Derivative transactions are measured in terms of the notional amount, but this amount is not recorded on the balance sheet and is not, when viewed in isolation, a meaningful measure of the risk profile of the instruments. The notional amount is generally not exchanged, but is used only as the basis on which the value of foreign exchange payments under these contracts are determined. The following table providespresents the notional amounts of our outstanding derivatives as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016the dates indicated (in millions):
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Note 8 — Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities
The following tables present our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the dates indicated (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2021 | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Assets: | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,244 | | | $ | 1,244 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
Short-term investments: | | | | | | | |
Restricted cash | 22 | | | 22 | | | — | | | — | |
Corporate debt securities | 3,198 | | | — | | | 3,198 | | | — | |
Government and agency securities | 25 | | | — | | | 25 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | |
Equity investments with readily determinable fair values | 793 | | | 793 | | | — | | | — | |
Total short-term investments | 4,038 | | | 815 | | | 3,223 | | | — | |
Equity investment in Adevinta | 9,279 | | | 9,279 | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | |
Derivatives | 1,573 | | | — | | | 139 | | | 1,434 | |
Long-term investments: | | | | | | | |
Corporate debt securities | 554 | | | — | | | 554 | | | — | |
Government and agency securities | 103 | | | — | | | 103 | | | — | |
Total long-term investments | 657 | | | — | | | 657 | | | — | |
Total financial assets | $ | 16,791 | | | $ | 11,338 | | | $ | 4,019 | | | $ | 1,434 | |
| | | | | | | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Derivatives | $ | 9 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 9 | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31, 2020 | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Assets: | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,101 | | | $ | 890 | | | $ | 211 | | | $ | — | |
Short-term investments: | | | | | | | |
Restricted cash | 137 | | | 137 | | | — | | | — | |
Corporate debt securities | 2,255 | | | — | | | 2,255 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Total short-term investments | 2,392 | | | 137 | | | 2,255 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | |
Derivatives | 1,113 | | | — | | | 62 | | | 1,051 | |
Long-term investments: | | | | | | | |
Corporate debt securities | 286 | | | — | | | 286 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | |
Total long-term investments | 286 | | | — | | | 286 | | | — | |
Total financial assets | $ | 4,892 | | | $ | 1,027 | | | $ | 2,814 | | | $ | 1,051 | |
| | | | | | | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Derivatives | $ | 44 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 44 | | | $ | — | |
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Our financial assets and liabilities are valued using market prices on both active markets (Level 1), less active markets (Level 2) and little or no market activity (Level 3). Level 1 instrument valuations are obtained from real-time quotes for transactions in active exchange markets involving identical assets. Level 2 instrument valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for comparable instruments, identical instruments in less active markets, or models using market observable inputs. Level 3 instrument valuations typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. We did not have any transfers of financial instruments between valuation levels during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
The majority of our derivative instruments are valued using pricing models that take into account the contract terms as well as multiple inputs where applicable, such as equity prices, interest rate yield curves, option volatility and currency rates. Our warrant, which is accounted for as a derivative instrument, is valued using a Black-Scholes model. Key assumptions used in the valuation include risk-free interest rates; Adyen’s common stock price, equity volatility and common stock outstanding; exercise price; and details specific to the warrant. The value is also probability adjusted for management’s assumptions with respect to vesting of the four tranches which are each subject to meeting processing volume milestone targets.These assumptions and the probability of meeting processing volume milestone targets may have a significant impact on the value of the warrant. Refer to “Note 7 — Derivative Instruments” for further details on our derivative instruments.
Upon completion of the transfer of our Classifieds business to Adevinta we retained an equity investment of 44% in Adevinta valued at $10.8 billion at the close of the acquisition. The investment is accounted for under the fair value option and classified within Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy as the valuation can be obtained from real time quotes in active markets. The fair value of the equity investment is measured based on Adevinta’s closing stock price and prevailing foreign exchange rate at each balance sheet date and the changes in fair value are reflected in interest and other, net in the condensed consolidated statement of income. Refer to “Note 6 — Investments” for further details.
On July 14, 2021, we entered into a share purchase agreement with Permira to sell approximately 125 million of our voting shares in Adevinta for total consideration of $2.25 billion based on an implied purchase price of approximately $18.02. The price represents an approximate 7% discount to the 10-day VWAP of Adevinta shares as of July 12, 2021 and a 5% discount to the 30-day VWAP as of July 12, 2021. In addition, we granted Permira an option, exercisable within 30 days after the date of the purchase agreement, to purchase approximately 10 million additional voting shares for $180 million in consideration based on an implied purchase price of approximately $18.02. On July 29, 2021, Permira exercised the option. At the close of both transactions, our ownership in Adevinta will be reduced to 33%. The transactions are expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to the receipt of required regulatory approvals.
Other financial instruments, including accounts receivable and accounts payable, are carried at cost, which approximates their fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments.
The following tables present a reconciliation of the opening to closing balance of assets measured using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as of the dates indicated (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
Opening balance at beginning of period | $ | 1,051 | | | $ | 281 | |
| | | |
Change in fair value | 383 | | | 770 | |
Closing balance at end of period | $ | 1,434 | | | $ | 1,051 | |
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The following table presents quantitative information about Level 3 significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the warrant as of September 30, 2021 (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Fair value | | Valuation technique | | Unobservable Input | | Range (weighted average)(1) |
Warrant | | $ | 1,434 | | | Black-Scholes and Monte Carlo | | Probability of vesting | | 0.0% - 95.0% (71%) |
| | | | | | Equity volatility | | 24.5% - 61.7% (42%) |
(1)Probability of vesting were weighted by the unadjusted value of the tranches. For volatility, the average represents the arithmetic average of the points within the range and is not weighted by the relative fair value or notional amount.
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Note 9 — Debt
The following table summarizes the carrying value of our outstanding debt as of the dates indicated (in millions, except percentages):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Coupon | | As of | | Effective | | As of | | Effective |
| | Rate | | September 30, 2021 | | Interest Rate | | December 31, 2020 | | Interest Rate |
Long-Term Debt | | | | | | | | | | |
Floating Rate Notes: | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior notes due 2023 | | LIBOR plus 0.87% | | $ | 400 | | | 1.100 | % | | $ | 400 | | | 1.187 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed Rate Notes: | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Senior notes due 2022 | | 3.800 | % | | 750 | | | 3.989 | % | | 750 | | | 3.989 | % |
Senior notes due 2022 | | 2.600 | % | | 605 | | | 2.678 | % | | 1,000 | | | 2.678 | % |
Senior notes due 2023 | | 2.750 | % | | 750 | | | 2.866 | % | | 750 | | | 2.866 | % |
Senior notes due 2024 | | 3.450 | % | | 750 | | | 3.531 | % | | 750 | | | 3.531 | % |
Senior notes due 2025 | | 1.900 | % | | 800 | | | 1.803 | % | | 800 | | | 1.803 | % |
Senior notes due 2026 | | 1.400 | % | | 750 | | | 1.252 | % | | — | | | — | % |
Senior notes due 2027 | | 3.600 | % | | 850 | | | 3.689 | % | | 850 | | | 3.689 | % |
Senior notes due 2030 | | 2.700 | % | | 950 | | | 2.623 | % | | 950 | | | 2.623 | % |
Senior notes due 2031 | | 2.600 | % | | 750 | | | 2.186 | % | | — | | | — | % |
Senior notes due 2042 | | 4.000 | % | | 750 | | | 4.114 | % | | 750 | | | 4.114 | % |
Senior notes due 2051 | | 3.650 | % | | 1,000 | | | 2.517 | % | | — | | | — | % |
Senior notes due 2056 | | 6.000 | % | | — | | | — | % | | 750 | | | 6.547 | % |
Total senior notes | | | | 9,105 | | | | | 7,750 | | | |
Hedge accounting fair value adjustments (1) | | | | 9 | | | | | 10 | | | |
Unamortized premium/(discount) and debt issuance costs | | | | (32) | | | | | (20) | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Current portion of long-term debt | | | | (1,355) | | | | | — | | | |
Total long-term debt | | | | 7,727 | | | | | 7,740 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Short-Term Debt | | | | | | | | | | |
Current portion of long-term debt | | | | 1,355 | | | | | — | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Unamortized premium/(discount) and debt issuance costs | | | | — | | | | | — | | | |
Other short-term borrowings | | | | — | | | | | 6 | | | |
Total short-term debt | | | | 1,355 | | | | | 6 | | | |
Total Debt | | | | $ | 9,082 | | | | | $ | 7,746 | | | |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Coupon | | As of | | Effective | | As of | | Effective |
| | Rate | | September 30, 2017 | | Interest Rate | | December 31, 2016 | | Interest Rate |
Long-Term Debt | | | | | | | | | | |
Floating Rate Notes: | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior notes due 2017 | | LIBOR plus 0.20% | | $ | — |
| |
| | $ | 450 |
| | 1.223 | % |
Senior notes due 2019 | | LIBOR plus 0.48% | | 400 |
| | 1.886 | % | | 400 |
| | 1.460 | % |
Senior notes due 2023 | | LIBOR plus 0.87% | | 400 |
| | 2.285 | % | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Fixed Rate Notes: | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior notes due 2017 | | 1.350% | | — |
| |
| | 1,000 |
| | 1.456 | % |
Senior notes due 2018 | | 2.500% | | 750 |
| | 2.775 | % | | 750 |
| | 2.775 | % |
Senior notes due 2019 | | 2.200% | | 1,150 |
| | 2.346 | % | | 1,150 |
| | 2.346 | % |
Senior notes due 2020 | | 3.250% | | 500 |
| | 3.389 | % | | 500 |
| | 3.389 | % |
Senior notes due 2020 | | 2.150% | | 500 |
| | 2.344 | % | | | | |
Senior notes due 2021 | | 2.875% | | 750 |
| | 2.993 | % | | 750 |
| | 2.993 | % |
Senior notes due 2022 | | 3.800% | | 750 |
| | 3.989 | % | | 750 |
| | 3.989 | % |
Senior notes due 2022 | | 2.600% | | 1,000 |
| | 2.678 | % | | 1,000 |
| | 2.678 | % |
Senior notes due 2023 | | 2.750% | | 750 |
| | 2.866 | % | | | | |
Senior notes due 2024 | | 3.450% | | 750 |
| | 3.531 | % | | 750 |
| | 3.531 | % |
Senior notes due 2027 | | 3.600% | | 850 |
| | 3.689 | % | | | | |
Senior notes due 2042 | | 4.000% | | 750 |
| | 4.114 | % | | 750 |
| | 4.114 | % |
Senior notes due 2056 | | 6.000% | | 750 |
| | 6.547 | % | | 750 |
| | 6.547 | % |
Total senior notes | | | | 10,050 |
| | | | 9,000 |
| | |
Hedge accounting fair value adjustments | | | | 19 |
| | | | 23 |
| | |
Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs | | | | (70 | ) | | | | (64 | ) | | |
Less: Current portion of long-term debt | | | | (750 | ) | | | | (1,450 | ) | | |
Total long-term debt | | | | 9,249 |
| | | | 7,509 |
| | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Short-Term Debt | | | | | | | | | | |
Current portion of long-term debt | | | | 750 |
| | | | 1,450 |
| | |
Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs | | | | (1 | ) | | | | (1 | ) | | |
Other indebtedness | | | | — |
| | | | 2 |
| | |
Total short-term debt | | | | 749 |
| | | | 1,451 |
| | |
Total Debt | | | | $ | 9,998 |
| | | | $ | 8,960 |
| | |
Senior Notes
During the third quarter of 2017 $1.0 billion of 1.350% fixed rate notes due 2017 and $450 million of floating rate notes due 2017 matured and were repaid. During the second quarter of 2017, we issued senior unsecured notes, or senior notes, in an aggregate principal amount of $2.5 billion. The issuance consisted of $400 million of floating rate notes due 2023, $500 million of 2.150% fixed rate notes due 2020, $750 million of 2.750% fixed rate notes due 2023 and $850 million of 3.600% fixed rate notes due 2027.
All of the floating rate notes are not redeemable prior to maturity. On and after March 1, 2021, we may redeem some or all of the 6.000% fixed rate notes due 2056 at any time and from time to time prior to their maturity at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest. We may redeem some or all of the other fixed rate notes of each series at any time and from time to time prior to their maturity, generally at a make-whole redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
If a change of control triggering event occurs with respect to the 2.500% fixed rate notes due 2018, the 2.150% fixed rate notes due 2020, the 3.800% fixed rate notes due 2022, the floating rate notes due 2023, the 2.750% fixed rate notes due 2023, the 3.600% fixed rate notes due 2027 or the 6.000% fixed rate notes due 2056, we must, subject to certain exceptions, offer to repurchase all of the notes of the applicable series at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
The indenture pursuant to which the senior notes were issued includes customary covenants that, among other things and subject to exceptions, limit our ability to incur, assume or guarantee debt secured by liens on specified assets or enter into sale and lease-back transactions with respect to specified properties, and also includes customary events of default.
To help achieve our interest rate risk management objectives, in connection with the previous issuance of certain senior notes, we entered into interest rate swap agreements that effectively converted $2.4 billion of our fixed rate notes to floating rate debt based on LIBOR plus a spread. These swaps were designated as fair value hedges against changes in(1) Includes the fair value of certain fixed rate senior notes resulting from changes in interest rates. The gains and losses relatedadjustments to changes in the fair value ofdebt associated with terminated interest rate swaps substantially offset changes in the fair value of the hedged portion of the underlying debt that are attributable to changes in market interest rates.
The effective interest rates for our senior notes include the interest payable, the amortization of debt issuance costs and the amortization of any original issue discount on these senior notes. Interest on these senior notes is payable either quarterly or semiannually. Interest expense associated with these senior notes, including amortization of debt issuance costs, was approximately $83 million and $68 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $225 million and $186 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the estimated fair value of these senior notes was approximately $10.1 billion and $8.9 billion, respectively.
Commercial Paper
We have a commercial paper program pursuant to which we may issue commercial paper notes in an aggregate principal amount at maturity of up to $1.5 billion outstanding at any time with maturities of up to 397 days from the date of issue. As of September 30, 2017, there were no commercial paper notes outstanding.
Credit Agreement
As of September 30, 2017, no borrowings were outstanding under our $2 billion credit agreement. However, as described above, we have an up to $1.5 billion commercial paper program and therefore maintain $1.5 billion of available borrowing capacity under our credit agreement in order to repay commercial paper borrowings in the event we are unable to repay those borrowings from other sources when they become due. As a result, $500 million of borrowing capacity was available as of September 30, 2017 for other purposes permitted by the credit agreement. The credit agreement includes customary representations, warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants, events of default and indemnification provisions in favor of the banks. The negative covenants include restrictions regarding the incurrence of liens and subsidiary indebtedness, in each case, subject to certain exceptions. The financial covenants require us to meet a quarterly financial test with respect to a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio and a maximum consolidated leverage ratio. The events of default include the occurrence of a change of control (as defined in the credit agreement) with respect to us.
We were in compliance with all covenants in our outstanding debt instruments during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Note 10 — Commitments and Contingencies
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of September 30, 2017, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
We have a cash pooling arrangement with a financial institution for cash management purposes. This arrangement allows for cash withdrawals from the financial institution based upon our aggregate operating cash balances held within the same financial institution (“Aggregate Cash Deposits”). This arrangement also allows us to withdraw amounts exceeding the Aggregate Cash Deposits up to an agreed-upon limit. The net balance of the withdrawals and the Aggregate Cash Deposits are used by the financial institution as a basis for calculating our net interest expense or income under the arrangement. As of September 30, 2017, we had a total of $1.3 billion in cash withdrawals offsetting our $1.3 billion in Aggregate Cash Deposits held within the financial institution under the cash pooling arrangement.
Litigation and Other Legal Matters
Overview
We are involved in legal and regulatory proceedings on an ongoing basis. Many of these proceedings are in early stages and may seek an indeterminate amount of damages. If we believe that a loss arising from such matters is probable and can be reasonably estimated, we accrue the estimated liability in our financial statements. If only a range of estimated losses can be determined, we accrue an amount within the range that, in our judgment, reflects the most likely outcome; if none of the estimates within that range is a better estimate than any other amount, we accrue the low end of the range. For those proceedings in which an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible but not probable, we have disclosed an estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of losses or we have concluded that an estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range arising directly from the proceeding (i.e., monetary damages or amounts paid in judgment or settlement) are not material. If we cannot estimate the probable or reasonably possible loss or range of losses arising from a proceeding, we have disclosed that fact. In assessing the materiality of a proceeding, we evaluate, 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 us to change our business practices in a manner that could have a material adverse impact on our business. With respect to the matters disclosed in this Note 10, we are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of losses that could potentially result from the application of such non-monetary remedies.
Amounts accrued for legal and regulatory proceedings for which we believe a loss is probable were not material for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Except as otherwise noted for the proceedings described in this Note 10, we have concluded, based on currently available information, that reasonably possible losses arising directly from the proceedings (i.e., monetary damages or amounts paid in judgment or settlement) in excess of our recorded accruals are also not material. However, legal and regulatory proceedings are inherently unpredictable and subject to significant uncertainties. If one or more matters were resolved against us in a reporting period for amounts in excess of management’s expectations, the impact on our operating results or financial condition for that reporting period could be material.
General Matters
Other third parties have from time to time claimed, and others may claim in the future, that we have infringed their intellectual property rights. We are subject to patent disputes, and expect that we will increasingly be subject to additional patent infringement claims involving various aspects of our business as our products and services continue to expand in scope and complexity. Such claims may be brought directly or indirectly against our companies and/or against our customers (who may be entitled to contractual indemnification under their contracts with us), and we are subject to increased exposure to such claims as a result of our acquisitions and divestitures and in cases where we are entering new lines of business. We have in the past been forced to litigate such claims. We may also become more vulnerable to third-party claims as laws such as the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the Lanham Act and the Communications Decency Act are interpreted by the courts, and as we expand the scope of our business (both in terms of the range of products and services that we offer and our geographical operations) and become subject to laws in jurisdictions where the underlying laws with respect to the potential liability of online intermediaries like ourselves
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
are either unclear or less favorable. We believe that additional lawsuits alleging that we have violated patent, copyright or trademark laws will be filed against us. Intellectual property claims, whether meritorious or not, are time consuming and costly to defend and resolve, could require expensive changes in our methods of doing business or could require us to enter into costly royalty or licensing agreements on unfavorable terms.
From time to time, we are involved in other disputes or regulatory inquiries that arise in the ordinary course of business, including suits by our users (individually or as class actions) alleging, among other things, improper disclosure of our prices, rules or policies, that our practices, prices, rules, policies or customer/user agreements violate applicable law or that we have acted unfairly and/or not acted in conformity with such prices, rules, policies or agreements. Further, the number and significance of these disputes and inquiries are increasing as the political and regulatory landscape changes; and as we have grown larger, our businesses have expanded in scope (both in terms of the range of products and services that we offer and our geographical operations) and our products and services have increased in complexity. Any claims or regulatory actions against us, whether meritorious or not, could be time consuming, result in costly litigation, damage awards (including statutory damages for certain causes of action in certain jurisdictions), injunctive relief or increased costs of doing business through adverse judgment or settlement, require us to change our business practices in expensive ways, require significant amounts of management time, result in the diversion of significant operational resources or otherwise harm our business.
Indemnification Provisions
We entered into a separation and distribution agreement and various other agreements with PayPal to govern the separation and relationship of the two companies going forward. These agreements provide for specific indemnity and liability obligations and could lead to disputes between us and PayPal, which may be significant. In addition, the indemnity rights we have against PayPal under the agreements may not be sufficient to protect us and our indemnity obligations to PayPal may be significant.
In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors, executive officers and certain other officers. These agreements require us to indemnify such individuals, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, for certain liabilities to which they may become subject as a result of their affiliation with us.
In the ordinary course of business, we have included limited indemnification provisions in certain of our agreements with parties with which we have commercial relations, including our standard marketing, promotions and application-programming-interface license agreements. Under these contracts, we generally indemnify, hold harmless and agree to reimburse the indemnified party for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party in connection with claims by a third party with respect to our domain names, trademarks, logos and other branding elements to the extent that such marks are applicable to our performance under the subject agreement. In certain cases, we have agreed to provide indemnification for intellectual property infringement. It is not possible to determine the maximum potential loss under these indemnification provisions due to our limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular provision. To date, losses recorded in our consolidated statement of income in connection with our indemnification provisions have not been significant, either individually or collectively.
Note 11 — Stockholders’ Equity
Stock Repurchase Program
Our stock repurchase program is intended to programmatically offset the impact of dilution from our equity compensation programs and, subject to market conditions and other factors, to make opportunistic repurchases of our common stock to reduce our outstanding share count. Any share repurchases under our stock repurchase program may be made through open market transactions, block trades, privately negotiated transactions (including accelerated share repurchase transactions) or other means at times and in such amounts as management deems appropriate and will be funded from our working capital or other financing alternatives. Our stock repurchase program may be limited or terminated at any time without prior notice. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including corporate and regulatory requirements, price and other market conditions and management’s determination as to the appropriate use of our cash.
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
In July 2016, our Board authorized a $2.5 billion stock repurchase program and in July 2017 our Board authorized an additional $3.0 billion stock repurchase program. These stock repurchase programs have no expiration from the date of authorization. The stock repurchase activity under our stock repurchase programs during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 is summarized as follows (in millions, except per share amounts):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Shares Repurchased (1) | | Average Price per Share (2) | | Value of Shares Repurchased | | Remaining Amount Authorized |
Balance as of January 1, 2017 | | | | | | | $ | 1,336 |
|
Authorization of additional plan in July 2017 | | | | | | | 3,000 |
|
Repurchase of shares of common stock | 50 |
| | $ | 34.93 |
| | $ | 1,764 |
| | (1,764 | ) |
Balance as of September 30, 2017 | | | | | | | $ | 2,572 |
|
| |
(1) | These repurchased shares of common stock were recorded as treasury stock and were accounted for under the cost method. No repurchased shares of common stock have been retired. |
| |
(2) | Excludes broker commissions. |
Note 12 — Employee Benefit Plans
Restricted Stock Unit Activity
The following table presents restricted stock unit (“RSU”) activity (including performance-based RSUs that have been earned) under our equity incentive plans as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (in millions except per share amounts):
|
| | |
| Units
|
Outstanding as of January 1, 2017 | 44 |
|
Awarded and assumed | 21 |
|
Vested | (14 | ) |
Forfeited | (6 | ) |
Outstanding as of September 30, 2017 | 45 |
|
The weighted average grant date fair value for RSUs awarded during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $33.76 per share.
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
The impact on our results of operations of recording stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was as follows (in millions):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
Cost of net revenues | $ | 14 |
| | $ | 9 |
| | $ | 40 |
| | $ | 26 |
|
Sales and marketing | 19 |
| | 24 |
| | 68 |
| | 71 |
|
Product development | 45 |
| | 40 |
| | 131 |
| | 115 |
|
General and administrative | 40 |
| | 32 |
| | 117 |
| | 94 |
|
Total stock-based compensation expense | $ | 118 |
| | $ | 105 |
| | $ | 356 |
| | $ | 306 |
|
Capitalized in product development | $ | 4 |
| | $ | 3 |
| | $ | 10 |
| | $ | 9 |
|
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Note 13 — Income Taxes
We are subject to both direct and indirect taxation in the U.S. and various states and foreign jurisdictions. We are under examination by certain tax authorities for the 2003 to 2013 tax years. We believe that adequate amounts have been reserved for any adjustments that may ultimately result from these or other examinations. The material jurisdictions where we are subject to potential examination by tax authorities for tax years after 2002 include, among others, the U.S. (Federal and California), Germany, Korea, Israel, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Canada.
Although the timing of the resolution and/or closure of audits is highly uncertain, it is reasonably possible that the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change in the next 12 months. However, given the number of years remaining subject to examination and the number of matters being examined, we are unable to estimate the full range of possible adjustments to the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits.
During the fourth quarter of 2016, we began the process of realigning our legal structure, subsequent to the distribution of PayPal Holdings, Inc., to better reflect how we manage and operate our platforms. We consider many factors in effecting this realignment, including foreign exchange exposures, long-term cash flows and cash needs of our platforms, capital allocation considerations and the associated tax effects. As a result, we achieved a substantial step-up in the tax basis of the intangible assets in our foreign eBay platforms in 2016. The step-up in tax basis of our foreign eBay platforms resulted from our election to terminate an existing tax ruling and finalize a new agreement with the foreign tax authority. In the fourth quarter of 2016, we recognized a tax benefit of $4.6 billion, which represented the income tax effect of this step-up in tax basis. During the first half of 2017, we recognized a noncash income tax charge of $376 million caused by the foreign exchange remeasurement of the associated deferred tax asset. In the first quarter of 2017, we achieved a step-up in the tax basis of the intangible assets in our foreign Classifieds platforms as a result of voluntary domiciling our Classifieds intangible assets into a new jurisdiction and recognized a tax benefit of $695 million.
