LendingTree - 10-Q quarterly report FY2020 Q3

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Table of Contents

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, 2020



☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File No. 001-34063

LendingTree, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware		26-2414818
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

11115 Rushmore Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina 28277

(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

(704) 541-5351

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:



Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share	TREE	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

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). Yes ☒ No ☐

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 mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

As of October 30, 2020, there were 13,122,650 shares of the registrant's common stock, par value $.01 per share, outstanding, excluding treasury shares.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
	(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenue	$	220,251		$	310,605		$	687,661		$	851,416
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	13,220			17,671			40,936			51,651
Selling and marketing expense	154,670			200,818			464,129			567,338
General and administrative expense	33,705			30,323			94,276			89,391
Product development	11,477			10,200			33,252			30,541
Depreciation	3,535			2,696			10,463			7,737
Amortization of intangibles	13,090			13,778			40,603			41,485
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	6,658			3,839			7,711			21,221
Severance	—			179			190			636
Litigation settlements and contingencies	13			(92		)	(983		)	(291		)
Total costs and expenses	236,368			279,412			690,577			809,709
Operating (loss) income	(16,117		)	31,193			(2,916		)	41,707
Other (expense) income, net:
Interest expense, net	(16,617		)	(4,845		)	(26,406		)	(15,408		)
Other income	—			4			7			143
(Loss) income before income taxes	(32,734		)	26,352			(29,315		)	26,442
Income tax benefit (expense)	7,925			(1,889		)	14,866			11,552
Net (loss) income from continuing operations	(24,809		)	24,463			(14,449		)	37,994
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	166			(20,199		)	(25,550		)	(22,024		)
Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income	$	(24,643	)	$	4,264		$	(39,999	)	$	15,970

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	13,033			12,890			12,992			12,805
Diluted	13,033			14,632			12,992			14,629
(Loss) income per share from continuing operations:
Basic	$	(1.90	)	$	1.90		$	(1.11	)	$	2.97
Diluted	$	(1.90	)	$	1.67		$	(1.11	)	$	2.60
Income (loss) per share from discontinued operations:
Basic	$	0.01		$	(1.57	)	$	(1.97	)	$	(1.72	)
Diluted	$	0.01		$	(1.38	)	$	(1.97	)	$	(1.51	)
Net (loss) income per share:
Basic	$	(1.89	)	$	0.33		$	(3.08	)	$	1.25
Diluted	$	(1.89	)	$	0.29		$	(3.08	)	$	1.09

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)



	September 30, 2020			December 31, 2019
	(in thousands, except par value and share amounts)
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	187,261		$	60,243
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	112			96
Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $1,638 and $1,466, respectively)	96,631			113,487
Prepaid and other current assets	27,585			15,516
Current assets of discontinued operations	1,172			84
Total current assets	312,761			189,426
Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $22,318 and $17,979, respectively)	48,877			31,363
Operating lease right-of-use assets	86,193			25,519
Goodwill	420,139			420,139
Intangible assets, net	140,977			181,580
Deferred income tax assets	92,649			87,664
Equity investment (Note 7)	80,000			—
Other non-current assets	5,262			4,330
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	16,731			7,948
Total assets	$	1,203,589		$	947,969

LIABILITIES:
Revolving credit facility	$	—		$	75,000
Accounts payable, trade	4,895			2,873
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	106,333			112,755
Current contingent consideration	25,068			9,028
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	300			31,050
Total current liabilities	136,596			230,706
Long-term debt	603,520			264,391
Operating lease liabilities	87,597			21,358
Non-current contingent consideration	10,107			24,436
Other non-current liabilities	4,760			4,752
Total liabilities	842,580			545,643
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock $.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding	—			—
Common stock $.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 15,759,235 and 15,676,819 shares issued, respectively, and 13,117,917 and 13,035,501 shares outstanding, respectively	158			157
Additional paid-in capital	1,176,664			1,177,984
Accumulated deficit	(632,652		)	(592,654		)
Treasury stock; 2,641,318 shares	(183,161		)	(183,161		)
Total shareholders' equity	361,009			402,326
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,203,589		$	947,969

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Unaudited)



				Common Stock									Treasury Stock
	Total			Number of Shares	Amount		Additional Paid-in Capital			Accumulated Deficit			Number of Shares	Amount
	(in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	402,326		15,677	$	157	$	1,177,984		$	(592,654	)	2,641	$	(183,161	)
Net income and comprehensive income	14,401			—	—		—			14,401			—	—
Non-cash compensation	11,917			—	—		11,917			—			—	—
Issuance of common stock for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes	(5,087		)	27	—		(5,087		)	—			—	—
Other	—			—	—		(1		)	1			—	—
Balance as of March 31, 2020	$	423,557		15,704	$	157	$	1,184,813		$	(578,252	)	2,641	$	(183,161	)
Net loss and comprehensive loss	(29,757		)	—	—		—			(29,757		)	—	—
Non-cash compensation	13,158			—	—		13,158			—			—	—
Issuance of common stock for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes	(981		)	27	—		(981		)	—			—	—
Balance as of June 30, 2020	$	405,977		15,731	$	157	$	1,196,990		$	(608,009	)	2,641	$	(183,161	)
Net loss and comprehensive loss	(24,643		)	—	—		—			(24,643		)	—	—
Non-cash compensation	14,161			—	—		14,161			—			—	—
Issuance of common stock for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes	4,646			28	1		4,645			—			—	—
Issuance of 0.50% Convertible Senior Notes, net	116,300			—	—		116,300			—			—	—
Repurchase of 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes, net	(107,882		)	—	—		(107,882		)	—			—	—
Convertible note hedge transactions	(14,379		)	—	—		(14,379		)	—			—	—
Warrant transactions	(33,171		)	—	—		(33,171		)	—			—	—
Balance as of September 30, 2020	$	361,009		15,759	$	158	$	1,176,664		$	(632,652	)	2,641	$	(183,161	)

Table of Contents



				Common Stock									Treasury Stock
	Total			Number of Shares	Amount		Additional Paid-in Capital			Accumulated Deficit			Number of Shares	Amount
	(in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	346,208		15,428	$	154	$	1,134,227		$	(610,482	)	2,618	$	(177,691	)
Net loss and comprehensive loss	(512		)	—	—		—			(512		)	—	—
Non-cash compensation	14,053			—	—		14,053			—			—	—
Purchase of treasury stock	(3,976		)	—	—		—			—			18	(3,976		)
Issuance of common stock for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes	(3,585		)	87	1		(3,586		)	—			—	—
Balance as of March 31, 2019	$	352,188		15,515	$	155	$	1,144,694		$	(610,994	)	2,636	$	(181,667	)
Net income and comprehensive income	12,218			—	—		—			12,218			—	—
Non-cash compensation	15,982			—	—		15,982			—			—	—
Issuance of common stock for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes	(6,501		)	89	1		(6,502		)	—			—	—
Balance as of June 30, 2019	$	373,887		15,604	$	156	$	1,154,174		$	(598,776	)	2,636	$	(181,667	)
Net income and comprehensive income	4,264			—	—		—			4,264			—	—
Non-cash compensation	10,797			—	—		10,797			—			—	—
Purchase of treasury stock	(310		)	—	—		—			—			1	(310		)
Issuance of common stock for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes	626			31	—		626			—			—	—
Balance as of September 30, 2019	$	389,264		15,635	$	156	$	1,165,597		$	(594,512	)	2,637	$	(181,977	)

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019
	(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities attributable to continuing operations:
Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income	$	(39,999	)	$	15,970
Less: Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	25,550			22,024
(Loss) income from continuing operations	(14,449		)	37,994
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities attributable to continuing operations:
Loss (gain) on impairments and disposal of assets	686			(1,119		)
Amortization of intangibles	40,603			41,485
Depreciation	10,463			7,737
Non-cash compensation expense	39,236			40,832
Deferred income taxes	(15,489		)	(11,532		)
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	7,711			21,221
Bad debt expense	1,314			1,865
Amortization of debt issuance costs	2,241			1,463
Amortization of convertible debt discount	12,429			8,959
Loss on extinguishment of debt	7,768			—
Reduction in carrying amount of ROU asset, offset by change in operating lease liabilities	2,490			302
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	15,541			(50,030		)
Prepaid and other current assets	(335		)	(865		)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(9,733		)	11,047
Current contingent consideration	(2,670		)	(3,000		)
Income taxes receivable	65			4,513
Other, net	(1,655		)	8
Net cash provided by operating activities attributable to continuing operations	96,216			110,880
Cash flows from investing activities attributable to continuing operations:
Capital expenditures	(20,386		)	(15,151		)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets	—			24,060
Equity investment	(80,000		)	—
Acquisition of ValuePenguin, net of cash acquired	—			(105,578		)
Acquisition of QuoteWizard, net of cash acquired	—			482
Net cash used in investing activities attributable to continuing operations	(100,386		)	(96,187		)
Cash flows from financing activities attributable to continuing operations:
Payments related to net-share settlement of stock-based compensation, net of proceeds from exercise of stock options	(1,421		)	(9,459		)
Proceeds from the issuance of 0.50% Convertible Senior Notes	575,000			—
Repurchase of 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes	(233,862		)	—
Payment for convertible note hedge on the 0.50% Convertible Senior Notes	(124,200		)	—
Termination of convertible note hedge on the 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes	109,881			—
Proceeds from the sale of warrants related to the 0.50% Convertible Senior Notes	61,180			—
Termination of warrants related to the 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes	(94,292		)	—
Net repayment of revolving credit facility	(75,000		)	(40,000		)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(16,398		)	(31		)
Contingent consideration payments	(3,330		)	(3,000		)
Purchase of treasury stock	—			(4,286		)
Other financing activities	(183		)	(3		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities attributable to continuing operations	197,375			(56,779		)
Total cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	193,205			(42,086		)
Discontinued operations:
Net cash used in operating activities attributable to discontinued operations	(66,171		)	(12,316		)
Total cash used in discontinued operations	(66,171		)	(12,316		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents	127,034			(54,402		)
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period	60,339			105,158
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at end of period	$	187,373		$	50,756

Non-cash investing activities:
Capital additions from tenant improvement allowance	$	—		$	1,490

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1—ORGANIZATION

Company Overview

LendingTree, Inc. is currently the parent of LendingTree, LLC and several companies owned by LendingTree, LLC (collectively, "LendingTree" or the "Company").

LendingTree operates what it believes to be the leading online consumer platform that connects consumers with the choices they need to be confident in their financial decisions. The Company offers consumers tools and resources, including free credit scores, that facilitate comparison-shopping for mortgage loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, reverse mortgage loans, auto loans, credit cards, deposit accounts, personal loans, student loans, small business loans, insurance quotes and other related offerings. The Company primarily seeks to match in-market consumers with multiple providers on its marketplace who can provide them with competing quotes for loans, deposit products, insurance or other related offerings they are seeking. The Company also serves as a valued partner to lenders and other providers seeking an efficient, scalable and flexible source of customer acquisition with directly measurable benefits, by matching the consumer inquiries it generates with these providers.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of LendingTree and all its wholly-owned entities, except Home Loan Center, Inc. ("HLC") subsequent to its bankruptcy filing on July 21, 2019 which resulted in the Company's loss of a controlling interest in HLC under applicable accounting standards. Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.

Discontinued Operations

The LendingTree Loans business, which consisted of originating various consumer mortgage loans through HLC (the "LendingTree Loans Business"), is presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and consolidated cash flows for all periods presented. The notes accompanying these consolidated financial statements reflect the Company's continuing operations and, unless otherwise noted, exclude information related to the discontinued operations. See Note 18—Discontinued Operations for additional information.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2020 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited financial statements, and include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair statement of the Company's financial position for the periods presented. The results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2020, or any other period. The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 was derived from audited financial statements included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the "2019 Annual Report"). The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for annual financial statements. Accordingly, they should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2019 Annual Report.

NOTE 2—SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Accounting Estimates

Management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions during the preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. These estimates and assumptions impact the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. They also impact the reported amount of net earnings during any period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Significant estimates underlying the accompanying consolidated financial statements, including discontinued operations, include: the recoverability of long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets; the determination of income taxes payable and deferred income taxes, including related valuation allowances; fair value of assets acquired in a business combination; contingent consideration related to business combinations; litigation accruals; HLC ownership related claims; contract assets; various other

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

allowances, reserves and accruals; assumptions related to the determination of stock-based compensation; and the determination of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities.

The Company considered the impact of COVID-19 on the assumptions and estimates used when preparing its quarterly financial statements including, but not limited to, our allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation allowances, contract asset and contingent consideration. These assumptions and estimates may change as new events occur and additional information is obtained. If economic conditions caused by COVID-19 do not recover as currently estimated by management, such future changes may have an adverse impact on the Company's results of operations, financial position and liquidity.

Certain Risks and Concentrations

LendingTree's business is subject to certain risks and concentrations including dependence on third-party technology providers, exposure to risks associated with online commerce security and credit card fraud.

Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk at September 30, 2020, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable, as disclosed in the consolidated balance sheet. Cash and cash equivalents are in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits, but are maintained with quality financial institutions of high credit. The Company requires certain Network Partners to maintain security deposits with the Company, which in the event of non-payment, would be applied against any accounts receivable outstanding.

Due to the nature of the mortgage lending industry, interest rate fluctuations may negatively impact future revenue from the Company's marketplace.

Lenders and lead purchasers participating on the Company's marketplace can offer their products directly to consumers through brokers, mass marketing campaigns or through other traditional methods of credit distribution. These lenders and lead purchasers can also offer their products online, either directly to prospective borrowers, through one or more online competitors, or both. If a significant number of potential consumers are able to obtain loans and other products from Network Partners without utilizing the Company's services, the Company's ability to generate revenue may be limited. Because the Company does not have exclusive relationships with the Network Partners whose loans and other financial products are offered on its online marketplace, consumers may obtain offers from these Network Partners without using its services.

Other than a support services office in India, the Company's operations are geographically limited to and dependent upon the economic condition of the United States.

