Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2011 Results

PHOENIX, May 9, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (Nasdaq:LOPE), a regionally accredited provider of online and campus-based post-secondary education services, today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports First Quarter 2011 Results

For the three months ended March 31, 2011:

• Net revenue increased 13.9% to $101.7 million for the first quarter of 2011, compared to $89.3 million for the first quarter of 2010.
• At March 31, 2011, our enrollment was approximately 42,500 compared to 38,900 at March 31, 2010. Enrollment at March 31, 2010 represents individual students who attended a course during the last two months of the calendar quarter. Prior to our transition to BBAY, enrollment had been defined as individual students that attended a course in a term that was in session as of the end of the quarter. We estimated that enrollment at March 31, 2010 under the revised methodology would have been between 37,000 and 38,000.
• Operating income for the first quarter of 2011 was $19.2 million, a decrease of 2.0% as compared to $19.6 million for the same period in 2010. The operating margin for the first quarter of 2011 was 18.9%, compared to 21.9% for the same period in 2010.
• Adjusted EBITDA increased 4.6% to $24.5 million for the first quarter of 2011, compared to $23.4 million for the same period in 2010.
• The tax rate in the first quarter of 2011 was 41.0% compared to 40.6% in the first quarter of 2010. The higher effective tax rate in the first quarter of 2011 was primarily attributable to legislation that was enacted by the state of Arizona implementing a gradual reduction in the corporate tax rate beginning in 2014 that will be fully phased in by 2017. As a result of this legislation we were required to adjust our deferred tax balances to account for the effect of the new state tax rate, which resulted in higher state income taxes for the first quarter of 2011. Excluding the state tax rate adjustment for our deferred balances, our effective tax rate was 40.0% during the first quarter of 2011 compared to 40.6% during the first quarter of 2010.
• Net income decreased 1.6% to $11.3 million for the first quarter of 2011, compared to $11.5 million for the same period in 2010.
• Diluted net income per share was $0.25 for both the first quarter of 2011 and 2010.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of March 31, 2011, the University had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $30.2 million compared to $33.6 million at the end of 2010 and restricted cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 of $50.2 million and $52.9 million, respectively.

On April 8, 2011, the University entered into an amended and restated loan agreement with Bank of America, N.A. (the "Amended Agreement"). Under the Amended Agreement, the bank (a) extended the maturity date of the University's existing loan from April 30, 2014 to March 31, 2016 and decreased the interest rate on the outstanding balance from the BBA Libor Rate plus 225 basis points to the BBA Libor Rate plus 200 basis points (all other terms of the existing loan remain the same), and (b) provided to the University a revolving line of credit in the amount of $50.0 million through March 31, 2016 to be utilized for working capital, capital expenditures, share repurchases and other general corporate purposes. The Amended Agreement contains standard covenants that are substantially consistent with those included in the prior agreement, including covenants that, among other things, restrict the University's ability to incur additional debt or make certain investments, require the University to maintain compliance with certain applicable regulatory standards, and require the University to maintain a certain financial condition. Indebtedness under the Amended Agreement is secured by all of the University's assets. 

The University generated $23.4 million in cash from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to $49.1 million for the same period in 2010. Cash provided by operations in 2011 and 2010 resulted from net income plus non cash charges for provision for bad debts, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, and changes in working capital. Capital expenditures in 2011 of $14.7 million were primarily related to ground campus building projects such as a new dormitory and events arena to support our increasing traditional ground student enrollment as well as purchases of computer equipment, other internal use software projects and furniture and equipment. In 2010, cash used in investing activities primarily consisted of ground campus building projects, purchases of computer equipment, and software costs to complete our transition from Datatel to Campus Vue and Great Plains, other internal use software projects, and furniture and equipment to support our increasing student enrollment. During the first three months of 2011, $14.9 million of cash used in financing activities was primarily related to $14.2 million used to purchase treasury stock in accordance with the University's share repurchase program. During the first three months of 2010 cash provided by financing activities was $0.3 million and resulted from proceeds from the exercise of stock options and the excess tax benefits from share-based compensation being partially offset by principal payments on notes payable and capital lease obligations. 

2011 Annual Outlook

On a year over year basis revenue is expected to grow approximately 10% in the first half of 2011 and between 13% and 15% in the second half of 2011. Our target operating margins are 18%  and our target Adjusted EBITDA margins are 23.5%.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" which include information relating to future events, future financial performance, strategies expectations, competitive environment, regulation, and availability of resources. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding: proposed new programs; expectations that regulatory developments or other matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity; statements concerning projections, predictions, expectations, estimates, or forecasts as to our business, financial and operational results, and future economic performance; and statements of management's goals and objectives and other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Words such as "may," "should," "could," "would," "predicts," "potential," "continue," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: our failure to comply with the extensive regulatory framework applicable to our industry, including Title IV of the Higher Education Act and the regulations thereunder, state laws and regulatory requirements, and accrediting commission requirements; the results of the ongoing program review being conducted by the Department of Education of our compliance with Title IV program requirements, and possible fines or other administrative sanctions resulting therefrom; the ability of our students to obtain federal Title IV funds, state financial aid, and private financing; risks associated with changes in applicable federal and state laws and regulations and accrediting commission standards, including pending rulemaking by the Department of Education; potential damage to our reputation or other adverse effects as a result of negative publicity in the media, in the industry or in connection with governmental reports or investigations or otherwise, affecting us or other companies in the for-profit postsecondary education sector; our ability to hire and train new, and develop and train existing, enrollment counselors; the pace of growth of our enrollment; our ability to convert prospective students to enrolled students and to retain active students; our success in updating and expanding the content of existing programs and developing new programs in a cost-effective manner or on a timely basis; industry competition, including competition for qualified executives and other personnel; risks associated with the competitive environment for marketing our programs; failure on our part to keep up with advances in technology that could enhance the online experience for our students; the extent to which obligations under our loan agreement, including the need to comply with restrictive and financial covenants and to pay principal and interest payments, limits our ability to conduct our operations or seek new business opportunities; potential decreases in enrollment, the payment of refunds or other negative impacts on our operating results as a result of our change from a "term-based" financial aid system to a "borrower-based, non-term" or "BBAY" financial aid system; our ability to manage future growth effectively; general adverse economic conditions or other developments that affect job prospects in our core disciplines; and other factors discussed in reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

