SEC Filing | LendingTree, Inc.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q



ý	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2018



o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File No. 001-34063

LendingTree, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		26-2414818 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

11115 Rushmore Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina 28277

(Address of principal executive offices)

(704) 541-5351

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý No o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.



Large accelerated filer x		Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o		Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
		Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No ý

As of April 20, 2018, there were 12,490,859 shares of the Registrant's common stock, par value $.01 per share, outstanding, excluding treasury shares.

TABLE OF CONTENTS



		Page Number
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements	3
Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	29
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	38
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	38

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	39
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	39
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	39
Item 5.	Other Information	40
Item 6.	Exhibits	41

Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenue	$	181,035		$	132,515
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	5,696			3,591
Selling and marketing expense	126,044			93,251
General and administrative expense	22,814			11,547
Product development	6,260			3,623
Depreciation	1,671			1,703
Amortization of intangibles	3,963			2,609
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(741		)	8,746
Severance	—			157
Litigation settlements and contingencies	(22		)	404
Total costs and expenses	165,685			125,631
Operating income	15,350			6,884
Other (expense) income, net:
Interest expense, net	(2,988		)	(165		)
Other income	34			—
Income before income taxes	12,396			6,719
Income tax benefit	23,461			1,079
Net income from continuing operations	35,857			7,798
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(4,333		)	(932		)
Net income and comprehensive income	$	31,524		$	6,866

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	12,090			11,827
Diluted	14,848			13,477
Income per share from continuing operations:
Basic	$	2.97		$	0.66
Diluted	$	2.41		$	0.58
Loss per share from discontinued operations:
Basic	$	(0.36	)	$	(0.08	)
Diluted	$	(0.29	)	$	(0.07	)
Net income per share:
Basic	$	2.61		$	0.58
Diluted	$	2.12		$	0.51

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)



	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
	(in thousands, except par value and share amounts)
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	346,470		$	368,550
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	4,084			4,091
Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $714 and $675, respectively)	64,769			53,444
Prepaid and other current assets	13,551			11,881
Current assets of discontinued operations	175			75
Total current assets	429,049			438,041
Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $12,901 and $13,043, respectively)	37,560			36,431
Goodwill	113,368			113,368
Intangible assets, net	77,035			81,125
Deferred income tax assets	45,406			20,156
Other non-current assets	1,933			1,910
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	2,428			2,428
Total assets	$	706,779		$	693,459

LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable, trade	$	4,726		$	9,250
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	78,150			77,183
Current contingent consideration	28,357			46,576
Current liabilities of discontinued operations (Note 15)	17,449			14,507
Total current liabilities	128,682			147,516
Long-term debt	241,332			238,199
Non-current contingent consideration	5,251			11,273
Other non-current liabilities	1,611			1,597
Total liabilities	376,876			398,585
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
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; 14,691,595 and 14,218,572 shares issued, respectively, and 12,422,041 and 11,979,434 shares outstanding, respectively	147			142
Additional paid-in capital	1,100,743			1,087,582
Accumulated deficit	(675,457		)	(708,354		)
Treasury stock; 2,269,554 and 2,239,138 shares, respectively	(96,085		)	(85,085		)
Noncontrolling interest	555			589
Total shareholders' equity	329,903			294,874
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	706,779		$	693,459

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Unaudited)



				Common Stock								Treasury Stock
	Total			Number of Shares	Amount		Additional Paid-in Capital		Accumulated Deficit			Number of Shares	Amount			Noncontrolling Interest
	(in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$	294,874		14,218	$	142	$	1,087,582	$	(708,354	)	2,239	$	(85,085	)	$	589
Net income and comprehensive income	31,524			—	—		—		31,524			—	—			—
Non-cash compensation	11,109			—	—		11,109		—			—	—			—
Purchase of treasury stock	(11,000		)	—	—		—		—			30	(11,000		)	—
Issuance of common stock for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes	2,057			473	5		2,052		—			—	—
Cumulative effect adjustment due to ASU 2014-09	1,373			—	—		—		1,373			—	—			—
Noncontrolling interest	(34		)	—	—		—		—			—	—			(34		)
Balance as of March 31, 2018	$	329,903		14,691	$	147	$	1,100,743	$	(675,457	)	2,269	$	(96,085	)	$	555

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
	(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities attributable to continuing operations:
Net income and comprehensive income	$	31,524		$	6,866
Less: Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	4,333			932
Income from continuing operations	35,857			7,798
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities attributable to continuing operations:
Loss on disposal of fixed assets	92			273
Amortization of intangibles	3,963			2,609
Depreciation	1,671			1,703
Rental amortization of intangibles and depreciation	202			262
Non-cash compensation expense	11,109			2,230
Deferred income taxes	(25,781		)	(3,307		)
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(741		)	8,746
Bad debt expense	56			157
Amortization of debt issuance costs	434			61
Amortization of convertible debt discount	2,799			—
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(11,381		)	(11,132		)
Prepaid and other current assets	(515		)	(269		)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(2,024		)	6,086
Income taxes receivable	2,092			2,143
Other, net	(158		)	(176		)
Net cash provided by operating activities attributable to continuing operations	17,675			17,184
Cash flows from investing activities attributable to continuing operations:
Capital expenditures	(3,456		)	(1,896		)
Acquisition of SnapCap	(10		)	—
Other investing activities	(34		)	—
Net cash used in investing activities attributable to continuing operations	(3,500		)	(1,896		)
Cash flows from financing activities attributable to continuing operations:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net of payments related to net-share settlement of stock-based compensation	2,057			(95		)
Contingent consideration payments	(23,500		)	—
Payment of debt issuance costs	(76		)	—
Purchase of treasury stock	(12,099		)	—
Net cash used in financing activities attributable to continuing operations	(33,618		)	(95		)
Total cash (used in) provided by continuing operations	(19,443		)	15,193
Discontinued operations:
Net cash used in operating activities attributable to discontinued operations	(2,644		)	(891		)
Total cash used in discontinued operations	(2,644		)	(891		)
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents	(22,087		)	14,302
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period	372,641			95,220
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at end of period	$	350,554		$	109,522

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1—ORGANIZATION

Company Overview

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

LendingTree operates what it believes to be the leading online loan marketplace for consumers seeking loans and other credit-based offerings. 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 and other related offerings. The Company primarily seeks to match in-market consumers with multiple lenders on its marketplace who can provide them with competing quotes for the loans, deposits or credit-based offerings they are seeking. The Company also serves as a valued partner to lenders seeking an efficient, scalable and flexible source of customer acquisition with directly measurable benefits, by matching the consumer loan inquiries it generates with these lenders.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of LendingTree and all its wholly-owned entities. Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.

Discontinued Operations

The LendingTree Loans business is presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and consolidated cash flows for all periods presented. The notes accompanying these consolidated financial statements reflect the Company's continuing operations and, unless otherwise noted, exclude information related to the discontinued operations. See Note 15 —Discontinued Operations for additional information.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements, and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair statement of the Company's financial position for the periods presented. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018, or any other period. The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 was derived from audited financial statements included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (the "2017 Annual Report"). The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. Accordingly, they should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2017 Annual Report.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. See the discussion in Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies for the impact of adopting Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-18 on the presentation of changes in restricted cash in the statement of cash flows.

NOTE 2—SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Accounting Estimates

Management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions during the preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. These estimates and assumptions impact the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. They also impact the reported amount of net earnings during any period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Significant estimates underlying the accompanying consolidated financial statements, including discontinued operations, include: loan loss obligations; the recoverability of long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets; the determination of income taxes payable and deferred income taxes, including related valuation allowances; fair value of assets acquired in a business

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

combination; contingent consideration related to business combinations; litigation accruals; contract assets; various other allowances, reserves and accruals; and assumptions related to the determination of stock-based compensation.

Certain Risks and Concentrations

LendingTree's business is subject to certain risks and concentrations including dependence on third-party technology providers, exposure to risks associated with online commerce security and credit card fraud.

Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk at March 31, 2018, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable, as disclosed in the consolidated balance sheet. Cash and cash equivalents are in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits, but are maintained with quality financial institutions of high credit. The Company generally requires certain network lenders to maintain security deposits with the Company, which in the event of non-payment, would be applied against any accounts receivable outstanding.

Due to the nature of the mortgage lending industry, interest rate fluctuations may negatively impact future revenue from the Company's lender marketplace.

Lenders participating on the Company's marketplace can offer their products directly to consumers through brokers, mass marketing campaigns or through other traditional methods of credit distribution. These lenders can also offer their products online, either directly to prospective borrowers, through one or more online competitors, or both. If a significant number of potential consumers are able to obtain loans from participating lenders without utilizing the Company's services, its ability to generate revenue may be limited. Because the Company does not have exclusive relationships with the lenders whose loan offerings are offered on its online marketplace, consumers may obtain offers and loans from these lenders without using its service.

The Company maintains operations solely in the United States.

Litigation Settlements and Contingencies

Litigation settlements and contingencies consists of expenses related to actual or anticipated litigation settlements, in addition to legal fees incurred in connection with various patent litigation claims the Company pursues against others.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2017-09 which clarifies when to account for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award as a modification. Under the new guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions or the classification of the award changes as a result of the change in terms or conditions. This ASU is effective prospectively for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017, and early adoption was permitted. The Company adopted this ASU during the first quarter of 2018.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04 which eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge (Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test). Instead, an impairment charge will be based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value. This ASU is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed in periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for annual and interim goodwill impairment testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is evaluating the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements and whether to early adopt.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18 which is intended to reduce the diversity in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash in the statement of cash flows, by requiring entities to combine the changes in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash in one line. As a result, entities will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. In addition, if more than one line item is recorded on the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash, a reconciliation between the statement of cash flows and balance sheet is required. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption was permitted. The retrospective transition method, requiring adjustment to all comparative periods presented, is required. The Company adopted this ASU during the first quarter of 2018. The adoption resulted in an immaterial reclassification of cash inflows from investing activities to operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017. See Note 4—Cash and Restricted Cash for the reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported on the balance sheet to the total of such amounts shown on the statement of cash flows.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15 which addresses eight cash flow classification issues, eliminating the diversity in practice. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption was permitted. The retrospective transition method, requiring adjustment to all comparative periods presented, is required unless it is impracticable for some of the amendments, in which case those amendments would be prospectively applied as of the earliest date practicable. The Company adopted this ASU during the first quarter of 2018, and there was no adjustment to prior periods. Pursuant to adoption of this ASU, contingent consideration payments made in the first quarter of 2018 for the DepositAccounts and CompareCards acquisitions are classified as cash outflows from financing activities within the consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2018. See Note 6—Business Acquisitions for additional information.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 related to leases. This ASU requires the recognition of a right-of-use lease asset and a lease liability by lessees for all leases greater than one year in duration. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The guidance must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition. The Company is evaluating the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements and will adopt the ASU as of January 1, 2019.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 related to revenue recognition. This guidance introduces Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. In 2016, the FASB issued final amendments clarifying implementation guidance for principal versus agent considerations, identifying performance obligations, assessing collectability, presenting sales taxes, measuring noncash consideration and certain other transition matters. The clarification ASUs must be adopted concurrently with the adoption of ASU 2014-09 (collectively, "ASC Topic 606"). Under the new ASUs, the timing of recognizing revenue for closing fees and approval fees in the Company's non-mortgage product category has been accelerated to the point when a loan request or a credit card consumer is delivered to the customer as opposed to when the consumer loan is closed by the lender or credit card approval is made by the issuer and communicated to the Company.

The Company has adopted ASC Topic 606 as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition approach. The Company recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying ASC Topic 606 as an adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit. Under this approach, revenue for 2017 is reported in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income on the historical basis, and revenue for 2018 is reported in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income under ASC Topic 606. A comparison of revenue for 2018 periods to the historical basis is included below. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASC Topic 606 to have a material effect on annual revenue or net income from continuing operations on an ongoing basis. See Note 3—Revenue for additional information.

The cumulative effect of the changes made to the consolidated January 1, 2018 balance sheet for the adoption of ASC Topic 606 were as follows (in thousands):



	December 31, 2017			Adjustments due to ASC Topic 606			January 1, 2018
Assets:
Prepaid and other current assets	$	11,881		$	1,903		$	13,784
Deferred income tax assets	20,156			(530		)	19,626

Shareholders' equity:
Accumulated deficit	$	(708,354	)	$	1,373		$	(706,981	)

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The impact of adoption on the consolidated income statement and balance sheet for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
	As Reported		Balances without adoption of ASC Topic 606		Effect of Change
Revenue	$	181,035	$	180,844	$	191

Costs and expenses:
Income tax benefit	23,461		23,513		(52		)

Net income from continuing operations	$	35,857	$	35,718	$	139



	March 31, 2018
	As Reported			Balances without adoption of ASC Topic 606			Effect of Change
Assets:
Prepaid and other current assets	$	13,551		$	11,456		$	2,095
Deferred income tax assets	45,406			45,936			(530		)

Shareholders' equity:
Accumulated deficit	$	(675,457	)	$	(677,022	)	$	1,565

NOTE 3—REVENUE

Revenue is as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018 (As Reported)		2017
Revenue:
Mortgage products	$	73,462	$	62,938
Non-mortgage products
Credit cards	46,132		33,773
Personal loans	25,965		17,014
Other	35,476		18,790
Total non-mortgage products	107,573		69,577
Total revenue	$	181,035	$	132,515

The Company derives its revenue primarily from match fees and closing fees. Revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied and promised services have transferred to the customer. In identifying performance obligations, judgment is required around contracts where there was a possibility of bundled services and multiple parties. In applying judgment, the Company considered customer expectations of performance, materiality and the core principles of ASC Topic 606. The Company's services are generally transferred to the customer at a point in time.

Variable consideration is included in revenue if it is probable that a significant future reversal of cumulative revenue under the contract will not occur. Certain recent acquisitions have not been included in the estimate of variable consideration due to lack of historical information to determine an estimate. The estimate for variable consideration will be included as historical experience is developed.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Revenue within the mortgage product category is primarily generated from upfront match fees paid by network lenders that receive a loan request, and in some cases upfront fees for clicks or call transfers. Match fees and upfront fees for clicks and call transfers are earned through the delivery of loan requests that originated through the Company's websites or affiliates. The Company recognizes revenue at the time a loan request is delivered to the customer, provided that no significant obligations remain. Revenue recognition on match fees was not impacted by the adoption of ASC Topic 606, as the Company's contractual right to the match fee consideration is contemporaneous with the satisfaction of the performance obligation to deliver a loan request to the customer.

In addition to match and other upfront fees, revenue within the non-mortgage product category is also generated from closing fees and approval fees.

Closing fees are derived from lenders on certain auto loans, business loans, personal loans and student loans when the lender funds a loan with the consumer. Prior to the adoption of ASC Topic 606, closed loan fees were recognized at the time the lender reported the closed loan to the Company, which could be several months after the original request was transmitted.

Approval fees are derived from credit card issuers when the credit card consumer receives card approval from the credit card issuer. Prior to the adoption of ASC Topic 606, approval fees were recognized at the time the credit card issuer reported the card approval for the consumer to the Company, which is generally within two weeks after the consumer's request was transmitted.

Under ASC Topic 606, the timing of recognizing revenue for closing fees and approval fees is accelerated to the point when a loan request or a credit card consumer is delivered to the customer, as opposed to when the consumer loan is closed by the lender or credit card approval is made by the issuer. The Company's contractual right to closing fees and approval fees is not contemporaneous with the satisfaction of the performance obligation to deliver a loan request or a credit card consumer to the customer. As such, the Company will record a contract asset at each reporting period-end related to the estimated variable consideration on closing fees and approval fees for which the Company has satisfied the related performance obligation, but are still pending the loan closing or credit card approval before the Company has a contractual right to payment. This estimate is based on the Company's historical closing rates and historical time between when a consumer request for a loan or credit card is delivered to the lender or card issuer and when the loan is closed by the lender or approved by the card issuer. The term between satisfaction of the Company's performance obligation and when the Company's right to consideration becomes unconditional is generally less than 90 days.

The contract asset recorded within prepaid and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets related to estimated variable consideration was $1.9 million and $2.1 million on January 1, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively. There were no significant changes in the contract asset from January 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018.

Revenue recognized in any reporting period includes estimated variable consideration for which the Company has satisfied the related performance obligations, but are still pending the occurrence or non-occurrence of a future event outside the Company's control (such as lenders providing loans to consumers or credit card approvals of consumers) before the Company has a contractual right to payment. The Company recognized no adjustment to such revenue from prior periods in the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Both the mortgage and non-mortgage product categories are included in the Company's single reportable segment.

Our payment terms vary by customer and services offered. The term between invoicing and when payment is due is generally 30 days or less.

Sales commissions are incremental costs of obtaining contracts with customers. The Company expenses sales commissions when incurred as the duration of contracts with customers is less than one year, based on the right for either party to terminate the contract with less than one year's notice without compensation to either party. These costs are recorded within selling and marketing expense on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

NOTE 4—CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH

Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents consist of the following (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents	$	346,470	$	368,550
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	4,084		4,091
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents	$	350,554	$	372,641

Restricted cash and cash equivalents consists of the following (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Cash in escrow from sale of LendingTree Loans ^(a)	$	4,036	$	4,034
Other	48		57
Total restricted cash and cash equivalents	$	4,084	$	4,091


(a)	Home Loan Center, Inc. ("HLC"), a subsidiary of the Company, continues to be liable for certain indemnification obligations, repurchase obligations and premium repayment obligations following the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of its LendingTree Loans business in the second quarter of 2012.

NOTE 5—GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The balance of goodwill and intangible assets, net is as follows (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017
Goodwill	$	596,456		$	596,456
Accumulated impairment losses	(483,088		)	(483,088		)
Net goodwill	$	113,368		$	113,368

Intangible assets with indefinite lives	$	10,142		$	10,142
Intangible assets with definite lives, net	66,893			70,983
Total intangible assets, net	$	77,035		$	81,125

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

The Company's goodwill is associated with its one reportable segment. Intangible assets with indefinite lives relate to the Company's trademarks.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Intangible Assets with Definite Lives

Intangible assets with definite lives relate to the following (in thousands):



	Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Technology	$	37,500	$	(10,951	)	$	26,549
Customer lists	33,100		(3,977		)	29,123
Trademarks and tradenames	6,942		(2,310		)	4,632
Tenant leases	1,362		(630		)	732
Website content	7,800		(1,950		)	5,850
Other	256		(249		)	7
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	86,960	$	(20,067	)	$	66,893



	Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Technology	$	37,500	$	(8,694	)	$	28,806
Customer lists	33,100		(3,239		)	29,861
Trademarks and tradenames	6,942		(1,992		)	4,950
Tenant leases	1,362		(504		)	858
Website content	7,800		(1,300		)	6,500
Other	256		(248		)	8
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	86,960	$	(15,977	)	$	70,983

Amortization of intangible assets with definite lives is computed on a straight-line basis and, based on balances as of March 31, 2018, future amortization is estimated to be as follows (in thousands):



	Amortization Expense
Remainder of current year	$	12,160
Year ending December 31, 2019	15,995
Year ending December 31, 2020	13,970
Year ending December 31, 2021	5,763
Year ending December 31, 2022	3,902
Thereafter	15,103
Total intangible assets with definite lives, net	$	66,893

NOTE 6—BUSINESS ACQUISITION

Changes in Contingent Consideration

CompareCards

On November 16, 2016, the Company acquired all of the membership interests of Iron Horse Holdings, LLC, which does business under the name CompareCards ("CompareCards"). CompareCards is an online marketing platform for credit cards, which the Company is utilizing to grow its existing credit card business. The acquisition has been accounted for as a business combination. During 2017, the Company finalized the determination of the purchase price allocation with respect to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

The Company paid $80.7 million in initial cash consideration and agreed to make two earnout payments, each up to $22.5 million, based on the amount of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization CompareCards generates during the periods of January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017 and January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, or up to $45.0 million in aggregate payments. The purchase price for the acquisition is $103.8 million comprised of an upfront cash payment of $80.7

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million on November 16, 2016 and $23.1 million for the estimated fair value of the earnout payments at the time of closing the acquisition. In the first quarter of 2018, the Company paid $22.5 million related to the earnout payment for the period of January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017, which is included within cash flows from financing activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows.

As of March 31, 2018, the estimated fair value of the earnout payment for the period of January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018 was $22.3 million, which is included in current contingent consideration in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The full earnout for this period of $22.5 million was earned as of March 31, 2018 and has been recorded at its estimated present value. The difference in the actual earnout payment from the current estimated fair value of the earnout payment of $0.2 million will be recorded in operating income in the consolidated statements of operations. During the first quarter of 2018, the Company recorded $0.5 million of contingent consideration expense in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income due to the change in estimated fair value of the earnout payments.

DepositAccounts

On June 14, 2017, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Deposits Online, LLC, which does business under the name DepositAccounts.com (“DepositAccounts”). DepositAccounts is a leading consumer-facing media property in the depository industry and is one of the most comprehensive sources of depository deals and analysis on the Internet, covering all major deposit product categories through editorial content, programmatic rate tables and user-generated content. The acquisition has been accounted for as a business combination. During 2017, the Company finalized the determination of the purchase price allocation with respect to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

The Company paid $24.0 million of initial cash consideration and could make additional contingent consideration payments of up to $9.0 million. The potential contingent consideration payments are comprised of (i) up to seven payments of $1.0 million each based on specified increases in Federal Funds interest rates during the period commencing on the closing date and ending on June 30, 2020 and (ii) a one-time performance payment of up to $2.0 million based on the net revenue of deposit products during the period of January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018. These additional payments, to the extent earned, will be payable in cash. The purchase price for the acquisition is $29.0 million, comprised of the upfront cash payment of $24.0 million and $5.0 million for the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration at the time of closing the acquisition.

In the third quarter of 2017, the Company made a payment of $1.0 million associated with a specified increase in the Federal Funds rate in June 2017. In the first quarter of 2018, the Company paid $1.0 million associated with a specified increase in the Federal Funds rate in December 2017, which is included within cash flows from financing activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows. As of March 31, 2018, the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration totaled $5.9 million, of which $2.7 million is included in current contingent consideration and $3.2 million is included in non-current contingent consideration in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The estimated fair value of the portion of the contingent consideration payments based on increases in interest rates is determined using a scenario approach based on the interest rate forecasts of Federal Open Market Committee participants. The estimated fair value of the portion of the contingent consideration payments potentially earned based on net revenue is determined using an option pricing model. The estimated value of the contingent consideration is based upon available information and certain assumptions, known at the time of this report, which management believes are reasonable. Any differences in the actual contingent consideration payments will be recorded in operating income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. During the first quarter of 2018, the Company recorded $0.9 million of contingent consideration expense in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income due to the change in estimated fair value of the contingent consideration.

In April 2018, the Company paid $1.0 million associated with a specified increase in the Federal Funds rate in March 2018.

SnapCap

On September 19, 2017, the Company acquired certain assets of Snap Capital LLC, which does business under the name SnapCap (“SnapCap”). SnapCap, a tech-enabled online platform, connects business owners with lenders offering small business loans, lines of credit and merchant cash advance products through a concierge-based sales approach. The acquisition has been accounted for as a business combination. During 2017, the Company finalized the determination of the purchase price allocation with respect to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

The Company paid $11.9 million of initial cash consideration and could make up to three additional contingent consideration payments, each ranging from zero to $3.0 million, based on certain defined operating results during the periods of October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018, October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019 and October 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020. These

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

additional payments, to the extent earned, will be payable in cash. The purchase price for the acquisition is $18.2 million, comprised of the upfront cash payment of $11.9 million and $6.3 million for the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration.

As of March 31, 2018, the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration totaled $4.9 million, of which $2.9 million is included in current contingent consideration and $2.0 million is included in non-current contingent consideration in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration payments is determined using an option pricing model. The estimated value of the contingent consideration is based upon available information and certain assumptions, known at the time of this report, which management believes are reasonable. Any differences in the actual contingent consideration payments will be recorded in operating income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. During the first quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a gain of $2.1 million in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income due to the change in estimated fair value of the contingent consideration.

Pro forma Financial Results

The unaudited pro forma financial results for the first quarter of 2017 combines the consolidated results of the Company and DepositAccounts, SnapCap and Camino Del Avion (Delaware), LLC (“MagnifyMoney”) giving effect to the acquisitions as if the acquisitions had been completed on January 1, 2016. This unaudited pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposes only and is not indicative of future operations or results had the acquisitions been completed as of January 1, 2016 or any other date.

The unaudited pro forma financial results include adjustments for additional amortization expense based on the fair value of the intangible assets with definite lives and their estimated useful lives. The provision for income taxes from continuing operations has also been adjusted to reflect taxes on the historical results of operations of DepositAccounts and SnapCap. DepositAccounts and SnapCap did not pay taxes at the entity level as these entities were limited liability companies whose members elected for them to be taxed as a partnership.



	Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
	(in thousands)
Pro forma revenue	$	136,578
Pro forma net income from continuing operations	$	7,800

The unaudited pro forma net income from continuing operations in the first quarter of 2017 includes the aggregate after tax contingent consideration expense associated with the CompareCards earnouts of $5.2 million. Acquisition-related costs incurred by the Company and MagnifyMoney that are directly attributable to the acquisitions, and which will not have an on-going impact, have been eliminated from the unaudited pro forma net income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2017.

NOTE 7—ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Accrued litigation liabilities	$	32	$	346
Accrued advertising expense	43,728		40,727
Accrued compensation and benefits	5,432		7,679
Accrued professional fees	917		2,072
Customer deposits and escrows	5,555		5,564
Contribution to LendingTree Foundation	10,000		10,000
Other	12,486		10,795
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	78,150	$	77,183

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

NOTE 8—SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Basic and diluted income per share was determined based on the following share data (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018	2017
Weighted average basic common shares	12,090	11,827
Effect of stock options	1,559	1,553
Effect of dilutive share awards	213	97
Effect of Convertible Senior Notes and warrants	986	—
Weighted average diluted common shares	14,848	13,477

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the weighted average shares that were anti-dilutive, and therefore excluded from the calculation of diluted income per share, included options to purchase 0.3 million shares of common stock. No shares related to potentially dilutive securities were excluded from the calculation of diluted income per share for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

The 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes due June 1, 2022 and the warrants issued by the Company in the second quarter of 2017 could be converted into the Company’s common stock in the future, subject to certain contingencies. See Note 11—Debt for additional information.

Common Stock Repurchases

In each of January 2010, May 2014, January 2016, February 2016 and February 2018, the board of directors authorized and the Company announced the repurchase of up to $10.0 million, $10.0 million, $50.0 million, $40.0 million and $100.0 million, respectively, of LendingTree's common stock. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company purchased 30,416 shares of its common stock pursuant to this stock repurchase program. At March 31, 2018, approximately $116.7 million of the previous authorizations to repurchase common stock remain available for the Company to purchase its common stock.

NOTE 9—STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Non-cash compensation related to equity awards is included in the following line items in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Cost of revenue	$	58	$	43
Selling and marketing expense	1,501		485
General and administrative expense	8,739		1,219
Product development	811		483
Total non-cash compensation	$	11,109	$	2,230

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Stock Options

A summary of changes in outstanding stock options is as follows:



	Number of Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value^(a)
			(per option)		(in years)	(in thousands)
Options outstanding at January 1, 2018	1,863,739		$	30.70
Granted ^(b)	34,641		359.89
Exercised	(279,508	)	27.40
Forfeited	—		—
Expired	—		—
Options outstanding at March 31, 2018	1,618,872		38.31		3.98	$	470,309
Options exercisable at March 31, 2018	1,439,582		$	16.29	3.32	$	448,951

(a)

The aggregate intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company's closing stock price of $328.15 on the last trading day of the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares covered by in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holder had the option holder exercised these options on March 31, 2018. The intrinsic value changes based on the market value of the Company's common stock.

(b)

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company granted stock options to certain employees and a new member of the board of directors with a weighted average grant date fair value per share of $183.26, calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which vesting periods include (a) two years from the grant date, (b) three years from the grant date and (c) four years from the grant date.

For purposes of determining stock-based compensation expense, the weighted average grant date fair value per share of the stock options was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires the use of various key assumptions. The weighted average assumptions used are as follows:



Expected term ⁽¹⁾	5.75 - 6.25 years
Expected dividend ⁽²⁾	—
Expected volatility ⁽³⁾	50% - 51%
Risk-free interest rate ⁽⁴⁾	2.33% - 2.78%


(1)	The expected term of stock options granted was calculated using the "Simplified Method," which utilizes the midpoint between the weighted average time of vesting and the end of the contractual term. This method was utilized for the stock options due to a lack of historical exercise behavior by the Company's employees.


(2)	For all stock options granted in 2018, no dividends are expected to be paid over the contractual term of the stock options, resulting in a zero expected dividend rate.


(3)	The expected volatility rate is based on the historical volatility of the Company's common stock.


(4)	The risk-free interest rate is specific to the date of grant. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury yields for notes with comparable expected terms as the awards, in effect at the grant date.

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Stock Options with Performance Conditions

A summary of the changes in outstanding stock options with performance conditions is as follows:



	Number of Options	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value^(a)
		(per option)		(in years)	(in thousands)
Options outstanding at January 1, 2018	37,877	$	308.90
Granted	—	—
Exercised	—	—
Forfeited	—	—
Expired	—	—
Options outstanding at March 31, 2018	37,877	$	308.90	9.70	$	729
Options exercisable at March 31, 2018	—	$	—	0	$	—

(a)

Restricted Stock Units

A summary of the changes in outstanding nonvested restricted stock units ("RSUs"), exclusive of RSUs granted to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 2018 described below, is as follows:



	RSUs
	Number of Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
			(per unit)
Nonvested at January 1, 2018	152,829		$	121.68
Granted	36,948		364.34
Vested	(41,493	)	79.01
Forfeited	(840	)	151.35
Nonvested at March 31, 2018	147,444		$	194.33

Restricted Stock Units with Performance Conditions

A summary of the changes in outstanding nonvested RSUs with performance conditions is as follows:



	RSUs with Performance Conditions
	Number of Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
			(per unit)
Nonvested at January 1, 2018	111,205		$	160.34
Granted	—		—
Vested	(4,104	)	96.66
Forfeited	(2,055	)	109.57
Nonvested at March 31, 2018	105,046		$	163.83

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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Grants

2017 Grants

On July 25, 2017, the Company’s Compensation Committee approved new compensation arrangements for its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The new compensation arrangements include the issuance of performance based equity compensation grants with a modeled total grant date value of $87.5 million of which 25% (119,015 shares) would be in the form of time-vested restricted stock awards with a performance condition and 75% (a maximum of 769,376 shares) would be in the form of performance-based nonqualified stock options.

The performance-based nonqualified stock options have a target number of shares that vest upon achieving targeted total shareholder return performance of 110% stock price appreciation and a maximum number of shares for achieving superior performance up to 167% of the target number of shares. No shares will vest unless 70% of the targeted performance is achieved. Time-based service vesting conditions would also have to be satisfied in order for performance-vested shares to become fully vested and no longer subject to forfeiture. On July 26, 2017, an initial grant of performance-based nonqualified stock options with a target number of shares of 402,694 and a maximum number of shares of 672,499 were issued with an exercise price of $183.80, the closing stock price on July 26, 2017. The performance measurement period ends on September 30, 2022. The fair value of the performance-based stock options will be recognized on a straight-line basis through the vest date of September 30, 2022, whether or not any of the total shareholder return targets are met.

The Company's Fifth Amended and Restated 2008 Stock and Annual Incentive Plan (the "2008 Plan") imposes a per employee upper annual grant limit of 672,500 shares. As a result, the remaining 58,010 target performance-based nonqualified stock options and potential performance-based restricted stock awards were awarded on January 2, 2018. The form of the awards consisted of 31,336 performance-based nonqualified stock options with a per share exercise price of $340.25, and 26,674 performance-based restricted stock awards, substituting for an equal number of the performance-based options, to compensate for the increase in the exercise price of the performance-based option granted on July 26, 2017. These performance-based nonqualified stock options and performance-based restricted stock awards were issued with respective total grant date fair values of $9.5 million and $1.9 million.

As of March 31, 2018, performance-based nonqualified stock options of 312,008 and performance-based restricted stock awards of 19,175 had been earned, which have a vest date of September 30, 2022.

On January 2, 2018, the 119,015 time-vested restricted stock awards with a performance condition were granted. The terms of these awards were fixed in the approved new compensation agreements in July 2017 with a total grant date fair value of $21.9 million. The performance condition is tied to the Company's operating results during the first six months of 2018. As of March 31, 2018, the performance condition associated with the awards has been met.

2018 Grants

On February 16, 2018, the Company’s Compensation Committee approved the issuance of performance based equity compensation grants to its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer with a modeled total grant date value of $7.5 million, of which 50% (9,896 shares) would be in the form of time-vested restricted stock units and 50% (a maximum of 21,982 shares) would be in the form of performance-based nonqualified stock options. On February 16, 2018, the 9,896 time-vested restricted stock units were granted with a grant date fair value of $378.95.

The performance-based nonqualified stock options have a target number of shares that vest upon achieving targeted total shareholder return performance of 81% stock price appreciation and a maximum number of shares for achieving superior performance up to 167% of the target number of shares. No shares will vest unless 41% of the targeted performance is achieved. Time-based service vesting conditions would also have to be satisfied in order for performance-vested shares to become fully vested and no longer subject to forfeiture. On February 16, 2018, the performance-based nonqualified stock options with a target number of shares of 13,163 and a maximum number of shares of 21,982 were issued with an exercise price of $378.95, the closing stock price on February 16, 2018. The performance measurement period ends on March 31, 2022. The fair value of the performance-based stock options will be recognized on a straight-line basis through the vest date of March 31, 2022, whether or not any of the total shareholder return targets are met. As of March 31, 2018, the performance targets associated with the performance-based nonqualified stock options had not been met.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

In the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company recorded $5.3 million in stock-based compensation expense related to the 2017 and 2018 grants to its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.

A summary of changes in outstanding stock options with market conditions is as follows:



	Number of Options with Market Conditions	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value^(a)
		(per option)		(in years)	(in thousands)
Options outstanding at January 1, 2018	402,694	$	183.80
Granted (b)	44,499	351.70
Exercised	—	—
Forfeited	—	—
Expired	—	—
Options outstanding at March 31, 2018	447,193	200.51		9.37	$	58,129
Options exercisable at March 31, 2018	—	$	—	0	$	—

(a)


(b)	During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company granted stock options with a weighted average grant date fair value per share of $296.80, calculated using the Monte Carlo simulation model, which have vesting dates of March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2022.

For purposes of determining stock-based compensation expense, the weighted average grant date fair value per share of the stock options was estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation model, which requires the use of various key assumptions. The weighted average assumptions used are as follows:



Expected term ⁽¹⁾	7.00 - 7.15 years
Expected dividend ⁽²⁾	—
Expected volatility ⁽³⁾	50%
Risk-free interest rate ⁽⁴⁾	2.38% - 2.81%


(1)	The expected term of stock options with a market condition granted was calculated using the midpoint between the weighted average time of vesting and the end of the contractual term.


(2)	For all stock options with a market condition granted in 2018, no dividends are expected to be paid over the contractual term of the stock options, resulting in a zero expected dividend rate.


(3)	The expected volatility rate is based on the historical volatility of the Company's common stock.


(4)	The risk-free interest rate is specific to the date of grant. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury yields for notes with comparable expected terms as the awards, in effect at the grant date.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

NOTE 10—INCOME TAXES



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Income tax benefit	$	23,461		$	1,079
Effective tax rate	189.3		%	16.1		%

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the effective tax rate varied from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to a tax benefit of $27.2 million recognized for excess tax benefits due to employee exercises of stock options and vesting of restricted stock in accordance with ASU 2016-09 and the effect of state taxes.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the effective tax rate varied from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to a tax benefit of $3.8 million recognized for excess tax benefits due to employee exercises of stock options and vesting of restricted stock in accordance with ASU 2016-09.



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
	(in thousands)
Income tax expense - excluding excess tax benefit on stock compensation	$	(3,742	)	$	(2,683	)
Excess tax benefit on stock compensation	27,203			3,762
Income tax benefit	$	23,461		$	1,079

NOTE 11—DEBT

Convertible Senior Notes

On May 31, 2017, the Company issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes due June 1, 2022 (the “Notes”) in a private placement. The Notes bear interest at a rate of 0.625% per year, payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on December 1, 2017. The Notes will mature on June 1, 2022, unless earlier repurchased or converted.

The initial conversion rate of the Notes is 4.8163 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes (which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $207.63 per share). The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events but will not be adjusted for accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, upon the occurrence of a fundamental change prior to the maturity of the Notes, the Company will, in certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate by a specified number of additional shares for a holder that elects to convert the Notes in connection with such fundamental change. Upon conversion, the Notes will settle for cash, shares of the Company’s stock, or a combination thereof, at the Company’s option. It is the intent of the Company to settle the principal amount of the Notes in cash and any conversion premium in shares of its common stock.

The Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations and will rank senior in right of payment to any of the Company’s indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes; equal in right of payment to any of the Company’s unsecured indebtedness that is not so subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of the Company’s secured indebtedness, including borrowings under the senior secured Revolving Credit Facility, described below, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of the Company’s subsidiaries.

Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding February 1, 2022, the Notes will be convertible at the option of the holders thereof only under the following circumstances:


•	during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on September 30, 2017 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive)

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during the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day;


•	during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period in which, for each trading day of that period, the trading price (as defined in the Notes) per $1,000 principal amount of Notes for such trading day was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the Common Stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; or


•	upon the occurrence of specified corporate events including but not limited to a fundamental change.

Holders of the Notes became entitled to convert the Notes on January 1, 2018, based on the last reported sales price of the Company's common stock, for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on December 31, 2017, being greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price of the Notes on each applicable trading day. Holders of the Notes will continue to have such right until June 30, 2018, based on the last reported sales price of the Company's common stock, for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on March 31, 2018, being greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price of the Notes on each applicable trading day.

On or after February 1, 2022, until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date of the Notes, holders of the Notes may convert all or a portion of their Notes regardless of the foregoing conditions.

The Company may not redeem the Notes prior to the maturity date and no sinking fund is provided for the Notes. Upon the occurrence of a fundamental change prior to the maturity date of the Notes, holders of the Notes may require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the Notes for cash at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.

If the market price per share of the Common Stock, as measured under the terms of the Notes, exceeds the conversion price of the Notes, the Notes could have a dilutive effect, unless the Company elects, subject to certain conditions, to settle the principal amount of the Notes and any conversion premium in cash.

The initial measurement of convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash are separated into a debt and equity component whereby the debt component is based on the fair value of a similar instrument that does not contain an equity conversion option. The separate components of debt and equity of the Company’s Notes were determined using an interest rate of 5.36%, which reflects the nonconvertible debt borrowing rate of the Company at the date of issuance. As a result, the initial components of debt and equity were $238.4 million and $61.6 million, respectively.

Financing costs related to the issuance of the Notes were approximately $9.3 million of which $7.4 million were allocated to the liability component and are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the debt and $1.9 million were allocated to the equity component.

In the first quarter of 2018, the Company recorded interest expense on the Notes of $3.6 million which consisted of $0.5 million associated with the 0.625% coupon rate, $2.8 million associated with the accretion of the debt discount, and $0.3 million associated with the amortization of the debt issuance costs. The debt discount will be amortized over the term of the debt.

As of March 31, 2018, the fair value of the Notes is estimated to be approximately $508.5 million using the Level 1 observable input of the last quoted market price on March 29, 2018.

A summary of the gross carrying amount, unamortized debt cost, debt issuance costs and net carrying value of the liability component of the Notes are as follows (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Gross carrying amount	$	300,000	$	300,000
Unamortized debt discount	52,403		55,202
Debt issuance costs	6,265		6,599
Net carrying amount	$	241,332	$	238,199

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Convertible Note Hedge and Warrant Transactions

On May 31, 2017, in connection with the issuance of the Notes, the Company entered into Convertible Note Hedge (the “Hedge”) and Warrant transactions with respect to the Company’s common stock. The Company used approximately $18.1 million of the net proceeds from the Notes to pay for the cost of the Hedge, after such cost was partially offset by the proceeds from the Warrant transactions.

On May 31, 2017, the Company paid $61.5 million to the counterparties for the Hedge transactions. The Hedge transactions cover approximately 1.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock, the same number of shares initially underlying the Notes, and are exercisable upon any conversion of the Notes. The Hedge Transactions are expected generally to reduce the potential dilution to the Common Stock upon conversion of the Notes and/or offset any cash payments the Company is required to make in excess of the principal amount of the converted Notes, as the case may be, in the event that the market price per share of Common Stock, as measured under the terms of the Hedge transactions, is greater than the strike price of the Hedge transactions, which initially corresponds to the initial conversion price of the Notes, or approximately $207.63 per share of Common Stock. The Hedge transactions will expire upon the maturity of the Notes.

On May 31, 2017, the Company sold to the counterparties, warrants (the "Warrants") to acquire 1.4 million shares of Common Stock at an initial strike price of $266.39 per share, which represents a premium of 70% over the reported sale price of the Common Stock of $156.70 on May 24, 2017. On May 31, 2017, the Company received aggregate proceeds of approximately $43.4 million from the sale of the Warrants.

If the market price per share of the Common Stock, as measured under the terms of the Warrants, exceeds the strike price of the Warrants, the Warrants could have a dilutive effect, unless the Company elects, subject to certain conditions, to settle the Warrants in cash.

The Hedge and Warrant transactions are indexed to, and potentially settled in, the Company's common stock and the net cost of $18.1 million has been recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity.

Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

On November 21, 2017, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, LendingTree, LLC, entered into an amended and restated $250.0 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility which matures on November 21, 2022 (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). The Revolving Credit Facility replaced the Company's previous $125.0 million revolving credit facility. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility can be used to finance working capital needs, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes, including to finance permitted acquisitions. As of March 31, 2018, the Company does not have any borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility.

Up to $10.0 million of the Revolving Credit Facility will be available for short-term loans, referred to as swingline loans. Additionally, up to $10.0 million of the Revolving Credit Facility will be available for the issuance of letters of credit. Under certain conditions, the Company will be permitted to add one or more term loans and/or increase revolving commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility by an additional $100.0 million, or a greater amount provided that a total consolidated senior secured debt to EBITDA ratio does not exceed 2.50 to 1.00.

The Company’s borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at annual rates that, at the Company’s option, will be either:


•	a base rate generally defined as the sum of (i) the greater of (a) the prime rate of SunTrust Bank, (b) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.5% and (c) the LIBO rate (defined below) on a daily basis applicable for an interest period of one month plus 1.0% and (ii) an applicable percentage of 0.25% to 1.0% based on a total consolidated debt to EBITDA ratio; or


•	a LIBO rate generally defined as the sum of (i) the rate for Eurodollar deposits in the applicable currency and (ii) an applicable percentage of 1.25% to 2.0% based on a total consolidated debt to EBITDA ratio.

All swingline loans bear interest at the base rate defined above. Interest on the Company’s borrowings are payable quarterly in arrears for base rate loans and on the last day of each interest rate period (but not less often than three months) for LIBO rate loans.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The Revolving Credit Facility contains a restrictive financial covenant, which initially limits the total consolidated debt to EBITDA ratio to 4.5, with step downs to 4.0 over time, except that this may increase by 0.5 for the four fiscal quarters following a material acquisition. In addition, the Revolving Credit Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants in addition to events of default for a transaction of this type that, among other things, restrict additional indebtedness, liens, mergers or certain fundamental changes, asset dispositions, dividends, stock repurchases and other restricted payments, transactions with affiliates, sale-leaseback transactions, hedging transactions, loans and investments and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at March 31, 2018.

The Revolving Credit Facility requires LendingTree, LLC to pledge as collateral, subject to certain customary exclusions, substantially all of its assets, including 100% of its equity in all of its domestic subsidiaries and 66% of the voting equity, and 100% of the non-voting equity, in all of its material foreign subsidiaries (of which there are currently none). The obligations under this facility are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by LendingTree, Inc. and material domestic subsidiaries of LendingTree, LLC, which guaranties are secured by a pledge as collateral, subject to certain customary exclusions, of 100% of each such guarantor's assets, including 100% of each such guarantor’s equity in all of its domestic subsidiaries and 66% of the voting equity, and 100% of the non-voting equity, in all of its material foreign subsidiaries (of which there are currently none).

The Company is required to pay an unused commitment fee quarterly in arrears on the difference between committed amounts and amounts actually borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility equal to an applicable percentage of 0.25% to 0.45% per annum based on a total consolidated debt to EBITDA ratio. The Company is required to pay a letter of credit participation fee and a letter of credit fronting fee quarterly in arrears. The letter of credit participation fee is based upon the aggregate face amount of outstanding letters of credit at an applicable percentage of 1.25% to 2.0% based on a total consolidated debt to EBITDA ratio. The letter of credit fronting fee is 0.125% per annum on the face amount of each letter of credit.

In addition to the remaining unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the original revolving credit facility, debt issuance costs of $1.4 million related to the Revolving Credit Facility are being amortized to interest expense over the life of the Revolving Credit Facility of five years, and are included in prepaid and other current assets and other non-current assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

NOTE 12—CONTINGENCIES

Overview

LendingTree is involved in legal proceedings on an ongoing basis. In assessing the materiality of a legal proceeding, the Company evaluates, among other factors, the amount of monetary damages claimed, as well as the potential impact of non-monetary remedies sought by plaintiffs (e.g., injunctive relief) that may require it to change its business practices in a manner that could have a material and adverse impact on the business. With respect to the matters disclosed in this Note 12, unless otherwise indicated, the Company is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of losses that could potentially result from the application of such non-monetary remedies.

As of March 31, 2018, the Company had a litigation settlement accrual of $8.0 million in discontinued operations. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had litigation settlement accruals of $0.3 million and $4.0 million in continuing operations and discontinued operations, respectively. The litigation settlement accrual relates to litigation matters that were either settled or a firm offer for settlement was extended, thereby establishing an accrual amount that is both probable and reasonably estimable.

Specific Matters

Litigation Related to Discontinued Operations

Residential Funding Company

Residential Funding Company, LLC v Home Loan Center, Inc., No. 13-cv-3451 (U.S. Dist. Ct., Minn.). On or about December 16, 2013, Home Loan Center, Inc. was served in the above captioned matter. Generally, Residential Funding Company, LLC ("RFC") seeks damages for breach of contract and indemnification for certain residential mortgage loans as well as residential mortgage-backed securitizations ("RMBS") containing mortgage loans. RFC asserts that, beginning in 2008, RFC faced massive repurchase demands and lawsuits from purchasers or insurers of the loans and RMBS that RFC had sold. RFC filed for bankruptcy protection in May 2012. Plaintiff alleges that, after RFC filed for Chapter 11 protection, hundreds of proofs of claim were filed, many of which mirrored the litigation filed against RFC prior to its bankruptcy.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

In December 2013, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York entered an Order confirming the Second Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan Proposed by Residential Capital, LLC et al. and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors. Plaintiff then began filing substantially similar complaints against approximately 80 of the loan originators from whom RFC had purchased loans, including Home Loan Center, in federal and state courts in Minnesota and New York. In each case, Plaintiff claims that the defendant is liable for a portion of the global settlement in RFC’s bankruptcy.

Plaintiff asserts two claims against HLC: (1) breach of contract based on HLC’s alleged breach of representations and warranties concerning the quality and characteristics of the mortgage loans it sold to RFC (Count One); and (2) contractual indemnification for alleged liabilities, losses, and damages incurred by RFC arising out of purported defects in loans that RFC purchased from HSBC and sold to third parties (Count Two). Plaintiff alleges that the “types of defects” contained in the loans it purchased from HLC included “income misrepresentation, employment misrepresentation, appraisal misrepresentations or inaccuracies, undisclosed debt, and missing or inaccurate documents.”

HLC filed a Motion to Dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or, in the alternative, a Motion for More Definite Statement under Rule 12(e). On June 25, 2015 the judge denied HLC's motion.

On July 9, 2015, HLC filed its answer to RFC’s complaint, denying the material allegations of the complaint and asserting numerous defenses thereto. The parties filed their respective motions for summary judgment in April 2018. Plaintiff is seeking damages of $61.0 million in this action; HLC intends to vigorously defend this action. An estimated liability of $7.0 million for this matter is included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018.

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. v. 1st Advantage Mortgage, LLC et al., Case No. 08-13555 (SCC), Adversary Proceeding No. 16-01342 (SCC) (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.). In February 2016, Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. (“LBHI”) filed an Adversary Complaint against Home Loan Center and approximately 149 other defendants (the "Complaint"). The Complaint generally seeks (1) a declaratory judgment that the settlements entered into by LBHI with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as part of LBHI's bankruptcy proceedings gave rise to LBHI's contractual indemnification claims against defendants alleged in the Complaint; (2) indemnification from HLC and the other defendants for losses allegedly incurred by LBHI in respect of defective mortgage loans sold by defendants to LBHI or its affiliates; and (3) interest, attorneys' fees and costs incurred by LBHI in the litigation. On March 31, 2017, HLC filed an omnibus motion to dismiss with other defendants. HLC intends to defend this action vigorously. HLC had previously received a demand letter (the "Letter") from LBHI in December 2014 with respect to 64 loans (the “Loans”) that LBHI alleges were sold by HLC to Lehman Brothers Bank, FSB (“LBB”) between 2004 and 2008 pursuant to a loan purchase agreement (the “LPA”) between HLC and LBB. The Letter generally sought indemnification from HLC in accordance with the LPA for certain claims that LBHI alleged it allowed in its bankruptcy with respect to the Loans. An estimated liability of $1.0 million for this matter is included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018.

NOTE 13—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Other than the 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes and the Warrants, the carrying amounts of the Company's financial instruments are equal to fair value at March 31, 2018. See Note 11—Debt for additional information on the 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes and the Warrants.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Contingent consideration payments related to acquisitions are measured at fair value each reporting period using Level 3 unobservable inputs. The changes in the fair value of the Company's Level 3 liabilities during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Contingent consideration, beginning of period	$	57,349		$	23,100
Transfers into Level 3	—			—
Transfers out of Level 3	—			—
Total net (gains) losses included in earnings (realized and unrealized)	(741		)	8,746
Purchases, sales and settlements:
Additions	—			—
Payments	(23,500		)	—
Contingent consideration, end of period	$	33,108		$	31,846

The contingent consideration liability at March 31, 2018 is the estimated fair value of the earnout payments of the CompareCards, DepositAccounts and SnapCap acquisitions. The Company will make an earnout payment of $22.5 million based on the achievement of certain defined earnings targets for CompareCards, payments ranging from $1.0 million to $7.0 million based on the achievement of defined milestone and performance targets for DepositAccounts, and payments ranging from zero to $9.0 million based on the achievement of certain defined earnings targets for SnapCap. See Note 6—Business Acquisition for additional information on the contingent consideration for each of these respective acquisitions. The significant unobservable inputs used to calculate the fair value of the contingent consideration are estimated future cash flows for the acquisitions, estimated date and likelihood of an increase in interest rates and the discount rate. Actual results will differ from the projected results and could have a significant impact on the estimated fair value of the contingent considerations. Additionally, as the liability is stated at present value, the passage of time alone will increase the estimated fair value of the liability each reporting period. Any changes in fair value will be recorded in operating income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

NOTE 14—SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company has one reportable segment.

Mortgage and non-mortgage product revenue is as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Mortgage products	$	73,462	$	62,938
Non-mortgage products	107,573		69,577
Total revenue	$	181,035	$	132,515

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

NOTE 15—DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

The revenue and net loss reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income are as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
Revenue	$	—		$	(750	)

Loss before income taxes	$	(5,485	)	$	(1,435	)
Income tax benefit	1,152			503
Net loss	$	(4,333	)	$	(932	)

During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, loss from discontinued operations was primarily due to litigation settlements and contingencies and legal fees associated with ongoing legal proceedings.

LendingTree Loans

On June 6, 2012, the Company sold substantially all of the operating assets of its LendingTree Loans business for $55.9 million in cash to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Discover Financial Services ("Discover"). Discover generally did not assume liabilities of the LendingTree Loans business that arose before the closing date, except for certain liabilities directly related to assets Discover acquired. Of the purchase price paid, as of March 31, 2018, $4.0 million is being held in escrow in accordance with the agreement with Discover for certain loan loss obligations that remain with the Company following the sale. The escrowed amount is recorded as restricted cash as of March 31, 2018.

Significant Assets and Liabilities of LendingTree Loans

Upon closing of the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of the LendingTree Loans business on June 6, 2012, LendingTree Loans ceased to originate consumer loans. Liability for losses on previously sold loans will remain with LendingTree Loans and are discussed below.

Loan Loss Obligations

LendingTree Loans sold loans it originated to investors on a servicing-released basis, so the risk of loss or default by the borrower was generally transferred to the investor. However, LendingTree Loans was required by these investors to make certain representations and warranties relating to credit information, loan documentation and collateral. These representations and warranties may extend through the contractual life of the loan. Subsequent to the loan sale, if underwriting deficiencies, borrower fraud or documentation defects are discovered in individual loans, LendingTree Loans may be obligated to repurchase the respective loan or indemnify the investors for any losses from borrower defaults if such deficiency or defect cannot be cured within the specified period following discovery.

HLC, a subsidiary of the Company, continues to be liable for these indemnification obligations, repurchase obligations and premium repayment obligations following the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of its LendingTree Loans business in the second quarter of 2012.

The following table represents the aggregate loans sold, subsequent settlements and remaining unsettled loans.



	Number of Loans		Original Issue Balance
	(in thousands)		(in billions)
Loans sold by HLC	234		$	38.9
Subsequent settlements	(172	)	(28.8		)
Remaining unsettled balance as of March 31, 2018	62		$	10.1

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

During the fourth quarter of 2015, LendingTree Loans completed a settlement agreement for $0.6 million with one of the investors to which it had sold loans. This investor accounted for approximately 10% of the total number of loans sold and 12% of the original issue balance. This settlement related to all existing and future losses on loans sold to this investor.

During the fourth quarter of 2014, LendingTree Loans completed a settlement agreement for $5.4 million with the largest investor to which it had sold loans. This investor accounted for approximately 40% of both the total number of loans sold and the original issue balance. This settlement related to all existing and future losses on loans sold to this investor.

In the second quarter of 2014, LendingTree Loans completed settlements with two buyers of previously purchased loans.

The Company has been negotiating with certain of the remaining secondary market purchasers to settle any existing and future contingent liabilities, but it may not be able to complete such negotiations on acceptable terms, or at all. Because LendingTree Loans does not service the loans it sold, it does not maintain nor generally have access to the current balances and loan performance data with respect to the individual loans previously sold to investors. Accordingly, LendingTree Loans is unable to determine, with precision, its maximum exposure for breaches of the representations and warranties it made to the investors that purchased such loans.

The Company uses a settlement discount framework for evaluating the adequacy of the reserve for loan losses. This model estimates lifetime losses on the population of remaining loans originated and sold by LendingTree Loans using actual defaults for loans with similar characteristics and projected future defaults. It also considers the likelihood of claims expected due to alleged breaches of representations and warranties made by LendingTree Loans and the percentage of those claims investors estimate LendingTree Loans may agree to repurchase. A settlement discount factor is then applied to the result of the foregoing to reflect publicly-announced bulk settlements for similar loan types and vintages, the Company's own settlement experience, as well as LendingTree Loans' non-operating status, in order to estimate a range of potential obligation.

The estimated range of remaining loan losses using this settlement discount framework was determined to be $4.3 million to $7.8 million at March 31, 2018. The reserve balance recorded as of March 31, 2018 was $7.6 million. Management has considered both objective and subjective factors in the estimation process, but given current general industry trends in mortgage loans as well as housing prices and market expectations, actual losses related to LendingTree Loans' obligations could vary significantly from the obligation recorded as of the balance sheet date or the range estimated above.

Additionally, LendingTree has guaranteed certain loans sold to two investors in the event that LendingTree Loans is unable to satisfy its repurchase and warranty obligations related to such loans.

Based on historical experience, it is anticipated that LendingTree Loans will continue to receive repurchase requests and incur losses on loans sold in prior years.

The activity related to loss reserves on previously sold loans is as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017
Loan loss reserve, beginning of period	$	7,554	$	6,804
Provisions	—		750
Charge-offs to reserves	—		—
Loan loss reserve, end of period	$	7,554	$	7,554

The liability for losses on previously sold loans is presented as current liabilities of discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This report contains "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. These forward-looking statements include statements related to our anticipated financial performance, business prospects and strategy; anticipated trends and prospects in the various industries in which our businesses operate; new products, services and related strategies; and other similar matters. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions about future events, which are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. The use of words such as "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "intends," "plans" and "believes," among others, generally identify forward-looking statements.

Actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include those matters discussed or referenced in Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors included elsewhere in this quarterly report and Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of the 2017 Annual Report.

Other unknown or unpredictable factors that could also adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations may arise from time to time. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking statements discussed in this report may not prove to be accurate. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which only reflect the views of LendingTree, Inc.'s management as of the date of this report. We undertake 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, except as required by law.

Company Overview

LendingTree, Inc., is the parent of LendingTree, LLC and several companies owned by LendingTree, LLC.

LendingTree operates what we believe to be the leading online loan marketplace for consumers seeking loans and other credit-based offerings. Our online marketplace provides consumers with access to product offerings from our Network Lenders, including 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 and other related offerings. In addition, we offer tools and resources, including free credit scores, that facilitate comparison shopping for these loans, deposits and other credit-based offerings. We seek to match consumers with multiple lenders, who can provide them with competing quotes for the product they are seeking. We also serve as a valued partner to lenders seeking an efficient, scalable and flexible source of customer acquisition with directly measurable benefits, by matching the consumer inquiries we generate with these lenders.

Our My LendingTree platform offers a personalized loan comparison-shopping experience by providing free credit scores and credit score analysis. This platform enables us to observe consumers' credit profiles and then identify and alert them to loan and other credit-based opportunities on our marketplace that may be more favorable than the loans they may have at a given point in time. This is designed to provide consumers with measurable savings opportunities over their lifetimes.

In addition to operating our core mortgage business, we are focused on growing our non-mortgage lending businesses and developing new product offerings and enhancements to improve the experiences that consumers and lenders have as they interact with us. By expanding our portfolio of loans and other product offerings, we are growing and diversifying our business and sources of revenue. We intend to capitalize on our expertise in performance marketing, product development and technology, and to leverage the widespread recognition of the LendingTree brand to effect this strategy.

We believe the consumer and small business financial services industry is in the early stages of a fundamental shift to online product offerings, similar to the shift that started in retail and travel many years ago and is now well established. We believe that like retail and travel, as consumers continue to move towards online shopping and transactions for financial services, suppliers will increasingly shift their product offerings and advertising budgets toward the online channel. We believe the strength of our brands and of our lender network place us in a strong position to continue to benefit from this market shift.

The LendingTree Loans business is presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and consolidated cash flows for all periods presented. Except for the discussion under the heading "Discontinued Operations," the analysis within Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations reflects our continuing operations.

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Convertible Senior Notes and Hedge and Warrant Transactions

On May 31, 2017, we issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes due June 1, 2022 and, in connection therewith, entered into Convertible Note Hedge and Warrant transactions with respect to our common stock. For more information, see Note 11—Debt, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

Recent Business Acquisitions

On September 19, 2017, we acquired certain assets of Snap Capital LLC, which does business under the name SnapCap for $11.9 million in cash at closing and contingent consideration payments of up to $9.0 million through March 31, 2020. SnapCap is a tech-enabled online platform, which connects business owners with lenders offering small business loans, lines of credit and merchant cash advance products through a concierge-based sales approach. We believe that by combining SnapCap's high-touch, high-conversion sales approach with our brand and performance marketing expertise, we can derive substantial revenue synergies and accelerate growth in our small business offering.

On June 20, 2017, we acquired the membership interests of Camino Del Avion (Delaware), LLC, which does business under the name MagnifyMoney for $29.6 million cash consideration at the closing of the transaction. MagnifyMoney is a leading consumer-facing media property that offers editorial content, expert commentary, tools and resources to help consumers compare financial products and make informed financial decisions. The MagnifyMoney team brings the expertise and infrastructure to expand content creation and distribution across all of our consumer facing brands, improving our presence and efficacy in acquisition channels such as search engine optimization.

On June 14, 2017, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Deposits Online, LLC, which does business under the name DepositAccounts.com (“DepositAccounts”) for $24.0 million in cash at closing and contingent consideration payments of up to $9.0 million through June 30, 2020. DepositAccounts is a leading consumer-facing media property in the depository industry and is one of the most comprehensive sources of depository deals and analysis on the Internet, covering all major deposit product categories through editorial content, programmatic rate tables and user-generated content. This acquisition represents our first offering to address the asset side of the consumer balance sheet.

These acquisitions continue our diversification strategy.

Acquisition of North Carolina Office Properties

In December 2016, we completed the acquisition of two office buildings in Charlotte, North Carolina, for $23.5 million in cash. The buildings were acquired with the intent to use such buildings as our principal executive offices in the future; any unused space in the buildings may continue to be occupied by tenants.

With our expansion in North Carolina, we received a grant from the state that provides up to $4.9 million in reimbursements over 12 years for investing in real estate and infrastructure in addition to increasing jobs in North Carolina at specific targeted levels through 2020, and maintaining the jobs thereafter. Additionally, the city of Charlotte and the county of Mecklenburg provided a grant that will be paid over five years and is based on a percentage of new property tax we pay on the development.

Seasonality

Revenue in our lending business is subject to cyclical and seasonal trends. Home sales (and purchase mortgages) typically rise during the spring and summer months and decline during the fall and winter months, while refinancing and home equity activity is principally driven by mortgage interest rates as well as real estate values.

We anticipate revenue in our newer products to be cyclical as well; however, we have limited historical data to predict the nature and magnitude of this cyclicality. Based on industry data, we anticipate as our personal loan product matures we will experience less consumer demand during the fourth and first quarters of each year. We also anticipate less consumer demand for credit cards in the fourth quarter of each year and we anticipate higher consumer demand for deposit accounts in the first quarter of each year. The majority of consumer demand for student loan products occurs in the third quarter coinciding with collegiate enrollment in late summer. Other factors affecting our business include macro factors such as credit availability in the market, interest rates, the strength of the economy and employment.

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Recent Mortgage Interest Rate Trends

Interest rate and market risks can be substantial in the mortgage lead generation business. Short-term fluctuations in mortgage interest rates primarily affect consumer demand for mortgage refinancings, while long-term fluctuations in mortgage interest rates, coupled with the U.S. real estate market, affect consumer demand for new mortgages. Consumer demand, in turn, affects lender demand for mortgage leads from third-party sources. Typically, a decline in mortgage interest rates will lead to reduced lender demand, as there are more consumers in the marketplace seeking financing and, accordingly, lenders receive more organic lead volume. Conversely, an increase in mortgage interest rates will typically lead to an increase in lender demand, as there are fewer consumers in the marketplace and, accordingly, the supply of organic mortgage lead volume decreases.

According to Freddie Mac, 30-year mortgage interest rates increased to a monthly average of 4.44% in March 2018, the highest since December 2013. On a quarterly basis, 30-year mortgage interest rates in the first quarter of 2018 averaged 4.27%, as compared to 4.17% in the first quarter of 2017 and 3.92% in the fourth quarter of 2017.

https://cdn.kscope.io/a66f1f1061c4d404af26f33755e69f8b-mortgageoriga04.jpg

Typically, as mortgage interest rates rise, there are fewer consumers in the marketplace seeking refinancings and, accordingly, the mix of mortgage origination dollars moves towards purchase mortgages. According to Mortgage Bankers Association ("MBA") data, total refinance origination dollars remained at 37% of total mortgage origination dollars, while purchase origination dollars remained at 63% in the first quarter of 2018 from the fourth quarter of 2017. In the first quarter of 2018, the volume of total refinance origination dollars decreased 16% from the fourth quarter of 2017 and 14% from the first quarter of 2017.

Looking forward, MBA is projecting 30-year mortgage interest rates to increase through the end of the year. According to MBA projections, the mix of mortgage origination dollars will move towards purchase mortgages during 2018 with the refinance share representing approximately 27% for 2018.

The U.S. Real Estate Market

The health of the U.S. real estate market and interest rate levels are the primary drivers of consumer demand for new mortgages. Consumer demand, in turn, affects lender demand for purchase mortgage leads from third-party sources. Typically, a strong real estate market will lead to reduced lender demand for leads, as there are more consumers in the marketplace seeking financing and, accordingly, lenders receive more organic lead volume. Conversely, a weaker real estate market will typically lead to an increase in lender demand, as there are fewer consumers in the marketplace seeking mortgages.

According to the National Association of Realtors ("NAR"), the healthy U.S. economy and labor market in the first quarter of 2018 are creating strong interest in homebuying; however, limited inventory of new and existing homes is contributing to declining sales levels. The NAR expects a slight decrease of 0.2% in existing home sales in 2018 from 2017.

