olivLaw · US equity research
Laureate Education, Inc. LAUR
Services-Educational Services · SIC 8200 · Vertical: Services-Educational Services (SIC 8200)
Laureate Education operates five higher education institutions in Mexico and Peru, with approximately 501,400 students enrolled as of June 30, 2026. The company is relevant because demand for private higher education in these markets exceeds public supply, and first-half 2026 results showed growth alongside a rising focus on online and hybrid programs.
The AI analysis may be outdated: new filings came after its sources (see the «AI analysis» section).
At the close of 04 Nov 2026, Laureate Education, Inc. (LAUR) stock was 35.15 USD (−0.96% on the day), with market capitalisation 4.8 bn USD, P/E 12.9 on diluted EPS of 2.73 USD over the last 12 months, beta 0.60, 52-week range 29.69–40.46 USD. Latest reported quarter (Q3 2026): revenue of 485.1 m USD (+21.2% YoY), net income of 101.2 m USD (+193.5% YoY), diluted EPS 0.73 USD.
Data as of · AI analysis dated · Source: SEC filings and closing prices, computed by olivLaw.
Price history
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Technical reading
- RSI (14)
- 38.5
- weak (30–45)
- Bollinger (20, 2)
- 34.07 – 41.57
- in the lower half of the band · %B 0.14 · band width 19.8%
- SMA 50 / 200
- 37.43 / 35.56
- mixed trend
- MACD (12, 26, 9)
- -0.79 / -0.31
- MACD below signal
Indicators describe past prices; on their own they do not predict direction. On our history the RSI ≤ 40 filter added no return (see the signals methodology).
Performance
| Company | S&P 500 | vs S&P 500 | Vertical median | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month | −8.7% | −1.1% | −7.6 pp | — |
| 3 months | −7.6% | −0.5% | −7.2 pp | — |
| 6 months | +8.1% | +4.4% | +3.7 pp | — |
| Year to date | +4.4% | +12.3% | −7.9 pp | — |
| 1 year | +18.5% | +13.5% | +5.0 pp | −30.6% |
| 3 years | +157.7% | +76.4% | +81.3 pp | −18.2% |
| 5 years | +197.1% | +63.7% | +133.5 pp | — |
Price returns, dividends excluded.
Quarterly results
Latest quarter: Q3 2026 · 30 Sept 2026
Quarterly margins
Quarterly statements · USD
| Fiscal year | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | Q2 '26 | Q3 '26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 423.4 m | 236.2 m | 524.2 m | 400.2 m | 541.4 m | 272.6 m | 615.9 m | 485.1 m |
| Cost of revenue | 288.0 m | 238.4 m | 317.4 m | 316.5 m | 347.5 m | 289.0 m | 378.2 m | 353.4 m |
| Operating income | 124.2 m | -13.2 m | 193.3 m | 71.5 m | 179.5 m | -27.5 m | 223.4 m | 119.1 m |
| Interest expense | 3.3 m | 2.4 m | 3.1 m | 2.6 m | 2.5 m | 3.1 m | 4.2 m | 4.8 m |
| Pre-tax income | 139.5 m | -17.3 m | 166.8 m | 68.8 m | 182.5 m | -27.3 m | 218.8 m | 121.2 m |
| Income tax | 46.5 m | 2.5 m | 69.4 m | 34.5 m | 11.0 m | -5.7 m | 81.7 m | 20.0 m |
| Net income | 93.6 m | -19.5 m | 95.1 m | 34.5 m | 171.6 m | -21.6 m | 137.1 m | 101.2 m |
| Diluted EPS | 0.62 ≈ | -0.13 | 0.65 | 0.23 | 1.17 ≈ | -0.15 | 0.98 | 0.73 |
| Operating cash flow | 40.7 m | 57.8 m | 74.1 m ≈ | 141.0 m ≈ | 93.4 m | 61.9 m | 111.0 m ≈ | 151.7 m ≈ |
| Capex | 37.3 m | 4.6 m | 13.3 m ≈ | 18.2 m ≈ | 67.0 m | 8.3 m | 27.2 m ≈ | 27.9 m ≈ |
| Dividends paid | — | 386.0 k | 69.0 k ≈ | 0 ≈ | — | 97.0 k | 18.0 k ≈ | 0 ≈ |
| Share repurchases | 2.0 m | 39.5 m | 32.1 m ≈ | 0 ≈ | 143.6 m | 108.2 m | 77.7 m ≈ | 73.0 m ≈ |
≈ derived quarter (cumulative difference / share-days average)
E/P over time
E/P = trailing-12-month diluted EPS / price at quarter end. E/P is the inverse of P/E and stays defined when earnings are negative.
