2U Reports Results for Second Quarter 2021

Rhea-AI Summary

2U, Inc. (TWOU) reported strong second-quarter results for 2021 with a 30% revenue increase to $237.2 million, driven by a 26% rise in Degree Program revenue and a 36% surge in Alternative Credential revenue. The net loss improved to $21.8 million, up from $66.1 million. Adjusted EBITDA grew to $17.1 million. The company reaffirmed its full-year revenue guidance of $925.0 million to $955.0 million. Cash reserves increased significantly to $971.3 million. CEO Chip Paucek highlighted the growing demand for their digital transformation services in education.

Positive

• 30% revenue growth to $237.2 million compared to Q2 2020.
• Adjusted EBITDA rose to $17.1 million, marking an improvement of $19.2 million.
• Degree Program revenue increased by 26%, driven by a 31% growth in FCE enrollments.
• Alternative Credential Segment grew by 36% with a 16% increase in FCE enrollments.
• Cash reserves improved to $971.3 million, an increase of $452.5 million from December 2020.

Negative

• Net loss of $21.8 million, although improved from $66.1 million.
• Costs and expenses increased by 18% to $274.3 million, driven by higher personnel and teaching costs.

LANHAM, Md., July 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU), a global leader in education technology, today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021.

Results for Second Quarter 2021 Compared to Second Quarter 2020

• Revenue increased 30% to $237.2 million
• Degree Program Segment revenue increased 26% to $146.2 million
• Alternative Credential Segment revenue increased 36% to $91.0 million
• Net loss improved $44.3 million to $21.8 million, or $0.29 per share

Non-GAAP Results for Second Quarter 2021 Compared to Second Quarter 2020

• Adjusted EBITDA improved $19.2 million to $17.1 million
• Adjusted net loss improved $15.0 million to $6.8 million, or $0.09 per share

"2U delivered strong results in the second quarter and we continue to see growing demand from universities for our shared success model as they look for a trusted and proven digital transformation partner to meet the evolving needs of adult learners," said Christopher "Chip" Paucek, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of 2U. "As we work to close our recently announced edX acquisition, we are excited and energized by the opportunities it creates to expand access to affordable, high-quality online education globally and to deliver greater value for all of our stakeholders."

Paul Lalljie, 2U's Chief Financial Officer, added, "Our results in the second quarter were strong, with 30% revenue growth and positive trailing twelve month free cash flow. We are seeing good momentum, particularly in the degree business, that we expect to continue into 2022, though given the near-term macroeconomic environment we are making the prudent decision to maintain our full-year guidance."

Discussion of Second Quarter 2021 Results

Revenue totaled $237.2 million, a 30% increase from $182.7 million in the second quarter of 2020. This increase was driven by a 26% increase in Degree Program Segment revenue to $146.2 million, primarily due to growth in full course equivalent ("FCE") enrollments of 14,287, or 31%, and a 36% increase in Alternative Credential Segment revenue to $91.0 million, primarily due to growth in FCE enrollments of 3,244, or 16%. FCE enrollments increased 26% over the prior year period to 84,108.

Costs and expenses for the second quarter totaled $274.3 million, an 18% increase from $231.8 million in the second quarter of 2020. This increase was primarily driven by higher personnel and personnel-related expense, curriculum and teaching expense, and depreciation and amortization expense.

As of June 30, 2021, the company's cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash totaled $971.3 million, an increase of $452.5 million from $518.9 million as of December 31, 2020. Cash used in operations of $2.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was offset by cash provided by investing activities of $4.8 million and cash provided by financing activities of $450.6 million.

