Table of Contents
tota
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024
or
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ______________________ to ______________________
Commission File Number: 001-38493
EXP WORLD HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
98-0681092
(State or other jurisdiction
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 301, Bellingham, WA
98226
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(360) 685-4206
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
(Title of Each Class)
(Trading Symbol)
(Name of each exchange on which registered)
Common Stock, $0.00001 par value per share
EXPI
The Nasdaq Stock Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☒
Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐
Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No ☒
There were 153,551,386 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, $0.00001 par value, outstanding as of September 30, 2024.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Forward Looking Statements
3
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
4
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
19
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
32
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
Legal Proceedings
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
35
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5.
Other Information
Item 6.
Exhibits
36
2
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”) contains statements that are not historical fact and may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather represent current expectations and assumptions of future events. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
Many of these risks and other factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “should,” “intend,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “can,” “would,” “potential,” “seek,” “goal” and similar expressions of the future. These risks and uncertainties, as well as other risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from management’s expectations, including, but not limited to:
Other factors not identified above, including those described under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A, and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the “2023 Annual Report”), may also cause actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are difficult to anticipate and are generally beyond our control. You should consider these factors in connection with considering any forward-looking statements that may be made by us.
Forward-looking statements are based on currently available operating, financial and market information and are inherently uncertain. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made and are not guarantees of future performance. Actual future results and trends may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
PART 1 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share amounts)
(UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 130,432
$ 125,873
Restricted cash
65,308
44,020
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $1,334 and $2,204, respectively
105,148
85,343
Prepaids and other assets
7,709
9,275
Current assets of discontinued operations
988
1,964
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
309,585
266,475
Property, plant, and equipment, net
11,488
12,967
Other noncurrent assets
10,832
7,410
Intangible assets, net
6,322
7,012
Deferred tax assets
69,937
69,253
Goodwill
19,866
16,982
Noncurrent assets of discontinued operations
4,599
5,569
TOTAL ASSETS
$ 432,629
$ 385,668
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable
$ 10,647
$ 8,788
Customer deposits
67,060
44,550
Accrued expenses
109,531
86,483
Litigation contingency
34,000
-
Other liabilities
20
10
Current liabilities of discontinued operations
274
1,809
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
221,532
141,640
Long-term payable
TOTAL LIABILITIES
141,660
EQUITY
Common Stock, $0.00001 par value 900,000,000 shares authorized; 192,559,288 issued and 153,551,386 outstanding at September 30, 2024; 183,606,708 issued and 154,669,037 outstanding at December 31, 2023
Additional paid-in capital
924,570
804,833
Treasury stock, at cost: 39,007,902 and 28,937,671 shares held, respectively
(661,840)
(545,559)
Accumulated deficit
(51,095)
(16,769)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
(540)
332
Total eXp World Holdings, Inc. stockholders' equity
211,097
242,839
Equity attributable to noncontrolling interest
1,169
TOTAL EQUITY
244,008
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(In thousands, except share amounts and per share data)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Revenues
$ 1,231,187
$ 1,212,793
$ 3,469,485
$ 3,292,362
Operating expenses
Commissions and other agent-related costs
1,143,535
1,130,070
3,205,949
3,042,523
General and administrative expenses
61,390
60,363
185,132
179,905
Technology and development expenses
13,804
15,480
43,413
44,428
Sales and marketing expenses
2,792
3,175
8,962
18,000
Total operating expenses
1,239,521
1,209,088
3,477,456
3,275,818
Operating (loss) income
(8,334)
3,705
(7,971)
16,544
Other (income) expense
Other (income) expense, net
(801)
(702)
(3,738)
(2,871)
Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliates
281
354
804
839
Total other (income) expense, net
(520)
(348)
(2,934)
(2,032)
(Loss) income before income tax expense
(7,814)
4,053
(5,037)
18,576
Income tax (benefit) expense
(1,333)
1,788
3,508
2,962
Net (loss) income from continuing operations
(6,481)
2,265
(8,545)
15,614
Net loss from discontinued operations
(2,025)
(916)
(3,217)
(3,390)
Net (loss) income
($ 8,506)
$ 1,349
($ 11,762)
$ 12,224
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic, net (loss) income from continuing operations
($ 0.04)
$ 0.01
($ 0.06)
$ 0.10
Basic, net (loss) income from discontinued operations
($ 0.01)
($ 0.02)
Basic, net (loss) income
($ 0.08)
$ 0.08
Diluted, net (loss) income from continuing operations
Diluted, net (loss) income from discontinued operations
Diluted, net (loss) income
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic
153,259,842
153,392,005
153,858,160
153,065,727
Diluted
158,183,888
156,834,985
Comprehensive (loss) income:
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation gain (loss), net of tax
915
(527)
(872)
180
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to eXp World Holdings, Inc.
($ 7,591)
$ 822
($ 12,634)
$ 12,404
5
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(In thousands)
Common stock:
Balance, beginning of period
$ 2
Balance, end of period
Treasury stock:
(626,825)
(463,738)
(385,010)
Repurchases of common stock
(35,015)
(55,897)
(116,281)
(134,625)
(519,635)
Additional paid-in capital:
883,704
701,806
611,872
Shares issued for stock options exercised
592
3,507
1,644
4,761
Agent growth incentive stock compensation
8,747
10,238
26,150
28,142
Agent equity stock compensation
29,541
38,897
85,997
104,548
Stock option compensation
1,986
2,558
5,946
7,683
757,006
Accumulated (deficit) earnings:
(35,100)
18,138
20,723
(8,506)
1,349
(11,762)
12,224
Dividends declared and paid ($0.05 per share of common stock in each of Q3 2024 and Q3 2023)
(7,489)
(7,519)
(22,564)
(20,979)
11,968
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
(1,455)
943
236
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)
416
Noncontrolling interest:
Transactions with noncontrolling interests
(1,169)
Total equity
$ 211,097
$ 250,926
6
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation expense
5,887
6,299
Amortization expense - intangible assets
1,855
1,849
Loss on disposition of business
472
Allowance for credit losses on receivables/bad debt on receivables
(870)
(2,211)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates
Agent growth incentive stock compensation expense
28,067
29,912
5,961
7,659
Agent equity stock compensation expense
Deferred income taxes, net
(684)
3,435
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
(18,935)
(23,401)
1,978
(3,966)
22,510
16,421
1,858
(1,069)
21,114
28,039
Long term payable
(4,692)
Other operating activities
158
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
177,800
176,516
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment
(4,408)
(4,193)
Purchase of business
(3,150)
Proceeds from sale of business
330
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
(4,236)
(5,525)
Capitalized software development costs in intangible assets
(1,165)
(1,930)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
(12,959)
(11,318)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Repurchase of common stock
Proceeds from exercise of options
Dividends declared and paid
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES
(138,370)
(150,843)
Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
(624)
403
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
25,847
14,758
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning balance
169,893
159,383
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, ENDING BALANCE
$ 195,740
$ 174,141
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION:
Cash paid for income taxes
$ 2,198
$ 2,382
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Termination of lease obligation - operating lease
855
Contingent consideration for disposition of business
1,209
Property, plant and equipment increase due to transfer of right-of-use lease asset
1,100
Property, plant and equipment purchases in accounts payable
27
7
eXp World Holdings, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts and per share data or as noted otherwise)
1.
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
eXp World Holdings, Inc. (“eXp” or, collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) owns and operates a diversified portfolio of service-based businesses whose operations benefit substantially from utilizing our technology platform. We strategically prioritize our efforts to grow our real estate brokerage by strengthening our agent value proposition, developing immersive and cloud-based technology to enable our model and providing affiliate and media services supporting those efforts.
The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.
These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 22, 2024 (“2023 Annual Report”).
In our opinion, the accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2024.
In the first quarter of 2024, the Company determined that there had been a significant change to the Virbela business model. As our customers evolve post-COVID, including return-to-work-offices, and in light of ongoing internal and external demand for web-accessible platforms and artificial intelligence solutions, we experienced a decline in demand for our application-based platform, Virbela, and a rising interest in our web-accessible platform, Virbela Frame®. Accordingly, the Company has begun the process of winding down the Virbela business, which includes closing out current contracts, and reducing its external customers and internal employee support. Further, the technology is being replaced with Virbela Frame® technology that will be primarily utilized internally within the Company. The Company expects the process to wind down the Virbela business to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2024. As a result of this change, the Company determined that winding down of the Virbela business qualifies for reporting as discontinued operations in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet and the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).
Prior period financial statement information has been reclassified to reflect Virbela as discontinued operations. For more information See Note 3 – Discontinued Operations.
In prior years, Virbela represented an operating and reporting segment under ASC 280. As a result of the Company’s decision to wind down the Virbela business in the first quarter of 2024, the Company determined that the remaining operations of Virbela do not meet the operating or reporting segment criteria; therefore, any operating results related to Virbela Frame® technologies are included in the Other Affiliated Services segment beginning in the first quarter of 2024. All prior period segment disclosure information has been reclassified to conform to the current reporting structure in this Form 10-Q.
8
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of eXp and its consolidated subsidiaries, including those entities in which we have a variable interest of which we are the primary beneficiary. If the Company has a variable interest in an entity but it is not the primary beneficiary of the entity or does not exercise control over the operations and has less than 50% ownership, it will use the equity method or the cost method of accounting for investments. Entities in which the Company has less than a 20% investment and where the Company does not exercise significant influence are accounted for under the cost method. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated upon consolidation.
Variable interest entities and noncontrolling interests
A company is deemed to be the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and must consolidate the entity if the company has both: (i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
Joint ventures
A joint venture is a contractual arrangement whereby the Company and other parties undertake an economic activity through a jointly controlled entity. Joint control exists when strategic, financial, and operating policy decisions relating to the activities require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control. Joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method and are recognized initially at cost. Joint ventures are typically included in the Other Affiliated Services segment unless the joint venture specifically supports one of the reportable segments.
The Company has several joint venture investments. The operations of these joint ventures are not material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company regularly evaluates estimates and assumptions related to allowance for credit losses, legal contingencies, income taxes, revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, goodwill, and deferred income tax asset valuation allowances. The Company bases its estimates and assumptions on current facts, historical experience and various other factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the accrual of costs and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. The actual results experienced by the Company may differ materially and adversely from the Company’s estimates. To the extent there are material differences between the estimates and the actual results, future results of operations will be affected.
Reclassifications
When necessary, the Company will reclassify certain amounts in prior-period financial statements to conform to the current period’s presentation. Prior year segment and financial statement information has been reclassified to reflect Virbela as discontinued operations.
Restricted cash consists of cash held in escrow by the Company on behalf of real estate buyers. The Company recognizes a corresponding customer deposit liability until the funds are released. Once the cash transfers from escrow, the Company reduces the respective customers’ deposit liability.
9
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same amounts shown on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
Total
Balance, September 30, 2023
$ 120,141
$ 54,000
Balance, December 31, 2023
$ 44,020
$ 169,893
Balance, September 30, 2024
$ 65,308
3.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
In accordance with ASC 205-20 Discontinued operations, the results of the Virbela business are presented as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss and, as such, have been excluded from continuing operations. Further, the Company reclassified the assets and liabilities of the Virbela segment as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The following tables present the information for Virbela’s operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, and the balance sheet information as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
$ 806
$ 991
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $189 and $99, respectively
108
626
74
347
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
11
1,553
3,469
3,041
2,089
TOTAL ASSETS OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
$ 5,587
$ 7,533
LIABILITIES
$ 16
$ 110
258
1,699
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
TOTAL LIABILITIES OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
$ 274
$ 1,809
INCOME STATEMENT OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
$ -
$ 1,720
$ 653
$ 5,694
Cost of revenue
911
818
2,500
2,335
102
2,469
2,165
7,778
80
256
294
765
0
(2)
73
1,093
3,562
4,957
10,951
Operating (loss)
(1,093)
(1,842)
(4,304)
(5,257)
Other income
Other income, net
(6)
(17)
(16)
Total other income, net
(Loss) before income tax expense
(1,087)
(1,836)
(4,287)
(5,241)
Income tax benefit (expense)
(938)
920
1,070
1,851
($ 2,025)
($ 916)
($ 3,217)
($ 3,390)
4.
EXPECTED CREDIT LOSSES
The Company is exposed to credit losses primarily through trade and other financing receivables arising from revenue transactions. The Company uses the aging schedule method to estimate current expected credit losses (“CECL”) based on days of delinquency, including information about past events and current economic conditions. The Company’s accounts receivable is separated into three categories to evaluate allowance under the CECL impairment model. The receivables in each category share similar risk characteristics. The three categories include agent non-commission based fees, agent short-term advances, and commissions receivable for real estate property settlements.
The Company increases the allowance for expected credits losses when the Company estimates all or a portion of a receivable is uncollectable. The Company recognizes recoveries as a decrease to the allowance for expected credit losses.
Receivables from real estate property settlements totaled $99,988 and $81,004 of which the Company recognized expected credit losses of $30 and $-, respectively as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, agent non-commission based fees receivable and short-term advances totaled $6,791 and $7,268, of which the Company recognized expected credit losses of $1,304 and $2,204, respectively.
5.
PLANT, PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Plant, property and equipment, net consisted of the following:
Computer hardware and software
$ 41,740
$ 37,444
Furniture, fixture, and equipment
2,220
2,254
Total depreciable property and equipment
43,960
39,698
Less: accumulated depreciation
(33,398)
(27,733)
Depreciable property, net
10,562
11,965
Discontinued operations
(5)
(11)
Assets under development
931
1,013
$ 11,488
$ 12,967
For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, depreciation expense was $1,937 and $2,136, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 depreciation expense was $5,887 and $6,299, respectively.
6.
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill was $19,866 as of September 30, 2024 and $16,982 as of December 31, 2023. During the second quarter of 2024, the Company acquired a small real estate business, resulting in recording goodwill of $3,150. As of September 30, 2024,
the Company recorded cumulative translation adjustment of ($266) related to Canadian goodwill. Additionally, if current assumptions and estimates, including projected revenues and income growth rates, terminal growth rates, competitive and consumer trends, market-based discount rates, and other market factors, are not met, or if valuation factors outside of the Company’s control change unfavorably, the estimated fair value of goodwill could be adversely affected, leading to a potential impairment in the future. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, no events occurred that indicated it was more likely than not that goodwill was impaired. The following tables present definite-lived intangible assets as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
Gross
Accumulated
Net Carrying
Amount
Amortization
Trade name
$ 2,663
($ 1,473)
$ 1,190
Existing technology
3,439
(1,065)
2,374
Non-competition agreements
462
(378)
84
Customer relationships
1,284
(721)
563
Licensing agreement
210
(210)
Intellectual property
2,836
(725)
2,111
Total intangible assets
$ 10,894
($ 4,572)
$ 6,322
$ 2,672
($ 1,030)
$ 1,642
3,263
(1,122)
2,141
468
(125)
343
1,285
(652)
633
(583)
2,253
$ 10,734
($ 3,722)
$ 7,012
Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over an asset’s estimated useful life. Amortization expense for definite-lived intangible assets for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $442 and $654, respectively. Amortization expense for definite-lived intangible assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $1,855 and $1,849, respectively.
7.STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
The following table represents a share reconciliation of the Company’s common stock issued for the periods presented:
Balance, beginning of quarter
189,947,235
177,900,083
183,606,708
171,656,030
95,037
610,132
320,481
802,939
308,790
387,999
1,341,303
1,774,438
2,208,226
1,985,169
7,290,796
6,649,976
Balance, end of quarter
192,559,288
180,883,383
The Company’s equity programs described below were administered under the stockholder approved 2015 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, for issuances prior to September 1, 2024, and under the stockholder approved 2024 Equity Incentive Plan for issuances on or after September 1, 2024. The purpose of the equity plan is to retain the services of valued employees, directors, officers, agents, and consultants and to incentivize such persons to make contributions to the Company and motivate excellent performance.
Agent Equity Program
The Company provides agents and brokers the opportunity to elect to receive 5% of commissions earned from each completed real estate transaction in the form of common stock (the “Agent Equity Program” or “AEP”). If agents and brokers elect to receive portions of their commissions in common stock, they are entitled to receive the equivalent number of shares
12
of common stock, based on the fixed monetary value of the commission payable. The Company recognized a 10% discount on these issuances prior to February 29, 2024, and a 5% discount on these issuances beginning as of March 1, 2024, as an additional cost of sales charge during the periods presented.
During the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company issued 2,208,226 and 1,985,169 shares of common stock, respectively, to agents and brokers with a value of $29,541 and $38,897, respectively, inclusive of discount. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company issued 7,290,796 and 6,649,976 shares of common stock, respectively, to agents and brokers with a value of $85,997 and $104,548, respectively, inclusive of discount.
Agent Growth Incentive Program
The Company administers an equity incentive program whereby agents and brokers become eligible to receive awards of the Company’s common stock through agent attraction and performance benchmarks (the “Agent Growth Incentive Program” or “AGIP”). The incentive program encourages greater performance and awards agents with common stock based on achievement of performance milestones. Awards typically vest after performance benchmarks are reached and three years of subsequent service is provided to the Company. Share-based performance awards are granted on a fixed-dollar amount of shares based on the achievement of performance metrics. As such, the awards are classified as liabilities until the number of share awards becomes fixed once the performance metric is achieved.
For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 the Company’s stock compensation expense attributable to the Agent Growth Incentive Program was $9,910 and $11,764, respectively, of which the total amount of stock compensation attributable to liability classified awards was $891 and $1,458, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 the Company’s stock compensation expense attributable to the Agent Growth Incentive Program was $28,067 and $29,912, respectively, of which the total amount of stock compensation attributable to liability classified awards was $2,179 and $2,796, respectively.
Agent Thrive Program
Announced in October 2023, the Thrive program provides a stock incentive to the individual teams of leaders of culturally aligned teams that join the Company as part of the program. After affiliating with the Company, the team leader becomes eligible to receive an award of the Company’s common stock through team performance benchmarks. Awards typically vest after production benchmarks are reached and three years of subsequent service is provided to the Company. Share-based performance awards are based on a fixed-dollar amount of shares based on the achievement of production metrics. As such, the awards are classified as liabilities until the number of share awards becomes fixed once the production metric is achieved.
The following table illustrates changes in the Company’s stock compensation liability for the periods presented:
Stock grant liability balance at December 31, 2022
$ 3,885
Stock grant liability increase year to date
3,832
Stock grants reclassified from liability to equity year to date
(2,717)
$ 5,000
2,179
(806)
$ 6,373
Stock Option Awards
Stock options are granted to directors, officers, certain employees and consultants with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of common stock on the grant date and the stock options expire 10 years from the date of grant. These options typically have time-based restrictions with equal and periodically graded vesting over a three-year period.
During the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company granted 62,735 and 445,380 stock options, respectively, to employees with an estimated grant date fair value of $6.21 and $10.71 per share, respectively. The fair value was calculated using a Black Scholes-Merton option pricing model. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 the Company granted 738,473 and 1,973,943 stock options, respectively, to employees with an estimated
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grant date fair value of $6.57 and $8.87 per share, respectively. The fair value was calculated using a Black Scholes-Merton option pricing model.
Stock Repurchase Plan
In December 2018, the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to purchase up to $25.0 million of its common stock, which was later amended in November 2019 increasing the authorized repurchase amount to $75.0 million. In December 2020, the Board approved another amendment to the repurchase plan, increasing the total amount authorized to be purchased from $75.0 million to $400.0 million. In May 2022, the Board approved an increase to the total amount of its buyback program from $400.0 million to $500.0 million. In June 2023, the Board approved an increase to the total amount of its buyback program from $500.0 million to $1.0 billion. Purchases under the repurchase program may be made in the open market or through a 10b5-1 plan and are expected to comply with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The timing and number of shares repurchased depends upon market conditions. The repurchase program does not require the Company to acquire a specific number of shares. The cost of the shares that are repurchased is funded from cash and cash equivalents on hand.
10b5-1 Repurchase Plan
The Company maintains a stock repurchase program with program changes subject to Board consent. In June 2023, the Board approved increasing the stock repurchase program to $1.0 billion. From time to time, the Company adopts written trading plans pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act to conduct repurchases on the open market.
On January 10, 2022, the Company and Stephens Inc. (“Stephens”), a financial services firm that acts as an agent authorized to purchase shares on behalf of the Company, entered into a form of Issuer Repurchase Plan (“Issuer Repurchase Plan”) which authorized Stephens to repurchase shares of common stock of the Company, which is amended from time to time to adjust the monthly repurchase amount. Most recently, on June 19, 2024, the Board approved, and the Company entered into an eighth amendment to the Issuer Repurchase Plan which provides for the repurchase of up to (i) $15.0 million during the calendar month commencing June 1, 2024 through and including June 30, 2024, (ii) $11.7 million during the calendar months commencing July 1, 2024 through and including September 30, 2024, and (iii) $8.3 million during the calendar months commencing October 1, 2024 through and including December 31, 2024.
For accounting purposes, common stock repurchased under the stock repurchase programs is recorded based upon the applicable trade date. Such repurchased shares are held in treasury and are presented using the cost method. These shares are considered issued but not outstanding.
The following table shows the share changes in treasury stock for the periods presented:
36,213,862
24,311,897
28,937,671
18,816,791
2,794,040
2,761,943
10,070,231
8,257,049
Forfeiture to treasury stock for acquisition
10,728
39,007,902
27,084,568
8.SEGMENT INFORMATION
The reportable segments presented below represent the Company’s segments for which separate financial information is available and which is utilized on a regular basis by its chief operating decision maker to assess performance and to allocate resources. In identifying its reportable segments, the Company also considers the nature of services provided by its segments.
Management evaluates the operating results of each of its reportable segments based upon revenue and Adjusted Segment EBITDA. Adjusted Segment EBITDA is defined by us as a segment’s operating profit (loss) from continuing operations plus depreciation and amortization, litigation contingency and stock-based compensation expenses. The Company’s presentation of Adjusted Segment EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. Historically, the Company has reported results for four reportable segments. In the first quarter of 2024, the Company determined that the Virbela segment qualified for reporting as discontinued operations. In prior years, Virbela represented an operating and reporting segment under ASC 280. Going forward, the remaining operations of Virbela will not meet the operating or reporting segment criteria, therefore, any operating results related to Virbela technology will be included in the
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Other Affiliated Services segment. Prior year segment information has been reclassified to remove Virbela from the segment disclosure, in accordance with discontinued operations treatment.
The Company’s three reportable segments are as follows:
The Company also reports corporate expenses, as further detailed below, as “Corporate and other” which include expenses incurred in connection with business development support provided to the agents as well as resources, including administrative, brokerage operations and legal functions.
All segments follow the same basis of presentation and accounting policies as those described throughout the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein. The Company accounts for intersegment sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third parties, that is, at current market prices. The following table provides information about the Company’s reportable segments and a reconciliation of the total segment Revenues to consolidated Revenues and Adjusted Segment EBITDA to the consolidated operating profit (loss) from continuing operations and Goodwill (in thousands). Financial information for the comparable prior periods presented have been revised to conform with the current year presentation.
North American Realty
$ 1,206,660
$ 1,198,207
$ 3,408,418
$ 3,254,666
International Realty
24,230
14,896
60,142
37,644
Other Affiliated Services
1,426
980
4,681
3,729
Revenues reconciliation:
Segment eliminations
(1,129)
(1,290)
(3,756)
(3,677)
Consolidated revenues
Adjusted EBITDA
$ 28,899
$ 27,169
$ 85,208
$ 82,495
(1,670)
(2,647)
(7,401)
(10,105)
(1,282)
(918)
(3,037)
(2,767)
Corporate expenses and other
(2,005)
(2,812)
(6,973)
(7,360)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA
$ 23,942
$ 20,792
$ 67,797
$ 62,263
Operating Profit Reconciliation:
Depreciation and amortization expense
2,379
2,790
7,742
8,148
Stock compensation expense
9,910
11,764
Stock option expense
1,987
2,533
5,959
Consolidated operating (loss) profit
($ 8,334)
$ 3,705
($ 7,971)
$ 16,544
$ 17,479
$ 14,595
2,387
Segment and consolidated total
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The Company does not use segment assets to allocate resources or to assess performance of the segments and therefore, total segment assets have not been disclosed.
9.EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share is computed based on net income attributable to eXp stockholders divided by the basic weighted-average shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive earnings per share is computed consistently with the basic computation while giving effect to all dilutive potential common shares and common share equivalents that were outstanding during the period. The Company uses the treasury stock method to reflect the potential dilutive effect of unvested stock awards and unexercised options.
The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to common stock during the periods presented:
Numerator:
($ 6,481)
$ 2,265
($ 8,545)
$ 15,614
Denominator:
Weighted average shares - basic
Dilutive effect of common stock equivalents
4,791,883
3,769,258
Weighted average shares - diluted
Earnings per share:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per share - basic
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations per share - basic
Net income (loss) from continuing operations per share - diluted
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations per share - diluted
$ (0.01)
For three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 total outstanding shares of common stock excluded 4,153,812 and 192,684 shares, respectively, from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. For nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 total outstanding shares of common stock excluded 3,309,505 and 679,425 shares, respectively, from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
10.INCOME TAXES
Our quarterly tax provision is computed by applying the estimated annual effective tax rate to the year-to-date pre-tax income or loss plus discrete tax items arising in the period. Our provision for income tax expense from continuing operations amounted to $3.5 million and $3.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, which represent effective tax rates of negative (69.6%) and positive 15.9% respectively. The effective tax rate differs from our statutory rates in both periods primarily due to the impact of the stock-based compensation, research and development tax credit and non-deductible executive compensation.
The Company is subject to a wide variety of tax laws and regulations across the jurisdictions where it operates. Regulatory developments from the U.S. or international tax reform legislation could result in an impact to the Company's effective tax rate. The Company continues to monitor the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Integrated Framework provided by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) including the legislative adoption of Pillar II by countries, and all other tax regulatory changes, to evaluate the potential impact on future periods. The Company does not expect adoption of Pillar Two rules to have a significant impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements during fiscal year 2024.
11.FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that could be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Financial assets are marked to bid prices and financial liabilities are marked to offer prices. Fair value measurements do not include transaction costs. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values. Categorization within
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the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy is defined into the following three categories:
The Company holds funds in a money market account, which are considered Level 1 assets. The Company values its money market funds at fair value on a recurring basis.
As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value of the Company’s money market funds was $42,967 and $46,268, respectively.
There have been no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 in the period presented. The Company did not have any Level 2 or Level 3 financial assets or liabilities in the period presented.
12.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
From time to time, the Company is subject to potential liability under laws and government regulations and various claims and legal actions that may be asserted against us that could have a material adverse effect on the business, reputation, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition. Such litigation includes, but is not limited to, actions or claims relating to cyber-attacks, data breaches, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (“RESPA”), the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 and state consumer protection laws, antitrust and anticompetition, worker classification, timely filing required SEC filings, stockholder derivative actions and non-compliance with contractual or other legal obligations.
Antitrust Litigation
The Company and its affiliated brokerage entities were among several defendants in eight U.S. and one Canadian putative class action lawsuits alleging that the Company participated in a system that resulted in sellers of residential property paying inflated buyer broker commissions in violation of U.S. federal and state antitrust laws and federal Canadian antitrust laws, as applicable, and one U.S. putative class action lawsuit alleging that the Company participated in a system that resulted in buyers of residential property paying inflated home prices as a result of sellers paying inflated buyer broker commissions in violation of federal and Illinois antitrust laws (collectively, the “antitrust litigation”). On October 1, 2024, the Company entered into a Settlement Term Sheet (the “Settlement”) with plaintiffs in the U.S. antitrust litigation filed by plaintiffs 1925 Hooper LLC and others in the Northern District of Georgia (the “Hooper Action”). The Company expects that the proposed Settlement would resolve all U.S. claims set forth in the Hooper Action, as well as all similar claims on a nationwide basis against the Company (collectively, the “Nationwide Claims”) and would release the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, and their independent contractor real estate agents in the United States from the Nationwide Claims. By the terms of the Settlement, the Company agreed to make certain changes to its business practices and to pay a total settlement amount of $34,000 (the “Settlement Amount”) into a qualified settlement escrow fund (the “Settlement Fund”). The Settlement Amount is expected to be deposited into the Settlement Fund in installments, of which 50% of the settlement (or $17,000 ) will be deposited into the Settlement Fund within thirty business days after preliminary court approval of the Settlement and the final 50% (for $17,000) being deposited on or before the one-year anniversary of initial settlement payment. The Company intends to use available cash to pay the Settlement Amount. Management has determined that a $34.0 million loss is probable and have included an $18.0 million additional litigation contingency accrual recorded in the third quarter of 2024. While management has determined that loss in excess of the accrual is reasonably possible, it is currently unable to reasonably estimate the possible additional loss or range of possible additional loss because, among other reasons, (i) the settlement is subject to court approval and appeals processes, (ii) further developments in the legal proceedings, including but not limited to motions, or rulings, could impact the Company's exposure, and/or (iii) potential changes in law or precedent could affect the final determination of liability.
The Settlement remains subject to preliminary and final court approval and will become effective following any appeals process, if applicable. The Settlement and any actions taken to carry out the Settlement are not an admission or concession of liability, or of the validity of any claim, defense, or point of fact or law on the part of any party. The Company continues to deny the material allegations of the complaints in the antitrust litigation. The Company entered into the Settlement after considering the risks and costs of continuing the litigation.
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The Company continues to vigorously defend against the claims in the Canadian antitrust litigation. Management is currently unable to reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of possible loss for the Canadian antitrust litigation because, among other reasons, (i) the proceeding is in preliminary stages, (ii) specific damage amounts have not been sought, (iii) damages sought are, in our opinion, unsupported and/or exaggerated, (iv) there are significant factual issues to be resolved; and/or (v) there are novel legal issues or unsettled legal theories presented. For the Canadian antitrust litigation, we have not recorded any accruals as of September 30, 2024.While the Company does not expect such litigation to have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition, due to the complexities inherent in such litigation, including the uncertainty of legal processes and potential developments in the cases, the ultimate liability may differ.
Derivative Litigation
Certain current and former directors and officers of the Company were named as defendants, and the Company was named as a nominal defendant, in a derivative lawsuit in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, first filed on September 25, 2024, entitled Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System, on behalf of eXp World Holdings, Inc. v. Glenn Sanford, et. al. (C.A. No. 2024-0998-KSJM). The lawsuit alleges that certain current and former directors and officers breached fiduciary duties related to the Company’s response to reports of alleged sexual misconduct involving independent contractor real estate agents affiliated with the Company’s subsidiaries and that certain defendants had improper compensation arrangements allowing them to profit from the Company’s revenue share program in connection therewith. The complaint seeks a court declaration of fiduciary duty breaches, disgorgement of profits, damages with interest, injunctive relief for improved oversight of sexual misconduct allegations, and reimbursement of plaintiffs' costs, including expert and attorney fees. Although the Company does not anticipate that the outcome of such litigation will have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition, the inherent complexities and uncertainties of legal proceedings may result in a liability that differs from current expectations. Management is currently unable to reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of possible loss for this matter because, among other reasons, (i) the proceeding is in preliminary stages, (ii) specific damage amounts have not been sought, (iii) there are significant factual issues to be resolved; and/or (iv) there are novel legal issues or unsettled legal theories presented.
Capital Maintenance Agreements
On May 22, 2024, Texas Capital Bank (“TCB”) entered into a Change in Terms Agreement (the “Change Agreement”) with SUCCESS Lending, LLC (“SUCCESS Lending”), an indirect subsidiary and unconsolidated joint venture of the Company, to modify certain terms of that certain Mortgage Warehouse Agreement entered into by and between TCB and SUCCESS Lending in April 2022. The Change Agreement reduces the size of the warehouse credit line provided by TCB to SUCCESS Lending under the Mortgage Warehouse Agreement from $25 million to $10 million.
On July 22, 2024, Flagstar Bank FSB (“Flagstar”) assigned that certain Mortgage Warehouse Agreement entered into in March 2022 (the “SUCCESS Credit Agreement”) with SUCCESS Lending to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (“JPMorgan”). The SUCCESS Credit Agreement provided SUCCESS Lending with a revolving warehouse credit line of up to $25 million. In connection with the assignment of the SUCCESS Credit Agreement to JPMorgan, Flagstar also assigned to JPMorgan the related Capital Maintenance Agreement (the “Capital Maintenance Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to provide certain funds necessary to ensure that SUCCESS Lending is at all times in compliance with its financial covenants under the SUCCESS Credit Agreement. The material terms of the Capital Maintenance Agreement remain unchanged and the Company’s capital commitment liability under the Capital Maintenance Agreement is limited to $2,000,000. In the event SUCCESS Lending fails to comply with its financial covenants, the Company may have to contribute additional capital up to the limit.
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13.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Quarterly Cash Dividend
On November 4, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.05 per share which is expected to be payable on December 2, 2024, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 18, 2024. The ex-dividend date is expected to be on or around November 15, 2024. The dividend will be paid in cash.
