Strayer Education, Inc. Reports Record Third Quarter 2009 Revenues and Earnings; and Record Fall Term 2009 Enrollments

October 29, 2009 6:30 AM EDT

-- Strayer Third Quarter Revenues Up 31% --

-- Strayer Third Quarter Diluted EPS $1.21, Up 46% --

-- Strayer Fall 2009 Total Enrollments Up 22% / New Students up 20% --

-- Strayer Approved in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas --

-- Strayer to Open 13 New Campuses in 2010 --

-- Strayer Increasing Annual Dividend from $2.00 to $3.00 --

-- Share Repurchase Authorization Increased to $100 Million --

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Strayer Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: STRA) today announced financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Financial highlights are as follows:

Three Months Ended September 30

    --  Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2009 increased 31% to
        $114.4 million, compared to $87.0 million for the same period in 2008,
        due to increased enrollment and a 5% tuition increase which commenced in
        January 2009.
    --  Income from operations was $27.3 million compared to $18.3 million for
        the same period in 2008, an increase of 49%. Operating income margin was
        23.8% compared to 21.0% for the same period in 2008.
    --  Net income was $16.7 million compared to $11.8 million for the same
        period in 2008, an increase of 42%. Diluted earnings per share was $1.21
        compared to $0.83 for the same period in 2008, an increase of 46%.
        Diluted weighted average shares outstanding decreased to 13,780,000 from
        14,240,000 for the same period in 2008.

Nine Months Ended September 30

    --  Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 increased 29% to
        $364.8 million, compared to $282.0 million for the same period in 2008,
        due to increased enrollment and a 5% tuition increase which commenced in
        January 2009.
    --  Income from operations was $120.0 million compared to $87.4 million for
        the same period in 2008, an increase of 37%. Operating income margin was
        32.9% compared to 31.0% for the same period in 2008.
    --  Net income was $73.2 million compared to $56.6 million for the same
        period in 2008, an increase of 29%. Diluted earnings per share was $5.29
        compared to $3.97 for the same period in 2008, an increase of 33%.
        Diluted weighted average shares outstanding decreased to 13,850,000 from
        14,275,000 for the same period in 2008.

"We are pleased with our solid financial results for the third quarter and our strong student enrollment for the fall term," said Robert S. Silberman, Chairman and CEO of Strayer Education, Inc. "We look forward to opening 13 new campuses in 2010. For the 2010 winter term, we will add three new Strayer markets with new campuses in New Brunswick and Lawrenceville, New Jersey and Little Rock, Arkansas."

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

At September 30, 2009, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $93.4 million and no debt. The Company generated $89.8 million from operating activities in the first nine months of 2009 compared to $63.0 million during the same period in 2008. Capital expenditures were $22.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $15.3 million for the same period in 2008.

During the three months ended September 30, 2009, the Company invested $5.0 million to repurchase 24,528 shares of stock at an average price of $202.13 as part of a previously announced stock repurchase authorization. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company had invested $70.1 million for share repurchases. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company paid regular, quarterly dividends of $21.1 million ($0.50 per share for each quarterly dividend).

For the third quarter 2009, bad debt expense as a percentage of revenues was 4.5% compared to 3.7% for the same period in 2008. Days sales outstanding, adjusted to exclude tuition receivable related to future quarters, was 15 days at the end of the third quarter of 2009, compared to 13 days at the end of the third quarter of 2008.

Student Enrollment

Enrollment at Strayer University for the 2009 fall term increased 22% to 54,317 students compared to 44,564 students for the same term in 2008. Across the Strayer University campus and online system, continuing student enrollments increased 23%, while new student enrollments increased 20%. Global online students increased 43%. Students taking 100% of their classes online (including campus based students) increased 21%. The total number of students taking at least one class online increased 22% to 39,128.


Student Enrollment

                                                       Fall     Fall     %

                                                       2008     2009     Change

Campus Based Students:

New Campuses (28 in operation 3 years or less)

Classroom Students                                     1,487    3,714    150%

Online Students                                        2,809    4,676    66%

Total New Campus Based Students                        4,296    8,390    95%

Mature Campuses (43 in operation more than 3 years)

Classroom Students                                     15,795   17,622   12%

Online Students                                        20,435   22,549   10%

Total Mature Campus Based Students                     36,230   40,171   11%

Total Campus Based Students                            40,526   48,561   20%

Global Online Students                                 4,038    5,756    43%

Total University Enrollment                            44,564   54,317   22%

Total Students Taking 100% of Courses Online           27,282   32,981   21%

Total Students Taking at Least 1 Course Online         32,204   39,128   22%



New State Approvals

The Company announced today that Strayer University has received approval to operate in the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

New Campus Openings

The Company announced today that Strayer University intends to open 13 new campuses in 2010. The first three campuses, which will be located in Lawrenceville and New Brunswick, New Jersey and in Little Rock, Arkansas, will open for the winter term 2010 start of classes.

2009 Business Outlook

Based on the strong enrollment growth announced for the 2009 fall term and the planned investments in opening new campuses, the Company estimates fourth quarter 2009 diluted earnings per share will be in the range of $2.28 to $2.30. Based on its fourth quarter 2009 estimates, the Company expects its full year 2009 diluted earnings per share will be in the range of $7.56 to $7.58.

2010 Business Model

The Company announced today that Strayer University is implementing a 5% tuition increase effective January 2010. The Company also announced today that Strayer University intends to open 13 new campuses in 2010. Taking into account this accelerated investment plan for 2010, and assuming a 20% increase in annual student enrollment at Strayer University in 2010, the Company would then expect a 24-25% increase in revenue, roughly stable operating margins, and diluted earnings per share in the $9.30 to $9.50 range for 2010. Included in this range is the Company's estimate of approximately $0.52 per share after tax stock-based compensation expense and an effective tax rate of 39.5%.

Quarterly Common Stock Cash Dividends

The Company also announced today that its Board of Directors is increasing the Company's annual dividend to $3.00 per share from $2.00 per share. This annual dividend will be paid quarterly in the amount of $0.75 per share. Accordingly, the Company's Board of Directors has declared that the Company will pay a dividend of $0.75 per share on December 10, 2009 to shareholders of record as of November 24, 2009.

Share Repurchase Plan

The Company announced today that the Company's Board of Directors amended the share repurchase program to authorize the repurchase of up to $100 million in value of the Company's common stock over the next 14 months. The Company intends to conduct such purchases, if any, in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This share repurchase program may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time by the Company without notice.

Shares and Options Outstanding

At September 30, 2009, the Company had 14,008,796 common shares issued and outstanding, and 106,667 stock options outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $104.81 and a remaining weighted average contractual life of 2.2 years.

Conference Call with Management

Strayer Education, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss its third quarter 2009 earnings at 10:00 a.m. (ET) today. To participate on the live call, investors should dial (888) 523-1227 10 minutes prior to the start time. In addition, the call will be available via live Webcast over the Internet. To access the live Webcast of the conference call, please go to www.strayereducation.com 15 minutes prior to the start time of the call to register. An archived replay of the conference call will be available at (888) 203-1112 (pass code 1914628) starting at 1:00 p.m. (ET) today and will be available through Thursday, November 5, and archived at www.strayereducation.com for 90 days.

Strayer Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: STRA) is an education services holding company that owns Strayer University and certain other assets. Strayer's mission is to make higher education achievable and convenient for working adults in today's economy. Strayer University is a proprietary institution of higher learning that offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business administration, accounting, information technology, education, health care, and public administration to approximately 54,000 working adult students at 71 campuses in 15 states and Washington, D.C. and worldwide via the Internet. Strayer University is committed to providing an education that prepares working adult students for advancement in their careers and professional lives. Founded in 1892, Strayer University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

For more information on Strayer Education, Inc. visit www.strayereducation.com and for Strayer University visit www.strayer.edu.

This press release contains statements that are forward looking and are made pursuant to the "safe-harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("Reform Act"). The statements are based on the Company's current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks. In connection with the safe-harbor provisions of the Reform Act, the Company has identified important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially. The uncertainties and risks include the pace of growth of student enrollment, our continued compliance with Title IV of the Higher Education Act, and the regulations thereunder, as well as regional accreditation standards and state regulatory requirements, competitive factors, risks associated with the opening of new campuses, risks associated with the offering of new educational programs and adapting to other changes, risks associated with the acquisition of existing educational institutions, risks relating to the timing of regulatory approvals, our ability to implement our growth strategy, risks associated with the ability of our students to finance their education in a timely manner, and general economic and market conditions. Further information about these and other relevant risks and uncertainties may be found in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are incorporated herein by reference and which are available from the Commission. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward looking statements.


