Perdoceo Education Corporation Announces First Quarter 2024 Results

Perdoceo Education Corporation (NASDAQ: PRDO) today reported operating and financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

First Quarter 2024 Results as Compared to Prior Year Quarter

Operating income increased 6.8% to $46.3 million, while adjusted operating income decreased 6.8% to $49.5 million.*
Earnings per diluted share was $0.59 as compared to $0.50, while adjusted earnings per diluted share was $0.60 as compared to $0.58.*
Revenue decreased 14.0% to $168.3 million while total student enrollments at March 31, 2024 increased by 9.0%.
Ended the quarter with $642.4 million in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and available-for-sale-short-term investments.

*See GAAP (U.S. generally accepted accounting principles) to non-GAAP reconciliation attached to this press release

"First quarter results were better than expected, as both academic institutions continue to experience positive trends within student retention and engagement,” said Todd Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer. “These results and trends give us confidence that we are making effective investments in student resources and technology, and we remain focused on prioritizing student experiences and academic outcomes across our academic institutions."

REVENUE

For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, revenue of $168.3 million decreased 14.0% compared to revenue of $195.6 million for the prior year quarter.

For the Quarter Ended March 31,

Revenue ($ in thousands)

2024

2023

% Change

CTU

113,569

124,492

-8.8

AIUS

54,505

70,840

-23.1

Corporate and Other

190

266

Total

168,264

195,598

-14.0

TOTAL STUDENT ENROLLMENTS

As of March 31, 2024, total student enrollments were 41,300, an increase of 9.0% as compared to 37,900 total student enrollments as of March 31, 2023.

As of March 31,

Total Student Enrollments(1)

2024

2023

% Change

CTU

30,200

23,500

28.5

AIUS

11,100

14,400

-22.9

Total

41,300

37,900

9.0

(1)

Total student enrollments do not include learners participating in: a) non-degree seeking and professional development programs, and b) degree seeking, non-Title IV, self-paced programs at our universities.

OPERATING INCOME

For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, operating income increased by 6.8% to $46.3 million as compared to the prior year quarter.

For the Quarter Ended March 31,

Operating Income ($ in thousands)

2024

2023

% Change

CTU

42,156

43,690

-3.5

AIUS

9,286

12,003

-22.6

Corporate and Other

(5,164

)

(12,357

)

58.2

Total

46,278

43,336

6.8

ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME

The Company believes it is useful to present non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude certain significant and non-cash items, as a means to understand the performance of its operations. (See table below and the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation attached to this press release for further details.)

For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, adjusted operating income of $49.5 million decreased 6.8% as compared to adjusted operating income of $53.1 million for the prior year quarter.

For the Quarter Ended March 31,

Adjusted Operating Income ($ in thousands)

2024

2023

Operating income

46,278

43,336

Depreciation and amortization

3,016

5,155

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (1)

230

4,619

Adjusted Operating Income

49,524

53,110

Increase (Decrease)

-6.8

(1)

Legal fee expense associated with (i) responses to the Department of Education (the “Department”) relating to borrower defense to repayment applications from former students, and (ii) acquisition efforts.

NET INCOME AND EARNINGS PER DILUTED SHARE

For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded:

Net income of $39.4 million compared to $34.5 million for the prior year quarter.
Earnings per diluted share of $0.59 compared to $0.50 for the prior year quarter.
Adjusted earnings per diluted share of $0.60 compared to $0.58 for the prior year quarter. (See table below and the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation attached to this press release for further details.)

For the Quarter Ended March 31,

2024

2023

Reported Earnings Per Diluted Share

0.59

0.50

Pre-tax adjustments included in operating expenses:

Amortization for acquired intangible assets

0.02

0.04

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (1)

0.07

Tax effect of adjustments (2)

(0.01

)

(0.03

)

Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share

0.60

0.58

(1)

Legal fee expense associated with (i) responses to the Department relating to borrower defense to repayment applications from former students, and (ii) acquisition efforts.

(2)

The tax effect of adjustments was calculated by multiplying the pre-tax adjustments with a tax rate of 25.0%. This tax rate is intended to reflect federal and state taxable jurisdictions as well as the nature of the adjustments.