As a result of the realignment, we no longer benefit from tax rulings previously concluded in several different jurisdictions. Without the benefit of the rulings, the noncash tax impacts of the realignment in our foreign eBay and Classifieds platforms have increased our income tax rate in certain foreign jurisdictions, most significantly Switzerland. The higher rate results from eBay being subject to a higher enacted tax rate for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, our effective tax was 25% and 8% rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to 22% and 19% respectively for the same periods in 2016.
While we experienced a higher tax rate, the realignment allows us to achieve certain cash tax benefits due to the step-up in tax basis achieved in certain foreign jurisdictions. We expect these cash tax benefits to remain consistent, subject to the performance of our foreign platforms, for a period in excess of 10 years. The realignment is expected to extend into 2018 and primarily impact our international entities.
On July 27, 2015, in Altera Corp. v. Commissioner, the U.S. Tax Court issued an opinion invalidating the regulations relating to the treatment of stock-based compensation expense in an intercompany cost-sharing arrangement. A final decision was issued by the Tax Court in December 2015. The IRS is appealing the decision and filed its arguments opposing the Tax Court decision in June 2016. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the status of the current regulations, questions related to the scope of potential benefits or obligations, and the risk of the Tax Court’s decision being overturned upon appeal, we have not recorded any benefit or expense as of September 30, 2017. We will continue to monitor ongoing developments and potential impacts to our consolidated financial statements.
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Note 14 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
The following tables summarize the changes in AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments | | Unrealized Gains on Investments | | Foreign Currency Translation | | Estimated Tax (Expense) Benefit | | Total |
Balance as of June 30, 2017 | $ | (44 | ) | | $ | 2 |
| | $ | 446 |
| | $ | 33 |
| | $ | 437 |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | (31 | ) | | 3 |
| | 115 |
| | 3 |
| | 90 |
|
Less: Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI | (7 | ) | | (4 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | (11 | ) |
Net current period other comprehensive income | (24 | ) | | 7 |
| | 115 |
| | 3 |
| | 101 |
|
Balance as of September 30, 2017 | $ | (68 | ) | | $ | 9 |
| | $ | 561 |
| | $ | 36 |
| | $ | 538 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments | | Unrealized Gains on Investments | | Foreign Currency Translation | | Estimated Tax (Expense) Benefit | | Total |
Balance as of December 31, 2016 | $ | 54 |
| | $ | 51 |
| | $ | (230 | ) | | $ | 1 |
| | $ | (124 | ) |
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | (94 | ) | | (29 | ) | | 791 |
| | 35 |
| | 703 |
|
Less: Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI | 28 |
| | 13 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 41 |
|
Net current period other comprehensive income | (122 | ) | | (42 | ) | | 791 |
| | 35 |
| | 662 |
|
Balance as of September 30, 2017 | $ | (68 | ) | | $ | 9 |
| | $ | 561 |
| | $ | 36 |
| | $ | 538 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments | | Unrealized Gains on Investments | | Foreign Currency Translation | | Estimated Tax (Expense) Benefit | | Total |
Balance as of June 30, 2016 | $ | 69 |
| | $ | 1,149 |
| | $ | 22 |
| | $ | (411 | ) | | $ | 829 |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | 27 |
| | 350 |
| | 150 |
| | (128 | ) | | 399 |
|
Less: Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI | 27 |
| | (3 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | 24 |
|
Net current period other comprehensive income | — |
| | 353 |
| | 150 |
| | (128 | ) | | 375 |
|
Balance as of September 30, 2016 | $ | 69 |
| | $ | 1,502 |
| | $ | 172 |
| | $ | (539 | ) | | $ | 1,204 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments | | Unrealized Gains on Investments | | Foreign Currency Translation | | Estimated Tax (Expense) Benefit | | Total |
Balance as of December 31, 2015 | $ | 36 |
| | $ | 845 |
| | $ | (45 | ) | | $ | (310 | ) | | $ | 526 |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | 96 |
| | 621 |
| | 217 |
| | (229 | ) | | 705 |
|
Less: Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI | 63 |
| | (36 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | 27 |
|
Net current period other comprehensive income | 33 |
| | 657 |
| | 217 |
| | (229 | ) | | 678 |
|
Balance as of September 30, 2016 | $ | 69 |
| | $ | 1,502 |
| | $ | 172 |
| | $ | (539 | ) | | $ | 1,204 |
|
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The following table provides details about reclassifications out of AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Details about AOCI Components | | Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income | | Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified From AOCI |
| | | | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| | | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges - foreign exchange contracts | | Net Revenues | | $ | (7 | ) | | $ | — |
| | $ | (7 | ) | | $ | — |
|
| | Cost of net revenues | | — |
| | — |
| | 3 |
| | 1 |
|
| | Sales and marketing | | — |
| | — |
| | 1 |
| | — |
|
| | Product development | | — |
| | 1 |
| | 5 |
| | 3 |
|
| | General and administrative | | — |
| | 1 |
| | 2 |
| | 1 |
|
| | Interest and other, net | | — |
| | 25 |
| | 24 |
| | 58 |
|
| | Total, from continuing operations before income taxes | | (7 | ) | | 27 |
| | 28 |
| | 63 |
|
| | Provision for income taxes | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| | Total, net of income taxes | | (7 | ) | | 27 |
| | 28 |
| | 63 |
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments | | Interest and other, net | | (4 | ) | | (3 | ) | | 13 |
| | (36 | ) |
| | Total, before income taxes | | (4 | ) | | (3 | ) | | 13 |
| | (36 | ) |
| | Provision for income taxes | | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| | Total, net of income taxes | | (4 | ) | | (3 | ) | | 13 |
| | (36 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total reclassifications for the period | | Total, net of income taxes | | $ | (11 | ) | | $ | 24 |
| | $ | 41 |
| | $ | 27 |
|
| |
ITEM 2: | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements that involve expectations, plans or intentions (such as those relating to future business, future results of operations or financial condition, new or planned features or services, or management strategies). You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan” and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, those discussed in “Part II - Item 1A - Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as well as in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, related notes, and the other information appearing elsewhere in this report and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any of our forward-looking statements after the date of this report to reflect actual results or future events or circumstances. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. You should read the following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in this report.
OVERVIEW
Business
eBay Inc. is a global commerce leader, which includes our Marketplace, StubHub and Classifieds platforms. Our Marketplace platforms include our online marketplace located at www.ebay.com, its localized counterparts and the eBay mobile apps. Our StubHub platforms include our online ticket platform located at www.stubhub.com, its localized counterparts and the StubHub mobile apps. Our Classifieds platforms include a collection of brands such as Mobile.de, Kijiji, Gumtree, Marktplaats, eBay Kleinanzeigen and others.
When we refer to “we,” “our,” “us” or “eBay” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we mean the current Delaware corporation (eBay Inc.) and its California predecessor, as well as all of our consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.
Seasonality
We expect transaction activity patterns on our platforms to mirror general consumer buying patterns and expect that these trends will continue. The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, our total net revenues and the sequential quarterly movements of these net revenues (in millions, except percentages):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Quarter Ended |
| March 31 | | June 30 | | September 30 | | December 31 |
2015 | | | | | | | |
Net revenues | $ | 2,061 |
| | $ | 2,110 |
| | $ | 2,099 |
| | $ | 2,322 |
|
Percent change from prior quarter | (11 | )% | | 2 | % | | (1 | )% | | 11 | % |
2016 | | | | | | | |
Net revenues | $ | 2,137 |
| | $ | 2,230 |
| | $ | 2,217 |
| | $ | 2,395 |
|
Percent change from prior quarter | (8 | )% | | 4 | % | | (1 | )% | | 8 | % |
2017 | | | | | | | |
Net revenues | $ | 2,217 |
| | $ | 2,328 |
| | $ | 2,409 |
| | |
Percent change from prior quarter | (7 | )% | | 5 | % | | 4 | % | |
|
Impact of Foreign Currency Exchange Rates
Our commerce platforms operate globally, resulting in certain revenues that are denominated in foreign currencies, primarily the euro, British pound, Korean won and Australian dollar, subjecting us to foreign currency risk, which may adversely impact our financial results. Because of this and the fact that we generated a majority of our net revenues internationally, including the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we are subject to the risks related to doing business in foreign countries as discussed under “Part II - Item 1A - Risk Factors.”
In addition to the corresponding measures under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), management uses non-GAAP measures in reviewing our financial results. The foreign exchange, or constant currency (“FX-Neutral”), net revenue amounts discussed below are non-GAAP financial measures and are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Accordingly, the FX-Neutral information appearing in the following discussion of our results of operations should be read in conjunction with the information provided below in “Non-GAAP Measures of Financial Performance,” which includes reconciliations of FX-Neutral financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. We calculate the year-over-year impact of foreign currency movements using prior period foreign currency rates applied to current year transactional currency amounts.
The effect of foreign currency exchange rate movements during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar against other currencies, primarily the euro.
Quarter Highlights
Net revenues increased 9% to $2.4 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. FX-Neutral net revenue (as defined below) increased 8% during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. Operating margin was 24% for both the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations increased to $0.48 during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to $0.36 in the same period in 2016.
We generated cash flow from continuing operating activities of $877 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to $802 million in the same period in 2016. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, $1.0 billion of 1.350% fixed rate notes due 2017 and $450 million of floating rate notes due 2017 matured and were repaid. In addition, we recognized a gain on the disposal of our eBay India business of $167 million, which was recorded in interest and other, net on our consolidated statement of income.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Revenues
We generate two types of net revenues: net transaction revenues and marketing services and other (“MS&O”) revenues. Net transaction revenues are derived principally from final value fees (which are fees payable on transactions closed on our Marketplace and StubHub platforms), listing fees and other service fees. MS&O revenues consist of Marketplace, StubHub and Classifieds revenue principally from the sale of advertisements, vehicles classifieds listing on Marketplace platforms, revenue sharing arrangements, classifieds fees, marketing service fees and lead referral fees. Revenues are attributed to U.S. and international geographies primarily based upon the country in which the seller, platform that displays advertising, other service provider or customer, as the case may be, is located. To drive traffic to our platforms, we provide incentives to our users in the form of coupons and buyer and seller rewards. These incentives are generally treated as reductions in revenue.
The following table presents net revenues by type and geography (in millions, except percentages):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | % Change | | 2017 | | 2016 | | % Change |
Net Revenues by Type: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net transaction revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Marketplace (1) | $ | 1,606 |
| | $ | 1,484 |
| | 8 | % | | $ | 4,721 |
| | $ | 4,505 |
| | 5 | % |
StubHub | 273 |
| | 261 |
| | 5 | % | | 704 |
| | 663 |
| | 6 | % |
Total net transaction revenues | 1,879 |
| | 1,745 |
| | 8 | % | | 5,425 |
| | 5,168 |
| | 5 | % |
Marketing services and other revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Marketplace | 293 |
| | 273 |
| | 7 | % | | 859 |
| | 824 |
| | 4 | % |
Classifieds | 235 |
| | 197 |
| | 19 | % | | 653 |
| | 590 |
| | 11 | % |
StubHub, Corporate and other | 2 |
| | 2 |
| | 16 | % | | 17 |
| | 2 |
| | ** |
|
Total marketing services and other revenues | 530 |
| | 472 |
| | 12 | % | | 1,529 |
| | 1,416 |
| | 8 | % |
Total net revenues | $ | 2,409 |
|
| $ | 2,217 |
| | 9 | % |
| $ | 6,954 |
| | $ | 6,584 |
| | 6 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Revenues by Geography: | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. | $ | 1,030 |
| | $ | 974 |
| | 6 | % | | $ | 2,971 |
| | $ | 2,828 |
| | 5 | % |
International | 1,379 |
| | 1,243 |
| | 11 | % | | 3,983 |
| | 3,756 |
| | 6 | % |
Total net revenues | $ | 2,409 |
| | $ | 2,217 |
| | 9 | % | | $ | 6,954 |
| | $ | 6,584 |
| | 6 | % |
| |
(1) | Marketplace net transaction revenues were net of $7 million hedging activity during both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. There were no other hedging activities within net revenues during the previous periods. |
The following table presents certain key operating metrics that we believe are significant factors affecting our net transaction revenues (in millions, except percentages):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | % Change | | 2017 | | 2016 | | % Change |
Supplemental Operating Data: | | | | | | | | | | | |
GMV (1): | | | | | | | | | | | |
Marketplace | $ | 20,518 |
| | $ | 18,905 |
| | 9 | % | | $ | 60,890 |
| | $ | 58,142 |
| | 5 | % |
StubHub | 1,162 |
| | 1,142 |
| | 2 | % | | 3,088 |
| | 3,071 |
| | 1 | % |
Total GMV | $ | 21,680 |
| | $ | 20,047 |
| | 8 | % | | $ | 63,978 |
| | $ | 61,213 |
| | 5 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Transaction take rate: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Marketplace (2) | 7.83 | % | | 7.85 | % | | (0.02 | )% | | 7.75 | % | | 7.75 | % | | — | % |
StubHub (3) | 23.55 | % | | 22.92 | % | | 0.63 | % | | 22.81 | % | | 21.61 | % | | 1.20 | % |
Total transaction take rate (4) | 8.67 | % | | 8.71 | % | | (0.04 | )% | | 8.48 | % | | 8.44 | % | | 0.04 | % |
| |
(1) | We define Gross Merchandise Volume (“GMV”) as the total value of all successfully closed transactions between users on our Marketplace and StubHub platforms during the applicable period regardless of whether the buyer and seller actually consummated the transaction. We believe that GMV provides a useful measure of the overall volume of closed transactions that flow through our platforms in a given period, notwithstanding the inclusion in GMV of closed transactions that are not ultimately consummated. |
| |
(2) | We define Marketplace transaction take rate as Marketplace net transaction revenues divided by Marketplace GMV. |
| |
(3) | We define StubHub transaction take rate as StubHub net transaction revenues divided by StubHub GMV. |
| |
(4) | We define total transaction take rate as total net transaction revenues divided by GMV. |
Net Transaction Revenues
The following table presents total net transaction revenues and supplemental operating data (in millions, except percentages):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | % Change | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | % Change |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | As Reported | | FX-Neutral | | 2017 | | 2016 | | As Reported | | FX-Neutral |
Total net transaction revenues | $ | 1,879 |
| | $ | 1,745 |
| | 8 | % | | 7 | % | | $ | 5,425 |
| | $ | 5,168 |
| | 5 | % | | 6 | % |
Percentage of net revenues | 78 | % | | 79 | % | | | | | | 78 | % | | 78 | % | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total GMV | $ | 21,680 |
| | $ | 20,047 |
| | 8 | % | | 7 | % | | $ | 63,978 |
| | $ | 61,213 |
| | 5 | % | | 6 | % |
Total transaction take rate | 8.67 | % | | 8.71 | % | | (0.04 | )% | | | | 8.48 | % | | 8.44 | % | | 0.04 | % | | |
The increase in net transaction revenues during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016 was primarily due to an increase in Marketplace GMV. The total transaction take rate was lower during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 primarily due to a decrease in Marketplace transaction take rate. The total transaction take rate was higher during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 primarily due to an increase in StubHub transaction take rate.
Net transaction revenues earned internationally totaled $989 million and $921 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, representing 53% and 53% of total net transaction revenues for the respective periods. Net transaction revenues earned internationally totaled $2.9 billion and $2.8 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, representing 53% and 54% of total net transaction revenues for the respective periods.
Marketplace Net Transaction Revenues
The following table presents Marketplace net transaction revenues and supplemental operating data (in millions, except percentages):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | % Change | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | % Change |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | As Reported | | FX-Neutral | | 2017 | | 2016 | | As Reported | | FX-Neutral |
Marketplace net transaction revenues | $ | 1,606 |
| | $ | 1,484 |
| | 8 | % | | 8 | % | | $ | 4,721 |
| | $ | 4,505 |
| | 5 | % | | 7 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Marketplace GMV | $ | 20,518 |
| | $ | 18,905 |
| | 9 | % | | 7 | % | | $ | 60,890 |
| | $ | 58,142 |
| | 5 | % | | 6 | % |
Marketplace take rate | 7.83 | % | | 7.85 | % | | (0.02 | )% | | | | 7.75 | % | | 7.75 | % | | — | % | | |
The increase in Marketplace net transaction revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily due to Marketplace GMV growth. Marketplace transaction take rate was relatively flat.
The increase in Marketplace net transaction revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily due to Marketplace GMV growth, partially offset by an unfavorable impact from foreign currency movements relative to the U.S. dollar. Marketplace transaction take rate was flat for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.
StubHub Net Transaction Revenues
The following table presents StubHub net transaction revenues and supplemental operating data (in millions, except percentages):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | % Change | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | % Change |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | As Reported | | FX-Neutral | | 2017 | | 2016 | | As Reported | | FX-Neutral |
StubHub net transaction revenues | $ | 273 |
| | $ | 261 |
| | 5 | % | | 4 | % | | $ | 704 |
| | $ | 663 |
| | 6 | % | | 6 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
StubHub GMV | $ | 1,162 |
| | $ | 1,142 |
| | 2 | % | | 2 | % | | $ | 3,088 |
| | $ | 3,071 |
| | 1 | % | | 1 | % |
StubHub take rate | 23.55 | % | | 22.92 | % | | 0.63 | % | | | | 22.81 | % | | 21.61 | % | | 1.20 | % | | |
The increase in StubHub net transaction revenues during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016 was primarily due to an increase in StubHub take rate and StubHub GMV. The increase in StubHub transaction take rate during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily due to pricing strategies. The increase in StubHub transaction take rate during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily due to pricing strategies and a decrease in our buyer incentives, which are accounted forbeing recorded as a reduction of revenue. The increase in StubHub GMV during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily driven by Theater and international GMV growth, partially offset by a decrease in Sports.
Marketing Services and Other Revenues
The following table presents MS&O revenues (in millions, except percentages):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | % Change | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | % Change |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | As Reported | | FX-Neutral | | 2017 | | 2016 | | As Reported | | FX-Neutral |
MS&O revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Marketplace | $ | 293 |
| | $ | 273 |
| | 7 | % | | 6 | % | | $ | 859 |
| | $ | 824 |
| | 4 | % | | 5 | % |
Classifieds | 235 |
| | 197 |
| | 19 | % | | 13 | % | | 653 |
| | 590 |
| | 11 | % | | 11 | % |
StubHub, Corporate and other | 2 |
| | 2 |
| | 16 | % | | 12 | % | | 17 |
| | 2 |
| | ** |
| | ** |
|
Total MS&O revenues | $ | 530 |
| | $ | 472 |
| | 12 | % | | 9 | % | | $ | 1,529 |
| | $ | 1,416 |
| | 8 | % | | 9 | % |
Percentage of net revenues | 22 | % | | 21 | % | | | | | | 22 | % | | 22 | % | | | | |
The increase in total MS&O revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily driven by an increase in Classifieds MS&O revenues and a favorable impact from foreign currency movements relative to the U.S. dollar. The increase in total MS&O revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily driven by an increase in Classifieds MS&O revenues.
Marketplace MS&O Revenues
The increase in Marketplace MS&O revenues during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016 was primarily driven by an increase in revenues attributable to our first-party inventory program in Korea and our Brands4friends online shopping community.
Classifieds MS&O Revenues
The increase in Classifieds MS&O revenues during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016 was primarily driven by increased revenue from our Classifieds platforms in Germany.
Cost of Net Revenues
Cost of net revenues primarily consists of costs associated with customer support, site operations, and payment processing. Significant components of these costs include employee compensation, contractor costs, facilities costs, depreciation of equipment and amortization expense, bank transaction fees, and credit card interchange and assessment fees. The following table presents cost of net revenues (in millions, except percentages):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | % Change | | 2017 | | 2016 | | % Change |
Cost of net revenues | $ | 556 |
| | $ | 498 |
| | 12 | % | | $ | 1,632 |
| | $ | 1,468 |
| | 11 | % |
As a percentage of net revenues | 23.1 | % | | 22.5 | % | | |
| | 23.5 | % | | 22.3 | % | | |
|
The increase in cost of net revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily due to an increase in costs of goods sold driven by our first-party inventory program in Korea and increased investments in site operations. The increase in cost of net revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily due to an increase in costs of goods sold driven by our first-party inventory program in Korea and our Brands4friends online shopping community.
Cost of net revenues was unfavorably impacted by $8 million attributable to foreign currency movements relative to the U.S. dollar during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. There was no hedging activity within cost of net revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2017. Cost of net revenues, net of $3 million from hedging activities, was unfavorably impacted by $8 million attributable to foreign currency movements relative to the U.S. dollar during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.
Operating Expenses
The following table presents operating expenses (in millions, except percentages):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | % Change | | 2017 | | 2016 | | % Change |
Sales and marketing | $ | 627 |
| | $ | 600 |
| | 5 | % | | $ | 1,826 |
| | $ | 1,760 |
| | 4 | % |
Percentage of net revenues | 26 | % | | 27 | % | | | | 26 | % | | 27 | % | | |
Product development | 316 |
| | 288 |
| | 10 | % | | 907 |
| | 822 |
| | 10 | % |
Percentage of net revenues | 13 | % | | 13 | % | | | | 13 | % | | 12 | % | | |
General and administrative | 254 |
| | 224 |
| | 12 | % | | 766 |
| | 651 |
| | 18 | % |
Percentage of net revenues | 11 | % | | 10 | % | | | | 11 | % | | 10 | % | | |
Provision for transaction losses | 68 |
| | 56 |
| | 24 | % | | 193 |
| | 172 |
| | 13 | % |
Percentage of net revenues | 3 | % | | 3 | % | | | | 3 | % | | 3 | % | | |
Amortization of acquired intangible assets | 10 |
| | 9 |
| | 8 | % | | 28 |
| | 24 |
| | 16 | % |
Total operating expenses | $ | 1,275 |
| | $ | 1,177 |
| | 8 | % | | $ | 3,720 |
| | $ | 3,429 |
| | 8 | % |
Operating expenses were unfavorably impacted by $18 million due to foreign currency movements relative to the U.S. dollar in the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. There was no hedging activity within operating expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2017. Operating expenses, net of $8 million from hedging activities, were favorably impacted by $8 million due to foreign currency movements relative to the U.S. dollar in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016.
Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of advertising costs and marketing programs (both online and offline), employee compensation, contractor costs, facilities costs and depreciation on equipment. Online marketing expenses represent traffic acquisition costs in various channels such as paid search, affiliates marketing and display advertising. Offline advertising includes primarily brand campaigns and buyer/seller communications.
The increase in sales and marketing expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016 was primarily due to an increase in brand spend and employee-related costs.
Product Development
Product development expenses primarily consist of employee compensation, contractor costs, facilities costs and depreciation on equipment. Product development expenses are net of required capitalization of major platform and other product development efforts, including the development of our platform architecture, migration of certain platforms, and seller tools. Our top technology priorities include structured data, multi-screen capabilities, improved seller tools and buyer experiences.
The increase in product development expenses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016 was primarily due to an increase in employee-related costs.
Capitalized internal use and platform development costs were $36 million and $103 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to $52 million and $103 million for the respective periods in 2016. These costs are primarily reflected as a cost of net revenues when amortized in future periods.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses primarily consist of employee compensation, contractor costs, facilities costs, depreciation of equipment, employer payroll taxes on stock-based compensation, legal expenses, restructuring, insurance premiums and professional fees. Our legal expenses, including those related to various ongoing legal proceedings, may fluctuate substantially from period to period.
The increase in general and administrative expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily due to increased data, information security and employee-related costs.
The increase in general and administrative expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily due to costs related to the integration of prior period acquisitions, increased data, information security and employee-related costs.
Provision for Transaction Losses
Provision for transaction losses primarily consists of transaction loss expense associated with our customer protection programs, fraud and bad debt expense associated with our accounts receivable balance. We expect our provision for transaction losses to fluctuate depending on many factors, including changes to our customer protection programs and the impact of regulatory changes.
The increase in the provision for transaction losses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily due to higher customer protection program costs and an increase in costs related to uncollectible accounts.
Interest and Other, Net
Interest and other, net primarily consists of interest earned on cash, cash equivalents and investments, as well as foreign exchange transaction gains and losses, our portion of operating results from investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting, investment gain/loss on acquisitions or disposals and interest expense consisting of interest charges on any amounts borrowed and commitment fees on unborrowed amounts under our credit agreement and interest expense on our outstanding debt securities and commercial paper, if any. The following table presents interest and other, net (in millions, except percentages):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | % Change | | 2017 | | 2016 | | % Change |
Total interest and other, net | $ | 119 |
| | $ | (9 | ) | | ** | | $ | 113 |
| | $ | (40 | ) | | ** |
Percentage of net revenues | 5 | % | | — | % | | | | 2 | % | | (1 | )% | | |
The increase in interest and other, net duringover the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily due to the gain on sale of our eBay India business, partially offset by a decrease in foreign exchange gains attributable to our hedging strategy.
