CARS Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Results

CHICAGO, Feb. 26, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Cars.com Inc. (NYSE: CARS) ("CARS" or the "Company"), a leading digital marketplace and solutions provider for the automotive industry, today released its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2019.

2019 Full Year Financial and Key Metric Highlights

    --  Revenue of $606.7 million, down $55.4 million, or 8%, year-over-year, in
        line with expectations
    --  Non-cash goodwill and intangible asset impairment charge recorded in the
        third quarter of $461.5 million, or $427.3 million net of tax, triggered
        by a decline in share price following the completion of our strategic
        alternatives review process, resulted in a GAAP net loss of $445.3
        million, or $6.65 per diluted share
    --  Adjusted Net Income of $104.2 million, or $1.55 per diluted share,
        compared to Adjusted Net Income of $135.3 million, or $1.92 per diluted
        share, in the prior year
    --  Adjusted EBITDA of $167.3 million, or 28% of revenue, down $60.3 million
        year-over-year, in line with expectations
    --  Net cash provided by operating activities of $101.5 million, with Free
        Cash Flow of $80.2 million
    --  Average Monthly Unique Visitors of 22.6 million, up 21% year-over-year
    --  Traffic (visits) of 553.7 million, up 24% year-over-year
    --  Mobile Traffic accounted for 72% of total traffic compared to 67% in
        2018
    --  Dealer customers of 18,834 as of December 31, 2019, up 199, compared to
        18,635 as of September 30, 2019, driven by both retention and growth in
        new dealer customers, and down 1,087, compared to December 31, 2018
    --  Direct monthly average revenue per dealer ("ARPD") was $2,070, down 1%
        year-over-year, excluding revenue from dealer websites and related
        digital solutions from Dealer Inspire; when revenue from dealer websites
        and related digital solutions is included, ARPD was $2,179

Q4 Financial and Key Metric Highlights

    --  Revenue of $152.2 million, down $12.2 million, or 7.4% year-over-year
    --  GAAP net loss of $4.1 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared to
        GAAP net income of $9.4 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, in the
        prior year
    --  Adjusted Net Income of $42.2 million, or $0.63 per diluted share,
        compared to Adjusted Net Income of $34.1 million, or $0.50 per diluted
        share, in the prior year
    --  Adjusted EBITDA of $39.3 million, or 26% of revenue, down $21.8 million
        year-over-year
    --  Average monthly unique visitors of 23.5 million, up 32% year-over-year
    --  Traffic (visits) of 146.2 million, up 39% year-over-year
    --  Mobile traffic accounted for 74% of total traffic compared to 67% in the
        fourth quarter of 2018
    --  Direct monthly ARPD was $2,031, down 5% year-over-year, excluding
        revenue from dealer websites and related digital solutions from Dealer
        Inspire; when revenue from dealer websites and related digital solutions
        is included, ARPD was $2,136 for the fourth quarter of 2019

Operational Highlights

    --  Grew dealer customers by 199 in the fourth quarter, which is
        traditionally the seasonally weakest quarter, by achieving higher new
        customer sales volume as well as continued improvement in retention
        rates
    --  Fourth quarter national advertising revenue was the highest revenue
        quarter of the year at $21 million
    --  Dealer Inspire momentum continues, with 3,200 website customers as of
        December 31, 2019. In addition we achieved over 800 GM website
        enrollments, which we expect to begin launching mid-year 2020
    --  Continued to gain market share and marketing category leadership driven
        by organic momentum and achieved a new record level of monthly traffic
        at 56.9 million visits in January 2020, substantially surpassing the
        prior record of 50.3 million visits achieved in August 2019

"We exited 2019 with momentum and fundamental strength. We increased dealer count by nearly 200 customers in the fourth quarter, delivered strong cash flow and performance in line with expectations, and accelerated category-leading traffic gains. Despite entering 2020 with a lower dealer base, by mid-year we will have completely re-architected the business in the three years since going public: we turned around SEO and reestablished our leadership in traffic, we stabilized our dealer base, we transformed our go-to market strategy and we are set to have fully completed the conversion of our affiliate channel and the technology transformation mid-year 2020. These accomplishments position us to realize the full benefits from our shift to an online marketplace with an integrated solutions strategy and the value of our GM agreements, both of which we expect to contribute to strong growth in the second half of 2020 and beyond," said Alex Vetter, President and Chief Executive Officer of CARS.

2019 Full Year Results

Revenue for 2019 was $606.7 million, compared to $662.1 million in 2018. This decrease was primarily due to a decline in dealer customers and national advertising revenue.

In the third quarter, the Company recorded a non-cash goodwill and intangible asset impairment charge of $461.5 million, based on an assessment triggered by a decline in share price following the completion of the strategic alternatives review process. The Company does not expect the impairment charge to have any impact on future operations, affect its liquidity, affect cash flows from operating activities, or affect compliance with the financial covenants set forth in its credit agreement. The cash benefit from the deductible goodwill for tax purposes remains intact.

Total operating expenses for 2019 were $1.1 billion, or $591.3 million excluding the impairment charge, compared to $578.2 million for the prior year. The increase in expenses was primarily due to increased depreciation and amortization due to the reduction of useful lives of certain assets related to the technology transformation, an increase in costs associated with growth in our solutions business, an increase in affiliate revenue share payments as a result of the early conversions, partially offset by a reduction in expenses as a result of the Company's focus on operating efficiencies.

GAAP net loss for 2019 was $445.3 million, or $6.65 per diluted share, compared to GAAP net income of $38.8 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, in 2018. Adjusted Net Income for the year was $104.2 million, or $1.55 per diluted share, compared to $135.3 million, or $1.92 per diluted share in the prior year period.

Adjusted EBITDA for 2019 was $167.3 million, or 28% of revenue, compared to $227.6 million, or 34% of revenue, in the prior year period.

In 2019, average monthly unique visitors grew 21%, total traffic grew 24%, and SEO grew 42% year-over-year. Mobile traffic grew 35% year-over-year and accounted for 72% of total traffic, compared to 67% in the prior year.

Direct monthly ARPD was $2,070 in 2019, down 1% year-over-year, excluding revenue from dealer websites and related digital solutions from Dealer Inspire; when revenue from dealer websites and related digital solutions is included, ARPD was $2,179.

Dealer customers were 18,834 at the end of 2019, 199 higher than dealer customers of 18,635 at the end of the third quarter of 2019. Compared to December 31, 2018, dealer customers were down 1,087.

Q4 Results

Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $152.2 million, compared to $164.3 million in the prior year period.

Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2019 were $147.5 million, compared to $140.5 million for the prior year period. This increase was driven by cost increases related to the affiliate conversions, the lack of a benefit from the amortization of the unfavorable contract liability, which ended September 30, 2019, planned marketing investments and increased depreciation and amortization due to the reduction of useful lives of certain assets related to our technology transformation, partially offset by a reduction in expenses as a result of the Company's focus on operating efficiencies.

GAAP net loss for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $4.1 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared to GAAP net income of $9.4 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2018. Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of 2019 was $42.2 million compared to $34.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2018, the increase driven by the change in the full year effective tax rate.

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter was $39.3 million, or 26% of revenue, compared to $61.1 million, or 37% of revenue, for the prior year period.

Average Monthly Unique Visitors in the fourth quarter grew 32% year-over-year. Total Traffic grew 39% from the fourth quarter of 2018, and SEO grew 40% year-over-year. Mobile Traffic grew 54% year-over-year and accounted for 74% of total traffic in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 67% for the fourth quarter of 2018.

Direct monthly ARPD was $2,136 in the fourth quarter of 2019. ARPD excluding revenue from dealer websites and related digital solutions from Dealer Inspire was $2,031, down 5% year-over-year.

Cash Flow and Balance Sheet

Net cash provided by operating activities in 2019 was $101.5 million, compared to $163.5 million in the prior year. Free Cash Flow in 2019 was $80.2 million, compared to $149.3 million in 2018.

