UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 20172019
Commission File No.: 1-36691
Booking Holdings Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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| Delaware | 06-1528493 |
Delaware
(State or other Jurisdictionjurisdiction of Incorporationincorporation or Organization)
organization) | | 06-1528493
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
800 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, Connecticut
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
| | 06854
(Zip Code)
Number) |
Registrant’s800 Connecticut Avenue
Norwalk, Connecticut06854
(address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (203) (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: | | Trading Symbol | | Name of Each Exchange on which Registered: |
| Common Stock par value $0.008 per share | | BKNG | | The NASDAQ Global Select Market |
| 0.800% Senior Notes Due 2022 | | New YorkBKNG 22A | | The NASDAQ Stock ExchangeMarket LLC |
| 2.150% Senior Notes Due 2022 | | New YorkBKNG 22 | | The NASDAQ Stock ExchangeMarket LLC |
| 2.375% Senior Notes Due 2024 | | New YorkBKNG 24 | | The NASDAQ Stock ExchangeMarket LLC |
| 1.800% Senior Notes Due 2027 | | New YorkBKNG 27 | | The NASDAQ Stock ExchangeMarket LLC |
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. Yesý☒ 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☐Noý☒
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. Yesý☒ 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). Yesý☒ 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 or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer"filer," "smaller reporting company," and "smaller reporting"emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):Act: |
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Large accelerated filerý | ☒ | Accelerated filero | ☐ | Non-accelerated filero | ☐ |
Smaller reporting companyo | ☐ | Emerging growth companyo | ☐ | | |
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 Booking Holdings Inc. as ofat June 30, 20172019 was approximately $91.5$80.0 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 Booking Holdings Inc. on June 30, 20172019 have been excluded because such persons may be deemed to be affiliates of Booking Holdings Inc. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.
The number of outstanding shares of Booking Holdings Inc.’s common stock was 48,288,592 as of41,061,814 at February 20, 2018.19, 2020.
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 Booking Holdings Inc.'s definitive proxy statement relating to theits annual meeting of stockholders to be held on June 7, 2018,4, 2020, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of Booking Holdings Inc.'s fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.2019.
Booking Holdings Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 20172019 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," "aims," "seeks," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "intends," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "targets," and "continue," reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements. 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
Our mission is to help peoplemake it easier for everyone to experience the world. We operateseek to empower people to cut through travel barriers, such as money, time, language and overwhelming options, so they can use our services to easily and confidently get where they want to go, stay where they want to stay, dine where they want to dine, pay how they want to pay and experience what they want to experience. We connect consumers wishing to make travel reservations with providers of travel services around the world through our online platforms. Through one or more of our brands, consumers can: book a broad array of accommodations (including hotels, motels, resorts, homes, apartments, bed and breakfasts, hostels and other properties); make a car rental reservation or arrange for an airport taxi; make a dinner reservation; or book a cruise, flight, vacation package, tour or activity. Consumers can also use our meta-search services to easily compare travel reservation information, such as airline ticket, hotel reservation and rental car reservation information, from hundreds of online travel platforms at once. In addition, we offer various other services to consumers and partners, such as certain travel-related insurance products and restaurant management services to restaurants.
We offer these services through six primary consumer-facing brands:
Booking.com, -KAYAK, priceline, agoda, Rentalcars.com and OpenTable. While historically our brands operated on a largely independent basis and many of them focused on a particular service (e.g., accommodation reservations) or geography, we are increasing the collaboration, cooperation and interdependency among our brands in our efforts to provide consumers with the best and most comprehensive services. We also seek to maximize the benefits of our scale by sharing resources and technological innovations, co-developing new services and coordinating activities in key markets among our brands. For example, Booking.com, the world’s leading brand for booking online accommodation reservations based(based on room nights booked.
priceline.com - a leading hotel,booked), offers rental car airline ticket and vacation package reservation service inother ground transportation services, flights, restaurant reservations, tours and activities reservations and other services, many of which are supported by our other brands. Similarly, hotel reservations available through Booking.com are also generally available through agoda and priceline. The following table shows the United States.
KAYAK - a leading meta-search service allowing consumers to easily search and compare travel itineraries and prices, including airline ticket, accommodation and rental car reservation information, from hundreds of travel websites at once.
agoda.com - a leading accommodation reservation service catering primarilykey services offered to consumers in the Asia-Pacific region.by our primary brands:
Rentalcars.com - a leading worldwide rental car reservation service.
OpenTable - a leading provider of restaurant reservation and information services to consumers and restaurant reservation management and customer acquisition services to restaurants.
Our business is driven primarily by international results, which consist of the results of Booking.com, agoda.comagoda and Rentalcars.com (which began operating as part of Booking.com on January 1, 2018) and the international businesses of KAYAK and OpenTable. This classification is independent of where the consumer resides, where the consumer is physically located while using our services or the location of the travel service provider or 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, 2017,2019, our international business (the substantial majority of which is generated by Booking.com) represented approximately 89%90% of our consolidated gross profit.revenues. A significant majority of our gross profitrevenues, including a significant majority of our international revenues, is earned in connection with facilitating accommodation reservations. See Note 1618 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more geographic information.
Booking 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 "BKNG,"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 collectively as "Booking Holdings," the "Company," "we," "our" or "us."
The Booking Holdings Business Model
We derive substantially all of our revenues and gross profit from the following sources:
Commissions earnedenabling consumers to make travel service reservations. We also earn revenues from facilitating reservations of accommodations, rental cars and other travel services on an agency basis;
Transaction gross profit on a merchant basiscredit card processing rebates and customer processing fees, advertising services, restaurant reservations and restaurant management services, and various other services, such as travel-related insurance.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, we had revenues of $15.1 billion, which we classify as "agency" revenues, "merchant" revenues and "advertising and other" revenues.
Agency revenues are derived from travel-related transactions where we do not facilitate payments from travelers for the services provided. We invoice the travel service providers for our commissions after travel is completed. Agency revenues consist almost entirely of travel reservation commissions.
Merchant revenues are derived from travel-related transactions where we facilitate payments from travelers for the service provided, generally at the time of booking. Merchant revenues include travel reservation commissions and transaction net revenues (i.e., the amount charged to travelers less the amount owed to travel service providers) in connection with our merchant reservation services; credit card processing rebates and customer processing fees; and ancillary fees, including travel-related insurance revenues and certain global distribution system ("GDS") reservation booking fees. Substantially all merchant revenues are derived from transactions where travelers book accommodation reservations or rental car airline ticket and vacation package reservation services;reservations.
Advertising and other revenues are derived primarily from (a) revenues earned by KAYAK fromfor sending referrals to online travel companies ("OTCs") and travel service providers as well as fromand for advertising placements on KAYAK's websitesits platforms and mobile apps;
Reservation revenues paid by restaurants for diners seated through OpenTable's online reservation services, subscription fees for restaurant reservation management services 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, 2017, we had gross profit of approximately $12.4 billion comprised of "agency" gross profit, "merchant" gross profit, and "advertising and other" gross profit. Agency gross profit is derived from travel-related transactions where we do not facilitate payments for the travel services provided. Agency gross profit, which represented the majority of our total gross profit in 2017, consists primarily of: (1) travel reservation commissions; (2) certain GDS reservation booking fees and (3) certain travel insurance fees. Merchant gross profit is derived from services where we facilitate 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, and merchant travel reservation commissions; (2) transaction revenues representing the price of Name Your Own Price® reservations charged to a customer (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 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; (2) revenues earned by OpenTable for (a) reservation fees paid by restaurants for diners seated through OpenTable's onlineits restaurant reservation services 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. See Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.
The Booking Holdings Strategy
We aim to achieve our mission to help peoplemake it easier for everyone to experience the world through global leadership in online travel and restaurant reservation and related services by:by striving to:
providingprovide consumers with the best choices and prices at any time, in any place, on any device;
makingmake it easy for people to find, book, pay for and experience their travel desires; and
providingprovide 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. The global online travel and dining categories continue to grow as consumer purchasing shifts from traditional offline channels to interactive online channels, including mobile channels. Our strategy is to continue to participate broadly in this online growth by expanding our service offerings and markets. In particular, we aimseek to be the world leader in online travel and restaurant reservation and related services by (a) leveragingleverage technology to provide consumers with the best experience, (b) partneringpartner with travel service providers and restaurants to our mutual benefit, (c) operating entrepreneurialoperate multiple brands that collaborate and share best practices,with each other, and (d) investinginvest 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; (c) informative
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| • | 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) intuitive, easy-to-use online travel and restaurant reservation and search services; (b) a continually increasing number, location and variety of accommodations, other travel offerings, restaurants and payment options through our 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 brands, the most personalized experience and the most extensive, varied and comprehensive travel service selection in every geography at the best prices. Further, we endeavor to provide excellent customer service in a variety of ways, including through our call centers and online platforms and the use of chatbots and other technologies, so that consumers can be confident that booking reservations through us will be a positive experience. |
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. Booking.com included approximately 1,586,000 properties on its website as of December 31, 2017, consisting of approximately 396,000 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 providegrow our business by, among other things, providing a best-in-class user experience with intuitive, easy-to-use online platforms (i.e., websites and mobile appsapps) to ensure that we are meeting the needs of online consumers while aiming to exceed their expectations.
Partnering with As a result, our long-term strategy is to build a more integrated offering of multiple elements of travel, which we refer to as the "Connected Trip." We believe that through innovation and the utilization of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Connected Trip will simplify and improve all aspects of the travel experience, including: discovery, planning, booking, coordinating itineraries among travel service providers, automatic rescheduling/rebooking, etc. For example, if a traveler’s flight is delayed, we envision that ultimately the Connected Trip will not only alert the traveler, but also automatically arrange for a late arrival at the hotel, change a dinner reservation and restaurants. We aim to establish mutually beneficial relationships with travel service providers and restaurants aroundalert other diners, reschedule the world.airport transfer, find a later connecting flight, etc. We believe that travel service providerssuch a system will benefit both the traveler and restaurants 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, as well as provide a compelling and differentiated service offering for consumers.
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| • | Partnering with travel service providers, restaurants and OTCs. We aim to establish mutually beneficial relationships with travel service providers and restaurants around the world. We believe that travel service providers and restaurants 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 online platforms and ability to offer their inventory in markets and to consumers that the travel service provider or restaurant may otherwise be unable or unlikely to reach. |
In addition, we have entered into commercial relationships with other OTCs, such as Didi (the leading ride hailing service in China) and Grab (the leading ride hailing company in Southeast Asia), whereby the customers of one company will have access to the services of the other. 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 businesses. For example, Booking.com's BookingSuite services are designed to offer accommodation providers with affordable marketing and business analytics tools to help them attract customers and more effectively manage their 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 brands. We employ a strategy of operating multiple 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 benefiting all of our 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. For example, we spend significant and increasing amounts on performance and brand advertising to acquire customers and establish and strengthen our brands. We intend to continue efforts to share best practices, access to travel service provider offerings and customers across our 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 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. We seek to offer online services that meet the needs and the expectations of consumers, travel service providers and restaurants and that we believe will result in long-term profitability and growth. We intend to accomplish this through continuous investment and innovation, 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 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 2017 we expanded our KAYAK meta-search business, in particular in Europe, through the 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
Booking.com app, a Booking.com customer traveling in Southeast Asia can book a local ride arranged by Grab.
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| • | Operating multiple brands. We employ a strategy of operating multiple brands, which we believe allows us the opportunity to offer our 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. At the same time, we are increasing the collaboration, cooperation and interdependency among our brands in our efforts to provide consumers with the best and most comprehensive services. We intend to invest resources to support organic growth by all our brands, whether through increased marketing, geographic expansion, technological innovation or increased access to accommodations, rental cars, restaurants, airline tickets or other services. |
businesses, acquire innovative technology or for other reasons. For example, we have a commercial relationship with, and have made significant financial investments in, Ctrip, a leading OTC operating primarily in China.
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| • | Investing in profitable and sustainable growth. We seek to offer online services that meet the needs and the expectations of consumers, travel service providers and restaurants and that we believe will result in long-term profitability and growth. We intend to accomplish this through continuous investment and innovation, 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. We have made significant investments in people, technology, marketing and expanded, new or additional services, such as increasing our extensive collection of accommodations including homes, apartments and other unique places to stay, expanded flight and ground transportation offerings and other offerings. We seek to maximize the benefits of our scale by sharing resources and technological innovations among our brands, co-developing new services and coordinating activities in key markets among our brands. We also regularly evaluate, and may pursue and consummate, 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. |
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, bedBooking.com and breakfasts, hostels 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 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.Rentalcars.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 ofAt December 31, 2017,2019, Booking.com offered accommodation reservation services for approximately 1,586,0002,580,000 properties in over 220230 countries and territories on its various websites and in over 40 languages, consisting of approximately 396,000460,000 hotels, motels and resorts and approximately 1,190,0002,120,000 homes, apartments and other unique places to stay (updated property counts are available on the Booking.com website). 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.stay.
Booking.com has expanded its offerings to better help consumers experience the world. For example, Booking.com has begun offeringoffers in-destination tours and activities in certain markets. On January 1, 2018, we began operating ourmore than 200 cities around the world, as well as flight, rental car and restaurant reservation services. Rentalcars.com businessis operated 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, allowingallows consumers to make rental car reservations in approximately 53,000over 60,000 locations throughout the world, with customer support in over 40 languages. Booking.com and Rentalcars.com also offersoffer pre-booked taxi and black car services on Booking.com and Rentalcars.com at over 900850 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 discount travel reservation business, including through its pioneering Name Your Own Price® and Express Deals® "opaque" offerings 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. KAYAK offers its services in over 60 countries, with the United States being its largest market, through various websites, including Momondo, Cheapflights and Cheapflights (websites we acquiredHotelsCombined.
Priceline. Priceline is a leader in 2017).the discount travel reservation business and offers online travel reservation services primarily in North America and is headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut. Priceline offers consumers hotel, rental car and airline ticket reservation services, as well as vacation packages and cruises.
Agoda.com. Agoda.comAgoda. Agoda 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 rateselsewhere. Agoda also offers flight, ground transportation reservation services and information about the property in agoda.com's proprietary extranet.activities.
OpenTable. OpenTable is a leading brand for booking online restaurant reservations. HeadquarteredWith significant operations 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 continues to invest in expanding its international offerings.
Marketing and Brand Awareness
We have established widely used and recognized e-commerce brands through marketing and promotional campaigns. Both our performance advertising expense and brand advertising expensemarketing expenses have increased significantly in recent years, a trendand we expect to continue. During 2017, our total performance advertising expense was approximately $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 $392 million in brand advertising during 2017. We intend to continue a strategy of promoting brand awareness through both onlineperformance and offline advertisingbrand marketing efforts, including by expanding brand campaigns into additional markets. We expense the substantial majority ofmarkets, which may significantly increase our advertising activities as the expense is incurred, which is typically in the quarter in which reservations are booked, but have recognized most of our gross profit when the consumer's travel or dining experience is completed. Beginning 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 of 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.brand marketing expenses.
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, constantly evolving and subject to rapid change, 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 greatermore customers or users, consumer data and more diversifiedfinancial and other 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 and has grown rapidly in this area, including by establishingoffering a flight meta-search product (“("Google Flights”Flights") and, a hotel meta-search businessproduct ("Google Hotel Ads") that are growing rapidly, as well as, a vacation rental meta-search product, its "Book on Google" reservation functionality, Google Travel, a planning tool that aggregates its flight, hotel and packages products in one website and by integrating its hotel meta-search product into its Google TripsMaps app. Google has also integrated restaurant information and reservations into the Google Maps app. In addition, Amazon has previously experimented with online travel, and has recently partnered with Booking.com to provide travel deals to Prime users in certain countries and with an OTC in India to offer domestic flights through Amazon Pay.
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 and CarRentals.com, which are owned by Expedia; Hotel Reservation Service (HRS) and hotel.de, which are owned by Hotel Reservation Service; and AutoEurope, CarTrawler, Ctrip (in which we hold a minority interest), eLong (in which Ctrip holds a significant minority interest), ezTravel (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, CheapOair, and eDreams ODIGEO;services;
online accommodation search and/or reservation services, such as Airbnb, HomeAway (which is owned by Expedia) and Tujia (in which Ctrip and Expedia hold investments), currently focused primarily on alternative accommodations, including individually owned properties such as homes and apartments;
large online companies, including search, social networking and marketplace companies such as Google, Facebook, Alibaba, Tencent, Amazon and Baidu;companies;
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 Hotelbeds (which recently acquired Tourico and GTA), as well as thousands of individual travel agencies around the world;services;
travel service providers such as accommodation providers, rental car or car- or ride-sharing companies and airlines, many of which have their own branded websitesonline platforms 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;business;
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 interest), Qunar (which is controlled by Ctrip), Skyscanner (in which Ctrip holds a majority interest) and HotelsCombined;;
online restaurant reservation services, such as TripAdvisor's LaFourchette, Yelp's SeatMe, Zomato, Bookatable (which is owned by Michelin), Quandoo (which is owned by Recruit) and Resy (in which Airbnb holds a minority interest);
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 Chuxing, Grab and Ola;services; and
companies offering technology services and software solutions to accommodation providers, including large global distribution systems, or GDSs, such as Amadeustravel service providers.
For more information regarding current and Sabre.
Google,potential competitors and the world’s largest search engine and onecompetitive nature of the world's largest companies, and other large, established companies with substantial resources and expertisemarkets 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 meta-search services, Google Hotel Ads and Google Flights, are growing rapidly and have achieved significantwhich we operate, please see Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors - "Intense competition could reduce our market share and harm our financial performance."in 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 OTCs or other travel websites, which could lead to travel service providers or others gaining a larger share of search traffic. TripAdvisor and trivago, two other leading meta-search 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. 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 allows consumers to make a reservationthis Annual Report on TripAdvisor at some accommodations through its "Instant Booking" offering, which includes participation by many of the leading global hotel chains.Form 10-K.
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 alternative accommodation property owners, particularly individuals, an online place to list their accommodations where travelers can search and book such properties and compete directly with our alternative accommodation services. In addition, Airbnb has begun offering hotel reservations through its online and mobile platforms.
Travel service providers, including 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. Further, consolidation among travel service providers, such as Marriott International's acquisition 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.
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, 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, 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.
Operations and Technology
Our business is supported by multiple systems and platforms, which were designed with an emphasis on scalability, performance, reliability, redundancy and reliability. Thesecurity. These systems and platforms are generally independent among our brands, though some systems have become increasingly connected or shared. Our software systems, platforms and architecture use a variety of widely-used software tools and database systems.
These internal systems and platforms wereare 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 individualindependent 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 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.
We provide customer service through a mix of in-house call centers and 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 criticalimportant 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.
As 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 various issued patents and pending 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-consuming and may not be successful in every location. See Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors - "We face risks related to our intellectual property."
Seasonality
A meaningful amountThe majority of our gross bookings are generated early in the first half of the year, as customersconsumers plan and reserve their spring and summer vacations in Europe and North America. However, historically we generally have not recognizedrecognize revenue from these bookings until
when the travel is completed (on “check-out”begins (at "check-in"), which can be in a 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 isassociated reservations are booked. In contrast, we expense the substantial majority of our advertisingmarketing activities as the expense is incurred, which, in the case of performance advertisingmarketing in particular, is typically in the quarter in which associated reservations are booked. As a result of this potential timing difference between when we record advertisingmarketing expense and when we recognize associated revenue, we have historically experiencedexperience our highest levels of profitability in the second and third quartersquarter of the year, which is when we experience the highest levels of accommodation check-outscheck-ins 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 levelslevel of accommodation bookings in the third and fourth quarters of the year, and the highest levels of travel consumptioncheck-ins in the fourth quarter. As the relative growth rates for theseour businesses fluctuate, the quarterly distribution of our operating results may vary. For additional information regarding factors affecting the seasonality of our business, see Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Seasonality.
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 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 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 2017, our second quarter year-over-year growth rates in revenue, gross profit, operating income and operating margins were positively impacted by Easter falling in the second quarter instead of the first quarter, as it did in 2016. 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 2017, in 2018 Easter will fall in the second 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 a positive effect on our first quarter 2018 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 Ramadan can also impact our quarterly year-over-year growth 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.
Employees
As ofAt December 31, 2017,2019, we employed approximately 22,90026,400 employees, of which approximately 4,2004,300 were based in the United States and approximately 18,70022,100 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,employees, for whom competition is intense. See Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors -"- "We rely on the performance of highly skilled personnel;employees; and, if we are unable to retain or motivate key personnelemployees or hire, retain and motivate qualified personnel,employees, our business would be harmed.harmed."
Company Websites
We maintain websites with the addresses www.bookingholdings.com, www.booking.com, www.priceline.com, www.kayak.com, www.agoda.com, www.rentalcars.com www.opentable.com and www.momondo.com,www.opentable.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.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.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 on Form 10-K 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 almost entirely dependent upon the sale of travel services. Travel, including accommodation (including hotels, motels, resorts, homes, apartments bed and breakfasts, hostels and other properties)unique places to stay), 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 and 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.
Perceived or actual adverse economic conditions, including slow, slowing or negative economic growth, high or rising unemployment rates, inflation and weakening currencies, and concerns over government responses such as higher taxes or tariffs, increased interest rates and reduced government spending, could impair consumer spending and adversely affect travel demand.
Political uncertainty, conditions or events, such as the United Kingdom’s decision to leavetransition out of the European Union ("Brexit"), including uncertainty in the implementation of Brexit and other political 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 experiencedexperience volatility in transaction growth rates, increased cancellation rates and weaker trends in hotelaccommodation average daily rates ("ADRs") across many regions of the world, particularly in those countries that appear to be most affected by economic and political uncertainties, which we believe are due at least in part to these macro-economic conditions and concerns. Economic 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. 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 ratesADRs generally have a negative effect on our accommodation reservation business and a negative effect on our gross profit.revenues and results of operations.
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 foreign 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, declines in oil prices may be indicative of broader macro-economic weakness, which in turn could negatively affect the travel industry, our business and results of operations. Conversely, higher oil prices may result in higher airfares and decreased travel activity, which can negatively affect our business.business and results of operations.
Since the United Kingdom's Brexit vote in 2016, global markets and foreign currency 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 leavingAlthough the United Kingdom has formally left the European Union, many uncertainties remain in the transition period during which the United Kingdom will negotiate its future relationship with the European Union and other nations. After finalization of the transition period of the United Kingdom's exit from 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.Union or if additional business licenses are required. Since the timing and terms of the United Kingdom's exit from the European Union and/or the European Economic Area 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, 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, fires, droughts and volcanic eruptions,
travel-related health concerns including pandemics and epidemics such as coronaviruses, Ebola Zika and MERS,Zika, political instability, changes in economic conditions, wars and regional hostilities, imposition of taxes, tariffs or surcharges by regulatory authorities, changes in trade policies or trade disputes, changes in immigration policies, or travel-related accidents canor increased focus on the environmental impact of travel, have previously and may in the future disrupt travel, limit the ability or willingness of travelers to visit certain locations or otherwise result in declines in travel demand.demand and adversely affect our business and results of operations. 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 and our relationships with travel service providers and other partners, any of which can adversely affect our business and results of operations. For example, our business and operations have been negatively impacted by terrorist attacks, Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, which disrupted travel in the southeastern United States and parts of the Caribbean, respectively, in August 2017, and the coup attempt in Turkey in July 2016. Also, as European countries respond to an increased flow of migrants from the Middle East, travel between countries within 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
As a result of the recent coronavirus outbreak originating in China, we began in January 2020 to experience, and continue to experience, a significant decline in travel demand and increase in customer cancellations predominantly related to travel to, from or in China and certain other Asian markets, though concerns civilabout the coronavirus are also negatively impacting travel demand (and therefore our business) generally. Some countries have implemented travel bans or political unrestrestrictions and some airlines have suspended or limited flights to or from China. We are working with our travelers and travel service provider partners to address cancellations, requests for refunds, rebookings and similar matters. In addition, like many other events outsidecompanies, we have instructed or allowed employees in high-risk areas to work from home or not report to work, which, especially if this persists for a prolonged period of time, may have an adverse impact on our control could disruptemployees, ability to service travelers, operations and systems. The ultimate extent of the coronavirus outbreak and its impact on travel in currently affected countries or more broadly is unknown and impossible to predict with certainty. As a result, the full extent to which the coronavirus will impact our business and results of operations is unknown. However, decreased travel demand resulting from the outbreak has had a negative impact, and adversely affectis likely to have a negative and material impact, on our business, growth and results of operations. In addition, we may incur additional customer service costs in connection with servicing travelers affected by the outbreak, which would also have a negative impact on 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 markets for the services we offer are intensely competitive, constantly evolving and subject to rapid change, 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 greatermore customers or users, consumer data and more diversifiedfinancial and other 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 and has grown rapidly in this area, including by establishingoffering a flight meta-search product ("Google Flights") and, a hotel meta-search product ("Google Hotel Ads") that are growing rapidly, as well as, a vacation rental meta-search product, its "Book on Google" reservation functionality, Google Travel, a planning tool that aggregates its flight, hotel and packages products in one website and by integrating its hotel meta-search products into its Google TripsMaps app. Google has also integrated restaurant information and reservations into the Google Maps app. In addition, Amazon has previously experimented with online travel, and has recently partnered with Booking.com to provide travel deals to Prime users in certain countries and with an OTC in India to offer domestic flights through Amazon Pay.
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 and CarRentals.com, which are owned by Expedia;Expedia Group, Traveloka (in which Expedia Group holds a minority interest) and Despegar/Decolar (in which Expedia Group holds a minority interest); Trip.com Group (in which we hold a small minority interest), Trip.com (which is owned by Trip.com Group), Tongcheng-eLong (in which Trip.com Group holds a significant minority interest), ezTravel (in which Trip.com Group holds a majority interest) and MakeMyTrip (in which Trip.com Group holds a significant minority interest); Hotel Reservation Service (HRS) and hotel.de, which are owned by Hotel Reservation Service; and AutoEurope,
CarTrawler, Ctrip (in which we hold a minority interest), eLong (in which Ctrip holds a significant minority interest), ezTravel (in which Ctrip holds a majority interest), Meituan Dianping (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(which is owned by Alibaba), 17u.com, HotelTonight (which is owned by Airbnb), CheapOair and eDreams ODIGEO;
online accommodation search and/or reservation services such as Airbnb, HomeAway (which is owned by Expedia) and Tujia (in which Ctrip and Expedia hold investments),that are currently focused primarily on alternative accommodations, including individually owned properties such as homes and apartments;apartments, such as Airbnb, Vrbo (which is owned by Expedia Group), Tujia (in which Trip.com Group and Expedia Group hold investments) and Xiaozhu;
large online companies, including search, social networking and marketplace companies such as Google, Facebook, Alibaba, Tencent, Amazon and 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, Egencia and Expedia Partner Solutions (which are owned by Expedia Group), Concur (which is owned by SAP), Thomas Cook, TUI, Webjet and Hotelbeds (which acquired Tourico and GTA in 2017),Group, 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 websitesonline platforms to which they drive business, including large hotel chains such as Marriott International, Hilton and Hyatt Hotels,Intercontinental Hotel Group and emerging hotel chains such as OYO Rooms, 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, Google's vacation rental meta-search product, TripAdvisor, trivago (in which Expedia Group holds a majority interest), Qunar (which is controlled by Ctrip),Trip.com Group) and Skyscanner (in which Ctrip holds a majority interest) and HotelsCombined;(which is owned by Trip.com Group);
online restaurant reservation services, such as TripAdvisor's LaFourchette Yelp'sand Bookatable (which are owned by TripAdvisor), SeatMe Zomato, Bookatable (which is owned by Michelin)Yelp), Zomato, Quandoo (which is owned by Recruit) and Resy (in which Airbnb holds a minority interest)(which is owned by American Express);
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), Turo, BlaBlaCar, Didi Chuxing (in which we hold a small minority interest), Grab (in which we hold a small minority interest), Go-Jek and Ola; and
companies offering technology services and software solutions to accommodationtravel service providers, including large global distribution systems or GDSs,("GDSs"), such as Amadeus, Sabre and Sabre.Travelport, and hospitality software platforms, such as Oracle and Shiji.
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 internet traffic have launchedoffer travel or travel-related search, meta-search and/or reservation booking services and may create additional inroads into online travel. Google's travel meta-search services, Google Hotel Ads and Google Flights, are growinghave grown rapidly and have achieved significant market share in 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 providerproviders (e.g., accommodations, rental car companies or airlines), online travel companycompanies ("OTC") and other travel websitesonline platforms 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,online platforms, which could lead to travel service providers or others gaining a larger share of search traffic. Google leverages its general search business to promote its meta-search offerings by showing meta-search results at the top of its organic search results. Further, TripAdvisor and trivago, two other leading meta-search companies, support their meta-search services with significant brand and performance advertising.marketing. Through our KAYAK meta-search service, we compete directly with these and other meta-search services. KAYAK depends on accessIf we are unable 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'seffectively compete with these companies, our business and results of operations could be harmed.
Consumers may favor travel services offered by meta-search websitesplatforms or search companies over OTCs, which could reduce traffic to our travel reservation websites,platforms, increase consumer awareness of our competitors' brands and websitesservices and
increase our advertisingmarketing 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 profitsrevenues from our KAYAK meta-search business to offset any related decrease in profitsrevenues or increase in marketing and other customer acquisition costs experienced by our OTC brands. Further, meta-search services may evolve into more traditional OTCs by offering consumers the ability to make travel reservations directly through their websites.platforms. For example, TripAdvisor allows consumers to make a reservation at some accommodations while staying on TripAdvisor through its "Instant Booking" offering, which includes participation by many of the leading global hotel chains. We have been participatingGoogle also provides reservation services through "Book on Google." To the extent we participate in Instant Booking since 2015, howeverany such participation may not result in substantial incremental bookingsofferings provided by meta-search services, resulting reservations could be less profitable and could cannibalize business that would otherwise come directly 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. To the extentchannels. If 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 websiteplatform or using a 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 advertisingmarketing or other customer acquisition costs to maintain or grow our reservation bookings and our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.
ThereOver the years, there has been a proliferation of new channels through which accommodation providers can offer reservations.reservations as the market for travel services has evolved. For example, companies such as Airbnb and HomeAway (which is owned by Expedia)Expedia Group offer services providing alternative accommodation property owners, particularly individuals, an online place to list their accommodations where travelers can search and book such properties and compete directly with our alternative accommodation services. In addition, Airbnb, has begun offeringwhich owns HotelTonight, offers some hotel reservations through its 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.platform. New travel-related services are frequently being introduced to the market. For example, in 2019, Google launched Google Travel, which combines its hotel, flight and packages offerings into one website with trip-planning tools. Some of our competitors and potential competitors offer a variety of online services, such as food delivery, shopping, gaming or search services, many of which are used by consumers more frequently than online travel services. As a result, a competitor or potential competitor that has established other, more frequent online interactions with consumers may be able to more easily or cost-effectively acquire customers for its online travel services than we can. For example, some competitors or potential competitors with more frequent online interactions with consumers are seeking to create "super-apps" where consumers can use many online services without leaving that company's app, in particular in markets such as Asia where online activity (including e-commerce) is conducted primarily through apps on mobile devices. If any of these servicesplatforms are successful in attractingoffering new travel-related services or services similar to ours to consumers who would otherwise use our platforms or if we are unable to offer our services to consumers within these super-apps, our customer acquisition efforts could be less effective and our customer acquisition costs, including our brand and performance marketing expenses, could increase, either of which would harm our business and results of operations would be harmed.operations.
Although we believe that providing an extensive collection of properties, excellent customer service and an intuitive, easy to use website or mobileeasy-to-use consumer experience are important factors influencing a consumer's decision to make a reservation, for many consumers, particularly in certain markets, the price of the travel service is the primary factor determining whether a consumer will book a reservation. As a result, it is increasingly important to offer travel services, such as hotel room rates,accommodation reservations, at competitive prices, whether through discounts, coupons, closed-user group rates or loyalty programs, or otherwise. Discounting and couponing coupled with a high degree of consumer shopping behavior is particularly common in Asian markets, while brand loyalty in such markets can be less important.markets. 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. As a result, in certain markets we may need to provide discounts or other incentives in order to be competitive, which may make it difficult for us to maintain or grow market share and to maintain historical profit margins. These initiatives may also result in lower ADRs and lower revenues as a percentage of gross bookings. As part of our strategy to provide more payment options to consumers and travel service providers, Booking.com is increasingly processing transactions on a merchant basis, where it facilitates payments on behalf of customers. This allows Booking.com to present consumers with more pricing options. If we are unable to effectively compete in these markets,offer competitive prices, our market share, business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Travel service providers, including hotel chains, rental car companies and airlines with which we conduct business, compete with us in online channels to drive consumers to their own websitesplatforms 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 userclosed-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 seekonline platforms. We also offer various incentives to allow increased pricing flexibility among providers of travel service reservations. Weconsumers and may need to offer similaradditional or increased advantages to maintain or grow our reservation bookings, which could adversely impactimpacts our profitability.profit margins. Further,
consolidation among travel service providers, such as Marriott International's acquisition in 2017 of Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 2017, could result in lower rates of commission paid to OTCs, increased discounting and greater incentives for consumers to join closed userclosed-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 and other incentives to closed user groups or if we are unable to entice members of our competitors' closed user groups to use our services,consumers, our ability to grow and compete and our results of operations could be harmed.
We are exposed to fluctuations in foreign 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 movements in foreign 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. Throughout 2015,When the U.S. Dollar strengthened significantly year-over-year relative to substantially allstrengthens against other 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 currenciesas it generally did 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,revenues, operating expenses and net income wereare lower as expressed in U.S. Dollars. In 2017,When the Euro, British Pound Sterling and certainU.S. Dollar weakens against other currencies in which we transact, strengthened against the U.S. Dollar. If the U.S. Dollar were to again strengthen,as it generally did in 2017 and 2018, our foreign-currency-denominated net assets, gross bookings, gross profit,revenues, operating expenses and net income whenare higher as expressed in U.S. Dollars would decrease.Dollars. Foreign currency 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.
Recent years have seen significant volatility in the exchange rate between the Euro, the British Pound Sterling, the U.S. Dollar and other currencies. Significant fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates can affect consumer travel behavior. For example, the strengthening of the U.S. Dollar relative to the Euro in 2015 made it more expensive for Europeans to travel to the United States, and the dramatic depreciation of the Russian Ruble in 2014 and 2015 made it more expensive for Russians to travel to Europe and most other non-Ruble destinations.States. 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 currency exchange rates and its impact on consumer behavior, which may differ across regions, make 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 abilitymakes it more difficult to effectively manage our business and forecast our results of operations.
financial and operational performance.
We face risks related to the growth rate and the global expansion of our business.
We derive a substantial portion of our revenues, and have significant operations, outside the United States. Our international businesses include our Netherlands-based OTC brand Booking.com (including Rentalcars.com, based in the Netherlands-based accommodation reservation service Booking.com, theUnited Kingdom), our Asia-based accommodation reservation service agoda.com, the U.K.-based rental car reservation service Rentalcars.com (which began operating as part of Booking.com on January 1, 2018)OTC brand agoda and, to a lesser extent, KAYAK's international meta-search services and OpenTable's international restaurant reservation business. Our international OTC operations have historically achieved significant year-over-year growth in their gross bookings.bookings, in particular with respect to their accommodation reservation services. These growth rates, which have contributed significantly to our growth in consolidated revenue, gross profitrevenues and earnings, have generally declined a trend we expect to continueover time as the absolute level of our gross bookings increases.increased and online travel growth rates have declined. Other factors may also slow the growth rates of our international businesses, including, for example, worldwide or regional economic conditions, 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. AAny decline in the growth rates of our international businesses couldwould have a negative impact on our revenue and earnings growth rates and, as a consequence, our stock price.
Our strategy involves continued 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 internetonline platforms 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 andor 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 internet 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 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 profit margins as these markets increase in size over time. Also,If we are unsuccessful in expanding in new and existing markets and effectively managing that expansion, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Although we intend to continue to invest in adding accommodations available for reservation on our websites,platforms, such as hotels, motels, resorts, homes, apartments and other unique places to stay.stay, the growth rate of our accommodations may vary in part as a result of removing accommodations from our platforms from time to time. Many of the newer accommodations we add to our travel reservation services, especially in highly-penetrated markets, may have fewer rooms or higher credit risk and may appeal to a smaller subset of consumers (e.g., hostels and bed and breakfasts). Because alternative accommodations are often either a single unit or a small collection of independent units, these properties generally represent more limited booking opportunities than hotels, motels and resorts, which generally have more units to rent per property. Further, alternative accommodations in general may be subject to increased seasonality due to local tourism seasons, weather or other factors or may not be available at peak times due to use by the property owners, and we mayowners. We also experience lower profit margins with respect to thesealternative accommodation properties due to certain additional costs related to offering these accommodations on our websites.platforms. As we increase our alternative accommodation business, these different characteristics could negatively impact our profit margins; and, to the extent these properties represent an increasing percentage of the properties added to our websites,platforms, we expect that our gross bookingsroom-night growth rate and property growth rate will continue to diverge over time (since each such alternative accommodation property has fewer booking opportunities). As a result of the foregoing, as the percentage of alternative 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 and managers 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.year or that require owners or managers to obtain a license to rent their properties. 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 regulationsThis dynamic regulatory environment requires us to expend significant time and resources and could negatively impact the growth and/or size of our alternative accommodation reservation business.
We believe that the increase in the number and variety of accommodation providers that participate on our websites,platforms, and the corresponding access to accommodation room nights, has been a key driver of the growth of our accommodation reservation business. The growth inbreadth of 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 business growth rate and results of operations.
The number of our employees worldwide has grown from approximately 6,900 as of9,500 at December 31, 20122013 to approximately 22,900 as of26,400 at December 31, 2017,2019, which growth is mostly comprised of hires by our international operations. WeThe growth of our operations may not be ablemake it more difficult to hire, train, retain, motivate and manage the required personnel, whichemployees. Historically, our brands operated on a largely independent basis and many of them focused on particular services or geographies. As we look to develop the Connected Trip, we are increasing the collaboration, cooperation and interdependency among our brands. As we manage this shift, in addition to managing organic growth and growth through acquisitions, we may limitfind it difficult to maintain the beneficial aspects of our growth, damage our reputation, negatively affect our financial performance,corporate culture at the brand companies and otherwise harm our business.throughout the organization as a whole. In addition, expansion increases the complexity of our business and places additional strain on our management, operations, technical performance, financial resources and administrative, legal, tax, internal financial control and financial reporting functions. Our current and planned personnel,employees, systems, procedures and controls may not be adequate to support and effectively manage this growth and our future operations,increased complexity, especially as we employ personnelemployees in multiple geographic locations around the world.world and increase the number and variety of our products and payment systems. The implementation of new information technology, payment, enterprise resource planning (ERP) or other systems could be disruptive and/or costly or we may experience difficulty successfully integrating new systems into existing systems or migrating to new systems from existing systems, any of which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We rely on performance and brand advertisingmarketing channels to generate a significant amount of traffic to our websitesplatforms and grow our business.
We believe that maintaining and strengthening our brands are important aspects of our efforts to attract and retain customers. We 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 advertisingmarketing 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 and other marketing efforts, we are required to spend more in order to maintain our brand recognition and, in the case of performance advertising,marketing, to maintain and grow traffic to our websitesplatforms through performance advertisingmarketing 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 advertisingmarketing by OTCs, meta-search services and travel service providers, particularly in North America and Europe, which may make our brand advertisingmarketing 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 advertisingmarketing efficiency, expressed as performance advertisingmarketing expense as a percentage of gross profit,revenues, 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 currency 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 performance advertisingmarketing efficiency. We use third-party websites, including online search engines (primarily Google), meta-search and travel research services and affiliate marketing as the primary means of generating traffic to our websites. Growth of some of these channels has slowed. Our performance advertisingmarketing expense has increased significantly and our performance advertisingmarketing efficiency has declined in recent years, a trend we expect to continue, though the rate of decrease may fluctuate and there may be periods of stable or increasing ROIsreturns on investment ("ROIs") from time to time. Further, at times we may pursue a strategy of increasing performance advertisingmarketing ROIs, which could negatively affect our gross bookings and gross profitrevenue growth rates. When evaluating our performance marketing spend, we consider several factors for each channel, such as the customer experience on the advertising platform, the incrementality of the traffic we receive and the anticipated repeat rate from a particular platform, as well as other factors. Pursuing a strategy of improving performance marketing ROIs, as we did beginning in the third quarter of 2017 through the fourth quarter of 2018, along with factors such as competitors' actions in the bidding environment, the amount of marketing invested by these channels to generate demand and overall performance marketing platform traffic growth trends, which have shown volatility and long-term deceleration of growth rates, may also impact growth rates for performance marketing channels. Any reduction in our performance advertisingmarketing efficiency could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations, whether through reduced revenues or revenue growth, or through advertisingperformance marketing expenses increasing faster than revenues and thereby reducing margins and earnings growth.
We believe that a number of factors could cause consumers to increase their shopping activity before making a travel purchase. Increased shopping activity reduces our performance advertisingmarketing efficiency and effectiveness because traffic becomes less likely to result in a reservation through our website,platforms, and such traffic is more likely to be obtained through paid performance advertisingmarketing channels than through direct channels. Further, consumers may favor travel services offered by search or meta-search companies over OTCs, which could reduce traffic to our travel reservation websites,platforms, increase consumer awareness of our competitors' brands and websites,platforms, increase our advertisingmarketing 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 gross profitrevenues from our KAYAK meta-search business to offset any related decrease in gross profitrevenues or increase in advertisingmarketing and other customer acquisition costs experienced by our OTC brands.
