Lincoln Educational Services Co. (NASDAQ:LINC) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

Lincoln Educational Services Co. (NASDAQ:LINC - Get Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of April. As of April 15th, there was short interest totalling 542,200 shares, a growth of 36.9% from the March 31st total of 396,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 212,700 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.5 days. Currently, 2.1% of the company's stock are sold short.

Lincoln Educational Services Stock Up 6.0 %

LINC traded up $1.04 on Friday, hitting $18.29. The company had a trading volume of 180,537 shares, compared to its average volume of 152,085. The stock has a market capitalization of $577.84 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 57.16, a P/E/G ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 1.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 1.57. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $16.47 and a 200-day moving average price of $15.92. Lincoln Educational Services has a 12-month low of $10.06 and a 12-month high of $19.79.

Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 24th. The company reported $0.31 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.20 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $119.37 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $110.50 million. Lincoln Educational Services had a return on equity of 10.60% and a net margin of 2.33%. Analysts predict that Lincoln Educational Services will post 0.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of LINC. McIlrath & Eck LLC grew 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 purchasing an additional 1,383 shares during the period. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Lincoln Educational Services by 39.6% during the 4th quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 2,731 shares of the company's stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 775 shares during the period. Morse Asset Management Inc purchased a new position in shares of Lincoln Educational Services during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $101,000. Aquatic Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Lincoln Educational Services in the 4th quarter valued at $135,000. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Lincoln Educational Services by 20.3% in the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 8,878 shares of the company's stock worth $141,000 after acquiring an additional 1,500 shares in the last quarter. 72.23% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have weighed in on LINC shares. Rosenblatt Securities raised their price objective on shares of Lincoln Educational Services from $20.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 25th. B. Riley began coverage on Lincoln Educational Services in a research report on Friday, March 28th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $23.00 target price on the stock. Barrington Research reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $22.00 price objective on shares of Lincoln Educational Services in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. Northland Capmk raised shares of Lincoln Educational Services to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Northland Securities started coverage on shares of Lincoln Educational Services in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $24.00 price objective for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $21.60.

Lincoln Educational Services Company Profile

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.

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