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Strategic Education, Inc. STRA, or SEI, reported mixed results for the fourth quarter of 2024. Its adjusted earnings topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while revenues missed the same. On a year-over-year basis, the top line grew while the bottom line tumbled.

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The quarter witnessed robust employer-affiliated enrollment, strong growth from Sophia Learning subscriptions and another quarter of total enrollment growth in the Australia/New Zealand segment. However, increased costs and expenses marred the bottom-line growth.

Post the earnings announcement, STRA stock slipped 18.5% during Thursday’s trading hours.

Inside STRA’s Headlines

The company reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.27, which topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.19 by 6.7%. In the year-ago quarter, it reported an adjusted EPS of $1.68.

Strategic Education Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Strategic Education Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Strategic Education Inc. Quote

Total revenues of $311.5 million marginally missed the consensus mark of $312 million by 0.2% but increased 2.9% from the year-ago period. On a constant-currency basis, revenues increased 2.7% to $310.8 million in the quarter.

Strategic Education’s Segment Details

U.S. Higher Education (USHE): This segment comprises Strayer and Capella Universities. Its revenues declined 1.5% year over year to $214.3 million due to lower revenue per student.

Student enrollment increased 3% to 88,860 students from the year-ago quarter’s level of 86,233 students. FlexPath enrollment was 24% of USHE enrollment compared with 21% a year ago.

During the quarter, the operating margin declined to 8.3% from 15.1%, down 680 basis points (bps) from the year-ago quarter.

Education Technology Services (ETS): This segment includes Enterprise Partnerships, Sophia Learning and Workforce Edge. Its quarterly revenues increased year over year by 39.3% to $30.5 million, backed by solid growth in Sophia Learning subscriptions employer-affiliated enrollment and gains from a new Workforce Edge employer partnership.

Sophia Learning’s average total subscribers increased approximately 29% from the year-ago period’s level. Employer-affiliated enrollment was 30.2% of USHE enrollment compared with 27.7% in the year-ago period. As of Dec. 31, 2024, Workforce Edge had a total of 76 corporate agreements, collectively employing about 3,820,000 employees.

ETS’ operating margin was 38.8% in the reported quarter, down 150 bps from a year ago.

Australia/New Zealand (ANZ): This segment includes Torrens University, Think Education and Media Design School. Its revenues were $66.7 million, up 5.4% year over year, driven by higher enrollment and revenue-per-student. On a constant-currency basis, revenues rose 4.3% year over year to $66 million.

Student enrollment within ANZ rose 3% to 19,825 students during the quarter compared with 19,252 students in the year-ago quarter.

The operating margin was 16.1%, down from 23.5% reported in the year-ago period. On a constant-currency basis, the operating income margin was 15.6%, down from 23.5% in the year-ago period.

STRA’s Operating Highlights

Adjusted operating income was down to $40.4 million from $56.6 million in the year-ago quarter. The adjusted operating margin of 13% contracted 570 bps from the year-ago quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA was $60.1 million, down from $74.4 million in the year-ago quarter.

A Glimpse at Strategic Education’s 2024

Revenues increased 7.7% year over year to $1.22 billion. On a constant-currency basis, revenues increased 7.8% from 2023.

Adjusted operating income increased to $157.3 million from $124.6 million reported a year ago. The adjusted operating margin of 12.9% expanded 190 bps from the year-ago value.

Adjusted EBITDA increased year over year to $233.8 million from $196.5 million.

Full-year adjusted EPS of $4.87 increased year over year from $3.72.

STRA’s Financial Details

As of Dec. 31, 2024, SEI had cash and cash equivalents of $137.1 million, down from $168.5 million at 2023-end. There was no long-term debt at the fourth-quarter end compared with $61.4 million at 2023-end.

Cash provided by operating activities was $169.3 million in 2024, up from $117.1 million in the year-ago period. In 2024, capital expenditures were $40.6 million compared with $36.9 million a year ago.

STRA’s Zacks Rank & Recent Consumer Discretionary Releases

Strategic Education currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

JAKKS Pacific, Inc. JAKK reported fourth-quarter 2024 results, with earnings and revenues missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate after beating the same in the preceding quarter. However, both metrics improved year over year.

The company said its fourth-quarter performance met expectations, with the overall results for the year reflecting strong seasonality, particularly around Halloween and Christmas. It has consistently encouraged customers to adopt its FOB selling model, which allows them to take advantage of larger, more efficient logistics operations.

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.'s LYV fourth-quarter 2024 earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The bottom line increased from the prior-year quarter’s level but the top line declined.

The company has been benefiting from the pent-up demand for live events and robust ticket sales. It continues to gain from the strong performance of Ticketmaster and higher fan spending. The company is set for further growth in 2025, supported by an extensive global concert pipeline and a record number of stadium shows. LYV remains focused on expanding music-centric venues, which are expected to contribute to double-digit adjusted operating income growth, driving sustained momentum in the coming years.

Pool Corporation POOL reported fourth-quarter 2024 results, with earnings and revenues beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The top and the bottom lines declined from the prior-year quarter's actuals.

