News Details

BALTIMORE, Aug. 08, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Laureate Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:LAUR), the global leader in higher education, today announced financial results for the second quarter and the six months ended June 30, 2017.

Second Quarter 2017 Highlights (compared to second quarter 2016):

• Revenue increased 4% to $1,277.4 million; up 8% on an organic constant currency basis
• Operating income increased by $33.3 million to $243.9 million, including a $22.8 million one-time charge  related to the debt refinancing transactions that were completed during the second quarter of 2017
• Net income for the quarter was $117.1 million, as compared to net income of $349.2 million in the second quarter of 2016, which included a $243.3 million gain in 2016 related to the sale of the Swiss hospitality management schools
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 11% to $341.9 million and, on an organic constant currency basis, Adjusted EBITDA was up 22% excluding the $22.8 million one-time charge associated with our debt refinancing transactions in the second quarter of 2017, and including some favorable timing impacts from class starts

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Highlights (compared to six months ended June 30, 2016):

• New enrollments increased 2%
• Total enrollments increased 2%, up 3% excluding asset dispositions made in 2016
• Revenue decreased by $5.0 million to $2,133.4 million; up 6% on an organic constant currency basis
• Operating income decreased by $18.4 million to $181.0 million, due primarily to a $22.8 million one-time charge related to the debt refinancing transactions that were completed during the second quarter of 2017
• Net loss for the six months was $3.3 million, as compared to net income of $246.8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2016, which included a $243.3 million gain in 2016 related to the sale of the Swiss hospitality management schools
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 2% to $390.4 million and, on an organic constant currency basis, Adjusted EBITDA was up 22% excluding the $22.8 million one-time charge associated with our debt refinancing transactions in the second quarter of 2017, and including some favorable timing impacts from class starts

“We are pleased to report favorable results for the second quarter of 2017,” said Douglas Becker, Laureate founder, chairman, and chief executive officer. “The operating momentum in the business demonstrates the quality of our institutions and the committed teams that lead them, all of whom have embraced our initiatives to gain the benefit of our collective scale. The growing global demand for higher education, particularly in emerging markets, positions us well for continued growth in the future.”

Second Quarter 2017 Results

Revenue in the second quarter of 2017 was $1,277.4 million, a 4% increase compared to the second quarter of 2016. Operating income increased $33.3 million compared to the second quarter of 2016, including a $22.8 million one-time charge related to the debt refinancing transactions that were completed during the second quarter of 2017. Net income was $117.1 million compared to a net income of $349.2 million in the second quarter of the prior year which included a gain of approximately $243.3 million in the 2016 fiscal quarter related to the sale of the Swiss hospitality management schools. Diluted earnings per share was $0.28 for the second quarter of 2017.

Adjusted EBITDA was $341.9 million in the second quarter of 2017, a 11% increase compared to the second quarter of 2016. On an organic (i.e., excluding acquisitions and asset dispositions) constant currency basis, revenue increased 8% and Adjusted EBITDA increased 22% compared to the second quarter of 2016, excluding the $22.8 million one-time charge associated with our debt refinancing transactions in the second quarter of 2017, and including some favorable timing impacts from class starts.

As disclosed in our Quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2017, effective August 1, 2017, we changed our operating segments in order to realign our segments according to how our chief operating decision maker will now allocate resources and assess performance. The segment changes will result in Laureate increasing its number of operating segments from three operating segments to six operating segments.

The change includes the creation of three operating segments (Brazil, Mexico and Andean & Iberian) from the current LatAm segment. Our institutions in Spain and Portugal (Iberian) will move from the Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific (EMEAA) segment and combine with our institutions in Chile and Peru to form the Andean & Iberian segment. In addition, our institutions in Central America, which were previously part of the LatAm segment, will combine with our campus-based institutions in the United States, which were previously part of the Global Products and Services (GPS) segment, to form the Central America and U.S. Campuses segment. The Online & Partnerships segment will consist of the online institutions that were previously part of the GPS segment. In summary, our six operating segments will be as follows:

• Brazil;
• Mexico;
• Andean & Iberian;
• Central America & U.S. Campuses;
• Online & Partnerships; and
• EMEAA.