The increase in interest and other, net during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily due to the gain on sale of our eBay India business and an increase in interest income due to higher investment balances and yield. These increases were partially offset by an increase in interest expense attributable to our debt issuances.
Provision for Income Taxes
The following table presents provision for income taxes (in millions, except percentages):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2017 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2016 |
Income tax provision (benefit) | $ | 174 |
| | $ | 115 |
| | $ | 130 |
| | $ | 310 |
|
Effective tax rate | 25 | % | | 22 | % | | 8 | % | | 19 | % |
The increase in our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily related to an increase in our foreign tax rate, as we no longer benefit from certain tax rulings as a resultremaining term of the ongoing realignment of our legal structure. This was partially offset by the favorable impact from the sale of our eBay India business.related notes.
The decrease in our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 was primarily related to the recognition in the first quarter of 2017 of deferred tax assets of approximately $695 million as a result of the realignment of our legal structure and the associated tax agreements. This was partially offset by a noncash income tax charge of $376 million caused by the foreign exchange remeasurement of our deferred tax assets and an increase in our foreign tax rate, as we no longer benefit from certain tax rulings as a result of the ongoing realignment of our legal structure.
During the fourth quarter of 2016, we began the process of realigning our legal structure, subsequent to the distribution of PayPal Holdings, Inc., to better reflect how we manage and operate our platforms. We consider many factors in effecting this realignment, including foreign exchange exposures, long-term cash flows and cash needs of our platforms, capital allocation considerations and the associated tax effects. As a result, we achieved a substantial step-up in the tax basis of the intangible assets in our foreign eBay platforms in 2016. The step-up in tax basis of our foreign eBay platforms resulted from our election to terminate an existing tax ruling and finalize a new agreement with the foreign tax authority. In the fourth quarter of 2016, we recognized a tax benefit of $4.6 billion, which represented the income tax effect of this step-up in tax basis. During the first half of 2017, we recognized a noncash income tax charge of $376 million caused by the foreign exchange remeasurement of the associated deferred tax asset. In the first quarter of 2017, we achieved a step-up in the tax basis of the intangible assets in our foreign Classifieds platforms as a result of voluntary domiciling our Classifieds intangible assets into a new jurisdiction and recognized a tax benefit of $695 million.
As a result of the realignment, we no longer benefit from tax rulings previously concluded in several different jurisdictions. Without the benefit of the rulings, the noncash tax impacts of the realignment in our foreign eBay and Classifieds platforms have increased our income tax rate in certain foreign jurisdictions, most significantly Switzerland. The higher rate results from eBay being subject to a higher enacted tax rate for the foreseeable future.
While we experienced a higher tax rate, the realignment allows us to achieve certain cash tax benefits due to the step-up in tax basis achieved in certain foreign jurisdictions. We expect these cash tax benefits to remain consistent, subject to the performance of our foreign platforms, for a period in excess of 10 years. The realignment is expected to extend into 2018 and primarily impact our international entities.
From time to time, we engage in certain intercompany transactions. We consider many factors when evaluating these transactions. These transactions may impact our tax rate and/or result in additional cash tax payments. The impact in any period may be significant. These transactions are complex and the impact of such transactions on future periods may be difficult to estimate.
We are regularly under examination by tax authorities both domestically and internationally. We believe that adequate amounts have been reserved for any adjustments that may ultimately result from these examinations, although we cannot assure you that this will be the case given the inherent uncertainties in these examinations. Due to the ongoing tax examinations, we believe it is impractical to determine the amount and timing of these adjustments.
Non-GAAP Measures of Financial Performance
To supplement our condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles we use FX-Neutral net revenues, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Management uses the foregoing non-GAAP measures in reviewing our financial results. We define FX-Neutral net revenues as net revenues minus the exchange rate effect. We define exchange rate effect as the year-over-year impact of foreign currency movements using prior period foreign currency rates applied to current year transactional currency amounts.
These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. In addition, these non-GAAP measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. Non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the amounts associated with our results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP. These measures should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures.
These non-GAAP measures are provided to enhance investors’ overall understanding of our current financial performance and its prospects for the future. Specifically, we believe these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding the foreign currency exchange rate impact that may not be indicative of our core operating results and business outlook. In addition, because we have historically reported certain non-GAAP results to investors, we believe that the inclusion of these non-GAAP measures provide consistency in our financial reporting.
The following tables set forth a reconciliation of FX-Neutral GMV and FX-Neutral net revenues (each as defined below) to our reported GMV and net revenues for the periods presented (in millions, except percentages):
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 | | Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 | | | | |
| As Reported | | Exchange Rate Effect(1)(3) | | FX-Neutral(2) | | As Reported | | As Reported % Change | | FX-Neutral % Change |
GMV: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Marketplace | $ | 20,518 |
| | $ | 216 |
| | $ | 20,302 |
| | $ | 18,905 |
| | 9 | % | | 7 | % |
StubHub | 1,162 |
| | — |
| | 1,162 |
| | 1,142 |
| | 2 | % | | 2 | % |
Total GMV | $ | 21,680 |
| | $ | 216 |
| | $ | 21,464 |
| | $ | 20,047 |
| | 8 | % | | 7 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Net transaction revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Marketplace | $ | 1,606 |
| | $ | 8 |
| | $ | 1,598 |
| | $ | 1,484 |
| | 8 | % | | 8 | % |
StubHub | 273 |
| | (1 | ) | | 274 |
| | 261 |
| | 5 | % | | 4 | % |
Total net transaction revenues | 1,879 |
| | 7 |
| | 1,872 |
| | 1,745 |
| | 8 | % | | 7 | % |
Marketing services and other revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Marketplace | 293 |
| | 4 |
| | 289 |
| | 273 |
| | 7 | % | | 6 | % |
Classifieds | 235 |
| | 13 |
| | 222 |
| | 197 |
| | 19 | % | | 13 | % |
StubHub, Corporate and other | 2 |
| | — |
| | 2 |
| | 2 |
| | 16 | % | | 12 | % |
Total marketing services and other revenues | 530 |
| | 17 |
| | 513 |
| | 472 |
| | 12 | % | | 9 | % |
Total net revenues | $ | 2,409 |
| | $ | 24 |
| | $ | 2,385 |
| | $ | 2,217 |
| | 9 | % | | 8 | % |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 | | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 | | | | |
| As Reported | | Exchange Rate Effect(1)(3) | | FX-Neutral(2) | | As Reported | | As Reported % Change | | FX-Neutral % Change |
GMV: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Marketplace | $ | 60,890 |
| | $ | (824 | ) | | $ | 61,714 |
| | $ | 58,142 |
| | 5 | % | | 6 | % |
StubHub | 3,088 |
| | (8 | ) | | 3,096 |
| | 3,071 |
| | 1 | % | | 1 | % |
Total GMV | $ | 63,978 |
| | $ | (832 | ) | | $ | 64,810 |
| | $ | 61,213 |
| | 5 | % | | 6 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Net transaction revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Marketplace | $ | 4,721 |
| | $ | (77 | ) | | $ | 4,798 |
| | $ | 4,505 |
| | 5 | % | | 7 | % |
StubHub | 704 |
| | (2 | ) | | 706 |
| | 663 |
| | 6 | % | | 6 | % |
Total net transaction revenues | 5,425 |
| | (79 | ) | | 5,504 |
| | 5,168 |
| | 5 | % | | 6 | % |
Marketing services and other revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Marketplace | 859 |
| | (9 | ) | | 868 |
| | 824 |
| | 4 | % | | 5 | % |
Classifieds | 653 |
| | (3 | ) | | 656 |
| | 590 |
| | 11 | % | | 11 | % |
StubHub, Corporate and other | 17 |
| | — |
| | 17 |
| | 2 |
| | ** |
| | ** |
|
Total marketing services and other revenues | 1,529 |
| | (12 | ) | | 1,541 |
| | 1,416 |
| | 8 | % | | 9 | % |
Total net revenues | $ | 6,954 |
| | $ | (91 | ) | | $ | 7,045 |
| | $ | 6,584 |
| | 6 | % | | 7 | % |
| |
(1) | We define exchange rate effect as the year-over-year impact of foreign currency movements using prior period foreign currency rates applied to current year transactional currency amounts excluding hedging activity. |
| |
(2) | We define FX-Neutral GMV as GMV minus the exchange rate effect. We define the non-GAAP financial measures of FX-Neutral net revenue as net revenue minus exchange rate effect. |
| |
(3) | Marketplace Exchange Rate Effect was unfavorably impacted by $7 million of hedging activity during both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
|
| | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2017 | | 2016 |
| (In millions) |
Net cash provided by (used in): | | | |
Continuing operating activities | $ | 2,158 |
| | $ | 2,207 |
|
Continuing investing activities | (1,510 | ) | | (2,568 | ) |
Continuing financing activities | (888 | ) | | 182 |
|
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents | 184 |
| | 101 |
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents - discontinued operations | — |
| | (1 | ) |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (56 | ) |
| $ | (79 | ) |
Continuing Operating Activities
The net cash provided by continuing operating activities of $2.2 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily due to net income of $1.6 billion with adjustments of $504 million in depreciation and amortization, $193 million in provision for transaction losses and $356 million in stock-based compensation, partially offset by adjustments of $38 million for deferred income taxes and $167 million for the gain on disposal of eBay India, and a decrease of $275 million in changes in assets and liabilities and other, net of acquisition effects.
The net cash provided by continuing operating activities of $2.2 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to net income of $1.3 billion with adjustments of $506 million in depreciation and amortization,$172 million in provision for transaction losses and $306 million in stock-based compensation, and an increase of $9 million in changes in assets and liabilities, and other, net of acquisition effects, partially offset by an adjustment of $123 million for deferred income taxes.
Continuing Investing Activities
The net cash used in continuing investing activities of $1.5 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily due to cash paid for purchases of investments of $11.3 billion, our equity investment in Flipkart of $514 million and property and equipment of $474 million, partially offset by proceeds of $10.8 billion from the maturities and sale of investments.
The net cash used in continuing investing activities of $2.6 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to cash paid for purchases of investments of $7.8 billion, purchases of property and equipment of $490 million and net cash paid for business acquisitions of $201 million, partially offset by proceeds of $5.9 billion from the maturities and sale of investments.
Continuing Financing Activities
The net cash used in continuing financing activities of $888 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily due to cash used to repay $1.5 billion of our outstanding senior notes and to repurchase $1.8 billion of common stock, partially offset by cash proceeds of $2.5 billion from the issuance of senior notes.
The net cash provided by continuing financing activities of $182 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily due to cash inflows of $2.2 billion from the issuance of senior notes partially offset by cash outflows of $2.0 billion to repurchase common stock.
The positive effect of exchange rate movements on cash and cash equivalents was due to the weakening of the U.S. dollar against other currencies, primarily the euro and Korean won during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to 2016 year-end rate.
Stock Repurchases
In July 2016, our Board authorized a $2.5 billion stock repurchase program and in July 2017, our Board authorized an additional $3.0 billion stock repurchase program. These stock repurchase programs have no expiration from the date of authorization. Our stock repurchase programs are intended to programmatically offset the impact of dilution from our equity compensation programs and, subject to market conditions and other factors, to make opportunistic repurchases of our common stock to reduce our outstanding share count. Any share repurchases under our stock repurchase programs may be made through open market transactions, block trades, privately negotiated transactions (including accelerated share repurchase transactions) or other means at times and in such amounts as management deems appropriate and will be funded from our working capital or other financing alternatives.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we repurchased approximately $1.8 billion of our common stock under our stock repurchase program. As of September 30, 2017, a total of approximately $2.6 billion remained available for future repurchases of our common stock under our stock repurchase program.
We expect, subject to market conditions and other uncertainties, to continue making opportunistic repurchases of our common stock. However, our stock repurchase program may be limited or terminated at any time without prior notice. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including corporate and regulatory requirements, price and other market conditions and management’s determination as to the appropriate use of our cash.
Shelf Registration Statement and Debt
Shelf Registration
As of September 30, 2017, we had an effective shelf registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission that allows us to issue various types of debt securities, as well as common stock, preferred stock, warrants, depositary shares representing fractional interest in shares of preferred stock, purchase contracts and units from time to time in one or more offerings. Each issuance under the shelf registration statement will require the filing of a prospectus supplement identifying the amount and terms of the securities to be issued. The registration statement does not limit the amount of securities that may be issued thereunder. Our ability to issue securities is subject to market conditions and other factors including, in the case of our debt securities, our credit ratings and compliance with the covenants in our credit agreement.
Senior Notes
AsOn January 29, 2021, the company announced that it issued a notice of September 30, 2017, we had floating- and fixed-rate senior notes outstandingredemption for anthe $750 million aggregate principal amount of $10.1 billion. The net proceeds from the issuances of these6.000% senior notes are used for general corporate purposes, including, among other things, capital expenditures, share repurchases, repaymentdue 2056. The effective date of indebtedness and possible acquisitions. The floating rate notes are not redeemable prior to maturity. On and afterthis redemption was March 1, 2021, we may redeem some or all of2021. Total cash consideration paid was $750 million, as the 6.000% fixed rate notes due 2056 at any time and from time to time prior to their maturity, at a redemption price was equal to 100% of the principal amount. In addition, we paid accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount.
In March 2021, we settled cash tender offers with holders of approximately 39% of the total outstanding $1 billion aggregate principal amount of the 2.600% senior fixed rate notes due 2022. Total cash consideration paid for these purchases was $405 million and the carrying amount of the notes was $395 million, resulting in a loss on extinguishment of $10 million (including immaterial fees and other costs associated with the tender), which was recorded in interest and other, net in our condensed consolidated statement of income. In addition, we paid any accrued interest on the tendered notes up to, be redeemed, plus accruedbut not including the date of settlement.
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
In May 2021, we issued senior notes, in an aggregate principal amount of $2.5 billion, which consisted of $750 million of 1.400% fixed rate notes due 2026, $750 million of 2.600% fixed rate notes due to 2031 and unpaid interest.$1.0 billion of 3.650% fixed rate notes due 2051.
None of the floating rate notes are redeemable prior to maturity. We may redeem some or all of the other fixed rate notes of each series at any time and from time to time prior to their maturity, generally at a make-whole redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
If a change of control triggering event (as defined in the applicable senior notes) occurs with respect to the 2.500% fixed rate notes due 2018, the 2.150% fixed rate notes due 2020, the 3.800% fixed rate notes due 2022, the floating rate notes due 2023, the 2.750% fixed rate notes due 2023, the 1.900% fixed rate notes due 2025, the 1.400% fixed rate notes due 2026, the 3.600% fixed rate notes due 2027, or the 6.000%2.700% fixed rate notes due 2056,2030, the 2.600% fixed rate notes due 2031 or the 3.650% fixed rate notes due 2051, we must, subject to certain exceptions, offer to repurchase all of the notes of the applicable series at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. For additional details related to our senior notes, please see “Note 9 – Debt” to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report.
To help achieve our interest rate risk management objectives, in connection with the previous issuance of certain senior notes, we entered into interest rate swap agreements that effectively converted $2.4 billion of the fixed rate notes to floating rate debt based on the London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a spread. These swaps were designated as fair value hedges against changes in the fair value of certain fixed rate senior notes resulting from changes in interest rates.
The indenture pursuant to which the senior notes were issued includes customary covenants that, among other things and subject to exceptions, limit our ability to incur, assume or guarantee debt secured by liens on specified
assets or enter into sale and lease-back transactions with respect to specified properties, and also includes customary events of default.default with customary grace periods in certain circumstances, including payment defaults and bankruptcy-related defaults.
To help achieve our interest rate risk management objectives, during the second quarter of 2020, we entered into interest rate swap agreements that effectively converted $400 million of our LIBOR-based floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis. These swaps were designated as cash flow hedges and have maturity dates in 2023.
The effective interest rates for our senior notes include the interest payable, the amortization of debt issuance costs and the amortization of any original issue discount and premium on these senior notes. Interest on these senior notes is payable either quarterly or semiannually. Interest expense associated with these senior notes, including amortization of debt issuance costs, was approximately $66 million and $67 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $191 million and $211 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the estimated fair value of these senior notes, using Level 2 inputs, was approximately $9.6 billion and $8.3 billion, respectively.
Commercial Paper
We have a commercial paper program pursuant to which we may issue commercial paper notes in an aggregate principal amount at maturity of up to $1.5 billion outstanding at any time with maturities of up to 397 days from the date of issue. As of September 30, 2017,2021, there were no commercial paper notes outstanding.
Credit Agreement
In March 2020, we entered into a credit agreement that provides for an unsecured $2 billion five-year credit facility. We may also, subject to the agreement of the applicable lenders, increase commitments under the revolving credit facility by up to $1 billion. Funds borrowed under the credit agreement may be used for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes. The credit agreement replaced our prior $2 billion unsecured revolving credit agreement dated November 2015, which was terminated effective March 2020.
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
As of September 30, 2017,2021, no borrowings were outstanding under our $2 billion credit agreement. However, as described above, we have an up to $1.5 billion commercial paper program and thereforeare required to maintain $1.5 billion of available borrowing capacity under our credit agreement in order to repay commercial paper borrowings in the event we are unable to repay those borrowings from other sources when they become due.due, in an aggregate amount of $1.5 billion. As a result, $500 millionof September 30, 2021, no borrowings were outstanding under our commercial paper program; therefore, $2 billion of borrowing capacity was available as of September 30, 2017 for other purposes permitted by the credit agreement.agreement, subject to customary conditions to borrowing. The credit agreement includes a covenant limiting our consolidated leverage ratio to no more than 4.0:1.0, subject to, upon the occurrence of a qualified material acquisition, if so elected by us, a step-up to 4.5:1.0 for the four fiscal quarters completed following such qualified material acquisition. The credit agreement includes customary representations, warranties,events of default, with corresponding grace periods in certain circumstances, including payment defaults, cross-defaults and bankruptcy-related defaults. In addition, the credit agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants, events of default and indemnification provisions in favor of the banks. The negative covenants include restrictions regarding the incurrence of liens and subsidiary indebtedness, in each case, subject to certaincustomary exceptions. The financial covenants require us to meet a quarterly financial test with respect to a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratiocredit agreement also contains customary representations and a maximum consolidated leverage ratio. The events of default include the occurrence of a change of control (as defined in the credit agreement) with respect to us.warranties.
We were in compliance with all financial covenants in our outstanding debt instruments during the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Note 10 — Balance Sheet Components
Contract Balances
Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. Accounts receivable represents amounts invoiced and revenue recognized prior to invoicing when we have satisfied our performance obligation and have the unconditional right to payment. The allowance for doubtful accounts and authorized credits is estimated based upon our assessment of various factors including historical experience, the age of the accounts receivable balances, current economic conditions reasonable and supportable forecasts, and other factors that may affect our customers’ ability to pay. The allowance for doubtful accounts and authorized credits was $98 million and $136 million as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. As of September 30, 2021, we reported allowances for doubtful accounts of $66 million reflecting a decrease of $31 million, net of write-offs of $99 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.2021.
Credit RatingsDeferred revenue consists of fees received related to unsatisfied performance obligations at the end of the period. Due to the generally short-term duration of contracts, the majority of the performance obligations are satisfied in the following reporting period. The amount of revenue recognized for the nine month period ended September 30, 2021 that was included in the deferred revenue balance at the beginning of the period was $47 million. The amount of revenue recognized for the nine month period ended September 30, 2020 that was included in the deferred revenue balance at the beginning of the period was $64 million.
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,244 | | | $ | 1,101 | |
Customer accounts | 3 | | | — | |
Restricted cash included in short-term investments | 22 | | | 137 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 1,269 | | | $ | 1,238 | |
| | | |
Customer accounts and funds receivable
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3 | | | $ | — | |
Funds receivable | 564 | | | 290 | |
Customer accounts and funds receivable | $ | 567 | | | $ | 290 | |
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Note 11 — Commitments and Contingencies
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of September 30, 2017, we were rated investment grade by Standard and Poor’s Financial Services, LLC (long-term rated BBB+, short-term rated A-2, with a stable outlook), Moody’s Investor Service (long-term rated Baa1, short-term rated P-2, with a stable outlook), and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (long-term rated BBB, short-term rated F-2, with a stable outlook). We disclose these ratings to enhance the understanding of our sources of liquidity and the effects of our ratings on our costs of funds. Our borrowing costs depend, in part, on our credit ratings and any further actions taken by these credit rating agencies to lower our credit ratings, as described above, will likely increase our borrowing costs.
Liquidity and Capital Resource Requirements
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had assets classified as cash and cash equivalents, as well as short-term and long-term non-equity investments, in an aggregate amount of $11.4 billion and $11.0 billion, respectively. As of September 30, 2017, this amount included assets held in certain of our foreign operations totaling approximately $8.7 billion. Of the $8.7 billion held by our non-U.S. subsidiaries, approximately $5.3 billion was available for use in the U.S. without incurring additional U.S. income taxes in excess of the amounts already accrued in our condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2017. As of September 30, 2017, we had not repatriated any of these funds to the U.S. and, as a result, we have not yet paid U.S. tax on any portion of these funds. However, to the extent we repatriate these funds to the U.S., we will be required to pay U.S. income and applicable foreign withholding taxes on those amounts during the period when such repatriation occurs. The remaining amount of non-U.S. cash and cash equivalents, as well as short-term and long-term non-equity investments, have been indefinitely reinvested and, therefore, no U.S. current or deferred taxes have been accrued as this amount is necessary to support our planned ongoing investments in our foreign operations. We believe our U.S. sources of cash and liquidity are sufficient to meet our business needs in the U.S., and we do not expect that we will need to repatriate the funds we have designated as indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S. Under current tax laws, should our plans change and we were to choose to repatriate some or all of the funds we have designated as indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S., such amounts would be subject to U.S. income taxes and applicable non-U.S. income and withholding taxes.
We actively monitor all counterparties that hold our cash and cash equivalents and non-equity investments, focusing primarily on the safety of principal and secondarily on improving yield on these assets. We diversify our cash and cash equivalents and investments among various counterparties in order to reduce our exposure should any one of these counterparties fail or encounter difficulties. To date, we have not experienced any material loss or lack of
access to our invested cash, cash equivalents or short-term investments; however, we can provide no assurances that access to our invested cash, cash equivalents or short-term investments will not be impacted by adverse conditions in the financial markets. At any point in time we have funds in our operating accounts and customer accounts that are deposited and invested with third party financial institutions.
We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments, together with cash expected to be generated from operations, borrowings available under our credit agreement and commercial paper program, and our access to capital markets, will be sufficient to fund our operating activities, anticipated capital expenditures, repayment of debt and stock repurchases for the foreseeable future.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of September 30, 2017,2021, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
We have a cash pooling arrangement with a financial institution for cash management purposes. This arrangement allows for cash withdrawals from the financial institution based upon our aggregate operating cash balances held within the same financial institution (“Aggregate Cash Deposits”). This arrangement also allows us to withdraw amounts exceeding the Aggregate Cash Deposits up to an agreed-upon limit. The net balance of the withdrawals and the Aggregate Cash Deposits are used by the financial institution as a basis for calculating our net interest expense or income under the arrangement. As of September 30, 2017,2021, we had a total of $1.3$1.6 billion in aggregate cash deposits, partially offset by $1.5 billion in cash withdrawals, offsetting our $1.3 billion in Aggregate Cash Deposits held within the financial institution under the cash pooling arrangement.
Litigation and Other Legal Matters
Overview
We are involved in legal and regulatory proceedings on an ongoing basis. Many of these proceedings are in early stages and may seek an indeterminate amount of damages. If we believe that a loss arising from such matters is probable and can be reasonably estimated, we accrue the estimated liability in our financial statements. If only a range of estimated losses can be determined, we accrue an amount within the range that, in our judgment, reflects the most likely outcome; if none of the estimates within that range is a better estimate than any other amount, we accrue the low end of the range. For those proceedings in which an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible but not probable, we have disclosed an estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of losses or we have concluded that an estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of losses arising directly from the proceeding (i.e., monetary damages or amounts paid in judgment or settlement) is not material. If we cannot estimate the probable or reasonably possible loss or range of losses arising from a proceeding, we have disclosed that fact. In assessing the materiality of a proceeding, we evaluate, 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 us to change our business practices in a manner that could have a material adverse impact on our business. With respect to the matters disclosed in this Overview, we are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of losses that could potentially result from the application of such non-monetary remedies.
Amounts accrued for legal and regulatory proceedings for which we believe a loss is probable were not material for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. We have concluded, based on currently available information, that reasonably possible losses arising directly from the proceedings (i.e., monetary damages or amounts paid in judgment or settlement) in excess of our recorded accruals are also not material. However, legal and regulatory proceedings are inherently unpredictable and subject to significant uncertainties. If one or more matters were resolved against us in a reporting period for amounts in excess of management’s expectations, the impact on our operating results or financial condition for that reporting period could be material. Legal fees are expensed as incurred.
