Graham Holdings (GHC) Risk Analysis

KNA Supplemental Education Exam Preparation provides courses that prepare students for a broad range of admissions examinations that are considered by colleges and graduate schools. Historically, colleges and graduate schools have required standardized tests as part of the admissions process. Certain colleges have moved away from the historical reliance on standardized admissions tests. Reductions in the use of standardized tests in college or graduate school admissions processes have had and could continue to have an adverse effect on KNA's operating results. Additionally, KNA faces increased competition offering lower-cost or free test prep products that may be used by students to piece together alternatives to traditional comprehensive test prep programs. Kaplan's operating results may be adversely affected if student demand for KNA's traditional comprehensive programs shifts to KNA's lower-cost, stand-alone offerings, or if competitors offer lower-cost, stand-alone offerings or free test prep products that are more attractive to students than KNA's products.

KNA currently provides services to higher education institutions that are heavily regulated by federal and state laws and regulations and by accrediting bodies. A substantial portion of KNA's revenue is attributable to service fees and deferred purchase price payments it receives under its agreement with Purdue Global, which are dependent upon revenue generated by Purdue Global and upon Purdue Global's eligibility to participate in the Title IV federal student aid program. To maintain Title IV eligibility, Purdue Global and KNA's other client institutions must be certified by the ED as eligible institutions, maintain authorizations by applicable state education agencies and be accredited by an accrediting commission recognized by the ED. Purdue Global and KNA's other client institutions must also comply with the extensive statutory and regulatory requirements of the Higher Education Act and other state and federal laws, and accrediting standards relating to their financial aid management, educational programs, financial strength, disbursement and return of Title IV funds, facilities, recruiting practices, representations made by the school and other parties, and various other matters. Additionally, Purdue Global and other client institutions are subject to laws and regulations that, among other things, limit student default rates on the repayment of Title IV loans; permit BDTR of Title IV loans based on certain conduct of the institution; establish specific measures of financial responsibility and administrative capability; regulate the addition of new campuses and programs and other institutional changes; require compliance with state professional licensure board requirements to the extent applicable to institutional programs; require compliance with the Title IV definition of nonprofit institution; and require state authorization and institutional and programmatic accreditation. If the ED finds that Purdue Global or any other KNA client institution has failed to comply with Title IV requirements or improperly disbursed or retained Title IV program funds, it may take one or more of a number of actions, including fining the school, requiring the school to repay Title IV program funds, limiting or terminating the school's eligibility to participate in Title IV programs, initiating an emergency action to suspend the school's participation in the Title IV programs without prior notice or opportunity for a hearing, transferring the school to a method of Title IV payment that would adversely affect the timing of the institution's receipt of Title IV funds, requiring the school to submit a letter of credit, denying or refusing to consider the school's application for renewal of its certification to participate in the Title IV programs or for approval to add a new campus or educational program, requiring the institution to comply with additional regulatory requirements reserved for schools not meeting the definition of a nonprofit institution including 90/10 and Gainful Employment requirements, and/or referring the matter for possible civil or criminal investigation. There can be no assurance that the ED will not take any of these or other actions in the future, whether as a result of lawsuits, program reviews or otherwise. On November 25, 2024, the ED approved Purdue Global's Application for Participation in the Title IV program and granted a full Program Participation Agreement. This Program Participation Agreement expires on December 31, 2028 and will need to be renewed prior to that date pursuant to federal regulations. Pursuant to the terms of the Program Participation Agreement, Purdue Global must report to the ED any accreditation or governmental agency action or class action lawsuit. If Purdue Global or another KNA client institution loses or has limits placed on its Title IV eligibility, accreditation or state licensure, or if Purdue Global or another KNA client institution is subject to fines, repayment obligations or other adverse actions, accreditor or state agency requirements, or other state or federal laws, Kaplan's financial results of operations could be adversely affected. In turn, any of the aforementioned consequences could have a material adverse effect on Kaplan's operating results even though such institution's compliance is affected by circumstances beyond Kaplan's control, including, for example: - a reduction or loss in KNA's revenues under the TOSA or other client agreements if Purdue Global or any other KNA client institution loses or has limits placed on its Title IV eligibility, accreditation or state licensure;- a reduction or loss in KNA's revenues under the TOSA or other client agreements if Purdue Global or any other client institution is subject to fines, repayment obligations or other adverse actions owing to noncompliance by the institution (or Kaplan) with Title IV, accreditor or state agency requirements;- the imposition on KNA of fines or repayment obligations to the ED or the termination or limitation on Kaplan's eligibility to provide services to Purdue Global or other Title IV participating institutions if findings of noncompliance by Purdue Global or such other institution result in a determination that Kaplan failed to comply with statutory or regulatory requirements applicable to service providers; and - liability under the TOSA or other client agreements for noncompliance with federal, state or accreditation requirements arising from KNA's conduct.

