Try our mobile app

Published: 2021-04-28 00:00:00 ET
<<<  go to TWOU company page
EX-99.1 2 d179975dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

2U Reports Results for First Quarter 2021

Delivers revenue growth of 32%

Reports improved profitability and positive cash flows from operations

LANHAM, Md. — April 28, 2021 — 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU), a global leader in education technology, today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

Results for First Quarter 2021 Compared to First Quarter 2020

 

   

Revenue increased 32% to $232.5 million

 

   

Degree Program Segment revenue increased 23% to $145.9 million

 

   

Alternative Credential Segment revenue increased 52% to $86.6 million

 

   

Net loss improved $14.5 million to $45.6 million, or $0.62 per share

 

   

Total cash balance at quarter end increased to $505.1 million, from $157.5 million

Non-GAAP Results for First Quarter 2021 Compared to First Quarter 2020

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA improved $18.1 million to $13.7 million

 

   

Adjusted net loss improved $12.7 million to $8.6 million, or $0.12 per share

“2U’s industry-leading scale and quality are clearly demonstrated by our stellar first quarter results and the extension and expansion of our partnerships across both degree and alternative credential offerings,” said Christopher “Chip” Paucek, Co-Founder and CEO of 2U. “Whether it’s training the next generation of healthcare workers, reskilling working adults, or strengthening the connection between higher education and career readiness, our business is delivering unmatched value to universities, students, and society.”

Paul Lalljie, 2U’s Chief Financial Officer, added, “Our results in the first quarter were outstanding. Accelerating revenue growth and continued improvement in profitability and cash flow demonstrate the strength of our business model and strategic positioning. This outperformance and our current expectations for the remainder of 2021 give us the confidence to increase our full-year guidance.”

Discussion of First Quarter 2021 Results

Revenue totaled $232.5 million, a 32% increase from $175.5 million in the first quarter of 2020. This increase was driven by a 23% increase in Degree Program Segment revenue to $145.9 million, primarily due to growth in full course equivalent (“FCE”) enrollments of 14,273, or 31%, and a 52% increase in Alternative Credential Segment revenue to $86.6 million, primarily due to growth in FCE enrollments of 5,937, or 39%. FCE enrollments increased 33% over the prior year period to 81,085.

Costs and expenses for the first quarter totaled $269.6 million, an 18% increase from $229.4 million in the first quarter of 2020. This increase was primarily driven by higher personnel and personnel-related expense, curriculum and teaching expense, and depreciation and amortization expense. These increases were partially offset by savings related to COVID-19, particularly from travel and related expense, as well as operating efficiencies.

As of March 31, 2021, the company’s cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash totaled $505.1 million, a decrease of $13.8 million from $518.9 million as of December 31, 2020. Positive cash from operations of $7.6 million in the quarter was offset by capital expenditures of $15.1 million and cash used in financing activities of $6.3 million.

Business Outlook for Fiscal Year 2021

The company provided updated guidance for the full-year 2021 for the following metrics:

 

   

Revenue to range from $925.0 million to $955.0 million, or growth of 19% to 23%

 

   

Net loss to range from $175.0 million to $165.0 million

 

   

Adjusted EBITDA to range from $55.0 million to $65.0 million


Non-GAAP Measures

To provide investors and others with additional information regarding 2U’s results, the company has disclosed the following non-GAAP financial measures: adjusted EBITDA (loss), unlevered free cash flow, adjusted net income (loss), and adjusted net income (loss) per share. The company has provided a reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure used in this earnings release to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. The company defines adjusted EBITDA (loss) as net income or net loss, as applicable, before net interest income (expense), foreign currency gains or losses, taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, deferred revenue fair value adjustments, transaction costs, integration costs, restructuring-related costs, stockholder activism costs, certain litigation-related costs, consisting of fees for certain non-ordinary course litigation and other proceedings, impairment charges, losses on debt extinguishment, and stock-based compensation expense. The company defines unlevered free cash flow as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, less capital expenditures, payments to university clients, certain non-ordinary cash payments, and cash interest payments on debt. The company defines adjusted net income (loss) as net income or net loss, as applicable, before foreign currency gains or losses, acquisition-related gains or losses, deferred revenue fair value adjustments, transaction costs, integration costs, restructuring-related costs, stockholder activism costs, certain litigation-related costs, consisting of fees for certain non-ordinary course litigation and other proceedings, impairment charges, losses on debt extinguishment, and stock-based compensation expense. Adjusted net income (loss) per share is calculated as adjusted net income (loss) divided by diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding for periods that result in adjusted net income, and basic weighted-average shares outstanding for periods that result in an adjusted net loss. Some of the adjustments described in the definitions of adjusted EBITDA (loss), unlevered free cash flow, and adjusted net income (loss) may not be applicable in any given reporting period and they may vary from period to period.

