UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  August 12, 2011

 

Tree.com, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

Delaware

 

001-34063

 

26-2414818

(State or other jurisdiction

 

(Commission

 

(IRS Employer

of incorporation)

 

File Number)

 

Identification No.)

 

11115 Rushmore Drive, Charlotte, NC

 

28277

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (704) 541-5351

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 2.02.      Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On August 12, 2011, Tree.com, Inc. (the “Registrant”) announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011.  A copy of the related press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1.

 

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Exhibit Description

99.1

 

Press Release, dated August 12, 2011, with respect to Registrant’s financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011.

 

2



 

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date:  August 12, 2011

 

 

TREE.COM, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Christopher R. Hayek

 

 

Christopher R. Hayek

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

 

3



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press Release, dated August 12, 2011, with respect to Registrant’s financial results for the first quarter ended June 30, 2011.

 

4


Exhibit 99.1

 

 

TREE.COM REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2011 RESULTS

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C., August 12, 2011 — Tree.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: TREE) today announced for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, net loss from continuing operations of $8.5 million, which improved $13 million from the prior quarter and declined $1.6 million from second quarter 2010.  Second quarter 2011 Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $5.9 million.  Adjusted EBITDA improved $3.0 million from the prior quarter and declined $2.3 million from second quarter 2010.  Second quarter 2011 revenue from continuing operations was $17.2 million, up from $14.1 million in the first quarter 2011 and $15.1 million in the second quarter 2010.  The LendingTree Loans business is treated as discontinued operations for all periods reported as a result of the pending transaction to sell the operating assets of such business to Discover Bank.

 

Tree.com reported a net loss of $17.8 million, or $1.62 per share, compared to the $39.5 million net loss, or $3.63 per share, in the first quarter 2011.  This is a decline from the $0.8 million net loss, or $0.07 per share, in the second quarter 2010.   The net loss from continuing operations in second quarter 2011 of $8.5 million represents $0.77 per share.  This compares to a loss for continuing operations of $21.5 million in first quarter 2011, or $1.98 per share, and a loss of $6.9 million in second quarter 2010, or $0.61 per share.

 

Doug Lebda, Chairman and CEO of Tree.com stated, “We made a number of strategic decisions in the second quarter that affected our bottom line.  In Q2, we took certain actions to bring the business to a more profitable and scalable position.  Clearly the company is in transition as we continue to work toward the completion of the sale of the operating assets of Home Loan Center to Discover Bank.  In preparation, we closed some of the Home Loan Center branches which allowed us to concentrate that business on its most profitable core teams and locations.  On the remaining Exchanges business, we continue to transition the team to a lean pure-play lead generation company which can leverage our powerful brand.  We reduced our corporate staff by 20% in the quarter, and we are now concentrating our marketing efforts on three primary verticals - Mortgage, Education and Home Services.”

 

Tree.com SVP of Financial Planning & Analysis Tamara Kotronis added, “Overall we are pleased that our continuing operations delivered both top line and bottom line improvements over the prior quarter.  Over the course of the second quarter, mortgage interest rates dropped forty basis points, and as a result more consumers entered the refinance marketplace.  While we naturally benefitted from the lift in the overall market, we also gained share by growing at a rate greater than the market.  In addition, we improved marketing efficiency and selling and marketing expense declined as a percentage of revenue compared to the prior quarter.”

 

1



 

Average 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate Recent Trends

 

 

Source: Freddie Mac: Primary Mortgage Market Survey

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey consists of the average of 125 lenders’ rates who contributed rates to Freddie Mac. The rates are based on 30-year fixed rate mortgage with 20% down and 80% finance over the life of the loan.

 

Information Regarding Segment Reporting

 

On May 12, 2011, Tree.com, Inc, entered into an asset purchase agreement with Discover Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Discover Financial Services, which provides for the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of the LendingTree Loans business to Discover Bank.  The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2011.  The Company has evaluated the facts and circumstances of the pending transaction, and has concluded that the LendingTree Loans business should be reflected as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

 

In connection with exiting the RealEstate.com, REALTORS® business in the first quarter 2011 and the pending sale of the assets of the LendingTree Loans business, Tree.com has re-evaluated its reporting segments based on its continuing operations.  In prior periods, the segments “LendingTree Loans” and “Exchanges” were presented.  The Company has determined for the second quarter 2011 that its continuing operations are now one reportable segment, which represents the previous Exchanges segment.  Prior periods have been recast to conform to this presentation.

