EXHIBIT 99.1
Contacts: Keith Hall Brian Regan Deborah Roth
Senior Vice President Vice President of Senior Director,
and CFO Finance Corporate Communications
(704) 944-8580 (704) 944-8531 (704) 944-8571
khall@lendingtree.com bregan@lendingtree.com droth@lendingtree.com
--------------------- ---------------------- ---------------------
LENDINGTREE'S SECOND QUARTER 2002 RESULTS EXCEED EXPECTATIONS;
CONTINUES TO POST RECORD REVENUE AND NET RESULTS
- Record second quarter revenue of $24.5 million increases 15%
over previous quarter and 55% over the second quarter of
2001.
- Net loss attributable to common shareholders of $1.1 million,
or $0.05 per share, is lower than analysts' expectations by
$0.5 million, or $0.03 per share, and is favorable to the
previous quarter and to the second quarter of 2001 by $1.7
million and $11.2 million, respectively.
- Second quarter EBITDA[1] of $1.7 million is favorable to
guidance by $0.4 million and represents an improvement of
$7.2 million over the same period in 2001.
- Company reiterates 2002 outlook and expectation to earn GAAP
net income in the third quarter.
- 2003 guidance introduced with revenue growth of 30% to
$126.0 million, positive EPS of $0.33 per diluted share, and
EBITDA growth of 80% to $16.0 million.
CHARLOTTE, N.C., JULY 24, 2002 -- LendingTree, Inc. (NASDAQ: TREE), the leading
online lending exchange and technology provider, today announced financial
results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2002, continuing its trend of
record revenue and lower losses. For the quarter, the Company posted revenue of
$24.5 million, which is $3.2 million, or 15%, greater than the first quarter of
2002 and $8.7 million, or 55%, greater than the revenue for the second quarter
of 2001. Total revenue for the first half of 2002 was $45.7 million, which
represents growth of 63% over the same period last year.
Net loss attributable to common shareholders in the second quarter was $1.1
million, or $0.05 per share, beating analysts' consensus estimates by $0.03 per
share. This is $1.7 million, or 60%, favorable to the previous quarter and
$11.2 million less than the same quarter in 2001. The net loss attributable to
common shareholders for the first half of 2002 was $4.0 million, representing
an improvement of $18.6 million, or 82%, over the same period in 2001.
For the second quarter, the Company earned EBITDA[1] (earnings before interest,
depreciation, amortization, and non-cash compensation charges) of $1.7 million,
exceeding guidance and analyst consensus expectations by $0.4 million. EBITDA
for the second quarter was $0.3 million greater than first quarter EBITDA and
$7.2 million favorable to the EBITDA loss for the second quarter of 2001. The
difference between the net loss attributable to common shareholders and EBITDA
for the second quarter resulted from non-cash charges of: $1.9 million for
depreciation and amortization expense, $0.7 million in dividend expense and
accretion on preferred stock, and $0.4 million in stock-based compensation
expense. These non-cash charges were partially offset by $0.2 million in net
interest and non-operating income. The Company utilizes EBITDA as a key measure
when evaluating operating performance.
Doug Lebda, founder and CEO, stated, "Our positive second quarter results
continued the trend of achieving our top line growth goals while exceeding
bottom line expectations. Once again, we grew quarterly revenue, contribution
margin, and loans facilitated by our Exchange to record levels. As expected,
lenders continued to compete more aggressively for consumer loans from the
LendingTree exchange in the second quarter as volume from their traditional
channels contracted. Consequently, for the first time ever, the quarterly
transmit rates for our mortgage and home equity products both exceeded 80%, and
the average number of lenders to whom these loan requests were transmitted
exceeded three. Another significant factor in our revenue growth was our
average closing rate, which increased to an all-time high of 14.0%, up from
11.4% in the first quarter, an improvement of nearly 23%."
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Lebda continued, "We are also encouraged by the strong quarterly results of our
realty services exchange. Revenue earned from realty services was nearly $2.7
million, exceeding guidance by 39% and more than double the previous quarter.
Additionally, many of the affinity partnerships that were initially built
around the realty services product have successfully expanded to consumer
loans, fueling further growth in our lending exchange."
