Sunlands Technology Group
STGAbout the company
Sunlands Technology Group provides adult online education services and adult personal interest learning courses through online and mobile platforms in the People's Republic of China. It offers adult online education and adult personal interest learning education through courses and educational content offerings, including interest, professional skills and professional certification preparation courses, and degree- or diploma-oriented post-secondary courses.
Investment snapshot
Positive
10
BUY / PASS
Neutral / negative
5 / 1
NEUTRAL / FAIL
Median fair value
$73.27
+3600.3% vs price
Models with upside
10 / 17
Positive margin of safety
Strongest signal
STG undervalued: all 10 models price fair value above $1.98 (median $73.27)
Key risk
5 of 8 flag STG's growth — Graham, Dreman, Marks +2 more
Framework analysis
| Verdict | Meaning |
|---|---|
| BUY | Positive purchase signal: the framework's buy requirements are met. |
| PASS | The company clears the framework's checklist or screen, but the framework does not produce a buy signal. For valuation frameworks this often means margin of safety is missing, insufficient, or unavailable; some screen-only frameworks have no intrinsic-value BUY state. |
| NEUTRAL | Neither a positive nor negative conclusion. It does not mean to hold an existing position. |
| FAIL | The company does not clear the framework's requirements. |
| Ranked | Ranked strategies do not use PASS: selected cohort is BUY, outside the cohort is FAIL, and unranked is NEUTRAL. |
Current investor scores use trailing 12-month flows and the latest balance sheet where supported. Multi-year and EPS tests retain annual history; each framework shows its financial basis below. Intrinsic values use annual financials.
| Metric | Graham Defensive Value | Buffett Quality Compounder | Lynch GARP | Greenblatt Magic Formula | Piotroski F-Score | Dreman Contrarian Value | Munger Quality Focus | Pabrai Dhandho Framework | Akre Three-Legged Stool | Marks Risk-Aware Value | Ackman Activist Value | Templeton Global Bargain Hunter | Sleep Scale Economies Shared | Asness Systematic Factors | Neff Low-P/E Total Return | Schloss Asset-Value Discipline | O'Shaughnessy Systematic Factor Composite |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verdict | PASS | NEUTRAL | BUY | Not ranked | BUY | NEUTRAL | BUY | BUY | BUY | NEUTRAL | BUY | BUY | NEUTRAL | BUY | PASS | FAIL | NEUTRAL |
| Score | |||||||||||||||||
| Analysis | Checking access… | Checking access… | Checking access… | Checking access… | Checking access… | Checking access… | Checking access… | Checking access… | Checking access… | Checking access… | Checking access… | Checking access… | Checking access… | Checking access… | Checking access… | Checking access… | Checking access… |
| Intrinsic Value (annual) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||
