UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

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

For the quarterly period ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172021

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: 001-35362

 

TRIPADVISOR, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

80-0743202

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

400 1st Avenue

Needham, MA 02494

(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(781) 800-5000

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common stock

TRIP

Nasdaq

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes      No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes      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 accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

 

  

Accelerated filer

 

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

  (Do not check if a small reporting company)

  

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

 

Class

 

Outstanding Shares at November 1, 2017July 30, 2021

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

 

126,079,380124,606,262 shares

Class B common stock, $0.001 par value per share

 

12,799,999 shares

 

 

 

 


 

TripAdvisor,

Tripadvisor, Inc.

Form 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172021

Table of Contents

 

 

  

Page

Part I—Financial Information

 

  

 

Item 1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

  

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and NineSix Months Ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172021 and 20162020

  

3

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three and NineSix Months Ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172021 and 20162020

  

4

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at SeptemberJune 30, 20172021 and December 31, 20120206

  

5

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated StatementStatements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the NineThree and Six Months Ended SeptemberJune 30, 2012021 and 20207

  

6

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the NineSix Months Ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172021 and 20162020

7

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

  

8

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

9

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  

2529

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

  

4048

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

  

4149

 

Part II—Other Information

  

 

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

  

4149

Item 1A. Risk Factors

  

4149

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

  

5550

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

  

5650

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

  

5651

Item 5. Other Information

  

5651

Item 6. Exhibits

  

5651

Signatures

  

5752

 

 

 


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

TRIPADVISOR, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in millions, except per share amounts)

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Revenue

 

$

439

 

 

$

421

 

 

$

1,235

 

 

$

1,164

 

Revenue (Note 3)

 

$

235

 

 

$

59

 

 

$

358

 

 

$

337

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue (1)(2)

 

 

20

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

55

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

29

 

Selling and marketing (2)

 

 

247

 

 

 

210

 

 

 

683

 

 

 

584

 

 

 

123

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

196

 

 

 

179

 

Technology and content (2)

 

 

61

 

 

 

62

 

 

 

184

 

 

 

185

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

51

 

 

 

109

 

 

 

120

 

General and administrative (2)

 

 

42

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

115

 

 

 

110

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

43

 

 

 

84

 

 

 

94

 

Depreciation

 

 

19

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

57

 

 

 

51

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

8

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

23

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

28

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

57

 

 

 

64

 

Restructuring and other related reorganization costs (Note 1)

 

 

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

 

 

 

42

 

Total costs and expenses

 

 

397

 

 

 

355

 

 

 

1,120

 

 

 

1,008

 

 

 

270

 

 

 

223

 

 

 

477

 

 

 

528

 

Operating income

 

 

42

 

 

 

66

 

 

 

115

 

 

 

156

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

(35

)

 

 

(164

)

 

 

(119

)

 

 

(191

)

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(22

)

 

 

(9

)

Interest income and other, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

-

 

Interest income

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

Other income (expense), net (Note 13)

 

 

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(9

)

Total other income (expense), net

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(15

)

 

 

(22

)

 

 

(16

)

Income before income taxes

 

 

38

 

 

 

63

 

 

 

107

 

 

 

146

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

(13

)

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(42

)

 

 

(27

)

Net income

 

$

25

 

 

$

55

 

 

$

65

 

 

$

119

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

(46

)

 

 

(179

)

 

 

(141

)

 

 

(207

)

(Provision) benefit for income taxes (Note 7)

 

 

6

 

 

 

26

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

38

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(40

)

 

$

(153

)

 

$

(120

)

 

$

(169

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share attributable to common stockholders (Note 4):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders (Note 11):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.18

 

 

$

0.38

 

 

$

0.46

 

 

$

0.82

 

 

$

(0.29

)

 

$

(1.14

)

 

$

(0.88

)

 

$

(1.25

)

Diluted

 

$

0.18

 

 

$

0.37

 

 

$

0.46

 

 

$

0.81

 

 

$

(0.29

)

 

$

(1.14

)

 

$

(0.88

)

 

$

(1.25

)

Weighted average common shares outstanding (Note 4):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding (Note 11):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

139

 

 

 

146

 

 

 

141

 

 

 

146

 

 

 

137

 

 

 

134

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

135

 

Diluted

 

 

139

 

 

 

147

 

 

 

142

 

 

 

147

 

 

 

137

 

 

 

134

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

135

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Excludes amortization as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of acquired technology included in amortization of intangible assets

 

$

2

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

6

 

 

$

5

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

1

 

Amortization of website development costs included in depreciation

 

 

14

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

34

 

 

$

16

 

 

$

14

 

 

$

45

 

 

$

38

 

 

$

17

 

 

$

18

 

 

$

33

 

 

$

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2) Includes stock-based compensation expense as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2) Includes stock-based compensation expense as follows (Note 9):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

1

 

Selling and marketing

 

$

5

 

 

$

5

 

 

$

16

 

 

$

15

 

 

$

4

 

 

$

4

 

 

$

8

 

 

$

7

 

Technology and content

 

$

12

 

 

$

11

 

 

$

31

 

 

$

30

 

 

$

13

 

 

$

9

 

 

$

24

 

 

$

20

 

General and administrative

 

$

9

 

 

$

6

 

 

$

25

 

 

$

19

 

 

$

15

 

 

$

12

 

 

$

28

 

 

$

23

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 


TRIPADVISOR, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(in millions)

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

Six months ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(40

)

 

$

(153

)

 

$

(120

)

 

$

(169

)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax (1)

 

 

3

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(6

)

Reclassification adjustments included in net income (loss), net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

 

3

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(5

)

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

(37

)

 

$

(141

)

 

$

(129

)

 

$

(174

)

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Net income

 

$

25

 

 

$

55

 

 

$

65

 

 

$

119

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments (1)

 

 

10

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

4

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

10

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

4

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

35

 

 

$

58

 

 

$

95

 

 

$

123

 

 

(1)

Foreign currency translation adjustments excludeDeferred income taxes duetax liabilities related to our practice and intention to indefinitely reinvest the earnings of our foreign subsidiaries in those operations.  these amounts are not material.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 


TRIPADVISOR, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions, except number of shares and per share amounts)

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

June 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

2016

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

2020

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents (Note 5)

 

$

750

 

 

$

612

 

Short-term marketable securities (Note 5)

 

 

13

 

 

 

118

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $15 and $9, respectively

 

 

254

 

 

 

189

 

Cash and cash equivalents (Note 4)

 

$

775

 

 

$

418

 

Accounts receivable and contract assets, net of allowance for credit losses of $35 and $33, respectively (Note 3)

 

 

159

 

 

 

83

 

Income taxes receivable (Note 7)

 

 

47

 

 

 

50

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

25

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

22

 

Total current assets

 

 

1,042

 

 

 

950

 

 

 

1,006

 

 

 

573

 

Long-term marketable securities (Note 5)

 

 

6

 

 

 

16

 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $166 and $111, respectively

 

 

266

 

 

 

260

 

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $107 and $80, respectively

 

 

150

 

 

 

167

 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $420 and $386, respectively

 

 

225

 

 

 

240

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

46

 

 

 

54

 

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $214 and $206, respectively

 

 

74

 

 

 

86

 

Goodwill

 

 

756

 

 

 

736

 

 

 

855

 

 

 

862

 

Non-marketable investments (Note 4)

 

 

38

 

 

 

40

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

 

58

 

 

 

42

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

10

 

Other long-term assets

 

 

70

 

 

 

67

 

Other long-term assets, net of allowance for credit losses of $5 and $5, respectively

 

 

104

 

 

 

104

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

2,348

 

 

$

2,238

 

 

$

2,387

 

 

$

1,969

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

15

 

 

$

14

 

 

$

15

 

 

$

18

 

Deferred merchant payables

 

 

203

 

 

 

128

 

 

 

173

 

 

 

36

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

65

 

 

 

64

 

Current portion of debt (Note 6)

 

 

7

 

 

 

80

 

Taxes payable

 

 

4

 

 

 

10

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

 

128

 

 

 

127

 

Deferred revenue (Note 3)

 

 

49

 

 

 

28

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (Note 5)

 

 

207

 

 

 

160

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

422

 

 

 

423

 

 

 

444

 

 

 

242

 

Long-term debt (Note 6)

 

 

265

 

 

 

91

 

 

 

832

 

 

 

491

 

Finance lease obligation, net of current portion

 

 

68

 

 

 

71

 

Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion

 

 

37

 

 

 

46

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

 

16

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

10

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

228

 

 

 

210

 

 

 

225

 

 

 

223

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

931

 

 

 

736

 

 

 

1,608

 

 

 

1,083

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity: (Note 10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized shares: 100,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued and outstanding: 0 and 0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized shares: 1,600,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued: 135,510,995 and 134,706,467, respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding: 126,036,505 and 131,310,980, respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued: 143,418,007 and 140,775,221, respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares outstanding: 124,573,393 and 121,930,607, respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class B common stock, $0.001 par value

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Authorized shares: 400,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued and outstanding: 12,799,999 and 12,799,999, respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

901

 

 

 

831

 

 

 

1,275

 

 

 

1,253

 

Retained earnings

 

 

1,010

 

 

 

945

 

 

 

269

 

 

 

389

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

(47

)

 

 

(77

)

 

 

(43

)

 

 

(34

)

Treasury stock-common stock, at cost, 9,474,490 and 3,395,487 shares, respectively

 

 

(447

)

 

 

(197

)

Treasury stock-common stock, at cost, 18,844,614 and 18,844,614 shares, respectively

 

 

(722

)

 

 

(722

)

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

1,417

 

 

 

1,502

 

 

 

779

 

 

 

886

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

$

2,348

 

 

$

2,238

 

 

$

2,387

 

 

$

1,969

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


TRIPADVISOR, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTSTATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

(in millions, except number of shares)

 

 

Three months ended June 30, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class B

 

 

paid-in

 

 

Retained

 

 

comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

common stock

 

 

capital

 

 

earnings

 

 

income (loss)

 

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Total

 

Balance as of March 31, 2021

 

 

142,914,851

 

 

$

 

 

 

12,799,999

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,244

 

 

$

309

 

 

$

(46

)

 

 

(18,844,614

)

 

$

(722

)

 

$

785

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(40

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(40

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

Issuance of common stock related to exercises of options and vesting of RSUs

 

 

503,156

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36

 

Balance as of June 30, 2021

 

 

143,418,007

 

 

$

 

 

 

12,799,999

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,275

 

 

$

269

 

 

$

(43

)

 

 

(18,844,614

)

 

$

(722

)

 

$

779

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class B

 

 

paid-in

 

 

Retained

 

 

comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

common stock

 

 

capital

 

 

earnings

 

 

income (loss)

 

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Total

 

Balance as of December 31, 2016

 

 

134,706,467

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

12,799,999

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

831

 

 

$

945

 

 

$

(77

)

 

 

(3,395,487

)

 

$

(197

)

 

$

1,502

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

65

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

65

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30

 

Issuance of common stock related to exercises of options and vesting of RSUs

 

 

804,528

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

Repurchase of common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6,079,003

)

 

 

(250

)

 

 

(250

)

Withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(15

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(15

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

82

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

82

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of September 30, 2017

 

 

135,510,995

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

12,799,999

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

901

 

 

$

1,010

 

 

$

(47

)

 

 

(9,474,490

)

 

$

(447

)

 

$

1,417

 

 

 

Six months ended June 30, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class B

 

 

paid-in

 

 

Retained

 

 

comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

common stock

 

 

capital

 

 

earnings

 

 

income (loss)

 

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Total

 

Balance as of December 31, 2020

 

 

140,775,221

 

 

$

 

 

 

12,799,999

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,253

 

 

$

389

 

 

$

(34

)

 

 

(18,844,614

)

 

$

(722

)

 

$

886

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(120

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(120

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9

)

Issuance of common stock related to exercises of options and vesting of RSUs

 

 

2,642,786

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

Purchase of capped calls, net of tax of $9 million (Note 6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(26

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(26

)

Withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(29

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(29

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

69

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

69

 

Balance as of June 30, 2021

 

 

143,418,007

 

 

$

 

 

 

12,799,999

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,275

 

 

$

269

 

 

$

(43

)

 

 

(18,844,614

)

 

$

(722

)

 

$

779

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


TRIPADVISOR, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in millions, except number of shares)

 

 

Three months ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class B

 

 

paid-in

 

 

Retained

 

 

comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

common stock

 

 

capital

 

 

earnings

 

 

income (loss)

 

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Total

 

Balance as of March 31, 2020

 

 

140,109,681

 

 

$

 

 

 

12,799,999

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,167

 

 

$

662

 

 

$

(80

)

 

 

(18,823,984

)

 

$

(722

)

 

$

1,027

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(153

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(153

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

 

Issuance of common stock related to exercises of options and vesting of RSUs

 

 

302,570

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20,630

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2020

 

 

140,412,251

 

 

$

 

 

 

12,799,999

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,193

 

 

$

509

 

 

$

(68

)

 

 

(18,844,614

)

 

$

(722

)

 

$

912

 

 

 

Six months ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class B

 

 

paid-in

 

 

Retained

 

 

comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

 

common stock

 

 

capital

 

 

earnings

 

 

income (loss)

 

 

Treasury Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Total

 

Balance as of December 31, 2019

 

 

138,698,307

 

 

$

 

 

 

12,799,999

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,150

 

 

$

681

 

 

$

(63

)

 

 

(14,116,534

)

 

$

(607

)

 

$

1,161

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(169

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(169

)

Cumulative effect adjustment from adoption of new accounting guidance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5

)

Issuance of common stock related to exercises of options and vesting of RSUs

 

 

1,713,944

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of common stock (Note 10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4,707,450

)

 

 

(115

)

 

 

(115

)

Withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

60

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(20,630

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2020

 

 

140,412,251

 

 

$

 

 

 

12,799,999

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,193

 

 

$

509

 

 

$

(68

)

 

 

(18,844,614

)

 

$

(722

)

 

$

912

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 


TRIPADVISOR, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

65

 

 

$

119

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation of property and equipment, including amortization of internal-use

   software and website development

 

 

57

 

 

 

51

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

25

 

 

 

23

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

72

 

 

 

64

 

Deferred tax (benefit) expense

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(14

)

Other, net

 

 

6

 

 

 

4

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other assets

 

 

(58

)

 

 

(40

)

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

(2

)

 

 

2

 

Deferred merchant payables

 

 

62

 

 

 

42

 

Income tax receivables/payables, net

 

 

5

 

 

 

19

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

-

 

 

 

6

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

220

 

 

 

276

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures, including internal-use software and website development

 

 

(50

)

 

 

(57

)

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

-

 

 

 

(23

)

Purchases of marketable securities

 

 

(16

)

 

 

(145

)

Sales of marketable securities

 

 

105

 

 

 

62

 

Maturities of marketable securities

 

 

25

 

 

 

22

 

Other investing activities, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

1

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

64

 

 

 

(140

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of common stock

 

 

(250

)

 

 

(21

)

Proceeds from Chinese credit facilities

 

 

-

 

 

 

2

 

Proceeds from 2015 credit facility, net of financing costs

 

 

413

 

 

 

10

 

Payments to 2015 credit facility

 

 

(241

)

 

 

(190

)

Proceeds from 2016 credit facility, net of financing costs

 

 

-

 

 

 

73

 

Payments to 2016 credit facility

 

 

(73

)

 

 

-

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

3

 

 

 

6

 

Payment of withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards

 

 

(15

)

 

 

(13

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(163

)

 

 

(133

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

17

 

 

 

(6

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

138

 

 

 

(3

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

612

 

 

 

614

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

750

 

 

$

611

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation capitalized with internal-use software and website development costs

 

$

10

 

 

$

9

 

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(120

)

 

$

(169

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

57

 

 

 

64

 

Stock-based compensation expense (Note 9)

 

 

61

 

 

 

51

 

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

(29

)

 

 

6

 

Provision for expected credit losses

 

 

3

 

 

 

15

 

Other, net

 

 

8

 

 

 

9

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and other investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable and contract assets, prepaid expenses and other assets

 

 

(87

)

 

 

95

 

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

48

 

 

 

(46

)

Deferred merchant payables

 

 

138

 

 

 

(100

)

Income tax receivables/payables, net

 

 

6

 

 

 

(50

)

Deferred revenue

 

 

21

 

 

 

(23

)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

 

106

 

 

 

(148

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures, including internal-use software and website development

 

 

(25

)

 

 

(36

)

Other investing activities, net

 

 

(1

)

 

 

2

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

(26

)

 

 

(34

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of common stock (Note 10)

 

 

 

 

 

(115

)

Proceeds from issuance of 2026 Senior Notes, net of financing costs (Note 6)

 

 

340

 

 

 

 

Purchase of capped calls in connection with 2026 Senior Notes (Note 6)

 

 

(35

)

 

 

 

Proceeds from 2015 credit facility (Note 6)

 

 

 

 

 

700

 

Payment of financing costs related to 2015 credit facility

 

 

 

 

 

(4

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

Payment of withholding taxes on net share settlements of equity awards

 

 

(29

)

 

 

(17

)

Payments of finance lease obligation

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(3

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

281

 

 

 

561

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

357

 

 

 

379

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

 

 

418

 

 

 

319

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

 

$

775

 

 

$

698

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 



TRIPADVISOR, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 1: BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

We refer to TripAdvisor,Tripadvisor, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries as “TripAdvisor,”“Tripadvisor”, “the Company,” “us,”Company”, “us”, “we” and “our” in these notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Description of Business

TripAdvisorTripadvisor is ana leading online travel company empowering usersand our mission is to help people around the world plan, book and bookexperience the perfect trip. TripAdvisor’sWe operate a global travel guidance platform aggregates reviewsthat connects the world’s largest audience of prospective travelers with travel partners through rich content, price comparison tools, and opinions of members aboutonline reservation and related services for destinations, accommodations, travel activities and attractions,experiences, and restaurants throughout the world so that.

Under our users have access to trusted advice wherever their trips take them. Our platform helps users plan their trips with our unique user-generated content and enables users to compare real-time pricing and availability so that they can book hotels, flights, cruises, vacation rentals, activities and attractions, and restaurant reservations.

Our flagship brand, is TripAdvisor. TripAdvisor-branded websites include tripadvisor.comTripadvisor, we launched www.tripadvisor.com in the United States and localized versions of the websiteU.S. in 48 markets and 28 languages worldwide. 2000. In addition to the flagship TripAdvisorTripadvisor brand, which now operates in localized versions in over 40 markets worldwide, we managealso own and operate the following 20 othera portfolio of online travel media brands connected by the common goal of providing users the most comprehensive travel-planning and trip-taking resources in the travel industry: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.citymaps.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com (including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.iens.nl, and www.dimmi.com.au), www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.housetrip.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com, and www.viator.com.

We have two reportable segments: Hotel and Non-Hotel. We derive a majority of our revenue from our Hotel segment, through the sale of advertising, primarily through click-based advertising, as well as from commission-based transactions via our instant booking feature, display-based advertising, subscription-based hotel advertising, hotel room reservations sold through ourbusinesses, operating under various websites and from content licensing. Our Non-Hotel segment consists of our Attractions, Restaurants, and Vacation Rentals businesses. We derive revenue from our Non-Hotel segment from subscription and commission-based transaction offerings from our Vacation Rentals business; destination activities primarily sold through Viator; and online restaurant reservations booked primarily through thefork.com. For further information on our segments see “Note 11: Segment Information,” in these notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.apps.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements present our results of operations, financial position and cash flows on a consolidated basis. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include TripAdvisor,Tripadvisor, our wholly-owned subsidiaries, and entities we control, or in which we have a variable interest and are the primary beneficiary of expected cash profits or losses. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

One of our subsidiaries that operates in China has a variable interestinterests in an affiliated entityentities in China in order to comply with Chinese laws and regulations, which restrict foreign investment in Internetinternet content provision businesses. Although we do not own the capital stock of thisthese Chinese affiliate,affiliates, we consolidate itstheir results as we are the primary beneficiary of the cash losses or profits of thisthese variable interest affiliateaffiliates and have the power to direct the activity of this affiliate.these affiliates. Our variable interest entity isentities’ financial results were not material for all periods presented. Investments in entities in which we do not have a controlling financial interest are accounted for under the equity method, the fair value option, as available-for-sale securities or at cost adjusted for observable price changes and impairments, as appropriate.

We have prepared theThe accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United StatesU.S. (“GAAP”). Inand include all normal and recurring adjustments that management of the opinion of management, all adjustmentsCompany considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim period have been included. These adjustments consist of normal recurring items. Additionally, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for comparability with the current period presentation. its financial position and operating results. We prepared the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements following the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim reporting. As permitted under those rules, we have condensed or omitted certain footnotes or other financial information that are normally required by GAAP for annual financial statements.Additionally, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for comparability with the current period presentation. Our interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. These interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2020, previously filed with the SEC. The unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 20162020 included herein was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date, but does not include all disclosures including notes required by GAAP.

As of June 30, 2021, Liberty Tripadvisor Holdings, Inc. (“LTRIP”) beneficially owned approximately 16.4 million shares of our common stock and 12.8 million shares of our Class B common stock, which constitute 13.2% of the outstanding shares of common stock and 100% of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock. Assuming the conversion of all of LTRIP’s shares of Class B common stock into common stock, LTRIP would beneficially own 21.3% of the outstanding common stock. Because each share of Class B common stock is entitled to 10 votes per share and each share of common stock is entitled to 1 vote per share, LTRIP may be deemed to beneficially own equity securities representing 57.2% of our voting power. We had 0 related party transactions with LTRIP during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.

Risks and Uncertainties

We continue to be subject to risks and uncertainties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. While we have seen varying degrees of containment of the virus in various countries and positive signs of growing travel demand recovery, the degree of containment and the recovery in travel has varied both region-to-region on a global basis, as well as state-to-state in the U.S. For example, when


COVID-19 cases resurged during the fourth quarter of 2020, government restrictions and mandates were reinstated in certain geographies globally. We do not know the future path or rate of global or regional COVID-19 transmission, including various existing COVID-19 variants or any possible future variants, nor do we have visibility into when remaining or reinstated restrictions will be lifted, and where additional restrictions may be implemented or reinstated in the future due to resurgence of the virus. Correspondingly, we still do not have forward-looking visibility into what the long-term impacts may be related to consumer demand for travel, usage patterns on our platform, and travel behavior patterns when all travel bans and other government restrictions and mandates are fully lifted.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company committed to restructuring actions intended to reinforce its financial position, reduce its cost structure, and improve operational efficiencies, which resulted in headcount reductions, during the second quarter of 2020, for which we recognized $33 million in restructuring and other related reorganization costs. In addition, we engaged in a smaller scale restructuring action in the first quarter of 2020 to reduce our cost structure and improve our operational efficiencies, which resulted in headcount reductions for which we recognized $9 million in restructuring and other related reorganization costs.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, multiple COVID-19 vaccines were approved for widespread distribution throughout various parts of the world, including the United States and in Europe, and in the first quarter of 2021, vaccination distribution programs were initiated around the world. Vaccine programs in our largest markets, the U.S. and Europe, appear to be progressing well, and we expect the same for much of the rest of the world. We are encouraged by these developments; however, the timing of widespread vaccine distributions, efficacy against new variants of COVID-19, whether there will be resurgences of the virus and subsequent government restrictions, the extent and effectiveness of containment actions taken, and whether consumers demand for travel and hospitality services will continue to be negatively impacted remain uncertain. Therefore, the continuing extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations, liquidity and financial condition remains uncertain, and is dependent on future developments that cannot be accurately predicted at this time. We continue to believe the travel, leisure, hospitality, and restaurant industries (collectively, the “travel industry”), and consequently our financial results, will continue to be adversely and materially affected while the pandemic continues, new variants emerge, and lingering travel bans and other government restrictions and mandates continue to remain in place or be reinstated, all of which negatively impact consumer demand, sentiment and discretionary spending patterns.

Accounting Estimates

We use estimates and assumptions in the preparation of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. Our estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. These estimates and assumptions also affect the reported amount of net income or loss during any period. Our actual financial results could differ significantly from these estimates. The significant estimates underlying our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include: (i) recognition and recoverability of goodwill, intangiblegoodwill; and other long-lived assets; (ii) accounting for income taxes;taxes. The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant uncertainty in macroeconomic conditions, which may cause further business disruptions and (iii) stock-based compensation.continue to adversely and materially impact our results of operations. As a result, some of our estimates and assumptions required increased judgment and carry a higher degree of variability and volatility. As events continue to evolve and additional information becomes available, our estimates may change materially in future periods.

Seasonality

TravelerConsumers’ travel expenditures in the global travel market tend to followhave historically followed a seasonal pattern. As such, expenditures byCorrespondingly, travel advertisers to market to potential travelerspartners’ advertising investments, and therefore our financial performance, or revenue and profits, tend to behave also historically followed a seasonal as well. As a result, ourpattern. Our financial performance tends to be seasonally highest in the second and third quarters of a given year, as it is a key period for leisure travel research and trip-taking, which includes the seasonal peak in consumer demand, traveler hotel and vacation rental stays, and tourstravel activities and attractionsexperiences taken, compared to the first and fourth quarters, which represent seasonal low points. Furtherpoints. Due to the impact of COVID-19 on our business, which led to unfavorable working capital trends and material negative operating cash flow during the year ended December 31, 2020, we did not experience our typical seasonal pattern for revenue and profit during the calendar quarters within the year ended December 31, 2020. Although consumer demand, traveler hotel and rental stays, and travel activities and experiences taken generally remain materially lower than historic levels, these trends have improved during the first half of 2021, particularly in the second quarter of 2021, resulting in increased revenues, working capital and positive operating cash flow more akin to typical historical seasonality trends in the first half of the year. However, it is difficult to predict the seasonality for the upcoming quarters, given the sustained uncertainty related to the continued economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ultimate shape and timing of a recovery in our key markets. In addition, significant shifts in our business mix or adverse economic conditions could result in future seasonal patterns that are different from historical trends.


NOTE 2: SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In May 2017,August 2020, the Financial Accounting StandardStandards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance which simplifies the accounting for convertible debt instruments by reducing the number of accounting models and embedded conversion features that clarifies when changescould be recognized separately from the primary contract. The new accounting guidance requires a convertible debt instrument to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as modifications which will reduce diversity in practice. Under the new guidance, an entity will not apply modification accounting to a share-based payment award if the award’s fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if those measurement methods are used), the award’s vesting conditions, and the award’s classification as an equity or liability instrument are the same immediately before and after the change. The guidance also states that an entity is not required to estimate the value of the award immediately before and after the change if the change does not affect any of the inputs to the model used to value the award. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, and will be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after the adoption date. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for which financial statements have not yet been issued or made available for issuance. We anticipate adopting this new guidance on January 1, 2018. Upon adoption, we believe the new guidance will likely result in fewer changes to the terms of an award being accounted for as modifications.  

In March 2017, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which shortens the amortization period for the premium paid on certain purchased callable debt securities to the earliest call date instead of the bond’s maturity. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; instead, the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, and will be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. We anticipate adopting this new guidance on January 1, 2019 and based on the composition of our current investment portfolio we do not expect the new guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued new accounting guidance to clarify the definition of a business and provide additional guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as asset acquisitions (or asset disposals) or business combinations (or disposals of a business). Under this new guidance, an entity first determines whether substantially all of the fair value of the assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If this criterion is met, the transaction should be accounted forliability measured at its amortized cost, as an asset acquisitionlong as opposed to a business combination. This distinction is important because the accounting for an asset acquisition significantly differs from the accounting for a business combination. This new guidance eliminates the requirement to evaluate whether a market participant could replace missing elements (e.g. inputs or processes), narrows the definition of outputsno other features require bifurcation and requires that a business include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted including adoption in any interim or annual periods in which the financial statements have not been issued or made available for issuance.recognition as derivatives. The new guidance will be applied prospectively to any transactions occurring within the period of adoption. We anticipate adopting this new guidance on January 1, 2018. Upon adoption, the new guidance will impact how we assess acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses.


In January 2017, the FASB issued new accounting guidance to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment. The new guidance removes Step two of the goodwill impairment test, which measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation, with the carrying amount of that reporting unit’s goodwill. Under this new guidance, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. All other goodwill impairment guidance will remain largely unchanged. Entities will continue to have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests occurring after January 1, 2017. The new guidance will be applied prospectively. We are currently evaluating this guidance, including the date we will adopt this guidance and what the impact upon adoption will be, if any.

In November 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on the classification and presentation of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows to address the diversity in practice. This new guidance requires entities to show changes in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash on a combined basis in the statement of cash flows. In addition, this accounting guidance requires a reconciliation of the total cash, cash equivalent and restricted cash in the statement of cash flows to the related captions in the balance sheet if cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash are presented in more than one line item in the balance sheet. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted, including adoption in an interim period, but any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. Upon adoption, an entity may apply the new guidance only retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. We anticipate adopting this new guidance on January 1, 2018 and currently do not expect this new guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In October 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on income tax accounting associated with intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. This accounting update, which is part of the FASB's simplification initiative, is intended to reduce diversity in practice and the complexity of tax accounting, particularly for those transfers involving intellectual property. This new guidance requires an entity to recognizeuse the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period for which interim or annual financial statements have not been issued. Upon adoption, an entity may apply the new guidance only on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. We anticipate adopting this new guidance on January 1, 2018 and do not expect this new guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which clarifies how companies present and classify certain cash receipts and cash paymentsif-converted method in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance specifically addresses the following cash flow topics in an effort to reduce diversity in practice: (1) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; (2) settlement of zero-coupon bonds; (3) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; (4) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims; (5) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies; (6) distributions received from equity method investees; (7) beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and (8) separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The guidance is effectivediluted earnings per share calculation for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. Upon adoption, an entity may apply the new guidance only retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. We anticipate adopting this new guidance on January 1, 2018 and we do not expect this new guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on the measurement of credit losses for financial assets measured at amortized cost, which includes accounts receivable, and available-for-sale debt securities. For financial assets measured at amortized cost, this new guidance requires an entity to: (1) estimate its lifetime expected credit losses upon recognition of the financial assets and establish an allowance to present the net amount expected to be collected; (2) recognize this allowance and changes in the allowance during subsequent periods through net income; and (3) consider relevant information about past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts in assessing the lifetime expected credit losses. For available-for-sale debt securities, this new guidance made several targeted amendments to the existing other-than-temporary impairment model, including: (1) requiring disclosure of the allowance for credit losses; (2) allowing reversals of the previously recognized credit losses until the entity has the intent to sell, is more-likely-than-not required to sell the securities or the maturity of the securities; (3) limiting impairment to the difference between the amortized cost basis and fair value; and (4) not allowing entities to consider the length of time that fair value has been less than amortized cost as a factor in evaluating whether a credit loss exists.convertible instruments. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019,2021, with early adoption permitted, including adoption in any interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018.period. We are currently considering our timing of adoption andearly adopted this new guidance in the processfirst quarter of evaluating2021 and there was no impact to any prior periods. Refer to “Note 6: Debt” as the impact of adoptingCompany applied this guidance onto its 2026 Senior Notes.

There have been no other significant changes to our accounting policies since December 31, 2020, as described under “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies”, in the notes to consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.


In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to accounting for leases. The new standard requires the recognitionin Item 8 of assets (right-of-use-assets) and liabilities arising from lease transactionsour Annual Report on the balance sheet and the disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. Accordingly, a lessee will recognize a lease asset for its right to use the underlying asset and a lease liabilityForm 10-K for the corresponding lease obligation. Both the asset and liability will initially be measured at the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The new guidance will classify leases as either finance or operating leases, with classification determining the presentation of expenses and cash flows on our consolidated financial statements. Initial costs directly attributable to negotiating and arranging the lease will be included in the asset. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee can make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset to not recognize an asset and corresponding liability. The transition guidance also provides specific guidance for sale and leaseback transactions, build-to-suit leases and amounts previously recognized in accordance with the business combinations guidance for leases. We will also be required to provide additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures regarding the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases which include, among other things, the computation and disclosure of our weighted average remaining lease term and discount rate, cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities, and supplemental non-cash information on lease liabilities arising from obtaining the right-of-use assets. These disclosures are intended to provide supplemental information to the amounts recorded in the financial statements so that users can better understand the nature of an entity’s leasing activities. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning afteryear ended December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted, which will require the recognition and measurement of leases at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements using a modified retrospective approach. We anticipate adopting this new guidance on January 1, 2019.31, 2020.

NOTE 3: REVENUE RECOGNITION

 

To date, we have made measurable progress toward evaluating the new lease guidance and have begun updating accounting policies, accounting position memos, and evaluating our existing population of contracts to ensureWe generate all contracts that meet the definition of a lease contract under the new standard upon adoption are identified. We are also in the process of implementing additional lease software to support our accounting and reporting process under the new lease accounting guidance, including the new quantitative and qualitative financial disclosure requirements. In addition, we are evaluating the impact of the system implementation on our internal controls. We will continue to provide updates of our assessment of the effect, that this new lease guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements, disclosures, systems and related controls, and will disclose any material effects, if any, when known.

In January 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting update which amends the guidance on the classification and measurement of financial instruments. Although the accounting update retains many current requirements, it significantly revises accounting related to (1) the classification and measurement of investments in equity securities and (2) the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. The accounting update also amends certain fair value disclosures of financial instruments and clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale debt securities in combination with the entity’s evaluation of their other deferred tax assets. The update requires entities to carry all investments in equity securities, including other ownership interests such as partnerships, unincorporated joint ventures and limited liability companies at fair value, with fair value changes recognized through net income. This requirement does not apply to investments that qualify for equity method accounting, investments that result in consolidation of the investee or investments in which the entity has elected the practicability exception to fair value measurement. Under current GAAP, available-for-sale investments in equity securities, with a readily determinable fair value, are re-measured to fair value each reporting period with changes in fair value recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). However, under the new guidance, fair value adjustments will be recognized through net income. For equity securities currently accounted for under the cost method (as they do not have a readily determinable fair value), the new guidance requires those equity investments to be carried at fair value with changes in net income, unless an entity elects to measure those investments, at cost less impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. The Company intends to elect this measurement alternative for equity securities without a readily determinable fair value. Additionally, this accounting update will simplify the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. When a qualitative assessment indicates that impairment exists, an entity is required to measure the investment at fair value. In addition, this accounting update eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is currently required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost in the balance sheet. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted for the provision to record fair value changes for financial liabilities under the fair value option resulting from instrument-specific credit risk in other comprehensive income. Upon adoption, an entity will apply the new guidance on a modified retrospective basis, which is to record a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted, with two exceptions. The amendments related to equity investments without readily determinable fair values (including disclosure requirements) will be effective prospectively. The requirement to use the exit price notion to measure the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes will also be applied prospectively. We anticipate adopting this new guidance on January 1, 2018 and based on the composition of our current investments, we do not expect the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.


In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on revenue from contracts with customers which will replace numerous requirements in GAAP, and provide companies with a single revenue recognition model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The core principleWe recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control of the new standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customersa customer in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to which the company expects to be entitledreceive in exchange for those goodsservices. When we act as an agent in the transaction, we recognize revenue for only our commission on the arrangement. We determine revenue recognition through the following steps:

(1)

Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer

(2)

Identification of the performance obligations in the contract

(3)

Determination of the transaction price

(4)

Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract

(5)

Recognition of revenue when, or as, we satisfy a performance obligation

At contract inception, we assess the services promised in our contracts with customers and identify a performance obligation for each promise to transfer to the customer a service (or bundle of services) that is distinct. To identify performance obligations, we consider all services promised in the contract regardless of whether they are explicitly stated or services.are implied by customary business practices. We have provided qualitative information about our performance obligations for our principal revenue streams discussed below. There was no significant revenue recognized in the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, related to performance obligations satisfied in prior periods. We have applied a practical expedient and do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations that have an original expected duration of less than one year, and we do not have any material unsatisfied performance obligations over one year. The value related to our remaining or partially satisfied performance obligations relates to subscription services that are satisfied over time or services that are recognized at a point in time, but not yet achieved. Our timing of services, invoicing and payments are discussed in more detail below and do not include a significant financing component. Our customer invoices are generally due 30 days from the time of invoicing. The application of our revenue recognition policies and a description of our principal activities, organized by segment, from which we generate our revenue, are presented below.

