Bastion Asset Management Inc. Acquires Shares of 443,326 American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI)

Bastion Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 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 position. Bastion Asset Management Inc. owned 2.50% of American Public Education at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its holdings in American Public Education by 4.8% during the fourth quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 761,534 shares of the company's stock worth $16,426,000 after buying an additional 34,817 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in shares of American Public Education by 9.2% during the fourth quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 750,912 shares of the company's stock worth $16,197,000 after acquiring an additional 63,103 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. raised its holdings in shares of American Public Education by 8.0% in the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 507,716 shares of the company's stock worth $10,951,000 after acquiring an additional 37,492 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its position in American Public Education by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 404,168 shares of the company's stock valued at $5,963,000 after acquiring an additional 2,573 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Invesco Ltd. boosted its stake in American Public Education by 379.5% during the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 282,325 shares of the company's stock valued at $6,090,000 after purchasing an additional 223,447 shares during the last quarter. 79.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

APEI has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Barrington Research restated an "outperform" rating and issued a $24.00 target price on shares of American Public Education in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. William Blair upgraded shares of American Public Education from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, March 7th. Lake Street Capital initiated coverage on shares of American Public Education in a research report on Friday, April 25th. They set a "buy" rating and a $30.00 price target on the stock. B. Riley initiated coverage on shares of American Public Education in a research report on Friday, March 28th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $28.00 price objective for the company. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of American Public Education from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, March 7th. One 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, American Public Education has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $26.50.

American Public Education Stock Performance

APEI traded up $0.23 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $25.16. 107,621 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 174,047. American Public Education, Inc. has a one year low of $11.80 and a one year high of $25.76. The stock's fifty day moving average is $22.88 and its 200 day moving average is $21.13. 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 firm has a market cap of $453.77 million, a P/E ratio of 44.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.56.

Insider Buying and Selling at American Public Education

In related news, SVP Thomas Beckett sold 3,700 shares of American Public Education stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 owns 60,253 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,329,783.71. The trade was a 5.79 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 17.54% of the company's stock.

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.