-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, CwhyEd63gJMJyX+58jTuVzgl5xhVLd5/j8/f7g9av5NTZOnuAwDXm9Q6uaAMWpQo dpfBr9e8vpoG18tPFlymLA== 0001104659-05-007977.txt : 20050223 0001104659-05-007977.hdr.sgml : 20050223 20050223162811 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-05-007977 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20050217 ITEM INFORMATION: Results of Operations and Financial Condition ITEM INFORMATION: Regulation FD Disclosure ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20050223 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050223 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: PRICELINE COM INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001075531 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-BUSINESS SERVICES, NEC [7389] IRS NUMBER: 061528493 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-25581 FILM NUMBER: 05634654 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 800 CONNECTICUT AVE CITY: NORWALK STATE: CT ZIP: 06854 BUSINESS PHONE: 2037053000 8-K 1 a05-4073_18k.htm 8-K

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) February 17, 2005

 

priceline.com Incorporated

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

0-25581

 

06-1528493

(State or other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification
No.)

 

 

 

 

 

800 Connecticut Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut

 

06854

(Address of principal office)

 

(zip code)

 

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 



 

Item 2.02.                                          Results of Operations and Financial Conditions

 

On February 17, 2005, priceline.com Incorporated announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and year-ended December 31, 2004.  A copy of priceline.com’s consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2004 and consolidated statements of operations for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2004 are attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.  The information in this Item 2.02 (including Exhibit 99.1) shall be treated as “filed” for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Item 7.01.                                          Regulation FD Disclosure

 

On February 17, 2004, priceline.com Incorporated announced its financial results for the fiscal quarter and year-ended December 31, 2004.  A copy of priceline.com’s press release announcing these financial results and certain other information is attached as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

As set forth in more detail in the attached press release, for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2004, priceline.com’s revenues were $195.0 million and $914.4 million, respectively, and gross profit was $49.9 million and $198.2 million, respectively.  Priceline.com reported GAAP net income for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2004 of $5.0 million ($0.12 per diluted share) and $30.0 million ($0.76 per diluted share), respectively.  Priceline.com reported that, at December 31, 2004, it had $247.7 million in cash and marketable securities.  In addition, priceline.com noted that its “organic” gross bookings would have grown over 30% in the 4th quarter 2004 when compared to the 4th quarter 2003, assuming that priceline.com owned both Active Hotels and Travelweb during both periods and excluding the sale of hotel rooms by Travelweb through Orbitz (the sale of which priceline.com noted it did not expect to extend past the end of the expiration of the Travelweb-Orbitz contract at the end of 2005).

 

Priceline.com said it expected 1st quarter 2005 revenues and gross profit to grow approximately 5% to 10% and 30% to 35%, respectively, over the same period in 2004.  Priceline.com announced that it expected advertising expenses of approximately $19 to $21 million in the 1st quarter 2005 and expected approximately 50% to be spent on-line and approximately 50% off-line.  Priceline.com estimated that sales and marketing expenses in the 1st quarter 2005 would be between $9.0 and $9.5 million.  Priceline.com stated that it expected personnel costs to be approximately $10.7 to $10.9 million in the 1st quarter 2005.  With respect to 1st quarter 2005, priceline.com stated it expected general and administrative expenses of approximately $4.7 to $4.9 million, information technology expenses of approximately $2.5 to $2.7 million, and depreciation and amortization expenses, excluding acquisition related amortization, of approximately $2.4 million.  Priceline.com stated that it expected cash income tax expense of approximately $300,000 to $400,000 in the 1st quarter 2005.

 

The information set forth above and in the attached press release contains forward-looking statements relating to priceline.com’s performance during 2005.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements are based upon information available to priceline.com on the date this report was submitted.  Priceline.com undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  A more thorough discussion of certain factors which may affect priceline.com’s operating results is included in priceline.com’s recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and will also be included in priceline.com’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about March 15, 2005.

 

2



 

The information set forth above is qualified in its entirety by reference to the press release (which includes a financial and statistical supplement), a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

The information in this Item 7.01 (including Exhibit 99.2 hereto and the accompanying financial and statistical supplement and related information) shall not be treated as “filed” for purposes of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Item 9.01.                                                                       Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(c) Exhibits

 

99.1

 

Priceline.com consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2004 and consolidated statements of operations for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2004.

