Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012

OR

 

¨    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                    to                     

   Commission file number        1-13144

ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   36-2061311

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

13000 North Meridian Street

Carmel, Indiana

  46032-1404
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:        (317) 706-9200

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    x         No    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).

    Yes    x         No    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer     x    Accelerated filer    ¨  
Non-accelerated filer  

¨  (Do not check if a smaller

      reporting company)

   Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

    Yes    ¨         No    x

23,324,430

Number of shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value, outstanding at September 30, 2012


Table of Contents

ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.

Carmel, Indiana

Quarterly Report to Securities and Exchange Commission

September 30, 2012

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

Index

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2012 and 2011 (unaudited) and December  31, 2011

  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September  30, 2012 and 2011

  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011

  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011

  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September  30, 2012 and 2011 (unaudited) and the year ended December 31, 2011

  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

  

 

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ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

     As of  
         September 30,    
2012
         December 31,    
2011
         September 30,    
2011
 
     (unaudited)             (unaudited)  

Assets

        

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

     $174,458           $228,993           $172,577     

Short-term investments

     0           148,488           146,799     

Restricted cash

     720           2,128           413     

Accounts receivable, net

     89,425           48,106           56,140     

Deferred income taxes

     19,284           9,759           6,760     

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     18,331           18,814           19,565     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     302,218           456,288           402,254     

Property and equipment, net

     194,253           201,257           201,010     

Deferred income taxes

     39,499           33,267           37,068     

Other assets

     49,080           38,006           46,422     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     $585,050           $728,818           $686,754     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

        

Current liabilities:

        

Accounts payable

     $76,358           $78,876           $88,825     

Accrued compensation and benefits

     19,729           21,438           16,772     

Other current liabilities

     19,910           18,190           12,809     

Deferred revenue

     119,089           226,543           226,046     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     235,086           345,047           344,452     

Long-term debt

     140,000           150,000           150,000     

Other liabilities

     78,189           64,972           63,840     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     453,275           560,019           558,292     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

        

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued

     0           0           0     

Common stock, $.01 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized, 37,068,904 issued

     371           371           371     

Capital surplus

     203,095           189,573           186,009     

Retained earnings

     968,545           827,675           751,705     

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)

     (8,970)           (9,479)           (4,498)     

Treasury stock, 13,744,474, 10,969,425 and 10,405,882 shares, at cost

     (1,031,266)           (839,341)           (805,125)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     131,775           168,799           128,462     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

     $585,050           $728,818           $686,754     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended  
             September 30,                       September 30,           
         2012              2011              2012              2011      

Revenue

     $314,747             $360,638             $986,366             $1,131,686       

Costs and expenses:

           

Cost of educational services

     133,948             141,262             409,829             421,460       

Student services and administrative expenses

     110,046             109,512             327,779             329,721       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     243,994             250,774             737,608             751,181       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

     70,753             109,864             248,758             380,505       

Interest income

     125             716             1,308             2,341       

Interest (expense)

     (1,021)             (378)             (2,822)             (1,442)       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

     69,857             110,202             247,244             381,404       

Provision for income taxes

     26,997             42,884             97,311             149,700       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

     $42,860             $67,318             $149,933             $231,704       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

           

Basic

     $1.83             $2.51             $6.23             $8.34       

Diluted

     $1.83             $2.48             $6.20             $8.27       

Weighted average shares outstanding:

           

Basic

     23,359             26,839             24,054             27,791       

Diluted

     23,443             27,098             24,200             28,035       

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,      September 30,  
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Net Income

             $42,860                     $67,318                     $149,933                     $231,704       

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

           

    Prior service cost amortization, net of income tax of $152, $185, $455 and $455

     (237)             (289)             (711)             (711)       

    Net actuarial pension loss amortization, net of income tax of $265, $156, $796 and $528

     414             244             1,241             824       

    Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of income tax of $0, $0, $0 and $0

     0             (15)             (21)             (102)       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

     177             (60)             509             11       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income

             $43,037             $67,258             $150,442             $231,715       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,      September 30,  
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Cash flows from operating activities:

           

Net income

     $42,860           $67,318           $149,933           $231,704     

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:

           

Depreciation and amortization

     6,930           6,486           22,045           20,368     

Provision for doubtful accounts

     22,873           13,864           57,480           44,018     

Deferred income taxes

     (6,021)           (5,831)           (16,097)           (13,008)     

Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises

     (3)           (167)           (1,382)           (1,145)     

Stock-based compensation expense

     4,291           4,166           13,046           12,838     

Other

     340           (820)           97           (3,237)     

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

           

Restricted cash

     31           (26)           1,408           (158)     

Accounts receivable

     (38,623)           (22,963)           (98,799)           (31,221)     

Accounts payable

     (4,419)           22,817           (2,518)           20,905     

Other operating assets and liabilities

     (5,758)           5,035           1,008           29,071     

Deferred revenue

     (2,784)           (40,801)           (107,454)           (18,316)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash flows from operating activities

     19,717           49,078           18,767           291,819     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

           

Facility expenditures and land purchases

     (108)           (1,454)           (493)           (3,129)     

Capital expenditures, net

     (3,185)           (7,827)           (14,820)           (20,013)     

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments and repayment of notes

     553           52,317           216,724           312,709     

Purchase of investments and note advances

     0           (48,613)           (63,545)           (330,306)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash flows from investing activities

     (2,740)           (5,577)           137,866           (40,739)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

           

Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises

     3           167           1,382           1,145     

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     254           303           8,345           5,286     

Debt issue costs

     0           0           (1,525)           0     

Proceeds from revolving borrowings

     0           0           175,000           0     

Repayment of revolving borrowings

     (10,000)           0           (185,000)           0     

Repurchase of common stock and shares tendered for taxes

     (10)           (29,629)           (209,370)           (248,713)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cash flows from financing activities

     (9,753)           (29,159)           (211,168)           (242,282)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     7,224           14,342           (54,535)           8,798     

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     167,234           158,235           228,993           163,779     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

           $174,458                 $172,577                 $174,458                 $172,577     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollars and shares in thousands)

 

      Common Stock      Capital      Retained     

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

     Common Stock in Treasury      Total  
   Shares      Amount      Surplus      Earnings      Income/(Loss)      Shares      Amount     

Balance as of December 31, 2010

     37,069           $371           $173,935           $524,678           ($4,509)           (7,076)           ($566,405)           $128,070     
                       

 

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 (unaudited):

                       

Net income

              231,704                    231,704     

Other comprehensive income

                 11                 11     

Exercise of stock options and equity awards

              (4,678)              148           9,964           5,286     

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options and equity award vesting

           1,169                       1,169     

Stock-based compensation

           10,905                       10,905     

Common shares repurchased

                    (3,470)           (248,099)           (248,099)     

Issuance of shares for Directors’ compensation

              1              1           29           30     

Shares tendered for taxes

                    (9)           (614)           (614)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2011

     37,069           371           186,009           751,705           (4,498)           (10,406)           (805,125)           128,462     
                       

 

 

 

For the three months ended December 31, 2011 (unaudited):

                       

Net income

              76,048                    76,048     

Other comprehensive income:

                       

Prior service costs, net of $152 of income tax

                 (237)                 (237)     

Net actuarial pension loss, net of $3,533 of income tax

                 (5,520)                 (5,520)     

Pension settlement loss, net of $470 of income tax

                 734                 734     

Unrealized gain

                 42                 42     
                       

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

                          71,067     
                       

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options and equity awards

              (78)              7           391           313     

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options and equity award vesting

           21                       21     

Stock-based compensation

           3,543                       3,543     

Common shares repurchased

                    (570)           (34,602)           (34,602)     

Shares tendered for taxes

                       (5)           (5)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2011

     37,069           371           189,573           827,675           (9,479)           (10,969)           (839,341)           168,799     
                       

 

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2012 (unaudited):

                       

Net income

              149,933                    149,933     

Other comprehensive income

                 509                 509     

Exercise of stock options and equity awards

              (9,062)              272           17,407           8,345     

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options and equity award vesting

           922                       922     

Stock-based compensation

           12,600                       12,600     

Common shares repurchased

                    (3,026)           (207,918)           (207,918)     

Issuance of shares for Directors’ compensation

              (1)              1           38           37     

Shares tendered for taxes

                    (22)           (1,452)           (1,452)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2012

         37,069               $371               $203,095               $968,545           ($8,970)               (13,744)               ($1,031,266)               $131,775     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2012

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data and unless otherwise stated)

 

1. The Company and Basis of Presentation

We are a leading proprietary provider of postsecondary degree programs in the United States based on revenue and student enrollment. As of September 30, 2012, we were offering master, bachelor and associate degree programs to approximately 65,000 students at ITT Technical Institute and Daniel Webster College locations. In addition, we offered one or more of our online programs to students who are located in 48 states. As of September 30, 2012, we had 150 college locations (including 147 campuses and three learning sites) in 39 states. All of our college locations are authorized by the applicable education authorities of the states in which they operate and are accredited by an accrediting commission recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”). We have provided career-oriented education programs since 1969 under the “ITT Technical Institute” name and since June 2009 under the “Daniel Webster College” name. Our corporate headquarters are located in Carmel, Indiana.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include our wholly-owned subsidiaries’ accounts and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America for interim periods and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures, including significant accounting policies, normally included in a complete presentation of financial statements prepared in accordance with those principles, rules and regulations have been omitted. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2011 was derived from audited financial statements but, as presented in this report, may not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Arrangements where we may have a variable interest in another party are evaluated in accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC” or “Codification”) 810, “Consolidation” (“ASC 810”), to determine whether we would be required to include the financial results of the other party in our consolidated financial statements. Based on our most recent evaluation, we were not required to include the financial results of any variable interest entity in our condensed consolidated financial statements. See Note 8 – Variable Interests, for additional discussion of our variable interests.

In the opinion of our management, the financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to fairly state our financial condition and results of operations. The interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2011.

 

2. New Accounting Guidance

In October 2012, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2012-04, which makes technical corrections, clarifications and limited-scope improvements to various topics throughout the Codification. The amendments in this ASU that do not have transition guidance are effective upon issuance and the amendments that are subject to transition guidance will be effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2013. We have not yet determined the effect that the adoption of this guidance will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In August 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-03, which amends and corrects various sections in the Codification pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 114, SEC Release No. 33-9250 and ASU No. 2010-22. The amendments and corrections in this ASU are effective upon issuance. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, which is included in the Codification under ASC 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”). This update allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it must perform a quantitative impairment test. An entity would be required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset, if the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. This guidance is effective for impairment tests performed for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2013. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, which is included in the Codification under ASC 220, “Comprehensive Income” (“ASC 220”). This update defers the effective date of ASU No. 2011-05 for changes that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income. None of the other requirements in ASU 2011-05 are affected by this update. This guidance became effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2012. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Also in December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, which is included in the Codification under ASC 210, “Balance Sheet” (“ASC 210”). This update provides for enhanced disclosures to help users of financial statements evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on an entity’s financial position. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2013. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, which is included in the Codification under ASC 350. This update allows an entity to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. This guidance became effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2012. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, which is included in the Codification under ASC 220. This update requires total comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income to be presented either in a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. This guidance became effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2012. Prior to January 1, 2012, we presented total Comprehensive income and the components of Other comprehensive income in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity. After December 31, 2011, we present total Comprehensive income and the components of Other comprehensive income in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, which is included in the Codification under ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements” (“ASC 820”). This update provides guidance and clarification about the application of existing fair value measurements and disclosure requirements. This guidance became effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2012. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3. Fair Value

Fair value for financial reporting is defined as the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid upon the transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement of our financial assets recorded on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets utilized assumptions categorized as observable inputs under the accounting guidance. Observable inputs are assumptions based on independent market data sources.

