Grand Canyon Education (NASDAQ:LOPE) Raised to “Buy” at StockNews.com

Grand Canyon Education (NASDAQ:LOPE) was upgraded by stock analysts at StockNews.com from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report released on Tuesday.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently commented on the company. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on Grand Canyon Education from $170.00 to $186.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Barrington Research raised their target price on Grand Canyon Education from $180.00 to $205.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, February 20th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets raised their target price on Grand Canyon Education from $181.00 to $202.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday.

Grand Canyon Education Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of NASDAQ LOPE traded down $0.26 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $177.33. 225,846 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 157,096. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $171.45 and a 200-day simple moving average of $156.27. Grand Canyon Education has a 1-year low of $126.17 and a 1-year high of $192.18. The firm has a market cap of $5.09 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.91, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.74.

Grand Canyon Education (NASDAQ:LOPE) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 19th. The company reported $2.95 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.93 by $0.02. Grand Canyon Education had a return on equity of 30.67% and a net margin of 21.90%. The firm had revenue of $292.57 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $289.62 million. Analysts anticipate that Grand Canyon Education will post 8.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at Grand Canyon Education

In related news, CTO Dilek Marsh sold 1,500 shares of Grand Canyon Education stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $166.07, for a total transaction of $249,105.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief technology officer now owns 21,174 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,516,366.18. This trade represents a 6.62 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 2.00% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Grand Canyon Education

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. GeoWealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Grand Canyon Education during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. purchased a new stake in Grand Canyon Education during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new stake in Grand Canyon Education during the 4th quarter worth about $32,000. Reston Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Grand Canyon Education during the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC purchased a new stake in Grand Canyon Education during the 3rd quarter worth about $31,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.17% of the company’s stock.

About Grand Canyon Education

Grand Canyon Education, Inc provides education services to colleges and universities in the United States. It offers technology services, including learning management system, internal administration, infrastructure, and support services; academic services, such as program and curriculum, faculty and related training and development, class scheduling, and skills and simulation lab sites; and counseling services and support services comprising admission, financial aid, and field experience and other counseling services.