 

 

 

99.2

 

Press release (which includes a financial and statistical supplement and related information) issued by priceline.com Incorporated on February 17, 2005 relating to, among other things, its 4th quarter and year-end earnings.

 

3



 

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

PRICELINE.COM INCORPORATED

 

 

 

 

 

By:

  /s/ Jeffery H. Boyd

 

 

  Name:

Jeffery H. Boyd

 

  Title:

President and Chief
Executive Officer

 

 

Date:  February 23, 2005

 

4



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

99.1

 

Priceline.com consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2004 and consolidated statements of operations for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2004.

 

 

 

99.2

 

Press release (which includes a financial and statistical supplement and related information) issued by priceline.com Incorporated on February 17, 2005 relating to, among other things, its 4th quarter and year-end earnings.

 

5


EX-99.1 2 a05-4073_1ex99d1.htm EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

priceline.com Incorporated

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

December 31,
2004

 

December 31,
2003

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

93,775

 

$

93,732

 

Restricted cash

 

23,572

 

22,485

 

Short-term investments

 

130,307

 

151,736

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,390 and $794, respectively

 

18,314

 

10,782

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

4,365

 

4,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

270,333

 

283,513

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

15,827

 

16,524

 

Intangible assets, net

 

98,908

 

7,053

 

Goodwill

 

138,859

 

8,779

 

Other assets

 

18,155

 

21,915

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

542,082

 

$

337,784

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

40,612

 

$

25,061

 

Accrued expenses

 

23,649

 

21,031

 

Deferred merchant bookings

 

5,641

 

 

Other current liabilities

 

4,475

 

3,522

 

Total current liabilities

 

74,377

 

49,614

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred taxes

 

25,668

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

692

 

1,069

 

Minority interest

 

4,314

 

 

Long-term debt

 

224,418

 

124,524

 

Total liabilities

 

329,469

 

175,207

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SERIES B MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK

 

13,470

 

13,470

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

317

 

306

 

Treasury stock

 

(350,628

)

(350,628

)

Additional paid-in capital

 

2,064,224

 

2,055,607

 

Deferred compensation

 

(1,264

)

(1,408

)

Accumulated deficit

 

(1,525,447

)

(1,555,444

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

11,941

 

674

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

199,143

 

149,107

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

542,082

 

$

337,784

 

 



 

priceline.com Incorporated

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data, unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Twelve Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,
2004

 

December 31,
2003

 

December 31,
2004

 

December 31,
2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merchant revenues

 

$

179,669

 

$

176,319

 

$

872,994

 

$

852,454

 

Agency revenues

 

14,734

 

3,178

 

38,601

 

7,554

 

Other revenues

 

565

 

670

 

2,777

 

3,653

 

Total revenues

 

194,968

 

180,167

 

914,372

 

863,661

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of merchant revenues

 

143,827

 

148,351

 

714,822

 

717,716

 

Cost of agency revenues

 

1,244

 

 

1,395

 

 

Cost of other revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Total costs of revenues

 

145,071

 

148,351

 

716,217

 

717,716

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

49,897

 

31,816

 

198,155

 

145,945

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising - Offline

 

6,018

 

6,028

 

33,476

 

25,125

 

Advertising - Online

 

8,518

 

4,064

 

27,480

 

17,123

 

Sales and marketing, including warrant costs of $6,638 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2003

 

7,577

 

4,908

 

32,091

 

33,441

 

Personnel, including stock based compensation of $294 and $106 for the three months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $638 and $282 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively

 

11,176

 

7,286

 

35,574

 

29,962

 

General and administrative, including option payroll taxes of $13 and $0 for the three months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $357 and $256 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively

 

4,188

 

3,256

 

16,452

 

12,031

 

Information technology

 

1,929

 

2,049

 

9,171

 

8,898

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

5,358

 

2,324

 

13,501

 

11,533

 

Restructuring charge/(reversal)

 

 

(49

)

(12

)

(186

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

44,764

 

29,866

 

167,733

 

137,927

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

5,133

 

1,950

 

30,422

 

8,018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

1,316

 

935

 

5,112

 

2,474

 

Interest expense

 

(1,291

)

(494

)

(3,722

)

(907

)

Other

 

(6

)

 

70

 

 

Total other income

 

19

 

441

 

1,460

 

1,567

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes and equity in income (loss) of investees

 

5,152

 

