Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Invests $4.39 Million in Laureate Education $LAUR

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans acquired a new stake in shares of Laureate Education (NASDAQ:LAUR) during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 139,164 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,389,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in Laureate Education by 328.6% during the second quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,650 shares of the company’s stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 1,265 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board purchased a new stake in shares of Laureate Education in the 2nd quarter valued at $108,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust grew its holdings in shares of Laureate Education by 11.8% during the 2nd quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 6,031 shares of the company’s stock valued at $141,000 after purchasing an additional 636 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in Laureate Education by 41.8% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 4,600 shares of the company’s stock worth $145,000 after purchasing an additional 1,356 shares during the period. Finally, Longboard Asset Management LP bought a new stake in Laureate Education in the third quarter worth $204,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.27% of the company’s stock.

Laureate Education Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ LAUR opened at $35.01 on Friday. Laureate Education has a 1 year low of $17.91 and a 1 year high of $36.34. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.55 and a beta of 0.57. The company’s 50-day moving average is $33.74 and its 200 day moving average is $30.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.81.

Laureate Education declared that its board has approved a share buyback plan on Thursday, October 30th that permits the company to repurchase $150.00 million in shares. This repurchase authorization permits the company to buy up to 3.5% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are often an indication that the company’s leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

LAUR has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. UBS Group raised their price objective on Laureate Education from $36.00 to $39.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on Laureate Education in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. They set an “overweight” rating and a $40.00 price target on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Laureate Education in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Laureate Education from $26.00 to $32.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Monday, October 20th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $33.75.

Laureate Education Profile

Laureate Education, Inc (NASDAQ: LAUR) is a leading global network of higher education institutions dedicated to providing undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs to a diverse student body. The company designs and delivers academic offerings through a combination of campus-based and online platforms, focusing on fields such as business, health sciences, engineering, education and hospitality management. By aligning its curriculum with regional workforce needs, Laureate aims to equip students with practical skills and industry insights that support career advancement and lifelong learning.

Through its network, Laureate operates a broad portfolio of universities and colleges, including both longstanding campus institutions and digitally native programs.