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EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - XO GROUP INC.ex322063018.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - XO GROUP INC.ex321063018.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - XO GROUP INC.ex312063018.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - XO GROUP INC.ex311063018.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
______________________ 

FORM 10-Q
______________________
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2018
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 001-35217
____________________________ 
XO GROUP INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware
13-3895178
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
195 Broadway, 25th Floor
New York, New York 10007
(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)
(212) 219-8555
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code) 

 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 ý No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).Yes ý No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer
o
Accelerated Filer
x
Non-Accelerated Filer
o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
Smaller Reporting Company
o
 
 
Emerging Growth Company
o

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).Yes o No ý

As of July 30, 2018, there were 25,905,650 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.



XO GROUP INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS
                        
                    

i


SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements relating to future events and the future performance of XO Group Inc. based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about us and our industry. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “are positioned to,” “continue,” “project,” “guidance,” “target,” “forecast,” “anticipated” or comparable terms.

These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results or events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, as more fully described in Item 1A (Risk Factors) in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 2, 2018, and Part II of this report. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

XO Group’s corporate website is located at www.xogroupinc.com. XO Group makes available free of charge, on or through our corporate website, our annual, quarterly and current reports, and any amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such reports with, or furnishing them to, the SEC. Information contained on XO Group’s corporate website is not part of this report or any other report filed with the SEC.

Unless the context otherwise indicates, references in this report to the terms “XO Group,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to XO Group Inc., its divisions and its subsidiaries.


ii


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
XO GROUP INC.  

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited, in thousands, except for share and per share data)


 
 
June 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
 
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
116,704

 
$
106,092

Accounts receivable, net
 
17,487

 
17,375

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
4,706

 
5,327

Total current assets
 
138,897

 
128,794

Long-term restricted investments
 
1,181

 
1,181

Property and equipment, net
 
13,607

 
11,829

Intangible assets, net
 
3,533

 
4,019

Goodwill
 
51,438

 
51,438

Deferred tax assets, net
 
5,466

 
6,124

Investments
 
1,399

 
1,442

Other assets
 
501

 
223

Total assets
 
$
216,022

 
$
205,050

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accrued compensation and employee benefits
 
$
4,676

 
$
6,611

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
6,343

 
5,273

Deferred revenue
 
14,955

 
13,891

Total current liabilities
 
25,974

 
25,775

Deferred rent
 
3,004

 
3,365

Other liabilities
 
1,384

 
1,776

Total liabilities
 
30,362

 
30,916

Commitments and contingencies
 


 


Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized and zero shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively
 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized and 25,907,015 and 25,696,796 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively
 
260

 
258

Additional paid-in capital
 
183,321

 
180,695

Retained earnings/(accumulated deficit)
 
2,079

 
(6,819
)
Total stockholders’ equity
 
185,660

 
174,134

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
216,022

 
$
205,050







See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

1


XO GROUP INC.  

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited, in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenue
 
$
43,152

 
$
42,101

 
$
81,459

 
$
79,742

Costs and expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization, shown separately below):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenue
 
2,614

 
2,789

 
4,257

 
4,826

Product and content development
 
11,796

 
11,549

 
22,825

 
23,006

Sales and marketing
 
13,098

 
13,941

 
25,780

 
27,564

General and administrative
 
7,402

 
8,336

 
14,232

 
15,931

Depreciation and amortization
 
1,676

 
2,011

 
3,314

 
3,669

Total costs and expenses
 
36,586

 
38,626

 
70,408

 
74,996

Income from operations
 
6,566

 
3,475

 
11,051

 
4,746

Loss in equity interests
 
(21
)
 
(1,054
)
 
(43
)
 
(1,171
)
Interest and other income, net
 
209

 
105

 
411

 
198

Income before income taxes
 
6,754

 
2,526

 
11,419

 
3,773

Income tax expense
 
1,469

 
1,115

 
2,522

 
1,077

Net income
 
$
5,285

 
$
1,411

 
$
8,897

 
$
2,696

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.21

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.35

 
$
0.11

Diluted
 
$
0.20

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.35

 
$
0.11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of shares used in calculating net income per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
25,149

 
24,958

 
25,086

 
25,154

Dilutive effect of:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted stock
 
327

 
191

 
290

 
280

Options
 
321

 
31

 
192

 
33

Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
9

 
2

 
5

 
2

Diluted
 
25,806

 
25,182

 
25,573

 
25,469

 














See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

2


XO GROUP INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited, in thousands)

 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
8,897

 
$
2,696

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
3,314

 
3,669

Stock-based compensation expense
 
3,892

 
4,017

Deferred income taxes
 
658

 
1,287

Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
(76
)
 
366

Loss in equity interests
 
43

 
1,171

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
(Increase)/decrease in accounts receivable
 
(36
)
 
26

Decrease/(increase) in prepaid expenses and other assets, net
 
1

 
(2,619
)
Decrease in accrued compensation and employee benefits
 
(1,935
)
 
(1,644
)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
1,148

 
336

Increase in deferred revenue
 
1,064

 
1,117

Decrease in deferred rent
 
(361
)
 
(297
)
Decrease in other liabilities, net
 
(392
)
 
(293
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
16,217

 
9,832

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Purchases of property and equipment
 
(1,521
)
 
(22
)
Additions to capitalized software
 
(3,163
)
 
(2,101
)
Maturity of U.S. Treasury Bills
 
1,245

 
1,248

Purchases of U.S. Treasury Bills and Investments
 
(1,219
)
 
(1,232
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(4,658
)
 
(2,107
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Repurchase of common stock
 

 
(13,322
)
Proceeds pursuant to employee stock purchase plans
 
456

 
391

Proceeds from exercise of stock options
 
714

 
392

Surrender of restricted common stock for income tax purposes
 
(2,117
)
 
(2,498
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(947
)
 
(15,037
)
 
 
 
 
 
Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
10,612

 
(7,312
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
106,092

 
105,703

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
116,704

 
$
98,391

  










See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

3

XO GROUP INC. 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)


1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of XO Group Inc. (“XO Group” or the “Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations. The Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The financial statements contained herein should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2017.

In the opinion of the Company's management, the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contain all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial condition, results of operations and changes in cash flows of the Company for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the entire calendar year. Certain prior-period financial statement amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-period presentation.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board jointly issued a new revenue recognition standard that is designed to improve financial reporting by creating common revenue recognition guidance for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The new guidance issued under Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("Topic 606", "ASU 2014-09") provides a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues, improves the comparability of revenue recognition practices across industries, provides more useful information to users of financial statements through improved disclosure requirements and simplifies the presentation of financial statements. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance permits the use of either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective method reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expediencies, or (ii) a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting the standard recognized at the date of adoption, with additional footnote disclosures. The original effective date of the new standard was for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. In August 2015, the FASB issued an ASU that deferred by one year the effective date of this new revenue recognition standard. As a result, the new standard was effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, although companies could have adopted the standard as early as the original effective date. Early application prior to the original effective date was not permitted. In the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted the standard utilizing the full retrospective adoption method in order to provide for comparative results in all periods presented. See Note 2 for more information regarding the effects of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, an accounting standards update that replaces existing lease accounting standards. The new standard requires lessees to recognize on the balance sheet a right-of-use asset, representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term, and a lease liability for all leases with terms greater than 12 months. The guidance also requires qualitative and quantitative disclosures designed to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. Treatment of lease payments in the statement of earnings and statement of cash flows is relatively unchanged from previous guidance. The new standard is required to be applied with a modified retrospective approach to each prior reporting period presented with various optional practical expedients. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, that provides an additional transition method at the adoption date through a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Both standards are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating its existing leases as well as the effect the guidance will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation: Scope of Modification Accounting  (“ASU 2017-09”).  ASU 2017-09 provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under ASC 718, Compensation – Stock

4

XO GROUP INC. 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

Compensation.  Specifically, an entity would not apply modification accounting if the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification. ASU 2017-09 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption was permitted. The adoption of ASU 2017-09 did not have a material impact on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

2. Revenue

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 effective on January 1, 2018. The Company has elected to apply the standard retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented. The cumulative effect of the adoption was a $0.6 million reduction to accumulated deficit on January 1, 2016. Other than the policies discussed below, no material changes have been made to the Company's significant accounting policies disclosed in Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in its Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on March 2, 2018, for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates and assumptions, including, for revenue recognition, determining the nature of performance obligations, determining the standalone selling price ("SSP") of performance obligations, and other obligations such as returns or refunds. Additional estimates include those related to the determination of the fair value of equity awards issued, fair value of the Company’s reporting unit, valuation of assets and liabilities acquired in purchase accounting, including intangible assets (and their related useful lives), certain components of the income tax provisions, including valuation allowances on the Company’s deferred tax assets, compensation accruals, allowances for bad debts, the useful lives of capitalized contract assets, and estimates used in software capitalization. The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The level of uncertainty in estimates and assumptions increases with the length of time until the underlying transactions are completed. Despite the Company's intention to establish accurate estimates and reasonable assumptions, actual results could differ materially from these estimates and assumptions.

Revenue Recognition. The Company recognizes revenue under the five-step methodology required under Topic 606, which requires the Company to identify the contract with the customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations identified, and recognize revenue when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied. The Company evaluates multiple contracts entered into with the same customer as these contracts may need to be combined and accounted for as a single arrangement when the economics of the individual contracts cannot be understood without reference to the arrangement as a whole. All revenue recognized by the Company is considered to be revenue from contracts with customers.

The Company's primary revenue categories, related performance obligations, and associated recognition patterns are as follows:

Local marketplace - Local marketplace revenue includes (i) online listings, including preferred placement, (ii) digital banner advertisements, and (iii) direct e-mail marketing on TheKnot.com. In addition, local marketplace revenue includes listings revenue generated via GigMasters.com, an entertainment marketplace, and TwoBrightLights.com, a wedding photography syndication marketplace.

Revenue is recognized over time on a straight-line basis for online listings and digital banner advertisements as the customer contracts for a period of time and has the ability to benefit from these advertising services over the term that they are provided. The benefit received by the customer over the life of the contract is consistent on a daily basis. Revenue from direct e-mail marketing is recognized at a point in time when the obligation has been satisfied, which is the date on which the email has been sent. The Company invoices local advertisers monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually on a designated bill cycle date, which is typically the date on which their advertising commences. E-mails are invoiced in advance of the scheduled delivery date.

Transactions - The Company provides opportunities for its audience to purchase products and services by offering programs that enable vendors to sell through its online properties and their own branded websites and properties. These offerings include a registry service that enables users to create, manage, and share multiple store registries from a single

5

XO GROUP INC. 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

source, and connects users with additional commerce products such as invitations, stationery, reception decor, and personalized gifts. Through GigMasters.com, users have the opportunity to find, research, and book the right entertainment vendor for them. The Company earns a percentage of sales, fixed fees, per-unit activity fees, or some combination thereof with respect to these transactions.

Commissions revenue is recognized after partners take a sales order or ship a sales order, depending on the contractual agreement with the partner, as the related commissions are considered contractually earned by the Company. The Company only records net commissions, and not gross revenue and cost of revenue associated with these products, since the Company is (i) not responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the good or service, (ii) not subject to inventory risk, and (iii) generally does not have discretion in establishing the pricing for the goods or services. Fixed fees earned by the Company are recognized at a point in time upon successful completion of the associated transaction, which may be upon the creation of a registry or upon a successful booking between party planners/hosts (customers) and providers of entertainment and event services (vendors) on Gigmasters.com.

Transactions revenue is recognized net of a reserve for returns, refunds, or cancellations, which does not materially impact revenue. The Company generally invoices its transactions customers in the month following the successful satisfaction of the performance obligation.

National online advertising - National online advertising revenue includes, but is not limited to, (i) display advertisements, (ii) custom and brand-integrated content, (iii) lead generation marketing, including direct e-mails, and (iv) placement in online search tools.

National online advertising contracts often guarantee the delivery of a minimum number of impressions. Impressions are the featuring of a customer’s advertisement, banner, link, or other form of content on the Company’s sites. Display advertising revenue is recognized over time as performance criteria are met, which is typically as impressions are delivered. To the extent that minimum guaranteed impressions are not delivered, the Company often extends the period of the contract until the guaranteed impressions are achieved and revenue will be recognized when the impressions are delivered under the revised service period to mirror the benefit to the customer. Revenue generated from display advertisements that do not guarantee a minimum number of impressions is recorded on a straight-line basis as the customer receives a consistent benefit on a daily basis as the performance obligation is satisfied. Custom content revenue is recorded over time as the Company's performance obligations have been satisfied, which include developing and hosting custom and brand-integrated content solutions for its customers. Revenue from lead generation marketing, including direct e-mails, is recognized at a point in time when the obligation has been satisfied, which is the date in which the email has been sent to the contracted number of members. National advertisers are generally invoiced in the month after their advertisements have been delivered, though some advertisers are invoiced on a pro rated flat fee monthly based on their total contract value.

Publishing and other - Publishing revenue primarily includes print advertising revenue derived from the publication of national and regional magazines and the associated revenue earned from newsstand sales. Also included in publishing and other is revenue generated from royalties earned from the sale of books, revenue earned from sales of custom wedding website domain URLs, app purchases, and revenue generated from trade shows.

Publishing revenue is recognized at a point in time on the on-sale date of the related magazines, at which time all material services related to the magazine have been performed. Revenue from the sale of magazines is reduced by an allowance for estimated sales returns, which is immaterial in the periods presented. Billings for publishing revenue arrangements typically occur following successful satisfaction of such performance obligations. Other revenue is recorded as performance obligations are satisfied, which may be over time or at a point in time, depending upon the Company's obligation and is typically paid in advance of satisfaction of performance obligations.

The Company's contracts with customers often include promises to transfer multiple products and services to a customer. Determining whether products and services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately versus together may require significant judgment. The Company’s local and national contracts often include multiple-element deliverables, primarily online advertising via local marketplace or national online and print advertising. The arrangement consideration is allocated to the distinct performance obligations based on their standalone selling prices. The Company evaluates its standalone selling price by reviewing historical data related to sales of its deliverables, which is intended to represent the price

6

XO GROUP INC. 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

at which it would sell the item regularly on a standalone basis. There were no material changes to the methods or assumptions used to determine the standalone selling price for the Company's performance obligations that would have a material effect on the allocation of arrangement consideration during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. The Company does not have any material open-ended subscriptions with its advertisers.

