WebMD Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2016 Financial Results

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NEW YORK, Feb. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WebMD Health Corp. (NASDAQ: WBMD), the leading source of health information, today announced fourth quarter and full year financial results for 2016.

"We are pleased to report fourth quarter and full year results near the high end of our expectations," said Steve Zatz, Chief Executive Officer, WebMD. "The future of health care is undeniably tied to digital interactions and, as the leading online service for physicians and consumers, we believe that WebMD will be a vital force in shaping that future."

Financial Highlights

For the three months ended December 31, 2016:

  • Revenue was $207.5 million, compared to $192.1 million in the prior year period, an increase of 8%. Advertising and sponsorship revenue was $171.0 millioncompared to $158.3 million in the prior year period. Health services revenue, which we previously reported as private portal services revenue, was $28.8 million compared to $27.2 million in the prior year period. Information services revenue was $7.7 million compared to $6.6 million in the prior year period.
  • Net income increased 32% to $36.2 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, compared to $27.5 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, in the prior year period.
  • Earnings before interest, taxes, non-cash and other items ("Adjusted EBITDA") increased 16% to $78.1 million, or 38% of revenue, compared to $67.4 million, or 35% of revenue, in the prior year period.

For the year ended December 31, 2016:

  • Revenue was $705.0 million compared to $636.4 million in the prior year, an increase of 11%. Advertising and sponsorship revenue was $561.3 millioncompared to $499.0 million in the prior year, an increase of 12%. Health services revenue, which we previously reported as private portal services revenue, was $113.9 million compared to $110.4 million in the prior year, an increase of 3%. Information services revenue was $29.8 million compared to $26.9 million in the prior year, an increase of 11%.
  • Net income increased 43% to $91.3 million, or $1.97 per diluted share, compared to $64.0 million, or $1.48 per diluted share, in the prior year.
  • Adjusted EBITDA increased 19% to $230.6 million, or 33% of revenue, compared to $193.2 million, or 30% of revenue, in the prior year.

Balance Sheet Highlights

As of December 31, 2016, WebMD had: approximately $991 million in investments and cash and cash equivalents; $1.06 billion in aggregate principal amount of convertible notes outstanding; and approximately 37.6 million shares of its common stock outstanding (including approximately 900 thousand unvested shares of restricted stock).

During the fourth quarter, the company utilized $110 million of cash to purchase 2.0 million shares of its common stock in a tender offer. The Company also utilized $1.2 million of cash to purchase approximately 24 thousand shares of its common stock under its stock repurchase program. As of December 31, 2016, approximately $45.6 million remained available for repurchases under WebMD's stock repurchase program. Under its stock repurchase program, WebMD may repurchase shares from time to time in the open market, through block trades or in private transactions, depending on market conditions and other factors.

Traffic Highlights

Traffic to the WebMD Health Network during the fourth quarter of 2016 averaged 179.5 million unique users per month, generating 3.63 billion page views for the quarter, representing decreases of 11% and 9% in users and page views, respectively, when compared to the prior year period.

Financial Guidance

Today WebMD issued financial guidance for the first quarter and full year 2017. For the full year ending December 31, 2017, WebMD expects:

  • Revenue to be approximately $710 million to $730 million, an increase of 1% to 4% from the prior year.
    • $580 million to $598 million of revenue is expected to be from advertising and sponsorship, an increase of 3% to 7% from the prior year. Advertising and sponsorship from biopharma customers is expected to grow 2% to 5%. Advertising and sponsorship from OTC, CPG and other customers is expected to grow 8% to 11%.
    • $99 million to $100 million of revenue is expected to be from health services revenue, compared to $113.9 million in 2016.
    • $31 million to $32 million of revenue is expected to be from information services, compared to $29.8 million in 2016.
  • Net income to be approximately $89.0 million to $98.0 million, or $1.97 to $2.10per diluted share, compared to $91.3 million, or $1.97 per diluted share, in 2016.
  • Adjusted EBITDA to be approximately $233 million to $243 million, an increase of 1% to 5% from the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of revenue, to be approximately 32.8% to 33.3%, compared to 32.7% in the prior year.