 

2



 

Tree.com Summary Financial Results

$s in millions (except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q/Q

 

 

 

Y/Y

 

 

 

Q2 2011

 

Q1 2011

 

% Change

 

Q2 2010

 

% Change

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Match Fees

 

$

16.0

 

$

12.6

 

27

%

$

11.7

 

37

%

Closed Loan Fees

 

$

0.8

 

$

1.0

 

(23

)%

$

2.5

 

(69

)%

Other

 

$

0.4

 

$

0.5

 

(17

)%

$

0.9

 

(53

)%

Total Revenue

 

$

17.2

 

$

14.1

 

22

%

$

15.1

 

14

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA *

 

$

(5.9

)

$

(9.0

)

34

%

$

(3.6

)

(63

)%

EBITDA *

 

$

(6.9

)

$

(19.7

)

65

%

$

(4.6

)

(49

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss from Continuing Ops

 

$

(8.5

)

$

(21.5

)

61

%

$

(6.9

)

(23

)%

Net Income/(Loss) from Discontinued Ops

 

$

(9.3

)

$

(18.0

)

48

%

$

6.1

 

NM

 

Net Loss

 

$

(17.8

)

$

(39.5

)

55

%

$

(0.8

)

(2132

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss Per Share

 

$

(1.62

)

$

(3.63

)

55

%

$

(0.07

)

(2214

)%

Diluted Net Loss Per Share

 

$

(1.62

)

$

(3.63

)

55

%

$

(0.07

)

(2214

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From Continuing Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss Per Share

 

$

(0.77

)

$

(1.98

)

61

%

$

(0.61

)

(26

)%

Diluted Net Loss Per Share

 

$

(0.77

)

$

(1.98

)

61

%

$

(0.61

)

(26

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metric for Continuing Ops:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matched requests (000s)

 

351.6

 

318.9

 

10

%

318.0

 

11

%

 


NM = Not Meaningful

* EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are Non-GAAP measures.  Please see “Tree.com’s Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to GAAP” and “Tree.com’s Principles of Financial Reporting” below for more information on Adjusted EBITDA

 

Information Regarding Q2 Results

 

·                  Second quarter 2011 revenue from continuing operations was up $3.1 million, or 22%, quarter-over-quarter.  Transmitted mortgage requests increased 39% over first quarter 2011, due in part to increased consumer demand in the market and in part to greater consumer demand for Tree.com’s exchange.  This growth in transmitted requests was partially offset by lower average match fees paid by mortgage lenders, also the result of the greater supply of transmitting mortgage consumers.  Combined mortgage and non-mortgage transmitted requests were up 10% quarter-over-quarter.

 

·                  Revenue from continuing operations was up $2.1 million, or 14%, from prior year.  This year-over-year increase in total revenue is due to a 29% increase in transmitted mortgage loan requests compared to the second quarter 2010.  Partially offsetting the higher match fee revenue versus second quarter 2010 is lower closed loan revenue, which was down $1.7 million.  This is related to the Company’s pricing actions in second half 2010 that intentionally shifted the emphasis away from close loan fees.  Combined mortgage and non-mortgage transmitted requests were up 11% year-over-year.  Additionally, non-mortgage consumer services such as Education and Home Services accounted for approximately 45% of the company’s total matched consumer requests.

 

3



 

·                  Second quarter 2011 Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations improved $3.0 million from the first quarter 2011, with the results driven by the higher revenue.

 

·                  Second quarter 2011 Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations declined $2.3 million compared to second quarter 2010, despite the higher revenue year-over-year.  This was due primarily to higher selling and marketing expense compared to the prior year quarter, when there was an abundance of lead volume already in the pipeline.

