Half Year 2026 Lumi Gruppen AS Earnings Call
Nina Vesterby: We are ready to start. Hi, everyone, and welcome to this presentation of the H1 report for Lumi Education Group. I am Nina Vesterby, the CEO, and Martin Prytz, CFO, is joined with me on this presentation. The agenda for today is a quick look at the highlights of the year, and then Martin will give you a financial update, and I will conclude with a commercial update in the end. Just a quick look at H1 in brief. We are very pleased with the results for the first half of 2026 and for the full school year 2025-2026. All companies in Lumi Education Group have delivered uplifting results and growth on both revenue and margins. We have had a busy year with many efforts throughout the business, including acquiring Bjørknes and welcoming EnkelEksamen into our portfolio.
Nina Vesterby: We are ready to start. Hi, everyone, and welcome to this presentation of the H1 report for Lumi Education Group. I am Nina Vesterby, the CEO, and Martin Prytz, CFO, is joined with me on this presentation. The agenda for today is a quick look at the highlights of the year, and then Martin will give you a financial update, and I will conclude with a commercial update in the end. Just a quick look at H1 in brief. We are very pleased with the results for the first half of 2026 and for the full school year 2025-2026. All companies in Lumi Education Group have delivered uplifting results and growth on both revenue and margins. We have had a busy year with many efforts throughout the business, including acquiring Bjørknes and welcoming EnkelEksamen into our portfolio.
Speaker #1: We are ready to start. So, hi everyone, and welcome to this presentation of the H1 report for Lumi Education Group. I'm Nina Vesterby, the CEO, and Martin Pritz, CFO, is joining me on this presentation.
Speaker #1: So, the agenda for today is a quick look at the highlights of the year, and then Martin will give you a financial update, and I will conclude with the commercial update at the end.
Speaker #1: So, just a quick look at H1 in brief: we are very pleased with the results of the first half of 2026, and for the full school year 2025/2026.
Speaker #1: All companies in Lumi Education Group have delivered uplifting results and growth in both revenue and margins. We've had a busy year with many efforts throughout the business, including acquiring Birkenes and welcoming Enkelexamen into our portfolio.
Speaker #1: So these are two very different businesses that will contribute to growth in different ways. Enkelexamen, or EDRUC, is now included in our report, and Birkenes will be included from H2.
Nina Vesterby: These are two very different businesses that will contribute to growth in different ways. EnkelEksamen, or Edvurd, is now included in our report, and Bjørknes will be included from H2. Like three previous periods, we are looking at the first half of 2026 with a strong performance and growth in all our businesses in revenue and margins. In total, we deliver all-time high revenue. For school year 2025-2026, we deliver 16% growth in revenue and 20% adjusted EBITDA margin. Both our biggest areas, ONH and Sonans, have strengthened their margins with 6 percentage points from H1 2025 and ONH up to 26% and Sonans up to 18%. This has been done by cost discipline and revenue growth in both companies. I will leave the financial details to Martin and come back with a commercial update later.
Nina Vesterby: These are two very different businesses that will contribute to growth in different ways. EnkelEksamen, or Edvurd, is now included in our report, and Bjørknes will be included from H2. Like three previous periods, we are looking at the first half of 2026 with a strong performance and growth in all our businesses in revenue and margins. In total, we deliver all-time high revenue. For school year 2025-2026, we deliver 16% growth in revenue and 20% adjusted EBITDA margin. Both our biggest areas, ONH and Sonans, have strengthened their margins with 6 percentage points from H1 2025 and ONH up to 26% and Sonans up to 18%. This has been done by cost discipline and revenue growth in both companies. I will leave the financial details to Martin and come back with a commercial update later.
Speaker #1: So, like the three previous periods, we are looking at the first half of 2026 with overall strong performance and growth in all our businesses, both in revenue and margins.
Speaker #1: And in total, we deliver all-time high revenue for school year 25/26. We deliver 16% growth in revenue and 20% adjusted EBITDA margin. So both our biggest areas, ONH and Finance, have strengthened their margins with 6 percentage points from H1 25, with ONH up to 26% and Finance up to 18%.