2,391

 

31,882

 

9,585

 

Income tax benefit

 

260

 

 

193

 

 

Equity in income (loss) of investees, net

 

(414

)

(163

)

(566

)

2,331

 

Net income

 

4,998

 

2,228

 

31,509

 

11,916

 

Preferred stock dividend

 

 

 

(1,512

)

(1,491

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income applicable to common stockholders

 

$

4,998

 

$

2,228

 

$

29,997

 

$

10,425

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income applicable to common stockholders per basic common share

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.06

 

$

0.78

 

$

0.28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of basic common shares outstanding

 

38,775

 

38,019

 

38,304

 

37,804

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income applicable to common stockholders per diluted common share

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.06

 

$

0.76

 

$

0.27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding

 

40,449

 

40,107

 

42,327

 

39,009

 

 


EX-99.2 3 a05-4073_1ex99d2.htm EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

 

Priceline.com Reports Financial Results for 4th Quarter and Full-Year 2004

 

NORWALK, Conn., February 17, 2005 . . . Priceline.comÒ Incorporated (Nasdaq: PCLN) today reported its financial results for the 4th quarter and full-year 2004.  For the 4th quarter, gross travel bookings, which refers to the total dollar value, inclusive of taxes and fees, of all travel products purchased by consumers, rose 61% year-over-year to $414 million.  Revenues were $195 million, an 8.2% increase over a year ago.  Fourth quarter 2004 results include the operating results of Active Hotels, acquired in September 2004, and Travelweb, acquired in May 2004.

 

Priceline.com’s GAAP gross profit for the 4th quarter 2004 was $49.9 million, up 57% from the prior year while GAAP net income for the 4th quarter was $5.0 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, up 100% from the prior year.  Pro forma gross profit for the 4th quarter 2004 was $51.5 million, up 62% over the same period a year ago.  Pro forma net income for the 4th quarter 2004 was $8.8 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, which exceeds First Call analyst estimates of $0.16 per diluted share and represents an increase of 267% over the prior year. The section below entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” provides a definition and information about the use of pro forma financial measures used in this press release and the attached financial and statistical supplement reconciles historical pro forma financial information with priceline.com’s financial results under GAAP.

 

For full-year 2004, priceline.com reported gross travel bookings of $1.68 billion, a 52% increase over full-year 2003.  Full-year 2004 revenues were $914.4 million versus $863.7 million a year ago.  Priceline.com’s GAAP gross profit for 2004 was $198.2 million.  Full-year 2004 GAAP net income was $30.0 million, or $0.76 per diluted share.  Pro forma gross profit for full-year 2004 was $201.1 million, a 38% increase over 2003.  Pro forma net income for 2004 was $38.4 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, an increase of 100% over 2003.

 

Airline ticket unit bookings, which include retail and opaque (Name Your Own PriceÒ) tickets, grew 61% compared to the same period a year ago.  Hotel room night unit bookings, which include retail and opaque rooms, grew 51% versus the prior year.  Rental car day unit bookings, which include retail and opaque rentals, grew 16% year-over-year.

 

“We believe that priceline.com’s strong growth in gross travel bookings for the 4th quarter, fueled by the success of our new air product and results from Travelweb and Active Hotels, solidified our position as a growth leader among the major full service online travel companies.  We are particularly proud of the fact that we have reestablished strong growth in our top line over the last two years while also consistently delivering market-leading increases in bottom line profits.” said priceline.com President and Chief Executive Officer Jeffery H. Boyd.  “Our retail airline ticketing option was very popular with customers during the busy holiday travel season.  Now that customers are accustomed to this option for their airline tickets, we believe that they will respond favorably as priceline.com offers more retail options for hotel rooms, rental cars and vacation packages.  Priceline.com’s opaque travel options, particularly for hotel rooms and rental cars, continue to offer exclusive savings and a distinctive choice for consumers. By effectively using retail and opaque products in a complementary manner, we believe that priceline.com is becoming a preferred one-stop-shop for the leisure traveler.  We also offer suppliers a number of attractive distribution channels that meet their needs in a variety of market environments.”

 



 

2004 Highlights

 

                  January – Launched new airline ticket product giving consumers the choice to shop and compare from a list of low published fares and itineraries, or use priceline.com’s Name Your Own PriceÒ product for greater savings.  With the new product and a successful advertising campaign featuring William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, 2004 airline ticket unit sales increased 53% over 2003.

