Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC) Shares Down 6.8% – Time to Sell?

Lincoln Educational Services Co. (NASDAQ:LINC)’s stock price dropped 6.8% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $16.30 and last traded at $16.43. Approximately 93,618 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 25% from the average daily volume of 124,676 shares. The stock had previously closed at $17.63.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

LINC has been the subject of several analyst reports. B. Riley lifted their price target on shares of Lincoln Educational Services from $15.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Barrington Research reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $20.00 price target on shares of Lincoln Educational Services in a research report on Wednesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $18.00.

Lincoln Educational Services Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of $506.51 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 50.28, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 1.41. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $16.11 and its 200-day moving average is $14.35. The company has a quick ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17.

Insider Activity at Lincoln Educational Services

In other news, major shareholder Juniper Investment Company, Ll sold 61,289 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.19, for a total value of $992,268.91. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 425,544 shares in the company, valued at $6,889,557.36. This represents a 12.59 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Chad D. Nyce sold 9,977 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.50, for a total transaction of $164,620.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 144,669 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,387,038.50. This trade represents a 6.45 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 182,090 shares of company stock worth $2,987,371. 16.80% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Barclays PLC boosted its holdings in shares of Lincoln Educational Services by 259.0% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 34,220 shares of the company’s stock valued at $408,000 after buying an additional 24,688 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in shares of Lincoln Educational Services by 248.7% in the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 39,646 shares of the company’s stock worth $473,000 after purchasing an additional 28,275 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Lincoln Educational Services by 3.5% during the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 74,935 shares of the company’s stock worth $895,000 after purchasing an additional 2,545 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Lincoln Educational Services by 1.9% during the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 636,160 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,598,000 after purchasing an additional 11,650 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Calamos Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Lincoln Educational Services by 38.7% during the fourth quarter. Calamos Advisors LLC now owns 91,629 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,450,000 after purchasing an additional 25,560 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 72.23% of the company’s stock.

Lincoln Educational Services Company Profile

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.