Mr. Zatz continued, "Our financial outlook for this year reflects ongoing uncertainty in the healthcare landscape. While we are not satisfied with the growth we are projecting at the present time for 2017, we remain positive about the longer term opportunity and believe that, as demand for digital health services continues to grow, WebMD and Medscape are uniquely positioned as the market leaders with strong brands, unparalleled engagement of consumer health and physician audiences, and a proven ability to demonstrate value to our customers." 

Based on the expected timing of delivery for customer programs, WebMDexpects advertising and sponsorship revenue to be flat to slightly down in the first quarter of 2017 with growth occurring over the balance of 2017.

For the first quarter of 2017, WebMD expects:

  • Revenue to be approximately $151 million to $154 million, a decrease of 3% to 5% from the prior year period.
  • Net income to be approximately $9.8 million to $11.5 million, a decrease of approximately 27% to 38% from the prior year period.
  • Adjusted EBITDA to be approximately $38.0 million to $40.0 million, a decrease of approximately 15% to 19% from the prior year period.

A schedule summarizing the Company's financial guidance is attached to this press release.

Exploration of Strategic Alternatives

In a separate release issued today, WebMD announced that its Board of Directors, working together with its management team and legal and financial advisors, has commenced a process to explore and evaluate potential strategic alternatives focused on maximizing shareholder value. These alternatives could include, among other things, the sale of part or all of the Company, a merger with another party or other strategic transaction or continuing to execute on WebMD's business plan.

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is acting as financial advisor to the Company. Shearman & Sterling LLP is acting as legal advisor.

Analyst and Investor Conference Call                                  

WebMD will hold a conference call with investors and analysts at 4:45 p.m.(Eastern) today. The call can be accessed at www.wbmd.com (in the Investor Relations section). A replay of the audio webcast will be available at the same web address.

About WebMD

WebMD Health Corp. (NASDAQ: WBMD) is the leading provider of health information services, serving consumers, physicians, healthcare professionals, employers, and health plans through our public and private online portals, mobile platforms and health-focused publications.

The WebMD Health Network includes WebMD.com, Medscape.com, MedicineNet.com, eMedicineHealth.com, RxList.com, OnHealth.com, Medscape Education (Medscape.org) and other WebMD owned sites and apps.

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All statements contained in this press release and the related analyst and investor conference call, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including those regarding:  explorations of possible transactions and other strategic alternatives; guidance on our future financial results and other projections or measures of our future performance; market opportunities or momentum and our ability to capitalize on them; and the benefits expected from new or expected contracts with customers, from new or updated products or services and from other potential sources of additional revenue. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release, are based on our current plans and expectations, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future events or results to be different than those described in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those relating to: the nature and timing of any possible transaction or other strategic alternative or of any potential benefits from any such transaction or other alternative; market acceptance of our products and services; our relationships with customers and other factors affecting their use of our services and the timing of entry into and implementation of specific contracts with customers, including regulatory matters affecting their products and services; our ability to deploy new or updated services and to create new or enhanced revenue streams from those services; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; and changes in economic, political or regulatory conditions or other trends affecting the healthcare, Internet and information technology industries.  Further information about these matters can be found in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings and this press release is intended to be read in conjunction with information contained in those filings. Except as required by applicable law or regulation, we do not undertake any obligation to update our forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

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This press release, and the accompanying tables, include both financial measures in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, as well as certain non-GAAP financial measures.  The tables attached to this press release include reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures. In addition, an "Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures" is attached to this press release as Annex A. 

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WebMD®, Medscape®, CME Circle®, Medpulse®, eMedicine®, MedicineNet®, theheart.org® and RxList® are among the trademarks of WebMD Health Corp. or its subsidiaries.

 

 

WEBMD HEALTH CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 (In thousands, except per share data, unaudited)

          
    

Three Months Ended

 

Years Ended

 
    

December 31,

 

December 31,

 
    

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

 
            

Revenue

   

$    207,472

 

$    192,129

 

$    705,046

 

$    636,399

 

Cost of operations

   

72,895

 

69,475

 

266,654

 

247,311

 

Sales and marketing

   

41,328

 

40,129

 

145,962

 

138,025

 

General and administrative

   

23,397

 

24,183

 

91,141

 

91,580

 

Depreciation and amortization

   

7,721

 

7,418

 

30,792

 

30,521

 

Interest income

   

938

 

15

 

2,545

 

51

 

Interest expense

   

7,066

 

