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 $17.9 million, or 12.4%.
Registrations and Enrollment
Q3 2024
Q3 2023
% Change
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American Public University System1
For the three months ended September 30, Net Course Registrations
92,500
92,300
0.2 %
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Rasmussen University2
For the three months ended September 30, Total Student Enrollment
13,500
13,500
0 %
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Hondros College of Nursing3
For the three months ended September 30, Total Student Enrollment
3,100
2,800
10.4 %
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APUS Net Course Registrations represents the approximate aggregate number of courses for which students remain enrolled after the date by which they may drop a course without financial penalty. Excludes students in doctoral programs.
RU Total Student Enrollment represents students in an active status as of the full-term census or billing date.
HCN Total Student Enrollment represents the approximate number of students enrolled in a course after the date by which students may drop a course without financial penalty.
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Outlook
The following statements are based on APEI’s current expectations. These statements are forward-looking and actual results may differ materially. APEI undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason unless required by law. Refer to APEI’s earnings conference call and presentation for further details.
Fourth Quarter 2024 Guidance
(Approximate)
(% Yr/Yr Change)
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APUS Net course registrations
94,400 to 96,100
4% to 6%
HCN Student enrollment
3,700
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19 %
RU Student enrollment
14,600
4 %
– On-ground Healthcare
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6,300
-3 %
– Online
8,300
9 %
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($ 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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Cornell University administrator Warren Petrofsky will serve as the Faculty of Arts and Sciences’ new dean of administration and finance, charged with spearheading efforts to shore up the school’s finances as it faces a hefty budget deficit.
Petrofsky’s appointment, announced in a Friday email from FAS Dean Hopi E. Hoekstra to FAS affiliates, will begin April 20 — nearly a year after former FAS dean of administration and finance Scott A. Jordan stepped down. Petrofsky will replace interim dean Mary Ann Bradley, who helped shape the early stages of FAS cost-cutting initiatives.
Petrofsky currently serves as associate dean of administration at Cornell University’s College of Arts and Sciences.
As dean, he oversaw a budget cut of nearly $11 million to the institution’s College of Arts and Sciences after the federal government slashed at least $250 million in stop-work orders and frozen grants, according to the Cornell Daily Sun.
He also serves on a work group established in November 2025 to streamline the school’s administrative systems.
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Earlier, at the University of Pennsylvania, Petrofsky managed capital initiatives and organizational redesigns in a number of administrative roles.
Petrofsky is poised to lead similar efforts at the FAS, which relaunched its Resources Committee in spring 2025 and created a committee to consolidate staff positions amid massive federal funding cuts.
As part of its planning process, the committee has quietly brought on external help. Over several months, consultants from McKinsey & Company have been interviewing dozens of administrators and staff across the FAS.
Petrofsky will also likely have a hand in other cost-cutting measures across the FAS, which is facing a $365 million budget deficit. The school has already announced it will keep spending flat for the 2026 fiscal year, and it has dramatically reduced Ph.D. admissions.
In her email, Hoekstra praised Petrofsky’s performance across his career.
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“Warren has emphasized transparency, clarity in communication, and investment in staff development,” she wrote. “He approaches change with steadiness and purpose, and with deep respect for the mission that unites our faculty, researchers, staff, and students. I am confident that he will be a strong partner to me and to our community.”
—Staff writer Amann S. Mahajan can be reached at [email protected] and on Signal at amannsm.38. Follow her on X @amannmahajan.
My spreadsheet reviewed a WalletHub ranking of financial distress for the residents of 100 U.S. cities, including 17 in California. The analysis compared local credit scores, late bill payments, bankruptcy filings and online searches for debt or loans to quantify where individuals had the largest money challenges.
When California cities were divided into three geographic regions – Southern California, the Bay Area, and anything inland – the most challenges were often found far from the coast.
The average national ranking of the six inland cities was 39th worst for distress, the most troubled grade among the state’s slices.
Bakersfield received the inland region’s worst score, ranking No. 24 highest nationally for financial distress. That was followed by Sacramento (30th), San Bernardino (39th), Stockton (43rd), Fresno (45th), and Riverside (52nd).
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Southern California’s seven cities overall fared better, with an average national ranking of 56th largest financial problems.
However, Los Angeles had the state’s ugliest grade, ranking fifth-worst nationally for monetary distress. Then came San Diego at 22nd-worst, then Long Beach (48th), Irvine (70th), Anaheim (71st), Santa Ana (85th), and Chula Vista (89th).
Monetary challenges were limited in the Bay Area. Its four cities average rank was 69th worst nationally.
San Jose had the region’s most distressed finances, with a No. 50 worst ranking. That was followed by Oakland (69th), San Francisco (72nd), and Fremont (83rd).
The results remind us that inland California’s affordability – it’s home to the state’s cheapest housing, for example – doesn’t fully compensate for wages that typically decline the farther one works from the Pacific Ocean.
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A peek inside the scorecard’s grades shows where trouble exists within California.
Credit scores were the lowest inland, with little difference elsewhere. Late payments were also more common inland. Tardy bills were most difficult to find in Northern California.
Bankruptcy problems also were bubbling inland, but grew the slowest in Southern California. And worrisome online searches were more frequent inland, while varying only slightly closer to the Pacific.
Note: Across the state’s 17 cities in the study, the No. 53 average rank is a middle-of-the-pack grade on the 100-city national scale for monetary woes.
Jonathan Lansner is the business columnist for the Southern California News Group. He can be reached at jlansner@scng.com
The up-and-coming fintech scored a pair of fourth-quarter beats.
Diversified fintech Chime Financial(CHYM +12.88%) was playing a satisfying tune to investors on Thursday. The company’s stock flew almost 14% higher that trading session, thanks mostly to a fourth quarter that featured notably higher-than-expected revenue guidance.
Sweet music
Chime published its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results just after market close on Wednesday. For the former period, the company’s revenue was $596 million, bettering the same quarter of 2024 by 25%. The company’s strongest revenue stream, payments, rose 17% to $396 million. Its take from platform-related activity rose more precipitously, advancing 47% to $200 million.
Image source: Getty Images.
Meanwhile, Chime’s net loss under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) more than doubled. It was $45 million, or $0.12 per share, compared with a fourth-quarter 2024 deficit of $19.6 million.
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On average, analysts tracking the stock were modeling revenue below $578 million and a deeper bottom-line loss of $0.20 per share.
In its earnings release, Chime pointed to the take-up of its Chime Card as a particular catalyst for growth. Regarding the product, the company said, “Among new member cohorts, over half are adopting Chime Card, and those members are putting over 70% of their Chime spend on the product, which earns materially higher take rates compared to debit.”
Today’s Change
(12.88%) $2.72
Current Price
$23.83
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Key Data Points
Market Cap
$7.9B
Day’s Range
$22.30 – $24.63
52wk Range
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$16.17 – $44.94
Volume
562K
Avg Vol
3.3M
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Gross Margin
86.34%
Double-digit growth expected
Chime management proffered revenue and non-GAAP (adjusted) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) guidance for full-year 2026. The company expects to post a top line of $627 million to $637 million, which would represent at least 21% growth over the 2024 result. Adjusted EBITDA should be $380 million to $400 million. No net income forecasts were provided in the earnings release.
It isn’t easy to find a niche in the financial industry, which is crowded with companies offering every imaginable type of service to clients. Yet Chime seems to be achieving that, as the Chime Card is clearly a hit among the company’s target demographic of clientele underserved by mainstream banks. This growth stock is definitely worth considering as a buy.