Stride(US:LRN) Globenewswire·2025-11-04 23:10Core Viewpoint - Hagens Berman is investigating Stride, Inc. for potential violations of U.S. securities laws due to significant operational issues and fraud allegations that have led to a sharp decline in the company's stock price [1][4]. Financial Performance and Guidance - Stride reported Q1 earnings overshadowed by operational issues and cautious guidance, with management forecasting only 5% sales growth for 2026, a significant drop from the 19% annualized growth over the past five years [2][5]. Operational Issues - The company experienced major disruptions while implementing an upgraded platform, resulting in an estimated loss of 10,000 to 15,000 enrollments, which is substantial given the total enrollment of 247,700 [5]. - CEO James Rhyu acknowledged the implementation challenges, stating that the poor customer experience led to higher withdrawal and lower conversion rates than expected [5]. Fraud Allegations - Prior allegations against Stride include claims of artificially inflating student enrollment figures by including "ghost students," increasing student-to-teacher ratios to inflate profit margins, and employing insufficiently licensed teachers [6]. - Allegations also suggest unlawful business practices aimed at lowering overhead costs to inflate stock values [6]. Market Reaction - Following the fraud allegations reported on September 14, 2025, Stride's stock price fell by $18.60, or 11%, in heavy trading [3]. Investigation Details - Hagens Berman's investigation is focused on whether Stride misled investors regarding operational challenges and business practices, with particular scrutiny on enrollment figures and teacher quality [4].