Core Viewpoint - Investors are evaluating the value opportunities presented by Adtalem Global Education (ATGE) and Universal Technical Institute (UTI) in the current market [1] Group 1: Zacks Rank and Value Scores - Both ATGE and UTI currently hold a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating positive earnings estimate revisions and improving earnings outlooks [3] - The Zacks Rank is a strategy that targets companies with favorable earnings estimate trends, while the Style Scores assess companies based on specific traits [2] Group 2: Valuation Metrics - ATGE has a forward P/E ratio of 19.90, while UTI has a higher forward P/E of 33.82 [5] - ATGE's PEG ratio is 1.33, which is more favorable compared to UTI's PEG ratio of 2.25, indicating better expected EPS growth relative to its valuation [5] - ATGE's P/B ratio stands at 3.37, significantly lower than UTI's P/B of 6.62, suggesting ATGE is more undervalued based on its book value [6] Group 3: Overall Value Assessment - Based on various valuation metrics, ATGE is assigned a Value grade of B, while UTI receives a Value grade of C, indicating that ATGE is currently the superior value option [6]

Company Overview - Inspirato Incorporated (ISPO) is a notable stock within the Consumer Discretionary sector, which consists of 255 individual stocks [2] - The company currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a favorable investment outlook based on earnings estimates and revisions [3] Performance Analysis - Year-to-date, Inspirato has achieved a return of approximately 5.4%, outperforming the average return of 3% for the Consumer Discretionary sector [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ISPO's full-year earnings has increased by 35.1% over the past quarter, reflecting improved analyst sentiment and a stronger earnings outlook [4] Industry Context - Inspirato is part of the Leisure and Recreation Services industry, which includes 31 companies and currently ranks 88 in the Zacks Industry Rank [6] - The Leisure and Recreation Services industry has experienced a decline of about 7.1% year-to-date, indicating that ISPO is performing better than its industry peers [6] Comparison with Peers - Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (LINC), another stock in the Consumer Discretionary sector, has returned 39.2% year-to-date and has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [5] - The Schools industry, to which LINC belongs, is currently ranked 27 and has seen an average increase of 8% year-to-date [7]

American Public Education, Inc.’s (APEI) shares have moved up 12.6% since it released its first-quarter 2025 results on May 12, 2025, significantly outperforming the Zacks Schools industry, the broader Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector and the S&P 500 Index. The detailed price performance is shown in the chart below.Image Source: Zacks Investment ResearchThe reported quarter’s adjusted earnings and total revenues topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate and grew year over year. Owing to the quarterly results a ...

Group 1: Momentum Investing Overview - Momentum investing involves following a stock's recent trend, with the aim of buying high and selling higher, capitalizing on established price movements [1] - The Zacks Momentum Style Score helps investors identify effective metrics for momentum, addressing the challenges in defining momentum [2] Group 2: Perdoceo Education (PRDO) Analysis - Perdoceo Education currently holds a Momentum Style Score of B and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating strong potential for performance [3][4] - Over the past week, PRDO shares increased by 0.93%, outperforming the Zacks Schools industry, which rose by 0.82% [6] - In the last month, PRDO's price change was 24.06%, significantly higher than the industry's 10.56% [6] - Over the past quarter, PRDO shares rose by 21.61%, and over the last year, they gained 34.19%, while the S&P 500 saw movements of -2.55% and 11.45%, respectively [7] Group 3: Trading Volume and Earnings Outlook - PRDO's average 20-day trading volume is 573,071 shares, which serves as a bullish indicator when combined with rising stock prices [8] - Recent earnings estimate revisions for PRDO show one upward revision for the full year, increasing the consensus estimate from $2.41 to $2.49 [10] - For the next fiscal year, there has been one upward estimate revision with no downward revisions, indicating positive earnings outlook [10] Group 4: Conclusion - Given the positive momentum indicators and earnings outlook, PRDO is positioned as a strong buy candidate for investors seeking short-term opportunities [12]

Core Viewpoint - Adtalem Global Education Inc. (ATGE) has demonstrated strong stock performance with a year-to-date increase of 42.6%, significantly outperforming the Zacks Schools industry and the broader market indices [1][2]. Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2025 earnings per share has increased to $6.42 from $6.20 over the past 60 days, indicating a growth of 28.1% compared to the previous year [3]. - For fiscal 2025, Adtalem expects revenues to be between $1,760 million and $1,775 million, an increase from the prior estimate of $1,730 million to $1,760 million. Adjusted EPS is projected to be in the range of $6.40 to $6.60, up from $6.10 to $6.30 [10]. Growth Drivers - The company is experiencing solid enrollment growth, with total student enrollment rising 9.8% year over year to 94,223 students, marking the 12th consecutive quarter of growth [8]. - Adtalem's Growth with Purpose strategy emphasizes sustainable progress and strategic execution, which is expected to enhance performance and long-term value creation [9]. - The company has partnered with Hippocratic AI, Inc. to develop a curriculum for training clinicians in AI healthcare applications, showcasing its focus on innovation and collaboration [7]. Market Position and Demand - Adtalem is addressing the nationwide shortage of healthcare professionals by aligning its programs with evolving workforce demands, particularly in nursing and healthcare education [11]. - The Practice Ready Specialty Focused program has enrolled over 4,000 students, with 900 completing specialty rotations, indicating a strong commitment to reshaping nursing education [12]. Challenges - The company faces margin pressure in the Medical and Veterinary segment and increased expenses, with the cost of educational services rising 10.9% year over year to $572.5 million [2][13].

