Legacy Education - Q1 2025

Transcript

Operator (participant)

Good day, and welcome to Legacy Education Inc.'s first quarter fiscal 2025 earnings conference call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation. If anyone should require operator assistance, please press star zero on your telephone keypad. Today's call is being recorded and broadcast live. It is also archived on Legacy Education's website. To kick off the call, I would like to turn it over to Nicole Joseph, Senior Vice President for Legacy Education. Please begin.

Nicole Joseph (SVP)

Thank you, and hello everyone. Legacy Education issued a news release reporting its recent financial results and related corporate developments for the first quarter and three months ended September 30 of 2024. The release is available in the investor relations section of Legacy Education's corporate website at legacyed.com. With us today on the call are LeeAnn Rohmann, Chief Executive Officer, and Brandon Pope, Chief Financial Officer. On today's earnings call, statements made by Legacy's management regarding the company's business, which are not historical facts, may be forward-looking statements as identified in federal securities laws. The words may, will, expect, believe, anticipate, project, plan, intend, estimate, and continue, as well as similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance.

The company cautions you that these statements reflect current expectations about the company's future performance or events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks, and other influences, many of which are beyond the company's control, that may influence the accuracy of the statements and projection upon which the statements are based. Factors that may affect the company's results include, but are not limited to, the risk and uncertainties discussed in the risk factor section of the annual report on Form 10-K and the quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are based on the information available at the time those statements are made and management's good faith belief as of the time with respect to future events.

All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Legacy undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise after the date thereof. I will now hand the call over to LeeAnn Rohmann, CEO of Legacy Education. LeeAnn, to you.

LeeAnn Rohmann (CEO)

Thanks, Nicole, and good afternoon. First and foremost, I want to say thank you to all of our employees, investors, and supporters who made our IPO possible. The IPO has significantly enhanced our visibility, provided greater access to capital, and positioned us for sustained growth. We raised $11.5 million and issued 2.875 million shares, including the full exercise of the over-allotment option by the underwriters, further bolstering our financial position and setting the stage for expansion. We have long had a long-term vision and goal to be a publicly traded company, and we appreciate everyone that took part in this important milestone. I'd like to now welcome to Legacy Education's first quarter fiscal 2025 earnings call. I'm joined today by Brandon Pope, our Chief Financial Officer. We are thrilled to share the results of another strong quarter.

The first quarter of fiscal 2025 marked an exceptional start to the year for Legacy Education. Here are some of the highlights. Our revenue increased 35.1% year-over-year, reaching $14 million, driven by robust student enrollment and a shift towards higher margin programs. Our new student starts rose 23.3% year-over-year for a total of 773, the largest enrollment quarter of our history, demonstrating strong demand for our career-focused educational offerings. Net income for the quarter was $2.1 million, a 95% increase from $1.1 million in the prior year quarter. Diluted earnings per share rose to $0.21, up from $0.11. Our active student population year-over-year for this quarter grew by 25.4% to 2,539, a testament to the success of our programs, execution, and outreach efforts.

During the quarter, we received approvals for new programs, including Dental Assisting, Sterile Processing, Surgical Technology, Associate of Applied Science, and Pharmacy Technician. These programs will all be added at our Central Coast College campus. Technology advancements. We began transitioning our learning management system from Canvas to Blackboard Learn Ultra, which will enhance the students' learning experience, streamline the system's communication, and improve scalability. These results reflect the strength of our strategy and the unwavering dedication of our team. We remain committed to empowering students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in their careers while delivering value to our shareholders. Now let me take a moment to walk you through some of the key operational developments. Program expansion. We continue to expand our healthcare-focused programs, including nursing, medical assisting, and diagnostic medical sonography. These initiatives align with the market demand for skilled professionals and critical industries.

Technology investments, you know, we have invested in learning technologies that have enhanced both student outcomes and operational efficiencies. By integrating hybrid learning models, we're providing students with greater flexibility and accessibility. Our corporate partnerships, we've strengthened these relationships with some industry leaders, including healthcare providers, to create externships and job placement opportunities for our graduates. These partnerships are a cornerstone of our strategy to bridge education and employment. New campuses, our new campus initiatives as well. We are thrilled about including the acquisition of Contra Costa Medical Career College. Once that's closed, we are poised to expand student enrollment and revenue, further solidifying our presence in key markets. Now I'd like to turn the call over to Brandon Pope to discuss our financial performance in more detail. Brandon.

Brandon Pope (CFO)

Thank you, LeeAnn, and good afternoon, everyone. I'm pleased to report on the financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2025. As LeeAnn mentioned, our revenue achieved $14 million for the quarter, a $3.6 million increase compared to Q1 of fiscal 2024. This represents a 35% year-over-year growth driven by increased enrollment and favorable program mix. Turning to expenses, educational services expense rose to $7.2 million, reflecting investments in faculty, instructional resources, and externship fees. However, as the percentage of revenue, educational services declined from 55.3% to 51.4% due to operating efficiencies. General and administrative expenses increased to $4 million, driven by expanded marketing initiatives and professional services. However, as the percentage of revenue, general and administrative expenses also declined from 30.4% to 28.3%. Operating income increased to $2.7 million from $1.4 million, a 93% increase.

