Adtalem Global Education Inc. - Quarter Report: 2021 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One) | |
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☑ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021 | |
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or | |
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☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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For the transition period from _____ to _____ | |
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Commission file number: 001-13988 |
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 36-3150143 |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer |
incorporation or organization) | Identification No.) |
|
|
500 West Monroe Street | |
Chicago, Illinois | 60661 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(866) 374-2678
(Registrant’s telephone number; including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share | ATGE | New York Stock Exchange |
|
| NYSE Chicago |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes þ No ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | þ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | |
Non-accelerated filer | ◻ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |
|
| Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No þ
As of April 22, 2021, there were 49,424,396 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share outstanding.
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Form 10-Q
Table of Contents
| Page | |
Item 1. | 1 | |
1 | ||
2 | ||
3 | ||
4 | ||
5 | ||
6 | ||
Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 39 |
Item 3. | 61 | |
Item 4. | 62 | |
Item 1. | 62 | |
Item 1A. | 62 | |
Item 2. | 66 | |
Item 3. | 67 | |
Item 4. | 67 | |
Item 5. | 67 | |
Item 6. | 67 | |
68 |
Part I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except par value)
March 31, | June 30, | March 31, | |||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2020 | |||||||
Assets: | |||||||||
Current assets: | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 497,746 | $ | 500,516 | $ | 167,771 | |||
Investments in marketable securities |
| 10,890 |
| 8,968 |
| 7,754 | |||
Restricted cash |
| 808,034 |
| 589 |
| 807 | |||
Accounts receivable, net |
| 77,559 |
| 87,042 |
| 98,732 | |||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
| 103,049 |
| 95,651 |
| 126,785 | |||
Current assets held for sale |
| — |
| — |
| 142,417 | |||
Total current assets |
| 1,497,278 |
| 692,766 |
| 544,266 | |||
Noncurrent assets: |
|
|
|
| |||||
Property and equipment, net | 291,022 | 286,102 | 286,346 | ||||||
Operating lease assets |
| 164,335 |
| 174,935 |
| 188,629 | |||
Deferred income taxes |
| 27,441 |
| 22,277 |
| 10,922 | |||
Intangible assets, net |
| 279,997 |
| 287,514 |
| 290,092 | |||
Goodwill |
| 686,535 |
| 686,214 |
| 686,235 | |||
Other assets, net |
| 84,392 |
| 78,879 |
| 84,825 | |||
Noncurrent assets held for sale |
| — |
| — |
| 352,705 | |||
Total noncurrent assets |
| 1,533,722 |
| 1,535,921 |
| 1,899,754 | |||
Total assets | $ | 3,031,000 | $ | 2,228,687 | $ | 2,444,020 | |||
Liabilities and shareholders' equity: |
| ||||||||
Current liabilities: |
| ||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 45,958 | $ | 46,484 | $ | 33,932 | |||
Accrued payroll and benefits |
| 50,478 |
| 48,835 |
| 40,373 | |||
Accrued liabilities |
| 111,188 |
| 104,431 |
| 60,458 | |||
Deferred revenue |
| 116,670 |
| 91,589 |
| 120,047 | |||
Current operating lease liabilities |
| 54,911 |
| 51,644 |
| 51,926 | |||
Current portion of long-term debt |
| 3,000 |
| 3,000 |
| 3,000 | |||
Current liabilities held for sale |
| — |
| — |
| 34,950 | |||
Total current liabilities |
| 382,205 |
| 345,983 |
| 344,686 | |||
Noncurrent liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Long-term debt |
| 1,067,564 |
| 286,115 |
| 446,610 | |||
Long-term operating lease liabilities |
| 164,386 |
| 176,032 |
| 179,195 | |||
Deferred income taxes |
| 27,005 |
| 24,975 |
| 25,101 | |||
Other liabilities |
| 81,123 |
| 82,309 |
| 88,920 | |||
Noncurrent liabilities held for sale |
| — |
| — |
| 61,987 | |||
Total noncurrent liabilities |
| 1,340,078 |
| 569,431 |
| 801,813 | |||
Total liabilities |
| 1,722,283 |
| 915,414 |
| 1,146,499 | |||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 18) |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Redeemable noncontrolling interest |
| 2,493 |
| 2,852 |
| 2,962 | |||
Shareholders' equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 200,000 shares authorized; 49,700, 51,871, and 51,802 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2021, June 30, 2020, and March 31, 2020, respectively |
| 811 |
| 807 |
| 806 | |||
Additional paid-in capital |
| 516,627 |
| 504,434 |
| 499,703 | |||
Retained earnings |
| 1,995,465 |
| 1,927,568 |
| 2,183,620 | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
| (7,756) |
| (9,055) |
| (276,379) | |||
Treasury stock, at cost, 31,366, 28,794, and 28,790 shares as of March 31, 2021, June 30, 2020, and March 31, 2020, respectively |
| (1,198,923) |
| (1,113,333) |
| (1,113,191) | |||
Total shareholders' equity |
| 1,306,224 |
| 1,310,421 |
| 1,294,559 | |||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 3,031,000 | $ | 2,228,687 | $ | 2,444,020 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
1
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | ||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 280,654 | $ | 271,487 | $ | 832,006 | $ | 792,272 | |||||
Operating cost and expense: |
|
| |||||||||||
Cost of educational services |
| 123,077 |
| 118,712 |
| 363,598 |
| 374,004 | |||||
Student services and administrative expense |
| 108,500 |
| 96,434 |
| 312,399 |
| 292,169 | |||||
Restructuring expense |
| 1,217 |
| 1,854 |
| 6,605 |
| 10,339 | |||||
Business acquisition and integration expense |
| 3,646 |
| — |
| 28,161 |
| — | |||||
Gain on sale of assets |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| (4,779) | |||||
Total operating cost and expense |
| 236,440 |
| 217,000 |
| 710,763 |
| 671,733 | |||||
Operating income |
| 44,214 |
| 54,487 |
| 121,243 |
| 120,539 | |||||
Other income (expense): |
|
| |||||||||||
Interest and dividend income |
| 910 |
| 782 |
| 3,133 |
| 2,675 | |||||
Interest expense |
| (8,555) |
| (5,191) |
| (15,983) |
| (15,585) | |||||
Investment gain (loss) | 479 | (1,548) | 2,002 | (1,106) | |||||||||
Gain on derivative | — | 111,838 | — | 83,832 | |||||||||
Net other (expense) income |
| (7,166) |
| 105,881 |
| (10,848) |
| 69,816 | |||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes |
| 37,048 |
| 160,368 |
| 110,395 |
| 190,355 | |||||
Provision for income taxes |
| (7,341) |
| (6,937) |
| (21,654) |
| (18,213) | |||||
Income from continuing operations |
| 29,707 |
| 153,431 |
| 88,741 |
| 172,142 | |||||
Discontinued operations: |
|
| |||||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes |
| (6,836) |
| (5,947) |
| (28,107) |
| (5,536) | |||||
Benefit from income taxes |
| 1,679 |
| 3,228 |
| 6,904 |
| 3,778 | |||||
Loss from discontinued operations |
| (5,157) |
| (2,719) |
| (21,203) |
| (1,758) | |||||
Net income |
| 24,550 |
| 150,712 |
| 67,538 |
| 170,384 | |||||
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest |
| 102 |
| 120 |
| 359 |
| 334 | |||||
Net income attributable to Adtalem Global Education | $ | 24,652 | $ | 150,832 | $ | 67,897 | $ | 170,718 | |||||
Amounts attributable to Adtalem Global Education: |
|
| |||||||||||
Net income from continuing operations | $ | 29,809 | $ | 153,551 | $ | 89,100 | $ | 172,476 | |||||
Net loss from discontinued operations |
| (5,157) |
| (2,719) |
| (21,203) |
| (1,758) | |||||
Net income attributable to Adtalem Global Education | $ | 24,652 | $ | 150,832 | $ | 67,897 | $ | 170,718 | |||||
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Adtalem Global Education: |
|
| |||||||||||
Basic: |
|
| |||||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 0.59 | $ | 2.90 | $ | 1.72 | $ | 3.19 | |||||
Discontinued operations | $ | (0.10) | $ | (0.05) | $ | (0.41) | $ | (0.03) | |||||
Net | $ | 0.49 | $ | 2.85 | $ | 1.31 | $ | 3.15 | |||||
Diluted: |
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 0.58 | $ | 2.88 | $ | 1.71 | $ | 3.16 | |||||
Discontinued operations | $ | (0.10) | $ | (0.05) | $ | (0.41) | $ | (0.03) | |||||
Net | $ | 0.48 | $ | 2.83 | $ | 1.30 | $ | 3.13 | |||||
Weighted-average shares outstanding: | |||||||||||||
Basic shares | 50,658 | 52,955 | 51,799 | 54,117 | |||||||||
Diluted shares | 51,111 | 53,319 | 52,101 | 54,576 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
2
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | ||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 24,550 | $ | 150,712 | $ | 67,538 | $ | 170,384 | |||||
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||
(Loss) gain on foreign currency translation adjustments |
| (59) |
| (117,669) |
| 702 |
| (139,539) | |||||
Unrealized loss on marketable securities |
| (82) |
| (44) |
| (81) |
| (2) | |||||
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap | 96 | 452 | 678 | 452 | |||||||||
Comprehensive income |
| 24,505 |
| 33,451 |
| 68,837 |
| 31,295 | |||||
Comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest |
| 102 |
| 271 |
| 359 |
| 586 | |||||
Comprehensive income attributable to Adtalem Global Education | $ | 24,607 | $ | 33,722 | $ | 69,196 | $ | 31,881 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
3
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
Nine Months Ended | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||
Operating activities: | ||||||
Net income | $ | 67,538 | $ | 170,384 | ||
Loss from discontinued operations |
| 21,203 |
| 1,758 | ||
Income from continuing operations | 88,741 | 172,142 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
|
| ||||
Stock-based compensation expense |
| 11,247 |
| 11,328 | ||
Amortization and adjustments to operating lease assets | 39,875 | 32,369 | ||||
Depreciation |
| 27,865 |
| 25,773 | ||
Amortization of intangible assets |
| 7,555 |
| 7,686 | ||
Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs | 1,548 | 1,174 | ||||
Provision for bad debts | 8,338 | 12,955 | ||||
Deferred income taxes |
| (3,328) |
| 1,441 | ||
Loss on disposals, accelerated depreciation, and adjustments to property and equipment |
| 1,589 |
| 147 | ||
Realized and unrealized (gain) loss on investments | (2,002) | 1,106 | ||||
Realized gain on sale of assets | — | (4,779) | ||||
Unrealized gain on derivative | — | (83,832) | ||||
Changes in assets and liabilities: |
|
| ||||
Accounts receivable |
| 5,314 |
| (19,922) | ||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
| (7,398) |
| (17,123) | ||
Accounts payable |
| (104) |
| (18,495) | ||
Accrued payroll and benefits | 1,661 | (6,291) | ||||
Accrued liabilities |
| 8,649 |
| (4,810) | ||
Deferred revenue |
| 25,081 |
| 24,103 | ||
Operating lease liabilities | (37,654) | (41,628) | ||||
Other assets and liabilities |
| (9,772) |
| (1,314) | ||
Net cash provided by operating activities-continuing operations |
| 167,205 |
| 92,030 | ||
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities-discontinued operations |
| (23,042) |
| 13,501 | ||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
| 144,163 |
| 105,531 | ||
Investing activities: |
| |||||
Capital expenditures |
| (34,844) |
| (31,934) | ||
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities | 2,387 | 1,572 | ||||
Purchases of marketable securities |
| (2,414) |
| (1,755) | ||
Proceeds from sale of assets |
| — |
| 6,421 | ||
Cash received on purchase price adjustment | — | 92 | ||||
Net cash used in investing activities-continuing operations |
| (34,871) |
| (25,604) | ||
Net cash used in investing activities-discontinued operations |
| — |
| (3,803) | ||
Net cash used in investing activities |
| (34,871) |
| (29,407) | ||
Financing activities: |
| |||||
Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
| 889 |
| 2,276 | ||
Employee taxes paid on withholding shares |
| (4,144) |
| (5,315) | ||
Proceeds from stock issued under Colleague Stock Purchase Plan |
| 160 |
| — | ||
Repurchases of common stock for treasury |
| (81,568) |
| (136,889) | ||
Proceeds from long-term debt |
| 800,000 |
| 225,000 | ||
Repayments of long-term debt |
| (2,250) |
| (177,250) | ||
Payment of debt issuance costs |
| (18,047) |
| — | ||
Proceeds from down payment on seller loan | — | 5,200 | ||||
Payment for purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest of subsidiary |
| — |
| (6,247) | ||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities-continuing operations |
| 695,040 |
| (93,225) | ||
Net cash used in financing activities-discontinued operations |
| — |
| (2,920) | ||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
| 695,040 |
| (96,145) | ||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
| 343 |
| (27,907) | ||
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
| 804,675 |
| (47,928) | ||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period |
| 501,105 |
| 300,467 | ||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period |
| 1,305,780 |
| 252,539 | ||
Less: cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of discontinued operations at end of period |
| — |
| 83,961 | ||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 1,305,780 | $ | 168,578 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
4
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
Accumulated | ||||||||||||||||||
Additional | Other | |||||||||||||||||
Common | Paid-In | Retained | Comprehensive | Treasury | ||||||||||||||
Stock | Capital | Earnings | Loss | Stock | Total | |||||||||||||
December 31, 2019 | $ | 806 | $ | 496,674 | $ | 2,032,788 | $ | (159,118) | $ | (1,076,238) | $ | 1,294,912 | ||||||
Net income attributable to Adtalem Global Education |
|
|
| 150,832 |
|
|
| 150,832 | ||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax |
|
|
|
| (117,261) |
|
| (117,261) | ||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
|
| 2,811 |
|
|
|
| 2,811 | ||||||||||
Net activity from stock-based compensation awards |
|
| 218 |
| (83) |
| 135 | |||||||||||
Repurchases of common shares for treasury |
|
|
|
|
| (36,870) |
| (36,870) | ||||||||||
March 31, 2020 | $ | 806 | $ | 499,703 | $ | 2,183,620 | $ | (276,379) | $ | (1,113,191) | $ | 1,294,559 | ||||||
December 31, 2020 | $ | 810 | $ | 512,102 | $ | 1,970,813 | $ | (7,711) | $ | (1,162,235) | $ | 1,313,779 | ||||||
Net income attributable to Adtalem Global Education |
| 24,652 |
| 24,652 | ||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax |
| (45) |
| (45) | ||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| 3,595 |
| 3,595 | ||||||||||||||
Net activity from stock-based compensation awards |
| 1 | 941 | (180) |
| 762 | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from stock issued under Colleague Stock Purchase Plan |
| (11) | 97 |
| 86 | |||||||||||||
Repurchases of common shares for treasury |
| (36,605) |
| (36,605) | ||||||||||||||
March 31, 2021 | $ | 811 | $ | 516,627 | $ | 1,995,465 | $ | (7,756) | $ | (1,198,923) | $ | 1,306,224 | ||||||
June 30, 2019 | $ | 801 | $ | 486,061 | $ | 2,012,902 | $ | (137,290) | $ | (970,944) | $ | 1,391,530 | ||||||
Net income attributable to Adtalem Global Education |
|
|
| 170,718 |
|
|
| 170,718 | ||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax |
|
|
|
| (139,089) |
|
| (139,089) | ||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
|
| 11,405 |
|
|
|
| 11,405 | ||||||||||
Net activity from stock-based compensation awards |
| 5 |
| 2,237 |
|
|
| (5,358) |
| (3,116) | ||||||||
Repurchases of common shares for treasury |
|
|
|
|
| (136,889) |
| (136,889) | ||||||||||
March 31, 2020 | $ | 806 | $ | 499,703 | $ | 2,183,620 | $ | (276,379) | $ | (1,113,191) | $ | 1,294,559 | ||||||
June 30, 2020 | $ | 807 | $ | 504,434 | $ | 1,927,568 | $ | (9,055) | $ | (1,113,333) | $ | 1,310,421 | ||||||
Net income attributable to Adtalem Global Education |
| 67,897 |
| 67,897 | ||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax |
| 1,299 |
| 1,299 | ||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| 11,252 |
| 11,252 | ||||||||||||||
Net activity from stock-based compensation awards |
| 4 | 994 | (4,253) |
| (3,255) | ||||||||||||
Proceeds from stock issued under Colleague Stock Purchase Plan |
| (53) | 231 |
| 178 | |||||||||||||
Repurchases of common shares for treasury |
| (81,568) |
| (81,568) | ||||||||||||||
March 31, 2021 | $ | 811 | $ | 516,627 | $ | 1,995,465 | $ | (7,756) | $ | (1,198,923) | $ | 1,306,224 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
5
Adtalem Global Education Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
Table of Contents
Note |
| Page |
1 | 7 | |
2 | 8 | |
3 | 9 | |
4 | 11 | |
5 | 14 | |
6 | 15 | |
7 | 16 | |
8 | 16 | |
9 | 19 | |
10 | 19 | |
11 | 21 | |
12 | 24 | |
13 | 28 | |
14 | 29 | |
15 | 30 | |
16 | 30 | |
17 | 32 | |
18 | 34 | |
19 | 37 |
6
1. Nature of Operations
In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Adtalem Global Education Inc., together with its subsidiaries, is collectively referred to as “Adtalem,” “we,” “our,” “us,” or similar references.
Adtalem is a leading workforce solutions provider. We present two reportable segments as follows:
Medical and Healthcare – Offers degree and non-degree programs in the medical and healthcare postsecondary education industry. This segment includes the operations of Chamberlain University (“Chamberlain”), American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (“AUC”), Ross University School of Medicine (“RUSM”), and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (“RUSVM”). AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM are collectively referred to as the “medical and veterinary schools.”
Financial Services – Offers test preparation, certifications, conferences, seminars, memberships, and subscriptions to business professionals in the areas of accounting, anti-money laundering, banking, and mortgage lending. This segment includes the operations of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (“ACAMS”), Becker Professional Education (“Becker”), OnCourse Learning (“OCL”), and EduPristine.
“Home Office and Other” includes activities not allocated to a reportable segment. See Note 19 “Segment Information” for additional information.
Adtalem Education of Brazil (“Adtalem Brazil”), Carrington College (“Carrington”), and DeVry University are presented as discontinued operations and assets held for sale in all periods presented as applicable. See Note 3 “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” for additional information.
On September 11, 2020, Adtalem entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Laureate Education, Inc. (“Laureate” or “Seller”), a Delaware public benefit corporation, pursuant to which Adtalem has agreed to acquire from Seller all of the issued and outstanding equity interest in Walden e-Learning, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“e-Learning”), and its subsidiary, Walden University, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (together with e-Learning, “Walden”), in exchange for a purchase price of $1.48 billion in cash, subject to certain adjustments set forth in the Agreement (the “Acquisition”). Walden owns and operates Walden University, an online for-profit university headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Board of Directors of Adtalem (the “Board”) has unanimously approved the Acquisition. The closing of the Acquisition is expected to occur in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 and is subject to certain closing conditions, including regulatory approval by the U.S. Department of Education and the Higher Learning Commission (the “HLC”) and required antitrust approvals. Acquisition and integration costs incurred for this transaction during the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021 were $3.6 million and $28.2 million, respectively.
On September 16, 2020, Laureate advised Adtalem that Walden University had received a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) indicating that the DOJ, along with several other government agencies, is conducting an investigation into allegations that Walden University may have violated the federal False Claims Act by misrepresenting its compliance with provisions of its Program Participation Agreement with the U.S. Department of Education relating, generally, to potential false representations to the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and false advertising to students about (1) the content and cost of Walden’s Masters of Science in Nursing program, or (2) the availability of clinical site placements required for mandatory practicum courses for such program (collectively, the “DOJ Investigation”). Subsequently, Walden disclosed the DOJ Investigation to the HLC. On October 13, 2020, Laureate advised Adtalem that Walden University had received a letter from the HLC notifying Walden University that the HLC seeks to assign a public Governmental Investigation designation to Walden University. On November 9, 2020, the HLC assigned the designation of “Under Governmental Investigation” to Walden University, which will remain in place until the President of the HLC determines the institution has resolved the issues that led to the designation. On April 28, 2021, Laureate advised Adtalem that the DOJ has decided not to intervene at this time in a recently unsealed federal lawsuit in which a former student and a former preceptor are seeking to bring claims on behalf of the government against Laureate and Walden.
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Pursuant to its access rights under the terms of the Agreement, Adtalem is continuing to conduct its own investigation of the matters addressed in the DOJ and HLC correspondence, including reviewing relevant documents and other information and interviewing relevant Laureate and/or Walden University personnel. As a condition to closing the Acquisition, certain designated regulatory authorities, including the HLC, must consent to the Acquisition. Pursuant to Section 5.05(a) of the Agreement, the parties are required to cooperate and use reasonable best efforts to obtain those designated pre-closing consents from, among others, the HLC. Consistent with the HLC’s policies and procedures, a Governmental Investigation designation by the HLC could delay or prevent the HLC’s approval of a substantive change application to approve the proposed Acquisition. We continue to evaluate these regulatory developments and the potential impact, if any, on our planned Acquisition.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
A full listing of our significant accounting policies is described in Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 (“2020 Form 10-K”). We have prepared the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which are normal and recurring in nature) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. These consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with our annual consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our 2020 Form 10-K.
We use the same accounting policies in preparing quarterly and annual financial statements. Unless otherwise noted, amounts presented within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements refer to our continuing operations.
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current period presentation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Although our current estimates contemplate current conditions, including the impact of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, and how we anticipate them to change in the future, as appropriate, it is reasonably possible that actual conditions could differ from what was anticipated in those estimates, which could materially affect our results of operations and financial condition. On March 11, 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, which recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. COVID-19 and the response of governmental and public health organizations in dealing with the pandemic included restricting general activity levels within communities, the economy, and operations of our customers. While we have experienced an impact to our business, operations, and financial results as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it may have even more far-reaching impacts on many aspects of our operations including the impact on customer behaviors, business operations, our employees, and the market in general. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic ultimately impacts our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and liquidity may differ from management’s current estimates due to inherent uncertainties regarding the duration and further spread of COVID-19, actions taken to contain the virus, the efficacy and distribution of the vaccines, as well as, how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume.
Recent Accounting Standards
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13: “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.”
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The guidance was issued to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected losses on financial instruments by replacing the incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses by requiring a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted this guidance, along with the related clarifications and improvements, effective July 1, 2020 using the modified-retrospective approach without adjusting prior comparative periods. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on Adtalem’s Consolidated Financial Statements, and therefore, no adjustments were made to retained earnings.
3. Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale
On December 4, 2018, Adtalem completed the sale of Carrington to San Joaquin Valley College, Inc. (“SJVC”) for de minimis consideration. As the sale represented a strategic shift that had a major effect on Adtalem’s operations and financial results, Carrington is presented in Adtalem’s financial reporting as a discontinued operation. Adtalem has retained certain leases associated with the Carrington operations. Adtalem remains the primary lessee on these leases and subleases to Carrington. Adtalem records the proceeds from these subleases as an offset to operating costs. Adtalem also assigned certain leases to Carrington but remains contingently liable under these leases. Adtalem recorded a pre-tax loss of $11.3 million on the sale of Carrington and transferred $9.9 million of cash and restricted cash balances to Carrington in fiscal year 2019, subject to post-closing adjustments to be completed in fiscal year 2021.
On December 11, 2018, Adtalem completed the sale of DeVry University to Cogswell Education, LLC (“Cogswell”) for de minimis consideration. As the sale represented a strategic shift that had a major effect on Adtalem’s operations and financial results, DeVry University is presented in Adtalem’s financial reporting as a discontinued operation. The purchase agreement includes an earn-out entitling Adtalem to payments of up to $20 million over a ten-year period payable based on DeVry University’s free cash flow. In connection with the closing of the sale, Adtalem loaned to DeVry University $10.0 million under the terms of the promissory note, dated as of December 11, 2018 (the “Note”). The Note bears interest at a rate of 4% per annum, payable annually in arrears, and has a maturity date of January 1, 2022. Based on the terms of the Note, DeVry University may make prepayments and may be required to make prepayments on the Note. The Note is included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in prepaid expenses and other current assets as of March 31, 2021 and other assets, net as of each of June 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020. Adtalem has retained certain leases associated with DeVry University operations. Adtalem remains the primary lessee on these leases and subleases to DeVry University. In addition, Adtalem owns the buildings for certain DeVry University operating and administrative office locations and leases space to DeVry University under one-year operating leases, renewable annually at DeVry University’s option with the exception of one lease which expires in December 2023. Adtalem records the proceeds from these leases and subleases as an offset to operating costs. Adtalem also assigned certain leases to DeVry University but remains contingently liable under these leases. Adtalem recorded a pre-tax loss of $22.3 million on the sale of DeVry University and transferred $40.2 million of cash and restricted cash balances to DeVry University in fiscal year 2019.
