Richard Sunderland
Analyst · BMO Capital Markets. Your line is open
Thank you, Wally. Going on to Page 3, financial results. American Public Education's fourth quarter 2018 consolidated revenue decreased by 1% to $76.9 million compared to $78.1 million in the prior year period. The revenue decrease was due to a $1.1 million or 1.6% revenue decrease in our APEI segment and a $0.1 million or 0.8% decrease in revenue in our Hondros segment. Cost of expenses were $65.5 million for each of the 3 months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. Consolidated instructional costs and services expense as a percentage of revenue increased to 37.0% of revenue compared to 36.7% in the prior year period. The increase in instructional costs and services expense as a percent of revenue is primarily driven by increased compensation costs in our Hondros segment, partially offset by a decrease in instructional materials costs in our APEI segment. Selling and promotional expense as a percentage of revenue decreased to 18.2% of revenue compared to 18.3% in the prior year period. The decrease in selling and promotional expense was primarily the result of a decrease in employee compensation costs in our APEI segment, partially offset by an increase in advertising costs in our APEI and Hondros segments. General and administrative expense as a percentage of revenue increased to 24.3% of revenue compared to 22.3% in the prior year period. The increase in general and administrative expense is primarily related to increased compensation costs in our APEI and Hondros segments. Consolidated bad debt expense for the quarter was $1.3 million or 1.7% of revenue compared to $1.1 million or 1.4% of revenue in the prior year period. Depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of revenue decreased to 5.6% of revenue from 5.9% in the prior year period. Our effective tax rate during the fourth quarter of 2018 was approximately 26.5% compared to 14.3% in the prior year period. In the fourth quarter of 2017, we recorded a $3.7 million reduction in income tax expense related to the revaluation of net deferred tax liabilities resulting from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Our net income for the quarter was $9.1 million or $0.55 per diluted share compared to net income of $8.4 million or $0.51 per diluted share in the prior year period. Total cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2018 increased 18.4% to $212.1 million compared to $179.2 million as of December 31, 2017. For the 12 months ended December 31, 2018, total consolidated revenue was approximately $297.7 million compared to $299.2 million in the prior year period. Net income for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018 was $25.6 million or $1.54 per diluted share compared to net income of $21.1 million or $1.29 per diluted share in the prior year period. As a reminder, during the full year of 2018, we recorded the following, number one, approximately $1.7 million in pretax expenses associated with the voluntary reduction in force program announced in March as well as the applicable tax effect of the adjustment. Number two, approximately $0.7 million pretax in professional fees related to the - to an acquisition that the company is no longer pursuing, and number three, approximately $1.0 million pretax in costs related to the civil investigative demand from the Attorney General of Massachusetts, an inquiry that has since been resolved. Capital expenditures for the year were approximately $9.4 million compared to $14.8 million in the prior year period. Decline was primarily related to lower investments in program and software development costs at APUS. Prior year program development costs included costs related to doctoral and competency-based education or CBE programs. Depreciation and amortization for the year was $17.5 million compared to $18.8 million in the prior year period. Going on to Page 4, first quarter 2019 outlook. Our outlook for the first quarter of 2019 is as follows, APUS net course registrations by new students increased approximately 8% year-over-year. Total net course registrations increased by approximately 1% compared to the prior year period. For the 3 months ended March 31, 2019, total student enrollment at Hondros declined 15% year-over-year and new student enrollment decreased by 30% year-over-year. As Wally noted earlier, enrollments at Hondros were adversely impacted by changes in admissions processes and course retake policies among other factors. Hondros is taking action which we believe will mitigate the future impact of these changes on enrollment by modifying certain requirements and focusing on growth initiatives. In the first quarter of 2019, we expect a change in consolidated revenue of between 5% decrease and flat year-over-year. Net income for the first quarter of 2019 is expected to be in the range of $0.29 to $0.34 per fully diluted share. The change in operating margin indicated by our first quarter guidance is influenced by seasonality and impacted by two things. Number one, the guidance includes approximately $1.5 million pretax in professional fees associated with an acquisition the company is currently evaluating. Second and importantly, the enrollment declines at Hondros have a significant impact on that unit's operating margin. We anticipate a year-over-year decline in the Hondros operating - segment operating income of approximately $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2019 compared to the first quarter of 2018. As we mentioned last quarter, APUS continues to adjust its outreach to prospective students by focusing on the military and on the areas of the civilian market where student quality and advertising costs are more compatible with APUS's low tuition model. This includes a focus on certain degree programs, professional fields and geographic areas where we've enrolled students that are, on average, more likely to persist. The results appeared to have been generally favorable, particularly given the double-digit year-over-year increase in net course registrations by new active duty military students despite the headwinds from the partial government shutdown and the strengthening of net course registrations by new civilian students. In closing, we are pleased by the improved outlook for net course registrations at APUS, as well as by the gains we have made with respect to student persistence, particularly among undergraduate students and civilian students utilizing Federal Student Aid. Our team has put forth great effort over many years to improve our enrollment management processes, increase our marketing efficiency and enhance the student learning experience to attract and retain more college-ready students. APEI continues to generate strong free cash flow and it possesses a strong balance sheet with no long-term debt. Overall, I believe 2018 was a good year for APEI. Now, we'd like to take questions from the audience. Operator, please open the line for questions.