Litigation Settlements and Contingencies

Litigation settlements and contingencies consists of expenses related to actual or anticipated litigation settlements.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-15, which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The amendments should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company adopted ASU 2018-15 in the first quarter of 2020 using the prospective approach. Subsequent to the adoption of this ASU, capitalizable implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract are recorded within prepaid and other current assets and other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The expense related to these capitalized implementation costs are included within general and administrative expense on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income. The adoption of ASU 2018-15 did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2020 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, which removes, modifies and adds certain disclosure requirements in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Certain amendments must be applied prospectively while others are to be applied on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. The Company adopted ASU 2018-13 in the first quarter of 2020. See Note 16—Fair Value Measurements.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, which eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge (Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test). Instead, an impairment charge will be based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value. This ASU is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed in periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted ASU 2017-04 in the first quarter of 2020.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, which requires entities to measure expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This ASU introduces ASC Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, which replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to financial assets measured at amortized cost, including trade receivables and certain other financial assets that have the contractual right to receive cash. ASC Topic 326 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The guidance must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition. The Company adopted ASC Topic 326 as of January 1, 2020, which did not result in any cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit in the period of adoption.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, which simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments, amends the derivatives scope exception guidance for contracts in an entity’s own equity, and amends the related earnings-per-share guidance. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2021. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including adoption in interim periods. An entity should adopt the guidance as of the beginning of its annual fiscal year. An entity may adopt the amendments through either a modified retrospective method of transition or a fully retrospective method of transition. The Company expects the amendments to impact its convertible senior notes and warrants issued, and is evaluating the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements and whether to early adopt.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, and clarifies certain aspects of the current guidance to improve consistency among reporting entities. This ASU is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in interim periods. Entities electing early adoption must adopt all amendments in the same period. Most amendments must be applied prospectively while others are to be applied on a retrospective basis for all periods presented or a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company is evaluating the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements and will adopt ASU 2019-12 in the first quarter of 2021.

NOTE 3—REVENUE

Revenue is as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Home	$	78,859	$	77,265	$	232,156	$	212,458
Credit cards	6,656		54,822		65,436		165,373
Personal loans	12,505		43,873		52,841		117,513
Other Consumer	29,216		53,234		87,142		118,735
Total Consumer	48,377		151,929		205,419		401,621
Insurance	92,500		74,849		248,156		213,882
Other	515		6,562		1,930		23,455
Total revenue	$	220,251	$	310,605	$	687,661	$	851,416

The Company derives its revenue primarily from match fees and closing fees. Revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied and promised services have transferred to the customer. The Company's services are generally transferred to the customer at a point in time.

Revenue from Home products is primarily generated from upfront match fees paid by mortgage Network Partners that receive a loan request, and in some cases upfront fees for clicks or call transfers. Match fees and upfront fees for clicks and call transfers

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

are earned through the delivery of loan requests that originated through the Company's websites or affiliates. The Company recognizes revenue at the time a loan request is delivered to the customer, provided that no significant obligations remain. The Company's contractual right to the match fee consideration is contemporaneous with the satisfaction of the performance obligation to deliver a loan request to the customer.

Revenue from Consumer products is generated by match and other upfront fees for clicks or call transfers, as well as from closing fees, approval fees and upfront service and subscription fees. Closing fees are derived from lenders on certain auto loans, business loans, personal loans and student loans when the lender funds a loan with the consumer. Approval fees are derived from credit card issuers when the credit card consumer receives card approval from the credit card issuer. Upfront service fees and subscription fees are derived from consumers in the Company's credit services product. Upfront fees paid by consumers are recognized as revenue over the estimated time the consumer will remain a customer and receive services. Subscription fees are recognized over the period a consumer is receiving services.

The Company recognizes revenue on closing fees and approval fees at the point when a loan request or a credit card consumer is delivered to the customer. The Company's contractual right to closing fees and approval fees is not contemporaneous with the satisfaction of the performance obligation to deliver a loan request or a credit card consumer to the customer. As such, the Company records a contract asset at each reporting period-end related to the estimated variable consideration on closing fees and approval fees for which the Company has satisfied the related performance obligation, but are still pending the loan closing or credit card approval before the Company has a contractual right to payment. This estimate is based on the Company's historical closing rates and historical time between when a consumer request for a loan or credit card is delivered to the lender or card issuer and when the loan is closed by the lender or approved by the card issuer.

Revenue from the Company's Insurance products is primarily generated from upfront match fees, and upfront fees for website clicks or fees for calls. Match fees and upfront fees for clicks and call transfers are earned through the delivery of consumer requests that originated through the Company's websites or affiliates. The Company recognizes revenue at the time a consumer request is delivered to the customer, provided that no significant obligations remain. The Company's contractual right to the match fee consideration is contemporaneous with the satisfaction of the performance obligation to deliver a consumer request to the customer.

The contract asset recorded within prepaid and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets related to estimated variable consideration was $6.1 million and $6.5 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

The contract liability recorded within accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets related to upfront fees paid by consumers in the Company's Consumer business was $0.9 million and $0.6 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. During the first nine months of 2020, the Company recognized revenue of $0.6 million that was included in the contract liability balance at December 31, 2019. During the first nine months of 2019, the Company recognized revenue of $0.4 million that was included in the contract liability balance at December 31, 2018.

Revenue recognized in any reporting period includes estimated variable consideration for which the Company has satisfied the related performance obligations, but are still pending the occurrence or non-occurrence of a future event outside the Company's control (such as lenders providing loans to consumers or credit card approvals of consumers) before the Company has a contractual right to payment. The Company recognized increases to such revenue from prior periods of $0.6 million and $0.9 million in the third quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively.

NOTE 4—CASH AND RESTRICTED CASH

Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents consist of the following (in thousands):



	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents	$	187,261	$	60,243
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	112		96
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents	$	187,373	$	60,339

NOTE 5—ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

Accounts receivable are stated at amounts due from customers, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The Company determines its allowance for doubtful accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time accounts receivable are past due, previous loss history, current and expected economic conditions and the specific customer's current and expected ability to pay its obligation. Accounts receivable are considered past due when they are outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms. Accounts receivable are written off when management deems them uncollectible.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
Balance, beginning of the period	$	1,756		$	1,676		$	1,466		$	1,143
Charges to earnings	365			583			1,314			1,865
Write-off of uncollectible accounts receivable	(483		)	(441		)	(1,152		)	(1,202		)
Recoveries collected	—			5			10			17
Balance, end of the period	$	1,638		$	1,823		$	1,638		$	1,823

NOTE 6—GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The balance of goodwill and intangible assets, net is as follows (in thousands):



	September 30, 2020			December 31, 2019
Goodwill	$	903,227		$	903,227
Accumulated impairment losses	(483,088		)	(483,088		)
Net goodwill	$	420,139		$	420,139

Intangible assets with indefinite lives	$	10,142		$	10,142
Intangible assets with definite lives, net	130,835			171,438
Total intangible assets, net	$	140,977		$	181,580

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

The Company's goodwill at each of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consists of $59.3 million associated with the Home segment, $166.1 million associated with the Consumer segment, and $194.7 million associated with the Insurance segment.

Intangible assets with indefinite lives relate to the Company's trademarks.

Intangible Assets with Definite Lives

Intangible assets with definite lives relate to the following (in thousands):



	Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Technology	$	116,000	$	(70,004	)	$	45,996
Customer lists	77,300		(17,033		)	60,267
Trademarks and tradenames	17,200		(9,062		)	8,138
Website content	43,200		(26,767		)	16,433
Other	5		(4		)	1
Balance at September 30, 2020	$	253,705	$	(122,870	)	$	130,835

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)



	Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Technology	$	116,200	$	(48,938	)	$	67,262
Customer lists	77,300		(12,452		)	64,848
Trademarks and tradenames	17,200		(6,407		)	10,793
Website content	51,000		(22,467		)	28,533
Other	5		(3		)	2
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	261,705	$	(90,267	)	$	171,438

Amortization of intangible assets with definite lives is computed on a straight-line basis and, based on balances as of September 30, 2020, future amortization is estimated to be as follows (in thousands):



	Amortization Expense
Remainder of current year	$	12,475
Year ending December 31, 2021	42,738
Year ending December 31, 2022	25,256
Year ending December 31, 2023	8,602
Year ending December 31, 2024	6,747
Thereafter	35,017
Total intangible assets with definite lives, net	$	130,835

NOTE 7—EQUITY INVESTMENT

On February 28, 2020, the Company acquired an equity interest in Stash Financial, Inc. (“Stash”) for $80.0 million. Stash is a consumer investing and banking platform. Stash brings together banking, investing, and education into one seamless experience offering a full-suite of personal investment accounts, Traditional and Roth IRAs, custodial investment accounts, and banking services, including checking accounts and debit cards with a Stock-Back^® rewards program.

The Stash equity securities do not have a readily determinable fair value and, upon acquisition, the Company elected the measurement alternative to value its securities. The Stash equity securities will be carried at cost and subsequently marked to market upon observable market events with any gains or losses recorded in operating income in the consolidated statement of operations. As of September 30, 2020, there have been no observable market events that would result in upward or downward adjustments in the fair value and there have been no impairments to the original cost of $80.0 million.

NOTE 8—BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

Changes in Contingent Consideration

In 2018, the Company acquired all of the outstanding equity interests of QuoteWizard.com, LLC (“QuoteWizard”) and Ovation Credit Services, Inc. (“Ovation”).

In 2017, the Company acquired certain assets of Snap Capital LLC, which does business under the name SnapCap (“SnapCap”) and all of the assets of Deposits Online, LLC, which does business under the name DepositAccounts.com (“DepositAccounts”).

The Company will make earnout payments ranging from zero to $46.8 million based on the achievement of certain defined performance targets for QuoteWizard. During 2020, the Company made the final earnout payments related to the achievement of certain defined earnings targets for SnapCap. The Company made no earnout payments related to the DepositAccounts acquisition during 2020, and the earnout is complete.

In October 2020, the Company made the final earnout payment related to the achievement of certain defined operating metrics for Ovation.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration is summarized as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019			2020		2019
QuoteWizard	$	6,568	$	4,278		$	6,364	$	21,171
Ovation	90		(811		)	1,270		(825		)
SnapCap	—		372			77		1,822
DepositAccounts	—		—			—		(947		)
Total changes in fair value of contingent consideration	$	6,658	$	3,839		$	7,711	$	21,221

As of September 30, 2020, the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration for the QuoteWizard acquisition totaled $30.8 million, of which $20.7 million is included in current contingent consideration and $10.1 million is included in non-current contingent consideration in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration payments is determined using an option pricing model. The estimated value of the contingent consideration is based upon available information and certain assumptions, known at the time of this report, which management believes are reasonable.

As of September 30, 2020, the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration for the Ovation acquisition totaled $4.4 million, which is included in current contingent consideration in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration payment is based on the $4.4 million achieved target discounted from the payment due date to September 30, 2020.

Any differences in the actual contingent consideration payments will be recorded in operating income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

NOTE 9—ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):



	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Accrued advertising expense	$	50,752	$	65,836
Accrued compensation and benefits	15,480		10,540
Accrued professional fees	3,510		1,560
Customer deposits and escrows	7,547		6,920
Contribution to LendingTree Foundation	3,333		3,333
Current lease liabilities	5,826		6,885
Other	19,885		17,681
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	106,333	$	112,755

NOTE 10—LEASES

The Company is a lessee to leases of corporate offices and certain office equipment. The majority of leases for corporate offices include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms ranging from two to five years. These renewal options have not been included in the calculation of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, as the Company is not reasonably certain of the exercise of these renewal options. The Company used its incremental borrowing rate to calculate the right-of-use asset and lease liability for each lease.

As of September 30, 2020, right-of-use assets totaled $86.2 million and lease liabilities, the current portion of which is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the accompanying balance sheet, totaled $93.4 million. At December 31, 2019, right-of-use assets totaled $25.5 million and lease liabilities totaled $28.2 million. During the second quarter of 2020 the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities increased $65.7 million due to commencement of the lease, as defined under ASC Topic 842, Leases, for the Company’s new principal executive offices currently under construction in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Lease expense, which is included in general and administrative expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, consists of the following (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Operating lease cost	$	3,568	$	1,765	$	7,562	$	4,495
Short-term lease cost	11		21		49		69
Total lease cost	$	3,579	$	1,786	$	7,611	$	4,564

Weighted average remaining lease term and discount rate for operating leases are as follows:



	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Weighted average remaining lease term	13.0 years		5.0 years
Weighted average discount rate	5.0	%	4.7	%

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows (in thousands):



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	5,077	$	4,191
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$	66,463	$	21,912

Maturities of lease liabilities as of September 30, 2020 are as follows (in thousands):



	Operating Leases
Remainder of current year	$	2,118
Year ending December 31, 2021	8,949
Year ending December 31, 2022	12,619
Year ending December 31, 2023	12,409
Year ending December 31, 2024	10,885
Thereafter	105,398
Total lease payments	152,378
Less: Interest	46,096
Less: Tenant improvement allowances	12,859
Present value of lease liabilities	$	93,423

Rental income of $0.3 million in the first nine months of 2019 is included in other income on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

NOTE 11—SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Basic and diluted income per share was determined based on the following share data (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020	2019	2020	2019
Weighted average basic common shares	13,033	12,890	12,992	12,805
Effect of stock options	—	726	—	760
Effect of dilutive share awards	—	136	—	176
Effect of Convertible Senior Notes and warrants	—	880	—	888
Weighted average diluted common shares	13,033	14,632	12,992	14,629

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company had losses from continuing operations and, as a result, no potentially dilutive securities were included in the denominator for computing diluted loss per share, because the impact would have been anti-dilutive. Accordingly, the weighted average basic shares outstanding was used to compute loss per share. Approximately 1.3 million and 1.1 million shares related to potentially dilutive securities were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the weighted average shares that were anti-dilutive included options to purchase 0.1 million and 0.2 million shares of common stock, respectively.

For each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the weighted average shares that were anti-dilutive included options to purchase 0.1 million shares of common stock.

The convertible notes and the warrants issued by the Company could be converted into the Company’s common stock, subject to certain contingencies. See Note 14—Debt for additional information. Shares of the Company's common stock associated with the 0.50% Convertible Senior Notes due July 15, 2025 and the warrants issued by the Company in 2020 were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, as they were anti-dilutive since the conversion price of the notes and the strike price of the warrants were greater than the average market price of the Company's common stock during these periods.

Common Stock Repurchases

In each of February 2018 and February 2019, the board of directors authorized and the Company announced the repurchase of up to $100.0 million and $150.0 million, respectively, of LendingTree's common stock. During the first nine months of 2019, the Company purchased 18,580 shares of its common stock for aggregate consideration of $4.3 million. At September 30, 2020, approximately $179.7 million of the previous authorizations to repurchase common stock remain available.

NOTE 12—STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Non-cash compensation related to equity awards is included in the following line items in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Cost of revenue	$	372	$	208	$	947	$	558
Selling and marketing expense	1,678		835		4,431		4,867
General and administrative expense	10,356		8,627		29,208		30,534
Product development	1,755		1,127		4,650		4,873
Total non-cash compensation	$	14,161	$	10,797	$	39,236	$	40,832

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Stock Options

A summary of changes in outstanding stock options is as follows:



	Number of Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value^(a)
			(per option)		(in years)	(in thousands)
Options outstanding at January 1, 2020	777,871		$	69.87
Granted ^(b)	73,737		276.38
Exercised	(47,500	)	161.39
Forfeited	(717	)	291.12
Expired	(2,036	)	352.68
Options outstanding at September 30, 2020	801,355		82.54		3.87	$	180,661
Options exercisable at September 30, 2020	651,144		$	40.61	2.79	$	173,993

(a)

The aggregate intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company's closing stock price of $306.89 on the last trading day of the quarter ended September 30, 2020 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares covered by in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holder had the option holder exercised these options on September 30, 2020. The intrinsic value changes based on the market value of the Company's common stock.

