Revenues. Revenues grew 22.7% to $47.8 million in the second quarter of 2007, from $38.9 million in the second quarter of 2006. This increase in revenue is due to continued penetration of our subscription-based information services, the successful cross-selling into our customer base across our service platform in existing markets combined with continued high renewal rates, and additional revenues from acquired companies, including Grecam, acquired in December 2006, and Propex, acquired in February 2007. Our subscription-based information services, consisting primarily of CoStar Property Professional, CoStar Tenant, CoStar COMPS Professional, FOCUS services, Propex services, and Grecam services currently generate approximately 95% of our total revenues.
Gross Margin. Gross margin increased to $28.5 million in the second quarter of 2007, from $26.3 million in the second quarter of 2006. The gross margin percentage decreased to 59.6% in the second quarter of 2007, from 67.6% in the second quarter of 2006. The increase in the gross margin amount resulted principally from internal revenue growth from our subscription-based information services, partially offset by an increase in cost of revenues. The decrease in gross margin percentage was principally due to an increase in the cost of revenues to $19.3 million for the second quarter of 2007, from $12.6 million for the second quarter of 2006. The increase in cost of revenues resulted from research department hiring, training, compensation and other operating costs, principally in connection with our retail and 81 new CBSA expansions, as well as increased cost structures associated with the acquisitions of Grecam and Propex.
Selling and Marketing Expenses. Selling and marketing expenses increased to $14.7 million in the second quarter of 2007, from $12.1 million in the second quarter of 2006, and slightly decreased as a percentage of revenues to 30.7% in the second quarter of 2007, from 31.1% in the second quarter of 2006. The increase in the amount of selling and marketing expenses is primarily due to increased sales commissions and growth in the sales force, as well as increased cost structures associated with the acquisition of Propex.
Software Development Expenses. Software development expenses increased to $3.3 million in the second quarter of 2007, from $3.1 million in the second quarter of 2006, and decreased as a percentage of revenues to 6.8% in the second quarter of 2007, from 7.9% in the second quarter of 2006. The increase in the amount of software and development expenses was primarily due to increased cost structures associated with the acquisition of Propex. The decrease in the percentage was primarily due to our continued efforts to control and leverage our costs.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased to $9.1 million in the second quarter of 2007, from $7.6 million in the second quarter of 2006, and decreased as a percentage of revenues to 19.0% in the second quarter of 2007, from 19.6% in the second quarter of 2006. The increase in the amount includes increases in personnel expense, equity compensation, communications and travel expenses.
Purchase Amortization. Purchase amortization increased slightly to $1.2 million in the second quarter of 2007, from $1.1 million in the second quarter of 2006, and decreased as a percentage of revenues to 2.5% in the second quarter of 2007, from 2.9% in the second quarter of 2006. This increase in the amount was due to the acquisitions of Grecam and Propex.
Other Income, Net. Other income increased to $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2007, from $1.6 million in the second quarter of 2006. This increase was primarily due to higher interest income as a result of higher total short-term investment balances for the second quarter of 2007 and increased interest rates for the second quarter of 2007 as compared to the second quarter of 2006.
Income Tax Expense, Net. Income tax expense decreased to $962,000 in the second quarter of 2007, from $1.7 million in the second quarter of 2006. This decrease was due to lower income before income taxes for the second quarter of 2007, slightly offset by a higher effective tax rate.
Business Segment Results for Three Months Ended June 30, 2007 and Three Months Ended June 30, 2006
Due to the increased size, complexity, and funding requirements associated with our international expansion in 2007, we began to manage our business geographically in two operating segments, with our primary areas of measurement and decision-making being the United States and International (which includes the U.K. and France). Management relies on an internal management reporting process that provides revenue and segment EBITDA, which is our net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Management believes that segment EBITDA is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operational performance of our segments. EBITDA is used by management to internally measure our operating and management performance and to evaluate the performance of our business. However, this measure should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, income from operations or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Segment Revenues. U.S. revenues increased to $41.9 million from $35.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. This increase in U.S. revenue is due to further penetration of our U.S. subscription-based information services and the successful cross-selling into our customer base across our service platform in existing markets, combined with continued high renewal rates. International revenues increased to $5.9 million from $3.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. This increase in international revenue is principally a result of a combination of a further penetration of our subscription-based information services and the acquisitions of Grecam and Propex.
Segment EBITDA. U.S. EBITDA increased to $5.8 million from $5.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increase in U.S. EBITDA was due to increased revenue, partially offset by increased research costs, sales commissions, and growth in the sales force as a result of our current expansion plan. International EBITDA decreased to a loss of $1.5 million from income of $183,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. This loss is due to our increased investment in international expansion. International EBITDA also includes a corporate allocation of approximately $975,000 and $252,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The corporate allocation represents costs incurred for United States employees involved in international management and expansion activities.
