American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) Shares Gap Down on Analyst Downgrade

Key Points

• American Public Education shares fell 2.7% after B. Riley Financial cut its price target from $70 to $65, though it maintained a Buy rating. The stock opened at $46.01 versus a prior close of $47.67.
• Analyst sentiment remains moderately positive, with a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $59, compared with the latest trading price near $46.51.
• Institutional ownership stands at 79.62%, while an insider sold 1,256 shares under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan. The company’s latest quarterly results exceeded expectations, reporting $0.52 in EPS versus a $0.36 consensus estimate.

Shares of American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) gapped down before the market opened on Wednesday after B. Riley Financial lowered their price target on the stock from $70.00 to $65.00. The stock had previously closed at $47.67, but opened at $46.01. B. Riley Financial currently has a buy rating on the stock. American Public Education shares last traded at $46.51, with a volume of 2,222 shares changing hands.

A number of other equities analysts have also recently commented on APEI. Wall Street Zen cut American Public Education from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 15th. Zacks Research lowered American Public Education from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. DA Davidson upgraded shares of American Public Education to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, October 5th. Lake Street Capital lifted their target price on shares of American Public Education from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered shares of American Public Education from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a report on Thursday, October 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $59.00.

Insider Transactions at American Public Education

In related news, insider James Kenigsberg sold 1,256 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.69, for a total transaction of $59,898.64. Following the transaction, the insider owned 43,473 shares in the company, valued at $2,073,227.37. The trade was a 2.81% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 10.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Public Education

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new position in shares of American Public Education during the second quarter valued at approximately $3,721,000. Hsbc Holdings PLC lifted its stake in American Public Education by 350.3% in the second quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 80,658 shares of the company's stock worth $4,375,000 after acquiring an additional 62,746 shares during the period. AWM Investment Company Inc. purchased a new stake in American Public Education in the second quarter worth $2,873,000. Globeflex Capital L P bought a new stake in American Public Education in the second quarter valued at $2,498,000. Finally, Sei Investments Co. boosted its holdings in American Public Education by 99.5% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 77,257 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,394,000 after acquiring an additional 38,538 shares in the last quarter. 79.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

American Public Education Stock Down 2.7%

The firm's fifty day moving average is $45.47 and its two-hundred day moving average is $49.52. The firm has a market cap of $849.23 million, a P/E ratio of 19.10 and a beta of 1.41.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 10th. The company reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.36 by $0.16. The company had revenue of $171.73 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $170.88 million. American Public Education has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.480-2.790 EPS and its Q3 2026 guidance at 0.180-0.290 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that American Public Education, Inc. will post 2.63 EPS for the current year.

American Public Education Company Profile

American Public Education, Inc NASDAQ: APEI is an education services company that provides postsecondary instruction and career-focused training through a group of institutions. Its portfolio includes American Public University System, Rasmussen University and Hondros College of Nursing.

American Public University System offers undergraduate and graduate programs primarily through online and distance-learning formats. Its institutions serve military personnel, veterans, working adults and other students, with academic offerings spanning areas such as business, public service, health care, technology, security and liberal arts.

Rasmussen University provides undergraduate and graduate education through online and campus-based programs, with a focus on health sciences, nursing, business, technology and other career-oriented fields.

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