Business Outlook for Fiscal Year 2021

The company reaffirmed guidance for the full-year 2021 provided on April 28, 2021 for the following metrics:

• Revenue to range from $925.0 million to $955.0 million, or growth of 19% to 23%
• Net loss to range from $175.0 million to $165.0 million
• Adjusted EBITDA to range from $55.0 million to $65.0 million

Non-GAAP Measures

To provide investors and others with additional information regarding 2U's results, the company has disclosed the following non-GAAP financial measures: adjusted EBITDA (loss), unlevered free cash flow, adjusted net income (loss), and adjusted net income (loss) per share. The company has provided a reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure used in this earnings release to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. The company defines adjusted EBITDA (loss) as net income or net loss, as applicable, before net interest income (expense), other income (expense), net, taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, deferred revenue fair value adjustments, transaction costs, integration costs, restructuring-related costs, stockholder activism costs, certain litigation-related costs, consisting of fees for certain non-ordinary course litigation and other proceedings, impairment charges, losses on debt extinguishment, and stock-based compensation expense. The company defines unlevered free cash flow as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, less capital expenditures, payments to university clients, certain non-ordinary cash payments, and cash interest payments on debt. The company defines adjusted net income (loss) as net income or net loss, as applicable, before other income (expense), net, acquisition-related gains or losses, deferred revenue fair value adjustments, transaction costs, integration costs, restructuring-related costs, stockholder activism costs, certain litigation-related costs, consisting of fees for certain non-ordinary course litigation and other proceedings, impairment charges, losses on debt extinguishment, and stock-based compensation expense. Adjusted net income (loss) per share is calculated as adjusted net income (loss) divided by diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding for periods that result in adjusted net income, and basic weighted-average shares outstanding for periods that result in an adjusted net loss. Some of the adjustments described in the definitions of adjusted EBITDA (loss), unlevered free cash flow, and adjusted net income (loss) may not be applicable in any given reporting period and they may vary from period to period. As of the date of this earnings release, we revised our definitions of adjusted EBITDA (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) to exclude other income (expense), net in connection with the recognition of a gain on the sale of our interest in an education technology company. We believe this change is meaningful to investors because we did not have this activity in prior periods, and as a result, excluding the impact of such a gain in 2021 facilitates a period-to-period comparison of our business.

The company's management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to understand and compare operating results across accounting periods, to understand cash that is generated by or available for operational expenses and investment in the business after capital expenditures, for internal budgeting and forecasting purposes, for short- and long-term operating plans, and to evaluate the company's financial performance. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures reflect the company's ongoing business in a manner that allows for meaningful period-to-period comparisons and analysis of trends in the company's business as they exclude expenses that are not reflective of ongoing operating results. Management also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating the company's operating results and prospects in the same manner as management and in comparing financial results across accounting periods and to those of peer companies.

The use of adjusted EBITDA (loss), unlevered free cash flow, adjusted net income (loss), and adjusted net income (loss) per share measures has certain limitations, as they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect the company's operations. The company compensates for these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or in isolation from, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Further, these non-GAAP measures may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore comparability may be limited. Management encourages investors and others to review the company's financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

Conference Call Information

What:		2U's second quarter 2021 financial results conference call
When:		Thursday, July 29, 2021
Time:		4:30 p.m. ET
Live Call:		(833) 921-1673
Conference ID #:		6028435
Webcast:		investor.2U.com

About 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU)

Eliminating the back row in higher education is not just a metaphor—it's our mission. For more than a decade, 2U, Inc., a global leader in education technology, has been a trusted partner and brand steward of great universities. We build, deliver, and support more than 550 digital and in-person educational offerings, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, professional certificates, boot camps, and GetSmarter short courses. Together with our partners, 2U has positively transformed the lives of more than 350,000 students and lifelong learners. To learn more, visit 2U.com. #NoBackRow

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding 2U, Inc.'s future business expectations, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding future results of operations and financial position of 2U, including financial targets, business strategy, and plans and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. 2U has based these forward-looking statements largely on its estimates of its financial results and its current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs as of the date of this press release. The company undertakes no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results predicted, including, but not limited to:

• trends in the higher education market and the market for online education, and expectations for growth in those markets;
• the acceptance, adoption and growth of online learning by colleges and universities, faculty, students, employers, accreditors and state and federal licensing bodies;
• the impact of competition on the company's industry and innovations by competitors;
• the company's ability to comply with evolving regulations and legal obligations related to data privacy, data protection and information security;
• the company's expectations about the potential benefits of its cloud-based software-as-a-service technology and technology-enabled services to university clients and students;
• the company's dependence on third parties to provide certain technological services or components used in its platform;
• the company's expectations about the predictability, visibility and recurring nature of its business model;
• the company's ability to meet the anticipated launch dates of its degree programs, short courses and boot camps;
• the company's ability to acquire new university clients and expand its degree programs, short courses and boot camps with existing university clients;
• the company's ability to consummate the edX acquisition, including its ability to obtain regulatory and governmental approvals in a timely manner or at all, and realize the anticipated benefits of the edX acquisition;
• the company's ability to successfully integrate the operations of its acquisitions, including the pending edX acquisition, to achieve the expected benefits of its acquisitions and manage, expand and grow the combined company;
• the company's ability to refinance its indebtedness on attractive terms, if at all, to better align with its focus on profitability;
• the company's ability to service its substantial indebtedness and comply with the covenants and conversion obligations contained in the indenture governing its convertible senior notes and the term loan agreement governing its term loan facility;
• the company's ability to generate sufficient future operating cash flows from recent acquisitions to ensure related goodwill is not impaired;
• the company's ability to execute its growth strategy in the international, undergraduate and non-degree alternative markets;
• the company's ability to continue to recruit prospective students for its offerings;
• the company's ability to maintain or increase student retention rates in its degree programs;
• the company's ability to attract, hire and retain qualified employees;
• the company's expectations about the scalability of its cloud-based platform;
• potential changes in regulations applicable to the company or its university clients;
• the company's expectations regarding the amount of time its cash balances and other available financial resources will be sufficient to fund its operations;
• the impact and cost of stockholder activism;
• the impact of any natural disasters or public health emergencies, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19") pandemic;
• the company's expectations regarding the effect of the capped call transactions and regarding actions of the option counterparties and/or their respective affiliates; and
• other factors beyond the company's control.

These and other potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully detailed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as amended and supplemented by risks and uncertainties under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, and other SEC filings. Moreover, 2U operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for 2U management to predict all risks, nor can 2U assess the impact of all factors on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements 2U may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated.

Investor Relations Contact: Ken Goff, 2U, Inc., investorinfo@2U.com

Media Contact: Glenda Felden, 2U, Inc., media@2U.com

2U, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
	June 30, 2021				December 31, 2020
	(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	953,107			$	500,629
Restricted cash	18,227				18,237
Accounts receivable, net	101,394				46,663
Prepaid expenses and other assets	62,895				39,353
Total current assets	1,135,623				604,882
Property and equipment, net	50,015				52,734
Right-of-use assets	68,150				60,785
Goodwill	417,357				415,830
Amortizable intangible assets, net	301,095				312,770
Other assets, non-current	77,017				97,263
Total assets	$	2,049,257			$	1,544,264
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	148,421			$	130,674
Deferred revenue	110,323				75,493
Lease liability	10,689				10,024
Other current liabilities	22,531				21,178
Total current liabilities	291,964				237,369
Long-term debt	742,100				273,173
Deferred tax liabilities, net	2,167				2,810
Lease liability, non-current	89,057				83,228
Other liabilities, non-current	6,550				6,694
Total liabilities	1,131,838				603,274
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued	—				—
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 74,507,853 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021; 72,451,521 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020	75				72
Additional paid-in capital	1,688,223				1,646,574
Accumulated deficit	(763,267)				(695,872)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(7,612)				(9,784)
Total stockholders' equity	917,419				940,990
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	2,049,257			$	1,544,264

 