We may not be able to keep up with rapid technological or other market 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 and preferences. 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, tablets and other smart devices, including those with voice and artificial intelligence capabilities, for mobile e-commerce transactions. New developments in other areas, such as cloud computing, could make entering our markets easier for competitors due to 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 local preferences and to continually innovate and improve the performance, features and reliability of our services and online platforms in response to competitive service offerings and the evolving demands of the marketplace. In particular, it is increasingly important for us to effectively offer our services on mobile devices through mobile apps and mobile-optimized websites and to tailor our services to varying devices and platforms. Any failure by us to successfully develop and achieve consumer adoption of our mobile platforms would have a material and adverse effect on our growth, market share, business and results of operations. Further, to the extent mobile devices or platforms enable users to block advertising content, our advertising revenue and our ability to market our brands and acquire new consumers may be negatively affected. We believe that ease-of-use, comprehensive functionality and the look and feel of our mobile platforms are increasingly competitively critical as consumers obtain more of their travel and restaurant services through mobile devices and platforms. As a result, we intend to continue to spend significant resources maintaining, developing and enhancing our mobile platforms and other technologies and platforms. Additionally, our ability to achieve our long-term strategy to build the Connected Trip depends on successfully integrating and developing new and evolving technologies, which is likely to require increased financial and personnel investments that could have an adverse impact on our results of operations until we achieve the expected return on these investments. However, these efforts may not be successful in improving the travel experience or retaining and attracting new customers, which would harm our business and results of operations. Further, technical innovation often results in bugs, vulnerabilities and other system failures. Any such bug, vulnerability or failure, especially in connection with a significant technical implementation or change, could result in lost business, harm to our brand or reputation, consumer complaints and other adverse consequences, any of which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
We believe that another critical component to our future success will be our ability to enhance our payments capabilities, including by offering alternative payment solutions to consumers even when those payment solutions may not be accepted by the travel service provider or restaurant. Alternate payment providers such as Alipay, Paytm and WeChat Pay operate closed-loop payments systems with direct connections to both consumers and merchants. In many markets, particularly in Asia where credit cards are not readily available and/or e-commerce is largely carried out through mobile devices, these and other emerging alternative payment methods are the exclusive or preferred means of payment for many consumers. Therefore, if we are unable to offer consumers their preferred method of payment by integrating new or emerging payment methods into our platforms, we may not be able to effectively offer our services to these consumers, which would limit our growth opportunities in these markets and our business and results of operations could be harmed.
Furthermore, as the overall size of our business continues to grow, 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 we do. Some of our larger competitors or potential competitors have more resources or more established or varied relationships with consumers than we have, 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. For example, because consumers often utilize other online services more frequently than online travel services, a competitor or potential competitor that has established other, more frequent online interactions with consumers may be able to more easily or cost effectively acquire consumers for its online travel services than we can.
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 Google Assistant, developing technologies, such as artificial intelligence, chatbot and virtual reality technologies, and the creation of "super-apps" where consumers can use many online services without leaving a particular app) could require us to incur substantial expenditures to modify or adapt our services or infrastructure to these 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 adversely affect our ability to compete, increase our consumer 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 and/or damage to reputation.
The security of data when engaging in e-commerce is essential to maintaining consumer and travel service provider confidence in our services. Cyberattacks by individuals, groups of hackers and state-sponsored organizations are increasing in frequency and sophistication and are constantly evolving. Any security breach whether instigated internally or externally on our systems or third-party systems could significantly harm our reputation and therefore our business, brand, market share and results of operations. Consumers who use certain of our services provide us with their credit card information. 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. 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 consumers 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 consumers. Third parties may also attempt to take over consumer accounts by using passwords, usernames and other personal information obtained elsewhere to attempt to login to consumer accounts on our platforms. We have experienced targeted and organized phishing and account takeover attacks and we expect to continue to experience these events 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 could materially and 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 experienced high-profile security breaches that exposed their systems and information and/or their consumers' or employees' personal information, and it is expected that these types of events will continue to occur. We have a heightened risk of security breaches due to some of our operations being located in certain international jurisdictions. We expend significant resources to protect against security breaches, and regularly increase our security-related expenditures to maintain or increase our systems' security. We have experienced and responded to cyberattacks, which we believe have not had a significant impact on the integrity of our systems or the security of data, including customer data maintained by us. 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. Security 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 consumer, 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 our brands, market share, results of operations and financial condition. Our insurance policies have coverage limits and may 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. Consumers generally are concerned with security and privacy on the internet, and any publicized security problems could negatively affect consumers' willingness to provide private information or effect online commercial transactions 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, our consumers' personal data could be affected by security breaches at third parties upon which we rely, such as travel service providers, payroll providers, health plan providers, payment processors or GDSs. 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 or with parameters within which we permit them to process data, which could expose us to liability.
In the operation of our business, we receive and store a large volume of personally identifiable data and payment information. This data is increasingly subject to legislation and regulations in numerous jurisdictions around the world. The European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (the "GDPR"), which went into effect in May 2018, is designed to unify data protection within the European Union under a single law, which has resulted and will continue to result in significantly greater compliance burdens and costs for us. Under the GDPR, fines of up to 20 million Euros or up to 4% of the annual global revenues of the infringer, whichever is greater, could be imposed. Several data protection authorities have already imposed significant fines on companies of various sizes across industry sectors for violations of the GDPR. The California Consumer Privacy Act (the "CCPA"), which went into effect in January 2020, has created new data privacy rights for users in California and has resulted and will continue to result in additional complexity and costs related to compliance. Many other jurisdictions continue to consider adopting or may adopt similar data protection regulations. These regulations are typically intended to protect the privacy of personal data that is collected, processed and transmitted in or from the governing jurisdiction as well as to give individuals greater rights and/or control over how their data is processed. These laws and their interpretations continue
to develop and may be inconsistent from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Additionally, some of these regulations, such as the CCPA, give consumers a private right of action against companies for violations of these rules. 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. While we have invested and continue to invest significant resources to comply with the GDPR, CCPA and other privacy regulations, many of these regulations are new, extremely complex and subject to interpretation. Non-compliance with these laws could result in negative publicity, damage to our reputation, significant penalties or other legal liability. 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, our results of operations, financial condition or competitive position could be adversely affected.
Our business could be negatively affected by changes in internetonline search and meta-search algorithms and dynamics or traffic-generating arrangements.
We use Google to generate a significant portion of the traffic to our websites,platforms, and, to a lesser extent, we use other search and meta-search websitesservices to generate traffic to our websites,platforms, principally through pay-per-click advertisingmarketing campaigns. The pricing and operating dynamics on these search and meta-search websitesplatforms 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 websitesplatforms can be negatively affected and our costs to improve or maintain our placement in search results can increase. In June 2017, theThe European Commission has fined Google 2.4 billion Eurossignificant amounts for breaching European Union antitrust rules by givinganti-competitive behavior relating to its comparison shoppingcomparison-shopping service priority placement in Googleand online 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.advertising services. 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, whether as a result of a court order, investigation or other reason, may be competitively disadvantageous to us and may impact our ability to efficiently generate traffic to our websites,platforms, which in turn would have an adverse effect on our business, market share and results of operations. Recently Google announced modifications to its flights display model, including that it would not be charging airlines and OTCs for sending referrals from Google Flights. As a result, airline and OTC partners may choose to limit or eliminate their use of other meta-search services or may demand cost savings from their other meta-search services and/or Google may receive access to discounted fares not provided to meta-search services that charge for referrals, any of which could adversely affect our meta-search business, profit margins 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.platforms. In addition, if travel search traffic declines or grows less quickly than in the past, our ability to efficiently generate traffic to our platforms through performance marketing on general search platforms may be adversely affected, which could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
In addition, we purchase websiteonline 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. We 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 or meta-search ranking, due to changes in search or meta-search algorithms or otherwise, our business, market share and results of operations could be negatively affected.
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 smartphones and tablets for mobile e-commerce transactions, including through the increasing use of mobile apps. New developments in other areas, such as cloud computing, could make entering our markets easier for competitors due to 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 performance, features and reliability of our services and online platforms in response to competitive service offerings and the evolving demands of the marketplace. In particular, it is increasingly important for us to effectively 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 would 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 are increasingly 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 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 our brand or reputation, customer complaints and other adverse consequences, any of which could 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 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-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. 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 experienced high-profile security breaches that exposed their systems and information and/or their customers' or 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. Security 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 our brands, market share, results of 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. Consumers generally are concerned with security and privacy on the internet, and any publicized security problems could negatively affect consumers' willingness to provide private information or effect commercial transactions on the internet 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 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 adopted a new General Data Protection Regulation designed to unify data protection within the European Union under a single law, which has resulted and will result in significantly greater compliance burdens and costs for companies with users and operations in the European Union. Under the General Data Protection Regulation, fines of up to 20 million Euros or up to 4% of the annual global revenues 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. The General Data Protection Regulation will go into effect and apply to us beginning in May 2018. In the United 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 framework, called the E.U.-U.S. Privacy Shield, which was formally adopted by the European Commission on July 12, 2016. The European Union and the United States are implementing the new framework, but it is currently subject to 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"denial-of-service or other attacks could harm our business.business and our reputation.
We have experienced rapid growth in consumer traffic to our websites and through our mobile apps,online platforms, 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 internet and maintaining connectivity between ourselves and consumers, sources of internet traffic, such as Google, and our travel service providers and restaurants. As consumers increasingly turn to mobile and other smart devices, we also become dependent on consumers' access to the internet through mobile carriers and their systems. Disruptions in internet access, such as the denial of servicedenial-of-service attack against Dyn in October 2016 that resulted in a service outage for a number ofseveral 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, computer viruses, 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"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"phishing (where a third party attempts to infiltrate our systems or acquire information by posing as a legitimate inquiry or electronic communication), account takeover attacks, SQL injection (where a third party attempts to insert malicious code into our software through data entry fields in our websites in order to gain control of the system) and attempting to use our websites as a platform to launch a "denial-of-service"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 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 websitethe availability and response time of our online services 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 damage to, breach of or 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.vendor, and this could have a negative effect on our business, reputation and results of operations.
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.employees. 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 developedinternally-developed systems and third-party systems to operate our services, including transaction processing, order management and financial and accounting systems. If the number of consumers using our services increases substantially, or if critical third-party systems stop operating as designed, we willmay need to significantly expand and upgrade our technology, transaction processing systems, financial and accounting systems andor 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. Many of our processes and systems, including those related to processing and recording revenue, are highly automated and involve multiple inputs from various IT systems, which can mitigate the risk of human error but which can also make testing, troubleshooting and auditing more difficult. As a result, it may be difficult to quickly detect and correct errors embedded in these processes or systems.
Consumer adoption and use of mobile devices creates challenges and may enable device companies such as Google and 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 profitrevenues 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, have lower ADRs 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 devicesplatforms 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 couldhas the ability to 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, The European Commission has fined Google significant amounts for breaching European Union antitrust rules by imposing restrictions on Android device manufacturers and mobile network operators, including by mandating the pre-installation of Google apps and limiting access to its Google Play app store. In addition, the European Commission's decision requires Google to end those practices or face penalty payments of up to 5% of the average daily worldwide turnover of Alphabet, Google's parent company. Google has appealed the European Commission's decision, and it is not yet clear how or whether the decision will affect Google's business, including its travel services.
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 categorymarket 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 online 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 advertisingmarketing services around the world, we are subject to income taxes and non-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 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, thewe regularly review our tax filing positions, especially in light of tax law or business practice changes, and may change our positions or determine that previous positions should be amended, either of which could result in additional tax liabilities. 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 many taxing jurisdictions with no significant impact on our results of operations, financial conditionoperations. If current 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 results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
For example, FrenchBooking.com is the subject of tax authorities conducted 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 establishmentproceedings in France and are seeking to recover what they claim are unpaid income taxes and value-added taxes. In December 2015, the French tax authorities issued assessments related to these tax years forhas been assessed approximately 356465 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 are contesting the assessments. Our objection to the assessments was denied by the French tax authorities. IfIn January 2019, we are unable to resolve the matter with the French tax authorities, we expect to challenge the assessments in the French courts. In order to challenge the assessments in court, we may bewere required to pay upfront, the full amount or a significant part of any such assessments for the years 2003 through 2012 (356 million Euros) in order to preserve our right to contest the assessments for that period in court, though suchthe payment wouldis not constitute an admission by us that we owe the taxes. Alternatively, any resolution or settlement of the matter with the FrenchSee Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding certain tax authorities may also require payment as part of such resolution or settlement. French tax authorities have begun a similar audit of the tax years 2013 through 2015, which could result in additional assessments.
contingencies.
In general, governments are increasingly focused on ways to increase tax revenues, which has contributed to an increase in audit activity, and harsher stancesmore aggressive positions taken by tax authorities.authorities, more time and difficulty to resolve any audits or disputes and an increase in new tax legislation. 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.
In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") was enacted into law in the United States. 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, and exempts from U.S. federal income tax international profits distributed to the United States. The 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, 2017, amounting to $16.2 billion, as well as future 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 cost of certain investments in depreciable assets, imposing a limit on the deduction for net interest expense, changing the deductibility of covered officer compensation, and changing the rules on the use of net operating losses. The Tax Act also introducesintroduced a tax on 50% of global intangible low-taxed income, which is income determined to be in excess of a specified routine rate of return.return on qualifying business assets. The Tax Act further introducesintroduced a base erosion and anti-abuse tax ("BEAT") aimed at preventing the erosion of the U.S. tax base and a new tax ondeduction with respect to certain foreign-derived intangible income.
If we are unable to operate our business so that BEAT does not impact us, our effective tax rate, results of operations and cash flows would be materially adversely affected. The tax law changes made by the Tax Act are broad and complex, and there arecontinues to be significant uncertaintiesuncertainty about how the Tax Act will be interpreted at both the U.S. federal and state levels, and limited guidance is available from tax authorities at this time.levels. The interpretation and implementation of the Tax Act and regulations, rules or guidance that have been or may be adopted under, or resultingresult from, the Tax Act have had and could materially change the provisional tax that we recognized in 2017 and the expected futurehave a negative impact of the Tax Act on our business.results of operations and cash flows.
Additionally, in October 2015,there have been significant changes made and proposed to international tax laws that increase the complexity, burden and cost of tax compliance. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ("OECD") issued "final reports" in connection with itsinitiated the "base erosion and profit shifting" ("BEPS") project. The OECD, with the support of the G20, initiated this project in 2013 in response to concerns thatensure international tax standards have not keptkeep 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 wherein which the profit generating activities creating those profits take place. The final reports were endorsedOECD is working towards a consensus-based solution by the G20 leaders in November 2015. The final reports propose 15 actions the OECD determined are neededend of 2020 to address base erosionthe challenges posed to the current tax system by the digitalization of the economy. The OECD Secretariat's current proposal aims to ensure that multinational businesses are taxed in jurisdictions where they are conducting significant business but do not have a physical presence by establishing new nexus rules determining where tax should be paid and new profit shifting, including: (a) enhancing transparency through the sharingallocation rules determining what portion of tax information between countries; (b) prescribing standardized country-by-country reportingprofits should be taxed. Certain countries 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 have, 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. Following agreement among the European UnionE.U. member states on the 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 aggressivehave taken steps to unilaterally introduce a digital services tax planning, increasing tax transparency and creating a fairer tax environment for all businesses in the European 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 is considering potential ideas to address the issue of multinational businesses carrying on business in their jurisdiction without a physical presence and therefore generally not subject to income tax challengesin those jurisdictions. In July 2019, France passed legislation that introduced a 3% digital services tax, which is retroactively applicable as of January 1, 2019. Although the French tax authorities have postponed the requirement to pay the 2020 digital services tax until December 2020, the French government has not repealed the tax and is merely postponing the payment 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 see if a consensus is reached by the EU Commission that would seekOECD during 2020 on how online businesses should be taxed. Consequently, we continue 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 systemaccrue for the digital eratax in 2020 because we will owe the tax to ensure a global level playing field in line with the work being carried out atFrance if no consensus is reached by the OECD and France does not repeal the tax. Italy and Turkey have also passed legislation that introduces digital services taxes of 3% and 7.5%, respectively, that will be effective in 2020. Several other countries are also considering adopting digital services taxes. For example, the United Kingdom has proposed legislation to implement a digital services tax that, if enacted, would become effective in 2020 and would impose a 2% tax on revenue earned by larger companies from U.K. users of digital services. Similarly, Spain submitted a digital services tax bill to its parliament for approval in January 2019 that would tax digital services at 3%. Many questions remain as to the enactment, form and application of these digital services taxes. For example, it is also anticipating EU Commission proposalsnot clear whether all countries will allow a deduction of digital services taxes for income tax purposes or whether there is potential for double taxation on this subject early in 2018. We expect many countries to change their tax laws in response to these developments,the same transaction. The interpretation and several countries have already changed or proposed changes to their tax laws in response toimplementation of the final BEPS reports and/or the developmentsvarious digital services taxes (especially if there is inconsistency in the European Union. application of these taxes across tax jurisdictions) could have a materially adverse impact on our results of operations and cash flows. Further, digital services taxes may not apply to our competitors such as hotel chains and smaller OTCs, which harms our business and competitive position.
Any changes to international tax laws, including new definitions of permanent establishment, new nexus and profit allocation rules, 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 cash flows and results of operations.
We are also subject to non-income-based taxes, such as value-added, payroll, sales, use, excise, net worth, property, hotel occupancy and goods and services taxes. We refer generally to taxes in the United States and various international jurisdictions,on travel transactions (e.g., value-added taxes, sales taxes, excise taxes, hotel occupancy taxes, etc.) as well as the potential for travel"travel transaction taxes in the United States as discussed below and in Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.taxes." From time to time, we are under audit or investigation by tax authorities with respector involved in legal proceedings related to these non-income-based taxes andor we may have exposure torevise or amend our tax positions, which may result in additional non-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, 2017, the Innovation Box Tax benefit reduced our consolidated income tax expense by approximately $397 million.
In order to be eligible for Innovation Box Tax treatment, Booking.com must, among other things, apply for and obtain an R&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-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. Furthermore, the Dutch government introduced changes to its income tax laws that increased the Innovation Box Tax rate 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 2021. If this proposal is enacted into law, we expect the combined effect of these two changes to slightly increase our effective tax rate during the first two years of the income tax transition period, and slightly reduce it thereafter.
The 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 and 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 certain travel transaction taxes (e.g.,(such as hotel occupancy taxes) that could include historical taxes excise taxes, sales taxes, etc.).that are claimed to be owed, interest, penalties, punitive damages and/or attorney's fees and costs. In addition, a number of U.S. states, counties and municipalitiesjurisdictions 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 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 Jurisdictions could also among other things, interest, penalties, punitive damages and/or attorneys' fees and costs. To date, many 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 seekin order to collect travel transaction 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. Additionally, several U.S. jurisdictions have adopted or may adopt laws that require us to collect and remit sales tax on behalf of travel service providers, which in some instances may negatively impact our revenue. Adverse tax decisions or new laws 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 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 is taxed at the rate of 7% ("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 2019, the Innovation Box Tax benefit reduced our consolidated income tax expense by $443 million. In 2019, the Dutch government approved a reduction in its corporate income tax rate from 25% to 21.7%, effective in 2021. Furthermore, the Dutch government has proposed an increase in the Innovation Box Tax rate from 7% to 9%, which, if enacted, could be effective beginning in 2021.
In order to be eligible for Innovation Box Tax treatment, Booking.com must, among other things, apply for and obtain a research and development ("R&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-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 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.
The 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 and cash flows.
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. We are in regular 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' systemsservices 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 and results of operations could be adversely affected, especially if reservations during highly desirable times on high volume days are not made available through us.
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 OTCs and 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 OTCs or 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;employees; and, if we are unable to retain or motivate key personnelemployees or hire, retain and motivate qualified personnel,employees, 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 personnelemployees for all areas of our organization. In particular, the contributions of 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. We do not maintain any key person life insurance policies.
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.intense. 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. The competition for talent in our industry has in the past and may in the future increase our personnel expenses, which may adversely affect our results of operations. 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, training, managing and motivating existing employees, our business, competitive position, reputation and results of operations would be adversely affected. We do not maintain any key person life insurance policies.
AsOur business is subject to various competition, anti-trust, consumer protection and online commerce laws, rules and regulations around the world, and as the size of our business grows, scrutiny of our business by legislators and regulators in these areas may intensify.
We, the travel industry and the technology industry generally are subject to competition, anti-trust and consumer protection laws and regulations around the world. These laws and regulations evolve and change, and their interpretation, application and enforcement can also change, be unpredictable or be affected by changing political or social pressures. As we expand our business into new areas, including our evolution towards the Connected Trip, we may become increasingly subject to the scrutiny of anti-trust, competitionadditional laws and consumer protection regulators.
Theregulations. At times, online travel industry has becomeplatforms, including us, have been the subject of investigations or inquiries by various national competition authorities ("NCAs"), particularly in Europe. We are or other governmental authorities. For example, we have been and continue to be 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, are anti-competitive because they require accommodation providers to provide Booking.com with room rates, conditions or availability that are at least as lowfavorable as those offered to other OTCs or through the accommodation provider's website. SomeTo resolve and close certain of the investigations, relatewe have from time to other issues such as reservation and cancellation clauses, commission payments and pricing behavior.time made commitments to the investigating authorities regarding future business
practices or activities. For instance, on September 8,example, Booking.com has made commitments to several NCAs, including agreeing to narrow the scope of its parity arrangements, in order to resolve parity-related investigations.
We have also been involved in investigations or inquiries involving consumer protection matters. For example, in October 2017 the Swiss Price Surveillance Office opened anUnited Kingdom's NCA (the Competition and Markets Authority, or CMA) launched a consumer protection law investigation into the levelclarity, accuracy and presentation of commissionsinformation on hotel booking sites with a specific focus on the display of search results (e.g., ranking), claims regarding discounts, methods of "pressure selling" (such as allegedly creating false impressions regarding room availability) and failure to disclose hidden charges. In connection with this investigation, in June 2018, the CMA announced that it would proceed with enforcement action against a number of hotel booking sites. Booking.com, in Switzerland.
Investigations into Booking.com's parity provisions were initiated in 2013agoda and 2014 by NCAs in France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Ireland and Switzerland. AKAYAK, along with a number of other NCAs have also looked at these issues. On April 21, 2015, the French, Italian and Swedish NCAs, working in close cooperationOTCs, voluntarily agreed to certain commitments with the European Commission, announced that they had accepted "commitments" offered by Booking.com to resolve and close the investigationsCMA addressing its concerns in France, Italy and Sweden. Underresolution of this investigation, which took effect on September 1, 2019. Among other things, the commitments Booking.com replaced its existing price parity agreements with accommodation providers with "narrow" price parity agreements. Under a narrow price parity agreement, subjectprovided to the CMA include showing prices inclusive of all mandatory taxes and charges, providing information about the effect of money earned on search result rankings on or before the search results page and making certain exceptions, an accommodation provider is still requiredadjustments to offerhow discounts and statements concerning popularity or availability are shown to consumers. The CMA has stated that it expects all market participants to adhere to the same or better rates on Booking.com as it offers to a consumer directly online, but it is no longer required to offerstandards, regardless of whether they formally signed the same or better rates on Booking.com as it offers to other OTCs.commitments. The commitments also allowconcluded the CMA’s investigation without a finding of infringement or an accommodation provider to, among other things, offer different terms and conditions (e.g., free WiFi) and availability to consumers that book with online travel companies that offer lower ratesadmission of commission or other benefits, offer lower rates to consumers that book through offline 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 publishedwrongdoing by the NCAs on April 21, 2015.
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. Nearly allOTCs involved. As a result of additional inquiries from other NCAs in the European Economic Area, have now closed their investigations following Booking.com's implementation of theBooking.com has made similar commitments in their jurisdictions. Booking.com also agreed in 2017 with the NCAsConsumer Protection Cooperation Network to be applicable across the E.U. beginning 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 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. WeJune 2020. There are in ongoing discussions with various NCAsconsumer protection investigations or inquiries in other countries regarding their concerns. Weas well, including in Hungary, Italy and Brazil, and other countries may decide to investigate these or similar issues generally or with respect to specific businesses, including ours, and we are currently unable to predict the long-term impactoutcome of any such other investigations or inquiries. To the implementationextent that any such other investigations or inquiries result in additional commitments, fines, damages or other remedies, our business, financial condition and results of these commitments willoperations could be harmed.
As markets evolve and NCAs or other governmental authorities continue to monitor our industry, new investigations of the industry generally or of us specifically could and have on Booking.com's business, on investigations by other countries, or on industry practice more generally.
On December 23, 2015,occurred, including revisiting issues that were the German NCA issuedsubject of prior investigations. For example, 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 is 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. Also, while we believe that we are complying with our commitments, investigating authorities or third parties may determine that we are not complying with the commitments we have made and decide to pursue legal action to compel compliance or seek other remedies. Further, in September 2017 the Swiss Price Surveillance Office opened an investigation into the level of commissions of Booking.com in Switzerland and the investigation is ongoing.
We are unable to predict how these appeals and the remaining investigations in other countries will ultimately be 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 contractscooperating with accommodation providers in those jurisdictions and/or the imposition of fines.
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 price parity agreements agreed to by the French NCA in April 2015. Legislation prohibiting narrow price parity agreements became effective in Austria on December 31, 2016 and in Italy on August 29, 2017. A motion calling on the Swiss government to introduce legislation prohibiting the narrow price parity clause was approved by the 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 Swiss or Belgian legislation may affect our business in the long term.
Further, the European Commission published a communication in May 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 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. Weregulators where applicable, but we are unable to predict what, if any, effect such actionsany investigations or resolutions thereof, including the effect of any commitments we might make, 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 and/or consumer law investigations could adversely affect our brands and therefore our business, market share and results of operations. Further, the Macron Law, the ItalianCompetition and Austrian laws and any similar legislation enacted by other countries, and the decision by the German NCA to prohibit 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-relatedconsumer law-related investigations, legislation or issues have and could also give rise toin the future result in private litigation.
Another area of increased scrutiny, particularly in Europe, involves contractual search term bidding restrictions where one contracting party agrees not to bid on certain key search terms related to the other party (e.g., such other party’s name). Although we are generally moving away from these types of agreements, in some of our contracts, we or the other party have agreed to bidding restrictions. If bidding restrictions are held to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable or if we remove them from all of our contracts, our performance marketing costs may increase if bidding on affected key words (especially those related to us) becomes more expensive, which could adversely affect our performance marketing efficiency, business and results of operations.
Recently, there has been increased legislative and public focus on the technology industry, especially as technology companies become larger. In some instances, countries have passed legislation that goes further to restrict business activities than actions taken by NCAs or other regulatory authorities. For example, France, Italy, Belgium and Austria have passed legislation prohibiting parity contract clauses in their entirety. Additionally, the EU's Platform to Business Regulation, which comes into effect in July 2020, will regulate the relationship between online platforms such as Booking.com is involved in private litigation in Swedenand European business users of online platforms. This new regulation will require online platforms to provide additional disclosure to European business partners, such as terms 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.search result ranking and preferential pricing as well as provide for a
In addition, asmediation process to handle any disputes, among other changes. New laws and regulations and changing public perception relating to the technology industry could impact our services, require us to change our business grows,practices or otherwise cause us to incur additional operating costs to comply with or address these developments. Further, as market conditions change as a result of investigations, litigation, legislation or political or social pressure, we may increasingly becomedecide to voluntarily modify our business practices beyond what is required, the targetfull effects of competition investigationswhich may not be known when making the decision, but which could harm our competitive position and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
With additional attention on the size of travel or be limited by anti-trust or competition laws. For example,technology companies generally, 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 subject us to business constraints, increased compliance costs and complexities or otherwise harm our business.
The services we offer and could offer in the future are subject to legal regulations (including laws, ordinances, rules, licensing requirements 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 businesswe 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, lawsLaws in some countries relating to data localization, payments 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. Any increase in the number or complexity of the laws and regulations applicable to us and our businesses could increase our compliance costs and burdens and negatively affect our business and results of operations.
For example, in the European Union, the Package Travel Directive (the "Package Directive") sets out broad requirements such as local registration, certain mandatory financial guarantees, industry specific value-added tax regimes, disclosure requirements and other rules regulating the provision of travel packages and linked travel arrangements. The Package Directive also creates additional liability for a provider of travel packages, which could be the OTC, for performance of the travel services within a packaged trip under certain circumstances. Certain parts of our business are already subject to the broad scope of the Package Directive as it relates to linked travel arrangements, and as our offerings continue to diversify and expand, we may become subject to additional requirements of the Package Directive. Compliance with this directive could be costly and complex or, as a result of these requirements, we could choose to limit offerings that would otherwise be beneficial for the business, any of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations or ability to grow and compete.
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, claiminga Turkish court ordered in 2019 that Booking.com is required tomust meet certain registration requirements in Turkey, aorder to offer Turkish court orderedhotels and accommodations to Turkish residents. If Booking.com does not successfully appeal this decision or meet the Turkish registration requirements, Booking.com will be unable to suspend
resume 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 toresidents, which would continue to negatively impact our results of operations. Another example is that the U.S. Government announced in May 2019 that it will no longer suspend the right of private parties to bring litigation under Title III of the Cuban Liberty and Solidarity (Libertad) Act of 1996, popularly known as the Helms-Burton Act, allowing certain individuals whose property was confiscated by the Cuban government beginning in 1959 to sue anyone who "traffics" in the property in question in U.S. courts. We are a defendant in a number of these lawsuits, which seek remedies including the value of the expropriated property (generally, the applicable hotel), plus interest, treble damages, attorneys' fees and costs. We believe that we have meritorious defenses to existing and potential claims and that the results of any related litigation will not be material to our business, financial condition or results of operations. However, litigation is uncertain and there is little judicial history or interpretation of the relevant claims and defenses, in particular as applied to businesses like ours. As a negativeresult, there can be no assurance that there will not be an adverse outcome to any such litigation or that such an outcome would not result in an adverse impact on our growth andbusiness, financial condition or 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, legal and legalpublic policy 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;
difficulties in transferring funds from or converting currencies in certain countries; and
reduced protection for intellectual property rights in some countries.countries; and
changes in social or political conditions or policies relating to a wide range of sustainability topics.
Our business has grown substantially over the last several years and continues to expandas we have expanded into new geographic locations.geographies and added new services. 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 internal controls, 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. In addition, by virtue of Booking.com's size and presence in the Netherlands, it was recently required to establish a supervisory board to oversee the strategy and operations of Booking.com. While we do not expect the existence of the supervisory board to have a significant impact on our operations, under certain circumstances, this governance structure could require Booking.com to obtain supervisory board approval in order to take certain actions, which could result in delays or other unanticipated strategic or operational challenges.
There are various risks associated with the facilitation of payments from consumers, including risks related to fraud, compliance with evolving rules and regulations and reliance on third parties.
Our results have been and will likely continue to be negatively impacted by consumer purchases made using fraudulent credit cards, claims the consumer did not authorize the purchase or consumers who have closed bank accounts or have insufficient funds in their bank accounts to satisfy payments. We may be held liable for accepting fraudulent credit cards on our platforms or in connection with other fraudulent transactions on our platforms, as well as other payment disputes with consumers. Accordingly, we calculate and record an allowance for the resulting chargebacks. We must also continually implement and evolve measures to detect and reduce the risk of fraud, in particular as these methods become increasingly sophisticated. If we are unable to combat the use of fraudulent credit cards on our websites, our business, profit margins, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
We believe that an important component of our future success will be our ability to offer consumers their preferred method of payment in the most efficient manner on all our platforms, and, as a result, we are increasingly processing transactions on a merchant basis where we facilitate payments from travelers through the use of credit cards and other payment methods (such as PayPal, Alipay, Paytm and WeChat Pay). While processing transactions on a merchant basis allows us to process transactions for properties that do not otherwise accept credit cards and to increase our ability to offer a variety of
payment methods and flexible transaction terms to consumers, we incur additional payment processing costs (which are typically higher for foreign currency transactions) and other costs related to these transactions, such as costs related to fraudulent payments and transactions and fraud detection. As our merchant transactions continue to grow, in addition to the revenues from these transactions, we may experience a significant increase in these costs, and our results of operations and profit margins could be materially adversely affected, in particular if we experience a significant increase in non-variable costs related to fraudulent payments and transactions.
The growth in processing transactions on a merchant basis also requires us to manage our global systems and processes associated with these transactions on a larger scale, which introduces additional complexity and increases administrative burdens and costs, which could adversely affect our results of operations. The increase in payments processing may also subject the business to additional regulations, including financial services regulation or other regulatory regimes applicable to highly regulated businesses, which could result in increased compliance costs and complexities, including those associated with the implementation of new or advanced internal controls. For example, the E.U.'s Payment Services Directive 2 has further complicated the authentication process for accepting credit cards. As a result of this directive, payments made on our platforms by consumers in the European Economic Area are subject to Strong Customer Authentication, which requires the consumer to engage in additional steps to authenticate their transaction. This new process could cause consumer transactions to take longer to process or otherwise inconvenience the consumer, which could result in consumers choosing not to utilize our platforms as often or at all. The implementation of this process has resulted and may continue to result in increased compliance costs and administrative burdens for us. As our business evolves or as we change the way we facilitate payments on our platforms and new money transmission and online payments rules come into effect, we may become subject to new payments and financial services laws and regulations including those relating to money transmission licenses, anti-money laundering, banking, privacy and security of our processes, among others. Compliance with this changing regulatory environment could create significant additional compliance costs and burdens or it could lead us to modify our business plans or operations, any of which could negatively impact our business, results of operations and profit margins.
We are also subject to payment card association rules and obligations under our contracts with payment card processors, including the Payment Card Industry and Data Security Standard (the "Standard"). Under the Standard and these association rules and obligations, if information is compromised, we could be liable to payment card issuers for associated expenses and penalties, and in some cases, we could be restricted in our ability to accept payment cards. Under certain circumstances, we are also subject to periodic audits, self-assessments and other assessments of our compliance with the Standard, which could result in additional expenses and administrative burdens. In addition, if we fail to follow payment card industry security standards, even if no consumer information is compromised, we could incur significant fines or experience a significant increase in payment card transaction costs. Additionally, compliance with the Standard may not prevent all security incidents. If we are fined or required to pay additional processing fees or if our ability to accept payment cards is restricted in any way as a result of our failure to comply with these payment card industry rules, or otherwise, it could adversely impact our business, results of operations and profit margins.
We rely on banks and other payment processors to execute certain components of the payments process. We generally pay these third parties interchange fees and other processing and gateway fees to help us facilitate payments from consumers to travel service providers. As a result, if we are unable to maintain our relationships with these third parties on favorable terms or if these fees are increased for any reason, our profit margin, business and results of operations could be harmed. Additionally, if these third parties experience service disruptions, consumers and travel service providers could have difficulty making or receiving payments, which could adversely impact our reputation, business and results of operation.
In addition, in the event that one of our major travel service providers voluntarily or involuntarily declares bankruptcy, we could experience an increase in 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 events is to direct customers seeking a refund or exchange to the airline and/or their credit card company, and not to provide a remedy ourselves. However, we have experienced in the past, and could experience in the future, an increase in chargebacks from customers with tickets on airlines that ceased operations, which could adversely impact our 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:
financial or operating results that vary from the expectations of securities analysts and investors;investors or our publicly-disclosed estimates;
quarterly variations in our financial or operating results;
changes in expectations as to our future financial or operating performance, including financial estimates by securities analysts and investors;investors or our publicly-disclosed estimates of future performance;
worldwide economic conditions in general and in Europe in particular;
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly between the U.S. Dollar and the Euro;
occurrenceschanges in interest rates;
occurrence 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, health concerns such as the coronavirus 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 foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, political instability (e.g., "Brexit" and the July 2016 coup attemptBrexit), changes in Turkey)trade policy, trade disputes or a natural disaster, health concerns such as the coronavirus or a 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 asif 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 lost 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.
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 several 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.online, particularly in certain jurisdictions in which we operate in which theft of intellectual property may be more prevalent. We may be required to expend significant time and resources to prevent infringement or to enforce our intellectual property rights.
We believe that our intellectual property rights including our issued patents and pending patent applications, help to protect our business. 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. We may not be able to successfully defend our intellectual property rights or they may not be sufficient to effectively protect our business, which could materially adversely affect 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. Successful infringement claims against us could result in a significant monetary liability or prevent us from operating our business, or portions of our business.business, or require us to change business practices or develop non-infringing intellectual property, which could require significant effort and expense. 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 benefit from the addition of OpenTable to 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.
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 goal of achieving significantly increased revenues and profitability 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 international expansion and its other growth initiatives, it intends to do so in a more measured and deliberate manner. This change in strategy resulted in OpenTable updating its forecasted financial results to 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 near term as a result of the reduced investments. As previously disclosed, based on the updated forecast, we estimated a significant reduction in 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 lead us to again re-evaluate the assumptions 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, market EBITDA (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 does not achieve the results currently expected, if its investments, in particular its investments in its international expansion efforts and other growth initiatives, are not successful, or if any of the assumptions underlying our estimate of the value of the OpenTable business, including those mentioned above, prove to be incorrect, we may further refine our forecast for the OpenTable business and recognize an additional goodwill impairment and an impairment of intangible assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
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. TheseOur portfolio includes marketable debt securities, equity securities of publicly-traded companies, the values of which are predominantlysubject to market price volatility, and investments in private companies. Our investments in marketable debt securities and preferred stock classified as debt securities for accounting purposes are generally classified as available-for-sale and, consequently, are recorded in our balance sheets at fair value with unrealized gains or losses, net of tax, reported as a component of accumulatedin "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. Our portfolio includes fixed-income securities and equity securities of publicly traded companies,loss" in the values of which are subject to market price volatility.Consolidated Balance Sheets. 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. temporary (see Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for the accounting change to the other-than-temporary impairment model, effective January 1, 2020). For periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, changes in the fair value of our investments in publicly-traded equity securities are recognized in net income and these changes have had, and are likely to continue to have, a significant impact on our quarterly net income. Our investments in equity securities (other than those classified as debt securities for accounting purposes) of private companies are primarily measured 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, with changes in value also recognized in net income (see Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements).
We have invested a significant amount in CtripTrip.com Group convertible notes and ADSs. We have also invested in other Chinese internet companies (i.e., Meituan Dianping ("Meituan") and Didi Chuxing ("Didi")). See Note 45 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding our investments in CtripTrip.com Group, Meituan and Didi 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,Trip.com Group's, Meituan's and Didi's respective businesses, 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, CtripTrip.com Group 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 internet and e-commerce companies, there are substantial uncertainties regarding the interpretation and application of PRCPeople's Republic of China ("PRC") laws and regulations to VIE structures, and it is possible that the PRC government may view the VIE structure as ina violation of PRC law. VIE contractual relationships are not as effective in providing control over the affiliated Chinese companies as direct ownership, and CtripTrip.com Group 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'sTrip.com Group'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'sTrip.com Group's business and therefore the value of our investment in Ctrip.Trip.com Group. Similar VIE-structure considerations and risks apply inwith respect ofto our investmentinvestments in securities of Meituan-DianPing,Meituan and Didi, each of which is a private Cayman Islands company operating in China through a VIE structure.
We also invest from time to timeOur investments 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'ssuch securities. If we determine that any of our investments in such companies have experienced a decline in value, we may beare required to record an other-than-temporary impairment.recognize the change in net income. 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$8 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 peoplemake it easier for everyone to 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 FareHarbor in April 2018 to increase our ability to offer local activities and experiences (such as tours and attractions). We also have acquired, and in the future may acquire, businesses similar to those we already operate in an effort to expand our geographic markets, acquire technology or products or to otherwise improve or grow our business. For example, in July 2017 we acquired the Momondo Group and in July 2017November 2018 we acquired HotelsCombined, in each case, among other things, 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. services.
Such endeavors may involve significant risks and uncertainties, including distractiondiversion of managementmanagement's attention 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, profit margins, 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 business 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 theour 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, as we have in the past, 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.
We may not be able to successfully integrate acquired businesses or combine internal businesses.
The integration of acquired businesses requires significant time and resources, and we may not manage these processes successfully. Further, as our businesses develop and market conditions change, we have integrated businesses that had been managed independently and integrated certain functions across businesses and we may do so in the future. These integrations may be of varying degree, depending on many factors such as business compatibility, strategic goals or geographic location, among others. Integrations are complex, often involve additional or unexpected costs and create a variety of issues and risks, including:
disruption or harm to the businesses involved;
disruption to our other businesses, including as a result of the need for management to spend time and attention on the integration;
difficulty combining different company cultures; systems; reporting structures, titles and job descriptions; and compensation schemes;
problems retaining key personnel, in particular at the acquired or integrated company;
loss of travel service providers, restaurants or partners of the acquired business; and
difficulty implementing and maintaining effective controls, procedures and policies.
We may not successfully integrate companies or achieve the strategic, financial or operating objectives of the acquisition or integration, any of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations or the value of our acquisitions.
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.
Because we facilitate the processing of customer credit cards in many of our transactions, including a majority of our priceline.com, agoda.com and Rentalcars.com transactions, our 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 transactions when we do not facilitate the processing of customer credit cards. Accordingly, we calculate and record an allowance for the resulting customer 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 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 process sales of priceline.com's Express Deals® airline tickets 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 chargebacks from customers with tickets on airlines that ceased operations. We 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.computer or mobile device. Cookies are common tools used by thousands of websites and mobile apps, 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)website or opening an app), market to consumers and enhance the user experience on a website.experience. Cookies are valuable tools for websitesplatforms like ours to improve the customer experience and increase conversion on their websites.conversion. Many countriesjurisdictions, including the European Union and more recently, California, have adopted regulations governing the use of "cookies" by websites servicing consumers, especially in the European Union."cookies." To the extent any such regulations require "opt-in" consent before certain cookies can be placed on a user's web browser,computer or mobile device, 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 websitesplatforms 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
OurWe lease office space facilities for our corporate headquarters and the headquarters of our priceline.com business are located in Norwalk, Connecticut, United States of America, where we lease approximately 90,000 square feet of office space. We lease approximately 258,000 square feet of office 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 144,000 square feet of office space; we lease approximately 18,000 square feet of office space in Stamford, Connecticut, United States of America, for the headquarters of our KAYAK business; we lease approximately 60,000 square feet of office space in San Francisco, California, United States of America, for the headquarters of our OpenTable business; and we lease approximately 45,000 square feet of office space in Manchester, England for the headquarters of our Rentalcars.com business.America. We lease additional space, including office space to support our operationsand data center facilities in various locations around the world, including hosting and data center facilitiesto support our operations, the largest being the headquarters of our Booking.com business in the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong and China and sales and support facilities in numerous locations.Amsterdam, Netherlands. Other than the office building for the future headquarters of Booking.com that is currently under construction in the Netherlands and the associated land-use rights (see the section "Land-use rights""Building Construction" within Note 216 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more details, which is incorporated into this Item 2 by reference thereto), we dodid not own any real estate as ofat December 31, 2017.2019.
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
A description of any material legal proceedings to which we are a party is included in Note 1416 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year Endedended December 31, 2017,2019, and is incorporated into this Item 3 by reference thereto.
