Yelp Earnings Please Investors

Yelp just released its financial results for Q3, beating Wall Street expectations with revenue of $143.6 million, and earnings per share of $0.03. Net revenue was up 40% year over year. Yelp’s c...
Yelp Earnings Please Investors
Written by Chris Crum
  • Yelp just released its financial results for Q3, beating Wall Street expectations with revenue of $143.6 million, and earnings per share of $0.03. Net revenue was up 40% year over year.

    Yelp’s cumulative reviews grew 35% year over year reaching 90 million while app unique devices grew 39% to about 20 million on a monthly average basis.

    Local advertising accounts grew 37% year over year to about 104,200. Local ad revenue totaled $115.9 million for the quarter.

    Transactions revenue was $12 million and brand advertising revenue was $9 million. Other revenue was $6.7 million.

    CEO Jeremy Stoppelman said, “We executed well this quarter. Consumers are increasingly discovering our app, which represents approximately 70% of engagement across our entire ecosystem. We believe that our highly engaging app, combined with our native local advertising products that generate high ROI for our customers, strongly positions us to capture the large market opportunity.”

    “We are pleased with our 40% year over year revenue growth,” added CFO Rob Krolik. “We are investing in the business through our marketing programs and continued sales team growth as we work to achieve our goal of becoming the leading destination for consumers connecting with great local businesses.”

    Yelp shares quickly jumped 7% in after hours trading upon the release.

    Here’s the release in its entirety:

    SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Yelp Inc. (NYSE: YELP), the company that connects consumers with great local businesses, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2015.

    Yelp logo
    • Net revenue was $143.6 million in the third quarter of 2015 reflecting 40% growth over the third quarter of 2014.
    • Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2015 was $12.5 million compared to $20.1 million in the third quarter of 2014.
    • Cumulative reviews grew 35% year over year to approximately 90 million.
    • App Unique Devices grew 39% year over year to approximately 20 million on a monthly average basis1.
    • Local advertising accounts grew 37% year over year to approximately 104,2002.

    Net loss in the third quarter of 2015 was $(8.1) million, or $(0.11) per share, compared to a net income of $3.6 million, or $0.05 per share, in the third quarter of 2014.

    Non-GAAP net income, which consists of net income excluding stock-based compensation and amortization was$2.7 million, or $0.03 per share, for the third quarter of 2015.

    Net revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $396.0 million, an increase of 48% compared to$267.6 million in the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was$51.6 million compared to $45.8 million in the first nine months of 2014. Net loss for the nine months endedSeptember 30, 2015 was $(10.7) million, or $(0.14) per share, compared to net income of $3.7 million, or $0.05per share, in the comparable period in 2014. Non-GAAP net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was $19.9 million, or $0.26 per share, compared to non-GAAP net income of $25.8 million, or $0.34 per share, in the comparable period in 2014.

    “We executed well this quarter,” said Jeremy Stoppelman, Yelp’s chief executive officer. “Consumers are increasingly discovering our app, which represents approximately 70% of engagement across our entire ecosystem. We believe that our highly engaging app, combined with our native local advertising products that generate high ROI for our customers, strongly positions us to capture the large market opportunity.”

    “We are pleased with our 40% year over year revenue growth,” added Rob Krolik, Yelp’s chief financial officer. “We are investing in the business through our marketing programs and continued sales team growth as we work to achieve our goal of becoming the leading destination for consumers connecting with great local businesses.”

    Third Quarter Operating Summary

    • Local advertising revenue totaled $115.9 million, representing 36% growth compared to the third quarter of 2014.
    • Transactions revenue totaled $12.0 million, compared to $1.3 million in the third quarter of 2014, primarily due to the acquisition of Eat24 in the first quarter of 2015.
    • Brand advertising revenue totaled $9.0 million, representing a 4% decrease compared to the third quarter of 2014. As previously announced, Yelp plans to phase out its brand advertising product by the end of 2015 to continue its focus on the consumer experience and its native, local advertising products.
    • Other revenue totaled $6.7 million which was flat compared to the third quarter of 2014.