DIVIDEND PAYMENT

In line with the Company's dividend policy, the board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.11 per share, which will be paid on June 15, 2024 for holders of record of common stock as of June 1, 2024. Any decision to pay future cash dividends, however, will be made by the board of directors and depend on the Company’s available retained earnings, financial condition and other relevant factors. The Company expects quarterly dividend payments to be an integral and growing part of its balanced capital allocation strategy that also prioritizes investments in student support and technology projects, while also evaluating acquisitions and share repurchases.

BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOW

For the quarter ended March 31, 2024, net cash provided by operating activities was $54.5 million, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $4.6 million for the prior year quarter.
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and available-for-sale short-term investments totaled $642.4 million and $604.2 million, respectively.

For the Quarter Ended March 31,

Selected Cash Flow Items ($ in thousands)

2024

2023

% Change

Net cash provided by operating activities

54,492

4,572

Capital expenditures

1,198

1,925

-37.8

OUTLOOK

The Company is updating its full year outlook and providing its second quarter outlook, subject to the key assumptions identified below. Please see the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation for adjusted operating income and adjusted earnings per diluted share attached to this press release for further details.

Total Company Outlook

For Quarter Ending June 30,

For the Year Ending December 31,

OUTLOOK

ACTUAL

OUTLOOK

ACTUAL

2024

2023

2024

2023

Operating Income

$43.7M - $45.7M

$48.1M

$159.3M - $174.3M

$150.4M

Depreciation and amortization

$3.1M

$4.4M

$12.3M

$16.9M

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (1)

$1.2M

$2.7M

$3.4M

$7.6M

Adjusted Operating Income

$48.0M - $50.0M

$55.2M

$175.0M - $190.0M

$174.9M

Earnings Per Diluted Share

$0.55 - $0.57

$0.80

$2.02 - $2.18

$2.18

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

$0.02

$0.03

$0.07

$0.11

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (1)

$0.02

$0.04

$0.05

$0.11

Gain on sale of intangible asset

($0.32)

Tax effect of adjustments

($0.02)

$0.06

($0.03)

$0.02

Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share

$0.57 - $0.59

$0.61

$2.11 - $2.27

$2.10

(1)

Legal fee expense associated with (i) responses to the Department relating to borrower defense to repayment applications from former students, and (ii) acquisition efforts.

Operating income, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to adjusted operating income, and earnings per diluted share, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to adjusted earnings per diluted share, may not follow the same trends stated in the outlook above because of adjustments made for certain significant and non-cash items. The operating income, adjusted operating income, earnings per share and adjusted earnings per share outlook provided above for 2024 are based on the following key assumptions and factors, among others: (i) prospective student interest in the Company’s programs and trends in student retention and engagement remain consistent with management’s estimates, (ii) no significant additional impact of new or proposed regulations, including recent Department negotiated rulemaking initiatives, or other adverse changes in the legal or regulatory environment, which may require further operational changes in the way the Company’s academic institutions enroll, support and educate current and prospective students, among other impacts, (iii) no significant operating impacts from the settlements with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general or other legal or regulatory matters, (iv) the impact from student loan initiatives implemented by the current administration remains consistent with management's estimates, (v) earnings per diluted share outlook assumes an effective income tax rate of approximately 27% for the second quarter and approximately 26% for the full year, and (vi) excludes any future impact from the Company’s stock repurchase program. Although these estimates and assumptions are based upon management’s good faith beliefs regarding current and future circumstances and actions that may be undertaken, actual results could differ materially from these estimates. In addition, decisions the Company makes in the future as it continues to evaluate diverse strategies to enhance stockholder value may impact the outlook provided above.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

Perdoceo Education Corporation will host a conference call on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time to discuss first quarter 2024 results and 2024 outlook. Interested parties can access the live webcast of the conference call at www.perdoceoed.com in the Investor Relations section of the website. Participants can also listen to the conference call by dialing 1-800-715-9871 (domestic) or 1-646-307-1963 (international). Both dial-in numbers will use the access code 7780778. Viewers can also access the conference call by following this link https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/251610351. Please log-in or dial-in at least 10 minutes prior to the start time to ensure a connection. An archived version of the webcast will be accessible for 90 days at www.perdoceoed.com in the Investor Relations section of the website.

