UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  February 11, 2011

 

Tree.com, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

001-34063

 

26-2414818

(State or other jurisdiction

 

(Commission

 

(IRS Employer

of incorporation)

 

File Number)

 

Identification No.)

 

11115 Rushmore Drive, Charlotte, NC

 

28277

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (704) 541-5351

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o            Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o            Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o            Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 2.02.      Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On February 11, 2011, Tree.com, Inc. (the “Registrant”) announced financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010.  A copy of the related press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1.

 

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Exhibit Description

99.1

 

Press Release, dated February 11, 2011, with respect to Registrant’s financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010.

 

2



 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date:  February 11, 2011

 

 

TREE.COM, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Christopher R. Hayek

 

 

Christopher R. Hayek

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

 

3



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Press Release, dated February 11, 2011, with respect to Registrant’s financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010.

 

4


EX-99.1

 

 GRAPHIC

 

TREE.COM REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER 2010 RESULTS

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C., February 11, 2010 — Tree.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: TREE) today announced for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, Adjusted EBITDA of $0.3 million, a reduction of $5.2 million over the prior quarter and a $0.1 million decrease from fourth quarter 2009.  Fourth quarter 2010 revenue was $51.2 million, down from $53.2 million in the third quarter of 2010, but an improvement over the $47.8 million in revenue in the fourth quarter 2009.  Tree.com reported a net loss of $12.5 million, or $1.12 per share, lower than the $1.8 million net income, or $0.16 per share, in the third quarter 2010, but an improvement over the $21.0 million net loss, or $1.92 per share, in the fourth quarter 2009.

 

Doug Lebda, Chairman and CEO of Tree.com stated, “Overall we are pleased with the bottom line results in the fourth quarter in the face of a change in the mortgage market and seasonally low mortgage volume.  We’ve been talking about the shift in the market that would come with rising interest rates, and we have been preparing for it.  We are now executing our plans to grow and succeed in a very different market in 2011 than what we had in the last three years.”

 

Tree.com SVP Tamara Kotronis added, “We posted slightly better than breakeven Adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter, within our previously announced guidance of Adjusted EBITDA between breakeven and $2.0 million.  The quarter was not without challenges.  During the fourth quarter, interest rates climbed over 60 basis points from early in the quarter to year end.  It is a testament to the strength of our brand and excellent service that we posted positive Adjusted EBITDA in such a volatile quarter.”

 

Tree.com Summary Financial Results

$s in millions (except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q/Q 

 

 

 

Y/Y

 

 

 

Q4 2010 

 

Q3 2010 

 

% Change 

 

Q4 2009 

 

% Change

 

Revenue

 

$

51.2

 

$

53.2

 

(4

)%

$

47.8

 

7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Revenue *

 

$

16.3

 

$

14.5

 

13

%

$

16.5

 

(1

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses*

 

$

34.6

 

$

33.2

 

4

%

$

30.9

 

12

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA **

 

$

0.3

 

$

5.5

 

(95

)%

$

0.4

 

(29

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA **

 

$

(12.2

)

$

4.0

 

NM

 

$

(18.5

)

34

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income/(Loss)

 

$

(12.5

)

$

1.8

 

NM

 

$

(21.0

)

41

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income/(Loss) Per Share

 

$

(1.12

)

$

0.16

 

NM

 

$

(1.92

)

42

%

Diluted Net Income/(Loss) Per Share

 

$

 (1.12

)

$

0.16

 

NM

 

$

(1.92

)

42

%

 


NM = Not Meaningful

* Does not include non-cash compensation, depreciation, gain/loss on disposal of assets, restructuring, amortization, impairment, or litigation settlements and contingencies.

** See separate reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA to GAAP Net Income/Loss.

 

1



 

Information Regarding Q4 Results

·                  Fourth quarter 2010 revenue was down $2 million, or 4%, quarter-over-quarter.  While LendingTree Loans revenue grew 7% as a result of higher closed loan volume, the Exchanges and Real Estate revenue were both lower compared to the third quarter 2010, down 22% and 30%, respectively.  The Exchanges segment felt the effects of 25% fewer matched consumer requests in the quarter, while Real Estate saw the number of closed units decline 21% from third quarter levels.

 

·                  Year-over-year, revenue was up 7% over the fourth quarter 2009.  This year-over-year increase in total revenue is primarily due to LendingTree Loans, with 36% more closed loans, partially offset by fewer year-over-year matched loan requests on the Exchanges and fewer closed home sales in the Real Estate segment.

 

·                  Fourth quarter 2010 Adjusted EBITDA was down $5.2 million from the third quarter, with the results primarily driven by lower revenue in addition to $1.2 million higher marketing expense as interest rates rose in the quarter.  Marketing expense as percent of revenue increased to 37% in the fourth quarter, compared to 34% in the third quarter 2010.

 

·                  Adjusted EBITDA was virtually flat versus the fourth quarter 2009, despite higher revenue year-over-year.  The largest contributing factor to the bottom-line decrease is marketing expense, which was 13% higher than the fourth quarter 2009.

