Lincoln Educational Services Co. (NASDAQ:LINC) Sees Significant Drop in Short Interest

Lincoln Educational Services Co. (NASDAQ:LINC) was the target of a large drop in short interest during the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 182,000 shares, a drop of 16.9% from the December 15th total of 218,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 125,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.5 days.

Lincoln Educational Services Price Performance

NASDAQ LINC traded up $0.06 on Thursday, reaching $15.43. The company had a trading volume of 96,524 shares, compared to its average volume of 138,312. The stock has a market capitalization of $485.74 million, a PE ratio of 48.22, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.43. Lincoln Educational Services has a 12 month low of $8.91 and a 12 month high of $18.74. The company has a quick ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $15.78 and its 200 day moving average price is $13.64.

Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC) last issued its earnings results on Monday, November 11th. The company reported $0.13 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.14 by ($0.01). Lincoln Educational Services had a return on equity of 10.60% and a net margin of 2.33%. The firm had revenue of $114.41 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $111.05 million. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.11 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that Lincoln Educational Services will post 0.54 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently weighed in on LINC. Barrington Research lifted their target price on shares of Lincoln Educational Services from $16.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, November 11th. B. Riley boosted their price objective on Lincoln Educational Services from $15.00 to $20.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered Lincoln Educational Services from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $18.00.

Insider Transactions at Lincoln Educational Services

In other news, CFO Brian K. Meyers sold 6,892 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.38, for a total value of $112,890.96. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 266,133 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,359,258.54. This trade represents a 2.52 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Juniper Investment Company, Ll sold 7,123 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.86, for a total value of $120,093.78. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 867,017 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $14,617,906.62. This trade represents a 0.81 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 223,002 shares of company stock worth $3,632,824 in the last 90 days. 16.80% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Lincoln Educational Services

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Needham Investment Management LLC increased its position in Lincoln Educational Services by 71.4% in the third quarter. Needham Investment Management LLC now owns 600,000 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,164,000 after purchasing an additional 250,000 shares during the last quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Lincoln Educational Services by 25.4% in the 2nd quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 768,851 shares of the company’s stock worth $9,119,000 after buying an additional 155,754 shares in the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its holdings in shares of Lincoln Educational Services by 12.6% in the 2nd quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 645,678 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,658,000 after buying an additional 72,400 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in shares of Lincoln Educational Services by 5.5% during the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 970,425 shares of the company’s stock valued at $11,509,000 after buying an additional 50,737 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in shares of Lincoln Educational Services by 248.7% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 39,646 shares of the company’s stock valued at $473,000 after buying an additional 28,275 shares in the last quarter. 72.23% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Lincoln Educational Services Company Profile

Lincoln Educational Services Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides various career-oriented post-secondary education services to high school graduates and working adults in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Campus Operations and Transitional. It offers associate's degree, and diploma and certificate programs in automotive technology; skilled trades programs, including electrical, heating and air conditioning repair, welding, computerized numerical control, and electrical and electronic systems technology; health science programs comprising licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, dental assistant, medical assistant, medical administrative assistant, and claims examiner; hospitality service and information technology programs, such as culinary, therapeutic massage, cosmetology, aesthetics, and computer systems support technicians.