American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) Shares Gap Up – Here’s What Happened

Shares of American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) gapped up prior to trading on Wednesday. The stock had previously closed at $44.41, but opened at $45.93. American Public Education shares last traded at $46.1290, with a volume of 4,189 shares changing hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings cut shares of American Public Education from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 29th. Lake Street Capital upped their target price on shares of American Public Education from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. Zacks Research cut shares of American Public Education from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. DA Davidson upgraded shares of American Public Education to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered American Public Education from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, August 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have assigned a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $59.38.

American Public Education Trading Up 3.7%

The business’s 50-day moving average is $45.49 and its two-hundred day moving average is $51.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 3.25 and a current ratio of 3.25. The stock has a market capitalization of $874.19 million, a PE ratio of 19.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.41.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 10th. The company reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.36 by $0.16. American Public Education had a net margin of 6.84% and a return on equity of 15.30%. The company had revenue of $171.73 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $170.88 million. American Public Education has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.480-2.790 EPS and its Q3 2026 guidance at 0.180-0.290 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that American Public Education, Inc. will post 2.63 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. PVG Asset Management Corp lifted its holdings in shares of American Public Education by 502.3% in the 1st quarter. PVG Asset Management Corp now owns 42,935 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,220,000 after buying an additional 35,807 shares during the period. Squarepoint Ops LLC boosted its stake in shares of American Public Education by 329.7% in the second quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC now owns 48,287 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,593,000 after buying an additional 37,049 shares in the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its holdings in American Public Education by 350.3% during the second quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 80,658 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,375,000 after acquiring an additional 62,746 shares during the period. Globeflex Capital L P acquired a new position in American Public Education during the second quarter worth $2,498,000. Finally, Janus Henderson Group PLC purchased a new position in American Public Education in the first quarter worth $1,240,000. 79.62% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

American Public Education Company Profile

American Public Education, Inc (NASDAQ: APEI) is a provider of postsecondary education and career-focused learning programs. Through its institutions, the company offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates, professional development, and vocational training in areas including business, public service, healthcare, nursing, technology, and related fields.

APEI’s principal education platforms include American Public University System, which operates American Public University and American Military University; Rasmussen University; and Hondros College of Nursing.