CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- LendingTree, Inc. (NASDAQ: TREE), operator of LendingTree.com, the nation's leading online loan marketplace, today announced results for the quarter ended September 30, 2017.

"We're incredibly proud to report our record third quarter financial results which marks LendingTree's 9(th) consecutive quarter of record adjusted EBITDA and an all-time quarterly record in non-mortgage revenue, representing 57 percent of total company revenue," said Doug Lebda, founder, chairman and CEO. "While we continue to diversify the business, we're also seeing secular growth in mortgage despite industry headwinds, further accelerating market share gains. We believe the momentum in the third quarter sets us up well for exceptional growth and profitability in 2018 and beyond."

"With 81 percent revenue growth and record adjusted EBITDA, the third quarter's results significantly exceeded expectations across the board," said J.D. Moriarty, LendingTree's Chief Financial Officer. "We are achieving real scale in new areas, offering additional growth opportunities while further reducing interest rate exposure and other macro-economic risks. Given the strength of our business, we are increasing our outlook for the year."

Third Quarter 2017 Business Highlights


    --  Record revenue from mortgage products of $73.8 million represents an
        increase of 38% over third quarter 2016 driven by strong growth in both
        purchase and refinance revenues at 87% and 24%, respectively. According
        to Mortgage Bankers Association, originations industry-wide were down
        16% in the comparable period.
    --  Record revenue from non-mortgage products of $97.7 million in the third
        quarter represents an increase of 138% over the third quarter 2016 and
        increased to 57% of total revenue compared to 43% one year ago.
    --  Home equity revenue growth accelerated, increasing $9.0 million, or 176%
        over third quarter 2016, and marked the eighth consecutive quarter of
        year-over-year growth exceeding 100%.
    --  Personal loans revenue of $25.4 million grew 44% over third quarter 2016
        and grew 24% sequentially.
    --  Revenue from our credit card offerings grew to $39.4 million in 3Q
        compared to just $6.6 million in 3Q 2016. On a proforma basis, giving
        effect to the CompareCards and MagnifyMoney acquisitions as if they had
        occurred on January 1, 2016, credit cards revenue grew 43%.
    --  More than 6.5 million consumers have now signed up for free credit
        scores and savings alerts through My LendingTree, and the volume of new
        enrollments accelerated. Revenue contribution from MyLendingTree grew
        96% in the third quarter compared to the prior year period as new
        features and smarter savings alerts are driving increased engagement.


                                                                   LendingTree Selected Financial Metrics

                                                                  (In millions, except per share amounts)


                                                                                         Q/Q                                      Y/Y

                                             3Q 2017         2Q 2017                  % Change                 3Q 2016         % Change
                                             -------         -------                  --------                 -------         --------

    Revenue by Product

    Mortgage Products (1)                              $73.8                                         $71.5              3%                        $53.5  38%

    Non-Mortgage Products (2)                    97.7                          81.3                        20%                       41.0           138%

    Total Revenue                                     $171.5                                        $152.8             12%                        $94.6  81%

    Non-Mortgage % of Total                       57%                          53%                                         43%


    Income Before Income Taxes                         $14.4                                          $7.9             82%                        $14.0   3%

    Income Tax (Expense) Benefit                      $(4.3)                                         $0.1                                 $(6.7)
                                                       -----                                          ----                                  -----

    Net Income from Continuing Operations              $10.1                                          $8.0             26%                         $7.3  38%

    Net Income from Cont. Ops. % of Revenue        6%                           5%                                          8%


    Net Income per Share from Cont. Ops.

    Basic                                              $0.84                                         $0.67             25%                        $0.62  35%

    Diluted                                            $0.74                                         $0.59             25%                        $0.57  30%


    Selling and Marketing Expense

    Variable Selling & Marketing Expense (3)          $112.4                                        $104.4              8%                        $58.2  93%

    Non-variable Selling & Marketing              6.1                           4.7                        30%                        4.6            33%
                                                  ---                           ---                                                   ---

    Selling and Marketing Expense                     $118.5                                        $109.1              9%                        $62.8  89%


    Variable Marketing Margin (4)                      $59.1                                         $48.3             22%                        $36.3  63%

    Variable Marketing Margin % of Revenue        34%                          32%                                         38%


    Adjusted EBITDA (4)                                $34.7                                         $27.0             29%                        $18.5  88%

    Adjusted EBITDA % of Revenue (4)              20%                          18%                                         20%


    Adjusted Net Income (4)                            $16.1                                         $12.2             32%                         $9.1  77%


    Adjusted Net Income per Share (4)                  $1.17                                         $0.90             30%                        $0.71  65%



    (1)              Includes the purchase mortgage and
                     refinance mortgage products.

