TAL Education Group

TAL

TAL Education Group provides smart learning solutions in the People's Republic of China. It offers learning services through Xueersi Peiyou small classes, personalized premium services, and online course offerings. The company also develops and provides learning content solutions for learners across print, digital and device-based formats, including print books, books integrated with digital learning experiences, learning devices, and mobile applications. In addition, it offers online education services, including live class and pre-recorded course content through www.xueersi.com.

About the company

Country: ChinaPrice: $10.28Market Cap: $5.7B

Investment snapshot

29%positive consensus

Scored 1d ago

Positive

BUY / PASS

Neutral / negative

6 / 5

NEUTRAL / FAIL

Median fair value

$34.79

+238.4% vs price

Models with upside

6 / 17

Positive margin of safety

Strongest signal

Models split on TAL at $10.28 — fair values range $2.78–$94.38

Key risk

11 of 12 flag TAL's debt & leverage — Graham, Buffett, Lynch +8 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	NEUTRAL	FAIL	FAIL	FAIL · Rank #817 (Top 26.4%)	BUY	BUY	PASS	NEUTRAL	FAIL	NEUTRAL	PASS	NEUTRAL	PASS	NEUTRAL	FAIL	FAIL	NEUTRAL
Score
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Intrinsic Value (annual)		N/A			N/A			N/A		N/A		N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Margin of Safety	+70.5%	N/A	+78.2%	-269.8%	N/A	+34.5%	+78.6%	N/A	+18.3%	N/A	+89.1%	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Financial Basis	Annual history · FY 2025 Latest source filing: 2026-06-12 Score computed: 2026-11-14	Annual history · FY 2025 Latest source filing: 2026-06-12 Score computed: 2026-11-14	Annual history · FY 2025 Latest source filing: 2026-06-12 Score computed: 2026-11-14	Annual history · FY 2025 Latest source filing: 2026-06-12 Score computed: 2026-11-14	Annual history · FY 2025 Latest source filing: 2026-06-12 Score computed: 2026-11-14	Annual history · FY 2025 · Market data at 2026-11-01 Latest source filing: 2026-06-12 Score computed: 2026-11-14	Qualitative assessment · Annual history · FY 2025 Latest source filing: 2026-06-12 Score computed: 2026-11-14	Qualitative assessment · Annual history · FY 2025 Latest source filing: 2026-06-12 Score computed: 2026-11-14	Annual history · FY 2025 · Qualitative assessment Latest source filing: 2026-06-12 Score computed: 2026-11-14	Annual history · FY 2025 · Qualitative assessment Latest source filing: 2026-06-12 Score computed: 2026-11-14	Annual history · FY 2025 · Market data at 2026-11-01 Latest source filing: 2026-06-12 Score computed: 2026-11-14	Annual history · FY 2025 · Price history 2025-01-01–2026-11-01 Latest source filing: 2026-06-12 Score computed: 2026-11-14	Annual history · FY 2025 · Qualitative assessment Latest source filing: 2026-06-12 Score computed: 2026-11-14	Annual history · FY 2025 · Price history 2025-01-01–2026-11-01 Latest source filing: 2026-06-12 Score computed: 2026-11-14	Annual history · FY 2025 Latest source filing: 2026-06-12 Score computed: 2026-11-14	Annual history · FY 2025 Latest source filing: 2026-06-12 Score computed: 2026-11-14	Annual history · FY 2025 · Price history 2025-01-01–2026-11-01 Latest source filing: 2026-06-12 Score computed: 2026-11-14

