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Groupon Earnings Released: ‘We Had A Record Quarter’

Groupon just released its earnings report for the first quarter with gross billings of $1.82 billion and revenue of $757.6 million. Gross billings (the total dollar value of customer purchases of good...
Groupon Earnings Released: ‘We Had A Record Quarter’
Written by Chris Crum
  • Groupon just released its earnings report for the first quarter with gross billings of $1.82 billion and revenue of $757.6 million.

    Gross billings (the total dollar value of customer purchases of goods and services, excluding applicable taxes and net of estimated refunds) were up 29% year-over-year. Those in North America increased 15%.

    Revenue was up 26% year-over-year, and up 27% in North America.

    CEO Eric Lefkofsky writes, “We had a record quarter in terms of demand, with worldwide billings increasing 29% and reaching their highest level ever. Our marketplace continued to gain traction and growth in our mobile business accelerated, with more than 10 million app downloads this quarter and mobile transactions reaching 54% in March.ā€

    ā€œWeā€™re on track with our plans in 2014 to invest in the growth of Local, improve our Goods margins, and drive profitability in our International operations,” he added. “As a result, we have further confidence in our results for the back half of the year, and have increased our full year outlook.ā€

    Here’s the release in its entirety:

    CHICAGO–()–Groupon, Inc. (NASDAQ: GRPN) today announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

    ā€œNet cash provided by (used in) operating activities.ā€

    ā€œWe had a record quarter in terms of demand, with worldwide billings increasing 29% and reaching their highest level ever,ā€ said Eric Lefkofsky, CEO of Groupon. ā€œOur marketplace continued to gain traction and growth in our mobile business accelerated, with more than 10 million app downloads this quarter and mobile transactions reaching 54% in March.ā€

    ā€œWeā€™re on track with our plans in 2014 to invest in the growth of Local, improve our Goods margins, and drive profitability in our International operations. As a result, we have further confidence in our results for the back half of the year, and have increased our full year outlook.ā€

    First Quarter 2014 Summary

    • Gross billings, which reflect the total dollar value of customer purchases of goods and services, excluding applicable taxes and net of estimated refunds, increased 29% globally to $1.82 billion in the first quarter 2014, compared with $1.41 billion in the first quarter 2013. North America billings increased 15%, EMEA increased 4% and Rest of World increased 123%, driven by the acquisition of Ticket Monster.
    • Revenue increased 26%, to $757.6 million in the first quarter 2014, compared with $601.4 million in the first quarter 2013. North America revenue increased 27%, EMEA increased 26% and Rest of World increased 23%.
    • Gross profit increased 2%, to $385.7 million in the first quarter 2014, compared with $379.0 million in the first quarter 2013.
    • Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $40.3 million in the first quarter 2014, compared with $71.9 million in the first quarter 2013, reflecting a $29.4 million increase in marketing expense.
    • First quarter 2014 net loss attributable to common stockholders was $37.8 million, or $0.06 per share, including stock compensation, amortization of acquired intangible assets, and acquisition-related costs, net, of $38.2 million ($29.8 million net of tax). Loss per share excluding stock compensation, amortization of acquired intangible assets, and acquisition-related costs, net of tax, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $0.01 per share.
    • Operating cash flow for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2014 was $189.0 million. Free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure, was negative $37.1 million in the first quarter 2014, bringing free cash flow for the trailing twelve months ended March 31, 2014 to $123.6 million.
    • At the end of the quarter, Groupon had $1.0 billion in cash and cash equivalents.

    Definitions and reconciliations of all non-GAAP financial measures are included below in the section titled ā€œNon-GAAP Financial Measuresā€ and in the accompanying tables.

    Highlights

    • Units:Ā GlobalĀ units, defined as vouchers and products sold before cancellations and refunds, increased 85% year-over-year to 84 million in the first quarter 2014. North America units increased 14%, EMEA units increased 18% and Rest of World units increased 330%.
    • Active deals:Ā At the end of the first quarter 2014, on average, active deals were over 200,000 globally, compared with more than 140,000 at the end of the fourth quarter 2013. North American active deals increased to over 95,000.
    • Active customers:Ā Active customers, or customers that have purchased a voucher or product within the last twelve months, grew 24% year-over-year, to 51.8 million as of March 31, 2014, comprising 21.8 million in North America, 14.5 million in EMEA, and 15.5 million in Rest of World.
    • Customer spend:Ā First quarter 2014Ā trailing twelve month billings per average active customer was $132, compared with $134 in the fourth quarter 2013.
    • Mobile:Ā In March 2014, 54% of global transactions were completed on mobile devices. Over 80 million people have now downloaded Groupon mobile apps worldwide, with over 10 million people downloading them in the first quarter alone.
    • Marketplace:Ā The rollout of Grouponā€™s marketplace (ā€œPullā€) continued to gain traction. In March 2014, approximately 9% of total traffic in North America searched, with customers that searched spending significantly more than those that did not.

    Share Repurchase Program

    During the first quarter 2014, Groupon repurchased 3,075,700 shares of its Class A common stock under its share repurchase authorization at an average price of $9.58 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $29.5 million. Under the existing authorization, Groupon has repurchased a total of 7,508,500 shares at an average price of $10.13 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of $76.0 million. Groupon is authorized to repurchase up to an additional $224.0 million of Class A common stock under the August 2013 share repurchase authorization. The program, which is intended to partially offset dilution from employee stock grants, terminates in August 2015.