The following table sets forth information regarding the fair value measurement of our financial assets as of September 30, 2012:

 

            Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
            (Level 1)      (Level 2)    (Level 3)

                Description                 

   As of
September 30,
2012
     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
     Significant Other
Observable Inputs
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

  Cash equivalents:

           

Money market funds

           $172,707               $172,707             $0    $0

  Other assets:

           

Money market fund

     8,621               8,621               0      0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

  

 

     $181,328                     $181,328             $0    $0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

  

 

We used quoted prices in active markets for identical assets as of the measurement date to value our financial assets that were categorized as Level 1.

The carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other current liabilities and deferred revenue approximate fair value, because of the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments.

As of September 30, 2012, each of the carrying value and the estimated fair value of the notes receivable included in Other assets on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet was approximately $18,000. We estimated the fair value of the notes receivable by discounting the future cash flows using current rates for similar arrangements. The assumptions used in this estimate are considered unobservable inputs. Fair value measurements that utilize significant unobservable inputs are categorized as Level 3 measurements under the accounting guidance.

As of September 30, 2012, each of the carrying value and the estimated fair value of our long-term debt was approximately $140,000. The fair value of our long-term debt was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using current rates for similar loans with similar characteristics and remaining maturities. We utilized inputs that were observable or were principally derived from observable market data to estimate the fair value of our long-term debt. Fair value measurements that utilize significant other observable inputs are categorized as Level 2 measurements under the accounting guidance.

 

4. Equity Compensation

The stock-based compensation expense and related income tax benefit recognized in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income in the periods indicated were as follows:

 

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     Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
         2012           2011           2012           2011    

Stock-based compensation expense

   $4,291   $4,166   $13,046   $12,838

Income tax (benefit)

   ($1,652)   ($1,604)   ($5,023)   ($4,943)

We did not capitalize any stock-based compensation cost in the three or nine months ended September 30, 2012 or 2011.

As of September 30, 2012, we estimated that pre-tax compensation expense for unvested stock-based compensation grants in the amount of approximately $26,100, net of estimated forfeitures, will be recognized in future periods. This expense will be recognized over the remaining service period applicable to the grantees which, on a weighted-average basis, is approximately 2.0 years.

The stock options granted, forfeited, exercised and expired in the period indicated were as follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
     # of
      Shares      
  Weighted
Average
Exercise
      Price      
   Aggregate
Exercise
      Price      
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (1)

Outstanding at beginning of period

   1,765,881   $79.24    $139,922      

Granted

     156,500   $75.16        11,763      

Forfeited

       (6,667)   $90.45          (603)      

Exercised

   (202,820)   $41.14        (8,345)      

Expired

     (33,021)   $91.58        (3,024)      
  

 

    

 

     

Outstanding at end of period

   1,679,873   $83.17    $139,713    3.3    $561
  

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Exercisable at end of period

   1,322,033   $82.93    $109,639    2.7    $561
  

 

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

  (1) The aggregate intrinsic value of the stock options was calculated by identifying those stock options that had a lower exercise price than the closing market price of our common stock on September 28, 2012 and multiplying the difference between the closing market price of our common stock and the exercise price of each of those stock options by the number of shares subject to those stock options that were outstanding or exercisable, as applicable.

 

       The following table sets forth information regarding the stock options granted and exercised in the periods indicated:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Shares subject to stock options granted

     0             0             156,500             159,500       

Weighted average grant date fair value per share

     $0             $0             $31.36             $28.90       

Shares subject to stock options exercised

     4,855             8,800             202,820             112,110       

Intrinsic value of stock options exercised

     $14             $469             $4,802             $3,039       

Proceeds received from stock options exercised

     $254             $303             $8,345             $5,286       

Tax benefits realized from stock options exercised

     $5             $180             $1,602             $1,169       

The intrinsic value of a stock option is the difference between the fair market value of the stock and the option exercise price.

The fair value of each stock option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the following assumptions:

 

     Three Months
Ended September 30,
   Nine Months
Ended  September 30,
 
     2012    2011    2012      2011  

Risk-free interest rates

   Not applicable    Not applicable      0.7%             1.8%       

Expected lives (in years)

   Not applicable    Not applicable      4.5             4.7       

Volatility

   Not applicable    Not applicable      51%             48%       

Dividend yield

   Not applicable    Not applicable      None             None       

The following table sets forth the number of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that were granted, forfeited and vested in the period indicated:

 

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     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2012
 
         # of RSUs              Weighted Average    
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

Unvested at beginning of period

     314,006           $79.44     

Granted

     274,520           $73.98     

Forfeited

     (40,794)           $75.29     

Vested

     (117,702)           $82.65     
  

 

 

    

Unvested at end of period

     430,030           $75.47     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

In the nine months ended September 30, 2012:

   

48,935 RSUs vested and were settled in cash for $3,073; and

   

68,767 RSUs vested and were settled in shares of our common stock having a fair market value of $4,565.

 

5. Stock Repurchases

As of September 30, 2012, approximately 7.8 million shares remained available for repurchase under the share repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”) authorized by our Board of Directors. The terms of the Repurchase Program provide that we may repurchase shares of our common stock, from time to time depending on market conditions and other considerations, in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Unless earlier terminated by our Board of Directors, the Repurchase Program will expire when we repurchase all shares authorized for repurchase thereunder.

The following table sets forth information regarding the shares of our common stock that we repurchased in the periods indicated:

 

         Three Months Ended    
    September 30,
         Nine Months Ended    
September 30,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Number of shares

     0             370,000             3,025,700             3,470,000       

Total cost

     $0             $29,579             $207,918             $248,099       

Average cost per share

     $0.00             $79.94             $68.72             $71.50       

 

6. Debt

We were a party to a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 11, 2010, as amended (the “Prior Credit Agreement”), to borrow up to $150,000 under two revolving credit facilities: one in the maximum principal amount of $50,000; and the other in the maximum principal amount of $100,000. The borrowings under each credit facility could have been secured or unsecured at our election, provided that we had not defaulted under the Prior Credit Agreement.

Borrowings under the Prior Credit Agreement bore interest, at our option, at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus an applicable margin or at an alternative base rate, as defined under the Prior Credit Agreement. We paid a facility fee equal to 0.25% per annum on the daily amount of the commitment (whether used or unused) under the Prior Credit Agreement.

On March 21, 2012, we entered into a credit agreement (the “New Credit Agreement”) that provides for a $325,000 senior revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”). The New Credit Agreement also provides that we may seek additional revolving commitments or term loan commitments in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $125,000. The lenders under the New Credit Agreement are not under any obligation to provide any such additional revolving commitments or term loan commitments. The New Credit Agreement has a maturity date of March 21, 2015.

A portion of the borrowings under the Revolver were used to prepay the entire outstanding indebtedness under the Prior Credit Agreement. The Prior Credit Agreement was also terminated on March 21, 2012. In addition to the prepayment of the outstanding indebtedness under the Prior Credit Agreement, borrowings under the New Credit Agreement will be used for general corporate purposes.

Borrowings under the New Credit Agreement bear interest, at our option, at LIBOR plus an applicable margin or at an alternative base rate, as defined under the New Credit Agreement, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for borrowings under the Revolver is determined based on the ratio of our total Indebtedness (as defined in the New Credit Agreement) to EBITDA (as defined in the New Credit Agreement) (the “Leverage Ratio”) as of the end of each fiscal quarter. We also pay a commitment fee on the amount of the unutilized commitments under the New Credit Agreement. The amount of the commitment fee is determined based on the Leverage Ratio as of the end of each fiscal quarter.

The New Credit Agreement contains, among other things, covenants, representations and warranties and events of default customary for credit facilities. The New Credit Agreement is secured by a pledge of the equity interests of our subsidiaries and is guaranteed by one of our subsidiaries. We are required to maintain compliance with a maximum Leverage Ratio, a minimum interest coverage ratio, a minimum liquidity amount and several ratios related to the ED’s regulations. We were in compliance with those requirements as of September 30, 2012.

 

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As of September 30, 2012, the borrowings under the New Credit Agreement totaled $140,000 and bore interest at a weighted average rate of 2.25% per annum. The effective interest rate on our borrowings was approximately 2.70% per annum in the three months ended September 30, 2012 and approximately 1.00% per annum in the three months ended September 30, 2011. In the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the effective interest rate on our borrowings was approximately 2.30% per annum compared to approximately 1.20% per annum in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The commitment fee under the New Credit Agreement was 0.30% as of September 30, 2012.

The following table sets forth the interest expense (including the facility fee and commitment fee) that we recognized on our borrowings under the New Credit Agreement and under the Prior Credit Agreement in the periods indicated:

 

Three Months Ended
            September 30,            
  Nine Months Ended
             September 30,            

     2012     

 

     2011     

 

     2012     

 

     2011     

$879   $378   $2,541   $1,442

 

7. Investments

Our available-for-sale investments were classified as short-term investments on our September 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2011 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table sets forth the aggregate fair value, amortized cost basis and the net unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of our available-for-sale investments as of the dates indicated:

 

     As of:  
     September 30, 2012      December 31, 2011      September 30, 2011  
     Aggregate
Fair Value
     Amortized
Cost
     Net
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
     Aggregate
Fair Value
     Amortized
Cost
     Net
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
     Aggregate
Fair Value
     Amortized
Cost
     Net
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
 

Available- for-Sale Investments:

                          

Government obligations

     $0           $0           $0           $100,517           $100,480           $37           $90,629           $90,611           $18     

Government agency obligations

     0           0           0           31,351           31,354           (3)           31,565           31,565           0     

Corporate obligations

     0           0           0           16,620           16,633           (13)           24,605           24,645           (40)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $0           $0           $0           $148,488           $148,467           $21           $146,799           $146,821           ($22)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table sets forth the unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments that were included in other comprehensive income (loss) in the periods indicated:

 

         Three Months Ended    
September 30,
         Nine Months Ended    
September 30,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Unrealized gains

     $0           $0           $0           $0     

Unrealized losses

     $0           ($15)           ($21)           ($102)     

The following table sets forth the components of investment income included in Interest income in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income in the periods indicated:

 

         Three Months Ended    
September 30,
         Nine Months Ended    
September 30,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Interest income on investments

     $36           $91           $252           $362     

Realized net gains on the sale of investments

     0           23           40           219     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment income

     $36           $114           $292           $581     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

8. Variable Interests

On January 20, 2010, we entered into agreements with unrelated third parties to establish the PEAKS Private Student Loan Program (“PEAKS Program”), which is a private education loan program for our students. Under the PEAKS Program, an unaffiliated lender originated private education loans to our eligible students and, subsequently, sold those loans to an unaffiliated trust that purchased, owns and collects private education loans (“PEAKS Trust”). The PEAKS Trust issued senior debt in the aggregate principal amount of $300,000 (“PEAKS Senior Debt”) to investors. The lender disbursed the proceeds of the private

 

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education loans to us for application to the students’ account balances with us that represented their unpaid education costs. We transferred a portion of the amount of each private education loan disbursed to us under the PEAKS Program to the PEAKS Trust in exchange for a subordinated note issued by the PEAKS Trust (“Subordinated Note”). No new private education loans were or will be originated under the PEAKS Program after July 2011, but immaterial amounts related to loans originated prior to that date were disbursed by the lender through March 2012.