Speaker #1: This has been achieved through cost discipline and revenue growth in both companies. I will leave the financial details to Martin and return later with the commercial update.
Martin Prytz: Thank you, Nina. Let me shortly take you through the financials for the first half of 2026. Group revenue came in at NOK 277 million, an all-time high for the first half. It is up 17% year on year and up 10% excluding EnkelEksamen. That concluded the 2025-2026 academic year at NOK 550 million, up 16%. ONH grew 15% with strong momentum for the autumn intake continuing into the spring. As for the academic year as a whole, the growth came from online programs, both newly launched and established for us. Sonans grew 2%, down from 10% in the second half of 2025 due to a softer spring intake. EnkelEksamen contributed NOK 90 million over the 5 months period since consolidation in February. Adjusted operating expenses, including D&A, were NOK 220 million, up 11%, but the comparable number is +4% excluding EnkelEksamen against 10% comparable revenue growth.
Martin Prytz: Thank you, Nina. Let me shortly take you through the financials for the first half of 2026. Group revenue came in at NOK 277 million, an all-time high for the first half. It is up 17% year on year and up 10% excluding EnkelEksamen. That concluded the 2025-2026 academic year at NOK 550 million, up 16%. ONH grew 15% with strong momentum for the autumn intake continuing into the spring. As for the academic year as a whole, the growth came from online programs, both newly launched and established for us. Sonans grew 2%, down from 10% in the second half of 2025 due to a softer spring intake. EnkelEksamen contributed NOK 90 million over the 5 months period since consolidation in February. Adjusted operating expenses, including D&A, were NOK 220 million, up 11%, but the comparable number is +4% excluding EnkelEksamen against 10% comparable revenue growth.
Speaker #2: Thank you, Nina. Let me briefly take you through the financials for the first half of 2026. Group revenue came in at 277 million, an all-time high for the first half.
Speaker #2: It's up 17% year on year, and up 10% excluding Enkelexamen. That concluded the 25/26 academic year at NOK 550 million, up 16%. ONH grew 15%, with strong momentum from the autumn intake continuing into the spring.
Speaker #2: And for the academic year as a whole, the growth came from online programs, both newly launched and established ones. Finance grew 2%, down from 10% in the second half of '25, due to a softer spring intake.
Speaker #2: Enkelexamen contributed NOK 90 million over the five-month period since consolidation in February. Adjusted operating expenses, including DNA, were NOK 220 million, up 11%, but the comparable number is plus 4% excluding Enkelexamen, against 10% comparable revenue growth.
Speaker #2: That gap is the operating leverage in this business. ONH costs grew 6%, against 15% revenue growth, with scale on the existing platform. Finance cut its cost base by 6%, mainly driven by lower personnel and lease expenses following the restructuring.
Martin Prytz: That gap is the operating leverage in this business. ONH costs grew 6% against 15% revenue growth with scale on the existing platform. Sonans cut its cost base by 6%, mainly driven by lower personnel and lease expenses following the restructuring. I want to underline the Sonans number because it is the proof point that matters for the year ahead. This organization has demonstrated it can take cost out while protecting the business. That is the capability the cost measures for 2026-2027 rest on. On to more details on the OpEx. Personnel remains the largest category, up 7% excluding EnkelEksamen, driven mainly by ONH capacity and wage inflation. Other operating expenses were broadly stable.
Martin Prytz: That gap is the operating leverage in this business. ONH costs grew 6% against 15% revenue growth with scale on the existing platform. Sonans cut its cost base by 6%, mainly driven by lower personnel and lease expenses following the restructuring. I want to underline the Sonans number because it is the proof point that matters for the year ahead. This organization has demonstrated it can take cost out while protecting the business. That is the capability the cost measures for 2026-2027 rest on. On to more details on the OpEx. Personnel remains the largest category, up 7% excluding EnkelEksamen, driven mainly by ONH capacity and wage inflation. Other operating expenses were broadly stable.
Speaker #2: And I want to underline the finance number, because it is the proof point that matters for the year ahead. This organization has demonstrated it can take costs out while protecting the business.
Speaker #2: That is the capability, the cost measures for '26/'27 rest all. On more details on the OPEX: personnel remains the largest category, up 7% excluding EnkelEksamen.
