Group 1 - Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (LINC) is part of the Consumer Discretionary group, which consists of 256 companies and currently ranks 10 in the Zacks Sector Rank [2] - LINC has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook, with the consensus estimate for its full-year earnings increasing by 5.9% over the past quarter [3] - Year-to-date, LINC has achieved a return of approximately 45.7%, significantly outperforming the average gain of 11.7% for the Consumer Discretionary sector [4] Group 2 - LINC belongs to the Schools industry, which includes 18 stocks and is currently ranked 11 in the Zacks Industry Rank, with an average gain of 9.2% this year [5] - In comparison, another stock in the Consumer Discretionary sector, Carnival (CCL), has a year-to-date return of 12.8% and is part of the Leisure and Recreation Services industry, which is ranked 79 and has gained 4.4% year to date [4][6]

Group 1 - Inspirato Incorporated (ISPO) is part of the Consumer Discretionary sector, which includes 255 stocks and has a Zacks Sector Rank of 12 [2] - ISPO has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), with a 35.1% increase in the consensus estimate for its full-year earnings over the past quarter, indicating positive analyst sentiment [3] - ISPO has gained approximately 17.8% year-to-date, outperforming the average return of 6.3% for Consumer Discretionary companies [4] Group 2 - Inspirato Incorporated belongs to the Leisure and Recreation Services industry, which consists of 30 stocks and is currently ranked 86 in the Zacks Industry Rank; this industry has seen a decline of about 1.6% year-to-date [6] - In contrast, Lincoln Educational Services Corporation, another stock in the Consumer Discretionary sector, has a year-to-date return of 36.7% and is part of the Schools industry, which is ranked 18 [4][7]

Summary of Lincoln Educational Services (LINC) FY Conference Call Company Overview - Lincoln Educational Services operates under the ticker symbol LINC on NASDAQ and is the largest and oldest organization in the U.S. focused on trade skills education [1][2][3] Industry Context - There is a significant skills gap in the labor market, particularly for hands-on trade skills such as welding, electrical work, mechanics, and nursing, which have been deemed essential during the COVID-19 pandemic [2][3] - The company has shifted from being counter-cyclical to experiencing accelerated growth due to a fundamental change in market demand for skilled workers [4][30] Financial Performance - The company remains debt-free, with no bank debt, only lease obligations, and has $60 million available for growth opportunities [5] - Projected revenue by 2027 is $550 million with an EBITDA of $90 million, reflecting an 11% growth in the top line and a 200 basis points improvement in margins annually [14][15] - In Q1, revenue increased by $16 million, and starts were up 20% [49][51] Growth Strategy - The growth strategy includes organic growth through effective marketing and replicating successful programs across campuses [8][10] - The company has transitioned to a hybrid model, with 30% of programs online and 70% on-ground, which has increased efficiency and student flexibility [6][16] - New campuses are being opened, including a new facility in Houston and a relocation of the Nashville campus, with plans for a Long Island campus in 2026 [10][24][53] Program Focus - Lincoln has exited non-essential programs (e.g., culinary, cosmetology) to focus on high-demand trades that offer better earning potential for graduates [20][31] - The average age of students is 25, with many balancing work and family commitments, making the hybrid model attractive [7][26] Market Position - Lincoln is the largest provider of auto technicians and tradespeople east of the Mississippi and has less than 2% market share in the fields it trains for, indicating significant growth potential [32][33] - The company is focused on middle-skill jobs, which require more training than high school but less than a four-year degree, aligning with current labor market needs [25][28] Corporate Partnerships - Partnerships with companies like Tesla and Johnson Controls enhance job placement opportunities for graduates and provide industry-specific training [40][42] - Corporate partners may fund tuition, provide job placements, or donate equipment, creating a diverse funding model [63] Regulatory Environment - The company operates under strict regulations, with 82% of revenue coming from government funding, well below the 90% cap [44] - The cohort default rate is currently zero due to a pause in student loan repayments, but this is expected to change as repayments resume [45] Conclusion - Lincoln Educational Services is well-positioned for growth in the trade education sector, with a strong focus on essential skills, a robust financial outlook, and a commitment to adapting to market demands [57][58]

Core Insights - Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (LINC) has seen a significant increase in 'student start' numbers since February 2021, leading to a share price rally of over 280% [1] Investment Strategy - The investment approach focuses on acquiring undervalued, profitable stocks with strong balance sheets and minimal debt, while also considering writing calls against positions for additional income [1]

