American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) Shares Gap Down - What's Next?

Key Points

• Shares of American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) gapped down from a previous close of $38.67 to open at $36.20, with a last traded price of $38.10.
• Equities analysts have provided a positive outlook, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a target price of $38.29, supported by recent upgrades from firms like Barrington Research and Northland Capital.
• The company reported a net margin of 4.44% and exceeded earnings expectations for the last quarter, with revenue of $162.77 million against consensus estimates of $160.88 million.

American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report)'s stock price gapped down prior to trading on Wednesday . The stock had previously closed at $38.67, but opened at $36.20. American Public Education shares last traded at $38.10, with a volume of 75,270 shares traded.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently commented on APEI shares. Griffin Securities set a $37.00 price target on American Public Education in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. Barrington Research upped their price target on shares of American Public Education from $36.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 23rd. Lake Street Capital set a $38.00 price objective on shares of American Public Education and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Northland Capmk upgraded shares of American Public Education to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. Finally, DA Davidson began coverage on American Public Education in a research report on Tuesday, September 9th. They set a "buy" rating and a $40.00 price target on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $38.29.

American Public Education Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 2.83, a quick ratio of 2.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The firm has a market capitalization of $680.15 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 1.64. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $33.74 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $29.59.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The company reported ($0.02) earnings per share (EPS) 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 business had revenue of $162.77 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $160.88 million. Equities research analysts expect that American Public Education, Inc. will post 0.47 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Acadian Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of American Public Education by 124.8% in the second quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 668,130 shares of the company's stock valued at $20,342,000 after purchasing an additional 370,894 shares during the period. Royce & Associates LP purchased a new stake in American Public Education during the first quarter valued at about $5,319,000. CSM Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Public Education during the second quarter valued at approximately $6,723,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership grew its position in American Public Education by 76.1% during the 2nd quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 389,586 shares of the company's stock worth $11,867,000 after purchasing an additional 168,362 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 4D Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Public Education by 111.1% in the 2nd quarter. 4D Advisors LLC now owns 285,000 shares of the company's stock valued at $8,681,000 after purchasing an additional 150,000 shares during the period. 79.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.

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