This represents an operating margin of 19.1% compared to 13.3% in the prior year. As LeeAnn mentioned, net income reached $2.1 million, up from $1.1 million in the prior year, with diluted earnings per share improving to $0.21 from $0.11. EBITDA for the quarter was $2.7 million, while adjusted EBITDA came in at $2.8 million compared to $1.4 million in the prior year. Our financial health remains very strong. We have cash in excess of $21 million and a working capital exceeding $23 million. Let me turn back to you, LeeAnn.

LeeAnn Rohmann (CEO)

Thank you, Brandon. Well, as you can see, we are on our way to achieving record revenue, starts, student population, and earnings. Our focus on operational excellence, program expansion, and strategic partnerships gives us confidence in achieving these goals. As I begin to close, I just want to reflect on the progress made for this first quarter. It's clear that we are well positioned to achieve our goals for fiscal 2025. This has been a historic quarter for Legacy Education, marked by strong performance, significant milestones, and a commitment to innovation and growth. We are on target to deliver exceptional value to our students and stakeholders. Thank you for your continued trust and support as we work to shape the future of career-focused education. Operator, we are now ready to take questions.

Operator (participant)

Thank you. We will now be conducting a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press Star 1 on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press Star 2 if you would like to remove your question from the queue, and for participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the Star keys. One moment while we pull for questions. Our first question is from Jeffrey Cohen with Ladenburg Thalmann. Please proceed.

Jeffrey Cohen (Managing Director and Director of Equity Research)

Oh, hello, LeeAnn and Brandon. Thanks for taking our questions, and congratulations again on the quarter and the IPO.

LeeAnn Rohmann (CEO)

Thank you, Jeff.

Jeffrey Cohen (Managing Director and Director of Equity Research)

Thank you so much. So when did Contra Costa close? I'm assuming none of that was included in Q1, and what percent would be included in Q2? What's the closing date?

Brandon Pope (CFO)

Yeah, the closing date is end of December, and it won't be very much in the quarter, but it's on schedule to close mid to late December.

Jeffrey Cohen (Managing Director and Director of Equity Research)

Got it. That's helpful. The new starts and total enrollment were exceeded our estimates. So could you talk about that a little bit and what programs may be driving that? And then couple that with a little bit of seasonality as, I guess, historically, Q2 and Q3 are seasonally low versus Q1 and Q4.

LeeAnn Rohmann (CEO)

Correct. And really what drove the starts was the new program offerings that we had gotten approved in 2023, specifically in our cardiac area, in our MRI, and then our RN program. Really, we realized the benefit of the RN program, and it's really those new programs and filling those classes is what led to the increased enrollments for Q1.

Brandon Pope (CFO)

Yeah, if I could also comment on, you're exactly right. The first quarter is one of our stronger quarters, while our second quarter, due to holidays, is generally one of our weaker quarters, but we're coming in very strong early.

Jeffrey Cohen (Managing Director and Director of Equity Research)

Okay. LeeAnn, what percent of RNs are achieving a BSN?

LeeAnn Rohmann (CEO)

I don't have that exact count in terms of the number that are moving into the BSN program, but we do have our first class that's poised to be able to move right from achieving their RN certificate to move into the BSN program. We currently have 40 students in that program.

Jeffrey Cohen (Managing Director and Director of Equity Research)

Okay, got it. You mentioned transitioning to Blackboard. Will that be transitioned on all of the campuses for all of the coursework or just some portion of it?

LeeAnn Rohmann (CEO)

All of the campuses, and we just completed the onboarding on October 31st and November 1st, and it will be for all five locations and all programs. The nursing still will bring the students in on a residential basis, but they will still be utilizing Blackboard as the mechanism for how they will be learning on ground.

Jeffrey Cohen (Managing Director and Director of Equity Research)

Okay, got it. And then lastly for us, I know you don't provide any specific guidance, but could you talk about big picture and talk about M&A a bit as far as what the landscape looks like out there and hopefully what you're able to achieve over the coming quarters?

LeeAnn Rohmann (CEO)

We definitely believe that just the sector switch and the change, there's a lot of opportunity that is before us, both inside our current California footprint and outside of that footprint. We have been in some initial and early discussions in both of those areas of within California and outside of California, so we believe that there's going to be significant opportunity for us to be able to capitalize off of that. I want to make sure that we really execute well on the current acquisition that we have upcoming and getting that, you know, just executed well as we continue to seek the additional opportunities that may be available to us.

Brandon Pope (CFO)

And if I could add, you're right. We don't provide guidance in the future, but we're coming out very, very strong, and we've shown that progression over the years, and you know, that's the trend that we're seeing.

Jeffrey Cohen (Managing Director and Director of Equity Research)

Perfect. Thanks for taking our questions. If those are for us, nice quarter.

LeeAnn Rohmann (CEO)

Thanks, Jeff.

Brandon Pope (CFO)

Thank you.