(b)

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company granted stock options to certain employees and members of the board of directors with a weighted average grant date fair value per share of $138.75, calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which vesting periods include (a) immediate vesting on grant date (b) one year from grant date (c) three years from grant date and (d) four years from grant date.

For purposes of determining stock-based compensation expense, the weighted average grant date fair value per share of the stock options was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires the use of various key assumptions. The weighted average assumptions used are as follows:



Expected term ⁽¹⁾	5.00 - 6.25 years
Expected dividend ⁽²⁾	—
Expected volatility ⁽³⁾	52 - 60%
Risk-free interest rate ⁽⁴⁾	0.33 - 0.96%


(1)	The expected term of stock options granted was calculated using the "Simplified Method," which utilizes the midpoint between the weighted average time of vesting and the end of the contractual term. This method was utilized for the stock options due to a lack of historical exercise behavior by the Company's employees.


(2)	For all stock options granted in 2020, no dividends are expected to be paid over the contractual term of the stock options, resulting in a zero expected dividend rate.


(3)	The expected volatility rate is based on the historical volatility of the Company's common stock.


(4)	The risk-free interest rate is specific to the date of grant. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury yields for notes with comparable expected terms as the awards, in effect at the grant date.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Stock Options with Market Conditions

A summary of changes in outstanding stock options with market conditions at target is as follows:



	Number of Options with Market Conditions	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value^(a)
		(per option)		(in years)	(in thousands)
Options outstanding at January 1, 2020	463,440	$	204.31
Granted^(b)	19,126	275.82
Exercised	—	—
Forfeited	—	—
Expired	—	—
Options outstanding at September 30, 2020	482,566	207.14		7.02	$	50,162
Options exercisable at September 30, 2020	—	$	—	0.00	$	—

(a)


(b)	During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company granted stock options with a grant date fair value per share of $196.07, calculated using the Monte Carlo simulation model, which has a vesting date of March 31, 2024.

For purposes of determining stock-based compensation expense, the grant date fair value per share of the stock options was estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation model, which requires the use of various key assumptions. The assumptions used are as follows:



Expected term ⁽¹⁾	7.00 years
Expected dividend ⁽²⁾	—
Expected volatility ⁽³⁾	51%
Risk-free interest rate ⁽⁴⁾	1.03%


(1)	The expected term of stock options with a market condition granted was calculated using the midpoint between the time of vesting and the end of the contractual term.


(2)	For all stock options with a market condition granted in 2020, no dividends are expected to be paid over the contractual term of the stock options, resulting in a zero expected dividend rate.


(3)	The expected volatility rate is based on the historical volatility of the Company's common stock.


(4)	The risk-free interest rate is specific to the date of grant. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury yields for notes with comparable expected terms as the awards, in effect at the grant date.

A maximum of 805,885 shares may be earned for achieving superior performance up to 167% of the target number of shares. As of September 30, 2020, performance-based nonqualified stock options with a market condition of 481,669 had been earned, which have a vest date of September 30, 2022.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Restricted Stock Units

A summary of changes in outstanding nonvested restricted stock units ("RSUs") is as follows:



	RSUs
	Number of Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
			(per unit)
Nonvested at January 1, 2020	144,939		$	267.85
Granted	130,518		286.40
Vested	(62,167	)	240.57
Forfeited	(10,333	)	279.95
Nonvested at September 30, 2020	202,957		$	287.54

Restricted Stock Units with Performance Conditions

A summary of changes in outstanding nonvested RSUs with performance conditions is as follows:



	RSUs with Performance Conditions
	Number of Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
			(per unit)
Nonvested at January 1, 2020	14,647		$	210.55
Granted	—		—
Vested	(1,992	)	125.75
Forfeited	—		—
Nonvested at September 30, 2020	12,655		$	223.90

Restricted Stock Awards with Performance Conditions

A summary of changes in outstanding nonvested restricted stock awards ("RSAs") with performance conditions is as follows:



	RSAs with Performance Conditions
	Number of Awards		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
			(per unit)
Nonvested at January 1, 2020	47,608		$	340.25
Granted	—		—
Vested	(17,853	)	340.25
Forfeited	—		—
Nonvested at September 30, 2020	29,755		$	340.25

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Restricted Stock Awards with Market Conditions

A summary of changes in outstanding nonvested RSAs with market conditions at target is as follows:



	RSAs with Market Conditions
	Number of Awards	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
		(per unit)
Nonvested at January 1, 2020	26,674	$	340.25
Granted	—	—
Vested	—	—
Forfeited	—	—
Nonvested at September 30, 2020	26,674	$	340.25

A maximum of 44,545 shares may be earned for achieving superior performance up to 167% of the target number of shares. As of September 30, 2020, performance-based restricted stock awards with a market condition of 29,601 had been earned, which have a vest date of September 30, 2022.

NOTE 13—INCOME TAXES



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Income tax benefit (expense)	$	7,925		$	(1,889	)	$	14,866		$	11,552
Effective tax rate	24.2		%	7.2		%	50.7		%	(43.7		)%

For the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, the effective tax rate varied from the federal statutory rate of 21% in part due to a tax benefit of $0.2 million and $2.0 million, respectively, recognized for excess tax benefits resulting from employee exercises of stock options and vesting of restricted stock in accordance with ASU 2016-09 and the effect of state taxes. The effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2020 was also impacted by a tax benefit of $6.1 million for the impact of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act, as described below.

On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed into law the CARES Act. This legislation is an economic relief package in response to the public health and economic impacts of COVID-19 and includes various provisions that impact the Company, including, but not limited to, modifications for net operating losses, accelerated timeframe for refunds associated with prior minimum taxes and modifications of the limitation on business interest.

The Company revalued deferred tax assets related to net operating losses in light of the changes in the CARES Act, and recorded a net tax benefit of $6.1 million during the first nine months of 2020. These deferred tax assets are being revalued, as they will be carried back to 2016 and 2017, which are tax periods prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA") when the federal statutory tax rate was 35% versus the 21% federal statutory tax rate in effect after the enactment of the TCJA.

For the third quarter and first nine months of 2019, the effective tax rate varied from the federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to a tax benefit of $2.8 million and $16.5 million, respectively, recognized for excess tax benefits resulting from employee exercises of stock options and vesting of restricted stock in accordance with ASU 2016-09, a tax benefit of $1.9 million recognized from an adjustment to the federal research tax credit and the effect of state taxes.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)



	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019			2020		2019
	(in thousands)
Income tax benefit (expense) - excluding excess tax benefit on stock compensation and CARES Act	$	7,750	$	(4,705	)	$	6,780	$	(4,989	)
Excess tax benefit on stock compensation	175		2,816			1,982		16,541
Income tax benefit from CARES Act	—		—			6,104		—
Income tax benefit (expense)	$	7,925	$	(1,889	)	$	14,866	$	11,552

NOTE 14—DEBT

Convertible Senior Notes

2025 Notes

On July 24, 2020, the Company issued $575.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 0.50% Convertible Senior Notes due July 15, 2025 (the “2025 Notes”) in a private placement. The issuance included $75.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2025 Notes under a 13-day purchase option which was exercised in full. The 2025 Notes bear interest at a rate of 0.50% per year, payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2021. The 2025 Notes will mature on July 15, 2025, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted.

The initial conversion rate of the 2025 Notes is 2.1683 shares of the Company's common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 2025 Notes (which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $461.19 per share). The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events but will not be adjusted for accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, upon the occurrence of a make-whole fundamental change prior to the maturity of the 2025 Notes or if the Company issues a notice of redemption for the 2025 Notes, the Company will, in certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate by a specified number of additional shares for a holder that elects to convert the 2025 Notes in connection with such make-whole fundamental change or to convert its 2025 Notes called for redemption, as the case may be. Upon conversion, the 2025 Notes will settle for cash, shares of the Company’s stock, or a combination thereof, at the Company’s option. It is the intent of the Company to settle the principal amount of the 2025 Notes in cash and any conversion premium in shares of its common stock.

The 2025 Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations and will rank senior in right of payment to any of the Company’s indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the 2025 Notes; equal in right of payment to any of the Company’s unsecured indebtedness that is not so subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of the Company’s secured indebtedness, including borrowings under the senior secured revolving credit facility, described below, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of the Company’s subsidiaries.

Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding March 13, 2025, the 2025 Notes will be convertible at the option of the holders thereof only under the following circumstances:

•

during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on September 30, 2020 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day;


•	during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period in which, for each trading day of that period, the trading price (as defined in the 2025 Notes) per $1,000 principal amount of 2025 Notes for such trading day was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day;


•	if the Company calls such 2025 Notes for redemption, at any time prior to the close of business on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the redemption date, but only with respect to the notes called for redemption; or


•	upon the occurrence of specified corporate events including but not limited to a fundamental change.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Holders of the 2025 Notes are not entitled to convert the 2025 Notes during the calendar quarter ended December 31, 2020 as the last reported sale price of the Company's common stock, for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on September 30, 2020, was not greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price of the 2025 Notes on each applicable trading day.

On or after March 13, 2025, until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date of the 2025 Notes, holders of the 2025 Notes may convert all or a portion of their 2025 Notes regardless of the foregoing conditions.

The Company may not redeem the 2025 Notes prior to July 20, 2023. On or after July 20, 2023 and before the 41^st scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date, the Company may redeem for cash all or a portion of the 2025 Notes, at its option, if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the 30 consecutive trading day period (and including the last trading day of such period) ending on, and including the last trading day immediately preceding the date of notice of redemption is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day. The redemption price will be equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2025 Notes to be redeemed, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. No sinking fund is provided for the 2025 Notes.

Upon the occurrence of a fundamental change prior to the maturity date of the 2025 Notes, holders of the 2025 Notes may require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the 2025 Notes for cash at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2025 Notes to be repurchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.

If the market price per share of the common stock, as measured under the terms of the 2025 Notes, exceeds the conversion price of the 2025 Notes, the 2025 Notes could have a dilutive effect, unless the Company elects, subject to certain conditions, to settle the principal amount of the 2025 Notes and any conversion premium in cash.

The initial measurement of convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash is separated into a debt and an equity component whereby the debt component is based on the fair value of a similar instrument that does not contain an equity conversion option. The separate components of debt and equity of the Company’s 2025 Notes were determined using an interest rate of 5.30%, which reflects the nonconvertible debt borrowing rate of the Company at the date of issuance. As a result, the initial components of debt and equity were $455.6 million and $119.4 million, respectively. Financing costs related to the issuance of the 2025 Notes were approximately $15.1 million, of which $12.0 million were allocated to the liability component and are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the debt and $3.1 million were allocated to the equity component.

In the third quarter of 2020, the Company recorded interest expense on the 2025 Notes of $4.9 million which consisted of $0.5 million associated with the 0.50% coupon rate, $4.0 million associated with the accretion of the debt discount, and $0.4 million associated with the amortization of the debt issuance costs. The debt discount is being amortized over the term of the debt.

As of September 30, 2020, the fair value of the 2025 Notes is estimated to be approximately $562.1 million using the Level 1 observable input of the last quoted market price for the quarter ended September 30, 2020.

A summary of the gross carrying amount, unamortized debt cost, debt issuance costs and net carrying value of the liability component of the 2025 Notes are as follows (in thousands):



	September 30, 2020
Gross carrying amount	$	575,000
Unamortized debt discount	115,427
Debt issuance costs	11,591
Net carrying amount	$	447,982

2022 Notes

On May 31, 2017, the Company issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes due June 1, 2022 (the “2022 Notes”) in a private placement. The 2022 Notes bear interest at a rate of 0.625% per year, payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on December 1, 2017. The 2022 Notes will mature on June 1, 2022, unless earlier repurchased or converted.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The initial conversion rate of the 2022 Notes is 4.8163 shares of the Company's common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 2022 Notes (which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $207.63 per share). The conversion rate will be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain specified events but will not be adjusted for accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, upon the occurrence of a make-whole fundamental change prior to the maturity of the 2022 Notes, the Company will, in certain circumstances, increase the conversion rate by a specified number of additional shares for a holder that elects to convert the 2022 Notes in connection with such make-whole fundamental change. Upon conversion, the 2022 Notes will settle for cash, shares of the Company’s stock, or a combination thereof, at the Company’s option. It is the intent of the Company to settle the principal amount of the 2022 Notes in cash and any conversion premium in shares of its common stock.

The 2022 Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations and will rank senior in right of payment to any of the Company’s indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the 2022 Notes; equal in right of payment to any of the Company’s unsecured indebtedness that is not so subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of the Company’s secured indebtedness, including borrowings under the senior secured revolving credit facility, described below, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of the Company’s subsidiaries.

Prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding February 1, 2022, the 2022 Notes will be convertible at the option of the holders thereof only under the following circumstances:

•

during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on September 30, 2017 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the last reported sale price of the common stock for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on, and including the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price on each applicable trading day;


•	during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period in which, for each trading day of that period, the trading price (as defined in the 2022 Notes) per $1,000 principal amount of 2022 Notes for such trading day was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of the common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; or


•	upon the occurrence of specified corporate events including but not limited to a fundamental change.

Holders of the 2022 Notes were not entitled to convert the 2022 Notes during the calendar quarter ended September 30, 2020 as the last reported sale price of the Company's common stock, for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on June 30, 2020, was not greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price of the 2022 Notes on each applicable trading day. Holders of the 2022 Notes are entitled to convert the 2022 Notes during the calendar quarter ended December 31, 2020 as the last reported sale price of the Company's common stock, for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on September 30, 2020, was greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price of the 2022 Notes on each applicable trading day.

On or after February 1, 2022, until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date of the 2022 Notes, holders of the 2022 Notes may convert all or a portion of their 2022 Notes regardless of the foregoing conditions.

The Company may not redeem the 2022 Notes prior to the maturity date and no sinking fund is provided for the 2022 Notes. Upon the occurrence of a fundamental change prior to the maturity date of the 2022 Notes, holders of the 2022 Notes may require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the 2022 Notes for cash at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2022 Notes to be repurchased, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.

If the market price per share of the common stock, as measured under the terms of the 2022 Notes, exceeds the conversion price of the 2022 Notes, the 2022 Notes could have a dilutive effect, unless the Company elects, subject to certain conditions, to settle the principal amount of the 2022 Notes and any conversion premium in cash.

