Lincoln Educational Services Reports Continued Growth During First Quarter 2024, with 15% Student Starts and 20% Revenue Growth; Increasing Financial Guidance for Full Year 2024

Rhea-AI Summary

Lincoln Educational Services reported strong growth in the first quarter of 2024, with a 15% increase in student starts and a 20% growth in revenue. Financial highlights include a revenue increase to $103.4 million, tripled Adjusted EBITDA to $6.5 million, and a 11.2% rise in student population. The company also entered into new agreements and a credit facility, with total liquidity over $109 million. Lincoln raised its full-year guidance for revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted Net Income. The company's President & CEO commented on the positive momentum and the benefits of the innovative educational approach adopted by Lincoln, which is meeting the demand for skilled professionals in the market. The company is seeing increased interest from both students and employers and positioning itself for future growth.

Positive

• Strong growth in student starts and revenue in Q1 2024.

• Tripled Adjusted EBITDA to $6.5 million.

• Successful execution of strategies led to increased revenue and student population.

• Increased guidance for full year revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted Net Income.

• New campus openings, agreements with partners, and credit facility enhance growth prospects.

Negative

• Increased educational services and facilities expenses due to one-time costs for new campuses.

• Higher selling, general, and administrative expenses impacting profitability.

• Increased administrative costs, medical claims, and bad debt expense affecting financials.

• Rising marketing investments contributing to higher student start growth.

• Corporate and other expenses rising primarily due to additional salaries and benefits.

Insights

Financial Analyst

Lincoln Educational Services' announcement of a significant revenue growth of 19.7% to $103.4 million, coupled with a 15.3% increase in student starts, reflects a robust operational performance in the first quarter of 2024. The tripling of Adjusted EBITDA to $6.5 million indicates not only improved profitability but also suggests that the company has managed to enhance its operational efficiency, which is a critical component in the education service sector. This performance is further corroborated by a substantial uptick in overall student population by 11.2%, demonstrating the company's ability to attract and retain students in an increasingly competitive market. The lack of debt on the balance sheet, with total liquidity of over $109 million, portrays a financially healthy organization with potential for strategic expansion or investment. The upward revision of the company's financial guidance for the full year 2024 is a positive signal to investors, as forecasts are often conservative to mitigate risk. The fact that Lincoln Educational Services is adjusting these projections upward should instill confidence in the company's ability to meet and exceed its financial targets. However, investors should also consider the costs associated with expanding operations, such as those incurred for new campuses and relocation, which may affect profit margins if not managed effectively.

Market Research Analyst

The strategic business developments, including the inauguration of a new campus and the buildout of additional campuses, indicate a targeted expansion strategy aimed at capturing market share. In the context of the current skepticism around four-year college degrees and a pronounced national skills gap, Lincoln's focus on in-demand, skill-based curricula positions it favorably in the market. The report on the company's growth trajectory aligns with industry trends that emphasize practical, career-oriented education. The five-year agreement with Container Maintenance Corporation for on-the-job training represents a valuable corporate partnership that could lead to recurring revenue streams and enhanced market presence. These developments not only reflect a possible immediate increase in demand for Lincoln's educational services but also a long-term strategic positioning that could sustain growth. However, the effectiveness of these growth initiatives, including the hybrid instructional learning model 'Lincoln 10.0', will need to be evaluated over time to assess their impact on operational costs and the quality of education provided. The emphasis on partnerships and workforce training programs is in line with current educational trends, which favor collaborations between educational institutions and industry for the development of a skilled workforce.

Education Industry Expert

The rise in student starts by 15.3% and an 11.2% increase in student population is particularly noteworthy in an industry often challenged by fluctuating enrollments and shifting educational preferences. Lincoln’s implementation of a hybrid learning model, Lincoln 10.0, could become a differentiator in the educational services sector, combining the scalability of online education with the personalized touch of traditional instruction. This approach caters to the growing demand for flexible learning options and may increase the institution's appeal among a wider demographic. The strategic moves to commence classes at a new campus in East Point, Georgia and groundwork for additional campuses suggests a focus on geographic diversification, a move that could buffer against regional economic downturns. The company’s operational and financial results indicate a proactive approach to scaling up in a methodical way, which is important in an industry that requires a balance between growth and maintaining educational standards. For current and prospective investors, such strategic expansions and innovative delivery models can be indicators of potential for long-term growth and market competitiveness.

