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Laureate Education, Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 4 raised, 2 lowered, 1 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 17% reported: Second-quarter revenue was $615.9 million, up $91.7 million or 17% reported and 8% at constant currency; currency accounted for $51.1 million of the increase. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose to $250.6 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $250.6 million against $214.5 million, up 17% reported and 8% at constant currency. Source
  • Six-month revenue hit by calendar timing: Six-month revenue was $888.5 million, up 17% reported and 6% at constant currency. About $9 million of revenue and Adjusted EBITDA was reduced by later semester start dates. Source
  • Mexico and Peru revenue both grew: Mexico second-quarter revenue was $269.0 million, up 24% reported and 10% at constant currency. Peru revenue was $346.9 million, up 13% reported and 6% at constant currency. Source
  • New enrollments up 10% for six months: Six-month new enrollments rose 10% and total enrollments rose 6%, compared with the prior-year period, reaching 142,400 new and 501,400 total students. Source
  • Net debt $61.5 million at June 30: Cash was $161.7 million and gross debt $223.2 million at June 30, 2026, giving net debt of $61.5 million, against $59.7 million at March 31. Source
  • About $76 million repurchased: The release says about $76 million of stock was repurchased under the existing program in the period, almost fully using the remaining authorization; the prior release showed $76 million remaining at March 31. Source

“I am pleased to announce an increase to our full-year guidance.”

Eilif Serck-Hanssen, President and Chief Executive Officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total enrollments Sourcefull year 2026518,000 to 523,000 studentsRaised from 516,000 to 521,000 students
Revenue Sourcefull year 2026$1,920 million to $1,930 millionRaised from $1,890 million to $1,905 million
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefull year 2026$593 million to $599 millionRaised from $583 million to $593 million
Adjusted EPS Sourcefull year 2026$2.04 - $2.10 per shareRaised from $2.00 - $2.08 per share
Diluted share count assumption Sourcefull year 2026approximately 139 millionLowered from approximately 141 million
Foreign exchange assumption SourceAugust 2026 to December 2026MXN 17.55 and PEN 3.41 per U.S. dollarLowered from MXN 17.95 and PEN 3.45 per U.S. dollar
Share repurchase authorization Sourceno fixed expiration$150 million increaseNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 ranges for enrollments, revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS were all raised from the prior release, citing operations and foreign exchange rates. Source
  • New: The Board approved a $150 million increase to the share repurchase authorization, with no fixed expiration date. Source

Second quarter results

  • Revenue rose 17% reported: Second-quarter revenue was $615.9 million, up $91.7 million or 17% reported and 8% at constant currency; currency accounted for $51.1 million of the increase. Source
  • Operating and net income both higher: Operating income was $223.4 million against $193.3 million, and net income was $137.1 million against $97.4 million. Diluted EPS was $0.98 against $0.65. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose to $250.6 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $250.6 million against $214.5 million, up 17% reported and 8% at constant currency. Source
  • Campus launch and digital expansion: Management cited the launch of a new campus and continued expansion of digital capabilities as part of second-quarter operating momentum. Source

Six-month results and calendar timing

  • Six-month revenue hit by calendar timing: Six-month revenue was $888.5 million, up 17% reported and 6% at constant currency. About $9 million of revenue and Adjusted EBITDA was reduced by later semester start dates. Source
  • Six-month net income higher: Six-month net income was $115.5 million against $77.9 million, which management attributed mainly to higher operating income and currency effects on intercompany balances. Source
  • Six-month operating income and EPS: Six-month operating income was $195.9 million against $180.1 million. Basic and diluted EPS was $0.82, against $0.51 basic and $0.50 diluted a year earlier. Source

“We are also adding $150 million to our share repurchase program, reflecting our strong balance sheet and commitment to returning capital to shareholders.”

Eilif Serck-Hanssen, President and Chief Executive Officer

Segments and regions

  • Mexico and Peru revenue both grew: Mexico second-quarter revenue was $269.0 million, up 24% reported and 10% at constant currency. Peru revenue was $346.9 million, up 13% reported and 6% at constant currency. Source
  • Second-quarter segment Adjusted EBITDA up: Mexico Adjusted EBITDA was $70.6 million, up 23% reported and 9% at constant currency. Peru Adjusted EBITDA was $190.8 million, up 14% reported and 7% at constant currency. Source
  • Six-month Mexico EBITDA down at constant currency: Six-month Mexico Adjusted EBITDA was $112.1 million, up 2% reported but down 11% at constant currency. Peru Adjusted EBITDA was $155.8 million, up 21% reported and 15% at constant currency. Source
  • Six-month revenue by country: Six-month Mexico revenue was $479.6 million, up 18% reported and 3% at constant currency. Six-month Peru revenue was $408.8 million, up 16% reported and 8% at constant currency. Source

Enrollment demand

  • New enrollments up 10% for six months: Six-month new enrollments rose 10% and total enrollments rose 6%, compared with the prior-year period, reaching 142,400 new and 501,400 total students. Source
  • Peru enrollments grew faster: In Peru, new enrollments rose 14% and total enrollments rose 8%, compared with the prior-year period. Source
  • Mexico enrollments up 7% new: In Mexico, new enrollments were up 7% and total enrollments were up 5%, compared with the prior-year period. Source

Costs, currency and tax

  • Direct costs up $60.8 million: Second-quarter direct costs were $378.2 million against $317.4 million, and general and administrative expenses were $14.2 million against $13.5 million. Source
  • Currency loss smaller than last year: Foreign currency exchange loss, net was $2.0 million in the second quarter against $25.6 million a year earlier, and $1.0 million for six months against $28.8 million. Source
  • Income tax expense rose: Income tax expense was $81.7 million in the second quarter against $69.4 million, and $76.0 million for six months against $71.9 million. Source
  • Adjusted net income higher in quarter: Adjusted net income was $139.8 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, against $120.1 million and $0.80 a year earlier. Source

Balance sheet and shareholder returns

  • Net debt $61.5 million at June 30: Cash was $161.7 million and gross debt $223.2 million at June 30, 2026, giving net debt of $61.5 million, against $59.7 million at March 31. Source
  • Long-term debt rose $67.8 million: Net increase in long-term debt was $67.8 million in the six months, against $0.4 million in the same period a year earlier. Source
  • About $76 million repurchased: The release says about $76 million of stock was repurchased under the existing program in the period, almost fully using the remaining authorization; the prior release showed $76 million remaining at March 31. Source
  • Shares outstanding down to 137.7 million: Total shares outstanding were 137.7 million at June 30, 2026, against 140.0 million at March 31, 2026. Source
  • Six-month operating cash flow higher: Six-month operating cash flow was $172.9 million against $131.8 million, and purchases of property and equipment were $35.5 million against $17.9 million. Source

Coming up, as management said on 30 July 2026

  • Calendar timing expected offset in second half: Management expects the calendar timing effect on revenue and Adjusted EBITDA to be offset in the second half of 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Total enrollments (June 30, 2026) Source501,400
New enrollments (six months) Source142,400
Peru total enrollments (June 30, 2026) Source252,300

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Management said it does not have enough data to estimate the variables needed to reconcile forward-looking Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS to GAAP measures. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The prior release expected the calendar timing effect on revenue and Adjusted EBITDA to be offset in the third quarter.
  • On track: The prior release said operating trends remained on track with management's expectations for the year.
  • Not stated: The prior release said excess capital was being returned, with about $105 million of share repurchases completed in the first quarter.

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.