General Matters
Third parties have from time to time claimed, and others may claim in the future, that we have infringed their intellectual property rights. We are subject to patent disputes, and expect that we could be subject to additional patent infringement claims involving various aspects of our business as our products and services continue to expand in scope and complexity. Such claims may be brought directly or indirectly against us and/or against our customers (who may be entitled to contractual indemnification under their contracts with us), and we are subject to increased exposure to such claims as a result of our acquisitions and divestitures and in cases where we are entering new lines of business. We have in the past been forced to litigate such claims. We may also become more vulnerable to third-party claims as laws such as the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, the Lanham Act and the
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Communications Decency Act are interpreted by the courts, and as we expand the scope of our business (both in terms of the range of products and services that we offer and our geographical operations) and become subject to laws in jurisdictions where the underlying laws with respect to the potential liability of online intermediaries like ourselves are either unclear or less favorable. We believe that additional lawsuits alleging that we have violated patent, copyright or trademark laws will be filed against us. Intellectual property claims, whether meritorious or not, are time consuming and costly to defend and resolve, could require expensive changes in our methods of doing business or could require us to enter into costly royalty or licensing agreements on unfavorable terms.
From time to time, we are involved in other disputes or regulatory inquiries that arise in the ordinary course of business, including suits by our users (individually or as class actions) alleging, among other things, improper disclosure of our prices, rules or policies, that our practices, prices, rules, policies or customer/user agreements violate applicable law or that we have acted unfairly and/or not acted in conformity with such practices, prices, rules, policies or agreements. Further, the number and significance of these disputes and inquiries are increasing as the political and regulatory landscape changes and, as we have grown larger, our businesses have expanded in scope (both in terms of the range of products and services that we offer and our geographical operations) and our products and services have increased in complexity. Any claims or regulatory actions against us, whether meritorious or not, could be time consuming, result in costly litigation, damage awards (including statutory damages for certain causes of action in certain jurisdictions), injunctive relief or increased costs of doing business through adverse judgment or settlement, require us to change our business practices in expensive ways, require significant amounts of management time, result in the diversion of significant operational resources or otherwise harm our business.
Indemnification Provisions
We entered into a separation and distribution agreement and various other agreements with PayPal to govern the separation and relationship of the two companies going forward.companies. These agreements provide for specific indemnity and liability obligations and could lead to disputes between us and PayPal, which may be significant. In addition, the indemnity rights we have against PayPal under the agreements may not be sufficient to protect us and our indemnity obligations to PayPal may be significant.
In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors, executive officers and certain other officers. These agreements require us to indemnify such individuals, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, for certain liabilities to which they may become subject as a result of their affiliation with us.
In the ordinary course of business, we have included limited indemnification provisions in certain of our agreements with parties with which we have commercial relations, including our standard marketing, promotions and application-programming-interfaceapplication programming interface license agreements. Under these contracts, we generally indemnify, hold harmless and agree to reimburse the indemnified party for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party in connection with claims by a third party with respect to our domain names, trademarks, logos and other branding elements to the extent that such marks are applicable to our performance under the subject agreement. In certain cases, we have agreed to provide indemnification for intellectual property infringement. It is not possible to determine the maximum potential loss under these indemnification provisions due to our limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular provision. To date, losses recorded in our condensed consolidated statement of income in connection with our indemnification provisions have not been significant, either individually or collectively.
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Note 12 — Stockholders’ Equity
Stock Repurchase Program
Our stock repurchase programs are intended to programmatically offset the impact of dilution from our equity compensation programs and, subject to market conditions and other factors, to make opportunistic and programmatic repurchases of our common stock to reduce our outstanding share count. Any share repurchases under our stock repurchase programs may be made through open market transactions, block trades, privately negotiated transactions (including accelerated share repurchase transactions) or other means at times and in such amounts as management deems appropriate and will be funded from our working capital or other financing alternatives. Our stock repurchase programs may be limited or terminated at any time without prior notice. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including corporate and regulatory requirements, price and other market conditions and management’s determination as to the appropriate use of our cash.
In January 2020, our Board authorized an additional $5.0 billion stock repurchase program, in February 2021, our Board authorized an additional $4.0 billion stock repurchase program and in August 2021, our Board authorized an additional $3.0 billion stock repurchase program. These stock repurchase programs have no expiration from the date of authorization.
The following table summarizes stock repurchase activity under our stock repurchase programs for the period indicated (in millions, except per share amounts):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Shares Repurchased (1) | | Average Price per Share (2) | | Value of Shares Repurchased (2) | | Remaining Amount Authorized |
Balance as of January 1, 2021 | | | | | | | $ | 2,033 | |
Authorization of additional plan in February 2021 | | | | | | | 4,000 | |
Authorization of additional plan in August 2021 | | | | | | | 3,000 | |
Repurchase of shares of common stock | 60 | | | $ | 67.11 | | | $ | 4,042 | | | (4,042) | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Balance as of September 30, 2021 | | | | | | | $ | 4,991 | |
(1) These repurchased shares of common stock were recorded as treasury stock and were accounted for under the cost method. None of the repurchased shares of common stock have been retired.
(2) Excludes broker commissions.
Dividends
The Company paid a total of $116 million and $359 million in cash dividends during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, and $111 million and $337 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. In October 2021, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.18 per share of common stock to be paid on December 17, 2021 to stockholders of record as of December 1, 2021.
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Note 13 — Employee Benefit Plans
Restricted Stock Unit Activity
The following table presents restricted stock unit (“RSU”) activity under our equity incentive plans for the period indicated (in millions):
| | | | | |
| Units(1) |
Outstanding as of January 1, 2021 | 25 | |
Awarded | 12 | |
Vested | (9) | |
Forfeited | (4) | |
Outstanding as of September 30, 2021 | 24 | |
(1) Activity presented is inclusive of units granted to employees of our eBay Korea business.
The weighted average grant date fair value for RSUs awarded during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was $63.61 per share.
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
The following table presents the impact on our results of continuing operations of recording stock-based compensation expense for the periods indicated (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2021 | | 2020 |
Cost of net revenues | $ | 12 | | | $ | 10 | | | $ | 35 | | | $ | 30 | |
Sales and marketing | 25 | | | 23 | | | 70 | | | 57 | |
Product development | 50 | | | 37 | | | 147 | | | 113 | |
General and administrative | 40 | | | 40 | | | 113 | | | 101 | |
Total stock-based compensation expense | $ | 127 | | | $ | 110 | | | $ | 365 | | | $ | 301 | |
Capitalized in product development | $ | 3 | | | $ | 3 | | | $ | 9 | | | $ | 11 | |
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Note 14 — Income Taxes
We are subject to both direct and indirect taxation in the U.S. and various states and foreign jurisdictions. We are under examination by certain tax authorities for the 2010 to 2020 tax years. We believe that adequate amounts have been reserved for any adjustments that may ultimately result from these or other examinations. The material jurisdictions where we are subject to potential examination by tax authorities for tax years after 2009 include, among others, the U.S. (Federal and California), Germany, Israel, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Although the timing of the resolution and/or closure of audits is highly uncertain, it is reasonably possible that the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change in the next 12 months. However, given the number of years remaining subject to examination and the number of matters being examined, we are unable to estimate the full range of possible adjustments to the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits.
We have recognized the tax consequences of all foreign unremitted earnings and management has no specific plans to indefinitely reinvest the unremitted earnings of our foreign subsidiaries as of the balance sheet date. We have not provided for deferred taxes on outside basis differences in our investments in our foreign subsidiaries that are unrelated to unremitted earnings. With the exception of eBay Korea recognized in discontinued operations, these basis differences will be indefinitely reinvested. A determination of the unrecognized deferred taxes related to these other components of our outside basis difference is not practicable. In connection with the intent to sell the eBay Korea business as discussed in “Note 1 — The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”, we assessed the outside basis differences relating to eBay Korea and determined that no material deferred taxes need to be provided on the difference as of September 30, 2021.
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Note 15 — Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
The following tables summarize the changes in AOCI for the periods indicated (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments | | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments | | Foreign Currency Translation | | Estimated Tax (Expense) Benefit | | Total |
Balance as of June 30, 2021 | $ | (15) | | | $ | 1 | | | $ | 547 | | | $ | 27 | | | $ | 560 | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | 43 | | | 1 | | | (85) | | | (9) | | | (50) | |
Less: Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI | (17) | | | 1 | | | — | | | 4 | | | (12) | |
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) | 60 | | | — | | | (85) | | | (13) | | | (38) | |
Balance as of September 30, 2021 | $ | 45 | | | $ | 1 | | | $ | 462 | | | $ | 14 | | | $ | 522 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments | | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments | | Foreign Currency Translation | | Estimated Tax (Expense) Benefit | | Total |
Balance as of June 30, 2020 | $ | (9) | | | $ | 6 | | | $ | 299 | | | $ | 25 | | | $ | 321 | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | (35) | | | — | | | 121 | | | 9 | | | 95 | |
Less: Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI | 6 | | | — | | | — | | | (1) | | | 5 | |
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) | (41) | | | — | | | 121 | | | 10 | | | 90 | |
Balance as of September 30, 2020 | $ | (50) | | | $ | 6 | | | $ | 420 | | | $ | 35 | | | $ | 411 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments | | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments | | Foreign Currency Translation | | Estimated Tax (Expense) Benefit | | Total |
Balance as of December 31, 2020 | $ | (85) | | | $ | 5 | | | $ | 654 | | | $ | 42 | | | $ | 616 | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | 69 | | | (3) | | | (192) | | | (14) | | | (140) | |
Less: Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI | (61) | | | 1 | | | — | | | 14 | | | (46) | |
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) | 130 | | | (4) | | | (192) | | | (28) | | | (94) | |
Balance as of September 30, 2021 | $ | 45 | | | $ | 1 | | | $ | 462 | | | $ | 14 | | | $ | 522 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments | | Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments | | Foreign Currency Translation | | Estimated Tax (Expense) Benefit | | Total |
Balance as of December 31, 2019 | $ | (9) | | | $ | 5 | | | $ | 363 | | | $ | 25 | | | $ | 384 | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | (18) | | | 1 | | | 57 | | | 5 | | | 45 | |
Less: Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI | 23 | | | — | | | — | | | (5) | | | 18 | |
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) | (41) | | | 1 | | | 57 | | | 10 | | | 27 | |
Balance as of September 30, 2020 | $ | (50) | | | $ | 6 | | | $ | 420 | | | $ | 35 | | | $ | 411 | |
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
The following table summarizes the reclassifications out of AOCI for the periods indicated (in millions):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Details about AOCI Components | | Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income | | Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified From AOCI |
| | | | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| | | | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2021 | | 2020 |
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign exchange contracts | | Net revenues | | $ | (19) | | | $ | 6 | | | $ | (65) | | | $ | 23 | |
Foreign exchange contracts | | Cost of net revenues | | 1 | | | — | | | 3 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Interest rate contracts | | Interest and other, net | | 1 | | | — | | | 1 | | | — | |
| | Total, from continuing operations before income taxes | | (17) | | | 6 | | | (61) | | | 23 | |
| | Provision for income taxes | | 4 | | | (1) | | | 14 | | | (5) | |
| | Total, from continuing operations net of income taxes | | (13) | | | 5 | | | (47) | | | 18 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments | | Interest and other, net | | 1 | | | — | | | 1 | | | — | |
| | Total, before income taxes | | 1 | | | — | | | 1 | | | — | |
| | Provision for income taxes | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| | Total, net of income taxes | | 1 | | | — | | | 1 | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Total reclassifications for the period | | Total, net of income taxes | | $ | (12) | | | $ | 5 | | | $ | (46) | | | $ | 18 | |
eBay Inc.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)
Note 16 — Restructuring
The following table summarizes restructuring reserve activity for the period indicated (in millions):
| | | | | |
| Employee Severance and Benefits |
Accrued liability as of January 1, 2021 | $ | — | |
Charges | 35 | |
Payments | (30) | |
| |
Accrued liability as of September 30, 2021 | $ | 5 | |
During the first quarter of 2021, management approved plans that included the reduction in workforce and other exit costs. The reduction was substantially completed in the first quarter of 2021 and resulted in a pre-tax charge of $35 million.
During the first quarter of 2020 we substantially completed the reduction in workforce that was approved by management during the fourth quarter of 2019. We incurred pre-tax restructuring charges of approximately $7 million primarily during the first quarter of 2020 in connection with the action taken in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Restructuring charges are included in general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statement of income.
ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements that involve expectations, plans or intentions (such as those relating to future business, future results of operations or financial condition, including with respect to the ongoing effects of COVID-19, new or planned features or services, or management strategies, including our portfolio review). You can generally identify these forward-looking statements by words such as “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan” and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, those discussed in “Part I – Item 1A: Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the “2020 Form 10-K”), as well as in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, related notes, and the other information appearing elsewhere in this report and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any of our forward-looking statements after the date of this report to reflect actual results or future events or circumstances. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. You should read the following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in this report.
When we refer to “we,” “our,” “us” or “eBay” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we mean the current Delaware corporation (eBay Inc.) and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.
OVERVIEW
Business
eBay Inc. is a global commerce leader, which includes our Marketplace platforms. Founded in 1995 in San Jose, California, eBay is one of the world’s largest and most vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique selection. Collectively, we connect millions of buyers and sellers around the world, empowering people and creating opportunity. Our technologies and services are designed to provide buyers choice and a breadth of relevant inventory and to enable sellers worldwide to organize and offer their inventory for sale, virtually anytime and anywhere.
In 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) as a pandemic and continues to be widespread with uncertainty around its duration. As a result of COVID-19 mobility restrictions globally, there were changes in consumer behavior that resulted in more online shopping, particularly from the second quarter of 2020 through the first quarter of 2021. These changes in behavior began to normalize in the second quarter of 2021 as mobility is returning to pre-pandemic levels. Our Marketplace platforms experienced improved traffic and buyer acquisition due to the impact of measures taken globally to contain the spread of COVID-19. The Marketplace platforms also experienced improved acquisition of small business sellers. While the impact of COVID-19 had a positive impact on our reported results from the second quarter of 2020 through the first quarter of 2021, as mobility returns to pre-pandemic levels globally we have experienced volatility and lower traffic in most markets. It is uncertain how consumer behaviors will trend as mobility continues to fluctuate in response to macroeconomic impacts of COVID-19. The impacts seen to date continue to create volatility in our results and a wider range of potential outcomes as consumer behaviors and mobility restrictions continue to evolve. See “Results of Operations” below for impacts of COVID-19 on our results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same periods in 2020. For additional information, see “– Liquidity and Capital Resource Requirements” below and “Item 1A: Risk Factors” under the caption “The global COVID-19 pandemic could harm our business and results of operations” in the 2020 Form 10-K.
On June 24, 2021, we completed the previously announced transfer our Classifieds business to Adevinta ASA (“Adevinta”) for $2.5 billion in cash, subject to certain adjustments, and approximately 540 million shares in Adevinta which represent equity interest of 44%, comprised of approximately 33% of voting shares and 11% non-voting shares. Together, the total consideration received under the definitive agreement was valued at approximately $13.3 billion, based on the closing trading price of Adevinta’s outstanding shares on the Oslo Stock Exchange on June 24, 2021. The equity interest received is accounted for under the fair value option. We have classified the results of our Classifieds business as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated statement of income for the periods presented through June 24, 2021. Additionally, the related assets and liabilities associated with the discontinued operations are classified as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. See “Note 3 — Discontinued Operations” in our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.
On June 30, 2021, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with E-mart Inc. and one of its wholly owned subsidiaries (together, “Emart”), to sell 80.01% of the outstanding equity interests of eBay Korea LLC, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Korea and a wholly owned subsidiary of eBay KTA (“eBay Korea”), pursuant to the terms and conditions of the securities purchase agreement, in exchange for KRW 3.44 trillion, or approximately $3.0 billion as of the agreement date, subject to certain adjustments specified for indebtedness, cash, working capital, transaction expenses and certain taxes. We will retain 19.99% of the outstanding equity interests of eBay Korea. The transaction is expected to close within one year, subject to certain conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals. Beginning in the second quarter of 2021, we have classified the related assets and liabilities associated with our eBay Korea business as held for sale in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. The results of our eBay Korea business have been presented as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated statement of income for all periods presented as the transfer represents a strategic shift in our business that has a major effect on our operations and financial results. See “Note 3 — Discontinued Operations” for additional information.
On July 14, 2021, we entered into a share purchase agreement with Astinlux Finco S.à r.l. (“Permira”) to sell approximately 125 million of our voting shares in Adevinta for total consideration of $2.25 billion. The price represents an approximate 7% discount to the 10-day volume weighted average price (“VWAP”) of Adevinta shares as of July 12, 2021 and a 5% discount to the 30-day VWAP as of July 12, 2021. In addition, we granted Permira an option, exercisable within 30 days after the date of the purchase agreement, to purchase approximately 10 million additional voting shares for $180 million in consideration. On July 29, 2021, Permira exercised the option. At the close of both transactions, our ownership in Adevinta will be reduced to 33%, which satisfies our commitment to regulators. The transactions are expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to the receipt of required regulatory approvals.
Presentation
In addition to the corresponding measures under generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), management uses non-GAAP measures in reviewing our financial results. The foreign exchange neutral (“FX-Neutral”), or constant currency, net revenue amounts discussed below are non-GAAP financial measures and are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Accordingly, the FX-Neutral information appearing in the following discussion of our results of operations should be read in conjunction with the information provided below in “Non-GAAP Measures of Financial Performance,” which includes reconciliations of FX-Neutral financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. We calculate the year-over-year impact of foreign currency movements using prior period foreign currency rates applied to current year transactional currency amounts.
Quarter Highlights
Net revenues increased 11% to $2.5 billion during the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. FX-Neutral net revenue increased 10% during the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. Operating margin decreased to 26.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to 29.3% for the same period in 2020. Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations decreased to $0.43 during the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to $0.86 in the same period in 2020.
We generated cash flow from continuing operating activities of $661 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to $646 million in the same period in 2020.
During the three months ended September 30, 2021, we repurchased $2.25 billion of common stock and paid $116 million in cash dividends.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We have one reportable segment to reflect the way management and our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) review and assess performance of the business. Our reportable segment is Marketplace, which includes our online marketplace located at www.ebay.com, its localized counterparts and the eBay suite of mobile apps. The accounting policies of our segment are the same as those described in “Note 1 — The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in our condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. Prior period segment information has been reclassified to conform to the current period segment presentation.
Net Revenues
Seasonality
We expect transaction activity patterns on our platforms to mirror general consumer buying patterns and expect that these trends will continue. As we introduce new products and platforms, such as managed payments, we expect net revenues to fluctuate. In addition, macroeconomic conditions, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, also contribute to fluctuations in revenues and margins. The following table sets forth sequential quarterly movements of our total net revenues for the periods indicated (in millions, except percentages):
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| Quarter Ended |
| March 31 | | June 30 | | September 30 | | December 31 |
2019 | | | | | | | |
Net revenues | $ | 1,867 | | | $ | 1,859 | | | $ | 1,799 | | | $ | 1,904 | |
% change from prior quarter | ** | | — | % | | (3) | % | | 6 | % |
2020 | | | | | | | |
Net revenues | $ | 1,821 | | | $ | 2,337 | | | $ | 2,258 | | | $ | 2,478 | |
% change from prior quarter | (4) | % | | 28 | % | | (3) | % | | 10 | % |
2021 | | | | | | | |
Net revenues | $ | 2,638 | | | $ | 2,668 | | | $ | 2,501 | | | $ | — | |
% change from prior quarter | 6 | % | | 1 | % | | (6) | % | | |
** Growth for the period excluded as 2018 revenue numbers have not yet been re-casted and provided.
Net Revenues by Geography
Revenues are attributed to U.S. and international geographies primarily based upon the country in which the seller, platform that displays advertising, other service provider or customer, as the case may be, is located. The following table presents net revenues by geography for the periods indicated (in millions, except percentages):
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| Three Months Ended September 30, | | % Change | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | % Change |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | As Reported | | 2021 | | 2020 | | As Reported |
U.S. | $ | 1,198 | | | $ | 1,078 | | | 11 | % | | $ | 3,798 | | | $ | 2,986 | | | 27 | % |
Percentage of net revenues | 48 | % | | 48 | % | | | | 49 | % | | 47 | % | | |
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International | 1,303 | | | 1,180 | | | 10 | % | | 4,009 | | | 3,430 | | | 17 | % |
Percentage of net revenues | 52 | % | | 52 | % | | | | 51 | % | | 53 | % | | |
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Total net revenues | $ | 2,501 | | | $ | 2,258 | | | 11 | % | | $ | 7,807 | | | $ | 6,416 | | | 22 | % |
Our commerce platforms operate globally, resulting in certain revenues that are denominated in foreign currencies, including the British pound and euro. In addition, as shown in the table above, we generate a majority of our net revenues internationally. Because of these factors, we are subject to the risks related to doing business in foreign countries as discussed in “Part I - Item 1A: Risk Factors” of the 2020 Form 10-K.
Net revenues included $19 million and $65 million of hedging losses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, as compared to $6 million and $23 million of hedging gains during the same periods in 2020. The hedging activity in net revenues specifically relates to hedges of net transaction revenues. Foreign currency movements relative to the U.S. dollar had a favorable impact of $32 million on net revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to a favorable impact of $33 million during the same period in 2020, and a favorable impact of $181 million on net revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to an unfavorable impact of $6 million on net revenues during the same period in 2020.
The effect of foreign currency exchange rate movements during the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 was primarily attributable to the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the British pound and euro. The effect of foreign currency exchange rate movements during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 was primarily attributable to the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the British pound and euro.
Net Revenues by Type
We generate two types of net revenues:
Net transaction revenues primarily include final value fees, feature fees, including fees to promote listings, and listing fees from sellers on our platforms. Our net transaction revenues also include store subscription and other fees, often from large enterprise sellers. Our net transaction revenues are reduced by incentives, including discounts, coupons and rewards, provided to our customers.
Marketing services and other (“MS&O”)revenues consist of revenues principally from the sale of advertisements and revenue sharing arrangements.
The following table presents net revenues by type (in millions, except percentages):
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| Three Months Ended September 30, | | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | % Change | | 2021 | | 2020 | | % Change |
Net transaction revenues | $ | 2,350 | | | $ | 2,098 | | | 12 | % | | $ | 7,322 | | | $ | 5,935 | | | 23 | % |
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MS&O revenues | 151 | | | 160 | | | (6) | % | | 485 | | | 481 | | | 1 | % |
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Total net revenues | $ | 2,501 | | | $ | 2,258 | | | 11 | % | | $ | 7,807 | | | $ | 6,416 | | | 22 | % |
Net Transaction Revenues
Key Operating Metrics
Gross Merchandise Volume (“GMV”) and take rate are significant factors that we believe affect our net transaction revenues.
GMV consists of the total value of all successfully closed transactions between users on our platforms during the applicable period, regardless of whether the buyer and seller actually consummated the transaction. Despite GMV’s divergence from revenue, we still believe that GMV provides a useful measure of the overall volume of closed transactions that flow through our platforms in a given period, notwithstanding the inclusion in GMV of closed transactions that are not ultimately consummated.
Take rate is defined as net transaction revenues divided by GMV and represents net transaction revenue as a percentage of overall volume on our platforms. We believe that take rate provides a useful measure of our ability to monetize volume through marketplace services on our platforms in a given period. We use take rate to identify key revenue drivers on our marketplace.
Net Transaction Revenues
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| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Change | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | Change |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | As Reported | | FX-Neutral | | 2021 | | 2020 | | As Reported | | FX-Neutral |
| (In millions, except percentages) |
Net transaction revenues(1) | $ | 2,350 | | $ | 2,098 | | 12 | % | | 11 | % | | $ | 7,322 | | $ | 5,935 | | 23 | % | | 21 | % |
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Supplemental data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
GMV | $ | 19,453 | | $ | 21,674 | | (10) | % | | (12) | % | | $ | 65,178 | | $ | 63,148 | | 3 | % | | — | % |
Take rate | 12.08 | % | | 9.68 | % | | 2.40 | % | | | | 11.24 | % | | 9.40 | % | | 1.84 | % | | |
(1) Net transaction revenues were net of $19 million and $65 million hedging activity during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 and net of $6 million and $23 million hedging activity during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.
Net transaction revenues increased $252 million during the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 primarily due to the migration of managed payments on a global basis and the associated higher take rate. GMV decline during the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 was primarily due to a decline in traffic experienced as mobility restrictions continue to ease around the world.
