American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) Share Price Crosses Above 200 Day Moving Average - What's Next?

Shares of American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $23.96 and traded as high as $30.04. American Public Education shares last traded at $29.27, with a volume of 239,362 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on APEI shares. B. Riley reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of American Public Education in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Lake Street Capital increased their price objective on shares of American Public Education from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Barrington Research increased their price objective on shares of American Public Education from $24.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Northland Securities initiated coverage on shares of American Public Education in a research report on Wednesday, June 18th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $36.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Northland Capmk upgraded shares of American Public Education to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, American Public Education has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $32.20.

American Public Education Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 3.27 and a quick ratio of 3.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $545.17 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.63, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 1.57. The business's fifty day simple moving average is $27.97 and its 200 day simple moving average is $24.08.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 12th. The company reported $0.41 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.15 by $0.26. The business had revenue of $164.55 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $161.92 million. American Public Education had a net margin of 3.86% and a return on equity of 9.96%. On average, research analysts forecast that American Public Education, Inc. will post 0.47 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other American Public Education news, Director 325 Capital Llc sold 214,396 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction 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 transaction, the director directly owned 1,181,005 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $33,115,380.20. This trade represents a 15.36% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Nuno S. Fernandes sold 7,272 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.11, for a total transaction of $197,143.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 85,459 shares in the company, valued at $2,316,793.49. This trade represents a 7.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 669,736 shares of company stock valued at $19,211,182 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 17.54% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in APEI. Bastion Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of American Public Education in the fourth quarter valued at $9,563,000. Royce & Associates LP bought a new position in shares of American Public Education in the first quarter valued at $5,319,000. Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of American Public Education by 379.5% in the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 282,325 shares of the company's stock valued at $6,090,000 after buying an additional 223,447 shares in the last quarter. LSV Asset Management lifted its stake in shares of American Public Education by 649.4% in the fourth quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 214,551 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,628,000 after buying an additional 185,920 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 4D Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of American Public Education in the first quarter valued at $3,013,000. 79.62% of the stock is owned by 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.