Strategic Education Inc. (NASDAQ:STRA) Short Interest Down 14.4% in January

Strategic Education Inc. (NASDAQ:STRA) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 773,367 shares, a decrease of 14.4% from the December 31st total of 903,762 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 249,513 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.1 days. Currently, 3.4% of the company’s shares are sold short. Currently, 3.4% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 249,513 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.1 days.

Strategic Education Stock Down 6.7%

Strategic Education stock opened at $80.19 on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.88 billion, a PE ratio of 16.67, a PEG ratio of 0.88 and a beta of 0.55. Strategic Education has a 12-month low of $72.25 and a 12-month high of $104.51. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $81.80 and its 200 day moving average is $80.68.

Strategic Education (NASDAQ:STRA) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The health services provider reported $1.63 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.30 by $0.33. Strategic Education had a net margin of 9.08% and a return on equity of 8.18%. The business had revenue of $319.95 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $315.40 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.16 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 4.5% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that Strategic Education will post 4.79 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Strategic Education Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, December 8th. Investors of record on Monday, December 1st were given a $0.60 dividend. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, December 1st. Strategic Education’s payout ratio is presently 49.90%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Strategic Education

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in STRA. Blue Trust Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Strategic Education during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Allworth Financial LP raised its holdings in Strategic Education by 88.5% during the third quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 294 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 138 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in shares of Strategic Education by 148.9% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 331 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 198 shares in the last quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Strategic Education by 85.2% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 387 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 178 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Assetmark Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Strategic Education by 54.3% during the second quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 395 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 139 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.27% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Strategic Education in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Barrington Research reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $105.00 target price on shares of Strategic Education in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $99.33.

About Strategic Education

Strategic Education, Inc is a publicly traded higher education services holding company headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. Through its primary operating subsidiaries, Strayer University and Capella University, the company delivers degree programs and professional development opportunities to working adults. Its offerings span undergraduate and graduate degrees, certificates, continuing education, and workforce training in fields such as business, technology, health services, education, and public administration.

Strayer University, with a network of physical campuses across the United States complemented by an online platform, provides associate’s through doctoral degrees designed to accommodate non-traditional students.