Groupon Announces Third Quarter 2017 Results

Achieves 13% Unit Growth in North America Local; Raises Full Year Outlook

  • Gross profit of $309.4 million
  • Net income from continuing operations of $3.8 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA of $46.6 million
  • GAAP income per share from continuing operations of $0.00; non-GAAP income per share of $0.01
  • Operating cash flow of $161.5 million for the trailing twelve month period; Free cash flow of $98.6 million for the trailing twelve month period
  • Raises 2017 gross profit guidance range to $1.305 billion to $1.355 billion and 2017 Adjusted EBITDA guidance range to $225 million to $245 million

CHICAGO--()--Groupon, Inc. (NASDAQ: GRPN) today announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.

We delivered another solid quarter while continuing to invest in the growth and development of our local marketplace," said Groupon CEO Rich Williams. "We continued to see strong demand in our core local business and scale our voucherless products like Groupon+.”

Third Quarter 2017 Summary

North America

  • North America gross profit in the third quarter 2017 increased 3% to $207.9 million from $201.7 million in the third quarter 2016 driven by strength in July, which was partially offset by softer spending in markets affected by the hurricanes in late August and early September. In Local, gross profit increased 7% to $162.9 million as unit growth accelerated for the fourth consecutive quarter to the low teens. Gross profit in Goods was $30.9 million versus $31.5 million in the third quarter 2016, while Travel was $14.1 million versus $17.3 million in the third quarter 2016.
  • Strength in the Local category was driven by an increase in active customers and expanded supply through third party partners and premier national brands. In addition, we have continued to make improvements to the customer experience. Groupon+, one of our leading voucherless initiatives, is now live in 23 markets.
  • Our focus is to maximize gross profit, which may come at the expense of revenue. This emphasis includes an increasing shift toward offerings in our higher margin, more differentiated Local category, from our Goods category. In the third quarter 2017, North America revenue decreased 14% driven by a 30% decline in Goods direct revenue transactions, which are presented on a gross basis. Additionally, we estimate the hurricanes had a $5 million negative impact on revenue and $4 million on gross profit in the third quarter 2017.
  • North America active customers reached 32.5 million as of September 30, 2017, adding 600 thousand net new active customers during the third quarter 2017. Active customers represent unique user accounts that have made a purchase during the trailing twelve months either through one of our online marketplaces or directly with a merchant for which we earned a commission.

International

  • International gross profit increased 11% (7% FX-neutral) in the third quarter 2017 to $101.5 million. Gross profit increased 15% (11% FX-neutral) in Local and grew 24% (18% FX-neutral) in Goods, partially offset by a 28% (31% FX-neutral) decline in Travel. We began to see early traction from our supply, marketing, and product initiatives in the third quarter 2017, and believe these initiatives will enable us to continue our turnaround of international in the coming quarters.
  • International active customers increased 200 thousand during the third quarter 2017 to 16.6 million as of September 30, 2017.

Consolidated

  • Gross billings were $1.34 billion in the third quarter 2017, up 1% (flat FX-neutral) from $1.32 billion in the third quarter 2016. Gross billings reflect the total dollar value of customer purchases of goods and services.
  • Revenue was $634.5 million in the third quarter 2017, down 8% (9% FX-neutral) from $686.6 million in the third quarter 2016 reflecting our strategic emphasis on our Local category, resulting in lower revenue from Goods.
  • Gross profit was $309.4 million in the third quarter 2017, up 6% (4% FX-neutral) from $293.3 million in the third quarter 2016.
  • SG&A declined 8% year-over-year to $214.8 million in the third quarter 2017 as we continued to drive operational efficiency through automation and our more streamlined organization, which we expect not only to improve our customer experience but also to create greater operating leverage over time.
  • Marketing was $101.5 million in the third quarter 2017, up 20% year-over-year. We launched an integrated offline campaign in 3 cities for Groupon+ across TV, radio and out-of-home advertising.
  • Net income from continuing operations was $3.8 million in the third quarter 2017, which included a $17.1 million gain on an asset sale partially offset by $11.5 million in restructuring charges. This compares to a net loss of $34.4 million in the third quarter 2016.
  • Net income attributable to common stockholders was $0.1 million, or $0.00 per share. Non-GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders was $6.8 million, or $0.01 per share.
  • Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $46.6 million in the third quarter 2017, up 43% from $32.6 million in the third quarter 2016.
  • Global units sold declined 1% year-over-year to 44.1 million in the third quarter 2017. Units in North America were flat as low teens growth in Local was offset by a decline in Goods. International units declined 1%. Units are defined as purchases before refunds and cancellations made either through one of our online marketplaces or directly with a merchant for which we earned a commission.
  • Operating cash flow was $161.5 million for the trailing twelve month period as of the third quarter 2017. Free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $98.6 million for the trailing twelve month period ending September 30, 2017.
  • Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2017 were $638.7 million, and we had no outstanding borrowings under our $250.0 million revolving credit facility.

