UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 20152017
Commission File No.: 1-36691
The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware (State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | | 06-1528493 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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800 Connecticut Avenue Norwalk, Connecticut (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | | 06854 (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 299-8000
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Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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| Title of Each Class: | | Name of Each Exchange on which Registered: |
| Common Stock, par value $0.008 per share | | The NASDAQ Global Select Market |
| 0.800% Senior Notes Due 2022 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 2.150% Senior Notes Due 2022 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 2.375% Senior Notes Due 2024 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 1.800% Senior Notes Due 2027 | | New York Stock Exchange |
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No ý
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer xý | | Accelerated filer o |
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Non-accelerated filer o | |
Smaller reporting company o | Emerging growth company o | |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No ý
The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc. as of June 30, 20152017 was approximately $58.6$91.5 billion based upon the closing price reported for such date on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. For purposes of this disclosure, shares of common stock held by executive officers and directors of The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc. on June 30, 20152017 have been excluded because such persons may be deemed to be affiliates of The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.
The number of outstanding shares of The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc.’s common stock was 49,616,59548,288,592 as of February 9, 2016.20, 2018.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The information required by Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, to the extent not set forth in this Form 10-K, is incorporated herein by reference from The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc.'s definitive proxy statement relating to the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on June 2, 2016,7, 2018, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc.'s fiscal year ended December 31, 2015.2017.
The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 20152017 Index
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K and the documents incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect our views regarding current expectations and projections about future events and conditions and are based on currently available information. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, including the Risk Factors identified in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report; therefore, our actual results could differ materially from those expressed, implied or forecast in any such forward-looking statements.
Expressions of future goals and expectations and similar expressions, including "may," "will," "should," "could," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "intends," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "targets," and "continue," reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements for various reasons including the risks we face, which are more fully described in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors." Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. However, readers should carefully review the reports and documents we file or furnish from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC" or the "Commission"), particularly our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.
PART I
Item 1. Business
WeOur mission is to help people experience the world by providing consumers, travel service providers and restaurants with leading travel and restaurant reservation and related services. Through our online travel companies ("OTCs"), we connect consumers wishing to make travel reservations with providers of travel services around the world. We areoperate six primary brands:
Booking.com - the leader in the worldwideworld’s leading brand for booking online accommodation reservation marketreservations, based on room nights booked. We offer consumers
priceline.com - a broad array of accommodation reservations (including hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, apartments, vacation rentals and other properties) through our Booking.com, priceline.com and agoda.com brands. Our priceline.com brand also offers consumers reservations for rental cars, airline tickets, vacation packages and cruises. We offerleading hotel, rental car, reservations worldwide through rentalcars.com. We also allowairline ticket and vacation package reservation service in the United States.
KAYAK - a leading meta-search service allowing consumers to easily search and compare travel itineraries and prices, including airline ticket, hotel reservationaccommodation and rental car reservation information, from hundreds of travel websites at once through KAYAK. We provide restaurants withonce.
agoda.com - a leading accommodation reservation management services andservice catering primarily to consumers within the ability to make restaurant reservations at participating restaurants through Asia-Pacific region.
Rentalcars.com - a leading worldwide rental car reservation service.
OpenTable - a leading provider of online restaurant reservations.
We launched our business in the United States in 1998 under the priceline.com brandreservation and have since expanded our operationsinformation services to include five other primary, independently operated brands: Booking.com, KAYAK, agoda.com, rentalcars.com and OpenTable. Our mission is to help people experience the world by serving both consumers and our travel service providerrestaurant reservation management and restaurant partners with worldwide leadership in online reservation and related services. customer acquisition services to restaurants.
Our business is driven primarily by international results, which consist of the results of Booking.com, agoda.com and rentalcars.comRentalcars.com (which began operating as part of Booking.com on January 1, 2018) and the results of the internationally-based websitesinternational businesses of KAYAK and OpenTable (in each case regardlessOpenTable. This classification is independent of where the consumer resides, where the consumer is physically located while making a reservationusing our services or the location of the travel service provider or restaurant).restaurant. For example, a reservation made through Booking.com at a hotel in New York by a consumer in the United States is part of our international results. During the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, our international business (the substantial majority of which is generated by Booking.com) represented approximately 88% of our gross bookings (an operating and statistical metric referring to the total dollar value, generally inclusive of all taxes and fees, of all travel services booked by our customers, net of cancellations), approximately 86%89% of our consolidated gross profit and approximately 94% of our consolidated operating income.profit. A significant majority of our gross profit is earned in connection with facilitating accommodation reservations. See Note 1716 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more geographic information.
The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc. was formed as a Delaware limited liability company in 1997 and was converted into a Delaware corporation named priceline.com Incorporated in July 1998. On April 1, 2014, the Company changed its name from priceline.com Incorporated to The Priceline Group Inc., and, on February 21, 2018, the Company changed its name to Booking Holdings Inc. Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "PCLN."BKNG," and traded under the symbol "PCLN" prior to February 27, 2018. Our principal executive offices are located at 800 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06854. We refer to our company and all of our subsidiaries and brands including Booking.com, priceline.com, KAYAK, agoda.com, rentalcars.com, OpenTable and various smaller brands, collectively as "The Priceline Group,"Booking Holdings," the "Company," "we," "our" or "us." We determined that our brands constitute our operating segments. We have aggregated our operating segments into one reportable segment. See Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Business Model
We derive substantially all of our revenues and gross profit from the following sources:
Commissions earned from facilitating reservations of accommodations, rental cars cruises and other travel services;services on an agency basis;
Transaction gross profit on a merchant basis and customer processing fees from our accommodation, rental car, airline ticket and vacation package reservation services;
Beginning on May 21, 2013, advertisingAdvertising revenues primarily earned by KAYAK from sending referrals to OTCsonline travel companies ("OTCs") and travel service providers, as well as from advertising placements on KAYAK's websites and mobile apps;
Beginning on July 24, 2014,Reservation revenues recognized by OpenTable, which consist of reservation revenues (reservation fees paid by restaurants for diners seated through OpenTable's online reservation service),services, subscription fees for restaurant reservation management services and other revenues;provided by OpenTable; and
Damage excess waiver fees, travel insurance fees and global distribution system ("GDS") reservation booking fees, in each case related to certain of our travel services.
Our priceline.com brand offers merchant Name Your Own Price® opaque travel services, which are recorded in revenue on a "gross" basis and have associated cost of revenue. All of our other services are generally recorded in revenue on a "net" basis and have no significant associated cost of revenue. Therefore, revenue increases and decreases are impacted by changes in the mix of our revenues between Name Your Own Price® travel services and other services. Gross profit reflects the commission or net margin earned for all of our services. Consequently, gross profit is an important measure to evaluate growth in our business because, in contrast to our revenues, it is not affected by the different methods of recording revenue and cost of revenue between our Name Your Own Price® travel reservation services and our other services. On January 1, 2018, we adopted a new revenue recognition accounting standard which will change the presentation of our Name Your Own Price® revenue to a net basis (see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) for periods beginning after December 31, 2017, and, as a result, we will no longer report cost of revenues or gross profit.
For the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, we had gross profit of approximately $8.6$12.4 billion comprised of "agency" gross profit, "merchant" gross profit, and "other""advertising and other" gross profit. Agency gross profit is derived from travel-related transactions where we are not the merchant of record, and therefore do not charge the customer's credit card, and where the prices offacilitate payments for the travel services are determined by third parties.provided. Agency gross profit, which represented the substantial majority of our total gross profit in 2015,2017, consists primarily of: (1) travel reservation commissions; (2) certain GDS reservation booking fees related toand (3) certain travel services; (3) travel insurance fees; and (4) customer processing fees. Merchant gross profit is derived from services where we are the merchant of record and therefore charge the consumer's credit cardfacilitate payments for the travel services provided, and consists of: (1) transaction gross profit representing the amount charged to a consumer, less the amount charged to us by travel service providers;providers, and merchant travel reservation commissions; (2) transaction revenues representing the price of Name Your Own Price® reservations charged to a customer processing fees; and(with a corresponding travel service provider cost recorded in cost of revenues); (3) ancillary fees, including damage excess waiver and certain travel insurance fees and certain GDS reservation booking fees related to certain travel services.and (4) customer processing fees. Advertising and other revenues are derived primarily from (1) revenues earned by KAYAK for (a) sending referrals to OTCs and travel service providers and (b) advertising placements on KAYAK's websites and mobile apps; and (2) revenues earned by OpenTable for (a) reservation fees paid by restaurants for diners seated through OpenTable's online reservation serviceservices and (b) subscription fees earned by OpenTable for restaurant reservation management services. Revenues from KAYAK are net of intercompanyservices; (3) revenues earned by KAYAK from other Priceline Group brands.priceline.com for advertising on its websites; and (4) revenues generated by Booking.com's BookingSuite branded accommodation marketing and business analytics services. See Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Strategy
We aim to achieve our mission to help people experience the world through global leadership in online travel and restaurant reservation and related services. services by:
providing consumers with the best choices and prices at any time, in any place, on any device;
making it easy for people to find, book and experience their travel desires; and
providing platforms, tools and insights to our business partners to help them be successful.
We focus on relentless innovation and execution and a commitment to serve both consumers and our travel service provider and restaurant partners with unmatched service and best-in-class digital technology. As theThe online travel and dining categories continue to grow as consumer purchasing shifts from traditional off-lineoffline channels to interactive online channels, including mobile channels, ourchannels. Our strategy is to continue to participate broadly in this online growth by expanding our service offerings and markets. In particular, we aim to be the world leader in online travel and restaurant reservation and related services by (a) providingleveraging technology to provide consumers with the best experience, (b) partnering with travel service providers and restaurants to our mutual benefit, (c) operating entrepreneurial independent brands that collaborate and share best practices, and (d) investing in profitable and sustainable growth.
Providing the best consumer experience. We believe that offering consumers an outstanding online experience is essential for our future success. To accomplish this, we focus on providing consumers with: (a) a variety of intuitive, easy-to-use online travel and restaurant reservation and search services; (b) a continually increasing number, location and variety of accommodations and restaurants available through our services:services; (c) informative
and useful content, such as pictures, accommodation and restaurant details and reviews; and (d) excellent customer service. Our goal is to make travel easy, frictionless and personal and to offer consumers the most trusted brand, the most personalized experience and the most extensive, varied and comprehensive accommodation selection in every geography at the best prices. For example, Booking.com increasingly provides reservation services for accommodations other than hotels, such as vacation rentals.hotels. Booking.com included over 850,000approximately 1,586,000 properties on its website as of February 15, 2016, which included
December 31, 2017, consisting of approximately 390,000 vacation rental properties396,000 hotels, motels and resorts and approximately 1,190,000 homes, apartments and other unique places to stay (updated property counts are available on the Booking.com website). Further, we endeavor to provide excellent customer service in a variety of ways, including through our call centers and websites, so that consumers can be confident that booking reservations through us will lead to a positive experience. We are constantly innovating in order to provide a best-in-class user experience with intuitive, easy-to-use websites and mobile apps to ensure that we are meeting the needs of online consumers while aiming to exceed their expectations.
Partnering with travel service providers and restaurants. We aim to establish mutually beneficial relationships with travel service providers and restaurants around the world. We believe that travel service providers and restaurants can benefit from participating in our services by increasing their distribution channels, demand and inventory utilization in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Travel service providers and restaurants benefit from our well-known brands and online marketing efforts, expertise in offering an excellent consumer experience through our websites and mobile apps and ability to offer their inventory in markets and to consumers that the travel service provider or restaurant may be unable or unlikely to reach. For example, an independent hotel may not have the means or expertise to market itself to international travelers, including in other languages, to build and operate effective desktop and mobile websites and online reservation services, or to engage in sophisticated online marketing techniques. Further, we are increasingly providing services, other than reservations booked through our websites and mobile apps, designed to help our partners grow their business.businesses. For example, Booking.com's BookingSuite services are designed to offer accommodation providers with affordable and effective marketing and business analytics tools to help them attract guestscustomers and increasemore effectively manage their profitability.properties. Similarly, OpenTable is continuously working to improve its reservation management software services to help restaurants more effectively manage their reservations and more efficiently market their available tables to diners.
Maintaining multiple independently managed brands. We employ a strategy of operating multiple independently managed brands, which we believe allows us the opportunity to offer our reservation services in ways that appeal to different consumers, pursue different marketing and business strategies, encourage experimentation and innovation, provide different service offerings and focus on different markets, while maintaining an entrepreneurial, competitive spirit amongbenefiting all of our brands.brands from opportunities to share best practices and learning and to collaborate. We intend to invest resources to support organic growth by all of our brands, whether through increased advertising, geographic expansion, technology innovation or increased access to accommodations, rental cars, restaurants or other services. We also believe that by operating independently managed brands,For example, we encourage innovationspend significant and experimentation byincreasing amounts on performance and brand advertising to acquire customers and establish and strengthen our brands, which allows us to more quickly discern and adapt to changing consumer behaviors and market dynamics. Although our brands are independently operated, webrands. We intend to continue efforts to share best practices, access to servicestravel service provider offerings and customers across our brands.brands and to collaborate where appropriate to benefit consumers. For example, on January 1, 2018 we integrated our Rentalcars.com business into Booking.com, which we believe will enable us to more effectively offer Rentalcars.com’s services to address the ground transportation needs of Booking.com’s customers. In addition, Booking.com offers consumers flight search capabilities provided by KAYAK and restaurant reservation services provided by OpenTable. We believe that by promoting our brands worldwide, sharing accommodation reservation availability and customer flow,demand, and applying our industry experiences across brands and markets, we can more effectively expand our reservation services globally and maintain and grow our position as a leading provider of worldwide online travel and restaurant reservation and related services.
Investing in profitable and sustainable growth. Our strategy isWe seek to ensure that we offer online services that meet the needs and the expectations of both consumers, and travel service providers and restaurants and that we believe are or will be likely to result in long-term profitability and growth. We intend to accomplish this through continuous investment and innovation, in growing our businesses in new and current markets, expanding our services and ensuring that we provide an appealing, intuitive and easy-to-use consumer experience through our websites and mobile applications.apps. We have made significant investments in people, technology, advertising and expanded, new or additional services, such as increasing our extensive collection of accommodations including homes, apartments and other unique places to stay, insurance products and other offerings. We also may pursue strategic transactions. For example, in 20132017 we entered theexpanded our KAYAK meta-search business, when we acquired KAYAK and in 2014 we enteredparticular in Europe, through the online restaurant reservation market when we acquired OpenTable.acquisition of the Momondo Group. We regularly evaluate, and may pursue and consummate, other potential strategic acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures or investments, whether to expand our businesses into complementary areas, expand our current
businesses, acquire innovative technology or for other reasons. For example, in 2014we have a commercial relationship with, and 2015 we strengthened our commercial partnership with, andhave made significant financial investments in, Ctrip, a leading OTC operating primarily in China.
Service Offerings
Through our online travel reservation services, we connect consumers wishing to make travel reservations with providers of travel services around the world. We offer consumers a broad array of accommodation reservations (including hotels, motels, resorts, homes, apartments, bed and breakfasts, hostels apartments, vacation rentals and other properties) through our Booking.com, priceline.com and agoda.com brands. Our priceline.com brand also offers consumers reservations for rental cars, airline tickets, vacation packages and cruises. We offer rental car reservations worldwide through rentalcars.com.our Rentalcars.com and Booking.com brands. We also allow consumers to easily compare travel reservation information, such as airline ticket, hotel reservation and rental car reservation information, from hundreds of travel websites at once through
KAYAK. We provide restaurants with reservation management and customer acquisition services and consumers with the ability to make restaurant reservations at participating restaurants through OpenTable.
Booking.com. Booking.com is the world's leading brand for booking online accommodation reservations, based on room nights booked, with operations worldwide and headquarters in the Netherlands. As of February 15, 2016,December 31, 2017, Booking.com offered accommodation reservation services for over 850,000approximately 1,586,000 properties in over 220 countries and territories on its various websites and in 42over 40 languages, which includesconsisting of approximately 390,000 vacation rental properties396,000 hotels, motels and resorts and approximately 1,190,000 homes, apartments and other unique places to stay (updated property counts are available on the Booking.com website). Vacation rentals generally consist of, among others, properties categorized as single-unit and multi-unit villas, apartments, "aparthotels" (which are apartments with a front desk and cleaning service) and chalets and are generally self-catered (i.e., include a kitchen), directly bookable properties. Accommodation providers participate in Booking.com, which operates primarily under an agency model, by filing rates and information about the property in Booking.com's proprietary extranet. In addition, Booking.com offers website and other marketing services and business analytics to accommodation providers as part of its BookingSuite initiative.
Booking.com has expanded its offerings to better help consumers experience the world. For example, Booking.com has begun offering tours and activities in certain markets. On January 1, 2018, we began operating our Rentalcars.com business as part of Booking.com to more effectively offer Rentalcar.com’s rental car and other ground transportation services to Booking.com’s customers. Booking.com offers online rental car reservation services on Booking.com and Rentalcars.com, primarily under a merchant model, allowing consumers to make rental car reservations in approximately 53,000 locations throughout the world, with customer support in over 40 languages. Booking.com also offers pre-booked taxi and black car services on Booking.com and Rentalcars.com at over 900 airports throughout the world. In addition, Booking.com offers consumers flight search capabilities provided by KAYAK and restaurant reservation services provided by OpenTable.
Priceline.com. Priceline.com offers online travel reservation services primarily in the United States and is headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut. Through priceline.com, we offer consumers hotel, rental car and airline ticket reservation services, as well as vacation packages and cruises. Priceline.com is a leader in the "opaque"discount travel reservation business, including through its pioneering Name Your Own Price® and Express Deals® discount hotel, rental car and airline reservation services. We describe our Name Your Own Price® and Express Deals® discount travel services as "opaque" becauseofferings where certain elements of the service, including the identity of the travel service provider, are not disclosed to the consumer prior to making a reservation. We believe that the combination of priceline.com's retail and opaque models allows it to provide a broad array of options to value-conscious consumers. Priceline.com operates under both a merchant and agency model.
KAYAK. KAYAK, headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, provides an online price comparison service (often referred to as "meta-search") that allows consumers to easily search and compare travel itineraries and prices, including airline ticket, accommodation reservation and rental car reservation information, from hundreds of travel websites at once. KAYAK derives revenues from sending referrals to OTCs and travel service providers and from advertising placements on its websites and mobile apps and from sending referrals to travel service providers and OTCs.apps. KAYAK offers its services in approximately 40over 60 countries, with the United States being its largest market.market, through various websites, including Momondo and Cheapflights (websites we acquired in 2017).
Agoda.com. Agoda.com is a leading online accommodation reservation service catering primarily to consumers in the Asia-Pacific region, with headquarters in Singapore and operations in Bangkok, Thailand and throughout the region. Accommodation providers participate in agoda.com, which operates primarily under a merchant model, by filing rates and information about the property in agoda.com's proprietary extranet.
Rentalcars.com. Rentalcars.com is a leading worldwide online rental car reservation service and is headquartered in Manchester, England. Rentalcars.com offers a primarily merchant, online retail and opaque rental car reservation service allowing consumers to make rental car reservations in approximately 46,000 locations throughout the world, with customer support provided in 40 languages. Consumers using rentalcars.com can book a full range of vehicles online through rentalcars.com's website or mobile app, or they can reserve their cars by phone.
OpenTable. In July 2014, we acquired OpenTable is a leading brand for booking online restaurant reservations. Headquartered in San Francisco, California, OpenTable provides online restaurant reservation services to consumers and reservation management services to restaurants. OpenTable does business primarily in the United States, though it intends to continuecontinues to invest in expanding its international offerings.
Marketing and Brand Awareness
Booking.com, priceline.com, KAYAK, agoda.com, rentalcars.com and OpenTableWe have established widely used and recognized e-commerce brands through aggressive marketing and promotionpromotional campaigns. Both our onlineperformance advertising expense and offlinebrand advertising expense have increased significantly in recent years, a trend we expect to continue. During 2015,2017, our total onlineperformance advertising expense was approximately $2.8$4.1 billion, primarily related to the use of online search engines (primarily Google), meta-search and travel research services and affiliate marketing to generate traffic to our websites. We also invested approximately $215$392 million in offlinebrand advertising during that period.2017. We intend to continue a strategy of aggressively promoting brand awareness primarily through both online means although we also intend to increase ourand offline advertising efforts, including by expanding offlinebrand campaigns into additional markets. For example, building on its first offline advertising campaign, which it launched in the United States in 2013, Booking.com has begun offline advertising campaigns in other markets, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Brazil and Japan. We expense the substantial majority of our advertising activities as the expense is incurred, which is typically in the quarter in which reservations are
booked, but recognizehave recognized most of our gross profit when the consumer's travel or dining experience is completed. AsBeginning January 1, 2018, we will recognize revenue for our travel reservation services on a “check-in” basis, such that revenue will be recognized upon check-in at an accommodation, pick-up of a rental car or boarding of a flight. In either case, as a result onlineof this timing difference between when advertising expense is incurred and revenue or gross profit is recognized, advertising expense may not be recognized in the same period as the associated revenue or gross profit.
Competition
We compete globally with both online and traditional travel and restaurant reservation and related services. The markets for the services we offer are, and are expected to remain, intensely competitive a trend we expect to continue, and current and new competitors can launch new services at a relatively low cost. Some of our current and potential competitors, such as Google, Apple, Alibaba, Tencent, Amazon and Facebook, have access to significantly greater and more diversified resources than we do, and they may be able to leverage other aspects of their businesses (e.g., search or mobile device businesses) to enable them to compete more effectively with us. For example, Google has entered various aspects of the online travel market, through its acquisition in 2011 of ITA Software, Inc.,including by establishing a major flight information software company, its hotel search and reservation booking business ("Book on Google"meta-search product (“Google Flights”) and a hotel meta-search business ("Google Hotel Ads") that are growing rapidly, as well as its license of hotel-booking software from Room 77."Book on Google" reservation functionality and its Google Trips app.
We currently, or may potentially may in the future, compete with a variety of companies, including:
online travel reservation services such as Expedia, Hotels.com, Hotwire, Orbitz, Travelocity, Wotif, Cheaptickets, ebookers, HotelClub, RatesToGo CarRentals.com and Venere,CarRentals.com, which are owned by Expedia; laterooms, which is owned by Tui Travel; Hotel Reservation Service (HRS) and hotel.de, which are owned by Hotel Reservation Service; and AutoEurope, Car Trawler,CarTrawler, Ctrip (in which we hold a minority interest), eLong (in which Ctrip has acquiredholds a significant minority ownership interest), MakeMyTrip, Webjet, Rakuten, Jalan, Hotel UrbanoezTravel (in which Ctrip holds a majority interest), Meituan (in which we hold a small minority interest), MakeMyTrip, OYO Rooms, Yatra, Cleartrip, Traveloka (in which Expedia holds a minority interest), Webjet, Rakuten, Jalan (which is owned by Recruit), ViajaNet, Submarino Viagens, Despegar/Decolar (in which Expedia holds a minority ownership interest), Fliggy (operated by Alibaba), 17u.com, HotelTonight, Bookit.com, CheapOair, Mr. and Mrs. Smith and eDreams ODIGEO;
online accommodation search and/or reservation services, such as Airbnb, and HomeAway (which is owned by Expedia) and Tujia (in which Ctrip and Expedia hold investments), currently focused primarily on vacation rental properties and other non-hotelalternative accommodations, including individually owned properties;properties such as homes and apartments;
large online companies, including search, social networking and marketplace companies such as Google, Facebook, Alibaba, Tencent, Amazon and Groupon;Baidu;
traditional travel agencies, travel management companies, wholesalers and tour operators, many of which combine physical locations, telephone services and online services, such as Carlson Wagonlit, American Express, BCD Travel, Concur (which is owned by SAP), Thomas Cook, TUI and Tui Travel,Hotelbeds (which recently acquired Tourico and GTA), as well as thousands of individual travel agencies around the world;
travel service providers such as accommodation providers, rental car companies and airlines, many of which have their own branded websites to which they drive business, including large hotel chains such as Marriott International, Hilton and Hyatt Hotels, as well as joint efforts by travel service providers such as Room Key, an online hotel reservation service owned by several major hotel companies;
online travel search and price comparison services (generally referred to as "meta-search" services), such as Google Flights, Google Hotel Ads, TripAdvisor, trivago (in which Expedia holds a majority ownership interest), Qunar (which is controlled by Ctrip), Skyscanner HotelsCombined(in which Ctrip holds a majority interest) and Traveloka;HotelsCombined;
online restaurant reservation services, such as TripAdvisor's LaFourchette, Yelp's SeatMe, Zomato, Bookatable (which is owned by Michelin) and, Quandoo (which is owned by Recruit) and Resy (in which Airbnb holds a minority interest); and
companies offering new rental car business models or car- or ride-sharing services that affect demand for rental cars, some of which have developed innovative technologies to improve efficiency of point-to-point transportation and extensively utilize mobile platforms, such as Uber, Lyft, Gett, Zipcar (which is owned by Avis), BlaBlaCar, Didi KuaidiChuxing, Grab and Ola.Ola; and
TripAdvisor, a leading travel researchcompanies offering technology services and review website, software solutions to accommodation providers, including large global distribution systems, or GDSs, such as Amadeus and Sabre.
Google, the world’s largest search engine and one of the world's largest search engine,companies, and other large, established companies with substantial resources and expertise in developing online commerce and facilitating Internet traffic have launched search, meta-search and/or reservation booking services and may create additional inroads into online travel. Google's travel bothmeta-search services, Google Hotel Ads and Google Flights, are growing rapidly and have achieved significant market share in the United States and internationally.a relatively short time. Meta-search services leverage their search technology to aggregate travel search results for the consumer's specific itinerary across travel service provider (e.g., accommodations, rental car companies or airlines), OTC and other travel websites and, in many instances, compete directly with us for customers. Meta-search services intend to appeal to consumers by showing broader travel search results than may be available through OTCOTCs or other travel websites, which could lead to travel service providers or others gaining a larger share of search traffic. TripAdvisor has begun
supporting its meta-search service with offline advertising, and trivago, atwo other leading meta-search service in Europe, has been aggressively advertising in the United States since 2013.companies, support their meta-search services with significant brand and performance advertising. Through our KAYAK meta-search service, we compete directly with other meta-search services. KAYAK depends on access to information related to travel service pricing, schedules, availability and other related information from OTCs and travel service providers. To the extent OTCs or travel service providers do not provide such information to KAYAK, KAYAK's business and results of operations could be harmed.
Consumers may favor travel services offered by meta-search websites or search companies over OTCs, which could reduce traffic to our travel reservation websites, increase consumer awareness of our competitors' brands and websites and increase our advertising and other customer acquisition costs. To the extent any such consumer behavior leads to growth in our KAYAK meta-search business, such growth may not result in sufficient increases in profits from our KAYAK meta-search business to offset any related decrease in profits experienced by our travel service reservation brands. Further, meta-search services may evolve into more traditional OTCs by offering consumers the ability to make travel reservations directly through their websites. For example, TripAdvisor facilitates hotel reservations on its transaction websites Tingo and Jetsetter and, with respect to some accommodations, allows consumers to make a reservation while staying on TripAdvisor at some accommodations through its "Instant Booking" offering. Instant Booking nowoffering, which includes participation from six outby many of the top 10leading global hotel brands, including Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels and Best Western International. We recently agreed to participate in "Instant Booking," and we do not yet know how this participation will affect our business. For example, while we expect to benefit from incremental business generated through "Instant Booking," participation could cannibalize business that would otherwise come to us through other ad offerings on TripAdvisor, directly (including after a consumer first visits TripAdvisor) or through other channels, some of which may be more profitable to us than reservations generated through "Instant Booking." Other meta-search providers may also offer direct booking services with travel service providers, which may lead to more consumers booking directly with a travel service provider rather than an OTC. For example, Google recently announced the discontinuation of its Hotel Finder meta-search service in favor of integrating hotels directly into search results and encouraging users to book hotel reservations directly through Google's "Book on Google" service, which it is now expanding from mobile phones to both desktops and tablets. To the extent consumers book travel services through a service such as Google's "Book on Google," a meta-search website or directly with a travel service provider after visiting a meta-search website or meta-search utility on a traditional search engine without using an OTC like us, or if meta-search services limit our participation within their search results or evolve into more traditional OTCs, we may need to increase our advertising or other customer acquisition costs to maintain or grow our reservation bookings and our business, gross bookings and results of operations could be adversely affected.chains.
There has been a proliferation of new channels through which accommodation providers can offer reservations. For example, companies such as Airbnb and HomeAway (which is owned by Expedia) and Airbnb offer services providing vacation rentalalternative accommodation property owners, particularly individuals, an online place to list their accommodations where travelers can search and book such properties. Airbnb may also seek toproperties and compete directly with us byour alternative accommodation services. In addition, Airbnb has begun offering hotel and other accommodationsreservations through theirits online and mobile platforms. Further, meta-search services may lower the cost for new companies to enter the market by providing a distribution channel without the cost of promoting the new entrant's brand to drive consumers directly to its website. If any of these services are successful in attracting consumers who would otherwise use our services, our business and results of operations would be harmed.
Our OpenTable restaurant reservation business competes or may in the future compete with other restaurant reservation providers, such as LaFourchette (which is owned by TripAdvisor), Yelp's SeatMe service, Zomato, Bookatable (which is owned by Michelin), and Quandoo (which is owned by Recruit).
Companies offering new rental car business models and car- and ride-sharing services such as Uber, Lyft, Gett, BlaBlaCar and Zipcar (which is owned by Avis) provide alternative options for consumers considering renting a car. These companies extensively utilize mobile platforms and new technologies to drive demand for their services. If any of these services are successful in attracting consumers who would otherwise use priceline.com's or rentalcars.com's rental car reservation services, our business and results of operations could be harmed.
Travel service providers, including multi-national hotel chains, rental car companies and airlines with which we conduct business, compete with us in online channels to drive consumers to their own websites in lieu of third-party distributors such as us. Travel service providers may charge lower prices and, in some instances, offer advantages such as loyalty points or special discounts to members of closed user groups (such as loyalty program participants or customers with registered accounts), any of which could make their offerings more attractive to consumers than our services. Discounting may increase as competition authorities seek to allow increased pricing flexibility among providers of travel service reservations. We may need to offer similar advantages to maintain or grow our reservation bookings, which could adversely impact our profitability. Further, consolidation among travel service providers, such as Marriott International's acquisition of Starwood
Hotels & Resorts, in November 2015, could result in lower rates of commission paid to OTCs, increased discounting and greater incentives for consumers to join closed user groups as such groupstravel service providers expand their offerings.
Widespread adoption of mobile devices, such as the iPhone, Android-enabled smart phones and tablets such as the iPad, coupled with the improved web browsing functionality and development of thousands of useful "apps" available on these devices, is driving substantial online traffic and commerce to mobile platforms. We have experienced a significant shift of business to mobile platforms and our advertising partners are also seeing a rapid shift of traffic to mobile platforms. Our major competitors and certain new market entrants are offering mobile apps for travel products and other mobile functionality, including proprietary last-minute discounts for accommodation reservations. Advertising and distribution opportunities may be more limited on mobile devices given their smaller screen sizes. The gross profit earned on a mobile transaction may be less than a typical desktop transaction due to different consumer purchasing patterns. For example, accommodation reservations made on a mobile device typically are for shorter lengths of stay and are not made as far in advance. Further, given the device sizes and technical limitations of tablets and smart phones, mobile consumers may not be willing to download multiple apps from multiple companies providing a similar service and instead prefer to use one or a limited number of apps for their mobile travel and restaurant research and reservation activity. As a result, the consumer experience with mobile apps as well as brand recognition and loyalty are likely to become increasingly important. Our mobile offerings have received generally strong reviews and are driving a material and increasing share of our business. We believe that mobile bookings present an opportunity for growth and are necessary to maintain and grow our business as consumers increasingly turn to mobile devices instead of a personal computer and to mobile apps in addition to a web browser. If we are unable to continue to rapidly innovate and create new, user-friendly and differentiated mobile offerings and efficiently and effectively advertise and distribute on these platforms, or if our mobile apps are not downloaded and used by consumers, we could lose market share to existing competitors or new entrants and our future growth and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Apple, one of the most innovative and successful companies in the world and producer of, among other things, the iPhone and iPad, obtained a patent for "iTravel," a mobile app that would allow a traveler to check in for a travel reservation. In addition, Apple's iPhone operating system includes "Wallet" (formerly known as "Passbook"), a virtual wallet app that holds tickets, boarding passes, coupons and gift cards, and, along with iTravel, may be indicative of Apple's intent to enter the travel reservations business in some capacity. Apple has substantial market share in the smart phone category and controls integration of offerings, including travel services, into its mobile operating system. Apple also has more experience producing and developing mobile apps and has access to greater resources than we have. Apple may use or expand iTravel, Wallet, Siri (Apple's voice recognition "concierge" service), Apple Pay (Apple's mobile payment system) or another mobile app or functionality as a means of entering the travel reservations marketplace. Similarly, Google's Android operating system is the leading smart phonesmartphone operating system in the world. As a result, Google could leverage its Android operating system to give its travel services a competitive advantage, either technically or with prominence on its Google Play app store or within its mobile search results. Further, Google is the leading Internet search service and has leveraged its search popularity to promote its travel meta-search services. Similarly, Apple, the producer of, among other things, the iPhone and iPad, obtained a patent for "iTravel," a mobile app that would allow a traveler to check in for a travel reservation. In addition, Apple's iPhone operating system includes "Wallet," a virtual wallet app that holds tickets, boarding passes, coupons and gift cards, and, along with iTravel, may be indicative of Apple's intent to enter the travel reservations business in some capacity. Apple has substantial market share in the smartphone category and controls integration of offerings, including travel services, into its mobile operating system. Apple also has more experience producing and developing mobile apps and has access to greater resources than we have. Apple may use, expand and/or integrate iTravel, Wallet, Siri (Apple's voice recognition "concierge" service), Apple Pay (Apple's mobile payment system) or another mobile app or functionality as a means of entering the travel reservations marketplace. To the extent Apple or Google use their mobile operating systems, or app distribution channels or, in the case of Google, search services, to favor their own travel service offerings, our business could be harmed.
Competition in U.S. online travel remains intense and online travel companies are creating new promotions and consumer value features in an effort to gain competitive advantages. In particular, the competition to provide "opaque" accommodation reservation services to consumers, an area in which our priceline.com business has been a leader, has become more intense. For example, Expedia makes opaque accommodation room reservations available through its Hotwire brand and on its principal website under the name "Expedia Unpublished Rates" and has, we believe, supported this initiative with steeper discounts through lower margins. We believe these offerings, in particular "Expedia Unpublished Rates," have adversely impacted the market share and year-over-year growth rate of priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® opaque hotel reservation service, which has been experiencing a decline in room night reservations since 2011. Competitors could also launch opaque rental car services, which could negatively impact priceline.com's opaque Name Your Own Price® rental car reservation service. If Expedia or others are successful in growing their opaque reservation services, we may have less consumer demand for our opaque reservation services over time, and we would face more competition for access to the limited supply of discounted reservation rates. As a result of this increased competition, our share of the discount accommodation reservation market in the United States could further decrease, which could harm our business and results of operations. In addition, high hotel occupancy levels in the United States have had an adverse impact on our access to hotel rooms for our opaque hotel reservation services. Further, growth in discounted closed user group retail prices for hotel rooms lessens the price difference for members of the closed user group between a retail hotel reservation and an opaque hotel reservation, which we believe has led to fewer consumers using our opaque hotel reservation services.
During 2015, Expedia acquired Travelocity, Orbitz and HomeAway. To the extent these acquisitions enhance Expedia's ability to compete with us, in particular in the United States, which is Expedia's, Travelocity's, Orbitz's and HomeAway's largest market, our market share, business and results of operations could be adversely affected.harmed.
Operations and Technology
Our business is supported by multiple systems and platforms, which were designed with an emphasis on scalability, performance and reliability. The platforms are largelygenerally independent among Booking.com, priceline.com, KAYAK, agoda.com, rentalcars.com and OpenTable. Theour brands, though some systems have become increasingly connected or shared. Our software platforms and architecture use a variety of widely-used software tools within each corporate implementation, including server-side Java, C++, ASP, .Net, Perl, PHP, JavaScript and SQL scripts integrated with Oracle, MySQL, MongoDB, Cassandra and Microsoft SQL-server database systems.
These internal platforms were designed to include open application protocol interfaces that can provide connectivity to vendors in the industries in which we operate. These include large global systems, such as accommodation, airline ticket and rental car reservation systems and financial service providers, as well as individual accommodation service providers, such as individual hotels. Our applications utilize digital certificates to help us conduct secure communications and transactions, as appropriate.
The systems infrastructure and web and database servers of our worldwide operations are primarily hosted in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong and four locations in the United States, each of which provides network connectivity, networking infrastructure UPS conditioned power and 24-hour monitoring and engineering support typical of hosted data centers. All data center facilities have a continuous power supply system, generators, redundant servers and multiple back-up systems. Although we take steps to mitigate the effects of any loss or reduction in service at one of our hosting facilities, if a hosting facility were inaccessible or otherwise experienced a disruption in service for any reason, we could experience a disruption to our services, loss of transactions and revenue and consumer complaints.
CustomerWe provide customer service for our international business is provided primarily through a mix of in-house call centers. We outsource most of the call centercenters and customer service functions for our U.S. businesses.outsourced third-party services.
Intellectual Property
Over time and through acquisitions, we have assembled a portfolio of patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, domain names, and trade secrets covering our services. We regard the protection of our intellectual property as critical to our success. We protect our intellectual property rights by relying on national, federal, state and common law rights in the United States and internationally, as well as a variety of administrative procedures, regulations, conventions and treaties. We also rely on contractual restrictions to protect our proprietary rights in our services. We enter into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with employees and contractors and nondisclosure agreements with parties with whom we conduct business in order to limit access to and disclosure of our proprietary information. We also have procured various intellectual property licenses from third parties.
WeAs we deem appropriate, we pursue the registration of our intellectual property, such as domain names, trademarks and service marks, in the United States and internationally. We currently hold numerousvarious issued U.S. and international patents and pending U.S. and international patent applications. We file additional patent applications on new inventions, as we deem appropriate. Effective trademark, copyright, patent, domain name, trade dress and trade secret protection is expensive to maintain and may require litigation. As we continue to expand internationally, protecting our intellectual property rights and other proprietary rights involves an increasing number of jurisdictions, a process that is expensive and time consumingtime-consuming and may not be successful in every location. See "Part I Item 1A Risk Factors - "We face risks related to our intellectual property."
Governmental Regulation
The services we provide are subject to various laws and regulations. For example, our travel services are subject to laws governing the offer and/or sale of travel services as well as laws requiring us to register as a "seller of travel" in certain jurisdictions. In addition, our services may be subject to various taxing regulations. See "Risk Factors - We may have exposure to additional tax liabilities," "Risk Factors - Our financial results will likely be materially impacted by payment of income taxes in the future" and "Risk Factors - Adverse application of state and local tax laws could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations."
We are subject to laws that require protection of user privacy and user data. In our processing of reservations, we receive and store a large volume of personally identifiable data in the United States, Europe and Asia. This data is increasingly subject to laws and regulations in numerous jurisdictions around the world. Such government action is typically intended to protect the privacy of personal data that is collected, processed and transmitted in or from the governing jurisdiction. See "Risk Factors - Our processing, storage, use and disclosure of personal data exposes us to risks of internal or external security breaches and could give rise to liabilities" and "Risk Factors - 'Cookie' laws could negatively impact the way we do business."
We are also subject to anti-trust and competition laws, and the competition authorities in various jurisdictions have begun investigations into competitive practices within the online travel industry, including with respect to our business. See "Risk Factors - As the size of our business grows, we may become increasingly subject to the scrutiny of anti-trust and competition regulators."
In addition, our strategy involves rapid geographic expansion around the world, including in Asia, South America and elsewhere, many of which regions and countries have different legislation, regulatory environments and tax laws. Compliance with legal, regulatory and tax requirements around the world places demands on our time and resources, and we may nonetheless experience unforeseen and potentially adverse legal, regulatory or tax consequences, which may have an adverse effect on our business. See "Risk Factors - We face risks related to the growth rate and expansion of our international business" and "Risk Factors - Regulatory and legal requirements and uncertainties could harm our business."
Seasonality
A meaningful amount of our gross bookings are generated early in the year, as customers plan and reserve their spring and summer vacations in Europe and North America. FromHowever, historically we generally have not recognized revenue from these bookings until the travel is completed (on “check-out”), which can be in a cost perspective,quarter other than when the reservation is booked. Beginning on January 1, 2018, we began recognizing revenue for financial reporting purposes in our 2018 financial statements when the travel begins (on “check-in”), which can also be in a quarter other than when the reservation is booked. In contrast, we expense the substantial majority of our advertising activities as the expense is incurred, which, in the case of performance advertising in particular, is typically in the quarter in which associated reservations are booked. However,As a result of this potential timing difference between when we generally do notrecord advertising expense and when we recognize associated revenue, until future quarters when the travel occurs. As a result, we have historically experienced our highest levels of profitability in the second and third quarters of the year, which is when we experience the highest levels of accommodation checkoutscheck-outs for the year for our European and North American businesses. We expect this to continue under our new revenue recognition policy. The first quarter of the year is typically our lowest level of profitability and may experience volatility in earnings growth rates due to these and other seasonal timing factors. For our Asia-Pacific business, we experience the highest levels of booking and travel consumption for our Asia-Pacific and South American businessesaccommodation bookings in the first and fourth quarters. Therefore, if these businesses grow faster than our European and North American businesses, our operating results for the firstthird and fourth quarters of the year, and the highest levels of travel consumption in the fourth quarter. As the relative growth rates for these businesses fluctuate, the quarterly distribution of our operating results may becomevary.
In recent years, we experienced an expansion of the booking window (the average time between the making of a travel reservation and the travel), which impacts the relationship between our gross bookings (recognized at the time of booking) and our revenue and gross profit (recognized at the time of check-out or, after January 1, 2018, at the time of check-in). Recently, we have seen a modest contraction of the booking window. Future changes in the booking window may cause additional differences between our gross bookings growth rates and revenue growth rates.
Upon adoption of the new revenue recognition accounting standard, for periods beginning after December 31, 2017, the timing of revenue recognition for travel reservation services will change. For example, revenue for accommodation reservation services, which is primarily recognized at check-out under the current accounting standard, will change to be recognized at check-in under the new revenue standard. We currently expect this timing change will not have a significant impact to our annual revenues and net income, although the effects on quarterly revenues and net income are expected to be more significant over timebecause a meaningful amount of travel typically starts in December each year and is completed in January of the following year. Under the new revenue standard, this revenue will be recognized in the fourth quarter each year rather than the first quarter of the following year. Therefore, we estimate that revenue will be more than 2% lower in first quarter of 2018, slightly less than 1% lower in second and third quarters of 2018 and 4% higher in fourth quarter of 2018 recognized at check-in, as a percentage of full-year operating results.it is under the new revenue standard, than it would have been if recognized at check-out, as it would have been under the current accounting standard.
In addition, the date on which certain holidays fall can have an impact on our quarterly results. For example, in 20132017, our second quarter year-over-year growth rates in revenue, gross profit, operating income and operating margins were adversely affected by Easter falling in the first quarter instead of the second quarter, as it did in 2012. Conversely, our second quarter 2014 year-over-year growth rates in revenue, gross profit, operating income and operating margins were favorablypositively impacted by Easter falling in the second quarter instead of the first quarter, as it did in 2013. Similarly2016. Conversely, our first quarter 2017 year-over-year growth rates in revenue, gross profit, operating income and operating margins were adversely impacted by Easter falling in the second quarter instead of the first quarter, as it did in 2016. Similar to 2013,2017, in 20162018 Easter will fall in the firstsecond quarter instead of the first quarter. However, because Easter will be on April 1, 2018 and we expect that a meaningful amount of Easter travel will commence in the week leading up to Easter, which is during the first quarter 2018, we expect that Easter will have a negative effect on our second quarter 2018 year-over-year growth rates and will therefore likely have a positive effect on our first quarter 20162018 year-over-year growth rates due to the change in our revenue recognition policy from "check-out" to "check-in." The timing of other holidays such as Chinese New Year, Carnival and a negative effect onRamadan can also impact our second quarter 2016quarterly year-over-year growth rates as compared to the same periods in 2015 when Easter fell in the second quarter.rates.
The impact of seasonality can be exaggerated in the short term by the gross bookings growth rate of the business. For example, in periods where our gross bookings growth rate substantially decelerates, such as the third quarter of 2015, our operating margins typically benefit from relatively less variable advertising expense. In addition, gross profit growth is typically less impacted by decelerating gross bookings growth in the near term due to the benefit of revenue related to reservations booked in previous quarters. Conversely, in periods where our gross bookings growth rate accelerates, our operating margins are typically negatively impacted by relatively more variable advertising expense. In addition, gross profit growth is typically less impacted by accelerating gross bookings growth in the near term as a portion of the revenue recognized from such gross bookings will occur in future quarters.
Employees
As of December 31, 2015,2017, we employed approximately 15,50022,900 employees, of which approximately 3,200 are4,200 were based in the United States and approximately 12,300 are18,700 were based outside the United States. We also retain independent contractors to support our customer service, website content translation and system support functions.
We have never had a work stoppage and we consider our relations with our employees to be good. Although we have works councils or employee representatives in certain countries, our U.S. employees are not represented by a labor union and are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to continue to attract, integrate, retain and motivate highly qualified technical and managerial personnel, for whom competition is intense. See "Part I Item 1A Risk Factors - -"We rely on the performance of highly skilled personnel; and, if we are unable to retain or motivate key personnel or hire, retain and motivate qualified personnel, our business would be harmed."
The Priceline Group
Company Websites
We maintain websites with the addresses www.pricelinegroup.com,www.bookingholdings.com, www.booking.com, www.priceline.com, www.kayak.com, www.agoda.com, www.rentalcars.com, www.opentable.com and www.opentable.com,www.momondo.com, among others. We are not including the information contained on our websites as a part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We make available free of charge through the www.pricelinegroup.comwww.bookingholdings.com website our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the SEC. These reports and other information are also available, free of charge, at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the Company's Code of Conduct is available through the www.pricelinegroup.comwww.bookingholdings.com website and any amendments to or waivers of the Code of Conduct will be disclosed on that website.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The following risk factors and other information included in this Annual Report should be carefully considered. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also impair our business, results of operations or financial condition. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
Declines or disruptions in the travel industry could adversely affect our business and financial performance.
Our financial results and prospects are significantlyalmost entirely dependent upon the sale of travel services. Travel, including accommodation (including hotels, motels, resorts, homes, apartments, bed and breakfasts, hostels apartments, vacation rentals and other properties), rental car and airline ticket reservations, is significantly dependent on discretionary spending levels. As a result, sales of travel services tend to decline during general economic downturns and recessions whenand times of political or economic uncertainty as consumers engage in less discretionary spending, are concerned about unemployment or inflation, have reduced access to credit or experience other concerns or effects that reduce their ability or willingness to travel. For example, the recent worldwide recession led to a weakening in the fundamental demand for our travel reservation services and an increase in the number of consumers who canceled existing travel reservations with us. Also during the recession, the accommodation industry experienced a significant decrease in occupancy rates and average daily rates ("ADRs"). While lower occupancy rates have historically resulted in accommodation providers increasing their distribution of accommodation reservations through third-party intermediaries such as us, our remuneration for accommodation reservation transactions changes proportionately with price, and therefore, lower ADRs generally have a negative effect on our accommodation reservation business and a negative effect on our gross profit. Further, during periods of higher occupancy rates, accommodation providers may decrease their distribution of accommodation reservations through third-party intermediaries like us, in particular through our discount services such as priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® and Express Deals® services.
Many governments around the world,Perceived or actual adverse economic conditions, including the U.S.slow, slowing or negative economic growth, unemployment rates, inflation and weakening currencies, and concerns over government and certain European governments, are operating at large financial deficits, resulting in high levels of sovereign debt inresponses such countries. Greece, Ireland, Portugal and certain other European Union countries with high levels of sovereign debt at times have had difficulty refinancing their debt. Failure to reach political consensus regarding workable solutions to these issues has resulted in a high level of uncertainty regarding the future economic outlook. This uncertainty, as well as concern over governmental austerity measures including higher taxes and reduced government spending, could impair consumer spending and adversely affect travel demand. Greece, in particular, has recently faced and continues
Political uncertainty, conditions or events, such as the United Kingdom’s decision to face significant economic challenges, in large part due to its high levels of sovereign debt and difficulties re-financing that debt. This may increase the likelihood that Greece, and in turn other countries, could exitleave the European Union which could lead to added economic uncertainty("Brexit") and further devaluation or eventual abandonment of the Euro common currency.concerns regarding certain E.U. members with sovereign debt default risks, can also negatively affect consumer spending and adversely affect travel demand. At times, we have experienced volatility in transaction growth rates, andincreased cancellation rates and weaker trends in hotel ADRsaverage daily rates ("ADRs") across many regions of the world, particularly in those European countries that appear to be most affected by economic uncertainties. Weand political uncertainties, which we believe thatare due at least in part to these business trends are likely impacted by weak economicmacro-economic conditions and sovereign debt concerns. Similarly, while China's economy experienced rapid growth over the past 20 years, growth of the Chinese economy slowed in 2015 and concerns about its future growth have had an adverse impact on financial markets, currency exchange rates and other economies. Disruptions in the economies of such countriesEconomic or political disruptions could cause, contribute to or be indicative of deteriorating macro-economic conditions, which in turn could negatively affect travel to or from such countries or the travel industry in general and therefore have an adverse impact on our results of operations. In addition,While lower occupancy rates have historically resulted in accommodation providers increasing their distribution of accommodation reservations through third-party intermediaries such as us, our remuneration for accommodation reservation transactions changes proportionately with price, and therefore, lower average daily rates generally have a negative effect on our accommodation reservation business and a negative effect on our gross profit.
These and other macro-economic uncertainties, such as oil prices, geopolitical tensions and differing central bank monetary policies, have led to significant volatility in the exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and the Euro, the British Pound Sterling and other currencies. Significant fluctuations in currency exchange rates, stock markets and oil prices can also impact consumer travel behavior. For example, although lower oil prices may lead to increased travel activity as consumers have more discretionary funds and airline fares decrease, recent declines in oil prices and stock market volatility may be indicative of broader macro-economic weakness, which in turn could negatively affect the travel industry and our business.
Since the United Kingdom's Brexit vote, global markets and foreign exchange rates have experienced increased volatility, including a decline in the value of the British Pound Sterling as compared to the U.S. Dollar. Upon leaving the European Union, among other things, the United Kingdom could lose access to the single European Union market and travel between the United Kingdom and European Union countries could be restricted. We could face new regulatory costs and challenges if U.K. regulations and policies diverge from those of the European Union. Since the timing and terms of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union are uncertain, we are unable to predict the effect Brexit will have on our business (including the effect on non-U.K. citizens employed by us in the United Kingdom) and results of operations. The United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union could result in other member countries also determining to leave, which could lead to added economic and political uncertainty and devaluation or eventual abandonment of the Euro common currency, any of which could have a negative impact on travel and therefore our business and results of operations.
The uncertainty of macro-economic factors and their impact on consumer behavior, which may differ across regions, makes it more difficult to forecast industry and consumer trends and the timing and degree of their impact on our markets and business, which in turn could adversely affect our ability to effectively manage our business and adversely affect our results of operations.
In addition, other unforeseen events beyond our control, such as oil prices, stock market volatility, terrorist attacks, unusual or extreme weather or natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, droughts and volcanic eruptions,
travel-related health concerns including pandemics and epidemics such as Ebola, Zika Influenza H1N1, avian bird flu, SARS and MERS, political instability, changes in economic conditions, regional hostilities, imposition of taxes or surcharges by regulatory authorities, changes in trade or immigration policies or travel-related accidents, can disrupt travel or otherwise result in declines in travel demand. Because these events or concerns, and the full impact of their effects, are largely unpredictable, they can dramatically and suddenly affect travel behavior by consumers, and therefore demand for our services, which can adversely affect our business and results of operations. For example, our business and operations werehave been negatively impacted by
the terror terrorist attacks, in Paris in November 2015; Hurricane Sandy,Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, which disrupted travel in the northeasternsoutheastern United States and parts of the Caribbean, respectively, in late 2012; a major earthquake, tsunamiAugust 2017, and nuclear emergencythe coup attempt in JapanTurkey in 2011; severe flooding in Thailand in October 2011; and disruptive civil unrest in Thailand in 2010 and 2014. In addition, MERS hadJuly 2016. Also, as European countries respond to an adverse impact on our business in northeast Asia in 2015. Also, in 2015 regional hostilities in the Middle East spurred an unprecedentedincreased flow of migrants from that region to Europe. As countries respond to the European migrant crisis,Middle East, travel between countries inwithin the European Union and to and from the region could be subject to increased restrictions or the closing of borders, which could negatively impact travel to, from or within the European Union and adversely affect our business and results of operations. Certain jurisdictions, particularly in Europe, are considering regulations intended to address the issue of "overtourism," including by restricting access to city centers or popular tourist destinations or limiting accommodation offerings in surrounding areas, such as by restricting construction of new hotels or the renting of homes or apartments. Such regulations could adversely affect travel to, or our ability to offer accommodations in, such markets, which could negatively impact our business, growth and results of operations. The United States has implemented or proposed, or is considering, various travel restrictions and actions that could affect U.S. trade policy or practices, which could also adversely affect travel to or from the United States. Future terrorist attacks, natural disasters, health concerns, or civil or political unrest or other events outside our control could further disrupt our business and operations and adversely affect our results of operations.
Intense competition could reduce our market share and harm our financial performance.
We compete globally with both online and traditional travel and restaurant reservation and related services. The marketmarkets for the services we offer isare intensely competitive, and current and new competitors can launch new services at a relatively low cost. Some of our current and potential competitors, such as Google, Apple, Alibaba, Tencent, Amazon and Facebook, have access to significantly greater and more diversified resources than we do, and they may be able to leverage other aspects of their businesses (e.g., search or mobile device businesses) to enable them to compete more effectively with us. For example, Google has entered various aspects of the online travel market, through its acquisition in 2011 of ITA Software, Inc.,including by establishing a major flight information software company, its hotel search and reservation booking businessmeta-search product ("Book on Google"Google Flights") and a hotel meta-search product ("Google Hotel Ads") that are growing rapidly, as well as its license of hotel-booking software from Room 77."Book on Google" reservation functionality and its Google Trips app.
We currently, or may potentially in the future, compete with a variety of companies, including:
online travel reservation services such as Expedia, Hotels.com, Hotwire, Orbitz, Travelocity, Wotif, Cheaptickets, ebookers, HotelClub, RatesToGo CarRentals.com and Venere,CarRentals.com, which are owned by Expedia; laterooms, which is owned by Tui Travel; Hotel Reservation Service (HRS) and hotel.de, which are owned by Hotel Reservation Service; and AutoEurope, Car Trawler,CarTrawler, Ctrip (in which we hold a minority interest), eLong (in which Ctrip has acquiredholds a significant minority ownership interest), MakeMyTrip, Webjet, Rakuten, Jalan, Hotel UrbanoezTravel (in which Ctrip holds a majority interest), Meituan (in which we hold a small minority interest), MakeMyTrip, OYO Rooms, Yatra, Cleartrip, Traveloka (in which Expedia holds a minority interest), Webjet, Rakuten, Jalan (which is owned by Recruit), ViajaNet, Submarino Viagens, Despegar/Decolar (in which Expedia holds a minority interest), Fliggy (operated by Alibaba), 17u.com, HotelTonight, Bookit.com, CheapOair Mr. and Mrs. Smith and eDreams ODIGEO;
online accommodation search and/or reservation services, such as Airbnb, and HomeAway (which is owned by Expedia) and Tujia (in which Ctrip and Expedia hold investments), currently focused primarily on vacation rental properties and other non-hotelalternative accommodations, including individually owned properties;properties such as homes and apartments;
large online companies, including search, social networking and marketplace companies such as Google, Facebook, Alibaba, Tencent, Amazon and Groupon;Baidu;
traditional travel agencies, travel management companies, wholesalers and tour operators, many of which combine physical locations, telephone services and online services, such as Carlson Wagonlit, American Express, BCD Travel, Concur (which is owned by SAP), Thomas Cook, TUI, and Tui Travel,Hotelbeds (which acquired Tourico and GTA in 2017), as well as thousands of individual travel agencies around the world;
travel service providers such as accommodation providers, rental car companies and airlines, many of which have their own branded websites to which they drive business, including large hotel chains such as Marriott International, Hilton and Hyatt Hotels, as well as joint efforts by travel service providers such as Room Key, an online hotel reservation service owned by several major hotel companies;
online travel search and price comparison services (generally referred to as "meta-search" services), such as Google Flights, Google Hotel Ads, TripAdvisor, trivago (in which Expedia holds a majority ownership interest), Qunar (which is controlled by Ctrip), Skyscanner HotelsCombined(in which Ctrip holds a majority interest) and Traveloka;HotelsCombined;
online restaurant reservation services, such as TripAdvisor's LaFourchette, Yelp's SeatMe, Zomato, Bookatable (which is owned by Michelin) and, Quandoo (which is owned by Recruit) and Resy (in which Airbnb holds a minority interest); and
companies offering new rental car business models or car- or ride-sharing services that affect demand for rental cars, some of which have developed innovative technologies to improve efficiency of point-to-point transportation and extensively utilize mobile platforms, such as Uber, Lyft, Gett, Zipcar (which is owned by Avis), BlaBlaCar, Didi KuaidiChuxing, Grab and Ola.Ola; and
TripAdvisor, a leading travel researchcompanies offering technology services and review website, software solutions to accommodation providers, including large global distribution systems, or GDSs, such as Amadeus and Sabre.
Google, the world's largest search engine and one of the world's largest companies and other large, established companies with substantial resources and expertise in developing online commerce and facilitating Internetinternet traffic have launched search, meta-search and/or reservation booking services and may create additional inroads into online travel. Google's travel bothmeta-search services, Google Hotel Ads and Google Flights, are growing rapidly and have achieved significant market share in the United States and internationally.a relatively short time. Meta-search services leverage their search technology to aggregate travel search results for the consumer's specific itinerary across travel service provider (e.g., accommodations, rental car companies or airlines), online travel company ("OTC") and other travel websites and, in many instances, compete directly with us for customers. Meta-search services intend to appeal to consumers by showing broader travel search results than may be available through OTCs or other travel websites, which could lead to travel service providers or others gaining a larger share of search traffic. TripAdvisor has begun supportingGoogle leverages its general search business to promote its meta-search service with offline advertising,offerings by showing meta-search results at the top of its organic search results. Further, TripAdvisor and trivago, atwo other leading meta-search service in Europe, has been aggressively advertising in the United States since 2013.companies, support their meta-search services with significant brand and performance advertising. Through our KAYAK meta-search service, we compete directly with other meta-search services. KAYAK depends on access to information related to travel service pricing, schedules, availability and other related information from OTCs and travel service providers. To the extent OTCs or travel service providers do not provide such information to KAYAK, KAYAK's business and results of operations could be harmed.
Consumers may favor travel services offered by meta-search websites or search companies over OTCs, which could reduce traffic to our travel reservation websites, increase consumer awareness of our competitors' brands and websites and increase our advertising and other customer acquisition costs. To the extent any such consumer behavior leads to growth in our KAYAK meta-search business, such growth may not result in sufficient increases in profits from our KAYAK meta-search business to offset any related decrease in profits experienced by our travel service reservationOTC brands. Further, meta-search services may evolve into more traditional OTCs by offering consumers the ability to make travel reservations directly through their websites. For example, TripAdvisor facilitates hotel reservations on its transaction websites Tingo and Jetsetter and, with respect to some accommodations, allows consumers to make a reservation at some accommodations while staying on TripAdvisor through its "Instant Booking" offering.offering, which includes participation by many of the leading global hotel chains. We have been participating in Instant Booking now includessince 2015, however such participation from six out of the top 10 global hotel brands, including Marriott International, Hyatt Hotelsmay not result in substantial incremental bookings and Best Western International. We recently agreed to participate in "Instant Booking," and we do not yet know how this participation will affect our business. For example, while we expect to benefit from incremental business generated through "Instant Booking," participation could cannibalize business that would otherwise come to us through other ad offerings on TripAdvisor, directly (including after a consumer first visits TripAdvisor) or through other channels, some of which may be more profitable to us than reservations generated through "InstantInstant Booking." Other meta-search providers may also offer direct booking services with travel service providers, which may lead to more consumers booking directly with a travel service provider rather than an OTC. For example, Google recently announced the discontinuation of its Hotel Finder meta-search service in favor of integrating hotels directly into search results and encouraging users to book hotel reservations directly through Google's "Book on Google" service, which it is now expanding from mobile phones to both desktops and tablets. To the extent consumers book travel services through a service such as TripAdvisor's Instant Booking, Google's "Book on Google," a meta-search website or directly with a travel service provider after visiting a meta-search website or meta-search utility on a traditional search engine without using an OTC like us, or if meta-search services limit our participation within their search results or evolve into more traditional OTCs, we may need to increase our advertising or other customer acquisition costs to maintain or grow our reservation bookings and our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.
There has been a proliferation of new channels through which accommodation providers can offer reservations. For example, companies such as Airbnb and HomeAway (which is owned by Expedia) offer services providing vacation rentalalternative accommodation property owners, particularly individuals, an online place to list their accommodations where travelers can search and book such properties. Airbnb may also seek toproperties and compete directly with us byour alternative accommodation services. In addition, Airbnb has begun offering hotel and other accommodationsreservations through theirits online and mobile platforms. Further, meta-search services may lower the cost for new companies to enter the market by providing a distribution channel without the cost of promoting the new entrant's brand to drive consumers directly to its website. If any of these services are successful in attracting consumers who would otherwise use our services, our business and results of operations would be harmed.
Our OpenTable restaurant
Although we believe that providing an extensive collection of properties, excellent customer service and an intuitive, easy to use website or mobile experience are important factors influencing a consumer's decision to make a reservation, business competes or mayfor many consumers, particularly in certain markets, the future compete with other restaurant reservation providers, such as LaFourchette (whichprice of the travel service is owned by TripAdvisor), Yelp's SeatMe service, Zomato, Bookatable (whichthe primary factor determining whether a consumer will book a reservation. As a result, it is owned by Michelin), and Quandoo (which is owned by Recruit).
Companies offering new rental car business models and car- and ride-sharingincreasingly important to offer travel services, such as Uber, Lyft, Gett, BlaBlaCarhotel room rates, at competitive prices, whether through discounts, coupons, closed-user group rates or loyalty programs, or otherwise. Discounting and Zipcar (whichcouponing coupled with a high degree of consumer shopping behavior is owned by Avis) provide alternative options for consumers considering rentingparticularly common in Asian markets, while brand loyalty in such markets can be less important. In some cases, our competitors are willing to make little or no profit on a car. These companies extensively utilize mobile platforms and new technologiestransaction, or offer travel services at a loss, in order to drive demand for their services.gain market share. If any ofwe are unable to effectively compete in these services are successful in attracting consumers who would otherwise usemarkets, our rental car reservation services, ourmarket share, business and results of operations could be harmed.materially adversely affected.
Travel service providers, including multi-national hotel chains, rental car companies and airlines with which we conduct business, compete with us in online channels to drive consumers to their own websites in lieu of third-party distributors such as us. Travel service providers may charge lower prices and, in some instances, offer advantages such as loyalty points or special discounts to members of closed user groups (such as loyalty program participants or consumers with registered accounts), any of which could make their offerings more attractive to consumers than our services. For example, many large hotel chains have instituted additional initiatives, such as increased discounting and incentives, to encourage consumers to book accommodations directly through their websites. Discounting may increase as competition authorities seek to allow increased pricing flexibility among providers of travel service reservations. We may need to offer similar advantages to maintain or grow our reservation bookings, which could adversely impact our profitability. Further, consolidation among travel service providers, such as Marriott International's acquisition in 2017 of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, could result in lower rates of commission paid to OTCs, increased discounting and greater incentives for consumers to join closed user groups as such travel service providers expand their offerings. If we are not as effective as our competitors (including hotel chains) in offering discounted prices to closed user groups or if we are unable to entice members of our competitors' closed user groups to use our services, our ability to grow and compete could be harmed.
Competition in U.S. online travel remains intense and online travel companies are creating new promotions and consumer value features in an effort to gain competitive advantages. In particular, the competition to provide "opaque" accommodation reservation services to consumers, an area in which our priceline.com business has been a leader, has become more intense. For example, Expedia makes opaque accommodation room reservations available through its Hotwire brand and on its principal website under the name "Expedia Unpublished Rates" and has, we believe, supported this initiative with steeper discounts through lower margins. We believe these offerings, in particular "Expedia Unpublished Rates," have adversely impacted the market share and year-over-year growth rate for priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® opaque hotel reservation service, which has been experiencing a decline in room night reservations since 2011. Competitors could also launch opaque rental car services, which could negatively impact priceline.com's opaque Name Your Own Price® rental car reservation service. If Expedia or others are successful in growing their opaque reservation services, we may have less consumer demand for our opaque reservation services over time, and we would face more competition for access to the limited supply of discounted reservation rates. As a result of this increased competition, our share of the discount accommodation reservation market in the United States could further decrease, which could harm our business and results of operations. In addition, high hotel occupancy levels in the United States have had an adverse impact on our access to hotel rooms for our opaque hotel reservation services. Further, growth in discounted closed user group retail prices for hotel rooms lessens the price difference for members of the closed user group between a retail hotel reservation and an opaque hotel reservation, which we believe has led to fewer consumers using our opaque hotel reservation services.
During 2015, Expedia acquired Travelocity, Orbitz and HomeAway. To the extent these acquisitions enhance Expedia's ability to compete with us, in particular in the United States, which is Expedia's, Travelocity's, Orbitz's and HomeAway's largest market, our market share, business and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We are exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
We conduct a substantial majority of our business outside the United States but we report our results in U.S. Dollars. As a result, we face exposure to adverse movements in currency exchange rates as the financial results of our international businesses are translated from local currency (principally Euros and British Pounds Sterling) into U.S. Dollars. TheThroughout 2015, the U.S. Dollar strengthened significantly year-over-year relative to substantially all currencies in which we transact, most notably the Euro, Brazilian Real, British Pound Sterling, Russian Ruble and Australian Dollar. In 2016, the U.S. Dollar continued to be stronger year-over-year relative to the British Pound Sterling, Russian Ruble and many other major currencies in which we transact. After the "Brexit" referendum in the United Kingdom in June 2016, the U.S. Dollar strengthened significantly against the British Pound Sterling. As a result of these currency exchange rate changes, in 2015 and 2016 our foreign-currency-denominated net assets, gross bookings (an operating and statistical metric referring to the total dollar value, generally inclusive of all taxes and fees, of all travel services booked by our customers, net of cancellations), gross profit, operating expenses and net income were lower as expressed in U.S. Dollars. In 2017, the Euro, British Pound Sterling and certain other currencies in which we transact strengthened against the Euro during 2014 and 2015, moving from an exchange rate of 1.38 U.S. Dollars per Euro as of January 1, 2014 to 1.09 U.S. Dollars per Euro as of December 31, 2015. TheDollar. If the U.S. Dollar also strengthened significantly during this time frame as comparedwere to many other currencies. As a result,again strengthen, our foreign currency denominatedforeign-currency-denominated net assets, gross bookings, gross profit, operating expenses and net income have been negatively impacted aswhen expressed in U.S. Dollars. For example, gross profit from our international businesses grew year-over-year on a constant currency basis by approximately 28% for the year ended December 31, 2015, but, as a result of the impact of changes in currency exchange rates, grew by 11.6% as reported in U.S. Dollars.Dollars would decrease.
