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Online education is the new norm in today’s learning scenario as it is cost-effective and flexible. Amid this backdrop, we have three stocks, Graham Holdings (GHC), Grand Canyon Education (LOPE), and Stride, Inc. (LRN), that could be schooling the market for years to come and are worth keeping an eye for. Read more…Online education stocks are catching the market’s eye as they have positioned themselves with the growing demand for remote learning and digital education solutions. This shift toward digital learning has turned a niche market into a booming industry.
With this momentum, online education companies that are well positioned, Graham Holdings Company (GHC), Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (LOPE), and Stride, Inc. (LRN), have been reshaping and making it the mainstream mode of education in the world.
According to Statista, the global market revenue of online education services is anticipated to reach $279.30 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.6%. This market, accelerated by the pandemic, has been growing as new technologies are also being integrated into it.
Furthermore, the efficiency and appeal of online education are being improved by technological innovations, including AI-powered personalized learning, virtual reality (VR) classrooms, and advanced learning management systems. The global EdTech market is projected to reach $598.82 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 17.1%.
Given this backdrop, let’s analyze the fundamentals of three featured Outsourcing – Education Services stocks, beginning with #3.
Stock #3: Graham Holdings Company (GHC)
GHC is a global diversified education and media holding company. It operates through six segments: Kaplan International; Kaplan Higher Education; Kaplan Supplemental Education; Television Broadcasting; Manufacturing; and Healthcare and Automotive. 
On August 8, the company paid its shareholders a quarterly dividend of $1.72 per share. GHC pays an annual dividend of $6.88, which translates to a yield of 0.94% at the current share price. Moreover, its dividend payouts have increased at a CAGR of 4.4% over the past three years.
In terms of the trailing-12-month cash per share, GHC’s $31.98 is significantly higher than the $2.48 industry average. However, its 9.48% trailing-12-month EBITDA margin is 14% lower than the industry average of 11.45%.
For the six-month period that ended on June 30, 2024, GHC’s operating revenues increased 9.4% year-over-year to $2.34 billion, while the company’s Education segment reported operating revenue of $845.50 million, indicating an 8.4% growth from the prior-year period.
GHC’s adjusted net income came in at $107.32 million, up 5.8% year-over-year, while its adjusted income per share grew 12.9% from the year-ago value to $23.99.
Analysts expect GHC’s revenue for the third quarter (ending September 2024) to increase 10.6% year-over-year to $1.23 billion, while its EPS for the same period is expected to grow 46.5% from the prior year’s period to $15.31.
The stock has gained 28.7% over the past year and 15.5% over the past nine months to close the last trading session at $732.27.
GHC’s stance is apparent in its POWR Ratings. The stock has a B grade for Value and Stability. The POWR Ratings are calculated by considering 118 different factors, each weighted to an optimal degree.
Among the 19 stocks in the A-rated Outsourcing – Education Services industry, it is ranked #11. Click here to see the additional GHC ratings (Growth, Momentum, Sentiment, and Quality).
Stock #2: Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (LOPE)
LOPE is an education services company that primarily serves colleges and universities. It develops technological solutions, infrastructure, and operational processes to provide services to its institutions on a large scale and offers technological and academic services.
The stock’s trailing-12-month net income margin of 21.88% is 381.5% higher than the industry average of 4.54%. Similarly, its 22.10% trailing-12-month ROTA is 444.6% above the industry average of 4.06%. Also, its trailing-12-month levered FCF of 17.20% compares favorably to the industry average of 5.14%.
During the second quarter that ended on June 30, 2024, LOPE’s service revenue increased 8% year-over-year to $227.46 million. The company’s operating income came in at $42.72 million, reflecting an increase of 20.5% from the prior-year quarter.
Its non-GAAP net income amounted to $37.32 million and $ $1.27 per share, reflecting 21.9% and 25.7% year-over-year increases, respectively. In addition, its adjusted EBITDA increased by 22.6% year-over-year, amounting to $58.53 million.
Looking ahead, LOPE anticipates full-year service revenue for fiscal year 2024 to fall between $1.026 billion and $1.034 billion, and operating margin is anticipated to be in the range of 26.7%-27.2%. The company also projects non-GAAP income per share to range from $7.88 to $8.07.
The consensus revenue estimate of $239.68 million for the fiscal third quarter (ending September 2024) represents an 8% increase year-over-year. The consensus EPS estimate of $1.47 for the same quarter indicates a 16.7% improvement year-over-year. The company has an impressive surprise history; it surpassed the consensus revenue and EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters.