Definitions and reconciliations of all non-GAAP financial measures and additional information regarding operational measures are included below in the section titled “Non-GAAP Financial and Operational Measures” and in the accompanying tables.

Share Repurchase

During the third quarter 2017, Groupon repurchased 2,384,200 shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $9.2 million. Groupon repurchased 16,906,334 shares for an aggregate purchase price of $60.0 million for the year-to-date period as of September 30, 2017. Up to $135.2 million of common stock was available for repurchase under Groupon’s share repurchase program as of September 30, 2017. The timing and amount of any share repurchases, if any, are determined based on market conditions, limitations under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, share price and other factors, and the program may be terminated at any time.

Outlook

Groupon is updating its outlook for 2017, which reflects current foreign exchange rates, as well as expected marketing investments and cost benefits associated with our streamlining initiatives. The basis for our full year 2017 guidance is continuing operations.

  • For the full year 2017, Groupon is raising its expected gross profit guidance range to $1.305 billion to $1.355 billion.
  • Groupon is raising its expected Adjusted EBITDA guidance range to $225 million to $245 million in 2017.

Conference Call

A conference call will be webcast live today at 9:00 a.m. CDT / 10:00 a.m. EDT and will be available on Groupon’s investor relations website at http://investor.groupon.com. This call will contain forward-looking statements and other material information regarding the Company’s financial and operating results.

Groupon encourages investors to use its investor relations website as a way of easily finding information about the company. Groupon promptly makes available on this website, free of charge, the reports that the company files or furnishes with the SEC, corporate governance information (including Groupon’s Global Code of Conduct), and select press releases and social media postings. Groupon uses its investor relations site (investor.groupon.com) and its blog (https://www.groupon.com/blog) as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

Non-GAAP Financial and Operational Measures

In addition to financial results reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have provided the following non-GAAP financial measures: Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share, free cash flow and foreign currency exchange rate neutral operating results. These non-GAAP financial measures, which are presented on a continuing operations basis, are intended to aid investors in better understanding our current financial performance and prospects for the future as seen through the eyes of management. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures facilitate comparisons with our historical results and with the results of peer companies who present similar measures (although other companies may define non-GAAP measures differently than we define them, even when similar terms are used to identify such measures). However, these non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be a substitute for those reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For reconciliations of these measures to the most applicable financial measures under U.S. GAAP, see "Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedules" and "Supplemental Financial Information and Business Metrics" included in the tables accompanying this release.

We exclude the following items from one or more of our non-GAAP financial measures:

Stock-based compensation. We exclude stock-based compensation because it is primarily non-cash in nature and we believe that non-GAAP financial measures excluding this item provide meaningful supplemental information about our operating performance and liquidity.

Acquisition-related expense (benefit), net. Acquisition-related expense (benefit), net is comprised of the change in the fair value of contingent consideration arrangements and external transaction costs related to business combinations, primarily consisting of legal and advisory fees. The composition of our contingent consideration arrangements and the impact of those arrangements on our operating results vary over time based on a number of factors, including the terms of our business combinations and the timing of those transactions. We exclude acquisition-related expense (benefit), net because we believe that non-GAAP financial measures excluding this item provide meaningful supplemental information about our operating performance and facilitate comparisons to our historical operating results.

Depreciation and amortization. We exclude depreciation and amortization expenses because they are non-cash in nature and we believe that non-GAAP financial measures excluding these items provide meaningful supplemental information about our operating performance and liquidity.

Interest and Other Non-Operating Items. Interest and other non-operating items include: gains and losses related to minority investments, foreign currency gains and losses, interest income and interest expense, including non-cash interest expense from our convertible senior notes. We exclude interest and other non-operating items from certain of our non-GAAP financial measures because we believe that excluding these items provides meaningful supplemental information about our core operating performance and facilitates comparisons to our historical operating results.

Special Charges and Credits. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, special charges and credits included charges related to our restructuring plan and a gain from the sale of intangible assets. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, special charges and credits included charges related to our restructuring plan and gains from business dispositions. We exclude special charges and credits from Adjusted EBITDA because we believe that excluding those items provides meaningful supplemental information about our core operating performance and facilitates comparisons with our historical results.

Income Tax Effect of Items Excluded from Non-GAAP Financial Measures. We determine the income tax effect of items excluded from our measures of non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders and non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share by performing a tax provision calculation using pre-tax income (loss) amounts that have been adjusted to exclude those items in the respective jurisdictions to which they relate. The difference between the income tax expense (benefit) determined on that basis and our reported income tax expense (benefit) represents the income tax effect of the excluded items.

