Core Insights - Stride, Inc. (LRN) is experiencing significant growth in digital education, with a 17.8% year-over-year revenue increase to $613.4 million in fiscal Q3 2025, driven by a 21% rise in total enrollment [1][9] - The company is addressing the rising demand for non-traditional education options, as evidenced by a Gallup Poll indicating that nearly 90% of parents are exploring non-college career paths for their children [2] - Stride has raised its full-year revenue and operating income guidance for fiscal 2025, indicating strong fundamentals with adjusted operating income up 47% and gross margin expanding to 40.6% [3] Financial Performance - Career learning revenue surged 33% to $223.9 million, supported by a 34% growth in enrollment within that segment [1][9] - The company is on track to exceed its 2028 CAGR targets by three years, showcasing its robust growth trajectory [3] Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Chegg and Coursera are also evolving in the digital education space, with Chegg focusing on AI-driven learning support and Coursera expanding into online credentialing and dual-enrollment programs [5][6] - Stride must continue to differentiate its offerings to maintain its leadership position in the K-12 education sector [6] Stock Performance - Stride's stock has trended downward by 8.3% over the past three months, underperforming both the Zacks Schools industry and the S&P 500 index [7] Valuation Metrics - Stride's stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 2.17, indicating a discount compared to industry peers [11] Earnings Estimates - Earnings estimates for fiscal 2025 and 2026 remain unchanged at $7.09 and $7.76 per share, respectively, implying year-over-year growth of 51.2% and 9.4% [13]
K-12 Education Is Changing: Can Stride Lead the Next 25 Years?