2U, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
Revenue	$	237,209			$	182,687			$	469,682			$	358,166
Costs and expenses
Curriculum and teaching	34,788				26,256				67,936				46,734
Servicing and support	34,865				30,294				68,049				60,827
Technology and content development	42,509				37,307				85,433				72,817
Marketing and sales	114,644				98,341				227,881				197,556
General and administrative	47,494				39,554				94,606				83,207
Total costs and expenses	274,300				231,752				543,905				461,141
Loss from operations	(37,091)				(49,065)				(74,223)				(102,975)
Interest income	352				154				714				667
Interest expense	(8,188)				(6,518)				(16,069)				(12,011)
Loss on debt extinguishment	(1,101)				(11,671)				(1,101)				(11,671)
Other income (expense), net	24,070				570				23,155				(1,701)
Loss before income taxes	(21,958)				(66,530)				(67,524)				(127,691)
Income tax benefit	127				363				129				1,418
Net loss	$	(21,831)			$	(66,167)			$	(67,395)			$	(126,273)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted	$	(0.29)			$	(1.03)			$	(0.91)			$	(1.98)
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, basic and diluted	74,421,911				64,075,405				74,051,220				63,850,869
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $0 for all periods presented	2,977				1,404				2,172				(14,711)
Comprehensive loss	$	(18,854)			$	(64,763)			$	(65,223)			$	(140,984)

 

2U, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited, in thousands)
	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021				2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss	$	(67,395)			$	(126,273)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Non-cash interest expense	11,447				5,675
Depreciation and amortization expense	51,409				47,470
Stock-based compensation expense	49,723				41,961
Non-cash lease expense	8,644				7,299
Provision for credit losses	3,551				1,267
Loss on debt extinguishment	1,101				11,671
Gain on sale of investment	(27,875)				—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired:
Accounts receivable, net	(58,847)				(39,521)
Payments to university clients	4,629				4,354
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(20,397)				(8,774)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	15,888				26,989
Deferred revenue	34,697				28,843
Other liabilities, net	(10,528)				(9,299)
Other	1,759				1,694
Net cash used in operating activities	(2,194)				(6,644)
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of a business, net of cash acquired	—				(949)
Additions of amortizable intangible assets	(29,867)				(32,497)
Purchases of property and equipment	(2,452)				(4,254)
Purchase of investment	(1,000)				—
Proceeds from sale of investment	37,875				—
Advances repaid by university clients	200				275
Other	56				—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	4,812				(37,425)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from debt	469,595				371,708
Payments on debt	(703)				(250,409)
Purchases of capped calls in connection with issuance of convertible senior notes	—				(50,540)
Prepayment premium on extinguishment of senior secured term loan facility	—				(2,528)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(10,258)				(3,419)
Tax withholding payments associated with settlement of restricted stock units	(14,114)				(464)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	4,270				1,825
Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan share purchases	1,773				1,771
Net cash provided by financing activities	450,563				67,944
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(713)				(713)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	452,468				23,162
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	518,866				189,869
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$	971,334			$	213,031

 

2U, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
(unaudited)
The following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA (loss) to net loss for each of the periods indicated:
	Three Months Ended June 30,								Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021				2020				2021				2020
	(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Net loss	$	(21,831)			$	(66,167)			$	(67,395)			$	(126,273)
Stock-based compensation expense	24,776				21,091				49,723				41,961
Other (income) expense, net	(24,070)				(570)				(23,155)				1,701
Amortization of acquired intangible assets	10,560				10,605				21,032				21,388
Income tax benefit on amortization of acquired intangible assets	(301)				(331)				(594)				(710)
Loss on debt extinguishment	1,101				11,671				1,101				11,671
Other*	3,005				1,902				3,951				7,153
Adjusted net loss	(6,760)				(21,799)				(15,337)				(43,109)
Net interest expense	7,836				6,364				15,355				11,344
Income tax expense (benefit)	174				(32)				465				(708)
Depreciation and amortization expense	15,862				13,380				30,377				26,082
Adjusted EBITDA (loss)	$	17,112			$	(2,087)			$	30,860			$	(6,391)
Net loss per share, basic and diluted	$	(0.29)			$	(1.03)			$	(0.91)			$	(1.98)
Adjusted net loss per share, basic and diluted	$	(0.09)			$	(0.34)			$	(0.21)			$	(0.68)
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, basic and diluted	74,421,911				64,075,405				74,051,220				63,850,869

_____________

*

Includes (i) transaction and integration expense of $1.7 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $1.7 million and $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, (ii) restructuring-related expense of $1.3 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $1.8 million and $0.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and (iii) stockholder activism and litigation-related expense of zero and $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $0.4 million and $5.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