5,099

 

24,496

 

23,123

 

Loss on convertible notes

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

2,058

 

Gain on investments

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

139

 

Other expense

 

-

 

-

 

1,712

 

4,100

 
            
            

Income before income tax provision

 

56,003

 

45,840

 

146,834

 

99,871

 

 

     Income tax provision

 

19,815

 

18,379

 

55,530

 

35,847

 

Net income

 

$      36,188

 

$      27,461

 

$      91,304

 

$      64,024

 
            
            

Net income per common share:

         

 

     Basic

 

$          0.95

 

$          0.75

 

$          2.41

 

$          1.75

 

 

     Diluted

 

$          0.73

 

$          0.60

 

$          1.97

 

$          1.48

 
            

Weighted-average shares outstanding used in 

       

 

     computing income per common share: 

         

 

     Basic

 

38,006

 

36,583

 

37,854

 

36,600

 

 

     Diluted 

 

55,211

 

51,338

 

54,179

 

52,653

 
            

 

 

 

WEBMD HEALTH CORP.

CONSOLIDATED SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 (In thousands, unaudited)

            
          
    

Three Months Ended

 

Years Ended

 
    

December 31,

 

December 31,

 
    

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

 

Revenue

         

Advertising and sponsorship

         

 

     Biopharma and medical device

 

$      132,166

 

$      119,528

 

$      428,519

 

$      371,220

 

 

     OTC, CPG and other

 

38,847

 

38,758

 

132,754

 

127,805

 
    

171,013

 

158,286

 

561,273

 

499,025

 

Health services

 

28,803

 

27,218

 

113,937

 

110,441

 

Information services

 

7,656

 

6,625

 

29,836

 

26,933

 
    

$      207,472

 

$      192,129

 

$      705,046

 

$      636,399

 
            
            

Net income

 

$        36,188

 

$        27,461

 

$        91,304

 

$        64,024

 
            

Interest, taxes, non-cash and other items  (a)

         

 

     Interest income

 

(938)

 

(15)

 

(2,545)

 

(51)

 

 

     Interest expense

 

7,066

 

5,099

 

24,496

 

23,123

 

 

     Income tax provision

 

19,815

 

18,379

 

55,530

 

35,847

 

 

     Depreciation and amortization 

 

7,721

 

7,418

 

30,792

 

30,521

 

 

     Non-cash stock-based compensation

 

8,291

 

9,012

 

29,329

 

33,743

 

 

     Loss on convertible notes

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

2,058

 

 

     Gain on investments

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(139)

 

 

     Other expense

 

-

 

-

 

1,712

 

4,100

 
            

Earnings before interest, taxes, non-cash

         

 

    and other items ("Adjusted EBITDA") (b)

 

$        78,143

 

$        67,354

 

$      230,618

 

$      193,226

 
            

(a)  Reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA.

   

(b)  See Annex A-Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

   
            

 

 

 

WEBMD HEALTH CORP.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 (In thousands)

      
   

December 31,

   

2016

 

2015

   

(unaudited)

  

Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$          492,424

 

$        641,165

Accounts receivable, net

 

179,454

 

174,313

Investments

 

498,500

 

-

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

15,294

 

18,998

 

Total current assets

 

1,185,672

 

834,476

      

Property and equipment,  net

 

83,296

 

81,027

Goodwill

 

202,980

 

202,980

Intangible assets, net

 

7,774

 

10,894

Deferred tax assets, net

 

14,544

 

15,694

Other assets

 

6,920

 

10,852

Total Assets

 

$       1,501,186

 

$     1,155,923

      

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

    

Accrued expenses

 

$            78,597

 

$          80,664

Deferred revenue

 

105,310

 

102,715

2.25% convertible notes due 2016, net

 

-

 

102,523

 

Total current liabilities

 

183,907

 

285,902

      

2.50% convertible notes due 2018, net

 

398,066

 

396,281

1.50% convertible notes due 2020, net

 

295,432

 

294,266

2.625% convertible notes due 2023, net

 

351,190

 

-

Other long-term liabilities

 

28,731

 

23,246

      

Stockholders' equity

 

243,860

 

156,228

      

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 

$       1,501,186

 

$     1,155,923

      

 

 

 

WEBMD HEALTH CORP.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands, unaudited)

         
       
      

