Perdoceo Education CorporationNASDAQ: PRDO

Perdoceo Education Corporation Announces First Quarter 2023 Results

· Issued by Perdoceo Education Corporation via Business Wire

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Perdoceo Education Corporation (NASDAQ: PRDO) today reported operating and financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.

First Quarter 2023 Results as Compared to Prior Year Quarter

  • Revenue increased 6.9% to $195.6 million, with a 10.0% increase at CTU and a 1.9% increase at AIUS.
  • Operating income decreased 0.8% to $43.3 million, while adjusted operating income increased 4.3% to $53.1 million.*
  • Earnings per diluted share was $0.50 as compared to $0.46, while adjusted earnings per diluted share was $0.58 as compared to $0.50.*
  • Total student enrollments at March 31, 2023 increased by 0.8%.
  • Ended the quarter with $520.3 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

"During the quarter, student retention and engagement continued to improve at our academic institutions and our overall operating performance was in line with our expectations,” said Andrew Hurst, President and Chief Executive Officer. “The Perdoceo team remains committed to prioritizing student experiences, retention and academic outcomes and we continue to invest in technology across our student processes to make them more efficient and effective."

REVENUE

  • For the quarter ended March 31, 2023, revenue of $195.6 million increased 6.9% compared to revenue of $183.0 million for the prior year quarter.

For the Quarter Ended March 31,

Revenue ($ in thousands)

2023

2022

% Change

CTU

$

124,492

$

113,148

10.0

%

AIUS

70,840

69,532

1.9

%

Corporate and Other

266

279

NM

Total

$

195,598

$

182,959

6.9

%

TOTAL STUDENT ENROLLMENTS

As of March 31,

Total Student Enrollments(1)

2023

2022

% Change

CTU

23,500

23,500

0.0

%

AIUS

14,400

14,100

2.1

%

Total

37,900

37,600

0.8

%

(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, 2023, operating income decreased by 0.8% to $43.3 million as compared to the prior year quarter.

For the Quarter Ended March 31,

Operating Income ($ in thousands)

2023

2022

% Change

CTU

$

43,690

$

43,026

1.5

%

AIUS

12,003

9,523

26.0

%

Corporate and Other

(12,357

)

(8,856

)

NM

Total

$

43,336

$

43,693

-0.8

%

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, 2023, adjusted operating income of $53.1 million increase 4.3% compared to adjusted operating income of $50.9 million for the prior year quarter.

For the Quarter Ended March 31,

Adjusted Operating Income ($ in thousands)

2023

2022

Operating income

$

43,336

$

43,693

Depreciation and amortization (1)

5,155

4,882

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (2)

4,619

2,347

Adjusted Operating Income

$

53,110

$

50,922

Increase (Decrease)

4.3

%

(1)

Amortization relates to definite-lived intangible assets associated with acquisitions.

(2)

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, 2023, the Company recorded:

  • Net income of $34.5 million compared to $32.1 million for the prior year quarter.
  • Earnings per diluted share of $0.50 compared to $0.46 for the prior year quarter.
  • Adjusted earnings per diluted share of $0.58 compared to $0.50 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,

2023

2022

Reported Earnings Per Diluted Share

$

0.50

$

0.46

Pre-tax adjustments included in operating expenses:

Amortization for acquired intangible assets (1)

0.04

0.02

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (2)

0.07

0.03

Tax effect of adjustments (3)

(0.03

)

(0.01

)

Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share

$

0.58

$

0.50

(1)

Amortization relates to definite-lived intangible assets associated with acquisitions.

(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)

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.

BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOW

  • For the quarter ended March 31, 2023, net cash provided by operating activities was $4.6 million, compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $22.2 million for the prior year quarter.
  • As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and available-for-sale short-term investments totaled $520.3 million and $518.2 million, respectively.

For the Quarter Ended March 31,

Selected Cash Flow Items ($ in thousands)

2023

2022

% Change

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

4,572

$

22,154

-79.4

%

Capital expenditures

$

1,925

$

4,742

-59.4

%

OUTLOOK

The Company is providing the following updated full year outlook, along with 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

2023

2022

2023

2022

Operating Income

$38.9M - $40.9M

$33.9M

$121.1M -$138.1M

$129.6M

Depreciation and amortization

$4.4M

$4.9M

$17.5M

$19.8M

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (1)

$3.7M

$3.1M

$14.4M

$14.6M

Adjusted Operating Income

$47.0M - $49.0M

$41.9M

$153.0M-$170.0M

$164.0M

Earnings Per Diluted Share

$0.45 - $0.47

$ 0.37

$1.43 - $1.61

$ 1.39

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

$ 0.03

$ 0.02

$ 0.12

$ 0.11

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (1)

