Grand Canyon Education, Inc. $LOPE Shares Acquired by AlphaQuest LLC

Key Points

• AlphaQuest LLC increased its holdings in Grand Canyon Education, Inc. by 51.0% in the first quarter, owning 7,630 shares valued at approximately $1.32 million.
• Grand Canyon Education received multiple analyst upgrades, with an average rating of "Buy" and a target price of $203.67.
• The company reported a quarterly EPS of $1.53, exceeding analysts’ expectations, and its year-over-year revenue growth was 8.8%.

AlphaQuest LLC boosted its holdings in Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:LOPE - Free Report) by 51.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,630 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 2,578 shares during the period. AlphaQuest LLC's holdings in Grand Canyon Education were worth $1,320,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. GeoWealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Grand Canyon Education in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd purchased a new position in Grand Canyon Education in the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. lifted its holdings in Grand Canyon Education by 58.2% in the 1st quarter. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. now owns 261 shares of the company's stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares in the last quarter. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its holdings in Grand Canyon Education by 107.8% in the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 318 shares of the company's stock valued at $55,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cypress Capital Management LLC WY purchased a new position in Grand Canyon Education in the 1st quarter valued at about $65,000. 94.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Grand Canyon Education Trading Down 0.2%

NASDAQ:LOPE traded down $0.36 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $203.52. The stock had a trading volume of 171,170 shares, compared to its average volume of 220,265. Grand Canyon Education, Inc. has a 1-year low of $130.69 and a 1-year high of $207.12. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $183.74 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $182.10. The company has a market cap of $5.72 billion, a PE ratio of 24.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 0.79.

Grand Canyon Education (NASDAQ:LOPE - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 6th. The company reported $1.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.37 by $0.16. Grand Canyon Education had a net margin of 22.15% and a return on equity of 31.50%. The company had revenue of $247.50 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $240.90 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.19 earnings per share. Grand Canyon Education's revenue for the quarter was up 8.8% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Grand Canyon Education, Inc. will post 8.81 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have issued reports on LOPE shares. BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on shares of Grand Canyon Education from $222.00 to $210.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 7th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Grand Canyon Education from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 9th. Finally, Barrington Research reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $215.00 target price on shares of Grand Canyon Education in a research report on Thursday, August 7th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $203.67.

Grand Canyon Education Company Profile

Grand Canyon Education, Inc provides education services to colleges and universities in the United States. It offers technology services, including learning management system, internal administration, infrastructure, and support services; academic services, such as program and curriculum, faculty and related training and development, class scheduling, and skills and simulation lab sites; and counseling services and support services comprising admission, financial aid, and field experience and other counseling services.