This change will be reflected in the segment information beginning in the third quarter of 2017, the period in which the change occurred.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2017 Results

New enrollments through year-to-date June 2017, excluding asset dispositions, increased 2% compared to our new enrollment activity through year-to-date June 2016. New enrollment growth reflects favorable performance in all Latin American markets except Chile which was affected by regulatory changes made during 2016 in that market. A planned strategic shift in the second half of 2016 in EMEAA and GPS to longer length of stay students with higher revenue and contribution margins affected the comparability of the new enrollments through year-to-date June 2017 as compared to year-to-date June 2016 for those segments.  Despite the resulting and planned reduction in new enrollment activity in EMEAA and GPS, both segments show favorable growth in organic constant currency revenue versus prior year-to-date June, reflecting the benefit of this strategic mix shift. Additionally, a summer intake in our GPS segment occurred in early July of 2017 as compared to late June 2016, affecting the year-over-year comparability, therefore we are showing new enrollment activity for the GPS segment on a timing adjusted basis in our table below which shows new enrollment performance.

Total enrollments at June 30, 2017 grew 2% compared to June 30, 2016. Excluding the impact from the divestiture in 2016 of our assets in France and Switzerland, total enrollments at June 30, 2017 increased by 3% compared to June 30, 2016. 

For the six months ended June 30, 2017, revenue was $2,133.4 million, a decrease of $5.0 million compared to the fiscal period 2016.  Operating income decreased $18.4 million compared to the 2016 fiscal period due primarily to a $22.8 million one-time charge related to the debt refinancing transactions that were completed during the second quarter of 2017.  Net loss for the 2017 fiscal period was $3.3 million compared to a net income of $246.8 million in the 2016 fiscal period which included a gain of approximately $243.3 million in the 2016 fiscal period related to the sale of the Swiss hospitality management schools. Diluted loss per share was $(0.71) for the 2017 fiscal period.

Adjusted EBITDA was $390.4 million in the 2017 fiscal period, a 2% increase compared to the 2016 fiscal period. On an organic (i.e., excluding acquisitions and asset dispositions) constant currency basis, revenue increased  6% and Adjusted EBITDA increased 22% compared to the 2016 fiscal period, excluding the $22.8 million one-time charge associated with our debt refinancing transactions in the second quarter of 2017, and including some favorable timing impacts from class starts.

Balance Sheet and Capital Structure

Laureate ended the second quarter of 2017 with $367.2 million of cash on hand and $752.2 million in liquidity, including our undrawn revolver. In April 2017, Laureate completed a refinancing of its corporate debt obligations, extending the maturity and reducing the cost of those obligations.

On April 15, 2016, the Company entered into note exchange agreements pursuant to which we agreed to exchange $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 9.250% Replacement Senior Notes due 2019 for shares of the Company's Class A common stock. On August 2, 2017, we sent notices to the holders of these notes indicating that the closing of the exchange contemplated by these note exchange agreements is expected to be consummated on Friday, August 11, 2017. At closing, these senior notes will be exchanged for a total of 18.7 million shares of the Company's Class A common stock and these senior notes will be canceled.

Outlook for Fiscal 2017

Laureate is updating its financial guidance for full-year 2017, reflecting the inclusion of our accelerator plan and a more favorable currency environment. The guidance for 2017 reflects the impact from the sale of our French and Swiss assets in 2016, which will unfavorably impact both year-over-year Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA by approximately (3%). Additionally, currency translation from foreign exchange rates, based on current rates, is now expected to have no material year-over-year impact in 2017 for Adjusted EBITDA, and a slightly below 1% favorable impact on Revenue is expected.

Based on the current foreign exchange spot rates¹, Laureate currently expects its organic (i.e., excluding acquisitions and asset dispositions) performance for full-year 2017 to be as follows:

• Total enrollments in the range of 1,064,000 to 1,080,000, representing 2.0-3.5% growth as compared to December 31, 2016;
• Revenues in the range of $4,345 million to $4,386 million, representing 5.0-6.0% organic (pro forma for asset dispositions in 2016) constant currency growth, and including a benefit of $38 million from foreign currency;
• Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $786 million to $795 million, inclusive of the $22.8 million one-time expense related to our debt refinancing. Excluding the debt refinancing charge, we expect Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $809 million to $818 million representing 8.5%-9.5% organic (pro forma for asset dispositions in 2016) constant currency growth, and including a $10 million to $12 million benefit from our accelerator plan;
• Capex spending at 7% to 8% of revenues to support growth initiatives and ongoing maintenance;
• Total number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding of approximately 223 million, assuming the conversion of the $400 million of shares of Series A Preferred Stock (assuming payment-in-kind dividends), which, when converted, but in no case later than February 7, 2018, will result in up to 36 million shares being issued upon conversion based on a conversion price of $14.00 per share of Class A common stock, the price per share to the public in our IPO; and
• Reported earnings per share in 2017 to be affected by a $290-$300 million non-cash charge to earnings per share related to accounting for the non-cash beneficial redemption and conversion features due to the terms of the shares of our Series A Preferred Stock.

