Truist Financial Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) Stock

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) had its target price increased by Truist Financial from $15.00 to $20.00 in a research report released on Thursday morning,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a hold rating on the stock.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Barrington Research boosted their price target on shares of American Public Education from $18.00 to $24.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday. StockNews.com downgraded shares of American Public Education from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, B. Riley boosted their target price on shares of American Public Education from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th.

American Public Education Trading Down 2.1 %

Shares of APEI traded down $0.39 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $18.06. The stock had a trading volume of 134,933 shares, compared to its average volume of 197,907. The firm has a market cap of $319.70 million, a PE ratio of 32.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.83 and a beta of 1.24. American Public Education has a 1 year low of $5.41 and a 1 year high of $21.04. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $15.08 and its 200 day moving average is $16.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 2.65 and a quick ratio of 2.83.

Insider Activity

In other American Public Education news, Director Michael David Braner bought 59,179 shares of American Public Education stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 20th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $14.05 per share, for a total transaction of $831,464.95. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,788,688 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $25,131,066.40. This represents a 3.42 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Insiders have acquired 117,983 shares of company stock valued at $1,747,393 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 11.38% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of American Public Education

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its position in shares of American Public Education by 14.5% during the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 1,004,011 shares of the company’s stock worth $17,651,000 after purchasing an additional 127,000 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in American Public Education by 7.8% during the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 592,213 shares of the company’s stock worth $10,411,000 after purchasing an additional 42,984 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its position in shares of American Public Education by 329.5% during the second quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 425,064 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,473,000 after acquiring an additional 326,091 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in shares of American Public Education by 43.6% during the second quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 351,644 shares of the company’s stock worth $6,182,000 after acquiring an additional 106,689 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp grew its position in shares of American Public Education by 27.2% during the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 275,889 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,069,000 after acquiring an additional 58,984 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.62% of the company’s stock.

About American Public Education

American Public Education, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides online and campus-based postsecondary education and career learning in the United States. It operates through three segments: American Public University System, Rasmussen University, and Hondros College of Nursing. The company offers 184 degree programs and 134 certificate programs in various fields of study, including nursing, national security, military studies, intelligence, homeland security, business, health science, information technology, justice studies, education, and liberal arts; and career learning opportunities in leadership, finance, human resources, and other fields of study critical to the federal government workforce.