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Phoenix Education Partners, Inc.: Q4 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 3 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 2 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Fourth quarter revenue up year over year: Net revenue was $260.7 million, compared with $257.4 million a year earlier. Net income attributable to the company was $23.5 million, or $0.60 diluted EPS, against $17.5 million, or $0.46. Source
  • Fiscal net income declined year over year: Net income attributable to the company was $88.9 million, or $2.29 diluted EPS, against $133.9 million, or $3.51 a year earlier. Management attributed the decline mainly to share-based compensation from the IPO, with advertising expense also cited. Source
  • Fiscal revenue below earlier guidance range: Fiscal 2026 net revenue was $1,017.0 million, against $1,007.2 million. The result compares with the $1,020.0 million to $1,025.0 million range given in the third quarter release. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up, adjusted EPS down: Fiscal adjusted EBITDA was $249.0 million, a 24.5% margin. Fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA was $61.5 million, a 23.6% margin, and adjusted diluted EPS was $1.07 against $1.03. These are non-GAAP measures. Source
  • Retention and student experience focus: Management pointed to student retention and continued investment in the student experience as part of its focus on working adults. Source
  • Fuel50 results consolidated from closing: Fuel50 results are included from the acquisition date. They are not expected to be material to consolidated results in the near term. Source
  • Lower credit provision aided quarter: Fourth quarter net income benefited from a lower provision for credit losses and lower strategic alternatives, restructuring and other expense. The fiscal 2026 provision was $30.6 million, against $47.7 million. Source
  • Cash and securities totaled $331.7 million: Cash, restricted cash and marketable securities were $331.7 million at August 31, 2026, up from $194.8 million a year earlier. Source

“As workforce needs evolve, the value of higher education increasingly lies in the knowledge and skills students develop and can apply in a changing workplace,”

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

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net revenue SourceFiscal year 2027$970.0 million to $1,000.0 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) SourceFiscal year 2027$225.0 million to $240.0 millionNew
Quarterly common stock dividend SourcePayable November 27, 2026$0.23 per shareRaised from $0.21 per share

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Fiscal 2027 net revenue and adjusted EBITDA ranges were given for the first time in this release. Source
  • Guidance raised: Quarterly common stock dividend increased to $0.23 per share from $0.21 per share. Source
  • New: Fuel50, an AI-powered workforce intelligence platform, was acquired on September 30, 2026, after the third quarter release. Source

Fourth quarter and fiscal 2026 results

  • Fourth quarter revenue up year over year: Net revenue was $260.7 million, compared with $257.4 million a year earlier. Net income attributable to the company was $23.5 million, or $0.60 diluted EPS, against $17.5 million, or $0.46. Source
  • Fiscal net income declined year over year: Net income attributable to the company was $88.9 million, or $2.29 diluted EPS, against $133.9 million, or $3.51 a year earlier. Management attributed the decline mainly to share-based compensation from the IPO, with advertising expense also cited. Source
  • Fiscal revenue below earlier guidance range: Fiscal 2026 net revenue was $1,017.0 million, against $1,007.2 million. The result compares with the $1,020.0 million to $1,025.0 million range given in the third quarter release. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up, adjusted EPS down: Fiscal adjusted EBITDA was $249.0 million, a 24.5% margin. Fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA was $61.5 million, a 23.6% margin, and adjusted diluted EPS was $1.07 against $1.03. These are non-GAAP measures. Source

Enrollment and student retention

  • How enrollment is measured: Average Total Degreed Enrollment is a monthly average of confirmed students in credit-bearing courses who post attendance in a calendar month. Figures are listed under sector. Source
  • Retention and student experience focus: Management pointed to student retention and continued investment in the student experience as part of its focus on working adults. Source
  • Offerings aligned with in-demand fields: Management said it is expanding offerings aligned with in-demand fields and strengthening its relationships with employers. Source

“We’re focused on providing that value through programs that deliver career-relevant skills”

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

Fuel50 acquisition and employer strategy

  • Fuel50 results consolidated from closing: Fuel50 results are included from the acquisition date. They are not expected to be material to consolidated results in the near term. Source
  • Deal deepens employer relationships: Management described the deal as advancing its strategy to deepen employer relationships and expand its role as a strategic workforce partner. Source
  • Insights may inform educational offerings: Management said Fuel50 capabilities may over time provide insights that inform changes to educational offerings, linking workforce needs, education and career mobility. Source

Costs and credit provisions

  • General and administrative costs rose: General and administrative expense was $408.6 million for fiscal 2026, against $352.6 million. Share-based compensation was $57.2 million, against $2.6 million. Source
  • Lower credit provision aided quarter: Fourth quarter net income benefited from a lower provision for credit losses and lower strategic alternatives, restructuring and other expense. The fiscal 2026 provision was $30.6 million, against $47.7 million. Source
  • Strategic and restructuring expense declined: Strategic alternatives, restructuring and other expense was $14.0 million in the fourth quarter, against $28.5 million. Fiscal 2026 expense was $45.7 million, against $46.4 million. Source
  • Lease costs on exited space: Restructuring lease expense, net, was $2.2 million in the fourth quarter and $9.9 million for fiscal 2026, covering leased space the company has exited. Source

Cash, capital and shareholder returns

  • Cash and securities totaled $331.7 million: Cash, restricted cash and marketable securities were $331.7 million at August 31, 2026, up from $194.8 million a year earlier. Source
  • Operating cash flow reached $196.3 million: Operating cash flow for fiscal 2026 was $196.3 million, against $87.4 million in fiscal 2025. Source
  • Dividend payments totaled $25.6 million: Dividend payments in fiscal 2026 were $25.6 million, with the dividend rate set out under guidance. Source
  • Capex and payroll tax on awards: Capital expenditures were $20.5 million in fiscal 2026. Payroll taxes paid on share-based awards were $9.1 million. Source
  • Share repurchases under $50 million program: The company repurchased 0.2 million shares in fiscal 2026. Of the $50.0 million program, $42.9 million remained available as of August 31, 2026. Source
  • Revolver undrawn at fiscal year-end: The $100.0 million revolving credit facility, maturing November 2030, had no outstanding debt at August 31, 2026. A $28.4 million letter of credit was outstanding under it. Source

IPO and share count

  • IPO proceeds went to selling shareholders: The October 2025 IPO sold 4.9 million shares at $32.00. The shares were offered by existing shareholders, so the company received no proceeds. Source
  • Diluted share count rose: Diluted weighted average shares were 39.1 million in the fourth quarter, against 38.2 million, and 38.9 million for fiscal 2026, against 38.1 million. Source
  • Earnings per share restated for conversions: Earnings per share for all periods were retrospectively presented to reflect equity conversions from the IPO. The company converted to a Delaware corporation on October 7, 2025. Source

Coming up, as management said on 3 November 2026

  • Dividend payment and record dates: The dividend is payable on November 27, 2026, to holders of record as of November 13, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Average Total Degreed Enrollment, fourth quarter Source81,500
Average Total Degreed Enrollment, fiscal year Source83,700

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Expense tied to the cybersecurity incident detected in November 2025 was $7.1 million in the fourth quarter and $12.2 million for fiscal 2026. It includes an estimated class action loss contingency. Source
  • Regulatory: Litigation charges and regulatory expense were $1.3 million in the fourth quarter and $8.7 million for fiscal 2026. They include a multi-year insurance policy for borrower defense claims. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: The company paid a regular quarterly dividend from the second quarter of fiscal 2026, continuing through the rest of the year. Source
  • Not stated: The Board adopted a share repurchase program of up to $50.0 million in the third quarter. Repurchases were made under it during fiscal 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.