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2U Reports Results for Third Quarter 2021

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2U, a prominent education technology firm (Nasdaq: TWOU), reported a 16% year-over-year revenue increase to $232.4 million for Q3 2021, driven by a 21% rise in Degree Program Segment revenue. However, the net loss widened to $60.1 million, or $0.80 per share. Adjusted EBITDA improved to $14.7 million. The company anticipates closing the edX acquisition soon, which could bolster its offerings. 2021 revenue guidance has been raised to a range of $935 million to $955 million, reflecting a healthy outlook despite the increasing net loss.

Positive
  • Revenue increased 16% to $232.4 million.
  • Degree Program Segment revenue up 21% to $147.8 million.
  • Adjusted EBITDA improved by $11 million to $14.7 million.
  • Strong cash position of $951.3 million, up from $518.9 million at year-end 2020.
  • Raising full-year 2021 revenue guidance to $935 million to $955 million.
Negative
  • Net loss increased by $7.6 million to $60.1 million, or $0.80 per share.
  • Total costs and expenses rose 12% to $275.9 million.

LANHAM, Md., Nov. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU), a global leader in education technology, today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.

Results for Third Quarter 2021 Compared to Third Quarter 2020

  • Revenue increased 16% to $232.4 million
  • Degree Program Segment revenue increased 21% to $147.8 million
  • Alternative Credential Segment revenue increased 7% to $84.6 million
  • Net loss increased $7.6 million to $60.1 million, or $0.80 per share

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

  • Adjusted EBITDA improved $11.0 million to $14.7 million
  • Adjusted net loss increased $0.9 million to $17.5 million, or $0.23 per share

"Our strong third quarter results were led by continued growth in our degree business, including increasing demand for our expanding portfolio of undergraduate offerings," said Christopher "Chip" Paucek, 2U's Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "We believe the upcoming closing of the edX transaction will only strengthen our business and transform 2U into a leading education platform company, with edX operating as our consumer brand and home to a global marketplace of over 3,500 free-to-degree online educational offerings from the world's most respected universities and companies."

Paul Lalljie, 2U's Chief Financial Officer, added, "Third quarter revenue growth of 16% reflects sustained momentum, and we remain disciplined in optimizing growth, profitability and cash flow. Our updated full-year guidance reflects increased expectations for our standalone business and the impact from edX for the remainder of the year assuming a mid-November closing date."

Discussion of Third Quarter 2021 Results

Revenue totaled $232.4 million, a 16% increase from $201.1 million in the third quarter of 2020. This increase was driven by a 21% increase in Degree Program Segment revenue to $147.8 million, primarily due to growth in full course equivalent ("FCE") enrollments of 10,000, or 21%, and a 7% increase in Alternative Credential Segment revenue to $84.6 million, primarily due to an increase in the average revenue per FCE enrollment of $767, or 22%. FCE enrollments increased 10% over the prior year period to 78,016.

Costs and expenses for the third quarter totaled $275.9 million, a 12% increase from $247.0 million in the third quarter of 2020. This increase was primarily driven by increased operational expense to support revenue growth and the acquisition of edX.

As of September 30, 2021, the company's cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash totaled $951.3 million, an increase of $432.4 million from $518.9 million as of December 31, 2020. Cash used in operations of $3.1 million and cash used in investing activities of $12.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was offset by cash provided by financing activities of $450.5 million.

Recent Developments

In early November, the company received the approvals from the Massachusetts Attorney General and the Massachusetts Supreme Court required in connection with the edX acquisition. The acquisition is expected to close in mid-November.

On November 4, 2021, the company borrowed an additional $100 million under its existing senior secured Term Loan B. The incremental borrowings have an original issue discount of 2%. Except to provide for the incurrence of the incremental loan, the terms of the credit agreement were not materially changed.

Business Outlook for Fiscal Year 2021

The company provided updated guidance for the full-year 2021 for the following metrics:

  • Revenue to range from $935.0 million to $955.0 million, or growth of 21% to 23%
  • Net loss to range from $200.0 million to $190.0 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA to range from $60.0 million to $70.0 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.

