Capella Education Q1 EPS Unchanged, Revenue Edges Up - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Capella Education Co. (CPLA), a provider of online post-secondary education, Tuesday said first-quarter net income was $8.82 million or $0.70 per share, nearly unchanged from $8.76 million or $0.70 per share in the same period in 2013.

On average, 10 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected earnings of $0.73 per share. Analysts estimates typically exclude special items.

Revenues edged up to $105.6 million from $105.24 million in the first quarter of 2013. Analysts expected revenues of $104.59 million.

Capella University total active enrollment decreased 1.4 percent to 35,889, while new enrollment increased 2.6 percent and early cohort persistence improved 4 percent.

For the second quarter, Capella University new enrollment growth is expected to be up in the mid-single digit percentage range compared to the second quarter of 2013.

Total enrollment is expected to decline by about 1.0 to 2.0 percent and consolidated revenue is expected to be flat to up 1 percent compared to the previous year.

The consolidated operating margin is expected to be approximately 14.0 to 15.0 percent of total revenue for the second quarter, including a charge of $2.5 million related to a lease amendment, impacting operating margins by approximately 2.5 percentage points.

Steve Polacek, senior vice president and chief financial officer, said, ''The strong execution in the first quarter and expected first half 2014 performance position us well to achieve total enrollment growth and operating performance improvements in 2014."