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2U, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results
[August 07, 2017]

2U, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2017 Financial Results


LANHAM, Md., Aug. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- 2U, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWOU), today reported financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017. 

Second Quarter 2017 Results

  • Revenue was $65.0 million, an increase of 32% from $49.1 million in the second quarter of 2016.
  • Net loss was $(11.8) million, or $(0.25) per share, compared to $(8.3) million, or $(0.18) per share, in the second quarter of 2016.
  • Adjusted net loss was $(5.2) million, or $(0.11) per share compared to an adjusted net loss of $(4.4) million, or $(0.09) per share, in the second quarter of 2016.
  • Adjusted EBITDA loss was $(1.5) million, compared to an adjusted EBITDA loss of $(2.1) million in the second quarter of 2016.

"We just had another excellent financial quarter as well as one of the most active and exciting periods in our nearly ten-year history," said Christopher "Chip" Paucek, 2U's CEO and co-founder. "On July 1st, we completed our acquisition of GetSmarter, a leader in offering premium online short courses. With university partners like MIT, Cambridge and the recently added London School of Economics and Oxford, GetSmarter expands our global reach with some of the most internationally recognized brands in higher education."

"In addition, our core DGP business continues to scale for the long run. We have now slotted 12 of our targeted 13 launches for 2018, including the two we are announcing in this release.  Universities are recognizing the unparalleled nature of our overall offering. We've always met our annual launch targets, but we've never been so far along this early. As a result, we remain confident in our multi-year launch cadence."

Program Developments

2U is now announcing a DGP with Emerson College, a new partner, and a second DGP with the University of Dayton, an existing partner. Taken together with its recently announced third DGP with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as new partnerships with Fordham University, Rice University, and Harvard University, the following seven DGPs are each slotted for launch in 2018:

  • The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: MPH@UNC, a suite of public health degrees.
  • Fordham University: Education@Fordham, a suite of education degrees.
  • Fordham University: OnlineMSW@Fordham, a Master of Social Work degree.
  • Rice University: MBA@Rice, a Master of Business Administration.
  • Harvard University: Harvard Business Analytics Program.
  • Emerson College: Speech@Emerson, a Master of Science in Communication Disorders (pending faculty approval).
  • University of Dayton: a suite of education and behavioral science degrees with the School of Education and Health Sciences.

Also, 2U extended its agreements with the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University until 2034 for both the MPH@GW, a Master of Public Health, and MHA@GW, a Master of Health Administration.

Financial Outlook

Based on information available as of today, 2U is issuing the following guidance for third quarter and full year of 2017. Note that this guidance incorporates expected results for the GetSmarter business we acquired on July 1, 2017.






3Q 2017


FY 2017




(in millions, except per share amounts)



Revenue

$68.8 - $69.8


$282.7 - $285.7



Net Loss

$(16.3) - $(15.8)


$(32.1) - $(31.0)



Net Loss per Share, Basic and Diluted

$(0.34) - $(0.33)


$(0.67) – $(0.65)



Adjusted Net Loss

$(9.9) - $(9.5)


$(9.1) - $(8.2)



Adjusted Net Loss per Share

$(0.21) -$(0.20)


$(0.19) - $(0.17)



Weighted-Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding, Basic and Diluted

48.0


47.8



Adjusted EBITDA (Loss)

$(4.1) - $(3.7)


$10.3 – $11.2



Stock-Based Compensation Expense

$6.2 - $6.3


$21.8 - $22.0




 

In giving third quarter and full-year guidance, the Company's expectations for the fourth quarter are implied. Note that cost seasonality driven by reduced marketing spend during the holiday period in the fourth quarter typically improves margins in that quarter; fourth-quarter margins therefore should not be viewed as a run rate for the first quarter of the following year.

For more information regarding the guidance above, particularly given the Company's recent acquisition of GetSmarter, the Company's management team strongly encourages stockholders and other interested parties to listen to the Company's second quarter 2017 financial results conference call or review the transcript thereof.  Both can be found on the Company's investor relations website at investor.2u.com.

Non-GAAP Measures

To supplement the Company's consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), we use adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted net income (loss) per share, which are non-GAAP financial measures.

We define adjusted EBITDA as net income or net loss, as applicable, before net interest income (expense), taxes, depreciation and amortization, foreign currency gains or losses, acquisition-related gains or losses and stock-based compensation expense. Some or all of these items may not be applicable in any given reporting period. Adjusted EBITDA margin represents adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue.

We define adjusted net income (loss) as net income or net loss, as applicable, before foreign currency gains or losses, acquisition-related gains or losses and stock-based compensation expense. Adjusted net income (loss) per share is calculated as adjusted net income (loss) divided by diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding for periods which result in adjusted net income, and basic weighted-average shares outstanding for periods which result in an adjusted net loss.