 

·                  Fourth quarter 2010 net loss of $12.5 million includes a $10.8 million charge related to impairment of goodwill and intangible assets.  This is comprised of $10.3 million in the Real Estate segment and $0.5 million in the Exchanges segment.  The impairment charges are the result of the Tree.com’s reassessment of its likely future profitability in light of adverse real estate market conditions.

 

Average 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate Recent Trends

 

 

Source: Freddie Mac: Primary Mortgage Market Survey

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey consists of the average of 125 lenders’ rates who contributed rates to Freddie Mac. The rates are based on 30-year fixed rate mortgage with 20% down and 80% finance over the life of the loan.

 

2



 

Business Unit Discussion

LENDINGTREE LOANS SEGMENT

 

LendingTree Loans Segment Results

$s in millions

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q/Q

 

 

 

Y/Y

 

 

 

Q4 2010

 

Q3 2010

 

% Change

 

Q4 2009

 

% Change

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origination and Sale of Loans

 

$

34.1

 

$

31.9

 

7

%

$

20.6

 

66

%

Other

 

$

2.9

 

$

2.9

 

0

%

$

2.3

 

26

%

Total Revenue

 

$

37.0

 

$

34.8

 

7

%

$

22.9

 

61

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Revenue *

 

$

13.3

 

$

11.0

 

20

%

$

10.6

 

26

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses*

 

$

15.4

 

$

11.3

 

38

%

$

7.5

 

105

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA **

 

$

8.3

 

$

12.5

 

(34

)%

$

4.8

 

72

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA **

 

$

8.2

 

$

10.9

 

(25

)%

$

4.5

 

82

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

$

7.8

 

$

10.5

 

(26

)%

$

3.8

 

105

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metrics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchased loan requests (000s)

 

74.6

 

69.0

 

8

%

61.5

 

21

%

Closed - units (000s)

 

3.7

 

3.3

 

11

%

2.7

 

36

%

Closed - units (dollars)

 

$

850.4

 

$

721.9

 

18

%

$

622.6

 

37

%

 


NM = Not Meaningful

* Does not include non-cash compensation, depreciation, gain/loss on disposal of assets, restructuring, amortization, impairment, or litigation settlements and contingencies.

** See separate reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA to Operating Income/(Loss) by Segment.

 

LendingTree Loans

 

Fourth quarter 2010 revenue increased 7% quarter-over-quarter driven by 11% more closed loans.  During the quarter, the average revenue generated per closed unit decreased slightly by 3%.  Fourth quarter revenue increased 61% from the same period last year on 36% more closed loans and a 6% increase in the revenue generated per loan.

 

During the fourth quarter 2010, the number of licensed loan officers employed by LTL grew 28% over the third quarter 2010 and was 39% higher than the end of the fourth quarter 2009.  With the integration of the previously-announced acquisition of assets of Surepoint Lending, we anticipate adding approximately 300 more loan officers.  This is still on track to close in the first quarter of 2011.

 

Operating expenses were $4.2 million, or 38%, higher quarter-over-quarter and $7.9 million, or 105%, higher year-over-year.  The quarter-over-quarter increase was primarily due to $3.1 million higher marketing costs.  As interest rates rose, greater marketing expense was required to maintain lead volume in the rising rate environment.  In addition, the LendingTree Loans segment received a higher percentage of the total volume generated by the LendingTree brand and therefore a higher share of the total marketing expense.  The year-over-year increase in operating expense is driven in part by higher marketing cost in addition to higher personnel-related expenses resulting from employee growth as the business expanded.

 

3



 

EXCHANGES SEGMENT

 

Exchanges Segment Results

$s in millions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q/Q

 

 

 

Y/Y

 

 

 

Q4 2010

 

Q3 2010

 

% Change

 

Q4 2009

 

% Change

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Match Fees

 

$

9.8

 

$

12.9

 

(24

)%

$

12.3

 

(20

)%

Closed Loan Fees

 

$

1.5

 

$

1.7

 

(9

)%

$

5.3

 

(71

)%

Inter-segment Revenue

 

$

0.0

 

$

0.1

 

(84

)%

$

0.0

 

NM

 

Other

 

$

0.6

 

$

0.6

 

(17

)%

$

0.4

 

38

%

Total Revenue

 

$

11.9

 

$

15.3

 

(22

)%

$

18.0

 

(34

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Revenue *

 

$

1.3

 

$

1.3

 

(1

)%

$

1.5

 

(15

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses*

 

$

13.7

 

$

15.2

 

(10

)%

$

14.7

 

(7

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA **

 

$

(3.1

)

$

(1.2

)

(155

)%

$

1.8

 

NM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA **

 

$

(3.7

)

$

(0.5

)

(692

)%

$

(0.5

)

(612

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income(Loss)

 

$

(4.7

)

$

(1.3

)

(253

)%

$

(1.2

)

(273

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metrics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matched requests (000s)

 

235.4

 

313.6

 

(25

)%

279.3

 

(16

)%

Closing - units (000s)

 

9.0

 

9.2

 

(3

)%

11.6

 

(23

)%

Closing - units (dollars)

 

1,580.5

 

1,507.7

 

5

%

2,291.5

 

(31

)%

 


NM = Not Meaningful

* Does not include non-cash compensation, depreciation, gain/loss on disposal of assets, restructuring, amortization, impairment, or litigation settlements and contingencies.

