e10vq
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008
OR
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o |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 000-52026
LOOPNET, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
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77-0463987
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
185 Berry Street, Suite 4000
San Francisco, CA 94107
(Address of principal executive offices)
(415) 243-4200
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for
such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer,
a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer o
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Accelerated filer þ
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Non-accelerated filer o
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Smaller reporting company o |
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company, as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
Yes o No þ
As of April 30, 2008, there were 35,726,298 shares of the registrants common stock outstanding.
LOOPNET, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
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December 31, |
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March 31, |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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(unaudited) |
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Assets |
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Current assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
104,564 |
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$ |
72,964 |
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Short-term investments |
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3,325 |
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3,304 |
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Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $105 and $119, respectively |
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1,190 |
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1,465 |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
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796 |
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756 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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298 |
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298 |
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Total current assets |
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110,173 |
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78,787 |
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Property and equipment, net |
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2,051 |
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1,936 |
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Goodwill |
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15,233 |
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15,090 |
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Intangibles, net |
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2,461 |
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2,347 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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5,196 |
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4,899 |
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Deposits and other noncurrent assets |
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2,245 |
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2,532 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
137,359 |
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$ |
105,591 |
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Liabilities and stockholders equity |
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Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable |
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$ |
828 |
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$ |
657 |
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Accrued compensation and benefits |
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2,479 |
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1,707 |
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Accrued liabilities |
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1,964 |
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1,315 |
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Income taxes payable |
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698 |
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2,362 |
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Deferred revenue |
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9,537 |
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10,314 |
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Total current liabilities |
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15,506 |
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16,355 |
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Commitments and contingencies |
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Stockholders equity: |
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Common stock, $.001 par value, 125,000,000 shares authorized;
38,908,302 and 39,004,633
shares issued, respectively; and 38,908,302 and 35,698,470
shares outstanding, respectively |
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39 |
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39 |
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Additional paid in capital |
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107,866 |
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109,594 |
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Other comprehensive loss |
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(103 |
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(157 |
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Treasury stock, at cost, 3,306,163 shares |
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(39,145 |
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Retained earnings |
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14,051 |
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18,905 |
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Total stockholders equity |
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121,853 |
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89,236 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
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$ |
137,359 |
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$ |
105,591 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
3
LOOPNET, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
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Three months ended March 31, |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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Revenues |
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$ |
15,515 |
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$ |
20,590 |
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Cost of revenue (1) |
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1,780 |
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2,414 |
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Gross margin |
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13,735 |
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18,176 |
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Operating expenses (1): |
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Sales and marketing |
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3,259 |
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4,841 |
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Technology and product development |
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1,350 |
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1,993 |
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General and administrative |
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2,569 |
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4,056 |
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Total operating expenses |
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7,178 |
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10,890 |
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Income from operations |
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6,557 |
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7,286 |
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Interest and other income, net |
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1,193 |
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975 |
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Income before tax |
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7,750 |
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8,261 |
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Income tax expense |
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3,201 |
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3,407 |
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Net income |
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$ |
4,549 |
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$ |
4,854 |
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Net income per share |
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Basic |
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$ |
0.12 |
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$ |
0.13 |
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Diluted |
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$ |
0.11 |
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$ |
0.12 |
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Weighted average shares |
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Basic |
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37,772 |
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37,460 |
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Diluted |
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40,488 |
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39,117 |
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(1) |
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Stock-based compensation is allocated as follows: |
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Cost of revenue |
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$ |
67 |
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$ |
115 |
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Sales and marketing |
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238 |
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553 |
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Technology and product development |
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91 |
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246 |
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General and administrative |
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159 |
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438 |
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Total |
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$ |
555 |
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$ |
1,352 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
4
LOOPNET, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(unaudited)
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Three months ended March 31, |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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Cash flows from operating activities: |
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Net income |
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$ |
4,549 |
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$ |
4,854 |
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Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
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Depreciation and amortization expense |
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178 |
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419 |
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Stock-based compensation |
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555 |
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1,352 |
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Tax benefits from exercise of stock options |
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(249 |
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Deferred income tax |
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155 |
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298 |
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Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
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Accounts receivable |
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(46 |
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(275 |
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Prepaid expenses and other assets |
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712 |
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104 |
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Income taxes payable |
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737 |
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1,913 |
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Accounts payable |
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116 |
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(171 |
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Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
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122 |
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652 |
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Accrued compensation and benefits |
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(850 |
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(773 |
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Deferred revenue |
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1,348 |
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777 |
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Net cash provided by operating activities |
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7,576 |
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8,901 |
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Cash flows from investing activities: |
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Purchase of property and equipment |
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(461 |
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(182 |
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Purchase of investments |
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(18,048 |
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(250 |
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Acquisition, net of acquired cash |
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(1,300 |
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Net cash used in investing activities |
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(18,509 |
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(1,732 |
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Cash flows from financing activities: |
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Net proceeds from exercise of stock options |
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270 |
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127 |
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Repurchase of common stock |
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(39,145 |
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Tax benefits from exercise of stock options |
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1,690 |
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249 |
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Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
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1,960 |
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(38,769 |
) |
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Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
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(8,973 |
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(31,600 |
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Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
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85,790 |
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104,564 |
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Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
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$ |
76,817 |
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$ |
72,964 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
5
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 Background and Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2008, the statements of
income for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2008 and the statements of cash flows for the
three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2008 are unaudited. These statements should be read in
conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes, together with
managements discussion and analysis of financial position and results of operations, contained in
the Companys annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP. In the opinion of the
Companys management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared
on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements in the Companys annual report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and include normal and recurring adjustments
necessary for the fair value presentation of the Companys financial position for the periods
presented. The results for the three months ended March 31, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of
the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2008.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at
the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS No. 157). SFAS No.
157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles,
clarifies the definition of fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS
No. 157 does not require any new fair value measurements. However, the application of SFAS No. 157
may change current practice for some entities. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements
issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal
years. The Company adopted this statement effective January 1, 2008 and management has determined
that there has been no significant impact on the Companys financial statements since its adoption.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and
Financial Liabilities (SFAS No.159) including an Amendment of FASB No. 151. Under SFAS No. 159,
the Company may elect to measure certain financial instruments and certain other items at fair
value. The standard requires that unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value
option has been elected be reported in earnings. SFAS No. 159 was effective for the Company
beginning in the first quarter of 2008. Currently, the Company does not have any instruments
eligible for election of the fair value option. Therefore, the adoption of SFAS No. 159 in the
first quarter of fiscal 2008 did not impact the Companys consolidated financial position, results
of operations or cash flows.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations (SFAS No. 141(R)).
This Statement provides greater consistency in the accounting and financial reporting of business
combinations. It requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all assets
acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction, establishes the acquisition-date fair value as
the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and requires the
acquiror to disclose the nature and financial effect of the business combination. SFAS No. 141(R)
is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company will adopt SFAS No.
141(R) no later than the first quarter of fiscal 2009 and we are currently assessing the impact the
adoption will have on our financial position and results of operations.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated
Financial Statements (SFAS No.160). This Statement amends Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51,
Consolidated Financial Statements, to establish accounting and reporting standards for the
noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS No. 160
is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company will adopt SFAS No.160
no later than the first quarter of fiscal 2009 and we are currently assessing the impact the
adoption will have on our financial position and results of operations.
6
Note 2 Earnings Per Share (EPS)
The share count used to compute basic and diluted net income per share is calculated as
follows (in thousands):
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31, |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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Weighted average common shares outstanding |
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37,772 |
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37,460 |
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Add dilutive common equivalents: |
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Stock options |
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2,343 |
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1,503 |
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Restricted stock units |
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3 |
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Unvested restricted stock (1) |
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373 |
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151 |
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Shares used to compute diluted net income per share |
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40,488 |
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39,117 |
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(1) |
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Outstanding unvested common stock purchased by employees is subject to
repurchase by the Company and therefore is not included in the
calculation of the weighted-average shares outstanding for basic
earnings per share. |
The following is a summary of the securities outstanding during the respective periods that
have been excluded from the calculations because the effect on earnings per share would have been
anti-dilutive (in thousands):
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31, |
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2007 |
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2008 |
Stock options |
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140 |
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1,498 |
|
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS (in thousands, except
in per share data):
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31, |
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2007 |
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2008 |
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Net income |
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$ |
4,549 |
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$ |
4,854 |
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding |
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37,772 |
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|
37,460 |
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Basic earnings per share |
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$ |
0.12 |
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$ |
0.13 |
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Calculation of diluted net income per share: |
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Net income |
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$ |
4,549 |
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$ |
4,854 |
|
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding |
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|
40,488 |
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|
39,117 |
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Diluted net income per share |
|
$ |
0.11 |
|
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$ |
0.12 |
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|
|
7
Note 3 Acquisitions
On August 2, 2007, the Company acquired all of the shares of capital stock (the
Acquisition) of Cityfeet.com Inc., a private company incorporated in Delaware
(Cityfeet), pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of August 2, 2007, by and
among the Company, the stockholders of Cityfeet, and Scripps Ventures II, LLC, as
Stockholder Representative, for a purchase price of $14.9 million net of acquired cash. In
addition, the Company was obligated to make additional cash payments up to $3.0 million if
certain performance targets were met, which would be treated as additional consideration for
the acquisition. On January 18, 2008, the Company made a $1.3 million cash payment to
settle the outstanding contingent payment.