Contract modifications with multiple element arrangements in local marketplace, national online advertising, and publishing and other are accounted for (i) as new contracts if a new service was added that is both distinct and at standalone selling price, (ii) as the termination of the old contract and creation of a new contract (prospectively), or (iii) as if it were part of the initial contract (through a cumulative catch up) if the remaining services are not distinct, as the guidance requires.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. The Company records trade accounts receivable for unconditional rights to consideration arising from its performance under contracts with customers. The carrying value of such receivables, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts, represents their estimated net realizable value. The Company estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts for specific trade receivable balances based on historical collection trends, the age of outstanding trade receivables, existing economic conditions, and the financial security, if any, associated with the receivables. Past-due trade receivable balances are written off when internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful.

Accounts Receivable, Unbilled. Accounts receivable, unbilled represents revenue that has been recognized in advance of billing the customer, which is common in customer contracts in the Company's business. The Company has an unconditional right to consideration as only the passage of time is required before payment of that consideration is due. The Company recognizes revenue from contracts as performance obligations are satisfied, and often invoices based on actual delivery in the month following satisfaction or based on a contractual billing schedule, as defined by contracts. Accordingly, revenue could be recognized in advance of billing the customer, resulting in an unbilled accounts receivable recorded to “Accounts receivable, net.”

Assets Recognized from the Costs to Obtain a Contract with a Customer. The Company recognizes an asset for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if it expects the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. The Company has determined that certain sales incentive programs meet the requirements to be capitalized. Total capitalized costs to obtain a contract are immaterial during the periods presented, are amortized over a two year useful life, and are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. There were no impairment losses recorded during the three or six months ended June 30, 2018 or 2017 related to these contract assets.

For sales incentive programs not capitalized, the Company applies a practical expedient to expense costs as incurred when the amortization period would have been one year or less and it has determined compensation is commensurate with initial and renewal sales activities.

Deferred Revenue. When the Company receives consideration, or such consideration is unconditionally due from a customer prior to transferring goods or services to the customer under the terms of a contract, it records deferred revenue, which represents a contract liability. The Company recognizes deferred revenue as net revenue after it has transferred control of the goods or services to the customer and all revenue recognition criteria are met. Deferred revenue increases due to billings or cash receipts in advance of revenue being recognized and decreases as the Company recognizes revenue. Changes in deferred revenue is not materially impacted by any other factors. Of the $13.9 million of deferred revenue as of December 31, 2017, $11.4 million was recorded into revenue in the six months ended June 30, 2018.

The following table depicts the disaggregation of revenue according to category for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Local marketplace
 
$
22,318

 
$
18,938

 
$
44,193

 
$
37,557

Transactions
 
9,004

 
8,158

 
15,317

 
13,290

National online advertising
 
7,105

 
9,980

 
13,872

 
19,981

Publishing and other
 
4,725

 
5,025

 
8,077

 
8,914

Total net revenue
 
$
43,152

 
$
42,101

 
$
81,459

 
$
79,742


7

XO GROUP INC. 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)


As part of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018, the Company has elected to use the practical expedient related to transactions completed within one year pursuant to which it has excluded disclosures of transaction prices allocated to remaining performance obligations and when it expects to recognize such revenue for all periods prior to the date of initial application of ASU 2014-09.

Adjustments to Previously Reported Financial Statements from the Adoption of ASU 2014-09

The following table presents the effect of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
December 31, 2017
 
As Reported
 
Adoption of ASU 2014-09
 
As Adjusted
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance
$
16,399

 
$
976

 
$
17,375

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
5,102

 
225

 
5,327

Total current assets
127,593

 
1,201

 
128,794

Deferred tax assets, net
6,500

 
(376
)
 
6,124

Other assets
118

 
105

 
223

Total assets
204,120

 
930

 
205,050

Accrued compensation and employee benefits
6,490

 
121

 
6,611

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
5,271

 
2

 
5,273

Deferred revenue
14,113

 
(222
)
 
13,891

Total current liabilities
25,874

 
(99
)
 
25,775

Other liabilities
1,792

 
(16
)
 
1,776

Total liabilities
31,031

 
(115
)
 
30,916

Accumulated deficit
(7,864
)
 
1,045

 
(6,819
)
Total stockholders’ equity
173,089

 
1,045

 
174,134

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
204,120

 
$
930

 
$
205,050


The following table presents the effect of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended June 30, 2017 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
Three months ended June 30, 2017
 
As Reported
 
Adoption of ASU 2014-09
 
As Adjusted
Net revenue
$
42,226

 
$
(125
)
 
$
42,101

Cost of revenue
2,786

 
3

 
2,789

Sales and marketing
14,021

 
(80
)
 
13,941

Total costs and expenses
38,702

 
(76
)
 
38,626

Income from operations
3,524

 
(49
)
 
3,475

Income before income taxes
2,575

 
(49
)
 
2,526

Income tax expense
1,134

 
(19
)
 
1,115

Net income
1,441

 
(30
)
 
1,411

Net income per share - basic
$
0.06

 
$

 
$
0.06

Net income per share - diluted
$
0.06

 
$

 
$
0.06




8

XO GROUP INC. 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

The following table presents the effect of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2017 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
Six months ended June 30, 2017
 
As Reported
 
Adoption of ASU 2014-09
 
As Adjusted
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenue
$
77,986

 
$
1,756

 
$
79,742

Cost of revenue
4,695

 
131

 
4,826

Sales and marketing
27,531

 
33

 
27,564

Total costs and expenses
74,812

 
184

 
74,996

Income from operations
3,174

 
1,572

 
4,746

Income before income taxes
2,201

 
1,572

 
3,773

Income tax expense
448

 
629

 
1,077

Net income
1,753

 
943

 
2,696

Net income per share - basic
$
0.07

 
$
0.04

 
$
0.11

Net income per share - diluted
$
0.07

 
$
0.04

 
$
0.11


The following table presents the effect of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on the Company's revenue categories for the three months ended June 30, 2017:
 
Three months ended June 30, 2017
 
As Reported
 
Adoption of ASU 2014-09
 
As Adjusted
 
 
 
 
 
 
Local marketplace
$
18,991

 
$
(53
)
 
$
18,938

Transactions
8,190

 
(32
)
 
8,158

National online advertising
9,746

 
234

 
9,980

Publishing and other
5,299

 
(274
)
 
5,025

Net revenue
$
42,226

 
$
(125
)
 
$
42,101


The following table presents the effect of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on the Company's revenue categories for the six months ended June 30, 2017:
 
Six months ended June 30, 2017
 
As Reported
 
Adoption of ASU 2014-09
 
As Adjusted
 
 
 
 
 
 
Local marketplace
$
37,425

 
$
132

 
$
37,557

Transactions
13,152

 
138

 
13,290

National online advertising
18,674

 
1,307

 
19,981

Publishing and other
8,735

 
179

 
8,914

Net revenue
$
77,986

 
$
1,756

 
$
79,742







9

XO GROUP INC. 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

The following table presents the effect of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2017:
 
