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Phoenix Education Partners, Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 14 July 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 1 lowered, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue flat year over year: Third quarter net revenue was $271.8 million, about the same as the prior-year quarter. Nine-month revenue rose to $756.3 million from $749.8 million. Source
  • Net income fell on share-based pay: Net income attributable to the company was $39.2 million, or $1.01 diluted EPS, against $1.42 a year earlier. Management cited IPO-related share-based compensation, higher advertising, and strategic and restructuring expense. Source
  • Full-year revenue expectation lowered: Management lowered the full-year net revenue expectation and raised the adjusted EBITDA expectation; both ranges are listed under guidance. Source
  • Degreed enrollment rose year over year: Average Total Degreed Enrollment rose in the quarter and in the nine-month period compared with the prior year; the counts are listed under sector. Source
  • General and administrative costs rose: G&A was $97.8 million in the quarter, against $83.3 million. Management listed increased advertising expense among the causes of the lower net income. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin declined: Quarterly adjusted EBITDA margin was 28.7%, against 30.7%. The nine-month margin was 24.9%, against 24.8%. Source
  • Operating cash generation rose: Operating cash flow was $116.7 million for nine months, against $51.8 million, and management named it as the main reason cash and securities rose. Source

“The pace of change in the workforce continues to accelerate the need for continuous learning and career mobility”

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$1,020.0 million to $1,025.0 millionLowered from $1,025.0 million to $1,035.0 million
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFiscal year 2026$246.0 million to $250.0 millionRaised from $244.0 million to $249.0 million
Common stock dividend SourcePayment on August 14, 2026$0.21 per shareKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Full-year net revenue range was lowered from $1,025.0 million to $1,035.0 million to $1,020.0 million to $1,025.0 million. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year adjusted EBITDA range was raised from $244.0 million to $249.0 million to $246.0 million to $250.0 million. Source
  • Guidance kept: Quarterly dividend kept at $0.21 per share, the same amount as in the second quarter. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue flat year over year: Third quarter net revenue was $271.8 million, about the same as the prior-year quarter. Nine-month revenue rose to $756.3 million from $749.8 million. Source
  • Net income fell on share-based pay: Net income attributable to the company was $39.2 million, or $1.01 diluted EPS, against $1.42 a year earlier. Management cited IPO-related share-based compensation, higher advertising, and strategic and restructuring expense. Source
  • Nine-month earnings below prior year: Nine-month net income attributable was $65.4 million, or $1.69 diluted EPS, against $116.4 million, or $3.08. Nine-month adjusted EBITDA was $188.1 million, against $185.8 million. Source
  • Adjusted diluted EPS declined: Adjusted diluted EPS was $1.43 for the quarter, against $1.57, and $3.40 for nine months, against $3.49. Quarterly adjusted EBITDA was $78.1 million, against $83.4 million. Source
  • Full-year revenue expectation lowered: Management lowered the full-year net revenue expectation and raised the adjusted EBITDA expectation; both ranges are listed under guidance. Source

Enrollment and demand

  • Degreed enrollment rose year over year: Average Total Degreed Enrollment rose in the quarter and in the nine-month period compared with the prior year; the counts are listed under sector. Source
  • Enrollment rose from second quarter: Second-quarter enrollment was 82,600, and third-quarter average enrollment was higher sequentially.
  • Deferred revenue more than doubled: Deferred revenue reached $76.0 million at May 31, 2026, against $37.2 million at August 31, 2025. Source

“For nearly five decades, the University of Phoenix has helped working adults adapt, grow and succeed through periods of economic and technological transformation.”

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

Costs and expenses

  • General and administrative costs rose: G&A was $97.8 million in the quarter, against $83.3 million. Management listed increased advertising expense among the causes of the lower net income. Source
  • Instructional costs held flat: Instructional and support costs were $110.3 million, against $110.4 million, and $330.8 million for nine months, against $325.8 million. Source
  • Strategic and restructuring costs up: Strategic alternatives, restructuring and other expense was $11.9 million, against $6.8 million, and $31.7 million for nine months, against $17.9 million. Source

Margins and earnings quality

  • Adjusted EBITDA margin declined: Quarterly adjusted EBITDA margin was 28.7%, against 30.7%. The nine-month margin was 24.9%, against 24.8%. Source
  • Share-based pay drove GAAP gap: Non-cash share-based compensation was $8.5 million in the quarter, against $0.6 million, and $47.6 million for nine months, against $1.9 million. Source
  • Tax provision fell: Provision for income taxes was $14.5 million in the quarter, against $18.6 million, and $30.9 million for nine months, against $40.6 million. Source

“As the workforce continues to evolve, we remain committed to expanding opportunity and helping learners build the capabilities needed to thrive in the future of work.”