The company’s management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to understand and compare operating results across accounting periods, to understand cash that is generated by or available for operational expenses and investment in the business after capital expenditures, for internal budgeting and forecasting purposes, for short- and long-term operating plans, and to evaluate the company’s financial performance. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures reflect the company’s ongoing business in a manner that allows for meaningful period-to-period comparisons and analysis of trends in the company’s business as they exclude expenses that are not reflective of ongoing operating results. Management also believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating the company’s operating results and prospects in the same manner as management and in comparing financial results across accounting periods and to those of peer companies.

The use of adjusted EBITDA (loss), unlevered free cash flow, adjusted net income (loss), and adjusted net income (loss) per share measures has certain limitations, as they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect the company’s operations. The company compensates for these limitations by reconciling the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for or in isolation from, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Further, these non-GAAP measures may differ from the non-GAAP information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore comparability may be limited. Management encourages investors and others to review the company’s financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

Conference Call Information

 

What:

  

2U’s first quarter 2021 financial results conference call

When:

  

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Time:

  

4:30 p.m. ET

Live Call:

  

(833) 900-2243

Conference ID #:

  

6289853

Webcast:

  

investor.2U.com

About 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU)

Eliminating the back row in higher education is not just a metaphor—it’s our mission. For more than a decade, 2U, Inc., a global leader in education technology, has been a trusted partner and brand steward of great universities. We build, deliver, and support more than 500 digital and in-person educational offerings, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, professional certificates, boot camps, and GetSmarter short courses. Together with our partners, 2U has positively transformed the lives of more than 300,000 students and lifelong learners. To learn more, visit 2U.com. #NoBackRow


Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding 2U, Inc.’s future business expectations, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding future results of operations and financial position of 2U, including financial targets, business strategy, and plans and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. 2U has based these forward-looking statements largely on its estimates of its financial results and its current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs as of the date of this press release. The company undertakes no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results predicted, including, but not limited to:

 

   

trends in the higher education market and the market for online education, and expectations for growth in those markets;

 

   

the acceptance, adoption and growth of online learning by colleges and universities, faculty, students, employers, accreditors and state and federal licensing bodies;

 

   

the impact of competition on the company’s industry and innovations by competitors;

 

   

the company’s ability to comply with evolving regulations and legal obligations related to data privacy, data protection and information security;

 

   

the company’s expectations about the potential benefits of its cloud-based software-as-a-service technology and technology-enabled services to university clients and students;

 

   

the company’s dependence on third parties to provide certain technological services or components used in its platform;

 

   

the company’s expectations about the predictability, visibility and recurring nature of its business model;

 

   

the company’s ability to meet the anticipated launch dates of its degree programs, short courses and boot camps;

 

   

the company’s ability to acquire new university clients and expand its degree programs, short courses and boot camps with existing university clients;

 

   

the company’s ability to successfully integrate the operations of its acquisitions, including Trilogy, to achieve the expected benefits of its acquisitions and manage, expand and grow the combined company;

 

   

the company’s ability to refinance its indebtedness on attractive terms, if at all, to better align with its focus on profitability;

 

   

the company’s ability to service its substantial indebtedness and comply with the covenants and conversion obligations contained in the indenture governing its convertible senior notes and the credit agreement governing its revolving credit facility;

 

   

the company’s ability to generate sufficient future operating cash flows from recent acquisitions to ensure related goodwill is not impaired;

 

   

the company’s ability to execute its growth strategy in the international, undergraduate and non-degree alternative markets;

 

   

the company’s ability to continue to recruit prospective students for its offerings;

 

   

the company’s ability to maintain or increase student retention rates in its degree programs;

 

   

the company’s ability to attract, hire and retain qualified employees;

 

   

the company’s expectations about the scalability of its cloud-based platform;

 

   

potential changes in regulations applicable to the company or its university clients;


   

the company’s expectations regarding the amount of time its cash balances and other available financial resources will be sufficient to fund its operations;

 

   

the impact and cost of stockholder activism;

 

   

the impact of any natural disasters or public health emergencies, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic;

 

   

the company’s expectations regarding the effect of the capped call transactions and regarding actions of the option counterparties and/or their respective affiliates; and

 

   

other factors beyond the company’s control.