Note 4 Stock-Based Compensation
In the first quarter of 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment (SFAS
123R), which revises SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS 123) and
supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees
(APB 25). SFAS 123R requires that share-based payment transactions with employees be recognized in
the financial statements based on their fair value and recognized as compensation expense over the
vesting period. Prior to SFAS 123R, the Company disclosed the pro forma effects of SFAS 123 under
the minimum value method. The Company adopted SFAS 123R effective January 1, 2006, prospectively
for new equity awards issued subsequent to January 1, 2006.
In connection with the adoption of SFAS 123R, the Company reviewed and updated, among other
things, its forfeiture rate, expected term and volatility assumptions. The weighted average
expected lives of the options for the three month period ended March 31, 2008 reflects the
application of the simplified method set out in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107 (SAB 107),
which was issued in March 2005. The simplified method defines the life as the average of the
contractual term of the options and the weighted average vesting period for all option tranches.
Estimated volatility for the three month period ended March 31, 2008 also reflects the application
of SAB 107 interpretive guidance and, accordingly, incorporates historical volatility of similar
companies whose share price is publicly available.
The fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes method
with the following assumptions:
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31, |
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|
2007 |
|
2008 |
Risk-free interest rate |
|
|
4.65 |
% |
|
|
2.75 |
% |
Expected volatility |
|
|
47 |
% |
|
|
41 |
% |
Expected life |
|
4.6 years |
|
4.6 years |
Dividend yield |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
The weighted-average fair value of options granted during the three month period ended March
31, 2007 and 2008 was $7.19 and $4.35, respectively, using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.
Total stock-based compensation has been allocated as follows (in thousands):
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|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
Cost of revenue |
|
$ |
67 |
|
|
$ |
115 |
|
Sales and marketing |
|
|
238 |
|
|
|
553 |
|
Technology and product development |
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
246 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
159 |
|
|
|
438 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
555 |
|
|
$ |
1,352 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8
Stock Plan Activity
Stock options and other equity awards are granted by the Company under its 2006 Equity
Incentive Plan. The 2006 Equity Incentive Plan became effective on June 9, 2006. Prior to that
date, stock options were granted under the Companys 2001 Stock Option Plan, which terminated on
June 9, 2006.
A summary of the Companys stock option activity is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options outstanding |
|
Options Exercisable |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
Remaining |
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
Remaining |
|
|
Number of |
|
Exercise |
|
Contractual |
|
Number of |
|
Exercise |
|
Contractual |
|
|
shares |
|
Price |
|
Life (Years) |
|
shares |
|
Price |
|
Life (Years) |
Outstanding at December 31, 2007 |
|
|
3,638,382 |
|
|
$ |
8.93 |
|
|
|
6.51 |
|
|
|
1,339,128 |
|
|
$ |
4.59 |
|
|
|
6.15 |
|
Granted |
|
|
1,129,496 |
|
|
$ |
11.39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercised |
|
|
(96,329 |
) |
|
$ |
12.27 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cancelled |
|
|
(73,977 |
) |
|
$ |
12.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at March 31, 2008 |
|
|
4,597,572 |
|
|
$ |
9.65 |
|
|
|
6.36 |
|
|
|
1,492,688 |
|
|
$ |
5.38 |
|
|
|
5.90 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A summary of the Companys unrestricted stock unit activity is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unvested Restricted Stock Units |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted |
|
Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
Remaining |
|
|
Number of |
|
Grant Date |
|
Contractual |
|
|
shares |
|
Fair Value |
|
Life (Years) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
Granted |
|
|
135,000 |
|
|
$ |
12.04 |
|
|
|
|
|
Vested |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cancelled |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at March 31, 2008 |
|
|
135,000 |
|
|
$ |
12.04 |
|
|
|
2.35 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 5 Income Taxes
The Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $3.4 million for the three month period
ended March 31, 2008, based upon a 41.2% effective tax rate. The effective tax rate is based upon
the Companys estimated fiscal 2008 income before the provision for income taxes. To the extent the
estimate of fiscal 2008 income before the provision for income taxes changes, the Companys
provision for income taxes will change as well.
Note 6 Stock Repurchases
On January 31, 2008, LoopNets Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $50.0
million of the Companys common stock. The stock repurchase program was announced on February 5,
2008. During the first quarter of 2008, the Company repurchased approximately 3.3 million shares at
an average price of $11.84 per share. As of March 31, 2008, $10.9 million remained available for
further purchases under the program.
These repurchased shares are recorded as treasury stock and are accounted for under the cost
method.
The stock repurchase program may be limited or terminated at any time without prior notice.
Stock repurchases under this program may be made through open market and privately negotiated
transactions at times and in such amounts as management deems appropriate and will be funded using
the Companys working capital. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a
variety of factors including corporate and regulatory requirements, price and other market
conditions. The program is intended to comply with the volume, timing and other limitations set
forth in Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
9
Note 7 Litigation and Other Contingencies
Litigation and Other Legal Matters
On November 15, 2007, the Company filed a lawsuit against CoStar Group, Inc. and CoStar Realty
Information, Inc. in the Superior Court for the State of California, County of Los Angeles,
asserting claims for breach of contract and unfair business practices arising out of CoStars
alleged unlawful use of data from the Companys Web site for competitive purposes. On or about
January 22, 2008, CoStar Group, Inc. and CoStar Realty Information, Inc. filed a Cross-Complaint
against the Company in that lawsuit, alleging that the Company breached a 2005 Settlement Agreement
between the Company and CoStar and CoStars terms of use, and asserting various state law causes of
action arising out of the Companys purported unlawful accessing of and use of data on CoStars Web
site. CoStars Cross-Complaint seeks unspecified damages and injunctive relief. On or about
February 22, 2008, the Company filed a special motion to strike CoStars Cross-Complaint and
dismiss all claims in that pleading. That motion was heard and taken under submission on March 17,
2008, and the parties are awaiting a ruling from the Court. The Company believes it has meritorious
defenses to CoStars claims and intends to vigorously defend itself against those claims.
On or about February 5, 2008, CoStar Group, Inc. filed a lawsuit against the Company in the
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging that the Company has engaged in
false advertising by misrepresenting the number of users of its Web site. The Complaint seeks
unspecified damages and injunctive relief. On or about March 27, 2008, the Company filed an Answer
to the Complaint in which it denied the material allegations of the Complaint and set forth various
affirmative defenses. Discovery in the action has not yet commenced. The Company believes it has
meritorious defenses to CoStars claims and intends to vigorously defend itself against those
claims.
On or about April 8, 2008, Real Estate Alliance Ltd. filed a lawsuit against the Company and
its subsidiary, Cityfeet.com Inc., in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of
California, Western Division, alleging that the Company and Cityfeet.com Inc. have infringed upon
certain patents of Real Estate Alliance Ltd. The Complaint seeks unspecified damages, injunctive
relief, attorneys fees and costs. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to Real Estate
Alliance Ltd.s claims and intends to vigorously defend itself against those claims.
Note 8 Subsequent Events
On April 7, 2008, the Company acquired all of the shares of capital stock (the Acquisition)
of REApplications, Inc., a private company incorporated in Delaware (REApps) pursuant to a Stock
Purchase Agreement dated as of April 7, 2008, by and among the Company and the shareholders of
REApps for a purchase price of $9.4 million.
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
You should read the following discussion and analysis by our management of our financial
condition and results of operations in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and
the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This discussion
and other parts of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contain forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of our plans, objectives, expectations and
intentions. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking
statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited
to, those discussed in Item 1A of Part II, Risk Factors.
Overview
We are a leading online marketplace for commercial real estate in the United States, based on
the number of monthly unique visitors to our marketplace, which averaged approximately 500,000
unique visitors per month during 2005, approximately 800,000 per month during 2006, approximately
900,000 per month during 2007, and approximately 950,000 per month during the first quarter of 2008
as reported by comScore Media Metrix. comScore Media Metrix defines a unique visitor as an
individual who visited any content of a website, a category, a channel, or an application. Our
online marketplace, available at www.LoopNet.com, enables commercial real estate agents, working on
behalf of property owners and landlords, to list properties for sale or for lease and submit
detailed information on property listings including qualitative descriptions, financial and tenant
information, photographs and key property characteristics in order to find a buyer or tenant. We
offer two types of memberships on the LoopNet online marketplace. Basic membership is available
free-of-charge, and enables members to experience some of the benefits of the LoopNet offering,
with limited functionality. LoopNet premium membership is available for a monthly subscription
fee and provides enhanced marketing exposure for property listings and full access to LoopNet
property listings, as well as numerous other features. The minimum term of a premium membership
subscription is one month.