KNA and its client institutions are subject to reviews, audits, investigations and other compliance reviews conducted by various regulatory agencies and auditors, including, among others, the ED and the ED's Office of the Inspector General (in connection with KNA's Third Party Servicer status with respect to Purdue Global), accrediting bodies and state and various other federal agencies. These compliance reviews can result in findings of noncompliance with statutory and regulatory requirements that can, in turn, result in the imposition of fines, liabilities, civil or criminal penalties or other sanctions against KNA and its client institutions, which could have an adverse effect on Kaplan's financial results and operations. Separately, if KNA provides financial aid services to more than one Title IV participating institution, it will be required to arrange for an independent auditor to conduct an annual Title IV compliance audit of KNA's compliance with applicable ED requirements. KNA's client institutions are also required to arrange for an independent auditor to conduct an annual Title IV audit of their compliance with applicable ED requirements, including requirements related to services provided by KNA. Although Kaplan no longer owns Kaplan University or the former KHE Campuses, Kaplan may be liable to the current owners of Kaplan University and the former KHE Campuses, for the pre-sale conduct of the schools, and the pre-sale conduct of the schools has been and could be the subject of future compliance reviews, regulatory proceedings or lawsuits that could result in monetary liabilities or fines or other sanctions. In 2021, Kaplan received claims and related information requests seeking discharge of approximately $35 million in loans, excluding interest, from students at Title IV participating schools formerly owned by Kaplan. Kaplan believes it has defenses that would bar any student discharge or school liability including that the claims are barred by the applicable statute of limitations, unproven, incomplete and fail to meet regulatory filing requirements. As part of the Sweet v. Cardona settlement in November 2022 in the Northern District of California, the ED agreed to review any borrower defense applications submitted between June 23, 2022, and November 15, 2022 on an expedited basis. In January 2024, Kaplan was informed that the ED received applications during this time period regarding former Kaplan University and Purdue Global students. Unknown at this time is the total discharge amount sought or how much of that amount would apply to Kaplan University students. The Sweet v. Cardona settlement requires the ED to adjudicate applications received during the designated time period pursuant to the requirements of the 2016 Borrower Defense Regulation. To the extent these applications apply to Kaplan University, Kaplan anticipates that it will have defenses similar to those described above. Kaplan expects to vigorously defend any attempt by the ED to hold Kaplan liable for any ultimate student discharges and responded to the prior claims with documentary and narrative evidence to refute the allegations, demonstrate their lack of merit and support the denial of all such claims by the ED. Kaplan will similarly respond to all future claims it receives. As noted, if the claims are successful, the ED may seek reimbursement for the amount discharged from Kaplan. If the ED initiates a reimbursement action against Kaplan following approval of additional former students' borrower defense to repayment applications, Kaplan may be subject to significant liability.

A Title IV participating institution is required to comply with the ED regulations related to misrepresentations and with related federal and state laws. These laws and regulations are broad in scope and may extend to statements by servicers, such as KNA, that provide marketing or certain other services to such institutions. These laws and regulations may also apply to KNA's employees and agents, with respect to statements addressing the nature of an institution's programs, financial charges or the employability of its graduates. KNA provides marketing and other services to Title IV participating institutions. The failure to comply with these or other federal and state laws and regulations regarding misrepresentation and marketing practices could result in the imposition on KNA or its client institutions of fines, other sanctions or liabilities, including federal student aid repayment obligations to the ED, the termination or limitation of Kaplan's eligibility to provide services as a third-party servicer to Title IV participating institutions, the termination or limitation of a client institution's eligibility to participate in the Title IV programs, or legal action by students or other third parties. A violation of misrepresentation regulations or other federal or state laws and regulations applicable to the services KNA provides to its client institutions arising out of statements by KNA, its employees or agents could require KNA to pay the costs associated with indemnifying its client institutions from applicable losses resulting from the violation or could result in termination by such client institutions of their services agreements with KNA.