Over the past year, the stock has surged 23.4%, closing the last trading session at $137.41.
LOPE’s bright prospects are reflected in its POWR Ratings. The stock has an overall rating of B, which translates to a Buy in our proprietary rating system.
It also has an A grade for Sentiment and a B for Quality. Within the same A-rated industry, it is ranked #9 out of 19 stocks. Click here to see LOPE’s ratings for Growth, Value, Momentum, and Stability.
Stock #1: Stride, Inc. (LRN)
LRN, a technology-based education service company, provides proprietary and third-party online curriculum, software systems, and educational services worldwide. The company serves public and private schools, charter boards, consumers, employers, and government agencies.
On September 5, LRN launches Road2Teach, a new teacher program, in Indiana. This new program will offer two non-degree-granting programs to help aspiring teachers transition to teaching and pass their teacher certification exams. This program has two sections: Elementary Education program and Secondary education program. The new program is set to expand the company’s offerings.
LRN’s trailing-12-month ROCE and ROTA of 19.23% and 10.63% are 67.8% and 162.1% higher than their respective industry averages of 11.47% and 4.06%. Likewise, its trailing-12-month asset turnover ratio of 1.11x is 11.7% above the industry average of 0.99x.
LRN’s revenues for the fourth quarter, which ended on June 30, 2024, increased 10.5% year-over-year to $534.18 million. Its adjusted operating income rose 36.4% from the year-ago value to $87.89 million.
The company’s attributable net income amounted to $62.78 million, representing a 44.8% increase from the same period last year, and its attributable net income per share for the quarter increased 40.6% year-over-year to $1.42. Also, the adjusted EBITDA came in at $112.09 million reflecting an increase of 26.3% from the prior year quarter.
Street expects LRN’s revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 (ending September 2024) to increase 5.4% year-over-year to $506.09 million. Moreover, its EPS estimate of $0.26 for the same period indicates a significant year-over-year growth. In addition, it surpassed the consensus revenue estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, which is excellent.
LRN shares have surged 84% over the past year to close the last trading session at $79.49.
It’s no surprise that LRN has an overall B rating, equating to a Buy in our POWR Ratings system. It has a B grade for Growth. Within the Outsourcing – Education Services industry, it is ranked #8 out of 19 stocks.
Click here to see the other ratings of LRN for Value, Momentum, Stability, Sentiment and Quality.
What To Do Next?
43 year investment veteran, Steve Reitmeister, has just released his 2024 market outlook along with trading plan and top 11 picks for the year ahead.
2024 Stock Market Outlook >

LOPE shares were trading at $137.10 per share on Monday morning, down $0.31 (-0.23%). Year-to-date, LOPE has gained 3.83%, versus a 15.64% rise in the benchmark S&P 500 index during the same period.
About the Author: Anushka DuttaAnushka is an analyst whose interest in understanding the impact of broader economic changes on financial markets motivated her to pursue a career in investment research.More…The post 3 Online Education Stocks Ready to School the Market appeared first on StockNews.com

With Alphabet (GOOGL) facing growing antitrust challenges, investors question whether the tech giant remains a buy. Discover if GOOGL’s financial strength and massive growth in AI and cloud can offset regulatory risks. Read on to learn more…Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) has been a dominant player in the tech industry. However, it faces increased scrutiny from regulators worldwide. Google is set to face trial next week in a second antitrust case, where the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will challenge the company’s methods of monetizing advertising, which prosecutors claim harms news publishers.
This case is part of the Biden administration’s broader push to curb the power of Big Tech through antitrust laws. It follows a significant victory for the Justice Department in a separate lawsuit on August 5, when a judge ruled that Google illegally monopolized online search.
Despite these looming challenges, GOOGL’s financial strength remains undeniable. The company reported better-than-expected revenue and earnings for the second quarter of 2024. Alphabet reported revenues of $84.74 billion, surpassing analysts’ estimate of $84.30 billion. The company’s EPS came in at $1.89, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.84.
Its main revenue drivers—Google Search, YouTube, and Google Cloud—remain robust. The company’s advertising arm, which is at the center of antitrust scrutiny, still accounts for a significant portion of its revenue, and its dominance in digital ads has positioned Alphabet as a key player in the tech ecosystem.
Additionally, Alphabet is well-diversified with its growing cloud business, artificial intelligence (AI) advancements, and other ventures such as Waymo (autonomous driving) and Verily (health technology).
Shares of GOOGL have gained 17.4% over the past month and 15.3% over the past six months to close the last trading session at $156.45.
Let’s look at factors that could influence GOOGL’s performance in the upcoming months.
