Lincoln Educational Services Co. (NASDAQ:LINC) Short Interest Down 16.9% in December

Lincoln Educational Services Co. (NASDAQ:LINC) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 182,000 shares, a decrease of 16.9% from the December 15th total of 218,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 125,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.5 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently commented on the company. B. Riley raised their price target on Lincoln Educational Services from $15.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Barrington Research upped their price objective on shares of Lincoln Educational Services from $16.00 to $20.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, November 11th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Lincoln Educational Services from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $18.00.

Lincoln Educational Services Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of LINC stock traded up $0.06 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $15.43. 96,524 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 138,312. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $15.78 and its 200-day moving average price is $13.64. The company has a market cap of $485.74 million, a P/E ratio of 48.22, a P/E/G ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.43. The company has a quick ratio of 1.53, a current ratio of 1.57 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. Lincoln Educational Services has a 12 month low of $8.91 and a 12 month high of $18.74.

Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 11th. The company reported $0.13 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.14 by ($0.01). Lincoln Educational Services had a return on equity of 10.60% and a net margin of 2.33%. The business had revenue of $114.41 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $111.05 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.11 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Lincoln Educational Services will post 0.54 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Michael A. Plater sold 10,471 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.41, for a total transaction of $161,358.11. Following the transaction, the director now owns 31,608 shares in the company, valued at $487,079.28. The trade was a 24.88 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, major shareholder Juniper Investment Company, Ll sold 61,289 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, December 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.19, for a total value of $992,268.91. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 425,544 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,889,557.36. This trade represents a 12.59 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 223,002 shares of company stock valued at $3,632,824. 16.80% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lincoln Educational Services

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in Lincoln Educational Services during the 3rd quarter valued at about $121,000. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company purchased a new stake in shares of Lincoln Educational Services during the 2nd quarter valued at about $123,000. Janus Henderson Group PLC bought a new stake in shares of Lincoln Educational Services in the third quarter worth approximately $144,000. Barclays PLC raised its holdings in shares of Lincoln Educational Services by 259.0% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 34,220 shares of the company’s stock valued at $408,000 after purchasing an additional 24,688 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rhumbline Advisers lifted its position in Lincoln Educational Services by 36.0% during the second quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 38,162 shares of the company’s stock valued at $453,000 after purchasing an additional 10,095 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 72.23% of the company’s stock.

About Lincoln Educational Services

Lincoln Educational Services Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides various career-oriented post-secondary education services to high school graduates and working adults in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Campus Operations and Transitional. It offers associate's degree, and diploma and certificate programs in automotive technology; skilled trades programs, including electrical, heating and air conditioning repair, welding, computerized numerical control, and electrical and electronic systems technology; health science programs comprising licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, dental assistant, medical assistant, medical administrative assistant, and claims examiner; hospitality service and information technology programs, such as culinary, therapeutic massage, cosmetology, aesthetics, and computer systems support technicians.