An institution participating in Title IV programs may not provide any commission, bonus or other incentive payment to any person or entity engaged in any student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the awarding of Title IV funds if such payment is based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial aid. KNA provides various services to Title IV participating institutions, including recruiting and, in the case of Purdue Global, financial aid services. As such, KNA is subject to the incentive compensation rule and cannot provide any commission, bonus or other incentive payment to any covered employees, subcontractors or other parties engaged in certain student recruiting, admission or financial aid activities based on success in securing enrollments or financial aid. In addition, KNA's client Title IV institutions' payments to KNA must comply with revenue sharing guidance provided by the ED related to bundled services agreements. In 2011 guidance, the ED provided that in certain arrangements with Title IV participating institutions where student recruiting services are "bundled" with other non-recruiting services, revenue sharing may be allowable despite the incentive compensation rule's general prohibition on such revenue sharing with entities or individuals that provide recruiting services. Because this guidance is not codified in any rule or law but is instead ED guidance on the applicability of the incentive compensation rule, such guidance can be revoked at any time and without notice. The ED has indicated it is considering a change to this guidance as some lawmakers and states, such as California, have publicly called for the revocation of this guidance or sought to introduce federal and state legislation seeking to prevent any such revenue sharing with entities that engage in recruiting students. KNA cannot predict how the ED or a federal court will interpret, revise or enforce all aspects of the incentive compensation rule or the bundled service revenue sharing guidance in the future. Any revisions or changes in interpretation or enforcement could require KNA and its client institutions to change their practices or renegotiate the tuition revenue sharing payment terms of KNA's agreements with such client institutions and could have a material adverse effect on Kaplan's business and results of operations. Additionally, failure to comply with the incentive compensation rule could result in litigation or enforcement actions against KNA or its clients and could result in liabilities, fines or other sanctions against KNA or its clients, which could have a material adverse effect on Kaplan's business and results of operations.

KNA provides services to Purdue Global, including financial aid services, and as such, KNA is a "Third Party Servicer" for Purdue Global pursuant to the Title IV regulations. As a result, KNA is subject to applicable statutory provisions of Title IV and ED regulations that, among other things, require Kaplan to be jointly and severally liable with Purdue Global to the ED for any violation by Purdue Global or KNA of any Title IV statute or ED regulation or requirement. Separately, if the ED expands the definition of what services or entities fall within the Third Party Servicer regulations, and/or, if KNA provides financial aid services to more than one Title IV participating institution, it will be required to arrange for an independent auditor to conduct an annual Title IV audit of KNA's compliance with applicable ED requirements. KNA provides non-financial aid services to institutions such as Purdue University, Wake Forest University, and other Title IV participating institutions. As such, if the Third Party Servicer regulations or the interpretation of those regulations by the ED change, KNA could be considered a Third Party Servicer to its multiple client institutions as well. KNA is also subject to other federal and state laws, including federal and state consumer protection laws and rules prohibiting unfair or deceptive marketing practices; data privacy, data protection and information security requirements established by federal, state and foreign governments, including, for example, the Federal Trade Commission; and applicable provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act regarding the privacy of student records handled by KNA for its university clients. Failure to comply with these and other federal and state laws and regulations could result in adverse consequences, including, for example: - The imposition on Kaplan of fines, other sanctions or liabilities, including repayment obligations for Title IV funds to the ED or the termination or limitation of Kaplan's eligibility to provide services as a Third Party Servicer to any Title IV participating institution if KNA fails to comply with statutory or regulatory requirements applicable to such service providers;- Adverse effects on Kaplan's business and operations from a reduction or loss in KNA's revenues under the TOSA or any other agreement with any Title IV participating institution if a client institution loses or has limits placed on its Title IV eligibility, accreditation, operations or state licensure or is subject to fines, repayment obligations or other adverse actions owing to noncompliance by KNA (or the institution) with Title IV, accreditor, federal or state agency requirements;- Liability under the TOSA or any other agreement with any Title IV participating institution for noncompliance with federal, state or accreditation requirements arising from KNA's conduct; and - Liability for noncompliance with Title IV or other federal or state requirements occurring prior to the transfer of Kaplan University to Purdue. Although KNA endeavors to comply with all U.S. federal and state laws and regulations, KNA cannot guarantee that its implementation of the relevant rules will be upheld by the ED or other agencies or upon judicial review. The laws, regulations and other requirements applicable to KNA and its client institutions are subject to change and to interpretation. In addition, there are other factors related to KNA's client institutions' compliance with federal, state and accrediting agency requirements, some of which are outside of KNA's control, that could have a material adverse effect on KNA's client institutions' revenues and, in turn, on KNA's operating results.