Today's P/E sits at the 50 percentile of its own 32-quarter history (min 2.8, median 12.8, max 109.6; quarters with earnings only).
Fiscal years
| Fiscal year | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1.1 bn | 1.2 bn | 1.0 bn | 1.1 bn | 1.2 bn | 1.5 bn | 1.6 bn | 1.7 bn |
| Revenue YoY | −65.7% | +5.9% | −15.4% | +6.0% | +14.3% | +19.5% | +5.5% | +8.6% |
| Net income | 370.1 m | 938.5 m | -613.3 m | 192.4 m | 69.6 m | 107.6 m | 296.5 m | 281.6 m |
| Net income YoY | +304.6% | +153.6% | −165.4% | unavailable | −63.8% | +54.6% | +175.6% | −5.0% |
| Diluted EPS | 1.73 | 4.23 | -2.93 | 1.01 | 0.41 | 0.68 | 1.92 | 1.89 |
| Diluted EPS YoY | unavailable | +144.5% | −169.3% | unavailable | −59.4% | +65.9% | +182.4% | −1.6% |
| net % | 32.3% | 77.4% | -59.8% | 17.7% | 5.6% | 7.2% | 18.9% | 16.5% |
| Free cash flow | 158.8 m | 184.1 m | 184.9 m | -206.5 m | 125.5 m | 194.3 m | 160.8 m | 263.1 m |
Reported results vs expectations
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Balance sheet & financial health
Fiscal year 2025 · 31 Dec 2025
- Cash
- 146.7 m USD
- Financial debt
- 127.7 m USD
- Net debt
- -19.0 m USD
- Equity
- 1.2 bn USD
- Total assets
- 2.2 bn USD
- Debt / equity
- 0.11x
- Current ratio
- 0.67x
- ROE
- 26.3%
- ROA
- 13.8%
- FCF margin
- 15.5%
Financial statements (source on every figure)
Revenue and net income (USD)
Margins
Income statement · USD
| Line | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1.0 bn | 1.1 bn | 1.2 bn | 1.5 bn | 1.6 bn | 1.7 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Cost of revenue | 802.5 m | 814.5 m | 907.4 m | 1.1 bn | 1.1 bn | 1.2 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Gross profit | 222.5 m ≈ | 272.2 m ≈ | 334.9 m ≈ | 394.5 m ≈ | 419.8 m ≈ | 482.2 m ≈ | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026derived |
| Operating income | -329.3 m | -4.6 m | 270.0 m | 338.8 m | 374.0 m | 431.1 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Depreciation & amortisation | — | 101.2 m | 59.1 m | 69.6 m | 68.2 m | 74.5 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| EBITDA | — | 96.6 m ≈ | 329.1 m ≈ | 408.4 m ≈ | 442.2 m ≈ | 505.6 m ≈ | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026derived |
| Interest expense | 100.9 m | 46.3 m | 16.4 m | 21.0 m | 18.1 m | 10.7 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Pre-tax income | -450.8 m | -137.5 m | 245.9 m | 254.5 m | 414.5 m | 400.9 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Income tax | -130.1 m | 145.6 m | 185.4 m | 137.6 m | 119.0 m | 117.3 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Net income | -613.3 m | 192.4 m | 69.6 m | 107.6 m | 296.5 m | 281.6 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Diluted EPS | -2.93 | 1.01 | 0.41 | 0.68 | 1.92 | 1.89 | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Weighted average diluted shares | 209.7 m | 189.7 m | 168.3 m | 157.9 m | 153.9 m | 148.7 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
≈ computed by olivLaw from the reported lines of the same year: Revenue − Cost of revenue; Operating income + Depreciation & amortisation.
