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Strategic Education, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2019 Results; Continued Strong Performance at Both Strayer University and Capella University to Finish Record 2019

February 28, 2020 6:30 AM

HERNDON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Strategic Education, Inc. (SEI) (NASDAQ: STRA) today announced financial results for the period ended December 31, 2019.

Karl McDonnell, Chief Executive Officer of SEI said, “We are very pleased with the organization’s execution to deliver record results in 2019, our first full year as a combined company since closing the merger with Capella Education Company. This strong performance provides us with a solid foundation and momentum to drive growth in 2020 as we remain focused on delivering academic success and long-term economic mobility for our students and alumni.”

STRATEGIC EDUCATION, INC. CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

[Note: Strategic Education, Inc.’s financial results for any periods ended prior to August 1, 2018 do not include the financial results of Capella Education Company and are therefore not directly comparable.]

Three Months Ended December 31

Year Ended December 31

Strayer University Segment Highlights

Capella University Segment Highlights

Non-Degree Programs Segment Highlights

BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOW

At December 31, 2019, Strategic Education, Inc. had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $491.2 million, and no debt. Cash provided by operations in 2019 was $202.1 million compared to cash provided by operations of $46.9 million in 2018. Capital expenditures for 2019 were $38.7 million compared to $27.5 million in 2018. Capital expenditures for 2020 are expected to be between $40 million and $45 million.

For the fourth quarter of 2019, consolidated bad debt expense as a percentage of revenue was 5.0%, compared to 6.1% of revenue for the same period in 2018.

COMMON STOCK CASH DIVIDEND

SEI announced today that it declared a regular, quarterly cash dividend of $0.60 per share of common stock. This dividend will be paid on March 16, 2020 to shareholders of record as of March 9, 2020.

CONFERENCE CALL WITH MANAGEMENT

SEI will host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter 2019 earnings results at 10:00 a.m. (ET) today. To participate in the live call, investors should dial (877) 303-9047 ten minutes prior to the start time. In addition, the call will be available via webcast. To access the live webcast of the conference call, please go to www.strategiceducation.com in the Investor Relations section 15 minutes prior to the start time of the call to register. An earnings release presentation will also be posted to www.strategiceducation.com in the Investor Relations section prior to the start time of the call. Following the call, the webcast will be archived and available at www.strategiceducation.com in the Investor Relations section.

About SEI

Strategic Education, Inc. (NASDAQ: STRA) (www.strategiceducation.com) is dedicated to enabling economic mobility with education. We serve working adult students through a range of educational opportunities that include: Strayer University and Capella University (separate institutions that are each regionally accredited), which collectively offer flexible and affordable associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs; a Top-25 Princeton Review-ranked online MBA program through the Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer University; self-paced courses for college credit through Sophia; customized degrees for corporations through Degrees@Work; and non-degree web and mobile application development courses through DevMountain, Generation Code, and Hackbright Academy. These programs help our students prepare for success in today’s jobs and find a path to bettering their lives.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be identified by the use of words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “assume,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “may,” “will,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” “potential” and other similar words, and include all statements that are not historical facts, including with respect to, among other things, the future financial performance of SEI; SEI’s plans, strategies and prospects; and future events and expectations. The statements are based on SEI’s current expectations and are subject to a number of assumptions, uncertainties and risks, including but not limited to:

Many of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions are beyond SEI’s ability to control or predict. Because of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Furthermore, these forward-looking statements speak only as of the information currently available to SEI on the date they are made, and SEI undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

STRATEGIC EDUCATION, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data)

For the Three Months Ended
December 31,

For the Twelve Months Ended
December 31,

2018

2019

2018

2019

Revenues

$

242,103

$

263,772

$

634,185

$

997,137

Costs and expenses:

Instructional and support costs

130,712

133,323

371,542

530,604

General and administration

68,541

67,595

194,035

272,411

Amortization of intangible assets

15,416

15,416

25,694

61,667

Merger and integration costs

7,954

10,225

45,745

21,923

Fair value adjustments and impairment of intangible assets

605

19,909

Total costs and expenses

223,228

226,559

656,925

886,605

Income (loss) from operations

18,875

37,213

(22,740

)

110,532

Other income

1,755

2,497

3,601

13,192

Income (loss) before income taxes

20,630

39,710

(19,139

)

123,724

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

(1,825

)

11,173

(3,468

)

42,586

Net income (loss)

$

22,455

$

28,537

$

(15,671

)

$

81,138

Earnings (loss) per share:

Basic

$

1.05

$

1.31

$

(1.03

)

$

3.73

Diluted

$

1.02

$

1.29

$

(1.03

)

$

3.67

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Basic

21,335

21,817

15,190

21,725

Diluted

22,033

22,101

15,190

22,097

Cash dividend declared per share

$

0.50

$

0.60

$

1.50

$

2.10

STRATEGIC EDUCATION, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

December 31,
2018

December 31,
2019

ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

311,732

$

419,693

Marketable securities

37,121

34,874

Tuition receivable, net

55,694

51,523

Other current assets

15,814

18,004

Total current assets

420,361

524,094

Property and equipment, net

122,677

117,029

Right-of-use lease assets

84,778

Marketable securities, non-current

37,678

36,633

Intangible assets, net

328,344

273,011

Goodwill

732,540

732,075

Other assets

19,429

21,788

Total assets

$

1,661,029

$

1,789,408

LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

$

85,979

$

90,828

Income taxes payable

419

1,352

Contract liabilities

38,733

39,284

Lease liabilities

25,284

Total current liabilities

125,131

156,748

Deferred income tax liabilities

59,358

47,942

Lease liabilities, non-current

80,557

Other long-term liabilities

51,316

41,451

Total liabilities

235,805

326,698

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders’ equity:

Common stock, par value $0.01; 32,000,000 shares authorized; 21,743,498 and 21,964,809 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively

217

220

Additional paid-in capital

1,306,653

1,309,438

Accumulated other comprehensive income

32

233

Retained earnings

118,322

152,819

Total stockholders’ equity

1,425,224

1,462,710

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

1,661,029

$

1,789,408

STRATEGIC EDUCATION, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

For the Year Ended
December 31,

2018

2019

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income (loss)

$

(15,671

)

$

81,138

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

Amortization of deferred financing costs

292

333

Amortization of investment discount/premium

298

296

Depreciation and amortization

54,543

104,861

Deferred income taxes

(16,322

)

(8,037

)

Stock-based compensation

15,532

12,160

Fair value adjustments and impairment of intangible assets

19,909

Impairment of right-of-use lease assets

6,046

Changes in assets and liabilities:

Tuition receivable, net

7,880

1,770

Other current assets

3,768

(1,589

)

Other assets

(135

)

(540

)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

1,140

245

Income taxes payable

(516

)

1,198

Contract liabilities

(19,329

)

7,716

Other long-term liabilities

(4,522

)

(3,451

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

46,867

202,146

Cash flows from investing activities:

Net cash acquired in acquisition

167,859

Purchases of property and equipment

(27,547

)

(38,689

)

Purchases of marketable securities

(25,304

)

(40,481

)

Maturities of marketable securities

16,367

43,762

Other investments

(1,238

)

(2,658

)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

130,137

(38,066

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Common dividends paid

(27,842

)

(46,625

)

Net payments for stock awards

7,789

(9,195

)

Payment of deferred financing costs

(1,162

)

Net cash used in financing activities

(21,215

)

(55,820

)

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

155,789

108,260

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash — beginning of period

156,448

312,237

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash — end of period

$

312,237

$

420,497

Noncash transactions:

Purchases of property and equipment included in accounts payable

$

1,029

$

3,406

STRATEGIC EDUCATION, INC.