Cash and cash equivalents was $13.5 million and debt outstanding was $648.1 million as of December 31, 2019. The Company made $48.1 million in debt repayments during 2019, net of borrowings. Net leverage at December 31, 2019 was 3.8x, compared to maximum leverage of 4.5x, in accordance with the Company's credit agreement, as recently amended.

"We delivered 2019 full-year results in line with our guidance and by mid-2020 we will begin to benefit from positive organic revenue growth trends and our decisive actions taken to streamline our operating structure. In the second half of 2020 we expect to benefit from the impact of the sales transformation on new dealer sales and retention, the cost savings associated with the technology transformation, our continued focus on operational efficiencies, and the cash flow uplift following the completion of the affiliate revenue share payments. These initiatives support our bold shift in business strategy laid out nearly three years ago and give us confidence that we will exit the year with sustainable growth momentum," said Jandy Tomy, Interim Chief Financial Officer of CARS. "While our balance sheet remains strong, we are focused on reducing our net leverage in the near term and we look forward to the completion of the affiliate payments in mid-2020, which we expect will materially benefit our second half cash flow."

2020 Outlook

For 2020, the Company expects a sequential build of quarterly dealer revenue yielding revenue ranging from a year over year decline of 4% to flat for the full year and a positive year-over-year growth rate to exit the year. The first half of 2020 is expected to be negatively impacted by 1,087 fewer dealers than the prior year, but in the second half of 2020 the Company will benefit from the sequential subscription revenue build as well as growth in ARPD from the rollout of the GM websites and the launch of the new in-market video offering, FUEL(TM).

The Company expects Adjusted EBITDA margins between 25 and 27% for full year 2020, and EBITDA growth by the fourth quarter of 2020. The first half of 2020 will be impacted by the costs to develop and serve the new GM website customers in advance of the revenue build, as well as lower year-over-year dealer customers at the start of 2020 compared to 2019. In the second half of 2020 the Company will benefit from the sequential subscription revenue build as well as the completion of the affiliate revenue share payments on June 30, 2020. The Company expects Free Cash Flow to be flat to up 25% in 2020 driven by the completion of the affiliate revenue share payments mid-year associated with the early conversion of the affiliate markets.

Q4 Earnings Call

As previously announced, management will hold a conference call and webcast today at 9:00 a.m. CST. This webcast may be accessed at investor.cars.com. A replay of the webcast will be available at this website following the conclusion of the call until March 11, 2020.

About CARS

CARS is a leading digital marketplace and solutions provider for the automotive industry that connects car shoppers with sellers. Launched in 1998 with the flagship marketplace site Cars.com and headquartered in Chicago, the Company empowers shoppers with the data, resources and digital tools needed to make informed buying decisions and seamlessly connect with automotive retailers. In a rapidly changing market, CARS enables dealerships and OEMs with innovative technical solutions and data-driven intelligence to better reach and influence ready-to-buy shoppers, increase inventory turn and gain market share. In 2018, CARS acquired Dealer Inspire®, an innovative technology company building solutions that future-proof dealerships with more efficient operations, a faster and easier car buying process, and connected digital experiences that sell and service more vehicles.

CARS properties include Cars.com, DealerRater®, Dealer Inspire®, Auto.com(TM), PickupTrucks.com® and NewCars.com®. For more information, visit www.Cars.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release discusses Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Net Income per diluted share and Free Cash Flow. These financial measures are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). These financial measures are presented as supplemental measures of operating performance because we believe they provide meaningful information regarding our performance and provide a basis to compare operating results between periods. In addition, we use Adjusted EBITDA as a measure for determining incentive compensation targets. Adjusted EBITDA also is used as a performance measure under our credit agreement and includes adjustments such as the items defined below and other further adjustments, which are defined in the credit agreement. These non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by our lenders, securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry. For a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures presented in this earnings release to their most directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with GAAP, see "Non-GAAP Reconciliations" below.

Other companies may define or calculate these measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. Because of these limitations, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Definitions of these non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are presented in the tables below.

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before (1) interest expense (income), net, (2) income tax expense (benefit), (3) depreciation, (4) amortization of intangible assets, (5) stock-based compensation expense, plus (6) certain other items, such as transaction-related costs, costs associated with the stockholder activist campaign, severance, transformation and other exit costs and write-off and impairments of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets. Amortization of unfavorable contracts liability is not adjusted out of Adjusted EBITDA.