Conference Call Today at 10 a.m. ET

PARSIPPANY, N.J., May 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (Nasdaq: LINC) today announced financial and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024, as well as recent business developments.

First Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights*

• Revenue grew 19.7% to $103.4 million
• Adjusted EBITDA tripled to $6.5 million
• Student starts increased 15.3%
• Ended quarter with 1,388 additional students, a 11.2% increase in population
• Total liquidity of over $109 million; no debt outstanding
• Increasing guidance for full year Revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income

Recent Developments

• Classes commenced at our newest campus in East Point, Georgia
• Entered into a 5-year agreement with Container Maintenance Corporation (“CMC"), (Marine Repair Services), to provide on-the-job training, to its technicians
• Entered into new $40 million credit facility with Fifth Third Bank providing added flexibility to execute growth initiatives
  

*Note: The highlighted financial results exclude the Transitional segment results of prior year. A reconciliation of GAAP / non-GAAP measures is included in this release.

“We had an exceptionally strong start to 2024 and the momentum generated during the first quarter has continued,” commented Scott Shaw, President & CEO. “The American public is increasingly questioning the costs and value of a traditional four-year college degree while the nation’s skills gap is stifling growth and opportunity. Lincoln is capitalizing on these market dynamics by providing innovative efficient student curricula that provides opportunity to a growing number of graduates to enter rewarding, in-demand careers. During the first quarter, the successful execution of our strategies resulted in just over 15% student start growth and nearly 20% revenue growth. This solid first quarter performance allows us to increase our full year guidance for revenue, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income.”

“During the quarter, we welcomed our inaugural class of students to our newest campus in East Point, Georgia. In addition, we began the buildouts of our new Nashville, Tennessee and Levittown, Pennsylvania campuses, finalized the plans for our new Houston campus, and made progress in identifying another new campus location. At the same time, we continue to make progress towards the roll out of nine replicated programs at existing Lincoln campuses, as well as the full transition to our highly scalable hybrid instructional learning model, or Lincoln 10.0, by the end of the year.”

“Lincoln 10.0, is beginning to yield operating leverage,” added Mr. Shaw. “We generated nearly 20% higher revenue, while at the same time decreasing instructional costs as a percentage of revenue. As 2024 unfolds, we are well positioned to realize continued operating leverage as the transition is completed.”

“We have continued to develop our existing corporate partnerships as well as enter into new ones. Last week, we announced a five-year, nearly $6.0 million agreement with CMC to provide onsite employee training, our largest program of its type to date. The combination of our Lincoln 10.0 model, our replicated programs, our new and relocated campuses, and the addition of on-site workforce skills training, and the increasing interest in Lincoln programs from both employers and students have positioned the Company for growth during the remainder of 2024 and into the foreseeable future.”

2024 FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS

(Quarter ended March 31, 2024 compared to March 31, 2023)

• Revenue increased by $16.1 million, or 18.4%, to $103.4 million. Included in the prior year is $0.9 million of revenue related to the Transitional segment. Excluding this revenue for comparability, revenue would have increased by $17.0 million, or 19.7%. The primary reasons for the increase was an 11.9% rise in average student population due to starting the year with approximately 1,100 more students, or 9.0%, coupled with 15.3% growth in student starts.
• Educational services and facilities expense increased $4.9 million, or 12.9% to $43.0 million. Included in the increase over the prior year are approximately $2.9 million of one-time expenses for new campuses and campus relocation cost, relating to the new Houston, Texas campus, in addition to the relocation of our Nashville, Tennessee and Levittown, Pennsylvania locations. Remaining expense increases were due to instructional salaries and books and tools expenses resulting from higher staffing levels driven by student population growth combined with merit increases.
• Selling, general and administrative expense increased $10.2 million, or 20.3% to $60.5 million. The majority of the increase was due to higher administrative costs, which increased $7.4 million due to several factors including an increase in salary expense, driven in part by merit increases and population growth, increased medical claims, and additional bad debt expense, largely driven by revenue growth. In addition, marketing investments were up $1.6 million, which helped drive our 15.3% student start growth.
  