Descriptions of the non-GAAP financial measures included in this release and the accompanying tables are as follows:

Foreign exchange rate neutral operating results show our current period operating results as if foreign currency exchange rates had remained the same as those in effect in the prior-year period. We present foreign exchange rate neutral information to facilitate comparisons to our historical operating results.

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP performance measure that we define as net income (loss) from continuing operations excluding income taxes, interest and other non-operating items, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, acquisition-related expense (benefit), net, and other special charges and credits. Our definition of Adjusted EBITDA may differ from similar measures used by other companies, even when similar terms are used to identify such measures. Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure used by our management and Board of Directors to evaluate operating performance, generate future operating plans and make strategic decisions regarding the allocation of capital. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating performance in the same manner as our management and Board of Directors. However, Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be a substitute for income (loss) from continuing operations.

Non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders and non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share are non-GAAP performance measures that adjust our net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders and earnings (loss) per share to exclude the impact of:

  • stock-based compensation,
  • amortization of acquired intangible assets,
  • acquisition-related expense (benefit), net,
  • special charges and credits, including restructuring charges,
  • non-cash interest expense on convertible senior notes,
  • non-operating foreign currency gains and losses related to intercompany balances and reclassifications of cumulative translation adjustments to earnings as a result of business dispositions or country exits,
  • non-operating gains and losses from minority investments that we have elected to record at fair value with changes in fair value reported in earnings,
  • non-operating gains and losses from the sale of minority investments,
  • income (loss) from discontinued operations, and
  • the income tax effect of those items.

We believe that excluding the above items from our measures of non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders and non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share provides useful supplemental information for evaluating our operating performance and facilitates comparisons to our historical results by eliminating items that are non-cash in nature, relate to discrete events, or are otherwise not indicative of the core operating performance of our ongoing business.

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP liquidity measure that comprises net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations less purchases of property and equipment and capitalized software from continuing operations. We use free cash flow to conduct and evaluate our business because, although it is similar to cash flow from operations, we believe that it typically represents a more useful measure of cash flows because purchases of fixed assets, software developed for internal-use and website development costs are necessary components of our ongoing operations. Free cash flow is not intended to represent the total increase or decrease in Groupon's cash balance for the applicable period.

Active customers. We have historically defined active customers as unique user accounts that have made a purchase through one of our online marketplaces during the trailing twelve months ("TTM"). As a result of our ongoing development and testing of voucherless offerings that are linked to customer credit cards, we have updated our definition of active customers as follows: unique user accounts that have made a purchase during the TTM either through one of our online marketplaces or directly with a merchant for which we earned a commission. This change in definition did not have a significant impact on our active customer count for the TTM ended September 30, 2017. We consider this metric to be an important indicator of our business performance as it helps us to understand how the number of customers actively purchasing our offerings is trending. Some customers could establish and make purchases from more than one account, so it is possible that our active customer metric may count certain customers more than once in a given period. For entities that we have acquired in a business combination, active customers include unique user accounts that have made a purchase through the acquired entity's website during the trailing twelve months, which includes customers who have made purchases prior to our acquisition of the entity.

Units. This metric has historically represented the number of purchases made through our online marketplaces, before refunds and cancellations. As a result of our ongoing development and testing of voucherless offerings that are linked to customer credit cards, we have updated our definition of units as follows: purchases during the reporting period, before refunds and cancellations, made either through one of our online marketplaces or directly with a merchant for which we earned a commission. This change in definition did not have a significant impact on our unit count for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. We consider unit growth to be an important indicator of the total volume of business conducted through our marketplaces.

Note on Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained in this release that refer to plans and expectations for the next quarter, the full year or the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those discussed. The words "may," will," should," "could," "expect," anticipate," "believe," "estimate," intend," "continue" and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, volatility in our revenue and operating results; risks related to our business strategy, including our strategy to grow our local marketplaces, marketing strategy and spend and the productivity of those marketing investments; effectively dealing with challenges arising from our international operations, including fluctuations in currency exchange rates and any potential adverse impact from the United Kingdom’s likely exit from the European Union; retaining existing customers and adding new customers; retaining and adding high quality merchants; cyber security breaches; incurring expenses as we expand our business; competing successfully in our industry; maintaining favorable payment terms with our business partners; providing a strong mobile experience for our customers; delivery and routing of our emails; product liability claims; managing inventory and order fulfillment risks; integrating our technology platforms; litigation; managing refund risks; retaining, attracting and integrating members of our executive team; difficulties, delays or our inability to successfully complete all or part of the announced restructuring actions or to realize the operating efficiencies and other benefits of such restructuring actions; higher than anticipated restructuring charges or changes in the timing of such restructuring charges; completing and realizing the anticipated benefits from acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and strategic investments; tax liabilities; tax legislation; compliance with domestic and foreign laws and regulations, including the CARD Act and regulation of the Internet and e-commerce; classification of our independent contractors; maintaining our information technology infrastructure; protecting our intellectual property; maintaining a strong brand; seasonality; customer and merchant fraud; payment-related risks; our ability to raise capital if necessary and our outstanding indebtedness; global economic uncertainty; the impact of our ongoing strategic review and any potential strategic alternatives we may choose to pursue; our senior convertible notes; and our ability to realize the anticipated benefits from the hedge and warrant transactions. For additional information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties, we urge you to refer to the factors included under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which may be obtained by visiting the company's Investor Relations web site at http://investor.groupon.com or the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. Groupon's actual results could differ materially from those predicted or implied and reported results should not be considered an indication of future performance.

