Candriam S.C.A. Sells 16,213 Shares of Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:LOPE)

Candriam S.C.A. trimmed its holdings in shares of Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:LOPE) by 65.8% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 8,443 shares of the company’s stock after selling 16,213 shares during the period. Candriam S.C.A.’s holdings in Grand Canyon Education were worth $1,383,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. bought a new position in Grand Canyon Education during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new position in shares of Grand Canyon Education in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Financial Life Planners bought a new position in shares of Grand Canyon Education during the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in Grand Canyon Education in the 3rd quarter valued at $60,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc grew its position in Grand Canyon Education by 66.0% in the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 420 shares of the company’s stock valued at $69,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares during the period. 94.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

LOPE has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on Grand Canyon Education from $181.00 to $202.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. StockNews.com raised shares of Grand Canyon Education from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. Finally, Barrington Research upped their price objective on shares of Grand Canyon Education from $180.00 to $205.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 20th.

Grand Canyon Education Stock Down 1.5 %

Shares of NASDAQ LOPE opened at $170.53 on Monday. Grand Canyon Education, Inc. has a 12-month low of $126.17 and a 12-month high of $192.18. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $173.92 and its 200 day simple moving average is $158.33. The company has a market cap of $4.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.78.

Grand Canyon Education (NASDAQ:LOPE) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 19th. The company reported $2.95 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.93 by $0.02. Grand Canyon Education had a net margin of 21.90% and a return on equity of 30.67%. The company had revenue of $292.57 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $289.62 million. On average, equities analysts expect that Grand Canyon Education, Inc. will post 8.81 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CTO Dilek Marsh sold 1,500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, December 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $166.07, for a total value of $249,105.00. Following the transaction, the chief technology officer now owns 21,174 shares in the company, valued at $3,516,366.18. This trade represents a 6.62 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 2.00% of the company’s stock.

Grand Canyon Education Company Profile

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.