(KLC) KinderCare Learning - Overview
Exchange: NYSE •
Country: United States •
Currency: USD •
Type: Common Stock •
ISIN: US49456W1053
Stock: Early Education, Childcare, After-School
Total Rating 21
Risk 71
Buy Signal -0.41
EPS (Earnings per Share)
Revenue
| Risk 5d forecast | |
|---|---|
| Volatility | 56.3% |
| Relative Tail Risk | -5.64% |
| Reward TTM | |
|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio | -2.05 |
| Alpha | -93.73 |
| Character TTM | |
|---|---|
| Beta | 1.155 |
| Beta Downside | 1.639 |
| Drawdowns 3y | |
|---|---|
| Max DD | 87.49% |
| CAGR/Max DD | -0.83 |
Description: KLC KinderCare Learning January 18, 2026
KinderCare Learning Companies, Inc. (NYSE: KLC) operates a network of community-based early-childhood education centers under the KCLC brand, school-based programs under the Creme School brand, and before-and-after-school services via the Champions brand. The firm, founded in 1969 and headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, rebranded from KC Holdco, LLC in January 2022.
As of FY 2023, KinderCare reported approximately $1.5 billion in revenue and served roughly 500,000 children across more than 1,300 locations, delivering a same-store enrollment growth rate of 4.2% YoY. Operating margins have been pressured by rising labor costs-estimated at a 7% increase year-over-year-while the company has maintained a cash conversion cycle under 45 days, reflecting efficient receivables management.
The sector’s growth is anchored in demographic trends (steady birth-rate plateau combined with increasing dual-income households) and expanding public subsidies for childcare, which together drive a base-case CAGR of 5% for U.S. early-education services over the next five years. For a deeper quantitative view, you might explore ValueRay’s detailed model on KLC.
Piotroski VR‑10 (Strict, 0-10) 2.0
| Net Income: -69.3m TTM > 0 and > 6% of Revenue |
| FCF/TA: 0.02 > 0.02 and ΔFCF/TA 1.88 > 1.0 |
| NWC/Revenue: -5.03% < 20% (prev -7.56%; Δ 2.53% < -1%) |
| CFO/TA 0.05 > 3% & CFO 193.4m > Net Income -69.3m |
| Net Debt (1.42b) to EBITDA (187.7m): 7.57 < 3 |
| Current Ratio: 0.71 > 1.5 & < 3 |
| Outstanding Shares: last quarter (118.4m) vs 12m ago 0.38% < -2% |
| Gross Margin: 22.27% > 18% (prev 0.26%; Δ 2202 % > 0.5%) |
| Asset Turnover: 70.79% > 50% (prev 71.71%; Δ -0.92% > 0%) |
| Interest Coverage Ratio: 0.57 > 6 (EBITDA TTM 187.7m / Interest Expense TTM 115.0m) |
Altman Z'' 0.00
| A: -0.03 (Total Current Assets 334.1m - Total Current Liabilities 469.5m) / Total Assets 3.88b |
| B: 0.02 (Retained Earnings 94.6m / Total Assets 3.88b) |
| C: 0.02 (EBIT TTM 65.4m / Avg Total Assets 3.80b) |
| D: 0.03 (Book Value of Equity 91.6m / Total Liabilities 2.95b) |
| Altman-Z'' Score: -0.00 = B |
Beneish M -2.97
| DSRI: 1.01 (Receivables 103.3m/100.9m, Revenue 2.69b/2.67b) |
| GMI: 1.15 (GM 22.27% / 25.52%) |
| AQI: 0.96 (AQ_t 0.42 / AQ_t-1 0.44) |
| SGI: 1.01 (Revenue 2.69b / 2.67b) |
| TATA: -0.07 (NI -69.3m - CFO 193.4m) / TA 3.88b) |
| Beneish M-Score: -2.97 (Cap -4..+1) = A |
What is the price of KLC shares?
As of February 07, 2026, the stock is trading at USD 4.83 with a total of 466,560 shares traded.
Over the past week, the price has changed by +3.43%, over one month by +5.69%, over three months by -8.35% and over the past year by -76.42%.
