eBay Earnings Released, Active Buyer Base Grows 5%

eBay just reported its earnings for the fourth quarter and full-year 2015. Highlights include gross merchandise volume of $21.9 billion, revenue of $2.3 billion, 5% growth in active buyer base (to 162...
eBay Earnings Released, Active Buyer Base Grows 5%
Written by Chris Crum
  • eBay just reported its earnings for the fourth quarter and full-year 2015. Highlights include gross merchandise volume of $21.9 billion, revenue of $2.3 billion, 5% growth in active buyer base (to 162 million), Non-GAAP and GAAP EPS per diluted share of $0.50 and $0.43, respectively, and a $550 million repurchase of common stock.

    eBay President and CEO Devin Wenig said, “We delivered solid fourth quarter results and continued to make progress against our key priorities. The quarter also marked the end of an extraordinary year during which we completed the spin-off of PayPal. We continue to grow our business and customer base while executing our plan to reposition eBay for long-term success.”

    Revenue and earnings were pretty close to Wall Street forecasts.

    Here’s the release in its entirety:

    SAN JOSE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY), a global commerce leader, today reported that gross merchandise volume (GMV) for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 was $21.9 billion, increasing 5% on a foreign exchange (FX) neutral basis and was flat year over year on an as-reported basis, reflecting the continued impact of a strong U.S. dollar. Revenue for the quarter was $2.3 billion, up 5% on an FX-Neutral basis and flat year over year on an as-reported basis, driving non-GAAP net income from continuing operations of $600 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, and GAAP net income from continuing operations of $523 million, or $0.43 per diluted share. During the quarter, the company generated $1.1 billion of operating cash flow from continuing operations and $1.0 billion of free cash flow from continuing operations. eBay also repurchased $550 million of its common stock and completed the divestiture of its Enterprise business on November 2, 2015.

    “We delivered solid fourth quarter results and continued to make progress against our key priorities,” said Devin Wenig, President and CEO of eBay Inc. “The quarter also marked the end of an extraordinary year during which we completed the spin-off of PayPal. We continue to grow our business and customer base while executing our plan to reposition eBay for long-term success.”

    Underlying total eBay Inc. performance, the Marketplace platform delivered $20.7 billion of GMV, resulting in $1.9 billion in revenue for the fourth quarter, up 1% on an FX-Neutral basis and down 3% on an as-reported basis. During the 2015 holiday shopping season, the Marketplace platform saw over 265 million transactions across 190 markets, as consumers around the world shopped for great deals and sought-after gifts. StubHub ended the year with strong momentum, driving GMV of $1.2 billion in the fourth quarter and $232 million of revenue, up 34%, aided by strength in the sports and concerts categories. Classifieds delivered another quarter of accelerating growth with revenue of $183 million, up 15% on an FX-Neutral basis and up 2% on an as-reported basis with strong performance in Germany and the United Kingdom.

    For the full year 2015, eBay Inc.’s commerce platforms continued to connect buyers and sellers around the world, with an active buyer base that grew by 8 million, to 162 million total active buyers, representing 5% growth. Total GMV was $82 billion, up 5% on an FX-Neutral basis and down 1% on an as-reported basis, reflecting the impact of a strong U.S. dollar. Revenue was $8.6 billion, growing 5% on an FX-Neutral basis and down 2% on an as-reported basis. The company delivered strong operating and free cash flow on a continuing operations basis, generating $2.9 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively, during 2015.

    The results of eBay Enterprise and PayPal are presented as discontinued operations, appearing net of tax in a single line in the company’s statement of income.

    Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2015 Financial Highlights (presented in millions, except per share data and percentages)
    Fourth Quarter Full Year
    2015 2014 Change 2015 2014 Change
    eBay Inc.
    Net revenues $2,322 $2,323 $(1) —% $8,592 $8,790 $(198) (2)%
    GAAP – Continuing Operations
    Income (loss) from continuing operations $523 $729 $(206) (28)% $1,947 $(865) $2,812 **
    Earnings (loss) per diluted share from continuing operations $0.43 $0.59 $(0.16) (26)% $1.60 $(0.69) $2.29 **
    Non-GAAP – Continuing Operations
    Net income (loss) $600 $685 $(85) (12)% $2,232 $2,386 $(154) (6)%
    Earnings (loss) per diluted share $0.50 $0.55 $(0.05) (10)% $1.83 $1.89 $(0.06) (3)%
    **Not meaningful

    Other Selected Financial and Operational Results

    • Operating margin — GAAP operating margin decreased to 28.5% for the fourth quarter of 2015, compared to 31.5% for the same period last year. Non-GAAP operating margin decreased to 34.4% in the fourth quarter, compared to 36.7% for the same period last year.
    • Taxes — The GAAP effective tax rate for continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2015 was 19.5%, compared to 1.2% for the fourth quarter of 2014. The non-GAAP effective tax rate for continuing operations for the fourth quarter of 2015 was 23.8%, compared to 20.3% for the fourth quarter of 2014.
    • Cash flow — The company generated $1.1 billion of operating cash flow from continuing operations and $1.0 billion of free cash flow from continuing operations during the fourth quarter of 2015.
    • Stock repurchase program — The company repurchased approximately $550 million of its common stock, or 19.9 million shares, in the fourth quarter of 2015. The company’s total repurchase authorization remaining as of December 31, 2015 was $1.8 billion.
    • Cash and cash equivalents and non-equity investments — The company’s cash and cash equivalents and non-equity investments portfolio totaled $8.5 billion as of December 31, 2015.

    Business Outlook

    • First quarter 2016 — The company expects net revenue between $2.05 billion and $2.10 billion, representing FX-Neutral growth of 3% – 5%, with non-GAAP earnings per diluted share from continuing operations in the range of $0.43 – $0.45 and GAAP earnings per diluted share from continuing operations in the range of $0.37 – $0.39.
    • Full year 2016 — The company expects net revenue between $8.5 billion and $8.8 billion, representing FX-Neutral growth of 2% – 5%, with non-GAAP earnings per diluted share from continuing operations in the range of $1.82 – $1.87 and GAAP earnings per diluted share from continuing operations in the range of $1.55 – $1.60.

    Quarterly Conference Call and Webcast

    eBay Inc. will host a conference call to discuss fourth quarter 2015 results at 1:30 p.m. Pacific Time today. A live webcast of the conference call, together with a slide presentation that includes supplemental financial information and reconciliations of certain non-GAAP measures to their nearest comparable GAAP measures, can be accessed through the company’s Investor Relations website at https://investors.ebayinc.com. In addition, an archive of the webcast will be accessible for 90 days through the same link.

    eBay Inc. uses its Investor Relations website at https://investors.ebayinc.com as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor, in addition to following press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls and webcasts.

    About eBay

    eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) is a global commerce leader including the Marketplace, StubHub and Classifieds platforms. Collectively, we connect millions of buyers and sellers around the world, empowering people and creating opportunity through Connected Commerce. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, Calif., eBay is one of the world’s largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. In 2015, eBay enabled $82 billion of gross merchandise volume. For more information about the company and its global portfolio of online brands, visit www.ebayinc.com.

    Presentation

    All growth rates represent year over year comparisons, except as otherwise noted. All amounts in tables are presented in U.S. dollars, rounded to the nearest millions, except as otherwise noted. As a result, certain amounts may not sum or recalculate using the rounded dollar amounts provided.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    This press release includes the following financial measures defined as “non-GAAP financial measures” by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP effective tax rate and free cash flow. These non-GAAP financial measures are presented on a continuing operations basis. These measures may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. The presentation of this financial information, which is not prepared under any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles, is not intended to be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest comparable GAAP measures, see “Business Outlook,” “Non-GAAP Measures of Financial Performance,” “Reconciliation of GAAP Operating Margin to Non-GAAP Operating Margin,” “Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP Net Income and Reconciliation of GAAP Effective Tax Rate to Non-GAAP Effective Tax Rate” and “Reconciliation of Operating Cash Flow to Free Cash Flow” included in this press release.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, the future performance of eBay Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries that are based on the company’s current expectations, forecasts and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the future performance of eBay Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including expected financial results for the first quarter and full year 2016 and the future growth in our business. Actual results could differ materially from those predicted or implied and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance. Other factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: changes in political, business and economic conditions, any regional or general economic downturn or crisis and any conditions that affect ecommerce growth or cross-border trade; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; the company’s need to successfully react to the increasing importance of mobile commerce and the increasing social aspect of commerce; an increasingly competitive environment for our business; changes to the company’s capital allocation or management of operating cash the company’s ability to manage its indebtedness, including managing exposure to interest rates and maintaining its credit ratings; the company’s need to manage an increasingly large enterprise with a broad range of businesses of varying degrees of maturity and in many different geographies; the company’s need and ability to manage regulatory, tax, data security and litigation risks; whether the operational, marketing and strategic benefits of the separation of the eBay and PayPal businesses can be achieved; the company’s ability to timely upgrade and develop its technology systems, infrastructure and customer service capabilities at reasonable cost while maintaining site stability and performance and adding new products and features; and the company’s ability to integrate, manage and grow businesses that have been acquired or may be acquired in the future.