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:
|
| | | | | | | | |
| 2017 | | High | | Low |
| | | | | |
| First Quarter | | $ | 1,798.75 |
| | $ | 1,459.49 |
|
| Second Quarter | | 1,927.13 |
| | 1,738.34 |
|
| Third Quarter | | 2,067.99 |
| | 1,774.40 |
|
| Fourth Quarter | | 1,961.45 |
| | 1,630.56 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| 2016 | | High | | Low |
| | | | | |
| First Quarter | | $ | 1,361.63 |
| | $ | 954.02 |
|
| Second Quarter | | 1,394.00 |
| | 1,148.06 |
|
| Third Quarter | | 1,481.78 |
| | 1,245.51 |
|
| Fourth Quarter | | 1,600.93 |
| | 1,422.19 |
|
Holders
As ofAt February 20, 2018,19, 2020, there were approximately 190166 stockholders of record of Booking 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, 20172019 of an investment of $100 in cash on December 31, 20122014 for our common stock and an investment of $100 in cash on December 31, 20122014 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 Internetinternet industry, including Internetinternet 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:
| | Measurement Point December 31 | | Booking Holdings Inc. | | NASDAQ Composite Index | | S&P 500 Index | | RDG Internet Composite | | Booking Holdings Inc. | | NASDAQ Composite Index | | S&P 500 Index | | RDG Internet Composite |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2012 | | 100.00 |
| | 100.00 |
| | 100.00 |
| | 100.00 |
| |
| 2013 | | 187.37 |
| | 141.63 |
| | 132.39 |
| | 163.02 |
| |
| 2014 | | 183.79 |
| | 162.09 |
| | 150.51 |
| | 158.81 |
| | 100.00 |
| | 100.00 |
| | 100.00 |
| | 100.00 |
|
| 2015 | | 205.51 |
| | 173.33 |
| | 152.59 |
| | 224.05 |
| | 111.82 |
| | 106.96 |
| | 101.38 |
| | 128.89 |
|
| 2016 | | 236.31 |
| | 187.19 |
| | 170.84 |
| | 235.33 |
| | 128.58 |
| | 116.45 |
| | 113.51 |
| | 135.45 |
|
| 2017 | | 280.10 |
| | 242.29 |
| | 208.14 |
| | 338.52 |
| | 152.41 |
| | 150.96 |
| | 138.29 |
| | 203.48 |
|
| 2018 | | | 151.06 |
| | 146.67 |
| | 132.23 |
| | 197.34 |
|
| 2019 | | | 180.12 |
| | 200.49 |
| | 173.86 |
| | 262.03 |
|
Sales of Unregistered Securities
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, 2017:2019:
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, 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 |
| | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Period | | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased | | Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit) | | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | | Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs | | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
| | | | |
| October 1, 2019 — | | 229,668 |
| (1) | $ | 2,002.76 |
| | 229,668 |
| | $ | 12,418,461,506 |
| | (1) |
| October 31, 2019 | | 210 |
| (2) | $ | 1,944.25 |
| | N/A |
| | N/A |
| | |
| | | — |
| | |
| | |
| | | | |
| November 1, 2019 — | | 230,653 |
| (1) | $ | 1,898.41 |
| | 230,653 |
| | $ | 11,980,588,388 |
| | (1) |
| November 30, 2019 | | 2,160 |
| (2) | $ | 1,897.45 |
| | N/A |
| | N/A |
| | |
| | | |
| | |
| | |
| | | | |
| December 1, 2019 — | | 222,023 |
| (1) | $ | 1,972.69 |
| | 222,023 |
| | $ | 11,542,606,620 |
| | (1) |
| December 31, 2019 | | 241 |
| (2) | $ | 2,022.91 |
| | N/A |
| | N/A |
| | |
| Total | | 684,955 |
| | $ | 1,957.53 |
| | 682,344 |
| | $ | 11,542,606,620 |
| | |
| |
| (1) | Pursuantto a stock repurchase program announced on February 17, 2016,May 9, 2019, whereby the Company waswe are authorized to repurchase up to $3,000,000,000$15.0 billion of itsour 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 iswe are authorized to repurchase shares of itsour common stock to satisfy employee withholding tax obligations related to stock-based compensation.
The table above does not include adjustments in the three months ended December 31, 2019 to previously withheld share amounts (reduction of 13 shares) that reflect changes to the estimates of employee tax withholding obligations. |
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, OpenTablethe Momondo Group from its acquisition date of July 24, 2014 and the Momondo Group (which is managed as part of the Company's KAYAK business)2017, FareHarbor from its acquisition date of July 24, 2017.April 26, 2018 and HotelsCombined from its acquisition date of November 30, 2018. 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.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2013 |
| | (In thousands, except per share amounts) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Total revenues | $ | 12,681,082 |
| | $ | 10,743,006 |
| | $ | 9,223,987 |
| | $ | 8,441,971 |
| | $ | 6,793,306 |
|
| Cost of revenues | 250,537 |
| | 428,314 |
| | 632,180 |
| | 857,841 |
| | 1,077,420 |
|
| Gross profit | 12,430,545 |
| | 10,314,692 |
| | 8,591,807 |
| | 7,584,130 |
| | 5,715,886 |
|
Total operating expenses(1) | 7,892,553 |
| | 7,408,379 |
| | 5,332,900 |
| | 4,510,818 |
| | 3,303,472 |
|
Operating income(1) | 4,537,992 |
| | 2,906,313 |
| | 3,258,907 |
| | 3,073,312 |
| | 2,412,414 |
|
| Total other expense | 139,670 |
| | 193,075 |
| | 130,587 |
| | 83,864 |
| | 115,877 |
|
Income tax expense(2) | 2,057,557 |
| | 578,251 |
| | 576,960 |
| | 567,695 |
| | 403,739 |
|
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(3) | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 135 |
|
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 | 25,451,263 |
| | 19,838,973 |
| | 17,420,575 |
| | 14,770,977 |
| | 10,428,543 |
|
Long-term obligations(4) | 11,403,707 |
| | 8,127,895 |
| | 7,185,796 |
| | 4,862,730 |
| | 2,289,039 |
|
| Total liabilities | 14,187,702 |
| | 9,990,293 |
| | 8,625,106 |
| | 6,203,954 |
| | 3,510,281 |
|
| Total stockholders' equity | 11,260,598 |
| | 9,820,142 |
| | 8,795,469 |
| | 8,566,694 |
| | 6,909,729 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2019(1) | | 2018(1) | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| | (In millions, except per share amounts) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Total revenues | $ | 15,066 |
| | $ | 14,527 |
| | $ | 12,681 |
| | $ | 10,743 |
| | $ | 9,224 |
|
| Cost of revenues | N/A |
| | N/A |
| | 242 |
| | 415 |
| | 646 |
|
| Gross profit | N/A |
| | N/A |
| | 12,439 |
| | 10,328 |
| | 8,578 |
|
Total operating expenses (2) | 9,721 |
| | 9,186 |
| | 7,901 |
| | 7,422 |
| | 5,319 |
|
Operating income (2) | 5,345 |
| | 5,341 |
| | 4,538 |
| | 2,906 |
| | 3,259 |
|
Total other income (expense) (3) | 613 |
| | (506 | ) | | (139 | ) | | (193 | ) | | (131 | ) |
Income tax expense (4) | 1,093 |
| | 837 |
| | 2,058 |
| | 578 |
| | 577 |
|
Net income (2) (3) (4) | 4,865 |
| | 3,998 |
| | 2,341 |
| | 2,135 |
| | 2,551 |
|
Net income applicable to common stockholders per basic common share (2) (3) (4) | 112.93 |
| | 84.26 |
| | 47.78 |
| | 43.14 |
| | 50.09 |
|
Net income applicable to common stockholders per diluted common share (2) (3) (4) | 111.82 |
| | 83.26 |
| | 46.86 |
| | 42.65 |
| | 49.45 |
|
Total assets (5) | 21,402 |
| | 22,687 |
| | 25,451 |
| | 19,839 |
| | 17,421 |
|
Long-term obligations (5) (6) | 11,091 |
| | 10,347 |
| | 11,403 |
| | 8,128 |
| | 7,186 |
|
Total liabilities (5) | 15,469 |
| | 13,902 |
| | 14,187 |
| | 9,990 |
| | 8,626 |
|
| Total stockholders' equity | 5,933 |
| | 8,785 |
| | 11,261 |
| | 9,820 |
| | 8,795 |
|
| |
(1) | The financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 are presented in accordance with the current revenue recognition accounting standard adopted on January 1, 2018. Financial statements for all periods prior to January 1, 2018 are presented under the previous revenue recognition accounting standard. Under the current revenue recognition standard, we no longer present "Cost of revenues" or "Gross profit" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Therefore total revenues reported in 2019 and 2018 are comparable to gross profit reported in previous years. See Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. |
| |
(2) | Includes a non-cash charge related to an impairment of OpenTable goodwill of $940.7$941 million, which is not tax deductible, for the year ended December 31, 2016 (see Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).2016. The goodwill impairment charge reduced the 2016 basic and diluted net income per share by $19.01 and $18.79, respectively. |
| |
(2)(3)
| Includes net unrealized gains on marketable equity securities of $745 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and net unrealized losses on marketable equity securities of $367 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities, net of tax, increased the 2019 basic and diluted net income per share by $13.52 and $13.39, respectively, and reduced the 2018 basic and diluted net income per share by $6.50 and $6.42, respectively. Pursuant to the adoption of the accounting update on financial instruments in 2018, for periods beginning after December 31, 2017, changes in fair value of marketable equity securities are recognized in net income rather than "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. |
| |
(4) | Includes aincome tax benefits of $17 million and $46 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, to adjust the 2017 provisional tax expense of $1.6 billion related to a one-time transitiontransitional 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 (“Tax Act”) enacted onin December 22, 2017 (see Note 1315 to the Consolidated Financial Statements),. The income tax provision for the |
year ended December 31, 2017 includes a provisional tax expense of $1.6 billion related to the transition tax mentioned above and a provisional net tax benefit of $217 million related to the remeasurement of the Company’s U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of the Tax Act, which reduced the 2017 basic and diluted net income per share by $27.47 and $26.94, respectively.
| |
(5) | Includes, as applicable, operating lease assets of $620 million, current operating lease liabilities of $161 million and non-current operating lease liabilities of $462 million that are reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2019. Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized in the balance sheet as a result of the adoption of the current lease standard on January 1, 2019. See Notes 2 and 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. |
| |
(3)
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests relates to the Company's purchase of Rentalcars.com in May 2010. In April 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 2013. |
| |
(4)(6)
| Includes convertible debt which is classified as a current liability, wherewhen 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 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.
Overview
Our mission is to help peoplemake it easier for everyone to experience the world. We aimseek to achieveempower people to cut through travel barriers, such as money, time, language and overwhelming options, so they can use our missionservices to help peopleeasily and confidently get where they want to go, stay where they want to stay, dine where they want to dine, pay how they want to pay and experience what they want to experience. We connect consumers wishing to make travel reservations with providers of travel services around the world through global leadership inour online platforms. Through one or more of our brands, consumers can: book a broad array of accommodations (including hotels, motels, resorts, homes, apartments, bed and breakfasts, hostels and other properties); make a car rental reservation or arrange for an airport taxi; make a dinner reservation; or book a cruise, flight, vacation package, tour or activity. Consumers can also use our meta-search services to easily compare travel reservation information, such as airline ticket, hotel reservation and rental car reservation information, from hundreds of online travel platforms at once. In addition, we offer various other services to consumers and partners, such as certain travel-related insurance products and restaurant reservationmanagement services to restaurants.
We offer these services through six primary consumer-facing brands: Booking.com, KAYAK, priceline, agoda, Rentalcars.com and related services by:
providingOpenTable. While historically our brands operated on a largely independent basis and many of them focused on a particular service (e.g., accommodation reservations) or geography, we are increasing the collaboration, cooperation and interdependency among our brands in our efforts to provide consumers with the best choices and prices at any time,most comprehensive services. We also seek to maximize the benefits of our scale by sharing resources and technological innovations, co-developing new services and coordinating activities 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 tokey markets among our business partners to help them be successful.
We operate six primary brands:
brands. For example, Booking.com, - the world’s leading brand for booking online accommodation reservations based(based on room nights booked.
priceline.com - a leading hotel,booked), offers rental car airline ticket and vacation package reservation serviceother ground transportation services, flights, restaurant reservations, tours and activities reservations and other services, many of which are supported by our other brands. Similarly, hotel reservations available through Booking.com are also generally available through agoda and priceline. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements - Segment Reporting for information on our operating segments.
Our results include FareHarbor and HotelsCombined since they were acquired in the United States.
KAYAK - a leading meta-search service allowing consumers to easily searchApril 2018 and compare travel itineraries and prices, including airline ticket, accommodation and rental car reservation information, from hundreds of travel websites at once.
agoda.com - a leading accommodation reservation service catering primarily to consumers in the Asia-Pacific region.
Rentalcars.com - a leading worldwide rental car reservation service.
OpenTable - a leading provider of restaurant reservation and information services to consumers and restaurant reservation management and customer acquisition services to restaurants.
November 2018, respectively. We refer to our company and all of our subsidiaries and brands collectively as "Booking Holdings," the "Company," "we," "our" or "us."
Our business is driven primarily by international results, which consist of the results of Booking.com, agoda.comagoda and Rentalcars.com (which began operating as part of Booking.com on January 1, 2018) and the international businesses of KAYAK and OpenTable. This classification is independent of where the consumer resides, where the consumer is physically located while using our services or the location of the travel service provider or 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, 2017,In 2019, our international business (the substantial majority of which is generated by Booking.com) represented approximately 89%90% of our consolidated gross profit.revenues. A significant majority of our gross profitrevenues, including a significant majority of our international revenues, is earned in connection with facilitating accommodation reservations. See Note 1618 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more geographic information.
We derive substantially all of our gross profitrevenues from the following sources:
Commissions earnedenabling consumers to make travel service reservations. We also earn revenues from facilitating reservations of accommodations, rental cars and other travel services on an agency basis;
Transaction gross profit on a merchant basiscredit card processing rebates and customer processing fees, from our accommodation, rental car, airline ticketadvertising services, restaurant reservations and vacation package reservation services;
Advertising revenues primarily earned by KAYAK from sending referrals to online travel companies ("OTCs") and travel service providers, as well as from advertising placements on KAYAK's websites and mobile apps;
Reservation revenues paid by restaurants for diners seated through OpenTable's online reservation services, subscription fees for restaurant reservation management services, 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 ourvarious 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,such as a result, we will no longer report cost of revenues or gross profit.travel-related insurance revenues.
Trends
The recent coronavirus outbreak has had a significant and negative impact on our business during the first quarter of 2020, in particular in China and certain other Asian markets, though concerns about the coronavirus are also negatively impacting travel demand (and therefore our business) generally. In the more affected markets like China, we have seen a significant increase in cancellations and reduction in new bookings, and ADRs have also been negatively affected. The ultimate impact of the outbreak on our business is impossible to predict with certainty, and therefore the full extent to which the coronavirus will impact our business and results of operations is unknown. However, decreased travel demand resulting from the outbreak has had a negative impact, and is likely to have a negative and material impact, on our business, growth and results of operations. For more information, see Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors - "Declines or disruptions in the travel industry could adversely affect our business and financial performance."
Over the last several years, we have experienced strongsignificant 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 growth of travel overall, including in higher growth emerging markets such as Asia-Pacific and South America.overall. We also believe this growth is the result of the continued innovation and execution by our teams around the world to addincrease the number and the variety of accommodations to our travel reservation services,we offer consumers, increase and improve content, build distribution and improve the consumer experience on our websites and mobile apps,online platforms, as well as consistently and effectively marketing our brands through performance and brand advertisingmarketing efforts. These year-over-year growth rates have generally decelerated. Given the size of our accommodation reservation business and the general slowing growth rate of the online travel market discussed below, we expect that our year-over-year growth rates will generally continue to decelerate, though the rate of deceleration may fluctuate and there may be periods of acceleration from time to time.
Our internationalWe are a global 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, and recent international online travel growth rates have exceeded,vary across the world depending on numerous factors, including local and are expectedregional economic conditions, individual disposable income, access to continue to exceed, the internet and adoption of e-commerce. Online travel growth rates within the United States. Over the long term, we expect that internationalhave generally slowed in markets such as North America and Europe where online activity is high and consumers have been engaging in e-commerce transactions for many years, while online travel growth rates will follow a similar trendremain relatively high in markets such as Asia-Pacific where incomes are rising more quickly and the increased availability and use of mobile devices has accelerated the growth of internet usage and travel e-commerce transactions. Over the long-term, we expect online travel growth rates to that experienced in the United States. In addition, the base of hotel properties in Europe and Asia is particularly fragmented comparedslow as markets continue 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. Wemature. However, we believe that the opportunity to continue to grow our business exists for the markets in which we operate.operate, including in both mature and fast-growing markets. Further, we believe that this opportunity for growth exists because we feel we provide significant value to travel service providers, regardless of size or geography, due to our global reach and online marketing expertise. For example, we believe that accommodation providers of all sizes, from large hotel chains to small, independent hotels and alternative accommodations such as homes and apartments, benefit from using our services, which enable them to reach a broader audience of potential customers.
Our growth has primarily been generated by ourthe worldwide accommodation reservation service brand,business of Booking.com, which is our most significant brand, and has been due, in part, to the availability of a large and growing number of instantly bookable properties through Booking.com. Booking.com included approximately 1,586,0002,580,000 properties on its website as ofat December 31, 2017,2019, consisting of approximately 396,000460,000 hotels, motels and resorts and approximately 1,190,0002,120,000 homes, apartments and other unique places to stay, (updated property counts are available on the Booking.com website), compared to approximately 1,115,0002,180,000 properties (including approximately 339,000436,000 hotels, motels and resorts and approximately 776,0001,744,000 homes, apartments, and other unique places to stay) as ofat December 31, 2016.2018. Booking.com has begun categorizingcategorizes 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)inns), 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,bed and breakfasts, villas, igloosapart-hotels and beyond. Booking.com previously classified properties as hotels, vacation rentals or other. We believe the new categories are more consistent with those used by other industry participants and allow for a more direct comparison of traditional and unique property counts among companies.
We intend to continue to invest in adding accommodationsimprove the accommodation choices available for reservation on our websites, suchplatforms, however the growth rate of our accommodations may vary in part as hotels, motels, resorts, homes, apartments and other unique placesa result of removing accommodations from our platforms from time to stay.time. Many of the newer accommodations we add to our travel
reservation services, especially in highly-penetrated markets, may have fewer rooms or higher credit risk and may appeal to a smaller subset of consumers (e.g., hostels and bed and breakfasts). Because alternative accommodations are often either a single unit or a small collection of independent units, these properties generally represent more limited booking opportunities than hotels, motels and resorts, which generally have more units to rent per property. Further, alternative accommodations in general may be subject to increased seasonality due to local tourism seasons weather or other factors or may not be available at peak times due to use by the property owners, and weowners. We may also experience lower profit margins with respect to these properties due to certain additional costs, such as increased customer service costs, related to offering these accommodations on our websites.platforms. As we increase our alternative accommodation business has grown, these different characteristics couldhave negatively impactimpacted our profit margins;margins and we expect this trend to continue.
Further, to the extent these properties represent an increasing percentage of the properties added to our websites,platforms, we expect that our gross bookingsroom nights 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 alternative accommodation properties increases, 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.
We are constantly innovating to grow our business by, among other things, providing a best-in-class user experience with intuitive, easy-to-use online platforms (i.e., websites and mobile apps) to ensure that we are meeting the needs of online consumers while aiming to exceed their expectations. As part of these ongoing efforts, we have a long-term strategy to build a more integrated offering of multiple elements of travel, which we refer to as the "Connected Trip." Although we expect our efforts to build the Connected Trip may increase revenue growth over time, we may see a negative impact on our operating margins in the near term as we incur the expenses associated with these investments. Further, to the extent our non-accommodation services grow faster than our accommodation services, whether as part of the Connected Trip or otherwise, our operating margins may be negatively affected if we experience an increasing mix of revenues from lower-margin services.
As part of our strategy to provide more payment options to consumers and travel service providers, increase the number and variety of accommodations available on Booking.com and enable the growth of our in-destination activities businesses, Booking.com is increasingly processing transactions on a merchant basis, where it facilitates payments on behalf of customers.from travelers for the services provided. This allows Booking.com to process transactions for properties that do not accept credit cardstravel service providers and to increase its ability to offer secure and flexible transaction terms to consumers, such as the form and timing of payment. We believe that adding these types of properties and service offerings will benefit our customersconsumers and travel service providers, as well as our gross bookings, room night and earnings growth rates. However, this results in additional expenses for personnel, payment processing, costs,customer chargebacks (including those related to fraud) and other costsexpenses related to these transactions.transactions, which are recorded in "Personnel" and "Sales and other expenses" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations, as well as associated incremental revenues in the form of credit card rebates, for example, which are recorded in "Merchant revenues." As this business continues to grow, we may experience a significantexpect these expenses to continue to 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 whichwould negatively impact our operating margins.
Perceived or actual adverse economic conditions, including slow, slowing or negative economic growth, unemployment ratesmargins despite increases in associated incremental revenues. Components of revenues and weakening currencies and concerns over government responses such as 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, increased cancellation rates and weaker trends in hotel average daily rates ("ADRs") across many regions of the world, particularly in those countries that appear to be most affected by economic and political uncertainties, which we believe are due at least in part to these macro-economic conditions and concerns. For more detail, see Part II Item 1A Risk Factors - "Declines or disruptions in the travel industry could adversely affect our business and financial performance."
These and other macro-economic uncertainties, such as 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.
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 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. As a result of currency exchange rate changes, our foreign-currency-denominated net assets, gross bookings, gross profit, operating expenses and net income have been positively impacted as expressed in U.S. 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 similarrelated to our revenues,merchant business may be recognized in different periods. These timing factors could impact our operating margins have not been significantly impacted by currency fluctuations. The aggregate principal value of our Euro-denominated long-term debt, and accrued interest thereon, provide a natural hedge againstas well as the impact of currency exchange rate fluctuations on the net assets of certain of our Euro functional currency subsidiaries. For more information, see Part I Item 1A Risk Factors - "We are exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates."
We generally enter into derivative instruments to minimize the impact of short-term currency fluctuations on the translation of our consolidated operating 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 forrelationship between our gross bookings and revenues or gross profit (see Note 5 toin a particular period, especially as our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information onmerchant business increases as a percentage of our derivative contracts).overall business.
We compete globally with both online and traditional providers of travel and restaurant reservation and related services. The markets for the services we offer are intensely competitive, constantly evolving and subject to rapid change, and current and new competitors can launch new services to compete with us at relatively low cost. Some of our current and potential competitors, such as Google, Apple, Alibaba, Tencent, Amazon and Facebook, have access to significantly greatermore customers or users, consumer data and more diversifiedfinancial and other 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 and has grown rapidly in this area, including by establishingoffering a flight meta-search product (Google Flights) and, a hotel meta-search businessproduct (Google Hotel Ads) that are growing rapidly, as well as, a vacation rental meta-search product, its "Book on Google" reservation functionality and integrating its hotel and restaurant meta-search products into its Google Trips app.Maps app, as well as Google Travel, a planning tool which aggregates its flight, hotel and packages products in one website. 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 trends to continue. 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. Advertising and distribution opportunities may be more limited on mobile devices given their smaller screen sizes. In addition, the gross profitrevenue 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, have lower accommodation average daily rates ("ADRs") and are not made as far in advance. For 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 companies such as Google and Apple to compete directly with us." and "We may not be able to keep up with rapid technological or other market changes."
Although we believe that providing an extensive collection of properties, excellent customer service and an intuitive, easy to use website or mobileeasy-to-use consumer experience are important factors influencing a consumer's decision to make a reservation, for many consumers, particularly in certain markets, the price of the travel service is the primary factor determining whether a consumer will book a reservation. We have observed an increase in promotional pricingAs a result, it is increasingly important to closed user groups (such as loyalty program participants or consumers with registered accounts), including through mobile apps. In addition, many large hotel chains and OTCs have launched initiatives,offer travel services, such as increased discountingaccommodation reservations, at competitive prices, whether through discounts, coupons, closed-user group rates or loyalty programs, or otherwise. These
initiatives have resulted and incentives, to encourage consumers to book accommodations through their websites.in the future may result in lower ADRs and lower revenue as a percentage of gross bookings. 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.markets. 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 additionWe have observed a trend of declining constant-currency accommodation ADRs, which we expect to providing retail travel reservation services, our priceline.com brandcontinue, though the rate of decline may fluctuate and there may be periods of stable or increasing ADRs. We believe the trend of declining ADRs is a leading provider of discounted opaque travel reservation services inpartially driven by the United States through its Express Deals® and Name Your Own Price® offerings. These discounted services are referred to as "opaque" because certain elementsnegative impact of the reservation, including the namechanging geographical mix of theour business (e.g., lower ADR regions like Asia-Pacific are generally growing faster than higher ADR regions like Western Europe) as well as pricing pressures within local markets from time to time resulting from competitive conditions, weakening economic conditions or changes in travel service provider, are not made known to the traveler until after the reservation is made. In general, we expect that over time our opaque services willpatterns. These declining ADR trends have resulted in and may continue to decreaseresult in relative importance to our overall business due, we believe, togross bookings growing at a varietylower rate of factors, including the growth rates ofthan our retail businesses, competition, relative complexity, travel restrictions often required by the travel service provider, difficulty in offering certain of these services on mobile devices, increased discounts available to consumers through closed user groups or couponing, and limited availability of discounted travel reservations from travel service providers, particularly during periods of high consumer demand.accommodation room nights.
We have established widely used and recognized e-commerce brands through marketing and promotional campaigns. BothHistorically our performance and brand advertisingmarketing expenses have increased significantly, in recent years,however, more recently, we have experienced more moderate growth rates, a trend we expect to continue. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, our totalOur performance advertisingmarketing expense was approximately $4.1 billion, $3.5 billion and $2.7 billion, respectively,is 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. More recently, growth of some of these channels has slowed. Performance marketing expenses were $4.4 billion, $4.4 billion and $4.2 billion for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We also invested approximately $392$548 million, $296$509 million and $274$435 million in brand advertising duringmarketing for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 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.advertising and other brand marketing. We intend to continue a strategy of promoting brand awareness through both online and offline advertisingmarketing efforts, including by expanding brand campaigns into additional markets, andwhich we expect will increase our brand advertisingmarketing expenses to increase significantly during 2018.over time. We have observed increased brand advertisingmarketing by other OTCs, meta-search services and travel service providers, particularly in North America and Europe, which may make our brand advertisingmarketing efforts more expensive and less effective.
Performance advertisingmarketing efficiency, expressed as performance advertisingmarketing expense as a percentage of gross profit,total revenues, 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 currency exchange rates, our ability to convert paid traffic to booking customers and the extent to which consumers come directly to our websites or mobile appsplatforms 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-clickcosts per click and reduce our
performance advertisingmarketing efficiency. We have also experienced increasing cancellation rates, which we expect to continue and which negatively affects our advertising efficiency and results of operations. Changes by Google or any of our other search or meta-search partners in how it presents travel search results, including, if applicable, 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 may be competitively disadvantageous to us and may impact our ability to efficiently generate traffic to our websites. 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 advertisingmarketing returns on investment ("ROIs"), a trend. More recently, we expect to continue, though the rate of decrease may fluctuate and there may behave observed periods of stable or increasing ROIs, from timehowever, it is uncertain whether this trend will continue or if ROIs will return to the prior trend of declining over time. In addition, weWe may from time to time, as we did beginning in the third andquarter of 2017 through the fourth quartersquarter of 2017,2018, pursue a strategy of improving our performance advertisingmarketing ROIs, which could negatively impact growth and positively impact performance marketing efficiency and profitability. When evaluating our performance marketing spend, we consider several factors for each channel, such as the customer experience on the advertising efficiency.platform, the incrementality of the traffic we receive and the anticipated repeat rate from a particular platform, as well as other factors. The amount of business we obtain through each performance marketing channel is impacted by numerous factors, including bidding decisions by us and our competitors (including decisions to optimize performance marketing ROIs) and the marketing efforts and success of those channels to attract consumers and generate demand. See Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors- "We rely on performance and brand advertisingmarketing channels to generate a significant amount of traffic to our websitesplatforms and grow our business." and "Our business could be negatively affected by changes in internetonline search engineand meta-search algorithms and dynamics or traffic-generating arrangements."
In recent years, we experienced significant increases in our cancellation rates, which negatively affected our marketing efficiency and results of operations. Beginning in the third quarter of 2018, our cancellation rates have generally decreased, which has benefited our marketing efficiency and results of operations. We believe that many factors influence cancellation rates, and it is uncertain whether future cancellation rates will continue to decrease, stabilize or return to their prior trend of generally increasing over time.
Perceived or actual adverse economic conditions, including slow, slowing or negative economic growth, high or rising unemployment rates, inflation and weakening currencies, and concerns over government responses such as higher taxes or
We estimate our effective tax rate for 2018tariffs 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"), including uncertainty in the implementation of Brexit and other political concerns can also negatively affect consumer spending and adversely affect travel demand. At times, we have experienced volatility in transaction growth rates, increased cancellation rates and weaker trends in ADRs across many regions of the world, particularly in those countries that appear to be approximately 18-21%,most affected by economic and political uncertainties, which represents our best estimate of our tax expense including the impact of the U.S. Tax Cutswe believe are due at least in part to these macro-economic conditions 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 asconcerns. For more information becomes available. Seedetail, see Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors - "Declines or disruptions in the travel industry could adversely affect our business and financial performance."
These and other macro-economic uncertainties, such as 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 foreign 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 movements in foreign currency exchange rates as the financial results and the financial condition of our international businesses are translated from local currency (principally Euros and British Pounds Sterling) into U.S. Dollars. As a result, both the absolute amounts of and percentage changes in our foreign-currency-denominated net assets, gross bookings, revenues, operating expenses and net income as expressed in U.S. Dollars are affected by foreign currency exchange rate changes. Our foreign-currency-denominated gross bookings, revenues, operating expenses and net income as expressed in U.S. Dollars are lower for the year ended December 31, 2019 than they would have been had foreign currency exchange rates remained where they were for the year ended December 31, 2018. For example, total revenues from our international operations grew 4.1% for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2018, but, without the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, grew year-over-year on a constant-currency basis by approximately 8%. Since our expenses are generally denominated in foreign currencies on a basis similar to our revenues, our operating margins have not been significantly impacted by currency fluctuations. Historically, the aggregate principal value of our Euro-denominated long-term debt, and accrued interest thereon, provided a hedge against the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on the net assets of one of our Euro functional currency subsidiaries. Beginning in the second quarter of 2019, we have only designated certain portions of the aggregate principal value of our Euro-denominated debt as a hedge, and as a result we have recognized foreign currency transaction gains or losses. The foreign currency transaction gains or losses on the Euro-denominated debt that is not designated as a hedging instrument for accounting purposes are recognized in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Consolidated Statement of Operations (see Note 12 to our Consolidated Financial Statements). For more information, see Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors - "We are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates."
We generally enter into derivative instruments to minimize the impact of short-term foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on the translation of our consolidated operating 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 or revenues (see Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on our derivative contracts).
Many taxing authorities are increasingly focused on ways to increase tax revenues and have targeted large multinational technology companies in these efforts. As a result, many countries have implemented or are considering adoption of a digital services tax that imposes a tax on revenue earned from digital advertisements and the use of online platforms, even when there is no physical presence in the jurisdiction. Currently rates for this tax range from 2% to 7.5% of revenue deemed generated in the jurisdiction. The digital services taxes currently in effect have negatively impacted our results of operations and if many other countries pass similar legislation, the collective impact of all of these measures could have a materially adverse impact on our results of operations and cash flows. For more information, see Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements and 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."
TheMany national competition authorities ("NCAs") of many governments have conducted 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. Some countries have adopted or proposed legislation that could also affect business practices within the online travel industry. For example, France, Italy, Belgium and Italy, among others,Austria have adoptedpassed legislation making priceprohibiting parity agreements illegalcontract clauses in their entirety. Also, a number of governments are investigating or conducting information-gathering exercises with respect to compliance by OTCs with consumer protection laws, including practices related to the display of search results and search ranking algorithms, claims regarding discounts, disclosure of charges and availability, and similar legislation is under consideration in other countries.messaging. For more information on these investigations and their potential effects on our business, see Note 1416 to our Consolidated Financial Statements and Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors - "AsOur business is subject to various competition, anti-trust, consumer protection and online commerce laws,
rules and regulations around the world, and as the size of our business grows, we may become increasingly subject to the scrutiny of anti-trust, competitionour business by legislators and consumer protection regulators.regulators in these areas may intensify." In addition to the price parity and consumer protection investigations, from time to time NCAs,national competition authorities, other governmental agencies, trade associations and private parties take legal actions, including commencing legal proceedings, that may affect our operations. For example,In general, increased regulatory focus on online businesses, including online travel businesses like ours, could result 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 onincreased compliance costs or otherwise adversely affect our growth and results of operations.business.
Seasonality
A meaningful amountThe majority of our gross bookings are generated early in the first half of the year, as customersconsumers plan and reserve their spring and summer vacations in Europe and North America. However, historically we generally have not recognizedrecognize revenue from these bookings untilwhen the travel is completed (on "check-out"begins (at "check-in"), which can be in a 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 isassociated reservations are booked. In contrast, we expense the substantial majority of our advertisingmarketing activities as the expense is incurred, which, in the case of performance advertisingmarketing in particular, is typically in the quarter in which associated reservations are booked. As a result of this potential timing difference between when we record advertisingmarketing expense and when we recognize associated revenue, we have historically experiencedexperience our highest levels of profitability in the second and third quartersquarter of the year, which is when we experience the highest levels of accommodation check-outscheck-ins 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 levelslevel of accommodation bookings in the third and fourth quarters of the year, and the highest levels of accommodation check-outscheck-ins in the fourth quarter. As the relative growth rates for theseour businesses fluctuate, the quarterly distribution of our operating results may vary.
In recentFor several 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 profitrevenues (recognized at the time of check-out or, after January 1, 2018, at the time of check-in). Recently,
However, we have seensaw a modest contraction of the booking window.window throughout 2018 and 2019. Future changes in the length of the booking window may cause additional differences betweenwill affect the degree to which our gross bookings and revenues occur in the same period and, as a result, whether our gross bookings growth rates and revenue growth rates.rates converge or diverge.
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 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 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 2017,2019, Easter fell on April 21 and Easter-related travel began in the second quarter, when the associated revenue was recognized. By comparison, in 2018, Easter was on April 1 and a meaningful amount of Easter-related travel began in the week leading up to the holiday with the associated revenue being recognized in the first quarter of 2018. As a result of the shift in Easter timing relative to 2018, our secondfirst quarter 2019 year-over-year growth rates in revenue, gross profit, operating income and operating margins were positivelynegatively impacted by Easter falling in theand our second quarter instead of the first quarter, as it did in 2016. Conversely, our first quarter 20172019 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 2017, in 2018 Easter will fall in the second 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 a positive effect on our first quarter 2018 year-over-year growth rates due to the change in our revenue recognition policy from "check-out" to "check-in."positively impacted. The timing of other holidays such as Chinese New Year, Ramadan and Carnival can also impact our quarterly year-over-year growth 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 advertisingmarketing expense. In addition, gross profitrevenue 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.quarters, but any such deceleration would negatively impact revenue growth in subsequent periods. Conversely, in periods where our gross bookings growth rate accelerates, our operating margins are typically negatively impacted by relatively more variable advertisingmarketing expense. In addition, gross profitrevenue growth is typically less impacted by accelerating gross bookings growth in the near term, but any such acceleration would positively impact revenue growth in subsequent periods 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. Factors 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, fires, droughts and volcanic eruptions, travel-related health concerns including pandemics and epidemics such as coronaviruses, Ebola Zika and MERS,Zika, political instability, changes in economic conditions, wars and regional hostilities, imposition of taxes, tariffs or surcharges by regulatory authorities, changes in trade policies or trade disputes, changes in immigration policies or travel-related accidents or increased focus on the environmental impact of travel, can disrupt travel, limit the ability or willingness of travelers to visit certain locations or otherwise result in declines in travel demand. These kinds of events have negatively affected our business and results of operations in the past and may do so again in the future. 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 and our relationships with travel service providers and other
partners, any of which can adversely affect our business and results of operations. See Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors - "Declines or disruptions in the travel industry could adversely affect our business and 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 prioritizeinvest in initiatives thatto drive future growth. 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, acquisitions. 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. 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. For example, because consumers often utilize other online services more frequently than online travel services, a competitor or potential competitor that has established other, more frequent online interactions with consumers may be able to more easily or cost-effectively acquire customers for its online travel services than we can. Our goal is to grow gross profitrevenue and achieve healthy operating margins in an effort to maintain profitability. The uncertain and highly competitive environment in which we operate makes the prediction of future results of operations difficult, and accordingly, we may not be able to sustain gross profitrevenue 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 ("U.S. GAAP"). Our significant accounting policies and estimates are more fully described in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain of our accounting 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. Our management uses its judgment to determine the appropriate assumptions to be used in the determination of certain estimates. We evaluate our estimates on 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:
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| • | Valuation of Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets. The application of the acquisition 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. When we deem appropriate, we utilize assistance from a third-party valuation firm. The consideration transferred is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the consideration transferred over the net of the amounts allocated to the identifiable 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. |
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 intangiblesintangible assets and goodwill relates to the acquisitions of OpenTable in July 2014 and KAYAK in May 2013. As ofKAYAK. At September 30, 2017,2019, we performed our annual quantitative goodwill impairment test. Other than OpenTable,testing and concluded that there was no impairment of goodwill and that 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 valuevalues 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, 2017.2019. Since the annual impairment test, as of September 30, 2017, there have been no events or changes in circumstances to indicate a potential impairment.impairment to our goodwill.
ForWe review long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that 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 anycarrying amount of the assumptions underlyingasset may not be recoverable. The assessment of possible impairment is based upon our estimate ofability to recover the faircarrying value of the OpenTable business prove to be incorrect, we may refineassets from the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows, before interest and taxes, of the related asset group. We did not identify any impairment indicators for 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."long-lived assets at December 31, 2019.
| |
| • | 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. In December 2017, the U.S. government enacted the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (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 imposed a one-time deemed repatriation tax on accumulated unremitted international earnings, to be paid over eight years. |
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”("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”("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.costs.
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.
OnIn 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 behave been 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, since2018, 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 considercompleted our accounting related tofor the income tax effects of the Tax Act forbased on technical guidance issued by U.S. federal and state tax authorities available at that time, which resulted in an income taxestax benefit of $48 million. In 2019, as a result of additional technical guidance issued by U.S. federal and state tax authorities, we recorded an additional income tax benefit of $17 million to adjust our income tax expense relating to the U.S federal one-time deemed repatriation liability, 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 forU.S state income taxes inassociated with the period when a change in estimate occurs (see Note 13mandatory deemed repatriation.
We do not intend to indefinitely reinvest our Consolidated Financial Statements).international earnings that were subject to U.S. taxation pursuant to the mandatory deemed repatriation or subject to U.S. taxation as GILTI.
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.operations. Although we believe that our tax filing positions are reasonable,comply with applicable laws, 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 notmore-likely-than-not outcomes or we may adjust previously recorded tax expense to reflect examination results. See Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
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, 2017, 2016 and 2015 includes charges amounting to $10.6 million, $20.7 million and $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.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements - See Note 2 to theour Consolidated Financial Statements for details, which is incorporated into this Item 7 by reference thereto.
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 20172019 compared to Year Ended December 31, 20162018
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. Our 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.
Accommodation room nights, rental car days and airline tickets reserved through our services for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in millions) | | |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | Increase |
| Room nights | 845 |
| | 760 |
| | 11.2 | % |
| Rental car days | 77 |
| | 73 |
| | 4.6 | % |
| Airline tickets | 7 |
| | 7 |
| | 3.7 | % |
Accommodation room night reservations increased by 11.2% for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to the year ended December 31, 2018, primarily due to our investments in marketing channels, providing a continuously improving consumer experience and improving the accommodation choices we offer consumers, as well as the overall growth in the travel industry and the ongoing shift from offline to online for travel bookings. The increase for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to the year ended December 31, 2018 was also positively impacted by a decrease in cancellation rates.
Rental car day reservations increased by 4.6% for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to the year ended December 31, 2018, due primarily to an increase in rental car day reservations at Rentalcars.com as a result of the integration with Booking.com.
Airline ticket reservations increased by 3.7% for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to the year ended December 31, 2018, due to the growth of priceline's vacation packages product.
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, 20172019 and 20162018 were as follows (numbers may not total due to rounding):
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in millions) | | | (in millions) | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | 2019 | | 2018 | | Increase (decrease) |
| Agency | $ | 69,697 |
| | $ | 58,638 |
| | 18.9 | % | $ | 70,651 |
| | $ | 73,919 |
| | (4.4 | )% |
| Merchant | 11,529 |
| | 9,449 |
| | 22.0 | % | 25,791 |
| | 18,812 |
| | 37.1 | % |
| Total | $ | 81,225 |
| | $ | 68,087 |
| | 19.3 | % | $ | 96,443 |
| | $ | 92,731 |
| | 4.0 | % |
Gross bookings increased by 19.3%4.0% for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, compared to the year ended December 31, 20162018 (growth on a constant-currency basis was approximately 19%8%), almost entirely due to growth of 20.9%11.2% in accommodation
room night reservations. Accommodationreservations, partially offset by the negative impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and a 2% decrease in accommodation ADRs on a constant-currency basis were relatively unchanged for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, 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.2018. We believe that unit growth rates and growth in total gross bookings and gross profit growth on a constant-currency basis, each of which excludeexcludes the impact of foreign currency 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 from travelers for the travel services provided. Agency gross bookings increaseddecreased by 18.9%4.4% for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016,2018, almost entirely due to the growtha decrease in gross bookings from Booking.com agency retail accommodation room night reservations.reservations at Booking.com, primarily resulting from the growth of its merchant accommodation reservation services, as well as the aforementioned negative impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
Merchant gross bookings are derived from services where we facilitate payments from travelers for the travel services provided. Merchant gross bookings increased by 22.0%37.1% for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016. Approximately 91% of the increase was2018, almost entirely due to growth in gross bookings from our merchant accommodation reservation services forat Booking.com and agoda, partially offset by the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016. Growth in ouraforementioned negative impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Booking.com has been expanding its merchant gross bookings from rental car reservation services and airline ticket reservation services also contributed to this growth.
Accommodation room nights, rental car days and airline tickets reserved through our services for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in millions) | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Room Nights | 673.1 |
| | 556.6 |
| | 20.9 | % |
| Rental Car Days | 73.0 |
| | 66.6 |
| | 9.6 | % |
| Airline Tickets | 6.9 |
| | 7.3 |
| | (5.3 | )% |
Accommodation room night reservations increased by 20.9% for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily due to strong execution by our brand teams to add new properties to our accommodation reservation services advertise our brandsto, among other reasons, provide more payment options to consumers and provide a continuously improving experience for customerstravel service providers, increase the number and variety of accommodations available on our desktopBooking.com and mobile platforms, as well asenable the ongoing shift from offline to online for travel bookings.
Rental car day reservations increased by 9.6% for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, due to strong execution by our brand teams to advertise our brands to consumers and provide a continuously improving experience for customers on our desktop and mobile platforms, as well as the ongoing shift from offline to online for travel bookings.
