UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 (Mark(Mark One)

þQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________
 
Commission file number: 000-26427
Stamps.com Inc.
(Exact nameName of registrantRegistrant as specifiedSpecified in its charter)Its Charter)

Delaware 77-0454966
(State or other jurisdictionOther Jurisdiction of incorporationIncorporation or organization)Organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1990 E. Grand Avenue
El Segundo, California 90245
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)

(310) 482-5800
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: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 registrantRegistrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ  No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ  No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large"large accelerated filer,” “accelerated" "accelerated filer,” “smaller" "smaller reporting company," and “emerging"emerging growth company”company" in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 
Large accelerated filer  þ
Accelerated filer 
   
 
Non-accelerated filer  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company 
   
 
Emerging growth company 
 

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 registrantRegistrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes    No þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
Yes ☐    No ☐



Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
·As
Title of October 31, 2017, there were 17,478,768 shareseach classTrading Symbol(s)Name of the Registrant’s each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, issued and outstanding.par value $0.001 per shareSTMPThe NASDAQ Stock Market



As of April 30, 2019, there were 17,316,796 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock outstanding.




STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017MARCH 31, 2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS
   
Page
  
 ITEM 1.
    
 ITEM 2.19
    
 ITEM 3.34
    
 ITEM 4.34
    
34
  
 ITEM 1.34
    
 ITEM1A.34
    
 ITEM 2.35
    
 ITEM 3.35
    
 ITEM 4.35
    
 ITEM 5.35
    
 ITEM 6.36


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
    
September 30,
2017
    
December 31,
2016
  
  (Unaudited)    
Assets      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $183,538  $106,932 
Short-term investments     1,511 
Accounts receivable, net  52,555   62,756 
Other current assets  44,616   13,081 
Total current assets  280,709   184,280 
Property and equipment, net  38,138   36,829 
Goodwill  239,705   239,705 
Intangible assets, net  85,000   97,027 
Deferred income taxes, net.  42,231   48,782 
Other assets  5,579   3,506 
Total assets $691,362  $610,129 
         
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $88,830  $86,205 
Deferred revenue  3,598   3,858 
Current portion of debt, net of debt issuance costs  7,876   6,329 
Total current liabilities  100,304   96,392 
Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs  125,117   141,025 
Total liabilities  225,421   237,417 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 3)        
Stockholders' equity:        
Common stock, $.001 par value per share        
Authorized shares: 47,500 in 2017 and 2016        
Issued shares: 31,772 in 2017 and 30,507 in 2016        
Outstanding shares: 17,337 in 2017 and 16,897 in 2016  54   53 
Additional paid-in capital  940,001   855,344 
Treasury stock, at cost, 14,435 shares in 2017 and 13,610 in 2016  (356,908)  (252,981)
Accumulated deficit  (117,213)  (229,715)
Accumulated other comprehensive income  7   11 
Total stockholders' equity  465,941   372,712 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $691,362  $610,129 
  March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018
Assets   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$110,925
 $113,757
Accounts receivable, net76,079
 83,595
Current income taxes1,723
 8,465
Prepaid expenses15,355
 13,072
Other current assets13,491
 10,722
Total current assets217,573
 229,611
Property and equipment, net35,101
 36,337
Goodwill384,506
 381,710
Intangible assets, net159,460
 163,859
Deferred income taxes, net29,874
 29,874
Lease right-of-use assets17,159
 
Other assets12,736
 11,383
Total assets$856,409
 $852,774
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity 
  
Current liabilities: 
  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses$119,237
 $133,626
Deferred revenue7,301
 7,159
Current portion of debt, net of debt issuance costs10,970
 10,454
Current portion of lease right-of-use liabilities3,884
 
Total current liabilities141,392
 151,239
Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs47,188
 50,189
Deferred income taxes, net18,749
 18,665
Long-term portion of lease right-of-use liabilities14,533
 
Other liabilities19,918
 19,016
Total liabilities241,780
 239,109
Commitments and contingencies (Note 3)

 

Stockholders' equity: 
  
Common stock, $.001 par value per share 
  
Authorized shares: 47,500 in 2019 and 2018   
Issued shares: 33,089 in 2019 and 33,042 in 2018 
  
Outstanding shares: 17,472 in 2019 and 17,662 in 201856
 56
Additional paid-in capital1,063,007
 1,049,669
Treasury stock, at cost, 15,617 shares in 2019 and 15,380 in 2018(560,620) (528,529)
Retained earnings107,467
 91,712
Accumulated other comprehensive income4,719
 757
Total stockholders' equity614,629
 613,665
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity$856,409
 $852,774
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Revenues:            
Service $97,529  $78,871  $292,634  $220,567 
Product  4,824   4,703   15,301   15,109 
Insurance  4,099   4,050   12,932   12,643 
Customized postage  8,588   4,912   15,306   10,016 
Other  22   23   69   74 
Total revenues  115,062   92,559   336,242   258,409 
Cost of revenues (exclusive of amortization of intangible assets, which is included in general and administrative expense):                
Service  11,882   9,903   37,284   28,054 
Product  1,535   1,579   4,930   5,019 
Insurance  966   1,291   3,547   3,920 
Customized postage  7,151   3,954   12,600   8,076 
Total cost of revenues  21,534   16,727   58,361   45,069 
Gross profit  93,528   75,832   277,881   213,340 
Operating expenses:                
Sales and marketing  20,588   18,229   66,018   59,708 
Research and development  12,037   9,111   34,187   25,579 
General and administrative  25,243   16,901   65,676   49,276 
Total operating expenses  57,868   44,241   165,881   134,563 
Income from operations  35,660   31,591   112,000   78,777 
Interest expense  (967)  (828)  (2,779)  (2,648)
Interest and other income  120   24   309   98 
Income before income taxes 
  34,813   30,787   109,530   76,227 
Income tax (benefit) expense 
  (11,412  12,115   (873  30,026 
Net income $46,225  $18,672  $110,403  $46,201 
Net income per share                
Basic 
 $2.71  $1.08  $6.51  $2.67 
Diluted $2.49  $1.03  $6.04  $2.52 
Weighted average shares outstanding                
Basic  17,073   17,218   16,969   17,319 
Diluted  18,548   18,120   18,282   18,325 
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 2019 2018
Revenues:   
Service$123,907
 $120,916
Product5,405
 5,679
Insurance3,334
 4,368
Customized postage3,357
 2,580
Other
 22
Total revenues136,003
 133,565
Cost of revenues (exclusive of amortization of intangible assets, which is included in general and administrative expense): 
  
Service32,235
 20,649
Product1,673
 1,751
Insurance
 998
Customized postage2,431
 2,129
Total cost of revenues36,339
 25,527
Gross profit99,664
 108,038
Operating expenses: 
  
Sales and marketing32,881
 25,748
Research and development17,314
 12,073
General and administrative26,228
 21,016
Total operating expenses76,423
 58,837
Income from operations23,241
 49,201
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net(95) 
Interest expense(714) (590)
Interest income and other income, net65
 49
Income before income taxes  22,497
 48,660
Income tax expense6,742
 1,616
Net income$15,755
 $47,044
Net income per share: 
  
Basic  $0.90
 $2.67
Diluted$0.87
 $2.54
Weighted average shares outstanding:   
Basic17,547
 17,644
Diluted18,015
 18,511

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
             
Net income $46,225  $18,672  $110,403  $46,201 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:                
Unrealized loss on investments     (7)  (4)  (3)
Comprehensive income $46,225  $18,665  $110,399  $46,198 
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 2019 2018
Net income$15,755
 $47,044
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: 
  
Foreign currency translation adjustments3,966
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments(4) 1
Comprehensive income$19,717
 $47,045
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

3

 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Treasury Stock at Cost Retained Earnings 
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 Total
Shares Amount 
Balance at December 31, 201817,662
 $56
 $1,049,669
 $(528,529) $91,712
 $757
 $613,665
Net income
 
 
 
 15,755
 
 15,755
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 3,962
 3,962
Issuance of shares for performance-based awards4
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock-based compensation expense
 
 8,857
 
 
 
 8,857
Exercise of stock options29
 
 2,381
 
 
 
 2,381
Shares issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan13
 
 2,100
 
 
 
 2,100
Stock repurchase, excluding tax withholding stock repurchase(235) 
 
 (31,998) 
 
 (31,998)
Tax withholding stock repurchase(1) 
 
 (93) 
 
 (93)
Balance at March 31, 201917,472
 $56
 $1,063,007
 $(560,620) $107,467
 $4,719
 $614,629

 Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Treasury Stock at Cost Accumulated Deficit 
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 Total
Shares Amount 
Balance at December 31, 201717,573
 $55
 $962,227
 $(387,545) $(76,930) $6
 $497,813
Net income
 
 
 
 47,044
 
 47,044
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 1
 1
Issuance of shares for performance-based awards56
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock-based compensation expense
 
 7,548
 
 
 
 7,548
Exercise of stock options380
 
 19,632
 
 
 
 19,632
Shares issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan15
 
 1,981
 
 
 
 1,981
Stock repurchase, excluding tax withholding stock repurchase(120) 
 
 (23,221) 
 
 (23,221)
Tax withholding stock repurchase(21) 
 
 (4,144) 
 
 (4,144)
Balance at March 31, 201817,883
 $55
 $991,388
 $(414,910) $(29,886) $7
 $546,654

Table of Contents

















STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
  
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016 
Operating activities:      
Net income $110,403  $46,201 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization  16,055   13,922 
Stock-based compensation expense  33,669   24,755 
Deferred income tax expense  8,650   26,724 
Stock option windfall tax benefit     (9,771)
Accretion of debt issuance costs  279   279 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired:        
Accounts receivable  10,201   (3,843)
Other current assets, net of excess tax benefit from stock-based award activity  (31,535)  (1,275)
Other assets  (2,073)  (508)
Deferred revenue  (261)  2,122 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  3,647   5,350 
Net cash provided by operating activities  149,035   103,956 
         
Investing activities:        
Sale of short-term investments  1,502   6,988 
Sale of long-term investments  10   77 
Purchase of long-term investments  (4)  (15)
Acquisition of Endicia     (573)
Acquisition of ShippingEasy, net of cash acquired     (55,447)
Acquisition of property and equipment  (5,972)  (2,903)
Net cash used in investing activities  (4,464)  (51,873)
         
Financing activities:        
Proceeds from short term financing obligation, net of repayments  (389)  2,713 
Principal payments on term loan  (4,641)  (3,092)
Payment on revolving credit facility  (10,000)  (10,000)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options  48,054   9,773 
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan  2,937   2,181 
Repurchase of common stock  (103,127)  (47,411)
Shares withheld to satisfy statutory income tax withholding obligations  (799)   
Stock option windfall tax benefit     9,771 
Net cash used in financing activities  (67,965)  (36,065)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  76,606   16,018 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  106,932   65,126 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $183,538  $81,144 
         
Supplemental information:        
Capital expenditures accrued but not paid at period end $123  $122 
Issuance of 2015 and 2014 earn-out shares $  $63,209 
Noncash adjustment of purchase price for Endicia acquisition $  $372 
Tenant improvement allowance $848  $676 
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 2019 2018
Operating activities:   
Net income$15,755
 $47,044
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: 
  
Depreciation and amortization7,036
 5,335
Stock-based compensation expense8,857
 7,548
Deferred income tax expense
 872
Accretion of debt issuance costs93
 93
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired: 
  
Accounts receivable7,639
 (11,267)
Prepaid expenses(2,750) (1,190)
Other current assets(2,765) (413)
Current income taxes6,742
 696
Lease right-of-use assets715
 
Other assets(1,353) 37
Deferred revenue115
 (29)
Lease right-of-use liabilities(781) 
Other liabilities899
 872
Accounts payable and accrued expenses(6,758) 5,690
Net cash provided by operating activities33,444
 55,288
    
Investing activities: 
  
Acquisition of property and equipment(262) (447)
Net cash used in investing activities(262) (447)
    
Financing activities: 
  
Proceeds from short term financing obligations, net of repayments(5,850) (938)
Principal payments on term loan(2,578) (2,062)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options2,381
 19,632
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan2,100
 1,981
Repurchase of common stock(31,998) (27,365)
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation(93) (4,144)
Net cash used in financing activities(36,038) (12,896)
Effect of exchange rate changes24
 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents(2,832) 41,945
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period113,757
 153,903
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$110,925
 $195,848
    
Supplemental information: 
  
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities included in cash provided by operating activities

$1,132
 $
Lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets

$5,482
 $
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
1.
1.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

We prepared the consolidated financial statements included herein pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States (U.S.) generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. We believe that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. We recommend that these consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our latest annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016,2018, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2017.2019.

In our opinion, these unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary to present fairly our financial position as of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, and our cash flows for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017.March 31, 2019.  The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017.2019.

PrinciplesBasis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include all the accountsassets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows of Stamps.com Inc., and the entities in which we have 100% voting and/or economic control, which includes Auctane LLC (ShipStation), Interapptive, Inc. (ShipWorks), MetaPack Limited (MetaPack), PhotoStamps Inc., PSI Systems, Inc. (Endicia), and ShippingEasy Group, Inc. (ShippingEasy) and PhotoStamps Inc.. In July 2016,August 2018, we completed our acquisition of 100% of the outstanding shares of ShippingEasy.MetaPack. Please see Note 2 - “Acquisitions” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further description. References in this Report to "we" "us" "our" or "Company" are references to Stamps.com Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Because 100% of the voting control of ShipStation, ShipWorks, Endicia and ShippingEasy is held by us, we have consolidated the results of operations of ShipStation, ShipWorks, Endicia and ShippingEasy from the date we obtained control in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Similarly, due to our 100% control of PhotoStamps, Inc., PhotoStamps, Inc. is also consolidated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements from the date of its inception. Intercompany accounts and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the consolidated financial statements. Examples include estimates of loss contingencies, realizability of deferred income taxes, theThere are significant estimates and assumptions used to calculate stock-based compensation,judgments inherent in the estimatespreparation of the consolidated financial statements including the fair value of assets and assumptions used to calculate theliabilities for allocation of the purchase price relatedof companies acquired.
Prior Period Reclassifications
Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to our acquisitions, and estimates regarding the useful lives of our building, amortizable intangible assets, and goodwill.

conform with current period presentation.
Business Combinations

The acquisition method of accounting is used for business combinations. The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in our consolidated financial statements prospectively from the date of acquisition. The fair value of purchase consideration is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the acquired entity and is generally based on their fair value at the acquisition date. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Historically, the primary items that have generated goodwill include anticipated synergies between the acquired business and the Company and the acquired assembled workforce, neither of which qualifies for recognition as an intangible asset. Acquisition-related expenses are recognized in our consolidated financial statements as incurred.


56


STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Contingencies and Litigation

In the ordinary course of business, we are subject to various routine litigation matters as a claimant and a defendant. We record any amounts recovered in these matters when received. We establish loss provisions for claims against us when the loss is both probable and can be reasonably estimated.  If either or both of the criteria are not met, we assess whether there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss, or additional losses, may have been incurred. If there is a reasonable possibility that a loss or additional loss may have been incurred for such proceedings, we disclose the estimate of the amount of loss or possible range of loss, or disclose that an estimate of loss cannot be made, as applicable.