Where It Passes

Valuation models86% pass✓ 6✗ 1▾
Models split on TAL at $10.28 — fair values range $2.78–$94.38
Graham fair value$34.79
✓Graham+70.5% margin vs $10.28
Lynch fair value$47.25
✓Lynch+78.2% margin vs $10.28
Greenblatt fair value$2.78
✗Greenblatt-269.8% margin vs $10.28
Dreman fair value$15.70
✓Dreman+34.5% margin vs $10.28
Munger fair value$48.00
✓Munger+78.6% margin vs $10.28
Akre fair value$12.59
✓Akre+18.3% margin vs $10.28
Ackman fair value$94.38
✓Ackman+89.1% margin vs $10.28
Cash Flow80% pass✓ 10✗ 2▾
8 of 10 pass — Buffett and Oshaughnessy object
Free Cash Flow Proxy
✗BuffettPositive and growing
FCF Positive and Growing$508.3M
✓LynchPositive and growing
Operating Cash Flow$601.5M
✓PiotroskiCFO > 0
(CFO / Total Assets) vs ROACFO/Assets=10.13%, ROA=8.94%
✓PiotroskiCFO/Assets > ROA
Price / (CFO / Shares)3.3x
✓Dreman< 8x
P/E or FCF YieldP/E=3.7x, FCF Yield=8.9%
✓PabraiP/E < 15 or FCF Yield > 10%
FCF Positive15/17 years FCF positive
✓MarksPositive FCF in majority of recent years
(OCF - CapEx) / Market Cap25.6%
✓Ackman>= 4%
Price / FCF per Share3.9x
✓Ackman<= 25
Positive Operating Cash Flow frequency16/17 years positive
✓SleepPositive OCF in >= 70% of available years
Operating Cash Flow - Capital Expenditures$508.3M
✓Neff> $0 (app proxy for a strong fundamental case)
(Operating cash flow - capex) / market capitalization+8.91%; #880/4519 (top 19.5%)
✗OshaughnessyTop 10% of eligible cross-section
Valuation62% pass✓ 19✗ 9▾
8 of 13 pass — Greenblatt, Asness, Neff +2 more object
Net income / market capitalization+9.31%; #746/6340 (top 11.8%)
✓AsnessTop 30% of eligible cross-section✗OshaughnessyTop 10% of eligible cross-section
Price / 3-yr avg EPS9.8x
✓Graham<= 15x
Price-to-Book Ratio0.5x
✓Graham<= 1.5x
P/E x P/B5.20
✓Graham<= 22.5
Basic earnings-growth PEG (dividends excluded)0.17
✓Lynch< 1.0 (ideally < 0.5)
EBIT / Enterprise Value6.6%
✗Greenblatt> 10%
Earnings Yield + ROC AssessmentEY=6.6%, ROC=26.2%
✗GreenblattBoth EY > 10% and ROC > 25%
Price / EPS3.7x
✓Dreman< 12x✓Templeton< 12x (fixed ceiling; proxy for the market's cheapest 40%)
Price / (CFO / Shares)3.3x
✓Dreman< 8x
Price / Book Value per Share0.5x
✓Dreman< 1.2x✓Templeton< 1.5x✓SchlossP/B <= 0.80x (app cutoff)
Valuation ReasonablenessP/E=3.7x
✓MungerP/E < 25 or Owner Earnings Yield > 5%
P/E or FCF YieldP/E=3.7x, FCF Yield=8.9%
✓PabraiP/E < 15 or FCF Yield > 10%
P/B or P/E vs. Historical AverageP/E=3.7x, P/B=0.5x
✓MarksP/E < 15 or P/B < 2.0
Discount to Intrinsic Value34.5% (IV=$15.70 vs Price=$10.28)
✓Marks>= 20% below intrinsic value
Price / FCF per Share3.9x
✓Ackman<= 25
Price vs. Trailing Low117% of trailing low ($8.75)
✓Templeton<= 120% of trailing low (certified split-adjusted live window)
Positive book equity / market capitalization+0.6619; #2325/6449 (top 36.1%)
✗AsnessTop 30% of eligible cross-section
Price / Diluted EPS3.7x
✓NeffP/E <= 15x (app proxy for a P/E 40%-60% below the market)
(EPS CAGR % + Dividend Yield %) / P/E
✗Neff> 0.7 (Neff's published traditional edge)
Price / Tangible Book Value per Share0.54x
✓SchlossP/TBV <= 1.00x (app cutoff)
Book Value per Share Change-23.4%
✗SchlossLatest BVPS >= earliest BVPS over >= 3 years (app rule)
Revenue / market capitalization+0.5277; #2560/5247 (top 48.8%)
✗OshaughnessyTop 10% of eligible cross-section
(Operating cash flow - capex) / market capitalization+8.91%; #880/4519 (top 19.5%)
✗OshaughnessyTop 10% of eligible cross-section
Trailing six-month price return through the evaluation date-6.55%; #3221/6202 (top 51.9%)
✗OshaughnessyTop 10% of eligible cross-section