STRAYER EDUCATION, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

                              For the three months   For the nine months

                              ended September 30,    ended September 30,

                              2008      2009         2008       2009

Revenues                      $ 86,993  $ 114,351    $ 281,995  $ 364,760

Costs and expenses:

Instruction and educational     30,548    40,110       95,099     120,127
support

Marketing and admissions        22,985    27,398       54,809     67,295

General and administration      15,209    19,583       44,671     57,388

Income from operations          18,251    27,260       87,416     119,950

Investment and other income     905       287          3,726      1,153

Income before income taxes      19,156    27,547       91,142     121,103

Provision for income taxes      7,394     10,881       34,536     47,884

Net income                    $ 11,762  $ 16,666     $ 56,606   $ 73,219

Earnings per share:

Basic                         $ 0.84    $ 1.22       $ 4.03     $ 5.33

Diluted                       $ 0.83    $ 1.21       $ 3.97     $ 5.29

Weighted average shares
outstanding:

Basic                           14,001    13,659       14,035     13,728

Diluted                         14,240    13,780       14,275     13,850

Common dividends per share:

Regular                       $ 0.38    $ 0.50       $ 1.13     $ 1.50

Special                         --        --         $ 2.00       --




The table below sets forth the amount of stock-based compensation expense
recorded in each of the expense line items.




                                      For the three months   For the nine months

                                      ended September 30,    ended September 30,

                                      2008     2009          2008     2009

Instruction and educational support   $ 263    $ 459         $ 955    $ 1,315

Marketing and admissions                215      30            652      97

General and administration              2,285    2,351         7,195    6,647

Total stock-based compensation        $ 2,763  $ 2,840       $ 8,802  $ 8,059
expense




STRAYER EDUCATION, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

                                                    December 31,   September 30,

                                                    2008           2009

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents                           $ 56,379       $ 41,036

Marketable securities available for sale, at fair     50,952         52,347
value

Tuition receivable, net of allowances for
doubtful accounts

of $4,776 and $5,278 at December 31, 2008 and

September 30, 2009, respectively                      131,458        157,877

Income taxes receivable                               3,534          6,825

Other current assets                                  7,175          6,633

Total current assets                                  249,498        264,718

Property and equipment, net                           66,304         78,132

Deferred income taxes                                 7,799          10,216

Restricted cash                                       500            500

Other assets                                          462            1,303

Total assets                                        $ 324,563      $ 354,869

LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable                                    $ 17,099       $ 16,532

Accrued expenses                                      4,567          8,185

Unearned tuition                                      114,872        142,639

Other current liabilities                             281            281

Total current liabilities                             136,819        167,637

Long-term liabilities                                 11,663         11,707

Total liabilities                                     148,482        179,344

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:

Common stock, par value $0.01; 20,000,000 shares
authorized;

14,089,189 and 14,008,796 shares issued and
outstanding

at December 31, 2008 and September 30, 2009,          141            141
respectively

Additional paid-in capital                            17,185         4,528

Retained earnings                                     158,834        170,551

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income         (79     )      305

Total stockholders' equity                            176,081        175,525

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity          $ 324,563      $ 354,869




STRAYER EDUCATION, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands)

                                                      For the nine months ended

                                                      September 30,

                                                      2008           2009

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income                                            $ 56,606       $ 73,219

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

Loss on disposal of assets                              --             155

Amortization of gain on sale of assets                  (211     )     (211    )

Amortization of deferred rent                           (289     )     (121    )

Gain on sale of marketable securities                   (785     )     --

Depreciation and amortization                           7,720          10,119

Deferred income taxes                                   (3,558   )     (3,082  )

Stock-based compensation                                8,244          8,059

Changes in assets and liabilities:

Tuition receivable, net                                 (26,469  )     (26,419 )

Other current assets                                    (2,124   )     1,070

Other assets                                            (64      )     (841    )

Accounts payable                                        2,244          (569    )

Accrued expenses                                        912            3,618

Income taxes payable/receivable                         6,286          (305    )

Excess tax benefits from stock-based payment            (11,498  )     (2,986  )
arrangements

Unearned tuition                                        24,544         27,767

Deferred lease incentives                               1,400          376

Net cash provided by operating activities               62,958         89,849

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property and equipment                     (15,332  )     (22,100 )

Purchases of marketable securities                      (50,561  )     (874    )

Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities         76,785         --

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities     10,892         (22,974 )

Cash flows from financing activities:

Regular common dividends paid                           (16,031  )     (21,147 )

Special common dividends paid                           (28,853  )     --

Proceeds from exercise of stock options                 10,633         6,027

Excess tax benefits from stock-based payment            11,498         2,986
arrangements

Repurchase of common stock                              (79,267  )     (70,084 )

Net cash used in financing activities                   (102,020 )     (82,218 )

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents               (28,170  )     (15,343 )

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period         95,036         56,379

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period             $ 66,866       $ 41,036

Non-cash transactions:

Purchases of property and equipment included in       $ 308          $ 813
accounts payable




    Source: Strayer Education, Inc.


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