    The forward-looking statements in this release do not include the potential impact of any acquisitions or divestitures that may be announced and/or completed after the date hereof.

    More information about factors that could affect the company’s operating results is included under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the company’s most recent 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 website at https://investors.ebayinc.com or the SEC’s website atwww.sec.gov. All information in this release is as of January 27, 2016. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this press release, which are based on information available to the company on the date hereof. The company assumes no obligation to update such statements.

    eBay Inc.
    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
    December 31,
    2015
    December 31,
    2014
    (In millions, except par value amounts)
    ASSETS
    Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,832 $ 4,105
    Short-term investments 4,299 3,730
    Accounts receivable, net 619 600
    Other current assets 1,154 1,048
    Current assets of discontinued operations 17,048
    Total current assets 7,904 26,531
    Long-term investments 3,391 5,736
    Property and equipment, net 1,554 1,486
    Goodwill 4,451 4,671
    Intangible assets, net 90 133
    Other assets 395 207
    Long-term assets of discontinued operations 6,368
    Total assets $ 17,785 $ 45,132
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    Current liabilities:
    Short-term debt $ $ 850
    Accounts payable 349 107
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 1,736 3,830
    Deferred revenue 106 108
    Income taxes payable 72 125
    Current liabilities of discontinued operations 12,511
    Total current liabilities 2,263 17,531
    Deferred and other tax liabilities, net 2,092 522
    Long-term debt 6,779 6,777
    Other liabilities 75 79
    Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations 317
    Total liabilities 11,209 25,226
    Total stockholders’ equity 6,576 19,906
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 17,785 $ 45,132
    eBay Inc.
    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income
    Three Months Ended
    December 31,
    Year Ended
    December 31,
    2015 2014 2015 2014
    (In millions, except per share amounts)
    Net revenues $ 2,322 $ 2,323 $ 8,592 $ 8,790
    Cost of net revenues (1) 493 442 1,771 1,663
    Gross profit 1,829 1,881 6,821 7,127
    Operating expenses:
    Sales and marketing (1) 595 627 2,267 2,442
    Product development (1) 229 236 923 983
    General and administrative (1) 260 211 1,122 889
    Provision for transaction losses 72 66 271 262
    Amortization of acquired intangible assets 11 10 41 75
    Total operating expenses 1,167 1,150 4,624 4,651
    Income from operations 662 731 2,197 2,476
    Interest and other, net (12 ) 7 209 39
    Income from continuing operations before income taxes 650 738 2,406 2,515
    Provision for income taxes (127 ) (9 ) (459 ) (3,380 )
    Income (loss) from continuing operations $ 523 $ 729 $ 1,947 $ (865 )
    Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (2) (46 ) 294 (222 ) 911
    Net income $ 477 $ 1,023 $ 1,725 $ 46
    Income (loss) per share – basic:
    Continuing operations $ 0.44 $ 0.59 $ 1.61 $ (0.69 )
    Discontinued operations $ (0.04 ) $ 0.24 $ (0.18 ) $ 0.73
    Net income per share – basic $ 0.40 $ 0.83 $ 1.43 $ 0.04
    Income (loss) per share – diluted:
    Continuing operations $ 0.43 $ 0.59 $ 1.60 $ (0.69 )
    Discontinued operations $ (0.04 ) $ 0.23 $ (0.18 ) $ 0.73
    Net income per share – diluted $ 0.39 $ 0.82 $ 1.42 $ 0.04
    Weighted average shares:
    Basic 1,191 1,230 1,208 1,251
    Diluted 1,204 1,241 1,220 1,251
    (1) Includes stock-based compensation as follows:
    Cost of net revenues $ 10 $ 10 $ 38 $ 33
    Sales and marketing 19 22 94 93
    Product development 25 26 108 116
    General and administrative 24 35 139 102
    $ 78 $ 93 $ 379 $ 344
    (2)  Includes PayPal financial results from October 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 for Fourth Quarter; January 1, 2015 to July 17, 2015 and January 1, 2014 toDecember 31, 2014 for Full Year; also includes the eBay Enterprise financial results from October 1, 2015 to November 2, 2015 and October 1, 2014 toDecember 31, 2014 for Fourth Quarter; January 1, 2015 to November 2, 2015 and January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 for Full Year.
    eBay Inc.
    Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
    Three Months Ended
    December 31,
    Year Ended
    December 31,
    2015 2014 2015 2014
    (In millions)
    Cash flows from operating activities:
    Net income $ 477 $ 1,023 $ 1,725 $ 46
    (Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes 46 (294 ) 222 (911 )
    Adjustments:
    Provision for transaction losses 72 66 271 262
    Depreciation and amortization 171 164 687 682
    Stock-based compensation 78 93 379 344
    Gain on sale of investments 17 (9 ) (195 ) (12 )
    Deferred income taxes 83 (235 ) (32 ) 2,744
    Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition effects 182 30 (180 ) 73
    Net cash provided by continuing operating activities 1,126 838 2,877 3,228
    Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operating activities(1) (86 ) 803 1,156 2,449
    Net cash provided by operating activities 1,040 1,641 4,033 5,677
    Cash flows from investing activities:
    Purchases of property and equipment (129 ) (200 ) (668 ) (622 )
    Purchases of investments (2,292 ) (1,944 ) (6,744 ) (8,752 )
    Maturities and sales of investments 1,202 3,910 6,781 8,115
    Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (24 ) (55 )
    Other (3 ) (6 ) (18 ) (11 )
    Net cash provided by (used in) continuing investing activities (1,222 ) 1,760 (673 ) (1,325 )
    Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued investing activities(1) 899 (688 ) (2,938 ) (1,348 )
    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (323 ) 1,072 (3,611 ) (2,673 )
    Cash flows from financing activities:
    Proceeds from issuance of common stock 48 122 221 300
    Repurchases of common stock (637 ) (1,182 ) (2,149 ) (4,658 )
    Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation 2 19 74 75
    Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock units and awards (19 ) (28 ) (245 ) (252 )
    Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net 3,482
    Repayment of debt (600 ) (850 )
    Other (21 ) (2 ) (11 ) 6
    Net cash used in continuing financing activities (1,227 ) (1,071 ) (2,960 ) (1,047 )
    Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued financing activities(1) 5 6 (1,594 ) 25
    Net cash used in financing activities (1,222 ) (1,065 ) (4,554 ) (1,022 )
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (78 ) (110 ) (364 ) (148 )
    Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (583 ) 1,538 (4,496 ) 1,834
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 2,415 4,790 6,328 4,494
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 1,832 6,328 1,832 6,328
    Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations – Enterprise 29 29
    Less: Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations – PayPal 2,194 2,194
    Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations at end of period $ 1,832 $ 4,105 $ 1,832 $ 4,105
    (1)  Includes PayPal financial results from October 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 for Fourth Quarter; January 1, 2015 to July 17, 2015 and January 1, 2014 toDecember 31, 2014 for Full Year; also includes the eBay Enterprise financial results from October 1, 2015 to November 2, 2015 and October 1, 2014 toDecember 31, 2014 for Fourth Quarter; January 1, 2015 to November 2, 2015 and January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 for Full Year.
    eBay Inc.
    Unaudited Summary of Consolidated Net Revenues
    Net Revenues by Type Three Months Ended
    December 31,
    2015
    September 30,
    2015
    June 30,
    2015
    March 31,
    2015
    December 31,
    2014
    (In millions, except percentages)
    Net Revenues by Type:
    Net transaction revenues:
    Marketplace $ 1,584 $ 1,459 $ 1,524 $ 1,536 $ 1,662
    Current quarter vs prior year quarter (5 )% (5 )% (3 )% (3 )% N/A
    Percent from international 63 % 62 % 62 % 60 % 63 %
    StubHub 232 200 161 132 174
    Current quarter vs prior year quarter 34 % 17 % 8 % (2 )% N/A
    Percent from international 1 % 2 % 2 % 2 % 1 %
    Total net transaction revenues 1,816 1,659 1,685 1,668 1,836
    Current quarter vs prior year quarter (1 )% (3 )% (2 )% (3 )% N/A
    Percent from international 55 % 54 % 56 % 55 % 57 %
    Marketing services and other revenues:
    Marketplace 326 266 251 235 312
    Current quarter vs prior year quarter 4 % % (5 )% (10 )% N/A
    Percent from international 47 % 44 % 47 % 49 % 48 %
    Classifieds 183 178 180 162 180
    Current quarter vs prior year quarter 2 % (3 )% (4 )% (2 )% N/A
    Percent from international 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 % 100 %
    Corporate and other (3 ) (4 ) (6 ) (4 ) (5 )
    Total marketing services and other revenues 506 440 425 393 487
    Current quarter vs prior year quarter 4 % (2 )% (5 )% (8 )% N/A
    Percent from international 66 % 67 % 70 % 70 % 67 %
    Total net revenues $ 2,322 $ 2,099 $ 2,110 $ 2,061 $ 2,323
    Current quarter vs prior year quarter % (2 )% (3 )% (4 )% N/A
    eBay Inc.
    Unaudited Supplemental Operating Data
    Three Months Ended
    December 31,
    2015
    September 30,
    2015
    June 30,
    2015
    March 31,
    2015
    December 31,
    2014
    (In millions, except percentages)
    Active Buyers (1) 162 159 157 156 154
    Current quarter vs prior year quarter 5 % 5 % 6 % 8 % 10 %
    Gross Merchandise Volume (2)
    Marketplace $20,676 $18,674 $19,273 $19,476 $20,883
    Current quarter vs prior year quarter (1 )% (3 )% (2 )% (2 )% 1 %
    StubHub $1,184 $927 $788 $675 $911
    Current quarter vs prior year quarter 30 % 10 % 1 % 6 % 2 %
    Total GMV $21,860 $19,601 $20,061 $20,151 $21,794
    Current quarter vs prior year quarter % (2 )% (2 )% (2 )% 1 %
    (1) All buyers who successfully closed a transaction on our Marketplace and StubHub platforms within the previous 12-month period. Buyers may register more than once, and as a result, may have more than one account.
    (2) Total value of all successfully closed transactions between users on our Marketplace and StubHub platforms during the period regardless of whether the buyer and seller actually consummated the transaction. We believe that GMV provides a useful measure of the overall volume of closed transactions that flow through our platforms in a given period, notwithstanding the inclusion in GMV of closed transactions that are not ultimately consummated.

