Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC) Hits New 12-Month High - What's Next?

Key Points

• Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC) reached a new 52-week high at $24.53, showing strong trading volume of 287,981 shares.
• Analysts are generally optimistic, with multiple upgrades and a consensus rating of "Buy" and a target price of $24.60, reflecting a positive outlook on the stock's performance.
• Despite recent insider selling, institutional investors continue to increase their stakes, with 72.23% of the stock now owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (NASDAQ:LINC - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $24.49 and last traded at $24.53, with a volume of 287981 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $22.64.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

LINC has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Northland Capmk raised shares of Lincoln Educational Services to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Rosenblatt Securities increased their price objective on shares of Lincoln Educational Services from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Lake Street Capital increased their price objective on shares of Lincoln Educational Services from $21.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. Barrington Research increased their price objective 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. Finally, Northland Securities initiated coverage on shares of Lincoln Educational Services in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $24.00 price objective on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Lincoln Educational Services presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $24.60.

Lincoln Educational Services Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $750.26 million, a P/E ratio of 60.90, a P/E/G ratio of 2.20 and a beta of 1.50. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $22.78 and its 200 day simple moving average is $19.44. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17.

Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, May 12th. The company reported $0.11 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.04 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $117.51 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $114.55 million. Lincoln Educational Services had a net margin of 2.65% and a return on equity of 10.88%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Lincoln Educational Services Corporation will post 0.54 EPS for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Lincoln Educational Services

In related news, COO Chad D. Nyce sold 6,200 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.93, for a total transaction of $142,166.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 170,209 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $3,902,892.37. The trade was a 3.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director James J. Burke, Jr. sold 10,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.40, for a total transaction of $214,000.00. Following the transaction, the director directly owned 87,230 shares in the company, valued at $1,866,722. The trade was a 10.28% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 51,200 shares of company stock valued at $1,172,166 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 16.80% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in Lincoln Educational Services by 1,952.6% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 11,823 shares of the company's stock valued at $188,000 after purchasing an additional 11,247 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC bought a new stake in Lincoln Educational Services in the fourth quarter worth approximately $288,000. Calamos Advisors LLC grew its position in Lincoln Educational Services by 19.4% in the first quarter. Calamos Advisors LLC now owns 109,369 shares of the company's stock worth $1,736,000 after acquiring an additional 17,740 shares in the last quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. grew its position in Lincoln Educational Services by 24.0% in the first quarter. North Star Investment Management Corp. now owns 106,275 shares of the company's stock worth $1,687,000 after acquiring an additional 20,575 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp grew its position in Lincoln Educational Services by 6.7% in the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 236,988 shares of the company's stock worth $3,749,000 after acquiring an additional 14,877 shares in the last quarter. 72.23% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.