KinderCare Learning Companies (NYSE:KLC) Issues FY 2026 Earnings Guidance

KinderCare Learning Companies (NYSE:KLC) issued an update on its FY 2026 earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided earnings per share guidance of 0.050-0.150 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of 0.200. The company issued revenue guidance of $2.7 billion-$2.7 billion, compared to the consensus revenue estimate of $2.7 billion.

KinderCare Learning Companies Stock Performance

NYSE:KLC opened at $2.58 on Friday. KinderCare Learning Companies has a twelve month low of $1.75 and a twelve month high of $7.77. The company has a quick ratio of 0.73, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.95. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $4.70 and its 200 day simple moving average is $3.96. The firm has a market capitalization of $306.14 million, a PE ratio of -0.65 and a beta of 4.00.

KinderCare Learning Companies (NYSE:KLC) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 13th. The company reported $0.08 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.10 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $697.52 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $697.94 million. KinderCare Learning Companies had a negative net margin of 17.23% and a positive return on equity of 6.06%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down .4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.22 earnings per share. KinderCare Learning Companies has set its FY 2026 guidance at 0.050-0.150 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that KinderCare Learning Companies will post 0.2 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on KLC shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded KinderCare Learning Companies from a “neutral” rating to an “underweight” rating in a report on Friday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “hold” rating and set a $6.00 target price on shares of KinderCare Learning Companies in a report on Friday. UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of KinderCare Learning Companies from $5.00 to $4.50 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Friday. Barclays increased their price target on KinderCare Learning Companies from $2.00 to $3.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a research note on Monday, May 18th. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their target price on KinderCare Learning Companies from $1.50 to $4.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, May 15th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, five have given a Hold rating and four have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus target price of $4.13.

Trending Headlines about KinderCare Learning Companies

Here are the key news stories impacting KinderCare Learning Companies this week:

• Positive Sentiment: KinderCare is pursuing “footprint optimization,” including plans to close approximately 80–85 centers in 2026. Management expects the restructuring to improve operating efficiency and better align its center network with demand. KinderCare 2026 outlook and center closures
• Neutral Sentiment: Holzer & Holzer announced an investigation into whether KinderCare complied with federal securities laws after the earnings disclosure and subsequent stock decline. The announcement does not allege wrongdoing or indicate that a regulatory action has been filed, but it adds potential legal and headline risk. KLC investor investigation announcement
• Negative Sentiment: Second-quarter adjusted earnings were $0.08 per share, below the $0.10 consensus estimate and down from $0.22 a year earlier. Revenue of $697.5 million was slightly below expectations and declined 0.4% year over year. The company also reported an $8.8 million net loss. KinderCare misses second-quarter earnings estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Adjusted EBITDA fell to $63 million from $82 million a year earlier, reflecting lower occupancy and weaker operating leverage. Management reduced its 2026 adjusted EPS outlook to $0.05–$0.15, below the $0.20 analyst consensus, while forecasting revenue of approximately $2.66–$2.70 billion. KinderCare lowers 2026 outlook
• Negative Sentiment: JPMorgan downgraded KinderCare from “neutral” to “underweight,” adding further pressure to investor sentiment following the earnings miss and guidance reduction.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On KinderCare Learning Companies

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new stake in KinderCare Learning Companies in the fourth quarter worth approximately $19,994,000. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. boosted its holdings in shares of KinderCare Learning Companies by 737.3% during the 3rd quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. now owns 1,084,240 shares of the company’s stock worth $7,199,000 after buying an additional 954,743 shares in the last quarter. Frontier Capital Management Co. LLC acquired a new stake in shares of KinderCare Learning Companies during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $5,466,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its stake in shares of KinderCare Learning Companies by 69.2% in the 3rd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 997,836 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,626,000 after acquiring an additional 408,124 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jump Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of KinderCare Learning Companies during the 4th quarter valued at $1,304,000.

KinderCare Learning Companies Company Profile

KinderCare Learning Companies Inc is a provider of high-quality early childhood education by center capacity. KinderCare Learning Companies Inc is based in PORTLAND, Ore.