Keith Hall, senior vice president and CFO, stated, "As a result of the
continued improvement in transmit and closing rates, our average revenue per
transmitted loan request grew to a record $55.89, exceeding our expectations by
12% and improving 17% over the previous quarter. Higher revenue per transmit
resulted in a contribution margin per transmit of $22.43, which was favorable
to the prior quarter by 17%. Higher revenue and contribution margin per
transmit have contributed directly to the Company improving top and bottom line
results. The resulting net loss for the second quarter improved to $0.4
million, indicating we are on track to achieve positive GAAP net income next
quarter and our first positive EPS in the fourth quarter, consistent with our
previous guidance."
Hall added, "At the end of the second quarter, LendingTree had $13.9 million in
cash, and we did not have any balances outstanding under our available credit
facilities. Based on our current cash position and outlook for positive
operating results for the balance of the year, we remain confident that we will
have more than adequate cash to fund our operating needs for the foreseeable
future, including the payment of cash dividends to holders of our preferred
stock."
BUSINESS OUTLOOK
Hall continued, "We remain confident with our business outlook and are
reaffirming guidance for the remainder of 2002. For 2003, we expect to grow
revenue by 30% to $126.0 million, to earn net income attributable to common
shareholders of $9.2 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, and to grow EBITDA by
80% to $16.0 million."
The following information is based on current expectations. Actual results may
differ materially. These statements are forward-looking and do not reflect the
potential impact of events that may occur after the date of this release,
including the risks described below under the caption "Disclosure Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements."
(all figures in millions, except %, per share and per transmit data)
2002 ACTUAL 2002 GUIDANCE 2002 2003
---------------- -------------- ---------- ---------
P&L DATA Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 FULL YEAR FULL YEAR
-------- -- -- -- -- ---------- ---------
Revenue
Loan Exchange $18.3(2) $20.5 $22.4 $21.7 $82.9 $108.0
Realty Exchange $1.3(2) $2.7 $2.6 $2.3 $8.9 $13.0
Lend-X Technology $1.6(2) $1.3 $1.0 $1.0 $4.9 $5.0
----- ----- ----- ----- ------ ------
Total Revenue $21.3(2) $24.5 $26.0 $25.0 $96.7 $126.0
Gross Margin $18.0(2) $20.7 $21.8 $21.0 $81.5 $105.8
Gross Margin % 84.8%(2) 84.4% 83.8% 84.0% 84.2% 84.0%
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Cash Operating Expense $16.6(2) $19.0 $19.2 $17.8 $72.6 $89.8
----- ----- ----- ----- ------ ------
EBITDA [1] $1.4(2) $1.7 $2.6 $3.2 $8.9 $16.0
===== ===== ===== ===== ====== ======
Net Interest and Non-cash Items $2.1(2) $2.1 $2.1 $1.9 $8.2 $4.4
----- ----- ----- ----- ------ ------
Net (Loss) / Income ($0.7)(2) ($0.4) $0.5 $1.3 $0.7 $11.6
===== ===== ===== ===== ====== ======
Net (Loss) / Income Attributable
to Common Shareholders ($2.8)(2) ($1.1) ($0.2) $0.6 ($3.5) $9.2
===== ===== ===== ===== ====== ======
EBITDA Per Share-Basic $0.07(2) $0.08 $0.12 $0.15 $0.42 $0.70
===== ===== ===== ===== ====== ======
EPS - Basic ($0.15)(2) ($0.05) ($0.01) $0.03 ($0.17) $0.40
===== ===== ===== ===== ====== ======
EPS - Diluted ($0.15)(2) ($0.05) ($0.01) $0.03 ($0.17) $0.33
===== ===== ===== ===== ====== ======
Weighted Average Common Shares-
Basic(3,4) 19.4 20.8 21.9 22.0 21.0 23.0
Weighted Average Common Shares -
Diluted N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 34.8
(1) EBITDA, as determined by the Company, is net income (loss) per GAAP,
excluding net interest income/expense, depreciation and amortization
expense, and non-cash stock-based compensation charges. EBITDA is not
a substitute for operating performance measures under GAAP and may be
different from the presentation of financial information by other
companies. GAAP measures of operating performance are included in the
Company's financial statements attached hereto and in its quarterly
and annual filings with the SEC.
(2) Includes one-time credit for a revision to an estimate of
approximately $0.6 million related to incentive compensation.
