LendingTree Reports Second Quarter 2020 Results

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- LendingTree, Inc. (NASDAQ: TREE), operator of LendingTree.com, the nation's leading online financial services marketplace, today announced results for the quarter ended June 30, 2020.

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

"Despite the challenging backdrop, our team executed incredibly well in the second quarter," said Doug Lebda, Chairman & CEO. "While our business has not been immune to effects of the current environment, it has certainly proven resilient. We believe times like these tend to separate the leaders from the pack, and we're confident that our market-leading position should enable to us to reap the benefits of an accelerating digital transformation in consumer finance."

J.D. Moriarty, CFO, added, "Our second quarter results are a testament to the durability of our business. While some of our businesses are being tested, others are thriving and we continue to generate significant cash flows. In addition, our balance sheet is incredibly healthy, and we remain focused on leveraging our market-leading position to propel the company forward."

Second Quarter 2020 Business Highlights

    --  Home segment revenue of $74.1 million and segment profit of $38.7
        million grew 3% and 60%, respectively, over second quarter 2019.
        --  Within Home, mortgage products revenue grew 22% over the prior year
            period.
    --  Insurance revenue of $72.9 million grew 1% over second quarter 2019 and
        translated into Insurance segment profit of $30.1 million, up 5% over
        the same period.
    --  Consumer segment revenue of $37.1 million decreased 71% over second
        quarter 2019, driven by the impact of COVID-19, the ensuing economic
        recession, and the corresponding tightening of credit among our lender
        partners.
        --  Within Consumer, credit card revenue of $7.2 million decreased 87%
            year-over-year.
        --  Personal loans revenue of $8.8 million decreased 79% year-over-year.
        --  Small business revenue declined 82% year-over-year.
    --  Through June 30, 15.2 million consumers have signed up for My
        LendingTree.


                                                                                                               
       
      LendingTree Summary Financial Metrics


                                                                                                              
       
      (In millions, except per share amounts)




                                                                       
          
           Three Months Ended                 Y/Y                                                    Three Months Ended               Q/Q
                                                                                 June 30,                                                                             March 31,



                                                                       2020                              2019               % Change                                                 2020              % Change





            
              Total revenue                                       $
         
              184.3                                   $
            
              278.4                       (34)                               $
         
           283.1           (35)

                                                                                                                                                                                        %                                                                %





            (Loss) income before income taxes                                     $
            (12.5)                                               $
            7.3                      (271)                           15.9                       (179)
                                                                                                                                                                                        %                                                         %



            Income tax benefit                                         3.9                                   5.7                                                (32)                                        3.1                             26
                                                                                                                                                                  %                                                                        %




            
              Net (loss) income from continuing                   $
         
              (8.6)                                   $
            
              13.0                      (166)                                $
         
           19.0          (145)


                                                                                                                                                                                        %                                                                %
    operations



            
              Net (loss) income from continuing               (5)                                    5                                                                                    7
                                                                     
        %                                    %                                                                                   %
    operations % of revenue





            
              (Loss) income per share from continuing
    operations



            Basic                                                                 $
            (0.66)                                              $
            1.01                      (165)                                        $
         1.46          (145)
                                                                                                                                                                                        %                                                                %



            Diluted                                                               $
            (0.66)                                              $
            0.87                      (176)                                        $
         1.34          (149)
                                                                                                                                                                                        %                                                                %





            
              Variable marketing margin



            Total revenue                                                          $
            184.3                                              $
            278.4                       (34)                                       $
         283.1           (35)
                                                                                                                                                                                        %                                                                %



            Variable marketing expense (1) (2)                                   $
            (101.8)                                           $
            (184.6)                      (45)                                     $
         (184.9)          (45)
                                                                                                                                                                                        %                                                                %




            
              Variable marketing margin (2)                        $
         
              82.5                                    $
            
              93.8                       (12)                                $
         
           98.2           (16)

                                                                                                                                                                                        %                                                                %



            
              Variable marketing margin % of revenue 
     (2)     45                                    34                                                                                   35
                                                                          %                                    %                                                                                   %





            
              Adjusted EBITDA (2)                                  $
         
              30.8                                    $
            
              46.3                       (33)                                $
         
           44.9           (31)

