8-K

LendingTree, Inc. (TREE)

8-K 2020-02-20 For: 2020-02-20
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Added on April 06, 2026

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 20, 2020

LendingTree, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in 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:

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

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

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

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share TREE Nasdaq Stock Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o


Item 7.01.     Regulation FD Disclosure.

During the fourth quarter of 2019, LendingTree, Inc. (the "Company" or the “Registrant”) realigned its reportable segments. The Company previously reported one segment. The Company now manages its business and reports its financial results through the following three operating and reportable segments: Home, Consumer and Insurance. Characteristics which were relied upon in making the determination of the reportable segments include the nature of the products, the organization's internal structure, and the information that is regularly reviewed by the CODM for the purpose of assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company changed its reportable segments in the fourth quarter of 2019 and previously reported segment results have been revised to conform to the Company's reportable segments at December 31, 2019.

The Home segment includes the following products: purchase mortgage, refinance mortgage, home equity loans and lines of credit, reverse mortgage loans, and real estate. The Consumer segment includes the following products: credit cards, personal loans, small business loans, student loans, auto loans, deposit accounts, and other credit products such as credit repair and debt settlement. The Insurance segment consists of insurance quote products. Revenue from the resale of online advertising space to third parties and revenue from home improvement referrals, and the related variable marketing and advertising expenses, are included within the Other category.

Attached and incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit 99.1 is certain historical financial information of the Company reflecting the changes in the Company’s reportable segments.  This supplemental financial information is being furnished by the Registrant pursuant to Regulation FD.

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit No. Exhibit Description
99.1 Supplemental financial information.
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

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 20, 2020
LENDINGTREE, INC.
By: /s/ J.D. Moriarty
J.D. Moriarty
Chief Financial Officer
		Exhibit

Exhibit 99.1

LendingTree Segment Results
(In millions)
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
March 31, 2017 June 30, 2017 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2017 December 31, 2017
Home ^(1)^
Revenue $ 75.5 $ 87.6 $ 92.5 $ 84.7 $ 340.4
Segment profit $ 30.3 $ 34.9 $ 39.8 $ 31.3 $ 136.2
Segment profit % of revenue 40 % 40 % 43 % 37 % 40 %
Consumer ^(2)^
Revenue $ 56.9 $ 65.0 $ 78.6 $ 75.7 $ 276.1
Segment profit $ 22.0 $ 25.6 $ 34.3 $ 33.8 $ 115.7
Segment profit % of revenue 39 % 39 % 44 % 45 % 42 %
Insurance ^(3)^
Revenue $ $ $ $ 0.1 $ 0.1
Segment profit $ $ $ $ 0.1 $ 0.1
Segment profit % of revenue % % % % %
Other Category ^(4)^
Revenue $ 0.1 $ 0.1 $ 0.4 $ 0.5 $ 1.1
Profit $ (0.1 ) $ (0.2 ) $ (0.1 ) $ (0.2 ) $ (0.6 )
Total revenue $ 132.5 $ 152.8 $ 171.5 $ 161.0 $ 617.7
Total segment profit $ 52.2 $ 60.3 $ 74.0 $ 65.0 $ 251.4
Brand marketing expense ^(5)^ $ (8.7 ) $ (12.0 ) $ (14.9 ) $ (8.9 ) $ (44.4 )
Variable marketing margin ^(6)^ $ 43.5 $ 48.3 $ 59.1 $ 56.1 $ 207.0
Variable marketing margin % of revenue ^(6)^ 33 % 32 % 34 % 35 % 34 %
(1) The Home segment includes the following products: purchase mortgage, refinance mortgage, home equity loans and lines of credit, reverse mortgage loans, and real estate.
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(2) The Consumer segment includes the following products: credit cards, personal loans, small business loans, student loans, auto loans, deposit accounts, and other credit products such as credit repair and debt settlement.
(3) The Insurance segment consists of insurance quote products.
(4) The Other category includes revenue from the resale of online advertising space to third parties and revenue from home improvement referrals, and the related variable marketing and advertising expenses.
(5) Brand marketing expense represents the portion of selling and marketing expense attributable to variable costs paid for advertising, direct marketing and related expenses that are not assignable to the segments' products. This measure excludes overhead, fixed costs and personnel-related expenses.
(6) Variable marketing margin and variable marketing margin % of revenue are non-GAAP measures. Please see "LendingTree's Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures to GAAP" for more information.