The company's 2024 results underscore the resilience of its business model amid a challenging macroeconomic environment. It reported enhancements to the POOL360 digital ecosystem, including technology rollouts and expanded digital marketing programs, paving a path for increased sales of private-label chemical products. It strengthened its sales center network, adding 10 greenfield locations and completing two acquisitions, bringing its total footprint to 448 locations worldwide.

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. NCLH reported solid fourth-quarter 2024 results, with earnings and revenues surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Both top and bottom lines increased on a year-over-year basis.

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Management attributed the performance to the strength of NCLH's business model, the appeal of its product offerings across brands and the effective execution by both shoreside and shipboard teams. A continued focus on margin improvement helped the company achieve cost savings during the quarter.

Following the results, the company’s shares rose 2.4% in today’s pre-market trading session.

NCLH’s Q4 Earnings & Revenues

Norwegian Cruise reported an adjusted earnings per share of 26 cents, topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 11 cents. In the prior-year quarter, the company reported an adjusted loss per share of 18 cents.

Quarterly revenues of $2.11 billion beat the consensus mark of $2.09 billion. In the prior-year quarter, the company reported revenues of $1.99 billion.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Quote

Passenger ticket revenues were $1.41 billion compared with $1.33 billion reported in the prior-year quarter. Our model anticipated passenger ticket revenues to be $1.36 billion.

Onboard and other revenues increased to $700.6 million from $653.4 million reported in the prior-year quarter. We expected onboard and other revenues to be $696.4 million.

NCLH’s Expenses & Operating Results

Total cruise operating expenses decreased 1.1% year over year to $1.31 billion, due to lower commissions, transportation and other, as well as fuel and food costs. However, this was partially offset by higher onboard and other costs, and payroll and related expenses.

During the fourth quarter, gross cruise costs per Capacity Day were $285.92 compared with $279.52 reported in the prior year period. Adjusted net cruise costs (excluding fuel) per Capacity Day amounted to about $157.54 compared with $150.70 reported in the prior year period. Fuel price per metric ton (net of hedges) fell to $641 from $726 in 2023.

Net interest expenses were $175.4 million, down from $197.4 million reported in the year-ago quarter.

2024 Highlights of NCLH

Total revenues in 2024 were $9.48 billion, up from $8.55 billion reported in 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA in 2024 was $2.45 billion compared with $1.86 billion reported in 2023.

In 2024, adjusted earnings per share were $1.82, up from 70 cents reported in the previous year.

NCLH’s Balance Sheet

As of Dec. 31, 2024, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $190.8 million, down from $402.4 million at the end of 2023. Long-term debt was $11.78 billion compared with $12.31 billion as of 2023 end.

Booking Update of NCLH

During the fourth quarter, the company reported strong consumer demand across itineraries and brands, which is expected to continue into 2025 and 2026. Bookings remain at an optimal level on a 12-month forward basis. Occupancy during the quarter was 104.9%. The advance ticket sales balance, including long-term bookings, was $3.2 billion at the end of the quarter.

Q1 and 2025 Guidance by NCLH

For first-quarter 2025, NCLH anticipates occupancy to be approximately 101.5% and Capacity Days to be about 5.71 million. For the quarter, adjusted interest expenses are expected to be approximately $170 million, while depreciation and amortization are anticipated to be about $230 million. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be about $435 million. Adjusted EPS is predicted to be nearly 8 cents.

For 2025, the company anticipates occupancy to be approximately 103.4% and Capacity Days to be about 24.55 million. During the year, adjusted interest expenses are expected to be approximately $700 million. Depreciation and amortization are anticipated at nearly $985 million. Adjusted EBITDA during the year is expected to be nearly $2.72 billion. For 2025, adjusted EPS is currently expected to be nearly $2.05.

NCLH’s Zacks Rank

Norwegian Cruise currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Recent Consumer Discretionary Releases

JAKKS Pacific, Inc. JAKK reported fourth-quarter 2024 results, with earnings and revenues missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate after beating the same in the preceding quarter. However, both metrics improved year over year.

The company said its fourth-quarter performance met expectations, with the overall results for the year reflecting strong seasonality, particularly around Halloween and Christmas. JAKK has consistently encouraged customers to adopt its FOB selling model, which allows them to take advantage of larger, more efficient logistics operations.

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.'s LYV fourth-quarter 2024 earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The bottom line increased from the prior-year quarter’s level but the top line declined.

The company has been benefiting from the pent-up demand for live events and robust ticket sales. It continues to gain from the strong performance of Ticketmaster and higher fan spending. The company is set for further growth in 2025, supported by an extensive global concert pipeline and a record number of stadium shows. LYV remains focused on expanding music-centric venues, which are expected to contribute to double-digit adjusted operating income growth, driving sustained momentum in the coming years.

Pool Corporation POOL reported fourth-quarter 2024 results, with earnings and revenues beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Both top and the bottom lines declined from the prior-year quarter's actuals.

The company's 2024 results underscore the resilience of its business model amid a challenging macroeconomic environment. It reported enhancements to the POOL360 digital ecosystem, including technology rollouts and expanded digital marketing programs, paving a path for increased sales of private-label chemical products. The company strengthened its sales center network, adding 10 greenfield locations and completing two acquisitions, bringing total footprint to 448 locations worldwide.

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

Live Nation Entertainment has an average rating of overweight and mean price target of $168.33, according to analysts polled by FactSet.