| Margin of Safety | +96.7% | +98.0% | +97.7% | +97.1% | N/A | +98.6% | +97.5% | +94.2% | +99.1% | N/A | +92.3% | +70.7% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Financial Basis | Annual history · FY 2025 Latest source filing: 2026-04-24 Score computed: 2026-11-14 | Annual history · FY 2025 Latest source filing: 2026-04-24 Score computed: 2026-11-14 | Annual history · FY 2025 Latest source filing: 2026-04-24 Score computed: 2026-11-14 | Annual history · FY 2025 Latest source filing: 2026-04-24 Score computed: 2026-11-14 | Annual history · FY 2025 Latest source filing: 2026-04-24 Score computed: 2026-11-14 | Annual history · FY 2025 · Market data at 2026-11-01 Latest source filing: 2026-04-24 Score computed: 2026-11-14 | Qualitative assessment · Annual history · FY 2025 Latest source filing: 2026-04-24 Score computed: 2026-11-14 | Qualitative assessment · Annual history · FY 2025 Latest source filing: 2026-04-24 Score computed: 2026-11-14 | Annual history · FY 2025 · Qualitative assessment Latest source filing: 2026-04-24 Score computed: 2026-11-14 | Annual history · FY 2025 · Qualitative assessment Latest source filing: 2026-04-24 Score computed: 2026-11-14 | Annual history · FY 2025 · Market data at 2026-11-01 Latest source filing: 2026-04-24 Score computed: 2026-11-14 | Annual history · FY 2025 · Price history 2025-01-01–2026-11-01 Latest source filing: 2026-04-24 Score computed: 2026-11-14 | Annual history · FY 2025 · Qualitative assessment Latest source filing: 2026-04-24 Score computed: 2026-11-14 | Annual history · FY 2025 · Price history 2025-01-01–2026-11-01 Latest source filing: 2026-04-24 Score computed: 2026-11-14 | Annual history · FY 2025 Latest source filing: 2026-04-24 Score computed: 2026-11-14 | Annual history · FY 2025 Latest source filing: 2026-04-24 Score computed: 2026-11-14 | Annual history · FY 2025 · Price history 2025-01-01–2026-11-01 Latest source filing: 2026-04-24 Score computed: 2026-11-14 |
Where It Passes
- Valuation models100% pass✓ 10▾
STG undervalued: all 10 models price fair value above $1.98 (median $73.27)
Graham fair value$59.18✓Graham+96.7% margin vs $1.98Buffett fair value$98.85✓Buffett+98.0% margin vs $1.98Lynch fair value$85.39✓Lynch+97.7% margin vs $1.98Greenblatt fair value$68.62✓Greenblatt+97.1% margin vs $1.98Dreman fair value$138.47✓Dreman+98.6% margin vs $1.98Munger fair value$77.91✓Munger+97.5% margin vs $1.98Pabrai fair value$33.96✓Pabrai+94.2% margin vs $1.98Akre fair value$216.12✓Akre+99.1% margin vs $1.98Ackman fair value$25.72✓Ackman+92.3% margin vs $1.98Templeton fair value$6.76✓Templeton+70.7% margin vs $1.98 - Verdicts91% pass✓ 10✗ 1▾
Split decision: 8 BUY · 5 NEUTRAL · 2 PASS · 1 FAIL
Overall verdict✓GrahamPASS (5/9)•BuffettNEUTRAL (6/9)✓LynchBUY (6/7)•GreenblattNot ranked✓PiotroskiBUY (F-Score 8)•DremanNEUTRAL (7/11)✓MungerBUY (4/4)✓PabraiBUY (3/3)✓AkreBUY (5/6)•MarksNEUTRAL (4/5)✓AckmanBUY (7/9)✓TempletonBUY (6/8)•SleepNEUTRAL (4/6)✓AsnessBUY (Rank #362/2370 (Top 15.3%))✓NeffPASS (4/6)✗SchlossFAIL (3/7)•OshaughnessyNEUTRAL (Not ranked) - Debt & Leverage83% pass✓ 13✗ 2▾
10 of 12 pass — Dreman and Schloss object
