Laureate Education, Inc.
- Open
- 36.56
- Day high
- 38.15
- Day low
- 36.56
- Prev close
- 36.32
- Volume
- 320K
- Mkt cap
- $5.3B
- P/E (TTM)
- 20.2
- EPS (TTM)
- $1.88
- P/B
- 5.1
- P/S
- 3.1
- Yield
- —
- Per share
- —
Laureate Education, Inc. (LAUR) is a Consumer Defensive company listed on NASDAQ. The stock is up 56% over the past year.
Laureate Education, Inc. (LAUR) financials & analyst ratings
Fundamentals (TTM)
Analyst consensus · 2 analysts
Source: exchange market data + company filings. Figures are trailing-twelve-month or as most recently reported. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
LAUR earnings date, history & EPS estimates
| Report date | EPS est | EPS actual | Surprise | Revenue | Rev. surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 30, 2026 | $-0.22 | $-0.17 | +21.3% | $273M | +2.8% |
| Feb 19, 2026 | $0.76 | $0.76 | +0.0% | $541M | +100.4% |
| Oct 30, 2025 | $0.79 | $0.25 | -68.4% | $400M | -24.3% |
| Jul 31, 2025 | $0.23 | $0.79 | +243.5% | $524M | +38.9% |
| May 1, 2025 | $-0.33 | $-0.11 | +66.7% | $236M | -51.8% |
| Feb 20, 2025 | $0.42 | $0.62 | +47.6% | $423M | +58.5% |
| Oct 31, 2024 | $0.16 | $0.56 | +250.0% | $369M | -10.4% |
| Aug 1, 2024 | $0.63 | $0.83 | +31.7% | $499M | +3.2% |
| May 2, 2024 | $0.05 | $-0.07 | -240.0% | $275M | +2.4% |
| Feb 22, 2024 | $0.35 | $0.26 | -25.7% | $409M | +5.5% |
| Nov 2, 2023 | $0.19 | $0.23 | +21.1% | $362M | +0.4% |
| Aug 3, 2023 | $0.52 | $0.35 | -32.7% | $462M | +5.8% |
LAUR insider trading activity (SEC Form 4)
| Date | Insider | Type | Shares | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 26, 2026 | de Macedo Aristidesdirector | Grant | 5,308 | — |
| May 26, 2026 | Coulter Julian Georgedirector | Grant | 3,252 | — |
| May 26, 2026 | Mair Barbaradirector | Grant | 5,308 | — |
| May 26, 2026 | DAVIS WILLIAM Jdirector | Grant | 5,308 | — |
| May 26, 2026 | del Corro Pedrodirector | Grant | 5,308 | — |
| May 26, 2026 | Snow Ian Kendelldirector | Grant | 5,308 | — |
| May 26, 2026 | MUNOZ GEORGEdirector | Grant | 5,308 | — |
| May 26, 2026 | RODIN JUDITHdirector | Grant | 361 | $32.97 |
| May 26, 2026 | Cohen Andrew Bdirector | Grant | 7,849 | — |
| Apr 2, 2026 | RODIN JUDITHdirector | Grant | 609 | $34.84 |
| Apr 2, 2026 | MUNOZ GEORGEdirector | Grant | 609 | $34.84 |
| Mar 17, 2026 | Brush Leslie Sofficer: SVP, CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER | Tax | 2,695 | $34.26 |
| Mar 17, 2026 | Serck-Hanssen Eilifdirector, officer: PRESIDENT & CEO | Tax | 44,478 | $34.26 |
| Mar 17, 2026 | Cardoso Marceloofficer: EVP & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | Sell | 7,300 | $33.91 |
| Mar 17, 2026 | Knauer Gerard M.officer: VP, ACCTG, GLOBAL CONTROLLER | Tax | 1,124 | $34.26 |
Source: LAUR SEC Form 4 filings, latest May 26, 2026. For informational purposes only — not investment advice.
See the full LAUR insider & 13F page →Laureate Education, Inc. company profile
Overview
Laureate Education, Inc. (NASDAQ:LAUR) is a leading provider of higher education services operating primarily in Mexico and Peru. Founded in 1989 as Sylvan Learning Systems, the company transformed into a global education provider before rebranding as Laureate Education in 2004. After going public in 2017, Laureate has strategically focused its operations on its most profitable markets, divesting assets in other regions to concentrate on its core Latin American operations. Today, the company operates a network of universities and higher education institutions serving approximately 470,000 students across its two primary markets.
Business
Laureate Education operates in the private higher education sector, providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs through a network of universities in Mexico and Peru. The company's educational offerings span three main academic areas: business and management, medicine and health sciences, and engineering and information technology. These programs are delivered through multiple modalities including traditional campus-based instruction, fully online courses, and hybrid programs that combine both approaches. The higher education industry in Latin America serves students seeking professional qualifications and career advancement opportunities. Private universities like Laureate's institutions typically offer more flexibility, smaller class sizes, and specialized programs compared to public alternatives, though at higher tuition costs. The company's value proposition centers on providing quality education that enhances graduates' earning potential - a critical factor in emerging markets where higher education credentials can significantly impact career prospects. Laureate's business operates through two primary geographic segments: Mexico Operations (approximately 60-65% of revenue): The company operates several university brands including UVM (Universidad del Valle de México), which has achieved recognition as the #2 private university in Mexico. This segment has shown strong growth, with revenue increasing 10-13% annually and robust enrollment growth driven by Mexico's favorable economic conditions, including nearshoring trends and low unemployment. Peru Operations (approximately 35-40% of revenue): Laureate operates UPC (Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas) and UPN (Universidad Privada del Norte), with UPC ranking as the #1 education brand in Peru. This segment has experienced more modest growth due to Peru's economic challenges, though the company expects recovery as the country's GDP growth stabilizes around 3%. The company has increasingly emphasized digital education, with fully online courses growing at double-digit rates and representing about 20% of the student population (approximately 100,000 students). These digital programs target working adults seeking career advancement and grow 3-4 times faster than traditional face-to-face programs.