Over the past week, the price has changed by +3.43%, over one month by +5.69%, over three months by -8.35% and over the past year by -76.42%.
Is KLC a buy, sell or hold?
KinderCare Learning has received a consensus analysts rating of 4.25.
Therefore, it is recommended to buy KLC.
- StrongBuy: 3
- Buy: 4
- Hold: 1
- Sell: 0
- StrongSell: 0
What are the forecasts/targets for the KLC price?
| Issuer | Target | Up/Down from current |
|---|---|---|
| Wallstreet Target Price | 6 | 23.4% |
| Analysts Target Price | 6 | 23.4% |
| ValueRay Target Price | 3.4 | -29.6% |
KLC Fundamental Data Overview February 02, 2026
P/E Forward = 11.919
P/S = 0.2052
P/B = 0.5984
Revenue TTM = 2.69b USD
EBIT TTM = 65.4m USD
EBITDA TTM = 187.7m USD
Long Term Debt = 921.3m USD (from longTermDebt, last quarter)
Short Term Debt = 174.5m USD (from shortTermDebt, last quarter)
Debt = 1.60b USD (from shortLongTermDebtTotal, last quarter)
Net Debt = 1.42b USD (from netDebt column, last quarter)
Enterprise Value = 1.97b USD (552.5m + Debt 1.60b - CCE 174.7m)
Interest Coverage Ratio = 0.57 (Ebit TTM 65.4m / Interest Expense TTM 115.0m)
EV/FCF = 33.00x (Enterprise Value 1.97b / FCF TTM 59.8m)
FCF Yield = 3.03% (FCF TTM 59.8m / Enterprise Value 1.97b)
FCF Margin = 2.22% (FCF TTM 59.8m / Revenue TTM 2.69b)
Net Margin = -2.57% (Net Income TTM -69.3m / Revenue TTM 2.69b)
Gross Margin = 22.27% ((Revenue TTM 2.69b - Cost of Revenue TTM 2.09b) / Revenue TTM)
Gross Margin QoQ = 19.75% (prev 25.80%)
Tobins Q-Ratio = 0.51 (Enterprise Value 1.97b / Total Assets 3.88b)
Interest Expense / Debt = 1.51% (Interest Expense 24.1m / Debt 1.60b)
Taxrate = 26.67% (1.66m / 6.21m)
NOPAT = 48.0m (EBIT 65.4m * (1 - 26.67%))
Current Ratio = 0.71 (Total Current Assets 334.1m / Total Current Liabilities 469.5m)
Debt / Equity = 1.71 (Debt 1.60b / totalStockholderEquity, last quarter 931.2m)
Debt / EBITDA = 7.57 (Net Debt 1.42b / EBITDA 187.7m)
Debt / FCF = 23.76 (Net Debt 1.42b / FCF TTM 59.8m)
Total Stockholder Equity = 901.2m (last 4 quarters mean from totalStockholderEquity)
RoA = -1.82% (Net Income -69.3m / Total Assets 3.88b)
RoE = -7.69% (Net Income TTM -69.3m / Total Stockholder Equity 901.2m)
RoCE = 3.59% (EBIT 65.4m / Capital Employed (Equity 901.2m + L.T.Debt 921.3m))
RoIC = 2.62% (NOPAT 48.0m / Invested Capital 1.83b)
WACC = 3.44% (E(552.5m)/V(2.15b) * Re(10.17%) + D(1.60b)/V(2.15b) * Rd(1.51%) * (1-Tc(0.27)))
Discount Rate = 10.17% (= CAPM, Blume Beta Adj.)
