Perdoceo Education (NASDAQ:PRDO) Announces Earnings Results

Key Points

• Perdoceo Education beat Q1 2026 expectations, reporting adjusted EPS of $0.90 versus $0.84 expected and revenue of $221.7 million versus $218.4 million, with revenue up 4.1% year over year.
• The company raised its 2026 outlook, now guiding for adjusted EPS of $3.05 to $3.16 and adjusted operating income of $254 million to $263 million, while expecting revenue growth in each remaining quarter.
• Perdoceo also highlighted solid cash returns to shareholders, including about $680 million in cash, remaining share repurchase authorization of roughly $91.9 million, and a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share.

Perdoceo Education (NASDAQ:PRDO - Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $0.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.84 by $0.06, FiscalAI reports. Perdoceo Education had a net margin of 19.91% and a return on equity of 18.58%. The business had revenue of $221.74 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $218.40 million. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.70 earnings per share. The business's quarterly revenue was up 4.1% on a year-over-year basis. Perdoceo Education updated its FY 2026 guidance to 3.050-3.160 EPS and its Q2 2026 guidance to 0.790-0.800 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from Perdoceo Education's conference call:

• Perdoceo reported stronger-than-expected Q1 results with net income of $54 million, GAAP EPS of $0.85 (up 30.8%) and adjusted EPS of $0.90, while revenue rose 4.1% to $221.7 million.
• The company raised its 2026 outlook, forecasting adjusted operating income of $254–$263 million and adjusted EPS of $3.05–$3.16, and expects revenue to increase in each remaining quarter versus 2025.
• Enrollment trends are mixed — total enrollments were up 1.1% year-over-year with CTU up 1.9% (10th consecutive quarter of growth) but AIU System declined 2.2%, and CTU faces comparability headwinds from lapping strong prior quarters and a record number of graduates in 2026.
• Strong liquidity and shareholder returns remain priorities, with approximately $680 million in cash and equivalents, ~$91.9 million of share repurchase authorization remaining, and a declared quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share.

Perdoceo Education Price Performance

PRDO traded up $1.60 on Friday, hitting $36.04. 708,193 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 542,444. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $35.23 and a 200-day moving average price of $32.49. The stock has a market cap of $2.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.81, a P/E/G ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a current ratio of 5.06, a quick ratio of 5.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. Perdoceo Education has a fifty-two week low of $26.66 and a fifty-two week high of $38.50.

Perdoceo Education Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 12th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 1st. Perdoceo Education's payout ratio is 22.99%.

Perdoceo Education News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Perdoceo Education this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Perdoceo beat analyst estimates for Q1 2026, posting EPS of $0.90 versus the $0.84 consensus and revenue of $221.7 million versus $218.4 million expected, which supports the stock move higher.
• Positive Sentiment: Underlying profitability improved, with revenue up 4.1% year over year and net income, operating profit, and cash from operations all rising, signaling healthy business momentum. Perdoceo Education Corporation Announces First Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: The company’s Q2 2026 EPS guidance of $0.79-$0.80 came in above the $0.76 consensus, and FY 2026 guidance of $3.05-$3.16 was at or slightly above expectations, reinforcing a constructive outlook.
• Positive Sentiment: Perdoceo also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share, highlighting continued cash generation and returning capital to shareholders.
• Neutral Sentiment: Some reports noted the stock moved lower immediately after earnings despite the beat, likely reflecting short-term volatility or mixed reaction to the results. PRDO Q1 2026 Earnings Call Prepared Remarks Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: One market note pointed to heavy insider selling over the past six months and some institutional investors trimming positions, which could temper enthusiasm even after the earnings beat.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have commented on the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "buy (b)" rating on shares of Perdoceo Education in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. Barrington Research set a $44.00 price objective on shares of Perdoceo Education in a report on Friday. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded shares of Perdoceo Education from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Perdoceo Education currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $44.00.

Insider Buying and Selling at Perdoceo Education

In related news, CFO Ashish R. Ghia sold 11,089 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.00, for a total value of $410,293.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 144,602 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,350,274. This trade represents a 7.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, SVP Greg E. Jansen sold 30,158 shares of Perdoceo Education stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $38.00, for a total value of $1,146,004.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 82,970 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,152,860. The trade was a 26.66% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold a total of 206,476 shares of company stock worth $7,273,879 in the last 90 days. 1.46% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of Perdoceo Education

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Perdoceo Education during the 4th quarter valued at about $69,000. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Perdoceo Education in the fourth quarter valued at about $99,000. Kestra Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in Perdoceo Education during the fourth quarter worth about $139,000. Creative Planning purchased a new position in Perdoceo Education during the third quarter worth about $218,000. Finally, CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. purchased a new position in Perdoceo Education during the third quarter worth about $247,000. 93.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Perdoceo Education Company Profile

Perdoceo Education Corporation NASDAQ: PRDO is a for-profit postsecondary education provider offering certificate, associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs. The company operates primarily through two brand platforms—Colorado Technical University and American InterContinental University—delivering career-focused education both on campus and online. These programs span fields such as business, information technology, healthcare and criminal justice, targeting working adults seeking to advance or pivot their careers.

With headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois, Perdoceo serves students across the United States and internationally through its online offerings.

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