    (2)              Includes the home equity, reverse
                     mortgage, personal loan, credit
                     card, small business loan, student
                     loan, auto loan, home services,
                     insurance, deposit and personal
                     credit products.

    (3)              Defined as the portion of selling and
                     marketing expense attributable to
                     variable costs paid for advertising,
                     direct marketing and related
                     expenses, which excludes overhead,
                     fixed costs and personnel-related
                     expenses.

    (4)              Variable Marketing Margin, Variable
                     Marketing Margin % of Revenue,
                     Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA %
                     of  revenue, Adjusted Net Income and
                     Adjusted Net Income per Share are
                     non-GAAP measures.  Please see
                     "LendingTree's Reconciliation of
                     Non-GAAP Measures to GAAP" and
                     "LendingTree's Principles of
                     Financial Reporting" below for more
                     information.

Third Quarter 2017 Financial Highlights


    --  Record consolidated revenue of $171.5 million represents an increase of
        $76.9 million, or 81%, over revenue in the third quarter 2016.
    --  GAAP net income from continuing operations of $10.1 million, or $0.74
        per diluted share.
    --  Record Variable Marketing Margin of $59.1 million represents an increase
        of $22.8 million, or 63%, over third quarter 2016.
    --  Record Adjusted EBITDA of $34.7 million increased $16.2 million, or 88%,
        over third quarter 2016.
    --  Adjusted Net Income per share of $1.17 represents growth of 65% over
        third quarter 2016.
    --  During the quarter, the company repurchased 42 thousand shares of its
        stock at a weighted-average price per share of $237 for aggregate
        consideration of $10.0 million. As of September 30, 2017, the company
        has $38.7 million in repurchase authorization remaining.

Business Outlook - 2017

LendingTree is revising Revenue, Variable Marketing Margin and Adjusted EBITDA guidance for full-year 2017, as follows:


    --  Revenue is anticipated to be in the range of $603 - $608 million,
        representing growth of 57% - 58% over full-year 2016 and an increase
        from prior guidance of $580 - $590 million.
    --  Variable Marketing Margin is anticipated to be $202 - $205 million
        compared to prior guidance of $190 - $195 million.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA is anticipated to be in the range of $111 - $113
        million, up 59% - 62% over full-year 2016 and an increase from prior
        guidance of $103 - $106 million.

For fourth quarter 2017:


    --  Revenue of $146 - $151 million, representing growth of 45% - 50% over 4Q
        2016.
    --  Variable Marketing Margin of $51 - $54 million.
    --  Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $25.5 - $27.5 million, up 35% - 45% over
        4Q 2016.

LendingTree is not able to provide a reconciliation of projected Variable Marketing Margin or Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable expected GAAP results due to the unknown effect, timing and potential significance of the effects of legal matters, contingent consideration and income taxes. These expenses or benefits have in the past, and may in the future, significantly affect GAAP results in a particular period.

Quarterly Conference Call

A conference call to discuss LendingTree's third quarter 2017 financial results will be webcast live today, October 26, 2017 at 9:00 AM Eastern Time (ET). The live audiocast is open to the public and will be available on LendingTree's investor relations website at http://investors.lendingtree.com/. The call may also be accessed toll-free via phone at (877) 606-1416. Callers outside the United States and Canada may dial (707) 287-9313. Following completion of the call, a recorded replay of the webcast will be available on LendingTree's investor relations website until 12:00 PM ET on Thursday, November 2, 2017. To listen to the telephone replay, call toll-free (855) 859-2056 with passcode #98763739. Callers outside the United States and Canada may dial (404) 537-3406 with passcode #98763739.


                                                                        LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                                                                                   (Unaudited)


                                                                                             Three Months Ended                                    Nine Months Ended
                                                                                                September 30,                                        September 30,

                                                                                           2017                     2016                      2017                   2016
                                                                                           ----                     ----                      ----                   ----

                                                                                                          (in thousands, except per share amounts)

    Revenue                                                                                        $171,494                                         $94,558                 $456,782    $283,561

    Costs and expenses:

    Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown                     4,388                                3,392                              12,143       10,329
    separately below) (1)

    Selling and marketing expense (1)                                                   118,538                               62,819                             320,930      192,416

    General and administrative expense (1)                                               17,920                                9,008                              41,561       26,820

    Product development (1)                                                               4,805                                3,718                              12,492       11,384

    Depreciation                                                                          1,798                                1,286                               5,309        3,458

    Amortization of intangibles                                                           3,817                                  166                               9,034          263

    Change in fair value of contingent consideration                                      2,501                                    -                             20,640            -

    Severance                                                                                 -                                   -                                404           72

    Litigation settlements and contingencies                                                272                                   19                                 961          109

    Total costs and expenses                                                            154,039                               80,408                             423,474      244,851
    ------------------------                                                            -------                               ------                             -------      -------

    Operating income                                                                     17,455                               14,150                              33,308       38,710

    Other income (expense), net:

    Interest expense, net                                                               (2,804)                               (141)                            (4,048)       (424)

    Other (expense) income                                                                (228)                                   -                              (215)           -
    ----------------------                                                                 ----                                  ---                               ----          ---

    Income before income taxes                                                           14,423                               14,009                              29,045       38,286

    Income tax expense                                                                  (4,292)                             (6,729)                            (3,109)    (15,099)
    ------------------                                                                   ------                               ------                              ------      -------

    Net income from continuing operations                                                10,131                                7,280                              25,936       23,187

    Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax                                       (1,011)                               (664)                            (2,632)     (3,017)
    ---------------------------------------------                                        ------                                 ----                              ------       ------

    Net income and comprehensive income                                                              $9,120                                          $6,616                  $23,304     $20,170
    -----------------------------------                                                              ------                                          ------                  -------     -------


    Weighted average shares outstanding:

    Basic                                                                                11,999                               11,754                              11,931       11,827

    Diluted                                                                              13,774                               12,742                              13,625       12,782

    Income per share from continuing operations:

    Basic                                                                                             $0.84                                           $0.62                    $2.17       $1.96

    Diluted                                                                                           $0.74                                           $0.57                    $1.90       $1.81

    Loss per share from discontinued operations:

    Basic                                                                                           $(0.08)                                        $(0.06)                 $(0.22)    $(0.26)

    Diluted                                                                                         $(0.07)                                        $(0.05)                 $(0.19)    $(0.24)

    Net income per share:

    Basic                                                                                             $0.76                                           $0.56                    $1.95       $1.71

    Diluted                                                                                           $0.66                                           $0.52                    $1.71       $1.58
    -------                                                                                           -----                                           -----                    -----       -----


    (1) Amounts include non-cash compensation, as follows:

    Cost of revenue                                                                                     $41                                             $29                     $129         $99

    Selling and marketing expense                                                         1,366                                  737                               2,543        2,118

    General and administrative expense                                                    5,864                                1,072                               8,684        3,511

    Product development                                                                     667                                  510                               1,712        1,682


                                                                                                LENDINGTREE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                                                                                    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                                                                            (Unaudited)


                                                                                                                                   September 30,               December 31,
                                                                                                                                            2017                        2016
                                                                                                                                            ----                        ----

                                                                                                                                         (in thousands, except par value and
                                                                                                                                                    share amounts)

    ASSETS:

    Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                       $345,239                             $91,131

    Restricted cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                   4,087                                  4,089

    Accounts receivable, net                                                                                                              64,128                                 41,382

    Prepaid and other current assets                                                                                                       9,690                                  4,021
    --------------------------------                                                                                                       -----                                  -----

    Total current assets                                                                                                                 423,144                                140,623

    Property and equipment, net                                                                                                           35,345                                 35,462

    Goodwill                                                                                                                             113,558                                 56,457

    Intangible assets, net                                                                                                                85,265                                 71,684

    Deferred income tax assets                                                                                                            17,737                                 14,610

    Other non-current assets                                                                                                                 826                                    810

    Non-current assets of discontinued operations                                                                                          3,781                                  3,781

    Total assets                                                                                                                                    $679,656                            $323,427
    ------------                                                                                                                                    --------                            --------


    LIABILITIES:

    Accounts payable, trade                                                                                                                           $3,552                              $5,593

    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities                                                                                        68,744                                 49,403

    Current contingent consideration                                                                                                      24,014                                      -

    Current liabilities of discontinued operations                                                                                        13,396                                 11,711
    ----------------------------------------------                                                                                        ------                                 ------

    Total current liabilities                                                                                                            109,706                                 66,707

    Long-term debt                                                                                                                       235,120                                      -

    Non-current contingent consideration                                                                                                  30,544                                 23,600

    Other non-current liabilities                                                                                                          1,473                                  1,685

    Total liabilities                                                                                                                    376,843                                 91,992
    -----------------                                                                                                                    -------                                 ------

    Commitments and contingencies

    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; 14,174,357 and 13,955,378 shares                                              142                                    140
    issued, respectively, and 11,968,459 and 11,791,633 shares outstanding, respectively

    Additional paid-in capital                                                                                                         1,076,748                              1,018,010

    Accumulated deficit                                                                                                                (700,628)                             (722,630)

    Treasury stock; 2,205,898 and 2,163,745 shares, respectively                                                                        (74,086)                              (64,085)

    Noncontrolling interest                                                                                                                  637                                      -
    -----------------------                                                                                                                  ---                                    ---

    Total shareholders' equity                                                                                                           302,813                                231,435
    --------------------------                                                                                                           -------                                -------

    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                                                                                      $679,656                            $323,427
    ------------------------------------------                                                                                                      --------                            --------

LENDINGTREE'S RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO GAAP

Below is a reconciliation of net income from continuing operations to Variable Marketing Margin and net income from continuing operations % of revenue to Variable Marketing Margin % of revenue. See "LendingTree's Principles of Financial Reporting" for further discussion of the Company's use of these non-GAAP measures.


                                                                             Three Months Ended

                                                           September 30, June 30,   September 30,
                                                                    2017      2017             2016
                                                                    ----      ----             ----


    Net income from continuing operations                                 $10,131                    $8,007   $7,280
    -------------------------------------                                 -------                    ------   ------

    Net income from continuing operations % of revenue                6%                       5%       8%


    Adjustments to reconcile to Variable Marketing Margin:

    Cost of revenue                                                4,388                     4,164     3,392

    Non-variable selling and marketing expense (1)                 6,118                     4,681     4,583

    General and administrative expense                            17,920                    12,094     9,008

    Product development                                            4,805                     4,064     3,718

    Depreciation                                                   1,798                     1,808     1,286

    Amortization of intangibles                                    3,817                     2,608       166

    Change in fair value of contingent consideration               2,501                     9,393         -

    Severance                                                          -                      247         -

    Litigation settlements and contingencies (2)                     272                       285        19

    Interest expense, net                                          2,804                     1,079       141

    Other expense (income)                                           228                      (13)        -

    Income tax expense (benefit)                                   4,292                     (104)    6,729

    Variable Marketing Margin                                             $59,074                   $48,313  $36,322
    -------------------------                                             -------                   -------  -------

    Variable Marketing Margin % of revenue                           34%                      32%      38%



             (1)    Defined as the portion of
                     selling and marketing expense
                     not attributable to variable
                     costs paid for advertising,
                     direct marketing and related
                     expenses.  Includes overhead,
                     fixed costs and personnel-
                     related expenses.

             (2)    Includes legal fees for
                     certain patent litigation.

Below is a reconciliation of net income from continuing operations to adjusted EBITDA and net income from continuing operations % of revenue to adjusted EBITDA % of revenue. See "LendingTree's Principles of Financial Reporting" for further discussion of the Company's use of these non-GAAP measures.



                                                                          Three Months Ended

                                                        September 30, June 30,   September 30,
                                                                 2017      2017             2016
                                                                 ----      ----             ----


    Net income from continuing operations                              $10,131                    $8,007   $7,280
    -------------------------------------                              -------                    ------   ------

    Net income from continuing operations % of revenue             6%                       5%       8%

    Adjustments to reconcile to Adjusted EBITDA:

    Non-cash compensation                                       7,938                     2,900     2,348

    Loss on disposal of assets                                    364                        36       121

    Acquisition expense                                           320                       488       362

    Change in fair value of contingent consideration            2,501                     9,393         -

    Severance                                                       -                      247         -

    Litigation settlements and contingencies (1)                  272                       285        19

    Depreciation                                                1,798                     1,808     1,286

    Amortization of intangibles                                 3,817                     2,608       166

    Rental depreciation and amortization of intangibles           486                       263         -

    Interest expense, net                                       2,804                     1,079       141

    Income tax expense (benefit)                                4,292                     (104)    6,729
    ---------------------------                                 -----                      ----     -----

    Adjusted EBITDA                                                    $34,723                   $27,010  $18,452
    ---------------                                                    -------                   -------  -------

    Adjusted EBITDA % of revenue                                  20%                      18%      20%



    (1)             Includes legal fees for certain patent litigation.

Below is a reconciliation of net income from continuing operations to Adjusted Net Income and net income per diluted share from continuing operations to Adjusted Net Income per share. See "LendingTree's Principles of Financial Reporting" for further discussion of the Company's use of these non-GAAP measures.



                                                                                                    Three Months Ended

                                                                                   September 30, June 30,   September 30,
                                                                                            2017      2017             2016
                                                                                            ----      ----             ----


    Net income from continuing operations                                                         $10,131                     $8,007  $7,280
    -------------------------------------                                                         -------                     ------  ------

    Adjustments to reconcile to Adjusted Net Income:

    Non-cash compensation                                                                  7,938                     2,900      2,348

    Loss on disposal of assets                                                               364                        36        121

    Acquisition expense                                                                      320                       488        362

    Change in fair value of contingent consideration                                       2,501                     9,393          -

    Severance                                                                                  -                      247          -

    Litigation settlements and contingencies (1)                                             272                       285         19

    Income tax benefit from adjusted items                                               (4,581)                  (5,340)   (1,047)

    Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation                                       (811)                  (3,840)         -
                                                                                            ----                    ------        ---

    Adjusted net income                                                                           $16,134                    $12,176  $9,083
    -------------------                                                                           -------                    -------  ------


    Net income per diluted share from continuing operations                                         $0.74                      $0.59   $0.57
    -------------------------------------------------------                                         -----                      -----   -----

    Adjustments to reconcile net income from continuing operations to Adjusted Net          0.43                      0.31       0.14
    Income

    Adjusted net income per share                                                                   $1.17                      $0.90   $0.71
    -----------------------------                                                                   -----                      -----   -----


    Weighted average diluted shares outstanding                                           13,774                    13,604     12,742



             (1)    Includes legal fees for
                     certain patent
                     litigation.

LENDINGTREE'S PRINCIPLES OF FINANCIAL REPORTING

LendingTree reports the following non-GAAP measures as supplemental to GAAP:


    --  Variable Marketing Margin
    --  Variable Marketing Margin % of revenue
    --  Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization, as
        adjusted for certain items discussed below ("Adjusted EBITDA")
    --  Adjusted EBITDA % of revenue
    --  Adjusted Net Income
    --  Adjusted Net Income per share

Variable Marketing Margin is a measure of the operating efficiency of the Company's operating model, measuring revenue after subtracting variable marketing costs that directly influence revenue. The Company's operating model is highly sensitive to the amount and efficiency of variable marketing expenditures, and the Company's proprietary systems are able to make rapidly changing decisions concerning the deployment of variable marketing expenditures (primarily but not exclusively online and mobile advertising placement) based on proprietary and sophisticated analytics. Variable Marketing Margin and Variable Marketing Margin % of revenue are primary metrics by which the Company measure the effectiveness of its marketing efforts.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA % of revenue are primary metrics by which LendingTree evaluates the operating performance of its businesses, on which its marketing expenditures and internal budgets are based and, in the case of Adjusted EBITDA, by which management and many employees are compensated.

Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per share supplement GAAP income from continuing operations and GAAP income per diluted share from continuing operations by enabling investors to make period to period comparisons of those components of the nearest comparable GAAP measures that management believes better reflect the underlying financial performance of the Company's business operations during particular financial reporting periods. Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per share exclude certain amounts, such as non-cash compensation, non-cash asset impairment charges, gain/loss on disposal of assets, severance, litigation settlements, contingencies and legal fees for certain patent litigation, acquisition and disposition income or expenses including with respect to changes in fair value of contingent consideration, one-time items which are recognized and recorded under GAAP in particular periods but which might be viewed as not necessarily coinciding with the underlying business operations for the periods in which they are so recognized and recorded, the effects to income taxes of the aforementioned adjustments and any excess tax benefit or expense associated with stock-based compensation recorded in net income in conjunction with FASB pronouncement ASU 2016-09. LendingTree believes that Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Net Income per share are useful financial indicators that provide a different view of the financial performance of the Company than Adjusted EBITDA (the primary metric by which LendingTree evaluates the operating performance of its businesses) and the GAAP measures of net income from continuing operations and GAAP income (loss) per diluted share from continuing operations.

These non-GAAP measures 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. LendingTree provides and encourages investors to examine the reconciling adjustments between the GAAP and non-GAAP measures set forth above.

Definition of LendingTree's Non-GAAP Measures

Variable Marketing Margin is defined as revenue less the portion of selling & marketing expense attributable to variable costs paid for advertising, direct marketing and related expenses, which excludes overhead, fixed costs and personnel-related expenses.

EBITDA is defined as net income from continuing operations excluding interest, income taxes, amortization of intangibles and depreciation.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA excluding (1) non-cash compensation expense, (2) non-cash impairment charges, (3) gain/loss on disposal of assets, (4) severance expenses, (5) litigation settlements, contingencies and legal fees for certain patent litigation, (6) acquisitions and dispositions income or expense (including with respect to changes in fair value of contingent consideration), and (7) one-time items.

Adjusted Net Income is defined as net income (loss) from continuing operations excluding (1) non-cash compensation expense, (2) non-cash impairment charges, (3) gain/loss on disposal of assets, (4) severance expenses, (5) litigation settlements, contingencies and legal fees for certain patent litigation, (6) acquisitions and dispositions income or expense (including with respect to changes in fair value of contingent consideration), (7) one-time items, (8) the effects to income taxes of the aforementioned adjustments, and (9) any excess tax benefit or expense associated with stock-based compensation recorded in net income in conjunction with FASB pronouncement ASU 2016-09.

Adjusted Net Income per share is defined as Adjusted Net Income divided by the adjusted weighted average diluted shares outstanding. For periods which the Company reports GAAP loss from continuing operations, the effects of potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the calculation of net loss per diluted share from continuing operations because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. In periods where the Company reports GAAP loss from continuing operations but reports positive non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income, the effects of potentially dilutive securities are included in the denominator for calculating Adjusted Net Income per share. There were no GAAP losses recorded in any periods in this report.

LendingTree endeavors to compensate for the limitations of these non-GAAP measures 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 and Adjusted Net Income are 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 in this report, there are no adjustments for one-time items.

Non-Cash Expenses That Are Excluded From LendingTree's Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income

Non-cash compensation expense consists principally of expense associated with the grants of restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock options. These expenses are not paid in cash and LendingTree includes the related shares in its 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 LendingTree remitting the required tax withholding amounts from its current funds.

Amortization of intangibles are non-cash expenses relating primarily to 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. Amortization of intangibles are only excluded from Adjusted EBITDA.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The matters contained in the discussion above may be considered to be "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. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations or anticipations of LendingTree and members of our management team. Factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the following: adverse conditions in the primary and secondary mortgage markets and in the economy, particularly interest rates; default rates on loans, particularly unsecured loans; demand by investors for unsecured personal loans; the effect of such demand on interest rates for personal loans and consumer demand for personal loans; seasonality of results; potential liabilities to secondary market purchasers; changes in the Company's relationships with network lenders, including dependence on certain key network lenders; breaches of network security or the misappropriation or misuse of personal consumer information; failure to provide competitive service; failure to maintain brand recognition; ability to attract and retain consumers in a cost-effective manner; the effects of potential acquisitions of other businesses, including the ability to integrate them successfully with LendingTree's existing operations; accounting rules related to contingent consideration and excess tax benefits or expenses on stock-based compensation that could materially affect earnings in future periods; ability to develop new products and services and enhance existing ones; competition; allegations of failure to comply with existing or changing laws, rules or regulations, or to obtain and maintain required licenses; failure of network lenders or other affiliated parties to comply with regulatory requirements; failure to maintain the integrity of systems and infrastructure; liabilities as a result of privacy regulations; failure to adequately protect intellectual property rights or allegations of infringement of intellectual property rights; and changes in management. These and additional factors to be considered are set forth under "Risk Factors" in our Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2017, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2016 and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. LendingTree undertakes 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.

About LendingTree, Inc.

LendingTree, Inc. (NASDAQ: TREE) operates the nation's leading online loan marketplace and provides consumers with an array of online tools and information to help them find the best loans for their needs. LendingTree's online marketplace connects consumers with multiple lenders that compete for their business, empowering consumers as they comparison-shop across a full suite of loans and credit-based offerings. Since its inception, LendingTree has facilitated more than 65 million loan requests. LendingTree provides access to its network of over 450 lenders offering home loans, home equity loans/lines of credit, reverse mortgages, personal loans, auto loans, small business loans, credit cards, student loans, and more.

LendingTree, Inc. is headquartered in Charlotte, NC and maintains operations solely in the United States. For more information, please visit www.lendingtree.com.

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SOURCE LendingTree, Inc.