Where It Falls Short

Debt & Leverage8% pass✓ 3✗ 12▾
11 of 12 flag TAL's debt & leverage — Graham, Buffett, Lynch +8 more
LT Debt vs Net Current Assets
✗GrahamLT Debt <= Net Current Assets
Debt/Equity & Interest Coverage
✗BuffettD/E < 0.5 AND Interest Coverage > 5x
Total Debt / Equity
✗Lynch< 0.33
Cash - Long-term Debt
✗LynchPositive preferred
LT Debt / Total Assets Change0.00% -> 0.00%
✓PiotroskiDecreased YoY
Current Assets / Current Liabilities2.17
✓Dreman> 1.5✓SchlossCurrent ratio >= 1.50x (app cutoff)
Total Debt / Shareholders' Equity
✗Dreman< 0.8✗Templeton< 1.0 (fixed cap; proxy for below-sector-median leverage)✗SchlossD/E < 1.00x
Debt Levels
✗MungerDebt/Equity < 0.5✗AkreDebt/Equity < 0.3
Interest Coverage & Debt/EBITDA
✗MarksInterest Coverage > 3x; Debt/EBITDA < 4x
Total Debt / Shareholders Equity
✗Ackman<= 1.0
Negative debt-to-equity (higher means less debt)
✗AsnessTop 30% of eligible cross-section
Profitability25% pass✓ 15✗ 20▾
12 of 16 flag TAL's profitability — Graham, Buffett, Lynch +9 more
Net income / market capitalization+9.31%; #746/6340 (top 11.8%)
✓AsnessTop 30% of eligible cross-section✗OshaughnessyTop 10% of eligible cross-section
Positive EPS (10 years)12/18 years positive
✗GrahamPositive EPS every year for 10 years
EPS Growth (3-yr avg, 10-yr window)621.8%
✓Graham>= 33% growth
Net Income Positive (10+ years)12/18 years positive
✗BuffettPositive every year for 10+ years
ROE (up to 5-year arithmetic mean)-3.1%
✗Buffett> 15% arithmetic mean (app rule)
Operating Margin (10-yr trend)9.2% (latest)
✗BuffettStable or rising over 10 years
Free Cash Flow Proxy
✗BuffettPositive and growing
Earnings Variance (10-yr CoV)16.24
✗BuffettCoV < 0.3
Retained Earnings Effectiveness
✗Buffett$1 retained -> > $1 market value created
Basic earnings-growth PEG (dividends excluded)0.17
✓Lynch< 1.0 (ideally < 0.5)
3-5 Year EPS CAGR22.3%
✓Lynch15-30% (Fast Grower); > 0% to pass
ROE14.1%
✗Lynch> 15%
EBIT / Enterprise Value6.6%
✗Greenblatt> 10%
Earnings Yield + ROC AssessmentEY=6.6%, ROC=26.2%
✗GreenblattBoth EY > 10% and ROC > 25%
Net Income / Total Assets8.94%
✓PiotroskiROA > 0
ROA Change YoY1.54% -> 8.94% (delta: +7.40%)
✓PiotroskiCurrent ROA > Prior ROA
(CFO / Total Assets) vs ROACFO/Assets=10.13%, ROA=8.94%
✓PiotroskiCFO/Assets > ROA
Gross Margin Change YoY53.3% -> 55.4%
✓PiotroskiImproved YoY
Pre-Tax Income / Revenue22.8%
✓Dreman>= 8%
Net Income / Shareholders' Equity14.1%
✓Dreman> 12%
Margin of SafetyP/E=3.7x, P/B=0.5x
✓PabraiP/B < 1.5 or P/E < 15
Return on Equity5.4% (3-yr avg)
✗AkreROE > 20% (3-year avg)
Discount to Intrinsic Value34.5% (IV=$15.70 vs Price=$10.28)
✓Marks>= 20% below intrinsic value
Positive Net Income Frequency12/17 years positive
✓MarksPositive net income in >= 7 of last 10 years
Operating Income / Revenue9.2%
✗Ackman>= 15%
Net Income / Shareholders Equity14.1%
✗Ackman>= 15%
5-Year EPS CAGR
✗Templeton> 0% (5-year EPS CAGR)
Operating Margin Trend-4.6% (2023) -> 9.2% (2025)
✓TempletonNon-negative operating-margin trend over 3 years
