Brokers Offer Predictions for APEI FY2026 Earnings

American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) – Stock analysts at Northland Securities upped their FY2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of American Public Education in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, November 10th. Northland Securities analyst L. Horton now forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $2.70 for the year, up from their prior estimate of $2.58. The consensus estimate for American Public Education’s current full-year earnings is $2.63 per share. Northland Securities also issued estimates for American Public Education’s Q4 2026 earnings at $0.92 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.82 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.60 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $3.10 EPS.

A number of other brokerages also recently commented on APEI. DA Davidson raised shares of American Public Education to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 5th. Zacks Research downgraded shares of American Public Education from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of American Public Education from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, August 15th. Lake Street Capital lifted their target price on shares of American Public Education from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, B. Riley Financial boosted their price target on shares of American Public Education from $65.00 to $68.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, American Public Education currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $59.38.

American Public Education Price Performance

NASDAQ APEI opened at $40.20 on Wednesday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $44.56 and a 200-day simple moving average of $49.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 3.25 and a quick ratio of 3.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $735.66 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.99 and a beta of 1.49. American Public Education has a 52-week low of $32.96 and a 52-week high of $61.59.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) last released its earnings results on Monday, November 9th. The company reported $0.32 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.26 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $169.14 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $165.79 million. American Public Education had a return on equity of 15.08% and a net margin of 6.83%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider James Kenigsberg sold 1,256 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.69, for a total transaction of $59,898.64. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 43,473 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,073,227.37. This trade represents a 2.81% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 10.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Public Education

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. acquired a new stake in American Public Education in the third quarter valued at approximately $1,336,000. Edgestream Partners L.P. bought a new stake in American Public Education in the third quarter worth approximately $1,397,000. Royce & Associates LP increased its stake in shares of American Public Education by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Royce & Associates LP now owns 382,246 shares of the company’s stock worth $16,123,000 after purchasing an additional 4,113 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp increased its stake in shares of American Public Education by 50.4% during the 3rd quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 13,991 shares of the company’s stock worth $590,000 after purchasing an additional 4,691 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ritholtz Wealth Management increased its stake in shares of American Public Education by 26.2% during the 3rd quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 14,692 shares of the company’s stock worth $620,000 after purchasing an additional 3,052 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.62% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting American Public Education

Here are the key news stories impacting American Public Education this week:

• Positive Sentiment: APEI reported third-quarter EPS of $0.32, beating the $0.26 consensus, and revenue of $169.14 million, ahead of the $165.79 million estimate. The company said revenue, net income, EPS and adjusted EBITDA all exceeded its guidance, and it raised full-year 2026 guidance across key metrics. American Public Education third-quarter results
• Positive Sentiment: Northland Securities raised its EPS estimates for FY2026 to $2.70 from $2.58 and FY2027 to $3.10 from $3.06, alongside modest increases to its quarterly forecasts. The revisions suggest improved analyst expectations.
• Positive Sentiment: B. Riley raised its price target to $68 from $65 and maintained a “buy” rating.
• Neutral Sentiment: APEI’s fourth-quarter EPS guidance of $0.81–$1.07 brackets the $0.95 consensus, while its revenue range of $179.4 million–$185.4 million also brackets expectations. Full-year revenue guidance of $695 million–$701 million is above the $693.5 million consensus.
• Negative Sentiment: Despite the increase in full-year guidance, the 2026 EPS range of $2.59–$2.84 has a midpoint below the $2.95 analyst consensus, which could temper the positive reaction to the earnings beat.

About American Public Education

American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) is a provider of higher education through a portfolio of institutions that includes American Public University System, Rasmussen University and Hondros College of Nursing. Its offerings span online and campus-based programs in areas such as nursing and health care, business, technology, education and public service. American Public University System includes American Military University and American Public University. Founded in 1991 as American Military University, it delivers online programs to military-affiliated students, public-service professionals and other learners in the United States and abroad.