Company to host conference call on September 29, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. ET

Financial and Operational Highlights

  • During the FY 2017 first quarter, combined enrollment in continuing education/workforce development, graduate, and doctoral programs increased 48.5% from the FY 2016 first quarter. Enrollment by total headcount for the FY 2017 first quarter (summer 2017 term) decreased 16.1% from the prior-year period, to 6,832 students as of August 31, 2016.
  • Balance sheet at August 31, 2016, included cash and cash equivalents and investments of $20.8 million; taxes receivable of $3.8 million, working capital of $19.1 million; no outstanding lending debt; and stockholders’ equity of 37.4 million, or approximately $1.55 per diluted share.
  • FY 2017 first quarter total revenue was $21.1 million, compared to $24.6 million in the prior-year period. The Company’s academic segment’s revenue was $19.4 million in the FY 2017 first quarter, compared to $22.7 million in the prior-year period.
  • FY 2017 first quarter net loss attributable to the Company was $2.0 million, compared to net loss attributable to the Company of $1.3 million in the prior-year period, primarily as a result of decreased revenue on lower enrollment and fixed educational services expenditures.
  • The Board of Directors declared a cash dividend in the amount of $0.045 per share on all shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding and of record as of the close of business on September 30, 2016, which will be paid on or about October 7, 2016.

RAPID CITY, S.D., Sept. 28, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — National American University Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ:NAUH), which through its wholly owned subsidiary operates National American University (“NAU” or the “University”), a regionally accredited, proprietary, multi-campus institution of higher learning, today reported unaudited financial results for its fiscal 2017 first quarter ended August 31, 2016. 

Ronald L. Shape, Ed.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, stated, “We continue to remain focused on our various strategic initiatives for long-term growth and remain confident that our University is well positioned in a challenging environment. We are very pleased with the enrollment growth in our continuing education and workforce development programs, the growth in our graduate program, and the growth in our doctoral program.  However, the enrollment pressures in our undergraduate programs continued to be a factor for the summer term even though we have continued to adapt our operations appropriately while also placing greater emphasis on student engagement.   We are leveraging our operational flexibility and balance sheet to take advantage of opportunities within our market.  We continue to assist students impacted by schools that have closed or have announced that they are discontinuing enrollments.  Over the past year, NAU has worked to accept transfers from other institutions where students have been unable to complete their education.  We have worked closely with these individuals and new enrollees to highlight our academic programs and the commitment we have to our students’ success.  We have grown our continuing education enrollment, and are also expanding outside of the United States through accepting enrollments from students at Canadian institutions with which NAU partners.  We believe that the infrastructure we have built over the past year has begun to gain traction.  Overall, we are excited about the initiatives we continue to work on in FY 2017 and believe these opportunities will serve to strengthen the long-term foundation upon which NAU was built nearly 75 years ago.”

Operating Review

Enrollment Update

Total NAU student enrollment for the summer 2017 term decreased 16.1% to 6,832 students from 8,139 during the prior summer term. Students enrolled in 57,800 credit hours compared to 70,621 credit hours during the prior summer term. The current average age of NAU’s students continues to be in the mid-30s, with those seeking undergraduate degrees remaining the highest portion of NAU’s student population.

The following is a summary of student enrollment at August 31, 2016, and August 31, 2015, by degree level and by instructional delivery method:

    August 31, 2016
(Summer ’17 Term)
    August 31, 2015
(Summer ’16 Term)
 
    No. of
Students
  % of
Total
    No. of
Students
  % of
Total
 
Continuing Ed   254   3.7 %   116   1.4 %
Doctoral   80   1.2 %   77   0.9 %
Graduate   312   4.6 %   242   3.0 %
Undergraduate & Diploma   6,186   90.5 %   7,704   94.7 %
                     
Total   6,832   100.0 %   8,139   100.0 %
                     
    August 31, 2016     August 31, 2015  
    No. of
Students
  % of
Total
    No. of
Students
  % of
Total
 
Online   4,580   67.0 %   5,608   68.9 %
On-Campus   1,260   18.4 %   1.326   16.3 %
Hybrid   992   14.5 %   1,205   14.8 %
                     
Total   6,832   100.0 %   8,139   100.0 %
                     

Financial Review

The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, operates in two business segments: the academic segment, which consists of NAU’s undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral education programs and contributes the primary portion of the Company’s revenue; and ownership in and development of multiple apartments and condominium complexes from which it derives sales and rental income. The real estate operations generated approximately 1.0% of the Company’s revenue for the quarter ended August 31, 2016.

Fiscal 2017 First Quarter Financial Results

  • Total revenue for the FY 2017 first quarter was $21.1 million, compared to $24.6 million in the same period last year. The academic segment’s tuition revenue was $19.4 million, compared to $22.7 million in the prior-year period. The academic segment’s auxiliary (bookstore) revenue was $1.4 million for the FY 2017 first quarter, compared to $1.7 million in the prior year period.  This decrease in academic segment revenue was primarily a result of a decrease in enrollment, which was driven by weaker market demand among NAU’s targeted student demographic, but was partially offset by a Board of Governors-approved tuition increase of approximately 2.5% that became effective in the fall term.
  • For the FY 2017 first quarter, educational services expense was $6.5 million, or 31% of the academic segment’s total revenue, compared to $6.3 million, or 25.8%, for the FY 2016 first quarter. This percentage increase was a result of fixed costs, such as facility expenses, being compared to a decreasing revenue base and the additional expense to launch new programs and transfer programs from closing institutions.