    Business Highlights

    • Mobile Traffic: Consumer adoption of the Yelp app remained strong, as App Unique Devices grew 39% year over year to 20 million. According to comScore data for September 2015, Yelp was one of the top 25 mobile web and app properties.
    • Engagement: Consumers continued to engage with Yelp across the entire ecosystem as page views grew nearly 40% year over year. Similar to the second quarter, app users were our most engaged users and approximately 70% of page views came from the mobile app.
    • Transactions: In the third quarter, Yelp Platform transactions increased approximately 170% year over year. Yelp launched multiple features to enhance the transaction experience on Yelp, such as the ability to order food or make reservations directly from search results, which resulted in more than a 10% lift in Yelp Platform transactions in the month following the change.

    Business Outlook

    Yelp is providing its outlook for the fourth quarter and updated outlook for the full year of 2015.

    • For the fourth quarter of 2015, net revenue is expected to be in the range of $149.5 million to $154.5 million, representing growth of approximately 38% at the midpoint compared to the fourth quarter of 2014. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $20 million to $24 million. Stock-based compensation is expected to be in the range of $16 million to $17 million, and depreciation and amortization is expected to be 5%-6% of revenue.
    • For the full year of 2015, net revenue is expected to be in the range of $545.5 million to $551.5 million, representing growth of approximately 45% at the midpoint compared to full year 2014. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $72 million to $76 million. Stock-based compensation is expected to be in the range of $61 million to $63 million, and depreciation and amortization is expected to be 5%-6% of revenue.

    Quarterly Conference Call

    To access the call, please dial 1 (800) 708-4539, or outside the U.S. 1 (847) 619-6396, with Passcode 40935655, at least five minutes prior to the 1:30 p.m. PT start time.  A live webcast of the call will also be available at http://www.yelp-ir.com under the Events & Presentations menu.  An audio replay will be available between 4:00 p.m. PT October 28, 2015 and 11:59 p.m. PT November 4, 2015 by calling 1 (888) 843-7419 or 1 (630) 652-3042, with Passcode 40935655.  The replay will also be available on the Company’s website at http://www.yelp-ir.com.

    About Yelp

    Yelp Inc. (http://www.yelp.com) connects people with great local businesses. Yelp was founded in San Franciscoin July 2004. Since then, Yelp communities have taken hold in major metros across 32 countries. Approximately 89 million unique visitors visited Yelp via their mobile device3, including 20 million unique devices accessing the Yelp app1, and approximately 79 million unique visitors visited Yelp via a desktop computer4 on a monthly average basis during the third quarter of 2015. By the end of the same quarter, Yelpers had written approximately 90 million rich, local reviews, making Yelp the leading local guide for real word-of-mouth on everything from boutiques and mechanics to restaurants and dentists.

    1 Calculated as the number of unique devices accessing the app on a monthly average basis over a given three-month period, according to internal Yelp logs.

    2 Local advertising accounts comprise all local business accounts from which we recognize local advertising revenue in a given three-month period.

    3 Calculated as the number of “users,” as measured by Google Analytics, accessing Yelp via mobile web plus unique devices accessing the app, each on a monthly average basis over a given three-month period.

    4 Calculated as the number of “users,” as measured by Google Analytics, accessing Yelp via desktop computer on an average monthly basis over a given three-month period.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    This press release includes information relating to adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share, each of which the Securities and Exchange Commission has defined as a “non-GAAP financial measure.” Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share have been included in this press release because they are key measures used by Yelp management and board of directors to understand and evaluate core operating performance and trends, to prepare and approve its annual budget and to develop short- and long-term operational plans. 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 or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”).

    Adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP net income have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of Yelp’s financial results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

    • although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP net income do not reflect cash capital expenditure requirements for such replacements or for new capital expenditure requirements;
    • adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, Yelp’s working capital needs;
    • adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP net income do not consider the potentially dilutive impact of equity-based compensation;
    • adjusted EBITDA does not reflect tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to Yelp; and
    • other companies, including those in Yelp’s industry, may calculate adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP net income differently, which reduces their usefulness as comparative measures.

