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American Public Education Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

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American Public Education Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Net Income & Adjusted EBITDA Performance Driven by Further Stabilization and Improvement in Rasmussen and Hondros Segments

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va., Nov. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI), a portfolio of education companies providing online and campus-based postsecondary education and career learning to over 125,000 students through four subsidiary institutions, has reported unaudited financial and operational results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

“The third quarter demonstrated continued progress in the goals we set out at the beginning of this year,” said Angela Selden, President and Chief Executive Officer of APEI. “In the third quarter of 2024, Rasmussen had its first positive year over year enrollment comparison since our acquisition of the business and we expect continued momentum in that business. Hondros continues to show improvement in the third quarter and we expect further enrollment growth in the fourth quarter of this year.”

“We remain on track to deliver on the expectations we set out at the beginning of this year. We maintained that Rasmussen would be EBITDA positive in the second half of 2024 and we are on track to deliver. We are confident in our revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA outlook in 2024.

We believe the steps we have taken throughout last year and this year are leading to greater student engagement and outcomes and will continue to be reflected in the financial results and provide greater long term shareholder value,” concluded Selden.

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Balance Sheet and Liquidity

  • Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash were $162.2 million at September 30, 2024, compared to $144.3 million and December 31, 2023, representing an increase of $17.9 million, or 12.4%.

Registrations and Enrollment

Q3 2024

Q3 2023

% Change

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American Public University System 1

For the three months ended September 30,
  Net Course Registrations

92,500

92,300

0.2 %

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Rasmussen University 2

For the three months ended September 30,
  Total Student Enrollment

13,500

13,500

0 %

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Hondros College of Nursing 3

For the three months ended September 30,
  Total Student Enrollment

3,100

2,800

10.4 %

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  1. APUS Net Course Registrations represents the approximate aggregate number of courses for which students remain enrolled after the date by which they may drop a course without financial penalty. Excludes students in doctoral programs.

  2. RU Total Student Enrollment represents students in an active status as of the full-term census or billing date.

  3. HCN Total Student Enrollment represents the approximate number of students enrolled in a course after the date by which students may drop a course without financial penalty.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Outlook

The following statements are based on APEI’s current expectations. These statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially. APEI undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason unless required by law. Refer to APEI’s earnings conference call and presentation for further details.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Guidance

(Approximate)

(% Yr/Yr Change)

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APUS Net course registrations

94,400 to 96,100

4% to 6%

HCN Student enrollment

3,700

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19 %

RU Student enrollment

14,600

4 %

 – On-ground Healthcare

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6,300

-3 %

 – Online

8,300

9 %

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($ in millions except EPS)

APEI Consolidated revenue

$159.0 – $164.0

4% to 8%

APEI Net loss/income available to common stockholders

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$9.0 – $11.0

(20%) – (4.0%)

APEI Adjusted EBITDA

$23.0 – $26.0

(10%) to 2%

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APEI Diluted EPS

$0.47 – $0.56

(26%) to (13%)

Full Year 2024 Guidance

(Approximate)

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(% Yr/Yr Change)

($ in millions)

APEI Consolidated Revenue

$620 – $625

3% to 4%

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APEI Net income available to common stockholders

$7-$9

n.m.

APEI Adjusted EBITDA

$64 – $67

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7% to 12%

APEI Capital Expenditure (CapEx)

$19 – $22

37% to 58%

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

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This press release contains the non-GAAP financial measures of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) and adjusted EBITDA (EBITDA less non-cash expenses such as stock compensation and non-recurring expenses). APEI believes that the use of these measures is useful because they allow investors to better evaluate APEI’s operating profit and cash generation capabilities.

For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, adjusted EBITDA excludes impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, severance costs, loss on leases, stock compensation, loss on disposals of long-lived assets, and transition services costs.

These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to measures determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). The principal limitation of our non-GAAP measures is that they exclude expenses that are required by GAAP to be recorded. In addition, non-GAAP measures are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgment by management about which expenses are excluded.

APEI is presenting EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA in connection with its GAAP results and urges investors to review the reconciliation of EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA to the comparable GAAP financial measures that is included in the tables following this press release (under the captions “GAAP Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA,” and “GAAP Outlook Net Income to Outlook Adjusted EBITDA”) and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate its business.