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Results of Operations for the Three Months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017			$ Change			% Change
	(Dollars in thousands)
Mortgage products	$	73,462		$	62,938		$	10,524		17	%
Non-mortgage products	107,573			69,577			37,996			55	%
Revenue	181,035			132,515			48,520			37	%
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	5,696			3,591			2,105			59	%
Selling and marketing expense	126,044			93,251			32,793			35	%
General and administrative expense	22,814			11,547			11,267			98	%
Product development	6,260			3,623			2,637			73	%
Depreciation	1,671			1,703			(32		)	(2	)%
Amortization of intangibles	3,963			2,609			1,354			52	%
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(741		)	8,746			(9,487		)	(108	)%
Severance	—			157			(157		)	(100	)%
Litigation settlements and contingencies	(22		)	404			(426		)	(105	)%
Total costs and expenses	165,685			125,631			40,054			32	%
Operating income	15,350			6,884			8,466			123	%
Other (expense) income, net:
Interest expense, net	(2,988		)	(165		)	2,823			1,711	%
Other income	34			—			34			N/A
Income before income taxes	12,396			6,719			5,677			84	%
Income tax benefit	23,461			1,079			22,382			2,074	%
Net income from continuing operations	35,857			7,798			28,059			360	%
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(4,333		)	(932		)	3,401			365	%
Net income and comprehensive income	$	31,524		$	6,866		$	24,658		359	%

Revenue

Revenue increased in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the first quarter of 2017 due to increases in our non-mortgage products of $38.0 million and in our mortgage products of $10.5 million.

Our non-mortgage products include the following non-mortgage lending products: personal loans, credit cards, home equity loans and lines of credit, reverse mortgage loans, auto loans, small business loans and student loans. Our non-mortgage products also include deposit accounts, home improvement referrals and other credit products such as credit repair and debt settlement. Many of our non-mortgage products are not individually significant to revenue. The increase in revenue from our non-mortgage products in the first quarter of 2018 from the first quarter of 2017 is primarily due to increases in our credit cards, personal loans and home equity products.

Revenue from our credit cards product increased $12.3 million to $46.1 million in the first quarter of 2018 from $33.8 million in the first quarter of 2017, or 37%, due to increased revenue earned per consumer, as well as increases in click traffic sent to issuers.

Revenue from our personal loans product increased $9.0 million to $26.0 million in the first quarter of 2018 from $17.0 million in the first quarter of 2017, or 53%, due to increased revenue earned per consumer. Additionally, the number of consumers completing request forms increased as a result of increased lender demand and corresponding increases in selling and marketing efforts.

For the periods presented, no other non-mortgage product represented more than 10% of revenue, however certain other non-mortgage products experienced notable increases. Revenue from our home equity product increased by $7.0 million in the first

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quarter of 2018 compared to the first quarter of 2017 due to increases in the number of consumers completing request forms as a result of increases in lender coverage and lender demand, corresponding increases in selling and marketing efforts, and increased revenue earned per consumer. We believe the market for our non-mortgage products remains under-penetrated and we believe long-term growth prospects are strong for non-mortgage products.

The increase in revenue from our mortgage products in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the first quarter of 2017 is due to an increase in revenue from both our purchase and refinance products. The revenue from our purchase product increased $2.9 million in the first quarter of 2018 from the first quarter of 2017, while the revenue from our refinance product increased $7.6 million. The increase in revenue from our mortgage product is primarily due to an increase in revenue earned per consumer.

Cost of revenue

Cost of revenue consists primarily of costs associated with compensation and other employee-related costs (including stock-based compensation) relating to internally-operated customer call centers, third-party customer call center fees, credit scoring fees, credit card fees, website network hosting and server fees.

Cost of revenue increased in the first quarter of 2018 from the first quarter of 2017, primarily due to increases of $0.8 million in compensation and benefits as a result of increases in headcount, $0.5 million in website network hosting and server fees and $0.3 million in credit card fees.

Cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue remained consistent at 3% in both the first quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2017.

Selling and marketing expense

Selling and marketing expense consists primarily of advertising and promotional expenditures and compensation and other employee-related costs (including stock-based compensation) for personnel engaged in sales or marketing functions. Advertising and promotional expenditures primarily include online marketing, as well as television, print and radio spending. Advertising production costs are expensed in the period the related ad is first run.

The increase in selling and marketing expense in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the first quarter of 2017 was primarily due to increases in advertising and promotional expense of $29.0 million as discussed below.

Advertising and promotional expense is the largest component of selling and marketing expense, and is comprised of the following:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018		2017		$ Change			% Change
	(Dollars in thousands)
Online	$	111,420	$	80,660	$	30,760		38	%
Broadcast	3,240		7,232		(3,992		)	(55	)%
Other	3,368		1,110		2,258			203	%
Total advertising expense	$	118,028	$	89,002	$	29,026		33	%

Revenue is driven by lender demand for our products, which is matched to corresponding consumer loan requests. We adjust our selling and marketing expenditures dynamically in relation to anticipated revenue opportunities in order to ensure sufficient consumer inquiries to profitably meet lender demand. An increase in a product’s revenue is generally met by a corresponding increase in marketing spend, and conversely a decrease in a product’s revenue is generally met by a corresponding decrease in marketing spend. This relationship exists for both mortgage and non-mortgage products.

We increased our advertising expenditures in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the first quarter of 2017 in order to generate additional consumer inquiries to meet the increased demand of lenders on our marketplace.

We will continue to adjust selling and marketing expenditures dynamically in relation to anticipated revenue opportunities.

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General and administrative expense

General and administrative expense consists primarily of compensation and other employee-related costs (including stock-based compensation) for personnel engaged in finance, legal, tax, corporate information technology, human resources and executive management functions, as well as facilities and infrastructure costs and fees for professional services.

General and administrative expense increased in the first quarter of 2018 from the first quarter of 2017, primarily due to increases in compensation and benefits of $9.9 million as a result of increases in headcount and long-term equity awards granted to our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in the third quarter of 2017 and in the first quarter of 2018, which awards have both time and significant performance-based vesting conditions. We also granted long-term equity awards to certain members of our leadership team in the fourth quarter of 2017 and in the first quarter of 2018. General and administrative expense is expected to increase in future periods due to the non-cash compensation expense related to these grants. For additional information regarding the awards granted to our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, see Note 9—Stock-Based Compensation in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. Non-cash compensation expense is excluded from Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA"), as discussed below.

General and administrative expense as a percentage of revenue increased to 13% in the first quarter of 2018 compared to 9% in the first quarter of 2017.

Product development

Product development expense consists primarily of compensation and other employee-related costs (including stock-based compensation) and third-party labor costs that are not capitalized, for employees and consultants engaged in the design, development, testing and enhancement of technology.

Product development expense increased in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the first quarter of 2017, as we continued to invest in internal development of new and enhanced features, functionality and business opportunities that we believe will enable us to better and more fully serve consumers and lenders.

Amortization of intangibles

Amortization of intangibles increased in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the first quarter of 2017 primarily due to intangible assets associated with our business acquisitions in 2017.

Contingent consideration

During the first quarter of 2018, we recorded a net $0.7 million gain due to adjustments in the estimated fair value of the earnout payments related to the CompareCards, DepositAccounts and SnapCap acquisitions. We recorded a $2.1 million gain due to decreased probability of achievement of certain defined operating results for SnapCap. This was partially offset by contingent consideration expense of $0.5 million for the CompareCards acquisition due to the passage of time increasing the estimated fair value of the earnout payments for CompareCards, and contingent consideration expense of $0.9 million for the DepositAccounts acquisition due to an increased probability of achievement of certain defined earnout targets.

During the first quarter of 2017, we recorded $8.7 million of contingent consideration expense due to an adjustment in the estimated fair value of the earnout payments related to the CompareCards acquisition.

Income tax expense

For the first quarter of 2018, the effective tax rate varied from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to a tax benefit of $27.2 million recognized for excess tax benefits due to employee exercises of stock options and vesting of restricted stock in accordance with ASU 2016-09 and the effect of state taxes.

For the first quarter of 2017, the effective tax rate varied from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to a tax benefit of $3.8 million recognized for excess tax benefits due to employee exercises of stock options and vesting of restricted stock in accordance with ASU 2016-09.

There have been no changes to our valuation allowance assessment for the first quarter of 2018.

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Discontinued operations

Losses from discontinued operations are attributable to losses associated with the LendingTree Loans business, the sale of which was completed on June 6, 2012. Losses from discontinued operations were primarily due to litigation settlements and contingencies and legal fees associated with ongoing legal proceedings.

Adjusted EBITDA

We report Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure to GAAP. This measure is the primary metric by which we evaluate the performance of our businesses, on which our marketing expenditures and internal budgets are based and by which management and many employees are compensated. We believe that investors should have access to the same set of tools that we use in analyzing our results. This non-GAAP measure 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. We provide and encourage investors to examine the reconciling adjustments between the GAAP and non-GAAP measures discussed below.

Definition of Adjusted EBITDA

We report Adjusted EBITDA as net income from continuing operations adjusted to exclude interest, income tax, amortization of intangibles and depreciation, and to further exclude (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 and legal fees for certain patent litigation, (6) acquisitions and dispositions income or expense (including with respect to changes in fair value of contingent consideration) and (7) one-time items. Adjusted EBITDA has certain limitations in that it does not take into account the impact to our statement of operations of certain expenses, including depreciation, non-cash compensation and acquisition-related accounting. We endeavor to compensate for the limitations of the non-GAAP measures presented 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 is 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.

Non-Cash Expenses that are Excluded from Adjusted EBITDA

Non-cash compensation expense consists principally of expense associated with grants of restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock options, some of which awards have performance-based vesting conditions. These expenses are not paid in cash, and we include the related shares in our 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 us remitting the required tax withholding amount from our current funds.

Amortization of intangibles are non-cash expenses relating primarily to intangible assets acquired through 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.

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The following table is a reconciliation of net income from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands).



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017

Net income from continuing operations	$	35,857		$	7,798
Adjustments to reconcile to Adjusted EBITDA:
Amortization of intangibles	3,963			2,609
Depreciation	1,671			1,703
Severance	—			157
Loss on disposal of assets	92			273
Non-cash compensation	11,109			2,230
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(741		)	8,746
Acquisition expense	62			549
Litigation settlements and contingencies	(22		)	404
Interest expense, net	2,988			165
Rental depreciation and amortization of intangibles	202			262
Income tax benefit	(23,461		)	(1,079		)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	31,720		$	23,817

Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

As of March 31, 2018, we had $346.5 million of cash and cash equivalents and $4.1 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents, compared to $368.6 million of cash and cash equivalents and $4.1 million of restricted cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2017.

In the first quarter of 2018, we purchased an aggregate of 30,416 shares of our common stock pursuant to a stock repurchase program for $11.0 million. Additionally, we paid $1.1 million in the first quarter of 2018 related to common stock repurchased in the fourth quarter of 2017.

In May 2017, we issued $300.0 million of our 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes for net proceeds of $290.7 million. We used approximately $18.1 million of the net proceeds to enter into Convertible Note Hedge and Warrant transactions.

In September 2017, we acquired certain assets of SnapCap for $11.9 million in cash at closing and potential future contingent consideration payments of up to $9.0 million through March 31, 2020, subject to achieving specific targets.

In June 2017, we acquired the membership interests of MagnifyMoney for $29.6 million cash consideration at the closing of the transaction.

In June 2017, we acquired substantially all of the assets of DepositAccounts for $24.0 million in cash at closing and potential future contingent consideration payments of up to $9.0 million through June 30, 2020, subject to achieving specified targets. We made a payment of $1.0 million related to contingent consideration in the third quarter of 2017, a second payment of $1.0 million related to contingent consideration in the first quarter of 2018, and a third payment of $1.0 million related to contingent consideration in April 2018.

In November 2016, we acquired CompareCards for $80.7 million cash at closing and potential future contingent consideration payments of up to $22.5 million for each of 2017 and 2018, subject to achieving specified targets. We made the initial $22.5 million earnout payment in the first quarter of 2018 and will pay the remaining $22.5 million earnout in the second quarter of 2018, of which $21.9 million will be included within cash flows from operating activities on the consolidated statement of cash flows for the second quarter of 2018.

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We expect our cash and cash equivalents and cash flows from operations to be sufficient to fund our operating needs for the next twelve months and beyond. Our amended and restated revolving credit facility described below is an additional potential source of liquidity.

Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

On November 21, 2017, we entered into an amended and restated $250.0 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility which matures on November 21, 2022 (the “Revolving Credit Facility”). Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility can be used to finance working capital needs, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes, including to finance permitted acquisitions. As of April 27, 2018, we do not have any borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.

Cash Flows from Continuing Operations

Our cash flows attributable to continuing operations are as follows:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2018			2017
	(in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	17,675		$	17,184
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,500		)	(1,896		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(33,618		)	(95		)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Our largest source of cash provided by our operating activities is revenues generated by our mortgage and non-mortgage products. Our primary uses of cash from our operating activities include advertising and promotional payments. In addition, our uses of cash from operating activities include compensation and other employee-related costs, other general corporate expenditures, litigation settlements and contingencies and income taxes.

Net cash provided by operating activities attributable to continuing operations remained consistent in the first three months of 2018 from the first three months of 2017. The increase in revenue in the first three months of 2018 from the first three months of 2017 was generally offset by an increase in selling and marketing expense and a net decrease in cash from changes in working capital primarily driven by changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities attributable to continuing operations in the first three months of 2018 of $3.5 million consisted primarily of capital expenditures related to internally developed software.

Net cash used in investing activities attributable to continuing operations in the first three months of 2017 of $1.9 million consisted of capital expenditures related to internally developed software.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities attributable to continuing operations in the first three months of 2018 of $33.6 million consisted primarily of $23.5 million of contingent consideration payments for CompareCards and DepositAccounts and $12.1 million for the repurchase of our stock, partially offset by $2.1 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options, net of payments of withholding taxes upon surrender of shares to satisfy obligations on equity awards.

Net cash used in financing activities attributable to continuing operations in the first three months of 2017 of $0.1 million consisted of payments of withholding taxes upon surrender of shares to satisfy obligations on equity awards, net of proceeds from the exercise of stock options.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements other than our operating lease obligations and funding commitments pursuant to our surety bonds, none of which have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

New Accounting Pronouncements

For information regarding new accounting pronouncements, see Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies, in Part I, Item 1 Financial Statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Other than our Revolving Credit Facility, which currently has no borrowings outstanding, we do not have any financial instruments that are exposed to significant market risk. We maintain our cash and cash equivalents in bank deposits and short-term, highly liquid money market investments. A hypothetical 100-basis point increase or decrease in market interest rates would not have a material impact on the fair value of our cash equivalents securities, or our earnings on such cash equivalents, but would have an effect on the interest paid on borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, if any. As of April 27, 2018, there were no borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. Increases in the Federal Funds interest rates may also affect contingent consideration payable to DepositAccounts. See Note 6—Business Acquisition—Changes in Contingent Consideration—DepositAccounts.

Fluctuations in interest rates affect consumer demand for new mortgages and the level of refinancing activity which, in turn, affects lender demand for mortgage leads. Typically, a decline in mortgage interest rates will lead to reduced lender demand for leads from third-party sources, as there are more consumers in the marketplace seeking refinancings and, accordingly, lenders receive more organic lead volume. Conversely, an increase in mortgage interest rates will typically lead to an increase in lender demand for third-party leads, as there are fewer consumers in the marketplace and, accordingly, the supply of organic mortgage lead volume decreases. See also the risk factor "Adverse conditions in the primary and secondary mortgage markets, as well as the general economy, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations," in Part I, Item 1A (Risk Factors) in our 2017 Annual Report.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), management, with the participation of our principal executive officer (our Chief Executive Officer) and principal financial officer (our Chief Financial Officer), evaluated, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective, as of March 31, 2018, to reasonably ensure that information required to be disclosed and filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified, and that management will be timely alerted to material information required to be included in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

In the ordinary course of business, we are party to litigation involving property, contract, intellectual property and a variety of other claims. The amounts that may be recovered in such matters may be subject to insurance coverage. We have provided information about certain legal proceedings in which we are involved in Part I, Item 3. Legal Proceedings of our 2017 Annual Report and updated that information in Note 12—Contingencies to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors included in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of our 2017 Annual Report.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

In each of January 2010, May 2014, January 2016, February 2016 and February 2018, the board of directors authorized and we announced a stock repurchase program which allowed for the repurchase of up to $10.0 million, $10.0 million, $50.0 million, $40.0 million and $100 million, respectively, of our common stock. Under this program, we can repurchase stock in the open market or through privately-negotiated transactions. We have used available cash to finance these repurchases. We will determine the timing and amount of any additional repurchases based on our evaluation of market conditions, applicable SEC guidelines and regulations, and other factors. This program may be suspended or discontinued at any time at the discretion of our board of directors. During the quarter ended March 31, 2018, 30,416 shares of common stock were repurchased under the stock repurchase program. As of April 20, 2018, approximately $110.3 million remains authorized for share repurchase.