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 third quarter 2021 financial results conference call

When:


Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Time:


4:30 p.m. ET

Live Call:


(833) 921-1673

Conference ID #:


9368677

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 (as defined below) 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 September 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)



September 30,
2021


December 31,
2020


(unaudited)



Assets




Current assets




Cash and cash equivalents

$

934,348



$

500,629


Restricted cash

16,976



18,237


Accounts receivable, net

95,390



46,663


Prepaid expenses and other assets

68,388



39,353


Total current assets

1,115,102



604,882


Property and equipment, net

48,006



52,734


Right-of-use assets

77,940



60,785


Goodwill

414,004



415,830


Amortizable intangible assets, net

291,427



312,770


Other assets, non-current

87,003



97,263


Total assets

$

2,033,482



$

1,544,264


Liabilities and stockholders' equity




Current liabilities




Accounts payable and accrued expenses

$

155,116



$

130,674


Deferred revenue

96,984



75,493


Lease liability

11,243



10,024


Other current liabilities

37,033



21,178


Total current liabilities

300,376



237,369


Long-term debt

742,769



273,173


Deferred tax liabilities, net

1,295



2,810


Lease liability, non-current

103,024



83,228


Other liabilities, non-current

6,553



6,694


Total liabilities

1,154,017



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, 74,749,601 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2021; 72,451,521 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020

75



72


Additional paid-in capital

1,714,647



1,646,574


Accumulated deficit

(823,377)



(695,872)


Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(11,880)



(9,784)


Total stockholders' equity

879,465



940,990


Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

2,033,482



$

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

September 30,


Nine Months Ended

September 30,


2021


2020


2021


2020

Revenue

$

232,376



$

201,073



$

702,058



$

559,239


Costs and expenses








Curriculum and teaching

30,869



30,153



98,805



76,887


Servicing and support

33,898



32,536



101,947



93,363


Technology and content development

43,106



40,223



128,539



113,040


Marketing and sales

118,300



100,068



346,181



297,624


General and administrative

49,736



44,000



144,342



127,207


  Total costs and expenses

275,909



246,980



819,814



708,121


Loss from operations

(43,533)



(45,907)



(117,756)



(148,882)


Interest income

474



713



1,188



1,380


Interest expense

(16,945)



(7,564)



(33,014)



(19,575)


Loss on debt extinguishment





(1,101)



(11,671)


Other income (expense), net

(425)



42



22,730



(1,659)


Loss before income taxes

(60,429)



(52,716)



(127,953)



(180,407)


Income tax benefit

319



162



448



1,580


Net loss

$

(60,110)



$

(52,554)



$

(127,505)



$

(178,827)


Net loss per share, basic and diluted

$

(0.80)



$

(0.77)



$

(1.72)



$

(2.69)


Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, basic and diluted

74,691,521



68,580,439



74,266,999



66,368,686


Other comprehensive income (loss)








Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $0 for all periods presented

(4,268)



1,667



(2,096)



(13,044)


Comprehensive loss

$

(64,378)



$

(50,887)



$

(129,601)



$

(191,871)


 

2U, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited, in thousands)



Nine Months Ended September 30,


2021


2020

Cash flows from operating activities




Net loss

$

(127,505)



$

(178,827)


Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:




Non-cash interest expense

28,278



13,161


Depreciation and amortization expense

77,577



71,406


Stock-based compensation expense

74,745



63,962


Non-cash lease expense

13,518



11,181


Loss on sublease

4,845




Provision for credit losses

5,712



2,703


Loss on debt extinguishment

1,101



11,671


Gain on sale of investment

(27,762)




Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired:




Accounts receivable, net

(54,689)



(65,095)


Prepaid expenses and other assets

(31,237)



(14,982)


Accounts payable and accrued expenses

24,249



38,018


Deferred revenue

21,960



43,138


Other liabilities, net

(16,028)



(5,680)


Other

2,100



2,486


Net cash used in operating activities

(3,136)



(6,858)


Cash flows from investing activities




Purchase of a business, net of cash acquired



(949)


Additions of amortizable intangible assets

(45,179)



(46,750)


Purchases of property and equipment

(5,397)



(5,516)


Purchase of investment

(1,000)




Proceeds from sale of investment

38,762




Advances repaid by university clients

200



925


Other

56




Net cash used in investing activities

(12,558)



(52,290)


Cash flows from financing activities




Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs



299,796


Proceeds from debt

469,595



371,681


Payments on debt

(2,203)



(250,479)


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

(10,259)



(3,419)


Tax withholding payments associated with settlement of restricted stock units

(14,543)



(470)


Proceeds from exercise of stock options

6,101



3,123


Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan share purchases

1,773



1,771


Net cash provided by financing activities

450,464



368,935


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

(2,312)



(92)


Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

432,458



309,695


Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period

518,866



189,869


Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period

$

951,324



$

499,564


 

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

September 30,


Nine Months Ended

September 30,


2021


2020


2021


2020










(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Net loss

$

(60,110)



$

(52,554)



$

(127,505)



$

(178,827)


Stock-based compensation expense

25,022



22,001



74,745



63,962


Other (income) expense, net

425



(42)



(22,730)



1,659


Amortization of acquired intangible assets

10,376



10,669



31,408



32,057


Income tax benefit on amortization of acquired intangible assets

(251)



(347)



(845)



(1,057)


Loss on debt extinguishment





1,101



11,671


Other*

7,083



3,682



11,034



10,835


  Adjusted net loss

(17,455)



(16,591)



(32,792)



(59,700)


Net interest expense

16,471



6,851



31,826



18,195


Income tax expense (benefit)

(68)



185



397



(523)


Depreciation and amortization expense

15,792



13,267



46,169



39,349


  Adjusted EBITDA (loss)

$

14,740



$

3,712



$

45,600



$

(2,679)










Net loss per share, basic and diluted

$

(0.80)



$

(0.77)



$

(1.72)



$

(2.69)


Adjusted net loss per share, basic and diluted

$

(0.23)



$

(0.24)



$

(0.45)



$

(0.90)


Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, basic and diluted

74,691,521



68,580,439



74,266,999



66,368,686






*


Includes (i) transaction and integration expense of $0.8 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $2.6 million and $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, (ii) restructuring-related expense of $5.4 million and $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $7.2 million and $3.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and (iii) stockholder activism and litigation-related expense of $0.8 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $1.2 million and $6.2 million for the nine months ended September 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


September 30,

2021


June 30,

2021


March 31,

2021


December 31,
2020










(in thousands)

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

33,325



$

34,054



$

47,094



$

29,604


Additions to amortizable intangible assets

(61,213)



(60,154)



(61,195)



(62,784)


Purchases of property and equipment

(6,398)



(4,715)



(4,919)



(6,517)


Payments to university clients

8,800



8,550



6,550



5,800


Non-ordinary cash payments*

11,199



15,739



15,530



19,379


Free cash flow

(14,287)



(6,526)



3,060



(14,518)


Cash interest payments on debt

9,046



9,075



5,923



10,785


Unlevered free cash flow

$

(5,241)



$

2,549



$

8,983



$

(3,733)






*


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

$

(195.0)


Stock-based compensation expense

101.0


Amortization of acquired intangible assets

57.5


Loss on debt extinguishment

1.0


Other

(17.0)


  Adjusted net loss

(52.5)


Net interest expense

55.0


Income tax benefit

(0.5)


Depreciation and amortization expense

63.0


  Adjusted EBITDA

$

65.0


 

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.



Q3 '21


Q2 '21


Q1 '21


Q4 '20


Q3 '20


Q2 '20


Q1 '20


Q4 '19

Degree Program Segment FCE enrollments

57,842



60,429



60,007



58,425



47,842



46,142



45,734



41,704


Degree Program Segment average revenue per FCE enrollment

$

2,555



$

2,420



$

2,431



$

2,234



$

2,551



$

2,507



$

2,590



$

2,595




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.



Q3 '21


Q2 '21


Q1 '21


Q4 '20


Q3 '20


Q2 '20


Q1 '20


Q4 '19

Alternative Credential Segment FCE enrollments

20,174



23,679



21,078



22,190



23,067



20,435



15,141



14,639


Alternative Credential Segment average revenue per FCE enrollment*

$

4,193



$

3,843



$

4,108



$

3,821



$

3,426



$

3,279



$

3,766



$

3,883






































*


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

 

 

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SOURCE 2U, Inc.

FAQ

What were 2U's financial results for the third quarter of 2021?

2U reported a revenue increase of 16% to $232.4 million, with a net loss of $60.1 million for Q3 2021.

How has 2U's revenue changed compared to last year?

2U's revenue for Q3 2021 increased by 16% compared to Q3 2020.

What is 2U's adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2021?

2U's adjusted EBITDA for Q3 2021 improved to $14.7 million.

What is 2U's updated revenue guidance for 2021?

2U raised its revenue guidance for 2021 to a range of $935 million to $955 million.

How much cash does 2U have as of September 30, 2021?

As of September 30, 2021, 2U had $951.3 million in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash.

2U, Inc.

NASDAQ:TWOU

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