** See separate reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA to Operating Income/(Loss) by Segment.

 

Exchanges

 

Exchanges revenue in the fourth quarter 2010 decreased 22% quarter-over-quarter and 34% year-over-year.  The quarter-over-quarter decrease was driven primarily by lower match fee revenue resulting from 25% fewer matched consumer requests, fueled by an expected seasonal downturn at year-end and by higher interest rates.  As a result of the increase in interest rates, lender demand is on the rise, as evidenced by a 14% increase in the number of lenders matching to our refinance consumers and increasing match fees during the quarter.  The year-over-year decline in closed loan revenue is due primarily to pricing actions taken in late 2009 which increased the emphasis on match revenue by increasing match fees and decreasing the average close fees paid by lenders.  The year-over-year decline in closed loan fees is also partially due to 23% fewer closed loan transactions.  For the fourth conse cutive quarter, non-mortgage consumer services such as Education, Insurance, Auto and Home Services accounted for more than 50% of our total matched consumer requests.

 

Operating expenses decreased $1.5 million quarter-over-quarter and decreased $1.0 million year-over-year.  The quarter-over-quarter decrease is primarily driven by lower marketing expenses.  After increasing spend in the third quarter, the non-mortgage verticals returned to more normalized levels in the fourth quarter.  The decrease in marketing for the Exchanges is also the result of more leads being delivered to LendingTree Loans and therefore a greater share of the marketing cost being allocated to LendingTree Loans.

 

4



 

REAL ESTATE SEGMENT

 

Real Estate Segment Results

$s in millions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q/Q

 

 

 

Y/Y

 

 

 

Q4 2010

 

Q3 2010

 

% Change

 

Q4 2009

 

% Change

 

Total Revenue

 

$

2.3

 

$

3.2

 

(30

)%

$

6.9

 

(67

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Revenue *

 

$

1.7

 

$

2.0

 

(17

)%

$

4.3

 

(60

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses*

 

$

1.6

 

$

1.7

 

(7

)%

$

2.5

 

(37

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA **

 

$

(1.0

)

$

(0.5

)

(91

)%

$

0.1

 

NM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA **

 

$

(11.6

)

$

(0.7

)

(1643

)%

$

(2.5

)

(355

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income(Loss)

 

$

(11.9

)

$

(1.2

)

(906

)%

$

(3.6

)

(234

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metrics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Closing - units (000s)

 

0.6

 

0.7

 

(21

)%

1.3

 

(59

)%

Closing - units (dollars)

 

$

94.4

 

$

137.7

 

(31

)%

$

278.3

 

(66

)%

Agents - RealEstate.com, REALTORS®

 

641

 

787

 

(19

)%

1,145

 

(44

)%

Markets - RealEstate.com, REALTORS®

 

20

 

20

 

NM

 

20

 

NM

 

 


NM = Not Meaningful

* Does not include non-cash compensation, depreciation, gain/loss on disposal of assets, restructuring, amortization, impairment, or litigation settlements and contingencies.

** See separate reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA to Operating Income/(Loss) by Segment.

 

Real Estate

 

Fourth quarter 2010 Real Estate revenue declined $0.9 million, or 30%, quarter-over-quarter on 21% fewer closed real estate transactions.  Real Estate revenue was down $4.6 million, or 67%, year-over-year on 59% fewer closed transactions. The decline in revenue was also the result of lower average home prices, which were down 13% quarter-over-quarter and 18% year-over-year.

 

Adjusted EBITDA declined $0.5 million quarter-over-quarter and was down $1.1 million year-over-year.  Operating expenses were virtually flat quarter-over-quarter and $0.9 million lower year-over-year.  The reductions in operating expenses year-over-year reflect prior year cost cutting initiatives.

 

Fourth quarter 2010 operating loss in the Real Estate segment includes a $10.3 million charge related to impairment of goodwill and intangible assets.  This is a non-cash charge that reflects Tree.com’s reassessment of the likely future profitability of the Real Estate segment in the face of current real estate market conditions and the operational strategies undertaken in connection with such market realities.

 

5



 

CORPORATE

 

Unallocated Corporate Costs and Eliminations

$s in millions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q/Q

 

 

 

Y/Y

 

 

 

Q4 2010

 

Q3 2010

 

% Change

 

Q4 2009

 

% Change

 

Inter-segment Revenue - elimination

 

$

(0.0

)

$

(0.1

)

(84

)%

$

0.0

 

NM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Revenue *

 

$

0.0

 

$

0.0

 

(31

)%

$

0.1

 

(80

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses*

 

$

4.0

 

$

5.2

 

(23

)%

$

6.2

 

37

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA **

 

$

(4.0

)

$

(5.3

)

24

%

$

(6.3

)

37

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA **

 

$

(5.1

)

$

(5.8

)

12

%

$

(19.9

)

74

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income(Loss)

 

$

(5.4

)

$

(6.1

)

12

%

$

(20.3

)

73

%

 


NM = Not Meaningful

* Does not include non-cash compensation, depreciation, gain/loss on disposal of assets, restructuring, amortization, impairment, or litigation settlements and contingencies.

