American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) Sees Significant Increase in Short Interest

American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) was the target of a large growth in short interest in the month of June. As of June 15th, there was short interest totalling 645,200 shares, a growth of 56.4% from the May 31st total of 412,600 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 158,400 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 4.1 days. Approximately 3.8% of the company’s shares are sold short.

American Public Education Stock Performance

Shares of APEI stock opened at $17.58 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $16.50 and a 200-day moving average price of $13.29. American Public Education has a 52 week low of $4.05 and a 52 week high of $21.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $309.06 million, a PE ratio of -6.71, a P/E/G ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a quick ratio of 2.81, a current ratio of 2.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 7th. The company reported ($0.06) EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.19) by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $154.43 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $152.34 million. American Public Education had a negative net margin of 6.78% and a positive return on equity of 5.97%. As a group, equities research analysts expect that American Public Education will post 0.72 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently commented on APEI. StockNews.com raised shares of American Public Education from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, May 16th. Barrington Research increased their price target on shares of American Public Education from $17.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 8th. B. Riley increased their price target on shares of American Public Education from $15.00 to $16.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 30th. Finally, Truist Financial increased their price target on shares of American Public Education from $6.00 to $15.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 6th.

Insider Buying and Selling at American Public Education

In other American Public Education news, EVP Craig S. Macgibbon sold 6,519 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $17.35, for a total transaction of $113,104.65. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 37,751 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $654,979.85. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other American Public Education news, EVP Craig S. Macgibbon sold 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $18.40, for a total transaction of $27,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 41,783 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $768,807.20. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Craig S. Macgibbon sold 6,519 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $17.35, for a total transaction of $113,104.65. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 37,751 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $654,979.85. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 11.38% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Public Education

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new position in shares of American Public Education in the first quarter worth approximately $130,000. Jump Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Public Education in the fourth quarter worth approximately $137,000. Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of American Public Education in the first quarter worth approximately $141,000. Cannon Global Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Public Education in the first quarter worth approximately $145,000. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in American Public Education during the first quarter valued at approximately $182,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.62% of the company’s stock.

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.