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although Groupon believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. Moreover, neither the company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements reflect Groupon’s expectations as of November 1, 2017. Groupon undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this release to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in its expectations.

About Groupon

Groupon (NASDAQ: GRPN) is building the daily habit in local commerce, offering a vast mobile and online marketplace where people discover and save on amazing things to do, eat, see and buy. By enabling real-time commerce across local businesses, travel destinations, consumer products and live events, shoppers can find the best a city has to offer.

Groupon is redefining how small businesses attract and retain customers by providing them with customizable and scalable marketing tools and services to profitably grow their businesses.

To download Groupon's top-rated mobile apps, visit www.groupon.com/mobile. To search for great deals or subscribe to Groupon emails, visit www.groupon.com. To learn more about the company’s merchant solutions and how to work with Groupon, visit www.groupon.com/merchant.

 
Groupon, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 638,657 $ 862,977
Accounts receivable, net 78,284 71,272
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 99,855 94,441
Current assets of discontinued operations       63,246  
Total current assets 816,796 1,091,936
Property, equipment and software, net 150,023 169,452
Goodwill 285,436 274,551
Intangible assets, net 24,028 42,915
Investments (including $104,268 and $110,066 at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, at fair value) 129,504 141,882
Deferred income taxes 5,007 5,151
Other non-current assets 17,302 23,484
Non-current assets of discontinued operations       12,006  
Total Assets $ 1,428,096   $ 1,761,377  
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 25,954 $ 28,551
Accrued merchant and supplier payables 598,251 770,992
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 324,553 366,456
Current liabilities of discontinued operations       47,052  
Total current liabilities 948,758 1,213,051
Convertible senior notes, net 186,959 178,995
Deferred income taxes 1,927 1,714
Other non-current liabilities 102,386 99,628
Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations       2,927  
Total Liabilities   1,240,030     1,496,315  
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 2,010,000,000 shares authorized, 746,422,199 shares issued and 557,819,957 shares outstanding at September 30, 2017 and 736,531,771 shares issued and 564,835,863 shares outstanding at December 31, 2016 75 74
Additional paid-in capital 2,161,139 2,112,728
Treasury stock, at cost, 188,602,242 shares at September 30, 2017 and 171,695,908 shares at December 31, 2016 (867,450 ) (807,424 )
Accumulated deficit (1,135,925 ) (1,099,010 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   29,099     58,052  
Total Groupon, Inc. Stockholders' Equity 186,938 264,420
Noncontrolling interests   1,128     642  
Total Equity   188,066     265,062  
Total Liabilities and Equity $ 1,428,096   $ 1,761,377  
         
Groupon, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2017 2016 2017 2016
Revenue:
Third-party and other $ 302,458 $ 283,809 $ 919,884 $ 888,014
Direct   332,008     402,746     1,050,827     1,220,736  
Total revenue   634,466     686,555     1,970,711     2,108,750  
Cost of revenue:
Third-party and other 41,858 34,837 123,209 114,006
Direct   283,183     358,450     900,559     1,065,997  
Total cost of revenue   325,041     393,287     1,023,768     1,180,003  
Gross profit   309,425     293,268     946,943     928,747  
Operating expenses:
Marketing 101,456 84,748 288,456 261,223
Selling, general and administrative 214,828 234,266 677,061 755,981
Restructuring charges 11,503 1,163 18,818 28,378
Gain on sale of intangible assets (17,149 ) (17,149 )
Gains on business dispositions (2,060 ) (11,399 )
Acquisition-related expense (benefit), net       (9 )   48     4,305  
Total operating expenses   310,638     318,108     967,234     1,038,488  
Income (loss) from operations (1,213 ) (24,840 ) (20,291 ) (109,741 )
Other income (expense), net   7,546     (7,917 )   8,822     (16,552 )
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes 6,333 (32,757 ) (11,469 ) (126,293 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes   2,531     1,690     11,001     461  
Income (loss) from continuing operations 3,802 (34,447 ) (22,470 ) (126,754 )
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax   (862 )   (1,345 )   (1,751 )   (6,365 )
Net income (loss) 2,940 (35,792 ) (24,221 ) (133,119 )
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (2,881 )   (2,184 )   (9,460 )   (8,880 )
Net income (loss) attributable to Groupon, Inc. $ 59   $ (37,976 ) $ (33,681 ) $ (141,999 )
 
