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LendingTree Reports Second Quarter 2020 Results

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LendingTree, operator of LendingTree.com, reported Q2 2020 revenue of $184.3 million, down 34% year-over-year, reflecting challenges posed by COVID-19. The Home segment showed resilience with $74.1 million in revenue, a 3% increase, while Insurance revenue grew 1% to $72.9 million. In contrast, the Consumer segment faced a 71% drop in revenue to $37.1 million. The company posted a net loss from continuing operations of $8.6 million or ($0.66) per share. Looking ahead, Q3 2020 revenue is projected between $200-215 million.

Positive
  • Home segment revenue grew 3% year-over-year to $74.1 million.
  • Mortgage products revenue in the Home segment rose 22% year-over-year.
  • Insurance segment profit increased by 5% year-over-year.
Negative
  • Total revenue decreased 34% compared to the previous year.
  • Consumer segment revenue fell 71% year-over-year to $37.1 million, primarily due to COVID-19 impacts.
  • Net loss from continuing operations was $8.6 million, or ($0.66) per share.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- LendingTree, Inc. (NASDAQ: TREE), operator of LendingTree.com, the nation's leading online financial services marketplace, today announced results for the quarter ended June 30, 2020.

The company has posted a letter to shareholders on the company's website at investors.lendingtree.com.

"Despite the challenging backdrop, our team executed incredibly well in the second quarter," said Doug Lebda, Chairman & CEO.  "While our business has not been immune to effects of the current environment, it has certainly proven resilient.  We believe times like these tend to separate the leaders from the pack, and we're confident that our market-leading position should enable to us to reap the benefits of an accelerating digital transformation in consumer finance."

J.D. Moriarty, CFO, added, "Our second quarter results are a testament to the durability of our business.  While some of our businesses are being tested, others are thriving and we continue to generate significant cash flows.  In addition, our balance sheet is incredibly healthy, and we remain focused on leveraging our market-leading position to propel the company forward."

Second Quarter 2020 Business Highlights 

  • Home segment revenue of $74.1 million and segment profit of $38.7 million grew 3% and 60%, respectively, over second quarter 2019.
    • Within Home, mortgage products revenue grew 22% over the prior year period.
  • Insurance revenue of $72.9 million grew 1% over second quarter 2019 and translated into Insurance segment profit of $30.1 million, up 5% over the same period.
  • Consumer segment revenue of $37.1 million decreased 71% over second quarter 2019, driven by the impact of COVID-19, the ensuing economic recession, and the corresponding tightening of credit among our lender partners.
    • Within Consumer, credit card revenue of $7.2 million decreased 87% year-over-year.
    • Personal loans revenue of $8.8 million decreased 79% year-over-year.
    • Small business revenue declined 82% year-over-year.
  • Through June 30, 15.2 million consumers have signed up for My LendingTree.

 

LendingTree Summary Financial Metrics

(In millions, except per share amounts)














Three Months Ended
June 30,


Y/Y



Three Months Ended
March 31,


Q/Q



2020


2019


% Change



2020


% Change














Total revenue

$

184.3



$

278.4



(34)

%



$

283.1



(35)

%














(Loss) income before income taxes

$

(12.5)



$

7.3



(271)

%



15.9



(179)

%


Income tax benefit

3.9



5.7



(32)

%



3.1



26

%


Net (loss) income from continuing
operations

$

(8.6)



$

13.0



(166)

%



$

19.0



(145)

%


Net (loss) income from continuing
operations % of revenue

(5)

%


5

%





7

%
















(Loss) income per share from continuing
operations












Basic

$

(0.66)



$

1.01



(165)

%



$

1.46



(145)

%


Diluted

$

(0.66)



$

0.87



(176)

%



$

1.34



(149)

%














Variable marketing margin












Total revenue

$

184.3



$

278.4



(34)

%



$

283.1



(35)

%


Variable marketing expense (1) (2)

$

(101.8)



