American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) Stock Price Up 6.7% Following Strong Earnings

by · The Markets Daily

American Public Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:APEI – Get Free Report)’s share price was up 6.7% during trading on Tuesday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The stock traded as high as $42.50 and last traded at $41.6950. 49,065 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 83% from the average session volume of 288,012 shares. The stock had previously closed at $39.09.

The company reported $0.32 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.26 by $0.06. American Public Education had a return on equity of 15.30% and a net margin of 6.84%. The firm had revenue of $169.14 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $165.79 million.

Key Headlines Impacting American Public Education

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

  • Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter results beat expectations: EPS was $0.32 versus the $0.26 consensus, while revenue of $169.14 million exceeded the $165.79 million estimate. The company said revenue, net income, EPS and adjusted EBITDA all surpassed its guidance. American Public Education Reports Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results
  • Positive Sentiment: APEI raised its full-year 2026 guidance across key metrics. Revenue guidance of $695 million–$701 million is above the $693.5 million consensus; fourth-quarter revenue guidance of $179.4 million–$185.4 million also brackets a midpoint above analysts’ $181.2 million estimate. Full-Year Guidance
  • Negative Sentiment: The raised full-year diluted EPS range of $2.59–$2.84 is still below the $2.95 analyst consensus, a possible constraint on further upside. Fourth-quarter EPS guidance of $0.81–$1.07 spans the $0.95 consensus. Fourth-Quarter Guidance

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have issued reports on APEI. Zacks Research cut shares of American Public Education from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. DA Davidson upgraded American Public Education to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 5th. Weiss Ratings downgraded American Public Education from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 15th. Wall Street Zen downgraded American Public Education from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, August 15th. Finally, B. Riley Financial reduced their price objective on American Public Education from $70.00 to $65.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 28th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $59.00.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on APEI

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider James Kenigsberg sold 1,256 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.69, for a total transaction of $59,898.64. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 43,473 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,073,227.37. This represents a 2.81% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders own 10.60% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC boosted its position in American Public Education by 4.1% in the 3rd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 12,656 shares of the company’s stock valued at $534,000 after buying an additional 494 shares during the last quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of American Public Education by 868.3% during the third quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 610 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 547 shares in the last quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Public Education during the second quarter valued at about $47,000. Parallel Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of American Public Education by 9.4% during the third quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 11,400 shares of the company’s stock worth $481,000 after acquiring an additional 980 shares during the last quarter. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc increased its position in shares of American Public Education by 111.8% during the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 2,360 shares of the company’s stock worth $127,000 after acquiring an additional 1,246 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.62% of the company’s stock.

American Public Education Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 3.25 and a quick ratio of 3.25. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $44.67 and a 200-day moving average price of $49.55. The firm has a market capitalization of $767.85 million, a PE ratio of 17.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 1.49.

About American Public Education

(Get Free Report)

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.

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