The separate components of debt and equity of the Company’s 2022 Notes were determined using an interest rate of 5.36%, which reflects the nonconvertible debt borrowing rate of the Company at the date of issuance. As a result, the initial components of debt and equity were $238.4 million and $61.6 million, respectively. Financing costs related to the issuance of the 2022 Notes were approximately $9.3 million, of which $7.4 million were allocated to the liability component and are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the debt and $1.9 million were allocated to the equity component.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

On July 24, 2020, the Company used approximately $234.0 million of the net proceeds from the issuance of the 2025 Notes to repurchase approximately $130.3 million principal amount of the 2022 Notes, including the payment of accrued and unpaid interest of approximately $0.1 million, through separate transactions with certain holders of the 2022 Notes. Of the consideration paid, $126.0 million was allocated to the extinguishment of the liability component of the notes, while the remaining $107.9 million was allocated to the reacquisition of the equity component and recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity. The Company recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of $7.8 million in the third quarter of 2020, which is included in interest expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

In the first nine months of 2020, the Company recorded interest expense on the 2022 Notes of $10.7 million which consisted of $1.3 million associated with the 0.625% coupon rate, $8.4 million associated with the accretion of the debt discount, and $1.0 million associated with the amortization of the debt issuance costs. In the first nine months of 2019, the Company recorded interest expense on the 2022 Notes of $11.5 million which consisted of $1.4 million associated with the 0.625% coupon rate, $9.0 million associated with the accretion of the debt discount, and $1.1 million associated with the amortization of the debt issuance costs. The debt discount is being amortized over the term of the debt.

As of September 30, 2020, the fair value of the 2022 Notes is estimated to be approximately $265.6 million using the Level 1 observable input of the last quoted market price for the quarter ended September 30, 2020.

A summary of the gross carrying amount, unamortized debt cost, debt issuance costs and net carrying value of the liability component of the 2022 Notes are as follows (in thousands):



	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
Gross carrying amount	$	169,692	$	299,991
Unamortized debt discount	12,639		31,789
Debt issuance costs	1,515		3,811
Net carrying amount	$	155,538	$	264,391

Convertible Note Hedge and Warrant Transactions

2020 Hedge and Warrants

On July 24, 2020, in connection with the issuance of the 2025 Notes, the Company entered into Convertible Note Hedge (the “2020 Hedge”) and warrant transactions with respect to the Company’s common stock. The Company used approximately $63.0 million of the net proceeds from the 2025 Notes to pay for the cost of the 2020 Hedge, after such cost was partially offset by the proceeds from the warrant transactions.

On July 24, 2020, the Company paid $124.2 million to the counterparties for the 2020 Hedge transactions. The 2020 Hedge transactions cover 1.2 million shares of the Company’s common stock, the same number of shares initially underlying the 2025 Notes, and are exercisable upon any conversion of the 2025 Notes. The 2020 Hedge transactions are expected generally to reduce the potential dilution to the Company's common stock upon conversion of the 2025 Notes and/or offset any cash payments the Company is required to make in excess of the principal amount of the converted 2025 Notes, as the case may be, in the event that the market price per share of common stock, as measured under the terms of the 2020 Hedge transactions, is greater than the strike price of the 2020 Hedge transactions, which initially corresponds to the initial conversion price of the 2025 Notes, or approximately $461.19 per share of common stock. The 2020 Hedge transactions will expire upon the maturity of the Notes.

On July 24, 2020, the Company sold to the counterparties, warrants (the “2020 Warrants”) to acquire 1.2 million shares of the Company's common stock at an initial strike price of $709.52 per share, which represents a premium of 100% over the last reported sale price of the common stock of $354.76 on July 21, 2020. On July 24, 2020, the Company received aggregate proceeds of approximately $61.2 million from the sale of the 2020 Warrants. If the market price per share of the common stock, as measured under the terms of the 2020 Warrants, exceeds the strike price of the 2020 Warrants, the 2020 Warrants could have a dilutive effect, unless the Company elects, subject to certain conditions, to settle the 2020 Warrants in cash.

The 2020 Hedge and 2020 Warrants transactions are indexed to, and potentially settled in, the Company's common stock and the net cost of $63.0 million has been recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2017 Hedge and Warrants

On May 31, 2017, in connection with the issuance of the 2022 Notes, the Company entered into Convertible Note Hedge (the “2017 Hedge”) and warrant transactions with respect to the Company’s common stock. The Company used approximately $18.1 million of the net proceeds from the 2022 Notes to pay for the cost of the 2017 Hedge, after such cost was partially offset by the proceeds from the warrant transactions.

On May 31, 2017, the Company paid $61.5 million to the counterparties for the 2017 Hedge transactions. The 2017 Hedge transactions initially covered 1.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock, the same number of shares initially underlying the 2022 Notes, and are exercisable upon any conversion of the 2022 Notes. The 2017 Hedge transactions are expected generally to reduce the potential dilution to the Company's common stock upon conversion of the 2022 Notes and/or offset any cash payments the Company is required to make in excess of the principal amount of the converted 2022 Notes, as the case may be, in the event that the market price per share of common stock, as measured under the terms of the 2017 Hedge transactions, is greater than the strike price of the 2017 Hedge transactions, which initially corresponds to the initial conversion price of the 2022 Notes, or approximately $207.63 per share of common stock. The 2017 Hedge transactions will expire upon the maturity of the Notes.

On May 31, 2017, the Company sold to the counterparties, warrants (the “2017 Warrants”) to acquire 1.4 million shares of the Company's common stock at an initial strike price of $266.39 per share, which represents a premium of 70% over the last reported sale price of the common stock of $156.70 on May 24, 2017. On May 31, 2017, the Company received aggregate proceeds of approximately $43.4 million from the sale of the 2017 Warrants. If the market price per share of the common stock, as measured under the terms of the 2017 Warrants, exceeds the strike price of the 2017 Warrants, the 2017 Warrants could have a dilutive effect, unless the Company elects, subject to certain conditions, to settle the 2017 Warrants in cash.

The 2017 Hedge and 2017 Warrants transactions are indexed to, and potentially settled in, the Company's common stock and the net cost of $18.1 million was recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity.

To the extent of the repurchases of the 2022 Notes noted above, the Company entered into agreements with the counterparties for the 2017 Hedge and 2017 Warrants transactions to terminate a portion of these call spread transactions effective July 24, 2020 in notional amounts corresponding to the principal amount of the 2022 Notes repurchased. Subsequent to such termination, the outstanding portion of the 2017 Hedge covers 0.8 million shares of the Company's common stock and 2017 Warrants to acquire 0.8 million shares of the Company's common stock remain outstanding. The Company received $109.9 million and paid $94.3 million as a result of terminating such portions of the 2017 Hedge and 2017 Warrants, respectively. The net $15.6 million has been recorded as an increase to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity.

Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

On December 10, 2019, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, LendingTree, LLC, entered into an amended and restated $500.0 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility (the "Amended Revolving Credit Facility") which amended and restated the Company's previous $350.0 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility (the “2017 Revolving Credit Facility”). The Amended Revolving Credit Facility matures on December 10, 2024. Borrowings under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility can be used to finance working capital needs, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes, including to finance permitted acquisitions. As of September 30, 2020, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had $75.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility at the LIBO rate option with a weighted average interest rate of 3.01%, consisting of a $50.0 million 31-day borrowing and a $25.0 million 31-day borrowing.

Up to $10.0 million of the Amended Revolving Credit Facility will be available for short-term loans, referred to as swingline loans. Under certain conditions, the Company will be permitted to add one or more term loans and/or increase revolving commitments under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility by an additional amount equal to the greater of $185.0 million or 100% of Consolidated EBITDA as defined, or a greater amount provided that a total consolidated senior secured debt to EBITDA ratio does not exceed 2.50 to 1.00. Additionally, up to $10.0 million of the Amended Revolving Credit Facility will be available for the issuance of letters of credit. At each of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had outstanding one letter of credit issued in the amount of $0.2 million.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The Company’s borrowings under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at annual rates that, at the Company’s option, will be either:


•	a base rate generally defined as the sum of (i) the greater of (a) the prime rate of Truist Bank, (b) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.5% and (c) the LIBO rate (defined below) on a daily basis applicable for an interest period of one month plus 1.0% and (ii) an applicable percentage of 0.25% to 1.0% based on a total consolidated debt to EBITDA ratio; or


•	a LIBO rate generally defined as the sum of (i) the rate for Eurodollar deposits in the applicable currency and (ii) an applicable percentage of 1.25% to 2.0% based on a total consolidated debt to EBITDA ratio.

All swingline loans bear interest at the base rate defined above. Interest on the Company’s borrowings are payable quarterly in arrears for base rate loans and on the last day of each interest rate period (but not less often than three months) for LIBO rate loans.

The Amended Revolving Credit Facility contains a restrictive financial covenant, which initially limits the total consolidated debt to EBITDA ratio to 4.5, with step downs to 4.0 over time, except that this may increase by 0.5 for the four fiscal quarters following a material acquisition. In addition, the Amended Revolving Credit Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants in addition to events of default for a transaction of this type that, among other things, restrict additional indebtedness, liens, mergers or certain fundamental changes, asset dispositions, dividends, stock repurchases and other restricted payments, transactions with affiliates, sale-leaseback transactions, hedging transactions, loans and investments and other matters customarily restricted in such agreements.

On July 21, 2020, the Company executed a temporary amendment to its Amended Revolving Credit Facility to provide for certain covenant relief, primarily to facilitate the issuance of the 2025 Notes, the repurchase of a portion of the 2022 Notes, and to pay down existing borrowings under the credit facility.

The amendment amends the existing credit agreement to, among other things: (i) temporarily replace the total consolidated debt to EBITDA ratio covenant with a consolidated liquidity covenant requiring the Company to maintain unrestricted cash and cash equivalents in the United States plus amounts available and permitted to be drawn under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility to be no less than $200.0 million; (ii) impose additional limitations on certain restricted payments during such temporary period; and (iii) increase the applicable margins to (x) 2.25% for loans based on the LIBO rate and (y) 1.25% for loans based on the base rate, subject to a 0.75% floor, and unused commitment fees to 0.50% under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility during the temporary period. These amendments shall apply from the effective date through the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2021, unless terminated in advance by the Company.

The Company was in compliance with all covenants at September 30, 2020.

The Amended Revolving Credit Facility requires LendingTree, LLC to pledge as collateral, subject to certain customary exclusions, substantially all of its assets, including 100% of its equity in all of its domestic subsidiaries and 66% of the voting equity, and 100% of the non-voting equity, in all of its material foreign subsidiaries (of which there are currently none). The obligations under this facility are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by LendingTree, Inc. and material domestic subsidiaries of LendingTree, LLC, which guaranties are secured by a pledge as collateral, subject to certain customary exclusions, of 100% of each such guarantor's assets, including 100% of each such guarantor’s equity in all of its domestic subsidiaries and 66% of the voting equity, and 100% of the non-voting equity, in all of its material foreign subsidiaries (of which there are currently none).

Except as noted in the covenant relief discussion above, the Company is required to pay an unused commitment fee quarterly in arrears on the difference between committed amounts and amounts actually borrowed under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility equal to an applicable percentage of 0.25% to 0.45% per annum based on a total consolidated debt to EBITDA ratio. The Company is required to pay a letter of credit participation fee and a letter of credit fronting fee quarterly in arrears. The letter of credit participation fee is based upon the aggregate face amount of outstanding letters of credit at an applicable percentage of 1.25% to 2.0% based on a total consolidated debt to EBITDA ratio. The letter of credit fronting fee is 0.125% per annum on the face amount of each letter of credit.

In addition to the remaining unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the original revolving credit facility and the Revolving Credit Facility, debt issuance costs of $2.8 million related to the Amended Revolving Credit Facility entered into on December 10, 2019 are being amortized to interest expense over the life of the Amended Revolving Credit Facility. Debt issuance costs of $1.1 million related to the July 21, 2020 temporary amendment are being amortized to interest expense through June 30,

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

2021, unless the temporary amendment is terminated in advance by the Company. Unamortized debt issuance costs are included in prepaid and other current assets and other non-current assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

In the first nine months of 2020, the Company recorded interest expense related to the Amended Revolving Credit Facility of $3.2 million which consisted of $1.3 million associated with borrowings bearing interest at the LIBO rate, $1.1 million in unused commitment fees, and $0.8 million associated with the amortization of the debt issuance costs. In the first nine months of 2019, the Company recorded interest expense related to the revolving credit facility of $5.1 million which consisted of $4.2 million associated with borrowings bearing interest at the LIBO rate, $0.5 million in unused commitment fees, and $0.4 million associated with the amortization of the debt issuance costs.

NOTE 15—CONTINGENCIES

Overview

LendingTree is involved in legal proceedings on an ongoing basis. In assessing the materiality of a legal proceeding, the Company evaluates, among other factors, the amount of monetary damages claimed, as well as the potential impact of non-monetary remedies sought by plaintiffs (e.g., injunctive relief) that may require it to change its business practices in a manner that could have a material and adverse impact on the Company's business. With respect to the matters disclosed in this Note 15, unless otherwise indicated, the Company is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of losses that could potentially result from the application of such non-monetary remedies.

As of September 30, 2020, the Company had litigation settlement accruals of $0.1 million and $0.5 million in continuing operations and discontinued operations, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had litigation settlement accruals of $0.2 million and $31.0 million in continuing operations and discontinued operations, respectively. The litigation settlement accruals relate to litigation matters that were either settled or a firm offer for settlement was extended, thereby establishing an accrual amount that is both probable and reasonably estimable. See Note 18—Discontinued Operations for additional information.

NOTE 16—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Other than the convertible notes and warrants, as well as the equity interest in Stash, the carrying amounts of the Company's financial instruments are equal to fair value at September 30, 2020. See Note 14—Debt for additional information on the convertible notes and warrants, and see Note 7—Equity Investment for additional information on the equity interest in Stash.

Contingent consideration payments related to acquisitions are measured at fair value each reporting period using Level 3 unobservable inputs. The changes in the fair value of the Company's Level 3 liabilities are as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020			2019
Contingent consideration, beginning of period	$	28,517	$	50,219	$	33,464		$	38,837
Transfers into Level 3	—		—		—			—
Transfers out of Level 3	—		—		—			—
Total net losses (gains) included in earnings (realized and unrealized)	6,658		3,839		7,711			21,221
Purchases, sales and settlements:
Additions	—		—		—			—
Payments	—		—		(6,000		)	(6,000		)
Contingent consideration, end of period	$	35,175	$	54,058	$	35,175		$	54,058

The contingent consideration liability at September 30, 2020 is the estimated fair value of the earnout payments of the Ovation and QuoteWizard acquisitions.