Deferred Revenue

Our deferred revenue relates mainly to service revenue, which generally arises due to the timing of payment versus the provision of services for certain customers billed in advance. Approximately $4.2 million of revenue recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2019 was included in the deferred revenue balance at December 31, 2018. Approximately $2.1 million of revenue recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2018 was included in the deferred revenue balance at December 31, 2017.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Carrying amounts of certain of our financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, approximate fair value due to their short maturities. The fair values of investments are determined using quoted market prices for those securities or similar financial instruments. The Company’s outstanding debt held by third-party financial institutions is carried at cost, adjusted for debt issuance costs. The Company’s debt is not publicly traded and the carrying amount typically approximates fair value for debt that accrues interest at a variable rate for companies with similar financial characteristics as the Company, which are considered Level 2 fair value inputs as defined in footnote 8.Note 8 in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency of the Company’s major foreign subsidiaries is generally the local currency. Adjustments resulting from translating foreign functional currency financial statements into U.S. dollars are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income as a component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net. All assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate during the period.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of consideration given over the fair value of the tangible assets, identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed in a business combination. We are required to test goodwill for impairment annually and whenever events or circumstances indicate the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually on October 1. A reporting unit is the operating segment or a business that is one level below that operating segment. Reporting units are aggregated as a single reporting unit if they have similar economic characteristics. We aggregated our reporting units into a single reporting unit because we determined they have similar economic characteristics.

7

STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually on October 1 utilizing either a qualitative assessment or a two-step process. We have an option to make a qualitative assessment of a reporting unit's goodwill for impairment. If we choose to perform a qualitative assessment and determine the fair value more likely than not exceeds the carrying value, no further evaluation is necessary. For reporting units whereWhen we perform the two-step process, the first step requires us to compare the fair value of eachthe reporting unit, which we primarily determine using an income approach based on the present value of discounted cash flows, to the respective carrying value, which includes goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying value is higher than the fair value, there is an indication that impairment may exist and the second step is required. In step two, the implied fair value of goodwill is calculated as the excess of the fair value of athe reporting unit over the fair values assigned to its assets and liabilities. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill, the difference is recognized as an impairment loss. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, we are not aware of any indicators of impairment that would require an impairment analysis other than our annual goodwill impairment analysis.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment annually on October 1 and whenever events or circumstances indicate that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset may be below its carrying value. In assessing other intangible assets not subject to amortization for impairment, the Company also has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of such an intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of such an intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, then the Company is not required to perform any additional tests for assessing those intangible assets for impairment. However, if the Company concludes otherwise or elects not to perform the qualitative assessment, then it is required to perform a quantitative impairment test that involves a comparison of the estimated fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. As of March 31, 2019, we are not aware of any indicators of impairment that would require an impairment analysis other than our annual indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment analysis.
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Finite-Lived Intangible Assets

Long-lived assets including intangible assets with finite useful lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Intangible assetsWe account for property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset, generally three to five years for furniture, fixtures, and equipment and ten to forty years for building and building improvements. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the remaining term of the lease. We have a policy of capitalizing expenditures that have indefinitematerially increase assets' useful lives and charging ordinary maintenance and repairs to operations as incurred. When property or equipment is disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are not amortized but, instead, are tested at least annually for impairment while intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over their respective useful lives.removed, and any gain or loss is included in income from operations.


8

STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Income Taxes

We are subject to income taxes in the US and Foreign jurisdictions. We provide for income taxes at the current and future enacted tax rate and consistent with the laws applicable in each jurisdiction. We account for income taxes in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ASC Topic No. 740, Income Taxes (Income Taxes), which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities. Income Taxes also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our gross deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50 percent) to be realized.  In order for us to realize our deferred tax assets, we must be able to generate sufficient taxable income. We evaluate the appropriateness of our deferred tax assets and related valuation allowance in accordance with Income Taxes based on all available positive and negative evidence.

Leases

On January 1, 2019, we adopted a new lease accounting standard (ASC Topic No. 842, Leases) (Leases) that sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of leases for both lessees and lessors. For information regarding the impact of adoption, see “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Accounting Guidance Adopted in 2019.”

Under Leases, we determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Right-of-use (ROU) assets and liabilities are recognized at the present value of the future lease payments at the lease commencement date. For this purpose, we consider only payments that are fixed and determinable at the time of commencement. As most of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, weour leases do not have any valuation allowance recordedprovide an implicit rate, the interest rate used to reducedetermine the present value of future lease payments is an estimated incremental borrowing rate. Many of our gross deferred tax assets as we believe we have metleases include one or more options to renew. These options are factored into the more likely than not thresholddetermination of the lease term and we will realize our tax loss carry-forwards in the foreseeable future.lease payments when their exercise is considered to be reasonably certain.

PropertyOur lease agreements generally contain lease and Equipmentnon-lease components. Non-lease components primarily include payments for maintenance and utilities. We elected the practical expedient to combine fixed payments for non-lease components with our lease payments and account for them together as a single lease component which increases the amount of the ROU assets and liabilities.

We account for propertyalso elected to keep leases with an initial term of 12 months or less off the balance sheet and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. We compute depreciation usingrecognize the associated lease payments in the consolidated statements of income on a straight-line methodbasis over the estimated useful lifelease term.

Operating leases are included in lease right-of-use assets, current portion of the asset, generally three to five years for furniture, fixtureslease right-of-use liabilities, and equipment and ten to forty years for building and building improvements. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortizedlong-term portion of lease right-of-use liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the remaininglease term of the lease.  We have a policy of capitalizing expenditures that materially increase assets’ useful lives and charging ordinary maintenance and repairs to operations as incurred. When property or equipment is disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed, and any gain or loss is included in income from operations.operations on our consolidated statements of income.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue from product salesrevenues when we transfer control of promised goods or services rendered, as well as commissions from advertising or sale of products by third party vendors to our customer basecustomers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. We account for a contract when it has approval and commitment from both parties, the following four revenue recognition criteriarights of the parties are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; deliveryidentified, payment terms are identified, the contract has occurred or services have been rendered; the selling price is fixed or determinable;commercial substance, and collectability of consideration is reasonably assured.probable. Our payment terms vary by the products and services offered. The term between billings and when payment is due is not significant.
Revenues are presented on a disaggregated basis on the consolidated statements of operations.

9

STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Service revenue is recognized over time for each month that customers have access to our platform or at a point in time when assets are transferred to the customer. We earn service revenue from our mailing and shipping operations in several different ways: (1) customers may pay us a monthly fee, based on a subscription plan;plan which may be waived or refunded for certain customers, for which we provide them access to our platform. Revenue is earned over the period of time that the customers have access to the platform which is typically month-to-month; (2) we mayhave been, and in the future potentially could be, compensated directly by the United States Postal Service (USPS)USPS and/or other carriers for shipping labels printed that meet certain qualifying customers under our USPS partnership;requirements, in which case revenue is earned over time, which is typically in the same month that the relevant labels are printed; (3) we may earn transaction related revenue based onfrom customers purchasingthat have access to our platform when they purchase postage or printingprint shipping labels;labels, in which case revenue is earned at the point in time we transfer an asset to the customer and have a present right of payment for the asset transferred; (4) we may earn compensation by offering customersrevenue that may take the form of some or all of the spread between the rate a discounted postagecustomer pays and the rate that is provided to the customerscarrier or integration partner receives, either charged directly or paid by our integration partners;partners, in which case revenue is earned at a point in time, which is typically when the customer purchases postage or prints a shipping label; and (5) we may earn other types of revenue shares or other compensation from specific customers that have access to our platform or through integration partners.  Revenuepartners, in which case revenue is recognized at a point in the period that services are provided.

time, which is when we have fulfilled our performance obligations.
Customers may purchase postage and other delivery services from the USPS and other carriers through our mailing and shipping solutions.  Postage purchaseWhen funds that are transferred directly from the customers to the USPScarrier, these funds are not recognized as revenue. We also provide mailing and shipping services for which the cost of postage or delivery is included in the cost of the service and, therefore, is recognized as service revenue.
Product revenue for this postage, as it is purchased byconsists of products sold through the mailing and shipping supplies stores which are available to our customers from within some of our mailing and shipping solutions. Products sold include shipping labels, mailing labels, dedicated postage printers, scales, and other mailing and shipping-focused office supplies. We recognize product revenue on product purchases upon delivery of the order to the customer.
We provide our customers with the opportunity to purchase parcel insurance directly through our solutions. Beginning on October 1, 2018, insurance revenue represents the amount we receive from customers net of the USPS.
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
revenues represented the amount paid to our insurance providers. We recognize insurance revenue on insurance purchases upon the ship date of the insured package, which is the point in time when we have fulfilled our performance obligations.
Customized postage revenue, which includes the face value of postage, from the sale of PhotoStamps and PictureItPostagecustomized postage sheets and rolls is made pursuant to a sales contract that provides forrecognized upon transfer of both title and riskcontrol of lossthe product to the customer, which occurs upon our delivery to the carrier and revenue is recognized at that time.

carrier.
On a limited basis, we allow third parties to offer products and promotions to our customer base. These arrangements generally provide payment in the form of a flat fee or revenue sharing arrangements where we receive payment upon customers accessing third party products and services. Total revenue from such advertising arrangements was not significant during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 or 2016.March 31, 2018, respectively.

Segment Information

We providehave organized our customers with the opportunityoperations into two segments: Stamps.com and MetaPack. Please see Note 10 - “Segment and Geographical Information” in our Notes to purchase parcel insurance directly through our solutions. Insurance revenue represents the gross amount charged to the customerConsolidated Financial Statements for purchasing insurance and the related cost represents the amount paid to our insurance providers. We recognize insurance revenue on insurance purchases upon the ship date of the insured package.further description. 

Short-Term Financing Obligations

We utilize short-term financing, which is separate from our debt, to fund certain Company operations.  Short-term financing obligations are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, we had $15.2$18.0 million in short-term financing obligations and $90.4$50.1 million of unused short-term financing obligations credit. As of December 31, 2016,2018, we had $15.6$23.8 million in short-term financing obligations and $90.0$96.7 million of unused credit.

Trademarks and Intangible Assets

Acquired trademarks and intangibles include both amortizable and non-amortizable assets and are included in intangible assets, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Cost associated with internally developed intangible assets is typically expensed as incurred as research and development costs.  Amortization of amortizable intangible assets is calculated on a straight-line basis, which is consistent with the expected future cash flows.
10

Treasury Stock

During the nine-months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, we repurchased approximately 818,000 shares and 528,000 shares for $103.1 million and $47.4 million, respectively. Also, 6,670 shares were withheld to satisfy income tax obligations related to performance-based inducement equity awards issued to the General Manager and Chief Technology Officer of ShippingEasy on March 31, 2017.

Accounting Guidance Adopted in 2017
Share-based Payment Transactions to Employees

On January 1, 2017, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718):  Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (ASU 2016-09) issued by the FASB on a prospective basis that changes the reporting for certain aspects of share-based payments. One aspect of the guidance requires that the income tax effects of share-based awards be recognized in the income tax provision in the consolidated statement of operations when the awards vest or are settled. Under the previous guidance, excess tax benefits and deficiencies were recognized in additional paid-in capital in the consolidated balance sheets when the awards vested or were settled.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the amount of excess tax benefits recognized in the income tax provision was approximately $41.8 million.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the amount of excess tax benefits recognized in additional paid-in capital was not material. In addition, because excess tax benefits are no longer recognized in additional paid-in capital under the new guidance, such amounts are no longer included in the determination of assumed proceeds in applying the treasury stock method when computing earnings per share.
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

A net cumulative-effect adjustment of $2.1 million, which was an increase to retained earnings and the deferred tax asset balance as of January 1, 2017, was recorded to reflect the recognition of the previously unrecognized excess tax benefits using the modified retrospective method.

Another aspect of the new guidance requires that excess tax benefits be classified as a cash flow from operating activities, rather than a cash flow from financing activities, in the consolidated statement of cash flows. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the amount of excess tax benefits presented as a cash flow from operating activities was $41.8 million; this amount is included within the change of other current assets, net of excess tax benefit from stock-based award activity line item in the consolidated statement of cash flowsFor the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the amount of excess tax benefits presented as a cash flow from financing was not material.  The presentation requirements for cash flows related to excess tax benefits were adopted prospectively. Accordingly, the operating activity cash flows were not adjusted for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The new standard also provides an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur.  We elected to account for forfeitures as they occur, rather than estimate expected forfeitures. The impact of this was not material.

Another aspect of the new guidance clarifies that all cash payments made to tax authorities on an employee’s behalf for withheld shares should be presented as a financing activity on our consolidated statements of cash flows. The presentation requirements for cash flows related to employee taxes paid for withheld shares were adopted retrospectively. The Company did not withhold shares for employee taxes in fiscal 2016; as such, there was no change to the December 31, 2016 consolidated statement of cash flows related to employee taxes. The Company accrued $0.8 million of employee taxes in the first quarter of 2017 for withheld shares, which were classified as a financing activity on our consolidated statements of cash flows when paid in the second quarter of 2017.

The other aspects of the new guidance did not have any material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Inventory Measurement Principle

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, a new accounting standard which changed the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost and net realizable value for entities that do not use the last-in, first-out (LIFO) or retail inventory method. The changes also eliminate the requirement to consider replacement cost or net realizable value less an approximately normal profit margin when measuring inventory for entities that do not use the LIFO or retail inventory method. The changes were effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2017 using a prospective transition approach. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09) an updated standard on revenue recognition. This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance.  ASU 2014-09 provides enhancements to the quality and consistency of how revenue is reported while also improving comparability in the financial statements of companies reporting using U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards.  The core principle of the new standard is for companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, the companies may be required to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current authoritative guidance.
During fiscal 2017, the FASB issued additional clarification guidance on the new revenue recognition standard which also included certain scope improvements and practical expedients. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018 and may be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (modified retrospective approach).
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
The Company has completed the review of its material contracts and performed a preliminary assessment of the impact of the new standard.  While the Company has not finalized its evaluation of the impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, it does not anticipate a material impact on the financial statements when the standard is adopted in 2018. The Company currently plans to adopt under the modified retrospective method. However, a final decision regarding the adoption method has not been made at this time.
Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, a new accounting standard for leases. The new standard generally requires the recognition of financing and operating lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets on the balance sheet. For financing leases, a lessee recognizes amortization of the right-of-use asset as an operating expense over the lease term separately from interest on the lease liability. For operating leases, a lessee recognizes its total lease expense as an operating expense over the lease term. The amendments are effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2019 using a modified retrospective approach with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill Impairment

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, a standard which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment. The guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. Goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill.  The guidance will become effective on a prospective basis for the Company on January 1, 2020 and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Definition of a Business

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2013-12, guidance that changes the definition of a business for accounting purposes. Under the new guidance, an entity first determines whether substantially all of the fair value of a set of assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If this threshold is met, the set of assets is not deemed to be a business. If this threshold is not met, the entity then evaluates whether the set of assets meets the requirement to be deemed a business, which at minimum, requires there to be an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. The guidance will become effective on a prospective basis for the Company on January 1, 2020 and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Subsequent Events

We are not aware of any material subsequent events or transactions that have occurred that would require recognition in the financial statements or disclosure in the notes to the financial statements.

2.Acquisitions

We have accounted for all of our acquisitions under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic No. 805 Business Combinations.

