Laureate Education Leads Year-to-Date Performance in Educational Services Stocks
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 19 2025
0mins
Should l Buy LAUR?
Source: SeekingAlpha
Consumer Discretionary Sector Performance: The S&P 500 consumer discretionary sector has underperformed the broader market in 2025, with a year-to-date gain of +7.2%, making it the eighth best performing sector among 11 major sectors.
Top Educational Services Stocks: Laureate Education leads the educational services stocks with a remarkable YTD performance of +83.00%, followed by Graham Holdings and TAL Education, while Duolingo has the lowest performance at -43.59%.
Quant Ratings Overview: The top educational stocks have varying quant ratings, with Laureate Education rated as a "Buy" at 3.89, while Duolingo is rated as a "Hold" at 2.95, indicating a mix of investment potential across the sector.
Consumer Discretionary ETFs: Several consumer discretionary ETFs, including XLY, VCR, and FXD, are highlighted, suggesting a range of investment options within the sector for potential growth and risk management.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy LAUR?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on LAUR
Wall Street analysts forecast LAUR stock price to rise
4 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 31.570
Low
32.00
Averages
36.50
High
40.00
Current: 31.570
Low
32.00
Averages
36.50
High
40.00
About LAUR
Laureate Education, Inc. operates a portfolio of degree-granting higher education institutions (Laureate International Universities network) in Mexico and Peru. The Laureate International Universities network offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degrees through campus-based, online and hybrid programs. The Company offers its educational services through two reportable segments: Mexico and Peru. It owns Universidad del Valle de Mexico (UVM) and Universidad Tecnologica de Mexico (UNITEC) in Mexico. It also owns the Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC), Universidad Privada del Norte (UPN) and CIBERTEC institution in Peru. Its institutions in Mexico and Peru offer traditional higher education students a private education alternative, with multiple brands and price points in each market and program. The Company offers various programs, including medicine and health sciences, engineering and information technology, and business and management.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Laureate Education Q1 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Significant Enrollment Growth: In Q1 2026, Laureate reported a 13% year-over-year increase in new enrollments in Peru and a 4% increase in Mexico, indicating sustained educational demand in Latin America, which is expected to drive revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth for the year.
- Shareholder Return Strategy: The company completed $105 million in share buybacks during the first quarter and plans to continue repurchases throughout 2026, reflecting a strong commitment to capital return, which is anticipated to enhance earnings per share and boost investor confidence.
- Financial Performance Fluctuations: Despite reporting $273 million in revenue and a negative $2 million adjusted EBITDA for Q1, along with a net loss of $22 million, management reaffirmed full-year guidance, expecting revenues to reach between $1.890 billion and $1.905 billion, demonstrating confidence in future performance.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: Management maintained guidance for enrollments, revenue, and adjusted EBITDA for 2026, while raising adjusted EPS expectations by $0.05, indicating a positive outlook for the market, particularly in Peru's online education sector.
See More
Laureate Education Q1 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Earnings Highlights: Laureate Education reported a Q1 GAAP EPS of -$0.15, beating expectations by $0.10, indicating positive signals in the company's recovery of profitability.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenue of $272.6 million in Q1, reflecting a 15.4% year-over-year increase and surpassing market expectations by $7.54 million, demonstrating robust growth amid rising market demand.
- Enrollment Trends: New enrollments increased by 9%, while total enrollments rose by 6%, showcasing Laureate's successful strategies in attracting students and further solidifying its market position.
- Future Outlook: Laureate projects revenue growth of 11%-12% for 2026, while also expanding investments in digital and campus initiatives to support long-term sustainable growth and competitive positioning.
See More
Laureate Education Reports $21.6 Million Loss in Q1
- Financial Overview: Laureate Education reported a Q1 loss of $21.6 million, translating to a loss of $0.15 per share, which is a deeper decline compared to last year's loss of $19.5 million or $0.13 per share, indicating ongoing challenges in profitability.
- Revenue Growth: Despite the increased losses, the company achieved a 15.4% year-over-year revenue growth to $272.6 million, up from $236.2 million last year, reflecting a positive performance in market demand.
- Future Guidance: The company provided full-year EPS guidance of $2.00 to $2.08, with revenue expectations ranging from $1.890 billion to $1.905 billion, indicating a cautiously optimistic outlook from management regarding future performance.
