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):  October 24, 2008

 

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 October 30, 2008, Tree.com, Inc. (the “Company”) announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2008.  A copy of the related press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1.

 

Item 5.02.                                  Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

On October 24, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors appointed W. Mac Lackey as a director of the Company.  The Board of Directors determined that Mr. Lackey qualifies as an “independent” director, and appointed him to serve on the Company’s Audit and Compensation Committees.

 

Item 9.01.           Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)   Exhibit.

 

Exhibit Number

 

Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press Release, dated October 30, 2008, with respect to the Company’s financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2008

 

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: October 30, 2008

 

 

TREE.COM, INC.

 

 

 

By:

/S/ MATTHEW PACKEY

 

 

Matthew Packey

 

 

Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

 

3



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

 

Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press Release, dated October 30, 2008, with respect to the Company’s financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2008

 

4


Exhibit 99.1

 

GRAPHIC

 

TREE.COM REPORTS Q3 RESULTS

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C., October 30, 2008 – Tree.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: TREE) today announced financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2008. Adjusted EBITDA increased $5.3MM or 39% year-over-year despite a $24.7 million decline in revenue year-over-year.

 

“We continue to navigate our way through an obviously difficult macro environment, impacting all aspects of our lending and real estate businesses,” said Doug Lebda, chairman and CEO. “However, thanks to the incredible hard work of the team at Tree, discipline on costs, and many key initiatives that we executed this quarter, we were able to post acceptable results despite the industry headwinds.”

 

Summary Financial Results
$s in millions (Except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q3 2008

 

Q3 2007

 

% Change

 

Revenue

 

$

50.3

 

$

75.0

 

(33

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

 

$

(10.7

)

$

(5.0

)

(112

)%

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

(8.3

)

$

(13.6

)

39

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss

 

$

(22.6

)

$

(6.3

)

(259

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss Per Share

 

$

(2.41

)

$

(0.67

)

(260

)%

 

Information Regarding Q3 Results

 

·                  Q308 revenue decreased 33% from Q307.  The decrease in revenue occurred in both the Lending and Real Estate businesses which continue to be negatively impacted by the current credit and housing market conditions.

 

·                  Q308 results were negatively impacted by $2.4 million of restructuring charges.  Q307 results benefited by $15.0 million from a favorable legal settlement partially offset by $6.4 million in restructuring charges.

 

·                  Exclusive of these restructuring and legal items, Q308 adjusted EBITDA increased 39% year-over-year, which was primarily driven by improvement in marketing efficiencies. Exclusive of non-cash compensation expense, selling and marketing expense as a percentage of total revenue decreased from 58% in Q307 to 50% in Q308.

 

Tree.com CFO Matt Packey added, “Considering the current market, we were pleased to be able to achieve these improvements.  We continue to take a very disciplined approach to controlling our expenses and we are constantly evaluating and comparing each business’s overall expenses with its current financial performance and future growth initiatives. It’s a fine balance between being cost efficient and positioning strategically for the long term.  We are intently focused on maintaining the right balance.”

 

1



 

Business Unit Discussion

 

LENDING SEGEMENT

 

Lending Segment Results

$s in millions

 

 

 

Q3 2008

 

Q3 2007

 

% Change

 

Revenue - Lending

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origination and Sale of Loans

 

$

17.9

 

$

22.4

 

(20

)%

Match Fees

 

12.1

 

19.1

 

(36

)%

Close Fees

 

8.2

 

15.6

 

(47

)%

Other

 

2.3

 

4.1

 

(45

)%

Total Revenue - Lending

 

$

40.5

 

$

61.2

 

(34

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Revenue *

 

$

9.5

 

$

11.2

 

15

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses - Lending*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and Marketing Expense *

 

$

23.8

 

$

38.6

 

38

%

General and Administrative Expense *

 

12.4

 

18.7

 

34

%

Product Development *

 

1.3

 

2.5

 

48

%

Restructuring Expense

 

2.4

 

6.6

 

63

%

Proceeds from a litigation settlement

 

 

(15.0

)

NM

 

Total Operating Expenses - Lending*

 

$

39.9

 

$

51.4

 

22

%

EBITDA - Lending

 

$

(8.9

)

$

(1.4

)

(552

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA - Lending

 

$

(6.5

)

$

(9.8

)

34

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metrics - Lending

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transmitted loan requests (000s)

