EXHIBIT 99.1
Priceline.com (ticker: pcln, exchange: NASDAQ)
News Release - Monday, July 24, 2000
PRICELINE.COM REPORTS RECORD SECOND QUARTER 2000 FINANCIAL RESULTS
NET LOSS PER SHARE EXCLUDING CERTAIN ITEMS IS $0.01 IN 2ND QUARTER 2000,
COMPARED TO A NET LOSS PER SHARE OF $0.10 IN 2ND QUARTER 1999
2ND QUARTER 2000 REVENUES OF $352.1 MILLION ARE 216% BETTER THAN 2ND
QUARTER 1999 REVENUES OF $111.6 MILLION
2ND QUARTER 2000 GROSS PROFIT OF $55.2 MILLION IS 406% BETTER THAN 2ND
QUARTER 1999 GROSS PROFIT OF $10.9 MILLION
PRICELINE.COM ADDS 1.5 MILLION NEW CUSTOMERS IN 2ND QUARTER 2000, BRINGING
ITS TOTAL CUSTOMER BASE TO 6.8 MILLION
REPEAT RATE JUMPS TO A RECORD HIGH OF 39% AS REPEAT CUSTOMERS GENERATED
OVER 960,000 OFFERS IN 2ND QUARTER 2000, WITH NEW CUSTOMER ACQUISITION
COSTS DROPPING TO A RECORD $10.81 PER CUSTOMER
NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 24, 2000-- Priceline.com (Nasdaq:
PCLN), the Name Your Own Price(sm) Internet pricing system where customers
set the price for travel, automotive, home finance, and telecommunications
products, as well as groceries and gasoline products through a
priceline.com licensee, today reported record second quarter 2000 financial
results in which the Company improved its net loss per share excluding
certain items to $0.01, compared to $0.10 in the second quarter 1999.
Second quarter 2000 financial results were driven by new and repeat
customers, sales from an expanding lineup of product categories, and
marketing efficiencies achieved through priceline.com's position as one of
the leading brands in e-commerce.
Priceline.com reported that it added 1.5 million new customers during the
second quarter, bringing its total customer base to 6.8 million. A record
number of offers for various services came from repeat customers during the
second quarter. Thirty-nine percent of priceline.com's unique offers in the
second quarter came from repeat customers, up from 26% in the second
quarter 1999.
Priceline.com reported revenue of $352.1 million for the second quarter
2000, a 216% increase over revenues of $111.6 million in the second quarter
1999. Gross profit for the second quarter 2000 was $55.2 million, a 406%
increase over a gross profit of $10.9 million in the second quarter 1999.
Gross margin for the second quarter 2000 was 15.7%, a 590 basis point
increase over gross margin of 9.8% in the second quarter 1999. Operating
expenses in the quarter were $59.5 million, compared to $59.0 million in
the first quarter. Operating loss in the second quarter 2000 was $4.4
million, compared to an operating loss of $15.8 million in the second
quarter 1999. Net loss in the second quarter 2000 was $1.6 million,
compared to a net loss of $13.9 million in the second quarter 1999. Net
loss per share, net loss, operating loss, gross profit and gross margin in
this release exclude all warrant costs, option payroll taxes and certain
items as described in the notes to the table below.
Priceline.com's acquisition costs for new customers continued to improve as
the Company leverages its position as the #1 most-recognized e-commerce
brand in America, tied with amazon.com, as measured by Opinion Research
Corporation International of Princeton, NJ. Total marketing costs per new
customer acquired improved to $10.81 per customer, the most efficient ratio
in priceline.com's history, from $13.23 in the prior year quarter. Total
advertising costs per new customer were even lower, at $9.16 per customer,
and one of the best acquisition costs per new customers among e-commerce
companies.
Quarter Ended Quarter Ended
June 30, 2000(a) June 30, 1999(b)
---------------- ----------------
Revenues $ 352.1 million $ 111.6 million
Gross Profit $ 55.2 million $ 10.9 million
Operating Loss $ 4.4 million $ 15.8 million
Net Loss $ 1.6 million $ 13.9 million
Net Loss
Per Share $ 0.01 $ 0.10
(a) Gross profit excludes $381,000 in non-cash supplier warrant charges;
operating and net loss per share also exclude $2.5 million in option
payroll taxes.
(b) Gross profit excludes $381,000 in non-cash supplier warrant
charges.
"We believe we are rounding the final turn and on the homestretch towards
profitability," said Daniel H. Schulman, President and Chief Executive
Officer. "We continue to attract record new customers, but even more
importantly, our loyalty among existing customers is accelerating. Our
repeat rate is up to 39%, up from 26% a year ago. Improving customer
satisfaction is our number one priority, and we are focused on continually
enhancing and expanding our products and services."