LT Debt vs Net Current AssetsLT Debt $0.0M vs NCA $22.6M✓GrahamLT Debt <= Net Current AssetsDebt/Equity & Interest CoverageD/E: 0.00, IC: 442.0x✓BuffettD/E < 0.5 AND Interest Coverage > 5xTotal Debt / Equity0✓Lynch< 0.33Cash - Long-term Debt$82.3M✓LynchPositive preferredLT Debt / Total Assets Change1.67% -> 0.00%✓PiotroskiDecreased YoYCurrent Assets / Current Liabilities1.21✗Dreman> 1.5✗SchlossCurrent ratio >= 1.50x (app cutoff)Total Debt / Shareholders' Equity0✓Dreman< 0.8✓Templeton< 1.0 (fixed cap; proxy for below-sector-median leverage)✓SchlossD/E < 1.00xDebt Levels0✓MungerDebt/Equity < 0.5✓AkreDebt/Equity < 0.3Interest Coverage & Debt/EBITDAIC=442.0x, D/EBITDA=0.0x✓MarksInterest Coverage > 3x; Debt/EBITDA < 4xTotal Debt / Shareholders Equity0✓Ackman<= 1.0Negative debt-to-equity (higher means less debt)-0.0000; #1/4210 (top 0.0%)✓AsnessTop 30% of eligible cross-section - Cash Flow80% pass✓ 10✗ 2▾
8 of 10 pass — Lynch and Piotroski object
Free Cash Flow Proxy$56.3M✓BuffettPositive and growingFCF Positive and Growing$21.0M✗LynchPositive and growingOperating Cash Flow$21.0M✓PiotroskiCFO > 0(CFO / Total Assets) vs ROACFO/Assets=7.17%, ROA=17.86%✗PiotroskiCFO/Assets > ROAPrice / (CFO / Shares)0.6x✓Dreman< 8xP/E or FCF YieldP/E=0.3x, FCF Yield=82.9%✓PabraiP/E < 15 or FCF Yield > 10%FCF Positive6/10 years FCF positive✓MarksPositive FCF in majority of recent years(OCF - CapEx) / Market Cap157.1%✓Ackman>= 4%Price / FCF per Share0.6x✓Ackman<= 25Positive Operating Cash Flow frequency7/10 years positive✓SleepPositive OCF in >= 70% of available yearsOperating Cash Flow - Capital Expenditures$21.0M✓Neff> $0 (app proxy for a strong fundamental case)(Operating cash flow - capex) / market capitalization+82.85%; #65/4519 (top 1.4%)✓OshaughnessyTop 10% of eligible cross-section - Valuation77% pass✓ 24✗ 4▾
10 of 13 pass — Greenblatt, Schloss and Oshaughnessy object
Price / 3-yr avg EPS0.2x✓Graham<= 15xPrice-to-Book Ratio0.1x✓Graham<= 1.5xP/E x P/B0.00✓Graham<= 22.5Basic earnings-growth PEG (dividends excluded)0.02✓Lynch< 1.0 (ideally < 0.5)EBIT / Enterprise ValueN/A (EV <= 0)✗Greenblatt> 10%Earnings Yield + ROC AssessmentEY=N/A (EV <= 0), ROC=154.1%✗GreenblattBoth EY > 10% and ROC > 25%Price / EPS0.3x✓Dreman< 12x✓Templeton< 12x (fixed ceiling; proxy for the market's cheapest 40%)Price / (CFO / Shares)0.6x✓Dreman< 8xPrice / Book Value per Share0.1x✓Dreman< 1.2x✓Templeton< 1.5x✓SchlossP/B <= 0.80x (app cutoff)Valuation ReasonablenessP/E=0.3x, OE Yield=422.5%✓MungerP/E < 25 or Owner Earnings Yield > 5%P/E or FCF YieldP/E=0.3x, FCF Yield=82.9%✓PabraiP/E < 15 or FCF Yield > 10%P/B or P/E vs. Historical AverageP/E=0.3x, P/B=0.1x✓MarksP/E < 15 or P/B < 2.0Discount to Intrinsic Value98.6% (IV=$138.47 vs Price=$1.98)✓Marks>= 20% below intrinsic valuePrice / FCF per Share0.6x✓Ackman<= 25Price vs. Trailing Low100% of trailing low ($1.98)✓Templeton<= 120% of trailing low (certified split-adjusted live window)Net income / market capitalization+206.65%; #62/6340 (top 1.0%)✓AsnessTop 30% of eligible cross-section✓OshaughnessyTop 10% of eligible cross-sectionPositive book equity / market capitalization+5.3441; #276/6449 (top 4.3%)✓AsnessTop 30% of eligible cross-sectionPrice / Diluted EPS0.3x✓NeffP/E <= 15x (app proxy for a P/E 40%-60% below the market)(EPS CAGR % + Dividend Yield %) / P/E43.13✓Neff> 0.7 (Neff's published traditional edge)Price / Tangible Book Value per Share0.10x✓SchlossP/TBV <= 1.00x (app cutoff)Book