 

476.3

 

726.8

 

(34

)%

Closing - units (000s)

 

23.5

 

46.9

 

(50

)%

Closing - units (dollars)

 

$

3,513.4

 

$

5,697.4

 

(38

)%

 


* Does not include Non-Cash Compensation Expense

** NM = Not Meaningful

 

Lending

 

Lending revenue in Q308 decreased $20.7 million, or 34%, from the same period in 2007. Across all of our revenue categories, these declines reflect the impact of a narrowed supply of suitable loan products available in the marketplace and lower consumer demand. The tight credit markets have limited the types of loans we are able to originate to predominantly conforming and FHA loans and made it more difficult to match potential borrowers to lenders’ products through our exchanges. Consumer demand has waned due to the volatile interest rate environment, deteriorating housing values and an uncertain economic outlook.

 

Adjusting for the restructuring expense and the proceeds from the litigation settlement, we achieved a $22.3 million decrease in operating expenses. This decline in cost was primarily driven by our marketing teams’ efforts to improve the efficiency of our advertising spending, decreasing selling and marketing expense as a percentage of revenue from 63% in Q307 to 59% in Q308. Our prior restructuring efforts helped reduce our general and administrative costs sufficiently to keep these costs in line with the revenue declines.

 

Although the housing and credit markets have significantly impacted our revenue, our cost control efforts have continued to work and as a result, our Lending adjusted EBITDA improved $3.3 million in Q308.

 

2



 

REAL ESTATE SEGMENT

 

Real Estate Segment Results

$s in millions

 

 

 

Q3 2008

 

Q3 2007

 

% Growth

 

Revenue - Real Estate

 

$

9.8

 

$

13.8

 

(29

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Revenue *

 

$

5.7

 

$

7.0

 

19

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses - Real Estate*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and Marketing Expense *

 

$

1.5

 

$

5.1

 

70

%

General and Administrative Expense *

 

3.8

 

4.2

 

8

%

Product Development *

 

0.5

 

1.3

 

63

%

Restructuring Expense

 

(0.0

)

(0.2

)

81

%

Total Operating Expenses - Real Estate*

 

$

5.8

 

$

10.4

 

44

%

EBITDA - Real Estate

 

$

(1.7

)

$

(3.6

)

53

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA - Real Estate

 

$

(1.7

)

$

(3.8

)

54

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metrics - Real Estate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Closing - units (000s)

 

2.1

 

2.8

 

(27

)%

Closing - units (dollars)

 

$

516.1

 

$

730.0

 

(29

)%

 


* Does not include Non-Cash Compensation Expense

 

Real Estate

 

Q308 Real Estate revenue decreased $4.0 million or 29%, from Q307. However, our largest business, a company-owned real estate brokerage, RealEstate.com, REALTORS®,   continued to grow, increasing closings by 51%. RealEstate.com, REALTORS®   now operates in 14 markets with over 1,000 agents compared to 10 markets and over 600 agents at the end of Q307. This improvement was more than offset by declines in our builder and broker referral networks, which experienced significant decreases in closings year-over-year due to the market conditions, as well as a decrease due to the agent referral business, which ceased operations in December 2007.

 

Exclusive of restructuring expense, operating expenses improved $4.8 million reflecting continued progress in marketing efficiency driven by innovation on the RealEstate.com web site, as well as prior cost cutting initiatives. The Real Estate business increased EBITDA 53% from Q307 despite deteriorating market conditions.

 

3



 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of September 30, 2008, Tree.com had $98.2 million in cash and restricted cash. At the time of Tree.com’s spin-off from IAC, the company was credited with $110 million of cash and restricted cash, less a previously accrued $11.8 million legal settlement paid in August.

 

The loans held for sale and warehouse lines of credit balances as of September 30, 2008 were $65.9 million and $56.8 million, respectively. LendingTree Loans received a 60-day extension on its $50 million warehouse line that was set to expire on October 31, 2008. Both parties continue to work on renewal of the line, and Tree.com currently anticipates having the final terms agreed to prior to the end of the extension.

 

Conference Call

 

Tree.com will audiocast its conference call with investors and analysts discussing the Company’s third quarter financial results on Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time (ET). This call will include the disclosure of certain information, including forward-looking information, which may be material to an investor’s understanding of Tree.com’s business. The live audiocast is open to the public at http://investor-relations.tree.com/.