Certain European Union countries with high levels of sovereign debtRecent years have had difficulty at times refinancing their debt. Concern around devaluation or abandonment of the Euro common currency, or that sovereign default risk may become more widespread, has led toseen significant volatility in the exchange rate between the Euro, the British Pound Sterling, the U.S. Dollar and other currencies. In March 2015, the European Central Bank, in an effort to stimulate the European economy, launched a quantitative easing program to purchase public debt.
Significant fluctuations in currency exchange rates can affect consumer travel behavior. For example, the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar relative to the Euro in 2015 resulted inmade it becoming more expensive for Europeans to travel to the United States, and the dramatic depreciation of the Russian Ruble in 2014 and 2015 resulted inmade it becoming more expensive for Russians to travel to Europe and most other non-Ruble destinations. Consumers traveling from a country whose currency has weakened against other currencies may book lower ADR accommodations, choose to shorten or cancel their international travel
plans or choose to travel domestically rather than internationally, any of which could adversely affect our gross bookings, revenues and results of operations, in particular when expressed in U.S. Dollars.
Additionally, foreign exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency result in gains and losses that are reflected in our financial results.
Volatility in foreign exchange rates and its impact on consumer behavior, which may differ across regions, makesmake it more difficult to forecast industry and consumer trends and the timing and degree of their impact on our markets and business, which in turn could adversely affect our ability to effectively manage our business and adversely affect our results of operations.
We face risks related to the growth rate and the global expansion of our international business.
We derive a substantial portion of our revenues, and have significant operations, outside the United States. Our international operationsbusinesses include the Netherlands-based accommodation reservation service Booking.com, the Asia-based accommodation reservation service agoda.com, the U.K.-based rental car reservation service rentalcars.comRentalcars.com (which began operating as part of Booking.com on January 1, 2018) and, to a lesser extent, KAYAK's international meta-search services and OpenTable's international restaurant reservation business. Our international OTC operations have achieved significant year-over-year growth in their gross bookings (an operating and statistical metric referring to the total dollar value, generally inclusive of all taxes and fees, of all travel services booked by our customers, net of cancellations). Thisbookings. These growth rate,rates, which hashave contributed significantly to our growth in consolidated revenue, gross profit and earnings, hashave declined, a trend we expect to continue as the absolute level of our gross bookings increases. Other factors may also slow the growth rates of our international businesses, including, for example, worldwide or regional economic conditions, any strengthening of the U.S. Dollar versus the Euro, the British Pound Sterling and other currencies, declines in ADRs, increases in cancellations, adverse changes in travel market conditions and the competitiveness of the market. A decline in the growth rates of our international businesses could have a negative impact on our future consolidated revenue gross profit and earnings growth rates and, as a consequence, our stock price.
Our strategy involves continued international expansion in regions throughout the world. Many of these regions have different economic conditions, customs, languages, currencies, consumer expectations, levels of consumer acceptance and use of the Internetinternet for commerce, legislation, regulatory environments (including labor laws and customs), tax laws and levels of political stability, and we are subject to associated risks typical of international businesses. International markets may have strong local competitors with an established brand and travel service provider or restaurant relationships that may make expansion in that market difficult and costly and take more time than anticipated. In addition, compliance with legal, regulatory or tax requirements in multiple jurisdictions places demands on our time and resources, and we may nonetheless experience unforeseen and potentially adverse legal, regulatory or tax consequences. In some markets such as China, legal and other regulatory requirements may prohibit or limit participation by foreign businesses, such as by making foreign ownership or management of Internetinternet or travel-related businesses illegal or difficult, or may make direct participation in those markets uneconomic, which could make our entry into and expansion in those markets difficult or impossible, require that we work with a local partner or result in higher operating costs. If we are unsuccessful in rapidly expanding in new and existing markets and effectively managing that expansion, our business and results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Certain markets in which we operate that are in earlier stages of development have lower operating margins compared to more mature markets, which could have a negative impact on our overall margins as these markets increase in size over time. Also, we intend to continue to invest in adding accommodations available for reservation on our websites, includingsuch as hotels, bedmotels, resorts, homes, apartments and breakfasts, hostels and vacation rentals. Vacation rentals generally consist of, among others, properties categorized as single-unit and multi-unit villas, apartments, "aparthotels" (which are apartments with a front desk and cleaning service) and chalets and are generally self-catered (i.e., include a kitchen), directly bookable properties.other unique places to stay. Many of the newer accommodations we add to our travel reservation services, especially in highly penetratedhighly-penetrated markets, may have fewer rooms lower ADRs or higher credit risk and may appeal to a smaller subset of consumers (e.g., hostels and bed and breakfasts), and therefore may also negatively impact our margins. For example, because a vacation rental is typically. Because alternative accommodations are often either a single unit or a small collection of independent units, vacation rentalthese properties generally represent more limited booking opportunities than non-vacation rental properties,hotels, motels and resorts, which generally have more units to rent per property. Our non-hotelFurther, alternative accommodations in general may be subject to increased seasonality due to local tourism seasons, weather or other factors.factors or may not be available at peak times due to use by the property owners, and we may also experience lower profit margins with respect to these properties due to certain additional costs related to offering these accommodations on our websites. As we increase our non-hotelalternative accommodation business, these different market characteristics could negatively impact our profit margins; and, to the extent these properties represent an increasing percentage of the properties added to our websites, we expect that our gross bookings growth rate and property growth rate will likely continue to diverge over time (since each such property has fewer booking opportunities). As a result of the foregoing, as the percentage of non-hotel accommodationsalternative accommodation properties increases, the number of reservations per property will likely continue to decrease.
In addition, as our alternative accommodation reservation business grows, we may incur increasing numbers of complaints related to non-existent properties or properties that are significantly different than as described in the listing, as well as claims of liability based on events occurring at such properties such as robbery, injury, death and other similar events. Such complaints or claims could result in negative publicity and increased costs, which could adversely affect our reputation, business and results of operations. Further, the regulatory environment related to some alternative accommodations such as homes and apartments is evolving and laws, regulations or property association rules could impose restrictions or burdens on these property owners that limit or negatively affect their ability to rent their properties. Some jurisdictions have adopted or are considering statutes or ordinances that prohibit owners and managers from renting certain properties for fewer than a stated number of consecutive days or for more than an aggregate total number of days per year. In addition, several jurisdictions have adopted or are considering adopting statutes or ordinances requiring online platforms that list certain alternative accommodations to obtain a license to list such accommodations and/or to comply with other restrictions or requirements. Such regulations could negatively impact the growth and/or size of our alternative accommodation reservation business.
We believe that the increase in the number of accommodation providers that participate on our websites, and the corresponding access to accommodation room nights, has been a key driver of the growth of our accommodation reservation business. The growth in our accommodation bookings typically makes us an attractive source of consumer demand for our accommodation providers. However, accommodation providers may wish to limit the amount of business that flows through a single distribution channel. Also, certain jurisdictions, particularly in Europe, are considering regulations intended to address the issue of "overtourism," including by restricting accommodation offerings in city centers or near popular tourist destinations, such as by restricting construction of new hotels or the renting of homes or apartments. Such restrictions could also include limiting the number of tourists permitted to visit and stay near popular areas during peak seasons or as a general matter. As a result, we may experience constraints on the number of listings, or accommodation room nights, actually available to us, which could negatively impact our growth rate and results of operations.
The number of our employees worldwide has grown from less than 700 in the first quarter of 2007 to approximately 15,5006,900 as of December 31, 2015,2012 to approximately 22,900 as of December 31, 2017, which growth is mostly comprised of hires by our international operations. We may not be able to hire, train, retain, motivate and manage required personnel, which may limit our growth, damage our reputation, negatively affect our financial performance, and otherwise harm our business. In addition, expansion increases the complexity of our business and places additional strain on our management, operations, technical performance, financial resources and internal financial control and reporting functions. Our current and planned personnel, systems, procedures and controls may not be adequate to support and effectively manage this growth and our future operations, especially as we employ personnel in multiple geographic locations around the world.
We rely on onlineperformance and brand advertising channels to enhance our brand awareness and to generate a significant amount of traffic to our websites.websites and grow our business.
We believe that maintaining and expanding the Booking.com, priceline.com, KAYAK, agoda.com, rentalcars.com and OpenTable brands, along withstrengthening our other owned brands are important aspects of our efforts to attract and retain customers. Effective onlineWe have invested considerable money and resources in the establishment and maintenance of our brands, and we will continue to invest resources in brand advertising, marketing and other brand building efforts to preserve and enhance consumer awareness of our brands. In addition, effective performance advertising has been an important factor in our growth, and we believe it will continue to be important to our future success. As our competitors spend increasingly more on advertising, we are required to spend more in order to maintain our brand recognition and, in the case of onlineperformance advertising, to maintain and grow traffic to our websites. In addition, we have invested considerable money and resources in the establishment and maintenance of our brands, and we will continue to invest resources inwebsites through performance advertising marketing and other brand building efforts to preserve and enhance consumer awareness of our brands.channels. We may not be able to successfully maintain or enhance consumer awareness and acceptance of our brands, and, even if we are successful in our branding efforts, such efforts may not be cost-effective. For instance, we have observed increased brand advertising by OTCs, meta-search services and travel service providers, particularly in North America and Europe, which may make our brand advertising efforts more expensive and less effective. If we are unable to maintain or enhance consumer awareness and acceptance of our brands in a cost-effective manner, our business, market share and results of operations would be materially adversely affected.
Our online performance advertising efficiency, expressed as onlineperformance advertising expense as a percentage of gross profit, is impacted by a number of factors that are subject to variability and that are, in some cases, outside of our control, including ADRs, costs per click, cancellation rates, foreign exchange rates, our ability to convert paid traffic to booking customers and the extent to which consumers come directly to our websites or mobile apps for bookings. For example, competition for desired rankings in search results and/or a decline in ad clicks by consumers could increase our costs-per-click and reduce our onlineperformance advertising efficiency. We use third-party websites, including online search engines (primarily Google), meta-search and travel research services and affiliate marketing as primary means of generating traffic to our websites. Our onlineperformance advertising expense has increased significantly and our performance advertising efficiency has declined in recent years, a trend we expect to continue. In addition,continue, though the rate of decrease may fluctuate and there may be periods of stable or increasing ROIs from 2011time to 2013 our onlinetime. Further, at times we may pursue a strategy of increasing performance advertising grew faster thanROIs, which could negatively affect our gross profit due to (1) year-over-year declines in online advertising returns on investmentbookings and (2) brand mix within The Priceline Group as our international brands grew faster than our U.S. brands and spent a higher percentage of gross profit on online advertising. In 2014, these long-term trends continued, but were more than offset by the inclusion of KAYAK and OpenTable because they spend a lower percentage of gross profit on online advertising than our other brands. Also, our consolidated results exclude intercompany advertising by our brands on KAYAK. In 2015, online advertising efficiency declined compared to the prior year, mainly due to lower ROIs.growth rates. Any reduction in our onlineperformance advertising efficiency could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations, whether through reduced gross profitrevenues or gross profitrevenue growth or through advertising expenses increasing faster than gross profitrevenues and thereby reducing margins and earnings growth.
We believe that a number of factors could cause consumers to increase their shopping behavioractivity before making a travel purchase. Increased shopping behavioractivity reduces our onlineperformance advertising efficiency and effectiveness because traffic becomes less likely to result in a purchase onreservation through our website, and such traffic is more likely to be obtained through paid onlineperformance advertising channels than through free direct channels. Further, consumers may favor travel services offered by search companies or meta-search sitescompanies over OTCs, which could reduce traffic to our travel reservation websites, increase consumer awareness of our competitors' brands and websites, increase our advertising and other customer acquisition costs and adversely affect our business, margins and results of operations. To the extent any such increased shopping behavior leads to growth in
our KAYAK meta-search business, such growth may not result in sufficient increases in revenuesgross profit from our KAYAK meta-search business to offset any related decrease in gross profit or increase in advertising and other customer acquisition costs experienced by our OTC brands.
Our business could be negatively affected by changes in Internetinternet search engineand meta-search algorithms and dynamics or traffic-generating arrangements.
We use Google to generate a significant portion of the traffic to our websites, and, to a lesser extent, we use other search engines and meta-search websites to generate traffic to our websites, principally through pay-per-click advertising campaigns. The pricing and operating dynamics on these search enginesand meta-search websites can experience rapid change commercially, technically and competitively. For example, Google frequently updates and changes the logic which determines the placement and display of results of a consumer's search, such that the placement of links to our websites can be negatively affected and our costs to improve or maintain our placement in search results can increase. IfIn June 2017, the European Commission fined Google changes2.4 billion Euros for breaching European Union antitrust rules by giving its comparison shopping service priority placement in Google search results. Google has appealed the European Commission's decision, and it is not yet clear how or whether the decision will affect Google's ranking of its travel meta-search services (Google Flights and Google Hotel Ads) in Google search results. Changes by Google in how it presents travel search results, including its promotion of its travel meta-search services, or the manner in which it conducts the auction for placement among search results, in either case in a manner that ismay be competitively disadvantageous to us whether to support its own travel-related services (such as "Book on Google") or otherwise,and may impact our ability to efficiently generate traffic to our websites, could be harmed, which in turn would have an adverse effect on our business, market share and results of operations. Similarly, changes by our other search and meta-search partners in how they present travel search results or the manner in which they conduct the auction for placement among search results may be competitively disadvantageous to us and may impact our ability to efficiently generate traffic to our websites.
In addition, we purchase website traffic from a number of other sources, including some operated by our competitors, in the form of pay-per-click arrangements that can be terminated with little or no notice. If one or more of such arrangements is terminated, our business, market share and results of operations could be adversely affected. Lastly, weWe rely on various third-party distribution channels (i.e., marketing affiliates) to distribute accommodation, rental car and airline ticket reservations. Should one or more of such third parties cease distribution of reservations made through us, or suffer deterioration in its search engineor meta-search ranking, due to changes in search engineor meta-search algorithms or otherwise, our business, market share and results of operations could be negatively affected.
ConsumerWe may not be able to keep up with rapid technological changes.
The markets in which we compete are characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards, consolidation, frequent new service announcements, introductions and enhancements and changing consumer demands. We may not be able to keep up with these rapid changes. In addition, these market characteristics are heightened by the progress of technology adoption in various markets, including the continuing adoption of the internet and online commerce in certain geographies and the emergence and growth of the use of smartphones and tablets for mobile e-commerce transactions, including through the increasing use of mobile devices creates new challenges and may enable device companiesapps. New developments in other areas, such as Apple to compete directly with us.
Widespread adoption of mobile devices, such as the iPhone, Android-enabled smart phones and tablets such as the iPad, coupled with the web browsing functionality and development of thousands of useful apps available on these devices, is driving substantial online traffic and commerce to mobile platforms. We have experienced a significant shift of business to mobile platforms andcloud computing, could make entering our advertising partners are also seeing a rapid shift of traffic to mobile platforms. Our majormarkets easier for competitors and certain new market entrants are offering mobile apps for travel products and other functionality, including proprietary last-minute discounts for accommodation reservations. Advertising and distribution opportunities may be more limited on mobile devices given their smaller screen sizes. The gross profit earned on a mobile transaction may be less than a typical desktop transaction due to different consumer purchasing patterns. For example, accommodation reservations made on a mobile device typically are for shorter lengths of stay and are not made as far in advance. Further, given the device sizes and technical limitations of tablets and smartphones, mobile consumers may not be willing to download multiple apps from multiple companies providing a similar service and instead prefer to use one or a limited number of apps for their mobile travel and restaurant research and reservation activity.lower upfront technology costs. As a result, our future success will depend on our ability to adapt to rapidly changing technologies, to adapt our services and online platforms to evolving industry standards and to continually innovate and improve the consumer experience with mobile apps as well as brand recognitionperformance, features and loyalty are likely to become increasingly important. Our mobile offerings have received generally strong reviews and are driving a material and increasing sharereliability of our business. We believe that mobile bookings present an opportunity for growthservices and are necessaryonline platforms in response to maintaincompetitive service offerings and grow our business as consumers increasingly turn to mobile devices insteadthe evolving demands of a personal computer. As a result,the marketplace. In particular, it is increasingly important for us to develop and maintain effectiveeffectively offer our services on mobile devices through mobile apps and mobile-optimized websites. Any failure by us to successfully develop and achieve customer adoption of our mobile apps and mobile-optimized websites optimized forwould have a material and adverse effect on our growth, market share, business and results of operations. Further, to the extent mobile devices enable users to provideblock advertising content on their devices, our advertising revenue and our ability to market our brands and acquire new customers may be negatively affected. We believe that ease-of-use, comprehensive functionality and the look and feel of our mobile apps and mobile-optimized websites are increasingly competitively critical as consumers with an appealing, easy-to-useobtain more of their travel and restaurant services through mobile experience. Ifdevices. As a result, we are unableintend to continue to rapidly innovatespend significant resources maintaining, developing and create new, user-friendlyenhancing our websites and differentiated mobile offeringsplatforms, including our mobile-optimized websites and efficiently and effectively advertise and distribute on these platforms, or if our mobile offerings are not used by consumers, we could lose market share to existing competitors or new entrants and our business, future growth and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Apple, one of the most innovative and successful companies in the world and producer of, among other things, the iPhone and iPad, obtained a patent for "iTravel," a mobile app that would allow a traveler to check in for a travel reservation. In addition, Apple's iPhone operating system includes "Wallet" (formerly known as "Passbook"), a virtual wallet app that holds tickets, boarding passes, coupons and gift cards, and, along with iTravel, may be indicative of Apple's intent to enter the travel reservations business in some capacity. Apple has substantial market share in the smart phone category and controls integration of offerings, including travel services, into its mobile operating system. Apple also has more experience producing and developing mobile apps, and has accessother technologies and platforms. Further, technical innovation often results in bugs and other system failures. Any such bug or failure, especially in connection with a significant technical implementation or change, could result in lost business, harm to greater resources than we have. Apple may useour brand or expand iTravel, Wallet, Siri (Apple's voice recognition "concierge" service), Apple Pay (Apple's mobile payment system) or another mobile app or functionality as a meansreputation, customer complaints and other adverse consequences, any of entering the travel reservations marketplace. Similarly, Google's Android operating system is the leading smart phone operating system in the world. As a result, Googlewhich could leverage its Android operating system to give its travel services a competitive advantage, either technically or with prominence on its Google Play app store or within its mobile
search results. To the extent Apple or Google use their mobile operating systems or app distribution channels to favor their own travel service offerings,adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Furthermore, as the overall size of our business has grown, the competitive pressure to innovate will encompass a wider range of services and technologies, including services and technologies that may be outside of our historical core business, and our ability to keep pace may slow. Our current and potential competitors range from large and established
companies to emerging start-ups. Emerging start-ups may be able to innovate and focus on developing a particularly new product or service faster than we can or may foresee consumer need for new services or technologies before us. Some of our larger competitors or potential competitors have more resources or more established relationships with consumers than we do, and they could use these advantages in ways that could affect our competitive position, including by making acquisitions, entering or investing in travel reservation businesses, investing in research and development, and competing aggressively for highly-skilled employees.
In addition, the widespread adoption of new internet, networking or telecommunications technologies or other technological changes (including new devices and services, such as Amazon's Echo and Alexa and Google Home, and developing technologies, such as artificial intelligence, chatbot and virtual reality technologies) could require us to incur substantial expenditures to modify or adapt our services or infrastructure to those new technologies, which could adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition. Any failure to implement or adapt to new technologies in a timely manner or at all could be harmed.adversely affect our ability to compete, increase our customer acquisition costs or otherwise adversely affect our business, and therefore adversely affect our brand, market share and results of operations.
Our processing, storage, use and disclosure of personal data exposes us to risks of internal or external security breaches and could give rise to liabilities.
The security of data when engaging in electronic commerce is essential to maintaining consumer and travel service provider confidence in our services. Any security breach whether instigated internally or externally on our systems or other Internet-basedinternet-based systems could significantly harm our reputation and therefore our business, brand, market share and results of operations. We currently require consumers who use certain of our services to guarantee their offers with their credit card, either online or, in some instances, through our toll-free telephone service.card. We require user names and passwords in order to access our information technology systems. We also use encryption and authentication technologies to secure the transmission and storage of data and prevent unauthorized access to our data or accounts. It is possible that computer circumvention capabilities, new discoveries or advances or other developments, including our own acts or omissions, could result in a compromise or breach of consumer data. For example, third parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees, travel service provider partners or customers to disclose user names, passwords or other sensitive information ("phishing"), which may in turn be used to access our information technology systems or to defraud our partners or customers. We have experienced targeted and organized phishing attacks and may experience more in the future. These risks are likely to increase as we expand our offerings, integrate our products and services, and store and process more data, including personal information. Our efforts to protect information from unauthorized access may be unsuccessful or may result in the rejection of legitimate attempts to book reservations through our services, any of which could result in lost business and materially adversely affect our business, reputation and results of operations.
Our existing security measures may not be successful in preventing security breaches. A party (whether internal, external, an affiliate or unrelated third party) that is able to circumvent our security systems could steal consumer information or transaction data or other proprietary information. In the last few years, several major companies including Sony, Home Depot, JPMorgan, Target, Zappos, Apple, AOL, LinkedIn, Google and Yahoo! experienced high-profile security breaches that exposed their systems and information and/or their customers' andor employees' personal information. We expend significant resources to protect against security breaches, and we may need to increase our security-related expenditures to maintain or increase our systems' security or to address problems caused and liabilities incurred by breaches. These issues are likely to become more difficult to manage as we expand the number of places where we operate and the number and variety of services we offer, and as the tools and techniques used in such attacks become more advanced. As recently experienced by Sony, securitySecurity breaches could result in severe damage to our information technology infrastructure, including damage that could impair our ability to offer our services or the ability of consumers to make reservations or conduct searches through our services, as well as loss of customer, financial or other data that could materially and adversely affect our ability to conduct our business, satisfy our commercial obligations or meet our public reporting requirements in a timely fashion or at all. Security breaches could also result in negative publicity, damage our reputation, expose us to risk of loss or litigation and possible liability, subject us to regulatory penalties and sanctions, or cause consumers to lose confidence in our security and choose to use the services of our competitors, any of which would have a negative effect on the value of our brand, ourbrands, market share, and our results of operations.operations and financial condition. Our insurance policies carry low coverage limits, and would likely not be adequate to reimburse us for all losses caused by security breaches.
We also face risks associated with security breaches affecting third parties conducting business over the Internet.internet. Consumers generally are concerned with security and privacy on the Internet,internet, and any publicized security problems could inhibit the growth of the Internet and negatively affect consumers' willingness to provide private information or effect commercial transactions on the Internetinternet generally, including through our services. Some of our business is conducted with third-party marketing affiliates, which may generate travel reservations through our infrastructure or through other systems. Additionally, consumers using our services could be affected by security breaches at third parties such as travel service providers, payroll providers, health plan providers, payment processors or global distribution systems ("GDSs")GDSs upon which we rely. A security breach at any such third-party marketing affiliate, travel service
provider, payment processor, GDS or other third party on which we rely, such as the security breach experienced by Sabre in May 2017, could be perceived by consumers as a security breach of our systems and in any event could result in negative publicity, subject us to notification requirements, damage our reputation, expose us to risk of loss or litigation and possible liability and subject us to regulatory penalties and sanctions. In addition, such third parties may not comply with applicable disclosure requirements, which could expose us to liability.
In our processing of travel transactions, we receive and store a large volume of personally identifiable data. This data is increasingly subject to legislation and regulations in numerous jurisdictions around the world, such as the European Union's Data Protection Directive and variations and implementations of that directive in the member states of the European Union. In addition, in April 2016 the European Union is actively consideringadopted a new General Data Protection Regulation designed to unify data protection within the European Union under a single law, which mayhas resulted and will result in significantly greater compliance burdens and costs for companies with users and operations in the European Union. Under the draft General Data Protection Regulation, fines of up to 20,000,00020 million Euros or up to 4% of the annual global turnoverrevenues of the infringer, whichever is greater, could be imposed. This
government action is typically intended to protect the privacy of personal data that is collected, processed and transmitted in or from the governing jurisdiction. In many cases, these laws apply not only to third-party transactions, but also to transfers of information between us and our subsidiaries, including employee information. For several years, we participatedThe General Data Protection Regulation will go into effect and apply to us beginning in May 2018. In the U.S.-E.U. Safe Harbor Arrangement (the "Safe Harbor") to addressUnited Kingdom, a Data Protection Bill has been introduced in Parliament that, if adopted, would substantially implement the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation in the United Kingdom. In February 2016, E.U. and U.S. authorities announced that they had reached agreement on a new data transfer regulations that would otherwise restrictframework, called the transfer of certain data fromE.U.-U.S. Privacy Shield, which was formally adopted by the European Commission on July 12, 2016. The European Union toand the United States. In October 2015,States are implementing the European Court of Justice invalidated the Safe Harbor, and, as a result, we may neednew framework, but it is currently subject to pursue consent and/or other solutions with respect to certain data transfers from the European Union to the United States. Such consents and/or solutions could be time consuming, costly or complicated to obtain or implement, or we may not be successful in such efforts, any of which could adversely affect our operations and financial results.legal challenge. These laws and their interpretations continue to develop and may be inconsistent from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Non-compliance with these laws could result in penalties or significant legal liability. We could be adversely affected if legislation or regulations are expanded to require changes in our business practices or if governing jurisdictions interpret or implement their legislation or regulations in ways that negatively affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.
We are also subject to payment card association rules and obligations under our contracts with payment card processors. Under these rules and obligations, if information is compromised, we could be liable to payment card issuers for associated expenses and penalties. In addition, if we fail to follow payment card industry security standards, even if no customer information is compromised, we could incur significant fines or experience a significant increase in payment card transaction costs.
System capacity constraints, system failures or "denial-of-service" or other attacks could harm our business.
We have experienced rapid growth in consumer traffic to our websites and through our mobile apps, the number of accommodations on our extranets and the geographic breadth of our operations. If our systems cannot be expanded to cope with increased demand or fail to perform, we could experience unanticipated disruptions in service, slower response times, decreased customer service and customer satisfaction and delays in the introduction of new services, any of which could impair our reputation, damage our brands and materially and adversely affect our results of operations. Further, as an online business, we are dependent on the Internetinternet and maintaining connectivity between ourselves and consumers, sources of Internetinternet traffic, such as Google, and our travel service providers.providers and restaurants. As consumers increasingly turn to mobile devices, we also become dependent on consumers' access to the Internetinternet through mobile carriers and their systems. Disruptions in Internetinternet access, such as the denial of service attack against Dyn in October 2016 that resulted in a service outage for a number of major internet companies, whether generally, in a specific market or otherwise, especially if widespread or prolonged, could materially adversely affect our business and results of operations. While we do maintain redundant systems and hosting services, it is possible that we could experience an interruption in our business, and we do not carry business interruption insurance sufficient to compensate us for all losses that may occur.
Our computer hardware for operating our services is currently located at hosting facilities around the world. These systems and operations are vulnerable to damage or interruption from human error, floods, fires, power loss, telecommunication failures and similar events. They are also subject to break-ins, sabotage, intentional acts of vandalism, terrorism and similar misconduct. Despite any precautions we may take, the occurrence of any disruption of service due to any such misconduct, natural disaster or other unanticipated problems at such facilities, or the failure by such facilities to provide our required data communications capacity could result in lengthy interruptions or delays in our services. Any system failure that causes an interruption or delay in service could impair our reputation, damage our brands, result in lost business or result in consumers choosing to use a competitive service, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
Our existing security measures may not be successful in preventing attacks on our systems, and any such attack could cause significant interruptions in our operations. For instance, from time to time, we have experienced "denial-of-service" type attacks on our systems that have made portions of our websites slow or unavailable for periods of time. There are numerous other potential forms of attack, such as "phishing" (where a third party attempts to infiltrate our systems or acquire information by posing as a legitimate inquiry or electronic communication), SQL injection (where a third party attempts to obtain information or otherwise insert malicious code into our software through data entry fields in our websites)websites in order to gain control of the system) and attempting to use our websites as a platform to launch a "denial-of-service" attack on another party, each of which could cause significant interruptions in our operations and potentially adversely affect the value of our brand,brands, operations and results of operations or involve us in legal or regulatory proceedings. We expend significant resources in an attempt to prepare for and mitigate the effects of any such attacks. Reductions in website availability and response time could cause loss of substantial business volumes during the occurrence of any such attack on our systems, and measures we may take to divert suspect traffic in the event of such an attack could result in the diversion of bona fide customers. These issues are likely to become more difficult to manage as we expand the number of places where we operate and the variety of services we offer, and as the tools and techniques used in such attacks become more advanced. Successful attacks could result in negative publicity, damage our reputation and prevent consumers from booking travel services, researching travel services or making restaurant reservations through us during the attack, any of which could cause
consumers to use the services of our competitors, which would have a negative effect on the value of our brands, our market share, business and results of operations.
We rely on certain third-party computer systems and third-party service providers, including GDSs and computerized central reservation systems of the accommodation, rental car and airline industries in connection with providing some of our services. Any interruption in these third-party services and systems or deterioration in their performance could prevent us from booking related accommodation, rental car and airline reservations and have a material adverse effect on our business, brands and results of operations. Our agreements with some third-party service providers are terminable upon short notice and often do not provide recourse for service interruptions. In the event our arrangement with any such third party is terminated, we may not be able to find an alternative source of systems support on a timely basis or on commercially reasonable terms and, as a result, it could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
We depend upon various third parties to process payments, including credit cards, for our merchant transactions around the world. In addition, we rely on third parties to provide credit card numbers which we use as a payment mechanism for merchant transactions. If any such third party were wholly or partially compromised, our cash flows could be disrupted or we may not be able to generate merchant transactions (and related revenues) until such a time as a replacement process could be put in place with a different vendor.
We do not have a completely formalized or comprehensive disaster recovery plan in every geographic region in which we conduct business. In the event of certain system failures, we may not be able to switch to back-up systems immediately and the time to full recovery could be prolonged. Like many online businesses, we have experienced system failures from time to time. In addition to placing increased burdens on our engineering staff, these outages create a significant amount of consumer questions and complaints that need to be addressed by our customer support personnel. Any unscheduled interruption in our service could result in an immediate loss of revenues that could be substantial, increase customer service costs, harm our reputation and result in some consumers switching to our competitors. If we experience frequent or persistent system failures, our reputation and brand could be permanently and significantly harmed. We have taken and continue to take steps to increase the reliability and redundancy of our systems. These steps are expensive, may reduce our margins and may not be successful in reducing the frequency or duration of unscheduled downtime.
We use both internally developed systems and third-party systems to operate our services, including transaction processing, order management and financial systems. If the number of consumers using our services increases substantially, or if critical third-party systems stop operating as designed, we will need to significantly expand and upgrade our technology, transaction processing systems, financial and accounting systems and other infrastructure. We may not be able to upgrade our systems and infrastructure to accommodate such conditions in a timely manner, and, depending on the third-party systems affected, our transactional, financial and accounting systems could be impacted for a meaningful amount of time before upgrade, expansion or repair.
Consumer adoption and use of mobile devices creates challenges and may enable device companies such as Apple to compete directly with us.
Widespread adoption of mobile devices, such as the iPhone, Android-enabled smartphones, and tablets such as the iPad, coupled with the web browsing functionality and development of thousands of useful apps available on these devices, is driving substantial online traffic and commerce to mobile platforms. We have experienced a significant shift of business, both direct and indirect, to mobile platforms and our advertising partners are also seeing a rapid shift of traffic to mobile platforms. Some competitors offer last-minute discounts for mobile accommodation reservations. Advertising and distribution
opportunities may be more limited on mobile devices given their smaller screen sizes. The gross profit earned on a mobile transaction may be less than a typical desktop transaction due to different consumer purchasing patterns. For example, accommodation reservations made on a mobile device typically are for shorter lengths of stay and are not made as far in advance. Further, given the device sizes and technical limitations of tablets and smartphones, mobile consumers may not be willing to download multiple apps from multiple companies providing a similar service and instead prefer to use one or a limited number of apps for their mobile travel and restaurant research and reservation activity. As a result, the consumer experience with mobile apps as well as brand recognition and loyalty are likely to become increasingly important. Our mobile offerings have received generally strong reviews and are driving a material and increasing share of our business. We believe that mobile bookings present an opportunity for growth and are necessary to maintain and grow our business as consumers increasingly turn to mobile devices instead of a personal computer. As a result, it is increasingly important for us to develop and maintain effective mobile apps and websites optimized for mobile devices to provide consumers with an appealing, easy-to-use mobile experience. If we are unable to continue to rapidly innovate and create new, user-friendly and differentiated mobile offerings and efficiently and effectively advertise and distribute on these platforms, or if our mobile offerings are not used by consumers, we could lose market share to existing competitors or new entrants and our business, future growth and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Google's Android operating system is the leading smartphone operating system in the world. As a result, Google could leverage its Android operating system to give its travel services a competitive advantage, either technically or with prominence on its Google Play app store or within its mobile search results. Further, Google is the leading internet search service and has leveraged its search popularity to promote its travel meta-search services. Similarly, Apple, the producer of, among other things, the iPhone and iPad, obtained a patent for "iTravel," a mobile app that would allow a traveler to check in for a travel reservation. In addition, Apple's iPhone operating system includes "Wallet," a virtual wallet app that holds tickets, boarding passes, coupons and gift cards, and, along with iTravel, may be indicative of Apple's intent to enter the travel reservations business in some capacity. Apple has substantial market share in the smartphone category and controls integration of offerings, including travel services, into its mobile operating system. Apple also has more experience producing and developing mobile apps and has access to greater resources than we have. Apple may use or expand iTravel, Wallet, Siri (Apple's voice recognition "concierge" service), Apple Pay (Apple's mobile payment system) or another mobile app or functionality as a means of entering the travel reservations marketplace. To the extent Google or Apple use their mobile operating systems, app distribution channels or, in the case of Google, search services, to favor their own travel service offerings, our business and results of operations could be harmed.
We may have exposure to additional tax liabilities.
As an international business providing reservation and advertising services around the world, we are subject to income taxes and non-income basednon-income-based taxes in the United States and various international jurisdictions. Due to economic and political conditions, tax rates and tax regimes in various jurisdictions may be subject to significant change. Our future effective tax rates could be affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets or changes in tax laws or their interpretation. If our effective tax rates were to increase, our cash flows, financial condition and results of operations and cash flows would be adversely affected.
Although we believe that our tax filing positions are reasonable and comply with applicable law, the final determination of tax audits or tax disputes may be different from what is reflected in our historical income tax provisions and accruals. To date, we have been audited in severalmany taxing jurisdictions with no significant impact on our financial condition, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. If future audits find that additional taxes are due, we may be subject to incremental tax liabilities, possibly including interest and penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows,results of operations, financial condition and results of operations.cash flows.
For example, French tax authorities recently concludedconducted an audit that started in 2013 of the tax years 2003 through 2012. The French tax authorities are asserting that Booking.com has a permanent establishment in France and are seeking to recover what they claim are unpaid income taxes and value-added taxes ("VAT").taxes. In December 2015, the French tax authorities issued an assessmentassessments related to these tax years for approximately 356 million Euros, the majority of which represents penalties and interest. We believe that Booking.com has been, and continues to be, in compliance with French tax law, and we intendare contesting the assessments. Our objection to contest the assessment.assessments was denied by the French tax authorities. If we are unable to resolve the matter with the French tax authorities, we would expect to challenge the assessmentassessments in the French courts. In order to contestchallenge the assessmentassessments in court, we may be required to pay, upfront, the full amount or a significant part of
any such assessment,assessments, though any such payment would not constitute an admission by us that we owe the taxes. Alternatively, any resolution or settlement of the matter with the French tax authorities may decide to also require payment as part of such resolution or settlement. French tax authorities have begun a similar audit subsequentof the tax years 2013 through 2015, which could result in additional assessments.
Similarly, Italian tax authorities have initiated a process to determine whether we should be subject to additional tax obligations in Italy. While we believe that we comply with Italian tax law, Italian tax authorities may determine that we owe additional taxes, and they may also assess penalties and interest. We believe that we have been, and continue to be, in compliance with Italian tax law. In general, governments in the United States and Europe are increasingly focused on ways to increase tax revenues, which has contributed to an increase in audit activity and harsher stances taken by tax authorities. Any such additional taxes or other assessments may be in excess of our current tax provisions or may require us to modify our business practices in order to reduce our exposure to additional taxes going forward, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We will be subject to increased income taxesIn December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") was enacted into law in the event that our cash balances held outsideUnited States. The Tax Act made significant changes to U.S. federal tax law, including a reduction in the United States are remittedU.S. federal statutory tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018, and exempts from U.S. federal income tax international profits distributed to the United States. AsThe Tax Act imposes a one-time mandatory deemed repatriation tax on unremitted accumulated international earnings, to be paid over eight years. The Company's international cash and investments as of December 31, 2015, we held approximately $9.82017, amounting to $16.2 billion, of cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments outside of the United States. We currently intend to use our cash held outside the United States to reinvest in our international operations. If our cash balances outside the United States continue to grow and our ability to reinvest those balances outside the United States diminishes, under U.S. GAAP we will be obligated to record additional U.S. income tax expense with respect to our unremitted international earnings. We would not make additional income tax payments unless we were to actually repatriate our international cash to the United States. If we were to repatriate our international cash to the United States, we would pay only U.S. federal alternative minimum tax and certain U.S. state income taxes in connection with such repatriation as long as we have net operating loss carryforwards available to offset our U.S. taxable income. Such use of our net operating loss carryforwards would result in us being subject to a cash income tax liability on the earnings of our U.S. businesses sooner than would otherwise have been the case.
Various legislative proposals that would reform U.S. corporate income tax laws have been proposed by President Obama's administration as well as membersfuture cash generated by our international operations, can be repatriated to the U.S. without further U.S. federal income tax. See Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our estimation of future tax liabilities.
The Tax Act also includes provisions, effective after December 31, 2017, allowing the immediate write off of the U.S. Congress, including proposals that would significantly impact how U.S. multinational corporations are taxedcost of certain investments in depreciable assets, imposing a limit on international earnings. Such proposals include changes that would reduce U.S. tax deferral on certain international digital goods and services transactions, impose a minimum U.S. tax on non-U.S. earnings, impose a one-time 14% tax on previously untaxed non-U.S. earnings, limit U.S. deductionsthe deduction for net interest expense, related to un-repatriated international-source income, limit interestchanging the deductibility of covered officer compensation, and royalty deductions in connection with certain related party transactions, impose restrictionschanging the rules on the use of hybrid arrangements, limit shiftingnet operating losses. The Tax Act also introduces a tax on 50% of global intangible low-taxed income, throughwhich is income determined to be in excess of a specified routine rate of return. The Tax Act further introduces a base erosion and anti-abuse tax aimed at preventing the erosion of the U.S. tax base, and a new tax on foreign-derived intangible property transfers,income.
The tax law changes made by the Tax Act are broad and put in place certain tax disincentives for offshoring jobs or business segments. We cannot determine whether some or all of these or other proposalscomplex, and there are significant uncertainties about how the Tax Act will be enacted into lawinterpreted at both the U.S. federal and state levels, and limited guidance is available from tax authorities at this time. The interpretation and implementation of the Tax Act, and regulations, rules or what, if any, changesguidance that may be made to such proposals prior to being enacted into law. If U.S.adopted under or resulting from the Tax Act could materially change the provisional tax laws changethat we recognized in a manner that increases2017 and the expected future impact of the Tax Act on our tax obligations, our financial position and results of operations could be adversely impacted.business.
Additionally, in October 2015, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ("OECD") issued "final reports" in connection with its "base erosion and profit shifting" ("BEPS") project. The OECD, with the support of the G20, initiated this project in 2013 in response to concerns that international tax standards have not kept pace with changes in global business practices and that changes are needed to international tax laws to address situations where multinational businesses may pay little or no tax in certain jurisdictions by shifting profits away from jurisdictions where the activities creating those profits may take place. The final reports were endorsed by the G20 leaders in November 2015. The final reports propose 15 actions the OECD determined are needed to address base erosion and profit shifting, including: (a) enhancing transparency through the sharing of tax information between countries; (b) prescribing standardized country-by-country reporting and other documentation requirements aimed at identifying where profits, tax and economic activities occur; (c) preventing harmful tax practices including the use of preferential tax regimes; (d) modernizing the OECD's transfer pricing rules related to intangibles; (e) changing the definition of permanent establishment to prevent artificial avoidance of tax nexus; and (f) limiting tax base erosion through interest deductions and other financial payments. The measures also contemplatehave, among other things, resulted in the development of a multilateral instrument ("MLI") to incorporate and facilitate changes to tax treaties. In June 2017, a number of countries signed the MLI. On January 28, 2016, the European Commission unveiled a new package of proposals aimed at providing a framework for fairer taxation and to provide a coordinated European Union response to combating corporate tax avoidance. Key features ofFollowing agreement among the proposals include: legally-binding measures to block the most common methods used by companies to avoid paying taxes; a recommendation toEuropean Union member states on how to preventthe final content of the package, the European Council formally adopted an Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive in July 2016, which was further amended in February 2017. The Directive is aimed at preventing aggressive tax treaty abuse;planning, increasing tax transparency and creating a proposalfairer tax environment for member states to share tax-related information on multinationalall businesses operating in the European Union;Union. Further, the OECD's task force on the digital economy is also working on an interim report for the G20 due in early 2018 and actionsis considering potential ideas to promote goodaddress the tax governance internationally.challenges of the digital economy including interim solutions such as an alternative levy on electronic sales. Several EU Member states have recently also proposed the concept of an equalization tax to the EU Commission that would seek to tax the turnover of digital companies. In a press release dated October 19, 2017, the European Council concluded that the European Union needs an effective and fair taxation system for the digital era to ensure a global level playing field in line with the work being carried out at the OECD and that it is also anticipating EU Commission proposals on this subject early in 2018. We expect many countries to change their tax laws in response to this project,these developments, and several countries have already changed or proposed changes to their tax laws in response to the final reports.BEPS reports and/or the developments in the European Union. Any changes to international tax laws, including new definitions of permanent establishment or changes affecting the benefits of preferential tax regimes such as the Dutch "Innovation Box Tax" (discussed below), could impact the tax treatment of our foreign earnings and adversely impact our effective tax rate. Further, changes to tax laws and additional reporting requirements could increase the complexity, burden and cost of compliance. Due to the large and
expanding scale of our international business activities, any changes in U.S. or
international taxation of our activities or the combined effect of tax laws in multiple jurisdictions (including the United States) may increase our worldwide effective tax rate, increase the complexity and costs associated with tax compliance (especially if changes are implemented or interpreted inconsistently across tax jurisdictions) and adversely affect our financial positioncash flows and results of operations.
We are also subject to non-income basednon-income-based taxes, such as value-added, payroll, sales, use, net worth, property and goods and services taxes, in the United States and various international jurisdictions, as well as the potential for travel transaction taxes in the United States as discussed below and in Note 1514 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. For example, in July 2012 and December 2013, the Dutch Government enacted certain amendments to Dutch tax law including one-time levies on an employer applied to employee earnings, equal to 16% of an employee's earnings in excess of 150,000 Euros. These irrevocable levies resulted in additional payroll taxes of approximately $12 million (approximately $9 million after tax) in the fourth quarter of 2013 and approximately $14 million (approximately $10 million after tax) principally recorded in the third quarter of 2012. From time to time, we are under audit by tax authorities with respect to these non-income basednon-income-based taxes and may have exposure to additional non-income basednon-income-based tax liabilities.
We may not be able to maintain our "Innovation Box Tax" benefit.
The Netherlands corporate income tax law provides that income generated from qualifying innovative activities prior to 2018 is taxed at the rate of 5% ("Innovation Box Tax") rather than the Dutch statutory rate of 25%. A portion of Booking.com's earnings currently qualifies for Innovation Box Tax treatment. In the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, the Innovation Box Tax benefit reduced our consolidated income tax expense by approximately $260$397 million.
In order to be eligible for Innovation Box Tax treatment, Booking.com must, among other things, apply for and obtain a research and development ("an R&D")&D certificate from a Dutch governmental agency every six months confirming that the activities that Booking.com intends to be engaged in over the subsequent six monthsix-month period are "innovative." The R&D certificate is current but should Booking.com fail to secure such a certificate in any future period - for example, because the governmental agency does not view Booking.com's new or anticipated activities as innovative - or should this agency determine that the activities contemplated to be performed in a prior period were not performed as contemplated or did not comply with the agency's requirements, Booking.com may lose its certificate and, as a result, the Innovation Box Tax benefit may be reduced or eliminated. Booking.com intends to apply for continued Innovation Box Tax treatment for future periods. However, Booking.com's application may not be accepted, or, if accepted, the amount of qualifying earnings may be reduced.
In addition, Furthermore, the Dutch government introduced changes to its income tax laws may change resulting in a reduction or elimination of the tax benefit. As discussed above, the OECD's action plan involves, in part, evaluation of tax regimes such as the Innovation Box Tax. The European Union Council of Economics and Finance Ministers ("ECOFIN") has endorsed changes to limit member states' existing innovation and patent box tax regimes providing benefits related to profits derived from intangible assets such as intellectual property. The OECD's October 2015 final reports recommend that intellectual property qualifying for such tax regimes generally be limited to patents and other intellectual property assets that are functionally equivalent to patents (such as copyrighted software) if those other assets are both legally protected and subject to similar approval and registration processes as apply to patents. We expect the European Union to endorse the OECD's approach, which would require the new approach to be fully implemented in member states no later than July 2021. The Netherlands has already announced its intention to propose related legislative changes toincreased the Innovation Box Tax regimerate to 7% beginning in 2018. The Dutch government has also proposed, commencing in 2019, incrementally reducing over time the corporate income tax statutory rate from 25% to 21% by September 2016 to be effective January 1, 2017, though2021. If this proposal is enacted into law, we expect such legislativethe combined effect of these two changes will include transition rules. Toto slightly increase our effective tax rate during the extent Booking.com's intellectual property developed by its innovative activities do not meet the requirements under any new legislation, Booking.com would eventually lose all or a portionfirst two years of the benefit of the Innovation Box Tax.income tax transition period, and slightly reduce it thereafter.
While we expect Booking.com to continue to qualify for Innovation Box Tax treatment with respect to a portion of its earnings for the foreseeable future, theThe loss of the Innovation Box Tax benefit (or any material portion thereof), whether due to a change in tax law or a determination by the Dutch government that Booking.com's activities are not "innovative" or for any other reason, would substantially increase our effective tax rate and adversely impact our results of operations.
Our financial results will likely be materially impacted by payment of income taxes in the future.
Until our U.S. net operating loss carryforwards are utilized or expire, we do not expect to make tax payments on most of our U.S. income, except for U.S. federal alternative minimum taxoperations and state income taxes. However, we expect to pay international taxes on our international income other than in countries where we have operating loss carryforwards. We expect that our international business will continue to generate most of our revenues and profits and will continue to grow pretax income at a higher rate than our U.S. business and, therefore, we expect that our tax payments will continue to increase. Any increase in our effective tax rate would have an adverse effect on our results of operations.cash flows.
Adverse application of U.S. state and local tax laws could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
A number of jurisdictions in the United States have initiated lawsuits against online travel companies, including us, related to, among other things, the payment of travel transaction taxes (e.g., hotel occupancy taxes, excise taxes, sales taxes, etc.). In addition, a number of U.S. states, counties and municipalities have initiated audit proceedings, issued proposed tax assessments or started inquiries relating to the payment of travel transaction taxes. Additional state and local jurisdictions may assert that we are subject to, among other things, travel transaction taxes and could seek to collect such taxes, either retroactively or prospectively, or both.
In connection with some travel transaction tax audits and assessments, we may be required to pay any assessed taxes, which amounts may be substantial, prior to being allowed to contest the assessments and the applicability of the laws in judicial proceedings. This requirement is commonly referred to as "pay to play" or "pay first." Payment of these amounts, if any, is not an admission that we believe that we are subject to such taxes and, even if we make such payments, we intend to continue to assert our position that we should not be subject to such taxes.
Litigation is subject to uncertainty and there could be adverse developments in these pending or future cases and proceedings. Adverse tax decisions could have a material adverse effect on our business, margins and results of operations. An unfavorable outcome or settlement of pending litigation may encourage the commencement of additional litigation, audit proceedings or other regulatory inquiries. In addition, an unfavorable outcome or settlement of these actions or proceedings could result in substantial liabilities for past and/or future bookings, including, among other things, interest, penalties, punitive damages and/or attorneys' fees and costs.
In many of the judicial and other proceedings initiated to date, the taxing jurisdictions seek not only historical taxes that are claimed to be owed on our gross profit, but also, among other things, interest, penalties, punitive damages and/or attorneys' fees and costs. Therefore, any liability associated with travel transaction tax matters is not constrained to our liability for tax owed, but may also include, among other things, penalties, interest and attorneys' fees. To date, the majoritymany of the taxing jurisdictions in which we facilitate travel reservations have not asserted that taxes are due and payable on our travel services. With respect to taxing jurisdictions that have not initiated proceedings to date, it is possible that they will do so in the future or that they will seek to amend their tax statutes and seek to collect taxes from us only on a prospective basis.
In connection with some travel transaction tax audits and assessments, we may be required to pay any assessed taxes, which amounts may be substantial, prior to being allowed to contest the assessments and the applicability of the laws in judicial proceedings. Payment of these amounts, if any, is not an admission that we are subject to such taxes and, even if we make such payments, we intend to continue to assert our position that we should not be subject to such taxes.
Litigation is subject to uncertainty and there could be adverse developments in these pending or future cases and proceedings. Adverse tax decisions could have a material adverse effect on our business, margins, cash flows and results of operations. An unfavorable outcome or settlement of pending litigation may encourage the commencement of additional litigation, audit proceedings or other regulatory inquiries. In addition, an unfavorable outcome or settlement of these actions or proceedings could result in substantial liabilities for past and/or future bookings, including, among other things, interest, penalties, punitive damages and/or attorneys' fees and costs.
We are dependent on providers of accommodations, rental cars and airline tickets and on restaurants.
We rely on providers of accommodations, rental cars and airline tickets and on restaurants to make their services available to consumers through us. Our arrangements with travel service providers generally do not require them to make available any specific quantity of accommodation reservations, rental cars or airline tickets, or to make accommodation reservations, rental cars or airline tickets available in any geographic area, for any particular route or at any particular price. Similarly, our arrangements with restaurants generally do not require them to provide all of their available tables and reservations to customers through us. During the course of our business, weWe are in continuousregular dialogue with our major travel service providers about the nature and extent of their participation in our services. A significant reduction on the part of any of our major travel service providers or providers that are particularly popular with consumers in their participation in our services for a sustained period of time or their complete withdrawal could have a material adverse effect on our business, market share and results of operations. To the extent any of those major or popular travel service providers ceased to participate in our services in favor of one of our competitors' systems or decided to require consumers to purchase services directly from them, our business, market share and results of operations could be harmed. During periods of higher occupancy rates, accommodation providers may decrease their distribution of accommodation reservations through third-party intermediaries like us, in particular through our discount services such as priceline.com's Express Deals® and Name Your Own Price® services. Further, as consolidation among travel service providers increases, the potential adverse effect of a decision by any particular significant travel service provider (such as a large hotel chain, airline or rental car company) to withdraw from or reduce its participation in our services also increases. To the extent restaurants limit the availability of reservations through OpenTable, consumers may not continue to use our services and/or our revenues could be adversely affected, especially if reservations during highly desirable times on high volume days are not made available through us.
Further, KAYAK, a meta-search service, depends on access to information related to travel service pricing, schedules, availability and other related information from OTCs and travel service providers to attract consumers. To obtain this information, KAYAK maintains relationships with travel service providers and OTCs. Many of KAYAK's agreements with travel service providers and OTCs are short-term agreements that may be terminated on 30 days' notice. To the extent OTCs or travel service providers no longer provide such information to KAYAK, KAYAK's ability to provide comprehensive travel service information to consumers could be diminished and its brand, business and results of operations could be harmed. To the extent consumers do not view KAYAK as a reliable source of comprehensive travel service information, fewer consumers would likely visit its websites, which would also likely have a negative impact on KAYAK's advertising revenue and results of operations. In addition, if travel service providers or OTCs choose not to advertise with KAYAK or choose to reduce or
eliminate the fees paid to KAYAK for referrals from query results, KAYAK's business and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We rely on the performance of highly skilled personnel; and, if we are unable to retain or motivate key personnel or hire, retain and motivate qualified personnel, our business would be harmed.
Our performance is largely dependent on the talents and efforts of highly skilled individuals. Our future success depends on our continuing ability to identify, hire, develop, motivate and retain highly skilled personnel for all areas of our organization. In particular, the contributions of certain key senior management in the United States, Europe and Asia are critical to the overall management of our business. We may not be able to retain the services of any members of our senior management or other key employees, the loss of whom could harm our business and competitive position.
In addition, competition for well-qualified employees in all aspects of our business, including software engineers, mobile communication talent and other technology professionals, is intense both in the United States and abroad. Our international success in particular has led to increased efforts by our competitors and others to hire our international employees. These difficulties may be amplified by evolving restrictions on immigration, travel or availability of visas or work permits for skilled technology workers. Our continued ability to compete effectively and to innovate and develop products, services, technologies and enhancements depends on our ability to attract new employees and to retain and motivate existing employees. If we do not succeed in attracting well-qualified employees or retaining and motivating existing employees, our business, competitive position and results of operations would be adversely affected. We do not maintain any key person life insurance policies.
As the size of our business grows, we may become increasingly subject to the scrutiny of anti-trust, competition and competitionconsumer protection regulators.
Certain business practices common to theThe online travel industry havehas become the subject of investigations by various national competition authorities ("NCAs"), particularly in Europe. InvestigationsWe are or have been involved in investigations predominantly related to whether Booking.com's contractual parity arrangements with accommodation providers, sometimes also referred to as "most favored nation" or "MFN" provisions, were initiated by NCAs in France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Ireland and Switzerland, and a number of other NCAs are also looking, or have looked, at these issues. The investigations primarily relate to whether Booking.com's price parity provisions, are anti-competitive because they require accommodation providers to provide Booking.com with room rates that are at least as low as those offered to other OTCs or through the accommodation provider's website. Some investigations relate to other issues such as reservation and cancellation clauses, commission payments and pricing behavior. For instance, on September 8, 2017 the Swiss Price Surveillance Office opened an investigation into the level of commissions of Booking.com in Switzerland.
Investigations into Booking.com's parity provisions were initiated in 2013 and 2014 by NCAs in France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Ireland and Switzerland. A number of other NCAs have also looked at these issues. On April 21, 2015, the French, Italian and Swedish NCAs, working in close cooperation with the European Commission, announced that they had accepted "commitments" offered by Booking.com to resolve and close the investigations in France, Italy and Sweden. Under the commitments, Booking.com replaced its existing price parity agreements with accommodation providers with "narrow" price parity agreements. Under a "narrow"narrow price parity agreement, subject to certain exceptions, an accommodation provider is still required to offer the same or better rates on Booking.com as it offers to a consumer directly online, but it is no longer required to offer the same or better rates on Booking.com as it offers to other OTCs. The commitments also allow an accommodation provider to, among other things, offer different terms and conditions (e.g., free WiFi) and availability to consumers that book with on-lineonline travel companies that offer lower rates of commission or other benefits, offer lower rates to consumers that book through off-lineoffline channels and continue to discount through, among other things, accommodation loyalty programs, as long as those rates are not published or marketed online. The commitments apply to accommodations in France, Italy and Sweden and were effective on July 1, 2015. The foregoing description is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the commitments published by the NCAs on April 21, 2015.
We are in ongoing discussions with various NCAs in other countries regarding their concerns. On July 1, 2015, Booking.com voluntarily implemented the commitments given to the French, Italian and Swedish NCAs throughout the European Economic Area and Switzerland and is working with certain other European NCAs towards closing their investigations or inquiries. In October 2015 the Irish NCA closed its investigation on the basis of commitments by Booking.com identical to those given to the French, Italian and Swedish NCAs. In November 2015 the Swiss NCA closed its investigation, prohibiting any reintroduction of Booking.com's old "wide" parity agreements but permitting Booking.com to retain its existing "narrow" parity agreements with accommodations in Switzerland. A number of additionalNearly all NCAs in the European Economic Area have now closed their investigations following Booking.com's implementation of the commitments in their jurisdictions. Booking.com also agreed in 2017 with the NCAs in Australia, New Zealand and Georgia to implement the narrow price parity clause in these countries. However, wethe Australian NCA indicated in February 2017 that it is reassessing narrow price parity clauses between online travel agencies and accommodation providers. In January 2017, the Turkish NCA imposed fines on Booking.com following an investigation into Booking.com's "wide" parity clauses. Further to the Turkish NCA's decision, Booking.com has also implemented the narrow price parity clause in Turkey. We are in ongoing discussions with various NCAs in other countries regarding their concerns. We are currently unable to predict the long-term impact the implementation of these commitments throughout the European Economic Area and Switzerland will have on Booking.com's business, or on the on-going investigations inby other European countries, or on industry practice more generally.
On December 23, 2015, the German NCA issued a final decision prohibiting Booking.com's "narrow"narrow price parity agreements with accommodations in Germany. The German NCA did not issue a fine, but has reserved its position regarding an order for disgorgement of profits. Booking.com announced that it intends to appealis appealing the German NCA's decision. An Italian hotel association has appealed the Italian NCA's decision to accept the commitments by Booking.com.
A working group of 10 European NCAs (France, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, the United Kingdom and Sweden) was established by the European Commission in December 2015 to monitor the effects of the narrow price parity clause in Europe. This working group (the "ECN Working Group") issued questionnaires during 2016 to online travel agencies, including Booking.com and Expedia, meta-search sites and hotels about the narrow price parity clause. On April 6, 2017, the ECN Working Group published the results of this monitoring exercise. The report indicates that the introduction of the narrow price parity clause generally improved conditions for competition. Although neither the European Commission nor any of the participating NCAs has opened a new investigation following the publication of the report, the ECN Working Group decided to keep the sector under review and re-assess the competitive situation in due course.
We are unable to predict how these appeals and the remaining
investigations in other countries will ultimately be resolved.resolved, or whether further action in Europe will be taken as a result of the ECN Working Group's ongoing review. Possible outcomes include requiring Booking.com to amend or remove its rate parity clause from its contracts with accommodation providers in those jurisdictions and/or the imposition of fines.
In
A number of European countries have adopted legislation making price parity agreements illegal, and it is possible other countries may adopt similar legislation in the future. For example, in August 2015, French legislation known as the "Macron Law" became effective. Among other things, the Macron Law makes price parity agreements illegal, including the "narrow"narrow price parity agreements agreed to by the French NCA in April 2015. The law also requires that agreements between OTCs and hotels comply with a French agency contract form. Similar legislationLegislation prohibiting "narrow"narrow price parity agreements has been proposedbecame effective in Austria on December 31, 2016 and in Italy and currently is awaiting actionon August 29, 2017. A motion calling on the Swiss government to introduce legislation prohibiting the narrow price parity clause was approved by the Italian Senate.Swiss Parliament on September 18, 2017. In July 2017, a Belgian government minister announced plans to put forward a similar proposal before the Belgian Parliament. It is not yet clear how the Macron Law, the Austrian and Italian legislation or the proposed ItalianSwiss or Belgian legislation may affect our business in the long termterm.
Further, the European Commission published a communication in FranceMay 2017 on the Mid-Term Review on the implementation of the Digital Single Market Strategy. As part of the Digital Single Market Strategy, the Commission is due to present in the first quarter of 2018 a proposal for legislation addressing relationships between online platforms and Italy, respectively.businesses, including dispute resolution and transparency in search rankings. Consumer protection issues, including platform search rankings, are also being reviewed by European NCAs. The United Kingdom's NCA launched a consumer law investigation into the clarity, accuracy and presentation of information on hotel booking sites with a specific focus on the display of search results, claims regarding discounts, methods of "pressure selling" (such as creating false impressions regarding room availability), and failure to disclose hidden charges. A consumer protection compliance review of car rental booking websites by the U.K. NCA is also ongoing. The consumer protection department of the German NCA announced the opening of a sector inquiry into online price comparison sites in various sectors including travel and hotels on October 24, 2017. The Finnish NCA has also recently carried out a consumer survey and issued a questionnaire to hotels in order to gather information about online hotel booking platforms. We are unable to predict what, if any, effect such actions will have on our business, industry practices or online commerce more generally.
To the extent that regulatory authorities impose fines on us or require changes to our business practices or to those currently common to the industry, our business, competitive position and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Negative publicity regarding competition investigations could adversely affect our brands and therefore our market share and results of operations. Further, the Macron Law, the Italian and Austrian laws and any similar legislation enacted by other countries, and the decision by the German NCA to prohibit "narrow"narrow price parity agreements, could have a material adverse effect on our business and our results of operations, in particular if consumers use our services to shop for accommodation reservations but make their reservations directly with an accommodation provider.
Competition-related investigations, legislation or issues could also give rise to private litigation. For example, Booking.com is involved in private litigation in Sweden related to its narrow price parity provisions. We are unable to predict how this litigation will be resolved, or whether it will impact Booking.com's business in Sweden.
In addition, as our business grows, we may increasingly become the target of competition investigations or be limited by anti-trust or competition laws. For example, our size and market share may negatively affect our ability to obtain regulatory approval of proposed acquisitions, our ability to expand into complementary businesses or our latitude in dealing with travel service providers (such as by limiting our ability to provide discounts, rebates or incentives or to exercise contractual rights), any of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations or ability to grow and compete.
Regulatory and legal requirements and uncertainties could harm our business.
The services we offer are subject to legal regulations (including laws, ordinances, rules and other requirements and regulations) of national and local governments and regulatory authorities around the world, many of which are evolving and subject to the possibility of new or revised interpretations. Our ability to provide our services is and will continue to be affected by such regulations. For example, in 2017 our Rentalcars.com business began offering optional rental car-related insurance products to customers protecting them against accidental damage to their rental vehicles, which subjects us to certain insurance regulations and related increased compliance costs and complexities, any of which could negatively impact our business and results of operations. Similarly, laws and proposed legislationin some countries relating to data localization, in some countriespayments processing, registration as a travel agent and other local requirements could, if applicable to us, adversely affect our ability to conduct business in those countries.
The implementation of unfavorable regulations or unfavorable interpretations of existing regulations by judicial or regulatory bodies could require us to incur significant compliance costs, cause the development of the affected markets to become impractical and otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. For example, in March 2017, in connection with a lawsuit begun in 2015 by the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies claiming that Booking.com is required to meet certain registration requirements in Turkey, a Turkish court ordered Booking.com to suspend
offering Turkish hotels and accommodations to Turkish residents. Although Booking.com is appealing the order and believes it to be without basis, this order has had, and is likely to continue to have, a negative impact on our growth and results of operations.
Certain jurisdictions, particularly in Europe, are considering regulations intended to address the issue of "overtourism," including restrictions that may adversely affect our ability to offer accommodations, in particular alternative accommodations, near city centers or popular tourist destinations. To the extent any such regulations require online platforms such as ours to comply with additional restrictions related to offering reservations for accommodations, tours and activities or other travel services in such areas, we could be subject to increased legal and compliance costs, and our business, growth and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Compliance with the laws and regulations of multiple jurisdictions increases our cost of doing business. These laws and regulations, which vary and sometimes conflict, include the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act and local laws which also prohibit corrupt payments to governmental officials or third parties, data privacy requirements, labor relations laws, tax laws, anti-trust or competition laws, U.S., E.U. or U.N. sanctioned country or sanctioned persons mandates, and consumer protection laws. Violations of these laws and regulations could result in fines and/or criminal sanctions against us, our officers or our employees and/or prohibitions on the conduct of our business. Any such violations could result in prohibitions on our ability to offer our services in one or more countries, could delay or prevent potential acquisitions, and could also materially damage our reputation, our brands, our international expansion efforts, our ability to attract and retain employees, our business and our operating results. Even if we comply with these laws and regulations, doing business in certain jurisdictions could harm our reputation and brands, which could adversely affect our results of operations or stock price. In addition, these restrictions may provide a competitive advantage to our competitors unless they are also subject to comparable restrictions. Our success depends, in part, on our ability to anticipate these risks and manage these difficulties. We are also subject to a variety of other regulatory and legal risks and challenges in managing an organization operating in various countries, including those related to:
regulatory changes or other government actions;
additional complexity to comply with regulations in multiple jurisdictions, as well as overlapping or inconsistent legal regimes, in particular with respect to tax, labor, consumer protection, digital content, advertising, promotions, privacy and anti-trust laws;
our ability to repatriate funds held by our international subsidiaries to the United States at favorable tax rates;
difficulties in transferring funds from or converting currencies in certain countries; and
reduced protection for intellectual property rights in some countries.
Our business has grown substantially over the last several years and continues to expand into new geographic locations. In addition, we have made efforts and expect to make further efforts to integrate access to travel services across our various brands. These changes add complexity to legal and tax compliance, and our increased size and operating history may increase the likelihood that we will be subject to regulatory scrutiny or audits by tax authorities in various jurisdictions.
Our stock price is highly volatile.
The market price of our common stock is highly volatile and is likely to continue to be subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors such as the following, some of which are beyond our control:
operating results that vary from the expectations of securities analysts and investors;
quarterly variations in our operating results;
changes in expectations as to our future financial performance, including financial estimates by securities analysts and investors;
worldwide economic conditions in general and in Europe in particular;
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, particularly between the U.S. Dollar and the Euro;
occurrences of a significant security breach;
announcements of technological innovations or new services by us or our competitors;
changes in our capital structure;
changes in market valuations of other internet or online service companies;
announcements by us or our competitors of price reductions, promotions, significant contracts, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;
loss of a major travel service provider participant, such as a hotel chain, rental car company or airline, from our services;
changes in the status of our intellectual property rights;
lack of success in the expansion of our business models geographically;
business interruptions, such as may result from natural disasters or other events;
announcements by third parties of significant claims or initiation of litigation proceedings against us or adverse developments in pending proceedings;
additions or departures of key personnel; and
trading volume fluctuations.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock, including through the conversion of our convertible notes, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock by introducing a large number of sellers to the market. Given the volatility that exists for our shares, such sales could cause the market price of our common stock to decline significantly. In addition, fluctuations in our stock price and our price-to-earnings multiple may have made our stock attractive to momentum, hedge or day-trading investors who often shift funds into and out of stocks rapidly, exacerbating price fluctuations in either direction, particularly when viewed on a quarterly basis.