On October 1, 2024, the Company entered into the Settlement in the Hooper Action to resolve the Nationwide Claims, as discussed further in Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies to these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read together with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations contain forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. See “Item 1 A. – Risk Factors” in our 2023 Annual Report and “Item 1 A. – Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report for a discussion of certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions associated with these statements.
This MD&A is divided into the following sections:
All dollar amounts are in USD thousands except share amounts and per share data and as otherwise noted.
OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
OVERVIEW
eXp World Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on July 30, 2008 and launched the first cloud-based real estate brokerage offering agent-centric commission structure, revenue sharing, and agent equity opportunities in 2009. Today, the Company operates a diversified portfolio of service-based businesses whose operations benefit substantially from utilizing our enabling technology platform. A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from
commissions received by our residential real estate brokerages which provide a full suite of brokerage and adjacent services (such as mortgage, title, and content creation) to our real estate agents and brokers. Our residential real estate agents and brokers affiliate their real estate licenses with us and operate their businesses utilizing our cloud-based technology platform to enhance their real estate business and optimize efficiencies. Our enabling and innovative technology platform is a robust suite of cloud-based applications and software services tailored for our real estate agents and brokers and targets business operations such as customer relationship management, marketing, client services, and brokerage functionalities. We succeed when our real estate professionals succeed and we remain focused on being the most agent-centric business on the planet.
Beginning in the first quarter of 2024, following the discontinuation of Virbela, eXp manages its operations in three operating business segments: North American Realty; International Realty; and Other Affiliated Services. While we do not consider acquisitions a critical element of our ongoing business, we seek opportunities to expand and enhance our portfolio of solutions and believe we are well-positioned to capture additional revenue from such solutions.
Discontinued Operations
In the first quarter of 2024, we determined that there had been a significant change to the Virbela business model. We have begun the process of winding down the Virbela business, which includes closing out current contracts and reducing our external customers. Further, the technology is being replaced with Virbela Frame® technology that will be initially utilized internally within the Company. We expect the process to wind down the Virbela business to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2024. As a result of this change, the Company has determined that Virbela qualifies for reporting as discontinued operations and will be reported as discontinued operations in our consolidated balance sheet and condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Prior year segment and financial statement information has been reclassified to reflect Virbela as discontinued operations. See Note 3 – Discontinued Operations to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the discontinuation of Virbela.
Strategy
Our strategy is to grow organically in North America and certain international markets by increasing our independent agent and broker network. Through our cloud-based operations and technology platform, we strive to achieve customer-focused efficiencies that allow us to increase market share and attain strong returns as we scale our business within the markets in which we operate. By building partnerships and strategically deploying capital, we seek to grow the business and enter attractive verticals and adjacent markets.
The Company’s primary emphasis is on achieving operational excellence for our real estate agents, which we monitor using the aNPS. We remain focused on optimizing our operating costs to match our revenue trends. One critical area of capital deployment during the third quarter of 2024 remained our Sustainable Revenue Share Plan (the “Revenue Share Plan”), whereby we pay real estate professionals affiliated with the Company a portion of eXp Realty’s commission for their contribution to Company growth. Regular evaluations are conducted to ensure the plan’s continued alignment with the Company's overarching objectives and for regulatory compliance.
MARKET CONDITIONS AND INDUSTRY TRENDS
Our business is dependent on the levels of home sales transactions and prices, which can vary based on economic conditions within the markets for which we operate. Changes in these conditions can have a positive or negative impact on our business. The economic conditions influencing housing markets primarily include economic growth, interest rates, unemployment, consumer confidence, mortgage availability and supply and demand.
In periods of economic growth, rising consumer confidence and lower interest rates, demand typically increases resulting in higher home sales transactions and home sales prices. Conversely, in periods of economic recession, declining consumer confidence and higher interest rates, demand typically decreases, resulting in lower home sales transactions and home sale prices. Additionally, regulations imposed by local, state and federal government agencies and geopolitical instability can also negatively impact the housing markets in which we operate.
Over the last several quarters, several macroeconomic conditions have been contributing to the slowdown in the U.S. residential real estate market, which directly impacts our business and financial results. These conditions include, but are not limited to rising inflation, continued higher than average mortgage interest rates, volatility in the U.S. equity markets and continued unrest around the world.
In April 2019, the National Association of REALTORS® (“NAR”) and certain brokerages and franchisors were named as defendants in a class action complaint alleging a conspiracy to violate federal antitrust laws by, among other things, requiring
residential property sellers in Missouri to pay inflated commission fees to buyer brokers (the “NAR Class Action”). The Company was named as one of several defendants in similar class action suits, and has since entered into a settlement term sheet with plaintiffs in the Hooper Action, as discussed further in Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies to these unaudited consolidated financial statements. In March 2024, NAR entered a settlement agreement to resolve on a class wide basis the claims against NAR in the NAR Class Action (the “NAR Settlement”). In addition to a monetary payment, NAR agreed to change certain business practices, including changes to cooperative compensation and buyer agreements, which business practice changes went into effect on August 17, 2024. eXp is empowering its agents in light of the NAR Settlement by offering comprehensive training sessions focused on compliance and best practices, addressing the clarifications in commission transparency and buyer representation agreements, providing resources such as buyer-representation agreement forms, and providing trainings to agents so that they understand the new guidelines and can integrate them into their operations.
The Company believes it is well positioned to grow its market share in the current market conditions. We have a strong base of agent support, which should drive organic market share growth, retention and productivity. Additionally, we offer agents a low-cost, high-engagement model, which affords agents and brokers increased income and ownership opportunities while offering a scalable solution to brokerage owners who want to survive and thrive during market fluctuations. We have an efficient operating model with lower fixed costs driven by our cloud-based model, with no brick-and-mortar locations.
National Housing Inventory
During the third quarter of 2024, the continued higher mortgage rates and higher home prices have contributed to a rise in inventory levels, as measured in months of supply. According to NAR, inventory of existing homes for sale in the U.S. was 1.39 million as of September 2024 (preliminary) compared to 1.13 million at the end of September 2023. This represents 4.3 months of inventory in 2024 compared to 3.4 months of inventory in the prior year.
Mortgage Interest Rates
While mortgage rates continue to be higher than historic averages and negatively impact the demand for homebuying, mortgage rates during the third quarter of 2024 declined from the prior year. Based on Freddie Mac data, the average rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed rate mortgage was 6.08% in September 2024 compared to 7.3% in September 2023.
Housing Affordability Index
According to NAR, the composite housing affordability index increased to 98.6 for August 2024 (preliminary) from 91.1 for August 2023. When the index is above 100, it indicates that a family earning the median income has sufficient income to purchase a median-priced home, assuming a 20% down payment and ability to qualify for a mortgage. The housing affordability index has been declining year over year due to mortgage rate conditions and higher average home prices driven by constrained inventory levels.
Existing Home Sales Transactions and Prices
According to NAR, existing home sale transactions decreased to an annual rate of 3.84 million in September 2024 (preliminary) compared to 3.98 million in September 2023, a decrease of 3.5%.
According to NAR, the nationwide existing home sales average price for September 2024 (preliminary) was $404,500 compared to $392,700 in September 2023, an increase of 3.0%.
The declining home sales transactions in the U.S. have negatively impacted our transaction metrics, and increased home sales prices have positively impacted our sales volume metrics.
Legal & Regulatory Environment
See Part II, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report for a discussion of the current legal environment and how such environment could potentially impact our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
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KEY BUSINESS METRICS
Management uses our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, and key business metrics related to our business and industry to evaluate our performance and make strategic decisions.
The following table outlines the key business metrics that we periodically review to track the Company’s performance:
(in thousands, except transactions and agent count)
Performance:
Agent NPS
76
75
72
Agent count
85,249
89,156
Real estate sales transactions
117,830
118,626
330,223
325,004
Real estate sales volume
$ 50,798,695
$ 48,526,164
$ 139,869,084
$ 130,337,913
Other real estate transactions
22,950
20,854
64,851
53,980
Real estate per transaction cost
$ 494
$ 497
$ 536
$ 541
Operating (loss) profit
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
Revenue and adjusted EBITDA are key financial measures, and we review these measures to evaluate and drive our core operating performance.