** See separate reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA to Operating Income/(Loss) by Segment.

 

Corporate

 

Operating expenses in the corporate segment decreased $1.2 million quarter-over-quarter and $2.3 million year-over-year.  The quarter-over-quarter decrease was largely due to overall lower compensation-related expense.  The year-over-year decrease in operating expenses was primarily driven by lower employee costs reflecting prior cost-cutting initiatives.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of December 31, 2010, Tree.com had $68.8 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, compared to $57.3 million as of September 30, 2010.  The increase in cash in the fourth quarter is due to the timing of selling loans.  At September 30, 2010, we were holding loans on the balance sheet for more days on average before sale due to investor capacity issues causing them to take longer to purchase loans.

 

During the fourth quarter, under the previously announced $10 million share repurchase program which began in February 2010, Tree.com repurchased 140,897 shares at an average price of $7.21 in open market transactions.  Through December 31, 2010, Tree.com has repurchased a total of 810,922 shares at an average price of $7.03 and has approximately $4.3 million of share repurchase authorization remaining.

 

In addition, during the fourth quarter Tree.com temporarily suspended its share repurchase program in lieu of a “Dutch Auction” tender offer. The completion of the tender offer was announced on December 23, 2010.  During the offer period, which expired on December 17, 2010, Tree.com accepted for purchase 312,339 shares of its common stock at a price of $7.75 per share, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $2.4 million, excluding fees and expenses related to the tender offer.

 

6



 

As of December 31, 2010, LendingTree Loans had two committed lines of credit totaling $150 million of borrowing capacity, plus an additional $25 million of uncommitted capacity.  The $50 million committed line of credit, which also includes the additional $25 million uncommitted line, is scheduled to expire June 29, 2011.  The second line of credit in the amount of $100 million is scheduled to expire October 28, 2011.

 

Borrowings under these lines of credit are used to fund, and are secured by, consumer residential loans that are held for sale. Loans under these lines of credit are repaid from proceeds from the sales of loans held for sale by LendingTree Loans. We expect to renew the lines that are expiring on June 29, 2011, and October 28, 2011.  The loans held for sale and warehouse lines of credit balances as of December 31, 2010, were $116.7 million and $100.6 million, respectively.

 

Conference Call

 

Tree.com will audio cast its conference call with investors and analysts discussing Tree.com’s fourth quarter financial results and certain other matters described herein on Friday, February 11, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET).  This call will include the disclosure of certain information, including forward-looking information, which may be material to an investor’s understanding of Tree.com’s business.  The live audio cast is open to the public at http://investor-relations.tree.com/.

 

7



 

QUARTERLY FINANCIALS

 

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

 

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

(audited)

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LendingTree Loans

 

$

37,033

 

$

22,932

 

$

124,180

 

$

117,670

 

Exchanges and other

 

11,905

 

17,998

 

59,918

 

70,660

 

Real Estate

 

2,258

 

6,896

 

14,083

 

28,445

 

Total revenue

 

51,196

 

47,826

 

198,181

 

216,775

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LendingTree Loans

 

13,304

 

10,211

 

44,056

 

48,998

 

Exchanges and other

 

1,326

 

2,012

 

4,980

 

7,716

 

Real Estate

 

1,716

 

4,334

 

9,028

 

18,046

 

Total cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)

 

16,346

 

16,557

 

58,064

 

74,760

 

Gross margin

 

34,850

 

31,269

 

140,117

 

142,015

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and marketing expense

 

19,039

 

16,808

 

74,074

 

61,957

 

General and administrative expense

 

15,419

 

13,971

 

54,682

 

64,901

 

Product development

 

1,191

 

1,120

 

4,155

 

5,962

 

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

520

 

12,803

 

2,108

 

13,208

 

Restructuring expense

 

106

 

2,848

 

3,469

 

2,690

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

311

 

1,211

 

2,716

 

4,847

 

Depreciation

 

1,621

 

1,617

 

6,160

 

6,666

 

Asset impairments

 

10,809

 

2,194

 

10,809

 

6,097

 

Total operating expenses

 

49,016

 

52,572

 

158,173

 

166,328

 

Operating loss

 

(14,166

)

(21,303

)

(18,056

)

(24,313

)

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

1

 

4

 

8

 

88

 

Interest expense

 

(80

)

(166

)

(473

)

(617

)

Total other income (expense), net

 

(79

)

(162

)

(465

)

(529

)

Loss before income taxes

 

(14,245

)

(21,465

)

(18,521

)

(24,842

)

Income tax benefit

 

1,786

 

489

 

936

 

368

 

Net loss

 

$

(12,459

)

$

(20,976

)

$

(17,585

)

$

(24,474

)

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

11,076

 

10,900

 

11,014

 