Six months ended June 30, 2017
 
As Reported
 
Adoption of ASU 2014-09
 
As Adjusted
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
1,753

 
$
943

 
$
2,696

Deferred income taxes
658

 
629

 
1,287

Decrease in accounts receivable
1,268

 
(1,242
)
 
26

Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets, net
(2,666
)
 
47

 
(2,619
)
Decrease in accrued compensation and employee benefits
(1,779
)
 
135

 
(1,644
)
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses
336

 

 
336

Increase in deferred revenue
1,629

 
(512
)
 
1,117


3. Fair Value Measurements

The Company categorizes its assets measured at fair value into a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to price the asset. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:
Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable
Level 3 — Inputs that are unobservable (for example, cash flow modeling inputs based on assumptions)
The Company has no liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The following table presents the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

Cash and cash equivalents and investments as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents
 
 
 
 
Cash
 
$
59,636

 
$
49,452

Money market funds
 
57,068

 
56,640

Total cash and cash equivalents
 
116,704

 
106,092

Short-term investments
 
 
 
 
Short-term investments
 
38

 
51

Long-term investments
 
 
 
 
Long-term restricted investments
 
1,181

 
1,181

Total cash and cash equivalents and investments
 
$
117,923

 
$
107,324


As of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, and investments were all measured at fair value using Level 1 inputs. Short-term investments were included in "Prepaid expenses and other current assets" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, there were no transfers in or out of the Company’s Level 1 assets.

Long-term restricted investments consists of a $1.2 million letter of credit pursuant to the Company's New York office lease agreement, which is collateralized by U.S. Treasury bills that are restricted with respect to withdrawal or use.

10

XO GROUP INC. 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

4. Stockholders’ Equity

Stock Repurchases

On April 10, 2013, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $20.0 million of the Company’s common stock (the “April 2013 Repurchase Program”). On May 23, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized an additional $20.0 million repurchase of the Company's common stock from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions (together with the April 2013 Repurchase Program, the “Repurchase Programs”).

No repurchases or retirements were made in conjunction with the Repurchase Programs during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.

During the three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company repurchased and retired 478,147 shares of its common stock using $8.2 million of cash for such repurchases at an average price paid per share of $17.24.

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company repurchased and retired 775,370 shares of its common stock using $13.3 million of cash for such repurchases at an average price paid per share of $17.18.
 
As of June 30, 2018, the Company has repurchased a total of 1,640,012 shares of its common stock for an aggregate of $27.7 million with approximately $12.3 million remaining under the Repurchase Programs.

Earnings per Share

The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended June 30, 2018 excludes a weighted average number of 995 shares of restricted stock because to include them would be antidilutive. There were no antidilutive weighted average stock options or employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP") shares excluded from the dilutive EPS calculation for the three months ended June 30, 2018.

For the three months ended June 30, 2017, the calculation of diluted earnings per share excludes a weighted average number of stock options and restricted stock of 292,504 and 567, respectively, because to include them would be antidilutive. There were no antidilutive weighted average ESPP shares excluded from the dilutive EPS calculation for the three months ended June 30, 2017.

The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the six months ended June 30, 2018 excludes a weighted average number of stock options, restricted stock, and employee stock purchase plan shares of 59,760, 1,131, and 330, respectively, because to include them would be antidilutive.

For the six months ended June 30, 2017, the calculation of diluted earnings per share excludes a weighted average number of stock options and restricted stock of 214,991 and 542, respectively, because to include them would be antidilutive. There were no antidilutive weighted average ESPP shares excluded from the dilutive EPS calculation for the six months ended June 30, 2017.



11

XO GROUP INC. 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)

5. Income Taxes

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act made broad and significant changes to the U.S. tax code including, but not limited to, a change in the federal rate from 35% to 21%, as well as the requirement to pay a one-time transition tax (“deemed repatriation tax”) on all undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. In accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin 118, income tax effects of the Tax Act may be refined upon obtaining, preparing, or analyzing additional information during the measurement period and such changes could be material. During the measurement period, provisional amounts may be adjusted for the effects, if any, of interpretative guidance issued after December 31, 2017, by U.S. regulatory and standard-setting bodies. While we are able to make reasonable estimates of the impact of the reduction in corporate rate and the deemed repatriation transition tax, the final impact of the Tax Act may differ from these estimates, due to, among other things, changes in our interpretations and assumptions, additional guidance that may be issued by the I.R.S., and actions we may take. We are continuing to gather additional information to determine the final impact.

For the three months ended June 30, 2018, income tax expense of $1.5 million primarily represents the U.S. federal and state income tax provision of $1.8 million offset by excess tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation arrangements. For the three months ended June 30, 2017, income tax expense of $1.1 million represents the U.S. federal and state income tax provision.

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, income tax expense of $2.5 million primarily represents the U.S. federal and state income tax provision of $3.0 million offset by excess tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation arrangements. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, income tax expense of $1.1 million primarily represents the U.S. federal and state income tax provision of $1.6 million offset by excess tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation arrangements as well as the resolution of a previously reserved uncertain tax position.

The effective tax rate was approximately 21.6% and 44.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2018 was higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21.0% primarily as a result of state income taxes, offset by excess tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation arrangements. The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2017 was higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35.0% as a result of state income taxes.

The effective tax rate was approximately 22.0% and 28.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21.0% primarily as a result of state income taxes, offset by excess tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation arrangements. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to benefits relating to excess tax benefits associated with stock based compensation agreements and the resolution of a previously reserved uncertain tax position.


12


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements relating to future events and the future performance of XO Group based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about us and our industry. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results or events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, as more fully described in this section, elsewhere in this report, and Item 1A in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 2, 2018 (“2017 Form 10-K”). We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.

Executive Overview

Our mission is to help people navigate and truly enjoy life's biggest moments together. Our multi-platform brands guide couples through transformative life stages - from getting married with The Knot, to having a baby with The Bump, and helping bring important celebrations to life with entertainment vendors from GigMasters.

XO Group offers multi-platform media and marketplace services that enable our advertising and transaction partners to connect with our highly engaged audience in the wedding, pregnancy and parenting, and local entertainment markets. We reach our audience through several platforms, including websites, mobile apps, magazines and books, and television and video. We create value for our audience, advertisers, and partners by delivering relevant and personalized solutions at key decision making moments for some of life’s proudest and happiest events. We generate revenue through four distinct and diversified product categories: local marketplace; transactions; national online advertising; and publishing and other.
 
Local marketplace advertising programs include, but are not limited to, (i) online listings, (ii) digital advertisements, and (iii) direct e-mail marketing.

Our transaction offerings include a registry service that enables users to create, manage, and share multiple retail store registries from a single source, and retailer and other vendor offerings such as invitations, stationery, reception decor, and personalized gifts. Through our GigMasters.com website, our audience has the opportunity to find, research, and book the right entertainment vendor for them. We earn fixed fees, a percentage of sales, per-unit activity fees, or some combination thereof with respect to these transactions.

National online advertising programs include, but are not limited to, (i) display advertisements, (ii) custom and brand-integrated content, and (iii) lead generation marketing, including direct e-mail marketing.

