Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC) Shares Gap Up on Better-Than-Expected Earnings

Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (NASDAQ:LINC)’s stock price gapped up prior to trading on Monday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The stock had previously closed at $17.80, but opened at $19.47. Lincoln Educational Services shares last traded at $19.13, with a volume of 47,359 shares traded.

The company reported $0.09 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.04 by $0.05. Lincoln Educational Services had a return on equity of 11.20% and a net margin of 3.05%.The business had revenue of $116.47 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $113.96 million.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have commented on LINC shares. Barrington Research reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $25.00 price target on shares of Lincoln Educational Services in a report on Wednesday, October 29th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Lincoln Educational Services in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Rosenblatt Securities lifted their target price on shares of Lincoln Educational Services from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Lincoln Educational Services to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, August 8th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, five have issued a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $25.00.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. State of Alaska Department of Revenue acquired a new position in shares of Lincoln Educational Services during the third quarter valued at about $35,000. Stanley Laman Group Ltd. bought a new position in Lincoln Educational Services during the third quarter valued at about $49,000. State of Wyoming acquired a new position in Lincoln Educational Services in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $54,000. McIlrath & Eck LLC raised its holdings in Lincoln Educational Services by 24.2% in the 3rd quarter. McIlrath & Eck LLC now owns 2,815 shares of the company’s stock valued at $66,000 after acquiring an additional 548 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Strs Ohio bought a new stake in shares of Lincoln Educational Services in the 1st quarter worth approximately $48,000. Institutional investors own 72.23% of the company’s stock.

Lincoln Educational Services Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $634.89 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 43.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $21.12 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $21.39.

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.