Brokerages Set American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) Price Target at $26.50

American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) has received an average recommendation of "Buy" from the five research firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $26.50.

APEI has been the topic of several analyst reports. Barrington Research reiterated an "outperform" rating and set a $24.00 price target on shares of American Public Education in a report on Friday, March 7th. Lake Street Capital initiated coverage on American Public Education in a report on Friday. They set a "buy" rating and a $30.00 price target on the stock. B. Riley initiated coverage on American Public Education in a report on Friday, March 28th. They set a "buy" rating and a $28.00 price target on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded American Public Education from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, March 7th. Finally, William Blair upgraded shares of American Public Education from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, March 7th.

American Public Education Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of NASDAQ APEI traded up $0.13 during trading on Friday, hitting $23.96. 102,120 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 170,755. American Public Education has a 12-month low of $11.80 and a 12-month high of $25.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 2.65 and a current ratio of 2.65. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $22.47 and a 200-day moving average price of $20.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $432.14 million, a PE ratio of 42.79, a P/E/G ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.47.

Insider Activity at American Public Education

In related news, SVP Thomas Beckett sold 3,700 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.07, for a total value of $81,659.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 60,253 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,329,783.71. The trade was a 5.79 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 17.54% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Public Education

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in American Public Education by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 404,168 shares of the company's stock valued at $5,963,000 after acquiring an additional 2,573 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in American Public Education by 8.0% in the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 507,716 shares of the company's stock valued at $10,951,000 after acquiring an additional 37,492 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp grew its position in American Public Education by 27.2% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 275,889 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,069,000 after acquiring an additional 58,984 shares in the last quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its position in American Public Education by 10.0% in the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 12,321 shares of the company's stock valued at $266,000 after acquiring an additional 1,120 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its position in American Public Education by 29.9% in the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 57,921 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,249,000 after acquiring an additional 13,344 shares in the last quarter. 79.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.