Exhibit 99.1
2U Reports Results for Third Quarter 2022
Completes Strategic Realignment
Expects to Reduce Annual Operating Expense by $70 Million
Increases 2022 Adjusted EBITDA Guidance
LANHAM, Md. — November 7, 2022 — 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU), a leading online education platform company, today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
Results for Third Quarter 2022 compared to Third Quarter 2021
| • | | Revenue of $232.2 million was flat |
| • | | Degree Program Segment revenue decreased 7% to $137.2 million |
| • | | Alternative Credential Segment revenue increased 12% to $95.0 million |
| • | | Net loss was $121.7 million, or $1.57 per share and includes non-cash impairment charges of $79.5 million |
Non-GAAP Results for Third Quarter 2022 compared to Third Quarter 2021
| • | | Adjusted EBITDA increased $17.8 million to $32.5 million; adjusted EBITDA margin increased to 14% from 6% |
| • | | Adjusted net loss improved $13.9 million to $3.5 million, or $0.05 per share |
“We completed our strategic realignment and accelerated 2U’s transition to a platform company under the edX platform during the quarter,” said 2U Co-Founder and CEO Christopher “Chip” Paucek. “We realigned our organization around a single platform, streamlined our cost structure and implemented a new, more efficient marketing framework. We believe these structural changes will not only strengthen our bottom line, but also supercharge our ability to match millions of learners with accessible, best-in-class learning experiences from top institutions that help them advance their careers and transform their lives.”
Paul Lalljie, 2U’s Chief Financial Officer, added, “Our third quarter results demonstrate early returns from our platform strategy and execution of our Strategic Realignment Plan. We delivered record adjusted EBITDA of $32.5 million, a 121% increase versus the prior year driven by improvements from both segments. As a result, we are increasing our adjusted EBITDA outlook for 2022 and remain committed to delivering further profitability improvements and positive free cash flow in 2023.”
Discussion of Third Quarter 2022 Results
Revenue for the third quarter totaled $232.2 million, which was flat when compared with $232.4 million in the third quarter of 2021. Total revenue includes $9.3 million from legacy edX offerings. Revenue from the Degree Program Segment decreased $10.6 million, or 7.1%, due to a 5.9% decrease in average revenue per full course equivalent (FCE) enrollment and a decrease in FCE enrollments of 1.3%. Revenue from the Alternative Credential Segment increased $10.4 million, or 12.3%, primarily due to legacy edX offerings and an increase in FCE enrollments of 14.6%, partially offset by an 8.2% decrease in average revenue per FCE enrollment.
Costs and expenses for the third quarter totaled $336.5 million, a 22.0% increase from $275.9 million in the third quarter of 2021. This increase includes $79.5 million of non-cash impairment charges in our Alternative Credential Segment. The company determined that the recent decline in its market capitalization triggered an interim goodwill impairment review, which led to a non-cash write down of certain goodwill assets and indefinite-lived intangible assets. Of note, third quarter expense includes $17.0 million of operating expense related to edX, which was acquired in the fourth quarter of 2021, and a $6.2 million increase in restructuring costs. These increases were partially offset by a $26.5 million decrease in paid marketing costs in connection with the platform strategy and a $10.7 million decrease in personnel and personnel-related expenses primarily relating to the Strategic Realignment Plan.
As of September 30, 2022, the company’s cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash totaled $185.2 million, a decrease of $64.8 million from $249.9 million as of December 31, 2021. Cash used in operations was $1.4 million, cash used in investing activities was $54.0 million and cash used in financing activities was $4.7 million. Unlevered free cash flow was a use of $1.3 million for the twelve months ended September 30, 2022 and compares with unlevered free cash flow of $11.5 million for the twelve months ended June 30, 2022.