RESTON, VA, Feb. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- K12 Tutoring, a high-impact online tutoring provider, has been named a winner of the Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence. The provider is recognized for delivering measurable academic impact across grade levels through research-backed, scalable tutoring solutions. K12 Tutoring is part of K12, a national leader in online learning for 25 years.  Designed for K–12 learners, K12 Tutoring supports students through live, small-group virtual instruction led by state-c ...

Core Insights - Stride, Inc. (LRN) has experienced a significant rebound, with a 20% increase in stock price over the past month, outperforming both the Zacks Schools industry and the S&P 500, currently trading around $84.45, still below its 52-week high of $171.17 [1][4]. Financial Performance - Stride's second-quarter fiscal 2026 results show a 7.5% year-over-year revenue growth to $631.3 million, with adjusted operating income rising 17% to $159.0 million and adjusted EBITDA increasing 17% to $188.1 million [8][9]. - For the first half of fiscal 2026, revenue grew 10% to $1.25 billion, and net income increased by 22.6% year-over-year to $168.3 million, driven by disciplined cost management and strong enrollment momentum [9]. - Total enrollments reached a record 248.5K, up 7.8% year-over-year, with Career Learning enrollments rising 17.6% to 111.5K, indicating strong demand for job-focused education [9][11]. Operational Improvements - Stride has resolved previous platform issues, significantly reducing login-related calls by 90%, which enhances user experience and stabilizes operations [7][15]. - Management has reaffirmed fiscal 2026 revenue guidance of $2.48-$2.555 billion and raised adjusted operating income guidance to $485-$505 million, reflecting confidence in overcoming operational challenges [10]. Market Demand and Trends - The long-term outlook for Stride is supported by structural demand for virtual and alternative education, with strong application volumes indicating healthy organic demand [11]. - Enrollment trends show growth in Career Learning, with a 29.3% year-over-year revenue increase, while General Education revenue declined by 3.6% due to mix and funding timing [12]. Financial Strength and Capital Allocation - Stride ended the fiscal second quarter with $676 million in cash and equivalents, maintaining a low leverage ratio of 0.07X, allowing for flexibility in investments and buybacks [16]. - The board has authorized a $500 million share repurchase program, with approximately $89 million completed as of December 31, 2025, providing downside support while funding growth initiatives [17]. Valuation Insights - LRN trades at a forward P/E of 9.47X, below the industry average of 12.66X and its three-year median of 14.06X, indicating that current valuation levels are neither distressed nor overly stretched [18]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2026 EPS has increased to $8.36, projecting a 3.2% growth year-over-year, with revenue growth of approximately 5% [21].

Core Insights - Stride, Inc. (LRN) is overcoming recent platform disruptions, with management reporting significant resolution of core technical issues and improvements in customer support metrics and user feedback [1][4] - The company has experienced a 10% year-over-year revenue growth to $1.25 billion in the first half of fiscal 2026, with adjusted operating income and adjusted EBITDA increasing by 23.8% and 21.3%, respectively [2] - Total enrollments reached 248,300, marking an 8.6% increase, while withdrawal rates have returned to historical norms [2] - Stride has reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 revenue guidance of $2.48-$2.56 billion and raised adjusted operating income expectations to $485-$505 million, indicating confidence in its operational stability [3] Financial Performance - Stride's revenues for the first six months of fiscal 2026 grew to $1.25 billion, with adjusted operating income and adjusted EBITDA rising by 23.8% and 21.3% respectively [2] - The company expects adjusted operating income for fiscal 2026 to be in the range of $485-$505 million, an increase from previous expectations [3] - Earnings estimates for fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027 have improved, indicating year-over-year growth of 3.2% and 10.7% respectively [12] Competitive Landscape - Stride competes with major online education players like Coursera and Udemy, with a focus on career-oriented digital learning [5] - Coursera offers a wide range of university-backed degrees and emphasizes AI-driven personalized learning, while Udemy provides a flexible marketplace for professional development [6][7] - Stride's platform is positioned uniquely amid strong market trends towards skills-based education [5] Stock Performance - Stride's stock has increased by 31.4% over the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Schools industry and the broader market [8] - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 9.82, indicating a discount compared to industry peers [11]

PHILADELPHIA, Pa., Feb. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National plaintiffs’ law firm Berger Montague PC advises shareholders of Stride, Inc. (NYSE: LRN) (“Stride” or the “Company”) about an investigation into Stride’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) for potential breaches of fiduciary duties owed to the Company and its shareholders, including whether the Board failed to exercise appropriate oversight and governance in connection with the Company’s and its executives’ public statements regarding Stride’s oper ...