About American Public Education

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American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI), through its institutions American Public University System (APUS), Rasmussen University, Hondros College of Nursing, and Graduate School USA (GSUSA), provides education that transforms lives, advances careers, and improves communities.

APUS, which operates through American Military University and American Public University, is the leading educator to active-duty military and veteran students* and serves approximately 88,000 adult learners worldwide via accessible and affordable higher education.

Rasmussen University is a 120-year-old nursing and health sciences-focused institution that serves approximately 13,500 students across its 20 campuses in six states and online. It also has schools of Business, Technology, Design, Early Childhood Education and Justice Studies.

Hondros College of Nursing focuses on educating pre-licensure nursing students at eight campuses (six in Ohio, one in Indiana, and one in Michigan). It is the largest educator of PN (LPN) nurses in the state of Ohio** and serves approximately 3,100 total students.

Graduate School USA is a leading training provider to the federal workforce with an extensive portfolio of government agency customers. It serves the federal workforce through customized contract training (B2G) to federal agencies and through open enrollment (B2C) to government professionals.

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Both APUS and Rasmussen are institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Hondros is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). GSUSA is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET). For additional information, visit www.apei.com.

*Based on FY 2019 Department of Defense tuition assistance data, as reported by Military Times, and Veterans Administration student enrollment data as of 2023.

**Based on information compiled by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and Ohio Board of Nursing.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release regarding APEI or its subsidiaries that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about APEI and the industry. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar words or their opposites. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future path, expected growth, registration and enrollments, revenues, income and adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA, capital expenditures, the growth and profitability of Rasmussen University and plans with respect to recent, current and future initiatives.

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Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks related to: APEI’s failure to comply with regulatory and accrediting agency requirements, including the “90/10 Rule”, and to maintain institutional accreditation and the impacts of any actions APEI may take to prevent or correct such failure; APEI’s dependence on the effectiveness of its ability to attract students who persist in its institutions’ programs; changing market demands;  declines in enrollments at APEI’s subsidiaries; the enactment of legislation that adversely impacts APEI or its subsidiaries; APEI’s inability to effectively market its institutions’ programs; APEI’s inability to maintain strong relationships with the military and maintain course registrations and enrollments from military students; the loss or disruption of APEI’s ability to receive funds under tuition assistance programs or the reduction, elimination, or suspension of tuition assistance; adverse effects of changes APEI makes to improve the student experience and enhance the ability to identify and enroll students who are likely to succeed; APEI’s need to successfully adjust to future market demands by updating existing programs and developing new programs; APEI’s loss of eligibility to participate in Title IV programs or ability to process Title IV financial aid; economic and market conditions and changes in interest rates; difficulties involving acquisitions; APEI’s indebtedness and preferred stock; APEI’s dependence on and the need to continue to invest in its technology infrastructure, including with respect to third-party vendors; the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of APEI’s cost savings and revenue generating efforts; APEI’s ability to manage and limit its exposure to bad debt; and the various risks described in the “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in APEI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and in other filings with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. APEI undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, unless required by law, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.

Company Contact
Frank Tutalo
Director, Public Relations
American Public Education, Inc.
ftutalo@apei.com
571-358-3042

Investor Relations
Brian M. Prenoveau, CFA
MZ North America
Direct: 561-489-5315
APEI@mzgroup.us

 

American Public Education, Inc.

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Consolidated Statement of Income

(In thousands, except per share data)

Three Months Ended

September 30,

2024

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2023

(unaudited)

Revenues 

$

153,122

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$

150,838

Costs and expenses: 

Instructional costs and services 

75,401

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73,228

Selling and promotional 

33,459

33,315

General and administrative 

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35,030

30,885

Depreciation and amortization

5,080

7,026

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Loss (gain) on disposals of long-lived assets

23

(16)

   Total costs and expenses

148,993

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144,438

Income from operations before

  interest and income taxes

4,129

6,400

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Interest expense, net

(631)

(792)

Income before income taxes

3,498

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5,608

Income tax expense

1,236

3,712

Equity investment loss

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(5,224)

Net income (loss)

$

2,262

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$

(3,328)

Preferred stock dividends

1,531

1,525

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Net income (loss) available to common stockholders

$

731

$

(4,853)

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Income (loss) per common share: 

Basic

$

0.04

$

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(0.27)

Diluted

$

0.04

$

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(0.27)

Weighted average number of 

   common shares:

Basic

17,679

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17,778

Diluted

18,247

17,820

Three Months Ended

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Segment Information: 