¹ Based on actual FX rates for January-June 2017, and current spot FX rates (local currency per US dollar) of MXN 17.67, BRL 3.16, CLP 648.00, PEN 3.25, EUR 0.86 for July - December 2017. FX impact may change based on fluctuations in currency rates in future periods.

An outlook for 2017 net income and a reconciliation of the forward-looking 2017 Adjusted EBITDA outlook to net income are not being provided as Laureate does not currently have sufficient data to accurately estimate the variables and individual adjustments for such outlook and reconciliation.

Please see the “Forward-Looking Statements” section in this release for a discussion of certain risks related to this outlook.

Conference Call

Laureate will host an earnings conference call today at 5:00 pm ET. Interested parties are invited to listen to the earnings call by dialing 1-855-307-2849 (for U.S.- based callers) or 1-703-639-1262 (for international callers), and request to join the Laureate conference call. Replays of the entire call will be available through August 15, 2017 at 1-855-859-2056 (for U.S.- based callers) and at 1-404-537-3406 (for international callers), conference ID 56726181. The webcast of the conference call, including replays, and a copy of this press release and the related slides will be made available through the Investor Relations section of Laureate’s web site at www.laureate.net.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes statements that express Laureate’s opinions, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or projections regarding future events or future results and therefore are, or may be deemed to be, ‘‘forward-looking statements’’ within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which involve risks and uncertainties. Laureate’s actual results may vary significantly from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as ‘‘believes,’’ ‘‘expects,’’ ‘‘may,’’ ‘‘will,’’ ‘‘should,’’ ‘‘seeks,’’ ‘‘approximately,’’ ‘‘intends,’’ ‘‘plans,’’ ‘‘estimates’’ or ‘‘anticipates’’ or similar expressions that concern our strategy, plans or intentions. All statements we make relating to guidance, including total enrollments, estimated and projected Adjusted EBITDA and earnings, costs, expenditures (including capital expenditures), cash flows, growth rates and financial results are forward-looking statements. In addition, we, through our senior management, from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning our expected future operations and performance and other developments. All of these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, and, therefore, our actual results may differ materially from those we expected. We derive most of our forward-looking statements from our operating budgets and forecasts, which are based upon many detailed assumptions. While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, we caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and, of course, it is impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 29, 2017, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed and to be filed with the SEC and other filings made with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the time of this release and we do not undertake to publicly update or revise them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Presentation of Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to the results provided in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) throughout this press release, Laureate has provided a non-GAAP measurement of Adjusted EBITDA. We have included Adjusted EBITDA because it is a key measure used by our management and board of directors to understand and evaluate our core operating performance and trends, to prepare and approve our annual budget and to develop short- and long-term operational plans. In particular, the exclusion of certain expenses in calculating Adjusted EBITDA can provide a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our core business. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA is a key input into the formula used by the compensation committee of our board of directors and our Chief Executive Officer in connection with the payment of incentive compensation to our executive officers and other members of our management team. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and board of directors. Adjusted EBITDA is reconciled from the respective measures under GAAP in the attached table “Non-GAAP Reconciliations.”

About Laureate Education, Inc.

Laureate Education, Inc. is the largest global network of degree-granting higher education institutions, with more than one million students enrolled across nearly 70 institutions in 25 countries at campuses and online. Laureate offers high-quality, undergraduate, graduate and specialized degree programs in a wide range of academic disciplines that provide attractive employment prospects. Laureate believes that when our students succeed, countries prosper and societies benefit. This belief is expressed through the company’s philosophy of being ‘Here for Good’ and is represented by its status as a certified B Corporation® and conversion in 2015 to a Delaware public benefit corporation, a new class of corporation committed to creating a positive impact on society.

Key Metrics and Financial Tables
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts, and may not sum due to rounding)

New and Total Enrollments by segment

Consolidated Statements of Operations

Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA by segment

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Non-GAAP Reconciliation

Investor Relations Contact:
ir@laureate.net

Media Contacts:
Laureate Education
Adam Smith
Adam.Smith@laureate.net
U.S.: +1 (866) 452 8732 / International: +1 (410) 843 6100