Agent net promoter score (aNPS)
aNPS is a scale-based measure of customer satisfaction and an aNPS above 50 is considered excellent. aNPS plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining agents and teams, especially during a period marked by market contraction, due to lower transaction volumes and higher mortgage rates. Despite the challenging market conditions, the Company’s aNPS was 76 and 75 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively compared to 74 and 72 for the same periods of 2023, respectively, due to our continuous investment in agent onboarding, expert care, transaction processing and technology.
One of our key strengths is attracting real estate agent and broker professionals that contribute to our growth. The rate of growth of our agent and broker base is difficult to predict and is subject to many factors outside of our control, including actions taken by our competitors and macroeconomic factors affecting the real estate industry in general including interest rates, declining transaction volume in the U.S., and industry practice changes in light of the NAR Settlement.
The number of agents declined (4)% in the first nine months of 2024, compared to the same period of 2023, as we continue to off board less productive agents. However, we are committed to retaining our most productive agents in the United States and Canada through the execution of our growth strategies and the end-to-end suite of services we offer our agents.
Real estate sales transactions and volume
Real estate sales transactions are based on the side (buyer or seller) of each real estate transaction and are recorded when our agents and brokers represent buyers or sellers in the purchase or sale, respectively, of a home. The number of real estate transactions is a key driver of our revenue and profitability. Transaction volume represents the total sales value for all transactions and is influenced by several market factors, including, but not limited to, the pricing and quality of our services and market conditions that affect home sales, such as macroeconomic factors, economic growth, local inventory levels, mortgage interest rates, and seasonality.
Our real estate sales transactions and volume typically fluctuate with changes in the market’s existing home sales transactions as reported by NAR; however, company-specific initiatives influence the transaction volume and productivity of our agents. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same periods of 2023, our real estate sales transactions decreased (1)% and increased 2%, respectively, due to our agents’ improved productivity, and international growth, which more than offset the decline in existing home sales in the U.S. as reported by the NAR. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the same periods of 2023, transaction volume increased
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5% and 7%, respectively, due to increased transactions for the nine-month period and increased home sale prices for both periods in 2024.
Other real estate transactions are recorded for leases, rentals and referrals that are undertaken by our agents and brokers. The increase in other real estate transactions reflects the productivity of our agents and brokers.
Real estate per transaction cost is measured as selling, general and administrative, sales and marketing and technology and development expenses resulting from our services that directly support our agents and brokers, divided by total transactions (real estate and other). Real estate per transaction cost decreased (1)% for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, primarily due to lower costs attributable to cost containment initiatives, partially offset by legal expenses related to the antitrust lawsuits.
Revenues represent the commission revenue earned by the Company for closed brokerage real estate transactions. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to same periods of 2023, the Company’s revenue increased primarily due to higher home sales prices in both periods and in the nine-month period, increased real estate transactions driven by improved agent productivity and increased international production in previously launched markets.
Operating (Loss) Profit
The operating (loss) in the third quarter of 2024 of ($8.3) million includes $18.0 million additional litigation contingency accrual recorded in the third quarter of 2024, compared to operating profit of $3.7 million in the third quarter of 2023. The third quarter of 2024 reflects increased revenues, net of agent commissions and other agent-related costs, and lower operating costs in 2024, offset by increased legal expenses related to the antitrust lawsuits. The operating (loss) for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 of ($8.0) million includes $34.0 million litigation contingency accrual, compared to operating profit of $16.5 million in the same period of 2023, reflecting increased legal expenses related to the antitrust lawsuits, and increased severance and employee-related expenses, partially offset by increased revenues, net of agent commissions and other agent-related costs.
Management reviews Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, to understand and evaluate our core operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was $23.9 million compared to $20.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in adjusted EBITDA reflects increased revenues, net of agent commissions and other agent-related costs, and lower operating costs, partially offset by legal expenses related to the antitrust lawsuits. Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $67.8 million compared to $62.3 million for the same period of 2023. The increase in adjusted EBITDA reflects increased revenues, net of agent commissions and other agent-related costs, partially offset by legal expenses related to the antitrust lawsuits, as well as increased severance and employee-related expenses.
23
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
Three Months Ended
Change2024 vs. 2023
September 30, 2023
$
%
Statement of Operations Data:
$ 18,394
2%
13,465
1%
1,027
(1,676)
(11)%
(383)
(12)%
-%
30,433
3%
(12,039)
(325)%
(99)
(14)%
(73)
(21)%
(172)
(49)%
(11,867)
(293)%
(3,121)
(175)%
(8,746)
(386)%
$ 3,150
15%
(In thousands, except percentages)
Total revenues increased 2% as a result of increased home sales prices, which more than offset a slight decline in real estate transactions compared to the same period in 2023. Despite declines in the U.S. real estate market in the third quarter of 2024 real estate transactions declined only slightly due to the superior productivity of our agents.
$ 1,143,535
$ 1,130,070
$ 13,465
Commissions and other agent-related costs increased 1% primarily due to increased home sales prices. Commissions and other agent-related costs include sales commissions, revenue share and stock-based compensation paid to our agents.
$ 61,390
$ 60,363
$ 1,027
General and administrative expenses increased 2% due to increased employee-related expenses and legal expenses related to the antitrust lawsuit. General and administrative expenses include costs related to wages, employee stock compensation, and other general overhead expenses.
24
$ 13,804
$ 15,480
($ 1,676)
Technology and development expenses decreased (11%), primarily due to higher capitalized technology investments. These expenses include employee-related costs and other expenses for the maintenance and development of the technology used by both our agents and our employees.
$ 2,792
$ 3,175
($ 383)
Sales and marketing expenses decreased (12%) due to decreased advertising in the U.S. and Canada residential real estate market.
($ 520)
($ 348)
($ 172)
Other (income) expense, net increased (49%) primarily due to increased interest income when compared to the third quarter of 2023. Other (income) expense, net includes interest income earned on cash and cash equivalents, and (earnings) losses related to equity investments.
($ 1,333)
$ 1,788
($ 3,121)
The Company’s provision for income tax (benefit) expense from continuing operations amounted to ($1.3) million and $1.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which represented effective tax rates of positive 17.1% and 44.1%, respectively. The provision for income tax expense was primarily attributable to stock-based compensation shortfalls, research and development credit and non-deductible executive compensation.
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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Nine Months Ended
$ 177,123
5%
163,426
5,227
(1,015)
(2)%
201,638
6%
(24,515)
(148)%
(867)
(30)%
(35)
(4)%
(902)
(44)%
(23,613)
(127)%
546
18%
(24,159)
(155)%
Adjusted EBITDA (1)
$ 5,534
9%
Total revenues increased 5% due to higher home sales prices and an increase in real estate transactions compared to the same period in 2023, driven by improved agent productivity and increased international production in previously launched markets.
$ 3,205,949
$ 3,042,523
$ 163,426
Commissions and other agent-related costs increased 5% primarily because of the increase in real estate transactions and increased home sales prices. Commissions and other agent-related costs include sales commissions, revenue share and stock-based compensation paid to our agents.
$ 185,132
$ 179,905
$ 5,227
General and administrative expenses increased 3% due to increased severance and employee-related expenses and increased legal expenses related to the antitrust lawsuits, such increases were partially offset by lower costs related to the shareholders summit in 2024, since it was conducted virtually. General and administrative expenses include costs related to wages, employee stock compensation, and other general overhead expenses.
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$ 43,413
$ 44,428
($ 1,015)
Technology and development expenses decreased (2%), primarily due to higher capitalized technology investments. These expenses include employee-related costs and other expenses related to the maintenance and development of the technology used by both our agents and our employees.
$ 8,962
0%
Sales and marketing expenses were flat in 2024 compared to 2023 due to increased advertising in the U.S. and Canada residential real estate market.
($ 2,934)
($ 2,032)
($ 902)
Other (income) expense, net increased (44%) primarily due to increased interest income when compared to the first nine months of 2023. Other (income) expense, net includes interest income earned on cash and cash equivalents, and (earnings) losses related to equity investments.
$ 3,508
$ 2,962
$ 546
The Company’s provision for income tax expense from continuing operations amounted to $3.5 million and $3.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which represented effective tax rates of negative (69.6%) and positive 15.9%, respectively. The provision for income tax expense was primarily attributable to stock-based compensation shortfalls, research and development credit and non-deductible executive compensation.