                                                                                                                                                                                        %                                                                %



            
              Adjusted EBITDA % of revenue (2)                 17                                    17                                                                                   16
                                                                          %                                    %                                                                                   %





            
              Adjusted net income (2)                               $
         
              6.4                                    $
            
              17.6                       (64)                                $
         
           17.1           (63)

                                                                                                                                                                                        %                                                                %





            
              Adjusted net income per share (2)                    $
         
              0.46                                    $
            
              1.18                       (61)                                $
         
           1.20           (62)

                                                                                                                                                                                        %                                                                %




     (1) 
              Represents the portion of selling and marketing expense attributable to variable costs paid for advertising, direct marketing and related
           expenses. Also includes the portion of cost of revenue attributable to costs paid for advertising re-sold to third parties. Excludes
           overhead, fixed costs and personnel-related expenses.



     (2) 
              Variable marketing expense, variable marketing margin, variable marketing margin % of revenue, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted
           EBITDA % of revenue, adjusted net income and adjusted net income per share are non-GAAP measures. Please see "LendingTree's
           Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to GAAP" and "LendingTree's Principles of Financial Reporting" below for more information.


                                                                                                         
       
           LendingTree Segment Results


                                                                                                           
       
                (In millions)




                                                                              Three Months Ended                 Y/Y                                                   Three Months Ended          Q/Q
                                                                       June 30,                                                                          March 31,



                                                            2020                                 2019               % Change                                       2020                   % Change



       
                
                  Home (1)

    ---


       Revenue                                                            $
              74.1                                                 $
          71.8                3                                       $
          79.2      (6)
                                                                                                                                                                      %                                                         %



       Segment profit                                                     $
              38.7                                                 $
          24.2               60                                       $
          35.9        8
                                                                                                                                                                      %                                                         %



       
                Segment profit % of revenue              52                                      34
                                                                                                                                                                                     %
                                                               %                                      %                                                                             45





       
                
                  Consumer (2)

    ---


       Revenue                                                            $
              37.1                                                $
          129.0             (71)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                %
                                                                                                                                                                      %                                     $
          119.9     (69)



       Segment profit                                                     $
              19.4                                                 $
          50.8             (62)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                %
                                                                                                                                                                      %                                      $
          43.1     (55)



       
                Segment profit % of revenue              52                                      39
                                                                                                                                                                                     %
                                                               %                                      %                                                                             36





       
                
                  Insurance (3)

    ---


       Revenue                                                            $
              72.9                                                 $
          71.9                1                                       $
          82.7     (12)
                                                                                                                                                                      %                                                         %



       Segment profit                                                     $
              30.1                                                 $
          28.8                5                                       $
          30.5      (1)
                                                                                                                                                                      %                                                         %



       
                Segment profit % of revenue              41                                      40
                                                                                                                                                                                     %
                                                               %                                      %                                                                             37





       
                
                  Other (4)

    ---


       Revenue                                                             $
              0.2                                                  $
          5.8             (97)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                %
                                                                                                                                                                      %                                       $
          1.2     (83)



       Profit (loss)                                                       $
              0.1                                                  $
          0.3             (67)                                     $
          (0.3)   (133)

                                                                                                                                                                      %                                                         %




                                                                (34)


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                %

       
                Total revenue                                 $
        
                184.3                                   $
              
            278.4                %                              $
        
            283.1     (35)




                                                                (15)


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                %

       
                Total segment profit                           $
        
                88.3                                   $
              
            104.1                %                              $
        
            109.2     (19)



            Brand marketing expense (5)                                  $
              (5.8)                                              $
          (10.3)            (44)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                %
                                                                                                                                                                      %                                    $
          (11.0)    (47)



                                                                (12)


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                %

       
                Variable marketing margin                      $
        
                82.5                                    $
              
            93.8                %                               $
        
            98.2     (16)



       
                Variable marketing margin % of revenue   45                                      34
                                                                                                                                                                                     %
                                                               %                                      %                                                                             35




     (1) 
              The Home segment includes the following products: purchase mortgage, refinance mortgage, home equity loans and lines of credit,
           reverse mortgage loans, and real estate.



     (2) 
              The Consumer segment includes the following products: credit cards, personal loans, small business loans, student loans, auto loans,
           deposit accounts, and other credit products such as credit repair and debt settlement.