$

(184.6)



(45)

%



$

(184.9)



(45)

%


Variable marketing margin (2)

$

82.5



$

93.8



(12)

%



$

98.2



(16)

%


Variable marketing margin % of revenue (2)

45

%


34

%





35

%
















Adjusted EBITDA (2)

$

30.8



$

46.3



(33)

%



$

44.9



(31)

%


Adjusted EBITDA % of revenue (2)

17

%


17

%





16

%
















Adjusted net income (2)

$

6.4



$

17.6



(64)

%



$

17.1



(63)

%














Adjusted net income per share (2)

$

0.46



$

1.18



(61)

%



$

1.20



(62)

%
















(1)

Represents the portion of selling and marketing expense attributable to variable costs paid for advertising, direct marketing and related
expenses. Also includes the portion of cost of revenue attributable to costs paid for advertising re-sold to third parties. Excludes
overhead, fixed costs and personnel-related expenses.

(2)

Variable marketing expense, variable marketing margin, variable marketing margin % of revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted
EBITDA % of revenue, adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share are non-GAAP measures. Please see "LendingTree's
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to GAAP" and "LendingTree's Principles of Financial Reporting" below for more information.

 

 

LendingTree Segment Results

(In millions)














Three Months Ended
June 30,


Y/Y



Three Months Ended
March 31,


Q/Q



2020


2019


% Change



2020


% Change


Home (1)












Revenue

$

74.1



$

71.8



3

%



$

79.2



(6)

%


Segment profit

$

38.7



$

24.2



60

%



$

35.9



8

%


Segment profit % of revenue

52

%


34

%





45

%
















Consumer (2)












Revenue

$

37.1



$

129.0



(71)

%



$

119.9



(69)

%


Segment profit

$

19.4



$

50.8



(62)

%



$

43.1



(55)

%


Segment profit % of revenue

52

%


39

%





36

%
















Insurance (3)












Revenue

$

72.9



$

71.9



1

%



$

82.7



(12)

%


Segment profit

$

30.1



$

28.8



5

%



$

30.5



(1)

%


Segment profit % of revenue

41

%


40

%





37

%
















Other (4)












Revenue

$

0.2



$

5.8



(97)

%



$

1.2



(83)

%


Profit (loss)

$

0.1



$

0.3



(67)

%



$

(0.3)



(133)

%














Total revenue

$

184.3



$

278.4



(34)

%



$

283.1



(35)

%














Total segment profit

$

88.3



$

104.1



(15)

%



$

109.2



(19)

%


     Brand marketing expense (5)

$

(5.8)



$

(10.3)



(44)

%



$

(11.0)



(47)

%


Variable marketing margin

$

82.5



$

93.8



(12)

%



$

98.2



(16)

%


Variable marketing margin % of revenue

45

%


34

%





35

%


















(1)

The Home segment includes the following products: purchase mortgage, refinance mortgage, home equity loans and lines of credit,
reverse mortgage loans, and real estate.

(2)

The Consumer segment includes the following products: credit cards, personal loans, small business loans, student loans, auto loans,
deposit accounts, and other credit products such as credit repair and debt settlement.

(3)

The Insurance segment consists of insurance quote products.

(4)

The Other category primarily includes revenue from the resale of online advertising space to third parties and revenue from home
improvement referrals, and the related variable marketing and advertising expenses.

(5)

Brand marketing expense represents the portion of selling and marketing expense attributable to variable costs paid for advertising,
direct marketing and related expenses that are not assignable to the segments' products. This measure excludes overhead, fixed costs
and personnel-related expenses.

Business Outlook

On April 14, LendingTree withdrew its full-year 2020 guidance due to economic uncertainty related to COVID-19. Today, the company is providing revenue, variable marketing margin and adjusted EBITDA guidance for the third quarter of 2020, as follows:

For third quarter 2020:

  • Revenue is expected in the range of $200 - $215 million.
  • Variable marketing margin is expected in the range of $72 - $80 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA is expected in the range of $16 - $21 million.