We believe that the key metrics that are material to an analysis of our business are the number of
our registered members, the number of our premium members, the rate of conversion of our basic
members to premium members, the average monthly subscription price paid by our premium members and
the cancellation rate of our premium members. We also believe that the number of listings on our
marketplace and the
10
number of property profiles viewed by our registered members are key metrics, as they affect the
attractiveness of our website to current and potential customers. Our registered members has grown
from approximately 1.1 million registered members as of December 31, 2005, to over 1.7 million
registered members as of December 31, 2006, to over 2.5 million registered members as of December
31, 2007, and to over 2.7 million registered members as of March 31, 2008. Our base of premium
members has grown from over 57,000 premium members as of December 31, 2005, to over 78,000 premium
members as of December 31, 2006, and to over 88,000 premium members as of December 31, 2007 and
March 31, 2008. Historically, our average monthly rate of conversion of basic members to premium
members has been approximately five percent, and our average monthly cancellation rate for premium
members has ranged between three and five percent. We believe that a decline in the first quarter
of 2008 in our average monthly conversion rate to approximately 3.2% is attributable to an
increasing proportion of principals (i.e. investors and tenants) in our membership base, who
convert to premium membership at a lower rate than the professional agents and brokers in the
market, and an approximately 19% increase in the average monthly subscription prices which we
charge our premium members. During the current quarter the commercial real estate credit markets
continued to experience some degree of tightening as a result of the subprime issues affecting the
residential real estate credit markets. In the first quarter of 2008 our cancellation rate exceeded
our historical levels and we believe the increase is attributable to the credit tightening that the
commercial real estate industry experienced and the increase in the average subscription prices
which we charge our premium members. Given the current market conditions we are experiencing, we
believe our monthly cancellation rate during the remainder of 2008 will range from 4.5% to 6.5%.
The average monthly subscription price paid by our premium members has increased from $44.96 in the
fourth quarter of 2005, to $47.26 in the fourth quarter of 2006, to $56.00 in the fourth quarter of
2007 and to $59.20 in the first quarter of 2008. We anticipate that the average subscription price
for our premium members will continue to rise, which may in turn drive slower acquisition of new
premium members and increased cancellations of existing premium memberships. Premium membership
fees have driven the majority of our growth in revenues since 2001 and were the source of
approximately 80% of our revenues in 2005 and 2006, 77% of our revenue in 2007, and 76% of our
revenue in the three month period ended March 31, 2008. The number of listings on our marketplace
has grown from approximately 335,000 as of December 31, 2005, to approximately 460,000 as of
December 31, 2006, to approximately 560,000 as of December 31, 2007, and to approximately 596,000
as of March 31, 2008. The number of property profiles that were viewed by our registered members
increased from 38.3 million in the first quarter of 2007 to 44.2 million in the first quarter of
2008.
Our Revenues and Expenses
Our primary sources of revenues are:
|
|
|
LoopNet premium membership fees; |
|
|
|
|
BizBuySell BrokerWorks membership fees and paid listings; |
|
|
|
|
advertising on, and lead generation from, our marketplaces, |
|
|
|
|
LoopLink product license fees; and |
|
|
|
|
LoopNet RecentSales membership fees. |
Our revenues have grown significantly in the past three years from $31.0 million in 2005, to
$48.4 million in 2006, and to $70.7 million in 2007. We had revenues of $20.6 million in the three
month period ended March 31, 2008. We have been profitable and cash flow positive each quarter
since the second quarter of 2003. The key factors influencing our growth in revenues are:
|
|
|
the increased adoption of our premium membership services by the commercial real estate industry; |
|
|
|
|
increases in the average monthly subscription price of our premium membership product; |
|
|
|
|
the increased adoption of our RecentSales services by the commercial real estate industry; and |
|
|
|
|
our acquisition of BizBuySell in October, 2004, and the increased adoption of our services by
the operating business for sale industry. |
Our ability to continue to grow our revenues will largely depend on our ability to expand the
number of users of www.LoopNet.com and www.BizBuySell.com and to convince those users to upgrade to
our paid services, especially premium membership. As noted below, we anticipate that revenues will
not increase in the future at the same percentage rate as in previous periods.
We derive the substantial majority of our revenues from customers that pay monthly fees for a
suite of services to market and search for commercial real estate and operating businesses. The fee
for our LoopNet premium membership averaged $59.20 per month during the first quarter of 2008. The
minimum term of a premium membership subscription is one month. We also offer quarterly and annual
memberships
11
which are priced and discounted accordingly, and paid in advance for the subscription
period. A customer choosing to cancel a discounted annual or quarterly membership will receive a
refund based on the number of months the membership was used and charging the customer at the
monthly rate rather than at the discounted quarterly or annual rates. We also license our LoopLink
product to commercial real estate brokerage firms who pay a monthly, quarterly or annual fee. For
our BrokerWorks product at BizBuySell, we charge $49.95 per month. We also charge fees associated
with marketing individual businesses listed on BizBuySell. For our RecentSales product, we charge
$29.95 per month or $1.95 to $3.95 for an individual transaction.
Revenues from other sources include advertising and lead generation revenues from both our
LoopNet and BizBuySell marketplaces, which are recognized ratably over the period in which the
advertisement is displayed, provided that no significant obligations remain and collection of the
resulting receivable is probable. Advertising rates are dependent on the services provided and the
placement of the advertisements. To date, the duration of our advertising commitments has generally
averaged two to three months.
The largest component of our expenses is personnel costs. Personnel costs consist of salaries,
benefits and incentive compensation for our employees, including commissions for salespeople. These
expenses are categorized in our statements of operations based on each employees principal
function.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States. The preparation of these consolidated financial
statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets, liabilities, revenues, costs and expenses and related disclosures. On an ongoing basis, we
evaluate our estimates and assumptions. Accordingly, our actual results may differ from these
estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial
statements included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Seasonality and Cyclicality
The commercial real estate market is influenced by annual seasonality factors, as well as by
overall economic cycles. The market is large and fragmented, and different segments of the industry
are influenced differently by various factors. Broadly speaking, the commercial real estate
industry has two major components: tenants leasing space from owners or landlords, and the
investment market for buying and selling properties.
We have experienced seasonality in our business in the past, and expect to continue to
experience it in the future. While individual geographic markets vary, commercial real estate
transaction activity is fairly consistent throughout the year, with the exception of a slow-down
during the end-of-year holiday period. The impact that this has had on our business is that the
growth rate in the fourth quarter of each year, while positive, has been slower than in the first
three quarters of each year. We expect this pattern to continue.
The commercial real estate industry has historically experienced cyclicality. The different
segments of the industry, such as office, industrial, retail, multi-family, and others, are
influenced differently by different factors, and have historically moved through cycles with
different timing. The for lease and for sale components of the market also do not necessarily
move on the same timing cycle. During the second half of 2007 and the first quarter of 2008 the
commercial real estate credit markets experienced some degree of tightening as a result of the
subprime issues affecting the residential real estate credit markets. We believe the credit
tightening caused our premium membership cancellation rates to exceed our historical levels during
the first quarter of 2008.
12
Results of Operations
The following table presents our historical operating results as a percentage of revenues for
the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended March 31, |
|
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
|
(unaudited) |
Revenues |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
Cost of revenue |
|
|
11.5 |
|
|
|
11.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross margin |
|
|
88.5 |
|
|
|
88.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales and marketing |
|
|
21.0 |
|
|
|
23.5 |
|
Technology and product development |
|
|
8.7 |
|
|
|
9.7 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
16.6 |
|
|
|
19.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
46.3 |
|
|
|
52.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations |
|
|
42.3 |
|
|
|
35.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest and other income, net |
|
|
7.7 |
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before tax |
|
|
50.0 |
|
|
|
40.1 |
|
Income tax expense |
|
|
20.6 |
|
|
|
16.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
|
29.3 |
% |
|
|
23.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comparison of Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2008
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent |
|
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
Increase |
|
Change |
|
|
(dollars in thousands) |
Revenues |
|
$ |
15,515 |
|
|
$ |
20,590 |
|
|
$ |
5,075 |
|
|
|
32.7 |
% |
Premium members at March 31 |
|
|
84,483 |
|
|
|
88,226 |
|
|
|
3,743 |
|
|
|
4.4 |
% |
The increase in revenues was due largely to an increase of approximately 19.0% in the average
monthly price of a premium membership, as well as increased adoption of our premium membership
product.
We anticipate that revenues will not increase in the future at the same percentage rate as in
previous periods, as a result of the larger revenue base and the current market conditions we are
experiencing.
Cost of Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent |
|
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
Increase |
|
Change |
|
|
(dollars in thousands) |
Cost of revenues |
|
$ |
1,780 |
|
|
$ |
2,414 |
|
|
$ |
634 |
|
|
|
35.6 |
% |
Percentage of revenues |
|
|
11.5 |
% |
|
|
11.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of revenues consists of the expenses associated with the operation of our website,
including depreciation of network infrastructure equipment, salaries and benefits of network
operations personnel, Internet connectivity and hosting costs. Cost of revenues also includes
salaries and benefits expenses associated with our data quality, data import and customer support
personnel and credit card and other transaction fees relating to processing customer transactions.
The increase in cost of revenues was due to an increase in salaries and benefit costs related
to an increase in the number of data quality, data import and customer support personnel, which was
required in order to support our increased property listing and user activity. Also contributing to
the increased cost of revenues was higher credit card fees due to the growth in revenues.
We expect cost of revenues to increase in absolute dollar amounts and potentially as a
percentage of revenues, as we continue to expand our business and absorb the recent acquisition of
REApplications, Inc. (see Note 8 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for a
description of this acquisition).
13
Sales and Marketing
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent |
|
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
Increase |
|
Change |
|
|
(dollars in thousands) |
Sales and marketing |
|
$ |
3,259 |
|
|
$ |
4,841 |
|
|
$ |
1,582 |
|
|
|
48.5 |
% |
Percentage of revenues |
|
|
21.0 |
% |
|
|
23.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales and marketing expenses consist of the compensation and associated costs for sales and
marketing personnel, advertising, public relations and other promotional activities.
