American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) Short Interest Down 13.2% in February

American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest during the month of February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 691,500 shares, a drop of 13.2% from the February 13th total of 796,800 shares. Currently, 4.2% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 106,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 6.5 days.

American Public Education Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:APEI traded down $0.45 during trading on Friday, reaching $22.18. The company had a trading volume of 131,648 shares, compared to its average volume of 166,608. The firm's fifty day moving average is $21.67 and its 200 day moving average is $19.10. The firm has a market capitalization of $399.15 million, a PE ratio of 39.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.30. American Public Education has a twelve month low of $11.80 and a twelve 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.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently weighed in on APEI shares. StockNews.com upgraded shares of American Public Education from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, March 7th. Truist Financial boosted their target price on shares of American Public Education from $20.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, March 10th. William Blair raised shares of American Public Education from a "market perform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, March 7th. Finally, Barrington Research reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $24.00 target price on shares of American Public Education in a research note on Friday, March 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, American Public Education presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $24.33.

Insider Transactions at American Public Education

In other news, SVP Thomas Beckett sold 3,700 shares of the firm'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 transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 60,253 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,329,783.71. This trade represents a 5.79 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 11.38% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of American Public Education

A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in APEI. Principal Financial Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of American Public Education in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $165,000. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Public Education in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $227,000. GSA Capital Partners LLP lifted its stake in shares of American Public Education by 184.0% in the 3rd quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 31,963 shares of the company's stock worth $471,000 after acquiring an additional 20,710 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of American Public Education in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $299,000. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC raised its holdings in shares of American Public Education by 5.2% in the 3rd quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 86,299 shares of the company's stock worth $1,273,000 after purchasing an additional 4,288 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.