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share (1):
Continuing operations $ 0.00 $ (0.06 ) $ (0.06 ) $ (0.23 )
Discontinued operations   (0.00 )   (0.01 )   (0.00 )   (0.02 )
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share $ 0.00   $ (0.07 ) $ (0.06 ) $ (0.25 )
 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (1)
Basic 557,221,040 575,216,191 559,726,154 578,290,291
Diluted 566,669,049 575,216,191 559,726,154 578,290,291
 
(1) The structure of the Company's common stock changed during the year ended December 31, 2016. For additional information, refer to Note 8, Stockholders' Equity and Compensation Arrangements, and Note 12, Income (Loss) per Share, in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.
       
Groupon, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
2017 2016 2017 2016
Operating activities
Net income (loss) $ 2,940 $ (35,792 ) $ (24,221 ) $ (133,119 )
Less: Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax   (862 )   (1,345 )   (1,751 )   (6,365 )
Income (loss) from continuing operations 3,802 (34,447 ) (22,470 ) (126,754 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and software 29,192 28,489 86,355 87,585
Amortization of acquired intangible assets 6,039 4,408 17,622 13,643
Stock-based compensation 19,177 25,757 60,318 92,360
Restructuring-related long-lived asset impairments 45
Gains on business dispositions (2,060 ) (11,399 )
Gain on sale of intangible assets (17,149 ) (17,149 )
Gain on sale of investment (7,624 ) (7,624 )
Deferred income taxes 86 (1,320 ) 845 (6,468 )
(Gain) loss, net from changes in fair value of contingent consideration (162 ) 48 4,130
(Gain) loss from changes in fair value of investments 3,955 1,594 5,100 7,301
Amortization of debt discount on convertible senior notes 2,722 2,458 7,964 4,854
Change in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and dispositions:
Restricted cash 2,089 363 2,637 (332 )
Accounts receivable (15,442 ) (1,960 ) 787 (2,460 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 8,025 45,195 (3,114 ) 8,295
Accounts payable 5,107 3,083 (5,616 ) (2,610 )
Accrued merchant and supplier payables (14,882 ) (48,315 ) (197,836 ) (168,944 )
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 2,095 (53,278 ) (39,396 ) (48,323 )
Other, net   (3,331 )   (9,684 )   (21,538 )   (16,588 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations 23,861 (39,879 ) (133,067 ) (165,665 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from discontinued operations       (943 )   (2,195 )   (5,892 )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   23,861     (40,822 )   (135,262 )   (171,557 )
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment and capitalized software (14,255 ) (12,682 ) (43,716 ) (49,033 )
Cash derecognized upon dispositions of subsidiaries (776 ) (1,128 )
Proceeds from sale of intangible assets 18,333 18,333
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments 14,718 1,685 16,561 1,685
Acquisitions of businesses, net of acquired cash (940 )
Acquisitions of intangible assets and other investing activities   (566 )   (129 )   (750 )   (2,121 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from continuing operations 18,230 (11,902 ) (9,572 ) (51,537 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from discontinued operations       (186 )   (9,548 )   (182 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   18,230     (12,088 )   (19,120 )   (51,719 )
Financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of convertible senior notes 250,000
Issuance costs for convertible senior notes and revolving credit agreement (8,097 )
Purchase of convertible note hedges (59,163 )
Proceeds from issuance of warrants 35,495
Payments for purchases of treasury stock (9,720 ) (25,170 ) (61,233 ) (115,619 )
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of stock-based compensation awards (7,984 ) (6,792 ) (23,340 ) (23,327 )
Proceeds from stock option exercises and employee stock purchase plan 3,009 2,929 5,486 4,976
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders (2,548 ) (2,024 ) (8,974 ) (9,151 )
Payment of contingent consideration related to acquisitions (2,101 ) (7,790 ) (285 )
Payments of capital lease obligations (8,628 ) (7,285 ) (25,298 ) (21,961 )
Other financing activities           (473 )    
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   (27,972 )   (38,342 )   (121,622 )   52,868  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents, including cash classified within current assets of discontinued operations   5,988     867     22,818     6,793  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents, including cash classified within current assets of discontinued operations 20,107 (90,385 ) (253,186 ) (163,615 )
Less: Net increase (decrease) in cash classified within current assets of discontinued operations       (2,790 )   (28,866 )   (1,388 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 20,107 (87,595 ) (224,320 ) (162,227 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   618,550     749,675     862,977     824,307  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 638,657   $ 662,080   $ 638,657   $ 662,080  
 
Groupon, Inc.