Airline ticket reservations decreased by 5.3% for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, due to a decline in priceline.com's retail airline ticket reservations and the discontinuation on September 1, 2016growth of priceline.com’s Name Your Own Price® airline ticket reservation offering, partially offset by an increase in priceline.com's Express Deals® airline ticket reservation offering.its in-destination activities businesses.
Revenues
We classify our revenue into three categories:
Agency revenues are derived from travel-related transactions where we do not facilitate payments for the travel services provided. Agency revenues consist primarily ofOnline travel reservation commissions, as well as certain GDS reservation booking fees and certain travel insurance fees, and are reported at the net amounts received, without any associated cost of revenue. services
Substantially all of the revenue for Booking.com is agency revenue comprised of accommodationour revenues are generated by providing online travel reservation commissions.services, which facilitate online travel purchases between travel service providers and travelers.
Revenues from online travel reservation services are classified into two categories:
| |
| • | Agency. Agency revenues are derived from travel-related transactions where we do not facilitate payments from travelers for the services provided. Agency revenues consist almost entirely of travel reservation commissions. Substantially all of our agency revenue is from Booking.com agency accommodation reservations. |
| |
| • | Merchant. Merchant revenues are derived from servicestravel-related transactions where we facilitate payments from travelers for the travel services provided.provided, generally at the time of booking. Merchant revenues include (1) travel reservation commissions and transaction net revenues (i.e., the amount charged to a customer,travelers less the amount chargedowed to us by travel service providers) and travel reservation commissions in connection with (a) the accommodation reservations provided through our merchant retail accommodation reservation services at agoda.com, Booking.com and priceline.com, (b) the reservations provided through our merchant rental car service at Rentalcars.com, and (c) the reservations provided through priceline.com’s Express Deals® reservation services; (2) credit card processing rebates and customer processing fees; and (3) ancillary fees, including damage excess waiver feestravel-related insurance revenues and certain travel insurance fees and certain GDSglobal distribution system ("GDS") reservation booking fees; (3) transactionfees. Substantially all merchant revenues representing the price of Name Your Own Price®are derived from transactions where travelers book accommodation reservations charged to a customer (with a corresponding travel service provider cost recorded in cost of revenues); and (4) customer processing fees charged in connection with (a) the merchant retail accommodation reservation services at priceline.com and agoda.com and (b) priceline.com's opaque reservation services.or rental car reservations. |
Advertising and other revenues
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 websitesits platforms; and mobile apps; (2) revenues earned by OpenTable for (a) restaurant reservation feesservices (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.
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Agency Revenues | $ | 9,714,126 |
| | $ | 7,982,116 |
| | 21.7 | % |
| Merchant Revenues | 2,133,017 |
| | 2,048,005 |
| | 4.2 | % |
| Advertising and Other Revenues | 833,939 |
| | 712,885 |
| | 17.0 | % |
| Total Revenues | $ | 12,681,082 |
| | $ | 10,743,006 |
| | 18.0 | % |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in millions) | | |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | Increase (decrease) |
| Agency revenues | $ | 10,117 |
| | $ | 10,480 |
| | (3.5 | )% |
| Merchant revenues | 3,830 |
| | 2,987 |
| | 28.2 | % |
| Advertising and other revenues | 1,119 |
| | 1,060 |
| | 5.6 | % |
| Total revenues | $ | 15,066 |
| | $ | 14,527 |
| | 3.7 | % |
Agency Revenues
AgencyTotal revenues increased by 21.7% for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, almost entirely due to the growth in agency accommodation room night reservations at Booking.com.
Merchant Revenues
Merchant revenues2018, respectively, increased by 4.2%3.7% (growth on a constant-currency basis was approximately 7%). Substantially all of the year-over-yearincrease was related to revenues from our accommodation reservation services.
Agency revenues decreased by 3.5% for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, primarily2018, almost entirely due to increases in ourdecreased gross bookings from agency accommodation room night reservations at Booking.com, primarily resulting from the growth of its 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®reservation services. On September 1, 2016, priceline.com’s Name Your Own Price® airline ticket reservation 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.
Advertising and Other Revenues
Advertising and other revenues during the year ended December 31, 2017 consisted primarily of advertising revenues, restaurant reservation revenues and subscription revenues for restaurant reservation management services. Advertising and otherMerchant revenues increased by 17.0%28.2% for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016,2018, primarily due to the inclusion of the Momondo Group revenue amounting to approximately $72 million since its acquisition on July 24, 2017,increases in merchant accommodation reservation services.
Advertising and other growth in our KAYAK business andrevenues increased diner reservation volumes at OpenTable.
Cost of Revenues
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Cost of Revenues | $ | 250,537 |
| | $ | 428,314 |
| | (41.5 | )% |
For the year ended December 31, 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%5.6% for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016,2018, primarily due to a decreasethe inclusion of $67 million in priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® reservation services. For the year ended December 31, 2017, cost of revenues benefited from a reversal of previously accrued travel transaction taxes of approximately $12 million (including estimated interest and penalties) recorded in December 2017revenue related to a favorable ruling in one of the travel transaction tax proceedings involving the Company.
Agency revenues have no cost of revenues.
Gross Profit
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Gross Profit | $ | 12,430,545 |
| | $ | 10,314,692 |
| | 20.5 | % |
| Gross Margin | 98.0 | % | | 96.0 | % | | |
|
Total gross profit increased by 20.5%HotelsCombined for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, compared to $4 million in revenue related to HotelsCombined since its acquisition in November 2018 for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Total revenues as a percentage of gross bookings was 15.6% for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to 15.7% for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Our international businesses accounted for approximately $13.5 billion of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to $13.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018. Total revenues attributable to our international businesses for the year ended December 31, 2019 increased by 4.1%, compared to the year ended December 31, 20162018 (growth on a constant-currency basis was approximately 19%8%). Gross profit fromTotal revenues attributable to our accommodation reservation services contributed approximately 90% of the 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 duringU.S. businesses were relatively flat for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, because our revenues are disproportionately affected by priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® reservation services. Name Your Own Price® reservation 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, 2017 these revenues represented a smaller percentage of total revenues than in the year ended December 31, 2016. Our price-disclosed reservation services, which are recorded in revenue "net" of travel service provider costs, have been growing and priceline.com's Name Your Own Price®reservation services have been declining. As a result, we believe that gross profit is an important measure for evaluating growth in our business.2018.
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 $11.1 billion of our gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $9.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2016. Gross profit attributable to our international operations increased by 22.0% for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 (growth on a constant-currency basis was approximately 21%). Gross profit attributable to our U.S. businesses increased by 9.9% for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, due to growth in gross profit for all of our U.S. businesses.
Operating Expenses
AdvertisingMarketing
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Performance Advertising | $ | 4,141,771 |
| | $ | 3,479,287 |
| | 19.0 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 33.3 | % | | 33.7 | % | | |
|
| Brand Advertising | $ | 391,584 |
| | $ | 295,698 |
| | 32.4 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 3.2 | % | | 2.9 | % | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in millions) | | |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | Increase (decrease) |
| Performance marketing | $ | 4,419 |
| | $ | 4,447 |
| | (0.6 | )% |
| % of Total revenues | 29.3 | % | | 30.6 | % | | |
|
| Brand marketing | $ | 548 |
| | $ | 509 |
| | 7.5 | % |
| % of Total revenues | 3.6 | % | | 3.5 | % | | |
|
We rely on performance advertisingmarketing channels to generate a significant amount of traffic to our websites. Performance advertisingmarketing expenses consist primarily of the costs of: (1) search engine keyword purchases; (2) referrals from meta-search and travel research websites; (3) affiliate programs; and (4) other performance-based advertisements.marketing and incentives. For the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, our performance advertising expenses increased compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, to generate increased gross bookingsmarketing expense growth rate was reduced by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and gross profit.slowing growth in performance marketing channels. We adjust our performance advertisingmarketing spend based on our growth and profitability objectives and the expected performance ofROIs in our performance advertisingmarketing channels. Performance advertisingmarketing expense as a percentage of gross profittotal revenues decreased for the year ended December 31, 2017 decreased2019, compared to the year ended December 31, 20162018, due to the timing 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 strategy 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 typicallychannel, primarily related to an increase in the quarter in which the associatedshare of direct traffic, and increased performance marketing ROIs.
reservations 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 advertisingmarketing expenses consist mainlyprimarily of television advertising and online video and display advertising (including the airing of our television advertising online), as well as other marketing spend such as public relations and online display advertising.sponsorships. For the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, brand advertisingmarketing expenses increased by 32.4%7.5% compared to the year ended December 31, 2016,2018, primarily due to increased brand advertising bymarketing expenses at Booking.com KAYAK, which includes expenses related toin the Momondo Group since its acquisition on July 24, 2017, and priceline.com. We increased our brand advertising expensefirst half of 2019 in order to increase brand awareness of our brands and grow the number of customers that come directly to our websites.the Booking.com platforms.
Sales and MarketingOther Expenses
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Sales and Marketing | $ | 561,958 |
| | $ | 435,225 |
| | 29.1 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 4.5 | % | | 4.2 | % | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in millions) | | |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | Increase |
| Sales and other expenses | $ | 955 |
| | $ | 830 |
| | 15.1 | % |
| % of Total revenues | 6.3 | % | | 5.7 | % | | |
|
Sales and marketingother 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) promotional costs;customer chargeback provisions and fraud prevention expenses associated with merchant transactions; (4) customer relations costs; and (5) provisions for bad debt, primarily related to agency accommodation commission receivables; and (6) provisions for customer chargebacks associated with merchant transactions.receivables. For the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, sales and marketingother expenses, which are substantially variable in nature, increased compared to the year ended December 31, 20162018 due primarily to increasedincreases in our merchant transaction volumes, as well as higher promotional costspartially offset by lower chargeback expense and higherlower bad debt expense related to accommodation commission receivables.provisions.
Personnel
| | | | Year Ended December 31, | | | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | | (in millions) | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change | 2019 | | 2018 | | Increase |
| Personnel | $ | 1,659,581 |
| | $ | 1,350,032 |
| | 22.9 | % | $ | 2,248 |
| | $ | 2,042 |
| | 10.0 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 13.4 | % | | 13.1 | % | | |
| |
| % of Total revenues | | 14.9 | % | | 14.1 | % | | |
|
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, 2017,2019, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016,2018, primarily due to increasesan increase in aggregate salaries of approximately $239$132 million related to headcount growth to support our businesses, partially offset by lower bonus expenses. The increase in personnel expenses was also due to an accrual of $61 million recorded in 2019 to correct an immaterial error related to the nonpayment in prior periods of a wage-related tax under Netherlands' law on compensation paid to certain highly-compensated former employees in the year of their separation from employment with Booking.com. Stock-based compensation expense was $308 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 primarily related2019, compared to headcount growth to support our business. Stock-based compensation expense was $260.9$317 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared2018. Headcount increased, primarily at agoda and Booking.com, in the areas of customer service and information technology to $249.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.support transaction growth and various business initiatives, such as alternative accommodations, marketing, payments and in-destination experiences.
General and Administrative
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| General and Administrative | $ | 585,541 |
| | $ | 455,909 |
| | 28.4 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 4.7 | % | | 4.4 | % | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in millions) | | |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | Increase |
| General and administrative | $ | 797 |
| | $ | 699 |
| | 14.2 | % |
| % of Total revenues | 5.3 | % | | 4.8 | % | | |
|
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.expenses; and (4) indirect taxes such as travel transaction taxes and digital services taxes. General and administrative expenses increased during the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016,2018, due primarily to increased professional fees, increased indirect taxes including $36 million related to French digital service taxes, higher personnel-related, occupancy and office expenses and personnel-related expenses associated with increased headcount and outside consultants to support the expansion of our international businesses, as well as a $27 million litigation-related expense, of whichbusinesses.
$19.3 million was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017, and higher fees for outside professionals, including professional fees related to our acquisition of the Momondo Group.
Information Technology
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Information Technology | $ | 189,344 |
| | $ | 142,393 |
| | 33.0 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 1.5 | % | | 1.4 | % | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in millions) | | |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | Increase |
| Information technology | $ | 285 |
| | $ | 233 |
| | 22.3 | % |
| % of Total revenues | 1.9 | % | | 1.6 | % | | |
|
Information technology expenses consist primarily of: (1) software license and system maintenance fees; (2) outsourced data center and cloud computing costs; (3) payments to contractors; and (4) data communications and other expenses associated with operating our services; (3) outsourced data center costs; and (4) payments to outside consultants.services. Information technology expenses increased during the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016,2018, due primarily to increased outsourced data center and cloud computing costs to support the growth in our worldwide operations.businesses, software fees and payments to contractors.
Depreciation and Amortization
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Depreciation and Amortization | $ | 362,774 |
| | $ | 309,135 |
| | 17.4 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 2.9 | % | | 3.0 | % | | |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in millions) | | |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | Increase |
| Depreciation and amortization | $ | 469 |
| | $ | 426 |
| | 10.0 | % |
| % of Total revenues | 3.1 | % | | 2.9 | % | | |
|
Depreciation and amortization expenses consist of: (1) amortization of intangible assets with determinable lives; (2) depreciation of computer equipment; (3) depreciationamortization of internally developedinternally-developed and purchased software; and (4) depreciation of leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures and office equipment. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased during the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016,2018, primarily as a result of increasedincreases of $22 million in data center equipment depreciation expenses and $18 million of internally-developed software amortization expenses due to higher capital expenditures for additional data center capacity and office build-outscapitalized software development costs to support growth and geographic expansion, the inclusion of intangible amortization for the Momondo Group since its acquisition on July 24, 2017, and increased capitalized software development costs.expansion.
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, 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 Consolidated Financial Statements).
Other Income (Expense)
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | Change |
| Interest Income | $ | 157,194 |
| | $ | 94,946 |
| | 65.6 | % |
| Interest Expense | (253,976 | ) | | (207,900 | ) | | 22.2 | % |
| Foreign Currency Transactions and Other | (35,291 | ) | | (16,913 | ) | | 108.7 | % |
| Impairment of Cost-method Investments | (7,597 | ) | | (63,208 | ) | | (88.0 | )% |
| Total | $ | (139,670 | ) | | $ | (193,075 | ) | | (27.7 | )% |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in millions) | | |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | Increase (decrease) |
| Interest income | $ | 152 |
| | $ | 187 |
| | (18.5 | )% |
| Interest expense | (266 | ) | | (269 | ) | | (1.2 | )% |
| Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities | 745 |
| | (367 | ) | | 302.7 | % |
| Foreign currency transactions and other | (18 | ) | | (57 | ) | | (68.2 | )% |
| Total | $ | 613 |
| | $ | (506 | ) | | 221.2 | % |
ForInterest income decreased for the year ended December 31, 2017, interest income on cash and marketable securities increased2019, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016,2018, primarily due to an increase in thelower average invested balancebalances of marketable securities and higher yields. Interest expenselower yields as well as increased usage of investments classified as cash equivalents.
Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to the year ended2019 and December 31, 2016, primarily due to interest expense attributable2018 principally related to our Senior Notes issuedequity investments in May 2016, March 2017Trip.com Group and August 2017Meituan Dianping (see Note 105 to our Consolidated Financial Statements)Statements for further information).
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 ofinvestments and other income or expense. Foreign currency fluctuations on the translation of our international operating results into U.S. Dollars upon consolidation resulted intransactions and other includes foreign currency losses on derivative contracts of $2.8$19 million and $44 million and foreign currency transaction losses of $13 million and $9 million for
the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition, foreign currency transactions and other includes a net realized gain of $11 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to foreign currency gains2019 from sales of $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Foreign currency transaction losses, including costs related to foreign currency transactions, resultedinvestments in foreign currency losses of $31.2 million and $19.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.debt securities.
See Note 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on impairments of cost-method investments.
Income Taxes
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | 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 | % | | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in millions) | | |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | Increase |
| Income tax expense | $ | 1,093 |
| | $ | 837 |
| | 30.6 | % |
| % of Earnings before income taxes | 18.3 | % | | 17.3 | % | | |
Our 20172019 effective tax rate differs from the 2017 U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35%21%, principallyprimarily due to a one-time transition taxthe benefit of approximately $1.6 billion on mandatory deemed repatriation of accumulated unremitted international earnings pursuant to the Netherlands Innovation Box Tax Act, which includes U.S. state income taxes and international withholding taxes (see Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements)(discussed below), partially offset by (1) a netthe effect of higher international tax benefit of approximately $217 million related torates and U.S. federal and state tax associated with our current year international earnings, resulting from the remeasurementenactment of the Company’s U.S. deferredTax Act, as well as certain non-deductible expenses. Our 2018 effective tax assets and liabilities due to the reduction ofrate differs from the U.S. federal statutory tax rate from 35%of 21%, primarily due to 21%the benefit of the Netherlands Innovation Box Tax and (2) lower international tax rates. Our 2016 effective tax rate differsthe $46 million benefit resulting from the 2016 U.S. federal statutoryadjustment to our 2017 provisional income tax rate of 35%,expense due to lower internationalour completion of the accounting for the income tax rates,effects of the Tax Act, partially offset by the non-deductible impairment charge for goodwilleffect of $940.7 million related to OpenTable recognized in 2016 (see Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements)higher international tax rates and the non-deductible impairment charge of approximately $60 millionU.S. federal and state tax associated with a cost-method investment recognized in 2016 (see Note 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements).2018 international earnings, resulting from the enactment of the Tax Act, as well as certain non-deductible expenses.
Our effective tax rate was higher for the year ended December 31, 2017 is higher than our effective tax rate for2019, compared to the year ended December 31, 2016, due2018, primarily as a result of (1) higher U.S. gains from equity securities that contributed to a lower international jurisdictional earnings mix, which lessened the impact of the benefit of the Netherlands Innovation Box Tax, and (2) the effect of the higher tax benefit recorded during the year ended December 31, 2018 to adjust our 2017 provisional income tax expense related to the netTax Act. These increases in our effective tax expense resulting from the Tax Act,rate were partially offset by an increased proportion ofhigher U.S. federal tax credits, lower U.S. federal and state tax associated with our income being taxed atcurrent year international earnings, and certain lower international tax rates due to the 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 rate.expenses.
A portion of Booking.com's earnings during the years ended December 31, 20172019 and 20162018 qualified for Innovation Box Tax treatment under Dutch tax law, which had a significant beneficial impact on the Company'sour effective tax raterates for those periods. In 2019, the Dutch government approved a reduction in its corporate income tax rate from 25% to 21.7%, effective in 2021. Furthermore, the Dutch government has proposed an increase in the Innovation Box Tax rate from 7% to 9%, which, if enacted, could be effective beginning in 2021. 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"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.operations and cash flows. See Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors - "We may not be able to maintain our 'Innovation Box Tax' benefit."
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 20162018 compared to Year Ended December 31, 20152017
Operating and Statistical Metrics
Gross bookings resulting from reservationsFor a comparison of accommodation room nights, rental car days and airline tickets made through our agency and merchant modelsresults of operations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 20162018 and 2015 were as follows (numbers may not total due to rounding):
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in millions) | | |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Agency | $ | 58,638 |
| | $ | 47,969 |
| | 22.2 | % |
| Merchant | 9,449 |
| | 7,559 |
| | 25.0 | % |
| Total | $ | 68,087 |
| | $ | 55,528 |
| | 22.6 | % |
Gross bookings increased by 22.6%2017, see Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, compared to2018, filed with the year ended December 31, 2015 (growthSEC on a constant-currency basis was approximately 25%), principally due to growth of 28.7% in accommodation room night reservations and 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 reservations. 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.February 27, 2019.
Agency gross bookings are derived from travel-related transactions where we do not facilitate payments for the travel services provided. Agency gross bookings increased by 22.2% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily due to growth in gross 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 for Booking.com and agoda.com, the merchant rental car reservation service for Rentalcars.com and the merchant airline ticket reservation service for priceline.com.
Accommodation room nights, rental car days and airline tickets reserved through our services for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in millions) | | |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Room Nights | 556.6 |
| | 432.3 |
| | 28.7 | % |
| Rental Car Days | 66.6 |
| | 59.9 |
| | 11.2 | % |
| Airline Tickets | 7.3 |
| | 7.7 |
| | (5.2 | )% |
Accommodation room night reservations increased by 28.7% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily due to strong execution by our brand teams to add accommodations to our websites, advertise our brands to consumers and provide a continuously improving experience for customers on our desktop and mobile platforms.
Rental car day reservations increased by 11.2% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, due to an increase in rental car day reservations for Rentalcars.com.
Airline ticket reservations decreased by 5.2% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, 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 reservation offering, partially offset by an increase in priceline.com's Express Deals® airline ticket reservations.
Revenues
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Agency Revenues | $ | 7,982,116 |
| | $ | 6,527,898 |
| | 22.3 | % |
| Merchant Revenues | 2,048,005 |
| | 2,082,973 |
| | (1.7 | )% |
| Advertising and Other Revenues | 712,885 |
| | 613,116 |
| | 16.3 | % |
| Total Revenues | $ | 10,743,006 |
| | $ | 9,223,987 |
| | 16.5 | % |
Agency Revenues
Agency revenues increased by 22.3% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily as a result of growth in agency accommodation room night reservations at Booking.com.
Merchant Revenues
Merchant revenues decreased by 1.7% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily due to decreases in revenues from priceline.com's Name Your Own Price®reservation services, partially offset by increasesin our merchant price-disclosed accommodation reservation services, particularly at Booking.com, as well as our merchant price-disclosed rental car and airline ticket reservation services. On September 1, 2016, priceline.com’s Name Your Own Price® airline ticket reservation offering was discontinued. Our priceline.com Name Your Own Price® 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, 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.
Advertising and Other Revenues
Advertising and other revenues during the year ended December 31, 2016 consisted primarily of advertising revenues, restaurant reservation revenues and subscription revenues for restaurant reservation management services. Advertising and other revenues increased by 16.3% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily due to growth in our KAYAK business, reservation fees at OpenTable, advertising revenue at priceline.com and subscription revenue at OpenTable.
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, 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 for consumer search queries. Cost of revenues decreased by 32.2% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 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, 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. 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 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.
Agency revenues have no cost of revenues.
Gross Profit
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Gross Profit | $ | 10,314,692 |
| | $ | 8,591,807 |
| | 20.1 | % |
| Gross Margin | 96.0 | % | | 93.1 | % | | |
|
Total gross profit increased by 20.1% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 (growth on a constant-currency basis was approximately 23%), primarily as a result of the increased revenue discussed above. Total gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of total revenue) increased during the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 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, 2016 these revenues represented a smaller percentage of total revenues than in the year ended December 31, 2015. Our price-disclosed reservation services, which are recorded in revenue "net" of travel service provider costs, have been growing and priceline.com's Name Your Own Price®reservation services have been declining. As a result, we believe that gross profit is an important measure for 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 $9.1 billion of our gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $7.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2015. Gross profit attributable to our international operations increased by 22.3% for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 (growth on a constant-currency basis was approximately 25%). Gross profit attributable to our U.S. businesses increased by 5.7% for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 due to growth in gross profit for the U.S. businesses of KAYAK and OpenTable, partially offset by a decrease in gross profit for priceline.com resulting from higher favorable travel transaction tax adjustments recorded in 2015 as compared to 2016.
Operating Expenses
Advertising
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Performance Advertising | $ | 3,479,287 |
| | $ | 2,738,218 |
| | 27.1 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 33.7 | % | | 31.9 | % | | |
|
| Brand Advertising | $ | 295,698 |
| | $ | 273,704 |
| | 8.0 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 2.9 | % | | 3.2 | % | | |
|
Performance advertising expenses consist primarily of the costs of (1) search engine keyword purchases; (2) referrals from meta-search and travel research websites; (3) affiliate programs; and (4) other performance-based advertisements. For the year ended December 31, 2016, performance advertising expenses increased compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily to generate increased gross bookings and gross profit. Performance advertising as a percentage of gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 due to growth of paid traffic channels, a year-over-year decline in advertising ROIs and timing of booking versus travel resulting from acceleration in gross bookings growth during the year.
Brand advertising expenses are primarily related to our Booking.com, KAYAK, priceline.com and agoda.com businesses and 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, 2016, brand advertising expenses increased compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily due to increased online video and television advertising, including associated production costs, at Booking.com, partially offset by lower television advertising at KAYAK and priceline.com.
Sales and Marketing
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Sales and Marketing | $ | 435,225 |
| | $ | 353,221 |
| | 23.2 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 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 customer chargebacks associated with merchant transactions; (5) provisions for bad debt, primarily related to agency accommodation commission receivables; and (6) promotional and trade show costs. For the year ended December 31, 2016, sales and marketing expenses, which are substantially variable in nature, increased compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 due primarily to increased transaction volumes and a higher provision for customer chargebacks associated with merchant transactions.
Personnel
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Personnel | $ | 1,350,032 |
| | $ | 1,166,226 |
| | 15.8 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 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,
2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, due primarily to increased headcount to support the growth of our businesses.
General and Administrative
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| General and Administrative | $ | 455,909 |
| | $ | 415,420 |
| | 9.7 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 4.4 | % | | 4.8 | % | | |
|
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of: (1) occupancy and office expenses; (2) personnel-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, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 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-related expenses related to increased headcount in our businesses. These increases were partially offset by $7.7 million of expense recognized in 2015 for a fair value adjustment to the contingent liability related to an acquisition.
Information Technology
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Information Technology | $ | 142,393 |
| | $ | 113,617 |
| | 25.3 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 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 expenses increased during the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, due primarily to growth in our worldwide operations.
Depreciation and Amortization
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Depreciation and Amortization | $ | 309,135 |
| | $ | 272,494 |
| | 13.4 | % |
| % of Total Gross Profit | 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. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased during the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily as a result of increased depreciation expenses due to capital expenditures for additional data center capacity and office build-outs to support growth and geographic expansion, as 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 Consolidated Financial Statements).
Other Income (Expense)
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | | |
| | (in thousands) | | |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
| Interest Income | $ | 94,946 |
| | $ | 55,729 |
| | 70.4 | % |
| Interest Expense | (207,900 | ) | | (160,229 | ) | | 29.8 | % |
| Foreign Currency Transactions and Other | (16,913 | ) | | (26,087 | ) | | (35.2 | )% |
| Impairment of Cost-method Investments | (63,208 | ) | | — |
| | N/A |
|
| Total | $ | (193,075 | ) | | $ | (130,587 | ) | | 47.9 | % |
For the year ended December 31, 2016, interest income on cash and marketable securities increased compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily due to an increase in the average invested balance and higher yields. Interest expense increased for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to the year ended December 31, 2015, primarily due to interest expense attributable to our Senior Notes issued in March 2015, November 2015 and May 2016, partially offset by the maturity of our 1.25% Convertible Senior Notes in 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 currency gains of $3.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to foreign currency losses of $6.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Foreign currency transaction losses, including costs related to foreign currency transactions, resulted in foreign currency losses of $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, 2015 included approximately $5.7 million of hedging cost and a foreign currency loss related to the devaluation of the Argentine Peso.
See Note 4 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on impairments of cost-method investments.
Income Taxes
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | 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 2016 effective tax rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35%, due to lower international tax rates, partially offset by the 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.
The non-deductible impairment charges referred to above have caused our effective tax rate to be higher for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015. 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 growth of our international businesses and the tax benefits recorded in 2016 arising from U.S. state tax law changes resulting in a net decrease to deferred tax liabilities, mostly associated with acquired intangible assets.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As ofAt December 31, 2017,2019, we had $17.8$11.8 billion in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and long-term investments. Approximately $16.2investments, of which approximately $4.7 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. Cash equivalents and short-term investments and long-term investments are principally comprised of U.S. and international corporate bonds, U.S. and international government securities, high-grade commercial paper, U.S. government agency securities,money market funds, time deposits and certificates of deposit, convertible debt securities and American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") of Ctrip, money market fundsTrip.com Group, Meituan Dianping equity securities and time deposits (see Noteour investments in private companies. In August 2019, $500 millionof Trip.com Group convertible notes were repaid on maturity. See Notes 5 and 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements).Statements for further information.
In the first quarter of 2018, 20172020 and 2016,2019, we prepaidmade prepayments of $717 million and $774 million, respectively, which represent a portion of our Dutch income tax liability, of approximately $713 million, $500 million and $431 million, respectively, to earn prepayment discounts.
AsAt December 31, 2019, we had a remaining transition tax liability of $1.1 billion 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 $1.3which included $1.0 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, 2017reported as "Long-term U.S. transition tax liability,"liability" and $53 million included in "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" in the majority of which is U.S. federal income tax andConsolidated Balance Sheet. This liability will be paid over eightthe next seven years.
In Generally, 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 $450 million in preferred 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 may be used for general corporate purposes,taxes, which may include share repurchases, repayment of debt and acquisitions.have been accrued by us. See Note 1015 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on the 2023 Notes, 2028 Notes and March 2022 Notes.information.
In June 2015,August 2019, 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 0.50%, 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$80 million of letters of credit as well as borrowings of up to $50.0$100 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 willcan be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. As ofpurposes, including acquisitions, share repurchases and debt repayments. At December 31, 2017,2019, there were no borrowings outstanding and approximately $3.8$5 million of letters of credit issued under the facility. Upon entering into the new revolving credit facility in August 2019, we terminated the $2.0 billion five-year revolving credit facility entered into in June 2015. We made several short-term borrowings under this prior revolving credit facility in the first half of 2019 totaling $400 million, all of which were repaid prior to June 30, 2019. See Note 12 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Our Convertible Senior Notes due March 15, 2018, with an interest rate of 1.0%June 2020 (the "2018"2020 Notes"), are currently convertible and will remain convertible untilreported as current liabilities in 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 ofat December 31, 2017. We are required2019. The holders will have the right to repay the remaining aggregate principal amountconvert all or any portion of the 20182020 Notes starting on March 15, 2020 regardless 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)(see Note 12 to satisfy the conversion value in excess of the remaining aggregate principal amount.Consolidated Financial Statements).
During the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, we repurchased 1,025,8904,444,944 shares of our common stock for an aggregate cost of $1.8$8.2 billion. As ofAt December 31, 2017,2019, we had a remaining aggregate amount of $2.4$11.5 billion authorized by our Board of Directors to purchaserepurchase our common stock. We have continued to make repurchases of our common stock in the first quarter of 2020 and may from timecontinue to time make additional repurchases of our common stock from time to time, depending on prevailing market conditions, alternate uses of capital and other factors. During 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 repurchase up to $8.0 billion of our common stock.
In September 2016, we signed a turnkey agreement to construct an office building for Booking.com’s future headquarters in the Netherlands for the future headquarters of Booking.com for approximately 270 million Euros. Upon signing thethis agreement, we paid approximately 4843 million Euros tofor the developer,acquired land-use rights. In addition, since signing the turnkey agreement we have made several progress payments principally related to acquired land-use rights, andthe construction of the building. At December 31, 2019, we expecthave a remaining obligation of 109 million Euros ($123 million) related to the building construction, which will be paid through mid-2022, when we anticipate construction will be complete. In addition to the turnkey agreement, we have a remaining obligation at December 31, 2019 to pay approximately 3471 million Euros related to building construction in the first quarter of 2018, with($80 million) over the remaining amount being paid periodically from the second quarter of 2018 until the expected completionterm of the building in early 2021.acquired land lease. We will also make additional capital expenditures to fit out and furnish the office space. See Note 1416 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cash Flow Analysis
Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $473 million, for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to the year ended December 31, 2018, primarily due to the payment of $403 million in 2019 to French tax authorities to preserve our right in order to contest certain tax assessments in court (see Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements).
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, was $4.74.9 billion, resulting from net income of $2.34.9 billion, and a favorable impact of $742.9 millionfrom adjustments for non-cash items andof $541 million, partially offset by an unfavorable net favorable changeschange in working capital of $293.4 million and in otherlong-term assets and liabilities of $1.3 billion, which is $541 million. Non-cash items were
principally related toassociated with net unrealized gains on marketable equity securities, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, operating lease amortization and the long-term transition tax liability recognized as a result of the U.S. Tax Act (see Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements).provision for uncollectible accounts and chargebacks. The changes in working capital for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019, reflecting the increase in business volume and growth in Booking.com's merchant transactions, 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$480 million increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, offset by a $284.2$323 million increase in accounts receivable. Thereceivable and $263 million increase in these working capital balancesprepaid expenses and other current assets. Net change in other long-term assets and liabilities of $399 million was primarily due to the increase in other long-term assets related to increasesthe payment of $403 millionto French tax authorities 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.order to preserve our right to contest the assessments in court (see Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements).
Net cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018 was $3.2$5.3 billion, resulting from net income of $2.6$4.0 billion, a favorable impact from adjustments for non-cash items of $1.2 billion and a favorable impact of $660.4 million for non-cash items, partially offset by net unfavorable changeschange in working capital and otherlong-term assets and liabilities of $8.2$125 million. Non-cash items were principally associated with net unrealized losses on marketable equity securities, stock-based compensation expense, depreciation and amortization and the provision for uncollectible accounts and chargebacks. The changes in working capital for the year ended December 31, 2015,2018, reflecting the increase in business volume and growth in Booking.com's merchant transactions, were primarily related to a $166.0$635 million increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, offset by a $68.7$319 million increase in accounts receivable and $81.6a $201 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, excess tax benefits on stock-based awards and other equity deductions, amortization of debt discount and deferred income taxes.
Net cash used inprovided by investing activities was $4.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019 was $7.1 billion, principally resulting from net purchasesthe proceeds from sales and maturities of investments of $2.9$8.1 billion, net of purchases of $0.7 billion. Net cash provided by investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $2.2 billion, principally resulting from the proceeds from sales and maturities of investments of $5.6 billion, net of purchases of $2.7 billion, partially offset by 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, principally 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.$273 million. Cash invested in the purchase of property and equipment was $287.8 million, $219.9$368 million and $173.9$442 million in the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The increases for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162019 and 2015 were2018, respectively, which primarily related to additional data center capacity and new offices to support growth and geographic expansion principally related to our Booking.com and agoda.com brandsagoda brands. Cash invested in 2017the purchase of property and 2016equipment for the years ended December 31, 2019 and principally2018 includes payments of $51 million and $78 million, respectively, related to our Booking.com brand in 2015.the turnkey agreement for constructing Booking.com's future headquarters.
Net cash used in financing activities was $78.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017,2019 was $8.2 billion, almost entirely resulting from payments for the repurchase of common stock. Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $7.4 billion, which primarily consisted of payments for the repurchase of common stock of $1.8$6.0 billion and payments related tofor the conversion of Senior Notessenior notes of $285.7 million$1.5 billion.
For a discussion of our liquidity and paymentcapital resources as of debt of $15.1 million assumed inand our cash flow activities for 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 thefiscal year ended December 31, 2016, which primarily consisted2017, see Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of paymentsFinancial Condition and Results of Operations, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K 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 thefiscal year ended December 31, 2015, which primarily consisted of payments for repurchase of common stock of $3.1 billion,2018, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2019.
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, partially offset by the total proceeds of $2.4 billion from the issuance of Senior Notes and the exercise of employee stock options of $20.9 million.
Contingencies
French tax authorities conducted an audit of Booking.com for the years 2003 through 2012 to determine whether Booking.com is in compliance with its tax obligations in France. Booking.com received formal assessments in December 2015 in whichand are conducting audits for the French tax authorities claimyears 2013 through 2018. They are asserting that Booking.com has a permanent establishment in France and seekare seeking to recover what they claim are unpaid income taxes and value-added taxes oftaxes. In December 2015, the French tax authorities issued Booking.com assessments related to tax years 2003 through 2012 for approximately 356 million Euros, the majority of which would representrepresents penalties and interest. As a result of a formal demand from the French tax authorities for payment of the amounts assessed for the years 2003 through 2012, in January 2019, we paid the assessments of approximately 356 million Euros ($403 million) in order to preserve our right to contest those assessments in court. The payment, which is included in "Other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2019, does not constitute an admission that we owe the taxes and will be refunded (with interest) to us to the extent we prevail. If we are unable to resolve the matter with the French tax authorities, we plan to challenge the assessments in the French courts. In December 2019, the French tax authorities issued an additional assessment of 70 million Euros ($79 million), including interest and penalties, for the 2013 year asserting that Booking.com has taxable income in France attributable to a permanent establishment in France. Furthermore, the French tax authorities have issued assessments totaling 39 million Euros ($44 million), including interest and penalties, for certain tax years between 2011 and 2015 on Booking.com's French subsidiary asserting that the subsidiary did not receive sufficient compensation for the services it rendered to Booking.com in the Netherlands. We have not recorded a liability in connection with any of the French tax assessments as we believe that Booking.com has been, and continues to 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 withAdditional assessments could result when the French tax authorities we would expectcomplete the outstanding audits. See Note 16 to challenge the assessments in the French courts. In order to contest the assessments in court, we may be required to pay, upfront, the full amount or a significant part of any such assessments, though 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 have begun a similar audit of 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 14 to theour Consolidated Financial Statements and Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors- "Adverse application of U.S. state and localWe may have exposure to additional tax laws could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.liabilities." in this Annual Report.
As a result of this litigationContractual Obligations 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 as of December 31, 2017 and 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 liability 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.Commercial Commitments
The following table represents our material contractual obligations and commercial commitments as ofat December 31, 2017:
2019:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 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 |
Operating lease obligations(1) | | $ | 686,277 |
| | $ | 148,200 |
| | $ | 255,565 |
| | $ | 138,608 |
| | $ | 143,904 |
|
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 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| 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 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | By Period (in millions) |
| | | Total | | Less than 1 Year | | 1 to 3 Years | | 3 to 5 Years | | More than 5 Years |
Operating lease obligations(1) | | $ | 690 |
| | $ | 172 |
| | $ | 251 |
| | $ | 104 |
| | $ | 163 |
|
Building construction obligation(2) | | 123 |
| | 55 |
| | 68 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Purchase obligations (3) | | 79 |
| | 65 |
| | 14 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
Senior notes(4) | | 9,639 |
| | 1,170 |
| | 3,293 |
| | 1,867 |
| | 3,309 |
|
| U.S. transition tax liability | | 1,074 |
| | 53 |
| | 198 |
| | 308 |
| | 515 |
|
Letters of credit and bank guarantees(5) | | 160 |
| | 118 |
| | 23 |
| | 1 |
| | 18 |
|
Revolving credit facility(6) | | 9 |
| | 2 |
| | 4 |
| | 3 |
| | — |
|
Total(7) | | $ | 11,774 |
| | $ | 1,635 |
| | $ | 3,851 |
| | $ | 2,283 |
| | $ | 4,005 |
|
| |
| (1) | Includes the land lease for Booking.com's future headquarters. See the section on "Operating Leases"Notes 10 and "Building Construction" section of Note 1416 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for morefurther details. |
| |
| (2) | See Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further details. |
| |
| (3) | Represents significant noncancellable contractual obligations individually greater than $10 million. The obligations are primarily related to sponsorship and cloud hosting arrangements. |
| |
| (4) | Represents the aggregate principal amount of our Senior Notessenior notes outstanding as ofat December 31, 20172019 and cumulative interest to maturity of $1.3 billion.$928 million. 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 principal amount because we can settle the conversion premium amount in cash or shares of common stock at our option. See Note 12 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
| |
(3) | Represents fees on uncommitted funds and outstanding letters of credit as of December 31, 2017. |
| |
(4)(5) | Standby letters of credit and bank guarantees issued on behalf of the Company at December 31, 2019 are primarily related to payment guarantees to third-party payment processors (see Notes 12 and 16). |
| |
| (6) | Represents commitment fees on undrawn balances available under the revolving credit facility and fees on outstanding letters of credit at December 31, 2019. |
| |
| (7) | We reported "Other long-term liabilities" of $148$104 million in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017,2019, the majority of which approximately $66 million related to deferred rents, approximately $28 million relatedrelates to unrecognized tax benefits of $51 million (see Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements) and approximately $12 million related to our accrual for the potential resolution of issues related to travel transaction taxes (see Note 1415 to our Consolidated Financial Statements). AWe have excluded these long-term liabilities from the contractual obligations table above as a variety of factors could affect the timing of payments for the liabilities related to travel transaction taxes and unrecognized tax benefits.liabilities; therefore, we cannot reasonably estimate the timing of such payments. 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 $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. |
In 2018, we entered into an agreement to sign a future lease related to approximately 222,000 square feet of office space in the city of Manchester in the United Kingdom for the future headquarters of Rentalcars.com. Our obligation to execute the lease is conditional upon the lessor completing certain activities, which are expected to be completed in 2021. If these activities are completed, the lease will commence for a term of approximately 13 years and we will have a lease obligation of approximately 65 million British Pounds Sterling ($86 million), excluding lease incentives. We will also make capital expenditures to fit out and furnish the office space. The obligation is not included in the table of contractual obligations presented above.
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,plans, 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.Arrangements
As ofAt December 31, 2017,2019, 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 have exposure to several types of market risk: changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and equity prices.
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 foreign currency 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 currency 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 foreign 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, 2017.
Fixed rate2019. Our investments in marketable debt securities 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 in marketable debt securities 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 approximately $23 million and $126 million at December 31, 2017 of approximately $206 million.2019 and 2018, respectively. These hypothetical losses would only be realized if we sold the investments prior to their maturity. This amount excludes our investmentinvestments in Ctrip.com International Ltd. ("Ctrip")Trip.com Group convertible senior convertible notes, which are more sensitive to the equity market price volatility of Ctrip'sTrip.com Group's American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") than changes in interest rates. The fair value of our CtripTrip.com Group convertible senior
convertible notes will most likely increase as the market price of Ctrip'sTrip.com Group's ADSs increases and will likely decrease as the market price of Ctrip'sTrip.com Group's ADSs falls.
As ofAt December 31, 2017,2019 and 2018, the outstanding aggregate principal amount of our debt was approximately $9.7 billion.$8.7 billionand $8.8 billion, respectively. We estimate that the marketfair value of such debt was approximately $11.1$9.8 billion as ofand $9.3 billion at December 31, 2017.2019 and 2018, respectively. A substantial portion of the marketfair value of our debt in excess of the outstanding principal amount relates to the conversion premium on our outstanding convertible senior notes.
We conduct a significant portion Excluding the effect on the fair value of our convertible senior notes, a hypothetical 100 basis point (1.0%) decrease in interest rates would have resulted in an increase in the fair values of our other debt of approximately $325 million and $370 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Our convertible senior notes are more sensitive to the equity market price volatility of our shares than changes in interest rates. The fair value of the convertible senior notes will likely increase as the market price of our shares increases and will likely decrease as the market price of our shares falls.
