American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) Reaches New 12-Month High Following Analyst Upgrade

Shares of American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Tuesday after Barrington Research raised their price target on the stock from $36.00 to $40.00. Barrington Research currently has an outperform rating on the stock. American Public Education traded as high as $36.93 and last traded at $36.95, with a volume of 57116 shares. The stock had previously closed at $36.44.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Griffin Securities set a $37.00 price objective on American Public Education in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Northland Securities began coverage on American Public Education in a research note on Wednesday, June 18th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $36.00 price target for the company. Zacks Research raised American Public Education to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Northland Capmk raised American Public Education to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, June 18th. Finally, B. Riley upped their price target on shares of American Public Education from $36.00 to $37.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $36.43.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Public Education

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of APEI. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in American Public Education by 6.6% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 908,974 shares of the company’s stock worth $20,288,000 after buying an additional 56,674 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of American Public Education by 124.8% during the second quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 668,130 shares of the company’s stock worth $20,342,000 after purchasing an additional 370,894 shares during the period. American Century Companies Inc. grew its stake in shares of American Public Education by 9.1% in the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 563,079 shares of the company’s stock worth $17,151,000 after purchasing an additional 46,813 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its holdings in American Public Education by 4.1% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 538,440 shares of the company’s stock valued at $12,018,000 after purchasing an additional 21,079 shares during the period. Finally, Bastion Asset Management Inc. raised its position in American Public Education by 9.6% during the 1st quarter. Bastion Asset Management Inc. now owns 485,901 shares of the company’s stock worth $10,845,000 after purchasing an additional 42,575 shares during the last quarter. 79.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

American Public Education Price Performance

The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $31.17 and a 200 day simple moving average of $27.91. The stock has a market capitalization of $669.69 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.96, a P/E/G ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 2.83 and a current ratio of 2.83.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 6th. The company reported ($0.02) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.07) by $0.05. American Public Education had a return on equity of 10.82% and a net margin of 4.44%.The company had revenue of $162.77 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $160.88 million. Equities research analysts forecast that American Public Education, Inc. will post 0.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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.