OUTLOOK
The Company is increasing its full year outlook while also providing the following fourth quarter outlook, subject to the key assumptions identified below. Please see the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation for adjusted operating income and adjusted earnings per diluted share attached to this press release for further details.
| Total Company Outlook | |||||
| For Quarter Ending December 31, | For the Year Ending December 31, | ||||
| OUTLOOK | ACTUAL | OUTLOOK | ACTUAL | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Operating Income | $33.0M - $36.0M | $15,943 | $170.1M - $173.1M | $150,446 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | $5.5M | 3,449 | $14.6M | 16,887 | |
| Legal fee expense related to certain matters (1) | $0.5M | 5 | $3.3M | 7,579 | |
| Adjusted Operating Income | $39.0M - $42.0M | $19,397 | $188.0M - $191.0M | $174,912 | |
| Earnings Per Diluted Share | $0.43 - $0.46 | $0.26 | $2.15 - $2.18 | $2.18 | |
| Amortization of acquired intangible assets | $0.03 | $0.02 | $0.09 | $0.11 | |
| Legal fee expense related to certain matters (1) | $0.01 | - | $0.05 | $0.11 | |
| Gain on sale of intangible asset | - | - | - | ($0.32) | |
| Tax effect of adjustments | ($0.01) | ($0.01) | ($0.04) | $0.02 | |
| Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share | $0.46 - $0.49 | $0.27 | $2.25 - $2.28 | $2.10 | |
| (1) | Legal fee expense associated with (i) responses to the Department relating to borrower defense to repayment applications from former students, and (ii) acquisition efforts. |
Operating income, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to adjusted operating income, and earnings per diluted share, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to adjusted earnings per diluted share, may not follow the same trends stated in the outlook above because of adjustments made for certain significant and non-cash items. The operating income, adjusted operating income, earnings per share and adjusted earnings per share outlook provided above for 2024 are based on the following key assumptions and factors, among others: (i) prospective student interest in the Company's programs and trends in student retention and engagement remain consistent with management's estimates, (ii) no significant additional impact of new or proposed regulations, including recent Department negotiated rulemaking initiatives, or other adverse changes in the legal or regulatory environment, which may require further operational changes in the way the Company's academic institutions enroll, support and educate current and prospective students, among other impacts, (iii) no significant operating impacts from the settlements with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general or other legal or regulatory matters, (iv) the impact from student loan initiatives implemented by the current administration remains consistent with management's estimates, (v) earnings per diluted share outlook assumes an effective income tax rate of approximately 26% for the fourth quarter and approximately 26.5% for the full year, and (vi) excludes any future impact from the Company's stock repurchase program. Although these estimates and assumptions are based upon management's good faith beliefs regarding current and future circumstances and actions that may be undertaken, actual results could differ materially from these estimates. In addition, decisions the Company makes in the future as it continues to evaluate diverse strategies to enhance stockholder value may impact the outlook provided above.