American Public Education Inc (APEI)vsTAL Education Group (TAL)
APEI
American Public Education Inc
$56.18
+1.24%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $990.52M
TAL
TAL Education Group
$11.30
+2.26%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $6.72B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
TAL Education Group generates 334% more annual revenue ($2.82B vs $648.86M). TAL leads profitability with a 9.9% profit margin vs 4.9%. TAL appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.46. TAL earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 68/100 (B-).
APEI
Hold47
out of 100
Grade: D+
TAL
Strong Buy68
out of 100
Grade: B-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-46.7%
Fair Value
$29.46
Current Price
$56.18
$26.72 premium
Margin of Safety
+47.1%
Fair Value
$22.46
Current Price
$11.30
$11.16 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
No standout strengths identified
Growing faster than its price suggests
Reasonable price relative to book value
Revenue surging 27.0% year-over-year
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
4.9% margin — thin
ROE of 7.7% — below average capital efficiency
Weak financial health signals
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : APEI
APEI has a balanced fundamental profile.
Bull Case : TAL
The strongest argument for TAL centers on PEG Ratio, Price/Book, Revenue Growth. Revenue growth of 27.0% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.46 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bear Case : APEI
The primary concerns for APEI are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Market Cap. Thin 4.9% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Bear Case : TAL
The primary concerns for TAL are Return on Equity, Piotroski F-Score.
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 1.66 — expect wider price swings.
TAL is growing revenue faster at 27.0% — sustainability is the question.
TAL generates stronger free cash flow (816M), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
TAL scores higher overall (68/100 vs 47/100) and 27.0% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Hold" 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.
Compare with Other EDUCATION & TRAINING SERVICES Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?