Hotels, Media & Platform Segment

Tripadvisor-branded Hotels Revenue. Our largest source of Hotels, Media & Platform segment revenue is generated from click-based advertising on Tripadvisor-branded websites, which is primarily comprised of contextually-relevant booking links to our travel partners’ websites. Our click-based travel partners are predominantly OTAs and hotels. Click-based advertising is generally priced on a cost-per-click, or “CPC”, basis, with payments from travel partners determined by the number of travelers who click on a link multiplied by the CPC rate for each specific click. CPC rates are determined in a dynamic, competitive auction process, also known as hotel auction revenue, where our travel partner CPC bids for rates and availability to be listed on our site are submitted.  When a CPC bid is submitted, the travel partner agrees to pay us the bid amount each time a traveler clicks on the link to that travel partner’s websites. Bids can be submitted periodically – as often as daily – on a property-by-property basis. We record click-based advertising revenue as the click occurs and traveler leads are sent to the travel partner websites as our performance obligation is fulfilled at that time. Click-based revenue is generally billed to our travel partners on a monthly basis consistent with the timing of the service.

In addition, we offer subscription-based advertising to hotels, owners of B&Bs and other specialty lodging properties. Our performance obligation is generally to enable subscribers to advertise their businesses on our website, as well as to manage and


promote their website URL, email address, phone number, special offers and other information related to their business. Subscription-based advertising services are predominantly sold for a flat fee for a contracted period of time of one year or less and revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period of the subscription service as efforts are expended evenly throughout the contract period.  Subscription-based advertising services are generally billed at the inception of the service. When prepayments are received, we recognize deferred revenue for the amount of prepayment in excess of revenue recognized until the performance obligation is satisfied.

We also generate revenue from our cost-per-action, or “CPA” model, which consists of contextually-relevant booking links to our travel partners’ websites which are advertised on our platform. We earn a commission from our travel partners, based on a pre-determined contractual commission rate, for each traveler who clicks to and books a hotel reservation on the travel partners’ website, which results in a traveler stay. CPA revenue is billable only upon the completion of each traveler’s stay resulting from a hotel reservation. The travel partners provide the service to the travelers and we act as an agent under ASC 606 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). Our performance obligation is complete at the time of the hotel reservation booking, and the commission earned is recognized upon booking, as we have no post-booking service obligations. We recognize this revenue net of an estimate of the impact of cancellations, using historical cancellation rates and current trends. Contract assets are recognized at the time of booking for commissions that are billable at the time of stay. To a lesser extent, we offer travel partners the opportunity to advertise and promote their business through hotel sponsored placements on our websites. This guidanceservice is generally priced on a CPC basis, with payments from travel partners determined by the number of travelers who click on the sponsored link multiplied by the CPC rate for each specific click. CPC rates for hotel sponsored placements that our travel partners pay are generally based on bids submitted as part of an auction by our travel partners. When a CPC bid is submitted, the travel partner agrees to pay us the bid amount each time a traveler clicks on a link to our travel partner’s websites. Bids may be submitted periodically – as often as daily – on a property-by-property basis. We record this click-based advertising revenue as the click occurs and traveler leads are sent to the travel partner as our performance obligation is fulfilled at that time. CPA and hotel sponsored placements revenue is generally billed to our travel partners on a monthly basis consistent with the timing of the service.

Tripadvisor-branded Display and Platform Revenue. We offer travel partners the ability to promote their brands through display-based advertising placements on our websites across all of our segments and business units. Our display-based advertising clients are predominantly direct suppliers of hotels, airlines and cruises, as well as destination marketing organizations. We also requires additional disclosures aboutsell display-based advertising to OTAs and other travel related businesses, as well as advertisers from non-travel categories. Display-based advertising is sold predominantly on a cost per thousand impressions, or CPM, basis. The performance obligation in our display-based advertising arrangements is to display a number of advertising impressions on our websites and we recognize revenue for impressions as they are delivered. Services are generally billed monthly. We have applied the practical expedient to measure progress toward completion, as we have the right to invoice the customer in an amount that directly corresponds with the value to the customer of our performance to date, which is measured based on impressions delivered.

Experiences & Dining Segment

We provide information and services that allow consumers to research and book tours, activities and experiences in popular travel destinations both through Viator, our dedicated Experiences offering, and on our Tripadvisor website and mobile apps. We also power travel tours, activities and experiences booking capabilities to consumers on affiliate partner websites, including some of the world’s top airlines, hotel chains, and online and offline travel agencies. We work with local tour or travel activities/experiences operators (“the suppliers”) to provide consumers the ability to book tours, activities and experiences (“the activities”) in popular destinations worldwide. We generate commissions for each booking transaction we facilitate through our online reservation system. We provide post-booking service to the customer until the time of the activity, which is the completion of the performance obligation. Revenue is recognized at the time that the activity occurs. We generally do not control the activity before the supplier provides it to our customer nor have inventory risk and therefore act as agent for nearly all of these transactions under ASC 606. We generally collect payment from the customer at the time of booking that includes both our commission revenue and the amount due to the supplier. Our commission revenue is recorded as deferred revenue until the activity occurs and revenue is recognized, and the amount due to the supplier is recorded as deferred merchant payables on our consolidated balance sheet until completion of the activity and payment is made to the supplier. To a lesser extent, we earn commissions from third-party merchant partners who display and promote on their websites the supplier activities available on our platform to generate bookings.  In these transactions, where we are not the merchant of record, we generally invoice and receive commissions directly from the third-party merchant partners. Our performance obligation is to allow the third-party merchant partners to display and promote on their website suppliers who utilize our platform and we earn a commission when consumers book and complete an activity. We act as an agent under ASC 606 in these transactions, as we do not control the service nor have inventory risk. Our performance obligation is complete and revenue is recognized at the time of the booking, as we have no post-booking obligations. We recognize this revenue net of an estimate of the impact of cancellations, which is not material, using historical cancellation rates and current trends. Contract assets are recognized for commissions that are billable contingent upon completion of the activity.  


We also provide information and services for consumers to research and book restaurant reservations in popular travel destinations through our dedicated online restaurant reservations offering, TheFork, and on our Tripadvisor-branded websites and mobile apps. We primarily generate transaction fees (or per seated diner fees) that are paid by our restaurant customers for diners seated primarily from bookings through TheFork’s online reservation system. The transaction fee is recognized as revenue after the reservation is fulfilled, or as diners are seated by our restaurant customers. We invoice restaurants monthly for transaction fees. To a lesser extent, we also generate subscription fees forsubscription-based advertising to restaurants, access to certain online reservation management services, marketing analytic tools, and menu syndication services provided by TheFork and Tripadvisor. As the performance obligation is to provide restaurants with access to these services over the subscription period, subscription fee revenue is recognized over the period of the subscription service on a straight-line basis as efforts are expended evenly throughout the contract period. Subscription fees are generally billable in advance of service. When prepayments are received, we recognize deferred revenue for the amount of prepayment in excess of revenue recognized until the performance obligation is satisfied. In addition, we also offer restaurant partners the opportunity to advertise and promote their business through restaurant media advertising placements on our website. This service is generally priced on a CPC basis, with payments from restaurant partners determined by the number of consumers who click on the sponsored link multiplied by the CPC rate for each specific click. CPC rates for media advertising placements that our restaurant partners pay are based on a pre-determined contractual rate. We record this click-based advertising revenue as the click occurs and diner leads are sent to the restaurant partner as our performance obligation is fulfilled at that time. Click-based revenue is generally billed to our restaurant partners on a monthly basis consistent with the timing of the service.

Other

We provide information and services that allow travelers to research and book vacation and short-term rental properties, including full homes, condominiums, villas, beach properties, cabins and cottages. Our Rentals offering generates revenue primarily by offering individual property owners and managers the ability to list their properties on our websites and mobile apps thereby connecting with travelers through a free-to-list, commission-based option or, to a lesser extent, by an annual subscription-based fee structure. These properties are listed on www.flipkey.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.housetrip.com, www.niumba.com, and www.vacationhomerentals.com, and on our Tripadvisor-branded websites and mobile apps. We earn commissions associated with rental transactions through our free-to-list model from both the traveler, and the property owner or manager. We provide post-booking service to the travelers, property owners and managers until the time the rental commences, which is the time the performance obligation is completed. Revenue from transaction fees is recognized at the time that the rental commences. We act as an agent, under ASC 606, in the transactions as we do not control any properties before the property owner provides the accommodation to the traveler and do not have inventory risk. We generally collect payment from the traveler at the time of booking, representing the amount due to the property owner or manager, as well as our commission. That portion of the payment representing our commission is recorded as deferred revenue until revenue is recognized, and that portion of the payment representing the amount due to the property owner is recorded as deferred merchant payables until payment is made to the property owner after the completion of the rental. Payments for term-based subscription fees related to online advertising services for the listing of rental properties are generally due in advance. As the performance obligation is the listing service provided to the property owner or manager over the subscription period, revenue is recognized over the period of the subscription service on a straight-line basis as efforts are expended evenly throughout the contract period. We recognize deferred revenue for the amount of prepayment in excess of revenue recognized until the performance obligation is satisfied. 

In addition,Other also includes revenue generated from flights, cruises, and car offerings on Tripadvisor-branded websites and Tripadvisor’s portfolio of travel media brands, which primarily includes click-based advertising and display-based advertising revenue. The performance obligations, timing of customer payments for these brands, and methods of revenue recognition are generally consistent with click-based advertising and display-based advertising revenue, as described above.

We disaggregate revenue from contracts with customers into major products/revenue sources. We have determined that disaggregating revenue into these categories achieves the disclosure objective to depict how the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arisingare affected by economic factors. As noted in “Note 12: Segment Information,” our business consists of 2 reportable segments – (1) Hotels, Media & Platform; and (2) Experiences & Dining. A reconciliation of disaggregated revenue to segment revenue is also included below. Other consists of a combination of business units, and does not constitute a reportable segment.  


 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Major products/revenue sources (1):

 

(in millions)

 

Hotels, Media & Platform

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Tripadvisor-branded hotels

 

$

131

 

 

$

31

 

 

$

205

 

 

$

168

 

   Tripadvisor-branded display and platform

 

 

25

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

40

 

 

 

39

 

  Total Hotels, Media & Platform

 

 

156

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

245

 

 

 

207

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Experiences & Dining

 

 

68

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

95

 

 

 

97

 

Other

 

 

11

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

33

 

  Total Revenue

 

$

235

 

 

$

59

 

 

$

358

 

 

$

337

 

(1)

Our revenue is recognized primarily at a point in time for all reported segments.

The following table provides information about the opening and closing balances of accounts receivable and contract assets, net of allowance for credit losses, from contracts with customers (in millions):

 

 

June 30, 2021

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

114

 

 

 

70

 

Contract assets

 

 

45

 

 

 

13

 

  Total

 

$

159

 

 

$

83

 

Accounts receivable are recognized when the right to consideration becomes unconditional. Contract assets are rights to consideration in exchange for services that we have transferred to a customer contracts, including significant judgmentswhen that right is conditional on something other than the passage of time, such as commission payments that are contingent upon the completion of the service by the principal in the transaction. The difference between the opening and changes in judgments andclosing balances of our contract assets recognizedprimarily results from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract.  In March 2016, the FASB issued additional guidance which clarifies principal versus agent considerations and, in April 2016, the FASB issued further guidance which clarifies the identification oftiming difference between when we satisfy our performance obligations and the implementation guidancetime when the principal completes the service in the transaction. Our contract assets increased during the second quarter of 2021 as a result of typical seasonality, increased consumer demand due to the growing consumer travel demand recovery, and increased utilization of our CPA model by travel partners.

Contract liabilities generally include payments received in advance of performance under the contract, and are realized as revenue as the performance obligation to the customer is satisfied, which we present as deferred revenue on our consolidated balance sheets. As of January 1, 2021, we had $28 million recorded as deferred revenue on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet, of which $6 million and $17 million were recognized in revenue and $1 million and $3 million were refunded due to cancellations by travelers during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively. As of January 1, 2020, we had $62 million recorded as deferred revenue on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet, of which $12 million and $44 million were recognized in revenue and $4 million and $10 million were refunded due to cancellations by travelers during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. The difference between the opening and closing balances of our deferred revenue primarily results from the timing differences between when we receive customer payments and the time in which we satisfy our performance obligations.

There were no significant changes in contract assets or deferred revenue during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 related to business combinations, impairments, cumulative catch-ups or other material adjustments. However, to the extent the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we may incur additional significant and unanticipated cancellations by consumers related to future travel, accommodations and tour bookings, which have been reserved by travelers and recorded as deferred revenue on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2021.

NOTE 4: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

For assets and liabilities required to be reported at fair value, GAAP provides a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels:

Level 1—Valuations are based on quoted market prices for licensing.identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

Level 2—Valuations are based on observable inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3—Valuations are based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.


We had 0 material financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had $775 million and $418 million, respectively, of cash and cash equivalents, which consisted of available on demand cash deposits in major global financial institutions.

We generally classify cash equivalents and marketable securities, if any, within Level 1 and Level 2 as we value these financial instruments using quoted market prices (Level 1) or alternative pricing sources (Level 2). The valuation technique we use to measure the fair value of money market funds is derived from quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Fair values for Level 2 investments are considered “Level 2” valuations because they are obtained from independent pricing sources for identical or comparable instruments, rather than direct observations of quoted prices in active markets. Our procedures include controls to ensure that appropriate fair values are recorded, including comparing the fair values obtained from our independent pricing services against fair values obtained from another independent source.

Derivative Financial Instruments

We generally use forward contracts to reduce the effects of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on our cash flows. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, our forward contracts have not been designated as hedges and generally had maturities of less than 90 days. Our outstanding or unsettled forward contracts are carried at fair value on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. We measure the fair value of our outstanding or unsettled derivatives using Level 2 fair value inputs, as we use a pricing model that takes into account the contract terms as well as current foreign currency exchange rates in active markets. We recognize any gain or loss resulting from the change in fair value of our foreign currency forward contracts in other income (expense), net on our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations, which was not material for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively. This amount was not material for the three months ended June 30, 2020, while we recorded a net gain of $1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 related to forward contracts.

The following table shows the net notional principal amounts of our outstanding derivative instruments as of the periods presented:

 

June 30, 2021

 

December 31, 2020

 

 

(in millions)

 

Foreign currency exchange-forward contracts (1) (2)

$

21

 

$

3

 

(1)

Derivative contracts address foreign currency exchange fluctuations for the Euro versus the U.S. dollar. These outstanding derivatives are not designated as hedging instruments and have an original maturity period of 90 days or less.

(2)

The fair value of our outstanding derivatives as of June 30, 2021 was $1 million and was reported in prepaid expenses and other current assets on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. The fair value of our outstanding derivatives as of December 31, 2020 was not material. The notional amount of a forward contract is the contracted amount of foreign currency to be exchanged and is not recorded on the balance sheet.

Counterparties to our outstanding forward contracts consist of major global financial institutions. We monitor our positions and the credit ratings of the counterparties involved and, by policy limits, the amount of credit exposure to any one party. We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. We were not party to any cash flow, fair value or net investment hedges as of June 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020.

Other Financial Assets and Liabilities

As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis including accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, and deferred merchant bookings, were carried at cost on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, which approximates their fair values because of the short-term nature of these items. Accounts receivable and contract assets, on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, as well as certain other financial assets, were measured at amortized cost and are carried at cost less an allowance for expected credit losses to present the net amount expected to be collected.

The following table shows the aggregate principal and fair value amount of our outstanding 2025 Senior Notes and 2026 Senior Notes as of the periods presented, which are classified as long-term debt on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, and considered Level 2 fair value measurements. Refer to “Note 6: Debt” for additional information related to our 2025 Senior Notes and 2026 Senior Notes.


 

June 30, 2021

 

December 31, 2020

 

 

(in millions)

 

2025 Senior Notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Aggregate principal amount

$

500

 

$

500

 

   Carrying value amount (1)

 

492

 

 

491

 

   Fair value amount (2)

 

540

 

 

542

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2026 Senior Notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Aggregate principal amount

$

345

 

$

 

   Carrying value amount (3)

 

340

 

 

 

   Fair value amount (2)

 

325

 

 

 

(1)

Net of $8 million and $9 million of unamortized debt issuance costs as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

(2)

We estimate the fair value of our outstanding 2025 Senior Notes and 2026 Senior Notes based on recently reported market transactionsand/or prices for identical or similar financial instruments obtained from a third-party pricing source.

(3)

Net of $5 million in unamortized debt issuance costs.

Risks and Concentrations

In addition to the impact of COVID-19, which is discussed in “Note 1: Business Description and Basis of Presentation”, our business is subject to certain financial risks and concentrations, including concentration risk related to dependence on our relationships with our customers. For the year ended December 31, 2020, our two permitted transition methodsmost significant travel partners, Expedia (and its subsidiaries) and Booking (and its subsidiaries), each accounted for 10% or more of our consolidated revenue and combined accounted for 25% of our consolidated revenue, with nearly all of this revenue concentrated in our Hotels, Media & Platform segment.

Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk, generally consist, at any point in time, primarily of cash and cash equivalents, corporate debt securities, forward contracts, capped calls, and accounts receivable. We maintain cash and cash equivalents balances with financial institutions that are in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. Our cash and cash equivalents are primarily composed of bank account balances with financial institutions primarily denominated in U.S. dollars, and to a lesser extent, Euros, British pounds, and Australian dollars. We invest in highly-rated corporate debt securities, and our investment policy limits the amount of credit exposure to any one issuer, industry group and currency. Our credit risk related to corporate debt securities, if any, is also mitigated by the relatively short maturity period required by our investment policy. Forward contracts and capped calls are transacted with major global financial institutions with high credit standings. Forward contracts typically have maturities of less than 90 days, which also mitigates credit risk. Our overall credit risk related to accounts receivable is mitigated by the relatively short collection period.

Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis

Non-Marketable Investments

Equity Securities Accounted for under the Equity Method

The Company owns a 40% equity investment in Chelsea Investment Holding Company PTE Ltd, which is majority owned by Ctrip Investment Holding Ltd, a majority-owned subsidiary of Trip.com Group Limited. The Company accounts for this new accounting guidanceminority investment under the equity method, given it has the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the investee. The carrying value of this minority investment was $36 million and $38 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and is included in non-marketable investments on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, our share of the investee’s net loss in other income (expenses), net within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations, was not material. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, we recognized $1 million, representing our share of the investee’s net loss in other income (expenses), net within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. During both the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, we recognized $1 million, representing our share of the investee’s net loss in other income (expenses), net within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company evaluates this investment for impairment when factors indicate that a decline in the value of its investment has occurred and the carrying amount of its investment may not be recoverable. An impairment loss, based on the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value of the investment based on Level 3 inputs, is recognized in earnings when an impairment is deemed to be other than temporary. During both the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, we did 0t record any impairment loss on this equity investment.

The Company maintains various commercial agreements with Chelsea Investment Holding Company PTE Ltd. and/or its subsidiaries. Transactions under these agreements are considered related-party transactions, and were not material during the full retrospective method,three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.


Other Long-Term Assets

The Company holds collateralized notes (the “Notes Receivable”) with a total principal amount of $20 million from a privately-held company. The Notes Receivable is classified as held-to-maturity, given the Company has concluded it has the positive intent and ability to hold the Notes Receivable until maturity, with 50% due in 5 years and the remaining 50% due in 10 years from issuance date in June 2020. The Company recorded a $3 million allowance for credit loss under ASC 326 – Financial Instruments – Credit Losses during the three months ended June 30, 2020 in other income (expense), net on the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations, related to the Notes Receivable. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the carrying value of the Notes Receivable was $14 million, net of accumulated allowance for credit losses, and is classified in other long-term assets, net on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets at amortized cost. On a quarterly basis, we perform a qualitative assessment considering impairment indicators to evaluate whether the Notes Receivable are impaired and monitor for changes to our allowance for credit losses. We did 0t record any impairment loss during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.

NOTE 5: ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following for the periods presented:

 

 

June 30, 2021

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Accrued salary, bonus, and related benefits

 

$

51

 

 

$

49

 

Accrued marketing costs

 

 

56

 

 

 

13

 

Interest payable (1)

 

 

17

 

 

 

18

 

Current income taxes payable

 

 

3

 

 

 

1

 

Finance lease liability - current portion

 

 

6

 

 

 

5

 

Operating leases liability - current portion

 

 

19

 

 

 

21

 

Other

 

 

55

 

 

 

53

 

Total

 

$

207

 

 

$

160

 

(1)

Amount relates primarily to unpaid interest accrued on our 2025 Senior Notes. Refer to “Note 6: Debt” for further information.

NOTE 6: DEBT

The Company’s outstanding debt consisted of the following for the periods presented:

June 30, 2021

 

Outstanding Principal Amount

 

 

Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs

 

 

Carrying Value

 

(in millions)

 

Long-Term Debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2025 Senior Notes

 

$

500

 

 

$

(8

)

 

$

492

 

2026 Senior Notes

 

 

345

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

340

 

Total Long-Term Debt

 

$

845

 

 

$

(13

)

 

$

832

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

Outstanding Principal Amount

 

 

Unamortized Debt Issuance Costs

 

 

Carrying Value

 

(in millions)

 

Long-Term Debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2025 Senior Notes

 

$

500

 

 

$

(9

)

 

$

491

 

Total Long-Term Debt

 

$

500

 

 

$

(9

)

 

$

491

 

2015 Credit Facility

We are party to a credit agreement with a group of lenders initially entered into in June 2015 (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), which, among other things, provides for a $500 million unsecured revolving credit facility (the “2015 Credit Facility”) with a maturity date of May 12, 2024. The 2015 Credit Facility, among other things, requires us to maintain a maximum leverage ratio and contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default, including a change of control.


We amended the 2015 Credit Facility in May 2020 and December 2020 to, among other things:

suspend the leverage ratio covenant for quarterly testing of compliance beginning in the second quarter of 2020, replacing it with a minimum liquidity covenant through June 30, 2021 (requiring the Company to maintain $150 million of unrestricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments less deferred merchant payables plus available revolver capacity), until the earlier of (a) the first day after June 30, 2021 through maturity on which borrowings and other revolving credit utilizations under the revolving commitments exceed $200 million, and (b) the election of the Company, at which time the leverage ratio covenant will be reinstated (the “Leverage Covenant Holiday”);

decrease the aggregate amount of revolving loan commitments available to $500 million from $1.2 billion;

extend the maturity date of the 2015 Credit Facility from May 12, 2022 to May 12, 2024; and

secure the obligations under the agreement.

During the Leverage Covenant Holiday, any outstanding or future borrowings under the 2015 Credit Facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a 2.25% margin with a LIBOR floor of 1% per annum. We are required to pay a quarterly commitment fee, at an applicable rate of 0.5%, on the daily unused portion of the revolving credit facility for each fiscal quarter during the Leverage Covenant Holiday and also additional fees in connection with the issuance of letters of credit. The Company may borrow from the 2015 Credit Facility in U.S. dollars, Euros and British pounds. In addition, our 2015 Credit Facility includes $15 million of borrowing capacity available for letters of credit and $40 million for Swing Line borrowings on same-day notice. As of June 30, 2021, we had issued $4 million of outstanding letters of credit under the 2015 Credit Facility.

As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had 0 outstanding borrowings under the 2015 Credit Facility. For both the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, we recorded total interest expense and commitment fees on our 2015 Credit Facility of $1 million, while for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, we recorded total interest expense and commitment fees on our 2015 Credit Facility of $5 million and $6 million, respectively, to interest expense on our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company borrowed $700 million under the 2015 Credit Facility. These funds were drawn down as a precautionary measure to reinforce the Company’s liquidity position and preserve financial flexibility in light of uncertainty in the global markets resulting from COVID-19 and repaid by the Company during 2020.

The Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens, enter into sale and leaseback transactions, engage in mergers or consolidations, sell or transfer assets, pay dividends and distributions, make investments, loans or advances, prepay certain subordinated indebtedness, make certain acquisitions, engage in certain transactions with affiliates, amend material agreements governing certain subordinated indebtedness, and change our fiscal year. The Credit Agreement also limits the Company from repurchasing shares of its common stock and paying dividends, among other restrictions, during the Leverage Covenant Holiday. In addition, to secure the obligations under the Credit Agreement, the Company and certain subsidiaries have granted security interests and liens in and on substantially all of their assets as well as pledged shares of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we were in compliance with our covenants.

2025 Senior Notes

On July 9, 2020, the Company completed the sale of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 7.0% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Senior Notes”), pursuant to a purchase agreement, dated July 7, 2020, among the Company, the guarantors party thereto and the initial purchasers party theretoin a private offering to qualified institutional buyers. The 2025 Senior Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated July 9, 2020 (the “2025 Indenture”), among the Company, the guarantors and the trustee. The 2025 Indenture provides, among other things, that interest will be payable on the 2025 Senior Notes semiannually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, which began on January 15, 2021, until their maturity date of July 15, 2025. The 2025 Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries.

 The Company has the option to redeem all or a portion of the 2025 Senior Notes at any time on or after July 15, 2022 at the redemption prices set forth in the 2025 Indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. The Company may also redeem all or any portion of the 2025 Senior Notes at any time prior to July 15, 2022, at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In addition, before July 15, 2022, the Company may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Senior Notes with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings at the redemption price set forth in the 2025 Indenture, provided that certain conditions are met. Subject to certain limitations, in the event of a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined in the 2025 Indenture), the Company will be required to make an offer to purchase the 2025 Senior Notes at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Senior Notes repurchased, plus accrued and


unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase. These features have been evaluated as embedded derivatives under GAAP; however, the Company has concluded they do not meet the requirements to be accounted for separately.

As of June 30, 2021, unpaid interest on our 2025 Senior Notes totaled approximately $16 million and is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet, and $9 million and $17 million was recorded as interest expense on our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively.

The 2025 Indenture contains covenants that, among other things and subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, restrict the ability of the Company and the ability of certain of its subsidiaries to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue disqualified stock or certain preferred stock; pay dividends and make other distributions or repurchase stock; make certain investments; create or incur liens; sell assets; create restrictions affecting the ability of restricted subsidiaries to make distributions, loans or advances or transfer assets to the Company or the restricted subsidiaries; enter into certain transactions with the Company’s affiliates; designate restricted subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries; and merge, consolidate or transfer or sell all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.

2026 Senior Notes

On March 25, 2021, we entered into a purchase agreement for the sale of $300 million aggregate principal amount of 0.25% Convertible 2026 Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Senior Notes”) in a private offering to qualified institutional buyers. The 2026 Senior Notes included of an over-allotment option that provided the initial purchasers of the 2026 Senior Notes with the option to purchase an additional $45 million aggregate principal amount of the 2026 Senior Notes; such over-allotment option was fully exercised. In connection with the issuance of the 2026 Senior Notes, the Company entered into an Indenture, dated March 25, 2021 (the “2026 Indenture”), among the Company, the guarantors party thereto and the trustee. The terms of the 2026 Senior Notes are governed by the 2026 Indenture. The 2026 Senior Notes mature on April 1, 2026, unless earlier converted, redeemed or repurchased. The 2026 Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company, although guaranteed by certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries, with interest payable semiannually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on October 1, 2021.

The 2026 Senior Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at our option at any time, and from time to time, on or after April 1, 2024 and on or before the 30th scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date, at a cash redemption price equal to the principal amount of the 2026 Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, but only if the last reported sale price per share of our common stock exceeds 130% of the conversion price on (1) each of at least 20 trading days, whether or not consecutive, during the 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the trading day immediately before the date we send the related redemption notice; and (2) the trading day immediately before the date we send such notice. In addition, calling any such note for redemption will constitute a make-whole fundamental change with respect to that note, in which case the guidanceconversion rate applicable to the conversion of that note will be increased in certain circumstances if it is converted after it is called for redemption.

The 2026 Senior Notes are unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, by the guarantors on a senior, unsecured basis. The 2026 Senior Notes are our general senior unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future senior indebtedness, and senior in right of payment to all of our future subordinated indebtedness. The 2026 Senior Notes will be effectively subordinated to any of our existing and future secured indebtedness, including borrowings under our 2015 Credit Facility and our 2025 Senior Notes, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness.

Holders may convert their 2026 Senior Notes under the following conditions at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding January 1, 2026 in multiples of $1,000 principal amount, only under the following circumstances:

during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on June 30, 2021 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of our common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day;

during the 5 business day period after any 5 consecutive trading day period (the “measurement period”) in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of 2026 Senior Notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; or

upon the occurrence of specified corporate events as described in the 2026 Indenture.

In addition, holders may convert their 2026 Senior Notes, in multiples of $1,000 principal amount, at their option at any time beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the stated maturity date of the 2026 Senior Notes, without regard to the foregoing circumstances.


The initial conversion rate for the 2026 Senior Notes is 13.5483 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 2026 Senior Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $73.81 per share of common stock, or approximately 4.7 million shares of common stock, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events as set forth in the 2026 Indenture. Upon conversion, the Company may choose to pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of common stock or a combination of cash and shares of common stock.

The Company accounts for the 2026 Senior Notes as a liability measured at its amortized cost, and no other features of the 2026 Senior Notes are bifurcated and recognized as a derivative. The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2026 Senior Notes were approximately $340 million, net of debt issuance costs of $5 million comprised primarily of the initial purchasers’ discount and the Company used a portion of the proceeds from the 2026 Senior Notes to enter into capped call transactions, as discussed below. The Company intends to use the remainder of the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of debt, including the partial redemption and/or purchase of our 2025 Senior Notes prior to maturity. The debt issuance costs will be amortized over the remaining term of the 2026 Senior Notes, using the effective interest rate method, and recorded to interest expense on our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. During both the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, our effective interest rate, including the debt issuance costs, was approximately 0.60% and interest expense on our 2026 Senior Notes was not material.

The 2026 Senior Notes are unsecured and do not contain any financial covenants, restrictions on dividends, incurrence of senior debt or other indebtedness, or restrictions on the issuance or repurchase of securities by the Company.

Capped Call Transactions

In connection with the issuance of the 2026 Senior Notes, the Company entered into privately negotiated capped call transactions (the “Capped Calls”) with certain of the initial purchasers of the 2026 Senior Notes and/or their respective affiliates and/or other financial institutions (the “Option Counterparties”) at a cost of approximately $35 million. The Capped Calls are separate transactions entered into by the Company with each Option Counterparty, and are not part of the terms of the 2026 Senior Notes and will not affect any noteholder’s rights under the 2026 Senior Notes. Noteholders will not have any rights with respect to the Capped Calls.

The Capped Calls cover, subject to anti-dilution adjustments, substantially similar to those applicable to the conversion rate of the 2026 Senior Notes, the number of shares of common stock initially underlying the 2026 Senior Notes, or up to approximately 4.7 million shares of our common stock. The Capped Calls are expected generally to reduce potential dilution to the common stock upon any conversion of 2026 Senior Notes and/or offset any potential cash payments the Company is required to make in excess of the principal amount of such converted 2026 Senior Notes, as the case may be, with such reduction and/or offset subject to a cap. The strike price of the Capped Calls is $73.81, while the cap price of the Capped Calls will initially be $107.36 per share of our common stock, which represents a premium of 100% over the close price of our common stock of $53.68 per share on March 22, 2021, and is subject to certain customary adjustments under the terms of the Capped Calls.

The Capped Calls are considered indexed to our own stock and are considered equity classified under GAAP, and included as a reduction to additional paid-in-capital within stockholders’ equity on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2021. The Capped Calls are not accounted for as derivatives and their fair value is not remeasured each reporting period. In addition, we recorded a deferred tax asset of $9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021, as we made an income tax election allowable under Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) regulations in order to recover the cost of the Capped Calls as interest expense for income tax purposes only over the term of the 2026 Senior Notes.

NOTE 7: INCOME TAXES

Each interim period is considered an integral part of the annual period; accordingly, we measure our income tax expense using an estimated annual effective tax rate. An enterprise is required, at the end of each interim reporting period, to make its best estimate of the annual effective tax rate for the full fiscal year and use that rate to provide for income taxes on a current year-to-date basis, as adjusted for discrete taxable events that occur during the interim period.

On March 27, 2020, the U.S. government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act"). The CARES Act made tax law changes to provide financial relief to companies as a result of the business impacts of COVID-19. Key income tax provisions of the CARES Act include changes in net operating losses (“NOL”) carryback and carryforward rules, increase of the net interest expense deduction limit, and immediate write-off of qualified improvement property. The CARES Act allowed us to carryback our U.S. federal NOL incurred in 2020, generating a $48 million income tax refund, which is recorded in income taxes receivable on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, and is expected to be received during 2021. We also reduced our long-term transition tax payable related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “2017 Tax Act”) by $28 million as a result of the NOL carryback during the year ended December 31, 2020. NOLs incurred


after January 1, 2021 will be carried forward as a deferred tax asset and included in deferred income taxes, net on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2021.

In addition, certain governments have passed legislation to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic through loans, wage subsidies, wage tax relief or other financial aid. Some of these governments have extended or are considering extending these programs. We have participated in several of these programs, including the CARES Act in the U.S., the United Kingdom's job retention scheme, as well as programs in other jurisdictions. In addition, in certain countries, such as within the European Union, Singapore, Australia, and other jurisdictions, we are also participating in programs where government assistance is in the form of wage subsidies and reductions in wage-related employer taxes paid by us. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, we recognized non-income tax related government grants and other assistance benefits of $2 million and $5 million, respectively, of which $4 million in cash has been received as of June 30, 2021. During both the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, we recognized non-income tax related government grants and other assistance benefits of $4 million. These amounts were recorded as a reduction of personnel and overhead costs in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of both June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had a receivable remaining of $2 million, included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet, for payments expected to be received in 2021, which was related to qualified payroll tax credits under the CARES Act.

We recorded total income tax benefits of $6 million and $21 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, and total income tax benefits of $26 million and $38 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. The decrease in our income tax benefit during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, when compared to the same periods in 2020, was primarily due to a decrease in pretax losses recognized during both the three and six months ended June 30, 2021.

Our policy is to recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits and income tax liabilities as part of our income tax expense. As of June 30, 2021, we had an accrued interest liability of $37 million included in other long-term liabilities on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet and 0 penalties have been accrued.  

By virtue of consolidated income tax returns previously filed with Expedia, we are currently under an IRS audit for the 2009, 2010 and short-period 2011 tax years. We are separately under examination by the IRS for the short-period 2011, 2012 through 2016, and 2018 tax years, and have various ongoing audits for foreign tax years, as well as state income tax audits. These audits include questioning the timing and amount of income and deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. These examinations may lead to proposed or ordinary course adjustments to our taxes. We are no longer subject to tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2009. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, we closed an employment tax audit by the IRS for the 2015 through 2017 tax years. As of June 30, 2021, no material assessments have resulted, except as noted below regarding our 2009, 2010, and 2011 IRS audit with Expedia, our 2012 through 2016 standalone IRS audit, and our 2012 through 2016 HM Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”) audit. 

In January 2017 and April 2019, as part of the IRS audit of Expedia, we received Notices of Proposed Adjustment from the IRS for the 2009, 2010, and 2011 tax years. Subsequently, in September 2019, as part of our standalone audit, we received Notices of Proposed Adjustment from the IRS for the 2012 and 2013 tax years; and in August 2020, we received Notices of Proposed Adjustment from the IRS for the 2014, 2015, and 2016 tax years. These proposed adjustments are related to certain transfer pricing arrangements with our foreign subsidiaries, and would result in an increase to our worldwide income tax expense in an estimated range of $95 million to $105 million at the close of the audit if the IRS prevails, which includes $20 million to $30 million related to the 2009 through 2011 pre Spin-Off tax years. The estimated range takes into consideration competent authority relief and transition tax regulations, and is exclusive of deferred tax consequences and interest expense, which would be appliedsignificant. We disagree with the proposed adjustments and we intend to each prior reporting period presenteddefend our position through applicable administrative and, if necessary, judicial remedies. Our policy is to review and update tax reserves as facts and circumstances change. Based on our interpretation of the cumulative effect of applyingregulations and available case law, we believe the guidance would be recognized at the earliest period shown, or the modified retrospective method, in which case the cumulative effect of applying the guidance would be recognized at the date of initial application. We will adopt this new guidance on January 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective method, which means that revenues for 2016 and 2017 will be reported on a historical basis and revenues for 2018 will be reported on the new basis and also disclosed on the historical basis.

To date,position we have made significant progress toward completingtaken with regard to transfer pricing with our evaluation of the potential changes from adopting the new standard on our future financial reporting and disclosures. We have established a cross-functional implementation team from across our organization and have made significant progress in the review of our contracts portfolio and our current accounting policies and practices to identify potential differences that could result from applying the requirements of the new standard to our revenue contracts. To date, we have evaluated the significant majority of our revenue streams and based on the Company's preliminary analysis; we expect the revenue standard will change the timing of revenue recognition for our instant booking revenue recorded under the consumption model. Upon adoption, this revenue will be recognized at the transaction booking date for a hotel accommodation rather than upon completion of the stay by the traveler, whichforeign subsidiaries is how it is currently recorded.  The Company does not currently expect this timing change to have a material impact to its financial statements, either on an annual or quarterly basis.sustainable. In addition to the changesrisk of additional tax for 2009 through 2016 transactions, if the IRS were to seek transfer pricing adjustments of a similar nature for transactions in our instant booking revenuesubsequent years, we would be subject to significant additional tax liabilities. We have requested competent authority assistance under the consumption model,Mutual Agreement Procedure (“MAP”) for tax years 2009 through 2016. We expect the new guidancecompetent authorities to present a resolution for the 2009 through 2011 tax years in the near future.  Upon receipt, we will assess the resolution provided by the competent authorities as well as its impact on our existing income tax reserves for all open subsequent years.