On April 24, 2020, Adtalem completed the sale of Adtalem Brazil to Estácio Participações S.A. (“Estácio”) and Sociedade de Ensino Superior Estaćio de Sá Ltda, a wholly owned subsidiary of Estácio (“Purchaser”), pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement dated October 18, 2019. As the sale represented a strategic shift that had a major effect on Adtalem’s operations and financial results, Adtalem Brazil is presented in Adtalem’s financial reporting as a discontinued operation. Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the purchase agreement, Adtalem sold the issued and outstanding shares of Adtalem Brasil Holding S.A. (a/k/a Adtalem Brazil) to the Purchaser for R$1,920 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments pursuant to the purchase agreement. Adtalem received $345.9 million in sale proceeds and $56.0 million of Adtalem Brazil’s cash, for a combined $401.9 million upon the sale. Adtalem Brazil’s cash balance on the sale date was $88.4 million, resulting in $313.5 million of cash proceeds, net of this cash transferred. In addition, Adtalem received $110.7 million from the settlement of a deal-contingent foreign currency hedge arrangement entered into in connection with the sale of Adtalem Brazil to economically hedge the Brazilian Real sales price through the mitigation of the currency exchange rate risk. Adtalem recorded this settlement as a pre-tax gain on the hedge of $110.7 million in fiscal year 2020. The hedge agreement had a total notional amount of R$2,154 million. The derivative associated with the hedge agreement did not qualify for hedge accounting treatment under ASC 815, and as a result, all changes in fair value were recorded within the income statement. Adtalem recorded a pre-tax unrealized gain on the hedge agreement derivative based on a foreign exchange forward spot rate as of March 31, 2020 of $111.8 million and $83.8 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, (see Note 17 “Fair Value Measurements” for additional
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information) with an $83.8 million asset included within prepaid expenses and other current assets on the March 31, 2020 Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The following is a summary of balance sheet information of assets and liabilities reported as held for sale as of March 31, 2020, which includes only Adtalem Brazil balances as Carrington and DeVry University were sold prior to that date (in thousands):
March 31, | |||
2020 | |||
Assets: |
| ||
Current assets: |
| ||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 83,961 | |
Accounts receivable, net |
| 52,507 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
| 5,949 | |
Total current assets held for sale |
| 142,417 | |
Noncurrent assets: |
| ||
Property and equipment, net | 57,610 | ||
Operating lease assets |
| 54,092 | |
Deferred income taxes |
| 4,144 | |
Intangible assets, net |
| 88,403 | |
Goodwill |
| 138,914 | |
Other assets, net |
| 9,542 | |
Total noncurrent assets held for sale |
| 352,705 | |
Total assets held for sale | $ | 495,122 | |
Liabilities: |
| ||
Current liabilities: |
| ||
Accounts payable | $ | 2,378 | |
Accrued payroll and benefits |
| 10,671 | |
Accrued liabilities |
| 4,891 | |
Deferred revenue |
| 8,688 | |
Current operating lease liabilities |
| 8,322 | |
Total current liabilities held for sale |
| 34,950 | |
Noncurrent liabilities: |
| ||
Long-term operating lease liabilities |
| 46,747 | |
Deferred income taxes |
| 3,046 | |
Other liabilities |
| 12,194 | |
Total noncurrent liabilities held for sale |
| 61,987 | |
Total liabilities held for sale | $ | 96,937 |
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The following is a summary of income statement information of operations reported as discontinued operations, which includes Adtalem Brazil’s, Carrington’s, and DeVry University’s operations through the date of each respective sale (in thousands):
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | ||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Revenue | $ | — | $ | 41,355 | $ | — | $ | 142,160 | |||||
Operating cost and expense: |
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Cost of educational services |
| — |
| 28,940 |
| — |
| 98,605 | |||||
Student services and administrative expense |
| 6,836 |
| 17,781 |
| 28,107 |
| 47,860 | |||||
Restructuring expense |
| — |
| 199 |
| — |
| 625 | |||||
Total operating cost and expense |
| 6,836 |
| 46,920 |
| 28,107 |
| 147,090 | |||||
Operating loss |
| (6,836) |
| (5,565) |
| (28,107) |
| (4,930) | |||||
Other income (expense): | |||||||||||||
Interest and dividend income | — | 425 | — | 2,164 | |||||||||
Interest expense | — | (807) | — | (2,770) | |||||||||
Net other expense |
| — |
| (382) |
| — |
| (606) | |||||
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes | (6,836) | (5,947) | (28,107) | (5,536) | |||||||||
Benefit from income taxes |
| 1,679 |
| 3,228 |
| 6,904 |
| 3,778 | |||||
Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to Adtalem | $ | (5,157) | $ | (2,719) | $ | (21,203) | $ | (1,758) |
We continue to incur costs, principally attorney fees, associated with ongoing litigation and settlements related to the DeVry University divestiture, which was completed during fiscal year 2019, and are classified as expense within discontinued operations.
4. Revenue
Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers (students and members), in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.
The following tables disaggregate revenue by source (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | |||||||||
Medical and | Financial | Consolidated | |||||||
Higher education | $ | 229,422 | $ | — | $ | 229,422 | |||
Test preparation/certifications | — | 36,202 | 36,202 | ||||||
Conferences/seminars | — | 4,596 | 4,596 | ||||||
Memberships/subscriptions | — | 7,910 | 7,910 | ||||||
Other | 791 | 1,733 | 2,524 | ||||||
Total |
| $ | 230,213 |
| $ | 50,441 |
| $ | 280,654 |
Nine Months Ended March 31, 2021 | |||||||||
Medical and |
| Financial | Consolidated | ||||||
Higher education |
| $ | 681,855 |
| $ | — |
| $ | 681,855 |
Test preparation/certifications | — | 95,378 | 95,378 | ||||||
Conferences/seminars | — | 26,143 | 26,143 | ||||||
Memberships/subscriptions | — | 23,703 | 23,703 | ||||||
Other | 1,580 | 3,347 | 4,927 | ||||||
Total |
| $ | 683,435 |
| $ | 148,571 |
| $ | 832,006 |
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Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||
Medical and | Financial | Consolidated | |||||||
Higher education | $ | 222,019 | $ | — | $ | 222,019 | |||
Test preparation/certifications | — | 26,236 | 26,236 | ||||||
Conferences/seminars | — | 11,925 | 11,925 | ||||||
Memberships/subscriptions | — | 5,590 | 5,590 | ||||||
Other | 5,325 | 392 | 5,717 | ||||||
Total |
| $ | 227,344 |
| $ | 44,143 |
| $ | 271,487 |
Nine Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||
Medical and |
| Financial | Consolidated | ||||||
Higher education | $ | 637,625 |
| $ | — |
| $ | 637,625 | |
Test preparation/certifications | — | 78,145 | 78,145 | ||||||
Conferences/seminars | — | 42,738 | 42,738 | ||||||
Memberships/subscriptions | — | 15,512 | 15,512 | ||||||
Other | 17,386 | 866 | 18,252 | ||||||
Total |
| $ | 655,011 |
| $ | 137,261 |
| $ | 792,272 |
In addition, see Note 19 “Segment Information” for a disaggregation of revenue by geographical region.
Performance Obligations and Revenue Recognition
Higher education: Higher education revenue consists of tuition, fees, books, and other educational products. The majority of revenue is derived from tuition and fees, which is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term as instruction is delivered. Books and other educational product revenue are recognized when products are shipped or students receive access to electronic materials. Under certain circumstances, we report revenue from these books and other educational products on a net basis because our performance obligation is to facilitate a transaction between the student and a vendor, which revenue was not significant for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
Test preparation/certifications: Test preparation revenue consists of sales of self-study materials and test preparation course instruction. Becker test preparation revenue is primarily derived from self-study materials and is recognized when access to the materials is delivered to the customer. EduPristine test preparation revenue is primarily derived from course instruction and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable instruction delivery period. Certification revenue consists of exam preparation guides, seminars, exam sitting fees, and recertification fees and is recognized when the applicable performance obligation is satisfied.
Conferences/seminars: Conference revenue consists of revenue from attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors. We recognize revenue for all items related to conferences at the time of the conference. Seminar revenue consists of seminars delivered in live, live-online, or on-demand online formats. We recognize revenue for live and live-online seminars on the day of the seminar. We recognize revenue for on-demand online seminars when customers are granted access to a webcast of the seminar.
Memberships/subscriptions: Membership revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the membership period. Subscription revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the subscription period.
Other: Other revenue consists of housing and other miscellaneous services. Other revenue is recognized over the period in which the applicable performance obligation is satisfied.
Customer contracts generally have separately stated prices for each performance obligation contained in the contract. Therefore, each performance obligation generally has its own standalone selling price. For higher education students, arrangements for payment are agreed to prior to registration of the student’s first academic term. The majority of U.S. students obtain Title IV or other financial aid resulting in institutions receiving a significant amount of the transaction price at the beginning of the academic term. Students utilizing private funding or funding through Adtalem’s credit extension programs (see Note 8 “Accounts Receivable and Credit Losses” for additional information) generally pay after
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the academic term is complete. For non-higher education customers, payment is typically due and collected at the time a customer places an order.
Transaction Price
Revenue, or transaction price, is measured as the amount of consideration expected to be received in exchange for transferring goods or services.
For higher education, students may receive discounts, scholarships, or refunds, which gives rise to variable consideration. The amounts of discounts or scholarships are applied to individual student accounts when such amounts are awarded. Therefore, the transaction price is reduced directly by these discounts or scholarships from the amount of the standard tuition rate charged. Upon withdrawal, a student may be eligible to receive a refund or partial refund, the amount of which is dependent on the timing of the withdrawal during the academic term. If a student withdraws prior to completing an academic term, federal and state regulations and accreditation criteria permit Adtalem to retain only a set percentage of the total tuition received from such student, which varies with, but generally equals or exceeds, the percentage of the academic term completed by such student. Payment amounts received by Adtalem in excess of such set percentages of tuition are refunded to the student or the appropriate funding source. For contracts with similar characteristics and historical data on refunds, the expected value method is applied in determining the variable consideration related to refunds. Estimates of Adtalem’s expected refunds are determined at the outset of each academic term, based upon actual refunds in previous academic terms. Reserves related to refunds are presented as refund liabilities within accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. All refunds are netted against revenue during the applicable academic term.
Management reassesses collectability on a student-by-student basis throughout the period revenue is recognized. This reassessment is based upon new information and changes in facts and circumstances relevant to a student’s ability to pay. Management also reassesses collectability when a student withdraws from the institution and has unpaid tuition charges. Such unpaid charges do not meet the threshold of reasonably collectible and are recognized as revenue on a cash basis.
For test preparation and other Financial Services products, the transaction price is equal to the amount charged to the customer, which is the standard rate, less any discounts, and an estimate for returns or refunds.
We believe it is probable that no significant reversal will occur in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Therefore, the estimate of variable consideration is not constrained.
Contract Balances
For our higher education institutions, students are billed at the beginning of each academic term and payment is due at that time. Adtalem’s performance obligation is to provide educational services in the form of instruction during the academic term. As instruction is provided, deferred revenue is reduced. A significant portion of student payments are from Title IV financial aid and other programs and are generally received during the first month of the respective academic term. For students utilizing Adtalem’s credit extension programs (see Note 8 “Accounts Receivable and Credit Losses”), payments are generally received after the academic term, and the corresponding performance obligation, is complete. When payments are received, accounts receivable is reduced.
For our Financial Services businesses, customers are billed and payment is generally due at the time of order placement. In most cases, performance obligations are delivered subsequent to payments received. Delivering our performance obligations reduces deferred revenue, and accounts receivable is reduced upon payments received. In instances when customers are offered a flexible payment plan option, payment is received after satisfying the performance obligation.
Revenue of $87.7 million was recognized during the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 that was included in the deferred revenue balance at the beginning of fiscal year 2021. Revenue recognized from performance obligations that were satisfied or partially satisfied in prior periods was not material.
The difference between the opening and closing balances of deferred revenue includes decreases from revenue recognized during the period, increases from charges related to the start of academic terms beginning during the period,
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increases from payments received related to academic terms commencing after the end of the reporting period, and increases from payments from customers in advance of Adtalem performing its applicable performance obligation.
Practical Expedients
As our performance obligations have an original expected duration of one year or less, we have applied the practical expedient (as provided in ASC 606-10-50-14) to not disclose the information in ASC 606-10-50-13, which requires disclosure of the amount of the transaction price allocated to our performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of the end of the reporting period and when the entity expects to recognize this amount as revenue. All consideration from contracts with customers is included in the transaction price.
5. Restructuring Charges
During the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2021, Adtalem recorded restructuring charges primarily related to Adtalem’s home office and ACAMS real estate consolidations. During the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2020, Adtalem recorded restructuring charges primarily related to the sale of Becker’s courses for healthcare students and Adtalem’s home office real estate consolidations and workforce reductions. When estimating costs of exiting lease space, estimates are made which could differ materially from actual results and result in additional restructuring charges or reversals in future periods. Termination benefit charges represented severance pay and benefits for these employees. Adtalem’s home office is classified as “Home Office and Other” in Note 19 “Segment Information.” Pre-tax restructuring charges by segment were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | Nine Months Ended March 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||
Real Estate | Termination | Total | Real Estate | Termination | Total | |||||||||||||
Financial Services |
| $ | — |
| $ | — |
| $ | — | $ | 1,415 |
| $ | — |
| $ | 1,415 | |
Home Office and Other |
| 1,217 |
| — |
| 1,217 | 4,700 |
| 490 |
| 5,190 | |||||||
Total | $ | 1,217 | $ | — | $ | 1,217 | $ | 6,115 | $ | 490 | $ | 6,605 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | Nine Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
Real Estate | Termination | Total | Real Estate | Termination | Total | |||||||||||||
Medical and Healthcare | $ | 810 | $ | — | $ | 810 | $ | 1,129 | $ | 225 | $ | 1,354 | ||||||
Financial Services |
| — |
| — |
| — | 2,862 |
| 254 |
| 3,116 | |||||||
Home Office and Other |
| 255 |
| 789 |
| 1,044 |
| 4,779 |
| 1,090 |
| 5,869 | ||||||
Total | $ | 1,065 | $ | 789 | $ | 1,854 | $ | 8,770 | $ | 1,569 | $ | 10,339 |
The following table summarizes the separation and restructuring plan activity for the fiscal years 2020 and 2021, for which cash payments are required (in thousands):
Liability balance as of June 30, 2019 | $ | 25,083 | |
ASC 842 (leases) adjustment (1) | (25,030) | ||
Liability balance as of July 1, 2019 |
| 53 | |
Increase in liability (separation and other charges) |
| 4,955 | |
Reduction in liability (payments and adjustments) |
| (3,573) | |
Liability balance as of June 30, 2020 |
| 1,435 | |
Increase in liability (separation and other charges) |
| 490 | |
Reduction in liability (payments and adjustments) |
| (1,925) | |
Liability balance as of March 31, 2021 | $ | — |
(1) Reflects amounts reclassified out of the opening balance of restructuring reserve accruals as of June 30, 2019 to operating lease assets that was recorded with the adoption of ASC 842.
We have completed our current restructuring plans. However, we continue to incur restructuring charges or reversals related to exiting leased space from previous restructuring activities. Management may institute future restructuring plans.
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6. Income Taxes
Our effective income tax rates from continuing operations were 19.8% and 19.6% in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021, respectively, and 4.3% and 9.6% in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively. The effective tax rates in fiscal years 2021 and 2020 reflect the U.S. federal tax rate of 21% adjusted for state and local taxes, foreign rate differences, benefits associated with local tax incentives, changes in valuation allowances and liabilities for uncertain tax positions, and tax benefits on stock-based compensation awards. Additionally, in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, we did not record a tax provision on the pre-tax unrealized gain of $111.8 million and $83.8 million, respectively, from a derivative contract related to the deal-contingent hedge agreement on the Adtalem Brazil sale completed on April 24, 2020 (see Note 3 “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” for additional information).
Three of Adtalem’s operating units benefit from local tax incentives: AUC, which operates in St. Maarten, RUSM, which operates in Barbados, and RUSVM, which operates in St. Kitts. AUC’s effective tax rate reflects benefits derived from investment incentives. RUSM and RUSVM each have agreements with their respective domestic governments that exempt them from local income taxation. RUSM has an exemption in Barbados until 2039. RUSVM has an exemption in St. Kitts until 2037.
On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “Appropriations Act”) was enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Appropriations Act, among other things, temporarily extends through December 31, 2025, certain expiring tax provisions, including look-through treatment of payments of dividends, interest, rents, and royalties received or accrued from related controlled foreign corporations. Additionally, the Appropriations Act enacts new provisions and extends certain provisions originated within the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), enacted on March 27, 2020, including an extension of time for repayment of the deferred portion of employees’ payroll tax through December 31, 2021, and a temporary allowance for full deduction of certain business meals. Adtalem has elected not to defer the employees’ portion of payroll tax. Management continues to evaluate the other provisions of the Appropriations Act, but at present time does not expect that the other provisions of the Appropriations Act would result in a material tax or cash benefit.
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the “Rescue Act”) was enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rescue Act, among other things, expands the number of employees subject to the tax deductibility limitation of employee compensation in excess of $1 million for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026 and repeals the election for U.S. affiliated groups to allocate interest expense on a worldwide basis. Management is currently evaluating the other provisions of the Rescue Act, but at present time does not expect that the other provisions of the Rescue Act would result in a material tax or cash detriment.
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7. Earnings per Share
The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share and stock awards not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share when their effect is anti-dilutive (in thousands, except per share data):
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | ||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Numerator: | |||||||||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Adtalem: |
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 29,809 | $ | 153,551 | $ | 89,100 | $ | 172,476 | |||||
Discontinued operations | (5,157) | (2,719) | (21,203) | (1,758) | |||||||||
Net | $ | 24,652 | $ | 150,832 | $ | 67,897 | $ | 170,718 | |||||
Denominator: | |||||||||||||
Weighted-average shares outstanding |
| 50,065 |
| 52,498 |
| 51,236 |
| 53,647 | |||||
Unvested participating RSUs |
| 593 |
| 457 |
| 563 |
| 470 | |||||
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding |
| 50,658 |
| 52,955 |
| 51,799 |
| 54,117 | |||||
Effect of dilutive stock awards |
| 453 |
| 364 |
| 302 |
| 459 | |||||
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding |
| 51,111 |
| 53,319 |
| 52,101 |
| 54,576 | |||||
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to Adtalem: | |||||||||||||
Basic: | |||||||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 0.59 | $ | 2.90 | $ | 1.72 | $ | 3.19 | |||||
Discontinued operations | $ | (0.10) | $ | (0.05) | $ | (0.41) | $ | (0.03) | |||||
Net | $ | 0.49 | $ | 2.85 | $ | 1.31 | $ | 3.15 | |||||
Diluted: | |||||||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | 0.58 | $ | 2.88 | $ | 1.71 | $ | 3.16 | |||||
Discontinued operations | $ | (0.10) | $ | (0.05) | $ | (0.41) | $ | (0.03) | |||||
Net | $ | 0.48 | $ | 2.83 | $ | 1.30 | $ | 3.13 | |||||
Weighted-average anti-dilutive stock awards | 675 | 992 | 1,124 | 942 |
8. Accounts Receivable and Credit Losses
We categorize our accounts receivable balances as trade receivables or financing receivables. Our trade receivables relate to student or customer balances occurring in the normal course of business. Trade receivables have a term of less than one year and are included in accounts receivable, net on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our financing receivables relate to credit extension programs where the student is provided payment terms in excess of one year with their respective school and are included in accounts receivable, net and other assets, net on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The classification of our accounts receivable balances was as follows (in thousands):
March 31, 2021 | |||||||||
Gross | Allowance | Net | |||||||
Trade receivables, current | $ | 87,537 | $ | (12,220) | $ | 75,317 | |||
Financing receivables, current | 5,019 | (2,777) | 2,242 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, current | $ | 92,556 | $ | (14,997) | $ | 77,559 | |||
Financing receivables, current | $ | 5,019 | $ | (2,777) | $ | 2,242 | |||
Financing receivables, noncurrent | 40,728 | (13,540) | 27,188 | ||||||
Total financing receivables | $ | 45,747 | $ | (16,317) | $ | 29,430 |
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Our financing receivables relate to credit extension programs available to students at Chamberlain, AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM. These credit extension programs are designed to assist students who are unable to completely cover educational costs consisting of tuition, books, and fees, and are available only after all other student financial assistance has been applied toward those purposes. In addition, AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM allow students to finance their living expenses. Repayment plans for financing agreements are developed to address the financial circumstances of the particular student. Interest charges at rates from 3.0% to 12.0% per annum accrue each month on the unpaid balance once a student withdraws or graduates from a program. Most students are required to begin repaying their loans while they are still in school with a minimum payment level designed to demonstrate their capability to repay, which reduces the possibility of over borrowing. Payments may increase upon completing or departing school. After a student leaves school, the student typically will have a monthly installment repayment plan.
Credit Quality
The primary credit quality indicator for our financing receivables is delinquency. Balances are considered delinquent when contractual payments on the loan become past due. We charge-off financing receivable balances after they have been sent to a third party collector, the timing of which varies by the institution granting the loan, but in most cases is when the financing agreement is at least 181 days past due. Payments are applied first to outstanding interest and then to the unpaid principal balance.
The credit quality analysis of financing receivables as of March 31, 2021 was as follows (in thousands):
Amortized Cost Basis by Origination Year | |||||||||||||||||||||
Prior | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Total | |||||||||||||||
1-30 days past due |
| $ | 557 | $ | 344 |
| $ | 260 |
| $ | 386 |
| $ | 242 |
| $ | 656 |
| $ | 2,445 | |
31-60 days past due | 171 | 302 | 298 | 98 | 245 | 25 | 1,139 | ||||||||||||||
61-90 days past due | 1,868 | 744 | 672 | 605 | 356 | 67 | 4,312 | ||||||||||||||
91-120 days past due | 120 | 139 | 22 | 134 | 172 | — | 587 | ||||||||||||||
121-150 days past due | 401 | 351 | 129 | 143 | 158 | 28 | 1,210 | ||||||||||||||
Greater than 150 days past due | 5,994 | 2,369 | 1,512 | 950 | 313 | 116 | 11,254 | ||||||||||||||
Total past due | 9,111 | 4,249 | 2,893 | 2,316 | 1,486 | 892 | 20,947 | ||||||||||||||
Current | 5,114 | 3,243 | 2,322 | 2,002 | 1,955 | 10,164 | 24,800 | ||||||||||||||
Financing receivables, gross | $ | 14,225 | $ | 7,492 | $ | 5,215 | $ | 4,318 | $ | 3,441 | $ | 11,056 | $ | 45,747 |
We refinanced loans during the third quarter of fiscal year 2021, which resulted in loans previously reported under an older origination year to now be categorized as a new loan under the 2021 origination year.
The following table includes our financing receivables credit risk profile disclosures for prior periods before we adopted ASC 326 on July 1, 2020 (in thousands):
Over | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
1-30 Days | 31-60 Days | 61-90 Days | 90 Days | Total | Financing | ||||||||||||||||
Past Due | Past Due | Past Due | Past Due | Past Due | Current | Receivables | |||||||||||||||
Financing receivables: | |||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2020 | $ | 7,192 | $ | 1,755 | $ | 1,547 | $ | 13,782 | $ | 24,276 | $ | 25,749 | $ | 50,025 | |||||||
March 31, 2020 | $ | 3,484 | $ | 1,145 | $ | 1,673 | $ | 13,382 | $ | 19,684 | $ | 30,612 | $ | 50,296 |
Allowance for Credit Losses
The allowance for credit losses represents an estimate of the lifetime expected credit losses inherent in our accounts receivable balances as of each balance sheet date. In evaluating the collectability of all our accounts receivable balances, we utilize historical events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts about the future.
For our trade receivables, we primarily use historical loss rates based on a student’s status to determine the allowance for credit losses. As these trade receivables are short-term in nature, management believes a student’s status provides the best credit loss estimate. Students still attending classes and recently graduated are more likely to pay than those who are inactive due to being on a leave of absence or withdrawing from school.
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For our financing receivables, we primarily use historical loss rates based on an aging schedule. As these financing receivables are based on long-term financing agreements offered by Adtalem, management believes that delinquency provides the best credit loss estimate. As the financing receivable balances become further past due, it is less likely we will receive payment, causing our estimate of credit losses to increase.