    Educational services expense specifically relates to the academic segment, and includes salaries and benefits of faculty and academic administrators, costs of educational supplies, facility costs, faculty reference and support material and related academic costs.

  • During the FY 2017 first quarter, SG&A expenses decreased to $16.5 million, or 78.0% of total revenue, from $19.0 million, or 77.1%, in the prior-year period.
  • Loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest for the FY 2017 first quarter was $3.0 million, compared to a loss before income taxes and non-controlling interest of $2.1 million in the same period last year, primarily as a result of decreased revenue on lower enrollment.
  • Net loss attributable to the Company for the FY 2017 first quarter was $2.1 million, or $0.09 per diluted share based on 24.1 million shares outstanding, compared to net loss attributable to the Company of $1.3 million, or $0.05 per diluted share based on 25.2 million shares outstanding, in the prior-year period.
  • Losses before interest, tax, and depreciation and amortization (“LBITDA”) for the FY 2017 first quarter were $1.5 million, compared to LBITDA of $0.5 million in the prior-year period. A table reconciling EBITDA/LBITDA to net income/loss can be found at the end of this release.

Balance Sheet Highlights

(in millions except for percentages)   8/31/2016   8/31/2015 % Change
Cash and Cash Equivalents/Investments $ 20.8 $ 34.3   (39.3 )%
Working Capital   19.1   33.3   (42.7 )%
Total Long-term Debt   0   0 N/A      
Stockholders’ Equity   37.4   50.1   (25.4 )%

Quarterly Dividend

The Board of Directors declared a cash dividend in the amount of $0.045 per share on all shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding and of record as of the close of business on September 30, 2016, that will be paid on or about October 7, 2016.

Conference Call Information

Management will discuss these results in a conference call (with accompanying presentation) on Thursday, September 29, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. ET.

The dial-in numbers are:
(877) 407-9078 (U.S.)
(201) 493-6745 (International)

Accompanying Slide Presentation and Webcast

The Company will also have an accompanying slide presentation available in PDF format at the “Investor Relations” section of the NAU website at http://investors.national.edu. The presentation will be made available 30 minutes prior to the conference call.  In addition, the call will be simultaneously webcast over the Internet via the “Investor Relations” section of the NAU website or by clicking on the conference call link: http://national.equisolvewebcast.com/q1-2017.

About National American University Holdings, Inc.

National American University Holdings, Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary, operates National American University (“NAU”), a regionally accredited, proprietary, multi-campus institution of higher learning offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs in technical and professional disciplines. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, NAU has been providing technical and professional career education since 1941. NAU opened its first campus in Rapid City, South Dakota, and has since grown to multiple locations throughout the United States. In 1998, NAU began offering online courses. Today, NAU offers degree programs in traditional, online, and hybrid formats, which provide students increased flexibility to take courses at times and places convenient to their busy lifestyles.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the Company’s business. Statements made in this release, other than those concerning historical financial information, may be considered forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release and are based on current beliefs and expectations and involve a number of assumptions. These forward-looking statements include outlooks or expectations for earnings, revenue, expenses or other future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations, or the impact of legal or regulatory matters on business, results of operations or financial condition. Specifically, forward-looking statements may include statements relating to the future financial performance of the Company; the ability to continue to receive Title IV funds; the growth of the market for the Company’s services; expansion plans and opportunities; consolidation in the market for the Company’s services generally; and other statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. Other factors that could cause the Company’s results to differ materially from those contained in its forward-looking statements are included under, among others, the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, which the Company filed on August 5, 2016, and in its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this release.

NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES            
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2016 AND 2015            
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)            
      Three Months Ended  
      August 31,  
        2016       2015    
REVENUE:            
  Academic revenue     $     19,438      $     22,658     
  Auxiliary revenue         1,394          1,716     
  Rental income — apartments         298          275     
             
    Total revenue         21,130          24,649     
             
OPERATING EXPENSES:            
  Cost of educational services          6,468          6,296     
  Selling, general and administrative         16,482          19,003     
  Auxiliary expense         1,049          1,266     
  Loss on disposition of property         6          0     
             
    Total operating expenses         24,005          26,565     
             
OPERATING LOSS         (2,875 )       (1,916 )  
             
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):            
  Interest income         22          19     
  Interest expense         (214 )       (219 )  
  Other income — net         37          42     
             
    Total other expense         (155 )       (158 )  
             
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES         (3,030 )       (2,074 )  
             
INCOME TAX BENEFIT         991          776     
             
NET LOSS         (2,039 )       (1,298 )  
             
NET INCOME  ATTRIBUTABLE TO NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST         (17 )       (11 )  
             
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY HOLDINGS, INC.             
    AND SUBSIDIARIES          (2,056 )       (1,309 )  
             