    Outlook

    In the second quarter 2014, Groupon expects continued investment to accelerate long-term growth worldwide. As a result, for the second quarter 2014, the Company expects revenue of between $725 million and $775 million, Adjusted EBITDA of between $45 million and $65 million, and non-GAAP earnings per share excluding stock compensation, amortization of acquired intangible assets, and acquisition-related expenses, net of tax, of between $0.00 and $0.02.

    Groupon is increasing its full year outlook, and now expects Adjusted EBITDA to exceed $300 million.

    Conference Call

    A conference call will be webcast live today at 4:00 p.m. CT / 5:00 p.m. ET, and will be available on Grouponā€™s investor relations website atĀ http://investor.groupon.com. This call will contain forward-looking statements and other material information regarding the Companyā€™s financial and operating results.

    Groupon encourages investors to use its investor relations website as a way of easily finding information about the company. Groupon promptly makes available on this website, free of charge, the reports that the company files or furnishes with the SEC, corporate governance information (including Grouponā€™s Global Code of Conduct), and select press releases and social media postings.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    In addition to financial results reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP), we have provided the following non-GAAP financial measures in this release and the accompanying tables: foreign exchange rate neutral operating results, Adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow and loss per share excluding stock-based compensation, amortization of acquired intangible assets, and acquisition-related expense (benefit), net. These non-GAAP financial measures are presented to aid investors in better understanding Groupon’s performance and to facilitate comparisons to many of our peers who present similar measures. However, these measures are not intended to be a substitute for those reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These measures may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, even when similar terms are used to identify such measures. For reconciliations of these measures to the most applicable financial measures under U.S. GAAP, see “Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedules” and “Supplemental Financial Information and Business Metrics” included in the tables accompanying this release.

    We exclude the following items from one or more of our non-GAAP financial measures:

    Stock-based compensation.Ā We exclude stock-based compensation because it is primarily non-cash in nature and we believe that non-GAAP financial measures excluding this item provide meaningful supplemental information about our operating performance and liquidity.

    Acquisition-related expense (benefit), net.Ā Acquisition-related expense (benefit), net is comprised of the change in the fair value of contingent consideration arrangements and, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2013, also includes external transaction costs related to business combinations, primarily consisting of legal and advisory fees. External transaction costs were not material for periods prior to the fourth quarter of 2013 presented in this release and the accompanying tables. The composition of our contingent consideration arrangements and the impact of those arrangements on our operating results vary over time based on a number of factors, including the terms of our business combinations and the timing of those transactions. We exclude acquisition-related expense (benefit), net because we believe that non-GAAP financial measures excluding this item provide meaningful supplemental information about our operating performance and facilitate comparisons to our historical operating results.

    Depreciation and amortization.Ā We exclude depreciation and amortization expenses because they are non-cash in nature and we believe that non-GAAP financial measures excluding these items provide meaningful supplemental information about our operating performance and liquidity.

    Descriptions of the non-GAAP financial measures included in this release and the accompanying tables are as follows:

    Foreign exchange rate neutral operating resultsĀ show our current period operating results as if foreign currency exchange rates had remained the same as those in effect in the comparable prior-year period.

    Adjusted EBITDAĀ is a non-GAAP financial measure that we define as net income (loss) excluding income taxes, interest and other non-operating items, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, and acquisition-related expense (benefit), net. Our definition of Adjusted EBITDA may differ from similar measures used by other companies, even when similar terms are used to identify such measures. Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure used by our management and Board of Directors to evaluate operating performance, generate future plans and make strategic decisions regarding the allocation of capital. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and Board of Directors.

    Earnings per share excluding stock-based compensation, amortization of acquired intangible assets, and acquisition-related expense (benefit), netĀ is a non-GAAP financial measure that adjusts our earnings (loss) per share to exclude the impact of stock-based compensation expense, amortization of acquired intangible assets, and acquisition-related expense (benefit), net, and the income tax effect of those items. We believe that this non-GAAP financial measure provides useful supplemental information for evaluating our operating performance.

    Beginning in the first quarter 2014, we have changed our non-GAAP earnings (loss) per share measure to exclude amortization of acquired intangible assets, net of tax, in addition to stock compensation and acquisition-related expenses, which we have excluded historically. Given the significant acquisition activity in January 2014 and potential acquisition activity in the future, we believe that excluding non-cash amortization of acquired intangible assets from our non-GAAP earnings per share measure enables more meaningful comparisons with our historical results.

    Free cash flowĀ is a non-GAAP financial measure that comprises net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less purchases of property and equipment and capitalized software. We use free cash flow, and ratios based on it, to conduct and evaluate our business because, although it is similar to cash flow from operations, we believe that it typically represents a more useful measure of cash flows because purchases of fixed assets, software developed for internal use and website development costs are necessary components of our ongoing operations. Free cash flow is not intended to represent the total increase or decrease in Groupon’s cash balance for the applicable period.

