Guidance Capital Inc. Purchases Shares of 4,612 Strategic Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:STRA)

Guidance Capital Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Strategic Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:STRA) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 4,612 shares of the health services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $449,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. International Assets Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in Strategic Education by 6,377.0% during the fourth quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 178,182 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $16,459,000 after buying an additional 175,431 shares in the last quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP grew its position in shares of Strategic Education by 88.4% during the 3rd quarter. GSA Capital Partners LLP now owns 26,938 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $2,027,000 after acquiring an additional 12,636 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of Strategic Education by 103.6% in the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 253,390 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $23,406,000 after purchasing an additional 128,961 shares in the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank grew its stake in Strategic Education by 24.4% in the 4th quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 4,711 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $435,000 after acquiring an additional 924 shares during the period. Finally, Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. purchased a new stake in Strategic Education in the 4th quarter worth $272,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.27% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Robert R. Grusky sold 462 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.99, for a total transaction of $55,897.38. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 11,945 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,445,225.55. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Strategic Education news, Director Robert R. Grusky sold 250 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.55, for a total transaction of $29,637.50. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 11,695 shares in the company, valued at $1,386,442.25. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Robert R. Grusky sold 462 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, April 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.99, for a total value of $55,897.38. Following the transaction, the director now owns 11,945 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,445,225.55. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 1,062 shares of company stock valued at $128,410 in the last quarter. Insiders own 3.10% of the company’s stock.

Strategic Education Trading Up 1.7 %

Shares of STRA traded up $1.86 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $110.66. The stock had a trading volume of 408,980 shares, compared to its average volume of 144,204. Strategic Education, Inc. has a 52-week low of $64.53 and a 52-week high of $123.62. The firm has a market cap of $2.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.22, a P/E/G ratio of 1.05 and a beta of 0.57. The business’s fifty day moving average is $113.74 and its 200 day moving average is $103.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 1.49 and a quick ratio of 1.49.

Strategic Education (NASDAQ:STRA) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 25th. The health services provider reported $1.11 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.60 by $0.51. The business had revenue of $290.25 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $274.02 million. Strategic Education had a net margin of 8.70% and a return on equity of 6.78%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Strategic Education, Inc. will post 4.96 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Strategic Education Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 3rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 24th were given a $0.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 23rd. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.17%. Strategic Education’s dividend payout ratio is currently 56.87%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

STRA has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. StockNews.com raised shares of Strategic Education from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, April 26th. Truist Financial raised their target price on Strategic Education from $125.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, April 26th. Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Strategic Education from $104.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 5th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of Strategic Education from $123.00 to $130.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, April 29th. Finally, Barrington Research boosted their target price on Strategic Education from $125.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, April 25th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $133.50.

Strategic Education Profile

Strategic Education, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides education services through campus-based and online post-secondary education, and programs to develop job-ready skills. The company operates through U.S. Higher Education, Australia/New Zealand, and Education Technology Services segments. It operates Strayer University that offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, criminal justice, education, health services, information technology, and public administration at physical campuses located in the eastern United States, as well as through online; non-degree web and mobile application development courses through Hackbright Academy and Devmountain; and MBA online through its Jack Welch Management Institute.