Company Overview - Inspirato Incorporated (ISPO) is a notable stock within the Consumer Discretionary sector, which consists of 255 individual stocks [2] - The company currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a favorable investment outlook based on earnings estimates and revisions [3] Performance Analysis - Year-to-date, Inspirato has achieved a return of approximately 5.4%, outperforming the average return of 3% for the Consumer Discretionary sector [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ISPO's full-year earnings has increased by 35.1% over the past quarter, reflecting improved analyst sentiment and a stronger earnings outlook [4] Industry Context - Inspirato is part of the Leisure and Recreation Services industry, which includes 31 companies and currently ranks 88 in the Zacks Industry Rank [6] - The Leisure and Recreation Services industry has experienced a decline of about 7.1% year-to-date, indicating that ISPO is performing better than its industry peers [6] Comparison with Peers - Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (LINC), another stock in the Consumer Discretionary sector, has returned 39.2% year-to-date and has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [5] - The Schools industry, to which LINC belongs, is currently ranked 27 and has seen an average increase of 8% year-to-date [7]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Schools industry is experiencing a rebound driven by increased demand for career-focused programs in healthcare, skilled trades, cybersecurity, and IT, supported by a labor market that values job-ready skills and government initiatives promoting non-degree pathways [1][4] - The industry is addressing the critical shortage of healthcare workers through rigorous, workforce-aligned training programs [5] Trends Influencing the Industry - Digital innovation is a key driver of differentiation, with companies investing in adaptive learning tools and scalable online platforms to enhance engagement and support flexible learning for working adults [2][7] - There is a rising demand for workforce-oriented programs, particularly among adult learners and career switchers, as the labor market increasingly values job-ready skills over traditional degrees [4] - The sector is witnessing consolidation, with larger players acquiring niche or financially weaker institutions to expand offerings and improve scale [6] Financial Performance and Market Position - The Zacks Schools industry currently ranks 30 within the broader Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector, placing it in the top 12% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating strong near-term prospects [10][11] - The industry's earnings estimates for 2025 have increased to $1.38 per share from $1.37 since April 2025, reflecting growing analyst confidence in the group's earnings growth potential [12] Enrollment and Revenue Growth - For-profit providers are expected to see enrollment and revenue growth in 2025, driven by demographic tailwinds, state and federal support for vocational education, and digital innovation [2] - Companies like Stride, Inc., Laureate Education, Inc., and American Public Education, Inc. are positioned to benefit from these trends, with significant enrollment growth reported [21][29][25] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 16.86X, compared to the S&P 500's 21.81X and the sector's 19.73X, indicating potential undervaluation [17][20] Company Highlights - Stride, Inc. reported a 20% rise in total enrollment, with a 12.8% increase in General Education and a 32% increase in Career Learning [21] - American Public Education has seen a 60.2% stock increase over the past year, with earnings expected to grow 150.9% in 2025 [25] - Laureate Education's fully online programs account for about 20% of its student base, growing at three to four times the pace of face-to-face programs [28] - Perdoceo Education has benefited from a 10.6% enrollment increase at Colorado Technical University, driven by strong student engagement [32] - Lincoln Educational Services has achieved an 82.4% stock increase over the past year, supported by strong enrollment growth and operational efficiencies [36]

Safe Harbor Statement Statements in this presentation regarding Lincoln's business that are not historical facts 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 ...

Core Viewpoint - Growth stocks are appealing due to their potential for above-average financial growth, but identifying stocks that can fulfill this potential is challenging [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (LINC) is highlighted as a recommended growth stock with a favorable Growth Score and a top Zacks Rank [2][9] Group 2: Earnings Growth - The historical EPS growth rate for Lincoln Educational Services is 10.3%, but projected EPS growth for this year is expected to be 28.6%, surpassing the industry average of 23.8% [4][3] Group 3: Cash Flow Growth - The year-over-year cash flow growth for Lincoln Educational Services is currently at 41%, significantly higher than the industry average of 3.2% [5] - The company's annualized cash flow growth rate over the past 3-5 years is 22.9%, compared to the industry average of 9.2% [6] Group 4: Earnings Estimate Revisions - There has been a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions for Lincoln Educational Services, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year increasing by 5.9% over the past month [7]

Core Viewpoint - Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (LINC) shows a significantly improving earnings outlook, making it a potentially solid investment choice as analysts continue to raise earnings estimates for the company [1][3]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - The trend in estimate revisions reflects growing analyst optimism regarding the company's earnings prospects, which is expected to positively influence its stock price [2]. - For the current quarter, the earnings estimate is $0.06 per share, unchanged from the previous year, with a 5.88% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the last 30 days [6][8]. - The full-year earnings estimate is projected at $0.72 per share, representing a 28.57% increase from the prior year [7]. Zacks Rank and Performance - Lincoln Educational Services has received a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating strong agreement among analysts in raising earnings estimates, which historically correlates with stock performance [9]. - Stocks with Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy) have shown significant outperformance compared to the S&P 500 [9]. Stock Performance - The stock has gained 20.9% over the past four weeks, driven by solid estimate revisions and positive earnings growth prospects [10].

Group 1: Company Overview - Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (LINC) currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [3][4] - The company has seen significant price increases, with shares up 14.38% over the past week and 20.87% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks Schools industry [6][7] Group 2: Performance Metrics - Over the past quarter, LINC shares have increased by 15.63%, and over the last year, they have gained 73.11%, while the S&P 500 has moved -3.37% and 13.7% respectively [7] - The average 20-day trading volume for LINC is 259,715 shares, indicating a bullish trend as the stock is rising with above-average volume [8] Group 3: Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, one earnings estimate for LINC has moved higher, increasing the consensus estimate from $0.67 to $0.72 for the full year [10] - For the next fiscal year, one estimate has also moved upwards with no downward revisions during the same period [10] Group 4: Investment Consideration - Given the positive momentum and earnings outlook, LINC is positioned as a promising investment opportunity for those seeking stocks set to soar in the near term [12]