Northland Securities Weighs in on APEI FY2026 Earnings

Key Points

• Northland Securities raised its FY2026 EPS estimate for American Public Education to $2.70 from $2.58, above the current consensus estimate of $2.63. It projects FY2027 EPS of $3.10.
• APEI reported quarterly EPS of $0.32, beating the $0.26 consensus, and revenue of $169.14 million, ahead of analysts’ $165.79 million estimate.
• Analyst sentiment is broadly positive: MarketBeat reports a “Moderate Buy” consensus rating and a $59.38 average price target.

American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Free Report) - Equities research analysts at Northland Securities raised their FY2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for American Public Education in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, November 10th. Northland Securities analyst L. Horton now anticipates that the company will post earnings of $2.70 per share for the year, up from their prior forecast of $2.58. The consensus estimate for American Public Education's current full-year earnings is $2.63 per share. Northland Securities also issued estimates for American Public Education's Q4 2026 earnings at $0.92 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.82 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.60 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $3.10 EPS.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, November 9th. The company reported $0.32 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.26 by $0.06. American Public Education had a net margin of 6.83% and a return on equity of 15.08%. The firm had revenue of $169.14 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $165.79 million.

Several other analysts have also commented on APEI. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of American Public Education from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 15th. B. Riley Financial lifted their price target on shares of American Public Education from $65.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday. Zacks Research cut American Public Education from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. Lake Street Capital increased their price objective on American Public Education from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, DA Davidson raised American Public Education to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Monday, October 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $59.38.

American Public Education Stock Performance

Shares of APEI opened at $40.20 on Wednesday. The firm's 50 day moving average is $44.56 and its 200-day moving average is $49.53. The stock has a market capitalization of $735.66 million, a P/E ratio of 16.41, a P/E/G ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 1.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 3.25 and a quick ratio of 3.25. American Public Education has a 12-month low of $32.96 and a 12-month high of $61.59.

Insider Transactions at American Public Education

In other American Public Education news, insider James Kenigsberg sold 1,256 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.69, for a total transaction of $59,898.64. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 43,473 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,073,227.37. This represents a 2.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders own 10.60% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Royce & Associates LP lifted its position in shares of American Public Education by 1.1% in the 3rd quarter. Royce & Associates LP now owns 382,246 shares of the company's stock valued at $16,123,000 after acquiring an additional 4,113 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its position in American Public Education by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 181,434 shares of the company's stock worth $9,743,000 after purchasing an additional 4,125 shares in the last quarter. Sei Investments Co. grew its position in American Public Education by 99.5% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 77,257 shares of the company's stock worth $4,394,000 after purchasing an additional 38,538 shares in the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its position in American Public Education by 350.3% during the 2nd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 80,658 shares of the company's stock worth $4,375,000 after purchasing an additional 62,746 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp acquired a new stake in American Public Education during the 2nd quarter valued at $3,721,000. 79.62% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

More American Public Education News

Here are the key news stories impacting American Public Education this week:

• Positive Sentiment: APEI reported third-quarter EPS of $0.32, beating the $0.26 consensus, and revenue of $169.14 million, ahead of the $165.79 million estimate. The company said revenue, net income, EPS and adjusted EBITDA all exceeded its guidance, and it raised full-year 2026 guidance across key metrics. American Public Education third-quarter results
• Positive Sentiment: Northland Securities raised its EPS estimates for FY2026 to $2.70 from $2.58 and FY2027 to $3.10 from $3.06, alongside modest increases to its quarterly forecasts. The revisions suggest improved analyst expectations.
• Positive Sentiment: B. Riley raised its price target to $68 from $65 and maintained a “buy” rating.
• Neutral Sentiment: APEI’s fourth-quarter EPS guidance of $0.81–$1.07 brackets the $0.95 consensus, while its revenue range of $179.4 million–$185.4 million also brackets expectations. Full-year revenue guidance of $695 million–$701 million is above the $693.5 million consensus.
• Negative Sentiment: Despite the increase in full-year guidance, the 2026 EPS range of $2.59–$2.84 has a midpoint below the $2.95 analyst consensus, which could temper the positive reaction to the earnings beat.

About American Public Education

American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) is a provider of higher education through a portfolio of institutions that includes American Public University System, Rasmussen University and Hondros College of Nursing. Its offerings span online and campus-based programs in areas such as nursing and health care, business, technology, education and public service. American Public University System includes American Military University and American Public University. Founded in 1991 as American Military University, it delivers online programs to military-affiliated students, public-service professionals and other learners in the United States and abroad.

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