In January 2021, we received from HMRC an issue closure notice relating to adjustments for 2012 through 2016 tax years. These proposed adjustments are related to certain transfer pricing arrangements with our foreign subsidiaries and would result in other immaterial changes in the timing of certain other revenue streams. We currently do not expect any major reengineering requiredan increase to our accounting systems orworldwide income tax expense in an estimated range of $45 million to $55 million, exclusive of interest expense, at the close of the audit if HMRC prevails. We disagree with the proposed adjustments and we intend to defend our internal controlsposition through applicable administrative and, if necessary, judicial remedies. Our policy is to review and update tax reserves as facts and


circumstances change. Based on our interpretation of the regulations and available case law, we believe the position we have taken with regard to transfer pricing with our foreign subsidiaries is sustainable.

NOTE 8: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

As of June 30, 2021, with the exception of expected interest payments related to the above accounting changes or related to the additional disclosure requirements required by the standard. However, while we have made significant progress, and are in our implementation phase of this project, we are still evaluating less material portionsissuance of our revenue, and,2026 Senior Notes, as discussed above in addition, our costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. We will continue to update our assessment of the effect that the new revenue guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements, disclosures and related controls, and will disclose any material effects, if any, when known.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In October 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which amends the consolidation guidance on how a reporting entity that is the single decision maker of a variable interest entity should treat indirect interests in the entity held through related parties that are under common control within the reporting entity when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of that variable interest entity. We adopted this new guidance on January 1, 2017, on a retrospective basis, with no impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.  

There“Note 6: Debt”, there have been no material changes to our significant accounting policiescommitments and contingencies since December 31, 2016. For additional information about our accounting policies and estimates, refer2020. Refer to “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies”13: Commitments and Contingencies, in the notes to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.


NOTE 3: STOCK BASED AWARDS AND OTHER EQUITY INSTRUMENTS2020.

Stock-Based Compensation ExpenseLegal Proceedings

The following table presentsIn the amountordinary course of stock-based compensation expense relatedbusiness, we are party to stock-based awards, primarily stock optionsregulatory and restricted stock units (“RSUs”)legal matters, including threats thereof, arising out of, or in connection with our operations. These matters may involve claims involving intellectual property rights (including alleged infringement of third-party intellectual property rights), ontax matters (including value-added, excise, transient occupancy and accommodation taxes), regulatory compliance (including competition and consumer protection matters), defamation and reputational claims, personal injury claims, labor and employment matters and commercial disputes. Periodically, we review the status of all significant outstanding matters to assess any potential financial exposure. We record the estimated loss in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations duringwhen (i) it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred; and (ii) the periods presented:

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

Selling and marketing

 

$

5

 

 

$

5

 

 

$

16

 

 

$

15

 

Technology and content

 

 

12

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

30

 

General and administrative

 

 

9

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

19

 

Total stock-based compensation

 

 

26

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

72

 

 

 

64

 

Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(27

)

 

 

(23

)

Total stock-based compensation, net of tax effect

 

$

17

 

 

$

14

 

 

$

45

 

 

$

41

 

Duringamount of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,loss can be reasonably estimated. We provide disclosures in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for loss contingencies that do not meet both of these conditions if there is a reasonable possibility that a loss may have been incurred that would be material to the consolidated financial statements. We base accruals on the best information available at the time which can be highly subjective. Although occasional adverse decisions or settlements may occur, we capitalized $3 million and $10 million, respectively,do not believe that the final disposition of stock-based compensation expense as internal-use software and website development costs. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, we capitalized $3 million and $9 million, respectively,any of stock-based compensation expense as internal-use software and website development costs.   

Stock-Based Award Activity and Valuation

2017 Stock Option Activity

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we have issued 1,529,127 service-based non-qualified stock options under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2011 Stock and Annual Incentive Plan (the “2011 Incentive Plan”). Generally our stock optionsthese matters will have a termmaterial adverse effect on our business. However, the final outcome of ten yearsthese matters could vary significantly from the dateour estimates. Finally, there may be claims or actions pending or threatened against us of grant and generally vest equally over a four-year requisite service period.

The following table presents a summary of our stock option activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2017:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Remaining

 

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

Options

 

 

Price Per

 

 

Contractual

 

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

Share

 

 

Life

 

 

Value

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in years)

 

 

(in millions)

 

Options outstanding at December 31, 2016

 

 

5,818

 

 

$

57.60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

1,529

 

 

 

42.81

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised (1)

 

 

(488

)

 

 

29.49

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cancelled or expired

 

 

(572

)

 

 

68.82

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options outstanding at September 30, 2017

 

 

6,287

 

 

$

55.16

 

 

 

6.4

 

 

$

7

 

Exercisable as of September 30, 2017

 

 

3,337

 

 

$

52.51

 

 

 

4.7

 

 

$

7

 

Vested and expected to vest after September 30, 2017 (2)

 

 

6,287

 

 

$

55.16

 

 

 

6.4

 

 

$

7

 

(1)

Inclusive of 288,751 of options which were not converted into shares due to net share settlement in order to cover the aggregate exercise price and the required amount of employee withholding taxes. Potential shares that had been convertible under stock options that were withheld under net share settlement remain in the authorized but unissued pool under the 2011 Incentive Plan and can be reissued by the Company. Total payments for the employees’ tax obligations to the taxing authorities due to net share settlements are reflected as a financing activity within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

(2)

The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur, rather than estimate expected forfeitures as allowed under GAAP and   therefore do not include a forfeiture rate in our vested and expected to vest calculation unless necessary for a performance condition award.

Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the closing stock price of our common stockwhich we are currently not aware and the exercise priceultimate disposition of outstanding, in-the-money options. Our closing stock price as reportedwhich could have a material adverse effect on us. All legal fees incurred by the Company related to any regulatory and legal matters are expensed in the period incurred.

Income and Non-Income Taxes

We are under audit by the IRS and various other domestic and foreign tax authorities with regards to income tax and non-income tax matters. We have reserved for potential adjustments that may result from examinations by, or any negotiated agreements with, these tax authorities. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the final determination of audits could be materially different from our historical tax provisions and accruals. The NASDAQ Global Select Market asresults of September 30, 2017 was $40.53. The total intrinsic valuean audit could have a material effect on our financial position, results of stock options exercised was $8 million and $23 million, foroperations, or cash flows in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.


The fair value of stock option grants under the 2011 Incentive Plan has been estimated at the date of grant using the Black–Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for the periods presented:

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Risk free interest rate

 

 

1.84

%

 

 

1.15

%

 

 

1.90

%

 

 

1.20

%

Expected term (in years)

 

 

5.32

 

 

 

5.17

 

 

 

5.35

 

 

 

4.85

 

Expected volatility

 

 

41.31

%

 

 

42.68

%

 

 

41.52

%

 

 

41.83

%

Expected dividend yield

 

—  %

 

 

—  %

 

 

—  %

 

 

—  %

 

The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted was $15.49 and $17.16 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted was $24.97 and $22.95 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. The total fair value of stock options vested was $39 million and $27 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Cash received from stock option exercises was $3 million and $6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

On June 5, 2017, the Section 16 Committee of our Board of Directors approved an amendment to the nonqualified stock option award (the “Option”) granted on August 28, 2013 to Stephen Kaufer, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. The amendment provides that the Option will expire on the tenth anniversary, instead of the seventh anniversary, of the grant date. Vesting conditions under the Option were not affected by this amendment. As a result of the modification, incremental fair value of $5 million will be recognized to stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining vesting term, which is through August 2018.

2017 RSU Activity

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we issued 4,241,561 RSUs under the 2011 Incentive Planperiod for which the fair value was measured basedthat determination is made. Refer to “Note 7: Income Taxes” for further information on the quoted price of our common stock on the date of grant. These RSUs generally vest over a four-year requisite service period.

The following table presents a summary of our RSU activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2017:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grant-

 

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

RSUs

 

 

Date Fair

 

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

Value Per Share

 

 

Value

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Unvested RSUs outstanding as of December 31, 2016

 

 

2,856

 

 

$

69.35

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

4,241

 

 

 

42.65

 

 

 

 

 

Vested and released (1)

 

 

(868

)

 

 

67.89

 

 

 

 

 

Cancelled

 

 

(641

)

 

 

55.02

 

 

 

 

 

Unvested RSUs outstanding as of September 30, 2017

 

 

5,588

 

 

$

50.84

 

 

$

226

 

Expected to vest after September 30, 2017 (2)

 

 

5,588

 

 

$

50.84

 

 

$

226

 

(1)

Inclusive of 251,082 RSUs withheld due to net share settlement to satisfy required employee tax withholding requirements. Potential shares which had been convertible under RSUs that were withheld under net share settlement remain in the authorized but unissued pool under the 2011 Incentive Plan and can be reissued by the Company. Total payments for the employees’ tax obligations to the taxing authorities due to net share settlements are reflected as a financing activity within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

(2)

The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur, rather than estimate expected forfeitures as allowed under GAAP and   therefore do not include a forfeiture rate in our expected to vest calculation unless necessary for a performance condition award, respectively.

Total currentpotential contingencies surrounding income tax benefits associated with the exercise or settlement of TripAdvisor stock-based awards held by our employees were $1 million and $17 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Total current income tax benefits associated with the exercise or settlement of TripAdvisor stock-based awards held by our employees was $2 million and $18 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.taxes.


Unrecognized Stock-Based Compensation

A summary of our remaining unrecognized stock-based compensation expense and the weighted average remaining amortization period at September 30, 2017 related to our non-vested stock options and RSU awards is presented below:

 

 

Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options

 

 

RSUs

 

Unrecognized compensation expense

 

$

49

 

 

$

229

 

Weighted average period remaining (in years)

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

3.0

 

NOTE 4: EARNINGS PER SHARE9: STOCK BASED AWARDS AND OTHER EQUITY INSTRUMENTS

Basic Earnings Per Share AttributableOn June 8, 2021, our stockholders approved an amendment to Common Stockholders

We compute basic earnings per share (“Basic EPS”the Company’s 2018 Stock and Annual Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”) by dividing net income byto, among other things, increase the weighted averageaggregate number of shares reserved and available for issuance under the 2018 Plan by 10 million shares. The purpose of this amendment was to provide sufficient reserves of shares of our common shares outstanding duringstock to ensure our ability to continue to provide new hires, employees and management with equity incentives. As of June 30, 2021, the period. We compute the weighted averagetotal number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period using the total of common stock and Class B common stock outstanding as of the last day of the previous year end reporting period plus the weighted average of any additional shares issued and outstanding less the weighted average of any common shares repurchased during the reporting period.

Diluted Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders

Diluted earnings per share (“Diluted EPS”) include the potential dilution of common equivalent shares outstanding that could occur fromreserved for future stock-based awards and other stock-based commitments usingunder the treasury stock method. We compute Diluted EPS by dividing net income by the sum of the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. We computed the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period using the sum of (i) the number of2018 Plan was approximately 17 million shares. All shares of common stock and Class B common stock usedissued in the basic earnings per share calculation as indicated above, and (ii) if dilutive, the incremental weighted average common stock that we would issue upon the assumed exerciserespect of outstanding common equivalent shares related to stock options and the vesting of restricted stock units using the treasury stock method, and (iii) if dilutive, performance based awards based on the number of shares that would be issuable as of the end of the reporting period assuming the end of the reporting period was also the end of the contingency period.

Under the treasury stock method, the assumed proceeds calculation includes the actual proceeds to be received from the employee upon exercise of outstanding equity awards and the average unrecognized compensation cost during the period. The treasury stock method assumes that a company uses the proceeds from the exercise of anoptions, RSUs, or other equity award to repurchase common stock at the average market price for the reporting period.

Below is a reconciliation of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding in calculating Diluted EPS (shares in thousands and dollars in millions, except per share amounts) for the periods presented:

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

25

 

 

$

55

 

 

$

65

 

 

$

119

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used to compute Basic EPS

 

 

138,779

 

 

 

145,678

 

 

 

140,961

 

 

 

145,618

 

Weighted average effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

 

193

 

 

 

1,135

 

 

 

312

 

 

 

1,229

 

RSUs

 

 

416

 

 

 

404

 

 

 

408

 

 

 

314

 

Weighted average shares used to compute Diluted EPS

 

 

139,388

 

 

 

147,217

 

 

 

141,681

 

 

 

147,161

 

Basic EPS

 

$

0.18

 

 

$

0.38

 

 

$

0.46

 

 

$

0.82

 

Diluted EPS

 

$

0.18

 

 

$

0.37

 

 

$

0.46

 

 

$

0.81

 


The following potential common shares related to stock options and RSUs were excluded from the calculation of Diluted EPS (in thousands) because their effect wouldawards have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented:

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017(1)

 

 

2016(2)

 

 

2017(1)

 

 

2016(2)

 

Stock options

 

 

4,643

 

 

 

3,065

 

 

 

4,626

 

 

 

2,997

 

RSUs

 

 

1,756

 

 

 

691

 

 

 

1,940

 

 

 

753

 

Total

 

 

6,399

 

 

 

3,756

 

 

 

6,566

 

 

 

3,750

 

(1)

These totals do not include 125,000 performance based options representing the right to acquire the equivalent number of shares of potential common stock for which all targets required to trigger vesting had not been achieved; therefore such awards were excluded from the calculation of weighted average shares used to compute Diluted EPS for those reporting periods.

(2)

These totals do not include 125,000 performance based options and 12,799 performance based RSUs representing 137,799 shares of potential common stock for which all targets required to trigger vesting had not been achieved; therefore such awards were excluded from the calculation of weighted average shares used to compute Diluted EPS for those reporting periods.

The earnings per share amounts are the same forissued from authorized, but unissued common stock and Class B common stock because the holders of each class are legally entitled to equal per share distributions whether through dividends or in liquidation.

stock.


NOTE 5: FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

The following tables show our cash and available-for-sale securities’ amortized cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair value by fair value hierarchy and significant investment category recorded as cash and cash equivalents or short and long-term marketable securities as of the dates presented (in millions):

 

 

September 30, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and

 

 

Short-Term

 

 

Long-Term

 

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

 

Cash

 

 

Marketable

 

 

Marketable

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

Gains

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

 

Equivalents

 

 

Securities

 

 

Securities

 

Cash

 

$

747

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

747

 

 

$

747

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

Level 1:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds

 

 

2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Level 2:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. agency securities

 

 

4

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

1

 

U.S. treasury securities

 

 

1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

-

 

Certificates of deposit

 

 

2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

13

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

4

 

Subtotal

 

 

20

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

6

 

Total

 

$

769

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

769

 

 

$

750

 

 

$

13

 

 

$

6

 

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and

 

 

Short-Term

 

 

Long-Term

 

 

 

Amortized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

Fair

 

 

Cash

 

 

Marketable

 

 

Marketable

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

Gains

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

 

Equivalents

 

 

Securities

 

 

Securities

 

Cash

 

$

595

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

595

 

 

$

595

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

Level 1:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds

 

 

17

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Level 2:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. agency securities

 

 

23

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

23

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

2

 

U.S. treasury securities

 

 

8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

-

 

Certificates of deposit

 

 

16

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

1

 

Commercial paper

 

 

5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

-

 

Corporate debt securities

 

 

82

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

82

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

69

 

 

 

13

 

Subtotal

 

 

134

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

134

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

118

 

 

 

16

 

Total

 

$

746

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

746

 

 

$

612

 

 

$

118

 

 

$

16

 

Our cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand in global financial institutions, money market funds and marketable securities with maturities of 90 days or less at the date purchased. The remaining maturities of our long-term marketable securities range from one to three years and our short-term marketable securities include maturities that were greater than 90 days at the date purchased and have 12 months or less remaining at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

For assets and liabilities required to be reported at fair value, GAAP provides a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels:

Level 1—Valuations are based on quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

Level 2—Valuations are based on observable inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3—Valuations are based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.


We classify our cash equivalents and marketable securities within Level 1 and Level 2 as we value our cash equivalents and marketable securities using quoted market prices (Level 1) or alternative pricing sources (Level 2). The valuation technique we used to measure the fair value of money market funds were derived from quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Fair values for Level 2 investments are considered “Level 2” valuations because they are obtained from independent pricing sources for identical or comparable instruments, rather than direct observations of quoted prices in active markets. Our procedures include controls to ensure that appropriate fair values are recorded, including comparing the fair values obtained from our independent pricing services against fair values obtained from another independent source.

There were no material realized gains or losses related to sales of our marketable securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. Realized gains and losses on the sale of securities were determined by specific identification of each security’s cost basis. We consider any individual investments in an unrealized loss position to be temporary in nature and do not consider any of our investments other-than-temporarily impaired as of September 30, 2017.

Derivative Financial Instruments

In certain circumstances, we enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts, or forward contracts, to reduce the effects of fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates on our cash flows denominated in foreign currencies. We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. 

Our forward contracts, which have been entered into during both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 have not been designated as hedges and had current maturities of less than 90 days. Consequently, any gain or loss resulting from the change in fair value has been recognized in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations, which were not material for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. The net gain or loss related to our forward contracts for the three months ended September 30, 2016 was not material and we recorded a net gain of $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 related to our settled and outstanding forward contracts in “Interest income and other, net” on our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.Stock-Based Compensation Expense

The following table showspresents the notional principal amountsamount of our outstanding derivative instruments that are not designated as hedging instruments as of the dates presented:

 

September 30, 2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

(in millions)

 

Foreign exchange-forward contracts (1), (2)

$

-

 

$

6

 

(1)

Derivative contracts address foreign currency exchange fluctuations for the Euro versus the U.S. Dollar. The Company had no outstanding derivative contracts as of September 30, 2017 and two outstanding derivative contracts as of December 31, 2016.

(2)

The fair value of our derivatives was not material as of December 31, 2016. We measure the fair value of our outstanding or unsettled derivatives using Level 2 fair value inputs, as we use a pricing model that takes into account the contract terms as well as current foreign currency exchange rates in active markets.

The Company does not have any recurring assets or liabilities measured at fair value that would be considered Level 3 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

Other Financial Instruments

Other financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis include accounts receivable, accounts payable, deferred merchant payables, short-term debt, accrued and other current liabilities and long-term debt. With the exception of long-term debt, the carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments as reported on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The carrying value of the long-term debt from our 2015 Credit Facility bears interest at a variable rate and therefore is also considered to approximate fair value.

We also hold investments in equity securities of privately-held companies with carrying values of $12 million and $14 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. These investments are accounted for under the cost method and included in "Other long-term assets" in the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. Under the cost method, investments are carried at cost and are adjusted only for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, certain distributions, and additional investments. The Company evaluates its investments on a quarterly basis to determine if any indicators of other-than-temporary impairment exist. The Company recognized a loss of $2 millionstock-based compensation expense related to an investment in one of these privately-held companies during the three months ended September 30, 2017 in “Interest income and other, net” on our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.


NOTE 6: DEBT

The Company’s outstanding debt consisted of the following as of the dates presented:

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Short-Term Debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese Credit Facilities

 

$

7

 

$

7

 

2016 Credit Facility

 

 

-

 

 

73

 

Total Short-Term Debt

 

$

7

 

$

80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015 Credit Facility

 

$

265

 

$

91

 

Total Long-Term Debt

 

$

265

 

$

91

 

2015 Credit Facility

In June 2015, we entered into a five year credit agreement with a group of lenders which, among other things, provided for a $1 billion unsecured revolving credit facility (the “2015 Credit Facility”). On May 12, 2017, the 2015 Credit Facility was amended to, among other things, (i) increase the aggregate amount of revolving loan commitments available from $1.0 billion to $1.2 billion; and (ii) extend the maturity date of the 2015 Credit Facility from June 26, 2020 to May 12, 2022 (the “First Amendment”). Borrowings under the 2015 Credit Facility generally bear interest, at the Company’s option, at a rate per annum equal to either (i) the Eurocurrency Borrowing rate, or the adjusted LIBO rate for the interest period in effect for such borrowing; plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.25% to 2.00% (“Eurocurrency Spread”), based on the Company’s leverage ratio; or (ii) the Alternate Base Rate (“ABR”) Borrowing, which is the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the New York Fed Bank Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1.00% per annum and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate (or LIBO rate multiplied by the Statutory Reserve Rate) for an interest period of one month plus 1.00%; in addition to an applicable margin ranging from 0.25% to 1.00% (“ABR Spread”), based on the Company’s leverage ratio. The Company may borrow from the revolving credit facility in U.S dollars, Euros and British pound sterling.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company borrowed an additional $415 million and repaid $241 million of our outstanding borrowings under the 2015 Credit Facility. These net borrowings during the year were primarily used to repurchase shares of our outstanding common stock under the Company’s repurchase program, which is described in “Note 9: Stockholders Equity”. As of September 30, 2017, based on the Company’s leverage ratio, our borrowings bear interest at LIBO rate; plus an applicable margin of 1.25%, or the Eurocurrency Spread. The Company is currently borrowing under a one-month interest rate period or a weighted average rate of 2.50% per annum as of September 30, 2017, using a one-month interest period Eurocurrency Spread, which will reset periodically. Interest will be payable on a monthly basis while the Company is borrowing under the one-month interest rate period. We are also required to pay a quarterly commitment fee, at an applicable rate ranging from 0.15% to 0.30%, on the daily unused portion of the revolving credit facility for each fiscal quarter and additional fees in connection with the issuance of letters of credit. As of September 30, 2017, our unused revolver capacity is subject to a commitment fee of 0.15%, given the Company’s leverage ratio. The 2015 Credit Facility includes $15 million of borrowing capacity available for letters of credit and $40 million for Swing Line borrowings on same-day notice. As of September 30, 2017, we had issued $3 million of outstanding letters of credit under the 2015 Credit Facility. We recorded total interest expense and commitment fees on our 2015 Credit Facility of $2 million and $4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $1 million and $3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, to “Interest expense” on our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. All unpaid interest and commitment fee amounts as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, were not material.

In connection with the First Amendment, we incurred additional lender fees and debt financing costs totaling $2 million, which were capitalized as deferred financing costs and recorded to “Other long-term assets” on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. As of September 30, 2017, the Company has $3 million remaining in deferred financing costs in connection with the 2015 Credit Facility. These costs will be amortized over the remaining term using the effective interest rate method and recorded to “Interest expense” on our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The resulting write down of previous deferred financing costs as a result of the First Amendment was not material.

There is no specific repayment date prior to the maturity date for borrowings under this credit agreement. We may voluntarily repay any outstanding borrowing under the 2015 Credit Facility at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary breakage costs with respect to Eurocurrency loans. Certain wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries of the Company have agreed to guarantee the Company’s obligations under the 2015 Credit Facility. The 2015 Credit Facility contains a number of covenants that,


among other things, restrict our ability to: incur additional indebtedness, create liens, enter into sale and leaseback transactions, engage in mergers or consolidations, sell or transfer assets, pay dividends and distributions, make investments, loans or advances, prepay certain subordinated indebtedness, make certain acquisitions, engage in certain transactions with affiliates, amend material agreements governing certain subordinated indebtedness, and change our fiscal year. The 2015 Credit Facility also requires us to maintain a maximum leverage ratio and contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default, including a change of control. If an event of default occurs, the lenders under the 2015 Credit Facility will be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of all amounts due under the 2015 Credit Facility. Additionally, the 2015 Credit Facility includes a subjective acceleration clause, which could be triggered by the lenders if a representation, warranty or statement made by the Company proves to be incorrect in any material respect, which in turn would permit the lenders to accelerate repayment of any outstanding obligations. The Company believes that the likelihood of the lender exercising this right is remote and, as such, we classify borrowings under this facility as long-term debt. As of September 30, 2017, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants.  

2016 Credit Facility

In September 2016, we entered into an uncommitted facility agreement, which provides for a $73 million unsecured revolving credit facility (the “2016 Credit Facility”) with no specific expiration date. The 2016 Credit Facility is available at the lender’s discretion and can be canceled at any time. Repayment terms for borrowings under the 2016 Credit Facility are generally one to six month periods or such other periods as the parties may mutually agree and bear interest at LIBOR plus 112.5 basis points. The Company may borrow from the 2016 Credit Facility in U.S dollars only and we may voluntarily repay any outstanding borrowing at any time without premium or penalty. Any overdue amounts under or in respect of the 2016 Credit Facility not paid when due shall bear interest in the case of principal at the applicable interest rate plus 1.50% per annum. In addition, TripAdvisor, LLC, a wholly-owned domestic subsidiary of the Company, has agreed to guarantee the Company’s obligations under the 2016 Credit Facility. There are no specific financial or incurrence covenants. 

The Company repaid all outstanding borrowings during the first three months of 2017 and, as of September 30, 2017, we had no outstanding borrowings under the 2016 Credit Facility. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, total interest recorded with respect to our 2016 Credit Facility to “Interest expense”stock-based awards on our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations was not material.

Chinese Credit Facilities

In addition to our borrowings under the 2015 Credit Facility and 2016 Credit Facility, we maintain two credit facilities in China (jointly, the “Chinese Credit Facilities”).

We are parties to a $30 million, one-year revolving credit facility with Bank of America (the “Chinese Credit Facility—BOA”) that is currently subject to review on a periodic basis with no specific expiration period. Borrowings under our Chinese Credit Facility—BOA generally bear interest at a rate based on People’s Bank of China benchmark, including certain adjustments which may be made in accordance with the market condition at the time of borrowing. As of September 30, 2017, there were no outstanding borrowings under our Chinese Credit Facility—BOA.

We are also parties to a RMB 70,000,000 (approximately $10 million), one-year revolving credit facility with J.P. Morgan Chase Bank (“Chinese Credit Facility—JPM”). Borrowings under our Chinese Credit Facility—JPM generally bear interest at a rate based on People’s Bank of China benchmark, including certain adjustments which may be made in accordance with the market condition at the time of borrowing. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, we had $7 million of outstanding borrowings from the Chinese Credit Facility – JPM at a weighted average rate of 4.35%.

NOTE 7: INCOME TAXES

Each interim period is considered an integral part of the annual period and, accordingly, we measure our income tax expense using an estimated annual effective tax rate. An enterprise is required, at the end of each interim reporting period, to make its best estimate of the annual effective tax rate for the full fiscal year and use that rate to provide for income taxes on a current year-to-date basis, as adjusted for discrete taxable events that occur during the interim period.periods presented:

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

Six months ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

Cost of revenue

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

1

 

Selling and marketing

 

 

4

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

7

 

Technology and content

 

 

13

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

20

 

General and administrative

 

 

15

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

23

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

 

 

32

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

61

 

 

 

51

 

Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(12

)

Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax

 

$

26

 

 

$

20

 

 

$

50

 

 

$

39

 

Our effective tax rate for the threeWe capitalized $3 million and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was 34.2% and 39.3%, respectively. Our effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was 12.7% and 18.5%, respectively. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the effective tax rate is greater than the federal statutory rate primarily due to valuation allowances on losses in jurisdictions outside the United States, recognition of stock compensation shortfalls, and a change in the relative mix of pretax income among jurisdictions. These same drivers also resulted in an increase in the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, when compared to same periods in 2016.


Our policy is to recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits and income tax liabilities as part of our income tax expense. As of September 30, 2017, accrued interest was $8$7 million net of federal and state benefit, and no penalties have been accrued.

By virtue of previously filed consolidated income tax returns filed with Expedia, we are currently under an IRS audit for the 2009, 2010 and 2011 tax years, and have various ongoing state income tax audits. We are separately under examination by the IRS for the 2012 and 2013 tax years and under an employment tax audit by the IRS for the 2013 and 2014 tax years. These audits include questioning of the timing and the amount of income and deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. These examinations may lead to proposed or ordinary course adjustments to our taxes. We are no longer subject to tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2009. As of September 30, 2017, no material assessments have resulted, except as noted below regarding our 2009 and 2010 IRS audit with Expedia.

In January 2017, we received Notices of Proposed Adjustment from the IRS for the 2009 and 2010 tax years. These proposed adjustments are related to certain transfer pricing arrangements with our foreign subsidiaries, and would result in an increase to our worldwide income tax expense in an estimated range totaling $10 million to $14 million for those specific years, after consideration of competent authority relief, exclusive of interest and penalties. During the quarter ended June 30, 2017, we filed a request for Mutual Agreement Procedure consideration under Article 26 of the United States / United Kingdom Income Tax Convention and Rev. Proc. 2015-40, 2015-35 I.R.B. 236. Our policy is to review and update tax reserves as facts and circumstances change. Based on our interpretation of the regulations and available case law, we believe the position we have taken with regard to transfer pricing with our foreign subsidiaries is sustainable. As such, we disagree with the proposed adjustments and intend to defend our position through applicable administrative and, if necessary, judicial remedies. In addition to the risk of additional tax for 2009 and 2010 transactions, if the IRS were to seek transfer pricing adjustments of a similar nature for transactions in subsequent years, we could be subject to significant additional tax liabilities.

In July 2015, the United States Tax Court (the “Court”) issued an opinion favorable to Altera Corporation (“Altera”) with respect to Altera’s litigation with the IRS. This opinion was submitted as a final decision under Tax Court Rule 155 during December 2015. The litigation relates to the treatment of stock-based compensation expense in an inter-company cost-sharing arrangement with Altera’s foreign subsidiary. In its opinion,as internal-use software and website development costs during the Court accepted Altera’s position of excluding stock based compensation from its inter-company cost-sharing arrangement. The IRS appealed the Court decision on February 19, 2016. At this time, the U.S. Department of the Treasury has not withdrawn the requirement from its regulations to include stock-based compensation in intercompany cost-sharing arrangements. The Company recorded an income tax benefit, based on the Court’s acceptance of Altera’s position, of $3three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, and $4 million and $5$8 million during the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016, respectively,2020, respectively.

During the first quarter of 2020, the Company reversed $3 million of previously recorded stock-based compensation expense related to certain performance-based RSUs, as the Company concluded that performance metrics required to be met in order for these awards to fully vest were no longer expected to be achievable, due to the impact of COVID-19 on our business.

During the second quarter of 2020, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved a modification to the Company’s annual RSU grants issued to its employees in the first quarter of 2020, which consisted of reducing the original grant-date vesting period from four years to two years. This modification resulted in the acceleration and recognition of an additional $5 million of stock-based compensation expense during the three months ended June 30, 2020, given the modified vesting term. There was no change to the original fair value of the impacted RSUs as a result of this modification.

Stock-Based Award Activity and Valuation

2021 Stock Option Activity

A summary of stock option activity, consisting primarily of service-based non-qualified stock options during the six months ended June 30, 2021, is presented below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Remaining

 

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

Options

 

 

Price Per

 

 

Contractual

 

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

Share

 

 

Life

 

 

Value

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in years)

 

 

(in millions)

 

Options outstanding at December 31, 2020

 

 

5,615

 

 

$

46.31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

716

 

 

 

46.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised (1)

 

 

(672

)

 

 

34.40

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cancelled or expired

 

 

(152

)

 

 

42.57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options outstanding at June 30, 2021

 

 

5,507

 

 

$

47.83

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

$

19

 

Exercisable as of June 30, 2021

 

 

3,341

 

 

$

54.65

 

 

 

3.6

 

 

$

6

 

Vested and expected to vest after June 30, 2021 (2)

 

 

5,507

 

 

$

47.83

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

$

19

 

(1)

Inclusive of approximately 371,000 stock options which were not converted into shares due to net share settlement in order to cover the aggregate exercise price and the required amount of employee withholding taxes. Potential shares which were withheld in connection with exercised stock options due to net share settlement to satisfy required employee tax withholding requirements and payment of the aggregate exercise price remain in the authorized but unissued pool under the 2018 Plan and can be reissued by the Company. Total payments for the employees’ tax obligations to the taxing authorities due to net share settlements are reflected as a financing activity within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

(2)

The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur, rather than estimate expected forfeitures as allowed under GAAP and therefore do not include a forfeiture rate in our vested and expected to vest calculation unless necessary for a performance condition award.

Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the closing stock price of our common stock and the exercise price of outstanding, in-the-money options. Our closing stock price as reported on Nasdaq as of June 30, 2021 was $40.30. The total


intrinsic value of stock options exercised for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $8 million. This amount was not material for the six months ended June 30, 2020.

The fair value of stock options has been estimated at the date of grant using the Black–Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for the periods presented:

 

 

Six months ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Risk free interest rate

 

 

0.66

%

 

 

1.18

%

Expected term (in years)

 

 

5.33

 

 

 

5.30

 

Expected volatility

 

 

49.69

%

 

 

43.13

%

Expected dividend yield

 

—  %

 

 

—  %

 

Weighted-average grant date fair value

 

$

20.39

 

 

$

10.11

 

Our stock options generally have a term of ten years from the date of grant and typically vest equally over a four-year requisite service period. We amortize the grant-date fair value of our stock option grants as stock-based compensation expense over the vesting term on a straight-line basis, with the amount of compensation expense recognized at any date at least equaling the portion of the grant-date fair value of the award that is vested at that date. The total fair value of stock options vested was $11 million for both the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

2021 RSU Activity

A summary of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) activity, consisting primarily of service-based vesting terms, during the six months ended June 30, 2021 is presented below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grant-

 

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

RSUs

 

 

Date Fair

 

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

Value Per Share

 

 

Value

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Unvested RSUs outstanding as of December 31, 2020

 

 

8,111

 

 

$

32.29

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

2,277

 

 

 

45.77

 

 

 

 

 

Vested and released (1)

 

 

(2,963

)

 

 

33.15

 

 

 

 

 

Cancelled

 

 

(666

)

 

 

34.90

 

 

 

 

 

Unvested RSUs outstanding as of June 30, 2021

 

 

6,759

 

 

$

36.19

 

 

$

273

 

(1)

Inclusive of approximately 663,000 RSUs withheld due to net share settlement to satisfy required employee tax withholding requirements. Potential shares which were withheld in connection with settlement of RSUs to satisfy required employee tax withholding requirements remain in the authorized but unissued pool under the 2018 Plan and can be reissued by the Company. Total payments for the employees’ tax obligations to the taxing authorities due to net share settlements are reflected as a financing activity within the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

We amortize the grant-date fair value of RSUs as stock-based compensation expense over the vesting term, which is typically over a four-year requisite service period on a straight-line basis, with the amount of compensation expense recognized at any date at least equaling the portion of the grant-date fair value of the award that is vested at that date.

A summary of activity for market-based RSUs (“MSUs”) during the six months ended June 30, 2021 is presented below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grant-

 

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

MSUs

 

 

Date Fair

 

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

Value Per Share

 

 

Value

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Unvested MSUs outstanding as of December 31, 2020

 

 

174

 

 

$

37.29

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vested and released

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cancelled

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unvested MSUs outstanding as of June 30, 2021

 

 

174

 

 

$

37.29

 

 

$

7

 


Total income tax benefitbenefits associated with the exercise or settlement of $2Tripadvisor stock-based awards held by our employees was $5 million and $5$14 million during the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, respectively, and $1 million and $13 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively.

Unrecognized Stock-Based Compensation

A summary of our remaining unrecognized stock-based compensation expense and the weighted average remaining amortization period at June 30, 2021 related to non-vested equity awards is presented below (in millions, except in years information):

 

 

Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options

 

 

RSUs/MSUs

 

Unrecognized compensation expense

 

$

24

 

 

$

181

 

Weighted average period remaining (in years)

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

2.4

 

NOTE 10: STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

On January 31, 2018, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $250 million of our shares of common stock under a share repurchase program. This share repurchase program has no expiration date but may be suspended or terminated by our Board of Directors at any time. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company did 0t repurchase any shares of outstanding common stock under the share repurchase program. The Company will continue to monitor this matterdid 0t repurchase any shares of outstanding common stock during the three months ended June 30, 2020 under the share repurchase program. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, we repurchased 4,707,450 shares of our outstanding common stock at an average share price of $24.32 per share, exclusive of fees and related potential impacts to its consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 8: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

There have been no material changes to our commitmentscommissions, or $115 million in the aggregate. As of June 30, 2021 and contingencies since December 31, 2016.2020, we had $75 million remaining available to repurchase shares of our common stock under this share repurchase program.

