Exhibit 99.1
2U Reports Strong Results for First Quarter 2023
LANHAM, Md. — April 26, 2023 — 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU), a leading online education platform company, today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
Results for First Quarter 2023 compared to First Quarter 2022
| • | | Revenue decreased 6% to $238.5 million |
| • | | Degree Program Segment revenue decreased 9% to $140.5 million |
| • | | Alternative Credential Segment revenue decreased 1% to $98.0 million |
| • | | Net loss improved 57% to $54.1 million, or $0.68 per share |
| • | | Cash provided by operating activities on a trailing twelve month basis increased to $38.5 million |
Non-GAAP Results for First Quarter 2023 compared to First Quarter 2022
| • | | Adjusted EBITDA increased 146% to $30.2 million; a margin of 13% |
| • | | Adjusted net loss improved 59% to $7.6 million, or $0.10 per share |
| • | | Adjusted unlevered free cash flow on a trailing twelve month basis increased to $58.5 million |
“We’re thrilled to report that we achieved positive adjusted free cash flow for the first time in our history, delivering a 146% increase in adjusted EBITDA. We generated three million new learner prospects and our enterprise channel grew 57%,” said Christopher “Chip” Paucek, Co-Founder and CEO of 2U. “These results are a testament to our strong execution, best-in-class edX platform, and commitment to efficiency.”
“Our platform strategy has contributed to these strong results, creating a sound financial foundation and setting the stage for future top-line growth and sustained value creation for our shareholders,” added Paul Lalljie, 2U’s Chief Financial Officer. “This leads us to affirm our revenue guidance and increase our adjusted EBITDA guidance for the full year.”
Discussion of First Quarter 2023 Results
Revenue for the quarter totaled $238.5 million, a 6% decrease from $253.3 million in the first quarter of 2022. Revenue from the Degree Program Segment decreased $13.7 million, or 9%, due to a decrease in full course equivalent (FCE) enrollments of 11%, partially offset by a 3% increase in average revenue per FCE enrollment. Revenue from the Alternative Credential Segment decreased $1.1 million, or 1%, primarily due to a decrease in FCE enrollments of 3%, partially offset by a 5% increase in average revenue per FCE enrollment.
Costs and expenses for the quarter totaled $258.7 million, a 29% decrease from $364.7 million in the first quarter of 2022. Costs and expenses for the first quarter of 2022 included $58.8 million of non-cash impairment charges in our Alternative Credential Segment. The remaining decrease of $47.2 million was primarily driven by a $19.6 million decrease in personnel and personnel-related expense, a $19.3 million decrease in paid marketing costs in connection with the platform strategy, a $4.4 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expense, and a $2.0 million decrease in litigation expense. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $4.1 million in restructuring charges.
As of March 31, 2023, the company’s cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash totaled $109.3 million, a decrease of $73.3 million from $182.6 million as of December 31, 2022. Cash provided by operations was $27.5 million, cash used in investing activities was $11.8 million and cash used in financing activities was $89.5 million. Adjusted unlevered free cash flow was $58.5 million for the twelve months ended March 31, 2023 and compares with adjusted unlevered free cash flow of $11.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022.
Business Outlook for Fiscal Year 2023
The company affirmed its revenue guidance provided on February 2, 2023 and updated its guidance for net loss and adjusted EBITDA as follows:
| • | | Revenue to range from $985 million to $995 million, representing growth of 3% at the midpoint |
| • | | Net loss to range from $93 million to $87 million |
| • | | Adjusted EBITDA to range from $157 million to $163 million, representing growth of 28% at the midpoint |