World Teacher Day: Where Wisdom Meets Wall Street
Yesterday was World Teacher Day, a day that celebrates the work of teachers around the globe. Whether you were the kid in detention or the straight A student, it’s important to appreciate teachers for their patience, discipline and educational skills that help us learn and shape us from children through adulthood.
The origins of World Teacher Day can be traced back to the 1960s. The idea for a day to recognize teachers on a global scale was first proposed by Dr. Salim Siddiqui, an educator from Pakistan, in 1966. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) took up this suggestion and, in 1967, proclaimed October 5th as World Teacher Day. Since then, World Teacher Day has been celebrated annually around the world.
As we honor our educators, let’s review some educational stocks that you may want to study for your next investment assignment.
Knowledge Is Power
Stride, Inc. (LRN), a technology-based education service company, provides proprietary and third-party online curriculum, software systems, and educational services to facilitate individualized learning for students primarily in kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) in the US and internationally. Recently, the company launched a resource hubsupporting its non-profit partner Rachel’s Challenge that encourages everyone to stand up to bullying. LRN is up ~37% YTD.
Let’s Get Technical
Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (LINC), together with its subsidiaries, provides various career-oriented post-secondary education services to high school graduates and working adults in the United States. Most recently, the technical education specialist announced it will be relocating its Philadelpia campus to Levittown and expand its program offerings to include Welding Tech, HVAC and Electrical as well as, Electronic Systems Tech. LINC is up ~44% YTD.
Once Upon A Time
Scholastic Corporation (SCHL), publishes and distributes children’s books worldwide. It operates in three segments: Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution, Education Solutions, and International. The Children’s Book Publishing and Distribution segment engages in publication and distribution of children’s books, eBooks, media, and interactive products through its schoolbook clubs and fair channels, and trade channel. Mid-September the storyteller announced disappointing Q1 earnings, as reported EPS was ($2.35) vs a year ago ($1.33), revenues decreased 13% to $228.5M and operating loss was $99.1M compared to same period last year of $58.1M. SCHL is down ~8% YTD.
School Supplier
Boxlight Corporation (BOXL), develops, sells, and services interactive classroom technology products and solutions for the K-12 education market worldwide. The company provides interactive and non-interactive projectors and flat panel displays, interactive touch projectors, touchboards, and MimioTeach that could turn any whiteboard interactive; and accessory document cameras, teacher pads for remote control, and assessment systems under the Mimio and Clevertouch brands. Although the company recently announced they were the winner of 9 Best for Back to School Awards by Tech and Learning, BOXL is trading down ~25%. Time to hit the books.
So, here’s to the educators who’ve mastered the art of herding cats, who secretly sip their coffee with a side of “teacher magic,” and who inspire us to learn, even when we’d rather be anywhere else. Happy World Teacher Day, where we raise our voices and give a standing ovation – and maybe even a perfectly executed quadratic equation – to the champions of our education!