    Note on Forward-Looking Statements

    The statements contained in this release that refer to plans and expectations for the next quarter, the full year or the future are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those discussed. The risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, volatility in our revenue and operating results; risks related to our business strategy; responding to changes in the market; effectively dealing with challenges arising from our international operations; retaining existing customers and adding new customers; retaining and adding high quality merchants; cyber security breaches; incurring expenses as we expand our business; competing against smaller competitors and competitors with more financial resources than us; maintaining favorable terms with our business partners; maintaining a strong brand; managing inventory and order fulfillment risks; integrating our technology platforms; managing refund risks; retaining our executive team; litigation; regulations, including the CARD Act and regulation of the Internet; tax liabilities; tax legislation; maintaining our information technology infrastructure; protecting our intellectual property; handling acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic investments effectively; seasonality; payment-related risks; customer and merchant fraud; global economic uncertainty; compliance with rules and regulations associated with being a public company; and our ability to raise capital if necessary. We urge you to refer to the factors included under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained by visiting the company’s Investor Relations web site atĀ http://investor.groupon.comĀ or the SEC’s web site atĀ www.sec.gov. Groupon’s actual results could differ materially from those predicted or implied and reported results should not be considered an indication of future performance.

    You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Although Groupon believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee that the future results, levels of activity, performance or events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur. Moreover, neither the company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements reflect Grouponā€™s expectations as of May 6, 2014. Groupon undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason after the date of this release to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in its expectations.

    About Groupon

    Groupon (NASDAQ: GRPN) is a global leader of local commerce and the place you start when you want to buy just about anything, anytime, anywhere. By leveraging the companyā€™s global relationships and scale, Groupon offers consumers a vast marketplace of unbeatable deals all over the world. Shoppers discover the best a city has to offer on the web or on mobile with Groupon Local, enjoy vacations with Groupon Getaways, and find a curated selection of electronics, fashion, home furnishings and more with Groupon Goods.

    Groupon is redefining how traditional small businesses attract, retain and interact with customers by providing merchants with a suite of products and services, including customizable deal campaigns, credit card payment processing capabilities, and point-of-sale solutions that help businesses grow and operate more effectively. To search for great deals or subscribe to Groupon emails, visitwww.Groupon.com. To download Groupon’s five-star mobile apps, visitĀ www.groupon.com/mobile. To learn more about the companyā€™s merchant solutions and how to work with Groupon, visitĀ www.GrouponWorks.com.

    Groupon, Inc.
    Summary Consolidated and Segment Results
    (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
    (unaudited)
     
