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.
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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: 35.220
Low
32.00
Averages
36.50
High
40.00
Current: 35.220
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 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 CFO Sells Over $2 Million in Shares
- Share Sale Details: Richard M. Buskirk sold 61,803 shares on March 11, 2026, for approximately $2.08 million at an average price of $33.69 per share, reducing his direct ownership by 20.04%.
- Ownership Change Analysis: Following the sale, Buskirk's direct holdings decreased from about 308,000 shares to 246,577 shares, yet he retains nearly 80%, suggesting the sale may not be linked to the company's performance.
- Company Financial Performance: Laureate Education reported $1.7 billion in revenue for 2025, a 9% increase year-over-year, although net income fell by 5% due to foreign currency losses, indicating operational stability and competitive strength in the higher education market.
- Market Reaction and Investment Advice: While Buskirk's share sale may raise market concerns, Laureate's low P/E ratio of 17 and its exclusion from The Motley Fool's top stock recommendations suggest investors should carefully assess its future growth potential.
See More
Harvest Investment Increases Stake in Laureate Education
- Share Increase: On February 17, 2026, Harvest Investment Services disclosed a purchase of 110,675 shares of Laureate Education, valued at approximately $3.42 million, indicating strong confidence in the company's growth prospects.
- Stake Growth: Following this acquisition, Harvest's stake in Laureate increased to 1.07%, reflecting a strategic positioning in the education sector, particularly in the promising Latin American markets.
- Strong Financial Performance: Laureate Education reported approximately $1.7 billion in revenue for 2025, a 9% year-over-year increase, while adjusted EBITDA rose from $450 million in 2024 to nearly $519 million, showcasing improved operational efficiency.
- Stock Buybacks: The management repurchased over $200 million in stock over the past year and recently increased its buyback authorization by another $150 million, demonstrating confidence in future growth and commitment to returning capital to shareholders.
See More
Harvest Investment Services Increases Stake in Laureate Education
- Share Acquisition: Harvest Investment Services acquired an additional 110,675 shares of Laureate Education in Q4 2025, with an estimated transaction value of $3.42 million, reflecting the firm's confidence in the company's growth prospects.
- Increased Position Value: As of December 31, 2025, Harvest's total holdings reached 168,025 shares valued at $5.66 million, marking a $3.85 million increase from the previous quarter, indicating positive stock price movement.
- Market Demand: Rising demand for private education in Latin America has led to an 8% increase in new enrollments and a 5% rise in total enrollments for Laureate Education in 2025, driving revenue to approximately $1.7 billion, a 9% year-over-year growth.
- Share Buyback Strategy: Laureate Education repurchased over $200 million in stock last year and recently increased its buyback authorization by another $150 million, signaling strong confidence in future market growth and a commitment to returning capital to shareholders.
See More
VERTIV HOLDINGS, LUMENTUM HOLDINGS, COHERENT, AND ECHOSTAR SET TO ENTER S&P 500
New Additions to S&P 500: Vertiv Holdings, Lumentum Holdings, Coherent, and Echosstar are set to join the S&P 500 index.
Market Impact: The inclusion of these companies may influence market dynamics and investor strategies as they become part of a major stock index.
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VERTIV HOLDINGS, LUMENTUM HOLDINGS, COHERENT, AND ECHOSTAR TO BE ADDED TO S&P 500; ADDITIONAL COMPANIES TO ENTER S&P 100, S&P MIDCAP 400, AND S&P SMALLCAP 600
New Additions to S&P 500: Vert Holdings, Lumentum Holdings, CohereNT, and EchoStar are set to join the S&P 500 index.
Other Index Changes: Additional companies will be added to the S&P 100, S&P MidCap 400, and S&P SmallCap 600 indices.
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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 CFO Sells Over $2 Million in Shares
- Share Sale Details: Richard M. Buskirk sold 61,803 shares on March 11, 2026, for approximately $2.08 million at an average price of $33.69 per share, reducing his direct ownership by 20.04%.
- Ownership Change Analysis: Following the sale, Buskirk's direct holdings decreased from about 308,000 shares to 246,577 shares, yet he retains nearly 80%, suggesting the sale may not be linked to the company's performance.
- Company Financial Performance: Laureate Education reported $1.7 billion in revenue for 2025, a 9% increase year-over-year, although net income fell by 5% due to foreign currency losses, indicating operational stability and competitive strength in the higher education market.
- Market Reaction and Investment Advice: While Buskirk's share sale may raise market concerns, Laureate's low P/E ratio of 17 and its exclusion from The Motley Fool's top stock recommendations suggest investors should carefully assess its future growth potential.
See More
Harvest Investment Increases Stake in Laureate Education
- Share Increase: On February 17, 2026, Harvest Investment Services disclosed a purchase of 110,675 shares of Laureate Education, valued at approximately $3.42 million, indicating strong confidence in the company's growth prospects.
- Stake Growth: Following this acquisition, Harvest's stake in Laureate increased to 1.07%, reflecting a strategic positioning in the education sector, particularly in the promising Latin American markets.
- Strong Financial Performance: Laureate Education reported approximately $1.7 billion in revenue for 2025, a 9% year-over-year increase, while adjusted EBITDA rose from $450 million in 2024 to nearly $519 million, showcasing improved operational efficiency.
- Stock Buybacks: The management repurchased over $200 million in stock over the past year and recently increased its buyback authorization by another $150 million, demonstrating confidence in future growth and commitment to returning capital to shareholders.
See More
Harvest Investment Services Increases Stake in Laureate Education
- Share Acquisition: Harvest Investment Services acquired an additional 110,675 shares of Laureate Education in Q4 2025, with an estimated transaction value of $3.42 million, reflecting the firm's confidence in the company's growth prospects.
- Increased Position Value: As of December 31, 2025, Harvest's total holdings reached 168,025 shares valued at $5.66 million, marking a $3.85 million increase from the previous quarter, indicating positive stock price movement.
- Market Demand: Rising demand for private education in Latin America has led to an 8% increase in new enrollments and a 5% rise in total enrollments for Laureate Education in 2025, driving revenue to approximately $1.7 billion, a 9% year-over-year growth.
- Share Buyback Strategy: Laureate Education repurchased over $200 million in stock last year and recently increased its buyback authorization by another $150 million, signaling strong confidence in future market growth and a commitment to returning capital to shareholders.
See More
VERTIV HOLDINGS, LUMENTUM HOLDINGS, COHERENT, AND ECHOSTAR SET TO ENTER S&P 500
New Additions to S&P 500: Vertiv Holdings, Lumentum Holdings, Coherent, and Echosstar are set to join the S&P 500 index.
Market Impact: The inclusion of these companies may influence market dynamics and investor strategies as they become part of a major stock index.
See More
VERTIV HOLDINGS, LUMENTUM HOLDINGS, COHERENT, AND ECHOSTAR TO BE ADDED TO S&P 500; ADDITIONAL COMPANIES TO ENTER S&P 100, S&P MIDCAP 400, AND S&P SMALLCAP 600
New Additions to S&P 500: Vert Holdings, Lumentum Holdings, CohereNT, and EchoStar are set to join the S&P 500 index.
Other Index Changes: Additional companies will be added to the S&P 100, S&P MidCap 400, and S&P SmallCap 600 indices.
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