The trading prices of internet company stocks in general, including ours, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. To the extent that the public's perception of the prospects of internet or e-commerce companies is negative, our stock price could decline, regardless of our results. Other broad market and industry factors may decrease the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. Market fluctuations, as well as general political and economic conditions, such as a recession, interest rate or currency rate fluctuations, political instability (e.g., "Brexit" and the July 2016 coup attempt in Turkey) or a natural disaster or terrorist attack affecting a significant market for our business, such as Europe or the United States, could cause our stock price to decline. Negative market conditions could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital or the value of our stock for purposes of acquiring other companies or businesses.
We have, in the past, been a defendant in securities class action litigation. Securities class action litigation has often been brought against a company following periods of volatility in the market price of its securities. To the extent our stock price declines or is volatile, we may in the future be the target of additional litigation. This additional litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management's attention and resources, either of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We face increased risks as the level of our debt increases.
We have a substantial amount of outstanding indebtedness and we may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, including through public or private offerings of debt securities. Our outstanding indebtedness and any additional indebtedness we incur may have significant consequences, which could include:
requiring the dedication of a portion of our cash flow from operations to service our indebtedness, thereby reducing the amount of cash flow available for other purposes, including capital expenditures, share repurchases and acquisitions;
increased vulnerability to downturns in our business, to competitive pressures and to adverse changes in general economic and industry conditions;
decreased or loss of, thelost ability to obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to us for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, share repurchases or other general corporate purposes; and
decreased flexibility when planning for or reacting to changes in our business and industry.
Our ability to make payments of principal of and interest on our indebtedness depends upon our future performance, which will be subject to general economic conditions, industry cycles and financial, business and other factors affecting our consolidated results of operations and financial condition, many of which are beyond our control. Further, we may not have access to equity or debt markets or other sources of financing, or such financing may not be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, to repay or refinance our debt as it comes due or, in the case of our convertible notes, upon conversion. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from our U.S. operations in the future to service our debt, we may be required to, among other things, repatriate funds to the United States at substantial tax cost.
"Cookie" laws could negatively impact the way we do business.
A "cookie" is a text file that is stored on a user's web browser by a website. Cookies are common tools used by thousands of websites, including ours, to, among other things, store or gather information (e.g., remember log-on details so a user does not have to re-enter them when revisiting a website), market to consumers and enhance the user experience on a website. Cookies are valuable tools for websites like ours to improve the customer experience and increase conversion on their websites.
The European Union's ePrivacy Directive requires member countries to adopt regulations governing the use of "cookies" by websites servicing consumers in the European Union. For example, on June 5, 2012, an amendment to the Dutch Telecommunications Act became effective. The amended act requires websites, including Booking.com, to provide Dutch users with clear and comprehensive information about the storage and use of certain cookies and obtain prior consent from the user before placing certain cookies on a user's web browser. To the extent any such regulations require "opt-in" consent before certain cookies can be placed on a user's web browser, our ability, in particular Booking.com's ability, to serve certain customers in the manner we currently do might be adversely affected and our ability to continue to improve and optimize performance on our websites might be impaired, either of which could negatively affect a consumer's experience using our services. As a result, these regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, market share and results of operations.
Our stock price is highly volatile.
The market price of our common stock is highly volatile and is likely to continue to be subject to wide fluctuations in response to factors such as the following, some of which are beyond our control:
operating results that vary from the expectations of securities analysts and investors;
quarterly variations in our operating results;
changes in expectations as to our future financial performance, including financial estimates by securities analysts and investors;
worldwide economic conditions in general and in Europe in particular;
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, particularly between the U.S. Dollar and the Euro;
announcements of technological innovations or new services by us or our competitors;
changes in our capital structure;
changes in market valuations of other Internet or online service companies;
announcements by us or our competitors of price reductions, promotions, significant contracts, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;
loss of a major travel service provider participant, such as a hotel chain, rental car company or airline, from our services;
changes in the status of our intellectual property rights;
lack of success in the expansion of our business models geographically;
announcements by third parties of significant claims or initiation of litigation proceedings against us or adverse developments in pending proceedings;
occurrences of a significant security breach;
additions or departures of key personnel; and
trading volume fluctuations.
Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock, including through the conversion of our convertible notes, could adversely affect the market price of our common stock by introducing a large number of sellers to the market. Given the volatility that exists for our shares, such sales could cause the market price of our common stock to decline significantly. In addition, fluctuations in our stock price and our price-to-earnings multiple may have made our stock attractive to momentum, hedge or day-trading investors who often shift funds into and out of stocks rapidly, exacerbating price fluctuations in either direction, particularly when viewed on a quarterly basis.
The trading prices of Internet company stocks in general, including ours, have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. To the extent that the public's perception of the prospects of Internet or e-commerce companies is negative, our stock price could decline, regardless of our results. Other broad market and industry factors may decrease the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. Market fluctuations, as well as general political and economic conditions, such as a recession, interest rate or currency rate fluctuations, or a natural disaster or terrorist attack affecting a significant market for our business, such as Europe or the United States, could cause our stock price to decline. Negative market conditions could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital or the value of our stock for purposes of acquiring other companies or businesses.
We have, in the past, been a defendant in securities class action litigation. Securities class action litigation has often been brought against a company following periods of volatility in the market price of its securities. To the extent our stock price declines or is volatile, we may in the future be the target of additional litigation. This additional litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management's attention and resources, either of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to keep up with rapid technological changes.
The markets in which we compete are characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards, consolidation, frequent new service announcements, introductions and enhancements and changing consumer demands. We may not be able to keep up with these rapid changes. In addition, these market characteristics are heightened by the progress of technology adoption in various markets, including the continuing adoption of the Internet and online commerce in certain geographies and the emergence and growth of the use of smart phones and tablets for mobile e-commerce transactions, including through the increasing use of mobile apps. As a result, our future success will depend on our ability to adapt to rapidly changing technologies, to adapt our services to evolving industry standards and to continually innovate and improve the performance, features and reliability of our services in response to competitive service offerings and the evolving demands of the marketplace. In particular, we believe that it will be increasingly important for us to effectively offer our services through mobile apps and mobile optimized websites on smart phones and tablets. Any failure by us to successfully develop and achieve customer adoption of our mobile apps and mobile optimized websites would likely have a material and adverse effect on our growth, market share, business and results of operations. Further, to the extent mobile devices enable users to block advertising content on their devices, our advertising revenue and our ability to market our brands and acquire new customers may be negatively affected. We believe that ease-of-use, comprehensive functionality and the look and feel of our mobile apps and mobile optimized websites increasingly will be competitively critical as consumers obtain more of their travel and restaurant services through mobile devices. As a result, we intend to continue to spend significant resources maintaining, developing and enhancing our websites and mobile platforms, including our mobile optimized websites and mobile apps, and other technologies.
In addition, the widespread adoption of new Internet, networking or telecommunications technologies or other technological changes could require us to incur substantial expenditures to modify or adapt our services or infrastructure to those new technologies, which could adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition. For example, KAYAK generates revenues, in part, by allowing consumers to compare search results that appear in additional "pop-under" windows. Changes in browser functionality, such as changes that either block or otherwise limit the use of "pop-under" windows, at times has had a negative impact on our revenues. Any failure to implement or adapt to new technologies in a timely manner or at all could adversely affect our ability to compete, increase our customer acquisition costs or otherwise adversely affect our business, and therefore adversely affect our brand, market share and results of operations.
We face risks related to our intellectual property.
We regard our intellectual property as critical to our success, and we rely on domain name, trademark, copyright and patent law, trade secret protection and confidentiality and/or license agreements with our employees, travel service providers, partners and others to protect our proprietary rights. We have filed various applications for protection of certain aspects of our intellectual property in the United States and other jurisdictions, and we currently hold a number of issued patents in multipleseveral jurisdictions. Further, in the future we may acquire additional patents or patent portfolios, which could require significant cash expenditures. However, we may choose not to patent or otherwise register some of our intellectual property and instead rely on trade secret or other means of protecting our intellectual property. We have licensed in the past, and may license in the future, certain of our proprietary rights, such as trademarks or copyrighted material, to third parties, and these licensees may take actions that diminish the value of our proprietary rights or harm our reputation. We also have procured various intellectual property licenses from third parties. In addition, effective intellectual property protection may not be available in every country in which our services are made available online. We may be required to expend significant time and resources to prevent infringement or to enforce our intellectual property rights.
While weWe believe that our intellectual property rights, including our issued patents and pending patent applications, help to protect our business, there can be no assurance that:
a third party will not have or obtain one or more patents that can prevent usbusiness. We endeavor to defend our intellectual property rights diligently, but intellectual property litigation is extremely expensive and time-consuming, and may divert managerial attention and resources from practicing features of our business or that will require usobjectives. We may not be able to pay for a license to use those features;
our operations do not or will not infringe valid, enforceable patents of third parties;
we can successfully defend our patents against challenges by third parties;
pending patent applications will result in the issuance of patents;
competitorsintellectual property rights or potential competitors willthey may not devise new methods of competing with us that are not covered by our patents or patent applications;
because of variations in the application ofbe sufficient to effectively protect our business, model to each of our services, our patents will be effective in preventing one or more third parties from utilizing a copycat business model to offer the same service in one or more categories;
new prior art will not be discovered that may diminish the value of or invalidate an issued patent; or
legislative or judicial action will not directly or indirectlywhich could materially adversely affect the scope and validity of any of our patent rights, including the ability to obtain and enforce so called "business method patents".
If we are not successful in protecting our intellectual property, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, brands and results of operations.
From time to time, in the ordinary course of our business, we have been subject to, and are currently subject to, legal proceedings and claims relating to the intellectual property rights of others, and we expect that third parties will continue to assert intellectual property claims, in particular patent claims, against us, particularly as we expand the complexity and scope of our business. For example, in February 2015, IBM sued us and certain of our subsidiaries asserting that we infringed certain IBM patents and claiming damages and injunctive relief. While we believe the suit to be without merit and intend to contest it, litigation is uncertain and we may not be successful. We endeavor to defend our intellectual property rights diligently, but intellectual property litigation is extremely expensive and time consuming, and may divert managerial attention and resources from our business objectives. Successful infringement claims against us could result in a significant monetary liability or prevent us from operating our business, or portions of our business. In addition, resolution of claims may require us to obtain licenses to use intellectual property rights belonging to third parties, which may be expensive to procure, or possibly to cease using those rights altogether. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The success of our acquisition of OpenTable is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties.
On July 24, 2014, we acquired OpenTable, a leading brand for booking online restaurant reservations. We believe that the online restaurant reservation business is complementary to our online travel businesses, and that both OpenTable and our travel businesses will benefit from the addition of OpenTable to The Priceline Group.Booking Holdings. As a result of our acquisition of OpenTable, we are subject to risks associated with OpenTable's business, many of which are the same risks that our other businesses face. Other risks include: OpenTable's ability to increase the number of restaurants and diners using its products and services and retain existing restaurants and diners; OpenTable's ability to expand internationally; competition both to provide reservation management services to restaurants and to attract diners to make reservations through OpenTable's websites and apps; OpenTable's ability to effectively and efficiently market to new restaurants and diners; and any risks that cause people to refrain from dining at restaurants, such as economic downturns, severe weather, outbreaks of pandemic or contagious diseases, or threats of terrorist attacks. We have invested since
OpenTable's post-acquisition strategy was premised on significant and rapid investment in international expansion and various other growth initiatives, resulting in near-term reduced earnings and profit margins but with the acquisitiongoal of achieving significantly increased revenues and intendprofitability in the long term. As this strategy was achieving limited progress, in the third quarter of 2016 OpenTable modified its strategy. As a result, while OpenTable intends to continue to pursue and invest in OpenTableinternational expansion and its other growth initiatives, it intends to accelerate its global expansion, increase the value offered to its restaurant partnersdo so in a more measured and enhance the end-to-end experience for consumers across desktop and mobile devices. As expected, these investmentsdeliberate manner. This change in strategy resulted in lower OpenTable post-acquisition EBITDA comparedupdating its forecasted financial results to pre-acquisition levels. However,reflect (a) a material reduction in forecasted
long-term financial results from these initiatives, partially offset by (b) improved earnings and profit margins in the time required to execute these investments has exceeded our initial expectations. Despitenear term as a result of the delays,reduced investments. As previously disclosed, based on the updated forecast, we continue to believe that these investments will resultestimated a significant reduction in significant future earnings. the fair value of the OpenTable business and, for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, recognized a non-deductible goodwill impairment charge of $940.7 million.
Future events and changing market conditions may however, lead us to reevaluateagain re-evaluate the assumptions we have used to test for goodwill impairment,reflected in the updated forecast, including key assumptions regarding OpenTable's expected growth rates and operating margins and the success and timing of its international expansion and other growth initiatives, as well as other key assumptions with respect to matters outside of our control, such as discount rates, currency exchange rates, and market EBITDA comparables.(i.e., earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) comparables, and changes in accounting policies or practices, including proposed changes affecting the measurement of goodwill and/or impairment testing methodology. If OpenTable’sOpenTable does not achieve the results currently expected, if its investments, in particular its investments in its globalinternational expansion efforts and other growth initiatives, are not successful, there is a substantial likelihood thator if any of the assumptions underlying our estimate of the value of the OpenTable business, including those mentioned above, prove to be incorrect, we wouldmay further refine our forecast for the OpenTable business and recognize a relatedan additional goodwill impairment and an impairment of intangible assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Investment in new business strategies and acquisitions could disrupt our ongoing business and present risks not originally contemplated.
We have invested, and in the future may invest, in new business strategies and acquisitions. Such endeavors may involve significant risks and uncertainties, including distraction of management from current operations, greater than expected liabilities and expenses, inadequate return on capital, and unidentified issues not discovered in our investigations and evaluations of those strategies and acquisitions. We may decide to make minority investments, including through joint ventures, in which we have limited or no management or operational control. The controlling person in such a case may have business interests, strategies or goals that are inconsistent with ours, and decisions of the company or venture in which we invested may result in harm to our reputation or adversely affect the value of our investment. Further, we may issue shares of our common stock in these transactions, which could result in dilution to our stockholders.
The value of our investments could decline, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We maintain an investment portfolio of various holdings, types and maturities. These securities are predominantly classified as available-for-sale and, consequently, are recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheetsbalance sheets at fair value with unrealized gains or losses reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. Our portfolio includes fixed incomefixed-income securities and equity securities of publicly traded companies, the values of which are subject to market price volatility. If such investments suffer market price declines, we may recognize in earnings the decline in the fair value of our investments below their cost basis when the decline is judged to be other than temporary. We have invested a significant amount in Ctrip convertible notes and ADSs. See Note 4 to our Consolidated Balance SheetsFinancial Statements for more information regarding our investments in Ctrip securities. Beginning on January 1, 2018, changes in fair value of our investment in Ctrip equity securities will be recognized in net income (see Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements). The value of these securities is subject to the risks associated with Ctrip's business, as well as any changes by the Chinese government in foreign investment laws or elevated scrutiny or regulation of foreign investments in Chinese companies. For example, because of foreign ownership restrictions applicable to its business, Ctrip is a Cayman Islands company operating in China through what is commonly referred to as a variable interest entity, or VIE, structure where it conducts part of its business through contractual relationships with affiliated Chinese entities. Although VIE structures are commonly used by Chinese Internetinternet and e-commerce companies, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRC laws and regulations to VIE structures, and it is possible that the PRC government may view the VIE structure as in violation of PRC law. VIE contractual relationships are not as effective in providing control over the affiliated Chinese companies as direct ownership, and Ctrip would have to rely on the PRC legal system to enforce those contracts in the event of a breach by one of these entities. Further, conflicts of interest could arise to the extent Ctrip's officers or directors are also shareholders, officers or directors of the affiliated Chinese entities. Any of these risks could materially and adversely affect Ctrip's business and therefore the value of our investment in Ctrip. Similar considerations and risks apply in respect of our investment in securities of Meituan-DianPing, a private Cayman Islands company operating in China through a VIE structure.
We also invest from time to time in private companies and these investments are generally accounted for under the cost method. Such investments are inherently risky in that such companies are typically at an early stage of development, may have no or limited revenues, may not be or ever become profitable, may not be able to secure additional funding or their technologies, services or products may not be successfully developed or introduced to the market. Further, our ability to liquidate any such investments is typically dependent on a liquidity event, such as a public offering or acquisition, as no public market exists for such securities. Valuations of privately-held companies are inherently complex and uncertain due to the lack of a liquid market for the company's securities. If we determine that any of our investments in such companies have experienced a decline in value, we may be required to record an other than temporaryother-than-temporary impairment. For example, in 2016 we recognized impairments totaling approximately $63 million related to investments in two private companies and in 2017 we recognized an impairment of $7.6 million related to an investment in one private company.
We could lose the full amount of any of our investments, and any impairment of our investments could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Investment in new business strategies and acquisitions could disrupt our ongoing business and present risks not originally contemplated.
Our mission is to help people experience the world. As a result, our strategy involves evaluating and potentially entering complementary businesses in furtherance of that mission. We have invested, and in the future may invest, in new business strategies and acquisitions. For example, we acquired the Momondo Group in July 2017 to enhance the global reach of our meta-search business, we entered the restaurant reservation business through our acquisition of OpenTable in 2014, and Booking.com has invested in its BookingSuite accommodation services business and has begun offering activities (such as tours and museum tickets) in various locations. Such endeavors may involve significant risks and uncertainties, including distraction of management from current operations, greater than expected liabilities and expenses, inadequate return on capital, new risks with which we are not familiar, legal compliance obligations that previously did not apply to us, integration risks and difficulties, and unidentified issues not discovered in our investigations and evaluations of those strategies and acquisitions. As a result, entering new businesses involves risks and costs that could, if realized, have an adverse effect on our business, reputation, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition, as well as on our ability to achieve the expected benefits of any such investments or acquisitions.
We may decide to make minority investments, including through joint ventures, in which we have limited or no management or operational control. The controlling person in such a case may have business interests, strategies or goals that are inconsistent with ours, and decisions of the company or venture in which we invested may result in harm to our reputation or adversely affect the value of our investment. A substantial portion of our goodwill and intangible assets were acquired in acquisitions. If we determine that any of the goodwill and intangible assets, or any goodwill or intangible assets acquired in future transactions, experiences a decline in value, we may be required to record an other-than-temporary impairment, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations. Further, we may issue shares of our common stock in these transactions, which could result in dilution to our stockholders.
Our use of "open source" software could adversely affect our ability to protect our proprietary software and subject us to possible litigation.
We use open source software in connection with our software development. From time to time, companies that use open source software have faced claims challenging the use of open source software and/or compliance with open source license terms. We could be subject to suits by parties claiming ownership of what we believe to be open source software, or claiming non-compliance with open source licensing terms. Some open source licenses require users who distribute software containing open source to make available all or part of such software, which in some circumstances could include valuable proprietary code of the user. While we monitor our use of open source software and try to ensure that none is used in a manner that would require us to disclose our proprietary source code or that would otherwise breach the terms of an open source agreement, such use could inadvertently occur, in part because open source license terms are often ambiguous. Any requirement to disclose our proprietary source code or pay damages for breach of contract could be harmful to our business, results of operations or financial condition, and could help our competitors develop services that are similar to or better than ours.
Our business is exposed to risks associated with processing credit card and other payment transactions.
Our results have been negatively impacted by purchases made using fraudulent credit cards. Because we act asfacilitate the merchantprocessing of recordcustomer credit cards in many of our transactions, including a majority of our priceline.com, agoda.com and rentalcars.comRentalcars.com transactions, weour results have been negatively impacted by customer purchases made using fraudulent credit cards. We may be held liable for accepting fraudulent credit cards on our websites as well as other payment disputes with our customers. Additionally, we may be held liable for accepting fraudulent credit cards in certain retail transactions when we do not act as merchantfacilitate the processing of record.customer credit cards. Accordingly, we calculate and record an allowance for the resulting credit cardcustomer chargebacks. If we are unable to combat the use of fraudulent credit cards on our websites, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Our Booking.com business is also increasingly processing transactions on a merchant basis where it facilitates payments, including credit card transactions as well as other global payment methods, on behalf of customers. While this allows Booking.com to process transactions for properties that do not otherwise accept credit cards and to increase its ability to offer flexible transaction terms to consumers, we incur additional payment processing costs, chargebacks and other costs related to these transactions. As this business continues to grow, we may experience a significant increase in such costs or chargebacks, and our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
In addition, in the event that one of our major travel service providers voluntarily or involuntarily declares bankruptcy, we could experience an increase in credit card chargebacks from customers with travel reservations with such travel service provider. For example, airlines that participate in our services and declare bankruptcy or cease operations may be unable or unwilling to
honor tickets sold for their flights. Our policy in such event is to direct customers seeking a refund or exchange to the airline, and not to provide a remedy ourselves. Because we are the merchant-of-record onprocess sales of Name Your Own Price® andpriceline.com's Express Deals® airline tickets to our customers,on a merchant basis, we could experience a significant increase in demands for refunds or credit card chargebacks from customers, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. We have in the past experienced an increase in credit card chargebacks from customers with tickets on airlines that ceased operations. Agoda.com and rentalcars.comWe process credit card transactions and operate in numerous currencies. Credit card and other payment processing costs are typically higher for foreign currency transactions and in instances where cancellations occur.
"Cookie" laws could negatively impact the way we do business.
A "cookie" is a text file that is stored on a user's web browser by a website. Cookies are common tools used by thousands of websites, including ours, to, among other things, store or gather information (e.g., remember log-on details so a user does not have to re-enter them when revisiting a website), market to consumers and enhance the user experience on a website. Cookies are valuable tools for websites like ours to improve the customer experience and increase conversion on their websites. Many countries have adopted regulations governing the use of "cookies" by websites servicing consumers, especially in the European Union. To the extent any such regulations require "opt-in" consent before certain cookies can be placed on a user's web browser, our ability, in particular Booking.com's ability, to serve certain customers in the manner we currently do might be adversely affected and our ability to continue to improve and optimize performance on our websites might be impaired, either of which could negatively affect a consumer's experience using our services and our business, market share and results of operations.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
Our corporate headquarters and the headquarters of our priceline.com business are located in Norwalk, Connecticut, United States of America, where we lease approximately 102,00090,000 square feet of office space. Our Booking.com business is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where weWe lease approximately 258,000 square feet of office space;space in Amsterdam, Netherlands for the headquarters of our Booking.com business; our agoda.com business has significant support operations in Bangkok, Thailand, where we lease approximately 95,000144,000 square feet of office space; our KAYAK business is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, United States of America, where we lease approximately 18,000 square feet of office space;space in Stamford, Connecticut, United States of America, for the headquarters of our OpenTable business is headquarteredKAYAK business; we lease approximately 60,000 square feet of office space in San Francisco, California, United States of America, where we lease approximately 51,000 square feetfor the headquarters of office space;our OpenTable business; and our rentalcars.com business is headquartered in Manchester, England, where we lease approximately 45,000 square feet of office space.space in Manchester, England for the headquarters of our Rentalcars.com business. We lease additional office space to support our operations in various locations around the world, including hosting and data center facilities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Singapore, and Hong Kong and China and sales and support facilities in numerous locations. WeOther than the office building that is currently under construction in the Netherlands and the associated land-use rights (see the section "Land-use rights" within Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more details, which is incorporated into this Item 2 by reference thereto), we do not own any real estate as of December 31, 2015.2017.
We believe that our existing facilities are adequate to meet our current requirements, and that suitable additional or substitute space will be available as needed to accommodate any further expansion of corporate operations.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Competition Reviews
Certain business practices commonA description of any material legal proceedings to the online travel industry have become the subject of investigations by various national competition authorities ("NCAs"), particularly in Europe. Investigations related to Booking.com's contractual parity arrangements with accommodation providers, sometimes also referred to as "most favored nation" or "MFN" provisions, were initiated by NCAs in France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Ireland and Switzerland, and a number of other NCAs are also looking, or have looked, at these issues. The investigations primarily relate to whether Booking.com's price parity provisions are anti-competitive because they require accommodation providers to provide Booking.com with room rates that are at least as low as those offered to other online travel companies ("OTCs") or through the accommodation provider's website.
On April 21, 2015, the French, Italian and Swedish NCAs, working in close cooperation with the European Commission, announced that they had accepted "commitments" offered by Booking.com to resolve and close the investigations in France, Italy and Sweden. Under the commitments, Booking.com replaced its existing price parity agreements with accommodation providers with "narrow" price parity agreements. Under a "narrow" price parity agreement, subject to certain exceptions, an accommodation provider is still required to offer the same or better rates on Booking.com as it offers to a consumer directly online, but it is no longer required to offer the same or better rates on Booking.com as it offers to other OTCs. The commitments also allow an accommodation provider to, among other things, offer different terms and conditions (e.g., free WiFi) and availability to consumers that book with on-line travel companies that offer lower rates of commission or other benefits, offer lower rates to consumers that book through off-line channels and continue to discount through, among other things, accommodation loyalty programs, as long as those rates are not published or marketed online. The commitments apply to accommodations in France, Italy and Sweden and were effective on July 1, 2015. The foregoing description is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the commitments published by the NCAs on April 21, 2015.
We are in ongoing discussions with various NCAs in other countries regarding their concerns. On July 1, 2015, Booking.com voluntarily implemented the commitments given to the French, Italian and Swedish NCAs throughout the European Economic Area and Switzerland and is working with certain other European NCAs towards closing their investigations or inquiries. In October 2015, the Irish NCA closed its investigation on the basis of commitments by Booking.com identical to those given to the French, Italian and Swedish NCAs. In November 2015, the Swiss NCA closed its investigation, prohibiting any reintroduction of Booking.com's old "wide" parity agreements but permitting Booking.com to retain its existing "narrow" parity agreements with accommodations in Switzerland. A number of additional NCAs in the European Economic Area have now closed their investigations following Booking.com's implementation of the commitments in their jurisdictions. However,which we are currently unable to predict the impact the implementation of these commitments throughout the European Economic Area and Switzerland will have on Booking.com's business or on the on-going investigationsa party is included in other European countries, or on industry practice more generally. On December 23, 2015, the German NCA issued a final decision prohibiting Booking.com's "narrow" price parity agreements with accommodations in Germany. The German NCA did not issue a fine, but has reserved its position regarding an order for disgorgement of profits. Booking.com intends to appeal the German NCA's decision. An Italian hotel association has appealed the Italian NCA's decision to accept the commitments by Booking.com. We are unable to predict how these appeals and the remaining investigations in other countries will ultimately be resolved. Possible outcomes include requiring Booking.com to amend or remove its rate parity clause from its contracts with accommodation providers in those jurisdictions and/or the imposition of fines.
In August 2015, French legislation known as the "Macron Law" became effective. Among other things, the Macron Law makes price parity agreements illegal, including the "narrow" price parity agreements agreed to by the French NCA in April 2015. The law also requires that agreements between OTCs and hotels comply with a French agency contract form. Similar legislation prohibiting "narrow" price parity agreements has been proposed in Italy and currently is awaiting action by the Italian Senate. It is not yet clear whether the Macron Law or the proposed Italian legislation may affect our business in the long term in France and Italy, respectively.
Litigation Related to Travel Transaction Taxes
We and certain third-party online travel companies ("OTCs") are currently involved in approximately forty lawsuits, including certified and putative class actions, brought by or against U.S. states, cities and counties over issues involving the payment of travel transaction taxes (e.g., hotel occupancy taxes, excise taxes, sales taxes, etc.). Generally, the complaints allege, among other things, that the OTCs violated each jurisdiction's respective relevant travel transaction tax ordinance with respect to the charge and remittance of amounts to cover taxes under each law. We believe that the laws at issue generally do not apply to the services we provide, namely the facilitation of travel reservations, and, therefore, that we do not owe the taxes that are claimed to be owed. However, we have been involved in this type of litigation for many years, and state and local jurisdictions where these issues have not been resolved could assert that we are subject to travel transaction taxes and could seek to collect such taxes, retroactively and/or prospectively. From time to time, we have found it expedient to settle, and may in the future agree to settle, claims pending in these matters without conceding that the claims at issue are meritorious or that the claimed taxes are in fact due to be paid.
Litigation is subject to uncertainty and there could be adverse developments in these pending or future cases and proceedings. An unfavorable outcome or settlement of pending litigation may encourage the commencement of additional litigation, audit proceedings or other regulatory inquiries and also could result in substantial liabilities for past and/or future bookings, including, among other things, interest, penalties, punitive damages and/or attorneys' fees and costs. An adverse outcome in one or more of these unresolved proceedings could have an adverse effect on our results of operations or cash flow in any given operating period. However, we believe that even if we were to suffer adverse determinations in the near term in more of the pending proceedings than currently anticipated, given results to date it would not have a material impact on our liquidity or financial condition.
Accrual for Travel Transaction Taxes
As a result of this litigation and other attempts by jurisdictions to levy similar taxes, we have established an accrual (including estimated interest and penalties) for the potential resolution of issues related to travel transaction taxes in the amount of approximately $27 million at December 31, 2015 compared to approximately $52 million at December 31, 2014. Our legal expenses for these matters are expensed as incurred and are not reflected in the amount accrued. The actual cost may be less or greater, potentially significantly, than the liabilities recorded. An estimate for a reasonably possible loss or range of loss in excess of the amount accrued cannot be reasonably made. See Note 1514 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.Statements included in Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year Ended December 31, 2017, and is incorporated into this Item 3 by reference thereto.
Patent Infringement
On February 9, 2015, International Business Machines Corporation ("IBM") filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against The Priceline Group Inc. and its subsidiaries KAYAK Software Corporation, OpenTable, Inc. and priceline.com LLC (the "Subject Companies"). In the complaint, IBM alleges that the Subject Companies have infringed and continue to willfully infringe certain IBM patents that IBM claims relate to the presentation of applications and advertising in an interactive service, preserving state information in online transactions and single sign-on processes in a computing environment and seeks unspecified damages (including a request that the amount of compensatory damages be trebled), injunctive relief and costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. The Subject Companies believe the claims to be without merit and intend to contest them.
French and Italian Tax Matters
French tax authorities recently concluded an audit that started in 2013 of the years 2003 through 2012. The French authorities are asserting that Booking.com has a permanent establishment in France and are seeking to recover what they claim are unpaid income taxes and value-added taxes ("VAT"). In December 2015, the French tax authorities issued an assessment for approximately 356 million Euros, the majority of which would represent penalties and interest. We believe that Booking.com has been, and continues to be, in compliance with French tax law, and we intend to contest the assessment. If we are unable to resolve the matter with the French authorities, we would expect to challenge the assessment in the French courts. In order to contest the assessment in court, we may be required to pay, upfront, the full amount or a significant part of any such assessment, though any such payment would not constitute an admission by us that we owe the tax. French authorities may decide to also audit subsequent tax years, which could result in additional assessments.
Similarly, Italian tax authorities have initiated a process to determine whether we should be subject to additional tax obligations in Italy. While we believe that we comply with Italian tax law, Italian tax authorities may determine that we owe additional taxes, and they may also assess penalties and interest. We believe that we have been, and continue to be, in compliance with Italian tax law.
Other
We accrue for certain legal contingencies where it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Such accrued amounts are not material to our consolidated balance sheets and provisions recorded have not been material to our consolidated results of operations or cash flows. An estimate for a reasonably possible loss or range of loss in excess of the amount accrued cannot be reasonably made.
From time to time, we have been, and expect to continue to be, subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business, including claims of alleged infringement of third-party intellectual property rights. Such claims, even if not meritorious, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources, divert management's attention from our business objectives and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Price Range of Common Stock
Our common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "BKNG." Prior to February 27, 2018, it was traded under the symbol "PCLN." The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices per share of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market:
| | | 2015 | | High | | Low | |
| 2017 | | | High | | Low |
| | | | | | | | | |
| First Quarter | | $ | 1,264.00 |
| | $ | 990.69 |
| | $ | 1,798.75 |
| | $ | 1,459.49 |
|
| Second Quarter | | 1,280.97 |
| | 1,103.45 |
| | 1,927.13 |
| | 1,738.34 |
|
| Third Quarter | | 1,395.00 |
| | 1,115.77 |
| | 2,067.99 |
| | 1,774.40 |
|
| Fourth Quarter | | 1,476.52 |
| | 1,212.00 |
| | 1,961.45 |
| | 1,630.56 |
|
| | | 2014 | | High | | Low | |
| 2016 | | | High | | Low |
| | | | | | | | | |
| First Quarter | | $ | 1,378.96 |
| | $ | 1,103.90 |
| | $ | 1,361.63 |
| | $ | 954.02 |
|
| Second Quarter | | 1,292.66 |
| | 1,087.26 |
| | 1,394.00 |
| | 1,148.06 |
|
| Third Quarter | | 1,329.90 |
| | 1,139.27 |
| | 1,481.78 |
| | 1,245.51 |
|
| Fourth Quarter | | 1,229.00 |
| | 1,017.28 |
| | 1,600.93 |
| | 1,422.19 |
|
Holders
As of February 10, 2016,20, 2018, there were approximately 213190 stockholders of record of The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc.'s common stock.
Dividend Policy
We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock since our inception and do not expect to pay any cash dividends for the foreseeable future.
Performance Measurement Comparison
The following graph shows the total stockholder return through December 31, 20152017 of an investment of $100 in cash on December 31, 20102012 for The Priceline Group Inc.our common stock and an investment of $100 in cash on December 31, 20102012 for (i) the NASDAQ Composite Index, (ii) the Standard and Poor's 500 Index and (iii) the Research Data Group ("RDG") Internet Composite Index. The RDG Internet Composite Index is an index of stocks representing the Internet industry, including Internet software and service companies and e-commerce companies. Historic stock performance is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance. All values assume reinvestment of the full amount of all dividends and are calculated as of the last day of each month:
35
| | Measurement Point December 31 | | The Priceline Group Inc. | | NASDAQ Composite Index | | S&P 500 Index | | RDG Internet Composite | | Booking Holdings Inc. | | NASDAQ Composite Index | | S&P 500 Index | | RDG Internet Composite |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2010 | | 100.00 |
| | 100.00 |
| | 100.00 |
| | 100.00 |
| |
| 2011 | | 117.06 |
| | 100.53 |
| | 102.11 |
| | 102.11 |
| |
| 2012 | | 155.27 |
| | 116.92 |
| | 118.45 |
| | 122.23 |
| | 100.00 |
| | 100.00 |
| | 100.00 |
| | 100.00 |
|
| 2013 | | 290.93 |
| | 166.19 |
| | 156.82 |
| | 199.42 |
| | 187.37 |
| | 141.63 |
| | 132.39 |
| | 163.02 |
|
| 2014 | | 285.37 |
| | 188.78 |
| | 178.29 |
| | 195.42 |
| | 183.79 |
| | 162.09 |
| | 150.51 |
| | 158.81 |
|
| 2015 | | 319.10 |
| | 199.95 |
| | 180.75 |
| | 267.25 |
| | 205.51 |
| | 173.33 |
| | 152.59 |
| | 224.05 |
|
| 2016 | | | 236.31 |
| | 187.19 |
| | 170.84 |
| | 235.33 |
|
| 2017 | | | 280.10 |
| | 242.29 |
| | 208.14 |
| | 338.52 |
|
Sales of Unregistered Securities
36
Between October 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017, we issued 103,343 shares of our common stock in connection with the conversion of $196.1 million principal amount of our 1.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2018. The conversions were effected in accordance with the indenture, which provides that the principal amount of converted notes be paid in cash and the conversion premium be paid in cash and/or shares of common stock at our election. In each case, we chose to pay the conversion premium in shares of common stock (fractional shares are paid in cash). The issuances of the shares were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act") pursuant to Section 3(a)(9) of the Act.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table sets forth information relating to repurchases of our equity securities during the three months ended December 31, 2015:2017:
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Period | | (a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased | | (b) Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit) | | (c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | | (d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs | | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
| | | | |
| October 1, 2015 — | | 397,038 |
| (1) | $ | 1,308.60 |
| | 397,038 |
| | $ | 229,261,810 |
| | (1) |
| October 31, 2015 | | 335 |
| (2) | $ | 1,352.60 |
| | N/A |
| | N/A |
| | |
| | | — |
| | |
| | |
| | | | |
| November 1, 2015 — | | 179,588 |
| (1) | $ | 1,276.37 |
| | 179,588 |
| | $ | 41,029 |
| | (1) |
| November 30, 2015 | | 1,863 |
| (2) | $ | 1,325.08 |
| | N/A |
| | N/A |
| | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
| | | | |
| December 1, 2015 — | | — |
| (1) | $ | — |
| | — |
| | $ | 41,029 |
| | (1) |
| December 31, 2015 | | 1,188 |
| (2) | $ | 1,289.16 |
| | N/A |
| | N/A |
| | |
| Total | | 580,012 |
| | $ | 1,298.66 |
| | 576,626 |
| | $ | 41,029 |
| | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Period | | (a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased | | (b) Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit) | | (c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | | (d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs | | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
| | | | |
| October 1, 2017 — | | 76,324 |
| (1) | $ | 1,912.59 |
| | 76,324 |
| | $ | 2,944,901,911 |
| | (1) (2) |
| October 31, 2017 | | 86 |
| (3) | $ | 1,909.37 |
| | N/A |
| | N/A |
| | |
| | | — |
| | |
| | |
| | | | |
| November 1, 2017 — | | 129,393 |
| (1) | $ | 1,746.53 |
| | 129,393 |
| | $ | 2,718,913,770 |
| | (1) (2) |
| November 30, 2017 | | 2,822 |
| (3) | $ | 1,702.72 |
| | N/A |
| | N/A |
| | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
| | | | |
| December 1, 2017 — | | 185,236 |
| (1) | $ | 1,748.97 |
| | 185,236 |
| | $ | 2,394,940,699 |
| | (1) (2) |
| December 31, 2017 | | 23 |
| (3) | $ | 1,782.62 |
| | N/A |
| | N/A |
| | |
| Total | | 393,884 |
| | $ | 1,779.58 |
| | 390,953 |
| | $ | 2,394,940,699 |
| | |
| |
| (1) | Pursuant to a stock repurchase program announced on February 19, 2015,17, 2016, whereby the Company was authorized to repurchase up to $3,000,000,000 of its common stock. |
| |
| (2) | Pursuant to a stock repurchase program announced on February 27, 2017, whereby the Company was authorized to repurchase up to $2,000,000,000 of its common stock. |
| |
| (3) | Pursuant to a general authorization, not publicly announced, whereby the Company is authorized to repurchase shares of its common stock to satisfy employee withholding tax obligations related to stock-based compensation. |
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial data presented below is derived from the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes of the Company, and should be read in connection with those statements, some of which are included herein. Selected financial data reflects results of any acquired business from the date of acquisition, including data related to KAYAK from its acquisition date of May 21, 2013, and OpenTable from its acquisition date of July 24, 2014.2014 and the Momondo Group (which is managed as part of the Company's KAYAK business) from its acquisition date of July 24, 2017. The information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of future results and should be read in conjunction with Part II Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the adjustments resulting from the adoption of new accounting standards in the fourth quarter of 2015.
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2015 | | 2014(3)(4) | | 2013(3)(4) | | 2012(3)(4) | | 2011(3)(4) | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2013 |
| | (In thousands, except per share amounts) | (In thousands, except per share amounts) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Total revenues | $ | 9,223,987 |
| | $ | 8,441,971 |
| | $ | 6,793,306 |
| | $ | 5,260,956 |
| | $ | 4,355,610 |
| $ | 12,681,082 |
| | $ | 10,743,006 |
| | $ | 9,223,987 |
| | $ | 8,441,971 |
| | $ | 6,793,306 |
|
| Cost of revenues | 632,180 |
| | 857,841 |
| | 1,077,420 |
| | 1,177,275 |
| | 1,275,730 |
| 250,537 |
| | 428,314 |
| | 632,180 |
| | 857,841 |
| | 1,077,420 |
|
| Gross profit | 8,591,807 |
| | 7,584,130 |
| | 5,715,886 |
| | 4,083,681 |
| | 3,079,880 |
| 12,430,545 |
| | 10,314,692 |
| | 8,591,807 |
| | 7,584,130 |
| | 5,715,886 |
|
Total operating expenses | 5,332,900 |
| | 4,510,818 |
| | 3,303,472 |
| | 2,253,888 |
| | 1,680,958 |
| 7,892,553 |
| | 7,408,379 |
| | 5,332,900 |
| | 4,510,818 |
| | 3,303,472 |
|
Operating income | 3,258,907 |
| | 3,073,312 |
| | 2,412,414 |
| | 1,829,793 |
| | 1,398,922 |
| 4,537,992 |
| | 2,906,313 |
| | 3,258,907 |
| | 3,073,312 |
| | 2,412,414 |
|
| Total other expense | 130,587 |
| | 83,864 |
| | 115,877 |
| | 67,924 |
| | 31,128 |
| 139,670 |
| | 193,075 |
| | 130,587 |
| | 83,864 |
| | 115,877 |
|
Income tax expense | 576,960 |
| | 567,695 |
| | 403,739 |
| | 337,832 |
| | 308,663 |
| 2,057,557 |
| | 578,251 |
| | 576,960 |
| | 567,695 |
| | 403,739 |
|
| Net income | 2,551,360 |
| | 2,421,753 |
| | 1,892,798 |
| | 1,424,037 |
| | 1,059,131 |
| |
Net income(1) (2) | | 2,340,765 |
| | 2,134,987 |
| | 2,551,360 |
| | 2,421,753 |
| | 1,892,798 |
|
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(1)(3) | — |
| | — |
| | 135 |
| | 4,471 |
| | 2,760 |
| — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 135 |
|
| Net income applicable to common stockholders | 2,551,360 |
| | 2,421,753 |
| | 1,892,663 |
| | 1,419,566 |
| | 1,056,371 |
| |
| Net income applicable to common stockholders per basic common share | 50.09 |
| | 46.30 |
| | 37.17 |
| | 28.48 |
| | 21.27 |
| |
| Net income applicable to common stockholders per diluted share | 49.45 |
| | 45.67 |
| | 36.11 |
| | 27.66 |
| | 20.63 |
| |
Net income applicable to common stockholders(1) (2) | | 2,340,765 |
| | 2,134,987 |
| | 2,551,360 |
| | 2,421,753 |
| | 1,892,663 |
|
Net income applicable to common stockholders per basic common share (1) (2) | | 47.78 |
| | 43.14 |
| | 50.09 |
| | 46.30 |
| | 37.17 |
|
Net income applicable to common stockholders per diluted common share (1) (2) | | 46.86 |
| | 42.65 |
| | 49.45 |
| | 45.67 |
| | 36.11 |
|
Total assets(4) | 17,420,575 |
| | 14,770,977 |
| | 10,428,543 |
| | 6,547,771 |
| | 3,964,165 |
| 25,451,263 |
| | 19,838,973 |
| | 17,420,575 |
| | 14,770,977 |
| | 10,428,543 |
|
Long-term obligations, redeemable noncontrolling interests(2)(3)(4) | 7,185,796 |
| | 4,862,730 |
| | 2,289,039 |
| | 1,710,194 |
| | 784,417 |
| |
Long-term obligations(4) | | 11,403,707 |
| | 8,127,895 |
| | 7,185,796 |
| | 4,862,730 |
| | 2,289,039 |
|
Total liabilities(4) | 8,625,106 |
| | 6,203,954 |
| | 3,510,281 |
| | 2,435,854 |
| | 1,185,465 |
| 14,187,702 |
| | 9,990,293 |
| | 8,625,106 |
| | 6,203,954 |
| | 3,510,281 |
|
| Total stockholders' equity | 8,795,469 |
| | 8,566,694 |
| | 6,909,729 |
| | 3,896,975 |
| | 2,574,295 |
| 11,260,598 |
| | 9,820,142 |
| | 8,795,469 |
| | 8,566,694 |
| | 6,909,729 |
|
| |
(1) | Includes a non-cash charge related to an impairment of OpenTable goodwill of $940.7 million, which is not tax deductible, for the year ended December 31, 2016 (see Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The goodwill impairment charge reduced the 2016 basic and diluted net income per share by $19.01 and $18.79, respectively. |
| |
(2) | Includes a provisional tax expense of $1.6 billion related to a one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of accumulated unremitted international earnings and a provisional net tax benefit of approximately $217 million related to the remeasurement of the Company’s U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities, for the year ended December 31, 2017, as a result of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017 (see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements), which reduced the 2017 basic and diluted net income per share by $27.47 and $26.94, respectively. |
| |
(3) | Redeemable noncontrolling interests relates to the Company's purchase of rentalcars.comRentalcars.com in May 2010. In April 2011,2013, the Company purchased the remaining outstanding shares underlying the redeemable noncontrolling interests in connection with the exercise of certain call and put options in March 2011, the redeemable noncontrolling interests in rentalcars.com were reduced from 24.4% to 19.0%. In April 2012, in connection with the exercise of certain call and put options in March 2012, the redeemable noncontrolling interests in rentalcars.com were reduced from 19.0% to 12.7%. In April 2013, in connection with the exercise of certain call and put options in March 2013, the Company purchased the remaining outstanding shares underlying the redeemable noncontrolling interests.2013. |
| |
(2)(4)
| Includes convertible debt which is classified as a current liability, from 2011 through 2014. |
| |
(3)
| Includes adjustments to current and noncurrent deferred taxes as a result of the early adoption of the accounting update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in November 2015, which requires companies to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent on the balance sheet. The adoption of this accounting update in the fourth quarter of 2015 resulted in decreases of $143.7 million, $1.5 million and $1.2 million at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and an increase of $0.6 million at December 31, 2011, in both total assets and total liabilities. |
The impact of these adjustments to long-term obligations resulted in decreases of $142.4 million, $1.4 million, $0.4 million at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and an increase of $3.3 million at December 31, 2011. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on this new accounting update.
| |
(4)
| Includes reclassifications related to unamortized debt issuance costs as a result of the early adoption of the accounting update issued by FASB in April 2015, which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheets as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. The adoption of this accounting update in the fourth quarter of 2015 resulted in decreases of $25.9 million, $14.5 million, $20.8 million and $7.1 million at December 31, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, in total assets, long-term obligations and total liabilities. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on this new accounting update.where applicable. |
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements, including the notes to those statements, included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the Section entitled "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. As discussed in more detail in the Section entitled "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements," this discussion contains forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause those differences include those discussed in "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We evaluate our results of operationscertain operating and financial measures on both an as reportedas-reported and constant currencyconstant-currency basis. We calculate constant currency by converting our current-periodcurrent-year period financial results for transactions recorded in currencies other than U.S. Dollars using the prior-periodcorresponding prior-year period monthly average exchange rates rather than the current-periodcurrent-year period monthly average exchange rates.
Overview
Our mission is to help people experience the world. We aim to achieve our mission to help people experience the world by providing consumers, travel service providers and restaurants with leadingthrough global leadership in online travel and restaurant reservation and related services. Throughservices by:
providing consumers with the best choices and prices at any time, in any place, on any device;
making it easy for people to find, book and experience their travel desires; and
providing platforms, tools and insights to our online travel companies ("OTCs"), we connect consumers wishingbusiness partners to make travel reservations with providers of travel services aroundhelp them be successful.
We operate six primary brands:
Booking.com - the world. We are the leader in the worldwideworld’s leading brand for booking online accommodation reservation marketreservations, based on room nights booked. We offer consumers
priceline.com - a broad array of accommodation reservations (including hotels, bed and breakfasts, hostels, apartments, vacation rentals and other properties) through our Booking.com, priceline.com and agoda.com brands. Our priceline.com brand also offers consumers reservations for rental cars, airline tickets, vacation packages and cruises. We offerleading hotel, rental car, reservations worldwide through rentalcars.com. We also allowairline ticket and vacation package reservation service in the United States.
KAYAK - a leading meta-search service allowing consumers to easily search and compare travel itineraries and prices, including airline ticket, hotel reservationaccommodation and rental car reservation information, from hundreds of travel websites at once through KAYAK. We provide restaurants withonce.
agoda.com - a leading accommodation reservation management services andservice catering primarily to consumers within the ability to make restaurant reservations at participating restaurants through Asia-Pacific region.
Rentalcars.com - a leading worldwide rental car reservation service.
OpenTable - a leading provider of online restaurant reservations. reservation and information services to consumers and restaurant reservation management and customer acquisition services to restaurants.
We refer to our company and all of our subsidiaries and brands including Booking.com, priceline.com, KAYAK, agoda.com, rentalcars.com, OpenTable and various smaller brands, collectively as "The Priceline Group,"Booking Holdings," the "Company," "we," "our" or "us."
We launched our business in the United States in 1998 under the priceline.com brand and have since expanded our operations to include five other primary, independently operated brands: Booking.com, KAYAK, agoda.com, rentalcars.com and OpenTable. Our principal goal is to help people experience the world by serving both consumers and our travel service provider and restaurant partners with worldwide leadership in online reservation and related services. Our business is driven primarily by international results, which consist of the results of Booking.com, agoda.com and rentalcars.comRentalcars.com (which began operating as part of Booking.com on January 1, 2018) and the results of the internationally-based websitesinternational businesses of KAYAK and OpenTable (in each case regardlessOpenTable. This classification is independent of where the consumer resides, where the consumer is physically located while making a reservationusing our services or the location of the travel service provider or restaurant).restaurant. For example, a reservation made through Booking.com at a hotel in New York by a consumer in the United States is part of our international results. During the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, our international business (the substantial majority of which is generated by Booking.com) represented approximately 88% of our gross bookings (an operating and statistical metric referring to the total dollar value, generally inclusive of all taxes and fees, of all travel services booked by our customers, net of cancellations), approximately 86%89% of our consolidated gross profit and approximately 94% of our consolidated operating income.profit. A significant majority of our gross profit is earned in connection with facilitating accommodation reservations. See Note 1716 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more geographic information.
We derive substantially all of our gross profit from the following sources:
Commissions earned from facilitating reservations of accommodations, rental cars cruises and other travel services;services on an agency basis;
Transaction gross profit on a merchant basis and customer processing fees from our accommodation, rental car, airline ticket and vacation package reservation services;
Beginning on May 21, 2013, advertising
Advertising revenues primarily earned by KAYAK from sending referrals to OTCsonline travel companies ("OTCs") and travel service providers, as well as from advertising placements on KAYAK's websites and mobile apps;
Beginning on July 24, 2014,Reservation revenues recognized by OpenTable, which consist of reservation revenues (reservation fees paid by restaurants for diners seated through OpenTable's online reservation service),services, subscription fees for restaurant reservation management services and other revenues;provided by OpenTable; and
Damage excess waiver fees, travel insurance fees and global distribution system ("GDS") reservation booking fees, in each case related to certain of our travel services.
Our priceline.com brand offers merchant Name Your Own Price® opaque travel services, which are recorded in revenue on a "gross" basis and have associated cost of revenue. All of our other services are generally recorded in revenue on a "net" basis and have no significant associated cost of revenue. Therefore, revenue increases and decreases are impacted by changes in the mix of our revenues between Name Your Own Price® travel services and other services. Gross profit reflects the commission or net margin earned for all of our services. Consequently, gross profit is an important measure to evaluate growth in our business because, in contrast to our revenues, it is not affected by the different methods of recording revenue and cost of revenue between our Name Your Own Price® travel reservation services and our other services. On January 1, 2018, we adopted a new revenue recognition accounting standard which will change the presentation of our Name Your Own Price® revenue to a net basis (see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements) for periods beginning after December 31, 2017, and, as a result, we will no longer report cost of revenues or gross profit.
Trends
Over the last several years we have experienced strong growth in our accommodation reservation services. We believe this growth is the result of, among other things, the broader shift of travel purchases from offline to online, the widespread adoption of mobile devices and the high growth of travel overall, including in higher growth emerging markets such as Asia-Pacific and South America, andAmerica. We also believe this growth is the result of the continued innovation and execution by our teams around the world to build accommodation supply,add accommodations to our travel reservation services, increase and improve content, andbuild distribution and to improve the consumer experience on our websites and mobile apps.apps, as well as consistently and effectively marketing our brands through performance and brand advertising efforts. These year-over-year growth rates have generally decelerated in recent years. For example, for the year ended December 31, 2015, our accommodation room night reservation growth was 25%, a deceleration from 28% in 2014, 37% in 2013 and 40% in 2012.decelerated. Given the size of our hotelaccommodation reservation business, we expect that our year-over-year growth rates will generally continue to decelerate, though the rate of deceleration may fluctuate.fluctuate and there may be periods of acceleration from time to time.
Our international business represents the substantial majority of our financial results, and we expect our operating results and other financial metrics to continue to be largely driven by international performance. The size of the travel market outside of the United States is substantially greater than that within the United States. Historically, Internet useStates, and e-commerce activity of international consumers have trailed that of consumers in the United States. However, international consumers are increasingly moving to online means for purchasing travel. Accordingly, recent international online travel growth rates have substantially exceeded, and are expected to continue to exceed, the growth rates within the United States. We expect that overOver the long term, we expect that international online travel growth rates will follow a similar trend to that experienced in the United States. In addition, the base of hotel properties in Europe and Asia is particularly fragmented compared to that in the United States, where the hotel market is dominated by large hotel chains. We believe online reservation systems like ours may be more appealing to small chains and independent hotels more commonly found outside of the United States. We believe these trends and factors have enabled us to become the leading online accommodation reservation service provider in the world as measured by room nights booked. We believe that the opportunity to continue to grow our business exists for the markets in which we operate.
Our growth has primarily been generated by our worldwide accommodation reservation service brand, Booking.com, which is our most significant brand, and has been due, in part, to the availability of a large and growing number of directlyinstantly bookable properties through Booking.com. Booking.com included over 850,000approximately 1,586,000 properties on its website as of February 15, 2016, which includedDecember 31, 2017, consisting of approximately 390,000 vacation rental properties396,000 hotels, motels and resorts and approximately 1,190,000 homes, apartments and other unique places to stay (updated property counts are available on the Booking.com website), and comparescompared to over 635,000approximately 1,115,000 properties (including approximately 269,000339,000 hotels, motels and resorts and approximately 776,000 homes, apartments and other unique places to stay) as of December 31, 2016. Booking.com has begun categorizing properties listed on its website as either (a) hotels, motels and resorts, which groups together more traditional accommodation types (including hostels, resorts, inns and motels), or (b) homes, apartments and other unique places to stay, also referred to as alternative accommodations, which encompasses all other types of accommodations, including homes, apartments, villas, igloos and beyond. Booking.com previously classified properties as hotels, vacation rental properties)rentals or other. We believe the new categories are more consistent with those used by other industry participants and allow for a year ago. In September 2015, Booking.com changed the way it calculates property counts. As a result, properties that are contracted with Booking.com but temporarily do not have availability on Booking.com (for example properties that are closed during their off-peak season or for renovations) will remain included in Booking.com'smore direct comparison of traditional and unique property counts during these temporary periods. Booking.com previously excluded properties that were temporarily unavailable for booking. We believe that continuously including them provides a more consistent and useful property count. We believe that continuing to expand the number and variety of accommodations available through our services, in particular Booking.com, will help us to continue to grow our accommodation reservation business.among companies.
As our international business represents the substantial majority of our financial results, we expect our operating results and other financial metrics to continue to be largely driven by international performance. For example, certain markets in which we operate that are in earlier stages of development have lower operating margins compared to more mature markets, which could have a negative impact on our overall margins as these markets increase in size over time. Also, weWe intend to continue to invest in adding accommodations available for reservation on our websites, includingsuch as hotels, bedmotels, resorts, homes, apartments and breakfasts, hostels and vacation rentals. Vacation rentals generally consist of, among others, properties categorized as single-unit and multi-unit villas, apartments, "aparthotels" (which are apartments with a front desk and cleaning service) and chalets and are generally self-catered (i.e., include a kitchen), directly bookable properties. The approximately 390,000 vacation rental properties on Booking.com's website as of February 15, 2016 (updated property counts are available on the Booking.com's website) represent approximately 1.9 million instantly bookable and confirmable units within these properties.other unique places to stay. Many of the newer accommodations we add to our travel
reservation services, especially in highly penetratedhighly-penetrated markets, may have fewer rooms lower average daily rates ("ADRs") or higher credit risk and may appeal to a smaller subset of consumers (e.g., hostels and bed and breakfasts), and therefore may also negatively impact our margins. For example, because a vacation rental is. Because alternative accommodations are often either a single unit or a small collection of independent units, vacation rentalthese properties generally represent more limited booking
opportunities than non-vacation rental properties,hotels, motels and resorts, which generally have more units to rent per property. Our non-hotelFurther, alternative accommodations in general may be subject to increased seasonality due to local tourism seasons, weather or other factors.factors or may not be available at peak times due to use by the property owners, and we may also experience lower profit margins with respect to these properties due to certain additional costs related to offering these accommodations on our websites. As we increase our non-hotelalternative accommodation business, these different market characteristics could negatively impact our profit margins; and, to the extent these properties represent an increasing percentage of the properties added to our websites, we expect that our gross bookings growth rate and property growth rate will continue to diverge over time (since each such property has fewer booking opportunities). As a result of the foregoing, as the percentage of non-hotel accommodationsalternative accommodation properties increases, we expect that the number of reservations per property will likely continue to decrease. We believe that continuing to expand the number and variety of accommodations available through our services, in particular Booking.com, will help us to continue to grow our accommodation reservation business.
Concerns persist aboutAs part of our strategy to increase the outlooknumber and variety of accommodations available on Booking.com, Booking.com is increasingly processing transactions on a merchant basis where it facilitates payments on behalf of customers. This allows Booking.com to process transactions for properties that do not accept credit cards and to increase its ability to offer flexible transaction terms to consumers, such as the global economyform and timing of payment. We believe that adding these types of properties and service offerings will benefit our customers and our gross bookings, room night and earnings growth rates. However, this results in general,additional payment processing costs, chargebacks and other costs related to these transactions. As this business continues to grow, we may experience a significant increase in payment processing costs, chargebacks and other costs related to these transactions, which are recorded as sales and marketing expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and which negatively impact our operating margins.
Perceived or actual adverse economic conditions, including the European Union, with recent declines in broad Eurozone economic indicators raising fears about the pace ofslow, slowing or negative economic growth, unemployment rates and the risk of deflation. In addition, many governments around the world, including the U.S.weakening currencies and concerns over government and certain European governments, continue to operate at large financial deficits, resulting in high levels of sovereign debt inresponses such countries. Greece, Ireland, Portugal and certain other European Union countries with high levels of sovereign debt at times have had difficulty refinancing their debt. Failure to reach political consensus regarding workable solutions to these issues has resulted in a high level of uncertainty regarding the future economic outlook. This uncertainty, as well as concern over governmental austerity measures including higher taxes and reduced government spending, could impair consumer spending and adversely affect travel demand. Further, political uncertainty, conditions or events, such as the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union ("Brexit") and concerns regarding certain E.U. members with sovereign debt default risks can also negatively affect consumer spending and adversely affect travel demand. At times, we have experienced volatility in transaction growth rates, andincreased cancellation rates and weaker trends in hotel ADRsaverage daily rates ("ADRs") across many regions of the world, particularly in those European countries that appear to be most affected by economic uncertainties. Weand political uncertainties, which we believe thatare due at least in part to these business trends are likely impacted by weak economicmacro-economic conditions and sovereign debt concerns. Similarly, while China's economy experienced rapid growth over the past 20 years, growth of the Chinese economy slowedFor more detail, see Part II Item 1A Risk Factors - "Declines or disruptions in 2015 and concerns about its future growth have had an adverse impact on financial markets, currency exchange rates and other economies. Disruptions in the economies of such countries could cause, contribute to or be indicative of deteriorating macro-economic conditions, which in turn could negatively affect travel to or from such countries or the travel industry in generalcould adversely affect our business and therefore have an adverse impact on our results of operations.financial performance."
Greece, in particular, has recently faced and continues to face significant economic challenges, in large part due to its high levels of sovereign debt and difficulties refinancing that debt. This may increase the likelihood that Greece, and in turn other countries, could exit the European Union, which could lead to added economic uncertainty and further devaluation or eventual abandonment of the Euro common currency. These and other macro-economic uncertainties, such as sovereign default risk becoming more widespread, declining oil pricesgeopolitical tensions and geopolitical tensions,differing central bank monetary policies, have led to significant volatility in the exchange raterates between the Euro, the U.S. Dollar and the Euro, the British Pound Sterling and other currencies. In March 2015, the European Central Bank,Significant fluctuations in an effort to stimulate the European economy, launched a quantitative easing program to purchase public debt.currency exchange rates, stock markets and oil prices can also impact consumer travel behavior.
As noted earlier, our international business represents a substantial majority of our financial results. Therefore, because we report our results in U.S. Dollars, we face exposure to adverse movements in currency exchange rates as the financial results of our international businesses are translated from local currency (principally Euros and British Pounds Sterling) into U.S. Dollars. The U.S. Dollar significantly strengthened against the Euro during 2014, moving from an exchange rate of 1.38 U.S. Dollars per Euro as of January 1, 2014 to 1.21 U.S. Dollars per Euro as of December 31, 2014. The U.S. Dollar strengthened further in 2015 to an exchange rate of 1.09 U.S. Dollars per Euro as of December 31, 2015. The U.S. Dollar also strengthened significantly during this time frame as compared to many other currencies. As a result of currency exchange rate changes, our foreign currency denominatedforeign-currency-denominated net assets, gross bookings, gross profit, operating expenses and net income have been negativelypositively impacted as expressed in U.S. Dollars.Dollars for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016. For example, gross profit from our international operations grew 22.0% for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, but, without the positive impact of changes in currency exchange rates, grew year-over-year on a constant-currency basis by approximately 21%. Since our expenses are generally denominated in foreign currencies on a basis similar to our revenues, our operating margins arehave not been significantly impacted by currency fluctuations. The aggregate principal value of our Euro-denominated 2022 Notes, 2024 Notes and 2027 Notes,long-term debt, and accrued interest thereon, provide a natural hedge against the impact of currency exchange rate fluctuations on the net assets of certain of our Euro functional currency subsidiaries.
Gross profit from our international operations grew year-over-year on a constant currency basis by approximately 28% for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared For more information, see Part I Item 1A Risk Factors - "We are exposed to the year ended December 31, 2014, but, as a result of the impact of changesfluctuations in currency exchange rates, grew 11.6% for the year ended December 31, 2015, as reported in U.S. Dollars. rates."
We generally enter into derivative instruments to minimize the impact of short-term currency fluctuations on the translation of our consolidated operating results.results into U.S. Dollars. However, such derivative instruments are short term in nature and not designed to hedge against currency fluctuations that could impact growth rates for our gross bookings, revenues or gross profit (see Note 5 to theour Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our derivative contracts).
Significant fluctuations in currency exchange rates, stock markets and oil prices can also impact consumer travel behavior. Consumers traveling from a country whose currency has weakened against other currencies may book lower ADR accommodations, choose to shorten or cancel their international travel plans or choose to travel domestically rather than internationally, any of which could adversely affect our gross bookings, revenues and results of operations, in particular when expressed in U.S. Dollars. For example, the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar relative to the Euro in 2015 resulted in it
becoming more expensive for Europeans to travel to the United States. Similarly, dramatic depreciation of the Russian Ruble in 2014 and 2015 resulted in it becoming more expensive for Russians to travel to Europe and most other non-Ruble destinations. In addition, although lower oil prices may lead to increased travel activity as consumers have more discretionary funds and airline fares decrease, recent declines in oil prices and stock market volatility may be indicative of broader macro-economic weakness, which in turn could negatively affect the travel industry and our business.
The uncertainty of macro-economic factors, the volatility in foreign exchange rates and their impact on consumer behavior, which may differ across regions, makes it more difficult to forecast industry and consumer trends and the timing and degree of their impact on our markets and business, which in turn could adversely affect our ability to effectively manage our business and adversely affect our results of operations.
We compete globally with both online and traditional providers of travel and restaurant reservation and related services. The marketmarkets for the services we offer isare intensely competitive a trend we expect to continue, and current and new competitors can launch new services at a relatively low cost. We currently, or may potentially in the future, compete with a variety of companies, including:
online travel reservation services such as those owned by Expedia (including Travelocity and Orbitz), Ctrip (in which we hold a minority interest), Rakuten, eDreams ODIGEO and Jalan;
online accommodation search and/or reservation services, such as Airbnb and HomeAway (which is owned by Expedia), currently focused on vacation rental properties and other non-hotel accommodations, including individually owned properties;
large online companies, including search, social networking and marketplace companies such as Google, Facebook, Alibaba and Groupon;
traditional travel agencies, wholesalers and tour operators, such as Carlson Wagonlit, American Express, Thomas Cook and Tui Travel, as well as thousands of individual travel agencies around the world;
travel service providers such as accommodation providers, rental car companies and airlines;
online travel search and price comparison services (generally referred to as "meta-search" services), such as TripAdvisor, trivago (in which Expedia holds a majority ownership interest), Qunar (which is controlled by Ctrip) and HotelsCombined;
online restaurant reservation services, such as TripAdvisor's LaFourchette, Yelp's SeatMe and Zomato; and
companies offering new rental car business models or car- or ride-sharing services that affect demand for rental cars, some of which have developed innovative technologies to improve efficiency of point-to-point transportation and extensively utilize mobile platforms, such as Uber, Lyft and Zipcar.
For more detail regarding the competitive trends and risks we face, see Part I Item 1 Business - "Competition" and Part I Item 1A Risk Factors - "Intense competition could reduce our market share and harm our financial performance." and "Consumer adoption and use of mobile devices create new challenges and may enable device companies such as Apple to compete directly with us."