UNAUDITED SEGMENT REPORTING

(in thousands)

For the Three Months
Ended December 31,

For the Twelve Months
Ended December 31,

2018

2019

2018

2019

Revenues:

Strayer University

$

127,461

$

142,226

$

471,104

$

527,032

Capella University

111,126

117,902

154,918

455,320

Non-Degree Programs

3,516

3,644

8,163

14,785

Consolidated revenues

$

242,103

$

263,772

$

634,185

$

997,137

Income (loss) from operations:

Strayer University

$

23,974

$

37,864

$

68,188

$

106,132

Capella University

20,666

25,063

6,340

88,981

Non-Degree Programs

(1,790

)

(73

)

(5,920

)

(991

)

Amortization of intangible assets

(15,416

)

(15,416

)

(25,694

)

(61,667

)

Merger and integration costs

(7,954

)

(10,225

)

(45,745

)

(21,923

)

Fair value adjustments and impairment of intangible assets

(605

)

(19,909

)

Consolidated income (loss) from operations

$

18,875

$

37,213

$

(22,740

)

$

110,532

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In our press release and schedules, we report certain financial measures that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). We discuss management's reasons for reporting these non-GAAP measures below, and the press release schedules that follow reconcile the most directly comparable GAAP measure to each non-GAAP measure that we reference. Although management evaluates and presents these non-GAAP measures for the reasons described below, please be aware that these non-GAAP measures have limitations and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for revenue, income from operations, operating margin, net income, earnings per share or any other comparable financial measure prescribed by GAAP. In addition, we may calculate and/or present these non-GAAP financial measures differently than measures with the same or similar names that other companies report, and as a result, the non-GAAP measures we report may not be comparable to those reported by others.

Management uses certain non-GAAP measures to evaluate financial performance because those non-GAAP measures allow for period-over-period comparisons of the Company’s ongoing operations before the impact of certain items described below. These measures are Adjusted Revenue, Adjusted Income from Operations, Adjusted Operating Margin, Adjusted Net Income, Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA), Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS). We define Adjusted Revenue, Adjusted Income from Operations, Adjusted Operating Margin, Adjusted Net Income, and Adjusted Diluted EPS to exclude (1) a purchase accounting adjustment to record Capella University contract liabilities at fair value as a result of the Company’s merger with Capella Education Company, (2) amortization and depreciation expense related to intangible assets and software assets associated with the Company’s merger with Capella Education Company, (3) transaction and integration costs associated with the Company’s merger with Capella Education Company, (4) goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges related to the Company’s acquisition of The New York Code + Design Academy, and adjustments to the Company’s reserve for leases on facilities no longer in use, (5) income recognized from the Company’s investments in partnership interests and other investments, and (6) discrete tax adjustments utilizing adjusted effective income tax rates of 27.1% and 28.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively, and adjusted effective income tax rates of 25.6% and 27.8% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively. We define EBITDA as net income before the provision for income taxes, other income, depreciation and amortization, and from this amount in arriving at Adjusted EBITDA we also exclude the amounts in (1), (3) and (4) above, stock-based compensation expense, and adjustments to the value of purchase consideration related to the Company’s acquisition of The New York Code + Design Academy. These non-GAAP measures are reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in the sections that follow. Non-GAAP measures should not be viewed as substitutes for GAAP measures.

STRATEGIC EDUCATION, INC.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

ADJUSTED INCOME FROM OPERATIONS, ADJUSTED NET INCOME, AND ADJUSTED EPS

(in thousands, except per share data)

For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2018

Non-GAAP adjustments

As Reported

(GAAP)

Contract liability adjustment

(1)

Amortization of

intangible assets(2)

Merger and integration costs(3)

Fair value adjustments and impairment of intangible assets(4)

Income from other investments(5)

Tax

adjustments(6)

As Adjusted

(Non-GAAP)

Revenues

$

242,103

$

2,534

$

$

$

$

$

$

244,637

Income from operations

$

18,875

$

2,534

$

15,416

$

7,954

$

605

$

$

$

45,384

Operating margin

7.8

%

18.6

%

Net income

$

22,455

$

2,534

$

15,416

$

7,954

$

605

$

$

(14,600

)

