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Grand Canyon Education (LOPE)
NASDAQ:LOPE
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Grand Canyon Education (LOPE) AI Stock Analysis

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LOPE

Grand Canyon Education

(NASDAQ:LOPE)

Rating:77Outperform
Price Target:
$225.00
▲(10.14% Upside)
Grand Canyon Education's strong financial performance and positive earnings call are the most significant factors driving the stock's score. The technical analysis suggests caution due to overbought conditions, and the valuation is moderate. The absence of a dividend yield and challenges in traditional enrollments slightly temper the overall outlook.
Positive Factors
Enrollment Growth
Total enrollment in its university partners’ programs increased 10.3%, marking the 11th consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth.
Revenue Growth
Revenue in the second quarter increased 8.8% to $247.5 million, above estimates and the high end of management’s guidance.
Stock Valuation
The stock is trading at a discount to its Ed Tech peer group, which supports the OUTPERFORM rating and a 12-month price target of $215.
Negative Factors
Stock Repurchases
LOPE repurchased $68M in shares during the quarter and noted it has been active in daily repurchases.

Grand Canyon Education (LOPE) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Grand Canyon Education Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionGrand Canyon Education, Inc. provides education services to colleges and universities in the United States. The company's technology services include learning management system, internal administration, infrastructure, and support services; academic services comprises program and curriculum, faculty and related training and development, class scheduling, and skills and simulation lab sites; and counseling services and support include admission, financial aid, and field experience and other counseling services. It also offers marketing and communication services, such as lead acquisition, digital communications strategy, brand identity, market research, media planning and strategy, video, and business intelligence and data science; and back-office services comprising finance and accounting, human resources, audit, and procurement services. The company, through its subsidiary, Orbis Education Services, LLC, supports healthcare education programs for 27 universities. Grand Canyon Education, Inc. was founded in 1949 and is based in Phoenix, Arizona.
How the Company Makes MoneyGrand Canyon Education generates revenue primarily through tuition and fees collected from students enrolled in its degree programs. The company operates a dual revenue model, with income derived from both online and on-campus students. Key revenue streams include undergraduate and graduate program tuition, as well as fees for various services such as housing and technology. Additionally, GCU benefits from partnerships with various organizations and institutions, which can lead to increased enrollment and collaborative programs. The company's ability to attract and retain students, combined with its focus on high-quality educational offerings, plays a significant role in its financial performance.

Grand Canyon Education Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 06, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Nov 06, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted strong online and hybrid enrollment growth, financial performance improvements, and successful program expansions. However, challenges such as a decline in traditional campus enrollment and increased legal and benefit costs were noted.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Online Enrollment Growth
Online enrollment growth of 10.1% and hybrid growth of 15.4% excluding closed sites, exceeding Grand Canyon University's long-term objectives.
Increase in New Student Registrations
Approximately 10% increase in new student registrations for the fall of 2025 compared to the previous year.
Hybrid Campus Growth
Grand Canyon Education's hybrid campus experienced a 14% increase in enrollment year-over-year in the second quarter.
Financial Performance Improvements
Service revenue increased by $20 million or 8.8%, operating income increased by 19.1% to $41.5 million compared to $34.9 million in the same period in 2024.
Expansion of Program Offerings
GCU launched new programs including hybrid graduate nursing programs and new site openings in 2025, expanding its ABSN location total to 11.
Successful Corporate Social Responsibility
GCE published its 2025 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, highlighting its social contributions and nearly 220,000 graduates since becoming an education services provider.
Negative Updates
Decline in Traditional Campus Enrollment
Slight year-over-year decrease in total traditional campus enrollments in fall 2024 due to challenges such as navigating the new FAFSA site.
Impact of Early Graduations
Approximately 300 students graduated in the summer rather than returning in the fall, impacting fall total enrollment.
Increased Legal and Benefit Costs
Increase in legal fees due to ongoing lawsuits and significant increases in benefit costs due to high-cost claims.
Company Guidance
During Grand Canyon Education's second-quarter 2025 earnings call, the company highlighted various metrics reflecting strong performance and optimistic guidance for the remainder of the year. Online enrollment grew by 10.1%, with hybrid enrollments increasing 15.4% year-over-year, excluding closed sites and those in teach-out. The operating income for the quarter rose to $51.8 million, increasing the operating margin to 20.9% from 18.8% the previous year. Net income saw a 19.1% jump to $41.5 million, translating to GAAP diluted income per share of $1.48 and non-GAAP diluted income per share of $1.53, which was $0.16 above consensus estimates. Service revenue increased by 8.8% to $247.5 million, driven by a 10.3% rise in partner enrollments, including a 10.1% increase in GCU online enrollments. The effective tax rate decreased to 24.5% from 25.5% due to changes in state income taxes. Additionally, the company repurchased 259,271 shares of its common stock for approximately $47.4 million during the quarter, with $156.9 million remaining under its share repurchase authorization. Looking forward, the company projects mid- to high-single-digit growth in new online enrollments and mid- to high-teens growth in its hybrid pillar for the second half of 2025.