During 2015, Expedia acquired Travelocity, Orbitz and HomeAway. To the extent these acquisitions enhance Expedia's ability to compete with us in particular in the United States, which is Expedia's, Travelocity's, Orbitz'sat relatively low cost. Some of our current and HomeAway's largest market, our market share and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Widespread adoption of mobile devices,potential competitors, such as Google, Apple, Alibaba, Tencent, Amazon and Facebook, have access to significantly greater and more diversified resources than we do, and they may be able to leverage other aspects of their businesses (e.g., search or mobile device businesses) to enable them to compete more effectively with us. For example, Google has entered various aspects of the iPhone, Android-enabled smart phonesonline travel market, including by establishing a flight meta-search product (Google Flights) and tablets sucha hotel meta-search business (Google Hotel Ads) that are growing rapidly, as the iPad, coupled with the web browsingwell as its "Book on Google" reservation functionality and development of thousands of useful "apps" available onits Google Trips app. Our markets are also subject to rapidly changing conditions, including technological developments, consumer behavior changes, regulatory changes and travel service provider consolidation. We expect these devices, is driving substantial online traffic and commercetrends to mobile platforms. Wecontinue. For example, we have experienced a significant shift of both direct and indirect business to mobile platforms and our advertising partners are also seeing a rapid shift of traffic to mobile platforms. Our major competitors and certain new market entrants are offering mobile apps for travel products and other mobile functionality, including proprietary last-minute discounts for accommodation reservations. Advertising and distribution opportunities may be more limited on mobile devices given their smaller screen sizes. TheIn addition, the gross profit earned on a mobile transaction may be less than a typical desktop transaction due to different consumer purchasing patterns. For example, accommodation reservations made on a mobile device typically are for shorter lengths of stay and are not made as far in advance. Further, givenFor more detail regarding the competitive trends and risks we face, see Part I Item 1 Business - "Competition," Part I Item 1A Risk Factors - "Intense competition could reduce our market share and harm our financial performance." and "Consumer adoption and use of mobile devices creates new challenges and may enable device sizescompanies such as Apple to compete directly with us." and technical limitations of tablets and smart phones, mobile consumers"We may not be willingable to download multiple appskeep up with rapid technological changes."
from multiple companiesAlthough we believe that providing a similaran extensive collection of properties, excellent customer service and instead preferan intuitive, easy to use onewebsite or mobile experience are important factors influencing a limited numberconsumer's decision to make a reservation, for many consumers, particularly in certain markets, the price of apps for their mobilethe travel and restaurant research and reservation activity. Asservice is the primary factor determining whether a result, the consumer experience with mobile apps as well as brand recognition and loyalty are likely to become increasingly important. Our mobile offerings have received generally strong reviews and are drivingwill book a material and increasing share of our business.reservation. We believe that mobile bookings present an opportunity for growth and are necessary to maintain and grow our business as consumers increasingly turn to mobile devices instead of a personal computer. If we are unable to continue to rapidly innovate and create new, user-friendly and differentiated mobile offerings and efficiently and effectively advertise and distribute on these platforms, or if our mobile offerings are not used by consumers, we could lose market share to existing competitors or new entrants and our business, future growth and results of operations could be adversely affected.
In addition, we have observed an increase in promotional pricing to closed user groups (such as loyalty program participants or consumers with registered accounts), including through mobile apps. If weIn addition, many large hotel chains and OTCs have launched initiatives, such as increased discounting and incentives, to encourage consumers to book accommodations through their websites. Discounting and couponing coupled with a high degree of consumer shopping behavior is particularly common in Asian markets, while brand loyalty in such markets is less important. In some cases, our competitors are willing to make little or no profit on a transaction, or offer travel services at a loss, in order to gain market share.
In addition to providing retail travel reservation services, our priceline.com brand is a leading provider of discounted opaque travel reservation services in the United States through its Express Deals® and Name Your Own Price® offerings. These discounted services are referred to as "opaque" because certain elements of the reservation, including the name of the travel service provider, are not as effective asmade known to the traveler until after the reservation is made. In general, we expect that over time our competitorsopaque services will continue to decrease in relative importance to our overall business due, we believe, to a variety of factors, including the growth rates of our retail businesses, competition, relative complexity, travel restrictions often required by the travel service provider, difficulty in offering discounted pricescertain of these services on mobile devices, increased discounts available to consumers through closed user groups or if we are unable to entice memberscouponing, and limited availability of our competitors' closed user groups to use our services, our ability to grow and compete could be harmed. If we need to fund discounts out of our gross profit, our profitability could be adversely affected. Further, growth in discounted closed user group retail prices for hotel rooms lessens the price difference for members of closed user groups between a retail hotel reservation and an opaque hotel reservation, which we believe has led to fewer consumers using our opaque hotel reservation services. In addition, hotels typically make available only a limited number of hotel rooms for opaque services like those of our priceline.com business, especiallytravel reservations from travel service providers, particularly during periods of high occupancy. Recent high hotel occupancy levels in the United States (which have had an adverse impact on our access to hotel rooms for our opaque hotel reservation services) and, we believe, the increased use by consumers of discounted closed user group retail prices for hotel rooms have negatively affected our opaque hotel reservation gross profit.consumer demand.
We have established widely used and recognized e-commerce brands through aggressive marketing and promotional campaigns. Both our onlineperformance and offlinebrand advertising expense hasexpenses have increased significantly in recent years, a trend we expect to continue. DuringFor the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, our total onlineperformance advertising expense was approximately $2.8$4.1 billion, $3.5 billion and $2.7 billion, respectively, primarily related to the use of online search engines (primarily Google), meta-search and travel research services and affiliate marketing to generate traffic to our websites. We also invested approximately $215$392 million, $296 million and $274 million in offlinebrand advertising during that period.2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, primarily related to costs associated with producing and airing television advertising, online video advertising (for example, on YouTube and Facebook) and online display advertising. We intend to continue a strategy of aggressively promoting brand awareness primarily through both online means although we also intend to increase ourand offline advertising efforts, including by expanding offlinebrand campaigns into additional markets. For example, building on its first offlinemarkets, and we expect our brand advertising campaign, which it launched in the United States in 2013, Booking.com has begun offline advertising campaigns in other markets, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Brazil and Japan.expenses to increase significantly during 2018. We have observed increased offlinebrand advertising by OTCs, meta-search services and travel service providers, particularly in North America South America and Europe, which may make our offlinebrand advertising efforts more expensive and less effective.
OnlinePerformance advertising efficiency, expressed as onlineperformance advertising expense as a percentage of gross profit, is impacted by a number of factors that are subject to variability and that are, in some cases, outside of our control, including ADRs, costs per click, cancellation rates, foreign exchange rates, our ability to convert paid traffic to booking customers and the extent to which consumers come directly to our websites or mobile apps for bookings. For example, competition for desired rankings in search results and/or a decline in ad clicks by consumers could increase our costs-per-click and reduce our online
performance advertising efficiency. From 2011We have also experienced increasing cancellation rates, which we expect to 2013,continue and which negatively affects our online advertising expense grew faster than our gross profit due to (1) year-over-year declines in online advertising returns on investment ("ROIs") and (2) brand mix within The Priceline Group as our international brands grew faster than our U.S. brands and spent a higher percentage of gross profit on online advertising. In 2014, these long-term trends continued, but were more than offset by the inclusion of KAYAK and OpenTable because they spend a lower percentage of gross profit on online advertising than our other brands. Also, our consolidated results exclude intercompany advertising by our brands on KAYAK since our acquisition of KAYAK in May 2013. In 2015, online advertising efficiency declined compared to the prior year, mainly due to lower ROIs. Ifand results of operations. Changes by Google changesin how it presents travel search results, including by placing its own offerings at or near the top of search results, or the manner in which it conducts the auction for placement among search results in a manner that ismay be competitively disadvantageous to us whether to support its own travel-related services or otherwise,and may impact our ability to efficiently generate traffic to our websiteswebsites. Similarly, changes by our other search and meta-search partners in how they present travel search results or the manner in which they conduct the auction for placement among search results may be competitively disadvantageous to us and may impact our ability to efficiently generate traffic to our websites. We have observed a long-term trend of decreasing performance advertising returns on investment ("ROIs"), a trend we expect to continue, though the rate of decrease may fluctuate and there may be periods of stable or increasing ROIs from time to time. In addition, we may from time to time, as we did in the third and fourth quarters of 2017, pursue a strategy of improving our performance advertising ROIs, which could be harmed.negatively impact growth and positively impact performance advertising efficiency. See Part I Item 1A Risk Factors - "We rely on onlineperformance and brand advertising channels to enhance our brand awareness and to generate a significant amount of traffic to our websites.websites and grow our business." and "Our business could be negatively affected by changes in Internetinternet search engine algorithms and dynamics or traffic-generating arrangements."
We estimate our effective tax rate for 2018 to be approximately 18-21%, which represents our best estimate of our tax expense including the impact of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"), estimated U.S. state income taxes and international withholding taxes on our international earnings, and an increase in the Innovation Box Tax rate in the Netherlands from 5% to 7%. The provisions of the Tax Act are broad and complex, and to date there has been little interpretation or clarification of the act from U.S. tax authorities. As a result, our estimate is based on our current understanding and could change as more information becomes available. See Part I Item 1A Risk Factors - "We may have exposure to additional tax liabilities." and "We may not be able to maintain our 'Innovation Box Tax' benefit."
The national competition authorities ("NCAs") of many governments have begunconducted or are conducting investigations into competitive practices within the online travel industry, and we may be involved or affected by such investigations and their results. Various NCAs, including those in France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Ireland and Switzerland, opened investigations of Booking.com's contractual parity arrangements with accommodation providers in those jurisdictions, and a number of other NCAs are looking at these issues. It is uncertain how these issues will finally be resolved.Some countries have adopted or proposed legislation that could also affect business practices within the online travel industry. For example, the French, ItalianFrance and Swedish NCAs accepted commitments offered by Booking.com to resolve and close their investigations and Booking.com
voluntarily implemented these commitments throughout the European Economic Area and Switzerland on July 1, 2015, which resolved the concerns of various other countries. However, in August 2015 FranceItaly, among others, have adopted legislation known as the "Macron Law" making price parity agreements illegal including those that had been approved by the French NCA.and similar legislation is under consideration in other countries. For more information on these investigations and their potential effects on our business, see Note 1514 to our Consolidated Financial Statements and Part I Item 1A Risk Factors - "As the size of our business grows, we may become increasingly subject to the scrutiny of anti-trust, competition and competitionconsumer protection regulators." To the extent that regulatory authorities impose fines or require changes to our business practices or to those currently commonIn addition to the industry or legislation is enactedprice parity investigations, from time to time NCAs, other governmental agencies, trade associations and private parties take legal actions, including commencing legal proceedings, that may affect our operations. For example, in March 2017, in connection with a similar effect,lawsuit begun in 2015 by the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies claiming that Booking.com is required to meet certain registration requirements in Turkey, a Turkish court ordered Booking.com to suspend offering Turkish hotels and accommodations to Turkish residents. Although Booking.com is appealing the order and believes it to be without basis, this order has had, and is likely to continue to have, a negative impact on our business, competitive position and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. Negative publicity regarding any such investigations could adversely affect our brand and therefore our market sharegrowth and results of operations.
Seasonality
A meaningful amount of our gross bookings are generated early in the year, as customers plan and reserve their spring and summer vacations in Europe and North America. FromHowever, historically we generally have not recognized revenue from these bookings until the travel is completed (on "check-out"), which can be in a cost perspective,quarter other than when the reservation is booked. Beginning on January 1, 2018, we began recognizing revenue for financial reporting purposes in our 2018 financial statements when the travel begins (on "check-in"), which can also be in a quarter other than when the reservation is booked. In contrast, we expense the substantial majority of our advertising activities as the expense is incurred, which, in the case of performance advertising in particular, is typically in the quarter in which associated reservations are booked. However,As a result of this potential timing difference between when we generally do notrecord advertising expense and when we recognize associated revenue, until future quarters when the travel occurs. As a result, we have historically experienced our highest levels of profitability in the second and third quarters of the year, which is when we experience the highest levels of accommodation checkoutscheck-outs for the year for our European and North American businesses. We expect this to continue under our new revenue recognition policy. The first quarter of the year is typically our lowest level of profitability and may experience additional volatility in earnings growth rates due to these and other seasonal timing factors. For our Asia-Pacific business, we experience the highest levels of booking and travel consumption for our Asia-Pacific and South American businessesaccommodation bookings in the firstthird and fourth quarters.quarters of the year, and the highest levels of accommodation check-outs in the fourth quarter. As the relative growth rates for these businesses have generally been growing faster than our European and North American businesses,fluctuate, the quarterly distribution of our operating results may vary.
In recent years, we experienced an expansion of the booking window (the average time between the making of a travel reservation and the travel), which impacts the relationship between our gross bookings (recognized at the time of booking) and our revenue and gross profit (recognized at the time of check-out or, after January 1, 2018, at the time of check-in). Recently,
we have seen a modest contraction of the booking window. Future changes in the booking window may cause additional differences between our gross bookings growth rates and revenue growth rates.
Upon adoption of the new revenue recognition accounting standard, for periods beginning after December 31, 2017, the timing of revenue recognition for travel reservation services will change. For example, revenue for accommodation reservation services, which is primarily recognized at check-out under the current accounting standard, will change to be recognized at check-in under the new revenue standard. We currently expect this timing change will not have a significant impact to our annual revenues and net income, although the effects on quarterly revenues and net income are expected to be more significant because a meaningful amount of travel typically starts in December each year and is completed in January of the following year. Under the new revenue standard, this revenue will be recognized in the fourth quarter each year rather than the first quarter of the yearfollowing year. Therefore, we estimate that revenue will be more than 2% lower in first quarter of 2018, slightly less than 1% lower in second and third quarters of 2018 and 4% higher in fourth quarter of 2018 recognized at check-in, as it is under the new revenue standard, than it would have become more significant over timebeen if recognized at check-out, as a percentage of full year operating results.it would have been under the current accounting standard.
In addition, the date on which certain holidays fall can have an impact on our quarterly results. For example, in 20132017, our second quarter year-over-year growth rates in revenue, gross profit, operating income and operating margins were adversely affected by Easter falling in the first quarter instead of the second quarter, as it did in 2012. Conversely, our second quarter 2014 year-over-year growth rates in revenue, gross profit, operating income and operating margins were favorablypositively impacted by Easter falling in the second quarter instead of the first quarter, as it did in 2013. Similarly2016. Conversely, our first quarter 2017 year-over-year growth rates in revenue, gross profit, operating income and operating margins were adversely impacted by Easter falling in the second quarter instead of the first quarter, as it did in 2016. Similar to 2013,2017, in 20162018 Easter will fall in the firstsecond quarter instead of the first quarter. However, because Easter will be on April 1, 2018 and we expect that a meaningful amount of Easter travel will commence in the week leading up to Easter, which is during the first quarter 2018, we expect that Easter will have a negative effect on our second quarter 2018 year-over-year growth rates and will therefore likely have a positive effect on our first quarter 20162018 year-over-year growth rates due to the change in our revenue recognition policy from "check-out" to "check-in." The timing of other holidays such as Chinese New Year, Ramadan and a negative effect onCarnival can also impact our second quarter 2016quarterly year-over-year growth rates as compared to the same periods in 2015 when Easter fell in the second quarter.rates.
The impact of seasonality can be exaggerated in the short term by the gross bookings growth rate of the business. For example, in periods where our gross bookings growth rate substantially decelerates, our operating margins typically benefit from relatively less variable advertising expense. In addition, gross profit growth is typically less impacted by decelerating gross bookings growth in the near term due to the benefit of revenue related to reservations booked in previous quarters. Conversely, in periods where our gross bookings growth rate accelerates, our operating margins are typically negatively impacted by relatively more variable advertising expense. In addition, gross profit growth is typically less impacted by accelerating gross bookings growth in the near term as a portion of the revenue recognized from such gross bookings will occur in future quarters.
Other Factors
We believe that our future success depends in large part on our ability to continue to profitably grow our brands worldwide, and, over time, to offer other travel and travel-related services and further expand into other international markets.services. Factors beyond our control, such as worldwide recession, oil prices, stock market volatility, terrorist attacks, unusual or extreme weather patterns,or natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, droughts and volcanic eruptions, travel-related health concerns including pandemics and epidemics such as Ebola, Zika Influenza H1N1, avian bird flu, SARS and MERS, political instability, changes in economic conditions, regional hostilities, imposition of taxes or surcharges by regulatory authorities or travel-related accidents, couldcan disrupt travel or otherwise result in declines in travel demand. Because these events or concerns, and the full impact of their effects, are largely unpredictable, they can dramatically and suddenly affect travel behavior by consumers, and therefore demand for our services, which can adversely affect our business and results of operations. For example,See Part I Item 1A Risk Factors - "Declines or disruptions in the travel industry could adversely affect our business and operations were negatively impacted by the terror attacks in Paris in November 2015; Hurricane Sandy, which disrupted travel in the northeastern United States in late 2012; a major earthquake, tsunami and nuclear emergency in Japan in 2011; severe flooding in Thailand in October 2011; and disruptive civil unrest in Thailand in 2010 and 2014. In addition, MERS had an adverse impact on our business in northeast Asia in 2015. Future terrorist attacks, natural disasters, health concerns or civil or political unrest could further disrupt our business and operations.financial performance."
We intend to continue to invest in marketing and promotion, technology and personnel within parameters consistent with attempts to improve long-term operating results, even if those expenditures create pressure on operating margins. We have experienced pressure on operating margins as we prioritize initiatives that drive growth. For example, we are investing in growth initiatives at OpenTable, including international expansion, and in building our BookingSuite partner-facing software services platform. We also intend to broaden the scope of our business, and to that end, we explore strategic alternatives from time to time in the form of, among other things, mergersacquisitions. As the overall size of our business has grown, the competitive pressure to innovate will encompass a wider range of services and acquisitions.technologies, including services and technologies that may be outside of our historical core business, and our ability to keep pace may slow. Potential competitors, such as emerging start-ups, may be able to innovate and focus on developing a particularly new product or service faster than we can or may foresee consumer need for new services or technologies before us. Some of our larger competitors or potential competitors have more resources or more established or diversified relationships with consumers than we do, and they could use these advantages in ways that could affect our
competitive position, including by making acquisitions, entering or investing in travel reservation businesses, investing in research and development, and competing aggressively for highly-skilled employees. Our goal is to grow gross profit and achieve healthy operating margins in an effort to maintain profitability. The uncertain and highly competitive environment described abovein which we operate makes the prediction of future results of operations difficult, and accordingly, we may not be able to sustain gross profit growth and profitability.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon our Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.States ("U.S. GAAP"). Our significant accounting policies and estimates are more fully described in Note 2 to theour Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain of our accounting policies and estimates are particularly important to our financial position and results of operations and require us to make difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. In applying those policies, ourOur management uses its judgment to determine the appropriate assumptions to be used in the determination of certain estimates. On an ongoing basis, weWe evaluate our estimates including those related to the items described below. Those estimateson an ongoing basis. Estimates are based on, among other things, historical experience, terms of existing contracts, our observance of trends in the travel industry and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Our actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Our critical accounting policies that involve significant estimates and judgments of management include the following:
Valuation of Goodwill, Long-Lived Assets and Intangibles. The application of the purchase method of accounting for business combinations requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions to determine the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Our estimates of the fair value are based upon assumptions that we believe are reasonable and, when we deem appropriate, include assistance from a third-party valuation firm. The purchase price consideration is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price consideration over the net of the amounts allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. Goodwill is assigned to reporting units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the business combination as of the acquisition date.
We review goodwill for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable. A substantial portion of our intangibles and goodwill relates to the acquisitions of OpenTable in July 2014 and KAYAK in May 2013. As of September 30, 2017, we performed our annual quantitative goodwill impairment test. Other than OpenTable, the fair values of our reporting units substantially exceeded their respective carrying values.
OpenTable
We estimated OpenTable’s fair value using a combination of standard valuation techniques, including an income approach (discounted cash flows) and market approaches (EBITDA multiples of comparable publicly-traded companies and precedent transactions). At September 30, 2017, OpenTable's fair value was approximately 18% higher than its fair value at September 30, 2016, which reflects performance that exceeded forecast.
Despite this increase in fair value, OpenTable's fair value was approximately 6% lower than its carrying value at September 30, 2017, thus failing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test. Therefore, we received assistance from a third-party valuation firm to develop a hypothetical purchase price allocation (Step 2). The results of Step 2 indicated there was no goodwill impairment at September 30, 2017 because the implied fair value of OpenTable's goodwill exceeded its carrying value by approximately 24%. We tested the recoverability of OpenTable’s other long-lived assets and concluded there was no impairment as of September 30, 2017. Since the annual impairment test as of September 30, 2017, there have been no events or changes in circumstances to indicate a potential impairment.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge for goodwill of $940.7 million, which was not tax deductible. If OpenTable does not achieve the results currently expected or if any of the assumptions underlying our estimate of the fair value of the OpenTable business prove to be incorrect, we may refine our forecast for the OpenTable business and recognize an additional goodwill impairment, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. See Part I Item 1A Risk Factors - "The success of our acquisition of OpenTable is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties."
Income Taxes. We determine our tax expense based on our income and statutory tax rates applicable in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Due to the complex nature of tax legislation and frequent changes with such associated legislation, significant judgment is required in computing our tax expense and determining our tax positions. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Act. The Tax Act made significant changes to U.S. federal tax law, including a reduction in the U.S. federal statutory tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018. The Tax Act imposes a one-time deemed repatriation tax on accumulated unremitted international earnings, to be paid over eight years.
The Tax Act also introduced in 2018 a tax on 50% of global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”), which is income determined to be in excess of a specified routine rate of return, and also introduced a base erosion and anti-abuse tax (“BEAT”) aimed at preventing the erosion of the U.S. tax base. We continue to review the GILTI and BEAT provisions of the Tax Act for applicability to us and expect further guidance from the U.S. Treasury Department, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, U.S. state tax authorities and/or other authorities on the application of these provisions. We have not yet adopted an accounting policy as to whether we will treat taxes on GILTI as period costs or whether we will recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities when basis differences exist that are expected to affect the amount of GILTI inclusion upon reversal.
The provisions of Tax Act are broad and complex, and there are significant uncertainties about how it will be interpreted at both the U.S. federal and state levels, and limited guidance is available from tax authorities at this time. Further interpretation and implementation of the Tax Act may materially impact our provisional income tax expense and future income tax expense and obligations.
On December 22, 2017, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118") was issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when the registrant does not have all the necessary information available, prepared or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete its accounting for the change in tax law. In accordance with SAB 118, to the extent a registrant can reasonably estimate the effects of the Tax Act, a provisional tax amount can be recorded, but must be finalized prior to December 22, 2018. Further analysis is necessary to finalize our accumulated unremitted international earnings subject to the U.S. federal deemed repatriation tax. In addition, since we are still evaluating whether and to what extent we will utilize our net operating loss carryforwards against the transition tax liability, our U.S. deferred tax assets or liabilities may be impacted. Therefore, we consider our accounting related to the Tax Act for U.S. federal and state income taxes as well as international withholding taxes to be provisional. As we refine our estimates and continue to evaluate the Tax Act, we will adjust our provision for income taxes in the period when a change in estimate occurs (see Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements).
We regularly review our deferred tax assets for recoverability considering historical profitability, projected future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of temporary differences and tax planning strategies and record valuation allowances as required.
We are subject to ongoing tax examinations and assessments in various jurisdictions. To date, we have been audited in several taxing jurisdictions with no significant impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Although we believe that our tax filing positions are reasonable, the final determination of tax audits or tax disputes may be different from what is reflected in our historical income tax provisions and accruals. Accordingly, we may incur additional tax expense based upon our assessment of the more likely than not outcomes or we may adjust previously recorded tax expense to reflect examination results.
Stock-Based Compensation. We record stock-based compensation expense for equity-based awards over the recipient's service period based upon the grant date fair value of the award. A number of our equity awards have performance targets (a performance "contingency") which, if satisfied, can increase the number of shares issued to the recipients at the end of the performance period or, in certain instances, if not satisfied, reduce the number of shares issued to the recipients, sometimes to zero, at the end of the performance period. The performance periods for our performance based equity awards are typically three years. We record stock-based compensation expense for these performance-based awards based upon our estimate of the probable outcome at the end of the performance period (i.e., the estimated performance against the performance targets). We periodically adjust the cumulative stock-based compensation expense recorded when the probable outcome for these performance-based awards is updated based upon changes in actual and
forecasted operating results. Stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015 includes charges amounting to $22.6$10.6 million, $20.6$20.7 million and $24.1$22.6 million, respectively, representing the impact of adjusting the estimated probable outcome of unvested performance share units. Our actual performance against the performance targets could differ materially from our estimates.
We record stock-based compensation expense net of estimated forfeitures. In determining the estimated forfeiture rates, we periodically review actual forfeitures. To the extent that actual forfeiture rates differ from current estimates, such amounts are recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period in which the estimate is revised.
Valuation of Goodwill, Long-Lived Assets and Intangibles. The application of the purchase method of accounting for business combinations requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions to determine the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Our estimates of the fair value are based upon assumptions that we believe are reasonable and, when we deem appropriate, include assistance from a third party valuation firm. The purchase price consideration is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price consideration over the net of the amounts allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill. Goodwill is assigned to reporting units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the business combination as of the acquisition date.
We review goodwill for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable. As of September 30, 2015, we performed a quantitative test for all of our reporting units using standard valuation techniques and concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill. A substantial portion of our intangibles and goodwill relates to our acquisitions of OpenTable in July 2014 and KAYAK in May 2013. Other than OpenTable, the fair values of our reporting units substantially exceeded their respective carrying values as of September 30, 2015. Since the annual impairment test in September 2015, there have been no events or changes in circumstances to indicate a potential impairment.
As of September 30, 2015, OpenTable’s carrying value was $2.5 billion, of which $1.5 billion relates to goodwill. The fair value of OpenTable slightly exceeded its carrying value as of September 30, 2015. OpenTable’s fair value was determined using a combination of standard valuation techniques, including an income approach (discounted cash flows) and market approaches (EBITDA multiples of comparable
publicly-traded companies and for precedent transactions). We also performed sensitivity analysis, calculating estimated fair values using different rates for the weighted-average cost of capital in the income approach and different EBITDA multiples in our market approach. OpenTable’s estimated fair value remained in excess of its carrying value. Since the acquisition, we have invested, and intend to continue to invest, in OpenTable to accelerate its global expansion, increase the value offered to its restaurant partners and enhance the end-to-end experience for consumers across desktop and mobile devices. As expected, these investments resulted in lower OpenTable post-acquisition EBITDA compared to pre-acquisition levels. In addition, the time required to execute these investments has exceeded our initial expectations. Despite the delays, we continue to believe that these investments will result in significant future earnings. Future events and changing market conditions may, however, lead us to reevaluate the assumptions we have used to test for goodwill impairment, including key assumptions regarding OpenTable's expected growth rates and operating margins, as well as other key assumptions with respect to matters outside of our control, such as discount rates, currency exchange rates and market EBITDA comparables. If OpenTable’s investments, in particular its investments in its global expansion efforts, are not successful, there is a substantial likelihood that we would recognize a related goodwill impairment, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Additionally, we evaluate whether events or circumstances have occurred which indicate that the carrying amounts of long-lived assets and intangibles may be impaired. The significant factors that are considered that could trigger an impairment review include changes in business strategies, market conditions, or the manner of use of an asset; under performance relative to historical or expected future operating results; and negative industry or economic trends. In evaluating an asset for possible impairment, management estimates that asset's future undiscounted cash flows to measure whether the carrying value of the asset is recoverable. If it is determined that the asset is not recoverable, we measure the impairment based upon the fair value of the asset compared to its carrying value. The fair value represents the projected discounted cash flows of the asset over its remaining life.
Income Taxes. We determine our tax expense based on our income and statutory tax rates applicable in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Due to the complex nature of tax legislation and frequent changes with such associated legislation, significant judgment is required in computing our tax expense and determining our tax positions. We regularly review our deferred tax assets for recoverability considering historical profitability, projected future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of temporary differences, and tax planning strategies and record valuation allowances as required.
We are subject to ongoing tax examinations and assessments in various jurisdictions. To date, we have been audited in several taxing jurisdictions with no significant impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Although we believe that our tax filing positions are reasonable, the final determination of tax audits or tax disputes may be different from what is reflected in our historical income tax provisions and accruals. Accordingly, we may incur additional tax expense based upon our assessment of the more likely than not outcomes or we may adjust previously recorded tax expense to reflect examination results.
We intend to indefinitely reinvest our foreign undistributed earnings in our non-U.S. operations. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had approximately $9.9 billion and $7.3 billion, respectively, of cumulative undistributed international earnings. It is not practicable to determine the U.S. federal income tax liability that would be payable if such earnings were not indefinitely reinvested.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements: Classification of Deferred Taxes and Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs
In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a new accounting update which requires companies to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent on the balance sheet instead of separating deferred taxes into current and noncurrent amounts. This update is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of this update is permitted and an entity may choose to adopt this update on either a prospective or retrospective basis. We adopted this accounting update in the fourth quarter of 2015 and applied it retrospectively to prior periods. Pronouncements - See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the impact of adoptingdetails, which is incorporated into this standard.
In April 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting update which changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in our financial statements. Under this new guidance, debt issuance costs, excluding costs associated with a revolving credit facility,
will be presented in our balance sheets as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. This accounting change is consistent with the current presentation under U.S. GAAP for debt discounts and it also converges the guidance under U.S. GAAP with that in the International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). Debt issuance costs will reduce the proceeds from debt borrowings in our cash flow statement instead of being presented as a separate line in the financing section of that statement. Amortization of debt issuance costs will continue to be reported as interest expense in our income statement. This accounting update does not affect the current accounting guidance for the recognition and measurement of debt issuance costs. This update is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is allowed for all entities for financial statements that have not been previously issued. We adopted this accounting update in the fourth quarter of 2015 and applied it retrospectively to prior periods. See Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for the impact of adopting this standard.Item 7 by reference thereto.
Other Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In January 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting update which amends the guidance on the classification and measurement of financial instruments. Although the accounting update retains many current requirements, it significantly revises accounting related to (1) the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and (2) the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. The accounting update also amends certain fair value disclosures of financial instruments and clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale debt securities in combination with the entity’s evaluation of their other deferred tax assets. The update requires entities to carry all investments in equity securities, including other ownership interests such as partnerships, unincorporated joint ventures and limited liability companies at fair value, with fair value changes recognized through net income. This requirement does not apply to investments that qualify for equity method accounting, investments that result in consolidation of the investee or investments in which the entity has elected the practicability exception to fair value measurement. Under current U.S. GAAP, our available-for-sale investments in equity securities with readily identifiable market value are remeasured to fair value each reporting period with changes in fair value recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). However, under the new accounting literature, fair value adjustments will be recognized through net income and could vary significantly quarter to quarter. For the investments currently accounted for under the cost method, an entity can elect to measure its investments, which do not have a readily determinable fair value, at cost less impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. Additionally, this accounting update will simplify the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. When a qualitative assessment indicates that impairment exists, an entity is required to measure the investment at fair value. In addition, this accounting update eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is currently required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost in the balance sheet. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption, although allowed in certain circumstances, is not applicable to us.
In September 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting update which simplifies the accounting for measurement-period adjustments to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination. Under this new guidance, an acquirer must recognize these adjustments in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The new accounting guidance also requires an acquirer to present separately on the face of the income statement, or disclose in the notes, the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to provision amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. We adopted this new accounting standard in the fourth quarter of 2015 and this accounting standard did not have an impact to our consolidated financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting update which requires an entity that enters into a cloud computing arrangement to determine if the arrangement contains a software license. The accounting update cites software as a service, platform as a service, infrastructure as a service and other similar hosting arrangements as examples of cloud computing arrangements. A software license arrangement exists if both of the following criteria are met: (1) the customer has a contractual right to take possession of the underlying software without significant penalty and (2) it is feasible for the customer to run the software on their own hardware or to contract with another party unrelated to the vendor to run the software. If the arrangement meets both of these criteria, the customer would need to identify what portion of the cost relates to purchasing the software and what portion relates to paying for the service of hosting the software. The purchased software would be accounted for using the internal-use software guidance and the service costs would be accounted for as an operating expense. If the arrangement does not meet both of the criteria, the cost is an operating expense for a service contract. The guidance in this update does not change the accounting for a service contract. The update is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is allowed for all
entities. We adopted this accounting update in the fourth quarter of 2015 and this accounting update did not have an impact to our consolidated financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") issued a new accounting standard on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers that is designed to create greater comparability for financial statement users across industries and jurisdictions. The core principle of the standard is that an "entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services." Additionally, the new guidance specified the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. The new standard will also require enhanced disclosures. The accounting standard was initially effective for public entities for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. In July 2015, the FASB agreed to defer the effective date of the new revenue standard to annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted as of the original effective date. We are currently evaluating the impact to our consolidated financial statements of adopting this new guidance.
In April 2014, the FASB issued an accounting update which amended the definition of a discontinued operation. The new definition limits discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have or will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. The new definition includes an acquired business that is classified as held for sale at the date of acquisition. The accounting update requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and a disposal of an individually significant component of an entity. The accounting update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. We adopted this update in the first quarter of 2015 and this accounting update did not have an impact to our consolidated financial statements.
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 20152017 compared to Year Ended December 31, 20142016
We evaluate certain operating and financial measures on both an as-reported and constant-currency basis. We calculate constant currency by converting our current-year period financial results for transactions recorded in currencies other than U.S. Dollars using the corresponding prior-year period monthly average exchange rates rather than the current-year period monthly average exchange rates.
Operating and Statistical Metrics
Our financial results are driven by certain operating metrics that encompass the booking and other business activity generated by our travel and travel-related services. Specifically, reservations of accommodation room nights, rental car days and airline tickets capture the volume of units booked through our OTC brands by our travel reservation services customers. Gross bookings is an operating and statistical metric that captures the total dollar value, generally inclusive of taxes and fees, of all travel services booked through our OTC brands by our customers, net of cancellations, and is widely used in the travel business. InternationalOur non-OTC brands (KAYAK and OpenTable) have different business metrics from those of our OTC brands and therefore search queries through KAYAK and restaurant reservations through OpenTable do not contribute to our gross bookings reflect gross bookings generated principally by our Booking.com, agoda.com and rentalcars.com businesses and U.S. gross bookings reflect gross bookings generated principally by our priceline.com business, in each case regardless of where the consumer resides, where the consumer is physically located while making a reservation or the location of the travel service provider. We follow a similar approach for reporting the international and U.S. revenue and gross profit of those businesses.bookings.
Gross bookings resulting from accommodation room nights, rental car days and airline tickets reserved through our international and U.S. operations for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (numbers may not total due to rounding):
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in millions) | | |
| | 2015 | | 2014 | | Change |
| International | $ | 48,971 |
| | $ | 43,639 |
| | 12.2 | % |
| U.S. | 6,557 |
| | 6,661 |
| | (1.6 | )% |
| Total | $ | 55,528 |
| | $ | 50,300 |
| | 10.4 | % |
Gross bookings increased by 10.4% for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014 (growth on a constant currency basis was approximately 25%), principally due to growth of 24.9% in accommodation room night reservations, 2% growth on a constant currency basis in ADRs and growth of 15.6% in rental car day reservations, partially offset by the impact foreign exchange rate fluctuations. International gross bookings grew by 12.2% for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014 (growth on a constant currency basis was approximately 28%). International gross bookings growth on a constant currency basis was primarily attributable to growth in accommodation room night reservations for our Booking.com and agoda.com businesses, as well as international ADR growth on a constant currency basis and growth in rental car day reservations for our rentalcars.com business. The U.S. Dollar significantly strengthened against the Euro during 2015, moving from an exchange rate of 1.21 U.S. Dollars per Euro as of January 1, 2015 to 1.09 U.S. Dollars per Euro as of December 31, 2015. The U.S. Dollar has also strengthened against many other currencies since January 1, 2015. We therefore believe that unit growth rates and total gross bookings, international gross bookings and gross profit growth on a constant currency basis, excluding the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, are important measures to understand the fundamental performance of the business.
U.S. gross bookings decreased by 1.6% for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to declines in gross bookings by priceline.com's retail airline ticket service (due to lower airfares), Name Your Own Price®reservation services and vacation package reservation service, partially offset by increases in gross bookings by priceline.com's retail hotel and rental car reservation services and priceline.com's Express Deals®hotel reservation service. Travel service providers typically provide a limited amount of availability to opaque services like those of priceline.com, especially during periods of healthy travel demand. As a result, the recent healthy travel environment (which has had an adverse impact on our access to opaque availability) and the increased use by consumers of discounted closed user group prices for hotel rooms have negatively affected our opaque reservation services.
Gross bookings resulting from reservations of accommodation room nights, rental car days and airline tickets made through our agency and merchant models for the years ended December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 were as follows (numbers may not total due to rounding):
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in millions) | | | (in millions) | | |
| | 2015 | | 2014 | | Change | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Agency | $ | 47,969 |
| | $ | 42,892 |
| | 11.8 | % | $ | 69,697 |
| | $ | 58,638 |
| | 18.9 | % |
| Merchant | 7,559 |
| | 7,409 |
| | 2.0 | % | 11,529 |
| | 9,449 |
| | 22.0 | % |
| Total | $ | 55,528 |
| | $ | 50,300 |
| | 10.4 | % | $ | 81,225 |
| | $ | 68,087 |
| | 19.3 | % |
Gross bookings increased by 19.3% for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 (growth on a constant-currency basis was approximately 19%), almost entirely due to growth of 20.9% in accommodation room night reservations. Accommodation ADRs on a constant-currency basis were relatively unchanged for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016. For the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, foreign exchange rate fluctuations slightly benefited gross bookings growth in U.S. Dollars. We believe that unit growth rates and total gross bookings and gross profit growth on a constant-currency basis, each of which exclude the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, are important measures to understand the fundamental performance of the business.
Agency gross bookings are derived from travel-related transactions where we aredo not facilitate payments for the merchant of record and merchanttravel services provided. Agency gross bookings increased by 18.9% for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, almost entirely due to the growth in gross bookings from Booking.com agency retail accommodation room night reservations.
Merchant gross bookings are derived from services where we arefacilitate payments for the merchant of record. Agencytravel services provided. Merchant gross bookings increased 11.8%by 22.0% for the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily2016. Approximately 91% of the increase was due to growth in gross bookings from Booking.com agencyour merchant accommodation room night reservations, as well as growth in gross bookings by priceline.com and rentalcars.com agency retail rental car reservation services and priceline.com and agoda.com agency retail hotel reservation services, partially offset by lower retail airfares. Merchant gross bookings increased 2.0% for the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to increases2016. Growth in our merchant gross bookings by merchant retail hotel reservation services for Booking.com and priceline.com, rentalcars.com'sfrom rental car reservation service,services and priceline.com's Express Deals®hotel reservation service as well as the inclusion of our Rocketmiles hotel reservation service since its acquisition in February 2015.These increases were partially offset by declines in gross bookings by priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® airline ticket reservation services and the impact of the stronger U.S. Dollar on agoda.com's merchant retail hotel reservation service. The U.S. Dollar was significantly stronger against the Euro and many other currencies throughout 2015 comparedalso contributed to 2014, which significantly adversely affected the growth of our agency and merchant gross bookings, expressed in U.S. Dollars.this growth.
Accommodation room nights, rental car days and airline tickets reserved through our services for the years ended December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 were as follows:
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in millions) | | | (in millions) | | |
| | 2015 | | 2014 | | Change | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Room Nights | 432.3 |
| | 346.0 |
| | 24.9 | % | 673.1 |
| | 556.6 |
| | 20.9 | % |
| Rental Car Days | 59.9 |
| | 51.8 |
| | 15.6 | % | 73.0 |
| | 66.6 |
| | 9.6 | % |
| Airline Tickets | 7.7 |
| | 7.8 |
| | (1.6 | )% | 6.9 |
| | 7.3 |
| | (5.3 | )% |
Accommodation room night reservations increased by 24.9%20.9% for the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, primarily due to an increase in Booking.com, agoda.comstrong execution by our brand teams to add new properties to our accommodation reservation services, advertise our brands to consumers and priceline.comaccommodation room night reservationsprovide a continuously improving experience for customers on our desktop and mobile platforms, as well as the inclusion of Rocketmiles accommodation room night reservations since its acquisition in February 2015. Booking.com included over 850,000 properties on its website as of February 15, 2016, which included approximately 390,000 vacation rental properties (updated property counts are available on the Booking.com website), comparedongoing shift from offline to over 635,000 properties (including approximately 269,000 vacation rental properties) a year ago. In September 2015, Booking.com changed the way it calculates property counts. As a result, properties that are contracted with Booking.com but temporarily do not have availability on Booking.com (for example properties that are closed during their off-peak season oronline for renovations) will remain included in Booking.com's property counts during these temporary periods. Booking.com previously excluded properties that were temporarily unavailable for booking. We believe that continuously including them provides a more consistent and useful property count.travel bookings.
Rental car day reservations increased by 15.6%9.6% for the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, due to an increase in price-disclosed rental car day reservationsstrong execution by our brand teams to advertise our brands to consumers and provide a continuously improving experience for rentalcars.comcustomers on our desktop and priceline.com, partially offset by a decline in priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® rental car day reservations.mobile platforms, as well as the ongoing shift from offline to online for travel bookings.
Airline ticket reservations decreased by 1.6%5.3% for the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, due to a decline in priceline.com's retail airline ticket reservations and the discontinuation on September 1, 2016 of priceline.com’s Name Your Own Price® airline ticket reservations.reservation offering, partially offset by an increase in priceline.com's Express Deals® airline ticket reservation offering.
Revenues
We classify our revenue into three categories:
Agency revenues are derived from travel-related transactions where we aredo not the merchant of record and where the prices offacilitate payments for the travel services are determined by third parties.provided. Agency revenues includeconsist primarily of travel reservation commissions, as well as certain GDS reservation booking fees related toand certain travel services, travel insurance fees and customer processing fees, and are reported at the net amounts received, without any associated cost of revenue. Substantially all of the revenue for Booking.com is agency revenue comprised of travelaccommodation reservation commissions.
| |
| • | Merchant revenues are derived from services where we are the merchant of record and therefore charge the customer's credit cardfacilitate payments for the travel services provided. Merchant revenues include (1) transaction net revenues (i.e., to the extent applicable, the amount charged to a customer, less the amount charged to us by travel service providers) and travel reservation commissions in connection with (a) the accommodation reservations provided through our merchant price-disclosed hotelretail accommodation reservation services at agoda.com, priceline.comBooking.com and Booking.com andpriceline.com, (b) the reservations provided through our merchant rental car service at rentalcars.comRentalcars.com, and (c) the reservations provided through priceline.com’s Express Deals® reservation services at priceline.com;services; (2) ancillary fees, including damage excess waiver fees and certain travel insurance fees and certain GDS reservation booking fees; (3) transaction revenues representing the price of Name Your Own Price® hotel, rental car and airline ticket reservations and vacation packages charged to a customer (with a corresponding travel service provider cost recorded in cost of revenues); (3)and (4) customer processing fees charged in connection with (a) priceline.com's Express Deals® and Name Your Own Price® reservation services and (b)the merchant retail hotelaccommodation reservation services at priceline.com and agoda.com;agoda.com and (4) ancillary fees, including damage excess waiver and travel insurance fees and GDS(b) priceline.com's opaque reservation booking fees related to certain of the services listed above.services. |
Advertising and other revenues are derived primarily from (1) revenues earned by KAYAK for (a) sending referrals to OTCs and travel service providers and (b) advertising placements on KAYAK's websites and mobile apps; (2) revenues earned by OpenTable for (a) reservation fees (reservation fees(fees paid by restaurants for diners seated through OpenTable's online reservation service) and (b) subscription fees earned by OpenTable for restaurant reservation management services; (3) revenues earned by priceline.com for advertising on its websites; and (4) revenues generated by Booking.com's BookingSuite branded accommodation marketing and business analytics services. Revenue from KAYAK is net of intercompany revenues earned by KAYAK from other Priceline Group brands.
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2015 | | 2014 | | Change | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Agency Revenues | $ | 6,527,898 |
| | $ | 5,845,802 |
| | 11.7 | % | $ | 9,714,126 |
| | $ | 7,982,116 |
| | 21.7 | % |
| Merchant Revenues | 2,082,973 |
| | 2,186,054 |
| | (4.7 | )% | 2,133,017 |
| | 2,048,005 |
| | 4.2 | % |
| Advertising and Other Revenues | 613,116 |
| | 410,115 |
| | 49.5 | % | 833,939 |
| | 712,885 |
| | 17.0 | % |
| Total Revenues | $ | 9,223,987 |
| | $ | 8,441,971 |
| | 9.3 | % | $ | 12,681,082 |
| | $ | 10,743,006 |
| | 18.0 | % |
Agency Revenues
Agency revenues increased by 21.7% for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased 11.7%2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily as a result of2016, almost entirely due to the growth in the business of Booking.com, the agency rental car businesses of rentalcars.com and priceline.com and the agency hotel businesses of priceline.com and agoda.com. The U.S. Dollar was significantly stronger against the Euro and many other currencies throughout 2015 compared to 2014, which significantly adversely affected the growth of our agency revenues, expressed in U.S. Dollars.accommodation room night reservations at Booking.com.
Merchant Revenues
Merchant revenues increased by 4.2% for the year ended December 31, 2015 decreased 4.7%2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, primarily due to decreasesincreases in our merchant price-disclosed accommodation and rental car reservation services, mostly offset by a significant decrease in revenues from priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® hotel, reservation services. On September 1, 2016, priceline.com’s Name Your Own Price® airline ticket and rental car reservation services, partially offset by increases in our merchant price-disclosed hotel and rental car businesses.offering was discontinued. Our priceline.com Name Your Own Price® reservation services, which declined year-over-year, are recorded "gross" in revenue with a corresponding travel service provider cost recorded in cost of revenues. Our other merchant revenues, which in total grew year-over-year, are recorded in revenue "net" of travel service provider costs. As a result, changes in Name Your Own Price® reservation revenue disproportionately affect merchant revenues as compared to our other merchant revenues. We therefore
believe that gross profit is an important measure of evaluating growth in our business. The U.S. Dollar was significantly stronger against the Euro and many other currencies throughout 2015 compared to 2014, which significantly adversely affected the growth of our merchant revenues, expressed in U.S. Dollars.
Advertising and Other Revenues
Advertising and other revenues during the year ended December 31, 20152017 consisted primarily of advertising revenues, restaurant reservation revenues and subscription revenues for restaurant reservation management services. Advertising and other revenues increased by 17.0% for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased 49.5%2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, primarily as a result ofdue to the inclusion of a full year of OpenTable revenues in 2015 comparedthe Momondo Group revenue amounting to only a partial year's results in 2014, as well asapproximately $72 million since its acquisition on July 24, 2017, other growth in our KAYAK business.business and increased diner reservation volumes at OpenTable.
Cost of Revenues
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2015 | | 2014 | | Change |
| Cost of Revenues | $ | 632,180 |
| | $ | 857,841 |
| | (26.3 | )% |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Cost of Revenues | $ | 250,537 |
| | $ | 428,314 |
| | (41.5 | )% |
For the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, cost of revenues consisted primarily of: (1) the cost paid to travel service providers for priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® and vacation package reservation services, net of applicable taxes and charges; and (2) fees paid to third parties by KAYAK and priceline.com to return travel itinerary information for consumer search queries. Cost of revenues decreased by 41.5% for the year ended December 31, 2015 decreased by 26.3%,2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, primarily due to a decrease in priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® reservation services. For the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, cost of revenuerevenues benefited from a reversal of previously accrued travel transaction taxes of $16.4approximately $12 million (including estimated interest and penalties) recorded in the first quarter of 2015December 2017 related to a favorable ruling in the Stateone of Hawaii. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2015, we recognized a net reduction in cost of revenue in the third quarter of 2015 of $13.7 million related to travel transaction taxes, principally due to a cash refund fromtax proceedings involving the State of Hawaii for the aforementioned favorable ruling.Company.
Agency revenues have no cost of revenue. Agency revenues principally consist of travel commissions on accommodation reservations.revenues.
Gross Profit
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2015 | | 2014 | | Change | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Gross Profit | $ | 8,591,807 |
| | $ | 7,584,130 |
| | 13.3 | % | $ | 12,430,545 |
| | $ | 10,314,692 |
| | 20.5 | % |
| Gross Margin | 93.1 | % | | 89.8 | % | | |
| 98.0 | % | | 96.0 | % | | |
|
Total gross profit increased by 20.5% for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased by 13.3%2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 20142016 (growth on a constant currencyconstant-currency basis was approximately 27%19%), primarily as a result. Gross profit from our accommodation reservation services contributed approximately 90% of the increased revenue discussed above.increase. In addition, the inclusion of the Momondo Group since its acquisition on July 24, 2017 contributed approximately $72 million of gross profit. Total gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of total revenue) increased during the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, because our revenues are disproportionately affected by priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® reservation services. Name Your Own Price® revenuesreservation services are recorded "gross" in revenue with a corresponding travel service provider cost recorded in cost of revenues, and in the year ended December 31, 20152017 these revenues represented a smaller percentage of total revenues than in the year ended December 31, 2014.2016. Our price-disclosed reservation services, which are recorded in revenue "net" of travel service provider costs, have been growing faster thanand priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® reservation services.services have been declining. As a result, we believe that gross profit is an important measure for evaluating growth in our business.
Gross profit as a percentage of gross bookings was 15.3% for the year ended December 31, 2017, as compared to 15.1% for the year ended December 31, 2016. The increase is due in part to the timing of booking versus travel resulting from the impact of decelerating gross bookings growth in the year ended December 31, 2017, as well as the inclusion of the Momondo Group since its acquisition on July 24, 2017.
Our international operations accounted for approximately $7.4$11.1 billion of our gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, compared to $6.6$9.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014.2016. Gross profit attributable to our international operations increased by 11.6%22.0% for the year ended December 31, 20152017 compared to the year ended December 31, 20142016 (growth on a constant currencyconstant-currency basis was approximately 28%21%). Gross profit attributable to our U.S. businesses increased
by 25.0%9.9% for the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2015 was positively impacted by the inclusion of OpenTable, which benefited year-over-year comparisons through the anniversary of the acquisition on July 24, 2015. In addition,2016, due to growth in gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2015 was positively impacted by a reversal of previously accrued travel transaction taxes of $16.4 million (including estimated interest and penalties) recorded in the first quarter of 2015 related to a favorable ruling in the State of Hawaii. Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2015 was also positively impacted by a net reduction in cost of revenue in the third quarter of 2015 of $13.7 million related to travel transaction taxes, principally due to a cash refund from the State of Hawaii for the aforementioned favorable ruling.
The U.S. Dollar was significantly stronger against the Euro and many other currencies throughout 2015 compared to 2014. At these exchange rates, the growthall of our total and international gross bookings, expressed in U.S. Dollars, was significantly adversely impacted in 2015.businesses.
Operating Expenses
Advertising
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2015 | | 2014 | | Change | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Online Advertising | $ | 2,797,237 |
| | $ | 2,360,221 |
| | 18.5 | % | |
| Performance Advertising | | $ | 4,141,771 |
| | $ | 3,479,287 |
| | 19.0 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 32.6 | % | | 31.1 | % | | |
| 33.3 | % | | 33.7 | % | | |
|
| Offline Advertising | $ | 214,685 |
| | $ | 231,309 |
| | (7.2 | )% | |
| Brand Advertising | | $ | 391,584 |
| | $ | 295,698 |
| | 32.4 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 2.5 | % | | 3.0 | % | | |
| 3.2 | % | | 2.9 | % | | |
|
OnlineWe rely on performance advertising channels to generate a significant amount of traffic to our websites. Performance advertising expenses consist primarily of the costs ofof: (1) search engine keyword purchases; (2) referrals from meta-search and travel research websites; (3) affiliate programs; and (4) banner, pop-up and other Internet and mobileperformance-based advertisements. For the year ended December 31, 2015, online2017, performance advertising expenses increased 18.5%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to increased spending on online performance marketing2016, to generate increased gross bookings. Onlinebookings and gross profit. We adjust our performance advertising spend based on our growth and profitability objectives and the expected performance of our performance advertising channels. Performance advertising expense as a percentage of gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2015 benefited from the inclusion of OpenTable because OpenTable spends a lower percentage of gross profit on online advertising relative to our other brands. In addition, the share of our business coming directly to our websites with no associated online advertising expense increased during the year ended December 31, 20152017 decreased compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. These favorable impacts were more than offset for2016 due to the year ended December 31, 2015timing of performance advertising spend relative to when associated revenue is recognized, as well as changes in the share of traffic by channel. In addition, during the third and fourth quarters of 2017, we pursued a year-over-year declinestrategy of improving our performance advertising ROIs, which positively impacted performance advertising efficiency. We recognize the substantial majority of our performance advertising expenses as they are incurred, which is typically in advertising ROIs.the quarter in which the associated
Offlinereservations are booked. In contrast, we generally do not recognize revenue from these reservations until the travel occurs, which can be in a quarter other than when the reservations are booked.
Brand advertising expenses are primarily related toconsist mainly of television advertising, online video advertising (including the airing of our Booking.com, KAYAKtelevision advertising online) and priceline.com businesses and primarily consist of televisiononline display advertising. For the year ended December 31, 2015, offline2017, brand advertising decreased 7.2%expenses increased by 32.4% compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, primarily due to lower spending atincreased brand advertising by Booking.com, KAYAK, which includes expenses related to the Momondo Group since its acquisition on July 24, 2017, and priceline.com. We increased our brand advertising expense in order to a lesser extent, priceline.com.increase awareness of our brands and grow the number of customers that come directly to our websites.
Sales and Marketing
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2015 | | 2014 | | Change | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Sales and Marketing | $ | 353,221 |
| | $ | 310,910 |
| | 13.6 | % | $ | 561,958 |
| | $ | 435,225 |
| | 29.1 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 4.1 | % | | 4.1 | % | | |
| 4.5 | % | | 4.2 | % | | |
|
Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily ofof: (1) credit card and other payment processing fees associated with merchant transactions; (2) fees paid to third parties that provide call center, website content translations and other services; (3) customer relationspromotional costs; (4) publiccustomer relations costs; (5) provisions for bad debt, primarily related to agency accommodation commission receivables; and (6) provisions for credit card chargebacks.customer chargebacks associated with merchant transactions. For the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, sales and marketing expenses, which are substantially variable in nature, increased compared to the year ended December 31, 20142016 due primarily to increased gross bookingtransaction volumes, customer relationsas well as higher promotional costs and the inclusion of a full year of OpenTable's results as comparedhigher bad debt expense related to only a partial year's results in 2014.accommodation commission receivables.
Personnel
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2015 | | 2014 | | Change | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Personnel | $ | 1,166,226 |
| | $ | 950,191 |
| | 22.7 | % | $ | 1,659,581 |
| | $ | 1,350,032 |
| | 22.9 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 13.6 | % | | 12.5 | % | | |
| 13.4 | % | | 13.1 | % | | |
|
Personnel expenses consist of compensation to our personnel, including salaries, bonuses, stock-based compensation, bonuses, payroll taxes, and employee health and other benefits. Personnel expenses increased during the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, primarily due primarily to increased headcount to support the growthincreases in aggregate salaries of our businesses. Additionally, the inclusion of a full year of OpenTable's results in our 2015 consolidated results as compared to only a partial year's results in 2014 contributed to the increase in personnel expensesapproximately $239 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared2017 primarily related to headcount growth to support our business. Stock-based compensation expense was $260.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.2017, compared to $249.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.
General and Administrative
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2015 | | 2014 | | Change | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| General and Administrative | $ | 415,420 |
| | $ | 352,869 |
| | 17.7 | % | $ | 585,541 |
| | $ | 455,909 |
| | 28.4 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 4.8 | % | | 4.7 | % | | |
| 4.7 | % | | 4.4 | % | | |
|
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of: (1) occupancy and office expenses; (2) personnel-related expenses such as travel, relocation, recruiting and training expenses; and (3) fees for outside professionals, including litigation expenses. General and administrative expenses increased during the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, due primarily to higher personnel-related, occupancy and office expenses relatedassociated with increased headcount to support the expansion of our international businesses, as well as a $27 million litigation-related expense, of which
$19.3 million was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017, and higher personnel-related expensesfees for outside professionals, including professional fees related to increased headcount in allour acquisition of our businesses. Additionally, the inclusion of a full year of OpenTable's results in our 2015 consolidated results as compared to only a partial year's results in 2014 contributed to the increase in general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014.Momondo Group.
Information Technology
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2015 | | 2014 | | Change | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Information Technology | $ | 113,617 |
| | $ | 97,498 |
| | 16.5 | % | $ | 189,344 |
| | $ | 142,393 |
| | 33.0 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 1.3 | % | | 1.3 | % | | |
| 1.5 | % | | 1.4 | % | | |
|
Information technology expenses consist primarily of: (1) software license and system maintenance fees; (2) data communications and other expenses associated with operating our services; (3) outsourced data center costs; and (4) payments to outside consultants. Information technology expenseexpenses increased during the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, due primarily to growth in our worldwide operations. Additionally, the inclusion of a full year of OpenTable's results in our 2015 consolidated results as compared to only a partial year's results in 2014 contributed to the increase in information technology expenses for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014.
Depreciation and Amortization
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2015 | | 2014 | | Change | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Depreciation and Amortization | $ | 272,494 |
| | $ | 207,820 |
| | 31.1 | % | $ | 362,774 |
| | $ | 309,135 |
| | 17.4 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 3.2 | % | | 2.7 | % | | |
| 2.9 | % | | 3.0 | % | | |
|
Depreciation and amortization expenses consist of: (1) amortization of intangible assets with determinable lives; (2) depreciation onof computer equipment; (3) depreciation of internally developed and purchased software; and (4) depreciation of leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures and office equipment. ForDepreciation and amortization expenses increased during the year ended December 31, 2015, depreciation and amortization expense increased,2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014, due2016, primarily to increased intangible amortization from the OpenTable acquisition andas a result of increased depreciation expenseexpenses due to capital expenditures for additional data center capacity and office build-outs to support growth and geographic expansion, principally related to our Booking.com business. Additionally, the inclusion of OpenTable in our consolidated resultsintangible amortization for the Momondo Group since its acquisition on July 24, 2014 contributed to the increase in depreciation expense for2017, and increased capitalized software development costs.
Impairment of Goodwill
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Impairment of Goodwill | $ | — |
| | $ | 940,700 |
| | N/A |
| % of Total Gross Profit | N/A |
| | 9.1 | % | | |
During the year ended December 31, 2015 compared2016, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge for goodwill related to the year ended December 31, 2014.OpenTable, which is not tax deductible, of $940.7 million (see Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements).
Other Income (Expense)
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2015 | | 2014 | | Change | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Interest Income | $ | 55,729 |
| | $ | 13,933 |
| | 300.0 | % | $ | 157,194 |
| | $ | 94,946 |
| | 65.6 | % |
| Interest Expense | (160,229 | ) | | (88,353 | ) | | 81.4 | % | (253,976 | ) | | (207,900 | ) | | 22.2 | % |
| Foreign Currency Transactions and Other | (26,087 | ) | | (9,444 | ) | | 176.2 | % | (35,291 | ) | | (16,913 | ) | | 108.7 | % |
| Impairment of Cost-method Investments | | (7,597 | ) | | (63,208 | ) | | (88.0 | )% |
| Total | $ | (130,587 | ) | | $ | (83,864 | ) | | 55.7 | % | $ | (139,670 | ) | | $ | (193,075 | ) | | (27.7 | )% |
For the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, interest income on cash and marketable securities increased compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, primarily due to an increase in the average invested balance and higher yields. Interest expense increased for the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, primarily due to interest expense attributable to our Senior Notes issued in May 2016, March 2017 and August 2014, September 2014, March 2015 and November 2015, partially offset by the maturity of our 1.25% Convertible Senior Notes in March 2015. See2017 (see Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.Statements).
Foreign currency transactions and other includes foreign currency gains or losses on derivative contracts, foreign currency transaction gains or losses, including costs related to foreign currency transactions, and net realized gains or losses on investments. Derivative contracts that hedge our exposure to the impact of currency fluctuations on the translation of our international operating results into U.S. Dollars upon consolidation resulted in foreign exchangecurrency losses of $6.6$2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 20152017, compared to foreign exchangecurrency gains of $13.7$3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, and are recorded in "Foreign2016. Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Foreign exchange transaction losses, including costs related to foreign exchangecurrency transactions, resulted in foreign currency losses of $21.0$31.2 million and $19.6 million for the yearyears ended December 31, 2015, which includes approximately $5.7 million of hedging cost2017 and a foreign exchange loss recorded in the fourth quarter of 2015 related to the devaluation of the Argentine Peso, compared to foreign exchange losses of $17.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, and are recorded in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.2016, respectively.
For the year ended December 31, 2015, we recognized $2.2 millionSee Note 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on impairments of net realized gains related to investments, which are recorded in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.cost-method investments.
The conversion of our convertible debt prior to maturity in the year ended December 31, 2014 resulted in non-cash losses of $6.3 million, which are recorded in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Income Taxes
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2015 | | 2014 | | Change |
| Income Tax Expense | $ | 576,960 |
| | $ | 567,695 |
| | 1.6 | % |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Income Tax Expense | $ | 2,057,557 |
| | $ | 578,251 |
| | 255.8 | % |
| % of Total Earnings Before Income Taxes | 46.8 | % | | 21.3 | % | | |
Our effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were 18.4% and 19.0%, respectively. Our2017 effective tax rate differs from the 2017 U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35%, principally due to a one-time transition tax of approximately $1.6 billion on mandatory deemed repatriation of accumulated unremitted international earnings pursuant to the Tax Act, which includes U.S. state income taxes and international withholding taxes (see Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements), partially offset by (1) a net tax benefit of approximately $217 million related to the remeasurement of the Company’s U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities due to the reduction of the U.S. federal statutory tax rate from 35% to 21% and (2) lower international tax rates. Our 2016 effective tax rate differs from the 2016 U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35%, due to lower international tax rates, outside the United States, partially offset by U.S. state income taxesthe non-deductible impairment charge for goodwill of $940.7 million related to OpenTable recognized in 2016 (see Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements) and certainthe non-deductible expenses. impairment charge of approximately $60 million associated with a cost-method investment recognized in 2016 (see Note 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements).
Our effective tax rate was lower for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared to2017 is higher than our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, due to the net tax expense resulting from the Tax Act, partially offset by an increased proportion of our income being taxed at lower international tax rates. Accordingrates due to Dutch corporate incomethe growth of our international businesses and the non-deductible impairment charges recognized in 2016 referred to above that caused an increase in the 2016 effective tax law, income generated from qualifying innovative activities is taxed at a rate of 5% ("Innovation Box Tax") rather than the Dutch statutory rate of 25%. rate.
A portion of Booking.com's earnings during the yearyears ended December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 qualified for Innovation Box Tax treatment under Dutch tax law, which had a significant beneficial impact on the Company's effective tax rate for those periods. While we expect Booking.com to continue to qualify for Innovation Box Tax treatment with respect to a portion of its earnings for the foreseeable future, the loss of the Innovation Box Tax benefit, whether due to a change in tax law or a determination by the Dutch government that Booking.com's activities are not "innovative" or for any other reason, would substantially increase our effective tax rate and adversely impact our results of operations. During December 2017, legislation was enacted in the Netherlands that increased the Innovation Box Tax rate from 5% to 7%, effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018. See Part I Item 1A Risk Factors - "We may not be able to maintain our 'Innovation Box Tax' benefit."
Until our U.S. net operating loss carryforwards are utilized or expire, most of our U.S. income will not be subject to a cash tax liability, other than federal alternative minimum tax and state income taxes. However, we expect to pay foreign taxes on our international income except in countries where we have operating loss carryforwards. We expect that our international operations will grow their pretax income faster than the U.S. business over the long term and, therefore, it is our expectation that our cash tax payments will increase as our international businesses generate an increasing share of our pretax income.
We will be subject to increased income taxes in the event that our cash balances held outside the United States are remitted to the United States. As of December 31, 2015, we held approximately $9.8 billion of cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments outside of the United States. We currently intend to use our cash held outside the United States to reinvest in our international operations. If our cash balances outside the United States continue to grow and our ability to reinvest those balances outside the United States diminishes, under U.S. GAAP we will be obligated to record additional income tax expense in the United States with respect to our unremitted international earnings. We would not make additional income tax payments unless we were to actually repatriate our international cash to the United States. We would pay only U.S. federal alternative minimum tax and certain U.S. state income taxes as long as we have net operating loss carryforwards available to offset our U.S. taxable income. This could result in us being subject to a cash income tax liability on the earnings of our U.S. businesses sooner than would otherwise have been the case.
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 20142016 compared to Year Ended December 31, 20132015
Operating and Statistical Metrics
Gross bookings resulting from accommodation room nights, rental car days and airline tickets reserved through our international and U.S. operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (numbers may not total due to rounding):
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in millions) | | |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | Change |
| International | $ | 43,639 |
| | $ | 33,300 |
| | 31.0 | % |
| U.S. | 6,661 |
| | 5,873 |
| | 13.4 | % |
| Total | $ | 50,300 |
| | $ | 39,173 |
| | 28.4 | % |
Gross bookings increased by 28.4% for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013 (growth on a constant currency basis was approximately 30%), principally due to growth of 27.9% in accommodation room night reservations, 3% growth on a constant currency basis in ADRs, growth of 18.1% in rental car day reservations and 12.0% growth in airline ticket reservations. International gross bookings grew by 31.0% (growth on a constant currency basis was approximately 33%) for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily as a result of growth in accommodation room night reservations for our Booking.com and agoda.com businesses, as well as growth in rental car day reservations for our rentalcars.com business. The U.S. Dollar significantly strengthened against the Euro during 2014, moving from an exchange rate of 1.38 U.S. Dollars per Euro as of January 1, 2014 to 1.21 U.S. Dollars per Euro as of December 31, 2014. The U.S. Dollar has also strengthened against many other currencies since January 1, 2014. We therefore believe that unit growth rates and total gross bookings, international gross bookings and gross profit growth on a constant currency basis, excluding the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, are important measures to understand the fundamental performance of the business.
U.S. gross bookings increased by 13.4% for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to increases in priceline.com's retail airline ticket, retail hotel, Express Deals®hotel and retail rental car services, partially offset by declines in priceline.com's Name Your Own Price®reservation services. Travel service providers typically provide a limited amount of availability to opaque services like ours, especially during periods of healthy travel demand. As a result, the recent healthy travel environment in the United States has had an adverse impact on our access to availability for our opaque reservation services.
Gross bookings resulting from reservations of accommodation room nights, rental car days and airline tickets made through our agency and merchant models for the years ended December 31, 20142016 and 20132015 were as follows (numbers may not total due to rounding):
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in millions) | | | (in millions) | | |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | Change | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Agency | $ | 42,892 |
| | $ | 32,672 |
| | 31.3 | % | $ | 58,638 |
| | $ | 47,969 |
| | 22.2 | % |
| Merchant | 7,409 |
| | 6,501 |
| | 14.0 | % | 9,449 |
| | 7,559 |
| | 25.0 | % |
| Total | $ | 50,300 |
| | $ | 39,173 |
| | 28.4 | % | $ | 68,087 |
| | $ | 55,528 |
| | 22.6 | % |
Agency grossGross bookings increased 31.3%by 22.6% for the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily2015 (growth on a constant-currency basis was approximately 25%), principally due to growth of 28.7% in Booking.com accommodation room night reservations priceline.com's retailand growth of 11.2% in rental car day reservations, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, a slight decrease in accommodation ADRs (the decline on a constant-currency basis was less than 1%) and decreases in airfares and airline ticket rental carreservations. We believe that unit growth rates and hotel reservationtotal gross bookings and gross profit growth on a constant-currency basis, each of which exclude the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, are important measures to understand the fundamental performance of the business.
Agency gross bookings are derived from travel-related transactions where we do not facilitate payments for the travel services and rentalcars.com rental car reservation service. Merchantprovided. Agency gross bookings increased 14.0%by 22.2% for the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013,2015, primarily due to increasesgrowth in agoda.com hotelgross bookings from Booking.com agency retail accommodation room night reservations.