In October 2020, the Company made an earnout payment of $4.4 million based on the achievement of certain defined operating metrics for Ovation. The Company will make earnout payments ranging from zero to $46.8 million based on the achievement of certain defined performance targets for QuoteWizard. See Note 8—Business Acquisitions for additional information on the contingent consideration for each of these respective acquisitions.

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The significant unobservable inputs used to calculate the fair value of the contingent consideration are estimated future cash flows for the acquisitions and the discount rate. Actual results will differ from the projected results and could have a significant impact on the estimated fair value of the contingent considerations. Additionally, as the liability is stated at present value, the passage of time alone will increase the estimated fair value of the liability each reporting period. Any changes in fair value will be recorded in operating income in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

The following table provides quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements.



	Fair Value at September 30, 2020		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range (Weighted Average)^(a)
	(in thousands)
Contingent consideration	$	35,175	Option pricing model	Operating results growth rate	24.4% - 25.7% (25.1%)
				Discount rate	6.8	%

(a) Discount rates were weighted by the relative undiscounted value of expected earnout payments. Other unobservable inputs were weighted by the relative maximum potential earnout payments.

NOTE 17—SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company manages its business and reports its financial results through the following three operating and reportable segments: Home, Consumer and Insurance. Characteristics which were relied upon in making the determination of the reportable segments include the nature of the products, the organization's internal structure, and the information that is regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for the purpose of assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company changed its reportable segments in the fourth quarter of 2019 and previously reported segment results have been revised to conform to the Company's reportable segments at September 30, 2020.

The Home segment includes the following products: purchase mortgage, refinance mortgage, home equity loans and lines of credit, reverse mortgage loans, and real estate. The Consumer segment includes the following products: credit cards, personal loans, small business loans, student loans, auto loans, deposit accounts, and other credit products such as credit repair and debt settlement. The Insurance segment consists of insurance quote products. Revenue from the resale of online advertising space to third parties and revenue from home improvement referrals, and the related variable marketing and advertising expenses, are included within the Other category.

The following tables are a reconciliation of segment profit, which is the Company's primary segment profitability measure, to income before income taxes and discontinued operations. Segment cost of revenue and marketing expense represents the portion of selling and marketing expense attributable to variable costs paid for advertising, direct marketing and related expenses, that are directly attributable to the segments' products. This measure excludes overhead, fixed costs and personnel-related expenses. For the Other category, segment cost of revenue and marketing expense also includes the portion of cost of revenue attributable to costs paid for advertising re-sold to third parties. The Company ceased reselling online advertising space during the first quarter of 2020.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2020
	Home		Consumer		Insurance		Other		Total
	(in thousands)
Revenue	$	78,859	$	48,377	$	92,500	$	515	$	220,251
Segment marketing expense	53,693		26,730		55,457		513		136,393
Segment profit	25,166		21,647		37,043		2		83,858
Cost of revenue									13,220
Brand and other marketing expense									18,277
General and administrative expense									33,705
Product development									11,477
Depreciation									3,535
Amortization of intangibles									13,090
Change in fair value of contingent consideration									6,658
Litigation settlements and contingencies									13
Operating loss									(16,117		)
Interest expense, net									(16,617		)
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations									$	(32,734	)



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
	Home		Consumer		Insurance		Other		Total
	(in thousands)
Revenue	$	77,265	$	151,929	$	74,849	$	6,562	$	310,605
Segment cost of revenue and marketing expense	49,173		86,760		44,846		6,178		186,957
Segment profit	28,092		65,169		30,003		384		123,648
Cost of revenue (exclusive of cost of advertising re-sold to third parties included above)									11,862
Brand and other marketing expense									19,670
General and administrative expense									30,323
Product development									10,200
Depreciation									2,696
Amortization of intangibles									13,778
Change in fair value of contingent consideration									3,839
Severance									179
Litigation settlements and contingencies									(92		)
Operating income									31,193
Interest expense, net									(4,845		)
Other income									4
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations									$	26,352

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020
	Home		Consumer		Insurance		Other			Total
	(in thousands)
Revenue	$	232,156	$	205,419	$	248,156	$	1,930		$	687,661
Segment cost of revenue and marketing expense	132,353		121,271		150,458		2,175			406,257
Segment profit (loss)	99,803		84,148		97,698		(245		)	281,404
Cost of revenue (exclusive of cost of advertising re-sold to third parties included above)										39,850
Brand and other marketing expense										58,958
General and administrative expense										94,276
Product development										33,252
Depreciation										10,463
Amortization of intangibles										40,603
Change in fair value of contingent consideration										7,711
Severance										190
Litigation settlements and contingencies										(983		)
Operating loss										(2,916		)
Interest expense, net										(26,406		)
Other income										7
Loss before income taxes and discontinued operations										$	(29,315	)



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
	Home		Consumer		Insurance		Other		Total
	(in thousands)
Revenue	$	212,458	$	401,621	$	213,882	$	23,455	$	851,416
Segment cost of revenue and marketing expense	136,235		231,707		127,209		21,967		517,118
Segment profit	76,223		169,914		86,673		1,488		334,298
Cost of revenue (exclusive of cost of advertising re-sold to third parties included above)									33,453
Brand and other marketing expense									68,418
General and administrative expense									89,391
Product development									30,541
Depreciation									7,737
Amortization of intangibles									41,485
Change in fair value of contingent consideration									21,221
Severance									636
Litigation settlements and contingencies									(291		)
Operating income									41,707
Interest expense, net									(15,408		)
Other income									143
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations									$	26,442

NOTE 18—DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

The LendingTree Loans Business is presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying financial statements. The LendingTree Loans Business originated various consumer mortgage loans through HLC. On June 6, 2012, the Company sold substantially all of the operating assets of HLC, including the LendingTree Loans Business, for $55.9 million in cash to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Discover Financial Services ("Discover"). Discover generally did not assume liabilities of HLC that arose before the closing date, except for certain liabilities directly related to assets Discover acquired. A portion of the purchase price

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received was deposited in escrow in accordance with the purchase agreement with Discover for certain loan loss obligations that remained with HLC following the sale. During 2018, the remaining funds in escrow were released to HLC in accordance with the terms of the purchase agreement with Discover.

Upon closing of the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of HLC on June 6, 2012, HLC ceased to originate consumer loans. Certain liability for losses on previously sold loans remains with HLC.

Litigation settlements and contingencies and legal fees associated with ongoing related bankruptcy and legal proceedings against the Company are included in discontinued operations in the accompanying financial statements.

Home Loan Center, Inc. Bankruptcy Filing

On June 21, 2019, the U.S. District Court of Minnesota entered judgment in ResCap Liquidating Trust v. Home Loan Center, Inc., against HLC for $68.5 million, see Litigation Related to Discontinued Operations below. The judgment against HLC exceeded the assets of HLC, which were $11.2 million at July 21, 2019, including cash of $5.9 million. On July 19, 2019, HLC appealed the judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

On July 21, 2019, at the direction of the sole independent director of HLC, HLC voluntarily filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of California in San Jose, California (the “Bankruptcy Court”) in order to preserve assets for the benefit of all creditors of HLC. On September 16, 2019, the Bankruptcy Court converted the bankruptcy to Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code and appointed a Trustee to liquidate HLC's assets.

HLC’s filing under the Bankruptcy Code creates an automatic stay of enforcement of the judgment entered against HLC by the Minnesota court in ResCap Liquidating Trust v. Home Loan Center, Inc. described above and in Litigation Related to Discontinued Operations below. As a result of the voluntary petition, LendingTree, LLC was, as of the initial July 21, 2019 bankruptcy petition filing date, no longer deemed to have a controlling interest in HLC under applicable accounting standards. As a result, HLC and its consolidated subsidiary were deconsolidated from the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of July 21, 2019. The effect of such deconsolidation was the elimination of the consolidated assets and liabilities of HLC (and its consolidated subsidiary) from the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Upon deconsolidation, in the third quarter of 2019 the Company recognized a loss of $5.5 million which includes a net gain of $4.5 million related to the removal of HLC's (and its consolidated subsidiary's) assets and liabilities and the recognition of a liability of $10.0 million related to LendingTree LLC's ownership in HLC. No consideration was received by the Company as a result of the deconsolidation.

HLC has indicated that it believes that it has claims against HLC’s sole shareholder, LendingTree, LLC, and certain of its officers and directors, relating to the declaration of a dividend by HLC in January 2016 of $40.0 million. LendingTree, LLC believes the declaration of the dividend was proper, that the amounts paid to LendingTree, LLC following such declaration are not subject to recovery by HLC and that any claims by HLC relating to such dividend declaration are without merit. During the second quarter of 2020, LendingTree, LLC and HLC entered into a settlement agreement in the amount of $36.0 million for the release of any and all claims against the Company defendants by HLC, including the dividend claim. The bankruptcy court held a hearing on July 16, 2020 on the motion to approve the settlement to which no objections were made, and approved the settlement the same day. The $36.0 million settlement payment was made in the third quarter of 2020. HLC’s voluntary petition under the Bankruptcy Code does not represent an event of default under LendingTree, LLC’s Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 10, 2019, the Company’s indenture dated May 31, 2017 with respect to the Company’s 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes due 2022, or the Company’s indenture dated July 24, 2020 with respect to the Company’s 0.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025.

Litigation Related to Discontinued Operations

Residential Funding Company

ResCap Liquidating Trust v. Home Loan Center, Inc., Case No. 14-cv-1716 (U.S. Dist. Ct., Minn.), successor to Residential Funding Company, LLC v Home Loan Center, Inc., No. 13-cv-3451 (U.S. Dist. Ct., Minn.). On or about December 16, 2013, Home Loan Center, Inc. was served in the original captioned matter, which involves claims of Residential Funding Company, LLC ("RFC") for damages for breach of contract and indemnification for certain residential mortgage loans as well as residential mortgage-backed securitizations ("RMBS") containing mortgage loans. RFC asserted that, beginning in 2008, RFC faced massive repurchase demands and lawsuits from purchasers or insurers of the loans and RMBS that RFC had sold. RFC filed for bankruptcy

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

protection in May 2012. Plaintiff alleged that, after RFC filed for Chapter 11 protection, hundreds of proofs of claim were filed, many of which mirrored the litigation filed against RFC prior to its bankruptcy.

In December 2013, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York entered an Order confirming the Second Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan Proposed by Residential Capital, LLC et al. and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors. Plaintiff then began filing substantially similar complaints against approximately 80 of the loan originators from whom RFC had purchased loans, including HLC, in federal and state courts in Minnesota and New York. In each case, plaintiff claimed that the defendant is liable for a portion of the global settlement in RFC’s bankruptcy.

Plaintiff asserted two claims against HLC: (1) breach of contract based on HLC’s alleged breach of representations and warranties concerning the quality and characteristics of the mortgage loans it sold to RFC; and (2) contractual indemnification for alleged liabilities, losses, and damages incurred by RFC arising out of purported defects in loans that RFC purchased from HLC and sold to third parties. Plaintiff alleged that the “types of defects” contained in the loans it purchased from HLC included “income misrepresentation, employment misrepresentation, appraisal misrepresentations or inaccuracies, undisclosed debt, and missing or inaccurate documents.” Plaintiff sought damages of up to $61.0 million plus attorney's fees and prejudgment interest.

HLC denied the material allegations of the complaint and asserted numerous defenses thereto. The matter went to trial in the fourth quarter of 2018 and the jury returned a verdict of $28.7 million in favor of plaintiff. On June 21, 2019, the U.S. District Court in Minnesota entered judgment against HLC for $68.5 million. The judgment is comprised of: (i) $28.7 million in damages awarded by the jury; (ii) $14.1 million in pre-verdict interest; (iii) $23.1 million in attorneys' fees and costs, and (iv) $2.6 million in post-verdict, prejudgment interest.

HLC’s filing under the Bankruptcy Code discussed above in Home Loan Center, Inc. Bankruptcy Filing creates an automatic stay of enforcement of the judgment entered against HLC by the U.S. District Court in Minnesota. On August 27, 2019, plaintiff filed a lawsuit captioned ResCap Liquidating Trust v. LendingTree, LLC, et al., Case No. 19-cv-2360 (U.S. Dist. Ct., Minn.), seeking to hold the Company liable for the judgment against HLC, under assumption of liability, agency and alter ego theories. The Company believes that these claims lack merit. On October 17, 2019, the Company filed a motion to dismiss the liability and agency claims, and oral arguments with respect to such motion were held on January 10, 2020. On March 20, 2020, the court denied the Company's motion to dismiss, or in the alternative, to compel arbitration, and on April 3, 2020, the Company appealed the court's findings with respect to the Company's request to compel arbitration of the first count of the lawsuit. On June 17, 2020, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with ResCap, pursuant to which, the Company agreed to, among other things, pay ResCap $58.5 million, less any amounts ResCap receives in the HLC bankruptcy, in exchange for, among other things, ResCap releasing any and all claims against the Company, and the Company’s directors and officers, including any claims asserted in ResCap v. LendingTree. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, the Company will be responsible for the difference of $58.5 million minus the amount that ResCap receives through the HLC Bankruptcy. In the third quarter of 2020, the Company made a $26.5 million payment to the ResCap Liquidating Trust. The Company expects to be refunded $1.1 million of this amount, subsequent to the final distributions in the HLC Bankruptcy. This $1.1 million is recorded within current assets of discontinued operations on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2020.

In October 2020, due to the timing of distributions from the HLC bankruptcy estate, the Company was required per the terms of the ResCap settlement agreement to make a further payment of $6.4 million to ResCap. In turn, ResCap assigned its claims related to this amount to the Company, and the Company anticipates receiving reimbursement of a total $7.5 million from the HLC bankruptcy estate by the first quarter of 2021.

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. v. 1st Advantage Mortgage, LLC et al., Case No. 08-13555 (SCC), Adversary Proceeding No. 16-01342 (SCC) (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.). In February 2016, Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. (“LBHI”) filed an Adversary Complaint against HLC and approximately 149 other defendants (the "Complaint"). In December 2018, LBHI amended its complaint against HLC. The amended complaint references approximately 370 allegedly defective mortgage loans sold by HLC with purported "Claim Amounts" totaling $40.2 million. LBHI alleges it settled all such claims and is seeking indemnification from HLC for LBHI’s purported losses and liabilities associated with such settlements, plus prejudgment interest, attorneys’ fees, litigation costs and other expenses. The amended complaint does not specify the amount of LBHI’s purported damages. On December 4, 2019, LBHI filed a $44.7 million proof of claim in HLC’s bankruptcy seeking recovery for the claims asserted in the lawsuit. The Company believes that these claims lack merit and understands that HLC intends to defend this action vigorously.

