Strategic Education, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2020 Results; Solid Financial Foundation Entering 2021

HERNDON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Strategic Education, Inc. (Strategic Education) (NASDAQ: STRA) today announced financial results for the period ended December 31, 2020.

“We are encouraged by the organization’s ability to adapt to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year,” said Karl McDonnell, Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Education. “As we enter 2021, we remain focused on providing the highest level of academic quality for our students. Our financial strength provides a solid foundation as we work to successfully integrate the Australia/New Zealand assets into the organization, focus on areas of existing strength in our core business, and invest in opportunities including employer initiatives, Sophia Learning, and digital enablement partnerships.”

STRATEGIC EDUCATION CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

[Note: Strategic Education’s financial results for any periods ended prior to November 3, 2020 do not include the financial results of the Australia/New Zealand acquisition and are therefore not directly comparable.]

Three Months Ended December 31

• Revenue increased 1.4% to $267.5 million compared to $263.8 million for the same period in 2019. Revenue in 2020 includes the impact of a purchase accounting adjustment of $11.3 million to record acquired contract liabilities at fair value as a result of the acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand. Adjusted revenue, which is a non-GAAP financial measure and excludes the aforementioned contract liabilities adjustment, increased 5.7% to $278.8 million compared to $263.8 million for the same period in 2019. For more details on non-GAAP financial measures, refer to the information in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this press release.
• Income from operations was $3.6 million or 1.3% of revenue, compared to $37.2 million or 14.1% of revenue for the same period in 2019. Income from operations in 2020 includes the impact of the aforementioned contract liabilities adjustment, $18.0 million of amortization expense related to assets acquired in the merger with Capella Education Company and the acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand, $5.9 million in expenses associated with the merger with Capella Education Company and the acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand, and $8.4 million of severance costs and right-of-use lease asset impairment charges associated with the Company’s restructuring. Income from operations in 2019 included $15.4 million of amortization expense related to assets acquired in the merger with Capella Education Company and $10.2 million in expenses associated with the merger with Capella Education Company. Adjusted income from operations was $47.1 million in 2020 compared to $62.9 million for the same period in 2019. The adjusted operating income margin was 16.9% compared to 23.8% for the same period in 2019.
• Net income, which includes the items described above, and also includes income from partnership interests and other investments, and certain discrete tax adjustments, was $5.9 million in 2020 compared to $28.5 million for the same period in 2019. Adjusted net income was $33.4 million compared to $47.0 million for the same period in 2019.
• Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) was $34.6 million in 2020 compared to $63.2 million in 2019. Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes a purchase accounting adjustment to record acquired contract liabilities at fair value as a result of the acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand, expenses associated with the merger with Capella Education Company and the acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand, severance costs and right-of-use lease asset impairment charges associated with the Company’s restructuring, amortization expense associated with deferred implementation costs incurred in cloud computing arrangements, and stock-based compensation expense, was $64.2 million compared to $76.5 million for the same period in 2019.
• Diluted earnings per share was $0.25 compared to $1.29 for the same period in 2019. Adjusted diluted earnings per share decreased to $1.39 from $2.13 for the same period in 2019. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding increased to 24,143,000 from 22,101,000 for the same period in 2019, due primarily to new shares issued to facilitate the acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand.