The Subordinated Note is non-interest bearing and has been recorded net of an unamortized discount based on an imputed interest rate of 9.0% in Other assets on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The discount is amortized and recognized in Interest income in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income over the term of the Subordinated Note. The maturity date of the Subordinated Note is in March 2026. The face value of the Subordinated Note as of September 30, 2012 was approximately $73,400.

The PEAKS Trust utilized the proceeds from the issuance of the PEAKS Senior Debt and the Subordinated Note to purchase the private education loans made by the lender to our students. The assets of the PEAKS Trust (which include, among other assets, the private education loans owned by the PEAKS Trust) serve as collateral for, and are intended to be the principal source of, the repayment of the PEAKS Senior Debt and the Subordinated Note. The PEAKS Trust is required to maintain assets having an aggregate value that exceeds the outstanding balance of the PEAKS Senior Debt.

We guarantee payment of the principal, interest and certain call premiums owed on the PEAKS Senior Debt, the administrative fees and expenses of the PEAKS Trust and the required ratio of assets of the PEAKS Trust to outstanding PEAKS Senior Debt (“PEAKS Guarantee”). As of September 30, 2012, the value of the assets of the PEAKS Trust did not satisfy the required ratio of assets of the PEAKS Trust to outstanding PEAKS Senior Debt and, as a result, we subsequently made a guarantee payment to the PEAKS Trust of an immaterial amount to reduce the outstanding balance of the PEAKS Senior Debt to an amount sufficient to satisfy the required ratio. See Note 11 – Contingencies, for further discussion of the PEAKS Guarantee.

We did not explicitly or implicitly provide any financial or other support to the PEAKS Trust during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2012 or 2011 that we were not contractually required to provide, and we do not intend to provide any such support to the PEAKS Trust in the foreseeable future, other than what we are contractually required to provide.

The PEAKS Trust is a variable interest entity as defined under ASC 810. We held variable interests in the PEAKS Trust as of September 30, 2012 as a result of the Subordinated Note and PEAKS Guarantee. To determine whether we were the primary beneficiary of the PEAKS Trust, we:

 

   

assessed the risks that the PEAKS Trust was designed to create and pass through to its variable interest holders;

   

identified the variable interests in the PEAKS Trust;

   

identified the other variable interest holders and their involvement in the activities of the PEAKS Trust;

   

identified the activities that most significantly impact the PEAKS Trust’s economic performance;

   

determined whether we have the power to direct those activities; and

   

determined whether we have the right to receive the benefits from, or the obligation to absorb the losses of, the PEAKS Trust that could potentially be significant to the PEAKS Trust.

We determined that the activities of the PEAKS Trust that most significantly impact the economic performance of the PEAKS Trust involve:

 

   

establishing the underwriting criteria of, and the interest rates and fees charged on, the private education loans acquired by the PEAKS Trust; and

   

the servicing (which includes the collection) of the private education loans owned by the PEAKS Trust.

To make that determination, we analyzed various possible scenarios of student loan portfolio performance to evaluate the potential economic impact on the PEAKS Trust. In our analysis, we made what we believe are reasonable assumptions based on historical data for the following key variables:

 

   

the composition of the credit profiles of the borrowers;

   

the interest rates and fees charged on the loans;

   

the default rates and the timing of defaults associated with similar types of loans; and

   

the prepayment and the speed of repayment associated with similar types of loans.

Based on our analysis, we concluded that we are not the primary beneficiary of the PEAKS Trust, because we do not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the PEAKS Trust. As a result, we are not required under ASC 810 to include the financial results of the PEAKS Trust in our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2012. Our conclusion that we are not the primary beneficiary of the PEAKS Trust did not change from the prior reporting period. Therefore, there was no effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

On February 20, 2009, we entered into agreements with an unaffiliated entity (the “2009 Entity”) to create a program that makes private education loans available to our students to help pay the students’ cost of education that student financial aid from federal, state and other sources do not cover (the “2009 Loan Program”). Under the 2009 Loan Program, an unaffiliated lender

 

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originated private education loans to our eligible students and, subsequently, sold those loans to the 2009 Entity. The 2009 Entity purchased the private education loans from the lender utilizing funds received from its owners in exchange for participation interests in the private education loans acquired by the 2009 Entity. The lender disbursed the proceeds of the private education loans to us for application to the students’ account balances with us that represent their unpaid education costs. No new private education loans were or will be originated under the 2009 Loan Program after December 31, 2011, but immaterial amounts related to loans originated prior to that date were disbursed by the lender through June 2012.

In connection with the 2009 Loan Program, we entered into a risk sharing agreement (the “2009 RSA”) with the 2009 Entity. Under the 2009 RSA, we guarantee the repayment of any private education loans that are charged off above a certain percentage of the private education loans made under the 2009 Loan Program, based on the annual dollar volume. See Note 11 – Contingencies, for further discussion of the 2009 RSA.

In addition, we have made advances to the 2009 Entity under a revolving promissory note (the “Revolving Note”). We did not make any advances in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 to the 2009 Entity under the Revolving Note that we were not contractually required to make. We made advances of $350 in the three months ended September 30, 2011 and $550 in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to the 2009 Entity under the Revolving Note that we were not contractually required to make. Substantially all of the assets of the 2009 Entity serve as collateral for the Revolving Note. The Revolving Note bears interest, is subject to customary terms and conditions and may be repaid at any time without penalty prior to its 2026 maturity date.

The advances under the Revolving Note were primarily used by the 2009 Entity to purchase additional private education loans under the 2009 Loan Program that otherwise may not have been originated. We have no immediate plans to significantly increase the amount of advances that we make to the 2009 Entity under the Revolving Note, but we may decide to do so in the foreseeable future.

The 2009 Entity is a variable interest entity as defined under ASC 810. We held variable interests in the 2009 Entity as of September 30, 2012 as a result of the Revolving Note and 2009 RSA. To determine whether we were the primary beneficiary of the 2009 Entity, we:

 

   

assessed the risks that the 2009 Entity was designed to create and pass through to its variable interest holders;

   

identified the variable interests in the 2009 Entity;

   

identified the other variable interest holders and their involvement in the activities of the 2009 Entity;

   

identified the activities that most significantly impact the 2009 Entity’s economic performance;

   

determined whether we have the power to direct those activities; and

   

determined whether we have the right to receive the benefits from, or the obligation to absorb the losses of, the 2009

Entity that could potentially be significant to the 2009 Entity.

To identify the activities of the 2009 Entity that most significantly impact the economic performance of the 2009 Entity, we analyzed various possible scenarios of private education loan portfolio performance. In our analysis, we made what we believe are reasonable assumptions based on historical data for the following key variables:

 

   

the composition of the credit profiles of the borrowers;

   

the interest rates and fees charged on the loans;

   

the default rates and the timing of defaults associated with similar types of loans; and

   

the prepayment and the speed of repayment associated with similar types of loans.

We determined that the activities of the 2009 Entity that most significantly impact its economic performance involve:

 

   

establishing the underwriting criteria of, and the interest rates and fees charged on, the private education loans acquired by the 2009 Entity; and

   

the servicing (which includes the collection) of the private education loans owned by the 2009 Entity.

Based on our analysis, we concluded that we are not the primary beneficiary of the 2009 Entity, because we do not direct those activities. As a result, we are not required under ASC 810 to include the financial results of the 2009 Entity in our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2012. Our conclusion that we are not the primary beneficiary of the 2009 Entity did not change from the prior reporting period. Therefore, there was no effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

The carrying value of the Subordinated Note and the Revolving Note as of September 30, 2012 was approximately $18,000 and is included in Other assets on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

9. Earnings Per Common Share

Earnings per common share for all periods have been calculated in conformity with ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share”. This data is based on historical net income and the weighted average number of shares of our common stock outstanding during each period as set forth in the following table:

 

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         Three Months Ended    
September  30,
         Nine Months Ended    
September  30,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  
     (In thousands)  

Shares:

           

Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding

     23,359           26,839           24,054           27,791     

Shares assumed issued (less shares assumed purchased for treasury) for stock-based compensation

     84           259           146           244     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding shares for diluted earnings per share calculation

     23,443           27,098           24,200           28,035     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

A total of 1,826,579 shares at September 30, 2012 and 1,108,014 shares at September 30, 2011 were excluded from the calculation of our diluted earnings per common share, because the effect was anti-dilutive.

 

10. Employee Pension Benefits

The following table sets forth the components of net periodic pension benefit of the ESI Pension Plan and ESI Excess Pension Plan for the periods indicated:

 

     Three Months
Ended  September 30,
     Nine Months
Ended  September 30,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Interest cost

     $516           $608           $1,548           $1,804     

Expected return on assets

     (1,128)           (1,273)           (3,385)           (3,567)     

Recognized net actuarial loss

     679           400           2,037           1,352     

Amortization of prior service (credit)

     (389)           (474)           (1,166)           (1,166)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net periodic pension (benefit)

     ($322)           ($739)           ($966)           ($1,577)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The benefit accruals under the ESI Pension Plan and ESI Excess Pension Plan were frozen effective March 31, 2006. As a result, no service cost has been included in the net periodic pension benefit.

We did not make any contributions to the ESI Pension Plan or the ESI Excess Pension Plan in the three or nine months ended September 30, 2012 or 2011. We do not expect to make any contributions to the ESI Pension Plan or the ESI Excess Pension Plan in 2012.

 

11. Contingencies

As part of our normal operations, one of our insurers issues surety bonds for us that are required by various education authorities that regulate us. We are obligated to reimburse our insurer for any of those surety bonds that are paid by the insurer. As of September 30, 2012, the total face amount of those surety bonds was approximately $28,000.

We are also subject to various claims and contingencies, including those related to litigation, business transactions, guarantee arrangements and employee-related matters, among others. We record a liability for those claims and contingencies, if it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Although we believe that our estimates related to any claims and contingencies are reasonable, we cannot make any assurances with regard to the accuracy of our estimates, and actual results could differ materially. As of September 30, 2012, our recorded liability for these claims and contingencies was approximately $44,300, the substantial majority of which pertained to our guarantee arrangements. Approximately $5,300 of the recorded liability was included in Other current liabilities and approximately $39,000 was included in Other liabilities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2012.