The increase in sales and marketing expenses was due largely to an increase in the number of
sales personnel and increased commissions paid as a result of growth in our revenues. Additionally,
advertising costs were higher, primarily to attract new members to our online marketplace. Also
contributing to the increase was higher stock-based compensation, which increased to $553,000 in
the first quarter of 2008 compared to $238,000 in the first quarter of 2007.
We expect sales and marketing expenses to increase in absolute dollar amounts, and potentially
as a percentage of revenues, as we continue to expand our marketing programs to attract and retain
premium members and launch and support new products and services.
Technology and Product Development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent |
|
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
Increase |
|
Change |
|
|
(dollars in thousands) |
Technology and product development |
|
$ |
1,350 |
|
|
$ |
1,993 |
|
|
$ |
643 |
|
|
|
47.6 |
% |
Percentage of revenues |
|
|
8.7 |
% |
|
|
9.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Technology and product development costs include expenses for the research and development of
new product enhancements and services, as well as improvements to and maintenance of existing
products and services.
The increase in technology and product development expenses was due primarily to increases in
salaries and related costs associated with an increase in headcount to assist in the launch of new
product enhancements and services and the maintenance of our existing services. Also contributing
to the increase was higher stock-based compensation, which increased to $246,000 in the first
quarter of 2008 compared to $91,000 in the first quarter of 2007.
We expect technology and product development expenses to increase in absolute dollar amounts
and potentially as a percentage of revenues as we hire more personnel and continue to build the
infrastructure required to support the development of new products and services.
General and Administrative
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent |
|
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
Increase |
|
Change |
|
|
(dollars in thousands) |
General and administrative |
|
$ |
2,569 |
|
|
$ |
4,056 |
|
|
$ |
1,487 |
|
|
|
57.9 |
% |
Percentage of revenues |
|
|
16.6 |
% |
|
|
19.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and related expenses for
executive, accounting, billing and human resources personnel. These costs also include insurance
and professional fees, rent and related expenses. Professional fees primarily consist of outside
legal and audit fees.
The increase in general and administrative expenses was due primarily to higher office rent
associated with our growth in personnel, increased salaries and higher legal fees associated with
litigation matters (see Note 7 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for a description
on litigation matters). Also contributing to the increase was higher stock-based compensation, which
increased to $438,000 in the first quarter of 2008 compared to $159,000 in the first quarter of
2007.
We expect general and administrative expenses to increase in absolute dollar amounts and
potentially as a percentage of revenues as we continue to absorb the expenses associated with being
a public company and incur additional litigation related costs.
Interest Income
Interest and other income decreased by $218,000 to $975,000 in the three months ended March
31, 2008, from $1,193,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2007. This decrease was due to lower cash
equivalents and short-term investments and lower interest rates. As of March 31, 2008, we held
$76.3 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, compared to $98.1 million in
cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of March 31, 2007.
14
Income Taxes
We recorded a provision for income taxes of $3.4 million for the three month period ended
March 31, 2008, based upon a 41.2% effective tax rate for the full year of 2008. The effective tax
rate is based upon our estimated fiscal 2008 income before the provision for income taxes. To the
extent the estimate of fiscal 2008 income before the provision for income taxes changes, our
provision for income taxes will change as well.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The following table summarizes our cash flows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
2007 |
|
2008 |
|
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
(in thousands) |
Cash flow data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash provided by operating activities |
|
$ |
7,576 |
|
|
$ |
8,901 |
|
Cash used in investing activities |
|
|
(18,509 |
) |
|
|
(1,732 |
) |
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
|
|
1,960 |
|
|
|
(38,769 |
) |
From our incorporation in 1997 until the first quarter of 2003, we financed our operations
through private placements of our capital stock and cash acquired in the July, 2001 merger with
PropertyFirst.com, Inc. Since the first quarter of 2003, we have financed our operations through
cash flow that we generate from our operations. On June 12, 2006, we completed the initial public
offering of our stock, resulting in net proceeds of $42.3 million.
As of March 31, 2008, our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $76.3
million, compared to $98.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of March
31, 2007.
Cash equivalents and short-term investments consist of money market funds, and debt securities
that we classify as available for sale. Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash, cash
equivalents and short-term investments, as well as the cash flow that we generate from our
operations. We do not currently have any commercial debt or posted letters of credit.
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities primarily consists of net income adjusted for
certain non-cash items, including depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, and the
effect of changes in working capital. Net cash provided by operating activities was $7.6 million and $8.9
million in the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2008, respectively. The increase in cash
provided by operating activities in the three month period ended March 31, 2008 compared to the
three month period ended March 31, 2007 was primarily due to increased net income generated by the
company and increases in deferred revenue related to prepaid subscriptions. The increase in net
income is primarily related to higher revenue, due primarily to higher average monthly prices for
our premium membership product and to increased adoption of our premium membership product. The
increase in deferred revenue is primarily related to an increase in the number of premium members
who have prepaid for quarterly or annual subscriptions.
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2008 of $1.7 million was
attributable to a $1.3 million contingent purchase price payment related to the August 2007
acquisition of CityFeet.com, the purchase of investments of $250,000, and capital
expenditures of $182,000 for the purchase of computer equipment.
Cash used in investing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2007 of $18.5 million
was attributable to the purchase of investments of $18.0 million and capital
expenditures of $461,000 for the purchase of computer equipment, office equipment and furniture and
leasehold improvements.
Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2008 of $38.8 million
was primarily attributable to the Companys stock repurchases in the amount of $39.1 million
partially offset by $127,000 of proceeds from the exercise of stock options and a $249,000 tax
benefit from the exercise of stock options.
Cash provided by financing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2007 of $2.0 million
consisted of $300,000 of proceeds from the exercise of stock options and a $1.7 million tax benefit
from the exercise of stock options.
15
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal while at the same
time maximizing yields without significantly increasing risk. To achieve this objective, we invest
in short-term, high- quality, interest-bearing securities. Our investments in debt securities are
subject to interest rate risk. To minimize our exposure to an adverse shift in interest rates, we
invest in short-term securities and maintain an average maturity of one year or less. If interest
rates were to instantaneously increase or decrease by 100 basis points, the change in the fair
market value of our short-term investment would not be a material amount to our financial
statements. There have not been any material changes during the period covered by this Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q to our primary market risk exposures, or how these exposures are managed.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. Under the supervision and with
the participation of our Companys management, including the Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer, the Company has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and
operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by
this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, the Companys Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures
are designed at a reasonable assurance level and are effective to provide reasonable
assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit
under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time
periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such
information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding
required disclosure.
(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There was no change in our
internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to
materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
On November 15, 2007, the Company filed a lawsuit against CoStar Group, Inc. and CoStar Realty
Information, Inc. in the Superior Court for the State of California, County of Los Angeles,
asserting claims for breach of contract and unfair business practices arising out of CoStars
alleged unlawful use of data from the Companys Web site for competitive purposes. On or about
January 22, 2008, CoStar Group, Inc. and CoStar Realty Information, Inc. filed a Cross-Complaint
against the Company in that lawsuit, alleging that the Company breached a 2005 Settlement Agreement
between the Company and CoStar and CoStars terms of use, and asserting various state law causes of
action arising out of the Companys purported unlawful accessing of and use of data on CoStars Web
site. CoStars Cross-Complaint seeks unspecified damages and injunctive relief. On or about
February 22, 2008, the Company filed a special motion to strike CoStars Cross-Complaint and
dismiss all claims in that pleading. That motion was heard and taken under submission on March 17,
2008, and the parties are awaiting a ruling from the Court. The Company believes it has meritorious
defenses to CoStars claims and intends to vigorously defend itself against those claims.
On or about February 5, 2008, CoStar Group, Inc. filed a lawsuit against the Company in the
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging that the Company has engaged in
false advertising by misrepresenting the number of users of its Web site. The Complaint seeks
unspecified damages and injunctive relief. On or about March 27, 2008, the Company filed an Answer
to the Complaint in which it denied the material allegations of the Complaint and set forth various
affirmative defenses. Discovery in the action has not yet commenced. The Company believes it has
meritorious defenses to CoStars claims and intends to vigorously defend itself against those
claims.
On or about April 8, 2008, Real Estate Alliance Ltd. filed a lawsuit against the Company and
its subsidiary, Cityfeet.com Inc., in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of
California, Western Division, alleging that the Company and Cityfeet.com Inc. have infringed upon
certain patents of Real Estate Alliance Ltd. The Complaint seeks unspecified damages, injunctive
relief, attorneys fees and costs. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to Real Estate
Alliance Ltd.s claims and intends to vigorously defend itself against those claims.
16
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
We have updated the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I Item 1A of our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on March 4, 2008. We do not believe any of the changes constitute material changes from
the risk factors previously disclosed.
Because of the following factors, as well as other variables affecting our operating results
and financial condition, past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future
performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future
periods.
Risks Related to Our Business
Our business is largely based on a subscription model, and accordingly, any failure to increase the
number of our customers or retain existing customers could cause our revenues to decline.
Our customers include premium members of our LoopNet marketplace, LoopLink users, users of our
BizBuySell marketplace, RecentSales subscribers, and advertising and lead generation customers.