    Because of these limitations, you should consider adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP net income per share alongside other financial performance measures, including various cash flow metrics, net income (loss) and Yelp’s other GAAP results. Additionally, Yelp has not reconciled its adjusted EBITDA outlook for the fourth quarter and full year 2015 to its net income (loss) outlook because it does not provide an outlook for other income (expense) and provision for income taxes, which are reconciling items between net income (loss) and adjusted EBITDA. As items that impact net income (loss) are out of Yelp’s control and cannot be reasonably predicted, Yelp is unable to provide such an outlook. Accordingly, reconciliation to net income (loss) outlook for the fourth quarter and full year 2015 is not available without unreasonable effort. For a reconciliation of historical non-GAAP financial measures to the nearest comparable GAAP measures, see the non-GAAP reconciliations included below in this press release.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to, among other things, the future performance of Yelp and its consolidated subsidiaries that are based on Yelp’s current expectations, forecasts and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding expected financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2015, Yelp’s ability to capture a meaningful share of the large local market, Yelp’s expectations regarding local advertising as the primary driver of growth, Yelp’s estimates regarding local advertisers’ ROI on advertising spend, the future growth in Yelp revenue and continued investing by Yelp in its future growth, Yelp’s ability to drive daily usage and engagement (particularly on mobile), increase awareness of Yelp among consumers, and deliver value to local businesses, Yelp’s ability to take advantage of trends toward app usage and native advertising and to become the leading destination for consumers connecting with great local businesses. Yelp’s actual results could differ materially from those predicted or implied and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: Yelp’s short operating history in an evolving industry; Yelp’s ability to generate sufficient revenue to maintain profitability, particularly in light of its significant ongoing sales and marketing expenses; Yelp’s ability to successfully manage acquisitions of new businesses, solutions or technologies, such as Eat24, and to integrate those businesses, solutions or technologies; Yelp’s reliance on traffic to its website from search engines like Google and Bing; Yelp’s ability to generate and maintain sufficient high quality content from its users; maintaining a strong brand and managing negative publicity that may arise; maintaining and expanding Yelp’s base of advertisers; changes in political, business and economic conditions, including any European or general economic downturn or crisis and any conditions that affect ecommerce growth; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; Yelp’s  ability to deal with the increasingly competitive local search environment; Yelp’s need and ability to manage other regulatory, tax and litigation risks as its services are offered in more jurisdictions and applicable laws become more restrictive; the competitive and regulatory environment while Yelp continues to expand geographically and introduce new products and as new laws and regulations related to Internet companies come into effect; Yelp’s ability to timely upgrade and develop its systems, infrastructure and customer service capabilities. 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 Yelp’s operating results is included under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Yelp’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q at http://www.yelp-ir.com or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this release, which are based on information available to Yelp on the date hereof. Yelp assumes no obligation to update such statements.

    Investor Relations Contact Information
    Wendy Lim, Allie Dalglish
    (415) 635-2412
    [email protected]

     

    Yelp Inc.
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)
    September 30, December 31,
    2015 2014
    Assets
    Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents $         171,807 $        247,312
    Short-term marketable securities 197,132 118,498
    Accounts receivable, net 46,942 35,593
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets 31,952 19,355
    Total current assets 447,833 420,758
    Long-term marketable securities 38,612
    Property, equipment and software, net 78,342 62,761
    Goodwill 173,996 67,307
    Intangibles, net 41,068 5,786
    Restricted cash 16,253 17,943
    Other assets 6,913 16,483
    Total assets $         764,405 $        629,650
    Liabilities  and stockholders’ equity
    Current liabilities:
    Accounts payable $             3,305 $            1,398
    Accrued liabilities 49,246 29,581
    Deferred revenue 2,543 2,994
    Total current liabilities 55,094 33,973
    Long-term liabilities 12,849 7,527
    Total liabilities 67,943 41,500
    Stockholders’ equity
    Common stock
    Additional paid-in capital 752,795 627,742
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss (11,679) (5,609)
    Accumulated deficit (44,654) (33,983)
    Total stockholders’ equity 696,462 588,150
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $          764,405 $         629,650

     