The following tables provide a rollforward of the allowance for credit losses (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 |
| Nine Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
Trade | Financing | Total |
| Trade | Financing | Total | ||||||||||||
Beginning balance |
| $ | 11,298 | $ | 17,355 |
| $ | 28,653 | $ | 10,825 | $ | 15,690 |
| $ | 26,515 | |||
Write-offs | (1,499) | (1,934) | (3,433) | (3,401) | (3,787) | (7,188) | ||||||||||||
Recoveries | 336 | 20 | 356 | 727 | 145 | 872 | ||||||||||||
Provision for credit losses | 2,085 | 876 | 2,961 | 4,069 | 4,269 | 8,338 | ||||||||||||
Ending balance | $ | 12,220 | $ | 16,317 | $ | 28,537 | $ | 12,220 | $ | 16,317 | $ | 28,537 |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | Nine Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||
Trade | Financing | Total | Trade | Financing | Total | |||||||||||||
Beginning balance |
| $ | 9,652 | $ | 13,873 |
| $ | 23,525 | $ | 8,243 | $ | 6,289 |
| $ | 14,532 | |||
Write-offs | (475) | (593) | (1,068) | (3,379) | (664) | (4,043) | ||||||||||||
Recoveries | 202 | 12 | 214 | 706 | 40 | 746 | ||||||||||||
Provision for credit losses | 120 | 1,399 | 1,519 | 3,929 | 9,026 | 12,955 | ||||||||||||
Ending balance | $ | 9,499 | $ | 14,691 | $ | 24,190 | $ | 9,499 | $ | 14,691 | $ | 24,190 |
Allowance for bad debts on short-term and long-term receivables as of March 31, 2021, June 30, 2020, and March 31, 2020 were $28.5 million, $26.5 million, and $24.2 million, respectively. The increase in the reserve from the year-ago period is driven by an increase in our overall historical loss rates, primarily related to the credit extension programs at the medical and veterinary schools.
Accounts receivable, net decreased with an offsetting increase in other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2021 compared to the prior periods presented primarily due to a correction in the methodology on how we classify financing receivable balances between current and noncurrent assets.
Other Financing Receivables
In connection with the sale of DeVry University, Adtalem loaned $10.0 million to DeVry University under the terms of the Note. The Note bears interest at a rate of 4% per annum, payable annually in arrears, and has a maturity date of January 1, 2022. The DeVry University loan receivable is included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in prepaid expenses and other current assets as of March 31, 2021 and other assets, net as of each of June 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020, and is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using an average of current rates for similar arrangements, which is estimated at 4% per annum. Management has evaluated the collectability of this note and has determined no reserve is necessary.
On July 31, 2019, Adtalem sold its Chicago, Illinois, campus facility to DePaul College Prep Foundation (“DePaul College Prep”). In connection with the sale, Adtalem holds a mortgage from DePaul College Prep for $46.8 million. The mortgage is due on July 31, 2024 as a balloon payment and bears interest at a rate of 4% per annum, payable monthly. The carrying value of the DePaul College Prep loan receivable is included in other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2021, June 30, 2020, and March 31, 2020 is $42.4 million, $41.4 million, and $41.1 million, respectively, and was originally determined by discounting the future cash flows using an average of current rates for similar arrangements, which is estimated at 7% per annum. Management has evaluated the collectability of this note and has determined no reserve is necessary.
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9. Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
March 31, | June 30, | March 31, | |||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2020 | |||||||
Land |
| $ | 44,276 | $ | 43,246 |
| $ | 41,480 | |
Building | 326,963 | 313,068 | 319,006 | ||||||
Equipment | 266,504 | 248,359 | 244,369 | ||||||
Construction in progress | 12,154 | 12,449 | 13,899 | ||||||
Property and equipment, gross | 649,897 | 617,122 | 618,754 | ||||||
Accumulated depreciation |
| (358,875) |
| (331,020) |
| (332,408) | |||
Property and equipment, net | $ | 291,022 | $ | 286,102 | $ | 286,346 |
On July 31, 2019, Adtalem sold its Chicago, Illinois, campus facility to DePaul College Prep for $52.0 million. Adtalem received $5.2 million of cash at the time of closing and holds a mortgage, secured by the property, from DePaul College Prep for $46.8 million. The mortgage is due on July 31, 2024 as a balloon payment and bears interest at a rate of 4% per annum, payable monthly. The buyer has an option to make prepayments. Due to Adtalem’s involvement with financing the sale, the transaction did not qualify as a sale for accounting purposes. Adtalem continues to maintain the assets associated with the sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We recorded a note receivable of $40.3 million and a financing payable of $45.5 million at the time of the sale, which were classified as other assets, net and other liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. See Note 8 “Accounts Receivable and Credit Losses” for a discussion on the discounting of the note receivable. The $5.2 million received during the first quarter of fiscal year 2020 is classified as a financing activity on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
On September 27, 2019, Adtalem closed on the sale of its Columbus, Ohio, campus facility. Net proceeds from the sale of $6.4 million resulted in a gain on the sale of $4.8 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2020. This gain was recorded at Adtalem’s home office, which is classified as “Home Office and Other” in Note 19 “Segment Information.”
10. Leases
We determine if a contract contains a lease at inception. We have entered into operating leases for academic sites, housing facilities, and office space which expire at various dates through January 2031, most of which include options to terminate for a fee or extend the leases for an additional five-year period. The lease term includes the noncancelable period of the lease, as well as any periods for which we are reasonably certain to exercise extension options. We elected to account for lease and non-lease components (e.g., common-area maintenance costs) as a single lease component for all operating leases. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. We have not entered into any financing leases.
Operating lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease assets represent our right to use an underlying asset during the lease term. Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of future lease payments over the lease term. Operating lease assets are adjusted for any prepaid or accrued lease payments, lease incentives, initial direct costs, and impairments. Our incremental borrowing rate is utilized in determining the present value of the lease payments based upon the information available at the commencement date. Our incremental borrowing rate is determined using a secured borrowing rate for the same currency and term as the associated lease. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
As of March 31, 2021, we entered into one additional operating lease that has not yet commenced. The operating lease will commence during the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, has an 11-year lease term, and will result in an additional lease
and lease liability of approximately $21.3 million.19
The components of lease cost were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||
March 31, |
| March 31, | ||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
Operating lease cost | $ | 13,782 | $ | 14,121 | $ | 40,526 | $ | 43,129 | ||||
Sublease income |
| (4,025) |
| (4,757) |
| (12,401) |
| (14,943) | ||||
Total lease cost | $ | 9,757 | $ | 9,364 | $ | 28,125 | $ | 28,186 |
Maturities of lease liabilities by fiscal year as of March 31, 2021 were as follows (in thousands):
Operating | |||
Fiscal Year | Leases | ||
2021 (remaining) | $ | 16,622 | |
2022 | 65,084 | ||
2023 | 52,122 | ||
2024 | 38,330 | ||
2025 | 28,420 | ||
Thereafter | 52,970 | ||
Total lease payments |
| 253,548 | |
Less: imputed interest | (34,251) | ||
Present value of lease liabilities | $ | 219,297 |
Lease term and discount rate were as follows:
March 31, | |||
2021 | |||
Weighted-average remaining operating lease term (years) | 5.1 | ||
Weighted-average operating lease discount rate | 5.5% |
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information related to leases were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
Cash paid for amounts in the measurement of operating lease liabilities (net of sublease receipts) | $ | 12,040 | $ | 12,559 | $ | 34,939 | $ | 36,576 | ||||
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities | $ | (15,801) | $ | 12,532 | $ | 29,275 | $ | 18,187 |
During the second quarter of fiscal year 2021, we recorded an increase in our operating lease asset and operating lease liability for an existing operating lease location because we were reasonably certain to extend the lease. Due to a change in circumstances, we are no longer extending the lease. Therefore, we recorded a reversal of the increase in the operating lease asset and operating lease liability during the third quarter of fiscal year 2021, which resulted in the negative value in the table above.
Adtalem maintains agreements to lease either a portion or the full space of three facilities owned by Adtalem to DeVry University with various expiration dates through December 2023. Adtalem maintains agreements to sublease either a portion or the full leased space at 16 of its operating lease locations. Most of these subleases are a result of Adtalem retaining leases associated with restructured lease activities at DeVry University and Carrington prior to their divestitures during fiscal year 2019. All sublease expirations with DeVry University and Carrington coincide with Adtalem’s original head lease expiration dates. At that time, Adtalem will be relieved of its obligations. In addition, Adtalem has entered into subleases with non-affiliated entities for vacated or partially vacated space from restructuring activities. Adtalem’s sublease agreements expire at various dates through December 2025. We record sublease income as an offset against our lease expense recorded on the head lease. For leases which Adtalem vacated or partially vacated space, we recorded
20
estimated restructuring charges in prior periods. Actual results may differ from these estimates, which could result in additional restructuring charges or reversals. Future minimum lease and sublease rental income under these agreements as of March 31, 2021, were as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal Year | Amount | ||
2021 (remaining) | $ | 4,634 | |
2022 | 17,311 | ||
2023 |
| 16,078 | |
2024 |
| 10,261 | |
2025 |
| 5,121 | |
Thereafter | 2,038 | ||
Total lease and sublease rental income | $ | 55,443 |
11. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The table below summarizes goodwill balances by reporting unit (in thousands):
March 31, | June 30, | March 31, | |||||||
Reporting Unit | 2021 | 2020 | 2020 | ||||||
Chamberlain | $ | 4,716 | $ | 4,716 | $ | 4,716 | |||
AUC |
| 68,321 |
| 68,321 |
| 68,321 | |||
RUSM and RUSVM |
| 237,173 |
| 237,173 |
| 237,173 | |||
Financial Services |
| 376,325 |
| 376,004 |
| 376,025 | |||
Total | $ | 686,535 | $ | 686,214 | $ | 686,235 |
The table below summarizes goodwill balances by reportable segment (in thousands):
March 31, | June 30, | March 31, | |||||||
Reportable Segment | 2021 | 2020 | 2020 | ||||||
Medical and Healthcare | $ | 310,210 | $ | 310,210 | $ | 310,210 | |||
Financial Services |
| 376,325 |
| 376,004 |
| 376,025 | |||
Total | $ | 686,535 | $ | 686,214 | $ | 686,235 |
The table below summarizes the changes in goodwill balances by reportable segment (in thousands):
Medical and | Financial | ||||||||
Healthcare | Services | Total | |||||||
June 30, 2019 | $ | 310,210 | $ | 377,046 | $ | 687,256 | |||
Purchase accounting adjustments |
| — |
| (92) |
| (92) | |||
Foreign exchange rate changes |
| — |
| (929) |
| (929) | |||
March 31, 2020 | 310,210 | 376,025 | 686,235 | ||||||
Foreign exchange rate changes | — | (21) | (21) | ||||||
June 30, 2020 | 310,210 | 376,004 | 686,214 | ||||||
Foreign exchange rate changes |
| — |
| 321 |
| 321 | |||
March 31, 2021 | $ | 310,210 | $ | 376,325 | $ | 686,535 |
The change in the Financial Services segment goodwill balance from June 30, 2020 is the result of a change in the foreign currency exchange rates on the EduPristine goodwill balance recorded in the Indian Rupee compared to the U.S. dollar.
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Intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
March 31, 2021 | ||||||||
Gross Carrying | Accumulated | Weighted-Average | ||||||
Amount | Amortization | Amortization Period | ||||||
Amortizable intangible assets: |
| |||||||
Customer relationships | $ | 68,900 | $ | (26,144) |
| 10 Years | ||
Curriculum/software |
| 11,600 |
| (3,544) |
| 6 Years | ||
Course delivery technology |
| 6,700 |
| (2,457) |
| 5 Years | ||
Total | $ | 87,200 | $ | (32,145) |
| |||
Indefinite-lived intangible assets: |
|
|
| |||||
Trade names | $ | 95,702 |
|
| ||||
Chamberlain Title IV eligibility and accreditations |
| 1,200 |
|
| ||||
AUC Title IV eligibility and accreditations |
| 100,000 |
|
| ||||
Ross Title IV eligibility and accreditations |
| 14,100 |
|
| ||||
Intellectual property |
| 13,940 |
|
| ||||
Total | $ | 224,942 |
|
|
June 30, 2020 | ||||||
Gross Carrying | Accumulated | |||||
Amount | Amortization | |||||
Amortizable intangible assets: | ||||||
Customer relationships | $ | 68,900 | $ | (21,044) | ||
Curriculum/software | 11,600 | (2,094) | ||||
Course delivery technology | 7,200 | (1,952) | ||||
Total | $ | 87,700 | $ | (25,090) | ||
Indefinite-lived intangible assets: |
|
| ||||
Trade names | $ | 95,664 |
| |||
Chamberlain Title IV eligibility and accreditations |
| 1,200 |
| |||
AUC Title IV eligibility and accreditations |
| 100,000 |
| |||
Ross Title IV eligibility and accreditations |
| 14,100 |
| |||
Intellectual property |
| 13,940 |
| |||
Total | $ | 224,904 |
|
March 31, 2020 | ||||||
Gross Carrying | Accumulated | |||||
Amount | Amortization | |||||
Amortizable intangible assets: |
|
| ||||
Customer relationships | $ | 68,900 | $ | (19,318) | ||
Curriculum/software | 11,600 | (1,611) | ||||
Course delivery technology | 7,200 | (1,585) | ||||
Total | $ | 87,700 | $ | (22,514) | ||
Indefinite-lived intangible assets: | ||||||
Trade names | $ | 95,666 | ||||
Chamberlain Title IV eligibility and accreditations | 1,200 | |||||
AUC Title IV eligibility and accreditations | 100,000 | |||||
Ross Title IV eligibility and accreditations | 14,100 | |||||
Intellectual property | 13,940 | |||||
Total | $ | 224,906 |
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The table below summarizes the indefinite-lived intangible asset balances by reportable segment (in thousands):
March 31, | June 30, | March 31, | |||||||
Reportable Segment | 2021 | 2020 | 2020 | ||||||
Medical and Healthcare | $ | 137,500 | $ | 137,500 | $ | 137,500 | |||
Financial Services |
| 87,442 |
| 87,404 |
| 87,406 | |||
Total | $ | 224,942 | $ | 224,904 | $ | 224,906 |
Amortization expense for amortized intangible assets was $2.5 million and $7.6 million in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2021, respectively, and $2.6 million and $7.7 million in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively. Estimated intangible asset amortization expense is as follows (in thousands):
Financial | ||||
Fiscal Year | Services | |||
2021 (remaining) | $ | 2,518 | ||
2022 |
| 9,943 | ||
2023 |
| 9,792 | ||
2024 |
| 9,509 | ||
2025 |
| 7,933 | ||
Thereafter |
| 15,360 | ||
Total | $ | 55,055 |
All amortizable intangible assets except ACAMS customer relationships are amortized on a straight-line basis. The amount amortized for ACAMS customer relationships is based on the estimated retention of the customers, giving consideration to the revenue and cash flow associated with these existing customers.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets related to trade names, Title IV eligibility and accreditations, and intellectual property are not amortized, as there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, economic or other factors that limit the useful life of these intangible assets to the reporting entity.
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles are not amortized, but are tested for impairment annually and when an event occurs or circumstances change such that it is more likely than not that an impairment may exist. Our annual testing date is May 31.
Adtalem has four reporting units that contained goodwill as of the third quarter of fiscal year 2021. These reporting units constitute components for which discrete financial information is available and regularly reviewed by segment management and the Board. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit containing the goodwill exceeds the fair value of that reporting unit, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent the fair value of the reporting unit goodwill is less than the carrying amount of the goodwill, up to the amount of goodwill recorded. In analyzing the results of operations and business conditions of all four reporting units, as of March 31, 2021, it was determined that no triggering event had occurred that would indicate the carrying value of a reporting unit had exceeded its fair value.
Adtalem has four reporting units that contained indefinite-lived intangible assets as of the third quarter of fiscal year 2021. For indefinite-lived intangible assets, management first analyzes qualitative factors, including results of operations and business conditions of the four reporting units that contained indefinite-lived intangible assets, significant changes in cash flows at the individual indefinite-lived intangible asset level, if applicable, as well as how much previously calculated fair values exceed carrying values to determine if it is more likely than not that the intangible assets associated with these reporting units have been impaired. In qualitatively assessing the indefinite-lived intangible assets of the four reporting units, it was determined that it was more likely than not that these assets’ fair values exceeded their carrying values as of March 31, 2021.
These interim triggering event conclusions were based on the fact that the annual impairment review of Adtalem’s reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets resulted in no impairments as of the end of fiscal year 2020, and that no interim events or deviations from planned operating results occurred as of March 31, 2021 that would cause management to reassess these conclusions. Although the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have a negative effect on the
23
operating results of all four reporting units that contain goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, at this time none of the effects are considered significant enough to create a triggering event. The effects are currently projected to be short-term and would not significantly decrease long-term cash flow projections; however, should economic conditions continue to deteriorate, the revenue and operating results could also deteriorate to the point where a triggering event would exist and require reassessment of the fair values of goodwill and intangible assets and potential impairments.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit or an intangible asset involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Management bases its fair value estimates on assumptions it believes to be reasonable at the time, but such assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty. Actual results may differ from those estimates, which could lead to future impairments of goodwill or intangible assets.
12. Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following senior secured credit facilities (in thousands):
March 31, | June 30, | March 31, | |||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2020 | |||||||
Total debt: |
| ||||||||
Senior Secured Notes due 2028 | $ | 800,000 | $ | — | $ | — | |||
Term B Loan |
| 291,750 |
| 294,000 |
| 294,750 | |||
Revolver |
| — |
| — |
| 160,000 | |||
Total principal payments due |
| 1,091,750 |
| 294,000 |
| 454,750 | |||
Unamortized debt issuance costs |
| (21,186) |
| (4,885) |
| (5,140) | |||
Total amount outstanding |
| 1,070,564 |
| 289,115 |
| 449,610 | |||
Less current portion: |
| ||||||||
Term B Loan |
| (3,000) |
| (3,000) |
| (3,000) | |||
Noncurrent portion | $ | 1,067,564 | $ | 286,115 | $ | 446,610 |
Scheduled future maturities of long-term debt were as follows (in thousands):
Maturity | |||
Fiscal Year | Payments | ||
2021 (remaining) | $ | 750 | |
2022 |
| 3,000 | |
2023 |
| 3,000 | |
2024 |
| 3,000 | |
2025 |
| 282,000 | |
Thereafter | 800,000 | ||
Total | $ | 1,091,750 |
Senior Secured Notes due 2028
On March 1, 2021, Adtalem Escrow Corporation (the “Escrow Issuer”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adtalem, issued $800 million aggregate principal amount of 5.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (the “Notes”), which mature on March 1, 2028, pursuant to an indenture, dated as of March 1, 2021 (the “Indenture”), by and between the Escrow Issuer and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and notes collateral agent. The Notes were sold within the U.S. only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and outside the U.S. to non-U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act.
The Escrow Issuer has deposited the net proceeds of the offering, along with certain additional funds, into a segregated depositary account (the “Escrow Account”). Adtalem intends to use the net proceeds of the offering, along with other financing sources, to finance the purchase price payable in connection with Adtalem’s previously announced Acquisition and to pay related fees and expenses.
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Upon consummation of the Acquisition, the Escrow Issuer will merge with and into Adtalem, with Adtalem continuing as the surviving corporation (the “Escrow Merger”), and Adtalem will assume all of the Escrow Issuer's obligations under the Notes, the Indenture, any supplemental indentures thereto, the applicable collateral documents, and the other applicable documents (the “Assumption”) and subject to the satisfaction of certain other conditions, the net proceeds from the offering and the other additional funds will be released from the Escrow Account to the Issuer or its designee. If the Acquisition is not consummated, the Escrow Issuer will be required to redeem the Notes at a price equal to 100% of the issue price of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. The term “Issuer” refers (a) prior to the Assumption, to the Escrow Issuer and (b) from and after the Assumption, to Adtalem.
The Notes were issued at 100.0% of their par value. The Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.50% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing on September 1, 2021, to holders of record on the preceding February 15 and August 15, as the case may be. The Notes will initially be the senior secured obligations of the Escrow Issuer, secured only by the amounts deposited in the Escrow Account. Upon the consummation of the Escrow Merger, the Assumption and the release of funds from the Escrow Account, the Notes will be guaranteed by certain of Adtalem’s subsidiaries that are or will be borrowers or guarantors under its senior secured credit facilities and certain of its other senior indebtedness, subject to certain exceptions (the “Guarantors”). Upon the consummation of the Escrow Merger, the Assumption and the release of funds from the Escrow Account, the Notes will be secured, subject to permitted liens and certain other exceptions, by first priority liens on the same collateral that secures the obligations under Adtalem’s senior secured credit facilities.
At any time prior to March 1, 2024, the Issuer may redeem all or a part of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus a make-whole premium set forth in the Indenture and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. The Issuer may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after March 1, 2024 at redemption prices equal to 102.75%, 101.375% and 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed if the redemption occurs during the twelve-month periods beginning on March 1 of the years 2024, 2025, and 2026 and thereafter, respectively, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to, but not including, the applicable redemption date. In addition, at any time prior to March 1, 2024, the Issuer may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 105.5% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds the Issuer receives from one or more qualifying equity offerings.
The Notes contain covenants that, following the Assumption, will limit the ability of the Issuer and each of the Guarantors to incur or guarantee additional debt or issue disqualified stock or preferred stock; pay dividends and make other distributions on, or redeem or repurchase, capital stock; make certain investments; incur certain liens; enter into transactions with affiliates; consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets; create certain restrictions on the Guarantors to make dividends or other payments to Adtalem; designate restricted subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries; and transfer or sell certain assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. The Indenture and the Notes also provide for certain customary events of default which, if any of them occurs, would permit or require the principal of and accrued interest on the Notes to become or be declared due and payable or would allow the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes to declare the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the Notes to be due and payable by notice in writing to the Issuer and, upon such declaration, such principal and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will be due and payable immediately.
In addition to the $800 million deposited in the Escrow Account, Adtalem must transfer an amount equal to the accrued interest related to the Notes on a monthly basis into the Escrow Account. The funds held in the Escrow Account to fund the Acquisition of $804.3 million is recorded within restricted cash on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2021 and are not available to Adtalem for general corporate purposes.
New Credit Facility
On February 12, 2021, Adtalem placed a $850 million senior secured term loan (“New Term Loan”) into the loan market to provide future funding for the Acquisition. In addition, Adtalem expects to secure a $400 million senior secured revolving loan facility (“New Revolver”) based on the commitment letter (the “Commitment Letter”) Adtalem entered into on September 11, 2020 with Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. (“MSSF”), Barclays Bank PLC (“Barclays”), Credit
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Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch (“CS”) and Credit Suisse Loan Funding LLC (“CSLF” and, together with CS and their respective affiliates, “Credit Suisse”), and MUFG Bank, Ltd. (together with MSSF, Barclays and Credit Suisse, the “Commitment Parties”). We refer to the New Revolver and New Term Loan collectively as the “New Credit Facility.” The proceeds of the New Credit Facility will be used, among other things, to finance the Acquisition, refinance Adtalem’s existing credit agreement, pay fees and expenses related to the Acquisition, and in the case of the New Revolver, to finance ongoing working capital and general corporate purposes. The commitments under the Commitment Letter are subject to customary closing conditions. The New Credit Facility will close at the same time as the closing date of the Acquisition. The New Revolver will have a five-year term and the New Term Loan will have a seven-year term from the closing date.
The New Term Loan will be issued at a price of 99% of its principal amount, resulting in an original issue discount of 1%. The New Term Loan interest rate is equal to LIBOR plus a 4.5% margin, subject to a LIBOR floor of 0.75%. The New Term Loan requires quarterly installment payments of $2,125,000. For 30 days beginning on March 15, 2021, Adtalem began accruing ticking fees at 50% of the applicable 4.5% margin. Beginning on April 14, 2021 and until the closing date of the New Term Loan, Adtalem will accrue ticking fees at a rate equal to LIBOR plus a 4.5% margin, subject to a LIBOR floor of 0.75%. All ticking fees will be paid at the time of the New Term Loan closing date and are recorded within interest expense as accrued in the Consolidated Statements of Income. As discussed below, management is monitoring the future need for a replacement rate for LIBOR.
Credit Agreement
On April 13, 2018, Adtalem entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) that provides for (1) a $300 million revolving facility (“Revolver”) with a maturity date of April 13, 2023 and (2) a $300 million senior secured Term B loan (“Term B Loan”) with a maturity date of April 13, 2025. We refer to the Revolver and Term B Loan collectively as the “Credit Facility.” The Revolver has availability for currencies other than U.S. dollars of up to $200 million and $100 million available for letters of credit. Subject to certain conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement, the Credit Facility may be increased by $250 million.
On December 4, 2020, Adtalem entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement. The Amendment provides for, among other things, certain amendments to the Credit Agreement (i) to permit the issuance of up to $1 billion in debt securities by a newly formed wholly-owned “escrow” subsidiary of Adtalem, the proceeds of which issuance, if any, are expected to be held in escrow and used to finance a portion of the Acquisition and to pay transaction fees and expenses related thereto and (ii) to extend the time period Adtalem has to reinvest proceeds from the disposition of certain Brazilian assets of Adtalem before Adtalem is required to prepay the term loans under the Credit Agreement with such proceeds. The Acquisition would satisfy this reinvestment requirement.
