Career Education Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2018 Results

Full year operating income increased by 109% versus the prior year driven by completion of teach-outs and revenue growth within the University Group

Career Education Corporation CECO today reported operating and financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2018.

FULL YEAR 2018 RESULTS AS COMPARED TO THE PRIOR YEAR

• University Group revenue of $580.7 million increased 2.0 percent or $11.1 million
• Total company operating income of $71.3 million compared to $34.1 million
• Earnings per diluted share of $0.77 compared to a loss per diluted share of ($0.46)
• Adjusted earnings per diluted share* of $1.05 compared to $0.47

*See GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation attached to this press release

"2018 was a watershed year for our company, with operating income the highest it has been in almost a decade," said Todd Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our Universities are executing well against their objective of sustainable and responsible growth and are strategically investing in student-serving processes and technology initiatives. Our balance sheet is expected to further improve in 2019 and we will continue to pursue optimal capital allocation strategies that are in the best interests of our students and other stakeholders."

REVENUE

For the quarter ended December 31, 2018, total revenue was $145.5 million as compared to total revenue of $143.1 million for the prior year quarter. The increase for the current quarter was driven by revenue growth within AIU.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, total revenue was $581.3 million as compared to $596.4 million for the prior year. While University Group revenue increased by 2.0 percent, this was more than offset by the Company's teach-out strategy, which is now complete.

(1) Campuses included in All Other Campuses were in the process of completing their teach-out with the final teach-out occurring in December 2018.

TOTAL AND NEW STUDENT ENROLLMENTS

For the quarter ended December 31, 2018, CTU's new student enrollments increased 7.1 percent as compared to the prior year quarter, partially driving the total enrollment increase of 2.3 percent as compared to the prior year.

As expected, AIU's new and total student enrollments for the quarter experienced a decline, primarily driven by the timing impact of the academic calendar redesign. New student enrollments decreased 30.8 percent for the quarter as compared to the prior year quarter, while total student enrollments were 6.3% lower as compared to the prior year.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, CTU's new student enrollments increased 6.7 percent as compared to the prior year. AIU's new student enrollments decreased 4.7 percent for the year as compared to the prior year.

(1) All Other Campuses no longer enroll new students.

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

For the quarter ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded operating income of $20.2 million, compared to operating income of $10.7 million in the prior year quarter. The improvement in operating income performance was driven by reduced operating losses within the Company's teach-out campuses and increased operating leverage at AIU.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded operating income of $71.3 million, compared to operating income of $34.1 million in the prior year. The improvement in operating income performance for the full year was driven by the completion of the teach-out strategy and revenue growth at both universities.

ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME

The Company believes it is useful to present non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude certain significant and non-cash items, as a means to understand the performance of its operations. (See table below and the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation attached to this press release for further details.)

As shown in the table below, adjusted operating income for the total company was $29.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $20.9 million in the prior year quarter. Adjusted operating income for the total company was $105.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $66.8 million in the prior year.

(1) Unused space charges include initial charges representing the net present value of remaining lease obligations for vacated space less an estimated amount for sublease income. Subsequently, as early lease terminations or subleases occur, or as assumptions are otherwise adjusted, these unused space charges are increased or decreased. These subsequent adjustments are also included in the amounts presented.

(2) Severance and related costs, net of cancellations, include charges related to significant restructuring actions. These restructuring charges do not regularly occur and are not considered part of ongoing operating results.

NET INCOME (LOSS) AND EARNINGS (LOSS) PER DILUTED SHARE

For the quarter ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded net income of $14.1 million, compared to net loss of $44.4 million for the prior year quarter. Earnings per diluted share were $0.20 for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, as compared to loss per diluted share of ($0.64) for the prior year quarter. Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $0.30 for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $0.19 for the prior year quarter. (See table below and the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation attached to this press release for further details.)

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded net income of $55.2 million, compared to net loss of $31.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Earnings per diluted share were $0.77 for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to loss per diluted share of ($0.46) for the prior year. Adjusted earnings per diluted share were $1.05 for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $0.47 for the prior year.

(1) Adjustments include a tax effect of 25% and 39% for each of the periods ending in 2018 and 2017, respectively, based on a normalized federal and state income tax rate.

(2) The fourth quarter and full year 2018 include a $5.0 million legal settlement that is not deductible for tax purposes and therefore does not include a tax effect.