Merchant gross bookings are derived from services where we facilitate payments for the travel services provided. Merchant gross bookings increased by 25.0% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily due to growth in gross bookings from the merchant accommodation reservation services rentalcars.comfor Booking.com and agoda.com, the merchant rental car reservation servicesservice for Rentalcars.com and priceline.com Express Deals®hotel and retail hotelthe merchant airline ticket reservation services, partially offset by declines in priceline.com's Name Your Own Price®services.service for priceline.com.
Units sold for accommodationAccommodation room nights, rental car days and airline tickets reserved through our services for the years ended December 31, 20142016 and 20132015 were as follows:
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in millions) | | | (in millions) | | |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | Change | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Room Nights | 346.0 |
| | 270.5 |
| | 27.9 | % | 556.6 |
| | 432.3 |
| | 28.7 | % |
| Rental Car Days | 51.8 |
| | 43.9 |
| | 18.1 | % | 66.6 |
| | 59.9 |
| | 11.2 | % |
| Airline Tickets | 7.8 |
| | 7.0 |
| | 12.0 | % | 7.3 |
| | 7.7 |
| | (5.2 | )% |
Accommodation room night reservations increased by 27.9%28.7% for the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013,2015, primarily due to an increase in Booking.com, agoda.comstrong execution by our brand teams to add accommodations to our websites, advertise our brands to consumers and priceline.comaccommodation room night reservations. Booking.com,provide a continuously improving experience for customers on our most significant brand, included over 600,000 properties on its website as of February 13, 2015, which included over 245,000 vacation rental properties, compared to approximately 425,000 properties as of February 18, 2014, which included over 110,000 vacation rental properties (updated property counts are available on the Booking.com website). Booking.com has added properties over the past year in its core European market as well as higher-growth markets such as North America (which is a newer market for Booking.com), Asia-Pacificdesktop and South America. An increasing amount of our business from a destination and point-of-sale perspective is conducted in our newer markets which are growing faster than our overall growth rate and our core European market.mobile platforms.
Rental car day reservations increased by 18.1%11.2% for the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013,2015, due to an increase in price-disclosed rental car day reservations for rentalcars.com and priceline.com, partially offset by a decline in priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® rental car reservation service.Rentalcars.com.
Airline ticket reservations increaseddecreased by 12.0%5.2% for the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013,2015, due to an increasea decline in price-disclosedpriceline.com's retail airline ticket reservations for priceline.com driven primarily by increased paid advertising placementsand the discontinuation on KAYAK (which began in the third quarterSeptember 1,
2016 of 2013), partially offset by a decline in priceline.com'spriceline.com’s Name Your Own Price® airline ticket reservation service.offering, partially offset by an increase in priceline.com's Express Deals® airline ticket reservations.
Revenues
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | Change | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Agency Revenues | $ | 5,845,802 |
| | $ | 4,410,689 |
| | 32.5 | % | $ | 7,982,116 |
| | $ | 6,527,898 |
| | 22.3 | % |
| Merchant Revenues | 2,186,054 |
| | 2,211,474 |
| | (1.1 | )% | 2,048,005 |
| | 2,082,973 |
| | (1.7 | )% |
| Advertising and Other Revenues | 410,115 |
| | 171,143 |
| | 139.6 | % | 712,885 |
| | 613,116 |
| | 16.3 | % |
| Total Revenues | $ | 8,441,971 |
| | $ | 6,793,306 |
| | 24.3 | % | $ | 10,743,006 |
| | $ | 9,223,987 |
| | 16.5 | % |
Agency Revenues
Agency revenues increased by 22.3% for the year ended December 31, 2014 increased 32.5%2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013,2015, primarily as a result of growth in the business ofagency accommodation room night reservations at Booking.com. Our priceline.com agency revenues benefited from growth in our retail rental car, agency airline ticket and agency hotel reservation businesses.
Merchant Revenues
Merchant revenues decreased by 1.7% for the year ended December 31, 2014 decreased 1.1%2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013,2015, primarily due to decreases in revenues from priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® reservation services, mostlypartially offset by increasesin our agoda.com business, rentalcars.com business, priceline.com's Express Deals®and retail merchant hotelprice-disclosed accommodation reservation services, particularly at Booking.com, as well as our merchant price-disclosed rental car and priceline.com'sairline ticket reservation services. On September 1, 2016, priceline.com’s Express DealsName Your Own Price® rental carairline ticket reservation services. Merchant revenue declined versus the prior year despite growth in merchant gross bookings, because our merchant revenues are disproportionately affected by priceline.com'soffering was discontinued. Our priceline.com Name Your Own Price® service. Name Your Own Price® revenues,reservation services, which declined year-over-year, are recorded "gross" with a corresponding travel service provider cost recorded in cost of revenues. Our other merchant revenues, and represented a smaller percentage,which in total grew year-over-year, of total revenues compared to our faster-growing agoda.com, rentalcars.com and priceline.com retail merchant
hotel and Express Deals® reservation services, which are recorded in revenue "net" of travel service provider costs. As a result, we believe that gross profit is an important measurechanges in Name Your Own Price® reservation revenue disproportionately affect merchant revenues as compared to evaluate growth in our business.other merchant revenues.
Advertising and Other Revenues
Advertising and other revenues during the year ended December 31, 20142016 consisted primarily of advertising revenues, restaurant reservation revenues and subscription revenues for restaurant reservation management services. OtherAdvertising and other revenues increased by 16.3% for the year ended December 31, 2014 includes $100.6 million of2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily due to growth in our KAYAK business, reservation fees at OpenTable, advertising revenue earned since its acquisition on July 24, 2014.at priceline.com and subscription revenue at OpenTable.
Cost of Revenues
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | Change |
| Cost of Revenues | $ | 857,841 |
| | $ | 1,077,420 |
| | (20.4 | )% |
Cost of Revenues |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Cost of Revenues | $ | 428,314 |
| | $ | 632,180 |
| | (32.2 | )% |
For the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, cost of revenues consisted primarily of: (1) the cost paid to travel service providers for priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® and vacation package reservation services, net of applicable taxes and charges; and (2) fees paid to third parties by KAYAK and priceline.com to return travel itinerary information in response tofor consumer search queries; and (3) costs related to accruals for travel transaction taxes (e.g., hotel occupancy taxes, excise taxes, sales taxes, etc.).queries. Cost of revenues decreased by 32.2% for the year ended December 31, 2014 decreased by 20.4%,2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013,2015, primarily due to a decrease in priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® reservation services. Cost of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013 includes an accrual2016 was positively impacted by a reduction of travel transaction taxes of $5.1 million recorded in the third quarter of 2016 related to a cash refund from the State of Hawaii based on a favorable ruling in the first quarter of 2015. Cost of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2015 was positively impacted by a reversal of previously accrued travel transaction taxes of $16.4 million (including estimated interest and penalties) recorded in the first quarter of 20132015 and a reduction of approximately $20.5travel transaction taxes of $13.7 million (including estimated interest and penalties) for travel transaction taxes,recorded
in the third quarter of 2015, principally related to unfavorable rulings ina cash refund from the State of Hawaii, andin both cases based on the District of Columbia, partially offset by a reduction in our accrual related to travel transaction taxes of $6.3 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2013, principally related to aaforementioned favorable agreement and ruling in the District of Columbia.ruling.
Agency revenues have no cost of revenue. Agency revenues principally consist of travel commissions on accommodation reservations.revenues.
Gross Profit
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | Change | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Gross Profit | $ | 7,584,130 |
| | $ | 5,715,886 |
| | 32.7 | % | $ | 10,314,692 |
| | $ | 8,591,807 |
| | 20.1 | % |
| Gross Margin | 89.8 | % | | 84.1 | % | | |
| 96.0 | % | | 93.1 | % | | |
|
Total gross profit increased by 20.1% for the year ended December 31, 2014 increased by 32.7%2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 20132015 (growth on a constant currencyconstant-currency basis was approximately 34%23%), primarily as a result of the increased revenue discussed above. Total gross margin (gross profit expressed as a percentage of total revenue) increased during the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013,2015, because our revenues are disproportionately affected by priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® reservation services. Name Your Own Price® revenues are recorded "gross" with a corresponding travel service provider cost recorded in cost of revenues, and in the year ended December 31, 20142016 these revenues represented a smaller percentage of total revenues than in the year ended December 31, 2013.2015. Our retail and semi-opaqueprice-disclosed reservation services, which are recorded in revenue "net" of travel service provider costcosts, have been growing faster thanand priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® reservation services.services have been declining. As a result, we believe that gross profit is an important measure to evaluatefor evaluating growth in our business.
Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2016 was positively impacted by a reduction of travel transaction taxes of $5.1 million recorded in the third quarter of 2016 related to a cash refund from the State of Hawaii based on a favorable ruling in the first quarter of 2015. Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2015 was positively impacted by a reversal of previously accrued travel transaction taxes of $16.4 million (including estimated interest and penalties) recorded in the first quarter of 2015 and a reduction of travel transaction taxes of $13.7 million (including estimated interest and penalties) recorded in the third quarter of 2015, principally related to a cash refund from the State of Hawaii, in both cases based on the aforementioned favorable ruling.
Gross profit as a percentage of gross bookings was 15.1% for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to 15.5% for the year ended December 31, 2015. The decrease is due in part to the timing of booking versus travel resulting from the impact of accelerating gross bookings growth in the year ended December 31, 2016 and an expanding booking window (a lengthening of the average time between the making of a travel reservation and the travel). Other contributing factors to the variance are business mix impacts and the use of discounted closed user group rates.
Our international operations accounted for approximately $6.6$9.1 billion of our gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2014, which compares2016, compared to $5.0$7.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2013.2015. Gross profit attributable to our international operations increased on a constant currency basis, by approximately 34%22.3% for the year ended December 31, 20142016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2013.2015 (growth on a constant-currency basis was approximately 25%). Gross profit attributable to our U.S. businesses increased by approximately 35.4%5.7% for the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013. Gross2015 due to growth in gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2014 was positively impacted by the inclusionU.S. businesses of OpenTableKAYAK and KAYAK since their acquisitions on July 24, 2014 and May 21, 2013, respectively. Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2013 was
negatively impacted by an accrual recorded in the first quarter of 2013 of approximately $20.5 million (including estimated interest and penalties) for travel transaction taxes, principally related to unfavorable rulings in the State of Hawaii and the District of Columbia,OpenTable, partially offset by a creditdecrease in the fourth quarter of 2013 of $6.3 million, principally relatedgross profit for priceline.com resulting from higher favorable travel transaction tax adjustments recorded in 2015 as compared to a favorable agreement and ruling in the District of Columbia.2016.
Operating Expenses
Advertising
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | Change | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Online Advertising | $ | 2,360,221 |
| | $ | 1,798,645 |
| | 31.2 | % | |
| Performance Advertising | | $ | 3,479,287 |
| | $ | 2,738,218 |
| | 27.1 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 31.1 | % | | 31.5 | % | | |
| 33.7 | % | | 31.9 | % | | |
|
| Offline Advertising | $ | 231,309 |
| | $ | 127,459 |
| | 81.5 | % | |
| Brand Advertising | | $ | 295,698 |
| | $ | 273,704 |
| | 8.0 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 3.0 | % | | 2.2 | % | | |
| 2.9 | % | | 3.2 | % | | |
|
OnlinePerformance advertising expenses consist primarily consist of the costs of (1) search engine keyword purchases; (2) referrals from meta-search and travel research websites; (3) affiliate programs; and (4) banner, pop-up and other Internet and mobileperformance-based advertisements. For the year ended December 31, 2014, online2016, performance advertising expenses increased 31.2%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013,2015, primarily to generate increased gross bookings. Onlinebookings and gross profit. Performance advertising as a percentage of gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2014 benefited from the inclusion of KAYAK and OpenTable because they spend a lower percentage of gross profit on online advertising than our other brands. Also, our consolidated results exclude intercompany advertising by our brands on KAYAK since the acquisition on May 21, 2013. In addition, the share of our business coming directly2016 increased compared to our websites with no associated online advertising expense increased during the year ended December 31, 2014. These favorable impacts were almost entirely offset for the year ended December 31, 2014 by (1)2015 due to growth of paid traffic channels, a year-over-year decline in advertising ROIs and (2) brand mix within The Priceline Group as Booking.com, agoda.com and rentalcars.com grew faster than priceline.com and typically spend a higher percentagetiming of booking versus travel resulting from acceleration in gross profit on online advertising.bookings growth during the year.
OfflineBrand advertising expenses are primarily related to our Booking.com, KAYAK, priceline.com and priceline.comagoda.com businesses and primarily consist mainly of television advertising, online video advertising (including the airing of our television advertising online) and online display advertising. For the year ended December 31, 2014, offline2016, brand advertising expenses increased 81.5% compared to the year ended December 31, 2013,2015, primarily due to the launch of offlineincreased online video and television advertising, campaignsincluding associated production costs, at Booking.com, partially offset by Booking.com in Germany, the United Kingdomlower television advertising at KAYAK and Canada in 2014 and Australia in the fourth quarter of 2013, as well as incremental offline advertising by KAYAK. Offline advertising growth for the year ended December 31, 2014 was also impacted by the inclusion of KAYAK in our consolidated results since its acquisition on May 21, 2013.priceline.com.
Sales and Marketing
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | Change | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Sales and Marketing | $ | 310,910 |
| | $ | 235,817 |
| | 31.8 | % | $ | 435,225 |
| | $ | 353,221 |
| | 23.2 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 4.1 | % | | 4.1 | % | | |
| 4.2 | % | | 4.1 | % | | |
|
Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of (1) credit card and other payment processing fees associated with merchant transactions; (2) fees paid to third parties that provide call center, website content translations and other services; (3) customer relations costs; (4) provisions for credit card chargebacks; and (4)customer chargebacks associated with merchant transactions; (5) provisions for bad debt, primarily related to agency accommodation commission receivables.receivables; and (6) promotional and trade show costs. For the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, sales and marketing expenses, which are substantially variable in nature, increased compared to the year ended December 31, 2013,2015 due primarily due to increased gross bookingtransaction volumes higher public relations costs and the inclusion of OpenTable since its acquisition on July 24, 2014. Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of gross profit are typically higher for our merchant businesses, which incur credit card processing fees. Our merchant business grew more slowly than our agency business, and as a result, sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of total gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2014 were favorably impacted compared to the year ended December 31, 2013. This impact was offset during the year ended December 31, 2014 by the inclusion of OpenTable in our consolidated results since its acquisition on July 24, 2014 because OpenTable spends a higher percentage of gross profit on sales and marketing than our agency businesses.provision for customer chargebacks associated with merchant transactions.
Personnel
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | Change | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Personnel | $ | 950,191 |
| | $ | 698,692 |
| | 36.0 | % | $ | 1,350,032 |
| | $ | 1,166,226 |
| | 15.8 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 12.5 | % | | 12.2 | % | | |
| 13.1 | % | | 13.6 | % | | |
|
Personnel expenses consist of compensation to our personnel, including salaries, stock-based compensation, bonuses, payroll taxes, and employee health and other benefits. Personnel expenses increased during the year ended December 31, 2014,
2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013,2015, due primarily to increased headcount to support the growth of our businesses. The inclusion of OpenTable and KAYAK in our consolidated results since their acquisitions on July 24, 2014 and May 21, 2013, respectively, contributed to this increase in personnel expenses.
Stock-based compensation expense was approximately $186.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $140.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. Stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 includes charges amounting to $20.6 million and $24.1 million, respectively, representing the impact of adjusting the estimated probable outcome at the end of the performance period for outstanding unvested performance share units. Stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 also includes $26.5 million of compensation expense related to 2014 acquisitions.
In December 2013, the Dutch Government enacted certain amendments to Dutch tax law including a one-time irrevocable levy on an employer applied to employee earnings, equal to 16% of an employee's earnings in excess of 150,000 Euros. This levy resulted in additional payroll taxes recorded in personnel expense of approximately $12 million (approximately $9 million after tax) in the fourth quarter of 2013. There was no similar tax levy in 2014.
General and Administrative
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | Change | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| General and Administrative | $ | 352,869 |
| | $ | 252,994 |
| | 39.5 | % | $ | 455,909 |
| | $ | 415,420 |
| | 9.7 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 4.7 | % | | 4.4 | % | | |
| 4.4 | % | | 4.8 | % | | |
|
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of: (1) occupancy and office expenses; (2) personnel relatedpersonnel-related expenses such as travel, recruiting and training expenses; and (3) fees for outside professionals, including litigation expenses. General and administrative expenses increased during the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013,2015, due primarily to higher occupancy and office expenses related to the expansion of our international businesses, higher fees for outside professionals and higher personnel relatedpersonnel-related expenses related to increased headcount in all of our businesses. The inclusionThese increases were partially offset by $7.7 million of OpenTable and KAYAKexpense recognized in our consolidated results since their acquisitions on July 24, 2014 and May 21, 2013, respectively, contributed2015 for a fair value adjustment to the increase in general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014 comparedcontingent liability related to the year ended December 31, 2013.an acquisition.
General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014 included approximately $6.9 million of professional fees related to consummated acquisitions. General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2013 included approximately $8.5 million of professional fees related to the acquisition of KAYAK.
Information Technology
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | Change | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Information Technology | $ | 97,498 |
| | $ | 71,890 |
| | 35.6 | % | $ | 142,393 |
| | $ | 113,617 |
| | 25.3 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 1.3 | % | | 1.3 | % | | |
| 1.4 | % | | 1.3 | % | | |
|
Information technology expenses consist primarily of: (1) software license and system maintenance fees; (2) data communications and other expenses associated with operating our services; (3) outsourced data center costs; and (4) payments to outside consultants. Information technology expenseexpenses increased during the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013,2015, due primarily to growth in our worldwide operations. The inclusion of OpenTable and KAYAK in our consolidated results since their acquisitions on July 24, 2014 and May 21, 2013, respectively, contributed to the increase in information technology expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the year ended December 31, 2013.
Depreciation and Amortization
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | Change | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Depreciation and Amortization | $ | 207,820 |
| | $ | 117,975 |
| | 76.2 | % | $ | 309,135 |
| | $ | 272,494 |
| | 13.4 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 2.7 | % | | 2.1 | % | | |
| 3.0 | % | | 3.2 | % | | |
|
Depreciation and amortization expenses consist of: (1) amortization of intangible assets with determinable lives; (2) depreciation on computer equipment; (3) depreciation of internally developed and purchased software; and (4) depreciation of leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures and office equipment. ForDepreciation and amortization expenses increased during the year ended December 31, 2014, depreciation and amortization expense increased from2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013 due2015, primarily to increased intangible amortization from the OpenTable and KAYAK acquisitions andas a result of increased depreciation expenseexpenses due to capital expenditures for additional data center capacity and office build outsbuild-outs to support growth and geographic expansion, principallyas well as increased capitalized software development costs.
Impairment of Goodwill
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Impairment of Goodwill | $ | 940,700 |
| | $ | — |
| | N/A |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 9.1 | % | | N/A |
| | |
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge for goodwill related to OpenTable, which is not tax deductible, of $940.7 million (see Note 9 to our Booking.com business.Consolidated Financial Statements).
Other Income (Expense)
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | Change | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Interest Income | $ | 13,933 |
| | $ | 4,167 |
| | 234.4 | % | $ | 94,946 |
| | $ | 55,729 |
| | 70.4 | % |
| Interest Expense | (88,353 | ) | | (83,289 | ) | | 6.1 | % | (207,900 | ) | | (160,229 | ) | | 29.8 | % |
| Foreign Currency Transactions and Other | (9,444 | ) | | (36,755 | ) | | (74.3 | )% | (16,913 | ) | | (26,087 | ) | | (35.2 | )% |
| Impairment of Cost-method Investments | | (63,208 | ) | | — |
| | N/A |
|
| Total | $ | (83,864 | ) | | $ | (115,877 | ) | | (27.6 | )% | $ | (193,075 | ) | | $ | (130,587 | ) | | 47.9 | % |
For the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, interest income on cash and marketable securities increased compared to the year ended December 31, 2013,2015, primarily due to an increase in the average invested balance and higher yields. Interest expense increased for the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013,2015, primarily due to interest expense attributable to our Senior Notes issued in August 2014March 2015, November 2015 and September 2014 and interest expense attributable to our Senior Convertible Notes issued in May 2013,2016, partially offset by early conversionsthe maturity of our 1.25% Convertible Senior Notes duein March 2015. See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
"Foreign currency transactions and other" includes foreign currency gains or losses on derivative contracts, foreign currency transaction gains or losses, including costs related to foreign currency transactions, and net realized gains or losses on investments.
Derivative contracts that hedge our exposure to the impact of currency fluctuations on the translation of our international operating results into U.S. Dollars upon consolidation resulted in foreign exchangecurrency gains of $13.7$3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 20142016, compared withto foreign exchange gainscurrency losses of $0.3$6.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, which are recorded in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.2015.
Foreign exchangecurrency transaction losses, including costs related to foreign exchangecurrency transactions, resulted in foreign currency losses of $17.6$19.6 million and $21.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Foreign currency losses for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared2015 included approximately $5.7 million of hedging cost and a foreign currency loss related to foreign exchange transaction lossesthe devaluation of $10.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, are recorded in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.Argentine Peso.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, we delivered cashSee Note 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on impairments of $122.9 million to repay the aggregate principal amount and issued 300,256 shares of our common stock and paid cash of $2.2 million in satisfaction of the conversion value in excess of the principal amount associated with our 1.25% Convertible Senior Notes due March 2015 that were converted prior to maturity. The conversion of our convertible debt prior to maturity resulted in a non-cash loss of $6.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to a non-cash loss of $26.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, which is recorded in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.cost-method investments.
Income Taxes
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | Change |
| Income Tax Expense | $ | 567,695 |
| | $ | 403,739 |
| | 40.6 | % |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Income Tax Expense | $ | 578,251 |
| | $ | 576,960 |
| | 0.2 | % |
| % of Total Earnings Before Income Taxes | 21.3 | % | | 18.4 | % | | |
Our effective tax rates, expressed as income tax expense as a percentage of earnings before income taxes, for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were 19.0% and 17.6%, respectively. Our2016 effective tax rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35%, due to lower international tax rates, outsidepartially offset by the United States,non-deductible impairment charge for goodwill of $940.7 million related to OpenTable recognized in 2016 (see Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements) and the non-deductible impairment charge associated with a cost-
method investment recognized in 2016 (see Note 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements). Our 2015 effective tax rate differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate as a result of lower international tax rates, partially offset by U.S. state income taxes and certaintaxes.
The non-deductible expenses. Ourimpairment charges referred to above have caused our effective tax rate wasto be higher for the year ended December 31, 2014,2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2013, primarily2015. The increase has been partially offset by the favorable impact of an increased proportion of our income being taxed at lower international tax rates due to the acquisitionsgrowth of OpenTable on July 24, 2014our international businesses and KAYAK on May 21, 2013, both of which are principally taxed at the highertax benefits recorded in 2016 arising from U.S. state tax rates.law changes resulting in a net decrease to deferred tax liabilities, mostly associated with acquired intangible assets.
According to Dutch corporate income tax law, income generated from qualifying innovative activities is taxed at a rate of 5% ("Innovation Box Tax") rather than the Dutch statutory rate of 25%. A portion of Booking.com's earnings during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 qualified for Innovation Box Tax treatment, which had a significant beneficial impact on the Company's effective tax rate for those periods.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | Change |
| Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests | $ | — |
| | $ | 135 |
| | NA |
We purchased the remaining outstanding shares underlying the redeemable noncontrolling interests in April 2013.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2015,2017, we had $10.6$17.8 billion in cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments. Approximately $9.8$16.2 billion is held by our international subsidiaries and is denominated primarily in U.S. Dollars, Euros and, to a lesser extent, British Pounds Sterling and other currencies. We currently intend to indefinitely reinvest these funds outside of the United States. If we repatriate cash to the United States, we would utilize our net operating loss carryforwards and beyond that amount incur additional tax payments in the United States. Cash equivalents, short-term investments and long-term investments are comprised of U.S. and foreigninternational corporate bonds, U.S. and foreigninternational government securities, high-grade commercial paper, U.S. government agency securities, Ctripconvertible debt securities and American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") of Ctrip, money market funds and bank deposits.time deposits (see Note 5 to our Consolidated Financial Statements).
On May 26, 2015,In the first quarter of 2018, 2017 and 2016, we prepaid a portion of our Dutch income tax liability of approximately $713 million, $500 million and $431 million, respectively, to earn prepayment discounts.
As a result of the Tax Act (see Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements), we have recorded a provisional transition tax liability of approximately $1.3 billion, inclusive of U.S. federal and state income taxes and international withholding taxes for the year ended December 31, 2017, net of the benefit of utilizing approximately $204 million of U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards and approximately $46 million of other U.S. tax credit carryforwards. This tax liability is presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017 as "Long-term U.S. transition tax liability," the majority of which is U.S. federal income tax and will be paid over eight years.
In accordance with the Tax Act, generally future repatriation of our international cash will not be subject to a U.S. federal income tax liability as a dividend, but will be subject to U.S. state income taxes and international withholding taxes.
In October 2017, we invested $250$450 million in five-year senior convertiblepreferred shares of Meituan-Dianping. On July 24, 2017, we acquired the Momondo Group for $555.5 million.
In August 2017, we issued Senior Notes due March 15, 2023, with an interest rate of 2.75% (the "2023 Notes"), and Senior Notes due March 15, 2028, with an interest rate of 3.55% (the "2028 Notes"), each having an aggregate principal amount of $500 million. Interest on the 2023 Notes and the 2028 Notes is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15, beginning March 15, 2018. In March 2017, we issued Senior Notes due March 10, 2022, with an interest rate of 0.8% (the "March 2022 Notes") for an aggregate principal amount of 1.0 billion Euros. Interest on the March 2022 Notes is payable annually on March 10, beginning March 10, 2018. The net proceeds of these notes issued at par by Ctrip.com International Ltd. ("Ctrip"). On December 11, 2015, we invested $500 million in a ten-year senior convertible note issued at par value by Ctrip. During 2015, we invested an additional $208.4 million in Ctrip ADSs.may be used for general corporate purposes, which may include share repurchases, repayment of debt and acquisitions. See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on the 2023 Notes, 2028 Notes and March 2022 Notes.
In June 2015, we entered into a $2.0 billion five-year unsecured revolving credit facility with a group of lenders. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility will bear interest, at our option, at a rate per annum equal to either (i) the adjusted LIBOR for the interest period in effect for such borrowing plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.875% to 1.50%; or (ii) the greatest of (a) Bank of America, N.A.'s prime lending rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.5%0.50%, and (c) an adjusted LIBOR for an interest period of one month plus 1.00%, plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.00% to 0.50%. Undrawn balances available under the revolving credit facility are subject to commitment fees at the applicable rate ranging from 0.085% to 0.20%.
The revolving credit facility provides for the issuance of up to $70.0 million of letters of credit as well as borrowings of up to $50.0 million on same-day notice, referred to as swingline loans. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility may be made in U.S. Dollars, Euros, British Pounds Sterling and any other foreign currency agreed to by the lenders. The proceeds of loans made under the facility will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2015,2017, there were no borrowings outstanding and approximately $2.5$3.8 million of letters of credit issued under the facility.
Our Convertible Senior Notes due March 15, 2018, with an interest rate of 1.0% (the "2018 Notes"), are currently convertible and will remain convertible until the trading day prior to the maturity date of March 15, 2018, regardless of the Company's stock price. We reported the carrying value of the 2018 Notes as a current liability in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2017. We are required to repay the remaining aggregate principal amount of the 2018 Notes of approximately $714 million in cash, and, in addition, we have elected to deliver cash of approximately $700 million (based on our stock closing price of February 26, 2018) to satisfy the conversion value in excess of the remaining aggregate principal amount.
During the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, we repurchased 2,539,9211,025,890 shares of our common stock for an aggregate cost of $3.1$1.8 billion. As of December 31, 2015, there was no2017, we had a remaining authorization fromaggregate amount of $2.4 billion authorized by our Board of Directors to purchase our common stock.
In the first quarter of 2016, the Board of Directors authorized a program allowing us to purchase of up to $3.0 billion of our common stock. We may from time to time make additional repurchases of our common stock, depending on prevailing market conditions, alternate uses of capital and other factors. We expectDuring the period from January 1, 2018
through February 20, 2018, we repurchased 185,620 additional shares for an aggregate cost of $345.5 million. In the first quarter of 2018, our Board of Directors authorized an additional program to use cash on hand and generated byrepurchase up to $8.0 billion of our operations in the United States to fund our share repurchases. We may also utilize our revolving credit facility or raise funds through the debt capital markets to fund share repurchases.common stock.
In September 2015,2016, we signed a turnkey agreement to construct an office building in the Netherlands for the future headquarters of Booking.com for approximately 270 million Euros. Upon signing the agreement, we paid $18.4approximately 48 million Euros to settle a contingent liabilitythe developer, principally related to an acquisition. The portionacquired land-use rights, and we expect to pay approximately 34 million Euros related to building construction in the first quarter of 2018, with the remaining amount being paid periodically from the second quarter of 2018 until the expected completion of the payment relatedbuilding in early 2021. We will also make additional capital expenditures to fit out and furnish the acquisition-date estimated fair value of $10.7 million is shown as a financing activity and the remaining portion of the payment for $7.7 million, which was charged to general and administrative expenses as a fair value adjustment, is included as an operating activity in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2015.
In March 2015, we issued Senior Notes due 2027 for an aggregate principal amount of 1.0 billion Euros, with an interest rate of 1.8%. Interest on the notes is payable annually on March 3, beginning March 3, 2016. In addition, in March 2015, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2025, with an interest rate of 3.65%. Interest on the 2025 Notes is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15, beginning September 15, 2015. In November 2015, we issued Senior Notes due 2022 for an aggregate principal amount of 750 million Euros, with an interest rate of 2.15%. Interest on the 2022 Notes is payable annually on November 25, beginning November 25, 2016. The net proceeds of these notes were used for general corporate purposes.office space. See Note 1014 to theour Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on these notes.
In March 2015, in connection with the maturity or conversion prior to maturity of the remaining outstanding 1.25% Convertible Senior Notes due March 15, 2015, we paid $37.5 million to satisfy the aggregate principal amount due and paid an additional $110.1 million in satisfaction of the conversion value in excess of the principal amount.
Our merchant transactions are structured such that we collect cash up front from consumers and then we pay most of our travel service providers at a subsequent date. We therefore tend to experience significant swings in accounts receivable,
deferred merchant bookings and travel service provider payables seasonally depending on the absolute level of our merchant transactions during the last few weeks of every quarter.Statements.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, was $3.14.7 billion, resulting from net income of $2.62.3 billion, a favorable impact of $742.9 million for non-cash items and net favorable changes in working capital of $293.4 million and in other assets and liabilities of $1.3 billion, which is principally related to the long-term transition tax liability recognized as a result of the U.S. Tax Act (see Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements). The changes in working capital for the year ended December 31, 2017, were primarily related to a $687.4 millionincrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, offset by a $269.7 million increase in accounts receivable and $124.3 million increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets. The increase in these working capital balances was primarily related to increases in business volumes. Non-cash items were principally associated with stock-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization, and amortization of debt discount.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2016, was $4.0 billion, resulting from net income of $2.1 billion, a favorable impact of $1.6 billion for non-cash items and net favorable changes in working capital and other assets and liabilities of $213.9 million. The changes in working capital for the year ended December 31, 2016, were primarily related to a $514.4 million increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, offset by a $284.2 million increase in accounts receivable. The increase in these working capital balances was primarily related to increases in business volumes. Non-cash items were principally associated with impairment of goodwill, stock-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization, impairment of cost-method investments, excess tax benefits on stock-based awards and other equity deductions, amortization of debt discount and deferred income taxes.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2015, was $3.2 billion, resulting from net income of $2.6 billion and a favorable impact of $558.9$660.4 million for non-cash items, not affecting cash flows, partially offset by net unfavorable changes in working capital and other assets and liabilities of $8.0 million.$8.2 million. The changes in working capital for the year ended December 31, 2015, were primarily related to a $166.2$166.0 million increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, offset by a $68.7$68.7 million increase in accounts receivable and $81.6 million increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets. The increase in these working capital balances was primarily related to increases in business volumes. Non-cash items were primarily associated with stock-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization, amortization of debt discount and deferred income taxes.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2014, was $2.9 billion, resulting from net income of $2.4 billion and a favorable impact of non-cash items not affecting cash flows of $518.0 million, slightly offset by net unfavorable changes in working capitalexcess tax benefits on stock-based awards and other assets and liabilities of $25.4 million. The changes in working capital for the year ended December 31, 2014, were primarily related to a $203.9 million increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, offset by a $182.2 million increase in accounts receivable and $48.9 million increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets. The increase in these working capital balances was primarily related to increases in business volumes. Non-cash items were primarily associated with stock-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization,equity deductions, amortization of debt discount and deferred income taxes.
Net cash used in investing activities was $4.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017, principally resulting from net purchases of investments of $2.9 billion and acquisitions and other investments, net of cash acquired, of $1.0 billion. Net cash used in investing activities was $3.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016, principally resulting from net purchases of investments of $3.1 billion and $48.5 million for the acquisition of land-use rights related to the construction of Booking.com's new headquarters in the Netherlands. Net cash used in investing activities was $3.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015. Investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2015, were affected byprincipally resulting from net purchases of investments of $3.6 billion, $140.3 million used for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, partially offset by net proceeds of $5.2 million for the settlement of foreign currency contracts. Net cash used in investing activities was $2.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014. Investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2014 were affected by payments of $2.5 billion for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, and net cash payments of $80.3 million for the settlement of foreign currency contracts slightly offset by net sales of investments of $350.3 million and a change in restricted cash of $9.3 million. Cash invested in the purchase of property and equipment was $173.9$287.8 million, $219.9 million and $131.5$173.9 million in the years ended December 31, 20152017, 2016 and 2014,2015, respectively. The increase inincreases for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 waswere related to additional data center capacity and new offices to support growth and geographic expansion, principally related to our Booking.com business.and agoda.com brands in 2017 and 2016 and principally related to our Booking.com brand in 2015.
Net cash used in financing activities was $730.0$78.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. Cash2017, which primarily consisted of payments for repurchase of common stock of $1.8 billion, payments related to the conversion of Senior Notes of $285.7 million and payment of debt of $15.1 million assumed in the acquisition of the Momondo Group, partially offset by net proceeds of $2.0 billion from the issuance of Senior Notes and the exercise of employee stock options of $5.1 million. Net cash used in financing activities was $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, which primarily consisted of payments for repurchase of common stock of $1.0 billion, offset by net proceeds of $994.7 million from the issuance of Senior Notes and the exercise of employee stock options of $15.6 million. Net cash used in financing activities was $831.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, which primarily consisted of treasurypayments for repurchase of common stock purchases of $3.1 billion,
payments of $147.6 million related to the conversion of Senior Notes and payment of $10.7 million related to the settlement of the acquisition-date estimated contingent liability related to an acquisition, primarilypartially offset by the total proceeds of $2.4 billion from the issuance of Senior Notes excess tax benefits on stock-based awards of $101.5 million and the exercise of employee stock options of $20.9 million. Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $1.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2014. Cash provided by financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2014 primarily consisted of total proceeds of $2.3 billion from the issuance of Convertible Senior Notes and Euro denominated Senior Notes, excess tax benefits on stock-based awards of $23.4 million and the exercise of employee stock options of $16.4 million, partially offset by treasury stock purchases of $750.4 million and payments of $125.1 million related to the conversion of Senior Notes.
Contingencies
French tax authorities recently concludedconducted an audit that started in 2013 of the years 2003 through 2012 to determine whether Booking.com is in compliance with its tax obligations in France, andFrance. Booking.com received a formal assessmentassessments in December 2015. While we believe that Booking.com has been, and continues to be,2015 in compliance with French tax law, as a result of the auditwhich the French tax authorities claim that Booking.com has a permanent establishment in France and seek to recover unpaid income taxes and VATvalue-added taxes of approximately 356 million Euros, the majority of which would represent penalties and interest. We intendbelieve that Booking.com has been, and continues to contest any such assessment.be, in compliance with French tax law and we are contesting the assessments. Our objection to the assessment was denied by the French tax authorities. If we are unable to resolve the matter with the French tax authorities, we would expect to challenge the assessmentassessments in the French courts. In order to contest the assessmentassessments in court, we may be required to pay, upfront, the full amount or a significant part of any such assessment,assessments, though any such payment would not constitute an admission by us that we owes the taxes. Alternatively, any resolution or settlement of the matter with the French tax authorities may also require payment as part of such resolution or settlement. In each case, any such payment would not necessarily constitute an admission by us that we owe the taxes. French tax authorities may decide to alsohave begun a similar audit subsequentof the tax years 2013 through 2015, which could result in additional assessments. See Part I Item IA Risk Factors - "We may have exposure to additional tax liabilities."
A number of U.S. jurisdictions have initiated lawsuits against online travel companies, including us, related to, among other things, the payment of travel transaction taxes (e.g., hotel occupancy taxes, excise taxes, sales taxes, etc.). In addition, a number of U.S. states, counties and municipalities have initiated audit proceedings, issued proposed tax assessments or started
inquiries relating to the payment of travel transaction taxes. For additional information, see Note 1514 to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Part I Item 1A Risk Factors - "Adverse application of U.S. state and local tax laws could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operationsoperations." in this Annual Report.
As a result of this litigation and other attempts by U.S. jurisdictions to levy similar taxes, we have established an accrual (including estimated interest and penalties) for the potential resolution of issues related to travel transaction taxes in the amount of approximately $12 million and $27 million atas of December 31, 2015 compared to approximately $52 million at December 31, 2014. A March 2015 ruling by the Hawaii Supreme Court significantly reduced our (and other OTCs') liability2017 and as a result we reduced our accrual for travel transaction taxes (including estimated interest and penalties) by $16.4 million with a corresponding reduction to cost of revenues in the first quarter of 2015.2016, respectively. The accrual is based on our estimate of the probable cost of resolving these issues. Our legal expenses for these matters are expensed as incurred and are not reflected in the amount accrued. The actual cost may be less or greater, potentially significantly, than the liabilitiesliability recorded. An estimate for a reasonably possible loss or range of loss in excess of the amount accrued cannot be reasonably made. If we were to suffer adverse determinations in the near term in more of the pending proceedings than currently anticipated given results to date, because of our available cash we believe that it would not have a material impact on our liquidity.
The following table represents our material contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2015 (see Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements):2017:
| | | | | Payments due by Period (in thousands) | | Payments due by Period (in thousands) |
| Contractual Obligations | | Total | | Less than 1 Year | | 1 to 3 Years | | 3 to 5 Years | | More than 5 Years | | Total | | Less than 1 Year | | 1 to 3 Years | | 3 to 5 Years | | More than 5 Years |
Operating lease obligations | | $ | 465,528 |
| | $ | 92,552 |
| | $ | 151,874 |
| | $ | 114,243 |
| | $ | 106,859 |
| | $ | 686,277 |
| | $ | 148,200 |
| | $ | 255,565 |
| | $ | 138,608 |
| | $ | 143,904 |
|
Senior Notes(1) | | 7,347,065 |
| | 103,658 |
| | 1,202,315 |
| | 1,185,565 |
| | 4,855,527 |
| |
Revolving credit facility(2) | | 11,926 |
| | 3,146 |
| | 5,049 |
| | 3,731 |
| | — |
| |
Land lease obligation(1) | | | 71,194 |
| | 1,499 |
| | 2,998 |
| | 2,998 |
| | 63,699 |
|
Building construction obligation(1) | | | 265,702 |
| | 91,852 |
| | 154,908 |
| | 18,942 |
| | — |
|
Senior Notes(2) | | | 11,031,124 |
| | 895,228 |
| | 1,352,955 |
| | 2,239,305 |
| | 6,543,636 |
|
Revolving credit facility(3) | | | 6,909 |
| | 3,187 |
| | 3,722 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| Earnout - acquisition | | 9,170 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 9,170 |
| | — |
| | 9,170 |
| | — |
| | 9,170 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Total(3) | | $ | 7,833,689 |
| | $ | 199,356 |
| | $ | 1,359,238 |
| | $ | 1,312,709 |
| | $ | 4,962,386 |
| |
| U.S. transition tax liability | | | 1,257,191 |
| | 6,345 |
| | 306,016 |
| | 203,758 |
| | 741,072 |
|
Total(4) | | | $ | 13,327,567 |
| | $ | 1,146,311 |
| | $ | 2,085,334 |
| | $ | 2,603,611 |
| | $ | 7,492,311 |
|
| |
| (1) | See the section on "Operating Leases" and "Building Construction" section of Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more details. |
| |
| (2) | Represents the aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notes outstanding as of December 31, 20152017 and cumulative interest to maturity of $858 million.$1.3 billion. Convertible debt does not reflect the market value in excess of the outstanding |
principal amount because we can settle the conversion premium amount in cash or shares of common stock at our option. See Note 10 to our option. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
| |
(2)(3) | Represents fees on uncommitted funds and outstanding letters of credit as of December 31, 2015.2017. |
| |
(3)(4) | We reported "Other long-term liabilities" of $135$148 million onin the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2015,2017, of which approximately $43$66 million related to deferred rents, approximately $42$28 million related to unrecognized tax benefits (see Note 1413 to theour Consolidated Financial Statements) and approximately $27$12 million related to our accrual for the potential resolution of issues related to travel transaction taxes (see Note 1514 to theour Consolidated Financial Statements). A variety of factors could affect the timing of payments for the liabilities related to travel transaction taxes and unrecognized tax benefits. We believe that these matters will likely not be resolved in the next twelve months and accordingly we have classified the estimated liability as non-current in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Therefore, we have excluded long-term liabilities of $126$139 million from the contractual obligations table above because we cannot reasonably estimate the timing of such payments or the liability is related to deferred rents, which represents the difference in rent expense recognized in the income statements and rent payments related to operating leases. |
We believe that our existing cash balances and liquid resources will be sufficient to fund our operating activities, capital expenditures and other obligations through at least the next twelve months. However, if during that period or thereafter, we are not successful in generating sufficient cash flow from operations or in raising additional capital when required in sufficient amounts and on terms acceptable to us, we may be required to reduce our planned capital expenditures and scale back the scope of our business plan, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our future financial condition or results of operations. If additional funds were raised through the issuance of equity securities, the percentage ownership of our then current stockholders would be diluted. We may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future, revenue growth or sustained profitability may not be realized, and future borrowings or equity sales may not be available in amounts sufficient to make anticipated capital expenditures, finance our strategies or repay our indebtedness.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.
As of December 31, 2015,2017, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We manage our exposure to interest rate risk and foreign currency risk through internally established policies and procedures and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. We use foreigncurrency exchange derivative contracts to manage short-term foreign currency risk.
The objective of our policies is to mitigate potential income statement, cash flow and fair value exposures resulting from possible future adverse fluctuations in rates. We evaluate our exposure to market risk by assessing the anticipated near-term and long-term fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. This evaluation includes the review of leading market indicators, discussions with financial analysts and investment bankers regarding current and future economic conditions and the review of market projections as to expected future rates. We utilize this information to determine our own investment strategies as well as to determine if the use of derivative financial instruments is appropriate to mitigate any potential future market exposure that we may face. Our policy does not allow speculation in derivative instruments for profit or execution of derivative instrument contracts for which there are no underlying exposures. We do not use financial instruments for trading purposes and are not a party to any leveraged derivatives. To the extent that changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates affect general economic conditions, we would also be affected by such changes.
We did not experience any material changes in interest rate exposures during the year ended December 31, 2015. Based upon economic conditions and leading market indicators at December 31, 2015, we do not foresee a significant adverse change in interest rates in the near future.2017.
Fixed rate investments are subject to unrealized gains and losses due to interest rate volatility. We performed a sensitivity analysis to determine the impact a change in interest rates would have on the fair value of our available-for-sale investments assuming an adverse change of 100 basis points. A hypothetical 100 basis point (1.0%) increase in interest rates would have resulted in a decrease in the fair values of our investments as of December 31, 20152017 of approximately $135.1$206 million. These hypothetical losses would only be realized if we sold the investments prior to their maturity. This amount excludes our investment in Ctrip.com International Ltd. ("Ctrip") senior convertible notes, which are more sensitive to the market price volatility of Ctrip's American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") than changes in interest rates. The fair value of our Ctrip senior
convertible notes will most likely increase as the market price of Ctrip's ADSs increases and decrease as the market price of Ctrip's ADSs falls.
As of December 31, 2015,2017, the outstanding aggregate principal amount of our debt was approximately $6.5$9.7 billion. We estimate that the market value of such debt was approximately $7.0$11.1 billion as of December 31, 2015.2017. A substantial portion of the market value of our debt in excess of the outstanding principal amount is relatedrelates to the conversion premium on our outstanding convertible notes.
We conduct a significant portion of our business outside the United States through subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the U.S. Dollar (primarily Euros)Euro). As a result, we face exposures to adverse movements in currency exchange rates as the operating results of our international operations are translated from local currencycurrencies into U.S. Dollars upon consolidation. If the U.S. Dollar weakens against the local currency,currencies, the translation of these foreign-currency-denominated balances will result in increased net assets, gross bookings, gross profit, operating expenses, and net income. Similarly, our net assets, gross bookings, gross profit, operating expenses, and net income will decrease if the U.S. Dollar strengthens against the local currency.currencies. Additionally, foreign exchange rate fluctuations on transactions, denominated in currencies other than the functional currency, result in gains and losses that are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The U.S. Dollar significantly strengthened against the Euro during 2014, moving from an exchange rate of 1.38 U.S. Dollars per Euro as of January 1, 2014 to 1.21 U.S. Dollars per Euro as of December 31, 2014. The U.S. Dollar has strengthened further in 2015 to an exchange rate of 1.09 U.S. Dollars per Euro as of December 31, 2015. The U.S. Dollar also strengthened significantly during this time frame as compared to many other currencies. As a result of currency exchange rate changes, our foreign currency denominatedforeign-currency-denominated net assets, gross bookings, gross profit, operating expenses and net income have been negativelypositively impacted as expressed in U.S. Dollars.Dollars for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016. Since our expenses are generally denominated in foreign currencies on a basis similar to our revenues, our operating margins arehave not been significantly impacted by currency fluctuations. The aggregate principal value of our Euro-denominated 2022 Notes, 2024 Notes and 2027 Notes,long-term debt, and accrued interest thereon, provide a natural hedge against the impact of currency exchange rate fluctuations on the net assets of certain of our Euro functional currency subsidiaries.
From time to time, we enter into foreign exchangecurrency derivative contracts to minimize the impact of short-term foreign currency fluctuations inon our consolidated operating results. Our derivative contracts principally address foreign exchange
currency fluctuation risk for the Euro, and the British Pound Sterling and certain other currencies versus the U.S. Dollar. As of December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, there were no such outstanding derivative contracts. Foreign exchangecurrency losses of $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, foreign currency gains of $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and foreign currency losses of $6.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 and foreign exchange gains of $13.7 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were recorded in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The following Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the report of our independent registered public accounting firm are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (See Part IV Item 15 Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules): Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20152017 and 2014;2016; Consolidated Statements of Operations, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013;2015; Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements; and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we include a report of our management's assessment of the design and effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting for the year ended December 31, 2015.2017.
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in the Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
Based on our evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2015.2017. Our independent registered public accounting firm also attested to, and reported on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Changes in Internal Controls. No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) occurred during the three months ended December 31, 20152017 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc.
Norwalk, Connecticut
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Booking Holdings Inc. (formerly known as The Priceline Group Inc.) and subsidiaries (the "Company"“Company”) as of December 31, 2015,2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013)issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017, of the Company and our report dated February 27, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company'sCompany’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying "Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting" appearing in Item 9A.. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company'sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company'scompany’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company'scompany’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company'scompany’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of theits inherent limitations, of internal control over financial reporting including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be preventedprevent or detected on a timely basis.detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015 of the Company and our report dated February 16, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Stamford, Connecticut
February 16, 201627, 2018
Item 9B. Other Information
Under Section 13(r) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, an issuer is required to disclose in its annual or quarterly reports whether it or any of its affiliates knowingly engaged in certain activities, transactions or dealings related to the Government of Iran or with individuals or entities designated pursuant to certain Executive Orders, even if such activities, transactions or dealings were in compliance with U.S. law. As part of its efforts to assess and understand the Iranian hotel market, in December 2015, representatives (who are not U.S. persons) of Booking.com, a subsidiary of the Company organized under the laws of The Netherlands, held exploratory, introductory meetings with a number of hotels in Iran, two of which identified themselves during the meetings as owned or controlled by the Government of Iran. These meetings, including the meetings with the two hotels owned or controlled by the Government of Iran, were conducted in compliance with U.S. law. There were no gross revenues or net profits associated with these activities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. Booking.com, through non-U.S. person representatives, intends to continue these business activities and may enter into transactions with hotels in Iran as authorized under U.S. law.None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Information required by Part III Item 10 will be included in our Proxy Statement relating to our 20162018 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2015,2017, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Information required by Part III Item 11 will be included in our Proxy Statement relating to our 20162018 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2015,2017, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Information required by Part III Item 12 will be included in our Proxy Statement relating to our 20162018 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2015,2017, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Information required by Part III Item 13 will be included in our Proxy Statement relating to our 20162018 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2015,2017, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Information required by Part III Item 14 will be included in our Proxy Statement relating to our 20162018 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 20152017 and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) List of Documents Filed as a Part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
The following Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and the report of our independent registered public accounting firm are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K: Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20152017 and 2014;2016; Consolidated Statements of Operations, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013;2015; Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements; and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
All financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable, not material or the required information is shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements or the notes thereto.
(b) Exhibits
In reviewing the agreements included as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, please remember they are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about the Company or the other parties to the agreements. Some agreements contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and:
should not be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate;
| |
| • | may have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement; |
may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to you or other investors; and
were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments.
Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time. Additional information about the Company may be found elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10‑K and the Company's other public filings, which are available without charge through the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
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| |
| Exhibit Number | Description |
2.1(a) | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 12, 2014, by and among OpenTable, Inc., the Registrant and Rhombus, Inc. |
3.1(b) | Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant. |
3.2(c) | Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant. |
| 4.1 | Reference is hereby made to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2. |
4.2(d)4.2(b) | Specimen Certificate for Registrant's Common Stock. |
4.3(e) | Indenture, dated as of March 12, 2012, between the Registrant and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as Trustee. |
4.4(f) | Indenture, dated as of June 4, 2013, between the Registrant and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as Trustee. |
4.5(g) | Indenture, dated as of August 20, 2014, between the Registrant and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as Trustee. |
4.6(h) | Indenture for the 2.375% Senior Notes due 2024, 1.800% Senior Notes due 2027, 3.650% Senior Notes due 2025, and 2.15% Senior Notes due 2022 and 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026, between the Registrant and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee. |
4.7(i) | Indenture, dated as of August 8, 2017, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.
|
| Form of 2.375% Senior Note due 2024. |
4.8(j) | Officers' Certificate, dated September 23, 2014, for the 2.375% Senior Notes due 2024. |
|
| |
4.9(k) | Form of 1.800% Senior Note due 2027. |
4.10(l) | Officers' Certificate, dated March 3, 2015, for the 1.800% Senior Notes due 2027. |
4.11(m) | Form of 3.650% Senior Note due 2025. |
4.12(n) | Officers' Certificate, dated March 13, 2015, for the 3.650% Senior Notes due 2025. |
4.13(h) | Form of 2.15% Senior Note due 2022. |
4.14(h) | Officers' Certificate, dated November 25, 2015, for the 2.15% Senior Notes due 2022. |
10.1(o)+ | priceline.com IncorporatedForm of 3.600% Senior Note due 2026. |
| Officers' Certificate, dated May 23, 2016, for the 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026. |
| Form of 0.800% Senior Note due 2022.
|
| Officers' Certificate, dated March 10, 2017, for the 0.800% Senior Notes due 2022. |
| Form of 2.750% Senior Note due 2023. |
| Officers' Certificate, dated August 15, 2017, with respect to the 2.750% Senior Notes due 2023. |
| Form of 3.550% Senior Note due 2028. |
| Officers' Certificate, dated August 15, 2017, with respect to the 3.550% Senior Notes due 2028. |
| The Priceline Group Inc. 1999 Omnibus Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective June 6, 2013)March 2, 2017). |
10.2(p) | Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Employees in the Netherlands under the 1999 Omnibus Plan. |
10.3(q) | Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for awards under the 1999 Omnibus Plan to non-employee directors. |
10.4(r) | 2013 Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement under the 1999 Omnibus Plan. |
10.5(s)+ | 2014 Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement under the 1999 Omnibus Plan. |
10.6(t)+ | 2015 Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement under the 1999 Omnibus Plan. |
10.7(u) | 2016 Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement under the 1999 Omnibus Plan. |
| 2017 Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement under the 1999 Omnibus Plan. |
|
| |
| Exhibit Number | Description |
| Amended and Restated KAYAK Software Corporation 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. |
10.8(v) | OpenTable, Inc. Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Award Plan. |
10.9(w) | Buuteeq, Inc. Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Plan. |
10.10+ | Amended and Restated Rocket Travel, Inc. 2012 Stock Incentive Plan. |
10.11+ | The Priceline Group Inc. Amended and Restated Annual Bonus Plan. |
10.12(r) | Form of Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement. |
10.13(x) | Transition Agreement dated November 7, 2013 by and between the Registrant and Jeffery H. Boyd. |
10.14(t) | Transition Agreement dated March 5, 2015 by and between priceline.com LLC and Chris Soder. |
10.15(t)+ | Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated March 5, 2015 by and between the Registrant, Booking.com Holding B.V. and Darren R. Huston. |
10.16(x)+ | Amended and Restated Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement dated November 7, 2013 by and between the Registrant and Darren R. Huston. |
10.17(y)+ | Indemnification Agreement, dated September 12, 2011 by and between the Registrant and Darren R. Huston. |
10.18(z)+ | Letter agreement, dated October 19, 2005 by and between the Registrant and Daniel J. Finnegan. |
10.19(aa) | Letter amendment, dated December 16, 2008, to letter agreement, dated October 19, 2005 by and between the Registrant and Daniel J. Finnegan. |
10.20(bb) | Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated April 21, 2015 by and between the Registrant and Peter J. Millones.
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10.21(cc) | Amended and Restated Employment contract, dated FebruaryMay 19, 2015,2016 by and between Booking.com Holding B.V. and Gillian Tans.
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10.22(dd) | Employment Letter Agreement, dated May 19, 2016 by and between the Registrant and Jeffery H. Boyd.
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| Employment Agreement, dated December 15, 2016 by and between the Registrant and Glenn D. Fogel.
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| Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, dated December 15, 2016 by and between the Registrant and Glenn D. Fogel.
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| Employee Confidentiality and Assignment Agreement, dated December 15, 2016 by and between the Registrant and Glenn D. Fogel. |
| Letter Agreement, dated December 15, 2016 by and between the Registrant and Jeffery H. Boyd. |
| Letter Agreement, dated May 11, 2017, between the Registrant and Daniel J. Finnegan.
|
| Employment Agreement, dated January 19, 2018, between the Registrant and David Goulden.
|
| Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, dated March 1, 2018, between the Registrant and David Goulden.
|
| Employee Confidentiality and Assignment Agreement, dated January 19, 2018, between the Registrant and David Goulden.
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| Credit Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2015, among the Registrant, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent. |
| Statement of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. |
| List of Subsidiaries. |
| Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP. |
| Power of Attorney (included in the Signature Page). |
| Certification of Darren R. Huston,Glenn D. Fogel, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| Certification of Daniel J. Finnegan, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32.1(ee) | Certification of Darren R. Huston,Glenn D. Fogel, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code). |
32.2(ee) | Certification of Daniel J. Finnegan, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code). |
| 101 | The following financial statements from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 20152017 formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v)(vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. |
____________________________
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| + | Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. |
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| | |
| (a) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 13, 2014 (File No. 0-25581). |
(b) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 18, 2014 (File No. 0-25581). |
(c) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 9, 2015February 21, 2018 (File No. 1-36691). |
(d) |
| |
| (b) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on March 18, 1999 (File No. 333-69657). |
(e)(c) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2012 (File No. 0-25581). |
(f)(d) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 4, 2013 (File No. 0-25581). |
(g)(e) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 20, 2014 (File No. 0-25581). |
(h)(f) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 25, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
(i)(g) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on August 8, 2017 (File No. 333-219800).
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| (h) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 22, 2014 (File No. 0-25581). |
(j)(i) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 26, 2014 (File No. 0-25581). |
(k)(j) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 2, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
(l)(k) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
(m)(l) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
(n)(m) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 13, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (n) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2016 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (o) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8‑K filed on June 6, 2013March 10, 2017 (File No. 0-25581)1-36691). |
| (p) | Previously filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 15, 2017 (File No. 1-36691).
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| (q) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8‑K filed on March 3, 2017 (File No. 1-36691).
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| (r) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8‑K filed on November 8, 2005 (File No. 0-25581). |
(q)(s) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8‑K filed on March 9, 2011 (File No. 0-25581). |
(r) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2013 (File No. 0-25581). |
(s) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2014 (File No. 0-25581). |
| (t) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 6, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (u) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the AnnualCurrent Report on Form 10-K8-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2014on March 10, 2016 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (v) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 (File No. 1-36691). |
(w) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on June 13, 2014 (File No. 333-196756). |
| (w) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (x) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2013 (File No. 0-25581). |
| (y) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 8, 2013 (File No. 0-25581). |
(y) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 (File No. 0-25581). |
| (z) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 21, 2005 (File No. 0-25581). |
| (aa) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2008 (File No. 0-25581). |
| (bb) | Previously filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (cc) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the QuarterlyCurrent Report on Form 10-Q8-K filed for the quarter ended March 31, 2015on May 20, 2016 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (dd) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2016 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (ee) | Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 12, 2017 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (ff) | Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 22, 2018 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (gg) | Previously filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 24, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
(ee)(hh) | This document is being furnished in accordance with SEC Release Nos. 33‑8212 and 34‑47551. |
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.
None.
74
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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| | | |
| | THE PRICELINE GROUPBOOKING HOLDINGS INC. |
| | | | |
| | By: | /s/ Darren R. HustonGlenn D. Fogel |
| | | Name: | Darren R. HustonGlenn D. Fogel |
| | | Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer and President |
| | | Date: | February 17, 201627, 2018 |
Power of Attorney
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Darren R. Huston, Daniel J. FinneganGlenn D. Fogel and Peter J. Millones, and each of them severally, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact with power of substitution and resubstitution to sign in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to do any and all things and execute any and all instruments that such attorney may deem necessary or advisable under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with this Annual Report on Form 10-K and any and all amendments hereto, as fully and for all intents and purposes as he or she might do or could do in person, and hereby ratifies and confirms all said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, and his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
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| | | | |
| Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
/s/ Jeffery H. BoydGlenn D. Fogel | | Director, Chairman of the BoardChief Executive Officer and President | | February 17, 201627, 2018 |
Jeffery H. BoydGlenn D. Fogel | | | | |
| | | | | |
/s/ Darren R. HustonJeffery H. Boyd | | President, ChiefDirector, Executive Officer and DirectorChairman of the Board | | February 17, 201627, 2018 |
Darren R. HustonJeffery H. Boyd | | (Principal Executive Officer) | | |
| | | | | |
| /s/ Daniel J. Finnegan | | Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting | | February 17, 201627, 2018 |
| Daniel J. Finnegan | | Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | | |
| | | | | |
| /s/ Timothy M. Armstrong | | Director | | February 17, 201627, 2018 |
| Timothy M. Armstrong | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Howard W. Barker, Jr. | | Director | | February 17, 2016 |
Howard W. Barker, Jr. | | | | |
| | | | | |
| /s/ Jan L. Docter | | Director | | February 17, 201627, 2018 |
| Jan L. Docter | | | | |
| | | | | |
| /s/ Jeffrey E. Epstein | | Director | | February 17, 201627, 2018 |
| Jeffrey E. Epstein | | | | |
| | | | | |
| /s/ James M. Guyette | | Director | | February 17, 201627, 2018 |
| James M. Guyette | | | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Robert J. Mylod Jr. | | Director | | February 27, 2018 |
| Robert J. Mylod Jr. | | | | |
| | | | | |
| /s/ Charles H. Noski | | Director | | February 17, 201627, 2018 |
| Charles H. Noski | | | | |
| | | | | |
| /s/ Nancy B. Peretsman | | Director | | February 17, 201627, 2018 |
| Nancy B. Peretsman | | | | |
| | | | | |
| /s/ Thomas E. Rothman | | Director | | February 17, 201627, 2018 |
| Thomas E. Rothman | | | | |
| | | | | |
| /s/ Craig W. Rydin | | Director | | February 17, 201627, 2018 |
| Craig W. Rydin | | | | |
| | | | | |
| /s/ Lynn M. Vojvodich | | Director | | February 27, 2018 |
| Lynn M. Vojvodich | | | | |
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
| |
| | Page No. |
| | |
| Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | |
| | |
Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years endedas of December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 | |
| | |
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015 | |
| | |
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015 | |
| | |
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015 | |
| | |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015 | |
| | |
| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc.
Norwalk, Connecticut
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Booking Holdings Inc. (formerly known as The Priceline Group Inc.) and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 20152017 and 2014, and2016, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015. These financial statements are2017, and the responsibility ofrelated notes (collectively referred to as the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)“financial statements”). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidatedthe financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Priceline Group Inc. and subsidiariesthe Company as of December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, and the results of theirits operations and theirits cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015,2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015,2017, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 16, 201627, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Stamford, Connecticut
February 16, 201627, 2018
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1997.