 

·                  Second quarter 2011 net loss of $17.8 million includes $9.3 million of net loss from discontinued operations. The discontinued operations is largely comprised of the LendingTree Loans business, and also includes the previously discontinued Realestate.com REALTORS® company-owned brokerage.  The net loss for second quarter 2011 includes $4.3 million of restructuring expense, $3.9 million of which is related to the closure of LendingTree Loans mortgage branches.  The remaining $0.4 million restructuring in continuing operations is severance costs for headcount reductions, primarily in corporate headquarters departments.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of June 30, 2011, Tree.com had $34.3 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, compared to $53.5 million as of March 31, 2011.  During the second quarter 2011, Tree.com did not purchase any shares under its previously announced $10 million share repurchase program.  The program began in February 2010 and has approximately $4.3 million of share repurchase authorization remaining.

 

As of June 30, 2011, LendingTree Loans had two committed lines of credit totaling $150 million of borrowing capacity, plus an additional $25 million of uncommitted capacity.  The $50 million committed line of credit, which also includes the additional $25 million uncommitted line, was scheduled to expire June 29, 2011, but the Company extended this line with a new expiration date of September 1, 2011.  The second line of credit in the amount of $100 million is scheduled to expire October 28, 2011.  Borrowings under these lines of credit are used to fund, and are secured by, consumer residential loans that are held for sale. Loans under these lines of credit are repaid from proceeds from the sales of loans held for sale by LendingTree Loans. The loans held for sale and warehouse lines of credit balances as of June 30, 2011, were $127.0 million and $114.3 million, respectively.

 

Conference Call

 

Tree.com will audio cast its conference call with investors and analysts discussing Tree.com’s second quarter financial results and certain other matters described herein on Friday, August 12, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET).  The live audio cast is open to the public at http://investor-relations.tree.com/.

 

Conference call
Dial in #:  888-378-4361

719-457-1506 outside the United States/Canada

 

To listen to a replay of the call
Toll free #: 888-203-1112

719-457-0820 from outside the United States/Canada
Replay Passcode: 4679507

Replay will be available beginning at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, August 12 until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 2, 2011.

 

4



 

QUARTERLY FINANCIALS

 

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Ended June 30,

 

Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In thousands, except

 

 

 

per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

17,215

 

$

15,116

 

$

31,339

 

$

34,102

 

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)

 

1,522

 

1,118

 

2,871

 

2,592

 

Gross margin

 

15,693

 

13,998

 

28,468

 

31,510

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and marketing expense

 

15,423

 

11,497

 

31,054

 

26,160

 

General and administrative expense

 

5,606

 

6,328

 

11,563

 

12,911

 

Product development

 

861

 

717

 

2,150

 

1,827

 

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

25

 

 

4,525

 

 

Restructuring expense

 

398

 

68

 

491

 

2,671

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

267

 

943

 

574

 

1,886

 

Depreciation

 

1,225

 

892

 

2,404

 

1,777

 

Asset impairments

 

250

 

 

5,257

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

24,055

 

20,445

 

58,018

 

47,232

 

Operating loss

 

(8,362

)

(6,447

)

(29,550

)

(15,722

)

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

 

 

7

 

Interest expense

 

(76

)

(166

)

(155

)

(333

)

Total other expense, net

 

(76

)

(166

)

(155

)

(326

)

Loss before income taxes

 

(8,438

)

(6,613

)

(29,705

)

(16,048

)

Income tax provision

 

(37

)

(265

)

(302

)

(808

)

Net loss from continuing operations

 

(8,475

)

(6,878

)

(30,007

)

(16,856

)

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

(9,343

)

6,079

 

(27,306

)

9,911

 

Net loss available to common shareholders

 

$

(17,818

)

$

(799

)

$

(57,313

)

$

(6,945

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

11,014

 

11,240

 

10,948

 

11,039

 

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding

 

11,014

 

11,240

 

10,948

 

11,039

 

Net loss per share from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.77

)

$

(0.61

)

$

(2.74

)

$

(1.53

)

Diluted

 

$

(0.77

)

$

(0.61

)

$

(2.74

)

$

(1.53

)

Net loss per share available to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(1.62

)

$

(0.07

)

$

(5.23

)

$

(0.63

)

Diluted

 

$

(1.62

)

$

(0.07

)

$

(5.23

)

$

(0.63

)

 

5



 

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

(In thousands, except

 

 

 

par value and share amounts)

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

34,276

 

$

68,819

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

10,321

 

8,155

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $146 and $213, respectively

 

6,989

 

3,534

 

Prepaid and other current assets

 

937

 

1,159

 