$ 0.05

$ 0.05

$ 0.21

$ 0.21

Tax effect of adjustments

($ 0.02 )

($ 0.02 )

($ 0.08 )

($ 0.08 )

Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share

$0.51 - $0.53

$ 0.42

$1.68 - $1.86

$ 1.63

(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 2023 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 27.0% for the second quarter and approximately 26.5% 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 Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time to discuss first quarter 2023 results and 2023 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 1-833-470-1428 (domestic) or 1-929-526-1599 (international). Both dial-in numbers will use the access code 536811. Viewers can also access the conference call by following this link https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/719481091. 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; 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 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 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 eligibility to participate in educational assistance programs for veterans or other military personnel; 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, 2022 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,

2023

2022

(unaudited)

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:

Cash and cash equivalents, unrestricted

$

89,845

$

109,408

Restricted cash

9,476

9,476

Short-term investments

420,943

399,315

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

520,264

518,199

Student receivables, net

44,989

42,551

Receivables, other

4,309

3,457

Prepaid expenses

11,383

8,411

Inventories

3,765

1,904

Other current assets

735

597

Total current assets

585,445

575,119

NON-CURRENT ASSETS:

Property and equipment, net

25,752

26,038

Right of use asset, net

24,277

26,156

Goodwill

243,941

243,540

Intangible assets, net

50,941

53,564

Student receivables, net

1,467

1,850

Deferred income tax assets, net

24,309

24,613

Other assets

6,880

6,488

TOTAL ASSETS

$

963,012

$

957,368

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

Lease liability - operating

$

6,043

$

6,555

Accounts payable

15,178

13,518

Accrued expenses:

Payroll and related benefits

22,448

40,306

Advertising and marketing costs

7,654

8,977

Income taxes

20,079

7,814

Other

19,027

14,621

Deferred revenue

44,710

71,590

Total current liabilities

135,139

163,381

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:

Lease liability - operating

25,837

27,286

Other liabilities

40,864

40,856

Total non-current liabilities

66,701

68,142

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

Preferred stock

-

-

Common stock

899

894

Additional paid-in capital

686,719

684,183

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(4,121

)

(5,447

)

Retained earnings

382,323

347,839

Treasury stock

(304,648

)

(301,624

)

Total stockholders' equity

761,172

725,845

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

963,012

$

957,368

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,

2023

% of Total Revenue

2022

% of Total Revenue

REVENUE:

Tuition and fees, net

$

193,319

98.8

%

$

181,327

99.1

%

Other

2,279

1.2

%

1,632

0.9

%

Total revenue

195,598

182,959

OPERATING EXPENSES:

Educational services and facilities

33,851

17.3

%

28,088

15.4

%

General and administrative

112,686

57.6

%

106,296

58.1

%

Depreciation and amortization

5,155

2.6

%

4,882

2.7

%

Asset impairment

570

0.3

%

-

0.0

%

Total operating expenses

152,262

77.8

%

139,266

76.1

%

Operating income

43,336

22.2

%

43,693

23.9

%

OTHER INCOME:

Interest income

3,818

2.0

%

333

0.2

%

Interest expense

(95

)

0.0

%

(103

)

-0.1

%

Miscellaneous expense

(6

)

0.0

%

(89

)

0.0

%

Total other income

3,717

1.9

%

141

0.1

%

PRETAX INCOME

47,053

24.1

%

43,834

24.0

%

Provision for income taxes

12,569

6.4

%

11,756

6.4

%

NET INCOME

34,484

17.6

%

32,078

17.5

%

NET INCOME PER SHARE - BASIC:

$

0.51

$

0.47

NET INCOME PER SHARE -DILUTED:

$

0.50

$

0.46

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:

Basic

67,235

68,746

Diluted

68,514

69,567

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

For the Quarter Ended March 31,

(In Thousands)

2023

2022

NET INCOME

$

34,484

$

32,078

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS), net of tax:

Foreign currency translation adjustments

26

(81

)

Unrealized gain (loss) on investments

1,300

(1,364

)

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

1,326

(1,445

)

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

$

35,810

$

30,633

PERDOCEO EDUCATION CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

For the Year Ended March 31,

2023

2022

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net income

$

34,484

$

32,078

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

Asset impairment

570

-

Depreciation and amortization expense

5,155

4,882

Bad debt expense

10,757

13,715

Compensation expense related to share-based awards

2,294

2,416

Deferred income taxes

304

986

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

(48,992

)