Our Board of Directors authorized and directed management, working with the Executive Committee of our Board of Directors, to affect the share repurchase programs discussed above in compliance with applicable legal requirements. While the Board of Directors has not suspended or terminated the share repurchase program, the terms of the 2015 Credit Facility currently limit the Company from engaging in share repurchases during the Leverage Covenant Holiday and the terms of our 2025 Indenture also imposes certain limitations and restrictions on share repurchases. Refer to “Note 13: Commitments and Contingencies,6: Debt in the notes to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Legal Proceedings

In the ordinary course of business, we are parties to regulatory and legal matters arising out of our operations. These matters may involve claims involving alleged infringement of third-party intellectual property rights (including patent infringement), defamation, taxes, regulatory compliance, privacy issues and other claims. Periodically, we review the status of all significant outstanding matters to assess any potential financial exposure. When (i) it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred; and (ii) the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we record the estimated loss in our consolidated statements of operations. We provide disclosures in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for loss contingencies that do not meet both of these conditions if there is a reasonable probability that a loss may have been incurred and whether such loss is reasonably estimable. We base accruals made on the best information available at the time which can be highly subjective. Although occasional adverse decisions or settlements may occur, the Company does not believe that the final disposition of any of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the business. However, the final outcome of these matters could vary significantly from our estimates. Finally, there may be claims or actions pending or threatened against us of which we are currently not aware and the ultimate disposition of which could have a material adverse effect on us.

Income Taxes

As described above, we are also under audit by the IRS and various other domestic and foreign tax authorities with regards to income tax matters. We have reserved for potential adjustments to our provision for income taxes that may result from examinations by, or any negotiated agreements with, these tax authorities. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the final


determination of audits could be materially different from our historical income tax provisions and accruals. The results of an audit could have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows in the period for which that determination is made.

Additionally, we continue to accumulate positive cash flows in foreign jurisdictions, which we consider indefinitely reinvested. Any repatriation of funds currently held in foreign jurisdictions may result in higher effective tax rates and incremental cash tax payments. In addition, there have been proposals to amend U.S. tax laws that would significantly impact the manner in which U.S. companies are taxed on foreign earnings. Although we cannot predict whether or in what form any legislation will pass, if enacted, it could have a material adverse impact on our U.S. tax expense and cash flows. See “Note 7: Income Taxes” above for further information on potential contingencies surrounding income taxes.   about our 2015 Credit Facility and our 2025 Indenture.

NOTE 9: STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY11: EARNINGS PER SHARE

On January 25, 2017, our BoardBasic Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders

We compute basic earnings per share, or Basic EPS, by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of Directors authorizedcommon shares outstanding during the repurchaseperiod. We compute the weighted average number of $250 millioncommon shares outstanding during the reporting period using the total of ourcommon stock and Class B common stock outstanding as of the last day of the previous year end reporting period plus the weighted average of any additional shares issued and outstanding less the weighted average of any common shares repurchased during the reporting period.

Diluted Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders

Diluted earnings per share, or Diluted EPS, includes the potential dilution of common equivalent shares outstanding that could occur from stock-based awards and other stock-based commitments using the treasury stock method. We compute Diluted EPS by dividing net income (loss) by the sum of the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. We computed the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period using the sum of (i) the number of shares of common stock under a new share repurchase program. Our Boardand Class B common stock used in the Basic EPS calculation as indicated above; and (ii) if dilutive, the incremental weighted average common stock that we would issue upon the assumed exercise of Directors authorizedoutstanding common equivalent shares, primarily related to stock options and directed management, working with the Executive Committeevesting of our Boardrestricted stock units using the treasury stock method; and (iii) if dilutive, performance-based and market-based awards based on the number of Directors to affect the share repurchase program in compliance with applicable legal requirements. As of June 30, 2017, we had repurchased a total of 6,079,003 shares that would be issuable as of the Company’send of the reporting period assuming the end of the reporting period was also the end of the contingency period.

Under the treasury stock method, the assumed proceeds calculation includes the actual proceeds to be received from the employee upon exercise of outstanding equity awards and the average unrecognized compensation cost during the period. The treasury stock method assumes that a company uses the proceeds from the exercise of an equity award to repurchase common stock at anthe average sharemarket price for the reporting period.


In periods of $41.13, or $250 million in the aggregate, and completed this share repurchase program.

NOTE 10: RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

We consider Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc. (“LTRIP”) a related party. As of September 30, 2017, LTRIP beneficially owned approximately 18.2 millionnet income, shares of our common stock subject to the potential conversion of the 2026 Senior Notes outstanding during the period is also included in our weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate Diluted EPS using the if-converted method under GAAP, as share settlement is presumed. The Capped Calls are excluded from the calculation of Diluted EPS, as they would be antidilutive. However, upon conversion of the 2026 Senior Notes, unless the market price of our common stock exceeds the cap price, an exercise of the Capped Calls would generally offset any dilution from the 2026 Senior Notes from the conversion price up to the cap price. As of June 30, 2021, the market price of a share of our common stock did not exceed the $107.36 cap price.

In periods of a net loss, common equivalent shares are excluded from the calculation of Diluted EPS as their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect. Accordingly, for periods in which we report a net loss, such as for the three and 12.8six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, Diluted EPS is the same as Basic EPS, since dilutive common equivalent shares are not assumed to have been issued if their effect is antidilutive.

Below is a reconciliation of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding in calculating Diluted EPS (shares in thousands and dollars in millions, except per share amounts) for the periods presented:

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(40

)

 

$

(153

)

 

$

(120

)

 

$

(169

)

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used to compute Basic EPS

 

 

137,076

 

 

 

134,213

 

 

 

136,411

 

 

 

135,227

 

Weighted average effect of dilutive securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RSUs/MSUs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2026 Senior Notes (Note 6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used to compute Diluted EPS

 

 

137,076

 

 

 

134,213

 

 

 

136,411

 

 

 

135,227

 

Basic EPS

 

$

(0.29

)

 

$

(1.14

)

 

$

(0.88

)

 

$

(1.25

)

Diluted EPS

 

$

(0.29

)

 

$

(1.14

)

 

$

(0.88

)

 

$

(1.25

)

Potential common shares, consisting of outstanding stock options, service and performance-based RSUs, MSUs, and those issuable under the 2026 Senior Notes, totaling approximately 16.9 million shares and 17.4 million shares for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, and approximately 14.2 million shares and 15.6 million shares for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, have been excluded from the calculation of ourDiluted EPS because their effect would have been antidilutive. In addition, potential common shares from certain performance-based awards of approximately 0.2 million shares for both three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, and approximately 0.7 million shares for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, for which all targets required to trigger vesting had not been achieved, were also excluded from the calculation of weighted average shares used to compute Diluted EPS.

The earnings per share amounts are the same for common stock and Class B common stock because the holders of each class are legally entitled to equal per share distributions whether through dividends or in liquidation. In addition, our non-vested RSUs and MSUs are entitled to dividend equivalents, which shares constitute 14.4%will be payable to the holder subject to, and only upon vesting of, the outstanding sharesunderlying awards and are therefore forfeitable. Given such dividend equivalents are forfeitable, we do not consider them to be participating securities and, consequently, they are not subject to the two‑class method of common stock and 100% of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock. Assuming the conversion of all of LTRIP’s shares of Class B common stock into common stock, LTRIP would beneficially own 22.3% of the outstanding common stock. Because each share of Class B common stock generally is entitled to ten votesdetermining earnings per share and each share of common stock is entitled to one vote per share, LTRIP may be deemed to beneficially own equity securities representing 57.5% of our voting power.share.

We had no related party transactions with LTRIP during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

NOTE 11:12: SEGMENT INFORMATION

Our reporting structure includes twoWe have 2 reportable segments: Hotel(1) Hotels, Media & Platform; and Non-Hotel.

Hotel

(2) Experiences & Dining. Our HotelHotels, Media & Platform reportable segment includes revenue generated from the following revenue sources:

TripAdvisor-branded Click-based (1) Tripadvisor-branded hotels revenue – primarily consisting of hotel auction revenue, subscription-based advertising, and Transaction Revenue. Our largest source of Hotel segmenthotel sponsored placements revenue; and (2) Tripadvisor-branded display and platform revenue is generated from click-based advertising on TripAdvisor-branded websites, which is primarily comprised of contextually-relevant booking links to our partners’ sites. Our click-based advertising partners are predominantly online travel agencies, or OTAs, and direct suppliers in the hotel product category. Click-based advertising is generally priced on a cost-per-click, or “CPC”, basis, with payments from advertisers determined by the number of users who click on a link multiplied by the price that partner is willing to pay for that click, or hotel shopper lead. CPC rates are determined in a dynamic, competitive auction process, or metasearch auction, that enables our partners to use our proprietary, automated bidding system to submit CPC bids to have their hotel rates and availability listed on our site. Transaction revenue is generated from our instant booking feature, which enables the merchant of record, generally an OTA or hotel partner, to pay a commission to TripAdvisor for a user that completes a hotel reservation on our website.  

TripAdvisor-branded Display-based Advertising and Subscription Revenue. Advertising partners can promote their brands in a contextually-relevant manner through a variety– consisting of display-based advertising placements onrevenue. Our Experiences & Dining reportable segment includes an aggregation of our websites. Our display-based advertising clients are predominately direct suppliersExperiences & Dining operating segments. All remaining business units, including Rentals, Flights & Car, and Cruises have been combined into and reported as “Other”, which does not constitute a reportable segment, as none of hotels, airlines and cruises, as well as destination marketing organizations. We also accept display-based advertising from OTAs and attractions, as well as advertisers from non-travel categories. Display-based advertising is sold predominantly on a cost per thousand impressions, or CPM, basis. Subscription-based advertising is offered to hotels, B&Bsthese businesses meet the quantitative thresholds and other specialty lodging properties. This advertising product is sold for a flat fee and enables subscriberscriteria to list, for a contracted period of time, a website URL, email address and phone number on our TripAdvisor-branded websites,qualify as well as to post special offers for travelers.

Other Hotel Revenue. Our other hotel revenue primarily includes revenue from non-TripAdvisor branded websites, such as bookingbuddy.com, cruisecritic.com, and onetime.com, which includes click-based advertising revenue, display-based


advertising revenue, hotel room reservations sold through the websites, and advertising revenue from making cruise reservations available for price comparison and booking.

Non-Hotel

Our Non-Hotel segment consistsreportable segments.The nature of the aggregation of three operating segments, our Attractions, Restaurantsservices provided and Vacation Rentals businesses.

Attractions. We provide information and services for users to research and book activities and attractionsrevenue recognition policies are summarized by reported segment in popular travel destinations through our dedicated Attractions business, Viator, as well as on our TripAdvisor website and applications. We generate revenue by charging the operators a commission for each transaction we facilitate through our online reservation systems. In addition to its consumer-direct business, Viator also powers activity and attractions booking capabilities to its affiliate partners, including some of the world’s top airlines, hotel chains and online and offline travel agencies. Viator’s bookable inventory is available on www.viator.com as well as TripAdvisor-branded websites and mobile applications.

Restaurants. We provide information and services for users to research and book restaurants in popular travel destinations through our dedicated restaurant reservations business, TheFork, as well as on our TripAdvisor website and applications. TheFork is an online restaurant booking platform operating on a number of sites (including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.iens.nl and www.dimmi.com.au), with a network of restaurant partners primarily across Europe and Australia. We generate revenue by charging our restaurant partners a fee for each restaurant guest, or seated diner, that we facilitate through our online reservation systems. TheFork also provides flexible online booking and a premium data and analytics tool, for which the restaurant owner pays a subscription fee. TheFork’s bookable inventory is also available on TripAdvisor-branded websites and mobile applications.  

Vacation Rentals“Note 3: Revenue Recognition. We provide information and services for users to research and book vacation and short-term rental properties, including full home rentals, condominiums, villas, beach rentals, cabins and cottages. The Vacation Rentals business generates revenue primarily by offering individual property owners and property managers the ability to list their properties on our websites and mobile applications through a free-to-list, commission-based option and, to a lesser extent, by an annual subscription-based fee structure. These properties are listed on a number of websites, including www.flipkey.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.housetrip.com, www.niumba.com, and www.vacationhomerentals.com, as well as on our TripAdvisor-branded websites.

Our operating segments are determined based on how our chief operating decision maker manages our business, regularly assessesaccesses information and evaluates performance for operating decision-making purposes, including allocation of resources. The chief operating decision maker for


All direct general and administrative costs are included in the Company is our Chief Executive Officer.applicable segments and business units; however, all corporate general and administrative costs are included in the Hotels, Media & Platform reportable segment. In addition, the Hotels, Media & Platform reportable segment includes all Tripadvisor-related brand advertising expenses (primarily television advertising), technical infrastructure, and other costs supporting the Tripadvisor platform.

Adjusted EBITDA is our segment profit measure and a key measure used by our management and boardBoard of directorsDirectors to understand and evaluate the operating performance of our business and on which internal budgets and forecasts are based and approved. In particular, the exclusion of certain expenses in calculating Adjusted EBITDA can provide a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our core business. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and board of directors. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) plus: (1) provision(provision) benefit for income taxes; (2) other income (expense), net; (3) depreciation of property and equipment, including amortization of internal use software and website development;amortization; (4) amortization of intangible assets; (5) stock-based compensation and other stock-settled obligations; (6)(5) goodwill, intangible asset, and long-lived asset impairments; (6) legal reserves and intangible asset impairments;settlements; (7) restructuring and (7)other related reorganization costs; and (8) non-recurring expenses and income.

The following tables present our segment information for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172021 and 2016,2020 and includeincludes a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income.income (loss). We record depreciation of property and equipment, including amortization, of internal-use software and website development, amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation and other stock-settled obligations, goodwill, intangible asset, and long-lived asset impairments, legal reserves and settlements, restructuring and other income (expense), net,related reorganization costs, and other non-recurring expenses and income, net, and income taxes, which are excluded from segment operating performance, in corporate and unallocated. In addition, we do not report our assets, capital expenditures and related depreciation expense by segment as our chief operating decision makerCODM does not use this information to evaluate operating segments. Accordingly, we do not regularly provide such information by segment to our chief operating decision maker.CODM. Intersegment revenue is not material and in addition, alreadyis included and eliminated in the information by segment provided to our chief operating decision maker. Our consolidated general and administrative expenses, excluding stock-based compensation costs, are shared by all operating segments. Each operating segment receives an allocated charge based on the segment’s percentage of the Company’s total personnel costs.Other.


 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2017

 

 

 

Hotel

 

 

Non-Hotel

 

 

Corporate and Unallocated

 

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Revenue

 

$

312

 

 

$

127

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

439

 

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

 

51

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

95

 

Depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(19

)

 

 

(19

)

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(8

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(26

)

 

 

(26

)

Operating income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

42

 

Other expense, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4

)

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

25

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2016

 

 

 

Hotel

 

 

Non-Hotel

 

 

Corporate and Unallocated

 

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Revenue

 

$

320

 

 

$

101

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

421

 

Adjusted EBITDA (2)

 

 

99

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

114

 

Depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

(18

)

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(8

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(22

)

 

 

(22

)

Operating income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

66

 

Other expense, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

63

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

55

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2017

 

 

 

Hotel

 

 

Non-Hotel

 

 

Corporate and Unallocated

 

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Revenue

 

$

952

 

 

$

283

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,235

 

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

 

223

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

269

 

Depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(57

)

 

 

(57

)

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(25

)

 

 

(25

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(72

)

 

 

(72

)

Operating income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

115

 

Other expense, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8

)

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

107

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(42

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

65

 

 

 

Three months ended June 30, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Media & Platform (1)

 

 

Experiences & Dining

 

 

Other

 

 

Corporate and

Unallocated

 

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Revenue

 

$

156

 

 

$

68

 

 

$

11

 

 

$

 

 

$

235

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

33

 

 

 

(12

)

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(28

)

 

 

(28

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(32

)

 

 

(32

)

Operating income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(35

)

Other income (expense), net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(46

)

(Provision) benefit for income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(40

)

 

 


 

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2016

 

 

 

Hotel

 

 

Non-Hotel

 

 

Corporate and Unallocated

 

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Revenue

 

$

939

 

 

$

225

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1,164

 

Adjusted EBITDA (2)

 

309

 

 

 

(15

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

294

 

Depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(51

)

 

 

(51

)

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(23

)

 

 

(23

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(64

)

 

 

(64

)

Operating income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

156

 

Other expense, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10

)

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

146

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(27

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

119

 

 

 

Three months ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Media & Platform (2)

 

 

Experiences & Dining

 

 

Other

 

 

Corporate and

Unallocated

 

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Revenue

 

$

38

 

 

$

14

 

 

$

7

 

 

$

 

 

$

59

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

(33

)

 

 

(38

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

(74

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(32

)

 

 

(32

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(25

)

 

 

(25

)

Restructuring and other related reorganization costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(33

)

 

 

(33

)

Operating income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(164

)

Other income (expense), net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(15

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(179

)

(Provision) benefit for income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(153

)

 


 

 

Six months ended June 30, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Media & Platform (1)

 

 

Experiences & Dining

 

 

Other

 

 

Corporate and

Unallocated

 

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Revenue

 

$

245

 

 

$

95

 

 

$

18

 

 

$

 

 

$

358

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

30

 

 

 

(35

)

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(57

)

 

 

(57

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(61

)

 

 

(61

)

Operating income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(119

)

Other income (expense), net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(22

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(141

)

(Provision) benefit for income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(120

)

 

 

Six months ended June 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Media & Platform (2)

 

 

Experiences & Dining

 

 

Other

 

 

Corporate and

Unallocated

 

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Revenue

 

$

207

 

 

$

97

 

 

$

33

 

 

$

 

 

$

337

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

 

20

 

 

 

(57

)

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

(34

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(64

)

 

 

(64

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(51

)

 

 

(51

)

Restructuring and other related reorganization costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(42

)

 

 

(42

)

Operating income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(191

)

Other income (expense), net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(16

)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(207

)

(Provision) benefit for income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(169

)

 

(1)

(2)

Includes allocated corporate general and administrative expenses in our Hotel segmentcosts of $22$20 million and $60$36 million and Tripadvisor-branded advertising expenses of $1 million and $2 million for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017, respectively, and in our Non-Hotel segment of $11 million and $30 million for the same periods.2021, respectively.

(2)

Includes allocated corporate general and administrative expenses in our Hotel segmentcosts of $21$16 million and $63$34 million and Tripadvisor-branded advertising expenses (primarily television advertising) of $1 million and $5 million for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016, respectively, and in our Non-Hotel segment of $10 million and $28 million for the same periods.2020, respectively.

Customer Concentrations

Refer to “Note 4: Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements” under the section entitled “Risks and Concentrations” for information regarding our major customer concentrations.

NOTE 13: OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

Other income (expense), net, consists of the following for the periods presented:

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

Foreign currency exchange rates gains (losses), net (1)

 

$

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

(2

)

 

$

2

 

Earnings (losses) from equity method investment, net

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(1

)

Loss on sale of business (2)

 

 

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

 

(5

)

Other income (losses), net

 

 

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

2

 

 

 

(5

)

Total

 

$

 

 

$

(9

)

 

$

(1

)

 

$

(9

)


(1)

Foreign currency exchange gains (losses), net, are generally related to foreign exchange transaction gains and losses due to required conversion from transaction currency to functional currency, partially offset by the foreign currency forward contract gains and losses.

(2)

Related to loss on disposal on the sale of our SmarterTravel business during the three months ended June 30, 2020.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The information included in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, as well as Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2020.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect the views of our management regarding current expectations and projections about future events and are based on currently available information. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, those discussed in this Quarterlyour Annual Report on Form 10-Q10-K for the nine monthsyear ended September 30, 2017,December 31, 2020, Part II,I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.Risk Factors, as well as those discussed elsewhere in this report. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The use of words such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans” and “believes,” among others, generally identify forward-looking statements; however, these words are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. We are not under any obligation to, and do not intend to, publicly update or review any of these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized. Please carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this report and in our other reports filed with the SEC that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, prospects and results of operations.

Overview

TripAdvisor, Inc., by and through its subsidiaries, owns and operates

Tripadvisor is a portfolio of leading online travel brands. TripAdvisor,company and our flagship brand, is the world’s largest travel site, and its mission is to help people around the world plan, book and experience the perfect trip. We accomplish this by, among other things, aggregating millionsoperate a global travel guidance platform that connects the world’s largest audience of members’ reviewsprospective travelers with travel partners through rich content, price comparison tools, and opinions aboutonline reservation and related services for destinations, accommodations, travel activities and attractions,experiences, and restaurants worldwide, thereby creating the foundation for a unique platform that enables users to research and plan their travel experiences. Our platform also enables users to compare real-time pricing and availability for these experiences as well as to book hotels, flights, cruises, vacation rentals, tours, activities and attractions, and restaurants, either on a TripAdvisor site or mobile app, or on the site or app of one ofrestaurants.

Under our travel partner sites.

Our TripAdvisor-branded websites include tripadvisor.comflagship brand, Tripadvisor, we launched www.tripadvisor.com in the United States and localized versions of the TripAdvisor websiteU.S. in 48 markets and 28 languages worldwide. Our TripAdvisor-branded websites reached 455 million average monthly unique visitors during the quarter ended September 30, 2017, according to our internal log files. We currently feature over 570 million


reviews and opinions on 7.3 million places to stay, places to eat and things to do – including 1.2 million hotels and accommodations and 780,000 vacation rentals, 4.4 million restaurants and 875,000 activities and attractions worldwide.2000. In addition to the flagship TripAdvisorTripadvisor brand, which now operates in localized versions in over 40 markets worldwide, we now managealso own and operate the following 20 othera portfolio of online travel media brands connected by the common goal of providing users the most comprehensive travel-planning and trip-taking resources in the travel industry: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.citymaps.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com (including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.iens.nl,businesses, operating under various websites and www.dimmi.com.au), www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.housetrip.com, www.jetsetter.com,  www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com, and www.viator.com.

Our reporting structure includes two reportable segments: Hotel and Non-Hotel. Our Non-Hotel reportable segment consists of three operating segments, which includes our Attractions, Restaurants and Vacation Rentals businesses. The segments are determined based on how the chief operating decision maker regularly assesses information and evaluates performance for operating decision-making purposes, including allocation of resources. apps.

Executive Financial Summary and Trends

Tripadvisor is the world’s largest travel guidance platform, as measured by monthly unique users. As the largest online travel platform, we believe we area result, Tripadvisor represents an attractive marketing channelplatform for advertisers—travel partners – including hotel chains, independent hoteliers, online travel agencies, or OTAs, destination marketing organizations, and other travel-related and non-travel related product and service providers—providers – who seek to market and sell their products and services to a global audience. Tripadvisor’s platform and product offerings enable consumers to discover, research and price shop a variety of travel products, including hotels, flights, cruises, cars, vacation rental properties, tours, travel activities and experiences, and restaurants; and book a number of these travel experiences either directly on our websites or mobile apps, or on our travel partners’ websites or mobile apps.

Our Long-Term Growth Strategy

In January 2021, Phocuswright, an independent travel, tourism and hospitality research firm, estimated that the annual global travel market (not including dining) will reach $1.4 trillion of bookings in 2022. Given we have the world’s largest travel audience, we believe that Tripadvisor’s influence in the travel ecosystem remains significant. Our long-term growth strategy aims to increase customer engagement on our platform and drive profitable growth through:

building products that delight travelers by reducing friction throughout the travel planning and trip-taking journey;


driving consumer loyalty to our platform by offering products and services that increase engagement with our platform and result in membership growth, mobile app engagement and repeat usage;

investing in technology (e.g., machine learning) to further improve the experiences we can deliver to consumers and travel partners on our platform;

deepening travel partner engagement on our platform by expanding the number of products and services we offer;

leveraging our platform’s unique attributes to expand and grow our offerings such as hotel business to business (“B2B”) services, direct-to-consumer products and services where consumers pay us on a per trip planned or an annual subscription basis, both click-based and display-based media advertising, and experiences and restaurants;

driving operational efficiencies; and

opportunistically pursuing strategic acquisitions.

Business Trends

The online travel industry in which we operate is large user base.and also highly dynamic and competitive. Our overall strategy is to deliver more value to consumers and travel partners in order to generate more monetization on our platform. While we operate with a long-term growth focus, our specific growth objectives and resource allocation strategies can differ in both duration and magnitude within our segments. We offer users the ability to do real-time price comparison through our metasearch product,describe these dynamics, as well as the ability to book hotels, flights, cruises, vacation rentals, tours, activitiescurrent trends affecting our overall business and attractions, and restaurants either directly on our website or mobile app through our instant booking product or on one of our travel partner sites. Thereportable segments, key drivers of our financial results, are described below, includingand uncertainties that may impact our ability to execute on our objectives and strategies, below.

COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a summary of our growth strategy, current trends affectingsignificant negative impact on the travel, leisure, hospitality, and restaurant industries (collectively, the “travel industry”), and consequently adversely and materially affected our business, results of operations, liquidity and our segment information.

Our Growth Strategy

We leverage significant investments in technology, operations, brand-building,financial condition during the three and relationships with advertiserssix months ended June 30, 2021 and other partners to expand our business and enhance our global competitive position. We continue to focus on the following areas to grow our business:

Delivering a Great User Experience. Over the past few years, we have made significant product enhancements aimed at delivering an end-to-end user experience – from discovery, to researching, price shopping and booking – on the TripAdvisor platform. These enhancements include introducing hotel price comparison tools in 2013, enabling users to book accommodations on our platforms2020, as well as expandingthroughout the year ended December 31, 2020. Among other impacts, COVID-19 has negatively impacted global consumer travel demand and consumers’ ability to travel and take part in other travel, leisure, and dining activities, thereby causing many of our product offeringstravel partners to include attractionsoperate at significantly reduced service levels.

Commencing in late February 2020 and restaurants.  More recently,progressively worsening through March 2020, we launchedexperienced a newly redesigned website that offers a simplified, more engaging shopping experience on TripAdvisor. Over time, we believe that a continued focus on delivering more robust products to our users will resultsignificant decline in more repeat usage on our platform, higher conversion to transactionsuser demand for our partnersproducts and greater monetization for our business. Our innovative “Speed Wins” culture supports quickly identifying what users want as they conduct their travel research and booking and bringing product enhancements to our users quickly. This includes growing high-quality content, offering best room price availability on hotel listings, building a large marketplace of bookable supply for in-destination activities, and providing users timely email and mobile push notifications, helping them to find and book great travel options at the lowest prices.

Increasing High-Quality Traffic to Our Platform. TripAdvisor is a globally-recognized travel brand and, with 455 million average monthly unique visitors, according to our internal log files, this represents the largest online audience of any travel brand. We seek to amplify our global brand and products through various online and offline marketing channels in order to increase the number of users who navigate to our site either directly, also known as domain direct traffic, or from other marketing channels. We utilize a number of offline advertising channels, including permanent branding campaigns such as TripAdvisor branded campaigns (awards, certificates, stickers and badges, for example) and television advertising. We also leverage a number of online advertising channels, including: customer relationship management, or CRM; email campaigns; social networks; search engine marketing, or SEM, which promotes our websites by increasing their visibility in search engine results through paid placements, contextual advertising and paid inclusions; and retargeting, which targets consumers based on their search behavior. In addition, for sources of user traffic, we also rely on search engine optimization, or SEO, which promotes websites with relevant and current content that rank well in “organic,” or unpaid search engine results,services as well as referrals from partners whose sites contain links to TripAdvisor content. In order to continue growing unique visitors to our websitesan increase in customer cancellations, concurrent with widespread travel restrictions imposed by governments and enhancing the quality of those visits, we intend to continue to investbusinesses in some or all of, the aforementioned channels, as well as any new channels that we may identify in the future.


Enhancing Our Mobile Phone Offerings. Innovating and improving our mobile phone products are key priorities since mobile phone devices continue to proliferate and consumers increasingly conduct more internet searches and commerce on these devices. During the quarter ended September 30, 2017, over half of our average monthly unique visitors came from mobile phone, growing 30% year-over-year, according to our internal log files. We anticipate that the growth rate in mobile phone monthly unique visitors will continue to exceed the growth rate of our overall monthly unique visitors, resulting in an increased proportion of users continuing to use their mobile phone devices to access the full range of services available on our websites and applications. We are investing significant resources to improve the features, functionality, engagement, and commercialization of our travel products on our mobile websites and applications.

Growing Our Attractions, Restaurants and Vacation Rentals Businesses. A significant percentage of our 455 million average monthly unique users visit our websites to review content relatedresponse to the 875,000 activitiesCOVID-19 pandemic. In the second half of March 2020 and attractions, 4.4 million restaurants,throughout April 2020, significant year-over-year revenue declines generally stabilized across the Company’s segments and 780,000 vacation rentals on our platform, and we believe that continuing to growproducts, a trend which generally continued throughout the numbersecond quarter of listings and bookable products, especially in our in-destination Attractions and Restaurants businesses, will enable TripAdvisor to capitalize on a unique opportunity to delight users in more moments2020, although modestly improved during more trips. We believe continuing to invest in improving the product experience, especially on mobile phone, enhancing our supply network and growing demand via online marketing channels will generate increased user demand, repeat usage, increased travel bookings and more revenue on our platform.  

Current Trends in Our Business

Hotel Segment

During 2017, we have continued to improve our hotel shopping experience, which included the launch of a redesigned TripAdvisor website and mobile applications. In addition to making the site cleaner and faster over the past year, another core product focus for us has been to make it easier for our users to find the lowest hotel prices on TripAdvisor. We have and will continue to seek new ways to provide a better end-to-end hotel shopping experience, by improving room-level content, optimizing the room selection process and helping users book with our hotelier and OTA partners. On the supply side, we continue to on-board more partners that have unique brand, supply or room pricing to provide consumers a more comprehensive selection of accommodations in an effort to achieve higher repeat usage and conversion of hotel shoppers to bookings and higher cost-per-click rates on our platform.

  The market to help users find and book hotels online is large and growing. It also remains highly competitive. We compete with other travel companies and search engines for hotel shoppers, or the users we try to bring to view TripAdvisor hotel pages. Over time, increased competition has caused hotel shoppers visiting our websites and applications from paid online marketing channels, such as SEM, to grow faster than traffic from unpaid online marketing channels, such as SEO. Hotel shoppers from unpaid online marketing channels, such as users that navigate directly to our homepage or applications through branded search queries on search engines, are of the highest value to our business. Following the launch of our new hotel shopping experience, we launched a brand advertising campaign, or television campaign, in June 2017 aimed at increasing usage of TripAdvisor as a place to find and book the best hotels at the lowest prices. We also continue to leverage a number of other marketing channels, both paid and unpaid, to achieve this objective, including online efforts such as social media and CRM, as well as offline efforts such as TripAdvisor-branded advertising campaigns. We will continue to optimize our mix of marketing investments based on the relative growth opportunity, the expected returns and the competitive environment in which we operate. We believe optimizing our marketing mix to include brand advertising will help TripAdvisor establish a more durable, long-lasting direct relationship with users shopping for hotels, with a greater financial return than we would be able to achieve from online paid marketing. However, this marketing strategy comes with a near-term trade-off, as online paid marketing may better enable us to generate a short-term hotel shopper and click-based and transaction revenue, whereas we expect our television advertising campaign to generate such returns over a longer timeframe. Over time, we believe that, as more users visit TripAdvisor to compare hotel prices before they book, we will be able to drive revenue, marketing efficiency and profit growth.

A key objective is to grow the number of hotel shoppers on our platform. In the third quarter of 2017,2020. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2020, governments again, particularly in Europe, began to impose new restrictions to mitigate the spread of the virus, which again negatively impacted trends. The adverse impact to our averagebusiness from COVID-19 was significant, albeit unevenly at different points in time and in different geographies throughout 2020. These adverse impacts continued to negatively impact the travel industry and dampen consumer demand for our products and services throughout the first half of 2021, although to a materially lesser extent in the second quarter of 2021 as the travel industry broadened its recovery. This adverse impact has been driven by the pandemic’s proliferation, intermittent containment and resurgence of the virus, and new variants of the virus introduced throughout the world, followed by travel restrictions and other mandates put in place, lifted and/or reinstated at different timeframes during 2020 and 2021 by local governments to mitigate the spread of the virus. As such, the travel industry’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic has been varied and uneven region-to-region on a global basis, as well as state-to-state in the U.S.

In the fourth quarter of 2020, multiple COVID-19 vaccines were approved for widespread distribution throughout various parts of the world, including the United States and Europe, and in the first quarter of 2021, vaccination distribution programs were initiated around the world. Vaccine programs in our largest markets, the U.S and Europe, appear to be progressing well, and we expect the same for much of the rest of the world. We are encouraged by these developments, although the timing and extent of widespread vaccine distributions on a global basis, and efficacy against recent variants (e.g., the Delta variant) and any future variants of COVID-19 remains unclear. In addition, the ultimate duration of the negative impact of COVID-19 on our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition remains uncertain and is dependent upon factors beyond our control, such as the continued transmission rate of COVID-19, including any variants and/or additional resurgences, if any, the extent and effectiveness of containment actions taken, vaccine efficacy, and the ultimate impact of these and other factors on consumer demand for travel and usage patterns on our platform. Although uncertainty remains, we continue to be optimistic that the travel market will continue to improve as 2021 progresses, driven by vaccination programs and what we believe to be significant pent-up consumer demand for travel industry services.

Traffic trends on our websites, a leading indicator of consumer demand, have improved since the trough of significant declines seen in the second half of March 2020 and throughout April 2020, as monthly unique hotel shoppersusers on Tripadvisor-branded websites for April


2020 were approximately 33% of the comparable period in 2019. By means of showing a comparison to a pre-COVID-19 timeframe, monthly unique users on Tripadvisor-branded websites improved sequentially and year-over-year during the second quarter of 2021, as April, May, and June were approximately 59%, 71%, and 79%, respectively, of 2019’s comparable periods, driven by vaccine progress, various government restrictions being gradually lifted during the second quarter of 2021, and consumer travel demand’s improving recovery. In addition, monthly unique users on Tripadvisor-branded websites during the second quarter of 2021 increased 7%to approximately 70% of 2019’s comparable period, in comparison to approximately 55% of 2019’s comparable period during the first quarter of 2021. This improvement was seen in both the U.S. and European markets, with U.S. monthly unique users in June 2021 at nearly 85% of the June 2019 level, up from nearly 80% of the April 2019 level, while monthly unique users in Europe exceeded 90% of the June 2019 level in June 2021, up from nearly 60% of the April 2019 level in April 2021. We saw notable strength in key markets of France, Italy, Germany, and Spain, some of our largest countries beyond the U.S. and U.K. In these countries, monthly unique users nearly reached 95% of the June 2019 level in June 2021, up from nearly 40% of the April 2019 level in April 2021 and in the UK, monthly unique users were approximately 70% of the June 2019 level in June 2021, up from nearly 45% of the April 2019 level in April 2021, concurrent with various government restrictions being gradually lifted during the second quarter of 2021 in the European marketplace. However, monthly unique users in June 2021 in the rest of the world were approximately 55% of the June 2019 level, which, although improving, lagged behind the traffic recovery trends underway in the U.S. and Europe, and continued to be negatively and materially impacted by government restrictions put in place aimed to mitigate the spread of the virus throughout the second quarter of 2021.

Our consolidated revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 was $235 million, or an increase of 298%, and $358 million, or an increase of 6%, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2020. Consistent with the improvement in our traffic trends and consumer demand noted above, consolidated revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2021 increased 91% when compared to consolidated revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021. In addition, by means of showing a comparison to a pre-COVID-19 timeframe, consolidated revenue during second quarter of 2021 was 56% of 2019’s comparable period, and also showed improvement as the quarter progressed on a month-to-month basis as consolidated revenue for June 2021 was approximately 66% of consolidated revenue for June 2019 when compared to consolidated revenue for the months of April 2021 and May 2021 being approximately 46% and 53% of consolidated revenue for April 2019 and May 2019. This increase in 2016, accordingrevenue was driven largely by continued strength in the U.S. marketplace, but also due to improvement in Europe, where revenue began accelerating in May 2021 and June 2021, reflecting a broadening travel industry recovery.

Although we cannot predict with certainty the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our full year 2021 financial results, we currently expect that the pandemic will continue to have a material, negative impact on our third quarter 2021 financial results, which we expect to lessen as 2021 progresses.

In response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we took several steps to further strengthen our financial position and balance sheet and maintain financial liquidity and flexibility, including, but not limited to, restructuring activities, reducing our ongoing operating expenses and headcount, additional borrowings of debt, and amendments to our internal log files. The increase is primarily due 2015 Credit Facility, all of which are described in more detail below.