ShippingEasy Acquisition

On July 1, 2016, we completed our acquisition of ShippingEasy Group, Inc. (ShippingEasy) when our wholly owned subsidiary was merged with and into ShippingEasy, resulting in our 100% ownership of ShippingEasy.  The merger agreement provided for us to pay $55.0 million in aggregate merger consideration to the former owners of ShippingEasy, payable in cash. The purchase price was subject to adjustments for changes in ShippingEasy’s net working capital.  The net purchase price including adjustments for net working capital totaled approximately $55.4 million and was funded from current cash and investment balances.
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
In connection with the acquisition, we issued performance-based inducement equity awards to each of the General Manager and Chief Technology Officer of ShippingEasy. These inducement awards cover an aggregate of up to 43,567 common shares each if earnings targets for ShippingEasy are achieved over a two and one-half year period that began July 1, 2016. The two and one-half year period is divided into three phases consisting of the six months ended December 31, 2016 and each of the twelve months ending December 31, 2017 and 2018. The awards are subject to proration if at least 75% of the applicable target is achieved and are subject to forfeiture or acceleration based on changes in employment circumstances over the performance period. We recognize stock-based compensation expense associated with the performance-based inducement equity award ratably over each phase based on the estimated probable achievement of each financial target. The awards were a material inducement to the General Manager and Chief Technology Officer entering into employment agreements with Stamps.com in connection with the acquisition of ShippingEasy. In fiscal 2016, we determined the achievement of 100% of the earnings target for the six months ended December 31, 2016 was probable, therefore, we recognized approximately $1.9 million of stock-based compensation expense, representing 21,783 shares, for these inducement equity awards during the six months ended December 31, 2016. The $1.9 million of stock-based compensation expense recognized represents 100% of the total performance-based inducement equity award for the first phase. The equity award for the first phase was issued in the first quarter of 2017 with 15,113 shares distributed and 6,670 shares withheld to satisfy income tax obligations. In the first, second and third quarters of 2017, we determined the achievement of 100% of the earnings target for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 is probable, therefore, we recognized approximately $1.2 million and $3.7 million of stock-based compensation expense for these inducement equity awards during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.  The $3.7 million of stock-based compensation expense recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 represents 75% of the total performance-based inducement equity award for the second phase.

We also issued inducement stock option grants for an aggregate of approximately 62,000 shares of Stamps.com common stock to 48 new employees in connection with our acquisition of ShippingEasy. Each option vests 25% on the one year anniversary of the July 1, 2016 grant date with the remaining 75% vesting in approximately equal monthly increments over the immediately succeeding thirty-six months provided that the option holder is still employed by the Company on the vesting dates. The stock options have a ten year term and an exercise price equal to the closing price of Stamps.com common stock on the grant date of July 1, 2016. The stock options were granted as inducements material to the new employees entering into employment with Stamps.com in connection with the acquisition of ShippingEasy. The related stock-based compensation expense we recognized in fiscal 2016 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was not material.
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
The total net purchase price for the ShippingEasy acquisition was allocated to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on their fair values. The following table is the final allocation of the purchase price (in thousands, except years):
  Fair Value  Fair Value  
Useful Life
(In Years)
  
Weighted
Average
Estimated
Useful Life
(In Years)
 
Trade accounts receivable $1,194          
Other assets  76          
Property and equipment  40          
Goodwill  40,953          
Identifiable intangible assets:             
Trade name     $1,304   8    
Developed technology      6,948   5    
Customer relationships      6,316   5    
Non-compete agreements      1,111  3 to 5    
Total identifiable intangible assets  15,679           5 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  (707)            
Deferred revenue  (185)            
Deferred tax liability  (1,603)            
Total purchase price  55,447             
Less: settlement of preexisting relationship (accounts receivable)  1,194             
Purchase price, net of settlement $54, 253             
Goodwill represented the excess of the fair value of consideration given over the fair value of the tangible assets, identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed in the business combination and the potential acquisition related synergies.  Such synergies include leveraging Stamps.com’s resources, personnel, expertise and capital to grow ShippingEasy’s revenue faster than it otherwise would have as a standalone company. The identified intangible assets consisted of trade names, developed technology, non-compete agreements and customer relationships.  The estimated fair values of the trademark and developed technology were determined using the “relief from royalty” method.  The estimated fair value of the non-compete agreements was determined using the “with and without” method.  The estimated fair value of customer relationships was determined using the “excess earnings” method.  The rate utilized to discount net cash flows to their present values was approximately 23% and was determined after consideration of the overall enterprise rate of return and the relative risk and importance of the assets to the generation of future cash flows.  Trademark, developed technology, non-compete and customer relationships are each amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.  The amortization of acquired intangibles is approximately $761,000 per quarter for the remaining estimated useful lives.  The goodwill recorded in this acquisition was not deductible for tax purposes.

3.Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings

In the ordinary course of business, we are subject to various routine legal proceedings and claims incidental to our business, and we do not believe that these proceedings and claims would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Although management at present believes that the ultimate outcome of the various routine proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, will not materially harm our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or overall trends, legal proceedings are subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings or other events could occur. An unfavorable outcome for an amount in excess of management’s present expectations may result in a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial position, and overall trends.
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
Commitments

The Company leases facilities pursuant to noncancelable operating lease agreements expiring through fiscal 2021. Rent expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease incentives are amortized over the lease term on a straight-line basis. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the remaining term of the lease.  Rent expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $1.0 million and $2.8 million, respectively.  Rent expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was approximately $900,000 and $2.2 million, respectively.

The following table is a schedule of our significant future contractual obligations and commercial commitments (other than debt commitments), which consist of future minimum lease payment under operating leases as of September 30, 2017 (in thousands):
Twelve Month Period Ending September 30, 
Operating
Lease Obligations
 
2018 $3,909 
2019  1,625 
2020  1,393 
2021  1,097 
2022  116 
Thereafter   
Total $8,140 
4.Net Income per Share

The following table reconciles share amounts utilized to calculate basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except per share data):
  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Net income $46,225  $18,672  $110,403  $46,201 
                 
Basic - weighted average common shares  17,073   17,218   16,969   17,319 
Diluted effect of common stock equivalents  1,475   902   1,313   1,006 
Diluted - weighted average common shares  18,548   18,120   18,282   18,325 
                 
Earnings per share:                
Basic $2.71  $1.08  $6.51  $2.67 
Diluted $2.49  $1.03  $6.04  $2.52 
The calculation of dilutive shares excludes the effect of the following options that are considered anti-dilutive (in thousands):
  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Anti-dilutive stock option shares  30   514   24   269 
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

5.Stock-Based Compensation

We account for share-based employee compensation plans under the fair value recognition and measurement provisions in accordance with applicable accounting standards, which require all share-based payments to employees, including grants of stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs), to be measured based on the grant date fair value of the awards, with the resulting expense generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the period during which the employee is required to perform service in exchange for the award.

As described in Note 1 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” we adopted ASU 2016-09, which among other items, provides an accounting policy election to We account for forfeitures as they occur, rather than to account for them based on an estimate of expected forfeitures. We elected to account for forfeitures as they occur and therefore, share-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 has been calculated based on actual forfeitures in our consolidated statements of income, rather than our previous approach which was net of estimated forfeitures. The net cumulative effect of this change did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. Share-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 was recorded net of estimated forfeitures, which were based on historical forfeitures and adjusted to reflect changes in facts and circumstances, if any.

occur.
We use the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant, which requires us to use a number of complex estimates and subjective assumptions, including stock price volatility, expected term, and risk-free interest rates and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors.rates. In the case of options we grant, our assumption of expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of our stock price over the term equal to the expected life of the options. We base the risk-free interest rate on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the options assumed at the date of grant. The estimated expected life represents the weighted-averageweighted average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding, determined based on an analysis of historical exercise behavior.
Trademarks, Trade Names, and Other Intangible Assets (excluding Goodwill)
Acquired trademarks, trade names, and other intangibles (excluding goodwill) include both amortizable and non-amortizable assets and are included in intangible assets, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Cost associated with internally developed intangible assets is typically expensed as incurred as research and development costs. Amortization of amortizable intangible assets is calculated on a straight-line basis, which is consistent with the expected future cash flows.
Treasury Stock

CompensationDuring the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018, we repurchased approximately 235,461 shares and 120,000 shares for $32.0 million and $23.2 million, respectively. Also, in the first quarter of 2019 and the first quarter of 2018, we withheld 1,039 and 21,076 of shares, respectively, to satisfy income tax obligations related to performance-based inducement equity awards issued to the General Manager and the then Chief Technology Officer of ShippingEasy.

Accounting Guidance Adopted in 2019

Disclosure Update and Simplification

In August 2018, the SEC adopted the final rule under SEC Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, amending certain disclosure requirements that were redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded. In addition, the amendments expanded the disclosure requirements on the analysis of stockholders' equity for interim financial statements. Under the amendments, an analysis of changes in each caption of stockholders' equity presented in the balance sheet must be provided in a note or separate statement. The analysis should present a reconciliation of the beginning balance to the ending balance of each period for which a statement of comprehensive income is required to be filed. The Company adopted the new presentation for its consolidated statement of stockholders' equity in the first quarter of 2019.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-02, Leases, a new accounting standard for leases. The new standard generally requires the recognition of financing and operating lease liabilities and corresponding ROU assets on the balance sheet. For financing leases, a lessee recognizes amortization of the ROU asset as an operating expense over the lease term separately from interest on the lease liability. For operating leases, a lessee recognizes its total lease expense as an operating expense over the lease term.

We adopted the new guidance on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective transition approach. We elected the practical expedient to apply the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application and not restating comparative periods. We also elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which allowed us to carryforward our historical lease classification of finance or operating lease, our assessment on whether a contract was or contains a lease, and our initial direct costs for employeeany leases that existed prior to January 1, 2019.


11

STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


The adoption of the new standard on January 1, 2019 resulted in recording operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities of approximately $11.8 million and $13.6 million, respectively. The adoption did not impact our beginning retained earnings, or our prior year condensed consolidated statements of income and statements of cash flows.

For information regarding the accounting policy and required disclosures under the new standard, see “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Leases” and Note 11 - “Leases,” respectively.

Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

Goodwill Impairment

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, a standard which simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment. The guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. Goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill.  The guidance will become effective on a prospective basis for the Company on January 1, 2020 and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Financial Instruments - Credit Losses

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, a standard that replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology under current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. We will be required to use a forward-looking expected credit loss model for accounts receivables, loans, and other financial instruments. The guidance will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2020 using a modified retrospective approach with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on the Company's consolidated financial statements.


2.    Acquisitions

We have accounted for all of our acquisitions under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic No. 805, Business Combinations.

MetaPack Acquisition

On August 15, 2018, we, through our wholly owned subsidiary Pacific Shelf 1855 Limited (Pacific Shelf), completed the acquisition of MetaPack Limited, a private limited company incorporated in England and Wales, pursuant to a share purchase agreement dated July 24, 2018, as amended (the “Agreement”), by and among certain key sellers named in the Agreement (the “Key Sellers”), MetaPack, Pacific Shelf, and Stamps.com Inc. as Pacific Shelf’s guarantor. MetaPack provides multi-carrier enterprise-level solutions to many of the world’s preeminent e-commerce retailers and brands.
Pursuant to the Agreement and a related agreement to purchase Minority Shares (as defined below), Pacific Shelf acquired 100% of MetaPack’s issued and to be issued share capital by purchasing (i) all of the Key Sellers’ shares of MetaPack, representing approximately 80% of the total outstanding shares and (ii) all other issued and to be issued shares of MetaPack (Minority Shares), for a final adjusted purchase price, for all such shares, of approximately £171 million, or $217.7 million using the August 15, 2018 GBP to USD exchange rate. Total cash paid for the acquisition was funded from cash and investment balances.

Stamps.com granted inducement stock options for an aggregate of 320,250 shares of Stamps.com common stock to 72 new employees after completion of its acquisition of MetaPack. The stock options were granted as inducements material to the new employees entering into employment with Stamps.com, pursuant to the Stamps.com 2018 MetaPack Equity Inducement Plan, which was approved by Stamps.com’s Compensation Committee. The awards were granted without stockholder approval in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). Each option vests 25% on the one year anniversary of the grant date with the remaining 75% vesting in approximately equal monthly increments over the succeeding thirty-six months, provided that the option holder is still employed by Stamps.com or one of its subsidiaries on the vesting dates. The stock options have a ten year term and an exercise price equal to closing price of Stamps.com common stock on the grant date of August 15, 2018.


12

STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Under the acquisition method of accounting under ASC 805, the total purchase price of the acquired company is allocated to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on their fair values. We have made significant estimates and assumptions in determining the preliminary allocation of the purchase price. The Company has made a preliminary allocation of the purchase price of MetaPack to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair value. The preliminary allocation of the purchase price is based upon management's estimates and is subject to revision, as a more detailed analysis of intangible assets and tax and other liabilities is completed and additional information on the fair value of assets and liabilities becomes available. A change in the fair value of the net assets may change the amount of the purchase price allocable to goodwill, and could impact the amounts of amortization expense.
The purchase price of MetaPack has been allocated on a preliminary basis as follows to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair value based on the August 15, 2018 GBP to USD exchange rate (in thousands, except years):
 Fair Value Fair Value 
Useful Life
(In Years)
 
Weighted
Average
Estimated
Useful Life
(In Years)
Cash and cash equivalents$9,186
      
Trade accounts receivable9,767
      
Other current assets2,776
      
Property and equipment1,039
      
Goodwill141,468
      
Identifiable intangible assets: 
      
Trade names 
 $10,936
 12  
Developed technology 
 40,691
 16  
Customer relationships 
 49,211
 16  
Total identifiable intangible assets100,838
  
   16
Accounts payable and accrued expenses(13,415)  
    
Deferred revenue(1,145)  
    
Revolving credit facility(12,716)      
Deferred income tax liability(19,288)      
Other liabilities(824)  
    
Total purchase consideration$217,686
  
    

The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were preliminarily determined using income, cost and market participant approaches. The fair value measurements were primarily based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represent a Level 3 measurement as defined in ASC 820. The identified intangible assets consist of trade names, developed technology, and customer relationships. The estimated fair values of the trade names and developed technology were determined using the “relief from royalty” method. The estimated fair value of customer relationships was determined using the “excess earnings” method. The rate utilized to discount net cash flows to their present values was approximately 15% and was determined after consideration of the overall enterprise rate of return and the relative risk and importance of the assets to the generation of future cash flows. Intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Based on the August 15, 2018 exchange rate, we expect the amortization of acquired intangibles will be approximately $1.6 million per quarter for the remaining estimated useful lives.

Deferred taxes were adjusted to record the deferred tax impact of acquisition accounting adjustments primarily related to intangible assets. The incremental deferred tax liabilities were calculated based on the tax effect of the step-up in book basis of the net assets of MetaPack, excluding the amount attributable to goodwill, using the estimated statutory tax rates.

13

STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration given over the sum of the fair values assigned to identifiable assets acquired less liabilities assumed in a business combination. The goodwill balance is primarily attributable to the expanded market opportunities for the Company internationally and MetaPack in the United States and the Company's ability to generate future technology. None of the goodwill recognized is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. The goodwill recorded as part of this acquisition is included in the MetaPack segment (see Note 6 - “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

Immediately following the acquisition, we repaid in full MetaPack's existing revolving credit facility balance of approximately $12.7 million.

We incurred approximately $2.5 million in transaction costs included in general and administrative expense and $1.0 million of nonrecurring foreign currency exchange loss directly related to the acquisition during the year ended December 31, 2018.


3.    Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings

We are subject to various routine legal proceedings and claims incidental to our business, and we do not believe that these proceedings and claims would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

On February 8, 2018, a putative class action complaint was filed against us in a case entitled Juan Lopez and Nicholas Dixon v. Stamps.com, Inc., Case No. 2:18-cv-01101, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division, alleging wage and hour claims on behalf of our current and former “non-exempt” hourly call center employees. The complaint sought class certification, unspecified damages, unpaid wages, penalties, restitution, interest, and attorneys’ fees and costs. On July 24, 2018, we entered into a preliminary settlement that would resolve this matter for a non-material payment to be distributed to the participating class members. The court granted preliminary approval of the settlement and, at a hearing held on April 29, 2019, requested additional documentation. Therefore the timing of final approval of the settlement is now pending court approval at a time convenient to the court.

