American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) Shares Gap Down - Time to Sell?

Key Points

• American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) shares gapped down from a previous close of $31.53 to open at $28.63, with the last traded price at $29.34.
• Analysts have generally positive outlooks, with a consensus rating of "Buy" and a price target raised to $34.00, following favorable earnings results.
• Insider trading activity includes significant sales of stock, with insiders selling a total of 669,736 shares valued at $19.2 million over the last 90 days.

American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) shares gapped down before the market opened on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $31.53, but opened at $28.63. American Public Education shares last traded at $29.34, with a volume of 55,190 shares traded.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently issued reports on APEI. Northland Capmk upgraded American Public Education to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. B. Riley raised their price objective on American Public Education from $36.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday. Truist Financial raised their price objective on American Public Education from $24.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 14th. Lake Street Capital raised their price objective on American Public Education from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, Griffin Securities set a $37.00 price objective on American Public Education in a research note on Thursday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $35.17.

American Public Education Trading Down 6.0%

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 2.83 and a quick ratio of 2.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $506.50 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.60. The business has a fifty day moving average of $29.46 and a 200-day moving average of $25.71.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly 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 return on equity of 10.82% and a net margin of 4.44%. The company had revenue of $162.77 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $160.88 million. On average, equities analysts anticipate that American Public Education, Inc. will post 0.47 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at American Public Education

In related news, insider Nuno S. Fernandes sold 7,272 shares of the firm's 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 transaction, the insider directly owned 85,459 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,316,793.49. This trade represents a 7.84% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal 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 that occurred on 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 directly owned 1,181,005 shares in the company, valued at $33,115,380.20. The trade was a 15.36% 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 valued at $19,211,182 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 17.54% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC increased its position in American Public Education by 39.5% in the 1st quarter. Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC now owns 147,930 shares of the company's stock worth $3,302,000 after buying an additional 41,922 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in American Public Education in the 1st quarter valued at $213,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its stake in American Public Education by 123.2% in the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 59,968 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,338,000 after buying an additional 33,099 shares in the last quarter. Banco Santander S.A. acquired a new stake in American Public Education in the 1st quarter valued at $384,000. Finally, Bastion Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in American Public Education by 9.6% in the 1st quarter. Bastion Asset Management Inc. now owns 485,901 shares of the company's stock valued at $10,845,000 after buying an additional 42,575 shares in the last quarter. 79.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About American Public Education

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.