Years Ended

      

December 31,

      

2016

 

2015

Cash flows from operating activities:

    
 

Net income

 

$           91,304

 

$        64,024

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by

    
 

  operating activities:

    
  

Depreciation and amortization

 

30,792

 

30,521

  

Non-cash interest, net

 

3,906

 

4,172

  

Non-cash stock-based compensation

 

29,329

 

33,743

  

Deferred income taxes

 

1,083

 

(7,713)

  

Loss on convertible notes

 

-

 

2,058

  

Gain on investments

 

-

 

(139)

  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    
   

Accounts receivable

 

(5,141)

 

(37,507)

   

Prepaid expenses and other, net

 

4,039

 

(4,132)

   

Accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities

 

3,246

 

9,606

   

Deferred revenue

 

2,595

 

12,930

    

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

161,153

 

107,563

         

Cash flows from investing activities:

    
 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(29,785)

 

(48,372)

 

Purchases of investments

 

(1,446,410)

 

-

 

Maturity of investments

 

948,078

 

139

 

Partial redemption of cost-method investment

 

2,599

 

-

    

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(525,518)

 

(48,233)

         

Cash flows from financing activities:

    
 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

65,309

 

21,939

 

Cash used for withholding taxes due on stock-based awards

 

(17,599)

 

(6,438)

 

Net proceeds from issuance of convertible notes

 

350,394

 

-

 

Maturity of convertible notes

 

(102,682)

 

(151,038)

 

Repurchase of shares through tender offers

 

(110,413)

 

-

 

Purchases of treasury stock 

 

(23,643)

 

(28,406)

 

Excess tax benefit on stock-based awards

 

54,258

 

39,002

    

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

215,624

 

(124,941)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(148,741)

 

(65,611)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

641,165

 

706,776

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$         492,424

 

$      641,165

         

 

 

 

WEBMD HEALTH CORP.

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

 (In thousands, except per share data, unaudited)

           
           
    

Three Months Ended

 

Years Ended

    

December 31,

 

December 31,

    

2016

 

2015

 

2016

 

2015

           
 

Numerator:

        
 

Net income - Basic

 

$        36,188

 

$           27,461

 

$        91,304

 

$        64,024

  

Interest expense on 1.50% convertible notes, net of tax

 

878

 

864

 

3,513

 

3,456

  

Interest expense on 2.50% convertible notes, net of tax

 

1,827

 

1,797

 

7,307

 

7,189

  

Interest expense on 2.25% convertible notes, net of tax

 

-

 

449

 

457

 

3,460

  

Interest expense on 2.625% convertible notes, net of tax

 

1,676

 

-

 

3,911

 

-

 

Net income - Diluted

 

$        40,569

 

$           30,571

 

$      106,492

 

$        78,129

           
           
 

Denominator:

        
 

Weighted-average shares - Basic

 

38,006

 

36,583

 

37,854

 

36,600

  

Stock options and restricted stock

 

1,158

 

1,427

 

1,658

 

1,412

  

1.50% convertible notes

 

5,699

 

5,694

 

5,695

 

5,694

  

2.50% convertible notes

 

6,210

 

6,205

 

6,206

 

6,205

  

2.25% convertible notes

 

-

 

1,429

 

353

 

2,742

  

2.625% convertible notes

 

4,138

 

-

 

2,413

 

-

 

Adjusted weighted-average shares after assumed conversions - Diluted

 

55,211

 

51,338

 

54,179

 

52,653

           
           
 

Net income per common share:

        
  

Basic

 

$            0.95

 

$               0.75

 

$            2.41

 

$            1.75

  

Diluted

 

$            0.73

 

$               0.60

 

$            1.97

 

$            1.48

           

 

 

 

          

WEBMD HEALTH CORP.

