Short Interest in Laureate Education (NASDAQ:LAUR) Drops By 14.6%

Laureate Education (NASDAQ:LAUR) was the target of a significant drop in short interest during the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 1,833,032 shares, a drop of 14.6% from the January 15th total of 2,147,019 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 955,164 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.9 days. Approximately 1.3% of the company’s shares are sold short. Approximately 1.3% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 955,164 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.9 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Laureate Education in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Laureate Education from $32.00 to $36.50 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on Laureate Education in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $40.00 price objective on the stock. UBS Group boosted their target price on Laureate Education from $36.00 to $39.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, January 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Laureate Education from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, February 14th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $34.88.

Laureate Education Price Performance

LAUR stock opened at $35.10 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 0.81. Laureate Education has a 1 year low of $17.91 and a 1 year high of $36.34. The firm has a market cap of $5.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.62 and a beta of 0.57. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $34.36 and a 200-day simple moving average of $30.92.

Laureate Education announced that its board has initiated a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, October 30th that authorizes the company to repurchase $150.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to purchase up to 3.5% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are usually a sign that the company’s board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Laureate Education

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Quarry LP acquired a new position in Laureate Education in the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD bought a new position in Laureate Education during the third quarter worth $31,000. Allworth Financial LP boosted its holdings in Laureate Education by 109.0% in the fourth quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,097 shares of the company’s stock worth $37,000 after purchasing an additional 572 shares during the period. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Laureate Education by 328.6% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,650 shares of the company’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 1,265 shares during the period. Finally, Summit Securities Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Laureate Education in the 4th quarter worth about $43,000. Institutional investors own 96.27% of the company’s stock.

Laureate Education Company Profile

Laureate Education, Inc (NASDAQ: LAUR) is a leading global network of higher education institutions dedicated to providing undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs to a diverse student body. The company designs and delivers academic offerings through a combination of campus-based and online platforms, focusing on fields such as business, health sciences, engineering, education and hospitality management. By aligning its curriculum with regional workforce needs, Laureate aims to equip students with practical skills and industry insights that support career advancement and lifelong learning.

Through its network, Laureate operates a broad portfolio of universities and colleges, including both longstanding campus institutions and digitally native programs.