Liquidity

During the first quarter of 2020, we borrowed $700 million under the 2015 Credit Facility as a precautionary measure to reinforce our liquidity position and preserve financial flexibility in light of uncertainty in the success in our paid online marketing strategy, as well as the general trend of an increasing number of hotel shoppers visiting our websites and apps on mobile phones, partially offset by marketing spend tradeoffsglobal markets resulting from increased brand advertising investmentCOVID-19. We repaid these borrowings in our television campaign, as discussed above.  

During the third quarter of 2017, hotel shoppers that visited our websites and apps on mobile phones continued to grow significantly faster than traffic from desktop and tablet devices. Mobile phones currently generate significantly lower revenue per hotel shopper compared to desktop and tablet devices. We believe that this monetization difference is due to a number of factors, including the reduced ability to achieve marketing attribution on the mobile phone for facilitating traffic to partner websites and applications; our limited advertising opportunities on smaller screen devices; our historic positioning as a place to read reviews; and general consumer purchasing patterns on mobile phones resulting in lower booking intent, lower conversion to a booking, lower cost-per-click, and lower average gross booking value. As a result, the growth in hotel shoppers on mobile phones has remained a headwind against our revenue per hotel shopper and our TripAdvisor-branded click-based and transaction revenue. In addition, the


general trend of increasing traffic to our websites and apps on mobile phones reduces our ability to grow TripAdvisor-branded display-based advertising revenue, as we believe prioritizing and preserving a cleaner user experience over increasing advertising units on smaller screen devices is the most appropriate way to engage more users on our mobile phone products. We continue to align product and marketing in mobile and invest in product development in order to improve the mobile user experience as well as to improve mobile phone traffic acquisition to increase our user base. We believe that, over the long-term, these efforts will result in increased usage and engagement, conversion of hotel shoppers to bookings for our hotel advertising partners and higher monetization rates for us.

Non-Hotel Segment

Our ongoing product efforts to deliver an end-to-end user experience extend to our Non-Hotel segment, which includes our Attractions, Restaurants, and Vacation Rentals businesses. Our key growth strategies have been to grow users, improve our products and grow bookable supply. We continued to deliver on those objectivesfull in the third quarter of 2017, as monthly unique users2020 using proceeds from our 2025 Senior Notes, noted below. In addition, during 2020, by means of amendments to these pages on our websites and applications continued to grow rapidly,2015 Credit Facility, we enhanced our product experience on all devices, and we grew the number of suppliers and bookable products on our platform. Notably, we have beenwere able to increasinglysecure, among other things, covenant relief in the form of suspending our leverage strong user growthratio covenant, until the earlier of the first day after June 30, 2021 through maturity on which borrowings and other revolving credit utilizations under the TripAdvisor-branded platformrevolving commitments exceed $200 million, or such earlier date as we may elect, when the leverage ratio covenant will then be reinstated. We also extended the maturity date of this facility to drive increased bookings, particularlyMay 2024.

In July 2020, we completed the sale of $500 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in a private offering, our Attractions business. Additionally, our Attractions and Restaurants businesses have both experienced increased engagement on mobile phones.

Continued successful execution2025 Senior Notes, at 7.0% per annum with a maturity date of July 15, 2025. We used the net proceeds received of $490 million, net of debt issuance costs, to repay a portion of our key growth strategies and increased marketing and operating efficiencies primarily contributed2015 Credit Facility borrowings, noted above.

In addition, during March 2021, we completed the sale of $345 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in a private offering, our 2026 Senior Notes, at 0.25% per annum with a maturity date of April 1, 2026. Concurrently, we used a portion of the proceeds received from the 2026 Senior Notes to enter into privately negotiated capped call transactions with certain of the initial purchasers of the 2026 Senior Notes and/or their respective affiliates and/or other financial institutions at a cost of approximately $35 million. The Company intends to use the remainder of the net proceeds from this segment’s revenue growth and profit growth inoffering for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of debt, including the third quarterredemption and/or purchase of 2017, as compareda portion of its 2025 Senior Notes prior to maturity.


We believe these measures provide us additional flexibility which we believe is important given our continued limited ability to predict our future financial performance due to the same period in 2016. Our ongoing strategic objectives are to continue to enhance the user experience, drive increased user engagement and grow traffic, bookable products, and bookings in these businesses.

Segmentsuncertainty associated with COVID-19.

Refer to “Note 11: Segment Information” 6: Debt” in the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 on this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further detailed information about our 2015 Credit Facility, 2025 Senior Notes, and 2026 Senior Notes.  

Cost Reduction Measures

During the first quarter of 2020, the Company instituted a cost reduction initiative to preserve cash flows, including targeted workforce reduction measures largely in the Experiences & Dining segment, in addition to optimizing and reducing brand advertising as the Company pivoted to leverage newer advertising mediums we believe will be more effective than our historically television-focused campaign.

During the latter part of the first quarter of 2020, and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company instituted additional cost reduction measures, including the elimination of the majority of discretionary spending, business travel and non-critical vendor relationships, brand advertising, as well as the temporary cessation of nearly all new hiring and contingent staff, reduction of targeted employee benefits and the furlough of over 100 employees.

On April 28, 2020, management approved and the Company announced an additional cost reduction initiative in response to the continued economic and financial informationimpacts resulting from the COVID -19 pandemic, which included the following:

Enacting a workforce reduction eliminating more than 900 employees;

Furloughing additional employees bringing the total furloughed employees during March and April 2020 to approximately 850 employees, primarily in our European operations at TheFork; and

Making targeted reductions of the Company’s office lease portfolio, primarily either through subleasing or allowing property leases to expire.

The Company incurred total pre-tax restructuring and additional descriptive informationother related reorganization costs of approximately $33 million and $42 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, as a result of these measures. Such costs were recorded on our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations and fully paid by the Company during 2020.

Later in 2020, nearly all of the Company’s previously furloughed employees had returned to their jobs; however, during the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company again furloughed approximately 400 employees, primarily in our European operations of TheFork. This action was taken by the Company as a direct result of the reinstatement of government restrictions related to restaurants in various countries within Europe in response to a resurgence of COVID-19 in those markets. As of June 30, 2021, nearly all of the Company’s previously furloughed employees had returned to their jobs.

We have continued to maintain a majority of these cost-reductions measures during the first half of 2021 and expect the majority of these costs saving to continue for the remainder of fiscal 2021.

CARES Act and Other Governmental Relief

In March 2020, the U.S. government enacted the CARES Act, an emergency economic stimulus package enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes numerous income tax provisions, some of which are effective retroactively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company did not record any income tax benefit under the CARES Act; however, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $5 million and $19 million, respectively, as a result of a loss carryback provision provided under the CARES Act.

In addition, certain governments have passed legislation to assist businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic through loans, wage subsidies, wage tax relief or other financial aid. Some governments have extended or are considering extending these programs. The Company has participated in several of these programs, including the CARES Act in the U.S., the United Kingdom's job retention scheme, as well as other jurisdictions' programs. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, we recognized non-income tax related government grants and other assistance benefits of $2 million and $5 million, respectively, while during both the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, we recorded non-income tax related government grants and other assistance benefits of $4 million as a reduction of personnel and overhead costs in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations.

For additional information on income taxes and/or other benefits recorded by the Company under the CARES Act and other governmental relief programs, refer to “Note 7: Income Taxes” in the notes to our segments.unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 on this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


Hotels, Media & Platform Segment

Our Hotels, Media & Platform segment is comprised of: Tripadvisor-branded hotels revenue and Tripadvisor-branded Display and Platform Revenue.

Tripadvisor-branded hotels revenue primarily includes hotel auction revenue and, to a lesser extent, hotel B2B revenue, which primarily includes subscription-based advertising services that we offer to travel partners and click-based revenue generated from hotel sponsored placement advertising that enables hotels to enhance their visibility on Tripadvisor hotel pages. Tripadvisor-branded Display and Platform Revenue primarily includes impression-based advertising revenue.

Our overall strategic objective in our Hotels, Media & Platform segment is to preserve profit while driving increased customer engagement and monetization on the Tripadvisor platform. We seek to achieve this by delivering consumers compelling products and a holistic user experience, as well as by offering travel partners a diverse set of advertising opportunities.

For consumers, we test and implement product enhancements that deliver a more engaging and comprehensive hotel shopping experience. This includes providing rich, immersive content – reviews, photos, videos and ratings, among other contributions, increasing the number of travel partners and properties as well as the available hotel supply on our platform. We believe providing consumers tools to discover, research, price shop and book a comprehensive selection of accommodations helps increase brand awareness and brand loyalty and, over time, can result in deeper consumer engagement, more qualified leads delivered to travel partners and greater monetization on our platform.

We seek to monetize our influence through hotel-related product improvements, supply and marketing efforts and customer advertising opportunities. Historically, we have generated a significant amount of hotel shoppers from search engines, such as Google. A hotel shopper is a visitor to our sites that views either a listing of hotels in a city or a specific hotel page. Our key ongoing objective related to traffic acquisition is to attract or acquire hotel shoppers at or above our desired marketing return on investment targets. Over the long-term, we are focused on driving a greater percentage of our traffic from direct traffic sources rather than search engines, which comes with little to no traffic acquisition costs.

As noted in the “COVID-19” discussion above, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, easing of travel restrictions across the world, rising vaccination rates, and an increase in consumer travel demand drove improved financial results. U.S. markets continued the steady improvement which we experienced in the latter half of the first quarter of 2021 and Europe consumer travel demand recovery accelerated in May 2021 and June 2021. For example, and by means of showing a comparison to a pre-COVID-19 timeframe, our U.S. hotel shoppers reached approximately 90% of 2019 levels in the second quarter of 2021, an increase from approximately 70% of 2019 levels in the first quarter of 2021, and European hotel shoppers were nearly 75% of 2019 levels in the second quarter of 2021, an increase from approximately 45% of 2019 levels in the first quarter of 2021. Our total hotel auction revenue reached approximately 80% of June 2019 revenue in June 2021, up from approximately 50% of April 2019 revenue in April 2021. Our U.S. hotel auction revenue during the second quarter of 2021 nearly reached parity with the second quarter of 2019 revenue and, in June 2021, grew by more than 15% over June 2019 revenue on continued strong consumer travel demand. In addition, our U.S. hotel auction CPC rates regained 2019 levels in early May 2021 and remained at or above 2019 levels for the same time period through June 2021, demonstrating strong partner engagement on our platform as consumer travel demand recovers in the U.S. Although lagging the U.S. revenue trend, Europe and the rest of the world hotel auction revenue also showed improvement during the second quarter of 2021 when compared to the first quarter of 2021. As a result of these positive trends noted above, we increased our performance marketing investment during the second quarter of 2021 in correlation with the increase in consumer demand.

In addition, and by means of showing a comparison to a pre-COVID-19 timeframe, Tripadvisor-branded display and platform revenue improved as a percentage of 2019 levels throughout the first half of 2021, and reached approximately 70% of June 2019 revenue in June 2021, primarily driven by an increase in marketing spend from our advertisers in correlation with increasing consumer travel demand, as discussed above.

Over the long-term, we believe that improving our offerings to deepen consumer engagement on our platform will enable us to more effectively monetize our influence. For example, in Tripadvisor-branded display and platform revenue, we enable travel partners to amplify their brand, generate brand impressions, and potentially drive qualified leads and bookings for their businesses. Historically, we have limited both the type and number of display-based advertising opportunities we make available to travel partners, particularly on mobile phone, which, in turn, has limited display-based advertising revenue growth. However, we continue to work on initiatives to better leverage our audience, content, data, travel influence and platform breadth to open up new media advertising opportunities through a more modern, high-powered advertising suite spanning native, video and programmatic solutions. We have broadened our solution to a larger set of advertising travel endemic and non-travel endemic advertising partners, including industries such as entertainment, spirits, and finance. On the consumer side, we are focused on making Tripadvisor membership more valuable for consumers. As an example, during the second half of 2020, we introduced our first direct-to-consumer offerings. The first was Reco, a travel concierge service that connects travelers with a curated community of expert trip designers in local travel destinations. Then in


December 2020, we beta-launched Tripadvisor Plus, an annual subscription-based membership that offers discounts to consumers for hotels and experiences, as well as other perks and benefits. Subsequently, in mid-June 2021, we officially launched Tripadvisor Plus to consumers in the United States, including Tripadvisor Plus focused marketing on our website and in our email campaigns to our members. We also began adding more travel supply across travel categories, as well as offering our Tripadvisor Plus members discounts on experience bookings. Tripadvisor Plus remains an important strategic initiative in order to drive long-term growth.

These efforts demonstrate our continued focus on increasing the quality of customer engagement on our platform, including driving membership growth, increasing personalization, and innovating our mobile app experience. We believe delivering – and improving upon – a great experience for users will encourage more users to use our products and services more frequently, increase member growth and member engagement, and drive loyalty to our brand, products, and services. In turn, we believe this makes our platform more attractive for travel partners, and can result in increased monetization over time.

Experiences & Dining Segment

Our Experiences & Dining offerings contribute to the comprehensive user experience we deliver, which we believe helps to increase awareness of, loyalty to, and engagement with our products, drive more bookings to Experiences & Dining travel partners and generate greater revenue and increased profitability on our platform. Given the significant market opportunities in these large categories, we expect to continue to invest in building these offerings to drive consumer engagement, bookings and revenue growth for the long-term. Since the first quarter of 2020, this segment’s revenue has been negatively and materially impacted by a significant reduction in consumer demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has reduced consumer willingness to research, purchase, and consume travel activities. This negative impact has also been driven by a wide variety of government-instituted actions and restrictions around the globe aimed at limiting the spread of the virus, all of which have impacted consumer access to experience offerings and restaurants. For example, during the first quarter of 2021, restaurants in most of the European countries in which our Dining business operates were ordered to remain closed.

However, during the three months ended June 30, 2021, our Experiences & Dining segment’s financial results improved as a result of the growing travel demand recoverydriven by vaccine progress and various government restrictions being gradually lifted. By means of showing a comparison to a pre-COVID-19 timeframe, beginning in March 2021 and continuing into the second quarter of 2021, we experienced improvements in U.S. consumers making domestic Experiences bookings, as U.S. point of sale bookings in June 2021 grew slightly when compared to June 2019, up from approximately 60% levels in April 2021, when compared to April 2019, with particular strength in water and outdoor related activities. We experienced strong consumer demand in our Viator business due to the growing consumer travel demand recovery during the second quarter of 2021, and as a result we increased investments in performance marketing channels in order to capture additional market share. In addition, cancellation rates have decreased significantly since the second quarter of 2020, and have also improved year-to-date during 2021. In Dining, we saw a notable recovery since mid-May 2021, as restaurants in most European countries in which TheFork operates started to reopen for in-restaurant dining. By means of showing a comparison to a pre-COVID-19 timeframe, total Dining revenue reached approximately 90% of June 2019 revenue in June 2021.

Throughout the pandemic, we have explored new initiatives to delight and engage consumers. For example, we improved our site navigation, recommendations, and sort orders.

Other

Other is a combination of our Rentals, Flights & Car, and Cruise businesses and is not considered a reportable segment. Similar to our other business units, financial results in Other also improved during the three months ended June 30, 2021 as a result of increased consumer demand due to the growing travel demand recovery. In addition to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 to its businesses, its financial results were also impacted during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 as a result of the sale of our SmarterTravel business during the second quarter of 2020. We continue to operate these businesses opportunistically as they complement our overall strategic objectives to deliver more value to consumers and travel partners.

Employees

As of SeptemberJune 30, 2017, we2021, the Company had 3,236 employees. Of these2,648 employees 51% were. Our number of employees decreased approximately 10% when compared to the same period in 2020, as a result of the Company enacting workforce reductions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020. Approximately 35% and 50% of the Company’s current employees are based in the United States.U.S. and Europe, respectively. We believe that we have good relationships with our employees, including relationships with employees represented by international works councils or other similar organizations.


In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have in place business continuity programs to ensure that employees are safe and that our teams continue to function effectively where continuing to work remotely.

Seasonality

TravelerConsumers’ travel expenditures in the global travel market tend to followhave historically followed a seasonal pattern. As such, expenditures byCorrespondingly, travel advertisers to market to potential travelerspartners’ advertising investments, and therefore our financial performance, or revenue and profits, tend to behave also historically followed a seasonal as well. As a result, ourpattern. Our financial performance tends to be seasonally highest in the second and third quarters of a given year, as it is a key period for leisure travel research and trip-taking, which includes the seasonal peak in consumer demand, traveler hotel and vacation rental stays, and tourstravel activities and attractionsexperiences taken, compared to the first and fourth quarters, which represent seasonal low points. Furtherpoints. Due to the impact of COVID-19 on our business, which led to unfavorable working capital trends and material negative operating cash flow during the year ended December 31, 2020, we did not experience our typical seasonal pattern for revenue and profit during the calendar quarters within the year ended December 31, 2020. Although consumer demand, traveler hotel and rental stays, and travel activities and experiences taken generally remain materially lower than historic levels, these trends have improved during the first half of 2021, particularly in the second quarter of 2021, resulting in increased revenues, working capital and positive operating cash flow more akin to typical historical seasonality trends in the first half of the year. However, it is difficult to predict the seasonality for the upcoming quarters, given the sustained uncertainty related to the continued economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ultimate shape and timing of a recovery in our key markets. In addition, significant shifts in our business mix or adverse economic conditions could result in future seasonal patterns that are different from historical trends.trends.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Critical accounting policies and estimates are those that we believe are important in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements because they require that management use judgment and estimates in applying those policies. We prepare our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in accordance with GAAP. Preparation of the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes requires that management make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements as well as revenue and expenses during the periods reported. Management bases its estimates on historical experience, when applicable and other assumptions that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from estimates under different assumptions or conditions.


There are certain critical estimates that we believe require significant judgment in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if:

It requires us to make an assumption because information was not available at the time or it included matters that were highly uncertain at the time we were making the estimate; and

It requires us to make an assumption because information was not available at the time or it included matters that were highly uncertain at the time we were making the estimate; and/or

Changes in the estimate or different estimates that we could have selected may have had a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

Changes in the estimate or different estimates that we could have selected may have had a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates as compared to the critical accounting policies and estimates described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.2020.

Significant Accounting Policies and New Accounting Pronouncements

SeeRefer to “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies”Policies in the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for an overview of new accounting pronouncements that we have adopted or that we plan to adopt that have had or may have anin the first half of 2021 and the impact, if any, on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

ThereOther than described under “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies” Item 1 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, there have been no materialsignificant changes to our significant accounting policies since December 31, 2016. For additional information about our accounting policies and estimates, refer to “Note 2: Significant Accounting Policies”2020, as described in the notes to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2020.


ResultsStatements of Operations

Selected Financial Data

(in millions, except percentages)

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021 vs. 2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021 vs. 2020

 

Revenue

 

$

439

 

 

$

421

 

 

 

4

%

 

$

1,235

 

 

$

1,164

 

 

 

6

%

 

$

235

 

 

$

59

 

 

 

298

%

 

$

358

 

 

$

337

 

 

 

6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

20

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

5

%

 

 

56

 

 

 

55

 

 

 

2

%

 

 

19

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

90

%

 

 

31

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

7

%

Selling and marketing

 

 

247

 

 

 

210

 

 

 

18

%

 

 

683

 

 

 

584

 

 

 

17

%

 

 

123

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

128

%

 

 

196

 

 

 

179

 

 

 

9

%

Technology and content

 

 

61

 

 

 

62

 

 

 

(2

)%

 

 

184

 

 

 

185

 

 

 

(1

)%

 

 

54

 

 

 

51

 

 

 

6

%

 

 

109

 

 

 

120

 

 

 

(9

)%

General and administrative

 

 

42

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

11

%

 

 

115

 

 

 

110

 

 

 

5

%

 

 

46

 

 

 

43

 

 

 

7

%

 

 

84

 

 

 

94

 

 

 

(11

)%

Depreciation

 

 

19

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

6

%

 

 

57

 

 

 

51

 

 

 

12

%

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

8

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

0

%

 

 

25

 

 

 

23

 

 

 

9

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

28

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

(13

)%

 

 

57

 

 

 

64

 

 

 

(11

)%

Restructuring and other related reorganization costs

 

 

 

 

 

33

 

 

n.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

42

 

 

n.m.

 

Total costs and expenses:

 

 

397

 

 

 

355

 

 

 

12

%

 

 

1,120

 

 

 

1,008

 

 

 

11

%

 

 

270

 

 

 

223

 

 

 

21

%

 

 

477

 

 

 

528

 

 

 

(10

)%

Operating income

 

 

42

 

 

 

66

 

 

 

(36

)%

 

 

115

 

 

 

156

 

 

 

(26

)%

Operating income (loss)

 

 

(35

)

 

 

(164

)

 

 

(79

)%

 

 

(119

)

 

 

(191

)

 

 

(38

)%

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

33

%

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

10

%

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(7

)

 

 

57

%

 

 

(22

)

 

 

(9

)

 

 

144

%

Interest income and other, net

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

0

%

 

 

3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

100

%

Interest income

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

n.m.

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

(50

)%

Other income (expense), net

 

 

 

 

 

(9

)

 

n.m.

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(89

)%

Total other income (expense), net

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

33

%

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(20

)%

 

 

(11

)

 

 

(15

)

 

 

(27

)%

 

 

(22

)

 

 

(16

)

 

 

38

%

Income before income taxes

 

 

38

 

 

 

63

 

 

 

(40

)%

 

 

107

 

 

 

146

 

 

 

(27

)%

Provision for income taxes

 

 

(13

)

 

 

(8

)

 

 

63

%

 

 

(42

)

 

 

(27

)

 

 

56

%

Net income

 

$

25

 

 

$

55

 

 

 

(55

)%

 

$

65

 

 

$

119

 

 

 

(45

)%

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

(46

)

 

 

(179

)

 

 

(74

)%

 

 

(141

)

 

 

(207

)

 

 

(32

)%

(Provision) benefit for income taxes

 

 

6

 

 

 

26

 

 

 

(77

)%

 

 

21

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

(45

)%

Net income (loss)

 

$

(40

)

 

$

(153

)

 

 

(74

)%

 

$

(120

)

 

$

(169

)

 

 

(29

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Financial Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

 

$

95

 

 

$

114

 

 

 

(17

)%

 

$

269

 

 

$

294

 

 

 

(9

)%

 

$

25

 

 

$

(74

)

 

n.m.

 

 

$

(1

)

 

$

(34

)

 

 

(97

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

n.m. = not meaningful

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) See “Adjusted EBITDA” discussion below for more information.

(1) See “Adjusted EBITDA” discussion below for more information.

 

(1) See “Adjusted EBITDA” discussion below for more information.

 

Revenue and Segment Information

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

Revenue by Segment:

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Hotel

 

$

312

 

 

$

320

 

 

 

(3

)%

 

$

952

 

 

$

939

 

 

 

1

%

Non-Hotel

 

 

127

 

 

 

101

 

 

 

26

%

 

 

283

 

 

 

225

 

 

 

26

%

Total revenue

 

$

439

 

 

$

421

 

 

 

4

%

 

$

1,235

 

 

$

1,164

 

 

 

6

%

Adjusted EBITDA by Segment (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotel

 

$

51

 

 

$

99

 

 

 

(48

)%

 

$

223

 

 

$

309

 

 

 

(28

)%

Non-Hotel

 

 

44

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

193

%

 

 

46

 

 

 

(15

)

 

 

407

%

Total Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

95

 

 

$

114

 

 

 

(17

)%

 

$

269

 

 

$

294

 

 

 

(9

)%

Adjusted EBITDA Margin by Segment (2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotel

 

 

16

%

 

 

31

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

23

%

 

 

33

%

 

 

 

 

Non-Hotel

 

 

35

%

 

 

15

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

%

 

 

(7

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021 vs. 2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021 vs. 2020

 

Revenue by Segment:

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Media & Platform

 

$

156

 

 

$

38

 

 

 

311

%

 

$

245

 

 

$

207

 

 

 

18

%

Experiences & Dining

 

 

68

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

386

%

 

 

95

 

 

 

97

 

 

 

(2

)%

Other

 

 

11

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

57

%

 

 

18

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

(45

)%

Total revenue

 

$

235

 

 

$

59

 

 

 

298

%

 

$

358

 

 

$

337

 

 

 

6

%

Adjusted EBITDA by Segment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Media & Platform

 

$

33

 

 

$

(33

)

 

n.m.

 

 

$

30

 

 

$

20

 

 

 

50

%

Experiences & Dining

 

 

(12

)

 

 

(38

)

 

 

(68

)%

 

 

(35

)

 

 

(57

)

 

 

(39

)%

Other

 

 

4

 

 

 

(3

)

 

n.m.

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

33

%

Total Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

25

 

 

$

(74

)

 

n.m.

 

 

$

(1

)

 

$

(34

)

 

 

(97

)%

Adjusted EBITDA Margin by Segment (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Media & Platform

 

 

21

%

 

 

(87

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

%

 

 

10

%

 

 

 

 

Experiences & Dining

 

 

(18

)%

 

 

(271

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

(37

)%

 

 

(59

)%

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

36

%

 

 

(43

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

22

%

 

 

9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

n.m. = not meaningful

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Included in Adjusted EBITDA is a general and administrative expense allocation for each segment, which is based on the segment’s percentage of our total personnel costs, excluding stock-based compensation. See “Note 11: Segment Information” in the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for more information.

(2)

We define “Adjusted EBITDA Margin by Segment”, is defined as Adjusted EBITDA by segment divided by revenue by segment.


Hotel

Hotels, Media & Platform Segment

Our HotelHotels, Media & Platform segment revenue decreasedincreased by $8$118 million and $38 million during the three and six months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017, when compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to a decrease of $11 million in TripAdvisor-branded click-based and transaction revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2017, partially offset by an increase of $3 million in TripAdvisor-branded display-based advertising and subscription revenue, all of which are discussed below. Our Hotel segment revenue increased by $13 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, when compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to an increase of $23 million in TripAdvisor-branded click-based and transaction revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, which was primarily offset by a decrease of $11 million in other hotel revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, all of which are discussed below.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin in our Hotel segment decreased by $48 million and decreased to 16%, during the three months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, when compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to costs of our brand advertising campaign, or television campaign, which launched in June 2017. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin in our Hotel segment decreased by $86 million and decreased to 23%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, when compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to costs related to our television campaign, and also due to increased SEM and other online traffic acquisition costs during the first six months of 2017. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, our SEM and other online traffic costs were essentially flat, when compared to the same period in 2016, as we reduced our spending in online marketing channels and increased our spending in connection with our television campaign during the third quarter of 2017.  

The following is a detailed table showing the revenue sources within our Hotel segment:

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Hotel:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TripAdvisor-branded click-based and transaction

 

$

195

 

 

$

206

 

 

 

(5

)%

 

$

619

 

 

$

596

 

 

 

4

%

TripAdvisor-branded display-based advertising and subscription

 

 

76

 

 

 

73

 

 

 

4

%

 

 

215

 

 

 

214

 

 

 

0

%

Other hotel revenue

 

 

41

 

 

 

41

 

 

 

0

%

 

 

118

 

 

 

129

 

 

 

(9

)%

Total Hotel revenue

 

$

312

 

 

$

320

 

 

 

(3

)%

 

$

952

 

 

$

939

 

 

 

1

%


TripAdvisor-branded Click-based and Transaction Revenue

TripAdvisor-branded click-based and transaction revenue includes cost-per-click-based advertising revenue from our TripAdvisor-branded websites as well as transaction-based revenue from our hotel instant booking feature. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, 63% and 65%, respectively, of our total Hotel segment revenue came from our TripAdvisor-branded click-based and transaction revenue. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, 64% and 63%, respectively, of our total Hotel segment revenue was derived from our TripAdvisor-branded click-based and transaction revenue. TripAdvisor-branded click-based and transaction revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2017 decreased $11 million, when compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to a decrease of 11% in revenue per hotel shopper, which was partially offset by an increase of 7% in average monthly unique hotel shoppers during the three months ended September 30, 2017, which is explained below. TripAdvisor-branded click-based and transaction revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 increased $23 million, when compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to an increase of 9% in average monthly unique hotel shoppers during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, which was partially offset by a decrease of 4% in revenue per hotel shopper, which is explained below.

Our largest source of Hotel segment revenue is click-based advertising revenue from our TripAdvisor-branded websites, which include links to our partners’ sites and contextually-relevant branded and related text links. Click-based advertising is generated primarily through our metasearch auction, a description of which follows. Our click-based advertising partners are predominantly OTAs and hoteliers. Click-based advertising is generally priced on a cost-per-click, or CPC, basis, with payments from advertisers based on the number of users who click on each type of link or, in other words, the conversion of a hotel shopper to a paid click. CPC is the price that a partner is willing to pay us for a hotel shopper lead and is determined in a competitive process that enables our partners to use our proprietary, automated bidding system to submit CPC bids to have their rates and availability listed on our site. When a partner submits a CPC bid, they are agreeing to pay the amount of that bid each time a user subsequently clicks on the link to the partner’s website. Bids can be submitted periodically – as often as daily– on a property-by-property basis. Primary factors used to determine the placement of partner links on our site include, but are not limited to, room night price, the size of the bid relative to other bids, and other variables. CPCs are generally lower in markets outside the U.S. market, and hotel shoppers visiting via mobile phones currently monetize at a significantly lower rate than hotel shoppers visiting via desktop or tablet.

Our Hotel segment transaction-based revenue is comprised of revenue from our hotel instant booking feature, which enables the merchant of record, generally an OTA or hotel partner, to pay a commission to TripAdvisor for a user that completes a hotel reservation on our website. Instant booking revenue is currently recognized under two different models: the transaction model and the consumption model. Under the consumption model, which currently represents the majority of our instant booking revenue, commission revenue is not recorded until such time as the traveler completes their stay, at which time our consumption partner is liable to us for commission payment.  Under the transaction model commission revenue is recorded at the time a traveler books a hotel reservation on our site, as our transaction partner is liable for commission payments to us upon booking and the partner assumes the cancellation risk.  OTA and hotel partner placement, as well as comparative hotel prices available to the traveler in the booking process under both models, is determined by a bidding process within our proprietary automated bidding system, that takes into account a number of variables, primarily hotel room prices, but also including other factors, such as conversion rates and commission rates, depending on the specific hotel selected. Instant booking commissions are primarily a function of average gross booking value generated from hotel reservations, cancellation rates experienced, and commission rates negotiated with each of our partners.

The key drivers of TripAdvisor-branded click-based and transaction revenue include growth in average monthly unique hotel shoppers and revenue per hotel shopper growth, the latter of which measures how effectively we convert our hotel shoppers into revenue. We measure performance by calculating revenue per hotel shopper on an aggregate basis by dividing total TripAdvisor-branded click-based and transaction revenue by total average monthly unique hotel shoppers on TripAdvisor-branded websites for the periods presented.

While we believe that total traffic growth, or growth in monthly visits from unique visitors, is reflective of our overall brand growth, we also track and analyze sub-segments of our traffic and their correlation to revenue generation and utilize data regarding hotel shoppers as one of the key indicators of revenue growth. Hotel shoppers are visitors who view either a listing of hotels in a city or on a specific hotel page. The number of hotel shoppers tends to vary based on seasonality of the travel industry and general economic conditions, as well as other factors outside of our control. Given these factors, as well as the trend towards increased usage on mobile phones and international expansion, quarterly and annual hotel shopper growth is a difficult metric to forecast.  


The below table summarizes our revenue per hotel shopper calculation and growth rate, in aggregate, for the periods presented (in millions, except calculated revenue per hotel shopper and percentages):

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

Revenue per hotel shopper:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TripAdvisor-branded click-based and transaction revenue

 

$

195

 

 

$

206

 

 

 

(5

)%

 

$

619

 

 

$

596

 

 

 

4

%

Divided by: Total average unique monthly hotel shoppers for the quarter

 

 

490

 

 

 

458

 

 

 

7

%

 

 

1,398

 

 

 

1,286

 

 

 

9

%

 

 

$

0.40

 

 

$

0.45

 

 

 

(11

)%

 

$

0.44

 

 

$

0.46

 

 

 

(4

)%

Revenue per hotel shopper decreased 11% during the three months ended September 30, 2017, when compared to the same period in 2016, according to our internal log files. The decrease was driven primarily by lower CPCs received in our click-based metasearch auction, as we observed partners increase marketing efficiency on our channel during the third quarter of 2017 resulting in lower CPC bids in all geographic areas, as well as the general trend of a greater percentage of hotel shoppers visiting TripAdvisor-branded websites and apps on mobile phones.

Revenue per hotel shopper decreased 4% during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, when compared to the same period in 2016, according to our internal log files. The decrease was driven primarily by the factors noted above, as well as by factors that primarily impacted us during the first six months of 2017, including dilution from product testing related to the second-quarter 2017 launch of our redesigned website and applications, foreign currency fluctuations and the timing of our instant booking feature rollout in certain non-U.S. markets during the first half of 2016, partially offset by strong growth in U.S. revenue per hotel shopper during the first six months of 2017.

Our aggregate average monthly unique hotel shoppers on TripAdvisor-branded websites increased by 7% and 9% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2021, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2016, according2020, primarily due to increased hotel auction revenue, particularly in the U.S., due to the impact of growing consumer travel demand and increasing travel industry recovery on our internal log files. The increase in hotel shoppers forbusiness, as discussed above.

Hotels, Media & Platform segment Adjusted EBITDA increased $66 million and $10 million during the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017 is primarily due to the success in our paid online marketing strategy, as well as the general trend of an increasing number of hotel shoppers visiting our websites and apps on mobile phones, partially offset by increased brand advertising spend related to our television campaign as part of our marketing mix, which we believe has a longer term return in comparison to online marketing spend.

TripAdvisor-branded Display-based Advertising and Subscription Revenue

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, 24% and 23%, respectively, of our Hotel segment revenue came from our TripAdvisor-branded display-based advertising and subscription revenue, which primarily consists of revenue from display-based advertising and subscription-based hotel advertising revenue. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, 23% of our Hotel segment revenue was derived from our TripAdvisor-branded display-based advertising and subscription revenue.

Our TripAdvisor-branded display-based advertising and subscription revenue increased by $3 million or 4%, during the three months ended September 30, 2017,2021, when compared to the same periodperiods in 2016. Display-based advertising revenue increased2020, primarily due to an increase in impressions sold,revenue, as noted above, partially offset by a slight decreasean increase in pricingdirect selling and marketing expenses related to search engine marketing, or SEM, and other online paid traffic acquisition costs in response to increasing consumer travel demand as travel restrictions ease, vaccination rates increase, and the general trendtravel industry recovers.

The following is a detailed discussion of increasing traffic visitingthe revenue sources within our websites and apps on mobile phones. While we continue to focus on new product initiatives to drive growth, our subscription revenue was flat primarily as we work to enhance our product offering to hoteliers and increase our sales pipeline in this business, as well as hotel industry consolidation. Our TripAdvisor-branded display-based advertising and subscription revenue increased slightly by $1 million or 0%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, when compared to the same period in 2016.Hotels, Media & Platform segment:

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021 vs. 2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021 vs. 2020

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Hotels, Media & Platform:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tripadvisor-branded hotels

 

$

131

 

 

$

31

 

 

 

323

%

 

$

205

 

 

$

168

 

 

 

22

%

Tripadvisor-branded display and platform

 

 

25

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

257

%

 

 

40

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

3

%

Total Hotels, Media & Platform revenue

 

$

156

 

 

$

38

 

 

 

311

%

 

$

245

 

 

$

207

 

 

 

18

%

Other HotelTripadvisor-branded Hotels Revenue

For both the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017, 13% and 12%, respectively,2021, 84% of our Hoteltotal Hotels, Media & Platform segment revenue camewas derived from other hotelTripadvisor-branded hotels revenue. For the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2016, 13%2020, 82% and 14%81%, respectively, of our Hoteltotal Hotels, Media & Platform segment revenue was derived from other hotelTripadvisor-branded hotels revenue. Our other hotelTripadvisor-branded hotels revenue primarily includes revenue from non-TripAdvisor branded websites, such as bookingbuddy.com, cruisecritic.com,increased $100 million and onetime.com, including click-based advertising revenue, display-based advertising revenue and room reservations sold through these websites. Our other hotel revenue was flat and decreased by $11$37 million during the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2016,2020. This revenue increase was primarily driven by our hotel auction revenue, particularly in the U.S., due to rising consumer travel demand and travel industry recovery, given rising vaccination rates and easing of government travel restrictions. As consumer travel demand increased focusduring the second quarter of 2021, the Company saw improved hotel auction monetization, as CPC rates increased, which enabled increased efficient marketing investment on return on marketing spendperformance channels, enhancing our second quarter of 2021 hotel auction revenue growth. See “Business Trends” above for further discussion.

