Truist Financial Issues Pessimistic Forecast for American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) Stock Price

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) had its price objective cut by investment analysts at Truist Financial from $55.00 to $41.00 in a research report issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a “hold” rating on the stock. Truist Financial‘s target price indicates a potential upside of 1.99% from the company’s previous close.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. 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 cut shares of American Public Education from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. DA Davidson raised shares of American Public Education to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 5th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of American Public Education from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Thursday, October 15th. Finally, Lake Street Capital increased their price objective on shares of American Public Education from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $57.62.

American Public Education Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ APEI opened at $40.20 on Wednesday. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $44.56 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $49.53. The company has a market cap of $735.66 million, a PE ratio of 16.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 1.49. The company has a quick ratio of 3.25, a current ratio of 3.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. American Public Education has a twelve month low of $32.96 and a twelve month high of $61.59.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 9th. The company reported $0.32 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.26 by $0.06. American Public Education had a return on equity of 15.08% and a net margin of 6.83%. The firm had revenue of $169.14 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $165.79 million. On average, analysts predict that American Public Education will post 2.63 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at American Public Education

In related news, insider James Kenigsberg sold 1,256 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.69, for a total transaction of $59,898.64. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 43,473 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,073,227.37. This trade represents a 2.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Company insiders own 10.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in APEI. Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new position in shares of American Public Education during the second quarter worth approximately $3,721,000. Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its position in American Public Education by 350.3% during the second quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 80,658 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,375,000 after buying an additional 62,746 shares in the last quarter. AWM Investment Company Inc. acquired a new stake in American Public Education during the second quarter worth approximately $2,873,000. Globeflex Capital L P acquired a new stake in American Public Education during the second quarter worth approximately $2,498,000. Finally, CenterBook Partners LP increased its stake in American Public Education by 89.3% during the 3rd quarter. CenterBook Partners LP now owns 87,321 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,683,000 after acquiring an additional 41,196 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.62% of the company’s stock.

Key American Public Education News

Here are the key news stories impacting American Public Education this week:

• Positive Sentiment: APEI reported third-quarter EPS of $0.32, beating the $0.26 consensus, and revenue of $169.14 million, ahead of the $165.79 million estimate. The company said revenue, net income, EPS and adjusted EBITDA all exceeded its guidance, and it raised full-year 2026 guidance across key metrics. American Public Education third-quarter results
• Positive Sentiment: Northland Securities raised its EPS estimates for FY2026 to $2.70 from $2.58 and FY2027 to $3.10 from $3.06, alongside modest increases to its quarterly forecasts. The revisions suggest improved analyst expectations.
• Positive Sentiment: B. Riley raised its price target to $68 from $65 and maintained a “buy” rating.
• Neutral Sentiment: APEI’s fourth-quarter EPS guidance of $0.81–$1.07 brackets the $0.95 consensus, while its revenue range of $179.4 million–$185.4 million also brackets expectations. Full-year revenue guidance of $695 million–$701 million is above the $693.5 million consensus.
• Negative Sentiment: Despite the increase in full-year guidance, the 2026 EPS range of $2.59–$2.84 has a midpoint below the $2.95 analyst consensus, which could temper the positive reaction to the earnings beat.

American Public Education Company Profile

American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) is a provider of higher education through a portfolio of institutions that includes American Public University System, Rasmussen University and Hondros College of Nursing. Its offerings span online and campus-based programs in areas such as nursing and health care, business, technology, education and public service. American Public University System includes American Military University and American Public University. Founded in 1991 as American Military University, it delivers online programs to military-affiliated students, public-service professionals and other learners in the United States and abroad.