We define Adjusted Net Income as net income (loss) excluding the after-tax impact of (1) amortization of intangible assets, (2) stock-based compensation expense, and (3) certain other items, such as transaction-related costs, costs associated with the stockholder activist campaign, severance, transformation and other exit costs and write-off and impairments of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets. Amortization of unfavorable contracts liability is not adjusted out of Adjusted Net Income.

Transaction-related costs are certain expense items resulting from actual or potential transactions such as business combinations, mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, spin-offs, financing transactions, and other strategic transactions, including, without limitation, (1) transaction-related bonuses and (2) expenses for advisors and representatives such as investment bankers, consultants, attorneys and accounting firms. Transaction-related costs may also include, without limitation, transition and integration costs such as retention bonuses and acquisition-related milestone payments to acquired employees, in addition to consulting, compensation and other incremental costs associated with integration projects.

We define Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures, including purchases of property and equipment and capitalization of internal-use software and website development costs.

Key Metric Definitions

Traffic (Visits). Traffic is critical to our business. Traffic to the CARS network of websites and mobile apps provides value to our advertisers in terms of audience, awareness, consideration and conversion. In addition to tracking traffic volume and sources, we monitor activity on our properties, allowing us to innovate and refine our consumer-facing offerings. Traffic is defined as the number of visits to CARS desktop and mobile properties (responsive sites and mobile apps), using Adobe Analytics. Traffic does not include traffic to Dealer Inspire websites. Visits refers to the number of times visitors accessed CARS properties during the period, no matter how many visitors make up those visits. Traffic provides an indication of our consumer reach. Although our consumer reach does not directly result in revenue, we believe our ability to reach in-market car shoppers is attractive to our dealers and national advertisers.

Average Monthly Unique Visitors ("UVs"). Growth in unique visitors and consumer traffic to our network of websites and mobile apps increases the number of impressions, clicks, leads and other events we can monetize to generate revenue. We define UVs in a given month as the number of distinct visitors that engage with our platform during that month. Visitors are identified when a user first visits an individual CARS property on an individual device/browser combination or installs one of our mobile apps on an individual device. If a visitor accesses more than one of our web properties or apps or uses more than one device or browser, each of those unique property/browser/app/device combinations counts towards the number of UVs. UVs do not include Dealer Inspire UVs. We measure UVs using Adobe Analytics.

Dealer Customers. Dealer Customers represent dealerships using our products as of the end of each reporting period. Each physical or virtual dealership location is counted separately, whether it is a single-location proprietorship or part of a large consolidated dealer group. Multi-franchise dealerships at a single location are counted as one dealer.

Average Revenue Per Dealer ("ARPD"). We believe that our ability to grow ARPD is an indicator of the value proposition of our products. We define ARPD as Direct retail revenue during the period divided by the average number of direct Dealer Customers during the same period. Beginning the first quarter of 2019, this key operating metric includes revenue from dealer websites and related digital solutions. ARPD prior to the first quarter of 2019 has not been recast to include Dealer Inspire as it would be impracticable to do so.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our business strategies, plans and objectives, market potential, outlook, trends, future financial performance, planned operational and product improvements, potential strategic transactions, liquidity and other matters and involve known and unknown risks that are difficult to predict. As a result, our actual financial results, performance, achievements, strategic actions or prospects may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These statements often include words such as "believe," "expect," "project," "anticipate," "intend," "strategy," "plan," "estimate," "target," "outlook," "seek," "will," "may," "would," "should," "could," "forecasts," "mission," "strive," "more," "goal" or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs, strategies, estimates, projections and assumptions, based on our experience in the industry as well as our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we think are appropriate. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company and its management based on their knowledge and understanding of the business and industry, are inherently uncertain. These statements are expressed in good faith and we believe these judgments are reasonable. However, you should understand that these statements are not guarantees of strategic action, performance or results. Our actual results could differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, forward-looking statements should not be relied on in making investment decisions. Comparisons of results between current and prior periods are not intended to express any future trends, or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data. Whether or not any such forward-looking statement is in fact achieved will depend on future events, some of which are beyond our control.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. For a detailed discussion of many of these and other risks and uncertainties, see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission available on our website at investor.cars.com or via EDGAR at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this press release in the context of these risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based only on information currently available to us and speak only as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation, other than as may be required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking or cautionary statements to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of events, unanticipated or otherwise, or changes in future operating results over time or otherwise.