Outstanding Financials
For the second quarter that ended June 30, 2024, GOOGL’s revenues increased 13.6% year-over-year to $84.74 billion. Its operating income rose 25.6% from the year-ago value to $27.43 billion. Its net income was $23.62 billion, up 28.6% year-over-year. Its earnings per share grew 31.3% from the prior year’s quarter to $1.89 billion.
In addition, the company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $27.23 billion as of June 30, 2024, compared to $24.05 billion as of December 31, 2023. Its total assets were $414.77 billion versus $402.39 billion as of December 31, 2023.
Favorable Analyst Estimates
Analysts expect GOOGL’s revenue for the third quarter (ending September 2024) to grow 12.5% year-over-year to $86.26 billion. The consensus EPS estimate of $1.84 for the ongoing quarter indicates an improvement of 18.5% year-over-year. Further, the company has surpassed consensus revenue and EPS estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, which is impressive.
For the fiscal year ending December 2024, Wall Street expects Alphabet’s revenue and EPS to increase 13% and 31.5% from the previous year to $347.35 billion and $7.63, respectively. The company’s revenue and EPS for the fiscal year 2025 are expected to grow 11.3% and 14% year-over-year to $386.67 billion and $8.69, respectively.
Solid Historical Growth
GOOGL’s revenue has grown at a CAGR of 17.2% over the past five years. Its EBITDA has increased at a CAGR of 20.9% over the same period, and its levered free cash flow has grown at a CAGR of 16%. Furthermore, the company’s net income and EPS have improved at CAGRs of 20.3% and 23% over the same timeframe, respectively.
Additionally, the company’s total assets have increased at a CAGR of 10% over the past five years.
Robust Profitability
GOOGL’s trailing-12-month gross profit margin of 57.64% is 13.3% higher than the 50.88% industry average. Its trailing-12-month EBITDA margin of 35.18% is 90.5% higher than the 18.47% industry average. Likewise, the stock’s trailing-12-month net income margin of 26.70% is significantly higher than the industry average of 3.24%.
Furthermore, GOOGL’s trailing-12-month ROCE, ROTC, and ROTA of 30.87%, 20.34%, and 21.13% are considerably higher than the industry averages of 3.49%, 3.81%, and 1.37%, respectively. The stock’s trailing-12-month levered FCF margin of 13.40% is 65.3% higher than the industry average of 8.10%.
POWR Ratings Reflect Promise
GOOGL’s sound fundamentals are reflected in its POWR Ratings. The stock has an overall rating of B, which translates to a Buy in our proprietary rating system. The POWR Ratings are calculated by taking into account 118 different factors, with each factor weighted to an optimal degree.
Our proprietary rating system also evaluates each stock based on eight distinct categories. GOOGL has an A grade for Sentiment, in sync with its favorable analyst expectations. In addition, the stock has a B grade for Quality, consistent with higher-than-industry profitability.
Within the B-rated Internet industry, GOOGL is ranked #8 out of 52 stocks.
Beyond what I have stated above, we have also given GOOGL grades for Value, Growth, Momentum, and Stability. Get all GOOGL ratings here.
Bottom Line
While Alphabet’s dominance in search and digital ads has put it in the crosshairs of antitrust regulators, its outstanding financial performance, innovation in AI and cloud, and expansion into new markets make it a compelling long-term investment. Given robust financials and a bright growth outlook, GOOGL could be an ideal investment for potential gains.
How Does Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) Stack Up Against Its Peers?
While GOOGL has an overall POWR Rating of B, investors could also check out these other stocks within the Internet industry with an A (Strong Buy) rating: Meituan ADR (MPNGY), Dingdong (Cayman) Ltd (DDL), and Travelzoo (TZOO).
To explore more A or B-rated internet stocks, click here.
What To Do Next?
Discover 10 widely held stocks that our proprietary model shows have tremendous downside potential. Please make sure none of these “death trap” stocks are lurking in your portfolio:
10 Stocks to SELL NOW! >

GOOGL shares were trading at $156.58 per share on Thursday afternoon, up $0.13 (+0.08%). Year-to-date, GOOGL has gained 12.22%, versus a 16.01% rise in the benchmark S&P 500 index during the same period.
About the Author: Mangeet Kaur BounsMangeet’s keen interest in the stock market led her to become an investment researcher and financial journalist. Using her fundamental approach to analyzing stocks, Mangeet’s looks to help retail investors understand the underlying factors before making investment decisions.More…The post With Antitrust Challenges Looming, Is Alphabet Still a Buy? appeared first on StockNews.com

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