LendingTree is not able to provide a reconciliation of projected variable marketing margin or adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable expected GAAP results due to the unknown effect, timing and potential significance of the effects of legal matters, tax considerations, and income and expense from changes in fair value of contingent consideration from acquisitions. Expenses associated with legal matters, tax consequences, and income and expense from changes in fair value of contingent consideration from acquisitions have in the past, and may in the future, significantly affect GAAP results in a particular period.

Quarterly Conference Call

A conference call to discuss LendingTree's second quarter 2020 financial results will be webcast live today, August 4, 2020 at 9:00 AM Eastern Time (ET). The live audiocast is open to the public and will be available on LendingTree's investor relations website at investors.lendingtree.com. The call may also be accessed toll-free via phone at (877) 606-1416. Callers outside the United States and Canada may dial (707) 287-9313. Following completion of the call, a recorded replay of the webcast will be available on LendingTree's investor relations website until 12:00 PM ET on Wednesday, August 12, 2020. To listen to the telephone replay, call toll-free (855) 859-2056 with passcode #5265009. Callers outside the United States and Canada may dial (404) 537-3406 with passcode #5265009.

 

LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)






Three Months Ended June 30,


Six Months Ended June 30,


2020


2019


2020


2019


(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Revenue

$

184,326



$

278,421



$

467,410



$

540,811


Costs and expenses:








Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown
separately below)
(1)

13,464



16,310



27,716



33,980


Selling and marketing expense (1)

113,921



191,629



309,459



366,520


General and administrative expense (1)

28,489



27,951



60,571



59,068


Product development (1)

10,812



10,175



21,775



20,341


Depreciation

3,550



2,559



6,928



5,041


Amortization of intangibles

13,756



14,280



27,513



27,707


Change in fair value of contingent consideration

9,175



2,790



1,053



17,382


Severance

32



403



190



457


Litigation settlements and contingencies

(1,325)



8



(996)



(199)


Total costs and expenses

191,874



266,105



454,209



530,297


Operating (loss) income

(7,548)



12,316



13,201



10,514


Other (expense) income, net:








Interest expense, net

(4,955)



(5,095)



(9,789)



(10,563)


Other income

7



71



7



139


(Loss) income before income taxes

(12,496)



7,292



3,419



90


Income tax benefit

3,880



5,689



6,941



13,441


Net (loss) income from continuing operations

(8,616)



12,981



10,360



13,531


Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

(21,141)



(763)



(25,716)



(1,825)


Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income

$

(29,757)



$

12,218



$

(15,356)



$

11,706










Weighted average shares outstanding:








Basic

12,984



12,805



12,971



12,762


Diluted

12,984



14,908



13,954



14,622


(Loss) income per share from continuing operations:








Basic

$

(0.66)



$

1.01



$

0.80



$

1.06


Diluted

$

(0.66)



$

0.87



$

0.74



$

0.93


Loss per share from discontinued operations:








Basic

$

(1.63)



$

(0.06)



$

(1.98)



$

(0.14)


Diluted

$

(1.63)



$

(0.05)



$

(1.84)



$

(0.12)


Net (loss) income per share:








Basic

$

(2.29)



$

0.95



$

(1.18)



$

0.92


Diluted

$

(2.29)



$

0.82



$

(1.10)



$

0.80










(1) Amounts include non-cash compensation, as follows:








Cost of revenue

$

333



$

197



$

575



$

350


Selling and marketing expense

1,597



2,283



2,753



4,032


General and administrative expense

9,729



11,686



18,852



21,907


Product development

1,499



1,816



2,895



3,746



 

 

 

LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)






June 30,
 2020


December 31,
 2019


(in thousands, except par value
and share amounts)

ASSETS:




Cash and cash equivalents

$

101,764



$

60,243


Restricted cash and cash equivalents

94



96


Accounts receivable, net

77,037



113,487


Prepaid and other current assets

25,654



15,516


Current assets of discontinued operations

84



84


Total current assets

204,633



189,426


Property and equipment, net

34,735



31,363


Operating lease right-of-use assets

87,892



25,519


Goodwill

420,139



420,139


Intangible assets, net

154,067



181,580


Deferred income tax assets

84,160



87,664


Equity investment

80,000




Other non-current assets

5,192



4,330


Non-current assets of discontinued operations

16,759



7,948


Total assets

$

1,087,577



$

947,969






LIABILITIES:




Revolving credit facility

$

130,000



$

75,000


Accounts payable, trade

8,792



2,873


Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

88,569



112,755


Current contingent consideration

19,029



9,028


Current liabilities of discontinued operations

63,006



31,050


Total current liabilities

309,396



230,706


Long-term debt

271,378



264,391


Operating lease liabilities

86,649



21,358


Non-current contingent consideration

9,488



24,436


Other non-current liabilities

4,689



4,752


Total liabilities

681,600



545,643






SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:




Preferred stock $.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding




Common stock $.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 15,730,643 and 15,676,819 shares
issued, respectively, and 13,089,325 and 13,035,501 shares outstanding, respectively

157



157


Additional paid-in capital

1,196,990



1,177,984


Accumulated deficit

(608,009)



(592,654)


Treasury stock; 2,641,318 shares

(183,161)



(183,161)


Total shareholders' equity

405,977



402,326


Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$

1,087,577



$

947,969


 


 

 

LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)




Six Months Ended June 30,


2020


2019


(in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities attributable to continuing operations:




Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income

$

(15,356)



$

11,706


Less: Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

25,716



1,825


Income from continuing operations

10,360



13,531


Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating
activities attributable to continuing operations:




Loss (gain) on impairments and disposal of assets

552



(1,729)


Amortization of intangibles

27,513



27,707


Depreciation

6,928



5,041


Non-cash compensation expense

25,075



30,035


Deferred income taxes

(7,000)



(13,624)


Change in fair value of contingent consideration

1,053



17,382


Bad debt expense

949



1,282


Amortization of debt issuance costs

1,158



970


Amortization of convertible debt discount

6,250



5,929


Reduction in carrying amount of ROU asset, offset by change in operating lease liabilities

1,956



184


Changes in current assets and liabilities:




Accounts receivable

35,501



(48,396)


Prepaid and other current assets

1,369



(190)


Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities

(19,134)



28,105


Current contingent consideration

(2,670)



(3,000)


Income taxes receivable

63



4,388


Other, net

(2,007)



260


Net cash provided by operating activities attributable to continuing operations

87,916



67,875


Cash flows from investing activities attributable to continuing operations:




Capital expenditures

(9,108)



(9,769)


Proceeds from sale of fixed assets



24,062


Equity investment

(80,000)




Acquisition of ValuePenguin, net of cash acquired



(105,578)


Acquisition of QuoteWizard, net of cash acquired



447


Net cash used in investing activities attributable to continuing operations

(89,108)



(90,838)


Cash flows from financing activities attributable to continuing operations:




Payments related to net-share settlement of stock-based compensation, net of proceeds from exercise of stock
options

(6,068)



(7,646)


Contingent consideration payments

(3,330)



(3,000)


Net proceeds from (repayment of) revolving credit facility

55,000



(10,000)


Payment of debt issuance costs

(306)



(31)


Purchase of treasury stock



(3,976)


Other financing activities

(14)




Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities attributable to continuing operations

45,282



(24,653)


Total cash provided by (used in) continuing operations

44,090



(47,616)


Discontinued operations:




Net cash used in operating activities attributable to discontinued operations

(2,571)



(6,152)


Total cash used in discontinued operations

(2,571)



(6,152)


Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents

41,519



(53,768)


Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period

60,339



105,158


Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at end of period

$

101,858



$

51,390






Non-cash investing activities:




Capital additions from tenant improvement allowance

$



$

1,111



 

LENDINGTREE'S RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO GAAP

Variable Marketing Expense

Below is a reconciliation of selling and marketing expense to variable marketing expense. See "Lending Tree's Principles of Financial Reporting" for further discussion of the Company's use of this non-GAAP measure.


