Investor Relations

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2012-- Apollo Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: APOL) (“Apollo Group,” “Apollo” or the “Company”) today reported financial results for the three months ended November 30, 2011.

“Our strategic initiatives to further enhance the student experience and provide world-class student protections remain our focus,” said Apollo Group Co-Chief Executive Officer and Apollo Global Chairman Greg Cappelli. “We are also pleased to report positive new enrollment growth during the first quarter and improving trends in admissions advisor effectiveness, while reaching students who we believe can be successful in our degree programs.”

Apollo Group Co-Chief Executive Officer Chas Edelstein added, “During the first quarter, we continued to invest in areas that will further differentiate University of Phoenix and enhance the student experience. We believe the acquisition of Carnegie Learning will accelerate our efforts to incorporate adaptive learning technologies into our academic platform, which support our students’ success in the classroom.”

Unaudited First Quarter of Fiscal 2012 Results of Operations

Consolidated net revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 totaled $1,178.7 million, which represents an 11.1% decrease from the first quarter of fiscal 2011. This decrease was principally due to lower enrollments at University of Phoenix, which was partially offset by selective tuition price and other fee changes. For the quarter, University of Phoenix Degreed Enrollment decreased 14.8% to 373,100 compared with the prior year first quarter, primarily due to decreases in New Degreed Enrollment during fiscal 2011, which the Company believes were primarily the result of the operational changes and initiatives it implemented to more effectively support students and improve educational outcomes, as well as the broader competitive environment. University of Phoenix New Degreed Enrollment increased 12.7% in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 compared with the prior year period.

The Company reported income from continuing operations attributable to Apollo Group for the three months ended November 30, 2011, of $149.3 million, or $1.14 per share (130.9 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding), compared to income from continuing operations attributable to Apollo Group of $236.0 million, or $1.61 per share (146.7 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding) for the three months ended November 30, 2010. Results for the first quarters of fiscal 2012 and 2011 included a number of special items that are detailed below.

Results for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 included the following:

• Goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges of $16.8 million for the UNIACC subsidiary of Apollo Global ($14.4 million net of the portion attributable to noncontrolling interests). The Company did not record a tax benefit associated with the goodwill impairment as it is not deductible for tax purposes.
• Restructuring and other charges of $5.6 million associated with the Company’s real estate rationalization plan.

Results for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 included the following:

• Restructuring and other charges of $3.8 million associated with a strategic reduction in force, primarily at University of Phoenix.
• A $0.9 million charge representing an accrual for incremental post-judgment interest related to the Policeman’s Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago securities class action lawsuit.

Excluding the items noted above, income from continuing operations attributable to Apollo Group for the three months ended November 30, 2011 was $167.2 million, or $1.28 per share, compared to income from continuing operations attributable to Apollo Group of $238.9 million, or $1.63 per share for the three months ended November 30, 2010. (See the reconciliation of GAAP financial information to non-GAAP financial information in the tables section of this press release.)

Operating Expenses

Instructional and student advisory expenses increased by $1.0 million, or 0.2%, to $456.8 million for the three months ended November 30, 2011, compared to the three months ended November 30, 2010, which represents a 450 basis point increase as a percentage of net revenue. The increase in expense was primarily related to the Company’s various initiatives, including technology, to more effectively support students and their educational outcomes. The expense associated with these initiatives includes costs incurred by Carnegie Learning and integration costs following this acquisition. Additionally, although the Company expects to realize future savings from its real estate rationalization plan, rent expense increased primarily due to the sale-leaseback of its principal office buildings in fiscal 2011.

Marketing expenses decreased by $0.3 million, or 0.2%, to $165.8 million for the three months ended November 30, 2011, compared to the three months ended November 30, 2010, which represents a 160 basis point increase as a percentage of net revenue. The increase as a percentage of net revenue was primarily the result of the decline in revenue, as well as an increase in costs principally attributable to efforts to establish relationships with select employers.