Our international business outside the United States through subsidiaries with functional currencies other than therepresents a substantial majority of our financial results. Therefore, because we report our results in U.S. Dollar (primarily Euro). As a result,Dollars, we face exposuresexposure to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates as the operatingfinancial results and the financial condition of our international operationsbusinesses are translated from local currencies (principally Euros and British Pounds Sterling) into U.S. Dollars upon consolidation.Dollars. If the U.S. Dollar weakens against the local currencies, the translation of these foreign-currency-denominated balances will result in increased net assets, gross bookings, gross profit,revenues, operating expenses, and net income. Similarly, our net assets, gross bookings, gross profit,revenues, operating expenses, and net income will decrease if the U.S. Dollar strengthens against the local currencies. Additionally, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on transactions, denominated in currencies other than the functional currency, result in gains and losses that are reflected in theour Consolidated Statements of Operations.
As a result of foreign currency exchange rate changes, our foreign-currency-denominated net assets, gross bookings, gross profit,revenues and operating expenses and net income have been positively impacted as expressed in U.S. Dollars are lower for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to2019 than they would have been had foreign currency exchange rates remained where they were for the year ended December 31, 2016.2018. Since our expenses are generally denominated in foreign currencies on a basis similar to our revenues, our operating margins have not been significantly impacted by currency fluctuations. TheHistorically, the aggregate principal value of our Euro-denominated long-term debt and accrued interest thereon providehad provided a natural hedge against the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on the net assets of certainone of our Euro functional currency subsidiaries. Beginning in the second quarter of 2019, we have only designated certain portions of the aggregate principal value of the Euro-denominated debt as a hedge. The foreign currency transaction gains or losses on the Euro-denominated debt that is not designated as a hedging instrument for accounting purposes are recognized in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
From time to time, weWe enter into foreign currency derivative contracts to minimize the impact ofhedge translation risks from short-term foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on our consolidated operating results. Our derivative contracts principally address foreign currency fluctuation risk for the Euro, British Pound Sterling and certain other currencies versus the U.S. Dollar. AsWe also enter into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge our exposure to the impact of movements in foreign currency exchange rates on our transactional balances denominated in currencies other than the functional currency. See Note 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
We are exposed to equity price risk as it relates to changes in fair value of our investments in equity securities of publicly-traded companies and private companies. The fair value of our investments in equity securities of publicly-traded companies and private companies, excluding certain investments classified as debt securities for accounting purposes, was$1.8 billionand $501 million, respectively, at December 31, 20172019, and 2016, there were no such outstanding derivative contracts. Foreign currency losses of $2.8$1.0 billion and $501 million, respectively, at December 31, 2018. Our investments in private companies, excluding certain investments classified as debt securities for accounting purposes, are measured at cost less impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the year endedidentical or a similar investment of the same issuer. See Note 2 and 5 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. A hypothetical 10% decrease in the fair value of these investments at December 31, 2017, foreign currency gains2019 and 2018 would have resulted in a total loss, before tax, of $3.4approximately $230 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and foreign currency losses of $6.6$150 million, for the year ended December 31, 2015 were recordedrespectively, being recognized in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.net income.
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 ofat December 31, 20172019 and 2016;2018; 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, 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 2015;2017; 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, 2017.2019.
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, 2017.2019. 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, 20172019 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
Booking 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, 2017,2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017,2019, 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, 2017,2019, of the Company and our report dated February 27, 2018,26, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.statements and included an explanatory paragraph related to the Company’s change in method of accounting for the recognition and measurement of financial instruments in 2018 due to the adoption of an accounting standards update.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’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".Reporting." Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’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 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’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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’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’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, 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.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Stamford, Connecticut
February 27, 201826, 2020
Item 9B. Other Information
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 20182020 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, 2017,2019, 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 20182020 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, 2017,2019, 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 20182020 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, 2017,2019, 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 20182020 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, 2017,2019, 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 20182020 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, 20172019, 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 ofat December 31, 20172019 and 2016;2018; 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, 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 2015;2017; 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 |
| Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant. |
| Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant. |
| 4.1 | Reference is hereby made to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2. |
4.2(b) | Specimen Certificate for Registrant's Common Stock. |
| Indenture, dated as of March 12, 2012, between the Registrant and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as Trustee. |
| Indenture, dated as of June 4, 2013, between the Registrant and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as Trustee. |
| Indenture, dated as of August 20, 2014, between the Registrant and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as Trustee. |
| Indenture, for the 2.375% Senior Notes due 2024, 1.800% Senior Notes due 2027, 3.650% Senior Notes due 2025, 2.15% Senior Notes due 2022 and 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026,dated as of September 23, 2014, between the Registrant and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee. |
| 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. |
| Officers' Certificate, dated September 23, 2014, for the 2.375% Senior Notes due 2024. |
| Form of 1.800% Senior Note due 2027. |
| Officers' Certificate, dated March 3, 2015, for the 1.800% Senior Notes due 2027. |
| Form of 3.650% Senior Note due 2025. |
| Officers' Certificate, dated March 13, 2015, for the 3.650% Senior Notes due 2025. |
| Form of 2.15% Senior Note due 2022. |
| Officers' Certificate, dated November 25, 2015, for the 2.15% Senior Notes due 2022. |
| Form 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 GroupDescription of the Company's Common Stock Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
| Description of the Company's 0.800% Senior Notes due 2022 Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
| Description of the Company's 2.150% Senior Notes due 2022 Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
| Description of the Company's 2.375% Senior Notes due 2024 Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
| Description of the Company's 1.800% Senior Notes due 2027 Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
| Booking Holdings Inc. 1999 Omnibus Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective March 2, 2017)June 7, 2018). |
|
| |
| Exhibit Number | Description |
| Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Employees in the Netherlands under the 1999 Omnibus Plan. |
| Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for awards under the 1999 Omnibus Plan to non-employee directors. |
| 2015Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for awards under the 1999 Omnibus Plan. |
| 2017 Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement under the 1999 Omnibus Plan. |
| 20162018 Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement under the 1999 Omnibus Plan. |
| 20172019 Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement under the 1999 Omnibus Plan. |
|
| |
Exhibit Number | Description |
| Amended and Restated KAYAK Software Corporation 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. |
| OpenTable, Inc. Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Award Plan. |
| Buuteeq, Inc. Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Plan. |
| Amended and Restated Rocket Travel, Inc. 2012 Stock Incentive Plan. |
| Amended and Restated Annual Bonus Plan. |
| Form of Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement. |
| Transition Agreement dated November 7, 2013 by and between the Registrant and Jeffery H. Boyd. |
| Letter agreement, dated October 19, 2005 by and between the Registrant and Daniel J. Finnegan. |
| Letter amendment, dated December 16, 2008, to letter agreement, dated October 19, 2005 by and between the Registrant and Daniel J. Finnegan. |
| Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated April 21, 2015 by and between the Registrant and Peter J. Millones.
|
| Amended and Restated Employment contract, dated May 19, 2016 by and between Booking.com Holding B.V. and Gillian Tans.
|
| 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.
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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 I. Goulden.
|
| Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement, dated March 1, 2018, between the Registrant and David I. Goulden.
|
| Employee Confidentiality and Assignment Agreement, dated January 19, 2018, between the Registrant and David I. Goulden.
|
| Transition Agreement, dated June 26, 2019, between Booking.com Holding B.V. and Gillian Tans. |
| Credit Agreement, dated as of June 19, 2015,August 14, 2019, among the Registrant, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent. |
| Statement of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.Letter Agreement, dated October 24, 2019 by and between the Registrant and Glenn D. Fogel. |
| Form of Employee Confidentiality and Assignment Agreement. |
| List of Subsidiaries. |
| Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP. |
| Power of Attorney (included in the Signature Page). |
| Certification of Glenn D. Fogel, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| Certification of Daniel J. Finnegan,David I. Goulden, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| Certification of 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). |
| Certification of Daniel J. Finnegan,David I. Goulden, 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). |
101101.INS | The following financial statementsXBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document. |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page from the Company'sthis Annual Report on Form 10‑K10-K for the year ended December 31, 20172019, formatted in XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Statements of ChangesInline XBRL (included in Stockholders' Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.Exhibit 101). |
____________________________
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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 February 21, 2018 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (b) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 25, 2019 (File No. 1-36691). |
| |
(b)(c) | 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). |
(c) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2012 (File No. 0-25581). |
| (d) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 4, 2013 (File No. 0-25581). |
| (e) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 20, 2014 (File No. 0-25581). |
| (f) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 25, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (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). |
| (i) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 26, 2014 (File No. 0-25581). |
| (j) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 2, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (k) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (l) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (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 March 10, 2017 (File No. 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 theour Current Report on Form 8‑K8-K filed on March 3, 2017June 8, 2018 (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). |
| (s) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8‑K filed on March 9, 2011 (File No. 0-25581). |
| (t) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 6, 20152, 2018 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (u) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K8‑K filed on March 10, 20163, 2017 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (v) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 1, 2019 (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)(x) | 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)(y) | 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). |
| (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)(aa) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 20, 2016 (File No. 1-36691). |
(dd)(bb) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2016 (File No. 1-36691). |
(ee)(cc) | 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 Exhibitexhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 22, 2018 (File No. 1-36691). |
(gg)(dd) | Previously filed as an exhibit to ourthe Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 24, 201528, 2019 (File No. 1-36691) |
| (ee) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 14, 2019 (File No. 1-36691). |
(hh)(ff) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 9, 2019 (File No. 1-36691). |
| (gg) | This document is being furnished in accordance with SEC Release Nos. 33‑8212 and 34‑47551. |
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.
None.
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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| | | |
| | BOOKING HOLDINGS INC. |
| | | | |
| | By: | /s/ Glenn D. Fogel |
| | | Name: | Glenn D. Fogel |
| | | Title: | Chief Executive Officer and President |
| | | Date: | February 27, 201826, 2020 |
Power of Attorney
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Glenn D. Fogel, David I. Goulden 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. Boyd | | Director, Chairman of the Board | | February 26, 2020 |
| Jeffery H. Boyd | | | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Glenn D. Fogel | | Director, Chief Executive Officer and President | | February 27, 201826, 2020 |
| Glenn D. Fogel | | | | |
| | | | | |
/s/ Jeffery H. BoydDavid I. Goulden | | Director, Executive Chairman of the BoardVice President and Chief Financial | | February 27, 201826, 2020 |
Jeffery H. BoydDavid I. Goulden | | Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | | |
| | | | | |
/s/ Daniel J. FinneganSusana D'Emic | | Chief FinancialAccounting Officer and Chief AccountingController | | February 27, 201826, 2020 |
Daniel J. FinneganSusana D'Emic | | Officer (Principal Financial Officer and (Principal Accounting Officer) | | |
| | | | | |
| /s/ Timothy M. Armstrong | | Director | | February 27, 201826, 2020 |
| Timothy M. Armstrong | | | | |
| | | | | |
/s/ Jan L. DocterMirian Graddick-Weir | | Director | | February 27, 201826, 2020 |
Jan L. Docter | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Jeffrey E. Epstein | | Director | | February 27, 2018 |
Jeffrey E. EpsteinMirian Graddick-Weir | | | | |
| | | | | |
| /s/ James M. Guyette | | Director | | February 27, 201826, 2020 |
| James M. Guyette | | | | |
| | | | |
|
| | | | |
| Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
| /s/ Wei Hopeman | | Director | | February 26, 2020 |
| Wei Hopeman | | | | |
| | | | | |
| /s/ Robert J. Mylod Jr. | | Director | | February 27, 201826, 2020 |
| Robert J. Mylod Jr. | | | | |
| | | | | |
| /s/ Charles H. Noski | | Director | | February 27, 201826, 2020 |
| Charles H. Noski | | | | |
| | | | | |
| /s/ Nancy B. Peretsman | | Director | | February 27, 201826, 2020 |
| Nancy B. Peretsman | | | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Nicholas J. Read | | Director | | February 26, 2020 |
| Nicholas J. Read | | | | |
| | | | | |
| /s/ Thomas E. Rothman | | Director | | February 27, 201826, 2020 |
| Thomas E. Rothman | | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Craig W. Rydin | | Director | | February 27, 2018 |
Craig W. Rydin | | | | |
| | | | | |
| /s/ Lynn M. Vojvodich | | Director | | February 27, 201826, 2020 |
| Lynn M. Vojvodich | | | | |
| | | | |
| /s/ Vanessa A. Wittman | | Director | | February 26, 2020 |
| Vanessa A. Wittman | | | | |
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
| |
| | Page No. |
| | |
| Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | |
| | |
Consolidated Balance Sheets as ofat December 31, 20172019 and 20162018 | |
| | |
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 20152017 | |
| | |
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 20152017 | |
| | |
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 20152017 | |
| | |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 20152017 | |
| | |
| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Booking 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, 20172019 and 2016,2018, 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, 2017, and2019, including the related notes (collectively, referred to as the “financial statements”"financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017,2019, 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, 2017,2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 27, 2018,26, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for the recognition and measurement of financial instruments in 2018 due to the adoption of an accounting standards update.
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.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Total Revenues-Refer to Notes 2 and 3 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are generated by providing online travel reservation services, which principally allow travelers to book travel reservations with travel service providers through the Company’s platforms. Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019 were $15.1 billion. The Company operates six primary brands and the revenues from each of the brands consist of a significant volume of low-dollar transactions utilizing multiple custom systems.
We identified total revenues as a critical audit matter as the processes to calculate and record revenues are highly automated, rely on a number of internally-built custom systems, and involve interfacing significant volumes of data across multiple systems. Given the complex information technology (IT) environment, this required the involvement of professionals with expertise in IT to identify, test, and evaluate the revenue data flows, the revenue systems and the automated controls.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the Company's revenue transactions included the following, among others:
With the assistance of our IT specialists, we:
| |
| – | Identified the systems used to calculate and record revenue transactions. |
| |
| – | Tested the general IT controls over each of these systems, including testing of user access controls, change management controls, and IT operations controls. |
| |
| – | Performed testing of system interface controls and automated controls within the relevant revenue streams. |
We tested business process controls to reconcile the various systems to the Company's general ledgers.
We performed detail transaction testing by agreeing the amounts recognized to source documents and testing the mathematical accuracy of the recorded revenues.
Goodwill - Refer to Notes 2 and 11 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company's annual evaluation of goodwill impairment involves the comparison of the fair value of each of the Company's reporting units to its carrying value. The total goodwill balance was $2.9 billion as of December 31, 2019. A substantial portion of the Company's goodwill relates to the acquisitions of KAYAK in 2013 and OpenTable in 2014. The Company estimated the fair values using a combination of standard valuation techniques, including an income approach (discounted cash flows) and market approaches (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization ("EBITDA") multiples of comparable publicly traded companies and precedent transactions). With respect to the income approach, management makes significant estimates and assumptions related to forecasts of future performance, including revenues, operating margins and discount rates.
Given the significant judgments made by management to estimate the fair value of the KAYAK and OpenTable reporting units, performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management's estimates and assumptions related to selection of the discount rates and forecasts of future revenues and operating margins required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our fair value specialists.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the forecasts of future revenues and operating margins and the selection of the discount rates for the KAYAK and OpenTable reporting units included the following, among others:
We tested the effectiveness of controls over goodwill impairment evaluation, including those over the forecasts and the selection of the discount rates.
We evaluated management's ability to accurately forecast by comparing actual results in previous years to management’s historical forecasts.
We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s forecasts of future revenues and operating margins by comparing management’s forecasts with:
| |
| – | Historical revenues and operating margins. |
| |
| – | Internal communications to management and the Board of Directors. |
| |
| – | Forecasted information included in analyst and industry reports of the Company and selected companies in its peer group. |
We considered the impact of industry and market conditions on management's forecasts.
With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the discount rates, including testing the underlying source information and the mathematical accuracy of the calculations and developing a range of independent estimates and comparing those to the discount rates selected by management.
We evaluated the reasonableness of management's forecasts of future cash flows and discount rates utilized in the income approach fair value calculation by comparing the income approach fair value to the market approach fair values.
Commitments and Contingencies - Tax Matters- Refer to Note 16 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company is subject to ongoing tax examinations and assessments in various jurisdictions. The Company has received proposed income tax assessments relating to permanent establishment and transfer pricing matters, including interest and
penalties from French, Italian and Turkish tax authorities in the amount of $526 million, $118 million and $91 million respectively. The Company believes that it has been, and continues to be, in compliance with the relevant tax laws, and the Company is contesting these assessments. The Company has not recorded a liability in connection with these assessments.
Given the complexity of the relevant tax laws and regulations, auditing management's evaluation and accounting for the tax positions associated with these income tax assessments involved subjective and complex judgments.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the accounting for the tax positions associated with the income tax assessments included the following, among others:
We tested the effectiveness of controls over accounting for uncertain tax positions.
With the assistance of our income tax specialists, we evaluated management's analysis regarding the likelihood of sustaining its tax positions upon examination by the relevant tax authorities.
We assessed the basis of the Company's analysis and measurement by obtaining, reading, and evaluating the third-party specialists' reports.
We obtained, read, and evaluated correspondence between the Company and the tax authorities.
We evaluated any developments in the matters during the current fiscal year through inquiry of both Company personnel and the Company's third-party specialists.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Stamford, Connecticut
February 27, 201826, 2020
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1997.
Booking Holdings Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands,millions, except share and per share data)
| | | | | December 31, | | December 31, |
| | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2019 | | 2018 |
| ASSETS | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Current assets: | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 2,541,604 |
| | $ | 2,081,075 |
| | $ | 6,312 |
| | $ | 2,624 |
|
| Short-term investments | | 4,859,873 |
| | 2,218,880 |
| |
| Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $39,282 and $25,565, respectively | | 1,217,801 |
| | 860,115 |
| |
| Short-term investments in marketable securities | | | 998 |
| | 3,660 |
|
| Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $49 and $51, respectively | | | 1,680 |
| | 1,523 |
|
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 415,527 |
| | 241,449 |
| | 843 |
| | 600 |
|
| Total current assets | | 9,034,805 |
| | 5,401,519 |
| | 9,833 |
| | 8,407 |
|
| Property and equipment, net | | 480,081 |
| | 347,017 |
| | 738 |
| | 656 |
|
| Operating lease assets | | | 620 |
| | — |
|
| Intangible assets, net | | 2,176,823 |
| | 1,993,885 |
| | 1,954 |
| | 2,125 |
|
| Goodwill | | 2,737,671 |
| | 2,396,906 |
| | 2,913 |
| | 2,910 |
|
| Long-term investments | | 10,421,600 |
| | 9,591,067 |
| | 4,477 |
| | 8,408 |
|
| Other assets | | 600,283 |
| | 108,579 |
| | 867 |
| | 181 |
|
| Total assets | | $ | 25,451,263 |
| | $ | 19,838,973 |
| | $ | 21,402 |
| | $ | 22,687 |
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Current liabilities: | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Accounts payable | | $ | 667,523 |
| | $ | 419,108 |
| | $ | 1,239 |
| | $ | 1,134 |
|
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | 1,138,980 |
| | 857,467 |
| | 1,578 |
| | 1,399 |
|
| Deferred merchant bookings | | 980,455 |
| | 614,361 |
| | 1,561 |
| | 1,022 |
|
| Convertible debt | | 710,910 |
| | 967,734 |
| | 988 |
| | — |
|
| Total current liabilities | | 3,497,868 |
| | 2,858,670 |
| | 5,366 |
| | 3,555 |
|
| Deferred income taxes | | 481,139 |
| | 822,334 |
| | 876 |
| | 370 |
|
| Operating lease liabilities | | | 462 |
| | — |
|
| Long-term U.S. transition tax liability | | 1,250,846 |
| | — |
| | 1,021 |
| | 1,166 |
|
| Other long-term liabilities | | 148,061 |
| | 138,767 |
| | 104 |
| | 162 |
|
| Long-term debt | | 8,809,788 |
| | 6,170,522 |
| | 7,640 |
| | 8,649 |
|
| Total liabilities | | 14,187,702 |
| | 9,990,293 |
| | 15,469 |
| | 13,902 |
|
| | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 14) | |
|
| |
|
| |
| Convertible debt | | 2,963 |
| | 28,538 |
| |
| Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 16) | | |
|
| |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| Stockholders' equity: | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| 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 | ) | |
Common stock, $0.008 par value,
Authorized shares: 1,000,000,000
Issued shares: 63,179,471 and 62,948,762, respectively | | | — |
| | — |
|
| Treasury stock, 21,762,070 and 17,317,126 shares, respectively | | | (22,864 | ) | | (14,711 | ) |
| Additional paid-in capital | | 5,783,089 |
| | 5,482,653 |
| | 5,756 |
| | 5,445 |
|
| Retained earnings | | 13,938,869 |
| | 11,326,852 |
| | 23,232 |
| | 18,367 |
|
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | | 236,982 |
| | (134,684 | ) | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (191 | ) | | (316 | ) |
| Total stockholders' equity | | 11,260,598 |
| | 9,820,142 |
| | 5,933 |
| | 8,785 |
|
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | | $ | 25,451,263 |
| | $ | 19,838,973 |
| | $ | 21,402 |
| | $ | 22,687 |
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Booking Holdings Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands,millions, except share and per share data)
| | | | | Year Ended December 31, | | Year Ended December 31, |
| | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| Agency revenues | | $ | 9,714,126 |
| | $ | 7,982,116 |
| | $ | 6,527,898 |
| | $ | 10,117 |
| | $ | 10,480 |
| | $ | 9,714 |
|
| Merchant revenues | | 2,133,017 |
| | 2,048,005 |
| | 2,082,973 |
| | 3,830 |
| | 2,987 |
| | 2,133 |
|
| Advertising and other revenues | | 833,939 |
| | 712,885 |
| | 613,116 |
| | 1,119 |
| | 1,060 |
| | 834 |
|
| Total revenues | | 12,681,082 |
| | 10,743,006 |
| | 9,223,987 |
| | 15,066 |
| | 14,527 |
| | 12,681 |
|
| Cost of revenues | | 250,537 |
| | 428,314 |
| | 632,180 |
| | | | | | 242 |
|
| Gross profit | | 12,430,545 |
| | 10,314,692 |
| | 8,591,807 |
| |
| |
| | 12,439 |
|
| Operating expenses: | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Performance advertising | | 4,141,771 |
| | 3,479,287 |
| | 2,738,218 |
| |
| Brand advertising | | 391,584 |
| | 295,698 |
| | 273,704 |
| |
| Sales and marketing | | 561,958 |
| | 435,225 |
| | 353,221 |
| |
| Personnel, including stock-based compensation of $260,910, $249,574 and $247,395, respectively | | 1,659,581 |
| | 1,350,032 |
| | 1,166,226 |
| |
| Performance marketing | | | 4,419 |
| | 4,447 |
| | 4,161 |
|
| Brand marketing | | | 548 |
| | 509 |
| | 435 |
|
| Sales and other expenses | | | 955 |
| | 830 |
| | 517 |
|
| Personnel, including stock-based compensation of $308, $317 and $261, respectively | | | 2,248 |
| | 2,042 |
| | 1,660 |
|
| General and administrative | | 585,541 |
| | 455,909 |
| | 415,420 |
| | 797 |
| | 699 |
| | 576 |
|
| Information technology | | 189,344 |
| | 142,393 |
| | 113,617 |
| | 285 |
| | 233 |
| | 189 |
|
| Depreciation and amortization | | 362,774 |
| | 309,135 |
| | 272,494 |
| | 469 |
| | 426 |
| | 363 |
|
| Impairment of goodwill | | — |
| | 940,700 |
| | — |
| |
| Total operating expenses | | 7,892,553 |
| | 7,408,379 |
| | 5,332,900 |
| | 9,721 |
| | 9,186 |
| | 7,901 |
|
| Operating income | | 4,537,992 |
| | 2,906,313 |
| | 3,258,907 |
| | 5,345 |
| | 5,341 |
| | 4,538 |
|
| Other income (expense): | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Interest income | | 157,194 |
| | 94,946 |
| | 55,729 |
| | 152 |
| | 187 |
| | 157 |
|
| Interest expense | | (253,976 | ) | | (207,900 | ) | | (160,229 | ) | | (266 | ) | | (269 | ) | | (254 | ) |
| Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities | | | 745 |
| | (367 | ) | | — |
|
| Foreign currency transactions and other | | (35,291 | ) | | (16,913 | ) | | (26,087 | ) | | (18 | ) | | (57 | ) | | (42 | ) |
| Impairment of cost-method investments | | (7,597 | ) | | (63,208 | ) | | — |
| |
| Total other expense | | (139,670 | ) | | (193,075 | ) | | (130,587 | ) | |
| Total other income (expense) | | | 613 |
| | (506 | ) | | (139 | ) |
| Earnings before income taxes | | 4,398,322 |
| | 2,713,238 |
| | 3,128,320 |
| | 5,958 |
| | 4,835 |
| | 4,399 |
|
| Income tax expense | | 2,057,557 |
| | 578,251 |
| | 576,960 |
| | 1,093 |
| | 837 |
| | 2,058 |
|
| Net income | | $ | 2,340,765 |
| | $ | 2,134,987 |
| | $ | 2,551,360 |
| | $ | 4,865 |
| | $ | 3,998 |
| | $ | 2,341 |
|
| Net income applicable to common stockholders per basic common share | | $ | 47.78 |
| | $ | 43.14 |
| | $ | 50.09 |
| | $ | 112.93 |
| | $ | 84.26 |
| | $ | 47.78 |
|
| Weighted-average number of basic common shares outstanding | | 48,994 |
| | 49,491 |
| | 50,940 |
| |
| Weighted-average number of basic common shares outstanding (in 000's) | | | 43,082 |
| | 47,446 |
| | 48,994 |
|
| Net income applicable to common stockholders per diluted common share | | $ | 46.86 |
| | $ | 42.65 |
| | $ | 49.45 |
| | $ | 111.82 |
| | $ | 83.26 |
| | $ | 46.86 |
|
| Weighted-average number of diluted common shares outstanding | | 49,954 |
| | 50,063 |
| | 51,593 |
| |
| Weighted-average number of diluted common shares outstanding (in 000's) | | | 43,509 |
| | 48,017 |
| | 49,954 |
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Booking Holdings Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)millions)
| | | | | Year Ended December 31, | | Year Ended December 31, |
| | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| Net income | | $ | 2,340,765 |
| | $ | 2,134,987 |
| | $ | 2,551,360 |
| | $ | 4,865 |
| | $ | 3,998 |
| | $ | 2,341 |
|
| Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustments(1) | | 295,547 |
| | (93,984 | ) | | (114,505 | ) | |
Net unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities(2) | | 76,119 |
| | (285,552 | ) | | 619,259 |
| |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax | | | (10 | ) | | (114 | ) | | 297 |
|
| Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax | | | 135 |
| | (199 | ) | | 76 |
|
| Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | | | 125 |
| | (313 | ) | | 373 |
|
| Comprehensive income | | $ | 2,712,431 |
| | $ | 1,755,451 |
| | $ | 3,056,114 |
| | $ | 4,990 |
| | $ | 3,685 |
| | $ | 2,714 |
|
(1) Foreign currency translation adjustments result 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 $174,584 for the year ended December 31, 2017 and tax charges of $34,268 and $60,418 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, associated with the Company's Euro-denominated debt, which is designated as a net investment hedge against the impact of currency fluctuations of the Company's Euro-denominated net assets (see Note 12). Prior to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"), the remaining balance in foreign currency translation adjustments excluded 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) 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, related to the Company's investments in Ctrip.com International Ltd. ("Ctrip"), which are exempt from tax in the Netherlands.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Booking Holdings Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 20152017
(In thousands)millions except share data)
| | | | Common Stock | | Treasury Stock | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Retained Earnings | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | Total | Common Stock | | Treasury Stock | | Additional Paid-in Capital | | Retained Earnings | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income | | Total |
| | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | | Shares (in 000's) | | Amount | | Shares (in 000's) | | Amount | |
| Balance, December 31, 2014 | 61,821 |
| | $ | 480 |
| | (9,888 | ) | | $ | (2,737,585 | ) | | $ | 4,923,196 |
| | $ | 6,640,505 |
| | $ | (259,902 | ) | | $ | 8,566,694 |
| |
| Balance, December 31, 2016 | | 62,379 |
| | $ | — |
| | (13,191 | ) | | $ | (6,855 | ) | | $ | 5,483 |
| | $ | 11,327 |
| | $ | (135 | ) | | $ | 9,820 |
|
| Cumulative effect of adoption of accounting standards updates | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 9 |
| | 271 |
| | — |
| | 280 |
|
| Net income | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2,551,360 |
| | — |
| | 2,551,360 |
| — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2,341 |
| | — |
| | 2,341 |
|
| 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 |
| |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 297 |
| | 297 |
|
| Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 76 |
| | 76 |
|
| Reclassification adjustment for convertible debt in mezzanine | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 26 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 26 |
|
| Exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units and performance share units | 219 |
| | 2 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 20,849 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 20,851 |
| 160 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 5 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 5 |
|
| Repurchase of common stock | — |
| | — |
| | (2,540 | ) | | (3,089,055 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (3,089,055 | ) | — |
| | — |
| | (1,026 | ) | | (1,844 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (1,844 | ) |
| Stock-based compensation and other stock-based payments | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 249,133 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 249,133 |
| — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 261 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 261 |
|
| Conversion of debt | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (110,105 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (110,105 | ) | 150 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (1 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (1 | ) |
| 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 |
| |
| Balance, December 31, 2017 | | 62,689 |
| | $ | — |
| | (14,217 | ) | | $ | (8,699 | ) | | $ | 5,783 |
| | $ | 13,939 |
| | $ | 238 |
| | $ | 11,261 |
|
| Cumulative effect of adoption of accounting standards updates | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 430 |
| | (241 | ) | | 189 |
|
| Net income | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2,134,987 |
| | — |
| | 2,134,987 |
| — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 3,998 |
| | — |
| | 3,998 |
|
| 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 |
| |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (114 | ) | | (114 | ) |
| Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (199 | ) | | (199 | ) |
| Reclassification adjustment for convertible debt in mezzanine | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 3 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 3 |
|
| Exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units and performance share units | 160 |
| | 1 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 5,139 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 5,140 |
| 208 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 2 |
|
| Repurchase of common stock | — |
| | — |
| | (1,026 | ) | | (1,843,665 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (1,843,665 | ) | — |
| | — |
| | (3,100 | ) | | (6,012 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (6,012 | ) |
| Stock-based compensation and other stock-based payments | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 261,274 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 261,274 |
| — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 320 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 320 |
|
| Conversion of debt | 150 |
| | 1 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (540 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (539 | ) | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (773 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (773 | ) |
| 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 |
| |
| Common stock issued in an acquisition | | 52 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 110 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 110 |
|
| Balance, December 31, 2018 | | 62,949 |
| | $ | — |
| | (17,317 | ) | | $ | (14,711 | ) | | $ | 5,445 |
| | $ | 18,367 |
| | $ | (316 | ) | | $ | 8,785 |
|
| Net income | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 4,865 |
| | — |
| | 4,865 |
|
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (10 | ) | | (10 | ) |
| Net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 135 |
| | 135 |
|
| Exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock units and performance share units | | 230 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 3 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 3 |
|
| Repurchase of common stock | | — |
| | — |
| | (4,445 | ) | | (8,153 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (8,153 | ) |
| Stock-based compensation and other stock-based payments | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 308 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 308 |
|
| Balance, December 31, 2019 | | 63,179 |
| | $ | — |
| | (21,762 | ) | | $ | (22,864 | ) | | $ | 5,756 |
| | $ | 23,232 |
| | $ | (191 | ) | | $ | 5,933 |
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Booking Holdings Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)millions)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Year Ended December 31, |
| | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Net income | | $ | 2,340,765 |
| | $ | 2,134,987 |
| | $ | 2,551,360 |
|
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
| Depreciation | | 187,231 |
| | 140,059 |
| | 101,517 |
|
| Amortization | | 175,543 |
| | 169,076 |
| | 170,977 |
|
| 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 | | 261,274 |
| | 249,726 |
| | 249,133 |
|
| Amortization of debt issuance costs | | 9,308 |
| | 7,758 |
| | 7,578 |
|
| Amortization of debt discount | | 69,734 |
| | 68,974 |
| | 66,687 |
|
| Loss on early extinguishment of debt | | 2,366 |
| | — |
| | 3 |
|
| 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 | | (269,732 | ) | | (284,221 | ) | | (68,694 | ) |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | (124,269 | ) | | 5,495 |
| | (81,611 | ) |
| Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | 687,446 |
| | 514,404 |
| | 165,985 |
|
| Long-term U.S. transition tax liability | | 1,250,846 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| Other | | 34,076 |
| | (21,757 | ) | | (23,909 | ) |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | | 4,662,036 |
| | 3,983,731 |
| | 3,203,523 |
|
| | | | | | | |
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Purchase of investments | | (6,491,156 | ) | | (6,741,202 | ) | | (8,669,690 | ) |
| Proceeds from sale of investments | | 3,580,001 |
| | 3,684,103 |
| | 5,084,238 |
|
| Additions to property and equipment | | (287,805 | ) | | (219,889 | ) | | (173,915 | ) |
| 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 |
|
| Payments on foreign currency contracts | | — |
| | — |
| | (448,640 | ) |
| Net cash used in investing activities | | (4,202,035 | ) | | (3,333,295 | ) | | (3,894,527 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Proceeds from revolving credit facility | | — |
| | — |
| | 225,000 |
|
| Payments related to revolving credit facility | | — |
| | — |
| | (225,000 | ) |
| Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt | | 2,044,952 |
| | 994,705 |
| | 2,399,034 |
|
| Payment of debt issuance costs - revolving credit facility | | — |
| | — |
| | (4,005 | ) |
| Payments related to conversion of senior notes | | (285,718 | ) | | — |
| | (147,629 | ) |
| 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 | ) |
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | | 5,140 |
| | 15,572 |
| | 20,851 |
|
| 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 | | $ | 702,421 |
| | $ | 636,550 |
| | $ | 534,105 |
|
| Cash paid during the period for interest | | $ | 154,853 |
| | $ | 125,912 |
| | $ | 54,299 |
|
| Non-cash investing activity for contingent consideration | | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 9,170 |
|
| Non-cash financing activity | | $ | 1,000 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Year Ended December 31, |
| | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Net income | | $ | 4,865 |
| | $ | 3,998 |
| | $ | 2,341 |
|
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
| Depreciation and amortization | | 469 |
| | 426 |
| | 363 |
|
| Provision for uncollectible accounts and chargebacks | | 138 |
| | 163 |
| | 62 |
|
| Deferred income tax expense (benefit) | | 122 |
| | (150 | ) | | (32 | ) |
| Net unrealized (gains) losses on marketable equity securities | | (745 | ) | | 367 |
| | — |
|
| Stock-based compensation expense and other stock-based payments | | 325 |
| | 331 |
| | 261 |
|
| Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs | | 58 |
| | 59 |
| | 79 |
|
| Operating lease amortization | | 172 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| Other | | 2 |
| | 19 |
| | 10 |
|
| Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions: | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Accounts receivable | | (323 | ) | | (319 | ) | | (270 | ) |
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | (263 | ) | | (201 | ) | | (124 | ) |
| Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | 480 |
| | 635 |
| | 687 |
|
| Long-term U.S. transition tax liability | | (36 | ) | | 40 |
| | 1,251 |
|
| Other long-term assets and liabilities | | (399 | ) | | (30 | ) | | 34 |
|
| Net cash provided by operating activities | | 4,865 |
| | 5,338 |
| | 4,662 |
|
| | | | | | | |
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Purchase of investments | | (672 | ) | | (2,686 | ) | | (6,941 | ) |
| Proceeds from sale and maturity of investments | | 8,099 |
| | 5,616 |
| | 3,580 |
|
| Additions to property and equipment | | (368 | ) | | (442 | ) | | (288 | ) |
| Acquisitions and other investments, net of cash acquired | | (9 | ) | | (273 | ) | | (553 | ) |
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | | 7,050 |
| | 2,215 |
| | (4,202 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Proceeds from revolving credit facility and short-term borrowings | | 400 |
| | 25 |
| | — |
|
| Repayments of revolving credit facility and short-term borrowings | | (425 | ) | | — |
| | — |
|
| Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt | | — |
| | — |
| | 2,045 |
|
| Payments for conversion of senior notes | | — |
| | (1,487 | ) | | (286 | ) |
| Payments for repurchase of common stock | | (8,187 | ) | | (5,971 | ) | | (1,828 | ) |
| Other financing activities | | (8 | ) | | 2 |
| | (10 | ) |
| Net cash used in financing activities | | (8,220 | ) | | (7,431 | ) | | (79 | ) |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents | | (8 | ) | | (40 | ) | | 100 |
|
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents | | 3,687 |
| | 82 |
| | 481 |
|
| Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | 2,645 |
| | 2,563 |
| | 2,082 |
|
| Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents, end of period | | $ | 6,332 |
| | $ | 2,645 |
| | $ | 2,563 |
|
| | | | | | | |
| SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Cash paid during the period for income taxes | | $ | 1,074 |
| | $ | 1,169 |
| | $ | 702 |
|
| Cash paid during the period for interest | | $ | 221 |
| | $ | 219 |
| | $ | 155 |
|
| Non-cash operating and financing activity for an acquisition (see Note 20) | | $ | — |
| | $ | 51 |
| | $ | — |
|
| Non-cash investing and financing activity for an acquisition (see Note 20) | | $ | — |
| | $ | 59 |
| | $ | — |
|
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Booking Holdings Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Booking Holdings Inc. ("Booking Holdings" or the "Company"), formerly known as The Priceline Group Inc., helps people seeks to make it easier for everyone to 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"),one or more of the Company connectsCompany's brands, 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 consumerscan: book a broad array of accommodation reservationsaccommodations (including hotels, motels, resorts, homes, apartments, bed and breakfasts, hostels and other properties) through its Booking.com, priceline.com and agoda.com brands. The; make a car rental reservation or arrange for an airport taxi; make a dinner reservation; or book a cruise, flight, vacation package, tour or activity. Consumers can also use 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 its Booking.com and Rentalcars.com brands. Through KAYAK, the Company offers a leading meta-search service allowing consumersservices to easily search and compare travel itineraries and prices, includingreservation information, such as airline ticket, accommodationhotel reservation and rental car reservation information, from hundreds of online travel websitesplatforms at once. TheIn addition, the Company providesoffers various other services to consumers, travel service providers and restaurants, with reservationsuch as certain travel-related insurance products and restaurant 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.services.
| |
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 acquired businesses from the Momondo Group (which is managed as partdates of the Company's KAYAK business) from its acquisition date of July 24, 2017.acquisition. 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 ("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, the valuation of goodwill, other long-lived tangible and intangible assets, income taxes, stock-based compensation, the allowance for doubtful accounts, the valuation of goodwill, long-lived assets and intangibles, income taxes,customer chargeback provisions and the accrual of obligations for loyalty and other incentive programs.
Reclassifications — Due to the adoption of the new accounting update related to stock-based compensation in the first quarter of 2017, certain
Certain amounts in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015from prior periods 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, 6 and 1012 for information onrelated to fair value for investments, derivatives, and the Company's outstanding Senior Notes.senior 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.regulations. Restricted cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 principally relates to the minimum cash requirement for Rentalcars.com's regulatedthe Company's travel-related insurance business established in the fourth quarter of 2017. Restricted cash at December 31, 2016 and 2015 collateralizes office leases.business. The following table reconciles cash and cash equivalents and 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)millions):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | December 31, |
| | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| As included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets: | | | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 6,312 |
| | $ | 2,624 |
| | $ | 2,542 |
|
| Restricted cash and cash equivalents included in prepaid expenses and other current assets | | 20 |
| | 21 |
| | 21 |
|
Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents as shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | | $ | 6,332 |
| | $ | 2,645 |
| | $ | 2,563 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 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
Investments — held by the Company include debt securities and equity securities. Preferred stock that is either mandatorily redeemable or redeemable at the option of the investor is considered a debt security for accounting purposes. Investments in debt or equity securities that include embedded features, such as conversion or redemption features, are analyzed by the Company to determine if these features are embedded derivatives that require separate accounting treatment. Payments made for investments are reported in "Purchase of investments" and proceeds received from sales or maturities of investments are reported in "Proceeds from sale and maturity of investments" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Debt Securities
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 carriedreported at estimated fair value with the aggregate unrealized gains and losses, related to these investments, net of taxes,tax, reflected as a part ofin "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)loss" within stockholders' 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.Consolidated Balance Sheets. 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 havebe required 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 earningsnet income and the remaining amount of the impairment would be recognized in "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)loss" within stockholders' equity. Marketablein the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See "Other Recent Accounting Pronouncements" later in this Note for the accounting change to the other-than-temporary impairment model, effective January 1, 2020. The fair value of these investments is based on the specific quoted market price of the securities or comparable securities at the balance sheet dates. Unobservable inputs are also used when little or no market data is available. See Note 6 for information related to fair value measurements.
The Company's investments in marketable debt securities are classifiedrecognized based on the trade date. The marketable debt securities generally have a term of less than five years and are reported as short-term or long-term"Short-term investments in marketable securities" or "Long-term investments" in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets based on the maturity datedates of the debt security. See Notes 4securities and 5the Company's expectations regarding the timing of sales and redemptions. Investments of a strategic nature that have been made for further detailthe purpose of investments.affiliation or potential business advantage or in connection with a commercial relationship are included in "Long-term investments" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The cost of marketable debt securities sold is determined using a first-in and first-out method.
Equity Securities
Equity securities are reported as "Long-term investments" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and include marketable equity securities and equity investments without readily determinable fair valuesvalues.
For periods beginning after December 31, 2017, marketable equity securities are reported at estimated fair value with changes in fair value recognized in "Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations rather than "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, pursuant to the adoption of the accounting update on financial instruments in 2018.
The Company holds investments in equity securities of private companies, over which the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence are accountedor control. Pursuant to the adoption of the accounting update on financial instruments in 2018, for usingperiods beginning after December 31, 2017, the Company elected to measure these investments at cost methodless impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of accounting and classified within "Other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Under the cost method,same issuer. Previously, these investments arewere carried at cost and are adjusted to fair value only for other-than-temporary declines in fair value (see "Recentvalue.
See Note 5 and 6 for further information related to investments.
Accounts Receivable from Customers and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Receivables from customers are recorded at the original invoiced amounts net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated based on historical experience, aging of the receivable, credit quality of the customers, current economic trends and other factors that may affect the Company's ability to collect from customers. See Note 7 for additional information. See "Other Recent Accounting Pronouncements" described later in this footnoteNote for the accounting changes that arechange to the measurement of credit losses for accounts receivable, effective January 1, 2018).2020.
Property and Equipment, — Net
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets or, when applicable, the lifeterm 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 buildingBooking.com's future headquarters in the Netherlands and is included in “Property"Property and equipment, net”net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2017 and 2016.Sheets. 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 appplatform 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 functionalities 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. Additions to capitalized costs during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 2016 and 2015 were $80.4$106 million, $54.2$97 million and $44.2$80 million, respectively.