Revenue growth vs. gross and operating margin trendgross margin 54.1% -> 55.4%, operating margin -4.6% -> 9.2%
✗SleepRevenue rising; gross margin flat or falling; operating margin holding
Gross profit / total assets+28.06%; #1544/3702 (top 41.7%)
✗AsnessTop 30% of eligible cross-section
Net income / positive book equity+14.06%; #1257/5226 (top 24.1%)
✓AsnessTop 30% of eligible cross-section
Negative 5-year standard deviation of ROA-0.1045; #3527/5884 (top 59.9%)
✗AsnessTop 30% of eligible cross-section
3-5 Year Diluted EPS CAGR36.9% over 5 years
✗Neff7%-20% annualized
Positive Diluted-EPS Years5/10 years positive
✗Schloss>= 70% positive over 5-10 observed years (app rule)
Verdicts45% pass✓ 5✗ 6▾
Split decision: 6 NEUTRAL · 5 FAIL · 3 PASS · 2 BUY
Overall verdict
•GrahamNEUTRAL (6/9)✗BuffettFAIL (2/9)✗LynchFAIL (3/7)✗GreenblattRank #817✓PiotroskiBUY (F-Score 8)✓DremanBUY (9/11)✓MungerPASS (2/4)•PabraiNEUTRAL (2/3)✗AkreFAIL (1/6)•MarksNEUTRAL (4/5)✓AckmanPASS (5/9)•TempletonNEUTRAL (5/8)✓SleepPASS (3/6)•AsnessNEUTRAL (Not ranked)✗NeffFAIL (2/6)✗SchlossFAIL (3/7)•OshaughnessyNEUTRAL (Not ranked)
Growth50% pass✓ 8✗ 5▾
4 of 8 pass — Lynch, Templeton, Sleep +1 more object
EPS Growth (3-yr avg, 10-yr window)621.8%
✓Graham>= 33% growth
Basic earnings-growth PEG (dividends excluded)0.17
✓Lynch< 1.0 (ideally < 0.5)
3-5 Year EPS CAGR22.3%
✓Lynch15-30% (Fast Grower); > 0% to pass
Inventory Growth vs Revenue GrowthInv: 36.7% vs Rev: 33.7%
✗LynchInventory growth < Revenue growth
EPS Growth Direction$0.11 (2009) -> $2.75 (2025)
✓DremanPositive over recent years
EPS CAGR22.3% CAGR over 16 years
✓Dreman> 5% annualized
Positive Net Income Frequency12/17 years positive
✓MarksPositive net income in >= 7 of last 10 years
3yr Median Revenue Growth46.2%
✓Ackman>= 5%
Positive EPS Growth Frequency4/5 years with positive EPS growth
✓AckmanPositive EPS growth in >= 3 of last 5 years
5-Year EPS CAGR
✗Templeton> 0% (5-year EPS CAGR)
Revenue growth vs. gross and operating margin trendgross margin 54.1% -> 55.4%, operating margin -4.6% -> 9.2%
✗SleepRevenue rising; gross margin flat or falling; operating margin holding
5-year Revenue CAGR-7.7%
✗SleepCAGR > 7%
3-5 Year Diluted EPS CAGR36.9% over 5 years
✗Neff7%-20% annualized
Efficiency50% pass✓ 6✗ 5▾
4 of 8 pass — Piotroski, Munger, Akre +1 more object
Current Ratio2.17
✓Graham>= 2.0
ROIC (3-5 yr avg)12.6%
✓Buffett> 10%
ROIC - WACC+2.6%
✓BuffettPositive (WACC = 10%)
EBIT / (NWC + Net Fixed Assets)26.2%
✓Greenblatt> 25%
Current Ratio Change YoY2.86 -> 2.17
✗PiotroskiIncreased YoY
Revenue / Total Assets Change YoY0.41x -> 0.51x
✓PiotroskiImproved YoY
Current Assets / Current Liabilities2.17
✓Dreman> 1.5
Return on Invested Capital
✗Munger> 15%
ROIC (high and growing)FY2023: ROIC=unavailable; FY2024: ROIC=unavailable; FY2025: ROIC=unavailable
✗AkreLatest 3 consecutive FYs: ROIC > 15% in each
Reinvestment Rate x ROIC
✗AkreReinvestment Rate * ROIC > 10%
ROIC (5-year)
✗SleepROIC > 12% in a majority of years

