BNP Paribas Financial Markets Decreases Holdings in Lincoln Educational Services Co. (NASDAQ:LINC)

BNP Paribas Financial Markets lessened its stake in shares of Lincoln Educational Services Co. (NASDAQ:LINC) by 75.3% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 5,566 shares of the company’s stock after selling 16,994 shares during the quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets’ holdings in Lincoln Educational Services were worth $66,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of LINC. Secure Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Lincoln Educational Services in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $612,000. Calamos Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Lincoln Educational Services in the second quarter valued at $576,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its stake in shares of Lincoln Educational Services by 19.5% in the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 97,580 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,157,000 after purchasing an additional 15,920 shares during the period. Pullen Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Lincoln Educational Services by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. Pullen Investment Management LLC now owns 124,832 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,481,000 after purchasing an additional 2,924 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers increased its stake in Lincoln Educational Services by 36.0% during the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 38,162 shares of the company’s stock worth $453,000 after buying an additional 10,095 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 72.23% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Lincoln Educational Services

In related news, Director Michael A. Plater sold 10,471 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.41, for a total transaction of $161,358.11. Following the sale, the director now owns 31,608 shares in the company, valued at $487,079.28. This represents a 24.88 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Brian K. Meyers sold 8,939 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.26, for a total transaction of $136,409.14. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 233,810 shares in the company, valued at $3,567,940.60. This represents a 3.68 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 223,002 shares of company stock valued at $3,632,824. Corporate insiders own 16.80% of the company’s stock.

Lincoln Educational Services Price Performance

LINC opened at $15.46 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $486.67 million, a P/E ratio of 48.31, a PEG ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 1.47. The company has a 50-day moving average of $14.87 and a 200-day moving average of $13.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 1.57. Lincoln Educational Services Co. has a 1-year low of $8.91 and a 1-year high of $18.74.

Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 11th. The company reported $0.13 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.14 by ($0.01). Lincoln Educational Services had a net margin of 2.33% and a return on equity of 10.60%. The firm had revenue of $114.41 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $111.05 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.11 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Lincoln Educational Services Co. will post 0.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on LINC. StockNews.com cut shares of Lincoln Educational Services from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. B. Riley increased their price target on Lincoln Educational Services from $15.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, Barrington Research raised their price objective on Lincoln Educational Services from $16.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $18.00.

Lincoln Educational Services Profile

Lincoln Educational Services Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides various career-oriented post-secondary education services to high school graduates and working adults in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Campus Operations and Transitional. It offers associate's degree, and diploma and certificate programs in automotive technology; skilled trades programs, including electrical, heating and air conditioning repair, welding, computerized numerical control, and electrical and electronic systems technology; health science programs comprising licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, dental assistant, medical assistant, medical administrative assistant, and claims examiner; hospitality service and information technology programs, such as culinary, therapeutic massage, cosmetology, aesthetics, and computer systems support technicians.