Supplemental Financial Information and Business Metrics (1)

(financial data in thousands; active customers in millions)
(unaudited)
               
 
 
 
Q3 2016 Q4 2016 Q1 2017 Q2 2017 Q3 2017
 
North America Segment: Q3 2017
Gross Billings (2): Y/Y Growth
Local $ 530,768 $ 590,684 $ 587,766 $ 615,833 $ 606,184 14.2 %
Travel 93,564 90,059 114,163 112,670 93,186 (0.4 )
Goods   296,630     431,388     262,588     245,924     229,479   (22.6 )
Total Gross Billings $ 920,962   $ 1,112,131   $ 964,517   $ 974,427   $ 928,849   0.9 %
 
Revenue:
Local $ 176,223 $ 209,799 $ 200,545 $ 207,534 $ 194,090 10.1 %
Travel 21,239 19,023 20,462 22,320 18,300 (13.8 )
Goods   285,819     421,931     252,350     222,058     201,824   (29.4 )
Total Revenue $ 483,281   $ 650,753   $ 473,357   $ 451,912   $ 414,214   (14.3 ) %
 
Gross Profit:
Local $ 152,873 $ 185,280 $ 169,342 $ 179,609 $ 162,914 6.6 %
Travel 17,257 15,052 15,165 17,755 14,060 (18.5 )
Goods   31,531     50,437     36,430     36,496     30,934   (1.9 )
Total Gross Profit $ 201,661   $ 250,769   $ 220,937   $ 233,860   $ 207,908   3.1 %
 
Operating income (loss) $ (24,470 ) $ 12,265 $ (14,783 ) $ (12,033 ) $ (6,995 ) 71.4 %
 
International Segment: Q3 2017

Gross Billings:

Y/Y Growth

FX Effect(3)

Y/Y Growth excluding FX(3)

Local $ 184,068 $ 221,337 $ 191,219 $ 189,408 $ 202,991 10.3 % (3.2 ) 7.1 %
Travel 58,964 60,099 53,161 45,981 49,837 (15.5 ) (3.4 ) (18.9 )
Goods   158,965     211,963     149,079     154,417     159,820   0.5 (4.8 ) (4.3 )
Total Gross Billings $ 401,997   $ 493,399   $ 393,459   $ 389,806   $ 412,648   2.6 % (3.8 ) (1.2 ) %
 
Revenue:
Local $ 64,282 $ 68,900 $ 63,575 $ 66,108 $ 71,574 11.3 % (3.3 ) 8.0 %
Travel 13,524 12,141 11,002 10,796 9,801 (27.5 ) (3.0 ) (30.5 )
Goods   125,468     173,071     125,692     133,803     138,877   10.7 (5.5 ) 5.2
Total Revenue $ 203,274   $ 254,112   $ 200,269   $ 210,707   $ 220,252   8.4 % (4.7 ) 3.7 %
 
Gross Profit:
Local $ 59,257 $ 63,987 $ 59,194 $ 62,303 $ 67,860 14.5 % (3.5 ) 11.0 %
Travel 12,378 11,087 10,036 9,996 8,922 (27.9 ) (3.1 ) (31.0 )
Goods   19,972     26,063     19,284     21,908     24,735   23.8 (5.9 ) 17.9
Total Gross Profit $ 91,607   $ 101,137   $ 88,514   $ 94,207   $ 101,517   10.8 % (3.9 ) 6.9 %
 
Operating income (loss) $ (370 ) $ (2,762 ) $ 3,103 $ 4,635 $ 5,782 1,662.7 %
 
Consolidated Results of Operations:
Gross Billings:
Local $ 714,836 $ 812,021 $ 778,985 $ 805,241 $ 809,175 13.2 % (0.8 ) 12.4 %
Travel 152,528 150,158 167,324 158,651 143,023 (6.2 ) (1.4 ) (7.6 )
Goods   455,595     643,351     411,667     400,341     389,299   (14.6 ) (1.6 ) (16.2 )
Total Gross Billings $ 1,322,959   $ 1,605,530   $ 1,357,976   $ 1,364,233   $ 1,341,497   1.4 % (1.2 ) 0.2 %
 
