LendingTree Reports First Quarter 2020 Results

May 5, 2020 at 7:00 AM EDT

Q1 2020 Press Release 664.8 KB

Results showcase Home and Insurance strength despite late quarter COVID-19 challenges - Consolidated revenue of $283.1 million; up 8% over 1Q 2019 - GAAP net income from continuing operations of $19.0 million or $1.34 per diluted share - Variable marketing margin of $98.2 million; up 6% over 1Q 2019 - Adjusted EBITDA of $44.9 million; up 4% over 1Q 2019 - Adjusted net income per share of $1.20

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- LendingTree, Inc. (NASDAQ: TREE), operator of LendingTree.com, the nation's leading online financial services marketplace, today announced results for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

The company has posted a letter to shareholders on the company's website at investors.lendingtree.com.

"I am incredibly proud of our team's response in these challenging times," said Doug Lebda, Chairman and CEO. "Our solid first quarter results are a testament to our team's hard work and resiliency and is further proof that our business model is resilient to financial market changes. Although our company is not immune to the challenges created by the COVID-19 outbreak, we remain focused on continued market share and wallet share gains in our core business, product innovation, and providing support for our consumers, partners, employees, and communities."

J.D. Moriarty, CFO added, "We're pleased to be able to report first quarter adjusted EBITDA in line with our original guidance despite the adverse conditions that began to develop in early March. While we're uncertain as to the depth and length of economic recession, our balance sheet, liquidity position, and cash flow generation remain strong, and we're well-positioned to continue driving the business forward."

First Quarter 2020 Business Highlights

Home segment revenue of $79.2 million and segment profit of $35.9 million grew 25% and 50%, respectively, over first quarter 2019.
- Within Home, mortgage products revenue grew 46% over the prior year period.
Insurance revenue of $82.7 million grew 23% over first quarter 2019 and translated into Insurance segment profit of $30.5 million.
Consumer segment revenue of $119.9 million decreased 1% over first quarter 2019, driven by the impact of COVID-19 as unsecured credit and the flow of capital in certain corners of the market have tightened.
- Within Consumer, credit card revenue of $51.6 million decreased 5% year-over-year.
- Personal loans revenue of $31.5 million decreased 3% year-over-year.
- Small business revenue grew 43% year-over-year.
Through March 31, 14.7 million consumers have signed up for My LendingTree. Revenue contribution from My LendingTree of $18.7 million was up 4% year-over-year. Average monthly active users grew 10% over the first quarter 2019.

LendingTree Summary Financial Metrics
(In millions, except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended March 31,						Y/Y		Three Months Ended December 31,			Q/Q
	2020			2019			% Change		2019			% Change

Total revenue	$	283.1		$	262.4		8	%	$	255.2		11	%

Income (loss) before income taxes	$	15.9		$	(7.2)		(321)	%	4.5			253	%
Income tax benefit (expense)	3.1			7.8			(60)	%	(3.1)			(200)	%
Net income from continuing operations	$	19.0		$	0.6		3067	%	$	1.5		1167	%
Net income from continuing operations % of revenue	7		%	—		%			1		%

Income per share from continuing operations
Basic	$	1.46		$	0.04		3550	%	$	0.11		1227	%
Diluted	$	1.34		$	0.04		3250	%	$	0.10		1240	%

Variable marketing margin
Total revenue	$	283.1		$	262.4		8	%	$	255.2		11	%
Variable marketing expense ^{(1) (2)}	$	(184.9)		$	(169.9)		9	%	$	(161.4)		15	%
Variable marketing margin ⁽²⁾	$	98.2		$	92.5		6	%	$	93.8		5	%
Variable marketing margin % of revenue ⁽²⁾	35		%	35		%			37		%

Adjusted EBITDA ⁽²⁾	$	44.9		$	43.0		4	%	$	45.9		(2)	%
Adjusted EBITDA % of revenue ⁽²⁾	16		%	16		%			18		%

Adjusted net income ⁽²⁾	$	17.1		$	15.6		10	%	$	16.3		5	%

Adjusted net income per share ⁽²⁾	$	1.20		$	1.10		9	%	$	1.12		7	%

(1)

Represents the portion of selling and marketing expense attributable to variable costs paid for advertising, direct marketing and related expenses.

Also includes the portion of cost of revenue attributable to costs paid for advertising re-sold to third parties. Excludes overhead, fixed costs and

personnel-related expenses.

(2)

Variable marketing expense, variable marketing margin, variable marketing margin % of revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA % of revenue,

adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share are non-GAAP measures. Please see "LendingTree's Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

to GAAP" and "LendingTree's Principles of Financial Reporting" below for more information.

LendingTree Segment Results
(In millions)

	Three Months Ended March 31,						Y/Y		Three Months Ended December 31,			Q/Q
	2020			2019			% Change		2019			% Change
Home ⁽¹⁾
Revenue	$	79.2		$	63.4		25	%	$	65.5		21	%
Segment profit	$	35.9		$	23.9		50	%	$	26.9		33	%
Segment profit % of revenue	45		%	38		%			41		%

Consumer ⁽²⁾
Revenue	$	119.9		$	120.7		(1)	%	$	113.4		6	%
Segment profit	$	43.1		$	54.0		(20)	%	$	43.3		—	%
Segment profit % of revenue	36		%	45		%			38		%

Insurance ⁽³⁾
Revenue	$	82.7		$	67.1		23	%	$	70.9		17	%
Segment profit	$	30.5		$	27.9		9	%	$	28.0		9	%
Segment profit % of revenue	37		%	42		%			39		%

Other ⁽⁴⁾
Revenue	$	1.2		$	11.1		(89)	%	$	5.4		(78)	%
Profit (loss)	$	(0.3)		$	0.8		(138)	%	$	(0.1)		(200)	%

Total revenue	$	283.1		$	262.4		8	%	$	255.2		11	%

Total segment profit	$	109.2		$	106.5		3	%	$	98.1		11	%
Brand marketing expense ⁽⁵⁾	$	(11.0)		$	(14.1)		(22)	%	$	(4.2)		162	%
Variable marketing margin	$	98.2		$	92.5		6	%	$	93.8		5	%
Variable marketing margin % of revenue	35		%	35		%			37		%

(1)	The Home segment includes the following products: purchase mortgage, refinance mortgage, home equity loans and lines of credit, reverse mortgage loans, and real estate.
(2)	The Consumer segment includes the following products: credit cards, personal loans, small business loans, student loans, auto loans, deposit accounts, and other credit products such as credit repair and debt settlement.
(3)	The Insurance segment consists of insurance quote products.
(4)	The Other category includes revenue from the resale of online advertising space to third parties and revenue from home improvement referrals, and the related variable marketing and advertising expenses.
(5)	Brand marketing expense represents the portion of selling and marketing expense attributable to variable costs paid for advertising, direct marketing and related expenses that are not assignable to the segments' products. This measure excludes overhead, fixed costs and personnel-related expenses.

Business Outlook

As of April 14, LendingTree has withdrawn its full-year 2020 guidance. Today, the company is providing revenue, variable marketing margin and adjusted EBITDA guidance for the second quarter of 2020, as follows:

For second quarter 2020:

Revenue is expected in the range of $160 - $175 million.
Variable marketing margin is expected in the range of $65 - $75 million.
Adjusted EBITDA is expected in the range of $12 - $18 million.

LendingTree is not able to provide a reconciliation of projected variable marketing margin or adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable expected GAAP results due to the unknown effect, timing and potential significance of the effects of legal matters, tax considerations, and income and expense from changes in fair value of contingent consideration from acquisitions. Expenses associated with legal matters, tax consequences, and income and expense from changes in fair value of contingent consideration from acquisitions have in the past, and may in the future, significantly affect GAAP results in a particular period.

