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Laureate Education Inc (LAUR)
NASDAQ:LAUR
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Laureate Education (LAUR) AI Stock Analysis

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LAUR

Laureate Education

(NASDAQ:LAUR)

Rating:68Neutral
Price Target:
$26.00
▲(12.99%Upside)
Laureate Education's overall score is driven by its strong financial performance, stable balance sheet, and robust cash flow. Technical indicators suggest caution due to overbought conditions, while valuation reflects reasonable pricing. The earnings call provides a balanced outlook with positive enrollment trends but also highlights challenges, contributing to a moderate overall stock score.
Positive Factors
Enrollment Growth
Mexico reported strong new enrollment growth of 8% in its secondary intake period, with trends strong in working adult focused online and at UVM.
Market Position
Management noted LAUR has the #1 brand in Peru and the #2 brand in Mexico within the private sector.
Operational Performance
Management raised the low end of its guided range on operational performance after the new intake period along with some foreign exchange benefits.
Negative Factors
Foreign Exchange Impact
Revenue and adjusted EBITDA guidance negatively impacted by 700bps of f/x headwind due to the volatility in Mexico.
Investment Outlook
Peru is expected to drive much of 2025 growth while Mexico's outlook is more conservative given a pullback in investment indirectly impacting consumers.

Laureate Education (LAUR) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Laureate Education Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionLaureate Education, Inc. (LAUR) is a leading provider of higher education services, primarily focused on the Latin American region. The company operates a network of higher education institutions offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs in various fields, including business, engineering, medicine, law, and hospitality management. With a mission to expand access to quality education, Laureate Education aims to empower students to achieve their professional and personal goals through innovative learning experiences.
How the Company Makes MoneyLaureate Education generates revenue primarily through tuition and fees collected from students enrolled in its programs. The company's revenue model is centered around the enrollment of students in its multiple institutions, with income streams coming from the academic courses and degrees offered. Additionally, Laureate may receive income from ancillary services provided to students, such as housing, dining, and other student-related services. Strategic partnerships with various educational entities and organizations can also contribute to its revenues by enhancing program offerings and broadening its reach in the educational sector.

Laureate Education Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 01, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 14.65%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 31, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The call demonstrated strong enrollment growth and financial performance with improved margins and robust digital course expansion, but also highlighted challenges such as revenue timing shifts, net losses, and macroeconomic uncertainties.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Enrollment Growth
Year-over-year new enrollment growth of 8% in Mexico and 6% in Peru, indicating strong demand and effective business model execution.
Financial Performance
Revenue for the first quarter was $236 million and adjusted EBITDA was $5 million, both ahead of guidance. On an organic constant currency basis, revenue was up 10% year-over-year, and adjusted EBITDA increased by 132%.
Margin Improvement
Expected increase in adjusted EBITDA margins by approximately 150 basis points for the year 2025, indicating improved efficiency and profitability.
Strong Digital Course Growth
Digital courses grew robustly in both markets with over 100,000 students enrolled, indicating successful penetration of the working adult market.
Negative Updates
Revenue Timing Shift
Approximately $26 million of revenue and $23 million in adjusted EBITDA shifted from the first quarter to the second half of the year due to academic calendar timing.
Net Loss Reported
First quarter net loss was $20 million, resulting in a loss per share of $0.13, highlighting profitability challenges.
Macro Economic Concerns
Anticipated continued volatility in GDP growth and foreign exchange rates due to evolving global trade dynamics.
Mexico Campus Consolidations
Expected one-time revenue loss of approximately $8 million in 2025 due to campus consolidations, though margins are expected to improve.
Company Guidance
In the first quarter of 2025, Laureate Education provided financial and operational guidance reflecting a positive start to the fiscal year, with increased visibility into enrollment trends. The company reported an 8% year-over-year new enrollment growth in Mexico and 6% in Peru, resulting in a tightened full-year guidance range and raised midpoint expectations for total enrollments, revenue, and adjusted EBITDA. Specifically, total enrollments are expected to reach between 491,000 and 495,000 students, with revenue projected between $1.560 billion and $1.575 billion, indicating a growth of up to 1% on a reported basis and 6% to 7% on an organic constant currency basis. The adjusted EBITDA is anticipated to be between $473 million and $480 million, reflecting growth of 5% to 7% on a reported basis and 11% to 13% on an organic constant currency basis. The company also highlighted its robust online program growth and commitment to returning excess capital to shareholders, with a $42 million stock repurchase completed in the first quarter and plans for continued repurchases.

