1,856 Shares in Grand Canyon Education, Inc. $LOPE Acquired by United Services Automobile Association

Key Points

• United Services Automobile Association purchased a new position in Grand Canyon Education, acquiring 1,856 shares valued at approximately $325,000 during the first quarter.
• Goldman Sachs increased its stake in Grand Canyon Education by 14.9%, now owning over 115,000 shares worth nearly $20 million.
• Analysts have shown positive sentiment towards the company, with a consensus rating of "Buy" and a price target averaging $203.67.

United Services Automobile Association bought a new position in shares of Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:LOPE - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 1,856 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $325,000.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its stake in shares of Grand Canyon Education by 15.5% in the fourth quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 14,660 shares of the company's stock worth $2,401,000 after buying an additional 1,972 shares in the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG raised its holdings in Grand Canyon Education by 14.6% in the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 87,294 shares of the company's stock valued at $14,299,000 after acquiring an additional 11,153 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Grand Canyon Education by 38.8% in the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 15,731 shares of the company's stock worth $2,575,000 after purchasing an additional 4,396 shares in the last quarter. Man Group plc boosted its holdings in shares of Grand Canyon Education by 29.4% during the 4th quarter. Man Group plc now owns 33,295 shares of the company's stock worth $5,454,000 after purchasing an additional 7,565 shares during the last quarter. Finally, ProShare Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Grand Canyon Education in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $220,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.17% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently commented on LOPE. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on Grand Canyon Education from $222.00 to $210.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, July 7th. Barrington Research reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $215.00 price target on shares of Grand Canyon Education in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of Grand Canyon Education from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, Grand Canyon Education currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $203.67.

Grand Canyon Education Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:LOPE traded down $3.18 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $206.48. 156,736 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 211,956. Grand Canyon Education, Inc. has a 1 year low of $130.69 and a 1 year high of $211.31. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $188.42 and its 200 day simple moving average is $184.18. The firm has a market cap of $5.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.00, a P/E/G ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.80.

Grand Canyon Education (NASDAQ:LOPE - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 6th. The company reported $1.53 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.37 by $0.16. Grand Canyon Education had a return on equity of 31.50% and a net margin of 22.15%.The company had revenue of $247.50 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $240.90 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.19 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Grand Canyon Education, Inc. will post 8.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Grand Canyon Education Profile

Grand Canyon Education, Inc provides education services to colleges and universities in the United States. It offers technology services, including learning management system, internal administration, infrastructure, and support services; academic services, such as program and curriculum, faculty and related training and development, class scheduling, and skills and simulation lab sites; and counseling services and support services comprising admission, financial aid, and field experience and other counseling services.