These and other potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully detailed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and other SEC filings. Moreover, 2U operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for 2U management to predict all risks, nor can 2U assess the impact of all factors on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements 2U may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated.

Investor Relations Contact: Ken Goff, 2U, Inc., investorinfo@2U.com

Media Contact: Glenda Felden, 2U, Inc., media@2U.com


2U, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     March 31,
2021
    December 31,
2020
 
     (unaudited)        

Assets

    

Current assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 486,830   $ 500,629

Restricted cash

     18,226     18,237

Accounts receivable, net

     74,744     46,663

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     57,770     39,353
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     637,570     604,882

Property and equipment, net

     50,745     52,734

Right-of-use assets

     59,653     60,785

Goodwill

     415,145     415,830

Amortizable intangible assets, net

     306,083     312,770

Other assets, non-current

     86,317     97,263
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 1,555,513   $ 1,544,264
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

    

Current liabilities

    

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 131,310   $ 130,674

Deferred revenue

     108,364     75,493

Lease liability

     10,211     10,024

Other current liabilities

     25,315     21,178
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     275,200     237,369

Long-term debt

     280,429     273,173

Deferred tax liabilities, net

     2,054     2,810

Lease liability, non-current

     80,645     83,228

Other liabilities, non-current

     6,697     6,694
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     645,025     603,274
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

    

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued

     —         —    

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 74,038,208 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2021; 72,451,521 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020

     74     72

Additional paid-in capital

     1,662,439     1,646,574

Accumulated deficit

     (741,436     (695,872

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (10,589     (9,784
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     910,488     940,990
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 1,555,513   $ 1,544,264
  

 

 

   

 

 

 


2U, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2021     2020  

Revenue

   $ 232,473   $ 175,479

Costs and expenses

    

Curriculum and teaching

     33,148     20,478

Servicing and support

     33,184     30,533

Technology and content development

     42,924     35,510

Marketing and sales

     113,237     99,215

General and administrative

     47,112     43,653
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     269,605     229,389
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (37,132     (53,910

Interest income

     362     513

Interest expense

     (7,881     (5,493

Other expense, net

     (915     (2,271
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

     (45,566     (61,161

Income tax benefit

     2     1,055
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (45,564   $ (60,106
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share, basic and diluted

   $ (0.62   $ (0.94
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

     73,676,409     63,626,333
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss

    

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $0 for all periods presented

     (805     (16,115
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

   $ (46,369   $ (76,221
  

 

 

   

 

 

 


2U, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2021     2020  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net loss

   $ (45,564   $ (60,106

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

    

Non-cash interest expense

     7,693     492

Depreciation and amortization expense

     24,987     23,485

Stock-based compensation expense

     24,947     20,870

Non-cash lease expense

     4,291     3,620

Provision for credit losses

     2,022     629

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of assets and liabilities acquired:

    

Accounts receivable, net

     (30,698     (42,744

Payments to university clients

     2,352     2,739

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     (10,859     (5,273

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     (660     26,423

Deferred revenue

     32,850     21,650

Other liabilities, net

     (4,664     (3,920

Other

     930     2,272
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     7,627     (9,863

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Purchase of a business, net of cash acquired

     —         (958

Additions of amortizable intangible assets

     (14,219     (15,808

Purchases of property and equipment

     (838     (2,436

Advances repaid by university clients

     —         100
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (15,057     (19,102

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Proceeds from debt

     2,908     —    

Payments on debt

     (176     (358

Payment of debt issuance costs

     —         (2,500

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     3,533     384

Tax withholding payments associated with settlement of restricted stock units

     (12,613     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (6,348     (2,474

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     (32     (944
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

     (13,810     (32,383

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period

     518,866     189,869
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period

   $ 505,056   $ 157,486
  

 

 

   

 

 

 


2U, Inc.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

(unaudited)

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

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2021     2020  
    

(in thousands, except share and per

share amounts)