Additionally, the LendingTree Fifth Amended and Restated 2008 Stock and Award Incentive Plan and the LendingTree 2017 Inducement Grant Plan allow employees to forfeit shares of our common stock to satisfy federal and state withholding obligations upon the exercise of stock options, the settlement of restricted stock unit awards and the vesting of restricted stock awards granted to those individuals under the plans. During the quarter ended March 31, 2018, 15,694 shares were purchased related to these obligations under the LendingTree Fifth Amended and Restated 2008 Stock and Award Incentive Plan and no shares have yet been purchased related to these obligations under the LendingTree 2017 Inducement Grant Plan. The withholding of those shares does not affect the dollar amount or number of shares that may be purchased under the stock repurchase program described above.

The following table provides information about the company's purchases of equity securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2018.



Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased ⁽¹⁾	Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs ⁽²⁾	Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
					(in thousands)
1/1/18 - 1/31/18	31,359	$	361.56	30,416	$	16,748
2/1/18 - 2/28/18	14,340	$	356.57	—	$	116,748
3/1/18 - 3/31/18	411	$	365.42	—	$	116,748
Total	46,110	$	360.05	30,416	$	116,748


(1)	During January 2018, February 2018 and March 2018, 943 shares, 14,340 shares and 411 shares, respectively (totaling 15,694 shares), were purchased to satisfy federal and state withholding obligations of our employees upon the settlement of restricted stock unit awards, all in accordance with our Fifth Amended and Restated 2008 Stock and Award Incentive Plan, as described above.


(2)	See the narrative disclosure above the table for further description of our publicly announced stock repurchase program.

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Item 5. Other Information

None.

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Item 6. Exhibits



Exhibit	Description	Location

3.1	Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of LendingTree, Inc.	Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 25, 2008
3.2	Fourth Amended and Restated By-laws of LendingTree, Inc.	Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 15, 2017
10.1	Employment Agreement dated December 21, 2017, among John David Moriarty, LendingTree, Inc., and LendingTree, LLC.	†
10.2	Employment Agreement, dated January 2, 2018, among Neil Salvage, LendingTree, Inc., and LendingTree, LLC.	†
10.3	Employment Agreement, dated March 27, 2018, among Nikul Patel, LendingTree, Inc., and LendingTree, LLC.	†
31.1	Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	†
31.2	Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	†
32.1	Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	††
32.2	Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	††
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document	†††
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document	†††
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document	†††
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document	†††
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document	†††
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document	†††

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

† Filed herewith

†† This certification is being furnished solely to accompany this report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, and is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the registrant, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

††† Furnished herewith. Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: April 27, 2018



	LENDINGTREE, INC.

	By:	/s/ J.D. MORIARTY
		J.D. Moriarty
		Chief Financial Officer
		(principal financial officer and duly authorized officer)

Exhibit

Exhibit 10.1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into this 21^st day of December 2017 by and between John David Moriarty (“Executive”) and LendingTree, Inc. (the “Company”) and LendingTree, LLC (“LTLLC” which as of the Effective Date, as defined below, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; LTLLC and the Company are collectively the “Company Group”) (each a “Party” and collectively, the “Parties”).

1.Employment. LTLLC shall employ Executive and Executive agrees to be employed as Chief Financial Officer. Executive shall do and perform all services and acts necessary or advisable to fulfill the duties and responsibilities as are commensurate and consistent with Executive’s position and shall render such services on the terms set forth herein. Further, Executive shall perform such different or other duties as may be assigned to Executive by LTLLC from time to time by its Chief Executive Officer. As a fiduciary of the Company Group, Executive will devote Executive’s full working time and best efforts to the diligent and faithful performance of such duties as may be entrusted to Executive from time to time by Company Group, and shall observe and abide by the corporate policies and decisions of the Company Group in all business matters. Executive’s principal place of employment shall be the offices of the Company Group located in Charlotte, North Carolina; provided, however, that travel to the Company Group’s other offices or places of business activity may be required. Executive acknowledges that Company Group may, in its sole discretion from time to time, change Executive’s responsibilities or Executive’s direct/indirect reports without any effect hereunder. The Parties acknowledge that Executive relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina in order to provide services to the Company under this Agreement.

2.Term.

(a)Initial Term. Executive’s employment shall be governed by the terms of this Agreement for the period beginning on August 31, 2017 (the “Effective Date”) and ending August 31, 2021, unless earlier terminated as provided herein (the “Initial Term”). This Agreement will expire by its terms unless renewed in the manner set forth in Section 2.b below.

(b)Renewal Terms. Upon the written request of the Executive to extend the Executive’s employment under this Agreement beyond the Initial Term or any Renewal Term at least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the Agreement, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) shall consider extending the term of this Agreement. If Executive’s request for an extension is approved by the Compensation Committee, this Agreement shall be extended by one additional year. Any such additional one-year period shall be referred to as a “Renewal Term” and, together with the Initial Term, the “Term.” In no event, however, shall Executive’s employment under this Agreement extend beyond seven (7) years. For purposes of clarity, if the Agreement is not renewed in accordance with this Section 2.b, the Agreement shall automatically expire at the end of the Term. Such expiration shall not entitle Executive to any compensation or benefits except as earned by Executive through the date of expiration of the Term. For the avoidance of doubt, following the expiration of the Term, any continued employment of Executive by LTLLC will be on an “at will” basis.

3.Compensation. LTLLC shall pay and Executive shall accept as full consideration for the services to be rendered hereunder compensation consisting of the items listed below. LTLLC shall have no obligation to pay any such compensation for any period after the termination of Executive’s employment, except as otherwise expressly provided.

(a)Base Salary. Base salary, paid pursuant to LTLLC’s normal payroll practices, at an annual rate of $400,000 or such other rate as may be established prospectively by the Compensation Committee from time to time (“Base Salary”). All such Base Salary payments shall be subject to deduction and withholding authorized or required by applicable law.

(b)Annual Bonus Award. During the Term, the Executive shall be eligible to receive a target annual bonus award (“Annual Bonus”) of up to 75% of Executive’s Base Salary (“Annual Bonus Percentage”) with respect to each fiscal year of the Company (each a “Performance Year”) during the Term. The terms and conditions of the Annual Bonus, including the applicable performance criteria for a Performance Year, and the amount of the Annual Bonus payable to the Executive for a Performance Year, if any, shall be determined by the Compensation Committee pursuant to an annual bonus plan for executive employees (the “Annual Bonus Plan”). If more than one Base Salary was in effect during the Performance Year, the Annual Bonus Percentage (after it is determined pursuant to the Annual Bonus Plan), will be multiplied by each Base Salary in effect during the Performance Year, on a pro rata basis. The Company may amend the Bonus Plan from time to time in its sole discretion. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the Annual Bonus will be paid in accordance with the Annual Bonus Plan, and is subject to discretionary adjustments based on individual performance. Executive shall not earn an Annual Bonus or any portion thereof if Executive is not employed under this Agreement on the applicable date specified for payment in the Annual Bonus Plan, except as set forth in the Annual Bonus Plan.

(c)Equity Incentives. Executive acknowledges receipt on August 30, 2017 and October 22, 2017 of long-term equity incentive awards under the Company’s Fifth Amended and Restated 2008 Stock and Annual Incentive Plan, as may be amended (or replaced) by the Company (the “2008 Plan”), in anticipation of entry into this Agreement.

During the Term, Executive shall be eligible to receive additional equity incentives, as determined in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee, including, but not limited to awards under the 2008 Plan. Subject to the discretion of the Compensation Committee, equity incentives may be granted to Executive at the time the Company normally grants such incentives generally and otherwise in accordance with applicable policies, practices, terms and conditions (including, but not limited to, vesting requirements), and provided further that Executive is employed by LTLLC on the date such incentives are awarded.

4.Additional Terms. Attached as Exhibit A hereto and deemed a part hereof is the LendingTree Additional Terms and Conditions of Employment Agreement (the “Additional Terms”), all of the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference and are binding on the Parties.

5.Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement, which includes the Additional Terms and the exhibits thereto, contains the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be amended in whole or in part only by an instrument in writing setting forth the particulars of such amendment and duly executed by all Parties.

By their signature below, the Parties acknowledge and agree that they have carefully read each and every provision of this Agreement, including the Additional Terms and the exhibits thereto, that they understand its terms, that all understandings and agreements between them relating to the subjects covered in this Agreement are contained in it, and that they have entered into the Agreement voluntarily. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that Executive has been advised to and given the opportunity to discuss this Agreement with Executive’s private legal counsel and Executive has taken advantage of that opportunity to the extent Executive wished to do so.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company Group has caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer and Executive has executed and delivered this Agreement as of the Effective Date.



	LENDINGTREE, INC.

	By:	/s/ Claudette Parham
	Name:	Claudette Parham
	Title:	Chief Human Resources and Administrative Officer



	LENDINGTREE, LLC

	By:	/s/ Claudette Parham
	Name:	Claudette Parham
	Title:	Chief Human Resources and Administrative Officer



	EXECUTIVE

	By:	/s/ J.D. Moriarty
	Name:	J.D. Moriarty
	Title:	Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT A

LENDINGTREE ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

1.Definitions:

(a)“Accrued Obligations” means the sum of (i) Executive’s earned but unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination, (ii) in the case of termination for Death or Disability only, any portion of Executive’s unpaid Annual Bonus relating to a previously completed Performance Year, (iii) any compensation previously earned but deferred by Executive (together with any interest or earnings thereon) that has not yet been paid and that is not otherwise to be paid at a later date pursuant to the executive deferred compensation plan of the Company, if any, (the “Deferred Compensation”, and (iv) reimbursements that Executive is entitled to receive under Section 8 of these Additional Terms.

(b)“Cause” shall be determined by LTLLC in its discretion and includes (i) Executive’s fraud, dishonesty, theft, or embezzlement, (ii) misconduct by Executive injurious to the Company Group or any of its affiliates, (iii) Executive’s conviction of, or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a crime that constitutes a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude, (iv) Executive’s competition with the Company Group or any of its affiliates; (v) Executive’s unauthorized use of any trade secrets of the Company Group or any of its affiliates or Confidential Information (as defined in the Confidentiality Agreement), (vi) a material violation by Executive of any policy, code or standard of ethics generally applicable to employees of the Company Group, (vii) Executive’s material breach of fiduciary duties owed to the Company Group, (viii) Executive’s excessive and unexcused absenteeism unrelated to a disability, (ix) following written notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure, gross neglect by Executive of the duties assigned to Executive, or (x) Executive’s failure or refusal to cooperate in any Company investigation.

(c)“Disability” means a medical condition, whether physical or mental, that renders, and for a consecutive six-month period has rendered, Executive unable to perform the essential functions of Executive’s position, with or without reasonable accommodation. A return to work of less than 14 consecutive days will not be considered an interruption in Executive’s six consecutive months of disability. Disability will be determined by LTLLC on the basis of medical evidence satisfactory to LTLLC.

(d)“Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following without Executive’s written consent: (i) material adverse change in the office to which Executive reports from that in effect immediately following the Effective Date, excluding for this purpose any such change that is an isolated and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and that is remedied by the Company Group or that is authorized pursuant to this Agreement and further excluding a change in the office to which Executive reports due to internal restructuring, realignment or the resignation, promotion, demotion or a reorganization of managers within, or a sale of, the Company Group; (ii) material reduction in Executive’s annual base salary (except as part of an enterprise wide reduction of salaries for all similarly situated executives); or (iii) relocation of Executive’s principal place of business more than 50 miles from the location of the principal office from which Executive conducts Executive’s principal activities. In order to resign employment for Good Reason, Executive must notify the Company Group in writing within fifteen (15) days of the initial existence of any event falling under (i) - (iv) and such notice shall describe in detail the facts and circumstances explaining why Executive believes a Good Reason event has occurred. The Company Group shall then have sixty (60) days following its receipt of such notice to cure or remedy such alleged Good Reason event such that Good Reason will not be deemed to exist for such event. If the event remains uncured or is not remedied by the Company Group within such sixty (60) day period and if Executive’s employment has not otherwise been terminated, then a Qualifying Termination shall automatically occur on the first business day following the end of such sixty (60) day cure/remedy period.

(e)“Pro-Rated Annual Bonus” means a cash lump-sum payment in an amount equal to the pro-rated portion of Executive’s Annual Bonus for the Company’s fiscal year in which the Qualifying Termination occurs based on actual performance achieved for such year (as if the entire Annual Bonus was based solely on the applicable Company performance metrics and without regard to any assessment of personal performance), with such proration based on the ratio of the number of days employed during such year to 365.

(f)“Qualifying Termination” means a termination of Executive’s employment with LTLLC prior to the expiration of the Term by Executive for Good Reason or by the Company Group without Cause (other than for death or Disability).

(g)“Release of Claims” means a general release of all known and unknown claims against the Company Group and their affiliates in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1, as updated by the Company to reflect changes in the law.

resigned effective immediately from all roles Executive holds with the Company Group, including without limitation as an officer or director. Such resignations shall not limit or otherwise waive any rights Executive may have to payments and benefits under this Agreement.

3.Termination Due to Disability or Death.

(a)Disability. If at any time during the Term of this Agreement, Executive incurs a Disability, then Executive’s employment shall be immediately terminated as of the date of Executive’s Disability. Upon Executive’s Disability, LTLLC shall pay Executive the Accrued Obligations; provided that Annual Bonus awards relating to a previously-completed Performance Year shall be paid on the date that such awards are paid by LTLLC to other similarly situated executives in accordance with the Annual Bonus Plan.

(b)Death. If Executive should die during the Term, Executive’s employment and the Company Group’s obligations hereunder shall terminate as of Executive’s death. In such event, LTLLC shall pay Executive’s estate the Accrued Obligations; provided that Annual Bonus awards relating to a previously completed Performance Year shall be paid on the date that such awards are paid by LTLLC to other similarly situated executives in accordance with the Annual Bonus Plan.

4.Termination by the Company Group During the Term.

(a)Cause. The Company Group may terminate the employment of Executive under this Agreement during its Term for Cause. In such event, LTLLC shall pay Executive the Accrued Obligations. Executive shall retain only such rights to participate in other benefits as are required by the terms of those plans, the Company Group’s policies, or applicable law.

(b)Termination by the Company Group other than for Death, Disability or Cause. Upon a Qualifying Termination that is not upon or at any time during the 12-month period following the occurrence of a Change of Control, LTLLC shall pay Executive the amounts described below. For the avoidance of doubt, expiration of the Term is not a Qualifying Termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall receive the payments and benefits described in subsections (ii) - (iv) below only if Executive executes and does not revoke a Release of Claims and Executive complies with the restrictive covenants set forth in the Confidentiality Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 1. If Executive does not execute the Release of Claims within sixty (60) days following the Qualifying Termination, or if Executive revokes the Release of Claims (the end of the permitted revocation period following execution without revocation being exercised, the “Release Effective Date”), Executive shall not be entitled to the payments and benefits described in subsections (ii) - (iv) below.

(i)Any Accrued Obligations.

(ii)An amount equal to one (1) year of Executive’s then-current Base Salary, payable in installments on LTLLC’s regularly scheduled payroll dates over the one (1) year period following the date of such Qualifying Termination (“Salary Continuation Payments”) beginning on the regularly scheduled payroll date immediately following the effective date of the Release of Claims. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Salary Continuation Payments are determined to be “nonqualified deferred compensation” that is subject to Section 409A (as defined below), then the first installment shall be made on the sixtieth (60^th) day following the date of Executive’s Qualifying Termination and shall include the amount of all payments that would have been made after the effective date of the Release of Claims but before the sixtieth (60^th) day following such Qualifying Termination, and the remaining Salary Continuation Payments shall be payable in installments on LTLLC’s regularly scheduled paydays following the sixtieth (60^th) day following such Qualifying Termination.

(iii)If Executive properly elects COBRA continuation coverage, the Company will reimburse Executive for his COBRA premiums on the same terms and conditions, and at the same level in effect at the time of termination of Executive’s employment, upon submission of proof of payment, until the earlier of: (1) one (1) year from the date of Executive’s loss of coverage, or (2) the date Executive obtains replacement health care coverage through a new employer.