Balance sheet · USD
| Line | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | 750.1 m | 324.8 m | 85.2 m | 89.4 m | 91.4 m | 146.7 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Current assets | 1.4 bn | 544.3 m | 226.2 m | 224.4 m | 227.3 m | 318.3 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Property, plant & equipment, net | 578.5 m | 499.5 m | 523.4 m | 562.2 m | 514.3 m | 628.6 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Goodwill | 574.8 m | 546.8 m | 583.5 m | 661.5 m | 563.4 m | 637.3 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Intangibles (excl. goodwill) | 225.6 m | 142.8 m | 151.6 m | 169.2 m | 147.9 m | 166.2 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Total assets | 5.0 bn | 2.2 bn | 2.0 bn | 2.1 bn | 1.9 bn | 2.2 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Accounts payable | 41.1 m | 26.9 m | 42.8 m | 43.2 m | 35.3 m | 57.1 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Short-term debt | 95.8 m | 49.1 m | 56.2 m | 52.8 m | 41.3 m | 54.6 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Long-term debt | 899.9 m | 104.6 m | 175.9 m | 112.2 m | 59.0 m | 73.1 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Current liabilities | 804.6 m | 371.9 m | 381.4 m | 453.2 m | 367.9 m | 472.9 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Total liabilities | 2.7 bn | 1.1 bn | 1.2 bn | 1.2 bn | 903.5 m | 1.0 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Equity | 2.3 bn | 1.1 bn | 774.4 m | 947.7 m | 957.1 m | 1.2 bn | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
Cash flow · USD
| Line | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Source (latest year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating cash flow | 259.6 m | -156.1 m | 178.2 m | 250.8 m | 232.7 m | 366.2 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Capex | 74.6 m | 50.4 m | 52.8 m | 56.4 m | 71.9 m | 103.0 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Free cash flow | 184.9 m ≈ | -206.5 m ≈ | 125.5 m ≈ | 194.3 m ≈ | 160.8 m ≈ | 263.1 m ≈ | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026derived |
| Investing cash flow | 587.4 m | 2.0 bn | 30.3 m | -51.9 m | -57.5 m | -102.6 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Financing cash flow | -272.7 m | -2.7 bn | -461.6 m | -201.9 m | -166.9 m | -222.5 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
| Share repurchases | 99.5 m | 380.5 m | 282.2 m | 0 | 102.1 m | 215.2 m | SEC (XBRL)· 19 Feb 2026verified |
≈ computed by olivLaw from the reported lines of the same year: Operating cash flow − Capex.
Computed indicators
Growth
Profitability
Returns
Balance sheet
Liquidity
Cash
Efficiency
Market and valuation
1 indicators that do not apply to the sector.
Valuation
olivLaw classification
Score: 70 / 100
A scoring methodology on indicators and valuation, not investment advice.
Closing price
04 Nov 2026Source: olivLaw, closing series
Market cap: 4.8 bn USD
Key indicators
Coverage and freshness
Score by group
- Valuation58
- Returns100
- Quality85
- Balance sheet41
- Growth96
Estimated value range
The combined range = the median of the valid methods' low, central and high values; it is not a probability interval and does not cover every result. Envelope of all methods: 17.81 – 52.59 USD.
Valuation assumptions are editorial choices, not measured; beta is not measured.
