Coursera, Inc. (COUR)

Coursera, Inc. (COUR) Consumer Business Overview

Coursera, Inc. operates a leading online education platform, connecting a global network of learners with institutions and educators. The company provides a diverse range of courses, certifications, and degree programs, capitalizing on the growing demand for accessible and flexible online learning solutions within the consumer defensive sector.

What Is the Investment Thesis for COUR?

Coursera, Inc. presents a notable research candidate within the expanding online education market. The company's key value drivers include its robust platform, diverse course offerings, and partnerships with renowned universities. With a gross margin of 54.8%, Coursera demonstrates its ability to generate substantial revenue from its online education services. Growth catalysts include increasing demand for online learning, expansion into new markets, and development of new course offerings. However, potential risks include competition from other online education platforms and the need to continually invest in technology and content to maintain its competitive edge. The company's beta of 1.35 suggests higher volatility compared to the overall market. Investors should monitor Coursera's ability to sustain growth, manage costs, and maintain its market position in the face of increasing competition.

Based on FMP financials and quantitative analysis

COUR Key Highlights

• Market Cap of $1.02B reflects investor valuation of Coursera's growth potential in the online education market.
• Gross Margin of 54.8% indicates strong pricing power and efficient cost management in delivering online courses.
• Profit Margin of -8.2% highlights the need for improved profitability through increased scale and operational efficiencies.
• 1260 employees support Coursera's global operations and platform development.
• No dividend is currently paid, indicating a focus on reinvesting earnings for growth.

Who Are COUR's Competitors?

COUR is benchmarked below against 8 industry peers on price, market cap, and our AI MoonshotScore.

AI Score by Stock Expert AI · Price data: FMP / Yahoo Finance

What Are COUR's Key Strengths?

• Strong brand recognition and reputation.
• Extensive course catalog and partnerships with leading universities.
• Proprietary technology platform.
• Large and engaged community of learners.

What Are COUR's Weaknesses?

• Negative profit margin.
• High competition in the online education market.
• Dependence on partnerships with universities.
• Need for continuous investment in technology and content.

What Could Drive COUR Stock Higher?

• Expansion of corporate training programs to drive revenue growth.
• Increasing partnerships with universities and institutions to expand course offerings.
• Launch of new degree programs in high-demand fields.
• Enhancement of personalized learning experiences through AI and data analytics.
• International expansion into emerging markets.

What Are the Key Risks for COUR?

• Financial-distress signal — its Altman Z-Score of 1.54 sits in the distress zone (elevated bankruptcy risk).
• Negative return on equity (-10.1%) — the business is not currently generating profit on shareholder capital.
• Increased competition from other online education platforms.
• Changes in technology and learning trends.
• Economic downturns affecting education spending.
• Regulatory changes impacting online education.
• Dependence on partnerships with universities and institutions.

What Are the Growth Opportunities for COUR?

• Expanding Corporate Training Programs: Coursera can capitalize on the growing demand for corporate training by offering customized learning solutions to businesses. The corporate training market is estimated to be worth billions of dollars annually, with companies increasingly investing in upskilling and reskilling their workforce. By tailoring its course offerings to meet the specific needs of businesses, Coursera can attract new corporate clients and generate recurring revenue streams. Timeline: Ongoing.
• Increasing International Expansion: Coursera has the opportunity to expand its presence in international markets, particularly in developing countries where access to quality education is limited. By partnering with local universities and institutions, Coursera can offer culturally relevant content and reach new learners. The global online education market is expanding rapidly, with significant growth potential in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Timeline: Ongoing.
• Developing New Degree Programs: Coursera can further expand its degree programs by partnering with more universities and offering degrees in high-demand fields such as data science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. The demand for online degree programs is increasing as more students seek flexible and affordable education options. By offering a wider range of degree programs, Coursera can attract more students and generate higher revenue. Timeline: Ongoing.
• Enhancing Personalized Learning Experiences: Coursera can leverage data analytics and artificial intelligence to personalize the learning experience for its users. By analyzing learner behavior and preferences, Coursera can recommend relevant courses, provide personalized feedback, and adapt the learning content to individual needs. Personalized learning can improve learner engagement, retention, and outcomes. Timeline: Upcoming.
• Offering Micro-Credentials and Certifications: Coursera can expand its offerings of micro-credentials and certifications to meet the growing demand for skills-based education. Micro-credentials and certifications provide learners with targeted skills and knowledge that are valued by employers. By offering a wider range of micro-credentials and certifications, Coursera can attract more learners and generate additional revenue. Timeline: Upcoming.

What Opportunities Does COUR Have?

• Expanding corporate training programs.
• Increasing international expansion.
• Developing new degree programs.
• Enhancing personalized learning experiences.

