American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) Shares Cross Above 200-Day Moving Average - Time to Sell?

American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI - Get Free Report)'s share price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $18.92 and traded as high as $22.73. American Public Education shares last traded at $22.38, with a volume of 102,733 shares trading hands.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Truist Financial increased their price objective on shares of American Public Education from $20.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a research note on Monday, March 10th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of American Public Education from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Friday, March 7th. William Blair upgraded 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 set a $24.00 target price on shares of American Public Education in a research report on Friday, March 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $24.33.

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American Public Education Stock Down 2.2 %

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's 50-day moving average price is $21.61 and its 200 day moving average price is $19.01. The stock has a market capitalization of $398.40 million, a P/E ratio of 39.76, a P/E/G ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.30.

Insider Buying and Selling

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

Institutional Trading of American Public Education

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mackenzie Financial Corp purchased a new stake in American Public Education during the fourth quarter valued at $580,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio purchased a new stake in American Public Education during the 4th quarter valued at $124,000. Systematic Financial Management LP lifted its position in American Public Education by 2.0% in the fourth quarter. Systematic Financial Management LP now owns 353,184 shares of the company's stock worth $7,618,000 after buying an additional 6,909 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC increased its position in American Public Education by 10.2% during the fourth quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 75,019 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,618,000 after acquiring an additional 6,921 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of American Public Education by 2.7% during the 4th quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. now owns 35,291 shares of the company's stock worth $761,000 after purchasing an additional 943 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 79.62% of the company's stock.

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.