Method ranges (USD per share)
— — Mid · ▏ Price
Valuation methods
- DCF (discounted cash flow)34.08 – 52.59 (Mid 41.25)WACC 9.1% · starting FCFF 299.1 m USD · terminal value share of EV 74%The WACC × g sensitivity gives the method's bounds; these are not probabilities.Reverse DCF: starting growth implied by the price (fading linearly to terminal growth, everything else fixed): 3.9%
- Peers: EV/EBITDA32.04 – 37.46 (Mid 32.88)5 companies used · median multiple 7.9x · quartiles 7.7x – 9.0xAPEI, LFS, LGCY, LINC, LRN
- Peers: P/E17.81 – 46.92 (Mid 33.77)15 companies used · median multiple 12.4x · quartiles 6.5x – 17.2xAPEI, CVSA, IH, LFS, LGCY, LINC, LOPE, LRN, PRDO, PXED, STG, STRA, TAL, VSA, YOUL
- Dividend discount (DDM)unavailable · input data missing
Classification (SIC) comparables group by industry code, not by economic activity; the direct group is an editorial selection by activity. Members' multiples are on their own trailing twelve months, at their own latest close.
Assumptions (illustrative, editorial)
- Risk-free rate
- 4.3%
- Equity risk premium
- 5.0%
- Beta (default)
- 1.00
- Cost of equity
- 9.3%
- Terminal growth
- 2.5%
Factor scorecard
Neutral profile · Score 70/100
| Factor | Value | Score | Weight used |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROIC · Quality | 36.1% | 94 (vs peers) | 11% |
| Net margin · Quality | 20.3% | 89 (vs peers) | 7% |
| FCF conversion · Quality | 74.1% | 63 (on a fixed band) | 7% |
| Revenue CAGR 3Y · Growth | 11.1% | 92 (on a fixed band) | 9% |
| EPS CAGR 3Y · Growth | 66.4% | 100 (on a fixed band) | 9% |
| Net debt / EBITDA · Balance sheet | 0.0x | 22 (vs peers) | 11% |
| Interest coverage · Balance sheet | 33.7x | 100 (on a fixed band) | 7% |
| Current ratio · Balance sheet | 0.7x | 0 (on a fixed band) | 4% |
| P/E (TTM) · Valuation | 12.9x | 58 (vs peers) | 11% |
| EV/EBITDA · Valuation | 8.4x | 44 (vs peers) | 11% |
| FCF yield · Valuation | 6.0% | 75 (on a fixed band) | 9% |
| Shareholder yield (distributions) · Returns | 8.4% | 100 (on a fixed band) | 7% |
| Payout ratio (FCF) · Returns | unavailable | unavailable | — |
Factors without a value were dropped; the remaining weights were renormalised.
Score groups
- Balance sheet41/100 · 3/3 factors with a value
- Growth96/100 · 2/2 factors with a value
- Quality85/100 · 3/3 factors with a value
- Returns· partial100/100 · 1/2 factors with a value
- Valuation58/100 · 3/3 factors with a value
A «partial» group is computed from under half of its weight or from one factor: it is not a full assessment of the group.
Memo
Laureate Education, Inc. (LAUR). Latest full fiscal year: 2025; data up to 2026-09-30.
Figures computed from the financial statements: revenue 1.7 bn USD in 2025; YoY growth 8.6%; net margin 20.3%; ROE 34.1%; net debt/EBITDA 0.0x.
The estimated value range is 32.04–46.92 USD per share (median of 3 methods, agreement: high); assumptions are illustrative. Against the central value of 33.77 USD, the price of 35.15 USD leaves a potential of -3.9% (value / price − 1) and a margin of safety of -4.1% (1 − price / value). The range is the median of the methods' low, central and high values, not a probability interval.
olivLaw score 70/100, methodological classification: neutral profile (score, margin of safety and method agreement together; not a judgement of the right price). Groups assessed only in part: returns. Not investment advice.
Text generated deterministically from the figures shown; no language model. Not investment advice.
What supports the thesis
- ROIC: 36.1%
- Net margin: 20.3%
- Revenue CAGR 3Y: 11.1%
- EPS CAGR 3Y: 66.4%
- Interest coverage: 33.7x
- FCF yield: 6.0%
- Shareholder yield (distributions): 8.4%
What contradicts it
- Net debt / EBITDA: 0.0x
- Current ratio: 0.7x
Not assessed (insufficient data or a ratio without meaning): Payout ratio (FCF).