Value per Share Change✗SchlossLatest BVPS >= earliest BVPS over >= 3 years (app rule)Revenue / market capitalization+11.4161; #296/5247 (top 5.6%)✓OshaughnessyTop 10% of eligible cross-section(Operating cash flow - capex) / market capitalization+82.85%; #65/4519 (top 1.4%)✓OshaughnessyTop 10% of eligible cross-sectionTrailing six-month price return through the evaluation date-42.36%; #4902/6202 (top 79.0%)✗OshaughnessyTop 10% of eligible cross-section - Efficiency75% pass✓ 9✗ 2▾
6 of 8 pass — Graham and Dreman object
Current Ratio1.21✗Graham>= 2.0ROIC (3-5 yr avg)127.0%✓Buffett> 10%ROIC - WACC+117.0%✓BuffettPositive (WACC = 10%)EBIT / (NWC + Net Fixed Assets)154.1%✓Greenblatt> 25%Current Ratio Change YoY1.10 -> 1.21✓PiotroskiIncreased YoYRevenue / Total Assets Change YoY0.94x -> 0.99x✓PiotroskiImproved YoYCurrent Assets / Current Liabilities1.21✗Dreman> 1.5Return on Invested Capital31.5%✓Munger> 15%ROIC (high and growing)FY2023: ROIC=108.0%; FY2024: ROIC=36.6%; FY2025: ROIC=31.5%✓AkreLatest 3 consecutive FYs: ROIC > 15% in eachReinvestment Rate x ROIC31.5% (RR=100% x ROIC=31.5%)✓AkreReinvestment Rate * ROIC > 10%ROIC (5-year)3/3 years above 12% (latest 31.5%)✓SleepROIC > 12% in a majority of years
Where It Falls Short
- Growth38% pass✓ 7✗ 6▾
5 of 8 flag STG's growth — Graham, Dreman, Marks +2 more
EPS Growth (3-yr avg, 10-yr window)✗Graham>= 33% growthBasic earnings-growth PEG (dividends excluded)0.02✓Lynch< 1.0 (ideally < 0.5)3-5 Year EPS CAGR11.0%✓Lynch15-30% (Fast Grower); > 0% to passInventory Growth vs Revenue GrowthInv: -4.9% vs Rev: 5.9%✓LynchInventory growth < Revenue growthEPS Growth Direction✗DremanPositive over recent yearsEPS CAGR11.0% CAGR over 4 years✓Dreman> 5% annualizedPositive Net Income Frequency5/10 years positive✗MarksPositive net income in >= 7 of last 10 years3yr Median Revenue Growth-8.9%✗Ackman>= 5%Positive EPS Growth Frequency3/5 years with positive EPS growth✓AckmanPositive EPS growth in >= 3 of last 5 years5-Year EPS CAGR11.0% CAGR over 4 years✓Templeton> 0% (5-year EPS CAGR)Revenue growth vs. gross and operating margin trendgross margin 87.7% -> 86.9%, operating margin 26.6% -> 18.6%✗SleepRevenue rising; gross margin flat or falling; operating margin holding5-year Revenue CAGR-3.1%✗SleepCAGR > 7%3-5 Year Diluted EPS CAGR11.0% over 4 years✓Neff7%-20% annualized - Profitability44% pass✓ 22✗ 13▾
9 of 16 flag STG's profitability — Graham, Buffett, Greenblatt +6 more
Positive EPS (10 years)5/11 years positive✗GrahamPositive EPS every year for 10 yearsEPS Growth (3-yr avg, 10-yr window)✗Graham>= 33% growthNet Income Positive (10+ years)5/11 years positive✗BuffettPositive every year for 10+ yearsROE (up to 5-year arithmetic mean)109.0%✓Buffett> 15% arithmetic mean (app rule)Operating Margin (10-yr trend)18.6% (latest)✓BuffettStable or rising over 10 yearsFree Cash Flow Proxy$56.3M✓BuffettPositive and growingEarnings Variance (10-yr CoV)✗BuffettCoV < 0.3Retained Earnings Effectiveness✗Buffett$1 retained -> > $1 market value createdBasic earnings-growth PEG (dividends excluded)0.02✓Lynch< 1.0 (ideally < 0.5)3-5 Year EPS CAGR11.0%✓Lynch15-30% (Fast Grower); > 0% to passROE38.7%✓Lynch> 