     (3) 
              The Insurance segment consists of insurance quote products.



     (4) 
              The Other category primarily includes revenue from the resale of online advertising space to third parties and revenue from home
           improvement referrals, and the related variable marketing and advertising expenses.



     (5) 
              Brand marketing expense represents the portion of selling and marketing expense attributable to variable costs paid for advertising,
           direct marketing and related expenses that are not assignable to the segments' products. This measure excludes overhead, fixed costs
           and personnel-related expenses.

Business Outlook

On April 14, LendingTree withdrew its full-year 2020 guidance due to economic uncertainty related to COVID-19. Today, the company is providing revenue, variable marketing margin and adjusted EBITDA guidance for the third quarter of 2020, as follows:

For third quarter 2020:

    --  Revenue is expected in the range of $200 - $215 million.
    --  Variable marketing margin is expected in the range of $72 - $80 million.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA is expected in the range of $16 - $21 million.

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

Quarterly Conference Call

A conference call to discuss LendingTree's second quarter 2020 financial results will be webcast live today, August 4, 2020 at 9:00 AM Eastern Time (ET). The live audiocast is open to the public and will be available on LendingTree's investor relations website at investors.lendingtree.com. The call may also be accessed toll-free via phone at (877) 606-1416. Callers outside the United States and Canada may dial (707) 287-9313. Following completion of the call, a recorded replay of the webcast will be available on LendingTree's investor relations website until 12:00 PM ET on Wednesday, August 12, 2020. To listen to the telephone replay, call toll-free (855) 859-2056 with passcode #5265009. Callers outside the United States and Canada may dial (404) 537-3406 with passcode #5265009.




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




                                                                                                          Three Months Ended June 30,                                                 Six Months Ended June 30,


                                                                                     2020                                         2019                      2020                                        2019

                                                                                                                                                                                                      ---

                                                                                                    
              
                
                  (in thousands, except per share amounts)



              
                Revenue                                                        $
            
                184,326                                         $
              
            278,421                    $
       
              467,410   $
      
             540,811



              Costs and expenses:



              Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown   13,464                                                   16,310                                                   27,716                         33,980
    separately below) (1)



              Selling and marketing expense (1)                                  113,921                                                  191,629                                                  309,459                        366,520



              General and administrative expense (1)                              28,489                                                   27,951                                                   60,571                         59,068



              Product development (1)                                             10,812                                                   10,175                                                   21,775                         20,341



              Depreciation                                                         3,550                                                    2,559                                                    6,928                          5,041



              Amortization of intangibles                                         13,756                                                   14,280                                                   27,513                         27,707



              Change in fair value of contingent consideration                     9,175                                                    2,790                                                    1,053                         17,382



              Severance                                                               32                                                      403                                                      190                            457



              Litigation settlements and contingencies                           (1,325)                                                       8                                                    (996)                         (199)




              
                Total costs and expenses                              191,874                                                  266,105                                                  454,209                        530,297

    ---


              
                Operating (loss) income                               (7,548)                                                  12,316                                                   13,201                         10,514



              Other (expense) income, net:



              Interest expense, net                                              (4,955)                                                 (5,095)                                                 (9,789)                      (10,563)



              Other income                                                             7                                                       71                                                        7                            139

    ---


              
                (Loss) income before income taxes                    (12,496)                                                   7,292                                                    3,419                             90



              Income tax benefit                                                   3,880                                                    5,689                                                    6,941                         13,441

    ---


              
                Net (loss) income from continuing operations          (8,616)                                                  12,981                                                   10,360                         13,531



              Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax                     (21,141)                                                   (763)                                                (25,716)                       (1,825)

    ---


              
                Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income             $
            
                (29,757)                                         $
              
            12,218                   $
       
              (15,356)   $
      
             11,706

    ---




              
                Weighted average shares outstanding:



              Basic                                                               12,984                                                   12,805                                                   12,971                         12,762



              Diluted                                                             12,984                                                   14,908                                                   13,954                         14,622



              
                (Loss) income per share from continuing operations:



              Basic                                                                                   $
              (0.66)                                                        $
          1.01                             $
            0.80           $
           1.06



              Diluted                                                                                 $
              (0.66)                                                        $
          0.87                             $
            0.74           $
           0.93



              
                Loss per share from discontinued operations:



              Basic                                                                                   $
              (1.63)                                                      $
          (0.06)                          $
            (1.98)        $
           (0.14)



              Diluted                                                                                 $
              (1.63)                                                      $
          (0.05)                          $
            (1.84)        $
           (0.12)



              
                Net (loss) income per share:



              Basic                                                                                   $
              (2.29)                                                        $
          0.95                           $
            (1.18)          $
           0.92



              Diluted                                                                                 $
              (2.29)                                                        $
          0.82                           $
            (1.10)          $
           0.80

    ---




              (1) Amounts include non-cash compensation, as follows:



              Cost of revenue                                                                            $
              333                                                          $
          197                              $
            575            $
           350



              Selling and marketing expense                                        1,597                                                    2,283                                                    2,753                          4,032



              General and administrative expense                                   9,729                                                   11,686                                                   18,852                         21,907



              Product development                                                  1,499                                                    1,816                                                    2,895                          3,746




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




                                                                                                                                                         June 30,                                                  December 31,
                                                                                                                                                             2020                                                           2019

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            ---

                                                                                                                                                                                   (in thousands, except par value
                                                                                                                                                                       and share amounts)



              
                ASSETS:



              Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                                $
              101,764                                                      $
      60,243



              Restricted cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                            94                                                                        96



              Accounts receivable, net                                                                                                                    77,037                                                                   113,487



              Prepaid and other current assets                                                                                                            25,654                                                                    15,516



              Current assets of discontinued operations                                                                                                       84                                                                        84

    ---


              
                Total current assets                                                                                                          204,633                                                                   189,426



              Property and equipment, net                                                                                                                 34,735                                                                    31,363



              Operating lease right-of-use assets                                                                                                         87,892                                                                    25,519



              Goodwill                                                                                                                                   420,139                                                                   420,139



              Intangible assets, net                                                                                                                     154,067                                                                   181,580



              Deferred income tax assets                                                                                                                  84,160                                                                    87,664



              Equity investment                                                                                                                           80,000



              Other non-current assets                                                                                                                     5,192                                                                     4,330



              Non-current assets of discontinued operations                                                                                               16,759                                                                     7,948



              
                Total assets                                                                                                                          $
     
                1,087,577                                                 $
     
        947,969

    ---




              
                LIABILITIES:



              Revolving credit facility                                                                                                                                $
              130,000                                                      $
      75,000



              Accounts payable, trade                                                                                                                      8,792                                                                     2,873



              Accrued expenses and other current liabilities                                                                                              88,569                                                                   112,755



              Current contingent consideration                                                                                                            19,029                                                                     9,028



              Current liabilities of discontinued operations                                                                                              63,006                                                                    31,050

    ---


              
                Total current liabilities                                                                                                     309,396                                                                   230,706



              Long-term debt                                                                                                                             271,378                                                                   264,391



              Operating lease liabilities                                                                                                                 86,649                                                                    21,358



              Non-current contingent consideration                                                                                                         9,488                                                                    24,436



              Other non-current liabilities                                                                                                                4,689                                                                     4,752




              
                Total liabilities                                                                                                             681,600                                                                   545,643

    ---




              
                SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:



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



              Common stock $.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 15,730,643 and 15,676,819 shares                                                    157                                                                       157
    issued, respectively, and 13,089,325 and 13,035,501 shares outstanding, respectively



              Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                               1,196,990                                                                 1,177,984



              Accumulated deficit                                                                                                                      (608,009)                                                                (592,654)



              Treasury stock; 2,641,318 shares                                                                                                         (183,161)                                                                (183,161)

    ---


              
                Total shareholders' equity                                                                                                    405,977                                                                   402,326

    ---


              
                Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                                                                            $
     
                1,087,577                                                 $
     
        947,969

    ---




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




                                                                                                                                                                                               Six Months Ended June 30,


                                                                                                                                                                                     2020                                  2019

                                                                                                                                                                                                                           ---

                                                                                                                                                                                                            (in thousands)



              Cash flows from operating activities attributable to continuing operations:



              
                Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income                                                                                                             $
      
                (15,356)                        $
      
        11,706



              Less: Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax                                                                                                                 25,716                                            1,825

    ---


              Income from continuing operations                                                                                                                                   10,360                                           13,531



              Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating
    activities attributable to continuing operations:



              Loss (gain) on impairments and disposal of assets                                                                                                                      552                                          (1,729)



              Amortization of intangibles                                                                                                                                         27,513                                           27,707



              Depreciation                                                                                                                                                         6,928                                            5,041



              Non-cash compensation expense                                                                                                                                       25,075                                           30,035



              Deferred income taxes                                                                                                                                              (7,000)                                        (13,624)



              Change in fair value of contingent consideration                                                                                                                     1,053                                           17,382



              Bad debt expense                                                                                                                                                       949                                            1,282



              Amortization of debt issuance costs                                                                                                                                  1,158                                              970



              Amortization of convertible debt discount                                                                                                                            6,250                                            5,929



              Reduction in carrying amount of ROU asset, offset by change in operating lease liabilities                                                                           1,956                                              184



              Changes in current assets and liabilities:



              Accounts receivable                                                                                                                                                 35,501                                         (48,396)



              Prepaid and other current assets                                                                                                                                     1,369                                            (190)



              Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities                                                                                                  (19,134)                                          28,105



              Current contingent consideration                                                                                                                                   (2,670)                                         (3,000)



              Income taxes receivable                                                                                                                                                 63                                            4,388



              Other, net                                                                                                                                                         (2,007)                                             260



              
                Net cash provided by operating activities attributable to continuing operations                                                                        87,916                                           67,875

    ---


              Cash flows from investing activities attributable to continuing operations:



              Capital expenditures                                                                                                                                               (9,108)                                         (9,769)



              Proceeds from sale of fixed assets                                                                                                                                       -                                          24,062



              Equity investment                                                                                                                                                 (80,000)



              Acquisition of ValuePenguin, net of cash acquired                                                                                                                        -                                       (105,578)



              Acquisition of QuoteWizard, net of cash acquired                                                                                                                         -                                             447




              
                Net cash used in investing activities attributable to continuing operations                                                                          (89,108)                                        (90,838)

    ---


              Cash flows from financing activities attributable to continuing operations:



              Payments related to net-share settlement of stock-based compensation, net of proceeds from exercise of stock                                                       (6,068)                                         (7,646)
    options



              Contingent consideration payments                                                                                                                                  (3,330)                                         (3,000)



              Net proceeds from (repayment of) revolving credit facility                                                                                                          55,000                                         (10,000)



              Payment of debt issuance costs                                                                                                                                       (306)                                            (31)



              Purchase of treasury stock                                                                                                                                               -                                         (3,976)



              Other financing activities                                                                                                                                            (14)



              
                Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities attributable to continuing operations                                                              45,282                                         (24,653)

    ---


              
                Total cash provided by (used in) continuing operations                                                                                                 44,090                                         (47,616)

    ---


              Discontinued operations:



              Net cash used in operating activities attributable to discontinued operations                                                                                      (2,571)                                         (6,152)




              
                Total cash used in discontinued operations                                                                                                            (2,571)                                         (6,152)

    ---


              
                Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents                                                     41,519                                         (53,768)



              Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period                                                                      60,339                                          105,158



              
                Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at end of period                                                                       $
      
                101,858                         $
      
        51,390

    ---




              
                Non-cash investing activities:



              Capital additions from tenant improvement allowance                                                                                                             
            $                                                        $
      1,111

LENDINGTREE'S RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO GAAP

Variable Marketing Expense

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


                                                         
          
            Three Months Ended


                                         June 30,            March 31,                       June 30,
                                             2020                  2020                            2019



                                                     
         
               
              (in thousands)


                     Selling and
                      marketing expense           $
       
           113,921                                  $
     
        195,538 $
     
     191,629

    ---

        Non-variable
         selling and
         marketing expense
         (1)                            (12,091)                                            (11,772)         (12,079)


        Cost of
         advertising re-
         sold to third
         parties (2)                                                                            1,086             5,053

    ---

                     Variable marketing
                      expense                     $
       
           101,830                                  $
     
        184,852 $
     
     184,603

    ---




     (1) 
              Represents the portion of selling and marketing expense not attributable to variable costs paid for advertising, direct
           marketing and related expenses. Includes overhead, fixed costs and personnel-related expenses.