- Market Reaction Analysis: While revenue growth is promising, the persistent losses may pressure investor confidence, especially in a competitive education sector, necessitating effective measures from Laureate to improve its financial standing and maintain market position.
See More
Laureate Education Reports Strong Q1 Results with Increased Enrollments
- New Enrollment Surge: In Q1 2026, new enrollments increased by 9% compared to Q1 2025, with a notable 13% rise in Peru, indicating strong demand in the Latin American market that is expected to drive future revenue growth.
- Significant Revenue Growth: Revenue for the first quarter reached $272.6 million, a 15% increase year-over-year, despite a $9 million negative impact from later semester start dates, demonstrating the company's robust competitive position in the education sector.
- Widening Operating Loss: The operating loss for Q1 2026 was $27.5 million, up from $13.2 million in the same quarter last year, primarily due to higher depreciation and amortization expenses, reflecting ongoing pressures from expansion and investment initiatives.
- Stock Buyback Commitment: The company repurchased approximately $105 million in stock during Q1, showcasing its commitment to shareholder returns while also raising its adjusted EPS guidance for 2026, thereby enhancing market confidence.
See More
Laureate Education Q1 Earnings Announcement Scheduled
- Earnings Release Date: Laureate Education (LAUR) is set to announce its Q1 earnings on April 30 before market open, with a consensus EPS estimate of -$0.22, reflecting a 100% year-over-year decline, indicating significant profitability challenges for the company.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: The anticipated revenue for Q1 is $265.06 million, representing a 12.2% year-over-year increase, which highlights the stable demand and potential growth opportunities in the education sector.
- Historical Performance: Over the past year, LAUR has beaten EPS estimates 75% of the time and revenue estimates 100% of the time, demonstrating consistency in financial performance and market confidence.
- Future Outlook: Laureate projects revenue growth of 11%-12% in 2026 while planning to expand digital and campus investments, aiming to enhance its competitive position and service capabilities in the education market.
See More
Laureate Education CFO Sells 61,803 Shares Worth $2.08 Million
- Transaction Overview: Richard M. Buskirk, CFO of Laureate Education, sold 61,803 shares directly for approximately $2.08 million, reducing his direct holdings to 246,577 shares valued at around $8.21 million, indicating sustained confidence in the company's stock.
- Historical Trading Comparison: This sale represents Buskirk's largest single-day disposition in the past year, accounting for 20.04% of his direct holdings and exceeding the recent median sell size of 34,517.5 shares, reflecting a cautious approach amid market fluctuations.
- Derivative Relevance: The sale was executed immediately after exercising options for 2,803 shares, and while it involved derivatives, the majority of the transaction was direct stock sales, which did not materially alter his overall equity exposure, suggesting a stable outlook for the company.
- Investor Considerations: Despite the sale, Buskirk retains nearly 80% of his direct holdings, indicating that the reasons for the sale may not be related to the company's performance, as Laureate is projected to see a 9% revenue growth in 2025, highlighting the company's ongoing growth potential.
See More
Laureate Education Q1 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Significant Enrollment Growth: In Q1 2026, Laureate reported a 13% year-over-year increase in new enrollments in Peru and a 4% increase in Mexico, indicating sustained educational demand in Latin America, which is expected to drive revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth for the year.
- Shareholder Return Strategy: The company completed $105 million in share buybacks during the first quarter and plans to continue repurchases throughout 2026, reflecting a strong commitment to capital return, which is anticipated to enhance earnings per share and boost investor confidence.
- Financial Performance Fluctuations: Despite reporting $273 million in revenue and a negative $2 million adjusted EBITDA for Q1, along with a net loss of $22 million, management reaffirmed full-year guidance, expecting revenues to reach between $1.890 billion and $1.905 billion, demonstrating confidence in future performance.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: Management maintained guidance for enrollments, revenue, and adjusted EBITDA for 2026, while raising adjusted EPS expectations by $0.05, indicating a positive outlook for the market, particularly in Peru's online education sector.
See More
Laureate Education Q1 Earnings Exceed Expectations
- Earnings Highlights: Laureate Education reported a Q1 GAAP EPS of -$0.15, beating expectations by $0.10, indicating positive signals in the company's recovery of profitability.
- Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenue of $272.6 million in Q1, reflecting a 15.4% year-over-year increase and surpassing market expectations by $7.54 million, demonstrating robust growth amid rising market demand.
- Enrollment Trends: New enrollments increased by 9%, while total enrollments rose by 6%, showcasing Laureate's successful strategies in attracting students and further solidifying its market position.
- Future Outlook: Laureate projects revenue growth of 11%-12% for 2026, while also expanding investments in digital and campus initiatives to support long-term sustainable growth and competitive positioning.
See More
Laureate Education Reports $21.6 Million Loss in Q1
- Financial Overview: Laureate Education reported a Q1 loss of $21.6 million, translating to a loss of $0.15 per share, which is a deeper decline compared to last year's loss of $19.5 million or $0.13 per share, indicating ongoing challenges in profitability.
- Revenue Growth: Despite the increased losses, the company achieved a 15.4% year-over-year revenue growth to $272.6 million, up from $236.2 million last year, reflecting a positive performance in market demand.
- Future Guidance: The company provided full-year EPS guidance of $2.00 to $2.08, with revenue expectations ranging from $1.890 billion to $1.905 billion, indicating a cautiously optimistic outlook from management regarding future performance.
- Market Reaction Analysis: While revenue growth is promising, the persistent losses may pressure investor confidence, especially in a competitive education sector, necessitating effective measures from Laureate to improve its financial standing and maintain market position.
See More
Laureate Education Reports Strong Q1 Results with Increased Enrollments
- New Enrollment Surge: In Q1 2026, new enrollments increased by 9% compared to Q1 2025, with a notable 13% rise in Peru, indicating strong demand in the Latin American market that is expected to drive future revenue growth.
- Significant Revenue Growth: Revenue for the first quarter reached $272.6 million, a 15% increase year-over-year, despite a $9 million negative impact from later semester start dates, demonstrating the company's robust competitive position in the education sector.
- Widening Operating Loss: The operating loss for Q1 2026 was $27.5 million, up from $13.2 million in the same quarter last year, primarily due to higher depreciation and amortization expenses, reflecting ongoing pressures from expansion and investment initiatives.
- Stock Buyback Commitment: The company repurchased approximately $105 million in stock during Q1, showcasing its commitment to shareholder returns while also raising its adjusted EPS guidance for 2026, thereby enhancing market confidence.
See More
Laureate Education Q1 Earnings Announcement Scheduled
- Earnings Release Date: Laureate Education (LAUR) is set to announce its Q1 earnings on April 30 before market open, with a consensus EPS estimate of -$0.22, reflecting a 100% year-over-year decline, indicating significant profitability challenges for the company.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: The anticipated revenue for Q1 is $265.06 million, representing a 12.2% year-over-year increase, which highlights the stable demand and potential growth opportunities in the education sector.
- Historical Performance: Over the past year, LAUR has beaten EPS estimates 75% of the time and revenue estimates 100% of the time, demonstrating consistency in financial performance and market confidence.
- Future Outlook: Laureate projects revenue growth of 11%-12% in 2026 while planning to expand digital and campus investments, aiming to enhance its competitive position and service capabilities in the education market.
See More
Laureate Education CFO Sells 61,803 Shares Worth $2.08 Million
- Transaction Overview: Richard M. Buskirk, CFO of Laureate Education, sold 61,803 shares directly for approximately $2.08 million, reducing his direct holdings to 246,577 shares valued at around $8.21 million, indicating sustained confidence in the company's stock.
- Historical Trading Comparison: This sale represents Buskirk's largest single-day disposition in the past year, accounting for 20.04% of his direct holdings and exceeding the recent median sell size of 34,517.5 shares, reflecting a cautious approach amid market fluctuations.
- Derivative Relevance: The sale was executed immediately after exercising options for 2,803 shares, and while it involved derivatives, the majority of the transaction was direct stock sales, which did not materially alter his overall equity exposure, suggesting a stable outlook for the company.
- Investor Considerations: Despite the sale, Buskirk retains nearly 80% of his direct holdings, indicating that the reasons for the sale may not be related to the company's performance, as Laureate is projected to see a 9% revenue growth in 2025, highlighting the company's ongoing growth potential.
See More