Financial Statement Presentation

In the first quarter of 2011, the University made changes in its presentation of costs and expenses and reclassified prior periods to conform to the current presentation. Previously the University reported bad debt expense as a general and administrative expense and royalty to former owner on a separate line item in the income statement. Both bad debt expense and royalty to former owner are now included in instructional costs and services. The University believes that these changes provide greater comparability to other institutions in its industry sector. There were no changes to total costs and expenses as a result of these reclassifications.

Conference Call

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. will discuss its first quarter 2011 results and 2011 outlook during a conference call scheduled for today, May 9, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (ET). To participate in the live call, investors should dial 877-815-5362 (domestic and Canada) or 706-679-7806 (international), passcode 57405623 at 4:25 p.m. (ET). The Webcast will be available on the Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Web site at www.gcu.edu.

A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours following the conclusion of the call through May 8, 2012, at 800-642-1687 (domestic) or 706-645-9291 (international), passcode 57405623. It will also be archived at www.gcu.edu in the investor relations section for 60 days.

About Grand Canyon Education, Inc.

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. is a regionally accredited provider of postsecondary education services focused on offering graduate and undergraduate degree programs in its core disciplines of education, business, and healthcare. In addition to its online programs, it offers programs at its traditional campus in Phoenix, Arizona and onsite at the facilities of employers. Approximately 42,500 students were enrolled as of March 31, 2011. For more information about Grand Canyon Education, Inc., please visit http://www.gcu.edu.

The Grand Canyon Education, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6443

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*    Grand Canyon Education, Inc. is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), http://www.ncahlc.org. Grand Canyon University, 3300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85017, www.gcu.edu.
 

GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income plus interest expense net of interest income, plus income tax expense, and plus depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), as adjusted for (i) royalty payments incurred pursuant to an agreement with our former owner that has been terminated as of April 15, 2008; (ii) contributions to Arizona school tuition organizations in lieu of state income taxes, which we typically make in the fourth quarter of a fiscal year; (iii) exit costs, if any; (iv) litigation losses, if any; (v) contract termination fees, if any and (vi) share-based compensation. We present Adjusted EBITDA because we consider it to be an important supplemental measure of our operating performance. We also make certain compensation decisions based, in part, on our operating performance, as measured by Adjusted EBITDA, and our loan agreement requires us to comply with covenants that include performance metrics substantially similar to Adjusted EBITDA. All of the adjustments made in our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA are adjustments to items that management does not consider to be reflective of our core operating performance. Management considers our core operating performance to be that which can be affected by our managers in any particular period through their management of the resources that affect our underlying revenue and profit generating operations during that period. Royalty expenses paid to our former owner, contributions made to Arizona school tuition organizations in lieu of the payment of state income taxes, estimated litigation losses, exit costs, share-based compensation, and contract termination fees are not considered reflective of our core performance.

We believe Adjusted EBITDA allows us to compare our current operating results with corresponding historical periods and with the operational performance of other companies in our industry because it does not give effect to potential differences caused by variations in capital structures (affecting relative interest expense, including the impact of write-offs of deferred financing costs when companies refinance their indebtedness), tax positions (such as the impact on periods or companies of changes in effective tax rates or net operating losses), the book amortization of intangibles (affecting relative amortization expense), and other items that we do not consider reflective of underlying operating performance. We also present Adjusted EBITDA because we believe it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties as a measure of performance.

In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, investors should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses similar to the adjustments described above. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by expenses that are unusual, non-routine, or non-recurring. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for net income, operating income, or any other performance measure derived in accordance with and reported under GAAP or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities or as a measure of our liquidity. Some of these limitations are that it does not reflect:

• cash expenditures for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
• changes in, or cash requirement for, our working capital requirements;
• interest expense, or the cash required to replace assets that are being depreciated or amortized; and
• the impact on our reported results of earnings or charges resulting from the items for which we make adjustments to our EBITDA, as described above and set forth in the table below.

In addition, other companies, including other companies in our industry, may calculate these measures differently than we do, limiting the usefulness of Adjusted EBITDA as a comparative measure. Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a substitute for net income, operating income, or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP, or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities or as a measure of our liquidity. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and using Adjusted EBITDA only supplementally.  

The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure for the periods indicated:

The following is a summary of our student enrollment at March 31, 2011 and 2010 (which included less than 525 students pursuing non-degree certificates) by degree type and by instructional delivery method: