2U, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2015 Financial Results

LANDOVER, Md., Aug. 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- 2U, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWOU), today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2015. 2U is a leading provider of cloud-based software-as-a-service technology fused with technology-enabled services that enables leading nonprofit colleges and universities to deliver their high-quality degree programs online.

Second Quarter 2015 Results

• Revenue was $35.2 million, an increase of 42 percent from $24.7 million in the second quarter of 2014.
• Net loss attributable to holders of common stock was $(9.6) million, or $(0.23) per share, compared to $(10.6) million, or $(0.27) per share, in the second quarter of 2014.
• Adjusted net loss was $(5.8) million, or $(0.14) per share compared to $(8.5) million, or $(0.22) per share, in the second quarter of 2014.
• Adjusted EBITDA loss was $(4.0) million, compared to a loss of $(7.1) million in the second quarter of 2014.

"2U had a very strong Q2, and we once again exceeded previously stated guidance for all of our financial measures," said Chip Paucek, 2U's Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder. "As a result of this successful quarter, we are increasing our expectations for 2015. At the midpoint of full-year 2015 guidance, we now expect revenue to increase by approximately 34 percent and adjusted EBITDA loss to improve by approximately 42 percent, year-over-year."

"Helping universities develop great digital versions of themselves is our business, allowing our partners to advance their missions by increasing access to education through technology," Paucek continued. "I'm excited to announce that we have a new top-tier institution as a partner for multiple programs, an existing partner launching a new program, and an existing partner that has extended its contract. We are clearly seeing an accelerating demand for high quality, outcomes-driven online programs among the tier of universities we serve; therefore, we expect to increase our number of new program launches in 2016 to no fewer than six."

Recent Program Related Developments

2U today announced a 15-year partnership with New York University to launch multiple programs online. The first three programs, through NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, are:

• a Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology),
• a Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance with a concentration in School Counseling and Bilingual School Counseling, and
• an Advanced Clinical Doctoral Degree in Occupational Therapy.

2U also announced today that its long-time partner, University of Southern California, has created a new Department of Nursing to offer an online Master of Science in Nursing program for aspiring family nurse practitioners (FNPs). Program graduates will help meet the increasing nationwide demand for advanced practice nurses in primary care settings.

In addition, the School of Government at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill has extended its contract with 2U by another 10 years. This contract for the Master of Public Administration program now expires in 2032.

Also in Q2 2015, six 2U university clients graduated their first cohorts of online graduate degree students. To date, 5,482 students have graduated from 10 2U-powered programs. 

Other Developments

In Q2, 2U announced that James H. (Jim) Shelton, former deputy secretary at the U.S. Department of Education, joined 2U to serve as its Chief Impact Officer. Shelton's newly created role will support sustained growth and further 2U's longstanding focus on impact and outcomes. His public letter to the education community explaining his decision to join the company can be found at http://2u.com/blog/Jim-Shelton-Joins-2U/.

Financial Outlook

Based on information available as of today, 2U is issuing the following guidance for third quarter and full year of 2015.

 

2U had expected to enter into a transaction in the second quarter to allow it to vacate certain facilities as it seeks appropriate space to support its growth. The Company had planned to recognize a non-cash charge of approximately $1.5 million related to this transaction during the second quarter, and had built this charge into its second quarter guidance. However, as the transaction was not completed within the expected time frame, no charge was recognized. 2U now expects to recognize this non-cash charge in the third quarter, and the charge is incorporated into third quarter guidance.

In giving third quarter and full year 2015 guidance, the Company's expectations for the fourth quarter are implied. Note that cost seasonality in the fourth quarter typically improves margins in that quarter; fourth quarter margins therefore should not be viewed as a run rate for the first quarter of the following year.

Non-GAAP Measures

To supplement the company's consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, we use adjusted net loss and adjusted EBITDA loss, which are non-GAAP financial measures.

Adjusted net loss is defined as net loss attributable to holders of common stock before preferred stock accretion, the warrant expense portion of net interest income (expense), and stock-based compensation expense. Some or all of these items may not be applicable in any given reporting period.

Adjusted EBITDA loss is defined as net loss before net interest income (expense), taxes, depreciation and amortization, and stock-based compensation expense. Some or all of these items may not be applicable in any given reporting period.

The principal limitation of these non-GAAP financial measures is that they exclude significant expenses that are required by GAAP to be recorded in the company's financial statements.  These non-GAAP measures are key metrics company management uses to compare the company's performance to that of prior periods for trend analyses, and for budgeting and planning purposes.  These measures also provide useful information to investors relating to 2U's financial condition and results of operations.  These financial measures are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP.  In addition, these financial measures may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes.

For more information on 2U's non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations of such measures to the nearest GAAP measures, please see the reconciliation tables on the last page of this press release under the heading "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures." 2U urges investors to review these reconciliations and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate the company's business.  

Conference Call Information

 

About 2U, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWOU)

2U partners with leading colleges and universities to deliver the world's best online degree programs so students everywhere can reach their full potential. Our Platform, a fusion of cloud-based software-as-a-service technology and technology-enabled services, provides schools with the comprehensive operating infrastructure they need to attract, enroll, educate, support and graduate students globally. Blending live face-to-face classes, dynamic course content and real-world learning experiences, 2U's No Back Row® approach ensures that every qualified student can experience the highest quality university education for the most successful outcome.

To learn more, go to 2U.com. Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/company/2u), Twitter (http://twitter.com/2Uinc) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/2u).

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding our future business expectations, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding future results of the operations and financial position of 2U, Inc., including financial targets, business strategy, and plans and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. 2U has based these forward-looking statements largely on its estimates of its financial results and its current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs as of the date of this press release. We undertake no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results predicted, including, our failure to attract new colleges and universities as clients; our failure to acquire qualified students for our clients' programs; failure of clients' students to remain enrolled in their programs; loss, or material underperformance, of any one client; our ability to compete against current and future competitors; disruption to, or failure of, our Platform; and data privacy or security breaches. These and other potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully detailed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Moreover, 2U operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for 2U management to predict all risks, nor can 2U assess the impact of all factors on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements 2U may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated. 

Media Contact: Shirley Chow, Director, Communications, 2U, Inc., (646) 597-5850, [email protected]

Investor Relations Contact: Ed Goodwin, Sr. Director of Investor Relations, 2U, Inc., (301) 892-4239, [email protected]

 

 

 

2U, Inc.Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures(unaudited)

The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss attributable to holders of common stock to adjusted net loss for each of the periods indicated:

 

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

 

Key Financial Performance Metrics(unaudited)

Platform Revenue Retention Rate

The following table sets forth our Platform revenue retention rate for the periods presented, as well as the number of programs included in the Platform revenue retention rate calculation.

(1) Reflects the number of programs operating both in the reported period and in the prior year comparative period.

Full Course Equivalent Enrollments in Our Clients' Programs

The following table sets forth the full course equivalent enrollments and average revenue per full course equivalent enrollment in our clients' programs for the last eight quarters.

 

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SOURCE 2U, Inc.