Most of our revenues are generated by subscription fees paid by our premium members. Our growth
depends in large part on increasing the number of our free basic members and then converting them
into paying premium members, as well as retaining existing premium members. Either category of
members may decide not to continue to use our services in favor of alternate services or because of
budgetary constraints or other reasons. Historically, the overall conversion ratio of premium
members to basic members on LoopNet has been approximately five percent, and our average monthly
cancellation rate for premium members has ranged between three and five percent. We believe that a
decline in the first quarter of 2008 in our basic to premium conversion rate to approximately 3.2%
is attributable to an increasing proportion of principals (i.e., investors and tenants) in our
membership base, who convert to premium membership at a lower rate than the professional agents and
brokers in the market, and an approximately 19% increase in the average subscription prices which
we charge our premium members. During the current quarter the commercial real estate credit markets
experienced further tightening as a result of the subprime issues affecting the residential real
estate credit markets. In the first quarter of 2008 our cancellation rate exceeded our historical
levels and we believe the increase is attributable to the credit tightening that the commercial
real estate industry experienced and the increase in the average subscription prices which we
charge our premium members. Given the current market conditions we are experiencing we believe our
monthly cancellation rate for the remainder of 2008 will range from 4.5% to 6.5%.
We anticipate that the average subscription price for our premium members will continue to
rise, which may in turn drive slower acquisition of new premium members and increased cancellations
of existing premium memberships. While we believe that the increase in revenues attributable to the
higher average subscription price will offset any slowing of or decline in our acquisition of
premium members, we cannot assure you that such an offset will in fact occur. If our existing
members choose not to use our services, decrease their use of our services, or change from being
premium members to basic members, or we are unable to attract new members, listings on our site
could be reduced, search activity on our website could decline, the usefulness of our services
could be diminished, and we could incur significant expenses and/or experience declining revenues.
The value of our marketplace to our customers is dependent on increasing the number of
property listings provided by and searches conducted by our members. To grow our marketplace, we
must convince prospective members to use our services. Prospective members may not be familiar with
our services and may be accustomed to using traditional methods of listing, searching, marketing
and advertising commercial real estate. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in
continuing to acquire more members, in continuing to convert free basic members into paying premium
members or that our future sales efforts in general will be effective. Further, it is difficult to
estimate the total number of active commercial real estate agents, property owners, landlords,
buyers and tenants in the United States during any given period. As a result, we do not know the
extent to which we have penetrated this market. If we reach the point at which we have attempted to
sell our services to a significant majority of commercial real estate transaction participants in
the United States, we will need to seek additional products and markets in order to maintain our
rate of growth of revenues and profitability.
We rely on our marketing efforts to generate new registered members. If our marketing efforts are
ineffective, we could fail to attract new registered members, which could reduce the attractiveness
of our marketplace to current and potential customers and lead to a reduction in our revenues.
We believe that the attractiveness of our services and products to our current and potential
customers increases as we attract additional members who provide additional property listings or
conduct searches on our marketplace. This is because an increase in the number of our members and
the number of listings on our website increases the utility of our website and of its associated
search, listing and marketing services. In order to attract new registered members, we rely on our
marketing efforts, such as word-of-mouth referrals, direct marketing, online and traditional
advertising, sponsoring and attending local industry association events, and attending and
exhibiting at industry trade
shows and conferences. There is no guarantee that our marketing efforts will be effective. If
we are unable to effectively market our products and services to new customers, or convert existing
basic members into premium members, and we are not able to offset any decline in our rate of
conversion of basic members to premium members with higher average subscription prices, our
revenues and operating results could decline as a result of current premium members failing to
renew their premium memberships and potential premium members failing to become premium members.
17
We may be unable to compete successfully with our current or future competitors.
The market to provide listing, searching and marketing services to the commercial real estate
industry is highly competitive and fragmented, with limited barriers to entry. Our current or new
competitors may adopt certain aspects of our business model, which could reduce our ability to
differentiate our services. All of the services which we provide to our customers, including
property and business listing, searching, and marketing services, are provided separately or in
combination to our current or potential customers by other companies that compete with us. These
companies, or new market entrants, will continue to compete with us. Listings in the commercial
real estate industry are not marketed exclusively through any single channel, and accordingly our
competition could aggregate a set of listings similar to ours. Increased competition could result
in a reduction in our revenues or our rate of acquisition of new customers, or loss of existing
customers or market share, any of which would harm our business, operating results and financial
condition.
We compete with CoStar Group, Inc., a provider of information and research services to the
commercial real estate market. Some of the services that CoStar offers directly compete with our
product offering. For example, CoStar provides commercial real estate for sale and for lease
property listings which compete directly with our online commercial real estate marketplace.
Several companies, such as Property Line International, Inc., have created online property
listing services that compete with us. These companies aggregate property listings obtained through
various sources, including from commercial real estate agents. In addition, newspapers typically
include on their websites listings of commercial real estate for sale and for lease. If our current
or potential customers choose to use these services rather than ours, demand for our services could
decline.
Additionally, the National Association of REALTORS®, or NAR, its local boards of REALTORS®,
its various affiliates, and other third parties have in the past created, and they or others may in
the future create, commercial real estate information and listing services. These services could
provide commercial real estate for sale and for lease property listings which compete directly with
our online commercial real estate marketplace. If they succeed in attracting a significant number
of commercial real estate transaction participants, demand for our services may decrease.
Large Internet companies that have large user bases and significantly greater financial,
technical and marketing resources than we do, such as eBay Inc. and craigslist, Inc., provide
commercial real estate listing or advertising services in addition to a wide variety of other
products or services. eBay and craigslist operate real estate listing services which include
commercial real estate and operating businesses. Other large Internet companies, such as Google,
Yahoo! and Microsoft, have classified listing services which could be used to market and search for
commercial real estate property listings. Competition by these companies could reduce demand for
our services or require us to make additional expenditures, either of which could reduce our
profitability.
If we are unable to obtain or retain listings from commercial real estate brokers, agents, and
property owners, our marketplace could be less attractive to current or potential customers, which
could result in a reduction in our revenues.
Our success depends substantially on the number of commercial real estate property listings
submitted by brokers, agents and property owners to our online marketplace. The number of listings
on our marketplace has grown from approximately 224,000 as of December 31, 2003, to approximately
460,000 as of December 31, 2006, to approximately 560,000 as of December 31, 2007, and as of March
31, 2008 we had approximately 596,000 listings. If agents marketing large numbers of property
listings, such as large brokers in key real estate markets, choose not to continue their listings
with us, or choose to list them with a competitor, our website would be less attractive to other
real estate industry transaction participants, thus resulting in cancelled premium memberships,
failure to attract and retain new members, or failure to attract advertising and lead generation
revenues.
Our operating results and revenues are subject to fluctuations that may cause our stock price to
decline, and our quarterly financial results may be subject to seasonality, each of which could
cause our stock price to decline.
Our revenues, expenses and operating results have fluctuated in the past and are likely to
continue to do so in the future. Our revenues, expenses and operating results may fluctuate from
quarter to quarter due to factors including those described below and elsewhere in this Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q:
|
|
|
rates of member adoption and retention; |
|
|
|
|
changes in our pricing strategy and timing of changes; |
|
|
|
|
changes in our marketing or other corporate strategies; |
|
|
|
|
our introduction of new products and services or changes to existing products and services; |
18
|
|
|
the amount and timing of our operating expenses and capital expenditures; |
|
|
|
|
the amount and timing of non-cash stock-based charges; |
|
|
|
|
the amount and timing of litigation related expenses; |
|
|
|
|
costs related to acquisitions of businesses or technologies; and |
|
|
|
|
other factors outside of our control. |
Our results of operations could vary significantly from quarter to quarter due to the seasonal
nature of the commercial real estate industry. The timing of widely observed holidays and vacation
periods, particularly slow downs during the end-of-year holiday period, and availability of real
estate agents and related service providers during these periods, could significantly affect our
quarterly operating results during that period. For example, we have historically experienced a
significant decline in the rate of growth of both new memberships and revenues during the fourth
quarter.
These fluctuations or seasonality effects could negatively affect our results of operations
during the period in question and/or future periods or cause our stock price to decline.
Our revenues, expenses and operating results could be affected by general economic conditions
or by changes in commercial real estate markets, which are cyclical.
Our business is sensitive to trends in the general economy and trends in commercial real
estate markets, which are unpredictable. Therefore, our operating results, to the extent they
reflect changes in the broader commercial real estate industry, may be subject to significant
fluctuations. A number of factors could have an effect on the commercial real estate industry, such
as:
|
|
|
periods of economic slowdown or recession globally, in the United States or locally; |
|
|
|
|
inflation; |
|
|
|
|
flows of capital into or out of real estate investment in the United States or various regions of the United States; |
|
|
|
|
rates of unemployment; |
|
|
|
|
interest rates; |
|
|
|
|
the availability and cost of capital; |
|
|
|
|
wage and salary levels; or |
|
|
|
|
concerns about any of the foregoing. |
We believe that the commercial real estate industry is composed of many submarkets, each of
which is influenced differently, and often in opposite ways, by various economic factors. We
believe that commercial real estate submarkets can be differentiated based on factors such as
geographic location, value of properties, whether properties are sold or leased, and other factors.
