American Public Education, Inc. $APEI Shares Sold by Bridgeway Capital Management LLC

Key Points

• Bridgeway Capital Management LLC has reduced its stake in American Public Education, Inc. by 16.4% in the 1st quarter, now holding approximately 0.97% of the company with a value of $3.9 million.
• Institutional investors collectively own 79.62% of American Public Education, with several firms increasing their holdings in the past quarter, including Wells Fargo and Dimensional Fund Advisors.
• Despite share price fluctuations, analysts maintain a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" for the stock, with a target price of $35.17.

Bridgeway Capital Management LLC cut its holdings in American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Free Report) by 16.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 175,287 shares of the company's stock after selling 34,329 shares during the period. Bridgeway Capital Management LLC owned 0.97% of American Public Education worth $3,912,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC lifted its holdings in American Public Education by 39.5% in the first quarter. Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC now owns 147,930 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,302,000 after acquiring an additional 41,922 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in American Public Education by 6.6% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 908,974 shares of the company's stock valued at $20,288,000 after acquiring an additional 56,674 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in American Public Education in the first quarter valued at approximately $213,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its holdings in American Public Education by 123.2% in the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 59,968 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,338,000 after acquiring an additional 33,099 shares during the last quarter. Finally, 4D Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in American Public Education in the first quarter valued at approximately $3,013,000. 79.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Public Education Stock Down 3.5%

APEI stock traded down $1.20 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $32.96. 69,230 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 203,481. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $30.26 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $26.94. The company has a current ratio of 2.83, a quick ratio of 2.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $595.40 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.09, a PEG ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.61. American Public Education, Inc. has a 52-week low of $13.45 and a 52-week high of $34.16.

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have weighed in on APEI shares. Northland Capmk raised American Public Education to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 18th. Lake Street Capital boosted 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. Griffin Securities set a $37.00 price objective on American Public Education in a research report on Thursday, August 7th. B. Riley increased their price objective on American Public Education from $36.00 to $37.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. Finally, Barrington Research boosted their target price on American Public Education from $32.00 to $36.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, August 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $35.86.

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.