American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) Sees Significant Decline in Short Interest

American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in the month of October. As of October 31st, there was short interest totalling 753,600 shares, a decline of 22.6% from the October 15th total of 973,800 shares. Approximately 4.5% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 143,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 5.3 days.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on APEI shares. StockNews.com lowered American Public Education from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday. Truist Financial lifted their price objective on American Public Education from $15.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday. Barrington Research lifted their price objective on American Public Education from $18.00 to $24.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, B. Riley lifted their price objective on American Public Education from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th.

American Public Education Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:APEI opened at $18.45 on Friday. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $15.08 and its 200-day simple moving average is $16.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $326.57 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 1.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 2.83 and a quick ratio of 2.83. American Public Education has a 12 month low of $5.41 and a 12 month high of $21.04.

Insider Activity at American Public Education

In related news, Director Michael David Braner purchased 59,179 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 20th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $14.05 per share, for a total transaction of $831,464.95. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,788,688 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $25,131,066.40. The trade was a 3.42 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders have purchased 117,983 shares of company stock worth $1,747,393 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 11.38% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Public Education

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of APEI. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its stake in shares of American Public Education by 13,583.7% during the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 18,473 shares of the company’s stock worth $262,000 after acquiring an additional 18,338 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Public Education during the 1st quarter worth approximately $799,000. Russell Investments Group Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of American Public Education during the 1st quarter worth approximately $211,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in American Public Education by 5,036.3% in the 1st quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 87,830 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,246,000 after buying an additional 86,120 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in American Public Education in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $141,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors 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.