Each such submarket may be affected differently by, among other things:
|
|
|
economic slowdown or recession; |
|
|
|
|
changes in levels of rent or appreciation of asset values; |
|
|
|
|
changing interest rates; |
|
|
|
|
tax and accounting policies; |
|
|
|
|
the availability and cost of capital; |
19
|
|
|
costs of construction; |
|
|
|
|
increased unemployment; |
|
|
|
|
lower consumer confidence; |
|
|
|
|
lower wage and salary levels; |
|
|
|
|
war, terrorist attacks or natural disasters; or |
|
|
|
|
the public perception that any of these conditions may occur. |
For example, as of March 31, 2008, more than 27% of our premium members were based in
California and more than 12% were based in Florida. Negative conditions in these or other
significant commercial real estate submarkets could disproportionately affect our business as
compared to competitors who have less or different geographic concentrations of their customers.
Additionally, negative general economic conditions could reduce the overall amount of sale and
leasing activity in the commercial real estate industry, and hence the demand for our services.
Events such as a war or a significant terrorist attack are also likely to affect the general
economy, and could cause a slowdown in the commercial real estate industry and therefore reduce
utilization of our marketplace, which could reduce our revenue from premium members. In addition,
the occurrence of any of the events listed above could increase our need to make significant
expenditures to continue to attract customers to our marketplace.
If we are unable to introduce new or upgraded services or products that our customers
recognize as valuable, we may fail to attract new customers or retain existing customers.
Our efforts to develop new and upgraded products and services could require us to incur
significant costs.
To continue to attract new members to our online marketplace, we may need to continue to
introduce new products or services. We may choose to develop new products and services
independently or choose to license or otherwise integrate content and data from third parties. For
example, in early 2006 we introduced our RecentSales product and aerial imagery MapSearch feature
to address perceived customer needs and to add additional searching enhancements, both of which
utilize content and technology licensed from third parties. The introduction of these improvements
imposed costs on our business and required the use of our resources, and there is no guarantee that
we will continue to be able to access these technologies and content on commercially reasonable
terms or at all. If customers or potential customers do not recognize the value of our new services
or enhancements to existing services, they might choose not to become premium members or to
otherwise utilize our marketplace.
Developing and delivering these new or upgraded services or products may impose costs and
require the attention of our product and technology department and management. This process is
costly, and we may experience difficulties in developing and delivering these new or upgraded
services or products. In addition, successfully launching and selling a new service or product will
require the use of our sales and marketing resources. Efforts to enhance and improve the ease of
use, responsiveness, functionality and features of our existing products and
services have inherent risks, and we may not be able to manage these product developments and
enhancements successfully. If we are unable to continue to develop new or upgraded services or
products, then our customers may choose not to use our products or services.
We may be unable to effectively manage our growth.
As our operations have expanded, and as the result of acquisitions of other companies, we have
experienced rapid growth in our headcount. Our overall employee base has grown from 71 employees as
of December 31, 2003 to 266 employees as of December 31, 2007, and we had 265 employees as of March
31, 2008. We expect to continue to increase headcount in the future. Our rapid growth has demanded,
and will continue to demand, substantial resources and attention from our management. We will need
to continue to hire additional qualified software engineers, client and account services personnel,
and sales and marketing staff, and improve and maintain our technology to properly manage our
growth. If we do not effectively manage our growth, our customer service and responsiveness could
suffer and our costs could increase, which could harm our brand, increase our expenses, and reduce
our profitability.
We could face liability for information on our website.
We provide information on our website, including commercial real estate listings, that is
submitted by our customers and third parties. We also allow third parties to advertise their
products and services on our website and include links to third-party websites. We could be exposed
to liability with respect to this information. Customers could assert that information concerning
them on our website contains errors or omissions and third parties could seek damages for losses
incurred if they rely upon incorrect information provided by our customers or advertisers. We could
also be subject to claims that the persons posting information on our website do not have the right
to post such information or are infringing the rights of third parties. For example, in 1999 CoStar
sued us, claiming that we had directly and indirectly infringed their
20
copyrights in photographs by
permitting our members to post those photographs on our website. Although the court issued rulings
that were favorable to us in that litigation, other persons might assert similar or other claims in
the future. Among other things, we might be subject to claims that by directly or indirectly
providing links to websites operated by third parties, we would be liable for wrongful actions by
the third parties operating those websites. Even if these claims do not result in liability to us,
we could incur significant costs in investigating and defending against these claims.
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act, or DMCA, allows copyright owners to obtain subpoenas
compelling disclosure by an Internet service provider of the names of customers of that Internet
service provider. We have been served with such subpoenas in the past, and may in the future be
served with additional such subpoenas. Compliance with subpoenas under the DMCA may divert our
resources, including the attention of our management, which could impede our ability to operate our
business.
Our potential liability for information on our websites or distributed by us to others could
require us to implement additional measures to reduce our exposure to such liability, which may
require us to expend substantial resources and limit the attractiveness of our online marketplace
to users. Our general liability insurance may not cover all potential claims to which we are
exposed and may not be adequate to indemnify us for all liability that may be imposed.
If we are unable to convince commercial real estate brokers and other commercial real estate
professionals that our services and products are superior to traditional methods of listing,
searching, and marketing commercial real estate, they could choose not to use our
marketplace, which could reduce our revenues or increase our expenses.
A primary source of new customers for us is the commercial real estate professional community.
Many commercial real estate professionals are used to listing, searching and marketing real estate
in traditional ways, such as through the distribution of print brochures, sharing of written lists,
placing signs on properties, word-of-mouth, and newspaper advertisements. Commercial real estate
professionals may prefer to continue to use traditional methods or may be slow to adopt our
products and services. If we are not able to continue to persuade commercial real estate
professionals of the efficacy of our products and services, they may choose not to use our
marketplace, which could reduce our revenues. In addition, we could be required to increase our
marketing and other expenditures to continue our efforts to attract these potential customers.
Our business depends on retaining and attracting capable management and operating personnel.
Our success depends in large part on our ability to retain and attract high-quality management
and operating personnel, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of
Directors, Richard J. Boyle, Jr.; our President and Chief Operating Officer, Thomas Byrne;
our Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration, Brent
Stumme; our Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, Jason
Greenman; and our Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President, Information Technology, Wayne
Warthen. Our business plan was developed in large part by our senior-level officers, and its
implementation requires their skills and knowledge. We may not be able to offset the impact on our
business of the loss of the services of Mr. Boyle or other key officers or employees. We have no
employment agreements that prevent any of our key personnel from terminating their employment at
any time, and we do not maintain any key-person life insurance for any of our personnel.
Furthermore, our business requires skilled technical, management, product and technology, and
sales and marketing personnel, who are in high demand and are often subject to competing offers.
Competition for qualified employees is intense in our industry, and the loss of a substantial
number of qualified employees, or an inability to attract, retain and motivate additional highly
skilled employees required for the expansion of our activities, could harm our business. To retain
and attract key personnel, we use various measures, including an equity incentive program and
incentive bonuses for key executive officers and other employees. These measures may not be enough
to attract and retain the personnel we require to execute our business plan.
If we fail to protect confidential information against security breaches, or if our members
or potential members are reluctant to use our marketplace because of privacy concerns, we
might face additional costs, and activity in our marketplace could decline.
As part of our membership registration process, we collect, use and disclose personally
identifiable information, including names, addresses, phone numbers, credit card numbers and email
addresses. Our policies concerning the collection, use and disclosure of personally identifiable
information are described on our websites. While we believe that our policies are appropriate and
that we are in compliance with our policies, we could be subject to legal claims, government action
or harm to our reputation if actual practices fail to comply or are seen as failing to comply with
our policies or with local, state or federal laws concerning personally identifiable information or
if our policies are inadequate to protect the personally identifiable information that we collect.
Concern among prospective customers regarding our use of the personal information collected on
our websites could keep prospective customers from using our marketplace. Industry-wide incidents
or incidents with respect to our websites, including misappropriation of third-party information,
security breaches, or changes in industry standards, regulations or laws could deter people from
using the Internet or our
21
website to conduct transactions that involve the transmission of
confidential information, which could harm our business. Recently, our subsidiary, Cityfeet.com,
was informed that there may have been a security breach to its credit card database and that some
personally identifiable information of individuals contained in that database may have been
misappropriated. Under California law and the laws of a number of other states, if there is a
breach of our computer systems and we know or suspect that unencrypted personal customer data has
been stolen, we are required to inform any customers whose data was stolen, which could harm our
reputation and business.
In addition, another California law requires businesses that maintain personal information
about California residents in electronic databases to implement reasonable measures to keep that
information secure. Our practice is to encrypt all personal information, but we do not know whether
our current practice will continue to be deemed sufficient under the California law. Other states
have enacted different and sometimes contradictory requirements for protecting personal information
collected and maintained electronically. Compliance with numerous and contradictory requirements of
the different states is particularly difficult for an online business such as ours which collects
personal information from customers in multiple jurisdictions.
Another consequence of failure to comply is the possibility of adverse publicity and loss of
consumer confidence were it known that we did not take adequate measures to assure the
confidentiality of the personally identifiable information that our customers had given to us. This
could result in a loss of customers and revenue that could jeopardize our success. While we intend
to comply fully with all relevant laws and regulations, we cannot assure you that we will be
successful in avoiding all potential liability or disruption of business in the event that we do
not comply in every instance or in the event that the security of the customer data that we collect
is compromised, regardless of whether our practices comply or not. If we were required to pay any
significant amount of money in satisfaction of claims under these laws or if we were forced to
cease our business operations for any length of time as a result of our inability to comply fully
with any such laws, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely
affected. Further, complying with the applicable notice requirements in the event of a security
breach could result in significant costs.