    Three Months Ended Y/Y %
    March 31, Growth
    Y/Y %   excluding
    2014 2013 Growth FX Effect(2) FX(2)
    Gross BillingsĀ (1):
    North America $ 781,769 $ 681,319 14.7 % $ (844 ) 14.9 %
    EMEA 513,588 492,318 4.3 % 14,983 1.3 %
    Rest of World 521,854 234,132 122.9 % (24,621 ) 133.4 %
    Consolidated billings $ 1,817,211 $ 1,407,769 29.1 % $ (10,482 ) 29.8 %
    Revenue:
    North America $ 431,062 $ 339,554 26.9 % $ (288 ) 27.0 %
    EMEA 230,893 183,798 25.6 % 6,841 21.9 %
    Rest of World 95,682 78,050 22.6 % (9,417 ) 34.7 %
    Consolidated revenue $ 757,637 $ 601,402 26.0 % $ (2,864 ) 26.5 %
    (Loss) income from operations $ (19,953 ) $ 21,178 (194.2 ) % $ 1,685 (202.2 ) %
    Net loss attributable to Groupon, Inc. $ (37,795 ) $ (3,992 )
    Net loss per share:
    Basic $ (0.06 ) $ (0.01 )
    Diluted $ (0.06 ) $ (0.01 )
    Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
    Basic 682,378,690 658,800,417
    Diluted 682,378,690 658,800,417
    (1) Represents the total dollar value of customer purchases of goods and services, excluding applicable taxes and net of estimated refunds. Includes direct billings and third party and other billings.
    (2) Represents the change in financial measures that would have resulted had average exchange rates in the reporting period been the same as those in effect during the three months ended March 31, 2013.
    Groupon, Inc.
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (in thousands)
    (unaudited)
    Three Months Ended
    March 31,
    2014 2013
    Operating activities
    Net loss $ (35,363 ) $ (3,242 )
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and software 22,092 15,114
    Amortization of acquired intangible assets 12,648 5,586
    Stock-based compensation 23,729 29,907
    Deferred income taxes 573 (258 )
    Excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation (5,855 ) (832 )
    (Gain) loss on equity method investments (52 ) 19
    (Gain) loss, net from changes in fair value of contingent consideration (39 ) 68
    Impairment of cost method investment 397
    Change in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
    Restricted cash 2,950 2,523
    Accounts receivable (24,393 ) (7,684 )
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets (5,150 ) 12,527
    Accounts payable 7,315 (19,606 )
    Accrued merchant and supplier payables (23,649 ) (39,417 )
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (5,379 ) 13,302
    Other, net 9,459 753
    Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (20,717 ) 8,760
    Net cash used in investing activities (138,608 ) (30,679 )
    Net cash used in financing activities (41,492 ) (9,342 )
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (831 ) (12,378 )
    Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (201,648 ) (43,639 )
    Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 1,240,472 1,209,289
    Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 1,038,824 $ 1,165,650
    Groupon, Inc.
    Consolidated Statements of Operations
    (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
    (unaudited)
    Three Months Ended March 31,
    2014 2013
    Revenue:
    Third party and other $ 426,429 $ 439,108
    Direct 331,208 162,294
    Total revenue 757,637 601,402
    Cost of revenue:
    Third party and other 62,351 70,016
    Direct 309,565 152,377
    Total cost of revenue 371,916 222,393
    Gross profit 385,721 379,009
    Operating expenses:
    Marketing 78,924 49,557
    Selling, general and administrative 324,965 308,206
    Acquisition-related expense, net 1,785 68
    Total operating expenses 405,674 357,831
    (Loss) income from operations (19,953 ) 21,178
    Other expense, net (840 ) (5,083 )
    (Loss) income before provision for income taxes (20,793 ) 16,095
    Provision for income taxes 14,570 19,337
    Net loss (35,363 ) (3,242 )
    Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (2,432 ) (750 )
    Net loss attributable to Groupon, Inc. $ (37,795 ) $ (3,992 )
    Net loss per share
    Basic $ (0.06 ) $ (0.01 )
    Diluted $ (0.06 ) $ (0.01 )
    Weighted average number of shares outstanding
    Basic 682,378,690 658,800,417
    Diluted 682,378,690 658,800,417
    Groupon, Inc.
    Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
    March 31, 2014 December 31, 2013
    (unaudited)
    Assets
    Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,038,824 $ 1,240,472
    Accounts receivable, net 125,527 83,673
    Deferred income taxes 29,897 27,938
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets 234,102 210,415
    Total current assets 1,428,350 1,562,498
    Property, equipment and software, net 159,649 134,423
    Goodwill 447,370 220,827
    Intangible assets, net 140,738 28,443
    Investments 24,450 20,652
    Deferred income taxes, non-current 44,559 35,941
    Other non-current assets 35,490 39,226
    Total Assets $ 2,280,606 $ 2,042,010
    Liabilities and Equity
    Current liabilities:
    Accounts payable $ 45,524 $ 27,573
    Accrued merchant and supplier payables 816,329 752,943
    Accrued expenses 253,015 226,986
    Deferred income taxes 48,368 47,558
    Other current liabilities 134,315 132,718
    Total current liabilities 1,297,551 1,187,778
    Deferred income taxes, non-current 12,331 10,853
    Other non-current liabilities 147,197 131,697
    Total Liabilities 1,457,079 1,330,328
