American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) Stock Position Raised by Bastion Asset Management Inc.

Key Points

• Bastion Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in American Public Education, Inc. by 9.6%, making it the largest position in its portfolio at approximately $10.8 million.
• American Public Education reported quarterly earnings of $0.41 EPS, significantly outperforming analysts' expectations of $0.15 EPS, and achieved a revenue of $164.55 million for the quarter.
• Analysts have been optimistic, with multiple upgrades, and the stock currently holds a consensus rating of “Buy” with a price target averaging around $32.20.

Bastion Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Free Report) by 9.6% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 485,901 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 42,575 shares during the quarter. American Public Education comprises 5.9% of Bastion Asset Management Inc.'s holdings, making the stock its biggest position. Bastion Asset Management Inc. owned 2.69% of American Public Education worth $10,845,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other American Public Education news, insider Nuno S. Fernandes sold 7,272 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.11, for a total value of $197,143.92. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 85,459 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,316,793.49. This trade represents a 7.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director 325 Capital Llc sold 214,396 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on 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 transaction, the director directly 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 disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 669,736 shares of company stock worth $19,211,182 over the last quarter. 17.54% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on APEI shares. Lake Street Capital raised their price target on shares of American Public Education from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Northland Capmk raised shares of American Public Education to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. Northland Securities began coverage on shares of American Public Education in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $36.00 target price on the stock. Barrington Research lifted their target price on shares of American Public Education from $24.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of American Public Education from $24.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Public Education currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $32.20.

American Public Education Trading Up 0.7%

APEI traded up $0.20 on Wednesday, reaching $29.16. 40,225 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 190,583. The company's 50 day moving average is $29.39 and its 200-day moving average is $25.16. The company has a market cap of $525.97 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.60, a PEG ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.57. American Public Education, Inc. has a twelve month low of $11.80 and a twelve month high of $32.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 3.27 and a current ratio of 3.27.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 12th. The company reported $0.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.15 by $0.26. American Public Education had a net margin of 3.86% and a return on equity of 9.96%. The company had revenue of $164.55 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $161.92 million. Equities analysts predict that American Public Education, Inc. will post 0.47 earnings per share for the current year.

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.