On February 28, 2019, a putative class action complaint was filed against us in a case entitled Grabisch v. Stamps.com, Inc. et al, Case No. 2:19-cv-01497, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division, alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 purportedly on behalf of all those who purchased, or otherwise acquired, Stamps.com common stock between May 3, 2017 and February 21, 2019. On March 13, 2019, a second putative class action complaint, with the same allegations, was filed against us in a case entitled Karinski v. Stamps.com, Inc. et al, Case 2:19-cv-01828, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division. On April 22, 2019, the Grabisch action was dismissed in its entirety without prejudice. The remaining Karinski complaint seeks class certification, unspecified damages, attorneys’ fees and costs. Lead plaintiff motions were filed on April 29, 2019, but a lead plaintiff has not yet been appointed and a consolidated complaint has not yet been filed. We believe that the case is without merit and intend to defend this case vigorously. Due to the very recent filing date of the case, neither the likelihood that a loss, if any, will be realized, nor an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, if any, can be determined.
The Company had not accrued any material amounts related to any of the Company’s legal proceedings as of March 31, 2019 or December 31, 2018.

Although management at present believes that the ultimate outcome of the various routine proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, will not materially harm our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or overall trends, legal proceedings are subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings or other events could occur. An unfavorable outcome for an amount in excess of management's present expectations may result in a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial position, and overall trends.

Commitments

Our significant contractual obligations and commercial commitments (other than debt commitments) consist of operating lease obligations as of March 31, 2019. Please see Note 11 - “Leases” for additional information.


4.    Net Income per Share

The following table reconciles share amounts utilized to calculate basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except per share data):
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 2019 2018
Net income$15,755
 $47,044
    
Basic - weighted average common shares17,547
 17,644
Diluted effect of common stock equivalents468
 867
Diluted - weighted average common shares18,015
 18,511
    
Earnings per share: 
  
Basic0.90
 2.67
Diluted0.87
 2.54
The calculation of dilutive shares excludes the effect of the following options that are considered anti-dilutive (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 2019 2018
Anti-dilutive stock options1,153
 95

15

STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


5.    Stock-Based Compensation

We account for share-based employee compensation plans under the fair value recognition and measurement provisions in accordance with applicable accounting standards, which require all share-based payments to employees, including grants of stock options and RSUs, to be measured based on the grant date fair value of the awards, with the resulting expense generally recognized usingon a straight-line basis over the straight-line method over their respective vesting periods of upperiod during which the employee is required to five years.perform service in exchange for the award. Starting in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 through the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, our stock-based compensation expense included performance-based inducement equity awards relating to the ShippingEasy acquisition. Starting in the third quarter of fiscal 2018, our stock-based compensation expense included performance-based inducement equity awards relating to the MetaPack acquisition as described in Note 2 - “Acquisitions.”"Acquisitions." Stock-based compensation expense related to the ShippingEasy performance-based inducement equity awards is equal to the grant date fair value of the common stock and is recognized over the required performance period.  Total compensation expense related to ShippingEasy’s performance-based equity awards during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was approximately $1.2 million and $3.7 million, respectively.

The following table sets forth the stock-based compensation expense that we recognized for the periods indicated (in thousands):
 
  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Stock-based compensation expense relating to:            
Stock options $11,065  $8,525  $32,923  $23,960 
Employee stock purchases  269   297   746   795 
Total stock-based compensation expense $11,334  $8,822  $33,669  $24,755 
                 
Stock-based compensation expense relating to:                
Cost of revenues $444  $476  $1,437  $1,351 
Sales and marketing  1,915   1,734   6,197   5,322 
Research and development  2,337   1,916   7,054   4,696 
General and administrative  6,638   4,696   18,981   13,386 
Total stock-based compensation expense $11,334  $8,822  $33,669  $24,755 
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 2019 2018
Stock-based compensation expense relating to:   
Stock options$8,497
 $7,191
Employee stock purchases393
 357
Total stock-based compensation expense$8,890
 $7,548
Stock-based compensation expense relating to: 
  
Cost of revenues$646
 $483
Sales and marketing2,054
 1,518
Research and development2,304
 1,927
General and administrative3,886
 3,620
Total stock-based compensation expense$8,890
 $7,548

The following are the weighted average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model for the periods indicated:
 
  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Expected dividend yield            
Risk-free interest rate  1.5%  1.0%  1.5%  1.0%
Expected volatility  47.9%  47.0%  46.9%  47.9%
Expected life (in years)  3.3   3.4   3.4   3.4 
Forfeiture rate     6.0%     6.0%
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 2019 2018
Expected dividend yield% %
Risk-free interest rate2.5% 2.3%
Expected volatility54.7% 50.5%
Expected life (in years)3.3
 3.4

6.6.    Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill was approximately $239.7 millionrepresents the excess of the fair value of consideration given over the fair value of the tangible assets, identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed in business combinations.

The following table summarizes goodwill as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.2018 and March 31, 2019 (in thousands):

 Stamps.com Segment MetaPack Segment Total
Goodwill balance at December 31, 2018$239,705
 $142,005
 $381,710
Foreign currency translation
 2,796
 2,796
Goodwill balance at March 31, 2019$239,705
 $144,801
 $384,506


16

STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


We have amortizable and non-amortizable intangible assets consisting of trademarks, trade names, developed technology, non-compete agreements, customer relationships, and other totaling approximately $125.4 million inother. The gross carrying amount as of both September 30, 2017amortizable and non-amortizable intangible assets was $227.7 million at March 31, 2019 and $226.5 million at December 31, 2016.2018.  Non-amortizable assets of $11.4 million as of both September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 20162018 consist primarily of the trade name relating to the Endicia acquisition.

The following table summarizes our amortizable intangible assets as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 (in thousands)thousands, except years):

  
Gross
Carrying
 Amount
  
Accumulated
 Amortization
  
Net Carrying
Amount
 
Patents and Others $8,889  $8,809  $80 
Customer Relationships  60,816   19,677   41,139 
Technology  40,048   9,998   30,050 
Non-Compete  2,211   1,154   1,057 
Trademark  2,004   720   1,284 
Total amortizable intangible assets at September 30, 2017 $113,968  $40,358  $73,610 
 
Gross
Carrying
 Amount
 
Accumulated
 Amortization
 
Net Carrying
Amount
 Remaining weighted average amortization period (years)
Patents and Others$8,889
 $8,877
 $12
 0.2
Customer Relationships110,778
 36,586
 74,192
 8.4
Technology81,360
 19,407
 61,953
 10.1
Non-Compete2,211
 1,725
 486
 2.2
Trademarks and Trade Names13,107
 1,679
 11,428
 10.6
Total amortizable intangible assets at March 31, 2019$216,345
 $68,274
 $148,071
 9.1

The following table summarizes our amortizable intangible assets as of December 31, 20162018 (in thousands)thousands, except years):

  
Gross
Carrying
 Amount
  
Accumulated
 Amortization
  
Net Carrying
Amount
 
Patents and Others $8,889  $8,774  $115 
Customer Relationships  60,816   12,199   48,617 
Technology  40,048   6,100   33,948 
Non-Compete  2,211   777   1,434 
Trademark  2,004   479   1,525 
Total amortizable intangible assets at December 31, 2016 $113,968  $28,329  $85,639 
 
Gross
Carrying
 Amount
 
Accumulated
 Amortization
 
Net Carrying
Amount
 Remaining weighted average amortization period (years)
Patents and Others$8,889
 $8,866
 $23
 0.5
Customer Relationships110,194
 33,299
 76,895
 8.6
Technology80,878
 17,451
 63,427
 10.3
Non-Compete2,211
 1,668
 543
 2.4
Trademarks and Trade Names12,977
 1,395
 11,582
 10.8
Total amortizable intangible assets at December 31, 2018$215,149
 $62,679
 $152,470
 9.4
 
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
intangible assets totaling approximately $5.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. We recorded amortization of intangible assets totaling approximately $4.0 million and $12.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.  We recorded amortization of intangible assets totaling approximately $4.0 million and $10.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.March 31, 2018. Amortization of intangible assets is included in general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

As of September 30, 2017, the remaining weighted average amortization period for our amortizable intangible assets is approximately 4.9 years. Our estimated amortization expense for the next five years and thereafter is as follows (in thousands):
Twelve Month Period Ending September 30, 
Estimated
Amortization
Expense
 
2018 $15,954 
2019  15,623 
2020  15,545 
2021  14,421 
2022  5,498 
Thereafter  6,569 
Total $73,610 
Twelve Month Period Ending March 31,
Estimated
Amortization
Expense
2020$22,206
202121,948
202217,070
202310,022
20249,675
Thereafter67,150
Total$148,071

7.

7.    Income Taxes

Our income tax benefitexpense was $11.4$6.7 million and $873,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, which isMarch 31, 2019. The income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was primarily attributabledue to (a) our pre-tax book income multiplied by an estimated annual effective tax rate and (b) discrete tax benefits relatingrelated to the exercises of options in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.stock awards of approximately $0.4 million. Our income tax expense was $12.1 million and $30.0$1.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, which is primarily attributable to our pre-tax income including our current tax expense consisting of federal alternative minimum tax and various state taxes and our deferredMarch 31, 2018. The income tax expense for the utilization of net operating lossesthree months ended March 31, 2018 was primarily due to (a) our pre-tax income multiplied by an estimated annual effective tax rate and other temporary differences. As described in Note 1- “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” we adopted the new accounting guidance that changes the reporting for certain aspects of share-based payments. One aspect of the guidance requires that the income tax effects of share-based awards be recognized in the income tax provision in the consolidated statements of income when the awards vest or are settled. Under the previous guidance, excess(b) discrete tax benefits and deficiencies were recognized in additional paid-in capital inrelated to the consolidated balance sheets when theexercises of stock awards vested or were settled.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the amount of excess tax benefits recognized in the income tax provision was approximately $23.5 million and $41.8 million, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, the amount of excess tax benefits recognized in additional paid-in capital was not material.$10.7 million.

Our effective income tax rate differs from the statutory income tax rate primarily as a result of permanent tax adjustments for non-deductible expenses, state taxes, and tax benefits from stock options exercised and research and development tax credits as well as permanent tax adjustmentsand exercises of stock awards. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we have recorded a valuation allowance of $1.3 million and $1.2 million against certain state research and development credits for nondeductible items, such as stock-based compensation and state taxes. We evaluated the appropriateness of ourwhich we believe it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets and related valuation allowance in accordance with Income Taxes based on all available positive and negative evidence. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we dowill not be realized. We also have anyrecorded a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets.the activity of certain foreign jurisdictions.

8.

8.    Fair Value Measurements

Financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are classified in one of the three following categories which are described below:

Level 1 - Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in an active market

Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in markets where trading occurs infrequently or whose values are based on quoted prices of instruments with similar attributes in active markets
 
Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and involve management judgment and our own assumptions about market participants and pricing
STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

The following tables summarize our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016, respectively2018 (in thousands):
 
     Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using 
 
 
 
 
Description
 
September 30,
2017
  
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
 for Identical
 Assets
(Level 1)
  
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  
Significant
Unobservable
 Inputs
(Level 3)
 
             
Cash and cash equivalents $183,538  $183,538  $  $ 
Available-for-sale debt securities           �� 
Total $183,538  $183,538  $  $ 

     Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using 
 
 
 
 
Description
 
December 31,
2016
  
Quoted Prices in
 Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
  
Significant
Other
Observable
 Inputs
(Level 2)
  
Significant
Unobservable
 Inputs
(Level 3)
 
             
Cash and cash equivalents $106,932  $106,932  $  $ 
Available-for-sale debt securities  1,511      1,511    
Total $108,443  $106,932  $1,511  $ 
The fair value of our available-for-sale debt securities included in the Level 2 category is based on the market values obtained from an independent pricing service that were evaluated using pricing models that vary by asset class and may incorporate available trade, bid and other market information and price quotes from well-established independent pricing vendors and broker-dealers.
   Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
 
 
 
 
Description
March 31, 2019 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
 for Identical
 Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
 Inputs
(Level 3)
Cash and cash equivalents$110,925
 $110,925
 
 
Total$110,925
 $110,925
 
 

9.
   Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
 
 
 
 
Description
December 31, 2018 
Quoted Prices in
 Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
 Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
 Inputs
(Level 3)
Cash and cash equivalents$113,757
 $113,757
 
 
Total$113,757
 $113,757
 $
 

9.    Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investments

Our cash equivalents and investments consistconsisted of money market asset-backed securities and public corporate debt securitiesfunds at September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016.2018. We consider all highly liquid investments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. All of our short-term investments are classified as available for saleAt March 31, 2019 and are recorded at fair value using the specific identification method. Realized gains and losses are reflected in other income, net using the specific identification method. There wasDecember 31, 2018, we had no material unrealized or realized gain or loss with respect to our short-term investments during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Unrealized gains and losses are included as a separate component of stockholders' equity. We do not intend to sell investments with an amortized cost basis exceeding fair value and it is not likely that we will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost bases.investments.


1718


STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


The following tables summarize our cash and cash equivalents and investments as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 20162018 (in thousands):
 
  September 30, 2017 
      
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
      
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
      
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
       
Estimated
Fair Value
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents:            
Cash $177,039        $177,039 
Money market  6,492   9   (2)  6,499 
Total cash and cash equivalents  183,531   9   (2)  183,538 
Short-term investments:                
Corporate bonds and asset backed securities            
Total short-term investments            
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments $183,531   9   (2) $183,538 
  December 31, 2016 
    
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
  
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Cash and cash equivalents:            
Cash $101,987        $101,987 
Money market  4,945         4,945 
Total cash and cash equivalents  106,932         106,932 
Short-term investments:                
Corporate bonds and asset backed securities  1,500   13   (2)  1,511 
Total short-term investments  1,500   13   (2)  1,511 
Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments $108,432   13   (2) $108,443 

As of September 30, 2017, the amortized cost and estimated fair value of our marketable fixed-income securities due within one year and due after one year was immaterial.
  March 31, 2019
    
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents:       
 Cash$104,234
 
 
 $104,234
 Money market6,691
 
 
 6,691
 Cash and cash equivalents$110,925
 
 
 $110,925
 
18
 December 31, 2018
   
Cost or
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Cash and cash equivalents:       
Cash$107,118
 
 
 $107,118
Money market6,639
 
 
 6,639
Cash and cash equivalents$113,757
 
 
 $113,757

10.    Segment Information and Geographic Data

Segment Information

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which discrete financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (CODM) for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. The Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer has been identified as the CODM as defined by guidance regarding segment disclosures.
The Company’s reportable segments have been determined based on the distinct nature of their operations and customer bases, and the financial information that is evaluated regularly by the CODM. Following the MetaPack acquisition (see Note 2) in 2018, the Company added a new segment for the MetaPack business. Previously, the Company had a single reportable segment.
The Stamps.com segment derives revenue from external customers from offering postage online and shipping software solutions offered to consumers, small businesses, e-commerce shippers, enterprise mailers, and high volume shippers. The Stamps.com reportable segment includes the results of brand names Stamps.com, Endicia, ShippingEasy, ShipStation, and ShipWorks. Stamps.com's customers are primarily located in the US.
The MetaPack segment consists of the operations of MetaPack which derives revenues from external customers from offering multi-carrier enterprise-level shipping software solutions to large e-commerce retailers and brands. MetaPack's customers are primarily located outside the US.
Revenues, cost of revenues, and operating expenses are generally directly attributed to our segments. Inter-segment revenues are not presented separately, as these amounts are immaterial. Our CODM does not evaluate operating segments using asset information.





19

STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


Information about segments during the periods presented were as follows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 2019 2018
Segment revenues   
Stamps.com$122,904
 $133,565
MetaPack13,099
 
Total revenues$136,003
 $133,565
    
Segment income (loss) from operations   
Stamps.com$25,311
 $49,201
MetaPack(2,070) 
Total income from operations$23,241
 $49,201
    
Company's total segment income from operations$23,241
 $49,201
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net(95) 
Interest expense(714) (590)
Interest income and other income, net65
 49
Income before income taxes  $22,497
 $48,660

Geographic Data

No sales to an individual customer or country other than the US accounted for more than 10% of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 or March 31, 2018. The following table presents our revenues by geography, based on the billing addresses of our customers (in thousands, unaudited):

 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 2019 2018
Revenues   
United States$122,700
 $132,955
International13,303
 610
Total revenues$136,003
 $133,565

11.    Leases

The Company's material lease contracts are generally for corporate office space. The Company leases facilities pursuant to noncancelable operating lease agreements expiring through 2029.