 

4



 

QUARTERLY FINANCIALS

 

TREE.COM, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lending:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origination and sale of loans

 

$

17,911

 

$

22,418

 

$

68,739

 

$

116,385

 

Other lending

 

22,566

 

38,750

 

83,317

 

136,832

 

Total Lending

 

40,477

 

61,168

 

152,056

 

253,217

 

Real Estate

 

9,781

 

13,785

 

28,378

 

42,374

 

Total revenue

 

50,258

 

74,953

 

180,434

 

295,591

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lending

 

9,895

 

11,271

 

34,096

 

38,915

 

Real Estate

 

5,883

 

7,008

 

16,823

 

20,802

 

Total cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)

 

15,778

 

18,279

 

50,919

 

59,717

 

Gross margin

 

34,480

 

56,674

 

129,515

 

235,874

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and marketing expense

 

25,992

 

43,755

 

90,472

 

157,085

 

General and administrative expense

 

22,775

 

23,166

 

58,648

 

80,726

 

Product development

 

1,779

 

3,844

 

5,331

 

12,010

 

Proceeds from a litigation settlement

 

 

(15,000

)

 

(15,000

)

Restructuring expense

 

2,394

 

6,401

 

4,557

 

10,999

 

Amortization and impairment of intangibles

 

2,204

 

3,993

 

42,910

 

14,280

 

Depreciation

 

1,791

 

2,431

 

5,337

 

7,850

 

Goodwill impairment

 

 

 

130,957

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

56,935

 

68,590

 

338,212

 

267,950

 

Operating loss

 

(22,455

)

(11,916

)

(208,697

)

(32,076

)

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

2

 

367

 

13

 

644

 

Interest expense

 

(169

)

(236

)

(497

)

(757

)

Other income (expense)

 

(2

)

13

 

(4

)

14

 

Total other income (expense), net

 

(169

)

144

 

(488

)

(99

)

Loss before income taxes

 

(22,624

)

(11,772

)

(209,185

)

(32,175

)

Income tax benefit

 

73

 

5,478

 

13,915

 

13,266

 

Net loss

 

$

(22,551

)

$

(6,294

)

$

(195,270

)

$

(18,909

)

Net loss per share available to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(2.41

)

$

(0.67

)

$

(20.85

)

$

(2.03

)

Diluted

 

$

(2.41

)

$

(0.67

)

$

(20.85

)

$

(2.03

)

 

5



 

TREE.COM, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

September 30, 2008

 

December 31, 2007

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(audited)

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

82,413

 

$

45,940

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

15,825

 

14,953

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $524 and $322, respectively

 

9,044

 

12,433

 

Loans held for sale ($63,258 measured at fair value in 2008)

 

65,910

 

86,754

 

Deferred income taxes

 

6,420

 

6,420

 

Prepaid and other current assets

 

6,914

 

6,011

 

Total current assets

 

186,526

 

172,511

 

Property and equipment, net

 

18,121

 

21,466

 

Goodwill

 

9,285

 

140,892

 

Intangible assets, net

 

65,680

 

108,440

 

Other non-current assets

 

170

 

278

 

Total assets

 

$

279,782

 

$

443,587

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Warehouse lines of credit

 

$

56,803

 

$

79,426

 

Notes payable

 

 

20,196

 

Accounts payable, trade

 

5,023

 

3,335

 

Deferred revenue

 

1,377

 

1,435

 

Income taxes payable

 

3,373

 

993

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

45,896

 

83,613

 

Total current liabilities

 

112,472

 

188,998

 

Income taxes payable

 

819

 

730

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

2,157

 

2,529

 

Deferred income taxes

 

22,441

 

36,706

 

Total liabilities

 

137,889

 

228,963

 

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 and outstanding 9,368,571 and -0- shares, respectively

 

94

 

 

Invested capital

 

 

751,923

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

891,336

 

 

Payables to IAC and subsidiaries

 

 

20,067

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(749,537

)

(557,366

)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

141,893

 

214,624

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

279,782

 

$

443,587

 

 

6



 

TREE.COM, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(195,270

)

$

(18,909

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization and impairment of intangibles

 

42,910

 

14,280

 

Depreciation

 

5,337

 

7,850

 

Goodwill impairment

 

130,957

 

 

Non-cash compensation expense

 