Revenue:
Local $ 240,505 $ 278,699 $ 264,120 $ 273,642 $ 265,664 10.5 % (0.9 ) 9.6 %
Travel 34,763 31,164 31,464 33,116 28,101 (19.2 ) (1.1 ) (20.3 )
Goods   411,287     595,002     378,042     355,861     340,701   (17.2 ) (1.6 ) (18.8 )
Total Revenue $ 686,555   $ 904,865   $ 673,626   $ 662,619   $ 634,466   (7.6 ) % (1.3 ) (8.9 ) %
 
Gross Profit:
Local $ 212,130 $ 249,267 $ 228,536 $ 241,912 $ 230,774 8.8 % (0.9 ) 7.9 %
Travel 29,635 26,139 25,201 27,751 22,982 (22.4 ) (1.3 ) (23.7 )
Goods   51,503     76,500     55,714     58,404     55,669   8.1 (2.3 ) 5.8
Total Gross Profit $ 293,268   $ 351,906   $ 309,451   $ 328,067   $ 309,425   5.5 % (1.2 ) 4.3 %
 
Operating income (loss) $ (24,840 ) $ 9,503 $ (11,680 ) $ (7,398 ) $ (1,213 ) 95.1 %
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations $ (39,879 ) $ 294,593 $ (136,233 ) $ (20,695 ) $ 23,861 159.8 %
 
Free Cash Flow $ (52,561 ) $ 275,339 $ (150,309 ) $ (36,080 ) $ 9,606 118.3 %
           
Q3 2016 Q4 2016 Q1 2017 Q2 2017 Q3 2017
 
Other Metrics:
Active Customers (4)
North America 29.1 31.1 31.6 31.9 32.5
International   16.6     16.8     16.7     16.4     16.6  
Total Active Customers 45.7 47.9 48.3 48.3 49.1
 
TTM Gross Billings / Average Active Customer
North America $ 142 $ 138 $ 136 $ 133 $ 129
International 103 102 101 101 102
Consolidated 127 124 123 121 120
 
TTM Gross Profit / Average Active Customer
North America $ 31 $ 31 $ 30 $ 30 $ 30
International 25 23 22 23 23
Consolidated 29 28 27 28 27
 
Consolidated Units 44.4 57.9 45.7 44.5 44.1
Year-over-year unit growth:
North America 6.4 % 3.2 % (0.4 ) % (1.9 ) % (0.1 ) %
International (18.5 ) (0.3 ) (8.7 ) (7.8 ) (1.5 )
Consolidated (2.9 ) 2.0 (3.1 ) (3.8 ) (0.5 )
 
Headcount (5)
Sales (6) 2,695 2,626 2,624 2,485 2,457
Other   4,389     4,641     4,496     4,176     4,159  
Total Headcount 7,084 7,267 7,120 6,661 6,616
 

(1)

 

We disposed of our operations in 11 countries, primarily based in Asia and Latin America, between November 2016 and March 2017. The financial results of our operations in those 11 countries are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and tables. All prior period financial information and operational metrics have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect this presentation.

(2)

 

Represents the total dollar value of customer purchases of goods and services.

(3)

 

Represents the change in financial measures that would have resulted had average exchange rates in the reporting periods been the same as those in effect in the prior year periods.

(4)

 

Reflects the total number of unique user accounts that have made a purchase during the TTM either through one of our online marketplaces or directly with a merchant for which we earned a commission. North America active customers for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 includes approximately 0.7 million incremental active customers from the fourth quarter 2016 acquisition of LivingSocial, Inc.

(5)

 

Including employees of discontinued operations, our headcount decreased by 1,758 employees, or 21%, year-over-year in the third quarter of 2017, from 8,374 total employees in the prior year period.

(6)

 

Includes merchant sales representatives, as well as sales support personnel from our continuing operations.
           
Groupon, Inc.
Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedules
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(unaudited)
 
Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP earnings attributable to common stockholders and non-GAAP earnings per share are non-GAAP performance measures. The Company reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to the most comparable U.S. GAAP performance measure, "Net income (loss) from continuing operations" for the periods presented and the Company reconciles non-GAAP earnings per share to the most comparable U.S. GAAP performance measure, "Diluted net income (loss) per share," for the periods presented.
 
The following is a quarterly reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most comparable U.S. GAAP performance measure, "Income (loss) from continuing operations."
 