15%EBIT / Enterprise ValueN/A (EV <= 0)✗Greenblatt> 10%Earnings Yield + ROC AssessmentEY=N/A (EV <= 0), ROC=154.1%✗GreenblattBoth EY > 10% and ROC > 25%Net Income / Total Assets17.86%✓PiotroskiROA > 0ROA Change YoY16.13% -> 17.86% (delta: +1.73%)✓PiotroskiCurrent ROA > Prior ROA(CFO / Total Assets) vs ROACFO/Assets=7.17%, ROA=17.86%✗PiotroskiCFO/Assets > ROAGross Margin Change YoY84.0% -> 86.9%✓PiotroskiImproved YoYPre-Tax Income / Revenue21.3%✓Dreman>= 8%Net Income / Shareholders' Equity38.7%✓Dreman> 12%Margin of SafetyP/E=0.3x, P/B=0.1x✓PabraiP/B < 1.5 or P/E < 15Return on Equity109.0% (3-yr avg)✓AkreROE > 20% (3-year avg)Discount to Intrinsic Value98.6% (IV=$138.47 vs Price=$1.98)✓Marks>= 20% below intrinsic valuePositive Net Income Frequency5/10 years positive✗MarksPositive net income in >= 7 of last 10 yearsOperating Income / Revenue18.6%✓Ackman>= 15%Net Income / Shareholders Equity38.7%✓Ackman>= 15%5-Year EPS CAGR11.0% CAGR over 4 years✓Templeton> 0% (5-year EPS CAGR)Operating Margin Trend26.6% (2023) -> 18.6% (2025)✗TempletonNon-negative operating-margin trend over 3 yearsRevenue growth vs. gross and operating margin trendgross margin 87.7% -> 86.9%, operating margin 26.6% -> 18.6%✗SleepRevenue rising; gross margin flat or falling; operating margin holdingNet income / market capitalization+206.65%; #62/6340 (top 1.0%)✓AsnessTop 30% of eligible cross-section✓OshaughnessyTop 10% of eligible cross-sectionGross profit / total assets+85.75%; #213/3702 (top 5.8%)✓AsnessTop 30% of eligible cross-sectionNet income / positive book equity+38.67%; #310/5226 (top 5.9%)✓AsnessTop 30% of eligible cross-sectionNegative 5-year standard deviation of ROA-0.0808; #3213/5884 (top 54.6%)✗AsnessTop 30% of eligible cross-section3-5 Year Diluted EPS CAGR11.0% over 4 years✓Neff7%-20% annualizedPositive Diluted-EPS Years5/10 years positive✗Schloss>= 70% positive over 5-10 observed years (app rule)
Business & financials
Financial snapshot: annual FY 2025. Current investor scores may use newer quarterly data.
Company Profile
Financial Snapshot
Shareholder Return
Fiscal 2025
Retired 1.3% of shares last year, 2.4% over two.
- Buybacks
- $881.6K
- Dividends
- $0
What drove EPS
A buyback raises earnings per share without the company earning more. This splits each year's change into the two.
The two parts do not sum exactly to the total — the difference is the cross-term, plus preferred capital where the company has any. It is left visible rather than distributed into the other two.
Share count is the denominator the filer used for diluted EPS, recovered as net income ÷ EPS — not the balance-sheet count, which is a point-in-time figure and would put the timing difference into this split. Years with a loss are omitted: a smaller share count makes a loss per share larger, so the decomposition inverts.
Company Financials
Latest TTM and quarters alongside annual years
TTM sums four consecutive quarters and uses the latest quarter-end balances. Quarter columns show three-month results; annual columns show full-year totals. Growth compares the same period a year earlier. EPS is not added for TTM; full-year ratios are blank for quarters.
