Contrasting American Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI) and XWELL (NASDAQ:XWEL)
by Kim Johansen · The Markets DailyAmerican Public Education (NASDAQ:APEI – Get Free Report) and XWELL (NASDAQ:XWEL – Get Free Report) are both small-cap consumer discretionary companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, profitability, valuation and analyst recommendations.
Insider & Institutional Ownership
79.6% of American Public Education shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 8.7% of XWELL shares are owned by institutional investors. 10.6% of American Public Education shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 21.1% of XWELL shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.
Risk and Volatility
American Public Education has a beta of 1.41, suggesting that its share price is 41% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, XWELL has a beta of 0.93, suggesting that its share price is 7% less volatile than the S&P 500.
Valuation & Earnings
This table compares American Public Education and XWELL”s gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.
| Gross Revenue | Price/Sales Ratio | Net Income | Earnings Per Share | Price/Earnings Ratio | |
| American Public Education | $668.01 million | 1.35 | $31.56 million | $2.43 | 20.24 |
| XWELL | $29.21 million | 0.25 | -$16.99 million | ($5.32) | -0.14 |
American Public Education has higher revenue and earnings than XWELL. XWELL is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than American Public Education, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Profitability
This table compares American Public Education and XWELL’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
| Net Margins | Return on Equity | Return on Assets | |
| American Public Education | 6.84% | 15.30% | 8.61% |
| XWELL | -82.90% | -1,091.48% | -119.50% |
Analyst Ratings
This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for American Public Education and XWELL, as provided by MarketBeat.
| Sell Ratings | Hold Ratings | Buy Ratings | Strong Buy Ratings | Rating Score | |
| American Public Education | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2.71 |
| XWELL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.00 |
American Public Education currently has a consensus price target of $59.38, indicating a potential upside of 20.71%. Given American Public Education’s stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe American Public Education is more favorable than XWELL.
Summary
American Public Education beats XWELL on 14 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.
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. It also provides nursing-and health sciences-focused postsecondary education, pre-licensure nursing programs, diploma in practical nursing, and an associate degree in nursing. The company was incorporated in 1991 and is headquartered in Charles Town, West Virginia.
About XWELL
XWELL, Inc. provides health and wellness services in airport and off airport marketplaces in the United States and internationally. It operates in four segments: XpresSpa, XpresTest, Naples Wax Center, and Treat. The XpresSpa segment traveler's spa services, including massage, nail, and skin care services, as well as spa and travel products. The XpresTest segment offers diagnostic COVID-19 tests at XpresCheck Wellness Centers in airports, to airport employees and to the traveling public but has transitioned to the CDC's bio-surveillance program; and provides marketing support through HyperPointe business to various health and health-related channels. The Napple Wax Center segment offers skincare and cometic products, as well as face and body waxing services. The Treat segment provides access to wellness services for travelers at on-site centers, consisting of self-guided yoga, meditation, and low impact weight exercises programs. The company offers its services through stores, kiosks, and online. The company was formerly known as XpresSpa Group, Inc. and changed its name to XWELL, Inc. in October 2022. XWELL, Inc. is based in New York, New York.