Coursera and Udemy announce $2.5 billion merger
Coursera Inc. experienced a price increase of 5.67%, crossing above its 5-day SMA, despite the Nasdaq-100 and S&P 500 showing declines of 0.52% and 0.22%, respectively.
The surge in Coursera's stock is attributed to the announcement of a merger with Udemy in a deal valued at $2.5 billion. This merger is expected to consolidate resources from both companies, enhancing their competitiveness in the online education market. The combined entity aims to expand its user base and course offerings, which is likely to attract more investor interest and promote long-term growth.
This merger positions Coursera to leverage synergies in technology and content, optimizing operational efficiency and potentially driving significant revenue growth in a rapidly evolving sector.
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- Significant Revenue Growth: Coursera achieved total revenue of $757 million for FY 2025, marking a 9% year-over-year increase, with Q4 revenue reaching $197 million, up 10% from the prior year, indicating strong performance in both consumer and enterprise markets.
- Improved Cash Flow and Profitability: The company reported free cash flow of $78 million, a 32% increase, while Q4 net income was $11 million, reflecting ongoing improvements in profitability and cash management.
- New Platform Fee Policy: The new platform fee, effective January 1, 2026, is expected to gradually enhance gross margins, particularly in the consumer segment in the second half of the year, indicating a strategic decision to invest in AI-native platform capabilities.
- Udemy Merger Strategy: The merger with Udemy is viewed as a crucial step in accelerating the company's strategy, expected to strengthen Coursera's market position and drive future growth, although management remains cautious about growth in the enterprise segment.
- Merger Transaction Investigation: Halper Sadeh LLC is investigating the merger between Allegiant Travel Company and Sun Country Airlines, which, upon completion, will result in Allegiant shareholders owning approximately 67% of the combined entity, potentially impacting shareholder rights and future returns.
- Cash Acquisition Scrutiny: Eventbrite, Inc. is being sold to Bending Spoons for $4.50 per share in cash, and Halper Sadeh LLC may seek to increase the acquisition price or other compensations to ensure shareholders receive fair transaction terms.
- Shareholder Rights Protection: The merger between Coursera, Inc. and Udemy, Inc. is expected to result in Coursera shareholders owning approximately 59% of the combined company, prompting Halper Sadeh LLC to encourage shareholders to reach out to understand their rights and options to safeguard their interests.
- Legal Service Commitment: Halper Sadeh LLC offers legal services on a contingency fee basis, aiming to protect investors globally and assist them in addressing securities fraud and corporate misconduct, ensuring shareholder rights are upheld in merger transactions.
- Earnings Announcement: Coursera (COUR) is set to release its Q4 2023 earnings on February 5th after market close, with consensus EPS estimates at $0.06, reflecting a 25% year-over-year decline, while revenue is projected at $191.83 million, indicating a 7% year-over-year growth, showcasing the company's stable growth potential in the ed-tech sector.
- Historical Performance: Over the past two years, Coursera has beaten EPS estimates 100% of the time and revenue estimates 88% of the time, indicating reliability in financial forecasting and market confidence, which could positively impact stock prices.
- Estimate Adjustments: In the last three months, there have been no upward revisions to EPS estimates and one downward revision, with revenue estimates also seeing no upward revisions and one downward revision, reflecting a cautious market sentiment regarding the company's future growth, warranting attention to market reactions post-earnings release.
- Merger Developments: The all-stock merger with Udemy, valued at $2.5 billion, aims to strengthen Coursera's enterprise base, further solidifying its competitive position in the ed-tech market, and is expected to provide new momentum for future business growth.
- Launch of Practice Exams: Google is introducing free SAT practice exams within the Gemini app, utilizing rigorously vetted content developed in partnership with The Princeton Review, aimed at enhancing users' exam preparation efficiency.
- Immediate Feedback Mechanism: After completing the practice tests, Gemini provides immediate feedback, helping students identify strengths and weaknesses, thereby optimizing their study strategies and improving their chances of passing the exam.
- Impact on Education Stocks: This initiative by Google could impact education stocks such as Coursera, Nerdy, and Duolingo, particularly intensifying competition in the online learning and test preparation sectors.
- Positive Market Reaction: Alphabet's stock has gained positive traction, rising 1.59% due to the launch of this new feature, indicating market recognition and anticipation of its educational technology strategy.

- Transaction Investigation: Former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti and Kahn Swick & Foti are investigating Udemy's proposed sale to Coursera at 0.8 shares per Udemy share, aiming to assess the adequacy of the deal and whether it undervalues Udemy.
- Shareholder Rights Concern: The terms of the deal have raised concerns regarding shareholder rights, with KSF seeking to confirm if the transaction adequately reflects the company's true value, which could impact shareholder decisions and future earnings.
- Legal Consultation Services: KSF is offering legal consultation services, encouraging shareholders who believe the deal undervalues Udemy to reach out, indicating the firm's commitment to protecting shareholder interests.
- Market Reaction Expectations: This investigation may influence Udemy's market performance, particularly regarding shareholder reactions to the deal terms and potential legal actions, which could lead to stock price volatility.
- Merger Agreement: On December 17, Coursera announced an all-stock merger agreement with Udemy, aiming to leverage both companies' strengths to address global talent transformation opportunities, despite its stock falling approximately 17% over the past month, with a 52-week low of $5.76.
- Poor Stock Performance: Coursera's shares dropped 10.6% to close at $6.55 on Tuesday, with an RSI value of 19.8 indicating an oversold condition in the consumer discretionary sector, potentially presenting a buying opportunity for investors.
- Udemy Rating Downgrade: Keybanc analyst Devin Au downgraded Udemy from Overweight to Sector Weight, resulting in a 10% decline in its stock over the past five days, with a 52-week low of $4.86 and an RSI value of 28.2.
- ThredUp Rating Maintained: Telsey Advisory Group analyst Dana Telsey maintained an Outperform rating on ThredUp with a $12 price target, even as its stock fell about 25% over the past month, currently at a 52-week low of $1.66 and an RSI value of 29.8.









