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Laureate Education, Inc.: Q3 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 October 2025: press release. Guidance figures: 3 raised. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Quarter revenue rose 9% reported: Third-quarter revenue was $400.2 million against $368.6 million, up 9% reported and 4% on an organic constant currency basis. Source
  • Calendar timing trimmed quarter results: Calendar timing lowered organic constant currency revenue by about $7 million and Adjusted EBITDA by about $5 million in the third quarter. Source
  • Net income fell on currency and tax: Net income was $34.4 million against $85.3 million. The drop reflected currency effects on intercompany balances and a $37.9 million tax benefit recorded in the 2024 quarter. Source
  • Mexico Adjusted EBITDA rose 29%: Mexico revenue was $194.8 million, up 7% reported and 5% organic. Mexico Adjusted EBITDA was $25.7 million against $20.0 million, up 29% reported and 25% organic constant currency. Source
  • New enrollments up 7% year to date: New enrollments for the nine months rose 7% and total enrollments rose 6%, both against the prior-year period. Source
  • Revenue and EBITDA ranges raised: Management raised the full-year revenue and Adjusted EBITDA ranges, citing favorable results from recently closed enrollment intakes and improved foreign currency rates. Source
  • Net cash $138.6 million at quarter-end: Cash and cash equivalents were $241.0 million against gross debt of $102.4 million, leaving net cash of $138.6 million, up from $19.2 million at June 30, 2025. Source
  • Buyback authorization raised to $250 million: The board raised the existing program from $100 million to $250 million; after $73 million of cumulative repurchases, up to about $177 million may be repurchased. Source

“We are pleased to report another strong quarter, driven by favorable operating performance as well as a weaker U.S. dollar.”

Eilif Serck-Hanssen, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total enrollments SourceFull-year 2025approximately 494,000 students
Revenue SourceFull-year 2025$1,681 million to $1,686 millionRaised from $1,615 million to $1,630 million
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFull-year 2025$508 million to $512 millionRaised from $489 million to $496 million
Stock repurchase authorization SourceNo fixed expiration date$250 million program; up to about $177 million availableRaised from $100 million
Assumed FX rates SourceNovember-December 2025MXN 18.75 and PEN 3.48 per U.S. dollar

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year revenue range raised from $1,615 million-$1,630 million to $1,681 million-$1,686 million. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year Adjusted EBITDA range raised from $489 million-$496 million to $508 million-$512 million. Source
  • New: Board increased the stock buyback authorization by $150 million, from $100 million to $250 million. Source

Third-quarter and nine-month results

  • Quarter revenue rose 9% reported: Third-quarter revenue was $400.2 million against $368.6 million, up 9% reported and 4% on an organic constant currency basis. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose to $94.8 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $94.8 million against $91.4 million, up 4% reported and down 3% on an organic constant currency basis. Source
  • Calendar timing trimmed quarter results: Calendar timing lowered organic constant currency revenue by about $7 million and Adjusted EBITDA by about $5 million in the third quarter. Source
  • Net income fell on currency and tax: Net income was $34.4 million against $85.3 million. The drop reflected currency effects on intercompany balances and a $37.9 million tax benefit recorded in the 2024 quarter. Source
  • Nine-month revenue up 6% organic: Nine-month revenue was $1,160.5 million, up 2% reported and 6% on an organic constant currency basis; operating income was $251.6 million against $249.8 million. Source

Segment results in Mexico and Peru

  • Mexico Adjusted EBITDA rose 29%: Mexico revenue was $194.8 million, up 7% reported and 5% organic. Mexico Adjusted EBITDA was $25.7 million against $20.0 million, up 29% reported and 25% organic constant currency. Source
  • Peru revenue up, Adjusted EBITDA down: Peru revenue was $205.3 million, up 10% reported and 3% organic. Peru Adjusted EBITDA was $78.1 million against $79.8 million, down 2% reported and 9% on an organic constant currency basis. Source
  • Nine-month Mexico revenue fell 2%: Mexico revenue for the nine months was $601.5 million, down 2% reported but up 8% on an organic constant currency basis. Peru revenue was $558.9 million, up 6% reported and 2% organic. Source
  • Nine-month Adjusted EBITDA by segment: Mexico Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months was $136.1 million, up 6% reported and 21% organic. Peru was $206.5 million, down 1% reported and 5% organic. Source

“The results from the intake cycles, combined with favorable foreign currency trends, give us the confidence to increase our full-year outlook for 2025.”