Our services may infringe the intellectual property rights of others and we may be subject to
claims of intellectual property rights infringement.
We may be subject to claims against us alleging infringement of the intellectual property
rights of others, including our competitors. Any intellectual property claims, regardless of merit,
could be expensive to litigate or settle and could significantly divert our managements
attention from other business concerns. For example, as described in Item 1 of Part II, on or
about April 8, 2008, Real Estate Alliance Ltd. filed a lawsuit against the Company and its
subsidiary, Cityfeet.com Inc., in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California,
Western Division, alleging that the Company and Cityfeet.com Inc. have infringed upon certain
patents of Real Estate Alliance Ltd.
Our technologies and content may not be able to withstand third-party claims of infringement.
If we were unable to successfully defend against such claims, we might have to pay damages, stop
using the technology or content found to be in violation of a third partys rights, seek a license
for the infringing technology or content, or develop alternative noninfringing technology or
content. Licenses for the infringing technology or content may not be available on reasonable
terms, if at all. In addition, developing alternative noninfringing technology or content could
require significant effort and expense. If we cannot license or develop technology or content for
any infringing aspects of our business, we may be forced to limit our service offerings. Any of
these results could reduce our ability to compete effectively and harm our business.
Our trademarks are important to our business. Other companies may own, obtain or claim
trademarks that could prevent, limit or interfere with our use of trademarks. If we were unable to
use our trademarks, we would need to devote substantial resources toward developing different brand
identities.
If we are unable to enforce or defend our ownership and use of intellectual property, our business,
competitive position and operating results could be harmed.
The success of our business depends in large part on our intellectual property, and our
intellectual property rights, including existing and future trademarks, trade secrets, and
copyrights, are and will continue to be valuable and important assets of our business. Our business
could be significantly harmed if we are not able to protect the content of our databases and our
other intellectual property.
We have taken measures to protect our intellectual property, such as requiring our employees
and consultants with access to our proprietary information to execute confidentiality agreements.
We also have taken action, and in the future may take additional action, against competitors or
other parties who we believe to be infringing our intellectual property. For example, as described
in Item 1 of Part II, on November 15, 2007 the Company filed a lawsuit against CoStar Group, Inc.
and CoStar Realty Information, Inc. in the Superior Court for the State of California, County of
Los Angeles, asserting claims for breach of contract and unfair business practices arising out of
CoStars alleged unlawful use of data from the Companys Web site for competitive purposes. We may
in the future find it necessary to assert claims regarding our intellectual property. These
measures may not be sufficient or effective to protect our intellectual property. These measures
could also be expensive and could significantly divert our managements attention from other
business concerns.
22
We also rely on laws, including those regarding patents, copyrights, and trade secrets, to
protect our intellectual property rights. Current laws may not adequately protect our intellectual
property or our databases and the data contained in them. In addition, legal standards relating to
the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of proprietary rights in Internet-related
businesses are uncertain and evolving, and we cannot assure you of the future viability or value of
any of our proprietary rights.
Others may develop technologies that are similar or superior to our technology. Any
significant impairment of our intellectual property rights could require us to develop alternative
intellectual property, incur licensing or other expenses, or limit our product and service
offerings.
If we are not able to successfully identify or integrate acquisitions, our managements attention
could be diverted, and efforts to integrate acquisitions could consume significant resources.
We have made recent acquisitions of, and investments in, other companies, and we may in the
future further expand our markets and services in part through additional acquisitions of, or
investments in, other complementary businesses, services, databases and technologies. For example,
in October, 2004, we acquired BizBuySell, an online marketplace for operating businesses for sale,
in June, 2007, we acquired a minority position in Xceligent, Inc., on August 2, 2007, we acquired
Cityfeet.com Inc., and on April 7, 2008, we acquired REApplications, Inc. Mergers and acquisitions
are inherently risky, and we cannot assure you that our acquisitions will be successful. The
successful execution of any acquisition strategy will depend on our ability to identify, negotiate,
complete and integrate such acquisitions and, if necessary, obtain satisfactory debt or equity
financing to fund those acquisitions. Failure to manage and successfully integrate acquired
businesses could harm our business. Acquisitions involve numerous risks, including the following:
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difficulties in integrating the operations, technologies, and products of the acquired companies; |
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diversion of managements attention from the normal daily operations of our business; |
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inability to maintain the key business relationships and the reputations of acquired businesses; |
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entry into markets in which we have limited or no prior experience and in which competitors have
stronger market positions; |
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dependence on unfamiliar affiliates and partners; |
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insufficient revenues to offset increased expenses associated with acquisitions; |
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reduction or replacement of the sales of existing services by sales of products or services from
acquired lines of business; |
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responsibility for the liabilities of acquired businesses; |
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inability to maintain our internal standards, controls, procedures and policies; and |
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potential loss of key employees of the acquired companies. |
We may also incur costs, and divert our managements attention from our business, by pursuing
potential acquisitions or other investments which are never consummated.
Although we undertake a due diligence investigation of each business that we acquire, there
may be liabilities of the acquired companies that we fail to or are unable to discover during the
due diligence investigation and for which we, as a successor owner, may be responsible. In
connection with acquisitions, we generally seek to minimize the impact of these types of potential
liabilities through indemnities and warranties from the seller, which may in some instances be
supported by deferring payment of a portion of the purchase price. However, these indemnities and
warranties, if obtained, may not fully cover the liabilities due to limitations in scope, amount or
duration, financial limitations of the indemnitor or warrantor or other reasons.
In addition, if we finance or otherwise complete acquisitions or other investments by issuing
equity or convertible debt securities, our existing stockholders may be diluted.
23
Unless we develop, maintain and protect our brand identity, our business may not grow and
our financial results may suffer.
In an effort to obtain additional registered members and increase use of our online
marketplace by commercial real estate transaction participants, we intend to continue to pursue a
strategy of enhancing our brand both through online advertising and through traditional print media
and to increase our marketing and business development expenditures to maintain and enhance our
brand in the future. These efforts can involve significant expense and may not have a material
positive impact on our brand identity. In addition, maintaining our brand will depend on our
ability to provide products and services that are perceived as being high-value, which we may not
be able to implement successfully. If we are unable to maintain and enhance our brand, our ability
to attract and retain customers or successfully expand our operations will be harmed.
If we are unable to effectively implement enhanced systems and internal controls, we may incur
increased general and administrative costs, which could reduce our profitability, and investor
confidence in us may decrease, which could cause our stock price to decline.
As we grow, our success will depend on our ability to continue to implement and improve our
operational, financial and management information and control systems on a timely basis, together
with maintaining effective cost controls, in order to comply with the more stringent requirements
of being a public company, such as the requirements of Sections 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, which require management to evaluate and assess the effectiveness of our internal
controls and our disclosure controls and procedures. We are continuing to
evaluate and, where appropriate, enhance our systems, procedures and internal controls. If our
systems, procedures or controls are not adequate to support our operations and reliable, accurate
and timely financial and other reporting, we may not be able to successfully satisfy regulatory and
investor scrutiny, offer our services and implement our business plan. The implementation of these
new systems, procedures and controls has increased our general and administrative costs in 2007 and the first quarter of 2008 and
is likely to do so in the future. If we fail to effectively implement these new systems, procedures
and controls, investors may choose not to invest in us, which could cause our stock price to
decline.
Changes in or interpretations of accounting rules and regulations, such as expensing of stock
options, could result in unfavorable accounting charges or require us to change our compensation
policies.
In the first quarter of 2006, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R,
Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123R), which revises SFAS 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
and supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees
(APB 25). SFAS 123R requires that share-based payment transactions with employees be recognized in
the financial statements based on their value and recognized as compensation expense over the
vesting period. Prior to SFAS 123R we disclosed the pro forma effects of SFAS 123 under the minimum
value method. We adopted SFAS 123R effective January 1, 2006, prospectively for new equity awards
issued subsequent to January 1, 2006. As a result of SFAS 123R, we may choose to reduce our
reliance on stock options as a compensation tool. If we reduce our use of stock options and do not
adopt other forms of compensation, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified
employees. If we do not reduce our reliance on stock options, our operating expenses would
increase. We currently rely on stock options to retain existing employees and attract new
employees. Although we believe that our accounting practices are consistent with current accounting
pronouncements, changes to or interpretations of accounting methods or policies in the future may
require us to adversely revise how our consolidated financial statements are prepared.
If our operating results do not meet the expectations of investors or equity research analysts, our
market price may decline and we may be subject to class action litigation.
It is possible that in the future our operating results will not meet the expectations of
investors or equity research analysts, causing the market price of our common stock to decline. In
the past, companies that have experienced decreases in the market price of their stock have been
subject to securities class action litigation. A securities class action lawsuit against us could
result in substantial costs and divert our managements attention from other business concerns.
If our website or our other services experience system failures, our customers may be dissatisfied
and our operations could be impaired.
Our business depends upon the satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of our
website. Problems with our website could result in reduced demand for our services. Furthermore,
the software underlying our services is complex and may contain undetected errors. Despite testing,
we cannot be certain that errors will not be found in our software. Any errors could result in
adverse publicity, impaired use of our services, loss of revenues, cost increases or legal claims
by customers.
Additionally, our services substantially depend on systems provided by third parties, over
whom we have little control. Interruptions in our services could result from the failure of data
providers, telecommunications providers, or other third parties. We depend on these third-party
providers of Internet communication services to provide continuous and uninterrupted service. We
also depend on Internet service providers that provide access to our services. Any disruption in
the Internet access provided by third-party providers or any failure of third-party providers to
handle higher volumes of user traffic could harm our business.