10,536

 

Net loss per share available to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(1.12

)

$

(1.92

)

$

(1.60

)

$

(2.32

)

Diluted

 

$

(1.12

)

$

(1.92

)

$

(1.60

)

$

(2.32

)

 

8



 

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

December 31, 2010

 

December 31, 2009

 

 

 

(In thousands, except par value

 

 

 

and share amounts)

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

68,819

 

$

86,093

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

 

10,699

 

12,019

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $213 and $518, respectively

 

4,305

 

6,835

 

Loans held for sale ($115,908 and $92,236 measured at fair value, respectively)

 

116,681

 

93,596

 

Prepaid and other current assets

 

11,778

 

10,758

 

Total current assets

 

212,282

 

209,301

 

Property and equipment, net

 

12,795

 

12,257

 

Goodwill

 

11,599

 

12,152

 

Intangible assets, net

 

45,419

 

57,626

 

Other non-current assets

 

707

 

496

 

Total assets

 

$

282,802

 

$

291,832

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Warehouse lines of credit

 

$

100,623

 

$

78,481

 

Accounts payable, trade

 

7,387

 

5,905

 

Deferred revenue

 

1,540

 

1,731

 

Deferred income taxes

 

2,358

 

2,211

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

39,425

 

54,694

 

Total current liabilities

 

151,333

 

143,022

 

Income taxes payable

 

96

 

510

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

15,590

 

12,010

 

Deferred income taxes

 

13,962

 

15,380

 

Total liabilities

 

180,981

 

170,922

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Common stock $.01 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued 11,893,468 and 10,904,330 shares, respectively, and outstanding 10,770,207 and 10,904,330 shares, respectively

 

118

 

109

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

908,837

 

901,818

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(798,602

)

(781,017

)

Treasury stock 1,123,261 and -0- shares, respectively

 

(8,532

)

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

101,821

 

120,910

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

282,802

 

$

291,832

 

 

9



 

TREE.COM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(17,585

)

$

(24,474

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

 

356

 

1,123

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

2,716

 

4,847

 

Depreciation

 

6,160

 

6,666

 

Intangible impairment

 

9,491

 

6,097

 

Goodwill impairment

 

1,318

 

 

Non-cash compensation expense

 

3,640

 

3,892

 

Non-cash restructuring expense

 

307

 

1,191

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(1,270

)

(382

)

Gain on origination and sale of loans

 

(113,425

)

(110,320

)

Loss on impaired loans not sold

 

128

 

647

 

Loss on real estate acquired in satisfaction of loans

 

406

 

51

 

Bad debt expense

 

10

 

422

 

Non-cash interest expense

 

 

 

Changes in current assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

2,520

 

(23

)

Origination of loans

 

(2,792,041

)

(2,855,246

)

Proceeds from sales of loans

 

2,892,070

 

2,969,658

 

Principal payments received on loans

 

2,356

 

1,422

 

Payments to investors for loan repurchases and early payoff obligations

 

(12,154

)

(8,742

)

Prepaid and other current assets

 

(79

)

(680

)

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

 

(15,635

)

15,206

 

Income taxes payable

 

(278

)

(402

)

Deferred revenue

 

(350

)

151

 

Restricted cash

 

820

 

722

 

Other, net

 

7,181

 

1,391

 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 

(23,338

)

13,217

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Contingent acquisition consideration

 

 

 

Acquisitions

 

(250

)

(5,726

)

Capital expenditures

 

(7,226

)

(3,865

)

Other, net

 

451

 

4,040

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(7,025

)

(5,551

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowing under warehouse lines of credit

 

1,864,905

 

2,475,106

 

Repayments of warehouse lines of credit

 

(1,842,764

)

(2,472,811

)

Principal payments on long-term obligations

 

 

 

Spin-off capital contributions from IAC

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock, net of withholding taxes

 

(570

)

3,364

 

Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards

 

 

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

(8,532

)

 

(Increase) decrease in restricted cash

 

50

 

(875

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

13,089

 

4,784

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(17,274

)

12,450

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

86,093

 

73,643

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

68,819

 

$

86,093

 

 

10



 

TREE.COM RECONCILIATION OF SEGMENT RESULTS TO GAAP ($ in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2010:

 

 

 

LendingTree

 

 

 

Real

 

Unallocated—

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

Exchanges 

 

Estate

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Revenue

 

$

37,033

 

$

11,921

 

$

2,258

 

$

(16

)

$

51,196

 

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)

 

13,304

 

1,301

 

1,716

 

25

 

16,346

 

Gross Margin

 

23,729

 

10,620

 

542

 

(41

)

34,850

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and marketing expense

 

7,551

 

11,160

 

328

 

 

19,039

 

General and administrative expense

 

7,807

 

1,634

 

1,415

 

4,563

 

15,419

 

Product development

 

197

 

933

 

61

 

 

1,191

 

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

 

 

1

 

519

 

520

 

Restructuring expense

 

 

41

 

44

 

21

 

106

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

298

 

1

 

12

 

311

 

Depreciation

 

391

 

667

 