Excluding this positive adjustment, cash operating expense for the
quarter was $17.2 million, EBITDA was $0.8 million, or $0.04 per basic
share, net loss was $1.3 million, net loss attributable to common
shareholders was $3.4 million, and net loss per basic share was $0.18.
(3) For the quarter ended June 30, 2002, basic weighted average common
shares outstanding exclude 10.5 million weighted average potential
common shares. Potential common shares consist of 6.6 million shares
issuable upon the assumed conversion of convertible preferred stock
and 3.9 million net shares issuable from options and warrants under
the treasury stock method.
(4) As of June 30, 2002, the Company has 22.1 million common shares issued
and outstanding, 6.3 million options and warrants outstanding, and 6.0
million shares of preferred stock convertible into 6.6 million shares
of common stock.
2002 ACTUAL 2002 GUIDANCE 2002 2003
---------------- -------------- ---------- ---------
KEY METRICS Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 FULL YEAR FULL YEAR
----------- -- -- -- -- ---------- ---------
Volume Transmitted Loan Requests 382 367 390 380 1,519 1,850
(000's)
Variable Marketing Expense ($ in $9.0 $10.3 $10.4 $9.8 $39.5 $51.0
millions)
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Per Transmit Metrics:
Revenue $47.93 $55.89 $57.44 $57.11 $54.59 $58.38
Variable Marketing Exp. $23.49 $28.17 $26.67 $25.79 $26.01 $27.57
Cost of Revenue $5.21 $5.29 $6.32 $6.28 $5.78 $6.42
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total Contribution Margin $19.23 $22.43 $24.45 $25.04 $22.80 $24.39
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
The above information is based on current expectations. Actual results may
differ materially. These statements are forward-looking and do not reflect the
potential impact of events that may occur after the date of this release,
including the risks described below under the caption "Disclosure Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements."
CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION: LendingTree has scheduled a conference call to
discuss the company's financial results for the second quarter of 2002 on
Thursday, July 25th at 8:30 a.m. EST. To listen to the conference call, please
dial (888) 799-0558. A replay of the call will be available starting two hours
after the completion of the call until August 1, 2002. The dial-in number for
the replay will be 800-642-1687, Conference ID # 4801462. The conference call
will also be available via Webcast at LendingTree.com.
ABOUT LENDINGTREE, INC.
Founded in 1996, LendingTree (NASDAQ: TREE) is the leading online lending
Exchange that connects consumers, Lenders, and related service providers. The
LendingTree Exchange is made up of more than 170 banks, lenders, and brokers
(Lenders) and has facilitated more than $26 billion in closed loans since
inception. Millions of consumers have accessed the LendingTree Exchange though
the Company's site at www.lendingtree.com and through online and offline
partners. Loans available via the LendingTree Exchange include home mortgage,
home equity, automobile, personal, debt consolidation, and credit cards.
LendingTree is the No. 1 brand in the online lending market for consumers, with
59 percent national awareness. The LendingTree Lend-X technology has been cited
as `the platform of choice'1 for online lending and has been adopted by
industry leaders to power their online lending initiatives. The LendingTree
RealtyServices offering connects consumers to a nationwide network of
approximately 6,500 real estate professionals. The Company's services and
products are specifically designed to empower consumers, Lenders, and related
service providers throughout the lending process, on and offline, delivering
convenience, choice, and excellent value.
1 Resuscitating Mortgage Lending. Forrester Research, March 2001
Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the "Safe Harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Forward-looking statements include statements and information regarding:
our guidance regarding our projected financial and operating results through
the end of 2003; and our belief that our current cash balance and projected
positive results from operations will adequately fund our cash needs for the
foreseeable future. These statements are based on management's current
expectations or beliefs and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in
the forward looking statements. The Company's actual results might differ
materially from those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements due
to risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business, which
include, but are not limited to: variations in consumer demand or acceptance;
the willingness of lending institutions to offer their products over the
Internet; further changes in the Company's relationships with existing lenders,
companies, and/or strategic partners; the Company's ability to attract and
integrate new lending companies and strategic partners; implementation of
competing Internet strategies by existing and potential lending participants;
implementation and acceptance of new product or service offerings; consumer
lending
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industry regulation; competition in all aspects of the Company's business;
fluctuations in operating results; or other unforeseen factors. The
forward-looking statements should be considered in the context of these and
other risk factors disclosed in the Company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
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