KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS Makes New Investment in Strategic Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:STRA)

KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS acquired a new stake in shares of Strategic Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:STRA - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 7,500 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $701,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new position in Strategic Education during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $37,000. R Squared Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Strategic Education during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of Strategic Education by 394.8% during the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 480 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 383 shares during the period. Pacer Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Strategic Education during the fourth quarter worth approximately $96,000. Finally, KBC Group NV lifted its holdings in shares of Strategic Education by 53.3% in the 4th quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 1,044 shares of the health services provider's stock worth $98,000 after purchasing an additional 363 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 93.27% of the company's stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, CEO Raymond Karl Mcdonnell sold 31,855 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $97.83, for a total transaction of $3,116,374.65. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 140,281 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,723,690.23. This represents a 18.51 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Daniel Wayne Jackson sold 6,025 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $97.83, for a total transaction of $589,425.75. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 81,756 shares of the company's stock, valued at $7,998,189.48. This trade represents a 6.86 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 39,332 shares of company stock valued at $3,825,169 over the last three months. Corporate insiders own 3.30% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have weighed in on STRA shares. BMO Capital Markets lowered their price objective on shares of Strategic Education from $114.00 to $97.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, March 3rd. StockNews.com lowered shares of Strategic Education from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, March 6th. Finally, Barrington Research dropped their price target on shares of Strategic Education from $135.00 to $120.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 27th.

Strategic Education Stock Down 1.4 %

NASDAQ:STRA traded down $1.18 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $81.07. 318,223 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 145,683. Strategic Education, Inc. has a one year low of $78.43 and a one year high of $123.62. The company has a market cap of $2.00 billion, a PE ratio of 15.44, a PEG ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.58. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $90.39 and its 200-day simple moving average is $92.49.

Strategic Education (NASDAQ:STRA - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 27th. The health services provider reported $1.27 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.37 by ($0.10). Strategic Education had a net margin of 10.44% and a return on equity of 7.61%. The firm had revenue of $311.46 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $315.18 million. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Strategic Education, Inc. will post 4.79 EPS for the current year.

Strategic Education Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 17th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 10th were paid a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 10th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.96%. Strategic Education's payout ratio is presently 51.39%.

Strategic Education Company Profile

Strategic Education, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides education services through campus-based and online post-secondary education, and programs to develop job-ready skills. The company operates through U.S. Higher Education, Australia/New Zealand, and Education Technology Services segments. It operates Strayer University that offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, criminal justice, education, health services, information technology, and public administration at physical campuses located in the eastern United States, as well as through online; non-degree web and mobile application development courses through Hackbright Academy and Devmountain; and MBA online through its Jack Welch Management Institute.