What Threats Does COUR Face?

• Competition from other online education platforms.
• Changes in technology and learning trends.
• Economic downturns affecting education spending.
• Regulatory changes impacting online education.

What Are COUR's Competitive Advantages?

• Strong brand recognition and reputation in the online education market.
• Extensive course catalog and partnerships with leading universities.
• Proprietary technology platform and learning management system.
• Large and engaged community of learners and educators.

What Does COUR Do?

Coursera, Inc., initially named Dkandu, Inc., was founded in 2011 and officially rebranded in April 2012. The company is headquartered in Mountain View, California. Coursera operates as an online educational content platform, linking learners with educators, organizations, and institutions worldwide. Its platform offers a wide array of online courses, including specializations and degree programs, covering fields such as data science, business, computer science, information technology, health, social sciences, logic, project management, and digital marketing. These offerings cater to individuals seeking personal and professional development, as well as organizations aiming to upskill their workforce. Coursera also provides campus student plans and certification education, further expanding its reach within the education sector. The company's evolution has been marked by a commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education to a global audience, partnering with top universities and institutions to deliver relevant and engaging content. Coursera's business model emphasizes flexibility and affordability, making education more accessible to learners across diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Its competitive positioning lies in its extensive course catalog, strong brand recognition, and partnerships with leading academic institutions.

What Products and Services Does COUR Offer?

• Operates an online educational content platform.
• Connects learners with educators, organizations, and institutions.
• Offers online courses in various fields, including data science, business, and computer science.
• Provides degree courses and certification education.
• Offers campus student plans.
• Partners with universities and institutions to deliver content.

How Does COUR Make Money?

• Generates revenue through course fees paid by learners.
• Partners with universities and institutions to offer degree programs and certifications.
• Offers corporate training programs to businesses.
• Provides access to its platform and content through subscription models.

What Industry Does COUR Operate In?

Coursera operates within the rapidly growing online education market, which has seen significant expansion due to increased internet penetration and demand for flexible learning options. The industry is characterized by intense competition among various online learning platforms, including both for-profit and non-profit institutions. Key trends include the rise of micro-credentials, personalized learning experiences, and corporate training programs. Coursera's partnerships with universities and its focus on high-quality content position it favorably within this competitive landscape. The global e-learning market is projected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars in the coming years, presenting substantial growth opportunities for Coursera.

Who Are COUR's Key Customers?

• Individual learners seeking personal and professional development.
• Students pursuing online degrees and certifications.
• Organizations looking to upskill their workforce.
• Universities and institutions partnering to deliver online courses.

Coursera, Inc. (COUR) Valuation Context

Valued at $1.02B, COUR is classified as a small-cap stock. Relative to its peer group, COUR's quantitative score of 29/100 is below the peer average of 68/100.

COUR Revenue & Earnings Trend

In Q1 2026, COUR generated $195.7M in top-line revenue, marking a sequential decrease of 0.6%. The company recorded a net loss of $20.5M, with diluted EPS of $-0.12. Quarter-over-quarter revenue has been mixed, typical for a small-cap company operating in Consumer Defensive. Across the four most recent quarters, COUR averaged $-0.10 in diluted EPS.

Company Profile

Coursera, Inc. operates in the Education & Training Services industry within the Consumer Defensive sector. It is headquartered in Mountain View, US. The company is led by CEO Gregory Hart. COUR has traded publicly since 2021.

ROE -10%Key Financial Metrics

Return on equity for Coursera, Inc. stands at -10.1%, a gauge of how efficiently it converts shareholder capital into profit. Return on assets is -6.4%, showing how much profit it generates from its asset base. Its free cash flow yield is 8.8%, a gauge of the cash the business throws off relative to its market value. A current ratio of 2.47 indicates the company holds enough short-term assets to cover its near-term obligations. Its earnings yield is -6.7%, the inverse of the P/E and a quick read on earnings relative to price.

F-Score 4/9Financial Health

Coursera, Inc.'s Piotroski F-Score is 4/9, a 9-point checklist of profitability, leverage and efficiency — a middling fundamental profile. Its Altman Z-Score of 1.54 places it in the distress zone, a signal of elevated financial risk.

FY2026 estForward Outlook

Wall Street analysts project Coursera, Inc. revenue of about $1.23B for fiscal 2026, with EPS near $0.55. The estimate reflects 7 contributing analysts.

COUR Financials

COUR Latest News

No recent news available for COUR.

COUR Analyst Consensus

COUR MoonshotScore

Coursera, Inc. Consumer Defensive Stock: Key Questions Answered

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always do your own research and consult a financial advisor.

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