Versus the vertical median
Services-Educational Services (SIC 8200) · same industry (4-digit SIC) · compared with 39 companies
Multiples and returns vs the median
Price rebased to 100 (monthly, 5 years)
Companies in the vertical
| Market cap | P/E | ROE | Net margin | Revenue YoY | 1A / 3A | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDUNew Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. | 80.7 bn | 169.7 | 12.4% | 8.4% | +15.5% | +2% / −36% |
| LAURLaureate Education, Inc. | 4.8 bn | 12.9 | 34.1% | 20.3% | +8.6% | +19% / +158% |
| CVSACovista Inc. | 4.1 bn | 17.0 | 17.9% | 12.8% | +9.3% | +34% / +118% |
| COE51Talk Online Education Group | 4.1 bn | — | — | -17.6% | +88.6% | −73% / +43% |
| LOPEGrand Canyon Education, Inc. | 3.8 bn | 16.1 | 35.9% | 21.9% | +7.1% | −4% / +10% |
| LRNStride, Inc. | 3.3 bn | 10.9 | 20.9% | 13.2% | +4.7% | +25% / +31% |
| NAMIJinxin Technology Holding Company | 2.6 bn | — | -89.7% | -22.8% | +6.1% | −89% / unavailable |
| DAOYoudao, Inc. | 2.5 bn | 159.2 | — | 1.6% | +9.6% | +105% / +397% |
| PRDOPerdoceo Education Corp | 1.9 bn | 10.9 | 17.6% | 20.6% | +24.2% | +7% / +72% |
| STRAStrategic Education, Inc. | 1.7 bn | 12.4 | 8.2% | 10.5% | +4.0% | −5% / −16% |
| YQ17 Education & Technology Group Inc. | 1.5 bn | — | -46.5% | -145.6% | −41.5% | −41% / +14% |
| UTIUniversal Technical Institute, Inc | 1.2 bn | 36.3 | 10.5% | 3.9% | +14.0% | −3% / +91% |
| PXEDPhoenix Education Partners, Inc. | 794.4 m | 9.5 | 30.1% | 8.7% | +1.0% | −36% / unavailable |
| APEIAmerican Public Education, Inc. | 776.2 m | 17.5 | 15.6% | 6.8% | +3.9% | +22% / +439% |
| LINCLincoln Educational Services Corporation | 637.9 m | 28.0 | 11.9% | 4.0% | +17.8% | −2% / +117% |
| JZJianzhi Education Technology Group Company Limited | 522.3 m | — | -44.4% | -22.4% | −70.6% | −98% / −100% |
| GOTUGaotu Techedu Inc. | 373.9 m | — | -20.8% | -5.3% | +40.9% | −0% / −9% |
| IHiHuman Inc. | 245.2 m | 22.8 | 10.0% | 11.8% | −8.7% | −60% / −59% |
| FEDUFour Seasons Education (Cayman) Inc. | 210.5 m | 46.6 | 6.8% | 12.1% | +7.6% | −30% / +13% |
| LXEHLixiang Education Holding Co. Ltd. | 155.2 m | — | -83.1% | -395.4% | −1.9% | −63% / −99% |
| LGCYLegacy Education Inc. | 118.1 m | 14.0 | 19.5% | 11.4% | +24.8% | −12% / unavailable |
| EEIQEpicQuest Education Group International Limited | 93.6 m | — | -34.8% | -27.2% | +9.6% | −23% / −81% |
| VSAVisionSys AI Inc | 81.8 m | 0.3 | — | 164,963.8% | −99.9% | −97% / −100% |
| CHGGChegg, Inc | 71.1 m | — | -30.7% | -17.2% | −39.0% | −34% / −94% |
| AMBOAmbow Education Holding Ltd. | 62.3 m | — | -2.9% | -2.6% | +0.8% | −61% / −10% |
1- and 3-year price returns: for LAUR from daily closes (the same as the performance table), for the other companies from month-end closes.
olivLaw engine forecast
The world engine ran after the company's latest material disclosure. Probabilities are of TOUCHING a level within the horizon (not closing there) and sit next to the random walk (p_rw), the no-information benchmark.