The principal limitation of these non-GAAP financial measures is that they exclude significant expenses that are required by GAAP to be recorded in the Company's financial statements. These non-GAAP measures are key metrics Company management uses to compare the Company's performance to that of prior periods for trend analyses and for budgeting and planning purposes. These measures also provide useful information to investors and analysts relating to 2U's financial condition and results of operations. These financial measures are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these financial measures may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes.

For more information on 2U's non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations of such measures to the nearest GAAP measures, see the reconciliation tables on the last page of this press release under the heading "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures." 2U urges investors to review these reconciliations and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate the Company's business.

Conference Call Information


What:

2U, Inc.'s second quarter 2017 financial results conference call

When:

Monday, August 7, 2017

Time:

5 p.m. ET

Live Call:

(877) 359-9508

Webcast:

investor.2U.com 

About 2U, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWOU)

2U partners with great colleges and universities to build what we believe is the world's best digital education. Our platform provides a comprehensive fusion of technology, services and data architecture to transform high-quality and rigorous campus-based universities into the best digital versions of themselves. 2U's No Back Row® approach allows qualified students and working professionals around the world to experience a first-rate university education and successful outcomes. To learn more, visit 2U.com.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectations, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding future results of the operations and financial position of 2U, Inc., including financial targets, business strategy, and plans and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. 2U has based these forward-looking statements largely on its estimates of its financial results and its current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results predicted, including, our failure to attract new colleges and universities as clients; our failure to acquire qualified students for our clients' programs; failure of clients' students to remain enrolled in their programs; loss, or material underperformance, of any one client; our ability to compete against current and future competitors; disruption to, or failure of, our Platform; and data privacy or security breaches. These and other potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully detailed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, there are significant risks and uncertainties relating to 2U's acquisition and ownership of GetSmarter, including risks and uncertainties relating to the integration of GetSmarter's operations and the realization of anticipated benefits from the acquisition. Moreover, 2U operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for 2U management to predict all risks, nor can 2U assess the impact of all factors on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements 2U may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated. 

Investor Relations Contact: Ed Goodwin, 2U, Inc., [email protected]

Media Contact: Jemila Woodson, 2U, Inc., [email protected]

 

2U, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share amounts)






June 30,
2017


December 31,
2016


Assets






Current assets:






Cash and cash equivalents


$

37,435


$

168,730


Restricted cash


100,987



Accounts receivable, net


23,426


7,860


Advances to clients


213


567


Prepaid expenses and other assets


8,398


7,541


Total current assets


170,459


184,698


Property and equipment, net


34,390


15,596


Capitalized technology and content development costs, net


37,402


31,867


Advances to clients, non-current


2,163


2,100


Prepaid expenses, non-current


14,789


7,052


Other non-current assets


2,770


3,007


Total assets


$

261,973


$

244,320


Liabilities and stockholders' equity






Current liabilities:






Accounts payable


$

4,323


$

3,729


Accrued compensation and related benefits


17,908


16,491


Accrued expenses and other liabilities


22,324


17,712


Deferred revenue


7,365


3,137


Total current liabilities


51,920


41,069


Non-current lease-related liabilities


15,202


7,620


Deferred government grant obligations


3,500



Other non-current liabilities


300


394


Total liabilities


70,922


49,083


Stockholders' equity:






Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016




Common stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 47,858,326 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2017; 47,151,635 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2016


48


47


Additional paid-in capital


382,609


371,455


Accumulated deficit


(191,606)


(176,265)


Total stockholders' equity


191,051


195,237


Total liabilities and stockholders' equity


$

261,973


$

244,320



 

 

 

2U, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited, in thousands, except share and per share amounts)






Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,




2017


2016


2017


2016


Revenue


$

64,995


$

49,110


$

129,824


$

96,554


Costs and expenses:










Servicing and support


13,458


10,260


24,383


19,772


Technology and content development


11,140


8,842


20,345


16,117


Program marketing and sales


37,242


27,483


71,912


51,139


General and administrative


13,930


10,944


27,594


21,391


Total costs and expenses


75,770


57,529


144,234


108,419


Loss from operations


(10,775)


(8,419)


(14,410)


(11,865)


Other income (expense):










Interest income


53


91


249


183


Interest expense


(1)


(9)


(1)


(35)


Foreign currency loss


(1,031)



(1,031)



Total other income (expense)


(979)


82


(783)


148


Loss before income taxes


(11,754)


(8,337)


(15,193)


(11,717)


Income tax expense






Net loss


$

(11,754)


$

(8,337)


$

(15,193)


$

(11,717)


Net loss per share, basic and diluted


$

(0.25)


$

(0.18)


$

(0.32)


$

(0.25)


Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, basic and diluted


47,668,397


46,494,464


47,454,059


46,226,117



 

 

 

2U, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited, in thousands)






Six Months Ended
June 30,




2017


2016


Cash flows from operating activities






Net loss


$

(15,193)


$

(11,717)


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






Depreciation and amortization


7,431


4,526


Stock-based compensation expense


9,390


7,520


Foreign currency loss


1,031



Changes in operating assets and liabilities:






Increase in accounts receivable, net


(15,566)


