American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) Shares Gap Up – Still a Buy?

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 traded.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

American Public Education Stock Performance

The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $45.63 and its 200 day moving average price is $51.48. The firm has a market cap of $836.68 million, a P/E ratio of 18.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 3.25 and a current ratio of 3.25.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 10th. The company reported $0.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.36 by $0.16. The firm had revenue of $171.73 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $170.88 million. American Public Education had a net margin of 6.84% and a return on equity of 15.30%. 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. Sell-side analysts expect that American Public Education, Inc. will post 2.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of American Public Education

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. PVG Asset Management Corp raised its holdings in American Public Education by 502.3% in the first quarter. PVG Asset Management Corp now owns 42,935 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,220,000 after purchasing an additional 35,807 shares in the last quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC boosted its holdings in shares of American Public Education by 329.7% in the 2nd 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 position in shares of American Public Education by 350.3% in the 2nd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 80,658 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,375,000 after buying an additional 62,746 shares during the last quarter. CenterBook Partners LP grew its position in shares of American Public Education by 19.8% in the 4th quarter. CenterBook Partners LP now owns 119,268 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,508,000 after buying an additional 19,736 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Globeflex Capital L P bought a new position in shares of American Public Education during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,498,000. Institutional investors own 79.62% of the company’s stock.

About American Public Education

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.