Speaker #2: Driven mainly by ONH capacity and wage inflation. Other operating expenses were broadly stable; credit loss expenses fell year on year, driven by the sale of the collection portfolios at the end of June, completed at better pricing than the loss rates in our e-sale model, alongside stable underlying payment behavior.
Martin Prytz: Credit loss expenses fell year on year, driven by the sale of the collection portfolios at the end of June, completed at better pricing than the loss rates in our ECL model, alongside stable underlying payment behavior. I will come back to the cash effect of that sale in a moment. Non-recurring expenses were NOK 6.6 million, mainly M&A costs, the ONH acquisition appeal, and residual Sonans restructuring. When bringing revenue and cost together, adjusted EBITDA ended at NOK 56 million, up 54% or 42% when excluding EnkelEksamen, with the margin reaching 20% for the H1 and also 20% for the full academic year. Both main segments delivered strongly, ONH at NOK 42 million, up 48%, with the margin expanding from 20% to 26%. That is volume growth converting to scale.
Martin Prytz: Credit loss expenses fell year on year, driven by the sale of the collection portfolios at the end of June, completed at better pricing than the loss rates in our ECL model, alongside stable underlying payment behavior. I will come back to the cash effect of that sale in a moment. Non-recurring expenses were NOK 6.6 million, mainly M&A costs, the ONH acquisition appeal, and residual Sonans restructuring. When bringing revenue and cost together, adjusted EBITDA ended at NOK 56 million, up 54% or 42% when excluding EnkelEksamen, with the margin reaching 20% for the H1 and also 20% for the full academic year. Both main segments delivered strongly, ONH at NOK 42 million, up 48%, with the margin expanding from 20% to 26%. That is volume growth converting to scale.
Speaker #2: I will come back to the cash effect of that sale in a moment. Non-recurring expenses were NOK 6.6 million, mainly M&A costs, the ONH accreditation appeal, and residual finance restructuring.
Speaker #2: When bringing revenue and costs together, adjusted EBITDA ended at NOK 56 million, up 54%, or 42% when excluding Enkelexamen, with the margin reaching 20% for the first half, and also 20% for the full academic year as well.
Speaker #2: Both main segments delivered strongly: ONH at 42 million, up 48%, with the margin expanding from 20% to 26%. That is volume growth converting through scale.
Speaker #2: Finance at 17 million, up 54%; margin from 12 to 18%, and that is predominantly the cost work, since the revenue grew only 2%. Free cash flow after leases was 41 million, an improvement of 47 million year on year; the prior period was minus 6.
Martin Prytz: Sonans at NOK 17 million, up 54%, margin from 12% to 18%, and that is predominantly the cost work since revenue grew only 2%. Free cash flow after leases was NOK 41 million, an improvement of NOK 47 million year on year. The prior period was -NOK 6 million. The cash conversion in the period was around 80%. Note that the figure excludes EnkelEksamen for the five months consolidated, and it enters the measure from the H2 this year. NOK 25 million of the cash came from the sale of the collection portfolios for Sonans and ONH in June, which also reduced the receivables by net NOK 14 million and improved net working capital to -NOK 38 million. As stated on previous presentation as well, and in this, keep in mind that working capital will fluctuate between periods depending on the timing of the portfolio sales.
Martin Prytz: Sonans at NOK 17 million, up 54%, margin from 12% to 18%, and that is predominantly the cost work since revenue grew only 2%. Free cash flow after leases was NOK 41 million, an improvement of NOK 47 million year on year. The prior period was -NOK 6 million. The cash conversion in the period was around 80%. Note that the figure excludes EnkelEksamen for the five months consolidated, and it enters the measure from the H2 this year. NOK 25 million of the cash came from the sale of the collection portfolios for Sonans and ONH in June, which also reduced the receivables by net NOK 14 million and improved net working capital to -NOK 38 million. As stated on previous presentation as well, and in this, keep in mind that working capital will fluctuate between periods depending on the timing of the portfolio sales.
Speaker #2: And the cash conversion in the period was around 80%. And note that this figure excludes Enkelexamen for the five months consolidated, and it enters the measure from the second half of this year.