(iv)Executive’s (a) then outstanding unvested Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) or Restricted Stock issued pursuant to the 2008 Plan and scheduled to vest within nine months of the Qualifying Termination, if any, shall become vested on the effective date of the Release of Claims, and (b) then outstanding unvested Options to purchase common stock (“Options”) issued pursuant to the 2008 Plan and scheduled to vest within nine months of the Qualifying Termination, if any, shall become vested and exercisable on the effective date of the Release of Claims. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this subsection (iv) shall not apply to any award under the 2008 Plan to the extent such award expressly states that its vesting acceleration terms take precedence over anything to the contrary in an employment agreement. All RSUs that vest pursuant to this subsection (iv) shall be settled in accordance with the grant terms of such RSUs. All Options that vest pursuant to this subsection (iv) shall remain exercisable only to the extent permitted under the grant terms of such Options. All other unvested RSUs, Restricted Stock and Options issued to Executive pursuant to the 2008 Plan and which are not covered by the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) shall terminate

without consideration as of the date of such Qualifying Termination. Additionally, if the Release of Claims does not take effect, then the RSUs or Options that were covered by the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) shall terminate without consideration as of the 61^st day following the date of such Qualifying Termination.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive obtains other employment or is otherwise compensated for services during the period in which Executive is receiving Salary Continuation Payments (the “Severance Period”), LTLLC’s obligation to make future payments to Executive under subsections (ii) and (iii) above shall be offset against any compensation earned by Executive as a result of employment with or services provided to a third party; notwithstanding the above, Executive shall receive a guaranteed minimum Salary Continuation Payment of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) regardless of any compensation earned from third parties during the Severance Period (“Guaranteed Minimum Severance Payment”). Executive agrees to inform the Company Group promptly of Executive’s employment status and any amounts so earned during the Severance Period. Further, LTLLC’s obligation to make payments under subsections (ii) and (iii) above shall immediately cease in the event that Executive breaches the terms of this Agreement (including these Additional Terms) or the Confidentiality Agreement, including but not limited to Executive’s obligations set forth in Section 9 of this Agreement. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the payments described in Section 3(b) above, or any portion thereof, including without limitation the Guaranteed Minimum Severance Payment, constitute good and valuable consideration for the Release of Claims.

5.Termination After the Term. If Executive’s employment continues beyond the Term, Executive’s employment shall be at will. In other words, after the Term, the Company Group and Executive may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without cause. The Company Group retains the right to transfer, demote, or suspend Executive without cause and without notice, at any time. If Executive’s employment is terminated after the Term, regardless of whether the termination was with or without Cause, or by Executive for “Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to receive only the Accrued Obligations.

6.Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” results when: (i) any person or entity, other than Doug Lebda or persons or entities having beneficial ownership of securities of the Company also beneficially owned by Doug Lebda, becomes a beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent or more of the total voting power of all of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities, (ii) a merger or consolidation of the Company in which the Company’s voting securities immediately prior to the merger or consolidation do not represent, or are not converted into securities that represent, a majority of the voting power of all voting securities of the surviving entity immediately after the merger or consolidation, or (iii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or a liquidation or dissolution of the Company. For purposes of defining Change of Control, “Company” refers to LendingTree, Inc. as a whole and does not apply to events only affecting specific businesses or subsidiaries of LendingTree, Inc. To the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A (as defined below), a Change of Control must also constitute a “change in control event” within the meaning of Section 409A.

(a)If a Change of Control occurs while Executive is employed by LTLLC then the following benefits will be provided to Executive automatically upon the Change of Control: (i) all then-outstanding unvested equity awards held by Executive that are scheduled to vest based solely on time will become fully vested and immediately exercisable immediately prior to such Change of Control; and (ii) all then-outstanding unvested Company compensatory equity awards held by Executive that are subject to performance-based vesting will vest based on the actual level of achievement of the applicable performance goals measured as of (or within five business days before) the date of such Change of Control; provided, that any portion of the award that does not vest as of such date will be forfeited without consideration upon the Change of Control;

(b)In the event that Executive experiences a Qualifying Termination upon or at any time during the 12-month period following the occurrence of a Change of Control, then Executive will receive (x) payment of the Accrued Obligations within thirty (30) days of such termination (or earlier, to the extent required by applicable law) and (y) the payments and benefits described in clauses (i) through (iii) below, but (with respect to clauses (i) through (iii) below) only if Executive timely executes and does not revoke the Release of Claims and Executive complies in all material respects with Executive’s obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement, as defined below. If Executive does not execute the Release of Claims within sixty (60) days following the date of such Qualifying Termination, or if Executive revokes the Release of Claims before the Release Effective Date, Executive will not be entitled to the payments and benefits described in clauses (i) through (iii) below. For avoidance of doubt, if Executive experiences a Qualifying Termination upon or at any time during the 12-month period following the occurrence of a Change of Control, then Executive will not be eligible to receive any payments or benefits under Section 3(b) herein. There is no requirement for Executive to mitigate the benefits provided in clauses (i) through (iii) below.

year in which Executive’s employment terminates plus (z) the Pro-Rated Annual Bonus, payable on the regularly scheduled payroll date immediately following the Release Effective Date;

(ii)With respect to Executive’s then-outstanding vested stock options, Executive will be able to exercise such vested stock options until the earliest of (x) their applicable expiration date, (y) the date of a change of control of the Company in which the applicable stock option is not being assumed, continued, substituted for or otherwise replaced as of such change of control, or (z) the second anniversary of the date of Qualifying Termination; and

(iii)Subject to the terms and conditions of Section 3(b)(iii), Executive will be entitled to receive the continuation of health care coverage benefit under Section 3(b)(iii).

(c)To the extent that Executive and the Company are parties to a Change of Control Letter Agreement, such prior agreement is hereby superseded and terminated as of the Effective Date and is of no further force or effect.

7.Confidentiality, Work Product and Restrictive Covenant Agreement. As a condition of Executive’s employment, Executive agrees to execute the Confidentiality, Work Product and Restrictive Covenant Agreement (the “Confidentiality Agreement”) attached hereto as Exhibit 2. Executive agrees and acknowledges that the benefits received by Executive pursuant to this Agreement, including but not limited to those set forth in Section 3 of this Exhibit A, constitute good and valuable consideration for Executive’s obligations under the Confidentiality Agreement.

8.Employee Benefits.

(a)Paid Time Off. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to take paid time off, in accordance with applicable plans, policies, programs, practices and legal requirements applicable to similarly-situated employees generally.

(b)Other. Executive shall be entitled to such other benefits, payments, or items of compensation as are provided under the employee benefit plans of LTLLC or as are made available from time to time under compensation policies set by LTLLC for management employees of LTLLC having similar salary and level of responsibility. Employee acknowledges that Employee’s eligibility for and participation in any such plan or program shall be subject to and controlled by the terms and conditions of such plans and programs, and that LTLLC makes no representation or agreement that any particular plan currently exists, will be maintained (in its present form, or at all), or will be established in the future.

9.Reimbursement. The Company Group shall reimburse Executive, in accordance with applicable law and the general policies and practices of the Company Group as in effect from time to time, for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Executive in the ordinary course of business, including without limitation, the Company Group’s standard mileage allowance for business use of any personal vehicle, business related travel, customer entertainment, and professional organizations.

10.Actions After Termination. Executive agrees that for one (1) year following Executive’s termination of employment, regardless of the reason for the termination, Executive will continue to make himself or herself available for reasonable consultation with the Company Group and the Company Group’s agents and employees regarding Executive’s prior work for the Company Group. In addition, Executive shall make himself or herself reasonably available for interviews by the Company Group’s counsel, depositions, and/or appearances before courts or administrative agencies upon the Company Group’s reasonable request. Executive agrees that if at any time following termination Executive is contacted by any government agency, regulator or bureau, by any stock or listing exchange or any self-regulatory organization, or by any customer of the Company Group, with reference to the Company Group’s business, or by any person contemplating or maintaining any claim or legal action against the Company or LTLLC, or by any agent or attorney of such person, Executive will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, promptly notify the Company Group of the substance of Executive’s communications with such person and shall cooperate with the Company Group in defense of such claim or legal action. The Company Group agrees to reimburse any reasonable third party expenses incurred by Executive in connection with this Section 9, provided that such expenses shall have been preapproved in writing by the Company Group.

11.Taxes. All payments made under this Agreement shall be subject to the Company Group’s withholding of all required foreign, federal, state and local income and employment/payroll taxes, and all payments shall be net of such tax withholding.

12.Recoupment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any payments made or granted pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to any recoupment or clawback policy that may be adopted by the Company Group from time to time and to any requirement of applicable law, regulation or listing standard that requires the company to recoup or claw back compensation paid.

13.Non-Disparagement. From and after a Qualifying Termination, Executive agrees not to disparage the Company Group or any officers, directors, employees, shareholders, parent companies, affiliates or agents of the Company Group (each an

“Employer Party”). For purposes of this Section, “disparage” means to make a negative statement in any manner that is intended to be or is likely to be harmful to an Employer Party, its business or business reputation or personal reputation; provided that nothing in this Agreement is intended to prohibit or shall prohibit Executive from providing truthful information or testimony in connection with any legal or regulatory investigation or proceeding. This Agreement shall cover all forms of disparagement, direct or indirect, through any medium or in any venue.

14.Section 280G Limitation. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by Executive (all such payments and benefits being hereinafter referred to as the “Total Payments”) would not be deductible (in whole or part) by the Company Group or any affiliates making such payment or providing such benefit as a result of Section 280G of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) then, to the extent necessary to make such portion of the Total Payments deductible (and after taking into account any reduction in the Total Payments required by any similar reduction or elimination provision contained in such other plan, arrangement or agreement), the portion of the Total Payments that does not constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code shall first be reduced (if necessary, to zero), and all other Total Payments shall thereafter be reduced (if necessary, to zero) with, in each case, cash payments being reduced before non-cash payments (and, within each category, payments to be paid last being reduced first); provided, however, that such reduction shall only be made if the amount of such Total Payments, as so reduced (and after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such reduced Total Payments) is greater than or equal to the amount of such Total Payments without such reduction (but after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such Total Payments and the amount of the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code on such unreduced Total Payments). Any determination required to be made under this Section shall be made by independent tax counsel reasonably acceptable to both Executive and the Company, and shall be paid for by the Company (“Tax Counsel”).

It is possible that, after the determinations and selections made pursuant to the foregoing paragraph, Executive will receive payments and/or benefits that are, in the aggregate, either more or less than the amount determined under such paragraph (hereafter referred to as an “Excess Payment” or “Underpayment”, as applicable). If Tax Counsel determines that an Excess Payment has been made, then Executive shall promptly repay the Excess Payment to the Company, together with interest on the Excess Payment at the applicable federal rate (as defined in section 1274(d) of the Code) from the date of Executive’s receipt of such Excess Payment until the date of such repayment. If Tax Counsel determines that an Underpayment has occurred, the Company Group shall promptly (but in any event within ten (10) days of such determination) pay to Executive an amount equal to the Underpayment, together with interest on such amount at the applicable federal rate from the date such amount would have been paid to Executive had the provisions of the foregoing paragraph not been applied until the date of payment.

15.Section 409A. The Parties intend that any amounts payable hereunder shall comply with or be exempt from Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”) (including under Treasury Regulation §§ 1.409A-1(b)(4) (“short-term deferrals”) and (b)(9) (“separation pay plans,” including the exceptions under subparagraph (iii) and subparagraph (v)(D)) and other applicable provisions of Treasury Regulation §§ 1.409A-1 through A-6). For purposes of Section 409A, each of the payments that may be made under this Agreement shall be deemed to be a separate payment. Executive and the Company Group agree to negotiate in good faith to make amendments to the Agreement, as the Parties mutually agree are necessary or desirable to avoid the imposition of taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A. Neither Executive nor the Company Group shall have the right to accelerate or defer the delivery of any such payments or benefits except (i) where payment may be made within a certain period of time, the timing of payment within such period will be in the sole discretion of the Company Group, and (ii) to the extent specifically permitted or required by Section 409A. With respect to the time of payments of any amounts under the Agreement that are “deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A, references in the Agreement to “termination of employment” (and substantially similar phrases) shall mean “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Executive is considered a “specified employee” under Section 409A upon Executive’s separation from service and if payment of any amounts on account of Executive’s separation from service under this Agreement is required to be delayed for a period of six months after separation from service in order to avoid taxation under Section 409A, payment of such amounts shall be delayed as required by Section 409A, and the accumulated amounts shall be paid in a lump sum payment within five business days after the end of the six-month delay period. If Executive dies during the six-month delay period prior to the payment of benefits, the amounts withheld on account of Section 409A shall be paid to the personal representative of Executive’s estate within 60 days after the date of Executive’s death. For the avoidance of doubt, it is intended that any expense reimbursement made to Executive hereunder shall be exempt from Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any expense reimbursement made hereunder shall be determined to be “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A, then (i) the amount of the expense reimbursement during one taxable year shall not affect the amount of the expense reimbursement during any other taxable year, (ii) the expense reimbursement shall be made on or before the last day of Executive’s taxable year following the year in which the expense was incurred and (iii) the right to expense reimbursement hereunder shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. While it is intended that all payments and benefits provided to Executive under this Agreement will be exempt from or comply with Section 409A, the Company Group makes no representation or covenant to ensure that such payments and benefits are exempt from or compliant with Section 409A. The Company Group will have no liability to Executive

or any other party if a payment or benefit under this Agreement or otherwise is challenged by any taxing authority or is ultimately determined not to be exempt or compliant. Executive further understands and agrees that Executive will be entirely responsible for any and all taxes imposed on Executive as a result of this Agreement.

16.Confidentiality. The Parties represent and agree they will keep the terms of this Agreement completely confidential, and that none of the Parties will hereafter disclose any information concerning the terms of this Agreement to anyone, including, but not limited to, the public, press and media representatives, investors, and any past, present or prospective employee or applicant for employment of the Company Group; provided that:

(a)The Company Group may disclose the terms of this Agreement to the extent required by applicable securities laws, regulations and interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission or the rules of any stock exchange upon which the Company Group’s securities trade;

(b)Executive may disclose information regarding Executive’s wages solely as permitted by under California Labor Code section 232, and information regarding this Agreement to Executive’s immediate family, financial and tax advisors, and legal counsel, but Executive shall be responsible for any disclosure made by such persons in violation hereof;

(c)The Company Group may disclose information as is necessary for the administration of the Agreement; and

(d)Any Party may take any action authorized hereby or by law to enforce this Agreement or to recover damages for its breach, and no disclosure incidental thereto or made as a result of legal process (such as, for example, responses to interrogatories, subpoenas or other legal process) shall be deemed a violation hereof.

17.Agreement to Arbitrate. The Parties agree to resolve all disputes with each other as set forth the Executive Dispute Resolution Agreement that is attached hereto as Exhibit 3 and incorporated herein by reference.

18.Assignment. This Agreement is personal in its nature and none of the Parties hereto may, without the consent of the others, assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder; provided that, in the event of a merger, consolidation, transfer, reorganization, or sale of all, substantially all or a substantial portion of the assets of the Company or LTLLC with or to any other individual or entity, this Agreement will, subject to the provisions hereof, be binding upon and inure to the benefit of such successor and such successor (including the Company upon assignment of this Agreement) must discharge and perform all the promises, covenants, duties, and obligations of the Company Group hereunder, and all references herein to the “Company” or “LTLLC” or “Company Group” will refer to such successor.

19.Notices. All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be given by first-class mail, certified or registered with return receipt requested or by hand delivery, or by overnight delivery by a national recognized carrier, in each case to the applicable address set forth below, and any such notice is deemed effectively given which received by recipient (or if receipt is refused by recipient, when so refused):



If to the Company Group:	LendingTree, Inc. 11115 Rushmore Dr. Charlotte, NC 28277 Attn: Chief Human Resources Officer

If to Executive:	At the most recent address for Executive on file with the Company Group.

Any Party may change such Party’s address for notices by notice duly given pursuant hereto.

20.Invalid Provisions. It is not the intention of any Party to violate any public policy, or any statutory or common law. If any sentence, paragraph, clause or combination of the same in this Agreement is in violation of the law of any State where applicable, such sentence, paragraph, clause or combination of the same shall be void in the jurisdictions where it is unlawful, and the remainder of the Agreement shall remain binding on the Parties. However, the Parties agree, and it is their desire that a court should substitute for each such illegal, invalid or unenforceable covenant a reasonable and judicially-enforceable limitation in its place, and that as so modified the covenant shall be as fully enforceable as if set forth herein by the Parties themselves in the modified form.