    Commitments and contingencies
    Stockholders’ Equity
    Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 2,000,000,000 shares authorized, 687,288,634
    shares issued and 679,780,134 shares outstanding at March 31, 2014 and 670,149,976 shares issued and
    665,717,176 shares outstanding at December 31, 2013 69 67
    Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 2,399,976 shares
    issued and outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013
    Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 2,010,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and
    outstanding at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013
    Additional paid-in capital 1,768,271 1,584,211
    Treasury stock, at cost, 7,508,500 shares at March 31, 2014 and 4,432,800 shares at December 31, 2013 (76,048 ) (46,587 )
    Accumulated deficit (886,665 ) (848,870 )
    Accumulated other comprehensive income 20,020 24,830
    Total Groupon, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity 825,647 713,651
    Noncontrolling interests (2,120 ) (1,969 )
    Total Equity 823,527 711,682
    Total Liabilities and Equity $ 2,280,606 $ 2,042,010
    Groupon, Inc.
    Segment Information
    (in thousands)
    (unaudited)
    Three Months Ended March 31,
    2014 2013
    North America
    Gross billingsĀ (1) $ 781,769 $ 681,319
    Revenue $ 431,062 $ 339,554
    Segment cost of revenue and operating expenses(2) 419,677 298,188
    Segment operating income(2) $ 11,385 $ 41,366
    Segment operating income as a percent of segment revenue 2.6 % 12.2 %
    EMEA
    Gross billingsĀ (1) $ 513,588 $ 492,318
    Revenue $ 230,893 $ 183,798
    Segment cost of revenue and operating expenses(2) 211,970 149,622
    Segment operating income(2) $ 18,923 $ 34,176
    Segment operating income as a percent of segment revenue 8.2 % 18.6 %
    Rest of World
    Gross billingsĀ (1) $ 521,854 $ 234,132
    Revenue $ 95,682 $ 78,050
    Segment cost of revenue and operating expenses(2) 120,429 102,439
    Segment operating loss(2) $ (24,747 ) $ (24,389 )
    Segment operating loss as a percent of segment revenue (25.9 ) % (31.2 ) %
    (1) Represents the total dollar value of customer purchases of goods and services, excluding applicable taxes and net of estimated refunds. Includes direct billings and third party and other billings.
    (2) Segment cost of revenue and operating expenses and segment operating income (loss) exclude stock-based compensation and acquisition-related expense (benefit), net.
    Groupon, Inc.
    Non-GAAP Reconciliation Schedules
    (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
    (unaudited)
    Adjusted EBITDA and earnings (loss) per share excluding stock-based compensation, amortization of acquired intangible assets and acquisition-related expense, net are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, “Net loss” for the periods presented, and the Company reconciles earnings (loss) per share excluding stock-based compensation, amortization of acquired intangible assets and acquisition-related expense, net to the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, “Diluted net earnings (loss) per share” for the period presented.
    The following is a quarterly reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, “Net loss.”
    Q1 2013 Q2 2013 Q3 2013 Q4 2013 Q1 2014
    Net loss $ (3,242 ) $ (5,551 ) $ (1,292 ) $ (78,861 ) $ (35,363 )
    Adjustments:
    Stock-based compensation 29,907 32,446 26,870 32,239 23,729
    Acquisition-related expense (benefit), net 68 (815 ) (1,529 ) 2,265 1,785
    Depreciation and amortization 20,700 21,468 23,149 24,132 34,740
    Other expense (income), net 5,083 5,579 (832 ) 84,833 840
    Provision for income taxes 19,337 27,384 15,936 7,380 14,570
    Total adjustments 75,095 86,062 63,594 150,849 75,664
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 71,853 $ 80,511 $ 62,302 $ 71,988 $ 40,301
    The following is a reconciliation of diluted net loss per share to diluted loss per share excluding stock-based compensation, amortization of acquired intangible assets and acquisition-related expense, net for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
    Three Months Ended
    March 31, 2014
    Net loss attributable to Groupon, Inc. $ (37,795 )
    Stock-based compensation 23,729
    Amortization of acquired intangible assets 12,648
    Acquisition-related expense, net 1,785
    Income tax effect of adjustments (8,377 )
    Net loss attributable to common stockholders excluding stock-based compensation,
    amortization of acquired intangible assets and acquisition-related expense, net $ (8,010 )
    Diluted shares 682,378,690
    Incremental diluted sharesĀ (1)
    Adjusted diluted shares 682,378,690
    Diluted net loss per share $ (0.06 )
    Impact of stock-based compensation, amortization of acquired intangible assets
    and acquisition-related expense, net 0.05
    Diluted loss per share excluding stock-based compensation, amortization of acquired intangible assets
    and acquisition-related expense, net $ (0.01 )
    (1) Outstanding equity awards are not reflected in the calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2014 because the effect would be antidilutive.