(4,267)


Decrease in advances to clients


291


75


Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets


(112)


(645)


Increase in accounts payable


594


1,044


Increase (decrease) in accrued compensation and related benefits


1,417


(3,419)


Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities


4,262


4,776


Increase in deferred revenue


4,228


14,978


(Increase) decrease in payments to clients


(7,471)


1,664


Decrease (increase) in other assets and other liabilities, net


1,561


(3,028)


Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities


(8,137)


11,507


Cash flows from investing activities






Purchases of property and equipment


(15,449)


(1,029)


Capitalized technology and content development cost expenditures


(10,808)


(7,437)


Other



(142)


Net cash used in investing activities


(26,257)


(8,608)


Cash flows from financing activities






Proceeds from deferred government grant obligations


3,500



Proceeds from exercise of stock options


2,908


2,156


Tax withholding payments associated with settlement of restricted stock units


(1,291)


(365)


Other



(168)


Net cash provided by financing activities


5,117


1,623


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash


(1,031)



Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash


(30,308)


4,522


Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period


168,730


183,729


Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period


$

138,422


$

188,251


 

 

 

2U, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
(unaudited)




The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss to adjusted net income for each of the periods indicated:






Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,




2017


2016


2017


2016




(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


Net loss


$

(11,754)


$

(8,337)


$

(15,193)


$

(11,717)


Adjustments:










Foreign currency loss


1,031



1,031



Stock-based compensation expense


5,495


3,976


9,390


7,520


Total adjustments


6,526


3,976


10,421


7,520


Adjusted net loss


$

(5,228)


$

(4,361)


$

(4,772)


$

(4,197)


Net loss per share (1)


$

(0.25)


$

(0.18)


$

(0.32)


$

(0.25)


Adjusted net loss per share (1)


$

(0.11)


$

(0.09)


$

(0.10)


$

(0.09)


Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, basic (1)



47,668,397



46,494,464



47,454,059



46,226,117

















(1)

The Company computes net loss per share and adjusted net loss per share using basic weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding.

 

 

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss to adjusted EBITDA (loss) for each of the periods indicated:






Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,




2017


2016


2017


2016




(in thousands)


Net loss


$

(11,754)


$

(8,337)


$

(15,193)


$

(11,717)


Adjustments:










Interest income


(53)


(91)


(249)


(183)


Interest expense


1


9


1


35


Foreign currency loss


1,031



1,031



Depreciation and amortization expense


3,783


2,377


7,431


4,526


Stock-based compensation expense


5,495


3,976


9,390


7,520


Total adjustments


10,257


6,271


17,604


11,898


Adjusted EBITDA (loss)


$

(1,497)


$

(2,066)


$

2,411


$

181



 

 

2U, Inc.
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
(unaudited)




The following table presents (i) a reconciliation of net loss guidance to adjusted net loss guidance and adjusted EBITDA (loss) guidance and (ii) a reconciliation of net loss per share guidance to adjusted net loss per share guidance, each at the midpoint of the ranges provided by the Company, for each of the periods indicated:






Three Months Ended
September 30, 2017


Year Ended
December 31, 2017




$


$/Share


$


$/Share




(in thousands, except per share amounts)


Net loss


$

(16,050)


$

(0.33)


$

(31,550)


$

(0.66)


    Foreign currency (gain) loss



*


1,050


0.02


    Stock-based compensation expense


6,350


0.13


21,850


0.46


Adjusted net loss


(9,700)


(0.20)


(8,650)


(0.18)


Net interest (income) expense


-


*


(200)


*


Depreciation and amortization expense


5,800


*


19,600


*


Adjusted EBITDA (loss)


$

(3,900)


$

*


$

10,750


$

*


Projected weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding, basic and diluted






48,000






47,800
















*        Not provided.














 

 

 

Key Financial Performance Metrics
(unaudited)


Platform Revenue Retention Rate


The following table sets forth our platform revenue retention rate for the periods presented, as well as the number of programs included in the platform revenue retention rate calculation.




Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,




2017


2016


2017


2016


Platform revenue retention rate


127.4

%

134.2

%

128.8

%

123.7

%

Number of programs included in comparison (1)


18


15


17


12












(1)

Reflects the number of programs operating both in the reported period and in the prior year comparative period.

 

 

 

Full Course Equivalent Enrollments


The following table sets forth the full course equivalent enrollments and average revenue per full course equivalent enrollment in our clients' programs for the last eight quarters.



Q3 '15

Q4 '15

Q1 '16

Q2  '16

Q3 '16

Q4 '16

Q1 '17

Q2 '17

Full course equivalent enrollments in

our clients' programs

13,840

16,530

17,709

18,823

19,126

21,686

23,857

23,903










Average revenue per full course

equivalent enrollment in our clients'

programs

$   2,680

$   2,617

$  2,679

$   2,609

$   2,717

$   2,645

$   2,717

$   2,719

 

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2u-inc-reports-second-quarter-2017-financial-results-300500578.html

SOURCE 2U, Inc.


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