Shares Correlation 3-Years: 33.33 | Cagr: 1.75%
[DCF Debug] Terminal Value 80.82% ; FCFF base≈59.8m ; Y1≈39.3m ; Y5≈17.9m
Fair Price DCF = N/A (negative equity: EV 570.7m - Net Debt 1.42b = -850.2m; debt exceeds intrinsic value)
EPS Correlation: 39.19 | EPS CAGR: -20.00% | SUE: -0.13 | # QB: 0
Revenue Correlation: 87.88 | Revenue CAGR: 11.05% | SUE: -0.79 | # QB: 0
EPS next Quarter (2026-03-31): EPS=0.20 | Chg30d=+0.004 | Revisions Net=+1 | Analysts=7
EPS next Year (2026-12-31): EPS=0.63 | Chg30d=+0.001 | Revisions Net=+1 | Growth EPS=-5.5% | Growth Revenue=+0.9%
P/S = 0.2052
P/B = 0.5984
Revenue TTM = 2.69b USD
EBIT TTM = 65.4m USD
EBITDA TTM = 187.7m USD
Long Term Debt = 921.3m USD (from longTermDebt, last quarter)
Short Term Debt = 174.5m USD (from shortTermDebt, last quarter)
Debt = 1.60b USD (from shortLongTermDebtTotal, last quarter)
Net Debt = 1.42b USD (from netDebt column, last quarter)
Enterprise Value = 1.97b USD (552.5m + Debt 1.60b - CCE 174.7m)
Interest Coverage Ratio = 0.57 (Ebit TTM 65.4m / Interest Expense TTM 115.0m)
EV/FCF = 33.00x (Enterprise Value 1.97b / FCF TTM 59.8m)
FCF Yield = 3.03% (FCF TTM 59.8m / Enterprise Value 1.97b)
FCF Margin = 2.22% (FCF TTM 59.8m / Revenue TTM 2.69b)
Net Margin = -2.57% (Net Income TTM -69.3m / Revenue TTM 2.69b)
Gross Margin = 22.27% ((Revenue TTM 2.69b - Cost of Revenue TTM 2.09b) / Revenue TTM)
Gross Margin QoQ = 19.75% (prev 25.80%)
Tobins Q-Ratio = 0.51 (Enterprise Value 1.97b / Total Assets 3.88b)
Interest Expense / Debt = 1.51% (Interest Expense 24.1m / Debt 1.60b)
Taxrate = 26.67% (1.66m / 6.21m)
NOPAT = 48.0m (EBIT 65.4m * (1 - 26.67%))
Current Ratio = 0.71 (Total Current Assets 334.1m / Total Current Liabilities 469.5m)
Debt / Equity = 1.71 (Debt 1.60b / totalStockholderEquity, last quarter 931.2m)
Debt / EBITDA = 7.57 (Net Debt 1.42b / EBITDA 187.7m)
Debt / FCF = 23.76 (Net Debt 1.42b / FCF TTM 59.8m)
Total Stockholder Equity = 901.2m (last 4 quarters mean from totalStockholderEquity)
RoA = -1.82% (Net Income -69.3m / Total Assets 3.88b)
RoE = -7.69% (Net Income TTM -69.3m / Total Stockholder Equity 901.2m)
RoCE = 3.59% (EBIT 65.4m / Capital Employed (Equity 901.2m + L.T.Debt 921.3m))
RoIC = 2.62% (NOPAT 48.0m / Invested Capital 1.83b)
WACC = 3.44% (E(552.5m)/V(2.15b) * Re(10.17%) + D(1.60b)/V(2.15b) * Rd(1.51%) * (1-Tc(0.27)))
Discount Rate = 10.17% (= CAPM, Blume Beta Adj.)
Shares Correlation 3-Years: 33.33 | Cagr: 1.75%
[DCF Debug] Terminal Value 80.82% ; FCFF base≈59.8m ; Y1≈39.3m ; Y5≈17.9m
Fair Price DCF = N/A (negative equity: EV 570.7m - Net Debt 1.42b = -850.2m; debt exceeds intrinsic value)
EPS Correlation: 39.19 | EPS CAGR: -20.00% | SUE: -0.13 | # QB: 0
Revenue Correlation: 87.88 | Revenue CAGR: 11.05% | SUE: -0.79 | # QB: 0
EPS next Quarter (2026-03-31): EPS=0.20 | Chg30d=+0.004 | Revisions Net=+1 | Analysts=7
EPS next Year (2026-12-31): EPS=0.63 | Chg30d=+0.001 | Revisions Net=+1 | Growth EPS=-5.5% | Growth Revenue=+0.9%