The engine has no published run for this company yet.
Valuation scenarios (editable assumptions)
Illustrative scenarios
Illustrative: not forecasts and without probabilities. Each case is one coherent set of assumptions, computed on today's figures.
Estimated price (USD)
| Estimated price | Bear | Base | Bull |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 years | 23.23 Total return -34% · Per year -34% | 40.95 Total return 16% · Per year 16% | 61.51 Total return 75% · Per year 75% |
| 3 years | 25.62 Total return -27% · Per year -10% | 50.51 Total return 44% · Per year 13% | 82.87 Total return 136% · Per year 33% |
| 5 years | 28.25 Total return -20% · Per year -4% | 62.31 Total return 77% · Per year 12% | 111.63 Total return 218% · Per year 26% |
- Exit P/E± 12.63
- Net margin± 8.84
- Annual revenue growth± 6.83
- Annual dilution± 0.74
AI analysis
AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.
Possibly outdated: the newest document it read is from 30 Jul 2026; since then the company filed 8-K (29 Oct 2026 · results), 10-Q (29 Oct 2026).
In brief
Laureate Education operates five higher education institutions in Mexico and Peru, with approximately 501,400 students enrolled as of June 30, 2026 2. The company is relevant because demand for private higher education in these markets exceeds public supply, and first-half 2026 results showed growth alongside a rising focus on online and hybrid programs 3.
SWOT
Strengths
- The network has national scale in Mexico and Peru, recognized brands, many accredited institutions and medical and dental schools 1.
- The private-pay model and historically high retention provide multi-year revenue visibility 1.
- The company has a solid balance sheet and grew revenue and profitability in the first half of 2026 23.
Weaknesses
- Operations are concentrated in two Latin American countries, exposing the company to regional economic and political risks 1.
- Revenue is sensitive to exchange rates because results are reported in dollars, and currency effects can distort comparisons 13.
- Growth depends on attracting and retaining students, and pricing is constrained by competition and costs 12.
Opportunities
- Higher education penetration is still low compared with the United States, leaving room to expand programs and target groups 1.
- Expanding online and hybrid programs could increase capacity and capital efficiency 13.
- The share repurchase authorization increased in July 2026 could support capital returns to shareholders 3.
Threats
Risks
- Currency riskhigh
Revenues in pesos and soles, reported in dollars, can move with exchange rates, which may change reported margins 13.
- Regulatory riskhigh
Licenses, accreditations and approvals for new programs can be modified or withdrawn, and rules can change in both countries 1.
- Enrollment riskmedium
If attrition rises or tuition increases are limited, student numbers could decline, affecting revenue 1.
- Reputation riskmedium
Negative information about the company or the private sector can spread quickly on social media and affect demand 1.
- Competitive risklow
Public and private universities with greater resources or lower prices could reduce the company's market share 12.
Investment thesis
What would need to be true (bull case)
- If demand for private education keeps growing in Mexico and Peru, enrollment and revenue growth could continue, especially in online and hybrid programs 13.
- The raised 2026 guidance and stronger first-half results suggest operations could generate higher profit than in the prior year 3.
- A low net debt position and an expanded repurchase program could support capital returned to shareholders 3.
What would break the thesis
- If local currencies depreciate again, dollar-reported revenue could fall and margins could compress 13.
- Competition from public and private universities could limit price increases and enrollment growth 12.
- Academic calendar effects and exchange rates can distort quarterly comparisons, and results could fall short of announced expectations 23.
