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Phoenix Education Partners, Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 7 April 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 new, 3 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Quarterly revenue slightly below last year: Second quarter net revenue was $222.5 million, against $223.4 million a year earlier. Six-month revenue was $484.5 million, against $478.1 million. Source
  • GAAP net income fell on share compensation: Net income attributable was $10.8 million, or $0.28 diluted EPS, against $16.1 million, or $0.43. Management attributed the decrease mainly to share-based compensation from the IPO. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose year on year: Adjusted EBITDA was $34.8 million, against $32.3 million, and adjusted diluted EPS was $0.58, against $0.56. Six-month adjusted EBITDA was $110.0 million, against $102.4 million. Source
  • Degreed enrollment above last year: Average Total Degreed Enrollment was 82,600 in the second quarter, against 81,100 a year earlier. The six-month average was 84,100, against 81,700. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin higher: Adjusted EBITDA margin was 15.7% for the quarter, against 14.5%, and 22.7% for six months, against 21.4%. Source
  • Operating cash flow higher: Six-month operating cash flow was $80.0 million, against $22.1 million. Capital expenditures were $10.1 million, against $10.9 million. Source
  • Cash and securities reached $252.1 million: Cash, restricted cash and marketable securities were $252.1 million at February 28, 2026, against $194.8 million at August 31, 2025 and $218.1 million at November 30, 2025. Source
  • Up to $50 million buyback: The board adopted a program for up to $50 million of common stock, using open market, privately negotiated or other purchases, including under Rule 10b5-1 or Rule 10b-18. Source

“At the University, we remain focused on helping students develop skills that translate directly into their careers.”

Chris Lynne, Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix Education Partners and President of the University of Phoenix

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net revenue Sourcefiscal year 2026$1,025.0 million to $1,035.0 millionKept
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefiscal year 2026$244.0 million to $249.0 millionKept
Share repurchases Sourcenot statedup to an aggregate amount of $50 millionNew
Quarterly common stock dividend Sourcepayable May 22, 2026$0.21 per shareKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: Fiscal 2026 net revenue and adjusted EBITDA ranges are the same as in the first-quarter release. Source
  • New: A $50 million share repurchase program was adopted. The first-quarter release did not mention one. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Quarterly revenue slightly below last year: Second quarter net revenue was $222.5 million, against $223.4 million a year earlier. Six-month revenue was $484.5 million, against $478.1 million. Source
  • GAAP net income fell on share compensation: Net income attributable was $10.8 million, or $0.28 diluted EPS, against $16.1 million, or $0.43. Management attributed the decrease mainly to share-based compensation from the IPO. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose year on year: Adjusted EBITDA was $34.8 million, against $32.3 million, and adjusted diluted EPS was $0.58, against $0.56. Six-month adjusted EBITDA was $110.0 million, against $102.4 million. Source
  • Six-month adjusted EPS higher: Six-month GAAP diluted EPS was $0.68, against $1.66. Six-month adjusted diluted EPS was $1.97, against $1.92. Source

Enrollment and student experience

  • Degreed enrollment above last year: Average Total Degreed Enrollment was 82,600 in the second quarter, against 81,100 a year earlier. The six-month average was 84,100, against 81,700. Source
  • Enrollment below first-quarter level: First-quarter average degreed enrollment was 85,600, compared with 82,200 a year earlier. The release does not explain the sequential change.
  • Survey placed University above averages: In the Encoura and Ruffalo Noel Levitz survey of online learners, covering 150 institutions and about 90,000 learners, the University was above national averages on all 26 attributes. Source

“During the quarter, our teams continued to enhance the student experience, expand employer partnerships, and invest in capabilities that support high-quality, affordable programs.”

Chris Lynne, Chief Executive Officer of Phoenix Education Partners and President of the University of Phoenix

Costs and expense lines

  • G&A up, instructional costs down: General and administrative expense was $98.1 million, against $90.4 million. Instructional and support was $105.2 million, against $107.2 million. Total costs and expenses were $208.5 million, against $203.7 million. Source
  • Share-based compensation rose from IPO: Non-cash share-based compensation was $9.7 million in the quarter, against $0.6 million a year earlier. Six-month share-based compensation was $39.2 million, against $1.3 million. Source
  • Strategic alternatives costs lower: Strategic alternatives expense was $0.4 million, against $4.1 million. The income statement line, which also includes restructuring and other items, was $5.1 million, against $6.1 million. Source
  • Restructuring lease expense higher: Restructuring lease expense was $1.6 million, against a $0.3 million credit a year earlier. Six-month expense was $3.6 million, against $1.7 million. Source