Three Months Ended


June 30,
 2020

March 31,
 2020

June 30,
 2019


(in thousands)

Selling and marketing expense

$

113,921


$

195,538


$

191,629


Non-variable selling and marketing expense (1)

(12,091)


(11,772)


(12,079)


Cost of advertising re-sold to third parties (2)


1,086


5,053


Variable marketing expense

$

101,830


$

184,852


$

184,603





(1)


Represents the portion of selling and marketing expense not attributable to variable costs paid for advertising, direct
marketing and related expenses. Includes overhead, fixed costs and personnel-related expenses.

(2)


Represents the portion of cost of revenue attributable to costs paid for advertising re-sold to third parties. Excludes
overhead, fixed costs, and personnel-related expenses.

 

LENDINGTREE'S RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO GAAP

Variable Marketing Margin

Below is a reconciliation of net (loss) income from continuing operations to variable marketing margin and net (loss) income from continuing operations % of revenue to variable marketing margin % of revenue. See "LendingTree's Principles of Financial Reporting" for further discussion of the Company's use of these non-GAAP measures.


Three Months Ended


June 30,
 2020

March 31,
 2020

June 30,
 2019


(in thousands, except percentages)

Net (loss) income from continuing operations

$

(8,616)


$

18,976


$

12,981


Net (loss) income from continuing operations % of revenue

(5)

%

7

%

5

%





Adjustments to reconcile to variable marketing margin:




Cost of revenue

13,464


14,252


16,310


Cost of advertising re-sold to third parties (1)


(1,086)


(5,053)


Non-variable selling and marketing expense (2)

12,091


11,772


12,079


General and administrative expense

28,489


32,082


27,951


Product development

10,812


10,963


10,175


Depreciation

3,550


3,378


2,559


Amortization of intangibles

13,756


13,757


14,280


Change in fair value of contingent consideration

9,175


(8,122)


2,790


Severance

32


158


403


Litigation settlements and contingencies

(1,325)


329


8


Interest expense, net

4,955


4,834


5,095


Other income

(7)



(71)


Income tax benefit

(3,880)


(3,061)


(5,689)


Variable marketing margin

$

82,496


$

98,232


$

93,818


Variable marketing margin % of revenue

45

%

35

%

34

%




(1)


Represents the portion of cost of revenue attributable to costs paid for advertising re-sold to third parties. Excludes overhead, fixed costs,
and personnel-related expenses.

(2)


Represents the portion of selling and marketing expense not attributable to variable costs paid for advertising, direct marketing and
related expenses. Includes overhead, fixed costs and personnel-related expenses.

 

LENDINGTREE'S RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO GAAP

Adjusted EBITDA

Below is a reconciliation of net (loss) income from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA and net (loss) income from continuing operations % of revenue to adjusted EBITDA % of revenue. See "LendingTree's Principles of Financial Reporting" for further discussion of the Company's use of these non-GAAP measures.

 


Three Months Ended


June 30,
 2020

March 31,
 2020

June 30,
 2019


(in thousands, except percentages)

Net (loss) income from continuing operations

$

(8,616)


$

18,976


$

12,981


Net (loss) income from continuing operations % of revenue

(5)

%

7

%

5

%

Adjustments to reconcile to adjusted EBITDA:




Amortization of intangibles

13,756


13,757


14,280


Depreciation

3,550


3,378


2,559


Severance

32


158


403


Loss (gain) on impairments and disposal of assets

22


530


(2,196)


Non-cash compensation

13,158


11,917


15,982


Change in fair value of contingent consideration

9,175


(8,122)


2,790


Acquisition expense

20


2,180


60


Litigation settlements and contingencies

(1,325)