The forward-looking statements in this press release are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by the federal securities laws.

CARS Media Contact:
Marita Thomas
312-601-5692
mthomas@cars.com

CARS Investor Relations Contact:
ir@cars.com


                                                                                       
            
              Cars.com Inc.


                                                                         
            
              Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income


                                                                    
            
              
                (In thousands, except per share data)




                                                             
     
              (Unaudited)


                                                                Three Months Ended December 31,                                   Year Ended December 31,



                                                                                           2019                                                       2018        2019        2018



                              Revenue:



       Direct                                                                         $127,933                                                   $121,130    $477,095    $457,651


        National advertising                                                             21,022                                                     23,226      80,774     105,381



       Other                                                                             3,227                                                      4,004      14,442      16,156




         Retail                                                                        152,182                                                    148,360     572,311     579,188



         Wholesale                                                                           5                                                     15,986      34,371      82,939




         Total revenue                                                                 152,187                                                    164,346     606,682     662,127



                              Operating expenses:


        Cost of revenue and operations                                                   24,562                                                     26,140      99,549      90,433


        Product and technology                                                           14,734                                                     17,574      62,859      68,789



       Marketing and sales                                                              52,560                                                     46,572     217,432     226,740


        General and administrative                                                       14,507                                                     19,239      73,772      72,943


        Affiliate revenue share                                                          11,002                                                      4,295      20,790      15,488


        Depreciation and amortization                                                    30,116                                                     26,656     116,877     103,810


        Goodwill and intangible asset
         impairment                                                                                                                                          461,463



             Total operating expenses                                                   147,481                                                    140,476   1,052,742     578,203



             Operating income (loss)                                                      4,706                                                     23,870   (446,060)     83,924



                              Nonoperating (expense) income:


        Interest expense, net                                                           (7,785)                                                   (7,412)   (30,774)   (27,717)



       Other income, net                                                                    25                                                        646       1,555         722



           Total nonoperating expense,
            net                                                                         (7,760)                                                   (6,766)   (29,219)   (26,995)


           (Loss) income before income
            taxes                                                                       (3,054)                                                    17,104   (475,279)     56,929


           Income tax expense (benefit)                                                   1,056                                                      7,747    (29,955)     18,120



           Net (loss) income                                                           $(4,110)                                                    $9,357  $(445,324)    $38,809



                              Weighted-average common
                               shares outstanding:



     Basic                                                                              66,850                                                     68,583      66,995      70,318



     Diluted                                                                            66,850                                                     68,856      66,995      70,547


                              (Loss) earnings per share:



     Basic                                                                             $(0.06)                                                     $0.14     $(6.65)      $0.55



     Diluted                                                                            (0.06)                                                      0.14      (6.65)       0.55


                                                                                                 
       
            Cars.com Inc.


                                                                                               
       
       Consolidated Balance Sheets


                                                                                           
     
         
         (In thousands, except per share data)




                                                                                                                                               December 31,



                                                                                                                                                       2019       2018




              
                
                  Assets:



              
                Current assets:



              Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                            $13,549    $25,463



              Accounts receivable, net                                                                                                             101,762    108,921



              Prepaid expenses                                                                                                                       6,526      9,264



              Other current assets                                                                                                                     603     10,289



              Total current assets                                                                                                                 122,440    153,937




              Property and equipment, net                                                                                                           43,696     41,482



              Goodwill                                                                                                                             505,885    884,449



              Intangible assets, net                                                                                                             1,329,499  1,510,410



              Investments and other assets                                                                                                          26,471     10,271



              Total assets                                                                                                                      $2,027,991 $2,600,549