We also considered whether additional losses for claims and contingencies were reasonably possible, could be estimated and might be material to our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. With respect to our guarantee arrangements under the PEAKS Guarantee and the 2009 RSA and the risk sharing agreement that we entered into in 2007 (the “2007 RSA” and, collectively with the PEAKS Guarantee and the 2009 RSA, the “RSAs”), we believe that it is reasonably possible that we may incur losses in an estimated range of $11,000 less than to $17,000 greater than the recorded liability for those contingencies. As with any estimate, as facts and circumstances change, the recorded liability and estimated range of reasonably possible losses could change significantly. With respect to legal proceedings, we determined that we cannot provide an estimate of the possible losses, or the range of possible losses, in excess of the amount, if any, accrued, for various reasons, including but not limited to some or all of the following:

 

   

there are significant factual issues to be resolved;

 

   

there are novel or unsettled legal issues presented;

 

   

the proceedings are in the early stages;

 

   

there is uncertainty as to the likelihood of a class being certified or decertified or the ultimate size and scope of the class;

 

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there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals or motions; and

   

in many cases, the plaintiffs have not specified damages in their complaint or in court filings.

Litigation. We are subject to various litigation in the ordinary course of our business. We cannot assure you of the ultimate outcome of any litigation involving us. Although we believe that our estimates related to any litigation are reasonable, deviations from our estimates could produce a materially different result. Any litigation alleging violations of education or consumer protection laws and/or regulations, misrepresentation, fraud or deceptive practices may also subject our affected campuses to additional regulatory scrutiny. The following is a description of pending litigation that falls outside the scope of litigation incidental to the ordinary course of our business.

On July 27, 2011, a complaint in a breach of contract lawsuit was filed against us in the Circuit Court of Fairfax County, Virginia under the following caption: Sallie Mae, Inc. v. ITT Educational Services, Inc (the “SLM Litigation”). On April 13, 2012, an amended complaint was filed in the SLM Litigation. On October 24, 2012, a second amended complaint was filed in the SLM Litigation. The second amended complaint alleges, among other things, that we breached the terms of the Risk Sharing Loan Program Agreement between Sallie Mae, Inc. and us dated July 17, 2007 (the “2007 RSA”) by failing to pay Sallie Mae, Inc. all amounts owed by us under the 2007 RSA. The second amended complaint seeks:

 

   

$25,888;

   

pre- and post-judgment interest;

   

attorney’s fees; and

   

such other amounts that may come due under the 2007 RSA during the pendency of the lawsuit.

We have defended and intend to continue to defend ourselves vigorously against the allegations in the complaint. We have considered whether it is probable that a loss will result from the SLM Litigation and our related obligations under the 2007 RSA, and we have included an estimate of the potential loss in our recorded liability for claims and contingencies as of September 30, 2012 discussed above. The potential range of losses that may be reasonably possible for the SLM Litigation and our related obligations under the 2007 RSA has been included in the estimated range of reasonably possible losses for our guarantee arrangement contingencies disclosed above.

On November 3, 2010, a complaint in a securities class action lawsuit was filed against us and two of our current executive officers in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York under the following caption: Operating Engineers Construction Industry and Miscellaneous Pension Fund, Individually and On Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated v. ITT Educational Services, Inc., et al. (the “Securities Litigation”). On January 21, 2011, the court named the Wyoming Retirement System as the lead plaintiff in the Securities Litigation. On April 1, 2011, an amended complaint was filed in the Securities Litigation under the following caption: In re ITT Educational Services, Inc. Securities and Shareholder Derivative Litigation. The amended complaint alleged, among other things, that:

 

   

the defendants violated Section 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by creating and implementing a systemically predatory business model that operated as a fraud or deceit on purchasers of our common stock during the class period by misrepresenting our financials and future business prospects;

   

the defendants’ misrepresentations and material omissions caused our common stock to trade at artificially inflated prices throughout the class period; and

   

the market’s expectations were ultimately corrected on August 13, 2010 when the ED published the loan repayment rate of our students under a formula contained in proposed regulations published by the ED on July 26, 2010.

The putative class period in this action was from October 23, 2008 through August 13, 2010. The plaintiff sought, among other things, the designation of this action as a class action, and an award of unspecified compensatory damages, interest, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees and expert fees.

On November 12, 2010, a complaint in a shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed against three of our current executive officers, all of our current Directors and one of our former Directors in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York under the following caption: Antonio Cosing, Derivatively and On Behalf of ITT Educational Services, Inc. v. Kevin M. Modany, et al. (the “Cosing Lawsuit”). The complaint alleged, among other things, that from October 23, 2008 through August 13, 2010, the defendants breached their fiduciary duties to us, abused their ability to control and influence us, grossly mismanaged us, caused us to waste corporate assets and were unjustly enriched, by making false and misleading statements and engaging in fraudulent business practices. The complaint sought, among other things, unspecified damages, equitable and/or injunctive relief, restitution, disgorgement of profits, benefits and other compensation, an order directing us to reform our corporate governance and internal procedures, costs, disbursements and attorneys’ fees. On December 14, 2010, the Cosing Lawsuit was consolidated into the Securities Litigation.

On December 3, 2010, another complaint in a shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed against two of our current executive officers, all of our current Directors and one of our former Directors in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York under the following caption: J. Kent Gregory, derivatively on behalf of ITT Educational Services, Inc. v. Kevin M. Modany, et al. (the “Gregory Lawsuit”). The complaint alleged, among other things, that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties to us, were unjustly enriched by us and misappropriated information about us, by making false and misleading statements

 

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and engaging in fraudulent business practices. The complaint sought, among other things, unspecified damages, restitution, disgorgement of profits, benefits and other compensation, an order directing us to reform our corporate governance and internal procedures, costs, disbursements and attorneys’ fees. The Gregory Lawsuit was consolidated into the Cosing Lawsuit on December 13, 2010 and further consolidated into the Securities Litigation on December 14, 2010.

On March 30, 2012, all of the claims alleged in the Securities Litigation were dismissed with prejudice, including the claims in the Cosing Lawsuit and Gregory Lawsuit.

On November 22, 2010, another complaint in a shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed against seven of our current and former officers, all of our current Directors and one of our former Directors in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana under the following caption: Roger B. Orensteen, derivatively on behalf of ITT Educational Services, Inc. v. Kevin M. Modany, et al (the “Orensteen Lawsuit). The complaint alleged, among other things, that, from January 2008 through August 2010, the defendants violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act, breached their fiduciary duties to us, abused their ability to control and influence us, grossly mismanaged us, caused us to waste corporate assets and were unjustly enriched, by making false and misleading statements and engaging in fraudulent business practices. The complaint sought, among other things, unspecified damages, restitution, disgorgement of profits, benefits and other compensation, an order directing us to reform our corporate governance and internal procedures, costs, disbursements and attorneys’ fees. On June 27, 2012, the Orensteen Lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice.

There can be no assurance that the ultimate outcome of derivative actions, federal or state securities law claims or other actions would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Guarantees. We entered into the PEAKS Guarantee in connection with the PEAKS Program. Under the PEAKS Guarantee, we guarantee payment of the principal, interest and certain call premiums owed on the PEAKS Senior Debt, the administrative fees and expenses of the PEAKS Trust and the required ratio of assets of the PEAKS Trust to outstanding PEAKS Senior Debt. The PEAKS Senior Debt bears interest at a variable rate based on the LIBOR plus an applicable margin and matures in January 2020. The PEAKS Guarantee agreement contains, among other things, representations and warranties and events of default customary for guarantees. In addition, under the PEAKS Program, some or all of the holders of the PEAKS Senior Debt could require us to purchase their PEAKS Senior Debt in certain limited circumstances that pertain to our continued eligibility to participate in the federal student financial aid programs under Title IV (the “Title IV Programs”) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (the “HEA”). We believe that the likelihood of those limited circumstances occurring is remote. Our guarantee and purchase obligations under the PEAKS Program remain in effect until the PEAKS Senior Debt and the PEAKS Trust’s fees and expenses are paid in full. At such time, we will be entitled to repayment of the amount of any payments made under the PEAKS Guarantee to the extent that funds are remaining in the PEAKS Trust.

The maximum future payments that we could be required to make under the PEAKS Guarantee include:

 

   

up to $283,000 in principal of PEAKS Senior Debt, which was the approximate outstanding principal balance of the PEAKS Senior Debt as of September 30, 2012;

   

accrued interest on the PEAKS Senior Debt;

   

certain call premiums associated with the PEAKS Senior Debt;

   

the fees and expenses of the PEAKS Trust; and

   

amounts by which the ratio of assets of the PEAKS Trust to outstanding PEAKS Senior Debt falls below the required level.

We are not able to estimate the undiscounted maximum potential amount of future payments that we could be required to make under the PEAKS Guarantee, because those payments will be affected by:

 

   

the repayment performance of the private education loans made under the PEAKS Program, the proceeds from which will be used to repay the PEAKS Senior Debt and to pay the fees and expenses of the PEAKS Trust, and the performance of which also affects the ratio of assets of the PEAKS Trust to outstanding PEAKS Senior Debt;

   

the fact that those loans consist of a large number of loans of individually immaterial amounts;

   

the fact that the interest rate on the PEAKS Senior Debt is a variable rate based on the LIBOR plus a margin;

   

whether certain call premiums will be payable in connection with the PEAKS Senior Debt; and

   

the amount of fees and expenses of the PEAKS Trust, much of which is based on the principal balance of the private education loans held by the PEAKS Trust.

No new private education loans were or will be originated under the PEAKS Program after July 2011, but immaterial amounts related to loans originated prior to that date were disbursed by the lender through March 2012.

We entered into the 2009 RSA in connection with the 2009 Loan Program. Under the 2009 RSA, we guarantee the repayment of the principal amount (including capitalized origination fees) and accrued interest payable on any private education loans that are charged off above a certain percentage of the private education loans made under the 2009 Loan Program, based on the annual dollar volume. The total initial principal amount of private education loans that the 2009 Entity purchased under the 2009 Loan Program was approximately $141,000. No new private education loans were or will be originated under the 2009 Loan Program after December 31, 2011, but immaterial amounts related to loans originated prior to that date were disbursed by the

 

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lender through June 2012. Our obligations under the 2009 RSA will remain in effect until all private education loans made under the 2009 Loan Program are paid in full or charged off. The standard repayment term for a private education loan made under the 2009 Loan Program is ten years, with repayment generally beginning six months after a student graduates or three months after a student withdraws or is terminated from his or her program of study.

Pursuant to the 2009 RSA, we are required to maintain collateral to secure our guarantee obligation in an amount equal to a percentage of the outstanding balance of private education loans disbursed to our students under the 2009 Loan Program. As of September 30, 2012, the total collateral maintained in a restricted bank account was not material. This amount is included in Other assets on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2012. The 2009 RSA also requires that we comply with certain covenants, including that we maintain certain financial ratios which are measured on a quarterly basis. We were in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2012.