Net transaction revenues increased $1.4 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. Net transaction revenues increased at a faster rate than GMV primarily due to the migration of managed payments on a global basis. GMV growth during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was driven by improved traffic and buyer acquisition during the first quarter of 2021 offset by a decline in traffic in the second quarter and the third quarter of 2021. Traffic has fluctuated throughout 2021 and 2020 in response to the pervasive macroeconomic impacts of COVID-19, including mobility restrictions which influence consumer engagement in online shopping.
Transaction take rate was higher during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same periods in 2020, as a result of revenue initiatives such as global payments which resulted in over 90% share of global on-platform volume processed through managed payments and promoted listings which along with final value fees are calculated as a percentage of an item’s sale price and category mix. Through September 30, 2021, over 90% of the managed payments migration was completed and we expect to complete the migration by the end of 2021. The take rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 also increased as a result of lower credit reserves taken compared to the same period in 2020. The increase in take rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 was partially offset by category mix and hedging activities.
The increase in net transaction revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 was due to take rate considerations discussed above, despite declining GMV. We expect that the divergence between net transaction revenues and GMV to continue throughout 2021 and beyond. Despite GMV’s divergence from net transaction revenues, we still believe the metric provides a useful measure of overall volume of closed transactions that flow through the platform in a given period.
Marketing Services and Other Revenues
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| Three Months Ended September 30, | | % Change | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | % Change |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | As Reported | | FX-Neutral | | 2021 | | 2020 | | As Reported | | FX-Neutral |
| (In millions, except percentages) |
MS&O revenues | $ | 151 | | | $ | 160 | | | (6) | % | | (7) | % | | $ | 485 | | | $ | 481 | | | 1 | % | | (1) | % |
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The decrease in MS&O revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 was primarily attributable to a decrease in advertising revenues.
MS&O revenues were relatively flat during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 primarily due to an increase in revenues from revenue sharing arrangements for shipping agreements partially offset by a decrease in advertising revenues.
Cost of Net Revenues
Cost of net revenues primarily consists of costs associated with customer support, site operations, costs of goods sold and payment processing. Significant components of these costs include employee compensation, contractor costs, facilities costs, depreciation of equipment and amortization expense, bank transaction fees, credit card interchange and assessment fees, authentication costs and digital services tax. The following table presents cost of net revenues (in millions, except percentages):
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| Three Months Ended September 30, | | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | % Change | | 2021 | | 2020 | | % Change |
Cost of net revenues | $ | 678 | | | $ | 478 | | | 42 | % | | $ | 1,956 | | | $ | 1,249 | | | 57 | % |
Percentage of net revenues | 27.1 | % | | 21.2 | % | | | | 25.1 | % | | 19.5 | % | | |
Cost of net revenues, net of immaterial hedging activities, was unfavorably impacted by $5 million attributable to foreign currency movements relative to the U.S. dollar during the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. Cost of net revenues, net of immaterial hedging activities, was unfavorably impacted by $32 million attributable to foreign currency movements relative to the U.S. dollar during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.
The increase in cost of net revenues during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same periods in 2020 was primarily due to an increase in payment processing costs as we continue to transition customers to our payments platform and an unfavorable impact from foreign currency movements relative to the U.S. dollar.
Operating Expenses
The following table presents operating expenses (in millions, except percentages):
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| Three Months Ended September 30, | | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | % Change | | 2021 | | 2020 | | % Change |
Sales and marketing | $ | 496 | | | $ | 528 | | | (6) | % | | $ | 1,601 | | | $ | 1,445 | | | 11 | % |
Percentage of net revenues | 20 | % | | 23 | % | | | | 21 | % | | 23 | % | | |
Product development | 334 | | | 271 | | | 23 | % | | 988 | | | 745 | | | 33 | % |
Percentage of net revenues | 13 | % | | 12 | % | | | | 13 | % | | 12 | % | | |
General and administrative | 219 | | | 253 | | | (13) | % | | 715 | | | 737 | | | (3) | % |
Percentage of net revenues | 9 | % | | 11 | % | | | | 9 | % | | 11 | % | | |
Provision for transaction losses | 112 | | | 60 | | | 88 | % | | 303 | | | 245 | | | 24 | % |
Percentage of net revenues | 4 | % | | 3 | % | | | | 4 | % | | 4 | % | | |
Amortization of acquired intangible assets | — | | | 6 | | | (100) | % | | 9 | | | 20 | | | (57) | % |
Total operating expenses | $ | 1,161 | | | $ | 1,118 | | | 4 | % | | $ | 3,616 | | | $ | 3,192 | | | 13 | % |
Foreign currency movements relative to the U.S. dollar had an unfavorable impact of $12 million on operating expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, and an unfavorable impact of $80 million on operating expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. There was no hedging activity within operating expenses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021.
Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing expenses primarily consist of advertising and marketing program costs (both online and offline), employee compensation, certain user coupons and rewards, contractor costs, facilities costs and depreciation on equipment. Online marketing expenses represent traffic acquisition costs in various channels such as paid search, affiliates marketing and display advertising. Offline advertising primarily includes brand campaigns and buyer/seller communications.
The decrease in sales and marketing expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 was primarily due to a decrease in certain user coupons and rewards of approximately $30 million.
The increase in sales and marketing expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 was primarily due to an increase in online and offline advertising expenses of approximately $140 million.
Product Development
Product development expenses primarily consist of employee compensation, contractor costs, facilities costs and depreciation on equipment. Product development expenses are net of required capitalization of major platform and other product development efforts, including the development and maintenance of our technology platform. Our top technology priorities include payment intermediation capabilities and improved seller tools and buyer experiences built on a foundation of structured data.
The increase in product development expenses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same periods in 2020 was primarily due to an increase in employee related costs of approximately $60 million and $260 million, respectively.
Capitalized internal use and platform development costs were $33 million and $96 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, compared to $32 million and $96 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020. These costs are primarily reflected as a cost of net revenues when amortized in future periods.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses primarily consist of employee compensation, contractor costs, facilities costs, depreciation of equipment, employer payroll taxes on stock-based compensation, legal expenses, restructuring, insurance premiums and professional fees. Our legal expenses, including those related to various ongoing legal proceedings, may fluctuate substantially from period to period.
The decrease in general and administrative expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 was primarily due to charitable contributions made in 2020 of $11 million that did not occur in 2021, a decrease in professional and legal fees and a decrease in employee related costs.
The decrease in general and administrative expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 was primarily due to the absence of costs related to our CEO transition in 2020 of $33 million and charitable contributions made in 2020 of approximately $25 million that did not occur in 2021. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in employee related costs of approximately $40 million.
Provision for Transaction Losses
Provision for transaction losses primarily consists of transaction loss expense associated with our buyer protection programs, losses from our managed payments services, fraud and bad debt expense associated with our accounts receivable balance. We expect our provision for transaction losses to fluctuate depending on many factors, including changes to our protection programs and the impact of regulatory changes.
The increase in provision for transaction losses during the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 was primarily due to higher chargeback losses of $27 million incurred for managed payments as we scale the platform and higher customer protection program costs of $20 million.
The increase in provision for transaction losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 was primarily due to higher chargeback losses of $55 million incurred for managed payments as we scale the platform and higher customer protection program costs of $41 million. These increases were partially offset by lower bad debt expense as a result of fees collected through the managed payments platform and lapping of provisions recognized in 2020 related to COVID-19 of $34 million.
Interest and Other, Net
Interest and other, net primarily consists of interest earned on cash, cash equivalents and investments, as well as foreign exchange transaction gains and losses, gains and losses due to changes in fair value of the warrant received from Adyen, gains and losses due to changes in fair value of our equity investment in Adevinta, gains and losses related to our equity investment in KakaoBank, our portion of operating results from investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting, investment gain/loss on acquisitions or disposals and interest expense, consisting of interest charges on any amounts borrowed and commitment fees on unborrowed amounts under our credit agreement and interest expense on our outstanding debt securities and commercial paper, if any. The following table presents interest and other, net for the periods indicated (in millions, except percentages):
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| Three Months Ended September 30, | | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | % Change | | 2021 | | 2020 | | % Change |
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Total interest and other, net | $ | (228) | | | $ | 94 | | | ** | | $ | (676) | | | $ | 276 | | | ** |
Percentage of net revenues | (9) | % | | 4 | % | | | | (9) | % | | 4 | % | | |
** Not meaningful
The decrease in interest and other, net during the three months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 was primarily attributable to the $1.1 billion loss related to the equity investment in Adevinta partially offset by the $595 million gain related to the equity investment in KakaoBank and the $120 million net change in the gain related to the Adyen warrant.
The decrease in interest and other, net during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 was primarily attributable to the $1.5 billion loss related to the equity investment in Adevinta and the $113 million net change in the gain related to the Adyen warrant, partially offset by the $595 million gain related to the equity investment in KakaoBank.
Income Tax Provision
The following table presents provision for income taxes for the periods indicated (in millions, except percentages):
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| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2021 | | 2020 | | 2021 | | 2020 |
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Income tax provision | $ | 151 | | $ | 151 | | $ | 414 | | $ | 536 |
Effective tax rate | 34.7 | % | | 20.1 | % | | 26.5 | % | | 23.8 | % |
The increase in our effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the same periods in 2020 was primarily due to non-deductible unrealized losses partially offset by an increased tax benefit from stock based compensation. The nine months ended September 30, 2020 included the effects of a retroactive California law change including incremental taxes on the gain on the sale of StubHub.
We are regularly under examination by tax authorities both domestically and internationally. We believe that adequate amounts have been reserved for any adjustments that may ultimately result from these examinations, although we cannot assure you that this will be the case given the inherent uncertainties in these examinations. Due to the ongoing tax examinations, we believe it is impractical to determine the amount and timing of these adjustments.
Discontinued Operations
On June 24, 2021, we completed the previously announced transfer of our Classifieds business to Adevinta. We have classified the results of our Classifieds business as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated statement of income for the periods presented through June 24, 2021. Additionally, the related assets and liabilities associated with the discontinued operations are classified as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. See “Note 3 — Discontinued Operations” in our condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for additional information.
On June 30, 2021, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with Emart to sell 80.01% of the outstanding equity interests of eBay Korea, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the securities purchase agreement, in exchange for KRW 3.44 trillion, or approximately $3.0 billion as of the agreement date, subject to certain adjustments specified for indebtedness, cash, working capital, transaction expenses and certain taxes. We will retain 19.99% of the outstanding equity interests of eBay Korea. The transaction is expected to close within one year, subject to certain conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals. The results of the eBay Korea business have been presented as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated statement of income for all periods presented. Additionally, beginning in the second quarter of 2021, we have classified the related assets and liabilities associated with the eBay Korea business as held for sale in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. See “Note 3 — Discontinued Operations” in our condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report for additional information.
Non-GAAP Measures of Financial Performance
To supplement our condensed consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, we use FX-Neutral net revenues, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Management uses the foregoing non-GAAP measures in reviewing our financial results. We define FX-Neutral net revenues as net revenues minus the exchange rate effect. We define exchange rate effect as the year-over-year impact of foreign currency movements using prior period foreign currency rates applied to current year transactional currency amounts, excluding hedging activity.
These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. In addition, these non-GAAP measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. Non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the amounts associated with our results of operations as determined in accordance with GAAP. These measures should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the corresponding GAAP measures.
These non-GAAP measures are provided to enhance investors’ overall understanding of our current financial performance and its prospects for the future. Specifically, we believe these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding the foreign currency exchange rate impact that may not be indicative of our core operating results and business outlook. In addition, because we have historically reported certain non-GAAP results to investors, we believe that the inclusion of these non-GAAP measures provide consistency in our financial reporting.
The following tables set forth a reconciliation of FX-Neutral GMV and FX-Neutral net revenues (each as defined below) to our reported GMV and net revenues for the periods indicated (in millions, except percentages):
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| Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 | | Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 | | | | |
| As Reported | | Exchange Rate Effect(1)(3) | | FX-Neutral(2) | | As Reported | | As Reported % Change | | FX-Neutral % Change |
GMV | $ | 19,453 | | | $ | 390 | | | $ | 19,063 | | | $ | 21,674 | | | (10) | % | | (12) | % |
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Net Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Net transaction revenues | $ | 2,350 | | | $ | 30 | | | $ | 2,320 | | | $ | 2,098 | | | 12 | % | | 11 | % |
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Marketing services and other revenues | 151 | | | 2 | | | 149 | | | 160 | | | (6) | % | | (7) | % |
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Total net revenues | $ | 2,501 | | | $ | 32 | | | $ | 2,469 | | | $ | 2,258 | | | 11 | % | | 10 | % |
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| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021 | | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 | | | | |
| As Reported | | Exchange Rate Effect(1)(3) | | FX-Neutral(2) | | As Reported | | As Reported % Change | | FX-Neutral % Change |
GMV | $ | 65,178 | | | $ | 2,329 | | | $ | 62,849 | | | $ | 63,148 | | | 3 | % | | — | % |
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Net Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Net transaction revenues | $ | 7,322 | | | $ | 173 | | | $ | 7,149 | | | $ | 5,935 | | | 23 | % | | 21 | % |
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Marketing services and other revenues | 485 | | | 8 | | | 477 | | | 481 | | | 1 | % | | (1) | % |
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Total net revenues | $ | 7,807 | | | $ | 181 | | | $ | 7,626 | | | $ | 6,416 | | | 22 | % | | 20 | % |
(1) We define exchange rate effect as the year-over-year impact of foreign currency movements using prior period foreign currency rates applied to current year transactional currency amounts excluding hedging activity.
(2) We define FX-Neutral GMV as GMV minus the exchange rate effect. We define the non-GAAP financial measures of FX-Neutral net revenues as net revenues minus the exchange rate effect.
(3) Net transaction revenues were net of $19 million and $65 million of hedging activity during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, and net of $6 million and $23 million of hedging activity during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2021 | | 2020 |
| (In millions) |
Net cash provided by (used in): | | | |
Continuing operating activities | $ | 2,618 | | | $ | 2,174 | |
Continuing investing activities | (1,565) | | | (426) | |
Continuing financing activities | (3,247) | | | (5,134) | |
Effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 30 | | | 25 | |
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash - discontinued operations | 2,191 | | | 3,484 | |
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | 27 | | | $ | 123 | |
Continuing Operating Activities
Cash provided by continuing operating activities of $2.6 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to cash provided by continuing operating activities of $2.2 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily attributable to an increase in operating income from continuing operations of $260 million. The increase in operating income from continuing operations was primarily due to an increase in revenues, primarily as a result of the migration of managed payments on a global basis and the associated higher take rate as noted in our comments on “Net Transaction Revenues.” The remaining changes in continuing operating cash flows are attributable to changes in non-cash items and working capital movements.
Net income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was primarily related to the gain on the sale of the Classifieds business in the second quarter of 2021. Net income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily related to the gain on the sale of the StubHub business in the first quarter of 2020. Our operating cash flows arise primarily from cash received from our customers on our platforms offset by cash payments for sales and marketing, employee compensation and payment processing expenses.
Continuing Investing Activities
Cash used in continuing investing activities of $1.6 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was primarily attributable to cash paid for investments of $15.1 billion and property and equipment of $341 million, partially offset by proceeds of $13.9 billion from the maturities and sales of investments.
Continuing Financing Activities
Cash used in continuing financing activities of $3.2 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2021 was primarily attributable to debt repayments of $1.2 billion, which was comprised of $750 million related to our 6.000% senior fixed rate notes due 2056 that were redeemed and $405 million related to our 2.600% senior fixed rate notes due 2022 that were repurchased pursuant to a tender offer, cash paid to repurchase $4.0 billion of common stock and $359 million paid in cash dividends, partially offset by proceeds from debt issuances of $2.5 billion.
The positive effect of exchange rate movements on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash was due to the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against other currencies during the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the 2020 year-end rate.
Stock Repurchases
In January 2020, our Board authorized a $5.0 billion stock repurchase program, in February 2021, our Board authorized an additional $4.0 billion stock repurchase program and in August 2021, our Board authorized an additional $3.0 billion stock repurchase program. These stock repurchase programs have no expiration from the date of authorization.
Our stock repurchase programs are intended to programmatically offset the impact of dilution from our equity compensation programs and, subject to market conditions and other factors, to make opportunistic and programmatic repurchases of our common stock to reduce our outstanding share count. Any share repurchases under our stock repurchase programs may be made through open market transactions, block trades, privately negotiated transactions (including accelerated share repurchase transactions) or other means at times and in such amounts as management deems appropriate and will be funded from our working capital or other financing alternatives.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, we repurchased approximately $4.0 billion of our common stock under our stock repurchase programs. As of September 30, 2021, a total of approximately $5.0 billion remained available for future repurchases of our common stock under our stock repurchase programs.
We expect, subject to market conditions and other uncertainties, to continue making opportunistic and programmatic repurchases of our common stock. However, our stock repurchase programs may be limited or terminated at any time without prior notice. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including corporate and regulatory requirements, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, price and other market conditions and management’s determination as to the appropriate use of our cash.
Dividends
The Company paid a total of $116 million and $359 million in cash dividends during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively, and $111 million and $337 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. In October 2021, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.18 per share of common stock to be paid on December 17, 2021 to stockholders of record as of December 1, 2021.
Debt
Senior Notes
As of September 30, 2021, we had floating- and fixed-rate senior notes outstanding for an aggregate principal amount of $9.1 billion. The net proceeds from the issuances of these senior notes are used for general corporate purposes, including, among other things, capital expenditures, share repurchases, repayment of indebtedness and possible acquisitions. The floating rate notes are not redeemable prior to maturity. We may redeem some or all of the other fixed rate notes of each series at any time and from time to time prior to their maturity, generally at a make-whole redemption price plus accrued and unpaid interest. If a change of control triggering event (as defined in the applicable senior notes) occurs with respect to the 3.800% fixed rate notes due 2022, the floating rate notes due 2023, the 2.750% fixed rate notes due 2023, the 1.900% fixed rate notes due 2025, the 1.400% fixed rate notes due 2026, the 3.600% fixed rate notes due 2027, the 2.700% fixed rate notes due 2030, the 2.600% fixed rate notes due 2031 or the 3.650% fixed rate notes due 2051, we must, subject to certain exceptions, offer to repurchase all of the notes of the applicable series at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. For additional details related to our senior notes, please see “Note 9 — Debt” to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report.
During 2020, we began to hedge the variability of the cash flows in interest payments associated with our floating-rate debt using interest rate swaps. These interest rate swap agreements effectively convert our LIBOR-based floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis, reducing the impact of interest-rate changes on future interest expense. The total notional amount of these interest swaps was $400 million as of September 30, 2021 with terms calling for us to receive interest at a variable rate and to pay interest at a fixed rate. Our interest rate swap contracts have maturity dates in 2023.
The indenture pursuant to which the senior notes were issued includes customary covenants that, among other things and subject to exceptions, limit our ability to incur, assume or guarantee debt secured by liens on specified assets or enter into sale and lease-back transactions with respect to specified properties, and also includes customary events of default with customary grace periods in certain circumstances, including payment defaults and bankruptcy-related defaults.
Commercial Paper
We have a commercial paper program pursuant to which we may issue commercial paper notes in an aggregate principal amount at maturity of up to $1.5 billion outstanding at any time with maturities of up to 397 days from the date of issue. As of September 30, 2021, there were no commercial paper notes outstanding.
Credit Agreement
In March 2020, we entered into a credit agreement that provides for an unsecured $2 billion five-year credit facility. We may also, subject to the agreement of the applicable lenders, increase commitments under the revolving credit facility by up to $1 billion. Funds borrowed under the credit agreement may be used for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes. The credit agreement replaced our prior $2 billion unsecured revolving credit agreement dated November 2015, which was terminated effective March 2020.
As of September 30, 2021, no borrowings were outstanding under our $2 billion credit agreement. However, as described above, we have an up to $1.5 billion commercial paper program and are required to maintain available borrowing capacity under our credit agreement in order to repay commercial paper borrowings in the event we are unable to repay those borrowings from other sources when they become due, in an aggregate amount of $1.5 billion. As of September 30, 2021, no borrowings were outstanding under our commercial paper program; therefore, $2.0 billion of borrowing capacity was available for other purposes permitted by the credit agreement. The credit agreement includes a covenant limiting our consolidated leverage ratio to no more than 4.0:1.0, subject to, upon the occurrence of a qualified material acquisition, if so elected by us, a step-up to 4.5:1.0 for the four fiscal quarters completed following such qualified material acquisition. The credit agreement includes customary events of default, with corresponding grace periods in certain circumstances, including payment defaults, cross-defaults and bankruptcy-related defaults.In addition, the credit agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including restrictions regarding the incurrence of liens and subsidiary indebtedness, in each case, subject to customary exceptions. The credit agreement also contains customary representations and warranties.
We were in compliance with all financial covenants in our outstanding debt instruments for the nine months ended September 30, 2021.
Credit Ratings
As of September 30, 2021, we were rated investment grade by Standard and Poor’s Financial Services, LLC (long-term rated BBB+, short-term rated A-2, with a stable outlook) and Moody’s Investor Service (long-term rated Baa1, short-term rated P-2, with a stable outlook). We disclose these ratings to enhance the understanding of our sources of liquidity and the effects of our ratings on our costs of funds. Our borrowing costs depend, in part, on our credit ratings and any actions taken by these credit rating agencies to lower our credit ratings, as described above, will likely increase our borrowing costs.
Liquidity and Capital Resource Requirements
As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had assets classified as cash and cash equivalents, as well as short-term and long-term non-equity investments from continuing operations, in an aggregate amount of $5.1 billion and $3.8 billion, respectively. As of September 30, 2021, this amount included assets held in certain of our foreign operations totaling approximately $2.6 billion. As we repatriate these funds to the U.S., we will be required to pay income taxes in certain U.S. states and applicable foreign withholding taxes on those amounts during the period when such repatriation occurs. We have accrued deferred taxes for the tax effect of repatriating the funds to the U.S.
We actively monitor all counterparties that hold our cash and cash equivalents and non-equity investments, focusing primarily on the safety of principal and secondarily on improving yield on these assets. We diversify our cash and cash equivalents and investments among various counterparties in order to reduce our exposure should any one of these counterparties fail or encounter difficulties. To date, we have not experienced any material loss or lack of access to our invested cash, cash equivalents or short-term investments; however, we can provide no assurances that access to our invested cash, cash equivalents or short-term investments will not be impacted by
adverse conditions in the financial markets, including, without limitation, as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. At any point in time we have funds in our operating accounts and customer accounts that are deposited and invested with third party financial institutions.
We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments, together with cash expected to be generated from operations, borrowings available under our credit agreement and commercial paper program, and our access to capital markets, will be sufficient to fund our operating activities, anticipated capital expenditures, repayment of debt and stock repurchases for the foreseeable future. However, COVID-19 and related measures to contain its impact have caused material disruptions in both national and global financial markets and economies. The future impact of COVID-19 and these containment measures cannot be predicted with certainty and may increase our borrowing costs and other costs of capital and otherwise adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and we cannot assure that we will have access to external financing at times and on terms we consider acceptable, or at all, or that we will not experience other liquidity issues going forward.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of September 30, 2021, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
We have a cash pooling arrangement with a financial institution for cash management purposes. This arrangement allows for cash withdrawals from the financial institution based upon our aggregate operating cash balances held within the same financial institution (“Aggregate Cash Deposits”). This arrangement also allows us to withdraw amounts exceeding the Aggregate Cash Deposits up to an agreed-upon limit. The net balance of the withdrawals and the Aggregate Cash Deposits are used by the financial institution as a basis for calculating our net interest expense or income under the arrangement. As of September 30, 2021, we had a total of $1.6 billion in aggregate cash deposits, partially offset by $1.5 billion in cash withdrawals, held within the financial institution under the cash pooling arrangement.
Indemnification Provisions
We entered into a separation and distribution agreement and various other agreements with PayPal to govern the separation and relationship of the two companies. These agreements provide for specific indemnity and liability obligations and could lead to disputes between us and PayPal, which may be significant. In addition, the indemnity rights we have against PayPal under the agreements may not be sufficient to protect us and our indemnity obligations to PayPal may be significant.
In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors, executive officers and certain other officers. These agreements require us to indemnify such individuals, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, for certain liabilities to which they may become subject as a result of their affiliation with us.
In the ordinary course of business, we have included limited indemnification provisions in certain of our agreements with parties with which we have commercial relations, including our standard marketing, promotions and application programming interface license agreements. Under these contracts, we generally indemnify, hold harmless and agree to reimburse the indemnified party for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party in connection with claims by a third party with respect to our domain names, trademarks, logos and other branding elements to the extent that such marks are applicable to our performance under the subject agreement. In certain cases, we have agreed to provide indemnification for intellectual property infringement. It is not possible to determine the maximum potential loss under these indemnification provisions due to our limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular provision. To date, losses recorded in our condensed consolidated statement of income in connection with our indemnification provisions have not been significant, either individually or collectively.