Revenue model
Laureate Education generates revenue primarily through tuition and fees paid by students enrolled in its degree programs. The company operates on a semester-based academic calendar, with students typically paying tuition at the beginning of each academic period. Revenue recognition follows the academic calendar, with seasonal variations as new student cohorts begin their studies. The company's customers are individual students, though many receive financial support from families or employers. The student base includes both traditional college-age students and working adults seeking career advancement. Laureate's programs command premium pricing compared to public alternatives due to their focus on career-relevant skills, smaller class sizes, and flexible scheduling options. Several factors influence Laureate's profitability and margins. Positive margin drivers include economies of scale as enrollment grows, the expansion of higher-margin digital programs, and pricing power in specialized fields like medicine and engineering. The company has achieved significant margin expansion, reaching historic highs of 28.7% adjusted EBITDA margin in 2024. Negative margin pressures come from inflation affecting operational costs, competitive pricing constraints, and the need for continuous investment in technology infrastructure and faculty. Macroeconomic conditions significantly impact the business. Economic growth in Mexico and Peru affects families' ability to afford private education, while employment conditions influence demand for career-focused programs. Currency fluctuations also affect reported results, as the company operates in local currencies but reports in US dollars. Political stability and government policies toward private education represent additional external factors that could influence operations and regulatory requirements. The company's capital allocation strategy involves returning approximately 50% of available free cash flow to shareholders through stock buybacks and dividends, while reinvesting the remainder to support 5-6% annual growth through campus expansions and digital program development.
Competitive moat
Laureate Education possesses a moderate competitive moat built primarily on brand recognition, regulatory barriers, and local market expertise in Mexico and Peru. The company's universities have achieved strong brand positioning, with UVM ranked as the #2 private university in Mexico and UPC as the #1 education brand in Peru. All of Laureate's universities have earned 5-star QS Stars ratings, providing quality differentiation in markets where educational credentials significantly impact career prospects. Regulatory barriers provide some protection, as establishing new universities requires government approval and accreditation processes that can take years to complete. The company's existing licenses and established relationships with regulatory bodies create switching costs for competitors attempting to enter these markets. Additionally, Laureate's deep local market knowledge and established relationships with employers who hire graduates create network effects that benefit student outcomes. However, the moat faces several challenges. Competition from public universities remains intense, particularly as governments in both Mexico and Peru have announced plans to expand public higher education capacity. Public institutions offer significantly lower tuition costs, which could pressure Laureate's pricing power during economic downturns. The company also faces competition from other private institutions and increasingly from international online education providers. Digital disruption represents both an opportunity and a threat. While Laureate has successfully developed online programs that grow faster than traditional offerings, the digital education space attracts global competitors with potentially superior technology platforms and content. The company's moat is strongest in programs requiring hands-on training (like medicine) and in serving local markets where personal relationships and cultural understanding matter most. The moat is geographically concentrated, making the company vulnerable to political or economic instability in its two primary markets. Recent political developments in both Mexico and Peru could impact regulatory environments or economic conditions affecting student demand.
Risks & safety
Laureate Education presents a moderate margin of safety with manageable financial risks but some operational vulnerabilities. Financial Position: • Cash and short-term investments: $91.4 million as of Q4 2024 • Total debt-to-equity ratio: 0.45, indicating moderate leverage • Strong free cash flow generation: $160.8 million in 2024 • Current ratio of 0.62 suggests tight working capital management • No immediate solvency concerns given positive cash generation Valuation Metrics: • Price-to-earnings ratio: 9.5x (2024), indicating reasonable valuation • EV/EBITDA: 5.8x, below historical averages for education sector • Price-to-book ratio: 2.9x, reflecting asset-light business model • Graham number suggests fair valuation around current levels Other Considerations: • Geographic concentration in two countries creates political/economic risk • Seasonal cash flow patterns due to academic calendar • Regulatory risks from government education policies • Currency exposure to Mexican peso and Peruvian sol fluctuations
Recent development
Over the past few years, Laureate Education has undergone significant strategic transformation and operational improvements. The company completed its portfolio rationalization by divesting international operations to focus exclusively on Mexico and Peru, its most profitable markets. This strategic focus has enabled management to concentrate resources and expertise on markets where they have the strongest competitive positions. Digital transformation has been a key strategic priority, with the company successfully launching and scaling online education programs. Digital courses now serve approximately 100,000 students (20% of total enrollment) and are growing 3-4 times faster than traditional face-to-face programs. These programs primarily target working adults seeking career advancement and command attractive margins while requiring lower capital investment. The company has made substantial investments in healthcare education, opening six new medical schools across Mexico and Peru, along with two dental schools and one veterinary school. This expansion into high-demand healthcare fields positions Laureate to benefit from growing demand for medical professionals in both countries. Healthcare programs typically command premium pricing and have strong employment outcomes for graduates. Operational efficiency initiatives have driven significant margin expansion, with adjusted EBITDA margins reaching historic highs of 28.7% in 2024, up from previous levels in the mid-20s. The company has consolidated campuses in Mexico to improve scale and student experience while reducing operational complexity. Capital allocation has become more shareholder-friendly, with Laureate returning over $100 million to shareholders in 2024 through stock repurchases. The company has established a policy of returning approximately 50% of available free cash flow to shareholders while maintaining investment in growth opportunities. Since 2019, the company has returned nearly $3 billion to shareholders through various capital return programs.
LAUR company profile · for informational purposes only — not investment advice.
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