329


8


Interest expense, net

4,955


4,834


5,095


Income tax benefit

(3,880)


(3,061)


(5,689)


Adjusted EBITDA

$

30,847


$

44,876


$

46,273


Adjusted EBITDA % of revenue

17

%

16

%

17

%

 

LENDINGTREE'S RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO GAAP

Adjusted Net Income

Below is a reconciliation of net (loss) income from continuing operations to adjusted net income and net (loss) income per diluted share from continuing operations to adjusted net income per share. See "LendingTree's Principles of Financial Reporting" for further discussion of the Company's use of these non-GAAP measures.


Three Months Ended


June 30,
 2020

March 31,
 2020

June 30,
 2019


(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Net (loss) income from continuing operations

$

(8,616)


$

18,976


$

12,981


Adjustments to reconcile to adjusted net income:




Non-cash compensation

13,158


11,917


15,982


Loss (gain) on impairments and disposal of assets

22


530


(2,196)


Acquisition expense

20


2,180


60


Change in fair value of contingent consideration

9,175


(8,122)


2,790


Severance

32


158


403


Litigation settlements and contingencies

(1,325)


329


8


Income tax benefit from adjusted items

(5,357)


(1,760)


(4,663)


Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

(753)


(1,054)


(7,723)


Income tax benefit from CARES Act


(6,104)



Adjusted net income

$

6,356


$

17,050


$

17,642






Net (loss) income per diluted share from continuing operations

$

(0.66)


$

1.34


$

0.87


Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income from continuing operations to
adjusted net income

1.15


(0.14)


0.31


Adjustments to reconcile effect of dilutive securities

(0.03)




Adjusted net income per share

$

0.46


$

1.20


$

1.18






Adjusted weighted average diluted shares outstanding

13,814


14,158


14,908


Effect of dilutive securities

830




Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

12,984


14,158


14,908


Effect of dilutive securities


1,201


2,103


Weighted average basic shares outstanding

12,984


12,957


12,805


 

LENDINGTREE'S PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL REPORTING

LendingTree reports the following non-GAAP measures as supplemental to GAAP:

  • Variable marketing margin, including variable marketing expense
  • Variable marketing margin % of revenue
  • Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization, as adjusted for certain items discussed below ("Adjusted EBITDA")
  • Adjusted EBITDA % of revenue
  • Adjusted net income
  • Adjusted net income per share

Variable marketing margin is a measure of the efficiency of the Company's operating model, measuring revenue after subtracting variable marketing and advertising costs that directly influence revenue. The Company's operating model is highly sensitive to the amount and efficiency of variable marketing expenditures, and the Company's proprietary systems are able to make rapidly changing decisions concerning the deployment of variable marketing expenditures (primarily but not exclusively online and mobile advertising placement) based on proprietary and sophisticated analytics. Variable marketing margin and variable marketing margin % of revenue are primary metrics by which the Company measures the effectiveness of its marketing efforts.

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA % of revenue are primary metrics by which LendingTree evaluates the operating performance of its businesses, on which its marketing expenditures and internal budgets are based and, in the case of adjusted EBITDA, by which management and many employees are compensated.

Adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share supplement GAAP income from continuing operations and GAAP income per diluted share from continuing operations by enabling investors to make period to period comparisons of those components of the nearest comparable GAAP measures that management believes better reflect the underlying financial performance of the Company's business operations during particular financial reporting periods. Adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share exclude certain amounts, such as non-cash compensation, non-cash asset impairment charges, gain/loss on disposal of assets, severance, litigation settlements and contingencies, acquisition and disposition income or expenses including with respect to changes in fair value of contingent consideration, one-time items which are recognized and recorded under GAAP in particular periods but which might be viewed as not necessarily coinciding with the underlying business operations for the periods in which they are so recognized and recorded, the effects to income taxes of the aforementioned adjustments and any excess tax benefit or expense associated with stock-based compensation recorded in net income in conjunction with FASB pronouncement ASU 2016-09. LendingTree believes that adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share are useful financial indicators that provide a different view of the financial performance of the Company than adjusted EBITDA (the primary metric by which LendingTree evaluates the operating performance of its businesses) and the GAAP measures of net income from continuing operations and GAAP income per diluted share from continuing operations.

