Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC) Shares Up 7.1% - Still a Buy?

Lincoln Educational Services Co. (NASDAQ:LINC - Get Free Report) rose 7.1% during trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $16.48 and last traded at $16.41. Approximately 127,618 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 8% from the average daily volume of 139,175 shares. The stock had previously closed at $15.32.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently weighed in on LINC. Rosenblatt Securities boosted their target price on shares of Lincoln Educational Services from $20.00 to $24.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 25th. Barrington Research reissued an "outperform" rating and issued a $22.00 price objective on shares of Lincoln Educational Services in a report on Wednesday, March 26th. Finally, B. Riley started coverage on Lincoln Educational Services in a research note on Friday, March 28th. They set a "buy" rating and a $23.00 price objective on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Lincoln Educational Services presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $21.00.

Lincoln Educational Services Stock Performance

The stock's 50-day moving average price is $16.58 and its 200-day moving average price is $15.41. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The company has a market capitalization of $519.39 million, a P/E ratio of 51.38, a P/E/G ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 1.57.

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Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, February 24th. The company reported $0.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.20 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $119.37 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $110.50 million. Lincoln Educational Services had a net margin of 2.33% and a return on equity of 10.60%. As a group, equities analysts expect that Lincoln Educational Services Co. will post 0.54 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lincoln Educational Services

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. McIlrath & Eck LLC increased its holdings in shares of Lincoln Educational Services by 156.4% in the 4th quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 2,267 shares of the company's stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 1,383 shares during the period. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Lincoln Educational Services by 39.6% in the fourth quarter. Summit Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 2,731 shares of the company's stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 775 shares during the period. Morse Asset Management Inc bought a new stake in shares of Lincoln Educational Services during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $101,000. Aquatic Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lincoln Educational Services during the fourth quarter worth approximately $135,000. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Lincoln Educational Services by 20.3% in the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 8,878 shares of the company's stock worth $141,000 after buying an additional 1,500 shares in the last quarter. 72.23% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Lincoln Educational Services Company Profile

Lincoln Educational Services Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides various career-oriented post-secondary education services to high school graduates and working adults in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Campus Operations and Transitional. It offers associate's degree, and diploma and certificate programs in automotive technology; skilled trades programs, including electrical, heating and air conditioning repair, welding, computerized numerical control, and electrical and electronic systems technology; health science programs comprising licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, dental assistant, medical assistant, medical administrative assistant, and claims examiner; hospitality service and information technology programs, such as culinary, therapeutic massage, cosmetology, aesthetics, and computer systems support technicians.