Interest on the Term B Loan and the Revolver is set based on LIBOR, which is based on observable market transactions. The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, has announced that it has commitments from panel banks to continue to contribute to LIBOR through the end of calendar year 2021, but that it will not use its powers to compel contributions beyond such date. Various parties, including government agencies, are seeking to identify an alternative rate to replace LIBOR. Management is monitoring their efforts, and evaluating the need for an amendment to the Credit Agreement to accommodate a replacement rate. The Credit Agreement does not specify a replacement rate for LIBOR.
Term B Loan
For Eurocurrency rate loans, Term B Loan interest is equal to LIBOR or a LIBOR-equivalent rate plus 3%. For base rate loans, Term B Loan interest is equal to the base rate plus 2%. The Term B Loan requires quarterly installment payments of $750,000, with the balance due at maturity on April 13, 2025. As of March 31, 2021, June 30, 2020, and March 31, 2020, the interest rate for borrowings under the Term B Loan facility was 3.11%, 3.18%, and 3.99%, respectively, which approximated the effective interest rate.
On March 24, 2020, we executed a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap agreement (the “Swap”) with a multinational financial institution to mitigate risks associated with the variable interest rate on our Term B Loan debt. We pay interest at a fixed rate of 0.946% and receive variable interest of one-month LIBOR (subject to a minimum of 0.00%), on a notional amount equal to the amount outstanding under the Term B Loan. The effective date of the Swap was March 31, 2020 and settlements with the counterparty occur on a monthly basis. The Swap will terminate on February 28, 2025.
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The Swap does not specify a replacement rate for LIBOR. Various parties, including government agencies, are seeking to identify an alternative rate to replace LIBOR. Management is monitoring their efforts, and evaluating the need for an amendment to the Swap to accommodate a replacement rate.
During the operating term of the Swap, the annual interest rate on the amount of the Term B Loan is fixed at 3.946% (including the impact of our current 3% interest rate margin on LIBOR loans) for the applicable interest rate period.
The Swap is designated as a cash flow hedge and as such, changes in its fair value are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and are reclassified into the Consolidated Statements of Income within interest expense in the periods in which the hedged transactions affect earnings.
Revolver
Revolver interest is equal to LIBOR or a LIBOR-equivalent rate for Eurocurrency rate loans or a base rate, plus an applicable margin based on Adtalem’s consolidated leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The applicable rate ranges from 1.75% to 2.75% for Eurocurrency rate loans and from 0.75% to 1.75% for base rate loans. As of March 31, 2020, borrowings under the Revolver were $160 million with a weighted-average interest rate of 2.86%. There were no outstanding borrowings under the Revolver as of each of March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020.
Adtalem had a letter of credit outstanding of $68.4 million as of each of March 31, 2021, June 30, 2020, and March 31, 2020. This letter of credit was posted in the second quarter of fiscal year 2017 in relation to a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and requires the letter of credit to be equal to the greater of 10% of DeVry University’s annual Title IV disbursements or $68.4 million for a five-year period. As of March 31, 2021, Adtalem is charged an annual fee equal to 2.25% of the undrawn face amount of the outstanding letters of credit under the Revolver, payable quarterly. Adtalem continues to post the letter of credit in relation to the settlement with the FTC on behalf of DeVry University and is reimbursed by DeVry University for 2.00% of the outstanding amount of this letter of credit. The Credit Agreement also requires payment of a commitment fee equal to 0.40% as of March 31, 2021, of the undrawn portion of the Revolver. The amount undrawn under the Revolver, which includes the impact of the outstanding letters of credit, was $231.6 million as of March 31, 2021. The letter of credit fees and commitment fees are adjustable quarterly, based upon Adtalem’s achievement of certain financial ratios.
Debt Issuance Costs
The debt issuance costs related to the Notes and Term B Loan are capitalized and presented as a direct deduction from the face amount of the debt, while the deferred debt issuance costs related to the Revolver are classified as other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The debt issuance costs are amortized as interest expense over seven years for the Notes and Term B Loan and over five years for the Revolver. The following table summarizes the debt issuance costs activity for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 (in thousands):
Notes | Term B Loan | Revolver | Total | |||||||||
Unamortized debt issuance costs as of June 30, 2020 | $ | — | $ | 4,885 | $ | 1,516 | $ | 6,401 | ||||
Payment of debt issuance costs |
| 16,325 |
| 1,015 |
| 707 |
| 18,047 | ||||
Amortization of debt issuance costs |
| (194) |
| (845) |
| (509) |
| (1,548) | ||||
Unamortized debt issuance costs as of March 31, 2021 | $ | 16,131 | $ | 5,055 | $ | 1,714 | $ | 22,900 |
Covenants and Guarantees
The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants, including restrictions on our restricted subsidiaries’ ability to merge and consolidate with other companies, incur indebtedness, grant liens or security interest on assets, make acquisitions, loans, advances or investments, or sell or otherwise transfer assets.
The Credit Agreement contains covenants that, among other things, require maintenance of certain financial ratios. Maintenance of these financial ratios could place restrictions on Adtalem’s ability to pay dividends. Adtalem has not paid a dividend since December 2016. These financial ratios include a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, a consolidated leverage ratio, and a U.S. Department of Education financial responsibility ratio based upon a composite score of an equity
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ratio, a primary reserve ratio, and a net income ratio. Failure to maintain any of these ratios or to comply with other covenants contained in the Credit Agreement would constitute an event of default and could result in termination of the Credit Agreement and require payment of all outstanding borrowings and replacement of outstanding letters of credit. Adtalem was in compliance with the debt covenants as of March 31, 2021.
The Term B Loan requires mandatory prepayments equal to a percentage of excess cash flow or equal to the net cash proceeds in excess of $50 million from a disposition which is not reinvested in assets within one-year from the date of disposition, among other mandatory prepayment terms (see the Credit Agreement, as filed under Form 8-K dated April 13, 2018, for additional information and term definitions). No mandatory prepayments have been required or made since the execution of the Credit Agreement. On December 4, 2020, Adtalem entered into the Amendment of the Credit Agreement, which extended the time period Adtalem has to reinvest proceeds from the disposition of certain Brazilian assets of Adtalem until March 25, 2022 before Adtalem is required to prepay the term loans under the Credit Agreement with such proceeds. The Acquisition would satisfy this reinvestment requirement.
The stock of all U.S. and certain foreign subsidiaries of Adtalem is pledged as collateral for borrowings under the Credit Agreement. Our borrowings under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by us and all of our domestic subsidiaries (subject to certain exceptions) and secured by a first lien on our assets and the assets of our guarantor subsidiaries (excluding real estate), including capital stock of the subsidiaries.
13. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest
As of June 30, 2019, Adtalem maintained a 97.9% ownership interest in Adtalem Brazil with the remaining 2.1% owned by members of the Adtalem Brazil senior management group. Since July 1, 2015, Adtalem has had the right to exercise a call option and purchase any remaining Adtalem Brazil stock from Adtalem Brazil management. Likewise, Adtalem Brazil management has had the right to exercise a put option and sell its remaining ownership interest in Adtalem Brazil to Adtalem.
In addition, Adtalem maintains a 71% ownership interest in EduPristine with the remaining 29% owned by Kaizen Management Advisors (“Kaizen”), an India-based private equity firm, as of March 31, 2021. Beginning on March 26, 2020, Adtalem has had the right to exercise a call option and purchase any remaining EduPristine stock from Kaizen. Likewise, Kaizen has had the right to exercise a put option and sell up to 33% of its remaining ownership interest in EduPristine to Adtalem. Beginning on March 26, 2022, Kaizen will have the right to exercise a put option and sell its remaining ownership interest in EduPristine to Adtalem.
Since the put options are out of the control of Adtalem, authoritative guidance requires the noncontrolling interests, which includes the value of the put options, to be displayed outside of the equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
On July 1, 2019, the Adtalem Brazil management noncontrolling members exercised their put option and sold their remaining ownership interest in Adtalem Brazil to Adtalem resulting in Adtalem owning 100% of Adtalem Brazil until the sale of Adtalem Brazil, which was completed on April 24, 2020. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, $6.2 million of redeemable noncontrolling interest was removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheet as a result of the put option exercise. Adtalem has not adjusted the redemption value related to the Kaizen put option as management believes the redemption value has not materially changed since acquiring a majority stake in EduPristine.
The adjustment to increase or decrease the EduPristine noncontrolling interest for their respective proportionate share of EduPristine’s profit (loss) flows through the Consolidated Statements of Income each reporting period based on Adtalem’s noncontrolling interest accounting policy.
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The following is a reconciliation of the redeemable noncontrolling interest balance (in thousands):
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
Balance at beginning of period | $ | 2,595 | $ | 3,082 | $ | 2,852 | $ | 9,543 | ||||
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest |
| (102) |
| (120) |
| (359) |
| (334) | ||||
Payment for purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest of subsidiary | — | — | — | (6,247) | ||||||||
Balance at end of period | $ | 2,493 | $ | 2,962 | $ | 2,493 | $ | 2,962 |
14. Share Repurchases
On November 8, 2018, we announced that the Board authorized Adtalem’s eleventh share repurchase program, which allowed Adtalem to repurchase up to $300 million of its common stock through December 31, 2021. The eleventh share repurchase program commenced in January 2019 and was completed in January 2021. On February 4, 2020, we announced that the Board authorized Adtalem’s twelfth share repurchase program, which allows Adtalem to repurchase up to $300 million of its common stock through December 31, 2021. The twelfth and current share repurchase program commenced in January 2021. Adtalem made share repurchases under its share repurchase programs as follows (in thousands, except shares and per share data):
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | Life-to-Date | |||||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | Current Share | |||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | Repurchase Program | |||||||||||
Total number of share repurchases | 974,883 | 1,164,308 | 2,448,746 | 3,838,275 | 966,722 | ||||||||||
Total cost of share repurchases | $ | 36,605 | $ | 36,870 | $ | 81,568 | $ | 136,889 | $ | 36,337 | |||||
Average price paid per share | $ | 37.55 | $ | 31.67 | $ | 33.31 | $ | 35.66 | $ | 37.59 |
As of March 31, 2021, $263.7 million of authorized share repurchases were remaining under the current share repurchase program. Repurchases under our share repurchase programs were suspended on March 12, 2020 due to the economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2020, Adtalem resumed repurchases under its share repurchase programs. The timing and amount of any future repurchases will be determined based on an evaluation of market conditions and other factors. These repurchases may be made through the open market, including block purchases, in privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise. Repurchases will be funded through available cash balances and/or borrowings and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. Shares of stock repurchased under the programs are held as treasury shares. These repurchased shares have reduced the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for basic and diluted earnings per share calculations.
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15. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following table shows the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component (in thousands):
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments | ||||||||||||
Beginning balance | $ | (622) | $ | (159,259) | $ | (1,383) | $ | (137,389) | ||||
(Loss) gain on foreign currency translation | (59) | (117,669) | 702 | (139,539) | ||||||||
Ending balance | $ | (681) | $ | (276,928) | $ | (681) | $ | (276,928) | ||||
Marketable securities | ||||||||||||
Beginning balance, gross | $ | 243 | $ | 186 | $ | 242 | $ | 131 | ||||
Beginning balance, tax effect | (59) | (45) | (59) | (32) | ||||||||
Beginning balance, net of tax | 184 | 141 | 183 | 99 | ||||||||
Unrealized loss on marketable securities | (109) | (58) | (107) | (3) | ||||||||
Tax effect | 27 | 14 | 26 | 1 | ||||||||
Ending balance | $ | 102 | $ | 97 | $ | 102 | $ | 97 | ||||
Interest rate swap | ||||||||||||
Beginning balance, gross | $ | (9,629) | $ | — | $ | (10,399) | $ | — | ||||
Beginning balance, tax effect | 2,356 | — | 2,544 | — | ||||||||
Beginning balance, net of tax | (7,273) | — | (7,855) | — | ||||||||
Unrealized gain on interest rate swap | 127 | 598 | 897 | 598 | ||||||||
Tax effect | (31) | (146) | (219) | (146) | ||||||||
Ending balance | $ | (7,177) | $ | 452 | $ | (7,177) | $ | 452 | ||||
Total ending balance at March 31 | $ | (7,756) | $ | (276,379) | $ | (7,756) | $ | (276,379) |
16. Stock-Based Compensation
Adtalem maintains two stock-based incentive plans: the Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2005 and the Fourth Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2013. Under these plans, directors, key executives, and managerial employees are eligible to receive incentive stock or nonqualified options to purchase shares of Adtalem’s common stock. The Fourth Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2013 and the Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2005 also permit the granting of stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance-based RSUs, and other stock and cash-based compensation. Although options remain outstanding under the 2005 incentive plan, no further stock-based grants will be issued under this plan. The Fourth Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2013 and the Amended and Restated Incentive Plan of 2005 are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board. Options are granted for terms of up to ten years and can vest immediately or over periods of up to five years. The requisite service period is equal to the vesting period. The option price under the plans is the fair market value of the shares on the date of the grant.
Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award. Adtalem accounts for stock-based compensation granted to retirement eligible employees that fully vests upon an employee’s retirement under the non-substantive vesting period approach. Under this approach, the entire stock-based compensation expense is recognized at the grant date for stock-based grants issued to retirement eligible employees. For non-retirement eligible employees, stock-based compensation expense is recognized as expense over the employee requisite service period. We account for forfeitures of outstanding but unvested grants in the period they occur.
As of March 31, 2021, 3,603,263 shares were authorized for issuance but not issued or subject to outstanding awards under Adtalem’s stock-based incentive plans.
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The following is a summary of options activity for the nine months ended March 31, 2021:
Weighted-Average | ||||||||||
Remaining | Aggregate | |||||||||
Number of | Weighted-Average | Contractual Life | Intrinsic Value | |||||||
Options | Exercise Price | (in years) | (in thousands) | |||||||
Outstanding as of July 1, 2020 |
| 1,439,630 | $ | 31.95 |
| |||||
Granted |
| 281,075 |
| 32.03 |
| |||||
Exercised |
| (45,136) | 23.66 |
| ||||||
Forfeited |
| (1,288) | 49.05 |
| ||||||
Expired |
| (35,050) | 41.84 |
| ||||||
Outstanding as of March 31, 2021 |
| 1,639,231 |
| 31.99 |
| 6.45 | $ | 14,246 | ||
Exercisable as of March 31, 2021 |
| 985,701 | $ | 29.24 |
| 5.28 | $ | 11,093 |
The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $0.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively.
The fair value of Adtalem’s stock option awards was estimated using a binomial model. This model uses historical cancellation and exercise experience of Adtalem to determine the option value. It also takes into account the illiquid nature of employee options during the vesting period.
The weighted-average estimated grant date fair value of options granted at market price under Adtalem’s stock-based incentive plans during the first nine months of fiscal years 2021 and 2020 was $12.23 and $16.98, per share, respectively. The fair value of Adtalem’s stock option grants was estimated assuming the following weighted-average assumptions:
Fiscal Year | |||||
2021 | 2020 | ||||
Expected life (in years) |
| 6.54 |
| 6.51 |
|
Expected volatility |
| 39.27 | % | 37.66 | % |
Risk-free interest rate |
| 0.45 | % | 1.40 | % |
Dividend yield |
| 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % |
The expected life of the options granted is based on the weighted-average exercise life with age and salary adjustment factors from historical exercise behavior. Adtalem’s expected volatility is computed by combining and weighting the implied market volatility, the most recent volatility over the expected life of the option grant, and Adtalem’s long-term historical volatility.
If factors change and different assumptions are employed in the valuation of stock-based grants in future periods, the stock-based compensation expense that Adtalem records may differ significantly from what was recorded in previous periods.
During the first nine months of fiscal year 2021, Adtalem granted 564,900 RSUs to selected employees and directors. Of these, 191,850 were performance-based RSUs and 373,050 were non-performance-based RSUs. Performance-based RSUs are earned by the recipients over a three-year period based on achievement of return on invested capital and free cash flow per share. Certain awards are subject to achievement of a minimum level of Adtalem’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, calculated on a non-GAAP basis. Non-performance-based RSUs are subject to restrictions which lapse ratably over
, , or four-year periods on the grant anniversary date based on the recipient’s continued service on the Board, employment with Adtalem, or upon retirement. During the restriction period, the recipient31
of the non-performance-based RSUs has the right to receive dividend equivalents, if any. This right does not pertain to the performance-based RSUs. The following is a summary of RSU activity for the nine months ended March 31, 2021:
Weighted-Average | |||||
Number of | Grant Date | ||||
RSUs | Fair Value | ||||
Outstanding as of July 1, 2020 |
| 767,973 | $ | 39.42 | |
Granted |
| 564,900 |
| 30.62 | |
Vested |
| (366,852) |
| 34.95 | |
Forfeited |
| (38,619) |
| 38.13 | |
Outstanding as of March 31, 2021 |
| 927,402 | $ | 35.88 |
The weighted-average estimated grant date fair values of RSUs granted at market price under Adtalem’s stock-based incentive plans during the first nine months of fiscal years 2021 and 2020 were $30.62 and $42.38, per share, respectively.
The following table shows total stock-based compensation expense included in the Consolidated Statements of Income (in thousands):
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | ||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Cost of educational services | $ | 338 | $ | 260 | $ | 1,076 | $ | 1,027 | |||||
Student services and administrative expense |
| 3,257 |
| 2,521 |
| 10,171 |
| 10,301 | |||||
| 3,595 |
| 2,781 |
| 11,247 |
| 11,328 | ||||||
Income tax benefit |
| (910) |
| (642) |
| (2,077) |
| (3,887) | |||||
Net stock-based compensation expense | $ | 2,685 | $ | 2,139 | $ | 9,170 | $ | 7,441 |
As of March 31, 2021, $25.5 million of total pre-tax unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested grants is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years. The total fair value of options and RSUs vested during the nine months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was approximately $17.1 million and $13.5 million, respectively.
There was no capitalized stock-based compensation cost as of each of March 31, 2021, June 30, 2020, and March 31, 2020.
Adtalem has an established practice of issuing new shares of common stock to satisfy stock-based grant exercises. However, Adtalem also may issue treasury shares to satisfy stock-based grant exercises under certain of its stock-based incentive plans.
17. Fair Value Measurements
Adtalem has elected not to measure any assets or liabilities at fair value other than those required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include goodwill, intangible assets, and assets of businesses where the long-term value of the operations have been impaired.
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The guidance specifies a fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques. Observable inputs (highest level) reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs (lowest level) reflect internally developed market assumptions. The guidance establishes fair value measurement classifications under the following hierarchy:
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Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2 – Observable inputs other than prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs or significant value-drivers are observable in active markets.
Level 3 –Model-derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value-drivers are unobservable.
When available, Adtalem uses quoted market prices to determine fair value, and such measurements are classified within Level 1. In cases where market prices are not available, Adtalem makes use of observable market-based inputs to calculate fair value, in which case the measurements are classified within Level 2. If quoted or observable market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that use, where possible, current market-based parameters such as interest rates and yield curves. These measurements are classified within Level 3.
Fair value measurements are classified according to the lowest level input or value-driver that is significant to the valuation. A measurement may therefore be classified within Level 3 even though there may be significant inputs that are readily observable.
The carrying value of our cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value because of their short-term nature and is classified as Level 1.
Adtalem maintains a rabbi trust to fund obligations under a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. The rabbi trust investments in stock and bond mutual funds, which are carried at fair value, are classified as marketable securities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. All investments in marketable securities are recorded at fair value based upon quoted market prices using Level 1 inputs.
The fair value of the credit extension programs, which approximates its carrying value, included in accounts receivable, net and other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2021, June 30, 2020, and March 31, 2020 of $29.4 million, $34.3 million, and $35.6 million, respectively, is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current rates for similar arrangements and is classified as Level 2. See Note 8 “Accounts Receivable and Credit Losses” for additional information on these credit extension programs.
In connection with the sale of DeVry University, Adtalem loaned $10.0 million to DeVry University under the terms of the Note. The Note bears interest at a rate of 4% per annum, payable annually in arrears, and has a maturity date of January 1, 2022. The fair value of the DeVry University loan receivable approximates its carrying value of $10.0 million for each reporting date. The carrying value is included on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in prepaid expenses and other current assets as of March 31, 2021 and in other assets, net as of each of June 30, 2020 and March 31, 2020. Fair value is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using an average of current rates for similar arrangements, which is estimated at 4% per annum and is classified as Level 2.
On July 31, 2019, Adtalem sold its Chicago, Illinois, campus facility to DePaul College Prep. In connection with the sale, Adtalem holds a mortgage from DePaul College Prep for $46.8 million. The mortgage is due on July 31, 2024 as a balloon payment and bears interest at a rate of 4% per annum, payable monthly. The carrying value of the DePaul College Prep loan receivable, which approximates its fair value, included in other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2021, June 30, 2020, and March 31, 2020 is $42.4 million, $41.4 million, and $41.1 million, respectively. Fair value is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using an average of current rates for similar arrangements, which is estimated at 7% per annum and is classified as Level 2.
As of March 31, 2021, June 30, 2020, and March 31, 2020, borrowings under our long-term debt agreements were $1,091.8 million, $294.0 million, and $454.8 million, respectively. The carrying value of our long-term debt approximates fair value because the interest rates on these borrowings approximated the effective interest rate and is classified as Level 2. See Note 12 “Debt” for additional information on our long-term debt agreements.
On March 24, 2020, we executed a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap agreement with a multinational financial institution to fully mitigate risks associated with the variable interest rate on our Term B Loan debt with an
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effective date of March 31, 2020. The fair value of our Swap is based in part on data received from the counterparty, and represents the estimated amount we would receive or pay to settle the Swap, taking into consideration current and projected future interest rates as well as the creditworthiness of the counterparty, all of which can be validated through readily observable data from external sources, in which case the measurements are classified within Level 2. The fair value of the Swap is represented within other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet with a balance of $9.5 million and $10.4 million as of March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2020, respectively, and within other assets, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet with a balance of $0.6 million as of March 31, 2020. See Note 12 “Debt” for additional information on the Swap.
In connection with the sale of Adtalem Brazil completed on April 24, 2020, Adtalem entered into a deal-contingent foreign currency hedge arrangement to economically hedge the Brazilian Real denominated sales price through mitigation of the currency exchange rate risk. The hedge agreement had a total notional amount of R$2,154. Adtalem recorded a pre-tax unrealized gain on the hedge agreement derivative based on a foreign exchange forward spot rate as of March 31, 2020 of $111.8 million and $83.8 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, with a $83.8 million asset included within prepaid expenses and other current assets on the March 31, 2020 Consolidated Balance Sheet. The fair value of this derivative was calculated using observable market-based inputs to a model to calculate fair value, in which case the measurements are classified within Level 2. These model inputs include foreign exchange forward contract spot rates and contract defined point adjustments and settlement prices.
As of March 31, 2021, June 30, 2020, and March 31, 2020, there were no assets or liabilities measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs.
Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles arising from a business combination. These assets are not amortized and charged to expense over time. Instead, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles must be reviewed annually for impairment or more frequently if circumstances arise indicating potential impairment. This impairment review was most recently completed as of May 31, 2020. See Note 11 “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for additional information on the impairment review, including valuation techniques and assumptions.
18. Commitments and Contingencies
Adtalem is subject to lawsuits, administrative proceedings, regulatory reviews, and investigations associated with financial assistance programs and other matters arising in the normal conduct of its business. As of March 31, 2021, Adtalem believes it has adequately reserved for potential losses. The following is a description of pending legal and regulatory matters that may be considered other than ordinary, routine, and incidental to the business. Descriptions of certain matters from prior SEC filings may not be carried forward in this report to the extent we believe such matters no longer are required to be disclosed or there has not been, to our knowledge, significant activity relating to them. We have recorded accruals for those matters where management believes a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated as of March 31, 2021. For those matters for which we have not recorded an accrual, their possible impact on Adtalem’s business, financial condition, or results of operations, cannot be predicted at this time. The continued defense, resolution, or settlement of any of the following matters could require us to expend significant resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows, and result in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate.