    eBay Inc.
    Business Outlook
    (In Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

    The guidance figures provided below and elsewhere in this press release are forward-looking statements, reflect a number of estimates, assumptions and other uncertainties, and are approximate in nature because the company’s future performance is difficult to predict. Such guidance is based on information available on the date of this press release, and the company assumes no obligation to update it.

    The company’s future performance involves risks and uncertainties, and the company’s actual results could differ materially from the information below and elsewhere in this press release. Some of the factors that could affect the company’s operating results are set forth under the caption “Forward-Looking Statements” above in this press release. More information about factors that could affect the company’s operating results is included under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained by visiting eBay’s investor relations website at https://investors.ebayinc.com or theSEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

    eBay Inc.
    Three Months Ending
    March 31, 2016
    (In millions, except per share amounts) GAAP Non-GAAP (a)
    Diluted EPS from continuing operations $0.37 – $0.39 $0.43 – $0.45
    Twelve Months Ending
    December 31, 2016
    GAAP Non-GAAP (b)
    (In millions, except per share amounts)
    Diluted EPS from continuing operations $1.55 – $1.60 $1.82 – $1.87
    (a) Estimated non-GAAP amounts above for the three months ending March 31, 2016, reflect adjustments that exclude the estimated amortization of acquired intangible assets of approximately $10 – $15 million and estimated stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes on stock-based compensation expense of approximately $85 – $95 million as well as the related tax impact.
    (b) Estimated non-GAAP amounts above for the twelve months ending December 31, 2016, reflect adjustments that exclude the estimated amortization of acquired intangible assets of approximately $35 – $45 million and estimated stock-based compensation expense and employer payroll taxes on stock-based compensation expense of approximately $410 – $430 million.

    eBay Inc.
    Non-GAAP Measures of Financial Performance

    To supplement the company’s condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, the company uses non-GAAP measures of certain components of financial performance. These non-GAAP measures include non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP effective tax rate, and free cash flow. These non-GAAP financial measures are presented on a continuing operations basis.

    These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. In addition, these non-GAAP measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. Non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the amounts associated with the company’s results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP. These measures should only be used to evaluate the company’s results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures.

    Reconciliation to the nearest GAAP measure of all non-GAAP measures included in this press release can be found in the tables included in this press release.

    These non-GAAP measures are provided to enhance investors’ overall understanding of the company’s current financial performance and its prospects for the future. Specifically, the company believes the non-GAAP measures provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain expenses, gains and losses, or net purchases of property and equipment, as the case may be, that may not be indicative of its core operating results and business outlook. In addition, because the company has historically reported certain non-GAAP results to investors, the company believes that the inclusion of non-GAAP measures provides consistency in the company’s financial reporting.

    For its internal budgeting process, and as discussed further below, the company’s management uses financial measures that do not include stock-based compensation expense, employer payroll taxes on stock-based compensation, amortization or impairment of acquired intangible assets, impairment of goodwill, significant gains or losses from the disposal/acquisition of a business, certain effects of the planned separation of our eBay and PayPal business, certain gains and losses on investments, restructuring-related charges and the income taxes associated with the foregoing. In addition to the corresponding GAAP measures, the company’s management also uses the foregoing non-GAAP measures in reviewing the financial results of the company.

    The company excludes the following items from non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP earnings per diluted share, non-GAAP operating margin and non-GAAP effective tax rate:

    Stock-based compensation expense and related employer payroll taxes. This expense consists of expenses for stock options, restricted stock and employee stock purchases. The company excludes stock-based compensation expense from its non-GAAP measures primarily because they are non-cash expenses that management does not believe are reflective of ongoing operating results. The related employer payroll taxes is dependent on the company’s stock price and the timing and size of exercises by employees of their stock options and the vesting of their restricted stock, over which management has limited to no control, and as such management does not believe it correlates to the company’s operation of the business.

    Amortization or impairment of acquired intangible assets, impairment of goodwill, significant gains or losses and transaction expenses from the acquisition or disposal of a business and certain gains or losses on investments. The company incurs amortization or impairment of acquired intangible assets and goodwill in connection with acquisitions and may incur significant gains or losses from the acquisition or disposal of a business and therefore excludes these amounts from its non-GAAP measures. The company also excludes certain gains and losses on investments. The company excludes the impact of the accretion of a note receivable associated with the disposal of certain businesses. The company excludes these items because management does not believe they correlate to the ongoing operating results of the company’s business.

    Restructuring. These charges consist of expenses for employee severance and other exit and disposal costs. The company excludes significant restructuring charges primarily because management does not believe they are reflective of ongoing operating results.

    Other certain significant gains, losses, or charges that are not indicative of the Company’s core operating results. These are significant gains, losses, or charges during a period that are the result of isolated events or transactions which have not occurred frequently in the past and are not expected to occur regularly or be repeated in the future. The company excludes these amounts from its results primarily because management does not believe they are indicative of its current or ongoing operating results.