Cloud Computing Arrangements
The Company utilizes various third-party computer systems and third-party service providers, including global distribution systems ("GDSs") serving the accommodation, rental car and airline industries. The Company uses both internally-developed systems and third-party systems to operate its services, including transaction processing, order management and financial and accounting systems. For periods beginning after December 31, 2018, implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract are capitalized and amortized over the term of the hosting arrangement (see "Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted" later in this Note). The capitalized implementation costs are reported as "Prepaid expenses and other current assets" or "Other assets" in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets as appropriate. The related amortization expenses are reported as "Information technology" in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Leases
On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 842, Leases, using a modified retrospective method applied to all contracts as of January 1, 2019. Therefore, for reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2018, the financial statements are prepared in accordance with the current lease standard and the financial statements for all periods prior to January 1, 2019 are presented under the previous lease standard ("ASC 840"). See "Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted" later in this Note for further information related to the impact of the adoption of this accounting standard.
Land-use rights—Land-use rights represent prepaymentsThe Company determines if an arrangement is a lease, or contains a lease, when a contract is signed. The Company determines if a lease is an operating or finance lease and records a lease asset and a lease liability upon lease commencement, which is the date when the underlying asset is made available for use by the lessor. The Company has operating leases for office space, data centers and land for Booking.com's future headquarters. For office space, data centers and land, the Company has elected to combine the fixed payments to lease the asset and any fixed non-lease payments (such as maintenance or utility charges) when determining its lease payments.
The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate as its discount rate to determine the present value of its remaining lease payments to calculate its lease assets and lease liabilities because the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rates approximate the rate the Company would pay to borrow in the currency of the lease payments on a collateralized basis for the long-termweighted-average life of the lease. Operating lease assets also include any prepaid lease payments and lease incentives received prior to lease commencement.
The Company recognizes lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Certain of the Company's lease agreements include rent payments which are adjusted periodically for inflation. Any change in payments due to changes in inflation rates are recognized as variable lease expense as they are incurred. Variable lease expense also includes costs for property taxes, insurance and services provided by the lessor which are charged based on usage or performance (such as maintenance or utility charges).
Most leases have one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can initially extend the lease term for various periods up to 9 years. The exercise of renewal options for office space and data centers is at the Company’s discretion and are included if they are reasonably certain to be exercised. The land wherelease for Booking.com's future headquarters has an initial term which expires in 2065, at which time the lease payments will be adjusted based on the value of the land on the reassessment date. The Company considered the initial term of the land lease to be its expected period of use.
At December 31, 2018, the Company is constructing an office buildinghad $47 million land-use rights related to payment in 2016 for the land lease for Booking.com's future headquarters as described above. The land-use rights were included in "Other assets" in the Netherlands.Consolidated Balance Sheets, for periods prior to January 1, 2019, and reclassified from "Other assets" to "Operating lease assets" on January 1, 2019 as part of the adoption of ASC 842, Leases (see "Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted" later in this Note). The land-use rights are amortized on a straight-line basis over its expected period of use. This expense is recorded as rentlease 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.Operations. See Note 1410 and 16 for further details.information.
Goodwill —
The Company accounts for acquired businesses using the acquisition 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 reviewedtested 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 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) 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 911 for further information. See "Other Recent Accounting Pronouncements" later in this Note for the new accounting standard that the Company adopted in the first quarter of 2020.
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.asset group. 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 RevenuesForeign Currency Translation
The functional currency of the Company's subsidiaries is generally the respective local currency. For international operations, 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 monthly average exchange rates applicable for the period. Translation gains and losses are included as a component of "Accumulated other comprehensive 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.
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 flows and financial position. These market risks include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company's primary foreign currency exposures are in Euros and British Pounds Sterling, in which it conducts a significant portion of its business activities. As a result, the Company faces exposure to adverse movements in foreign currency exchange rates as the financial results of its international operations are translated from local currencies into U.S. Dollars upon consolidation. Additionally, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of an entity result in gains and losses that are reflected in net 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 operations into U.S. Dollars, even though it does not elect to apply hedge accounting or hedge accounting does not apply. These contracts are generally short-term in duration. Certain of the Company's derivative instruments have master netting arrangements, which reduce credit risk by permitting net settlement of transactions with the same counterparty. The Company reports the fair value of its derivative assets and liabilities on a gross basis in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in "Prepaid expenses and other current assets" and "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities," respectively. Unless designated as hedges for accounting purposes, gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recognized in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period that the changes occur and are classified within "Net cash provided by operating activities" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. See Note 6 for further information related to these derivative instruments.
The Company, from time to time in the past, has utilized derivative instruments to hedge the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the net assets of its foreign subsidiaries. These derivative instruments were designated as net investment hedges. Hedge ineffectiveness was assessed and measured based on changes in forward exchange rates. The Company recorded gains and losses on these derivative instruments as foreign currency translation adjustments, which offset a portion of the foreign currency translation adjustments related to the foreign subsidiaries' net assets. Gains and losses on these derivative instruments were recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" and will be realized upon a partial sale or liquidation of the investment.
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 and assesses the creditworthiness of its counterparties.
Non-derivative Instrument Designated as Net Investment Hedge
Historically, the aggregate principal value of the Euro-denominated Senior Notes maturing in March 2022, November 2022, September 2024 and March 2027 (collectively "Euro-denominated debt") and accrued interest had been designated as a hedge of the Company's net investment in a Euro functional currency subsidiary. Beginning in the second quarter of 2019, the Company has only designated certain portions of the aggregate principal value of the Euro-denominated debt as a hedge. The foreign currency transaction gains or losses on these Euro-denominated liabilities are measured based upon changes in spot rates. The foreign currency transaction gains or losses on the Euro-denominated debt that is designated as a hedging instrument for accounting purposes are recorded in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The net assets of this Euro functional currency subsidiary are translated into U.S. Dollars at each balance sheet date, with the effects of foreign currency changes also reported in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The foreign currency transaction gains or losses on the Euro-denominated debt that is not designated as a hedging instrument are recognized in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. See Notes 12 and 14 for further information related to the net investment hedge.
Revenue Recognition
Online travel reservation services
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, using a modified retrospective method applied to all contracts as of January 1, 2018. Therefore, for reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2017, the financial statements are prepared in accordance with the current revenue recognition standard and the financial statements for all periods prior to January 1, 2018 are presented under the previous revenue recognition accounting standard. The Company recorded a net increase to its retained earnings of $189 million, net of tax, as of January 1, 2018, due to the cumulative impact of adopting the current revenue recognition standard, with substantially all of the impact related to the Company’s travel reservation services.
For periods beginning after December 31, 2017, the Company recognizes revenue for travel reservation services when the travel begins rather than when the travel is completed. Substantially all of the Company's revenues are generated by providing online travel reservation services, which principally allows travelers to book travel reservations with travel service providers through the Company’s platforms. While the Company generally refers to a consumer that books travel reservation services on the Company's platforms as its customer, for accounting purposes, the Company's customers are the travel service providers and, in certain merchant transactions, the travelers. The Company's contracts with travel service providers give them the ability to market their reservation availability without transferring responsibility to deliver the travel service to the Company. Therefore, the Company's revenues are presented on a net basis in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. These contracts include payment terms and establish the consideration to which the Company is entitled, which includes either a commission or a margin on the travel transaction. Revenue is measured based on the expected consideration specified in the contract with the travel service provider, considering the effects of sales incentives, "no show" cancellations (where the traveler has not cancelled the reservation but does not arrive on the scheduled reservation date) and "late" cancellations (where the travel service provider accepts a cancellation after its cancellation cut-off date). Estimates for cancellations and sales incentives are based on historical experience and current trends. Coupons are recorded as a reduction of the transaction price at the time they are redeemed. The local occupancy taxes, general excise taxes, value-added taxes, sales taxes and other similar taxes ("travel transaction taxes"), if any, collected from travelers are reported on a net basis in revenues in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Revenues for online travel reservation services are recognized at a point in time when the Company has completed its post-booking services and the travelers begin using the arranged travel services. These services are classified into two categories:
Agency revenues are derived from travel-related transactions where the Company does not facilitate payments from travelers for the travel services provided. The Company invoices the travel service providers for its commissions in the month that travel is completed. Agency revenues consist primarilyalmost entirely of travel reservation commissions. Substantially all of the Company's agency revenue is from Booking.com agency accommodation reservation commissions, as well as certain global distribution system ("GDS") reservation booking fees and certain travel insurance fees, and are reported at the net amounts received, without any associated cost of 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).reservations.
Merchant Revenues
Merchant revenues are derived from servicestravel-related transactions where the Company facilitates payments from travelers for the services provided, generally at the time of booking. The Company records cash collected from travelers, which includes the amounts owed to the travel services provided. Name Your Own Price®service providers and the Company’s commission or margin and fees, as deferred merchant bookings until the arranged travel service begins. Merchant revenues include travel reservation services are presentedcommissions and transaction net revenues (i.e., the amount charged to travelers less the amount owed to travel service providers) in connection with the income statement on a gross basis soCompany's merchant revenuereservations services; credit card processing rebates and cost of revenues include the reservation price to the customer processing fees; 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 traveltravel-related insurance feesrevenues and certain GDS reservation booking fees, customer processing fees associated withfees. Substantially all merchant reservation services at priceline.com and agoda.com and are generally recognized by the Company when the customer completes his/her travel (see "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" described later in this footnote for accounting changes that are effective January 1, 2018).
Merchant Retail Services: Merchant revenues for the Company's merchant retail services are derived from transactions where customerstravelers book accommodation reservations or rental car reservationsreservations.
Under the previous revenue recognition standard, revenues from travel service providers at disclosed rates which are subject to contractual arrangements. The Company chargespriceline's Name Your Own Price® transactions were presented on a gross basis with the customer at the time of booking and any amounts owedamount remitted to the travel service provider alongproviders reported as cost of revenues. Under the current revenue recognition standard, Name Your Own Price® revenues are reported on a net basis with the Company's deferred revenue are included in deferred merchant bookings. Reservations are generally refundable upon cancellation, subjectamount remitted to cancellation penalties in certain cases. Merchant revenue and the cost charged by the travel service providerproviders recorded as an offset in merchant revenues. Therefore, 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 not disclosed to the consumer prior 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 and 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 whereperiods beginning after December 31, 2017, the Company makes certain customer concessions, the Company accrues for such estimated losses.no longer presents "Cost of revenues" or "Gross profit" in its Consolidated Statements of Operations. Total revenues reported in 2019 and 2018 are comparable to gross profit reported in previous years.
Pursuant to the terms of the Company's retail and opaque 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 by the unbilled amounts.
Advertising and Other Revenues
Advertising and other revenues are primarily earnedrecognized by KAYAK and OpenTable and to a lesser extent by priceline.com for advertising placements on its website and Booking.com's BookingSuite branded accommodation marketing and business analytics services.OpenTable. KAYAK earnsrecognizes advertising revenue primarily by sending referrals to OTCsonline travel companies ("OTCs") and travel service providers and from advertising placements on its websites and mobile apps.platforms. Revenue related to referrals is earnedrecognized when a customerconsumer clicks on a referral placement or upon completion of the travel. Revenue for advertising placements is earnedrecognized based upon when a customerconsumer clicks on an advertisement or when KAYAK displays an advertisement. OpenTable earnsrecognizes revenues for reservation fees when diners are seated through its online restaurant reservation service and revenues for subscription fees for restaurant management services on a straight-line basis over the contractual period thatin accordance with how the service is provided.
Cost of RevenuesAccrued Liabilities for Loyalty and Other Incentive Programs — See Note 3.
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.Deferred Revenue — See "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" described later in this footnote for accounting changes that are effective January 1, 2018.Note 3.
Loyalty Programs
Advertising Expenses
The Company provides various loyalty programs. Participating customers earn loyalty awards on current transactions that can be redeemed for future qualifying transactions. As awardsCompany's advertising expenses are earned,reported in and presented as "Performance marketing" and "Brand marketing" expenses in the Company estimates the amountConsolidated Statements of awards expected to be redeemed and records a reduction in revenue. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, a liability of $104.7 million and $84.4 million, respectively, for these programs was includedOperations. Included in "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
A substantial portionSheets are accrued performance advertising liabilities of the liability$333 million and $313 million at December 31, 20172019 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.respectively.
Tax Recovery Charge, Occupancy Taxes and State and Local TaxesPerformance Marketing
The Company provides an online travel service to facilitate online travel purchasesPerformance marketing expenses are expenses generally measured 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 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 statute or 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. 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 (see Note 14).
Performance Advertising — Advertising expenses classified as performance advertising are generally managed by the Company by monitoring return on investment.investment or an increase in bookings over a specified time period. These expenses consist primarily consistof the costs of: (1) search engine keyword purchases; (2) referrals from meta-search and travel research websites; (3) affiliate programs; and (4) other performance-based advertisements.marketing and incentives. Performance advertising expense ismarketing expenses are recognized as incurred. Included in "Accrued
Brand Marketing
Brand marketing expenses are expenses incurred to build brand awareness over a specified time period. These expenses consist primarily of television advertising and online video and display advertising (including the airing of the Company's television advertising online), as well as other current liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are accrued performance advertising liabilities of $284.1 million and $267.5 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Brand Advertising — Advertisingmarketing expenses classified as brand advertising are generally 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 YouTubepublic relations and Facebook), television advertising, billboards and subway and bus advertisements.sponsorships. Brand advertising expense ismarketing expenses are generally recognized as incurred with the exception of advertising production costs, which are deferred and expensed the first time the advertisement is displayed or broadcast.
Sales and Marketing — Other Expenses
Sales and marketingother expenses are generally variable in nature and consist primarily ofof: (1) credit cardcards 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;chargeback provisions and fraud prevention expenses associated with merchant transactions; (4) promotionalcustomer relations costs; (5) provisions for bad debt, primarily related to agency accommodation commission receivables; and (6) provisionsinsurance claim costs for customer chargebacks.the Company's travel-related insurance business.
Personnel —
Personnel expenses consist of compensation to the Company's personnel, including salaries, stock-based compensation, bonuses, payroll taxes and employee health and other benefits. Included in "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are accrued compensation liabilities of $288.1344 million and $242.6348 million at December 31, 20172019 and 20162018, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation —
Stock-based compensation expense related to performance share units, restricted stock units and stock options is recognized inbased on fair value on a straight-line basis over the financial statements based upon fair value.respective requisite service periods and forfeitures are accounted for when they occur. The fair value on the grant date of performance share units and restricted stock 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 or acquisition date.stock. The Company records stock-based compensation expense for these performance-based awards based onusing its estimate of the probable outcome at the end of the performance 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 ScholesBlack-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-line basis over the employee requisite service 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 recognized in the income statement as a discrete item in periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017 when an option 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 vested stock awards are presented as financing cash flows in the statementsConsolidated Statements of cash flows.Cash Flows. See Note 34 for further information onrelated to stock-based awards.
Information Technology —
Information technology expenses consist primarily of: (1) software license and system maintenance fees; (2) outsourced data center and cloud computing costs; (3) payments to contractors; and (4) data communications and other expenses associated with operating our services; (3) outsourced data center costs; and (4) payments to outside consultants.the Company's services.
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 in 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.
The Company recognizes liabilities when it believes that uncertain positions may not be fully sustained upon reviewaudit by the tax authorities. Liabilities recognized for uncertain tax positions are based on a two-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,Second, the Companymeasures the tax benefit as the largest amount that 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.
In 2018, the Company adopted an accounting policy to treat taxes on global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI") introduced by the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") as period costs. See Note 1315 for further details onrelated to income taxes.
Segment Reporting —
The Company historically determined that its primary brands constituteconstituted its operating segments. In 2019, reflecting changes to the management structure, the Company reorganized its operating segments from six to four operating segments by combining Booking.com with Rentalcars.com and KAYAK with OpenTable. The Company's Booking.com brandand Rentalcars.com operating segment represents a substantial majority of gross profittotal revenues and netoperating income. BasedThe Company's operating segments continue to be aggregated into 1 reportable segment based on similarthe similarity in economic characteristics, other qualitative factors and other similar operating factors, the Company has aggregated the operating segments into one reportable segment.objectives and principles of ASC 280, Segment Reporting. For geographic information, see Note 16.18.
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 into U.S. Dollars are included as a component of "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Notes 10 and 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 in 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" in the 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 Adopted
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive IncomeCustomer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract
In FebruaryAugust 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”("FASB") issued a new accounting update which allowsstandard to address a customer's accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract and also added certain disclosure requirements related to implementation costs incurred for internal-use software and cloud computing arrangements. The amendment aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an entityinternal-use software license). The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2019 and applied it on a prospective basis. The adoption did not have a material impact to electthe Consolidated Financial Statements.
Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that requires lessees to reclassify “stranded” tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) to retained earnings. Under current tax accounting guidance, the effect ofrecognize an asset and a changeliability 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 AOCIbalance sheet for the difference betweenrights and obligations created by entering into lease transactions. The new standard retains the dual-model concept by requiring entities to determine if a lease is an operating or finance lease. The new standard also expands qualitative and the historical tax rates.quantitative disclosures for lessees.
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 period of adoption or retrospectively.
The Company early adopted this updatenew standard on January 1, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis and has elected not to restate comparative periods. The Company elected other options, which allow the Company to use its previous evaluations regarding if an arrangement contains a lease, if a lease is an operating or finance lease and what costs are capitalized as initial direct costs prior to adoption. The Company also elected to combine lease and non-lease components.
Upon the adoption of the new lease standard, on January 1, 2019, the Company recognized operating lease assets of $646 million and total operating lease liabilities of $646 million (including a current liability of $152 million) in the fourth quarter of 2017, resulting in a reclassification, which reducedconsolidated balance sheet and reclassified certain balances related to existing leases. There was no impact to retained earnings and increased AOCI by $19.0 million.at adoption. See Note 10 for more information related to leases.
Targeted Improvements toOther Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Simplifying the Accounting for Hedging ActivitiesIncome Taxes
In August 2017,December 2019, the FASB issued a new accounting update relating to simplify hedge accounting.income taxes. This update eliminatesprovides an exception to the requirementgeneral methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period when a year-to-date loss exceeds the anticipated loss for the year. This update also (1) requires an entity to separately measurerecognize a franchise tax (or similar tax) that is partially based on income as an income-based tax and report hedge ineffectivenessaccount for any incremental amount incurred as a non-income-based tax, (2) requires an entity to evaluate when a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill should be considered part of the business combination in which goodwill was originally recognized for accounting purposes and when it should be considered a separate transaction, and (3) requires that an entity reflect the entireeffect of an enacted change in the fair value of the hedging instrument to be recordedtax laws or rates 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 quantitatively if they expect the hedge to be highlyannual 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 updatetax rate computation in the fourth quarter of 2017 andinterim period that includes the adoption did not have an impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.enactment date.
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, 2017,2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This update willEarly adoption is permitted. The amendment related to franchise taxes that are partially based on income should 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 ofeither 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 accountedretrospective basis for as asset acquisitions (or disposals)all periods presented 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 withthrough a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the periodfiscal year 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 tax liabilities of $5.7 million and reductions in current and 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 willAll other amendments should 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 basedapplied 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.prospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact to its Consolidated Financial Statements of adopting this update.update and does not expect it to have a material impact.
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 aimpairment. The revised guidance eliminates the previously required step two of the goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit's goodwill,test, which requiresrequired a hypothetical purchase price allocation withto measure goodwill impairment. Under the revised guidance, a goodwill impairment loss will be measured at the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of that reporting unit's goodwill. UnderThe Company adopted this update an entity would perform its quantitative annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test usingin 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 thirdfirst quarter of 2017, the Company performed its annual quantitative goodwill impairment test (see Note 9).2020 and will apply it on a prospective basis.
Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments
In June 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting update on the measurement of credit losses for certain 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, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. 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.
Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard intended to improve the financial reporting of lease transactions. The new accounting standard requires lessees to recognize an asset and a liability on the balance sheet for the right and obligation created by entering into a lease transaction for all leases with the exception 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 the current "bright line" percentages could be used as guidance in applying the new standard. The lessor accounting model remains largely unchanged. The new standard significantly expands qualitative and quantitative disclosures for lessees.
The update is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is allowed. 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 to elect to apply the standard prospectively from the effective date of January 1, 2019.
The Company plans to adopt the new standard on January 1, 2019. The Company is in the process of implementing 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 operating lease liabilities in its Consolidated Balance Sheet upon adoption, which will increase its total assets and liabilities (see Note 14 for information related to the Company's operating leases).
Recognition and Measurement of Financial Instruments
In January 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting update which amends the guidance on the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. The update (1) requires an entity to measure equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method or those that result in consolidation of the investee) at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income rather than AOCI, (2) allows an entity to elect to measure those equity investments that 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, (3) simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment, and (4) clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the 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. The Company will adoptadopted this update in the first quarter of 2018.2020 and applied this update on a modified retrospective basis. The Company will record an increase of approximately $241 millionadoption did not have a material impact to retained earningsthe Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
3. REVENUE
See Note 2 for the net unrealized gain, net of tax,Company's accounting policy related to its investment in Ctrip equity securities, with an offsetting adjustment to AOCI asrevenue recognition.
Disaggregation of January 1, 2018. Subsequent changes in fair valueRevenue
Revenue by Geographic Area (see Note 18)
Revenue by Type of Service
Approximately 87% of the Company's investment in Ctrip equity securities will be recognized in net income. In addition,revenues for each of the Company electedyears ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 relates to continue to use the cost method of accounting for equity investments without a readily determinable fair value.
online accommodation reservation services. Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on the recognitionall other sources of revenue from contracts with customers that was designed to create greater comparability for financial statement users across industries and jurisdictions. The core principle of this 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." This new standard also requires enhanced disclosures 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, including additional guidance, and deferred the effective date for public business entities to annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017.
The Company adopted this new 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 foronline travel reservation services will change.and advertising and other revenues each individually represent less than 10% of the Company's total revenues for each year. For example,the year ended December 31, 2017 and prior years, revenues were recognized and presented under the previous revenue recognition accounting standard (see Note 2).
Deferred Revenue
Cash payments received from travelers in advance of the Company completing its service obligations are included in "Deferred merchant bookings" in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and are comprised principally of amounts estimated to be payable to the travel service providers as well as the Company's deferred 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.its commission or margin and fees. The Company currently expects to complete its service obligation within one year from the reservation date.
The following table summarizes the activity of deferred revenue for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:
|
| | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, |
| 2019 | | 2018 |
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | 149 |
| | $ | 151 |
|
| Revenues recognized from the beginning balance | (134 | ) | | (109 | ) |
| Cancellations | (15 | ) | | (10 | ) |
| One-time adjustment to retained earnings at adoption of ASC 606 | — |
| | (32 | ) |
Payments received from travelers net of amounts estimated to be payable to travel service providers and other | 220 |
| | 149 |
|
| Balance, end of year | $ | 220 |
| | $ | 149 |
|
Loyalty and Other Incentive Programs
The Company provides loyalty programs where participating consumers are awarded loyalty points on current transactions that this timing change will not have a significant impact to its annual revenuescan be redeemed in the future. At December 31, 2019 and net income, although2018, liabilities for loyalty program incentives of $80 million and $73 million, respectively, were included in "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" in the effects on quarterly revenuesConsolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s largest loyalty program is at OpenTable, where points can be redeemed for rewards such as
qualifying reservations at participating restaurants, third-party gift cards and net incomeaccommodation reservations booked through some of the Company’s other platforms. The estimated fair value of the loyalty points that are expected to be more significant becauseredeemed is recognized as a meaningful amountreduction of travel typically starts in December each year and is completed in January ofrevenue at the following year. Under this new standard, this revenue will be recognized intime the fourth quarter each year rather thanincentives are granted. In the first quarter of the following year. 2018, OpenTable introduced a three-year time-based expiration for points earned by diners, which reduced its loyalty program liability by $27 million, with a corresponding increase to revenue.
In addition revenue from Name Your Own Price® ("NYOP") transactions is currently presentedto the loyalty programs, at December 31, 2019 and 2018, liabilities of $22 million and $61 million, respectively, for other incentive programs, such as referral bonuses, credits and discounts, were included in "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" in the Consolidated StatementBalance Sheets. In the third quarter of Operations on2019, the Company recorded a gross basis with the amount remitteddecrease of $37 million to the travel service provider reported as costliability for loyalty and other incentive programs, based on changes to estimates 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 areamounts 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 accordanceredeemed, with the changes under this new standard. The Company will record ana corresponding 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 2018.revenue.
| |
3.4.
| STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION |
The Company's 1999 Omnibus Plan, as amended and restated effective March 2, 2017,June 7, 2018, (the "1999 Plan") is the primary stock compensation plan from which broad-based employee, non-employee director and consultant equity awards may be made. As ofAt December 31, 2017,2019, there were 2,129,5311,833,091 shares of common stock available for future grant under the 1999 Plan. In addition, under plans assumed in connection with various acquisitions, there were 81,30472,006 shares of common stock available for future grant as ofat December 31, 2017.2019.
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. Restricted stock units and performance share units generally vest over periods from 1 to 3 years. Stock options granted to employees generally have a term of 10 years. The Company issues new shares of common stock upon the vesting of restricted stock units and performance share 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"Personnel" expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations was approximately $260.9$308 million, $249.6317 million and $247.4261 million for the years ended December 31, 20172019, 20162018 and 20152017, respectively. Stock-based compensation for the years ended December 31, 20172019, 20162018 and 20152017 includes a benefit of $4 million and charges amounting to $10.6of $48 million$20.7 million and $22.611 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 stock-based compensation are approximately $2.5 million, $2.6 million, and $2.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively, for restricted stock units awarded to non-employee directors. The related tax benefit for stock-based compensation is $46.0was $38 million, $45.3$36 million and $52.946 million for the years ended December 31, 20172019, 20162018 and 20152017, 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, 2015, 2016 and 2017:
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Share-based Awards | | Shares | Weighted-average Grant Date Fair Value |
| | | | | | |
| Unvested at December 31, 2014 | | 570,315 |
| | $ | 912.26 |
| |
| | | | | | |
| Granted | | 198,141 |
| | $ | 1,226.41 |
| |
| Vested | | (161,862 | ) | | $ | 757.66 |
| |
| Performance Shares Adjustment | | 64,328 |
| | $ | 1,238.30 |
| |
| Forfeited/Canceled | | (33,665 | ) | | $ | 1,151.70 |
| |
| Unvested at December 31, 2015 | | 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, 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 20152017 had aggregate grant dategrant-date fair values of approximately $303.8$380 million, $266.6$337 million and $243.0$304 million, respectively. Share-based awardsRestricted stock units and performance share units that vested during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 2016, and 2015 had grant dateaggregate fair values at vesting of $189.2$373 million, $256.4$415 million and $122.6$251 million, respectively.
As of At December 31, 2017,2019, there was $349.7$413 million of total future compensation cost related to unvested share-based awards to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.
DuringRestricted Stock Units
The following table summarizes the yearactivity of restricted stock units for employees and non-employee directors during the years ended December 31, 2017, the2018 and 2019:
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Restricted Stock Units | | Shares | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value |
| | | | | | |
| Unvested at December 31, 2016 | | 195,059 |
| | $ | 1,300 |
| |
| | | | | | |
| Granted | | 100,614 |
| | $ | 1,745 |
| |
| Vested | | (67,041 | ) | | $ | 1,302 |
| |
| Forfeited/Canceled | | (24,671 | ) | | $ | 1,430 |
| |
| Unvested at December 31, 2017 | | 203,961 |
| | $ | 1,503 |
| |
| | | | | | |
| Granted | | 116,583 |
| | $ | 2,025 |
| |
| Vested | | (69,693 | ) | | $ | 1,389 |
| |
| Forfeited/Canceled | | (25,868 | ) | | $ | 1,731 |
| |
| Unvested at December 31, 2018 | | 224,983 |
| | $ | 1,783 |
| |
| | | | | | |
| Granted | | 157,205 |
| | $ | 1,739 |
| |
| Vested | | (95,484 | ) | | $ | 1,653 |
| |
| Forfeited/Canceled | | (29,959 | ) | | $ | 1,812 |
| |
| Unvested at December 31, 2019 | | 256,745 |
| | $ | 1,801 |
| |
The Company mademakes broad-based grants of 100,614 restricted stock units that generally havevest during a period of one- to three-years, subject to certain exceptions for terminations other than for "cause," for "good reason" or on account of death or disability.
Performance Share Units
The following table summarizes the activity of performance share units for employeesduring the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019:
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Performance Share Units | | Shares | Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value |
| | | | | | |
| Unvested at December 31, 2016 | | 320,547 |
| | $ | 1,288 |
| |
| | | | | | |
| Granted | | 73,893 |
| | $ | 1,735 |
| |
| Vested | | (76,730 | ) | | $ | 1,328 |
| |
| Performance Shares Adjustment | | 19,357 |
| | $ | 1,501 |
| |
| Forfeited/Canceled | | (16,332 | ) | | $ | 1,395 |
| |
| Unvested at December 31, 2017 | | 320,735 |
| | $ | 1,386 |
| |
| | | | | | |
| Granted | | 49,721 |
| | $ | 2,034 |
| |
| Vested | | (134,549 | ) | | $ | 1,250 |
| |
| Performance Shares Adjustment | | 66,245 |
| | $ | 1,872 |
| |
| Forfeited/Canceled | | (15,573 | ) | | $ | 1,685 |
| |
| Unvested at December 31, 2018 | | 286,579 |
| | $ | 1,659 |
| |
| | | | | | |
| Granted | | 61,912 |
| | $ | 1,716 |
| |
| Vested | | (118,668 | ) | | $ | 1,346 |
| |
| Performance Shares Adjustment | | (683 | ) | | $ | 1,729 |
| |
| Forfeited/Canceled | | (13,057 | ) | | $ | 1,769 |
| |
| Unvested at December 31, 2019 | | 216,083 |
| | $ | 1,835 |
| |
The Company grants performance share units to executives and certain other employees, which generally vest at the end of 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 $175.6 million based on a weighted-average grant date fair value per share of $1,744.95.
In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company granted 73,893 performance share units to executives and certain other employees. The performance share units had a total grant date fair value of $128.2 million based upon a weighted-average grant date fair value per share of $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. Performance share units are payable in shares of the Company's common stock upon vesting. The actual number of shares to be issuedwhich ultimately will vest depends on the vesting date will be determined upon completion of theachieving certain performance period which generally ends December 31, 2019, assuming there is no accelerated vesting for, among other things, a termination of employment under certain circumstances. As of December 31, 2017, the estimated number of probable shares to be issued is a total of 82,656 shares, net of performance share units forfeited and vested since the grant date. If the maximum performance thresholds are met atmetrics by the end of the performance period, a maximum number of 139,190 total shares could be issued. If the minimum performance thresholds are not met, 56,338 shares would be issued at the end of the performance period.
2016 Performance Share Units
During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company granted 85,735 performance share units with a grant date fair value of $111.7 million, based on a weighted-average grant date fair value per share of $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, 2018, assuming there is no accelerated vesting for, among other things, a termination of employment under certain circumstances.
At December 31, 2017, there were 70,966 unvested 2016 performance share units outstanding, netThe following table summarizes the estimated vesting of performance share units that were forfeited or vestedgranted in 2019, 2018 and 2017, net of forfeiture and vesting since the respective grant date. As ofdates, at December 31, 2017,2019:
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| Performance Share Units, by grant year | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| Shares probable to be issued | | 60,588 |
| | 76,560 |
| | 78,935 |
|
| Shares not subject to the achievement of minimum performance thresholds | | 47,170 |
| | 29,753 |
| | N/A* |
|
| Shares that could be issued if maximum performance thresholds are met | | 121,176 |
| | 82,126 |
| | N/A* |
|
* The performance period for 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 114,085 shares. If the maximum performance thresholds are met at the end of the performance period, a maximum of 159,876 total shares could be issued pursuant to these performance share units. If the minimum performance thresholds are not met, 42,663 shares would be issued at the end of the performance period.
2015 Performance Share Units
During the yeargranted in 2017 ended on December 31, 2015, the Company granted 107,623 performance share units with a grant date fair value of $133.2 million, based on a weighted-average grant date fair value per share of $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, 2017.
At December 31, 2017, there were 70,910 unvested 2015 performance share units outstanding, net of performance share units that were forfeited or vested since the grant date. As of December 31, 2017, the total number of shares expected to be issued pursuant to these performance share units during 2018 is 123,930 shares.
2019.
Stock Options
All outstanding employee stock options were assumed in acquisitions. The following table summarizesacquisitions, and generally have a term of 10 years from the activity forgrant date. At December 31, 2019, all stock options during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016were vested and 2017:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 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, 2014 | | 146,385 |
| | | $ | 380.05 |
| | | $ | 111,277 |
| | 6.5 |
| Assumed in acquisitions | | 1,422 |
| | | $ | 230.37 |
| | | | | |
| Exercised | | (52,697 | ) | | | $ | 355.85 |
| | | | | |
| Forfeited | | (6,006 | ) | | | $ | 511.87 |
| | | | | |
| Balance, December 31, 2015 | | 89,104 |
| | | $ | 383.03 |
| | | $ | 79,474 |
| | 5.4 |
| Exercised | | (38,150 | ) | | | $ | 404.40 |
| | | | | |
| Forfeited | | (1,971 | ) | | | $ | 241.65 |
| | | | | |
| Balance, December 31, 2016 | | 48,983 |
| | | $ | 372.07 |
| | | $ | 53,587 |
| | 4.4 |
| Exercised | | (17,359 | ) | | | $ | 294.45 |
| | | | | |
| Forfeited | | (949 | ) | | | $ | 837.09 |
| | | | | |
| Balance, December 31, 2017 | | 30,675 |
| | | $ | 401.61 |
| | | $ | 40,986 |
| | 3.9 |
| 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 | | 30,675 |
| | | $ | 401.61 |
| | | $ | 40,986 |
| | 3.9 |
exercisable. The aggregate intrinsic value of employee stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 20152017 was $26.0$20 million, $35.1$5 million and $46.3$26 million, respectively. During
The following table summarizes the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015,activity for stock options vested for 1,515, 12,180 and 38,689 shares, respectively, with an acquisition-date fair value of $0.9 million, $7.6 million and $24.4 million, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options of $0.8 million, $6.8 million and $24.9 million, respectively. Employee stock options
assumed 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, 2017, there was $0.1 million of total future compensation costs related to unvested employee stock options to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.3 years.2019:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Employee Stock Options | | Number of Shares | | Weighted-Average Exercise Price | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions) | | Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) |
| Balance, December 31, 2018 | | 27,263 |
| | | $ | 387 |
| | | $ | 36 |
| | 2.8 |
| Exercised | | (12,141 | ) | | | $ | 266 |
| | | | | |
| Balance, December 31, 2019 | | 15,122 |
| | | $ | 484 |
| | | $ | 24 |
| | 2.6 |
| Vested and exercisable at December 31, 2019 | | 15,122 |
| | | $ | 484 |
| | | $ | 24 |
| | 2.6 |
Short-term and Long-term Investments in Available-for-sale Securities
See Note 2 for the Company's accounting policy related to its investments in available-for-sale securities. investments.
The following table summarizes, by major security type, the Company's investments as of at December 31, 20172019 (in thousands)millions): |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| prv | Cost | | Gross Unrealized Gains | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Carrying Value |
| Short-term investments in marketable securities: | | | | | | | |
| Debt securities: | | | | | | | |
| International government securities | $ | 109 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 109 |
|
| U.S. government securities | 138 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 138 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | 751 |
| | 1 |
| | (1 | ) | | 751 |
|
| Total | $ | 998 |
| | $ | 1 |
| | $ | (1 | ) | | $ | 998 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Long-term investments: | | | | | | | |
| Investments in marketable securities: | | | | | | | |
| Debt securities: | | | | | | | |
| International government securities | $ | 68 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 68 |
|
| U.S. government securities | 136 |
| | — |
| | (1 | ) | | 135 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | 963 |
| | 2 |
| | (2 | ) | | 963 |
|
| Trip.com Group convertible debt securities | 775 |
| | — |
| | (8 | ) | | 767 |
|
| Equity securities | 1,117 |
| | 684 |
| | (8 | ) | | 1,793 |
|
| Investments in private companies: | | | | | | | |
| Debt securities | 250 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 250 |
|
| Equity securities | 501 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 501 |
|
| Total | $ | 3,810 |
| | $ | 686 |
| | $ | (19 | ) | | $ | 4,477 |
|
The following table summarizes, by major security type, the Company's investments at December 31, 2018 (in millions):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Cost | | Gross Unrealized Gains | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Carrying Value |
| Short-term investments in marketable securities: | | | | | | | |
| Debt securities: | | | | | | | |
| International government securities | $ | 314 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 314 |
|
| U.S. government securities | 658 |
| | — |
| | (2 | ) | | 656 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | 2,693 |
| | — |
| | (12 | ) | | 2,681 |
|
| U.S. government agency securities | 1 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1 |
|
| Commercial paper | 7 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 7 |
|
| Time deposits and certificates of deposit | 1 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1 |
|
| Total | $ | 3,674 |
| | $ | — |
|
| $ | (14 | ) |
| $ | 3,660 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Long-term investments: | | | | | | | |
| Investments in marketable securities: | | | | | | | |
| Debt securities: | | | | | | | |
| International government securities | $ | 797 |
| | $ | 3 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 800 |
|
| U.S. government securities | 299 |
| | — |
| | (6 | ) | | 293 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | 4,445 |
| | 4 |
| | (48 | ) | | 4,401 |
|
| Trip.com Group convertible debt securities | 1,275 |
| | — |
| | (98 | ) | | 1,177 |
|
| Equity securities | 1,105 |
| | 3 |
| | (72 | ) | | 1,036 |
|
| Investments in private companies: | | | | | | | |
| Debt securities | 200 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 200 |
|
| Equity securities | 501 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 501 |
|
| Total | $ | 8,622 |
| | $ | 10 |
| | $ | (224 | ) | | $ | 8,408 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Cost | | Gross Unrealized Gains | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Fair Value |
| Short-term investments: | | | | | | | |
| International government securities | $ | 725,566 |
| | $ | 246 |
| | $ | (436 | ) | | $ | 725,376 |
|
| U.S. government securities | 996,112 |
| | 5 |
| | (1,999 | ) | | 994,118 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | 3,067,703 |
| | 449 |
| | (4,837 | ) | | 3,063,315 |
|
| U.S. government agency securities | 4,444 |
| | — |
| | (30 | ) | | 4,414 |
|
| Commercial paper | 72,650 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 72,650 |
|
| Total short-term investments | $ | 4,866,475 |
| | $ | 700 |
| | $ | (7,302 | ) | | $ | 4,859,873 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Long-term investments: | | | | | | | |
| International government securities | $ | 607,000 |
| | $ | 1,588 |
| | $ | (678 | ) | | $ | 607,910 |
|
| U.S. government securities | 844,910 |
| | 2 |
| | (10,636 | ) | | 834,276 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | 6,689,747 |
| | 8,399 |
| | (41,722 | ) | | 6,656,424 |
|
| U.S. government agency securities | 500 |
| | — |
| | (6 | ) | | 494 |
|
| Ctrip convertible debt securities | 1,275,000 |
| | 103,100 |
| | (9,600 | ) | | 1,368,500 |
|
| Ctrip equity securities | 655,311 |
| | 299,697 |
| | (1,012 | ) | | 953,996 |
|
| Total long-term investments | $ | 10,072,468 |
| | $ | 412,786 |
| | $ | (63,654 | ) | | $ | 10,421,600 |
|
Investments in Marketable Securities
Investments in Marketable Debt Securities
Investments in marketable debt securities are reported at estimated fair value with the aggregate unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reflected in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company's investment policy seeks to preserve capital and maintain sufficient liquidity to meet operational and other needs of the business. As ofAt December 31, 2017,2019, the weighted-average life of the Company’s fixed income investment portfolio,investments in marketable debt securities, excluding the Company'sits investment in CtripTrip.com Group convertible debt securities, was approximately 1.41.1 years with an average credit quality of A+/A1/A+.
The Company invests in international government securities with high credit quality. As ofAt December 31, 2017,2019, investments in international government securities principally included debt securities issued by the governments of the Netherlands, Belgium,Germany, France, GermanyFinland and Austria.
The following table summarizes, by major security type, the Company's investments as of Belgium. At 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, 2017,2019, the Company does not consider any of its investments in marketable debt securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
Investments in Ctrip Available-for-sale SecuritiesTrip.com Group
On May 26, 2015 and August 7, 2014,At December 31, 2019, the Company had $775 million invested $250 million and $500 million, respectively, in five-yearconvertible senior convertible notes issued at par value by Ctrip. OnTrip.com Group with maturity dates ranging from May 2020 to December 11, 2015,2025. The strategic investments in Trip.com Group, including $250 million of convertible notes due May 2020, were classified as "Long-term investments" in the Company investedConsolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2019. In August 2019, the Company's August 2014 investment of $500 million in a Ctrip ten-year seniorTrip.com Group's convertible note issued at par value, which included a put option allowingnotes was repaid on maturity. The Trip.com Group convertible notes have been marked-to-market in accordance with the accounting guidance for available-for-sale securities, with the aggregate unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reflected in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 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 Companyhas also invested $25
$655 million in Trip.com Group American Depositary Shares ("ADSs"), which had a Ctrip six-year seniorfair value of $726 million and $585 million at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. "Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations includes a net unrealized gain of $141 million and a net unrealized loss of $368 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to Trip.com Group ADSs.
Certain Trip.com Group convertible note issued at par value, which includednotes include a put option allowing the Company, at its option, to require prepayment in cash from CtripTrip.com Group at the endcertain points of the third year of the note.time. The Company determined that the economic characteristics and risks of the put optionoptions are clearly and closely related to the note,notes, and therefore weredid not meet the requirement for separate accounting as 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. AsThe conversion feature associated with the $25 million convertible notes issued in 2016 meets the definition of December 31,an embedded derivative that requires separate accounting. The embedded derivative is bifurcated for fair value measurement purposes only and is reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets with its host contract in "Long-term investments." The mark-to-market adjustments of the embedded derivative are included in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Investment in Meituan Dianping
In 2017, the Company had also invested $655.3$450 million in Ctrip American Depositary Shares ("ADSs").preferred shares of Meituan Dianping, the leading e-commerce platform for local services in China. The convertible debtinvestment has been classified as a marketable equity security since Meituan Dianping's initial public offering in 2018. The investment had a fair value of $1.1 billion and $451 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. "Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities of Ctrip have been marked-to-market in accordance with the accounting guidance for available-for-sale securities.
In connection with the Company's investments in Ctrip's convertible notes, Ctrip granted the Company the right to appoint an observer to its board of directors and permission to acquire its shares (through the acquisition of Ctrip ADSssecurities" in the open market) so that combined with ADSs issuable upon conversionConsolidated Statements of Operations includes unrealized gains of $602 million and $1 million for the August 2014, May 2015 and September 2016 convertible notes, the Company could hold up to an aggregate of approximately 15% of Ctrip's outstanding equity plus any ADSs issuable upon the conversion of the December 2015 convertible notes. As ofyears ended December 31, 2017, the Company did not have significant influence over Ctrip.2019 and 2018, respectively, related to this investment.
