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Why Is American Public Education (APEI) Down 4.1% Since Last Earnings Report?
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It has been about a month since the last earnings report for American Public Education (APEI - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 4.1% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is American Public Education due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
American Public Education (APEI - Free Report) Q1 Earnings Top Estimates
American Public Education, Inc. reported mixed first-quarter 2019 results, wherein earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while revenues missed the same. Also, the company’s top line declined year over year, while the bottom line increased during the reported quarter.
American Public Education’s adjusted earnings of 32 cents per share topped the consensus estimate of 31 cents by 3.2%. The reported figure increased 14.3% on a year-over-year basis.
Revenues & Segment Discussion
Total revenues during the quarter decreased 2% to $73.4 million from the year-ago figure of $75 million. The reported figure lagged the consensus mark of $74 million by 0.1%. Lower contribution from the Hondros College of Nursing (“HCN”) and softness in American Public University System (“APUS”) impacted overall results.
Total revenues from the APEI segment amounted to $65.7 million, up 0.1% from the year-ago quarter. The upside was driven by 26% growth in net course registrations by new students utilizing DoD Tuition Assistance (TA), partially offset by those utilizing Federal Student Aid (FSA). Total net course registration grew 1% from the year-ago quarter to 84,300. Net course registrations by new students also climbed 8% during the quarter to 10,120. However, as of Mar 31, 2019, APUS student enrollment declined 2% from the comparable year-ago period to 81,200.
HCN’s revenues decreased 16.7% from a year ago to $7.7 million in the reported quarter owing to reduced enrollments. Total enrollment in HCN also decreased 15% to 1,700 students from the prior-year figure of 2,000 and new student enrollment fell nearly 32% to 340. The decline was mainly due to the implementation of multiple changes in its missions and academic achievement requirements.
Since Jan 1, 2019, the APEI segment started charging HCN for the value of courses taken by employees at APUS. During the reported quarter, inter-segment elimination totaled $27 million.
Operating Highlights
Total costs and expenses during the quarter grew 4.7% year over year. The rise in cost and expenses was primarily due to increased advertising costs and professional fees in its APEI segment.
Instructional costs & services expenses, as a percentage of revenues, decreased 160 bps to 38%. Selling & promotional expenses, as a percentage of revenues, increased 30 bps. However, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of revenues, grew 80 bps, mainly due to higher compensation costs across its segments.
Financials
As of Mar 31, 2019, total cash and cash equivalents were approximately $215.9 million compared with $212.1 million at the end of 2018. Capital expenditures totaled $1.6 million in the first quarter compared with $1.7 million a year ago.
During the reported quarter, the company authorized a new share repurchase program of $35 million.
Second-Quarter 2019 Guidance
For second-quarter 2019, the company expects total revenues to decline within 2-6% from a year ago. Earnings are anticipated in the range of 25-30 cents per share, below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 39 cents.
Net course registrations at APUS are expected to be between a decline of 3% and growth of 2% year over year. Registrations by new students are anticipated to lie within a decline of 4% and growth of 1%.
At HCN, total student enrollment is likely to decline 24% from the year-ago quarter. New student enrollment is also estimated to fall about 35% from the prior-year quarter.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. The consensus estimate has shifted -25.42% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
At this time, American Public Education has a great Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a C. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the second quintile for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. It's no surprise American Public Education has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). We expect a below average return from the stock in the next few months.
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Why Is American Public Education (APEI) Down 4.1% Since Last Earnings Report?
It has been about a month since the last earnings report for American Public Education (APEI - Free Report) . Shares have lost about 4.1% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.
Will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is American Public Education due for a breakout? Before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late, let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the important catalysts.
American Public Education (APEI - Free Report) Q1 Earnings Top Estimates
American Public Education, Inc. reported mixed first-quarter 2019 results, wherein earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while revenues missed the same. Also, the company’s top line declined year over year, while the bottom line increased during the reported quarter.
American Public Education’s adjusted earnings of 32 cents per share topped the consensus estimate of 31 cents by 3.2%. The reported figure increased 14.3% on a year-over-year basis.
Revenues & Segment Discussion
Total revenues during the quarter decreased 2% to $73.4 million from the year-ago figure of $75 million. The reported figure lagged the consensus mark of $74 million by 0.1%. Lower contribution from the Hondros College of Nursing (“HCN”) and softness in American Public University System (“APUS”) impacted overall results.
Total revenues from the APEI segment amounted to $65.7 million, up 0.1% from the year-ago quarter. The upside was driven by 26% growth in net course registrations by new students utilizing DoD Tuition Assistance (TA), partially offset by those utilizing Federal Student Aid (FSA). Total net course registration grew 1% from the year-ago quarter to 84,300. Net course registrations by new students also climbed 8% during the quarter to 10,120. However, as of Mar 31, 2019, APUS student enrollment declined 2% from the comparable year-ago period to 81,200.
HCN’s revenues decreased 16.7% from a year ago to $7.7 million in the reported quarter owing to reduced enrollments. Total enrollment in HCN also decreased 15% to 1,700 students from the prior-year figure of 2,000 and new student enrollment fell nearly 32% to 340. The decline was mainly due to the implementation of multiple changes in its missions and academic achievement requirements.
Since Jan 1, 2019, the APEI segment started charging HCN for the value of courses taken by employees at APUS. During the reported quarter, inter-segment elimination totaled $27 million.
Operating Highlights
Total costs and expenses during the quarter grew 4.7% year over year. The rise in cost and expenses was primarily due to increased advertising costs and professional fees in its APEI segment.
Instructional costs & services expenses, as a percentage of revenues, decreased 160 bps to 38%. Selling & promotional expenses, as a percentage of revenues, increased 30 bps. However, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of revenues, grew 80 bps, mainly due to higher compensation costs across its segments.
Financials
As of Mar 31, 2019, total cash and cash equivalents were approximately $215.9 million compared with $212.1 million at the end of 2018. Capital expenditures totaled $1.6 million in the first quarter compared with $1.7 million a year ago.
During the reported quarter, the company authorized a new share repurchase program of $35 million.
Second-Quarter 2019 Guidance
For second-quarter 2019, the company expects total revenues to decline within 2-6% from a year ago. Earnings are anticipated in the range of 25-30 cents per share, below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 39 cents.
Net course registrations at APUS are expected to be between a decline of 3% and growth of 2% year over year. Registrations by new students are anticipated to lie within a decline of 4% and growth of 1%.
At HCN, total student enrollment is likely to decline 24% from the year-ago quarter. New student enrollment is also estimated to fall about 35% from the prior-year quarter.
How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?
In the past month, investors have witnessed a downward trend in fresh estimates. The consensus estimate has shifted -25.42% due to these changes.
VGM Scores
At this time, American Public Education has a great Growth Score of A, though it is lagging a lot on the Momentum Score front with a C. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of B on the value side, putting it in the second quintile for this investment strategy.
Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of A. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.
Outlook
Estimates have been broadly trending downward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions indicates a downward shift. It's no surprise American Public Education has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). We expect a below average return from the stock in the next few months.