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Item 3: | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
61
Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to interest rate risk relating to our investments and outstanding debt. In addition, adverse economic conditions and events (including volatility or distress in the equity and/or debt or credit markets) may impact regional and global financial markets. These events and conditions could cause us to write down our assets or investments. We seek to reduce earnings volatility that may result from adverse economic conditions and events or changes in interest rates.
The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal while at the same time improving yields without significantly increasing risk. To achieve this objective, we maintain our cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments in a variety of asset types, including bank deposits, government bonds and corporate debt securities. As of September 30, 2017,2021, approximately 14%8% of our total cash and investments was held in cash and cash equivalents. As such, changes in interest rates will impact interest income. As discussed below, the fair market values of our fixed rate securities may have their fair market valuebe adversely affected due to a rise in interest rates, and we may suffer losses in principal if we are forced to sell securities that have declined in market value due to changes in interest rates.
As of September 30, 2017,2021, the balance of our corporate debt and government bond and corporate debt securities was $9.7$3.9 billion, which represented approximately 78%24% of our total cash and investments. Investments in both fixed-rate and floating-rate interest-earning instruments carry varying degrees of interest rate risk. The fair market value of our fixed-rate investment securities may be adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates. In general, fixed-rate securities with longer maturities are subject to greater interest-rateinterest rate risk than those with shorter maturities. While floating rate securities generally are subject to less interest-rateinterest rate risk than fixed-rate securities, floating-rate securities may produce less income than expected if interest rates decrease and may also suffer a decline in market value if interest rates increase. Due in part to these factors, our investment income may fall short of expectations or we may suffer losses in principal if we sell securities that have declined in market value due to changes in interest rates. A hypothetical 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would not have resulted in a material impact ondecrease in the fair value of our financial assets or liabilitiesinvestments of $19 million and $5 million as of September 30, 2017.2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
As of September 30, 2017,2021, we havehad an aggregate principal amount of $10.1$9.1 billion of outstanding senior notes, of which 92%96% bore interest at fixed rates. We entered into $2.4 billionDuring 2020, we began to hedge the variability of the cash flows in interest payments associated with our floating-rate debt using interest rate swaps. These interest rate swap agreements effectively convert our LIBOR-based floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis, reducing the impact of interest-rate changes on future interest expense. The total notional amount of these interest swaps was $400 million as of September 30, 2021 with terms calling for us to receive interest at a variable rate and to pay interest at a fixed rate. Our interest rate swap contracts have maturity dates in 2023. At September 30, 2021, we did not have an unhedged balance on our floating-rate debt. We considered the historical volatility of short-term interest rates and determined that it was reasonably possible that an adverse change of 100 basis points could be experienced in the near term. A hypothetical 1% (100 basis points) decrease in interest rates would have resulted in a decrease in the economic effect of modifying the fixed interest obligations associated with $1.15 billionfair values of our 2.200% senior notes due July 2019, $750floating to fixed rate interest swaps of approximately $6 million of our 2.875% senior notes due July 2021, and $500 million of our 3.450% senior notes due July 2024 so that the interest payable on those notes effectively became variable based on LIBOR plus a spread. at September 30, 2021.
Further changes in interest rates will impact interest expense on any borrowings under our revolving credit facility, which bear interest at floating rates, and the interest rate on any commercial paper borrowings we make and any debt securities we may issue in the future and, accordingly, will impact interest expense. For additional details related to our debt, please see “Note 9 –— Debt” to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report.
Equity Price Risk
The primary objectiveEquity investments
On June 24, 2021, we completed the transfer of our Classifieds business to Adevinta. Upon completion of the transfer we received an equity interest in Adevinta. The equity investment activities is accounted for under the fair value option and changes in Adevinta’s stock price and equity volatility may have a significant impact on the value of our equity investment in Adevinta. As of September 30, 2021, a one dollar change in Adevinta’s common stock would increase or decrease the fair value of the investment by approximately $540 million.
In August 2021, one of our equity investments, KakaoBank, which previously did not have a readily determinable fair value, completed its initial public offering which resulted in this investment having a readily determinable fair value. Valuation of equity investments with readily determinable fair values can be obtained from real time quotes in active markets. Changes in KakaoBank’s stock price and equity volatility may have a significant impact on the value of our equity investment in KakaoBank. As of September 30, 2021, a one dollar change in KakaoBank’s common stock would increase or decrease the fair value of the investment by approximately $14 million.
For additional details related to preserve principal whilethese investments, please see “Note 6 — Investments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report.
Our remaining equity investments are primarily investments in privately-held companies. Our consolidated results of operations include, as a component of interest and other, net, our share of the net income or loss of the equity investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Equity investments without readily determinable fair values are accounted for at cost, less impairment and adjusted for subsequent observable price changes obtained from orderly transactions for identical or similar investments issued by the same time improving yields without significantly increasing risk. To achieve this objective, we maintain our cash equivalentsinvestee. Such changes in the basis of the equity investment are recognized in interest and short-term and long-term investments in a variety of asset types, including bank deposits, government bonds and corporate debt securities.other, net.
As of September 30, 2017,2021, our cost and equity method investments totaled $885 million,$10.3 billion, which represented approximately 7%64% of our total cash and investments, and were primarily related to our equity method investmentsinvestment in privately held companies. Adevinta.
Warrant
We review our investmentsentered into a warrant agreement in conjunction with a commercial agreement with Adyen that, subject to meeting certain conditions, entitles us to acquire a fixed number of shares up to 5% of Adyen’s fully diluted issued and outstanding share capital at a specific date. The warrant is accounted for impairment when eventsas a derivative instrument under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and circumstances indicateHedging. Changes in Adyen’s common stock price and equity volatility may have a declinesignificant impact on the value of the warrant. As of September 30, 2021, a one dollar change in Adyen’s common stock, holding other factors constant, would increase or decrease the fair value of such assets below carrying value is other-than-temporary. Our analysis includes a review of recent operating results and trends, recent sales/acquisitions of the securitieswarrant by approximately $1 million. For additional details related to the warrant, please see “Note 7 — Derivative Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in which we have invested and other publicly available data.this report.
Foreign Currency Risk
Our commerce platforms operate globally, resulting in certain revenues and costs that are denominated in foreign currencies, primarily the euro, British pound, Korean woneuro and Australian dollar, subjecting us to foreign currency risk, which may adversely impact our financial results. We transact business in various foreign currencies and have significant international revenues as well as costs. In addition, we charge our international subsidiaries for their use of intellectual property and technology and for certain corporate services we provide. Our cash flow and results of operations and certain of our intercompany balances that are exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations may differ materially from expectations and we may record significant gains or losses due to foreign currency fluctuations and related hedging activities.
We have a foreign exchange exposure management program designed to identify material foreign currency exposures, manage these exposures and reduce the potential effects of currency fluctuations on our reported condensed consolidated cash flows and results of operations through the purchase of foreign currency exchange contracts. The effectiveness of the program and resulting usage of foreign exchange derivative contracts is at times limited by our ability to achieve cash flow hedge accounting.accounting or net investment hedge accounting, as applicable. For additional details related to our derivative instruments, please see “Note 8 –7 — Derivative Instruments” to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report.
We use foreign exchange derivative contracts to help protect our forecasted U.S. dollar-equivalent earnings from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These hedging contracts reduce, but do not entirely eliminate, the impact of adverse currency exchange rate movements. Most of these contracts are designated as cash flow hedges or net investment hedges for accounting purposes. For qualifying cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the same period the forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portionFor qualifying net investment hedges, the derivative’s gain or loss is initially reported in the foreign currency translation adjustments component of AOCI and is reclassified to net earnings in the unrealized gains and losses on these contracts, if any,period in which the hedged subsidiary is recorded immediately in earnings.either sold or substantially liquidated. For contracts not designated as cash flow hedges for hedge accounting, purposes, the derivative’s gain or loss is recognized immediately in earnings in our condensed consolidated statement of income.income, which is offset by the foreign currency gain or loss on the related asset or liability that is also recognized in earnings. However, only certain revenue and costs are eligible for cash flow hedge accounting.
The following table illustrates the fair values of outstanding foreign exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges, net investment hedges or not designated for hedge accounting and the before-tax effect on fair values of a hypothetical adverse change in the foreign exchange rates that existed as of September 30, 2017.2021. The sensitivity for foreign currency contracts is based on a 20% adverse change in foreign exchange rates, against relevant functional currencies.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fair Value Asset/(Liability) | | Fair Value Sensitivity |
| (In millions) |
Foreign exchange contracts - Cash flow hedges | $ | 77 | | | $ | (142) | |
Foreign exchange contracts - Net investment hedges | $ | 36 | | | $ | (267) | |
Foreign exchange contracts - Not designated for hedge accounting | $ | 18 | | | $ | (613) | |
|
| | | | | | | |
| Fair Value Asset/(Liability) | | Fair Value Sensitivity |
| (In millions) |
Foreign exchange contracts - Cash flow hedges | $ | (14 | ) | | $ | (287 | ) |
Since our risk management programs are highly effective, the potential loss in value described above would be largely offset by changes in the value of the underlying exposure.
Subsequent to the distribution of 100% of the outstanding common stock of PayPal to our stockholders (the “Distribution”), fewer of our currency flows met the U.S. GAAP criteria for cash flow hedge accounting, thus requiring us to use a combination of foreign exchange derivative contracts and investing non-U.S. cash in U.S. denominated investments to help protect our forecasted U.S. dollar-equivalent earnings from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The recent realignment of our legal structure has resulted in an increase in currency flows that meet the U.S. GAAP criteria for cash flow hedge accounting, thus minimizing the need to invest non-U.S. cash in U.S. denominated investments to protect both our forecasted revenue flows and U.S. dollar equivalent earnings from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
In addition, weWe also use foreign exchange contracts to offset the foreign exchange risk on our assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of our subsidiaries. These contracts reduce, but do not entirely eliminate, the impact of currency exchange rate movements on our assets and liabilities. The foreign currency gains and losses on the assets and liabilities are recorded in interest and other, net, which are offset by the gains and losses on the foreign exchange contracts.
We considered the historical trends in currency exchange rates and determined that it was reasonably possible that adverse changes in exchange rates of 20% for all currencies could be experienced in the near term. These changes would have resulted in an adverse impact on income before income taxes of approximately $18$90 million as of September 30, 20172021 taking into consideration the offsetting effect of foreign exchange forwards in place as of September 30, 2017.2021.
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Item 4: | Controls and Procedures |
Our enhanced review procedures and documentation standards were in place and operating during the first nine months of 2017. We are in the process of testing the newly implemented internal controls and related procedures. The material weakness cannot be considered remediated until the control has operated for a sufficient period of time and until management has concluded, through testing, that the control is operating effectively. Our goal is to remediate this material weakness by the end of 2017.
PART II: OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1: Legal Proceedings
The information set forth under “Note 1011 — Commitments and Contingencies — Litigation and Other Legal Matters” to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.
You should carefully review the following discussion of theItem 1A:Risk Factors
Risk Factors:
We are subject to various risks and uncertainties that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition as well asincluding not limited to, those described in Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors in our consolidated financial statementsAnnual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (“2020 Form 10-K”). Current global economic events and notes thereto andconditions may amplify many of these risks. These risks are not the other information appearing in this report, for important information regardingonly risks that may affect us. Additional risks that we are not aware of or do not believe are material at the time of this filing may also become important factors that adversely affect our business. Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes to the Company’s risk factors since the 2020 Form 10-K.
Transactional Risk Factors That May Affect
The closing of the proposed sale of our Business, Results of Operations and Financial Condition
Our operating and financial results areeBay Korea business is subject to various risks and uncertainties, that could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, as well as the trading price of our common stock and debt securities.
Our operating and financial results have varied on a quarterly basis during our operating history and may continue to fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors, including as a result of the risks set forth in this “Risk Factors” section. It is difficult for us to forecast the level or source of our revenues or earnings (loss) accurately. In view of the rapidly evolving nature of our business, period-to-period comparisons of our operating results may not be meaningful, and you should not rely upon them as an indication of future performance. We do not have backlog, and substantially all of our net revenues each quarter come from transactions involving sales during that quarter. Due to the inherent difficultycompleted in forecasting revenues, it is also difficult to forecast expenses as a percentage of net revenues. Quarterly and annual expenses as a percentage of net revenues reflected in our consolidated financial statements may be significantly different from historical or projected rates. Our operating results in one or more future quarters may fall below the expectations of securities analysts and investors. The trading price of our common stock and debt securities could decline, perhaps substantially, as a result of the factors described in this paragraph.
Substantial and increasingly intense competition worldwide in ecommerce may harm our business.
The businesses and markets in which we operate are intensely competitive. We currently and potentially competeaccordance with a wide variety of online and offline companies providing goods and services to consumers and merchants. The Internet and mobile networks provide new, rapidly evolving and intensely competitive channels for the sale of all types of goods and services. We compete in two-sided markets, and must attract both buyers and sellers to use our platforms. Consumers who purchase or sell goods and services through us have more and more alternatives, and merchants have more channels to reach consumers. We expect competition to continue to intensify. Online and offline businesses increasingly are competing with each other and our competitors include a number of online and offline retailers with significant resources, large user communities and well-established brands. Moreover, the barriers to entry into these channels can be low, and businesses easily can launch online sites or mobile platforms and applications at nominal cost by using commercially available software or partnering with any of a number of successful ecommerce companies. As we respond to changes in the competitive environment, we may, from time to time, make pricing, service or marketing decisions or acquisitions that may be controversial with and lead to dissatisfaction among sellers, which could reduce activity on our platform and harm our profitability.
We face increased competitive pressure online and offline. In particular, the competitive norm for, and the expected level of service from, ecommerce and mobile commerce has significantly increased, due to, among other factors, improved user experience, greater ease of buying goods, lower (or no) shipping costs, faster shipping times and more favorable return policies. Also, certain platform businesses, such as Alibaba, Apple, Google and Facebook, many of whom are larger than us or have greater capitalization, have a dominant and secure position in other industries or certain significant markets, and offer other goods and services to consumers and merchants that we do not offer. If we are unable to change our products, offerings and services in ways that reflect the changing demands of ecommerce and mobile commerce marketplaces, particularly the higher growth of sales of fixed-price items and higher expected
service levels (some of which depend on services provided by sellers on our platforms), or compete effectively with and adapt to changes in larger platform businesses, our business will suffer.
Competitors with other revenue sources may also be able to devote more resources to marketing and promotional campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies and devote more resources to website, mobile platforms and applications and systems development than we can. Other competitors may offer or continue to offer faster and/or free shipping, delivery on Sunday, same-day delivery, favorable return policies or other transaction-related services which improve the user experience on their sites and which could be impractical or inefficient for our sellers to match. Competitors may be able to innovate faster and more efficiently, and new technologies may increase the competitive pressures by enabling competitors to offer more efficient or lower-cost services.
Some of our competitors control other products and services that are important to our success, including credit card interchange, Internet search, and mobile operating systems. Such competitors could manipulate pricing, availability, terms or operation of service related to their products and services in a manner that impacts our competitive offerings. For example, Google, which operates a shopping platform service, has from time to time made changes to its search algorithms that reduced the amount of search traffic directed to us from searches on Google. If we are unable to use or adapt to operational changes in such services, we may face higher costs for such services, face integration or technological barriers or lose customers, which could cause our business to suffer.
Consumers who might use our sites to buy goods have a wide variety of alternatives, including traditional department, warehouse, boutique, discount and general merchandise stores (as well as the online and mobile operations of these traditional retailers), online retailers and their related mobile offerings, online and offline classified services and other shopping channels, such as offline and online home shopping networks. In the United States, these include Amazon.com, Facebook, Google, Wal-Mart, Target, Macy’s, JC Penney, Costco, Office Depot, Staples, OfficeMax, Sam’s Club, Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping, MSN, QVC and Home Shopping Network, among others. In addition, consumers have a large number of online and offline channels focused on one or more of the categories of products offered on our site.
Consumers also can turn to many companies that offer a variety of services that provide other channels for buyers to find and buy items from sellers of all sizes, including social media, online aggregation and classifieds platforms, such as craigslist, Oodle.com and a number of international websites operated by Schibsted ASA or Naspers Limited. Consumers also can turn to shopping-comparison sites, such as Google Shopping. In certain markets, our fixed-price listing and traditional auction-style listing formats increasingly are being challenged by other formats, such as classifieds.
Our Classifieds platforms offer classifieds listings in the United States and a variety of international markets. In many markets in which they operate, our Classifieds platforms compete for customers and for advertisers against more established online and offline classifieds platforms or other competing websites.
Our online shopping comparison websites (Shopping.com) compete with sites such as Google Shopping, Rakuten, Nextag.com, Pricegrabber.com, Shopzilla, Buscapé in Latin America (owned by Naspers) and Yahoo! Product Search, which offer shopping search engines that allow consumers to search the Internet for specified products. In addition, sellers are increasingly utilizing multiple sales channels, including the acquisition of new customers by paying for search-related advertisements on horizontal search engine sites, such as Google, Yahoo!, Naver and Baidu. We use product search engines and paid search advertising to help users find our sites, but these services also have the potential to divert users to other online shopping destinations. Consumers may choose to search for products and services with a horizontal search engine or shopping comparison website, and such sites may also send users to other shopping destinations.
Consumers and merchants who might use our sites to sell goods also have many alternatives, including general ecommerce sites, such as Amazon and Alibaba, and more specialized sites, such as Etsy. Our international sites also compete for sellers with general and specialized ecommerce sites. Sellers may also choose to sell their goods through other channels, such as classifieds platforms. Consumers and merchants also can create and sell through their own sites, and may choose to purchase online advertising instead of using our services. In some countries, there are online sites that have larger customer bases and greater brand recognition, as well as competitors that may have a better understanding of local culture and commerce. We increasingly may compete with local competitors in developing countries that have unique advantages, such as a greater ability to operate under local regulatory authorities.
In addition, certain manufacturers may limit or cease distribution of their products through online channels, such as our sites. Manufacturers may attempt to use contractual obligations or existing or future government regulation to prohibit or limit ecommerce in certain categories of goods or services. Manufacturers may also attempt to enforce minimum resale price maintenance or minimum advertised price arrangements to prevent distributors from selling on our platformsplans or on the Internet generally,currently contemplated terms or timeline, or at prices that would make us less attractive relativeall, and may not generate the anticipated returns to other alternatives. The adoption by manufacturers of policies, or their use of laws or regulations, in each case discouraging or restricting the sales of goods or services over the Internet, could force our users to stop selling certain products on our platforms, which could result in reduced operating margins, loss of market share and diminished value of our brands.
The principal competitive factors for us include the following:
ability to attract, retain and engage buyers and sellers;
volume of transactions and price and selection of goods;
trust in the sellereBay, and the transaction;pending sale may be disruptive to our eBay Korea business.
customer service;
brand recognition;
community cohesion, interaction and size;
website, mobile platform and application ease-of-use and accessibility;
system reliability and security;
reliability of delivery and payment, including customer preference for fast delivery and free shipping and returns;
level of service fees; and
quality of search tools.
We may be unable to compete successfully against current and future competitors. Some current and potential competitors have longer operating histories, larger customer bases and greater brand recognition in other business and Internet sectors than we do.
Global and regional economic conditions could harm our business.
Our operations and performance depend significantly on global and regional economic conditions. Adverse economic conditions and events (including volatility or distress inbelieve the equity and/or debt or credit markets) have in the past negatively impacted regional and global financial markets andtransaction will likely continue to do so from time to time in the future. These events and conditions, including uncertainties and instability in economic and market conditions causedclose by the United Kingdom’s vote to exitend of 2021 or in early 2022. However, the European Union or geopolitical uncertainty on the Korean peninsula, could have a negative and adverse impact on companies and customers with which we do business or cause us to write down our assets or investments. In addition, financial turmoil affecting the banking system or financial markets could cause additional consolidationcompletion of the financial services industry, or significant financial service institution failures, new or incremental tightening in the credit markets, low liquidity, and extreme volatility in fixed income, credit, currency, and equity markets. Adverse impacts to the companies and customers with which we do business, the banking system, or financial markets could have a material adverse effect on our business, including a reduction in the volume and prices of transactions on our commerce platforms.
We are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Because we generate the majority of our revenues outside the United States but report our financial results in U.S. dollars, our financial results are impacted by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, or foreign exchange rates. The results of operations of many of our internationally focused platforms are exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as the financial results of the applicable subsidiaries are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes. If the U.S. dollar weakens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currency denominated revenues or expenses will result in increased U.S. dollar denominated revenues and expenses. Similarly, if the U.S. dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, particularly the euro, British pound, Korean won or Australian dollar, our translation of foreign currency denominated revenues or expenses will result in lower U.S. dollar denominated net revenues and expenses. In addition to this translation effect, a strengthening U.S. dollar will typically adversely affect the volume of goods being sold by U.S. sellers to Europe and Australia more than it positively affects the volume of goods being sold by sellers in those geographies to buyers in the United States, thereby further negatively impacting our financial results.
While from time to time we enter into transactions to hedge portions of our foreign currency translation exposure, it is impossible to predict or eliminate the effects of this exposure. Fluctuations in foreign exchange rates could significantly impact our financial results, which may have a significant impact on the trading price of our common stock and debt securities.
Our international operations are subject to increased risks, which could harm our business.
Our international businesses, especially in the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and South Korea, and cross-border business from greater China, have generated a majority of our net revenues in recent years. In addition to uncertainty about our ability to generate revenues from our foreign operations and expand into international markets, there are risks inherent in doing business internationally, including:
uncertainties and instability in economic and market conditions caused by the United Kingdom’s vote to exit the European Union;
uncertainty regarding how the United Kingdom’s access to the European Union Single Market and the wider trading, legal, regulatory and labor environments, especially in the United Kingdom and European Union, will be impacted by the United Kingdom’s vote to exit the European Union, including the resulting impact on our business and that of our clients;
expenses associated with localizing our products and services and customer data, including offering customers the ability to transact business in the local currency and adapting our products and services to local preferences (e.g., payment methods) with which we may have limited or no experience;
trade barriers and changes in trade regulations;
difficulties in developing, staffing, and simultaneously managing a large number of varying foreign operations as a result of distance, language, and cultural differences;
stringent local labor laws and regulations;
credit risk and higher levels of payment fraud;
profit repatriation restrictions, foreign currency exchange restrictions or extreme fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates for a particular currency;
political or social unrest, economic instability, repression, or human rights issues;
geopolitical events, including natural disasters, public health issues, acts of war, and terrorism;
import or export regulations;
compliance with U.S. laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and foreign laws prohibiting corrupt payments to government officials, as well as U.S. and foreign laws designed to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities;
antitrust and competition regulations;
potentially adverse tax developments and consequences;
economic uncertainties relating to sovereign and other debt;
different, uncertain, or more stringent user protection, data protection, privacy, and other laws;
risks related to other government regulation or required compliance with local laws;
national or regional differences in macroeconomic growth rates;
local licensing and reporting obligations; and
increased difficulties in collecting accounts receivable.
Violations of the complex foreign and U.S. laws and regulations that apply to our international operations may result in fines, criminal actions, or sanctions against us, our officers, or our employees; prohibitions on the conduct of our business; and damage to our reputation. Although we have implemented policies and procedures designed to promote compliance with these laws, there can be no assurance that our employees, contractors, or agents will not violate our policies. These risks inherent in our international operations and expansion increase our costs of doing business internationally and could harm our business.
Any factors that reduce cross-border trade or make such trade more difficult could harm our business.
Cross-border trade is an important source of both revenue and profits for us. Cross-border trade also represents our primary (or in some cases, only) presence in certain important markets, such as Brazil/Latin America, China, and various other countries. In addition, our cross-border trade is also subject to, and may be impacted by, foreign exchange rate fluctuations.
The interpretation and application of specific national or regional laws, such as those related to intellectual property rights of authentic products, selective distribution networks, and sellers in other countries listing items on the Internet, and the potential interpretation and application of laws of multiple jurisdictions (e.g., the jurisdiction of the buyer, the seller, and/or the location of the item being sold) are often extremely complicated in the context of cross-border trade. The interpretation and/or application of such laws could impose restrictions on, or increase the costs of, purchasing, selling, shipping, or returning goods across national borders.
The shipping of goods across national borders is often more expensive and complicated than domestic shipping. Customs and duty procedures and reviews, including duty-free thresholds in various key markets, the interaction of national postal systems, and security related governmental processes at international borders, may increase costs, discourage cross-border purchases, delay transit and create shipping uncertainties. Any factors that increase the costs of cross-border trade or restrict, delay, or make cross-border trade more difficult or impractical would lower our revenues and profits and could harm our business.
Our business may be adversely affected by geopolitical events, natural disasters, seasonal factors and other factors that cause our users to spend less time on our websites or mobile platforms and applications, including increased usage of other websites.