Quarterly Conference Call

A conference call to discuss LendingTree's first quarter 2020 financial results will be webcast live today, May 5, 2020 at 9:00 AM Eastern Time (ET). The live audiocast is open to the public and will be available on LendingTree's investor relations website at investors.lendingtree.com. The call may also be accessed toll-free via phone at (877) 606-1416. Callers outside the United States and Canada may dial (707) 287-9313. Following completion of the call, a recorded replay of the webcast will be available on LendingTree's investor relations website until 12:00 PM ET on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. To listen to the telephone replay, call toll-free (855) 859-2056 with passcode #2891519. Callers outside the United States and Canada may dial (404) 537-3406 with passcode #2891519.

LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020		2019
	*(in thousands, except per share amounts)*
Revenue	$	283,084	$	262,390
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below) (1)	14,252		17,670
Selling and marketing expense (1)	195,538		174,891
General and administrative expense (1)	32,082		31,117
Product development (1)	10,963		10,166
Depreciation	3,378		2,482
Amortization of intangibles	13,757		13,427
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(8,122)		14,592
Severance	158		54
Litigation settlements and contingencies	329		(207)
Total costs and expenses	262,335		264,192
Operating income (loss)	20,749		(1,802)
Other (expense) income, net:
Interest expense, net	(4,834)		(5,468)
Other income	—		68
Income (loss) before income taxes	15,915		(7,202)
Income tax benefit	3,061		7,752
Net income from continuing operations	18,976		550
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(4,575)		(1,062)
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)	$	14,401	$	(512)

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	12,957		12,718
Diluted	14,158		14,186
Income per share from continuing operations:
Basic	$	1.46	$	0.04
Diluted	$	1.34	$	0.04
Loss per share from discontinued operations:
Basic	$	(0.35)	$	(0.08)
Diluted	$	(0.32)	$	(0.07)
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic	$	1.11	$	(0.04)
Diluted	$	1.02	$	(0.04)

(1) Amounts include non-cash compensation, as follows:
Cost of revenue	$	242	$	153
Selling and marketing expense	1,156		1,749
General and administrative expense	9,123		10,221
Product development	1,396		1,930

LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

	March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
	(in thousands, except par value and share amounts)
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	51,208	$	60,243
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	93		96
Accounts receivable, net	119,559		113,487
Prepaid and other current assets	17,375		15,516
Current assets of discontinued operations	84		84
Total current assets	188,319		189,426
Property and equipment, net	31,473		31,363
Goodwill	420,139		420,139
Intangible assets, net	167,823		181,580
Deferred income tax assets	90,725		87,664
Equity investment	80,000		—
Other non-current assets	28,665		29,849
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	9,476		7,948
Total assets	$	1,016,620	$	947,969

LIABILITIES:
Revolving credit facility	$	130,000	$	75,000
Accounts payable, trade	6,056		2,873
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	105,647		112,755
Current contingent consideration	14,183		9,028
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	36,400		31,050
Total current liabilities	292,286		230,706
Long-term debt	267,870		264,391
Non-current contingent consideration	8,159		24,436
Other non-current liabilities	24,748		26,110
Total liabilities	593,063		545,643

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock $.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding	—		—
Common stock $.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 15,704,064 and 15,676,819 shares issued, respectively, and 13,062,746 and 13,035,501 shares outstanding, respectively	157		157
Additional paid-in capital	1,184,813		1,177,984
Accumulated deficit	(578,252)		(592,654)
Treasury stock; 2,641,318 shares	(183,161)		(183,161)
Total shareholders' equity	423,557		402,326
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,016,620	$	947,969

LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020		2019
	*(in thousands)*
Cash flows from operating activities attributable to continuing operations:
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)	$	14,401	$	(512)
Less: Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	4,575		1,062
Income from continuing operations	18,976		550
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities attributable to continuing operations:
Loss on impairments and disposal of assets	530		468
Amortization of intangibles	13,757		13,427
Depreciation	3,378		2,482
Non-cash compensation expense	11,917		14,053
Deferred income taxes	(3,061)		(7,752)
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(8,122)		14,592
Bad debt expense	880		510
Amortization of debt issuance costs	582		483
Amortization of convertible debt discount	3,111		2,951
Reduction in carrying amount of ROU asset, offset by change in operating lease liabilities	(196)		35
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(6,952)		(27,534)
Prepaid and other current assets	(1,430)		(207)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(3,271)		5,653
Current contingent consideration	—		(1,000)
Income taxes receivable	65		4,288
Other, net	(862)		270
Net cash provided by operating activities attributable to continuing operations	29,302		23,269
Cash flows from investing activities attributable to continuing operations:
Capital expenditures	(4,189)		(4,960)
Equity investment	(80,000)		—
Acquisition of ValuePenguin, net of cash acquired	—		(105,445)
Net cash used in investing activities attributable to continuing operations	(84,189)		(110,405)
Cash flows from financing activities attributable to continuing operations:
Payments related to net-share settlement of stock-based compensation, net of proceeds from exercise of stock options	(5,087)		(3,585)
Contingent consideration payments	(3,000)		(3,000)
Net proceeds from revolving credit facility	55,000		60,000
Payment of debt issuance costs	(306)		(31)
Purchase of treasury stock	—		(3,976)
Other financing activities	(6)		—
Net cash provided by financing activities attributable to continuing operations	46,601		49,408
Total cash used in continuing operations	(8,286)		(37,728)
Discontinued operations:
Net cash used in operating activities attributable to discontinued operations	(752)		(2,827)
Total cash used in discontinued operations	(752)		(2,827)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents	(9,038)		(40,555)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period	60,339		105,158
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at end of period	$	51,301	$	64,603

Non-cash investing activities:
Capital additions from tenant improvement allowance	$	—	$	852

LENDINGTREE'S RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO GAAP

Variable Marketing Expense

Below is a reconciliation of selling and marketing expense to variable marketing expense. See "Lending Tree's Principles of Financial Reporting" for further discussion of the Company's use of this non-GAAP measure.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019		March 31, 2019
	*(in thousands)*
Selling and marketing expense	$	195,538	$	167,842	$	174,891
Non-variable selling and marketing expense ⁽¹⁾	(11,772)		(11,036)		(12,305)
Cost of advertising re-sold to third parties ⁽²⁾	1,086		4,557		7,336
Variable marketing expense	$	184,852	$	161,363	$	169,922

(1)

Represents the portion of selling and marketing expense not attributable to variable costs paid

for advertising, direct marketing and related expenses. Includes overhead, fixed costs and

personnel-related expenses.

(2)

Represents the portion of cost of revenue attributable to costs paid for advertising re-sold to

third parties. Excludes overhead, fixed costs, and personnel-related expenses.

LENDINGTREE'S RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO GAAP

Variable Marketing Margin

Below is a reconciliation of net income from continuing operations to variable marketing margin and net income from continuing operations % of revenue to variable marketing margin % of revenue. See "LendingTree's Principles of Financial Reporting" for further discussion of the Company's use of these non-GAAP measures.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2020			December 31, 2019			March 31, 2019
	*(in thousands, except percentages)*
Net income from continuing operations	$	18,976		$	1,466		$	550
Net income from continuing operations % of revenue	7		%	1		%	—		%

Adjustments to reconcile to variable marketing margin:
Cost of revenue	14,252			16,728			17,670
Cost of advertising re-sold to third parties ⁽¹⁾	(1,086)			(4,557)			(7,336)
Non-variable selling and marketing expense ⁽²⁾	11,772			11,036			12,305
General and administrative expense	32,082			27,456			31,117
Product development	10,963			9,412			10,166
Depreciation	3,378			3,261			2,482
Amortization of intangibles	13,757			13,756			13,427
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(8,122)			7,181			14,592
Severance	158			390			54
Litigation settlements and contingencies	329			140			(207)
Interest expense, net	4,834			4,863			5,468
Other (income) expense	—			(381)			(68)
Income tax (benefit) expense	(3,061)			3,073			(7,752)
Variable marketing margin	$	98,232		$	93,824		$	92,468
Variable marketing margin % of revenue	35		%	37		%	35		%

(1)

Represents the portion of cost of revenue attributable to costs paid for advertising re-sold to

third parties. Excludes overhead, fixed costs, and personnel-related expenses.

(2)

Represents the portion of selling and marketing expense not attributable to variable costs paid

for advertising, direct marketing and related expenses. Includes overhead, fixed costs and

personnel-related expenses.

LENDINGTREE'S RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO GAAP

Adjusted EBITDA

Below is a reconciliation of net income from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA and net income from continuing operations % of revenue to adjusted EBITDA % of revenue. See "LendingTree's Principles of Financial Reporting" for further discussion of the Company's use of these non-GAAP measures.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2020			December 31, 2019			March 31, 2019
	*(in thousands, except percentages)*
Net income from continuing operations	$	18,976		$	1,466		$	550
Net income from continuing operations % of revenue	7		%	1		%	—		%
Adjustments to reconcile to adjusted EBITDA:
Amortization of intangibles	13,757			13,756			13,427
Depreciation	3,378			3,261			2,482
Severance	158			390			54
Loss on impairments and disposal of assets	530			424			218
Non-cash compensation	11,917			11,335			14,053
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(8,122)			7,181			14,592
Acquisition expense	2,180			14			119
Litigation settlements and contingencies	329			140			(207)
Interest expense, net	4,834			4,863			5,468
Income tax (benefit) expense	(3,061)			3,073			(7,752)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	44,876		$	45,903		$	43,004
Adjusted EBITDA % of revenue	16		%	18		%	16		%

LENDINGTREE'S RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO GAAP

Adjusted Net Income

Below is a reconciliation of net income from continuing operations to adjusted net income and net income per diluted share from continuing operations to adjusted net income per share. See "LendingTree's Principles of Financial Reporting" for further discussion of the Company's use of these non-GAAP measures.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019		March 31, 2019
	*(in thousands, except per share amounts)*
Net income from continuing operations	$	18,976	$	1,466	$	550
Adjustments to reconcile to adjusted net income:
Non-cash compensation	11,917		11,335		14,053
Loss on impairments and disposal of assets	530		424		218
Acquisition expense	2,180		14		119
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(8,122)		7,181		14,592
Severance	158		390		54
Litigation settlements and contingencies	329		140		(207)
Income tax benefit from adjusted items	(1,760)		(4,087)		(7,811)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(1,054)		(516)		(6,003)
Income tax benefit from CARES Act	(6,104)		—		—
Adjusted net income	$	17,050	$	16,347	$	15,565

Net income per diluted share from continuing operations	$	1.34	$	0.10	$	0.04
Adjustments to reconcile net income from continuing operations to adjusted net income	(0.14)		1.02		1.06
Adjusted net income per share	$	1.20	$	1.12	$	1.10

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	14,158		14,580		14,186

LENDINGTREE'S PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL REPORTING

LendingTree reports the following non-GAAP measures as supplemental to GAAP:

Variable marketing margin, including variable marketing expense
Variable marketing margin % of revenue
Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization, as adjusted for certain items discussed below ("Adjusted EBITDA")
Adjusted EBITDA % of revenue
Adjusted net income
Adjusted net income per share

Variable marketing margin is a measure of the efficiency of the Company's operating model, measuring revenue after subtracting variable marketing and advertising costs that directly influence revenue. The Company's operating model is highly sensitive to the amount and efficiency of variable marketing expenditures, and the Company's proprietary systems are able to make rapidly changing decisions concerning the deployment of variable marketing expenditures (primarily but not exclusively online and mobile advertising placement) based on proprietary and sophisticated analytics. Variable marketing margin and variable marketing margin % of revenue are primary metrics by which the Company measures the effectiveness of its marketing efforts.