Admissions advisory expenses decreased by $12.4 million, or 10.9%, to $101.4 million for the three months ended November 30, 2011, compared to the three months ended November 30, 2010. As a percentage of net revenue, admissions advisory was consistent. The decrease in expense was a result of lower admissions advisory headcount which was partially attributable to a strategic reduction in force near the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2011. The decrease was partially offset by higher average employee compensation costs.

General and administrative expenses decreased by $4.9 million, or 5.8%, to $79.9 million for the three months ended November 30, 2011, compared to the three months ended November 30, 2010, which represents a 40 basis point increase as a percentage of net revenue. The increase as a percentage of net revenue was primarily due to an increase in share-based compensation expense.

Depreciation and amortization increased by $9.2 million, or 24.8%, to $46.3 million for the three months ended November 30, 2011, compared to the three months ended November 30, 2010, which represents a 110 basis point increase as a percentage of net revenue. The increase was principally attributable to increased capital expenditures in recent years related to information technology and $2.7 million of intangible asset amortization in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 as a result of the Carnegie Learning acquisition. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in amortization of BPP intangible assets and the absence of depreciation of the Company’s principal office buildings for which the Company entered into a sale-leaseback arrangement in fiscal 2011.

The provision for uncollectible accounts receivable (“bad debt expense”) decreased by $15.3 million, or 26.9%, to $41.6 million for the three months ended November 30, 2011, compared to the three months ended November 30, 2010, which represents an 80 basis point decrease as a percentage of net revenue. The decrease was primarily attributable to reductions in gross accounts receivable principally resulting from decreases in University of Phoenix Degreed Enrollment, a shift in the mix of students from Associates to Bachelors degree level programs, and the full implementation of University Orientation, which the Company believes has improved the student retention rate. Improved collection rates at University of Phoenix, which were favorably impacted by an initiative to address the Company’s oldest receivables in fiscal 2011, also contributed to the decrease.

Financial and Operating Metrics

Below are Apollo Group’s unaudited financial data and operating metrics for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 versus the prior year period.

Unaudited Balance Sheet

As of November 30, 2011, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, excluding restricted cash, totaled $1,201.0 million, compared to $1,571.7 million as of August 31, 2011. The decrease was primarily attributable to repayments on borrowings, share repurchases, the purchase of Carnegie Learning and capital expenditures, partially offset by cash generated from operations.

At November 30, 2011, accounts receivable increased to $250.9 million from $215.6 million at August 31, 2011. Excluding accounts receivable and the associated net revenue for Apollo Global, the Company’s days sales outstanding (“DSO”) was 24 days at November 30, 2011, compared to 23 days at August 31, 2011, and 26 days at November 30, 2010. The decrease in DSO versus a year ago was primarily attributable to reductions in gross accounts receivable principally resulting from decreases in University of Phoenix Degreed Enrollment, a shift in the mix of students from Associates to Bachelors degree level programs and the full implementation of University Orientation, which the Company believes has improved the student retention rate. Improved collection rates at University of Phoenix, which were favorably impacted by an initiative to address the Company’s oldest receivables in fiscal 2011, also contributed to the decrease.

Total debt outstanding (including short-term borrowings and the current portion of long-term debt) decreased by $484.7 million to $114.3 million at November 30, 2011, from $599.0 million at August 31, 2011. The decrease is due to the repayment of the borrowings on the Company's $500 million credit facility.

Share Repurchases

The Company repurchased approximately 1.7 million shares of its Class A common stock at a weighted average purchase price of $45.84 per share for a total expenditure of $78.2 million during the three months ended November 30, 2011. Subsequent to quarter-end and through December 31, 2011, the Company repurchased an additional 2.6 million shares of Class A common stock at a weighted average purchase price of $49.71 per share for a total expenditure of $128.3 million. As of December 31, 2011, approximately $293.5 million remained available under the Company's current share repurchase authorization.