FIRST QUARTER SEGMENT RESULTS

Campus Operations Segment
Revenue increased $17.0 million, or 19.7% to $103.4 million. Adjusted EBITDA increased $6.5 million or 56.5% to $18.1 million, from $11.6 million in the prior year.

Transitional Segment
The Somerville, Massachusetts campus teach-out was completed in the fourth quarter of 2023. In the prior year, the Somerville campus had revenue of $0.9 million and operating expenses of $1.1 million.

Corporate and Other
This category includes unallocated expenses incurred on behalf of the entire Company. Corporate and other expense were $12.8 million, up from $11.0 million in the prior year. Increased costs were primarily due to additional salaries, performance based incentives and medical benefits expense.

FULL YEAR 2024 OUTLOOK
Based on 2024 first quarter financial results, as well as the current quarter performance to date, and the anticipated operating performance for the remainder of the year, the Company is revising its financial projections upwards for revenue, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted net income as outlined below:

			2024 Guidance
(Amounts in millions except for student starts)			Low			High
Revenue			$	418	-	$	428
Adjusted EBITDA			$	37	-	$	42	1
Adjusted net income			$	12	-	$	17	1
Capital expenditures			$	65	-	$	70
Starts			7%		-	12%
1	The guidance in this release includes references to non-GAAP operating measures. A reconciliation to the midpoint of our guidance can be reviewed below in the non-GAAP operating measures at the end of this release.

CONFERENCE CALL INFO
Lincoln will host a conference call today at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time to discuss results. To access the live webcast of the conference call, please go to the Investor Overview section of Lincoln’s website at http://www.lincolntech.edu. Participants may also register via teleconference at Q1 2024 Lincoln Educational Services Earnings Conference Call. Once registration is completed, participants will be provided with a dial-in number containing a personalized PIN to access the call. Participants are requested to register at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call.

An archived version of the webcast will be accessible for 90 days at http://www.lincolntech.edu.

ABOUT LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION

Lincoln Educational Services Corporation is a leading provider of diversified career-oriented post-secondary education helping to provide solutions to America’s skills gap. Lincoln offers career-oriented programs to recent high school graduates and working adults in five principal areas of study: automotive technology, health sciences, skilled trades, business and information technology, and hospitality services. Lincoln has provided the workforce with skilled technicians since its inception in 1946 and currently operates 22 campuses in 13 states under 4 brands: Lincoln College of Technology, Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln Culinary Institute, and Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts and Sciences. For more information, please go to www.lincolntech.edu.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements in this press release and in oral statements made from time to time by representatives of Lincoln Educational Services Corporation regarding Lincoln’s business that are not historical facts, including those made in a conference call, may be “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the federal securities law. The words “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” and “continue,” and their opposites and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/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. 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, if at all. Generally, these statements relate to business plans or strategies and projections involving anticipated revenues, earnings, or other aspects of the Company’s operating results. Such forward-looking statements include the Company’s current belief that it is taking appropriate steps regarding the pandemic and that student growth will continue. The Company cautions you that these statements concern current expectations about the Company’s future performance or events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, risks, and other influences, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that may influence the accuracy of the statements and the projects upon which the statements are based including, without limitation, impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic or other epidemics or pandemics; our failure to comply with the extensive regulatory framework applicable to our industry or our failure to obtain timely regulatory approvals in connection with acquisitions or a change of control of our Company; our success in updating and expanding the content of existing programs and developing new programs for our students in a cost-effective manner or on a timely basis; risks associated with cybersecurity; risks associated with changes in applicable federal laws and regulations; uncertainties regarding our ability to comply with federal laws and regulations, such as the 90/10 rule and prescribed cohort default rates; risks associated with the opening of new campuses; risks associated with integration of acquired schools; industry competition; our ability to execute our growth strategies; conditions and trends in our industry; general economic conditions; and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Reports and Quarterly Reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Lincoln undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof.