Operating lease cost for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was approximately $1.1 million.  Operating lease cost for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was approximately $933,000.

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STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


The following table is a schedule of maturities of operating lease liabilities as of March 31, 2019 (in thousands):

Twelve Month Period Ending March 31,Operating
Lease Obligations
2020$4,774
20214,834
20223,763
20233,089
20242,317
Thereafter2,435
Total undiscounted cash flows21,212
Less amount representing interest(2,795)
Present value of lease liabilities$18,417

The table above reflects payments for noncancelable operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more as of March 31, 2019. The table above does not include obligations for leases that have not yet commenced and does not include lease payments that were not fixed at commencement or modification.

As of March 31, 2019, the weighted-average remaining lease term (in years) and discount rate related to the operating leases were as follows:

ITEM 2.
March 31, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term5.1
Weighted-average discount rate5.3%

12.    Subsequent Events

We are not aware of any material subsequent events or transactions that have occurred that would require recognition in the financial statements or disclosure in the notes to the financial statements, except as described below and in Note 3 - “Commitments and Contingencies” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Prior to issuance, we became aware of potential adverse amendments, renegotiations, changes, or termination of certain contracts between the USPS and certain of our strategic partners who are part of the USPS’s reseller program, and through which we derive material revenues and profits (such potential events, collectively the "Reseller Restructuring"); however there is significant uncertainty as to whether, how and when any Reseller Restructuring may be implemented. As such, an estimate of any future financial impact for accounting purposes cannot be made at this time.

ITEM 2.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”"Report") contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”"Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”"Exchange Act"). These statements relate to expectations concerning matters that are not historical facts. You can find many (but not all) of these statements by looking for words such as “approximates,” “believes,” “expects,” “seeks,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “would,” “could,” ”should,” “will,” “may”"approximates," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "projects," "seeks," "intends," "plans," "could," "would," "may" or other similar expressions in this Report. Our forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance and include, but are not limited to, statements concerning our business strategy, future commercial revenues, market growth, capital requirements, new product introductions, expansion plans and the adequacy of our funding. Other statements contained in this Report that are not historical facts are also forward-looking statements.

We claim the protection of the safe harbor contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 with respect to forward-looking statements.1995.  We caution investors that any forward-looking statements presented in this Report, or that we may make orally or in writing from time to time, are based on beliefs and assumptions made by us and information currently available to us at the respective times they aretime made.  Such statements are based on assumptions, and the actual outcome will be affected by known and unknown risks, trends, and uncertainties, and other factors that may beare beyond our control or ability to predict. Although we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future performance, and some will inevitably prove to be incorrect. As a result, our actual future results maycan be expected to differ from our expectations, and those differences may be material. We are not undertaking any obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this Report. Accordingly, investors should use caution in relying on forward-looking statements which are based on known results and trends at the time they are made, to anticipate future results or trends.

Please refer to the risk factors under “Item"Item 1A. Risk Factors”Factors" of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162018, as well as those described elsewhere in this Report and in our other public filings.  The risks included are not exhaustive, and additional factors could adversely affect our business and financial performance. We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors, nor can it assess the impact of all such risk factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. This Report and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Report.

Our trade names and registered trademarks include Stamps.com, Auctane, Endicia, MetaPack, NetStamps, PhotoStamps, ShippingEasy, ShipStation, ShipWorks, ShippingEasy, NetStamps, PhotoStamps, PictureItPostage, and the Stamps.com logo. This Report also references trade names and trademarks of other entities. References in this Report to “we” “us” “our”"we" "us" "our" or “Company”"Company" are references to Stamps.com Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Overview

Stamps.com® is a leading provider of Internet-based mailing and shipping solutions in the United States.States (U.S.) and Europe. Under the Stamps.com and Endicia® brands, customers use our USPSUnited States Postal Service (USPS) only solutions to mail and ship a variety of mail pieces and packages through the USPS. Customers using our solutions can receive discounted postage rates compared to USPS.com and USPS retail locations on certain mail pieces such as First Class letters and domestic and international Priority Mail® and Priority Mail Express® packages.  Stamps.com was the first ever USPS-approved PC Postage vendor to offer a software only mailing and shipping solution in 1999. Endicia became a USPS-approved PC Postage vendor in 2000. Under the MetaPackTM, ShippingEasy®, ShipStation®, ShipWorks® and ShippingEasy®ShipWorks® brands, customers use our multi-carrier solutions to ship packages through multiple carriers such as theCanada Post, DHL, FedEx, Royal Mail, UPS, USPS, UPS, FedEx and others. Our customers include individuals, small businesses, home offices, medium-size businesses, large enterprises, e-commerce merchants, large retailers, and warehouse shippers.
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Mailing and Shipping Business References

When we refer to our “mailing"mailing and shipping business," we are referring to our mailing and shipping products and services including our USPS and multi-carrier mailing and shipping solutions, mailing and shipping integrations, mailing and shipping supplies stores, and branded insurance offerings. We do not include our customized postage business when we refer to our mailing"mailing and shipping business." When we refer to our “mailing"mailing and shipping revenue," we are referring to our service, product, and insurance revenue generated by our mailing and shipping customers. We do not include our customized postage revenue generated by our customized postage business in our “mailing"mailing and shipping revenue."

Services and Products

Mailing and Shipping Business

We offer the following mailing and shipping products and services to our customers under the Stamps.com, Endicia, MetaPack, ShippingEasy, ShipStation, ShipWorks and ShippingEasyShipWorks brands:

USPS Mailing and Shipping Solutions

Under the Stamps.com and Endicia brands, customers use our USPS-approved mailing and shipping solutions to mail and ship a variety of mail pieces and packages through the USPS. Customers can purchase and print postage 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through our software or web interfaces. Typically, customers fund an account balance prior to using our service. The customers then draw down their prepaid account balance as they print postage and repurchase postage as necessary.

Our USPS mailing and shipping solutions enable users to print “electronic postage”"electronic postage" directly onto envelopes, plain paper, or labels using only a standard personal computer, printer, and Internet connection. Our solutions support a variety of USPS mail classes including First Class Mail®, Media Mail®, Parcel Select®, Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, Media Mail®, Parcel Select®, and others. Customers can also add USPS Special Services to their mail pieces, USPS Special Services such as USPS Tracking®, Signature ConfirmationTM, Registered MailTM, Certified MailTMMail®, Insured Mail, Return Receipt, Collect on Delivery, Insured Mail, Registered Mail®, Restricted Delivery, Return Receipt, Signature Confirmation™, and Restricted Delivery.USPS Tracking®. Our customers can print postage (1) on NetStamps® or DYMO Stamps® labels, which can be used just like regular stamps, (2) directly on envelopes and postcards or on labels in a single step process that saves time and provides a professional look, (3) on plain 8.5”8.5" x 11”11" paper or on special labels for packages, and (4) on integrated customs forms for international mail and packages.

Our mailing and shipping solutions incorporate address verification technology that verifies each destination address for mail or packages sent using our solutions against a database of all known addresses in the United States. Our mailing and shipping solutions are also integrated with common small business and productivity software applications such as word processing, contact and address management, and accounting and financial applications. Our shipping solutions feature integrations with hundreds of partners and carriers including popular shipping management products, shopping carts, online marketplaces, and other e-commerce solutions.

We target different customer categories with service plans that provide various features and capabilities. We target smaller offices, home offices, and smaller online sellers that need a more basic set of mailing and shipping features. We target larger enterprises that need a richer set of mailing capabilities such as multiple-user functionality, automated Certified Mail forms, additional reference codes and higher allowable postage balances. We target shippers such as e-commerce merchants, online retailers, fulfillment houses, warehouses, and large retailers that need shipping specific features such as direct integration into the customer’scustomer's order databases, faster label printing speed, and the ability to customize and save shipping profiles. We target large corporations with multiple geographic locations that need enhanced reporting and the ability for a central location, such as a corporate headquarters, to have greater visibility and control over postage expenditures across their distributed network of locations. We target large volume mailers that need features designed for presort mail, Certified Mail, and bulk address updating.
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Customers typicallymay pay us a monthly fee, based on a subscription feeplan which varies depending on their service plan.  In certain circumstances, customers may be on a plan where they do not owe us any monthly service fees. Underwaived or refunded for certain plans customers, for which we provide them access to our platform. We have been, and in the future potentially could be, compensated directly by the USPS and/or arrangements, customers or integration partners pay a fee per transactionother carriers for shipping labels printed.printed that meet certain requirements. We may earn revenue from customers that have arrangements withaccess to our platform when they purchase postage or print shipping labels. We may earn revenue that may take the USPS under which ifform of some or all of the spread between the rate a customer pays and the rate the carrier or integration partner prints a certain amount of domesticreceives, either charged directly or international First Class, Priority Mail or Priority Mail Express shipping labels, the USPS compensates us directly.  We may waive or refund our service fees for these or other customers.  In addition, we also have service plans with lower monthly subscription fees which offer more limited functionality and are targeted at retaining customers who print a lower volume of postage.  We offer service plans where customers are not charged a monthly fee but instead purchase labels for use as needed. We also offer high volume mailing products for a one time upfront fee.  We also earn compensation by offering customers a discounted postage rate that is provided to the customerspaid by our integration partners, and wepartners. We may earn other types of revenue shareshares or other compensation from specific customers that have access to our platform or through integration partners.

See "Risk Factors--Risks Related to our Industry--The discontinuation of certain financial compensation arrangements with the USPS will have an adverse effect on our revenues and operating results, unless we are successful in replacing the lost revenue and profit with similar compensation from the USPS or other potential partners, of which there is no assurance," "Risk Factors--Risks Related to our Industry--The USPS could modify, discontinue or terminate agreements and other financial compensation arrangements, which would have an adverse effect on our revenue and operating results," "Risk Factors--Risks Related to our Industry--The USPS or our integration partners could cause discounts our customers receive to be diminished or terminated, which would have an adverse effect on our results of operations, reputation and competitiveness," and "Risk Factors--Risks Related to our Industry--Strategic business Partners or carriers could modify or terminate agreements and other financial compensation arrangements, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations and prospects," in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 1, 2018, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2019.


See also “Business Outlook and Forward-Looking Statements,” below, in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Multi-Carrier Shipping Solutions

As a result of our acquisitions, weWe offer multi-carrier shipping solutions through our MetaPack, ShippingEasy, ShipStation, and ShipWorks brands. MetaPack, ShippingEasy, ShipStation, and ShippingEasy brands.  ShipStation, ShipWorks and ShippingEasy offer leading multi-carrier solutions for shippers including e-commerce merchants, online retailers, warehouses, fulfillment houses, large retailers, and other types of shippers that use multiple carriers such as theCanada Post, DHL, FedEx, Royal Mail, UPS, USPS, UPS, FedEx and many others.

MetaPack, which we acquired on August 15, 2018, provides multi-carrier enterprise-level solutions to many of the world’s preeminent e-commerce retailers and brands. MetaPack provides its customers access to a carrier library with support for over 450 parcel carriers. MetaPack's platform also provides sophisticated solutions including carrier management, a carrier optimization engine, a track and trace system, a parcel returns system, a delivery analysis and carrier service-level agreement (SLA) monitoring system, a sophisticated cross-border solution, and a system that provides dynamic delivery options right in the shopping cart. From a single integration, Metapack’s customers are able to offer delivery choice and convenience in all major e-commerce markets around the world. Metapack’s software also improves its customers’ shopping cart order conversion rates and order delivery satisfaction ratings.
ShippingEasy, which we acquired on July 1, 2016, offers web-based multi-carrier shipping solutions that allow online retailers and e-commerce merchants to organize, process, fulfill, and ship their orders quickly and easily. ShippingEasy's solutions feature over 50 integrations with partners and carriers, including marketplaces, shopping carts, and e-commerce platforms, allowing its customers to import and export fulfillment and tracking data in real time across all of their selling channels. ShippingEasy's solutions download orders from all selling channels and automatically map custom shipping preferences, rates, and delivery options across all of its supported carriers. ShippingEasy's easy-to-use solutions also include complimentary access to ShippingEasy customer service shipping specialists helping merchants to streamline workflow and save on shipping costs.

ShipWorks,ShipStation, which we acquired on August 29,June 10, 2014, offers software-basedweb-based multi-carrier shipping solutions that target e-commerce merchants, online retailers, fulfillment houses, and warehouses.  ShipWorks offers simple, powerful and easy to use solutions for shippers. ShipWorks’ShipStation's solutions feature over 100 integrations with partners and carriers, including marketplaces, shopping carts and e-commerce platforms. ShipWorks offers multi-carrier shipping options and features including importing orders from any marketplace or shopping cart, easily comparing shipping rates and services, sending email notifications to buyers, updating online order status, generating reports and many more.

ShipStation, which we acquired on June 10, 2014, offers web-based multi-carrier shipping solutions under the brand names ShipStation and Auctane that target e-commerce merchants, online retailers, fulfillment houses and warehouses.  ShipStation’s solutions feature over 150325 integrations with partners and carriers, including marketplaces, shopping carts, and e-commerce platforms. ShipStation offers multi-carrier shipping options and automation features like custom hierarchical rules and product profiles that allow customers to easily and automatically optimize their shipping. Using ShipStation, an online retailer or e-commerce merchant can ship their orders from wherever they sell and however they ship.

ShipWorks, which we acquired on August 29, 2014, offers software-based multi-carrier shipping solutions that target e-commerce merchants, online retailers, fulfillment houses, and warehouses.  ShipWorks offers simple, powerful, and easy to use solutions for shippers. ShipWorks' solutions feature over 100 integrations with partners and carriers, including marketplaces, shopping carts and e-commerce platforms. ShipWorks offers multi-carrier shipping options and features including importing orders from any marketplace or shopping cart, easily comparing shipping rates and services, sending email notifications to buyers, updating online order status, generating reports, and many more.
Consolidation Services
As part of our mailing and shipping business, we offer domestic and international shipping services through consolidators, who group packages by destination and ship the packages directly or through partners. These services seek to take advantage of economies of scale, with the goal of yielding lower shipping costs for our customers.
Mailing and Shipping Integrations

As part of our mailing and shipping services, we offer back-end integration solutions where we provide the electronic postage for transactions to partners who manage the front-end users. Our solutions integrate directly into the most popular e-commerce platforms, allowing web store managers to completely automate their order fulfillment process by processing, managing, and shipping orders from virtually any e-commerce source through a single interface without manual data entry. Managers can retrieve order data and print complete shipping labels for all types of packages.

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Stamps.com had an integration partnership with Amazon.com that made Stamps.com domestic and international shipping labels for certain USPS package classes available to Amazon.com Marketplace users, which ended in the third quarter of 2017. The integration had allowed Marketplace users to automatically pay for postage using their Marketplace Payments account, set a default ship-from address so they would not have to type or write it for each shipment, and automatically populate the ship-to address on the label. Domestic and international mail classes were supported and Marketplace users could request carrier pickup from the USPS. A transaction fee per shipping label printed was charged to Marketplace users who were not Stamps.com subscription customers. We do not believe the termination of Stamps.com’s integration partnership with Amazon will have any material effect on our results.

We have an integration partnershippartnerships with the USPS where we provide electronic postage for mailing and shipping transactions generated by Click-N-Ship Business ProTM andcertain USPS-branded programs. For example, we provide the electronic postage for Click-N-Ship®, a web-based service available at USPS.com that allows USPS customers to purchase and print shipping labels for certain domestic and international Priority Mail and Priority Mail Expressmail classes or packages at no additional mark-up over the cost of postage.