$

34,364

Earnings per share:

Diluted

$

1.02

$

1.56

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Diluted

22,033

22,033

For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2019

Non-GAAP adjustments

As Reported

(GAAP)

Contract liability adjustment (1)

Amortization of

intangible assets(2)

Merger and integration costs(3)

Fair value adjustments and impairment of intangible assets(4)

Income from other investments(5)

Tax

adjustments(6)

As Adjusted

(Non-GAAP)

Revenues

$

263,772

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

263,772

Income from operations

$

37,213

$

$

15,416

$

10,225

$

$

$

$

62,854

Operating margin

14.1

%

23.8

%

Net income

$

28,537

$

$

15,416

$

10,225

$

$

(112

)

$

(7,094

)

$

46,972

Earnings per share:

Diluted

$

1.29

$

2.13

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Diluted

22,101

22,101

For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018

Non-GAAP adjustments

As Reported

(GAAP)

Contract liability adjustment

(1)

Amortization of

intangible assets(2)

Merger and integration costs(3)

Fair value adjustments and impairment of intangible assets(4)

Income from other investments(5)

Tax

adjustments(6)

As Adjusted

(Non-GAAP)

Revenues

$

634,185

$

28,748

$

$

$

$

$

$

662,933

Income from operations

$

(22,740

)

$

28,748

$

25,694

$

45,745

$

19,909

$

$

$

97,356

Operating margin

-3.6

%

14.7

%

Net income

$

(15,671

)

$

28,748

$

25,694

$

45,745

$

19,909

$

$

(29,348

)

$

75,077

Earnings per share:

Diluted

$

(1.03

)

$

4.75

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Diluted

15,190

15,801

For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019

Non-GAAP adjustments

As Reported

(GAAP)

Contract liability adjustment

(1)

Amortization of

intangible assets(2)

Merger and integration costs(3)

Fair value adjustments and impairment of intangible assets(4)

Income from other investments(5)

Tax

adjustments(6)

As Adjusted

(Non-GAAP)

Revenues

$

997,137

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

997,137

Income from operations

$

110,532

$

$

61,667

$

21,923

$

$

$

$

194,122

Operating margin

11.1

%

19.5

%

Net income

$

81,138

$

$

61,667

$

21,923

$

$

(3,446

)

$

(14,001

)

$

147,281

Earnings per share:

Diluted

$

3.67

$

6.67

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Diluted

22,097

22,097

(1)

Reflects a purchase accounting adjustment to record Capella University contract liabilities at fair value as a result of the Company's merger with Capella Education Company.

(2)

Reflects amortization and depreciation expense of intangible assets and software assets acquired through the Company’s merger with Capella Education Company.

(3)

Reflects transaction and integration charges associated with the Company's merger with Capella Education Company.

(4)

Reflects charges for the impairment of goodwill and intangible assets of $0.3 million and $19.6 million related to the Company’s acquisition of The New York Code + Design Academy during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, respectively, as well as adjustments to the Company’s reserve for leases on facilities no longer in use of $0.3 million during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018.

(5)

Reflects income recognized from the Company's investments in partnership interests and other investments.

(6)

Reflects tax impacts of the adjustments described above and discrete tax adjustments related to stock-based compensation and other adjustments, utilizing adjusted effective income tax rates of 27.1% and 28.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively, and adjusted effective income tax rates of 25.6% and 27.8% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

STRATEGIC EDUCATION, INC.

