B. Riley Upgrades American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) to “Strong-Buy”

American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) was upgraded by equities researchers at B. Riley to a “strong-buy” rating in a note issued to investors on Thursday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other equities analysts have also issued reports on the company. Truist Financial increased their price target on American Public Education from $20.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, March 10th. William Blair raised American Public Education from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, March 7th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of American Public Education from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, March 7th. Finally, Barrington Research restated an “outperform” rating and set a $24.00 price objective on shares of American Public Education in a research report on Friday, March 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, American Public Education presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $25.33.

American Public Education Trading Down 2.8 %

Shares of NASDAQ:APEI opened at $22.48 on Thursday. American Public Education has a twelve month low of $11.80 and a twelve month high of $25.60. The company has a current ratio of 2.65, a quick ratio of 2.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37. The firm has a market cap of $404.55 million, a P/E ratio of 40.14, a P/E/G ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a 50 day moving average of $21.88 and a 200-day moving average of $19.32.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, SVP Thomas Beckett sold 3,700 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $22.07, for a total value of $81,659.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 60,253 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,329,783.71. This represents a 5.79 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 11.38% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of American Public Education

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in APEI. Victory Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in American Public Education in the 3rd quarter worth about $299,000. FMR LLC grew its position in American Public Education by 350.3% during the third quarter. FMR LLC now owns 11,658 shares of the company’s stock valued at $172,000 after purchasing an additional 9,069 shares in the last quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its stake in American Public Education by 383.7% in the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 14,720 shares of the company’s stock valued at $217,000 after buying an additional 11,677 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC lifted its position in American Public Education by 129.1% in the 3rd quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 9,206 shares of the company’s stock worth $136,000 after buying an additional 5,187 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Martingale Asset Management L P acquired a new stake in American Public Education during the third quarter valued at $189,000. 79.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.