309

 

254

 

1,621

 

Asset impairments

 

 

539

 

10,270

 

 

10,809

 

Total operating expenses

 

15,946

 

15,272

 

12,429

 

5,369

 

49,016

 

Operating income (loss)

 

7,783

 

(4,652

)

(11,887

)

(5,410

)

(14,166

)

Adjustments to reconcile to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

 

298

 

1

 

12

 

311

 

Depreciation

 

391

 

667

 

309

 

254

 

1,621

 

EBITDA

 

8,174

 

(3,687

)

(11,577

)

(5,144

)

(12,234

)

Restructuring expense

 

 

41

 

44

 

21

 

106

 

Asset impairments

 

 

539

 

10,270

 

 

10,809

 

Loss on disposal of assets

 

56

 

1

 

209

 

81

 

347

 

Non-cash compensation

 

79

 

130

 

40

 

551

 

800

 

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

 

 

1

 

519

 

520

 

Post acquisition adjustments

 

 

(79

)

 

 

(79

)

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

8,309

 

$

(3,055

)

$

(1,013

)

$

(3,972

)

$

269

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation to net loss in total:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss per above

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(14,166

)

Other expense, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(79

)

Loss before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14,245

)

Income tax benefit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,786

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(12,459

)

 

11



 

TREE.COM RECONCILIATION OF SEGMENT RESULTS TO GAAP ($ in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010:

 

 

 

LendingTree

 

 

 

Real

 

Unallocated—

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

Exchanges

 

Estate

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Revenue

 

$

34,760

 

$

15,307

 

$

3,213

 

$

(103

)

$

53,177

 

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)

 

11,049

 

1,312

 

2,074

 

34

 

14,469

 

Gross margin

 

23,711

 

13,995

 

1,139

 

(137

)

38,708

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and marketing expense

 

4,432

 

12,944

 

454

 

 

17,830

 

General and administrative expense

 

6,714

 

669

 

951

 

5,701

 

14,035

 

Product development

 

135

 

804

 

74

 

 

1,013

 

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

1,510

 

 

36

 

 

1,546

 

Restructuring expense

 

(14

)

44

 

288

 

3

 

321

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

294

 

212

 

13

 

519

 

Depreciation

 

395

 

559

 

306

 

263

 

1,523

 

Total operating expenses

 

13,172

 

15,314

 

2,321

 

5,980

 

36,787

 

Operating income (loss)

 

10,539

 

(1,319

)

(1,182

)

(6,117

)

1,921

 

Adjustments to reconcile to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

294

 

212

 

13

 

519

 

Depreciation

 

395

 

559

 

306

 

263

 

1,523

 

EBITDA

 

10,934

 

(466

)

(664

)

(5,841

)

3,963

 

Restructuring expense

 

(14

)

44

 

288

 

3

 

321

 

Non-cash compensation

 

94

 

73

 

28

 

583

 

778

 

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

1,510

 

 

36

 

 

1,546

 

Post acquisition adjustments

 

 

(849

)

(221

)

 

(1,070

)

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

12,524

 

$

(1,198

)

$

(533

)

$

(5,255

)

$

5,538

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation to net income in total:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income per above

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,921

 

Other expense, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(60

)

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,861

 

Income tax provision

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(42

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,819

 

 

12



 

TREE.COM RECONCILIATION OF SEGMENT RESULTS TO GAAP ($ in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2009:

 

 

 

LendingTree

 

 

 

Real

 

Unallocated—

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

Exchanges

 

Estate

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Revenue

 

$

22,932

 

$

17,998

 

$

6,896

 

$

 

$

47,826

 

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)

 

10,561

 

1,530

 

4,334

 

132

 

16,557

 

Gross Margin

 

12,371

 

16,468

 

2,562

 

(132

)

31,269

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and marketing expense

 

3,350

 

12,665

 

793

 

 

16,808

 

General and administrative expense

 

4,216

 

1,657

 

1,645

 

6,453

 

13,971

 

Product development

 

106

 

592

 

102

 

320

 

1,120

 

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

53

 

 

 

12,750

 

12,803

 

Restructuring expense

 

157

 

1,552

 

892

 

247

 

2,848

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

70

 

429

 

699

 

13

 

1,211

 

Depreciation

 

625

 

300

 

311

 

381

 

1,617

 

Asset impairments

 

 

519

 

1,675

 

 

2,194

 

Total operating expenses

 

8,577

 

17,714

 

6,117

 

20,164

 

52,572

 

Operating income (loss)

 

3,794

 

(1,246

)

(3,555

)

(20,296

)

(21,303

)

Adjustments to reconcile to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

70

 

429

 

699

 

13

 

1,211

 

Depreciation

 

625

 

300

 

311

 

381

 

1,617

 

EBITDA

 

4,489

 

(517

)

(2,545

)

(19,902

)

(18,475

)

Restructuring expense

 

157

 

1,552

 

892

 

247

 

2,848

 

Asset impairments

 

 

519

 

1,675

 

 

2,194

 

Loss on disposal of assets

 

90

 

 

16

 

68

 

