American Public Education Inc (APEI)vsTAL Education Group (TAL)
APEI
American Public Education Inc
$44.94
+0.18%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $822.47M
TAL
TAL Education Group
$11.81
+2.70%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $6.88B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
TAL Education Group generates 378% more annual revenue ($3.19B vs $668.01M). TAL leads profitability with a 28.4% profit margin vs 6.8%. APEI appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.98. TAL earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 78/100 (B+).
APEI
Strong Buy66
out of 100
Grade: B-
TAL
Strong Buy78
out of 100
Grade: B+
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+41.0%
Fair Value
$73.27
Current Price
$44.94
$28.33 discount
Margin of Safety
+89.7%
Fair Value
$114.94
Current Price
$11.81
$103.13 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Earnings expanding 129.3% YoY
Growing faster than its price suggests
Reasonable price relative to book value
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Revenue surging 31.9% year-over-year
Earnings expanding 1360.0% YoY
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Keeps 28 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Reasonable price relative to book value
Areas to Watch
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
6.8% margin — thin
Expensive relative to growth rate
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : APEI
The strongest argument for APEI centers on EPS Growth, PEG Ratio, Price/Book. PEG of 0.98 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bull Case : TAL
The strongest argument for TAL centers on P/E Ratio, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 28.4% and operating margin at 18.1%. Revenue growth of 31.9% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bear Case : APEI
The primary concerns for APEI are Market Cap, Profit Margin.
Bear Case : TAL
The primary concerns for TAL are PEG Ratio.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
APEI profiles as a value stock while TAL is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.
APEI carries more volatility with a beta of 1.39 — expect wider price swings.
TAL is growing revenue faster at 31.9% — sustainability is the question.
TAL generates stronger free cash flow (478M), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
TAL scores higher overall (78/100 vs 66/100), backed by strong 28.4% margins and 31.9% revenue growth. APEI offers better value entry with a 41.0% margin of safety. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Strong Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
American Public Education Inc
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · EDUCATION & TRAINING SERVICES · USA
American Public Education, Inc. offers postsecondary education online and on campus. The company is headquartered in Charles Town, West Virginia.
TAL Education Group
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · EDUCATION & TRAINING SERVICES · China
TAL Education Group offers K-12 afterschool tutoring services in the People's Republic of China. The company is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China.
Compare with Other EDUCATION & TRAINING SERVICES Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?