Perdoceo Education (NASDAQ:PRDO) Shares Gap Up Following Earnings Beat

Perdoceo Education Corporation (NASDAQ:PRDO) shares gapped up before the market opened on Friday following a better than expected earnings announcement. The stock had previously closed at $31.53, but opened at $32.78. Perdoceo Education shares last traded at $32.9670, with a volume of 52,959 shares trading hands.

The company reported $0.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.54 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $211.64 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $209.95 million. Perdoceo Education had a net margin of 18.90% and a return on equity of 17.54%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 20.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.50 EPS. Perdoceo Education has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.830-0.850 EPS and its FY 2026 guidance at 2.970-3.120 EPS.

Perdoceo Education Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 13th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 2nd will be issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 2nd. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. Perdoceo Education’s payout ratio is 25.64%.

Key Headlines Impacting Perdoceo Education

Here are the key news stories impacting Perdoceo Education this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 beat — Perdoceo reported $0.59 EPS vs. $0.54 consensus and revenue of $211.6M (up 20% YoY), with strong margins, signaling healthy operational leverage. Perdoceo Education Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Raised guidance — FY2026 EPS guide raised to $2.97–$3.12 (above consensus ~2.78) and Q1 guide raised to $0.83–$0.85 (well above consensus ~$0.54); this lift in forward earnings expectations is driving the re-rate. Perdoceo Education Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Profitability & capital returns — Management now expects up to $263M of adjusted operating income in 2026 and signaled expansion of the share repurchase program, supporting both earnings power and shareholder returns. Perdoceo Education expects up to $263M adjusted operating income in 2026 while expanding enrollments and repurchase program
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend declared — Quarterly dividend of $0.15/share (annualized yield ~1.8%), payable March 13 (record Mar 2); adds a modest income component to total return.
• Neutral Sentiment: Management commentary & details — Full prepared remarks and call highlights are available for deeper read on enrollment trends, segment performance, and the assumptions behind the upgraded guidance. Perdoceo Education Corp (PRDO) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Enrollment Growth and … Q4 2025 Earnings Call Prepared Remarks Transcript

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on PRDO shares. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Perdoceo Education in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Barrington Research restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $42.00 price target on shares of Perdoceo Education in a report on Monday, January 5th. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Perdoceo Education from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $42.00.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Perdoceo Education

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. CBIZ Investment Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in Perdoceo Education during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. First Horizon Corp purchased a new stake in Perdoceo Education during the third quarter worth approximately $29,000. Salomon & Ludwin LLC grew its stake in Perdoceo Education by 72.6% during the fourth quarter. Salomon & Ludwin LLC now owns 811 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 341 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. increased its position in shares of Perdoceo Education by 81.5% in the third quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 833 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,000 after acquiring an additional 374 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Richardson Financial Services Inc. raised its stake in shares of Perdoceo Education by 166.2% in the 3rd quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 836 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 522 shares during the period. 93.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Perdoceo Education Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a quick ratio of 4.45 and a current ratio of 4.47. The firm has a market cap of $2.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.76 and a beta of 0.90. The company’s fifty day moving average is $31.01 and its two-hundred day moving average is $32.10.

Perdoceo Education Company Profile

Perdoceo Education Corporation (NASDAQ: PRDO) is a for-profit postsecondary education provider offering certificate, associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. The company operates primarily through two brand platforms—Colorado Technical University and American InterContinental University—delivering career-focused education both on campus and online. These programs span fields such as business, information technology, healthcare and criminal justice, targeting working adults seeking to advance or pivot their careers.

With headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois, Perdoceo serves students across the United States and internationally through its online offerings.