American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) Shares Bought by Mackenzie Financial Corp

Key Points

• Mackenzie Financial Corp has increased its holdings in American Public Education, Inc. by 123.2%, owning approximately 59,968 shares valued at $1.34 million after acquiring an additional 33,099 shares in the first quarter.
• Analysts are optimistic about the stock, with multiple reports indicating a "buy" or "strong-buy" rating and an average target price of approximately $32.20.
• Insider selling has occurred recently, with significant trades resulting in a 7.84% and a 15.36% decrease in ownership for key insiders, raising concerns about insider confidence in the company's future.

Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its position in American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Free Report) by 123.2% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 59,968 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 33,099 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp owned about 0.33% of American Public Education worth $1,338,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in American Public Education by 19,594.1% in 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 during the period. Parallel Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Public Education during the 1st quarter worth approximately $89,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio acquired a new stake in shares of American Public Education in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $124,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of American Public Education by 16.2% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 8,155 shares of the company's stock valued at $176,000 after buying an additional 1,134 shares during the period. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN boosted its stake in shares of American Public Education by 29.2% in the fourth quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 9,057 shares of the company's stock valued at $195,000 after buying an additional 2,049 shares in the last quarter. 79.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Public Education Price Performance

Shares of APEI stock traded up $1.02 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $30.05. The stock had a trading volume of 151,324 shares, compared to its average volume of 194,262. The company has a market cap of $542.01 million, a P/E ratio of 28.30, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 1.60. The company has a current ratio of 3.27, a quick ratio of 3.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. American Public Education, Inc. has a 12-month low of $13.12 and a 12-month high of $32.24. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $29.47 and a 200 day simple moving average of $25.56.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The company reported ($0.02) earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.07) by $0.05. American Public Education had a net margin of 4.44% and a return on equity of 10.93%. The firm had revenue of $162.77 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $160.88 million. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that American Public Education, Inc. will post 0.47 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

APEI has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Truist Financial increased their price objective on American Public Education from $24.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. Northland Securities initiated coverage on shares of American Public Education in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $36.00 price target on the stock. Lake Street Capital raised their price objective on shares of American Public Education from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Barrington Research boosted their price objective on shares of American Public Education from $24.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, Northland Capmk upgraded shares of American Public Education to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $34.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director 325 Capital Llc sold 214,396 shares of the business'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 transaction, the director owned 1,181,005 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $33,115,380.20. The trade was a 15.36% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, insider Nuno S. Fernandes sold 7,272 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $27.11, for a total transaction of $197,143.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider 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 disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 669,736 shares of company stock worth $19,211,182. 17.54% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.