Current assets of discontinued operations

 

140,177

 

130,615

 

Total current assets

 

192,700

 

212,282

 

Property and equipment, net

 

9,340

 

8,505

 

Goodwill

 

3,632

 

3,632

 

Intangible assets, net

 

40,496

 

45,419

 

Other non-current assets

 

116

 

116

 

Non-current assets of discontinued operations

 

10,759

 

12,848

 

Total assets

 

$

257,043

 

$

282,802

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable, trade

 

$

15,951

 

$

6,485

 

Deferred revenue

 

81

 

1,540

 

Deferred income taxes

 

2,358

 

2,358

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

22,125

 

22,912

 

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

 

135,049

 

118,038

 

Total current liabilities

 

175,564

 

151,333

 

Income taxes payable

 

101

 

96

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

3,363

 

3,168

 

Deferred income taxes

 

14,241

 

13,962

 

Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations

 

18,073

 

12,422

 

Total liabilities

 

211,342

 

180,981

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock $.01 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares; none issued or outstanding

 

 

 

Common stock $.01 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued 12,151,330 and 11,893,468 shares, respectively, and outstanding 11,028,069 and 10,770,207 shares, respectively

 

121

 

118

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

910,027

 

908,837

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(855,915

)

(798,602

)

Treasury stock 1,123,261 shares

 

(8,532

)

(8,532

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

45,701

 

101,821

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

257,043

 

$

282,802

 

 

6



 

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Cash flows from operating activities attributable to continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(57,313

)

$

(6,945

)

Less income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

27,306

 

(9,911

)

Net loss from continuing operations

 

(30,007

)

(16,856

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash used in operating activities attributable to continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

 

111

 

9

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

574

 

1,886

 

Depreciation

 

2,404

 

1,777

 

Intangible impairment

 

4,350

 

 

Property and equipment impairment

 

907

 

 

Non-cash compensation expense

 

1,870

 

1,857

 

Non-cash restructuring expense

 

 

93

 

Deferred income taxes

 

278

 

658

 

Bad debt expense

 

 

92

 

Changes in current assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(3,455

)

959

 

Prepaid and other current assets

 

222

 

(28

)

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

 

8,711

 

(15,575

)

Income taxes payable

 

(28

)

84

 

Deferred revenue

 

(1,475

)

(134

)

Other, net

 

209

 

2,897

 

Net cash used in operating activities attributable to continuing operations

 

(15,329

)

(22,281

)

Cash flows from investing activities attributable to continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(4,257

)

(3,010

)

Other, net

 

(1,466

)

2,187

 

Net cash used in investing activities attributable to continuing operations

 

(5,723

)

(823

)

Cash flows from financing activities attributable to continuing operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock, net of withholding taxes

 

(901

)

(381

)

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

(3,431

)

Change in restricted cash

 

(700

)

150

 

Net cash used in financing activities attributable to continuing operations

 

(1,601

)

(3,662

)

Total cash used in continuing operations

 

(22,653

)

(26,766

)

Net cash used in operating activities attributable to discontinued operations

 

(16,337

)

(8,479

)

Net cash used in investing activities attributable to discontinued operations

 

(9,185

)

(557

)

Net cash provided by financing activities attributable to discontinued operations

 

13,632

 

12,586

 

Total cash provided by (used) in discontinued operations

 

(11,890

)

3,550

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(34,543

)

(23,216

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

68,819

 

86,093

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

34,276

 

$

62,877

 

 

7



 

TREE.COM’S RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO GAAP ($ in thousands):

 

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are Non-GAAP measures. Below is a reconciliation of operating loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, and operating loss to net loss. See “Tree.com’s Principles of Financial Reporting” for further discussion of the Company’s use of these Non-GAAP measures.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

March 31,

 

June, 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Operating loss

 

$

(8,362

)

$

(21,188

)

$

(6,447

)

Adjustments to reconcile to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

267

 

307

 

943

 

Depreciation

 

1,225

 

1,179

 

892

 

EBITDA from continuing operations

 

(6,870

)

(19,702

)

(4,612

)

Restructuring expense

 

398

 

93

 

68

 

Asset impairments

 

250

 

5,007

 

 

Loss on disposal of assets

 

111

 

 