Margins and adjusted earnings

  • Adjusted EBITDA margin higher: Adjusted EBITDA margin was 15.7% for the quarter, against 14.5%, and 22.7% for six months, against 21.4%. Source
  • GAAP net margin lower: Net income attributable to the company was 4.8% of revenue for the quarter, against 7.2%. Six-month margin was 5.4%, against 13.1%. Source
  • Diluted share count higher: Diluted shares were 38.9 million in the quarter, against 37.9 million. Six-month diluted shares were 38.7 million, against 37.8 million. Source

Cash, balance sheet and liquidity

  • Operating cash flow higher: Six-month operating cash flow was $80.0 million, against $22.1 million. Capital expenditures were $10.1 million, against $10.9 million. Source
  • Cash and securities reached $252.1 million: Cash, restricted cash and marketable securities were $252.1 million at February 28, 2026, against $194.8 million at August 31, 2025 and $218.1 million at November 30, 2025. Source
  • Revolver undrawn through 2030: The $100.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility was entered November 13, 2025 and matures November 13, 2030. No debt was outstanding under it or otherwise. Source
  • Receivables and deferred revenue lower: Accounts receivable were $35.0 million at February 28, 2026, against $82.6 million at November 30, 2025. Deferred revenue was $38.1 million, against $61.1 million at November 30, 2025. Source

Dividend and share repurchase

  • Regular dividend of $0.21 declared: The board approved a regular $0.21 per share dividend, payable May 22, 2026, to holders of record on April 29, 2026. The first-quarter release also gave $0.21 per share. Source
  • Dividend paid in second quarter: The company paid $0.21 per share during the second quarter. Dividend and dividend equivalent payments were $9.1 million for the six months. Source
  • Up to $50 million buyback: The board adopted a program for up to $50 million of common stock, using open market, privately negotiated or other purchases, including under Rule 10b5-1 or Rule 10b-18. Source

Cybersecurity and special items

  • Cybersecurity expense continued: Cybersecurity incident expense was $0.3 million in the quarter, $4.8 million for six months, including $4.5 million in the first quarter. The 10-Q gives further detail. Source
  • Ultimate costs not predictable: Management said it cannot predict the ultimate outcome of certain items, including potential cybersecurity expenses and tax provision, so it could not reconcile the adjusted EBITDA range to GAAP. Source
  • Borrower defense charges recorded: Litigation charges and regulatory expense were $1.2 million in the quarter, against $1.5 million. They relate to a multi-year insurance policy for borrower defense to repayment claims. Source

Strategy, footprint and student products

  • Single campus enrolls new students: Ground campuses were closed by early fiscal 2025, leaving one physical location in Phoenix, Arizona, enrolling new students. The company exited 19 of 22 administrative floors in fiscal 2024. Source
  • Investment in capabilities continued: Management said the company invested in capabilities supporting high-quality, affordable programs and expanded employer partnerships during the quarter. Source
  • Digital badges pass one million: The company said it has issued more than one million digital badges representing verified skills to students and alumni. Source

Coming up, as management said on 7 April 2026

  • Dividend payable May 22: The $0.21 per share dividend is scheduled for payment on May 22, 2026, with a record date of April 29, 2026. Source
  • Buyback may proceed from time to time: Repurchases under the new $50 million program may be made from time to time. No timetable is given. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Average Total Degreed Enrollment, second quarter 2026 Source82,600
Average Total Degreed Enrollment, first six months 2026 Source84,100
Digital badges issued to students and alumni Sourcemore than one million

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: Borrower defense to repayment claims are the subject of litigation and regulatory expense recorded under a multi-year insurance policy. Source
  • Operational: Management said the ultimate expenses from the cybersecurity incident cannot yet be predicted, and these costs are excluded from adjusted measures. Source
  • Financial: Share-based compensation after the IPO is included in GAAP results and is excluded from the company's adjusted measures as a non-cash expense. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The company restated its fiscal 2026 adjusted EBITDA range in this release. No status against it is given. Source
  • Not stated: The company paid a regular common stock dividend in the second quarter and declared another for May 2026. No status language is used. 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.