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Coursera (COUR) narrowed its losses over the past five years at an average annual rate of 7.9%, but remains unprofitable and is expected to stay in the red for at least three more years. Revenue is projected to grow 6.1% per year, which lags the broader US market’s 10% forecast, while shares currently trade at $9.20, below some analyst estimates of fair value. Against a backdrop of ongoing unprofitability and share price volatility, investors will be weighing slower growth and risks against discounted valuation and signs of operational improvement.

See our full analysis for Coursera.

Now, it’s time to see how these results measure up to the dominant stories and expectations in the market. We will dive into the prevailing narratives next.

See what the community is saying about Coursera

• Coursera’s profit margin stands at -7.1%. While it is narrowing its losses by an average of 7.9% per year, there is no expectation from analysts for the company to reach profitability within the next three years.

• According to the analysts’ consensus view, rising demand for tech and job-relevant credentials coupled with enterprise partnerships is fueling gradual improvements in average revenue per user. However, persistent costs and only modest margin improvement have delayed any near-term path to positive earnings.

  • Consensus narrative notes that ongoing product innovation and new features could improve user retention, but heavy reliance on external partners makes faster margin expansion uncertain.

  • Expected revenue growth of just 6.1% per year will also limit how quickly these margin improvements materialize.

• To see how analysts balance hopes for gradual progress with ongoing risks, check the full consensus narrative for deeper context. 📊 Read the full Coursera Consensus Narrative.

• The share price, at $9.20, is volatile and below the single analyst price target of 12.38. The past quarter saw significant insider selling, signaling potential caution from company leadership.

• Consensus narrative flags that even as global demand for upskilling expands the user base, weak share price trends and insider selling reinforce investor concerns about Coursera’s ability to drive consistent performance.

  • Bears argue that short-term price uncertainty and lack of profitability deter value-focused investors, especially when major holders are offloading shares.

  • The analysts’ consensus also highlights how ongoing macroeconomic pressures and competitive threats can further weigh on the stock’s stability.

Ladder Capital (LADR) posted a 22.4% annual earnings growth rate over the past five years, but most recent results show earnings have turned negative versus last year. Net profit margins slipped to 34.1% from 37.4%, and while revenue is forecast to grow at 16.7% per year, outpacing the US market, earnings are only expected to rise 10.2% annually, which trails the broader market’s 15.5% rate. Investors are likely to focus on the company’s ability to sustain above-average revenue growth and monitor ongoing shifts in profitability and income streams.

See our full analysis for Ladder Capital.

Next up, we’ll see how the latest numbers stack up against the dominant narratives, highlighting where the data supports and where it complicates the market’s expectations for Ladder Capital.

See what the community is saying about Ladder Capital

• Ladder’s debt costs have decreased thanks to achieving investment-grade status and issuing unsecured bonds, making its access to capital both cheaper and broader compared with previous years.

• Consensus narrative notes that reduced funding costs and access to deeper capital markets help Ladder reinvest in higher-yield assets, supporting long-term earnings growth.

  • Structural changes in commercial property lending and increased demand in major US urban markets support this growth story, but analysts project profit margins to slip from 36.3% today to 33.3% over three years as competition and higher funding rates put net margins under pressure.

  • While Ladder’s diversified portfolio helps manage risk, maintaining margin stability remains a key test for bulls focusing on income sustainability.

• Consensus narrative suggests Ladder’s evolving cost structure gives bulls something to cheer, but margin trends could limit future upside.
  See how this narrative compares with today’s figures and analyst views: 📊 Read the full Ladder Capital Consensus Narrative.

• Two risks top the list: dividend sustainability and questions around Ladder’s financial position, which could directly impact future payouts and investor confidence.

• Analysts’ consensus view highlights concern that slowing commercial real estate lending and rising tenant credit risk threaten stable income streams.

  • Shrinking profit margins and exposure to longer lease terms mean that small shifts in tenant quality or rent levels may have outsize impacts on distributable earnings and book value per share.

  • Ongoing muted loan origination volumes and sector recovery delays add to the argument that investors need to keep a close watch on potential shocks to asset quality or reserves.