Lightrock Netherlands B.V. Takes Position in Strategic Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:STRA)

Lightrock Netherlands B.V. purchased a new stake in Strategic Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:STRA - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 49,262 shares of the health services provider's stock, valued at approximately $4,625,000. Lightrock Netherlands B.V. owned about 0.20% of Strategic Education at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grew its position in shares of Strategic Education by 19.7% in the 3rd quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 43,755 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $4,050,000 after acquiring an additional 7,203 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of Strategic Education by 76.7% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 399,144 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $36,941,000 after acquiring an additional 173,225 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. grew its position in shares of Strategic Education by 11.5% in the 3rd quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 120,628 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $11,164,000 after acquiring an additional 12,437 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Strategic Education in the 3rd quarter valued at about $702,000. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Strategic Education by 7.0% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 313,727 shares of the health services provider's stock valued at $29,035,000 after acquiring an additional 20,389 shares during the period. 93.27% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Barrington Research reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $135.00 price objective on shares of Strategic Education in a research report on Tuesday, January 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Strategic Education has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $126.00.

Strategic Education Stock Performance

Shares of STRA stock traded up $0.99 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $102.38. 85,511 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 91,114. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.50, a PEG ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.59. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $96.62 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $94.82. Strategic Education, Inc. has a 52 week low of $85.11 and a 52 week high of $123.62.

Strategic Education Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 9th. Investors of record on Monday, December 2nd were issued a dividend of $0.60 per share. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.34%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, December 2nd. Strategic Education's payout ratio is 45.71%.

About Strategic Education

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.