Tripadvisor-branded Display and Platform Revenue

For both the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, 16% of Hotels, Media & Platform segment revenue was derived from paid marketing channels within thisour Tripadvisor-branded display and platform revenue, stream.


Non-Hotel Segmentwhich consists of revenue from Tripadvisor-branded display-based advertising across our websites. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, 18% and 19%, respectively, of Hotels, Media & Platform segment revenue was derived from our Tripadvisor-branded display and platform revenue.

Our Non-Hotel segmentTripadvisor-branded display-based advertising revenue increased by $26$18 million or 26%, and $58$1 million or 26% during the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2016,2020, primarily driven by increased bookable supply, user demand, and increased bookings in our Attractions and Restaurants businesses.

Strong revenue growth in our Attractions business has been driven by the following factors: growth in bookings sourced by TripAdvisor, growth in bookable products, which leads to better consumer choice, as well as by growth in free and paid traffic sources. Another contributing factor is the improved shopping experience from the introduction of new features, such as attractions instant booking for mobile phone, which enables users to purchase tickets and tours seamlessly without leaving the mobile app. These factors are all contributing to more consumer choice and continued revenue growth as a result of increased bookings. Similarly, in our Restaurants business, continued strong revenue growth can be attributed to increased bookings in our most established markets, growth in mobile bookings, a continually improving user experience and an increase in bookable supply of restaurant listings during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, when compared to the same periodsmarketing spend from our advertisers in 2016.correlation with increasing consumer travel demand, as discussed above.

Non-HotelExperiences & Dining Segment

Experiences & Dining segment Adjusted EBITDA increased $29 million and $61 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2016. This increase was primarily due to increased revenue growth, for the reasons noted above, and increased efficiencies in paid online marketing channels and other operational efficiencies in our Attractions business, partially offset primarily by increased personnel and overhead costs to support growth in this segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Revenue by Geography

The following table presents our consolidated revenue by geographic region. Revenue by geography is based on the geographic location of our websites.

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue by geographic region:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

245

 

 

$

225

 

 

 

9

%

 

$

699

 

 

$

627

 

 

 

11

%

Europe

 

 

124

 

 

 

123

 

 

 

1

%

 

 

331

 

 

 

329

 

 

 

1

%

ROW

 

 

70

 

 

 

73

 

 

 

(4

)%

 

 

205

 

 

 

208

 

 

 

(1

)%

Total

 

$

439

 

 

$

421

 

 

 

4

%

 

$

1,235

 

 

$

1,164

 

 

 

6

%

(1)

In the first quarter of 2017, we reclassified Canada, Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific (“APAC”) and Latin America (“LATAM”) into rest of world (“ROW”) when presenting our revenue by geographic region. Prior period amounts were reclassified to conform to the current presentation. This change had no effect on our consolidated financial statements in any reporting period.  

Our U.S. revenue increased $20by $54 million or 9%, during the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, when compared to the same period in 2016. U. S.2020, while revenue represented 56% and 53% of total revenuedecreased by $2 million during the threesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. This increase in the U.S. was due primarily to growth in our Attractions business.  Revenue outside of the U.S., or non-U.S. revenue, decreased $2 million, or 1%, during the three months ended September 30, 2017,2021, when compared to the same period in 2016. Non-U.S.2020. Since the first quarter of 2020, this segment’s revenue represented 44%has been negatively and 47%materially impacted by a significant reduction in consumer demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has reduced consumer willingness to research, purchase, and consume travel and leisure activities. This negative impact has also been driven by a wide variety of total revenuegovernment-instituted actions and restrictions around the globe aimed at limiting the spread of the virus, all of which have impacted consumer access to experience offerings and restaurants. For example, during the first quarter of 2021, restaurants in most European countries in which our Dining business operates were ordered to remain closed. However, during the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decline in2021, our non-U.S. revenue,Experiences & Dining segment’s financial results significantly improved as a percentageresult of total revenue during this period was primarily due to growth in our Attractions business in the U.Sgrowing consumer travel demand recovery


driven by vaccine progress and a higher growth rate in mobile phone hotel shoppers and a higher percentage of total hotel shoppers from mobile devices in non-U.S. marketsvarious government restrictions being gradually lifted during the period.  second quarter of 2021, which is discussed further under “Business Trends” above.

Our U.S. revenueExperiences & Dining segment Adjusted EBITDA increased $72$26 million or 11%, during the ninethree months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, when compared to the same period in 2016. U. S. revenue represented 57% and 54% of total revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. This increase was2020, primarily due to an increase in U.S. TripAdvisor-branded click-basedrevenue as noted above, partially offset by an increase in direct selling and transaction revenue, driven by growthmarketing expenses related to SEM and other online paid traffic acquisition costs in U.S. revenue per hotel shopperresponse to increased consumer demand of experiences, tours, and restaurants due to the growing consumer travel demand recovery. Experiences & Dining segment Adjusted EBITDA increased $22 million during the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, when compared to the same period in 2016,2020, primarily due to a reduction in personnel costs as wella result of workforce reductions related to our cost-reduction measures during 2020 in response to COVID-19, and, to a lesser extent, lower television advertising costs, office lease costs, and bad debt expense, partially offset by increased selling and marketing expenses related to SEM in response to increased consumer demand of experiences, tours and restaurants as growth in our Attractions business. Revenue outsidepart of the U.S., or non-U.S.growing consumer travel demand recovery.

Other

Other revenue, decreased $1which includes Rentals revenue in addition to primarily click-based advertising and display-based advertising revenue from our Flights, Cars, and Cruises offerings on Tripadvisor websites, increased by $4 million or 0%, during the ninethree months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, when compared to the same period in 2016. Non-U.S.2020, primarily due to increased consumer travel demand and travel partner spend, similar to our other businesses, as described above. Other revenue represented 43% and 46% of total revenuedecreased by $15 million during the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172021, when compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to the continued negative impact of COVID-19 on these offerings, and 2016, respectively. The declinethe sale of our SmarterTravel business during the second quarter of 2020.

Adjusted EBITDA in our non-U.S.Other increased $7 million during the three months ended June 30, 2021, when compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to an increase in revenue as a percentage of total revenue during these periods, was primarily driven by the factors noted above, and, to a lesser extent, a reduction in personnel costs as well as, foreign currency fluctuations and the timinga result of workforce reductions related to our instant booking feature rollout in certain non-U.S. marketscost-reduction measures during the first half of 2016.2020 in response to COVID-19. Adjusted EBITDA in Other increased $1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021, when compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to reduction in personnel costs as a result of workforce reductions related to our cost-reduction measures during the first half of 2020 in response to COVID-19, partially offset by a decrease in revenue as noted above.


Consolidated Expenses

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue consists of expenses that are directly related or closely correlated to revenue generation, including direct costs, such as credit card and other booking transaction payment fees, data center costs, costs associated with prepaid tour tickets, ad serving fees, flight search fees, credit card fees and other transaction costs, and data center costs. In addition, cost of revenue includes personnel and overhead expenses, including salaries, benefits, stock-based compensation expense and bonuses for certain customer support personnel who are directly involved in revenue generation.

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021 vs. 2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021 vs. 2020

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Direct costs

 

$

15

 

 

$

14

 

 

 

7

%

 

$

42

 

 

$

40

 

 

 

5

%

 

$

13

 

 

$

5

 

 

 

160

%

 

$

20

 

 

$

17

 

 

 

18

%

Personnel and overhead

 

 

5

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

0

%

 

 

14

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

(7

)%

 

 

6

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

20

%

 

 

11

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

(8

%)

Total cost of revenue

 

$

20

 

 

$

19

 

 

 

5

%

 

$

56

 

 

$

55

 

 

 

2

%

 

$

19

 

 

$

10

 

 

 

90

%

 

$

31

 

 

$

29

 

 

 

7

%

% of revenue

 

 

4.6

%

 

 

4.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.5

%

 

 

4.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.1

%

 

 

16.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.7

%

 

 

8.6

%

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue increased $1$9 million and $2 million during both the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172021, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2016,2020, primarily due to increased direct costs from merchant credit card payment and other revenue-related transaction feescosts in our Non-Hotel segment, as a result of revenue growth.correlation with an increase in revenue.

Selling and Marketing

Selling and marketing expenses primarily consist of direct costs, including traffic generation costs from SEM and other online traffic acquisition costs, syndication costs and affiliate programmarketing commissions, social media costs, brand advertising (including television and other offline advertising,advertising), promotions and public relations. In addition, our sales and marketing expenses consist of


indirect costs such as personnel and overhead expenses, including salaries, commissions, benefits, stock-based compensation, expense and bonuses for sales, sales support, customer support and marketing employees.

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021 vs. 2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021 vs. 2020

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Direct costs

 

$

195

 

 

$

159

 

 

 

23

%

 

$

526

 

 

$

430

 

 

 

22

%

 

$

79

 

 

$

9

 

 

 

778

%

 

$

108

 

 

$

73

 

 

 

48

%

Personnel and overhead

 

 

52

 

 

 

51

 

 

 

2

%

 

 

157

 

 

 

154

 

 

 

2

%

 

 

44

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

(2

%)

 

 

88

 

 

 

106

 

 

 

(17

%)

Total selling and marketing

 

$

247

 

 

$

210

 

 

 

18

%

 

$

683

 

 

$

584

 

 

 

17

%

 

$

123

 

 

$

54

 

 

 

128

%

 

$

196

 

 

$

179

 

 

 

9

%

% of revenue

 

 

56.3

%

 

 

49.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

55.3

%

 

 

50.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

52.3

%

 

 

91.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

54.7

%

 

 

53.1

%

 

 

 

 

Direct selling and marketing costs increased $36$70 million and $35 million during the three and six months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, respectively, when compared to the same periodperiods in 2016, driven2020, primarily bydue to an increase of $42 million in costs incurred related to the launch of our television campaign in June of 2017, which is recorded in our Hotel segment, partially offset by a decrease in other advertising costs. SEM and other online traffic acquisition spend across all our segments and businesses in response to increasing consumer travel demand as travel activity restrictions lift and the travel industry recovers.

Personnel and overhead costs were essentially flatdecreased $1 million and $18 million during the three and six months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, respectively, when compared to the same periodperiods in 2016,2020, primarily as we shifted marketing spenda result of a reduction in headcount related to our television campaign.

Direct selling and marketing costs increased $96 millioncost-reduction measures across our business in response to COVID-19 implemented during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, when compared to the same period in 2016, driven primarily by an increasefirst half of $58 million in costs incurred related to the launch of our television campaign in June of 2017, which is recorded in our Hotel segment, as well as an increase in SEM and other online traffic acquisition costs of $43 million, driven by our Hotel segment, partially offset by a decrease in other advertising costs.2020.

Technology and Content

Technology and content expenses consist primarily of personnel and overhead expenses, including salaries and benefits, stock-based compensation expense, and bonuses for salaried employees and contractors engaged in the design, development, testing, content support, and maintenance of our websites and mobile apps. Other costs include licensing, maintenance expense, computer supplies, telecom costs, content translation and localization costs, and consulting costs.


 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021 vs. 2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021 vs. 2020

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Personnel and overhead

 

$

55

 

 

$

56

 

 

 

(2

%)

 

$

166

 

 

$

161

 

 

 

3

%

 

$

48

 

 

$

45

 

 

 

7

%

 

$

98

 

 

$

106

 

 

 

(8

%)

Other

 

 

6

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

0

%

 

 

18

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

(25

%)

 

 

6

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

0

%

 

 

11

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

(21

%)

Total technology and content

 

$

61

 

 

$

62

 

 

 

(2

%)

 

$

184

 

 

$

185

 

 

 

(1

%)

 

$

54

 

 

$

51

 

 

 

6

%

 

$

109

 

 

$

120

 

 

 

(9

%)

% of revenue

 

 

13.9

%

 

 

14.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

14.9

%

 

 

15.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

23.0

%

 

 

86.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

30.4

%

 

 

35.6

%

 

 

 

 

Technology and content costs decreased $1increased $3 million during both the three and nine months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017, respectively,2021, when compared to the same period in 2016.  Personnel2020, primarily due to increased personnel and overhead related to performance bonus costs, contingent staff costs, and stock-based compensation expense to help support business growth and key staff retention during the growing travel demand recovery. Technology and content costs decreased $1$11 million during the threesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, when compared to the same period in 2016,2020, primarily due to decreased personnel and overhead costs across our business as a decreaseresult of a reduction in contingent staff costs,headcount driven by cost-reduction measures across our business in response to COVID-19 implemented during the first half of 2020, partially offset by an increase in personnelperformance bonus costs, contingent staff costs, and stock-based compensation expense to support our mobile phone and website initiatives, as well as to support business growth. Personnel and overhead costs increased $5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, when compared to the same period in 2016, primarily to support our mobile phone and website initiatives, as well as tohelp support business growth partially offset by a decrease in contingentand key staff costs. Other costs decreased by $6 millionretention during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, when compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to a decrease in content translation costs.growing travel demand recovery.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel and related overhead costs, including personnel engaged in executive leadership, finance, legal, and human resources, as well as stock-based compensation expense for those same personnel. General and administrative costs also include professional service fees and other fees including audit, legal, tax and accounting, and other costs including bad debt expense, non-income taxes, such as sales, use and other non-income related taxes, and charitable contributions.taxes.


 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

% Change

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017 vs. 2016

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021 vs. 2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021 vs. 2020

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Personnel and overhead

 

$

29

 

 

$

27

 

 

 

7

%

 

$

85

 

 

$

77

 

 

 

10

%

 

$

34

 

 

$

26

 

 

 

31

%

 

$

63

 

 

$

60

 

 

 

5

%

Professional service fees and other

 

 

13

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

18

%

 

 

30

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

(9

%)

 

 

12

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

(29

%)

 

 

21

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

(38

%)

Total general and administrative

 

$

42

 

 

$

38

 

 

 

11

%

 

$

115

 

 

$

110

 

 

 

5

%

 

$

46

 

 

$

43

 

 

 

7

%

 

$

84

 

 

$

94

 

 

 

(11

%)

% of revenue

 

 

9.6

%

 

 

9.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.3

%

 

 

9.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

19.6

%

 

 

72.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

23.5

%

 

 

27.9

%

 

 

 

 

General and administrative costs increased $4 million and $5 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2016. Personnel and overhead costs increased $2 million and $8 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2016, primarily related to an increase in stock-based compensation of $3 million and $6 million, respectively. Professional service fees and other increased $2 million during the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, when compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to an increase in bad debt2020. Personnel and overhead costs and non-income taxes, partially offset by a decrease in consulting costs.  Professional service fees and other decreased $3increased $8 million during the ninethree months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, when compared to the same period in 2016,2020, primarily related to increased performance bonus costs and stock-based compensation expense to help support business growth and key staff retention during the growing consumer travel demand recovery. Professional service fees and other decreased $5 million during the three months ended June 30, 2021, when compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to a decrease in consulting costs and non-income taxes,bad debt expense, partially offset by an increase in non-income related taxes.

General and administrative costs decreased $10 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021, when compared to the same period in 2020. Personnel and overhead costs increased $3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021, when compared to the same period in 2020, primarily driven by an increase in performance bonus costs and stock-based compensation expense to help support business growth and key staff retention during the growing consumer travel demand recovery, partially offset by decreased salaries and wages and related benefits costs  across our business as a result of a reduction in headcount driven by cost-reduction measures across our business in response to COVID-19 implemented during the first half of 2020. Professional service fees and other decreased $13 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021, when compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to a decrease in bad debt costs. expense and to a lesser extent third-party professional service costs, partially offset by an increase in certain non-income related taxes.

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation expense consists of depreciation on computer equipment, leasehold improvements, furniture, office equipment and other assets, our corporate headquarters building and amortization of capitalized software and website development costs.  costs and right-of-use (“ROU”) assets related to our finance lease. Amortization consists of the amortization of definite-lived intangibles purchased in business acquisitions.

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

Depreciation

 

$

19

 

 

$

18

 

 

$

57

 

 

$

51

 

 

$

23

 

 

$

26

 

 

$

46

 

 

$

51

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

5

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

13

 

Total depreciation and amortization

 

$

28

 

 

$

32

 

 

$

57

 

 

$

64

 

% of revenue

 

 

4.3

%

 

 

4.3

%

 

 

4.6

%

 

 

4.4

%

 

 

11.9

%

 

 

54.2

%

 

 

15.9

%

 

 

19.0

%

Depreciation expense increased $1and amortization decreased $4 million and $6$7 million during the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2016,2020, primarily due to increasedthe completion of amortization related to certain intangible assets from previous business acquisitions and lower depreciation related to capitalized software and website development costs.costs driven by a reduction in headcount related to our cost-reduction measures across our business in response to COVID-19 implemented during the first half of 2020.


Restructuring and other related reorganization costs

AmortizationRestructuring and other related reorganization costs consist primarily of Intangible Assetsemployee severance and related benefits.

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

Restructuring and other related reorganization costs

 

$

 

 

$

33

 

 

$

 

 

$

42

 

% of revenue

 

 

0.0

%

 

 

55.9

%

 

 

0.0

%

 

 

12.5

%

Amortization consistsIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, during the second quarter of 2020, the amortizationCompany committed to restructuring actions intended to reinforce its financial position, reduce its cost structure, and improve operational efficiencies, which resulted in headcount reductions. In addition, the Company engaged in a smaller scale restructuring action in the first quarter of purchased definite-lived intangibles.

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

$

8

 

 

$

8

 

 

$

25

 

 

$

23

 

% of revenue

 

 

1.8

%

 

 

1.9

%

 

 

2.0

%

 

 

2.0

%

Amortization of intangible assets remained flat2020 to reduce our cost structure and improve our operational efficiencies, which resulted in headcount reductions for which we recognized $9 million in restructuring and other related reorganization costs. No further restructuring costs were incurred during the three and six months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017, when compared to the same periods in 2016. Amortization of intangible assets increased $2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, when compared to the same period in 2016, primarily due to incremental amortization from purchased indefinite lived intangibles related to our 2016 business acquisitions.2021.

Interest Expense

Interest expense primarily consists of interest incurred, commitment fees, and debt issuance cost amortization related to our 2015 Credit Facility, 2016 Credit Facility, and Chinese Credit Facilities,2025 Senior Notes, 2026 Senior Notes, as well as interest on our financing obligation related to our corporate headquarters.

finance lease.

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

Interest expense

 

$

(4

)

 

$

(3

)

 

$

(11

)

 

$

(10

)

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

Interest expense

 

$

(11

)

 

$

(7

)

 

$

(22

)

 

$

(9

)

Interest expense increased $1$4 million and $13 million during both the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, respectively, when compared to the same periods in 2016,2020, primarily due to an increasethe issuance of our 2025 Senior Notes in interest incurred due to higherJuly 2020, partially offset by lower average outstanding borrowings and effective interest rateson our 2015 Credit Facility during the first nine monthshalf of 2017.2021. Refer to “Note 6: Debt”Debt in the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information on our 2015 Credit Facility, 2016 Credit Facility, and Chinese Credit Facilities.further information.

InterestOther Income and Other,(Expense), Net

InterestOther income and other,(expense), net primarilygenerally consists of interest earned and amortization of discounts and premiums on our marketable securities, net foreign exchange gains and losses, andforward contract gains and losses, earnings/(losses) from equity method investments, gain/(loss) and impairments on salesnon-marketable investments, gain/loss on sale/disposal of our marketable securitiesbusinesses, and sale of businesses.other non-operating income (expenses).

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

Interest income and other, net

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

-

 

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

Other income (expense), net

 

$

 

 

$

(9

)

 

$

(1

)

 

$

(9

)

Interest incomeOther expense, net decreased $9 million and other, net remained flat and increased $3$8 million during the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, respectively,when compared to the same periods in 2016,2020, primarily due higher transaction gainsto a loss on sale of $2business of $5 million and $5allowance for credit losses of $3 million respectively, ason a result of the fluctuation of foreign exchange rates, partially offset by a loss of $2 million related to one of our cost-method investments recognizedlong-term note receivable during the three months ended September 30, 2017.2020, which did not reoccur in 2021.


Provision(Provision) Benefit for Income Taxes

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

Provision for income taxes

 

$

13

 

 

$

8

 

 

$

42

 

 

$

27

 

(Provision) benefit for income taxes

 

$

6

 

 

$

26

 

 

$

21

 

 

$

38

 

Effective tax rate

 

 

34.2

%

 

 

12.7

%

 

 

39.3

%

 

 

18.5

%

 

 

13.0

%

 

 

14.5

%

 

 

14.9

%

 

 

18.4

%


For both the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017, respectively,2021, the effective tax rate is greaterwas less than the federal statutory rate primarily due to valuation allowances on losses in jurisdictions outside the United States, recognitionforeign losses.

We recorded income tax benefits of stock compensation shortfalls,$6 million and a change in the relative mix of pretax income among jurisdictions. These same drivers also resulted in an increase in the effective tax rate$21 million for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, respectively, and income tax benefits of $26 million and $38 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. The decrease in our income tax benefit during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, when compared to the same periods in 2016.2020, was primarily due to a decrease in loss before income taxes recognized during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. Refer to “Note 7: Income Taxes” in the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information.

Net income (loss)

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(40

)

 

$

(153

)

 

$

(120

)

 

$

(169

)

Net income (loss) margin

 

 

(17.0

%)

 

 

(259.3

%)

 

 

(33.5

%)

 

 

(50.1

%)

Net loss decreased $113 million during the three months ended June 30, 2021, when compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to an increase in revenue, as described above in “Revenue and Segment Information” and to a lesser extent, restructuring costs incurred in the three months ended June 30, 2020 of $33 million, which did not reoccur during the three months ended June 30, 2021, partially offset largely by an increase in selling and marketing expenses in response to increasing consumer travel demand as travel activity restrictions lift and the travel industry recovers, all of which is described above under “Consolidated Expenses.

Net loss decreased $49 million during the six months ended June 30, 2021, when compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to an increase in revenue, as described above in “Revenue and Segment Information”, restructuring costs incurred of $42 million in the six months ended June 30, 2020, which did not reoccur during the six months ended June 30, 2021, and decreased personnel and overhead costs  across our business as a result of a reduction in headcount driven by cost-reduction measures across our business in response to COVID-19 implemented during the six months ended June 30, 2020, partially offset largely by an increase in selling and marketing expenses in response to increasing consumer travel demand as travel activity restrictions lift and the travel industry recovers, all of which is described above under “Consolidated Expenses.

Adjusted EBITDA

To provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, we also disclose consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. A “non-GAAP financial measure” refers to a numerical measure of a company’s historical or future financial performance, financial position, or cash flows that excludes (or includes) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in such company’s financial statements.

Adjusted EBITDA is also our segment profit measure and a key measure used by our management and board of directors to understand and evaluate the operatingfinancial performance of our business and on which internal budgets and forecasts are based and approved. In particular, the exclusion of certain expenses in calculating Adjusted EBITDA can provide a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons and better enables management and investors to compare financial results between periods as these costs may vary independent of ourongoing core business.business performance. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and board of directors. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) plus: (1) provision(provision) benefit for income taxes; (2) other income (expense), net; (3) depreciation of property and equipment, including amortization of internal use software and website development;amortization; (4) amortization of intangible assets; (5) stock-based compensation and other stock-settled obligations; (6)(5) goodwill, intangible asset, and long-lived asset impairments; (6) legal reserves and intangible asset impairments;settlements; (7) restructuring and (7)other related reorganization costs; and (8) other non-recurring expenses and income.

Our use of Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results reported in accordance with GAAP. Because of these limitations, you should consider Adjusted EBITDA alongside other financial performance measures, including net income and our other GAAP results.

Some of these limitations are:

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect our cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the interest expense, or cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt;

Adjusted EBITDA does not consider the potentially dilutive impact of stock-based compensation or other stock-settled obligations;

Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash capital expenditure requirements for such replacements or for new capital expenditure requirements;

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to us; and

Other companies, including companies in our own industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs;


Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the interest expense, or cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our debt;

Adjusted EBITDA does not consider the potentially dilutive impact of stock-based compensation or other stock-settled obligations;

Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash capital expenditure requirements for such replacements or for new capital expenditure requirements;

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect certain income and expenses not directly tied to the ongoing core operations of our business, such as legal reserves and settlements, restructuring and other related reorganization costs;

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to us; and

Other companies, including companies in our own industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure.

The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income (Loss), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, for the periods presented:

 

 

Three months ended September 30,

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Net income

 

$

25

 

 

$

55

 

 

$

65

 

 

$

119

 

Add: Provision for income taxes

 

 

13

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

42

 

 

 

27

 

Add: Other expense (income), net

 

 

4

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

10

 

Add: Stock-based compensation

 

 

26

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

72

 

 

 

64

 

Add: Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

8

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

23

 

Add: Depreciation

 

 

19

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

57

 

 

 

51

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

95

 

 

$

114

 

 

$

269

 

 

$

294

 

 

 

Three months ended June 30,

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(40

)

 

$

(153

)

 

$

(120

)

 

$

(169

)

Add: (Benefit) Provision for income taxes

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(26

)

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(38

)

Add: Other expense (income), net

 

 

11

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

16

 

Add: Restructuring and other related reorganization costs

 

 

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

 

 

 

42

 

Add: Stock-based compensation

 

 

32

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

61

 

 

 

51

 

Add: Depreciation and amortization

 

 

28

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

57

 

 

 

64

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

25

 

 

$

(74

)

 

$

(1

)

 

$

(34

)

Related Party Transactions

For information on our relationship with Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc.,LTRIP, which may be deemed to beneficially own equity securities representing 57.2% of our voting power as of June 30, 2021, refer to “Note 10: Related Party Transactions”1: Business Description and Basis of Presentation in the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We had no related party transactions with LTRIP during the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172021 and 2016, respectively.2020.

Stock-Based Compensation

Refer to “Note 3: 9: Stock Based Awards and Other Equity Instruments”Instruments in the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information on current year equity award activity, including the issuance of 1,529,127approximately 716,000 service-based stock options with a weighted average grant-date fair value per option of $17.16$20.39 and 4,241,561approximately 2,277,000 service-based RSUs with a weighted average grant-date fair value of $42.65$45.77 during the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017.2021.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our principal source of liquidity is cash flowsflow generated from operations and our existing cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities, althoughbalance. Our liquidity needs can also be met through drawdowns under our 2015 Credit Facility, 2016 Credit Facility, and Chinese Credit Facilities.Facility. As of SeptemberJune 30, 20172021 and December 31, 2016,2020, we had $769$775 million and $746$418 million, respectively, of cash and cash equivalents, and short and long-term available-for-sale marketable securities. As of September 30, 2017, approximately $586 million of our cash, cash equivalents and short and long-term marketable securities are held by our subsidiaries outside the United States. Cumulative undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that we intend to indefinitely reinvest outside of the United States totaled approximately $866 million as of September 30, 2017. Should we distribute, or be treated under certain U.S. tax rules as having distributed, the earnings of foreign subsidiaries in the form of dividends or otherwise, we may be subject to U.S. income taxes. To date, we have permanently reinvested our foreign earnings outside of the United States and we currently do not intend to repatriate these earnings to fund U.S. operations. Determination of the amount of any unrecognized deferred income tax liability on this temporary difference is not practicable because of the complexities of the hypothetical calculation. The majority of cash on hand is denominated in U.S. dollars.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we borrowed an additional $415 million and repaid $241 million of outstanding borrowings under the 2015 Credit Facility. These net borrowings during the year were primarily used to repurchase shares of our outstanding common stock under the Company’s share repurchase program described below. As of September 30, 2017, we had outstanding borrowings of $265 million in long-term debt, within our U.S. subsidiaries, and approximately $932 million of borrowing capacity available under our 2015 Credit Facility, which we are currently borrowing under a one-month interest period, which will reset periodically. The weighted average rate of our outstanding borrowings under the 2015 Credit Facility as of September 30, 2017 was 2.5% per annum. As of September 30, 2017, we were in compliance with the covenants in our 2015 Credit Facility. In addition, we had $73 million of additional borrowing capacity available under our 2016 Credit Facility. The Company repaid all outstanding borrowings under the 2016 Credit Facility during the three months ended March 31, 2017. Finally, as of September 30, 2017, we had short-term borrowings of $7 million and approximately $33nearly $500 million of available borrowing capacity under our Chinese2015 Credit Facilities,Facility. As of June 30, 2021, approximately $150 million of our cash and cash equivalents were held by our international subsidiaries outside of the U.S., of which currentlynearly 60% was located in the U.K. As of June 30, 2021, the significant majority of our cash was denominated in U.S. dollars. As of June 30, 2021, the Company had $845 million in long-term debt, as a result of the issuance of our 2025 Senior Notes in July 2020 and 2026 Senior Notes in March 2021, as discussed below.

As of June 30, 2021, we had $438 million of cumulative undistributed earnings in foreign subsidiaries, of which $320 million of these cumulative undistributed foreign earnings were not considered to be indefinitely reinvested. As of June 30, 2021, we maintained a deferred income tax liability on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet, which was not material, for the U.S. federal


and state income tax and foreign withholding tax liabilities on the cumulative undistributed foreign earnings that we no longer consider indefinitely reinvested. We intend to indefinitely reinvest $118 million of these foreign earnings in our non-U.S. subsidiaries, which determination of any related unrecognized deferred income tax liability is not practicable.

2015 Credit Facility

As of June 30, 2021, we are party to our 2015 Credit Facility, which, among other things, provides for a $500 million revolving credit facility with a maturity date of May 12, 2024.

The 2015 Credit Facility requires us to maintain a maximum leverage ratio and contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default, including a change of control. Borrowings under the 2015 Credit Facility generally bear interest, at the Company’s option, at a weighted averagerate per annum equal to either (i) the Eurocurrency Borrowing rate, or the adjusted LIBO rate for the interest period in effect for such borrowing; plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.25% to 2.00% (“Eurocurrency Spread”), based on the Company’s leverage ratio; or (ii) the Alternate Base Rate (“ABR”) Borrowing, which is the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the New York Fed Bank Rate in effect on such day plus 1/2 of 1.00% per annum and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate (or LIBO rate multiplied by the Statutory Reserve Rate) for an interest period of one month plus 1.00%; in addition to an applicable margin ranging from 0.25% to 1.00% (“ABR Spread”), based on the Company’s leverage ratio.

However, we amended the 2015 Credit Facility in May 2020 and December 2020, to among other things, suspend the leverage ratio covenant for quarterly testing of compliance beginning in the second quarter of 2020, replacing it with a minimum liquidity covenant through June 30, 2021(requiring the Company to maintain $150 million of unrestricted cash, cash equivalent and short-term investments less deferred merchant payables plus available revolver capacity), until the earlier of (a) the first day after June 30, 2021 through maturity on which borrowings and other revolving credit utilizations under the revolving commitments exceed $200 million, and (b) the election of the Company, at which time the leverage ratio covenant will be reinstated (the “Leverage Covenant Holiday”).

During the Leverage Covenant Holiday, any borrowings under the 2015 Credit Facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a 2.25% margin with a LIBOR floor of 1% per annum. We are also required to pay a quarterly commitment fee, at an applicable rate of 4.35%0.5%, on the daily unused portion of the revolving credit facility for each fiscal quarter while the Leverage Covenant Holiday is in place. The 2015 Credit Facility includes restrictions on the Company’s ability to make certain payments and distributions, including share repurchases and dividends.

As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had no outstanding borrowings and were in compliance with our covenant requirements under the 2015 Credit Facility. While there can be no assurance that we will be able to meet the leverage ratio covenant after the Leverage Covenant Holiday ceases, based on our current projections, we do not believe there is a material risk we will not remain in compliance throughout the next twelve months.

During the first quarter of 2020, the Company borrowed $700 million under the 2015 Credit Facility. These funds were drawn down as a precautionary measure to reinforce our liquidity position and preserve financial flexibility in light of uncertainty in the global markets resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company repaid those borrowings in full during the third quarter of 2020 with proceeds received from the 2025 Senior Notes, as discussed below.

2025 Senior Notes

In July 2020, the Company completed the sale of $500 million in 2025 Senior Notes. The 2025 Senior Notes provide, among other things, that interest, at an interest rate of 7.0% per annum, will be payable on January 15 and July 15 of each year, which began on January 15, 2021, until their maturity on July 15, 2025. The Company used the net proceeds from the 2025 Senior Notes, or $490 million, net of approximately $10 million in debt issuance costs, to repay a portion of our outstanding borrowings under our 2015 Credit Facility, as noted above. The 2025 Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and are guaranteed by certainof the Company’s domestic subsidiaries.

2026 Senior Notes

In March 2021, the Company completed the sale of $345 million of our 2026 Senior Notes. The 2026 Senior Notes provide, among other things, that interest, at an interest rate of 0.25% per annum, will be payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year, beginning on October 1, 2021, until their maturity on April 1, 2026. Concurrently, the Company used a portion of the proceeds from the 2026 Senior Notes to enter into privately negotiated capped call transactions with certain of the initial purchasers of the 2026 Senior Notes and/or their respective affiliates and/or other financial institutions at a cost of approximately $35 million. The Company intends to use the remainder of the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment of


debt, including the partial redemption and/or purchase of the 2025 Senior Notes prior to maturity. The 2026 Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries.

The 2025 Senior Notes and 2026 Senior Notes are not registered securities and there are currently no plans to register these notes as securities in the future. As a result, Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC is not applicable and no separate financial statements are required for the guarantor subsidiaries of these notes. We may from time to time repurchase our outstanding 2025 Senior Notes or 2026 Senior Notes through tender offers, open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors.

For further discussioninformation on our credit facilities2015 Credit Facility, 2025 Senior Notes, and 2026 Senior Notes, refer to “Note 6: Debt”Debt in the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Significant sources and uses of capital

As of June 30, 2021, we had $75 million remaining available to repurchase shares of our common stock under our existing share repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company did not repurchase any shares of outstanding common stock under the share repurchase program. The Company did not repurchase any shares of outstanding common stock during the three months ended June 30, 2020 under the share repurchase program. During the six months ended June 30, 2020, we repurchased 4,707,450 shares of our outstanding common stock at an average share price of $24.32 per share, exclusive of fees and commissions, or $115 million in the aggregate. The terms of our 2015 Credit Facility were amended to limit the Company from share repurchases during the Leverage Covenant Holiday and the terms of the 2025 Indenture related to the 2025 Senior Notes also impose certain limitations and restrictions on share repurchases.

Our business typically experiences seasonal fluctuations that affect the timing of our annual cash flows related to working capital. In our VacationExperiences business and our Rentals free-to-list model, and our Attractions business, we generally receive cash from travelers at the time of booking and we record these amounts, net of commissions, on our consolidated balance sheetssheet as deferred merchant payables. We pay the suppliers, or the vacationexperience providers and/or property rental owners, and tour providers, respectively, after the travelers’ use. Therefore, we generally receive cash from the traveler prior to paying the supplier and this operating cycle represents a working capital source or use of cash to us. Seasonal fluctuations in these transactions affect the timing of our annual cash flows related to working capital. During the first half of the year


vacation rentals Experiences and attractionsRentals bookings typically exceed staysthe amount of completed tour-taking and tour-taking,stays, resulting in higher cash flow related to working capital, while during the second half of the year, particularly in the third quarter, this pattern reverses and cash flows from these transactions are typically negative. While we expectHowever, this seasonal trend was negatively and materially impacted by COVID-19’s impact on our business throughout the year of 2020, albeit unevenly, primarily reflecting the decline in consumer demand for our products and increased cancellations of reservations. Although consumer demand, traveler hotel and rental stays, and travel activities and experiences taken generally remains materially lower than historic levels, these trends have improved during the first half of 2021, particularly in the second quarter of 2021, resulting in increased revenues, working capital and positive operating cash flow more akin to typical historical seasonality trends in the first half of the year. However, the ultimate extent and longevity of the COVID-19 pandemic, including variants, and its impact ofon travel, regional and global markets, and overall economic activity in currently affected countries or globally remains unknown and impossible to predict with certainty, as such, the impacts on our business, including our operating cash flows, while improving, remain uncertain at this point in time. Other factors may also impact typical seasonal fluctuations, to continue,which include further significant shifts in our business mix or adverse economic conditions unrelated to COVID-19 that could result in future seasonal patterns that are different from historical trends. In addition, new or different payment options offered to our customers could impact the timing of cash flows.

On January 25, 2017,As discussed in “Note 7: Income Taxes” in the notes to our Boardunaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we have received Notices of Directors authorizedProposed Adjustments issued by the repurchase of $250 million of our shares of common stock under a new share repurchase program. AsIRS for tax years 2009 through 2016, as of June 30, 2017, we had repurchased a total2021. These proposed adjustments are related to certain transfer pricing arrangements with our foreign subsidiaries, and would result in an increase to our worldwide income tax expense in an estimated range of 6,079,003 shares$95 million to $105 million, exclusive of interest expense, at the close of the Company’s outstanding common stock ataudit if the IRS prevails. We have disputed these proposed adjustments and intend to continue to defend our position. Although the ultimate timing for resolution of this is uncertain, any future payments would negatively impact our operating cash flows.