24
Our internal network infrastructure could be disrupted or penetrated, which could materially impact
our ability to provide our services and our customers confidence in our services.
Our operations depend upon our ability to maintain and protect our computer systems, most of
which are located in redundant and independent systems in Los Angeles, California and San
Francisco, California. In addition, our BizBuySell website is hosted at a co-location facility in
Virginia. While we believe that our systems are adequate to support our operations, our systems may
be vulnerable to damage from break-ins, unauthorized access, vandalism, fire, floods, earthquakes,
power loss, telecommunications failures and similar events. Although we maintain insurance against
fires, floods, and general business interruptions, the amount of coverage may not be adequate in
any particular case. Furthermore, any damage or disruption could materially impair or prohibit our
ability to provide our services, which could significantly impact our business.
Experienced computer programmers, or hackers, may attempt to penetrate our network security
from time to time. Our subsidiary, Cityfeet.com, recently was informed that there may have been a
security breach to its credit card database, and that some personally identifiable information of
individuals contained in that database may have been misappropriated. The potential breach has not
affected any personally identifiable information with respect to LoopNet members, which information
is maintained on separate servers. Although we maintain a firewall, and will continue to enhance
and review our databases to prevent unauthorized and unlawful intrusions, a hacker who penetrates
our network security could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions in our
services. We might be required to expend significant capital and resources to protect against, or
to alleviate, problems caused by hackers. We also may not have a timely remedy against a hacker who
is able to penetrate our network security. In addition to purposeful security breaches, the
inadvertent transmission of computer viruses could expose us to litigation or to a material risk of
loss. Any of these incidents could materially impact our ability to provide our services as well as
materially impact the confidence of our customers in our services, either of which could
significantly impact our business.
We may be subject to regulation of our advertising and customer solicitation or other
newly-adopted laws and regulations.
As part of our membership registration process, our customers agree to receive emails and
other communications from us. However, we may be subject to restrictions on our ability to
communicate with our customers through email and phone calls. Several jurisdictions have proposed
or adopted privacy-related laws that restrict or prohibit unsolicited email or spam. These laws
may impose significant monetary penalties for violations. For example, the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003, or
CAN-SPAM, imposes complex and often burdensome requirements in connection with sending commercial
email. Key provisions of CAN-SPAM have yet to be interpreted by the courts. Depending on how it is
interpreted, CAN-SPAM may impose burdens on our email marketing practices or services we offer or
may offer. Although CAN-SPAM is thought to have pre-empted state laws governing unsolicited email,
the effectiveness of that preemption is likely to be tested in court challenges. If any of those
challenges are successful, our business may also be subject to state laws and regulations that may
further restrict our email marketing practices and the services we may offer. The scope of those
regulations is unpredictable. Compliance with laws and regulations of different jurisdictions
imposing different standards and requirements is very burdensome for an online business. Our
business, like most online businesses, offers products and services to customers in multiple state
jurisdictions. Our business efficiencies and economies of scale depend on generally uniform service
offerings and uniform treatment of customers. Compliance requirements that vary significantly from
jurisdiction to jurisdiction impose an added cost to our business and increased liability for
compliance deficiencies. In addition, laws or regulations that could harm our business could be
adopted, or reinterpreted so as to affect our activities, by the government of the United States,
state governments, regulatory agencies or by foreign governments or agencies. This could include,
for example, laws regulating the source, content or form of information or listings provided on our
websites, the information or services we provide or our transmissions over the Internet. Violations
or new interpretations of these laws or regulations may result in penalties or damage our
reputation or could increase our costs or make our services less attractive.
An important aspect of the new Internet-focused laws is that where federal legislation is
absent, states have begun to enact consumer-protective laws of their own and these vary
significantly from state to state. Thus, it is difficult for any company to be sufficiently aware
of the requirements of all applicable state laws, and it is further difficult or impossible for any
company to fully comply with their inconsistent standards and requirements. In addition to the
consequences that could result from violating one or another states laws, the cost of attempting
to comply will be considerable. Also, as our business grows to be world-wide, we will be required
to comply with the laws of foreign countries, and the costs of that compliance effort will be
considerable.
Our stock price may be volatile and you may be unable to sell your shares at or above the purchase
price.
The market price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to,
among other things, the risk factors described in this section of this Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q, and other factors beyond our control, such as fluctuations in the valuation of companies
perceived by investors to be comparable to us.
Furthermore, the stock markets have experienced price and volume fluctuations that have
affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many companies. These
fluctuations often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those
companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations, as well as general economic, political and
market conditions, such as recessions, interest rate changes or international currency
fluctuations, may negatively affect the market price of our common stock.
25
In the past, many companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their
stock have been subject to securities class action litigation. We may be the target of this type of
litigation in the future. Securities litigation against us could result in substantial costs and
divert our managements attention from other business concerns, which could seriously harm our
business.
Our charter documents and Delaware law could prevent a takeover that stockholders consider
favorable and could also reduce the market price of our stock.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our bylaws contain provisions that
could delay or prevent a change in control of our company. These provisions could also make it more
difficult for stockholders to elect directors and take other corporate actions. These provisions
include:
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providing for a classified board of directors with staggered, three-year terms; |
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not providing for cumulative voting in the election of directors; |
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authorizing the board to issue, without stockholder approval, preferred stock
rights senior to those of common stock; |
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prohibiting stockholder action by written consent; |
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limiting the persons who may call special meetings of stockholders; and |
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requiring advance notification of stockholder nominations and proposals. |
In addition, the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporate Law govern us.
These provisions may prohibit large stockholders, in particular those owning 15% or more of our
outstanding voting stock, from merging or combining with us for a certain period of time.
These and other provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our
bylaws and under Delaware law could discourage potential takeover attempts, reduce the price that
investors might be willing to pay for shares of our common stock in the future and result in the
market price being lower than it would be without these provisions.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
We had no issuance of unregistered securities during the three months ended March 31, 2008.
On June 6, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission declared effective our Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-132138) for our initial public offering. The net offering
proceeds received by us in the offering after deducting total estimated expenses, including the
underwriters discount were $42,309,000. As of March 25, 2008, approximately $39 million was used
from the offering in funding our stock repurchases and the remainder of the proceeds was used in
funding other corporate operations.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Stock repurchase activity during the three months ended March 31, 2008 was as follows (dollars in
thousands except per share amounts):
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(d) Approximate |
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(c) Total Number of |
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Dollar Value of |
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Shares Purchased as |
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Shares that May Yet |
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(a) Total Number of |
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Part of Publicly |
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Be Purchased Under |
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Shares Purchased |
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(b) Average Price |
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Announced Plans or |
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the Plans or |
Period |
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(#) (1) |
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Paid per Share ($) |
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Programs (#) |
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Programs ($) (1) |
January 1 January 31, 2008 |
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0 |
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N/A |
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0 |
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0 |
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February 1 February 29, 2008 |
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2,349,222 |
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$ |
11.77 |
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2,349,222 |
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$ |
22,342 |
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March 1 March 31, 2008 |
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956,941 |
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$ |
12.00 |
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956,941 |
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$ |
10,855 |
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Total |
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3,306,163 |
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$ |
11.84 |
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3,306,163 |
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(1) |
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The shares repurchased in the three months ended March 31, 2008 were under our stock repurchase
program that was announced on February 5, 2008 with an authorized level of $50 million. This
program is subject to business and market conditions, and may be suspended or discontinued at any
time. |
26
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
None.
Item 5. Other Information.
In May 2008, we renewed the existing San Francisco, California lease for approximately
36,779 square feet of office space. In addition, we entered into an expansion of the lease,
covering an additional 9,378 square feet of space. The amendment to the lease effecting this
renewal and expansion commences in June, 2008 and has a seven year term with an expiration date of
May, 2015 and a current base rate of approximately $1,892,000 per year.
Item 6. Exhibits.
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Exhibits: |
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10.12
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*
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Seventh Amendment to Office Lease, dated January 8, 2003, between PWREF/MCC-China Basin L.L.C. and LoopNet, Inc. |
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31.1
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Rule 13a-14(a) Certification (CEO) |
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31.2
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Rule 13a-14(a) Certification (CFO) |
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32.1
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Section 1350 Certification (CEO) |
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32.2
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Section 1350 Certification (CFO) |
27
SIGNATURES
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 thereunto duly authorized.
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LOOPNET, INC.
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Date: May 9, 2008 |
By: |
/s/ Richard J. Boyle, Jr.
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Richard J. Boyle, Jr. |
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Chief Executive Officer, and
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Principal Executive Officer |
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Date: May 9, 2008 |
By: |
/s/ Brent Stumme
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Brent Stumme |
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Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice
President, Finance and Administration
Principal Financial or Accounting Officer |
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28
EXHIBIT INDEX
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Exhibits: |
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10.12
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*
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Seventh Amendment to Office Lease, dated January 8, 2003, between PWREF/MCC-China Basin L.L.C. and LoopNet, Inc. |
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31.1
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Rule 13a-14(a) Certification (CEO) |
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31.2
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Rule 13a-14(a) Certification (CFO) |
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32.1
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Section 1350 Certification (CEO) |
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32.2
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Section 1350 Certification (CFO) |
29