September 30,

2024

2023

Revenues:

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  APUS Segment

$

76,981

$

76,406

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  RU Segment

$

52,604

$

52,073

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  HCN Segment

$

15,493

$

13,741

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  Corporate and other1

$

8,044

$

8,618

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Income (loss) from operations before

interest and income taxes:

  APUS Segment

$

20,765

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$

21,948

  RU Segment

$

(7,609)

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$

(10,570)

  HCN Segment

$

(771)

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$

(641)

  Corporate and other

$

(8,256)

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$

(4,337)

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

2024

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2023

(unaudited)

Revenues 

$

460,449

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$

447,741

Costs and expenses: 

Instructional costs and services 

224,042

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222,115

Selling and promotional 

99,753

106,205

General and administrative 

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105,733

96,907

Depreciation and amortization

15,440

22,735

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Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets

64,000

Loss on leases 

3,715

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Loss (gain) on disposals of long-lived assets

235

17

   Total costs and expenses

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448,918

511,979

Income (loss) from operations before

interest and income taxes

11,531

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(64,238)

Interest expense, net

(1,542)

(3,668)

Income (loss) before income taxes

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9,989

(67,906)

Income tax expense (benefit)

2,433

(12,839)

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Equity investment loss

(4,407)

(5,233)

Net income (loss)

$

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3,149

$

(60,300)

Preferred stock dividends

4,597

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4,469

Net loss available to common stockholders

$

(1,448)

$

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(64,769)

Loss per common share: 

Basic

$

(0.08)

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$

(3.55)

Diluted

$

(0.08)

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$

(3.54)

Weighted average number of 

   common shares:

Basic

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17,604

18,230

Diluted

18,076

18,294

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Nine Months Ended

Segment Information: 

September 30,

2024

2023

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Revenues:

  APUS Segment

$

234,685

$

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223,941

  RU Segment

$

158,773

$

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161,511

  HCN Segment

$

48,349

$

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41,147

  Corporate and other1

$

18,642

$

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21,142

Income (loss) from operations before

interest and income taxes:

  APUS Segment

$

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62,143

$

57,963

  RU Segment

$

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(25,401)

$

(100,708)

  HCN Segment

$

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(1,819)

$

(2,179)

  Corporate and other

$

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(23,392)

$

(19,314)

1. Corporate and Other includes tuition and contract training revenue earned by GSUSA and the elimination of intersegment revenue for courses taken by employees of one segment at other segments.

 

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GAAP Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA:

The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the Company’s reported GAAP net income to the calculation of adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

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September 30,

(in thousands, except per share data)

2024

2023

2024

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2023

Net income (loss) available to common stockholders

$

731

$

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(4,853)

$

(1,448)

$

(64,769)

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Preferred dividends

1,531

1,525

4,597

4,469

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Net income (loss) 

$

2,262

$

(3,328)

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$

3,149

$

(60,300)

Income tax expense (benefit)

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1,236

3,712

2,433

(12,839)

Interest expense, net

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631

792

1,542

3,668

Equity investment loss 

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5,224

4,407

5,233

Depreciation and amortization

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5,080

7,026

15,440

22,735

EBITDA

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9,209

13,426

26,971

(41,503)

Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets

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64,000

Severance Costs

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25

2,959

530

2,959

Loss on leases

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3,715

Other professional fees

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813

813

Stock compensation

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1,761

1,733

5,502

6,025

Loss (gain) on disposals of long-lived assets

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23

(16)

235

17

Transition services costs

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1,092

3,139

2,403

Adjusted EBITDA

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$

12,923

$

18,102

$

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40,905

$

33,901

 

GAAP Outlook Net Income to Outlook Adjusted EBITDA:

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The following table sets forth the reconciliation of the Company’s outlook GAAP net income to the calculation of outlook adjusted EBITDA for the three and twelve months ending December 31, 2024:

Three Months Ending

Twelve Months Ending

December 31, 2024

December 31, 2024

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(in thousands, except per share data)

Low

High

Low

High

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Net income available to common stockholders