HLC’s filing under the Bankruptcy Code discussed above in Home Loan Center, Inc. Bankruptcy Filing creates an automatic stay of this proceeding. On June 11, 2020, LBHI filed a lawsuit captioned Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. v. LendingTree, LLC, et al., Case No. 20-cv-01351 (U.S. Dist. Ct., Minn.), seeking to hold the Company liable for their allowed bankruptcy claim of

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LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

$13.3 million, under assumption of liability, agency and alter ego theories. The Company believes that these claims lack merit and intends to defend this action vigorously. In the third quarter of 2020, the Company made a settlement offer to LBHI for $0.5 million, which is included as a liability on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2020.

Financial Information of Discontinued Operations

The components of net income (loss) reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income are as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
Revenue	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—

Gain from removal of HLC's assets and liabilities	—			4,515			—			4,515
Other operating gains (expenses)	193			(32,182		)	(34,333		)	(34,492		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	193			(27,667		)	(34,333		)	(29,977		)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(27		)	7,468			8,783			7,953
Net income (loss)	$	166		$	(20,199	)	$	(25,550	)	$	(22,024	)

Losses from discontinued operations included all activity of HLC prior to bankruptcy, including litigation settlements, contingencies and legal fees associated with legal proceedings.

The results of discontinued operations also include litigation settlements and contingencies and legal fees associated with ongoing legal proceedings against LendingTree Inc. or LendingTree LLC that arose due to the LendingTree Loans Business or the HLC bankruptcy filing.

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

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This report contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements related to our anticipated financial performance, business prospects and strategy; anticipated trends and prospects in the various industries in which our businesses operate; new products, services and related strategies; and other similar matters. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions about future events, which are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. The use of words such as "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "intends," "plans" and "believes," among others, generally identifies forward-looking statements.

Actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include those matters discussed or referenced in Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors included elsewhere in this quarterly report and Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of the 2019 Annual Report.

Other unknown or unpredictable factors that could also adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations may arise from time to time. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking statements discussed in this report may not prove to be accurate. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which only reflect the views of LendingTree, Inc.'s management as of the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results or expectations, except as required by law.

Company Overview

LendingTree, Inc. is the parent of LendingTree, LLC and several companies owned by LendingTree, LLC.

We operate what we believe to be the leading online consumer platform that connects consumers with the choices they need to be confident in their financial decisions. Our online consumer platform provides consumers with access to product offerings from our Network Partners, including mortgage loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, reverse mortgage loans, auto loans, credit cards, deposit accounts, personal loans, student loans, small business loans, insurance quotes and other related offerings. In addition, we offer tools and resources, including free credit scores, that facilitate comparison shopping for loans, deposit products, insurance and other offerings. We seek to match consumers with multiple providers, who can offer them competing quotes for the product, or products, they are seeking. We also serve as a valued partner to lenders and other providers seeking an efficient, scalable and flexible source of customer acquisition with directly measurable benefits, by matching the consumer inquiries we generate with these Network Partners.

Our My LendingTree platform offers a personalized comparison-shopping experience by providing free credit scores and credit score analysis. This platform enables us to observe consumers' credit profiles and then identify and alert them to loans and other offerings on our marketplace that may be more favorable than the terms they may have at a given point in time. This is designed to provide consumers with measurable savings opportunities over their lifetimes.



	Three Months Ended September 30,
My LendingTree	2020			2019			% Change
Cumulative Sign-ups as of quarter-end (in millions)	15.7			13.1			20	%

Revenue Contribution (in thousands)	$	9,647		$	22,997		(58	)%
% of total revenue	4.4		%	7.4		%

We are focused on developing new product offerings and enhancements to improve the experiences that consumers and Network Partners have as they interact with us. By expanding our portfolio of financial services offerings, we are growing and diversifying our business and sources of revenue. We intend to capitalize on our expertise in performance marketing, product development and technology, and to leverage the widespread recognition of the LendingTree brand to effect this strategy.

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We believe the consumer and small business financial services industry is still in the early stages of a fundamental shift to online product offerings, similar to the shift that started in retail and travel many years ago and is now well established. We believe that like retail and travel, as consumers continue to move towards online shopping and transactions for financial services, suppliers will increasingly shift their product offerings and advertising budgets toward the online channel. We believe the strength of our brands and of our partner network place us in a strong position to continue to benefit from this market shift.

The LendingTree Loans business is presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and consolidated cash flows for all periods presented. Except for the discussion under the heading "Discontinued Operations," the analysis within Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations reflects our continuing operations.

Economic Conditions

During March 2020, a global pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization related to the rapidly growing outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus ("COVID-19"). The pandemic has significantly impacted the economic conditions in the U.S., as federal, state and local governments react to the public health crisis, creating significant uncertainties in the U.S. economy. The downstream impact of social distancing and related economic pullback are affecting our business and marketplace participants to varying degrees. We are continuously monitoring the impacts of the current economic conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Of our three reportable segments, the Consumer segment has been and is expected to be most impacted as unsecured credit and the flow of capital in certain areas of the market have contracted. Within our Consumer segment we have seen reductions of approximately 70% in near-term lender demand for our services reflecting those lenders' uncertainty over the length and depth of the economic recession. The impact to our Home and Insurance segments has been and is anticipated to be much less substantial. Most of our selling and marketing expenses are variable costs that we adjust dynamically in relation to revenue opportunities to profitably meet demand. Thus, as our revenue is negatively impacted during the recession, we anticipate our marketing expenses will continue to generally decrease in line with revenue.

Segment Reporting

We have three reportable segments: Home, Consumer and Insurance. We changed our reportable segments in the fourth quarter of 2019, and prior period results have been reclassified to conform with this change in reportable segments.

Recent Business Acquisitions

On January 10, 2019, we acquired Value Holding Inc., the parent company of ValuePenguin Inc. (“ValuePenguin”), a personal finance website that offers consumers objective analysis on a variety of financial topics from insurance to credit cards for $106.2 million. Combining ValuePenguin’s high-quality content and search engine optimization capability with proprietary technology and insurance carrier network from QuoteWizard enables us to provide immense value to carriers and agents. This strategic acquisition positions us to achieve further scale in the insurance space as well as the broader financial services industry.

On February 28, 2020, we acquired an equity interest in Stash Financial, Inc. (“Stash”) for $80.0 million. Stash is a consumer investing and banking platform. Stash brings together banking, investing, and education into one seamless experience offering a full-suite of personal investment accounts, Traditional and Roth IRAs, custodial investment accounts, and banking services, including checking accounts and debit cards with a Stock-Back^® rewards program.

North Carolina Office Properties

In December 2016, we completed the acquisition of two office buildings in Charlotte, North Carolina, for $23.5 million in cash. The buildings were acquired with the intent to use such buildings as our corporate headquarters and rent any unused space. In November 2018, the office buildings were classified as held for sale. In May 2019, we sold these buildings to an unrelated third party for a sale price of $24.4 million.

With our expansion in North Carolina, in December 2016, we received a grant from the state that provides up to $4.9 million in reimbursements over 12 years beginning in 2017 for investing in real estate and infrastructure in addition to increasing jobs in North Carolina at specific targeted levels through 2020, and maintaining the jobs thereafter. Additionally, the city of Charlotte and the county of Mecklenburg provided a grant that will be paid over five years and is based on a percentage of new property tax we pay on the development of a corporate headquarters. In December 2018, we received an additional grant from the state that provides up to $8.4 million in reimbursements over 12 years beginning in 2020 for increasing jobs in North Carolina at specific targeted levels through 2023, and maintaining the jobs thereafter.

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Recent Mortgage Interest Rate Trends

Interest rate and market risks can be substantial in the mortgage lead generation business. Short-term fluctuations in mortgage interest rates primarily affect consumer demand for mortgage refinancings, while long-term fluctuations in mortgage interest rates, coupled with the U.S. real estate market, affect consumer demand for new mortgages. Consumer demand, in turn, affects lender demand for mortgage leads from third-party sources, as well as our own ability to attract online consumers to our website.

Typically, when interest rates decline, we see increased consumer demand for mortgage refinancing, which in turn leads to increased traffic to our website and decreased selling and marketing efforts associated with that traffic. At the same time, lender demand for leads from third-party sources typically decreases, as there are more consumers in the marketplace seeking refinancings and, accordingly, lenders receive more organic mortgage lead volume. Due to lower lender demand, our revenue earned per consumer typically decreases, but with correspondingly lower selling and marketing costs.

Conversely, when interest rates increase, we typically see decreased consumer demand for mortgage refinancing, leading to decreased traffic to our website and higher associated selling and marketing efforts associated with that traffic. At the same time, lender demand for leads from third-party sources typically increases, as there are fewer consumers in the marketplace and, accordingly, the supply of organic mortgage lead volume decreases. Due to high lender demand, we typically see an increase in the amount lenders will pay per matched lead, which often leads to higher revenue earned per consumer. However, increases in the amount lenders will pay per matched lead in this situation is limited by the overall cost models of our lenders, and our revenue earned per consumer can be adversely affected by the overall reduced demand for refinancing in a rising rate environment.

We dynamically adjust selling and marketing expenditures in all interest rate environments to optimize our results against these variables.

According to Freddie Mac, 30-year mortgage interest rates declined during 2020 to a monthly average of 2.89% in September 2020. On a quarterly basis, 30-year mortgage interest rates in the third quarter of 2020 averaged 2.95%, compared to 3.67% in the third quarter of 2019 and 3.23% in the second quarter of 2020.

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Typically, as mortgage interest rates decline, there are more consumers in the marketplace seeking refinancings and, accordingly, the mix of mortgage origination dollars will move towards refinance mortgages. However, COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions that impacted traditional homebuying in the second quarter of 2020 resulted in increased demand for purchase mortgages in the third quarter of 2020. According to Mortgage Bankers Association ("MBA") data, total refinance origination dollars decreased to 52% of total mortgage origination dollars in the third quarter of 2020 compared to 63% in the second quarter of 2020. In the third quarter of 2020, total refinance origination dollars decreased 22% to $450 million from the second quarter of 2020 and increased 63% from the third quarter of 2019. Industry-wide mortgage originations in the third quarter of 2020 decreased 7% from the second quarter of 2020 and increased 32% from the third quarter of 2019.

In October 2020, the MBA projected 30-year mortgage interest rates to remain relatively consistent through the end of the year. According to MBA projections, the refinance share of total mortgage origination dollars is projected to represent approximately 55% for 2020.

The U.S. Real Estate Market

The health of the U.S. real estate market and interest rate levels are the primary drivers of consumer demand for new mortgages. Consumer demand, in turn, affects lender demand for purchase mortgage leads from third-party sources. Typically, a strong real estate market will lead to reduced lender demand for leads, as there are more consumers in the marketplace seeking financing and, accordingly, lenders receive more organic lead volume. Conversely, a weaker real estate market will typically lead to an increase in lender demand, as there are fewer consumers in the marketplace seeking mortgages.

According to Fannie Mae data, existing-home sales increased 38% in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the second quarter of 2020, and increased 10% compared to the third quarter of 2019. Fannie Mae predicts an overall increase in existing-home sales of 1% in 2020 compared to 2019.

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Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019



	Three Months Ended September 30,											Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019			$ Change			% Change		2020			2019			$ Change			% Change
	(Dollars in thousands)
Home	$	78,859		$	77,265		$	1,594		2	%	$	232,156		$	212,458		$	19,698		9	%
Consumer	48,377			151,929			(103,552		)	(68	)%	205,419			401,621			(196,202		)	(49	)%
Insurance	92,500			74,849			17,651			24	%	248,156			213,882			34,274			16	%
Other	515			6,562			(6,047		)	(92	)%	1,930			23,455			(21,525		)	(92	)%
Revenue	220,251			310,605			(90,354		)	(29	)%	687,661			851,416			(163,755		)	(19	)%
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	13,220			17,671			(4,451		)	(25	)%	40,936			51,651			(10,715		)	(21	)%
Selling and marketing expense	154,670			200,818			(46,148		)	(23	)%	464,129			567,338			(103,209		)	(18	)%
General and administrative expense	33,705			30,323			3,382			11	%	94,276			89,391			4,885			5	%
Product development	11,477			10,200			1,277			13	%	33,252			30,541			2,711			9	%
Depreciation	3,535			2,696			839			31	%	10,463			7,737			2,726			35	%
Amortization of intangibles	13,090			13,778			(688		)	(5	)%	40,603			41,485			(882		)	(2	)%
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	6,658			3,839			2,819			73	%	7,711			21,221			(13,510		)	(64	)%
Severance	—			179			(179		)	(100	)%	190			636			(446		)	(70	)%
Litigation settlements and contingencies	13			(92		)	105			114	%	(983		)	(291		)	(692		)	(238	)%
Total costs and expenses	236,368			279,412			(43,044		)	(15	)%	690,577			809,709			(119,132		)	(15	)%
Operating (loss) income	(16,117		)	31,193			(47,310		)	(152	)%	(2,916		)	41,707			(44,623		)	(107	)%
Other (expense) income, net:
Interest expense, net	(16,617		)	(4,845		)	11,772			243	%	(26,406		)	(15,408		)	10,998			71	%
Other income	—			4			(4		)	(100	)%	7			143			(136		)	(95	)%
(Loss) income before income taxes	(32,734		)	26,352			(59,086		)	(224	)%	(29,315		)	26,442			(55,757		)	(211	)%
Income tax benefit (expense)	7,925			(1,889		)	9,814			520	%	14,866			11,552			3,314			29	%
Net (loss) income from continuing operations	(24,809		)	24,463			(49,272		)	(201	)%	(14,449		)	37,994			(52,443		)	(138	)%
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	166			(20,199		)	(20,365		)	(101	)%	(25,550		)	(22,024		)	3,526			16	%
Net (loss) income and comprehensive (loss) income	$	(24,643	)	$	4,264		$	(28,907	)	(678	)%	$	(39,999	)	$	15,970		$	(55,969	)	(350	)%

Revenue

Revenue decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 due to decreases in our Consumer segment and Other category, partially offset by increases in our Insurance and Home segments.

Our Consumer segment includes the following products: credit cards, personal loans, small business loans, student loans, auto loans, deposit accounts, and other credit products such as credit repair and debt settlement. Many of our Consumer segment products are not individually significant to revenue. Revenue from our Consumer segment decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 from the third quarter and first nine months of 2019, primarily due to decreases in our credit cards, personal loans, student loans and small business loans products.

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Revenue from our credit cards product decreased $48.1 million to $6.7 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $54.8 million in the third quarter of 2019, or 88%, and decreased $100.0 million to $65.4 million in the first nine months of 2020 from $165.4 million in the first nine months of 2019, or 60%, primarily due to the impact of economic conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic that caused lower issuer demand, resulting in a decrease in the number of approvals and a decrease in revenue earned per approval.

Revenue from our personal loans product decreased $31.4 million to $12.5 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $43.9 million in the third quarter of 2019, or 72%, and decreased $64.7 million to $52.8 million in the first nine months of 2020 from $117.5 million in the first nine months of 2019, or 55%, primarily due to the impact of economic conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic that caused a contraction in the flow of capital and a decrease in revenue earned per consumer.