2U, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
(unaudited)
The following table presents a reconciliation of unlevered free cash flow to net cash provided by operating activities for each of the twelve-month periods indicated:
	Twelve Months Ended
	June 30, 2021				March 31, 2021				December 31, 2020				September 30, 2020
	(in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	34,054			$	47,094			$	29,604			$	26,829
Additions to amortizable intangible assets	(60,154)				(61,195)				(62,784)				(60,723)
Purchases of property and equipment	(4,715)				(4,919)				(6,517)				(7,627)
Payments on acquisition of amortizable intangible assets	—				—				—				(897)
Payments to university clients	8,550				6,550				5,800				4,100
Non-ordinary cash payments*	15,739				15,530				19,379				17,153
Free cash flow	(6,526)				3,060				(14,518)				(21,165)
Cash interest payments on debt	9,075				5,923				10,785				11,270
Unlevered free cash flow	$	2,549			$	8,983			$	(3,733)			$	(9,895)

_____________
*	Includes transaction, integration, restructuring-related, stockholder activism, and litigation-related expense.

 

2U, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
(unaudited)
The following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA guidance to net loss guidance, at the midpoint of the ranges provided by the company, for the period indicated:
	Year Ending December 31, 2021
	(in millions)
Net loss	$	(170.0)
Stock-based compensation expense	101.0
Other (income) expense, net	—
Amortization of acquired intangible assets	40.0
Income tax benefit on amortization of acquired intangible assets	—
Loss on debt extinguishment	1.0
Other	(22.0)
Adjusted net loss	(50.0)
Net interest expense	55.0
Income tax benefit	(4.5)
Depreciation and amortization expense	59.5
Adjusted EBITDA	$	60.0

 

2U, Inc.
Key Financial Performance Metrics
(unaudited)
Full Course Equivalent Enrollments
Degree Program Segment
The following table presents the FCE enrollments and average revenue per FCE enrollment in the company's Degree Program Segment for the last eight quarters.
	Q2 '21				Q1 '21				Q4 '20				Q3 '20				Q2 '20				Q1 '20				Q4 '19				Q3 '19
Degree Program Segment FCE enrollments	60,429				60,007				58,425				47,842				46,142				45,734				41,704				40,910
Degree Program Segment average revenue per FCE enrollment	$	2,420			$	2,431			$	2,234			$	2,551			$	2,507			$	2,590			$	2,595			$	2,527
Alternative Credential Segment
The following table presents the FCE enrollments and average revenue per FCE enrollment in the company's Alternative Credential Segment for the last eight quarters.
	Q2 '21				Q1 '21				Q4 '20				Q3 '20				Q2 '20				Q1 '20				Q4 '19				Q3 '19
Alternative Credential Segment FCE enrollments	23,679				21,078				22,190				23,067				20,435				15,141				14,639				14,729
Alternative Credential Segment average revenue per FCE enrollment*	$	3,843			$	4,108			$	3,821			$	3,426			$	3,279			$	3,766			$	3,883			$	3,825

______________
*	The Trilogy acquisition was completed on May 22, 2019. Average revenue per FCE enrollment for the company's Alternative Credential Segment includes $6.0 million and $1.9 million of purchase accounting adjustments for the third and fourth quarters of 2019, respectively.

 

 

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SOURCE 2U, Inc.

FAQ

What were 2U's revenue figures for Q2 2021?

2U reported a revenue of $237.2 million for Q2 2021, a 30% increase compared to the previous year.

What is 2U's net loss for Q2 2021?

The net loss for Q2 2021 was $21.8 million, an improvement from the $66.1 million loss in Q2 2020.

How much cash did 2U have as of June 30, 2021?

As of June 30, 2021, 2U had cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash totaling $971.3 million.

What is the revenue growth forecast for 2U in 2021?

2U reaffirmed its revenue guidance for 2021 to be between $925.0 million and $955.0 million.

What was the adjusted EBITDA for 2U in Q2 2021?

The adjusted EBITDA for Q2 2021 was $17.1 million, showing significant improvement from the previous year.