$

8,575

$

10,735

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$

7,127

$

9,287

Preferred dividends

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1,503

1,503

6,100

6,100

Net Income

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10,078

12,238

13,227

15,387

Income tax expense

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4,425

5,265

6,858

7,698

Interest expense

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458

458

1,750

1,750

Loss on minority investment

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4,408

4,408

Depreciation and amortization

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4,860

4,860

20,300

20,300

EBITDA

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19,820

22,820

46,542

49,542

Stock compensation

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1,898

1,898

7,400

7,400

Other professional fees

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1,050

1,050

1,813

1,813

Loss on leases

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3,950

3,950

Transition services cost

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651

651

4,295

4,295

Adjusted EBITDA

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$

23,419

$

26,419

$

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64,000

$

67,000

 

Cision

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Scotland’s finance secretary asks chancellor for assurances over tax plans

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Scotland’s finance secretary asks chancellor for assurances over tax plans
PA Media Shona Robison in the Holyrood chamber with a neutral expression on her face. She is holding a black leather folder with paper protruding from the top. She wears a navy top and has her blonde hair pinned up.PA Media

Shona Robison’s “tests” for Rachel Reeves include increasing consequential funding for Scotland

Scotland’s finance secretary has asked for a meeting and assurances from the chancellor over speculation she will raise income tax in her Budget.

Such a move, which Rachel Reeves refused to rule out last week, would lead to an automatic deduction from Scotland’s funding from the Treasury.

Shona Robison said Labour should ditch “outdated” fiscal rules which include making sure day-to-day spending is funded by tax revenues.

The Treasury said it would not comment on speculation but claimed its previous “record settlement” for Scotland meant it receives 20% more funding per head of population than the rest of the UK.

In an unusual pre-Budget speech in Downing Street last week, Reeves said she would make “necessary choices” in her tax and spending plans later this month after the world had “thrown more challenges our way”.

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She did not rule out a U-turn on Labour’s general election manifesto pledge not to raise income tax, VAT or National Insurance, leading to speculation that a tax rise is on the way.

Any increase in income tax by the UK government could see a fall in the block grant Scotland receives from Westminster as a result of a funding agreement called the Block Grant Adjustment.

The Fraser of Allander Institute has estimated a 2p rise in the basic rate of tax elsewhere in the UK could cut Scotland’s budget by up £1bn, unless the Scottish government matches the increase with its own tax rise.

Robison said the chancellor’s speech had “piled uncertainty on uncertainty” and that she had requested an “urgent meeting” where she would set out three tests.

These are:

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  • The chancellor “ditch her outdated, restricted fiscal rules” and faces up to a “new reality”.
  • All money raised from tax increases is invested in public services, meaning the block grant also increases as a result
  • Confirmation that Scotland will not see a cut in funding

She said: “They came to office promising an end to austerity, so to impose it on Scotland would be a political betrayal from which Labour would never recover.”

Getty Images Chancellor Rachel Reeves stands in front of a union jack wearing a plum blazer and white V-neck top.Getty Images

Rachel Reeves’ Downing Street speech led to speculation she plans to raise income tax

Income tax in Scotland

Ahead of the last general election First Minister John Swinney urged the next UK government to replicate Scotland’s devolved taxation system where higher earners pay more in tax.

People living in Scotland earning below about £30,300 pay slightly less income tax than they would elsewhere in the UK, with a maximum saving of about £28.

Above that threshold they pay increasingly more as earnings increase. Someone on £50,000 in Scotland pays £1,528 more than they would in the rest of the UK. That rises to £5,207 for someone on £125,000.

Proposed income tax bands in Scotland - 
Starter rate   £12,571 - £15,397 - 19%
Basic rate  £15,398 - £27,491  - 20%
Intermediate rate   £27,492 - £43,662 - 21%
Higher rate   £43,663 - £75,000 - 42%
Advanced rate   £75,001 - £125,140 - 45%
Top rate   Over £125,140  -48%

Swinney recently said he had no plans to make any further changes to taxation in Scotland ahead of next May’s Holyrood election.

However, following the chancellor’s speech last week he has now declined to rule this out.

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What is the Treasury saying?

The Treasury said it could not comment on the chancellor’s plans ahead of her Budget, but it said she had outlined the global and long term economic challenges that would influence her decisions.

A spokesperson said: “Our record funding settlement for Scotland will mean over 20% more funding per head than the rest of the UK.

“We have also confirmed £8.3bn in funding for GB Energy-Nuclear and GB Energy in Aberdeen, up to £750m for a new supercomputer at Edinburgh University, and are investing £452m over four years for City and Growth Deals across Scotland.