The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
| | | | | December 31, | | December 31, |
| | | 2015 | | 2014 See Note 2 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
| ASSETS | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Current assets: | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 1,477,265 |
| | $ | 3,148,651 |
| | $ | 2,541,604 |
| | $ | 2,081,075 |
|
| Restricted cash | | 806 |
| | 843 |
| |
| Short-term investments | | 1,171,246 |
| | 1,142,182 |
| | 4,859,873 |
| | 2,218,880 |
|
| Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $15,014 and $14,212, respectively | | 645,169 |
| | 643,894 |
| |
| Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $39,282 and $25,565, respectively | | | 1,217,801 |
| | 860,115 |
|
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 258,751 |
| | 178,050 |
| | 415,527 |
| | 241,449 |
|
| Total current assets | | 3,553,237 |
| | 5,113,620 |
| | 9,034,805 |
| | 5,401,519 |
|
| Property and equipment, net | | 274,786 |
| | 198,953 |
| | 480,081 |
| | 347,017 |
|
| Intangible assets, net | | 2,167,533 |
| | 2,334,761 |
| | 2,176,823 |
| | 1,993,885 |
|
| Goodwill | | 3,375,000 |
| | 3,326,474 |
| | 2,737,671 |
| | 2,396,906 |
|
| Long-term investments | | 7,931,363 |
| | 3,755,653 |
| | 10,421,600 |
| | 9,591,067 |
|
| Other assets | | 118,656 |
| | 41,516 |
| | 600,283 |
| | 108,579 |
|
| Total assets | | $ | 17,420,575 |
| | $ | 14,770,977 |
| | $ | 25,451,263 |
| | $ | 19,838,973 |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Current liabilities: | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Accounts payable | | $ | 322,842 |
| | $ | 281,480 |
| | $ | 667,523 |
| | $ | 419,108 |
|
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | 681,587 |
| | 599,515 |
| | 1,138,980 |
| | 857,467 |
|
| Deferred merchant bookings | | 434,881 |
| | 460,558 |
| | 980,455 |
| | 614,361 |
|
| Convertible debt | | — |
| | 37,150 |
| | 710,910 |
| | 967,734 |
|
| Total current liabilities | | 1,439,310 |
| | 1,378,703 |
| | 3,497,868 |
| | 2,858,670 |
|
| Deferred income taxes | | 892,576 |
| | 897,848 |
| | 481,139 |
| | 822,334 |
|
| Long-term U.S. transition tax liability | | | 1,250,846 |
| | — |
|
| Other long-term liabilities | | 134,777 |
| | 103,533 |
| | 148,061 |
| | 138,767 |
|
| Long-term debt | | 6,158,443 |
| | 3,823,870 |
| | 8,809,788 |
| | 6,170,522 |
|
| Total liabilities | | 8,625,106 |
| | 6,203,954 |
| | 14,187,702 |
| | 9,990,293 |
|
| | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 15) | |
|
| |
|
| |
| Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 14) | | |
|
| |
|
|
| Convertible debt | | — |
| | 329 |
| | 2,963 |
| | 28,538 |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| Stockholders' equity: | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Common stock, $0.008 par value, authorized 1,000,000,000 shares, 62,039,516 and 61,821,097 shares issued, respectively | | 482 |
| | 480 |
| |
| Treasury stock, 12,427,945 and 9,888,024, respectively | | (5,826,640 | ) | | (2,737,585 | ) | |
| Common stock, $0.008 par value, authorized 1,000,000,000 shares, 62,689,097 and 62,379,247 shares issued, respectively | | | 487 |
| | 485 |
|
| Treasury stock, 14,216,819 and 13,190,929 shares, respectively | | | (8,698,829 | ) | | (6,855,164 | ) |
| Additional paid-in capital | | 5,184,910 |
| | 4,923,196 |
| | 5,783,089 |
| | 5,482,653 |
|
| Accumulated earnings | | 9,191,865 |
| | 6,640,505 |
| |
| Retained earnings | | | 13,938,869 |
| | 11,326,852 |
|
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | | 244,852 |
| | (259,902 | ) | | 236,982 |
| | (134,684 | ) |
| Total stockholders' equity | | 8,795,469 |
| | 8,566,694 |
| | 11,260,598 |
| | 9,820,142 |
|
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | | $ | 17,420,575 |
| | $ | 14,770,977 |
| | $ | 25,451,263 |
| | $ | 19,838,973 |
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Agency revenues | $ | 6,527,898 |
| | $ | 5,845,802 |
| | $ | 4,410,689 |
| | $ | 9,714,126 |
| | $ | 7,982,116 |
| | $ | 6,527,898 |
|
| Merchant revenues | 2,082,973 |
| | 2,186,054 |
| | 2,211,474 |
| | 2,133,017 |
| | 2,048,005 |
| | 2,082,973 |
|
| Advertising and other revenues | 613,116 |
| | 410,115 |
| | 171,143 |
| | 833,939 |
| | 712,885 |
| | 613,116 |
|
| Total revenues | 9,223,987 |
| | 8,441,971 |
| | 6,793,306 |
| | 12,681,082 |
| | 10,743,006 |
| | 9,223,987 |
|
| Cost of revenues | 632,180 |
| | 857,841 |
| | 1,077,420 |
| | 250,537 |
| | 428,314 |
| | 632,180 |
|
| Gross profit | 8,591,807 |
| | 7,584,130 |
| | 5,715,886 |
| | 12,430,545 |
| | 10,314,692 |
| | 8,591,807 |
|
| Operating expenses: | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Advertising — Online | 2,797,237 |
| | 2,360,221 |
| | 1,798,645 |
| |
| Advertising — Offline | 214,685 |
| | 231,309 |
| | 127,459 |
| |
| Performance advertising | | | 4,141,771 |
| | 3,479,287 |
| | 2,738,218 |
|
| Brand advertising | | | 391,584 |
| | 295,698 |
| | 273,704 |
|
| Sales and marketing | 353,221 |
| | 310,910 |
| | 235,817 |
| | 561,958 |
| | 435,225 |
| | 353,221 |
|
| Personnel, including stock-based compensation of $247,395, $186,425 and $140,526, respectively | 1,166,226 |
| | 950,191 |
| | 698,692 |
| |
| Personnel, including stock-based compensation of $260,910, $249,574 and $247,395, respectively | | | 1,659,581 |
| | 1,350,032 |
| | 1,166,226 |
|
| General and administrative | 415,420 |
| | 352,869 |
| | 252,994 |
| | 585,541 |
| | 455,909 |
| | 415,420 |
|
| Information technology | 113,617 |
| | 97,498 |
| | 71,890 |
| | 189,344 |
| | 142,393 |
| | 113,617 |
|
| Depreciation and amortization | 272,494 |
| | 207,820 |
| | 117,975 |
| | 362,774 |
| | 309,135 |
| | 272,494 |
|
| Impairment of goodwill | | | — |
| | 940,700 |
| | — |
|
| Total operating expenses | 5,332,900 |
| | 4,510,818 |
| | 3,303,472 |
| | 7,892,553 |
| | 7,408,379 |
| | 5,332,900 |
|
| Operating income | 3,258,907 |
| | 3,073,312 |
| | 2,412,414 |
| | 4,537,992 |
| | 2,906,313 |
| | 3,258,907 |
|
| Other income (expense): | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Interest income | 55,729 |
| | 13,933 |
| | 4,167 |
| | 157,194 |
| | 94,946 |
| | 55,729 |
|
| Interest expense | (160,229 | ) | | (88,353 | ) | | (83,289 | ) | | (253,976 | ) | | (207,900 | ) | | (160,229 | ) |
| Foreign currency transactions and other | (26,087 | ) | | (9,444 | ) | | (36,755 | ) | | (35,291 | ) | | (16,913 | ) | | (26,087 | ) |
| Total other income (expense) | (130,587 | ) | | (83,864 | ) | | (115,877 | ) | |
| Impairment of cost-method investments | | | (7,597 | ) | | (63,208 | ) | | — |
|
| Total other expense | | | (139,670 | ) | | (193,075 | ) | | (130,587 | ) |
| Earnings before income taxes | 3,128,320 |
| | 2,989,448 |
| | 2,296,537 |
| | 4,398,322 |
| | 2,713,238 |
| | 3,128,320 |
|
| Income tax expense | 576,960 |
| | 567,695 |
| | 403,739 |
| | 2,057,557 |
| | 578,251 |
| | 576,960 |
|
| Net income | 2,551,360 |
| | 2,421,753 |
| | 1,892,798 |
| | $ | 2,340,765 |
| | $ | 2,134,987 |
| | $ | 2,551,360 |
|
| Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | — |
| | — |
| | 135 |
| |
| Net income applicable to common stockholders | $ | 2,551,360 |
| | $ | 2,421,753 |
| | $ | 1,892,663 |
| |
| Net income applicable to common stockholders per basic common share | $ | 50.09 |
| | $ | 46.30 |
| | $ | 37.17 |
| | $ | 47.78 |
| | $ | 43.14 |
| | $ | 50.09 |
|
| Weighted average number of basic common shares outstanding | 50,940 |
| | 52,301 |
| | 50,924 |
| |
| Weighted-average number of basic common shares outstanding | | | 48,994 |
| | 49,491 |
| | 50,940 |
|
| Net income applicable to common stockholders per diluted common share | $ | 49.45 |
| | $ | 45.67 |
| | $ | 36.11 |
| | $ | 46.86 |
| | $ | 42.65 |
| | $ | 49.45 |
|
| Weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding | 51,593 |
| | 53,023 |
| | 52,413 |
| |
| Weighted-average number of diluted common shares outstanding | | | 49,954 |
| | 50,063 |
| | 51,593 |
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
| | | | | Year Ended December 31, | | Year Ended December 31, |
| | | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Net income | | $ | 2,551,360 |
| | $ | 2,421,753 |
| | $ | 1,892,798 |
| | $ | 2,340,765 |
| | $ | 2,134,987 |
| | $ | 2,551,360 |
|
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustments(1) | | (114,505 | ) | | (187,356 | ) | | 97,970 |
| | 295,547 |
| | (93,984 | ) | | (114,505 | ) |
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities(2) | | 619,259 |
| | (157,275 | ) | | 21 |
| |
Net unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities(2) | | | 76,119 |
| | (285,552 | ) | | 619,259 |
|
| Comprehensive income | | 3,056,114 |
| | 2,077,122 |
| | 1,990,789 |
| | $ | 2,712,431 |
| | $ | 1,755,451 |
| | $ | 3,056,114 |
|
| Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests | | — |
| | — |
| | (10,279 | ) | |
| Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders | | $ | 3,056,114 |
| | $ | 2,077,122 |
| | $ | 2,001,068 |
| |
(1) Foreign currency translation adjustments includesresult from currency fluctuations on the translation of the Company's international non-U.S. Dollar denominated net assets, net of the impact of net investment hedges. Foreign currency translation adjustments were favorable for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 because the U.S. Dollar weakened against certain currencies in which the Company's net assets are denominated. Foreign currency translation adjustments also include a tax benefit of $60,418$174,584 for the year ended December 31, 2017 and $55,597tax charges of $34,268 and $60,418 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, and 2014, respectively, and a tax benefit of $55,001 for the year ended December 31, 2013, associated with the Company's Euro-denominated debt, which is designated as a net investment hedges (Seehedge against the impact of currency fluctuations of the Company's Euro-denominated net assets (see Note 13)12). ThePrior to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"), the remaining balance in foreign currency translation adjustments excludesexcluded U.S. federal and state income taxes due toas a result of the Company's practice and intention to indefinitely reinvest the earnings of its foreigninternational subsidiaries in those operations (See Note 14).outside of the United States. In accordance with the Tax Act, generally future repatriation of the Company's international cash will not be subject to a U.S. federal income tax liability as a dividend, but will be subject to U.S. state income taxes and international withholding taxes.
(2) Net of tax charges of $81,166, $15,313 and $1,551 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a U.S. deferred tax liability of $63,353 related to net cumulative unrealized gains associated with certain international investments, which will be subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes if the gains are realized.
Net unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities includes net unrealized gains of $86,019 for the year ended December 31, 2017, net unrealized losses of $332,756 for the year ended December 31, 2016, and net unrealized gains of $615,848 for the year ended December 31, 2015, and net ofrelated to the Company's investments in Ctrip.com International Ltd. ("Ctrip"), which are exempt from tax benefits of $7,621 and $43 forin the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.Netherlands.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015
(In thousands)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Common Stock | | Treasury Stock | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Accumulated Earnings | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | Total |
| | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | | | | |
| Balance, December 31, 2012 | 58,056 |
| | $ | 450 |
| | (8,185 | ) | | $ | (1,060,607 | ) | | $ | 2,612,197 |
| | $ | 2,368,611 |
| | $ | (23,676 | ) | | $ | 3,896,975 |
|
| Net income applicable to common stockholders | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,892,663 |
| | — |
| | 1,892,663 |
|
| Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax benefit of $43 | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 21 |
| | 21 |
|
| Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax benefit of $55,001 | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 108,384 |
| | 108,384 |
|
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests fair value adjustments | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (42,522 | ) | | — |
| | (42,522 | ) |
| Reclassification adjustment for convertible debt in mezzanine | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 46,122 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 46,122 |
|
| Exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units and performance share units | 715 |
| | 6 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 91,601 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 91,607 |
|
| Repurchase of common stock | — |
| | — |
| | (1,030 | ) | | (883,515 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (883,515 | ) |
| Stock-based compensation and other stock-based payments | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 142,098 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 142,098 |
|
| Issuance of senior convertible notes | | | | | | | | | 93,402 |
| | | | | | 93,402 |
|
| Common stock issued in an acquisition | 1,522 |
| | 12 |
| | | | | | 1,281,122 |
| | | | | | 1,281,134 |
|
| Vested stock options assumed in an acquisition | | | | | | | | | 264,423 |
| | | | | | 264,423 |
|
| Conversion of debt | 972 |
| | 8 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,224 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,232 |
|
| Settlement of conversion spread hedges | — |
| | — |
| | (42 | ) | | (43,085 | ) | | 43,104 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 19 |
|
| Excess tax benefits on stock-based awards | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 17,686 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 17,686 |
|
| Balance, December 31, 2013 | 61,265 |
| | $ | 476 |
| | (9,257 | ) | | $ | (1,987,207 | ) | | $ | 4,592,979 |
| | $ | 4,218,752 |
| | $ | 84,729 |
| | $ | 6,909,729 |
|
| Net income applicable to common stockholders | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2,421,753 |
| | — |
| | 2,421,753 |
|
| Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax benefit of $7,621 | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (157,275 | ) | | (157,275 | ) |
| Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $55,597 | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (187,356 | ) | | (187,356 | ) |
| Reclassification adjustment for convertible debt in mezzanine | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 8,204 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 8,204 |
|
| Exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units and performance share units | 256 |
| | 2 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 16,389 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 16,391 |
|
| Repurchase of common stock | — |
| | — |
| | (631 | ) | | (750,378 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (750,378 | ) |
| Stock-based compensation and other stock-based payments | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 189,292 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 189,292 |
|
| Conversion of debt | 300 |
| | 2 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (1,658 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (1,656 | ) |
| Issuance of senior convertible notes | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 80,873 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 80,873 |
|
| Stock options and restricted stock units assumed in acquisitions | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 13,751 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 13,751 |
|
| Excess tax benefits on stock-based awards | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 23,366 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 23,366 |
|
| Balance, December 31, 2014 | 61,821 |
| | $ | 480 |
| | (9,888 | ) | | $ | (2,737,585 | ) | | $ | 4,923,196 |
| | $ | 6,640,505 |
| | $ | (259,902 | ) | | $ | 8,566,694 |
|
| Net income applicable to common stockholders | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2,551,360 |
| | — |
| | 2,551,360 |
|
| Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax of $1,551 | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 619,259 |
| | 619,259 |
|
| Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $60,418 | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (114,505 | ) | | (114,505 | ) |
| Reclassification adjustment for convertible debt in mezzanine | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 329 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 329 |
|
| Exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units and performance share units | 219 |
| | 2 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 20,849 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 20,851 |
|
| Repurchase of common stock | — |
| | — |
| | (2,540 | ) | | (3,089,055 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (3,089,055 | ) |
| Stock-based compensation and other stock-based payments | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 249,133 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 249,133 |
|
| Conversion of debt | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (110,105 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (110,105 | ) |
| Excess tax benefits on stock-based awards | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 101,508 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 101,508 |
|
| Balance, December 31, 2015 | 62,040 |
| | $ | 482 |
| | (12,428 | ) | | $ | (5,826,640 | ) | | $ | 5,184,910 |
| | $ | 9,191,865 |
| | $ | 244,852 |
| | $ | 8,795,469 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Common Stock | | Treasury Stock | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Retained Earnings | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | Total |
| | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | | | | |
| Balance, December 31, 2014 | 61,821 |
| | $ | 480 |
| | (9,888 | ) | | $ | (2,737,585 | ) | | $ | 4,923,196 |
| | $ | 6,640,505 |
| | $ | (259,902 | ) | | $ | 8,566,694 |
|
| Net income | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2,551,360 |
| | — |
| | 2,551,360 |
|
| Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax charge of $60,418 | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (114,505 | ) | | (114,505 | ) |
| Net unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax charge of $1,551 | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 619,259 |
| | 619,259 |
|
| Reclassification adjustment for convertible debt | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 329 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 329 |
|
| Exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units and performance share units | 219 |
| | 2 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 20,849 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 20,851 |
|
| Repurchase of common stock | — |
| | — |
| | (2,540 | ) | | (3,089,055 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (3,089,055 | ) |
| Stock-based compensation and other stock-based payments | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 249,133 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 249,133 |
|
| Conversion of debt | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (110,105 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (110,105 | ) |
| Excess tax benefits on stock-based awards and other equity deductions | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 101,508 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 101,508 |
|
| Balance, December 31, 2015 | 62,040 |
| | $ | 482 |
| | (12,428 | ) | | $ | (5,826,640 | ) | | $ | 5,184,910 |
| | $ | 9,191,865 |
| | $ | 244,852 |
| | $ | 8,795,469 |
|
| Net income | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2,134,987 |
| | — |
| | 2,134,987 |
|
| Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax charge of $34,268 | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (93,984 | ) | | (93,984 | ) |
| Net unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of tax charge of $15,313 | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (285,552 | ) | | (285,552 | ) |
| Reclassification adjustment for convertible debt | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (28,538 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (28,538 | ) |
| Exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units and performance share units | 339 |
| | 3 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 15,569 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 15,572 |
|
| Repurchase of common stock | — |
| | — |
| | (763 | ) | | (1,028,524 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (1,028,524 | ) |
| Stock-based compensation and other stock-based payments | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 249,726 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 249,726 |
|
| Excess tax benefits on stock-based awards and other equity deductions | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 60,986 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 60,986 |
|
| Balance, December 31, 2016 | 62,379 |
| | $ | 485 |
| | (13,191 | ) | | $ | (6,855,164 | ) | | $ | 5,482,653 |
| | $ | 11,326,852 |
| | $ | (134,684 | ) | | $ | 9,820,142 |
|
| Net income | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2,340,765 |
| | — |
| | 2,340,765 |
|
| Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax benefit of $174,584 | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 295,547 |
| | 295,547 |
|
| Net unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax charge of $81,166 | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 76,119 |
| | 76,119 |
|
| Reclassification adjustment for convertible debt | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 25,575 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 25,575 |
|
| Exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units and performance share units | 160 |
| | 1 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 5,139 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 5,140 |
|
| Repurchase of common stock | — |
| | — |
| | (1,026 | ) | | (1,843,665 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (1,843,665 | ) |
| Stock-based compensation and other stock-based payments | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 261,274 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 261,274 |
|
| Conversion of debt | 150 |
| | 1 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (540 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (539 | ) |
| Cumulative effect of adoption of accounting standard updates | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 8,988 |
| | 271,252 |
| | — |
| | 280,240 |
|
| Balance, December 31, 2017 | 62,689 |
| | $ | 487 |
| | (14,217 | ) | | $ | (8,698,829 | ) | | $ | 5,783,089 |
| | $ | 13,938,869 |
| | $ | 236,982 |
| | $ | 11,260,598 |
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2015 | | 2014 See Note 2 | | 2013 See Note 2 | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Net income | $ | 2,551,360 |
| | $ | 2,421,753 |
| | $ | 1,892,798 |
| | $ | 2,340,765 |
| | $ | 2,134,987 |
| | $ | 2,551,360 |
|
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |
| | |
| | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
| Depreciation | 101,517 |
| | 78,241 |
| | 48,365 |
| | 187,231 |
| | 140,059 |
| | 101,517 |
|
| Amortization | 170,977 |
| | 129,579 |
| | 69,610 |
| | 175,543 |
| | 169,076 |
| | 170,977 |
|
| Provision for uncollectible accounts, net | 24,324 |
| | 22,990 |
| | 16,451 |
| |
| Deferred income tax expense (benefit) | (61,335 | ) | | 31,707 |
| | (11,104 | ) | |
| Provision for uncollectible accounts | | | 62,316 |
| | 46,241 |
| | 24,324 |
|
| Deferred income tax benefit | | | (32,465 | ) | | (111,905 | ) | | (61,335 | ) |
| Stock-based compensation expense and other stock-based payments | 249,133 |
| | 189,292 |
| | 142,098 |
| | 261,274 |
| | 249,726 |
| | 249,133 |
|
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | 7,578 |
| | 5,229 |
| | 7,898 |
| | 9,308 |
| | 7,758 |
| | 7,578 |
|
| Amortization of debt discount | 66,687 |
| | 54,731 |
| | 55,718 |
| | 69,734 |
| | 68,974 |
| | 66,687 |
|
| Loss on early extinguishment of debt | 3 |
| | 6,270 |
| | 26,661 |
| | 2,366 |
| | — |
| | 3 |
|
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| Impairment of goodwill | | | — |
| | 940,700 |
| | — |
|
| Impairment of cost-method investments | | | 7,597 |
| | 63,208 |
| | — |
|
| Excess tax benefits on stock-based awards and other equity deductions | | | — |
| | 60,986 |
| | 101,508 |
|
| Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions: | | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Accounts receivable | (68,694 | ) | | (182,209 | ) | | (111,572 | ) | | (269,732 | ) | | (284,221 | ) | | (68,694 | ) |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (81,611 | ) | | (48,932 | ) | | (6,909 | ) | | (124,269 | ) | | 5,495 |
| | (81,611 | ) |
| Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 166,201 |
| | 203,870 |
| | 182,163 |
| | 687,446 |
| | 514,404 |
| | 165,985 |
|
| Long-term U.S. transition tax liability | | | 1,250,846 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| Other | (23,909 | ) | | 1,876 |
| | (10,741 | ) | | 34,076 |
| | (21,757 | ) | | (23,909 | ) |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 3,102,231 |
| | 2,914,397 |
| | 2,301,436 |
| | 4,662,036 |
| | 3,983,731 |
| | 3,203,523 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Purchase of investments | (8,669,690 | ) | | (10,552,214 | ) | | (9,955,800 | ) | | (6,491,156 | ) | | (6,741,202 | ) | | (8,669,690 | ) |
| Proceeds from sale of investments | 5,084,238 |
| | 10,902,500 |
| | 8,291,283 |
| | 3,580,001 |
| | 3,684,103 |
| | 5,084,238 |
|
| Additions to property and equipment | (173,915 | ) | | (131,504 | ) | | (84,445 | ) | | (287,805 | ) | | (219,889 | ) | | (173,915 | ) |
| Acquisitions and other equity investments, net of cash acquired | (140,338 | ) | | (2,496,366 | ) | | (331,918 | ) | |
| Acquisitions and other investments, net of cash acquired | | | (1,003,075 | ) | | (7,813 | ) | | (140,338 | ) |
| Acquisition of land-use rights | | | — |
| | (48,494 | ) | | — |
|
| Proceeds from foreign currency contracts | 453,818 |
| | 14,354 |
| | 3,266 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 453,818 |
|
| Payments on foreign currency contracts | (448,640 | ) | | (94,661 | ) | | (81,870 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (448,640 | ) |
| Change in restricted cash | 9 |
| | 9,347 |
| | (2,783 | ) | |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (3,894,518 | ) | | (2,348,544 | ) | | (2,162,267 | ) | | (4,202,035 | ) | | (3,333,295 | ) | | (3,894,527 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Proceeds from revolving credit facility | 225,000 |
| | 995,000 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 225,000 |
|
| Payments related to revolving credit facility | (225,000 | ) | | (995,000 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (225,000 | ) |
| Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt | 2,399,034 |
| | 2,264,753 |
| | 978,982 |
| | 2,044,952 |
| | 994,705 |
| | 2,399,034 |
|
| Payment of debt issuance costs - revolving credit facility | (4,005 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (4,005 | ) |
| Payments related to conversion of senior notes | (147,629 | ) | | (125,136 | ) | | (414,569 | ) | | (285,718 | ) | | — |
| | (147,629 | ) |
| Repurchase of common stock | (3,089,055 | ) | | (750,378 | ) | | (883,515 | ) | |
| Payment of debt | | | (15,118 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
| Payments for repurchase of common stock | | | (1,827,919 | ) | | (1,011,574 | ) | | (3,088,839 | ) |
| Payments of contingent consideration | (10,700 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (10,700 | ) |
| Payments to purchase subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests | — |
| | — |
| | (192,530 | ) | |
| Payments of stock issuance costs | — |
| | — |
| | (1,191 | ) | |
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 20,851 |
| | 16,389 |
| | 91,607 |
| | 5,140 |
| | 15,572 |
| | 20,851 |
|
| Proceeds from the termination of conversion spread hedges | — |
| | — |
| | 19 |
| |
| Excess tax benefits on stock-based awards | 101,508 |
| | 23,366 |
| | 17,686 |
| |
| Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (729,996 | ) | | 1,428,994 |
| | (403,511 | ) | |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (149,103 | ) | | (136,190 | ) | | 17,987 |
| |
| Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (1,671,386 | ) | | 1,858,657 |
| | (246,355 | ) | |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 3,148,651 |
| | 1,289,994 |
| | 1,536,349 |
| |
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 1,477,265 |
| | $ | 3,148,651 |
| | $ | 1,289,994 |
| |
| Net cash used in financing activities | | | (78,663 | ) | | (1,297 | ) | | (831,288 | ) |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents | | | 99,996 |
| | (45,203 | ) | | (149,131 | ) |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents | | | 481,334 |
| | 603,936 |
| | (1,671,423 | ) |
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | | 2,082,007 |
| | 1,478,071 |
| | 3,149,494 |
|
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalent, end of period | | | $ | 2,563,341 |
| | $ | 2,082,007 |
| | $ | 1,478,071 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Cash paid during the period for income taxes | $ | 534,105 |
| | $ | 491,530 |
| | $ | 391,169 |
| | $ | 702,421 |
| | $ | 636,550 |
| | $ | 534,105 |
|
| Cash paid during the period for interest | $ | 54,299 |
| | $ | 16,950 |
| | $ | 20,954 |
| | $ | 154,853 |
| | $ | 125,912 |
| | $ | 54,299 |
|
| Non-cash fair value increase for redeemable noncontrolling interests | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 42,522 |
| |
| Non-cash investing activity for contingent consideration | $ | 9,170 |
| | $ | 10,700 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 9,170 |
|
| Non-cash financing activity for acquisitions | $ | — |
| | $ | 13,751 |
| | $ | 1,546,748 |
| |
| Non-cash financing activity | | | $ | 1,000 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Priceline GroupBooking Holdings Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Booking Holdings Inc. ("Booking Holdings" or the "Company"), formerly known as The Priceline Group Inc. ("The Priceline Group" or the "Company"), helps people experience the world by providing consumers, travel service providers and restaurants with leading travel and restaurant online reservation and related services. Through its online travel companies ("OTCs"), the Company connects consumers wishing to make travel reservations with providers of travel services around the world. The Company is the leader in the worldwide online accommodation reservation market based on room nights booked. The Company offers consumers a broad array of accommodation reservations (including hotels, motels, resorts, homes, apartments, bed and breakfasts, hostels apartments, vacation rentals and other properties) through its Booking.com, priceline.com and agoda.com brands. The Company's priceline.com brand also offers consumers reservations for rental cars, airline tickets, vacation packages and cruises. The Company offers rental car reservations worldwide through rentalcars.com. Theits Booking.com and Rentalcars.com brands. Through KAYAK, the Company also allowsoffers a leading meta-search service allowing consumers to easily search and compare travel itineraries and prices, including airline ticket, hotel reservationaccommodation and rental car reservation information, from hundreds of travel websites at once through KAYAK.once. The Company provides restaurants with reservation management and customer acquisition services and consumers with the ability to make restaurant reservations at participating restaurants through OpenTable, a leading provider of online restaurant reservations.
| |
2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of Presentation — The Company's Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including the Momondo Group (which is managed as part of the Company's KAYAK Software Corporation ("KAYAK") sincebusiness) from its acquisition in May 2013 and OpenTable, Inc. ("OpenTable") since its acquisition indate of July 2014.24, 2017. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America(" U.S. GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and footnotes thereto. Actual results may differ significantly from those estimates. The estimates underlying the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements relate to, among other things, stock-based compensation, the allowance for doubtful accounts, the valuation of goodwill, long-lived assets and intangibles, income taxes, the accrual for loyalty programs, the valuation of redeemable noncontrolling interests and the accrual of obligations for travel transaction taxes.loyalty programs.
Reclassifications — Due to the adoption of the new accounting update related to stock-based compensation in the first quarter of 2017, certain amounts in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The Company's financial instruments, including cash, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and deferred merchant bookings, are carried at cost which approximates their fair value because of the short-term nature of these financial instruments. See Notes 4, 5 and 10 and 12 for information on fair value for investments, derivatives, and the Company's outstanding Senior Notes and redeemable noncontrolling interests.Notes.
Cash and Cash Equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents consists primarily of cash and highly liquid investment grade securities with an original maturity of three months or less. Cash equivalents are recognized based on settlement date.
Restricted Cashand Cash Equivalents — Restricted cash and cash equivalents are restricted through legal contracts, regulations or by the Company's intention to use the cash for a specific purpose. Restricted cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 20152017 principally relates to the minimum cash requirement for Rentalcars.com's regulated insurance business established in the fourth quarter of 2017. Restricted cash at December 31, 2016 and 20142015 collateralizes office leasesleases. The following table reconciles cash, cash equivalents and supplier obligations.restricted cash and cash equivalents reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets to the total amount shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | December 31, |
| | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| As included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: | | | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 2,541,604 |
| | $ | 2,081,075 |
| | $ | 1,477,265 |
|
| Restricted cash and cash equivalents included in prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 21,737 |
| | 932 |
| | 806 |
|
| Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents as shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | | $ | 2,563,341 |
| | $ | 2,082,007 |
| | $ | 1,478,071 |
|
Investments — The Company has classified its investments in debt securities and equity securities with readily determinable fair value as available-for-sale securities. These securities are recognized based on trade date and carried at estimated fair value with the aggregate unrealized gains and losses related to these investments, net of taxes, reflected as a part of "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" within stockholders' equity.equity (see "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" described later in this footnote for accounting changes that are effective January 1, 2018).
The fair value of the investments is based on the specific quoted market price of the securities or comparable securities at the balance sheet dates. Investments in debt securities are considered to be impaired when a decline in fair value is judged to be other than temporary because the Company either intends to sell or it is more-likely-than not that it will have to sell the impaired security before recovery. Once a decline in fair value is determined to be other than temporary, an impairment charge is recorded and a new cost basis in the investment is established. If the Company does not intend to sell the debt security, but it is probable that the Company will not collect all amounts due, then only the impairment due to the credit risk would be recognized in earnings and the remaining amount of the impairment would be recognized in "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" within stockholders' equity. Marketable securities are presented as current assets on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets if they are available to meet short-term working capital needs of the Company. Marketable debt securities not held to meet short-term working capital needs of the Company are classified as short-term or
long-term investments onin the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets based on the maturity date of the debt security. See Notes 4 and 5 for further detail of investments.
Equity investments without readily determinable fair values in companies over which the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for using the cost method of accounting and classified within "Other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Under the cost method, investments are carried at cost and are adjusted to fair value only for other-than-temporary declines in fair value.value (see "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" described later in this footnote for accounting changes that are effective January 1, 2018).
Property and Equipment — Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization.depreciation. Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets or, when applicable, the life of the lease related to leasehold improvements, whichever is shorter.
Building Construction-in-progress — Building construction-in-progress is associated with the construction of an office building in the Netherlands and is included in “Property and equipment, net” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016. Depreciation of the building and its related components will commence once it is ready for the Company’s use.
Website and Internal-use Software Capitalization — Certain direct development costs associated with website and internal-use software are capitalized and include external direct costs of services and payroll costs for employees devoting time to the software projects principally related to website and mobile app development, including support systems, software coding, designing system interfaces and installation and testing of the software. These costs are recorded as property and equipment and are generally amortized over a period of two to five years beginning when the asset is substantially ready for use. Costs incurred for enhancements that are expected to result in additional features or functionalityfunctionalities are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life of the enhancements. Costs incurred during the preliminary project stage, as well as maintenance and training costs, are expensed as incurred. CapitalizedAdditions to capitalized costs associated with website and internal-use software were $44.2 million and $20.9 million forduring the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $80.4 million, $54.2 million and 2014,$44.2 million, respectively. Costs for 2015 reflect a full year of activity for OpenTable compared to a partial year's activity in 2014 and higher development costs for priceline.com.
Land-use rights—Land-use rights represent prepayments for the long-term lease of land where the Company is constructing an office building in the Netherlands. The land-use rights are recorded as rent expense in "General and administrative" expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations on a straight-line basis over the lease period. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had approximately $50.5 million and $45.3 million, respectively, associated with land-use rights recorded in “Other assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 14 for further details.
Goodwill — The Company accounts for acquired businesses using the purchaseacquisition method of accounting which requires that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recorded at the date of acquisition at their respective fair values. Any excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. The Company's Consolidated Financial Statements reflect an acquired business starting at the date of the acquisition.
Goodwill is not subject to amortization and is reviewed at least annually for impairment, or earlier if an event occurs or circumstances change and there is an indication of impairment. The Company tests goodwill at a reporting unit level. The fair value of the reporting unit is compared to its carrying value, including goodwill. Fair values are determined based on discountedusing a combination of standard valuation techniques, including an income approach (discounted cash flows,flows) and market approaches (EBITDA multiples and/or appraised valuesof comparable publicly-traded companies and areprecedent transactions) and based on market participant assumptions. An impairment is recorded to the extent that the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value of goodwill. See Note 9 for further information.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Intangible Assets — The Company reviews long-lived tangible assets and amortizable intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. The assessment of possible impairment is based upon the Company's ability to recover the carrying value of the assets from the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows, before interest and taxes, of the related operations. The amount of impairment loss, if any, is measured as the excess of the carrying value of the asset over the present value of estimated future cash flows, using a discount rate commensurate with the risks involved and based on assumptions representative of market participants.
Agency Revenues
Agency revenues are derived from travel-related transactions where the Company isdoes not the merchant of record and where the prices offacilitate payments for the travel services are determined by third parties.provided. Agency revenues include travelconsist primarily of accommodation reservation commissions, as well as certain global distribution system ("GDS") reservation booking fees related toand certain travel services, travel insurance fees and customer processing fees, and are reported at the net amounts received, without any associated cost of revenue.revenues. Such revenues are primarily recognized by the Company when the customer's travel is completed (see "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" described later in this footnote for accounting changes that are effective January 1, 2018).
Merchant Revenues
Merchant revenues are derived from services where the Company facilitates payments for the travel services provided. Name Your Own Price®travel reservation services are presented in the income statement on a gross basis so merchant revenue and cost of revenues include the reservation price to the customer and the cost charged by the service provider, respectively (see "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" described later in this footnote for accounting changes that are effective January 1, 2018). For all other merchant transactions, the Company presents merchant revenue on a net basis in the income statement.
Merchant revenue also includes ancillary fees, including damage excess waiver fees and certain travel insurance fees and certain GDS reservation booking fees, customer processing fees associated with merchant reservation services at priceline.com and agoda.com and are generally recognized by the Company when the consumers complete their travel.customer completes his/her travel (see "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" described later in this footnote for accounting changes that are effective January 1, 2018).
Merchant Revenues and Cost of Merchant Revenues
Merchant revenues and related cost of revenues are derived from services where the Company is the merchant of record and therefore charges the customer's credit card and subsequently pays the travel service provider for the services provided.
Merchant Retail Services: Merchant revenues for the Company's merchant retail services are derived from transactions where consumerscustomers book accommodation reservations or rental car reservations from travel service providers at disclosed rates which are subject to contractual arrangements. Charges are billed to consumers byThe Company charges the Companycustomer at the time of booking and any amounts owed to the travel service provider along with the Company's deferred revenue are included in deferred merchant bookings until the consumer completes the accommodation stay or returns the rental car. Such amountsbookings. Reservations are generally refundable upon cancellation, subject to cancellation penalties in certain cases. Merchant revenuesrevenue and accounts payable tothe cost charged by the travel service provider for priceline.com, agoda.com and Rentalcars.com are recognized when the customer completes the travel (see "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" described later in this footnote for accounting changes that are effective January 1, 2018). Revenue for Booking.com's merchant transactions is comprised of accommodation reservation commissions which are recognized when the customer completes the travel.
Merchant Opaque Services: The Company describes priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® and Express Deals® travel services as "opaque" because certain elements of the service, including the identity of the travel service provider, are recognized at the conclusion of the consumer's stay at the accommodation or return of the rental car. The Company records the difference between the reservation pricenot disclosed to the consumer andprior to making a reservation. Name Your Own Price® services connect consumers that are willing to accept a level of flexibility regarding their travel itinerary with travel service providers that are willing to accept a lower price in order to sell their excess capacity without disrupting their existing distribution channels or retail pricing structures. Name Your Own Price® services use a pricing system that allows consumers to "bid" the price they are prepared to pay when submitting an offer for a particular travel service. The Company accesses databases in which participating travel service providers file secure discounted rates, not generally available to the public, to determine whether it can fulfill the consumer's offer. The Company selects the travel service provider costand determines the price it will accept from the consumer. Express Deals® allows consumers to select hotel, rental car and airline ticket reservations with the price and certain other information regarding amenities disclosed prior to making the reservation. The Company recognizes revenues and costs for these services when it confirms the customer's non-refundable offer (see "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" described later in this footnote for accounting changes that are effective January 1, 2018). In circumstances where the Company of its merchant retail reservation services on a net basis in merchant revenue.makes certain customer concessions, the Company accrues for such estimated losses.
Pursuant to the terms of the Company's opaqueretail and retailopaque merchant services, its travel service providers are permitted to bill the Company for the underlying cost of the service during a specified period of time. In the event that the Company is not billed by the travel provider within the specified time period, the Company reduces its cost of revenues by the unbilled amounts.
Opaque Services: The Company describes its priceline.com Name Your Own Price® and Express Deals® travel services as "opaque" because certain elements of the service, including the identity of the travel service provider, are not disclosed to the consumer prior to making a reservation. The Name Your Own Price® service connects consumers that are willing to accept a level of flexibility regarding their travel itinerary with travel service providers that are willing to accept a lower price in order to sell their excess capacity without disrupting their existing distribution channels or retail pricing structures. The Company's Name Your Own Price® services use a pricing system that allows consumers to "bid" the price they are prepared to pay when submitting an offer for a particular leisure travel service. The Company accesses databases in which participating travel service providers file secure discounted rates, not generally available to the public, to determine whether it can fulfill the consumer's offer. The Company selects the travel service provider and determines the price it will accept from the consumer. Merchant revenues and cost of revenues include the selling price and cost, respectively, of the Name Your Own Price® travel services and are reported on a gross basis.
Express Deals® allows consumers to select hotel, rental car and airline ticket reservations with price and certain information regarding amenities disclosed prior to making the reservation. The identity of the travel service provider is not known prior to committing to the non-refundable reservation. The Company records the difference between the reservation price to the consumer and the travel service provider cost to the Company of its merchant Express Deals® reservation services on a net basis in merchant revenue.
The Company recognizes revenues and costs for these services when it confirms the customer's non-refundable offer. In very limited circumstances, the Company makes certain customer concessions to satisfy disputes and complaints. The Company accrues for such estimated losses and classifies the resulting expense as adjustments to merchant revenue and cost of merchant revenues.
Advertising and Other Revenues
Advertising and other revenues are primarily earned by KAYAK and OpenTable and to a lesser extent by priceline.com for advertising placements on its website.website and Booking.com's BookingSuite branded accommodation marketing and business analytics services. KAYAK earns advertising revenue primarily by sending referrals to OTCs and travel service providers and online travel companies ("OTCs") and from advertising placements on its websites and mobile applications. Generally, revenueapps. Revenue related to referrals is earned based upon the completion of travel by a consumer or when a consumercustomer clicks on a referral placement and revenueor upon completion of the travel. Revenue for advertising placements is earned based upon when a consumercustomer clicks on an advertisement or when the CompanyKAYAK displays an advertisement. OpenTable earns revenue primarily by facilitating restaurant reservations and providing computerized host-stand operations to restaurants through proprietary restaurant management reservation services. The Company recognizes other revenues related to OpenTable for reservation revenuesfees when diners are seated through its online restaurant reservation service and subscription fees for subscription revenuesrestaurant management services on a straight-line basis duringover the contractual period over whichthat the service is delivered.provided.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues consists primarily of the cost paid to travel service providers for priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® and vacation package reservation services, net of applicable taxes and charges, and fees paid to third parties by KAYAK and priceline.com to return travel itinerary information for consumer search queries. See "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" described later in this footnote for accounting changes that are effective January 1, 2018.
Loyalty Programs
The Company provides various loyalty programs. Participating customers earn loyalty pointsawards on current transactions that can be redeemed for future qualifying transactions. When the pointsAs awards are earned, the Company estimates the amount of loyalty pointsawards expected to be redeemed and records a reduction in revenue. At both December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, a liability of $71.1$104.7 million and $84.4 million, respectively, for loyalty pointsthese programs was included in "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
86A substantial portion of the liability at December 31, 2017 and 2016 relates to OpenTable's dining points loyalty program. In the first quarter of 2018, OpenTable updated its loyalty program so that all outstanding and future dining points expire after three years, which may reduce the liability in the future.
Tax Recovery Charge, Occupancy Taxes and State and Local Taxes
The Company provides an online travel service to facilitate online travel purchases by consumers from travel service providers, including accommodation, rental car and airline ticket reservations, and sometimes as part of a vacation package reservation. For merchant model transactions, the Company charges the consumer an amount intended to cover the taxes that the Company anticipates the travel service provider will owe and remit to the local taxing authorities ("tax recovery charge"). Tax rate information for calculating the tax recovery charge is provided to the Company by the travel service providers.
In certain taxing jurisdictions, the Company is required by passage of a new statute or by court order to collect and remit certain taxes (local occupancy tax, general excise and/or sales tax) imposed upon its margin and/or service fee. In those jurisdictions, the Company is collecting and remitting tax as required. The tax recovery charge and occupancy and other related taxes collected from customers and remitted to those jurisdictions are reported on a net basis in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Except in those jurisdictions, the Company does not charge the customer or remit occupancy or other related taxes based on its margin or service fee because the Company believes that such taxes are not owed on its compensation for its services (see Note 15)14).
Performance Advertising - Online — OnlineAdvertising expenses classified as performance advertising are generally managed by the Company by monitoring return on investment. These expenses primarily consist primarily of the costs ofof: (1) search engine keyword purchases; (2) referrals from meta-search and travel research websites; (3) affiliate programs; and (4) banner, pop-up and other Internet and mobileperformance-based advertisements. OnlinePerformance advertising expense is generally recognized as incurred. Included in "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are accrued onlineperformance advertising liabilities of $188.2$284.1 million and $164.0$267.5 million at December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively.
Brand Advertising - Offline — OfflineAdvertising expenses classified as brand advertising expenses are primarily relatedgenerally managed by the Company to a targeted spending level to drive brand awareness. This includes both online and offline activities such as online videos (for example, on YouTube and Facebook), television advertising, billboards and subway and bus advertisements. Brand advertising expense is generally recognized as incurred with the Company's Booking.com, KAYAK and priceline.com businesses and primarily consistexception of television advertising. The Company expenses advertising production costs, which are expensed the first time the advertisingadvertisement is displayed or broadcast.
Sales and Marketing — Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of (1) credit card and other payment processing fees associated with merchant transactions; (2) fees paid to third parties that provide call center, website content translations and other services; (3) customer relations costs; (4) public relationspromotional costs; (5) provisions for bad debt, primarily related to agency accommodation commission receivables; and (6) provisions for credit cardcustomer chargebacks.
Personnel — Personnel expenses consist of compensation to the Company's personnel, including salaries, stock-based compensation, bonuses, payroll taxes and employee health benefits. Included in "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are accrued compensation liabilities of $186.1288.1 million and $159.0242.6 million at December 31, 20152017 and 20142016, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation — Stock-based compensation is recognized in the financial statements based upon fair value. The fair value of performance share units and restricted stock units is determined based on the number of units or shares, as applicable, granted and the quoted price of the Company's common stock as of the grant date or acquisition date. Stock-basedThe Company records stock-based compensation related to performance share units reflectsexpense for these performance-based awards based on its estimate of the estimated probable outcome at the end of the performance period.period (i.e., the estimated performance against the performance targets). The Company periodically adjusts the cumulative stock-based compensation expense recorded when the probable outcome for these performance-based awards is updated based upon changes in actual and forecasted operating results. The fair value of employee stock options assumed in acquisitions was determined using the Black Scholes model and the market value of the Company's common stock at the respective acquisition dates. Fair value is recognized as expense on a straight linestraight-line basis net of estimated forfeitures, over the employee requisite service period.period, and, beginning January 1, 2017, forfeitures are accounted for when they occur.
The benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation costs are reportedrecognized in the income statement as a creditdiscrete item in periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017 when an exercise or a vesting and release of shares occurs. Excess tax benefits are presented as operating cash flows and cash payments for employee statutory tax withholding related to additional paid-in capital andvested stock awards are presented as financing cash flows but only when such excess tax benefits are realized by a reduction to current taxes payable.in the statements of cash flows. See Note 3 for further information on stock-based awards.
Information Technology — Information technology expenses consist primarily of: (1) software license and system maintenance fees; (2) data communications and other expenses associated with operating our services; (3) outsourced data center costs; and (4) payments to outside consultants.
Income Taxes — The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. The Company records the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as well as operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred taxes are classified as noncurrent onin the balance sheet.
The Company records deferred tax assets to the extent it believes these assets will more likely than notmore-likely-than-not be realized. The Company regularly reviews its deferred tax assets for recoverability considering historical profitability, projected future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences, the carryforward periods available for tax reporting purposes, and tax planning strategies. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some
portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends on the generation of future taxable income during the period in which related temporary differences become deductible. In determining the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns, significant judgments, estimates, and interpretation of statutes are required.
Deferred taxes are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date of such change.
Income taxes are not accrued for unremitted earnings of international operations that have been or are intended to be reinvested indefinitely.
The Company recognizes liabilities when it believes that uncertain positions may not be fully sustained upon review by the tax authorities. Liabilities recognized for uncertain tax positions are based on a two steptwo-step approach for recognition and measurement. First, the Company evaluates the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit based on its technical merits. Secondly, the Companymeasures the tax benefit as the largest amount whichthat is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Interest and penalties attributable to uncertain tax positions, if any, are recognized as a component of income tax expense. See Note 1413 for further details on income taxes.
Segment Reporting — The Company determined that its brands constitute its operating segments. The Company's Booking.com brand represents a substantial majority of gross profit and net income. Based on similar economic characteristics and other similar operating factors, the Company has aggregated the operating segments into one reportable segment. For geographic related information, see Note 17.16.
Foreign Currency Translation — The functional currency of the Company's foreign subsidiaries is generally their respective local currency. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. Dollars at the rate of exchange existing at the balance sheet date. Income statement amounts are translated at average monthly exchange rates applicable for the period. Translation gains and losses are included as a component of "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
In March 2017, the Company issued Senior Notes due March 10, 2022 for an aggregate principal amount of 1.0 billion Euros. In November 2015, the Company issued Senior Notes due November 25, 2022 for an aggregate principal amount of 750 million Euros. In March 2015, the Company issued Senior Notes due March 3, 2027 for an aggregate principal amount of 1.0 billion Euros. In September 2014, the Company issued Senior Notes due September 23, 2024 for an aggregate principal amount of 1.0 billion Euros. The Company designated the carrying value, plus accrued interest, of these Euro-denominated Senior Notes as a hedge of the Company's net investment in Euro functional currency subsidiaries. The foreign currency transaction gains or losses on these liabilities and the foreign currency translation gains or losses from translating the Euro-denominated net assets of these subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollars and are included as a component of "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Notes 10 and 13)12).
Derivative Financial Instruments — As a result of the Company's international operations, it is exposed to various market risks that may affect its consolidated results of operations, cash flow and financial position. These market risks include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in currency exchange rates. The Company's primary foreign currency exposures are in Euros and British Pound Sterling, in which it conducts a significant portion of its business activities. As a result, the Company faces exposure to adverse movements in currency exchange rates as the financial results of its international operations are translated from local currencies into U.S. Dollars upon consolidation. Additionally, foreign exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency result in gains and losses that are reflected in income.
The Company may enter into derivative instruments to hedge certain net exposures of nonfunctional currency denominated assets and liabilities and the volatility associated with translating earnings for its international businesses into U.S. Dollars, even though it does not elect to apply hedge accounting or hedge accounting does not apply. Gains and losses resulting from a change in fair value for these derivatives are reflected in income in the period in which the change occurs and are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in "Foreign currency transactions and other." Cash flows related to these contracts are classified within "Net cash provided by operating activities" on the cash flow statement.
The Company, from time to time utilizesin the past, has utilized derivative instruments to hedge the impact of changes in currency exchange rates on the net assets of its foreign subsidiaries. These instruments are designated as net investment hedges. Hedge ineffectiveness is assessed and measured based on changes in forward exchange rates. The Company records gains and losses on these derivative instruments as currency translation adjustments, which offset a portion of the translation adjustments related to the foreign subsidiaries' net assets. Gains and losses are recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet in
"Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" and will be realized upon a partial sale or liquidation of the investment. The Company formally documents all derivatives designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes, both at hedge inception and on an on-going basis. These net investment hedges expose the Company to liquidity risk as the derivatives have an immediate cash flow impact upon maturity, which is not offset by the translation of the underlying hedged equity. The cash flows from these contracts are classified within "Net cash used in investing activities" onin the cash flow statement.Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
The Company does not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company recognizes all derivative instruments on the balance sheet at fair value and its derivative instruments are generally short-term in duration. The derivative instruments do not contain leverage features.
The Company is exposed to the risk that counterparties to derivative instruments may fail to meet their contractual obligations. The Company regularly reviews its credit exposure as well as assessing the creditworthiness of its counterparties. See Note 5 for further detail on derivatives.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements: ClassificationPronouncements Adopted
Reclassification of Deferred Taxes and Presentation of Debt Issuance CostsCertain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
In November 2015,February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a new accounting update which requires companiesallows an entity to classify allelect to reclassify “stranded” tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) to retained earnings. Under current tax accounting guidance, the effect of a change in the income tax rate on deferred tax assets or liabilities is recorded in net income when the tax law is enacted. This guidance applies even in situations in which the tax effect was initially recognized directly in AOCI at the previous tax rate. This accounting results in “stranded” taxes in AOCI for the difference between the new and liabilities as noncurrentthe historical tax rates.
This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption for public business entities is permitted if the financial statements have not yet been issued. This update can be applied either in the balance sheetperiod of adoption or retrospectively.
The Company early adopted this update in the fourth quarter of 2017, resulting in a reclassification, which reduced retained earnings and increased AOCI by $19.0 million.
Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities
In August 2017, the FASB issued a new accounting update to simplify hedge accounting. This update eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and requires the entire change in the fair value of the hedging instrument to be recorded in the currency translation adjustment section of other comprehensive income (loss) for net investment hedges. This update allows entities to perform the initial quantitative assessment of hedging effectiveness prospectively after the hedge designation but no later than the end of the quarter in which the hedge is designated, rather than at hedge inception as currently required. In addition, this update allows entities to elect to perform subsequent effectiveness assessments qualitatively instead of separatingquantitatively if they expect the hedge to be highly effective at inception and in subsequent periods.
For public business entities, this update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods. A modified retrospective approach will be applied to net investment hedges that exist on the date of adoption with a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company early adopted this update in the fourth quarter of 2017 and the adoption did not have an impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Scope of Modification Accounting related to Share-based Compensation
In May 2017, the FASB issued a new accounting update to amend the scope of modification accounting for share-based compensation arrangements. Under this update, an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification. For public business entities, this update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This update will be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after the effective date or the adoption date, if it is early adopted. The Company early adopted this update in the second quarter of 2017 and the adoption did not have an impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Definition of a Business
In January 2017, the FASB issued a new accounting update to clarify the definition of a business and provide additional guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as asset acquisitions (or disposals) or business combinations (or disposals of a business). Under this update, an entity first determines whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If this criterion is met, the transaction should be accounted for as an asset acquisition as opposed to a business combination. This distinction is important because the accounting for an asset acquisition may differ significantly from the accounting for a business combination. This update eliminates the requirement to evaluate whether a market participant could replace missing elements (e.g., inputs or processes), narrows the definition of outputs and requires that a business include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs.
For public business entities, this update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods, and is required to be applied prospectively. The Company early adopted this update in the first quarter of 2017 and the adoption did not have an impact to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Intra-entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory
In October 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting update on income tax accounting associated with intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. This update, which is part of the FASB's simplification initiative, is intended to reduce diversity in practice and the complexity of tax accounting, particularly for those transfers involving intellectual property. This update requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs.
For public business entities, this update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Entities are required to apply this accounting update on a modified retrospective basis with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company early adopted this update in the first quarter of 2017. The adoption resulted in a cumulative net charge to retained earnings of $4.2 million, a reduction in deferred taxes intotax liabilities of $5.7 million and reductions in current and noncurrent amounts. long-term assets of $3.3 million and $6.6 million, respectively, as of January 1, 2017.
Share-based Compensation
In March 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance to improve the accounting for certain aspects of share-based payment transactions as part of its simplification initiative. The key provisions of this accounting update are: (1) recognizing current excess tax benefits in the income statement in the period the benefits are deducted on the income tax return as opposed to an adjustment to additional paid-in capital in the period the benefits are realized by reducing a current income tax liability, (2) allowing an entity-wide election to account for forfeitures related to service conditions as they occur instead of estimating the total number of awards that will be forfeited because the requisite service period will not be rendered, (3) allowing the net settlement of an equity award for employee statutory tax withholding purposes to not exceed the maximum statutory tax rate by relevant tax jurisdiction instead of withholding taxes for each employee based on a minimum statutory withholding tax rate, and (4) requiring the presentation of excess tax benefits as operating cash flows and cash payments for employee statutory tax withholding related to vested stock awards as financing cash flows in the statements of cash flows. Under this new accounting standard, all previously unrecognized equity deductions are recognized as a deferred tax asset, net of any valuation allowance, with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the year of adoption of this standard.
The Company adopted this accounting update in the first quarter of 2017 and recorded a deferred tax asset of $301.4 million related to previously unrecognized U.S. equity tax deductions, with an offsetting cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2017. The Company elected to account for forfeitures related to service conditions as they occur; as a result, there was a cumulative net charge to retained earnings of $6.9 million and the recognition of a deferred tax asset of $2.1 million, with an offsetting credit to additional paid-in capital of $9.0 million. In addition, the Company elected to change the presentation of excess tax benefits in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for periods prior to January 1, 2017 to reflect these excess tax benefits in operating cash flows instead of financing cash flows, resulting in a reclassification of $61.0 million and $101.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. "Payments for repurchase of
common stock" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows includes withholding taxes paid on vested stock awards (see Note 11).
Other Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities
In March 2017, the FASB issued a new accounting update to shorten the premium amortization period of purchased callable debt securities with non-contingent call features that are callable at fixed prices and on preset dates from their contractual maturity to the earliest call date. For public business entities, this update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Entities are required to apply this update on a modified retrospective basis with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact to its Consolidated Financial Statements of adopting this update.
Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment
In January 2017, the FASB issued a new accounting update to simplify the test for goodwill impairment by eliminating Step 2, which measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit's goodwill, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation, with the carrying amount of that reporting unit's goodwill. Under this update, an entity would perform its quantitative annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test using the current Step 1 test and recognize an impairment charge for the excess of the carrying value of a reporting unit over its fair value.
For public business entities, this update is effective for their annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests occurring after January 1, 2017. The update will be applied prospectively. The Company has not early adopted this update. In the third quarter of 2017, the Company performed its annual quantitative goodwill impairment test (see Note 9).
Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
In June 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting update on the measurement of credit losses for financial assets measured at amortized cost, which includes accounts receivable and available-for-sale debt securities. For financial assets measured at amortized cost, this update requires an entity to (1) estimate its lifetime expected credit losses upon recognition of the financial assets and establish an allowance to present the net amount expected to be collected, (2) recognize this allowance and changes in the allowance during subsequent periods through net income and (3) consider relevant information about past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts in assessing the lifetime expected credit losses. For available-for-sale debt securities, this update made several targeted amendments to the existing other-than-temporary impairment model, including (1) requiring disclosure of the allowance for credit losses, (2) allowing reversals of the previously recognized credit losses until the entity has the intent to sell, is more-likely-than-not required to sell the securities or the maturity of the securities, (3) limiting impairment to the difference between the amortized cost basis and fair value and (4) not allowing entities to consider the length of time that fair value has been less than amortized cost as a factor in evaluating whether a credit loss exists.
This update is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016,2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of this update is permitted and an entity may choosefor fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Entities are required to adoptapply this update on either a prospective ormodified retrospective basis.basis with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company adopted this accounting update inis currently evaluating the fourth quarter of 2015 and applied it retrospectivelyimpact to prior periods. The impact on the Company'sits Consolidated Financial Statements is summarized below.of adopting this update.
Leases
In April 2015,February 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting update which changes the presentation of debt issuance costs instandard intended to improve the financial statements. Under thisreporting of lease transactions. The new guidance, debt issuance costs, excluding costs associated withaccounting standard requires lessees to recognize an asset and a revolving credit facility, will be presented inliability on the balance sheets assheet for the right and obligation created by entering into a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. This accounting change is consistentlease transaction for all leases with the current presentation under U.S. GAAP for debt discountsexception of short-term leases. The new standard retains the dual-model concept by requiring entities to determine if a lease is an operating or financing lease and it also converges the guidance under U.S. GAAP with that in the International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). Debt issuance costs will reduce the proceeds from debt borrowings in the cash flow statement instead of being presented as a separate line in the financing section of that financial statement. Amortization of debt issuance costs will continue to be reported as interest expense in the income statement. This accounting update does not affect the current "bright line" percentages could be used as guidance in applying the new standard. The lessor accounting guidancemodel remains largely unchanged. The new standard significantly expands qualitative and quantitative disclosures for the recognition and measurement of debt issuance costs. Thislessees.
The update is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015.2018. Early adoption is allowed for allallowed. Entities are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The FASB has issued an exposure draft, which, if finalized, will allow entities for financial statements that have not been previously issued. to elect to apply the standard prospectively from the effective date of January 1, 2019.
The Company adopted thisplans to adopt the new accounting standard on January 1, 2019. The Company is in the fourth quarterprocess of 2015implementing a lease accounting system as well as evaluating the elections the Company may make in implementing the standard. The Company will recognize right-of-use assets and applied it retrospectively to prior periods. The impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements is summarized below.
Certain prior year amountsoperating lease liabilities in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements have been adjusted to reflect the retrospective adoption of the two new accounting standards described above.
its Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Financial statement line | | As Previously Reported | | Adjustments Deferred Taxes | | Adjustments Debt Issuance Costs | | As Adjusted |
| Deferred income taxes | | $ | 153,754 |
| | $ | (153,754 | ) | | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
| Total current assets | | 5,267,374 |
| | (153,754 | ) | | — |
| | 5,113,620 |
|
| Other assets | | 57,348 |
| | 10,099 |
| | (25,931 | ) | | 41,516 |
|
| Total assets | | 14,940,563 |
| | (143,655 | ) | | (25,931 | ) | | 14,770,977 |
|
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | 600,758 |
| | (1,243 | ) | | — |
| | 599,515 |
|
| Convertible debt | | 37,195 |
| | — |
| | (45 | ) | | 37,150 |
|
| Total current liabilities | | 1,379,991 |
| | (1,243 | ) | | (45 | ) | | 1,378,703 |
|
| Deferred income taxes | | 1,040,260 |
| | (142,412 | ) | | — |
| | 897,848 |
|
| Long-term debt | | 3,849,756 |
| | — |
| | (25,886 | ) | | 3,823,870 |
|
| Total liabilities | | 6,373,540 |
| | (143,655 | ) | | (25,931 | ) | | 6,203,954 |
|
Consolidated StatementsRecognition and Measurement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company netted payments of debt issuance costs of $17.5 million and $1.0 million against proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt of $2.3 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively. The netted balances are reported as "Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt" in the financing section of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Other Recent Accounting PronouncementsFinancial Instruments
In January 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting update which amends the guidance on the classificationrecognition and measurement of financial instruments. Although the accountingThe update retains many current requirements, it significantly revises accounting related to (1) the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and (2) the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. The accounting update also amends certain fair value disclosures of financial instruments and clarifies thatrequires an entity should evaluateto measure equity investments (except those accounted for under the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale debt securities in combination with the entity’s evaluation of their other deferred tax assets. The update requires entities to carry all investments in equity securities, including other ownership interests such as partnerships, unincorporated joint ventures and limited liability companies at fair value, with fair value changes recognized through net income. This requirement does not apply to investments that qualify for equity method accounting, investmentsor those that result in consolidation of the investee or investments in which the entity has elected the practicability exception toinvestee) at fair value measurement. Under current U.S. GAAP, the Company's available-for-sale investments in equity securities with readily identifiable market value are remeasured to fair value each reporting period with changes in fair value recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). However, under the new accounting literature, fair value adjustments will be recognized through net income and could vary significantly quarter to quarter. For the investments currently accounted for under the cost method,rather than AOCI, (2) allows an entity canto elect to measure itsthose equity investments whichthat do not have a readily determinable fair value at cost less impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. Additionally, this accounting update will simplifyissuer, (3) simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. When a qualitative assessment indicatesimpairment, and (4) clarifies that impairment exists, an entity is requiredshould evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to measureavailable-for-sale securities in combination with the investment at fair value. In addition, this accounting update eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is currently required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost in the balance sheet. entity’s evaluation of their other deferred tax assets.
This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption, although allowed in certain circumstances, is not applicable to the Company.
In September 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting update which simplifies the accounting for measurement-period adjustments to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination. Under this new guidance, an acquirer must recognize these adjustments in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The new accounting guidance also requires an acquirer to present separately on the face of the income statement, or disclose in the notes, the
amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to provision amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The Company adoptedwill adopt this update in the fourthfirst quarter of 2015 and this accounting update did not have2018. The Company will record an impactincrease of approximately $241 million to retained earnings for the net unrealized gain, net of tax, related to its investment in Ctrip equity securities, with an offsetting adjustment to AOCI as of January 1, 2018. Subsequent changes in fair value of the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
investment in Ctrip equity securities will be recognized in net income. In April 2015,addition, the FASB issued a new accounting update which requires an entity that enters into a cloud computing arrangementCompany elected to determine if the arrangement contains a software license. The accounting update cites software as a service, platform as a service, infrastructure as a service and other similar hosting arrangements as examples of cloud computing arrangements. A software license arrangement exists if both of the following criteria are met: (1) the customer has a contractual rightcontinue to take possession of the underlying software without significant penalty and (2) it is feasible for the customer to run the software on their own hardware or to contract with another party unrelated to the vendor to run the software. If the arrangement meets both of these criteria, the customer would need to identify what portion ofuse the cost relates to purchasing the software and what portion relates to paying for the servicemethod of hosting the software. The purchased software would be accounted for using the internal-use software guidance and the service costs would be accounted for as an operating expense. If the arrangement does not meet both of the criteria, the cost is an operating expense for a service contract. The guidance in this update does not change the accounting for equity investments without a service contract. The update is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is allowed for all entities. The Company adopted this update in the fourth quarter of 2015 and this accounting update did not have an impact to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.readily determinable fair value.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") issued a new accounting standard on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers that iswas designed to create greater comparability for financial statement users across industries and jurisdictions. The core principle of thethis new standard is that an "entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services." Additionally, the new guidance specified the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. TheThis new standard will also requirerequires enhanced disclosures. The accountingdisclosures on the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue from contracts with customers. Since May 2014, the FASB has issued several amendments to this new standard, was initiallyincluding additional guidance, and deferred the effective date for public business entities forto annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. In July 2015, the FASB agreed to defer the effective date of the new revenue standard to annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted as of the original effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the impact to its Consolidated Financial Statements of adopting this new guidance.2017.
In April 2014, the FASB issued an accounting update which amended the definition of a discontinued operation. The new definition limits discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have or will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. The new definition includes an acquired business that is classified as held for sale at the date of acquisition. The accounting update requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and a disposal of an individually significant component of an entity. The accounting update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. The Company adopted this updatenew standard on January 1, 2018 and will apply the modified retrospective transition approach to all contracts as of the date of adoption, which means that the financial statements and footnotes will be presented on a historical basis for 2016 and 2017, while 2018 will be reported under this new standard. In addition, 2018 financial information will be disclosed in a separate footnote to the financial statements on a basis consistent with the Company's current accounting. Under this new standard, the timing of revenue recognition for travel reservation services will change. For example, revenue for accommodation reservation services, which is primarily recognized at check-out under the current revenue accounting standard, will change to be recognized at check-in under this new standard. The Company currently expects that this timing change will not have a significant impact to its annual revenues and net income, although the effects on quarterly revenues and net income are expected to be more significant because a meaningful amount of travel typically starts in December each year and is completed in January of the following year. Under this new standard, this revenue will be recognized in the fourth quarter each year rather than the first quarter of the following year. In addition, revenue from Name Your Own Price® ("NYOP") transactions is currently presented in the Consolidated Statement of Operations on a gross basis with the amount remitted to the travel service provider reported as cost of revenue. Under this new standard, NYOP revenue will be presented on a net basis in merchant revenues because the Company does not control the underlying service provided by the travel service provider prior to its transfer to the consumer. Therefore, NYOP cost of revenue will be presented net within revenues for periods after adoption of this new standard and the Company will no longer present cost of revenues or gross profit in its Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Upon adoption of this new standard, billing and cash collections are expected to remain unchanged and, therefore, net cash provided by operating activities as presented in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows will not be impacted.
During the quarter ended December 31, 2017, the Company completed its testing of the modified and newly implemented internal controls over the new processes required in accordance with the changes under this new standard. The Company will record an increase to retained earnings of approximately $190 million as of January 1, 2018, due to the adoption of this new standard, with the impact principally related to online travel reservation services for accommodations that checked in during the fourth quarter of 2017 and checked out in the first quarter of 2015 and this accounting update did not have an impact to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.2018.
| |
3. | STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION |
The Company's 1999 Omnibus Plan, as amended and restated effective June 6, 2013,March 2, 2017, (the "1999 Plan") is the primary stock compensation plan from which broad-based employee equity awards may be made. As of December 31, 2015,2017, there were 2,425,5192,129,531 shares of common stock available for future grant under the 1999 Plan. In addition, under plans assumed in connection with the acquisition of KAYAK in May 2013, Buuteeq, Inc. in June 2014, OpenTable in July 2014 and Rocket Travel, Inc. in February 2015, the Company assumed the KAYAK Software Corporation 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the "KAYAK Plan"), the Buuteeq, Inc. Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Plan (the "Buuteeq Plan"), the OpenTable, Inc. 2009 Equity Incentive Award Plan (the "OpenTable Plan") and the Rocket Travel, Inc. 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Rocketmiles Plan”). As of December 31, 2015,various acquisitions, there were 145,39281,304 shares of common stock available for future grant under the OpenTable Plan.as of December 31, 2017.
Stock-based compensation issued under the plans generally consists of restricted stock units, performance share units and, to a far lesser extent and typically only in the context of assuming grants in connection with acquisitions, stock options. Stock-based compensation is recognized in the financial statements based upon fair value. Fair value is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis, net of estimated forfeitures, over the employee's requisite service period. The fair value of restrictedRestricted stock units and performance share units is determined based on the number of units granted and the quoted price of the Company's common stock as of the grant date. Stock-based compensation relatedgenerally vest over periods from 1 to performance share units reflects the estimated probable outcome at the end of the performance period. The fair value of the employee stock options assumed in acquisitions was determined using the Black-Scholes model and the market value of the Company's
common stock at their respective acquisition dates.3 years. Stock options granted to employees generally have a term of 10 years. Restricted stock units and performance share units generally vest over periods from 1 to 4 years. The Company issues new shares of common stock upon the issuance of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options and the vesting of restricted stock units and performance share units.units and the exercise of stock options. See Note 2 for the Company's accounting policy on stock-based compensation.
Stock-based compensation included in personnel expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations was approximately $247.4$260.9 million, $186.4249.6 million and $140.5247.4 million for the years ended December 31, 20152017, 20142016 and 20132015, respectively. Stock-based compensation for the years ended December 31, 20152017, 20142016 and 20132015 includes charges amounting to $22.6$10.6 million, $20.620.7 million and $24.122.6 million, respectively, representing the impact of adjusting the estimated probable outcome at the end of the performance period for outstanding unvested performance share units. Included in the stock-based compensation are approximately $2.6$2.5 million, $2.32.6 million, and $2.12.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014,2017, 2016, and 2013,2015, respectively, for grantsrestricted stock units awarded to non-employee directors. The related tax benefit for stock-based compensation is $52.9$46.0 million, $38.4$45.3 million and $18.552.9 million for the years ended December 31, 20152017, 20142016 and 20132015, respectively.
Restricted Stock Units and Performance Share Units
The following table summarizes the activity of restricted stock units and performance share units ("share-based awards") during the years ended December 31, 2013, 20142015, 2016 and 2015:2017:
| | | Share-Based Awards | | Shares | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | |
| Share-based Awards | | | Shares | Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Unvested at December 31, 2012 | | 540,128 |
| | $ | 389.21 |
| | |
| | | | | | | |
| Granted | | 162,341 |
| | $ | 730.47 |
| | |
| Vested | | (258,198 | ) | | $ | 242.63 |
| | |
| Performance Shares Adjustment | | 101,490 |
| | $ | 681.13 |
| | |
| Forfeited/Canceled | | (11,442 | ) | | $ | 579.71 |
| | |
| Unvested at December 31, 2013 | | 534,319 |
| | $ | 615.10 |
| | |
| | | | | | | |
| Granted | | 128,484 |
| | $ | 1,308.13 |
| | |
| Assumed in an acquisition | | 43,993 |
| | $ | 1,238.68 |
| | |
| Vested | | (195,730 | ) | | $ | 492.22 |
| | |
| Performance Shares Adjustment | | 68,499 |
| | $ | 1,085.94 |
| | |
| Forfeited/Canceled | | (9,250 | ) | | $ | 972.19 |
| | |
| Unvested at December 31, 2014 | | 570,315 |
| | $ | 912.26 |
| | | 570,315 |
| | $ | 912.26 |
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Granted | | 198,141 |
| | $ | 1,226.41 |
| | | 198,141 |
| | $ | 1,226.41 |
| |
| Vested | | (161,862 | ) | | $ | 757.66 |
| | | (161,862 | ) | | $ | 757.66 |
| |
| Performance Shares Adjustment | | 64,328 |
| | $ | 1,238.30 |
| | | 64,328 |
| | $ | 1,238.30 |
| |
| Forfeited/Canceled | | (33,665 | ) | | $ | 1,151.70 |
| | | (33,665 | ) | | $ | 1,151.70 |
| |
| Unvested at December 31, 2015 | | 637,257 |
| | $ | 1,070.10 |
| | | 637,257 |
| | $ | 1,070.10 |
| |
| | | | | | | |
| Granted | | | 202,740 |
| | $ | 1,314.93 |
| |
| Vested | | | (298,753 | ) | | $ | 858.23 |
| |
| Performance Shares Adjustment | | | 52,224 |
| | $ | 1,294.84 |
| |
| Forfeited/Canceled | | | (77,862 | ) | | $ | 1,278.06 |
| |
| Unvested at December 31, 2016 | | | 515,606 |
| | $ | 1,287.88 |
| |
| | | | | | | |
| Granted | | | 174,507 |
| | $ | 1,740.78 |
| |
| Vested | | | (143,771 | ) | | $ | 1,316.26 |
| |
| Performance Shares Adjustment | | | 19,357 |
| | $ | 1,501.48 |
| |
| Forfeited/Canceled | | | (41,003 | ) | | $ | 1,416.09 |
| |
| Unvested at December 31, 2017 | | | 524,696 |
| | $ | 1,431.88 |
| |
Share-based awards granted by the Company during the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015 had aggregate grant date fair values of approximately $243.0$303.8 million, $168.1$266.6 million and $118.6$243.0 million, respectively. Share-based awards that vested during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014,2017, 2016, and 20132015 had grant date fair values of $122.6$189.2 million, $96.3$256.4 million and $62.6$122.6 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2015,2017, there was $336.5$349.7 million of total future compensation cost related to unvested share-based awards to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.91.8 years.