5

 

Non-cash compensation

 

788

 

1,148

 

893

 

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

25

 

4,500

 

 

Post acquisition adjustments

 

(652

)

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations

 

$

(5,950

)

$

(8,954

)

$

(3,646

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation to net loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss per above

 

$

(8,362

)

$

(21,188

)

$

(6,447

)

Other expense, net

 

(76

)

(79

)

(166

)

Loss before income taxes

 

(8,438

)

(21,267

)

(6,613

)

Income tax provision

 

(37

)

(265

)

(265

)

Net loss from continuing operations

 

(8,475

)

(21,532

)

(6,878

)

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

 

(9,343

)

(17,963

)

6,079

 

Net loss

 

$

(17,818

)

$

(39,495

)

$

(799

)

 

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About Tree.com, Inc.

 

Tree.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: TREE) is the parent of several brands and businesses that provide information, tools, advice, products and services for critical transactions in our customers’ lives.  Our family of brands includes: LendingTree.com®, GetSmart.com®, RealEstate.com®, DegreeTree.comSM, HealthTree.comSM, LendingTreeAutos.com, DoneRight.com®, and InsuranceTree.comSM.  Together, these brands serve as an ally for consumers who are looking to comparison shop for loans, real estate and other services from multiple businesses and professionals that will compete for their business.

 

Tree.com, Inc. is the parent company of wholly owned operating subsidiaries:  LendingTree, LLC and Home Loan Center, Inc.

 

Tree.com, Inc. is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. and maintains operations solely in the United States. For more information, please visit www.tree.com.

 

TREE.COM’S PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL REPORTING

 

Tree.com reports Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”), and adjusted for certain items discussed below (“Adjusted EBITDA”), as supplemental measures to GAAP. These measures are two of the primary metrics by which Tree.com evaluates the performance of its businesses, on which its internal budgets are based and by which management is compensated. Tree.com believes that investors should have access to the same set of tools that it uses in analyzing its results. These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. Tree.com provides and encourages investors to examine the reconciling adjustments between the GAAP and non-GAAP measure discussed below.

 

Definition of Tree.com’s Non-GAAP Measures

 

EBITDA is defined as operating income or loss (which excludes interest expense and taxes) excluding amortization of intangibles and depreciation.

 

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA excluding (1) non-cash compensation expense, (2) non-cash intangible asset impairment charges, (3) gain/loss on disposal of assets, (4) restructuring expenses, (5) litigation settlements and contingencies, (6) pro forma adjustments for significant acquisitions or dispositions, and (7) one-time items. Adjusted EBITDA has certain limitations in that it does not take into account the impact to Tree.com’s statement of operations of certain expenses, including depreciation, non-cash compensation and acquisition related accounting. Tree.com endeavors to compensate for the limitations of the non-GAAP measure 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 measure.

 

Pro Forma Results

 

Tree.com will include Adjusted EBITDA pro forma adjustments for significant acquisitions and dispositions only if it views a particular transaction as significant in size or transformational in nature. For the periods presented in this report, there are no pro forma adjustments for significant acquisitions or dispositions included in EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA.

 

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 Tree.com’s Non-GAAP Measures

 

Non-cash compensation expense consists principally of expense associated with the grants of restricted stock units and stock options. These expenses are not paid in cash, and Tree.com will include the related shares in its calculations of fully diluted shares outstanding. Upon vesting of restricted stock units and the exercise of certain stock options, the

 

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awards will be settled, at Tree.com’s discretion, on a net basis, with Tree.com remitting the required tax withholding amount from its current funds.

 

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

 

Other

 

REALTORS®—a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

 

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

 

The matters contained in the discussion above may be considered to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations or anticipations of Tree.com and members of our management team.  Factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include uncertainties surrounding the potential sale transaction related to the assets of our LendingTree Loans business, including: the uncertainty as to the timing of the closing, whether stockholders will approve the sale transaction, the possibility that competing offers for the assets will be made, the possibility that various closing conditions for the transaction may not be satisfied or waived, and the effects of disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with employees, customers and other business partners.  These and additional factors to be considered are set forth under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2010, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2011, and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  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.

 

Contacts:

 

Investor Relations

877-640-4856

tree.com-investor.relations@tree.com

 

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