(31,923

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

4,572

22,154

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Purchases of available-for-sale investments

(83,777

)

(194,997

)

Sales of available-for-sale investments

64,344

59,825

Purchases of property and equipment

(1,925

)

(4,742

)

Business acquisition

-

(7,000

)

Net cash used in investing activities

(21,358

)

(146,914

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Issuance of common stock

247

659

Purchase of treasury stock

(815

)

(3,828

)

Payments of employee tax associated with stock compensation

(2,209

)

(1,610

)

Release of cash held in escrow

-

(3,986

)

Net cash used in financing activities

(2,777

)

(8,765

)

NET DECREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH

(19,563

)

(133,525

)

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

118,884

325,178

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

$

99,321

$

191,653

PERDOCEO EDUCATION CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

UNAUDITED SELECTED SEGMENT INFORMATION

(In thousands, except percentages)

 

For the Quarter Ended March 31,

2023 (1)

2022

REVENUE:

CTU

$

124,492

$

113,148

AIUS

70,840

69,532

Corporate and Other

266

279

Total

$

195,598

$

182,959

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS):

CTU

$

43,690

$

43,026

AIUS

12,003

9,523

Corporate and Other

(12,357

)

(8,856

)

Total

$

43,336

$

43,693

OPERATING MARGIN (LOSS):

CTU

35.1

%

38.0

%

AIUS

16.9

%

13.7

%

Corporate and Other

NM

NM

Total

22.2

%

23.9

%

(1)

Results of operations include an acquisition completed on December 1, 2022 within CTU and an acquisition completed on July 1, 2022 within AIUS.

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

2023

2022

Operating income

$

43,336

$

43,693

Depreciation and amortization (2)

5,155

4,882

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (3)

4,619

2,347

Adjusted Operating Income

$

53,110

$

50,922

For the Quarter Ending June 30,

OUTLOOK

ACTUAL

2023

2022

Operating income

$38.9M - $40.9M

$

33,946

Depreciation and amortization (2)

4.4M

4,909

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (3)

3.7M

3,087

Adjusted Operating Income

$47.0M - $49.0M

$

41,942

For the Year Ending December 31,

OUTLOOK

ACTUAL

2023

2022

Operating income

$121.1M - $138.1M

$

129,637

Depreciation and amortization (2)

17.5M

19,734

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (3)

14.4M

14,597

Adjusted Operating Income

$153.0M - $170.0M

$

163,968

PERDOCEO EDUCATION CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

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

For the Quarter Ended March 31,

ACTUAL

2023

2022

Reported Earnings Per Diluted Share

$

0.50

$

0.46

Pre-tax adjustments included in operating expenses:

Amortization for acquired intangible assets (2)

0.04

0.02

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (3)

0.07

0.03

Total pre-tax adjustments

$

0.11

$

0.05

Tax effect of adjustments (4)

(0.03

)

(0.01

)

Total adjustments after tax

0.08

0.04

Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share

$

0.58

$

0.50

For the Quarter Ending June 30,

OUTLOOK

ACTUAL

2023

2022

Reported Earnings Per Diluted Share

$0.45 - $0.47

$

0.37

Pre-tax adjustments included in operating expenses:

Amortization for acquired intangible assets (2)

0.03

0.02

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (3)

0.05

0.05

Total pre-tax adjustments

$

0.08

$

0.07

Tax effect of adjustments (4)

(0.02

)

(0.02

)

Total adjustments after tax

0.06

0.05

Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share

$0.51 - $0.53

$

0.42

For the Year Ending December 31,

OUTLOOK

ACTUAL

2023

2022

Reported Earnings Per Diluted Share

$1.43 - $1.61

$

1.39

Pre-tax adjustments included in operating expenses:

Amortization for acquired intangible assets (2)

0.12

0.11

Legal fee expense related to certain matters (3)

0.21

0.21

Total pre-tax adjustments

$

0.33

$

0.32

Tax effect of adjustments (4)

(0.08

)

(0.08

)

Total adjustments after tax

0.25

0.24

Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share

$1.68 - $1.86

$

1.63

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.

 

Results of operations include the Coding Dojo acquisition as of December 1, 2022 and the CalSouthern acquisition as of July 1, 2022.

(2)

 

Amortization for acquired intangible assets relate to definite-lived intangible assets associated with acquisitions.

(3)

 

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

(4)

 

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.

Investors: Alpha IR Group Davis Snyder (312) 445-2870 PRDO@alpha-ir.com Or Media: Perdoceo Education Corporation (847) 585-2600 media@perdoceoed.com

Source: Perdoceo Education Corporation