“This investment is all possible because our fiscal rules are non-negotiable, they are the basis of the stability which underpins growth.”

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Why would a UK tax hike cut Scotland’s budget?

A change to UK income tax would apply directly to residents in England, Wales and Northern Ireland – but it could also have an impact on Scottish taxpayers.

When the devolved government in Scotland was given more tax raising powers nearly a decade ago, an agreement called the Fiscal Framework was agreed setting out how the new system would work.

Part of that was something called the Block Grant Adjustment (BGA) which meant the funding Holyrood receives from Westminster was reduced to take into the account money the Scottish government was now able to raise directly.

The BGA was intended to stop either government being better or worse off due to devolution.

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It means the UK government is able to deduct funds from the block grant that it estimates it would have received if tax-raising powers were not devolved.

If the chancellor raises income tax, the BGA will also change.

Scotland will then have to generate more tax revenue or cut public spending in order to avoid a budget shortfall.

The Scottish Budget will be announced on 13 January.

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Gen Z’s love for ‘finfluencers’ is creating the perfect storm for brands | Fortune

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Gen Z’s love for ‘finfluencers’ is creating the perfect storm for brands | Fortune

Twenty-six million dollars. That’s how much investing platform Robinhood paid out earlier this year after it was found to have breached a range of financial regulations. Amongst them? Failure to properly manage the social media influencers promoting their products. With these so-called “finfluencers” becoming an ubiquitous part of fintech marketing strategies, this eye-watering penalty should serve as a cautionary tale to brands putting content and reach above compliance and risk. 

The world of the finfluencers has expanded dramatically in recent years. These young, passionate and social media savvy voices amass legions of fans and millions of views as they dole out advice on everything from stock tips to savings techniques. The main audience? Gen Z. Facing the dual pressures of a tough job market and the spiralling cost of living, Gen Zs are turning to social media for new routes to financial stability — hungry for insights and advice that will help them get ahead. With a huge 34% of Gen Zs saying they learn about personal finance from TikTok and YouTube, finfluencers have exploded in number, reach and power. 

Acquiring Gen Z customers is a huge priority for marketing teams. In the world of financial products, customers are sticky. Get them young and you might have a customer for life. That’s why the rise of finfluencers represents a huge opportunity for companies operating across the finance, investment and savings space. And it’s one they’ve been tapping into. 

On the surface, engaging finfluencers for paid partnership is a marketing slam duck for fintech and finance brands. Unlocking a route into Gen Z audiences via trusted, engaging voices. But, as Robinhood’s experience shows, the stakes are high when you get it wrong. Any company selling financial products or services is subject to a litany of regulation. And these high standards of compliance aren’t necessarily compatible with the fast-paced, algorithm-chasing game of social media content creation. It’s a conundrum that’s starting to trip brands up. 

Alongside Robinhood, this year has also seen Public Investing fined $350k by the US regulator FINRA after influencers made misleading claims. And a recent crackdown from the UK’s financial regulator, the FCA, saw three individual finfluencers end up in court charged with encouraging high-risk strategies without the correct authorisation. Brands and the influencers they rely on are sailing far too close to the wind. 

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And this risk-reward matrix is only set to become more intense. The use of AI tooling in marketing is speeding up content creation and enabling thousands of iterations of adverts to run simultaneously. And brands are increasingly upping the percentage of marketing budget allocated to social media. Collectively, this is encouraging faster, more dynamic social strategies, with influencers forming a critical part. It’s putting marketers on a potential collision course with regulators cracking down on violations. 

Companies leveraging social media partnership with a view to reaching Gen Z customers cannot afford to overlook this reality. From eye-watering fines to a tarnished brand, the implications of getting your social marketing wrong are severe. 

But that doesn’t mean brands can’t play in this space. They just need to be smart about it. 

Businesses swimming in this pool need to ensure they aren’t sidelining the compliance and risk management strategies that will keep them on the right side of regulation. This cannot be an afterthought. Marketing teams must invest in tooling, work closely with legal teams, and run stress tests on campaigns to ensure they are watertight. 

Regulators are coming for finfluencers and the businesses that work with them. Companies should heed the warning and not let their quest for young, digitally-savvy customers rush them into an approach which could see them break the law and sink their finances. Instead, the same level of zeal applied to the creative should be applied to the compliance. They are two sides of the same coin. Combined, they’ll allow companies to cash in. 

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The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.

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