Will Chegg's 60% CapEx Cut in 2026 Free Up Enough Fuel for Growth?

Core Insights - Chegg, Inc. (CHGG) is shifting its focus from legacy academic services to its skilling business, with a significant reduction in capital expenditure expected to enhance cash preservation and operational efficiency [1][4][8] Group 1: Business Strategy and Financials - Chegg has split its operations into two divisions: a legacy academic business and Chegg Skilling, with all new growth investments directed towards the skilling sector, which is estimated to exceed $40 billion [2] - The company anticipates a 60% reduction in capital expenditure, projecting total capex for 2025 to be around $27 million, down from $60-65 million in 2024 [1][8] - Chegg Skilling is expected to generate approximately $70 million in revenue by the end of 2025, with a projected 14% year-over-year growth in Q4 2025 [2] Group 2: Earnings Estimates and Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a loss of 14 cents for 2025, while earnings estimates for 2026 have improved to a profit of 18 cents, reflecting a significant projected growth of 228.6% year-over-year [5][6] - Chegg's stock has outperformed other players in the EdTech sector, gaining 4.7% over the past month, contrasting with declines in shares of competitors like Duolingo and Coursera [7][10] Group 3: Competitive Landscape and Valuation - Chegg operates in a competitive environment alongside established companies such as Duolingo and Coursera, which have seen their stock prices decline recently [10] - Currently, Chegg's stock is trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 5.13, significantly lower than Duolingo's 42.37 and Coursera's 15.67, indicating a potential undervaluation [11][12]