American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) Stock Rated “Moderate Buy” by Wall Street Analysts

Shares of American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) have earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the seven ratings firms that are covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $59.00.

APEI has been the topic of several analyst reports. Zacks Research lowered shares of American Public Education from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. DA Davidson upgraded shares of American Public Education to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 5th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of American Public Education from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 15th. Lake Street Capital increased their target price on shares of American Public Education from $62.00 to $64.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut American Public Education from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 15th.

Insider Activity at American Public Education

In other American Public Education news, insider James Kenigsberg sold 1,256 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 in the company, valued at approximately $2,073,227.37. The trade was a 2.81% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. 10.60% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Sterling Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in American Public Education by 868.3% in the 3rd quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 610 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 547 shares during the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Public Education during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $47,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Public Education by 11.5% during the 1st quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 11,778 shares of the company’s stock worth $670,000 after buying an additional 1,214 shares during the last quarter. IFP Advisors Inc increased its holdings in shares of American Public Education by 111.8% during the 2nd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 2,360 shares of the company’s stock worth $127,000 after buying an additional 1,246 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nisa Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of American Public Education by 102.6% during the 3rd quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,865 shares of the company’s stock valued at $121,000 after buying an additional 1,451 shares during the period. 79.62% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

American Public Education Trading Up 2.5%

Shares of NASDAQ:APEI opened at $41.59 on Tuesday. American Public Education has a 12-month low of $30.20 and a 12-month high of $61.59. The company has a market capitalization of $761.18 million, a PE ratio of 17.12, a PEG ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 1.41. The business has a 50 day moving average of $45.29 and a two-hundred day moving average of $49.57. The company has a current ratio of 3.25, a quick ratio of 3.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26.

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) last issued 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. The business had revenue of $171.73 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations 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. As a group, analysts forecast that American Public Education will post 2.63 EPS for the current year.

More American Public Education News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Improved earnings outlook: American Public Education’s upgraded full-year guidance and expectations for an earnings beat are supporting optimism ahead of its next report. The company most recently exceeded consensus earnings estimates, reporting $0.52 per share versus expectations of $0.36, while revenue was slightly above forecasts. American Public Education Expected to Beat Earnings Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst and technical support: Zacks upgraded APEI to Rank #2, or Buy, citing stronger earnings prospects. Separately, the stock is viewed as oversold after a recent four-week decline, while upward earnings-estimate revisions could help drive a rebound. American Public Education Upgraded to Buy APEI Oversold Technical Analysis
• Positive Sentiment: Growth-stock appeal: Zacks highlights APEI’s revenue and earnings-growth characteristics, which may attract growth-oriented investors. Its published consensus price target of $59.38 also implies substantial upside from recent trading levels. Three Reasons APEI Is a Growth Stock APEI Consensus Price Target
• Neutral Sentiment: A comparison with other consumer-discretionary stocks and a head-to-head analysis with Nerdy provide context but do not introduce a major company-specific catalyst. Nerdy and American Public Education Analysis
• Negative Sentiment: The latest market commentary describes APEI as facing a “show-me” quarter: despite its raised outlook, shares remain near recent lows as investors demand proof that enrollment, revenue growth and profitability can meet expectations. Trading below both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages reinforces the cautious sentiment. APEI Faces a Show-Me Quarter

American Public Education Company Profile

American Public Education, Inc (NASDAQ: APEI) is an education services company that provides postsecondary instruction and career-focused training through a group of institutions. Its portfolio includes American Public University System, Rasmussen University and Hondros College of Nursing.

American Public University System offers undergraduate and graduate programs primarily through online and distance-learning formats. Its institutions serve military personnel, veterans, working adults and other students, with academic offerings spanning areas such as business, public service, health care, technology, security and liberal arts.

Rasmussen University provides undergraduate and graduate education through online and campus-based programs, with a focus on health sciences, nursing, business, technology and other career-oriented fields.