 

                  March – Launched new Vacation Packages product giving consumers the ability to select a leading hotel or resort and choose among package options that include both published air itineraries and lower priced opaque options. Vacation Packages continue to be one of Priceline.com’s fastest growing products.

 

                  May – Acquired the majority interest of Travelweb LLC, the hotel reservation service founded by the nation’s leading hotel chains.  With over 10,000 participating hotels, Travelweb provides a leading retail hotel product to complement  priceline.com’s Name Your Own PriceÒ product.  Priceline.com intends to launch this new product on its website during the 2nd quarter of 2005.

 

                  September – Acquired Active Hotels, a leading European internet hotel reservation service with over 8,000 participating hotels in the UK, France, Spain, Italy and Germany.  In the 4th quarter, Active Hotels was among priceline.com’s fastest growing businesses and was accretive to priceline.com’s earnings per share.

 

                  October – Launched new Rental Car product giving customers of priceline.com (as well as Rentalcars.com and Breezenet.com) the ability to choose from a list of low rental car rates, or on priceline.com, name a price for even greater savings.  Increased retail sales contributed to higher 4th quarter total unit sales growth.

 

Forward Guidance

 

Looking forward into 2005, Mr. Boyd said, “We intend to build on the success of our airline tickets service by building priceline.com’s retail and opaque options into a complementary one-stop travel service.  In the 2nd quarter of 2005, priceline.com intends to rollout the choice of retail hotel reservations along with a new advertising campaign emphasizing the choices available for all of our products.  We believe that this transformation is making priceline.com a compelling choice for leisure travelers.  In Europe, Active Hotels will continue building inventory and distribution across Europe while integrating Priceline’s U.S. inventory and customer base into its product offering and distribution reach.  Active Hotels also intends to relaunch the priceline.co.uk web site in the coming months to offer seamless access to Active Hotel’s hotel inventory.”

 

The Company also issued the following guidance for the 1st quarter 2005, which includes the results of all priceline.com companies:

 

                  Gross travel bookings growth of 30-35% on a year-over-year basis; and

                  Pro forma gross profit growth of 30-35% on a year-over-year basis.

 

“We expect solid growth from across our product lines in the 1st quarter 2005,” said Mr. Boyd. “In particular, we expect year-over-year growth in our hotel product will be enhanced by the results of newly-acquired Active Hotels and Travelweb.  We expect a reduced growth rate for our airline tickets product since we are now comparing to a prior-year period in which all of our retail and opaque ticket options were available to customers.”

 



 

Priceline.com said it expects 1st quarter 2005 pro forma net income of between $0.18 and $0.22 per diluted share and GAAP net income of between $0.07 and $0.11 per diluted share.  Priceline.com also said that it was comfortable with current First Call analyst’s consensus estimates of $1.18 per diluted share of proforma net income for full-year 2005.

 

“We believe solid growth in unit sales and gross profit contribution in 2005 will enable priceline.com to continue to invest in product development, advertising and supply initiatives that will benefit our customers, suppliers and stockholders.” said Mr. Boyd.

 

A reconciliation of historical pro forma financial results to GAAP results is included in the attached financial and statistical supplement.  Pro forma net income per diluted share guidance for the 1st quarter and full-year 2005 excludes the after-tax effects of non-cash amortization expense of acquisition-related intangibles (primarily associated with the acquisitions of Travelweb LLC and ActiveHotels), stock-based compensation expense, option payroll tax expense, minority interest benefit, and the payment of non-cash preferred stock dividends, which, when aggregated, are expected to total approximately $4.5 million and $18.5 million respectively.  In addition, pro forma net income per diluted share guidance for the 1st quarter 2005 and full-year 2005 excludes the anticipated impact of  EITF 04-08 (“Effect of Contingently Convertible Debt on Diluted Earnings per Share”), which was effective as of December 15, 2004 and which revises the method for calculating diluted shares outstanding for purposes of computing GAAP net income per share.

 

About Priceline.com

 

Priceline.com is a travel service that offers leisure airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, vacation packages and cruises. Priceline.com also has a personal finance service that offers home mortgages, refinancing and home equity loans through an independent licensee.  Priceline.com operates the retail travel Web sites Travelweb.com, ActiveReservations.com, Lowestfare.com, Rentalcars.com and Breezenet.com. Priceline.com licenses its business model to independent licensees, including pricelinemortgage and certain international licensees.