Comparison of Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and Six Months Ended June 30, 2006
Revenues. Revenues grew 21.5% to $92.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, from $76.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. This increase in revenue is due to further penetration of our subscription-based information services, as well as the successful cross selling into our customer base across our service platform in existing markets combined with continued high renewal rates.
Gross Margin. Gross margin increased to $55.5 million for the six months ended in June 30, 2007, from $50.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Gross margin percentage decreased to 59.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2007, from 66.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2006. The increase in the gross margin amount resulted principally from internal revenue growth from our subscription-based information services, partially offset by an increase in cost of revenues. The decrease in gross margin percentage was principally due to an increase in cost of revenues to $37.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, from $25.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, which principally resulted from research department hiring, training, compensation and other operating costs, principally in connection with our retail and 81 new CBSA expansions, as well as increased cost structures associated with the acquisitions of Grecam and Propex.
Selling and Marketing Expenses. Selling and marketing expenses increased to $27.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, from $23.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, and decreased slightly as a percentage of revenues to 30.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2007, from 30.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2006. The increase in the amount of selling and marketing expenses is primarily due to increased sales commissions and growth in the sales force, as well as increased cost structures associated with the acquisition of Propex.
Software Development Expenses. Software development expenses increased to $6.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, from $6.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, and decreased as a percentage of revenues to 6.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2007, from 7.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2006. The increase in the amount of software and development expenses was primarily due to increased cost structures associated with the acquisition of Propex. The decrease in the percentage was due to our continued efforts to control and leverage our costs.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased to $17.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, from $15.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, and decreased as a percentage of revenues to 18.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2007, from 19.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2006. The increase in general and administrative expenses was principally a result of an increase in equity compensation, communications and depreciation as well as increased cost structures associated with the acquisition of Propex. The decrease in the percentage was primarily due to our continued efforts to control and leverage our overhead costs.
Purchase Amortization. Purchase amortization increased to $2.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, from $2.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, and decreased as a percentage of revenues to 2.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2007, from 2.9% for the six months ended June 30, 2006. This increase in the amount was due to the acquisitions of Grecam and Propex.
Other Income, Net. Other income increased to $3.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, from $3.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. This increase was primarily due to higher interest income as a result of higher total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investment balances and higher interest rates for the six months ended June 30, 2007, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2006.
Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense decreased to $2.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, from $3.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. The decrease in income tax expense is a result of decreased income before income taxes, slightly offset by a higher effective tax rate.
Business Segment Results for Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and Six Months Ended June 30, 2006
SegmentRevenues. U.S. revenues increased to $82.1 million from $70.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. This increase in U.S. revenue is due to further penetration of our U.S. subscription-based information services and the successful cross-selling into our customer base across our service platform in existing markets, combined with continued high renewal rates. International revenues increased to $10.6 million from $6.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. This increase in international revenue is principally a result of a combination of further penetration of our subscription-based information services and the acquisitions of Grecam and Propex.
Segment EBITDA. U.S. EBITDA increased to $11.6 million from $9.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increase in U.S. EBITDA was due to increased revenue, partially offset by increased research costs, sales commissions, and growth in the sales force as a result of our current expansion plan. International EBITDA decreased to a loss of $2.3 million from income of $163,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. This loss is due to our increased investment in international expansion. International EBITDA also includes a corporate allocation of approximately $1.8 million and $504,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The corporate allocation represents costs incurred for United States employees involved in international management and expansion activities.
Recent Acquisitions
Grecam. S.A.S On December 21, 2006, CoStar Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of CoStar, acquired Grecam S.A.S. (“Grecam”), a provider of commercial property information and market-level surveys, studies and consulting services located in Paris, France. CoStar Limited acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Grecam for approximately $2.0 million in cash.
Propex. On February 16, 2007, CoStar Limited acquired Property Investment Exchange Limited (“Propex”), a provider of web-based commercial property information and operator of an electronic platform that facilitates the exchange of investment property in the U.K. Propex’s suite of electronic platforms and listing websites give users access to the U.K. commercial property investment and leasing markets. CoStar Limited acquired all outstanding capital stock of Propex for approximately $22.0 million in cash, deferred consideration, and CoStar common stock.
Accounting Treatment. These acquisitions have been accounted for using purchase accounting. The purchase accounting for the Grecam and Propex acquisitions is preliminary until the valuation of the intangibles is finalized. The purchase price for each acquisition was allocated primarily to acquired database technology, customer base, trade names, and goodwill. The acquired database technology is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 4 years. The customer base for the acquisitions, which consists of one distinct intangible asset composed of acquired customer contracts and the related customer relationships, is being amortized on a 125% declining balance method over 10 years. Trade names are being amortized on a straight-line basis over 3 years. Goodwill will not be amortized, but is subject to annual impairment tests. The results of operations of Grecam and Propex have been consolidated with our results since the date of acquisition and are not considered material to our consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, pro forma financial information has not been presented for either acquisition.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal sources of liquidity are cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments decreased to $154.5 million at June 30, 2007, from $158.1 million at December 31, 2006. The decrease in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments during the six months ended June 30, 2007 is due to the acquisition of Propex for approximately $16.7 million in cash, in February and continued purchases of property, equipment, and other assets, offset by our cash flow from operations and proceeds from exercises of stock options.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2007 was $16.8 million compared to $15.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. This $1.0 million increase in net cash provided by operating activities was principally due to increased earnings before non-cash charges for depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, and provision for losses on accounts receivable, slightly offset by changes in working capital.
