Algert Global LLC Sells 3,340 Shares of Strategic Education Inc. $STRA

Key Points

• Algert Global LLC reduced its stake in Strategic Education Inc. by 18.8%, now holding 14,448 shares valued at approximately $1.21 million.
• Several institutional investors increased their stakes in Strategic Education, with Significant Wealth Partners LLC boosting its holdings by 17.3% during the first quarter.
• Strategic Education announced a quarterly dividend of $0.60 per share, yielding 2.9%, with an ex-dividend date set for September 5th.

Algert Global LLC lessened its position in Strategic Education Inc. (NASDAQ:STRA - Free Report) by 18.8% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 14,448 shares of the health services provider's stock after selling 3,340 shares during the quarter. Algert Global LLC owned 0.06% of Strategic Education worth $1,213,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Significant Wealth Partners LLC increased its stake in Strategic Education by 17.3% in the first quarter. Significant Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,689 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $226,000 after acquiring an additional 396 shares during the last quarter. NBC Securities Inc. increased its stake in Strategic Education by 105,000.0% in the first quarter. NBC Securities Inc. now owns 3,153 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $264,000 after acquiring an additional 3,150 shares during the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC increased its stake in Strategic Education by 36.7% in the first quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 3,251 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $273,000 after acquiring an additional 872 shares during the last quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP increased its stake in Strategic Education by 90.3% in the fourth quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 4,425 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $413,000 after acquiring an additional 2,100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Banque Pictet & Cie SA bought a new position in Strategic Education in the first quarter valued at $460,000. Institutional investors own 93.27% of the company's stock.

Strategic Education Stock Up 0.4%

Shares of Strategic Education stock traded up $0.34 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $81.50. 54,349 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 170,881. The stock's fifty day moving average is $80.27 and its 200 day moving average is $84.16. The firm has a market cap of $1.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 0.58. Strategic Education Inc. has a 1 year low of $72.25 and a 1 year high of $104.51.

Strategic Education (NASDAQ:STRA - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The health services provider reported $1.52 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.42 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $321.47 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $322.84 million. Strategic Education had a net margin of 9.27% and a return on equity of 7.52%. Strategic Education's revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.33 earnings per share. Equities analysts forecast that Strategic Education Inc. will post 4.79 earnings per share for the current year.

Strategic Education Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 5th will be issued a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 5th. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.9%. Strategic Education's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 49.90%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Strategic Education news, Director G Thomas Waite III sold 700 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $81.69, for a total value of $57,183.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 15,926 shares in the company, valued at $1,300,994.94. This trade represents a 4.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 3.30% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently commented on STRA shares. BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on Strategic Education from $98.00 to $88.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, August 1st. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Strategic Education from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 2nd. Finally, Barrington Research restated an "outperform" rating and set a $105.00 price target on shares of Strategic Education in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Strategic Education has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $99.33.

About Strategic Education

Strategic Education, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides education services through campus-based and online post-secondary education, and programs to develop job-ready skills. The company operates through U.S. Higher Education, Australia/New Zealand, and Education Technology Services segments. It operates Strayer University that offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, criminal justice, education, health services, information technology, and public administration at physical campuses located in the eastern United States, as well as through online; non-degree web and mobile application development courses through Hackbright Academy and Devmountain; and MBA online through its Jack Welch Management Institute.