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Can Strategic Education (STRA) Run Higher on Rising Earnings Estimates?

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Strategic Education (STRA - Free Report) appears an attractive pick given a noticeable improvement in the company's earnings outlook. The stock has been a strong performer lately, and the momentum might continue with analysts still raising their earnings estimates for the company.

The rising trend in estimate revisions, which is a result of growing analyst optimism on the earnings prospects of this for-profit education company, should get reflected in its stock price. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements. This insight is at the core of our stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank.

The five-grade Zacks Rank system, which ranges from a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record of outperformance, with Zacks #1 Ranked stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 2008.

For Strategic Education, there has been strong agreement among the covering analysts in raising earnings estimates, which has helped push consensus estimates considerably higher for the next quarter and full year.

Current-Quarter Estimate Revisions

For the current quarter, the company is expected to earn $1.37 per share, which is a change of +75.64% from the year-ago reported number.

Over the last 30 days, three estimates have moved higher for Strategic Education compared to no negative revisions. As a result, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased 11.89%.

Current-Year Estimate Revisions

The company is expected to earn $3.41 per share for the full year, which represents a change of +35.86% from the prior-year number.

There has been an encouraging trend in estimate revisions for the current year as well. Over the past month, three estimates have moved up for Strategic Education versus one negative revision. This has pushed the consensus estimate 6.07% higher.

Favorable Zacks Rank

Thanks to promising estimate revisions, Strategic Education currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The Zacks Rank is a tried-and-tested rating tool that helps investors effectively harness the power of earnings estimate revisions and make the right investment decision. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Our research shows that stocks with Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and 2 (Buy) significantly outperform the S&P 500.

Bottom Line

While strong estimate revisions for Strategic Education have attracted decent investments and pushed the stock 13% higher over the past four weeks, further upside may still be left in the stock. So, you may consider adding it to your portfolio right away.


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