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA % of revenue are primary metrics by which LendingTree evaluates the operating performance of its businesses, on which its marketing expenditures and internal budgets are based and, in the case of adjusted EBITDA, by which management and many employees are compensated.

Adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share supplement GAAP income from continuing operations and GAAP income per diluted share from continuing operations by enabling investors to make period to period comparisons of those components of the nearest comparable GAAP measures that management believes better reflect the underlying financial performance of the Company's business operations during particular financial reporting periods. Adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share exclude certain amounts, such as non-cash compensation, non-cash asset impairment charges, gain/loss on disposal of assets, severance, litigation settlements and contingencies, acquisition and disposition income or expenses including with respect to changes in fair value of contingent consideration, one-time items which are recognized and recorded under GAAP in particular periods but which might be viewed as not necessarily coinciding with the underlying business operations for the periods in which they are so recognized and recorded, the effects to income taxes of the aforementioned adjustments and any excess tax benefit or expense associated with stock-based compensation recorded in net income in conjunction with FASB pronouncement ASU 2016-09. LendingTree believes that adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share are useful financial indicators that provide a different view of the financial performance of the Company than adjusted EBITDA (the primary metric by which LendingTree evaluates the operating performance of its businesses) and the GAAP measures of net income from continuing operations and GAAP income per diluted share from continuing operations.

These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. LendingTree provides and encourages investors to examine the reconciling adjustments between the GAAP and non-GAAP measures set forth above.

Definition of LendingTree's Non-GAAP Measures

Variable marketing margin is defined as revenue less variable marketing expense. Variable marketing expense is defined as the expense attributable to variable costs paid for advertising, direct marketing and related expenses, including the portion of cost of revenue attributable to costs paid for advertising re-sold to third parties, and excluding overhead, fixed costs and personnel-related expenses. The majority of these variable advertising costs are expressly intended to drive traffic to our websites and these variable advertising costs are included in selling and marketing expense on the

company's consolidated statements of operations and consolidated income. When advertising inventory is re-sold to third parties, the proceeds of such transactions are included in revenue for the purposes of calculating variable marketing margin, and the costs of such re-sold advertising are included in cost of revenue in the company's consolidated statements of operations and consolidated income and are included in variable marketing expense for purposes of calculating variable marketing margin.

EBITDA is defined as net income from continuing operations excluding interest, income taxes, amortization of intangibles and depreciation.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA excluding (1) non-cash compensation expense, (2) non-cash impairment charges, (3) gain/loss on disposal of assets, (4) restructuring and severance expenses, (5) litigation settlements and contingencies, (6) acquisitions and dispositions income or expense (including with respect to changes in fair value of contingent consideration), and (7) one-time items.

Adjusted net income is defined as net income (loss) from continuing operations excluding (1) non-cash compensation expense, (2) non-cash impairment charges, (3) gain/loss on disposal of assets, (4) restructuring and severance expenses, (5) litigation settlements and contingencies, (6) acquisitions and dispositions income or expense (including with respect to changes in fair value of contingent consideration), (7) one-time items, (8) the effects to income taxes of the aforementioned adjustments, and (9) any excess tax benefit or expense associated with stock-based compensation recorded in net income in conjunction with FASB pronouncement ASU 2016-09.

Adjusted net income per share is defined as adjusted net income divided by the adjusted weighted average diluted shares outstanding. For periods which the Company reports GAAP loss from continuing operations, the effects of potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the calculation of net loss per diluted share from continuing operations because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. In periods where the Company reports GAAP loss from continuing operations but reports positive non-GAAP adjusted net income, the effects of potentially dilutive securities are included in the denominator for calculating adjusted net income per share.

LendingTree endeavors to compensate for the limitations of these non-GAAP measures by also providing the comparable GAAP measures with equal or greater prominence and descriptions of the reconciling items, including quantifying such items, to derive the non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

One-Time Items

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income are adjusted for one-time items, if applicable. Items are considered one-time in nature if they are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual, and have not occurred in the past two years or are not expected to recur in the next two years, in accordance with SEC rules. For the periods presented in this report, there are no adjustments for one-time items, except for the $6.1 million income tax benefit from the CARES Act in Q1 2020.

