(Source: Business Wire)

Strayer Education, Inc. (Nasdaq:STRA) today announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2009. Financial highlights are as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31
Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2009 increased 28% to $124.5 million, compared to $97.1 million for the same period in 2008, due to increased enrollment and a 5% tuition increase which commenced in January 2009.
Income from operations was $47.6 million compared to $35.6 million for the same period in 2008, an increase of 34%. Operating income margin was 38.2% compared to 36.6% for the same period in 2008.
Net income was $29.1 million compared to $23.5 million for the same period in 2008, an increase of 24%. Diluted earnings per share was $2.07 compared to $1.64 for the same period in 2008, an increase of 26%. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding decreased to 14,002,000 from 14,340,000 for the same period in 2008.
"We are pleased with our solid financial results for the first quarter and our strong student enrollment for the spring term," said Robert S. Silberman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Strayer Education, Inc. "We continue to expand our geographic footprint with the successful opening of our first two campuses in Ohio, located in Cincinnati and Columbus."
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
At March 31, 2009, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $84.0 million and no debt. The Company generated $47.1 million from operating activities in the first quarter of 2009, compared to $34.2 million during the same period in 2008. Capital expenditures were $6.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, compared to $5.1 million for the same period in 2008.
During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company invested $60.1 million to repurchase 348,085 shares of its common stock at an average price of $172.57 per share as part of a previously announced common stock repurchase authorization. The Company's remaining authorization for common stock repurchases was $10.1 million at March 31, 2009. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company paid a regular, quarterly common stock dividend of $7.1 million ($0.50 per share).
For the first quarter 2009, bad debt expense as a percentage of revenues was 3.2% compared to 2.5% for the same period in 2008. Days sales outstanding, adjusted to exclude tuition receivable related to future quarters, was 15 days at the end of the first quarter of 2009 compared to 12 days at the end of the first quarter of 2008.
Student Enrollment
Enrollment at Strayer University for the 2009 spring term increased 22% to 46,038 students compared to 37,733 for the same term in 2008. Across the Strayer University campus and online system, new student enrollments increased 26%, while continuing student enrollments increased 21%. Global online students increased 40%. Students taking 100% of their classes online (including campus based students) increased 24%. The total number of students taking at least one class online increased 23%.
Student Enrollment Spring Spring % 2008 2009 Change Campus Based Students: New Campuses (26 in operation 3 years or less) Classroom Students 1,459 3,363 131% Online Students 2,705 4,747 75% Total New Campus Based Students 4,164 8,110 95% Mature Campuses (39 in operation more than 3 years) Classroom Students 13,548 14,511 7% Online Students 16,622 18,650 12% Total Mature Campus Based Students 30,170 33,161 10% Total Campus Based Students 34,334 41,271 20% Global Online Students 3,399 4,767 40% Total University Enrollment 37,733 46,038 22% Total Students Taking 100% of Courses Online 22,726 28,164 24% Total Students Taking at Least 1 Course Online 27,064 33,208 23% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Campuses / Second Global Online Operations Center
The Company announced today that Strayer University had successfully opened two new campuses for the summer academic term. Both campuses are in the state of Ohio -- one in Cincinnati and the other in Columbus. With these two new campuses, the Company has opened seven of 11 new campuses planned for 2009. The Company also announced today that it had successfully opened its second Global Online Operations Center in Salt Lake City, Utah for the summer academic term.
Stock-based Compensation Activity
On April 28, 2009, the Company awarded a total of 6,790 shares of restricted stock. These shares were awarded to various non-employee members of the Company's Board of Directors, as part of the Company's annual director compensation program, as well as to a recently-hired corporate officer. The Company's stock price closed at $175.82 on the date of this restricted stock grant.
Shares and Options Outstanding
At March 31, 2009, the Company had 14,013,937 common shares issued and outstanding, and 147,084 stock options outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $105.49 and a remaining weighted average contractual life of 2.7 years.
Common Stock Cash Dividend
The Company announced today that its Board of Directors had declared its regular, quarterly common stock cash dividend of $0.50 per share. This dividend will be paid on June 10, 2009 to shareholders of record as of May 27, 2009.
Business Outlook
Based on the strong enrollment growth announced for the 2009 spring term, the Company estimates second quarter 2009 diluted EPS will be in the range of $1.95 to $1.97.
Conference Call with Management
Strayer Education, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2009 earnings at 10:00 a.m. (ET) today. To participate on the live call, investors should dial (800) 289-0468 10 minutes prior to the start time. In addition, the call will be available via live Webcast over the Internet. To access the live Webcast of the conference call, please go to www.strayereducation.com 15 minutes prior to the start time of the call to register. An archived replay of the conference call will be available at (888) 203-1112 (pass code 1744172) starting at 1:00 p.m. (ET) today and will be available through Tuesday, May 5, and archived at www.strayereducation.com for 90 days.
Strayer Education, Inc. (Nasdaq:STRA) is an education services holding company that owns Strayer University. Strayer's mission is to make higher education achievable for working adults. Strayer University is a proprietary institution of higher learning that offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business administration, accounting, information technology, education, health care, and public administration to approximately 46,000 working adult students at 67 campuses in 15 states and Washington, D.C., and worldwide via online courses. Strayer University is committed to providing an education that prepares working adult students for advancement in their careers and professional lives. Founded in 1892, Strayer University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
For more information on Strayer Education, Inc. visit www.strayereducation.com and for Strayer University visit www.strayer.edu.