Q3 2016 Q4 2016 Q1 2017 Q2 2017 Q3 2017
Income (loss) from continuing operations $ (34,447 ) $ (39,455 ) $ (20,869 ) $ (5,403 ) $ 3,802
Adjustments:
Stock-based compensation (1) 25,457 22,563 19,650 21,392 18,235
Depreciation and amortization 32,897 34,681 34,067 34,679 35,231
Acquisition-related expense (benefit), net (9 ) 1,345 12 36
Restructuring charges 1,163 12,060 2,731 4,584 11,503
Gain on sale of intangible assets (17,149 )
Gains on business dispositions (2,060 )
Non-operating expense (income), net 7,917 54,737 4,602 (5,878 ) (7,546 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes   1,690     (5,779 )   4,587     3,883     2,531  
Total adjustments   67,055     119,607     65,649     58,696     42,805  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 32,608   $ 80,152   $ 44,780   $ 53,293   $ 46,607  
 
(1) Represents stock-based compensation recorded within "Selling, general and administrative," "Cost of Revenue" and "Marketing". Non-operating expense (income), net, includes $0.3 million, $0.2 million, $0.1 million, $0.0 million and $0.1 million of additional stock-based compensation for the three months ended September 30, 2016, December 31, 2016, March 31, 2017, June 30, 2017, and September 30, 2017 respectively. Restructuring charges include $0.8 million of additional stock-based compensation for the three months ended September 30, 2017.
 
 
 
The following is a reconciliation of the Company's annual outlook for Adjusted EBITDA to the Company's outlook for the most comparable U.S. GAAP performance measure, "Income (loss) from continuing operations."
 
Year Ending December 31, 2017
Expected income (loss) from continuing operations range $(2,000) to $7,000
Expected adjustments:
Stock-based compensation 82,000 to 88,000
Depreciation and amortization 138,000
Restructuring charges 19,000
Gain on sale of intangible assets (17,000 )
Non-operating expense (income), net (4,000 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes 9,000 to 14,000
Total expected adjustments $227,000 to $238,000
Expected Adjusted EBITDA range $225,000 to $245,000
 
The outlook provided above does not reflect the potential impact of any business or asset acquisitions or dispositions, changes in the fair values of investments or contingent consideration, foreign currency gains or losses or unusual or infrequently occurring items that may occur during the remainder of 2017.
 
The following is a reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders to non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders and a reconciliation of diluted net income (loss) per share to non-GAAP net income (loss) per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017:
 
Three Months Ended

September 30, 2017

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2017

Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders $ 59 $ (33,681 )
Stock-based compensation (1) 18,301 59,442
Amortization of acquired intangible assets 6,039 17,622
Acquisition-related expense (benefit), net 48
Restructuring charges 11,503 18,818
Gain on sale of intangible assets (17,149 ) (17,149 )
Gain on sale of investment (7,624 ) (7,624 )
Losses (gains), net from changes in fair value of investments 3,955 5,100
Intercompany foreign currency losses (gains) and reclassifications of translation adjustments to earnings (5,843 ) (16,065 )
Non-cash interest expense on convertible senior notes 2,722 7,964
Income tax effect of above adjustments (6,074 ) (12,348 )
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax   862     1,751  
Non-GAAP net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders $ 6,751   $ 23,878  
 
Weighted-average shares of common stock - basic 557,221,040 559,726,154
Effect of dilutive securities   9,448,009     7,886,444  
Weighted-average shares of common stock - diluted   566,669,049     567,612,598  
 
Diluted net income (loss) per share $ 0.00 $ (0.06 )
Impact of stock-based compensation, amortization of acquired intangible assets, acquisition-related expense (benefit), net, gain on sale of investment, intercompany foreign currency losses (gains), special charges and credits, loss from discontinued operations and related tax effects   0.01     0.10  
Non-GAAP net income (loss) per share $ 0.01   $ 0.04  
 
(1) Represents stock-based compensation expense recorded within "Selling, general and administrative," "Cost of Revenue," "Marketing" and "Other (income) expense, net." "Restructuring charges" includes $0.8 million of additional stock-based compensation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.
 
 
 
 
 
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. The following is a reconciliation of free cash flow to the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, "Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations."
 
Q3 2016 Q4 2016 Q1 2017 Q2 2017 Q3 2017
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations $ (39,879 ) $ 294,593 $ (136,233 ) $ (20,695 ) $ 23,861
Purchases of property and equipment and capitalized software from continuing operations   (12,682 )   (19,254 )   (14,076 )   (15,385 )   (14,255 )
Free cash flow $ (52,561 ) $ 275,339 $ (150,309 ) $ (36,080 ) $ 9,606
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from continuing operations $ (11,902 ) $ (4,049 ) $ (14,020 ) $ (13,782 ) $ 18,230
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities $ (38,342 ) $ (67,533 ) $ (45,726 ) $ (47,924 ) $ (27,972 )

Contacts

Groupon, Inc.
Investor Relations
Deb Schwartz
312-999-3098
ir@groupon.com
or
Public Relations
Bill Roberts
312-459-5191

Release Summary

Groupon, Inc. announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.

Contacts

Groupon, Inc.
Investor Relations
Deb Schwartz
312-999-3098
ir@groupon.com
or
Public Relations
Bill Roberts
312-459-5191