What to watch
- Trend in new and total enrollments in Mexico and PeruQ3 2026
- Delivery against the revised 2026 guidance for revenue and adjusted EBITDA2026
- Effect of exchange rates on dollar-reported revenueQ3 2026
- Execution of the share repurchase program and new campus openingsnext 10-K
Products, market & competition
AI-generatedAI-generated analysis (Claude) from cited public sources; it may contain errors. Not investment advice. As of 27 Oct 2026 · Model: claude-haiku-5-5.
Possibly outdated: the newest document it read is from 30 Jul 2026; since then the company filed 8-K (29 Oct 2026 · results), 10-Q (29 Oct 2026).
The business
Laureate Education, Inc. runs a portfolio of degree-granting institutions in Mexico and Peru, collectively known as the Laureate International Universities network 1. The institutions offer undergraduate and graduate degrees through campus, online and hybrid programs, emphasizing Medicine and Health Sciences, Engineering and Information Technology, and Business and Management, which together make up approximately 75% of post-secondary enrollments 1. The model relies almost entirely on private-pay tuition, with no material government-sponsored student loan programs in the two countries 1.
The network is built on a country-scale platform, allowing the in-country institutions to share infrastructure, technology, curricula and operational best practices 1. At the end of 2025 the company had more than 50 campuses, covering premium and value brands as well as a technical-vocational institute 1. Revenue visibility is supported by multi-year programs, typically four to five years, and by high student retention 1.
The 2026 strategy includes integrating campus operations, expanding programs and target student groups, adding capacity at existing and new campuses, and growing online and hybrid delivery 13. In July 2026 management reported the launch of a new campus and continued expansion of its digital capabilities 3.
Segments
Market context
Demand for higher education in Mexico and Peru is large and growing, supported by favorable demographics, a growing middle class and higher earnings for graduates 1. Higher education penetration is approximately 34% in Mexico and 42% in Peru, compared with approximately 55% in the United States, which suggests room for growth 1. The private sector already plays a major role, with private providers holding approximately 39% of the Mexican market and approximately 76% of the Peruvian market 1.
Demand is also shifting toward online and hybrid formats, which can add capacity without extra physical space and meet the needs of working adults 1. As the markets mature, competition from private institutions may intensify, which could affect pricing and enrollments 2.
Trends
- Growing demand for private educationtailwind
A growing middle class and limited public supply support demand for private institutions, especially in science, technology and business programs 1.
- Shift to online and hybrid learningtailwind
Students and employers increasingly accept online and hybrid degrees, which could lower the cost per student and make better use of campus space 1.
- Currency fluctuationsmixed
Revenues and expenses are generated in Mexican pesos and Peruvian soles, and reporting in dollars can be affected by exchange rates; in 2026 currency effects raised reported figures 13.
- Rising competitive pressureheadwind
As markets mature, competition from public and private universities could increase, and tuition must be managed to protect enrollments 12.
Competitive position
Laureate competes with public and private universities, some of which are larger or better known and may receive government subsidies or non-repayable grants 1. The company differentiates itself through professional-oriented curricula, country-level networks and the reputation of its local brands 1.
Competition centers on price, educational quality, reputation and location, and pressure could rise if other companies copy the model of campus expansion and online programs 12.
- Public and private universities in Mexico and Peru
Main local competitors, some larger and with longer reputations, that benefit from public resources or grants.
- Other private institutions expanding campuses
Large companies that could add campuses, on-campus or online programs, or acquire institutions.
- Online and technology education providers
Providers using artificial intelligence and machine learning for online programs, an area where competition may grow.
- Technical-vocational institutes
Competitors in the technical and vocational segment, relevant for students seeking shorter qualifications.
Links, dependencies and risks
Who the company is tied to, from its own SEC filings (customers, suppliers, production, partners, competitors, countries, regulation), from the 5 %+ holders' statements (13D/13G) and from what other companies say about it. Click a node for its evidence; on a listed company the graph moves to it.