Industry Overview - The Zacks Schools industry is experiencing a rebound driven by increased demand for career-focused programs in healthcare, skilled trades, cybersecurity, and IT, supported by a labor market that values job-ready skills and government initiatives promoting non-degree pathways [1][4] - The industry is addressing the critical shortage of healthcare workers through rigorous, workforce-aligned training programs [5] Trends Influencing the Industry - Digital innovation is a key driver of differentiation, with companies investing in adaptive learning tools and scalable online platforms to enhance engagement and support flexible learning for working adults [2][7] - There is a rising demand for workforce-oriented programs, particularly among adult learners and career switchers, as the labor market increasingly values job-ready skills over traditional degrees [4] - The sector is witnessing consolidation, with larger players acquiring niche or financially weaker institutions to expand offerings and improve scale [6] Financial Performance and Market Position - The Zacks Schools industry currently ranks 30 within the broader Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector, placing it in the top 12% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating strong near-term prospects [10][11] - The industry's earnings estimates for 2025 have increased to $1.38 per share from $1.37 since April 2025, reflecting growing analyst confidence in the group's earnings growth potential [12] Enrollment and Revenue Growth - For-profit providers are expected to see enrollment and revenue growth in 2025, driven by demographic tailwinds, state and federal support for vocational education, and digital innovation [2] - Companies like Stride, Inc., Laureate Education, Inc., and American Public Education, Inc. are positioned to benefit from these trends, with significant enrollment growth reported [21][29][25] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 16.86X, compared to the S&P 500's 21.81X and the sector's 19.73X, indicating potential undervaluation [17][20] Company Highlights - Stride, Inc. reported a 20% rise in total enrollment, with a 12.8% increase in General Education and a 32% increase in Career Learning [21] - American Public Education has seen a 60.2% stock increase over the past year, with earnings expected to grow 150.9% in 2025 [25] - Laureate Education's fully online programs account for about 20% of its student base, growing at three to four times the pace of face-to-face programs [28] - Perdoceo Education has benefited from a 10.6% enrollment increase at Colorado Technical University, driven by strong student engagement [32] - Lincoln Educational Services has achieved an 82.4% stock increase over the past year, supported by strong enrollment growth and operational efficiencies [36]

Group 1 - PLBY Group, Inc. has returned 7.5% year-to-date, outperforming the average gain of 5% in the Consumer Discretionary sector [4] - The Zacks Rank for PLBY Group, Inc. is currently 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on earnings estimates and revisions [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PLBY's full-year earnings has increased by 5.9% over the past quarter, reflecting improving analyst sentiment [3] Group 2 - PLBY Group, Inc. belongs to the Leisure and Recreation Products industry, which has 23 companies and is currently ranked 191 in the Zacks Industry Rank [6] - The average gain for stocks in the Leisure and Recreation Products industry this year is 9.9%, indicating that PLBY is slightly underperforming its industry [6] - Universal Technical Institute, another Consumer Discretionary stock, has returned 37.7% year-to-date and is part of the Schools industry, which has a higher average gain of 10.2% [4][7]

Core Viewpoint - Stride, Inc. (LRN) has demonstrated strong stock performance with a 48.7% increase year-to-date, significantly outperforming the Zacks Schools industry and the broader market [1][3]. Enrollment Growth - The company has experienced record enrollment growth, particularly in its Career Learning segment, with overall enrollment increasing by 20% year-over-year [4][5]. - Enrollment in General Education grew by 12.8% to 137,500 students, while Career Learning enrollment surged by 32% to 96,000 students [4]. Revenue Performance - Stride's total revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2025 reached $1.75 billion, reflecting a 16.3% year-over-year growth [5]. - The company has raised its fiscal 2025 revenue guidance to between $2.37 billion and $2.385 billion, indicating a year-over-year increase of 16.2% to 16.9% from $2.04 billion reported in fiscal 2024 [7]. Future Outlook - Stride is focusing on achieving its fiscal 2028 targets, projecting revenues between $2.70 billion and $3.30 billion, which represents a 10% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from fiscal 2023 [10]. - Adjusted operating income is expected to be between $415 million and $585 million, with a projected CAGR of 20% [10]. Market Trends - The demand for career education and online program alternatives is driving Stride's growth, supported by its diverse product offerings and strategic initiatives [2][4]. - The favorable regulatory environment under the current administration is expected to further benefit Stride's business model [11]. Earnings Estimates - Analysts have revised fiscal 2025 and 2026 earnings estimates upward, with fiscal 2025 indicating a 51.2% year-over-year growth rate [12]. - Current earnings per share (EPS) estimates for fiscal 2025 are projected at $7.09, with a rise to $7.76 in fiscal 2026 [13]. Valuation - Stride is currently trading at a premium compared to its industry peers based on a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, reflecting strong market potential [17]. Investment Considerations - The combination of robust enrollment growth, strategic initiatives, and favorable market trends positions Stride well for future profitability [19][20]. - Investors are encouraged to consider adding Stride to their portfolios based on the positive technical indicators and market demand trends [21].

For those looking to find strong Consumer Discretionary stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Charter Communications (CHTR) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Consumer Discretionary sector should help us answer this question.Charter Communications is a member of ...

Legacy Education Inc. (LGCY) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.21 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.16 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.19 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 31.25%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $0.09 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.10, delivering a surprise of 11.11%.Over the last four quarters, the co ...