174

 

Non-cash compensation

 

46

 

202

 

71

 

513

 

832

 

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

53

 

 

 

12,750

 

12,803

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

4,835

 

$

1,756

 

$

109

 

$

(6,324

)

$

376

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation to net loss in total:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss per above

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(21,303

)

Other expense, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(162

)

Loss before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(21,465

)

Income tax benefit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

489

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(20,976

)

 

13



 

TREE.COM RECONCILIATION OF SEGMENT RESULTS TO GAAP ($ in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2010:

 

 

 

LendingTree

 

 

 

Real

 

Unallocated—

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

Exchanges

 

Estate

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Revenue

 

$

124,180

 

$

60,118

 

$

14,083

 

(200

)

$

198,181

 

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)

 

44,056

 

4,481

 

9,028

 

499

 

58,064

 

Gross Margin

 

80,124

 

55,637

 

5,055

 

(699

)

140,117

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and marketing expense

 

22,148

 

50,045

 

1,865

 

16

 

74,074

 

General and administrative expense

 

24,253

 

5,367

 

5,464

 

19,598

 

54,682

 

Product development

 

331

 

3,293

 

337

 

194

 

4,155

 

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

1,551

 

 

37

 

520

 

2,108

 

Restructuring expense

 

(7

)

167

 

696

 

2,613

 

3,469

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

1,182

 

1,484

 

50

 

2,716

 

Depreciation

 

1,701

 

2,040

 

1,242

 

1,177

 

6,160

 

Asset impairments

 

 

539

 

10,270

 

 

10,809

 

Total operating expenses

 

49,977

 

62,633

 

21,395

 

24,168

 

158,173

 

Operating income (loss)

 

30,147

 

(6,996

)

(16,340

)

(24,867

)

(18,056

)

Adjustments to reconcile to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

 

1,182

 

1,484

 

50

 

2,716

 

Depreciation

 

1,701

 

2,040

 

1,242

 

1,177

 

6,160

 

EBITDA

 

31,848

 

(3,774

)

(13,614

)

(23,640

)

(9,180

)

Restructuring expense

 

(7

)

167

 

696

 

2,613

 

3,469

 

Asset impairments

 

 

539

 

10,270

 

 

10,809

 

Loss on disposal of assets

 

56

 

1

 

215

 

84

 

356

 

Non-cash compensation

 

378

 

833

 

158

 

2,271

 

3,640

 

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

1,551

 

 

37

 

520

 

2,108

 

Post acquisition adjustments

 

 

(928

)

(221

)

 

(1,149

)

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

33,826

 

$

(3,162

)

$

(2,459

)

$

(18,152

)

$

10,053

 

Reconciliation to net loss in total:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss per above

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(18,056

)

Other expense, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(465

)

Loss before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(18,521

)

Income tax benefit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

936

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(17,585

)

 

14



 

TREE.COM RECONCILIATION OF SEGMENT RESULTS TO GAAP ($ in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31, 2009:

 

 

 

LendingTree

 

 

 

Real

 

Unallocated—

 

 

 

 

 

Loans

 

Exchanges

 

Estate

 

Corporate

 

Total

 

Revenue

 

$

117,670

 

$

70,660

 

$

28,445

 

$

 

$

216,775

 

Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)

 

48,998

 

5,957

 

18,046

 

1,759

 

74,760

 

Gross Margin

 

68,672

 

64,703

 

10,399

 

(1,759

)

142,015

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and marketing expense

 

10,227

 

47,010

 

4,712

 

8

 

61,957

 

General and administrative expense

 

20,374

 

9,041

 

8,742

 

26,744

 

64,901

 

Product development

 

518

 

2,793

 

1,346

 

1,305

 

5,962

 

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

419

 

6

 

33

 

12,750

 

13,208

 

Restructuring expense

 

(1,089

)

1,660

 

1,684

 

435

 

2,690

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

280

 

922

 

3,625

 

20

 

4,847

 

Depreciation

 

2,912

 

943

 

1,160

 

1,651

 

6,666

 

Asset impairments

 

 

519

 

5,578

 

 

6,097

 

Total operating expenses

 

33,641

 

62,894

 

26,880

 

42,913

 

166,328

 

Operating income (loss)

 

35,031

 

1,809

 

(16,481

)

(44,672

)

(24,313

)

Adjustments to reconcile to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangibles

 

280

 

922

 

3,625

 

20

 

4,847

 

Depreciation

 

2,912

 

943

 

1,160

 

1,651

 

6,666

 

EBITDA

 

38,223

 

3,674

 

(11,696

)

(43,001

)

(12,800

)

Restructuring expense

 

(1,089

)

1,660

 

1,684

 

435

 

2,690

 

Asset impairments

 

 

519

 

5,578

 

 

6,097

 

Loss on disposal of assets

 

90

 

949

 

16

 

68

 

1,123

 

Non-cash compensation

 

245

 

669

 

281

 

2,697

 

3,892

 

Litigation settlements and contingencies

 

419

 

6

 

33

 

12,750

 

13,208

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

37,888

 

$

7,477

 

$

(4,104

)

$

(27,051

)

$

14,210

 

Reconciliation to net loss in total:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss per above

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(24,313

)

Other expense, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(529

)

Loss before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(24,842

)

Income tax benefit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

368

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(24,474

)

 

15



 

About Tree.com, Inc.

