Lincoln Educational Services Co. (NASDAQ:LINC) Given Consensus Recommendation of "Buy" by Brokerages

Lincoln Educational Services Co. (NASDAQ:LINC - Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of "Buy" by the six brokerages that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation and one has issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $24.60.

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. B. Riley reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Lincoln Educational Services in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Barrington Research upped their target price on shares of Lincoln Educational Services from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Rosenblatt Securities increased their target price on shares of Lincoln Educational Services from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Northland Capmk raised shares of Lincoln Educational Services to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Lake Street Capital lifted their target price on Lincoln Educational Services from $21.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 13th.

Insider Activity

In other Lincoln Educational Services news, Director James J. Burke, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of Lincoln Educational Services stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.42, for a total value of $107,100.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 82,230 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,761,366.60. This trade represents a 5.73% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, COO Chad D. Nyce sold 6,200 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.93, for a total value of $142,166.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 170,209 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,902,892.37. This represents a 3.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 51,200 shares of company stock worth $1,172,166 over the last quarter. 13.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lincoln Educational Services

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. McIlrath & Eck LLC boosted its position in Lincoln Educational Services by 156.4% during the 4th quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 2,267 shares of the company's stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 1,383 shares during the last quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Lincoln Educational Services by 39.6% in the fourth quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 2,731 shares of the company's stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 775 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio acquired a new position in Lincoln Educational Services during the first quarter worth $48,000. Morse Asset Management Inc bought a new position in Lincoln Educational Services in the fourth quarter valued at $101,000. Finally, Aquatic Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Lincoln Educational Services in the fourth quarter valued at $135,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 72.23% of the company's stock.

Lincoln Educational Services Trading Up 0.3%

LINC traded up $0.07 during trading on Friday, reaching $22.46. 155,065 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 173,522. The company's fifty day moving average price is $19.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $17.39. The firm has a market capitalization of $709.58 million, a PE ratio of 70.19, a P/E/G ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 1.62. Lincoln Educational Services has a fifty-two week low of $10.31 and a fifty-two week high of $24.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 1.57.

Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 12th. The company reported $0.11 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.04 by $0.07. Lincoln Educational Services had a return on equity of 10.60% and a net margin of 2.33%. The business had revenue of $117.51 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $114.55 million. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Lincoln Educational Services will post 0.54 EPS for the current year.

About Lincoln Educational Services

Lincoln Educational Services Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides various career-oriented post-secondary education services to high school graduates and working adults in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Campus Operations and Transitional. It offers associate's degree, and diploma and certificate programs in automotive technology; skilled trades programs, including electrical, heating and air conditioning repair, welding, computerized numerical control, and electrical and electronic systems technology; health science programs comprising licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, dental assistant, medical assistant, medical administrative assistant, and claims examiner; hospitality service and information technology programs, such as culinary, therapeutic massage, cosmetology, aesthetics, and computer systems support technicians.