Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC) Hits New 1-Year High - Time to Buy?

Lincoln Educational Services Co. (NASDAQ:LINC - Get Free Report) shares reached a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The stock traded as high as $23.10 and last traded at $23.03, with a volume of 515540 shares. The stock had previously closed at $22.02.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently issued reports on LINC. Barrington Research upped their target price on shares of Lincoln Educational Services from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Northland Securities started coverage on shares of Lincoln Educational Services in a report on Thursday, April 24th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $24.00 price target on the stock. Northland Capmk raised Lincoln Educational Services to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. Lake Street Capital boosted their target price on Lincoln Educational Services from $21.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, Rosenblatt Securities boosted their price objective on Lincoln Educational Services from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $24.60.

Lincoln Educational Services Stock Performance

The stock has a 50 day moving average of $18.51 and a two-hundred day moving average of $16.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.53. The stock has a market capitalization of $752.55 million, a PE ratio of 74.44, a P/E/G ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 1.63.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.04 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $117.51 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $114.55 million. Lincoln Educational Services had a return on equity of 10.60% and a net margin of 2.33%. Research analysts expect that Lincoln Educational Services Co. will post 0.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director James J. Burke, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $21.42, for a total transaction of $107,100.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 82,230 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,761,366.60. This trade represents a 5.73% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 13.60% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lincoln Educational Services

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Sanctuary Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lincoln Educational Services during the fourth quarter valued at about $288,000. Bailard Inc. raised its position in Lincoln Educational Services by 24.5% in the 4th quarter. Bailard Inc. now owns 84,900 shares of the company's stock worth $1,343,000 after purchasing an additional 16,693 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp increased its position 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 acquiring an additional 14,877 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in Lincoln Educational Services by 13.7% during the fourth quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 15,456 shares of the company's stock worth $245,000 after acquiring an additional 1,859 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of Lincoln Educational Services by 190.5% during the fourth quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 115,177 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,822,000 after purchasing an additional 75,531 shares during the last quarter. 72.23% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.