    Foreign exchange rate neutral operating results are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company reconciles foreign exchange rate neutral operating results to the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures, “Gross billings,” “Revenue” and “(Loss) income from operations,” respectively, for the periods presented. The Company reconciles “foreign exchange rage neutral Gross billings growth” and “foreign exchange rate neutral Revenue growth” to year-over-year growth rates for the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures, “Gross billings” and “Revenue,” respectively, for the periods presented.
    The effect of the Company’s gross billings, revenue and (loss) income from operations from changes in exchange rates versus the U.S. Dollar for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was as follows:
    Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
    At Avg. Exchange At Avg. Exchange
    Q1 2013 Rate As Q4 2013 Rate As
    RatesĀ (1) EffectĀ (2) Reported RatesĀ (3) EffectĀ (2) Reported
    Gross billings $ 1,827,693 $ (10,482 ) $ 1,817,211 $ 1,825,844 $ (8,633 ) $ 1,817,211
    Revenue $ 760,501 $ (2,864 ) $ 757,637 $ 759,885 $ (2,248 ) $ 757,637
    (Loss) income from operations $ (21,638 ) $ 1,685 $ (19,953 ) $ (20,777 ) $ 824 $ (19,953 )
    (1) Represents the financial statement balances that would have resulted had average exchange rates in the reporting period been the same as those in effect during the three months ended March 31, 2013.
    (2) Represents the increase or decrease in reported amounts resulting from changes in exchange rates from those in effect in the comparable period.
    (3) Represents the financial statement balances that would have resulted had average exchange rates in the reporting period been the same as those in effect during the three months ended December 31, 2013.
    The following is a quarterly reconciliation of foreign exchange rate neutral Gross billings growth from the comparable quarterly periods of the prior year to reported Gross billings growth from the comparable quarterly periods of the prior year.
    Q1 2013 Q2 2013 Q3 2013 Q4 2013 Q1 2014
    EMEA Gross billings growth, excluding FX (9 ) % 4 % 9 % 3 % 1 %
    FX Effect 1 % % 3 % 3 % 3 %
    EMEA Gross billings growth (8 ) % 4 % 12 % 6 % 4 %
    Rest of World Gross billings growth, excluding FX (6 ) % (16 ) % (4 ) % (2 ) % 133 %
    FX Effect (5 ) % (5 ) % (9 ) % (9 ) % (10 ) %
    Rest of World Gross billings growth (11 ) % (21 ) % (13 ) % (11 ) % 123 %
    Consolidated Gross billings growth, excluding FX 5 % 11 % 11 % 5 % 30 %
    FX Effect (1 ) % (1 ) % (1 ) % % (1 ) %
    Consolidated Gross billings growth 4 % 10 % 10 % 5 % 29 %
    The following is a quarterly reconciliation of foreign exchange rate neutral Revenue growth from the comparable quarterly periods of the prior year to reported Revenue growth from the comparable quarterly periods of the prior year.
    Q1 2013 Q2 2013 Q3 2013 Q4 2013 Q1 2014
    EMEA Revenue growth, excluding FX (20 ) % (25 ) % (23 ) % 38 % 22 %
    FX Effect % 1 % 2 % 5 % 4 %
    EMEA Revenue growth (20 ) % (24 ) % (21 ) % 43 % 26 %
    Rest of World Revenue growth, excluding FX (8 ) % (21 ) % 7 % (6 ) % 35 %
    FX Effect (6 ) % (5 ) % (11 ) % (9 ) % (12 ) %
    Rest of World Revenue growth (14 ) % (26 ) % (4 ) % (15 ) % 23 %
    Consolidated Revenue growth, excluding FX 8 % 8 % 6 % 20 % 26 %
    FX Effect % (1 ) % (1 ) % % %
    Consolidated Revenue growth 8 % 7 % 5 % 20 % 26 %
    Groupon, Inc.
    Supplemental Financial Information and Business Metrics(9)
    (financial data in thousands, except per share data; active customers in millions)
    (unaudited)
    Q1 2013 Q2 2013 Q3 2013 Q4 2013 Q1 2014
    Segments
    North America Segment
    Gross BillingsĀ (1)
    LocalĀ (2)Ā Gross Billings $ 450,841 $ 453,030 $ 405,913 $ 439,131 $ 456,952
    Goods Gross Billings 165,359 196,878 194,565 286,039 242,896
    TravelĀ (2)Ā Gross Billings 65,119 62,297 64,521 63,551 81,921
    Total Gross Billings $ 681,319 $ 712,205 $ 664,999 $ 788,721 $ 781,769
    Year-over-year growth 23 % 30 % 20 % 10 % 15 %
    % Third Party and Other 78 % 74 % 72 % 67 % 70 %
    % Direct 22 % 26 % 28 % 33 % 30 %
    Gross Billings Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) $ 2,500,915 $ 2,664,845 $ 2,777,475 $ 2,847,244 $ 2,947,694
    RevenueĀ (3)
    Local Revenue $ 172,294 $ 177,377 $ 162,346 $ 161,601 $ 177,247
    Goods Revenue 151,209 186,028 185,914 268,281 237,435
    Travel Revenue 16,051 13,777 12,578 13,902 16,380
    Total Revenue $ 339,554 $ 377,182 $ 360,838 $ 443,784 $ 431,062
    Year-over-year growth 42 % 45 % 24 % 18 % 27 %
    % Third Party and Other 56 % 52 % 49 % 41 % 45 %
    % Direct 44 % 48 % 51 % 59 % 55 %
    Revenue TTM $ 1,266,689 $ 1,383,690 $ 1,452,925 $ 1,521,358 $ 1,612,866
    Gross ProfitĀ (4)
    Local Gross Profit $ 146,379 $ 155,728 $ 138,890 $ 140,944 $ 152,622
    % of North America Total Local Gross Billings 32.5 % 34.4 % 34.2 % 32.1 % 33.4 %
    Goods Gross Profit 12,456 26,977 21,609 21,030 12,604
    % of North America Total Goods Gross Billings 7.5 % 13.7 % 11.1 % 7.4 % 5.2 %
    Travel Gross Profit 13,521 11,881 11,070 12,352 14,442
    % of North America Total Travel Gross Billings 20.8 % 19.1 % 17.2 % 19.4 % 17.6 %
    Total Gross Profit $ 172,356 $ 194,586 $ 171,569 $ 174,326 $ 179,668
    Year-over-year growth 2 % 12 % 7 % 15 % 4 %
    % Third Party and Other 94 % 88 % 90 % 91 % 94 %
    % Direct 6 % 12 % 10 % 9 % 6 %
    % of North America Total Gross Billings 25.3 % 27.3 % 25.8 % 22.1 % 23.0 %