 

Net loss

   $ (45,564   $ (60,106

Stock-based compensation expense

     24,947     20,870

Foreign currency loss

     915     2,271

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

     10,472     10,783

Income tax benefit on amortization of acquired intangible assets

     (293     (379

Other*

     946     5,251
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net loss

     (8,577     (21,310
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest expense

     7,519     4,980

Income tax expense (benefit)

     291     (676

Depreciation and amortization expense

     14,515     12,702
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA (loss)

   $ 13,748   $ (4,304
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share, basic and diluted

   $ (0.62   $ (0.94
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted net loss per share, basic and diluted

   $ (0.12   $ (0.33
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

     73,676,409     63,626,333
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

Includes (i) transaction and integration expense of $0.1 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, (ii) restructuring-related expense of $0.5 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and (iii) stockholder activism and litigation-related expense of $0.4 million and $4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.


2U, Inc.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

(unaudited)

The following table presents a reconciliation of unlevered free cash flow to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities for each of the twelve-month periods indicated:

 

     Twelve Months Ended  
     March 31,
2021
    December 31,
2020
    September 30,
2020
    June 30,
2020
 
     (in thousands)  

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ 47,094   $ 29,604   $ 26,829   $ (10,669

Additions to amortizable intangible assets

     (61,195     (62,784     (60,723     (64,990

Purchases of property and equipment

     (4,919     (6,517     (7,627     (9,536

Payments on acquisition of amortizable intangible assets

     —         —         (897     (897

Payments to university clients

     6,550     5,800     4,100     7,500

Non-ordinary cash payments*

     15,530     19,379     17,153     17,874
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Free cash flow

     3,060     (14,518     (21,165     (60,718

Cash interest payments on debt

     5,923     10,785     11,270     16,475
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unlevered free cash flow

   $ 8,983   $ (3,733   $ (9,895   $ (44,243
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

Includes transaction, integration, restructuring-related, stockholder activism, and litigation-related expense.


2U, Inc.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

(unaudited)

The following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA guidance to net loss guidance, at the midpoint of the ranges provided by the company, for the period indicated:

 

     Year Ending
December 31,
2021
 
     (in millions)  

Net loss

   $ (170.0

Stock-based compensation expense

     105.0

Foreign currency (gain) loss

     —    

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

     40.0

Income tax benefit on amortization of acquired intangible assets

     —    

Other

     —    
  

 

 

 

Adjusted net loss

     (25.0
  

 

 

 

Net interest expense

     30.0

Income tax benefit

     (4.5

Depreciation and amortization expense

     59.5
  

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 60.0
  

 

 

 


2U, Inc.

Key Financial Performance Metrics

(unaudited)

Full Course Equivalent Enrollments

Degree Program Segment

The following table presents the FCE enrollments and average revenue per FCE enrollment in the company’s Degree Program Segment for the last eight quarters.

 

     Q1 ‘21      Q4 ‘20      Q3 ‘20      Q2 ‘20      Q1 ‘20      Q4 ‘19      Q3 ‘19      Q2 ‘19  

Degree Program Segment FCE enrollments

     60,007      58,425      47,842      46,142      45,734      41,704      40,910      39,180

Degree Program Segment average revenue per FCE enrollment

   $ 2,431    $ 2,234    $ 2,551    $ 2,507    $ 2,590    $ 2,595    $ 2,527    $ 2,588

Alternative Credential Segment

The following table presents the FCE enrollments and average revenue per FCE enrollment in the company’s Alternative Credential Segment for the last eight quarters.

 

     Q1 ‘21      Q4 ‘20      Q3 ‘20      Q2 ‘20      Q1 ‘20      Q4 ‘19      Q3 ‘19      Q2 ‘19  

Alternative Credential Segment FCE enrollments

     21,078      22,190      23,067      20,435      15,141      14,639      14,729      12,662

Alternative Credential Segment average revenue per FCE enrollment*

   $ 4,108    $ 3,821    $ 3,426    $ 3,279    $ 3,766    $ 3,883    $ 3,825    $ 2,955

 

*

The Trilogy acquisition was completed on May 22, 2019. Average revenue per FCE enrollment for the company’s Alternative Credential Segment includes $3.3 million, $6.0 million and $1.9 million of purchase accounting adjustments for the second, third and fourth quarters of 2019, respectively.