(Tables to Follow)
(In Thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	(Unaudited)
		2024				2023
REVENUE	$	103,366			$	87,284
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Educational services and facilities		43,023				38,093
Selling, general and administrative		60,492				50,307
Loss on sale of asset		309				-
Total costs & expenses		103,824				88,400
OPERATING LOSS		(458	)			(1,116	)
OTHER:
Interest income		698				467
Interest expense		(567	)			(25	)
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES		(327	)			(674	)
BENEFIT FOR INCOME TAXES		(113	)			(565	)
NET LOSS	$	(214	)		$	(109	)
Basic
Net loss per common share	$	(0.01	)		$	(0.00	)
Diluted
Net loss per common share	$	(0.01	)		$	(0.00	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic		30,301				30,039
Diluted		30,301				30,039
Other data:
Adjusted EBITDA (1)	$	6,545			$	2,196
Depreciation and amortization	$	2,964			$	1,253
Number of campuses		22				22
Average enrollment		13,678				12,387
Net cash used in operating activities	$	(14,934	)		$	(214	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	$	8,034			$	(3,249	)
Net cash used in financing activities	$	(3,594	)		$	(2,335	)

Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:	March 31, 2024
	(Unaudited)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	68,554
Restricted cash		1,221
Current assets		118,749
Working capital		58,867
Total assets		355,163
Current liabilities		59,882
Total stockholders' equity		164,493

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
In addition to disclosing financial results that are determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the Company believes it is useful to present non-GAAP financial measures that exclude certain significant items as a means to understand the performance of its business. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and total liquidity are measures not recognized in financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP.

• We define EBITDA as income (loss) before interest expense (net of interest income), provision (benefit) for income taxes, depreciation and amortization.
• We define adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA plus stock compensation expense and adjustments for items not considered part of the Company’s normal recurring operations.
• We define adjusted net income as net income plus adjustments for items not considered part of the Company’s normal recurring operations.
• We define total liquidity as the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and restricted cash.

EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and total liquidity are presented because we believe they are useful indicators of the Company’s performance and ability to make strategic investments and meet capital expenditures and debt service requirements. However, they are not intended to represent cash flows from operations as defined by GAAP and should not be used as an alternative to net income (loss) as indicators of operating performance or cash flow as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income and total liquidity are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

The following is a reconciliation of net income (loss) to EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and total liquidity:

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		(Unaudited)
		Consolidated Operations
			2024				2023
	Net loss	$	(214	)		$	(109	)
	Interest income, net		(131	)			(442	)
	Benefit for income taxes		(113	)			(565	)
	Depreciation and amortization		2,964				1,253
	EBITDA		2,506				137
	Stock compensation expense		1,059				812
	New campus and campus relocation costs1		2,802				260
	Severance and other one-time costs		89				794
	Program expansions		89				-
	Transitional segment		-				193
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	6,545			$	2,196
1	Includes $450,000 of non-cash rent expense.

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	(Unaudited)
	Campus Operations							Transitional							Corporate
	2024				2023			2024				2023				2024				2023
Net income (loss)	$	11,824		$	10,109			$	-		$	(197	)		$	(12,038	)		$	(10,021	)
Interest expense (income), net		501			-				-			-				(632	)			(442	)
Benefit for income taxes		-			-				-			-				(113	)			(565	)
Depreciation and amortization		2,773			1,099				-			4				191				150
EBITDA		15,098			11,208				-			(193	)			(12,592	)			(10,878	)
Stock compensation expense		-			-				-			-				1,059				812
New campus and campus relocation costs1		2,802			260				-			-				-				-
Severance and other one-time costs		89			84				-			-				-				710
Program expansions		89			-				-			-				-				-
Transitional segment		-			-				-			193				-				-
Adjusted EBITDA	$	18,078		$	11,552			$	-		$	-			$	(11,533	)		$	(9,356	)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	(Unaudited)
		2024				2023
Net loss	$	(214	)		$	(109	)
Non-recurring adjustments:
New campus and campus relocation costs1		2,802				260
Severance and other one time costs		89				973
Program expansions		89				-
Transitional segment		-				193
Total non-recurring adjustments		2,980				1,426
Income tax effect		(894	)			(406	)
Adjusted net income, non-GAAP	$	1,872			$	911