Business Outlook

The Company offers the following commentary regarding the outlook for fiscal 2012 based on the business trends observed during the first quarter of fiscal 2012, as well as management’s current expectations of future trends.

• Consolidated net revenue of $4.1-$4.3 billion; and
• Operating income, excluding the impact of special items, of $655-$750 million.

Conference Call Information

The Company will hold a conference call to discuss these earnings results at 5:00 p.m. Eastern, 3:00 p.m. Phoenix time, today, Thursday, January 5, 2012. The call may be accessed by dialing (877) 292-6888 (domestic) or (973) 200-3381 (international) and entering the conference ID number 35168260. A live webcast of this event may be accessed by visiting the Company’s website at www.apollogrp.edu. A replay of the call will be available on the website or by dialing (855) 859-2056 (domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and entering the conference ID number 35168260 until January 19, 2012.

About Apollo Group, Inc.

Apollo Group, Inc. is one of the world's largest private education providers and has been in the education business for more than 35 years. The Company offers innovative and distinctive educational programs and services both online and on-campus at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels through its subsidiaries: University of Phoenix, Apollo Global, Institute for Professional Development and College for Financial Planning. The Company's programs and services are provided in 40 states and the District of Columbia; Puerto Rico; Latin America; and Europe, as well as online throughout the world.

For more information about Apollo Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, call (800) 990-APOL or visit the Company’s website at www.apollogrp.edu.

Forward-Looking Statements Safe Harbor

Statements about Apollo Group and its business in this release which are not statements of historical fact, including statements regarding Apollo Group's future strategy and plans and commentary regarding future results of operations and prospects, are forward-looking statements, and are subject to the Safe Harbor provisions created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current information and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual plans implemented and actual results achieved may differ materially from those set forth in or implied by such statements due to various factors, including without limitation (i) changes in the overall U.S. or global economy, (ii) changes in enrollment or student mix, (iii) the impact of the Company’s initiatives to improve the student experience, (iv) changes in law or regulation affecting the Company's eligibility to participate in or the manner in which it participates in U.S. federal student financial aid programs, (v) changes in the Company's business necessary to remain in compliance with existing, new, or amended U.S. federal student financial aid program regulations, including the so-called 90/10 Rule and the limitations on cohort default rates, and to remain in compliance with the accrediting criteria of the relevant accrediting bodies, and (vi) the impact of increased competition from traditional public universities and proprietary educational institutions. For a discussion of the various factors that may cause actual plans implemented and actual results achieved to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the risk factors and other disclosures contained in Apollo Group's Form 10-K for fiscal year 2011 and subsequent Forms 10-Q, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, all of which are available on the Company's website at www.apollogrp.edu.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

This press release and the related conference call contain non-GAAP financial measures, which are intended to supplement, but not substitute for, the most directly comparable GAAP measures. Management uses, and chooses to disclose to investors, these non-GAAP financial measures because (i) such measures provide an additional analytical tool to clarify the Company’s results from operations and help to identify underlying trends in its results of operations; (ii) as to the non-GAAP earnings measures, such measures help compare the Company’s performance on a consistent basis across time periods; and (iii) these non-GAAP measures are employed by the Company’s management in its own evaluation of performance and are utilized in financial and operational decision-making processes, such as budgeting and forecasting. Exclusion of items in the non-GAAP presentation should not be construed as an inference that these items are unusual, infrequent or non-recurring. Other companies, including other companies in the education industry, may calculate non-GAAP financial measures differently, limiting their usefulness as a comparative measure across companies.

Source: Apollo Group, Inc.

Apollo Group, Inc.
Investor Relations Contacts:
Beth Coronelli, 312-660-2059
beth.coronelli@apollogrp.edu
Jeremy Davis, 312-660-2071
jeremy.davis@apollogrp.edu
Media Contact:
Media Relations Hotline, 602-254-0086
media@apollogrp.edu