Grand Canyon Education Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Grand Canyon Education demonstrates strong financial health with robust profitability, efficient operations, and solid cash flow generation. The balance sheet is stable with low leverage, supporting continued growth and stability.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Grand Canyon Education shows strong profitability with a consistent increase in revenue and margins. The TTM gross profit margin is robust at 63.7%, and the net profit margin is healthy at 22.2%. Revenue growth is steady, with a TTM growth rate of 1.91%. EBIT and EBITDA margins are also strong, indicating efficient operations.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The company maintains a solid balance sheet with a low debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, indicating low leverage. Return on equity is impressive at 30.5%, reflecting efficient use of equity. The equity ratio is stable, suggesting a strong equity base relative to assets.
Cash Flow
80
Positive
Cash flow generation is strong, with a TTM free cash flow growth rate of 11%. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 2.51, indicating good cash conversion. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.88, showing effective cash management.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue1.07B1.03B960.90M911.31M896.56M844.10M
Gross Profit565.58M544.43M503.71M487.50M515.31M493.55M
EBITDA340.93M327.87M291.68M271.30M365.30M367.19M
Net Income236.51M226.23M204.99M184.68M260.34M257.20M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.02B1.02B930.46M832.75M1.22B1.84B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments373.90M324.62M244.51M181.70M600.94M256.61M
Total Debt107.83M108.52M99.28M77.44M61.18M171.78M
Total Liabilities243.03M234.57M212.45M195.13M177.70M270.25M
Stockholders Equity777.98M783.85M718.01M637.62M1.05B1.57B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow261.16M252.71M198.23M185.19M283.73M278.88M
Operating Cash Flow298.07M289.96M243.66M220.82M313.12M308.82M
Investing Cash Flow-117.39M61.37M-80.47M-97.14M950.98M-19.35M
Financing Cash Flow-229.72M-173.18M-137.12M-604.21M-908.93M-166.28M

Grand Canyon Education Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price204.28
Price Trends
50DMA
185.61
Positive
100DMA
186.60
Positive
200DMA
178.69
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
5.70
Positive
RSI
66.05
Neutral
STOCH
82.75
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For LOPE, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 204.28 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 201.35, above the 50-day MA of 185.61, and above the 200-day MA of 178.69, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 5.70 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 66.05 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 82.75 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for LOPE.

Grand Canyon Education Risk Analysis

Grand Canyon Education disclosed 38 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Grand Canyon Education reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Grand Canyon Education Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
$1.96B17.056.89%2.93%4.31%-1.08%
77
Outperform
$5.74B24.7630.77%6.52%11.72%
77
Outperform
$4.10B16.4325.81%0.44%35.19%
74
Outperform
$4.93B7.2616.28%0.63%4.73%426.68%
72
Outperform
$4.83B21.7016.60%12.85%81.69%
72
Outperform
$7.01B26.7121.69%17.90%39.75%
63
Neutral
$20.52B14.80-2.68%3.09%1.95%-4.76%
* Consumer Defensive Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
LOPE
Grand Canyon Education
204.28
67.72
49.59%
ATGE
Adtalem Global Education
134.45
64.39
91.91%
LRN
Stride
160.73
82.53
105.54%
STRA
Strategic Education
81.96
-8.85
-9.75%
GHC
Graham Holdings
1,131.44
401.98
55.11%
LAUR
Laureate Education
27.85
13.24
90.62%

Grand Canyon Education Corporate Events

Shareholder Meetings
Grand Canyon Education Holds 2025 Annual Stockholders Meeting
Neutral
Jun 12, 2025

On June 10, 2025, Grand Canyon Education, Inc. held its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, where 90.7% of the outstanding shares voted. During the meeting, stockholders elected directors, approved executive compensation, and ratified KPMG LLP as the independent auditor for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. These decisions are likely to impact the company’s governance and financial oversight, potentially influencing its strategic direction and stakeholder confidence.

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: Aug 19, 2025