On March 20, 2025, the U.S. President issued an executive order directing the Secretary of Education to begin dismantling the ED and "returning authority" over education to states and local communities to the maximum extent permitted by law. The order signals an intent to potentially close or reduce many federal education functions. Certain eliminations of staff or functions could disrupt federal student aid, civil rights enforcement, and program funding at the federal level. Legal challenges and congressional inaction make its ultimate outcome uncertain. It is also unclear which functions will be deemed critical, and which could be phased out or downsized. Such changes could lead to operational interruptions to systems relied upon by Kaplan's partner institutions that could impact their ability to comply with obligations to Kaplan. Operational interruptions could also interfere with Kaplan's ability to deliver services.

A significant portion of CSI's revenue is derived from plasma-based therapies. The supply of plasma-derived products depends on donor availability, regulatory requirements, manufacturing capacity, quality standards, and the operations of third-party collection and fractionalization facilities. Disruptions in plasma supply, manufacturing delays or increases in acquisition costs could limit CSI's ability to meet patient demand, increase costs and adversely affect financial results.

The healthcare group derives revenue primarily from Medicare. Payments received from Medicare are subject to changes made through federal legislation. When changes are implemented, internal billing processes and procedures must be modified, which can require significant time and expense. These changes can include changes to base payments, adjustments for home health services, changes to cap limits and per diem rates for hospice services, changes to Medicare eligibility and documentation requirements and changes designed to restrict utilization. Health care reform and legislation and continuing efforts of governmental payors to contain health care costs could decrease payments made for services. Within the Medicare program, the hospice benefit is often specifically targeted for cuts. Reimbursement payments under governmental payor programs, including Medicare supplemental insurance policies, may not remain at levels comparable to present levels or be sufficient to cover the costs allocable to patients eligible for reimbursement pursuant to these programs. Any such changes, including retroactive adjustments, could have a material adverse effect on our business and consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Home health and hospice and home infusion therapies are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws, with regulations affecting a wide range of matters, including licensure and certification, quality of services, qualifications of personnel, confidentiality and security of medical records, relationships with physicians and other referral sources, operating policies and procedures, and billing and coding practices. Failure to obtain, maintain or timely renew required licenses, or to comply with evolving regulatory standards, could limit the healthcare group's ability to operate in certain jurisdictions, delay growth initiatives or result in enforcement actions, fines, or other adverse consequences. In addition, these laws and regulations change frequently, and the manner in which they will be interpreted is subject to change in ways that cannot be predicted.