Core Insights - Stride, Inc. (LRN) is experiencing a divergence in performance between its Career Learning and K-12 General Education segments, raising investor concerns about potential structural shifts [1] Segment Performance - The Career Learning segment is thriving, with enrollments increasing by 18.1% year-over-year to 111,100 students and revenues growing by 20.5% to $547.6 million during the first six months of fiscal 2026, driven by a shift towards virtual and alternative education models [2] - In contrast, the K-12 General Education segment saw only a 1.9% increase in enrollments and a 3% revenue improvement during the same period, indicating challenges in this core business [3] Management and Financial Outlook - Stride's operating leverage and disciplined cost management are providing support, as the company reaffirmed its full-year revenue guidance and raised its adjusted operating income outlook despite facing temporary headwinds [4] - The overall company enrollments increased by 8.6%, and withdrawal rates have returned to historical norms, suggesting that K-12 demand remains healthy [3] Competitive Landscape - Stride stands out in the education market by combining traditional online K-12 schooling with a rapidly expanding Career Learning segment, although it faces competition from companies like Coursera and Chegg [6] - Coursera has a strong demand for adult upskilling but faces modest revenue growth due to competition from free AI tools [7] - Chegg is experiencing challenges with declining revenues and workforce reductions as it pivots to new adult skills services amid market headwinds [8] Stock Performance and Valuation - Stride's stock has gained 21.9% over the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Schools industry and the broader market [9] - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 9.73, indicating a discounted valuation compared to industry peers [12] Earnings Estimates - Earnings estimates for fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027 have been revised upward, with expected year-over-year improvements of 3.2% and 10.7%, respectively [13]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Schools industry is facing significant challenges, including a declining traditional student base, increased competition from public and nonprofit institutions, and rising compliance costs due to tighter regulatory oversight [1][4][5] - The industry comprises for-profit education companies offering various undergraduate, graduate, and specialized programs, focusing on career-oriented education in fields such as healthcare, technology, and skilled trades [3] Current Challenges - Margin pressures are intensifying due to rising costs in faculty, support services, marketing, and technology, coupled with aggressive enrollment competition [4] - Operational challenges include high compliance costs and vulnerability to enrollment fluctuations, which can significantly impact operating income [5][6] Demand Trends - There is a renewed demand for workforce-oriented programs, particularly in healthcare, cybersecurity, and skilled trades, driven by employers prioritizing job-ready skills [7][9] - The U.S. healthcare sector is experiencing a shortage of skilled professionals, creating opportunities for education providers to align their programs with workforce needs [8][9] Industry Consolidation - The sector is witnessing consolidation, with larger players acquiring smaller institutions to expand program offerings and achieve scale advantages [10] - Recent policy changes, such as the "Workforce Pell" initiative, are expected to enhance enrollment and pricing power for accredited programs [11] Technology Integration - The adoption of technology and digital learning platforms is becoming a key differentiator for for-profit colleges, enhancing student engagement and operational efficiency [12] Financial Performance - The Zacks Schools industry currently ranks 153 out of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating it is in the bottom 37% in terms of performance [13][14] - The industry's earnings estimates for 2026 have decreased slightly to $1.86 per share, reflecting a loss of confidence in earnings growth potential [15] Stock Performance - The industry has underperformed the S&P 500 but has fared better than the broader Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector over the past year, with a collective loss of 4.5% [17] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at a forward P/E ratio of 13.68X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 23.24X and the sector's 17.66X [20] Notable Companies - **American Public Education, Inc. (APEI)**: Focused on military and healthcare education, APEI has seen strong enrollment growth and is expected to grow earnings by 106.5% in 2026 [27][28] - **Adtalem Global Education Inc. (ATGE)**: Gaining from enrollment momentum in healthcare education, ATGE's earnings are projected to grow 18% in fiscal 2026 [30][31] - **Stride, Inc. (LRN)**: Provides technology-driven online education, with a focus on K-12 education, and is expected to see earnings growth of 3.2% in fiscal 2026 [34][35]