Year Ended December 31

• Revenue increased 3.1% to $1,027.7 million compared to $997.1 million in 2019. Revenue in 2020 includes the impact of a purchase accounting adjustment of $11.3 million to record acquired contract liabilities at fair value as a result of the acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand. Adjusted revenue, which is a non-GAAP financial measure and excludes the aforementioned contract liabilities adjustment, increased 4.2% to $1,038.9 million compared to $997.1 million in 2019. For more details on non-GAAP financial measures, refer to the information in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this press release.
• Income from operations was $109.4 million or 10.6% of revenue, compared to $110.5 million or 11.1% of revenue in 2019. Income from operations in 2020 includes the impact of the aforementioned contract liabilities adjustment, $64.2 million of amortization expense related to assets acquired in the merger with Capella Education Company and the acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand, $13.8 million in expenses associated with the merger with Capella Education Company and the acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand, and $12.4 million of severance costs and right-of-use lease asset impairment charges associated with the Company’s restructuring. Income from operations in 2019 included $61.7 million of amortization expense related to assets acquired in the merger with Capella Education Company and $21.9 million in expenses associated with the merger with Capella Education Company. Adjusted income from operations was $211.1 million in 2020 compared to $194.1 million in 2019. The adjusted operating income margin was 20.3% compared to 19.5% in 2019.
• Net income, which includes the items described above, and also includes income from partnership interests and other investments, and certain discrete tax adjustments, was $86.3 million in 2020 compared $81.1 million in 2019. Adjusted net income was $152.7 million compared to adjusted net income of $147.3 million in 2019.
• Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) was $218.5 million in 2020 compared to $215.4 million in 2019. Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes a purchase accounting adjustment to record acquired contract liabilities at fair value as a result of the acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand, expenses associated with the merger with Capella Education Company and the acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand, severance costs and right-of-use lease asset impairment charges associated with the Company’s restructuring, amortization expense associated with deferred implementation costs incurred in cloud computing arrangements, and stock-based compensation expense, was $271.2 million compared to $248.7 million in 2019.
• Diluted earnings per share was $3.77 compared to $3.67 in 2019. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $6.68 compared to $6.67 in 2019. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding increased to 22,860,000 from 22,097,000 in 2019, due primarily to new shares issued to facilitate the acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand.

Strayer University Segment Highlights

• For the fourth quarter, student enrollment at Strayer University decreased 9% to 50,773 compared to 55,788 for the same period in 2019. Full-year 2020 student enrollment at Strayer University increased 2% compared to 2019. Starting in the first quarter of 2020, Strayer University adopted a new enrollment reporting census date, which occurs approximately two weeks following the start of the academic term. Previously the Strayer University enrollment census date coincided with the end of the University’s “drop-add” period, approximately one week following the start of the academic term. This new census date is consistent with the approach employed by Capella University. All historical enrollment data included in this release and other disclosures has been revised using the new census date. Year-over-year percentage change in enrollment for the new census date does not differ significantly from the prior approach.
• Revenue decreased 13.2% to $125.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to $144.5 million for the same period in 2019, driven by lower fourth quarter enrollment and lower revenue-per-student.
• Income from operations decreased to $25.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 from $37.2 million for the same period in 2019. The operating income margin was 20.1%, compared to 25.7% for the same period in 2019.

Capella University Segment Highlights

• For the fourth quarter, student enrollment at Capella University increased 5% to 41,073 compared to 39,244 for the same period in 2019. Full-year 2020 student enrollment at Capella University increased 3% compared to 2019. Starting in the first quarter of 2020, Capella University consolidated two different enrollment reporting census dates into a single date, which occurs approximately two weeks following the start of the academic term. All historical enrollment data included in this release and other disclosures has been revised accordingly. Year-over-year percentage change in enrollment for the new census date does not differ significantly from the prior approach.
• FlexPath continued to be a significant driver of enrollment growth in the fourth quarter of 2020 and is 32% of Capella University’s total enrollment.
• Revenue decreased 0.5% to $118.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to $119.3 million for the same period in 2019, driven by lower revenue-per-student.
• Income from operations decreased to $24.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 from $25.7 million for the same period in 2019. The operating income margin was 20.2%, compared to 21.5% for the same period in 2019.

Australia/New Zealand Segment Highlights

• Revenue was $23.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, and adjusted revenue was $34.7 million excluding the impact of a purchase accounting adjustment of $11.3 million to record acquired contract liabilities at fair value as a result of the acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand.
• Loss from operations was $13.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, and the adjusted loss from operations was $2.0 million excluding the impact of a purchase accounting adjustment of $11.3 million to record acquired contract liabilities at fair value as a result of the acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand.
• On a pro forma basis, full-year 2020 student enrollment within the Australia/New Zealand segment was 19,069, an increase of 23% compared to 2019.
• On a pro forma basis, full year 2020 Australia/New Zealand revenue was $258.2 million compared to $203.6 million for 2019, and income from operations was $44.1 million compared to $22.1 million in 2019.

BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOW

At December 31, 2020, Strategic Education had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of $225.3 million, and $141.8 million outstanding under the revolving credit facility. Cash provided by operations in 2020 was $142.9 million compared to $202.1 million in 2019. Capital expenditures for 2020 were $46.8 million compared to $38.7 million in 2019. Capital expenditures for 2021 are expected to be approximately $55 million.

For the fourth quarter of 2020, consolidated bad debt expense as a percentage of revenue was 5.5%, or 5.3% of adjusted revenue, compared to 5.0% of revenue for the same period in 2019. Net tuition receivable as of December 31, 2020 includes additional reserves to account for projected deterioration in collections performance due to the pandemic.

COMMON STOCK CASH DIVIDEND

Strategic Education 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 15, 2021 to shareholders of record as of March 8, 2021.

ELECTIONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

On November 5, 2020, the Company announced that the Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, unanimously voted to elect Jerry L. Johnson to serve as a Director of the Company, with service beginning on January 4, 2021. Mr. Johnson is Senior Vice President of Strategy, Corporate Development and Investor Relations at EnPro Industries, a leading technology company using materials science to push the boundaries of the semiconductor, life sciences, and other technology-enabled sectors. Mr. Johnson is a founding member and previously served as a Partner at RLJ Equity Partners since 2007.

In addition, on February 25, 2021, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board of Directors unanimously approved the nomination of William J. Slocum for election to the Board of Directors at the Company’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Mr. Slocum is a Partner of Inclusive Capital Partners L.P. (“In-Cap”), a San Francisco-based investment firm. Prior to his work at In-Cap, Mr. Slocum was a portfolio manager at Golden Gate Capital for nine years and was a Vice President at ValueAct Capital for five years.

CONFERENCE CALL WITH MANAGEMENT

Strategic Education will host a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter 2020 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 Strategic Education, Inc.

Strategic Education, Inc. (NASDAQ: STRA) (www.strategiceducation.com) is dedicated to helping advance economic mobility through higher education. We serve working adult students all over the globe through our core focus areas: 1) U.S. Higher Education, through Strayer University and Capella University, each institutionally accredited, and collectively offer flexible and affordable associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs including the Jack Welch Management Institute at Strayer University; 2) Alternative Learning, encompassing Sophia Learning, self-paced general education courses that are ACE-recommended for college credit; Workforce Edge, a full service, online employee education management portal; Digital Enablement Partnerships, helping advance capabilities in course development, online delivery and student support; and non-degree web and mobile application development courses through Hackbright Academy and Strayer University’s DevMountain; and 3) Australia/New Zealand, comprised of Torrens University, Think Education and Media Design School operations in Australia and New Zealand. This portfolio of high quality, innovative, relevant, and affordable programs and institutions helps our students prepare for success in today’s workforce 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 and growth opportunities of Strategic Education; Strategic Education’s plans, strategies and prospects; the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on Strategic Education’s business and results; and future events and expectations. The statements are based on Strategic Education’s current expectations and are subject to a number of assumptions, uncertainties and risks, including but not limited to:

• the pace of student enrollment;
• Strategic Education’s continued compliance with Title IV of the Higher Education Act, and the regulations thereunder, as well as regional accreditation standards and state regulatory requirements;
• rulemaking by the Department of Education and increased focus by the U.S. Congress on for-profit education institutions;
• competitive factors;
• risks associated with the further spread of COVID-19, including the ultimate impact of COVID-19 on people and economies;
• the impact of regulatory measures or voluntary actions that may be put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19, including restrictions on business operations or social distancing requirements;
• 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, including in the case of Strategic Education’s acquisition of Torrens University and associated assets in Australia and New Zealand, the risk that the benefits of the acquisition may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, and the risk that the acquisition may not advance Strategic Education’s business strategy and growth strategy;
• risks relating to the timing of regulatory approvals;
• Strategic Education’s ability to implement its growth strategy;
• the risk that the combined company may experience difficulty integrating employees or operations;
• risks associated with the ability of Strategic Education’s students to finance their education in a timely manner;
• general economic and market conditions; and
• additional factors described in Strategic Education’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

Many of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions are beyond Strategic Education’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 Strategic Education on the date they are made, and Strategic Education 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.

Contacts

For more information:
Terese Wilke

Manager, Investor Relations

Strategic Education, Inc.

(612) 977-6331

terese.wilke@strategiced.com

Read full story here