For the periods presented, no other products in our Consumer segment represented more than 10% of revenue; however, certain other Consumer products experienced notable changes primarily due to the impact of economic conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Revenue from our student loans product decreased $11.3 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019 and decreased $16.9 million in the first nine months of 2020 compared to the first nine months of 2019, due to a decrease in the number of consumers on our marketplace seeking student loans and lower demand for student loan refinancing due to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act providing temporary payment deferral relief. Revenue from our small business loans product decreased $9.9 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019 and decreased $14.0 million in the first nine months of 2020 compared to the first nine months of 2019, due to a contraction in the flow of capital and a decrease in revenue earned per consumer.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is anticipated to continue to significantly impact our Consumer product revenues in the near-term due to the significant industry-wide contraction in the availability of capital for products in the Consumer segment, specifically credit cards, small business loans and personal loans, as discussed above.

Revenue from our Insurance segment increased $17.7 million to $92.5 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $74.8 million in the third quarter of 2019, or 24%, and increased $34.3 million to $248.2 million in the first nine months of 2020 from $213.9 million in the first nine months of 2019, or 16%. The increase in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 is due to increases in the number of consumers seeking insurance coverage, partially offset by a decrease in revenue earned per consumer.

Our Home segment includes the following products: purchase mortgage, refinance mortgage, home equity loans and lines of credit, reverse mortgage loans, and real estate. Revenue from our Home segment increased $1.6 million in the third quarter of 2020 from the third quarter of 2019, or 2%, and increased $19.7 million in the first nine months of 2020 from the first nine months of 2019, or 9%, primarily due to an increase in revenue from our refinance mortgage product, partially offset by decreases in our purchase mortgage and home equity loans and lines of credit products. Revenue from our refinance mortgage product increased $17.1 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019, and increased $65.3 million in the first nine months of 2020 compared to the first nine months of 2019, primarily due to an increase in the number of consumers completing request forms resulting from increased refinancing activity in a declining interest rate environment. For the first nine months of 2020 compared to the first nine months of 2019, this was partially offset by a decrease in revenue earned per consumer. Revenue from our purchase mortgage product decreased $8.2 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019 and decreased $23.4 million in the first nine months of 2020 compared to the first nine months of 2019. Revenue from our home equity loans and lines of credit product decreased $6.6 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019 and decreased $19.8 million in the first nine months of 2020 compared to the first nine months of 2019. Revenue from our purchase mortgage and home equity loans and lines of credit products decreased due to a shift in lender focus toward refinance products as well as decreases in revenue earned per consumer.

Our Other category primarily includes revenue from the resale of online advertising space to third parties and revenue from home improvement referrals. Revenue in the Other category decreased $6.0 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019, and decreased $21.5 million in the first nine months of 2020 compared to the first nine months of 2019, as we ceased offering home improvement referrals during the first quarter of 2019 and ceased reselling online advertising space during the first quarter of 2020.

Cost of revenue

Cost of revenue consists primarily of costs associated with compensation and other employee-related costs (including stock-based compensation) relating to internally-operated customer call centers, third-party customer call center fees, costs for online advertising resold to third parties, credit scoring fees, credit card fees, website network hosting and server fees.

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Cost of revenue decreased in the third quarter of 2020 from the third quarter of 2019, primarily due to a $5.8 million decrease for the cost of resold advertising space. We ceased reselling online advertising space during the first quarter of 2020. This was partially offset by an increase in credit card fees and customer service costs of $0.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Cost of revenue decreased in the first nine months of 2020 from the first nine months of 2019, primarily due to a $17.1 million decrease for the cost of resold advertising space, partially offset by increases in website network hosting and server fees, compensation and benefits, and credit card fees of $2.2 million, $2.1 million, and $1.5 million, respectively.

Cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue remained consistent at 6% for each of the third quarters and first nine months of 2020 and 2019.

Selling and marketing expense

Selling and marketing expense consists primarily of advertising and promotional expenditures and compensation and other employee-related costs (including stock-based compensation) for personnel engaged in sales or marketing functions. Advertising and promotional expenditures primarily include online marketing, as well as television, print and radio spending. Advertising production costs are expensed in the period the related ad is first run.

Selling and marketing expense decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 primarily due to decreases in advertising and promotional expense of $47.1 million and $103.7 million, respectively, as discussed below.

Advertising and promotional expense is the largest component of selling and marketing expense, and is comprised of the following:



	Three Months Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		$ Change			% Change		2020		2019		$ Change			% Change
	(Dollars in thousands)
Online	$	136,496	$	182,401	$	(45,905	)	(25	)%	$	405,993	$	501,119	$	(95,126	)	(19	)%
Broadcast	2,662		3,952		(1,290		)	(33	)%	12,140		20,885		(8,745		)	(42	)%
Other	2,967		2,885		82			3	%	9,588		9,370		218			2	%
Total advertising expense	$	142,125	$	189,238	$	(47,113	)	(25	)%	$	427,721	$	531,374	$	(103,653	)	(20	)%

Revenue is primarily driven by Network Partner demand for our products, which is matched to corresponding consumer requests. We adjust our selling and marketing expenditures dynamically in relation to anticipated revenue opportunities in order to ensure sufficient consumer inquiries to profitably meet such demand. An increase in a product’s revenue is generally met by a corresponding increase in marketing spend, and conversely a decrease in a product’s revenue is generally met by a corresponding decrease in marketing spend. This relationship exists for our Home, Consumer and Insurance segments.

We decreased our advertising expenditures in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 in response to changes in Network Partner demand on our marketplace as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic discussed above. We will continue to adjust selling and marketing expenditures dynamically in relation to this and in response to anticipated revenue opportunities.

General and administrative expense

General and administrative expense consists primarily of compensation and other employee-related costs (including stock-based compensation) for personnel engaged in finance, legal, tax, corporate information technology, human resources and executive management functions, as well as facilities and infrastructure costs and fees for professional services.

General and administrative expense increased in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019, primarily due to increases in professional fees, facilities expense, and compensation and benefits of $1.9 million, $1.9 million, and $1.2 million, respectively, partially offset by a decrease in travel and entertainment expense of $1.0 million. General and administrative expense increased in the first nine months of 2020 compared to the first nine months of 2019 due to increases in professional fees, facilities expense, and technology expense of $5.1 million, $3.1 million, and $2.3 million, respectively. The first nine months of 2019 also benefited from a $2.7 million gain on the sale of two office buildings. This was partially offset by decreases in travel and entertainment expense, compensation and benefits, employee morale, and other taxes of $2.9 million, $2.2 million, $1.2 million, and $0.9 million, respectively.

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General and administrative expense as a percentage of revenue increased to 15% in the third quarter of 2020 compared to 10% in the third quarter of 2019, and increased to 14% in the first nine months of 2020 compared to 10% in the first nine months of 2019.

Product development

Product development expense consists primarily of compensation and other employee-related costs (including stock-based compensation) and third-party labor costs that are not capitalized, for employees and consultants engaged in the design, development, testing and enhancement of technology.

Product development expense increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 as we continued to invest in internal development of new and enhanced features, functionality and business opportunities that we believe will enable us to better and more fully serve consumers and Network Partners.

Depreciation

The increase in depreciation expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 was primarily the result of higher investment in internally developed software in recent years, to support the growth of our business.

Contingent consideration

During the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, we recorded aggregate contingent consideration expense of $6.7 million and $7.7 million, respectively, due to adjustments in the estimated fair value of the earnout payments related to our recent acquisitions. For the third quarter of 2020, the contingent consideration expense for the QuoteWizard and Ovation acquisitions was $6.6 million and $0.1 million, respectively. For the first nine months of 2020, the contingent consideration expense for the QuoteWizard, Ovation and SnapCap acquisitions was $6.4 million, $1.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

During the third quarter and first nine months of 2019, we recorded aggregate contingent consideration expense of $3.8 million and $21.2 million, respectively, due to adjustments in the estimated fair value of the earnout payments related to our recent acquisitions. For the third quarter of 2019, the contingent consideration expense for the QuoteWizard and SnapCap acquisitions was $4.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively. This was partially offset by a contingent consideration gain recorded for the Ovation acquisition of $0.8 million. For the first nine months of 2019, the contingent consideration expense for the QuoteWizard and SnapCap acquisitions was $21.2 million and $1.8 million, respectively. This was partially offset by contingent consideration gains recorded for the Ovation and DepositAccounts acquisitions of $0.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

Interest expense

Interest expense increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 compared to the third quarter and first nine months of 2019 due to the issuance of $575.0 million of our 0.50% Convertible Senior Notes due July 15, 2025 (the “2025 Notes”) as well as the repurchase of a portion of our existing 0.625% Convertible Senior Notes due June 1, 2022 (the “2022 Notes”) in July 2020. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, interest expense of $4.9 million was recognized on the 2025 Notes. Further, a loss on debt extinguishment of $7.8 million was recognized within interest expense upon the partial repurchase of the 2022 Notes. These increases to interest expense were partially offset by lower interest expense on the 2022 Notes in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 as a result of the repurchase of $130.3 million principal amount of the 2022 Notes. See Note 14—Debt for additional information on the issuance of the 2025 Notes and the partial repurchase of the 2022 Notes.

Income tax expense

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not limited to, modifications for net operating losses, accelerated timeframe for refunds associated with prior minimum taxes and modifications of the limitation on business interest.

We revalued deferred tax assets related to net operating losses in light of the changes in the CARES Act, and recorded a net tax benefit of $6.1 million during the first nine months of 2020. These deferred tax assets are being revalued, as they will be carried back to 2016 and 2017, which are tax periods prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA") when the federal statutory tax rate was 35% versus the 21% federal statutory tax rate in effect after the enactment of the TCJA.

Discontinued operations

The results of discontinued operations include the results of the LendingTree Loans business formerly operated by our wholly-owned subsidiary, Home Loan Center, Inc., or HLC. The sale of substantially all of the assets of HLC, including the LendingTree Loans business, was completed on June 6, 2012. HLC filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code on July 21, 2019, which was converted to Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code on September 16, 2019.

As a result of the voluntary bankruptcy petition, as of the initial July 21, 2019 bankruptcy petition filing date, HLC and its consolidated subsidiary were deconsolidated from LendingTree’s consolidated financial statements. The effect of such deconsolidation was the elimination of the consolidated assets and liabilities of HLC (and its consolidated subsidiary) from LendingTree’s consolidated balance sheets.

Prior to the bankruptcy filing, losses from the LendingTree Loans business were primarily due to litigation settlements and contingencies and legal fees associated with ongoing legal proceedings.

The results of discontinued operations include litigation settlements and contingencies and legal fees associated with ongoing legal proceedings against LendingTree Inc. or LendingTree LLC that arose due to the LendingTree Loans business or the HLC bankruptcy filing.

See Note 18—Discontinued Operations to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for more information, including the accounting effect of HLC’s bankruptcy filing on our consolidated financial statements.

Segment Profit



	Three Months Ended September 30,									Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020		2019		$ Change			% Change		2020			2019		$ Change			% Change
	(Dollars in thousands)
Home	$	25,166	$	28,092	$	(2,926	)	(10	)%	$	99,803		$	76,223	$	23,580		31	%
Consumer	21,647		65,169		(43,522		)	(67	)%	84,148			169,914		(85,766		)	(50	)%
Insurance	37,043		30,003		7,040			23	%	97,698			86,673		11,025			13	%
Other	2		384		(382		)	(99	)%	(245		)	1,488		(1,733		)	(116	)%
Segment profit	$	83,858	$	123,648	$	(39,790	)	(32	)%	$	281,404		$	334,298	$	(52,894	)	(16	)%

Segment profit is our primary segment operating metric. Segment profit is calculated as segment revenue less segment selling and marketing expenses attributed to variable costs paid for advertising, direct marketing and related expenses that are directly attributable to the segments' products. See Note 17—Segment Information in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information on segments and a reconciliation of segment profit to pre-tax income from continuing operations.

Consumer segment profit decreased $43.5 million in the third quarter of 2020 from the third quarter of 2019, and decreased $85.8 million in the first nine months of 2020 from the first nine months of 2019, primarily due to decreases in revenue, partially offset by corresponding decreases in selling and marketing expense. While the Consumer segment remains challenged from the impact of economic conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are encouraged that the performance of each of our credit cards, personal loans and small business loans products has steadily improved from the lows in the second quarter of 2020.

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However, it remains difficult to predict the pace of recovery. We continue to observe favorable trends in consumer credit and spending, but these trends remain unclear due to the uncertainty surrounding further government stimulus and the staying power of COVID-19. Our Network Partners continue to view the market with caution; while many Network Partners have resumed activity on our marketplace, their interest in doing so is primarily to assess consumer behavior and performance rather than to aggressively pursue new origination at scale or market share gains.

In considering the coming quarters, it is possible that our unit economics will remain constrained in our credit cards, personal loans and small business loans products due to the lack of heightened competition among our Network Partners. However, we believe that we are strategically positioning ourselves for success when industry conditions return to health. We continue to drive volume to our Network Partners, which could decrease segment profitability in the near term. The strength of our Home and Insurance segments, discussed below, enables us to adopt a longer-term orientation toward our Network Partners in these challenging times.

Home segment profit decreased $2.9 million in the third quarter of 2020 from the third quarter of 2019, primarily due to an increase in selling and marketing expense, and increased $23.6 million in the first nine months of 2020 from the first nine months of 2019, primarily due to an increase in revenue. Mortgage lender capacity continued to expand in the third quarter of 2020 as refinance mortgage activity abated from the highs in the second quarter of 2020. While increased lender capacity benefits our business and enables improved traffic monetization, these same dynamics drive heightened competition and costs to acquire such traffic, leading to compressed margins. Other factors such as the November 2020 election also contributed to increased traffic acquisition costs; however, we view those dynamics as temporary and expect the industry backdrop to remain favorable in the coming quarters.

Insurance segment profit increased $7.0 million in the third quarter of 2020 from the third quarter of 2019, and increased $11.0 million in the first nine months of 2020 from the first nine months of 2019, primarily due to increases in revenue, partially offset by corresponding increases in selling and marketing expense. While decreased search engine traffic presented modest headwinds in the second quarter of 2020, such headwinds largely dissipated in the third quarter of 2020. We also accelerated the Insurance business in the third quarter of 2020 in a number of areas: the roll out of our publisher platform that is expected to be a significant growth driver in future quarters, the build out of an in-house agency that complements our existing offerings by enabling us to drive volume for insurance carriers who do not write premiums directly, and steady progress made in the health insurance and Medicare categories.

