SAN DIEGO, May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Bridgepoint Education (NYSE: BPI), a provider of postsecondary education services, announced its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.

Highlights for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012, are as follows:

• Total student enrollment at period end was 94,863.
• Revenue increased to $250.4 million from $229.4 million for the same period in 2011.
• Operating income decreased to $52.4 million from $86.1 million for the same period in 2011. Operating income for the first quarter of 2012 reflects a $10.8 million expense accrued in connection with a pending legal settlement.
• Net income was $33.0 million compared with net income of $53.9 million for the same period in 2011.
• Fully diluted earnings per share was $0.59 compared with $0.92 for the same period in 2011. Fully diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2012 reflect a $0.12 per share expense accrued in connection with the pending legal settlement.

"We are pleased that our operating and financial results were in-line with our internal expectations for the quarter, and we are particularly pleased by the strong increase in student persistence at our universities," said Andrew Clark, Chief Executive Officer of Bridgepoint Education. "Increasing persistence reflects our success with the student support and quality initiatives we are implementing, which help assure the academic readiness of students and help provide students with an innovative, high quality learning experience that enriches their lives."

Student Enrollment

Total student enrollment at Bridgepoint Education's academic institutions, Ashford University and University of the Rockies, increased to 94,863 students at March 31, 2012, compared with 88,252 students at the end of the first quarter of 2011.

New student enrollments for the first quarter of 2012 at Bridgepoint Education's academic institutions were approximately 24,275 compared with combined new student enrollments of approximately 27,550 for the same period in 2011.

Financial Results

Revenue for the first quarter of 2012 was $250.4 million, compared with revenue of $229.4 million for the same period in 2011.

Operating income for the first quarter of 2012 was $52.4 million compared with operating income of $86.1 million for the same period in 2011. Operating income for the first quarter of 2012 reflects a $10.8 million expense accrued in connection with a pending legal settlement (the "Settlement Expense"). In April 2012, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with the plaintiffs of the three cases consolidated under Stevens v. Bridgepoint Education, Inc to settle the plaintiffs' claims. The settlement agreement remains subject to approval by the judge overseeing the consolidated cases.

Adjusted operating income for the first quarter of 2012, which excludes the Settlement Expense, was $63.2 million compared with $86.1 million for the same period of 2011. See "About Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures" below.

Net income for the first quarter of 2012 was $33.0 million compared with net income of $53.9 million for the same period in 2011.

Adjusted net income for the first quarter of 2012, which excludes the net income effect of the Settlement Expense, was $39.8 million compared with $53.9 million for the same period of 2011. See "About Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures" below.

Fully diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2012 was $0.59 compared with fully diluted earnings per share of $0.92 for the same period in 2011.

Adjusted EPS for the first quarter of 2012 was $0.71 compared with $0.92 for the same period of 2011. Adjusted EPS is defined to mean adjusted net income divided by the fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the applicable period. See "About Non-GAAP Financial Measures" and "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures" below.

The Company's effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2012 was 37.7%.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of March 31, 2012, the Company had cash and total investments of $442.1 million, compared with $407.2 million as of December 31, 2011. The Company generated $40.4 million of cash from operating activities in the first quarter of 2012, compared with $81.5 million for the same period in 2011.

$75 Million Share Repurchase Authorization

The Company's Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $75.0 million of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock over the next 12 months. Under the share repurchase program, the Company may purchase shares from time to time in the open market, through block trades or otherwise.

The timing and extent of any repurchases will depend upon market conditions, the trading price of the Company's shares and other factors, and subject to the restrictions relating to volume, price and timing under applicable law. The share repurchase may be commenced or suspended at any time or from time to time by the Company.

Full-Year 2012 Outlook

Based on the Company's results in the first quarter of 2012, the Company has updated its full year 2012 net income and earnings per share guidance to reflect the Settlement Expense, and has reaffirmed its other 2012 guidance, as follows:

• Total student enrollment is expected to be between 94,500 and 96,200 at December 31, 2012.
• Revenue is expected to be between $1.01 billion and $1.03 billion.
• Net income is expected to be between $131.5 million and $136.9 million.
• Adjusted net income is expected to be between $138.2 million and $143.7 million.
• Fully diluted earnings per share is expected to be between $2.33 and $2.43, based on an estimated fully diluted weighted average share count of 56.3 million for the year ending December 31, 2012.
• Adjusted EPS is expected to be between $2.45 and $2.55, based on an estimated fully diluted weighted average share count of 56.3 million for the year ending December 31, 2012.
• Bad debt as a percentage of revenues for 2012 is expected to be 6%.
• Capital expenditures for 2012 are expected to be approximately 4% of revenue.
• The Company's effective tax rate for 2012 is estimated to be 37.8%.