Schulman continued, "Priceline.com also saw strong growth across our
verticals during the second quarter 2000, demonstrating the extendability
and scale of our business model. Our leisure airline tickets service sold
1.29 million airline tickets in the quarter and is one of the single
largest sellers of leisure airline tickets in the U.S. Meanwhile, our hotel
service sold 432,500 room nights during the quarter. Our rental car service
sold over 429,600 rental car days in the second quarter, its first full
quarter of operation. In the second quarter, we also took our new car
service and mortgage business national with promising results. We are also
enthusiastic about the roll out of our long distance service, which
generated strong gross profits and averaged 240 minutes per offer during
the quarter. We look for even stronger contributions from our non-airline
verticals in the future."
Business Highlights
During the second quarter, priceline.com had several key enhancements to
its lineup of Name Your Own Price(sm) products and services. In May, the
Company launched Name Your Own Price long distance calling services for
consumers and small businesses. The small business service was
priceline.com's first entry into the B2B marketplace. Also at that time,
priceline.com announced a strategic partnership with American Express
through which Amex will promote priceline.com's services to its small
business partners. Priceline.com's rental car service added major suppliers
Hertz and Alamo, making four of the nation's largest rental car companies
participants in priceline.com's rental car service.
During the quarter, priceline.com and General Atlantic Partners announced
the creation of Priceline.com Europe, with plans to launch its business in
the Fall. The companies also announced that Dennis Malamatinas, CEO of
Burger King, was hired to join Priceline.com Europe as CEO. Timothy Brier,
former President of Priceline Travel Services, was named as Chairman of the
new company. Priceline.com President Daniel H. Schulman took on the
additional title of CEO while Richard S. Braddock continues to serve as
Chairman of the Company.
Priceline.com's second quarter results also included increased payments
from Walker Digital Corporation and Priceline WebHouse Clubsm. Walker
Digital contributed toward legal fees and expenses related to various
patent litigations. WebHouse Club, a priceline.com independent licensee,
paid priceline.com for information technology and other services rendered
and the quarter also reflected the costs of providing those services.
WebHouse Club continued to grow during the second quarter. More than
three-quarters of a million households are now using WebHouse Club's
services, which include groceries and the recently launched gasoline
service. These customer counts are not included in priceline.com's total
customer base of 6.8 million.
About priceline.com
Priceline.com is the patented Name Your Own Price(sm) Internet pricing
system. Priceline.com provides services across four broad product
categories: a travel service that offers leisure airline tickets, hotel
rooms and rental cars; a personal finance service that offers home
mortgages, refinancing and home equity loans through an independent
licensee; an automotive service that offers new cars, and a
telecommunications service that offers long distance calling services.
Priceline.com licenses its business model to independent licensees,
including Priceline WebHouse Club, Inc., which offers a Name Your Own
Price(sm) service for groceries and gasoline; PricelineMortgage , Priceline
Perfect YardSale, Inc., a local-market, consumer-to-consumer selling
service, and certain international licensees in Europe, Asia and Australia.
In these arrangements, priceline.com generally receives royalties for
licensing its intellectual property. Priceline.com also holds securities
carrying the right to purchase a significant equity stake in the licensees
under certain conditions. Unless those rights are exercised, the results of
licensee operations will not be included in priceline.com's financial
statements.
Additional information is available on the priceline.com Website
(www.priceline.com), including a presentation reviewing 2nd quarter 2000
results and a quarterly statistical supplement.
Information about forward looking statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Expressions of
future goals and similar expressions including, without limitation, "may,"
"will," "should," "could," "expects," "does not currently expect," "plans,"
"anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or
"continue," reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others,
could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those
described in the forward-looking statements: inability to successfully
expand the Company's business model both horizontally and geographically;
management of the Company's rapid growth; adverse changes in the Company's
relationships with airlines and other product and service providers;
systems-related failures; the Company's ability to protect its intellectual
property rights; the effects of increased competition; anticipated losses
by the Company and its licensees; legal and regulatory risks and the
ability to attract and retain qualified personnel. For a detailed
discussion of these and other factors that could cause the Company's actual
results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking
statements, please refer to the Company's most recent Form 10-Q and Form
10-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
priceline.com Incorporated
PRO FORMA CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30,
2000 1999 2000 1999
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Revenues $ 352,095 $ 111,564 $ 665,893 $ 160,975
Cost of revenues (excl.
sup. wrnts & divs.):
Product costs 296,919 100,664 561,690 144,323
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total cost of revenues 296,919 100,664 561,690 144,323
Gross profit 55,176 10,900 104,203 16,651
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Expenses:
Advertising 13,826 8,980 34,164 20,776
Sales and marketing 23,792 8,753 43,902 14,095
General and administrative 15,222 5,503 27,926 9,170
Systems and business
development 6,695 3,469 12,563 5,653
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total expenses 59,534 26,705 118,555 49,694
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Operating loss (excl.