Publishing and other revenue is primarily derived from the publication of traditional magazines for our flagship brand, The Knot. The magazines provide original, expert-driven content in our signature voice, driving readers back to our digital assets for an interactive experience and additional connections and services. The Knot is published as a national magazine four times a year, and a regional magazine semi-annually in 16 U.S. markets.

Our costs and expenses largely consist of compensation and related charges and technology costs to support our products, as well as general overhead costs, including facilities and related expenses.

We describe our costs and expenses in four categories: cost of revenue; product and content development; sales and marketing; general and administrative; and depreciation and amortization.

Cost of revenue represents expenses directly associated with our revenues and primarily consists of costs related to internet and hosting services and payroll and direct expenses for our personnel and external vendors who are responsible for the production of our online media and our national and regional magazines.

Product and content development expenses primarily consist of salaries, benefits and stock-based compensation for our engineers, product managers, developers and editors. In addition, product and content development expenses include outside services and consulting costs to support new features within the website and apps, as well as costs associated with the maintenance of our website, apps, and data servers.

Sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of salaries, benefits, stock-based compensation, travel expense, and incentive compensation for our sales and marketing employees. Sales and marketing expenses also include branding, consumer and business-to-business marketing, and public relations costs.

13



Our general and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries, benefits, and stock-based compensation for our chief executive officer, finance, legal, human resources, and other administrative employees. In addition, general and administrative expenses include outside consulting, legal and accounting services, facilities, and other supporting overhead costs.

Depreciation and amortization expenses primarily consist of depreciation on computer equipment, software, capitalized software development costs and amortization of leasehold improvements and purchased intangible assets.

Second Quarter 2018 Summary
(Comparison of three months ended June 30, 2018 to three months ended June 30, 2017)

Total company revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2018 was up 2.5% to $43.2 million from $42.1 million during the prior-year period led by a 18% increase in local marketplace revenue and a 10% increase in transactions revenue. Partially offsetting our revenue increases, national online advertising revenue decreased 29% and publishing and other revenue declined 6% from the prior-year quarter.
 
Total costs and expenses decreased 5% to $36.6 million, led by a 11% decrease in general and administrative expenses, a 6% reduction in sales and marketing expenses, a 17% decrease in depreciation and amortization, a 6% decrease in cost of revenue, offset by a 2% increase in product and content expenses. Overall headcount decreased 2% from the prior-year period.

Net income was $5.3 million and earnings per diluted share was $0.20 for the three months ended June 30, 2018. Our adjusted EBITDA margin(a) was 24.1%, adjusted net income per diluted share(a) was $0.19, and our cash position remained strong at $116.7 million.

Performance Indicators

We evaluate our operating and financial performance using various performance indicators. Our management relies on the key performance indicators set forth below to help us evaluate growth trends, establish budgets, measure the effectiveness of our sales and marketing efforts, and assess operational efficiencies. We discuss revenue and gross margin under Results of Operations, and cash flow results under Liquidity and Capital Resources. Other measures of our performance, including EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted effective income tax rate, adjusted net income, adjusted net income per diluted share, free cash flow, gross profit, and gross margin are defined and discussed under Non-GAAP Financial Measures below.
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
(unaudited, dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Total net revenue
$
43,152

 
$
42,101

 
$
81,459

 
$
79,742

Net income
$
5,285

 
$
1,411

 
$
8,897

 
$
2,696

Year-over-year revenue growth
2.5
%
 
10.1
%
 
2.2
%
 
7.0
%
Gross margin (a)
93.9
%
 
93.4
%
 
94.8
%
 
93.9
%
EBITDA (a)
$
8,221

 
$
4,432

 
$
14,322

 
$
7,244

Adjusted EBITDA (a)
$
10,400

 
$
7,829

 
$
18,257

 
$
12,632

Adjusted EBITDA margin (a)
24.1
%
 
18.6
%
 
22.4
%
 
15.8
%
Adjusted net income (a)
$
4,998

 
$
2,255

 
$
8,450

 
$
3,003

Adjusted net income per diluted share (a)
$
0.19

 
$
0.09

 
$
0.32

 
$
0.12

Cash and cash equivalents at June 30,
$
116,704

 
$
98,391

 
$
116,704

 
$
98,391

Total employees at June 30,
749

 
762

 
749

 
762


(a) For computation of metrics and reconciliation thereof see Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of Management's Discussion and Analysis.





14


Below are operating metrics used as performance indicators to evaluate our revenue categories.

"eCPM" - National online advertising programs include display advertisements. Revenue from display advertisements is largely generated by sold impressions (the number of views or displays of a customer’s advertisement, banner, link or other form of content on our online properties for which we earn revenue). Display advertising revenue per one thousand sold impressions derives our effective CPM (“eCPM”).

Take Rate - Through our transactions business, we earn fixed fees, a percentage of sales, per-unit activity fees, or some combination thereof with respect to these transactions, which we refer to collectively as our “take rate.”
 
Retention Rate - We believe our retention rate is a key measure of our ability to retain and expand revenue from our vendors over time. We calculate retention rates in our local marketplace by starting with the count of cancelled vendors on a trailing twelve-month basis. We then divide the cancelled vendors by the sum of the count of beginning vendors plus trailing twelve-months of additions (churn). The inverse of our churn is our retention rate.



15


Results of Operations

Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2017

The following table summarizes results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017:
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Increase/(Decrease)
 
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
%
 
 
(in thousands, except for per share data)
Net revenue
 
$
43,152

 
$
42,101

 
$
1,051

 
2.5
 %
Costs and expenses
 
36,586

 
38,626

 
(2,040
)
 
(5.3
)
Income from operations
 
6,566

 
3,475

 
3,091

 
88.9

Loss in equity interests
 
(21
)
 
(1,054
)
 
1,033

 
(98.0
)
Interest and other income, net
 
209

 
105

 
104

 
99.0

Income before income taxes
 
6,754

 
2,526

 
4,228

 
167.4

Income tax expense
 
1,469

 
1,115

 
354

 
31.7

Net income
 
$
5,285

 
$
1,411

 
$
3,874

 
274.6
 %
Net income per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.21

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.15

 
250.0
 %
Diluted
 
$
0.20

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.14

 
233.3
 %

Net Revenue

Net revenue increased 2.5% to $43.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018, compared to $42.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. The following table sets forth revenue by category for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017, the percentage increase or decrease between those periods, and the percentage of total net revenue that each category represented for those periods:
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
 
Net Revenue
 
Percentage
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
Percentage of
Total Net Revenue
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(in thousands)
Local marketplace
 
$
22,318

 
$
18,938

 
17.8
 %
 
51.7
%
 
45.0
%
Transactions
 
9,004

 
8,158

 
10.4

 
20.8

 
19.4

National online advertising
 
7,105

 
9,980

 
(28.8
)
 
16.5

 
23.7

Publishing and other
 
4,725

 
5,025

 
(6.0
)
 
10.9

 
11.9

Total net revenue
 
$
43,152

 
$
42,101

 
2.5
 %
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

Local marketplace — Local marketplace advertising revenue increased by 18%, primarily driven by growth in local sales and improved vendor retention on TheKnot.com over the past twelve months. During the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2018, TheKnot.com averaged 27,292 paying vendors (up 21% from prior year), with an average spend of $2,952 (down 3% from prior year) and a retention rate of 78% (up from a 77% retention rate at June 30, 2017). As of June 30, 2018, paying vendors totaled 29,128, up 18% from June 30, 2017. See Performance Indicators in Executive Overview above for the definition of retention rate.