Business & financials

Financial snapshot: annual FY 2025. Current investor scores may use newer quarterly data.

Company Profile

Industry: Personal Services

SIC Sector: Educational Services

Size: Mid Cap($5.7B)

Revenue: $3.0B+33.7% YoY

Net Income: $530.8M+527.4% YoY

Financial Snapshot

Operating Margin9.2%

Return on Equity14.1%

Debt / Equity--

Current Ratio2.17

EPS (Diluted)$2.75+570.7% 1y

Buybacks (1y)$644.1M

Buybacks (2y)$657.2M

Shares Retired6.0% / 5.1% 2y

Similar Companies

EDUNew Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc.

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GHCGraham Holdings Co

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LAURLAUREATE EDUCATION, INC.

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Shareholder Return

Fiscal 2025

Retired 6.0% of shares last year, 5.1% over two.

Buybacks: $644.1M
Dividends: —

What drove EPS

A buyback raises earnings per share without the company earning more. This splits each year's change into the two.

FY25

570.7% = 527.4% + 6.9%

Earnings Fewer shares More shares

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 2025 Sources 20-F · 2026-06-12	FY 2024 Sources 20-F · 2025-06-16	FY 2023 Sources 20-F · 2024-05-31	FY 2022 Sources 20-F · 2023-05-31	FY 2021 Sources 20-F · 2022-06-14
Market Cap	$5.7Bcurrent	$2.5Best.	$2.2Best.	$1.6Best.	$614.4Mest.
Revenue	$3.0B↑34%	$2.3B↑51%	$1.5B↑46%	$1.0B↓77%	$4.4B
Operating Income	$276.0M↑8849%	-$3.2M↑95%	-$69.2M↑24%	-$90.7M↑85%	-$614.5M
Net Income	$530.8M↑527%	$84.6M↑2468%	-$3.6M↑97%	-$135.6M↑88%	-$1.1B
EPS (Diluted)	$2.75↑571%	$0.41↑2150%	$-0.02↑97%	$-0.64↑88%	$-5.29
Gross Margin	55.4%↑4%	53.3%↓1%	54.1%↓5%	57.2%↑15%	49.8%
Operating Margin	9.2%↑6643%	-0.1%↑97%	-4.6%↑48%	-8.9%↑36%	-14.0%
ROE	14.1%↑526%	2.2%↑2402%	-0.1%↑97%	-3.5%↑87%	-28.2%
Total Debt	--	--	--	--	--
Shareholders' Equity	$3.8B	$3.8B↑3%	$3.7B↓5%	$3.8B↓5%	$4.0B
Current Ratio	2.17↓24%	2.86↓16%	3.42↓23%	4.42↑10%	4.02
Debt / Equity	—	—	—	—	—
Operating Cash Flow	$601.5M↑51%	$397.9M↑30%	$306.2M↑4061%	$7.4M↑101%	-$939.2M
Free Cash Flow	$508.3M↑78%	$286.2M↑48%	$193.4M↑288%	-$103.0M↑91%	-$1.2B

Score history

Historical Score Timeline

Industry peers

Industry Peers

Similar companies in Personal Services

TAL vs Peers — Financial Grading

Revenue$3.0BMedian

Net Income$530.8MTop 25%

ROE14.1%Median

D/E—

Op. Margin9.2%Median

Curr. Ratio2.17Top 25%

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
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
UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE INCUTI	$1.2B	$21.99	$835.6M	$63.0M	19.2%	0.27	10.0%	1.07	1/9	4/9	1/7	0/3	F-Score 6	2/11