Heartland Advisors Inc. Reduces Position in Lincoln Educational Services Co. (NASDAQ:LINC)

Heartland Advisors Inc. lessened its stake in Lincoln Educational Services Co. (NASDAQ:LINC) by 8.8% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,351,676 shares of the company’s stock after selling 130,432 shares during the period. Lincoln Educational Services accounts for about 1.2% of Heartland Advisors Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 16th largest position. Heartland Advisors Inc.’s holdings in Lincoln Educational Services were worth $21,384,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in Lincoln Educational Services by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 1,418,725 shares of the company’s stock valued at $22,444,000 after purchasing an additional 14,772 shares in the last quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Lincoln Educational Services by 5.2% in the 4th quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 833,093 shares of the company’s stock worth $13,180,000 after purchasing an additional 41,442 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in Lincoln Educational Services by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 636,160 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,598,000 after acquiring an additional 11,650 shares in the last quarter. Needham Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Lincoln Educational Services by 71.4% in the third quarter. Needham Investment Management LLC now owns 600,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,164,000 after purchasing an additional 250,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp raised its stake in shares of Lincoln Educational Services by 3.0% during the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 440,136 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,255,000 after acquiring an additional 12,938 shares in the last quarter. 72.23% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Lincoln Educational Services Stock Up 2.5 %

NASDAQ LINC opened at $16.00 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $505.49 million, a P/E ratio of 50.00, a P/E/G ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 1.61. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $16.54 and a 200 day moving average price of $15.04. Lincoln Educational Services Co. has a one year low of $9.51 and a one year high of $19.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a current ratio of 1.57.

Lincoln Educational Services (NASDAQ:LINC) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, February 24th. The company reported $0.31 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.20 by $0.11. Lincoln Educational Services had a return on equity of 10.60% and a net margin of 2.33%. The company had revenue of $119.37 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $110.50 million. Research analysts anticipate that Lincoln Educational Services Co. will post 0.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Barrington Research reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $22.00 price target on shares of Lincoln Educational Services in a report on Wednesday. Rosenblatt Securities raised their price objective on Lincoln Educational Services from $20.00 to $24.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Lincoln Educational Services presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $20.25.

Lincoln Educational Services Profile

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.