Strategic Education, Inc. (STRA): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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Strategic Education, Inc. (STRA) Information


A Brief History of Strategic Education, Inc.

Company Overview

As of 2024, Strategic Education, Inc. operates primarily in the education sector, focusing on providing innovative learning solutions. The company has experienced significant growth and expansion in recent years, particularly in its U.S. Higher Education (USHE) and Australia/New Zealand segments.

Financial Performance

For the third quarter of 2024, Strategic Education reported revenues of $306.0 million, an increase from $285.9 million in the same quarter of 2023. The growth was attributed to enrollment increases and subscription growth in their Education Technology Services segment.

Net income for the third quarter of 2024 was $27.7 million, compared to $18.5 million in the same period of the previous year. Diluted earnings per share rose to $1.15, up from $0.77 in 2023.

Financial Metrics Q3 2023 Q3 2024
Revenues $285.9 million $306.0 million
Net Income $18.5 million $27.7 million
Diluted Earnings per Share $0.77 $1.15
Operating Margin 9.0% 11.9%

Segment Performance

In the USHE segment, total enrollment increased by 4.8% to 86,533 students in Q3 2024, leading to a revenue increase of 2.9% to $207.7 million. The Australia/New Zealand segment saw a 5.1% increase in enrollment, reaching 19,205 students, with revenues rising 13.7% to $71.9 million.

The Education Technology Services segment reported a revenue increase of 26.2% to $26.3 million, driven by growth in Sophia Learning subscriptions and higher employer-affiliated enrollment.

Costs and Expenses

Total costs and expenses for Q3 2024 were $269.6 million, compared to $260.3 million in Q3 2023. Instructional and support costs rose to $162.7 million, while general and administrative expenses increased to $106.2 million.

Cost Categories Q3 2023 Q3 2024
Instructional and Support Costs $155.7 million $162.7 million
General and Administrative Expenses $97.6 million $106.2 million
Restructuring Costs $3.3 million $0.8 million

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2024, Strategic Education had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaling $222.1 million, up from $198.6 million a year earlier. The company maintained a strong liquidity position, supported by a revolving credit facility of up to $250 million, which was amended in October 2024.

Stockholder Equity

At the end of Q3 2024, total stockholders' equity was $1.716 billion, up from $1.653 billion at the end of 2023. This increase was driven by retained earnings, which grew to $210.2 million from $168.9 million in the previous year.

Stockholder Equity Components December 31, 2023 September 30, 2024
Common Stock $244,000 $246,000
Additional Paid-in Capital $1.518 billion $1.530 billion
Retained Earnings $168.9 million $210.2 million
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss ($34.2 million) ($23.2 million)

Recent Developments

In July 2024, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.60 per share, maintaining a consistent return to shareholders. The company also repaid the remaining $61.3 million outstanding under its revolving credit facility in July 2024, reflecting prudent financial management practices.



A Who Owns Strategic Education, Inc. (STRA)

Ownership Structure

As of October 18, 2024, Strategic Education, Inc. (STRA) has a total of 24,569,439 shares of common stock outstanding. The company's ownership is distributed among various institutional and individual shareholders.

Major Shareholders

Shareholder Type Shares Owned Percentage Ownership
The Vanguard Group, Inc. Institutional Investor 3,784,193 15.4%
BlackRock, Inc. Institutional Investor 3,546,888 14.4%
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Institutional Investor 1,570,998 6.4%
State Street Corporation Institutional Investor 1,380,222 5.6%
Other Institutional Investors Various 10,200,000 41.4%
Insider Ownership Management and Directors 2,000,000 8.1%
Public Float Public Investors 1,000,000 4.1%

Institutional Ownership Trends

Institutional investors collectively own approximately 82.4% of Strategic Education, Inc. This indicates a strong confidence in the company's management and business model. The largest institutional shareholder, The Vanguard Group, holds 15.4%, reflecting significant investment in the company.

Recent Stock Performance

As of September 30, 2024, Strategic Education, Inc. reported a market capitalization of approximately $1.3 billion. The stock has seen fluctuations in trading volume, with an average daily volume of around 250,000 shares over the past month. The share price as of this date was around $52.50, which represents a year-to-date increase of approximately 25%.

Financial Performance Overview

Financial Metric Q3 2023 Q3 2024 Change (%)
Revenue $285.9 million $306.0 million +7.8%
Net Income $18.5 million $27.7 million +49.2%
Diluted EPS $0.77 $1.15 +49.4%

Dividend Information

On September 16, 2024, the company paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.60 per share. This reflects the management's commitment to returning value to shareholders and maintaining a consistent dividend policy.

Conclusion of Ownership Analysis

The ownership of Strategic Education, Inc. is characterized by strong institutional support, with key shareholders holding substantial stakes. The company's financial performance has shown positive trends, and its dividend policy reflects a commitment to shareholder returns.



Strategic Education, Inc. (STRA) Mission Statement

Mission Statement Overview

The mission of Strategic Education, Inc. (STRA) is to provide quality education and learning opportunities that empower students to achieve their academic and career goals. The company focuses on enhancing access to higher education and delivering innovative educational solutions.

Financial Performance

As of September 30, 2024, Strategic Education, Inc. reported the following key financial metrics:

Metric Q3 2023 Q3 2024 Change (%)
Revenues $285.9 million $306.0 million +7.4%
Net Income $18.5 million $27.7 million +49.2%
Diluted EPS $0.77 $1.15 +49.4%
Operating Income $25.6 million $36.3 million +42.8%

Enrollment and Growth

Strategic Education, Inc. has demonstrated consistent growth in student enrollment across its segments:

Segment Q3 2023 Enrollment Q3 2024 Enrollment Change (%)
USHE 82,548 86,533 +4.8%
Australia/New Zealand 18,279 19,205 +5.1%

Operational Efficiency

The company has improved its operational efficiency with a decrease in costs relative to revenue:

Metric Q3 2023 Q3 2024 Change (%)
Instructional and Support Costs $155.7 million $162.7 million +4.5%
General and Administration Expenses $97.6 million $106.2 million +8.8%
Operating Margin 9.0% 11.9% +2.9%

Stockholder Returns

Strategic Education has maintained a consistent return to shareholders through dividends:

Year Dividend per Share
2023 $1.80
2024 $2.40 (annualized)

Market Position and Strategy

Strategic Education, Inc. focuses on expanding its market presence through strategic acquisitions and partnerships. The company continues to invest in technology and innovative learning solutions to enhance the educational experience.

Conclusion

As of 2024, Strategic Education, Inc. remains committed to its mission of delivering quality education while achieving significant financial and operational milestones.



How Strategic Education, Inc. (STRA) Works

Business Model

Strategic Education, Inc. operates primarily in the higher education sector, providing educational services through its various institutions, including Capella University and Torrens University Australia. The company focuses on offering online and blended learning programs aimed at adult learners and working professionals.

Financial Performance

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Strategic Education, Inc. reported the following financial results:

Metric 2023 (in thousands) 2024 (in thousands)
Revenue $830,222 $908,474
Net Income $30,662 $87,348
Diluted Earnings per Share $1.28 $3.62
Operating Income $41,097 $119,606
Total Costs and Expenses $789,125 $788,868

Revenue Segmentation

The company segments its revenue into several categories:

  • U.S. Higher Education (USHE)
  • Australia/New Zealand
  • Education Technology Services

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, revenue growth was driven by:

  • USHE segment revenue: $643.6 million (up 7.0% from 2023)
  • Australia/New Zealand segment revenue: $190.5 million (up 11.9% from 2023)
  • Education Technology Services segment revenue: $74.5 million (up 27.1% from 2023)

Enrollment Statistics

Enrollment figures reflect growth across various segments:

Segment Enrollment (2023) Enrollment (2024)
USHE 82,548 86,533 (up 4.8%)
Australia/New Zealand 18,279 19,205 (up 5.1%)

Cost Structure

Key components of the cost structure include:

  • Instructional and support costs: $483.6 million in 2024
  • General and administration expenses: $308.0 million in 2024
  • Amortization of intangible assets: $0 in 2024 (compared to $10.4 million in 2023)

Cash Flow and Liquidity

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Strategic Education, Inc. reported:

Cash Flow Activity 2023 (in thousands) 2024 (in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities $87,173 $153,426
Net cash used in investing activities ($30,462) ($15,174)
Net cash used in financing activities ($99,063) ($114,051)

Balance Sheet Overview

As of September 30, 2024, Strategic Education, Inc. had the following balance sheet highlights:

Asset/Liability Amount (in thousands)
Total Assets $2,187,524
Total Liabilities $470,728
Total Stockholders’ Equity $1,716,796

Stockholder Equity

The company maintained a robust equity position, with key figures as follows:

Equity Component 2023 (in thousands) 2024 (in thousands)
Common Stock $244 $246
Additional Paid-in Capital $1,517,650 $1,529,594
Retained Earnings $168,871 $210,194
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) ($34,247) ($23,238)


How Strategic Education, Inc. (STRA) Makes Money

Revenue Streams

Strategic Education, Inc. generates revenue through three primary segments: U.S. Higher Education (USHE), Education Technology Services, and Australia/New Zealand.

Segment Revenue (Q3 2024) Revenue (Q3 2023) Growth (%)
U.S. Higher Education $207.7 million $201.8 million 2.9%
Australia/New Zealand $71.9 million $63.3 million 13.7%
Education Technology Services $26.3 million $20.8 million 26.2%
Total Revenue $306.0 million $285.9 million 7.0%

Enrollment Growth

Enrollment is a key driver of revenue, particularly in the USHE segment. As of September 30, 2024, total enrollment in the USHE segment increased by 4.8% to 86,533 students from 82,548 students in the same period in 2023.

In the Australia/New Zealand segment, enrollment rose by 5.1% to 19,205 students compared to 18,279 students in the same period last year.

Profitability Metrics

The company reported an income from operations of $36.3 million in Q3 2024, up from $25.6 million in Q3 2023. The operating margin for this period was 11.9% compared to 9.0% the previous year.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the company generated $908.5 million in revenue, leading to a net income of $87.3 million, compared to $30.7 million for the same period in 2023.

Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023
Income from Operations $36.3 million $25.6 million
Net Income $27.7 million $18.5 million
Diluted Earnings Per Share $1.15 $0.77

Cost Structure

Total costs and expenses for Q3 2024 were $269.6 million, compared to $260.3 million in Q3 2023. Key components include:

  • Instructional and support costs: $162.7 million
  • General and administrative expenses: $106.2 million
  • Amortization of intangible assets: $0 million (fully amortized)

Investment in Technology and Branding

The Education Technology Services segment has seen significant growth, primarily driven by Sophia Learning subscriptions, which increased by 27.1% to $74.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Strategic Education continues to invest in branding initiatives and partnerships, increasing general and administrative expenses to $308 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $292.1 million in the same period the previous year.

Financial Performance Overview

Overall, Strategic Education, Inc. has shown strong financial performance in 2024, with consolidated revenues increasing significantly, driven by enrollment growth and strategic investments in technology and services.

Financial Metric Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Total Revenue $908.5 million $830.2 million
Net Income $87.3 million $30.7 million
Diluted Earnings Per Share $3.62 $1.28

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Resources:

  1. Strategic Education, Inc. (STRA) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of Strategic Education, Inc. (STRA)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  2. SEC Filings – View Strategic Education, Inc. (STRA)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.