DeVry, Inc. (DV) reported better than expected first-quarter results on Oct. 27, marking the fourth time in the last four quarters the company has either matched or beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Company Description

DeVry Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiaries, operates as a private educational provider both domestically and internationally. The company was founded in 1931 and has a market cap of $3.97 billion.

First-Quarter Results

DeVry surprised the Street on Oct 27 with better than expected first-quarter results. Sales were up 42% from last year to $431.1 million. Earnings also came in strong at 76 cents per share, 11 cents ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. DeVry has beat or matched in each of the last four quarters by an average of 6 cents, or 10%.

The company noted that its largest business segment, DeVry University, saw its enrollment increase 15.2% during the quarter to a record 20,496.

Balance Sheet

DeVry’s balance sheet also looks strong, with cash and marketable securities totaling $340.5 million against $104.8 million in borrowings.

Estimates Up

The current-year estimate has added 15 cents in the last week, advancing to $3.18 per share. The next-year estimate is pegged at $3.85, a 21% growth projection.

Valuation

In spite of recent gains, this stock is still reasonably priced, trading with a forward P/E 17X.

The Chart

Shares of DV have been trending higher for most of the last 6 months after bottoming out in early May. Take a look below.

Zacks Investment Research

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