In addition, MetaPack, ShippingEasy, ShipStation, ShipWorks and ShippingEasyShipWorks have hundreds of integrations with partners and carriers, including marketplaces, shopping carts, and e-commerce platforms as part of their multi-carrier shipping solutions.  Integrations with partners include Amazon, BigCommerce, ChannelAdvisor, eBay, Magento, PayPal, Shopify, Bigcommerce, Magento, Volusion, ChannelAdvisor, Yahoo! Stores, and many others. Carrier integrations include USPS, FedEx, UPS, DHL, Canada Post, DHL, FedEx, Royal Mail, UPS, Canada, FedEx CanadaUSPS, and many others.

Mailing & Shipping Supplies Stores

Stamps.com and Endicia’sEndicia's mailing & shipping supplies stores (our “Supplies Stores”"Supplies Stores") are available to our customers from within our mailing and shipping solutions and sell NetStamps labels, DYMO Stamp labels, shipping labels, other mailing labels, dedicated postage printers, scales, and other mailing and shipping-focused office supplies. Our Supplies Stores feature store catalogs, messaging regarding free or discounted shipping promotions, cross-selling product recommendations during the checkout process, product search capabilities, and same-day shipping of orders with expedited shipping options. Our multi-carrier solutions do not have mailing and shipping supplies stores as part of their solutions.

Branded Insurance

We offer branded insurance for USPS packages to our customers so that they may insure their mail or packages in a fully integrated, online process that eliminates any trips to the post office or the need to complete any special forms. Our branded insurance is offered by all ourcertain brands including Stamps.com, Endicia, ShippingEasy, ShipStation, ShipWorks and ShippingEasyShipWorks as part of their USPS and multi-carrier solutions. Our branded insurance is provided by our insurance providers.

International

We offer International postageinternational mailing and shipping solutions for both our US domestic customers mailing and shipping to destinations outside the US and, primarily through our subsidiaries, to certainmailing and shipping solutions for customers outside the US directly from international posts including theand carriers. International carriers include Australia Post, Canada Post, French Post, Royal Mail, and Canadian Post.

many others.
Customized Postage

We offer customized postage under the PhotoStamps® and PictureItPostage® brand names.name. Customized postage is a patented form of postage that allows consumers to turn digital photos, designs or images into valid USPS-approved postage. With these products,this product, individuals or businesses can create customized USPS-approved postage using pictures of their children, pets, vacations, celebrations, business logos, and more. Customized postage can be used as regular postage to send letters, postcards or packages. PhotoStamps and PictureItPostage areis available from our separately marketed websites at www.photostamps.com and www.pictureitpostage.com, respectively.website.

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Acquisitions

ShippingEasy
MetaPack
 
On June 16, 2016,August 15, 2018, we, entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ShippingEasy for approximately $55.0 million. ShippingEasy, an Austin, Texas based company, offers web-based multi-carrier shipping solutions.  On July 1, 2016, wethrough our wholly owned subsidiary Pacific Shelf 1855 Limited, completed our acquisition of ShippingEasy. The purchase price was subject to adjustments for changes in ShippingEasy’s net working capital.MetaPack Limited. The net purchase price including adjustments for net working capital totaled approximately $55.4£171 million, or $218 million using the August 15, 2018 GBP to USD exchange rate, and was funded from current cash and investment balances.

In connection with the acquisition, we issued performance-based inducement equity awards to the General Manager and Chief Technology Officer of ShippingEasy. These inducement awards cover an aggregate of up to 43,567 common shares each to the General Manager and Chief Technology Officer if earnings targets for ShippingEasy are achieved over a two and one-half year period which began July 1, 2016. The awards are subject to proration if at least 75% of the applicable target is achieved and are subject to forfeiture or acceleration based on changes in employment circumstances over the performance period. The awards were a material inducement to the General Manager and Chief Technology Officer entering into employment agreements with Stamps.com in connection with the acquisition.

In fiscal 2016, we determined the achievement of 100% of the earnings target for the six months ended December 31, 2016 was probable, therefore, we recognized approximately $1.9 million of stock-based compensation expense, representing 21,783 shares, for these inducement equity awards during the six months ended December 31, 2016. The $1.9 million of stock-based compensation expense recognized represents 100% of the total performance-based inducement equity award for the first phase. The equity award for the first phase was issued in the first quarter of 2017 with 15,113 shares distributed and 6,670 shares withheld to satisfy income tax obligations. In the first, second and third quarters of 2017, we determined the achievement of 100% of the earnings target for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 is probable, therefore, we recognized approximately $1.2 million and $3.7 million of stock-based compensation expense for these inducement equity awards during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.  The $3.7 million of stock-based compensation expense recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 represents 75% of the total performance-based inducement equity award for the second phase.

We also issuedgranted inducement stock option grantsoptions for an aggregate of 62,000320,250 shares of Stamps.com common stock to 48 new employees in connection with our acquisition of ShippingEasy. The stock options were granted as inducements material to the new employees entering into employment with Stamps.com.72 MetaPack employees.

Please see Note 2 – “Acquisitions” - "Acquisitions"in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further description.


Results of Operations

The results of our operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 include the operations of ShippingEasy. The results of our operations during the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2019 include the operations of ShippingEasy.MetaPack’s operations. The results of our operations during the sixthree months ended June 30, 2016March 31, 2018 do not include the operations of ShippingEasy.MetaPack. Please seeNote 2 – “Acquisitions” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further description. Accordingly, care should be used in comparing periods that include the operations of ShippingEasyMetaPack with those that do not include such operations.

The results of our operations during the three months ended March 31, 2018 include service revenues paid directly to us by the USPS for certain classes of shipping labels ("Package Incentive Payments") under an agreement that terminated on December 31, 2018. The results of our operations during the three months ended March 31, 2019 do not include any Package Incentive Payments. Accordingly, care should be used in comparing periods that include Package Incentive Payments with those that do not include Package Incentive Payments.

Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016March 31, 2018

Total revenue increased 24%2% to $115.1$136.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 from $92.6$133.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016. Total revenue increased 30% to $336.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $258.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. Mailing and shipping revenue, which includes service revenue, product revenue, and insurance revenue, was $106.5$132.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, an increase of 21%1% from $87.6$131.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 and was $320.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of 29% from $248.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. Customized Postagepostage revenue increased 75%30% to $8.6$3.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 from $4.9$2.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 and was $15.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of 53% from $10.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018.
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The following table sets forth the breakdown of revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016March 31, 2018 and the resulting percentage change (revenue in thousands):
 
  Three months ended September 30,  Nine months ended September 30, 
  2017  2016  % Change  2017  2016  % Change 
Revenues                  
Service $97,529  $78,871   23.7% $292,634  $220,567   32.7%
Product  4,824   4,703   2.6%  15,301   15,109   1.3%
Insurance  4,099   4,050   1.2%  12,932   12,643   2.3%
Mailing and shipping revenue $106,452  $87,624   21.5% $320,867  $248,319   29.2%
Customized postage $8,588  $4,912   74.8% $15,306  $10,016   52.8%
Other  22   23   (4.3)%  69   74   (6.8)%
Total revenues $115,062  $92,559   24.3% $336,242  $258,409   30.1%
 Three Months Ended March 31,
 2019 2018 % Change
Revenues     
Service$123,907
 $120,916
 2.5 %
Product5,405
 5,679
 (4.8)%
Insurance3,334
 4,368
 (23.7)%
Mailing and shipping revenue132,646
 130,963
 1.3 %
Customized postage3,357
 2,580
 30.1 %
Other
 22
 (100.0)%
Total revenues$136,003
 $133,565
 1.8 %
 
We define “paid customers” for the quarter as ones from whom we successfully collected service fees or otherwise earned revenue at least once during that quarter, and we define average monthly revenue per paid customer (ARPU) as one-third of quarterly mailing and shipping revenue divided by paid customers.  We define lost paid customers (Lost Paid Customers) as customers from whom we successfully collected service fees or otherwise earned revenue at least once during the previous quarter but not during the current quarter, less recaptured paid customers. We define monthly paid customer cancellation rate as a fraction, the numerator of which is the quotient of Lost Paid Customers in a quarter divided by the sum of paid customers in the prior quarter and new paid customers in the current quarter, and the denominator of which is 3 months.

The following table sets forth the number of paid customers in the period for our mailing and shipping business (in thousands):
 
Year 
First
Quarter
  
Second
Quarter
  
Third
Quarter
 
          
2017  722   738   736 
2016  649   646   648 
Year
First
Quarter
2019736
2018740
 

The following table sets forth the growthchange in paid customers and average monthly revenue per paid customer for our mailing and shipping business (in thousands except average quarterlymonthly revenue per paid customer and percentage):
 
  Three months ended September 30, 
  2017  2016  % Change 
Paid customers for the quarter  736   648   13.6%
Average monthly revenue per paid customer $48.23  $45.05   7.1%
Mailing and shipping revenue $106,452  $87,624   21.5%
 Three Months Ended March 31,
 2019 2018 % Change
Paid customers for the quarter736
 740
 (0.6)%
Average monthly revenue per paid customer$60.05
 $58.96
 1.9 %
Mailing and shipping revenue$132,646
 $130,963
 1.3 %

The increase innumber of paid customers iswas approximately flat in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 primarily theas a result of increased sales and marketing spend and better performance in our marketing programs.strategic shift to focusing on the acquisition of high-volume shipper customers, which are numerically fewer, but generally have a much higher lifetime value.
                                                             
The increase in our average quarterlymonthly revenue per paid customer was primarily the result of revenues in the growththree months ended March 31, 2019 from MetaPack which we did not have in the comparable period of 2018 and a year-over-year increase in consolidation services revenues, partially offset by the decrease in revenues in the three months ended March 31, 2019 due to the termination of our shipping business where we haveagreement with the ability to better monetize postage volume as compared to monthly flat rate subscription fees.USPS which provided for Package Incentive Payments in the 2018 period.
 
Revenue by Product

The following table shows our components of revenue and their respective percentages of total revenue for the periods indicated (in thousands except percentage):
 
  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Revenues            
Service $97,529  $78,871  $292,634  $220,567 
Product  4,824   4,703   15,301   15,109 
Insurance  4,099   4,050   12,932   12,643 
Customized postage  8,588   4,912   15,306   10,016 
Other  22   23   69   74 
Total revenues $115,062  $92,559  $336,242  $258,409 
Revenue as a  percentage of total revenues                
Service  84.8%  85.2%  87.0%  85.4%
Product  4.2%  5.1%  4.6%  5.8%
Insurance  3.5%  4.4%  3.8%  4.9%
Customized postage  7.5%  5.3%  4.6%  3.9%
Other  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%  0.0%
Total revenue  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 2019 2018
Revenues   
Service$123,907
 $120,916
Product5,405
 5,679
Insurance3,334
 4,368
Customized postage3,357
 2,580
Other
 22
Total revenues$136,003
 $133,565
Revenue as a percentage of total revenues   
Service91.1% 90.5%
Product4.0% 4.3%
Insurance2.4% 3.3%
Customized postage2.5% 1.9%
Other0.0% 0.0%
Total revenue100.0% 100.0%

Our revenue is derived primarily from five sources: (1) service and transaction related revenues from our USPS mailing and shipping services, our multi-carrier shipping services and our mailing and shipping integrations; (2) product revenue from the direct sale of consumables and supplies through our Supplies Stores; (3) package insurance revenue from our branded insurance offerings; (4) customized postage revenue from the sale of PhotoStamps and PictureItPostagecustomized postage labels; and (5) other revenue, consisting of advertising revenue derived from advertising programs with our existing customers.

Service revenue is recognized over time for each month that customers have access to our platform or at a point in time when assets are transferred to the customer. We earn service revenue from our mailing and shipping operations in several different ways: (1) customers may pay us a monthly fee, based on a subscription plan which may be waived or refunded for certain customers;customers, for which we provide them access to our platform. Revenue is earned over the period of time that the customers have access to the platform which is typically month-to-month; (2) we mayhave been, and in the future potentially could be, compensated directly by the USPS and/or other carriers for shipping labels printed that meet certain qualifying customers under our USPS partnership;requirements, in which case revenue is earned over time, which is typically in the same month that the relevant labels are printed; (3) we may earn transaction related revenue based onfrom customers purchasingthat have access to our platform when they purchase postage or printingprint shipping labels;labels, in which case revenue is earned at the point in time we transfer an asset to the customer and have a present right of payment for the asset transferred; (4) we may earn compensation by offering customersrevenue that may take the form of some or all of the spread between the rate a discounted postagecustomer pays and the rate that is provided to the customerscarrier or integration partner receives, either charged directly or paid by our integration partners;partners, in which case revenue is earned at a point in time, which is typically when the customer purchases postage or prints a shipping label; and (5) we may earn other types of revenue shares or other compensation from specific customers that have access to our platform or through integration partners.

partners, in which case revenue is recognized at a point in time, which is when we have fulfilled our performance obligations.
Service revenue increased 24%2% to $97.5$123.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 from $78.9$120.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 and increased 33% to $292.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $220.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. The increase in service revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2017 consisted ofMarch 31, 2019 was driven by a 14% increase in the number of our average paid customers and a 9%3.0% increase in our average service revenue per paid customer.  The increase in the number of our paid customers was attributable to the factors described in the previous section. The increase in our averagemonthly service revenue per paid customer (Service Revenue ARPU), partially offset by a 0.6% decrease in paid customers. 

The increase in our Service Revenue ARPU during the three months ended March 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to (1) the factors that resulted in an increase in the average total mailing and shipping revenue per paid customer described in the previous section and (2) the renewal of two of our agreements with the USPS with improved economics.section.
Product revenue increased 3%decreased 5% to $4.8$5.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 from $4.7$5.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 and increased 1% to $15.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $15.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. Product revenue is primarily driven by labels,label sales, such as NetStamps, and DYMO Stamps, which are used for mailing. As our growth in postage has been driven more by shipping than mailing over the recent years, our year-to-date growth in product revenue has been lower than our growth in total revenue.not kept pace and is approximately flat year over year.
 
Beginning on October 1, 2018, insurance revenue represents the amount we receive from customers net of the costs paid to our insurance providers. For the periods presented prior to October 1, 2018, insurance revenue represented the gross amount charged to the customer for purchasing insurance and the insurance cost of revenue represented the amount paid to our insurance providers. Insurance revenue was $4.1decreased 24% to $3.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017, which was consistent withMarch 31, 2019 from $4.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016. Insurance revenue increased 2% to $12.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $12.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  The growth inMarch 31, 2018. Our insurance revenue is less thandecreased year over year despite the growth in service revenue primarily due to the increase inchange to recognizing revenue on the net basis of accounting beginning October 1, 2018 as described above. Additionally, high volume shipper customers.  High volume shipper customers often self-insure, so while the high volume shipping business results in higher service fee revenue, it may not result in higher insurance revenue.