Transactions — Revenue from transactions increased 10% during the three months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the prior-year period. The increase was primarily attributed to our registry service, which was driven by higher traffic directed to our partners and take rate increases in our registry gifting and registry creation products. See Performance Indicators in the Executive Overview above for the definition of take rate.

National Online Advertising — Revenue from national online advertising was down 29% year over year due to a reduction in revenue across all ad products with the exception of social media offerings. In our sold display products we experienced double-digit declines in both impressions and eCPM. See Performance Indicators in the Executive Overview above for the definition of

16


eCPM. By brand, we experienced a 21% and a 50% decrease in national online revenue from TheKnot.com and TheBump.com, respectively.

Publishing and other — During the three months ended June 30, 2018, revenue from publishing and other decreased 6%, as compared to the prior-year period, primarily due to a decrease in advertising revenue related to The Knot national and regional publications.

Costs and Expenses

Our costs and expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2018 decreased 5% year over year. The following table presents the components of costs and expenses and the percentage of revenue that each component represented for the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017:
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
 
Costs and Expenses
 
Increase / (Decrease)
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
 
(in thousands)
Cost of revenue
 
$
2,614

 
$
2,789

 
$
(175
)
 
(6.3
)%
Product and content development
 
11,796

 
11,549

 
247

 
2.1

Sales and marketing
 
13,098

 
13,941

 
(843
)
 
(6.0
)
General and administrative
 
7,402

 
8,336

 
(934
)
 
(11.2
)
Depreciation and amortization
 
1,676

 
2,011

 
(335
)
 
(16.7
)
Total costs and expenses
 
$
36,586

 
$
38,626

 
$
(2,040
)
 
(5.3
)%

Cost of revenue The decrease in cost of revenue of 6% was primarily due to a reduction in the costs associated with publishing The Knot national and regional magazines.

Product and Content Development — The increase in product and content development expenses of 2% was driven by increased compensation and consultant costs, as well as increased computer software expenses, partially offset by higher capitalized costs associated with continued investment in product development and enterprise systems.

Sales and Marketing — The decrease in sales and marketing expenses of 6% was primarily due to lower employee compensation costs. The prior-year period includes compensation costs associated with two former executives as well as severance costs incurred as a result of focusing headcount on growth initiatives; no comparable costs were incurred in the current-year period.

General and Administrative —  General and administrative expenses decreased 11% primarily due to the reduction of elevated compliance costs incurred in the prior-year period as well as decreased bad debt.
 
Depreciation and Amortization — Depreciation and amortization decreased 17% due to the inclusion of accelerated amortization of a capitalized software project that was discontinued in the prior-year period.

Income Tax Expense

For the three months ended June 30, 2018, income tax expense of $1.5 million primarily represents the U.S. federal and state income tax provision of $1.8 million offset by excess tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation arrangements. For the three months ended June 30, 2017, income tax expense of $1.1 million represents the U.S. federal and state income tax provision.

The effective tax rate was 21.6% and 44.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2018 was higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21.0%, primarily due to state income taxes, partially offset by excess tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation arrangements. The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2017 was higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to state income taxes.

17




Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2017

The following table summarizes results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017:

 
 
Six months ended June 30,
  
 
2018
 
2017
Increase/(Decrease)
  
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
Amount
 
%
  
 
(in thousands, except for per share data)
Net revenue
 
$
81,459

 
$
79,742

 
$
1,717

 
2
%
Costs and expenses
 
70,408

 
74,996

 
(4,588
)
 
(6
)
  Income from operations
 
11,051

 
4,746

 
6,305

 
133

Loss in equity interest
 
(43
)
 
(1,171
)
 
1,128

 
(96
)
Interest and other income (expense), net
 
411

 
198

 
213

 
108

  Income before income taxes
 
11,419

 
3,773

 
7,646

 
203

Income tax expense
 
2,522

 
1,077

 
1,445

 
134

  Net income
 
$
8,897

 
$
2,696

 
$
6,201

 
230
%
Net income per share:
 
  

 
  

 


 
  

Basic
 
$
0.35

 
$
0.11

 
$
0.24

 
218
%
Diluted
 
$
0.35

 
$
0.11

 
$
0.24

 
218
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Net Revenue

Net revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2018 of $81.5 million increased 2% as compared to the prior-year period. The following table sets forth revenue by category for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017, the percentage increase or decrease between those periods, and the percentage of total net revenue that each category represented for those periods:

 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
Net Revenue
 
Percentage
Increase /
(Decrease)
 
Percentage of
Total Net Revenue
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(in thousands)
Local marketplace
 
$
44,193

 
$
37,557

 
17.7
 %
 
54.3
%
 
47.1
%
Transactions
 
15,317

 
13,290

 
15.3

 
18.8
%
 
16.7

National online advertising
 
13,872

 
19,981

 
(30.6
)
 
17.0
%
 
25.1

Publishing and other
 
8,077

 
8,914

 
(9.4
)
 
9.9
%
 
11.2

Total net revenue
 
$
81,459

 
$
79,742

 
2.2
 %
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Local marketplace — Local marketplace advertising revenue increased by 18%, primarily driven by growth in local sales and improved vendor retention on TheKnot.com over the past twelve months. During the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2018, TheKnot.com averaged 27,292 paying vendors (up 21% from prior year), with an average spend of $2,952 (down 3% from prior year) and a retention rate of 78% (up from a 77% retention rate at June 30, 2017). As of June 30, 2018, paying vendors totaled 29,128, up 18% from June 30, 2017. See Performance Indicators in Executive Overview above for the definition of retention rate.

Transactions —Revenue from transactions increased 15% during the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the prior-year period. The increase was primarily attributed to our registry service, which was driven by higher traffic directed to our partners and take rate increases in our registry gifting and registry creation products. See Performance Indicators in Executive Overview above for the definition of take rate.

18




National Online Advertising — Revenue from national online advertising was down 31% year over year due to a reduction in revenue across all ad products with the exception of social media offerings. In our sold display products we experienced double-digit decline in impressions and double-digit declines in eCPM. See Performance Indicators in Executive Overview above for the definition of eCPM. By brand, we experienced a 26% and a 45% decrease in national online revenue from TheKnot.com and TheBump.com, respectively.

Publishing and other — During the six months ended June 30, 2018, revenue from publishing and other decreased 9%, as compared to the prior-year period, primarily due to a decrease in advertising revenue related to The Knot national and regional publications.

Costs and Expenses

Our costs and expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 decreased 6% year over year. The following table presents the components of costs and expenses and the percentage change that each component represented for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017:

 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
Costs and expenses
 
Increase / (Decrease)
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Amount
 
Percentage
 
 
(in thousands)
Cost of revenue
 
$
4,257

 
$
4,826

 
$
(569
)
 
(11.8
)%
Product and content development
 
22,825

 
23,005

 
(180
)
 
(0.8
)
Sales and marketing
 
25,780

 
27,565

 
(1,785
)
 
(6.5
)
General and administrative
 
14,232

 
15,931

 
(1,699
)
 
(10.7
)
Depreciation and amortization
 
3,314

 
3,669

 
(355
)
 
(9.7
)
Total costs and expenses
 
$
70,408

 
$
74,996

 
$
(4,588
)
 
(6.1
)%

Cost of revenue The decrease in cost of revenue 12% was primarily due to a reduction in the costs associated with publishing The Knot national and regional magazines.

