Consumers are a lot more optimistic about the economy’s future and believe that inflation will continue to cool. The positive outlook comes as the Federal Reserve gears up for the first of multiple rate cuts planned this year.The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index rose to a final reading of 79.4 in March, surpassing estimates of 76.5 and the highest reading since July 2021.The sub-index for both the current economic condition and consumer improved from the February final readings. The survey' ...

Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In the 'long' context, investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.Even though momentum is a popular stock char ...

Momentum investors typically don't time the market or "buy low and sell high." In other words, they avoid betting on cheap stocks and waiting long for them to recover. Instead, they believe that "buying high and selling higher" is the way to make far more money in lesser time.Everyone likes betting on fast-moving trending stocks, but it isn't easy to determine the right entry point. These stocks often lose momentum when their future growth potential fails to justify their swelled-up valuation. In that phase ...

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.What a ...

For those looking to find strong Consumer Discretionary stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Has American Public Education (APEI) been one of those stocks this year? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Consumer Discretionary sector should help us answer this question.American Public Education is a member of the Consumer Discretionary sector. This group includes 292 individual stocks and currently ...

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va., March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- American Public University doctoral student Andreea Mosila has been selected as a Fulbright Scholar, with plans to conduct research on climate change and its global security implications at Babeș-Bolyai University in Romania for the 2024-2025 academic year. The prestigious Fulbright Program is the world's largest and most acclaimed international academic exchange initiative. American Public University doctoral student Andreea Mosila has been selected as ...

For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both.The popular research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor, giving you access to daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens.It also includes access to the Zacks Style Scores.What are the Zacks Style Scores?The Zacks Style ...

American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) delivered strong earnings in fourth-quarter 2023. The top and bottom lines handily surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate on the back of contributions from the American Public University System (“APUS”) and Hondros College of Nursing (“HCN”) segments.Shares of this post-secondary education provider lost 1.3% during the trading session and 0.6% in the after-hours trading session on Mar 5. Investors’ sentiments might have been hurt by tepid guidance for 2024.Delving Deep ...

Core Insights - American Public Education (APEI) reported revenue of $152.8 million for the quarter ended December 2023, marking a year-over-year increase of 0.2% and an EPS of $0.64 compared to -$0.27 a year ago [1] - The revenue exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $150.54 million by 1.50%, while the EPS surprised by 357.14% against the consensus estimate of $0.14 [1] Revenue Breakdown - Corporate and Other revenues were $5.08 million, below the two-analyst average estimate of $7.11 million [2] - Revenues from Hondros College, Nursing Programs (HCN) reached $15.79 million, surpassing the average estimate of $14.77 million [2] - American Military & Public University (APUS) generated $79.36 million in revenues, exceeding the estimated $76.69 million [2] - Rasmussen University (RU) reported revenues of $52.58 million, slightly below the average estimate of $52.65 million [2] Stock Performance - Shares of American Public Education have returned +3.3% over the past month, compared to a +3.6% change in the Zacks S&P 500 composite [2] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), suggesting potential outperformance against the broader market in the near term [2]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - APEI's revenue for Q4 2023 reached $152.8 million, exceeding guidance and marking a 0.2% increase from the prior year [22] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q4 2023 was $25.7 million, significantly above guidance and up from $15.4 million in the prior year, resulting in an adjusted EBITDA margin of 16.8% compared to 10.1% [23] - Earnings per share improved from a loss of $0.35 in the prior year to a gain of $0.64 in Q4 2023 [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - APUS saw revenue increase to $79.4 million in Q4 2023, an 8.1% rise year-over-year, driven by growth in net course registrations and tuition increases [24] - Rasmussen's revenue decreased by 13.4% to $52.6 million in Q4 2023 due to lower enrollment, although EBITDA turned positive at $0.4 million [25] - Hondros achieved revenue of $15.8 million in Q4 2023, up 24.9% year-over-year, with positive EBITDA of $1.1 million compared to a loss in the prior year [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - APUS reported a 4% increase in net course registrations year-over-year, with active duty registrations up 5% and veteran registrations up 13% [10] - Rasmussen's overall enrollment decreased by 6% in Q1 2024, with on-ground healthcare enrollments declining by 11% [29] - Hondros recorded a 22% increase in total student enrollment year-over-year, reaching approximately 3,300 students [30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - APEI is focusing on growth, academic quality, and student success, with investments in curriculum modernization and faculty wage increases [19] - The company plans to relocate two Hondros campuses and introduce new programs to better meet local community needs [19] - APEI aims to strengthen its market position and improve student experience through technology upgrades and operational enhancements [19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the outlook for 2024, initiating full-year revenue guidance of $610 million to $620 million and adjusted EBITDA guidance of $55 million to $65 million [18] - The company acknowledged ongoing challenges but highlighted improvements in enrollment trends, profitability metrics, and NCLEX scores as indicators of progress [20] - Management emphasized the importance of attracting and retaining strong leaders to drive operational enhancements and uphold educational promises [19] Other Important Information - APEI's cash flow from operations increased by 55.8% to $45.5 million in 2023, attributed to higher revenue and operating income at APUS [27] - The company repurchased 1.76 million shares for $12.5 million over the past year, indicating a commitment to returning value to shareholders [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: How to bridge the Q4 margin exit rates with 2024 guidance? - Management noted that Q4 is seasonally strong and that investments in course improvement, faculty salaries, and technology will impact margins in 2024 [33][34] Question: What is the expected normalization of receivables? - Management confirmed that changes in billing policy will lead to a decline in receivables, but not to previous levels due to the new billing timing [39] Question: What are the drivers of improving NCLEX pass rates? - Key initiatives included hiring new leadership, strengthening faculty training, and investing in student success coaches [44] Question: What options exist to reduce risk related to the 90/10 rule? - Management discussed initiatives to bolster non-federal funding sources, including enrolling non-title IV eligible students and exploring programmatic mix options [48] Question: Can you provide more color on the greater-than-expected profitability? - Management attributed the improved profitability to lower marketing and advertising expenses and a lower-than-expected bonus accrual [51] Question: What is the status of the ADN program in Bloomington? - The decision to close the ADN program was voluntary, driven by the need to focus on BSN programs that align better with market demand [58]