(3) The fourth quarter and full year 2017 include a $52.7 million charge related to the revaluation of net deferred tax assets and net state unrecognized tax positions to reflect the new tax rate for future periods upon enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA").

BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOW

Net cash provided by operating activities was $38.7 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018, compared to $7.3 million for the prior year quarter. For the year ended December 31, 2018, net cash provided by operating activities was $57.0 million as compared to net cash used of $21.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.

As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and available-for-sale short-term investments totaled $229.2 million and $180.1 million, respectively.

OUTLOOK

The Company provided the following outlook, subject to the key assumptions identified below (see the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation for adjusted operating income and adjusted earnings per diluted share attached to this press release for further details):

Financial Outlook:

• Full year 2019 - total company:
  • Operating income in the range of $102.0 million to $107.0 million
  • Adjusted operating income in the range of $114.0 million to $119.0 million
  • Earnings per diluted share in the range of $1.08 to $1.12
  • Adjusted earnings per diluted share in the range of $1.11 to $1.15
• First quarter 2019 - total company:
  • Operating income in the range of $27.5 million to $29.0 million
  • Adjusted operating income in the range of $30.5 million to $32.0 million
  • Earnings per diluted share in the range of $0.29 to $0.31
  • Adjusted earnings per diluted share in the range of $0.30 to $0.32

University Group Enrollment Outlook:

• CTU:
  • New student enrollments for the full year 2019 are expected to grow as compared to the prior year.
• AIU:
  • AIU's new student enrollments are expected to experience significant growth in the first quarter of 2019 primarily driven by the academic calendar redesign, which will more than offset the decline in new student enrollments during the fourth quarter of 2018 and also contribute to new enrollment growth for the full year 2019.

Operating income, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to adjusted operating income, may not follow the same trends stated in the outlook above because of adjustments made for certain significant and non-cash items such as unused space charges that represent the present value of future remaining lease obligations for vacated space less an estimated amount for sublease income and subsequent adjustments as well as depreciation, amortization, asset impairment charges, significant restructuring charges and significant legal settlements. The operating income, adjusted operating income, earnings per share, adjusted earnings per share and enrollment outlook provided above for 2019 are based on the following key assumptions and factors, among others: (i) prospective student interest in the Company's programs continues to trend in line with recent experiences, (ii) initiatives and investments in student-serving operations continue to positively impact enrollment trends within the University Group, (iii) no material changes in the current legal or regulatory environment, and excludes legal and regulatory liabilities and other related impacts which are not probable and estimable at this time, and any impact of new or proposed regulations, including the "borrower defense to repayment" and gainful employment regulations and any modifications thereto, (iv) no significant impact from ongoing legal or regulatory matters, including legal fees associated therewith, (v) no material changes in the estimated amount of compensation expense that could be impacted by changes in the Company's stock price or the Company's assessment of the probable outcome of performance conditions relating to performance-based compensation, and (vi) earnings per diluted share outlook assumes an effective income tax rate of 21.5% for the quarter and 24.5% for the full year. Although these estimates and assumptions are based upon management's good faith beliefs regarding current and future circumstances and actions that may be undertaken, actual results could differ materially from these estimates. In addition, decisions we make in the future as we continue to evaluate diverse strategies to enhance shareholder value may impact the outlook provided above.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

Career Education Corporation will host a conference call on Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2018 results and 2019 outlook. Interested parties can access the live webcast of the conference call and the related presentation materials at www.careered.com in the Investor Relations section of the website. Participants can also listen to the conference call by dialing 1-844-378-6484 (domestic) or 1-412-542-4179 (international). Please log-in or dial-in at least 10 minutes prior to the start time to ensure a connection. An archived version of the webcast will be accessible for 90 days at www.careered.com in the Investor Relations section of the website.

ABOUT CAREER EDUCATION CORPORATION

Career Education's academic institutions offer a quality education to a diverse student population in a variety of disciplines through online, campus-based and blended learning programs. The Company's two regionally-accredited universities – Colorado Technical University ("CTU") and American InterContinental University ("AIU") – provide degree programs through the master's or doctoral level as well as associate and bachelor's levels. Both universities predominantly serve students online with career-focused degree programs that are designed to meet the educational needs of today's busy adults. CTU and AIU continue to show innovation in higher education, advancing new personalized learning technologies like their intellipath^® learning platform. Career Education is committed to providing quality education that closes the gap between learners who seek to advance their careers and employers needing a qualified workforce.

