Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:LOPE) Short Interest Update

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:LOPE) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totaling 802,161 shares, a growth of 24.3% from the November 30th total of 645,563 shares. Approximately 2.9% of the company’s stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 419,206 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.9 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 419,206 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.9 days. Approximately 2.9% of the company’s stock are sold short.

Grand Canyon Education Trading Down 0.3%

Shares of NASDAQ LOPE traded down $0.51 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $166.50. 44,777 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 251,883. The stock has a market cap of $4.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.43, a PEG ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 0.78. Grand Canyon Education has a 1 year low of $149.83 and a 1 year high of $223.04. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $170.98 and a 200 day simple moving average of $186.50.

Grand Canyon Education (NASDAQ:LOPE) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The company reported $1.78 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.78. Grand Canyon Education had a return on equity of 32.41% and a net margin of 19.38%.The company had revenue of $261.14 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $259.97 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.48 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. Grand Canyon Education has set its FY 2025 guidance at 9.020-9.13 EPS and its Q4 2025 guidance at 3.130-3.240 EPS. As a group, analysts forecast that Grand Canyon Education will post 8.81 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

LOPE has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Grand Canyon Education from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 8th. Barrington Research reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $230.00 price objective on shares of Grand Canyon Education in a report on Tuesday, October 21st. Zacks Research downgraded Grand Canyon Education from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, October 6th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Grand Canyon Education in a research report on Monday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Grand Canyon Education presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $220.00.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Grand Canyon Education

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Mather Group LLC. acquired a new stake in shares of Grand Canyon Education in the 3rd quarter worth $29,000. Manning & Napier Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Grand Canyon Education during the third quarter worth about $32,000. True Wealth Design LLC lifted its position in Grand Canyon Education by 46.0% in the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 203 shares of the company’s stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 64 shares during the period. Employees Retirement System of Texas purchased a new stake in Grand Canyon Education in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $48,000. Finally, Financial Life Planners purchased a new stake in Grand Canyon Education in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $49,000. 94.17% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Grand Canyon Education Company Profile

Grand Canyon Education, Inc provides a suite of higher‐education services through a long-term agreement with Grand Canyon University (GCU), one of the nation’s largest private Christian universities. The company’s offerings encompass a full range of academic and operational support functions, including enrollment management, student recruitment, curriculum development, instructional delivery, and technology infrastructure. Through its online program management capabilities, Grand Canyon Education helps design, market and deliver undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs to meet the needs of both traditional and non‐traditional learners.

Core services include digital marketing, admissions support, student success coaching, learning management systems and faculty recruitment.