| Metric | FY 2025Sources
| FY 2024Sources
| FY 2023Sources
| FY 2022Sources
| FY 2021Sources
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Cap | $25.3Mcurrent | $45.4Mest. | $64.5Mest. | $95.3Mest. | $28.3Mest. |
| Revenue | $288.7M↑6% | $272.7M↓10% | $303.9M↓9% | $333.6M↓15% | $393.6M |
| Operating Income | $53.8M↑32% | $40.8M↓50% | $80.9M↓9% | $88.6M↑394% | $17.9M |
| Net Income | $52.3M↑11% | $46.9M↓48% | $90.2M↓3% | $92.5M↑169% | $34.4M |
| EPS (Diluted) | $7.76↑13% | $6.87↓47% | $13.07↓3% | $13.52↑165% | $5.11 |
| Gross Margin | 86.9%↑3% | 84.0%↓4% | 87.7%↑3% | 85.0% | 85.0% |
| Operating Margin | 18.6%↑25% | 15.0%↓44% | 26.6% | 26.6%↑483% | 4.6% |
| ROE | 38.7%↓32% | 56.9%↓75% | 231.3%↑235% | -172.0%↓692% | -21.7% |
| Total Debt | $0↓100% | $5.7M↓72% | $20.2M↓23% | $26.1M↓25% | $34.6M |
| Shareholders' Equity | $135.2M↑64% | $82.4M↑111% | $39.0M↑172% | -$53.8M↑66% | -$158.4M |
| Current Ratio | 1.21↑9% | 1.10↑8% | 1.02↑56% | 0.66↑11% | 0.59 |
| Debt / Equity | 0.00↓100% | 0.07↓87% | 0.52↑206% | -0.49↓122% | -0.22 |
| Operating Cash Flow | $21.0M↓22% | $26.8M↑35% | $19.8M↑1409% | $1.3M↑102% | -$58.6M |
| Free Cash Flow | $21.0M↓22% | $26.8M↑41% | $19.0M↑2142% | $847.5K↑101% | -$60.7M |
Score history
Historical Score Timeline
Industry peers
Industry Peers
Similar companies in Personal Services
STG vs Peers — Financial Grading
| Company | Market Cap | Price | Revenue | Net Income | ROE | D/E | Op. Margin | Curr. Ratio | Graham | Buffett | Lynch | Greenblatt | Piotroski | Dreman |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.EDU | $8.3B | $53.28 | $4.9B | $371.7M | 10.2% | 0.00 | 8.7% | 1.58 | 1/9 | 2/9 | 3/7 | 1/3 | F-Score 7 | 6/11 |
| H&R BLOCK INCHRB | $6.1B | $50.01 | $3.8B | $605.8M | 681.4% | 20.73 | 22.0% | 0.90 | 3/9 | 4/9 | 3/7 | 1/3 | F-Score 4 | 4/11 |
| TAL Education GroupTAL | $5.7B | $10.28 | $3.0B | $530.8M | 14.1% | — | 9.2% | 2.17 | 6/9 | 2/9 | 3/7 | 1/3 | F-Score 8 | 9/11 |
| Graham Holdings CoGHC | $5.2B | $1244.05 | $4.9B | $292.3M | 6.1% | 0.18 | 4.8% | 1.75 | 6/9 | 0/9 | 3/7 | 0/3 | F-Score 6 | 5/11 |
| LAUREATE EDUCATION, INC.LAUR | $4.8B | $35.03 | $1.7B | $281.6M | 23.7% | 0.11 | 25.3% | 0.67 | 1/9 | 5/9 | 6/7 | 3/3 | F-Score 6 | 4/11 |
| UNIFIRST CORPUNF | $4.3B | $235.39 | $2.4B | $148.3M | 6.8% | — | 7.6% | 3.18 | 3/9 | 5/9 | 2/7 | 0/3 | F-Score 6 | 3/11 |
| Covista Inc.CVSA | $3.9B | $118.17 | $2.0B | $251.6M | 17.4% | 0.46 | 19.6% | 1.09 | 1/9 | 4/9 | 5/7 | 0/3 | F-Score 6 | 4/11 |
| BRIGHT HORIZONS FAMILY SOLUTIONS INC.BFAM | $2.5B | $52.68 | $2.9B | $193.1M | 14.4% | 0.56 | 10.7% | 0.52 | 1/9 | 1/9 | 4/7 | 0/3 | F-Score 8 | 3/11 |