              
                
                  Liabilities and stockholders' equity:



              
                Current liabilities:



              Accounts payable                                                                                                                     $12,431    $11,631



              Accrued compensation                                                                                                                  16,738     16,821



              Unfavorable contracts liability                                                                                                                 18,885



              Current portion of long-term debt                                                                                                     31,391     26,853



              Other accrued liabilities                                                                                                             38,246     36,520



              Total current liabilities                                                                                                             98,806    110,710




              
                Noncurrent liabilities:



              Long-term debt                                                                                                                       611,277    665,306



              Deferred tax liability                                                                                                               132,996    177,916



              Other noncurrent liabilities                                                                                                          43,844     19,694



              Total noncurrent liabilities                                                                                                         788,117    862,916




              Total liabilities                                                                                                                    886,923    973,626




              Commitments and contingencies



              
                Stockholders' equity:



              Preferred Stock at par, $0.01 par value; 5,000 shares authorized; no shares
      issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018,
      respectively



              Common Stock at par, $0.01 par value; 300,000 shares authorized; 66,764                                                                  668        683
      and 68,262 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and
      December 31, 2018, respectively



              Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                         1,515,109  1,508,001



              (Accumulated deficit) retained earnings                                                                                            (367,067)   118,239



              Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                                                                                 (7,642)




              Total stockholders' equity                                                                                                         1,141,068  1,626,923



              Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                                                                                        $2,027,991 $2,600,549


                                                              
         
                Cars.com Inc.


                                                  
              
           Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


                                                      
              
           
                  (In thousands)




                                                                                          Year Ended December 31,



                                                                                                             2019       2018



                                          Cash flows from operating
                                           activities:



             Net (loss) income                                                                        $(445,324)   $38,809


              Adjustments to reconcile Net (loss)
               income to Net cash provided by
      operating activities:



             Depreciation                                                                                 18,266     12,820


              Amortization of intangible assets                                                            98,611     90,990


              Amortization of unfavorable
               contracts liability                                                                       (18,885)  (25,200)


              Goodwill and intangible asset
               impairment                                                                                 461,463



             Stock-based compensation                                                                      7,588      9,423



             Deferred income taxes                                                                      (44,920)    16,693


              Provision for doubtful accounts                                                               4,897      4,391


              Amortization of debt issuance costs                                                           1,573      1,307



             Other, net                                                                                      496      1,053


              Changes in operating assets and
               liabilities, net of DI Acquisition:



             Accounts receivable                                                                           2,262    (1,164)



             Prepaid expenses                                                                              2,738      2,464



             Other current assets                                                                          9,835      (552)



             Other assets                                                                               (16,201)       782



             Accounts payable                                                                                874      2,512



             Accrued compensation                                                                           (83)     2,569



             Other accrued liabilities                                                                   (1,378)     8,358


              Other noncurrent liabilities                                                                 19,672    (1,707)


              Net cash provided by operating
               activities                                                                                 101,484    163,548



                                          Cash flows from investing
                                           activities:


                   Purchase of property and equipment                                                    (21,257)  (14,233)


                   Payment for DI Acquisition, net                                                                (157,153)



                  Other, net                                                                               (599)        11


              Net cash used in investing
               activities                                                                                (21,856) (171,375)



                                          Cash flows from financing
                                           activities:


                   Proceeds from issuance of long-term
                    debt                                                                                   10,000    195,000


                   Payments of debt issuance costs and
                    other fees                                                                            (2,940)


                   Payments of long-term debt                                                            (58,125)  (82,500)


                   Stock-based compensation plans, net                                                      (286)       377


                   Repurchases of common stock                                                           (40,000)  (97,190)


                   Transactions with TEGNA, net                                                             (191)   (2,960)


              Net cash (used in) provided by
               financing activities                                                                      (91,542)    12,727



              Net (decrease) increase in cash and
               cash equivalents                                                                          (11,914)     4,900



              Cash and cash equivalents at
               beginning of period                                                                         25,463     20,563


              Cash and cash equivalents at end of
               period                                                                                     $13,549    $25,463



                           Supplemental cash flow information:


              Cash paid for income taxes, net of
               refunds                                                                                     $1,740         $7



             Cash paid for interest                                                                       29,654     26,780


                                                                                                        
              
                Cars.com Inc.