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LendingTree Segment Results
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(In millions)
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
March 31, 2018 June 30, 2018 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2018 December 31, 2018
Home
Revenue $ 92.8 $ 88.0 $ 75.1 $ 63.3 $ 319.2
Segment profit $ 31.7 $ 27.3 $ 24.1 $ 21.6 $ 104.7
Segment profit % of revenue 34 % 31 % 32 % 34 % 33 %
Consumer
Revenue $ 87.9 $ 94.0 $ 115.5 $ 98.2 $ 395.6
Segment profit $ 39.0 $ 43.8 $ 57.2 $ 47.8 $ 187.7
Segment profit % of revenue 44 % 47 % 50 % 49 % 47 %
Insurance
Revenue $ $ $ $ 31.3 $ 31.4
Segment profit $ $ $ $ 11.3 $ 11.4
Segment profit % of revenue % % % 36 % 36 %
Other Category
Revenue $ 0.3 $ 2.1 $ 6.5 $ 9.9 $ 18.7
Profit $ (0.3 ) $ 0.6 $ 0.2 $ 0.8 $ 1.4
Total revenue $ 181.0 $ 184.1 $ 197.1 $ 202.7 $ 764.9
Total segment profit $ 70.4 $ 71.7 $ 81.5 $ 81.5 $ 305.1
Brand marketing expense $ (7.4 ) $ (4.0 ) $ (4.7 ) $ (3.0 ) $ (19.0 )
Variable marketing margin $ 63.0 $ 67.7 $ 76.8 $ 78.6 $ 286.1
Variable marketing margin % of revenue 35 % 37 % 39 % 39 % 37 %

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LendingTree Segment Results
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(In millions)
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019 June 30, 2019 September 30, 2019
Home
Revenue $ 63.4 $ 71.8 $ 77.3
Segment profit $ 23.9 $ 24.2 $ 28.1
Segment profit % of revenue 38 % 34 % 36 %
Consumer
Revenue $ 120.7 $ 129.0 $ 151.9
Segment profit $ 54.0 $ 50.8 $ 65.2
Segment profit % of revenue 45 % 39 % 43 %
Insurance
Revenue $ 67.1 $ 71.9 $ 74.8
Segment profit $ 27.9 $ 28.8 $ 30.0
Segment profit % of revenue 42 % 40 % 40 %
Other Category
Revenue $ 11.1 $ 5.8 $ 6.6
Profit $ 0.8 $ 0.3 $ 0.4
Total revenue $ 262.4 $ 278.4 $ 310.6
Total segment profit $ 106.5 $ 104.1 $ 123.6
Brand marketing expense $ (14.1 ) $ (10.3 ) $ (8.1 )
Variable marketing margin $ 92.5 $ 93.8 $ 115.6
Variable marketing margin % of revenue 35 % 34 % 37 %

LENDINGTREE'S RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO GAAP

Variable Marketing Margin

Below is a reconciliation of net income (loss) from continuing operations to variable marketing margin and net income (loss) from continuing operations % of revenue to variable marketing margin % of revenue.

Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
March 31, <br>2017 June 30, <br>2017 September 30, <br>2017 December 31, <br>2017 December 31, <br>2017
(in thousands, except percentages)
Net income from continuing operations $ 7,798 $ 8,007 $ 10,131 $ (6,518 ) $ 19,418
Net income from continuing operations % of revenue 6 % 5 % 6 % (4 )% 3 %
Adjustments to reconcile to variable marketing margin:
Cost of revenue 3,591 4,164 4,388 5,080 17,223
Non-variable selling and marketing expense ^(1)^ 4,249 4,681 6,118 6,953 22,001
General and administrative expense 11,547 12,094 17,920 29,980 71,541
Product development 3,623 4,064 4,805 5,433 17,925
Depreciation 1,703 1,808 1,798 1,776 7,085
Amortization of intangibles 2,609 2,608 3,817 3,958 12,992
Change in fair value of contingent consideration 8,746 9,393 2,501 3,291 23,931
Severance 157 247 404
Litigation settlements and contingencies 404 285 272 (243 ) 718
Interest expense, net 165 1,079 2,804 2,980 7,028
Other (income) expense (13 ) 228 181 396
Income tax (benefit) expense (1,079 ) (104 ) 4,292 3,182 6,291
Variable marketing margin $ 43,513 $ 48,313 $ 59,074 $ 56,053 $ 206,953
Variable marketing margin % of revenue 33 % 32 % 34 % 35 % 34 %
(1 ) Represents the portion of selling and marketing expense not attributable to variable costs paid for advertising, direct marketing and related expenses. Includes overhead, fixed costs and personnel-related expenses.
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Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
March 31, <br>2018 June 30, <br>2018 September 30, <br>2018 December 31, <br>2018 December 31, <br>2018
(in thousands, except percentages)
Net income from continuing operations $ 35,857 $ 44,849 $ 28,362 $ 251 $ 109,319
Net income from continuing operations % of revenue 20 % 24 % 14 % % 14 %
Adjustments to reconcile to variable marketing margin:
Cost of revenue 5,696 6,043 10,838 13,822 36,399
Cost of advertising re-sold to third parties ^(1)^ (3,628 ) (5,184 ) (8,812 )
Non-variable selling and marketing expense ^(2)^ 8,016 7,571 7,770 6,985 30,343
General and administrative expense 22,814 24,759 22,980 30,666 101,219
Product development 6,260 5,967 6,608 8,123 26,958
Depreciation 1,671 1,633 1,895 2,186 7,385
Amortization of intangibles 3,963 3,964 5,701 9,840 23,468
Change in fair value of contingent consideration (741 ) (167 ) 2,105 9,591 10,788
Severance 3 2,328 21 2,352
Litigation settlements and contingencies (22 ) (170 ) (88 ) 94 (186 )
Interest expense, net 2,988 2,924 2,393 4,132 12,437
Other (income) expense (34 ) 71 69 (96 ) 10
Income tax (benefit) expense (23,461 ) (29,721 ) (10,534 ) (1,859 ) (65,575 )
Variable marketing margin $ 63,007 $ 67,726 $ 76,799 $ 78,572 $ 286,105
Variable marketing margin % of revenue 35 % 37 % 39 % 39 % 37 %
(1 ) Represents the portion of cost of revenue attributable to costs paid for advertising re-sold to third parties. Excludes overhead, fixed costs, and personnel-related expenses.
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(2 ) Represents the portion of selling and marketing expense not attributable to variable costs paid for advertising, direct marketing and related expenses. Includes overhead, fixed costs and personnel-related expenses.

Three Months Ended
March 31, <br>2019 June 30, <br>2019 September 30, <br>2019
(in thousands, except percentages)
Net income from continuing operations $ 550 $ 12,981 $ 24,463
Net income from continuing operations % of revenue % 5 % 8 %
Adjustments to reconcile to variable marketing margin:
Cost of revenue 17,670 16,310 17,671
Cost of advertising re-sold to third parties ^(1)^ (7,336 ) (5,053 ) (5,809 )
Non-variable selling and marketing expense ^(2)^ 12,305 12,079 11,580
General and administrative expense 31,117 27,951 30,323
Product development 10,166 10,175 10,200
Depreciation 2,482 2,559 2,696
Amortization of intangibles 13,427 14,280 13,778
Change in fair value of contingent consideration 14,592 2,790 3,839
Severance 54 403 179
Litigation settlements and contingencies (207 ) 8 (92 )
Interest expense, net 5,468 5,095 4,845
Other (income) expense (68 ) (71 ) (4 )
Income tax (benefit) expense (7,752 ) (5,689 ) 1,889
Variable marketing margin $ 92,468 $ 93,818 $ 115,558
Variable marketing margin % of revenue 35 % 34 % 37 %
(1 ) Represents the portion of cost of revenue attributable to costs paid for advertising re-sold to third parties. Excludes overhead, fixed costs, and personnel-related expenses.
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(2 ) Represents the portion of selling and marketing expense not attributable to variable costs paid for advertising, direct marketing and related expenses. Includes overhead, fixed costs and personnel-related expenses.