During the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, the Company made broad-based grants of 90,518100,614 restricted stock units that generally vest after three years,have a three-year vesting period, subject to certain exceptions for terminations other than for "cause," for "good reason" or on account of death or disability. These share-based awards had a total grant date fair value of $109.8$175.6 million based on a weighted-average grant date fair value per share of $1,213.18.$1,744.95.
In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2015,2017, the Company granted 107,62373,893 performance share units to executives and certain other employees. The performance share units had a total grant date fair value of $133.2$128.2 million based upon a weighted-average grant date fair value per share of $1,237.53.$1,735.10. The performance share units are payable in shares of the Company's common stock upon vesting. Subject to certain exceptions for terminations other than for "cause," for "good reason" or on account of death or disability, recipients of these performance share units generally must continue their service through the requisite service period in order to receive any shares. Stock-based compensation related to performance share units reflects the estimated probable outcome at the end of the performance period. The actual number of shares to be issued on the vesting date will be determined upon completion of the performance period which for most of these performance share units,generally ends December 31, 2017,2019, assuming there is no accelerated vesting for, among other things, a termination of employment under certain circumstances. As of December 31, 2015,2017, the estimated number of probable shares to be issued is a total of 164,857 shares.82,656 shares, net of performance share units forfeited and vested since the grant date. If the maximum performance thresholds are met at the end of the performance period, a maximum number of 254,643139,190 total shares could be issued. If the minimum performance thresholds are not met, 51,62156,338 shares would be issued at the end of the performance period.
2014
2016 Performance Share Units
During the year ended December 31, 2014,2016, the Company granted 72,27785,735 performance share units with a grant date fair value of $96.1$111.7 million, based on a weighted-average grant date fair value per share of $1,329.11.$1,302.25. The actual number of shares to be issued will be determined upon completion of the performance period which generally ends December 31, 2016.2018, assuming there is no accelerated vesting for, among other things, a termination of employment under certain circumstances.
At December 31, 2015,2017, there were 63,48470,966 unvested 20142016 performance share units outstanding, net of performance share units that were forfeited or vested since the grant date. As of December 31, 2015,2017, the number of shares estimated to be issued pursuant to these performance share units at the end of the performance period is a total of 104,241114,085 shares. If the maximum performance thresholds are met at the end of the performance period, a maximum of 127,732159,876 total shares could be issued pursuant to these performance share units. If the minimum performance thresholds are not met, 43,29142,663 shares would be issued at the end of the performance period.
20132015 Performance Share Units
During the year ended December 31, 2013,2015, the Company granted 104,865107,623 performance share units with a grant date fair value of $74.4$133.2 million, based on a weighted-average grant date fair value per share of $709.74.$1,237.53. The actual number of shares to be issued will be determined based upon completion of the performance period which ended December 31, 2015.2017.
At December 31, 2015,2017, there were 97,29670,910 unvested 20132015 performance share units outstanding, net of performance share units that were forfeited or vested since the grant date. As of December 31, 2015,2017, the total number of shares expected to be issued pursuant to these performance share units on the March 4, 2016 vesting dateduring 2018 is 186,020123,930 shares.
Stock Options
All outstanding employee stock options were assumed in acquisitions. The following table summarizes the activity for the stock options during the years ended December 31, 2013, 20142015, 2016 and 2015:2017:
| | | Employee Stock Options | Employee Stock Options | | Number of Shares | | Weighted Average Exercise Price | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value (000's) | | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) | Employee Stock Options | | Number of Shares | | Weighted-average Exercise Price | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) | | Weighted-average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) |
| Balance, December 31, 2012 | | 71,001 |
| | $ | 19.73 |
| | $ | 42,647 |
| | 1.3 | |
| Assumed in acquisitions | | 540,179 |
| | $ | 260.96 |
| | | | |
| Exercised | | (449,670 | ) | | $ | 194.68 |
| | | | |
| Forfeited | | (23,802 | ) | | $ | 478.83 |
| | | | |
| Balance, December 31, 2013 | | 137,708 |
| | $ | 315.36 |
| | $ | 116,686 |
| | 6.6 | |
| Assumed in acquisitions | | 61,897 |
| | $ | 457.67 |
| | | | |
| Exercised | | (51,003 | ) | | $ | 293.59 |
| | | | |
| Forfeited | | (2,217 | ) | | $ | 517.91 |
| | | | |
| Balance, December 31, 2014 | Balance, December 31, 2014 | | 146,385 |
| | $ | 380.05 |
| | $ | 111,277 |
| | 6.5 | Balance, December 31, 2014 | | 146,385 |
| | $ | 380.05 |
| | $ | 111,277 |
| | 6.5 |
| Assumed in acquisitions | Assumed in acquisitions | | 1,422 |
| | $ | 230.37 |
| | | | Assumed in acquisitions | | 1,422 |
| | $ | 230.37 |
| | | |
| Exercised | Exercised | | (52,697 | ) | | $ | 355.85 |
| | | | Exercised | | (52,697 | ) | | $ | 355.85 |
| | | |
| Forfeited | Forfeited | | (6,006 | ) | | $ | 511.87 |
| | | | Forfeited | | (6,006 | ) | | $ | 511.87 |
| | | |
| Balance, December 31, 2015 | Balance, December 31, 2015 | | 89,104 |
| | $ | 383.03 |
| | $ | 79,474 |
| | 5.4 | Balance, December 31, 2015 | | 89,104 |
| | $ | 383.03 |
| | $ | 79,474 |
| | 5.4 |
| Vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2015 | | 72,654 |
| | $ | 354.59 |
| | $ | 66,868 |
| | 5.0 | |
| Vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2015 and expected to vest thereafter, net of estimated forfeitures | | 88,687 |
| | $ | 383.06 |
| | $ | 79,099 |
| | 5.4 | |
| Exercised | | Exercised | | (38,150 | ) | | $ | 404.40 |
| | | |
| Forfeited | | Forfeited | | (1,971 | ) | | $ | 241.65 |
| | | |
| Balance, December 31, 2016 | | Balance, December 31, 2016 | | 48,983 |
| | $ | 372.07 |
| | $ | 53,587 |
| | 4.4 |
| Exercised | | Exercised | | (17,359 | ) | | $ | 294.45 |
| | | |
| Forfeited | | Forfeited | | (949 | ) | | $ | 837.09 |
| | | |
| Balance, December 31, 2017 | | Balance, December 31, 2017 | | 30,675 |
| | $ | 401.61 |
| | $ | 40,986 |
| | 3.9 |
| Vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2017 | | Vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2017 | | 30,504 |
| | $ | 398.63 |
| | $ | 40,848 |
| | 3.9 |
| Vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2017 and expected to vest thereafter | | Vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2017 and expected to vest thereafter | | 30,675 |
| | $ | 401.61 |
| | $ | 40,986 |
| | 3.9 |
The aggregate intrinsic value of employee stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 20152017, 20142016 and 20132015 was $46.3$26.0 million, $49.2$35.1 million and $281.8$46.3 million, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013,2015, stock options assumed in acquisitions vested for 1,515, 12,180 and 38,689 41,524 and 65,293 shares, respectively, with an acquisition-date fair value of $24.4$0.9 million, $24.2$7.6 million and $30.9$24.4 million, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 20152017, 20142016 and 2013,2015, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options of $24.9$0.8 million, $24.7$6.8 million and $30.9$24.9 million, respectively. Employee stock options
assumed in acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2015 had a total acquisition-date fair value of $1.4 million based on a weighted-average acquisition date fair value of $1,015.81 per share. As of December 31, 2015,2017, there was $9.7$0.1 million of total future compensation costs related to unvested employee stock options to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.30.3 years.
Short-term and Long-term Investments in Available for SaleAvailable-for-sale Securities
See Note 2 for the Company's accounting policy related to its investments in available-for-sale securities. The following table summarizes, by major security type, the Company's investments as of December 31, 20152017 (in thousands):
| | | | Cost | | Gross Unrealized Gains | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value | Cost | | Gross Unrealized Gains | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value |
| Short-term investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Foreign government securities | $ | 395,404 |
| | $ | 497 |
| | $ | (104 | ) | | $ | 395,797 |
| |
| International government securities | | $ | 725,566 |
| | $ | 246 |
| | $ | (436 | ) | | $ | 725,376 |
|
| U.S. government securities | 457,001 |
| | — |
| | (507 | ) | | 456,494 |
| 996,112 |
| | 5 |
| | (1,999 | ) | | 994,118 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | 305,654 |
| | 25 |
| | (419 | ) | | 305,260 |
| 3,067,703 |
| | 449 |
| | (4,837 | ) | | 3,063,315 |
|
| U.S. government agency securities | | 4,444 |
| | — |
| | (30 | ) | | 4,414 |
|
| Commercial paper | 11,688 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 11,688 |
| 72,650 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 72,650 |
|
| U.S. government agency securities | 2,009 |
| | — |
| | (2 | ) | | 2,007 |
| |
| Total short-term investments | $ | 1,171,756 |
| | $ | 522 |
| | $ | (1,032 | ) | | $ | 1,171,246 |
| $ | 4,866,475 |
| | $ | 700 |
| | $ | (7,302 | ) | | $ | 4,859,873 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Long-term investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Foreign government securities | $ | 718,947 |
| | $ | 1,367 |
| | $ | (683 | ) | | $ | 719,631 |
| |
| International government securities | | $ | 607,000 |
| | $ | 1,588 |
| | $ | (678 | ) | | $ | 607,910 |
|
| U.S. government securities | 580,155 |
| | 277 |
| | (1,982 | ) | | 578,450 |
| 844,910 |
| | 2 |
| | (10,636 | ) | | 834,276 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | 4,294,282 |
| | 1,273 |
| | (18,941 | ) | | 4,276,614 |
| 6,689,747 |
| | 8,399 |
| | (41,722 | ) | | 6,656,424 |
|
| U.S. municipal securities | 1,080 |
| | 3 |
| | — |
| | 1,083 |
| |
| U.S. government agency securities | | 500 |
| | — |
| | (6 | ) | | 494 |
|
| Ctrip convertible debt securities | 1,250,000 |
| | 158,600 |
| | (30,050 | ) | | 1,378,550 |
| 1,275,000 |
| | 103,100 |
| | (9,600 | ) | | 1,368,500 |
|
| Ctrip equity securities | 630,311 |
| | 346,724 |
| | — |
| | 977,035 |
| 655,311 |
| | 299,697 |
| | (1,012 | ) | | 953,996 |
|
| Total long-term investments | $ | 7,474,775 |
| | $ | 508,244 |
| | $ | (51,656 | ) | | $ | 7,931,363 |
| $ | 10,072,468 |
| | $ | 412,786 |
| | $ | (63,654 | ) | | $ | 10,421,600 |
|
The Company's investment policy seeks to preserve capital and maintain sufficient liquidity to meet operational and other needs of the business. As of December 31, 2015,2017, the weighted-average life of the Company’s fixed income investment portfolio, excluding the Company's investment in Ctrip convertible debt securities, was approximately 2.01.4 years with an average credit quality of A/A2/A.A+/A1/A+.
The Company invests in foreigninternational government securities with high credit quality. As of December 31, 2015,2017, investments in foreigninternational government securities principally included debt securities issued by the governments of Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, BelgiumGermany and Austria.
The following table summarizes, by major security type, the Company's investments as of December 31, 2016 (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Cost | | Gross Unrealized Gains | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value |
| Short-term investments: | | | | | | | |
| International government securities | $ | 249,552 |
| | $ | 221 |
| | $ | (89 | ) | | $ | 249,684 |
|
| U.S. government securities | 456,971 |
| | 57 |
| | (140 | ) | | 456,888 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | 1,510,119 |
| | 1,119 |
| | (928 | ) | | 1,510,310 |
|
| Commercial paper | 1,998 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,998 |
|
| Total short-term investments | $ | 2,218,640 |
| | $ | 1,397 |
| | $ | (1,157 | ) | | $ | 2,218,880 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Long-term investments: | | | | | | | |
| International government securities | $ | 655,857 |
| | $ | 4,110 |
| | $ | (623 | ) | | $ | 659,344 |
|
| U.S. government securities | 773,718 |
| | 337 |
| | (7,463 | ) | | 766,592 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | 6,042,271 |
| | 9,973 |
| | (50,455 | ) | | 6,001,789 |
|
| U.S. government agency securities | 4,979 |
| | — |
| | (27 | ) | | 4,952 |
|
| Ctrip convertible debt securities | 1,275,000 |
| | 65,800 |
| | (47,712 | ) | | 1,293,088 |
|
| Ctrip equity securities | 655,311 |
| | 213,233 |
| | (3,242 | ) | | 865,302 |
|
| Total long-term investments | $ | 9,407,136 |
| | $ | 293,453 |
| | $ | (109,522 | ) | | $ | 9,591,067 |
|
The Company recognized net realized gains of $0.7 million, $1.1 million and $2.2 million related to investments for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, the Company does not consider any of its investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
Investments in Ctrip Available-for-sale Securities
On May 26, 2015 and August 7, 2014, the Company invested $250 million and $500 million, respectively, in five-year senior convertible notes issued at par by Ctrip.com International Ltd. ("Ctrip").Ctrip. On December 11, 2015, the Company invested $500 million in a Ctrip ten-year senior convertible note issued at par value, which included a put option allowing the Company, at its option, to require a prepayment in cash from Ctrip at the end of the sixth year of the note. On September 12, 2016, the Company invested $25 million in a Ctrip six-year senior convertible note issued at par value, which included a put option allowing the Company, at its option, to require prepayment in cash from Ctrip at the end of the third year of the note. The Company determined that the economic characteristics and risks of the put option are clearly and closely related to the note, and therefore were not embedded derivatives.
The Company evaluated the conversion features for all Ctrip senior convertible notes and only the conversion feature associated with the September 2016 investment met the definition of an embedded derivative (see Note 5). The Company monitors the conversion features of these notes to determine whether they meet the definition of an embedded derivative during each reporting period. As of December 31, 2015,2017, the Company had also invested $630.3$655.3 million of its international cash in Ctrip American Depositary Shares ("ADSs"). The convertible debt and equity securities of Ctrip have been marked-to-market in accordance with the accounting guidance for available-for-sale securities.
In connection with the purchase of theCompany's investments in Ctrip's convertible note in August 2014,notes, Ctrip granted the Company the right to appoint an observer to Ctrip'sits board of directors and permission to acquire Ctripits shares (through the acquisition of Ctrip ADSs in the open market) over the twelve months following the purchase date, so that combined with ADSs issuable upon conversion of this note, the Company could hold up to 10% of Ctrip's outstanding equity. In connection with the purchase of the convertible note in May 2015, Ctrip granted the Company permission to acquire additional Ctrip shares (through the acquisition of Ctrip ADSs in the open market) over the twelve months following the purchase date, so that combined with ADSs issuable upon conversion of the August 2014, and May 2015 and September 2016 convertible notes, the Company could hold up to an aggregate of approximately 15% of Ctrip's outstanding equity. Underequity plus any ADSs issuable upon the termsconversion of the December 2015 convertible note, the ADSs into which this debt could be converted will not be included in the aggregate 15% ownership holding.notes. As of December 31, 2015,2017, the Company did not have a significant influence over Ctrip. In addition, the Company may acquire the additional ADSs without a time limitation.
The following table summarizes, by major security type, the Company's investments as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Cost | | Gross Unrealized Gains | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value |
| Short-term investments: | | | | | | | |
| Foreign government securities | $ | 52,524 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | (34 | ) | | $ | 52,490 |
|
| U.S. government securities | 364,276 |
| | 24 |
| | (34 | ) | | 364,266 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | 582,160 |
| | 15 |
| | (652 | ) | | 581,523 |
|
| Commercial paper | 39,092 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 39,092 |
|
| U.S. government agency securities | 104,829 |
| | — |
| | (18 | ) | | 104,811 |
|
| Total short-term investments | $ | 1,142,881 |
| | $ | 39 |
| | $ | (738 | ) | | $ | 1,142,182 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Long-term investments: | | | | | | | |
| Foreign government securities | $ | 12,707 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | (36 | ) | | $ | 12,671 |
|
| U.S. government securities | 557,130 |
| | 80 |
| | (762 | ) | | 556,448 |
|
| U.S. corporate debt securities | 2,332,030 |
| | 2,299 |
| | (5,296 | ) | | 2,329,033 |
|
| U.S. government agency securities | 95,108 |
| | 97 |
| | (111 | ) | | 95,094 |
|
| U.S. municipal securities | 1,114 |
| | — |
| | (12 | ) | | 1,102 |
|
| Ctrip corporate debt securities | 500,000 |
| | — |
| | (74,039 | ) | | 425,961 |
|
| Ctrip equity securities | 421,930 |
| | — |
| | (86,586 | ) | | 335,344 |
|
| Total long-term investments | $ | 3,920,019 |
| | $ | 2,476 |
| | $ | (166,842 | ) | | $ | 3,755,653 |
|
The Company has classified its investments as available-for-sale securities. These securities are carried at estimated fair value with the aggregate unrealized gains and losses related to these investments, net of taxes, reflected as a part of "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Classification as short-term or long-term is based upon the maturity of the debt securities.
The Company recognized $2.2 million of net realized gains related to investments for the year ended December 31, 2015. There were no significant realized gains or losses related to investments for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Cost MethodCost-method Investments
The Company held investments in equity securities of private companies, which are typically at an early stage of development, of approximately $62.3$450.9 million and $0.6$7.6 million as of December 31, 20152017 and December 31, 2014,2016, respectively.
In October 2017, the Company invested $450.0 million in preferred shares of Meituan-Dianping, a Chinese group-buying website. These investments are accounted for under the cost method and included in "Other assets" in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. AsThe Company evaluates its investments quarterly to determine if any indicators of other-than-temporary impairment exist.
For the years ended December 31, 2015,2017 and 2016, the Company did not estimate the fair valuerecognized an impairment of these cost-method$7.6 million and $63.2 million, respectively, to write off its investments because there were no identified events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse impact on the carrying values of these investments.certain private companies.
| |
| 5. | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS |
Financial assets and liabilities are carried at fair value as of December 31, 20152017 and are classified in the categories described in the tables below (in thousands):
| | | | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Total | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Total |
| ASSETS: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cash equivalents: | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury money market funds | | $ | 99,117 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 99,117 |
| |
| Foreign government securities | | — |
| | 10,659 |
| | 10,659 |
| |
| Cash and restricted cash equivalents: | | | | | | | |
| Money market funds | | | $ | 1,895,272 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 1,895,272 |
|
| U.S. government securities | | — |
| | 90,441 |
| | 90,441 |
| | — |
| | 22,265 |
| | 22,265 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | | — |
| | 1,855 |
| | 1,855 |
| | — |
| | 6,674 |
| | 6,674 |
|
| Commercial paper | | — |
| | 335,663 |
| | 335,663 |
| | — |
| | 96,321 |
| | 96,321 |
|
| Time deposits | | | 17,896 |
| | — |
| | 17,896 |
|
| Short-term investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Foreign government securities | | — |
| | 395,797 |
| | 395,797 |
| |
| International government securities | | | — |
| | 725,376 |
| | 725,376 |
|
| U.S. government securities | | — |
| | 456,494 |
| | 456,494 |
| | — |
| | 994,118 |
| | 994,118 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | | — |
| | 305,260 |
| | 305,260 |
| | — |
| | 3,063,315 |
| | 3,063,315 |
|
| U.S. government agency securities | | | — |
| | 4,414 |
| | 4,414 |
|
| Commercial paper | | — |
| | 11,688 |
| | 11,688 |
| | — |
| | 72,650 |
| | 72,650 |
|
| U.S. government agency securities | | — |
| | 2,007 |
| | 2,007 |
| |
| Foreign exchange derivatives | | — |
| | 363 |
| | 363 |
| |
| Long-term investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Foreign government securities | | — |
| | 719,631 |
| | 719,631 |
| |
| International government securities | | | — |
| | 607,910 |
| | 607,910 |
|
| U.S. government securities | | — |
| | 578,450 |
| | 578,450 |
| | — |
| | 834,276 |
| | 834,276 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | | — |
| | 4,276,614 |
| | 4,276,614 |
| | — |
| | 6,656,424 |
| | 6,656,424 |
|
| U.S. municipal securities | | — |
| | 1,083 |
| | 1,083 |
| |
| U.S. government agency securities | | | — |
| | 494 |
| | 494 |
|
| Ctrip convertible debt securities | | — |
| | 1,378,550 |
| | 1,378,550 |
| | — |
| | 1,368,500 |
| | 1,368,500 |
|
| Ctrip equity securities | | 977,035 |
| | — |
| | 977,035 |
| | 953,996 |
| | — |
| | 953,996 |
|
| Derivatives: | | | | | | | |
| Currency exchange derivatives | | | — |
| | 1,767 |
| | 1,767 |
|
| Total assets at fair value | | $ | 1,076,152 |
| | $ | 8,564,555 |
| | $ | 9,640,707 |
| | $ | 2,867,164 |
| | $ | 14,454,504 |
| | $ | 17,321,668 |
|
| | | | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Total | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Total |
| LIABILITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Foreign exchange derivatives | | $ | — |
| | $ | 644 |
| | $ | 644 |
| |
| Currency exchange derivatives | | | $ | — |
| | $ | 127 |
| | $ | 127 |
|
Financial assets and liabilities are carried at fair value as of December 31, 20142016 and are classified in the categories described in the tables below (in thousands):
| | | | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Total | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Total |
| ASSETS: | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Cash equivalents: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. Treasury money market funds | | $ | 155,608 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 155,608 |
| |
| Foreign government securities | | — |
| | 974,855 |
| | 974,855 |
| |
| Money market funds | | | $ | 977,468 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 977,468 |
|
| International government securities | | | — |
| | 30,266 |
| | 30,266 |
|
| U.S. government securities | | — |
| | 676,503 |
| | 676,503 |
| | — |
| | 176,140 |
| | 176,140 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | | — |
| | 45,340 |
| | 45,340 |
| | — |
| | 9,273 |
| | 9,273 |
|
| Commercial paper | | — |
| | 382,544 |
| | 382,544 |
| | — |
| | 1,998 |
| | 1,998 |
|
| U.S. government agency securities | | — |
| | 10,000 |
| | 10,000 |
| |
| Time deposits | | | 49,160 |
| | — |
| | 49,160 |
|
| Short-term investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Foreign government securities | | — |
| | 52,490 |
| | 52,490 |
| |
| International government securities | | | — |
| | 249,684 |
| | 249,684 |
|
| U.S. government securities | | — |
| | 364,266 |
| | 364,266 |
| | — |
| | 456,888 |
| | 456,888 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | | — |
| | 581,523 |
| | 581,523 |
| | — |
| | 1,510,310 |
| | 1,510,310 |
|
| Commercial paper | | — |
| | 39,092 |
| | 39,092 |
| | — |
| | 1,998 |
| | 1,998 |
|
| U.S. government agency securities | | — |
| | 104,811 |
| | 104,811 |
| |
| Foreign exchange derivatives | | — |
| | 336 |
| | 336 |
| |
| Long-term investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Foreign government securities | | — |
| | 12,671 |
| | 12,671 |
| |
| International government securities | | | — |
| | 659,344 |
| | 659,344 |
|
| U.S. government securities | | — |
| | 556,448 |
| | 556,448 |
| | — |
| | 766,592 |
| | 766,592 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | | — |
| | 2,329,033 |
| | 2,329,033 |
| | — |
| | 6,001,789 |
| | 6,001,789 |
|
| U.S. government agency securities | | — |
| | 95,094 |
| | 95,094 |
| | — |
| | 4,952 |
| | 4,952 |
|
| U.S. municipal securities | | — |
| | 1,102 |
| | 1,102 |
| |
| Ctrip convertible debt securities | | — |
| | 425,961 |
| | 425,961 |
| | — |
| | 1,293,088 |
| | 1,293,088 |
|
| Ctrip equity securities | | 335,344 |
| | — |
| | 335,344 |
| | 865,302 |
| | — |
| | 865,302 |
|
| Derivatives: | | | | | | | |
| Currency exchange derivatives | | | — |
| | 756 |
| | 756 |
|
| Total assets at fair value | | $ | 490,952 |
| | $ | 6,652,069 |
| | $ | 7,143,021 |
| | $ | 1,891,930 |
| | $ | 11,163,078 |
| | $ | 13,055,008 |
|
| | | | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Total | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Total |
| LIABILITIES: | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Foreign exchange derivatives | | $ | — |
| | $ | 129 |
| | $ | 129 |
| |
| Currency exchange derivatives | | | $ | — |
| | $ | 1,015 |
| | $ | 1,015 |
|
There are three levels of inputs to measure fair value. The definition of each input is described below:
| |
Level 1: | Quoted prices in active markets that are accessible by the Company at the measurement date for identical assets and liabilities. |
| |
Level 2: | Inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. Such prices may be based upon quoted prices for identical or comparable securities in active markets or inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data. |
| |
Level 3: | Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available. |
Investments in corporate debt securities, U.S. and foreigninternational government securities, commercial paper, government agency securities and convertible debt securities and municipal securities are considered "Level 2" valuations because the Company has access to quoted prices, but does not have visibility to the volume and frequency of trading for all of these investments. For the Company's investments, a market approach is used for recurring fair value measurements and the valuation techniques use inputs that are observable, or can be corroborated by observable data, in an active marketplace.
The Company's derivative instruments are valued using pricing models. Pricing models take into account the contract terms as well as multiple inputs where applicable, such as interest rate yield curves, option volatility and currency rates.
Derivatives are considered "Level 2" fair value measurements. The Company's derivative instruments are typically short-term in nature.
As of December 31, 20152017 and 20142016, the Company's cash consisted of bank deposits and cash held in investment accounts.deposits. Other financial assets and liabilities, including restricted cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and deferred merchant bookings are carried at cost which approximates their fair value because of the short-term nature of these items. As of December 31, 2015,2017 and 2016, the Company held investments in equity securities of private companies of approximately $62.3$450.9 million and $7.6 million, respectively, and these investments are accounted for under the cost method of accounting (see Note 4). See Note 4 for information on the carrying value of available-for-sale investments, and Note 10 for the estimated fair value of the Company's outstanding Senior Notes. SeeNotes and Note 1918 for the Company's contingent liabilities associated with business acquisitions.
In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The Company limits these risks by following established risk management policies and procedures, including the use of derivatives. See Note 2 for further information on ourthe Company's accounting policy foron derivative financial instruments.
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments — The Company is exposed to adverse movements in currency exchange rates as the operating results of its international operations are translated from local currency into U.S. Dollars upon consolidation. The Company'sCompany enters into average-rate derivative contracts principally addressto hedge translation risks from short-term foreign exchange rate fluctuations for the Euro, and British Pound Sterling and certain other currencies versus the U.S. Dollar. As of December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, there were no outstanding derivative contracts related to foreign currency translation risk. Foreign exchangerisks. Derivatives associated with these translation risks resulted in foreign currency losses of $6.6$2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, foreign currency gains of $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and foreign currency losses of $6.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, and foreign exchange gains of $13.7 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively,which were recorded related to these derivatives in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The Company also enters into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge its exposure to the impact of movements in currency exchange rates on its transactional balances denominated in currencies other than the functional currency. Foreign exchangecurrency derivatives outstanding as of December 31, 20152017 associated with foreign currency transaction risks resulted in a net liability of $0.3 million, with a liability in the amount of $0.7 million recorded in "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" and an asset in the amount of $0.4 million recorded in "Prepaid expenses and other current assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Foreign exchange derivatives outstanding as of December 31, 2014 associated with foreign exchange transaction risks resulted in a net asset of $0.2$1.6 million, with an asset in the amount of $0.3$1.7 million recorded in "Prepaid expenseexpenses and other current assets" and a liability in the amount of $0.1 million recorded in "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Foreign currency derivatives outstanding as of December 31, 2016 associated with foreign currency transaction risks resulted in a net liability of $0.3 million, with a liability in the amount of $1.0 million recorded in "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" and an asset in the amount of $0.7 million recorded in "Prepaid expenses and other current assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Derivatives associated with these transaction risks resulted in foreign exchangecurrency gains of $45.4 million and foreign currency losses of $15.3$15.8 million and $21.8$15.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, and 2014, respectively, and foreign exchange gains of $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.respectively. These mark-to-market adjustments on the derivative contracts, offset by the effect of changes in currency exchange rates on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency, resulted in net losses of $13.8$27.2 million, $11.8$13.9 million and $5.5$13.8 million for the years ended December 31, 20152017, 20142016 and 2013,2015, respectively. These net impacts are reported in “Foreign"Foreign currency transactions and other”other" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The settlement of derivative contracts not designated as hedging instruments resulted in net cash outflowsinflows of $33.9$41.2 million and $8.9$4.5 million for the years ended December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively, andcompared to a net cash inflowoutflow of $4.4$33.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, respectively,2015, and wereare reported within "Net cash provided by operating activities" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments — The Company had no foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges of its net investment in a foreign subsidiary outstanding as ofduring the years ended December 31, 20152017 and 2014.2016. A net cash inflow of $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 and net cash outflows of $80.3 million and $78.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, werewas reported within "Net"Net cash used in investing activities"activities" in the Consolidated StatementsStatement of Cash Flows.
Embedded Derivative — In September 2016, the Company invested $25 million in a Ctrip convertible note (see Note 4). The Company determined that the conversion option for this note met the definition of an embedded derivative. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the embedded derivative had an estimated fair value of $1.8 million and is reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets with its host contract in "Long-term investments." The embedded derivative is bifurcated for measurement purposes only and the mark-to-market for the year ended December 31, 2016 was a loss of $1.1 million, which is included in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations.
| |
6. | ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE RESERVES |
The Company records a provision for uncollectible agency commissions principally receivables from accommodationsand chargebacks related to agency reservations. The Company also accrues for costs associated with merchant transactions made on its websites by individuals using fraudulentdisputed credit cards and for other amounts "charged back" as a result of payment disputes.card payments. Changes in accounts receivable reserves consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2013 | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | 14,212 |
| | $ | 14,116 |
| | $ | 10,322 |
| $ | 25,565 |
| | $ | 15,014 |
| | $ | 14,212 |
|
| Provision charged to expense | 24,324 |
| | 22,990 |
| | 16,451 |
| 62,316 |
| | 46,241 |
| | 24,324 |
|
| Charge-offs and adjustments | (22,682 | ) | | (21,546 | ) | | (13,072 | ) | (51,652 | ) | | (35,233 | ) | | (22,682 | ) |
| Currency translation adjustments | (840 | ) | | (1,348 | ) | | 415 |
| 3,053 |
| | (457 | ) | | (840 | ) |
| Balance, end of year | $ | 15,014 |
| | $ | 14,212 |
| | $ | 14,116 |
| $ | 39,282 |
| | $ | 25,565 |
| | $ | 15,014 |
|
The Company computes basic net income per share by dividing net income applicable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is based upon the weighted-average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period.
Common equivalent shares related to stock options, restricted stock units, and performance share units are calculated using the treasury stock method. Performance share units are included in the weighted-average common equivalent shares based on the number of shares that would be issued if the end of the reporting period were the end of the performance period, if the result would be dilutive.
The Company's convertible debt issuesnotes have net share settlement features requiring the Company upon conversion to settle the principal amount of the debt for cash and the conversion premium for cash or shares of the Company's common stock, at the Company's option. The convertible notes are included in the calculation of diluted net income per share if their inclusion is dilutive under the treasury stock method.
A reconciliation of the weighted-average number of shares outstanding used in calculating diluted earnings per share is as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | For the Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2013 |
| Weighted average number of basic common shares outstanding | 50,940 |
| | 52,301 |
| | 50,924 |
|
| Weighted average dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and performance share units | 395 |
| | 340 |
| | 382 |
|
| Assumed conversion of Convertible Senior Notes | 258 |
| | 382 |
| | 1,107 |
|
| Weighted average number of diluted common and common equivalent shares outstanding | 51,593 |
| | 53,023 |
| | 52,413 |
|
| Anti-dilutive potential common shares | 2,563 |
| | 2,574 |
| | 2,384 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | For the Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Weighted-average number of basic common shares outstanding | 48,994 |
| | 49,491 |
| | 50,940 |
|
| Weighted-average dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and performance share units | 295 |
| | 238 |
| | 395 |
|
| Assumed conversion of Convertible Senior Notes | 665 |
| | 334 |
| | 258 |
|
| Weighted-average number of diluted common and common equivalent shares outstanding | 49,954 |
| | 50,063 |
| | 51,593 |
|
| Anti-dilutive potential common shares | 1,864 |
| | 2,443 |
| | 2,563 |
|
Anti-dilutive potential common shares for the years ended December 31, 20152017, 20142016 and 20132015 include approximately 2.11.4 million shares, 2.12.0 million shares and 2.02.1 million shares, respectively, that could be issued under the Company's outstanding convertible notes. Under the treasury stock method, the convertible notes will generally have an anti-dilutive impact on net income per share if the conversion prices for the convertible notes exceed the Company's average stock price.
In 2006, the Company issued $172.5 million aggregate principal amount of convertible notes due September 30, 2013 (the "2013 Notes"). In 2006, the Company also entered into hedge transactions (the "Conversion Spread Hedges") relating to the potential dilution of the Company's common stock upon conversion of the 2013 Notes at their stated maturity date. The Conversion Spread Hedges were settled in October 2013 and the Company received 42,160 shares of common stock from the counterparties. The settlement was accounted for as an equity transaction. Since the impact of the Conversion Spread Hedges
was anti-dilutive, it was excluded from the calculation of net income per share until the shares of common stock were received in October 2013.
Property and equipment at December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | 2015 | | 2014 | | Estimated
Useful Lives
(years) | 2017 | | 2016 | | Estimated
Useful Lives
(years) |
| Computer equipment and software | $ | 396,961 |
| | $ | 332,650 |
| | 2 to 5 years | $ | 769,622 |
| | $ | 522,675 |
| | 1 to 5 years |
| Office equipment, furniture, fixtures & leasehold improvements | 138,171 |
| | 110,297 |
| | 2 to 11 years | |
| Leasehold improvements | | 198,766 |
| | 143,191 |
| | 1 to 15 years |
| Office equipment, furniture and fixtures | | 46,722 |
| | 34,176 |
| | 3 to 10 years |
| Building construction-in-progress | | 8,388 |
| | 5,945 |
| |
| Total | 535,132 |
| | 442,947 |
| | | 1,023,498 |
| | 705,987 |
| | |
| Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization | (260,346 | ) | | (243,994 | ) | | | |
| Less: accumulated depreciation | | (543,417 | ) | | (358,970 | ) | | |
| Property and equipment, net | $ | 274,786 |
| | $ | 198,953 |
| | | $ | 480,081 |
| | $ | 347,017 |
| | |
Fixed asset depreciation and amortizationDepreciation expense was approximately $101.5187.2 million, $78.2140.1 million and $48.4101.5 million for the years ended December 31, 20152017, 20142016 and 20132015, respectively. Asset retirements in the amount of $75.0 million during 2015 impacted the December 31, 2015 balances for gross property and equipment and accumulated depreciation and amortization.
| |
| 9. | INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL |
The Company's intangible assets at December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | December 31, 2015 | | December 31, 2014 | | | | December 31, 2017 | | December 31, 2016 | | | |
| | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Carrying Amount | | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Carrying Amount | | Amortization Period | | Weighted Average Useful Life | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Carrying Amount | | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Carrying Amount | | Amortization Period | | Weighted Average Useful Life |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Supply and distribution agreements | $ | 824,932 |
| | $ | (227,994 | ) | | $ | 596,938 |
| | $ | 842,642 |
| | $ | (188,441 | ) | | $ | 654,201 |
| | 10 - 20 years | | 16 years | $ | 1,056,660 |
| | $ | (355,000 | ) | | $ | 701,660 |
| | $ | 809,287 |
| | $ | (270,813 | ) | | $ | 538,474 |
| | 3 - 20 years | | 16 years |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Technology | 112,639 |
| | (61,404 | ) | | 51,235 |
| | 108,987 |
| | (43,746 | ) | | 65,241 |
| | 1 - 5 years | | 5 years | 137,288 |
| | (104,478 | ) | | 32,810 |
| | 112,141 |
| | (80,549 | ) | | 31,592 |
| | 1 - 5 years | | 5 years |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Patents | 1,623 |
| | (1,562 | ) | | 61 |
| | 1,623 |
| | (1,524 | ) | | 99 |
| | 15 years | | 15 years | 1,623 |
| | (1,623 | ) | | — |
| | 1,623 |
| | (1,598 | ) | | 25 |
| | 15 years | | 15 years |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Internet domain names | 40,352 |
| | (20,954 | ) | | 19,398 |
| | 41,652 |
| | (16,895 | ) | | 24,757 |
| | 2 - 20 years | | 8 years | 42,265 |
| | (28,802 | ) | | 13,463 |
| | 39,495 |
| | (25,089 | ) | | 14,406 |
| | 5 - 20 years | | 8 years |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Trade names | 1,671,356 |
| | (183,101 | ) | | 1,488,255 |
| | 1,674,218 |
| | (100,850 | ) | | 1,573,368 |
| | 4-20 years | | 20 years | 1,779,076 |
| | (350,447 | ) | | 1,428,629 |
| | 1,667,221 |
| | (261,412 | ) | | 1,405,809 |
| | 4-20 years | | 19 years |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-compete agreements | 22,847 |
| | (11,201 | ) | | 11,646 |
| | 21,000 |
| | (3,908 | ) | | 17,092 |
| | 3-4 years | | 3 years | 21,900 |
| | (21,639 | ) | | 261 |
| | 21,900 |
| | (18,321 | ) | | 3,579 |
| | 3-4 years | | 3 years |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other | 135 |
| | (135 | ) | | — |
| | 141 |
| | (138 | ) | | 3 |
| |
| |
| |
| Total intangible assets | $ | 2,673,884 |
| | $ | (506,351 | ) | | $ | 2,167,533 |
| | $ | 2,690,263 |
| | $ | (355,502 | ) | | $ | 2,334,761 |
| | | | | $ | 3,038,812 |
| | $ | (861,989 | ) | | $ | 2,176,823 |
| | $ | 2,651,667 |
| | $ | (657,782 | ) | | $ | 1,993,885 |
| | | | |
Intangible assets with determinable lives are amortized on a straight-line basis. Intangible assets amortizationAmortization expense was approximately $171.0175.5 million, $129.6169.1 million and $69.6171.0 million for the years ended December 31, 20152017, 20142016 and 20132015, respectively.
The annual estimated amortization expense for intangible assets for the next five years and thereafter is expected to be as follows (in thousands):
| | | 2016 | $ | 168,444 |
| |
| 2017 | 161,207 |
| |
| 2018 | 142,638 |
| $ | 172,393 |
|
| 2019 | 132,192 |
| 160,864 |
|
| 2020 | 124,651 |
| 152,868 |
|
| 2021 | | 146,695 |
|
| 2022 | | 143,862 |
|
| Thereafter | 1,438,401 |
| 1,400,141 |
|
| | $ | 2,167,533 |
| $ | 2,176,823 |
|
A roll-forward of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | 2015 | | 2014 | 2017 | | 2016 |
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | 3,326,474 |
| | $ | 1,767,912 |
| $ | 2,396,906 |
| | $ | 3,375,000 |
|
| Acquisitions | 74,584 |
| | 1,590,829 |
| 294,200 |
| | — |
|
| Impairment | | — |
| | (940,700 | ) |
| Currency translation adjustments | (26,058 | ) | | (32,267 | ) | 46,565 |
| | (37,394 | ) |
| Balance, end of year | $ | 3,375,000 |
| | $ | 3,326,474 |
| $ | 2,737,671 |
| | $ | 2,396,906 |
|
A substantial portion of the Company's intangibles and goodwill relates to the acquisition of OpenTable in July 2014 and KAYAK in May 2013. See Note 19 for further information on these acquisitions.
As of September 30, 2015,2017, the Company performed its annual quantitative goodwill impairment testing using standard valuation techniques and concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill.test. Other than OpenTable, the fair values of the Company'sCompany’s reporting units substantially exceeded their respective carrying values as of September 30, 2015. Since the annual impairment test, there have been no events or changes in circumstances to indicate a potential impairment.values.
As of September 30, 2015, OpenTable’s carrying value was $2.5 billion, of which $1.5 billion relates to goodwill. OpenTable
The fair value of OpenTable slightly exceeded its carrying value as of September 30, 2015.Company estimated OpenTable’s fair value was estimated using a combination of standard valuation techniques, including an income approach (discounted cash flows) and market approaches (EBITDA multiples of comparable publicly-traded companies and for precedent transactions). At September 30, 2017, OpenTable's fair value was approximately 18% higher than its fair value at September 30, 2016, which reflects performance that exceeded forecast.
Despite this increase in fair value, OpenTable's fair value was approximately 6% lower than its carrying value at September 30, 2017, thus failing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test. Therefore, the Company received assistance from a third-party valuation firm to develop a hypothetical purchase price allocation (Step 2). The results of Step 2 indicated there was no goodwill impairment at September 30, 2017 because the implied fair value of OpenTable's goodwill exceeded its carrying value by approximately 24%. In addition, the Company tested the recoverability of OpenTable’s other long-lived assets and concluded there was no impairment as of September 30, 2017. Since the annual impairment test, there have been no events or changes in circumstances to indicate a potential impairment.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment charge for goodwill related to OpenTable of $940.7 million, which was not tax deductible.
Revolving Credit Facility
In June 2015, the Company entered into a $2.0 billion five-year unsecured revolving credit facility with a group of lenders. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility will bear interest, at the Company’s option, at a rate per annum equal to either (i) the adjusted LIBOR for the interest period in effect for such borrowing plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.875% to 1.50%; or (ii) the greatest of (a) Bank of America, N.A.'s prime lending rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.5%0.50%, and (c) an adjusted LIBOR for an interest period of one month plus 1.00%, plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.00% to 0.50%. Undrawn balances available under the revolving credit facility are subject to commitment fees at the applicable rate ranging from 0.085% to 0.20%.
The revolving credit facility provides for the issuance of up to $70.0 million of letters of credit as well as borrowings of up to $50.0 million on same-day notice, referred to as swingline loans. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility may be made in U.S. Dollars, Euros, British Pounds Sterling and any other foreign currency agreed to by the lenders. The proceeds of loans made under the facility willwould be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, which could include acquisitions, share repurchases or share repurchases. As of December 31, 2015, there were no borrowings outstanding and approximately $2.5 million of letters of credit issued under this new facility.debt repayments. The Company paid $4.0 million in debt issuance costs related to the revolving credit facility during the year ended December 31, 2015. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were no borrowings outstanding and approximately $3.8 million of letters of credit issued under this facility.
Upon entering into this new revolving credit facility, the Company terminated its $1.0 billion five-year revolving credit facility entered into in October 2011 and recognized interest expense of $1.0 million related to the write-off of the
remaining unamortized debt issuance costs. As of December 31, 2014, there were no borrowings outstanding and approximately $4.0 million of letters of credit issued under this revolving credit facility.costs in 2015.
Outstanding Debt
Outstanding debt as of December 31, 20152017 consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | December 31, 2015 | | Outstanding Principal Amount | | Unamortized Debt
Discount and Debt
Issuance Cost | | Carrying Value | |
| December 31, 2017 | | | Outstanding Principal Amount | | Unamortized Debt
Discount and Debt
Issuance Cost | | Carrying Value |
| Short-term debt: | | | | | | | |
| 1.0% Convertible Senior Notes due March 2018 | | | $ | 714,304 |
| | $ | (3,394 | ) | | $ | 710,910 |
|
| Long-term debt: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1.0% Convertible Senior Notes due March 2018 | | $ | 1,000,000 |
| | $ | (58,929 | ) | | $ | 941,071 |
| |
| 0.35% Convertible Senior Notes due June 2020 | | 1,000,000 |
| | (114,898 | ) | | 885,102 |
| | $ | 1,000,000 |
| | $ | (64,825 | ) | | $ | 935,175 |
|
| 0.9% Convertible Senior Notes due September 2021 | | 1,000,000 |
| | (125,258 | ) | | 874,742 |
| | 1,000,000 |
| | (83,272 | ) | | 916,728 |
|
| 0.8% (€1 Billion) Senior Notes due March 2022 | | | 1,200,800 |
| | (6,238 | ) | | 1,194,562 |
|
| 2.15% (€750 Million) Senior Notes due November 2022 | | | 900,600 |
| | (4,683 | ) | | 895,917 |
|
| 2.75% Senior Notes due March 2023 | | | 500,000 |
| | (3,203 | ) | | 496,797 |
|
| 2.375% (€1 Billion) Senior Notes due September 2024 | | 1,086,957 |
| | (14,688 | ) | | 1,072,269 |
| | 1,200,800 |
| | (12,240 | ) | | 1,188,560 |
|
| 3.65% Senior Notes due March 2025 | | 500,000 |
| | (4,160 | ) | | 495,840 |
| | 500,000 |
| | (3,290 | ) | | 496,710 |
|
| 3.6% Senior Notes due June 2026 | | | 1,000,000 |
| | (6,840 | ) | | 993,160 |
|
| 1.8% (€1 Billion) Senior Notes due March 2027 | | 1,086,957 |
| | (6,200 | ) | | 1,080,757 |
| | 1,200,800 |
| | (5,136 | ) | | 1,195,664 |
|
| 2.15% (€750 Million) Senior Notes due November 2022 | | 815,217 |
| | (6,555 | ) | | 808,662 |
| |
| 3.55% Senior Notes due March 2028 | | | 500,000 |
| | (3,485 | ) | | 496,515 |
|
| Total long-term debt | | $ | 6,489,131 |
| | $ | (330,688 | ) | | $ | 6,158,443 |
| | $ | 9,003,000 |
| | $ | (193,212 | ) | | $ | 8,809,788 |
|
Outstanding debt as of December 31, 20142016 consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | December 31, 2014 | | Outstanding Principal Amount | | Unamortized Debt
Discount and Debt
Issuance Cost See Note 2 | | Carrying Value See Note 2 | |
| December 31, 2016 | | | Outstanding Principal Amount | | Unamortized Debt
Discount and Debt
Issuance Cost | | Carrying Value |
| Short-term debt: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1.25% Convertible Senior Notes due March 2015 | | $ | 37,524 |
| | $ | (374 | ) | | $ | 37,150 |
| |
| | | | | | | | |
| 1.0% Convertible Senior Notes due March 2018 | | | $ | 1,000,000 |
| | $ | (32,266 | ) | | $ | 967,734 |
|
| Long-term debt: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1.0% Convertible Senior Notes due March 2018 | | $ | 1,000,000 |
| | $ | (84,708 | ) | | $ | 915,292 |
| |
| 0.35% Convertible Senior Notes due June 2020 | | 1,000,000 |
| | (138,786 | ) | | 861,214 |
| | $ | 1,000,000 |
| | $ | (90,251 | ) | | $ | 909,749 |
|
| 0.9% Convertible Senior Notes due September 2021 | | 1,000,000 |
| | (145,311 | ) | | 854,689 |
| | 1,000,000 |
| | (104,592 | ) | | 895,408 |
|
| 2.15% (€750 Million) Senior Notes due November 2022 | | | 791,063 |
| | (5,336 | ) | | 785,727 |
|
| 2.375% (€1 Billion) Senior Notes due September 2024 | | 1,210,068 |
| | (17,393 | ) | | 1,192,675 |
| | 1,054,750 |
| | (12,861 | ) | | 1,041,889 |
|
| 3.65% Senior Notes due March 2025 | | | 500,000 |
| | (3,727 | ) | | 496,273 |
|
| 3.6% Senior Notes due June 2026 | | | 1,000,000 |
| | (7,619 | ) | | 992,381 |
|
| 1.8% (€1 Billion) Senior Notes due March 2027 | | | 1,054,750 |
| | (5,655 | ) | | 1,049,095 |
|
| Total long-term debt | | $ | 4,210,068 |
| | $ | (386,198 | ) | | $ | 3,823,870 |
| | $ | 6,400,563 |
| | $ | (230,041 | ) | | $ | 6,170,522 |
|
The 2015
Based upon the closing price of the Company's common stock for the prescribed measurement periods during the three months ended December 31, 2016, the contingent conversion threshold on the 2018 Notes (as defined below) was exceeded. The 2018 Notes became convertible on December 15, 2014,2017, at the option of the holders, and remainedwill remain convertible until the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date of March 15, 2015.2018, regardless of the Company's stock price. Therefore, the 2018 Notes were convertible at the option of the holders as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and, accordingly, the Company reported the carrying value of the 2018 Notes as a current liability in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. Since these notes wereare convertible at the option of the holders and the principal amount is required to be paid in cash, the difference between the principal amount and the carrying value was reflected as convertible debt in the mezzanine section in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014. Therefore, with respect to the 2015 Notes, the Company reclassified the unamortized debt discount for these 1.25%the 2018 Notes in the amount of $0.3$3.0 million and $28.5 million before tax as of December 31, 2014,2017 and 2016, respectively, from additional paid-in capitalpaid-in-capital to convertible debt in the mezzanine section in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet.Sheets.
Based upon the closing price of the Company's common stock for the prescribed measurement periods during the year ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the respectiveThe contingent conversion thresholds of the 2018 Notes (as defined below),on the 2020 Notes (as defined below) and the 2021 Notes (as defined below) were not exceeded at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and therefore these notes arewere reported as a non-current liabilitiesliability in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Fair Value of Debt
As of December 31, 20152017 and 20142016, the estimated marketfair value of the outstanding Senior Notes was approximately $7.0$11.1 billion and $4.8$8.4 billion, respectively, and was considered a "Level 2" fair value measurement (see Note 5). Fair value was estimated based upon actual trades at the end of the reporting period or the most recent trade available as well as the Company's stock price at the end of the reporting period. A substantial portion of the market value of the Company's debt in excess of the outstanding principal amount relates to the conversion premium on the Convertible Senior Notes.
Convertible Debt
If the note holders exercise their option to convert, the Company delivers cash to repay the principal amount of the notes and delivers shares of common stock or cash, at its option, to satisfy the conversion value in excess of the principal amount. In cases where holders decide to convert prior to the maturity date, the Company charges the proportionate amount of remaining debt issuance costs to interest expense. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company paid $285.7 million to satisfy the aggregate principal amount due and issued 149,780 shares of its common stock in satisfaction of the conversion value in excess of the principal amount for debt converted prior to maturity.
In addition, if the Company's convertible debt is redeemed or converted prior to maturity, a gain or loss on extinguishment is recognized. The gain or loss is the difference between the fair value of the debt component immediately prior to extinguishment and its carrying value. To estimate the fair value of the debt at the conversion date, the Company estimated its straight debt borrowing rate, considering its credit rating and straight debt of comparable corporate issuers. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized a non-cash loss of $2.4 million ($1.5 million after tax) in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in connection with the early conversion of the 2018 Notes.
Description of Senior Convertible Notes
In August 2014, the Company issued in a private placement $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes due September 15, 2021, with an interest rate of 0.9% (the "2021 Notes"). The Company paid $11.0 million in debt issuance costs during the year ended December 31, 2014, related to this offering. The 2021 Notes are convertible, subject to certain conditions, into the Company's common stock at a conversion price of approximately $2,055.50 per share. The 2021 Notes are convertible, at the option of the holder, prior to September 15, 2021, upon the occurrence of specific events, including but not limited to a change in control, or if the closing sales price of the Company's common stock for at least 20 trading days in the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is more than 150% of the applicable conversion price in effect for the notes on the last trading day of the immediately preceding quarter. In the event that all or substantially all of the Company's common stock is acquired on or prior to the maturity of the 2021 Notes in a transaction in which the consideration paid to holders of the Company's common stock consists of all or substantially all cash, the Company would be required to make additional payments in the form of additional shares of common stock to the holders of the 2021 Notes in an aggregate value ranging from $0 to approximately $375 million depending upon the date of the transaction and the then current stock price of the Company. As of June 15, 2021, holders will have the right to convert all or any portion of the 2021 Notes.Notes, regardless of the Company's stock price. The 2021 Notes may not be redeemed by the Company prior to maturity. The holders may require the Company to repurchase the 2021 Notes for cash in certain circumstances. Interest on the 2021 Notes is payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year.
In May 2013, the Company issued in a private placement $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes due June 15, 2020, with an interest rate of 0.35% (the "2020 Notes"). The 2020 Notes were issued with an initial discount of $20.0 million. The Company paid $1.0 million in debt issuance costs during the year ended December 31, 2013, related to this offering. The 2020 Notes are convertible, subject to certain conditions, into the Company's common stock at a conversion price of approximately $1,315.10 per share. The 2020 Notes are convertible, at the option of the holder, prior to June 15, 2020, upon the occurrence of specific events, including but not limited to a change in control, or if the closing sales price of the Company's common stock for at least 20 trading days in the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is more than 150% of the applicable conversion price in effect for the notes on the last trading day of the immediately preceding quarter. In the event that all or substantially all of the Company's common stock is acquired on or prior to the maturity of the 2020 Notes in a transaction in which the consideration paid to holders of the Company's common stock consists of all or substantially all cash, the Company would be required to make additional payments in the form of additional shares of common stock to the holders of the 2020 Notes in an aggregate value ranging from $0 to approximately $397 million depending upon the date of the transaction and the then current stock price of the Company. As of March 15, 2020, holders will have the right to convert all or any portion of the 2020 Notes.Notes, regardless of the Company's stock price. The 2020 Notes may not be redeemed by the Company prior to maturity. The holders may require the Company to repurchase the 2020 Notes for cash in certain circumstances. Interest on the 2020 Notes is payable on June 15 and December 15 of each year.
In March 2012, the Company issued in a private placement $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes due March 15, 2018, with an interest rate of 1.0% (the "2018 Notes"). The Company paid $20.9 million in debt issuance costs during the year ended December 31, 2012, related to this offering. The 2018 Notes are convertible, subject to certain conditions, into the Company's common stock at a conversion price of approximately $944.61 per share. The 2018 Notes are convertible, at the option of the holder, prior to March 15, 2018, upon the occurrence of specific events, including but not limited to a change in control, or if the closing sales price of the Company's common stock for at least 20 trading days in the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is more than 150% of the applicable conversion price in effect for the notes on the last trading day of the immediately preceding
quarter. In the event that all or substantially all of the Company's common stock is acquired on or prior to the maturity of the 2018 Notes in a transaction in which the consideration paid to holders of the Company's common stock consists of all or substantially all cash, the Company would be required to make additional payments in the form of additional shares of common stock to the holders of the 2018 Notes in aggregate value ranging from $0 to approximately $344 million depending upon the date of the transaction and the then current stock price of the Company. AsThe 2018 Notes are currently convertible and will remain convertible until the trading day prior to the maturity date of DecemberMarch 15, 2017, holders will have the right to convert all or any portion of the 2018 Notes.2018. The 2018 Notes may not be redeemed by the Company prior to maturity. The holders may require the Company to repurchase the 2018 Notes for cash in certain circumstances. Interest on the 2018 Notes is payable on March 15 and September 15 of each year.
In March 2010, the Company issued in a private placement $575.0 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes due March 15, 2015, with an interest rate of 1.25% (the "2015 Notes"). The Company paid $13.3 million in debt issuance costs associated with the 2015 Notes for the year ended December 31, 2010. The 2015 Notes were convertible, subject to certain conditions, into the Company's common stock at a conversion price of approximately $303.06 per share. In March 2015, in connection with the maturity or conversion prior to maturity of the remaining outstanding 1.25% Convertible Senior2015 Notes, the Company paid $37.5 million to satisfy the aggregate principal amount due and paid an additional $110.1 million in satisfaction of the conversion value in excess of the principal amount, which was charged to additional paid-in capital. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company delivered cash of $122.9 million to repay the aggregate principal amount and issued 300,256 shares of its common stock and paid cash of $2.2 million in satisfaction of the conversion value in excess of the principal amount associated with 1.25% Convertible Senior Notes due March 2015 that were converted prior to maturity. In the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company delivered cash of $414.6 million to repay the principal amount and issued 972,235 shares of its common stock in satisfaction of the conversion value in excess of the principal amount for convertible debt that was converted prior to maturity.
Accounting guidance requires that cash-settledCash-settled convertible debt, such as the Company's Convertible Senior Notes, beis separated into debt and equity components at issuance and each becomponent is assigned a value. The value assigned to the debt component is the estimated fair value, as of the issuance date, of a similar bond without the conversion feature. The difference between the bond cash proceeds and this estimated fair value, representing the value assigned to the equity component, is recorded as a debt discount. Debt discount is amortized using the effective interest rate method over the period from the origination date through the stated maturity date. The Company estimated the straight debt borrowing rates at debt origination to be 3.50%3.18% for the 20182021 Notes, 3.13% for the 2020 Notes and 3.18%3.50% for the 20212018 Notes. The yield to maturity was estimated at an at-market coupon priced at par.
Debt discount after tax of $82.5 million ($142.9 million before tax) net ofless financing costs associated with the equity component of convertible debt of $1.6 million after tax werewas recorded in additional paid-in capital related to the 2021 Notes at December 31, 2014. Debt discount after tax of $92.4 million ($154.3 million before tax) net ofless financing costs associated with the equity component of convertible debt of $0.1 million after tax werewas recorded in additional paid-in capital related to the 2020 Notes at June 30, 2013. Debt discount after tax of $80.9 million ($135.2 million before tax) net ofless financing costs associated with the equity component of convertible debt of $2.8 million after tax werewas recorded in additional paid-in capital related to the 2018 Notes inat March 31, 2012. Debt discount after tax of $69.1 million ($115.2 million before tax) net of financing costs associated with the equity component of convertible debt of $1.6 million after tax were recorded in additional paid-in capital related to the 2015 Notes in March 2010.
For the years ended December 31, 20152017, 20142016 and 20132015, the Company recognized interest expense of $92.793.7 million, $75.394.5 million and $78.292.7 million, respectively, related to convertible notes, comprised of $22.621.3 million, $17.122.5 million and $17.722.6 million, respectively, for the contractual coupon interest, $65.667.7 million, $54.467.5 million and $55.765.6 million, respectively, related to
the amortization of debt discount and $4.54.7 million, $3.84.5 million and $4.84.5 million, respectively, related to the amortization of debt issuance costs. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013,2015, included in the amortization of debt discount mentioned above was $2.7$2.9 million, $2.6$2.8 million and $1.5$2.7 million, respectively, of original issuance discount amortization related to the 2020 Notes. In addition, for the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company incurredrecognized interest expense forof $0.4 million to write off the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs relatedcost for debt converted prior to debt conversions of $0.5 million and $2.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.maturity. The remaining period for amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs is the period until the stated maturity date for the respective debt. The weighted-average effective interest rates for the years ended December 31, 20152017, 20142016, and 20132015 are 3.4%, 3.5% and 4.4%, respectively..
In addition, if the Company's convertible debt is redeemed or converted prior to maturity, a gain or loss on extinguishment is recognized. The gain or loss is the difference between the fair value of the debt component immediately prior to extinguishment and its carrying value. To estimate the fair value of the debt at the conversion date, the Company estimated its straight debt borrowing rate, considering its credit rating and straight debt of comparable corporate issuers. For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized non-cash losses of $6.3 million ($3.8 million after tax)
and $26.7 million ($16.2 million after tax), respectively, in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in connection with the conversion of the 2015 Notes.
Other Long-term Debt
In August 2017, the Company issued Senior Notes due March 15, 2023, with an interest rate of 2.75% (the "2023 Notes") for an aggregate principal amount of $500 million. The 2023 Notes were issued with an initial discount of $0.7 million. In addition, the Company paid $2.7 million in debt issuance costs during the year ended December 31, 2017. Interest on the 2023 Notes is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15, beginning March 15, 2018.
In August 2017, the Company issued Senior Notes due March 15, 2028, with an interest rate of 3.55% (the "2028 Notes") for an aggregate principal amount of $500 million. The 2028 Notes were issued with an initial discount of $0.4 million. In addition, the Company paid $3.2 million in debt issuance costs during the year ended December 31, 2017. Interest on the 2028 Notes is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15, beginning March 15, 2018.
In March 2017, the Company issued Senior Notes due March 10, 2022, with an interest rate of 0.8% (the "March 2022 Notes") for an aggregate principal amount of 1.0 billion Euros. The March 2022 Notes were issued with an initial discount of 2.1 million Euros. In addition, the Company paid $5.0 million in debt issuance costs during the year ended December 31, 2017. Interest on the March 2022 Notes is payable annually on March 10, beginning March 10, 2018. Subject to certain limited exceptions, all payments of interest and principal for the March 2022 Notes will be made in Euros.
In May 2016, the Company issued Senior Notes due June 1, 2026, with an interest rate of 3.6% (the "2026 Notes") for an aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion. The 2026 Notes were issued with an initial discount of $1.9 million. In addition, the Company paid $6.2 million in debt issuance costs during the year ended December 31, 2016. Interest on the 2026 Notes is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1.
In November 2015, the Company issued Senior Notes due November 25, 2022, with an interest rate of 2.15% (the "2022"November 2022 Notes") for an aggregate principal amount of 750 million Euros. The November 2022 Notes were issued with an initial discount of 2.2 million Euros. In addition, the Company paid $3.7 million in debt issuance costs during the year ended December 31, 2015. Interest on the November 2022 Notes is payable annually on November 25, beginning November 25, 2016.25. Subject to certain limited exceptions, all payments of interest and principal, including payments made upon any redemption of the November 2022 Notes will be made in Euros.
In March 2015, the Company issued Senior Notes due March 15, 2025, with an interest rate of 3.65% (the "2025 Notes") for an aggregate principal amount of $500 million. The 2025 Notes were issued with an initial discount of $1.3 million. In addition, the Company paid $3.2 million in debt issuance costs during the year ended December 31, 2015. Interest on the 2025 Notes is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15, beginning September 15, 2015.15.
In March 2015, the Company issued Senior Notes due March 3, 2027, with an interest rate of 1.8% (the "2027 Notes") for an aggregate principal amount of 1.0 billion Euros. The 2027 Notes were issued with an initial discount of 0.3 million Euros. In addition, the Company paid $6.3 million in debt issuance costs during the year ended December 31, 2015. Interest on the 2027 Notes is payable annually on March 3, beginning March 3, 2016.3. Subject to certain limited exceptions, all payments of interest and principal for the 2027 Notes will be made in Euros.
In September 2014, the Company issued Senior Notes due September 23, 2024, with an interest rate of 2.375% (the "2024 Notes") for an aggregate principal amount of 1.0 billion Euros. The 2024 Notes were issued with an initial discount of 9.4 million Euros. In addition, the Company paid $6.5 million in debt issuance costs during the year ended December 31, 2014. Interest on the 2024 Notes is payable annually on September 23, beginning September 23, 2015.23. Subject to certain limited exceptions, all payments of interest and principal, including payments made upon any redemption of the 2024 Notes, will be made in Euros.
The aggregate principal value of the March 2022 Notes, November 2022 Notes, 2024 Notes and 2027 Notes and accrued interest thereon are designated as a hedge of the Company's net investment in certain Euro functional currency subsidiaries. The foreign currency transaction gains or losses on these liabilities are measured based upon changes in spot rates and are recorded in "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Euro-denominatedEuro-
denominated net assets of the subsidiarythese subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollars at each balance sheet date, with effects of foreign currency changes also reported in "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Since the notional amount of the recorded Euro-denominated debt and related interest are not greater than the notional amount of the Company's net investment, the Company does not expect to incur any ineffectiveness on this hedge.
Debt discount is amortized using the effective interest rate method over the period from the origination date through the stated maturity date. The Company estimated the effective interest rates at debt origination to be 2.78% for the 2023 Notes, 3.56% for the 2028 Notes, 0.84% for the March 2022 Notes, 3.62% for the 2026 Notes, 2.20% for the November 2022 Notes, 3.68% for the 2025 Notes, 1.80% for the 2027 Notes and 2.48% for the 2024 Notes.
For the years ended December 31, 20152017, 2016 and 2014,2015, the Company recognized interest expense of $61.5$144.8 million, $108.0 million and $8.6$61.5 million, respectively, related to other long-term debt which was comprised of $59.0$138.9 million, $104.1 million and $8.1$59.0 million, respectively, for the contractual coupon interest, $1.1$2.1 million, $1.5 million and $0.3$1.1 million, respectively, related to the amortization of debt discount and $1.4$3.8 million, $2.4 million and $0.2$1.4 million, respectively, related to the amortization of debt issuance costs. The remaining period for amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs is the period until the stated maturity datedates for thisthe respective debt.
In March 2016, the Company received a ten-year loan from the State of Connecticut in the amount of $2.5 million with an interest rate of 1% in connection with the construction of office space in Connecticut. In 2017, $1.0 million of the loan was forgiven as a result of meeting certain employment and salary conditions. The remaining balance of the loan will be forgiven in 2019 if certain employment and salary conditions are met. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the loan in the amount of $1.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively, is reported in "Other long-term liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
On July 24, 2017, the Company assumed third-party senior debt of $15.1 million associated with the acquisition of the Momondo Group. The debt was repaid by the Company in July 2017.
In the first quarter of 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a program to purchase ofrepurchase up to $3.0 billion of the Company's common stock. In the first quarter of 2017, the Company's Board of Directors authorized an additional program to repurchase up to $2.0 billion of the Company's common stock. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had a remaining authorization of $2.4 billion to purchase its common stock. In the first quarter of 2018, the Company's Board of Directors authorized an additional program to repurchase up to $8.0 billion of the Company's common stock. The Company may from time to time make repurchases of our commonshares under its stock repurchase programs, depending on prevailing market conditions, alternate uses of capital and other factors.
In the first quarter of 2015, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up Whether and when to $3.0 billion of the Company's common stock, in addition to amounts previously authorized. In the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company
repurchased 2,468,259 shares of its common stock in the open market for an aggregate cost of $3.0 billion related to this authorization.
In the second quarter of 2013, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a program toinitiate and/or complete any purchase $1.0 billion of the Company's common stock, in addition to amounts previously authorized. In the second quarter of 2013, the Company repurchased 431,910 shares for an aggregate cost of $345.5 million in privately negotiated, off-market transactions and in the third and fourth quarters of 2014, the Company repurchased 114,645 share of its common stock in privately negotiated, off-market transactions and 438,897 shares of its common stock in the open market for aggregate costs of $147.3 million and $500.0 million, respectively, related to this authorization. In the first quarter of 2015, the Company repurchased 5,813 shares for $7.2 million, which was the remaining amount of this authorization.