 

Information About Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict; therefore, actual results may differ materially from those expressed, implied or forecasted in any such forward-looking statements. Expressions of future goals and similar expressions including, without limitation, “believe(s),” “intend,” “expect(s),” “will,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “plan(s),” “anticipate(s),” “estimate(s),” “predict(s),” “potential,” “target(s),” or “continue,” reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements:

 

      adverse changes in general market conditions for leisure and  other travel products as the result of, among other things, terrorist attacks;

 

      adverse changes in the Company’s relationships with airlines and other product and service  provi ders which could include, without limitation, the withdrawal of suppliers from the priceline.com system (either priceline.com’s retail or “opaque” products, or both):

 

      the loss or reduction of global distribution fees;

 

      the bankruptcy or insolvency of another major domestic airline;

 



 

      the effects of increased competition, including, without limitation, adverse effects from the continued consolidation of on-line travel intermediaries;

 

       systems-related failures and/or security breaches;

 

      difficulties integrating recent acquisitions, including, without limitation, the acquisitions of Active Hotels and Travelweb;

 

      final adjustments made in closing the quarter;

 

      legal and regulatory risks; and

 

& #160;     the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel.

 

For a detailed discussion of these and other factors that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Company’s most recent Form 10-Q, Form 10-K and Form 8-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Unless required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

Pro forma gross profit excludes the after-tax effects of non-cash amortization expense of acquisition-related intangibles primarily associated with the acquisition of Active Hotels Ltd. and Travelweb LLC.  Pro forma net income excludes the after-tax effects of non-cash amortization expense of acquisition-related intangibles (primarily associated with the acquisition of Active Hotels Ltd. and Travelweb LLC), stock based compensation expense, option payroll tax expense, minority interest benefit and, when applicable, the payment of non-cash preferred stock dividends.  In addition, pro forma net income per share excludes the accounting impact of EITF 04-08 (“Effect of Contingently Convertible Debt on Diluted Earnings per Share”), which was effective as of December 15, 2004 and revises the method for calculating diluted shares outstanding for purposes of computing GAAP net income per share.

 

Pro forma gross profit, pro forma net income and pro forma net income per share are “non-GAAP financial measures,” as such term is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and may differ from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. Priceline.com believes that pro forma gross profit, pro forma net income and pro forma net income per share that exclude the after-tax effects of non-cash amortization expense of acquisition-related intangibles are useful for investors to evaluate priceline.com’s future on-going performance because they enable a more meaningful comparison of priceline.com’s projected cash earnings and performance with its historical results from prior periods.  Stock based compensation expense and the non-cash expense associated with the payment of preferred stock dividends are excluded from pro forma net income and pro forma net income per share because they do not impact cash earnings and are reflected in earnings per share through increased share counts.  Option payroll tax expense often shows volatility unrelated to operating results since the expense is driven primarily by option exercise activity and the market price of priceline.com’s common stock. The minority interest benefit associated with priceline.com’s equity ownership of Travelweb LLC is excluded from pro forma net income because priceline.com has been funding all of Travelweb’s operations.  Finally, the accounting impact of EITF 04-08 (“Effect of Contingently Convertible Debt on Diluted Earnings per Share”), which requires that priceline.com use the “if-converted” method of accounting for convertible debt instruments when calculating earnings per share, has been excluded because the common stock that underly priceline.com’s 1% Convertible Senior Notes

 



 

and priceline.com’s 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes are generally not issuable unless our common stock trades at prices of $44.00 per share and $45.54 per share, respectively.

 

The presentation of this financial information should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The attached financial and statistical supplement reconciles historical pro forma financial information with priceline.com’s financial results under GAAP.