Adjusted EBITDA

We report Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure to GAAP. This measure is the primary metric by which we evaluate the performance of our businesses, on which our marketing expenditures and internal budgets are based and by which management and many employees are compensated. We believe that investors should have access to the same set of tools that we use in analyzing our results. This non-GAAP measure should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for or superior to GAAP results. We provide and encourage investors to examine the reconciling adjustments between the GAAP and non-GAAP measures discussed below.

Definition of Adjusted EBITDA

We report Adjusted EBITDA as net income from continuing operations adjusted to exclude interest, income tax, amortization of intangibles and depreciation, and to further exclude (1) non-cash compensation expense, (2) non-cash impairment charges, (3) gain/loss on disposal of assets, (4) restructuring and severance expenses, (5) litigation settlements and contingencies, (6) acquisitions and dispositions income or expense (including with respect to changes in fair value of contingent consideration), and (7) one-time items. Adjusted EBITDA has certain limitations in that it does not take into account the impact to our statement of operations of certain expenses, including depreciation, non-cash compensation and acquisition-related accounting. We endeavor to compensate for the limitations of the non-GAAP measures presented by also providing the comparable GAAP measures with equal or greater prominence and descriptions of the reconciling items, including quantifying such items, to derive the non-GAAP measures. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

One-Time Items

Adjusted EBITDA is adjusted for one-time items, if applicable. Items are considered one-time in nature if they are non-recurring, infrequent or unusual and have not occurred in the past two years or are not expected to recur in the next two years, in accordance with SEC rules. For the periods presented below, there are no adjustments for one-time items.

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Non-Cash Expenses that are Excluded from Adjusted EBITDA

Non-cash compensation expense consists principally of expense associated with grants of restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock options, some of which awards have performance-based vesting conditions. These expenses are not paid in cash, and we include the related shares in our calculations of fully diluted shares outstanding. Upon settlement of restricted stock units, exercise of certain stock options or vesting of restricted stock awards, the awards may be settled, on a net basis, with us remitting the required tax withholding amount from our current funds.

Amortization of intangibles are non-cash expenses relating primarily to intangible assets acquired through acquisitions. At the time of an acquisition, the intangible assets of the acquired company, such as purchase agreements, technology and customer relationships, are valued and amortized over their estimated lives.

The following table is a reconciliation of net (loss) income from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands).



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019			2020			2019
Net (loss) income from continuing operations	$	(24,809	)	$	24,463		$	(14,449	)	$	37,994
Adjustments to reconcile to Adjusted EBITDA:
Amortization of intangibles	13,090			13,778			40,603			41,485
Depreciation	3,535			2,696			10,463			7,737
Severance	—			179			190			636
Loss (gain) on impairments and disposal of assets	134			609			686			(1,369		)
Non-cash compensation expense	14,161			10,797			39,236			40,832
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	6,658			3,839			7,711			21,221
Acquisition expense	205			18			2,405			197
Litigation settlements and contingencies	13			(92		)	(983		)	(291		)
Interest expense, net	16,617			4,845			26,406			15,408
Income tax (benefit) expense	(7,925		)	1,889			(14,866		)	(11,552		)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	21,679		$	63,021		$	97,402		$	152,298

Financial Position, Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

As of September 30, 2020, we had $187.3 million of cash and cash equivalents, compared to $60.2 million of cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2019.

In February 2020, we acquired an equity interest in Stash for $80.0 million. The investment was funded through $80.0 million drawn on our Amended Revolving Credit Facility. See Note 7—Equity Investment to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for more information.

During the first nine months of 2020, we made net repayments of $75.0 million on our Amended Revolving Credit Facility.

During the first nine months of 2020, we made two contingent consideration payments of $3.0 million each, related to the prior acquisition of SnapCap. In October 2020, we made a contingent consideration payment of $4.4 million related to the prior acquisition of Ovation. We could make additional potential contingent consideration payments of up to $46.8 million for QuoteWizard.

In July 2020, we made litigation settlement payments of $26.5 million to the ResCap Liquidating Trust ("ResCap") and $36.0 million to the HLC bankruptcy Trustee for the matters noted in Note 18—Discontinued Operations. In October 2020, due to the timing of distributions from the HLC bankruptcy estate, we were required to make a further payment of $6.4 million to ResCap. We anticipate receiving a total $7.5 million reimbursement from the HLC bankruptcy estate related to the ResCap payments by the first quarter of 2021.

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In July 2020, we issued $575.0 million of our 2025 Notes for net proceeds of approximately $559.9 million. We used approximately $63.0 million of the net proceeds to enter into Convertible Note Hedge and Warrant transactions. Further, we used $234.0 million of the net proceeds to repurchase approximately $130.3 million principal amount of our 2022 Notes. To the extent of the repurchases of the 2022 Notes, we received approximately $15.6 million as a result of terminating a corresponding portion of the Convertible Note Hedge and Warrant transactions entered into on May 31, 2017. See Note 14—Debt for additional information.

We expect our cash and cash equivalents and cash flows from operations to be sufficient to fund our operating needs for the next twelve months and beyond. Our revolving credit facility described below is an additional potential source of liquidity. We will continue to monitor the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on our liquidity and capital resources. We expect our cashflow from operating activities to be negatively impacted by the economic recession.

Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

On December 10, 2019, we entered into an amended and restated $500.0 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility, which matures on December 10, 2024 (the “Amended Revolving Credit Facility”). Borrowings under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility can be used to finance working capital needs, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes, including to finance permitted acquisitions. In July 2020, we executed a temporary amendment to the Amended Revolving Credit Facility to provide for certain covenant relief, primarily to facilitate the issuance of the 2025 Notes, the repurchase of a portion of the 2022 Notes, and to pay down existing borrowings under the credit facility. The amendment applies from the effective date through the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2021, unless terminated in advance by us. See Note 14—Debt for additional information.

As of November 5, 2020, we have a $0.2 million letter of credit under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility. The remaining borrowing capacity at November 5, 2020 is $499.8 million.

Cash Flows from Continuing Operations

Our cash flows attributable to continuing operations are as follows:



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019
	(in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	96,216		$	110,880
Net cash used in investing activities	(100,386		)	(96,187		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	197,375			(56,779		)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Our largest source of cash provided by our operating activities is revenues generated by our products. Our primary uses of cash from our operating activities include advertising and promotional payments. In addition, our uses of cash from operating activities include compensation and other employee-related costs, other general corporate expenditures, litigation settlements and contingencies, certain contingent consideration payments, and income taxes.

Net cash provided by operating activities attributable to continuing operations decreased in the first nine months of 2020 from the first nine months of 2019 primarily due to a decrease in revenue, partially offset by a corresponding decrease in selling and marketing expense. This was further partially offset by net favorable changes in working capital, primarily in accounts receivable and accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities attributable to continuing operations in the first nine months of 2020 of $100.4 million consisted of the purchase of an $80.0 million equity interest in Stash and capital expenditures of $20.4 million primarily related to internally developed software and leasehold improvements for our new principal executive offices currently under construction.

Net cash used in investing activities attributable to continuing operations in the first nine months of 2019 of $96.2 million consisted primarily of the acquisition of ValuePenguin for $105.6 million, net of cash acquired, and capital expenditures of $15.2

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million primarily related to internally developed software. This was partially offset by proceeds of $24.1 million on the sale of two office buildings, net of closing expenses.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities attributable to continuing operations in the first nine months of 2020 of $197.4 million consisted primarily of $575.0 million of gross proceeds from the issuance of the 2025 Notes, partially offset by $233.9 million paid to repurchase a portion of the 2022 Notes, a net $47.4 million paid for the related convertible note hedge and warrant transactions outlined above, $75.0 million of net repayments on our Amended Revolving Credit Facility, and $16.4 million for the payment of debt issuance costs.

Net cash used in financing activities attributable to continuing operations in the first nine months of 2019 of $56.8 million consisted primarily of $40.0 million of net repayments on our 2017 Revolving Credit Facility, $4.3 million for the repurchase of our common stock, $9.5 million in withholding taxes paid upon surrender of shares to satisfy obligations on equity awards, net of proceeds from the exercise of stock options, and a $3.0 million contingent consideration payment for SnapCap.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements other than a letter of credit and our funding commitments pursuant to our surety bonds, none of which have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

New Accounting Pronouncements

For information regarding new accounting pronouncements, see Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies, in Part I, Item 1 Financial Statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Other than our Amended Revolving Credit Facility, we do not have any financial instruments that are exposed to significant market risk. We maintain our cash and cash equivalents in bank deposits and short-term, highly liquid money market investments. A hypothetical 100-basis point increase or decrease in market interest rates would not have a material impact on the fair value of our cash equivalents securities, or our earnings on such cash equivalents, but would have an effect on the interest paid on borrowings under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility, if any. As of November 5, 2020, there were no borrowings under the Amended Revolving Credit Facility.

Fluctuations in interest rates affect consumer demand for new mortgages and the level of refinancing activity which, in turn, affects lender demand for mortgage leads. Typically, when interest rates decline, we see increased consumer demand for mortgage refinancing, which in turn leads to increased traffic to our website and decreased selling and marketing efforts associated with that traffic. At the same time, lender demand for leads from third-party sources typically decreases, as there are more consumers in the marketplace seeking refinancings and, accordingly, lenders receive more organic lead volume. Due to lower lender demand, our revenue earned per consumer typically decreases but with correspondingly lower selling and marketing costs. Conversely, when interest rates increase, we typically see decreased consumer demand for mortgage refinancing, leading to decreased traffic to our website and higher associated selling and marketing efforts associated with that traffic. At the same time, lender demand for leads from third-party sources typically increases, as there are fewer consumers in the marketplace and, accordingly, the supply of organic mortgage lead volume decreases. Due to high lender demand, we typically see an increase in the amount lenders will pay per matched lead, which often leads to higher revenue earned per consumer. However, increases in the amount lenders will pay per matched lead in this situation is limited by the overall cost models of our lenders, and our revenue earned per consumer can be adversely affected by the overall reduced demand for refinancing in a rising rate environment.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), management, with the participation of our principal executive officer (our Chief Executive Officer) and principal financial officer (our Chief Financial

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Officer), evaluated, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective, as of September 30, 2020, to reasonably ensure that information required to be disclosed and filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified, and that management will be timely alerted to material information required to be included in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2020 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

In the ordinary course of business, we are party to litigation involving property, contract, intellectual property and a variety of other claims. The amounts that may be recovered in such matters may be subject to insurance coverage. We have provided information about certain legal proceedings in which we are involved in Part I, Item 3. Legal Proceedings of our 2019 Annual Report and updated that information in Note 15—Contingencies and Note 18—Discontinued Operations to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Other than the risk factor set forth below, there have been no material changes to the risk factors included in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of our 2019 Annual Report.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our business, and the ultimate impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including the scope and duration of the pandemic and actions taken by governmental authorities in response to the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains, lowered equity market valuations, created significant volatility and disruption in financial markets, and increased unemployment levels. In addition, the pandemic has resulted in temporary closures of many businesses and the institution of social distancing and sheltering in place requirements in many states and communities. As a result, the demand for our products, in particular in our Consumer segment, has been and may continue to be significantly impacted. Within our Consumer segment we have seen reductions of approximately 70% in near-term lender demand for our services reflecting those lenders' uncertainty over the length and depth of the economic recession. Our business operations may also be disrupted if significant portions of our workforce are unable to work effectively, including because of illness, quarantines, government actions, or other restrictions in connection with the pandemic. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our business, financial condition and results of operations, as well as our regulatory capital and liquidity ratios, will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including the scope and duration of the pandemic and actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties in response to the pandemic.

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

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

In each of February 2018 and February 2019, the board of directors authorized and we announced a stock repurchase program which allowed for the repurchase of up to $100.0 million and $150.0 million, respectively, of our common stock. Under this program, we can repurchase stock in the open market or through privately-negotiated transactions. We have used available cash to finance these repurchases. We will determine the timing and amount of any additional repurchases based on our evaluation of market conditions, applicable SEC guidelines and regulations, and other factors. This program may be suspended or discontinued at any time at the discretion of our board of directors. During the quarter ended September 30, 2020, no shares of common stock were repurchased under the stock repurchase program. As of October 30, 2020, approximately $179.7 million remains authorized for share repurchase.

Additionally, the LendingTree Sixth Amended and Restated 2008 Stock and Award Incentive Plan and the LendingTree 2017 Inducement Grant Plan allow employees to forfeit shares of our common stock to satisfy federal and state withholding obligations upon the exercise of stock options, the settlement of restricted stock unit awards and the vesting of restricted stock awards granted to those individuals under the plans. During the quarter ended September 30, 2020, 4,751 shares were purchased related to these obligations under the LendingTree Sixth Amended and Restated 2008 Stock and Award Incentive Plan and 164 shares were purchased related to these obligations under the LendingTree 2017 Inducement Grant Plan. The withholding of those shares does not affect the dollar amount or number of shares that may be purchased under the stock repurchase program described above.

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The following table provides information about the company's purchases of equity securities during the quarter ended September 30, 2020.



Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased ⁽¹⁾	Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs ⁽²⁾	Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
					(in thousands)
7/1/20 - 7/31/20	945	$	339.59	—	$	179,673
8/1/20 - 8/31/20	1,129	$	315.35	—	$	179,673
9/1/20 - 9/30/20	2,841	$	305.96	—	$	179,673
Total	4,915	$	314.58	—	$	179,673

(1)

During July 2020, August 2020 and September 2020, 945 shares, 1,129 shares and 2,841 shares, respectively (totaling 4,915 shares), were purchased to satisfy federal and state withholding obligations of our employees upon the settlement of restricted stock units and restricted stock awards, all in accordance with our Sixth Amended and Restated 2008 Stock and Award Incentive Plan and 2017 Inducement Grant Plan, as described above.


(2)	See the narrative disclosure above the table for further description of our publicly announced stock repurchase program.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

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Item 6. Exhibits



Exhibit	Description	Location

3.1	Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of LendingTree, Inc.	Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 25, 2008
3.2	Fourth Amended and Restated By-laws of LendingTree, Inc.	Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 15, 2017
31.1	Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	†
31.2	Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	†
32.1	Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	††
32.2	Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.	††
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document — The instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.	†††
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document	†††
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document	†††
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document	†††
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document	†††
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document	†††
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document contained in Exhibit 101)	†††

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

† Filed herewith.

†† Furnished herewith. This certification is being furnished solely to accompany this report pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, and is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the registrant, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

††† Furnished herewith. Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

Table of Contents

SIGNATURE

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.

Date: November 5, 2020



	LENDINGTREE, INC.

	By:	/s/ J.D. MORIARTY
		J.D. Moriarty
		Chief Financial Officer
		(principal financial officer and duly authorized officer)

LendingTree - 10-Q quarterly report FY2020 Q3

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		Page Number
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements	3
Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	34
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	46
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	46

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	48
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	48
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	48
Item 5.	Other Information	49
Item 6.	Exhibits	50