The CARES Act, enacted in March 2020, made tax law changes to provide financial relief to companies as a result of the impact to businesses related to COVID-19. Key income tax provisions of the CARES Act include changes in NOL carryback and carryforward rules, increase of the net interest expense deduction limit, and immediate write-off of qualified improvement property. The CARES Act allowed us to carryback our U.S. federal NOL incurred in 2020, generating an average share priceexpected tax refund of $41.13, or $250$48 million, which is recorded in the aggregate,income taxes receivable on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2021 and completed this share repurchase program.December 31, 2020. This income tax refund is expected to be received during 2021.


We believe that our available cash and marketable securities, combined with expected cash flows generated by operating activities and available cash from our credit facilities,equivalents will be sufficient to fund our foreseeable working capital requirements, capital expenditures, existing business growth initiatives, debt and interest obligations, lease commitments, and other financial commitments through at least the next twelve months. Our future capital requirements may also include capital needs for acquisitions share repurchases, and/or other expenditures in support of our business strategy; thusstrategy, and may potentially reducingreduce our cash balance and/or increasingincrease our debt. We expect totalborrowings under our 2015 Credit Facility or to seek other financing alternatives.

In addition, our capital expenditures requirements may increase due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including any variants, which has resulted in reduced revenues and operating cash flows for 2017the Company, and the extent and duration to be comparablewhich it may continue to impact the Company’s business and the travel industry remains unclear. Given the continued uncertainty in the uneven market and economic conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue to evaluate the nature and extent of the impact to our 2016 spending levels.liquidity and capital requirements, and therefore our capital structure.

Our cash flows from/(used in) in operating, investingfor the six months ended June 30, 2021 and financing activities during the periods presented,2020, as reflected in theour unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, are summarized in the following table:

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

Six months ended June 30,

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

(in millions)

 

Net cash provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

220

 

 

$

276

 

 

$

106

 

 

$

(148

)

Investing activities

 

 

64

 

 

 

(140

)

 

 

(26

)

 

 

(34

)

Financing activities

 

 

(163

)

 

 

(133

)

 

 

281

 

 

 

561

 

For

During the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, our primary use of cash was from operations, financing activities (including payment of withholding taxes on net share settlements of our equity awards of $29 million and purchase of Capped Calls of $35 million), and investing activities (including capital expenditures of $25 million). This use of cash was funded primarily with cash on hand, operating cash flow and financing activities, which includes $340 million of proceeds from the issuance of our 2026 Senior Notes, net of financing costs.  

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, our primary use of cash was in operations, financing activities (including repurchases of our outstanding common stock at an aggregate cost of $115 million under our existing share repurchase program and payment of withholding taxes on net share settlements of our equity awards of $17 million), and investing activities (including capital expenditures of $36 million).  This use of cash was funded primarily with cash on hand, and financing activities, which includes $696 million in borrowings from our 2015 Credit Facility, net of financing costs.  

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $56 million or 20% when compared tofor the same period in 2016, primarily due to a decrease in net income of $54 million and a net decrease in working capital of $22 million, partially offset by an increase in non-cash items affecting cash flow of $20 million. The decrease in working capital movements of $22 million was primarily due to timing of collection of receivables, income tax payments, and vendor payments, partially offset by an increase in operating cash flow from deferred merchant payables primarily due to growth in our Attractions business.

For the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017, net cash provided by investing activities2021, increased by $204$254 million when compared to the same period in 2016,2020, primarily due to a netan increase in working capital of $250 million, primarily driven by an increase in deferred merchant payables and deferred revenue due to cash generated byreceived from travelers reflecting increased experiences, tours and rental bookings which exceeded our payments to traveler suppliers, and an increase in accounts receivables and marketing cost accruals, all largely reflective of the purchase, sales, and maturitiesincreasing consumer demand for travel activities during the second quarter of our marketable securities of $175 million, a decrease in cash paid for business acquisitions of $23 million and a decrease in capital expenditures of $7 million.2021.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, netNet cash used in financinginvesting activities increasedfor the six months ended June 30, 2021 decreased by $30$8 million when compared to the same period in 2016,2020, primarily due to an increasea decrease in capital expenditures as part of $229cost-reduction measures across the business implemented during the first half of 2020 in response to COVID-19.

Net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2021 decreased by $280 million when compared to the same period in 2020, primarily due to borrowings from our 2015 Credit Facility of $700 million, cash used in 2017 to purchase shares of our common stock under the authorizedour share repurchase program net new borrowings onof $115 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020, both which did not reoccur in 2021, as contrasted to proceeds received from the issuance of our 2016 Credit Facility2026 Senior Notes of $73$340 million in 2016the first quarter of 2021, net of financing costs, which was subsequently repaid in 2017, partially offset by an increase in net borrowings under our 2015 Credit Facilitypayments of $352$35 million for the Capped Calls in connection with our 2026 Senior Notes, which also occurred during the first nine monthsquarter of 2017, when compared to the same period in 2016.2021.

Contractual Obligations, Commercial Commitments and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Since December 31, 2016,As of June 30, 2021, with the exception of the issuance of the 2026 Senior Notes, resulting in an additional $345 million in long-term debt due in April 2026, including semi-annual interest payments with an interest rate of 0.25% per annum, as discussed above, there have been no material changes outside the normal course of business to our contractual obligations and commercial commitments. commitments since December 31, 2020.


As of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, other than our contractual obligations and commercial commitments, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.  Refer to “LiquidityLiquidity and Capital Resources”Resources in Part II, Item 7. —Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162020 for a discussion of our contractual obligations and commercial commitments.

Contingencies

In the ordinary course of business, we and our subsidiaries are partiesparty to regulatory and legal matters.matters, including threats thereof, arising out of or in connection with our operations. These matters may relate toinvolve claims involving patent and other intellectual property rights (including alleged infringement of third-party intellectual property rights, defamation, taxes,rights), tax matters (including value-added, excise, transient occupancy and accommodation taxes), regulatory compliance (including competition, consumer matters and otherdata privacy), defamation and reputational claims. Periodically, we review the status of all significant outstanding matters to assess theany potential financial exposure. When (i) it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred,incurred; and (ii) the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we record the estimated loss in our consolidated statements of operations. We provide disclosuredisclosures in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for loss contingencies that do not meet both of these conditions if there is a reasonable possibility that a loss may have been incurred that would be material to the consolidated financial statements. Significant judgment is required to determine the probability that a liability


has been incurred and whether such liability is reasonably estimable. We base accruals made on the best information available at the time which can be highly subjective. Although occasional adverse decisions or settlements may occur, the Company doeswe do not believe that the final disposition of any of these matters will have a material adverse effect on theour business. However, the final outcome of these matters could vary significantly from our estimates. Moreover, such claims, even if not meritorious, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources, divert management's attention from the Company's business objectives and adversely affect the Company's business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. ThereFinally, there may also be claims or actions pending or threatened against us of which we are currently not aware and the ultimate disposition of which wouldcould have a material adverse effect on us.

We are also under audit by the IRS and various other domestic and foreign tax authorities with regards to income tax and non-income tax matters. We have reserved for potential adjustments to our provision for income taxes that may result from examinations by, or any negotiated agreements with, these tax authorities. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the final determination of audits could be materially different from our historical income tax provisions and accruals. The results of an audit could have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows in the period for which that determination is made.

By virtue of previously filed consolidated income tax returns previously filed with Expedia, we are currently under an IRS audit for the 2009, 2010 and short-period 2011 tax years, and have various ongoing state income tax audits.years. We are separately under examination by the IRS for the short-period 2011, 2012 through 2016, and 20132018 tax years, and under an employmenthave various ongoing audits for foreign and state income tax audit by the IRS for the 2013 and 2014 tax years.returns. These audits include questioning of the timing and the amount of income and deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. These examinations may lead to proposed or ordinary course adjustments to our taxes. We are no longer subject to tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2009. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, we closed an employment tax audit by the IRS for the 2015 through 2017 tax years. As of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, no material assessments have resulted, except as noted below regarding our 2009, 2010, and 20102011 IRS audit with Expedia.Expedia and our 2012 through 2016 standalone IRS audit.

In January 2017 and April 2019, as part of the IRS audit of Expedia, we received Notices of Proposed Adjustment from the IRS for the 2009, 2010, and 20102011 tax years. Subsequently, in September 2019, as part of Tripadvisor’s standalone audit, we received Notices of Proposed Adjustment from the IRS for the 2012 and 2013 tax years, and in August 2020, we received Notices of Proposed Adjustments from the IRS for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 tax years. These proposed adjustments are related to certain transfer pricing arrangements with our foreign subsidiaries, and would result in an increase to our worldwide income tax expense in an estimated range totaling $10of $95 million to $14$105 million for those specific years, afterat the close of the audit if the IRS prevails. The estimated range takes into consideration of competent authority relief and transition tax regulations, and is exclusive of deferred tax consequences and interest expense, which would be significant. We disagree with the proposed adjustments and penalties. During the quarter ended June 30, 2017, we filed a request for Mutual Agreement Procedure consideration under Article 26 of the United States / United Kingdom Income Tax Conventionintend to defend our position through applicable administrative and, Rev. Proc. 2015-40, 2015-35 I.R.B. 236.if necessary, judicial remedies. Our policy is to review and update tax reserves as facts and circumstances change. Based on our interpretation of the regulations and available case law, we believe the position we have taken with regard to transfer pricing with our foreign subsidiaries is sustainable. As such, we disagree with the proposed adjustments and intend to defend our position through applicable administrative and, if necessary, judicial remedies. In addition to the risk of additional tax for 2009 and 2010through 2016 transactions, if the IRS were to seek transfer pricing adjustments of a similar nature for transactions in subsequent years, we couldwould be subject to significant additional tax liabilities. We have requested competent authority assistance under MAP for tax years 2009 through 2016.  We expect the competent authorities to present a resolution for the 2009 through 2011 tax years in the near future.  Upon receipt, we will assess the resolution provided by the competent authorities as well as its impact on our existing income tax reserves for all subsequent years which remain open.

Additionally,In January 2021, we received an issue closure notice relating to adjustments for 2012 through 2016 tax years from HMRC. These proposed adjustments are related to certain transfer pricing arrangements with our foreign subsidiaries and would result in an increase to our worldwide income tax expense in an estimated range of $45 million to $55 million, exclusive of interest expense, at the close of the audit if HMRC prevails. We disagree with the proposed adjustments and we intend to defend our position through


applicable administrative and, if necessary, judicial remedies. Our policy is to review and update tax reserves as facts and circumstances change. Based on our interpretation of the regulations and available case law, we believe the position we have taken with regard to transfer pricing with our foreign subsidiaries is sustainable. 

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (“OECD”) has been working on a Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Project, and issued the Action 1 report in 2015 to address the tax challenges arising from digitalization. Since then, the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework has issued various guidelines, policy notes, and proposals that if adopted could result in an overhaul of the international taxation system under which our current tax obligations are determined. In July 2021, the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework announced that a significant majority of countries in the OECD’s Inclusive Framework have agreed in principle to high level aspects of a consensus solution to global tax reform. As the OECD/G20 Inclusive Framework drives toward finalizing the proposal and outlining the implementation plan, several countries continue to accumulate positiveimpose unilateral digital service tax initiatives which provide for new types of non-income taxes, including taxes based on a percentage of revenue. The Company is monitoring certain U.S. states and countries in which we do business, such as France, Italy, Spain, and the U.K., which have enacted or proposed similar taxes that will be applicable or are likely to be applicable to the Company. During both the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, we recorded $1 million of digital service tax to general and administrative expense on our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations. During the three months ended June 30, 2020, digital service tax recorded to general and administrative expense on our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations was not material, while this amount was $1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020. We continue to assess the financial impact of new laws relating to digital services and taxation. Further, as additional U.S. states and international countries introduce unilateral measures we will continue to monitor developments and determine the financial impact of these initiatives to the Company.

As a result of the 2017 Tax Act, foreign earnings may now generally be repatriated back to the U.S. without incurring U.S. federal income tax. Historically, we had asserted our intention to indefinitely reinvest the cumulative undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries. In response to increased cash flowsrequirements in the U.S. related to our declaration of a special cash dividend and other strategic initiatives during the fourth quarter of 2019, we determined that we no longer consider all of these foreign jurisdictions,earnings to be indefinitely reinvested. As of June 30, 2021, $320 million of our cumulative undistributed foreign earnings were no longer considered to be indefinitely reinvested. As of June 30, 2021, we maintained a deferred income tax liability on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet, which was not material, for the U.S. federal and state income tax and foreign withholding tax liabilities on the cumulative undistributed foreign earnings that we no longer consider indefinitely reinvested. Any repatriationWe intend to indefinitely reinvest $118 million of funds currently heldthese foreign earnings in foreign jurisdictions may result in higher effectiveour non-US subsidiaries, which determination of any related unrecognized deferred income tax rates and incremental cash tax payments. In addition, there have been proposalsliability is not practicable.

Refer to amend U.S. tax laws that would significantly impact the manner in which U.S. companies are taxed on foreign earnings. Although we cannot predict whether or in what form any legislation will pass, if enacted, it could have a material adverse impact on our U.S. tax expense and cash flows.  

See “Note 7: Income Taxes”Taxes in the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information on potential tax contingencies, surroundingincluding current audits by the IRS and various other domestic and foreign tax authorities, and other income and non-income tax matters.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to certain market risks, including changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates that could adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition. Our exposure to market risk includes our revolving credit facilities, derivative instruments and cash and cash equivalents, short term and long term marketable securities, accounts receivable, intercompany balances, accounts payable and deferred merchant payables denominated in foreign currencies. We manage our exposure to these risks through established policies and procedures and by assessing the anticipated near-term and long-term fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Our objective is to mitigate potential income statement, cash flow and market exposures from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.

There has been no material change in our market risk profile during the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017.2021, or since December 31, 2020. For a discussion of current market conditions and impacts on the Company’s financials resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, refer to “Note 1: Business Description and Basis of Presentation” in the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and for further information, Part I, Item 2, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and to Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors”. For additional information seeabout our market risk profile, refer to “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in Item 7A. in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2020.

Market risk refers to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in stock prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We are exposed to market risks primarily due to our international operations, our ongoing investment and financial activities, as well as changes in economic conditions in all significant markets in which we operate which has been heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The risk of loss can be assessed from the perspective of adverse changes in our future earnings, cash flows, fair values of our assets, and financial condition. Our exposure to market risk, at any point in time, may include risk, including to any borrowings under our 2015 Credit Facility, or outstanding debt related to our 2025 Senior Notes and 2026 Senior Notes, derivative instruments, capped calls, cash and cash equivalents, short term and long term marketable securities, if any, accounts receivable, intercompany receivables/payables, accounts payable and deferred merchant payables denominated in foreign currencies. We have established policies, procedures and internal processes governing our management of market risks and the use of financial instruments to manage and attempt to mitigate our exposure to such risks.

We expect that we will increase our operations internationally as, or when, COVID-19 restrictions are fully lifted and as international markets continue to reopen.  Our exposure to potentially volatile movements in foreign currency exchange rates will


increase as we begin to increase our operations in these international markets. The economic impact to us of foreign currency exchange rate movements is linked to variability in real growth, inflation, interest rates, governmental actions, and other factors. These changes, if material, could cause us to adjust our foreign currency risk strategies. For example, Brexit (pursuant to which the United Kingdom ceased to be a member of the European Union) has caused volatility in currency exchange rates, especially between the U.S. dollar and the British pound. Although, the U.K. and E.U. finalized the terms of the departure on December 24, 2020, certain decisions still need to be made on financial services, among others, and disputes may lead to tariffs being imposed on some goods in the future. Continued uncertainty regarding our international operations and U.K. and E.U. relations may result in future currency exchange rate volatility which may impact our business and results of operations.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, our management, with the participation of our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b)13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that material information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s, or the SEC’s, rules and forms, including ensuring that such material information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes to our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended SeptemberJune 30, 20172021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

In the ordinary course of business, we are partiesparty to regulatory and legal proceedings andmatters, including threats thereof, arising out of, or in connection with our operations. These matters may involve claims involving intellectual property rights (including alleged infringement of third-party intellectual property rights, defamation, taxes,rights), tax matters (including value-added, excise, transient occupancy and accommodation taxes), regulatory compliance (including competition and other claims. Rulesconsumer protection matters), defamation and regulations promulgated byreputational claims, personal injury claims, labor and employment matters and commercial disputes. Periodically, we review the SEC requirestatus of all significant outstanding matters to assess any potential financial exposure. We record the descriptionestimated loss in our consolidated statements of material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary, routine litigation incidentoperations when (i) it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred; and (ii) the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. We provide disclosures in the notes to the registrant’s business, and adviseconsolidated financial statements for loss contingencies that proceedings ordinarily needdo not meet both of these conditions if there is a reasonable possibility that a loss may have been incurred that would be described if they primarily involve damages claims for amounts (exclusivematerial to the consolidated financial statements. We base accruals on the best information available at the time which can be highly subjective. Although occasional adverse decisions or settlements may occur, we do not believe that the final disposition of interest and costs) not individually exceeding 10%any of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our business. However, the current assetsfinal outcome of the registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. In the judgment of management, none of the pending litigationthese matters that we are defending involves or is likely to involve amounts of that magnitude. Such matters, however, even if not meritorious, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources, divert management's attentionvary significantly from the Company's business objectives and adversely affect the Company's business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. In addition, thereour estimates. Finally, there may be claims or actions pending or threatened against us of which we are currently not aware and the ultimate disposition of which could have a material adverse effect on us.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

You should consider carefullyWhile we attempt to identify, manage and mitigate risks and uncertainties associated with our business to the extent practical under the circumstances, some level of risk and uncertainty will always be present. Refer to Part I, Item 1A., “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for a description of the risks described below together with all of the other information included in this Quarterly Report as they may impactand uncertainties which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations, and/orand the trading price of our common stock. In addition to our discussion in the Annual Report, as well as our unaudited condensed consolidated financial condition. statements and the related notes, management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, and other sections of this report, we have provided below additional risk factors regarding the 2026 Senior Notes. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also impair our business, results of operations or financial condition. If


We are subject to risks relating to our 2026 Senior Notes.

During the first quarter of 2021, we adopted new accounting guidance issued by the FASB which simplifies the accounting for convertible debt instruments by reducing the number of accounting models and the number of embedded conversion features that could be recognized separately from the primary contract. The new accounting guidance requires a convertible debt instrument to be accounted for as a single liability measured at its amortized cost, as long as no other features require bifurcation and recognition as derivatives. The new accounting guidance, among other things, requires an entity to use the if-converted method in the diluted earnings per share calculation for convertible instruments. Under the if-converted method, diluted earnings per share would generally be calculated assuming that all the notes were exchanged solely into shares of common stock at the beginning of the reporting period, unless the result would be anti-dilutive. The application of the if-converted method may reduce our reported diluted earnings per share, if any.

Furthermore, if any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flowsconditions to the conversion of the 2026 Senior Notes is satisfied, then we may be required under applicable accounting standards to reclassify the liability carrying value of the 2026 Senior Notes as a current, rather than a long-term, liability. This reclassification could be required even if no noteholders exchange their 2026 Senior Notes and could materially adversely affected.reduce our reported working capital.

If we are unableHolders of our 2026 Senior Notes may convert the 2026 Senior Notes after the occurrence of certain dates or events. Refer to continue to increase visitors“Note 6: Debt” in the notes to our websites and mobile apps and to cost-effectively convert these visitors into revenue-generating users, our revenue,unaudited condensed consolidated financial results and business could be harmed.

Our long term success dependsstatements in Item 1 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information on our continued ability to maintain and increase2026 Senior Notes. Settlement of the overall number of visitors flowing through our platforms in a cost effective manner, to engage users throughout the travel planning and booking phases and to attract consumers who will share their reviews from their trips. The primary asset that we use to attract visitors to our websites and convert these visitors into engaged users and bookers is our ability to collect or create, organize and distribute high-quality, commercially valuable content and products that meet users’ specific interests. Our traffic and user engagement could be adversely affected by a number of factors, including but not limited to increased competition, reduced consumer awareness of our brands, declines or inefficiencies in traffic acquisition, and macroeconomic conditions. Certain of our competitors have advertising campaigns expressly designed to drive consumer traffic directly to their websites, and these campaigns may negatively impact traffic to our site. There can be no assurances that we will continue to provide content and products in a cost-effective manner, in a manner that meets rapidly changing consumer demand and in a manner that encourages users to book on our platform. Any failure to obtain and manage content and products in a cost-effective manner that will engage users, or any failure to provide content and products that are perceived as useful, reliable and trustworthy, could adversely affect user experiences and their repeat behavior, reduce traffic to our websites and negatively impact our business and financial performance.


Our dedication to making the user experience our highest priority may cause us to prioritize rapid innovation and user experience over short-term financial results.

We strive to create the best experience for our users, providing them with the information, research and tools to enable them to plan, book, and experience the perfect trip. We believe that in doing so we will increase our rates of conversion, revenue per shopper and, ultimately, our financial performance over the long-term. We have taken actions in the past and may continue to make decisions in the future that have the effect of reducing our short-term revenue or profitability if we believe that the decisions benefit the aggregate user experience. For example, we may introduce changes to existing products or new products that direct users away from formats or use cases where we have a proven means of monetization. In addition, our approach of putting users first may negatively impact our relationship with existing or prospective advertisers. These actions and practices could result in a loss of advertisers, which in turn could harm our results of operations. The short-term reductions in revenue or profitability could be more severe than we anticipate or these decisions may not produce the long-term benefits that we expect, in which case our user growth and engagement, our relationships with users and advertisers, and our business and results of operations could be harmed.

We derive a substantial portion of our revenue from advertising and any significant reduction in spending by advertisers or redirections of advertising spend could harm our business.

We derive a substantial portion of our revenue from the sale of advertising, primarily through click-based advertising and, to a lesser extent, display-based advertising. We enter into master advertising contracts with our advertising partners, however, the agreement terms are generally limited to matters such as privacy and compliance, payment terms and conditions, termination and indemnities and most of these contracts can be terminated by our partners at will or on short notice. Our ability to grow advertising revenue with our existing or new advertising partners is dependent in large part on our ability to generate revenue for them relative to other alternatives. Advertisers will not continue to do business with us if their investment in such advertising does not generate sales leads, customers, bookings, or revenue and profit on a cost-effective basis. Our ability to provide value to our advertising partners depends on a number of factors, including acceptance of online advertising versus more traditional forms of advertising or more effective models, competitiveness of our products, traffic quality, perception of our platform, availability and accuracy of analytics and measurement solutions to demonstrate our value, and macroeconomic conditions, whether in the advertising industry generally, among specific types of marketers or within particular geographies. We cannot guarantee that our current advertisers will fulfill their obligations under existing contracts, continue to advertise beyond the terms of existing contracts or enter into any additional contracts with us.

Click-based advertising revenue accounts for the majority of our advertising revenue. Our CPC pricing for click-based advertising depends, in part, on competition between advertisers. If our large advertisers become less competitive with each other, merge with each other or with our competitors, focus more on per-click profit than on traffic volume, or are able to reduce CPCs, this could have an adverse impact on our click-based advertising revenue which would, in turn, have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We rely on a relatively small number of significant advertising partners and any reduction in spending by or loss of these partners could seriously harm our business.

We derive a substantial portion of our revenue from a relatively small number of advertising partners and rely significantly on our relationships. For example, for the year ended December 31, 2016, our two most significant advertising partners, Expedia and Priceline (and their subsidiaries), accounted for a combined 46% of total revenue. While we enter into master advertising contracts with our partners, the terms of these agreements generally address matters such as privacy and compliance, payment terms and conditions, termination and indemnities and most of these contracts can be terminated by our partners at will or on short notice. If any of our significant advertisers were to cease or significantly curtail advertising on our websites, we could experience a rapid decline in our revenue over a relatively short period of time which would have a material impact on our business.

Changes in internet search engine algorithms and dynamics, or search engine disintermediation, could have a negative impact on traffic for our sites and, ultimately, our business and results of operations.

We rely heavily on internet search engines, such as Google, to generate traffic to our websites, principally through the purchase of travel-related keywords as well as through free, or organic, search. Pricing and operating dynamics for these traffic sources can change rapidly, both technically and competitively. Search engines frequently update and change the logic that determines the placement and display of results of a user’s search, such that the purchased or algorithmic placement of links to our websites can be negatively affected. In addition, a search engine could, for competitive or other purposes, alter its search algorithms or results causing our websites to place lower in organic search query results. If a major search engine changes its algorithms in a manner that negatively affects the search engine ranking of our websites or those of our partners, or if competitive dynamics impact the cost or effectiveness


of SEO or SEM in a negative manner, our business and financial performance would be adversely affected. Furthermore, our failure to successfully manage our SEO and SEM strategies could result in a substantial decrease in traffic to our websites, as well as increased costs if we were to replace free traffic with paid traffic.

In addition, to the extent that Google or other leading search or metasearch engines that have a significant presence in our key markets, disintermediate OTAs or travel content providers, whether by offering their own comprehensive travel planning or shopping capabilities, or by referring leads to suppliers, other favored partners or themselves directly, there could be a material adverse impact on our business and financial performance. To the extent these actions have a negative effect on search results and traffic to our site, our business and financial performance could be adversely affected.

We also rely on application marketplaces, such as Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play, to drive downloads of our applications. In the future, Apple, Google or other marketplace operators may make changes to their marketplaces that make access to our products more difficult. For example, our applications may receive unfavorable treatment compared to the promotion and placement of competing applications, such as the order in which they appear within marketplaces. Similarly, if problems arise in our relationships with providers of application marketplaces, traffic to our site and our user growth could be harmed.

We continue to invest significant time and effort towards educating users about our brand and our product offerings and there can be no assurances that these efforts will be successful.

The markets for the services we offer are intensely competitive, and some of our current and potential competitors have access to significantly greater and more diversified resources than we do, and they may be able to leverage other aspects of their businesses to enable them to compete more effectively with us. In an effort to be more competitive, we engage in marketing efforts aimed at increasing awareness of our ability to find our users the right hotels at the lowest prices. Specifically, we initiated a television advertising campaign and reallocated some of our marketing efforts and dollars among the different marketing channels available to us. We expect to continue our television advertising campaign and to adjust our marketing efforts and spend among the different marketing channels, in each case as we think appropriate based on the relative growth opportunity, the expected returns and the competitive environment in the different segments and businesses in which we operate. There is no assurance that these actions will have a positive impact on our marketing efficiencies and/or operating margins or when the financial benefit expected to results from these efforts will exceed the costs of such efforts.

Consumer adoption and use of mobile phone devices creates new challenges and, if we are unable to operate effectively on mobile phone devices, our business may be adversely affected.  

The number of people who access the internet through mobile phones has increased substantially in the last few years and we anticipate that the rate of use of these devices will continue to grow. The mobile phone market in general remains a rapidly evolving market and mobile phones continue to monetize at a significantly lower rate than desktops and tablets. Advertising opportunities may be more limited on mobile phone devices. Given the device sizes and technical limitations of these devices, mobile phone consumers may not be willing to download multiple apps from multiple companies providing similar service and instead prefer to use one or a limited number of apps for their hotel, restaurant and attractions activity. In addition, as new devices and platforms are released, users may begin consuming content in a manner that is more difficult to monetize.

To address these growing user demands, we continue to extend our platform to develop and improve upon our mobile applications and monetization strategies. If we are unable to continue to rapidly innovate and create new, user-friendly and differentiated mobile phone offerings and websites optimized for mobile phone devices and efficiently and effectively advertise and distribute on these platforms, or if our mobile phone offerings are not used by consumers, our future growth and results of operations could be negatively impacted.

Declines or disruptions in the economy in general and travel industry in particular2026 Senior Notes could adversely affect our businesses and financial performance.

Our businesses and financial performance are affected by the health of the global economy generally as well as the travel industry and leisure travel in particular. Sales of travel services tend to decline or grow more slowly during economic downturns and recessions when consumers engage in less discretionary spending, are concerned about unemployment or economic weakness, have reduced access to credit or experience other concerns that reduce their ability or willingness to travel. The global economy may be adversely impacted by unforeseen events beyond our control including incidents of actual or threatened terrorism, regional hostilities or instability, unusual weather patterns, natural disasters, political instability and health concerns (including epidemics or pandemics), defaults on government debt, significant increases in fuel and energy costs, tax increases and other matters that could reduce discretionary spending, tightening of credit markets and further declines in consumer confidence. Decreased travel expenditures could reduce the demand for our services and have a negative impact on our business, working capital and financial performance.  


In addition, the uncertainty of macro-economic factors and their impact on consumer behavior, which may differ across regions, makes it more difficult to forecast industry and consumer trends and the timing and degree of their impact on our markets and business, which in turn could adversely affect our ability to effectively manage our business and adversely affect our results of operations.

On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum in which a majority of voters voted to exit the European Union (“Brexit”). Since the referendum, global markets and foreign currency exchange rates have experienced increased volatility. To leave the European Union, the United Kingdom must negotiate the terms of its exit and the process could take two years or more. Brexit could adversely affect European and global economic or market conditions and could contribute to instability in global financial markets, although the effects of Brexit are not yet known and will depend upon, among other things, the terms, nature and timing of the exit.  Any of these effects of Brexit, and others we cannot anticipate, may have a negative effect on the travel industry and may adversely affect our business.

We rely on the value of our brands and consumer trust in our brands. If we are not able to protect, maintain and enhance our brands, or if events occur that damage our reputation and brands, our business may be harmed.

We believe that the strength of our brands (particularly the TripAdvisor brand) has contributed significantly to our success and that maintaining and enhancing our brands is critical to expanding our base of users, creating content and attracting advertisers. As a result, we invest significantly in brand marketing. We expect these investments to continue, and even increase, as a result of a variety of factors, including relatively high levels of advertising spending from competitors, the increasing costs of supporting multiple brands, expansion into new geographies, product positioning where our brands are less well known, inflation in media pricing, and the continued emergence and relative traffic share growth of search engines as destination sites for travelers. Such efforts may not maintain or enhance consumer awareness of our brands and, even if we are successful in our branding efforts, such efforts may not be cost-effective or as efficient as they have been historically. If we are unable to maintain or enhance consumer awareness of our brands or to generate demand in a cost-effective manner, it would have a material adverse effect on our business and financial performance.

Our ability to protect, maintain and enhance our brands also depends largely on our ability to maintain consumer confidence in our products and in the quality and integrity of our content and other information found on our platform. If consumers do not believe our recommended reviews to be useful and reliable, they may seek other services to obtain the information for which they are looking and may not return to our platform as often in the future, or at all. In addition, unfavorable publicity regarding, for example, our practices relating to privacy and data protection, product changes, competitive pressures, reviews and content, litigation or regulatory activity, could adversely affect our reputation with our users and our advertisers. Such negative publicity also could have an adverse effect on the size, engagement, and loyalty of our user base and result in decreased revenue, which could adversely affect our business and financial results.

We operate in an increasingly competitive global environment and our failure to compete effectively could reduce our market share and harm our financial performance.

We compete in rapidly evolving and competitive markets. We face competition for content, users, advertisers, online travel search and price comparison services, or what is known in the industry as hotel metasearch, and online reservations. In the competition to attract users to our platform, we rely on our ability to acquire traffic through offline brand recognition and brand-direct efforts such as online search, email and television. These marketing strategies can be impacted by competitive site content, changes to our website architecture and page designs, changes to search engine ranking algorithms, updates in competitor advertising strategies, or changes to display ordering in search engine results such as preferred placement for internal products offered by search engines.

We also compete with different types of companies in the various markets and geographies we participate in, including large and small companies in the travel space as well as broader service providers. More specifically:

In our Hotel segment, we face competition from OTAs (including Expedia, Inc. and The Priceline Group Inc. and certain of their respective subsidiaries), hotel metasearch providers (including Trivago, Kayak, Ctrip.com International, Ltd., and HotelsCombined), large online search, social media, and marketplace companies (including Google, Microsoft Bing, Yahoo, Baidu, Facebook, Alibaba, and Amazon), traditional offline travel agencies, and global hotel chains seeking to promote direct bookings.

We also face competition from different companies in each of the operating segments in our Non-Hotel segment. Our Attractions business competes with traditional travel agencies, wholesalers, and individual tour operators as well as Airbnb and similar websites that have added other travel services such as tours and activities. Our Restaurants business competes with other online restaurant reservation services, such as SeatMe (owned by Yelp) and OpenTable (a


subsidiary of Priceline). Our Vacation Rentals business competes with companies focused on alternative lodging, shared accommodations and online accommodation searches, including Airbnb, HomeAway (a subsidiary of Expedia) and booking.com (a subsidiary of Priceline).

Many of our competitors have significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources compared to us and have expertise in developing online commerce and facilitating internet traffic as well as large client bases. They also have the ability to leverage other aspects of their business to enable them to compete more effectively against us. In addition, many of our competitors, including online search companies, continue to expand their voice and artificial intelligence capabilities, which may provide them with a competitive advantage in travel. We cannot assure you that we will be able to compete successfully against our current, emerging and future competitors or on platforms that may emerge, or provide differentiated products and services to our traveler base.  

Certain of the companies we do business with, including some of our click-based advertising partners, are also our competitors. The consolidation of our competitors and partners, including Expedia (through its acquisitions of Orbitz, Travelocity, and HomeAway) and Priceline (through its acquisitions of Kayak and OpenTable), may affect our relative competitiveness and our partner relationships. Competition and consolidation could result in higher traffic acquisition costs, reduced margins on our advertising services, loss of market share, reduced customer traffic to our websites and reduced advertising by travel companies on our websites.

As the industry shifts towards online travel services and the technology supporting it continues to evolve, including platforms such as mobile phone and tablet computing devices, competition is likely to intensify. Competition in our industry may result in pricing pressure, loss of market share or decreased member engagement, any of which could adversely affect our business and financial performance.

We rely on information technology to operate our business and remain competitive, and any failure to adapt to technological developments or industry trends could harm our businesses.

We depend on the use of sophisticated information technologies and systems for, among other things, website and mobile apps, supplier connectivity, communications, reservations, payment processing, procurement, customer service and fraud prevention. Our future success depends on our ability to continuously improve and upgrade our systems and infrastructure to meet rapidly evolving consumer trends and demands while at the same time maintaining the reliability and integrity of our systems and infrastructure. We may not be able to maintain or replace our existing systems or introduce new technologies and systems as quickly as we would like or in a cost-effective manner. We may not be successful, or as successful as our competitors, in developing technologies and systems that operate effectively across multiple devices and platforms in a way that is appealing to our users.

In addition, the emergence of alternative platforms such as mobile phone and tablet computing devices and the emergence of niche competitors who may be able to optimize products, services or strategies for such platforms will require new investment in technology. New developments in other areas, such as cloud computing, could also make it easier for competition to enter our markets due to lower up-front technology costs.

If we do not continue to innovate and provide tools and services that are useful to travelers, we may not remain competitive, and our business and financial performance could suffer.

Our success depends in part on continued innovation to provide features and services that make our platform compelling to travelers. Our competitors are continually developing innovations in online travel-related services and features. As a result, we are continually working to improve our business model and user experience in order to drive user traffic and conversion rates. We can give no assurances that the changes we make will yield the benefits we expect and will not have unintended or adverse impacts that we did not anticipate. If we are unable to continue offering innovative products and services and quality features that travelers want to use, existing users may become dissatisfied and use competitors’ offerings and we may be unable to attract additional users, which could adversely affect our business and financial performance.

We are dependent upon the quality of traffic in our network to provide value to online advertisers, and any failure in our quality control could have a material adverse effect on the value of our websites to our advertisers and adversely affect our revenue.

We use technology and processes to monitor the quality of the internet traffic that we deliver to online advertisers and have identified metrics to demonstrate the quality of that traffic. These metrics are used to not only identify the value of advertising on our website but also to identify low quality clicks such as non-human processes, including robots, spiders or other software; the mechanical automation of clicking; and other types of invalid clicks or click fraud. Even with such monitoring in place, there is a risk that a certain amount of low-quality traffic, or traffic that online advertisers deem to be invalid, will be delivered to such online


advertisers. As a result, we may be required to credit amounts owed to us by our advertisers. Furthermore, low-quality or invalid traffic may be detrimental to our relationships with advertisers, and could adversely affect our advertising pricing and revenue.

We rely on assumptions and estimates and data to calculate certain of our key metrics, and real or perceived inaccuracies in such metrics may harm our reputation and negatively affect our business.

