American Public Education, Inc. $APEI Shares Bought by Trexquant Investment LP

Key Points

• Trexquant Investment LP increased its holdings in American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) by 66.4% during the first quarter, owning a total of 62,016 shares valued at approximately $1.38 million at the end of the quarter.
• Several institutional investors also boosted their stakes in APEI, with Wells Fargo increasing its position by 29.2% and Dimensional Fund Advisors rising by 9.2% during the fourth quarter.
• The stock has been rated as a "Moderate Buy" by analysts, with an average target price of $35.17, while American Public Education reported a net margin of 4.44% with quarterly revenues exceeding estimates.

Trexquant Investment LP grew its stake in American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Free Report) by 66.4% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 62,016 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 24,744 shares during the period. Trexquant Investment LP owned 0.34% of American Public Education worth $1,384,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in American Public Education by 6.6% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 908,974 shares of the company's stock worth $20,288,000 after purchasing an additional 56,674 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. boosted its stake in American Public Education by 4.8% during the 4th quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 761,534 shares of the company's stock worth $16,426,000 after purchasing an additional 34,817 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its stake in American Public Education by 9.2% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 750,912 shares of the company's stock worth $16,197,000 after purchasing an additional 63,103 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in American Public Education by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 516,266 shares of the company's stock worth $11,523,000 after purchasing an additional 8,550 shares during the period. Finally, Bastion Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in American Public Education by 9.6% during the 1st quarter. Bastion Asset Management Inc. now owns 485,901 shares of the company's stock worth $10,845,000 after purchasing an additional 42,575 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.62% of the company's stock.

American Public Education Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ APEI traded down $0.99 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $33.16. The company had a trading volume of 52,846 shares, compared to its average volume of 203,411. The company has a quick ratio of 2.83, a current ratio of 2.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. American Public Education, Inc. has a twelve month low of $13.45 and a twelve month high of $34.16. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $30.26 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $26.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $599.10 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.61.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The company reported ($0.02) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of ($0.07) by $0.05. The company had revenue of $162.77 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $160.88 million. American Public Education had a net margin of 4.44% and a return on equity of 10.82%. Equities research 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 a number of recent research reports. B. Riley increased their price target on shares of American Public Education from $36.00 to $37.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. Zacks Research upgraded shares of American Public Education to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 12th. Lake Street Capital upped their price objective on shares of American Public Education from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Northland Capmk upgraded shares of American Public Education to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. Finally, DA Davidson began coverage on shares of American Public Education in a research note on Tuesday. They issued a "buy" rating and a $40.00 target price for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, American Public Education has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $35.86.

American Public Education Company Profile

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.