Sei Investments Co. Increases Stake in Strategic Education Inc. $STRA

Key Points

• Sei Investments increased its Strategic Education stake by 91.9% in the first quarter, bringing its holdings to 24,667 shares worth approximately $2.05 million. Institutional investors collectively own 93.27% of the company.
• Strategic Education reported quarterly EPS of $1.76 and revenue of $321.6 million, both below analyst estimates, although revenue rose 4.9% year over year.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.60 per share, or $2.40 annually, representing a 2.8% yield. Analysts maintain a consensus “Hold” rating with an average price target of $95.33.

Sei Investments Co. grew its stake in shares of Strategic Education Inc. (NASDAQ:STRA - Free Report) by 91.9% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 24,667 shares of the health services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 11,810 shares during the quarter. Sei Investments Co. owned approximately 0.11% of Strategic Education worth $2,046,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Walleye Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Strategic Education in the first quarter worth $865,000. First Trust Advisors LP grew its holdings in Strategic Education by 23.0% in the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 42,492 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $3,525,000 after acquiring an additional 7,946 shares during the last quarter. Summit Global Investments grew its holdings in Strategic Education by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. Summit Global Investments now owns 7,475 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $620,000 after acquiring an additional 313 shares during the last quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. bought a new stake in Strategic Education in the 1st quarter worth $78,000. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in shares of Strategic Education by 0.5% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,458,740 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $121,017,000 after acquiring an additional 7,346 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 93.27% of the company's stock.

Strategic Education Stock Performance

Shares of STRA opened at $84.88 on Monday. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $79.62 and its 200-day moving average price is $80.14. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.15, a PEG ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 0.49. Strategic Education Inc. has a 1-year low of $69.70 and a 1-year high of $89.73.

Strategic Education (NASDAQ:STRA - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The health services provider reported $1.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.80 by ($0.04). Strategic Education had a return on equity of 8.98% and a net margin of 10.46%.The company had revenue of $321.60 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $327.55 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.54 earnings per share. Strategic Education's quarterly revenue was up 4.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that Strategic Education Inc. will post 7.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Strategic Education Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 4th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.8%. Strategic Education's dividend payout ratio is 40.00%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Strategic Education from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, August 1st. Barrington Research set a $105.00 price target on Strategic Education in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "hold (c)" rating on shares of Strategic Education in a research report on Friday, July 17th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on Strategic Education from $86.00 to $91.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, July 6th. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price objective on Strategic Education from $80.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Strategic Education currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $95.33.

Insider Activity

In other news, insider Christa Hokenson sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.00, for a total value of $160,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 65,195 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,215,600. This represents a 2.98% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Corporate insiders own 3.60% of the company's stock.

About Strategic Education

Strategic Education, Inc is a publicly traded higher education services holding company headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. Through its primary operating subsidiaries, Strayer University and Capella University, the company delivers degree programs and professional development opportunities to working adults. Its offerings span undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates, continuing education, and workforce training in fields such as business, technology, health services, education, and public administration.

Strayer University, with a network of physical campuses across the United States complemented by an online platform, provides associate’s through doctoral degrees designed to accommodate non-traditional students.

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