BUSINESS SEGMENT DISCLOSURES
See Note 8 – Segment Information to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding our business segments. The following table reflects the results of each of our reportable segments during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
$ 8,453
9,334
63%
446
46%
161
12%
Total Consolidated Revenues
Adjusted Segment EBITDA(1)
28,899
27,169
$ 1,730
977
37%
(364)
(40)%
Total Segment Adjusted EBITDA
25,947
23,604
2,343
10%
807
29%
Total Reported Adjusted EBITDA(1)
North American Realty revenues increased 1% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to increased home sales prices, despite the challenging market in the U.S. residential real estate markets. Adjusted EBITDA increased 6% due to improved business efficiencies and reduced costs.
International Realty revenues increased 63% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to increased real estate transactions driven by improved agent production in previously launched markets. Adjusted EBITDA improved 37% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 due to increased revenue and improved business efficiencies and reduced costs.
Other Affiliated Services revenues increased 46% due to Virbela Frame® revenue, which more than offset lower SUCCESS® revenues. Adjusted EBITDA decreased (40)% due to increased costs partially offset by increased revenues.
Corporate expenses and other contain the costs incurred to operate the corporate parent of eXp Realty.
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The following table reflects the results of each of our reportable segments during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
$ 153,752
22,498
60%
952
26%
(79)
Adjusted Segment EBITDA (1)
85,208
82,495
$ 2,713
2,704
27%
(270)
(10)%
74,770
69,623
5,147
7%
387
Total Reported Adjusted EBITDA
North American Realty revenues increased 5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to increased real estate transactions and increased home sales prices, despite the challenging market in the U.S. residential real estate markets. Adjusted EBITDA increased 3% due to increased revenues, net of agent commissions and other agent-related costs, partially offset by increased legal expenses, increased severance and employee-related expenses.
International Realty revenues increased 60% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to increased real estate transactions driven by improved agent production in previously launched markets. Adjusted EBITDA improved 27% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 due to increased revenue and improved business efficiencies and reduced costs.
Other Affiliated Services revenues increased 26% due to Virbela Frame® revenue, which more than offset lower SUCCESS® revenues. Adjusted EBITDA decreased (10)% due to increases in selling, general and administrative expenses related to investing in business initiatives, partially offset by increased revenues.
NON-U.S. GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
To supplement our condensed consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we use Adjusted EBITDA, a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, to understand and evaluate our core operating performance. This non-GAAP financial measure, which may be different than similarly titled measures used by other companies, is presented to enhance investors’ overall understanding of our financial performance and should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with U.S.GAAP.
We define the non-U.S. GAAP financial measure of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to mean net (loss) income from continuing operations, excluding other income (expense), income tax benefit (expense), depreciation, amortization, impairment charges, litigation contingency expenses, stock-based compensation expense and stock option expense. Adjusted Segment EBITDA is defined as operating profit (loss) from continuing operations plus depreciation and
29
amortization and stock-based compensation expenses. We believe that Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Segment EBITDA provides useful information about our financial performance, enhances the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects and allows for greater transparency with respect to a key metric used by our management for financial and operational decision-making. We believe that Adjusted Segment EBITDA helps identify underlying trends in our business that otherwise could be masked by the effect of the expenses that we exclude in Adjusted Segment EBITDA. In particular, we believe the exclusion of stock and stock option expenses, provides a useful supplemental measure in evaluating the performance of our underlying operations and provides better transparency into our results of operations.
We are presenting the non-U.S. GAAP measure of Adjusted EBITDA to assist investors in seeing our financial performance through the eyes of management, and because we believe this measure provides an additional tool for investors to use in comparing our core financial performance over multiple periods with other companies in our industry.
Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. There are a number of limitations related to the use of Adjusted EBITDA compared to net (loss) income from continuing operations, the closest comparable U.S. GAAP measure. Some of these limitations are that:
The following tables present a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net (loss) income from continuing operations, the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure, for each of the periods presented:
Depreciation and amortization
Stock compensation expense (1)
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our primary sources of liquidity are our cash and cash equivalents on hand and cash flows generated from our business operations. Our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or to access certain capital markets, including banks, is necessary to fund our operations and capital expenditures, repurchase our common stock, and meet obligations as they become due. Our cash and cash equivalents balances and cash flows from operations have strengthened primarily due to transaction volume growth and improved cost leverage over the prior five years, attributable to the expansion of our independent agent and broker network and, to a lesser extent, increased average prices of home sales.
Currently, our primary use of cash on hand is to sustain and grow our business operations, including, but not limited to, commission and revenue share payments to agents and brokers and cash outflows for operating expenses and dividend payments. In addition, except for the $34 million litigation contingency accrual, the Company has no known material cash requirements as of September 30, 2024, relating to capital expenditures, commitments, or human capital (except as passthrough commissions to agents and brokers concurrent with settled real estate transactions). The Company intends to use available cash to pay the $34 million antitrust litigation Settlement amount.
We believe that our existing balances of cash and cash equivalents and cash flows expected to be generated from our operations will be sufficient to satisfy our operating requirements for at least the next twelve months. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including our level of investment in technology, our rate of growth into new markets, and cash used to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock. Our capital requirements may be affected
30
by factors which we cannot control such as the changes in the residential real estate market, interest rates, industry practice changes in light of the NAR Settlement, and other monetary and fiscal policy changes to the manner in which we currently operate. In order to support and achieve our future growth plans, we may need or seek advantageously to obtain additional funding through equity or debt financing. We believe that our current operating structure will facilitate sufficient cash flows from operations to satisfy our expected long-term liquidity requirements beyond the next twelve months.
Net Working Capital
Net working capital is calculated as the Company’s total current assets less its total current liabilities. The following table presents our net working capital as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:
Current assets
$ 309,585
$ 266,475
Current liabilities
(221,532)
(141,640)
Net working capital
$ 88,053
$ 124,835
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, net working capital decreased ($36.8) million, or (29)%, compared to December 31, 2023, primarily due to increased accrued liabilities and accounts receivable, due to the increased revenues in the third quarter of 2024, compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.
Cash Flows
The following table presents our cash flows for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
Net cash provided by operating activities
$ 177,800
$ 176,516
Net cash used in investment activities
Net cash used in financing activities
$ 25,847
$ 14,758
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net cash provided by operating activities increased $1.3 million compared to the same period in 2023. The increase in operating activities was primarily driven by improved operating results, increased customer deposits, lower agent equity stock compensation expense and favorable working capital changes.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net cash used in investing activities relates to cash used for purchases of property and equipment, acquisition of new business, and investments in affiliates and increased modestly compared to the same period of 2023.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 net cash flows used in financing activities decreased $12.5 million compared to the same period in 2023, primarily driven by lower stock repurchases.
Acquisitions
While we do not consider acquisitions a critical element of our ongoing business, we seek opportunities to expand and enhance our portfolio of solutions, access new revenue streams, or otherwise complement or accelerate the growth of our existing operations. We may fund acquisitions or investments in complementary businesses with various sources of capital including existing cash balances and cash flow from operations. Acquisitions during the first nine months of 2024 have not had a material impact on cash flow.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the 2023 Annual Report, which provides a description of our critical accounting policies. There were no changes to critical accounting policies or estimates as reflected in our 2023 Annual Report. For additional information regarding our critical accounting policies and estimates, see the Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates section of MD&A included in our 2023 Annual Report.
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QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There have been no material changes in our exposures to market risk since December 31, 2023. For details on the Company's interest rate and foreign currency exchange, see “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Information About Market Risks” in our 2023 Annual Report.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer (as the principal executive officer) and Principal Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
As of September 30, 2024, an evaluation was conducted by the Company under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer each concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level as of September 30, 2024.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably believed to be likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies and Note 13 – Subsequent Events to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report for additional information regarding the Company’s legal proceedings, which is incorporated herein by reference. We cannot provide any assurances that results of such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
Litigation and other legal matters are inherently unpredictable and subject to substantial uncertainties and adverse resolutions could occur. In addition, litigation and other legal matters, including class action lawsuits, government investigations and regulatory proceedings can be costly to defend and, depending on the class size and claims, could be costly to settle. As such, the Company could incur judgments, penalties, sanctions, fines or enter into settlements of claims with liability that are materially in excess of amounts accrued and these settlements could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in any particular period.