 

Tree.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: TREE) is the parent of several brands and businesses that provide information, tools, advice, products and services for critical transactions in our customers’ lives.  Our family of brands includes: LendingTree.com®, GetSmart.com®, RealEstate.com®, DegreeTree.comSM, HealthTree.comSM, LendingTreeAutos.com, DoneRight.com®, and InsuranceTree.comSM.  Together, these brands serve as an ally for consumers who are looking to comparison shop for loans, real estate and other services fro m multiple businesses and professionals who will compete for their business.

 

Tree.com, Inc. is the parent company of wholly owned operating subsidiaries:  LendingTree, LLC and Home Loan Center, Inc.

 

Tree.com, Inc. is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. and maintains operations solely in the United States. For more information, please visit www.tree.com.

 

TREE.COM’S PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL REPORTING

 

Tree.com reports Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”), and adjusted for certain items discussed below (“Adjusted EBITDA”), as supplemental measures to GAAP. These measures are two of the primary metrics by which Tree.com evaluates the performance of its businesses, on which its internal budgets are based and by which management is compensated. Tree.com believes that investors should have access to the same set of tools that it uses in analyzing its results. These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. Tree.com provides and encourages investors to examine the reconciling adjustments between the GAAP and non-GAAP measure which are discussed below.

 

Definition of Tree.com’s Non-GAAP Measures

 

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA excluding (1) non-cash compensation expense, (2) non-cash intangible asset impairment charges, (3) gain/loss on disposal of assets, (4) restructuring expenses, (5) litigation loss contingencies and settlements, (6) pro forma adjustments for significant acquisitions, and (7) one-time items. Adjusted EBITDA has certain limitations in that it does not take into account the impact to Tree.com’s statement of operations of certain expenses, including depreciation, non-cash compensation and acquisition related accounting. Tree.com endeavors to compensate for the limitations of the non-GAAP measure presented by also providing the comparable GAAP measure with equal or greater prominence and descriptions of the reconciling items, including quantifying such items, to derive the non-GAAP measure.

 

Pro Forma Results

 

Tree.com will only present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA on a pro forma basis if it views a particular transaction as significant in size or transformational in nature. For the periods presented in this report, there are no transactions that Tree.com has included on a pro forma basis.

 

One-Time Items

 

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are presented before one-time items, if applicable. These items are truly one-time in nature and non-recurring, infrequent or unusual, and have not occurred in the past two years or are not expected to recur in the next two years, in accordance with SEC rules. For the periods presented in this report, there are no one-time items.

 

Non-Cash Expenses That Are Excluded From Tree.com’s Non-GAAP Measures

 

Non-cash compensation expense consists principally of expense associated with the grants of restricted stock units and stock options. These expenses are not paid in cash, and Tree.com will include the related shares in its future calculations of fully diluted shares outstanding. Upon vesting of restricted stock units and the exercise of certain stock options, the awards will be settled, at Tree.com’s discretion, on a net basis, with Tree.com remitting the required tax withholding amount from its current funds.

 

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

 

16



 

Other

 

REALTORS®—a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

 

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

 

The matters contained in the discussion above may be considered to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations or anticipations of the Company and members of our management team.  Factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the following: our ability to operate effectively as a separate public entity following our spin-off from IAC in August 2008; additional costs associated with operating as an independent company; volatility in our stock price and trading volume; our ability to obtain financing on acceptable terms; limitations on our ability to enter into tra nsactions due to spin-related restrictions; adverse conditions in the primary and secondary mortgage markets and in the economy; adverse conditions in our industries; adverse conditions in the credit markets and the inability to renew or replace warehouse lines of credit; seasonality in our businesses; potential liabilities to secondary market purchasers; changes in our relationships with network lenders, real estate professionals, credit providers and secondary market purchasers; breaches of our network security or the misappropriation or misuse of personal consumer information; our failure to provide competitive service; our failure to maintain brand recognition; our ability to attract and retain customers in a cost-effective manner; our ability to develop new products and services and enhance existing ones; competition from our network lenders and affiliated real estate professionals; our failure to comply with existing or changing laws, rules or regulations, or to obtain and maintain required licens es; failure of our network lenders or other affiliated parties to comply with regulatory requirements; failure to maintain the integrity of our systems and infrastructure; liabilities as a result of privacy regulations; failure to adequately protect our intellectual property rights or allegations of infringement of intellectual property rights; changes in our management; deficiencies in our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting; and our ability to successfully implement our strategic initiatives in the Real Estate and LendingTree Loans businesses.  These and additional factors to be considered are set forth under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2009, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2010, June 30, 2010, and September 30, 2010 and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We undertake no obligation to update o r revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results or expectations.

 

Contacts:

Investor Relations

877-640-4856

tree.com-investor.relations@tree.com

 

17