What is Zacks Research's Forecast for APEI Q4 Earnings?

American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Free Report) - Investment analysts at Zacks Research increased their Q4 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for American Public Education in a research note issued on Monday, May 26th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the company will post earnings of $0.81 per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $0.71. The consensus estimate for American Public Education's current full-year earnings is $0.47 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for American Public Education's Q2 2026 earnings at $0.27 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $0.40 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $0.78 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $1.81 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.46 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $2.23 EPS.

A number of other brokerages have also recently weighed in on APEI. Wall Street Zen upgraded American Public Education from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, March 7th. Barrington Research increased their price target on shares of American Public Education from $24.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. B. Riley reissued a "buy" rating on shares of American Public Education in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Lake Street Capital upped their target price on shares of American Public Education from $30.00 to $35.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price target on American Public Education from $24.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, May 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $31.25.

American Public Education Stock Performance

Shares of APEI traded up $0.35 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $29.45. 389,653 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 179,069. The company has a market capitalization of $531.28 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.59, a PEG ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 2.65 and a quick ratio of 2.65. American Public Education has a twelve month low of $11.80 and a twelve month high of $30.64. The business's 50-day moving average price is $25.04 and its 200 day moving average price is $22.57.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 12th. The company reported $0.41 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.15 by $0.26. The business had revenue of $164.55 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $161.92 million. American Public Education had a net margin of 2.64% and a return on equity of 6.96%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, insider Nuno S. Fernandes sold 7,272 shares of American Public Education stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $27.11, for a total value of $197,143.92. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 85,459 shares in the company, valued at $2,316,793.49. The trade was a 7.84% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, SVP Thomas Beckett sold 3,700 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.07, for a total transaction of $81,659.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 60,253 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,329,783.71. This trade represents a 5.79% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 17.54% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of American Public Education

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Bastion Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of American Public Education during the 4th quarter worth $9,563,000. Royce & Associates LP acquired a new position in American Public Education during the first quarter worth about $5,319,000. Invesco Ltd. raised its position in American Public Education by 379.5% during the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 282,325 shares of the company's stock worth $6,090,000 after acquiring an additional 223,447 shares during the last quarter. LSV Asset Management lifted its holdings in shares of American Public Education by 649.4% in the fourth quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 214,551 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,628,000 after purchasing an additional 185,920 shares in the last quarter. Finally, 4D Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Public Education in the first quarter valued at approximately $3,013,000. 79.62% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About American Public Education

American Public Education, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides online and campus-based postsecondary education and career learning in the United States. It operates through three segments: American Public University System, Rasmussen University, and Hondros College of Nursing. The company offers 184 degree programs and 134 certificate programs in various fields of study, including nursing, national security, military studies, intelligence, homeland security, business, health science, information technology, justice studies, education, and liberal arts; and career learning opportunities in leadership, finance, human resources, and other fields of study critical to the federal government workforce.