RISK FACTORS
The business, financial condition and operating results of the Company can be affected by a number of risks, whether currently known or unknown. For a discussion of our potential risks and uncertainties, please see in Part I, Item 1A Risk Factors of the 2023 Annual Report. Additional risks not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations in future periods. Any of these factors, in whole or in part, could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, operating results and stock price. Except for the risk factors disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of 2023 Annual Report, which are hereby incorporated by reference into this Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report, the risk factor related to legal and regulatory matters and the modified risk factor related to our stock set forth below, there have been no material changes to the Company’s risk factors as disclosed in the 2023 Annual Report. Modifications to the risk factors below are designated by underlined text and removals are designated by stricken text.
Risks Related to Legal and Regulatory Matters
Adverse outcomes in litigation and regulatory actions against other companies and agents in our industry could adversely impact our financial results.
Adverse outcomes in legal and regulatory actions against other companies, brokers, and agents in the residential and commercial real estate industry may adversely impact the financial condition of the Company and our real estate brokers and agents when those matters relate to business practices shared by the Company, our real estate brokers and agents, or our industry at large. Such matters may include, without limitation, RESPA, Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 and state consumer protection law, antitrust and anticompetition, and worker classification claims. Additionally, if plaintiffs or regulatory bodies are successful in such actions, this may increase the likelihood that similar claims are made against the Company and/or our real estate brokers and agents which claims could result in significant liability and be adverse to our financial results if we or our brokers and agents are unable to distinguish or defend our business practices.
As an example, in the matter of Burnett v. National Association of Realtors (U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri), a federal jury found NAR and certain other remaining brokerage defendants liable for $1.8 billion in damages related to allegations of breach of federal and state antitrust laws, which matter remains subject to final court approval. Additionally, certain other brokerage defendants settled with the plaintiffs, including both monetary and non-monetary settlement terms, which also remain subject to final court approval. Since that time, the Company has been named in multiple putative class action complaints; all defendants have since settled (some of which remain subject to final court approval). That same day, the Company, along with other brokerage and non-brokerage defendants, were named as defendants in Gibson v. National Association of Realtors, alleging a similar fact pattern and antitrust violations. Since that time, the Company was named as a defendant in additional putative class action lawsuits alleging similar fact patterns and antitrust violations. NAR and certain brokerage defendants have settled certain of these lawsuits, which include both monetary and non-monetary settlement terms. On October 1, 2024, the Company entered into a Settlement Term Sheet (the “Settlement”) with plaintiffs in the U.S. antitrust litigation filed by plaintiffs 1925 Hooper LLC and others in the Northern District of Georgia (the “Hooper Action”). The Company expects that the proposed Settlement would resolve all U.S. claims set forth in the Hooper Action, as well as all similar claims on a nationwide basis against the Company (collectively, the “Nationwide Claims”) and would release the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, and their independent contractor real estate agents in the United States from the Nationwide Claims. By the terms of the Settlement, the Company agreed to make certain changes to its business practices and to pay a total settlement amount of $34.0 million. The Settlement remains subject to preliminary and final court approval and will become effective following any appeals process, if applicable. Both the NAR and the Company’s settlement terms may materially impact business practices within the industry which could adversely impact the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition.
Risks Related to our Real Estate Business
The real estate market may be severely impacted by industry changes as the result of certain class action lawsuits, settlements, or government investigations.
The real estate industry faces significant pressure from private lawsuits and investigations by the Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) into antitrust issues.
In April 2019, the National Association of REALTORS® (“NAR”) and certain brokerages and franchisors (including Realogy Holdings Corp., HomeServices of America, Inc. RE/MAX, and Keller Williams Realty, Inc.) were named as defendants in a class action complaint alleging a conspiracy to violate federal antitrust laws by, among other things, requiring residential property sellers in Missouri to pay inflated commission fees to buyer brokers (the “NAR Class Action”). On October 31, 2023, a jury found NAR and various of its co-defendants liable and awarded plaintiffs nearly $1.8 billion in damages (all defendants have since settled, some of which remain subject to final court approval). Class action suits raising similar claims are already pending in this and other jurisdictions and the outcome of the NAR Class Action may result in additional such actions being filed. The Company was named as one of several defendants in similar class action suits, but entered into a settlement term sheet on October 1, 2024 to resolve all U.S. Nationwide Claims. See, Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies and Note 13 – Subsequent Events to these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
Defending against class action litigation is costly, may divert time and money away from our operations, and imposes a significant burden on management and employees. Also, the results of any such litigation or investigation cannot be
33
predicted with certainty, and any negative outcome could result in payments of substantial monetary damages or fines, and/or undesirable changes to our operations or business practices, and accordingly, our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
On March 15, 2024, NAR entered a settlement agreement to resolve on a class wide basis the claims against NAR in the NAR Class Action. In addition to a monetary payment of $418 million, NAR agreed to change certain business practices, including changes to cooperative compensation and buyer agreements. The NAR settlement agreement: (1) prohibits NAR and REALTOR® MLSs from requiring that listing brokers or sellers make offers of compensation to buyer brokers or other buyer representatives; (2) prohibits NAR, REALTOR® MLSs and MLS participants from making an offer of compensation on the MLS; and (3) requires all REALTOR® MLS participants to enter into a written buyer agreement specifying compensation before taking a buyer on tour. The NAR settlement received preliminary court approval on April 23, 2024.
These revised NAR rules and practices have caused and may require additional changes to our business model, including changes to agent and broker compensation and how we meet home buyers. Without mandated commission sharing, for example, we may see the introduction of hourly or a la carte services. Or, if buyers now compensate brokers, they may be more likely to contact listing agents directly, which could drive down dual agent broker commissions. Home lending rules and norms do not currently allow buyers to include buyer’s agent compensation in the balance of a home loan, which may impair the ability of homebuyers to pay their agent fees when purchasing a home. The amended rules and regulations also require us to get a buyer agreement signed before we take a home buyer on a first tour. This requirement may dissuade buyers from hiring the Company, thereby reducing the fees we receive from our agents. These and other shifts in the model for agent and broker compensation could significantly change the brokerage landscape overall and may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
In addition to the NAR Class Action and various similar private actions already pending, beginning in 2018, the DOJ began investigating NAR for violations of the federal antitrust laws. The DOJ and NAR appeared to reach a resolution in November 2020, resulting in the filing of a Complaint and Proposed Consent Judgment pursuant to which NAR agreed to adopt certain rule changes, such as increased disclosure of commission offers. The DOJ has since sought to continue its investigation of NAR, and on April 5, 2024 a federal appeals court decided that the DOJ could reopen its investigation. It is uncertain what effect, if any, the resumption of the DOJ’s investigation could have on the larger real estate industry, including any further settlement that may result therefrom.
Risks Related to Our Stock
Because we can issue additional shares of common stock and because we issue stock under equity incentive plans, our stockholders may experience dilution in the future.
We are authorized to issue up to 900,000,000 shares of common stock, of which 183,606,708 shares were issued and 154,669,037 shares were outstanding as of December 31, 2023. Additionally, the Company maintains a 2015 Equity Incentive Plan and a 2024 Equity Incentive Plan from which employees, agents, brokers and certain service providers of the Company and its affiliates can receive awards of the Company’s common stock. As of December 31 September 30, 2024, no additional issuances were being made out of the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.. As of September 30, 2024, there were 150,000,000 shares authorized and 36,000,000 shares registered under the 2024 Equity Incentive Plan, of which 147,766,310 are available for future issuance, subject to registration. The Company ceased issuing shares under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan. when it switched to issuing shares under the 2024 Equity Incentive Plan on September 1, 2024. Our Board of Directors has the authority to cause us to issue additional shares of common stock without consent of any of our stockholders, subject to applicable Nasdaq listing rules. Consequently, current stockholders may experience more dilution in their ownership of our common stock in the future.
34
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table provides information about repurchases of our common stock through the quarter ended September 30, 2024:
Period
Total number of shares purchased
Average price paid per share
Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs (1)
Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs
7/1/2024-7/31/2024
984,278
$ 12.87
$ 337,380,927
8/1/2024-8/31/2024
941,746
12.40
325,683,880
9/1/2024-9/30/2024
868,016
13.46
313,984,244
$ 12.91
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, no directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act) adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement, as each term is defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Incorporated by Reference
Number
Description
Form
Filing Date/Period End Date
3.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation
10-K
2/28/2023
3.2
Restated Bylaws
31.1*
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a 14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
31.2*
Certification of the Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Financial Officer) pursuant to Rule 13a 14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
32.1**
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2**
Certification of the Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Financial Officer) pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS*
Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE*
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104*
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
* Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith and not “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
November 7, 2024
(Registrant)
/s/ Kent Cheng
Kent Cheng
Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
37