Lincoln Educational Services Co. (NASDAQ:LINC) Short Interest Down 16.9% in December

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

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Michael A. Plater sold 10,471 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.41, for a total value of $161,358.11. Following the transaction, the director now owns 31,608 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $487,079.28. This represents a 24.88 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Juniper Investment Company, Ll sold 7,123 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.86, for a total transaction of $120,093.78. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly 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. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 223,002 shares of company stock valued at $3,632,824. 16.80% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lincoln Educational Services

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. SG Americas Securities LLC purchased a new position in Lincoln Educational Services during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $121,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company acquired a new position in Lincoln Educational Services during the second quarter valued at $123,000. Janus Henderson Group PLC purchased a new stake in Lincoln Educational Services in the third quarter valued at $144,000. Barclays PLC grew its position in Lincoln Educational Services by 259.0% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 34,220 shares of the company’s stock worth $408,000 after purchasing an additional 24,688 shares during the period. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers raised its stake in shares of Lincoln Educational Services by 36.0% during the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 38,162 shares of the company’s stock valued at $453,000 after buying an additional 10,095 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 72.23% of the company’s stock.

Lincoln Educational Services Price Performance

Shares of LINC stock opened at $15.43 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $485.74 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 48.22, a PEG ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 1.57. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $15.78 and its 200-day simple moving average is $13.64. Lincoln Educational Services has a fifty-two week low of $8.91 and a fifty-two week high of $18.74.

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have issued reports on LINC shares. B. Riley increased their target price 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. StockNews.com downgraded Lincoln Educational Services from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. Finally, Barrington Research increased their price target on shares of Lincoln Educational Services from $16.00 to $20.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, November 11th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Lincoln Educational Services presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $18.00.

About Lincoln Educational Services

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.