                                                                                                   
              
                Non-GAAP Reconciliations


                                                                                     
              
                
                  (In thousands, except per share data)


                                                                                                  
              
                
                  (Unaudited)




                                                                             Three Months Ended December 31,                                        Year Ended December 31,



                                                                                                        2019                                                            2018                               2019        2018



                   Reconciliation of Net (loss)
                    income to Adjusted EBITDA





     Net (loss) income                                                                             $(4,110)                                                         $9,357                         $(445,324)    $38,809



     Interest expense, net                                                                            7,785                                                           7,412                             30,774      27,717


      Income tax expense (benefit)                                                                     1,056                                                           7,747                           (29,955)     18,120


      Depreciation and amortization                                                                   30,116                                                          26,656                            116,877     103,810


      Goodwill and intangible asset
       impairment                                                                                                                                                                                     461,463


      Stock-based compensation                                                                         2,332                                                           1,928                              7,736       9,423


      Severance, transformation and
       other exit costs                                                                                  963                                                           4,499                             10,588       5,771


      Costs associated with the
       stockholder activist campaign                                                                                                                                  2,040                              8,825       9,806


      Transaction-related costs                                                                          959                                                           1,152                              5,582      13,182


      Write-off of long-lived assets
       and other                                                                                         177                                                             277                                706         968



     Adjusted EBITDA*                                                                               $39,278                                                         $61,068                           $167,272    $227,606







                   Reconciliation of Net (loss)
                    income to Adjusted net income





     Net (loss) income                                                                             $(4,110)                                                         $9,357                         $(445,324)    $38,809


      Amortization of intangible
       assets                                                                                         25,277                                                          23,031                             98,611      90,990


      Goodwill and intangible asset
       impairment                                                                                                                                                                                     461,463


      Stock-based compensation                                                                         2,332                                                           1,928                              7,736       9,423


      Severance, transformation and
       other exit costs                                                                                  963                                                           4,499                             10,588       5,771


      Costs associated with the
       stockholder activist campaign                                                                                                                                  2,040                              8,825       9,806


      Transaction-related costs                                                                          959                                                           1,152                              5,582      13,182


      Write-off of long-lived assets
       and other                                                                                         177                                                             277                                706         968


      Tax impact of adjustments                                                                       16,570                                                         (8,190)                          (43,995)   (33,694)



     Adjusted net income*                                                                           $42,168                                                         $34,094                           $104,192    $135,255



      Adjusted net income per share,
       diluted                                                                                         $0.63                                                           $0.50                              $1.55       $1.92



      Weighted-average common shares
       outstanding, diluted**                                                                         67,153                                                          68,856                             67,335      70,547






                   Reconciliation of Net cash
                    provided by operating
                    activities to Free cash flow




      Net cash provided by operating
       activities                                                                                    $20,934                                                         $42,467                           $101,484    $163,548


      Purchase of property and
       equipment                                                                                     (5,848)                                                        (4,267)                          (21,257)   (14,233)



     Free cash flow                                                                                 $15,086                                                         $38,200                            $80,227    $149,315








     * Amortization of unfavorable contracts liability is not adjusted out of Adjusted EBITDA or Adjusted net income.


      ** Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted, includes shares excluded from GAAP loss per share due to the net loss position for the three months and year ended December 31, 2019.


                                                                                            
              
                Cars.com Inc.


