Grand Canyon Education (NASDAQ:LOPE) Stock Rating Lowered by StockNews.com

Grand Canyon Education (NASDAQ:LOPE) was downgraded by stock analysts at StockNews.com from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Robert W. Baird increased their price objective on Grand Canyon Education from $170.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Barrington Research raised their price target on shares of Grand Canyon Education from $165.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of Grand Canyon Education from $152.00 to $173.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th.

Grand Canyon Education Stock Performance

Shares of LOPE stock opened at $164.88 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $4.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.67, a PEG ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.70. Grand Canyon Education has a 52 week low of $118.48 and a 52 week high of $173.37. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $141.49 and a 200 day simple moving average of $142.58.

Grand Canyon Education (NASDAQ:LOPE) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 6th. The company reported $1.48 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.47 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $238.30 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $239.69 million. Grand Canyon Education had a return on equity of 31.01% and a net margin of 22.09%. The business’s revenue was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.26 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Grand Canyon Education will post 8.03 EPS for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Grand Canyon Education

In other news, CTO Dilek Marsh sold 1,500 shares of Grand Canyon Education stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $141.23, for a total value of $211,845.00. Following the transaction, the chief technology officer now owns 22,674 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,202,249.02. This trade represents a 6.21 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 2.00% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Grand Canyon Education

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LOPE. Reston Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Grand Canyon Education during the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new position in Grand Canyon Education in the third quarter valued at about $31,000. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its stake in shares of Grand Canyon Education by 14,150.0% during the second quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 285 shares of the company’s stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 283 shares in the last quarter. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in shares of Grand Canyon Education during the third quarter worth about $60,000. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. increased its stake in shares of Grand Canyon Education by 710.7% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 608 shares of the company’s stock valued at $83,000 after buying an additional 533 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 94.17% of the company’s stock.

About Grand Canyon Education

Grand Canyon Education, Inc provides education services to colleges and universities in the United States. It offers technology services, including learning management system, internal administration, infrastructure, and support services; academic services, such as program and curriculum, faculty and related training and development, class scheduling, and skills and simulation lab sites; and counseling services and support services comprising admission, financial aid, and field experience and other counseling services.