Eilif Serck-Hanssen, President and Chief Executive Officer

Enrollment and intake

  • New enrollments up 7% year to date: New enrollments for the nine months rose 7% and total enrollments rose 6%, both against the prior-year period. Source
  • Peru new enrollments up 13%: Peru new enrollments rose 13% and total enrollments rose 8% against the prior-year period, both above Mexico's 4% rates for the nine months. Source
  • Mexico enrollments up 4%: Mexico new and total enrollments each rose 4% for the nine months, below the 6% and 7% reported for the six months to June 30. Source

Costs, tax and earnings per share

  • Direct costs rose $30.5 million: Direct costs were $316.5 million against $286.0 million in the quarter; general and administrative expenses were $12.2 million against $10.6 million. Source
  • Income tax expense rose: Income tax expense was $34.5 million in the quarter against a $0.5 million benefit a year earlier; nine-month tax expense was $106.3 million against $72.5 million. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose to $0.25: Adjusted EPS was $0.25 against $0.22 in the quarter; diluted EPS was $0.23 against $0.56, and nine-month diluted EPS was $0.74 against $1.31. Source

“We are also pleased to announce that the Board has authorized a $150 million increase in our stock buyback authorization.”

Eilif Serck-Hanssen, President and Chief Executive Officer

Full-year 2025 guidance

  • Revenue and EBITDA ranges raised: Management raised the full-year revenue and Adjusted EBITDA ranges, citing favorable results from recently closed enrollment intakes and improved foreign currency rates. Source
  • Currency assumptions for late 2025: Guidance combines actual exchange rates through October 2025 with assumed rates for November and December; the company said FX impact may change with future fluctuations. Source
  • No GAAP reconciliation for EBITDA guidance: The company gave no GAAP reconciliation for its Adjusted EBITDA guidance, saying it lacks the data to estimate the variables and individual adjustments. Source

Balance sheet and operating cash

  • Net cash $138.6 million at quarter-end: Cash and cash equivalents were $241.0 million against gross debt of $102.4 million, leaving net cash of $138.6 million, up from $19.2 million at June 30, 2025. Source
  • Operating cash flow rose to $272.8 million: Nine-month operating cash flow was $272.8 million against $192.0 million; purchases of property and equipment were $36.1 million against $34.6 million. Source
  • About $71 million repurchased in nine months: Repurchases under the program announced September 13, 2024 totaled about $71 million in the nine months, leaving about $27 million of authorization at September 30. Source
  • Shares outstanding at 147.4 million: Total shares outstanding were 147.4 million at September 30, 2025, the same count as at June 30, 2025. Source

Share repurchase program expansion

  • Buyback authorization raised to $250 million: The board raised the existing program from $100 million to $250 million; after $73 million of cumulative repurchases, up to about $177 million may be repurchased. Source
  • Board may adjust or end program: The board will review the program periodically and may change its terms and size, or suspend or discontinue it. Source
  • Repurchase channels and trading plans: Repurchases may be made on the open market, in privately negotiated deals or block trades, or under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Source
  • Funding from cash, free cash flow and revolver: The company intends to fund repurchases from free cash flow, excess cash, on-hand liquidity and available capacity under its Revolving Credit Facility. Source

Strategy, digital portfolio and leadership

  • Peru fully online offerings scaled: Management cited continued scaling of fully online offerings in Peru through its digital portfolio, alongside growth in Mexico. Source
  • Five institutions serve over 470,000 students: The company operates five higher education institutions across Mexico and Peru, serving more than 470,000 students through campus-based and online learning. Source
  • Chief Executive spoke on the quarter: Eilif Serck-Hanssen gave the company's view of the quarter and of the buyback increase. Source

Coming up, as management said on 30 October 2025

  • Calendar timing expected to offset in Q4: Management expects the nine-month calendar timing effects on revenue and Adjusted EBITDA to be offset in the fourth quarter of 2025. Source
  • Buybacks to continue under expanded program: Repurchases under the expanded program may be made from time to time, depending on market conditions. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
New enrollments, nine months (Laureate) Source258,800
Total enrollments, as of September 30, 2025 (Laureate) Source511,400
New enrollments, nine months (Peru) Source100,800
Total enrollments, as of September 30, 2025 (Peru) Source234,400
New enrollments, nine months (Mexico) Source158,000
Total enrollments, as of September 30, 2025 (Mexico) Source277,000

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Later semester start dates moved 2025 revenue and Adjusted EBITDA between periods, which management expects to be offset in the fourth quarter. Source
  • Demand: Management noted that growth in Mexico came despite a softer macroeconomic environment. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management said the balance sheet and free cash flow generation allow it to deliver on its commitment to return excess capital. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.