ABOUT PERDOCEO EDUCATION CORPORATION

Perdoceo’s accredited academic institutions offer a quality postsecondary education primarily online to a diverse student population, along with campus-based and blended learning programs. The Company’s academic institutions – Colorado Technical University (“CTU”) and the American InterContinental University System (“AIUS” or “AIU System”) – provide degree programs from the associate through doctoral level as well as non-degree seeking and professional development programs. Perdoceo’s academic institutions offer students industry-relevant and career-focused academic programs that are designed to meet the educational needs of today’s busy adults. CTU and AIUS continue to show innovation in higher education, advancing personalized learning technologies like their intellipath® learning platform and using data analytics and technology to serve and educate students while enhancing overall learning and academic experiences. Perdoceo is committed to providing quality education that closes the gap between learners who seek to advance their careers and employers needing a qualified workforce. For more information, please visit www.perdoceoed.com.

Except for the historical and present factual information contained herein, the matters set forth in this release, including statements identified by words such as “believe,” “will,” “expect,” “continue,” “outlook,” “remain,” “focused on,” “should” and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based on information currently available to us and are subject to various assumptions, risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance, business prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update or revise such factors or any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events, developments or changed circumstances, or for any other reason. These risks and uncertainties, the outcomes of which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operations, include, but are not limited to, the following: declines in enrollment or interest in our programs or our ability to market to and contact prospective students; our continued compliance with and eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and the regulations thereunder (including the terms of any potential changes to or conditions imposed on our continued participation in the Title IV programs under new program participation agreements, the new 90-10, financial responsibility and administrative capability standards prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education), as well as applicable accreditation standards and state regulatory requirements; the impact of various versions of “borrower defense to repayment” regulations; the final outcome of various legal challenges to the Department's loan discharge and forgiveness efforts; rulemaking or changing interpretations of existing regulations, guidance or historical practices by the U.S. Department of Education or any state or accreditor and increased focus by Congress and governmental agencies on, or increased negative publicity about, for-profit education institutions; the success of our initiatives to improve student experiences, retention and academic outcomes; our continued ability to participate in educational assistance programs for key employers, veterans or other military personnel; our ability to pay dividends on our common stock and execute our stock repurchase program; increased competition; the impact of management changes; and changes in the overall U.S. economy. Further information about these and other relevant risks and uncertainties may be found in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and its subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

PERDOCEO EDUCATION CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

March 31,

December 31,

2024

2023

(unaudited)

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:

Cash and cash equivalents, unrestricted

125,807

118,009

Restricted cash

1,024

1,012

Short-term investments

515,602

485,135

Total cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments

642,433

604,156

Student receivables, net

41,942

29,398

Receivables, other

5,289

4,539

Prepaid expenses

11,912

11,712

Inventories

4,251

5,004

Other current assets

196

155

Total current assets

706,023

654,964

NON-CURRENT ASSETS:

Property and equipment, net

20,938

21,371

Right of use asset, net

13,963

19,096

Goodwill

241,162

Intangible assets, net

35,110

36,219

Student receivables, net

4,860

3,859

Deferred income tax assets, net

23,063

23,804

Other assets

6,846

6,841

TOTAL ASSETS

1,051,965

1,007,316

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

Lease liability - operating

5,989

5,701

Accounts payable

11,830

10,766

Accrued expenses:

Payroll and related benefits

18,726

32,684

Advertising and marketing costs

6,810

7,196

Income taxes

16,543

3,974

Other

21,112

13,503

Deferred revenue

61,498

37,215

Total current liabilities

142,508

111,039

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:

Lease liability - operating

16,701

21,346

Other liabilities

26,650

33,510

Total non-current liabilities

43,351

54,856

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

Preferred stock

Common stock

909

903

Additional paid-in capital

698,619

694,798

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(1,620

)

(666

)

Retained earnings

512,622

480,606

Treasury stock

(344,424

)