10,024

 

2,952

 

Non-cash restructuring expense

 

1,092

 

2,446

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(13,916

)

(4,532

)

Gain on origination and sale of loans held for sale

 

(68,739

)

(116,385

)

Loss on impaired loans not sold

 

265

 

264

 

Loss on sale of real estate acquired in satisfaction of loans

 

202

 

219

 

Bad debt expense

 

577

 

1,918

 

Non-cash interest expense

 

76

 

684

 

Changes in current assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

2,812

 

1,006

 

Origination of loans held for sale

 

(1,728,458

)

(5,038,544

)

Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale

 

1,816,273

 

5,358,348

 

Principal payments received on loans held for sale

 

697

 

3,230

 

Payments to investors for loan repurchases and early payoff obligations

 

(3,780

)

(5,031

)

Prepaid and other current assets

 

2,988

 

2,056

 

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

 

(17,842

)

(4,870

)

Income taxes payable

 

2,376

 

(10,018

)

Deferred revenue

 

(309

)

(1,714

)

Other, net

 

(118

)

(190

)

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

(11,846

)

195,060

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Contingent consideration paid to former shareholders of Home Loan Center and iNest

 

(14,487

)

(984

)

Capital expenditures

 

(3,322

)

(7,544

)

Other, net

 

(142

)

33

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(17,951

)

(8,495

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowing under warehouse lines of credit

 

1,586,413

 

4,902,649

 

Repayments of warehouse lines of credit

 

(1,609,036

)

(5,097,131

)

Principal payments on long-term obligations

 

(20,045

)

(11,289

)

Transfers to IAC

 

 

(25,144

)

Capital contributions from IAC

 

109,417

 

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards

 

393

 

1,009

 

(Increase) decrease in restricted cash

 

(872

)

41

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

66,270

 

(229,865

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

36,473

 

(43,300

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

45,940

 

99,498

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

82,413

 

$

56,198

 

 

7



 

TREE.com’s RECONCILIATION OF SEGMENT RESULTS TO GAAP ($s in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2008:

 

 

 

Adjusted
EBITDA

 

Restructuring
Expense

 

Proceeds
from a 
Litigation 
Settlement

 

EBITDA

 

Non-Cash 
Compensation 
Expense

 

Goodwill 
Impairment

 

Amortization 
and 
Impairment 
of Intangibles

 

Depreciation 
Expense

 

Operating Loss

 

Lending

 

$

(6,516

)

$

(2,422

)

$

 

$

(8,938

)

$

(5,090

)

$

 

$

(1,116

)

$

(1,336

)

$

(16,480

)

Real Estate

 

(1,745

)

28

 

 

(1,717

)

(2,715

)

 

(1,088

)

(455

)

(5,975

)

Total

 

$

(8,261

)

$

(2,394

)

$

 

$

(10,655

)

$

(7,805

)

$

 

$

(2,204

)

$

(1,791

)

(22,455

)

Other expense, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(169

)

Loss before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(22,624

)

Income tax benefit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

73

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(22,551

)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007:

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

Restructuring
Expense

 

Proceeds 
from a 
Litigation 
Settlement

 

EBITDA

 

Non-Cash 
Compensation 
Expense

 

Goodwill
Impairment

 

Amortization
and
Impairment 
of Intangibles

 

Depreciation 
Expense

 

Operating Loss

 

Lending

 

$

(9,817

)

$

(6,555

)

$

15,000

 

$

(1,372

)

$

(287

)

$

 

$

(2,853

)

$

(2,143

)

$

(6,655

)

Real Estate

 

(3,801

)

$

154

 

 

(3,647

)

(186

)

 

(1,140

)

(288

)

(5,261

)

Total

 

$

(13,618

)

$

(6,401

)

$

15,000

 

$

(5,019

)

$

(473

)

$

 

$

(3,993

)

$

(2,431

)

(11,916

)

Other expense, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

144

 

Loss before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11,772

)

Income tax benefit 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,478

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(6,294

)

 

Definition of Tree.com’s Non-GAAP Measures

 

EBITDA is defined as operating income excluding, if applicable: (1) depreciation expense, (2) non-cash compensation expense, (3) amortization and impairment of intangibles, (4) goodwill impairment, (5) pro forma adjustments for significant acquisitions, and (6) one-time items. Tree.com believes this measure is useful to investors because it represents the operating results from Tree.com, but excludes the effects of these non-cash expenses. 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 measure with equal or greater prominence and descriptions of the reconciling items, including quantifying such items, to derive the non-GAAP measure.