In the third quarter of 2013, the Company repurchased 484,361 shares for an aggregate cost of $459.2 million. These shares were covered under the Company's remaining authorizations as of December 31, 2012 to repurchase common stock.
In October 2013, the Company settled Conversion Spread Hedges and received 42,160 shares of common stock with a fair valueand the amount of $43.1 million, fromcommon stock purchased will be determined at the counterparties (see Note 7 for further detail onCompany's discretion. Additionally, the Conversion Spread Hedges).
The Board of Directors has given the Company the general authorization to repurchase shares of its common stock to satisfy employee withholding tax obligations related to stock-based compensation.
In the yearsyear ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013,2017, the Company repurchased 65,849, 77,761, and 113,503a total of 1,025,890 shares atof its common stock in the open market for an aggregate cost of $81.9$1.8 billion, which included 968,521 shares for $1.7 billion acquired through its general repurchase programs and 57,369 shares for $100.1 million, $103.1 million and $78.8 million, respectively, withheld to satisfy employee withholding taxestax obligations related to stock-based compensation. Stock repurchases in December 2017 of 18,217 shares for an aggregate cost of $32.0 million were settled in January 2018. During the period from January 1, 2018 through February 20, 2018, the Company repurchased 185,620 additional shares for an aggregate cost of $345.5 million.
AsIn the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company repurchased a total of 762,984 shares of its common stock in the open market for an aggregate cost of $1.0 billion, which included 635,877 shares for $861.5 million acquired through its general repurchase programs and 127,107 shares for $167.0 million withheld to satisfy employee withholding tax obligations related to stock-based compensation. Stock repurchases in December 2016 of 10,215 shares for an aggregate cost of $15.0 million were settled in January 2017.
In the year ended December 31, 2015,, the Company repurchased a total of 2,539,921 shares of its common stock in the open market for an aggregate cost of $3.1 billion, which included 2,474,072 shares for $3.0 billion acquired through its general repurchase programs and 65,849 shares for $81.9 million withheld to satisfy employee withholding tax obligations related to stock-based compensation.
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company remitted $101.4 million, $165.1 million and $81.6 million of employee withholding taxes, respectively, to the tax authorities, which is different from the aggregate cost of the shares withheld for taxes each year due to the timing in remitting the taxes. The new accounting standard for stock-based compensation (see Note 2) requires the Company to only report the cash remitted to the tax authorities in financing activities in the statements of cash flows for all periods presented.
As of December 31, 2017, there were 12,427,94514,216,819 shares of the Company's common stock held in treasury.
| |
| 12. | REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS |
On May 18, 2010, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, priceline.com International Ltd. ("PIL"), paid $108.5 million, net of cash acquired, to purchase a controlling interest of the outstanding equity of TravelJigsaw Holdings Limited (now known as rentalcars.com), a Manchester, U.K.-based international rental car reservation service. Certain key members of rentalcars.com's management team retained a noncontrolling ownership interest in rentalcars.com. In addition, certain key members of the management team of Booking.com purchased a 3% ownership interest in rentalcars.com from PIL in June 2010 (together with rentalcars.com management's investment, the "Redeemable Shares"). The holders of the Redeemable Shares had the right to put their shares to PIL and PIL had the right to call the shares in each case at a purchase price reflecting the fair value of the Redeemable Shares at the time of exercise. Subject to certain exceptions, one-third of the Redeemable Shares were subject to the put and call options in each of 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, during specified option exercise periods.
In April 2012 and 2011, in connection with the exercise of call and put options, PIL purchased a portion of the shares underlying redeemable noncontrolling interests for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $61.1 million and $13.0 million, respectively. As a result of the April 2011 purchase, the redeemable noncontrolling interests in rentalcars.com were reduced from 24.4% to 19.0%. As a result of the April 2012 purchase, the redeemable noncontrolling interests in rentalcars.com were further reduced to 12.7%. In April 2013, in connection with the exercise of the March 2013 call and put options, PIL purchased the remaining outstanding shares underlying redeemable noncontrolling interests for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $192.5 million.
Redeemable noncontrolling interests were measured at fair value, both at the date of acquisition and subsequently at each reporting period. The redeemable noncontrolling interests were reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in mezzanine equity in "Redeemable noncontrolling interests."
A reconciliation of redeemable noncontrolling interests for the year ended December 31, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | |
| | 2013 |
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | 160,287 |
|
| Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 135 |
|
Fair value adjustments(1) | 42,522 |
|
Purchase of subsidiary shares at fair value(1) | (192,530 | ) |
| Currency translation adjustments | (10,414 | ) |
| Balance, end of period | $ | — |
|
(1)The fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests was determined by industry peer comparable analysis and a discounted cash flow valuation model.
| |
13. | ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) |
The table below provides the balances for each classification of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)as of December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 (in thousands):
| | | | December 31, 2015 | | December 31, 2014 | December 31, 2017 | | December 31, 2016 |
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax (1) | $ | (217,263 | ) | | $ | (102,758 | ) | $ | (15,700 | ) | | $ | (311,247 | ) |
Net unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of tax (2) | 462,115 |
| | (157,144 | ) | |
Net unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax (2) | | 252,682 |
| | 176,563 |
|
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 244,852 |
| | $ | (259,902 | ) | $ | 236,982 |
| | $ | (134,684 | ) |
(1) Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax, includesat December 31, 2017 and 2016, include net losses from fair value adjustments of $34.835.0 million after tax ($52.6 million before tax) and $37.8 million after tax ($57.8 million before tax) associated with previously settled derivatives that were designated as net investment hedges at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively (see Note 5).
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax, includesinclude foreign currency transaction gains at December 31, 2015losses of $126.8$190.4 million after tax ($220.5237.2 million before tax) associated with the Company's 2022 Notes, 2024 Notes and 2027 Notes and foreign currency transaction gains at December 31, 2014 of $48.3$182.6 million after tax ($83.8310.4 million before tax) at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, associated with the Company's 2024 Notes.Euro-denominated debt. The 2022 Notes, 2024 Notes and 2027 Notes areCompany's Euro-denominated debt and areis designated as hedgesa hedge against the impact of certain of the Company'scurrency fluctuations on its Euro-denominated net assets (see Note 10).
The remaining balance in foreign currency translation adjustments excludesrelates to cumulative impacts of currency fluctuations on the Company's international non-U.S. Dollar denominated net assets. Prior to the Tax Act, the balance excluded a provision for U.S. federal and state income taxes as a result of the Company's intention to indefinitely reinvest the earnings of its international subsidiaries outside of the United States. In accordance with the Tax Act, generally future repatriation of the Company's international cash will not be subject to a U.S. federal income tax liability as a dividend, but will be subject to U.S. state income taxes and international withholding taxes.
(2) TheNet unrealized gains before tax at December 31, 20152017 and 2016 were $456.1$343.2 million and $185.9 million, respectively, of which unrealized gains of $481.3$234.6 million and $148.5 million, respectively, were exempt from tax in the Netherlands, and unrealized lossesgains of $25.2$108.6 million and $37.4 million, respectively, were taxable. The unrealized losses beforetaxable at a 25% tax rate in the Netherlands, resulting in tax charges amounting to $27.1 million and $9.3 million at December 31, 2014 were $164.7 million, of which unrealized losses of $134.6 million were exempt from tax in the Netherlands2017 and unrealized losses of $30.1 million were taxable.2016, respectively.
In 2017, the Company recorded a U.S. deferred tax liability of $63.4 million related to net cumulative unrealized gains associated with certain international investments, which will be subject to U.S. federal and state taxes if the gains are realized.
International pre-tax income was $4.5 billion, $3.1 billion, $2.93.7 billion and $2.23.1 billion for the years ended December 31, 20152017, 20142016 and 20132015, respectively. U.S. pre-tax loss was $121.6 million and $983.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and U.S. pre-tax income was $35.4 million, $98.4 million, and $48.5 million for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2015.
Provision for Income Taxes
The income tax expense (benefit) for the year ended December 31, 20152017, 2014, and 2013, respectively. is as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Current | | Deferred | | Total |
| International | $ | 755,836 |
| | $ | (10,361 | ) | | $ | 745,475 |
|
| U.S. Federal | 1,327,663 |
| | (57,350 | ) | | 1,270,313 |
|
| U.S. State | 6,523 |
| | 35,246 |
| | 41,769 |
|
| Total | $ | 2,090,022 |
| | $ | (32,465 | ) | | $ | 2,057,557 |
|
The income tax expense (benefit) for the year ended December 31, 2016 is as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Current | | Deferred | | Total |
| International | $ | 627,718 |
| | $ | (14,359 | ) | | $ | 613,359 |
|
| U.S. Federal | 63,613 |
| | (32,405 | ) | | 31,208 |
|
| U.S. State | (1,175 | ) | | (65,141 | ) | | (66,316 | ) |
| Total | $ | 690,156 |
| | $ | (111,905 | ) | | $ | 578,251 |
|
The income tax expense (benefit) for the year ended December 31, 2015 is as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Current | | Deferred | | Total |
| International | $ | 526,052 |
| | $ | (17,789 | ) | | $ | 508,263 |
|
| U.S. Federal | 88,237 |
| | (68,696 | ) | | 19,541 |
|
| U.S. State | 24,006 |
| | 25,150 |
| | 49,156 |
|
| Total | $ | 638,295 |
| | $ | (61,335 | ) | | $ | 576,960 |
|
The income tax expense (benefit) for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Current | | Deferred | | Total |
| International | $ | 496,719 |
| | $ | (10,613 | ) | | $ | 486,106 |
|
| U.S. Federal | 10,316 |
| | 47,847 |
| | 58,163 |
|
| U.S. State | 28,953 |
| | (5,527 | ) | | 23,426 |
|
| Total | $ | 535,988 |
| | $ | 31,707 |
| | $ | 567,695 |
|
The income tax expense (benefit) for the year ended December 31, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Current | | Deferred | | Total |
| International | $ | 396,162 |
| | $ | (16,314 | ) | | $ | 379,848 |
|
| U.S. Federal | 5,250 |
| | 11,454 |
| | 16,704 |
|
| U.S. State | 13,431 |
| | (6,244 | ) | | 7,187 |
|
| Total | $ | 414,843 |
| | $ | (11,104 | ) | | $ | 403,739 |
|
The total U.S. pretax incomepre-tax loss is lower for the year ended December 31, 2015, decreased2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014,2016 primarily due to higher interest expense and increased intangible amortization from the impairment charge for goodwill related to OpenTable acquisition.of $940.7 million (see Note 9) recognized in 2016. Income tax expense on the Company's U.S. pre-tax incomeloss for the year ended December 31, 2015,2017 includes the impact of increasesthe Tax Act as disclosed below.
The U.S. pre-tax loss for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the pre-tax income for the year December 31, 2015 is primarily due to the impairment charge for goodwill referenced above and higher interest expense in state income2016. Income tax ratesexpense on the Company's deferred tax liabilities andCompany’s U.S. pre-tax loss for the year ended December 31, 2016 includes the impact of the non-deductible impairment charge of OpenTable goodwill, U.S. income tax on the Company'sCompany’s international interest income, which increased during the year.year, and the tax benefits arising from U.S. state tax law changes resulting in a net decrease to deferred tax liabilities, mostly associated with acquired intangible assets.
U.S. Tax Reform
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Act. The Tax Act makes significant changes to U.S. federal income tax law, including a reduction in the U.S. federal statutory tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018. The Tax Act imposes a one-time deemed repatriation tax on accumulated unremitted international earnings, to be paid over eight years. The Company has significantrecorded provisional income tax expense of approximately $1.6 billion, which includes U.S. state income taxes and international withholding taxes, related to the mandatory deemed repatriation of estimated accumulated unremitted international earnings of approximately $16.5 billion. The Company also recorded a provisional net income tax benefit of approximately $217 million related to the remeasurement of the Company’s U.S. deferred tax assets includingand liabilities due to the reduction of the U.S. federal statutory tax rate from 35% to 21%. The Company currently expects to use approximately $204 million of deferred tax assets related to federal net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs"). and approximately $46 million of other tax credit carryforwards, and accordingly, has reduced the transition tax liability to approximately $1.3 billion, which is presented as "Long-term U.S. transition tax liability" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2017. The amount ofCompany continues to evaluate whether and to what extent it will utilize its NOLs available forand other tax credits to reduce the transition tax liability. Under the Tax Act, the Company's use is limited by Section 382international cash and investments as of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC Section 382"). IRC Section 382 imposes limitations on the availability of a company's NOLs after a more than 50% ownership change occurs. It was determined that ownership changes, as defined in IRC Section 382 have occurred. The amount of the Company's NOLs incurred prior to each ownership change is limited based on the value of the Company on the respective dates of ownership change.
At December 31, 2015, after considering the impact of IRC Section 382, the Company had approximately $847.9 million of available NOL's for2017, amounting to $16.2 billion, as well as future cash generated by our international operations, generally can be repatriated without further U.S. federal income tax, purposes, comprisedbut will be subject to U.S. state income taxes and international withholding taxes.
The Tax Act also introduced in 2018 a tax on 50% of approximately $25.6global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”), which is income determined to be in excess of a specified routine rate of return, and also introduced a base erosion and anti-abuse tax (“BEAT”) aimed at preventing the erosion of the U.S. tax base. The Company continues to review the GILTI and BEAT provisions of the Tax Act for applicability to the Company and expects further guidance from U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service, state tax authorities and/or other authorities on the application of these provisions. The Company has not yet adopted an accounting policy as to whether the Company will treat taxes on GILTI as period costs or whether the Company will recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities when basis differences exist that are expected to affect the amount of GILTI inclusion upon reversal.
The provisions of the Tax Act are broad and complex, and there are significant uncertainties about how it will be interpreted at both the U.S. federal and state levels, and limited guidance is available from tax authorities at this time. Further interpretation and implementation of the Tax Act may materially impact the Company's provisional income tax expense and future income tax expense and obligations.
On December 22, 2017, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118") was issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when the registrant does not have all the necessary information available, prepared or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete its accounting for the change in tax law. In accordance with SAB 118, to the extent a registrant can reasonably estimate the effects of the Tax Act, a provisional tax amount can be recorded, but must be finalized prior to December 22, 2018.Further analysis is necessary to finalize the Company's accumulated unremitted international earnings subject to the U.S. federal deemed repatriation tax. In addition, since the Company is still evaluating whether and to what extent it will utilize its NOLs against the transition tax liability, the Company’s U.S. deferred tax assets or liabilities may be impacted. Therefore, the Company considers its accounting related to the Tax Act for U.S. federal and state income taxes as well as international withholding taxes as discussed above to be provisional. As the Company refines its estimates and continues to evaluate the Tax Act, the Company will adjust its provision for income taxes in the period when a change in estimate occurs.
Deferred Income Taxes
The Company currently expects that the majority of its available U.S. NOLs as of December 31, 2016 will be utilized in 2017 to reduce its tax liability for the deemed repatriation tax. After utilization of available NOLs, as of December 31, 2017, the Company had U.S. federal NOLs of $180 million, of NOLs generated from operating losseswhich are subject to an annual limitation and approximately $822.3 million of NOLs generated from equity-related transactions, including equity-based compensation and stock warrants. The NOLs mainly expire from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2021. 2021, and U.S. state NOLs of $510 million, which mainly expire between December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2034. In addition, at December 31, 2017, the Company has approximately $180 million of non-U.S. NOLs, of which $86 million expires between December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2024, and approximately $18 million of U.S. research tax credit carryforwards available to reduce future tax liabilities, the majority of which do not have an expiration date.
The utilization of these NOLs, allowances and credits is dependent upon the Company's ability to generate sufficient future taxable income and the tax laws in the United States.jurisdictions where the losses were generated. The Company periodically evaluates the likelihood of the realization of deferred tax assets, and reduces the carrying amount of these deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance to the extent it believes a portion will not be realized. The Company considers many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of the deferred tax assets, including its recent cumulative earnings experience by taxing jurisdiction, expectations of future income, tax planning strategies, the carryforward periods available for tax reporting purposes, and other relevant factors.
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | 2015 | | 2014 | 2017 | | 2016 |
| Deferred tax assets/(liabilities): | |
| | |
| |
| | |
|
| Net operating loss carryforward — U.S. | $ | 59,220 |
| | $ | 176,786 |
| $ | 70,750 |
| | $ | 15,977 |
|
| Net operating loss carryforward — International | 18,153 |
| | 22,353 |
| 27,831 |
| | 18,371 |
|
| Accrued expenses | 61,703 |
| | 41,117 |
| 57,524 |
| | 72,631 |
|
| Stock-based compensation and other stock based payments | 77,761 |
| | 54,935 |
| 48,104 |
| | 60,937 |
|
| Other | 8,001 |
| | 24,456 |
| |
| Subtotal | 224,838 |
| | 319,647 |
| |
| Euro denominated debt | | 57,740 |
| | — |
|
| Fixed assets | | 8,600 |
| | — |
|
| Subtotal - deferred tax assets | | 270,549 |
| | 167,916 |
|
| | | | | | | |
| Discount on convertible notes | (112,886 | ) | | (141,193 | ) | (32,810 | ) | | (77,845 | ) |
| Intangible assets and other | (822,685 | ) | | (856,807 | ) | (517,353 | ) | | (740,329 | ) |
| Euro denominated debt | (92,230 | ) | | (35,441 | ) | — |
| | (117,737 | ) |
| Fixed assets | (3,658 | ) | | (3,409 | ) | — |
| | (2,245 | ) |
| Less valuation allowance on deferred tax assets | (64,845 | ) | | (161,997 | ) | |
| State income tax on accumulated unremitted international earnings | | (36,616 | ) | | — |
|
| Unrealized gain on investments | | (70,408 | ) | | — |
|
| Other | | (9,480 | ) | | (3,958 | ) |
| Subtotal - deferred tax liabilities | | (666,667 | ) | | (942,114 | ) |
| Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets | | (43,694 | ) | | (24,475 | ) |
Net deferred tax liabilities (1) | $ | (871,466 | ) | | $ | (879,200 | ) | $ | (439,812 | ) | | $ | (798,673 | ) |
(1) Includes deferred tax assets of $21.1$41.3 million and $20.9$23.7 million as of December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively, reported in "Other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The valuation allowance on deferred tax assets of $64.8$43.7 million at December 31, 20152017 includes $44.8 million related to U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards derived from equity transactions, $18.2$26.8 million related to international operations and $1.9$16.9 million related to U.S. research credits, and capital loss carryforwards. Additionally, sincecarryforwards and Connecticut NOLs. The valuation allowance increased by $19.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2017, principally due to certain non-U.S. NOLs acquired in the Momondo Group transaction.
Pursuant to the adoption of an accounting update on January 1, 2006,2017, the Company has generated additional federalrecorded a deferred tax benefitsasset of $301.4 million related to previously unrecognized U.S. equity transactions that are not included intax deductions, with an offsetting cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings (see Note 2), the deferred tax table above. The tax benefits not included inmajority of which was utilized during the table above amounted to $242.6 million as ofyear ended December 31, 2015. Pursuant to accounting guidance, these tax benefits related to equity deductions will be recognized by crediting paid-in capital, if and when they are realized by reducing the Company's current income tax liability.2017.
It is the practice and intention of the Company to reinvest the earnings of its international subsidiaries in those operations; therefore, at December 31, 2015, no provision had been made for U.S. taxes on approximately $9.9 billion of cumulative undistributed international earnings because such earnings are intended to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the United States. It is not practicable to determine the U.S. federal income tax liability that would be payable if such earnings were not indefinitely reinvested.
At December 31, 2015, the Company has approximately $620.9 millionReconciliation of U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards that expire mainly between December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2034, $122.5 million of non-U.S. net operating loss carryforwards, of which $49.0 million expire between December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2021, and $1.3 million of foreign capital allowance carryforwards that do not expire. At December 31, 2015, the Company also had approximately $32.4 million of U.S. research credit carryforwards, subjectFederal Statutory Income Tax Rate to annual limitation, that mainly expire between December 31, 2033 and December 31, 2034 and $2.0 million state enterprise zone credits expiring between 2024 and 2026.Effective Income Tax Rate
A significant portion of the Company's taxable earnings are generated in the Netherlands. According to Dutch corporate income tax law, income generated from qualifying innovative activities is taxed at a rate of 5% ("Innovation Box Tax") rather than the Dutch statutory rate of 25%. A portion of Booking.com's earnings during the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015 qualifies for Innovation Box Tax treatment, which had a significant beneficial impact on the Company's effective tax rate for those years. During December 2017, legislation was enacted in the Netherlands that increased the Innovation Box Tax rate to 7%, effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018.
The effective income tax rate of the Company is different from the amount computed using the expected U.S. statutory federal rate of 35% as a result of the following items (in thousands):
| | | | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2013 | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Income tax expense at federal statutory rate | $ | 1,094,912 |
| | $ | 1,046,307 |
| | $ | 803,788 |
| $ | 1,539,413 |
| | $ | 949,633 |
| | $ | 1,094,912 |
|
| Adjustment due to: | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| | |
| | |
|
| Foreign rate differential | (316,078 | ) | | (289,692 | ) | | (226,894 | ) | (458,252 | ) | | (377,542 | ) | | (316,078 | ) |
| Innovation Box Tax benefit | (260,193 | ) | | (233,545 | ) | | (177,195 | ) | (397,074 | ) | | (324,633 | ) | | (260,193 | ) |
| Impairment of goodwill and cost-method investment | | — |
| | 343,484 |
| | — |
|
| Tax Act - Remeasurement of deferred tax balances | | (216,572 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
| Tax Act - U.S. transition tax and other transition impacts | | 1,562,532 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| Other | 58,319 |
| | 44,625 |
| | 4,040 |
| 27,510 |
| | (12,691 | ) | | 58,319 |
|
| Income tax expense | $ | 576,960 |
| | $ | 567,695 |
| | $ | 403,739 |
| $ | 2,057,557 |
| | $ | 578,251 |
| | $ | 576,960 |
|
The Company accountsUncertain Tax Positions
See Note 2 for the Company's accounting policy on uncertain tax positions based on a two step approach of recognition and measurement. The first step involves assessing whether the tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based upon its technical merits. The second step involves measurement of the amount to recognize. Tax positions that meet the more likely than not threshold are measured at the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate finalization with the taxing authority.
positions. The following is a reconciliation of the total beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits (in thousands):
| | | | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2013 | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Unrecognized tax benefit — January 1 | $ | 52,356 |
| | $ | 22,104 |
| | $ | 7,343 |
| $ | 32,715 |
| | $ | 42,594 |
| | $ | 52,356 |
|
| Gross increases — tax positions in current period | 3,411 |
| | 9,305 |
| | 8,597 |
| 5,119 |
| | 2,468 |
| | 3,411 |
|
| Gross increases — tax positions in prior periods | 4,305 |
| | 6,569 |
| | 3,507 |
| 5,822 |
| | 859 |
| | 4,305 |
|
| Increase acquired in business combination | — |
| | 17,767 |
| | 7,089 |
| |
| Gross decreases — tax positions in prior periods | (10,365 | ) | | (2,164 | ) | | (495 | ) | (9,202 | ) | | (217 | ) | | (10,365 | ) |
| Reduction due to lapse in statute of limitations | (7,113 | ) | | (346 | ) | | (3,937 | ) | (1,009 | ) | | (9,077 | ) | | (7,113 | ) |
| Reduction due to settlements during the current period | — |
| | (879 | ) | | — |
| (1,050 | ) | | (3,912 | ) | | — |
|
| Unrecognized tax benefit — December 31 | $ | 42,594 |
| | $ | 52,356 |
| | $ | 22,104 |
| $ | 32,395 |
| | $ | 32,715 |
| | $ | 42,594 |
|
The unrecognized tax benefits are included in "Other long-term liabilities" and "Deferred income taxes" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017 and 2013.2016. The Company does not expect further significant changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months.
The Company's Netherlands, U.S. federal, Connecticut, California, New York, Massachusetts, Singapore and U.K. income tax returns, constituting the returns of the major taxing jurisdictions, are subject to examination by the taxing authorities as prescribed by applicable statute. The statute of limitations remains open for: the Company's Netherlands returns from 20092014 and forward; the Company's Singapore returns from 20122013 and forward; the Company's U.S. Federalfederal and Connecticut returns from 2012 and forward; the Company's California returns from 2008 and forward; the Company's New York returns from 2012 and forward; the Company's Massachusetts returns from 2012 and forward and the Company's U.K. returns for the tax years 2008, 2014,2015 and 2015.2016. No income tax waivers have been executed that would extend the period subject to examination beyond the period prescribed by statute in the major taxing jurisdictions in which the companyCompany is a taxpayer. The Company’s 2015 U.S. federal income tax return is currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service. See Note 1514 for more information regarding tax contingencies.
| |
15.14. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
Competition Reviews
Certain business practices common to theThe online travel industry havehas become the subject of investigations by various national competition authorities ("NCAs"), particularly in Europe. InvestigationsThe Company is or has been involved in investigations predominantly related to whether Booking.com's contractual parity arrangements with accommodation providers, sometimes also referred to as "most favored nation" or "MFN" provisions, were initiated by NCAs in France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Ireland and Switzerland, and a number of other NCAs are also looking, or have looked, at these issues. The investigations primarily relate to whether Booking.com's price parity provisions, are anti-competitive because they require accommodation providers to provide Booking.com with room rates that are at least as low as those offered to other online travel companies ("OTCs") or through the accommodation provider's website. Some investigations relate to other issues such as reservation and cancellation clauses,
commission payments and pricing behavior. For instance, on September 8, 2017, the Swiss Price Surveillance Office opened an investigation into the level of commissions of Booking.com in Switzerland.
In Europe, investigations into Booking.com's price parity provisions were initiated in 2013 and 2014 by NCAs in France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Ireland and Switzerland. A number of other NCAs have also looked at these issues. On April 21, 2015, the French, Italian and Swedish NCAs, working in close cooperation with the European Commission, announced that they had accepted "commitments" offered by Booking.com to resolve and close the investigations in France, Italy and Sweden. Under the commitments, Booking.com replaced its existing price parity agreements with accommodation providers with "narrow" price parity agreements. Under a "narrow"narrow price parity agreement, subject to certain exceptions, an accommodation provider is still required to offer the same or better rates on Booking.com as it offers to a consumer directly online, but it is no longer required to offer the same or better rates on Booking.com as it offers to other OTCs. The commitments also allow an accommodation provider to, among other things, offer different terms and conditions (e.g., free WiFi) and availability to consumers that book with on-line travel companiesOTCs that offer lower rates of commission or other benefits, offer lower rates to consumers that book through off-lineoffline channels and continue to discount through, among other things, accommodation loyalty programs, as long as those rates are not published or marketed online. The commitments apply to accommodations in France, Italy and Sweden and were effective on July 1, 2015. The foregoing description is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the commitments published by the NCAs on April 21, 2015.
Booking.com is in ongoing discussions with various NCAs in other countries regarding their concerns. On July 1, 2015, Booking.com voluntarily implemented the commitments given to the French, Italian and Swedish NCAs throughout the European Economic Area and Switzerland and is working with certain other European NCAs towards closing their investigations or inquiries. In October 2015, the Irish NCA closed its investigation on the basis of commitments by Booking.com identical to those given to the French, Italian and Swedish NCAs. In November 2015, the Swiss NCA closed its investigation, prohibiting any reintroduction of Booking.com's old "wide" parity agreements but permitting Booking.com to retain its existing "narrow" parity agreements with accommodations in Switzerland. A number of additionalNearly all NCAs in the European Economic Area have now closed their investigations following Booking.com's implementation of the commitments in their jurisdictions. Booking.com has also agreed with the NCAs in Australia, New Zealand and Georgia to implement the narrow price parity clause in these countries. However, the Australian NCA indicated in February 2017 that it is reassessing narrow price parity clauses between OTCs and accommodation providers. In January 2017, the Turkish NCA imposed fines on Booking.com following an investigation into Booking.com's "wide" parity clauses. Following the Turkish NCA's decision, Booking.com implemented the narrow price parity clause in Turkey. Booking.com is in ongoing discussions with various NCAs in other countries regarding their concerns. The Company is currently unable to predict the long-term impact the implementation of these commitments throughout the European Economic Area and Switzerland will have on Booking.com's business, or on the on-going investigations inby other European countries, or on industry practice more generally.
On December 23, 2015, the German NCA issued a final decision prohibiting Booking.com's "narrow"narrow price parity agreements with accommodations in Germany. The German NCA did not issue a fine, but has reserved its position regarding an order for disgorgement of profits. Booking.com intends to appealis appealing the German NCA’sNCA's decision. An Italian hotel association has appealed the Italian NCA's decision to accept the commitments by Booking.com.
A working group of ten European NCAs (France, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, the United Kingdom and Sweden) was established by the European Commission in December 2015 to monitor the effects of the narrow price parity clause in Europe. This working group (the "ECN Working Group") issued questionnaires during 2016 to OTCs, including Booking.com and Expedia, online price comparison sites (or "meta-search" sites) and hotels about the narrow price parity agreement. On April 6, 2017, the ECN Working Group published the results of this monitoring exercise. The report indicated that the replacement of the "wide" price parity agreement with the narrow price parity agreement generally improved conditions for competition. Although neither the European Commission nor any of the participating NCAs has opened a new investigation following the publication of the report, the ECN Working Group decided to keep the sector under review and re-assess the competitive situation in due course.
The Company is unable to predict how these appeals and the remaining investigations in other countries will ultimately be resolved.resolved, or whether further action in Europe will be taken as a result of the ECN Working Group's ongoing review. Possible outcomes include requiring Booking.com to amend or remove its rate parity clause from its contracts with accommodation providers in those jurisdictions and/or the imposition of fines. The Company is unable to predict the impact these possible outcomes might have on its business.
InA number of European countries have adopted legislation making price parity agreements illegal, and it is possible other countries may adopt similar legislation in the future. For example, in August 2015, French legislation known as the "Macron Law" became effective. Among other things, the Macron Law makes price parity agreements illegal, including the "narrow"narrow price parity agreements agreed to by the French NCA in April 2015. The law also requires that agreements between OTCs and hotels comply with a French agency contract form. Similar legislationLegislation prohibiting "narrow"narrow price parity agreements has been proposedbecame effective in Austria on December 31, 2016 and in Italy and currently is awaiting actionon August 29, 2017. A motion calling on the Swiss government to introduce legislation prohibiting the narrow price parity clause was approved by the Italian Senate.Swiss Parliament on September 18, 2017. In July 2017, a Belgian government minister announced plans to put forward a similar proposal before the Belgian Parliament. It is not yet clear whetherhow the Macron Law, the Austrian or Italian legislation or the proposed ItalianSwiss or Belgian legislation may affect ourthe Company's business in the long-termlong term.
Consumer protection issues, including platform search rankings, are also being reviewed by European NCAs. On October 27, 2017, the United Kingdom's NCA launched a consumer law investigation into the clarity, accuracy and presentation of information on hotel booking sites with a specific focus on the display of search results, claims regarding discounts, methods of "pressure selling" (such as creating false impressions regarding room availability), and failure to disclose hidden charges. A consumer protection law compliance review of car rental booking websites by the UK NCA is also ongoing. The consumer protection department of the German NCA announced the opening of a sector inquiry into online price comparison sites in Francevarious sectors including travel and Italy, respectively.hotels on October 24, 2017. The Finnish NCA has also recently carried out a consumer survey and issued a questionnaire to hotels in order to gather information about online hotel booking platforms. The Company is unable to predict what, if any, effect such actions will have on its business, industry practices or online commerce more generally.
Competition-related investigations, legislation or issues could also give rise to private litigation. For example, Booking.com is involved in private litigation in Sweden related to its narrow price parity provisions. We are unable to predict how this litigation will be resolved, or whether it will impact Booking.com's business in Sweden.
Litigation Related to Travel Transaction Taxes
The Company and certain third-party OTCs are currently involved in approximately fortytwenty lawsuits, including certified and putative class actions, brought by or against U.S. states, cities and counties over issues involving the payment of travel transaction taxes (e.g., hotel occupancy taxes, excise taxes, sales taxes, etc.). Generally, the complaints allege, among other things, that the OTCs violated each jurisdiction's respective relevant travel transaction tax ordinance with respect to the charge and remittance of amounts to cover taxes under each law. The Company believes that the laws at issue generally do not apply to the services it provides, namely the facilitation of travel reservations, and, therefore, that it does not owe the taxes that are claimed to be owed. However, the Company has been involved in this type of litigation for many years, and state and local jurisdictions where these issues have not been resolved could assert that the Company is subject to travel transaction taxes and could seek to collect such taxes, retroactively and/or prospectively. From time to time, the Company has found it expedient to settle and may in the future agree to settle, claims pending in these matters without conceding that the claims at issue are meritorious or that the claimed taxes are in fact due to be paid. The Company may also settle current or future travel transaction tax claims.
On August 5, 2016, the tax appeal court of the State of Hawaii ruled that online travel companies, including the Company, owe General Excise Tax (GET) on the gross amounts collected from consumers on rental car reservations. The tax appeal court rejected the online travel companies' arguments that GET applies only to amounts retained by online travel companies and does not include amounts paid to rental car company suppliers. The online travel companies argued that GET should not apply to gross amounts charged to consumers for rental car reservations pursuant to the 2015 decision of the Hawaii Supreme Court in Travelocity.com, L.P., et al. v. Director of Taxation that GET applies to amounts retained by online travel companies for hotel reservations and not for gross amounts charged to consumers. The tax appeal court declined to follow that precedent and entered judgment on April 25, 2017. Both the OTCs and the Hawaiian Director of Taxation appealed the decision, with the Director seeking GET on the full amount charged to consumers in all car rental transactions (including package transactions), and the OTCs arguing that GET applies only to the amounts they retain in all car rental transactions. In order to appeal the decision, the Company paid the judgment of $13.1 million in May 2017, which was recorded in "Other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017.
Litigation is subject to uncertainty and there could be adverse developments in these pending or future cases and proceedings. An unfavorable outcome or settlement of pending litigation may encourage the commencement of additional litigation, audit proceedings or other regulatory inquiries and also could result in substantial liabilities for past and/or future bookings, including, among other things, interest, penalties, punitive damages and/or attorneys’ fees and costs. An adverse outcome in one or more of these unresolved proceedings could have an adverse effect on ourthe Company's results of operations or cash flowflows in any given operating period. However, the Company believes that even if the Companyit were to suffer adverse determinations
in the near term in more of the pending proceedings than currently anticipated, given results to date it would not have a material impact on its liquidity or financial condition.
Accrual for Travel Transaction Taxes
As a result of thisthe travel transaction tax litigation generally and other attempts by U.S. jurisdictions to levy similar taxes, the Company has established an accrual (including estimated interest and penalties) for the potential resolution of issues related to travel transaction taxes in the amount of approximately $12 million and $27 million at December 31, 2015 compared2017 and 2016, respectively. In December 2017, the Company reduced its accrual for travel transaction taxes (including estimated interest and penalties) by approximately $12 million with a corresponding reduction to approximately $52 million at December 31, 2014.cost of revenues based on a favorable ruling in one of the travel transaction tax proceedings involving the Company. The Company's legal expenses for these matters are expensed as incurred and are not reflected in the amount accrued. The actual cost may be less or greater, potentially significantly, than the liabilitiesliability recorded. An estimate forof a reasonably possible loss or range of loss in excess of the amount accrued cannot be reasonably made.
In January 2013, the Tax Appeal Court for the State of Hawaii held that the Company and other OTCs are not liable for the State's transient accommodations tax, but held that the OTCs, including the Company, are liable for the State's general excise tax (“GET”) on the full amount the OTC collects from the customer for a hotel room reservation, without any offset for amounts passed through to the hotel. The Company recorded an accrual for travel transaction taxes (including estimated interest and penalties), with a corresponding charge to cost of revenues, of approximately $16.5 million in December 2012 and additional $18.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013, primarily due to this ruling. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, the Company paid approximately $20.6 million, $2.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively, to the State of Hawaii related to this ruling. In a mixed decision, on March 17, 2015, the Hawaii Supreme Court affirmed a ruling of the Tax Appeal Court for the State of Hawaii holding that the Company and other OTCs are not liable for the State's transient accommodations tax and upheld, in part, the Tax Court's ruling that the OTCs, including the Company, are liable for the State's GET on the margin and fee retained by an OTC as compensation in a transaction. The Hawaii Supreme Court reversed that portion of the Tax Court's decision that had held that OTCs are liable for GET on the full amount the OTC collects from the customer for a hotel room reservation, not just margin and fee, without any offset for amounts passed through to the hotel. As a result, the Company reduced its accrual for travel transaction taxes (including estimated interest and penalties) by $16.4 million with a corresponding reduction to cost of revenues in the first quarter of 2015. In addition, the Company recognized a net reduction in cost of revenue in the third quarter of 2015 of $13.7 million related to travel transaction taxes, principally due to a cash refund from the State of Hawaii for payments made in 2013. The Company is seeking the additional refund from the State of Hawaii of approximately $4 million in tax previously paid in excess of its actual liability, which will be recorded as a reduction in cost of revenues in the periods in which the cash refunds are received.
Patent Infringement
On February 9, 2015, International Business Machines Corporation ("IBM") filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against The Priceline Group Inc.the Company and its subsidiaries KAYAK Software Corporation, OpenTable, Inc. and priceline.com LLC (the "Subject Companies"). In the complaint, IBM allegesalleged that the Subject Companies have infringed and continue to willfully infringe certainfour IBM patents (the '967, '849, '601 and '346 patents) that IBM claimsclaimed relate to the presentation of applications and advertising in an interactive service, preserving state information in online transactions and single sign-on processes in a computing environmentenvironment. On December 28, 2017, the Company entered into a settlement and seeks unspecified damages (includingcross license agreement with IBM pursuant to which the Company agreed to pay certain amounts to IBM and IBM granted the Company and its current and future subsidiaries a request thatlicense to IBM's patent portfolio. In connection with the settlement, in the quarter ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a charge to general and administrative expense in the amount of compensatory damages be trebled), injunctive relief and costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. The Subject Companies believe the claims$19.3 million, which was in addition to be without merit and intend to contest them.charges previously recorded.
French and Italian Tax MattersMatter
French tax authorities recently concludedconducted an audit that started in 2013of Booking.com of the years 2003 through 2012. They are asserting that Booking.com has a permanent establishment in France and are seeking to recover what they assertclaim are unpaid income taxes and value-added taxes ("VAT").taxes. In December 2015, the French tax authorities issued an assessmentBooking.com assessments related to those tax years for approximately 356 million Euros, the majority of which would represent penalties and interest. The Company believes that Booking.com has been, and continues to be, in compliance with French tax law, and the Company intendsis contesting the assessments. The Company's objection to contest the assessment.assessments was denied by the French tax authorities. If the Company is unable to resolve the matter with the French tax authorities, it would expect to challenge the assessmentassessments in the French courts. In order to contest the assessmentassessments in court, the Company may be required to pay, upfront, the full amount or a significant part of any such assessment,assessments, though any such payment would not constitute an admission by itthe Company that it owes the tax.taxes. Alternatively, any resolution or settlement of the matter with the French tax authorities may decide to also require payment as part of such resolution or settlement. French tax authorities have begun a similar audit subsequentof the tax years 2013 through 2015, which could result in additional assessments.
Similarly, Italian tax authorities have initiated a processTurkish Matter
From time to determine whether Booking.com should betime the Company has been subject to additional tax obligationslegal proceedings and claims regarding whether it is subject to local registration requirements, such as requirements to register as a travel agent. In March 2017, in Italy. Whileconnection with a lawsuit begun in 2015 by the CompanyAssociation of Turkish Travel Agencies claiming that Booking.com is required to meet certain registration requirements in Turkey, a Turkish court ordered Booking.com to suspend offering Turkish hotels and accommodations to Turkish residents. Although Booking.com is appealing the order and believes that it complies with Italian tax law, Italian tax authorities may determine that the Company owes additional taxes, and may also assess penalties and interest. The Company believes that it has been, and continues to be in compliance with Italian tax law.
without basis, this order has had, and is likely to continue to have, a negative impact on the Company's growth and results of operations.
Other
The Company accrues for certain legal contingencies where it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Such accrued amounts are not material to the Company's consolidated balance sheets and provisions recorded have not been material to the Company's consolidated results of operations or cash flows. An estimate forof a reasonably possible loss or range of loss in excess of the amount accrued cannot be reasonably made.
From time to time, the Company has been, and expects to continue to be, subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business, including claims of alleged infringement of third-party intellectual property rights. Such claims, even if not meritorious, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources, divert management's attention from the Company's business objectives and adversely affect the Company's business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Contingent Consideration for Business Acquisitions (see Note 19)18)
Employment Contracts
The Company has employment agreements with certain members of senior management that provide for cash severance payments of up to approximately $24.8$23.3 million, accelerated vesting of equity instruments, including without limitation, stock options, restricted stock units and performance share units upon, among other things, death or termination without "cause" or "good reason," as those terms are defined in the agreements. In addition, certain of the agreements provide for the extension of health and insurance benefits after termination for periods up to threetwo years.
Building Construction
In September 2016, the Company signed a turnkey agreement to construct an office building in the Netherlands, which will be the future headquarters of the Booking.com business. The turnkey agreement provided for payments by Booking.com of approximately 270 million Euros and consists of two components, land-use rights and the building to be constructed. Upon signing this agreement, Booking.com paid approximately 48 million Euros to the developer, which included approximately 43 million Euros for the acquired land-use rights and approximately 5 million Euros for the building construction. The land-use rights are included in "Other assets" and the building construction-in-progress is included in "Property and equipment, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016. The land-use rights asset and required future lease payments to the Municipality in Amsterdam of approximately 60 million Euros are recognized as rent expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining 49-year term of the lease and are recorded in general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Booking.com expects to pay approximately 34 million Euros related to the building construction in the first quarter of 2018, with the remaining amount being paid periodically from the second quarter of 2018 until the expected completion of the building in early 2021. The Company will also make additional capital expenditures to fit out and furnish the office space.
Operating Leases
The Company leases certain facilities and equipment through operating leases. Rental expense for leased office space was approximately $96.1 million, $77.3 million and $64.8 million$57.2 million and $40.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013,2015, respectively. Rental expense for data center space was approximately $21.6$23.7 million, $14.9$22.2 million and $12.5$21.6 million for the years ended December 31, 20152017, 20142016 and 20132015, respectively.
The Company's headquarters and the headquarters of the priceline.com business are located in Norwalk, Connecticut, United States of America, where the Company leases approximately 102,00090,000 square feet of office space. The Booking.com business is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where the Company leases approximately 258,000 square feet of office space;space in Amsterdam, Netherlands for the KAYAK business is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, United Statesheadquarters of America, where the Company leases approximately 18,000 square feet of office space;Booking.com business; the agoda.com business has significant support operations in Bangkok, Thailand, where the Company leases approximately 95,000144,000 square feet of office space; the OpenTable business is headquarteredCompany leases approximately 18,000 square feet of office space in Stamford, Connecticut, United States of America, for the headquarters of the KAYAK business; the Company leases approximately 60,000 square feet of office space in San Francisco, California, United States of America, wherefor the Company leases approximately 51,000 square feetheadquarters of office space;the OpenTable business; and the rentalcars.com business is headquartered in Manchester, England, where the Company leases approximately 45,000 square feet of office space.space in Manchester, England for the headquarters of the Rentalcars.com business. The Company leases additional office space to support its operations in various locations around the world, including hosting and data center facilities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Singapore, and Hong Kong and China and sales and support facilities in numerous locations.
TheOther than the office building in the Netherlands that is currently under construction, as discussed above, the Company does not own any real estate as of December 31, 20152017. Minimum payments for operating leases for office space, data centers and equipment having initial or remaining non-cancellable terms in excess of one year have been translated into U.S. Dollars at the December 31, 20152017 spot exchange rates, as applicable, and are as follows (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2016 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | After 2020 | | Total |
| $92,552 | | $80,262 | | $71,612 | | $61,286 | | $52,957 | | $106,859 | | $465,528 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2018 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2021 | | 2022 | | After 2022 | | Total |
| $ | 149,699 |
| | $ | 141,305 |
| | $ | 117,258 |
| | $ | 86,902 |
| | $ | 54,704 |
| | $ | 207,603 |
| | $ | 757,471 |
|
The Company maintains a defined contribution 401(k) savings plan (the "Plan") covering certain U.S. employees. In connection with acquisitions, effective as of the date of such acquisitions, the Company assumed defined contribution plans covering the U.S. employees of the acquired companies. The Company also maintains certain other defined contribution plans outside of the United States for which it provides contributions for participating employees. The Company's matching
contributions during the years ended December 31, 20152017, 20142016 and 20132015 were approximately $8.414.5 million, $6.210.2 million and $5.88.4 million, respectively.
| |
17.16. | GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION |
The Company's international information consists of the results of Booking.com, agoda.com and rentalcars.comRentalcars.com (which began operating as part of Booking.com on January 1, 2018) and the results of the internationally-based websitesinternational businesses of KAYAK since May 21, 2013 and OpenTable since July 24, 2014 (in each case regardlessOpenTable. This classification is independent of where the consumer resides, where the consumer is physically located while making a reservationusing the Company's services or the location of the travel service provider or restaurant).restaurant. For example, a reservation made through Booking.com at a hotel in New York by a consumer in the United States is part of the Company's international results. The Company's geographic information is as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | United States | | International | | Total Company |
| | | | The Netherlands | | Other | |
| 2017 | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Revenues | | $ | 1,619,566 |
| | $ | 9,540,472 |
| | $ | 1,521,044 |
| | $ | 12,681,082 |
|
| Intangible assets, net | | 1,790,425 |
| | 43,703 |
| | 342,695 |
| | 2,176,823 |
|
| Goodwill | | 1,806,707 |
| | 254,294 |
| | 676,670 |
| | 2,737,671 |
|
| Other long-lived assets | | 124,182 |
| | 253,830 |
| | 208,154 |
| | 586,166 |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| 2016 | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Revenues | | $ | 1,680,446 |
| | $ | 7,783,376 |
| | $ | 1,279,184 |
| | $ | 10,743,006 |
|
| Intangible assets, net | | 1,918,095 |
| | 51,317 |
| | 24,473 |
| | 1,993,885 |
|
| Goodwill | | 1,801,835 |
| | 228,670 |
| | 366,401 |
| | 2,396,906 |
|
| Other long-lived assets | | 102,457 |
| | 195,669 |
| | 123,485 |
| | 421,611 |
|
| | United States | | The Netherlands | | Other | | Total Company | | | | | | | |
| 2015 | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Revenues | $ | 1,817,360 |
| | $ | 6,205,116 |
| | $ | 1,201,511 |
| | $ | 9,223,987 |
| $ | 1,817,360 |
| | $ | 6,205,116 |
| | $ | 1,201,511 |
| | $ | 9,223,987 |
|
| Intangible assets, net | 2,052,351 |
| | 78,027 |
| | 37,155 |
| | 2,167,533 |
| 2,052,351 |
| | 78,027 |
| | 37,155 |
| | 2,167,533 |
|
| Goodwill | 2,742,535 |
| | 232,982 |
| | 399,483 |
| | 3,375,000 |
| 2,742,535 |
| | 232,982 |
| | 399,483 |
| | 3,375,000 |
|
| Other long-lived assets | 89,656 |
| | 138,329 |
| | 103,142 |
| | 331,127 |
| 89,656 |
| | 138,329 |
| | 103,142 |
| | 331,127 |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| 2014 | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| Revenues | $ | 1,798,484 |
| | $ | 5,519,207 |
| | $ | 1,124,280 |
| | $ | 8,441,971 |
| |
| Intangible assets, net | 2,183,957 |
| | 108,650 |
| | 42,154 |
| | 2,334,761 |
| |
| Goodwill | 2,712,479 |
| | 224,731 |
| | 389,264 |
| | 3,326,474 |
| |
| Other long-lived assets | 80,668 |
| | 97,056 |
| | 77,915 |
| | 255,639 |
| |
| | | | | | | | | |
| 2013 | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| Revenues | $ | 1,769,696 |
| | $ | 4,103,393 |
| | $ | 920,217 |
| | $ | 6,793,306 |
| |
| Intangible assets, net | 838,494 |
| | 123,847 |
| | 57,644 |
| | 1,019,985 |
| |
| Goodwill | 1,247,686 |
| | 156,261 |
| | 363,965 |
| | 1,767,912 |
| |
| Other long-lived assets | 49,750 |
| | 61,164 |
| | 64,708 |
| | 175,622 |
| |
18.17. SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | First Quarter | | Second Quarter | | Third Quarter | | Fourth Quarter |
| | (In thousands, except per share data) |
| | | | | | | | |
| 2015 | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
Total revenues(1) | $ | 1,840,694 |
| | $ | 2,280,397 |
| | $ | 3,102,901 |
| | $ | 1,999,995 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Gross profit | 1,672,236 |
| | 2,092,906 |
| | 2,947,282 |
| | 1,879,383 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Net income applicable to common stockholders | 333,327 |
| | 517,032 |
| | 1,196,732 |
| | 504,269 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Net income applicable to common stockholders per basic common share | $ | 6.42 |
| | $ | 10.02 |
| | $ | 23.67 |
| | $ | 10.14 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Net income applicable to common stockholders per diluted common share | $ | 6.36 |
| | $ | 9.94 |
| | $ | 23.41 |
| | $ | 10.00 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | First Quarter | | Second Quarter | | Third Quarter | | Fourth Quarter |
| | (In thousands, except per share data) |
| | | | | | | | |
| 2017 | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Total revenues | $ | 2,419,404 |
| | $ | 3,024,556 |
| | $ | 4,434,029 |
| | $ | 2,803,093 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Gross profit | 2,334,235 |
| | 2,951,814 |
| | 4,374,553 |
| | 2,769,943 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss)(1) | 455,623 |
| | 720,209 |
| | 1,720,391 |
| | (555,458 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders per basic common share (1) | $ | 9.26 |
| | $ | 14.66 |
| | $ | 35.12 |
| | $ | (11.41 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders per diluted common share (1) | $ | 9.11 |
| | $ | 14.39 |
| | $ | 34.43 |
| | $ | (11.41 | ) |
(1) Includes a provisional tax expense of approximately $1.6 billion related to a one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of accumulated unremitted international earnings and a provisional tax benefit of approximately $217 million related to the remeasurement of the Company’s U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities, for the fourth quarter of 2017, as a result of the Tax Act (see Note 13).
| | | | First Quarter | | Second Quarter | | Third Quarter | | Fourth Quarter | First Quarter | | Second Quarter | | Third Quarter | | Fourth Quarter |
| | (In thousands, except per share data) | (In thousands, except per share data) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2014 | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| 2016 | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total revenues(1) | $ | 1,641,802 |
| | $ | 2,123,575 |
| | $ | 2,836,497 |
| | $ | 1,840,097 |
| $ | 2,148,119 |
| | $ | 2,555,902 |
| | $ | 3,690,552 |
| | $ | 2,348,433 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Gross profit | 1,406,471 |
| | 1,882,996 |
| | 2,619,978 |
| | 1,674,685 |
| 2,019,450 |
| | 2,429,818 |
| | 3,589,063 |
| | 2,276,361 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income applicable to common stockholders | 331,218 |
| | 576,451 |
| | 1,062,253 |
| | 451,831 |
| |
Net income(1) | | 374,424 |
| | 580,638 |
| | 506,017 |
| | 673,908 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income applicable to common stockholders per basic common share | $ | 6.35 |
| | $ | 11.00 |
| | $ | 20.27 |
| | $ | 8.65 |
| |
Net income applicable to common stockholders per basic common share(1) | | $ | 7.54 |
| | $ | 11.71 |
| | $ | 10.24 |
| | $ | 13.66 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income applicable to common stockholders per diluted common share | $ | 6.25 |
| | $ | 10.89 |
| | $ | 20.03 |
| | $ | 8.56 |
| $ | 7.47 |
| | $ | 11.60 |
| | $ | 10.13 |
| | $ | 13.47 |
|
(1)As Includes a non-cash charge in the Company's retail accommodation business,third quarter of 2016 related to an impairment of OpenTable goodwill of $940.7 million, which recognizes revenue atis not tax deductible (see Note 9). The goodwill impairment charge reduced basic and diluted net income per share for the completionthird quarter of the stay, continues to expand, our quarterly results become increasingly impacted2016 by seasonal factors.$19.03 and $18.82, respectively.
19.18. ACQUISITIONS
Acquisition activity in 2017
On July 24, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of the Momondo Group, which operates the travel meta-search websites momondo and Cheapflights, for $555.5 million, and which is managed as part of the Company's KAYAK business.
The purchase price allocations were completed as of December 31, 2017. The aggregate purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as follows (in millions): |
| | | | |
Current assets (1) | | $ | 49.3 |
|
Identifiable intangible assets (2) | | 333.3 |
|
Goodwill (3) | | 288.3 |
|
| Property and equipment | | 1.2 |
|
Total liabilities (4) | | (116.6 | ) |
| Total consideration | | $ | 555.5 |
|
(1) Includes cash acquired of $14.6 million.
(2) Acquired definite-lived intangible assets, consisted of distribution agreements of $213.5 million with a weighted-average useful life of 15 years, trade names of $104.4 million with a weighted-average useful life of 13 years and technology of $15.4 million with a weighted-average life of 4 years.
(3) Goodwill is not tax deductible.
(4) Includes deferred tax liabilities of $70.4 million and third-party senior debt of $15.1 million.
The Company's Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Momondo Group beginning July 24, 2017. Revenues and earnings of this business since the acquisition date and pro forma results of operations have not been presented separately as such financial information is not material to the Company's results of operations. The Company incurred $5.1 million of professional fees for the year ended December 31, 2017 related to this acquisition. The acquisition-related expenses were included in general and administrative expenses in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Acquisition activity in 2015
The Company paid approximately $75 million, net of cash acquired, to acquire certain businesses in 2015. The Company's consolidated financial statementsConsolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of these businesses startingbeginning at their respective acquisition dates. Revenues and earnings of these businesses since their respective acquisition datedates and pro forma results of operations have not been presented separately as such financial information is not material to the Company's results of operations. As of December 31, 2015,2017 and 2016, the Company recognizedCompany's Consolidated Balance Sheets include a long-term liability of approximately $9 million for estimated contingent payments.consideration for the purchase of one business. The estimated acquisition-date contingent liability is based upon the probability-weighted average payments for specific performance factors from the acquisition date through the performance period which ends at March 31, 2019. The range of undiscounted outcomes for the estimated contingent payments is approximately $0 to $90 million.
Acquisition activity in 2014
OpenTable, Inc.
On July 24, 2014, the Company acquired OpenTable, Inc., a leading online restaurant reservation business, in a cash transaction. The purchase price of OpenTable was approximately $2.5 billion (approximately $2.4 billion net of cash acquired) or $103.00 per share of OpenTable common stock. The Company funded the acquisition from cash on hand in the United States and $995 million borrowed under the Company's previous revolving credit facility, which the Company repaid during the third quarter of 2014. Also, in connection with this acquisition, the Company assumed unvested employee stock options and restricted stock units with an acquisition fair value of approximately $95 million.
OpenTable has built a strong brand helping diners secure restaurant reservations online across the United States and select non-U.S. markets. OpenTable also helps restaurants manage their reservations and connect directly with their customers. The Company believes that OpenTable has significant global potential and intends to leverage its international experience and capabilities in support of OpenTable's international growth.
The purchase price allocations were completed as of December 31, 2014. The aggregate purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as follows (in millions): |
| | | | |
Current assets (1) | | $ | 203 |
|
Identifiable intangible assets (2) | | 1,435 |
|
Goodwill (3) | | 1,500 |
|
| Other long-term assets | | 38 |
|
Total liabilities (4) | | (647 | ) |
| Total consideration | | $ | 2,529 |
|
(1) Includes cash acquired of $126 million.
(2) Acquired definite-lived intangibles, with a weighted-average life of 18.8 years, consisted of trade names of $1.1 billion with an estimated useful life of 20 years, supply and distribution agreements of $290 million with an estimated useful life of 15 years, and technology of $15 million with estimated useful life of 5 years.
(3) Goodwill is not tax deductible.
(4) Includes deferred tax liabilities of $543 million.
The Company's consolidated financial statements include the accounts of OpenTable starting on July 24, 2014. OpenTable's revenues and earnings since the acquisition date and pro forma results of operations have not been presented separately as such financial information is not material to the Company's results of operations.
Other
In the second quarter of 2014, the Company acquired certain businessesa business that provideprovides hotel marketing services. The Company's consolidated financial statements include the accounts of these businesses starting at their respective acquisition dates. The Company paid approximately $98 million, net of cash acquired, to purchase these businesses. As of December 31, 2014, the Company recognized a liability of $10.7 million for estimated contingent payments related to anthis acquisition. In 2015, the Company paid $18.4 million to settle this contingent liability. The cash payment related to the acquisition-date estimated fair value of $10.7 million is reported as a financing activity and the remaining cash payment of $7.7 million, which was charged to general and administrative expenses as a fair value adjustment, is included as an operating activity in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2015.
The Company incurred $6.9 million of professional fees for the year ended December 31, 2014 related to these consummated acquisitions. These acquisition-related expenses were included in general and administrative expenses.
Acquisition activity in 2013
KAYAK Software Corporation
On May 21, 2013, the Company acquired 100% of KAYAK Software Corporation in a stock and cash transaction. The purchase value was $2.1 billion ($1.9 billion net of cash acquired). The Company paid $0.5 billion in cash, from cash on hand in the United States, and $1.6 billion in shares of its common stock (based upon the market value of the Company's common stock at the merger date) and the fair value of the assumed vested KAYAK stock options. These assumed vested KAYAK stock options are related to pre-combination service. A significant amount of the aggregate purchase price was allocated to definite-lived intangibles and goodwill.
Also in conjunction with the acquisition, the Company assumed unvested KAYAK employee stock options, which relate to post-combination service, with an acquisition date fair value of $57.4 million.
As a result of the acquisition of KAYAK, the Company expensed approximately $8.5 million of professional fees for the year ended December 31, 2013. These acquisition-related expenses were included in general and administrative expenses. In addition, the Company paid approximately $1.2 million of stock issuance costs for the year ended December 31, 2013, with an offsetting charge to additional paid-in capital.
The Company's consolidated financial statements include the accounts of KAYAK starting on May 21, 2013. KAYAK's revenues and earnings since the acquisition date and pro forma results of operations have not been presented as such financial information is not material to the Company's results of operations.
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
In reviewing the agreements included as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, please remember they are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about the Company or the other parties to the agreements. Some agreements contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and:
should not be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate;
| |
| • | may have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures are not necessarily reflected in the agreement; |
may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to you or other investors; and
were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement and are subject to more recent developments.
Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time. Additional information about the Company may be found elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10‑K and the Company's other public filings, which are available without charge through the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.
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| Exhibit Number | Description |
2.1(a) | Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 12, 2014, by and among OpenTable, Inc., the Registrant and Rhombus, Inc. |
3.1(b) | Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant. |
3.2(c) | Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant. |
| 4.1 | Reference is hereby made to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2. |
4.2(d)4.2(b) | Specimen Certificate for Registrant's Common Stock. |
4.3(e) | Indenture, dated as of March 12, 2012, between the Registrant and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as Trustee. |
4.4(f) | Indenture, dated as of June 4, 2013, between the Registrant and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as Trustee. |
4.5(g) | Indenture, dated as of August 20, 2014, between the Registrant and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as Trustee. |
4.6(h) | Indenture for the 2.375% Senior Notes due 2024, 1.800% Senior Notes due 2027, 3.650% Senior Notes due 2025, and 2.15% Senior Notes due 2022 and 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026, between the Registrant and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee. |
4.7(i) | Indenture, dated as of August 8, 2017, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.
|
| Form of 2.375% Senior Note due 2024. |
4.8(j) | Officers' Certificate, dated September 23, 2014, for the 2.375% Senior Notes due 2024. |
4.9(k) | Form of 1.800% Senior Note due 2027. |
4.10(l) | Officers' Certificate, dated March 3, 2015, for the 1.800% Senior Notes due 2027. |
4.11(m) | Form of 3.650% Senior Note due 2025. |
4.12(n) | Officers' Certificate, dated March 13, 2015, for the 3.650% Senior Notes due 2025. |
4.13(h) | Form of 2.15% Senior Note due 2022. |
4.14(h) | Officers' Certificate, dated November 25, 2015, for the 2.15% Senior Notes due 2022. |
10.1(o)+ | priceline.com IncorporatedForm of 3.600% Senior Note due 2026. |
| Officers' Certificate, dated May 23, 2016, for the 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026. |
| Form of 0.800% Senior Note due 2022.
|
| Officers' Certificate, dated March 10, 2017, for the 0.800% Senior Notes due 2022. |
| Form of 2.750% Senior Note due 2023. |
| Officers' Certificate, dated August 15, 2017, with respect to the 2.750% Senior Notes due 2023. |
| Form of 3.550% Senior Note due 2028. |
| Officers' Certificate, dated August 15, 2017, with respect to the 3.550% Senior Notes due 2028. |
|
| |
| The Priceline Group Inc. 1999 Omnibus Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective June 6, 2013)March 2, 2017). |
10.2(p) | Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Employees in the Netherlands under the 1999 Omnibus Plan. |
10.3(q) | Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for awards under the 1999 Omnibus Plan to non-employee directors. |
10.4(r) | 2013 Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement under the 1999 Omnibus Plan. |
10.5(s)+ | 2014 Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement under the 1999 Omnibus Plan. |
10.6(t)+ | 2015 Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement under the 1999 Omnibus Plan. |
| 2016 Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement under the 1999 Omnibus Plan. |
| 2017 Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement under the 1999 Omnibus Plan. |
10.7(u) | Amended and Restated KAYAK Software Corporation 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. |
10.8(v) | OpenTable, Inc. Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Award Plan. |
10.9(w) | Buuteeq, Inc. Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Plan. |
10.10+ | Amended and Restated Rocket Travel, Inc. 2012 Stock Incentive Plan. |
10.11+ | The Priceline Group Inc. Amended and Restated Annual Bonus Plan. |
10.12(r) | Form of Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement. |
10.13(x) | Transition Agreement dated November 7, 2013 by and between the Registrant and Jeffery H. Boyd. |
10.14(t) | Transition Agreement dated March 5, 2015 by and between priceline.com LLC and Chris Soder. |
10.15(t)+ | Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated March 5, 2015 by and between the Registrant, Booking.com Holding B.V. and Darren R. Huston. |
10.16(x)+ | Amended and Restated Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement dated November 7, 2013 by and between the Registrant and Darren R. Huston. |
10.17(y)+ | Indemnification Agreement, dated September 12, 2011 by and between the Registrant and Darren R. Huston. |
10.18(z)+ | Letter agreement, dated October 19, 2005 by and between the Registrant and Daniel J. Finnegan. |
10.19(aa) | Letter amendment, dated December 16, 2008, to letter agreement, dated October 19, 2005 by and between the Registrant and Daniel J. Finnegan. |
10.20(bb) | Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated April 21, 2015 by and between the Registrant and Peter J. Millones.
|
10.21(cc) | Amended and Restated Employment contract, dated FebruaryMay 19, 2015,2016 by and between Booking.com Holding B.V. and Gillian Tans.
|
10.22(dd) | Employment Letter Agreement, dated May 19, 2016 by and between the Registrant and Jeffery H. Boyd.
|
| Employment Agreement, dated December 15, 2016 by and between the Registrant and Glenn D. Fogel.
|
| Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, dated December 15, 2016 by and between the Registrant and Glenn D. Fogel.
|
| Employee Confidentiality and Assignment Agreement, dated December 15, 2016 by and between the Registrant and Glenn D. Fogel. |
| Letter Agreement, dated December 15, 2016 by and between the Registrant and Jeffery H. Boyd. |
| Letter Agreement, dated May 11, 2017, between the Registrant and Daniel J. Finnegan.
|
| Employment Agreement, dated January 19, 2018, between the Registrant and David Goulden.
|
| Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, dated March 1, 2018, between the Registrant and David Goulden.
|
| Employee Confidentiality and Assignment Agreement, dated January 19, 2018, between the Registrant and David Goulden.
|
| Credit Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2015, among the Registrant, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent. |
| Statement of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. |
| List of Subsidiaries. |
| Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP. |
| Power of Attorney (included in the Signature Page). |
| Certification of Darren R. Huston,Glenn D. Fogel, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| Certification of Daniel J. Finnegan, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32.1(ee) | Certification of Darren R. Huston,Glenn D. Fogel, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code). |
32.2(ee) | Certification of Daniel J. Finnegan, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code). |
| 101 | The following financial statements from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 20152017 formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v)(vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. |
____________________________
| |
| + | Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. |
|
| |
| | |
| (a) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 13, 2014 (File No. 0-25581). |
(b) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 18, 2014 (File No. 0-25581). |
(c) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 9, 2015February 21, 2018 (File No. 1-36691). |
(d)(b) | Previously filed as an exhibit to Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on March 18, 1999 (File No. 333-69657). |
(e)(c) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2012 (File No. 0-25581). |
(f)(d) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 4, 2013 (File No. 0-25581). |
(g)(e) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 20, 2014 (File No. 0-25581). |
(h)(f) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 25, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
(i)(g) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on August 8, 2017 (File No. 333-219800).
|
| (h) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 22, 2014 (File No. 0-25581). |
(j)(i) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 26, 2014 (File No. 0-25581). |
(k)(j) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 2, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
(l)(k) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
(m)(l) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
(n)(m) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 13, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (n) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2016 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (o) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8‑K filed on June 6, 2013March 10, 2017 (File No. 0-25581)1-36691). |
| (p) | Previously filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 15, 2017 (File No. 1-36691).
|
| (q) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8‑K filed on March 3, 2017 (File No. 1-36691).
|
| (r) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8‑K filed on November 8, 2005 (File No. 0-25581). |
(q)(s) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8‑K filed on March 9, 2011 (File No. 0-25581). |
(r) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2013 (File No. 0-25581). |
(s) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2014 (File No. 0-25581). |
| (t) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 6, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (u) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the AnnualCurrent Report on Form 10-K8-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2014on March 10, 2016 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (v) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 (File No. 1-36691). |
(w) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on June 13, 2014 (File No. 333-196756). |
| (w) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (x) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2013 (File No. 0-25581). |
| (y) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 8, 2013 (File No. 0-25581). |
(y) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 (File No. 0-25581). |
| (z) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 21, 2005 (File No. 0-25581). |
| (aa) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the year ended December 31, 2008 (File No. 0-25581). |
| (bb) | Previously filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 24, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (cc) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the QuarterlyCurrent Report on Form 10-Q8-K filed for the quarter ended March 31, 2015on May 20, 2016 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (dd) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2016 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (ee) | Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 12, 2017 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (ff) | Previously filed as an Exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 22, 2018 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (gg) | Previously filed as an exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 24, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
(ee)(hh) | This document is being furnished in accordance with SEC Release Nos. 33‑8212 and 34‑47551. |