Investments in Private Companies
Cost-method InvestmentsEquity Securities without Readily Determinable Fair Value
The Company held investments in equity securities of private companies which are typicallyof $501 million at an early stage of development, of approximately $450.9 million and $7.6 million as ofboth December 31, 20172019 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
In October 2017,2018, principally related to the Company invested $450.0Company's investment of $500 million in 2018 in preferred shares of Meituan-Dianping, a Chinese group-buying website.Didi Chuxing, the leading mobile transportation and ride-hailing platform in China. These investments are accountedmeasured at cost less impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for under the cost methodidentical or a similar investment of the same issuer and are included in "Other assets""Long-term investments" in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company evaluates itsdetermined that no adjustments were required to the carrying value of these investments quarterly to determine if any indicators of other-than-temporary impairment exist.
For the years endedat December 31, 20172019.
Debt Securities
The Company held investments in preferred shares of private companies of $250 million and 2016,$200 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. These investments are classified as debt securities for accounting purposes and categorized as available-for-sale. The preferred shares are convertible to ordinary shares at the Company’s option and are mandatorily convertible upon an initial public offering. The preferred shares also contain a redemption feature that can be exercised by the Company recognized an impairmentafter certain points of $7.6 milliontime. These features have been evaluated as embedded derivatives, however, they do not meet the requirements to be accounted for separately. The investments are reported at estimated fair value in "Long-term investments" in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the aggregate unrealized gains and $63.2 million, respectively, to write off its investmentslosses, net of tax, reflected in certain private companies."Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
| |
5. | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS |
6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of at December 31, 20172019 are classified in the categories described in the tables below (in thousands)millions):
| | | | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Total | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total |
| ASSETS: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cash and restricted cash equivalents: | | | | | | | |
| Cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents: | | | | | | | | | |
| Money market funds | | $ | 1,895,272 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 1,895,272 |
| | $ | 5,734 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 5,734 |
|
| U.S. government securities | | — |
| | 22,265 |
| | 22,265 |
| |
| Corporate debt securities | | — |
| | 6,674 |
| | 6,674 |
| | — |
| | 2 |
| | — |
| | 2 |
|
| Commercial paper | | — |
| | 96,321 |
| | 96,321 |
| |
| Time deposits | | 17,896 |
| | — |
| | 17,896 |
| |
| Short-term investments: | | | | | | | |
| Time deposits and certificates of deposit | | | 29 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 29 |
|
| Short-term investments in marketable securities: | | | | | | | | | |
| International government securities | | — |
| | 725,376 |
| | 725,376 |
| | — |
| | 109 |
| | — |
| | 109 |
|
| U.S. government securities | | — |
| | 994,118 |
| | 994,118 |
| | — |
| | 138 |
| | — |
| | 138 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | | — |
| | 3,063,315 |
| | 3,063,315 |
| | — |
| | 751 |
| | — |
| | 751 |
|
| U.S. government agency securities | | — |
| | 4,414 |
| | 4,414 |
| |
| Commercial paper | | — |
| | 72,650 |
| | 72,650 |
| |
| Long-term investments: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Investments in marketable securities: | | | | | | | | | |
| International government securities | | — |
| | 607,910 |
| | 607,910 |
| | — |
| | 68 |
| | — |
| | 68 |
|
| U.S. government securities | | — |
| | 834,276 |
| | 834,276 |
| | — |
| | 135 |
| | — |
| | 135 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | | — |
| | 6,656,424 |
| | 6,656,424 |
| | — |
| | 963 |
| | — |
| | 963 |
|
| U.S. government agency securities | | — |
| | 494 |
| | 494 |
| |
| Ctrip convertible debt securities | | — |
| | 1,368,500 |
| | 1,368,500 |
| |
| Ctrip equity securities | | 953,996 |
| | — |
| | 953,996 |
| |
| Trip.com Group convertible debt securities | | | — |
| | 767 |
| | — |
| | 767 |
|
| Equity securities | | | 1,793 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,793 |
|
| Investments in private companies: | | | | | | | | | |
| Debt securities | | | — |
| | — |
| | 250 |
| | 250 |
|
| Derivatives: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Currency exchange derivatives | | — |
| | 1,767 |
| | 1,767 |
| |
| Foreign currency exchange derivatives | | | — |
| | 12 |
| | — |
| | 12 |
|
| Total assets at fair value | | $ | 2,867,164 |
| | $ | 14,454,504 |
| | $ | 17,321,668 |
| | $ | 7,556 |
| | $ | 2,945 |
| | $ | 250 |
| | $ | 10,751 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| LIABILITIES | | | | | | | | | |
| Foreign currency exchange derivatives | | | $ | — |
| | $ | 5 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 5 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Total |
| LIABILITIES: | | | | | | |
| Currency exchange derivatives | | $ | — |
| | $ | 127 |
| | $ | 127 |
|
Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value as of at December 31, 20162018 are classified in the categories described in the tables below (in thousands)millions):
| | | | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Total | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total |
| ASSETS: | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Cash equivalents: | | | | | | | |
| Cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents: | | | | | | | | | |
| Money market funds | | $ | 977,468 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 977,468 |
| | $ | 2,061 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 2,061 |
|
| International government securities | | — |
| | 30,266 |
| | 30,266 |
| | — |
| | 21 |
| | — |
| | 21 |
|
| U.S. government securities | | — |
| | 176,140 |
| | 176,140 |
| | — |
| | 1 |
| | — |
| | 1 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | | — |
| | 9,273 |
| | 9,273 |
| |
| Commercial paper | | — |
| | 1,998 |
| | 1,998 |
| | — |
| | 2 |
| | — |
| | 2 |
|
| Time deposits | | 49,160 |
| | — |
| | 49,160 |
| |
| Short-term investments: | | | | | | | |
| International government securities | | — |
| | 249,684 |
| | 249,684 |
| |
| U.S. government securities | | — |
| | 456,888 |
| | 456,888 |
| |
| Corporate debt securities | | — |
| | 1,510,310 |
| | 1,510,310 |
| |
| Commercial paper | | — |
| | 1,998 |
| | 1,998 |
| |
| Long-term investments: | | | | | | | |
| Time deposits and certificates of deposit | | | 25 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 25 |
|
| Short-term investments in marketable securities: | | | | | | | | | |
| International government securities | | — |
| | 659,344 |
| | 659,344 |
| | — |
| | 314 |
| | — |
| | 314 |
|
| U.S. government securities | | — |
| | 766,592 |
| | 766,592 |
| | — |
| | 656 |
| | — |
| | 656 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | | — |
| | 6,001,789 |
| | 6,001,789 |
| | — |
| | 2,681 |
| | — |
| | 2,681 |
|
| U.S. government agency securities | | — |
| | 4,952 |
| | 4,952 |
| | — |
| | 1 |
| | — |
| | 1 |
|
| Ctrip convertible debt securities | | — |
| | 1,293,088 |
| | 1,293,088 |
| |
| Ctrip equity securities | | 865,302 |
| | — |
| | 865,302 |
| |
| Commercial paper | | | — |
| | 7 |
| | — |
| | 7 |
|
| Time deposits and certificates of deposit | | | 1 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1 |
|
| Long-term investments: | | | | | | | | | |
| Investments in marketable securities: | | | | | | | | | |
| International government securities | | | — |
| | 800 |
| | — |
| | 800 |
|
| U.S. government securities | | | — |
| | 293 |
| | — |
| | 293 |
|
| Corporate debt securities | | | — |
| | 4,401 |
| | — |
| | 4,401 |
|
| Trip.com Group convertible debt securities | | | — |
| | 1,177 |
| | — |
| | 1,177 |
|
| Equity securities | | | 1,036 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 1,036 |
|
| Investments in private companies: | | | | | | | | | |
| Debt securities | | | — |
| | — |
| | 200 |
| | 200 |
|
| Derivatives: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Currency exchange derivatives | | — |
| | 756 |
| | 756 |
| |
| Foreign currency exchange derivatives | | | — |
| | 4 |
| | — |
| | 4 |
|
| Total assets at fair value | | $ | 1,891,930 |
| | $ | 11,163,078 |
| | $ | 13,055,008 |
| | $ | 3,123 |
| | $ | 10,358 |
| | $ | 200 |
| | $ | 13,681 |
|
The table above does not include contingent consideration related to a business acquisition (see Note 20). |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Total |
| LIABILITIES: | | |
| | |
| | |
|
| 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 international government securities, commercial paper, government agency securities and certain convertible debt securities are considered "Level 2" valuations because the Company has access to quoted prices, but does not have visibility tointo 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. See Note 5 for information related to the carrying value of the Company's investments in marketable securities.
The investments in private companies that are accounted for as debt securities with an aggregate fair value of $250 million and $200 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, were considered a "Level 3" valuation and measured
using management's estimates that incorporate current market participant expectations of future cash flows considered alongside recent financing transactions of the investees and other relevant information. See Note 5 for further information related to these investments.
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 foreign currency exchange rates. Derivatives are considered "Level 2" fair value measurements. The Company's derivative instruments are typically short-term in nature.
As of At December 31, 20172019 and 20162018, the Company's cash consisted of bank 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, 2017 and 2016, the Company held investments in equity securities of private companies of approximately $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, Note 1012 for the estimated fair value of the Company's outstanding Senior Notessenior notes and Note 185 for the Company's contingent liabilitiesinformation related to an embedded derivative associated with business acquisitions.the $25 million Trip.com Group convertible notes issued in 2016.
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. The Company limitsmitigates these risks by following established risk management policies and procedures, including the use of derivatives. See Note 2 for the Company's accounting policy on 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 enters into average-rateforeign currency derivative contracts to hedge translation risks from short-term foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations for the Euro, British Pound Sterling and certain other currencies versus the U.S. Dollar. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were no outstanding derivative contracts related to foreign currency translation risks. Derivatives associated with these translation risks resulted in foreign currency 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, which were recorded 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 foreign currency exchange rates on its transactional balances denominated in currencies other than the functional currency. ForeignSee Note 2 for the Company's accounting policy related to derivative financial instruments.
The table below provides fair value and notional amount of foreign currency exchange derivatives outstanding as ofat December 31, 2017 associated with2019 and 2018 (in millions). The notional amount of a foreign currency transaction risks resulted in a net asset of $1.6 million, with an asset inforward contract is the contracted amount of $1.7 million recorded in "Prepaid expenses 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 liabilityto be exchanged and is not recorded on the balance sheet.
|
| | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2019 | | December 31, 2018 |
| Fair value of derivative assets | $ | 12 |
| | $ | 4 |
|
| Fair value of derivative liabilities | 5 |
| | — |
|
| | | | |
| Notional amount: | | | |
| Foreign currency purchases | 1,770 |
| | 1,324 |
|
| Foreign currency sales | 901 |
| | 921 |
|
The effect 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 currency gains of $45.4 million and foreign currency losses of $15.8 million and $15.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, 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 $27.2 million, $13.9 million and $13.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These net impacts are reportedderivatives recorded in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The settlement of derivative contracts not designated as hedging instruments resulted in net cash inflows of $41.2 million and $4.5 millionOperations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 and 2016, respectively, compared to a net cash outflow of $33.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, and are reported within "Net cash provided by operating activities" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.is as follows (in millions):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| (Losses) gains on foreign currency exchange derivatives | $ | (19 | ) | | $ | (44 | ) | | $ | 43 |
|
| |
7. | ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET |
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments — The Company had no foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges of its net investment in a foreign subsidiary during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. A net cash inflow of $5.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 was reported within "Net cash used in investing activities" in the Consolidated Statement 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 reportedAccounts receivable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets with its host contract in "Long-term investments." The embedded derivative is bifurcatedat December 31, 2019 and 2018 includes receivables from customers of $1.2 billion for measurement purposes onlyeach period and the mark-to-marketreceivables from marketing affiliates of $110 million and $67 million, respectively. See Note 2 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.accounting policy related to receivables from customers. The remaining balance principally relates to receivables from third-party payment processors.
| |
6.
| ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE RESERVES |
The Company records a provision for uncollectible commissionsreceivables from customers and chargebacksmarketing affiliates. See Note 2 for the Company's accounting policy related to disputed credit card payments.allowance for doubtful accounts. Changes in allowance for doubtful accounts receivable reserves consistedfor receivables from customers and marketing affiliates consist of the following (in thousands)millions):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | 51 |
| | $ | 35 |
| | $ | 21 |
|
| Provision charged to expense | 69 |
| | 79 |
| | 46 |
|
| Write-offs and adjustments | (70 | ) | | (62 | ) | | (35 | ) |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | (1 | ) | | (1 | ) | | 3 |
|
| Balance, end of year | $ | 49 |
| | $ | 51 |
| | $ | 35 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the Year Ended December 31, |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | 25,565 |
| | $ | 15,014 |
| | $ | 14,212 |
|
| Provision charged to expense | 62,316 |
| | 46,241 |
| | 24,324 |
|
| Charge-offs and adjustments | (51,652 | ) | | (35,233 | ) | | (22,682 | ) |
| Currency translation adjustments | 3,053 |
| | (457 | ) | | (840 | ) |
| Balance, end of year | $ | 39,282 |
| | $ | 25,565 |
| | $ | 15,014 |
|
The Company computes basic net income per share by dividing net income applicable to common shareholdersstockholders 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 notes 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. Under the treasury stock method, if the conversion prices for the convertible notes exceed the Company's average stock price for the period, the convertible notes generally have no impact on diluted net income per share. 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, |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| Weighted-average number of basic common shares outstanding | 43,082 |
| | 47,446 |
| | 48,994 |
|
| Weighted-average dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and performance share units | 203 |
| | 236 |
| | 295 |
|
| Assumed conversion of convertible senior notes | 224 |
| | 335 |
| | 665 |
|
| Weighted-average number of diluted common and common equivalent shares outstanding | 43,509 |
| | 48,017 |
| | 49,954 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | |
| | 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, 2017, 2016 and 2015 include approximately 1.4 million shares, 2.0 million shares and 2.1 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.
Property and equipment at December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following (in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | Estimated
Useful Lives
(years) |
| Computer equipment and software | $ | 769,622 |
| | $ | 522,675 |
| | 1 to 5 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 | 1,023,498 |
| | 705,987 |
| | |
| Less: accumulated depreciation | (543,417 | ) | | (358,970 | ) | | |
| Property and equipment, net | $ | 480,081 |
| | $ | 347,017 |
| | |
Depreciation expense was approximately $187.2 million, $140.1 million and $101.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
| |
| 9. | PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET |
Property and equipment, net at December 31, 2019 and 2018 consist of the following (in millions):
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | Estimated
Useful Lives
(years) |
| Computer equipment | $ | 736 |
| | $ | 616 |
| | 2 to 4 years |
| Capitalized software | 442 |
| | 348 |
| | 2 to 5 years |
| Leasehold improvements | 265 |
| | 242 |
| | 1 to 13 years |
| Office equipment, furniture and fixtures | 61 |
| | 55 |
| | 2 to 7 years |
| Building construction-in-progress | 161 |
| | 88 |
| | |
| Total | 1,665 |
| | 1,349 |
| | |
| Less: Accumulated depreciation | (927 | ) | | (693 | ) | | |
| Property and equipment, net | $ | 738 |
| | $ | 656 |
| | |
Depreciation expense was $294 million, $248 million and $187 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
See Note 2 for the Company's accounting policy related to leases.
The Company has operating leases for office space, data centers and the land for Booking.com's future headquarters (see Note 16). As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s weighted-average discount rate and weighted-average remaining lease term were approximately 2.0% and 7.8 years, respectively. The Company had 0 finance leases as of December 31, 2019.
The Company recognized the following related to leases in its Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2019 (in millions): |
| | | | | | |
| | | Classification in Consolidated Balance Sheet | | December 31, 2019 |
| Operating lease assets | | Operating lease assets | | $ | 620 |
|
| Lease Liabilities: | | | | |
| Current operating lease liabilities | | Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | $ | 161 |
|
| Non-current operating lease liabilities | | Operating lease liabilities | | 462 |
|
| Total operating lease liabilities | | | | $ | 623 |
|
As of December 31, 2019, the operating lease liabilities will mature over the following periods (in millions): |
| | | |
| 2020 | $ | 172 |
|
| 2021 | 151 |
|
| 2022 | 100 |
|
| 2023 | 62 |
|
| 2024 | 42 |
|
| Thereafter | 163 |
|
| Total remaining lease payments | $ | 690 |
|
| Less: Imputed interest | (67 | ) |
| Total operating lease liabilities | $ | 623 |
|
As of December 31, 2019, the Company has entered into leases that have not yet commenced with future lease payments of approximately $10 millionwhich are not reflected in the table above. These leases will commence by 2021 with lease terms of up to 5 years and will be recognized upon lease commencement. In addition, the Company entered into an
agreement to sign a future lease in the city of Manchester in the United Kingdom for the future headquarters of Rentalcars.com (see Note 16).
At December 31, 2018, minimum lease payments for operating leases having an initial term in excess of one year under the previous lease standard ("ASC 840") were as follows (in millions):
|
| | | |
| 2019 | $ | 164 |
|
| 2020 | 142 |
|
| 2021 | 110 |
|
| 2022 | 66 |
|
| 2023 | 52 |
|
| Thereafter | 190 |
|
| Total minimum lease payments | $ | 724 |
|
The Company recognized the following related to operating leases in its Consolidated Statement of Operations (in millions): |
| | | | | | |
| | | Classification in Consolidated Statement of Operations | | Year Ended December 31, 2019 |
| Lease expense | | General and administrative and Information technology | | $ | 183 |
|
| Variable lease expense | | General and administrative and Information technology | | 56 |
|
| Less: Sublease income | | General and administrative | | (2 | ) |
| Total lease expense, net of sublease income | | | | $ | 237 |
|
For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recognized lease expense of $149 million and $120 million, respectively, under ASC 840.
Supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases is as follows (in millions):
|
| | | | |
| | | Year Ended December 31, 2019 |
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities | | $ | 189 |
|
| Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities | | 155 |
|
"Operating lease amortization" presented in the operating activities section of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows reflects the portion of the operating lease expense from the amortization of the operating lease assets.
| |
| 11. | INTANGIBLE ASSETS AND GOODWILL |
The Company's intangible assets at December 31, 20172019 and 2016 consisted2018 consist of the following (in thousands)millions):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2019 | | December 31, 2018 | | |
| | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Carrying Amount | | Gross Carrying Amount | | Accumulated Amortization | | Net Carrying Amount | | Amortization
Period |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Supply and distribution agreements | $ | 1,100 |
| | $ | (472 | ) | | $ | 628 |
| | $ | 1,099 |
| | $ | (408 | ) | | $ | 691 |
| | 3 - 20 years |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Technology | 170 |
| | (129 | ) | | 41 |
| | 173 |
| | (121 | ) | | 52 |
| | 1 - 7 years |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Internet domain names | 40 |
| | (32 | ) | | 8 |
| | 41 |
| | (30 | ) | | 11 |
| | 5 - 20 years |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Trade names | 1,811 |
| | (534 | ) | | 1,277 |
| | 1,810 |
| | (439 | ) | | 1,371 |
| | 4 - 20 years |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other intangible assets | 2 |
| | (2 | ) | | — |
| | 3 |
| | (3 | ) | | — |
| | Up to 15 years |
| Total intangible assets | $ | 3,123 |
| | $ | (1,169 | ) | | $ | 1,954 |
| | $ | 3,126 |
| | $ | (1,001 | ) | | $ | 2,125 |
| | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 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 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Supply and distribution agreements | $ | 1,056,660 |
| | $ | (355,000 | ) | | $ | 701,660 |
| | $ | 809,287 |
| | $ | (270,813 | ) | | $ | 538,474 |
| | 3 - 20 years | | 16 years |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Technology | 137,288 |
| | (104,478 | ) | | 32,810 |
| | 112,141 |
| | (80,549 | ) | | 31,592 |
| | 1 - 5 years | | 5 years |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Patents | 1,623 |
| | (1,623 | ) | | — |
| | 1,623 |
| | (1,598 | ) | | 25 |
| | 15 years | | 15 years |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Internet domain names | 42,265 |
| | (28,802 | ) | | 13,463 |
| | 39,495 |
| | (25,089 | ) | | 14,406 |
| | 5 - 20 years | | 8 years |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Trade names | 1,779,076 |
| | (350,447 | ) | | 1,428,629 |
| | 1,667,221 |
| | (261,412 | ) | | 1,405,809 |
| | 4-20 years | | 19 years |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Non-compete agreements | 21,900 |
| | (21,639 | ) | | 261 |
| | 21,900 |
| | (18,321 | ) | | 3,579 |
| | 3-4 years | | 3 years |
| Total intangible assets | $ | 3,038,812 |
| | $ | (861,989 | ) | | $ | 2,176,823 |
| | $ | 2,651,667 |
| | $ | (657,782 | ) | | $ | 1,993,885 |
| | | | |
Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis. Amortization expense was approximately $175 million, $175.5178 million, $169.1 million and $171.0176 million for the years ended December 31, 20172019, 20162018 and 20152017, respectively.
The annual estimated amortization expense for intangible assets for the next five years and thereafter is expected to be as follows (in thousands)millions):
|
| | | |
| 2020 | $ | 167 |
|
| 2021 | 160 |
|
| 2022 | 157 |
|
| 2023 | 155 |
|
| 2024 | 155 |
|
| Thereafter | 1,160 |
|
| | $ | 1,954 |
|
|
| | | |
| 2018 | $ | 172,393 |
|
| 2019 | 160,864 |
|
| 2020 | 152,868 |
|
| 2021 | 146,695 |
|
| 2022 | 143,862 |
|
| Thereafter | 1,400,141 |
|
| | $ | 2,176,823 |
|
A roll-forwardThe changes in the balance of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 20172019 and 2016 consisted2018 consist of the following (in thousands)millions): |
| | | | | | | |
| | 2019 | | 2018 |
Balance, beginning of year (1) | $ | 2,910 |
| | $ | 2,738 |
|
| Acquisitions | 7 |
| | 212 |
|
| Foreign currency translation adjustments | (4 | ) | | (40 | ) |
Balance, end of year (1) | $ | 2,913 |
| | $ | 2,910 |
|
(1) The balances are net of an OpenTable goodwill impairment charge of $941 million recognized in 2016. |
| | | | | | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 |
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | 2,396,906 |
| | $ | 3,375,000 |
|
| Acquisitions | 294,200 |
| | — |
|
| Impairment | — |
| | (940,700 | ) |
| Currency translation adjustments | 46,565 |
| | (37,394 | ) |
| Balance, end of year | $ | 2,737,671 |
| | $ | 2,396,906 |
|
A substantial portion of the Company's intangiblesintangible assets and goodwill relates to the acquisition of OpenTable in July 2014 and KAYAK in May 2013. As ofKAYAK. At September 30, 2017,2019, the Company performed its annual quantitative goodwill impairment test. Other than OpenTable, the fair values of the Company’s reporting units substantially exceeded their respective carrying values.
OpenTable
The Company estimated OpenTable’s fair value using a combination of standard valuation techniques, including an income approach (discounted cash flows)testing 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 performanceconcluded 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 goodwill0 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.goodwill. Since the annual impairment test, there have been no events or changes in circumstances to indicate a potential impairment.
Forimpairment to the year endedCompany's goodwill. In addition, the Company did not identify any impairment indicators for the Company's other long-lived assets at 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.2019.
Short-term Borrowing
On December 31, 2018, the Company had a bank overdraft of $25 million, which was repaid in January 2019. The bank overdraft is reported in "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2018.
Revolving Credit Facility
In June 2015,August 2019, 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 LIBORLondon Inter-bank Offered Rate, or if such London Inter-bank Offered Rate is no longer available, the agreed alternate rate of interest ("LIBOR") (but no less than 0%) for the interest period in effect for such borrowing plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.875% to 1.50%; or (ii) for U.S. Dollar-denominated loans only, the sum of (x) the greatest of (a) JPMorgan Chase Bank, of America, N.A.'s prime lending rate, (b) the U.S. federal funds rate plus 0.50%, and (c) an adjusted LIBOR (but no less than 0%) for an interest period of one month plus 1.00%, plus (y) an applicable margin ranging from 0.00%0% to 0.50%. Undrawn balances available under the revolving credit facility are subject to commitment fees at the applicable rate ranging from 0.085%0.07% to 0.20%.
The revolving credit facility provides for the issuance of up to $70.0$80 million of letters of credit as well as borrowings of up to $50.0$100 million on same-day notice, referred to as swingline loans. BorrowingsOther than swingline loans, which are available only in U.S. Dollars, borrowings and letters of credit 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 wouldcan be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, which could includeincluding acquisitions, share repurchases orand 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 2016,2019, there were no0 borrowings outstanding and approximately $3.8$5 million of letters of credit issued under this revolving credit facility.
Upon entering into this new revolving credit facility, the Company terminated its $1.0$2.0 billion five-year revolving credit facility entered into in October 2011June 2015. At December 31, 2018, there were 0 borrowings outstanding and recognized$5 million of letters of credit issued under the prior revolving credit facility. During the first half of 2019, the Company made several short-term borrowings under the prior revolving credit facility totaling $400 million with a weighted-average interest expenserate of $1.0 million related3.5%, all of which were repaid prior to the write-off of the remaining unamortized debt issuance costs in 2015.June 30, 2019.
OutstandingDebt
Outstanding debt as ofat December 31, 2017 consisted2019 consists of the following (in thousands)millions):
| | | 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 |
| |
| December 31, 2019 | | | Outstanding Principal Amount | | Unamortized Debt
Discount and Debt
Issuance Cost | | Carrying Value |
| Current Liabilities: | | | | | | | |
| 0.35% Convertible Senior Notes due June 2020 | | | $ | 1,000 |
| | $ | (12 | ) | | $ | 988 |
|
| Long-term debt: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 0.35% Convertible Senior Notes due June 2020 | | $ | 1,000,000 |
| | $ | (64,825 | ) | | $ | 935,175 |
| |
| 0.9% Convertible Senior Notes due September 2021 | | 1,000,000 |
| | (83,272 | ) | | 916,728 |
| | $ | 1,000 |
| | $ | (39 | ) | | $ | 961 |
|
| 0.8% (€1 Billion) Senior Notes due March 2022 | | 1,200,800 |
| | (6,238 | ) | | 1,194,562 |
| | 1,123 |
| | (3 | ) | | 1,120 |
|
| 2.15% (€750 Million) Senior Notes due November 2022 | | 900,600 |
| | (4,683 | ) | | 895,917 |
| | 842 |
| | (3 | ) | | 839 |
|
| 2.75% Senior Notes due March 2023 | | 500,000 |
| | (3,203 | ) | | 496,797 |
| | 500 |
| | (2 | ) | | 498 |
|
| 2.375% (€1 Billion) Senior Notes due September 2024 | | 1,200,800 |
| | (12,240 | ) | | 1,188,560 |
| | 1,123 |
| | (9 | ) | | 1,114 |
|
| 3.65% Senior Notes due March 2025 | | 500,000 |
| | (3,290 | ) | | 496,710 |
| | 500 |
| | (2 | ) | | 498 |
|
| 3.6% Senior Notes due June 2026 | | 1,000,000 |
| | (6,840 | ) | | 993,160 |
| | 1,000 |
| | (5 | ) | | 995 |
|
| 1.8% (€1 Billion) Senior Notes due March 2027 | | 1,200,800 |
| | (5,136 | ) | | 1,195,664 |
| | 1,123 |
| | (5 | ) | | 1,118 |
|
| 3.55% Senior Notes due March 2028 | | 500,000 |
| | (3,485 | ) | | 496,515 |
| | 500 |
| | (3 | ) | | 497 |
|
| Total long-term debt | | $ | 9,003,000 |
| | $ | (193,212 | ) | | $ | 8,809,788 |
| | $ | 7,711 |
| | $ | (71 | ) | | $ | 7,640 |
|
Outstanding debt as ofat December 31, 2016 consisted2018 consists of the following (in thousands)millions):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2018 | | Outstanding Principal Amount | | Unamortized Debt
Discount and Debt
Issuance Cost | | Carrying Value |
| Long-term debt: | | | | | | |
| 0.35% Convertible Senior Notes due June 2020 | | $ | 1,000 |
| | $ | (39 | ) | | $ | 961 |
|
| 0.9% Convertible Senior Notes due September 2021 | | 1,000 |
| | (61 | ) | | 939 |
|
| 0.8% (€1 Billion) Senior Notes due March 2022 | | 1,143 |
| | (5 | ) | | 1,138 |
|
| 2.15% (€750 Million) Senior Notes due November 2022 | | 858 |
| | (4 | ) | | 854 |
|
| 2.75% Senior Notes due March 2023 | | 500 |
| | (3 | ) | | 497 |
|
| 2.375% (€1 Billion) Senior Notes due September 2024 | | 1,143 |
| | (10 | ) | | 1,133 |
|
| 3.65% Senior Notes due March 2025 | | 500 |
| | (3 | ) | | 497 |
|
| 3.6% Senior Notes due June 2026 | | 1,000 |
| | (6 | ) | | 994 |
|
| 1.8% (€1 Billion) Senior Notes due March 2027 | | 1,143 |
| | (4 | ) | | 1,139 |
|
| 3.55% Senior Notes due March 2028 | | 500 |
| | (3 | ) | | 497 |
|
| Total long-term debt | | $ | 8,787 |
| | $ | (138 | ) | | $ | 8,649 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2016 | | Outstanding Principal Amount | | Unamortized Debt
Discount and Debt
Issuance Cost | | Carrying Value |
| Short-term debt: | | | | | | |
| 1.0% Convertible Senior Notes due March 2018 | | $ | 1,000,000 |
| | $ | (32,266 | ) | | $ | 967,734 |
|
| Long-term debt: | | | | | | |
| 0.35% Convertible Senior Notes due June 2020 | | $ | 1,000,000 |
| | $ | (90,251 | ) | | $ | 909,749 |
|
| 0.9% Convertible Senior Notes due September 2021 | | 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 | | 1,054,750 |
| | (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 | | $ | 6,400,563 |
| | $ | (230,041 | ) | | $ | 6,170,522 |
|
Based uponon the closing price of the Company's common stock for the prescribed measurement periods duringfor the three months ended December 31, 2016,2019 and 2018, the contingent conversion threshold on the 2018 Notes (as defined below) was exceeded. The 2018 Notes became convertible on December 15, 2017, at the option of the holders, and will remain convertible until the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date of March 15, 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 are convertible at the option of the holders and the principal amount is required to be paid in cash, the Company reclassified the unamortized debt discount for the 2018 Notes in the amount of $3.0 million and $28.5 million before tax as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, from additional paid-in-capital to convertible debt in the mezzanine section in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The contingent conversion thresholds on the 2020 Notes (as defined below) and the 2021 Notes (as defined below) were not exceeded at December 31, 2017 and 2016, andexceeded; therefore, these notes were reported as a non-current liability innot convertible at the Consolidated Balance Sheets.option of the holder.
Fair Value of Debt
As of At December 31, 20172019 and 20162018, the estimated fair value of the outstanding Senior Notesdebt was approximately $11.1$9.8 billion and $8.4$9.3 billion, respectively, and was considered a "Level 2" fair value measurement (see Note 5)6). 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 marketfair value of the Company's debt in excess of the outstanding principal amount relates to the conversion premium on the convertible senior notes.
Convertible Senior Notes.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, ifIf 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 debtestimates the borrowing rate, considering its credit rating and straightsimilar debt of comparable corporate issuers. Forissuers without 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.feature.
Description of Convertible 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$11 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 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 ofStarting on June 15, 2021, holders will have the right to convert all or any portion of the 2021 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. At December 31, 2019, the if-converted value of the 2021 Notes did not exceed the aggregate principal amount.
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$20 million. The Company paid $1.0$1 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 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 ofStarting on March 15, 2020, holders will have the right to convert all or any portion of the 2020 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. At December 31, 2019, the if-converted value of the 2020 Notes exceeded the aggregate principal amount by $488 million.
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. 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. The 2018 Notes are currently convertible and will remain convertible until the trading day prior to the maturity date of March 15, 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$944.61 per share. In March 2015,2018, in connection with the maturity or conversion prior to maturity of the 2015remaining outstanding 2018 Notes, the Company paid $37.5$714 million to satisfy the aggregate principal amount due and paid an additional $110.1$773 million in satisfaction of the conversion value in excess of the principal amount, which was charged to additional paid-in capital.amount.
Cash-settled convertible debt, such as the Company's Convertible Senior Notes,convertible senior notes, is separated into debt and equity components at issuance and each component is assigned a value. The value assigned to the debt component is the estimated fair value, as ofat 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 3.18% for the 2021 Notes, 3.13% for the 2020 Notes and 3.50% for the 2018 Notes.Notes, considering its credit rating and similar debt of comparable corporate issuers without the conversion feature. The yield to maturity was estimated at an at-market coupon priced at par.
Debt discount, after tax of $82.5$83 million ($142.9143 million before tax) related to the 2021 Notes, $92 million ($154 million before tax) related to the 2020 Notes and $81 million ($135 million before tax) related to the 2018 Notes less financing costs associated with the equity component of the respective convertible debt of $1.6 million after taxnotes was recorded in additional"Additional paid-in capital related tocapital" in the 2021 NotesConsolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2014. Debt discount after tax of $92.4 million ($154.3 million before tax) less financing costs associated with the equity component of convertible debt of $0.1 million after tax was 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) less financing costs associated with the equity component of convertible debt of $2.8 million after tax was recorded in additional paid-in capital related to the 2018 Notes at March 31, 2012.origination.
For the years ended December 31, 20172019, 20162018 and 20152017, the Company recognized interest expense of $93.762 million, $94.566 million and $92.794 million, respectively, related to convertible notes, which is almost entirely comprised of $21.3 million, $22.5 million and $22.6 million, respectively, for the contractual coupon interest, $67.7 million, $67.5 million and $65.6 million, respectively, related to
the amortization of debt discount of $48 million, $50 million and $68 million, respectively, and the contractual coupon interest of $4.712 million, $4.514 million and $4.521 million, respectively, related to the amortization of debt issuance costs.respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 2015,2017, included in the amortization of debt discount mentioned above was $2.9$3 million $2.8 million and $2.7 million, respectively, of original issuance discount amortization related to the 2020 Notes. In addition,Notes for the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognizedeach period. The remaining interest expense of $0.4 millionrelates to write off the unamortizedamortization of debt issuance cost for debt converted prior to maturity.costs. 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, 20172019, 20162018 and 2017 are 3.2%, 3.2% and 2015 are 3.4%., respectively.
Other Long-term Debt
In August 2017, the Company issued Senior Notes due March 15, 2023, with an interest rateOther long-term debt had a total carrying value 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$6.7 billion at both December 31, 2017. Interest on the 2023 Notes is payable semi-annually on March 152019 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 "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. 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.
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. 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. 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-
denominated net assets of these 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 estimatedfollowing table summarizes the effective interest rates at debt originationinformation related 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.other long-term debt:
|
| | | | | | | |
| Other Long-term Debt | | Period of Issuance | | Effective Interest Rate at Debt Origination | | Timing of Interest Payments |
| 0.8% Senior Notes due March 2022 | | March 2017 | | 0.84 | % | | Annually in March |
| 2.15% Senior Notes due November 2022 | | November 2015 | | 2.20 | % | | Annually in November |
| 2.75% Senior Notes due March 2023 | | August 2017 | | 2.78 | % | | Semi-annually in March and September |
| 2.375% Senior Notes due September 2024 | | September 2014 | | 2.48 | % | | Annually in September |
| 3.65% Senior Notes due March 2025 | | March 2015 | | 3.68 | % | | Semi-annually in March and September |
| 3.6% Senior Notes due June 2026 | | May 2016 | | 3.62 | % | | Semi-annually in June and December |
| 1.8% Senior Notes due March 2027 | | March 2015 | | 1.80 | % | | Annually in March |
| 3.55% Senior Notes due March 2028 | | August 2017 | | 3.56 | % | | Semi-annually in March and September |
For the years ended December 31, 20172019, 20162018 and 2015,2017, the Company recognized interest expense of $144.8$166 million, $108.0$170 million and $61.5$145 million, respectively, related to other long-term debt, which was almost entirely comprised of $138.9$160 million, $104.1$163 million and $59.0$139 million, respectively, forrelated to the contractual coupon interest. The remaining interest $2.1 million, $1.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively, relatedexpense relates to the amortization of debt discount and $3.8 million, $2.4 million and $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 dates for the respective debt.
InHistorically, the aggregate principal value of the Euro-denominated Senior Notes maturing in March 2016,2022, November 2022, September 2024 and March 2027 (collectively the "Euro-denominated debt") and accrued interest thereon had been designated as a hedge of the Company's net investment in a Euro functional currency subsidiary. Beginning in the second quarter of 2019, 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 millionhas only designated certain portions of the loan was forgivenaggregate principal value of the Euro-denominated debt as a result of meeting certain employment and salary conditions. The remaining balancehedge. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the carrying value of the loan will be forgivenportions of Euro-denominated debt, including accrued interest, designated as a net investment hedge, ranged from $2.4 billion to $4.3 billion. The foreign currency transaction gains or losses on these Euro-denominated liabilities are measured based upon changes in 2019 if certain employment and salary conditionsspot rates. The foreign currency transaction gains or losses on the Euro-denominated debt that is designated as a hedging instrument for accounting purposes are met. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the loanrecorded in the amount of $1.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively, is reported in "Other long-term liabilities""Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
On July 24, 2017, the Company assumed third-party senior debt The net assets of $15.1 million associatedthis Euro functional currency subsidiary are translated into U.S. Dollars at each balance sheet date, with the acquisitioneffects of foreign currency changes also reported in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Momondo Group.Consolidated Balance Sheets. The foreign currency transaction gains or losses on the Euro-denominated debt was repaid bythat is not designated as a hedging instrument are recognized in "Foreign currency transactions and other" in the Company in July 2017.Consolidated Statement of Operations.
InAt December 31, 2018, the first quarterCompany had a total remaining authorization of 2016,$4.5 billion to repurchase its common stock related to a program authorized by the Company's Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to $3.0 billion of the Company's common stock.in 2018 for $8.0 billion. In the firstsecond quarter of 2017,2019, the Company's Board of Directors authorized an additional program to repurchase up to $2.0$15.0 billion of the Company's common stock. As ofAt December 31, 2017,2019, the Company had a total remaining authorization of $2.4$11.5 billion to purchaserepurchase its common stock. InThe Company has continued to make repurchases of its common stock in the first quarter of 2018, the Company's Board of Directors authorized an additional program2020 and may continue to repurchase up to $8.0 billion of the Company's common stock. The Company may make repurchases of shares under its stock repurchase programs,program, depending on prevailing market conditions, alternate uses of capital and other factors. Whether and when to initiate and/or complete any purchaserepurchase of common stock and the amount of common stock purchasedto be repurchased will be determined at the Company's discretion. Additionally, 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 year ended December 31, 2017, the Company repurchased a total of 1,025,890 shares of its common stock in the open market for an aggregate cost of $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 withheld to satisfy employee withholding tax 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.
In 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.
The following table summarizes the Company's stock repurchase activities during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 (in millions, except for shares, which are reflected in thousands):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| | | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount | | Shares | | Amount |
| Authorized stock repurchase programs | | 4,358 |
| | $ | 8,002 |
| | 3,020 |
| | $ | 5,850 |
| | 969 |
| | $ | 1,744 |
|
| General authorization for shares withheld on stock award vesting | | 87 |
| | 151 |
| | 80 |
| | 162 |
| | 57 |
| | 100 |
|
| Total | | 4,445 |
| | $ | 8,153 |
| | 3,100 |
| | $ | 6,012 |
| | 1,026 |
| | $ | 1,844 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Shares repurchased in December and settled in following January | | 19 |
| | $ | 40 |
| | 43 |
| | $ | 74 |
| | 18 |
| | $ | 32 |
|
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 20162019, 2018 and 2015,2017, the Company remitted $101.4$151 million, $165.1$163 million and $81.6$101 million of employee withholding taxes, respectively, to the tax authorities, which is different from the aggregate cost of the shares withheld for taxes for 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 is included in financing activities in the statementsConsolidated Statements of cash flows for all periods presented.Cash Flows.
As ofAt December 31, 2017,2019, there were 14,216,819 21,762,070shares of the Company's common stock held in treasury.
| |
12.14. | CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) BY COMPONENT |
The table below providespresents the changes in the balances for each classification of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)as of ("AOCI") by component for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2018 and 20162019 (in thousands)millions):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax | | Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax (1) | | Total AOCI, net of tax
|
| | Foreign currency translation | | Net Investment Hedges (2) | | Total, net of tax | | Before tax | | Tax (expense) benefit(4) | | Total, net of tax | |
| | Before tax | | Tax benefit(3) | | Before tax | | Tax (expense) benefit | | | |
| Balance, December 31, 2016 | | $ | (460 | ) | | $ | — |
| | $ | 258 |
| | $ | (110 | ) | | $ | (312 | ) | | $ | 186 |
| | $ | (9 | ) | | $ | 177 |
| | (135 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI") before reclassifications | | 670 |
| | — |
| | (548 | ) | | 175 |
| | 297 |
| | 158 |
| | (81 | ) | | 77 |
| | 374 |
|
Amounts reclassified to net income (5) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (1 | ) | | — |
| | (1 | ) | | (1 | ) |
| OCI for the period | | 670 |
| | — |
| | (548 | ) | | 175 |
| | 297 |
| | 157 |
| | (81 | ) | | 76 |
| | 373 |
|
| Balance, December 31, 2017 | | $ | 210 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | (290 | ) | | $ | 65 |
| | $ | (15 | ) | | $ | 343 |
| | $ | (90 | ) | | $ | 253 |
| | $ | 238 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| OCI before reclassifications | | (319 | ) | | 41 |
| | 217 |
| | (53 | ) | | (114 | ) | | (201 | ) | | 2 |
| | (199 | ) | | (313 | ) |
| OCI for the period | | (319 | ) | | 41 |
| | 217 |
| | (53 | ) | | (114 | ) | | (201 | ) | | 2 |
| | (199 | ) | | (313 | ) |
Amounts reclassified to retained earnings(2) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (299 | ) | | 58 |
| | (241 | ) | | (241 | ) |
| Balance, December 31, 2018 | | $ | (109 | ) | | $ | 41 |
| | $ | (73 | ) | | $ | 12 |
| | $ | (129 | ) | | $ | (157 | ) | | $ | (30 | ) | | $ | (187 | ) | | $ | (316 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| OCI before reclassifications | | (77 | ) | | 13 |
| | 71 |
| | (17 | ) | | (10 | ) | | 161 |
| | (37 | ) | | 124 |
| | 114 |
|
Amounts reclassified to net income (5) | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (11 | ) | | 22 |
| | 11 |
| | 11 |
|
| OCI for the period | | (77 | ) | | 13 |
| | 71 |
| | (17 | ) | | (10 | ) | | 150 |
| | (15 | ) | | 135 |
| | 125 |
|
| Balance, December 31, 2019 | | $ | (186 | ) | | $ | 54 |
| | $ | (2 | ) | | $ | (5 | ) | | $ | (139 | ) | | $ | (7 | ) | | $ | (45 | ) | | $ | (52 | ) | | $ | (191 | ) |
|
| | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2017 | | December 31, 2016 |
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax (1) | $ | (15,700 | ) | | $ | (311,247 | ) |
Net unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of tax (2) | 252,682 |
| | 176,563 |
|
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 236,982 |
| | $ | (134,684 | ) |
(1)Foreign currency translation adjustments,(2)Net investment hedges balance, net of tax, at December 31, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2016,2019 include accumulated net losses from fair value adjustments of $35.0$35 million after tax ($52.6 ($53 million before tax) associated with previously settled derivatives that were designated as net investment hedges (see Note 5).
