For-Profit University Operator Apollo Group Could Outperform In 2012

By Rapha Angel The name “Apollo” immediately conjures up images and feelings of power. The Greek deity of truth and forays into outer space come to mind. Apollo Group Inc. APOL is aptly named as it is a strong presence in the field of education. It owns several for-profit educational institutions and is based in Phoenix, Arizona. This stock trades around $57. It even crossed the high point of its 52-week range of $37.08-$57.51. It does not pay a dividend. The earnings per share is $3.53, and price to earnings ratio is 16.38. The company operates in the education and training services industry, and has 56,470 employees. Apollo was seen in the news last year when its MACD (a histogram using exponential moving averages) entered bullish territory. It had been named a “buy.” That was at the end of November 2011 and whoever did buy at that time surely profited, as the stock has already gone up $9. Lots of news affecting Apollo came out recently. When it rains, it pours. There was an article on student debt quoting a very risqué comment of Warren Buffett which reads that it is only when the tide goes out that we find…