    EMEA Segment
    Gross Billings
    Local Gross Billings $ 260,297 $ 241,856 $ 207,803 $ 277,472 $ 262,141
    Goods Gross Billings 149,193 167,594 169,849 219,880 183,013
    Travel Gross Billings 82,828 72,800 65,666 68,361 68,434
    Total Gross Billings $ 492,318 $ 482,250 $ 443,318 $ 565,713 $ 513,588
    Year-over-year growth (8 ) % 4 % 12 % 6 % 4 %
    Year-over-year growth, excluding FXĀ (5) (9 ) % 4 % 9 % 3 % 1 %
    % Third Party and Other 98 % 100 % 98 % 83 % 83 %
    % Direct 2 % % 2 % 17 % 17 %
    Gross Billings TTM $ 1,883,265 $ 1,903,136 $ 1,950,367 $ 1,983,599 $ 2,004,869
    Revenue
    Local Revenue $ 111,589 $ 110,229 $ 92,141 $ 116,061 $ 109,120
    Goods Revenue 53,326 35,119 41,279 119,274 106,889
    Travel Revenue 18,883 14,614 14,530 15,870 14,884
    Total Revenue $ 183,798 $ 159,962 $ 147,950 $ 251,205 $ 230,893
    Year-over-year growth (20 ) % (24 ) % (21 ) % 43 % 26 %
    Year-over-year growth, excluding FX (20 ) % (25 ) % (23 ) % 38 % 22 %
    % Third Party and Other 96 % 99 % 94 % 61 % 61 %
    % Direct 4 % 1 % 6 % 39 % 39 %
    Revenue TTM $ 758,918 $ 707,325 $ 667,988 $ 742,915 $ 790,010
    Gross Profit
    Local Gross Profit $ 97,389 $ 99,318 $ 81,808 $ 105,210 $ 100,066
    % of EMEA Total Local Gross Billings 37.4 % 41.1 % 39.4 % 37.9 % 38.2 %
    Goods Gross Profit 39,974 27,108 28,943 33,526 27,302
    % of EMEA Total Goods Gross Billings 26.8 % 16.2 % 17.0 % 15.2 % 14.9 %
    Travel Gross Profit 16,358 13,105 12,930 14,457 13,669
    % of EMEA Total Travel Gross Billings 19.7 % 18.0 % 19.7 % 21.1 % 20.0 %
    Total Gross Profit $ 153,721 $ 139,531 $ 123,681 $ 153,193 $ 141,037
    Year-over-year growth (23 ) % (24 ) % (24 ) % 7 % (8 ) %
    % Third Party and Other 100 % 101 % 99 % 91 % 92 %
    % Direct % (1 ) % 1 % 9 % 8 %
    % of EMEA Total Gross Billings 31.2 % 28.9 % 27.9 % 27.1 % 27.5 %
    Rest of World Segment
    Gross Billings
    Local Gross Billings $ 120,319 $ 115,156 $ 118,718 $ 116,824 $ 167,833
    Goods Gross Billings 77,772 72,399 78,973 89,451 283,091
    Travel Gross Billings 36,041 31,796 36,640 32,398 70,930
    Total Gross Billings $ 234,132 $ 219,351 $ 234,331 $ 238,673 $ 521,854
    Year-over-year growth (11 ) % (21 ) % (13 ) % (11 ) % 123 %
    Year-over-year growth, excluding FX (6 ) % (16 ) % (4 ) % (2 ) % 133 %
    % Third Party and Other 97 % 97 % 97 % 97 % 99 %
    % Direct 3 % 3 % 3 % 3 % 1 %
    Gross Billings TTM $ 1,048,973 $ 992,302 $ 956,833 $ 926,487 $ 1,214,209
    Revenue
    Local Revenue $ 45,414 $ 43,849 $ 51,900 $ 40,847 $ 43,814
    Goods Revenue 24,840 20,610 25,061 26,158 41,855
    Travel Revenue 7,796 7,144 9,310 6,453 10,013
    Total Revenue $ 78,050 $ 71,603 $ 86,271 $ 73,458 $ 95,682
    Year-over-year growth (14 ) % (26 ) % (4 ) % (15 ) % 23 %
    Year-over-year growth, excluding FX (8 ) % (21 ) % 7 % (6 ) % 35 %
    % Third Party and Other 91 % 92 % 91 % 90 % 94 %
    % Direct 9 % 8 % 9 % 10 % 6 %
    Revenue TTM $ 350,984 $ 325,988 $ 322,597 $ 309,382 $ 327,014
    Gross Profit
    Local Gross Profit $ 39,490 $ 35,885 $ 44,435 $ 33,596 $ 34,748
    % of Rest of World Total Local Gross Billings 32.8 % 31.2 % 37.4 % 28.8 % 20.7 %
    Goods Gross Profit 6,712 8,966 12,016 11,781 22,135
    % of Rest of World Total Goods Gross Billings 8.6 % 12.4 % 15.2 % 13.2 % 7.8 %
    Travel Gross Profit 6,730 5,726 7,921 5,312 8,133
    % of Rest of World Total Travel Gross Billings 18.7 % 18.0 % 21.6 % 16.4 % 11.5 %
    Total Gross Profit $ 52,932 $ 50,577 $ 64,372 $ 50,689 $ 65,016
    Year-over-year growth (26 ) % (33 ) % 1 % (16 ) % 23 %
    % Third Party and Other 100 % 101 % 99 % 101 % 102 %
    % Direct % (1 ) % 1 % (1 ) % (2 ) %
    % of Rest of World Total Gross Billings 22.6 % 23.1 % 27.5 % 21.2 % 12.5 %
    Consolidated Results of Operations
    Gross Billings
    Local Gross Billings $ 831,457 $ 810,042 $ 732,434 $ 833,427 $ 886,926
    Goods Gross Billings 392,324 436,871 443,387 595,370 709,000
    Travel Gross Billings 183,988 166,893 166,827 164,310 221,285
    Total Gross Billings $ 1,407,769 $ 1,413,806 $ 1,342,648 $ 1,593,107 $ 1,817,211
    Year-over-year growth 4 % 10 % 10 % 5 % 29 %
    Year-over-year growth, excluding FX 5 % 11 % 11 % 5 % 30 %
    % Third Party and Other 88 % 87 % 85 % 77 % 82 %
    % Direct 12 % 13 % 15 % 23 % 18 %
    Gross Billings (TTM) $ 5,433,153 $ 5,560,283 $ 5,684,675 $ 5,757,330 $ 6,166,772
    Year-over-year growth 16 % 11 % 12 % 7 % 14 %
    Revenue
    Local Revenue $ 329,297 $ 331,455 $ 306,387 $ 318,509 $ 330,181
    Goods Revenue 229,375 241,757 252,254 413,713 386,179
    Travel Revenue 42,730 35,535 36,418 36,225 41,277
    Total Revenue $ 601,402 $ 608,747 $ 595,059 $ 768,447 $ 757,637
    Year-over-year growth 8 % 7 % 5 % 20 % 26 %
    Year-over-year growth, excluding FX 8 % 8 % 6 % 20 % 26 %
    % Third Party and Other 73 % 69 % 66 % 52 % 56 %
    % Direct 27 % 31 % 34 % 48 % 44 %
    Total Consolidated Revenue TTM  $ 2,376,591 $ 2,417,003 $ 2,443,510 $ 2,573,655 $ 2,729,890
    Year-over-year growth 27 % 18 % 12 % 10 % 15 %
    Gross Profit
    Local Gross Profit $ 283,258 $ 290,931 $ 265,133 $ 279,750 $ 287,436
    % of Total Consolidated Local Gross Billings 34.1 % 35.9 % 36.2 % 33.6 % 32.4 %
    Goods Gross Profit 59,142 63,051 62,568 66,337 62,041
    % of Total Consolidated Goods Gross Billings 15.1 % 14.4 % 14.1 % 11.1 % 8.8 %
    Travel Gross Profit 36,609 30,712 31,921 32,121 36,244
