American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) Sees Large Decline in Short Interest

American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 697,600 shares, a drop of 7.7% from the December 31st total of 756,200 shares. Currently, 4.1% of the company's shares are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 118,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 5.9 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Public Education

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. New York State Teachers Retirement System purchased a new stake in shares of American Public Education during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. R Squared Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of American Public Education during the 4th quarter valued at $38,000. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Public Education during the 4th quarter worth $121,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its position in American Public Education by 129.1% during the third 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 during the period. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. purchased a new stake in American Public Education during the third quarter worth about $165,000. Institutional investors own 79.62% of the company's stock.

American Public Education Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of American Public Education stock traded up $0.23 on Friday, hitting $22.17. 83,527 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 77,074. American Public Education has a one year low of $10.15 and a one year high of $23.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 2.65 and a quick ratio of 2.65. The company has a fifty day moving average of $21.32 and a two-hundred day moving average of $17.84. The company has a market capitalization of $392.63 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.07 and a beta of 1.29.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have commented on APEI. StockNews.com upgraded American Public Education from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, January 2nd. B. Riley upped their target price on American Public Education from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Barrington Research raised their price target on shares of American Public Education from $18.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. Finally, Truist Financial upped their price objective on shares of American Public Education from $15.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 14th.

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.

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