Kaplan is subject to a wide range of laws and regulations relating to its international operations. These include domestic laws with extraterritorial reach, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, international laws such as the U.K. Bribery Act, as well as the local regulatory regimes of the countries in which Kaplan operates. These laws and regulations change frequently. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations could result in significant penalties or the revocation of Kaplan's authority to operate in the applicable jurisdiction, each of which could have a material adverse effect on Kaplan's operating results. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments imposed student travel restrictions (applicable to exit and entry), made recommendations for their students to return home and closed physical campus locations, and many state and professional bodies postponed or canceled examination dates related to state examinations and professional education programs, all of which have materially adversely affected Kaplan International's operations and resulted in significant losses at KLG during the pandemic. The emergence of new pandemics and consequential changes to travel and study arrangements in one or more countries could negatively affect KI and its operating results. Further changes to the regulatory environment, including changes to government policy or practice in oversight and enforcement, or other factors, including war, civil unrest, geopolitical instability, imposition or extension of international sanctions, a natural disaster or a pandemic in either the students' countries of origin or countries in which they desire to study, could continue to negatively affect Kaplan's ability to attract and retain students and negatively affect Kaplan's operating results. Increasingly, governments have begun imposing sales taxes on digital services, such as education, offered in their jurisdictions by foreign providers. Significant changes to the availability of government funding for education or training, visa policies for students and their dependents, or other administrative immigration requirements, or the tax environment, including changes to tax laws, policies and practices, in any one or more countries in which KI operates or makes its services available could negatively affect its operating results. KI's operations, institutions and programs in the U.S. may be subject to state-level regulation and oversight by state regulatory agencies, whose approval or exemption from approval is necessary to allow an institution to operate in the state. These agencies may establish standards for instruction, qualifications of faculty, location and nature of facilities, financial policies and responsibilities and other operational matters. Institutions that seek to admit international students are required to be federally certified and legally authorized to operate in the state in which the institution is physically located in order to be allowed to issue the relevant documentation to permit international students to obtain a visa. Agencies at both local and national levels in other countries may also impose similar requirements on KI's operations outside the U.S. A substantial portion of KI's revenue comes from programs that prepare international students to study and travel in English-speaking countries. In 2025, university preparation programs were principally delivered in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and the U.K. KI's ability to enroll students in these programs is directly dependent on its ability to comply with complex regulatory environments. KI's ability to enroll international students in programs in the U.K., U.S., Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and other countries and to recruit students for study with KI's partners is directly dependent on the laws and regulations governing student immigration. Changes to Australian and Canadian student immigration rules have impacted, and will continue to impact, KI's ability to recruit students for study at its own colleges and its partner universities. Overall, there continues to be a trend of tightening of student immigration regulations and access to student visas worldwide, including, most recently, an Australian Government international indicative student visa approval target for post-secondary education providers. The new U.S. presidential administration has implemented policy changes that have affected international student entry to, or ability to study in, the U.S., including increased visa vetting for individuals seeking to enter the U.S. and restrictions on conduct while in the U.S. The closure of U.S. visa offices in 2025 had a negative impact on KI's ability to recruit international students and materially adversely affected KI's recruitment for U.S. university partners. Negative perceptions regarding travel to the U.S., as well as the legal and regulatory environment's susceptibility to change by the new administration, could have a negative impact on KI's ability to recruit international students, which could materially adversely affect Kaplan's U.S. Pathways business as well as the U.S.-based KLG. Changes to visa policies and practices have had, and could continue to have, a negative impact on students' ability to travel to the U.S. to begin their courses, which has significantly adversely affected, and could continue to significantly adversely affect, those KI businesses. Changes to levels of direct and indirect government funding for international education programs would also materially affect the success of KI's operations. For example, if access to student loans or other funding were to be lost for KI operations that admit students who are entitled to receive the benefit of this funding, Kaplan's operating results could be materially adversely affected. In the U.K., Level 7 (Masters' level) apprenticeship training accounts for nearly 50% of the Kaplan Professional Education business. Starting January 1, 2026, government apprenticeship levy for Level 7 apprenticeships has been reduced. Level 7 apprenticeship funding is now available only for learners who are 21 years of age or under at the start of their apprenticeship. Employers are now expected to fund more L7 apprenticeships outside of the apprenticeships levy. This change is not expected to materially impact Kaplan Professional Education's revenues for 2026. The Level 7 apprentices are on an apprenticeship program for 36 months, so the learners initiating their programs prior to January 1, 2026, will remain on their program. Learners who are not eligible for funding are expected to switch to either a commercial fee-pay option or to a Level 4 apprenticeship route. Kaplan Professional Education is considering additional strategies to reduce the potential impact. These include growing the fee-paying activities within the business (as opposed to accessing funding), spreading the apprenticeship portfolio over a wider range of sectors and taking on non-apprenticeship streams of government funding.

The Company's television broadcasting business operates in a highly regulated environment. The costs and burdens of complying with applicable regulations have significantly increased, and may continue to increase, GMG's operating costs, and have reduced, and may continue to reduce, the revenues of GMG's business. Changes in regulations have the potential to negatively impact the television broadcasting business, not only by increasing compliance costs and reducing revenues through restrictions on certain types of advertising, limitations on pricing flexibility, or other means, but also by possibly creating more favorable regulatory environments for the providers of competing services, including unregulated digital programming distribution platforms. In addition, changes to the FCC's rules governing broadcast ownership may affect the Company's ability to expand its television broadcasting business and/or may enable the Company's competitors to improve their market positions through consolidation. More generally, significant changes in applicable regulations could adversely affect the profitability and/or competitive positions of the Company's businesses.