We entered into the 2007 RSA with a different lender for certain private education loans that were made to our students in 2007 and early 2008. We guarantee the repayment of any private education loans that the lender charges off above a certain percentage of the total dollar volume of private education loans made under the 2007 RSA. We will have the right to pursue repayment from the borrowers for those charged off private education loans under the 2007 RSA that we pay to the lender pursuant to our guarantee obligation. The 2007 RSA was terminated effective February 22, 2008, such that no private education loans have been or will be made under the 2007 RSA after that date. Based on information that we have received to date from the lender, we believe that the total original principal amount of private education loans made under the 2007 RSA, net of amounts refunded under those loans, was approximately $180,000. Our obligations under the 2007 RSA will remain in effect until all private education loans under the agreement are paid in full or charged off by the lender. The standard repayment term for a private education loan made under the 2007 RSA is ten years, with repayment generally beginning six months after a student graduates, withdraws or is terminated from his or her program of study.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we made guarantee payments that were not material under the RSAs. At the end of each reporting period, we assess whether we should recognize a contingent liability related to our guarantees under the RSAs and, if so, in what amount. Our recorded liability for the obligations related to the guarantee arrangements under the RSAs is included in Other liabilities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Item 2.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements, trend analyses and other information contained in this report that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements are made based on our management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. You can identify those statements by the use of words such as “could,” “should,” “would,” “may,” “will,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “potential,” “intend,” “continue” and “contemplate,” as well as similar words and expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and do not guarantee future performance. We cannot assure you that future developments affecting us will be those anticipated by our management. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements are the following:

 

   

changes in federal and state governmental laws and regulations with respect to education and accreditation standards, or the interpretation or enforcement of those laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the level of government funding for, and our eligibility to participate in, student financial aid programs utilized by our students;

   

business conditions and growth in the postsecondary education industry and in the general economy;

   

our failure to comply with the extensive education laws and regulations and accreditation standards that we are subject to;

   

effects of any change in our ownership resulting in a change in control, including, but not limited to, the consequences of such changes on the accreditation and federal and state regulation of our campuses;

   

our ability to implement our growth strategies;

   

our failure to maintain or renew required federal or state authorizations or accreditations of our campuses or programs of study;

   

receptivity of students and employers to our existing program offerings and new curricula;

   

loss of access by our students to lenders for education loans;

   

our ability to collect internally funded financing from our students;

   

our exposure under our guarantees related to private student loan programs; and

   

our ability to successfully defend litigation and other claims brought against us.

Readers are also directed to other risks and uncertainties discussed in other documents we file with the SEC, including, without limitation, those discussed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the SEC, in Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2012 and June 30, 2012 and in Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

 

 

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Overview

You should keep in mind the following points as you read this report:

 

   

References in this document to “we,” “us,” “our” and “ITT/ESI” refer to ITT Educational Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

   

The terms “ITT Technical Institute” or “Daniel Webster College” (in singular or plural form) refer to an individual school or campus owned and operated by ITT/ESI, including its learning sites, if any. The term “institution” (in singular or plural form) means a main campus and its additional locations, branch campuses and/or learning sites, if any.

This management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the same titled section contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the SEC for discussion of, among other matters, the following items:

 

   

cash receipts from financial aid programs;

   

nature of capital additions;

   

seasonality of revenue;

   

components of income statement captions;

   

federal regulations regarding:

   

    timing of receipt of funds from the Title IV Programs;

   

    percentage of applicable revenue that may be derived from the Title IV Programs;

   

    return of Title IV Program funds for withdrawn students; and

   

    default rates;

   

private loan programs;

   

investments; and

   

repurchase of shares of our common stock.

This management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses, and contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from those estimates and judgments under different assumptions or conditions.

In this management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, when we discuss factors that contributed to a change in our financial condition or results of operations, we disclose the primary factors that materially contributed to that change.

Background

We are a leading proprietary provider of postsecondary degree programs in the United States based on revenue and student enrollment. As of September 30, 2012, we were offering master, bachelor and associate degree programs to approximately 65,000 students. As of September 30, 2012, we had 150 college locations (including 147 campuses and three learning sites) in 39 states. In addition, we offered one or more of our online programs to students who are located in 48 states. All of our college locations are authorized by the applicable education authorities of the states in which they operate, and are accredited by an accrediting commission recognized by the ED. We design our education programs, after consultation with employers and other constituents, to help graduates prepare for careers in various fields involving their areas of study. We have provided career-oriented education programs since 1969 under the “ITT Technical Institute” name and since June 2009 under the “Daniel Webster College” name.

In the third quarter of 2012, we began operations at one new ITT Technical Institute campus. We do not expect to begin operations at any additional locations during the remainder of 2012. Our strategy is to pursue multiple opportunities for growth. We are implementing a growth strategy designed to:

 

   

improve the academic outcomes of our students;

   

increase the value proposition of our education programs for our students; and

   

increase access to high-quality, career-based education.

We intend to pursue this strategy by:

 

   

increasing student enrollment in existing programs at existing campuses;

   

increasing the number and types of program and other educational offerings that are delivered in residence and/or online;

   

increasing our students’ engagement in their programs of study;

   

enhancing the relevancy of our educational offerings;

   

assessing student achievement and learning;

   

improving the flexibility and convenience of how our institutions deliver their educational offerings;

 

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increasing our students’ access to financial aid;

   

helping our graduates obtain entry-level employment involving their fields of study at higher starting annual salaries;

   

operating new campuses across the United States and new institutions in international markets;

   

adding learning sites to existing campuses; and

   

investing in other education-related opportunities.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses, and contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from those estimates and judgments under different assumptions or conditions. We have discussed the critical accounting policies that we believe affect our more significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of the Operations – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the SEC. There have been no material changes to those critical accounting policies or the underlying accounting estimates or judgments.

New Accounting Guidance

In October 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-04, which makes technical corrections, clarifications, and limited-scope improvements to various topics throughout the Codification. The amendments in this ASU that do not have transition guidance are effective upon issuance and the amendments that are subject to transition guidance will be effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2013. We have not yet determined the effect that the adoption of this guidance will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In August 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-03, which amends and corrects various sections in the Codification pursuant to SAB No. 114, SEC Release No. 33-9250 and ASU No. 2010-22. The amendments and corrections in this ASU are effective upon issuance. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, which is included in the Codification under ASC 350. This update allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it must perform a quantitative impairment test. An entity would be required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset, if the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. This guidance is effective for impairment tests performed for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2013. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, which is included in the Codification under ASC 220. This update defers the effective date of ASU No. 2011-05 for changes that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income. None of the other requirements in ASU 2011-05 are affected by this update. This guidance became effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2012. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Also in December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, which is included in the Codification under ASC 210. This update provides for enhanced disclosures to help users of financial statements evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on an entity’s financial position. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2013. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, which is included in the Codification under ASC 350. This update allows an entity to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. This guidance became effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2012. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, which is included in the Codification under ASC 220. This update requires total comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income to be presented either in a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. This guidance became effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2012. Prior to January 1, 2012, we presented total Comprehensive income and the components of Other comprehensive income in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity. After December 31, 2011, we present total Comprehensive income and the components of Other comprehensive income in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, which is included in the Codification under ASC 820. This update provides guidance and clarification about the application of existing fair value measurements and disclosure requirements. This guidance became effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2012. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the percentage relationship of certain statement of income data to revenue for the periods indicated:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2012    2011    2012    2011

Revenue

       100.0%            100.0%            100.0%            100.0%    

Cost of educational services

       42.6%            39.2%            41.5%            37.2%    

Student services and administrative expenses

       35.0%            30.4%            33.2%            29.1%    
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Operating income

       22.5%            30.5%            25.2%            33.6%    

Interest (expense) income, net

       (0.3%)            0.1%            (0.2%)            0.1%    
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

       22.2%            30.6%            25.1%            33.7%    
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

The following table sets forth our total student enrollment as of the dates indicated:

 

     2012    2011

Total Student

Enrollment as of:        

   Total
Student
     Enrollment    
   (Decrease)
To
    Prior Year    
   Total
Student
     Enrollment    
   (Decrease)
To
    Prior Year    

March 31

       71,123            (15.4%)            84,030            (0.6%)    

June 30

       66,397            (15.7%)            78,743            (7.0%)    

September 30

       65,662            (17.1%)            79,219            (10.0%)    

December 31

       Not applicable            Not applicable            73,255            (13.5%)    

Total student enrollment includes all new and continuing students. A continuing student is any student who, in the academic term being measured, is enrolled in a program of study at one of our campuses and was enrolled in the same program at any of our campuses at the end of the immediately preceding academic term. A new student is any student who, in the academic term being measured, enrolls in and begins attending any program of study at one of our campuses:

 

   

for the first time at that campus;

   

after graduating in a prior academic term from a different program of study at that campus; or

   

after having withdrawn or been terminated from a program of study at that campus.

The following table sets forth our new student enrollment in the periods indicated:

 

     2012    2011

New Student

Enrollment

in the Three

Months Ended:                

   New
Student
    Enrollment    
   (Decrease) To
Prior Year
   New Student
Enrollment
   (Decrease) To
Prior Year

March 31

       18,067            (17.0%)            21,761            (5.6%)    

June 30

       15,698            (9.5%)            17,351            (19.9%)    

September 30

       19,298            (15.8%)            22,909            (14.1%)    

December 31

       Not applicable            Not applicable                  15,125                (14.7%)    
              

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total for the year

       Not applicable            Not applicable                  77,146                (13.4%)     
              

 

 

      

 

 

 

We believe that the decrease in new student enrollment in each of the three months ended September 30, 2012 and June 30, 2012 compared to the corresponding period in the prior year was primarily due to:

 

   

a decrease in the rate at which prospective students who applied for enrollment actually began attending classes in their program of study;

   

changes that we made to program offerings at select campuses which resulted in a more significant decline in new student enrollment in the criminal justice programs of study compared to our other curricula; and

   

a decline in new student enrollment in the drafting and design programs of study compared to our other curricula, which we believe may have been due to economic changes in the construction industry generally.

We believe that the decrease in new student enrollment in the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011 was primarily due to:

 

   

changes that we made to program offerings at select campuses which resulted in a more significant decline in new student enrollment in the criminal justice programs of study compared to our other curricula; and

   

a decline in new student enrollment in the drafting and design programs of study compared to our other curricula, which we believe may have been due to economic changes in the construction industry generally.

 

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A continued decline in new and total student enrollment could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, revenue and other results of operations and cash flows. We have taken a number of steps in an attempt to reverse the decline in total and new student enrollment, including, without limitation, refining our marketing, advertising and communications to focus more on the student value proposition and outcomes of an ITT Technical Institute education.

At the vast majority of our campuses, we generally organize the academic schedule for programs of study offered on the basis of four 12-week academic quarters in a calendar year. The academic quarters typically begin in early March, mid-June, early September and late November or early December. To measure the persistence of our students, the number of continuing students in any academic term is divided by the total student enrollment in the immediately preceding academic term.

The following table sets forth the rates of our students’ persistence as of the dates indicated:

 

     Student Persistence as of:

Year

       March 31           June 30           September 30           December 31    

2010

   76.1%   74.5%   72.4%   76.1%

2011

   73.5%   73.1%   71.5%   73.4%

2012

   72.4%   71.3%   69.8%   Not applicable

We believe that the decrease in student persistence as of September 30, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011 was primarily due to:

 

   

the number of graduates in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same prior year period decreasing at a lesser rate than the decline in total student enrollment as of June 30, 2012 compared to the same date in the prior year; and

   

a slight decrease in student retention in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same prior year period, principally as a result of a decline in retention in some of the courses in new programs of study that we recently began offering.