We believe that certain metrics are key to our business, including but not limited to unique visitors, hotel shoppers, revenue per hotel shopper, and number of reviews and opinions. As the industry in which we operate and our business continues to evolve, so too might the metrics by which we evaluate our business. While the calculation of these metrics is based on what we believe to be reasonable estimates, our internal tools are not independently verified by a third party and have a number of limitations and, furthermore, our methodologies for tracking these metrics may change over time. For example, a single person may have multiple accounts or browse the internet on multiple browsers or devices, some users may restrict our ability to accurately identify them across visits, some mobile applications automatically contact our servers for regular updates with no user action, and we are not always able to capture user information on all of our platforms. As such, the calculations of our unique visitors may not accurately reflect the number of people actually visiting our platforms. We continue to improve upon our tools and methodologies to capture data and believe that our current metrics are more accurate; however, the improvement of our tools and methodologies could cause inconsistency between current data and previously reported data, which could confuse investors or lead to questions about the integrity of our data. Also if the internal tools we use to track these metrics under-count or over-count performance or contain algorithm or other technical errors, the data we report may not be accurate. In addition, historically, certain metrics were calculated by independent third parties. Accordingly readers should not place undue reliance on these numbers.

The loss of one or more of our key personnel, or our failure to attract and retain other highly qualified personnel in the future, could harm our business.

Our future success depends upon the continued contributions of our senior corporate management and other key employees. In particular, the contributions of Stephen Kaufer, our co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, are critical to our overall management. We cannot ensure that we will be able to retain the services of these individuals, and the loss of one or more of our key personnel could seriously harm our business. We do not maintain any key person life insurance policies.

In addition, competition remains intense for well-qualified employees in certain aspects of our business, including software engineers, developers, product management and development personnel, and other technology professionals. Our continued ability to compete effectively depends on our ability to attract new employees and to retain and motivate existing employees. As a global company, we aim to attract quality employees from all over the world, so any restrictions on travel for professional or personal purposes, such as those put in place in the United States in early 2017, may cause significant disruption to our businesses or negatively affect our ability to attract and retain employees on a global basis. If we do not succeed in attracting well-qualified employees or retaining or motivating existing employees, our business would be adversely affected.

The online vacation rental market is rapidly evolving and if we fail to predict the manner in which the market develops, our business and prospects may suffer.

We offer vacation rental services on our TripAdvisor-branded sites as well as through our U.S.-based FlipKey and Vacation Home Rentals and European-based Holiday Lettings and Niumba businesses. The vacation rental market has been and continues to be, subject to regulatory development that affects the vacation rental industry and the ability of companies like us to list those vacation rentals online. For example, some states and local jurisdictions have adopted or are considering statutes or ordinances that prohibit property owners and managers from renting certain properties for fewer than 30 consecutive days or otherwise limit their ability to do so, and other states and local jurisdictions may introduce similar regulations. Some states and local jurisdictions also have fair housing or other laws governing whether and how properties may be rented, which they assert apply to vacation rentals. Many homeowners, condominium and neighborhood associations have adopted rules that prohibit or restrict short-term vacation rentals. Many of the fundamental statutes and ordinances that impose taxes or other obligations on travel and lodging companies were established before the growth of the internet and e-commerce, which creates a risk of these laws being used in ways not originally intended that could burden property owners and managers or otherwise harm our business. Operating in this dynamic regulatory environment requires significant management attention and financial resources. We cannot assure that our efforts will be successful, and the investment and additional resources required to manage growth will produce the desired levels of revenue or profitability.


We may be subject to claims that we violated intellectual property rights of others and these claims can be extremely costly to defend and could require us to pay significant damages and limit our ability to operate.

Certain companies in the internet and technology industries that own patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets frequently enter into litigation based on allegations of infringement or other violations of those intellectual property rights in order to extract value from technology companies, such as royalties in connection with grants of licenses. We have received in the past, and expect in the future to receive notices that claim we have misappropriated or misused other parties’ intellectual property rights. Any intellectual property claim against us, regardless of merit, could be time-consuming and expensive to settle or litigate and could divert management’s attention and other resources. These claims also could subject us to significant liability for damages and could result in our having to stop using technology or content found to be in violation of another party’s rights. We might be required or may opt to seek a license for rights to intellectual property held by others, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Even if a license is available, we could be required to pay significant royalties, which would increase our operating expenses. We may also be required to develop alternative non-infringing technology, or content, which could require significant effort and expense and make us less competitive in the relevant market. Any of these results could harm our business and financial performance.

Acquisitions, investments, significant commercial arrangements and/or new business strategies could disrupt our ongoing business and present new challenges and risks.

Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to expand our product offerings and expand user engagement in order to grow our business in response to changing technologies, user and advertiser demands and competitive pressures. As a result, we have acquired, invested in and/or entered into significant commercial arrangements with a number of new business in the past and our future growth may depend, in part, on future acquisitions, investments, commercial arrangements/or changes in business strategies, any of which could be material to our financial conditions and results of operations. Such endeavors may involve significant risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the following:

Expected and unexpected costs incurred in identifying and pursuing these endeavors, and performing due diligence on potential targets that may or may not be successful;

Use of cash resources and incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities in funding these endeavors that may limit other potential uses of our cash, including stock repurchases, retirement of outstanding indebtedness and/or dividend payments;

Amortization expenses related to acquired intangible assets and other adverse accounting consequences;

Diversion of management’s attention or other resources from our existing business;

Difficulties and expenses in integrating the operations, products, technology, privacy protection systems, information systems or personnel of the company, including the assimilation of corporate cultures;

Difficulties in implementing and retaining uniform standards, controls, procedures, policies and information systems;

The assumption of known and unknown debt and liabilities of the acquired company, including costs associated with litigation and other claims relating to the acquired company;

Failure of any company which we have acquired, in which we have invested, or with which we have a commercial arrangement, to achieve anticipated revenues, earnings or cash flows or to retain key management or employees;

Failure to generate adequate returns on acquisitions and investments;

With respect to minority investments, limited management or operational control and reputational risk, which risk is heightened if the controlling person in such case has business interests, strategies or goals that are inconsistent with ours;

Entrance into markets in which we have no direct prior experience and increased complexity in our business;

Impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets such as trademarks or other intellectual property arising from acquisitions; and

Adverse market reaction to acquisitions.

We have recently invested, and may in the future invest, in privately-held companies and these investments are currently accounted for under the cost method. Such investments are inherently risky in that such companies are typically at an early stage of development, may have no or limited revenues, may not be or may never become profitable, may not be able to secure additional funding or their technologies, services or products may not be successfully developed or introduced into the market. Further, our ability to liquidate any such investments is typically dependent upon some liquidity event, such as a public offering or acquisition, since no public market exists for such securities. Valuations of such privately-held companies are inherently complex and uncertain


due to the lack of liquid market for the company’s securities. Moreover, we could lose the full amount of any of our investments and any impairment of our investments could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We cannot assure you that these investments will be successful or that such endeavors will result in the realization of the full benefits of synergies, cost savings, innovation and operational efficiencies that may be possible or that we will achieve these benefits within a reasonable period of time.  

If we fail to manage our growth effectively, our brand, results of operations and business could be harmed.

We have experienced rapid growth in our headcount and operations, including through acquisitions of other businesses and in new international markets. We continue to make substantial investments in our technology and sales and marketing organizations.  This growth places substantial demands on management and our operational infrastructure. In addition, as our business matures, we make periodic changes and adjustments to our organization in response to various internal and external considerations, including market opportunities, the competitive landscape, new and enhanced products and acquisitions. These changes may result in a temporary lack of focus or productivity or otherwise impact our business.  

To manage our growth, we may need to improve our operational, financial and management systems and processes which may require significant capital expenditures and allocation of valuable management and employee resources. As we continue to grow, we must effectively integrate, develop and motivate a large number of new employees, including employees in international markets, while maintaining the beneficial aspects of our company culture. If we do not manage the growth of our business and operations effectively, the quality of our platform and efficiency of our operations could suffer, which could harm our brand, results of operations and business.

We are regularly subject to claims, suits, government investigations, and other proceedings that may result in adverse outcomes.

We are regularly subject to claims, suits, government investigations and other proceedings involving competition, intellectual property, privacy and data protection, consumer protection, tax, labor and employment, commercial disputes, content generated by our users, free speech issues, goods and services offered by advertisers or publishers using our platforms, and other matters. In addition, our businesses face intellectual property litigation that exposes us to the risk of exclusion and cease and desist orders, which could limit our ability to sell products and services.

Such claims, suits, government investigations and proceedings are inherently uncertain and their results cannot be predicted with certainty. Regardless of the outcome, any of these types of legal proceedings can have an adverse impact on us because of legal costs, diversion of management resources, injunctions or damage awards and other factors. Determining reserves for our pending litigation or other legal proceedings is a complex, fact-intensive process that requires significant judgment. It is possible that a resolution of one or more such proceedings could result in substantial fines and penalties that could adversely affect our business, consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows in a particular period. These proceedings could also result in reputational harm, criminal sanctions, consent decrees, or orders preventing us from offering certain features, functionalities, products, or services, requiring a change in our business practices or other field action, or requiring development of non-infringing or otherwise altered products or technologies. Any of these consequences could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

We are a global company that operates in many different jurisdictions and these operations expose us to additional risks, which risks increase as our business continues to expand.

We operate in a number of jurisdictions both inside and outside of the United States and continue to expand our operations both domestically and internationally. Many regions have different economic conditions, languages, currencies, consumer expectations, levels of consumer acceptance and use of the internet for commerce, legislation, regulatory environments (including labors laws and customs), tax laws and levels of political stability. We are subject to associated risks typical of global businesses, including, but not limited to, the following:

Compliance with additional laws, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and U.K. Bribery Act, data privacy requirements, labor and employment law, laws regarding advertisements and promotions and anti-competition regulations;

Diminished ability to legally enforce contractual rights;

Increased risk and limits on enforceability of intellectual property rights;

Restrictions on repatriation of cash as well as restrictions on investments in operations in certain countries;

Financial risk arising from transactions in multiple currencies as well as foreign currency exchange restrictions;


Slower adoption of the internet as an advertising, broadcast and commerce medium in certain international markets;

Difficulties in managing staff and operations due to distance, time zones, language and cultural differences;

Uncertainty regarding liability for services, content and intellectual property rights, including uncertainty as a result of local laws and lack of precedent;

 Economic or political instability; and

Threatened or actual acts of terrorism.

For example, we have a business operating in China, which creates particular risks and uncertainties relating to the laws in China. The laws and regulations of China restrict foreign investment in areas including air-ticketing and travel agency services, internet content provision, mobile communication and related businesses. Although we have established effective control of our Chinese business through a series of agreements, future developments in the interpretation or enforcement of Chinese laws and regulations or a dispute relating to these agreements could restrict our ability to operate or restructure this business or to engage in strategic transactions. The success of this business, and of any future investments in China, is subject to risks and uncertainties regarding the application, development and interpretation of China’s laws and regulations.

Additionally, we continue to accumulate positive cash flows in foreign jurisdictions, which we consider indefinitely reinvested. The repatriation of such funds for use in the United States, including for corporate purposes such as acquisitions, stock repurchases, dividends or debt refinancings, may result in additional U.S. income tax expense and higher cost for such capital.

A failure to comply with current laws, rules and regulations or changes to such laws, rules and regulations and other legal uncertainties may adversely affect our business or financial performance.

Our business and financial performance could be adversely affected by unfavorable changes in or interpretations of existing laws, rules and regulations or the promulgation of new laws, rules and regulations applicable to us and our business, including those relating to the internet and online commerce, internet advertising, consumer protection, data security and privacy, travel and vacation rental licensing and listing requirements and tax. In some cases, these laws continue to evolve.  

For example, there is, and will likely continue to be, an increasing number of laws and regulations pertaining to the internet and online commerce that may relate to liability for information retrieved from or transmitted over the internet, online editorial and user-generated content, user privacy, data security, behavioral targeting and online advertising, taxation, liability for third-party activities and the quality of products and services. In addition, enforcement authorities continue to rely on their authority under existing consumer protection laws to take action against companies relating to data privacy and security practices. The growth and development of online commerce may prompt calls for more stringent consumer protection laws and more aggressive enforcement efforts, which may impose additional burdens on online businesses generally.  

Further, our Vacation Rentals business has been and continues to be subject to regulatory developments that affect the vacation rental industry and the ability of competitors like us to list those vacation rentals online. For example, some states and local jurisdictions have adopted or are considering adopting statutes or ordinances that prohibit property owners and managers from renting certain properties for fewer than 30 consecutive days. Some states and local jurisdictions also have fair housing or other laws governing whether and how properties may be rented, which they assert apply to vacation rentals. Many homeowners, condominium and neighborhood associations have adopted rules that prohibit or restrict short-term vacation rentals.  

We also have been subject, and we will likely be subject in the future, to inquiries from time to time from regulatory bodies concerning compliance with consumer protection, competition, tax and travel industry-specific laws and regulations. The failure of our businesses to comply with these laws and regulations could result in fines and/or proceedings against us by governmental agencies and/or consumers, which if material, could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, if such laws and regulations are not enforced equally against other competitors in a particular market, our compliance with such laws may put us a competitive disadvantage vis-à-vis competitors who do not comply with such requirements.

The promulgation of new laws, rules and regulations, or the new interpretation of existing laws, rules and regulations, in each case that restrict or otherwise unfavorably impact the ability or manner in which we provide services could require us to change certain aspects of our business, operations and commercial relationships to ensure compliance, which could decrease demand for services, reduce revenues, increase costs and/or subject the company to additional liabilities. Unfavorable changes could decrease demand for products and services, limit marketing methods and capabilities, increase costs and/or subject us to additional liabilities.  Violations of these laws and regulations could result in finds and/or criminal sanctions against us, our officers or our employees and/or prohibitions on the conduct of our business.  


We cannot be sure that our intellectual property is protected from copying or use by others, including potential competitors.

Our websites rely on content, brands and technology, much of which is proprietary. We protect our proprietary content, brands and technology by relying on a combination of trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, patents and confidentiality agreements. Any misappropriation or violation of our rights could have a material adverse effect on our business. Even with these precautions, it may be possible for another party to copy or otherwise obtain and use our proprietary technology, content or brands without authorization or to develop similar technology, content or brands independently.

Effective intellectual property protection is expensive to develop and maintain, both in terms of initial and ongoing registration requirements and expenses and the costs of defending our rights. In addition, effective intellectual property protection may not be available in every jurisdiction in which our services are made available, and policing unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult and expensive. Therefore, in certain jurisdictions, we may be unable to protect our intellectual property adequately against unauthorized third-party copying or use, which could adversely affect our business or ability to compete. We cannot be sure that the steps we have taken will prevent misappropriation or infringement of our intellectual property. Furthermore, we may need to go to court or other tribunals or administrative bodies in order to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. These proceedings might result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention. Our failure to protect our intellectual property in a cost-effective or effective manner could have a material adverse effect on our business and ability to protect our technology, content and brands.

We currently license from third parties and incorporate the technologies and content into our websites. As we continue to introduce new services that incorporate new technologies and content, we may be required to license additional technology, or content. We cannot be sure that such technology or content will be available on commercially reasonable terms, if at all.

Our processing, storage and use of personal information and other data exposes us to risks of external and internal security breaches and could give rise to liabilities.liquidity.

We are subject to a variety of laws in the United States and abroad regarding privacy and the storing, sharing, use, processing, disclosure and protection of personal information and other consumer data, the scope of which are changing, subject to differing interpretations, and may be inconsistent between countries or conflict with other rules. In addition, the security of data when engaging in electronic commerce is essential to maintaining consumer and travel service provider confidences in our services. The regulatory framework for privacy issues worldwide is currently in flux and is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. Practices regarding the collection, use, storage, transmission and security of personal information by companies operating over the internet have recently come under increased public scrutiny. The U.S. Congress and federal agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce, are reviewing the need for greater regulation for the collection and use of information concerning consumer behavior on the internet. Various U.S. courts are also considering the applicability of existing federal and state statutes, including computer trespass and wiretapping laws,risks relating to the collection and exchange of information online. In addition, the European Union has adopted a new data protection legal framework, effective in May 2018, which may result in a greater compliance burden for companies, including us, with users in Europe and increased costs of compliance.

Potential security breaches to our systems, whether resulting from internal or external sources, could significantly harm our business. A party, whether internal or external, that is able to circumvent our security systems could misappropriate user information or proprietary information or cause significant interruptions in our operations. In the past, we have experienced “denial-of-service” type attacks on our systems that have made portions of our websites unavailable for short periods of time as well as allowed unauthorized access of our systems and data. We also face risks associated with security breaches affecting third parties conducting business over the internet. Much of our business is conducted with third party marketing affiliates or, more recently, through business partners powering our instant booking feature. In addition, we frequently use third parties to process credit card payments. A security breach at such third party could be perceived by consumers as a security breach of our systems and could result in negative publicity, damage our reputation, expose us to risk of loss or litigation and possible liability and subject us to regulatory penalties and sanctions. In addition, such third parties may not comply with applicable disclosure requirements, which could expose us to liability.

We strive to comply with all applicable laws, policies, legal obligations and industry codes of conduct relating to privacy and data protection. Any failure or perceived failure by us to comply with our privacy policies, privacy-related obligations to users or other third parties, or privacy-related legal obligations, or any compromise of security that results in the unauthorized release or transfer of personally identifiable information or other user data, may result in governmental enforcement actions, litigation or public statements that could harm our reputation and cause our customers and members to lose trust in us, which could have an adverse effect on our business, brand, market share and results of operations. We may need to expend significant resources to protect against security breaches or to investigate and address problems caused by breaches. Reductions in website availability could cause a loss of substantial business volume during the occurrence of any such incident. Because the techniques used to sabotage security change frequently, often are not recognized until launched against a target and may originate from less regulated and remote areas around the


world, we may be unable to proactively address these techniques or to implement adequate preventive measures. Security breaches could result in negative publicity, damage to reputation, exposure to risk of loss or litigation and possible liability due to regulatory penalties and sanctions. Security breaches could also cause travelers and potential users to lose confidence in our security, which would have a negative effect on the value of our brand. Failure to adequately protect against attacks or intrusions, whether for our own systems or systems of vendors, could expose us to security breaches that could have an adverse impact on financial performance.

We have acquired a number of companies over the years and may continue to do so in the future. While we make significant efforts to address any information technology security issues with respect to our acquisitions, we may still inherit such risks when we integrate the acquired businesses.

System interruption and the lack of redundancy in some of our internal information systems may harm our business.

We rely on computer systems to deliver content and services. We have experienced and may in the future experience system interruptions that make some or all of these systems unavailable or prevent us from efficiently providing content and services to users and third parties. Significant interruptions, outages or delays in internal systems, or systems of third parties that we rely upon, or deterioration in the performance of any such systems, would impair our ability to process transactions or display content and decrease the quality of the services we offer to travelers and users. These interruptions could include security intrusions and attacks on our systems for fraud or service interruption (called “denial of service” or “bot” attacks). Fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications failure, break-ins, earthquakes, acts of war or terrorism, acts of God, computer viruses, electronic intrusion attempts from both external and internal sources and similar events or disruptions may damage or impact or interrupt computer or communications systems or business processes at any time. If we experience frequent or persistent system failures, our reputation and brand could be permanently and significantly harmed. 

Although we have put measures in place to protect certain portions of our facilities and assets, any of these events could cause system interruption, delays and loss of critical data, and could prevent us from providing content and services to users, travelers and/or third parties for a significant period of time. In addition, remediation may be costly and we may not have adequate insurance to cover such costs. Moreover, the costs of enhancing infrastructure to attain improved stability and redundancy may be time consuming and expensive and may require resources and expertise that are difficult to obtain.

We may have future capital needs and may not be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms.

We are currently party to a credit agreement with respect to a $1.2 billion revolving credit facility maturing in May 2022, or (as more fully discussed above) the “2015 Credit Facility.” This agreement includes restrictive covenants that may impact the way we manage our business and may limit our ability to secure significant additional financing in the future on favorable terms. Our ability to secure additional financing and satisfy our financial obligations outstanding from time to time will depend upon our future operating performance, which is subject to then prevailing general economic and credit market conditions, including interest rate levels and the availability of credit generally, and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. There can be no assurance that sufficient financing will be available on desirable or even any terms to fund investments, acquisitions, stock repurchases, dividends, debt refinancing or extraordinary actions or that counterparties in any such financings would honor their contractual commitments.

We have indebtedness which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

We currently have outstanding $265 million in long-term debt. Risks relating to our indebtedness include:

Increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

Requiring us to dedicate a portion of our cash flow from operations to principal and interest payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and investments and other general corporate purposes;

Making it more difficult for us to optimally capitalize and manage the cash flow for our businesses;

Limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our businesses and the markets in which we operate;

Possibly placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt;

Limiting our ability to borrow additional funds or to borrow funds at rates or on other terms that we find acceptable; and

Exposing us to the risk of increased interest rates because our outstanding debt is expected to be subject to variable rates of interest.


In addition, it is possible that we may need to incur additional indebtedness in the future in the ordinary course of business. The terms of our 2015 Credit Facility allow us to incur additional debt subject to certain limitations; however, there is no assurance that additional financing will be available to us on terms favorable to us, if at all. In addition, if new debt is added to current debt levels, the risks described above could intensify.

Our 2015 Credit Facility provides for various provisions that limit our discretion in the operation of our business and require us to meet financial maintenance tests and other covenants and the failure to comply with their covenants could have a material adverse effect on us.

We are party to a credit agreement providing for our 2015 Credit Facility. The agreements that govern the 2015 Credit Facility contain various covenants, including those that limit our ability to, among other things:

Incur indebtedness;

Pay dividends on, redeem or repurchase our capital stock;

Enter into certain asset sale transactions, including partial or full spin-off transactions;

Enter into secured financing arrangements;

Enter into sale and leaseback transactions; and

Enter into unrelated businesses.

These covenants may limit our ability to optimally operate our business. In addition, our 2015 Credit Facility requires that we meet certain financial tests, including a leverage ratio test. Any failure to comply with the restrictions of our credit facility may result in an event of default under the agreements governing such facilities. Such default may allow the creditors to accelerate the debt incurred thereunder. In addition, lenders may be able to terminate any commitments they had made to supply us with further funds (including periodic rollovers of existing borrowings).

Our effective tax rate is impacted by a number of factors that could have a material impact on our financial results and could increase the volatility of those results.

Due to the global nature of our business, we are subject to income taxes in the United States and other foreign jurisdictions. In the event we incur net income in certain jurisdictions but incur losses in other jurisdictions, we generally cannot offset the income from one jurisdiction with the loss from another. This lack of flexibility increases our effective tax rate. Furthermore, significant judgment is required to calculate our worldwide provision for income taxes and depends on our ability to operate our business in a manner consistent with our corporate structure and intercompany arrangements. In the ordinary course of our business there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain.

We believe our tax estimates are reasonable. However, we are routinely under audit by federal, state and foreign taxing authorities. The taxing authorities of jurisdictions in which we operate may challenge our methodologies for valuing developed technology or intercompany arrangements, including our transfer pricing, or determine that the manner in which we operate our business does not achieve the intended tax consequences, which would increase our effective tax rate and harm our financial position and results of operations. As we operate in numerous taxing jurisdictions, the application of tax laws can also be subject to diverging and sometimes conflicting interpretations by taxing authorities of these jurisdictions. It is not uncommon for taxing authorities of different countries to have conflicting views, for instance, with respect to, among other things, the manner in which the arm’s length standard is applied for transfer pricing purposes, or with respect to the valuation of intellectual property. The final determination of audits could be materially different from our income tax provisions and accruals and could have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows in the period or periods for which that determination is made.

Additionally, we continue to accumulate positive cash flows in foreign jurisdictions, which we consider indefinitely reinvested. Any repatriation of funds currently held in foreign jurisdictions may result in higher effective tax rates and incremental cash tax payments. In addition, there have been proposals to amend U.S. tax laws that would significantly impact the manner in which U.S. companies are taxed on foreign earnings. Although we cannot predict whether or in what form any legislation will pass, if enacted, it could have a material adverse impact on our U.S. tax expense and cash flows.


Changes in tax laws or tax rulings, or the examination of our tax positions, could materially affect our financial position and results of operations.

Tax laws are dynamic and subject to change as new laws are passed and new interpretations of the law are issued or applied. Our existing corporate structure and intercompany arrangements have been implemented in a manner we believe is in compliance with current prevailing tax laws. However, the tax benefits that we intend to eventually derive could be undermined due to changing tax laws. In particular, the current U.S. administration and key members of Congress have made public statements indicating that tax reform is a priority, resulting in uncertainty not only with respect to the future corporate tax rate, but also the U.S. tax consequences of income derived from income related to intellectual property earned overseas in low tax jurisdictions. Certain changes to U.S. tax laws, including, but not limited to, limitations on the ability to defer U.S. taxation on earnings outside of the United States until those earnings are repatriated to the United States, could affect the tax treatment of our foreign earnings.

In addition, the taxing authorities in the United States and other jurisdictions where we do business regularly examine our income and other tax returns as well as the tax returns of Expedia, our former parent. The ultimate outcome of these examinations (including the IRS audit described below) cannot be predicted with certainty. Should the IRS or other taxing authorities assess additional taxes as a result of examinations, we may be required to record charges to our operations, which could harm our business, operating results and financial condition. Capped Calls.

In connection with the Spin-Off,2026 Senior Notes, we could be subject to significant tax liabilities.

Under the Tax Sharing Agreement between us and Expedia entered into privately negotiated Capped Calls to reduce potential dilution to our common stock and/or offset cash payments we must make in connection with the Spin-Off, we are generally required to indemnify Expedia for any taxes resulting from the Spin-Off (and any related interest, penalties, legal and professional fees, and all costs and damages associated with related stockholder litigation or controversies) to the extent such amounts resulted from (i) any act or failure to act by us described in the covenants in the tax sharing agreement, (ii) any acquisition of our equity securities or assets or those of a member of our group, or (iii) any failureexcess of the representations with respect to us or any member of our group to be true or any breach by us or any member of our group of any covenant,principal amount, in each case, which is contained in the separation documents or in the documents relating to the IRS private letter ruling and/or the opinionupon any conversion of counsel.

We continue to be responsible for potential tax liabilities in connectionSenior Notes, with consolidated income tax returns filed with Expedia prior to or in connection with the Spin-Off. By virtue of previously filed consolidated tax returns with Expedia, we are currently under an IRS audit for the 2009, 2010, and 2011 tax years. In connection with that audit, we received, in January 2017, notices of proposed adjustment from the IRS for the 2009 and 2010 tax years, which would result in an increase in our worldwide income tax expense. The proposed adjustments would result in an increase to our worldwide income tax expense in an estimated range totaling $10 million to $14 million for those specific years after consideration of competent authority relief, exclusive of interest and penalties. We are alsosuch offset subject to various ongoing state income tax audits. The outcome of these matters or any other audits could subject us to significant tax liabilities.a cap.

We are subject to fluctuationthe risk that one or more of the hedge counterparties may default under the Capped Call. If any of the hedge counterparties become subject to insolvency proceedings, we will become an unsecured creditor with a claim equal to our exposure at that time under our transactions with such counterparties. Our exposure will depend on many factors but, generally, the increase in foreign currency exchange risk.

We conduct a significant and growing portion of our business outside the United States but report our results in U.S. dollars. As a result, we face exposure to movements in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly those relatedwill be correlated to the Euro, British pound sterling, and Australian dollar. These exposures include, but are not limited to re-measurement of gains and losses from changesincrease in the value of foreign denominated assets and liabilities; translation gains and losses on foreign subsidiary financial results that are translated into U.S. dollars upon consolidation; and planning risk related to changes in exchange rates between the time we prepare our annual and quarterly forecasts and when actual results occur.

Depending on the size of the exposures and the relative movements of exchange rates, if we were to choose not to hedge or were to fail to hedge effectively our exposure, we could experience a material adverse effect on our financial statements and financial condition. As seen in some recent periods, in the event of severe volatility in exchange rates the impact of these exposures can increase, and the impact on results of operations can be more pronounced. In addition, the current environment and the increasingly global nature of our business have made hedging these exposures both more complex. We hedge certain short-term foreign currency exposures with the purchase of forward exchange contracts. These forward exchange contracts only help mitigate the impact of changes in foreign currency rates that occur during the term of the related contract period and carry risks of counter-party failure. There can be no assurance that our forward exchange contracts will have their intended effects.

Significant fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates can affect consumer travel behavior. Volatility in foreign currency exchange rates and its impact on consumer behavior, which may differ across regions, makes it more difficult to forecast industry and


consumer trends and the timing and degree of their impact on our markets and business, which in turn could adversely affect our ability to effectively manage our business and adversely affect our results of operations.

Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc. currently is a controlling stockholder.

Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc., or LTRIP, effectively controls the outcome of all matters submitted to a vote or for the consent of our stockholders (other than with respect to the election by the holders of our common stock of 25% of the members of our Board of Directors and matters as to which Delaware law requires separate class votes), including but not limited to, corporate transactions such as mergers, business combinations or dispositions of assets, the authorization or issuance of new equity or debt securities and determinations with respect to our business direction and policies. Our Chairman Greg Maffei, and one of our Directors Albert Rosenthaler also serve as officers and directors of LTRIP. LTRIP may have interests that differ from those of our other stockholders and they may vote in a way with which our other stockholders may not agree or that may be adverse to other stockholders’ interests. LTRIP is not restricted from investing in other businesses involving or related to our business. Liberty’s control of us, as well as the existing provisions of our organizational documents and Delaware law, may discourage or prevent a change of control that might otherwise be beneficial, which may reduce the market price of our common stock.

We are currently relying on the “controlled company” exemption under NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Rules, pursuant to which “controlled companies” are exempt from certain corporate governance requirements otherwise applicable under NASDAQ listing rules.

The NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Rules exempt “controlled companies,” or companies of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, a group or another company, from certain corporate governance requirements, including those requirements that:

A majority of the Board of Directors consist of independent directors;

Compensation of officers be determined or recommended to the Board of Directors by a majority of its independent directors or by a compensation committee comprised solely of independent directors; and

Director nominees be selected or recommended to the Board of Directors by a majority of its independent directors or by a nominating committee that is composed entirely of independent directors.

We currently rely on the controlled company exemption for certain of the above requirements. Accordingly, our stockholders will not be afforded the same protections generally as stockholders of other NASDAQ-listed companies with respect to corporate governance for so long as we rely on these exemptions from the corporate governance requirements.

If we are unable to successfully maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in our reported financial information and our stock price and business may be adversely impacted.

As a public company, we are required to maintain internal control over financial reporting and our management is required to evaluate the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the end of each fiscal year. Additionally, we are required to disclose in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and a registered public accounting firm’s attestation report on this assessment. If we are not successful in maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, there could be inaccuracies or omissions in the consolidated financial information we are required to file with the SEC. Additionally, even if there are no inaccuracies or omissions, we could be required to publicly disclose the conclusion of our management that our internal control over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures are not effective. These events could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, adversely impact our stock price, result in increased costs to remediate any deficiencies, attract regulatory scrutiny or lawsuits that could be costly to resolve and distract management’s attention, limit our ability to access the capital markets or cause our stock to be delisted from NASDAQ or any other securities exchange on which we are then listed.

The market price and trading volume of our common stock may be volatile and may face negative pressure.

Our stock price has experienced, and could continue to experience in the future, substantial volatility. The market price of our common stock is affected by a number of factors, including the risk factors described in this section and other factors beyond our control. Factors affecting the trading price of our common stock could include:

Quarterly variations in our or our competitors’ results of operations;

Changes in earnings estimates or recommendations by securities analysts;


Failure to meet market expectations;

The announcement of new products or product enhancements by us or our competitors;

Repurchases of our common stock pursuant to our share repurchase program which could also cause our stock price to be higher than it would be in the absence of such a program and could potentially reduce the market liquidity for our stock;

Developments in our industry, including changes in governmental regulations; and

General market conditions and other factors, including factors related to our operating performance or the operating performance of our competitors.

Furthermore, the stock markets have experienced price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many companies. These fluctuations often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations and general economic, political and market conditions, such as recessions, interest rate changes or foreign currency exchange fluctuations, may negatively impact the market price of our common stock regardless of our actual operating performance.

Future sales of shares of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, may depress our stock price.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the average daily trading volume of our common stock on NASDAQ was approximately 2.9 million shares. If our existing stockholders or their distributees sell substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, the market price of the common stock could decrease significantly. The perception in the public market that our existing stockholders might sell shares of common stock could also depress the trading pricevolatility of our common stock. In addition, certain stockholders have rights, subject to some conditions, to require us to file registration statements covering their shares or to include their shares in registration statements thatupon a default by a hedge counterparty, we may file for ourselves or other stockholders. If LTRIP or some other stockholder sells substantial amounts ofsuffer adverse tax consequences and more dilution than we currently anticipate with respect to our common stock in the public market, or if there is a perception in the public market that LTRIP might sell shares of our common stock, the market price of our common stock could decrease significantly. A decline in the price of shares of our common stock might impede our ability to raise capital through the issuance of additional shares of our common stock or other equity securities.stock.

Anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents and Delaware law may discourage or prevent a change of control, even if an acquisition would be beneficial to our stockholders, which could affect our stock price adversely and prevent attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that could delay or prevent a change of control of our company or changes in our Board of Directors that our stockholders might consider favorable. These provisions include:

Authorization and issuance of Class B common stock that entitles holders to ten votes per share;

Authorization of the issuance of preferred stock which can be created and issued by the Board of Directors without prior stockholder approval, with rights senior to those of our common stock;

Prohibiting our stockholders from filling board vacancies or calling special stockholder meetings; and

Limiting who may call special meetings of stockholders.

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which may prohibit certain business combinations with stockholders owning 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock. These and other provisions in our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and Delaware law could make it more difficult for stockholders or potential acquirers to obtain control of our Board of Directors or initiate actions that are opposed by our then-current Board of Directors, including a merger, tender offer or proxy contest involving our company. Any delay or prevention of a change of control transaction or changes in our Board of Directors could cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

During the quarter ended SeptemberJune 30, 2017,2021, we did not issue or sell any shares of our common stock, Class B common stock or other equity securities pursuant to unregistered transactions in reliance upon an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In March 2021, the Company completed the sale of $345 million in 2026 Senior Notes.  Refer to “Note 6: Debt” in the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 on this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for information about our 2026 Senior Notes.


Share Repurchases

On January 25, 2017,

During the quarter ended June 30, 2021, we did not repurchase any shares of our common stock under our existing share repurchase program. As of June 30, 2021, we had $75 million remaining available to repurchase shares of our common stock under our previously authorized share repurchase program.

While the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of $250 million of our shares of common stock under a new share repurchase program. Our Board of Directors authorized and directed management, working with the Executive Committee of our Board of Directors to affecthas not suspended or terminated the share repurchase program, the terms of our 2015 Credit Facility limit the Company from engaging in compliance with applicable legal requirements.  

Asshare repurchases and the terms of June 30, 2017, we had repurchased a total of 6,079,003 shares of outstanding common stock under theour 2025 Indenture related to our 2025 Senior Notes impose certain limitations and restrictions on share repurchase program at an average share price of approximately $41.13, or $250 millionrepurchases. Refer to “Note 6: Debt in the aggregate,notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-K for further information about our 2015 Credit Facility and have completed this share repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors. We did not repurchase any of our shares of common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2017.2025 Indenture.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.None.


 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

Not applicable.Applicable.

Item 6. Exhibits

The exhibits listed below are filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Exhibit

  

 

  

Filed

 

  

Incorporated by Reference

No.

  

Exhibit Description

  

Herewith

 

  

Form

  

SEC File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing Date

 

10.1+10.1

  

 

Executive SeveranceAmendment No. 1 to 2018 Stock and Annual Incentive Plan and Summary Plan Description dated August 7, 2017

X

 

 

 

 

 

10-Q

 

001-35362

 

10.4

8/8/17

 

31.1

  

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31.2

  

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  

 

X

  

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

32.1

  

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  

 

X

  

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

32.2

  

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  

 

X

  

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

101101.INS

 

 

The following financial statements fromInline XBRL Instance Document - the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q forinstance document does not appear in the period ended September 30, 2017, formatted in XBRL: (i) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, (v) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

X

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

X

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

X

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

X

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

X

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

X

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

+ Indicates a management contract or a compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.

 

 

 


SIGNATURES

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

TripAdvisor,Tripadvisor, Inc.

 

By:

 

/s/ Ernst Teunissen

 

 

Ernst Teunissen

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Noel WatsonGeoffrey Gouvalaris

 

 

Noel WatsonGeoffrey Gouvalaris

 

 

Chief Accounting Officer

November 6, 2017August 5, 2021

 

5752