LRN Stock Surges 15% in 3 Months: Should Investors Buy it Now?

Company Performance - Stride, Inc. (LRN) has shown a solid performance with shares increasing by 14.5% over the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Schools industry, which declined by 0.9%, and the broader Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector, which rose by 6.3% [1][5][10] - The company reported its fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results, with earnings and revenues exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 25.1% and 3.9%, respectively. Revenues grew by 22.4% year over year to $653.6 million, while adjusted earnings per share increased by 43.1% to $2.29 [3][10] Enrollment Growth - Stride experienced significant enrollment growth, with overall enrollments averaging 235.3K, up 21.7% year over year. The Career Learning segment saw a notable 33.2% increase in enrollments, reaching 97.0K compared to 72.8K in the same period last year [9][10] - The company anticipates continued enrollment growth of 10% to 15% in the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, supported by strong early funnel activity [12][10] Funding Environment - The funding environment for Stride remains favorable, with expectations of increased funding from some states and stable federal support. The company does not foresee any material impact on revenue per enrollment from federal changes [16][15] - In fiscal 2025, Stride saw an increase in overall revenue per enrollment by 2.4% year over year, with Career Learning revenue per enrollment specifically rising by 8.1% [15][16] Technology and Innovation - Stride is focusing on technology and innovation as key growth drivers, investing in digital learning platforms and expanding high-dosage tutoring for early-grade students [13][14] - The company is also advancing artificial intelligence within its platforms, aiming for responsible applications that enhance efficiency and provide measurable benefits to students and teachers [14][13] Earnings Estimates and Valuation - Over the past 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Stride's fiscal 2026 EPS has been revised upward from $7.76 to $8.58, indicating a growth of 5.9% from the prior year [18] - Stride is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 18.74X, which is higher than some industry peers, indicating strong potential in the market [21][23] Overall Outlook - Stride's strong price performance, consistent enrollment gains, favorable funding backdrop, and ongoing investments in technology position the company well for continued progress into fiscal 2026 [24][25] - The positive revisions in earnings estimates reflect growing confidence in Stride's near-term prospects, supported by stable demand and a constructive outlook for fiscal 2026 [24][18]