 

Press Contact:  Brian Ek  203-299-8167  brian.ek@priceline.com

 



 

priceline.com Incorporated

Statistical Data

In thousands

 

Gross Bookings

 

1Q03

 

2Q03

 

3Q03

 

4Q03

 

1Q04

 

2Q04

 

3Q04

 

4Q04

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merchant

 

$

226,739

 

$

267,039

 

$

266,640

 

$

197,543

 

$

244,816

 

$

295,718

 

$

276,726

 

$

217,295

 

Agency

 

20,778

 

30,023

 

33,875

 

58,647

 

115,363

 

174,657

 

155,292

 

196,211

 

Total

 

$

247,517

 

$

297,061

 

$

300,515

 

$

256,191

 

$

360,179

 

$

470,375

 

$

432,018

 

$

413,506

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year/Year Growth

 

-19.3

%

-16.3

%

9.2

%

12.2

%

45.5

%

58.3

%

43.8

%

61.4

%

 

Units Sold

 

1Q03

 

2Q03

 

3Q03

 

4Q03

 

1Q04

 

2Q04

 

3Q04

 

4Q04

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Airline Tickets

 

483

 

513

 

438

 

399

 

620

 

819

 

722

 

641

 

Year/Year Growth

 

-44.2

%

-44.4

%

-32.0

%

-18.1

%

28.2

%

59.8

%

64.9

%

60.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hotel Room-Nights

 

1,234

 

1,505

 

1,642

 

1,319

 

1,669

 

1,983

 

2,081

 

1,997

 

Year/Year Growth

 

35.6

%

38.0

%

43.2

%

36.9

%

35.2

%

31.8

%

26.7

%

51.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rental Car Days

 

663

 

867

 

1,215

 

922

 

1,213

 

1,409

 

1,364

 

1,065

 

Year/Year Growth

 

-12.6

%

6.1

%

59.1

%

61.8

%

83.1

%

62.5

%

12.3

%

15.5

%

 

 

 

1Q03

 

2Q03

 

3Q03

 

4Q03

 

1Q04

 

2Q04

 

3Q04

 

4Q04

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

200,487

 

$

239,566

 

$

243,441

 

$

180,167

 

$

224,131

 

$

259,389

 

$

235,882

 

$

194,968

 

Year/Year Growth

 

-23.4

%

-21.3

%

1.4

%

-8.7

%

11.8

%

8.3

%

-3.1

%

8.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Profit

 

$

32,987

 

$

40,494

 

$

40,648

 

$

31,816

 

$

43,374

 

$

53,779

 

$

51,104

 

$

49,897

 

Year/Year Growth

 

-21.4

%

-15.9

%

7.7

%

4.4

%

31.5

%

32.8

%

25.7

%

56.8

%

 

Gross Bookings represent the total dollar value of travel booked, inclusive of taxes and fees.

 

The gross bookings and units sold information included above reflects results from U.S. operations and Active Hotels since acquisition.

 



 

priceline.com Incorporated

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

December 31,
2004

 

December 31,
2003

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

93,775

 

$

93,732

 

Restricted cash

 

23,572

 

22,485

 

Short-term investments

 

130,307

 

151,736

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,390 and $794, respectively

 

18,314

 

10,782

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

4,365

 

4,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

 

270,333

 

283,513

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

 

15,827

 

16,524

 

Intangible assets, net

 

98,908

 

7,053

 

Goodwill

 

138,859

 

8,779

 

Other assets

 

18,155

 

21,915

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

542,082

 

$

337,784

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

40,612

 

$

25,061

 

Accrued expenses

 

23,649

 

21,031

 

Deferred merchant bookings

 

5,641

 

 

Other current liabilities

 

4,475

 

3,522

 

Total current liabilities

 

74,377

 

49,614

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred taxes

 

25,668

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

692

 

1,069

 

Minority interest

 

4,314

 

 

Long-term debt

 

224,418

 

124,524

 

Total liabilities

 

329,469

 

175,207

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SERIES B MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK

 

13,470

 

13,470

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

317

 

306

 

Treasury stock

 

(350,628

)

(350,628

)

Additional paid-in capital

 

2,064,224

 

2,055,607

 

Deferred compensation

 

(1,264

)

(1,408

)

Accumulated deficit

 

(1,525,447

)

(1,555,444

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

11,941

 

674

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

199,143

 

149,107

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

542,082

 

$

337,784

 

 



 

priceline.com Incorporated

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data, unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Twelve Months Ended

 

 

 

December 31,
2004

 

December 31,
2003

 

December 31,
2004

 

December 31,
2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merchant revenues

 

$

179,669

 

$

176,319

 

$

872,994

 

$

852,454

 

Agency revenues

 

14,734

 

3,178

 

38,601

 

7,554

 

Other revenues

 

565

 

670

 

2,777

 

3,653

 

Total revenues

 

194,968

 

180,167

 

914,372

 

863,661

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of merchant revenues

 