                                                                                      
              
                Supplemental Information


                                                                                    
              
                
                  (In thousands)


                                                                                     
              
                
                  (Unaudited)







     
                Expense category for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2019:




                                          
              
                As Reported              
              
                Adjustments (1)                 
              
                Stock-Based                                As Adjusted
                                                                                                                                                              Compensation



      Cost of revenue and
       operations                                                      $24,562                      
              $                   -                                                $(23)                                  $24,539


      Product and technology                                            14,734                                                                                                      (487)                                   14,247


      Marketing and sales                                               52,560                                                                                                      (391)                                   52,169


      General and administrative                                        14,507                                               (2,099)                                              (1,431)                                   10,977


      Affiliate revenue share                                           11,002                                                                                                                                              11,002


      Depreciation and
       amortization                                                     30,116                                                                                                                                              30,116


      Goodwill and intangible
       asset impairment


      Total operating expenses                                        $147,481                                              $(2,099)                                             $(2,332)                                 $143,050




      Total nonoperating expense,
       net                                                              $7,760                      
              $                   -                     
              $                   -                                   $7,760






     
                (1) Includes severance, transformation and other exit costs, transaction-related costs, write-off of long-lived assets and other.





     
                Expense category for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2018:




                                          
              
                As Reported              
              
                Adjustments (1)                 
              
                Stock-Based                                As Adjusted
                                                                                                                                                              Compensation



      Cost of revenue and
       operations                                                      $26,140                      
              $                   -                                                $(70)                                  $26,070


      Product and technology                                            17,574                                                                                                      (480)                                   17,094


      Marketing and sales                                               46,572                                                                                                      (282)                                   46,290


      General and administrative                                        19,239                                               (8,768)                                              (1,096)                                    9,375


      Affiliate revenue share                                            4,295                                                                                                                                               4,295


      Depreciation and
       amortization                                                     26,656                                                                                                                                              26,656


      Goodwill and intangible
       asset impairment


      Total operating expenses                                        $140,476                                              $(8,768)                                             $(1,928)                                 $129,780




      Total nonoperating expense,
       net                                                              $6,766                                                  $800                      
              $                   -                                   $7,566





                   (1) Includes severance, transformation and other exit costs, costs associated with the stockholder activist campaign, transaction-related costs, write-off of long-lived assets and other.





     
                Expense category for the Year Ended December 31, 2019:




                                          
              
                As Reported              
              
                Adjustments (1)                 
              
                Stock-Based                                As Adjusted
                                                                                                                                                              Compensation



      Cost of revenue and
       operations                                                      $99,549                      
              $                   -                                                $(91)                                  $99,458


      Product and technology                                            62,859                                                                                                    (1,145)                                   61,714


      Marketing and sales                                              217,432                                                                                                    (1,561)                                  215,871


      General and administrative                                        73,772                                              (27,101)                                              (4,939)                                   41,732


      Affiliate revenue share                                           20,790                                                                                                                                              20,790


      Depreciation and
       amortization                                                    116,877                                                                                                                                             116,877


      Goodwill and intangible
       asset impairment                                                461,463                                             (461,463)


      Total operating expenses                                      $1,052,742                                            $(488,564)                                             $(7,736)                                 $556,442




      Total nonoperating expense,
       net                                                             $29,219                                                $1,400                      
              $                   -                                  $30,619





                   (1) Includes write-off and impairments of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets and other, severance, transformation and other exit costs, costs associated with the stockholder
                    activist campaign and transaction-related costs.





     
                Expense category for the Year Ended December 31, 2018:




                                          
              
                As Reported              
              
                Adjustments (1)                 
              
                Stock-Based                                As Adjusted
                                                                                                                                                              Compensation



      Cost of revenue and
       operations                                                      $90,433                      
              $                   -                                               $(245)                                  $90,188


      Product and technology                                            68,789                                                                                                    (1,866)                                   66,923


      Marketing and sales                                              226,740                                                                                                    (1,633)                                  225,107


      General and administrative                                        72,943                                              (30,527)                                              (5,679)                                   36,737


      Affiliate revenue share                                           15,488                                                                                                                                              15,488


      Depreciation and
       amortization                                                    103,810                                                                                                                                             103,810


      Goodwill and intangible
       asset impairment


      Total operating expenses                                        $578,203                                             $(30,527)                                             $(9,423)                                 $538,253




      Total nonoperating expense,
       net                                                             $26,995                                                  $800                      
              $                   -                                  $27,795





                   (1) Includes transaction-related costs, costs associated with the stockholder activist campaign, severance, transformation and other exit costs, write-off of long-lived assets and other.

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SOURCE Cars.com Inc.