    % of Total Consolidated Travel Gross Billings 19.9 % 18.4 % 19.1 % 19.5 % 16.4 %
    Total Gross Profit $ 379,009 $ 384,694 $ 359,622 $ 378,208 $ 385,721
    Year-over-year growth (14 ) % (11 ) % (7 ) % 6 % 2 %
    % Third Party and Other 97 % 94 % 95 % 92 % 94 %
    % Direct 3 % 6 % 5 % 8 % 6 %
    % of Total Consolidated Gross Billings 26.9 % 27.2 % 26.8 % 23.7 % 21.2 %
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 71,853 $ 80,511 $ 62,302 $ 71,988 $ 40,301
    % of Total Consolidated Gross Billings 5.1 % 5.7 % 4.6 % 4.5 % 2.2 %
    % of Total Consolidated Revenue 11.9 % 13.2 % 10.5 % 9.4 % 5.3 %
    Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. The following is a reconciliation of free cash flow to the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, “Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities.”
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 8,760 $ 43,302 $ (11,905 ) $ 178,275 $ (20,717 )
    Purchases of property and equipment and capitalized software (14,468 ) (14,042 ) (15,064 ) (19,931 ) (16,355 )
    Free cash flow $ (5,708 ) $ 29,260 $ (26,969 ) $ 158,344 $ (37,072 )
    Net cash provided by operating activities (TTM) $ 191,880 $ 159,867 $ 105,874 $ 218,432 $ 188,955
    Purchases of property and equipment and capitalized software (TTM) (97,221 ) (84,554 ) (83,608 ) (63,505 ) (65,392 )
    Free cash flow (TTM) $ 94,659 $ 75,313 $ 22,266 $ 154,927 $ 123,563
    Net cash used in investing activities $ (30,679 ) $ (15,862 ) $ (26,444 ) $ (23,330 ) $ (138,608 )
    Net cash used in financing activities $ (9,342 ) $ (7,941 ) $ (8,970 ) $ (55,444 ) $ (41,492 )
    Net cash used in investing activities (TTM) $ (179,214 ) $ (134,923 ) $ (125,738 ) $ (96,315 ) $ (204,244 )
    Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (TTM) $ 11,028 $ (21,071 ) $ (32,748 ) $ (81,697 ) $ (113,847 )
    Other Metrics
    Active CustomersĀ (6)
    North America 18.2 19.1 19.9 20.8 21.8
    EMEA 14.0 13.9 14.0 14.2 14.5
    Rest of World 9.5 9.6 9.6 9.9 15.5
    Total Active Customers 41.7 42.6 43.5 44.9 51.8
    TTM Gross Billings / Average Active CustomerĀ (7)
    North America $ 151 $ 156 $ 155 $ 150 $ 147
    EMEA $ 137 $ 135 $ 137 $ 139 $ 141
    Rest of World $ 116 $ 108 $ 102 $ 95 $ 97
    Consolidated $ 138 $ 138 $ 137 $ 134 $ 132
    Headcount
    SalesĀ (8) 4,566 4,679 4,801 4,834 5,231
    % North America 28 % 26 % 28 % 29 % 27 %
    % EMEA 38 % 39 % 37 % 37 % 37 %
    % Rest of World 34 % 35 % 35 % 34 % 36 %
    Other 6,433 6,306 6,453 6,449 7,099
    Total Headcount 10,999 10,985 11,254 11,283 12,330
    (1) Represents the total dollar value of customer purchases of goods and services, excluding applicable taxes and net of estimated refunds. Includes direct billings and third party and other billings.
    (2) Local represents deals from local merchants, deals with national merchants, and deals through local events. Other revenue transactions, which include advertising, payment processing, point of sale, reservation and commission revenue, were previously aggregated with our Travel category. In the current period, the Company has updated its presentation of category information to include gross billings, revenue and gross profit from those other revenue sources within the Local category, and prior period category information has been retrospectively adjusted to conform to the current period presentation.
    (3) Includes third party revenue, direct revenue and other revenue. Third party revenue is related to sales for which the Company acts as a marketing agent for the merchant. This revenue is recorded on a net basis. Direct revenue is primarily related to the sale of products for which the Company is the merchant of record. These revenues are accounted for on a gross basis, with the cost of inventory included in cost of revenue. Other revenue primarily consists of advertising revenue, payment processing revenue, point of sale revenue, reservation revenue and commission revenue.
    (4) Represents third party revenue, direct revenue and other revenue reduced by cost of revenue. Cost of revenue is comprised of direct and certain indirect costs incurred to generate revenue. Third party cost of revenue includes estimated refunds for which the merchant’s share is not recoverable. Direct cost of revenue includes the cost of inventory, shipping and fulfillment costs and inventory markdowns. Other costs incurred to generate revenue are allocated to cost of third party and other revenue and direct revenue for each of our categories (Local, Goods, and Travel) in proportion to gross billings during the period.
    (5) Represents the change in financial measures that would have resulted had average exchange rates in the reporting period been the same as those in effect in the prior year period.
    (6) Reflects the total number of unique user accounts who have purchased a voucher or product from us during the trailing twelve months.
    (7) Reflects the total gross billings generated in the trailing twelve months per average active customer over that period.
    (8) Includes merchant sales representatives, as well as sales support.
    (9) The definition, methodology and appropriateness of each of our supplemental metrics is reviewed periodically. As a result, metrics are subject to removal and/or change.

     

    Image via Groupon

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