This guidance does not reflect the impact of any share repurchases the Company may complete during the remainder of 2012.

Earnings Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host a conference call at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT) today to discuss its latest financial results and recent highlights. The dial-in number for callers in the United States / Canada is (877) 874-1565 and for international callers is (719) 325-4810. The access code for all callers is 2849333. A live webcast will also be available on the Company's website at www.bridgepointeducation.com/investorrelations.

A replay of the call will be available via telephone through May 8, 2012. To access the replay, dial (888) 203-1112 in the United States / Canada and (719) 457-0820 outside the United States; then enter the access code 2849333.

About Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement its consolidated financial statements, which statements are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"), the Company uses the following non-GAAP financial measures: adjusted G&A, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS.

The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide meaningful supplemental information regarding the Company's performance by excluding certain expenses that may not be indicative of its recurring core business operating results and may help in comparing its current- period results with those of prior periods. Management believes that they and investors benefit from referring to these non-GAAP financial measures in assessing the Company's performance and when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors because (1) they allow for transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision making and (2) they are used by institutional investors and the analyst community to help them analyze the results of the Company's business.

The material limitations of these non-GAAP financial measures are as follows: adjusted G&A, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted EPS are not recognized terms under GAAP and do not purport to be alternatives to general and administrative expenses, operating income, net income or fully diluted earnings per share, respectively, as indicators of operating performance or any other GAAP measures. Moreover, because not all companies use identical measures and calculations, the presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. The Company compensates for these limitations by using non-GAAP financial measures in conjunction with traditional GAAP financial measures.

The following is a description of the non-GAAP financial measures referenced above:

• Adjusted G&A. Adjusted G&A is defined as general and administrative expenses less the $10.8 million expense accrued in the first quarter of 2012 in connection with a pending legal settlement (the "Settlement Expense"). In April 2012, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with the plaintiffs of the three cases consolidated under Stevens v. Bridgepoint Education, Inc to settle the plaintiff's claims. The settlement agreement remains subject to approval by the judge overseeing the consolidated cases.
• Adjusted operating income. Adjusted operating income is defined as operating income plus the Settlement Expense.
• Adjusted net income. Adjusted net income is defined as net income plus the net income effect of the Settlement Expense.
• Adjusted EPS. Adjusted EPS is defined to mean adjusted net income divided by the fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the applicable period.

These non-GAAP financial measures have been reconciled to the related GAAP financial measures as required under the rules and regulations promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures" below.

About Bridgepoint Education

Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE:BPI) improves the way individuals learn. By harnessing creativity, knowledge and proprietary technologies, such as Constellation, Thuze, and Waypoint Outcomes, Bridgepoint Education has re-engineered the modern student experience with innovative solutions that advance learning. Its accredited institutions – Ashford University and University of the Rockies – embody the contemporary college experience. Ashford University offers associate's, bachelor's and master's degree programs while University of the Rockies offers master's and doctoral degree programs. Both provide progressive online platforms, as well as traditional campuses located in Clinton, Iowa (Ashford University), and Colorado Springs, Colorado (University of the Rockies). For more information about Bridgepoint Education, call Paul Goodson, Associate Vice President of Investor Relations at (858) 848-3312.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, the Company's 2012 outlook and related commentary. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, and the Company's actual performance may differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by such statements. Risks and uncertainties include, without limitation:

• failure to comply with the extensive regulatory framework applicable to the Company and its institutions, including Title IV of the Higher Education Act and its regulations, state laws and regulatory requirements, and accrediting agency requirements;
• adverse regulatory or legislative changes affecting the Company's institutions;
• the imposition of fines or other corrective measures against the Company's institutions;
• competition in the postsecondary education market and its potential impact on the Company's market share and recruiting costs; and
• reputational and other risks related to potential compliance audits, regulatory actions, negative publicity or service disruptions.

More information on potential factors that could affect the Company's performance is included from time to time in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's periodic reports filed with the SEC, including the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, to be filed with the SEC. Forward-looking statements are made on the basis of management's views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance as of the time the statements are made, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, which speak as of their respective dates, except as required by law.

Contact: Paul Goodson, Associate Vice President of Investor Relations
866.475.0317 x2271
investorrelations@bridgepointeducation.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE Bridgepoint Education, Inc.