On April 13, 2018, a putative class action lawsuit was filed by Nicole Versetto, individually and on behalf of others similarly situated, against the Adtalem, DeVry University Inc., and DeVry/New York Inc. (collectively the “Adtalem Parties”) in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Chancery Division. The complaint was filed on behalf of herself and three separate classes of similarly situated individuals who were citizens of the State of Illinois and who purchased or paid for a DeVry University program between January 1, 2008 and April 8, 2016. The plaintiff claims that defendants made false or misleading statements regarding DeVry University’s graduate employment rate and asserts causes of action under the Illinois Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act, Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and Illinois Private Business and Vocational Schools Act, and claims of breach of contract, fraudulent misrepresentation, concealment, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, unjust enrichment, and declaratory relief as to violations of state law. The plaintiff seeks compensatory, exemplary, punitive, treble, and statutory penalties and damages, including pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, in addition to restitution, declaratory and injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees. The Adtalem Parties moved to dismiss this complaint on June 20, 2018. On March 11, 2019, the Court granted plaintiff’s motion for leave to file an amended complaint. The plaintiff filed an amended complaint that same day, asserting similar
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claims, with new lead plaintiff, Dave McCormick. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss plaintiff’s amended complaint on April 15, 2019 and the Court granted Defendants’ motion on July 29, 2019, with leave to amend. The plaintiff has filed an amended complaint on August 26, 2019. On October 18, 2019, defendants’ moved to dismiss this complaint as it is substantially similar to the one the Court previously dismissed. No hearing on the motion to dismiss is currently scheduled. The Court granted a Motion for Preliminary Approval of Class Action Settlement (the “Settlement”) on May 28, 2020. In conjunction with the Settlement, Adtalem was required to establish a settlement fund by placing $44.95 million into an escrow account, which is recorded within prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2020 and March 31, 2021. Adtalem management determined a loss contingency was probable and reasonably estimable. As such, we also recorded a loss contingency accrual of $44.95 million on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2020 and charged the contingency loss within discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss) for the year ended June 30, 2020. As of June 30, 2020, we had anticipated the potential payments related to this loss contingency to be made from the escrow account during fiscal year 2021. We now anticipate the potential payments related to this loss contingency to be made from the escrow account within the next twelve months. This loss contingency estimate could differ from actual results and result in additional charges or reversals in future periods. The Court issued an order approving the settlement on October 7, 2020, and dismissed the action with prejudice. On November 2, 2020, Stoltmann Law Offices filed on behalf of Jose David Valderrama, a class member who objected to the terms of the settlement, a notice to appeal the Court’s order approving the settlement. On November 5, 2020, Richard Peart, another class member who objected to the terms of the settlement, filed a notice to appeal the Court’s order approving the settlement. Those appeals have been consolidated before the Appellate Court of Illinois, First District. Objectors filed their briefs on February 4, 2021. Plaintiffs’ and the Adtalem Parties’ briefs are currently due to be filed on May 13, 2021, and objector’s reply brief is due to be filed on May 27, 2021.
On January 25, 2018, the Carlson Law Firm (“Carlson”) filed a lawsuit against Adtalem and DeVry University, Inc., on behalf of 71 individual former DeVry University students in Rangel v. Adtalem and DeVry University, Inc. Carlson filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. Plaintiffs contend that DeVry University “made deceptive representations about the benefits of obtaining a degree from DeVry University” in violation of Texas state laws and seek full restitution of all monies paid to DeVry University and any student loan lenders, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees. On May 8, 2018, Carlson filed an amended complaint asserting the same claims which dismissed the claims of 6 students and added claims for 2 other students. The defendants moved to dismiss this complaint on June 5, 2018. On June 27, 2018, Carlson filed a second lawsuit on behalf of 32 former DeVry University students against Adtalem and DeVry University, Inc. in Lindberg v. Adtalem and DeVry University, Inc. Carlson filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. The allegations are identical to the allegations in the lawsuit Carlson filed on January 25, 2018. Specifically, plaintiffs contend that DeVry University “made deceptive representations about the benefits of obtaining a degree from DeVry University” in violation of Texas state laws and seek full restitution of all monies paid to DeVry University and any student loan lenders, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees. The defendants moved to dismiss this complaint on August 28, 2018. The court consolidated these two lawsuits on December 10, 2018. The defendants moved to dismiss the consolidated action on December 18, 2018. On January 2, 2019, Carlson filed a motion to intervene on behalf of 13 additional former DeVry University students seeking to join the consolidated lawsuit. The parties re-filed their briefing on the motions to dismiss so that the motion would apply to all three groups of plaintiffs. On April 24, 2019, the Court granted Adtalem’s and DeVry University’s motions to dismiss, with leave to amend. The plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint on June 7, 2019, that dismissed 3 plaintiffs and aggregated the claims of all remaining plaintiffs, now totaling 109, into a single pleading. Defendants moved to dismiss the complaint on July 5, 2019. The motion to dismiss was referred to a magistrate judge. On December 13, 2019, the magistrate judge issued a report and recommendation denying defendants’ motion to dismiss. On January 3, 2020, defendants filed their objections to the report and recommendation on the motion to dismiss, and plaintiffs filed a response to the objections on January 8, 2020. The District Court judge adopted the Magistrate Judge’s report and recommendations on March 12, 2020, and the defendants filed an answer to the complaint on April 10, 2020. In conjunction with the Alvarez v. Adtalem matter referenced below, the parties participated in a mediation on August 4, 2020. On October 14, 2020, through continued negotiations with the mediator, the parties reached a confidential agreement in principal to settle all claims other than for one plaintiff. After finalizing the settlement agreement, the parties filed on December 31, 2020 a joint stipulation of dismissal which dismissed 107 of the 109 plaintiffs. Counsel for plaintiffs moved to withdraw as counsel for one of the remaining two plaintiffs, and on January 4, 2021, the Court granted plaintiffs’ motion to withdraw as counsel. On April 9, 2021, the Court dismissed this plaintiffs’ claims for failure to prosecute her claims. The last plaintiff reached a settlement agreement with defendants in principal. Because plaintiffs’ counsel had been unable to reach this last plaintiff, the Court appointed a guardian ad litem
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on March 16, 2021 to review and approve the settlement agreement. The parties are in the process of executing the necessary settlement documentation.
On April 4, 2019, the Carlson Law Firm sent notice pursuant to California Legal Remedies Act, Civil Code § 1750, of 105 individuals who purportedly have claims against DeVry University and Adtalem based on allegedly deceptive comments made about the benefits of obtaining a DeVry University degree; specifically, that 90% of graduates obtained a job in their chosen field of study within six months of graduation, and that graduates were paid more than graduates of other universities. On July 16, 2019, the Carlson Law Firm filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California – San Jose Division against Adtalem and DeVry University on behalf of 102 individual former DeVry University students in Alvarez v. Adtalem and DeVry University, Inc. The plaintiffs contend that defendants misrepresented the benefits of graduating from DeVry University and falsely and misleadingly advertised the employment rate and income rate of their graduates to induce potential students to purchase educational products and services, and to remain students through graduation. The lawsuit seeks exemplary damages, restitution, economic damages, punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorneys’ fees and the cost of suit. The plaintiffs brought claims for fraud by misrepresentation, fraud by concealment, negligent misrepresentation, civil theft, violation of the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act, violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law, and violation of California’s False Advertising Law. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on October 1, 2019. On December 16, 2019, the Court granted in part and denied in part the motion to dismiss. Defendants filed an answer to the complaint on January 13, 2020. Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on January 31, 2020, which added 12 additional plaintiffs and dismissed 2 others. Defendants filed an amended answer on March 2, 2020. The parties participated in a court-ordered mediation on August 4, 2020. On October 14, 2020, through continued negotiations with the mediator, the parties reached a confidential agreement in principal to settle all claims other than for three plaintiffs. After finalizing the settlement agreement, the parties filed on December 31, 2020 a joint stipulation of dismissal which dismissed 108 of the 112 plaintiffs. On January 19, 2021, the Court entered an order dismissing with prejudice all the claims for the 108 plaintiffs. Of the remaining four plaintiffs, one has reached a settlement agreement with defendants and has executed the necessary settlement documentation. The parties will be filing with the Court a stipulation to dismiss for this plaintiff. On December 9, 2020, counsel for the final three plaintiffs moved to withdraw as their counsel, and the Court granted that motion on January 21, 2021. No new counsel has appeared on behalf of the remaining three plaintiffs. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the last three plaintiffs on March 31, 2021. The opposition to the motion to dismiss by the last three plaintiffs was due on April 14, 2021. However, according to the Court’s docket, none of the last three plaintiffs filed an opposition to the motion to dismiss. A hearing on the motion to dismiss the last three plaintiffs is set for May 7, 2021. Adtalem believes the allegations of the last three plaintiffs are without merit and intends to vigorously defend their claims.
Stoltmann Law Offices is representing hundreds of individuals who have filed claims with the Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. (“JAMS”) alleging fraud-based claims based on DeVry University’s graduate employment statistics. Stoltmann Law Offices has paid the filing fees for certain of these arbitrations to move forward. JAMS has sent commencement letters in several waves. Respondents have filed answers in response to certain of these arbitration demands. These arbitrations are in various stages of litigation. Adtalem believes the allegations in these arbitrations are without merit and intends to vigorously defend those claims.
On or about April 1, 2019, Adtalem, Chamberlain and DeVry University received similar Civil Investigative Demands (“CID”) from the DOJ. The CIDs were issued pursuant to a False Claims Act inquiry concerning allegations that Adtalem, in particular Chamberlain and Adtalem’s former subsidiary DeVry University, submitted or caused the submission of false claims to the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs for federal funds under the GI Bill Programs and Tuition Assistance Program from 2011 to the date of the CIDs. It is specifically alleged that Chamberlain and DeVry University engaged in unlawful recruitment tactics, and provided incentive payments based directly or indirectly on securing federal financial aid. Adtalem cooperated with this DOJ inquiry and provided documents and other information requested by the DOJ. On February 27, 2020, the DOJ notified the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia that it would decline to intervene in two qui tam False Claims Act actions filed by former DeVry University employees related to the subject matter of the CIDs. Those actions were unsealed on March 2, 2020. The complaints had been filed by former employees Ashley Vandiver (2017 complaint) and Laura Moriarty (2018 complaint). Both complaints sought damages and relief allowed by law under the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729 et seq. Vandiver’s complaint was filed against Adtalem and DeVry University. Moriarty’s complaint was filed against Adtalem, Chamberlain, DeVry University, and others. In November 2020, Adtalem, DeVry University, and Moriarty reached an agreement to settle the
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matter and the 2018 complaint was dismissed on November 30, 2020. In February 2021, Adtalem, DeVry University, and Vandiver reached an agreement to settle the matter and the 2017 complaint was dismissed on February 24, 2021.
On January 19, 2021, a putative class action was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio against Chamberlain by Tanesia Dean on behalf of herself and similarly situated students of Chamberlain. The complaint alleges breach of contract and unjust enrichment claims against Chamberlain related to its decision to transition all classes online in March 2020, in light of the global pandemic, without altering tuition or fees. The putative class is defined to include all students, nationwide, who paid tuition and fees during the following academic sessions: May 2020, July 2020, September 2020, November 2020, and January 2021. Plaintiff seeks monetary relief exceeding $5 million, and attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses. On April 5, 2021, Chamberlain filed a motion to dismiss the complaint in its entirety. Chamberlain believes the allegations are without merit and intends to vigorously defend this case.
On March 12, 2021, a putative class action was filed by a John Doe plaintiff, individually and on behalf of others similarly situated, against Chamberlain in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Chancery Division. The plaintiff claims that Chamberlain’s use of an online remote proctoring tool for student examinations violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”), 740 ILCS 14/15. More particularly, the plaintiff claims that Chamberlain required students to use a proctoring tool, which collected, captured, stored, used, and disclosed students’ biometric identifiers and biometric information without written and informed consent. The plaintiff also alleges that Chamberlain lacked a legally compliant written policy establishing a retention schedule and guidelines for destroying biometric identifiers and biometric information. The potential class purportedly includes all students who took an assessment using the proctoring tool, as a student of Chamberlain in Illinois, at any time from March 12, 2016 through January 20, 2021. The plaintiff and class seek damages in excess of $50,000, and attorneys’ fees and costs. The plaintiff and class also seek an unspecified amount of enhanced damages based on alleged negligent or reckless conduct by Chamberlain. On April 19, 2021, Chamberlain filed a Motion for Extension of Time to Answer or Otherwise Plead, and Chamberlain believes an extension will be granted. Chamberlain believes the allegations are without merit and intends to vigorously defend this case.
19. Segment Information
Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, Adtalem Brazil operations were classified as discontinued operations. See Note 3 “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” for additional information. Segment information presented excludes the results of Adtalem Brazil. Adtalem eliminated its Business and Law reportable segment during the first quarter of fiscal year 2020 when Adtalem Brazil was classified as discontinued operations. Discontinued operations assets are included in the table below to reconcile to total consolidated assets presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
We present two reportable segments as follows:
Medical and Healthcare – Offers degree and non-degree programs in the medical and healthcare postsecondary education industry. This segment includes the operations of Chamberlain, AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM. AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM are collectively referred to as the “medical and veterinary schools.”
Financial Services – Offers test preparation, certifications, conferences, seminars, memberships, and subscriptions to business professionals in the areas of accounting, anti-money laundering, banking, and mortgage lending. This segment includes the operations of ACAMS, Becker, OCL, and EduPristine.
These segments are consistent with the method by which the Chief Operating Decision Maker (Adtalem’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer) evaluates performance and allocates resources. Performance evaluations are based on each segment’s operating income excluding special items. Operating income excludes special items, which consists of restructuring expense, business acquisition and integration expense, and gain on sale of assets. Adtalem’s management excludes these items from its review of the results of the operating segments for purposes of measuring segment profitability and allocating resources. Intersegment sales are accounted for at amounts comparable to sales to nonaffiliated customers and are eliminated in consolidation. “Home Office and Other” includes activities not allocated to a reportable segment and is included to reconcile segment results to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Segments may have allocated depreciation expense related to depreciable assets reported as an asset in a different segment. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”
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Summary financial information by reportable segment is as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | ||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Medical and Healthcare | $ | 230,213 | $ | 227,344 | $ | 683,435 | $ | 655,011 | |||||
Financial Services |
| 50,441 |
| 44,143 |
| 148,571 |
| 137,261 | |||||
Total consolidated revenue | $ | 280,654 | $ | 271,487 | $ | 832,006 | $ | 792,272 | |||||
Operating income excluding special items: |
|
|
| ||||||||||
Medical and Healthcare | $ | 51,084 | $ | 57,559 | $ | 155,384 | $ | 127,786 | |||||
Financial Services |
| 3,904 |
| 4,190 |
| 20,384 |
| 13,976 | |||||
Home Office and Other |
| (5,911) |
| (5,408) |
| (19,759) |
| (15,663) | |||||
Total consolidated operating income excluding special items | 49,077 | 56,341 | 156,009 | 126,099 | |||||||||
Reconciliation to Consolidated Financial Statements: | |||||||||||||
Restructuring expense |
| (1,217) |
| (1,854) |
| (6,605) |
| (10,339) | |||||
Business acquisition and integration expense | (3,646) |
| — | (28,161) |
| — | |||||||
Gain on sale of assets | — |
| — | — | 4,779 | ||||||||
Total consolidated operating income | 44,214 | 54,487 | 121,243 | 120,539 | |||||||||
Net other (expense) income |
| (7,166) |
| 105,881 |
| (10,848) |
| 69,816 | |||||
Total consolidated income from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | 37,048 | $ | 160,368 | $ | 110,395 | $ | 190,355 | |||||
Segment assets: |
|
| |||||||||||
Medical and Healthcare | $ | 939,372 | $ | 917,657 | $ | 939,372 | $ | 917,657 | |||||
Financial Services |
| 591,004 |
| 577,699 |
| 591,004 |
| 577,699 | |||||
Home Office and Other |
| 1,500,624 |
| 453,542 |
| 1,500,624 |
| 453,542 | |||||
Discontinued Operations |
| — |
| 495,122 |
| — |
| 495,122 | |||||
Total consolidated assets | $ | 3,031,000 | $ | 2,444,020 | $ | 3,031,000 | $ | 2,444,020 | |||||
Capital expenditures: |
|
| |||||||||||
Medical and Healthcare | $ | 7,402 | $ | 7,274 | $ | 22,291 | $ | 20,108 | |||||
Financial Services |
| 1,782 |
| 568 |
| 6,253 |
| 1,980 | |||||
Home Office and Other |
| 1,485 |
| 3,781 |
| 6,300 |
| 9,846 | |||||
Total consolidated capital expenditures | $ | 10,669 | $ | 11,623 | $ | 34,844 | $ | 31,934 | |||||
Depreciation expense: |
|
| |||||||||||
Medical and Healthcare | $ | 7,737 | $ | 7,127 | $ | 22,800 | $ | 21,898 | |||||
Financial Services |
| 902 |
| 556 |
| 2,431 |
| 1,438 | |||||
Home Office and Other |
| 901 |
| 866 |
| 2,634 |
| 2,437 | |||||
Total consolidated depreciation expense | $ | 9,540 | $ | 8,549 | $ | 27,865 | $ | 25,773 | |||||
Intangible asset amortization expense: |
|
| |||||||||||
Financial Services | $ | 2,518 | $ | 2,576 | $ | 7,555 | $ | 7,686 | |||||
Total consolidated intangible asset amortization expense | $ | 2,518 | $ | 2,576 | $ | 7,555 | $ | 7,686 |
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Adtalem conducts its educational and financial services operations in the U.S., Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, India, Europe, China, Canada, and the Middle East. Revenue and long-lived assets by geographic area are as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | ||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Revenue from unaffiliated customers: |
|
|
|
| |||||||||
Domestic operations | $ | 184,105 | $ | 169,736 | $ | 533,661 | $ | 482,182 | |||||
International operations: |
|
|
| ||||||||||
Barbados, St. Kitts, and St. Maarten |
| 83,900 |
| 92,259 |
| 261,380 |
| 277,934 | |||||
Other |
| 12,649 |
| 9,492 |
| 36,965 |
| 32,156 | |||||
Total international |
| 96,549 |
| 101,751 |
| 298,345 |
| 310,090 | |||||
Total consolidated revenue | $ | 280,654 | $ | 271,487 | $ | 832,006 | $ | 792,272 | |||||
Long-lived assets: |
|
|
| ||||||||||
Domestic operations | $ | 284,416 | $ | 282,890 | $ | 284,416 | $ | 282,890 | |||||
International operations: |
|
|
| ||||||||||
Barbados, St. Kitts, and St. Maarten |
| 170,025 |
| 190,374 |
| 170,025 |
| 190,374 | |||||
Other |
| 916 |
| 1,711 |
| 916 |
| 1,711 | |||||
Total international |
| 170,941 |
| 192,085 |
| 170,941 |
| 192,085 | |||||
Total consolidated long-lived assets | $ | 455,357 | $ | 474,975 | $ | 455,357 | $ | 474,975 |
Prior period amounts within domestic operations and other international operations revenue in the above table have been reclassified for consistency with the current period presentation. We previously classified certain sales dependent upon the location of the legal entity reporting the sale. We have changed our methodology to classify these sales within the geographic area category where the sale originates. Prior period amounts in the above table for long-lived assets have changed to conform with the current period presentation. We have changed our methodology to include only property and equipment, net and operating lease assets as long-lived assets for this disclosure. We believe these changes better reflects the usefulness of this disclosure.
No one customer accounted for more than 10% of Adtalem’s consolidated revenue for all periods presented.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
In this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”), Adtalem Global Education Inc., together with its subsidiaries, is collectively referred to as “Adtalem,” “we,” “our,” “us,” or similar references.
Discussions within this MD&A may contain forward-looking statements. See the “Forward-Looking Statements” section for details about the uncertainties that could cause our actual results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements.
Throughout this MD&A, we sometimes use information derived from the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto but not presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Certain of these items are considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules. See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations” section for the reasons we use these non-GAAP financial measures and the reconciliations to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.
Certain items presented in tables may not sum due to rounding. Percentages presented are calculated from the underlying numbers in thousands. Discussions throughout this MD&A are based on continuing operations unless otherwise noted. The MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto.
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Available Information
We use our website (www.adtalem.com) as routine channels of distribution of company information, including press releases, presentations, and supplemental information, as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor our website in addition to following press releases, SEC filings, and public conference calls and webcasts. Investors and others can receive notifications of new information posted on our investor relations website in real time by signing up for email alerts. You may also access our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, as well as other reports relating to us that are filed with or furnished to the SEC, free of charge in the investor relations section of our website as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov. The content of the websites mentioned above is not incorporated into and should not be considered a part of this report.
Segments
As of September 30, 2019, Adtalem eliminated its Business and Law reportable segment when Adtalem Education of Brazil (“Adtalem Brazil”) was classified as discontinued operations and assets held for sale. In addition to the sale of Adtalem Brazil, which was completed on April 24, 2020, during the second quarter of fiscal year 2019, Adtalem divested Carrington College (“Carrington”) and DeVry University. In accordance with GAAP, we have classified the Adtalem Brazil, Carrington, and DeVry University entities as “Assets Held for Sale” and “Discontinued Operations” in all periods presented as applicable. As a result, all financial results, disclosures, and discussions of continuing operations in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q exclude Adtalem Brazil, Carrington, and DeVry University operations, unless otherwise noted. See Note 3 “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discontinued operations information.
We present two reportable segments as follows:
Medical and Healthcare – Offers degree and non-degree programs in the medical and healthcare postsecondary education industry. This segment includes the operations of Chamberlain University (“Chamberlain”), American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (“AUC”), Ross University School of Medicine (“RUSM”), and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (“RUSVM”). AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM are collectively referred to as the “medical and veterinary schools.”
Financial Services – Offers test preparation, certifications, conferences, seminars, memberships, and subscriptions to business professionals in the areas of accounting, anti-money laundering, banking, and mortgage lending. This segment includes the operations of the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (“ACAMS”), Becker Professional Education (“Becker”), OnCourse Learning (“OCL”), and EduPristine.
“Home Office and Other” includes activities not allocated to a reportable segment. Financial and descriptive information about Adtalem’s reportable segments is presented in Note 19 “Segment Information” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Walden University Acquisition
On September 11, 2020, Adtalem entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Laureate Education, Inc. (“Laureate” or “Seller”), a Delaware public benefit corporation, pursuant to which Adtalem has agreed to acquire from Seller all of the issued and outstanding equity interest in Walden e-Learning, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“e-Learning”), and its subsidiary, Walden University, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (together with e-Learning, “Walden”), in exchange for a purchase price of $1.48 billion in cash, subject to certain adjustments set forth in the Agreement (the “Acquisition”). See the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of this MD&A for a discussion on the commitment letter to provide financing of the Acquisition and the funds received with the March 1, 2021 issuance of $800 million aggregate principal amount of 5.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (the “Notes”). Walden owns and operates Walden University, an online for-profit university headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Board of Directors of Adtalem (the “Board”) has unanimously approved the Acquisition. The closing of
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the Acquisition is expected to occur in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 and is subject to certain closing conditions, including regulatory approval by the U.S. Department of Education and the Higher Learning Commission (the “HLC”) and required antitrust approvals. The risks and uncertainties related to the Acquisition are described in Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” Refer to the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 16, 2020 for additional information on the Acquisition and the related financing commitment letter.
On September 16, 2020, Laureate advised Adtalem that Walden University had received a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) indicating that the DOJ, along with several other government agencies, is conducting an investigation into allegations that Walden University may have violated the federal False Claims Act by misrepresenting its compliance with provisions of its Program Participation Agreement with the U.S. Department of Education relating, generally, to potential false representations to the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and false advertising to students about (1) the content and cost of Walden’s Masters of Science in Nursing program, or (2) the availability of clinical site placements required for mandatory practicum courses for such program (collectively, the “DOJ Investigation”). Subsequently, Walden disclosed the DOJ Investigation to the HLC. On October 13, 2020, Laureate advised Adtalem that Walden University had received a letter from the HLC notifying Walden University that the HLC seeks to assign a public Governmental Investigation designation to Walden University. On November 9, 2020, the HLC assigned the designation of “Under Governmental Investigation” to Walden University, which will remain in place until the President of the HLC determines the institution has resolved the issues that led to the designation. On April 28, 2021, Laureate advised Adtalem that the DOJ has decided not to intervene at this time in a recently unsealed federal lawsuit in which a former student and a former preceptor are seeking to bring claims on behalf of the government against Laureate and Walden.
Pursuant to its access rights under the terms of the Agreement, Adtalem is continuing to conduct its own investigation of the matters addressed in the DOJ and HLC correspondence, including reviewing relevant documents and other information and interviewing relevant Laureate and/or Walden University personnel. As a condition to closing the Acquisition, certain designated regulatory authorities, including the HLC, must consent to the Acquisition. Pursuant to Section 5.05(a) of the Agreement, the parties are required to cooperate and use reasonable best efforts to obtain those designated pre-closing consents from, among others, the HLC. Consistent with the HLC’s policies and procedures, a Governmental Investigation designation by the HLC could delay or prevent the HLC’s approval of a substantive change application to approve the proposed Acquisition. We continue to evaluate these regulatory developments and the potential impact, if any, on our planned Acquisition.