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) — Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax       4          (1 )  
             
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO  NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY            
    HOLDINGS, INC.     $     (2,052 )   $     (1,310 )  
             
             
Basic net loss attributable to National American University Holdings, Inc.     $     (0.09 )   $     (0.05 )  
Diluted net loss attributable to National American University Holdings, Inc.     $     (0.09 )   $     (0.05 )  
Basic weighted average shares outstanding         24,114,294         25,190,039    
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding         24,114,294         25,190,039    
             

NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES        
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET        
AS OF AUGUST 31, 2016 AND CONDENSED        
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF MAY 31, 2016        
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)        
  August 31,   May 31,  
    2016       2016    
ASSETS         
CURRENT ASSETS:        
  Cash and cash equivalents $     14,680      $     21,713     
  Available for sale investments     6,117          4,117     
  Student receivables — net of allowance of $857 and $723 at August 31, 2016 and        
    May 31, 2016, respectively     3,886          3,011     
  Other receivables     86          375     
  Income taxes receivable     3,754          2,780     
  Prepaid and other current assets     1,602          2,078     
      Total current assets     30,125          34,074     
Total property and equipment – net     31,124          31,273     
OTHER ASSETS:        
  Condominium inventory     621          621     
  Land held for future development     229          312     
  Course development — net of accumulated amortization of $3,113 and $3,051 at         
    August 31, 2016 and May 31, 2016, respectively     958          817     
  Deferred income taxes     422          431     
  Other     903          998     
      Total other assets     3,133          3,179     
TOTAL $     64,382      $     68,526     
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
  Current portion of capital lease payable $     296      $     285     
  Accounts payable     2,773          2,913     
  Dividends payable     1,092          1,090     
  Income taxes payable     126          110     
  Deferred income     1,428          1,649     
  Accrued and other liabilities     5,335          5,861     
      Total current liabilities     11,050          11,908     
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES     4,485          4,686     
CAPITAL LEASE PAYABLE, NET OF CURRENT PORTION     11,490          11,567     
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES         
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:        
  Common stock, $0.0001 par value (50,000,000 authorized; 28,494,516 issued and        
    24,162,368 outstanding as of August 31, 2016; 28,472,129 issued and 24,140,972        
    outstanding as of May 31, 2016)     3          3     
  Additional paid-in capital     59,009          58,893     
  Retained earnings     869          4,012     
  Treasury stock, at cost (4,332,148 shares at August 31, 2016 and 4,331,157        
    shares at May 31, 2016)     (22,479 )       (22,477 )  
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes – unrealized gain (loss)      
    on available for sale securities     2          (2 )  
Total National American University Holdings, Inc. stockholders’ equity     37,404          40,429     
Non-controlling interest     (47 )       (64 )  
Total stockholders’ equity     37,357          40,365     
TOTAL $     64,382      $     68,526     
         

The following table provides a reconciliation of net income attributable to the Company to EBITDA/LBITDA:

  Three Months Ended
  August 31,    
    2016       2015  
       
Net (loss) attributable to the Company $   (2,056 )   $   (1,309 )
(Loss) income attributable to non-controlling interest   17       11  
Interest income   (22 )     (19 )
Interest expense   214       219  
Income taxes   (991 )     (776 )
Depreciation and amortization   1,306       1,423  
EBITDA ($ 1,532 )   ($ 451 )

EBITDA consists of income attributable to the Company, less income from non-controlling interest, plus loss from non-controlling interest, minus interest income, plus interest expense (which is not related to any debt but to the accounting required for the capital lease), plus income taxes, plus depreciation and amortization. The Company uses EBITDA as a measure of operating performance. However, EBITDA is not a recognized measurement under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, and when analyzing its operating performance, investors should use EBITDA in addition to, and not as an alternative for, income as determined in accordance with GAAP. Because not all companies use identical calculations, the Company’s presentation of EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies and is therefore limited as a comparative measure. Furthermore, as an analytical tool, EBITDA has additional limitations, including that (a) it is not intended to be a measure of free cash flow, as it does not consider certain cash requirements such as tax payments; (b) it does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, its working capital needs; and (c) although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized often will have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA does not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements, or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments. To compensate for these limitations, the Company evaluates its profitability by considering the economic effect of the excluded expense items independently as well as in connection with its analysis of cash flows from operations and through the use of other financial measures.

The Company believes EBITDA is useful to an investor in evaluating its operating performance because it is widely used to measure a company’s operating performance without regard to certain non-cash expenses (such as depreciation and amortization) and expenses that are not reflective of its core operating results over time. The Company believes EBITDA presents a meaningful measure of corporate performance exclusive of its capital structure, the method by which assets were acquired and non-cash charges, and provides us with additional useful information to measure its performance on a consistent basis, particularly with respect to changes in performance from period to period.

CONTACT: National American University Holdings, Inc.
Dr. Ronald Shape
605-721-5220
[email protected]

Investor Relations Counsel
The Equity Group Inc.
Adam Prior
212-836-9606
[email protected]

Carolyne Y. Sohn
415-568-2255
[email protected]