American Public Education Inc (APEI)vsTAL Education Group (TAL)
APEI
American Public Education Inc
$52.65
-0.64%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $961.01M
TAL
TAL Education Group
$9.56
-1.65%
CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · Cap: $5.63B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
TAL Education Group generates 357% more annual revenue ($3.01B vs $659.05M). TAL leads profitability with a 17.6% profit margin vs 6.1%. APEI appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.53. TAL earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 68/100 (B-).
APEI
Buy59
out of 100
Grade: C
TAL
Strong Buy68
out of 100
Grade: B-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+40.7%
Fair Value
$72.92
Current Price
$52.65
$20.27 discount
Margin of Safety
+87.9%
Fair Value
$98.36
Current Price
$9.56
$88.80 discount
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Earnings expanding 129.3% YoY
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Reasonable price relative to book value
Revenue surging 31.5% year-over-year
Earnings expanding 536.0% YoY
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
Moderate valuation
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
6.1% margin — thin
Expensive relative to growth rate
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : APEI
The strongest argument for APEI centers on EPS Growth, Debt/Equity.
Bull Case : TAL
The strongest argument for TAL centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Revenue Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 17.6% and operating margin at 9.0%. Revenue growth of 31.5% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bear Case : APEI
The primary concerns for APEI are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Market Cap.
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 1.46 — expect wider price swings.
TAL is growing revenue faster at 31.5% — sustainability is the question.
TAL generates stronger free cash flow (816M), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
TAL scores higher overall (68/100 vs 59/100), backed by strong 17.6% margins and 31.5% revenue growth. APEI offers better value entry with a 40.7% margin of safety. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "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?