Laureate Education Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Laureate Education showcases strong profitability with a solid EBIT and EBITDA margin, reflecting efficient operations despite slight revenue fluctuations. The balance sheet is stable with a manageable debt-to-equity ratio, and the cash flow is robust, indicating strong cash-generating ability and potential for future expansion.
Income Statement
78
Positive
Laureate Education demonstrates strong profitability with consistent gross and net profit margins over the years. The TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months) shows a slight decrease in revenue compared to the previous year, but the company maintains an impressive EBIT and EBITDA margin, indicating efficient operations. Despite some fluctuations, the overall revenue growth trend is positive since 2020, reflecting robust business performance.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet of Laureate Education is stable, with a manageable debt-to-equity ratio, showcasing prudent financial leverage. The equity ratio is healthy, indicating a strong equity base relative to total assets. Return on equity is positive, reflecting good returns for shareholders. However, total assets have slightly declined over time, indicating potential impacts on long-term growth.
Cash Flow
82
Very Positive
The cash flow statements reveal a solid free cash flow position and consistent operating cash flow, which underscores the company's strong cash-generating ability. The free cash flow to net income ratio is favorable, indicating efficient conversion of income into cash flows. The company has shown significant improvement in free cash flow growth since previous years, providing a strong foundation for future investments and debt servicing.
BreakdownDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.57B1.48B1.24B1.09B1.02B
Gross Profit419.76M394.51M334.90M272.20M222.40M
EBITDA537.80M378.30M350.80M54.02M-126.23M
Net Income296.47M107.59M69.57M-283.10M-320.70M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.86B2.13B1.97B2.21B4.97B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments91.35M89.39M85.20M324.80M750.10M
Total Debt427.41M582.70M648.00M569.00M1.51B
Total Liabilities903.52M1.18B1.20B1.07B2.71B
Stockholders Equity959.55M950.07M774.40M1.14B2.26B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow160.85M194.34M125.40M-206.20M184.90M
Operating Cash Flow232.73M250.78M178.20M-155.80M259.50M
Investing Cash Flow-57.55M-51.92M30.30M2.04B587.50M
Financing Cash Flow-166.94M-201.89M-461.60M-2.68B-272.70M

Laureate Education Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price23.01
Price Trends
50DMA
22.84
Positive
100DMA
21.43
Positive
200DMA
19.83
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.14
Positive
RSI
46.46
Neutral
STOCH
22.24
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For LAUR, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 23.01 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 23.54, above the 50-day MA of 22.84, and above the 200-day MA of 19.83, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.14 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 46.46 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 22.24 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for LAUR.

Laureate Education Risk Analysis

Laureate Education disclosed 36 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Laureate Education reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Laureate Education Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (65)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
$4.83B21.3829.85%6.31%11.24%
76
Outperform
$4.12B19.0116.62%13.10%127.72%
71
Outperform
$1.87B12.7216.54%1.82%6.35%0.35%
70
Outperform
$1.72B30.4121.81%14.69%188.00%
69
Neutral
$1.88B16.726.86%3.09%5.72%11.02%
68
Neutral
$3.42B12.2631.14%1.26%140.30%
65
Neutral
$27.20B15.73-4.29%2.57%1.03%4.90%
* Consumer Defensive Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
LAUR
Laureate Education
23.01
8.53
58.91%
PRDO
Perdoceo Education
28.53
4.22
17.36%
ATGE
Adtalem Global Education
114.30
35.49
45.03%
LOPE
Grand Canyon Education
168.69
14.89
9.68%
STRA
Strategic Education
77.63
-39.65
-33.81%
UTI
Universal Technical Institute
31.53
12.10
62.27%

Laureate Education Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder MeetingsBusiness Operations and Strategy
Laureate Education Holds Annual Stockholders Meeting
Neutral
May 27, 2025

On May 22, 2025, Laureate Education held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where key decisions were made. Ten directors were elected to serve until the 2026 Annual Meeting, and the executive compensation was approved on a non-binding basis. Additionally, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was ratified as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. These decisions reflect the company’s ongoing governance and operational strategies.

The most recent analyst rating on (LAUR) stock is a Buy with a $20.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Laureate Education stock, see the LAUR Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Laureate Education Reports Q1 2025 Financial Results
Negative
May 1, 2025

On May 1, 2025, Laureate Education reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2025, revealing a decrease in new enrollments by 2% and a 14% drop in revenue compared to the first quarter of 2024. Despite these declines, the company remains optimistic about offsetting the impacts of intra-year academic calendar timing in the second half of the year, as it tightens its full-year 2025 guidance. The company highlights its strong balance sheet and commitment to returning excess capital to shareholders, while also emphasizing its role in expanding access to education in Mexico and Peru.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Jul 10, 2025