Third Quarter Highlights
Financial and operational highlights for the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 include:
● | Adtalem revenue grew $9.2 million, or 3.4%, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 compared to the year-ago quarter. Both the Medical and Healthcare and Financial Services segments saw increased revenue. |
● | Net income attributable to Adtalem of $24.7 million ($0.48 diluted earnings per share) decreased $126.2 million ($2.35 per share) in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 compared to the year-ago quarter. This decrease was primarily driven by the year-ago quarter containing an unrealized gain of $111.8 million on the deal-contingent foreign currency hedge arrangement entered into in connection with the sale of Adtalem Brazil completed on April 24, 2020 to economically hedge the Brazilian Real denominated purchase price through mitigation of the currency exchange rate risk. In addition, the decrease was driven by the $3.6 million in business acquisition and integration expense and $5.0 million in pre-acquisition interest expense recorded in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021. Net income from continuing operations attributable to Adtalem excluding special items of $36.9 million ($0.72 diluted earnings per share) decreased $6.3 million ($0.09 per share), or 14.6%, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 compared to the year-ago quarter. This decrease was driven by a $8.4 million revenue decrease at the medical and veterinary schools and increased costs for sales and marketing and employee benefits, which resulted in lower operating income. The decrease was partially offset by revenue growth at Chamberlain and OCL, which resulted in improved operating income for these businesses. |
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● | For the March 2021 session, new and total student enrollment at Chamberlain increased 6.8% and 5.8%, respectively, compared to the same session last year. Chamberlain continues to invest in its programs, student services, and campus locations. |
● | ACAMS memberships have increased to more than 82,000 as of March 31, 2021 compared to more than 79,000 as of March 31, 2020. |
● | OCL experienced strong revenue growth in its mortgage loan officer training and continuing education business, attributable to increased demand in the current strong mortgage market. |
Overview of the Impact of COVID-19
On March 11, 2020, the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 has had tragic consequences across the globe and is altering business and consumer activity across many industries. Management has initiated several changes to the operations of our institutions and administrative functions in order to protect the health of Adtalem employees, students, and customers and to mitigate the financial effects of COVID-19 and its resultant economic slowdown. We will continue to evaluate, and if appropriate, adopt other measures in the future required for the ongoing safety of our students, customers, and employees.
Results of Operations
COVID-19 resulted in estimated revenue losses of approximately $9 million and $31 million, operating income losses of approximately $6 million and $20 million, and loss of earnings per share of approximately $0.09 and $0.30 in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2021, respectively. Management anticipates further negative COVID-19 effects to consolidated revenue, operating income, net income, and earnings per share in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021, and beyond, or as long as social distancing and other measures established to combat COVID-19 continue to disrupt the normal business operations of our partner clinical providers, convention operations, and Financial Services customers. We also expect higher variable expenses associated with bringing students back to campus and additional costs with providing a safe environment in the context of COVID-19 as we begin to move back to in-person instruction across both segments. COVID-19 effects on the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2021 results of operations of the Adtalem institutions are described below.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “Appropriations Act”) became law on December 27, 2020. The Appropriations Act includes the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021, negotiated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support individuals and businesses in the form of loans, grants, and tax changes, among other types of relief. In February 2021, Chamberlain was awarded the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund grant under the Appropriations Act of approximately $7.1 million. 100% of these funds were redistributed to eligible students who demonstrated exceptional need. As a result, these funds were recorded as zero net revenue in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 and, thus, did not have a significant effect on the results of operations, financial position, or cash flows of Adtalem in fiscal year 2021.
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Although COVID-19 has had a negative effect on the operating results of all four reporting units that contain goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets as of March 31, 2021, at this time none of the effects are considered significant enough to create an impairment triggering event since our annual goodwill impairment assessment on May 31, 2020. While management has considered the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in evaluating the existence of an impairment triggering event, it is possible that effects to revenue and cash flows will be more significant than currently expected if the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures established to combat the virus continue for an extended period of time. Should economic conditions deteriorate beyond expectations in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021, and beyond, an impairment triggering event could arise and require reassessment of the fair values of goodwill and intangible assets.
Liquidity
Adtalem’s cash and cash equivalents balance was $497.7 million as of March 31, 2021. Adtalem generated $167.2 million in operating cash flow from continuing operations in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021. In the event of unexpected market conditions or negative economic changes, including those caused by COVID-19, that could negatively affect Adtalem’s earnings and/or operating cash flow, Adtalem maintains a $300 million revolving credit facility with availability of $231.6 million as of March 31, 2021. Management currently projects that COVID-19 will continue to have an effect on operations; however, we believe the current balances of cash, cash generated from operations, and our credit facility will be sufficient to fund both Adtalem’s current domestic and international operations and growth plans in the foreseeable future, except in relation to the Acquisition of Walden as discussed in the previous section of this MD&A titled “Walden University Acquisition.” See further discussion on the future financing of the Acquisition in the section of this MD&A titled “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
As noted above, Adtalem maintains a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) that provides for (1) a $300 million revolving facility (“Revolver”) with a maturity date of April 13, 2023 and (2) a $300 million senior secured Term B loan (“Term B Loan”) with a maturity date of April 13, 2025. We refer to the Revolver and Term B Loan collectively as the “Credit Facility.” With interest rates at historically low levels, management entered into an interest rate swap agreement
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in March 2020 with a multinational financial institution that effectively converts the variable rate interest on the Term B Loan borrowings to a fixed rate of 3.946% for essentially the remaining term of the Term B Loan. The Credit Facility contains covenants that, among other things, require maintenance of certain financial ratios, as defined in the Credit Agreement (see the Credit Agreement, as filed under Form 8-K dated April 13, 2018 and Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement, as filed under Form 8-K dated December 4, 2020). These financial ratios include a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, a consolidated leverage ratio, and a U.S. Department of Education financial responsibility ratio based upon a composite score of an equity ratio, a primary reserve ratio, and a net income ratio. Failure to maintain any of these ratios or to comply with other covenants contained in the Credit Agreement would constitute an event of default and could result in termination of the Credit Agreement and require payment of all outstanding borrowings and replacement of outstanding letters of credit. Adtalem was in compliance with the debt covenants as of March 31, 2021.
Results of Operations
The following table presents selected Consolidated Statements of Income data as a percentage of revenue:
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | ||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||
Revenue | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||
Cost of educational services | 43.9 | % | 43.7 | % | 43.7 | % | 47.2 | % | |||
Student services and administrative expense | 38.7 | % | 35.5 | % | 37.5 | % | 36.9 | % | |||
Restructuring expense | 0.4 | % | 0.7 | % | 0.8 | % | 1.3 | % | |||
Business acquisition and integration expense | 1.3 | % | 0.0 | % | 3.4 | % | 0.0 | % | |||
Gain on sale of assets | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | (0.6) | % | |||
Total operating cost and expense | 84.2 | % | 79.9 | % | 85.4 | % | 84.8 | % | |||
Operating income | 15.8 | % | 20.1 | % | 14.6 | % | 15.2 | % | |||
Net other (expense) income | (2.6) | % | 39.0 | % | (1.3) | % | 8.8 | % | |||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes | 13.2 | % | 59.1 | % | 13.3 | % | 24.0 | % | |||
Provision for income taxes | (2.6) | % | (2.6) | % | (2.6) | % | (2.3) | % | |||
Income from continuing operations | 10.6 | % | 56.5 | % | 10.7 | % | 21.7 | % | |||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | (1.8) | % | (1.0) | % | (2.5) | % | (0.2) | % | |||
Net income | 8.7 | % | 55.5 | % | 8.1 | % | 21.5 | % | |||
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % | |||
Net income attributable to Adtalem | 8.8 | % | 55.6 | % | 8.2 | % | 21.5 | % |
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Revenue
The following tables present revenue by segment detailing the changes from the year-ago periods (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 |
| |||||||||
Medical and |
| Financial | Consolidated |
| ||||||
Fiscal year 2020 as reported | $ | 227,344 | $ | 44,143 | $ | 271,487 | ||||
Organic growth | 2,869 | 6,298 | 9,167 | |||||||
Fiscal year 2021 as reported | $ | 230,213 | $ | 50,441 | $ | 280,654 | ||||
Fiscal year 2021 % change: | ||||||||||
Organic growth | 1.3 | % | 14.3 | % | 3.4 | % |
Nine Months Ended March 31, 2021 |
| |||||||||
Medical and |
| Financial | Consolidated |
| ||||||
Fiscal year 2020 as reported | $ | 655,011 | $ | 137,261 | $ | 792,272 | ||||
Organic growth | 28,424 | 11,310 | 39,734 | |||||||
Fiscal year 2021 as reported | $ | 683,435 | $ | 148,571 | $ | 832,006 | ||||
Fiscal year 2021 % change: | ||||||||||
Organic growth | 4.3 | % | 8.2 | % | 5.0 | % |
Medical and Healthcare
Revenue in the Medical and Healthcare segment increased 1.3%, or $2.9 million, to $230.2 million in the third quarter and increased 4.3%, or $28.4 million, to $683.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 compared to the year-ago periods. The increase in revenue in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2021 is driven primarily by student enrollment increases at Chamberlain. These increases were partially offset by the estimated loss of approximately $3 million and $11 million in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2021, respectively, in housing and student transportation revenue, primarily at RUSM as basic science students were not on campus due to COVID-19 remote learning, and $6 million and $13 million in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2021, respectively, of clinical revenue at AUC and RUSM due to the COVID-19 related clinical program limitations at partner hospitals, which although not as severe as earlier in the pandemic, were reinstituted when COVID-19 cases surged across the U.S. during the winter.
Chamberlain
Chamberlain Student Enrollment:
Fiscal Year 2021 |
| ||||||||||||
Session | July 2020 | Sept. 2020 | Nov. 2020 | Jan. 2021 | Mar. 2021 | ||||||||
New students | 2,768 | 6,333 | 2,931 | 5,202 | 3,283 | ||||||||
% change from prior year | 15.5 | % | 13.2 | % | 8.1 | % | (1.7) | % | 6.8 | % | |||
Total students | 32,198 | 35,525 | 34,387 | 35,750 | 35,702 | ||||||||
% change from prior year | 12.2 | % | 11.9 | % | 10.2 | % | 5.6 | % | 5.8 | % | |||
Fiscal Year 2020 | |||||||||||||
Session | July 2019 | Sept. 2019 | Nov. 2019 | Jan. 2020 | Mar. 2020 | May 2020 |
| ||||||
New students | 2,396 | 5,595 | 2,711 | 5,293 | 3,073 | 4,213 | |||||||
% change from prior year | (5.0) | % | 2.9 | % | 3.6 | % | 11.2 | % | 12.7 | % | 5.4 | % | |
Total students | 28,691 | 31,736 | 31,215 | 33,850 | 33,748 | 33,407 | |||||||
% change from prior year | 2.3 | % | 1.4 | % | 1.2 | % | 4.6 | % | 5.1 | % | 8.2 | % |
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Chamberlain revenue increased 8.3%, or $11.2 million, to $146.3 million in the third quarter and increased 11.9%, or $45.0 million, to $422.1 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 compared to the year-ago periods, driven by increases in total student enrollment during each of the fiscal year 2021 enrollment sessions compared to the same session from the prior year as well as select tuition and fee price increases. Management believes that the launch of new programs, the scaling provided by our multi-campus model, and the effectiveness of recent marketing investments have contributed to the enrollment increases. Chamberlain admitted its largest class of campus students in September 2020.
Chamberlain currently operates 23 campuses in 15 states, including Chamberlain’s newest campus in Irwindale, California, which begins instruction in May 2021.
Tuition Rates:
Tuition for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (“BSN”) onsite degree program ranges from $675 to $730 per credit hour. Tuition for the Registered Nurse to BSN (“RN-to-BSN”) online degree program is $590 per credit hour. Tuition for the online Master of Science in Nursing (“MSN”) degree program is $650 per credit hour. Tuition for the online Family Nurse Practitioner (“FNP”) degree program is $665 per credit hour. Tuition for the online Doctor of Nursing Practice (“DNP”) degree program is $775 per credit hour. Tuition for the online Master of Public Health (“MPH”) degree program is $550 per credit hour. Tuition for the online Master of Social Work (“MSW”) degree program is $695 per credit hour. These tuition rates do not include the cost of books, supplies, transportation, or living expenses.
Medical and Veterinary Schools
Medical and Veterinary Schools Student Enrollment:
Fiscal Year 2021 | |||||||
Semester | Sept. 2020 | Jan. 2021 | |||||
New students | 920 | 589 | |||||
% change from prior year | 5.5 | % | 21.2 | % | |||
Total students | 5,850 | 5,292 | |||||
% change from prior year | 4.3 | % | (6.2) | % | |||
Fiscal Year 2020 | |||||||
Semester | Sept. 2019 | Jan. 2020 | May 2020 |
| |||
New students | 872 | 486 | 544 | ||||
% change from prior year | (1.9) | % | 3.2 | % | 9.7 | % | |
Total students | 5,608 | 5,643 | 5,186 | ||||
% change from prior year | (4.7) | % | 1.7 | % | (0.7) | % |
The medical and veterinary schools’ revenue decreased 9.1%, or $8.4 million, to $83.9 million in the third quarter and decreased 6.0%, or $16.6 million, to $261.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 compared to the year-ago periods. The principal drivers of the decreases were an estimated loss of $3 million and $11 million in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2021, respectively, in housing and student transportation revenue, primarily at RUSM as basic science students were not on campus due to COVID-19 remote learning, and $6 million and $13 million in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2021, respectively, of clinical revenue at AUC and RUSM due to the COVID-19 related clinical program limitations at partner hospitals, which although not as severe as earlier in the pandemic, were reinstituted when COVID-19 cases surged across the U.S. during the winter. These decreases were partially offset with student enrollment and revenue increases in the basic science programs at AUC and RUSVM.
In the January 2021 semester, total student enrollment increased at AUC and RUSVM but declined at RUSM while new student enrollment increased at RUSM and RUSVM but slightly declined at AUC. The decline in total student enrollment at RUSM was driven by the inability to offer clinical experiences to all eligible students caused by the COVID-19 restrictions at partner hospitals. In previous semesters during the COVID-19 pandemic, students
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were able to supplement their clinical experience with elective online courses; however, these electives are limited. If a student is not enrolled in a clinical program or other educational experience, they are not included in the enrollment count for that semester. In the September 2020 semester, total student enrollment increased at AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM while new student enrollment increased at AUC and RUSM but slightly declined at RUSVM due to the large cohort of May 2020 Vet Prep students progressing to September 2020, which was at maximum enrollment capacity. Management is executing its plan to differentiate the medical and veterinary schools from the competition, with a core goal of increasing international students, increasing affiliations with historically black colleges and universities (“HBCU”) and Hispanic-serving institutions (“HSI”), expanding AUC’s medical education program based in the U.K. in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire (“UCLAN”), and improving the effectiveness of marketing and enrollment investments. Management believes the demand for medical and veterinary education remains strong and can support management’s longer-term expectations to grow new enrollments in the low-single digit range; however, competition may continue to adversely affect the medical and veterinary schools’ ability to continue to attract qualified students to its programs resulting in lower revenue.
In September 2019, AUC opened its medical education program in the U.K. in partnership with UCLAN. The program offers students a Post Graduate Diploma in International Medical Sciences from UCLAN, followed by their Doctor of Medicine degree from AUC. Students are eligible to do clinical rotations at AUC’s clinical sites, which include hospitals in the U.S., the U.K., and Canada. This program is aimed at preparing students for the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination (“USMLE”).
Tuition Rates:
● | Effective for semesters beginning in September 2020, tuition rates for the beginning basic sciences and final clinical rotation portions of AUC’s medical program are $23,240 and $26,000, respectively, per semester. These tuition rates are unchanged from the prior academic year. |
● | Effective for semesters beginning in September 2020, tuition rates for the beginning basic sciences and final clinical rotation portions of RUSM’s medical program are $24,170 and $26,676, respectively, per semester. These tuition rates are unchanged from the prior academic year. |
● | For students who entered the RUSVM program in September 2018 or later, the tuition rate for the pre-clinical (Semesters 1-7) and clinical curriculum (Semesters 8-10) is $20,873 per semester effective September 2020. For students who entered RUSVM before September 2018, tuition rates for the pre-clinical and clinical curriculum are $19,387 and $24,339, respectively, per semester effective September 2020. These tuition rates are unchanged from the prior academic year. |
The respective tuition rates for AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM do not include the cost of transportation, living expenses, or health insurance.
Financial Services
Revenue in the Financial Services segment increased 14.3%, or $6.3 million, to $50.4 million in the third quarter and increased 8.2%, or $11.3 million, to $148.6 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 compared to the year-ago periods. Revenue increased in the third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 at ACAMS and OCL. At ACAMS, lost conference revenue was offset by increases in certification and risk assessment revenue. At OCL, the revenue increase was driven by the mortgage loan officer training and continuing education business, attributable to increased demand in the current strong mortgage market. ACAMS lost conference revenue of approximately $6 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021. The effects on revenue in the third quarter of fiscal 2021 were not material. The lost conference revenue in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 was driven by the Las Vegas live conference moving to a virtual format in response to COVID-19 restrictions. ACAMS memberships have increased to more than 82,000 as of March 31, 2021 compared to more than 79,000 as of March 31, 2020, driven by strong growth in the European region.
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Cost of Educational Services
The largest component of cost of educational services is the cost of faculty and staff who support educational operations. This expense category also includes the costs of facilities, adjunct faculty, supplies, housing, bookstore, other educational materials, student education-related support activities, and the provision for bad debts. The following tables present cost of educational services by segment detailing the changes from the year-ago periods (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 |
| ||||||||||||
| Medical and |
| Financial |
| Home Office | Consolidated | |||||||
Fiscal year 2020 as reported |
| $ | 110,488 | $ | 7,784 |
| $ | 440 |
| $ | 118,712 | ||
Cost increase |
|
| 3,971 |
| 315 |
|
| 79 |
|
| 4,365 | ||
Fiscal year 2021 as reported |
| $ | 114,459 | $ | 8,099 |
| $ | 519 |
| $ | 123,077 | ||
Fiscal year 2021 % change: |
| ||||||||||||
Cost increase |
| 3.6 | % |
| 4.0 | % |
| NM |
| 3.7 | % |
Nine Months Ended March 31, 2021 |
| ||||||||||||
| Medical and |
| Financial |
| Home Office | Consolidated | |||||||
Fiscal year 2020 as reported |
| $ | 345,214 | $ | 27,167 |
| $ | 1,623 |
| $ | 374,004 | ||
Cost (decrease) increase |
|
| (5,372) |
| (5,067) |
| 33 |
|
| (10,406) | |||
Fiscal year 2021 as reported |
| $ | 339,842 | $ | 22,100 |
| $ | 1,656 |
| $ | 363,598 | ||
Fiscal year 2021 % change: |
| ||||||||||||
Cost decrease |
| (1.6) | % |
| (18.7) | % |
| NM |
| (2.8) | % |
Cost of educational services increased 3.7%, or $4.4 million, to $123.1 million in the third quarter and decreased 2.8%, or $10.4 million, to $363.6 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 compared to the year-ago periods. Cost increases in the third quarter were driven primarily by increased costs at Chamberlain to support growth, partially offset by lower costs of approximately $3 million at RUSM due to campus closure, reduced clinical rotation and lower services, including housing services. Costs decreased in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 driven by decreased bad debt expense of $4.6 million primarily related to the credit extension programs at the medical and veterinary schools, cost control initiatives across all institutions, and lower costs of approximately $11 million associated with campus closure, reduced clinical rotations, lower services, including housing services, and ACAMS live conferences, due to the COVID-19 related revenue losses as noted above. These decreases were partially offset by increased costs at Chamberlain and the basic science programs at the medical and veterinary schools to support growth.
As a percentage of revenue, cost of educational services was 43.9% and 43.7% in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2021, respectively, compared to 43.7% and 47.2% during the year-ago periods. The increase in the percentage in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 was primarily the result of increased costs at Chamberlain and the basic science programs at the medical and veterinary schools to support growth. The decrease in the percentage in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 was primarily the result of the decreased bad debt expense related to the credit extension programs at the medical and veterinary schools.
Student Services and Administrative Expense
The student services and administrative expense category includes expenses related to sales, student admissions, marketing and advertising, general and administrative, curriculum development, and amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets related to business acquisitions. The following tables present student services and administrative expense by segment detailing the changes from the year-ago periods (in thousands):
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Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 |
| ||||||||||||
| Medical and |
| Financial |
| Home Office | Consolidated | |||||||
Fiscal year 2020 as reported | $ | 59,296 | $ | 32,169 | $ | 4,969 | $ | 96,434 | |||||
Cost increase |
| 5,375 |
| 6,269 |
| 422 |
| 12,066 | |||||
Fiscal year 2021 as reported | $ | 64,671 | $ | 38,438 | $ | 5,391 | $ | 108,500 | |||||
Fiscal year 2021 % change: |
| ||||||||||||
Cost increase | 9.1 | % |
| 19.5 | % |
| NM |
| 12.5 | % |
Nine Months Ended March 31, 2021 |
| ||||||||||||
| Medical and |
| Financial |
| Home Office | Consolidated | |||||||
Fiscal year 2020 as reported | $ | 182,010 | $ | 96,119 | $ | 14,040 | $ | 292,169 | |||||
Cost increase |
| 6,200 |
| 9,968 |
| 4,062 |
| 20,230 | |||||
Fiscal year 2021 as reported | $ | 188,210 | $ | 106,087 | $ | 18,102 | $ | 312,399 | |||||
Fiscal year 2021 % change: |
| ||||||||||||
Cost increase | 3.4 | % |
| 10.4 | % |
| NM |
| 6.9 | % |
Student services and administrative expense increased 12.5%, or $12.1 million, to $108.5 million in the third quarter and increased 6.9%, or $20.2 million, to $312.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 compared to the year-ago periods. Expense increased in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2021 primarily due to increased sales and marketing expense of $3.5 million and $11.3 million, respectively, to support continued growth, and an increase in employee benefit costs of $4.9 million and $8.9 million, respectively.
As a percentage of revenue, student services and administrative expense was 38.7% and 37.5% in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2021, respectively, compared to 35.5% and 36.9% during the year-ago periods. The increases in the percentages were primarily the result of the increase in employee benefit costs and sales and marketing expense to support continued growth.
Restructuring Expense
Restructuring expense in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2021 was $1.2 million and $6.6 million, respectively, compared to $1.9 million and $10.3 million during the year-ago periods. The primary driver of the decreased restructure expense in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 was the result of charges related to workforce reductions at Adtalem’s home office in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020. The primary driver of the decreased restructure expense in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 was the result of the charges related to the sale of Becker’s courses for healthcare students in the first nine months of fiscal year 2020. See Note 5 “Restructuring Charges” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on restructuring charges.
We have completed our current restructuring plans. However, we continue to incur restructuring charges or reversals related to exiting leased space from previous restructuring activities. Management may institute future restructuring plans.
Business Acquisition and Integration Expense
Business acquisition and integration expense in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2021 was $3.6 million and $28.2 million, respectively. These are transaction costs associated with entering into the Agreement to acquire Walden and costs associated with integrating Walden into Adtalem. We expect to incur additional integration costs through the remainder of fiscal year 2021.
Gain on Sale of Assets
On September 27, 2019, Adtalem closed on the sale of its Columbus, Ohio, campus facility. Net proceeds of $6.4 million from the sale of this facility resulted in a gain on the sale of $4.8 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2020. This
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gain was recorded at Adtalem’s home office, which is classified as “Home Office and Other” in Note 19 “Segment Information” to the Consolidated Financial Statements. There was no corresponding gain in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021.