     (2) 
              Represents the portion of cost of revenue attributable to costs paid for advertising re-sold to third parties. Excludes
           overhead, fixed costs, and personnel-related expenses.

LENDINGTREE'S RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO GAAP

Variable Marketing Margin

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


                                                                                                 
        
            Three Months Ended


                                                                                 June 30,          March 31,                       June 30,
                                                                                     2020                2020                            2019



                                                                                                              (in thousands, except percentages)



       
                Net (loss) income from continuing operations                         $
      
          (8,616)                                     $
      
         18,976   $
      
      12,981

    ---


       
                Net (loss) income from continuing operations % of revenue        (5)                                                 7                      5
                                                                               
            %                                                 %                     %





       Adjustments to reconcile to variable marketing margin:



       Cost of revenue                                                            13,464                                             14,252                 16,310



       Cost of advertising re-sold to third parties (1)                                                                            (1,086)               (5,053)



       Non-variable selling and marketing expense (2)                             12,091                                             11,772                 12,079



       General and administrative expense                                         28,489                                             32,082                 27,951



       Product development                                                        10,812                                             10,963                 10,175



       Depreciation                                                                3,550                                              3,378                  2,559



       Amortization of intangibles                                                13,756                                             13,757                 14,280



       Change in fair value of contingent consideration                            9,175                                            (8,122)                 2,790



       Severance                                                                      32                                                158                    403



       Litigation settlements and contingencies                                  (1,325)                                               329                      8



       Interest expense, net                                                       4,955                                              4,834                  5,095



       Other income                                                                  (7)                                                                    (71)



       Income tax benefit                                                        (3,880)                                           (3,061)               (5,689)




       
                Variable marketing margin                                             $
      
          82,496                                      $
      
         98,232   $
      
      93,818

    ---


       
                Variable marketing margin % of revenue                            45                                                 35                     34
                                                                               
            %                                        
            %             
           %




     (1) 
              Represents the portion of cost of revenue attributable to costs paid for advertising re-sold to third parties. Excludes overhead, fixed costs,
           and personnel-related expenses.



     (2) 
              Represents the portion of selling and marketing expense not attributable to variable costs paid for advertising, direct marketing and
           related expenses. Includes overhead, fixed costs and personnel-related expenses.

LENDINGTREE'S RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO GAAP

Adjusted EBITDA

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


                                                                                                
       
            Three Months Ended


                                                                                 June 30,         March 31,                       June 30,
                                                                                     2020               2020                            2019



                                                                                                             (in thousands, except percentages)



       
                Net (loss) income from continuing operations                         $
      
         (8,616)                                     $
      
         18,976   $
      
      12,981

    ---


       
                Net (loss) income from continuing operations % of revenue        (5)                                                7                      5
                                                                               
            %                                                %                     %



       Adjustments to reconcile to adjusted EBITDA:



       Amortization of intangibles                                                13,756                                            13,757                 14,280



       Depreciation                                                                3,550                                             3,378                  2,559



       Severance                                                                      32                                               158                    403



       Loss (gain) on impairments and disposal of assets                              22                                               530                (2,196)



       Non-cash compensation                                                      13,158                                            11,917                 15,982



       Change in fair value of contingent consideration                            9,175                                           (8,122)                 2,790



       Acquisition expense                                                            20                                             2,180                     60



       Litigation settlements and contingencies                                  (1,325)                                              329                      8



       Interest expense, net                                                       4,955                                             4,834                  5,095



       Income tax benefit                                                        (3,880)                                          (3,061)               (5,689)

    ---


       
                Adjusted EBITDA                                                       $
      
         30,847                                      $
      
         44,876   $
      
      46,273

    ---


       
                Adjusted EBITDA % of revenue                                      17                                                16                     17
                                                                               
            %                                       
            %             
           %

LENDINGTREE'S RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO GAAP

Adjusted Net Income

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


                                                                                                             
        
               Three Months Ended


                                                                                           June 30,            March 31,                          June 30,
                                                                                               2020                  2020                               2019



                                                                                                                          (in thousands, except per share amounts)



              
                Net (loss) income from continuing operations                            $
        
          (8,616)                                           $
        
         18,976   $
        
        12,981

    ---


              Adjustments to reconcile to adjusted net income:



              Non-cash compensation                                                         13,158                                                  11,917                      15,982