FINANCIAL GUIDANCE FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2017

(In millions, except per share amounts)

          
   

Guidance Range

    

Revenue

        

 

     Advertising and sponsorship

        

 

       Biopharma and medical device

 

$       437.0

 

$      450.0

    

 

       OTC, CPG and other

 

143.0

 

148.0

    
   

580.0

 

598.0

    

 

     Health services

 

99.0

 

100.0

    

 

     Information services

 

31.0

 

32.0

    
   

$       710.0

 

$      730.0

    
          

Net income

 

$         89.0

 

$        98.0

    
          

Interest, taxes, non-cash and other items (a)

        

   Interest expense, net

 

21.0

 

21.0

    

   Income tax provision (d)

 

54.0

 

60.0

    

   Depreciation and amortization

 

32.0

 

30.0

    

   Non-cash stock-based compensation

 

37.0

 

34.0

    
          

Earnings before interest, taxes, non-cash and other items ("Adjusted EBITDA") (b)

 

$       233.0

 

$      243.0

    
          

Income per share:

        

     Basic

 

$         2.41

 

$        2.61

    

     Diluted (c)

 

$         1.97

 

$        2.10

    
          

Calculation of income per share:

        
 

Net income (numerator for basic income per share)

 

$         89.0

 

$        98.0

    
 

Add-back of interest expense, net of tax, related to:

        
 

   1.50% convertible notes

 

3.5

 

3.5

    
 

   2.50% convertible notes

 

7.3

 

7.3

    
 

   2.625% convertible notes

 

6.7

 

6.7

    
 

Numerator for diluted income per share

 

$       106.5

 

$      115.5

    
          
 

Weighted average shares outstanding (denominator for basic income per share)

 

37.0

 

37.5

    
 

Stock options and restricted stock

 

1.0

 

1.5

    
 

Weighted average shares issuable upon conversion of:

        
 

   1.50% convertible notes

 

5.7

 

5.7

    
 

   2.50% convertible notes

 

6.2

 

6.2

    
 

   2.625% convertible notes

 

4.2

 

4.2

    
 

Denominator for diluted income per share

 

54.1

 

55.1

    
          

(a) Reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA.

        
          

(b) See Annex A - Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

   
          

(c) See Supplemental 2017 Guidance for Income Per Share Calculation below.

   
          

(d) Effective January 1, 2017, the Company will adopt a new accounting standard which requires excess tax benefits or deficiencies resulting from stock award activity to be included within the income tax provision.  The income tax provision included in the 2017 financial guidance (including the Q1 2017 guidance provided below) excludes any adjustments related to this new accounting standard because the adjustments will be based on actual exercise or settlement activity, which cannot be estimated at this time.

 

Additional information regarding forecast for the quarter ending March 31, 2017:

   

-

Revenue is forecasted to be between $151 million to $154 million.

    
          

-

Revenue distribution is forecasted to be:  approximately 58.5% from Advertising and sponsorship - Biopharma and medical device; 21% from Advertising and sponsorship - OTC, CPG and other; 15.5% from health services; and 5% from information services.

 
          

-

Net income is forecasted to be between $9.8 million to $11.5 million.

   
          

-

Adjusted EBITDA is forecasted to be between $38 million to $40 million.

   
          

-

In calculating Adjusted EBITDA, the Company excluded the following expense items that are included in the calculation of Net Income: interest expense, net of $5.3 million; depreciation and amortization of $7.4 to $7.0 million; non-cash stock-based compensation of $9.3 to $8.9 million; and income tax provision of $6.2 to $7.3 million.  See Annex A - Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

 
          

The above guidance does not include the impact, if any, of future deployment of capital for items such as share

repurchases, convertible note repurchases or acquisitions, gains or losses from discontinued operations, and

other non-recurring, one-time or unusual items (including the strategic review announced in the accompanying press release).

 

 

 

WEBMD HEALTH CORP.

 

SUPPLEMENTAL 2017 GUIDANCE FOR INCOME PER SHARE CALCULATION

 
             

Based on the Company's Financial Guidance for the Year Ending December 31, 2017, the 1.50% convertible notes, the 2.50% convertible notes and the 2.625% convertible notes are expected to be dilutive to net income on both the low end and high end of the full year guidance range.  Additionally, the 1.50% convertible notes, the 2.50% convertible notes and the 2.625% convertible notes may be dilutive in certain future quarters, depending on the amount of net income for such quarter.  The following table contains the approximate level of net income for an individual future quarter and for the full year 2017 at which each of the series of convertible notes would become dilutive to income per share. To the extent this net income is exceeded for any such period, the table also includes the amounts by which the numerator and denominator should each be adjusted for purposes of the diluted income per share calculation.