Customized postage revenue increased 75%30% to $8.6$3.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 from $4.9$2.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 and increased 53% to $15.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $10.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in partner sales and website orders, partially offset by decreases in high volume customer orders. High volume order sales are unpredictable and vary from quarter to quarter.
                                                 

Cost of Revenue

The following table shows cost of revenues and cost of revenues as a percentage of associated revenue for the periods indicated (in thousands except percentage):
 
  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Cost of revenues            
Service $11,882  $9,903  $37,284  $28,054 
Product  1,535   1,579   4,930   5,019 
Insurance  966   1,291   3,547   3,920 
Customized postage  7,151   3,954   12,600   8,076 
Total cost of revenues $21,534  $16,727  $58,361  $45,069 
Cost as percentage of associated revenue                
Service  12.2%  12.6%  12.7%  12.7%
Product  31.8%  33.6%  32.2%  33.2%
Insurance  23.6%  31.9%  27.4%  31.0%
Customized postage  83.3%  80.5%  82.3%  80.6%
Total cost as a percentage of total revenues  18.7%  18.1%  17.4%  17.4%
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 2019 2018
Cost of revenues   
Service32,235
 20,649
Product1,673
 1,751
Insurance
 998
Customized postage2,431
 2,129
Total cost of revenues$36,339
 $25,527
Cost as percentage of associated revenue 
  
Service26.0% 17.1%
Product31.0% 30.8%
Insurance% 22.8%
Customized postage72.4% 82.5%
Total cost as a percentage of total revenues26.7% 19.1%

Cost of service revenue principally consists of the cost of customer service, certain promotional expenses, system operating costs, credit card processing fees, vendor costs and expenses, and customer misprints that do not qualify for reimbursement from the USPS. Cost of product revenue principally consists of the cost of products sold through our Supplies Stores and the related costs of shipping and handling. TheFor the periods presented prior to October 1, 2018, the cost of insurance revenue principally consists of parcel insurance offering costs through our third party insurance providers.providers as described in the previous section. Cost of customized postage revenue principally consists of the face value of postage, customer service, image review costs, and printing and fulfillment costs.
Cost of service revenue increased 20%56% to $11.9$32.2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 from $9.9$20.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 and increased 33% to $37.3March 31, 2018. Our acquisition of MetaPack resulted in cost of service revenue increasing by $4.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $28.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  The increase during the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 compared to the 2018 period. The remaining increase for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to higher credit card processing fees, which increased by $2.0 million, directly related tothe growth of our higher revenue. The increase during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily attributable to (1) higher credit card processing fees, which increased by $5.8 million, directly related to our higher revenue; (2) higher customer service costs, which increased by $1.9 million, to support our growing customer base; and (3) higher system operating costs, which increased by $1.4 million, to support our growing business.consolidation services. Promotional expenses were not material in the three or nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016.March 31, 2018.

Cost of service revenue as a percent of service revenue was 12%increased to 26% in the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 13%March 31, 2019 from 17% in the three months ended September 30, 2016.  CostMarch 31, 2018. The increase is primarily attributable to: (i) the relative increase in service revenue from service offerings, such as consolidation services, for which the vendor costs and expenses are included both in revenue and in cost of service revenue; (ii) the decrease in service revenue attributable to the termination of our agreement with the USPS that provided for Package Incentive Payments; and (iii) the acquisition of MetaPack, which has higher cost of service revenue as a percent of service revenue was 13% in the nine months ended September 30, 2017, which was consistent with the nine months ended September 30, 2016.revenue.

Cost of product revenue decreased 4% to $1.7 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was consistent withMarch 31, 2019 from $1.8 million in the cost of product revenue in three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.  March 31, 2018. The decrease during the three months ended March 31, 2019 is primarily due to the decrease in our product revenue.

Cost of product revenue as a percent of product revenue was 32%31% in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 34%31% in the three months ended September 30, 2016. Cost of product revenue as a percent of product revenue was 32% in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 33% in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018.

CostThe decrease in cost of insurance revenue decreased 25% to zero in the three months ended March 31, 2019 from $1.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017 from $1.3 millionMarch 31, 2018 was due to the change to recognizing revenue on a net basis of accounting beginning October 1, 2018 as described in the three months ended September 30, 2016 and decreased 10% to $3.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $3.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower cost as a result of a renegotiated contract.
previous section. Cost of insurance revenue as a percent of insurance revenue was 24%23% in the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 32% in the three months ended September 30, 2016. Cost of insurance revenue as a percent of insurance revenue was 27% in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 31% in the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease is the combination of decreased costs of insurance revenue and increased insurance revenue.March 31, 2018.


Cost of customized postage revenue increased 81%14% to $7.2$2.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 from $4.0$2.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 and increased 56% to $12.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $8.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. The increase in cost of customized postage revenue during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 is primarily due to the increase in our customized postage revenue. volume.

Cost of customized postage revenue as a percent of customized postage revenue was 72% in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 83% in the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 81%March 31, 2018. The decrease in the three months ended September 30, 2016. Costcost of customized postage revenue as a percent of customized postage revenue was 82% inis primarily due to the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 81% in the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase, both on an absolute and as a percentage of customized revenue, was primarily the result of therelative increase in high volumeour customized postage revenue related to partner sales and website orders which have a lower profithigher margin compared to website sales.high volume orders.
Operating Expenses

The following table outlines the components of our operating expense and their respective percentages of total revenues for the periods indicated (in thousands except percentage)percentages):
 
  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Operating expenses:            
Sales and marketing $20,588  $18,229  $66,018  $59,708 
Research and development  12,037   9,111   34,187   25,579 
General and administrative  25,243   16,901   65,676   49,276 
Total operating expenses $57,868  $44,241  $165,881  $134,563 
Operating expenses as a percent of total revenues:                
Sales and marketing  17.9%  19.7%  19.6%  23.1%
Research and development  10.5%  9.8%  10.2%  9.9%
General and administrative  21.9%  18.3%  19.5%  19.1%
Total operating expenses as a percentage of Total revenues  50.3%  47.8%  49.3%  52.1%
 Three Months Ended
March 31,
 2019 2018
Operating expenses:   
Sales and marketing$32,881
 $25,748
Research and development17,314
 12,073
General and administrative26,228
 21,016
Total operating expenses$76,423
 $58,837
Operating expenses as a percent of total revenues: 
  
Sales and marketing24.2% 19.3%
Research and development12.7% 9.0%
General and administrative19.3% 15.7%
Total operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues56.2% 44.1%

Sales and Marketing

Sales and marketing expense principally consists of spending to acquire new customers and compensation and related expenses for personnel engaged in sales, marketing, and business development activities. Our sales and marketing programs include direct sales, customer referral programs, customer re-marketing efforts, direct mail, online advertising, partnerships, telemarketing, and traditional advertising.

Sales and marketing expense increased 13%28% to $20.6$32.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 from $18.2$25.7 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 and increased 11% to $66.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $59.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. The increase during the three months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily attributable to an increase in headcount-related expenses including stock-based compensation of $1.2 million and an increase in discretionary marketing spending of $0.8 million.  The increase during the nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to an increase in discretionary and sales volume-based partner marketing spendingspend of $3.9$3.1 million and an increase in headcount-related expenses including stock-based compensation of $2.2$3.0 million. The increaseincreases in headcount-related expenses was duewere primarily attributable to the issuanceinclusion of stock options to additional employees as part of the ShippingEasy acquisition, as well as the increased number of employees in the rest of the Company.  Please see Note 2 – “Acquisitions” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statementsheadcount-related expenses for further description of the ShippingEasy acquisition.MetaPack employees.

Sales and marketing expense as a percent of total revenue was 18%24% in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 which was downup compared to 20%19% in the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. Sales and marketing expense as a percentpercentage of total revenue was 20%increased primarily due to the decrease in the nine months ended September 30, 2017, which was down compared to 23% in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  The decline during both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was primarilyrevenue attributable to the termination of our ability to leverage our sales and marketing spend,agreement with the USPS which is expensed as incurred relative to the year-over-year growth in our average monthly revenue per paid customer.provided for Package Incentive Payments.

Research and Development

Research and development expense principally consists of compensation for personnel involved in the development of our services, depreciation of equipment and software, and expenditures for consulting services and third party software.

Research and development expense increased 32%43% to $12.0$17.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 from $9.1$12.1 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 and increased 34% to $34.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 from $25.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. The increase during the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to an increase in headcount-related expense including stock-based compensation of $2.0$3.4 million and ana $1.0 million increase in facilities expense of $0.2 million. The increase during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily due to an increase in headcount-related expenses including stock-based compensation of $6.6 million and an increase in facilities expense of $0.8 million.allocated information technology expenses. The increases in headcount-related expenses were due to increased headcount resulting from the ShippingEasy acquisition as well as increased headcount in the rest of the Companyincurred to support our expanded product offerings and technology infrastructure investments. The increase in facilities expense was associated with the increase in headcount.investments and include headcount-related expenses for MetaPack employees.
Research and development expense as a percent of total revenue duringwas 13% in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 which was up compared to 9% in the three months ended March 31, 2018. Research and 2016 was 10%.development expense as a percentage of total revenue increased primarily due to the decrease in revenue attributable to the termination of our agreement with the USPS which provided for Package Incentive Payments and the acquisition of MetaPack which had higher research and development expense as a percent of total revenue.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expense principally consists of compensation and related costs for executive and administrative personnel,personnel; fees for legal and other professional services,services; depreciation of equipment, software, and building used for general corporate purposespurposes; and amortization of intangible assets.

General and administrative expense increased 49%25% to $25.2$26.2 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 from $16.9$21.0 million in the three months ended September 30, 2016 and increased 33% to $65.7 million inMarch 31, 2018. In the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017 from $49.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2019, MetaPack general and administrative expense was $4.5 million. The remaining increase during the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to: (1) $6.0due to other general increases in operating expenses, partially offset by a $0.8 million of executive consulting expense; and (2) an increasedecrease in headcount-related expense including stock-based compensation expense of $3.4 million; partially offset by (3) $1.9 million of one-time insurance proceeds relating to a prior legal settlement.  The increase during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily attributable to: (1) an increase in headcount-related expense including stock-based compensation of $10.5 million; (2) $6.0 million of executive consulting expense; and (3) a $1.4 million increase in intangible amortization expense; partially offset by (4) $1.9 million of one-time insurance proceeds relating to a prior legal settlement; and (5) a $1.1 million decrease in professional expenses. The increases in headcount-related and stock-based compensation expenses were due to both the addition of headcount resulting from our ShippingEasy acquisition as well as increased headcount at the rest of the Company to support our growth in the business and corporate infrastructure investments. The increase in intangible amortization expense was due to our ShippingEasy acquisition.  Professional fee expense was higher during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to the same periods in 2017 due to acquisition related costs.  We did not have any acquisition related costs in 2017.compensation.

General and administrative expense as a percent of total revenue was 22%19% in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and was 18%16% in the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. General and administrative expense as a percentpercentage of total revenue was 20%increased primarily due to the decrease in revenue attributable to the nine months ended September 30, 2017termination of our agreement with the USPS which provided for Package Incentive Payments and was 19% in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.  The increases inacquisition of MetaPack which had higher general and administrative expenseexpenses as a percent of total revenuerevenue.

Foreign Currency Exchange Gain (Loss), Net
Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net. The foreign currency exchange loss, net of $95,000 in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 were attributableMarch 31, 2019 was not material to the factors described in the previous paragraph.

consolidated financial statements.
Interest Income and Other Income

Interest income and other income primarily consists of interest income from cash, cash equivalents, and short-term and long-term investments. Interest and other income was $120,000 and $24,000increased to $65,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.March 31, 2019 from $49,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2018. Interest and other income was $309,000 and $98,000 inis not material to the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.consolidated financial statements.

Interest Expense

Interest expense consists of interest expense from the debt under our credit facility and the associated accretion of debt issuance costs. Interest expense was $967,000increased to $714,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to $828,000March 31, 2019 from $590,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2016. Interest expense was $2.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to $2.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2018. The increase in interest expense iswas primarily attributable to higher average interest rates, in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, partially offset by lower outstanding debt balances under our credit facility.
Provision for Income Taxes

ForOur income tax expense was $6.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, ourMarch 31, 2019. Our income tax benefitexpense was $11.4$1.6 million and $873,000, respectively.  for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Our effective income tax benefit wasrate differs from the statutory income tax rate primarily attributable to discrete tax benefits relating to exercises of options, net of our pre-tax book income multiplied by an estimated annual effective tax rate. Asas a result of our adoption of ASU 2016-09 in 2017, we recognize the full impact of the excesspermanent tax adjustments for non-deductible expenses, state taxes, and tax benefits associated withfrom research and development tax credits and exercises of stock option exercises during the period, which decreases our effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, resulting in lower tax expense compared to prior year.  Please see awards.

See Note 1 – “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”7 — “Income Taxes” and Note 5 – “Stock Based Compensation” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further description of the impact of this accounting standard.discussion.

Our income tax expense was $12.1 million and $30.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.  Our tax expense was primarily attributable to our pre-tax income including our current tax expense consisting of federal alternative minimum tax and various state taxes and our deferred income tax expense consisting of temporary tax items including stock compensation and differences in the book and tax lives of amortizable intangibles.

Our effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal rate as a result of several factors including non-temporary differences from excess tax benefits from the exercise of stock options, as well as state income taxes and research and development tax credits.

We evaluated the appropriateness of our deferred tax assets and related valuation allowance in accordance with ASC 740 based on all available positive and negative evidence.  As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we do not have any valuation allowance against our gross deferred tax assets.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Changes in cash and cash equivalents for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 were as follows:

 Three Months Ended
March 31,
  
 2019 2018 Change
Net cash provided by operating activities$33,444
 $55,288
 $(21,844)
Net cash used in investing activities(262) (447) 185
Net cash used in financing activities(36,038) (12,896) (23,142)
Effect of exchange rate changes24
 
 24
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents$(2,832) $41,945
 $(44,777)

As of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2016,2018, we had $183.5$110.9 million and $108.4$113.8 million, respectively, primarily in cash and cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments. We invest available funds in short-term and long-term securities, including money market funds, corporate bonds, asset backed securities, and US government and agency bonds, and do not engage in hedging or speculative activities.equivalents.

Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $149.0$33.4 million and $104.0$55.3 million during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,March 31, 2018, respectively. The increasedecrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to the following changes in the consolidated statement of cash flows line items: (1) increasea decrease in net income of $64.2 million;$31.3 million and (2) a $12.4 million decrease in cash flows due to a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses, partially offset by (a) an $18.9 million increase in cash flows due to a decrease in accounts receivable of $14.1 million; (3)and (b) a $6.0 million increase in stock-based compensation expense of $8.9 million; and the (4) lack of a stock option windfall tax benefit, which was $9.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016; partially offset by the (5) increase in other current assets of $30.3 million primarilycash flows due to prepaid income taxes; (6)a decrease in the deferredcurrent income tax balance of $18.1 million; and the (7) decrease in deferred revenue balance of $2.4 million.taxes.

Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $4.5 million$262,000 and $51.9 million$447,000 during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,March 31, 2018, respectively. The decrease in net cash used in investing activities was primarily due to (1) the prior period acquisition of ShippingEasy on July 1, 2016 for $55.4 million; partially offset by (2) a $5.5 million decrease in cash from short-term investment sales; and (3) a $3.1 million increase in capital expenditures related to the build out of the Stamps.com headquarters.
not material.

Net cash used in financing activities was approximately $68.0$36.0 million and $36.1$12.9 million during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and 2016,March 31, 2018, respectively. The increase in net cash used in financing activities was primarily due to (1) the (1) $55.7decrease in proceeds received from exercise of stock options of $17.3 million, (2) the $4.9 million decrease in proceeds from short term financing obligations, net of repayments, and (3) the $4.6 million increase in stock repurchases; (2) recharacterization, pursuant to ASU 2016-09 of a stock option windfall tax benefit, which was $9.8 million in the prior period, to an operating activity in the current period; (3) $3.1 million increase in short-term financing payments; (4) $1.5 million increase in term-loan principal payments;repurchases, partially offset by (5) the $38.3$4.1 million increasedecrease in proceeds from stock option exercises.payments of statutory income tax withholding obligations that were funded by shares withheld.
The following table is a schedule of our significant contractual obligations and commercial commitments (other than debt commitments), which consist of minimum operating lease payments as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 (in thousands):
 
Twelve Month Period Ending September 30, 
Operating
Lease Obligations
 
2018 $3,909 
2019  1,625 
2020  1,393 
2021  1,097 
2022  116 
Thereafter   
Total $8,140 
Twelve Month Period Ending March 31,Operating
Lease Obligations
2020$4,774
20214,834
20223,763
20233,089
20242,317
Thereafter2,435
Total undiscounted cash flows21,212
Less amount representing interest(2,795)
Present value of lease liabilities$18,417

On November 18, 2015, we entered into a credit agreementCredit Agreement with a group of banks, which providesprovided for a term loan of $82.5 million and a revolving credit facility with a maximum borrowing of $82.5 million (the “Credit Agreement”).million. Our Credit Agreement matures on November 18, 2020. In connection with entering into the Credit Agreement, we incurred approximately $1.8 million in debt issuance costs which were recorded as debt discount and are being accreted as interest expense over the life of the Credit Agreement. Interest expense associated with the debt issuance costs for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018 was approximately $93,000 and $279,000, respectively.$93,000. In December 2017, we repaid all of our revolving credit facility outstanding debt of $62.0 million.