sup. wrnts & divs.) (4,358) (15,805) (14,353) (33,043)
Interest income, net 2,725 1,929 5,440 2,387
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net loss (excl. sup.
wrnts & divs.) (1,633) (13,876) (8,912) (30,655)
Net loss (excl. sup.
wrnts & divs.) per
basic and diluted
common shares $ (0.01) $ (0.10) $ (0.05) $ (0.22)
========= ========= ========= =========
Supplier warrant costs (381) (381) (762) (762)
Payroll expense on
employee stock options (2,507) - (8,414) -
Preferred stock dividend (7,191) - (7,191) -
Accretion on preferred
stock - - - (8,354)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net loss applicable
to common shareholders $ (11,712) $ (14,257) $ (25,279) $ (39,771)
========= ========= ========= =========
Net loss applicable to
common shareholders
per basic and diluted
common shares $ (0.07) $ (0.10) $ (0.15) $ (0.29)
========= ========= ========= =========
Weighted average number
of basic and diluted
common shares outstanding 165,399 142,320 166,051 137,436
========= ========= ========= =========
This statement is unaudited and intended as a supplement to, and should be
read in conjunction with the Company's audited financial statements and the
notes thereto filed with the SEC on Form 10-K and quarterly financial
statements filed with the SEC on Forms 10-Q. Certain presentations within
this statement are not consistent with Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles.
priceline.com Incorporated
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(UNAUDITED)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30,
2000 1999 2000 1999
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Revenues $ 352,095 $ 111,564 $ 665,893 $ 160,975
Cost of revenues:
Product costs 296,919 100,664 561,690 144,323
Supplier warrant costs 381 381 762 762
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total cost of revenues 297,300 101,045 562,452 145,085
Gross profit 54,795 10,519 103,441 15,890
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Expenses:
Sales and marketing 37,617 17,733 78,066 34,871
General and administrative 15,222 5,503 27,926 9,170
Payroll expense on
employee stock options 2,507 - 8,414 -
Systems and business
development 6,695 3,469 12,563 5,653
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total expenses 62,041 26,705 126,969 49,694
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Operating loss (7,246) (16,186) (23,528) (33,804)
Interest income, net 2,725 1,929 5,440 2,387
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net loss (4,521) (14,257) (18,088) (31,417)
Preferred stock dividend (7,191) - (7,191) -
Accretion on preferred
stock - - - (8,354)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Net loss applicable to
common shareholders $ (11,712) $ (14,257) $ (25,279) $ (39,771)
========= ========= ========= =========
Net loss applicable to
common shareholders
per basic and diluted
common shares $ (0.07) $ (.10) $ (0.15) $ (.29)
========= ========= ========= =========
Weighted average number
of basic and diluted
common shares outstanding 165,399 142,320 166,051 137,436
========= ========= ========= =========
priceline.com Incorporated
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
(UNAUDITED)
June 30, December 31,
ASSETS 2000 1999
------------ ------------
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 95,434 $ 133,172
Short-term investments 43,273 38,771
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
doubtful accounts of $3,761 and $1,961
at June 30, 2000 and December 31, 1999,
respectively 38,993 21,289
Related party receivables 3,771 508
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 27,182 17,999
------------ ------------
Total current assets 208,653 211,739
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net 41,592 28,006
WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK OF
PRICELINE WEBHOUSE CLUB, INC. 189,000 189,000
OTHER ASSETS 53,593 13,141
------------ ------------
TOTAL ASSETS $ 492,838 $ 441,886
============ ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable $ 80,483 $ 24,302
Accrued expenses 15,998 13,695
Other current liabilities 4,455 1,253
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities 100,936 39,250
------------ ------------
Total liabilities 100,936 39,250
------------ ------------
MANDATORILY REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE
PREFERRED STOCK 359,580 -
------------ ------------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock 1,380 1,311
Treasury stock (359,580) -
Preferred stock dividends (7,192) -
Additional paid-in capital 1,593,961 1,581,708
Accumulated other comprehensive income 2,224 -
Accumulated deficit (1,198,471) (1,180,383)
------------ ------------
Total stockholders' equity 32,322 402,636
------------ ------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 492,838 $ 441,886
============ ============
CONTACT:
priceline.com
Brian Ek(press information), 203/299-8167
[email protected]
Mike Darcy(press information, 203/299-8168
[email protected]
Bill Pike (investor information), 203/299-8451
[email protected]
Allison McEnerney(investor information), 203/299-8678
[email protected]