Core Insights - The education market is experiencing a shift towards online education alternatives, particularly for career learning, benefiting companies like Stride, Inc. and Strategic Education, Inc. [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Stride, Inc. focuses on K-12 virtual schooling and career-learning programs primarily in the United States [2] - Strategic Education offers post-secondary education and academic programs, including business administration, IT, and nursing, through both physical campuses and online platforms [2] Group 2: Market Trends and Regulatory Developments - The U.S. Department of Education's formation of the Accreditation, Innovation and Modernization (AIM) committee aims to reform higher education accreditation, promoting high-quality, data-driven programs and reducing bureaucratic barriers [3] - This initiative is expected to enhance workforce skills and increase demand for services from education providers like Stride and Strategic Education [3] Group 3: Stride, Inc. Performance - Stride is benefiting from a sustained shift towards virtual education, with high parental dissatisfaction with traditional K-12 education driving enrollment towards online options [5] - The Career Learning segment has seen enrollments increase by 18.1% year-over-year to 111,100 students, with revenues growing by 20.5% to $547.6 million in the first half of fiscal 2026 [6] - Stride's adjusted operating income and adjusted EBITDA grew by 23.8% and 21.3% year-over-year, respectively, with a revised full-year revenue guidance indicating confidence in execution [7] - The company has authorized a stock repurchase program of up to $500 million, reflecting management's confidence in long-term value creation [8] Group 4: Strategic Education Performance - Strategic Education's employer-affiliated enrollment reached 32.7% of the U.S. Higher Education segment, up from 29.8% year-over-year, indicating robust growth driven by employer partnerships [11] - The Education Technology Services segment's revenues grew by 46.8% year-over-year, supported by new employer partnerships and increased subscriptions [11] - Innovations like FlexPath and programs such as Workforce Edge and RightSkill are contributing to Strategic Education's growth and aligning with workforce upskilling trends [12][13] Group 5: Financial Metrics and Valuation - Stride's trailing 12-month Return on Equity (ROE) is 26.2%, significantly higher than Strategic Education's average, indicating better efficiency in generating shareholder returns [22] - Stride's earnings estimates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 have improved by 3.7% and 9.2%, respectively, while Strategic Education's estimates have remained unchanged [20][22] - Stride's stock offers a discounted valuation with stronger growth potential, while Strategic Education presents a steadier growth trajectory but at a premium valuation [19][26]

We recently published 10 Stocks Gaining Double Digits Effortlessly. Stride Inc. (NYSE:LRN) was one of the best performers on Wednesday. Stride jumped by 14.25 percent on Wednesday to close at $82.75 apiece as investors took heart from a strong earnings performance in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026. In an updated report, Stride Inc. (NYSE:LRN) said it grew its net income for the quarter by 3 percent to $99.5 million from $96.4 million in the same period a year earlier. stride Photo by August de ...

Shares of Stride (NYSE: LRN) leaped on Wednesday after the tech-powered education provider announced earnings that handily exceeded Wall Street's projections. By the close of trading, Stride's stock price was up more than 14%. Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now, when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks » Image source: Getty Images. Swelling enrollments Stride's revenue rose 7.5% year over year to $631.3 million i ...

Core Viewpoint - Stride (LRN) has experienced significant volatility over the past year, primarily due to issues related to a new platform rollout that has negatively impacted its operations [1]. Group 1: Company Overview - Stride is an online education company that has faced challenges with its recent platform launch, leading to operational difficulties [1]. Group 2: Analyst Background - Gary Alexander, who has extensive experience in technology and investment, has been a contributor to Seeking Alpha since 2017 and has provided insights into various industry themes [1].