The decrease in student persistence as of June 30 and March 31, 2012 compared to the corresponding prior year dates was primarily due to a higher number of students who graduated at the end of the academic period that began in March 2012 and December 2011 compared to the end of the same academic period in the prior year.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2011. Revenue decreased $45.9 million, or 12.7%, to $314.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $360.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011. The primary factors that contributed to this decrease included, in order of significance:

 

   

a 15.7% decrease in total student enrollment as of June 30, 2012 compared to June 30, 2011; and

   

a 17.1% decrease in total student enrollment as of September 30, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011.

The decrease in revenue was partially offset by:

   

a decrease in the amount of institutional scholarships and other awards that we granted to our students in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same prior year period; and

   

a lesser impact of the private education loan programs, which expired in 2011, on our revenue recognition in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same prior year period.

The primary factors that contributed to the decrease in total student enrollment as of June 30, 2012 compared to June 30, 2011 included, in order of significance:

 

   

the 9.5% decrease in new student enrollment in the three months ended June 30, 2012 and the 17.0% decrease in new student enrollment in the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to the same prior year periods; and

   

an increase in the number of students who graduated in the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the same prior year period.

The primary factors that contributed to the decrease in total student enrollment as of September 30, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011 included, in order of significance:

 

   

the 15.8% decrease in new student enrollment in the three months ended September 30, 2012 and the 9.5% decrease in new student enrollment in the three months ended June 30, 2012 compared to the same prior year periods; and

   

an increase in the number of students who graduated in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same prior year period.

Cost of educational services decreased $7.3 million, or 5.2%, to $133.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $141.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011. The primary factors that contributed to this decrease included, in order of significance:

 

   

a decrease in compensation costs;

   

a decrease in legal expenses; and

   

a decrease in course supplies expenses.

 

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Cost of educational services as a percentage of revenue increased 340 basis points to 42.6% in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to 39.2% in the three months ended September 30, 2011. The primary factor that contributed to this increase was a decline in revenue, which was partially offset by decreases in compensation costs, legal expenses and course supplies expenses.

Student services and administrative expenses increased $0.5 million, or 0.5%, to $110.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $109.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011. The principal cause of this increase was an increase in bad debt expense, which was partially offset by a decrease in media advertising expenses.

Student services and administrative expenses increased to 35.0% of revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to 30.4% of revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2011. The principal causes of this increase were a decline in revenue and an increase in bad debt expense, which were partially offset by a decrease in media advertising expenses. Bad debt expense as a percentage of revenue increased to 7.3% in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to 3.8% in the three months ended September 30, 2011, primarily as a result of an increase in the amount of internal student financing that we provided to our students in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011. The increase in the amount of internal student financing was primarily due to:

 

   

a decline in the amount of private education loans available to our students in the three months ended September 30, 2012 as a result of the expiration in 2011 of the two private education loan programs that provided the vast majority of private education loans to our students in 2011 (see “—Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources – Private Student Financing Update”); and

   

a decrease in the amount of scholarships and other awards provided to our students in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011.

Operating income decreased $39.1 million, or 35.6%, to $70.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $109.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011, primarily as a result of the impact of the factors discussed above in connection with revenue, cost of educational services, and student services and administrative expenses. Our operating margin decreased to 22.5% in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to 30.5% in the three months ended September 30, 2011, primarily as a result of the impact of the factors discussed above.

Interest income decreased $0.6 million, or 82.5%, to $0.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $0.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011, primarily due to lower investment returns and balances. Interest expense increased $0.6 million, or 170.1%, to $1.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $0.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011, primarily due to an increase in the effective interest rate on our revolving credit facility.

Our combined federal and state effective income tax rate was 38.7% in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to 38.9% in the three months ended September 30, 2011.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared with Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011. Revenue decreased $145.3 million, or 12.8%, to $986.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $1,131.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The primary factors that contributed to this decrease included, in order of significance:

 

   

a 15.4% decrease in total student enrollment as of March 31, 2012 compared to March 31, 2011;

   

a 15.7% decrease in total student enrollment as of June 30, 2012 compared to June 30, 2011;

   

a 13.5% decrease in total student enrollment as of December 31, 2011 compared to December 31, 2010; and

   

a 17.1% decrease in total student enrollment as of September 30, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011.

The decrease in revenue was partially offset by a lesser impact of the private education loan programs, which expired in 2011, on our revenue recognition in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same prior year period.

Cost of educational services decreased $11.6 million, or 2.8%, to $409.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $421.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The primary factors that contributed to this decrease included, in order of significance:

 

   

a decrease in compensation costs; and

   

a decrease in legal expenses.

Cost of educational services as a percentage of revenue increased 430 basis points to 41.5% in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to 37.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The primary factor that contributed to this increase was a decline in revenue, which was partially offset by decreases in compensation costs and legal expenses.

Student services and administrative expenses decreased $1.9 million, or 0.6%, to $327.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $329.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The principal causes of this decrease were decreases in media advertising expenses and expenses related to student scholarships, which were partially offset by an increase in bad debt expense.

 

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Student services and administrative expenses increased to 33.2% of revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to 29.1% of revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The principal causes of this increase were a decline in revenue and an increase in bad debt expense, which were partially offset by decreases in media advertising expenses and expenses related to student scholarships. Bad debt expense as a percentage of revenue increased to 5.8% in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to 3.9% in the nine months ended September 30, 2011, primarily as a result of an increase in the amount of internal student financing that we provided to our students in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The increase in the amount of internal student financing was primarily due to a decline in the amount of private education loans available to our students in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as a result of the expiration in 2011 of the two private education loan programs that provided the vast majority of private education loans to our students in 2011. See “—Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources – Private Student Financing Update.” We believe that our bad debt expense as a percentage of revenue will be in the range of 5.0% to 6.0% in 2012.

Operating income decreased $131.7 million, or 34.6%, to $248.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $380.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011, primarily as a result of the impact of the factors discussed above in connection with revenue, cost of educational services, and student services and administrative expenses. Our operating margin decreased to 25.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to 33.6% in the nine months ended September 30, 2011, primarily as a result of the impact of the factors discussed above.

Interest income decreased $1.0 million, or 44.1%, to $1.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $2.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011, primarily due to lower investment returns and balances. Interest expense increased $1.4 million, or 95.7%, to $2.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $1.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011, primarily due to an increase in the effective interest rate on our revolving credit facility.

Our combined federal and state effective income tax rate was 39.4% in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to 39.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents were $174.5 million as of September 30, 2012 compared to $229.0 million as of December 31, 2011 and $172.6 million as of September 30, 2011. We had no short-term investments as of September 30, 2012 compared to $148.5 million as of December 31, 2011 and $146.8 million as of September 30, 2011. In total, our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $174.5 million as of September 30, 2012 compared to $377.5 million as of December 31, 2011 and $319.4 million as of September 30, 2011. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments as of September 30, 2012 decreased:

 

   

$203.0 million compared to December 31, 2011, primarily due to repurchases of our common stock; and

   

$144.9 million compared to September 30, 2011, primarily due to repurchases of our common stock, which was partially offset by cash generated from operations.

We are required to recognize the funded status of our defined benefit postretirement plans on our balance sheet. We recorded an asset of $6.5 million for the ESI Pension Plan, a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan commonly referred to as a cash balance plan, and a liability of $0.3 million for the ESI Excess Pension Plan, a nonqualified, unfunded retirement plan, on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2012.

We do not expect to make any contributions to the ESI Pension Plan or the ESI Excess Pension Plan in 2012. In 2011, we did not make any contributions to either the ESI Pension Plan or ESI Excess Pension Plan.

Operations. Cash flows from operating activities decreased $29.4 million to $19.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $49.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011, primarily due to lower student enrollments and a decrease in the amount of funds received from private education loans made to our students by third-party lenders.

Cash flows from operating activities decreased $273.1 million to $18.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $291.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011, primarily due to lower student enrollments and a decrease in the amount of funds received from private education loans made to our students by third-party lenders.

Accounts receivable less allowance for doubtful accounts was $89.4 million as of September 30, 2012 compared to $56.1 million as of September 30, 2011. Days sales outstanding increased 11.8 days to 26.1 days at September 30, 2012 compared to 14.3 days at September 30, 2011. Our accounts receivable balance and days sales outstanding increased as of September 30, 2012, primarily due to an increase in internal student financing resulting from:

 

   

a decrease in the amount of funds received from private education loans made to our students by third-party lenders (see “—Private Student Financing Update”); and

   

a decrease in the amount of scholarships and other awards provided to our students.

 

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The amount of scholarships and other awards provided to our students decreased 26.1% to $16.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $22.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011.

Investing. In the three months ended September 30, 2012, we spent $0.1 million to renovate, expand and construct buildings compared to $1.5 million for similar expenditures in the three months ended September 30, 2011. In the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we spent $0.5 million to renovate, expand or construct buildings compared to $3.1 million for similar expenditures in the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Capital expenditures, excluding facility and land purchases and facility construction, totaled:

 

   

$3.2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $7.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2011; and

   

$14.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $20.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

These expenditures consisted primarily of classroom and laboratory equipment (such as computers and electronic equipment), classroom and office furniture, software and leasehold improvements.

We plan to continue to upgrade and expand our current facilities and equipment in 2012. Cash generated from operations is expected to be sufficient to fund our capital expenditure requirements.

Financing. We were a party to the Prior Credit Agreement which provided that we could borrow up to $150.0 million under two revolving credit facilities: one in the maximum principal amount of $50.0 million; and the other in the maximum principal amount of $100.0 million. We could borrow under each credit facility on either a secured or unsecured basis at our election, provided that we were not in default under the Prior Credit Agreement.

Borrowings under the Prior Credit Agreement bore interest, at our option, at the LIBOR plus an applicable margin or at an alternative base rate as defined under the Prior Credit Agreement. We paid a facility fee equal to 0.25% per annum on the daily amount of the commitment (whether used or unused) under the Prior Credit Agreement.

On March 21, 2012, we entered into the New Credit Agreement that provides for a Revolver in the amount of $325.0 million. The New Credit Agreement also provides that we may seek additional revolving commitments or term loan commitments in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $125.0 million. The lenders under the New Credit Agreement are not under any obligation to provide any such additional revolving commitments or term loan commitments. The New Credit Agreement has a maturity date of March 21, 2015.

A portion of the borrowings under the Revolver were used to prepay the entire outstanding indebtedness under the Prior Credit Agreement. The Prior Credit Agreement was also terminated on March 21, 2012. In addition to the prepayment of the outstanding indebtedness under the Prior Credit Agreement, borrowings under the New Credit Agreement will be used for general corporate purposes.

Borrowings under the New Credit Agreement bear interest, at our option, at LIBOR plus an applicable margin or at an alternative base rate, as defined under the New Credit Agreement, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for borrowings under the Revolver is determined based on the Leverage Ratio as of the end of each fiscal quarter. We also pay a commitment fee on the amount of the unutilized commitments under the New Credit Agreement. The amount of the commitment fee is determined based on the Leverage Ratio as of the end of each fiscal quarter.

The New Credit Agreement contains, among other things, covenants, representations and warranties and events of default customary for credit facilities. The New Credit Agreement is secured by a pledge of the equity interests of our subsidiaries and is guaranteed by one of our subsidiaries. We are required to maintain compliance with a maximum Leverage Ratio, a minimum interest coverage ratio, a minimum liquidity amount and several ratios related to the ED’s regulations. We were in compliance with those requirements as of September 30, 2012.

