Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC Invests $2.29 Million in American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI)

Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 106,008 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,287,000. Pacific Ridge Capital Partners LLC owned 0.60% of American Public Education at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Victory Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in American Public Education during the third quarter worth approximately $299,000. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. lifted its holdings in American Public Education by 140.7% during the 3rd quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 80,906 shares of the company's stock worth $1,193,000 after purchasing an additional 47,293 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC lifted its holdings in American Public Education by 350.3% during the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 11,658 shares of the company's stock worth $172,000 after purchasing an additional 9,069 shares during the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its stake in American Public Education by 383.7% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 14,720 shares of the company's stock valued at $217,000 after purchasing an additional 11,677 shares during the period. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in American Public Education by 129.1% in the 3rd quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 9,206 shares of the company's stock valued at $136,000 after buying an additional 5,187 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.62% of the company's stock.

American Public Education Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:APEI traded down $0.41 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $22.08. The stock had a trading volume of 22,498 shares, compared to its average volume of 99,142. The company's 50-day moving average price is $21.88 and its 200-day moving average price is $19.39. American Public Education, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $11.80 and a fifty-two week high of $25.60. The company has a quick ratio of 2.65, a current ratio of 2.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The company has a market capitalization of $397.26 million, a P/E ratio of 39.42, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.30.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

APEI has been the subject of a number of research reports. Barrington Research reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $24.00 target price on shares of American Public Education in a report on Friday, March 7th. B. Riley initiated coverage on shares of American Public Education in a report on Friday. They issued a "buy" rating and a $28.00 price objective for the company. Truist Financial increased their target price on shares of American Public Education from $20.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, March 10th. StockNews.com upgraded American Public Education from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, March 7th. Finally, William Blair raised American Public Education from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, March 7th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $25.33.

Insider Buying and Selling at American Public Education

In other news, SVP Thomas Beckett sold 3,700 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.07, for a total value of $81,659.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 60,253 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,329,783.71. This represents a 5.79 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 11.38% of the company's stock.

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.