Speaker #2: $25 million of the cash came from the sale of the collection portfolios for Finance and ONH in June, which also reduced the receivables by a net $14 million and improved net working capital to minus $38 million.
Speaker #2: And as stated in previous presentations as well, keep in mind that working capital will fluctuate between periods depending on the timing of the portfolio sales.
Speaker #2: On the balance sheets at last, the leverage ratio ended at 2.0, which is well below the 4.10 covenants. And including Enkelexamen's earnings for 12 months on a pro forma basis, the ratio was 1.6. Either way, it's a substantial headroom.
Martin Prytz: On the balance sheets at last, the leverage ratio ended at 2.0, which is well below the 4.10 covenants and including EnkelEksamen's earnings for 12 months on a pro forma basis, the ratio was 1.6. Either way, it is a substantial headroom. We drew NOK 55 million on the CapEx facility to fund the upfront payment for EnkelEksamen. The earn-out shown at NOK 86 million is the maximum under the SPA, and the recognized fair value is NOK 71.5 million. The first installment for the first earn-out falls due in Q4. Available funds of NOK 185 million will cover the earn-out, the business consideration, and ordinary CapEx without any additional financing. With this, that concludes the financials in this presentation. I hand it over to you again, Nina.
Martin Prytz: On the balance sheets at last, the leverage ratio ended at 2.0, which is well below the 4.10 covenants and including EnkelEksamen's earnings for 12 months on a pro forma basis, the ratio was 1.6. Either way, it is a substantial headroom. We drew NOK 55 million on the CapEx facility to fund the upfront payment for EnkelEksamen. The earn-out shown at NOK 86 million is the maximum under the SPA, and the recognized fair value is NOK 71.5 million. The first installment for the first earn-out falls due in Q4. Available funds of NOK 185 million will cover the earn-out, the business consideration, and ordinary CapEx without any additional financing. With this, that concludes the financials in this presentation. I hand it over to you again, Nina.
Speaker #2: We drew NOK 55 million on the capex facility to fund the upfront payment for Enkelexamen. The earn-out shown at NOK 86 million is the maximum under the SBA, and the recognized fair value is NOK 71.5 million.
Speaker #2: And the first installment for the first earn-out falls due in Q4. Also, available funds of NOK 185 million will cover the earn-out, the business consideration, and ordinary capex without any additional financing.
Speaker #2: And with this, that concludes the financials in this presentation. I hand it over to you again, Nina.
Speaker #1: Okay, so let's do a quick commercial update. With high growth in the previous school year and positive macro trends, we did expect continued high growth in 2026/27.
Nina Vesterby: Well, let us do a quick commercial update. With high growth previous school year and positive macro trends, we did expect continued high growth in 2026, 2027. While the intake is not complete for a few more weeks, our current indications point to broadly flat intake for all age, which is somewhat offset by growth in recurring revenues from previous intake. We also see a decline in Sonans, looking at somewhere around 10% to 15% at this point. When we have completed the intake, we will follow up with a trading update with our assessment of the drivers of the intake and the implications for future growth. We expect the timing to be end of October. In the meantime, we do continue our growth initiatives and develop our portfolio towards the demand in the market. We do pursue institutional accreditation and accelerate growth and consolidation projects in Sonans.
Nina Vesterby: Well, let us do a quick commercial update. With high growth previous school year and positive macro trends, we did expect continued high growth in 2026, 2027. While the intake is not complete for a few more weeks, our current indications point to broadly flat intake for all age, which is somewhat offset by growth in recurring revenues from previous intake. We also see a decline in Sonans, looking at somewhere around 10% to 15% at this point. When we have completed the intake, we will follow up with a trading update with our assessment of the drivers of the intake and the implications for future growth. We expect the timing to be end of October. In the meantime, we do continue our growth initiatives and develop our portfolio towards the demand in the market. We do pursue institutional accreditation and accelerate growth and consolidation projects in Sonans.
Speaker #1: And while the intake is not complete for a few more weeks, our current indications point to a broadly flat intake for ONH, which is somewhat offset by growth in recurring revenues from previous intake.
Speaker #1: We also see a decline in Finance, looking at somewhere around 10% to 15% at this point. When we have completed the intake, we will follow up with a trading update with our assessment of the drivers of the intake and the implications for future growth.