As of September 30, 2012, the borrowings under the New Credit Agreement totaled $140.0 million and bore interest at a weighted average rate of 2.25% per annum. The effective interest rate on our borrowings was approximately 2.70% per annum in the three months ended September 30, 2012 and approximately 1.00% per annum in the three months ended September 30, 2011. In the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the effective interest rate on our borrowings was approximately 2.30% per annum compared to approximately 1.20% per annum in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The commitment fee under the New Credit Agreement was 0.30% as of September 30, 2012.

Our Board of Directors has authorized us to repurchase shares of our common stock in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act under the Repurchase Program. The following table sets forth information regarding our share repurchase activity in the periods indicated:

 

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     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months  Ended
September 30,
         2012            2011            2012            2011    

Number of shares repurchased

       0                    370,000                    3,025,700                    3,470,000        

Total cost of shares repurchased (in millions)

       $0                $29.6                $207.9                $248.1        

Average cost per share

           $0.00                $79.94                $68.72                $71.50        

Approximately 7.8 million shares remained available for repurchase under the Repurchase Program as of September 30, 2012. Pursuant to the Board’s stock repurchase authorization, we may repurchase additional shares of our common stock from time to time in the future depending on market conditions and other considerations.

We believe that cash generated from operations and our investments will be adequate to satisfy our working capital, loan repayment and capital expenditure requirements for the foreseeable future. We also believe that any reduction in cash and cash equivalents or investments that may result from their use to provide student financing, purchase facilities, construct facilities, repay loans or repurchase shares of our common stock will not have a material adverse effect on our expansion plans, planned capital expenditures, ability to meet any applicable regulatory financial responsibility standards or ability to conduct normal operations.

Private Student Financing Update. In 2011 and 2010, we received funds on behalf of our students from unaffiliated private education loan programs, which represented, in aggregate, approximately 7% of our cash receipts in 2011 and 12% of our cash receipts in 2010. As previously discussed, the two private education loan programs that provided the vast majority of private education loans to our students in 2011 and 2010 expired in 2011. As a result, in the first nine months of 2012, we increased the amount of internal student financing that we provided to our students. The internal student financing that we provide to our students consists of non-interest bearing, unsecured credit extended to our students and is included in Accounts receivable, net on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Payment of the student’s account balance is generally due by the end of the student’s academic year (which is generally nine months) or at the end of enrollment, whichever occurs first. As of September 30, 2012, our accounts receivable less allowance for doubtful account increased $41.3 million, or 85.9%, to $89.4 million compared to $48.1 million as of December 31, 2011, primarily due to the increase in the amount of internal financing that we provided to our students in the first nine months of 2012.

The increased amount of internal student financing that we provided to our students as a result of the expiration of the two primary private education loan programs for our students in 2011 has negatively impacted our liquidity and exposed us to greater credit risk. Internal student financing typically provides for payment to us by our students by the end of the student’s academic year or at the end of enrollment, whichever occurs first, compared to payments from private education loan programs, which we typically received at the beginning of a student’s academic year. This change in the timing of payments had a material adverse effect on our cash flows from operations in the first nine months of 2012. In addition, we have the risk of collection with respect to our internal student financing, which caused us to increase our allowance for doubtful accounts as of September 30, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011 and resulted in an increase in our bad debt expense as a percentage of revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to 5.8% compared to 3.9% in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The increase in internal student financing was the primary cause of the 11.8-day increase in our days sales outstanding to 26.1 days as of September 30, 2012 compared to 14.3 days as of September 30, 2011. Further, our deferred revenue decreased $107.0 million, or 47.3%, to $119.1 million as of September 30, 2012 compared to $226.0 million as of September 30, 2011, primarily due to the decrease in the amount of funds received from private education loans made to our students by third-party lenders.

A continued lack of availability of private education loans for our students could continue to materially adversely impact our financial condition and cash flows. We are evaluating programs with unaffiliated lenders for them to provide private education loans to our students and their parents who qualify. We cannot assure you, however, that we will be able to timely identify alternative lenders on terms as favorable to us as the previous programs were, or at all. Adverse market conditions for consumer loans and student loans, including lenders’ difficulties in reselling or syndicating student loan portfolios, have resulted and could continue to result in providers of private education loans reducing the availability of, or increasing the costs associated with, providing those loans to students. The loan underwriting standards can vary significantly among lenders, which could adversely affect the ability of some of our students to obtain private education loans. In particular, private education loans to students with low credit scores are difficult to obtain. During such time as our students and their parents are unable to obtain private education loans, we may continue to provide internal student financing to our students and/or assist our students in identifying other sources of financial aid, which could result in a continuation of the adverse factors that are described in the preceding two paragraphs, including a material adverse effect on our financial condition and cash flows.

 

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Contractual Obligations

The following table sets forth our specified contractual obligations as of September 30, 2012:

 

     Payments Due by Period  

Contractual Obligations

         Total            Less than
      1 Year      
     1-3
      Years      
     3-5
      Years      
     More than
    5 Years    
 
     (In thousands)  

Operating lease obligations

     $163,120           $47,997             $77,101             $29,449             $8,573       

Long-term debt, including scheduled interest payments

     $149,417           $3,754             $145,663             $0             $0       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $312,537           $51,751             $222,764             $29,449             $8,573       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The long-term debt represents the Revolver under the New Credit Agreement and assumes that the $140.0 million outstanding balance under the Revolver as of September 30, 2012 will be outstanding at all times through the date of maturity. The amounts shown include the principal payments that will be due upon maturity as well as interest payments and commitment fees. Interest payments and commitment fees have been calculated based on their scheduled payment dates using the interest rate charged on our borrowings and the rate charged on unutilized commitments as of September 30, 2012.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2012, we leased our non-owned facilities under operating lease agreements. A majority of the operating leases contain renewal options that can be exercised after the initial lease term. Renewal options are generally for periods of one to five years. All operating leases will expire over the next 12 years and management believes that:

 

   

those leases will be renewed or replaced by other leases in the normal course of business;

   

we may purchase the facilities represented by those leases; or

   

we may purchase or build other replacement facilities.

There are no material restrictions imposed by the lease agreements, and we have not entered into any significant guarantees related to the leases. We are required to make additional payments under the terms of certain operating leases for taxes, insurance and other operating expenses incurred during the operating lease period.

As part of our normal course of operations, one of our insurers issues surety bonds for us that are required by various education authorities that regulate us. We are obligated to reimburse our insurer for any of those surety bonds that are paid by the insurer. As of September 30, 2012, the total face amount of those surety bonds was approximately $28.0 million.

On January 20, 2010, we entered into agreements with unrelated parties to establish the PEAKS Program. Under the PEAKS Program, an unaffiliated lender originated private education loans to our eligible students and, subsequently, sold those loans to the PEAKS Trust. The PEAKS Trust issued PEAKS Senior Debt in the aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million to investors. The assets of the PEAKS Trust (which include, among other assets, the student loans held by the PEAKS Trust) serve as collateral for, and are intended to be the principal source of, the repayment of the PEAKS Senior Debt. The PEAKS Trust is required to maintain assets having an aggregate value that exceeds the outstanding balance of the PEAKS Senior Debt, which requirement we guarantee. As of September 30, 2012, the value of the assets of the PEAKS Trust did not satisfy this requirement and, as a result, we subsequently made a guarantee payment to the PEAKS Trust of an immaterial amount to reduce the outstanding balance of the PEAKS Senior Debt to an amount sufficient to satisfy the required ratio. The PEAKS Senior Debt bears interest at a variable rate based on the LIBOR plus a margin and matures in January 2020. As of September 30, 2012, the outstanding principal balance of the PEAKS Senior Debt was approximately $283.0 million.

In connection with the PEAKS Program, the lender disbursed the proceeds of the private education loans to us for application to the students’ account balances with us that represented their unpaid education costs. We transferred to the PEAKS Trust a portion of the amount of each private student loan disbursed to us under the PEAKS Program, in exchange for a Subordinated Note. The Subordinated Note does not bear interest, and principal is due on the Subordinated Note following the repayment of the PEAKS Senior Debt, the payment of fees and expenses of the PEAKS Trust and the reimbursement of the amount of any payments made by us under the PEAKS Guarantee. The PEAKS Trust utilized the proceeds from the issuance of the PEAKS Senior Debt and the Subordinated Note to purchase the student loans from the lender.

Under the PEAKS Guarantee, we guarantee payment of the principal, interest and certain call premiums owed on the PEAKS Senior Debt, the administrative fees and expenses of the PEAKS Trust and the required ratio of assets of the PEAKS Trust to outstanding PEAKS Senior Debt. The PEAKS Guarantee contains, among other things, representations and warranties and events of default customary for guarantees. In addition, under the PEAKS Program, some or all of the holders of the PEAKS Senior Debt could require us to purchase their PEAKS Senior Debt in certain limited circumstances that pertain to our continued eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs. We believe that the likelihood of those limited circumstances occurring is remote. Our guarantee and purchase obligations under the PEAKS Program remain in effect until the PEAKS Senior Debt and the PEAKS Trust’s fees and expenses are paid in full. At such time, we will be entitled to repayment of the amount of any payments made under our guarantee and payment of the Subordinated Note, in each case only to the extent of available funds remaining in the PEAKS Trust.

 

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We entered into the PEAKS Program to offer our students another source of private education loans that they could use to help pay their education costs owed to us and to supplement the limited amount of private education loans available to our students under other private education loans programs, including the 2009 Loan Program. Under the PEAKS Program, our students had access to a greater amount of private education loans, which resulted in a reduction in the amount of internal financing that we provided to our students in 2010 and 2011. No new private education loans were or will be originated under the PEAKS Program after July 2011, but immaterial amounts related to loans originated prior to that date were disbursed by the lender through March 2012.

On February 20, 2009, we entered into the 2009 Loan Program. In connection with the 2009 Loan Program, we entered into the 2009 RSA. Under the 2009 RSA, we guarantee the repayment of the principal amount (including capitalized origination fees) and accrued interest payable on any private education loans that are charged off above a certain percentage of the private education loans made under the 2009 Loan Program, based on the annual dollar volume. The total initial principal amount of private education loans that the 2009 Entity purchased under the 2009 Loan Program was approximately $141.0 million. No new private education loans were or will be made under the 2009 Loan Program after December 31, 2011, but immaterial amounts related to loans originated prior to that date were disbursed by the lender through June 2012. Our obligations under the 2009 RSA will remain in effect until all private education loans made under the 2009 Loan Program are paid in full or charged off. The standard repayment term for a private education loan made under the 2009 Loan Program is ten years, with repayment generally beginning six months after a student graduates or three months after a student withdraws or is terminated from his or her program of study.

Pursuant to the 2009 RSA, we are required to maintain collateral to secure our guarantee obligation in an amount equal to a percentage of the outstanding balance of private education loans disbursed to our students under the 2009 Loan Program. As of September 30, 2012, the total collateral maintained in a restricted bank account was not material. The 2009 RSA also requires that we comply with certain covenants, including that we maintain certain financial ratios which are measured on a quarterly basis. We were in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2012.

