MIAMI, May 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Laureate Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:LAUR), which operates five higher education institutions across Mexico and Peru, today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2024. First Quarter 2024 Highlights (compared to first quarter 2023): New enrollments increased 1%. Total enrollments increased 5%. On a reported basis, revenue increased 10% to $275.4 million. On an organic constant currency basis1, revenue increased 1% and was unfavorably affected by intra-year timing of semester start dates for certain programs as compared to the prior-year period. Operating income for the first quarter of 2024 was $11.1 million, compared to operating income of $15.6 million for the first quarter of 2023. Net loss for the first quarter of 2024 was $(10.8) million, compared to net loss of $(26.8) million for the first quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2024 was $30.6 million, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $33.5 million for the first quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2024 was unfavorably affected by intra-year timing of semester start dates for certain programs as compared to the prior-year period. Eilif Serck-Hanssen, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Last month we celebrated our 25th anniversary and reflected on the positive impact we have had on millions of lives, including through expanding access to higher education in Mexico and Peru. I extend my sincere gratitude to all faculty and staff, past and present, who have played a significant role in our success." Mr. Serck-Hanssen added, "During the first quarter of 2024, we completed our main intake cycle in Peru and our secondary intake cycle in Mexico, which resulted in solid performance as our customers continued to recognize the strength of our brands and the quality of our academic offerings. We are on track to deliver on our commitments for the year and look forward to making a positive impact across our communities and generating value for all our stakeholders for many years to come." First Quarter 2024 Results New enrollments for the first quarter of 2024 increased 1%, compared to new enrollment activity for the first quarter of 2023, and total enrollments were up 5% compared to the prior-year period. New enrollments in Peru decreased 3% as compared to the first quarter of prior year (down 2% for the intake cycle). Total enrollments in Peru increased 1% compared to the prior-year period. New and total enrollments in Mexico were up 7% and 9%, respectively, compared to the prior-year period. For the first quarter of 2024, revenue on a reported basis was $275.4 million, an increase of $24.1 million, or 10%, compared to the first quarter of 2023. On an organic constant currency basis, revenue increased 1% and was unfavorably affected by intra-year timing of semester start dates for certain programs as compared to the prior-year period. Operating income for the first quarter of 2024 was $11.1 million, compared to $15.6 million for the first quarter of 2023, a decrease of $4.5 million. The decrease in operating income versus the 2023 period resulted mainly from unfavorable academic calendar timing. Net loss for the first quarter of 2024 was $(10.8) million, compared to net loss of $(26.8) million for the first quarter of 2023. Basic and diluted loss per share for the first quarter of 2024 were $(0.07). 1 Organic constant currency results exclude the period-over-period impact from currency fluctuations, acquisitions and divestitures. Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2024 was $30.6 million, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $33.5 million for the first quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA in the first quarter of 2024 was unfavorably affected by intra-year timing of semester start dates for certain programs as compared to the prior-year period. Balance Sheet and Capital Structure Laureate has a strong balance sheet position. As of March 31, 2024, Laureate had $126.2 million of cash and cash equivalents and gross debt of $228.2 million. Accordingly, net debt was $102.0 million as of March 31, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, Laureate had 155.2 million total shares outstanding. Outlook for Fiscal 2024 Laureate is updating its full-year 2024 guidance to reflect an improved outlook, related to more favorable currency rates. Based on the current foreign exchange spot rates2, Laureate currently expects its full-year 2024 results to be as follows: Total enrollments are still expected to be in the range of 467,000 to 473,000 students, reflecting growth of 4%-5% versus 2023; Revenues are now expected to be in the range of $1,566 million to $1,581 million, reflecting growth of 6%-7% on an as-reported basis and 5%-6% on an organic constant currency basis versus 2023; and Adjusted EBITDA is now expected to be in the range of $446 million to $456 million, reflecting growth of 6%-9% on an as-reported basis and 6%-9% on an organic constant currency basis versus 2023. Reconciliations of forward-looking non-GAAP measures, specifically the 2024 Adjusted EBITDA outlook, to the relevant forward-looking GAAP measures are not being provided, as Laureate does not currently have sufficient data to accurately estimate the variables and individual adjustments for such outlooks and reconciliations. Due to this uncertainty, the Company cannot reconcile projected Adjusted EBITDA to projected net income without unreasonable effort. Please see the "Forward-Looking Statements" section in this release for a discussion of certain risks related to this outlook. Conference Call Laureate will host an earnings conference call today at 8:30 am ET. Interested parties are invited to listen to the earnings call by registering at https://bit.ly/LAURQ12024 to receive dial-in information. The webcast of the conference call, including replays, and a copy of this press release and the related slides will be made available through the Investor Relations section of Laureate's website at www.laureate.net. 2 Based on actual FX rates for January-April 2024, and current spot FX rates (local currency per U.S. Dollar) of MXN 17.25 and PEN 3.75 for May 2024 - December 2024. FX impact may change based on fluctuations in currency rates in future periods. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes statements that express Laureate's opinions, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or projections regarding future events or future results and therefore are, or may be deemed to be, ‘‘forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which involve risks and uncertainties. Laureate's actual results may vary significantly from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as ‘‘believes,'' ‘‘expects,'' ‘‘may,'' ‘‘will,'' ‘‘should,'' ‘‘seeks,'' ‘‘approximately,'' ‘‘intends,'' ‘‘plans,'' ‘‘estimates'' or ‘‘anticipates'' or similar expressions that concern our strategy, plans or intentions. In particular, statements regarding the amount, timing, process, tax treatment and impact of any future dividends represent forward-looking statements. All statements we make relating to guidance (including, but not limited to, total enrollments, revenues, and Adjusted EBITDA), and all statements we make relating to our current growth strategy and other future plans, strategies or transactions that may be identified, explored or implemented and any litigation or dispute resulting from any completed transaction are forward-looking statements. In addition, we, through our senior management, from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning our expected future operations and performance and other developments. All of these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may change at any time, including with respect to our current growth strategy and the impact of any completed divestiture or separation transaction on our remaining businesses. Accordingly, our actual results may differ materially from those we expected. We derive most of our forward-looking statements from our operating budgets and forecasts, which are based upon many detailed assumptions. While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, we caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and, of course, it is impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 22, 2024, our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed, and to be filed, with the SEC and other filings made with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the time of this release and we do not undertake to publicly update or revise them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Presentation of Non-GAAP Measures In addition to the results provided in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) throughout this press release, Laureate provides the non-GAAP measurements of Adjusted EBITDA, and total debt, net of cash and cash equivalents (or net debt). We have included these non-GAAP measurements because they are key measures used by our management and board of directors to understand and evaluate our core operating performance and trends, to prepare and approve our annual budget and to develop short- and long-term operational plans. Adjusted EBITDA consists of net income (loss), adjusted for the items included in the accompanying reconciliation. The exclusion of certain expenses in calculating Adjusted EBITDA can provide a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our core business. Additionally, Adjusted EBITDA is a key input into the formula used by the compensation committee of our board of directors and our Chief Executive Officer in connection with the payment of incentive compensation to our executive officers and other members of our management team. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and board of directors. Total debt, net of cash and cash equivalents (or net debt) consists of total gross debt, less total cash and cash equivalents. Net debt provides a useful indicator about Laureate's leverage and liquidity. Laureate's calculations of Adjusted EBITDA, and total debt, net of cash and cash equivalents (or net debt) are not necessarily comparable to calculations performed by other companies and reported as similarly titled measures. These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. Adjusted EBITDA is reconciled from the GAAP measure in the attached table "Non-GAAP Reconciliation." We evaluate our results of operations on both an as reported and an organic constant currency basis. The organic constant currency presentation, which is a non-GAAP measure, excludes the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, acquisitions and divestitures. We believe that providing organic constant currency information provides valuable supplemental information regarding our results of operations, consistent with how we evaluate our performance. We calculate organic constant currency amounts using the change from prior-period average foreign exchange rates to current-period average foreign exchange rates, as applied to local-currency operating results for the current period, and then exclude the impact of acquisitions and divestitures as per the accompanying presentation. About Laureate Education, Inc. Laureate Education, Inc. operates five higher education institutions across Mexico and Peru, enrolling approximately 450,000 students in high-quality undergraduate, graduate, and specialized degree programs through campus-based and online learning. Our universities have a deep commitment to academic quality and innovation, strive for market-leading employability outcomes, and work to make higher education more accessible. At Laureate, we know that when our students succeed, countries prosper, and societies benefit. Learn more at laureate.net. Key Metrics and Financial Tables(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts, and may not sum due to rounding) New and Total Enrollments by segment   New Enrollments   Total Enrollments   YTD 1Q 2024   YTD 1Q 2023   Change   As of 03/31/2024   As of 03/31/2023   Change Mexico 41,100   38,400   7 %   233,700   213,900   9 % Peru 54,500   56,400   (3 )%   225,700   224,000   1 % Laureate 95,600   94,800   1 %   459,400   437,900   5 % Consolidated Statements of Operations   For the three months ended March 31, IN MILLIONS (except per share amounts)   2024       2023     Change Revenues $ 275.4     $ 251.3     $ 24.1   Costs and expenses:           Direct costs   254.0       225.3       28.7   General and administrative expenses   10.3       10.3       —   Operating income   11.1       15.6       (4.5 ) Interest income   1.9       2.2       (0.3 ) Interest expense   (4.7 )     (6.0 )     1.3   Other (expense) income, net   (0.5 )     0.3       (0.8 ) Foreign currency exchange loss, net   (5.6 )     (29.0 )     23.4   (Loss) gain on disposal of subsidiaries, net   (3.1 )     0.3       (3.4 ) Loss from continuing operations before income taxes   (0.9 )     (16.6 )     15.7   Income tax expense   (9.9 )     (10.2 )     0.3   Loss from continuing operations   (10.8 )     (26.7 )     15.9   Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax   (0.1 )     —       (0.1 ) Net loss   (10.8 )     (26.8 )     16.0   Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests   0.1       0.2       (0.1 ) Net loss attributable to Laureate Education, Inc. $ (10.8 )   $ (26.6 )   $ 15.8   Basic and diluted loss per share:           Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding   157.0       157.2       (0.2 ) Basic and diluted loss per share $ (0.07 )   $ (0.17 )   $ 0.10   Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA by segment$ IN MILLIONS           % Change   $ Variance Components For the three months ended March 31,   2024       2023