Perdoceo Education (NASDAQ:PRDO) Announces Quarterly Earnings Results

Perdoceo Education (NASDAQ:PRDO) issued its earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $0.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.06, FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of $221.74 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $218.40 million. Perdoceo Education had a net margin of 19.91% and a return on equity of 18.58%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.70 earnings per share. Perdoceo Education updated its FY 2026 guidance to 3.050-3.160 EPS and its Q2 2026 guidance to 0.790-0.800 EPS.

Here are the key takeaways from Perdoceo Education’s conference call:

• Perdoceo reported stronger-than-expected Q1 results with net income of $54 million, GAAP EPS of $0.85 (up 30.8%) and adjusted EPS of $0.90, while revenue rose 4.1% to $221.7 million.
• The company raised its 2026 outlook, forecasting adjusted operating income of $254–$263 million and adjusted EPS of $3.05–$3.16, and expects revenue to increase in each remaining quarter versus 2025.
• Enrollment trends are mixed — total enrollments were up 1.1% year-over-year with CTU up 1.9% (10th consecutive quarter of growth) but AIU System declined 2.2%, and CTU faces comparability headwinds from lapping strong prior quarters and a record number of graduates in 2026.
• Strong liquidity and shareholder returns remain priorities, with approximately $680 million in cash and equivalents, ~$91.9 million of share repurchase authorization remaining, and a declared quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share.

Perdoceo Education Stock Performance

NASDAQ PRDO traded up $1.60 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $36.04. 708,193 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 542,444. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $35.23 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $32.49. The company has a current ratio of 5.06, a quick ratio of 5.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.81, a P/E/G ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 0.73. Perdoceo Education has a 52 week low of $26.66 and a 52 week high of $38.50.

Perdoceo Education Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 12th. Investors of record on Monday, June 1st will be given a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, June 1st. Perdoceo Education’s payout ratio is 22.99%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

PRDO has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Zacks Research cut shares of Perdoceo Education from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 21st. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Perdoceo Education in a report on Tuesday, April 21st. Finally, Barrington Research set a $44.00 target price on shares of Perdoceo Education in a report on Friday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $44.00.

Key Perdoceo Education News

Here are the key news stories impacting Perdoceo Education this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Perdoceo beat analyst estimates for Q1 2026, posting EPS of $0.90 versus the $0.84 consensus and revenue of $221.7 million versus $218.4 million expected, which supports the stock move higher.
• Positive Sentiment: Underlying profitability improved, with revenue up 4.1% year over year and net income, operating profit, and cash from operations all rising, signaling healthy business momentum. Perdoceo Education Corporation Announces First Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: The company’s Q2 2026 EPS guidance of $0.79-$0.80 came in above the $0.76 consensus, and FY 2026 guidance of $3.05-$3.16 was at or slightly above expectations, reinforcing a constructive outlook.
• Positive Sentiment: Perdoceo also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.15 per share, highlighting continued cash generation and returning capital to shareholders.
• Neutral Sentiment: Some reports noted the stock moved lower immediately after earnings despite the beat, likely reflecting short-term volatility or mixed reaction to the results. PRDO Q1 2026 Earnings Call Prepared Remarks Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: One market note pointed to heavy insider selling over the past six months and some institutional investors trimming positions, which could temper enthusiasm even after the earnings beat.

Insider Buying and Selling at Perdoceo Education

In related news, CEO Todd S. Nelson sold 4,387 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.65, for a total transaction of $160,783.55. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 347,981 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,753,503.65. The trade was a 1.25% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP David C. Czeszewski sold 36,225 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.81, for a total transaction of $1,188,542.25. Following the sale, the senior vice president owned 68,875 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,259,788.75. This trade represents a 34.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 206,476 shares of company stock valued at $7,273,879. 1.46% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of Perdoceo Education

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Mcguire Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in Perdoceo Education during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $69,000. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. bought a new position in shares of Perdoceo Education in the fourth quarter worth approximately $99,000. Kestra Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Perdoceo Education in the fourth quarter worth approximately $139,000. Creative Planning bought a new position in shares of Perdoceo Education in the third quarter worth approximately $218,000. Finally, CIBC Bancorp USA Inc. bought a new position in shares of Perdoceo Education in the third quarter worth approximately $247,000. 93.46% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Perdoceo Education Company Profile

Perdoceo Education Corporation (NASDAQ: PRDO) is a for-profit postsecondary education provider offering certificate, associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. The company operates primarily through two brand platforms—Colorado Technical University and American InterContinental University—delivering career-focused education both on campus and online. These programs span fields such as business, information technology, healthcare and criminal justice, targeting working adults seeking to advance or pivot their careers.

With headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois, Perdoceo serves students across the United States and internationally through its online offerings.