Grand Canyon Education Inc (NASDAQ:LOPE) – Investment analysts at Piper Jaffray Companies issued their Q1 2020 earnings per share estimates for Grand Canyon Education in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, February 21st. Piper Jaffray Companies analyst P. Appert forecasts that the company will post earnings of $1.68 per share for the quarter. Piper Jaffray Companies also issued estimates for Grand Canyon Education’s Q2 2020 earnings at $1.05 EPS, Q3 2020 earnings at $1.25 EPS and Q4 2020 earnings at $1.78 EPS.
Several other equities analysts have also commented on LOPE. Zacks Investment Research lowered shares of Grand Canyon Education from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 10th. Barrington Research reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $150.00 price target on shares of Grand Canyon Education in a research report on Tuesday, December 18th. BidaskClub lowered shares of Grand Canyon Education from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 16th. ValuEngine lowered shares of Grand Canyon Education from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, January 11th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of Grand Canyon Education to $117.00 and gave the stock a “reduce” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 15th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. The stock has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $133.80.
NASDAQ:LOPE opened at $113.57 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 4.65, a current ratio of 3.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02. The company has a market capitalization of $5.66 billion, a PE ratio of 22.31, a PEG ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.96. Grand Canyon Education has a 1-year low of $90.67 and a 1-year high of $130.10.
Grand Canyon Education (NASDAQ:LOPE) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 20th. The company reported $1.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.42 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $177.54 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $175.25 million. Grand Canyon Education had a net margin of 27.09% and a return on equity of 22.16%. The company’s revenue was down 34.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.41 earnings per share.
In related news, insider Joseph N. Mildenhall sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.71, for a total transaction of $221,420.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 77,402 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,569,175.42. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Daniel E. Bachus sold 15,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.39, for a total transaction of $1,670,850.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 111,611 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,432,349.29. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 47,000 shares of company stock valued at $5,233,970 in the last ninety days. 2.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Executive Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Grand Canyon Education during the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Bronfman E.L. Rothschild L.P. grew its stake in Grand Canyon Education by 29.0% during the fourth quarter. Bronfman E.L. Rothschild L.P. now owns 668 shares of the company’s stock worth $64,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the period. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. purchased a new stake in Grand Canyon Education during the fourth quarter worth approximately $123,000. Enlightenment Research LLC purchased a new stake in Grand Canyon Education during the fourth quarter worth approximately $125,000. Finally, CIBC Asset Management Inc purchased a new stake in Grand Canyon Education during the third quarter worth approximately $200,000. Institutional investors own 92.56% of the company’s stock.
Grand Canyon Education Company Profile
Grand Canyon Education, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides education services in the United States and Canada. The company operates Grand Canyon University that offers approximately 225 graduate and undergraduate degree programs and certificates across 9 colleges online and on ground through campus in Phoenix, Arizona; leased facilities; and facilities owned by third party employers.