UNAUDITED NON-GAAP SEGMENT REPORTING

(in thousands)

For the Three Months Ended

For the Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

December 31,

2018

2019

2018

2019

Revenues:

Strayer University

$

127,461

$

142,226

$

471,104

$

527,032

Capella University

111,126

117,902

154,918

455,320

Non-Degree Programs

3,516

3,644

8,163

14,785

Consolidated revenues

242,103

263,772

634,185

997,137

Adjustments to consolidated revenues:

Strayer University

Capella University

2,534

28,748

Non-Degree Programs

Total adjustments to consolidated revenues

2,534

28,748

Adjusted revenues by segment:

Strayer University

127,461

142,226

471,104

527,032

Capella University

113,660

117,902

183,666

455,320

Non-Degree Programs

3,516

3,644

8,163

14,785

Adjusted consolidated revenues

$

244,637

$

263,772

$

662,933

$

997,137

Income (loss) from operations:

Strayer University

$

23,974

$

37,864

$

68,188

$

106,132

Capella University

20,666

25,063

6,340

88,981

Non-Degree Programs

(1,790)

(73)

(5,920)

(991)

Amortization of intangible assets

(15,416)

(15,416)

(25,694)

(61,667)

Merger and integration costs

(7,954)

(10,225)

(45,745)

(21,923)

Fair value adjustments and impairment of intangible assets

(605)

(19,909)

Consolidated income (loss) from operations

18,875

37,213

(22,740)

110,532

Adjustments to consolidated income (loss) from operations:

Contract liabilities adjustment

2,534

28,748

Amortization of intangible assets

15,416

15,416

25,694

61,667

Merger and integration costs

7,954

10,225

45,745

21,923

Fair value adjustments and impairment of intangible assets

605

19,909

Total adjustments to consolidated income (loss) from operations

26,509

25,641

120,096

83,590

Adjusted income (loss) from operations by segment:

Strayer University

23,974

37,864

68,188

106,132

Capella University

23,200

25,063

35,088

88,981

Non-Degree Programs

(1,790)

(73)

(5,920)

(991)

Total adjusted income (loss) from operations

$

45,384

$

62,854

$

97,356

$

194,122

Operating margin

Strayer University

18.8%

26.6%

14.5%

20.1%

Capella University

18.6%

21.3%

4.1%

19.5%

Non-Degree Programs

(50.9%)

(2.0%)

(72.5%)

(6.7%)

Adjusted operating margin

Strayer University

18.8%

26.6%

14.5%

20.1%

Capella University

20.4%

21.3%

19.1%

19.5%

Non-Degree Programs

(50.9%)

(2.0%)

(72.5%)

(6.7%)

STRATEGIC EDUCATION, INC.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

ADJUSTED EBITDA

(in thousands)

For the Three Months Ended

For the Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

December 31,

2018

2019

2018

2019

Net income (loss)

$

22,455

$

28,537

$

(15,671)

$

81,138

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

(1,825)

11,173

(3,468)

42,586

Other income

(1,755)

(2,497)

(3,601)

(13,192)

Depreciation and amortization

25,436

25,999

54,543

104,861

EBITDA (1)

44,311

63,212

31,803

215,393

Stock-based compensation

3,781

3,085

13,291

11,790

Merger and integration costs (2)

7,954

10,225

45,011

21,525

Fair value adjustments and impairment of intangible assets (3)

605

20,798

Contract liability adjustment (4)

2,534

28,748

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

$

59,185

$

76,522

$

139,651

$

248,708

(1)

Denotes non-GAAP financial measures. Please see the information in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this press release for more detail regarding these adjustments and management’s reasons for providing this information.

(2)

Reflects transaction and integration charges associated with the Company's merger with Capella Education Company. Excludes $0.7 million and $0.4 million of depreciation and amortization expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively, and includes $2.2 million and $0.4 million of stock-based compensation expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

(3)

Reflects adjustments to the value of purchase consideration, charges for the impairment of intangible assets related to the Company's acquisition of The New York Code + Design Academy, and adjustments to the Company's reserve for leases on facilities no longer in use.

(4)

Reflects a purchase accounting adjustment to record Capella University contract liabilities at fair value as a result of the Company's merger with Capella Education Company.

Terese Wilke

Manager, Investor Relations

Strategic Education, Inc.

(612) 977-6331

[email protected]

Source: Strategic Education, Inc.

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