              Loss (gain) on impairments and disposal of assets                                 22                                                     530                     (2,196)



              Acquisition expense                                                               20                                                   2,180                          60



              Change in fair value of contingent consideration                               9,175                                                 (8,122)                      2,790



              Severance                                                                         32                                                     158                         403



              Litigation settlements and contingencies                                     (1,325)                                                    329                           8



              Income tax benefit from adjusted items                                       (5,357)                                                (1,760)                    (4,663)



              Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation                               (753)                                                (1,054)                    (7,723)



              Income tax benefit from CARES Act                                                                                                   (6,104)

    ---


              
                Adjusted net income                                                       $
        
          6,356                                            $
        
         17,050   $
        
        17,642

    ---




              
                Net (loss) income per diluted share from continuing operations           $
        
          (0.66)                                             $
        
         1.34     $
        
        0.87

    ---


              Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income from continuing operations to        1.15                                                  (0.14)                       0.31
    adjusted net income



              Adjustments to reconcile effect of dilutive securities                        (0.03)




              
                Adjusted net income per share                                              $
        
          0.46                                              $
        
         1.20     $
        
        1.18

    ---




              
                Adjusted weighted average diluted shares outstanding             13,814                                                  14,158                      14,908



              Effect of dilutive securities                                                    830



              
                Weighted average diluted shares outstanding                      12,984                                                  14,158                      14,908



              Effect of dilutive securities                                                                                                         1,201                       2,103



              
                Weighted average basic shares outstanding                        12,984                                                  12,957                      12,805

LENDINGTREE'S PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL REPORTING

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

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

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

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

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

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

Definition of LendingTree's Non-GAAP Measures

Variable marketing margin is defined as revenue less variable marketing expense. Variable marketing expense is defined as the expense attributable to variable costs paid for advertising, direct marketing and related expenses, including the portion of cost of revenue attributable to costs paid for advertising re-sold to third parties, and excluding overhead, fixed costs and personnel-related expenses. The majority of these variable advertising costs are expressly intended to drive traffic to our websites and these variable advertising costs are included in selling and marketing expense on the company's consolidated statements of operations and consolidated income. When advertising inventory is re-sold to third parties, the proceeds of such transactions are included in revenue for the purposes of calculating variable marketing margin, and the costs of such re-sold advertising are included in cost of revenue in the company's consolidated statements of operations and consolidated income and are included in variable marketing expense for purposes of calculating variable marketing margin.

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

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

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

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

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

One-Time Items

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

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

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

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

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

The matters contained in the discussion above may be considered to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations or anticipations of LendingTree and members of our management team. Factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the following: uncertainty regarding the duration and scope of the coronavirus referred to as COVID-19 pandemic; actions governments and businesses take in response to the pandemic, including actions that could affect levels of advertising activity; the impact of the pandemic and actions taken in response to the pandemic on national and regional economies and economic activity; the pace of recovery when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides; adverse conditions in the primary and secondary mortgage markets and in the economy, particularly interest rates; default rates on loans, particularly unsecured loans; demand by investors for unsecured personal loans; the effect of such demand on interest rates for personal loans and consumer demand for personal loans; seasonality of results; potential liabilities to secondary market purchasers; changes in the Company's relationships with network lenders, including dependence on certain key network lenders; breaches of network security or the misappropriation or misuse of personal consumer information; failure to provide competitive service; failure to maintain brand recognition; ability to attract and retain consumers in a cost-effective manner; the effects of potential acquisitions of other businesses, including the ability to integrate them successfully with LendingTree's existing operations; accounting rules related to contingent consideration and excess tax benefits or expenses on stock-based compensation that could materially affect earnings in future periods; ability to develop new products and services and enhance existing ones; competition; allegations of failure to comply with existing or changing laws, rules or regulations, or to obtain and maintain required licenses; failure of network lenders or other affiliated parties to comply with regulatory requirements; failure to maintain the integrity of systems and infrastructure; liabilities as a result of privacy regulations; failure to adequately protect intellectual property rights or allegations of infringement of intellectual property rights; and changes in management. These and additional factors to be considered are set forth under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2019, in our Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2020, and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. LendingTree undertakes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results or expectations.

About LendingTree, Inc.

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

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

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

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

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

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SOURCE LendingTree, Inc.