 

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA, which is defined above, excluding (1) restructuring expenses and (2)  proceeds from litigation settlements. Tree.com believes this measure is useful to investors because it represents the operating results from Tree.com, but excludes the effects of the expenses. 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 measure with equal or greater prominence and descriptions of the reconciling items, including quantifying such items, to derive the non-GAAP measure.

 

8



 

Pro Forma Results

 

Tree.com will only present EBITDA on a pro forma basis if it views a particular transaction as significant in size or transformational in nature. For the periods presented, there are no transactions that Tree.com has included on a pro forma basis.

 

One-Time Items

 

EBITDA is presented before one-time items, if applicable. These items are truly one-time in nature and 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, there are no 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, including unvested grants assumed in acquisitions, of restricted stock units and stock options. These expenses are not paid in cash, and Tree.com will include the related shares in its future calculations of fully diluted shares outstanding. Upon vesting of restricted stock units and the exercise of certain stock options, the 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 of intangibles is a non-cash expense 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. Tree.com believes that since intangibles represent costs incurred by the acquired company to build value prior to acquisition, they were part of transaction costs.

 

Reconciliation of EBITDA

 

For a reconciliation of EBITDA to operating loss for Tree.com’s operating segments and to net loss in total for the three months ended September 30, 2008, see table above.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

Tree.com’s exposure to market rate risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to its interest rate lock commitments, loans held for sale, and LendingTree Loans’ lines of credit.

 

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

 

Certain matters included 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 of the Company and members of our management team. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements made with respect to future revenue, revenue growth, new products, market acceptance of our products, and profitability. Investors and prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Important factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the following: the willingness of our advertisers to advertise on our web site, interest rate volatility, our ability to establish and maintain distribution arrangements, our ability to integrate the operations and realize the expected benefits of businesses that we have acquired and may acquire in the future, consumers’ increasing acceptance of the Internet as a medium for obtaining financial product information, our ability to maintain the confidence of our advertisers by detecting click-through fraud or unscrupulous advertisers, the effect of unexpected liabilities we assume from our acquisitions, our ability to develop new products and the market acceptance thereof, our ability to manage traffic on our web sites and service interruptions, the effects of facing liability for content on our web sites, changes in, or interpretations of, accounting rules and regulations, changes in, or interpretations of, tax rules and regulations may adversely impact our effective tax rate, increased competition and its effect on traffic, advertising rates, margins and market share, our ability to protect our intellectual property, legislative and regulatory changes in Internet regulation, changes in our ownership structure, fluctuating results of operations, and volatility in our stock price.

 

9



 

These and additional important factors to be considered are set forth under, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” and in the other sections of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2008, 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.

 

About Tree.com, Inc.

 

Tree.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: TREE) is the parent of several brands and businesses in the financial services and real estate industries including LendingTree, LendingTree Loans sm, GetSmart.com, HomeLoanCenter.com, RealEstate.com, iNest.com, and RealEstate.com, REALTORS®.  Together, they serve as an ally for consumers who are looking to comparison shop loans, real estate and other financial products from multiple businesses and professionals who compete for their business.

 

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

 

Lending Segment

 

Lending consists of online networks (principally LendingTree.com and GetSmart.com) and call centers that connect consumers and financial providers in the lending industry. Tree.com also originates, processes, approves and funds various residential real estate loans through Home Loan Center (“HLC”), which does business as LendingTree Loans in certain jurisdictions. The HLC and LendingTree Loans brand names are collectively referred to in these consolidated financial statements as “LendingTree Loans.”

 

Real Estate Segment

 

Real Estate consists of a proprietary full service real estate brokerage (RealEstate.com, REALTORS®) that operates in 14 U.S. markets, as well as an online network accessed at www.RealEstate.com, that connects consumers with real estate brokerages around the country and iNest.com, an online network that matches buyers and builders of new homes.

 

REALTOR® — 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.

 

Contacts
Investor Relations
Jason Schugel
(877) 640-4856
tree.com-investor.relations@tree.com

 

Corporate Communications
Allison Vail
(704) 943-8339
allison.vail@tree.com

 

10