Our users may spend less time on our websites and our applications for mobile devices as a result of a variety of diversions, including: geopolitical events, such as war, the threat of war, or terrorist activity; natural disasters; power shortages or outages, major public health issues, including pandemics; social networking or other entertainment websites or mobile applications; significant local, national or global events capturing the attention of a large part of the population; and seasonal fluctuations due to a variety of factors. If any of these, or any other factors, divert our users from using of our websites or mobile applications, our business could be materially adversely affected.
Our success depends to a large degree on our ability to successfully address the rapidly evolving market for transactions on mobile devices.
Mobile devices are increasingly used for ecommerce transactions. A significant and growing portion of our users access our platforms through mobile devices. We may lose users if we are not able to continue to meet our users’ mobile and multi-screen experience expectations. The variety of technical and other configurations across different mobile devices and platforms increases the challenges associated with this environment. In addition, a number of other companies with significant resources and a number of innovative startups have introduced products and services focusing on mobile markets.
Our ability to successfully address the challenges posed by the rapidly evolving market for mobile transactions is crucial to our continued success, and any failure to continuously increase the volume of mobile transactions effected through our platforms could harm our business.
If we cannot keep pace with rapid technological developments to provide new and innovative programs, products and services, the use of our products and our revenues could decline.
Rapid, significant technological changes continue to confront the industries in which we operate. We cannot predict the effect of technological changes on our business. In addition to our own initiatives and innovations, we rely in part on third parties, including some of our competitors, for the development of and access to new technologies. We expect that new services and technologies applicable to the industries in which we operate will continue to emerge. These new services and technologies may be superior to, or render obsolete, the technologies we currently use in our products and services. Incorporating new technologies into our products and services may require substantial expenditures and take considerable time, and ultimately may not be successful. In addition, our ability to adopt new services and develop new technologies may be inhibited by industry-wide standards, new laws and regulations, resistance to change from clients or merchants, or third parties’ intellectual property rights. Our success will depend on our ability to develop new technologies and adapt to technological changes and evolving industry standards.
Our businesstransaction is subject to extensive government regulation and oversight.
We are subject to laws and regulations affecting our domestic and international operations in a numberreceipt of areas, including consumer protection, data privacy requirements, intellectual property ownership and infringement, prohibited
items and stolen goods, resale of event tickets, tax, anti-competition, export requirements, anti-corruption, labor, advertising, digital content, real estate, billing, ecommerce, promotions, quality of services, telecommunications, mobile communications and media, environmental, and health and safety regulations, as well as laws and regulations intended to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities.
Compliance with these laws, regulations, and similar requirements may be onerous and expensive, and variances and inconsistencies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction may further increase the cost of compliance and doing business. Any such costs, which may rise in the future as a result of changes in these laws and regulations or in their interpretation, could individually or in the aggregate make our products and services less attractive to our customers, delay the introduction of new products or services in one or more regions, or cause us to change or limit our business practices. We have implemented policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, but there can be no assurance that our employees, contractors, or agents will not violate such laws and regulations or our policies and procedures.
Regulation in the areas of privacy and protection of user data could harm our business.
We are subject to laws relating to the collection, use, retention, security, and transfer of personally identifiable information about our users around the world. Much of the personal information that we collect, especially financial information, is regulated by multiple laws. User data protection laws may be interpreted and applied inconsistently from country to country. In many cases, these laws apply not only to third-party transactions, but also to transfers of information between or among ourselves, our subsidiaries,certain regulatory approvals and other parties with which we have commercial relations. These laws continue to develop in ways we cannot predict and that may harm our business.
Regulatory scrutiny of privacy, user data protection, use of data and data collection is increasing on a global basis.customary closing conditions. We are subject to a number of privacy and similar laws and regulations in the countries in which we operate and these laws and regulations will likely continue to evolve over time, both through regulatory and legislative action and judicial decisions. Some of these laws impose requirements that are inconsistent with one another, yet regulators may claim that both apply. Complying with these varying national requirements could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner adverse to our business and violations of privacy-related laws can result in significant penalties. In addition, compliance with these laws may restrict our ability to provide services to our customers that they may find to be valuable. A determination that there have been violations of laws relating to our practices under communications-based laws could expose us to significant damage awards, fines and other penalties that could, individually or in the aggregate, materially harm our business. In particular, because of the enormous number of texts, emails and other communications we send to our users, communications laws that provide a specified monetary damage award or fine for each violation (such as those described below) could result in particularly large awards or fines.
For example, the Federal Communications Commission amended certain of its regulations under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), in 2012 and 2013 in a manner that could increase our exposure to liability for certain types of telephonic communication with customers, including but not limited to text messages to mobile phones. Under the TCPA, plaintiffs may seek actual monetary loss or statutory damages of $500 per violation, whichever is greater, and courts may treble the damage award for willful or knowing violations. We are regularly subject to class-action lawsuits, as well as individual lawsuits, containing allegations that our businesses violated the TCPA. These lawsuits, and other private lawsuits not currently alleged as class actions, seek damages (including statutory damages) and injunctive relief, among other remedies. Given the enormous number of communications we send to our users, a determination that there have been violations of the TCPA or other communications-based statutes could expose us to significant damage awards that could, individually or in the aggregate, materially harm our business.
We post on our websites our privacy policies and practices concerning the collection, use and disclosure of user data. Any failure, or perceived failure, by us to comply with our posted privacy policies or with any regulatory requirements or orders or other federal, state or international privacy or consumer protection-related laws and regulations could result in proceedings or actions against us by governmental entities or others (e.g., class action privacy litigation), subject us to significant penalties and negative publicity, require us to change our business practices, increase our costs and adversely affect our business. Data collection, privacy and security have become the subject of increasing public concern. If Internet and mobile users were to reduce their use of our websites, mobile platforms, products, and services as a result of these concerns, our business could be harmed. As noted above, we are also subject to the possibility of security breaches, which themselves may result in a violation of these laws.
Other laws and regulations could harm our business.
It is not always clear how laws and regulations governing matters relevant to our business, such as property ownership, copyrights, trademarks, and other intellectual property issues, parallel imports and distribution controls, taxation, libel and defamation, and obscenity apply to our businesses. Many of these laws were adopted prior to the advent of the Internet, mobile, and related technologies and, as a result, do not contemplate or address the unique issues of the Internet and related technologies. Many of these laws, including some of those that do reference the Internet are subject to interpretation by the courts on an ongoing basis and the resulting uncertainty in the scope and application of these laws and regulations increases the risk that we will be subject to private claims and governmental actions alleging violations of those laws and regulations.
As our activities, the products and services we offer, and our geographical scope continue to expand, regulatory agencies or courts may claim or hold that we or our users are subject to additional requirements (including licensure) or prohibited from conducting our business in their jurisdiction, either generally or with respect to certain actions. Financial and political events have increased the level of regulatory scrutiny on large companies, and regulatory agencies may view matters or interpret laws and regulations differently than they have in the past and in a manner adverse to our businesses. Our success and increased visibility have driven some existing businesses that perceive us to be a threat to their businesses to raise concerns about our business models to policymakers and regulators. These businesses and their trade association groups employ significant resources in their efforts to shape the legal and regulatory regimes in countries where we have significant operations. They may employ these resources in an effort to change the legal and regulatory regimes in ways intended to reduce the effectiveness of our businesses and the ability of users to use our products and services. These established businesses have raised concerns relating to pricing, parallel imports, professional seller obligations, selective distribution networks, stolen goods, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property rights and the liability of the provider of an Internet marketplace for the conduct of its users related to those and other issues. Any changes to the legal or regulatory regimes in a manner that would increase our liability for third-party listings could negatively impact our business.
Numerous U.S. states and foreign jurisdictions, including the State of California, have regulations regarding “auctions” and the handling of property by “secondhand dealers” or “pawnbrokers.” Several states and some foreign jurisdictions have attempted to impose such regulations upon us or our users, and others may attempt to do so in the future. Attempted enforcement of these laws against some of our users appears to be increasing and we could be required to change the way we or our users do business in ways that increase costs or reduce revenues, such as forcing us to prohibit listings of certain items or restrict certain listing formats in some locations. We could also be subject to fines or other penalties, and any of these outcomes could harm our business.
A number of the lawsuits against us relating to trademark issues seek to have our platforms subject to unfavorable local laws. For example, “trademark exhaustion” principles provide trademark owners with certain rights to control the sale of a branded authentic product until it has been placed on the market by the trademark holder or with the holder’s consent. The application of “trademark exhaustion” principles is largely unsettled in the context of the Internet, and if trademark owners are able to force us to prohibit listings of certain items in one or more locations, our business could be harmed.
As we expand and localize our international activities, we are increasingly becoming obligated to comply with the laws of the countries or markets in which we operate. In addition, because our services are accessible worldwide and we facilitate sales of goods and provide services to users worldwide, one or more jurisdictions may claim that we or our users are required to comply with their laws based on the location of our servers or one or more of our users, or the location of the product or service being sold or provided in an ecommerce transaction. For example, we were found liable in France, under French law, for transactions on some of our websites worldwide that did not involve French buyers or sellers. Laws regulating Internet, mobile and ecommerce technologies outside of the United States are generally less favorable to us than those in the United States. Compliance may be more costly or may require us to change our business practices or restrict our service offerings, and the imposition of any regulations on us or our users may harm our business. In addition, we may be subject to multiple overlapping legal or regulatory regimes that impose conflicting requirements on us (e.g., in cross-border trade). Our alleged failure to comply with foreign laws could subject us to penalties ranging from criminal prosecution to significant fines to bans on our services, in addition to the significant costs we may incur in defending against such actions.
We are regularly subject to general litigation, regulatory disputes, and government inquiries.
We are regularly subject to claims, lawsuits (including class actions and individual lawsuits), government investigations, and other proceedings involving competition and antitrust, intellectual property, privacy, consumer protection, accessibility claims, securities, tax, labor and employment, commercial disputes, content generated by our users, services and other matters. The number and significance of these disputes and inquiries have increased as the political and regulatory landscape changes; and as our company has grown larger, our businesses have expanded in scope and geographic reach, and our products and services have increased in complexity.
The outcome and impact of such claims, lawsuits, government investigations, and proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty. Regardless of the outcome, such investigations and proceedings can have an adverse impact on us because of legal costs, diversion of management resources, and other factors. Determining reserves for our pending litigation is a complex, fact-intensive process that is subject to judgment calls. It is possible that a resolution of one or more such proceedings could require us to make substantial payments to satisfy judgments, fines or penalties or to settle claims or proceedings, any of which could harm our business. These proceedings could also result in reputational harm, criminal sanctions, consent decrees, or orders preventing us from offering certain products, or services, or requiring a change in our business practices in costly ways, or requiring development of non-infringing or otherwise altered products or technologies. Any of these consequences could harm our business.
We are subject to regulatory activity and antitrust litigation under competition laws.
We are subject to scrutiny by various government agencies under U.S. and foreign laws and regulations, including competition laws. Some jurisdictions also provide private rights of action for competitors or consumers to assert claims of anti-competitive conduct. Other companies and government agencies have in the past and may in the future allege that our actions violate the antitrust or competition laws of the United States, individual states, the European Commission or other countries, or otherwise constitute unfair competition. An increasing number of governments are regulating competition law activities, including increased scrutiny in large markets such as China. Our business partnerships or agreements or arrangements with customers or other companies could give rise to regulatory action or antitrust litigation. Some regulators, particularly those outside of the United States, may perceive our business to be used so broadly that otherwise uncontroversial business practices could be deemed anticompetitive. Certain competition authorities have conducted market studies of our industries. Such claims and investigations, even if without foundation, may be very expensive to defend, involve negative publicity and substantial diversion of management time and effort and could result in significant judgments against us or require us to change our business practices.
We are subject to patent litigation.
We have repeatedly been sued for allegedly infringing other parties’ patents. We are a defendant in a number of patent suits and have been notified of several other potential patent disputes. We expect that we will increasingly be subject to patent infringement claims because, among other reasons:
our products and services continue to expand in scope and complexity;
we continue to expand into new businesses, including through acquisitions; and
the universe of patent owners who may claim that we, any of the companies that we have acquired, or our customers infringe their patents, and the aggregate number of patents controlled by such patent owners, continues to increase.
Such claims may be brought directly against us and/or against our customers whom we may indemnify either because we are contractually obligated to do so or we choose to do so as a business matter. We believe that an increasing number of these claims against us and other technology companies have been, and continue to be, initiated by third parties whose sole or primary business is to assert such claims. In addition, we have seen significant patent disputes between operating companies in some technology industries. Patent claims, whether meritorious or not, are time-consuming and costly to defend and resolve, and could require us to make expensive changes in our methods of doing business, enter into costly royalty or licensing agreements, make substantial payments to satisfy adverse judgments or settle claims or proceedings, or cease conducting certain operations, which would harm our business.
We have identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting which, if not remediated, could adversely affect our reputation, business or stock price.
In reviewing the accounting for certain transactions we completed in December 2016, as part of the realignment of our legal structure, as described above under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Provision for Income Taxes,” our management identified a deficiency in the effectiveness of a control intended to properly document and review relevant facts and apply the appropriate tax accounting under standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which impacted the Deferred tax asset and Income tax benefit accounts and related disclosures. As described under “Part 1, Item 4 - Controls and Procedures,” our management has concluded that the deficiency constitutes a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting and, as a result, internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of September 30, 2017.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Although we have developed and are implementing a plan to remediate this material weakness and believe, based on our evaluation to date, that this material weakness will be remediated during 2017, we cannot assure you that this will occur within the contemplated timeframe. Moreover, we cannot assure you that we will not identify additional material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting inconditions to the future. If we are unable to remediate the material weakness, our ability to record, process and report financial information accurately, and to prepare financial statements within the time periods specified by the rules and formsclosing of the Securities and Exchange Commission, could be adversely affected. The occurrence of, or failure to remediate the material weakness may adversely affect our reputation and business and the market price of our common stock and any other securities we may issue.
We are exposed to fluctuations in interest rates.
Some of our borrowings bear interest at floating rates and we have entered into agreements intended to convert the interest rate on some of our fixed rate debt instruments to floating rates. To the extent that prevailing rates increase, our interest expense under these debt instruments will increase.
Investments in both fixed-rate and floating-rate interest-earning instruments carry varying degrees of interest rate risk. The fair market value of our fixed-rate investment securities may be adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates. In general, fixed-rate securities with longer maturities are subject to greater interest-rate risk than those with shorter maturities. While floating rate securities generally are subject to less interest-rate risk than fixed-rate securities, floating-rate securities may produce less income than expected if interest rates decrease and may also suffer a decline in market value if interest rates increase. Due in part to these factors, our investment income may decline or we may suffer losses in principal if securities are sold that have declined in market value due to changes in interest rates. In addition, relatively low interest rates limit our investment income. Fluctuations in interest rates that increase the cost of our current or future indebtedness, cause the market value of our assets to decline or reduce our investment income could adversely affect our financial results.
Our tickets business is subject to regulatory, competitive and other risks that could harm this business.
Our tickets business, which includes StubHub, is subject to numerous risks, including:
Some jurisdictions, in particular jurisdictions outside the United States, prohibit the resale of event tickets (anti-scalping laws) at prices above the face value of the tickets or at all, or highly regulate the resale of tickets, and new laws and regulations or changes to existing laws and regulations imposing these or other restrictions could limit or inhibit our ability to operate, or our users’ ability to continue to use, our tickets business.
Regulatory agencies or courts may claim or hold that we are responsible for ensuring that our users comply with these laws and regulations.
In many jurisdictions, our tickets business depends on commercial partnerships with event organizers or licensed ticket vendors, which we must develop and maintain on acceptable terms for our tickets business to be successful.
Our tickets business is subject to seasonal fluctuations and the general economic and business conditions that impact the sporting events and live entertainment industries.
A portion of the tickets inventory sold by sellers on the StubHub platform is processed by StubHub in digital form. Systems failures, security breaches, theft or other disruptions that result in the loss of such sellers’ tickets inventory, could result in significant costs and a loss of consumer confidence in our tickets business.
Lawsuits alleging a variety of causes of actions have in the past, and may in the future, be filed against StubHub and eBay by venue owners, competitors, ticket buyers, and unsuccessful ticket buyers. Such lawsuits could result in significant costs and require us to change our business practices in ways that negatively affect our tickets business.
Our tickets business also faces significant competition from a number of sources, including ticketing service companies, event organizers, ticket brokers, and online and offline ticket resellers. Some ticketing service companies, event organizers, and professional sports teams have begun to issue event tickets through various forms of electronic ticketing systems that are designed to restrict or prohibit the transferability (and by extension, the resale) of such event tickets either to favor their own resale affiliates or to discourage resale or restrict resale of season tickets to a preferred, designated website. Ticketing service companies have also begun to use market-based pricing strategies or dynamic pricing to charge much higher prices, and impose additional restrictions on transferability, for premium tickets.
Some sports teams have threatened to revoke the privileges of season ticket owners if they resell their tickets through a platform that is not affiliated with, or approved by, such sports teams.
The listing or sale by our users of items that allegedly infringe the intellectual property rights of rights owners, including pirated or counterfeit items, may harm our business.
The listing or sale by our users of unlawful, counterfeit or stolen goods or unlawful services, or sale of goods or services in an unlawful manner, has resulted and may continue to result in allegations of civil or criminal liability for unlawful activities against us (including the employees and directors of our various entities) involving activities carried out by users through our services. In a number of circumstances, third parties, including government regulators and law enforcement officials, have alleged that our services aid and abet violations of certain laws, including laws regarding the sale of counterfeit items, laws restricting or prohibiting the transferability (and by extension, the resale) of digital goods (e.g., event tickets, books, music and software), the fencing of stolen goods, selective distribution channel laws, customs laws, distance selling laws, anti-scalping laws with respect to the resale of tickets, and the sale of items outside of the United States that are regulated by U.S. export controls. For example:
In Turkey, local prosecutors and courts are investigating our liability for allegedly illegal actions by users of our Turkish Marketplace business (GittiGidiyor). In accordance with local law and custom, they have indicted one or more members of the board of directors of our local Turkish subsidiary. We intend to defend vigorously against any such actions and a growing number of these cases have been dismissed by the relevant courts.
In August 2012, we were informed that U.S. listings of footwear with religious imagery were visible on our local Indian site and we immediately removed these listings. In September 2012, a criminal case was registered against us in India in regard to these listings, and we are challenging the prosecution of this case.
In addition, allegations of infringement of intellectual property rights, including but not limited to counterfeit items, have resulted in threatened and actual litigation from time to time by rights owners, including the following luxury brand owners: Tiffany & Co. in the United States; Rolex S.A. and Coty Prestige Lancaster Group GmbH in Germany; Louis Vuitton Malletier and Christian Dior Couture in France; and L’Oréal SA, Lancôme Parfums et Beauté & Cie, and Laboratoire Garnier & Cie in several European countries. Plaintiffs in these and similar suits seek, among other remedies, injunctive relief and damages. Statutory damages for copyright or trademark violations could range up to $150,000 per copyright violation and $2,000,000 per trademark violation in the United States, and may be even higher in other jurisdictions. In the past, we have paid substantial amounts in connection with resolving certain trademark and copyright suits. These and similar suits may also force us to modify our business practices in a manner that increases costs, lowers revenue, makes our websites and mobile platforms less convenient to customers, and requires us to spend substantial resources to take additional protective measures or discontinue certain service offerings in order to combat these practices. In addition, we have received significant media attention relating to the listing or sale of illegal or counterfeit goods, which could damage our reputation, diminish the value of our brand names, and make users reluctant to use our products and services.
We are subject to risks associated with information disseminated through our services.
Online services companies may be subject to claims relating to information disseminated through their services, including claims alleging defamation, libel, breach of contract, invasion of privacy, negligence, copyright or trademark infringement, among other things. The laws relating to the liability of online services companies for information disseminated through their services are subject to frequent challenges both in the United States and foreign jurisdictions. Any liabilities incurred as a result of these matters could require us to incur additional costs and harm our reputation and our business.
Our potential liability to third parties for the user-provided content on our sites, particularly in jurisdictions outside the United States where laws governing Internet transactions are unsettled, may increase. If we become liable for information provided by our users and carried on our service in any jurisdiction in which we operate, we could be directly harmed and we may be forced to implement new measures to reduce our exposure to this liability, including expending substantial resources or discontinuing certain service offerings, which could harm our business.
Changes to our programs to protect buyers and sellers could increase our costs and loss rate.
Our eBay Money Back Guarantee program represents the means by which we compensate users who believe that they have been defrauded, have not received the item that they purchased or have received an item different from what was described. We expect to continue to receive communications from users requesting reimbursement or threatening or commencing legal action against us if no reimbursement is made. Our liability for these sort of claims is slowly beginning to be clarified in some jurisdictions and may be higher in some non-U.S. jurisdictions than it is in the United States. Litigation involving liability for any such third-party actions could be costly and time consuming for us, divert management attention, result in increased costs of doing business, lead to adverse judgments or settlements or otherwise harm our business. In addition, affected users will likely complain to regulatory agencies that could take action against us, including imposing fines or seeking injunctions.
We may be unable to adequately protect or enforce our intellectual property rights, or third parties may allege that we are infringing their intellectual property rights.
We believe the protection of our intellectual property, including our trademarks, patents, copyrights, domain names, trade dress, and trade secrets, is critical to our success. We seek to protect our intellectual property rights by relying on applicable laws and regulations in the United States and internationally, as well as a variety of administrative procedures. We also rely on contractual restrictions to protect our proprietary rights when offering or procuring products and services, including confidentiality and invention assignment agreements entered into with our employees and contractors and confidentiality agreements with parties with whom we conduct business.
However, effective intellectual property protection may not be available in every country in which our products and services are made available, and contractual arrangements and other steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property may not prevent third parties from infringing or misappropriating our intellectual property or deter independent development of equivalent or superior intellectual property rights by others. Trademark, copyright, patent, domain name, trade dress and trade secret protection is very expensive to maintain and may require litigation. We must protect our intellectual property rights and other proprietary rights in an increasing number of jurisdictions, a process that is expensive and time consuming and may not be successful in every jurisdiction. Also, we may not be able to discover or determine the extent of any unauthorized use of our proprietary rights. We have licensed in the past, and expect to license in the future, certain of our proprietary rights, such as trademarks or copyrighted material, to others. These licensees may take actions that diminish the value of our proprietary rights or harm our reputation. Any failure to adequately protect or enforce our intellectual property rights, or significant costs incurred in doing so, could materially harm our business.
As the number of products in the software industry increases and the functionality of these products further overlap, and as we acquire technology through acquisitions or licenses, we may become increasingly subject to infringement claims, including patent, copyright, and trademark infringement claims. Litigation may be necessary to determine the validity and scope of the patent and other intellectual property rights of others. The ultimate outcome of any allegation is uncertain and, regardless of the outcome, any such claim, with or without merit, may be time-consuming, result in costly litigation, divert management’s time and attention from our business, require us to stop selling, delay roll-out, or redesign our products, or require us to pay substantial amounts to satisfy judgments or settle claims or lawsuits or to
pay substantial royalty or licensing fees, or to satisfy indemnification obligations that we have with some of our customers. Our failure to obtain necessary license or other rights, or litigation or claims arising out of intellectual property matters, may harm our business.
Failure to deal effectively with fraudulent activities on our platforms would increase our loss rate and harm our business, and could severely diminish merchant and consumer confidence in and use of our services.
We face risks with respect to fraudulent activities on our platforms and periodically receive complaints from buyers and sellers who may not have received the goods that they had contracted to purchase or payment for the goods that a buyer had contracted to purchase. In some European and Asian jurisdictions, buyers may also have the right to withdraw from a sale made by a professional seller within a specified time period. While we can, in some cases, suspend the accounts of users who fail to fulfill their payment or delivery obligations to other users, we do not have the ability to require users to make payment or deliver goods, or otherwise make users whole other than through its buyer protection program, which in the United States we refer to as the eBay Money Back Guarantee. Although we have implemented measures to detect and reduce the occurrence of fraudulent activities, combat bad buyer experiences and increase buyer satisfaction, including evaluating sellers on the basis of their transaction history and restricting or suspending their activity, there can be no assurance that these measures will be effective in combating fraudulent transactions or improving overall satisfaction among sellers, buyers,satisfied and, other participants. Additional measures to address fraud could negatively affect the attractiveness of our services to buyers or sellers, resulting in a reduction in the ability to attract new users or retain current users, damage to our reputation, or a diminution in the value of our brand names.
We have substantial indebtedness, and we may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, and we may not generate sufficient cash flow from our business to service our indebtedness. Failure to comply with the terms of our indebtedness could result in the acceleration of our indebtedness, which could have an adverse effect on our cash flow and liquidity.
