Coursera Skyrockets 36%—Is This the Start of a Learning Revolution?

Summary
• Coursera’s stock surges 36.18% intraday to $12.365 amid Q2 earnings beat and raised full-year guidance.
• Q2 revenue hits $187M, up 10% YoY, with $29M free cash flow and 7M new learners.
• Sector peer Udemy (UDMY) rises 6.95% as online education faces renewed demand.

Coursera’s historic 36% intraday rally has ignited speculation about its future as a leader in global online learning. The stock’s surge follows a Q2 earnings report that outperformed expectations, with management raising full-year revenue targets by $17M. With a 52-week high of $12.49 nearly reached and 23 million shares traded, the market is betting on Coursera’s ability to capitalize on the AI-driven skills revolution.

Q2 Earnings and Guidance Hike Ignite Bullish Sentiment
Coursera’s 36% intraday surge was fueled by a Q2 earnings report that exceeded Wall Street expectations. The company reported $187.1M in revenue, up 10% YoY, with non-GAAP net income per share at $0.12—20% higher than the prior year. Management raised full-year revenue guidance to $738–$746M, citing strong demand for AI and data science courses. CFO Ken Hahn highlighted $29M in free cash flow and a 73% YoY increase in adjusted EBITDA. The stock’s sharp move reflects optimism about Coursera’s ability to monetize the global upskilling trend, particularly as enterprise revenue grew 10% YoY and net retention for paid customers held steady at 93%.

Education Services Sector Gains Steam—Udemy Trails Coursera’s Rally
While Coursera’s 36% rally outpaces its peers, Udemy (UDMY) climbed 6.95% on renewed interest in online learning platforms. The sector is reacting to macro trends: GenAI-driven upskilling and corporate training demands. Udemy’s smaller gain suggests Coursera’s enterprise-focused strategy and enterprise revenue growth (up 10% YoY) are resonating more with investors. The Education Services sector remains underpinned by cost-conscious learners and businesses seeking scalable reskilling solutions.

Options Playbook: Leveraging COUR’s Volatility with Gamma-Driven Calls
• MACD: 0.0976 (bullish divergence), RSI: 62.2 (neutral), 200D MA: $8.01 (well below current price).
• Bollinger Bands: Price at $12.365 exceeds upper band of $9.13, signaling overbought conditions.

Coursera’s price action suggests a continuation of its short-term bullish momentum. Key support lies at the 30D MA of $8.57, while resistance is the 52W high of $12.49. With implied volatility averaging 50% across the chain, call options offer asymmetric upside potential. Two top options for traders:

• COUR20250815C12: Call, $12 strike, Aug 15 expiration, IV 53.71%, leverage 14.24%, delta 0.6277, theta -0.0279, gamma 0.2317, turnover 236,787. High gamma ensures sensitivity to price moves, while moderate delta balances risk. Payoff under 5% upside: $1.19/share.
• COUR20250815C13: Call, $13 strike, Aug 15 expiration, IV 52.35%, leverage 30.96%, delta 0.3851, theta -0.0226, gamma 0.2402, turnover 98,601. Lower delta reduces near-term decay risk, while high gamma amplifies gains if the stock breaks $13. Payoff under 5% upside: $0.62/share.

Aggressive bulls should target COUR20250815C12 for a 5%+ upside play, while COUR20250815C13 offers a safer, gamma-driven setup. Watch for a break above $12.49 to confirm the 52W high breakout.

Backtest Coursera Stock Performance
The 36% intraday surge in COUR has historically led to poor short-to-medium-term performance. While the win rate for three days is 50%, the returns are negative, with a maximum return of only 0.08% over 30 days. These results suggest that the stock tends to underperform after such a significant surge.

Bullish Momentum Unfolding—Time to Act on Learning Stock Surge
Coursera’s 36% surge is a testament to its strategic position in the AI-driven upskilling boom. With free cash flow of $29M and enterprise growth accelerating, the stock’s rally may extend toward the $13–$14 range. Key levels to watch: $12.49 (52W high) and $11.00 (intraday low). For context, Udemy (UDMY) is up 6.95%, but Coursera’s enterprise traction gives it an edge. Investors should consider COUR20250815C12 for a high-gamma play if $12.49 is cleared. This is a high-velocity trade—act fast or risk missing the AI education wave.