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News & filings
In the press
- Statue of Soviet dissident and Nobel laureate Alexander Solzhenitsyn removed from waterfront in Vladivostok, Russia, for relocation to a parkMeduza English (independent RU/exile) · 20 Oct 2026 · EN
- Venezuela Opposition alliance confirms Nobel laureate Machado as leaderThe Hindu — International · 18 Oct 2026 · EN
- Donald Trump 'openly financing Russia's war with Ukraine', Nobel peace laureate saysFrance24 — Europe · 15 Oct 2026 · EN
- Nobel peace laureate Navi Pillay urges US to defend human rightsCNA (Channel NewsAsia) · 13 Oct 2026 · EN
- Michael Woodford, Nobel LaureateMarginal Revolution · 12 Oct 2026 · EN
- Robert Hall, Nobel LaureateMarginal Revolution · 12 Oct 2026 · EN
- Nobel peace laureate says US sanctions on ICC 'unacceptable'BBC World News · 10 Oct 2026 · EN
- Nobel laureate Pillay calls US sanctions on ICC judges 'shocking'Nikkei Asia · 09 Oct 2026 · EN
- Nobel laureate Pillay calls sanctions on ICC judges 'shocking'Nikkei Asia · 09 Oct 2026 · EN
- Nobel Week to start with announcement of laureate in medicineTASS (RU, EN) · 04 Oct 2026 · EN
- Daily briefing: Can you name every female Nobel laureate?Nature · 02 Oct 2026 · EN
- Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dmitry Muratov urges Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to press Putin to release Russian political prisonersMeduza English (independent RU/exile) · 21 Sept 2026 · EN
- Limit AI now or humanity will lose its agency, says Nobel laureate RessaThe Straits Times — Asia · 15 Sept 2026 · EN
- Russian publisher blacks out mention of Stalin and Hitler in book by Nobel laureate Günter GrassMeduza English (independent RU/exile) · 10 Aug 2026 · EN
- Susumu Tonegawa, first Japanese Nobel laureate in medicine, dies at 86The Japan Times · 16 Jul 2026 · RO
- Povestea unei laureate Nobel despre supraviețuirea în România lui Ceaușescu: „Securitatea era o colosală Stație a Fricii”Antena 3 CNN · 23 Jun 2026 · RO
- Nobel Laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk: ‘Justice Is Not the Privilege of Winners’Balkan Insight (BIRN) · 08 Jun 2026 · RO
- Nobel laureate James Heckman on the value of risk-taking, and China’s ‘common goal’South China Morning Post — China · 07 Jun 2026 · RO
- Nobel laureate Olga Tokarczuk apparently used AI to write her latest novelHacker News · 20 May 2026 · EN
- Children’s reading should prioritise pleasure over learning, says laureateThe Guardian World · 19 May 2026 · RO
The latest news item in our archive is from 20 Oct 2026; the newest SEC filing is from 29 Oct 2026. The press archive comes from the RSS feeds we follow and does not necessarily cover the latest event — the filings alongside do.
SEC filings
- Current report29 Oct 2026Results of operations · Regulation FD disclosure · Financial statements and exhibits
- Quarterly report29 Oct 2026
- Quarterly report30 Jul 2026
- Current report30 Jul 2026Results of operations · Regulation FD disclosure · Financial statements and exhibits
- Current report27 May 2026Departure or appointment of officers · Shareholder vote · Financial statements and exhibits
- Quarterly report30 Apr 2026
- Current report30 Apr 2026Results of operations · Regulation FD disclosure · Financial statements and exhibits
- Proxy statement09 Apr 2026
- Annual report19 Feb 2026
- Current report19 Feb 2026Results of operations · Regulation FD disclosure · Financial statements and exhibits
Sources
- [1] Form 10-K, fiscal year ended 2025-12-31 · SEC / Laureate Education, Inc. · 19 Feb 2026
- [2] Form 10-Q, quarter ended 2026-06-30 · SEC / Laureate Education, Inc. · 30 Jul 2026
- [3] Form 8-K, results release (exhibit 99.1) · SEC / Laureate Education, Inc. · 30 Jul 2026
Figures computed by olivLaw from SEC filings and closing prices; the qualitative analysis is AI-generated from cited sources. Not investment advice.