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax, include foreign currency transaction losses of $190.4 million after tax ($237.2 million before tax) andhedges. The remaining balances relate to foreign currency transaction gains of $182.6 million after(losses) and related tax ($310.4 million before tax) at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively,benefits (expenses) associated with the Company's Euro-denominated debt. The Company's Euro-denominated debt that is designated as a hedge against the impact of currency fluctuations on its Euro-denominatedthe net assets of a Euro functional currency subsidiary (see Note 10)Notes 2 and 12).
(3)The remaining balance intax benefits relate to foreign currency translation adjustments relates to cumulative impacts of currency fluctuations on the Company's international non-U.S. Dollar denominated net assets.one-time deemed repatriation tax liability recorded at December 31, 2017 and foreign earnings for periods after December 31, 2017 that are subject to U.S. federal and state income tax, resulting from the enactment of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"). Prior to the Tax Act, the balance excluded a provision forJanuary 1, 2018, foreign currency translation adjustments were not subject to 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
(4)The tax expense for 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 unrealized gains before tax atyear ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were $343.2 million and $185.9 million, respectively, of which unrealized gains of $234.6 million and $148.5 million, respectively, were exempt from tax in the Netherlands, and unrealized gains of $108.6 million and $37.4 million, respectively, were taxable at a 25% tax rate in the Netherlands, resulting in tax charges amounting to $27.1 million and $9.3 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
In 2017, the Company recordedincludes a U.S. deferred tax liabilityexpense of $63.4$63 million related to net cumulative unrealized gains associated with certain international investments, which will be subjectinvestments.
(5)The reclassified net gains on available-for-sale securities, before tax, are included in "Foreign currency transactions and other" and the reclassified tax expenses are included in "Income tax expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the reclassified tax expenses includes a tax expense of $21 million related to U.S. federal and state taxes if the gains are realized.maturity in August 2019 of the Company's investment of $500 million in Trip.com Group convertible notes (see Note 5).
International pre-tax income was $4.5$5.7 billion, $3.74.8 billion and $3.14.5 billion for the years ended December 31, 20172019, 20162018 and 20152017, respectively. U.S. pre-tax lossincome was $121.6$213 million and $983.1$47 million for the years ended December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively, and U.S. pre-tax incomeloss was $35.4$122 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.2017.
Provision for Income Taxes
The income tax expense (benefit) for the year ended December 31, 20172019 is as follows (in thousands)millions):
| | | | Current | | Deferred | | Total | Current | | Deferred | | Total |
| International | $ | 755,836 |
| | $ | (10,361 | ) | | $ | 745,475 |
| $ | 915 |
| | $ | (12 | ) | | $ | 903 |
|
| U.S. Federal | 1,327,663 |
| | (57,350 | ) | | 1,270,313 |
| 22 |
| | 166 |
| | 188 |
|
| U.S. State | 6,523 |
| | 35,246 |
| | 41,769 |
| 34 |
| | (32 | ) | | 2 |
|
| Total | $ | 2,090,022 |
| | $ | (32,465 | ) | | $ | 2,057,557 |
| $ | 971 |
| | $ | 122 |
| | $ | 1,093 |
|
The income tax expense (benefit) for the year ended December 31, 20162018 is as follows (in thousands)millions):
| | | | Current | | Deferred | | Total | Current | | Deferred | | Total |
| International | $ | 627,718 |
| | $ | (14,359 | ) | | $ | 613,359 |
| $ | 887 |
| | $ | (3 | ) | | $ | 884 |
|
| U.S. Federal | 63,613 |
| | (32,405 | ) | | 31,208 |
| 45 |
| | (107 | ) | | (62 | ) |
| U.S. State | (1,175 | ) | | (65,141 | ) | | (66,316 | ) | 55 |
| | (40 | ) | | 15 |
|
| Total | $ | 690,156 |
| | $ | (111,905 | ) | | $ | 578,251 |
| $ | 987 |
| | $ | (150 | ) | | $ | 837 |
|
The income tax expense (benefit) for the year ended December 31, 20152017 is as follows (in thousands)millions):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Current | | Deferred | | Total |
| International | $ | 756 |
| | $ | (10 | ) | | $ | 746 |
|
| U.S. Federal | 1,327 |
| | (57 | ) | | 1,270 |
|
| U.S. State | 7 |
| | 35 |
| | 42 |
|
| Total | $ | 2,090 |
| | $ | (32 | ) | | $ | 2,058 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 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 U.S. pre-tax loss is lower for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to the year ended December 31, 2016 primarily due to the impairment charge for goodwill related to OpenTable of $940.7 million (see Note 9) recognized in 2016. Income tax expense on the Company's U.S. pre-tax loss for the year ended December 31, 2017 includes the impact of the 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 2016. Income tax expense on the Company’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’s international interest income, which increased during the 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
OnIn December 22, 2017, the U.S. governmentTax Act was enacted into law in the Tax Act.United States. The Tax Act makesmade 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 imposesimposed a one-time deemed repatriation tax on accumulated unremitted international earnings, to be paid over eight years. The Company recorded provisional income tax expense of approximately $1.6 billion during the year ended December 31, 2017 in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118"), which includesincluded 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 during the year ended December 31, 2017 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%. The Company currently expectsexpected 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 aswas included in "Long-term U.S. transition tax liability" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2017.
In 2018, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $46 million to adjust its provisional income tax expense that was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2017 relating to the federal one-time deemed repatriation liability, as well as U.S. state income taxes and international withholding taxes associated with the mandatory deemed repatriation. In addition, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $2 million in 2018 to adjust the remeasurement of its U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities due to the reduction of the U.S. federal statutory tax rate that resulted from the Tax Act.
In 2019, as a result of additional technical guidance issued by U.S. federal and state tax authorities with respect to the Tax Act, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $17 million to adjust its income tax expense that was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2017 relating to the federal one-time deemed repatriation liability, as well as U.S. state income taxes associated with the mandatory deemed repatriation. The Company continuesutilized $116 million of deferred tax assets related to evaluate whether and to what extent it will utilize itsU.S. federal NOLs and $111 million of other tax creditscredit carryforwards to reduce theits transition tax liability. liability as of December 31, 2019.
Under the Tax Act, the Company's international cash and investments as of
December 31, 2017, amounting to $16.2 billion, as well as future cash generated by ourthe Company's international operations, generally can be repatriated without further U.S. federal income tax, but will be subject to U.S. state income taxes and international withholding taxes.taxes, which have been accrued by the Company.
The Tax Act also introduced in 2018 a tax on 50% of global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”),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”("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.costs.
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 majorityutilized $330 million of its available U.S. NOLs as of December 31, 2016 will be utilized in 2017 to reduce its U.S. federal tax liability for the deemed repatriation tax. After utilization of available NOLs, as ofat December 31, 2017,2019, the Company had U.S. federal NOLs of $180$81 million, which are subject to an annual limitation and mainly expire from December 31, 20192020 to December 31, 2021, and U.S. state NOLs of $510$317 million, which mainly expire between December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2034. In addition, at December 31, 2017,2019, the Company has approximately $180had $97 million of non-U.S. NOLs, of which $86 million expires between December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2024, and approximately $18$20 million of U.S. research tax credit carryforwards available to reduce future tax liabilities and the majority of whichboth 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 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, 20172019 and 20162018 are as follows (in thousands)millions):
|
| | | | | | | |
| | 2019 | | 2018 |
| Deferred tax assets/(liabilities): | |
| | |
|
| Net operating loss carryforward — U.S. | $ | 37 |
| | $ | 59 |
|
| Net operating loss carryforward — International | 15 |
| | 20 |
|
| Accrued expenses | 35 |
| | 50 |
|
| Stock-based compensation and other stock based payments | 49 |
| | 51 |
|
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | 36 |
| | 27 |
|
| Tax credits | 14 |
| | 46 |
|
| Euro-denominated debt | — |
| | 5 |
|
| Operating lease liabilities | 38 |
| | — |
|
| Property and equipment | 31 |
| | 6 |
|
| Subtotal - deferred tax assets | 255 |
| | 264 |
|
| | | | |
| Discount on convertible notes | (10 | ) | | (22 | ) |
| Intangible assets and other | (133 | ) | | (482 | ) |
| Euro-denominated debt | (14 | ) | | — |
|
| State income tax on accumulated unremitted international earnings | (8 | ) | | (25 | ) |
| Unrealized gains on investments | (191 | ) | | (2 | ) |
| Operating lease assets | (35 | ) | | — |
|
| Installment sale liability | (284 | ) | | — |
|
| Other | (11 | ) | | (15 | ) |
| Subtotal - deferred tax liabilities | (686 | ) | | (546 | ) |
| Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets | (45 | ) | | (36 | ) |
Net deferred tax liabilities (1) | $ | (476 | ) | | $ | (318 | ) |
|
| | | | | | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 |
| Deferred tax assets/(liabilities): | |
| | |
|
| Net operating loss carryforward — U.S. | $ | 70,750 |
| | $ | 15,977 |
|
| Net operating loss carryforward — International | 27,831 |
| | 18,371 |
|
| Accrued expenses | 57,524 |
| | 72,631 |
|
| Stock-based compensation and other stock based payments | 48,104 |
| | 60,937 |
|
| Euro denominated debt | 57,740 |
| | — |
|
| Fixed assets | 8,600 |
| | — |
|
| Subtotal - deferred tax assets | 270,549 |
| | 167,916 |
|
| | | | |
| Discount on convertible notes | (32,810 | ) | | (77,845 | ) |
| Intangible assets and other | (517,353 | ) | | (740,329 | ) |
| Euro denominated debt | — |
| | (117,737 | ) |
| Fixed assets | — |
| | (2,245 | ) |
| 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) | $ | (439,812 | ) | | $ | (798,673 | ) |
(1) Includes deferred tax assets of $41.3$400 million and $23.7$51 million as ofat December 31, 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively, reported in "Other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded a deferred tax asset of $335 million, which is included in “Other Assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, and a deferred tax liability of $325 million, both related to an internal restructuring.
The valuation allowance on deferred tax assets of $43.7$45 million at December 31, 20172019 includes $26.8$30 million related to international operations and $16.9$15 million primarily related to U.S. research credits, capital loss carryforwards and Connecticut NOLs. The valuation allowance increased by $19.2on deferred tax assets of $36 million during the year endedat December 31, 2017, principally due2018 includes $20 million related to certain non-U.S. NOLs acquired in the Momondo Group transaction.international operations and $16 million primarily related to U.S. research credits, capital loss carryforwards and Connecticut NOLs.
Pursuant to the adoption of an accounting update on January 1, 2017 related to share-based compensation, the Company recorded a deferred tax asset of $301.4$301 million related to previously unrecognized U.S. equity tax deductions, with an offsetting cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings, (see Note 2), the majority of which was utilized during the year ended December 31, 2017.
The Company does not intend to indefinitely reinvest its international earnings that were subject to U.S. taxation pursuant to the mandatory deemed repatriation or subject to U.S. taxation as GILTI.
Reconciliation of U.S. Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate to Effective Income Tax Rate
A significant portion of the Company's taxable earnings areis generated in the Netherlands. According to Dutch corporate income tax law, income generated from qualifying innovative activities is taxed at a rate of 5%7% ("Innovation Box Tax") for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 rather than the Dutch statutory rate of 25%. Previously, the Innovation Box Tax rate had been 5%. A portion of Booking.com's earnings during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 2016 and 2015 qualifiesqualified 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 21% in 2019 and 2018 and 35% in 2017 as a result of the following items (in thousands)millions):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| Income tax expense at U.S. federal statutory rate | $ | 1,251 |
| | $ | 1,015 |
| | $ | 1,539 |
|
| Adjustment due to: | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Foreign rate differential | 210 |
| | 210 |
| | (458 | ) |
| Innovation Box Tax benefit | (443 | ) | | (435 | ) | | (397 | ) |
| Tax Act - Remeasurement of deferred tax balances | — |
| | (2 | ) | | (217 | ) |
| Tax Act - U.S. transition tax and other transition impacts | (17 | ) | | (46 | ) | | 1,563 |
|
| Other | 92 |
| | 95 |
| | 28 |
|
| Income tax expense | $ | 1,093 |
| | $ | 837 |
| | $ | 2,058 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Income tax expense at federal statutory rate | $ | 1,539,413 |
| | $ | 949,633 |
| | $ | 1,094,912 |
|
| Adjustment due to: | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Foreign rate differential | (458,252 | ) | | (377,542 | ) | | (316,078 | ) |
| Innovation Box Tax benefit | (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 | 27,510 |
| | (12,691 | ) | | 58,319 |
|
| Income tax expense | $ | 2,057,557 |
| | $ | 578,251 |
| | $ | 576,960 |
|
Uncertain Tax Positions
See Note 2 for the Company's accounting policy on uncertain tax positions. The following is a reconciliation of the total beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits (in thousands)millions):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| Unrecognized tax benefit — January 1 | $ | 45 |
| | $ | 32 |
| | $ | 33 |
|
| Gross increases — tax positions in current period | 3 |
| | 1 |
| | 5 |
|
| Gross increases — tax positions in prior periods | 11 |
| | 19 |
| | 5 |
|
| Gross decreases — tax positions in prior periods | (3 | ) | | (3 | ) | | (9 | ) |
| Reduction due to lapse in statute of limitations | — |
| | (2 | ) | | (1 | ) |
| Reduction due to settlements during the current period | — |
| | (2 | ) | | (1 | ) |
| Unrecognized tax benefit — December 31 | $ | 56 |
| | $ | 45 |
| | $ | 32 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Unrecognized tax benefit — January 1 | $ | 32,715 |
| | $ | 42,594 |
| | $ | 52,356 |
|
| Gross increases — tax positions in current period | 5,119 |
| | 2,468 |
| | 3,411 |
|
| Gross increases — tax positions in prior periods | 5,822 |
| | 859 |
| | 4,305 |
|
| Gross decreases — tax positions in prior periods | (9,202 | ) | | (217 | ) | | (10,365 | ) |
| Reduction due to lapse in statute of limitations | (1,009 | ) | | (9,077 | ) | | (7,113 | ) |
| Reduction due to settlements during the current period | (1,050 | ) | | (3,912 | ) | | — |
|
| Unrecognized tax benefit — December 31 | $ | 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, 20172019 and 2016.2018. The unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. The Company does not expect further significant changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, total gross interest and penalties accrued was $10 million and $8 million, respectively.
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 byinclude: the taxing authorities as prescribed by applicable statute.Netherlands, United States, Singapore and United Kingdom. The statutestatutes of limitations remainsthat remain open for:related to these major tax jurisdictions are: the Company's Netherlands returns from 2014 and forward; the Company'sforward, U.S. returns for 2014 and forward, Singapore returns from 2013 and forward; the Company's U.S. federal 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 20122017 and forward and the Company's U.K. returns for the tax years 2015 and 2016. Noforward. An income tax waivers havewaiver has been executed for the U.S. federal 2015 return that would extend the period subject to examination beyond the period prescribed by statute inor for the major taxing jurisdictions in which the Company is a taxpayer.period just stated above. The Company’s 2015 U.S. federal income tax return is currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service. See Note 1416 for more information regarding tax contingencies.
| |
14.16. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
Competition and Consumer Protection Reviews
TheAt times, online platforms, including online travel industry has becomeplatforms, have been the subject of investigations or inquiries by various national competition authorities ("NCAs"), particularly in Europe. or other governmental authorities regarding competition law matters, consumer protection issues or other areas of concern. The Company is or has been involved in many such investigations. For example, the Company has been and continues to be 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, are anti-competitive because they require accommodation providers to provide Booking.com with room rates, conditions or availability that are at least as lowfavorable as those offered to other online travel companies ("OTCs") or through the accommodation provider's website. SomeTo resolve and close certain of the investigations, relatethe Company has from time to other issues such as reservation and cancellationtime made commitments to the investigating authorities regarding future business practices or activities. For example, Booking.com has made commitments to several NCAs, including agreeing to narrow the scope of its parity clauses,
commission payments and pricing behavior. For instance, on in order to resolve parity-related investigations. In addition, in September 8, 2017, the Swiss Price Surveillance Office opened an investigation into the level of commissions of Booking.com in Switzerland.Switzerland and the investigation is ongoing. Some authorities are reviewing the online hotel booking sector more generally through market inquiries and the Company cannot predict the outcome of such inquiries or any resulting impact on its business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
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 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 OTCs that offer lower rates of commission or other benefits, offer lower ratesgovernmental authorities are continuing to consumers that bookreview the activities of online platforms, including through offline 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.
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. Nearly all NCAs in the European Economic Area have now closed their investigations following Booking.com's implementationuse 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.consumer protection powers. 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 will have on Booking.com's business, on investigations by other 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 is 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 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, 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.
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 price parity agreements agreed to by the French NCA in April 2015. Legislation prohibiting narrow price parity agreements became effective in Austria on December 31, 2016 and in Italy on August 29, 2017. A motion calling on the Swiss government to introduce legislation prohibiting the narrow price parity clause was approved by the 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 or Italian legislation or the proposed Swiss or Belgian legislation may affect the Company's business in the long term.
Consumer protection issues, including platform search rankings, are also being reviewed by European NCAs. On October 27, 2017 the United Kingdom's NCA (the Competition and Markets Authority, or CMA) launched a consumer protection law investigation into the clarity, accuracy and presentation of information on hotel booking sites with a specific focus on the display of search results (e.g., ranking), claims regarding discounts, methods of "pressure selling" (such as allegedly creating false impressions regarding room availability), and failure to disclose hidden charges. A consumer protection law compliance reviewIn connection with this investigation, Booking.com, agoda and KAYAK, along with a number of car rental booking websites byother OTCs, voluntarily agreed to certain commitments with the UK NCA is also ongoing.CMA addressing its concerns in resolution of this investigation, which took effect on September 1, 2019. Among other things, the commitments provided to the CMA included showing prices inclusive of all mandatory taxes and charges, providing information about the effect of money earned on search result rankings on or before the search results page and making certain adjustments to how discounts and statements concerning popularity or availability are shown to consumers. The consumer protection departmentCMA has stated that it expects all participants in the online travel market to adhere to the same standards, regardless of whether they formally signed the commitments. The commitments concluded the CMA's investigation without finding an infringement or an admission of wrongdoing of the German NCA announcedOTCs involved. As a result of additional inquiries from other NCAs in the opening of a sector inquiry into online price comparison sitesEuropean Economic Area, Booking.com has made similar commitments with the Consumer Protection Cooperation Network (the "CPCN") to be applicable 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 hotelsthe European Union beginning in order to gather information about online hotel booking platforms.June 2020. The Company is unable to predict what, if any, effect such actionsthe commitments made to the CMA and the CPCN will have on its business, industry practices or online commerce more generally.
Competition-relatedThe Company is unable to predict how any current or future investigations or litigation may be resolved or the long-term impact of any such resolution on its business. For example, competition and consumer-law-related investigations, legislation or issues have and could also give rise toin the future result in 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 twenty 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,More immediate results could include, among other things, that the OTCs violated each jurisdiction's respective relevant travel transaction tax ordinance with respectimposition of fines, commitments to the charge and remittancechange certain business practices or reputational damage, any 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 resolvedwhich 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 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 onharm the Company's business, results of operations, brands or cash flows in any given operating period. However, the Company believes that even if it 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.competitive position.
Tax Matters
As a result of the 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, 2017 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 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 liability recorded. An estimate of a reasonably possible loss or range of loss in excess of the amount accrued cannot be reasonably made.
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 Company and its subsidiaries KAYAK Software Corporation, OpenTable, Inc. and priceline.com LLC (the "Subject Companies"). In the complaint, IBM alleged that the Subject Companies infringed four IBM patents (the '967, '849, '601 and '346 patents) that IBM claimed 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. On December 28, 2017, the Company entered into a settlement and cross 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 license 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 $19.3 million, which was in addition to charges previously recorded.
French Tax Matter
French tax authorities conducted an audit of Booking.com offor the years 2003 through 2012.2012 and are conducting audits for the years 2013 through 2018. They 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. In December 2015, the French tax authorities issued Booking.com assessments related to those tax years 2003 through 2012 for approximately 356 million Euros, the majority of which would representrepresents penalties and interest. As a result of a formal demand from the French tax authorities for payment of the amounts assessed for the years 2003 through 2012, in January 2019, the Company paid the assessments of approximately 356 million Euros ($403 million) in order to preserve its right to contest those assessments in court. The payment, which is included in "Other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2019, does not constitute an admission that the Company owes the taxes and will be refunded (with interest) to the Company to the extent the Company prevails. If the Company is unable to resolve the matter with the French tax authorities, the Company plans to challenge the assessments in the French courts. In December 2019, the French tax authorities issued an additional assessment of 70 million Euros ($79 million), including interest and penalties, for the 2013 year asserting that Booking.com has taxable income in France attributable to a permanent establishment in France. Furthermore, the French tax authorities issued assessments totaling 39 million Euros ($44 million), including interest and penalties, for certain tax years between 2011 and 2015 on Booking.com's French subsidiary
asserting that the subsidiary did not receive sufficient compensation for the services it rendered to Booking.com in the Netherlands. The Company has not recorded a liability in connection with any of the French tax assessments as the Company believes that Booking.com has been, and continues to be, in compliance with French tax law, and the Company is contesting the assessments. The Company's objection to theAdditional assessments was denied by the French tax authorities. If the Company is unable to resolve the matter withcould result when the French tax authorities it would expectcomplete the outstanding audits.
Italian authorities are reviewing Booking.com's activities for the years 2011 through 2018. They are reviewing whether Booking.com has a permanent establishment in Italy and Booking.com's transfer pricing policies in Italy. The Company is cooperating with the investigation but intends to challengecontest any allegation that Booking.com has a permanent establishment in Italy or that its transfer pricing policies are inappropriate. In December 2018 and December 2019, respectively, the Italian tax authorities issued assessments on Booking.com's Italian subsidiary for approximately 48 million Euros ($53 million) for the 2013 tax year and 58 million Euros ($65 million) for the 2014 tax year asserting that its transfer pricing policies were inadequate. The Company has not recorded a liability in connection with these assessments. The Company believes that Booking.com has been, and continues to be, in compliance with Italian tax law. The company paid 10 million Euros ($11 million) in December 2019 as a partial payment of the 2013 assessment. The payment, which is included in "Other assets" in the French courts. In order to contest the assessments in court, the Company may be required to pay, upfront, the full amount or a significant part of any such assessments, though such payment wouldConsolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2019, does not constitute an admission bythat the Company that it owes the taxes. Alternatively,taxes and will be refunded (with interest) to the Company to the extent the Company prevails. It is unclear what further actions, if any, resolution the Italian authorities will take. Such actions could include closing the investigation, assessing Booking.com additional taxes, imposing interest, fines and penalties and/or settlement of the matter with the French tax authorities may also require payment as part of such resolution or settlement. Frenchbringing criminal charges.
In addition, Turkish tax authorities have begunasserted that Booking.com has a similar auditpermanent establishment in Turkey and have issued tax assessments for the years 2012 through 2017 for approximately 544 million Turkish Lira ($91 million), including interest and penalties. The Company believes that Booking.com has been, and continues to be, in compliance with Turkish tax law, and the Company is contesting these assessments. The Company has not recorded a liability in connection with these assessments.
As a result of an internal review of tax policies and positions at one of the Company's smaller subsidiaries, the Company identified two issues related to the application of certain non-income-based tax laws to that subsidiary's business. In 2018, the Company accrued related travel transaction taxes totaling approximately $46 million, based on the Company's estimate of the probable travel transaction tax owed for the prior periods, including interest and penalties, as applicable. At December 31, 2019, the Company had $67 million accrued related to these travel transaction taxes. The related expenses are included in "General and administrative" expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company currently estimates that the reasonably possible loss related to these matters in excess of the amount accrued is approximately $25 million. The Company's internal review is ongoing, and, to the extent the Company determines that the probable taxes owed related to these matters exceed what has already been accrued or new issues are identified during this review, the Company may need to accrue additional amounts, which could adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
During the second quarter of 2019, the Company identified the nonpayment in prior periods of a wage-related tax under Netherlands' law on compensation paid to certain highly-compensated former employees in the year of their separation from employment with Booking.com. The Company has informed the Dutch tax authorities of the nonpayment and, to correct this immaterial error, has paid an amount of $61 million based on the Company's estimate of the probable tax owed for prior tax years, 2013 through 2015,including interest (but not including any potential penalties, which could resultcannot reasonably be estimated). This expense is recorded in additional assessments."Personnel" expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Turkish Matter
From time to time, the Company has beenis involved in other tax-related audits, investigations or proceedings, which could relate to income taxes, value-added taxes, sales taxes, employment taxes, etc. For example, the Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims regardingin the United States related to travel transaction taxes (e.g., hotel occupancy taxes, sales taxes, etc.).
Any taxes or other assessments in excess of the Company's current tax provisions, whether it is subject to local registration requirements, such as requirements to register as a travel agent. In March 2017, in connection with the foregoing or otherwise (including the resolution of any tax proceedings), could have a lawsuit begunmaterially adverse impact on the Company's results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Other Matters
Beginning in 2015 by2014, Booking.com received several letters from the Association of TurkishNetherlands Pension Fund for the Travel AgenciesIndustry (Reiswerk) (“BPF”) claiming that Booking.com is required to meet certain registration requirementsparticipate in Turkey,the mandatory pension scheme of the BPF with retroactive effect to 1999, which has a Turkish court ordered Booking.com to suspend offering Turkish hotels and accommodations to Turkish residents. Althoughhigher contribution rate than the pension scheme in which Booking.com is appealingcurrently participating. BPF instituted legal proceedings against Booking.com and in 2016 the orderDistrict Court of Amsterdam rejected all of BPF’s claims. BPF appealed the decision to the Court of Appeal, and, in May 2019, the Court of Appeal also rejected all of
BPF’s claims. BPF has appealed to the Netherlands Supreme Court. The Company expects the Supreme Court to rule in early 2021. The Company believes itthat Booking.com is in compliance with its pension obligations. The Company has not recorded a liability in connection with a potential adverse outcome to this litigation. However, if Booking.com were to lose and all of BPF’s claims were to be without basis, this order has had,accepted (including retroactivity to 1999), the Company estimates that as of December 31, 2019 the maximum loss, not including any potential interest or penalties, would be approximately $200 million. Such estimated potential loss increases as Booking.com continues not to contribute to the BPF and is likely to continue to have, a negative impactdepends on the Company's growth and results of operations.Booking.com’s applicable employee compensation after December 31, 2019.
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 balance sheets and provisions recorded have not been material to the Company's results of operations or cash flows. An estimate of a reasonably possible loss or range of loss 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 18)
Employment Contracts
The Company has employment agreements with certain members of senior management that provide for cash severance payments of up to approximately $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 two years.
Building Construction
In September 2016, the Company signed a turnkey agreement to construct an office building for Booking.com's future headquarters 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.Euros. Upon signing this agreement, Booking.comthe Company paid approximately 48 million Euros to the developer, which included approximately 43 million Euros for the acquired land-use rights, and approximately 5 million Euroswhich was included in “Other assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the building construction.periods prior to January 1, 2019. The land-use rights are included inwere reclassified from "Other assets" andto "Operating lease assets" on January 1, 2019 as part of the adoption of ASC 842, Leases (see Note 2). In addition, since signing the turnkey agreement the Company has made several progress payments principally related to the construction of the building, construction-in-progress iswhich are included in "Property and equipment, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets atSheets. At December 31, 2017 and 2016. The land-use rights asset and required future lease payments to2019, the Municipality in AmsterdamCompany has a remaining obligation of approximately 60109 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($123 million) related to the building construction, inwhich will be paid through mid-2022, when the first quarter of 2018, withCompany anticipates construction will be complete.
In addition to the turnkey agreement, the Company has a remaining obligation at December 31, 2019 to pay 71 million Euros ($80 million) over the remaining amount being paid periodically from the second quarter of 2018 until the expected completionterm of the building in early 2021.acquired land lease. The Company will also make additional capital expenditures to fit out and furnish the office space.
Operating lease obligations (see Note 10)
Operating Leases
Other Contractual Obligations and Commitments
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 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Rental expense for data center space was approximately $23.7 million, $22.2 million and $21.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The Company's headquarters and the headquarters of the priceline.com business are located in Norwalk, Connecticut, United States of America, whereIn 2018, the Company leasesentered into an agreement to sign a future lease related to approximately 90,000 square feet of office space. The Company leases approximately 258,000222,000 square feet of office space in Amsterdam, Netherlandsthe city of Manchester in the United Kingdom for the future headquarters of Rentalcars.com. The Company's obligation to execute the Booking.com business;lease is conditional upon the agoda.com business has significant support operationslessor completing certain activities, which are expected to be completed in Bangkok, Thailand, where2021. If these activities are completed, the Company leaseslease will commence for a term of approximately 144,000 square feet of office space; the Company 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, for the headquarters of the OpenTable business;13 years and the Company leaseswill have a lease obligation of approximately 45,000 square feet of office space in Manchester, England for the headquarters of the Rentalcars.com business.65 million British Pounds Sterling ($86 million), excluding lease incentives. The Company leases additional office spacewill also make capital expenditures to support its operations in various locations around the world, including hostingfit out and data center facilities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong and China and sales and support facilities in numerous locations.
Other thanfurnish the office building in the Netherlands that is currently under construction, as discussed above,space.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company does not own any real estate ashad issued $155 million of December 31, 2017. Minimum paymentsstandby letters of credit or bank guarantees in addition to those issued under the revolving credit facility, primarily related to payment guarantees to third-party payment processors. See Note 12 for operating leases for office space, data centers and equipment having initial or remaining non-cancellable terms in excessinformation related to letters of one year have been translated into U.S. Dollars atcredit issued under the December 31, 2017 spot exchange rates, as applicable, and are as follows (in thousands):revolving credit facility.
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 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 ofat 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, 20172019, 20162018 and 20152017 were approximately $26 million, $14.522 million, $10.2 million and $8.415 million, respectively.
| |
16.18. | GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION |
The Company's international information consists of the resultsinformation of Booking.com, agoda.comagoda and Rentalcars.com (which began operating as part of Booking.com on January 1, 2018)in their entirety and the resultsinformation of the international businesses of KAYAK and OpenTable. This classification is independent of where the consumer resides, where the consumer is physically located while using the Company's services or the location of the travel service provider or 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)millions):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | United States | | International | | Total Company | |
| | | The Netherlands | | Other | | |
| 2019 | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| Total Revenues | $ | 1,537 |
| | $ | 11,686 |
| | $ | 1,843 |
| | $ | 15,066 |
| |
| Intangible assets, net | 1,552 |
| | 94 |
| | 308 |
| | 1,954 |
| |
| Goodwill | 1,813 |
| | 461 |
| | 639 |
| | 2,913 |
| |
Other long-lived assets (1) | 201 |
| | 1,278 |
| | 345 |
| | 1,824 |
| |
| | | | | | | | | |
2018 (2) | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| Total Revenues | $ | 1,536 |
| (3) | $ | 11,348 |
| | $ | 1,643 |
| | $ | 14,527 |
| (3) |
| Intangible assets, net | 1,665 |
| | 112 |
| | 348 |
| | 2,125 |
| |
| Goodwill | 1,807 |
| | 461 |
| | 642 |
| | 2,910 |
| |
| Other long-lived assets | 152 |
| | 436 |
| | 196 |
| | 784 |
| |
| | | | | | | | | |
2017 (2) | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
| Total Revenues | $ | 1,620 |
| (4) | $ | 9,735 |
| | $ | 1,326 |
| | $ | 12,681 |
| (4) |
| Intangible assets, net | 1,790 |
| | 44 |
| | 343 |
| | 2,177 |
| |
| Goodwill | 1,807 |
| | 342 |
| | 589 |
| | 2,738 |
| |
| Other long-lived assets | 124 |
| | 311 |
| | 151 |
| | 586 |
| |
(1) Other long-lived assets at December 31, 2019 reflects operating lease assets of $620 million recognized as a result of the adoption of the current lease standard on January 1, 2019 (see Notes 2 and 10) and the Company's payment of $403 million in 2019 to French tax authorities in order to preserve its right to contest the assessments in court (see Note 16).
(2) Geographic information for 2018 and 2017 has been recast to conform to the current year presentation.
(3) Total revenues are reported on a net basis for Name Your Own Price® transactions under the current revenue recognition standard, which have been reduced for cost of revenues of $170 million in the year ended December 31, 2018 (see Note 2).
(4) Total revenues were reported on a gross basis for Name Your Own Price® transactions under the previous revenue recognition standard, which were not reduced for cost of revenues of $242 million in the year ended December 31, 2017 (see Note 2).
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 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 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| 2015 | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| Revenues | $ | 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 |
|
| Goodwill | 2,742,535 |
| | 232,982 |
| | 399,483 |
| | 3,375,000 |
|
| Other long-lived assets | 89,656 |
| | 138,329 |
| | 103,142 |
| | 331,127 |
|
17.19. SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | First Quarter | | Second Quarter | | Third Quarter | | Fourth Quarter |
| | (In millions, except per share data) |
| | | | | | | | |
| 2019 | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Total revenues | $ | 2,837 |
| | $ | 3,850 |
| | $ | 5,040 |
| | $ | 3,339 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Net income | 765 |
| | 979 |
| | 1,950 |
| | 1,171 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Net income applicable to common stockholders per basic common share | $ | 17.01 |
| | $ | 22.62 |
| | $ | 46.01 |
| | $ | 28.07 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Net income applicable to common stockholders per diluted common share | $ | 16.85 |
| | $ | 22.44 |
| | $ | 45.54 |
| | $ | 27.75 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 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 | ) |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | First Quarter | | Second Quarter | | Third Quarter | | Fourth Quarter |
| | (In millions, except per share data) |
| | | | | | | | |
| 2018 | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Total revenues | $ | 2,928 |
| | $ | 3,537 |
| | $ | 4,849 |
| | $ | 3,213 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Net income | 607 |
| | 977 |
| | 1,768 |
| | 646 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
Net income applicable to common stockholders per basic common share | $ | 12.56 |
| | $ | 20.34 |
| | $ | 37.39 |
| | $ | 14.00 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Net income applicable to common stockholders per diluted common share | $ | 12.34 |
| | $ | 20.13 |
| | $ | 37.02 |
| | $ | 13.86 |
|
(1) Includes
20. ACQUISITIONS
Acquisition activities in 2018
In April 2018, the Company paid $139 million, net of cash acquired, and issued shares of the Company's common stock in the amount of $110 million in connection with the acquisition of FareHarbor, a provisional tax expenseleading provider 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 relatedbusiness-to-business activities distribution services. In respect to the remeasurement of the Company’s U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities, for the fourth quarter of 2017,shares issued, as a result of the Tax Act (see Note 13).
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | First Quarter | | Second Quarter | | Third Quarter | | Fourth Quarter |
| | (In thousands, except per share data) |
| | | | | | | | |
| 2016 | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Total revenues | $ | 2,148,119 |
| | $ | 2,555,902 |
| | $ | 3,690,552 |
| | $ | 2,348,433 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Gross profit | 2,019,450 |
| | 2,429,818 |
| | 3,589,063 |
| | 2,276,361 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
Net income(1) | 374,424 |
| | 580,638 |
| | 506,017 |
| | 673,908 |
|
| | | | | | | | |
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(1) | $ | 7.47 |
| | $ | 11.60 |
| | $ | 10.13 |
| | $ | 13.47 |
|
(1) Includes a non-cash chargeshown in the third quartersupplemental disclosure in the Consolidated Statement of 2016 relatedCash Flows, $59 million relates to an impairmentpurchase price consideration and $51 million relates to shares restricted for trading purposes until the required post-acquisition services are completed by certain employees.
In November 2018, the Company paid $134 million, net of OpenTable goodwillcash acquired, to complete the acquisition of $940.7 million, whichHotelsCombined, a hotel meta-search company.
The Company's Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of these businesses starting at their respective acquisition dates. Revenues and earnings of these businesses since their respective acquisition dates and pro forma results of operations have not been presented separately as such financial information is not tax deductible (see Note 9). The goodwill impairment charge reduced basic and diluted net income per share formaterial to the third quarterCompany's results of 2016 by $19.03 and $18.82, respectively.operations.
18. ACQUISITIONS
Acquisition activity in 2017
OnIn July 24, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of the Momondo Group, which operates the travel meta-search websites momondoMomondo and Cheapflights, for $555.5$556 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 |
| | $ | 50 |
|
Identifiable intangible assets (2) | | 333.3 |
| | 333 |
|
Goodwill (3) | | 288.3 |
| | 288 |
|
| Property and equipment | | 1.2 |
| | 1 |
|
Total liabilities (4) | | (116.6 | ) | | (116 | ) |
| Total consideration | | $ | 555.5 |
| | $ | 556 |
|
(1) Includes cash acquired of $14.6$15 million.
(2) Acquired definite-lived intangible assets, consisted of distribution agreements of $213.5$214 million with a weighted-average useful life of 15 years, trade names of $104.4$104 million with a weighted-average useful life of 13 years and technology of $15.4$15 million with a weighted-average life of 4 years.
(3) Goodwill is not tax deductible.
(4) Includes deferred tax liabilities of $70.4$70 million and third-party senior debt of $15.1$15 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$5 million of professional fees for the year ended December 31, 2017 related to this acquisition. The acquisition-related expenses were included in general"General and administrativeadministrative" expenses in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Liability associated with the Earnout Arrangement for Business 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 Statements include the accounts of these businesses beginning at their respective acquisition dates.Revenues and earnings of these businesses since their respective acquisition dates 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 ofAt December 31, 2017 and 2016,2018, the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets includeincluded a long-term liability of approximately $9$28 million for estimated contingent considerationpayments for a business acquired in 2015. The fair value of the purchase of one business. The estimated acquisition-date contingent liability, which is considered a "Level 3" fair value measurement (see Note 6), was based upon the probability-weighted average payments for specific performance factors from the acquisition date through the end of the performance period which ends aton March 31, 2019. The range of undiscounted outcomes for the estimated contingent payments is approximately $0 to $90 million.
Other
In the second quarter of 2014, the Company acquired a business that provides hotel marketing services. As of December 31, 2014, the Company recognized a liability of $10.7 million for estimated contingent payments related to this acquisition. In 2015,2019, the Company paid $18.4$37 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.
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, whichdisclosuresarenot 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.
|
| |
Exhibit Number | Description |
| Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant. |
| Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant. |
4.1 | Reference is hereby made to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2. |
4.2(b) | Specimen Certificate for Registrant's Common Stock. |
| Indenture, dated as of March 12, 2012, between the Registrant and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as Trustee. |
| Indenture, dated as of June 4, 2013, between the Registrant and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as Trustee. |
| Indenture, dated as of August 20, 2014, between the Registrant and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as Trustee. |
| Indenture for the 2.375% Senior Notes due 2024, 1.800% Senior Notes due 2027, 3.650% Senior Notes due 2025, 2.15% Senior Notes due 2022 and 3.600% Senior Notes due 2026, between the Registrant and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee. |
| 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. |
| Officers' Certificate, dated September 23, 2014, for the 2.375% Senior Notes due 2024. |
| Form of 1.800% Senior Note due 2027. |
| Officers' Certificate, dated March 3, 2015, for the 1.800% Senior Notes due 2027. |
| Form of 3.650% Senior Note due 2025. |
| Officers' Certificate, dated March 13, 2015, for the 3.650% Senior Notes due 2025. |
| Form of 2.15% Senior Note due 2022. |
| Officers' Certificate, dated November 25, 2015, for the 2.15% Senior Notes due 2022. |
| Form 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 March 2, 2017). |
| Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Employees in the Netherlands under the 1999 Omnibus Plan. |
| Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for awards under the 1999 Omnibus Plan to non-employee directors. |
| 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. |
| Amended and Restated KAYAK Software Corporation 2012 Equity Incentive Plan. |
| OpenTable, Inc. Amended and Restated 2009 Equity Incentive Award Plan. |
| Buuteeq, Inc. Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Plan. |
| Amended and Restated Rocket Travel, Inc. 2012 Stock Incentive Plan. |
| Amended and Restated Annual Bonus Plan. |
| Form of Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement. |
| Transition Agreement dated November 7, 2013 by and between the Registrant and Jeffery H. Boyd. |
| Letter agreement, dated October 19, 2005 by and between the Registrant and Daniel J. Finnegan. |
| Letter amendment, dated December 16, 2008, to letter agreement, dated October 19, 2005 by and between the Registrant and Daniel J. Finnegan. |
| Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated April 21, 2015 by and between the Registrant and Peter J. Millones.
|
| Amended and Restated Employment contract, dated May 19, 2016 by and between Booking.com Holding B.V. and Gillian Tans.
|
| 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 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. |
| Certification of 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). |
| 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, 2017 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 (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 February 21, 2018 (File No. 1-36691). |
(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). |
(c) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2012 (File No. 0-25581). |
(d) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 4, 2013 (File No. 0-25581). |
(e) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 20, 2014 (File No. 0-25581). |
(f) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 25, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
(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). |
(i) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 26, 2014 (File No. 0-25581). |
(j) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 2, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
(k) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
(l) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 12, 2015 (File No. 1-36691). |
(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 March 10, 2017 (File No. 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). |
(s) | Previously filed as an exhibit to the Current Report on Form 8‑K filed on March 9, 2011 (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 Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 10, 2016 (File No. 1-36691). |
(v) | 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). |
(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 Current Report on Form 8-K filed on 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). |
(hh) | This document is being furnished in accordance with SEC Release Nos. 33‑8212 and 34‑47551. |