In addition, beginning in the second quarter of 2009, we have made advances to the 2009 Entity under the Revolving Note. We made the advances, which bear interest, so that the 2009 Entity could use those funds primarily to provide additional funding for the private education loans, instead of retaining the funds ourselves and providing internal student financing, which is non-interest bearing. The Revolving Note bears interest at a rate based on the prime rate plus an applicable margin. Substantially all of the assets of the third party serve as collateral for the Revolving Note. The Revolving Note is subject to customary terms and conditions and may be repaid at any time without penalty prior to its 2026 maturity date.

We also are a party to the 2007 RSA with a different lender for certain private education loans that were made to our students in 2007 and early 2008. We guarantee the repayment of any private education loans that the lender charges off above a certain percentage of the total dollar volume of private education loans made under the 2007 RSA. We will have the right to pursue repayment from the borrowers for those charged off private education loans under the 2007 RSA that we pay to the lender pursuant to our guarantee obligation. The 2007 RSA was terminated effective February 22, 2008, such that no private education loans have been or will be made under the 2007 RSA after that date. Based on information that we have received to date from the lender, we believe that the total original principal amount of private education loans made under the 2007 RSA, net of amounts refunded under those loans, was approximately $180.0 million. Our obligations under the 2007 RSA will remain in effect until all private education loans under the agreement are paid in full or charged off by the lender. The standard repayment term for a private education loan made under the 2007 RSA is ten years, with repayment generally beginning six months after a student graduates, withdraws or is terminated from his or her program of study.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we made guarantee payments that were not material under the RSAs. See Notes 8 and 11 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the PEAKS Program, the 2009 RSA and the 2007 RSA.

At the end of each reporting period, we assess whether we should recognize a contingent liability related to the various claims and contingencies that we are subject to, including those related to litigation, business transactions, guarantee arrangements and employee-related matters, among others. We record a liability for those claims and contingencies if it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Although we believe that our estimates related to any claims and contingencies are reasonable, we cannot make any assurances with regard to the accuracy of our estimates, and actual results could differ materially. As of September 30, 2012, our recorded liability for these claims and contingencies was approximately $44.3 million, the substantial majority of which pertained to our guarantee arrangements under the RSAs. Approximately $5.3 million of the recorded liability was included in Other current liabilities and approximately $39.0 million was included in Other liabilities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2012.

We review various factors when determining the amount to recognize as a contingent liability with respect to the guarantee arrangements under the RSAs at the end of each reporting period. The principal factor that we review is the repayment performance of the private education loans under each of the RSAs. As each portfolio of private education loans matures, additional data related to the performance of the loans and other information regarding the loans becomes available to us that we

 

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utilize to estimate the related contingent liability. In certain reporting periods, there have been disruptions in the servicing of a portion of the private education loans under the RSAs, which we believe has negatively impacted the repayment performance of those private education loans. We cannot predict with any certainty the extent to which the servicing disruptions may affect the repayment performance of those loans in future periods, or whether other servicing disruptions will occur in the future. If the effect of the servicing disruptions continues, additional servicing disruptions occur or other factors negatively impact the repayment performance of the private education loans under the RSAs, the contingent liability associated with those guarantees would increase.

Further, the repayment performance to date on the private education loans has been less than our original projections and the charge-off rate has been higher than originally anticipated. It is not yet clear to us whether this repayment performance is solely a result of the servicing disruptions referenced above, or whether it is indicative of a broader change in borrower repayment behavior. If the future charge-off rate of the private education loans under the RSAs continues at the current rate, or is higher than the current rate, due to a broader change in borrower repayment behavior, additional servicing disruptions and/or any other reason, we would be required to pay material amounts under our guarantee obligations, including amounts to reduce the outstanding balance of the PEAKS Senior Debt to an amount sufficient to satisfy the required ratio of assets of the PEAKS Trust to outstanding PEAKS Senior Debt, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We are analyzing various initiatives that we may decide to take in an effort to reduce the charge-off rate of the private education loans under the RSAs. We cannot assure you of the extent to which these initiatives can be implemented or of their effectiveness in reducing the charge-off rate of the private education loans.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

In the normal course of our business, we are subject to fluctuations in interest rates that could impact the cost of our financing activities. Our primary interest rate risk exposure results from changes in short-term interest rates and the LIBOR.

Changes in the LIBOR would affect the borrowing costs associated with our revolving credit facilities. We estimate that the market risk can best be measured by a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in the LIBOR. If such a hypothetical increase in the LIBOR were to occur, the effect on our results from operations and cash flow would not have been material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

We are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (“DCP”) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports filed by us under the Exchange Act is: (a) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms; and (b) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. In designing and evaluating our DCP, we recognize that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and implemented, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and that our management’s duties require it to make its best judgment regarding the design of our DCP. As of the end of our third fiscal quarter of 2012, we conducted an evaluation, under the supervision (and with the participation) of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our DCP pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our DCP were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of September 30, 2012.

 

(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

We are subject to various claims and contingencies in the ordinary course of our business, including those related to litigation, business transactions, employee-related matters and taxes, among others. We cannot assure you of the ultimate outcome of any litigation involving us. Any litigation alleging violations of education or consumer protection laws and/or regulations, misrepresentation, fraud or deceptive practices may also subject our affected campuses to additional regulatory scrutiny.

On July 27, 2011, a complaint in a breach of contract lawsuit was filed against us in the Circuit Court of Fairfax County, Virginia under the following caption: Sallie Mae, Inc. v. ITT Educational Services, Inc. (the “SLM Litigation”). On April 13, 2012, an amended complaint was filed in the SLM Litigation. On October 24, 2012, a second amended complaint was filed in the SLM Litigation. The second amended complaint alleges, among other things, that we breached the terms of the Risk Sharing Loan Program Agreement between Sallie Mae, Inc. and us dated July 17, 2007 (the “2007 RSA”) by failing to pay Sallie Mae, Inc. all amounts owed by us under the 2007 RSA. The second amended complaint seeks:

 

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$25,887,982.21;

   

pre- and post-judgment interest;

   

attorney’s fees; and

   

such other amounts that may come due under the 2007 RSA during the pendency of the lawsuit.

We have defended and intend to continue to defend ourselves vigorously against the allegations in the complaint.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties we describe in this Report, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2012 and June 30, 2012 before deciding to invest in, or retain, shares of our common stock. These are not the only risks and uncertainties that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties that we do not currently know about, we currently believe are immaterial or we have not predicted may also harm our business operations or adversely affect us. If any of these risks or uncertainties actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or stock price could be materially adversely affected. Except as set forth below and in Part II, Item 1A. of each of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2012 and June 30, 2012, there have been no material changes from the risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011.

If the future charge-off rate of private education loans under programs where we have a guarantee obligation continues at, or is higher than, the current rate, our guarantee obligations related to those loans would have a material adverse effect on us. We have entered into the RSAs with unaffiliated entities related to private education loans provided to our students to help pay the students’ cost of education that student financial aid from federal, state and other sources does not cover. Under two of the RSAs, we guarantee the repayment of any private education loans that are charged off above a certain percentage of the private education loans made under that RSA or related program, based on dollar volume. Under the third RSA, we guarantee the payment of principal, interest and certain call premiums on $300 million of principal of senior debt obligations of, and administrative fees and expenses of, an unaffiliated trust that holds the private education loans made under the PEAKS Program. Our obligations under each of the RSAs will remain in effect until all private education loans made under that RSA, related program or the senior debt obligations, as applicable, are paid in full or charged off. The maximum potential future payments that we could be required to make pursuant to our guarantee obligations under the RSAs are affected by various factors. See Notes 8 and 11 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

We are not able to estimate the maximum potential future payments that we could be required to make under the RSAs. The principal factor that affects the amount of future guarantee payments is the repayment performance of the private education loans under the RSAs. To date, the charge-off rate of the private education loans has been higher, and the timing of charge-offs has been earlier, than we originally projected. It is not yet clear to us whether this repayment performance is solely a result of servicing disruptions, or whether it is indicative of a broader change in borrower repayment behavior. If the charge-off rate of the private education loans under the RSAs continues at the current rate, or is higher than the current rate, due to a broader change in borrower repayment behavior, additional servicing disruptions and/or any other reason, we would be required to pay material amounts under our guarantee obligations, including amounts to reduce the outstanding balance of the PEAKS Senior Debt to an amount sufficient to satisfy the required ratio of assets of the PEAKS Trust to outstanding PEAKS Senior Debt, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

At the end of each reporting period, we assess whether we should recognize a contingent liability related to the various claims and contingencies that we are subject to, including those related to litigation, business transactions, guarantee arrangements and employee-related matters, among others. As of September 30, 2012, our recorded liability for these claims and contingencies was approximately $44.3 million. The substantial majority of this amount pertains to our guarantee arrangements.

In addition, due to the expiration of the previous private education loan programs that were available to our students, we are evaluating programs with unaffiliated lenders for them to provide private education loans to our students going forward. Those lenders could provide a discounted disbursement amount to us on the student loans and/or require us to guarantee all or part of this assistance on terms that are less favorable to us than the disbursement arrangements and guarantee obligations under the previous private education loan programs.

 

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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

The following table sets forth information regarding purchases made by us of shares of our common stock on a monthly basis in the three months ended September 30, 2012:

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)
     Maximum
  Number of Shares   
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs (1)

July 1, 2012 through July 31, 2012

     0         $-           0       7,771,025

August 1, 2012 through August 31, 2012

     0         -           0       7,771,025

September 1, 2012 through September 30, 2012

     0         -           0       7,771,025
  

 

 

       

 

 

    

Total

     0         $-           0      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

  (1) The shares that remained available for repurchase under the Repurchase Program were 7,771,025 as of September 30, 2012. Our Board of Directors has authorized us to repurchase the following number of shares of our common stock pursuant to the Repurchase Program:

 

Number of Shares

    

Board Authorization Date

2,000,000

     April 1999

2,000,000

     April 2000

5,000,000

     October 2002

5,000,000

     April 2006

5,000,000

     April 2007

5,000,000

     January 2010

5,000,000

     October 2010

5,000,000

     July 2011

5,000,000

     April 2012

The terms of the Repurchase Program provide that we may repurchase shares of our common stock, from time to time depending on market conditions and other considerations, in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act. Unless earlier terminated by our Board of Directors, the Repurchase Program will expire when we repurchase all shares authorized for repurchase thereunder.

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

A list of exhibits required to be filed as part of this report is set forth in the Index to Exhibits, which immediately precedes the exhibits, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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SIGNATURES

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.

 

    ITT Educational Services, Inc.

 

Date: October 29, 2012

     
    By:  

/s/ Daniel M. Fitzpatrick

      Daniel M. Fitzpatrick
   

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

(Duly Authorized Officer, Principal Financial Officer

and Principal Accounting Officer)


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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

      Exhibit      
No.

  

Description

3.1   

Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as Amended to Date (incorporated herein by reference from the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s 2005 second fiscal quarter report on Form 10-Q)

3.2   

Restated By-Laws, as Amended to Date (incorporated herein by reference from the same exhibit number to ITT/ESI’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 22, 2011)

31.1   

Chief Executive Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

31.2   

Chief Financial Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

32.1   

Chief Executive Officer’s Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

32.2    Chief Financial Officer’s Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101   

The following materials from ITT Educational Services, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting language):
(i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity; and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements