Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC) Trading Down 4.4% - Here's Why

Lincoln Educational Services Co. (NASDAQ:LINC - Get Free Report)'s stock price dropped 4.4% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $22.61 and last traded at $22.03. Approximately 7,820 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 95% from the average daily volume of 170,637 shares. The stock had previously closed at $23.05.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

LINC has been the topic of several analyst reports. Northland Capmk raised Lincoln Educational Services to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. B. Riley reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Lincoln Educational Services in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Barrington Research lifted their target price on 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 Securities initiated coverage on Lincoln Educational Services in a research report on Thursday, April 24th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $24.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Rosenblatt Securities lifted their target price on Lincoln Educational Services from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. One 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $24.60.

Lincoln Educational Services Stock Up 3.5%

The stock has a fifty day moving average of $19.69 and a 200 day moving average of $17.39. The firm has a market capitalization of $707.37 million, a P/E ratio of 69.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 1.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 1.53.

Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly 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 analyst estimates of $114.55 million. Lincoln Educational Services had a return on equity of 10.60% and a net margin of 2.33%. On average, research analysts anticipate that Lincoln Educational Services Co. will post 0.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Lincoln Educational Services news, Director Carlton Rose sold 30,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $23.63, for a total value of $708,900.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 15,295 shares in the company, valued at $361,420.85. The trade was a 66.23% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, COO Chad D. Nyce sold 6,200 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Friday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.93, for a total value of $142,166.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 170,209 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,902,892.37. The trade was a 3.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 51,200 shares of company stock worth $1,172,166. 13.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Lincoln Educational Services

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in LINC. McIlrath & Eck LLC raised its stake in shares of Lincoln Educational Services by 156.4% in the fourth quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 2,267 shares of the company's stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 1,383 shares during the period. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. grew 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 valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 775 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio purchased a new position in shares of Lincoln Educational Services in the first quarter valued at $48,000. Morse Asset Management Inc purchased a new position in shares of Lincoln Educational Services in the fourth quarter valued at $101,000. Finally, Aquatic Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Lincoln Educational Services in the fourth quarter valued at $135,000. 72.23% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.