DA Davidson Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) Stock

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) had its price objective lifted by analysts at DA Davidson from $40.00 to $41.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a “buy” rating on the stock. DA Davidson’s price objective indicates a potential upside of 19.87% from the stock’s previous close.

A number of other analysts have also weighed in on APEI. Lake Street Capital set a $38.00 price target on shares of American Public Education and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 15th. Griffin Securities set a $37.00 price objective on American Public Education in a report on Thursday, August 7th. Zacks Research upgraded American Public Education to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Northland Securities upped their price target on American Public Education from $38.00 to $46.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, September 25th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of American Public Education in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, American Public Education presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $38.86.

American Public Education Stock Performance

NASDAQ:APEI traded up $1.22 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $34.21. 495,355 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 216,853. The stock has a market capitalization of $617.98 million, a P/E ratio of 32.27, a P/E/G ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 1.65. American Public Education has a 52 week low of $17.07 and a 52 week high of $39.83. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $35.50 and a 200-day simple moving average of $31.19. The company has a quick ratio of 2.83, a current ratio of 2.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Victory Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in American Public Education during the 1st quarter valued at about $213,000. Royce & Associates LP acquired a new position in shares of American Public Education during the 1st quarter worth about $5,319,000. Bastion Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of American Public Education by 9.6% in the 1st quarter. Bastion Asset Management Inc. now owns 485,901 shares of the company’s stock valued at $10,845,000 after acquiring an additional 42,575 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its holdings in American Public Education by 123.2% during the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 59,968 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,338,000 after purchasing an additional 33,099 shares during the period. Finally, Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC raised its holdings in American Public Education by 39.5% in the first quarter. Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC now owns 147,930 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,302,000 after purchasing an additional 41,922 shares during the period. 79.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Public Education Company Profile

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.