Speaker #1: We expect the timing to be the end of October. In the meantime, we will continue our growth initiatives and develop our portfolio to meet the demand in the market.
Speaker #1: We do pursue institutional accreditation, and accelerate growth and consolidation projects in Finance. And then, Enkelexamen is continuing on the growth trajectory from previous years.
Nina Vesterby: EnkelEksamen is continuing on the growth trajectory from previous years. To offset the impact on margins, we are also looking at a comprehensive set of measures on both revenue and cost that will mitigate the effect on profitability if we do have softer intake. Our strong management team continue to recalibrate, scale, and move forward in this market and to take all the opportunities that are possible. Just a few on NOKUT as well. I just wanted to give a few notes on NOKUT because we wanted to give a brief on the situation regarding the institutional accreditation. To be accredited means that we can make faster changes to our programs and portfolio to make sure they serve the needs of a future labor market, which I believe now is sort of under construction with the rise of AI.
Nina Vesterby: EnkelEksamen is continuing on the growth trajectory from previous years. To offset the impact on margins, we are also looking at a comprehensive set of measures on both revenue and cost that will mitigate the effect on profitability if we do have softer intake. Our strong management team continue to recalibrate, scale, and move forward in this market and to take all the opportunities that are possible. Just a few on NOKUT as well. I just wanted to give a few notes on NOKUT because we wanted to give a brief on the situation regarding the institutional accreditation. To be accredited means that we can make faster changes to our programs and portfolio to make sure they serve the needs of a future labor market, which I believe now is sort of under construction with the rise of AI.
Speaker #1: But to offset the impact on margins, we are also looking at a comprehensive set of measures on both revenue and cost that will mitigate the effect on profitability if we do have softer intake.
Speaker #1: So our strong management team continues to recalibrate, scale, and move forward in this market, and to take all the opportunities that are possible. Just a few on NOCUT as well.
Speaker #1: I just wanted to give a few notes on NOCUT because, well, we wanted to give a brief on the situation regarding the institutional accreditation.
Speaker #1: And to be accredited means that we can make faster changes to our programs and portfolio to make sure they serve the needs of a future labor market, which I believe now is sort of under construction with the rise of AI.
Speaker #1: So today, it can take between two and three years to have a new program accredited, and although we have a good pipeline of applications, we see the need to pivot when needed.
Nina Vesterby: Today it can take between 2 and 3 years to have a new program accredited. Although we have a good pipeline of applications, we see the need to pivot when needed. As you might know, we were not granted accreditation before summer. We do not agree to NOKUT's decision and have appealed accordingly. We will come back when we have material information on this subject. This concludes our H1 update. We look forward to coming back with a more comprehensive presentation on the complete intake later in this call, where we will also prepare for a Q&A session. If somebody would like to book a one-to-one, we are of course welcoming that and just contact Martin and we will set it up as soon as we can. Thank you so much and see you in October.
Nina Vesterby: Today it can take between 2 and 3 years to have a new program accredited. Although we have a good pipeline of applications, we see the need to pivot when needed. As you might know, we were not granted accreditation before summer. We do not agree to NOKUT's decision and have appealed accordingly. We will come back when we have material information on this subject. This concludes our H1 update. We look forward to coming back with a more comprehensive presentation on the complete intake later in this call, where we will also prepare for a Q&A session. If somebody would like to book a one-to-one, we are of course welcoming that and just contact Martin and we will set it up as soon as we can. Thank you so much and see you in October.
Speaker #1: As you might know, we were not granted accreditation before summer. We do not agree with NOCUT's decision and have appealed accordingly. So we will come back when we have more—well, when we have material information on this subject.
Speaker #1: So, this concludes our H1 update. We look forward to coming back with a more comprehensive presentation on the complete intake later this fall, where we will also prepare for a Q&A session. But if somebody would like to book a one-to-one, we are of course welcoming that—just contact Martin and we will set it up as soon as we can.
Speaker #1: So thank you so much, and see you in October.
Martin Prytz: Thank you everyone for joining. Thank you.
Martin Prytz: Thank you everyone for joining. Thank you.