	As of
	March 31, 2024
Cash and cash equivalents	$	68,554
Restricted cash		1,221
Credit facility		40,000
Total Liquidity	$	109,775

	Three Months Ended March 31,
		2024				2023			% Change
Revenue:
Campus Operations	$	103,366			$	86,352			19.7	%
Transitional		-				932			-100.0	%
Total	$	103,366			$	87,284			18.4	%
Operating Income (loss):
Campus Operations	$	12,324			$	10,109			21.9	%
Transitional		-				(197	)		-100.0	%
Corporate		(12,782	)			(11,028	)		-15.9	%
Total	$	(458	)		$	(1,116	)		59.0	%
Starts:
Campus Operations		3,967				3,440			15.3	%
Total		3,967				3,440			15.3	%
Average Population:
Campus Operations		13,678				12,225			11.9	%
Transitional		-				162			-100.0	%
Total		13,678				12,387			10.4	%
End of Period Population:
Campus Operations		13,801				12,413			11.2	%
Transitional		-				131			-100.0	%
Total		13,801				12,544			10.0	%

Information included in the table below provides student starts and population under the Campus Operations segment with a breakdown by Transportation and Skilled Trade programs and Healthcare and Other Professions programs. This information is not comparable to the Company’s prior period segment reporting, which was performed on a campus basis rather than a program basis.

Population by Program (Campus Operations Segment):
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023		% Change
Starts:
Transportation and Skilled Trades	2,682		2,263		18.5	%
Healthcare and Other Professions	1,285		1,177		9.2	%
Total	3,967		3,440		15.3	%
Average Population:
Transportation and Skilled Trades	9,544		8,281		15.3	%
Healthcare and Other Professions	4,134		3,944		4.8	%
Total	13,678		12,225		11.9	%
End of Period Population:
Transportation and Skilled Trades	9,639		8,488		13.6	%
Healthcare and Other Professions	4,162		3,925		6.0	%
Total	13,801		12,413		11.2	%

The reconciliations provided below represent managements best projection for the execution of our 2024 guidance. These calculations are for illustrative purposes and will be reviewed throughout 2024 to ensure accuracy and continued relevance. Any revisions or modifications, if necessary, will be made transparent and disclosed during the 2024 quarterly reviews. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income have been reconciled to the midpoint of our guidance.

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income - 2024 Guidance
(Reconciled to the Mid-Point of 2024 Guidance)
	Adjusted
	EBITDA			Net Income
Net Income	$	6,800		$	6,800
Interest expense, net		700			-
Provision for taxes		3,100			-
Depreciation and amortization		11,200			-
Depreciation1		2,500			-
EBITDA		24,300			-
New campus and campus relocation costs2		8,700			8,700
Program expansions		2,300			2,300
Stock compensation expense		4,200			-
Tax Effect		-			(3,300	)
Total	$	39,500		$	14,500
2024 Guidance Range	$37,000 - $42,000			$12,000 - $17,000
1 Depreciation expense relates to new campuses and campus relocations.
2 New campus and campus relocation costs relate to the following locations:
East Point, Georgia
Nashville, Tennessee
Levittown, Pennsylvania
Houston, Texas

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION
Brian Meyers, CFO
973-736-9340

EVC GROUP LLC
Investor Relations: Michael Polyviou, mpolyviou@evcgroup.com, 732-933-2755
Media Relations: Tom Gibson, 201-476-0322

FAQ

What was the revenue growth in the first quarter of 2024 for Lincoln Educational Services?

Revenue grew by 19.7% to $103.4 million.

By how much did Adjusted EBITDA increase in Q1 2024 for Lincoln?

Adjusted EBITDA tripled to $6.5 million.

What was the percentage increase in student starts for Lincoln in the first quarter of 2024?

Student starts increased by 15.3%.

What is the total liquidity of Lincoln Educational Services currently?

The total liquidity is over $109 million with no debt outstanding.

What recent agreement did Lincoln Educational Services enter into for on-the-job training?

Lincoln entered into a 5-year agreement with Container Maintenance (CMC) for Marine Repair Services.