These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. LendingTree provides and encourages investors to examine the reconciling adjustments between the GAAP and non-GAAP measures set forth above.

Definition of LendingTree's Non-GAAP Measures

Variable marketing margin is defined as revenue less variable marketing expense. Variable marketing expense is defined as the expense attributable to variable costs paid for advertising, direct marketing and related expenses, including the portion of cost of revenue attributable to costs paid for advertising re-sold to third parties, and excluding overhead, fixed costs and personnel-related expenses. The majority of these variable advertising costs are expressly intended to drive traffic to our websites and these variable advertising costs are included in selling and marketing expense on the company's consolidated statements of operations and consolidated income. When advertising inventory is re-sold to third parties, the proceeds of such transactions are included in revenue for the purposes of calculating variable marketing margin, and the costs of such re-sold advertising are included in cost of revenue in the company's consolidated statements of operations and consolidated income and are included in variable marketing expense for purposes of calculating variable marketing margin.

EBITDA is defined as net income from continuing operations excluding interest, income taxes, amortization of intangibles and depreciation.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA excluding (1) non-cash compensation expense, (2) non-cash impairment charges, (3) gain/loss on disposal of assets, (4) restructuring and severance expenses, (5) litigation settlements and contingencies, (6) acquisitions and dispositions income or expense (including with respect to changes in fair value of contingent consideration), and (7) one-time items.

Adjusted net income is defined as net income (loss) from continuing operations excluding (1) non-cash compensation expense, (2) non-cash impairment charges, (3) gain/loss on disposal of assets, (4) restructuring and severance expenses, (5) litigation settlements and contingencies, (6) acquisitions and dispositions income or expense (including with respect to changes in fair value of contingent consideration), (7) one-time items, (8) the effects to income taxes of the aforementioned adjustments, and (9) any excess tax benefit or expense associated with stock-based compensation recorded in net income in conjunction with FASB pronouncement ASU 2016-09.

Adjusted net income per share is defined as adjusted net income divided by the adjusted weighted average diluted shares outstanding. For periods which the Company reports GAAP loss from continuing operations, the effects of potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the calculation of net loss per diluted share from continuing operations because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. In periods where the Company reports GAAP loss from continuing operations but reports positive non-GAAP adjusted net income, the effects of potentially dilutive securities are included in the denominator for calculating adjusted net income per share.

LendingTree endeavors to compensate for the limitations of these non-GAAP measures by also providing the comparable GAAP measures with equal or greater prominence and descriptions of the reconciling items, including quantifying such items, to derive the non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

One-Time Items

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income are adjusted for one-time items, if applicable. Items are considered one-time in nature if they are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual, and have not occurred in the past two years or are not expected to recur in the next two years, in accordance with SEC rules. For the periods presented in this report, there are no adjustments for one-time items, except for the $6.1 million income tax benefit from the CARES Act in Q1 2020.

Non-Cash Expenses That Are Excluded From LendingTree's Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income

Non-cash compensation expense consists principally of expense associated with the grants of restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock options. These expenses are not paid in cash and LendingTree includes the related shares in its calculations of fully diluted shares outstanding. Upon settlement of restricted stock units, exercise of certain stock options or vesting of restricted stock awards, the awards may be settled on a net basis, with LendingTree remitting the required tax withholding amounts from its current funds. Cash expenditures for employer payroll taxes on non-cash compensation are included within adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income.