Borrowings under the term loan are payable in quarterly installments which began on December 31, 2015. We pay interest on our Credit Agreement equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate plus an applicable margin, between 1.25% and 2.00%, based upon certain financial measures. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, our applicable margin was our applicable margin was 1.25% and the interest rate on our outstanding loan was approximately 2.49%3.75%. We are subject to certain customary quarterly financial covenants under our Credit Agreement such as a maximum total leverage ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, we were in compliance with the covenants of the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement includes negative covenants, subject to exceptions, restricting or limiting our ability to among other things, incur additional indebtedness,indebtedness; grant liens,liens; repurchase stock,stock; pay dividendsdividends; and engage in certain investment, acquisition, and disposition transactions. The Credit Agreement imposes certain requirements in order for us to make dividend payments. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, such requirements were: (1) our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, must be less than 2.752.50 to 1.00; (2) our Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, must be greater than 1.25 to 1.00; and (3) our Liquidity as defined in the Credit Agreement must be greater than $20 million. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio was 0.620.25 to 1.00, our Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio was 21.7016.92 to 1.00 and our Liquidity was approximately $204$193 million, which includes cash and cash equivalent and investment balances, as well as the available balance under the revolving credit facility. Based on our actual financial condition and results of operations, we do not believe that the provisions of the Credit Agreement currently represent a restriction to our ability to pay dividends in permissible amounts.

The contractual maturities of our debt obligations due subsequent to September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 are as follows (in thousands):
 
Year ending September 30, Amount 
2018 $8,250 
2019  10,312 
2020  12,375 
2021  103,240 
Thereafter   
Total debt  134,177 
     
Less: debt issuance costs  1,184 
Total debt, net of debt issuance costs $132,993 
31
Year Ending March 31,Amount
2020$11,344
202147,437
Thereafter
Total debt58,781
  
Less: debt issuance costs623
Total debt, net of debt issuance costs$58,158


The estimated interest payments related to our debt due subsequent to September 30, 2017March 31, 2019 are as follows (in thousands):
 
Year ending September 30, Amount 
2018 $3,320 
2019  3,097 
2020  2,829 
2021  570 
Thereafter   
Total $9,816 
Year Ending March 31,Amount
2020$2,088
20211,085
Thereafter
Total$3,173

The above estimated interest payments assume an interest rate of 2.49%3.75%, which is our interest rate as of September 30, 2017, and assumeMarch 31, 2019.

Immediately following the entire remaining amountacquisition of ourMetaPack, we repaid in full MetaPack's existing revolving credit facility is paid on the maturity datebalance of November 18, 2020.approximately $12.7 million.

We believe our available cash and marketable securities, together with the cash flow from operations, will be sufficient to fund our business for at least the next twelve months.

32

Segment Analysis
We acquired MetaPack on August 15, 2018, and, accordingly, there is no inclusion of ContentsMetaPack’s results prior to our ownership within this Report. Given the absence of MetaPack data in our results prior to our ownership of MetaPack, and the inclusion of segment financial information contained in Note 10 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in this Report, we believe that, as of the filing of this Report, a segment presentation in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations section is not necessary to form an understanding of our overall business. We intend to provide a segment analysis in our future Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations sections when appropriate to facilitate an understanding of our business.

Business Outlook and Forward-Looking Statements

The following forward-looking statements are accompanied by, and should only be read in conjunction with, the qualifications and limitations described in the forward-looking statements discussion at the beginning of this Item 2 and the risks and other factors set forth in Item 1A “Risk Factors”"Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162018, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2017.2019.

As previously disclosed, our agreement with the USPS that provided for Package Incentive Payments to be paid directly to us by the USPS for certain classes of shipping labels terminated on December 31, 2018. In addition, we have recently become aware of potential adverse amendments, renegotiations, changes, or termination of certain contracts between the USPS and certain of our strategic partners who are part of the USPS’s reseller program, and through which we derive material revenues and profits (such potential events, collectively the "Reseller Restructuring"); however there is significant uncertainty as to whether, how and when any Reseller Restructuring may be implemented.
We expect our mailing and shipping revenue to increasedecrease in 20172019 compared to 2016.  We expect our mailing and shipping revenue growth in 20172018 primarily due to be less than the growth we achieved in 2016 now that we have passed the one year anniversarytermination on December 31, 2018 of our Endicia acquisition.agreement with the USPS which provided for Package Incentive Payments and the potential Reseller Restructuring, partially offset by an increase due to MetaPack results being included for the full fiscal year in 2019, compared to the period from August 15 through year end in 2018. Our ability to grow our mailing and shipping revenue is partlyalso dependent on our ability to increase our sales and marketing spend to acquire new customers and to retain our existing customers. To the extent we are not able to achieve our target increase in spending and acquire or retain customers, this would further negatively impact our 20172019 mailing and shipping revenue growth expectations.

Our expectations of mailing and shipping revenue reflect the discontinuation of Package Incentive Payments as well as the uncertainty regarding any potential Reseller Restructuring. As a result, our revenue and operating results will be adversely affected unless we are successful in timely replacing the lost revenue with similar compensation from the USPS or other potential partners. While we have strategies to replace some portion of these revenues with new carrier relationships, these plans are in various stages, and we do not expect any material replacement of such revenues to occur during the 2019 fiscal year. Further, there is no assurance as to when, if or to what extent we may ultimately succeed in implementing such strategies, all of which carry negotiation and execution risks. Unless and until we replace these lost revenues and associated profit margins, our operating results in 2019 and beyond may be materially less than in 2018. See "Risk Factors--Risks Related to our Industry--The discontinuation of certain financial compensation arrangements with the USPS will have an adverse effect on our revenues and operating results, unless we are successful in replacing the lost revenue and profit with similar compensation from the USPS or other potential partners, of which there is no assurance," "Risk Factors--Risks Related to our Industry--The USPS could modify, discontinue or terminate agreements and other financial compensation arrangements, which would have an adverse effect on our revenue and operating results," "Risk Factors--Risks Related to our Industry--The USPS or our integration partners could cause discounts our customers receive to be diminished or terminated, which would have an adverse effect on our results of operations, reputation and competitiveness," and "Risk Factors--Risks Related to our Industry--Strategic business Partners or carriers could modify or terminate agreements and other financial compensation arrangements, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations and prospects," in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 1, 2018, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2019.
Customized postage revenue increased in 2017 compared to 2016, asWe expect customized postage revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 exceeded customized postage revenue for the twelve months ended December 30, 2016.to decline in 2019 compared to 2018, due to certain high volume business purchases occurring in 2018, which may not be repeated in 2019. High volume business orders for customized postage can fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and therefore historical trends may not be indicative of future results for customized postage revenue.

We expect our sales and marketing expenseexpenses to increasebe higher in 20172019 as compared to 2016.  We2018 and we expect the percent increase in sales and marketing expense in 20172019 to be less than the percent increase in 2016,2018. The increases are as 2016 reflected a full yearresult of Endicia results, as opposedthe inclusion of MetaPack, the annualized effect of our headcount investments in 2018, and our plan to approximately one and a half monthsincrease our investments in 2015.headcount resources in 2019 to drive growth. We will continue to monitor our customer metrics and the state of the economy and adjust our level of spending accordingly. Sales and marketing spend is expensed in the period incurred, while the revenue and profits associated with the acquired customers are earned over the customers’ lifetimes. As a result, increased sales and marketing spend in future periods could result in a reduction in operating profit and cash flow compared to past periods.

We expect research and development expenses to be higher in 20172019 as compared to 2016.  We2018 and we expect the percent increase in research and development expense in 20172019 to be lessgreater than the percent increase in 2016, as 2016 reflected2018. The increases are a full yearresult of Endicia results, as opposedthe inclusion of MetaPack, the annualized effect of our headcount investments in 2018, and our plan to approximately one and a half monthsincrease our investments in 2015. We expectheadcount resources in 2019 to hire additional research and development personnel in 2017.

drive growth.
We expect general and administrative expenses to be higher in 20172019 as compared to 2016.2018. The increase is a result of the inclusion of MetaPack, the annualized effect of our headcount investments in 2018, and our plan to increase our investments in headcount resources in 2019. We expect the percent increase in general and administrative expense in 20172019 to be less than the percent increase in 2016, as 2016 reflected a full year of Endicia results, as opposed2018.
We expect our stock-based compensation expense to be higher in 2019 compared to 2018.
We expect our interest and other income (expense), net in 2019 to be approximately one and a half months in 2015.

similar to 2018 due to higher expected interest rates, partially offset by lower outstanding balances.
We expect our effective tax rate for 20172019 to be lowerhigher than 2016 as we benefitted from excess2018. The increase in our estimated effective tax benefitsrate for 2019 was primarily driven by an increase in projected non-deductible expenses related to the exercise of stock optionsexecutive compensation coupled with a reduction in 2017. However, there are other factors that impact taxable income compared toprojected pre-tax book income which can be difficult to predict and can change from quarter-to-quarter.

income.
As discussed earlier in this Report, our expectations are subject to substantial uncertainty and our results are subject to macro-economic factors and other factors which could cause these trends to be worse than our current expectation or which could cause actual results to be materially different than our current expectations. These expectations are “forward looking statements,” are made only as of the date of this Report and are subject to the qualifications and limitations on forward-looking statements discussion in the beginning of Item 2 of this Report and the risks and other factors set forth in Item 1A of Part II of this Report and Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2019. Our business has grown through acquisitions during 2014 through 2016;2018; however the expectations above do not assume any future acquisitions or dispositions, any of which could have a significant impact on our current expectations. As described in our forward-looking statements discussion, we do not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to our forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Report.

Critical Accounting Policies and Judgments

Management’sManagement's discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our unaudited financial statements. The preparation of these financial statements is based on the selection of accounting policies and the application of significant accounting estimates, some of which require management to make judgments, estimates, and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and notes. Except as noted below, forFor more information regarding our critical accounting estimates and policies, see Part II, Item 7, “Management’s"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—CriticalOperations-Critical Accounting Policies and Judgments”Judgments" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2018, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2017.2019.

ITEM 3.
ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

On November 18, 2015, we entered into a Credit Agreement with a group of banks, which providesprovided for a term loan of $82.5 million and a revolving credit facility with a maximum borrowing of $82.5 million. Our Credit Agreement matures on November 18, 2020. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, the debt outstanding under our Credit Agreement, gross of debt issuance costs, was $134.2$58.8 million.  Borrowings under the term loan are payable in quarterly installments which began on December 31, 2015. We pay interest on our Credit Agreement at a rate equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate plus an applicable margin, which is between 1.25% and 2.00%, based upon certain financial measures. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, our applicable margin was our applicable margin was 1.25% and the interest rate on our outstanding loan was approximately 2.49%3.75%. Interest expense would not be significantly affected by either a 10% increase or decrease in the rates of interest on our debt.

We do not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. We do not have material exposure to market risk with respect to investments. We do not useduse derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio.  None of the instruments in our investment portfolio are held for speculative or trading purposes. However, we may adopt specific hedging strategies in the future.

Our cash equivalents and investments consist primarily of money market U.S. government obligations, asset-backed securities and public corporate debt securities withhad a weighted average maturitiesmaturity of 3116 days at September 30, 2017. Our cash equivalents and investments approximated $183.5 million at September 30, 2017 and had a weighted average interest rate of 0.9%.2.4% at March 31, 2019. The aggregate value of our cash and cash equivalents was $110.9 million at March 31, 2019. Interest rate fluctuations impact the carrying value of the portfolio. The fair value of our portfolio of marketable securities would not be significantly affected by either a 10% increase or decrease in the rates of interest due primarily to the short-term nature of the portfolio. We do not believe that the future market risks related to the above securities will have a material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

ITEM 4.
ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act).
 
As of the end of the period covered by this Report, our management evaluated, with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based on that evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded, as of that time, that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Changes in internal controls
 
DuringAs discussed in Note 2 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we acquired MetaPack on August 15, 2018. We are in the process of integrating certain processes, systems and controls relating to MetaPack into our existing system of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with our integration plans. Except for the foregoing, during the quarter ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Note 3 “Commitments- "Commitments and Contingencies – Legal Proceedings”Contingencies" of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

We are not aware of any material changes to the risk factors included in Item 1A “Risk Factors”"Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2018, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2017.2019.

ITEM 2.
ITEM 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Period 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
  
Average Price Paid
per Share
  
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
  
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares That
May Yet be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
(in 000’s)
 
July 1, 2017 –
July 31, 2017
  46,300  $147.35   46,300  $61,659 
August 1, 2017 –
August 31, 2017
  23,400  $196.06   23,400  $57,071 
September 1, 2017 –
September 30, 2017
  19,000  $199.77   19,000  $53,276 
Period
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid
per Share
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares That
May Yet be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
(in 000's)
January 1, 2019 -
January 31, 2019
151,604
$164.45
151,604
$
February 1, 2019 -
February 28, 2019

n/a

$
March 1, 2019 -
March 31, 2019
83,857
$84.18
83,857
$52,941

On October 25, 2016, our24, 2018, the Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase plan which became effective November 7, 2016, that replaced our prior stock repurchase plan and authorized us to repurchase up to $90 million of stock over the six months following the effective date of the plan.  On April 24, 2017, our Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program that took effect upon expiration of the prior plan on May 8, 2017November 11, 2018 and authorizes the Company to repurchase up to another $90 million of stock over the six months following its effective date. On October 24, 2017, the Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase program that will take effect upon expiration of the current plan on November 10, 2017 and authorizesauthorized the Company to repurchase up to $90 million of stock over the six months following its effective date. On March 8, 2019, our Board of Directors approved a $60 million share repurchase plan which is scheduled to expire in September 2019. As of May 8, 2019, we had repurchased approximately $24 million under this plan. On May 1, 2019, our Board of Directors adjusted the repurchase parameters of the plan which is now expected to repurchase a further $9 million, between May 9, 2019 and the plan's expiration in September 2019, in addition to the $24 million purchased under the plan prior to such period.

From time to time we withhold shares of our stock to satisfy income tax obligations related to performance-based or restricted equity awards. See Note 1 - "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Treasury Stock" in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this filing.
We will consider repurchasing stock in the future by evaluating such factors as the price of the stock, the daily trading volume and the availability of large blocks of stock and any additional constraints related to material inside information we may possess. Our repurchase of any of our shares will be subject to limitations that may be imposed on such repurchases by applicable securities laws and regulations and the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market, as well as restrictions under our Credit Agreement. Repurchases may be made in the open market, or in privately negotiated transactions from time to time at our discretion. We have no commitment to make any repurchases.

ITEM 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
ITEM 3.    DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.



ITEM 5.    OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS

Not applicable.

ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION

None.
ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
Consulting Agreement, dated as of July 31, 2017, between James Bortnak and Stamps.com Inc. (1)
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *
  
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *
 
101.INSXBRL Instance Document
  
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
  
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
  
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
  
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
  
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 

*Furnished, not filed.
(1)
Incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 2, 2017 (File No. 000-26427).
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

 STAMPS.COM INC. 
 (Registrant) 
    
NovemberDate: May 9, 20172019By:/s/ KEN MCBRIDE 
  Ken McBride 
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 
 
November
Date: May 9, 20172019By:/s/ JEFF CARBERRY 
  Jeff Carberry 
  Chief Financial Officer 
 

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