Perdoceo Education (NASDAQ:PRDO) Posts Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.06 EPS

Perdoceo Education (NASDAQ:PRDO) released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The company reported $0.90 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.06, FiscalAI reports. Perdoceo Education had a net margin of 19.91% and a return on equity of 18.58%. The firm had revenue of $221.74 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $218.40 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.70 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 4.1% compared to the same quarter last year. 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 Trading Up 4.6%

NASDAQ PRDO traded up $1.60 on Friday, reaching $36.04. The stock had a trading volume of 708,193 shares, compared to its average volume of 542,444. The company has a quick ratio of 5.03, a current ratio of 5.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $35.23 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $32.49. Perdoceo Education has a 12-month low of $26.66 and a 12-month high of $38.50. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.81, a P/E/G ratio of 0.75 and a beta of 0.73.

Perdoceo Education Dividend Announcement

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the company. Barrington Research set a $44.00 target price on Perdoceo Education in a research report on Friday. Zacks Research cut Perdoceo Education from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 21st. Finally, Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Perdoceo Education in a research report on Tuesday, April 21st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $44.00.

Key Headlines Impacting Perdoceo Education

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 Transactions at Perdoceo Education

In other news, SVP Greg E. Jansen sold 30,158 shares of Perdoceo Education stock in a transaction on Monday, April 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $38.00, for a total value of $1,146,004.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president directly owned 82,970 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,152,860. The trade was a 26.66% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO Todd S. Nelson sold 40,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, March 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $35.24, for a total value of $1,409,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 392,368 shares in the company, valued at $13,827,048.32. This represents a 9.25% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 206,476 shares of company stock valued at $7,273,879. Corporate insiders own 1.46% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Perdoceo Education

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Perdoceo Education by 9.1% in the second quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 7,280 shares of the company’s stock valued at $237,000 after purchasing an additional 605 shares during the period. California State Teachers Retirement System lifted its holdings in Perdoceo Education by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 57,626 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,884,000 after buying an additional 723 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company lifted its holdings in Perdoceo Education by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 32,301 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,056,000 after buying an additional 753 shares in the last quarter. Martingale Asset Management L P boosted its position in Perdoceo Education by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Martingale Asset Management L P now owns 101,341 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,972,000 after buying an additional 762 shares during the period. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in Perdoceo Education by 5.9% in the 4th quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 14,209 shares of the company’s stock valued at $417,000 after buying an additional 789 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.46% of the company’s stock.

About Perdoceo Education

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.