American Public Education Inc (APEI)vsTAL Education Group (TAL)
APEI
American Public Education Inc
$44.02
-4.66%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $845.90M
TAL
TAL Education Group
$10.06
-1.47%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $5.58B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
TAL Education Group generates 378% more annual revenue ($3.19B vs $668.01M). TAL leads profitability with a 28.4% profit margin vs 6.8%. APEI appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.97. TAL earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 80/100 (A-).
APEI
Strong Buy66
out of 100
Grade: B-
TAL
Exceptional Buy80
out of 100
Grade: A-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+40.7%
Fair Value
$72.87
Current Price
$44.02
$28.85 discount
Margin of Safety
+89.5%
Fair Value
$113.21
Current Price
$10.06
$103.15 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Earnings expanding 129.3% YoY
Growing faster than its price suggests
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Reasonable price relative to book value
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Reasonable price relative to book value
Revenue surging 31.9% year-over-year
Earnings expanding 1360.0% YoY
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Keeps 28 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Areas to Watch
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
6.8% margin — thin
Expensive relative to growth rate
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : APEI
The strongest argument for APEI centers on EPS Growth, PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio. PEG of 0.97 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : TAL
The strongest argument for TAL centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Revenue Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 28.4% and operating margin at 18.1%. Revenue growth of 31.9% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bear Case : APEI
The primary concerns for APEI are Market Cap, Profit Margin.
Bear Case : TAL
The primary concerns for TAL are PEG Ratio.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
APEI profiles as a value stock while TAL is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.
APEI carries more volatility with a beta of 1.41 — expect wider price swings.
TAL is growing revenue faster at 31.9% — sustainability is the question.
TAL generates stronger free cash flow (478M), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
TAL scores higher overall (80/100 vs 66/100), backed by strong 28.4% margins and 31.9% revenue growth. APEI offers better value entry with a 40.7% margin of safety. Both earn "Exceptional Buy" and "Strong Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
American Public Education Inc
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · EDUCATION & TRAINING SERVICES · USA
American Public Education, Inc. offers postsecondary education online and on campus. The company is headquartered in Charles Town, West Virginia.
TAL Education Group
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · EDUCATION & TRAINING SERVICES · China
TAL Education Group offers K-12 afterschool tutoring services in the People's Republic of China. The company is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China.
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