Product and Content Development —The decrease in product and content development expenses of 1% was driven by higher capitalized costs associated with continued investment in product development and enterprise systems, partially offset by increased compensation and consultant costs, as well as increased computer software expenses.

Sales and Marketing — The decrease in sales and marketing expenses of 6% was primarily due to lower employee compensation costs associated with headcount reductions in our national sales force. Additionally, the prior-year period includes compensation costs associated with two former executives; no comparable costs were incurred in the current-year period.

General and Administrative — General and administrative expenses decreased 11% primarily due to the reduction of elevated compliance costs incurred in the prior-year period as well as decreased bad debt.

Depreciation and Amortization — The decrease of 10% in depreciation and amortization was primarily due to inclusion of accelerated amortization of a capitalized software project that was discontinued in the prior-year period.

Income Tax Expense

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, income tax expense of $2.5 million primarily represents the U.S. federal and state income tax provision of $3.0 million offset by excess tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation arrangements. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, income tax expense of $1.1 million primarily represents the U.S. federal and state income tax provision of $1.6 million offset by excess tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation arrangements as well as the resolution of a previously reserved uncertain tax position.


19


The effective tax rate was 22.0% and 28.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was higher than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21.0% primarily as a result of state income taxes, offset by excess tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation arrangements. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to benefits relating to excess tax benefits associated with stock based compensation agreements and the resolution of a previously reserved uncertain tax position.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

During the six months ended June 30, 2018, our cash and cash equivalents increased $10.6 million from December 31, 2017. The increase in cash was primarily related to $16.2 million of cash generated from operations. The increase was offset by the use of $4.7 million in investing activities, of which $3.2 million was for additions to capitalized software, and $1.5 million towards purchases of property and equipment. An additional $0.9 million was used in financing activities. Our cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with maturities of 90 days or less at the date of acquisition. At June 30, 2018, we had $116.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, compared to $106.1 million at December 31, 2017.

The following table sets forth our cash flows from operating activities, investing activities, and financing activities for the periods indicated:
 
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
16,217

 
$
9,832

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(4,658
)
 
(2,107
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(947
)
 
(15,037
)
Increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
$
10,612

 
$
(7,312
)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $16.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2018. This was driven by our net income of $8.9 million adjusted for $7.8 million of non-cash items, most notably stock-based compensation of $3.9 million and $3.3 million of depreciation and amortization expense. The decrease in cash from changes in operating assets and liabilities was primarily driven by increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $1.1 million and deferred revenue of $1.1 million offset by decreases in accrued compensation and employee benefits of $1.9 million and deferred rent and other liabilities of $0.8 million.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $9.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Our operating income, as discussed in the results of operations above, was $4.7 million but included two significant non-cash items: depreciation and amortization expense and stock-based compensation expense. Our adjusted EBITDA, which excludes those items (see Non-GAAP Financial Measures disclosure) was $12.6 million. In addition, our deferred revenue increased $1.1 million primarily from advertising and transaction sources. These increases to cash were partially offset by cash used to pay annual bonuses and prepay taxes, which were the primary reasons for the $1.6 million and $2.6 million decreases in accrued compensation and benefits and prepaid expenses and other assets, respectively. We also used $0.6 million in cash that reduced our deferred rent and other liabilities.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $4.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, driven by $3.2 million of additions to capitalized software primarily related to internally developed local marketplace initiatives and $1.5 million of purchases of property and equipment as we build out our new offices in Austin and South Norwalk.

Net cash used in investing activities was $2.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, driven by additions to capitalized expenditures.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, primarily driven by $2.1 million used to satisfy tax withholding obligations for employees related to the net share settlements of stock-based compensation awards. This decrease in cash was offset by cash received resulting from the exercise of options of $0.7 million and proceeds pursuant to employee stock purchase plans of $0.5 million.


20


Net cash used in financing activities was $15.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, driven by repurchases of shares totaling $13.3 million, and cash used to satisfy tax withholding obligations for employees related to the vesting of their restricted stock awards of $2.5 million. These decreases in cash were partially offset by proceeds pursuant to employee stock purchase plans of $0.4 million and from the exercise of options of $0.4 million.

Seasonality

We believe the impact of the frequency of weddings varying from quarter-to-quarter results in lower transactions revenue in the first and fourth quarters. Our publishing business experiences fluctuations resulting in quarter-to-quarter declines in the first and third quarters due to the cyclical publishing schedule of our regional publications. As our business continues to change, we could experience new and potentially different seasonal patterns in the future.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of June 30, 2018, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussion of our results of operations and financial condition relies on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which are prepared based on certain critical accounting policies that require us to make judgments and estimates that are subject to varying degrees of uncertainty. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, allowances for doubtful accounts and sales returns, capitalized software, intangible assets, income taxes, commissions and bonus expense, and stock-based compensation. We base our estimates on historical experience, current developments and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that cannot readily be determined from other sources. We believe that investors need to be aware of these policies and how they impact our financial statements as a whole, as well as our related discussion and analysis presented herein. While we believe that these accounting policies are based on sound measurement criteria, actual future events can result in outcomes that may be materially different from these estimates or forecasts.

We believe that, of our significant accounting policies described in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2017 Form 10-K, the policies that may involve the highest degree of judgment and complexity are described in Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, also in our 2017 Form 10-K. With the exception of the changes to our revenue recognition policies referenced above, there have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies during the six months ended June 30, 2018.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes information about certain financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP” or “U.S. GAAP”), including EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted net income, adjusted provision for income taxes, adjusted effective income tax rate, adjusted net income per diluted share, free cash flow, gross profit, and gross margin. These non-GAAP measures have important limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for an analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Our use of these terms may vary from the use of similarly-titled measures by others in our industry due to the potential inconsistencies in the method of calculation and differences due to items subject to interpretation.

We define our non-GAAP financial measures as follows:

EBITDA represents GAAP income from operations adjusted to exclude: (1) interest, (2) tax, and (3) depreciation and amortization.


21


Adjusted EBITDA represents GAAP income from operations adjusted to exclude, if applicable: (1) interest, (2) tax, (3) depreciation and amortization, (4) gains or losses from equity method investments, (5) stock-based compensation expense, (6) asset impairment charges, and (7) other items affecting comparability during the period.

Adjusted EBITDA margin represents adjusted EBITDA (as defined above), divided by total GAAP revenue.

Adjusted provision for income taxes is calculated by applying an adjusted effective income tax rate to adjusted income before income taxes. Adjusted effective income tax rate is based on the statutory income tax rates in the jurisdictions in which we operate. The adjusted effective income tax rate also excludes discrete items that we view as unrelated to our operations during the period, such as the impact of tax windfalls and shortfalls associated with stock based compensation, as these items can materially distort our effective income tax rate. We monitor the adjusted effective income tax rate based on events or trends that could materially impact the rate, including tax legislation changes and changes in the geographic mix of revenue and expenses. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, the adjusted effective income tax rate of 26% excludes the impact of approximately $0.3 million and $0.5 million of tax windfalls, respectively, as they are considered to be discrete items. For the three months ended June 30, 2017, the adjusted effective income tax rate of 40% excludes the impact of approximately $0.2 million in tax shortfalls, offset by an approximately $0.2 million of tax benefits associated with the release of a previously reserved uncertain tax position, each of which are considered to be discrete items. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, the adjusted effective income tax rate of 40% excludes the impact of approximately $0.4 million in tax windfalls, which are considered to be discrete items.

