American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) Stock Rating Upgraded by B. Riley

B. Riley upgraded shares of American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI - Free Report) to a strong-buy rating in a report published on Thursday morning,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other research analysts have also recently issued reports on APEI. StockNews.com raised American Public Education from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Friday, March 7th. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of American Public Education from $20.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a report 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 reiterated an "outperform" rating and issued a $24.00 target price on shares of American Public Education in a research note on Friday, March 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $25.33.

American Public Education Price Performance

Shares of APEI traded up $0.37 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $23.01. The company had a trading volume of 23,558 shares, compared to its average volume of 169,475. 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 market capitalization of $414.09 million, a P/E ratio of 41.09, a P/E/G 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's 50-day moving average is $21.90 and its 200-day moving average is $19.49.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, SVP Thomas Beckett sold 3,700 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.07, for a total value of $81,659.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 60,253 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,329,783.71. This trade represents a 5.79 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 11.38% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Victory Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in American Public Education during the 3rd quarter valued at about $299,000. FMR LLC lifted its holdings in American Public Education by 350.3% in the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 11,658 shares of the company's stock valued at $172,000 after buying an additional 9,069 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its stake in American Public Education by 383.7% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 14,720 shares of the company's stock valued at $217,000 after acquiring an additional 11,677 shares during the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in American Public Education by 129.1% during the 3rd quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 9,206 shares of the company's stock worth $136,000 after acquiring an additional 5,187 shares during the period. Finally, Martingale Asset Management L P bought a new stake in shares of American Public Education during the 3rd quarter valued at $189,000. 79.62% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.