We have a substantial amount of outstanding indebtedness and we may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, including under our commercial paper program and revolving credit facility or through public or private offerings of debt securities. Our outstanding indebtedness and any additional indebtedness we incur may have significant consequences, including, without limitation, any of the following:
requiring us to use a significant portion of our cash flow from operations and other available cash to service our indebtedness, thereby reducing the amount of cash available for other purposes, including capital expenditures and acquisitions;
our indebtedness and leverage may increase our vulnerability to downturns in our business, to competitive pressures, and to adverse changes in general economic and industry conditions;
adverse changes in the ratings assigned to our debt securities by credit rating agencies will likely increase our borrowing costs;
our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, share repurchases or other general corporate and other purposes may be limited; and
our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and our industry may be limited.
Our ability to make payments of principal of and interest on our indebtedness depends upon our future performance, which will be subject to general economicif those conditions industry cycles and financial, business and other factors affecting our consolidated results of operations and financial condition, many of which are beyond our control. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future to service our debt, we may be required to, among other things:
repatriate funds to the United States at substantial tax cost;
seek additional financing in the debt or equity markets;
refinance or restructure all or a portion of our indebtedness;
sell selected assets; or
reduce or delay planned capital or operating expenditures.
Such measures might not be sufficient to enable us to service our debt. In addition, any such financing, refinancing or sale of assets might not be available on economically favorable terms or at all.
Our revolving credit facility and the indenture pursuant to which certain of our outstanding debt securities were issued contain, and any debt instruments we enter into in the future may contain, financial and other covenants that restrict or could restrict, among other things, our business and operations. If we fail to pay amounts due under, or breach any of the covenants in, a debt instrument, then the lenders would typically have the right to demand immediate repayment of all borrowings thereunder (subject in certain cases to grace or cure period). Moreover, any such acceleration and required repayment of or default in respect of any of our indebtedness could, in turn, constitute an event of default under other debt instruments, thereby resulting in the acceleration and required repayment of that other indebtedness. Any of these events could materially adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition.
A downgrade in our credit ratings could materially adversely affect our business.
Some of our outstanding indebtedness has received credit ratings from certain rating agencies. Such ratings are limited in scope and do not purport to address all risks relating to an investment in those debt securities, but rather reflect only the view of each rating agency at the time the rating was issued. The credit ratings assigned to our debt securities could change based upon, among other things, our results of operations and financial condition. These ratings are subject to ongoing evaluation by credit rating agencies, and there can be no assurance that such ratings will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency or placed on a so-called “watch list” for a possible downgrade or assigned a negative ratings outlook if, in any rating agency’s judgment, circumstances so warrant. Moreover, these credit ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold any of our debt securities. Actual or anticipated changes or downgrades in our credit ratings, including any announcement that our ratings are under review for a downgrade or have been assigned a negative outlook, would likely increase our borrowing costs, which could in turn have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and could harm our business.
Our credit ratings were downgraded as a result of the distribution of 100% of the outstanding common stock of PayPal to our stockholders (the “Distribution”), pursuant to which PayPal became an independent company. As of January 1, 2014, our long-term debt and short-term funding were rated investment grade by Standard and Poor’s Financial Services, LLC (long-term rated A, short-term rated A-1, with a stable outlook), Moody’s Investor Service (long-term rated A2, short-term rated P-1, with a stable outlook), and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (long-term rated A, short-term rated F-1, with a stable outlook). All of these credit rating agencies lowered their ratings in connection with the Distribution, which occurred on July 17, 2015. Since July 20, 2015, we have been rated investment grade by Standard and Poor’s Financial Services, LLC (long-term rated BBB+, short-term rated A-2, with a stable outlook), Moody’s Investor Service (long-term rated Baa1, short-term rated P-2, with a stable outlook), and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (long-term rated BBB, short-term rated F-2, with a stable outlook). We disclose these ratings to enhance the understanding of our sources of liquidity and the effects of these ratings on our costs of funds. Our borrowing costs depend, in part, on our credit ratings and any further actions taken by these credit rating agencies to lower our credit ratings, as described above, will likely increase our borrowing costs.
Our business and users may be subject to sales tax and other taxes.
The application of indirect taxes (such as sales and use tax, value-added tax (“VAT”), goods and services tax, business tax and gross receipt tax) to ecommerce businesses and to our users is a complex and evolving issue. Many of the fundamental statutes and regulations that impose these taxes were established before the adoption and growth of the Internet and ecommerce. In many cases, it is not clear how existing statutes apply to the Internet or ecommerce. In addition, governments are increasingly looking for ways to increase revenues, which has resulted in discussions about tax reform and other legislative action to increase tax revenues, including through indirect taxes. There are many transactions that occur during the ordinary course of business for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain.
We do not collect taxes on the goods or services sold by users of our services. However, some jurisdictions have implemented, or may implement, laws that require remote sellers of goods and services to collect and remit taxes on sales to customers located within the jurisdiction. In particular, the Streamlined Sales Tax Project (an ongoing, multi-year effort by U.S. state and local governments to pursue federal legislation that would require collection and remittance of sales tax by out-of-state sellers) could allow states that meet certain simplification and other criteria to require out-of-state sellers to collect and remit sales taxes on goods purchased by in-state residents. The adoption of such legislation could result in a use tax collection responsibility for certain of our sellers. This collection responsibility and the additional costs associated with complex use tax collection, remittance and audit requirements would make selling on our websites
and mobile platforms less attractive for small business retailers and would harm our business, and the proliferation of state legislation to expand sales and use tax collection on Internet sales could adversely affect some of our sellers and indirectly harm our business.
Several proposals have been made at the U.S. state and local levels that would impose additional taxes on the sale of goods and services over the Internet. These proposals, if adopted, could substantially impair the growth of ecommerce and our brands, and could diminish our opportunity to derive financial benefit from our activities. While the U.S. federal government’s moratorium on state and local taxation of Internet access or multiple or discriminatory taxes on ecommerce has been temporarily extended, this moratorium does not prohibit federal, state or local authorities from collecting taxes on our income or from collecting certain taxes that were in effect prior to the enactment of the moratorium and/or one of its extensions.
From time to time, some taxing authorities in the United States have notified us that they believe we owe them certain taxes imposed on our services. These notifications have not resulted in any significant tax liabilities to date, but there is a risk that some jurisdiction may be successful in the future, which would harm our business.
Similar issues exist outside of the United States,neither satisfied nor, where the application of VAT or other indirect taxes on ecommerce providers is complex and evolving. While we attempt to comply in those jurisdictions where it is clear that a tax is due, some of our subsidiaries have, from time to time, received claims relating to the applicability of indirect taxes to our fees. We have been paying VAT on fees charged to certain of our users in the European Union based on the service provider’s location. On January 1, 2015, changes to the rules determining the place of supply (and thus the country of taxation) for all European Union based providers of electronically supplied services were implemented that require that we pay VAT based on the residence or normal place of business of our customers. These changes may result in our paying a higher rate of VAT on such fees. Additionally, we pay input VAT on applicable taxable purchases within the various countries in which we operate. In most cases, we are entitled to reclaim this input VAT from the various countries. However, because of our unique business model, the application of the laws and rules that allow such reclamation is sometimes uncertain. A successful assertion by one or more countries that we are not entitled to reclaim VAT could harm our business.
In certain jurisdictions, we collect and remit indirect taxes on our fees and pay taxes on our purchases of goods and services. However, tax authorities may raise questions about our calculation, reporting and collection of taxes and may ask us to remit additional taxes, as well as the proper calculation of such taxes. Should any new taxes become applicable or if the taxes we pay are found to be deficient, our business could be harmed.
A taxing authority may seek to impose a tax collection, reporting or record-keeping obligation on companies that engage in or facilitate ecommerce. For example, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) now requires that certain payments to sellers be reported to the sellers and the IRS on an annual basis. Any failure by us to meet these requirements could result in substantial monetary penalties and other sanctions and could harm our business. Taxing authorities may also seek to impose tax collection or reporting obligations based on the location of the product or service being sold or provided in an ecommerce transaction, regardless of where the respective users are located. Some jurisdictions could assert that we are responsible for tax on the underlying goods or services sold on our sites. Imposition of a record keeping or tax collecting requirement could decrease seller activity on our sites and would harm our business. Tax authorities may also require us to help ensure compliance by our users by promulgating legislation regulating professional sellers, including tax reporting and collection requirements. In addition, we have periodically received requests from tax authorities in many jurisdictions for information regarding the transactions of large classes of sellers on our sites, and in some cases we have been legally obligated to provide this data. The imposition of any requirements on us to disclose transaction records for all or a class of sellers to tax or other regulatory authorities or to file tax forms on behalf of any sellers, especially requirements that are imposed on us but not on alternative means of ecommerce, and any use of those records to investigate, collect taxes from or prosecute sellers, could decrease seller activity on our sites and harm our business.
We may have exposure to greater than anticipated tax liabilities.
The determination of our worldwide provision for income taxes and other tax liabilities requires estimation and significant judgment, and there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Like many other multinational corporations, we are subject to tax in multiple U.S. and foreign tax jurisdictions and have structured our operations to reduce our effective tax rate. Our determination of our tax liability is always subject to audit and review by applicable domestic and foreign tax authorities, and we are currently undergoing a number of investigations, audits and reviews by taxing authorities throughout the world, including with respect to our business structure. Any adverse outcome of any such audit or review could harm our business, and the ultimate tax outcome may differ from the amounts recorded in our financial statements and may materially affect our financial results in the period or periods for which such determination is made. While we have established reserves based on assumptions and estimates that we believe are reasonable to cover such eventualities, these reserves may prove to be insufficient.
In addition, our future income taxes could be adversely affected by a shift in our jurisdictional earning mix, by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, as a result of gains on our foreign exchange risk management program, or changes in tax laws, regulations, or accounting principles, as well as certain discrete items.
In light of continuing fiscal challenges in certain U.S. states and in many countries in Europe, various levels of government are increasingly focused on tax reform and other legislative action to increase tax revenue, including corporate income taxes. For example, the economic downturn reduced tax revenues for United States federal and state governments, and a number of proposals to increase taxes from corporate entities have been implemented or are being considered at various levels of government. These include a number of proposals to modify the U.S. federal income tax laws applicable to companies, like ours, operating in multiple U.S. and foreign jurisdictions which, if enacted, could materially increase our effective tax rate. A number of U.S. states have attempted to increase corporate tax revenues by taking an expansive view of corporate presence to attempt to impose corporate income taxes and other direct business taxes on companies that have no physical presence in their state, and taxing authorities in foreign jurisdictions may take similar actions. Many U.S. states are also altering their apportionment formulas to increase the amount of taxable income or loss attributable to their state from certain out-of-state businesses. Similarly, in Europe, and elsewhere in the world, there are various tax reform efforts underway designed to ensure that corporate entities are taxed on a larger percentage of their earnings. Companies that operate over the Internet, such as eBay, are a target of some of these efforts. If more taxing authorities are successful in applying direct taxes to Internet companies that do not have a physical presence in their respective jurisdictions, this could increase our effective tax rate.
We may be subject to sales reporting and record-keeping obligations.
One or more states, the U.S. federal government or foreign countries may seek to impose reporting or record-keeping obligations on companies that engage in or facilitate ecommerce. Such an obligation could be imposed by legislation intended to improve tax compliance (and legislation to such effect has been contemplated by several states and a number of foreign jurisdictions) or if one of our companies was ever deemed to be the legal agent of the users of our services by a jurisdiction in which it operates. Certain of our companies are required to report to the IRS on customers subject to U.S. income tax who receive more than $20,000 in payments and more than 200 payments in a calendar year. As a result, we are required to request tax identification numbers from certain payees, track payments by tax identification number and, under certain conditions, withhold a portion of payments and forward such withholding to the IRS. We have modified our systems to meet these requirements and expect increased operational costs and changes to our user experience in connection with complying with these reporting obligations. Any failure by us to meet these requirements could result in substantial monetary penalties and other sanctions and could harm our business.
Our business is subject to online security risks, including security breaches and cyberattacks.
Our businesses involve the storage and transmission of users’ personal financial information. In addition, a significant number of our users authorize us to bill their payment card accounts directly for all transaction and other fees charged by us. An increasing number of websites, including those owned by several other large Internet and offline companies, have disclosed breaches of their security, some of which have involved sophisticated and highly targeted attacks on portions of their websites or infrastructure. The techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable, or degrade service, or sabotage systems, change frequently, may be difficult to detect for a long time, and often are not recognized until launched against a target. Certain efforts may be state sponsored and supported by significant financial and technological resources and therefore may be even more difficult to detect. As a result, we
may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. Unauthorized parties may also attempt to gain access to our systems or facilities through various means, including hacking into our systems or facilities, fraud, trickery or other means of deceiving our employees, contractors and temporary staff. A party that is able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate our or our users’ personal information, cause interruption or degradations in our operations, damage our computers or those of our users, or otherwise damage our reputation. In addition, our users have been and likely will continue to be targeted by parties using fraudulent “spoof” and “phishing” emails to misappropriate user names, passwords, payment card numbers, or other personal information or to introduce viruses or other malware through “trojan horse” programs to our users’ computers. Our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to cyberattacks or security incidents and third parties may be able to access our users’ proprietary information and payment card data that are stored on or accessible through our systems. Any security breach at a company providing services to us or our users could have similar effects.
In May 2014, we publicly announced that criminals were able to penetrate and steal certain data, including user names, encrypted user passwords and other non-financial user data. Upon making this announcement, we required all buyers and sellers on our platform to reset their passwords in order to log into their account. The breach and subsequent password reset have negatively impacted the business. In July 2014, a putative class action lawsuit was filed against us for alleged violations and harm resulting from the breach. The lawsuit was recently dismissed with leave to amend. In addition, we have received requests for information and are subject to investigations regarding this incident from numerous regulatory and other government agencies across the world.
We may also need to expend significant additional resources to protect against security breaches or to redress problems caused by breaches. These issues are likely to become more difficult and costly as we expand the number of markets where we operate. Additionally, our insurance policies carry low coverage limits, which may not be adequate to reimburse us for losses caused by security breaches and we may not be able to fully collect, if at all, under these insurance policies.
Systems failures or cyberattacks and resulting interruptions in the availability of or degradation in the performance of our websites, applications, products or services could harm our business.
Our systems may experience service interruptions or degradation due to of hardware and software defects or malfunctions, computer denial-of-service and other cyberattacks, human error, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, fires, natural disasters, power losses, disruptions in telecommunications services, fraud, military or political conflicts, terrorist attacks, computer viruses, or other events. Our systems are also subject to break-ins, sabotage and intentional acts of vandalism. Some of our systems are not fully redundant and our disaster recovery planning is not sufficient for all eventualities.
We have experienced and will likely continue to experience system failures, denial of service attacks and other events or conditions from time to time that interrupt the availability or reduce the speed or functionality of our websites and mobile applications. These events have resulted and likely will result in loss of revenue. A prolonged interruption in the availability or reduction in the speed or other functionality of our websites and mobile applications could materially harm our business. Frequent or persistent interruptions in our services could cause current or potential users to believe that our systems are unreliable, leading them to switch to our competitors or to avoid our sites, and could permanently harm our reputation and brands. Moreover, to the extent that any system failure or similar event results in damages to our customers or their businesses, these customers could seek significant compensation from us for their losses and those claims, even if unsuccessful, would likely be time-consuming and costly for us to address. We also rely on facilities, components and services supplied by third parties and our business may be materially adversely affected to the extent these components or services do not meet our expectations or these third parties cease to provide the services or facilities. In particular, a decision by any of our third party hosting providers to close a facility that we use could cause system interruptions and delays, result in loss of critical data and cause lengthy interruptions in our services. We do not carry business interruption insurance sufficient to compensate us for losses that may result from interruptions in our service as a result of systems failures and similar events.
Acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and strategic investments could result in operating difficulties and could harm our business.
We have acquired a significant number of businesses of varying size and scope, technologies, services, and products and have in July 2015 distributed 100% of the outstanding common stock of PayPal to our stockholders, pursuant to which PayPal became an independent company, and sold our Enterprise business in November 2015. We also expect to continue to evaluate and consider a wide array of potential strategic transactions as part of our overall business strategy, including business combinations, acquisitions, and dispositions of businesses, technologies, services, products, and other assets, as well as strategic investments and joint ventures.
These transactions may involve significant challenges and risks, including:
the potential loss of key customers, merchants, vendors and other key business partners of the companies we acquire, or dispose of, following and continuing after announcement of our transaction plans;
declining employee morale and retention issues affecting employees of companies that we acquire or dispose of, which may result from changes in compensation, or changes in management, reporting relationships, future prospects or the direction of the acquired or disposed business;
difficulty making new and strategic hires of new employees;
diversion of management time and a shift of focus from operating the businesses to the transaction, and in the case of an acquisition, integration and administration;
the need to provide transition services to a disposed of company, which may result in the diversion of resources and focus;
the need to integrate the operations, systems (including accounting, management, information, human resource and other administrative systems), technologies, products and personnel of each acquired company, which is an inherently risky and potentially lengthy and costly process;
the inefficiencies and lack of control that may result if such integration is delayed or not implemented, and unforeseen difficulties and expenditures that may arise as a result;
the need to implement or improve controls, procedures and policies appropriate for a larger public company at companies that prior to acquisition may have lacked such controls, procedures and policies or whose controls, procedures and policies did not meet applicable legal and other standards;
risks associated with our expansion into new international markets;
derivative lawsuits resulting from the acquisition or disposition;
liability for activities of the acquired or disposed of company before the transaction, including intellectual property and other litigation claims or disputes, violations of laws, rules and regulations, commercial disputes, tax liabilities and other known and unknown liabilities and, in the case of dispositions, liabilities to the acquirors of those businesses under contractual provisions such as representations, warranties and indemnities;
the potential loss of key employees following the transaction;
the acquisition of new customer and employee personal information by us or a third party acquiring assets or businesses from us, which in and of itself may require regulatory approval and or additional controls, policies and procedures and subject us to additional exposure; and
our dependence on the acquired business’ accounting, financial reporting, operating metrics and similar systems, controls and processes and the risk that errors or irregularities in those systems, controls and processes will lead to errors in our consolidated financial statements or make it more difficult to manage the acquired business.
At any given time, we may be engaged in discussions or negotiations with respect to one or more of these types of transactions and any of these transactions could be material to our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, it may take us longer than expected to fully realize the anticipated benefits of these transactions, and those benefits may ultimately be smaller than anticipated or may not be realized at all, which could adversely affect our business and operating results. Any acquisitions or dispositions may also require us to issue additional equity securities, spend our cash, or incur debt (and increased interest expense), liabilities, and amortization expenses related to intangible assets or write-offs of goodwill, which could adversely affect our results of operations and dilute the economic and voting rights of our stockholders.
We have made certain investments, including through joint ventures, in which we have a minority equity interest and/or lack management and operational control. The controlling joint venture partner in a joint venture may have business interests, strategies, or goals that are inconsistent with ours, and business decisions or other actions or
omissions of the controlling joint venture partner or the joint venture company may result in harm to our reputation or adversely affect the value of our investment in the joint venture. Our strategic investments may also expose us to additional risks. Any circumstances, which may be out of our control, that adversely affect the value of our investments, or cost resulting from regulatory action or lawsuits in connection with our investments, could harm our business or negatively impact our financial results.
Our success largely depends on key personnel. Because competition for our key employees is intense, we may not be able to attract, retain, and develop the highly skilled employees we need to support our business. The loss of senior management or other key personnel could harm our business.
Our future performance depends substantially on the continued services of our senior management and other key personnel, including key engineering and product development personnel, and our ability to attract, retain, and motivate key personnel. Competition for key personnel is intense, especially in the Silicon Valley where our corporate headquarters are located, and we may be unable to successfully attract, integrate, or retain sufficiently qualified key personnel. In making employment decisions, particularly in the Internet and high-technology industries, job candidates often consider the value of the equity awards they would receive in connection with their employment and fluctuations in our stock price may make it more difficult to attract, retain, and motivate employees. In addition, we do not have long-term employment agreements with any of our key personnel and do not maintain any “key person” life insurance policies. The loss of the services of any of our senior management or other key personnel, or our inability to attract highly qualified senior management and other key personnel, could harm our business.
Problems with or price increases by third parties who provide services to us or to our sellers could harm our business.
A number of third parties provide services to us or to our sellers. Such services include seller tools that automate and manage listings, merchant tools that manage listings and interface with inventory management software, storefronts that help our sellers list items and shipping providers that deliver goods sold on our platform, among others. Financial or regulatory issues, labor issues (e.g., strikes, lockouts, or work stoppages), or other problems that prevent these companies from providing services to us or our sellers could harm our business.
Price increases by, or service terminations, disruptions or interruptions at, companies that provide services to us and our sellers and clients could also reduce the number of listings on our platforms or make it more difficult for our sellers to complete transactions, thereby harming our business. Some third parties who provide services to us or our sellers may have or gain market power and be able to increase their prices to us without competitive constraint. In addition, the U.S. Postal Service, which is facing ongoing fiscal challenges, has instituted postal rate increases and announced that it is considering closing thousands of local post offices and ending Saturday mail delivery. While we continue to work with global carriers to offer our sellers a variety of shipping options and to enhance their shipping experience, postal rate increases may reduce the competitiveness of certain sellers’ offerings, and postal service changes could require certain sellers to utilize alternatives which could be more expensive or inconvenient, which could in turn decrease the number of transactions on our sites, thereby harming our business.
We have outsourced certain functions to third-party providers, including some customer support and product development functions, which are critical to our operations. If our service providers do not perform satisfactorily, our operations could be disrupted, which could result in user dissatisfaction and could harm our business.
There can be no assurance that third parties who provide services directly to us or our sellers will continue to do so on acceptable terms, or at all. If any third parties were to stop providing services to us or our sellers on acceptable terms, including as a result of bankruptcy, we may be unable to procure alternatives from other third parties in a timely and efficient manner and on acceptable terms, or at all.
Our developer platforms, which are open to merchants and third-party developers, subject us to additional risks.
We provide third-party developers with access to application programming interfaces, software development kits and other tools designed to allow them to produce applications for use, with a particular focus on mobile applications. There can be no assurance that merchants or third-party developers will develop and maintain applications and services on our open platformspermissible, waived on a timely basis or at all, and a number of factors could cause such third-party developers to curtail or stop development for our platforms. In addition, our business is subject to many regulatory restrictions. It is possible that merchants and third-party developers who utilize our development platforms or tools could violate these regulatory restrictions and we may be held responsible for such violations, which could harm our business.
The Distribution may not achieve some or allunable to complete the sale of the anticipated benefits andKorea business, or such completion may adversely affect our business.be delayed or completed on terms that are less favorable, perhaps materially, to us than the terms currently contemplated.
We may not realize some or allIf the proposed sale of the anticipated benefits fromKorea business is delayed or not completed for any reason, including due to inability to satisfy the Distribution andclosing conditions set forth in the Distribution may in fact adversely affecttransaction agreement or industry or economic conditions outside of our business. As an independent, publicly traded company, we will be a smaller, less diversified company with a narrower business focus and may be more vulnerable to changing market conditions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Separating the businesses may also eliminate or reduce synergies or economies of scale that existed priorcontrol, including those related to the Distribution, whichongoing COVID-19 pandemic, investor confidence could harm our business.
We could incur significant liability if the Distribution is determined to be a taxable transaction.
We have received an opinion from outside tax counsel to the effect that the Distribution qualifies as a transaction that is described in Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code. The opinion relies on certain facts, assumptions, representations and undertakings from PayPal and us regarding the past and future conduct of the companies’ respective businesses and other matters. If any of these facts, assumptions, representations or undertakings are incorrect or not satisfied, our shareholders and we may not be able to rely on the opinion of tax counsel and could be subject to significant tax liabilities. Notwithstanding the opinion of tax counsel we have received, the IRS could determine on audit that the Distribution is taxable if it determines that any of these facts, assumptions, representations or undertakings are not correct or have been violated or if it disagrees with the conclusions in the opinion. If the Distribution is determined to be taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our shareholders that are subject to U.S. federal income taxdecline and we could incurface negative publicity and possible litigation. In addition, in the event of a failed transaction, we will have expended significant U.S. federal income tax liabilities.
Wemanagement resources in an effort to complete the transaction and, although in some circumstances we may be exposedentitled to claims and liabilities as a resulttermination fee, we will have incurred significant transaction costs. Accordingly, if the proposed sale of the Distribution.
We entered into a separation and distribution agreement and various other agreements with PayPal to governKorea business is not completed on the Distribution and the relationship of the two companies going forward. These agreements provide for specific indemnity and liability obligations and could lead to disputes between us and PayPal. The indemnity rights we have against PayPal under the agreements may not be sufficient to protect us. In addition,timeline or terms currently contemplated, or at all, our indemnity obligations to PayPal may be significant and these risks could negatively affect ourbusiness, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and financial condition.stock price may be adversely affected.
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Item 2: | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
We expect, subject to market conditions and other uncertainties, to continue making opportunistic and programmatic repurchases of our common stock. However, our stock repurchase programprograms may be limited or terminated at any time without prior notice. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including corporate and regulatory requirements, price and other market conditions and management’s determination as to the appropriate use of our cash.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.