143,827

 

148,351

 

714,822

 

717,716

 

Cost of agency revenues

 

1,244

 

 

1,395

 

 

Cost of other revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Total costs of revenues

 

145,071

 

148,351

 

716,217

 

717,716

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

49,897

 

31,816

 

198,155

 

145,945

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising - Offline

 

6,018

 

6,028

 

33,476

 

25,125

 

Advertising - Online

 

8,518

 

4,064

 

27,480

 

17,123

 

Sales and marketing, including warrant costs of $6,638 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2003

 

7,577

 

4,908

 

32,091

 

33,441

 

Personnel, including stock based compensation of $294 and $106 for the three months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $638 and $282 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively

 

11,176

 

7,286

 

35,574

 

29,962

 

General and administrative, including option payroll taxes of $13 and $0 for the three months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and $357 and $256 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively

 

4,188

 

3,256

 

16,452

 

12,031

 

Information technology

 

1,929

 

2,049

 

9,171

 

8,898

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

5,358

 

2,324

 

13,501

 

11,533

 

Restructuring charge/(reversal)

 

 

(49

)

(12

)

(186

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

44,764

 

29,866

 

167,733

 

137,927

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

5,133

 

1,950

 

30,422

 

8,018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

1,316

 

935

 

5,112

 

2,474

 

Interest expense

 

(1,291

)

(494

)

(3,722

)

(907

)

Other

 

(6

)

 

70

 

 

Total other income

 

19

 

441

 

1,460

 

1,567

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes and equity in income (loss) of investees

 

5,152

 

2,391

 

31,882

 

9,585

 

Income tax benefit

 

260

 

 

193

 

 

Equity in income (loss) of investees, net

 

(414

)

(163

)

(566

)

2,331

 

Net income

 

4,998

 

2,228

 

31,509

 

11,916

 

Preferred stock dividend

 

 

 

(1,512

)

(1,491

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income applicable to common stockholders

 

$

4,998

 

$

2,228

 

$

29,997

 

$

10,425

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income applicable to common stockholders per basic common share

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.06

 

$

0.78

 

$

0.28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of basic common shares outstanding

 

38,775

 

38,019

 

38,304

 

37,804

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income applicable to common stockholders per diluted common share

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.06

 

$

0.76

 

$

0.27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding

 

40,449

 

40,107

 

42,327

 

39,009

 

 



 

priceline.com Incorporated

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP GROSS PROFIT AND NET INCOME TO PRO FORMA GROSS PROFIT AND NET INCOME

(In thousands, except per share data, unaudited)

 

 

 

Quarter ended December 31, 2004

 

 

 

GAAP

 

Adjustments

 

Pro Forma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merchant revenues

 

$

179,669

 

$

 

$

179,669

 

Agency revenues

 

14,734

 

 

14,734

 

Other revenues

 

565

 

 

565

 

Total revenues

 

194,968

 

 

194,968

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of merchant revenues

 

143,827

 

(358

)(a)

143,469

 

Cost of agency revenues

 

1,244

 

(1,244

)(b)

 

Cost of other revenues

 

 

 

 

Total costs of revenues

 

145,071

 

(1,602

)

143,469

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

49,897

 

1,602

 

51,499

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising - Offline

 

6,018

 

 

6,018

 

Advertising - Online

 

8,518

 

 

8,518

 

Sales and marketing

 

7,577

 

 

7,577

 

Personnel, including stock based compensation

 

11,176

 

(294

)(c)

10,882

 

General and administrative, including option payroll taxes

 

4,188

 

(13

)(d)

4,175

 

Information technology

 

1,929

 

 

1,929

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

5,358

 

(3,054

)(e)

2,304

 

Restructuring charge/(reversal)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

44,764

 

(3,361

)

41,403

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

5,133

 

4,963

 

10,096

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

1,316

 

 

1,316

 

Interest expense

 

(1,291

)

 

(1,291

)

Other

 

(6

)

(50

)(f)

(56

)

Total other income

 

19

 

(50

)

(31

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes and equity in income (loss) of investees

 

5,152

 

4,913

 

10,065

 

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

260

 

(1,127

)(g)

(867

)

Equity in income (loss) of investees, net

 

(414

)

 

(414

)

Net income

 

4,998

 

3,786

 

8,784

 

Preferred stock dividend

 

 

 

 

Net income applicable to common stockholders

 

$

4,998

 

$

3,786

 

$

8,784

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income applicable to common stockholders per basic common share

 

$

0.13

 

 

 

$

0.23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of basic common shares outstanding

 

38,775

 

 

 

38,775

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income applicable to common stockholders per diluted common share

 

$

0.12

 

 

 

$

0.22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding

 

40,449

 

55

(h)

40,504

(i)

 


(a)          Cost of merchant revenue adjustment for Travelweb acquired intangibles.

(b)          Cost of agency revenue adjustment for Active Hotels acquired intangibles.

(c)          Adjustment for stock-based compensation.

(d)          Adjustment for option payroll taxes.

(e)          Amortization adjustment for acquistion-related intangibles, primarily related to Active Hotels and Travelweb.

(f)            Adjustment for minority interest benefit.

(g)         Adjustment for acquisition-related income tax benefit.

(h)         Reflects shares of restricted stock that were excluded under GAAP earnings per share calculation.

(i)            Proforma weighted average number of diluted common shares excludes accounting impact of EITF 04-08.

 



 

priceline.com Incorporated

RECONCILIATION OF GAAP GROSS PROFIT AND NET INCOME TO PRO FORMA GROSS PROFIT AND NET INCOME

(In thousands, except per share data, unaudited)

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2004

 

 

 

GAAP

 

Adjustments

 

Pro Forma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merchant revenues

 

$

872,994

 

$

 

$

872,994

 

Agency revenues

 

38,601

 

 

38,601

 

Other revenues

 

2,777

 

 

2,777

 

Total revenues

 

914,372

 

 

914,372

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of merchant revenues

 

714,822

 

(1,590

)(a)

713,232

 

Cost of agency revenues

 

1,395

 

(1,395

)(b)

 

Cost of other revenues

 

 

 

 

Total costs of revenues

 

716,217

 

(2,985

)

713,232

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

198,155

 

2,985

 

201,140

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising - Offline

 

33,476

 

 

33,476

 

Advertising - Online

 

27,480

 

 

27,480

 

Sales and marketing

 

32,091

 

 

32,091

 

Personnel, including stock based compensation

 

35,574

 

(638

)(c)

34,936

 

General and administrative, including option payroll taxes

 

16,452

 

(357

)(d)

16,095

 

Information technology

 

9,171

 

 

9,171

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

13,501

 

(4,349

)(e)

9,152

 

Restructuring charge/(reversal)

 

(12

)

12

(f)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

167,733

 

(5,332

)

162,401

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

30,422

 

8,317

 

38,739

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

5,112

 

 

5,112

 

Interest expense

 

(3,722

)

 

(3,722

)

Other

 

70

 

(130

)(g)

(60

)

Total other income

 

1,460

 

(130

)

1,330

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes and equity in income (loss) of investees

 

31,882

 

8,187

 

40,069

 

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

193

 

(1,252

)(h)

(1,059

)

Equity in income (loss) of investees, net

 

(566

)

 

(566

)

Net income

 

31,509

 

6,935

 

38,444

 

Preferred stock dividend

 

(1,512

)

1,512

(i)

 

Net income applicable to common stockholders

 

$

29,997

 

$

8,447

 

$

38,444

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income applicable to common stockholders per basic common share

 

$

0.78

 

 

 

$

1.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of basic common shares outstanding

 

38,304

 

 

 

38,304

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income applicable to common stockholders per diluted common share

 

$

0.76

 

 

 

$

0.96

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding

 

42,327

 

(2,314

)(j)

40,013

 

 


(a)          Cost of merchant revenue adjustment for Travelweb acquired intangibles.

(b)          Cost of agency revenue adjustment for Active Hotels acquired intangibles.

(c)          Adjustment for stock-based compensation.

(d)          Adjustment for option payroll taxes.

(e)          Amortization adjustment for acquistion-related intangibles, primarily related to Active Hotels and Travelweb.

(f)            Adjustment for restructuring reversal.

(g)         Adjustment for minority interest benefit.

(h)         Adjustment for acquisition-related income tax benefit.

(i)            Adjustment for preferred stock dividend.

(j)            Excludes the accounting impact of EITF 04-08 and includes common stock underlying warrants attached to priceline.com’s outstanding preferred stock and includes shares of restricted stock that were excluded under GAAP earnings per share calculation.

 


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