Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC) Hits New 12-Month High - Still a Buy?

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) reached a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $24.49 and last traded at $24.53, with a volume of 287981 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $22.64.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

LINC has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Barrington Research increased 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 report on Monday, May 12th. Northland Capmk upgraded shares of Lincoln Educational Services to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, April 24th. Rosenblatt Securities increased their price target on shares of Lincoln Educational Services from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. 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 target for the company. Finally, B. Riley reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Lincoln Educational Services in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's 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 debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 1.01. The company's 50 day moving average is $22.76 and its 200 day moving average is $19.26. The stock has a market cap of $773.96 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 62.82, a PEG ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 1.50.

Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, May 12th. The company reported $0.11 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.04 by $0.07. Lincoln Educational Services had a net margin of 2.65% and a return on equity of 10.88%. The firm had revenue of $117.51 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $114.55 million. Research analysts forecast that Lincoln Educational Services Corporation will post 0.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Lincoln Educational Services

In other Lincoln Educational Services news, COO Chad D. Nyce sold 6,200 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.93, for a total transaction of $142,166.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer directly owned 170,209 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,902,892.37. This trade represents a 3.51% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director James J. Burke, Jr. sold 10,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated 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 owned 87,230 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,866,722. This trade represents a 10.28% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 51,200 shares of company stock worth $1,172,166. 16.80% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lincoln Educational Services

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake 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 worth $188,000 after buying an additional 11,247 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC purchased a new stake in Lincoln Educational Services during the fourth quarter worth approximately $288,000. Calamos Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Lincoln Educational Services by 19.4% in the first quarter. Calamos Advisors LLC now owns 109,369 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,736,000 after purchasing an additional 17,740 shares during the period. North Star Investment Management Corp. boosted its stake in shares of 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 valued at $1,687,000 after purchasing an additional 20,575 shares during the period. Finally, Northern Trust Corp boosted its stake in shares of Lincoln Educational Services by 6.7% in the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 236,988 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,749,000 after purchasing an additional 14,877 shares during the period. 72.23% of the stock is currently 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.

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