A listing of University Group campus locations and web links to these institutions can be found at www.careered.com.

Except for the historical and present factual information contained herein, the matters set forth in this release, including statements identified by words such as "believe," "will," "expect," "estimate," "continue," "outlook," "trend" and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based on information currently available to us and are subject to various assumptions, risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance, business prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update or revise such factors or any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events, developments or changed circumstances, or for any other reason. These risks and uncertainties, the outcomes of which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and operations, include, but are not limited to, the following: declines in enrollment or interest in our programs; our continued compliance with and eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and the regulations thereunder (including the gainful employment, 90-10, financial responsibility and administrative capability standards prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education), as well as applicable accreditation standards and state regulatory requirements; the impact of recently effective "borrower defense to repayment" regulations and any modifications thereto; rulemaking by the U.S. Department of Education or any state or accreditor and increased focus by Congress and governmental agencies on, or increased negative publicity about, for-profit education institutions; our ability to successfully and cost effectively defend litigation and other claims brought against us; the success of our initiatives to improve student experiences, retention and academic outcomes; the ability of our student admissions and advising centers to achieve anticipated operating performance; increased competition; the impact of management changes; and changes in the overall U.S. economy. Further information about these and other relevant risks and uncertainties may be found in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and its subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(1) The Company believes it is useful to present non-GAAP financial measures which exclude certain significant and non-cash items as a means to understand the performance of its operations. As a general matter, the Company uses non-GAAP financial measures in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP to help analyze the performance of its operations, assist with preparing the annual operating plan, and measure performance for some forms of compensation. In addition, the Company believes that non-GAAP financial information is used by analysts and others in the investment community to analyze the Company's historical results and to provide estimates of future performance.

The Company believes adjusted operating income (loss) and adjusted earnings (loss) per diluted share allows it to analyze and assess its ongoing operations and compare current operating results with the operational performance of other companies in its industry because it does not give effect to potential differences caused by items it does not consider reflective of underlying operating performance, such as restructuring charges and significant legal reserves. In evaluating adjusted operating income (loss) and adjusted earnings (loss) per diluted share, investors should be aware that in the future the Company may incur expenses similar to the adjustments presented above. The presentation of adjusted operating income (loss) and adjusted earnings (loss) per diluted share should not be construed as an inference that the Company's future results will be unaffected by expenses that are unusual, non-routine or non-recurring. Adjusted operating income (loss) and adjusted earnings (loss) per diluted share have limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for net income (loss), operating income (loss), earnings (loss) per diluted share, or any other performance measure derived in accordance and reported under GAAP or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities or as a measure of liquidity.

Non-GAAP financial measures, when viewed in a reconciliation to corresponding GAAP financial measures, provide an additional way of viewing the Company's results of operations and the factors and trends affecting the Company's business. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, the corresponding financial results presented in accordance with GAAP.

(2) Operating income for the University Group and Corporate and operating loss for All Other Campuses make up the components of operating income. A reconciliation of these components for the quarters and years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 is presented below:

(3) Amounts relate to the University Group and Corporate.

(4) Unused space charges include initial charges representing the net present value of remaining lease obligations for vacated space less an estimated amount for sublease income. Subsequently, as early lease terminations or subleases occur, or as assumptions are otherwise adjusted, these unused space charges are increased or decreased. These subsequent adjustments are also included in the amounts presented.

(5) Severance and related costs, net of cancellations, include charges related to significant restructuring actions. These restructuring charges do not regularly occur and are not considered part of ongoing operating results.

(6) Management assesses results of operations for the University Group and Corporate separately from All Other Campuses. The All Other Campuses segment underwent a multi-year teach-out process with the final campus closure occurring in December 2018 and as a result, management views these operations as not reflective of the ongoing business. Management views adjusted operating income from the University Group and Corporate separately from the remainder of the organization, to assess results and make decisions.

(7) Amounts relate to All Other Campuses.

(8) Adjustments include a tax effect of 25% and 39% for each of the periods ending in 2018 and 2017, respectively, based on a normalized federal and state income tax rate.

(9) The fourth quarter and full year 2018 include a $5.0 million legal settlement that is not deductible for tax purposes and therefore does not include a tax effect.

(10) The fourth quarter and full year 2017 include a $52.7 million charge related to the revaluation of net deferred tax assets and net state unrecognized tax positions to reflect the new tax rate for future periods upon enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA").

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