Amortization of intangibles are non-cash expenses relating primarily to acquisitions. At the time of an acquisition, the intangible assets of the acquired company, such as purchase agreements, technology and customer relationships, are valued and amortized over their estimated lives.  Amortization of intangibles are only excluded from adjusted EBITDA.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The matters contained in the discussion above may be considered to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations or anticipations of LendingTree and members of our management team. Factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the following: uncertainty regarding the duration and scope of the coronavirus referred to as COVID-19 pandemic; actions governments and businesses take in response to the pandemic, including actions that could affect levels of advertising activity; the impact of the pandemic and actions taken in response to the pandemic on national and regional economies and economic activity; the pace of recovery when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides; adverse conditions in the primary and secondary mortgage markets and in the economy, particularly interest rates; default rates on loans, particularly unsecured loans; demand by investors for unsecured personal loans; the effect of such demand on interest rates for personal loans and consumer demand for personal loans; seasonality of results; potential liabilities to secondary market purchasers; changes in the Company's relationships with network lenders, including dependence on certain key network lenders; breaches of network security or the misappropriation or misuse of personal consumer information; failure to provide competitive service; failure to maintain brand recognition; ability to attract and retain consumers in a cost-effective manner; the effects of potential acquisitions of other businesses, including the ability to integrate them successfully with LendingTree's existing operations; accounting rules related to contingent consideration and excess tax benefits or expenses on stock-based compensation that could materially affect earnings in future periods; ability to develop new products and services and enhance existing ones; competition; allegations of failure to comply with existing or changing laws, rules or regulations, or to obtain and maintain required licenses; failure of network lenders or other affiliated parties to comply with regulatory requirements; failure to maintain the integrity of systems and infrastructure; liabilities as a result of privacy regulations; failure to adequately protect intellectual property rights or allegations of infringement of intellectual property rights; and changes in management. These and additional factors to be considered are set forth under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2019, in our Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2020, and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. LendingTree undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results or expectations.

About LendingTree, Inc.

LendingTree, Inc. is the parent of LendingTree, LLC and several companies owned by LendingTree, LLC (collectively, "LendingTree" or the "Company").

LendingTree operates what it believes to be the leading online consumer platform that connects consumers with the choices they need to be confident in their financial decisions. The Company offers consumers tools and resources, including free credit scores, that facilitate comparison-shopping for mortgage loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, reverse mortgage loans, auto loans, credit cards, deposit accounts, personal loans, student loans, small business loans, insurance quotes and other related offerings. The Company primarily seeks to match in-market consumers with multiple providers on its marketplace who can provide them with competing quotes for loans, deposit products, insurance or other related offerings they are seeking. The Company also serves as a valued partner to partners and other providers seeking an efficient, scalable and flexible source of customer acquisition with directly measurable benefits, by matching the consumer inquiries it generates with these providers.

LendingTree, Inc. is headquartered in Charlotte, NC. For more information, please visit www.lendingtree.com.

Investor Relations Contact:
Trent Ziegler
trent.ziegler@lendingtree.com
704-943-8294

Media Contact:
Megan Greuling
megan.greuling@lendingtree.com
704-943-8208

Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lendingtree-reports-second-quarter-2020-results-301105340.html

SOURCE LendingTree, Inc.

FAQ

What were LendingTree's Q2 2020 financial results?

LendingTree reported Q2 2020 revenue of $184.3 million, a 34% decrease year-over-year, and a net loss of $8.6 million.

How did LendingTree's Home segment perform in Q2 2020?

The Home segment generated revenue of $74.1 million, growing 3% year-over-year, with mortgage products revenue increasing 22%.

What were the projected revenues for LendingTree in Q3 2020?

LendingTree projects Q3 2020 revenue to be between $200 million and $215 million.

What challenges did LendingTree face in Q2 2020?

LendingTree faced significant challenges, particularly in the Consumer segment, which saw a 71% drop in revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

What was the adjusted EBITDA for LendingTree in Q2 2020?

The adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2020 was $30.8 million, accounting for 17% of revenue.

LendingTree, Inc.

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