Operating Income
The following tables present operating income by segment detailing the changes from the year-ago periods (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||
Medical and |
| Financial |
| Home Office | Consolidated | |||||||
Fiscal year 2020 as reported | $ | 56,749 | $ | 4,190 | $ | (6,452) | $ | 54,487 | ||||
Organic change | (6,475) | (286) | (503) | (7,264) | ||||||||
Restructuring expense change | 810 | — | (173) | 637 | ||||||||
Business acquisition and integration expense change | — | — | (3,646) | (3,646) | ||||||||
Fiscal year 2021 as reported | $ | 51,084 | $ | 3,904 | $ | (10,774) | $ | 44,214 |
Nine Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||
Medical and |
| Financial |
| Home Office | Consolidated | |||||||
Fiscal year 2020 as reported | $ | 126,432 | $ | 10,860 | $ | (16,753) | $ | 120,539 | ||||
Organic change | 27,598 | 6,408 | (4,096) | 29,910 | ||||||||
Restructuring expense change | 1,354 | 1,701 | 679 | 3,734 | ||||||||
Business acquisition and integration expense change | — | — | (28,161) | (28,161) | ||||||||
Gain on sale of assets change | — | — | (4,779) | (4,779) | ||||||||
Fiscal year 2021 as reported | $ | 155,384 | $ | 18,969 | $ | (53,110) | $ | 121,243 |
The following table presents a reconciliation of operating income (GAAP) to operating income excluding special items (non-GAAP) by segment (in thousands):
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | |||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | Increase | 2021 | 2020 | Increase | |||||||||||||
Medical and Healthcare: | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating income (GAAP) | $ | 51,084 | $ | 56,749 | (10.0) | % | $ | 155,384 | $ | 126,432 | 22.9 | % | ||||||
Restructuring expense | — | 810 | — | 1,354 | ||||||||||||||
Operating income excluding special items (non-GAAP) | $ | 51,084 | $ | 57,559 | (11.2) | % | $ | 155,384 | $ | 127,786 | 21.6 | % | ||||||
Financial Services: | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating income (GAAP) | $ | 3,904 | $ | 4,190 | (6.8) | % | $ | 18,969 | $ | 10,860 | 74.7 | % | ||||||
Restructuring expense | — | — | 1,415 | 3,116 | ||||||||||||||
Operating income excluding special items (non-GAAP) | $ | 3,904 | $ | 4,190 | (6.8) | % | $ | 20,384 | $ | 13,976 | 45.9 | % | ||||||
Home Office and Other: | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating loss (GAAP) | $ | (10,774) | $ | (6,452) | (67.0) | % | $ | (53,110) | $ | (16,753) | (217.0) | % | ||||||
Restructuring expense | 1,217 | 1,044 | 5,190 | 5,869 | ||||||||||||||
Business acquisition and integration expense | 3,646 | — | 28,161 | — | ||||||||||||||
Gain on sale of assets | — | — | — | (4,779) | ||||||||||||||
Operating loss excluding special items (non-GAAP) | $ | (5,911) | $ | (5,408) | (9.3) | % | $ | (19,759) | $ | (15,663) | (26.2) | % | ||||||
Adtalem Global Education: | ||||||||||||||||||
Operating income (GAAP) | $ | 44,214 | $ | 54,487 | (18.9) | % | $ | 121,243 | $ | 120,539 | 0.6 | % | ||||||
Restructuring expense | 1,217 | 1,854 | 6,605 | 10,339 | ||||||||||||||
Business acquisition and integration expense | 3,646 | — | 28,161 | — | ||||||||||||||
Gain on sale of assets | — | — | — | (4,779) | ||||||||||||||
Operating income excluding special items (non-GAAP) | $ | 49,077 | $ | 56,341 | (12.9) | % | $ | 156,009 | $ | 126,099 | 23.7 | % |
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Total consolidated operating income decreased 18.9%, or $10.3 million, to $44.2 million in the third quarter and increased 0.6%, or $0.7 million, to $121.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 compared to the year-ago periods.
Consolidated operating income excluding special items decreased 12.9%, or $7.3 million, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 compared to the year-ago quarter. The primary drivers of this decrease were increased sales and marketing expense of $3.5 million to support continued growth and an increase of $4.9 million in employee benefit costs. In addition, the effects of COVID-19 reduced operating income in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 by an estimated $6 million, primarily driven by the loss of RUSM clinical, housing and student transportation revenue. The negative influences on operating income were partially offset by an increase in revenue of $9.2 million, primarily at Chamberlain, which generated higher incremental operating income than the lost revenue sources at other institutions due to COVID-19, and efforts to manage salary, travel, and discretionary spending across the organization.
Consolidated operating income excluding special items increased 23.7%, or $29.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 compared to the year-ago period. The primary drivers of this increase were an increase in revenue of $39.7 million, primarily at Chamberlain, which generated higher incremental operating income than the lost revenue sources at other institutions due to COVID-19, decreased bad debt expense of $4.6 million, primarily related to the credit extension programs at the medical and veterinary schools, and efforts to manage salary, travel, and discretionary spending across the organization. The positive influences on operating income were partially offset by increased sales and marketing expense of $11.3 million to support continued growth, and an increase of $8.9 million in employee benefit costs. In addition, the effects of COVID-19 reduced operating income in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 by an estimated $20 million, primarily driven by the loss of AUC and RUSM clinical revenue, RUSM housing and student transportation revenue, and ACAMS conference revenue.
Medical and Healthcare
Medical and Healthcare segment operating income decreased 10.0%, or $5.7 million, to $51.1 million in the third quarter and increased 22.9%, or $29.0 million, to $155.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 compared to the year-ago periods. The primary drivers of the decrease in operating income in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 are higher employee benefit costs and lost revenue sources due to COVID-19, as discussed below. The primary driver of the increase in operating income in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 is the increased revenue at Chamberlain of $45.0 million, which generated higher incremental operating income than the lost revenue sources due to COVID-19 as discussed below. In addition, other drivers include decreased bad debt expense of $3.6 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021, primarily related to the credit extension programs at the medical and veterinary schools, and efforts to manage salary, travel, and discretionary spending at all institutions. The positive influences on operating income in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 were partially offset by increased marketing expense of $4.6 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 to support continued growth and increased employee benefit costs of $5.1 million. Estimated COVID-19 related loss of clinical revenue at AUC and RUSM contributed to approximately $4 million and $8 million in lost operating income in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2021, respectively. Lower COVID-19 related housing and student transportation revenue, primarily at RUSM as described above, resulted in approximately $2 million and $8 million in lost operating income in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2021, respectively.
Financial Services
Financial Services segment operating income decreased 6.8%, or $0.3 million, to $3.9 million in the third quarter and increased 74.7%, or $8.1 million, to $19.0 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 compared to the year-ago periods. Segment operating income excluding special items decreased 6.8%, or $0.3 million, in the third quarter and increased 45.9%, or $6.4 million, in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 compared to the year-ago periods. The primary drivers of the decrease in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021 was increased sales and marketing expense of $3.4 million. These cost increases were partially offset by an increase in revenue at ACAMS and OCL in the third quarter of fiscal year 2021, which resulted in improved operating income. This ACAMS and OCL revenue increase was also the primary driver of the increase in operating income in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021, which was partially offset by increased sales and marketing expense of $6.7 million. Conference revenue decreases at ACAMS due to COVID-19, as described above, drove approximately $4 million in lost operating income in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021; however, this
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decrease was fully offset by improved operating income from other ACAMS operations. The COVID-19 effects on operating income in the third quarter of fiscal 2021 were not material.
Net Other (Expense) Income
Net other expense in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2021 was $7.2 million and $10.8 million, respectively, compared to net other income of $105.9 million and $69.8 million in the year-ago periods, respectively. The decreases in net other expense were primarily the result of an unrealized gain of $111.8 million and $83.8 million in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2020, respectively, on the deal-contingent foreign currency hedge arrangement entered into on October 18, 2019 in connection with the sale of Adtalem Brazil, which was completed on April 24, 2020, to economically hedge the Brazilian Real denominated purchase price through mitigation of the currency exchange rate risk (as discussed in Note 3 “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The derivative associated with the hedge did not qualify for hedge accounting treatment under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815, and as a result, all changes in fair value were recorded within the income statement. In addition, interest expense increased in the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2021 driven by $5.0 million in pre-acquisition interest expense, which partially offset our lower interest expense on our current Credit Facility driven by the repayment of debt in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 using the proceeds from the sale of Adtalem Brazil.
Provision for Income Taxes
Our effective income tax rate (“ETR”) from continuing operations can differ from the 21% U.S. federal statutory rate due to several factors, including the rate of tax applied by state and local jurisdictions, the rate of tax applied to earnings outside the U.S., tax incentives, changes in valuation allowances, liabilities for uncertain tax positions, and tax benefits on stock-based compensation awards. Additionally, our ETR is impacted by the provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”), which include primarily a tax on global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”), a deduction for foreign derived intangible income (“FDII”), and a limitation of tax benefits on certain executive compensation. The impact of the Tax Act may be revised in future periods as we obtain additional data and consider any new regulations or guidance that may be released.
The ETR from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was 19.8% and 4.3%, respectively. This increase is primarily due to not recording a tax provision in the three months ended March 31, 2020 on a pre-tax unrealized gain of $111.8 million from a derivative contract related to the deal-contingent hedge agreement on the Adtalem Brazil sale completed on April 24, 2020 (see Note 3 “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information). Excluding the one-time effect of the derivative contract (a non-GAAP financial measure), the ETR from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was 19.8% and 14.3%, respectively.
The ETR from continuing operations for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 was 19.6% and 9.6%, respectively. This increase is primarily due to not recording a tax provision in the nine months ended March 31, 2020 on a pre-tax unrealized gain of $83.8 million from the derivative contract discussed above. Excluding the one-time effect of the derivative contract (a non-GAAP financial measure), the ETR from continuing operations for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, was 19.6% and 17.1%, respectively.
On December 27, 2020, the Appropriations Act was enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Appropriations Act, among other things, temporarily extends through December 31, 2025, certain expiring tax provisions, including look-through treatment of payments of dividends, interest, rents, and royalties received or accrued from related controlled foreign corporations. Additionally, the Appropriations Act enacts new provisions and extends certain provisions originated within the CARES Act, enacted on March 27, 2020, including an extension of time for repayment of the deferred portion of employees’ payroll tax through December 31, 2021, and a temporary allowance for full deduction of certain business meals. Adtalem has elected not to defer the employees’ portion of payroll tax. Management continues to evaluate the other provisions of the Appropriations Act, but at present time does not expect that the other provisions of the Appropriations Act would result in a material tax or cash benefit.
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the “Rescue Act”) was enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rescue Act, among other things, expands the number of employees subject to the tax deductibility
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limitation of employee compensation in excess of $1 million for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026 and repeals the election for U.S. affiliated groups to allocate interest expense on a worldwide basis. Management is currently evaluating the other provisions of the Rescue Act, but at present time does not expect that the other provisions of the Rescue Act would result in a material tax or cash detriment.
Discontinued Operations
Beginning in the second quarter of fiscal year 2018, DeVry University operations were classified as discontinued operations. Beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018, Carrington operations were classified as discontinued operations. Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, Adtalem Brazil operations were classified as discontinued operations. The divestitures of Carrington and DeVry University operations were completed in the second quarter of fiscal year 2019 and the divestiture of Adtalem Brazil operations was completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020. We continue to incur costs, principally attorney fees, associated with ongoing litigation and settlements related to the DeVry University divestiture which is classified as expense within discontinued operations. Management no longer discloses other discussions of operating results of these entities as comparable results are no longer meaningful.
Regulatory Environment
Student Payments
Adtalem’s primary source of liquidity is the cash received from payments for student tuition, books, other educational materials, and fees. These payments include funds originating as financial aid from various federal and state loan and grant programs, student and family educational loans (“private loans”), employer educational reimbursements, scholarships, and student and family financial resources. Adtalem continues to provide financing options for its students, including Adtalem’s credit extension programs.
The following table, which excludes Adtalem Brazil, Carrington, and DeVry University revenue, summarizes Adtalem’s revenue by fund source as a percentage of total revenue for fiscal years 2020 and 2019.
Fiscal Year |
| ||||
2020 | 2019 |
| |||
Federal assistance (Title IV) program funding (grants and loans) |
| 59 | % | 59 | % |
Private loans |
| 2 | % | 2 | % |
Student accounts, cash payments, private scholarships, employer and military provided tuition assistance, and other |
| 39 | % | 39 | % |
Total |
| 100 | % | 100 | % |
The pattern of cash receipts during the year is seasonal. Adtalem’s cash collections on accounts receivable peak at the start of each institution’s term. Accounts receivable reach their lowest level at the end of each institution’s term.
Financial Aid
Like other higher education companies, Adtalem is highly dependent upon the timely receipt of federal financial aid funds. All financial aid and assistance programs are subject to political and governmental budgetary considerations. In the U.S., the Higher Education Act (“HEA”) guides the federal government’s support of postsecondary education. If there are changes to financial aid programs that restrict student eligibility or reduce funding levels, Adtalem’s financial condition and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. See Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 (“2020 Form 10-K”) for a discussion of student financial aid related risks.
In addition, government-funded financial assistance programs are governed by extensive and complex regulations in the U.S. Like any other educational institution, Adtalem’s administration of these programs is periodically reviewed by various regulatory agencies and is subject to audit or investigation by other governmental authorities. Any violation could be the basis for penalties or other disciplinary action, including initiation of a suspension, limitation, or termination proceeding.
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If the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”) determines that we have failed to demonstrate either financial responsibility or administrative capability in any pending program review, or otherwise determines that an institution has violated the terms of its Program Participation Agreement (“PPA”), we could be subject to sanctions including: fines, penalties, reimbursement for discharged loan obligations, a requirement to post a letter of credit, and/or suspension or termination of our eligibility to participate in the Title IV programs.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 and the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, ED provisionally recertified AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM’s Title IV PPAs with expiration dates of December 31, 2022, March 31, 2023, and June 30, 2023, respectively. The provisional nature of the agreements stemmed from increased and/or repeated Title IV compliance audit findings. No financial ramifications, such as a letter of credit, heightened cash monitoring, or student enrollment limitations, were imposed on any of these institutions. While corrective actions have been taken to resolve past compliance matters and eliminate the incidence of repetition, if AUC, RUSM, or RUSVM fail to maintain administrative capability as defined by ED while under provisional status or otherwise fail to comply with ED requirements, the institution(s) could lose eligibility to participate in Title IV programs or have that eligibility adversely conditioned, which could have a material adverse effect on the businesses, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
On October 13, 2016, DeVry University and ED reached a negotiated agreement (the “ED Settlement”) to settle the claims asserted in a Notice of Intent to Limit from the Multi-Regional and Foreign School Participation Division of the Federal Student Aid office of the Department of Education (“ED FSA”). Under the terms of the ED Settlement, among other things, without admitting wrongdoing, DeVry University agreed to certain compliance requirements regarding its past and future advertising, that DeVry University’s participation in Title IV programs is subject to provisional certification for five years and that DeVry University is required to post a letter of credit equal to the greater of 10% of DeVry University’s annual Title IV disbursements or $68.4 million for a five-year period. The posted letter of credit continues to be posted by Adtalem following the closing of the sale of DeVry University and reduces Adtalem’s borrowing capacity dollar-for-dollar under its Credit Facility (as defined in Note 12 “Debt” to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
An ED regulation known as the “90/10 Rule” affects only proprietary postsecondary institutions, such as Chamberlain, AUC, RUSM, and RUSVM. Under this regulation, an institution that derives more than 90% of its revenue on a cash basis from Title IV student financial assistance programs in two consecutive fiscal years loses eligibility to participate in these programs for at least two fiscal years. The following table details the percentage of revenue on a cash basis from federal financial assistance programs (excluding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and military tuition assistance benefits) for each of Adtalem’s Title IV-eligible institutions for fiscal years 2020 and 2019.
Fiscal Year |
| ||||
2020 | 2019 |
| |||
Chamberlain University |
| 62 | % | 62 | % |
American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine |
| 81 | % | 75 | % |
Ross University School of Medicine |
| 85 | % | 83 | % |
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine |
| 84 | % | 83 | % |
In September 2016, Adtalem committed to voluntarily limit to 85% the amount of revenue that each of its Title IV-eligible institutions derive from federal funding, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and military tuition assistance benefits. As disclosed in the third party review reports that have been made publicly available, Adtalem’s institutions have met this lower threshold for each fiscal year since the commitment was made. Adtalem is committed to implementing measures to promote responsible recruitment and enrollment, successful student outcomes, and informed student choice. Management believes students deserve greater transparency to make informed choices about their education. This commitment builds upon a solid foundation and brings Adtalem to a new self-imposed level of public accountability and transparency.
A financial responsibility test is required for continued participation by an institution’s students in U.S. federal financial assistance programs. For Adtalem’s participating institutions, this test is calculated at the consolidated Adtalem level. The test is based upon a composite score of three ratios: an equity ratio that measures the institution’s capital resources; a primary reserve ratio that measures an institution’s ability to fund its operations from current resources; and a net income ratio that measures an institution’s ability to operate profitably. A minimum score of 1.5 is necessary to meet ED’s financial standards. Institutions with scores of less than 1.5 but greater than or equal to 1.0 are considered financially responsible,
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but require additional oversight. These schools are subject to heightened cash monitoring and other participation requirements. An institution with a score of less than 1.0 is considered not financially responsible. However, a school with a score of less than 1.0 may continue to participate in the Title IV programs under provisional certification. In addition, this lower score typically requires that the school be subject to heightened cash monitoring requirements and post a letter of credit (equal to a minimum of 10% of the Title IV aid it received in the institution's most recent fiscal year).
For the past several years, Adtalem’s composite score has exceeded the required minimum of 1.5. Changes to the manner in which the composite score is calculated that were effective on July 1, 2020 will negatively affect future Adtalem scores; however, management does not believe these changes by themselves will result in the score falling below 1.5. If Adtalem becomes unable to meet requisite financial responsibility standards or otherwise demonstrate, within the regulations, its ability to continue to provide educational services, then our institutions could be subject to heightened cash monitoring or be required to post a letter of credit to enable its students to continue to participate in federal financial assistance programs.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Adtalem’s consolidated cash and cash equivalents balance of $497.7 million, $500.5 million, and $167.8 million as of March 31, 2021, June 30, 2020, and March 31, 2020, respectively, included cash and cash equivalents held at Adtalem’s international operations of $86.1 million, $70.1 million, and $35.0 million as of March 31, 2021, June 30, 2020, and March 31, 2020, respectively, which is available to Adtalem for general corporate purposes. Cash balances are currently being maintained to partially fund the proposed Acquisition, as discussed in the previous section “Walden University Acquisition” of this MD&A.
Under the terms of Adtalem institutions’ participation in financial aid programs, certain cash received from state governments and ED is maintained in restricted bank accounts. Adtalem receives these funds either after the financial aid authorization and disbursement process for the benefit of the student is completed, or just prior to that authorization. Once the authorization and disbursement process for a particular student is completed, the funds may be transferred to unrestricted accounts and become available for Adtalem to use in operations. This process generally occurs during the academic term for which such funds have been authorized. Cash in the amount of $3.7 million, $0.6 million, and $0.8 million was held in restricted bank accounts as of March 31, 2021, June 30, 2020, and March 31, 2020, respectively. In addition, $804.3 million is recorded within restricted cash on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2021, which represents cash held in an escrow account designated to fund the Acquisition and is not available to Adtalem for general corporate purposes (see Note 12 “Debt” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information).
Cash Flow Summary
Operating Activities
The following table provides a summary of cash flows from operating activities (in thousands):
Nine Months Ended | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||
Income from continuing operations | $ | 88,741 | $ | 172,142 | ||
Non-cash items |
| 92,687 |
| 5,368 | ||
Changes in assets and liabilities |
| (14,223) |
| (85,480) | ||
Net cash provided by operating activities-continuing operations | $ | 167,205 | $ | 92,030 |
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations in the nine months ended March 31, 2021 was $167.2 million compared to $92.0 million in the year-ago period. The increase of $87.3 million in non-cash items between the nine months ended March 31, 2021 and the nine months ended March 31, 2020 was principally driven by the unrealized gain of $83.8 million recorded in income from continuing operations in the prior year for the deal-contingent foreign currency hedge arrangement entered into in connection with the sale of Adtalem Brazil completed on April 24, 2020 to economically hedge the Brazilian Real denominated purchase price through mitigation of the currency exchange rate risk (as discussed in Note 3 “Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale” to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
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The increase of $75.2 million in cash generated from continuing operating activities between the nine months ended March 31, 2021 and the nine months ended March 31, 2020 was primarily due to timing of prepaid expense, accounts payable, and accrued expense disbursements. This includes changes in prepaid income taxes, accrued payroll taxes and benefits, trade accounts payable, accrued income taxes, accrued interest, and clinical partner payments.
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 were $34.8 million compared to $31.9 million in the year-ago period. The capital expenditures in fiscal year 2021 include spending for Chamberlain new campus development, maintenance, and Adtalem’s home office information technology investments. Capital spending for the remainder of fiscal year 2021 will support continued investment for new campus development at Chamberlain, maintenance at the medical and veterinary schools, and Adtalem’s home office. Management anticipates full fiscal year 2021 capital spending to be in the $50 to $55 million range, including $34.8 million spent during the first nine months of fiscal year 2021. The source of funds for this capital spending will be from operations or the Credit Facility (as defined and discussed in Note 12 “Debt” to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
On September 27, 2019, Adtalem closed on the sale of its Columbus, Ohio, campus facility. Net proceeds of $6.4 million from the sale of this facility resulted in a gain on the sale of $4.8 million in the first nine months of fiscal year 2020. This gain was recorded at Adtalem’s home office, which is classified as “Home Office and Other” in Note 19 “Segment Information” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Financing Activities
The following table provides a summary of cash flows from financing activities (in thousands):
Nine Months Ended | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
2021 | 2020 | |||||
Repurchases of common stock for treasury | $ | (81,568) | $ | (136,889) | ||
Net proceeds from long-term debt |
| 797,750 |
| 47,750 | ||
Payment of debt issuance costs | (18,047) | — | ||||
Payment for purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest of subsidiary | — | (6,247) | ||||
Other |
| (3,095) |
| 2,161 | ||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities-continuing operations | $ | 695,040 | $ | (93,225) |
On November 8, 2018, we announced that the Board authorized Adtalem’s eleventh share repurchase program, which allowed Adtalem to repurchase up to $300 million of its common stock through December 31, 2021. The eleventh share repurchase program commenced in January 2019 and was completed in January 2021. On February 4, 2020, we announced that the Board authorized Adtalem’s twelfth share repurchase program, which allows Adtalem to repurchase up to $300 million of its common stock through December 31, 2021. The twelfth and current share repurchase program commenced in January 2021. As of March 31, 2021, $263.7 million of authorized share repurchases were remaining under the current share repurchase program. Repurchases under our share repurchase programs were suspended on March 12, 2020 due to the economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2020, Adtalem resumed repurchases under its share repurchase programs. The timing and amount of any future repurchases will be determined based on an evaluation of market conditions and other factors. See Note 14 “Share Repurchases” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our share repurchase programs.
As discussed in the previous section of this MD&A titled “Walden University Acquisition,” Adtalem agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding equity interest in Walden, in exchange for a purchase price of $1.48 billion in cash, subject to certain adjustments set forth in the Agreement. On March 1, 2021, Adtalem Escrow Corporation (the “Escrow Issuer”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adtalem, issued $800 million aggregate principal amount of 5.50% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (the “Notes”), which mature on March 1, 2028, pursuant to an indenture, dated as of March 1, 2021 (the “Indenture”), by and between the Escrow Issuer and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and notes collateral agent. On February 12, 2021, Adtalem placed a $850 million senior secured term loan (“New Term Loan”) into the loan market. Funding under the New Term Loan will occur at the same time as the closing of the Acquisition. In addition, Adtalem
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expects to secure a $400 million senior secured revolving loan facility (“New Revolver”) based on the commitment letter (the “Commitment Letter”) Adtalem entered into on September 11, 2020 with Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc. (“MSSF”), Barclays Bank PLC (“Barclays”), Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch (“CS”) and Credit Suisse Loan Funding LLC (“CSLF” and, together with CS and their respective affiliates, “Credit Suisse”), and MUFG Bank, Ltd. (together with MSSF, Barclays and Credit Suisse, the “Commitment Parties”). We refer to the New Revolver and New Term Loan collectively as the “New Credit Facility.” The proceeds of the Notes and the New Credit Facility will be used, among other things, to finance the Acquisition, refinance Adtalem’s existing credit agreement, pay fees and expenses related to the Acquisition, and in the case of the New Revolver, to finance ongoing working capital and general corporate purposes. The commitments under the Commitment Letter are subject to customary closing conditions. The New Credit Facility will close at the same time as the closing date of the Acquisition. As of March 31, 2021, the amount of debt outstanding under our credit facility was $291.8 million. See Note 12 “Debt” to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our credit agreement and the financing agreements associated with the Acquisition.
Management currently projects that COVID-19 will have an effect on operations and, as a result, liquidity, as discussed in the previous section of this MD&A titled “Overview of the Impact of COVID-19” however, we believe the current balances of cash, cash generated from operations, and our Credit Facility (as defined and discussed in Note 12 “Debt” to the Consolidated Financial Statements) will be sufficient to fund both Adtalem’s current domestic and international operations and growth plans for the foreseeable future, except in relation to the Acquisition of Walden, as discussed above.
Contractual Obligations
Adtalem’s long-term contractual obligations consist of its $800 million Notes and $600 million Credit Facility (as defined and discussed in Note 12 “Debt” to the Consolidated Financial Statements), operating leases (discussed in Note 10 “Leases” to the Consolidated Financial Statements) on facilities, and agreements for various services.
As discussed in the previous section of this MD&A titled “Liquidity and Capital Resources,” on February 12, 2021, Adtalem placed a $850 million senior secured term loan into the market to provide future funding for the Acquisition. In addition, Adtalem expects to secure a $400 million senior secured revolving loan facility based on the Commitment Letter Adtalem entered into on September 11, 2020. The commitments under the Commitment Letter are subject to customary closing conditions.