    Yelp Inc.
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)
    (Unaudited)
    Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
    September 30, September 30,
    2015 2014 2015 2014
    Net revenue $ 143,559 $ 102,455 $ 395,980 $ 267,649
    Costs and expenses
    Cost of revenue (1) 14,259 6,174 36,015 17,096
    Sales and marketing (1) 82,949 54,551 214,229 147,470
    Product development (1) 28,511 17,397 78,816 46,105
    General and administrative (1) 20,990 15,185 60,207 41,612
    Depreciation and amortization 7,562 4,604 21,624 12,299
    Total costs and expenses 154,271 97,911 410,891 264,582
    Income (loss) from operations (10,712) 4,544 (14,911) 3,067
    Other income (expense), net (545) 200 346 183
    Income (loss) before income taxes (11,257) 4,744 (14,565) 3,250
    Benefit (provision) for income taxes 3,175 (1,107) 3,894 495
    Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders $   (8,082) $     3,637 $ (10,671) $     3,745
    Net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders:
    Basic $     (0.11) $       0.05 $     (0.14) $       0.05
    Diluted $     (0.11) $       0.05 $     (0.14) $       0.05
    Weighted-average shares used to compute net income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders:
    Basic 75,019 72,195 74,450 71,697
    Diluted 75,019 77,296 74,450 76,732
    (1) Includes stock-based compensation expense as follows:
    Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
    September 30, September 30,
    2015 2014 2015 2014
    Cost of revenue $        435 $        253 $        781 $        522
    Sales and marketing 5,568 3,883 16,159 11,008
    Product development 5,947 3,835 17,117 10,333
    General and administrative 3,733 2,947 10,813 8,594
    Total stock-based compensation $   15,683 $   10,918 $   44,870 $   30,457

     

    Yelp Inc.
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)
    Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
    2015 2014
    Operating activities
    Net income (loss) $ (10,671) $    3,745
    Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation and amortization 21,624 12,299
    Provision for doubtful accounts and sales returns 10,401 3,894
    Stock-based compensation 44,870 30,457
    Loss (gain) on disposal of assets and website development costs 130 (5)
    Premium amortization, net, on securities held-to-maturity 827 214
    Excess tax benefit from share-based award activity (4,298) (899)
    Realized gain on investments (2) (2)
    Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
    Accounts receivable (17,773) (13,772)
    Prepaid expenses and other assets (15,057) (7,338)
    Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 23,904 10,899
    Deferred revenue (428) (453)
    Net cash provided by operating activities 53,527 39,039
    Investing activities
    Acquisition, net of cash received (73,422)
    Purchases of property, equipment and software (25,358) (12,743)
    Capitalized website and software development costs (8,658) (7,969)
    Change in restricted cash 1,664 (9,756)
    Purchase of intangible assets (647) (1,334)
    Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 109 14
    Purchases of investment securities held-to-maturity (172,717) (148,359)
    Maturities of investment securities held-to-maturity 131,870 21,000
    Net cash used in investing activities (147,159) (159,147)
    Financing activities
    Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options 9,889 17,316
    Proceeds from issuance of common stock for Employee Stock Purchase Plan 5,061 4,087
    Excess tax benefit from stock-based award activity 4,298 899
    Repurchase of common stock (482) (1,035)
    Net cash provided by financing activities 18,766 21,267
    Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (639) (356)
    Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (75,505) (99,197)
    Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 247,312 389,764
    Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 171,807 $ 290,567

     

    Yelp Inc.
    Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures
    (In thousands)
    (Unaudited)
    Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
    September 30, September 30,
    2015 2014 2015 2014
    Adjusted EBITDA:
    Net income (loss) $ (8,082) $   3,637 $ (10,671) $   3,745
    (Benefit) provision for income taxes (3,175) 1,107 (3,894) (495)
    Other (income) expense, net 545 (200) (346) (183)
    Depreciation and amortization 7,562 4,604 21,624 12,299
    Stock-based compensation 15,683 10,918 44,870 30,457
    Adjusted EBITDA $ 12,533 $ 20,066 $  51,583 $ 45,823
    Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) and income (Loss) per share:
    GAAP net income (loss) $ (8,082) $   3,637  

    $ (10,671)

     

    $   3,745

       Add back: stock-based compensation 15,683 10,918 44,870 30,457
       Add back: amortization of intangible assets 1,723 643 4,757 1,898
       Less: tax effect of stock-based compensation
       & amortization of intangible assets (6,650) (4,333) (19,026) (12,232)
       Add back: valuation allowance release (net of tax) 1,958
    Non-GAAP Net Income $   2,674 $ 10,865 $  19,930 $ 25,826
    GAAP diluted shares 77,704 77,296 77,934 76,732
    Non-GAAP Net Income per share $     0.03 $     0.14 $      0.26 $     0.34

    Images via Yelp

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