American Public Education, Inc. $APEI Shares Bought by American Century Companies Inc.

Key Points

• American Century Companies Inc. raised its stake in American Public Education, Inc. by 1.7%, now owning 516,266 shares valued at approximately $11.5 million.
• Analysts have shown positive sentiment, with Barrington Research raising the price target from $32.00 to $36.00 and assigning an "outperform" rating.
• American Public Education shares decreased by 2.1%, trading at $30.18, after a year with a low of $13.45 and a high of $32.24.

American Century Companies Inc. raised its position in American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Free Report) by 1.7% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 516,266 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 8,550 shares during the quarter. American Century Companies Inc. owned 2.86% of American Public Education worth $11,523,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its position in shares of American Public Education by 19,594.1% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,348 shares of the company's stock worth $75,000 after acquiring an additional 3,331 shares during the period. Parallel Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Public Education during the first quarter worth $89,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new stake in shares of American Public Education during the fourth quarter worth $124,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in shares of American Public Education by 16.2% during the fourth quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 8,155 shares of the company's stock worth $176,000 after acquiring an additional 1,134 shares during the period. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its position in shares of American Public Education by 29.2% during the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 9,057 shares of the company's stock worth $195,000 after acquiring an additional 2,049 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.62% of the company's stock.

American Public Education Stock Performance

Shares of APEI traded down $0.37 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $30.18. 152,809 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 275,142. American Public Education, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $13.45 and a fifty-two week high of $32.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $545.35 million, a P/E ratio of 28.47, a P/E/G ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.60. The business's 50 day moving average is $30.00 and its two-hundred day moving average is $26.47. The company has a current ratio of 2.83, a quick ratio of 2.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The company reported ($0.02) earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($0.07) by $0.05. The business had revenue of $162.77 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $160.88 million. American Public Education had a net margin of 4.44% and a return on equity of 10.82%. On average, equities analysts expect that American Public Education, Inc. will post 0.47 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently commented on APEI shares. Zacks Research raised American Public Education to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Lake Street Capital raised their price target on American Public Education from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Northland Securities began coverage on American Public Education in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $36.00 price target on the stock. B. Riley raised their price objective on American Public Education from $36.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price objective on American Public Education from $24.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $35.17.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director 325 Capital Llc sold 214,396 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the sale, the director owned 1,181,005 shares in the company, valued at $33,115,380.20. This trade represents a 15.36% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Insiders have sold a total of 535,058 shares of company stock valued at $15,261,931 in the last three months. 17.54% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.