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

Balance sheet and cash flow

  • Operating cash generation rose: Operating cash flow was $116.7 million for nine months, against $51.8 million, and management named it as the main reason cash and securities rose. Source
  • Cash and securities total rose: Cash, restricted cash and marketable securities totaled $269.4 million at May 31, 2026, up from $194.8 million at August 31, 2025. Source
  • Undrawn revolver, no debt: The company had a $100.0 million senior secured revolver maturing November 13, 2030, with no outstanding debt and a letter of credit of about $28 million under it. Source
  • Receivables rose: Accounts receivable, net, was $96.5 million at May 31, 2026, against $59.0 million at August 31, 2025. Source
  • Capital spending slightly lower: Nine-month capital expenditures were $15.0 million, against $16.4 million a year earlier. Source

Capital returns to shareholders

  • Quarterly dividend held at $0.21: The company paid $0.21 per share in the quarter and declared the same amount for payment in August 2026. Source
  • Buybacks of $4.0 million in quarter: The company bought 0.1 million shares at an average $29.29 for $4.0 million under the $50 million program, leaving $46.0 million available at May 31, 2026. Source
  • Dividend cash payments in nine months: Cash paid for dividends and dividend equivalents was $17.4 million in the nine months, against no such payments in the prior-year period. Source
  • IPO proceeds went to sellers: The October 2025 IPO sold 4.9 million shares at $32.00, all offered by existing shareholders, so the company received no proceeds. Source

Strategic, restructuring and legal items

  • Strategic alternatives costs declined: Strategic alternatives expense was $0.9 million in the quarter, against $2.4 million, and $6.1 million for nine months, against $7.4 million. Source
  • Restructuring lease expense rose: Restructuring lease expense, net, was $4.0 million in the quarter, against $2.1 million, and $7.6 million for nine months, against $3.8 million. Source
  • Cybersecurity incident costs recorded: Cybersecurity incident expense was $0.3 million in the quarter and $5.1 million over nine months; the company refers readers to its Form 10-Q for details. Source
  • Litigation and regulatory charges rose: Litigation charges and regulatory expense were $5.0 million in the quarter, against $1.3 million, and $7.4 million for nine months. They also include a multi-year insurance policy for borrower defense claims. Source

Leadership and strategy statements

  • Company frames workforce change: The CEO said workforce change is accelerating the need for continuous learning and career mobility, and cited nearly five decades of serving working adults. Source
  • Innovation and employer links named: Management said the company is innovating for students, enhancing the learning experience and strengthening employer connections. Source
  • Parent of University of Phoenix: The company is the parent of The University of Phoenix, Inc., described as a pioneer in online education for working adults. Source

Coming up, as management said on 14 July 2026

  • Dividend payable August 14: The $0.21 dividend is to be paid August 14, 2026, to holders of record and certain award holders as of July 29, 2026. Source
  • Repurchases continue from time to time: Repurchases under the $50 million program may be made from time to time, subject to market conditions and other factors. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Average Total Degreed Enrollment, third quarter 2026 Source85,300
Average Total Degreed Enrollment, first nine months 2026 Source84,500

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Cybersecurity incident expense is excluded from adjusted results; it was $0.3 million in the quarter and $5.1 million over nine months. Source
  • Regulatory: Legal and regulatory charges were $5.0 million in the quarter and include a multi-year insurance policy for borrower defense claims. Source
  • Financial: Non-cash share-based compensation from the IPO reduced GAAP net income and is excluded from adjusted results; it was $8.5 million in the quarter. Source
  • Financial: Exited leased space carries non-cancelable lease obligations; restructuring lease expense was $4.0 million in the quarter. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: Management states that the campus closure was completed in early fiscal 2025, and that 19 floors of administrative buildings were exited in fiscal 2024. Source
  • Not stated: The board approved a regular dividend of $0.21 per share, payable August 14, 2026. 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.