(334,220

)

Total stockholders' equity

866,106

841,421

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

1,051,965

1,007,316

PERDOCEO EDUCATION CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per share amounts and percentages)

For the Quarter Ended March 31,

2024

% of Total Revenue

2023

% of Total Revenue

REVENUE:

Tuition and fees, net

166,998

99.2

193,319

98.8

Other

1,266

0.8

2,279

1.2

Total revenue

168,264

195,598

OPERATING EXPENSES:

Educational services and facilities

29,858

17.7

33,851

17.3

General and administrative

87,482

52.0

112,686

57.6

Depreciation and amortization

3,016

1.8

5,155

2.6

Asset impairment

1,630

1.0

570

0.3

Total operating expenses

121,986

72.5

152,262

77.8

Operating income

46,278

27.5

43,336

22.2

OTHER INCOME:

Interest income

6,793

4.0

3,818

2.0

Interest expense

(335

)

-0.2

(95

)

0.0

Miscellaneous income (expense)

115

0.1

)

0.0

Total other income

6,573

3.9

3,717

1.9

PRETAX INCOME

52,851

31.4

47,053

24.1

Provision for income taxes

13,409

8.0

12,569

6.4

NET INCOME

39,442

23.4

34,484

17.6

NET INCOME PER SHARE - BASIC:

0.60

0.51

NET INCOME PER SHARE -DILUTED:

0.59

0.50

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:

Basic

65,555

67,235

Diluted

66,841

68,514

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the Quarter Ended March 31,

(In Thousands)

2024

2023

NET INCOME

39,442

34,484

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME, net of tax:

Foreign currency translation adjustments

(31

)

Unrealized (loss) gain on investments

(923

)

1,300

Total other comprehensive (loss) income

(954

)

1,326

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

38,488

35,810

PERDOCEO EDUCATION CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

For the Quarter Ended March 31,

2024

2023

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net income

39,442

34,484

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Asset impairment

1,630

570

Depreciation and amortization expense

3,016

5,155

Bad debt expense

6,556

10,757

Compensation expense related to share-based awards

2,307

2,294

Deferred income taxes

741

304

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

800

(48,992

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

54,492

4,572

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Purchases of available-for-sale investments

(104,558

)

(83,777

)

Sales of available-for-sale investments

74,955

64,344

Purchases of property and equipment

(1,198

)

(1,925

)

Net cash used in investing activities

(30,801

)

(21,358

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Issuance of common stock

1,520

247

Purchase of treasury stock

(6,769

)

(815

)

Payments of employee tax associated with stock compensation

(3,435

)

(2,209

)

Payments of cash dividends

(7,197

)

Net cash used in financing activities

(15,881

)

(2,777

)

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH

7,810

(19,563

)

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of the period

119,021

118,884

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of the period

126,831

99,321

PERDOCEO EDUCATION CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED SELECTED SEGMENT INFORMATION

(In thousands, except percentages)

For the Quarter Ended March 31,

2024

2023

REVENUE:

CTU

113,569

124,492

AIUS

54,505

70,840

Corporate and Other

190

266

Total

168,264

195,598

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS):

CTU

42,156

43,690

AIUS

9,286

12,003

Corporate and Other

(5,164

)

(12,357

)

Total

46,278

43,336

OPERATING MARGIN (LOSS):

CTU

37.1

35.1

AIUS

17.0

16.9

Corporate and Other

Total

27.5

22.2

PERDOCEO EDUCATION CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP ITEMS (1)

(In thousands, unless otherwise noted)

For the Quarter Ended March 31,

ACTUAL

Adjusted Operating Income

2024

2023

Operating income

46,278

43,336

Depreciation and amortization

3,016

5,155

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (2)

230

4,619

Adjusted Operating Income

49,524

53,110

For the Quarter Ending June 30,

OUTLOOK

ACTUAL

2024

2023

Operating income

$43.7M -$45.7M

48,094

Depreciation and amortization

3.1M

4,369

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (2)