Adjusted net income represents GAAP net income, adjusted for items that impact comparability, which may include: (1) asset impairment charges, (2) executive separation and other severance charges, (3) use of an adjusted effective income tax rate, (4) costs related to exit activities, and (5) other items affecting comparability during the period.

Adjusted net income per diluted share represents adjusted net income (as defined above), divided by the diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the period.

Free cash flow represents GAAP net cash provided by operations, less capital expenditures.

Gross profit represents GAAP net revenue less cost of revenue excluding depreciation and amortization.
 
Gross margin is equal to gross profit (as defined above) divided by GAAP net revenue, expressed as a percentage.

Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when viewed with our results under U.S. GAAP and the accompanying reconciliations, provide useful information about our period-over-period growth and provide additional information that is useful for evaluating our operating performance. However, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted net income, adjusted provision for income taxes, adjusted effective income tax rate, adjusted net income per diluted share, free cash flow, gross profit, and gross margin are not measures of financial performance under U.S. GAAP and, accordingly, should not be considered substitutes for or superior to net income, net income per diluted share and net cash provided by operating activities as indicators of operating performance.

Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Gross profit of $40.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 increased $1.2 million compared to $39.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. Gross margin of 93.9% was up approximately 0.5% during the three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the prior-year period.

Gross profit of $77.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 increased $2.3 million compared to $74.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Gross margin of 94.8% was up approximately 0.9% during the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the prior-year period.


22




The tables below provides reconciliations between the non-GAAP financial measures discussed above to the comparable U.S. GAAP measures (unaudited, in thousands, except for per share data):
Reconciliation of GAAP net income to EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted EBITDA margin:
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP net income
$
5,285

 
$
1,411

 
$
8,897

 
$
2,696

Income tax expense
1,469

 
1,115

 
2,522

 
1,077

Interest and other income, net
(209
)
 
(105
)
 
(411
)
 
(198
)
Depreciation and amortization
1,676

 
2,011

 
3,314

 
3,669

EBITDA
8,221

 
4,432

 
14,322

 
7,244

Loss in equity interest(a)
21

 
1,054

 
43

 
1,171

Stock-based compensation
2,158

 
2,143

 
3,892

 
4,017

Bad debt expense(b)

 
200

 

 
200

Adjusted EBITDA
$
10,400

 
$
7,829

 
$
18,257

 
$
12,632

GAAP net revenue
$
43,152

 
$
42,101

 
$
81,459

 
$
79,742

Adjusted EBITDA margin
24.10
%
 
18.60
%
 
22.41
%
 
15.84
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) Loss in equity interest includes an other-than-temporary impairment that reduced the carrying value of an equity investment to zero. 
(b) Included in general and administrative operating expense, related to a loan previously made to an equity investee.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of GAAP net income to adjusted net income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAAP net income
$
5,285

 
$
1,411

 
$
8,897

 
$
2,696

Other-than-temporary impairment(a)

 
1,032

 

 
1,032

Bad debt expense(b)

 
200

 

 
200

Income tax expense
1,469

 
1,115

 
2,522

 
1,077

Adjusted income before income taxes
6,754

 
3,758

 
11,419

 
5,005

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted effective income tax expense rate
26
%
 
40
%
 
26
%
 
40
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted provision for income tax expense
(1,756
)
 
(1,503
)
 
(2,969
)
 
(2,002
)
Adjusted net income
$
4,998

 
$
2,255

 
$
8,450

 
$
3,003

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income per diluted share
$
0.19

 
$
0.09

 
$
0.33

 
$
0.12

Weighted average number of shares outstanding - diluted
25,806

 
25,182

 
25,573

 
25,469

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) Loss in equity interest includes an other-than-temporary impairment that reduced the carrying value of an equity investment to zero. 
(b) Included in general and administrative operating expense, related to a loan previously made to an equity investee.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

23


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Free cash flow reconciliation:
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
9,671

 
$
4,797

 
$
16,217

 
$
9,832

Less: capital expenditures
(1,899
)
 
(911
)
 
(4,684
)
 
(2,123
)
Free cash flow
$
7,772

 
$
3,886

 
$
11,533

 
$
7,709


24


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes to our market rate risk for changes in interest rates, as those rates relate to our investment portfolio, from our market risk previously disclosed in our 2017 Form 10-K, under the heading Part II, Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as that term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of June 30, 2018. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the six months ended June 30, 2018 identified in connection with the evaluation thereof by our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures

Management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all error and fraud. Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, is based upon certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives will be met. Further, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective at that reasonable assurance level.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are engaged in certain legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business and believe that the ultimate outcome of these actions will not have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our business, results of operations and financial condition are subject to various risks and uncertainties including the risk factors found under the caption “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 2, 2018. There have been no material changes to the risk factors described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.


25


Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
 
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased(a)(c)
 
Average
Price Paid
per Share(b)
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs(c)
 
Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares That May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs(d)
April 1 to April 30, 2018
 
1,715

 
$
21.25

 

 
$
12,312,078

May 1 to May 31, 2018
 
2,371

 
$
28.32

 

 
$
12,312,078

June 1 to June 30, 2018
 
12,129

 
$
33.53

 

 
$
12,312,078

Total
 
16,215

 
 
 

 
 

(a)
The terms of some awards granted under certain of our stock incentive plans allow participants to surrender or deliver shares of XO Group’s common stock to us to satisfy statutory income tax withholding obligations related to the vesting of those awards. The shares listed in the table above represent the surrender or delivery of shares to us in connection with such tax withholding obligations.

(b)
For purposes of this table, the “price paid per share” is determined by reference to the closing sales price per share of XO Group’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of surrender, delivery or repurchase (or on the last date preceding such surrender, delivery or repurchase for which such reported price exists) of shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations and shares repurchased, as described below.

(c), (d)
On April 10, 2013, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to $20.0 million of our common stock. On May 23, 2016, our Board of Directors authorized an additional $20.0 million repurchase of our common stock from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time, but it does not have an expiration date. As of June 30, 2018, we have repurchased a total of 1,640,012 shares of our common stock under our repurchase program for an aggregate of $27.7 million. We did not purchase any shares of our common stock under the repurchase program during the three months ended June 30, 2018.

3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits

Incorporated by reference to the Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits attached to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

26


EXHIBIT INDEX
Number
 
Description
31.1
 
31.2
 
32.1*
 
32.2*
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

* These certifications are not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not to be incorporated by reference in any filing we make under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, irrespective of any general incorporation language in any filings.



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.
                    
 
 
XO GROUP INC.
Date:
July 31, 2018
/s/ Gillian Munson
 
 
Name: Gillian Munson
 
 
Title: Chief Financial Officer
 
 
(principal financial officer and duly authorized officer)


28