In fiscal year 2018, Adtalem recorded a liability of $96.3 million for the one-time transition tax on the deemed repatriation of foreign earnings, pursuant to the Tax Act. This amount was reduced to $8.7 million after utilization of tax credits and current and prior year tax losses. In fiscal year 2020, Adtalem recorded an adjustment to the one-time transition tax, increasing the liability by $0.6 million to $9.4 million, and is payable over eight years. The first installment will be required in fiscal year 2022.
Adtalem assigned certain leases to Carrington and DeVry University but remains contingently liable under these leases.
Seasonality
The seasonal pattern of Adtalem’s enrollments and its educational programs’ starting dates affect the results of operations and the timing of cash flows. Therefore, management believes that comparisons of its results of operations should primarily be made to the corresponding period in the preceding year. Comparisons of financial position should be made to both the end of the previous fiscal year and to the end of the corresponding quarterly period in the preceding year.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Adtalem is not a party to any off-balance sheet financing or contingent payment arrangements, nor are there any unconsolidated subsidiaries. Adtalem has not extended any loans to any officer, director, or other affiliated person. Adtalem has not entered into any synthetic leases, and there are no residual purchase or value commitments related to any facility lease.
On March 24, 2020, we executed a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap agreement (the “Swap”) with a multinational financial institution to mitigate risks associated with the variable interest rate on our Term B Loan debt. We pay interest at a fixed rate of 0.946% and receive variable interest of one-month LIBOR (subject to a minimum of 0.00%),
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on a notional amount equal to the amount outstanding under the Term B Loan. The effective date of the Swap was March 31, 2020 and settlements with the counterparty occur on a monthly basis. The Swap will terminate on February 28, 2025. During the operating term of the Swap, the annual interest rate on the amount of the Term B Loan is fixed at 3.946% (including the impact of our current 3% interest rate margin on LIBOR loans) for the applicable interest rate period. The Swap is designated as a cash flow hedge and as such, changes in its fair value are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and are reclassified into the Consolidated Statements of Income within interest expense in the periods in which the hedged transactions affect earnings. As of March 31, 2021, the fair value of the Swap was a loss of $9.5 million.
Adtalem did not enter into any other derivatives, swaps, futures contracts, calls, hedges, or non-exchange traded contracts during the first nine months of fiscal year 2021.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies and estimates as disclosed in our 2020 Form 10-K.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact, which includes statements regarding the future impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the pending Walden University acquisition. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as “future,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “can,” “continue,” “preliminary,” “range,” and similar terms. These forward-looking statements are subject to risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the statements. These risk and uncertainties include the risk factors described in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our 2020 Form 10-K and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which should be read in conjunction with the forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. These forward-looking statements are based on information available to us as of the date any such statements are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations
We believe that certain non-GAAP financial measures provides investors with useful supplemental information regarding the underlying business trends and performance of Adtalem’s ongoing operations and is useful for period-over-period comparisons. We use these supplemental non-GAAP financial measures internally in our assessment of performance and budgeting process. However, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The following are non-GAAP financial measures used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Adtalem excluding special items (most comparable GAAP measure: net income attributable to Adtalem) – Measure of Adtalem’s net income attributable to Adtalem adjusted for restructuring expense, business acquisition and integration expense, pre-acquisition interest expense, gain on sale of assets, gain on derivative, and loss from discontinued operations.
Earnings per share from continuing operations excluding special items (most comparable GAAP measure: earnings per share) – Measure of Adtalem’s diluted earnings per share adjusted for restructuring expense, business acquisition and integration expense, pre-acquisition interest expense, gain on sale of assets, gain on derivative, and loss from discontinued operations.
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Operating income excluding special items (most comparable GAAP measure: operating income) – Measure of Adtalem’s operating income adjusted for restructuring expense, business acquisition and integration expense, and gain on sale of assets. This measure is applied on a consolidated and segment basis, depending on the context of the discussion.
Effective income tax rate from continuing operations excluding special items (most comparable GAAP measure: effective income tax rate from continuing operations) – Measure of Adtalem’s effective tax rate adjusted for tax effect on gain on derivative.
A description of special items in our non-GAAP financial measures described above are as follows:
● | Restructuring charges primarily related to real estate consolidations at Adtalem’s home office and ACAMS and the sale of Becker’s courses for healthcare students. |
● | Business acquisition and integration expense include expenses related to the pending Walden University acquisition. |
● | Pre-acquisition interest expense related to financing arrangements in connection with the pending Walden University acquisition. |
● | Gain on the sale of Adtalem’s Columbus, Ohio, campus facility. |
● | Gain on the deal-contingent foreign currency hedge arrangement entered into in connection with the sale of Adtalem Brazil completed on April 24, 2020 to economically hedge the Brazilian Real denominated purchase price through mitigation of the currency exchange rate risk. |
● | Loss from discontinued operations include the operations of Adtalem Brazil, Carrington, and DeVry University. |
The following tables provide a reconciliation from the most directly comparable GAAP measure to these non-GAAP financial measures. The operating income reconciliation is included in the results of operations section within this MD&A.
Net income attributable to Adtalem reconciliation to net income from continuing operations attributable to Adtalem excluding special items (in thousands):
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | ||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Net income attributable to Adtalem (GAAP) | $ | 24,652 | $ | 150,832 | $ | 67,897 | $ | 170,718 | |||||
Restructuring expense | 1,217 | 1,854 | 6,605 | 10,339 | |||||||||
Business acquisition and integration expense | 3,646 | — | 28,161 | — | |||||||||
Pre-acquisition interest expense | 4,951 | — | 4,996 | — | |||||||||
Gain on sale of assets | — | — | — | (4,779) | |||||||||
Gain on derivative | — | (111,838) | — | (83,832) | |||||||||
Income tax impact on non-GAAP adjustments (1) | (2,727) | (361) | (10,238) | (1,165) | |||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations | 5,157 | 2,719 | 21,203 | 1,758 | |||||||||
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Adtalem excluding special items (non-GAAP) | $ | 36,896 | $ | 43,206 | $ | 118,624 | $ | 93,039 |
(1) | Represents the income tax impact of non-GAAP continuing operations adjustments that is recognized in our GAAP financial statements. |
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Earnings per share reconciliation to earnings per share from continuing operations excluding special items (shares in thousands):
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | ||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
Earnings per share, diluted (GAAP) | $ | 0.48 | $ | 2.83 | $ | 1.30 | $ | 3.13 | |||||
Effect on diluted earnings per share: | |||||||||||||
Restructuring expense | 0.02 | 0.03 | 0.13 | 0.19 | |||||||||
Business acquisition and integration expense | 0.07 | - | 0.54 | - | |||||||||
Pre-acquisition interest expense | 0.10 | - | 0.10 | - | |||||||||
Gain on sale of assets | - | - | - | (0.09) | |||||||||
Gain on derivative | - | (2.10) | - | (1.54) | |||||||||
Income tax impact on non-GAAP adjustments (1) | (0.05) | (0.01) | (0.20) | (0.02) | |||||||||
Loss from discontinued operations | 0.10 | 0.05 | 0.41 | 0.03 | |||||||||
Earnings per share from continuing operations excluding special items, diluted (non-GAAP) | $ | 0.72 | $ | 0.81 | $ | 2.28 | $ | 1.70 | |||||
Diluted shares used in EPS calculation | 51,111 | 53,319 | 52,101 | 54,576 |
(1) | Represents the income tax impact of non-GAAP continuing operations adjustments that is recognized in our GAAP financial statements. |
Effective income tax rate from continuing operations reconciliation to effective income tax rate from continuing operations excluding special items (in thousands):
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||
March 31, | March 31, | |||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||
Pre-tax results: | ||||||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes (GAAP) | $ | 37,048 | $ | 160,368 | $ | 110,395 | $ | 190,355 | ||||||
Gain on derivative | — | (111,838) | — | (83,832) | ||||||||||
Income from continuing operations before income taxes excluding special items (non-GAAP) | $ | 37,048 | $ | 48,530 | $ | 110,395 | $ | 106,523 | ||||||
Taxes: | ||||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes (GAAP) | $ | (7,341) | $ | (6,937) | $ | (21,654) | $ | (18,213) | ||||||
Tax rate: | ||||||||||||||
Effective income tax rate (GAAP) | 19.8 | % | 4.3 | % | 19.6 | % | 9.6 | % | ||||||
Effective income tax rate excluding special items (non-GAAP) | 19.8 | % | 14.3 | % | 19.6 | % | 17.1 | % |
The calculation of the effective income tax rate from continuing operations excluding special items in this MD&A does not include all of the same special items used in our calculation of net income from continuing operations excluding special items because we do not include all the special item adjustments from our GAAP results in discussing our effective tax rates in this MD&A discussion.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
On March 24, 2020, we executed a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap agreement (the “Swap”) with a multinational financial institution to mitigate risks associated with the variable interest rate on our Term B Loan debt. We pay interest at a fixed rate of 0.946% and receive variable interest of one-month LIBOR (subject to a minimum of 0.00%), on a notional amount equal to the amount outstanding under the Term B Loan. The effective date of the Swap was March 31, 2020 and settlements with the counterparty occur on a monthly basis. The Swap will terminate on February 28, 2025. During the operating term of the Swap, the annual interest rate on the amount of the Term B Loan is fixed at 3.946% (including the impact of our current 3% interest rate margin on LIBOR loans) for the applicable interest rate period. The Swap is designated as a cash flow hedge and as such, changes in its fair value are recognized in accumulated other
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comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and are reclassified into the Consolidated Statements of Income within interest expense in the periods in which the hedged transactions affect earnings. As of March 31, 2021, the fair value of the Swap was a loss of $9.5 million. As of March 31, 2021, a 100 basis point increase in short-term interest rates would result in a $11.3 million change in value of the Swap.
There have been no other material changes in Adtalem’s market risk exposure during the first nine months of fiscal year 2021. For a discussion of Adtalem’s exposure to market risk, refer to Item 7A. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” contained in Adtalem’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Based on an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of Adtalem’s management, Adtalem’s Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer have concluded that Adtalem’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act were effective as of March 31, 2021 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Adtalem in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to Adtalem’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Adtalem’s internal control over financial reporting.
Part II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
For information regarding legal proceedings, see Note 18 “Commitments and Contingencies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1. “Financial Statements.”
Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, the factors discussed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in Adtalem’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, which could materially affect Adtalem’s business, financial condition, or future results, should be carefully considered. Such risks are not the only risks facing Adtalem. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to Adtalem or that management currently deems to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect its business, financial condition, and/or operating results. Except for the risk factors discussed below, there have been no material changes to Adtalem’s risk factors since its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020.
Risks Related to Acquisition
Completion of the Acquisition is subject to the conditions contained in the Agreement and if these conditions are not satisfied or waived, the Acquisition will not be completed.
Our obligation to complete the Acquisition is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions, including, among others, the receipt of certain regulatory approvals including the U.S. Department of Education, the HLC, and the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period (and any extension thereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.
Many of the conditions to the closing of the Acquisition are not within Adtalem’s or Seller’s control, and neither company can predict with certainty when or if these conditions will be satisfied. The failure to satisfy all of the required conditions could delay the completion of the Acquisition for a significant period of time or prevent it from occurring. Any
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delay in completing the Acquisition could cause us not to realize some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve if the Acquisition is successfully completed within the expected time frame. There can be no assurance that the conditions to the closing of the Acquisition will be satisfied or waived or that the Acquisition will be completed.
The Acquisition is subject to the conditions contained in the Agreement, and if these conditions are not satisfied or waived, the Acquisition will not be completed.
Our obligation to complete the Acquisition is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions, including, among others, the receipt of certain regulatory approvals including the U.S. Department of Education and the HLC, and we cannot guarantee that we or the Seller will be able to obtain any of these approvals. On November 9, 2020, the HLC assigned the designation of “Under Governmental Investigation” to Walden University, which will remain in place until the President of the HLC determines the institution has resolved the issues that led to the designation. The “Under Governmental Investigation” designation by HLC could delay or prevent approval by the HLC of a substantive change application on behalf of Walden University. There can be no assurance that any consents, clearances or approvals necessary or advisable to be obtained in connection with the Acquisition will be obtained in a timely manner or at all, or whether they will be subject to actions, conditions, limitations or restrictions that may jeopardize or delay the completion of the Acquisition, materially reduce or delay the anticipated benefits of the transaction or allow the parties to terminate the Agreement.
Additionally, many of the conditions to the closing of the Acquisition are not within Adtalem’s or Seller’s control, and we cannot predict when or if these conditions will be satisfied. The failure to satisfy all the required conditions could delay the completion of the Acquisition for a significant period of time or prevent it from occurring. Any delay or failure to consummate the Acquisition could cause us not to realize some or all of the financial and operational benefits that we expect to achieve.
Failure to complete the Acquisition could negatively impact our stock price and our future business and financial results.
If the Acquisition is not completed for any reason, our ongoing business may be adversely affected and, without realizing any of the benefits of having completed the Acquisition, we could be subject to a number of negative consequences, including, among others: (i) we may experience negative reactions from the financial markets, including negative impacts on our stock price; (ii) we will still be required to pay certain significant costs relating to the Acquisition, including legal, accounting, and financial advisor costs; (iii) we may be required to pay a cash termination fee as required by the Agreement; and (iv) matters related to the Acquisition (including integration planning) require substantial commitments or our time and resources, which could have resulted in our inability to pursue other opportunities that could have been beneficial to us.
If the Acquisition is not completed, any of these risks may materialize and may adversely affect our businesses, financial condition, financial results, and stock price.
The Acquisition will involve substantial costs.
We have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, a number of non-recurring costs associated with the Acquisition. The substantial majority of the non-recurring expenses will consist of transaction and regulatory costs related to the Acquisition. We will also incur transaction fees and costs related to formulating and implementing integration plans, including system consolidation costs and employment-related costs. We continue to assess the magnitude of these costs, and additional unanticipated costs may be incurred from the Acquisition and integration. Although we anticipate that the elimination of duplicative costs and the realization of other efficiencies and synergies related to the integration should allow us to offset integration-related costs over time, this net benefit may not be achieved in the near term, or at all.
In connection with the Acquisition, we will incur additional indebtedness, which could adversely affect Adtalem, including our business flexibility and will increase our interest expense.
We will have increased indebtedness following completion of the Acquisition in comparison to our recent historical basis, which could have the effect, among other things, of reducing our flexibility to respond to changing business and economic conditions and increasing our interest expense. We will also incur various costs and expenses related to the
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financing of the Acquisition. The amount of cash required to pay interest on our increased indebtedness following completion of the Acquisition and thereby the demands on our cash resources will be greater than the amount of cash flow required to service our indebtedness prior to the Acquisition. The increased levels of indebtedness following completion of the Acquisition could also reduce funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, and other general corporate purposes, and may create competitive disadvantages for us relative to other companies with lower debt levels. If we do not achieve the expected synergies and cost savings from the Acquisition, or if our financial performance after the Acquisition does not meet our current expectations, then our ability to service the indebtedness may be adversely impacted.
Despite current indebtedness levels, we may still be able to incur substantially more debt, including secured debt, which could further exacerbate the risks we face.
After giving effect to (a) the consummation of the Acquisition, (b) the issuance of the Notes, (c) the delivery of collateral to any escrow accounts and entry into commitment letters by Adtalem in connection therewith, (d) entry into and incurrence of borrowings under the New Credit Facility and the application of the net proceeds thereof, (e) the amendment of, repayment of and termination of Adtalem’s Credit Agreement, (f) the merger of the Escrow Issuer with and into Adtalem, with Adtalem as the surviving entity, and (g) all other transactions related or incidental to, or in connection with, any of the foregoing (including, without limitation, the payment of fees and expenses in connection with each of the foregoing), we are a highly leveraged company.
We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, including secured indebtedness secured by different collateral to which the Notes would be effectively junior and indebtedness of non-guarantor subsidiaries to which the Notes would be structurally subordinated. The expected terms of our New Credit Facility and the indenture that will govern the Notes will limit, but not prohibit, us or our subsidiaries from incurring additional indebtedness, including secured indebtedness, but these limits are subject to significant exceptions and do not limit liabilities that do not constitute debt. If we or the guarantors incur any additional indebtedness secured by the collateral on the same first priority basis, the holders of that indebtedness will be entitled to share ratably with the lenders under the New Credit Facility and holders of the Notes and the guarantees offered hereby in any proceeds of the collateral distributed in connection with any insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or other winding-up of our company. In addition, our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences. For example, it could:
● | limit our ability to borrow money for our working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, strategic initiatives or other purposes; |
● | make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness, including the Notes, and any failure to comply with the obligations of any of our debt instruments, including restrictive covenants and borrowing conditions, could result in an event of default under the indenture governing the Notes and the agreements governing other indebtedness; |
● | require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to the repayment of our indebtedness, thereby reducing funds available to us for other purposes; |
● | limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our operations or business; |
● | make us more highly leveraged than some of our competitors, which may place us at a competitive disadvantage; |
● | make us more vulnerable to downturns in our business or the economy; and |
● | restrict us from making strategic acquisitions, engaging in development activities, introducing new technologies or exploiting business opportunities. |
If new indebtedness is added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we and our subsidiaries now face could intensify.
We and our subsidiaries may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness following the Acquisition, including the Notes, and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful.
Our ability following the Acquisition to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations, including payments expected on the Notes, depends on our and our subsidiaries’ financial condition and operating performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business, competitive, legislative,
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regulatory, and other factors beyond our control. As a result, we may not be able to maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities following the Acquisition sufficient to permit us to pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness. In addition, because we conduct a significant portion of our operations through our subsidiaries, repayment of our indebtedness is also dependent on the generation of cash flow by our subsidiaries and their ability to make such cash available to us by dividend, debt repayment, or otherwise. Our subsidiaries are distinct legal entities and, other than the Escrow Issuer prior to the Escrow Merger and the Assumption and the guarantors thereafter, they do not have any obligation to pay amounts due on the Notes or to make funds available for that purpose or for other obligations. Pursuant to applicable state limited liability company laws and other laws and regulations, our non-guarantor subsidiaries may not be able to, or may not be permitted to, make distributions to us in order to enable us to make payments in respect of the Notes. In the event that we do not receive distributions from our non-guarantor subsidiaries, we may be unable to make required principal and interest payments on our indebtedness.
In addition, there can be no assurance that following the Acquisition our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, or that future borrowings will be available to us under our New Revolver in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness, including the Notes, or to fund our other liquidity needs. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, or to sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness, including the Notes. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets, which are currently experiencing significant volatility during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. The terms of existing or future debt instruments and the indenture governing the Notes may restrict us from adopting some of these alternatives.
If we cannot make scheduled payments on our indebtedness, we will be in default, and holders of the Notes could declare all outstanding principal and interest to be due and payable, the lenders under the credit facilities could terminate their commitments to loan money, our secured lenders (including the lenders under the credit facilities and the holders of the Notes) could foreclose against the assets securing their loans and the Notes and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.
The combined company may be unable to successfully integrate the business of Adtalem and the Walden business acquired in the Acquisition and realize the anticipated benefits of the Acquisition.
The success of the Acquisition will depend, in part, on the combined company’s ability to successfully combine the business of Adtalem and the Walden business acquired in the Acquisition, and realize the anticipated benefits, including synergies, cost savings, innovation, and operational efficiencies, from the combination. If the combined company is unable to achieve these objectives within the anticipated time frame, or at all, the anticipated benefits may not be realized fully or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected and the combined company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows, and the value of its common stock may be harmed. Additionally, rating agencies may take negative actions against the combined company.
The Acquisition involves the integration of certain Walden assets of Laureate with Adtalem’s existing business, which is expected to be a complex, costly, and time-consuming process. The integration may result in material challenges, including, without limitation:
● | the diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business concerns and performance shortfalls at one or both of the companies as a result of the devotion of management’s attention to the Acquisition; |
● | managing a larger combined company; |
● | maintaining employee morale and retaining key management and other employees; |
● | the possibility of faulty assumptions underlying expectations regarding the integration process; |
● | retaining existing business and operational relationships and attracting new business and operational relationships; |
● | consolidating corporate and administrative infrastructures and eliminating duplicative operations; |
● | coordinating geographically separate organizations; |
● | unanticipated issues in integrating information technology, communications, and other systems; |
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● | unanticipated changes in federal or state laws or regulations, including changes with respect to government financial aid programs and any regulations enacted thereunder; |
● | unforeseen or worse liabilities or risks related to Walden; and |
● | unforeseen expenses or delays associated with the Acquisition. |
Many of these factors will be outside of the combined company’s control and any one of them could result in delays, increased costs, decreases in the amount of expected revenues, and diversion of management’s time and energy, which could materially affect the combined company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
The integration of Walden with Adtalem’s business may result in unforeseen expenses, and the anticipated benefits of the integration plan may not be realized. These integration matters could have an adverse effect on (i) each of Adtalem and Walden during this transition period and (ii) the combined company for an undetermined period after completion of the Acquisition. In addition, any actual cost savings of the Acquisition could be less than anticipated.
Risks Related to Shareholder Activism
Shareholder activism, including public criticism of Adtalem or our management team, may adversely affect us.
In recent years, shareholder activism involving corporate governance, fiduciary duties of directors and officers, strategic direction and operations has become increasingly prevalent. Since December 2020, investors communications to our Board of Directors, among other things, urged our Board of Directors to focus on the following aspects of our business: (i) consider all options to terminate the Acquisition, (ii) sell the medical schools and the financial services assets, (iii) following the sale of the medical schools and the financial services assets, eliminate the holding company structure, (iv) rationalize the cost structure, (v) make changes to the composition of our management and board, (vi) separate the Chairman and CEO roles, and (vii) review the current management compensation structure. Other recent communications from the investors to our Board of Directors, among other things, urged our Board of Directors to execute the following initiatives: (a) investigate the allegations by the DOJ that Walden University may have violated the federal False Claims Act and explore all possible options for terminating the Acquisition, (b) make changes to the composition of our management to include persons with significant operational and industry experience, (c) separate the Chairman and CEO roles, (d) eliminate our holding company structure and divest the financial services division, and (e) take certain steps to reduce corporate overhead and redundancies. Additional investor communications to our Board of Directors shared concerns regarding the quality of the assets associated with the Acquisition.
Responding to actions by activist shareholders could be costly and time-consuming, disrupt our operations and divert the attention of management and our employees. Additionally, any perceived uncertainties as to our future direction, strategy or leadership created as a consequence of these letters or other activist shareholder initiatives may adversely affect our business or cause our share price to experience periods of volatility or stagnation.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1) | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1) | ||||||
January 1, 2021 - January 31, 2021 | 562,379 | $ | 36.39 | 562,379 | $ | 279,803,123 | ||||
February 1, 2021 - February 28, 2021 | 105,200 | 39.42 | 105,200 | 275,655,637 | ||||||
March 1, 2021 - March 31, 2021 | 307,304 | 39.03 | 307,304 | 263,662,817 | ||||||
Total | 974,883 | $ | 37.55 | 974,883 | $ | 263,662,817 |
(1) On November 8, 2018, we announced that the Board of Directors of Adtalem (the “Board”) authorized the eleventh share repurchase program, which allowed Adtalem to repurchase up to $300 million of its common stock through December 31, 2021. The eleventh share repurchase program commenced in January 2019 and was completed in January 2021. On February 4, 2020, we announced that the Board authorized Adtalem’s twelfth share repurchase program, which allows Adtalem to repurchase up to $300 million of its common stock through December 31, 2021.
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The twelfth and current share repurchase program commenced in January 2021. Repurchases under our share repurchase programs were suspended on March 12, 2020 due to the economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2020, Adtalem resumed repurchases under its share repurchase programs. The timing and amount of any future repurchases will be determined based on an evaluation of market conditions and other factors.
Other Purchases of Equity Securities
Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) | Average Price Paid per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs | |||||
January 1, 2021 - January 31, 2021 | — | $ | — | NA | NA | ||||
February 1, 2021 - February 28, 2021 | 4,469 | 40.13 | NA | NA | |||||
March 1, 2021 - March 31, 2021 | — | — | NA | NA | |||||
Total | 4,469 | $ | 40.13 | NA | NA |
(1) Represents shares delivered back to Adtalem for payment of withholding taxes from employees for vesting restricted stock units and shares swapped for payment on exercise of incentive stock options pursuant to terms of Adtalem’s stock incentive plans.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
4.1 | ||
4.2 | ||
31.1 | ||
31.2 | ||
32 | ||
101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | |
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | |
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | |
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | |
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | |
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
* Furnished herewith.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Adtalem Global Education Inc. | ||
Date: April 29, 2021 | By: | /s/ Robert J. Phelan |
Robert J. Phelan | ||
Interim Chief Financial Officer | ||
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |
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