1.2M

2,709

Adjusted Operating Income

$48.0M - $50.0M

55,172

For the Year Ending December 31,

OUTLOOK

ACTUAL

2024

2023

Operating income

$159.3M - $174.3M

150,446

Depreciation and amortization

12.3M

16,887

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (2)

3.4M

7,579

Adjusted Operating Income

$175.0M - $190.0M

174,912

PERDOCEO EDUCATION CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP ITEMS (1) (cont’d)

For the Quarter Ended March 31,

ACTUAL

2024

2023

Reported Earnings Per Diluted Share

0.59

0.50

Pre-tax adjustments included in operating expenses:

Amortization for acquired intangible assets

0.02

0.04

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (2)

0.07

Total pre-tax adjustments

0.02

0.11

Tax effect of adjustments (4)

(0.01

)

(0.03

)

Total adjustments after tax

0.01

0.08

Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share

0.60

0.58

For the Quarter Ending June 30,

OUTLOOK

ACTUAL

2024

2023

Reported Earnings Per Diluted Share

$0.55 – $0.57

0.80

Pre-tax adjustments included in operating expenses:

Amortization for acquired intangible assets

0.02

0.03

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (2)

0.02

0.04

Gain on sale of intangible asset (3)

(0.32

)

Total pre-tax adjustments

0.04

(0.25

)

Tax effect of adjustments (4)

(0.02

)

0.06

Total adjustments after tax

0.02

(0.19

)

Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share

$0.57 - $0.59

0.61

For the Year Ending December 31,

OUTLOOK

ACTUAL

2024

2023

Reported Earnings Per Diluted Share

$2.02 - $2.18

2.18

Pre-tax adjustments included in operating expenses:

Amortization for acquired intangible assets

0.07

0.11

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (2)

0.05

0.11

Gain on sale of intangible asset (3)

(0.32

)

Total pre-tax adjustments

0.12

(0.10

)

Tax effect of adjustments (4)

(0.03

)

0.02

Total adjustments after tax

0.09

(0.08

)

Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share

$2.11 – $2.27

2.10

PERDOCEO EDUCATION CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP ITEMS (1) (cont’d)

(1)

The Company believes it is useful to present non-GAAP financial measures which exclude certain significant and non-cash items as a means to understand the performance of its operations. As a general matter, the Company uses non-GAAP financial measures in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP to help analyze the performance of its operations, assist with preparing the annual operating plan, and measure performance for some forms of compensation. In addition, the Company believes that non-GAAP financial information is used by analysts and others in the investment community to analyze the Company’s historical results and to provide estimates of future performance.

The Company believes adjusted operating income and adjusted earnings per diluted share allow it to analyze and assess its operations and compare current operating results with the operational performance of other companies in its industry because it does not give effect to potential differences caused by items it does not consider reflective of underlying operating performance, such as amortization for acquired intangible assets, significant legal settlements and legal fee expense related to certain matters. The Company believes the items it is adjusting for are not normal operating expenses necessary to run its business. In evaluating adjusted operating income and adjusted earnings per diluted share, investors should be aware that in the future the Company may incur expenses similar to the adjustments presented above. The presentation of adjusted operating income and adjusted earnings per diluted share should not be construed as an inference that the Company's future results will be unaffected by expenses that are unusual, non-routine or non-recurring. Adjusted operating income and adjusted earnings per diluted share have limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for net income, operating income, earnings per diluted share, or any other performance measure derived in accordance and reported under GAAP or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities or as a measure of liquidity.

Non-GAAP financial measures, when viewed in a reconciliation to corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide an additional way of viewing the Company’s results of operations and the factors and trends affecting the Company’s business. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, the corresponding financial results presented in accordance with GAAP.

(2)

Legal fee expense associated with (i) responses to the Department relating to borrower defense to repayment applications from former students, and (ii) acquisition efforts.

(3)

Non-cash gain associated with the sale of the LCB tradename in exchange for outstanding shares of Perdoceo's stock.

(4)

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240501895852/en/

Investors: Alpha IR Group Sam Gibbons (312) 445-2870 PRDO@alpha-ir.com

Media: Perdoceo Education Corporation (847) 585-2600 media@perdoceoed.com

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