21.Multiple Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

22.Survival. Upon any termination of this Agreement or of Executive’s employment, the provisions of Sections 5, 7, and 10 through 23 of this Exhibit A to the Agreement, the General Release (Exhibit 1), the Confidentiality Agreement (Exhibit 2), and the Executive Dispute Resolution Agreement (Exhibit 3) shall survive to the extent necessary to give effect to the provisions thereof.

23.Governing Law; Jurisdiction. The validity, construction, interpretation and enforceability of this Agreement and any dispute arising hereunder shall be determined and governed by the laws of the state in which the principal office from which Executive conducts Executive’s principal activities is located at the time of Executive’s termination of employment or at the time the dispute arises if prior to termination of employment (“Applicable State”). Any litigation in court permitted under this Agreement shall be brought by any Party exclusively in the Applicable State. In addition, and to the extent permitted by the law of the Applicable State, the Parties irrevocably waive any right to a trial by jury in any such action related to this Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed and delivered these Additional Terms and Conditions of Employment Agreement as of the date(s) written below.



	LENDINGTREE, INC.

	By:	/s/ Claudette Parham
	Name:	Claudette Parham
	Title:	Chief Human Resources and Administrative Officer



	LENDINGTREE, LLC

	By:	/s/ Claudette Parham
	Name:	Claudette Parham
	Title:	Chief Human Resources and Administrative Officer



	EXECUTIVE

	By:	/s/ J.D. Moriarty
	Name:	J.D. Moriarty
	Title:	Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 1

General Release Agreement

Exhibit 2

Confidentiality, Work Product and Restrictive Covenant Agreement

Exhibit 3

Executive Dispute Resolution Agreement

Exhibit

Exhibit 10.2

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into made this 2^nd day of January 2018 by and between Neil Salvage (“Executive”) and LendingTree, Inc. (the “Company”) and LendingTree, LLC (“LTLLC” which as of the Effective Date, as defined below, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; LTLLC and the Company are collectively the “Company Group”) (each a “Party” and collectively, the “Parties”).

1.Employment. LTLLC shall employ Executive and Executive agrees to be employed as President. Executive shall do and perform all services and acts necessary or advisable to fulfill the duties and responsibilities as are commensurate and consistent with Executive’s position and shall render such services on the terms set forth herein. Further, Executive shall perform such different or other duties as may be assigned to Executive by LTLLC from time to time by its Chief Executive Officer. As a fiduciary of the Company Group, Executive will devote Executive’s full working time and best efforts to the diligent and faithful performance of such duties as may be entrusted to Executive from time to time by Company Group, and shall observe and abide by the corporate policies and decisions of the Company Group in all business matters. Executive’s principal place of employment shall be the offices of the Company Group located in Charlotte, North Carolina; provided, however, that travel to the Company Group’s other offices or places of business activity may be required. Executive acknowledges that Company Group may, in its sole discretion from time to time, change Executive’s responsibilities or Executive’s direct/indirect reports without any effect hereunder.

2.Term.

(a)Initial Term. Executive’s employment shall be governed by the terms of this Agreement for the period beginning on October 22, 2017 (the “Effective Date”) and ending October 22, 2021, unless earlier terminated as provided herein (the “Initial Term”). This Agreement will expire by its terms unless renewed in the manner set forth in Section 2.b below.

(a)Base Salary. Base salary, paid pursuant to LTLLC’s normal payroll practices, at an annual rate of $450,000 or such other rate as may be established prospectively by the Compensation Committee from time to time (“Base Salary”). All such Base Salary payments shall be subject to deduction and withholding authorized or required by applicable law.

(b)Annual Bonus Award. During the Term, the Executive shall be eligible to receive a target annual bonus award (“Annual Bonus”) of up to 100% of Executive’s Base Salary (“Annual Bonus Percentage”) with respect to each fiscal year of the Company (each a “Performance Year”) during the Term. The terms and conditions of the Annual Bonus, including the applicable performance criteria for a Performance Year, and the amount of the Annual Bonus payable to the Executive for a Performance Year, if any, shall be determined by the Compensation Committee pursuant to an annual bonus plan for executive employees (the “Annual Bonus Plan”). If more than one Base Salary was in effect during the Performance Year, the Annual Bonus Percentage (after it is determined pursuant to the Annual Bonus Plan), will be multiplied by each Base Salary in effect during the Performance Year, on a pro rata basis. The Company may amend the Bonus Plan from time to time in its sole discretion. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the Annual Bonus will be paid in accordance with the Annual Bonus Plan, and is subject to discretionary adjustments based on individual performance. Executive shall not earn an Annual Bonus or any portion thereof if Executive is not employed under this Agreement on the applicable date specified for payment in the Annual Bonus Plan, except as set forth in the Annual Bonus Plan.

(c)Equity Incentives. Executive acknowledges receipt on October 22, 2017 of long-term equity incentive awards under the Company’s Fifth Amended and Restated 2008 Stock and Annual Incentive Plan, as may be amended (or replaced) by the Company (the “2008 Plan”), in anticipation of entry into this Agreement.



	LENDINGTREE, INC.

	By:	/s/ Claudette Parham
	Name:	Claudette Parham
	Title:	Chief Human Resources and Administrative Officer



	LENDINGTREE, LLC

	By:	/s/ Claudette Parham
	Name:	Claudette Parham
	Title:	Chief Human Resources and Administrative Officer



	EXECUTIVE

	By:	/s/ Neil Salvage
	Name:	Neil Salvage
	Title:	President

EXHIBIT A

LENDINGTREE ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

1.Definitions:

(a) “Accrued Obligations” means the sum of (i) Executive’s earned but unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination, (ii) in the case of termination for Death or Disability only, any portion of Executive’s unpaid Annual Bonus relating to a previously completed Performance Year, (iii) any compensation previously earned but deferred by Executive (together with any interest or earnings thereon) that has not yet been paid and that is not otherwise to be paid at a later date pursuant to the executive deferred compensation plan of the Company, if any, (the “Deferred Compensation”, and (iv) reimbursements that Executive is entitled to receive under Section 8 of these Additional Terms.

2.Resignation from Officer and Director Roles. Effective as of the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, regardless of the reason for or the timing of such termination, Executive agrees to and shall be deemed to have resigned effective immediately from all roles Executive holds with the Company Group, including without limitation as an officer or director. Such resignations shall not limit or otherwise waive any rights Executive may have to payments and benefits under this Agreement.

3.Termination Due to Disability or Death.

4.Termination by the Company Group During the Term.

(i)Any Accrued Obligations.

exercisable only to the extent permitted under the grant terms of such Options. All other unvested RSUs, Restricted Stock and Options issued to Executive pursuant to the 2008 Plan and which are not covered by the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) shall terminate without consideration as of the date of such Qualifying Termination. Additionally, if the Release of Claims does not take effect, then the RSUs or Options that were covered by the foregoing clauses (a) and (b) shall terminate without consideration as of the 61^st day following the date of such Qualifying Termination.

year in which Executive’s employment terminates plus (z) the Pro-Rated Annual Bonus, payable on the regularly scheduled payroll date immediately following the Release Effective Date;

(iii)Subject to the terms and conditions of Section 3(b)(iii), Executive will be entitled to receive the continuation of health care coverage benefit under Section 3(b)(iii).

8.Employee Benefits.

(c)The Company Group may disclose information as is necessary for the administration of the Agreement; and



If to the Company Group:	LendingTree, Inc. 11115 Rushmore Dr. Charlotte, NC 28277 Attn: Chief Human Resources Officer

If to Executive:	At the most recent address for Executive on file with the Company Group.

Any Party may change such Party’s address for notices by notice duly given pursuant hereto.

21.Multiple Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed and delivered these Additional Terms and Conditions of Employment Agreement as of the date(s) written below.



	LENDINGTREE, INC.

	By:	/s/ Claudette Parham
	Name:	Claudette Parham
	Title:	Chief Human Resources and Administrative Officer



	LENDINGTREE, LLC

	By:	/s/ Claudette Parham
	Name:	Claudette Parham
	Title:	Chief Human Resources and Administrative Officer



	EXECUTIVE

	By:	/s/ Neil Salvage
	Name:	Neil Salvage
	Title:	President

Exhibit 1

General Release Agreement

Exhibit 2

Confidentiality. Work Product and Restrictive Covenant Agreement

Exhibit 3

Executive Dispute Resolution Agreement

Exhibit

Exhibit 10.3

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made and entered into this 27^th day of March 2018 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Nikul Patel (“Executive”) and LendingTree, Inc. (the “Company”) and LendingTree, LLC (“LTLLC” which as of the Effective Date is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; LTLLC and the Company are collectively the “Company Group”)) (each a “Party” and collectively, the “Parties”).

1.Employment. LTLLC shall employ Executive and Executive agrees to be employed as Chief Strategy Officer. Executive shall do and perform all services and acts necessary or advisable to fulfill the duties and responsibilities as are commensurate and consistent with Executive’s position and shall render such services on the terms set forth herein. Further, Executive shall perform such different or other duties as may be assigned to Executive by LTLLC from time to time by its Chief Executive Officer. As a fiduciary of the Company Group, Executive will devote Executive’s full working time and best efforts to the diligent and faithful performance of such duties as may be entrusted to Executive from time to time by Company Group, and shall observe and abide by the corporate policies and decisions of the Company Group in all business matters. Executive shall work remotely from his home in Folsom, California; provided, however, that travel to the Company Group’s other offices or places of business activity may be required. Executive acknowledges that Company Group may, in its sole discretion from time to time, change Executive’s responsibilities or Executive’s direct/indirect reports without any effect hereunder.

2.Term.

(a)Initial Term. Executive’s employment shall be governed by the terms of this Agreement for the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending January 4, 2022, unless earlier terminated as provided herein (the “Initial Term”). This Agreement will expire by its terms unless renewed in the manner set forth in Section 2.b below.

(a)Base Salary. Base salary, paid pursuant to LTLLC’s normal payroll practices, at an annual rate of $390,000 or such other rate as may be established prospectively by the Company from time to time (“Base Salary”). All such Base Salary payments shall be subject to deduction and withholding authorized or required by applicable law.

(b)Annual Bonus Award. During the Term, the Executive shall be eligible to receive a target annual bonus award (“Annual Bonus”) of up to 65% of Executive’s Base Salary (“Annual Bonus Percentage”) with respect to each fiscal year of the Company (each a “Performance Year”) during the Term. The terms and conditions of the Annual Bonus, including the applicable performance criteria for a Performance Year, and the amount of the Annual Bonus payable to the Executive for a Performance Year, if any, shall be determined pursuant to an annual bonus plan for executive employees (the “Annual Bonus Plan”). If more than one Base Salary was in effect during the Performance Year, the Annual Bonus Percentage (after it is determined pursuant to the Annual Bonus Plan), will be multiplied by each Base Salary in effect during the Performance Year, on a pro rata basis. The Company may amend the Bonus Plan from time to time in its sole discretion. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the Annual Bonus will be paid in accordance with the Annual Bonus Plan, and is subject to discretionary adjustments based on individual performance. Executive shall not earn an Annual Bonus or any portion thereof if Executive is not employed under this Agreement on the applicable date specified for payment in the Annual Bonus Plan, except as set forth in the Annual Bonus Plan.



	LENDINGTREE, INC.

	By:	/s/ Claudette Parham
	Name:	Claudette Parham
	Title:	Chief Human Resources and Administrative Officer



	LENDINGTREE, LLC

	By:	/s/ Claudette Parham
	Name:	Claudette Parham
	Title:	Chief Human Resources and Administrative Officer



	EXECUTIVE

	By:	/s/ Nikul Patel
	Name:	Nikul Patel
	Title:	Chief Strategy Officer

EXHIBIT A

LENDINGTREE ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

1.Definitions:

(a) “Accrued Obligations” means the sum of (i) Executive’s earned but unpaid Base Salary through the date of termination, (ii) in the case of termination for Death or Disability only, any portion of Executive’s unpaid Annual Bonus relating to a previously completed Performance Year, (iii) any compensation previously earned but deferred by Executive (together with any interest or earnings thereon) that has not yet been paid and that is not otherwise to be paid at a later date pursuant to the executive deferred compensation plan of the Company, if any, (the “Deferred Compensation”, and (iv) reimbursements that Executive is entitled to receive under Section 8 of these Additional Terms.

3.Termination Due to Disability or Death.

4.Termination by the Company Group During the Term.

(i)Any Accrued Obligations.

(i)A cash lump sum severance payment in an amount equal to the sum of (x) 200% of Executive’s then-current Base Salary plus (y) 200% of Executive’s target annual bonus for the bonus program in effect for Executive for the year in which Executive’s employment terminates plus (z) the Pro-Rated Annual Bonus, payable on the regularly scheduled payroll date immediately following the Release Effective Date;

(iii)Subject to the terms and conditions of Section 3(b)(iii), Executive will be entitled to receive the continuation of health care coverage benefit under Section 3(b)(iii).

8.Employee Benefits.

13.Non-Disparagement. From and after a Qualifying Termination (a) Executive agrees not to disparage the Company Group or any officers, directors, employees, shareholders, parent companies, affiliates or agents of the Company Group (each an “Employer Party”); and (b) Company Group agrees not to disparage Executive. For purposes of this Section, “disparage” means to make a negative statement in any manner that is intended to be or is likely to be harmful to an Employer Party or Executive,

such party’s business or business reputation or personal reputation; provided that nothing in this Agreement is intended to prohibit or shall prohibit Executive or Company Group from providing truthful information or testimony in connection with any legal or regulatory investigation or proceeding. This Agreement shall cover all forms of disparagement, direct or indirect, through any medium or in any venue.

determined not to be exempt or compliant. Executive further understands and agrees that Executive will be entirely responsible for any and all taxes imposed on Executive as a result of this Agreement.

(c)The Company Group may disclose information as is necessary for the administration of the Agreement; and



If to the Company Group:	LendingTree, Inc. 11115 Rushmore Dr. Charlotte, NC 28277 Attn: Chief Human Resources and Administrative Officer

If to Executive:	At the most recent address for Executive on file with the Company Group.

Any Party may change such Party’s address for notices by notice duly given pursuant hereto.

21.Multiple Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed and delivered these Additional Terms and Conditions of Employment Agreement as of the date(s) written below.



	LENDINGTREE, INC.

	By:	/s/ Claudette Parham
	Name:	Claudette Parham
	Title:	Chief Human Resources and Administrative Officer



	LENDINGTREE, LLC

	By:	/s/ Claudette Parham
	Name:	Claudette Parham
	Title:	Chief Human Resources and Administrative Officer



	EXECUTIVE

	By:	/s/ Nikul Patel
	Name:	Nikul Patel
	Title:	Chief Strategy Officer

Exhibit 1

General Release Agreement

Exhibit 2

Confidentiality. Work Product and Restrictive Covenant Agreement

Exhibit 3

Executive Dispute Resolution Agreement

Exhibit

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Douglas R. Lebda, certify that:


1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2018 of LendingTree, Inc.;


2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;


3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;


4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:


(a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;


(b)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;


(c)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and


(d)	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and


5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):


(a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and


(b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 27, 2018



	/s/ Douglas R. Lebda
	Douglas R. Lebda
	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
	(principal executive officer)

Exhibit

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, J.D. Moriarty, certify that:


1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2018 of LendingTree, Inc.;


2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;


3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;


4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:


(a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;


(b)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;


(c)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and


(d)	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and


5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):


(a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and


(b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 27, 2018



	/s/ J.D. Moriarty
	J.D. Moriarty
	Chief Financial Officer
	(principal financial officer)

Exhibit

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Douglas R. Lebda, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:


(1)	the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018 of LendingTree, Inc. (the “Report”) which this statement accompanies fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and


(2)	the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of LendingTree, Inc.

Date: April 27, 2018



	/s/ Douglas R. Lebda
	Douglas R. Lebda
	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
	(principal executive officer)

Exhibit

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION OF THE PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, J.D. Moriarty, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:


(1)	the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018 of LendingTree, Inc. (the “Report”) which this statement accompanies fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and


(2)	the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of LendingTree, Inc.

Date: April 27, 2018



	/s/ J.D. Moriarty
	J.D. Moriarty
	Chief Financial Officer
	(principal financial officer)