             
 

Quarterly Amounts

 

Annual Amounts

 

All amounts in millions

1.50% Convertible Notes

 

2.50% Convertible Notes

 

2.625% Convertible Notes

 

1.50% Convertible Notes

 

2.50% Convertible Notes

 

2.625% Convertible Notes

 
             

Approximate net income at which convertible notes  become dilutive  (a)

$                5.8

 

$              11.9

 

$              17.5

 

$              23.3

 

$              47.7

 

$              69.8

 
             

Interest expense, net of tax to add-back to net income (numerator)

$                0.9

 

$                1.8

 

$                1.7

 

$                3.5

 

$                7.3

 

$                6.7

 
             

Additional shares to include in weighted-
average diluted share count (denominator)

5.7

 

6.2

 

4.2

 

5.7

 

6.2

 

4.2

 
             

(a)  These net income amounts assume a weighted-average diluted share count of  38.0 million shares attributable to common shares, stock options and restricted stock (prior to the effect of convertible notes) and are subject to change as such weighted-average share count changes for a given quarter or annual period.

 

 

ANNEX A

Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The accompanying WebMD Health Corp. press release and attachments include both financial measures in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, as well as non-GAAP financial measures.  The non-GAAP financial measures represent earnings before interest, taxes, non-cash and other items (which we refer to as "Adjusted EBITDA").  Adjusted EBITDA should be viewed as supplemental to, and not as an alternative for net income or loss calculated in accordance with GAAP (referred to below as "net income").  The attachments to the press release include reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures. 

Adjusted EBITDA is used by our management as an additional measure of our company's performance for purposes of business decision-making, including developing budgets, managing expenditures, and evaluating potential acquisitions or divestitures.  Period-to-period comparisons of Adjusted EBITDA help our management identify additional trends in our company's financial results that may not be shown solely by period-to-period comparisons of net income.  In addition, we may use Adjusted EBITDA in the incentive compensation programs applicable to some of our employees in order to evaluate our company's performance.  Our management recognizes that Adjusted EBITDA has inherent limitations because of the excluded items, particularly those items that are recurring in nature.  In order to compensate for those limitations, management also reviews the specific items that are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA, but included in net income, as well as trends in those items.  The amounts of those items are set forth, for the applicable periods, in the reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA to net income that accompany our press releases and disclosure documents containing non-GAAP financial measures, including the reconciliations contained in the accompanying press release attachments.

We believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors in their analysis of our results for reasons similar to the reasons why our management finds it useful and because it helps facilitate investor understanding of decisions made by management in light of the performance metrics used in making those decisions.  In addition, as more fully described below, we believe that providing Adjusted EBITDA, together with a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income, helps investors make comparisons between our company and other companies that may have different capital structures, different effective income tax rates and tax attributes, different capitalized asset values and/or different forms of employee compensation.  However, Adjusted EBITDA is intended to provide a supplemental way of comparing our company with other public companies and is not intended as a substitute for comparisons based on net income.  In making any comparisons to other companies, investors need to be aware that companies use different non-GAAP measures to evaluate their financial performance.  Investors should pay close attention to the specific definition being used and to the reconciliation between such measures and the corresponding GAAP measures provided by each company under applicable SEC rules.

The following is an explanation of the items excluded by us from Adjusted EBITDA but included in net income:

  • Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense is a non-cash expense relating to capital expenditures and intangible assets arising from acquisitions that are expensed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the related assets. We exclude depreciation and amortization expense from Adjusted EBITDA because we believe that (i) the amount of such expenses in any specific period may not directly correlate to the underlying performance of our business operations and (ii) such expenses can vary significantly between periods as a result of new acquisitions and full amortization of previously acquired tangible and intangible assets. Accordingly, we believe that this exclusion assists management and investors in making period-to-period comparisons of operating performance. Investors should note that the use of tangible and intangible assets contributed to revenue in the periods presented and will contribute to future revenue generation and should also note that such expense will recur in future periods.
  • Stock-Based Compensation Expense. Stock-based compensation expense is a non-cash expense arising from the grant of stock-based awards to employees. We believe that excluding the effect of stock-based compensation from Adjusted EBITDA assists management and investors in making period-to-period comparisons in our company's operating performance because (i) the amount of such expenses in any specific period may not directly correlate to the underlying performance of our business operations and (ii) such expenses can vary significantly between periods as a result of the timing of grants of new stock-based awards, including grants in connection with acquisitions. Additionally, we believe that excluding stock-based compensation from Adjusted EBITDA assists management and investors in making meaningful comparisons between our company's operating performance and the operating performance of other companies that may use different forms of employee compensation or different valuation methodologies for their stock-based compensation. Investors should note that stock-based compensation is a key incentive offered to employees whose efforts contributed to the operating results in the periods presented and are expected to contribute to operating results in future periods. Investors should also note that such expenses will recur in the future. Stock-based compensation expenses included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations are summarized as follows:

 

     

Three Months Ended

 

Year Ended

     

December 31,

 

December 31,

     

2016

2015

 

2016

2015

       

Non-cash stock-based compensation included in:

     
 

Cost of operations

 

$    1,509

$    1,426

 

$    5,216

$    5,217

 

Sales and marketing

 

$    1,647

$    2,191

 

$    5,942

$    7,290

 

General and administrative

 

$    5,135

$    5,395

 

$  18,171

$  21,236

           

 

  • Interest Income and Expense.  Interest income is associated with the level of marketable debt securities and other interest bearing accounts in which we invest, and interest expense is related to our company's capital structure (including non-cash interest expense relating to our convertible notes).  Interest income and expense varies over time due to a variety of financing transactions and due to acquisitions and divestitures that we have entered into or may enter into in the future.  We have, in the past, issued convertible debentures, repurchased shares in cash tender offers and repurchased shares and convertible debentures through other repurchase transactions, and completed the divestiture of certain businesses.  We exclude interest income and interest expense from Adjusted EBITDA (i) because these items are not directly attributable to the performance of our business operations and, accordingly, their exclusion assists management and investors in making period-to-period comparisons of operating performance and (ii) to assist management and investors in making comparisons to companies with different capital structures.  Investors should note that interest income and expense will recur in future periods.  The following provides detail regarding the components of interest expense of our convertible notes:

 

     

Three Months Ended

 

Year Ended

     

December 31,

 

December 31,

     

2016

2015

 

2016

2015

       

Non-cash interest expense

     
 

2.25% Convertible Notes

 

$            —

$       159

 

$         159

$    1,221

 

2.50% Convertible Notes

 

$         446

$       446

 

$      1,785

$    1,785

 

1.50% Convertible Notes

 

$         291

$       291

 

$      1,166

$    1,166

 

2.625% Convertible Notes

 

$         342

$          —

 

$         796

$          —

 

Cash interest expense

      
 

2.25% Convertible Notes

 

$            —

$       578

 

$         577

$    4,451

 

2.50% Convertible Notes

 

$      2,500

$    2,500

 

$    10,000

$  10,000

 

1.50% Convertible Notes

 

$      1,125

$    1,125

 

$      4,500

$    4,500

 

2.625% Convertible Notes

 

$      2,362

$          —

 

$      5,513

$          —

           

 

  • Income Tax Provision (Benefit). We maintain a valuation allowance on a portion of our net deferred tax assets (including our net operating loss carryforwards), the amount of which may change from quarter to quarter based on factors that are not directly related to our results for the quarter. The valuation allowance is either adjusted through the statement of operations or additional paid-in capital. The timing of such adjustments has not been consistent and as a result, our income tax expense can fluctuate significantly from period to period in a manner not directly related to our operating performance. We exclude the income tax provision (benefit) from Adjusted EBITDA (i) because we believe that the income tax provision (benefit) is not directly attributable to the underlying performance of our business operations and, accordingly, its exclusion assists management and investors in making period-to-period comparisons of operating performance and (ii) to assist management and investors in making comparisons to companies with different tax attributes. Investors should note that income tax provision (benefit) will recur in future periods.
  • Other Items. We engage in other activities and transactions that can impact our net income. In recent periods, these other items included, but were not limited to: (i) gain on investments; (ii) settlements of litigation or claims; (iii) loss on repurchases of our convertible notes; and (iv) severance expense. We exclude these other items from Adjusted EBITDA because we believe these activities or transactions are not directly attributable to the performance of our business operations and, accordingly, their exclusion assists management and investors in making period-to-period comparisons of operating performance. Investors should note that some of these other items may recur in future periods.

 

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/webmd-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2016-financial-results-300409091.html

SOURCE WebMD Health Corp.

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