Operator (participant)

Our next question is from Mike Grondahl with Northland Securities. Please proceed.

Mike Grondahl (Head of Equities and Senior Research Analyst)

Hey, LeeAnn and Brandon. You know, first question, you know, it sounds like the outperformance was cardiac, MRI, and RN. Roughly how many students are in those three programs, and how much capacity is remaining?

LeeAnn Rohmann (CEO)

When I'm looking at roughly of our 2,500 students right now, we have a good. I would say that we're looking at roughly about 20% of those students fall into those categories. We're not concerned with regard to capacity because, again, with the way that we have the flexibility of the theory as being taught online, students are coming into the campuses only for their laboratory experiences. We have plenty of capacity to be able to support, you know, these programs and the needs that are out there to really meet the job markets and the demand there for these programs.

Mike Grondahl (Head of Equities and Senior Research Analyst)

Got it. And then, you know, I think prior you had 29 total programs. With the new ones you mentioned, are you up to about 33 now? Is that the right number? I think you said dental assistant, sterile processing, surg tech. Okay. And.

LeeAnn Rohmann (CEO)

We're up to 33 programs now.

Mike Grondahl (Head of Equities and Senior Research Analyst)

When do those four new ones you talked about at CCC, when will those go live?

LeeAnn Rohmann (CEO)

Am I allowed to say that? Because I can tell you that we just kicked off the surgical tech, so surgical tech, and you will be hearing more about it in the second quarter.

Mike Grondahl (Head of Equities and Senior Research Analyst)

Got it. Got it. And then just one clarification question. You said active students at 2,539. Is that the same as ending students?

Brandon Pope (CFO)

Yes, it's the same number. Yes.

Mike Grondahl (Head of Equities and Senior Research Analyst)

It's the same number. Okay.

Brandon Pope (CFO)

It's the ending active student population. Yes.

Mike Grondahl (Head of Equities and Senior Research Analyst)

With Contra Costa closing at the end of December, can you remind us, you know, maybe what the top two or three benefits are from that acquisition?

LeeAnn Rohmann (CEO)

Absolutely. Really, the top two or three benefits, the first one I would say to you is the school has 14 programs that they are approved for, all in Allied Health. Of those 14 programs, nine of them are cash short programs that we will be able to really fold into our other campus brands, and then the five programs that do participate in the federal funding, we will be able to, we've already taken surg tech and sterile processing, and we've added that to our Central Coast College campus. We plan to add those to the remaining four campuses. Those are high-need programs, and there are not a lot of competition in the areas to which we are currently serving.

Mike Grondahl (Head of Equities and Senior Research Analyst)

So surgical tech and sterile processing, which you just opened or are about to open at CCC, those are going to go to the other campuses also?

LeeAnn Rohmann (CEO)

That's the plan.

Mike Grondahl (Head of Equities and Senior Research Analyst)

Got it. Any challenges to call out in the quarter? I mean, it obviously was very strong, but I don't know, any headwinds you saw out there or any programs underperform?

LeeAnn Rohmann (CEO)

I don't think so, Mike. I mean, in terms of, you know, I mean, we are pleased that, you know, we have program offerings that are high in demand, and, you know, and we are really serving in markets to where, as people are looking for, you know, career opportunities for themselves, we have been poised to meet those needs in the communities, and we did not find any programs that underperformed.

Mike Grondahl (Head of Equities and Senior Research Analyst)

Got it. And maybe lastly, you know, you're closing Contra Costa soon, six weeks, give or take a little bit, and you mentioned you have a pipeline of other opportunities inside and outside California. Is there any integration time? I mean, do you have the staff and the people to do another acquisition right away after Contra Costa? Do you have to wait three to six months? Or I don't know, are you ready to go on another one real soon here? Trying to understand that a little bit.

LeeAnn Rohmann (CEO)

We're in a highly regulated business, so you definitely have to ensure that you are meeting the kind of the change in ownership requirements that come from both the regulatory, the state, and the accrediting agencies. So what I would tell you is this Contra Costa acquisition has, you know, I mean, this school has been around for 17 years. They have, you know, a seasoned, experienced group of individuals that, you know, as I'm actually doing this earnings call, I'm doing it from the conference room of this school. And, you know, just seeing the capacity and the opportunity to be able to tap into some of these people to support us in future acquisitions is really favorable and positive for us.

But I just want to make sure that, given what it takes to get approvals for something like this to happen, we have to see how with administration changes and, you know, who the new leadership in the Department of Education is going to be and so forth, that what that timing may look like. I believe with our current staff, we're poised to be able to support, you know, a short-term future acquisition, but we want to make sure that it would be good for both the business and, you know, really the future of the company to be able to support it.

Mike Grondahl (Head of Equities and Senior Research Analyst)

Got it. Got it. Well, hey, congrats on a really strong quarter.

LeeAnn Rohmann (CEO)

Thank you. Thank you so much. Appreciate that.

Brandon Pope (CFO)

Yeah, thank you.

Operator (participant)

Thank you. With no further questions at this time, this will conclude today's conference. Thank you for your participation and have a great day.