Bastion Asset Management Inc. Buys New Shares in American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI)

Bastion Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 443,326 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $9,563,000. American Public Education accounts for about 6.3% of Bastion Asset Management Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd biggest holding. Bastion Asset Management Inc. owned about 2.50% of American Public Education at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its stake in shares of American Public Education by 4.8% in the fourth quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 761,534 shares of the company's stock valued at $16,426,000 after buying an additional 34,817 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp lifted its position in American Public Education by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 147,446 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,180,000 after acquiring an additional 6,359 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in American Public Education by 9.2% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 750,912 shares of the company's stock valued at $16,197,000 after purchasing an additional 63,103 shares during the last quarter. EAM Investors LLC bought a new stake in American Public Education during the 4th quarter worth approximately $881,000. Finally, Barclays PLC grew its holdings in American Public Education by 11.0% during the fourth quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 31,161 shares of the company's stock worth $673,000 after buying an additional 3,083 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.62% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at American Public Education

In other news, SVP Thomas Beckett sold 3,700 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.07, for a total value of $81,659.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 60,253 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,329,783.71. This represents a 5.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 17.54% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

American Public Education Stock Performance

American Public Education stock traded up $1.96 during trading on Friday, hitting $27.82. The stock had a trading volume of 283,149 shares, compared to its average volume of 173,214. The company has a quick ratio of 2.65, a current ratio of 2.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The stock's 50 day moving average is $23.08 and its two-hundred day moving average is $21.24. American Public Education, Inc. has a 1 year low of $11.80 and a 1 year high of $28.01. The stock has a market cap of $501.76 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 49.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.56.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on APEI shares. B. Riley assumed coverage on shares of American Public Education in a report on Friday, March 28th. They set a "buy" rating and a $28.00 price target on the stock. Barrington Research reaffirmed an "outperform" rating and issued a $24.00 target price on shares of American Public Education in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Lake Street Capital initiated coverage on American Public Education in a report on Friday, April 25th. They set a "buy" rating and a $30.00 price target on the stock. Truist Financial upped their price objective on American Public Education from $20.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, March 10th. Finally, William Blair upgraded American Public Education from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, March 7th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $26.50.

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.