    Separation. These are significant expenses that are related to the separation of our eBay and PayPal businesses into separate publicly traded companies. These consist primarily of third-party consulting fees, legal fees, employee retention payments, tax indemnifications and other expenses related to the separation.

    Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments. This amount is used to present stock-based compensation and the other amounts described above on an after-tax basis consistent with the presentation of non-GAAP net income.

    In addition to the non-GAAP measures discussed above, the company also uses free cash flow. Free cash flow represents operating cash flows less purchases of property and equipment. The company considers free cash flow to be a liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by the business after the purchases of property, buildings, and equipment, which can then be used to, among other things, invest in the company’s business, make strategic acquisitions, and repurchase stock. A limitation of the utility of free cash flow as a measure of financial performance is that it does not represent the total increase or decrease in the company’s cash balance for the period.

    eBay Inc.
    Reconciliation of GAAP Operating Margin to Non-GAAP Operating Margin
    Three Months Ended Year Ended
    December 31,
    2015
    December 31,
    2014
    December 31,
    2015
    December 31,
    2014
    (In millions, except percentages)
    GAAP operating income $ 662 $ 731 $ 2,197 $ 2,476
    Stock-based compensation expense and related employer payroll taxes 78 96 396 373
    Amortization of acquired intangible assets within cost of net revenues 5 8 25 34
    Amortization of acquired intangible assets within operating expenses 11 10 41 75
    Separation 43 7 160 7
    Restructuring and acquisition related 62
    Total non-GAAP operating income adjustments 137 121 684 489
    Non-GAAP operating income $ 799 $ 852 $ 2,881 $ 2,965
    Non-GAAP operating margin 34.4 % 36.7 % 33.5 % 33.7 %
    Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to Non-GAAP Net Income and
    GAAP Effective Tax Rate to Non-GAAP Effective Tax Rate*
    Three Months Ended Year Ended
    December 31,
    2015
    December 31,
    2014
    December 31,
    2015
    December 31,
    2014
    (In millions, except percentages)
    GAAP income from continuing operations before income taxes $ 650 $ 738 $ 2,406 $ 2,515
    GAAP provision for income taxes (127 ) (9 ) (459 ) (3,380 )
    GAAP net income from continuing operations $ 523 $ 729 $ 1,947 $ (865 )
    Non-GAAP adjustments to net income from continuing operations:
    Non-GAAP operating income from continuing operations adjustments (see table above) 137 121 684 489
    Gains or losses on investments (264 )
    Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments (60 ) (165 ) (135 ) 2,762
    Non-GAAP net income from continuing operations $ 600 $ 685 $ 2,232 $ 2,386
    Diluted net income from continuing operations per share:
    GAAP $ 0.43 $ 0.59 $ 1.60 $ (0.69 )
    Non-GAAP $ 0.50 $ 0.55 $ 1.83 $ 1.89
    Shares used in GAAP diluted net income (loss) per-share calculation 1,204 1,241 1,220 1,251
    Shares used in non-GAAP diluted net income per-share calculation 1,204 1,241 1,220 1,262
    GAAP effective tax rate – Continuing operations 20 % 1 % 19 % 134 %
    Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments to net income (loss) from continuing operations 4 % 19 % 2 % (113 )%
    Non-GAAP effective tax rate – Continuing Operations 24 % 20 % 21 % 21 %
    *Presented on a continuing operations basis
    Reconciliation of Operating Cash Flow to Free Cash Flow*
    Three Months Ended Year Ended
    December 31,
    2015
    December 31,
    2014
    December 31,
    2015
    December 31,
    2014
    (In millions) (In millions)
    Net cash provided by continuing operating activities $ 1,126 $ 838 $ 2,877 $ 3,228
    Less: Purchases of property and equipment (129 ) (200 ) (668 ) (622 )
    Free cash flow from continuing operations $ 997 $ 638 $ 2,209 $ 2,606
     
    *Presented on a continuing operations basis

    eBay Inc.

    Image via eBay

    Get the WebProNews newsletter delivered to your inbox

    Get the free daily newsletter read by decision makers

    Subscribe
    Advertise with Us

    Ready to get started?

    Get our media kit