drop in trading volume compared to the average.
• Research analysts have issued a consensus rating of "Buy" for the stock, with an average price target of $32.20, following recent upgrades from multiple firms.
• Insider transactions revealed notable selling activity, including a director selling 214,396 shares of stock, indicating a 15.36% decrease in their position.

American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) shares were down 5.9% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $28.63 and last traded at $28.54. Approximately 150,965 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 21% from the average daily volume of 190,081 shares. The stock had previously closed at $30.33.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have commented on APEI shares. Lake Street Capital lifted their price target on American Public Education from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Northland Capmk raised American Public Education to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. Northland Securities started coverage on American Public Education in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $36.00 price objective on the stock. B. Riley reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of American Public Education in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price objective on 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 research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $32.20.

American Public Education Stock Up 0.2%

The firm has a 50-day moving average of $29.41 and a 200 day moving average of $25.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $533.66 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 1.57. The company has a current ratio of 3.27, a quick ratio of 3.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 12th. The company reported $0.41 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 return on equity of 9.96% and a net margin of 3.86%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that American Public Education, Inc. will post 0.47 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at American Public Education

In other American Public Education news, Director 325 Capital Llc sold 214,396 shares of American Public Education stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $28.04, for a total transaction of $6,011,663.84. Following the sale, the director directly owned 1,181,005 shares in the company, valued at $33,115,380.20. The trade was a 15.36% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Nuno S. Fernandes sold 7,272 shares of American Public Education stock in a transaction that occurred 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 sale, the insider owned 85,459 shares in the company, valued at $2,316,793.49. This represents a 7.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 669,736 shares of company stock worth $19,211,182 over the last three months. 17.54% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Public Education

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in American Public Education during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $297,000. USA Financial Formulas purchased a new stake in American Public Education during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $58,000. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in American Public Education by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. SummerHaven Investment Management LLC now owns 45,110 shares of the company's stock worth $1,374,000 after purchasing an additional 619 shares during the last quarter. Sheets Smith Wealth Management purchased a new stake in American Public Education during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $574,000. Finally, Channel Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in American Public Education during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $536,000. 79.62% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.