Net cash used in investing activities was $19.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, compared to net cash used in investing activities of $11.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. This $8.8 million increase in net cash used in investing activities was principally due to the acquisition of Propex for approximately $16.7 million, net of acquired cash and increased purchases of property and equipment, partially offset by increased net sales of short-term investments.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007, compared to $4.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. This $3.1 million decrease in net cash provided by financing activities was the result of a decrease in proceeds from exercises of stock options in the six months ended June 30, 2007 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2006.
During the six months ended June 30, 2007, we incurred capital expenditures of approximately $4.9 million. Additionally, we expect to incur approximately $2.0 to $4.0 million of capital expenditures in the third quarter of 2007, and continue to expect to incur approximately $12.0 million of capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2007.
On March 9, 2007, we entered into an operating lease agreement, pursuant to which we agreed to lease approximately 32,341 square feet of office space located in White Marsh, Maryland. The lease has an initial term of 60 months and an average base rent of $24.95 per rentable square foot per year.
To date, we have grown in part by acquiring other companies and we may continue to make acquisitions. Our acquisitions may vary in size and could be material to our current operations. We expect to use cash, stock, debt or other means of funding to make these acquisitions.
Based on current plans, we believe that our available cash combined with positive cash flow provided by operating activities should be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next 12 months.
For 2007, we expect to record income tax expense on our results from operations at an effective rate of approximately 45%. In 2007, however, we expect the majority of our taxable income to be absorbed by our net operating loss carry-forwards. As a result, we expect our cash payments for taxes to be limited primarily to payments of federal alternative minimum taxes and state income taxes in certain states.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), which became effective for the Company as of January 1, 2007. FIN 48 addresses the determination of how tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. Under FIN 48, we must recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more-likely-than-not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution. The Company’s reassessment of its tax positions in accordance with FIN 48 did not have a material impact on its results of operations and financial condition.
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements under GAAP and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The effects of adoption will be determined by the types of instruments carried at fair value in the Company’s financial statements at the time of adoption as well as the method utilized to determine their fair values prior to adoption. Based on the Company’s current use of fair value measurements, SFAS 157 is not expected to have a material effect on the results of operations or financial position of the Company.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS No. 159”), which permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. We have assessed the provisions of SFAS No. 159 and as a result, it is not expected to have a material effect on the results of operations or financial position of the Company.
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
We have made forward-looking statements in this Report and make forward-looking statements in our press releases and conference calls that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include information that is not purely historic fact and include, without limitation, statements concerning our financial outlook for 2007 and beyond, our possible or assumed future results of operations generally, and other statements and information regarding assumptions about our revenues, EBITDA, fully diluted net income, taxable income, cash flow from operating activities, available cash, operating costs, amortization expense, intangible asset recovery, net income per share, diluted net income per share, weighted-average outstanding shares, capital and other expenditures, effective tax rate, equity compensation charges, future taxable income, purchase amortization, financing plans, geographic expansion, capital structure, contractual obligations, legal proceedings and claims, our database, database growth, services and facilities, employee relations, future economic performance, management’s plans, goals and objectives for future operations and growth and markets for our stock. The sections of this Report, which contain forward-looking statements, include the Financial Statements and Related Notes, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”, “Legal Proceedings” and “Risk Factors”.
Our forward-looking statements are also identified by words such as “believes,” “expects,” “thinks,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates” or similar expressions. You should understand that these forward-looking statements are estimates reflecting our judgment, beliefs and expectations, not guarantees of future performance. They are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. The following important factors, in addition to those discussed or referred to under the heading “Risk Factors” in Item 1A. of Part II of this report, and other unforeseen events or circumstances, could affect our future results and could cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements: general economic conditions; customer retention; competition; our ability to integrate our U.S. and international product offerings; our ability to continue to expand successfully; our ability to identify and integrate acquisitions; our ability to effectively penetrate the market for retail real estate information and gain acceptance in that market; our ability to control costs; development of our sales force; employee retention; litigation; changes in accounting policies or practices; changes or consolidations within the commercial real estate industry; release of new and upgraded services by us or our competitors; data quality; technical problems with our services; managerial execution; changes in relationships with real estate brokers and other strategic partners; foreign currency fluctuations; legal and regulatory issues; changes in accounting policies or practices; and successful adoption of and training on our services.
Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of, and are based on information available to us on, the date of this Report. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. We do not undertake any obligation to update any such statements or release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.