Non-Cash Expenses That Are Excluded From LendingTree's Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income

Non-cash compensation expense consists principally of expense associated with the grants of restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock options. These expenses are not paid in cash and LendingTree includes the related shares in its calculations of fully diluted shares outstanding. Upon settlement of restricted stock units, exercise of certain stock options or vesting of restricted stock awards, the awards may be settled on a net basis, with LendingTree remitting the required tax withholding amounts from its current funds. Cash expenditures for employer payroll taxes on non-cash compensation are included within adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net income.

Amortization of intangibles are non-cash expenses relating primarily to acquisitions. At the time of an acquisition, the intangible assets of the acquired company, such as purchase agreements, technology and customer relationships, are valued and amortized over their estimated lives. Amortization of intangibles are only excluded from adjusted EBITDA.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The matters contained in the discussion above may be considered to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations or anticipations of LendingTree and members of our management team. Factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the following: uncertainty regarding the duration and scope of the coronavirus referred to as COVID-19 pandemic; actions governments and businesses take in response to the pandemic, including actions that could affect levels of advertising activity; the impact of the pandemic and actions taken in response to the pandemic on national and regional economies and economic activity; the pace of recovery when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides; adverse conditions in the primary and secondary mortgage markets and in the economy, particularly interest rates; default rates on loans, particularly unsecured loans; demand by investors for unsecured personal loans; the effect of such demand on interest rates for personal loans and consumer demand for personal loans; seasonality of results; potential liabilities to secondary market purchasers; changes in the Company's relationships with network lenders, including dependence on certain key network lenders; breaches of network security or the misappropriation or misuse of personal consumer information; failure to provide competitive service; failure to maintain brand recognition; ability to attract and retain consumers in a cost-effective manner; the effects of potential acquisitions of other businesses, including the ability to integrate them successfully with LendingTree's existing operations; accounting rules related to contingent consideration and excess tax benefits or expenses on stock-based compensation that could materially affect earnings in future periods; ability to develop new products and services and enhance existing ones; competition; allegations of failure to comply with existing or changing laws, rules or regulations, or to obtain and maintain required licenses; failure of network lenders or other affiliated parties to comply with regulatory requirements; failure to maintain the integrity of systems and infrastructure; liabilities as a result of privacy regulations; failure to adequately protect intellectual property rights or allegations of infringement of intellectual property rights; and changes in management. These and additional factors to be considered are set forth under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2019 and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. LendingTree undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results or expectations.

About LendingTree, Inc.

LendingTree, Inc. is the parent of LendingTree, LLC and several companies owned by LendingTree, LLC (collectively, "LendingTree" or the "Company").

LendingTree operates what it believes to be the leading online consumer platform that connects consumers with the choices they need to be confident in their financial decisions. The Company offers consumers tools and resources, including free credit scores, that facilitate comparison-shopping for mortgage loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, reverse mortgage loans, auto loans, credit cards, deposit accounts, personal loans, student loans, small business loans, insurance quotes and other related offerings. The Company primarily seeks to match in-market consumers with multiple providers on its marketplace who can provide them with competing quotes for loans, deposit products, insurance or other related offerings they are seeking. The Company also serves as a valued partner to partners and other providers seeking an efficient, scalable and flexible source of customer acquisition with directly measurable benefits, by matching the consumer inquiries it generates with these providers.

LendingTree, Inc. is headquartered in Charlotte, NC. For more information, please visit www.lendingtree.com.

Investor Relations Contact:
Trent Ziegler
trent.ziegler@lendingtree.com
704-943-8294

Media Contact:
Megan Greuling
megan.greuling@lendingtree.com
704-943-8208

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SOURCE LendingTree, Inc.

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LendingTree Reports First Quarter 2020 Results